Convention to be held at Little Rock on the eighth instant, with power to fill vacancies.

Upon its being suggested that Judge McKiel was in feeble health, and might not be able to attend the Convention, the Chair remarked that he should place a steamboat at the service of the delegates, as he considered the object of the mission of sufficient importance to warrant him in so doing.

A motion was then made and carried that the proceedings of this meeting be published in the Memphis, St. Louis, and Washington papers.

Major Jackson then moved that the thanks of the meeting be tendered to the chairman for the courtesies and impartial manner with which he had presided over its deliberations, and for his kindness and liberality in providing the delegates with the means of transportation to the Conven

tion.

planes. So the wagon train and artillery, after waiting awhile, for more favorable weather, were sent back.

The second day the weather became worse, and on the third day it was no better. Many of the men, frost-bitten and frozen, fell out of ranks, and stopped at the farm-houses, waiting for a thaw. Fitz Lee, however, pushed on, after recruiting a day at Moorfield, in Hardy County, Virginia.

All

Fording the south branch of the Potomac, we entered the Moorfield Gap, in the Patterson Creek range of mountains. This range of mountains has acquired a sort of historical importance, from being regarded, by general consent, as the dividing line between Union and secesh. the gaps in the mountain, including pig-paths and highways, have been blockaded by the Yankees with falling timber, except those that they have garrisoned. Removing the obstructions which were found there, our column gradually succeeded in worming itself through this gap.

As the head of the column emerged and came in view of the Patterson Creek Valley, to the astonishment and delight of every one, a train of forty wagons was discovered, meandering "its slow length along." On it came, right into our ravenous jaws.

In the rear of the train marched an infantry guard of one hundred men. As soon as they passed our front, Rosser's brigade darted down the mountain side after them, leaping fences and ditches in their course, and galloping with headlong fury over the frozen swamps that filled the valley.

Every wagoner in the train could see Rosser, with his brigade, dashing like a thunderbolt down the mountain side after them, with a war-whoop that penetrated to their very souls as it echoed and reëchoed along the valley. Presto, cheque! and immediately, as if by the power of a magician, the unsuspecting train that was pursuing the even tenor of its way, became a surging, chaotic

mass.

Driver after driver leaped from his post of duty and ran to the woods. The mules, however, in many cases did not abate their speed, but, as if shunning a fate that consigned them to the short

Fitz Lee's division had already been reduced by his pertinacious but ineffectual efforts to capture Averill, to but a moiety of his proper number; while Rosser's brigade had just achieved a successful tour around Meade's army, and, as a matter of course, was greatly diminished. We started with about one thousand one hundred men in all. It was raining when we started, and soon commenced snowing. Many consoled them-rations of Dixie, redoubled their energy and reselves for such an inauspicious beginning with the old adage that "a bad beginning makes a good end." We hoped against hope, and kept up light hearts, though at every step the weather and the roads got worse. As we entered the mountainous regions, the snow became hail, and snow and rain, and they all mixed and froze as they fell. The roads were like sheets of glass, while the little mountain streams, that the road crossed and recrossed a thousand times, with their icy battlements and buttresses at every ford, presented barriers more formidable than large rivers.

fused to be halted. All the wagons were captured, and about sixty of the guard, who at first ran without firing, until they had gotten a position on a hill-side, flanked by an impassable ditch, and here they made quite a stubborn resistance for a while.

That same evening General Chambliss went up the creek a short distance, and, having invested a stockade fort of the enemy, garrisoned with twenty men, obtained its surrender.

The next morning we proceeded down the valley of Patterson's Creek, collecting all the cattle and horses that could be found-the Yankee garrison at Williamsport having set fire to their fort and escaped to the mountains when we ap

It was impossible to get the artillery and the wagon train over the first mountain. It was as much as could be expected of a horse to trans-proached. cort himself up and down those icy inclined

The next day we invested Burlington, where

the Yankees had constructed a fort impregnable to an enemy armed with merely small arms.

Here again they set fire to their fort and took to the woods. We succeeded, however, in capturing fifteen or twenty of them.

General Lee then sent his cattle and disabled men toward Romney, and with the rest of his command, now reduced to little over four hundred men, proceeded toward Ridgeville, where he encamped. The next morning, at four o'clock, we took up the line of march for New-Creek, but by the time we reached the top of Nobby Mountain, within seven miles of New-Creek, the weather became so intolerable that we turned back, and coming on through Romney, thence through gorges and over mountains of ice, toiling for several days, we reached the valley.

range their arms and tie up their heads for the fight. We, the soldiers, made all necessary arrangements to have our cartridges as convenient as possible, when the word was heard: "All ready!"

It is well known that the Navajoes can whip the Apaches (our allied forces) two to one. So the soldiers formed in the centre and the Indians (Apaches) around us, so that the enemy could not see any thing but Apaches. We were within one hundred and fifty yards of them on the full charge, when the signal was given: "To the right and left." The Apaches charged right and left, and we in the centre; and the first thing that Mr. Johnny Navajo knew of us, we were upon them like a thousand of bricks. The fight commenced simultaneously on right and left and centre. The Navajoes made a stand for one volley from our carbines, and they made the

The object of the expedition was, I believe, to get cattle. Six hundred of these and about three hundred horses, thirty wagons, and three hun-air black with arrows for about two minutes, dred and twenty mules-not to mention about one hundred Yankees-were the fruits of this expedition. When it is remembered what natural obstacles were encountered and overcome, what a Siberian icebergian spell of weather reigned during the whole trip, it will be a matter of surprise that the trip was made at all, without considering the importance of its results. Dr. Johnson said: "The wonder is not that bears dance so well, but that they dance at all." So it may truly be said of this expedition, that the wonder is not that it was done so well, but that it was done at all.

Doc. 42.

BRUTUS.

BATTLE IN NEW-MEXICO.

FORT SUMNER, NEW-MEXICO, Saturday,
January 30, 1864.

and then they saw so many of their men falling, and none of us, they took to their heels and run for dear life. But it was no go, for we kept close to them, and kept giving them the benefit of our breech-loading carbines. Their bows and arrows were like so many straws; for after the first volley we found that we had the long range on them, and we made use of it. Their arrows are harmless over thirty yards, and they had no rocks to get behind, the battle being on an open plain, so that we chose our own distance and gave them fits. The Navajoes gave evidence of great excitement. At the commencement of the fight they shot all their arrows over our heads, and after that they never got any chance to shoot us at all. This accounts for the great victory and loss of no men. We followed them six miles, shooting them down on all sides.

Just as the sun was going behind the hill, we were ordered to cease firing and return home. We went over the battle-ground, and found by the simple rule of addition, that out of one hun dred and twenty Indians, we had killed sixtytwo. This we call good work, and for which we were complimented by the commanding officer at Fort Sumner.

ON the fourth day of this month, at half-past eleven o'clock, the bugle sounded, "To arms! to arms!" which roused every man in camp. Our company was out on a thirty days' scout at the time, only having left six men of the company (B, Second cavalry, California volunteers) in camp, but the six were in their saddles in I will here say, by way of explanation, that double-quick, and off. The party consisted of the Apache Indians spoken of, are a lot of Indione Lieutenant (infantry) and six men of com-ans of the Apache tribe, that came in and gave pany B, Second cavalry, California volunteers, three men of company D, Fifth United States infantry, twenty-five Apache Indians, and three Mexican citizens.

At ten minutes to twelve o'clock we started down the river Pecos, and soon found the cause of alarm. One hundred and twenty Navajo Indians had been within two miles of the fort, and stolen all the Apache horses and mules, and were driving them off as leisurely as though they had paid for them. We rode for twelve miles at a brisk gallop, when we arrived at the top of a small ridge, and lo and behold! the whole party of hostile Navajoes were in full sight about one mile below. When we came in sight of the enemy, we made a halt, and waited for all the Apache Indians to come up and ar

themselves up voluntarily, and are fed at the expense of the Government. They number four hundred and eighty. They go out on all occasions and fight the Navajoes if the soldiers are going; if not, they stay at home. They fight well with the soldiers.

Doc. 43.

THE GUERRILLAS IN KENTUCKY.

A PROCLAMATION BY GOVERNOR BRAMLETTE.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, FRANKFORT, KY.,
January 4, 1864.

THE frequent outrages perpetrated in various parts of the State by lawless bands of marauders can, in a large degree, be traced to the active

aid of rebel sympathizers in our midst, or their hurried off, the guerrillas avoiding the roads neglect to furnish to military commandants the until their party was halted about one o'clock in information in their possession, which would the morning, on the bank of Elk River, where lead to the defeat and capture of such marauders. the rebels stated they were going into camp for Sympathizers with the rebellion who, while the night. The hands of the prisoners were enjoying protection from the Government, abuse then tied behind them, and they were robbed the leniency extended to them by concealing the of every thing of value about their persons. movements of rebel guerrillas, by giving them They were next drawn up in line, about five information, affording them shelter, supplying paces in front of their captors, and one of the them with provisions, and otherwise encour- latter, who acted as leader, commanded, “Ready!" aging and fomenting private raids, are in crim- and the whole party immediately fired upon inal complicity with all the outrages perpetrated them. One of the prisoners was shot through by the marauders whom they secretly counte- the head and killed instantly, and three were wounded. Lieutenant Porter was not hit. He immediately ran, was followed and fired upon three times by one of the party; and finding that he was about to be overtaken, threw himself over a precipice into the river, and succeeding in getting his hands loose, swam to the opposite side, and although pursued to that side and several times fired upon, he, after twenty-four hours of extraordinary exertions and great ex

nance.

It is in the power of persons whose sympathies are with the rebellion, to prevent guerrilla raids, almost invariably, by furnishing to military officers of the United States, or State of Kentucky, the information which experience has proved them to be, as a general thing, possessed of.

If all would unite, as is their duty, in putting down guerrillas, we would soon cease to be trou-posure, reached a house, whence he was taken bled with their raids. A neglect to afford all assistance and information which may aid in defeating the designs of marauding parties can but be construed as a culpable and active assistance to our enemies.

I, therefore, request that the various military commandants in the State of Kentucky will, in every instance where a loyal citizen is taken off by bands of guerrillas, immediately arrest at least five of the most prominent and active rebel sympathizers in the vicinity of such outrage for every loyal man taken by guerrillas. These sympathizers should be held as hostages for the safe and speedy return of the loyal citizens. Where there are disloyal relatives of guerrillas, they should be the chief sufferers. Let them learn that if they refuse to exert themselves actively for the assistance and protection of the loyal, they must expect to reap the just fruits of their complicity with the enemies of our State and people. THOMAS E. BRAMLETTE.

Doc. 44.

REBEL BARBARITIES.

GENERAL THOMAS'S ORDERS.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
CHATTANOOGA, TENN., January 6, 1861.

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 6.

IT having been reported to these headquarters that, between seven and eight o'clock on the evening of the twenty-third ultimo, within one and a half miles of the village of Mulberry, Lincoln county, Tennessee, a wagon which had become detached from a foraging train belonging to the United States, was attacked by guerrillas, and the officer in command of the foraging party, First Lieutenant Porter, company A, Twentyseventh Indiana volunteers, the teamster, wag on-master, and two other soldiers who had been sent to load the train, (the latter four unarmed,) captured. They were immediately mounted and

to Tullahoma, where he now lies in a critical situation. The others, after being shot, were immediately thrown into the river; thus the murder of three men, Newell E. Orcutt, Ninth independent battery Ohio volunteer artillery, John W. Drought, company H, Twenty-second Wisconsin_volunteers, and George W. Jacobs, company D, Twenty-second Wisconsin volunteers, was accomplished by shooting and drowning. The fourth, James W. Foley, Ninth independent battery Ohio volunteer artillery, is now lying in hospital, having escaped by getting his hands free while in the water.

For these atrocious and cold-blooded murders, equalling in savage ferocity any ever committed by the most barbarous tribes on the continent, committed by rebel citizens of Tennessee, it is ordered that the property of all other rebel citizens living within a circuit of ten miles of the place where these men were captured, be assessed, each in his due proportion, according to his wealth, to make up the sum of thirty thousand dollars, to be divided among the families who were dependent upon the murdered men for support, as follows:

Ten thousand dollars to be paid to the widow of John W. Drought, of North Cape, Racine County, Wisconsin, for the support of herself and two children.

Ten thousand dollars to be paid the widow of George W. Jacobs, of Delevan, Walworth County, Wisconsin, for the support of herself and one child.

Ten thousand dollars to be divided between the aged mother and sister of Newell E. Orcutt, of Burton, Geauga County, Ohio.

Should the persons assessed fail within one week after notice shall have been served upon them, to pay in the amount of their tax in money, sufficient of their personal property shall be seized and sold at public auction to make up the amount.

Major-General H. W. Slocum, United States

confederate States.

The Congress of the confederate States of America do enact, That no person liable to military service shall hereafter be permitted or allowed to furnish a substitute for such service, nor shall any substitute be received, enlisted, or enrolled in the military service of the confederate States.

[Approved December twenty-eighth, 1863.] AN ACT to put an end to the exemption from military service of those who have heretofore furnished substitutes.

Whereas, in the present circumstances of the country, it requires the aid of all who are able

to bear arms;

allowed to volunteer in companies in service on the sixteenth of April, 1862, provided the company chosen does not at the time of volunteering reach the maximum number allowed, and upon such company being selected, the volunteer will receive from the enrolling officer a certificate to the effect that he has so volunteered; and no volunteer will be received into any company except on such certificate. Persons who fail to make their selections at the time of enrolment, will be assigned according to the enrolling regulations.

V. Persons who report to the enrolling officers will be enrolled, and may be allowed a furlough of ten days before reporting to the camp of instruction.

VI. All persons, whether volunteers or conscripts under this order, will pass through the camp of inspection of the State to which they belong, and be forwarded thence to the companies which are selected, or to which they may be assigned.

VII. The Bureau of Conscription is charged with adopting proper regulations for the enforcement of this order.

VIII. All exemptions heretofore granted are subject to revision, under instructions from the Bureau of Conscription, and if found to be improper or unauthorized by law, will be revoked. By order. S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector-General.

Doc. 46.

FIGHT ON LOUDON HEIGHTS, VA..

A NATIONAL ACCOUNT.

CAMP ON LOUDON HEIGHTS, LOUDON COUNTY, VA., January 10, 1864. before the early dawn this morning, baptized in OUR new camp on Loudon Heights was, just blood. Precisely at half-past four o'clock this The Congress of the confederate States of morning, Mosby's rebel battalion, himself in America do enact, That no person shall be ex-person at their head, avoiding our pickets on the empted from military service by reason of his having furnished a substitute; but this Act shall not be so construed as to affect persons who, though not liable to render military service, have, nevertheless, furnished substitutes.

[Approved January fifth, 1864.]

II. Persons rendered liable to military service, by operation of preceding Acts, are placed on the same footing with all others hitherto held liable by acts of Congress.

III. Persons herein rendered liable to military service are required to report as volunteers or conscripts, without delay, to the enrolling officers; and all who delay beyond the first day of February, 1864, will be considered as having renounced the privilege of volunteering, and held for assignment according to law.

IV. Enrolling officers will proceed as rapidly as practicable in the enrolment of persons herein made liable to military service. Previous to enrolment as conscripts, all such persons will be

roads, crossed the fields and dashed into our camp with a fiend-like yell. They poured a voland men lay sleeping, wounding many at the ley of bullets into the tents where our officers first fire. Many of the tents of officers and men were soon surrounded by mounted and dismounted cavalry, and a demand for instant and unconditional surrender made.

This demand was answered by a shout of defiance from our boys, as they rushed from their tents, half-naked, in the midst of their assailants, and with their trusty carbines and revolvers drove back the astonished rebels, who had promised themselves such an easy victory over the

66

sleeping Yankees." The rebels rallied, and so did our men, as best they could, and a “rough and tumble" fight of fifteen minutes ensued, when Mosby sung out: "Retreat, boys; they are too many for us!" And the discomfited Major and his midnight assassins made a precipitate flight in the direction of Hillsborough. The rebels fought with the most desperate vindictive