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the pursuit was continued, but necessarily with caution, as Forrest's force was known to be yet superior to ours.

When near Holly Springs, reliable information was brought in that the enemy's main column, reenforced by Ferguson's division, had left the Taylor plantation, twelve miles west from Holly Springs, and were yet moving south, having ten hours start of us. The pursuit was here abandoned, and our column, tired out by nearly two weeks of unceasing active service, turned back, and moved by easy stages toward Collierville and Memphis.

It is known that, on the seventh instant, the entire rebel force was near Camden, Miss. It is likely they will remain there until they eat up the two hundred beeves they stole in this raid. There can be no doubt that if General Hurlbut's orders had been properly executed at La Fayette, Forrest and his whole force would now have been our prisoners.

During the fight at Summerville, between the Seventh Illinois cavalry and a part of Richardson's troops, Colonel Prince, in trying to rally his men, became separated from the main body, and, after the regiment had cut its way out, managed to pass through the enemy's lines and escape alone to Summerville. At that place he was concealed by a Union citizen, and at night was guided between the rebel pickets, and arrived safely at La Grange. A number of his men were also concealed and fed for two or three days by citizens of the same town, and were assisted in making their way through the rebel pickets by the same true-hearted patriots.

Lieutenant McIntire, of the Ninth Illinois cavalry, relates that just as the fight near Summerville commenced he arrived on the ground with a despatch from General Grierson to Colonel Prince. Finding himself surrounded and unable to escape, he sprang from his horse and crawled under a house; but fearing that this might not be a safe place, he crept to a cottongin, a short distance off. In the gin he found a large heap of cotton-seed. Jumping into the heap, he covered himself with the seed, so as to have only his head out, over which he pulled basket. Here the lieutenant was feeling comparatively safe, when an officer of the Seventh bulged in the door, with a dozen rebels at his heels. The officer ran up-stairs and hid under some loose boards in the floor.

The rebels put a guard around the house, and began a vigorous search. Up-stairs and down they went several times, and every hiding-place but the right one was examined. They knew that the officer was there some place, and they were determined to have him. Presently, the heap of cotton-seed caught their attention, and forthwith they began plunging their sabres into it. The heap was probed in all directions, but providentially without touching the Lieutenant's body. At last, one of them, exasperated beyond endurance at their ill-success, vented his anger on the basket over the Lieutenant's head, by striking it a furious blow with the sword. Had

the latter not kept a vigorous hold to the handle, it would have been knocked a rod. Just then some occurrence outside caused them to hurry away, and both officers escaped.

In the great hurry in which the rebels made their crossing at La Fayette, there was necessarily much confusion and straggling. By some means an officer of Forrest's staff became separated from the main column, and after our occupation of the place he came riding up in the dark and inquired for headquarters. The sentinel pointed out the house just occupied by General Grierson. Starting in the direction indicated, he was encountered by Major Starr of the Seventh Illinois, to whom he repeated the inquiry. "What headquarters?" asked the Major. "Why, d-n it, General Forrest's, of course," replied the rebel. "This way, then," said the Major, and to his unspeakable surprise he was escorted to the presence of General Grierson. Μ.Κ.

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ORDERED: That Major-General Gillmore, commanding the department of the South, be, and he is hereby, authorized:

First. To enlist and organize all the colored troops that can be recruited within his department, the said enlistments to be in accordance with the rules and regulations of the service and of the War Department, relating to the organization of colored troops, and such further orders as may from time to time be given by the Department.

Second. General Gillmore is authorized to appoint a board for the examination of white persons to officer the regiments and companies so raised by him, and to make provisional appointments of the persons passed by said board, and appointed by him, reporting their names to this department for its approval, and, if approved, such persons will be commissioned by the President, as in other cases of colored troops. He may also appoint a mustering officer, and have the officers and troops mustered in at such times as he may deem proper.

Third. The troops so raised may consist of infantry, cavalry, and artillery, and in such proportion as General Gillmore may deem most beneficial for the service; their pay and allowance to be in accordance with the act of Congress and the rules and regulations of the service respecting colored troops, but a bounty may be allowed, not to exceed the sum of ten dollars,

payable out of the fund for procuring substitutes, as in the case of recruits in the department of Virginia.

Fourth. All other authorities for raising colored troops, within the department aforesaid, shall be subject to the direction of Major-General Gillmore, until further orders.

Fifth. That General Gillmore is authorized, under the foregoing regulations, to procure recruits. from Key West, or in the States of Georgia, Florida, and Alabama, not, however, so as to interfere with the engineer service at Key West.

nior officer in command) to send Colonel Henry, with the balance of the command and artillery, by the road around the base of the mountain, to meet him on Cosby. The force with General Vance travelled that night until twelve o'clock, when they found the road in their front blockaded. They then had to lay by until daylight, when they cut out the blockade, and reached Cosby about one P.M.; but, instead of finding Henry there, they found a despatch from him saying that, upon consultation with Colonel L. Thomas, he had concluded the route was imprac ticable, and would fall back across the Smoky Mountain. So there was General Vance, with the captured property, prisoners, etc., and only about one hundred and seventy-five men. These had not been on the creek one hour before they

Sixth. All the colored troops now in the department of the South, or that may be recruited therein, or that shall be sent forward, may be organized in such brigades, divisions, and corps as General Gillmore may deem most advantage-were attacked by a Yankee cavalry force about ous to the service, he making report to Major Foster, Chief of Bureau in the War Department for organizing colored troops.

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We have some interesting particulars of the recent expedition of the North-Carolina forces into East-Tennessee, which terminated so disas trously, and resulted, among other misfortunes, in the capture of General Vance, who was in command.

General Vance crossed the Smoky Mountain at the head of Lufty, with about three hundred and fifty-five cavalry, two pieces of artillery, and one hundred and fifty Indians. The force had great difficulty in crossing; the soldiers had to take the horses out of the wagons to get down the mountain over a perfect sheet of ice for three miles. After getting to the foot, part of the command was left, while General Vance, with about one hundred and seventy-five men, started to Sevierville on a reconnoissance. When in about two miles, he heard of a Yankee train of wagons being there. Our small force immediately charged and captured seventeen wagons, one hundred mules, and twenty-six prisoners. The enemy were then within four miles of our force, and General Vance at once started out with the captured property. This was about three P.M. The General thought it was impossible to get back over the Smoky Mountain, and endeavored to make his way to the Cattaloocha road, on the head of Cosby Creek. He immediately despatched to Thomas (who was the seVOL. VIII.-Doc. 22

four hundred strong. Our command was completely dispersed, the property recaptured, half the men taken prisoners, among them General Vance and part of his staff. The fight occurred on Thursday, the fifteenth, about half-past two

P.M.

Our men were perfectly panic-stricken, and made no fight at all. The General escaped from the house where he was, and got across the creek, and was endeavoring to get to the advanced-guard, when he was captured. The enemy did not stop at all, but dashed on toward the front.

One of our officers in the affair writes as follows:

"We succeeded in rallying the men on a little point, which was a pleasant position, but the men were so frightened, that they only stood one fire and broke. It was the worst stampede I ever saw or heard of. Nearly every man lost his horse."

Doc. 53.

SEIZURE OF REBEL PROPERTY.

GENERAL BUTLER'S ORDER.

HEADQUARTERS EIGHTEENTH ARMY CORPS, DEPARTMENT
OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH-CAROLINA, FORTRESS
MONROE, VA., Jan. 16, 1861.

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 10.

To correct a misapprehension which seems to exist with the officers of this command as to their powers and duties in taking property for military purposes, and their accountability therefor; to afford just protection to peaceful and quiet citizens, from unauthorized and lawless acts, and to enable them to obtain speedy redress and remuneration therefor, if found loyal; to allow the taking in an orderly manner only, such property and material as may be necessary and useful for military purposes, or to deprive the enemy thereof, likely to fall into their hands, or if found in the hands of those in rebellion, or aiding the enemy; to give full force and effect to the example whenever it is found necessary to punish summarily offences, by the destruction of the property of offenders;

It is ordered:

I. That private property of a peaceable inhabitant shall be seized only when needed for the use of the troops, either for shelter, transportation, fuel, or food, or from known enemies, to be turned over to the agents of the Treasury. Secondly. It may be taken or destroyed, in order to deprive the enemy thereof, when in danger of falling into his hands, or to prevent its use by the enemy.

Thirdly. It may be destroyed, as a summary punishment for offences, such as discharging a musket by a citizen, from his house, upon a body of troops, or setting poisoned food before soldiers, or murder within a house, or using the house and property to secrete murderers, or as a rendezvous for felons and the like.

In each of these cases the act can be done only by the order of a commissioned officer, in command of an army, expedition, separate detachment, or post.

II. It has been brought to the notice of the Commanding General, that there is a reluctance on the part of officers seizing property, either as a military necessity or upon orders, to give to the party claiming certificates, showing such seizure, thereby leaving themselves liable to the imputation of having carried away property which they have not in fact taken, and exposing the United States to claims sometimes unfounded, and always exorbitant. There should be no hesitation in giving such certificates. It does not add to the responsibility of the officer, but, on the contrary, is a protection both to himself and the Government. No officer should do an act which he is not willing to certify having done. It is therefore the duty of every officer, taking any property from any peaceable citizen, whether loyal or disloyal, to give a certificate to the party, claimant, or person from whom it is taken, place where and person from whom taken, with the name, regiment, and company, as the case may be, in full of the officer actually making the seizure; whether that seizure is made upon that officer's own responsibility, or under orders from his superior, and to make a report of the same to his immediate commander.

Such certificate should also state whether the property taken is that of a loyal or disloyal citizen, to the best of the information of the captor.

III. In case it becomes necessary, for military purposes, to destroy any houses, buildings, or other property, a certificate stating the cause of the act should be given by the officer making the order, or doing the act, to the person claiming, or it should be affixed to the nearest prominent object, if practicable, and in each case a report made to the immediate commander of the act done and of the certificate given.

Any officer taking property of a citizen for any purpose whatever, whether loyal or disloyal, without giving such certificate to the claimant, or destroying any property, without such certificate, and reporting the act as above provided, shall be deemed to be, and held guilty as for unauthorized and causeless plunder and embezzle

ment of the property taken, or for an unjustifiable destruction of property, as the case may be. In such cases, the Commanding General will not too much invoke the aid of a court-martial in punishing the offenders.

IV. Cases of difficulty have arisen where the negroes, formerly slaves, joining the troops of the United States on marches and expeditions, with intent to come within our lines for protection, bring with them property of their former masters.

While the theory adopted by some officers that all the property in the rebel States belongs to the negroes, because it is the product of their labor, is theoretically true, yet it is not such a truth as can be made the foundation of government action. Therefore negroes, while they are to be induced to join our marches and expeditions, are not to be allowed to bring with them any other than those personal effects which have belonged to them, or such property as the officer commanding may order.

If it becomes necessary to take means of transportation from their masters, it is to be receipted for by the officer in command, as in other cases, stating the purpose for which such transportation is taken.

V. Competent officers make good soldiers; efficient officers can prevent outrage and plunder on the part of their men. All officers will be held strictly responsible for the acts of their men, and will be held to make good all plundering by the troops under their immediate command.

In punishing the offences of plundering, the inquiry at these headquarters will be, not which men did the act complained of, but who was the immediate commander of the men liable for the outrage.

VI. All property, seized as above provided, must be accounted for, or turned over to the quartermaster or provost-marshal, to be taken up on their accounts, or the officer under whose command it is taken will be held liable for embezzlement.

By command of Major-General BUTLER.
R. S. DAVIS,

Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.

Doc. 54.

FIGHT NEAR DANDRIDGE, TENN.

CAMP NEAR STRAWBERRY PLAINS,
EAST-TENNESSEE, January 19,

There

Wood's division of Granger's corps drove the rebel cavalry out of Dandridge January fifteenth; Sheridan's division came up the sixteenth. There was sharp skirmishing the evening of the sixteenth, but the enemy was driven back. was a tough fight Sunday, lasting from three o'clock P.M. till dark. La Grange's brigade of cavalry, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth, Ninetythird, and First Ohio infantry-One Hundred and Twenty-fifth commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Moore, Ninety-third and First by the major of the Ninety-third-were the forces chiefly engaged

on our part. The infantry regiments were on picket; and the forces in the order from left to right as named above.

In addition to this a section of a battery was posted on a hill in rear of the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth. The rebels came on in strong force, five to one. The cavalry videttes were soon driven in; then the infantry outposts, supported by the outpost reserves, were hotly engaged; and finally, and indeed very soon, the grand reserves went in, and the fight became general and severe. Our troops fought desper ately, especially the infantry. The outposts, as skirmishers, excelled praise. Captain Bates, of the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Ohio, commanding skirmishers on the right of that regiment, made a charge, and, gallantly supported by the Ninety-third and the First on his right, drove the rebs nearly a quarter of a mile back, clear to their main body. Infantry skirmishers on the left also fought most stubbornly; but the cavalry being driven back, they were flanked and forced back to the grand reserve. In the open ground, looking up the road to Bull's Gap, was a semi-circular depression, a sort of natural rifle pit, in which the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth, grand reserve, had been posted. This proved to be the key to the whole position. The men fired by volley, and were only exposed as they rose up to deliver their fire. The ground not only sheltered them, but concealed their strength from the enemy, who tried by artillery, infantry, and sharp-shooters posted in tree-tops to dislodge them. And, though flanked on the right and left, they-Tigers" General Wood named them at Mission Ridge, and they deserve the name held their ground till dark, and then retired across a ravine, and took up a new position, from which they poured in a volley, which ended the progress of the rebels for that day. There they remained, until Colonel Garrard, with his splendid regiment, dismounted, advanced, and occupied the ground. The regiment was then, by order of Colonel Garrard, posted on the crest of the hill next in rear, where it was relieved near midnight by the Fifteenth Wisconsin.

The stubborn fighting of the infantry alone save the town from capture, and, perhaps, the entire command from defeat, for preparations for retreat had been going on all day, and the troops engaged were not reënforced for fear of bringing on a general engagement, for which we were not ready. The retreat was made over two routes, our forces falling back across the Holston to Strawberry Plains.

Newmarket was occupied by the rebels yesterday. The forces here are ready for any emergency, and expect an attack from Longstreet, who has been heavily reënforced. Still, if the enemy is as strong as reported, you need not be surprised to hear of us next at Knoxville.

Doc. 55.

RE-ORGANIZATION OF ARKANSAS.

Lincoln to General Steele in reference to the reTHE following are the instructions of President organization of Arkansas:

EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 1864.

Major-General Steele:

Sundry citizens of the State of Arkansas petition me that an election may be held in that State, at which to elect a Governor; that it be assumed at that election, and thenceforward, that the Constitution and laws of the State, as before the rebellion, are in full force, except that the Constitution is so modified as to declare that there shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except in the punishment of crimes, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted; that the General Assembly may make such provisions for the freed people as shall recognize and declare their permanent freedom and provide for their education, and which may yet be construed as a temporary arrangement, suitable to their present condition as a laboring, landless, and homeless class; that said election shall be held on the twenty-eighth day of March, 1864, at all the usual places of the State, for all such voters as may attend for that purpose; that the voters attending at each place at eight o'clock in the morning of said day may choose judges and clerks of election for that purpose; that all persons qualified by said Constitution and laws and taking the oath presented in the President's proclamation of December eighth, 1864, either before or at the election, and none others, may be voters; that each set of judges and clerks may make returns directly to you, on or before the day of next; that, in all other respects, said election may be conducted according to said modified Constitution and laws; that, on the receipt of said returns, when five thousand four hundred and six votes shall have been cast, you can receive said votes, and ascertain all who shall thereby appear to have been elected; that, on the-of-next, all persons so appearing to have been elected, who shall appear before you at Little Rock, and take the oath, to be by you severally administered, to support the Constitution of the United States and modified Constitution of the State of Arkansas, and be declared by you qualified and empowered to immediately enter upon the duties of the offices to which they shall have been respectively elected.

You will please order an election to take place on the twenty-eighth of March, 1864, and returns to be made in fifteen days thereafter. A. LINCOLN.

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the army to state that the temporary reduction of rations has been caused by circumstances beyond the control of those charged with its support. Its welfare and comfort are the objects of his constant and earnest solicitude, and no effort has been spared to provide for its wants. It is hoped that the exertions now being made will render the necessity but of short duration; but the history of the army has shown that the country can require no sacrifice too great for its patriotic devotion.

Soldiers! you tread, with no unequal steps, the road by which your fathers marched through suffering, privation, and blood to independence. Continue to emulate in the future, as you have in the past, their valor in arms, their patient endurance of hardships, their high resolve to be free-which no trial could shake, no bribe seduce, no danger appall-and be assured that the just God who crowned their efforts with success, will, in his own good time, send down his blessings upon yours. R. E. LEE,

Doc. 57.

General.

GENERAL GRAHAM'S EXPEDITION.

GENERAL BUTLER'S DESPATCH.

FORTRESS MONROE, VA., January 25, 1864. Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War: SIR: Brigadier-General Graham, by my direction, went with three armed transports and a competent force to the Peninsula, made a landing on the James River, seven miles below Fort Powhatan, known as the Brandon Farms, and captured twenty-two of the enemy, seven of the signal corps, and brought away ninety-nine negroes. They also destroyed twenty-four thousand pounds of pork, and large quantities of oats and corn, and captured a sloop and schooner, and two hundred and forty boxes of tobacco, and five Jews, preparing to run the blockade, and returned without the loss of a man. BENJ. F. BUTLER, Major-General Commanding.

A NATIONAL ACCOUNT.

NORFOLK, VA., Tuesday, January 26, 1864. One of the most brilliant exploits that has been chronicled for some time past, was accomplished yesterday by some of our troops, whose bravery is only equalled by their patriotism. Late on Sunday afternoon a gunboat expedition started from this city, composed of the army gunboats Gen. Jessup, Smith Briggs, and Flora Temple. The whole was under the command of General Graham. Before daylight, on the following morning, the boats had proceeded as far up the James River as Brandon, (which is near Harrison's Landing,) without the least opposition.

From the Gen. Jessup a detachment of men were landed, under charge of Captain Lee, of the Harbor Police. Two other detachments were sent ashore, under Captain Harris, of one of the boats, and Captain Brown, of the Twenty-first Connecticut regiment. Supported by the latter, the men of Captain Lee penetrated the interior

of the country to the distance of three miles. Here was a signal-station of the rebels, which it was their intention to capture. Dividing the men in two bodies, Captain Lee assigned one of them to remain with Lieutenant Bullard, of General Graham's staff, in front of the station, while he with his squad marched around to the rear. So The manoeuvre was a complete success. skilfully was it managed, that the rebels in the station were not aware of the presence of the Union troops, until they were within less than fifty yards of them. The surprise was so sudden, that they did not attempt to make any hostile demonstration whatever, but quietly and gracefully yielded themselves up as prisoners. With them were taken a large number of signalling flags, telescopes, rifles, and other equipments. The captain in command of the station was away at the time on a visit to Petersburgh, and had left a sergeant and six men in charge during his temporary absence.

At Brandon, a confederate agent for the collection of forage and provisions was captured, with two overseers. From a plantation near by, about one hundred and thirty negroes, field hands, were taken. These were not the only trophies; for, while these active and exciting operations were going on, Lieutenant Harris, the commander of the Gen. Jessup, captured a blockade-runner schooner heavily laden with tobacco, jewelry, state bonds, and specie, belonging to some Jews. In addition to this, a smaller vessel, a sloop, was taken. The captures are fully worth twenty thousand dollars.

The expedition reflects great credit upon General Graham and Captain Lee, and all the officers and men engaged in it, when we take into consideration the hazardousness of the undertaking, and the care, sagacity, and bravery displayed in The rebels carrying it successfully through. were caught napping, and they must feel sore to think that they were outwitted.

Doc. 58.

RE-ORGANIZATION IN TENNESSEE.
GOVERNOR JOHNSON'S PROCLAMATION.

NASHVILLE, January 26, 1864. WHEREAS, in consequence of the disloyalty of a large majority of the persons filling the offices established by the constitution and laws of Tennessee, and of the majority of the people of the State, and as part of the legitimate fruits of secession and rebellion against the Government of the United States, the people of Tennessee have been deprived for nearly three years of all free, regular, and legitimate government, and they are now without a Governor chosen in the ordinary way, Legislature, representation in the Congress of the United States, and without courts, judges, chancellors, and the various legitimately authorized county officers:

And Whereas, it is believed that a majority of the people of the State are ready and desire to return to their allegiance to the Government

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