You may judge, from the number and nature of these rumors, what our situation must be, shut up from all outside information, as we are, here within the corporate limits of Knoxville. In a former letter, speaking of the affair of Sunday, I stated the Twenty-seventh Kentucky "had abandoned the rifle-pits, etc." This was the information forwarded to division headquarters. I learn since that it was untrue. The regiment was ordered to fall back by the officer in command, and behaved gallantly in the subsequent charge to regain their position. Saturday, Dec. 5.-I add hastily by sudden courier. It is over. Our long, anxious suspense, the siege, the campaign, and, I devoutly trust and believe, the culminating crisis of the rebellion. The dead point of danger is past; the position of East-Tennessee is assured to the Union. The Smoky Mountains will hereafter become our military front. The advance of our reënforcements, under Sherman, arrived yesterday morning. Granger is on the way. Longstreet's hours in East-Tennessee are numbered. | His chief care since that glorious Sunday before Sanders has been, as I suggested, to escape from the trap in which he was involved by that blundering humbug Bragg. Our faith in Grant has not been in vain or misplaced. A cavalry brigade, in command of Colonel Long, Fourth Ohio volunteer cavalry, is marching across our pontoon while I write. From Major Smith and Dr. Owens, of the Fifth Ohio volunteer cavalry, I learn the particulars of the utter demoralization of Bragg. A reconnoissance of our front is now out. The result will probably be to bring in rebel pickets out of the wet, and ascertain that Longstreet is on his way to Dixie. I will send particulars as soon as obtained. I cannot obtain full lists of killed and wounded of Shackleford's division. Our entire loss in all the engagements, during twenty-two days, will not reach one thousand. The rebel loss, during the same time, is not short of five thousand. News of reconnoissance just in-enemy gone since Tuesday. Our cavalry are in pursuit to pick up stragglers. Thus endeth the campaign in East-Tennessee. What we will do with the huge army sent here by Grant, is problematical. One does not require the foot of an elephant to kill a gnat, and Grant is not one to overdo. December 6.-I made a thorough survey of the enemy's position yesterday. The extent and elaborateness of their defensive as well as offensive works is proof positive that they intended to stay in front of Knoxville until it was captured or surrendered. It would be safe to say that four hundred acres of timber were cleared off by Longstreet's army and converted into log breastworks, and protections for rifle-pits. Their line of permanent works extended from the front of Fort Sanders about two and a half miles round to the right, terminating at the line of the Clinton Railroad. There are eight inclosed works, with embra sures for one gun, situated checkerboard fashion; that is, one in front of a given line, the next, say fifty yards to the rear, and so on. These all, except two, which were evidently the last two built, and which were located two hundred yards to the left of the Clinton Railroad, bore upon the works of Fort Sanders and Temperance Hill forts. These last two works commanded the gorge of the railroad running north from the city. To the right of this line, eastward, there was chiefly an open plain, three quarters of a mile wide, extending round to our extreme right, which was perfectly honeycombed by our own and the enemy's rifle-pits, in some parts within a few yards of each other. Their camp-fires were still burning in many places, and a considerable quantity of camp débris was scattered about. The enemy had begun to construct log huts, showing that he had intended to stay. At the small-pox hospital, opposite the Clinton Railroad, a mile from town, a soldier having that loathsome disease had been left, with an attendant two days before the enemy came in. Upon the arrival of the rebel army the nurse ran away, and the poor soldier probably died for want of attention. Yesterday he was found dead in the house, his blankets and clothing having been stripped off and carried away by some greedy rebel in Longstreet's army. Five miles from town, near the house of a Mr. Bell, one of our men was found hanging by the neck suspended to the limb of a tree, with a paper pinioned upon his breast. The paper contained in pencil the following: "Milon Ferguson, One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio regiment, sent into our lines by Colonel Byrd in disguise. Hung as a spy, by order of General Carter sent and had the soldier brought to town and decently interred. The neighbors, who were accused of the hanging, say it was done by rebel General Martin's escort. The following is General Burnside's congratulatory order to the army: HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE OHIO, GENERAL FIELD ORDERS, No. 34. With unsurpassed fortitude and patient watchfulness they have sustained the wearing duties of the defence, and with unyielding courage they have repulsed the most desperate assaults. The army of the Ohio has nobly guarded the loyal region it redeemed from its oppressors, and rendered the heroic defence of Knoxville memorable in the annals of the war. Strengthened by the experiences and the successes of the past, they now, with the powerful support of the gallant army which has come to their relief, and with undoubting faith in the Divine protection, enter with the brightest prospects upon the closing scenes of a most brilliant campaign. By command of Major-General BURNSIDE. HONOR TO THE FALLEN. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE OHIO, KNOXVILLE, TENN., Dec. 11. GENERAL ORDER, No. 37. In order clearly to designate the positions occupied by our troops during the recent siege, and in token of respect to the gallant officers who fell in defence of Knoxville, the several forts and batteries are named as follows: Battery Noble-At loop-holed house south of Kingston road, in memory of Lieutenant and Adjutant William Noble, Second Michigan volunteers, who fell in the charge upon the enemy's rifle-pits, in front of Fort Sanders, on the morning of November twenty-fourth. Fort Byington-At College, after Major Cornelius Byington, Second Michigan volunteers, who fell mortally wounded, while leading the assault upon the enemy's rifle-pits, in front of Fort Sanders, on the morning of November twentyfourth. Ohio volunteer mounted infantry, who fell mortally wounded in the action near Philadelphia, Tennessee. Battery Billingsley-Between Gay street and First Creek, in memory of Lieutenant J. Billingsley, Seventeenth Michigan infantry, who fell in action in front of Fort Sanders, November twentieth. Fort Higley-Comprising all the works on the hill west of the railroad embankment, south side of the river, in memory of Captain Joel P. Higley, Seventh Ohio cavalry, who fell in action at Blue Springs, Tennessee, October sixteenth, 1863. Fort Dickerson-Comprising all the works between Fort Stanley and Fort Higley, in memory of Captain Jonathan Dickerson, One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois mounted infantry, who fell in action near Cleveland, Tennessee. By command of Major-General BURNSIDE. LEWIS RICHMOND, A. A. G. Doc. 20. Battery Galpin-East of Second Creek, in memory of Lieutenant Galpin, Second Michigan volunteers, who fell in the assault upon the enemy's rifle-pits, in front of Fort Sanders, on the GOVERNMENT OF THE CONTRABANDS. morning of November twenty-fourth. Fort Comstock-On Summit Hill, near the railroad dépôt, in memory of Lieutenant-Colonel Comstock, Seventeenth Michigan volunteers, who fell in our lines during the siege. Battery Wiltsee-West of Gay street, in memory of Captain Wiltsee, Twentieth Michigan volunteers, who was mortally wounded in our lines during the siege. Fort Huntington Smith-On Temperance Hill, in memory of Lieutenant-Colonel Huntington Smith, Twentieth Michigan volunteer infantry, who fell at the battle of Campbell's Station. Battery Clifton Lee-East of Fort Huntington Smith, in memory of Captain Clifton Lee, One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois mounted infantry, who fell in the fight of November eighteenth, in front of Fort Sanders. Fort Hill-At the extreme eastern point of our lines, in memory of Captain Hill, of the Twelfth Kentucky cavalry, who fell during the siege. Battery Fearns-On Flint Hill, in memory of Lieutenant and Adjutant Charles W. Fearns, Forty-fifth Ohio mounted infantry, who fell in the action of November eighteenth, in front of Fort Sanders. Battery Zoellner-Between Fort Sanders and Second Creek, in memory of Lieutenant Frank Zoellner, Second Michigan volunteers, who fell mortally wounded, in the assault upon the enemy's rifle-pits in front of Fort Sanders, on the morning of November twenty-fourth. GENERAL BUTLER'S ORDER. HEADQUARTERS EIGHTEENTH ARMY CORPS, DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS, No. 46. THE recruitment of colored troops has become the settled purpose of the Government. It is therefore the duty of every officer and soldier to aid in carrying out that purpose, by every proper means, irrespective of personal predilection. To do this effectually, the former condition of the blacks, their change of relation, the new rights acquired by them, the new obligations imposed upon them, the duty of the Government to them, the great stake they have in the war, and the claims their ignorance, and the helplessness of their women and children, make upon each of us who hold a higher grade in social and political life, must all be carefully considered. It will also be taken into account that the colored soldiers have none of the machinery of "State aid," for the support of their families while fighting our battles, so liberally provided for the white soldiers, nor the generous bounties given by the State and National Governments in the loyal States-although this last is far more than compensated to the black man by the great boon awarded to him, the result of the warfreedom for himself and his race for ever! To deal with these several aspects of this subject, so that as few of the negroes as possible shall become chargeable either upon the bounty of Government or the charities of the benevo Battery Stearman-In the gorge between Tem-lent, and at the same time to do justice to those perance Hill and Mabrey's Hill, in memory of Lieutenant William Stearman, Thirteenth Kentucky volunteers, who fell near Loudon, Tennes see. Fort Stanley-Comprising all the works upon the central hill on the south side of the river, in memory of Captain C. B. Stanley, Forty-fifth who shall enlist, to encourage enlistment, and to cause all capable of working to employ themselves for their support, and that of their fam-1 ilies-either in arms or other service-and that the rights of negroes and the Government may both be protected, it is ordered: First. In this department, after the first day of December instant, and until otherwise ordered, every able-bodied colored man who shall enlist and be mustered into the service of the United States for three years or during the war, shall be paid as bounty, to supply his immediate wants, the sum of ten (10) dollars. And it shall be the duty of each mustering officer to return to these headquarters duplicate rolls of recruits so enlisted and mustered into the service, on the tenth, twentieth, and last days of each month, so that the bounty may be promptly paid and accounted for. Sixth. The best use, during the war, for an able-bodied colored man, as well for himself as the country, is to be a soldier. It is therefore further ordered: That no colored man, between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, who can pass the surgeon's examination for a soldier, shall be employed on land by any person in behalf of the Government, (mechanics and skilled laborers alone excepted.) And it shall be the duty of each officer or other person employing colored labor in this department to be paid by or on behalf of the Government, to cause each laborer to be examined by the surgeons detailed to examine colored recruits, who shall furnish the laborer with a certificate of disability or ability, as the case may be; and after the first day of January next, no employment-rolls of colored laborers wherein this order has not been complied with, and are not vouched for by such certificate of disability of the employés. And whenever, hereafter, a colored employé of the Government shall not be paid within sixty days after his wages shall become due and payable, the officer or other person having the funds to make such payment shall be dismissed the service, subject to the approval of the President. Second. To the family of each colored soldier so enlisted and mustered, so long as he shall remain in the service and behave well, shall be furnished suitable subsistence, under the direction of the Superintendents of Negro Affairs, or their assistants; and each soldier shall be fur-will be certified or passed at these headquarters nished with a certificate of subsistence for his family as soon as he is mustered; and any soldier deserting, or whose pay and allowances are forfeited by court-martial, shall be reported by his captain to the Superintendent of the district where his family lives, and the subsistence may be stopped-provided that such subsistence shall be continued for at least six months to the family of any colored soldier who shall die in the service by disease, wounds, or battle. Third. Every enlisted colored man shall have the same uniform, clothing, arms, equipments, camp equipage, rations, medical and hospital treatment, as are furnished to the United States soldiers of a like arm of the service, unless, upon request, some modification thereof shall be granted from these headquarters. Fourth. The pay of the colored soldiers shall be ten (10) dollars per month, three of which may be retained for clothing; but the non-commissioned officers, whether colored or white, shall have the same addition to their pay as other non-commissioned officers. It is, however, hoped and believed by the Commanding General, that Congress, as an act of justice, will increase the pay of the colored troops to a uniform rate with other troops of the United States. He can see no reason why a colored soldier should be asked to fight upon less pay than any other. The colored man fills an equal space in ranks while he lives, and an equal grave when he falls. Fifth. It appears by returns from the several recruiting officers, that enlistments are discouraged, and the Government is competing against itself, because of the payment of sums larger than the pay of the colored soldiers to the colored employé in the several staff departments, and that, too, while the charities of the Government and individuals are supporting the families of the laborer. It is further ordered: That no officer, or other person on behalf of the Government, or to be paid by the Government, on land in this department, shall employ or hire any colored man for a greater rate of wages than ten dollars per month, without rations, except that mechanics and skilled laborers may be employed at other rates-regard being had, however, to the pay of the soldier, in fixing such rates. Seventh. Promptness of payment of labor, and the facilities furnished by the Government and the benevolent, will enable colored laborers in the service of the Government to be supported from the proceeds of their labor. Therefore no subsistence will be furnished to the families of those employed by the Government at labor; but the Superintendent of Negro Affairs may issue subsistence to those so employed, and charge the amount against their wages, and furnish the officer in charge of payment of such laborers with the amounts so issued, on the first day of each month, or be himself chargeable with the amount so issued. Eighth. Political freedom, rightly defined, is liberty to work, and to be protected in the full enjoyment of the fruits of labor, and no one with ability to work should enjoy the fruits of another's labor. Therefore, no subsistence will be permitted to any negro or his family, with whom he lives, who is able to work and does not work. It is, therefore, the duty of the Superintendent of Negro Affairs to furnish employment to all the negroes able to labor, and see that their families are supplied with the necessaries of life. Any negro who refuses to work when able, and neglects his family, will be arrested, and reported to these headquarters, to be sent to labor on the fortifications, where he will be made to work. No negro will be required to labor on the Sabbath, unless upon the most urgent necessity. Ninth. The Commanding General is informed that officers and soldiers in the department have, by impressment and force, compelled the labor of negroes, sometimes for private use, and often without any imperative necessity. Negroes have rights so long as they fulfil their duties. Therefore, it is ordered, that no officer or soldier shall impress or force to labor, for any private purpose whatever, any negro; and negro labor shall not be impressed or forced for any public purpose, unless under orders from these headquarters, or because of imperative military necessity, and where the labor of white citizens would be compelled, if present. And any order of any officer compelling any labor by negroes or white citizens shall be forthwith reported to these headquarters, and the reasons which called for the necessity for such order be fully set forth. In case of a necessity compelling negro or white labor for the purpose of building fortifications, bridges, roads, or aiding transportation or other military purpose, it shall be the duty of the Superintendent of Negroes in that district to cause employment-rolls to be made of those so compelled to labor, and to present said rolls, as soon as the necessity ceases, to the Assistant Quartermaster of the district, that the laborers may be paid; and the Superintendent shall see that those that labor shall have proper subsistence, and may draw from the Commissary of Subsistence rations therefor. Any officer offending wilfully against the provisions of this order, will be dismissed the service, subject to the approval of the President. And no negro shall be impressed into military service of the United States, except under orders from these headquarters, by a draft, which shall equally apply to the white and colored citizens. shall dissuade, hinder, prevent, or endeavor to prevent or hinder any negro from enlisting; or who shall insult, abuse, ridicule, or interfere with, for the purpose of casting ridicule or contempt upon colored troops, or individual soldiers, because they are colored, shall be deemed to be, and held liable under the several acts of Congress applicable to this subject, and be punished with military severity for obstructing recruiting. Eleventh. In consideration of the ignorance and helplessness of the negroes, arising from the condition in which they have been heretofore held, it becomes necessary that the Government should exercise more and peculiar care and protection over them than over its white citizens, accustomed to self-control and self-support, so that their sustenance may be assured, their rights respected, their helplessness protected, and their wrongs redressed; and, that there be one system of management of negro affairs, It is ordered: That Lieutenant-Colonel J. Burnham Kinsman, A. D. C., be detailed at these headquarters, as General Superintendent of Negro Affairs in this department, to whom all reports and communications relating thereto, required to be sent to these headquarters, shall be addressed. He shall have a general superintendence over all the colored people of this department; and all other Superintendents of Negro Affairs shall report to Lieutenant-Colonel Kinsman, who is acting for the Commanding General in this behalf. All the territory of Virginia south of the James River shall be under the superintendence of Captain Orlando Brown, Assistant Quartermaster. All the territory north of James River shall be under the superintendence of Captain Charles B. Wilder, Assistant Quartermaster. The District of North-Carolina shall be under the superintendence of Rev. Horace James, Chaplain. Tenth. The theory upon which negroes are received into the Union lines, and employed, either as laborers or soldiers, is, that every negro able to work, who leaves the rebel lines, diminishes by so much the producing power of the rebellion to supply itself with food and labor necessary to be done outside of military operations, to sustain its armies; and the United States thereby gains either a soldier or a pro- Each Superintendent shall have the power to ducer. Women and children are received, be- select and appoint such Assistant Superintendcause it would be manifestly iniquitous and un-ents for such sub-districts in his district as may just to take the husband and father, and leave the wife and child to ill-treatment and starvation. Women and children are also received when unaccompanied by the husband and father, because the negro has the domestic affections in as strong a degree as the white man, and however far South his master may drive him, he will sooner or later return to his family. Therefore it is ordered: That every officer and soldier of this command shall aid, by every means in his power, the coming of all colored people within the Union lines; that all officers commanding expeditions and raids shall bring in with them all the negroes possible, affording them transportation, aid, protection, and encouragement. Any officer bringing or admitting negroes within his lines shall forthwith report the same to the Superintendent of Negro Affairs within his district, so they may be cared for and protected, enlisted, or set to work. Any officer, soldier, or citizen who shall dissuade, hinder, prevent, or endeavor to hinder or prevent any negro from coming within the Union lines; or be necessary, to be approved by the Commanding General; such appointments to be confirmed by the Commanding General. The pay of such assistant, if a civilian, shall in no case exceed the pay of a first-class clerk in the quartermaster's department. It shall be the duty of each Superintendent, under the direction of the General Superintendent, to take care of the colored inhabitants of his district, not slaves, under the actual control of a loyal master in his district, (and in all questions arising as to freedom or slavery of any colored person, the presumption shall be that the man, woman, or child is free or has claimed protection of the military authorities of the United States, which entitles the claimant to freedom;) to cause an accurate census to be taken of colored inhabitants in his district, and their employments; to cause all to be provided with necessary shelter, clothing, food, and medicines; to see that all able to work shall have some employment, and that such employment shall be industriously pursued; to see that in all contracts for labor or Fifteenth. Courts-martial and courts of inquiry in relation to all offences committed by, or against any of the colored troops, or any person in the service of the United States connected with the care, or serving with the colored troops, shall have a majority of its members composed of officers in command of colored troops, when such can be detailed without manifest injury to the service. All offences by citizens against the negroes, or by the negroes against citizens-except of a high and aggravated nature-shall be heard and tried before the provost-court. other things made by the negroes with white or recruitment of colored troops, and relating to persons the negro is not defrauded, and to annul the care and control of the negroes in this deall contracts made by the negroes which are un-partment, with any official organized body or conscionable and injurious, and that such contracts society, or any department or bureau of the Govas are fulfilled by the negro shall be paid; to ernment, must be transmitted through these headtake charge of all lands and all property allotted, quarters, as by regulation all other military corturned over, or given to the use of the negroes, respondence is required to be done. whether by Government or by charity; to keep accurate accounts of the same, and of all expenditure; to audit all accounts of the negroes against Government, and to have all proper allowances made as well to the negro as the Government; and to have all claims put in train for payment by the Government; to keep accurate accounts of all expenses of the negro to the Government, and of his earnings for the Government; to see that the negroes who have wrought on land furnished by the Government on shares shall have their just portion, and to aid in disposing of the same for the best good of the negro and Govern- Sixteenth. This order shall be published and furment; to make quarterly returns and exhibits nished to each regiment and detached post within of all accounts of matters committed to them; the department -a copy for every commanding and to hold all moneys arising from the surplus officer thereof-and every commander of a comearnings of the negro over the expenditures by pany, or detachment less than a company, shall the United States, for the use and benefit of the cause the same to be read once, at least, to his negroes, under orders from these headquarters. company or detachment; and this order shall be Twelfth. It appearing to the Commanding Gen-printed for the information of the citizens, once, eral that some of the labor done by the negroes at least, in each newspaper published in the dein this department remains unpaid—some for the partment. space of more than two years, although contracts were duly made by the proper officers of the Government for the payment thereof — whereby the faith of the negro in the justice of the Government is impaired, and the trust in its protection is weakened, it is ordered, that each Superintendent shall be a Commissioner, to audit all such accounts, procure evidence of their validity, make out accurate pay-rolls, and return the same, so that they may be presented for adjustment to the proper departments. Provided, however, that no sale of any such claim against the Government shall be valid, and no payment shall be made of any such claim, except in hand to the person actually earning it—if he is within this department-or to his legal representative, if the person earning it be deceased. Thirteenth. Religious, benevolent, and humane persons have come into this department for the charitable purpose of giving to the negroes secular and religious instructions; and this, too, without any adequate pay or material reward. It is, therefore, ordered, that every officer and soldier shall treat all such persons with the utmost respect; shall aid them by all proper means in their laudable avocations; and that transportation be furnished them, whenever it may be necessary in pursuit of their business. Fourteenth. As it is necessary to preserve uniformity of system, and that information shall be had as to the needs and the supplies for the negro, and as certain authorizations are had to raise troops in the department, a practice has grown up of corresponding directly with the War and other Departments of the Government, to the manifest injury of the service: It is, therefore, ordered, That all correspondence in relation to the raising By command of Major-General BUTLER. Major and Assistant Adjutant-General. Doc. 21. MESSAGE OF JEFFERSON DAVIS. DELIVERED DECEMBER 7, 1863. To the Senate and House of Representatives of the Confederate States : THE necessity for legislative action, arising out of the important events that have marked the interval since your adjournment, and my desire to have the aid of your counsel on other matters of grave public interest, render your presence at this time more than ordinarily welcome. Indeed, but for serious obstacles to convoking you in extraordinary session, and the necessity for my own temporary absence from the seat of government, I would have invited you to an earlier meeting than that fixed at the date of your adjournment. Grave reverses befell our arms soon after your departure from Richmond. Early in July, our strongholds at Vicksburgh and Port Hudson, together with their entire garrisons, capitulated to the combined land and naval forces of the enemy. The important interior position of Jackson next fell into their temporary possession. Our unsuccessful assault on the post at Helena was followed, at a later period, by the invasion of Arkansas; and the retreat of our army from Little Rock gave to the enemy the control of the important valley in which it is situated. The resolute spirit of the people soon rose superior to the temporary despondency naturally |