towed down Apalachicola River, though it was necessarily slow work, as the rebels had scuttled the sloop on leaving her, and now she was slowly filling with water. Before arriving at the mouth of the river it was found necessary to take off about thirty bales of the cotton and tow them or raft them down the river to the gunboats. The rebel company had gone in advance of the sloop and our boats, and had secreted themselves behind an embankment and in the storehouses along the wharves in the city of Apalachicola. The rebels now fired another volley into our boats, slightly wounding several men, but killing none, although our enemies were but a short distance off and fired a number of times. Our howitzers were immediately turned upon our enemies, and whenever one of them was seen attempting to fire from behind a storehouse or fence, a discharge of canister and shrapnel was fired into their midst. A shell was fired which exploded in one of the buildings, blowing the roof from it and setting it on fire. Two or three more shells were fired, which set other buildings on fire, and by this time the rebels, having some killed and several wounded, concluded they were getting the worst of it, and stopped firing into the boats, and went to work extinguishing the conflagration which our exploding shells had enkindled. Our men finally arrived safely on their respective ships, having captured a sloop with eighty bales of cotton and two prisoners. It was supposed that the rebel ram Chattahoochee, which is reported to be ready to come down to demolish the ships on the blockade here, would have appeared the same day. She would have had the advantage if she had attacked our boats when in the river. The Chattahoochee is commanded by Ap. Catesby Jones, who was second in command of the Merrimac at the time of the fight with the Monitor last spring. The crew of this rebel ram also belonged in part to the Merrimac. The gunboats are expecting this rebel steamer as soon as there are seven feet of water at the mouth of the river. She is said to have a heavy armament and to be partially iron-clad; but the gunboats Sagamore and Fort Henry are prepared to meet her. The rebel steamer will have to do some hard fighting when she comes down, and will find it a very difficult matter to run the blockade and get into the port of Nassau, N. P. The United States steamer Somerset reports that they were fired into at Cedar Keys, Florida, and eight of their crew wounded, some of them severely. It seems that a guerrilla band enticed a boat ashore by displaying three white flags from the houses on shore. As soon as the men had landed they were fired upon from the windows of the houses-the flags of truce were flying all the time. The sailors got off in their boats with their wounded, and soon returned with a larger force and burned the town. It is reported that the Sagamore will be obliged to go to Key West in a few days. Her officers and crew hope the rebel ram will come down before they are obliged to leave this station. Lieut. Commander Bigelow has been detached from the Sagamore, and our Lieut. Commander (English) has been ordered to the command. A flag of truce arrived from Apalachicola with a request that our naval surgeons should go up to the town and dress the stumps of some of the rebels who had their limbs blown off by the fragments from our shells. Drs. Stevens, Scofield, and Draper have volunteered their services as an act of kindness to our enemies. Apalachicola was once the largest commercial town in Florida; but now every thing looks desolate. A small rebel steamer comes down the river from Columbus, Ga., about once a week, and supplies the inhabitants with corn-meal, as this is about the only food they have to keep them from starvation. The rebels in this State have supplied the rebel army in Virginia largely with salt beef, so that the cattle of nearly all the planters have been killed and packed in salt for the government. Large quantities of salt were of course required, and the rebels had erected salt-works all along the bays on the Gulf coast of Florida. The gunboat Sagamore demolished thirty-six of these salt-works in St. Andrew's Bay, about a month ago. We have demolished the works here in Apalachicola Bay, and the works at St. Mark's, Cedar Key, and at Tampa, have also been broken up. Should the rebels again fire upon our boats when they approach Apalachicola, it is the determination of our commanders to lay the city in ashes. Doc. 37. THE AFFAIR AT HAYMARKET, VA. MEMPHIS "APPEAL" ACCOUNT. WE are indebted to a friend for the particulars of a skirmish at the town of Haymarket, Va., in which our cavalry, the Second North-Carolina, two hundred strong, supported by two pieces of artillery, advanced within two miles of Sigel's command, numbering thousands-passed the enemy's outposts near Manassas Junction, pushed to Haymarket, captured thirty prisoners and twelve or fifteen thousand dollars' worth of property, and returned to Warrenton in time to repulse the advance of one thousand five hundred cavalry and one battery of artillery, and that without the loss of a single man killed or wounded. On Friday morning, seventeenth October, Major C. M. Andrews, commanding seven companies of the Second North-Carolina cavalry, and two pieces of artillery, which have been recently attached to the regiment, left this place for the purpose of reconnoitring in the vicinity of Manassas and Centreville. Having marched without opposition till late in the night, a halt was made when within three miles of Centreville, and the whole command slept on their arms. At three o'clock the next morning a countermarch was ordered, leading via Manassas and on to Gainesville. At the latter place information was obtained that a Yankee train of wagons, with a cavalry escort, had passed there during the night, going in the direc tion of Thoroughfare Gap. Our cavalry immediately started in pursuit, and had proceeded not more than a mile when the "blue coats" were discovered at a small village known as Haymarket. Not waiting to ascertain their strength or position, the commanding officer ordered companies D, G, and H to charge upon the town, while he held companies A, B, F, and I, with the artillery, in reserve. Regardless of the numbers that might oppose them, our boys raised a yell and dashed off at full speed-Capt. Randolph, of company H, leading the column in the most gallant style. After a slight resistance, the enemy commenced a precipitate flight, when the remaining companies were ordered to charge. The work was short and quick -the whole party being "bagged" in a few moments. One lieutenant and twenty-six privates were made prisoners, and three killed; seven wagons, loaded with quartermaster and commissary stores, were taken; also, two contrabands, (runaways,) twenty splendid horses, twenty-four mules, twenty-five sabres, twenty-seven army repeaters, and the same number of breech-loading rifles. Our loss was none killed or wounded. Having learned that a large force was advancing on our rear from Centreville, we then commenced a forced march for Warrenton, in order to save the spoils, and had been in camp not more than an hour, when a courier arrived, stating that the enemy were advancing upon Warrenton. Posting the different squadrons in the most advantageous positions beyond the town, with two pieces, (twelve-pounders,) under command of Lieut. Betts, drawn up on a hill, to the extreme left, a determined stand was resolved upon. Scarcely had these dispositions been made when a small body of cavalry, supposed to be the advance-guard, was discovered advancing up to the turnpike, about three quarters of a mile distant. Lieut. Betts was ordered to open on them; and, after several rounds were fired, they concluded to advance no further, but retreated. The cavalry were then ordered to charge, but night coming on they were prevented from following up the retreat to a very great distance. Their force is reported by citizens who saw them, at fifteen hundred cavalry and six pieces of artillery. Their loss in the skirmish beyond the town was one killed and six wounded. Our loss none. Captain Randolph of company H, also Lieut. Tidwell, of company A, Lieut. Baker, of company D, and Lieut. Betts, of the artillery, conducted themselves most gallantly throughout the whole affair. Doc. 38. FIGHT AT WAVERLY, TENN. MONMOUTH "ATLAS" ACCOUNT. MR. CLARK: The Eighty-third are all together once more. Companies C and H were ordered here, bag and baggage, on Tuesday of last week. The Seventy-first Ohio, or what is left of it four companies-took our places at Fort Heiman. The same thing might, and should have been done long ago. It would have been done, had our officers had it in their power. But Colonel Lowe, of the Fifth Iowa cavalry, was in command of these three posts-Donelson, Henry and Heiman, and for some reason known only to himself- chose to divide us. But he has lately been ordered to Washington; leaving Col. Harding in command here. As soon as he could do so, he got us together. We earnestly hope that we may not again be separated. I like the loca tion much better than that at Fort Heiman. On our arrival here, we learned that five companies of the Eighty-third, with one field-piece of Flood's battery, had gone out on a scout, in the direction of Waverly, a small town about thirty-five miles south-west from here, where a rebel regiment was said to be encamped. The place is called by the rebels "secesh heaven," from the fact that no Union soldiers have ever been there. But, if reports are true, our boys made them think it was nearly-something else. On Thursday afternoon three runners came back, and reported that we were hotly engaged with the enemy a few miles from Waverly; but could give no particulars, more than that we had lost one man killed and several wounded. All was excitement in camp. All kinds of rumors were afloat; some saying that our boys had been surrounded by the rebels, and all killed and captured. The long roll was beaten, and we were called into line of battle. Orders were given for us to repair to our quarters and remain there, ready to turn out at a moment's warning, and to sleep on our arms at night. About eight o'clock two messengers arrived with despatches to the effect that we had had a fight, scattered them, captured several prisoners, and were retreating back. It was thought best not to follow them up, with the force they had, as it was said there was a strong rebel force encamped about ten miles beyond. As soon as this report came in, a few, who happened to be at headquarters, heard it, and gave a shout. All made a rush to hear the news, knowing that some good news had come. As soon as the facts were made known to us, oh! what long and loud cheers were given for the Eighty-third. I don't think as many of us slept on our arms that night, as would, had we not heard the true state of things. We also learned from these messengers, that the men that came in in the afternoon, had thrown away their guns, etc., and run at the first fire. What will be done with them, I do not know; but they certainly should be punished. On Friday morning, four companies more were ordered out, with five days' rations. The cause of which I could not learn; for they, with the five first sent out, all returned in the afternoon. The victors brought in eleven prisoners, taken in the fight. One or two of them are said to have been taken in the fight at this place in February last, and but lately exchanged. George Cox, company A, of Ellison, was shot through the heart, and died instantly. Dick Wagstaff, company A, was slightly wounded. A spent ball struck a leather strap across his breast, slightly bruising, but not breaking, the skin. A buckshot passed through the side of his knee, and another lodged in the butt of his gun at the same time. Two in company E were slightly wounded-one through the thigh, the other getting a bullet-hole through his ear. attack. While they were filing through a long lane, the Kansas boys, shouting like devils, rushed right up to the fence on one side, and poured in a torrent of lead from their revolving rifles and navy pistols. Volleys of buckshot were returned All but the few who ran at the first fire, are indeed, a horse was shot within a few feet of said to have acted nobly, and fought bravely the Colonel-but in a few moments the rebels while they had a chance. Great praise is given broke and fled, and we pursued them till their to Major Brott, who was in command, for his retreat became a rout. They left sixteen dead, coolness and bravery. Adjutant Casey is said to and we captured one hundred and seventy-five have showed coolness and good judgment in the prisoners, one hundred horses, and a stack of fight. Dan. Eilenberger, who had lately been re-shot-guns. Among the prisoners were nine commoved from the position of wagon-master, and missioned officers. The enemy had with them put into the ranks, for some imaginary miscon- two field-pieces, and not a shot was fired from duct, when our teams had got into a close place them. With all the agility of the most flying arand were about to be captured, rushed forward, took charge of them, and drove them to a place of safety. He has since been reinstated, which speaks well for his conduct on that occasion. Doc. 39. COLONEL LEE'S RECONNOISSANCE. MISSOURI "DEMOCRAT" ACCOUNT. tillery, they were whisked away in the retreat. We then hastened back to the road whence we had thus been diverted, and advanced to Hudsonville about nine P.M., when we came up with Col. Hatch, who had finished a considerable skirmish, and captured thirty-five prisoners. Falling back a mile, we camped for the night, and next morning, with three hundred men, dismounted, we crossed the Coldwater, and soon found the enemy drawn up in line of battle, on a SOUTH OF GRAND JUNCTION, Monday, November 10, 1862. range of hills, and apparently about ten thousand I WRITE in great haste to give you an account strong. As they very rudely opened upon us a of the reconnoissance just completed, to Cold-fire of canister and shell, we concluded to retire. water, Miss. On the eighth instant, Gen. Grant ordered a strong force upon this errand, consisting of part of the cavalry division and two divisions of infantry and artillery. The cavalry, about one thousand five hundred strong, was under command of Col. Lee, of the Seventh Kansas, who now leads the division during Colonel Mizner's absence, and the infantry, numbering some ten thousand, was commanded by MajorGeneral McPherson, and Brig.-Generals Quimby and Sullivan. The object of the expedition was, of course, to harry and observe the enemy; but the directions were positive not to bring on a general engagement. And so ended what seemed to me one of the most dashing and successful reconnoissances of the war-especially if you remember that it was mainly achieved by our cavalry division, our infantry force remaining near Lamar. The information we obtained may be briefly summed up. On November second, Gen. Mansfield Lovell, in command at Coldwater, fell back through Holly Springs. Gen. Pemberton coming up from the capital of Mississippi, on the fifth, stopped him, and ordered that Coldwater should be again occupied. Since then Lovell has been there with his division; and also Tilghman, with a division composed chiefly of exchanged prisoners from Island No. Ten and Donelson. Attached to this force are six four-gun batteries. Price lay with twelve thousand men seven miles below Holly Springs, on the Salem road, while twenty-two miles further south, at Abbeysville, were some thirteen thousand militia, or conscripts. This constitutes all the rebel force in this vicinity at the date of this letter, though others may be crossing at Vicksburgh, thanks to those who permit crossing to be done at that point. Colonel Lee started on the advance from this point at seven o'clock on the eighth, and soon drove in the enemy's pickets just this side of Lamar, a little village which lies about twelve miles south of La Grange. Three miles further on we encountered a force of rebel cavalry, perhaps five hundred strong, whom, after a short skirmish, we scattered and drove into the hills. Rushing on about three miles more, down the same main road, we learned that the enemy's cavalry and artillery were hurrying up past us on a parallel Three weeks ago Gen. Armstrong left Holly road lying to the west, in such a way as to throw Springs with seven thousand men on his way to themselves in our rear, and between us and our Port Hudson, a point above Baton Rouge, which infantry support. Col. Lee immediately divided is being strongly fortified. He has since resignhis column, ordering Col Hatch to keep on down ed. Van Dorn is now at Holly Springs under toward Hudsonville, while he himself, with about arrest, and is succeeded, as you know, by Pemseven hundred troopers, turned back and across berton. to attack the hostile column on the flank. hurried through the woods by a blind by-road, and fairly surprised the enemy. They were three regiments of rebel cavalry, and numbered about one thousand seven hundred; but our approach was masked by a grove, and we had the vast advantage of a sudden, sharp, and stunning He Doc. 40. SKIRMISH AT SOUTH-FORK, VIRGINIA. HEADQUARTERS, CINCINNATI, Nov. 12, 1862. Major-General H. W. Halleck, General-in-Chief: GENERAL KELLEY, on the tenth, attacked Im I left New-Creek on Saturday morning, the eighth instant, and after a continuous march of twenty-four hours, a distance of about sixty miles, reached Imboden's camp on the South-Fork, eighteen miles south of this place, at half-past six o'clock yesterday morning. to be taken care of and secured, and the unem- 1. That all the property within the district to 3. That Major Jos. M. Bell, Provost-Judge, President, Capt. Fuller, (Seventy-fifth New-York volunteers,) Provost-Marshal of the district, We attacked him at once and routed him com- be a commission to take possession of the proppletely, killing and wounding many of the enemy; erty in said district, to make an accurate invenalso capturing his camp, fifty prisoners, a quan- tory of the same, and to gather up and collect all tity of arms, three hundred and fifty fat hogs, a such personal property, and to turn over to the large number of horses, cattle, wagons, etc. The proper officers, upon their receipts, such of said infantry were routed and entirely dispirited, flee- property as may be required for the use of the ing to the mountains. Their cavalry were, un- United States army, to collect together all the fortunately for us, away on an expedition, or our other personal property, and to bring the same success would have been complete. We burnt to New-Orleans, and cause it to be sold at public their camp and returned to this place this even- auction to the highest bidders, and after deducting. ing the necessary expenses of care, collection, and I had with me a detachment of the First New- transportation, to hold the proceeds thereof subYork cavalry, under the command of Colonel Mc-ject to the just claims of loyal citizens and those Reynolds, the Ringgold cavalry, under the com- neutral foreigners who, in good faith, shall appear mand of Captain Keys, the Washington cavalry, to be the owners of the same. commanded by Captain Greenfield, Rourk's battery, and three companies of the Twenty-third Illinois infantry, under the command of Major Moore. The infantry companies were carried in wagons. My troops cannot be surpassed for patient endurance on the march or for gallant bearing when in action. Our attack was so unexpected and impetuous that our loss is trifling, three or four men slightly and one severely wounded; none killed. Doc. 41. B. F. KELLEY, GENERAL BUTLER'S ORDER, ENFORCING THE CONFISCATION ACT. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, GENERAL ORDER No. 91. THE Commanding General being informed, and believing, that the district west of the Mississippi River, lately taken possession of by the United States troops, is most largely occupied by persons disloyal to the United States, and whose property has become liable to confiscation under the acts of Congress and the proclamation of the President, and that sales and transfers of said property are being made for the purpose of depriving the Government of the same, has determined, in order to secure the rights of all persons as well as those of the Government, and for the purpose of enabling the crops now growing 4. Every loyal citizen or neutral foreigner who shall be found in actual possession and ownership of any property in said district, not having acquired the same by any title since the eighteenth day of September last, may have his property returned or delivered to him without sale, upon establishing his condition to the judg ment of the commission. 5. All sales made by any person not a loyal citizen or foreign neutral, since the eighteenth day of September, shall be held void, and all sales whatever, made with the intent to deprive the Government of its rights of confiscation, will be held void, at what time soever made. 6. The commission is authorized to employ in working the plantation of any person who has remained quietly at his home, whether he be loyal or disloyal, the negroes who may be found in said district, or who have, or may hereafter claim the protection of the United States, upon the terms set forth in a memorandum of a contract heretofore offered to the planters of the parishes of Plaquemines and St. Bernard, or white labor may be employed at the election of the commission. 7. The commissioners will cause to be purchased such supplies as may be necessary, and convey them to such convenient dépôts as to supply the planters in the making of the crop, which supplies will be charged against the crop manu factured, and shall constitute a lien thereon. 8. The commissioners are authorized to work for the account of the United States such plantations as are deserted by their owners, or are held by disloyal owners, as may seem to them expedient, for the purpose of saving the crops. Colonel Lee, were embarked on transports, and landed at Washington, where they were joined by Colonel Amory's command on Saturday even 9. Any persons who have not actually been in arms against the United States since the occupa-ing, the second instant. tion of New-Orleans by its forces, and who shall remain peaceably upon their plantations, affording no aid or comfort to the enemies of the United States, and who shall return to their allegiance, and who shall, by all reasonable methods, aid the United States when called upon, may be empowered by the commission to work their own plantations, make their own crop, and to retain possession of their own property, except such as is necessary for the military uses of the United States. And to all such persons the commission are authorized to furnish means of transportation for their crops and supplies, at just and equitable prices. 10. The commissioners are empowered and authorized to hear, determine, and definitely report upon all questions of the loyalty, disloyalty, or neutrality of the various claimants of property within said district; and further, to report such persons as in their judgment ought to be recommended by the Commanding General to the President for amnesty and pardon, so that they may have their property returned; to the end that all persons that are loyal may suffer as little injury as possible, and that all persons who have been heretofore disloyal, may have opportunity now to prove their loyalty and to return to their allegiance, and save their property from confiscation, if such shall be the determination of the Government of the United States. By command Major-General Butler. of GEO. C. STRONG, A. A. General, Chief of Staff. Doc. 42. GENERAL FOSTER'S EXPEDITION THROUGH EASTERN NORTH-CAROLINA. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NORTHCAROLINA, NEWBERN, Nov. 12, 1862. Major-Gen. Halleck, General-in-Chief, U.S.A.: GENERAL: I have the honor to report that, agreeable to my letter of the thirtieth ultimo, informing you of my intention to make an expedition through the eastern counties of this State, and stating the object of the move, I left this post on the thirty-first ultimo, and have just arrived here on my return. I am happy to inform you that although the original plan for the capture of the three regiments foraging in that section was, owing to the condition of the roads, frustrated, the expedition will be of great service to our cause in this department. The First brigade, under command of Colonel T. J. C. Amory, together with the artillery, cavalry and wagon-train, were marched from this point across the country to Washington; the balance of my forces, including the Second brigade, Colonel Stevenson, and the Third brigade, On Sunday, the third, all the forces, including artillery, left Washington, under my command, for Williamston. On the evening of the same day we encountered the enemy, posted in a strong position at a small creek called Little Creek. Ĭ immediately ordered Col. Stevenson, commanding the Second brigade, who was then in the advance, to make all haste in driving them from the opposite side of the creek, and push on at once. The engagement lasted one hour, when the enemy being driven from their rifle-pits by the effective fire of Belger's Rhode Island battery, retired to Rawls's Mills, one mile further on, where they made another stand in a recently constructed field-work. Belger's battery and two batteries of the Third New-York artillery, were immediately ordered into position, and after a spirited engagement of half an hour, succeeded in driving the enemy from their works, and across a bridge, which they burned. That night, while the pioneers built the burnt bridge, the forces bivouacked on the field, and proceeded next morning to Williamson, where we arrived about noon. We started from there after a short rest, in pursuit of the enemy, bivouacking about five miles from that place. On the following day we reached and occupied the fortifications at Rainbow Banks, three miles below Hamilton, and then pushed on to Hamilton. There we expected to find some iron-clad boats said to be in the process of construction at Hamilton, but discovered nothing of the kind. On the sixth, we left Hamilton, in pursuit of the enemy toward Tarboro, and encamped on the same night within ten miles of that place. It was my intention to pursue the enemy toward Tarboro, but the exhausted condition of my men, most of whom had been sick during the last two months and had not yet recovered their strength, and the provisions being entirely exhausted, so that I had to subsist the command by foraging, as well as the fact that the enemy were being largely reënforced by rail, changed my plans, and on the following morning, the seventh instant, I countermarched the column, making Hamilton the same night, where we remained till the next morning, when we marched for Williamston in the midst of a severe snow-storm. At Williamston we remained a day, in order to give the men an opportunity to rest. At daylight the next day, the tenth instant, we started for Plymouth, where we arrived that night. The following day the troops were all reëmbarked at Newbern. During the engagement at Rawls's Mills and at Hamilton, we captured five prisoners, who were paroled at Williamston. The loss on our side consisted in six killed and eight wounded. The expedition was instrumental in saving the town and forces at Plymouth from destruction and capture, as I found upon my arrival at the place that the enemy's forces, while lying in the vicinity, besides being engaged in foraging, had |