camp. The summit being reached, it was now dark. "Why don't we rest?" was the anxious inquiry of the weary soldier, who thought capture nothing compared with starvation. The descent was terrible; cliffs of ten to thirty-one feet, down which the smooth-footed horse would slide, with scarce life enough to arrest his progress, except it be stopped by contact with a tree or some other obstacle. Many horses left alone staggered over the cliffs and were for ever lost. It was not until midnight we reached Blue Stone Creek, and all threw themselves upon the ground, hungry and tired. On Monday, the twentieth, we left our camping ground at three A.M., the third day, without food and no prospect of any; we pass along Blue Stone Creek, until we strike Tug Fork, Big Sandy. This day was extremely hot, and taking the Wyoming road, we camped for the night. This ended four days without food. Here cattle were killed, and we soon ate what little could be had, and by daylight, the twentyfirst, every thing was ready. We travelled along the ridge until we struck the Guyan Mountain. The weather was warm and sultry, and our horses began to tire out and show signs of giving out. This was about thirty-five miles from Raleigh, in the mountains. No one knew the road. Here we procured a guide, who manoeuvred with us all day, and after we camped at night, we ascertained we were still thirty-five miles away. The guide had deceived us. Upon inquiring for him, we learned he had escaped to parts unknown, taking a horse and revolver. Had he been found, death would have been his fortune. We procured another guide. On the following day we started at daylight in search of Raleigh, hungry and tired. Messengers had been sent ahead to procure food for horses and men, when finding our forces had fallen back to Fayetteville, we camped for the night. At daylight the train from Fayetteville, with rations and feed, arrived. Three good, hearty huzzas rent the air for crackers and coffee, and in a few hours we reached Fayetteville, where we remained, rested our horses, and left on Friday morning, the twenty-fourth, for camp. All were tired and worn out, having been eleven days, part of the time (about five days) without food, and six nights without sleep, having been bushwhackers during the entire time, both annoyed by front and rear. We drew a large force after us, and proved that cavalry could go wherever it wanted, regardless of roads or expense. We travelled over five hundred miles, over mountains of the worst character, and the most desolated country known to civilized men. 'Our loss in driving the troops was about eighty-five men and officers, killed, wounded, and prisoners. About three hundred horses were left on account of not being able to travel. While the loss is great to the Government, it is a success beyond a doubt. Some five thousand troops had been sent to intercept us on our backward movement, but we reached camp, tired out. REBEL OFFICIAL, REPORT. To General S. Cooper: DUBLIN, July 19. The enemy, one regiment of cavalry and parts of two regiments of infantry, about one thousand strong, rode into Wytheville a little before sunset yesterday. Almost at the same instant two newly organized companies and the employés of this place, in all about one hundred and thirty men, with two field-pieces, whom I had despatched under Major T. M. Bowyer by the passenger train, arrived. A sharp skirmish immediately commenced in the street and continued about three quarters of an hour, when Major Bowyer retired with a part of his men and brought them off in the train. Captain Oliver and two citizens were killed and Lieutenant Rosany badly wounded. The enemy lost Colonel Toland, commanding the brigade, one other colonel, one major, and seven privates killed; one lieutenant-colonel and about twenty-five men wounded, and in our hands. The Lieutenant-Colonel, Powell, is reported mortally wounded. I am informed they lost every one of their field-officers. The command left Wytheville about ten o'clock last night, retreating toward Tazewell Court-House. It is now reported they are coming down Walker's Creek to this place. If they retreat by the way they came they will probably be intercepted and cut up. They paroled on their retreat seventyfive or eighty of our men, whom, I suppose, they found it inconvenient to carry off. Of course the parole under such circumstances is worthless under their own order. The damage to the railroad can be repaired in an hour or so. The jail, commissary, and quartermaster storehouses and several private houses were burned. SAMUEL JONES, Major-General. Doc. 133. THE DRAFT RIOT IN NEW-YORK. JOHN, BY THE GRACE OF GOD AND THE AUTHORITY OF THE HOLY SEE, BISHOP OF BUFFALO. To the Dearly Beloved, Faithful Laity of the Diocese, Health and Benediction: DEARLY BELOVED: In the name of the God of charity, and through that charity which he, who called us to be your bishop, has given us for you; through that charity of Christ in us, however unworthy, through which we would cheerfully give our life, if necessary, for each and every one of you; we beg of you, for Christ's sake, and for the sake of all that you love in heaven and on earth, to abstain from all resistance to the law, from all riot, from all tumultuous gatherings, from all violence. In New-York, many misguided men, yet very few, we believe, of practical Catholics, have shed blood in the late riot; and "the voice of their brother's blood cried to the Lord from the earth." Some of the rioters have fallen; many more will, we fear, suffer much; many will, perhaps, be Not one of these men would dare to expose his precious person in any of the murderous exploits he praises. And now let me say to the men who have been or mean to be engaged in a riot: Why should you expose yourselves to all the danger, and the men who set you on keep out of it? I tell you, my deluded fellow-citizens, that not one of the scheming demagogues who urge you to the peril they never intend to encounter-not one of them will ever consent to act with you or to lead you. Try it! Go to any of the men who applaud your course or pretend to be your friends, and you will find that they don't dare to fight for your opinions as you do. ruined; all will feel the painful sting of a guilty led over the merciless massacres of unoffending conscience, during the rest of life, and, on their negroes. death-bed, (if, indeed, rioters who aid in murder could die otherwise than is written: "He that shall kill by the sword, must be killed by the sword," Apoc. 13: 10,) they will, either through God's mercy, sincerely repent for their participation in the riots, or be lost for ever! Dearly beloved, listen to the advice of a father who dearly loves you; submit to law, and God will protect you. Should there be a draft, fewer will be drafted than would, probably, be killed in an unholy struggle against law. And if any of you be drafted, we will try to protect and aid; friends will protect and aid; God will protect, aid, and bless, in more ways than we know or dare name. Withdraw yourselves, then, we beg and exhort, from all who would excite to associations against the I detest murderers, house-burners, and thieves. law of the land, or to violence and mob-law. For I regard neither with honor, but I have more reGod's sake-for the sake of your dear families-spect for the misguided man who opposes by viofor the sake of your fathers and mothers, whether lence a law which he deems unjust and oppresstill pilgrims on earth or mingling with the "bless-sive, than for the miserable sneaks who, to carry ed crowd of witnesses" who from heaven watch out their opinions or to promote their views, over your conduct on earth-we exhort you to skulk in the rear while they expose their foolish trust in God, and not to lend yourselves to any but courageous dupes in the front. exciter of mob violence, which leads so often to murder. If you follow this advice of your Father in Christ, we confidently assure you that "Whosoever shall follow this rule, peace will be upon him, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God." (Gal. 6.) We require that this letter be read in every church on the Sunday after its reception. Given at St. Joseph's Cathedral, Buffalo, on the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, A.D. + JOHN, 1863. Bishop of Buffalo. LETTER FROM JAMES T. BRADY. NEW-YORK, July 19, 1863. While I was in Washington, detained there by the interruption of travel between that city and Baltimore, the recent riot broke out. Certain individuals, who spoke rather what they wished than what they knew, suggested that the crowd would assail my residence. I do not believe that any rioters of this city ever contemplated any such movement; but if they had made an attempt of the kind, they would have regretted the measure, I assure you. I know very well to whose ingenious suggestions I am indebted for this expression of a threat, and address you merely for the purpose of saying to the mob, and to all men who feel inclined to take part in a mob, two things: First. There is no instance in the history of mankind in which a mob or riot did not fail to win any permanent advantage. Second. In most mobs of any consequence the exhibitions of courage have been by those whom concealed agitations moved. The agitators themselves have, as in the recent instances, remained in secure secrecy. I have heard with regret of the expressions made by men claiming to be gentlemen, having property and influence, who have privately chuckVOL. VII.-Doc. 29 The people of New-York will find out that the way to avoid injustice is not to court or follow the directions of political "rings" or cliques, but to rely upon the assistance of those who, like myself, mean that our country shall continue to exist and no injustice be done to any of her citizens. I do not admire the provision in the conscript law generally called the three hundred dollar clause; but I will obey the law. I will pay this amount for any four men of family whose courage being good are yet so placed that they cannot leave their families. If I were richer I would do more. I will also do all in my power to have the right to draft tested before the judiciary as a constitutional question. But I beg and implore the brave but misled men who are willing to fight for their principles, not to let themselves be used by political sneaks, who don't care how many houses are burned or lives are sacrificed, if their own schemes can be promoted consistently with their personal safety. JAMES T. BRADY. Doc. 134. GENERAL BOYLE'S ORDER. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF KENTUCKY, By authority of the General Commanding the Department, the following General Order is made: 1. It is ordered that no forage or other property belonging to loyal citizens in the State of Kentucky be seized or impressed except in cases of absolute necessity, and then only on written authority from the headquarters of the Twentythird army corps, or from these headquarters. 2. Whenever it becomes necessary to seize or impress private property for military purposes, the property of sympathizers with the rebellion and of those opposed to furnishing any more men He then marched as rapidly as the darkness or any more money to maintain the Federal Gov-and woods would permit to Bagby's house, arrivernment and suppress the rebellion will be first ing there just at daylight. His men surrounded seized and impressed. the house, and approaching the front, saw Rucker 3. The negroes of loyal citizens will not be issuing from the front-door. Having just arisen, impressed on the public works and military roads and totally unsuspicious of danger, he was prounless absolutely necessary. The negroes of cit-ceeding leisurely to perform his morning abluizens who are for no more men and no more tions. Seeing the party of soldiers, he "bolted," money to suppress the rebellion, and the sup- attempting to escape by the rear of the house. porters, aiders, and abettors of such, will be first Here, however, he met with some difficulty, and, impressed, and officers detailed for the purpose refusing to halt, was fired at several times, two are required strictly to observe this order in the of the shots taking effect, one shattering his left execution of their duties. wrist, the other entering and passing through his hip and abdomen. The latter, it is thought, is mortal. I have sent down for him, and if he can be moved will have him brought here. Very respectfully, T. L. CRAWFORD, Brigadier-General Commanding. 4. All horses of the enemy captured or subject to capture will be taken possession of by Quartermasters, and reported to Captain Jenkins, Chief-Quartermaster, Louisville, who is ordered to allow loyal citizens to retain horses to supply the places of those taken by the enemy; but disloyal persons mentioned in paragraphs two and three, who encourage raids by the enemy, will not in any case be allowed to retain captured horses or horses justly subject to cap ture. 5. For all property seized or impressed, proper and regular vouchers will be given, with indorsement as to the loyalty or disloyalty of the owners of the property. By order of Brigadier-General BOYLE. A. C. SEMPLE, A. A. G. Doc. 135. THE CAPTURE OF RUCKER. GENERAL CRAWFORD'S REPORT. JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., September 10, 1863. To Colonel JOHN B. GRAY, Doc. 136. ROSECRANS'S CONGRATULATORY ORDER. July 28, 1863. ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND: By the favor of God, you have expelled the insurgents from Middle Tennessee. You are now called upon to aid your unfortunate fellow-citizens of this section of the State in restoring law and securing protection to persons and property-the right of every free people. Without prompt and united efforts to prevent it, this beautiful region will be plundered and desolated by robbers and guerrillas; its industry will be suspended or destroyed, and a large part of the population be left without sufficient food for the coming winter. It is true COLONEL: I have the honor to report the wound- many of the people have favored the rebellion, ing and capture of the notorious bushwhacker, but many were dragged unwillingly into it by a John F. Rucker, under the following circum-current of mad passion they could not or dared stances: He was travelling up the river on the steamer Calypso, and on Monday evening joined a party of fishermen, who had fastened their skiff to the boat's yawl, while at St. Aubert's Station, and were towed up the river some four or five miles. As the skiff was let loose he was seen to enter it with the other parties, and was recognized by some one of the passengers on board. The captain of the boat and passengers reported the circumstances to me as they passed up; whereupon I despatched Captain Williams, company A, Ninth Provisional regiment, at twelve o'clock at night, on an extra train, with detachments from his company and company E, instructing him to make diligent search for and capture or kill the scoundrel, if possible. On arriving at St. Aubert's, Captain Williams learned that the party of fishermen belonged on the opposite (north) side, and had landed there on their return from the fishing excursion. Captain Williams immediately procured a boat and crossed his men to the town of St. Aubert, where he learned that a man answering the description had been seen about dark, some three or four miles in the country, at or near the house of one Bagby. not resist. The conspirators and traitors, bankrupts in fortunes and in reputations; political swindlers, who forced us from our homes to defend the government of our fathers, have forced the inhabitants of Middle Tennessee into this unnatural attempt to ruin and destroy it. Remember we fight for common rights; what we ask for ourselves we willingly accord to others--freedom under the Constitution and laws of our countrythe country of Washington and Jackson. Assure Tennesseeans of this. Assure them that, foreseeing the waste and suffering that must arise from a state of anarchy, you stand ready to aid them in reestablishing and maintaining civil order. Tell them to assert their former rights against an arbitrary and cruel revolutionary party that has ruined their State, impoverished their families, rendered their slave property insecure, if not altogether valueless, dragged their sons, fathers, and brothers from home, and caused their blood to be shed for an insane project, the success of which would be the proclamation of interminable war and the death-knell of State rights as well as individual freedom. And if they are willing to help themselves, give them every assistance and protection in persons and property consistent with your military duties. 1. Officers and soldiers of the army of the Cumberland, some grave outrages and wrongs have been perpetrated on loyal citizens and helpless women by lawless and unprincipled men wearing our uniform and calling themselves soldiers. Such violation of orders disgrace our country and cause. I appeal to you by your honor, your love of country, and the noble cause in which you serve, to denounce and bring to punishment all such offenders. Let not the slightest stain tarnish your brilliant record. Let no thief, pillager, or invader of the rights of person or property go unpunished. Remember that the truly brave and noble are always just and merciful, and that, by a strict observance of orders, you will crown your noble work and establish your claims to the respect and gratitude of our country. 2. Stragglers and marauders separated from their commands without authority, who go thieving and pillaging around the country, are not entitled to the privileges of soldiers and prisoners of war. They are to be regarded as brigands-enemies of mankind, and are to be treated accordingly. 3. Deserters, conscript agents, and prisoners of war desirous of abandoning the rebellion and becoming peaceable citizens, will be paroled as prisoners of war, and permitted to return to their homes, on giving bonds and security, or satisfactory assurance for the faithful observance of their paroles, and will not be exchanged unless they violate their promises. 4. All citizens are invited to unite in restoring law and order, and in suppressing marauders and guerrillas. All privileges and protection compatible with the interests of the service will be accorded to those who are willing and give assurance by their parole, oath, and bond, or other satisfactory voucher, that they will conduct themselves peaceably, and do no injury to the Government. 5. Those claiming allegiance to the rebellion, or who cannot or will not give satisfactory assurance that they will conduct themselves peaceably, are, on their own theory, by the law of nations, bound to leave the country. This rule will hereafter be observed in such districts as come within our control, at the discretion of the commanding officer of troops in the district. 6. Persons desiring to vote, or to exercise any other right of citizenship, will be permitted to take the oath of allegiance, unless the commanding officer has reason to suppose a fraudulent intent on the part of such person. 7. Provost-marshals are authorized to parole prisoners of war, to administer the parole to noncombatants, and oath of allegiance to citizens, in accordance to the provisions of this order, under such instructions and limitations as may be prescribed by the Provost-Marshal General, on the provost-marshals of corps or divisions, detached or acting at inconvenient distances from their corps headquarters, reporting promptly a list of the names and descriptions of all persons so paroled by them, with their bonds, if any have been given, to the Provost-Marshal General of the army, at the headquarters of the department for record. By command of Major-General ROSECRANS. J. BATES DICKSON, A.A.G. Doc. 137. PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S ORDER. WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANTIGINGTON, July 31.", } GENERAL ORDER No. 252. lished for the information and government of all THE following order of the President is pubconcerned: EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, July 30. It is the duty of every government to give protection to its citizens of whatever class, color, or condition, especially those who are duly organized as soldiers in the public service. The law of nations and the usages and customs of war, as carried on by civilized powers, permit no distinction as to color in the treatment of prisoners of war as public enemies. To sell or enslave any captured person on account of his color, and for no offence against the laws of war, is a relapse into barbarism and a crime against the civilization of the age. The Government of the United States will give the same protection to all its soldiers, and if the enemy shall sell or enslave any one because of his color, the offence shall be punished by retaliation upon the enemy's prisoners in our possession. It is therefore ordered that for every soldier of the United States killed in violation of the laws of war, a rebel soldier shall be executed, and for every one enslaved by the enemy or sold into slavery, a rebel soldier shall be placed at hard labor on the public works, and continued at such labor until the other shall be released and receive the treatment due to a prisoner of war. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. By order of the Secretary of War. Doc. 138. COLONEL BUSSY'S EXPEDITION. JACKSON, MISS., July 20, 1868. On the sixteenth instant, Colonel Bussy, Chief of Cavalry of General Sherman's army, with one thousand of his cavalry, and Wood's brigade of Steele's division, started for Canton, Miss. It was known that Jackson's cavalry division, numbering about four thousand men, had crossed the river, and was supposed to be in the neighborhood of Canton. Our forces reached Grant's Mill, ten miles north of Jackson, at nine o'clock A.M., where the enemy made his appearance and fired on our advance. back along the whole line, and disappeared behind the thick brush on Bear Creek. Colonel Woods moved his forces into the thick brush, where the enemy, from his cover, opened a severe fire, which was returned by our skirmishers. The enemy's position was very strong. He posted his artillery-one six-pound and one twelve-pound gun-in position, raking the road, and being covered by the dense underbrush, it was impossible to discover his position. He kept up a vigorous shelling, which, however, did no injury. Colonel Wood finally dislodged the enemy, reached the bridge over Bear Creek, which the enemy had destroyed, and soon erected a crossing sufficient to cross our forces, when it was discovered the enemy were in full retreat. His loss is known to have been severe; his ambulances were seen moving about on the field collecting the wounded. The expedition camped here for the night. At five o'clock next morning the forces moved into the town, which is one of the most beautiful places in the South-a town of about one thousand five hundred inhabitants. The junction of the Mississippi Central with the New-Orleans and Jackson Railroad makes it a place of considerable importance. At this place were located the "Dixie Works," containing twenty-four forges and machinery for the construction of gun-carriages and materials of war. This establishment has been in successful operation for the confederate government. It was completely destroyed by our forces. They tore up and burned six miles of railroad track in the vicinity of Canton. They also burned thirteen large machine-shops and railroad buildings, with all their contents, Colonel Wood sent forward a party of infantry, drove the enemy from their position on the bank of the river, and destroyed the ferry-boat. Our forces proceeded on to Calhoun Station, on the New-Orleans and Jackson Railroad, where Colonel Bussy burned two locomotives, twenty-five cars, the depot building, and a large quantity of cotton, while Colonel Wood's forces tore up and burned two miles of the railroad track. This is done by marching a regiment in line along the road, and with crowbars and handspikes raise the ties and iron on one side, throwing it over, which breaks the ties loose from the rails. The ties are then piled up, the iron laid across, and the whole fired; the ties burn up, heating the iron bars in the centre, the ends fall down and the rail is effectually destroyed. Here the expedition camped. The next day at an early hour the troops were in motion, and when within two miles of Canton, Jackson's forces were discovered in position ready to meet an attack. He occupied the west side of Bear Creek, and his line extended from the creek along the road, and circling round to the woods on our left. Colonel Stephens, with the Second Wisconsin cavalry, was deployed to the right of the road in the open field, while a regiment of infantry of Colonel Wood's brigade was moved to the front as skirmishers. Two pieces of artillery were ordered forward and preparations made for attacking the enemy. Our forces took with them a large wagon train, numbering seventy-five wagons that were not yet parked. As they were in plain view from the enemy a movement was soon made by him to get possession of the train. While they made a demonstration front a large force was seen moving around our left flank to-five locomotives, fifty cars, and one hundred ward the train. Colonel Bussy discovering the intention of the enemy, ordered one piece of artillery to the point threatened, and sent forward a battalion of the Fifth Illinois cavalry, under command of Major Farnan, who encountered the enemy within four hundred yards of the train. The Major moved into the field and opened fire on the enemy at short range, while our artillery sent a few shells into his ranks, which caused them to fall back. Our gun was now sent forward into the field to a better position, supported by the Seventy-sixth Ohio and Twenty-fifth Iowa infantry, and the Fourth Iowa cavalry, Colonel Winslow, and the Third Iowa cavalry, Major Scott, were formed in line on the left, the Fifth Illinois cavalry, Major Seley, on the right of the infantry. This disposition had hardly been made before the enemy came pouring out of the woods with the evident intention of charging the train. Our artillery opened a fire while the skirmishers from the Seventh-sixth Ohio pushed forward, causing the enemy to fall back in great disorder. It was impossible to pursue, as the fences are heavy hedges of Osage orange, which makes it difficult to get man or beast through them. While these operations were going on under the immediate direction of Colonel Bussy, Colonel Woods, with the Third, Thirteenth, and Seventeenth Missouri and Thirty-first Iowa, were gaining ground to the front. The enemy now fell thousand feet of lumber belonging to the Confederacy. Jackson burned the railroad depot and six hundred bales of cotton as he was leaving the town. Not a dollar's worth of public property was left in Canton. Colonel Bussy also sent a force of cavalry and destroyed a pontoon-bridge over Pearl River. He also burned the railroad bridge over Big Black, twenty miles north of Canton, with one mile of trestle work, and the depot at Ways Bluff. The expedition returned to Jackson last night, having lost about twenty men. They captured seventy-two prisoners, and lost none. Our whole force did not exceed two thousand men. Several regiments were represented, but they were very small ones, the Fifty-first Iowa numbering less than sixty men. The enemy's force consisted of two brigades, and two regiments of another brigade. They claimed to have four to five thousand men, with two pieces of artillery. General Jackson commanded, with General Whitfield, of Kansas notoriety, commanding one brigade, General Crosby and General Adams the others. The whole expedition was a most brilliant success. The railroad has been completely destroyed for forty miles. It cannot be repaired while the war lasts, and therefore cannot be used to transport supplies to support an army within striking distance of the Mississippi River. |