were fruitless, the flect withdrew, after firing two hours.-A sQUAD of rebel cavalry entered Cleveland, Tenn., and conscripted every man able to perform service. January 7.-Madisonville, La., was entered she lay so near the Fort, it was impossible to get and occupied by the National forces.-TWENTY her out. Finding the efforts to set her on fire shells were thrown into the city of Charleston, S. C., from the National batteries under the command of General Gillmore.-CALEB B. SMITH, Judge of the United States Court for the District of Indiana, and late Secretary of the Interior, died suddenly at Indianapolis.-THE rebel schooner John Scott, while attempting to escape from the harbor of Mobile, Ala., was captured by the Union gunboat Kennebec. January 8.-David O. Dodd, charged with being a rebel spy, was executed this afternoon, in front of St. John's College, at Little Rock, Arkansas.-GENERAL JOHN MORGAN held a reception at Richmond, Va. Judge Moore, of Kentucky, in a speech on the occasion, spoke of the worth of General Morgan, and the great credit with which he had served his country. He was now receiving the grateful testimony of the mother of States. He said that Morgan and other Kentuckians who were battling for the liberties of the South, would not sheathe their swords until her liberty was achieved. Despite the thraldom in which Kentucky was held, the musterrolls of the army showed that forty-nine thousand of her sons had joined their fortunes with ours, and this, despite the fact that the heel of the tyrant was on her neck. He knew the sentiment of the people there-they would be found with the South. The Yankees have desolated her homes and murdered her people. Kentucky never will join her fortunes with the Northern Government."-THE rebel blockade-runner Dare, while attempting to run into the harbor of Wilmington, N. C., was chased ashore and destroyed.—(Doc. 65.) January 9.-To-day the noted guerrilla McCown and three of his men were captured by the Forrester New-York cavalry regiment, reconnoitring in the direction of Sperryville, Va.-A FIGHT took place in Mobile Bay, between the rebels in Fort Morgan and the National gunboats stationed on the blockade. On the discovery, this morning, of a steamer ashore under the guns of the Fort, all the gunboats of the fleet got under way; and, while some repaired to the flag-ship for instructions, the Octorara steamed in and opened fire on the rebel craft, which speedily drew a reply from the Fort. The rest of the fleet soon steamed in and took up their positions, when the fire became quite spirited. The rebel steamer was struck several times, and abandoned; but January 10.-General J. C. Sullivan sent the following to headquarters: "Major Cole's camp at Loudon Heights, Va., was attacked this morning. He fought gallantly and drove the attacking party off. I send you his report: "I have the honor to report that my camp was attacked this morning at about four o'clock, by Mosby and his command. Our "After a brisk fight of about one hour, they were repulsed and driven from the camp. loss is two men killed and thirteen wounded. Among the latter is Captain Vernon, seriously, and Lieutenant Rivers, slightly. The "There are some missing, but it is impossible to give the exact number at present. rebels left four dead in the camp-one captain, and one a lieutenant. "They left three prisoners in our hands, two of them wounded, and one a lieutenant.'". (Doc. 46.) -THE United States bark Roebuck captured the rebel sloop Marie Louise while attempting to run out of Jupiter Inlet, Florida. She was of about eight tons register, and laden with three thousand pounds Sea Island cotton.-EIGHTEEN shells were thrown into the city of Charleston, S. C., from the National defences around that city. January 11.-The United States bark Roebuck, off Jupiter Inlet, Florida, captured the English schooner Susan, while attempting to run the blockade. At the same time and place the United States steamer Honeysuckle captured the English schooner Fly, of Nassau.-THE blockaderunning steamers Ranger and Vesta were beached and burned near Lockwood's, Folly Inlet, NorthCarolina. Admiral Lee reported that the latter was the twenty-second blockade-runner destroyed within six months.—(Doc. 116.) -THREE shells were thrown into the city of Charleston, S. C., from the National defences under the command of General Gillmore.-THE United States steamer Iron Age, attempting to tow off the blockade-runner Bendigo, which had been driven ashore near the batteries at the mouth of Cape Fear River, grounded, and owing to her proximity to the rebel forts, was destroy- near Brocks's Gap, on the fifth instant, and re ed by fire.-Official Reports. January 12.-A portion of Colonel McCook's cavalry attacked the Eighth and Eleventh Texas rebel regiments, at Mossy Creek, Tenn., and defeated them, killing fourteen and capturing fortyone of them.-CONTRIBUTIONS were made in Georgia to equip a new command for the rebel General John H. Morgan. Among the contributors was Governor Joseph E. Brown, who gave five hundred dollars.-Richmond Whig. January 13.-THE rebel Congress, having passed a joint resolution of thanks to General Robert E. Lee, and his officers, Adjutant-General Cooper issued an order announcing the fact, with the following preface: "The President, having approved the following joint resolution of Congress, directs its announcement in general orders, expressive of his gratification at the tribute awarded the patriot officers and soldiers to whom it is addressed. ported to me this morning. He informs me that thirteen of the enemy were killed and twenty wounded, in the skirmish. He also states that there was present under the command of General Fitz-Hugh Lee, three companies of negro troops, cavalry, armed with carbines. They were not engaged in the attack, but stationed with the reserve. The guards, he reports, openly admitted to the prisoners that they were accompanied by negro soldiers, stating, however, that the North had shown the example." January 14.-Major-General R. B. Vance, made a raid toward Terrisville, Tenn., and captured a train of twenty-three wagons. He was pursued and took one ambulance, loaded with medicines, by Colonel Palmer, who recaptured the wagons, one hundred and fifty saddle-horses and one hundred stand of arms. General Vance and his assistant adjutant-general and inspector-general are among the prisoners captured. — General Grant's Report.-(Doc. 52.) "For the military laggard, or him, who, in the -A FORCE of about two hundred rebels made pursuits of selfish and inglorious ease, forgets his country's need, no note of approbation is an attack on a party of National cavalry, stationsounded. His infamy is his only security from ed at Three Miles Station, near Bealton, Va., but oblivion. But the heroic devotion of those, who, were repulsed and driven off, after several desin defence of liberty and honor, have perilled all, perate charges, leaving three dead and twelve The National casualties were two while it confers in an approved conscience the wounded. best and highest reward, will also be cherished wounded, one severely.-THE official correspondin perpetual remembrance by a grateful nation. ence between the agents of exchange of prisonLet this assurance stimulate the armies of the ers of war, together with the report of Mr. Ould Confederacy everywhere to greater exertion and was made public.—THE body of a Union soldier more resolute endurance, till, under the guidance was found hanging at Smith Mills, Va., with the of Heaven, the blessings of peace and freedom following words placarded upon it: "Here hangs shall finally crown their efforts. Let all press private Samuel Jones, of the Fifth Ohio regiforward in the road to independence, and for the ment, hung by order of Major-General Pickett, in security of the rights sealed to us in the blood retaliation for private David Bright, of the Sixtyof the first revolution. Honor and glory attend second Georgia regiment, hung December eightour success. Slavery and shame will attend our eenth, by order of Brigadier-General Wild.” defeat." -THE Richmond Examiner held the following -THE schooner Two Sisters, a tender to the language: "Surely British-protection patriots United States flag-ship San Jacinto, captured, of the Emerald Isle here, have, we are credibly while trying to enter the Suwanee River, the informed, recently shouldered their shillalahs, British schooner William, from Nassau.-GEN- and cut stick for the land of Lincoln. Sundry ERAL BUTLER addressed a characteristic letter to others, too, born this side of the Potomac, have the Perfectionists of the city of Norfolk, Va.- wended their way in the same direction,—all THE following report was made by Colonel James leaving their families behind them to sell rum A. Mulligan, from his headquarters at New-Creek, or make breeches and other garments for the Va. "A soldier of ours, James A. Walker, com- clothing bureau. When mothers and sisters, pany H, Second Maryland regiment, captured in sweethearts and wives, thus intentionally, and the attack upon the train at the Moorfield and by a cunning arrangement, left behind, present Alleghany Junction, on the third instant, by the themselves at the clothing bureau for a job, they enemy under General Fitz-Hugh Lee, escaped when represent, with the most innocent faces imaginVOL. VIIL-DIARY 3 able, that their male protectors are in General Lee's army, and thus enlist sympathy, and sponge on the Confederacy. To poor females every kindness and aid should be extended as long as they and those belonging to them are true to us; but it is past enduring that able bodied fellows should go North, and leave as a charge here people whom we are under no obligations to support, and who, by false representations, shut out the wives and other female relatives of gallant fellows, who are confronting our ruthless enemies." -LIEUTENANT GATES, with a party of the Third Arkansas cavalry, made a reconnoissance near Clinton, Ark., and succeeded in capturing twelve prisoners, whom he surprised at Cadson's Cave. THE blockade-runner schooner Union, with a cargo of cotton from the coast of Florida, arrived at Havana. She was chased by the United States gunboat De Soto. January 15.-The United States schooner Beauregard captured, near Mosquito Inlet, the British schooner Minnie, of and from Nassau. "THE utmost nerve," said the Richmond Whig, "the firmest front, the most undaunted courage, will be required during the coming twelve months from all who are charged with the management of affairs in our country, or whose position gives them any influence in forming or guiding public sentiment." "Moral courage," says the Wilmington Journal, "the power to resist the approaches of despondency, and the faculty of communicating this power to others, will need greatly to be called into exercise; for we have reached that point in our revolution which is inevitably reached in all revolutions, when gloom and depression take the place of hope and enthusiasm—when despair is fatal and despondency is even more to be dreaded than defeat. In such a time we can understand the profound wisdom of the Roman Senate, in giving thanks to the general who had suffered the greatest disaster that ever overtook the Roman arms, 'because he had not despaired of the Republic.' There is a feeling, however, abroad in the land, that the great crisis of the war— —the turning-point in our fate-is fast approaching. Whether a crisis be upon us or not, there can be in the mind of no man, who looks at the map of Georgia, and considers her geographical relations to the rest of the Confederacy, a single doubt that much of our future is involved in the result of the next spring campaign in Upper Georgia." -THE Fifty-second regiment of Illinois volunteers, under the command of Colonel J. S. Wilcox, reënlisted for the war, returned to Chicago. -THE blockade-runner Isabel arrived at Havana. She ran the blockade at Mobile, and had a cargo of four hundred aad eighty bales of cotton, and threw overboard one hundred and twenty-four bales off Tortugas, in a gale of wind. January 16. General Sturgis's cavalry, in pursuit of General Longstreet, reached Dandridge, Tenn., thirty miles east of Knoxville, and drove the rebel videttes out of the town. -PRESIDENT LINCOLN, in a note to the proprietors of the North-American Review, said: "The number for this month and year was duly received, and for which please accept my thanks. Of course, I am not the most impartial judge; yet, with due allowance for this, I venture to hope that the article, entitled 'The President's Policy,' will be of value to the country. I fear, I am not quite worthy of all which is therein kindly said of me personally. "The sentence of twelve lines, commencing at the top of page 252, I could wish to be not exactly as it is. In what is there expressed, the writer has not correctly understood me. I have never had a theory that secession could absolve States or people from their obligations. Precisely the contrary is asserted in the inaugural address; and it was because of my belief in the continuance of these obligations, that I was puzzled for a time as to denying the legal rights of those citizens who remained individually innocent of treason or rebellion. But I mean no more now than to merely call attention to this point." * January 17.-This morning the rebels made a desperate attack upon the Union lines near Dandridge, Tenn. They threw out no skirmishers, but pressed down upon the Nationals in The sentence referred to by Mr. Lincoln is as follows: "Even so long ago as when Mr. Lincoln, not yet convinced of the danger and magnitude of the crisis, was endeavoring to persuade himself of Union majorities at the South, and to carry on a war that was half peace, in the hope of a peace that would have been all war-while he was still enforcing the fugitive slave law, under some theory that secession, however it might absolve States from their obligations, could not escheat them of their claims under the Constitution, and that slaveholders in rebellion had alone, among mortals, the privilege of having their cake and eating it at the same time-the enemies of free government were striving to persuade the people that the war was an abolition crusade. To rebel without reason was proclaimed as one of the rights of man, while it was carefully kept out of sight that to suppress rebellion is the first duty of government." with him. The rebels were dressed in Federal uniforms. Hamilton is here with me."--NEWMARKET, Tenn., was occupied by the rebels belonging to the forces under the command of General Longstreet.-THE rebel blockade-runner, A. D. Vance, was run ashore, under the guns of Fort Caswell, in attempting to enter the port of Wilmington, N. C.-THE steamer Laura, blockaderunner, was captured in St. Mark's Bay, Florida, by the United States steamer Stars and Stripes. January 19.-This evening a party scouting for Colonel Williams, in command of the milita full force, seemingly determined to sweep them horse, equipments, revolvers, and papers in from the field. Observing their desperate determination, General Sturgis ordered Colonel D. M. McCook, who was in command of a division of Elliott's cavalry, to charge the enemy on horse. This order was obeyed most gallantly. The charge of this division turned the fortunes of the day, which, up to this time, had been decidedly against the Nationals. The First Wisconsin, which bore the brunt of the enemy's attack, lost sixty in killed and wounded. The Union loss in all did not exceed one hundred and fifty.-A FIRE occurred at Camp Butler, near Springfield, Ill., destroying the officers' quarters and quartermas-ry post at Rossville, Ark., returned to camp, ter's stores. Captain Dimon and Lieutenant Bennett, of the Thirty-eighth Illinois cavalry, were burned to death, and two other lieutenants were badly injured.—THE bombardment of Charleston, S. C., by the forces under General Gillmore, was continued with great fury, several new Parrott guns having been opened on the city from Battery Gregg. January 18.-At Flint Hill, Va., a party of fifteen rebels attacked the National pickets, but were driven off after a brief engagement.-THE rebel conscription law created great consterna having captured in the Magazine Mountains, some fifteen miles east of the post, the county records of Vernon and Cedar Counties, Mo. The books and papers so captured and retained were worth one million dollars to those counties.— COLONEL CLAYTON attacked and routed Shelby's rebel force, twenty miles below Pine Bluff, Ark., on the Monticello Railroad. The fight lasted half an hour, when the enemy fled, pursued by Colonel Clayton, with his command, for two hours and a half. The rebels were driven seven miles. Shelby was badly beaten, and the rout was complete. Shelby's force was estimated at eight hundred. Colonel Clayton marched sixty miles in twentyfour hours, and made fight and gained a victory. tion and excitement in the western districts of North-Carolina, and public meetings were held to take into consideration a repudiation of the confederate government and a return to the Union. The Raleigh Standard openly defied the execu--AN unsuccessful attempt was made to burn the tion of the measures proposed, and said, if they prevail, "the people of North-Carolina will take their own affairs into their own hands, and will proceed, in Convention assembled, to vindicate their liberties and privileges."-IN the rebel Senate at Richmond, Va., a resolution was passed approving the action of the government with re gard to the outlawry of General Butler, and the determination of the rebel authorities to hold no communication with him.- A PARTY of rebel guerrillas made their appearance on the bank of the river opposite Memphis, Tenn., but were driven off by a gunboat, without effecting any damage. - LIEUTENANT-COLONEL FULLER, of the Third Arkansas cavalry, received the following from the major of his regiment, at Lewisburgh: "Captain Hamilton has had a fight with a portion of Wells's command, and killed six, and Hamilton lost six, and but one or two killed; the balance missing. The command opposing him were under Captain Thompson, numbering nearly one hundred. Hamilton killed Thompson, and brought his wounded as many more. residence of Jefferson Davis, at Richmond, Va.A SALE of confiscated estates took place at Beaufort, S. C. January 20.-Correspondence showing the operations of Southern agents and individuals at the North, in the cotton trade, and making other rev elations, were made public.-MAJOR HENRY H. COLE and the Maryland cavalry under his command, were officially praised for their gallantry in repelling the assault made upon his camp on Loudon Heights, on the tenth instant, by the rebel partisan, Mosby.-General Halleck's Let ter. -A SQUAD of men sent from Charleston, Mo., in pursuit of a band of guerrillas, killed the leader of the band and wounded two or three others. The remainder escaped to the swamp. Five prisoners were carried in, charged with harboring guerrillas.-THIRTY-TWO guerrillas were captured near Paris, Ky., and taken to Columbus. January 21.-The advance of the cavalry belonging to the National forces, in their retreat Offensive "General Grant left for the front night before last, and will be ready to personally superintend operations when commenced." from Strawberry Plains, Tenn., reached Sevier-position and strength of our forces. ville. Skirmishing was kept up all day between operations on the part of Longstreet would inthe National troops on one side of the Holston sure the defeat and dispersion of his army, River, and the enemy on the other. The latter though all Lee's forces were with him. Upon had a battery on College Hill, near Strawberry this subject we speak from a thorough knowPlains, from which he played on the Nationals, ledge of the situation; and dared we publish the while crossing the river. Comparatively little facts, the public would feel as much assured on damage was done, the Union loss being not over that point as we do. a half-dozen wounded.-THE shelling of Charleston from Fort Putnam continued night and day, at intervals of ten minutes. One gun alone has fired over one thousand one hundred rounds, at -A SMALL detachment of National cavalry bean elevation of forty degrees.-ON account of the longing to the forces in pursuit of General Longscarcity of grain in the department of the Ohio, street, made a dash into Cocke County, Tenn., and the factitious value given to it by the manu- capturing twenty-seven wagons loaded with bacon facture of whiskey, the distillation of that com- and flour, and eighty-five prisoners. They remodity was forbidden by Major-General Foster.ported that Longstreet was stripping the country REAR-ADMIRAL FARRAGUT, accompanied by his of provisions and compelling Union families to staff, arrived at New-Orleans. January 22.-Skirmishing took place at Armstrong's Ferry, a point six miles above Knoxville, Tenn.-CAPTAIN GEORGE P. EDGAR was ordered to the headquarters of Major-General Butler to investigate into the condition of the poor of Norfolk, Va., and to organize a system for their relief. January 23.-The Nashville Union of this date contained the following: "Indications that the next battle will occur in the vicinity of Knoxville accumulate. We yesterday conversed with several well-informed parties-two of them EastTennessee refugees-and all the witnesses concur in the statement that every train from NorthVirginia comes loaded with troops from Lee's army; and that these legions are immediately added to the force now under Longstreet. It is even believed by many that Lee himself, feeling the absolute necessity for the reoccupation of East-Tennessee, will leave his old command-or what will remain of it—and take charge of the campaign in the region of Knoxville. He and Jeff. Davis argue this way: If Tennessee is not repossessed, Richmond must be abandoned; if in reinforcing Longstreet's army the capital is lost, it must be regained, provided the assault on Grant is successful; and there is a chance that Meade, like some of his predecessors, may remain inactive, with but a small force confronting him, and in that event Knoxville may be retaken and Richmond saved. leave.-A VERY exciting debate occurred in the rebel Congress upon the act to increase the efficiency of the rebel army, by the employment of free negroes and slaves in certain capacities. -RESTRICTIONS upon trade with Missouri and Kentucky, with some exceptions, were annulled and abrogated by the Secretary of the Treasury. -GENERAL WIRT ADAMS, in command of a party of rebel cavalry, entered Gelsertown, near Natchez, Miss., and captured thirty-five prisoners, sixty wagons and teams, a lot of cotton going to Natchez, and about eighty negroes.— Richmond Enquirer. January 24.—A cavalry detachment from Fort Smith made successful scout into Polk County, Arkansas. They passed through Caddo Gap and found the notorious Captain Williamson, with forty men, posted within log houses. The advance, under Lieutenant Williams, charged into the village and attacked the rebels, killing Williamson and five of his men, wounding two, and taking two lieutenants and twenty-five men prisoners. The Union loss was one killed; Lieutenant Williams and a private were slightly wounded. All the arms in the place were destroyed. The distance travelled was one hundred and seventytwo miles. January 25.-A body of rebels six hundred strong, attacked the National garrison of about one hundred, at Athens, Alabama, but were re"We only hope the rebels will make an early pulsed and routed after a fight of two hours. attack on Foster's command. Nothing would be The Union loss was twenty; rebel loss more more gratifying to those who understand the dis-severe.-Gen. Rawlins's Despatch. |