thereby to rally the people to arms, and intending, if successful, to send the dupes to fight their brethren in the South. Nay, more; there are rumors of a Peace Party in his Cabinet, and of a proposition there to revoke the Emancipation Proclamation and propose terms to the South. The leading newspapers of the North mention this, and not with disapprobation. Nor are these all the agencies that time and events are bringing into play on the side of peace and the South. The fall of Vicksburgh and Port Hudson was, according to those who are stirring the Northwestern people up to war, to open the way to market for them. Every English house in the American trade knows that the breadstuffs of Ohio and the North-west had, for years before the war, nearly ceased to pass by New-Orleans on the way to markets abroad. They went up to the Lakes, and so, via canal and rail, to Boston and New-York, for exportation to foreign countries. Can any one in the trade pretend that England would have taken a shipload more of American flour had the Mississippi been open all the war? Chicago, and not New-Orleans, has been the grand grain market of the West, and except London, it is the greatest in the world. There was on the lower Mississippi a large trade in breadstuffs and provisions from the States above. This trade was chiefly with the planters of the South. But they have been despoiled, their plantations laid waste, their stock taken away, their houses burned, and they themselves banished. In short, those fighting farmers of the Upper Mississippi are likely soon to find out that it is 'Lincoln and his lieutenants, and nobody else, who has killed their goose of the golden eggs. Those 'cute "Buckeyes,' Suckers," and "Hoosiers," as the denizens of Ohio and her sister States are called, are bound before long to discover this. And will the discovery be more likely to incline their hearts to peace, or to revive in them the war fervor? Not the latter certainly. 97 66 This disappointment will come upon these farmers with redoubled force by reason of the financial bearings there of the abundant harvest here. This is a point of view upon which I wish you would dwell with me for a moment. Before this war the South sent annually to England some twelve or fifteen thousand shiploads of stuff, consisting chiefly, as is well known, of cotton, rice, tobacco, naval stores and the like. The war put a stop to all this. But since the war the crops have been short until now, so short as to give employment to nearly the whole fleet of ships in bringing meat and bread to your people from the Northern States. Notwithstanding the withdrawal from its regular business of the immense amount of shipping which was required annually to get the Southern crops to market, and notwithstanding the loss to commerce of that trade, neither the Customhouse receipts of the nation, nor its shipping interests, nor its dock revenues, show any corre sponding falling off in its great business of fetching and carrying by sea. The receipts from the Liverpool docks, from the Bristol docks, and from all the docks on the island, show larger figures this year than ever before, and that in despite of the very considerable reduction in the rate of charges. Now, this shows plainly enough that while the trade of the South has disappeared, it has been made up from other quarters, and that more ships have been docked in Liverpool and other British ports, since they lost the Southern trade, than ever before. And it is accounted for in this way. By a rather singular coïncidence, it so happened that as the markets of all the South were shut off from the world, the harvests of France and England fell short, and the cotton ships were required to fetch bread from the North. As a cotton freighter from the South, the same vessel could not carry more than two cargoes a year, but as a provision ship from the North, she could make five or six trips. Thus dock receipts were increased. Moreover, ham and eggs, butter and cheese, meat and bread, paid more duties than cotton, and thus Custom-house receipts were also enlarged. Thus, notwithstanding the shutting up of the Mississippi, which the North-western farmer did not use for sending his grain to sea, your short crops opened a market for him in which he did get something for his grain, and by reason of which the North had wherewithal to pay for importations. Hence the Yankees, profiting by scarcity here, have not felt the war as grievously as they are about to do. The full harvest here, in Ireland, and in France, and the like of which has not been known for many years, will mightily reduce this corn trade of the North. It is already a losing business, and the grain which is to come will be in the category of coals to Newcastle. Hence I infer that, notwithstanding the opening of the Mississippi, the North-western people will find a poorer market than ever for their corn. With the falling off of this trade, the New-York merchants will be no longer able to pay off their British creditors in grain; they will, therefore, have to part with their gold; it will go up, and "greenbacks" will come down, and so raise a voice from the lower levels of society that will be trumpet-tongued for peace. To smother that voice, even now Mr. Lincoln has to keep an armed force not only in New-York and Kentucky, but in Ohio, Indiana, and other States. He is even now marching one up into Iowa, to put down there a cry for peace. He is likely to have occupation for all the recruits his conscription will give in keeping down his own people. Never were the chances of the South brighter. All that we have to do is to maintain the defensive, watch our chances, and strike whenever there is an opportunity for a good stroke, either with the sword or with the pen. Doc. 152. CAPTURE OF MAJOR MCCANN. REPORT OF CAPTAIN CLIFFORD. NASHVILLE, TENN., August 23, 1863. Captain Wm. C. Russell, A. A. General: CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of the expedition to Weems's Springs, Tennessee. In compliance with your instructions from Headquarters, District of the Cumberland, I left camp at Nashville, Tennessee, with my company, F, First Missouri cavalry, Major-General G. Granger's escort, at daybreak on the morning of the eighteenth instant, and proceeded to Hillsboro, where I arrived at one o'clock P.M. Here, in accordance with your instructions, I was joined by company C, Fourteenth Michigan infantry, (mounted,) under command of Captain Mackey. I left there at nine o'clock P.M., travelling all night, and arriving within half a mile of Weems's Springs at eight o'clock, on the morning of the nineteenth instant. Here I halted, and gave directions to Captain Mackey how he should manoeuvre his company. Dividing both into four platoons, each under command of a commissioned officer, and every man being in readiness, I ordered the charge, which resulted in the capture of Major Dick McCann and fourteen others, together with twenty-seven horses, their arms and equipments. The notorious guerrilla chief was captured by private Martin W. Culp, of my company, and first recognized as the same by Lieutenant William Davis, who immediately introduced the gentleman to me. I of course had him well cared for, with the others of his command who fell into my hands as prisoners. I fed my horses and rested at Weems's Springs until noon, when I started for Franklin, Tennessee, where I arrived with my command soon after dark on the nineteenth instant. Here I turned Major Dick McCann and prisoners over to the Provost-Marshal, and rested my men and horses until the afternoon of the twenty-second instant, when I, with my company, departed for Nashville, arriving there about eight o'clock P.M., without the loss of a single man or horse. Too much praise cannot be bestowed on Captain Mackey, and the officers and men of his company, also to First Lieutenant William Davis, and men of my company, for their gallant behavior throughout the entire expedition, having travelled one hundred and five miles in less than twenty-four hours. I have the honor to be, Captain, Your obedient servant, Doc. 153. DESTRUCTION OF THE ALEXANDER REPORT OF LIEUTENANT CUSHING. UNITED STATES STEAMER SHOCKOKON, OFF WILMINGTON, N. C., August 26, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report that we have destroyed the blockade-running schooner Alexander Cooper, under the following circumstances: On the twelfth I made a reconnissance with boats in New-Topsail Inlet, and was driven out by four pieces of artillery stationed opposite the mouth, but not before I had discovered a schooner at a wharf some six miles up the sound. This schooner I determined to destroy, and as it was so well guarded, I concluded to use strategy. On the evening of the twenty-second the Shockokon anchored close into the sea-beach, about five miles from the inlet, and I sent ashore two boats' crews, who shouldered the dingui, and carried it across the neck of land that divides the sea from the sound. This was about half a mile in width, and covered with a dense thicket. The crossing placed my men some miles in rear of the artillery force guarding the entrance. The dingui being launched on the inside waters, six men under my Executive Officer, Acting Ensign Joseph S. Cony, started with orders to destroy or capture any thing that could be of use to the enemy. Now, it seems that a twelve-pounder howitzer was stationed at the point for which we were aiming, and the smoke-stack of my steamer having been seen over the trees, the commandant of the post, Captain Adams, had come down from the main camp to insure a bright lookout. While the rebels at the schooner's mast-heads were straining their eyes looking to the south, my boat was approaching in the other direction, and the men succeeded in landing about sixty yards from the wharf without being discovered. The Master-at-Arms, Robert Clifford, crept into the rebel camp and counted the men, and having returned to his shipmates, a charge was ordered, and our seven men bore down on them with a shout. In a moment the enemy (who outnumbered us three to one) were routed, leaving in Mr. Cony's possession ten prisoners, including Captain Adams and Lieutenant Leatham, one twelvepounder army howitzer, eighteen horses, one schooner, and some extensive salt-works. Mr. Cony then threw out two pickets, detached two men to guard the prisoners, and with the remaining two fired the vessel and salt-works. These were thoroughly consumed. The object of the expedition being accomplished, my men returned to the vessel without loss, bringing with them three of the prisoners-all that the boat would contain. The rebel officers and privates dress alike, and Mr. Cony was at a loss to know what three to retain. He settled the matter, however, by picking out the three bestlooking ones, who all turned out to be privates. this capture, it depending mainly, if not entirely, upon his promptness and efficiency in obeying my order to move forward the column and surprise him. I remained in Pocahontas about six hours, and being a good deal encumbered with prisoners, and fearful of their escape, camping in the brush, I determined to move back to this point with all possible despatch, and arrived here on the evening of the twenty-fourth instant, having sent the battalion from Cape Girardeau back there by Greenville. In ten days I have marched above two hundred and fifty miles, and laid still one day and a half of the time. I had no fight, but fired on several parties of guerrillas, and killed four of them, and wounded three that I know of. I captured and brought in BrigadierGeneral Jeff Thompson, his Adjutant-General, Captain Kay, his Medical Director, Dr. France, a Captain of artillery, a Lieutenant of cavalry, and a Captain of ordinance, and about fifty other prisoners, mostly deserters, discharged soldiers, CAPTURE OF GENERAL JEFF THOMPSON. and stragglers from the confederate army; also COLONEL WOODSON'S OFFICIAL REPORT. PILOT KNOB, Mo., August 27, 1863. General C. B. Fisk, Commanding District of South-east Missouri: SIR: In obedience to orders from Colonel R. R. Livingston, of the seventeenth instant, (he then commanding the post of Pilot Knob,) I moved with a detachment of my regiment from this point on the eighteenth instant, from Greenville, to form a junction with a battalion from Cape Girardeau. I arrived at Greenville at noon on the twentieth instant, and had to remain there till the evening of the twenty-first, for the troops from the Cape. When they joined me on the morning of Thursday, the twenty-second, I moved with the whole force, about six hundred strong, for Pocahontas, Arkansas, by as rapid marches as the extreme heat of the weather and the condition of my stock would permit, and arrived at Pocahontas, Arkansas, on Saturday evening, the twenty-fourth instant. When I was in four miles of Pocahontas, I ascertained that Brigadier-General Jeff Thompson was there with little or no force. My column was then scattered over several miles, from the extreme rapidity of my march. Being very desirous of capturing him, and knowing that I had to act with promptness or fail in that object, I ordered Captain Gentry, of the Second cavalry M. S. M., to move forward with all possible despatch, with the advance, and surprise and capture the General, and that I would support him as soon as I could get the column up. about thirty horses, the most of them taken to Cape Girardeau by the other battalion. I regret exceedingly to have to report several cases of highway robbery, plunder, and theft, by the detachment of the First Missouri volunteers. I am satisfied that some of that detachment stole horses, watches, money-any thing they could lay their hands on-from citizens and prisoners. I am, sir, respectfully your obedient servant, R. G. WOODSON, Colonel Third Cavalry M. S. M., Commanding Battalion, Expedition to Pocahontas. FIRST MISSOURI CAVALRY. PILOT KNOB, Mo., September 20, 1863. Editors Missouri Democrat: GENTLEMEN: We to-day, for the first time, had the privilege of reading Colonel Woodson's official report of the Pocahontas expedition, and the capture of the rebel General Jeff Thompson. We regret exceedingly to be called upon by the false and slanderous character of that report, to state that it is a document unbecoming any gentleman; a cowardly attempt on the part of Colonel Woodson to screen himself, and heap the onus and filth of the expedition on the First Missouri cavalry volunteers, when, in fact, his men committed nearly all of the outrages that were perpetrated on the scout; and he himself has been seen wearing the watch taken from Dr. Frame within the last two weeks. He also states that nearly all the horses taken on the scout were carried off to Cape Girardeau. That is false. He brought over thirty horses to this place with him, and, so far as watches and money are conSo thoroughly and efficiently did Captain Gen- cerned in the matter, we think Colonel Woodson try obey this order, that General Thompson, sit- pocketed as much, if not a little more, than any ting quietly in his office, and tracing a map of other man on the expedition. He talks very coolSouth-east Missouri, as he thought in absolutely about the capture of Jeff Thompson, about security, had no idea of any Federal force in one hundred miles of him, until Captain Gentry, having occupied all the passes out of town, rode up to the window of the office, and demanded General Thompson. Captain Gentry deserves the highest credit for ordering Captain Gentry forward with all possible haste. The fact is just simply this, that Captain Gentry had a conversation with the officers of the First Missouri cavalry, they being in the advance that day, about the chance of taking Jeff in, by making a dash into Pocahontas and posed citizens, as well as of the troops of this department, will be required to avert this evil. It is the desire of the Commanding General that all those who voluntarily abandon the rebel cause, and desire to return to their allegiance to the United States, shall be permitted to do so under such restrictions as the public peace shall require. All such persons may surrender themselves and their arms at the nearest military post, and will giving bonds for their future good conduct. They will be required to reside in such portion of Missouri or other State as the Provost-Marshal who releases them shall direct. All who shall fail to comply with these conditions, and shall remain within our lines without renewing their allegiance, will be treated as criminals, according to the laws of war. surprising him. We concluded it could be done, and sent back to the Captain for permission to do so. The Captain did not ride at the advance of his column that day, as he should have done. He said if we wanted to try it, we could do so. We wanted to try it, did try it, and did capture Jeff Thompson, as well as every other prisoner that was taken on the scout, and all the horses, all the arms, did all the shooting, all the killing, and in fact every thing else that was done, ex-be released upon taking the oath of allegiance and cepting the straggling and stealing. Colonel Woodson rode along at his ease some four or five miles in the rear, and did not reach Pocahontas with his command for nearly one hour and a half after the First Missouri entered the place and captured Jeff Thompson and his staff, and when he did come up and was introduced to Jeff, we think, from the position he took during the ceremony, that he was in the same predicament that Sterling Price was at Boonville, Missouri. We turned over eighteen contraband horses to the Quartermaster at Cape Girardeau, but we have never heard of any property being turned over by the M. S. M. or any other copperheads since we entered the department. Those who shall engage in robbery, murder, or other similar crimes, will be exterminated without mercy. Humanity demands of every citizen active and earnest coöperation with the military authorities in putting down these common enemies of mankind. The Commanding General demands of every The reputation of our regiment for honesty, citizen the full discharge of his duty in this rebravery, and efficiency, is too well know in this gard. Those who neglect it will be held responsidepartment to be injured by any attempt to ble, in their persons and property, for the damscreen the rascality of the M. S. M. by false re-age that may result from their neglect, and will ports. We will close by making this proposition to Captain Woodson, that if he will do the clean thing, come out like a man, and trade on the square, we will give him five hundred dollars for his net proceeds from the scout. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF MISSOURI, LARGE numbers of men are leaving the broken rebel armies in the Mississippi valley, and returning to Missouri. Many of them doubtless come back with the purpose of following a career of plunder and murder, under the form of guerrilla warfare, while others would gladly return to their homes as peaceable citizens, if permitted to do so, and protected from violence. The State is in danger of a repetition of the scenes of violence and bloodshed which characterized the months of July and August, 1862. The united efforts of all loyal and peaceably-dis be punished at the discretion of a military commission. If milder means shall fail, the Commanding General will order the destruction or seizure of all houses, barns, provisions, and other property belonging to disloyal persons in those portions of the State which are made the haunts of guerrillas. To enable them to protect themselves from violence, and to aid the troops when necessary, all loyal and peaceable citizens in Missouri will be permitted to bear arms. As far as practicable, arms which have heretofore been taken from such citizens will be returned to them. By command of Maj.-Gen. SCHOFIELD. Doc. 156. BATTLE OF BAYOU METEA, ARK. REPORT OF COLONEL GLOVER. HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, CAVALRY DIVISION, Camp near BROWNSVILLE, ARK., Aug. 28. LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to report that on the twenty-sixth August, 1863, two regiments of my brigade, the First Iowa and Third Missouri cavalry volunteers, and one section each of Lovejoy's and Clarkson's batteries, were ordered on a reconnoissance, and to "push the enemy as far as possible toward the Bayou Metea without bringing on a general engagement." The First Iowa cavalry being in advance, a heavy line of skirmishers, in command of Captain Jenks, was thrown to the front. Some six miles from Brownsville struck his pickets and drove them about four miles back to their main body; some two miles east of the bayou, killing one rebel captain, (Powell, of Platte City, Mo.,) two pri vates, and capturing one prisoner. Here the when the Third Illinois cavalry on the right enemy opened artillery upon us, to which ours charged and drove back the enemy in their front, soon replied. After a considerable artillery duel, thus flanking his rifle-pits on the left, and comI ordered Lieutenaut Lovejoy to advance his sec-pelling him to abandon them under a simultaneous tion, in the doing of which he had one cannonier charge on the left of the line, when the whole pierced through with a solid shot, and killed in- force of the enemy gave way and fled in the stantly, so well did the enemy have the range of greatest disorder and confusion toward the the road. I then advanced in person, recon- Bayou Metea. noitred hastily the enemy's position, and determined to feel him further, and so ordered up Lovejoy's section, well supported with cavalry. In this position we stood face to face. After a more thorough review of the enemy's position and my own, perceiving his great advantage in this respect, and knowing his great superiority in numerical strength, and being satisfied a further offensive demonstration would result in a general engagement, in which all the advantages were against me, I deployed quite an amount of cavalry in front of my artillery, masking the same while it was rapidly taken from the field, and retired with my command to a safe distance. This done, I called off the force covering my rear, and withdrew the whole in good order and without further loss to my former encampment, near Brownsville. The artillery was now ordered up and poured a heavy bombardment with their fleeing columns for twenty-five or thirty minutes, when the bridge was seen to be on fire. The General Commanding then directed that the Iowa First cavalry should charge and save the bridge if possible. Lieutenant-Colonel Anderson, at the head of his regiment, led a gallant charge in the face of a terrible fire of artillery and small arms, having his own horse shot under him, his command suffering considerably. From the intensity of the fire in the direction of the First Iowa cavalry, it was evident they needed support. I suggested that a new position be selected for our batteries to cover and relieve the First Iowa cavalry, now dismounted and sharply engaged with the enemy. Receiving permission, I hastened to the front amidst a heavy fire of the On the morning of the twenty-seventh, at sun-enemy's artillery, reconnoitred and selected an rise, the division moved out upon the road lead- excellent position overlooking and commanding ing to the Bayou Metea Bridge, my brigade his. Our artillery was instantly ordered up with taking the advance, protected by a battalion of supports, and placed in position under a conthe Tenth Illinois, deployed as skirmishers, sup- tinued fire from that of the enemy. Our batported by two other squadrons, all in the imme-teries, in position, opened a tremendous fire, soon diate command of Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart. silencing the enemy's guns and driving them At some five miles from the bridge our advance from their position. The Third Missouri cavalry skirmishers met those of the enemy. A brisk and Thirty-second Iowa infantry had now boldly fire ensued, the enemy falling back. At some forced their way to the bank of the bayou on the three miles from the bayou he made another left, pushing the enemy across it-it now being stand, when he was again sharply encountered evident that there was a strong force of the by the Tenth Illinois. At this place Lieutenant enemy on this side the bayou on the right of our Kavanaugh was killed. Here the Commanding line. After taking proper precaution for the General ordered my whole brigade forward for safety of my right flank, I ordered Lieutenantaction, in obedience to which I made the follow- Colonel Stewart, of the Tenth Illinois, with a ing dispositions, namely: Placed two battalions portion of his regiment, to drive them back, Third Missouri cavalry volunteers, dismounted, which this excellent officer promptly executed, to fight on foot on the right of the road in order putting them across the bayou after a very hot of battle. On the left of the road placed in order contest. The purpose of the Commanding Geneof battle one battalion of the Thirty-second Iowa ral now having been consummated, and the infantry, as it was ordered to report to me during evening far advanced, I was ordered to retire the day. On the left of this placed the Third with my brigade to my former camp near Browns-, battalion of the Third Missouri, dismounted, the ville, as there were no comforts for man or beast artillery being in the centre. As a reserve, the short of that point. First Iowa cavalry and four squadrons of the I now desire to speak in the highest terms of Eighteenth Illinois cavalry, mounted, were Lieutenant-Colonel Black, of the Third Missouri, formed in the rear. Six squadrons of the Tenth Stewart, of the Tenth Illinois, and Anderson, of Illinois were placed on the right flank. In this the First Iowa, my regimental commanders, for order, with a heavy line of skirmishers covering coolness, daring, and good judgment, cheerful my whole front, the brigade moved forward. It and prompt in obedience to orders. The effisoon met opposition from the enemy's small arms ciency of our dismounted cavalry was to-day and artillery, but he was steadily driven from thoroughly tested. Of the Third Missouri and ridge to ridge through the thick brush on either Tenth Illinois I must say they fought with the side of the road by the firm and resolute advance confidence of veteran infantry. I desire to bear of my brigade, assisted by the timely use of the testimony to the universal good conduct of offiartillery, back to a very strong and elevated posi-cers and men. It is due to Major Eberhardt and tion covered by extended "rifle-pits" on the his battalion of the Thirty-second Iowa infantry left, where he made a more obstinate stand, holl- to say, they gave a hearty and efficient coöperaing my command in check for a brief period, tion. Although the artillery was not formally |