-FORT PILLOW, Ky., garrisoned by loyal colored troops, under the command of Major Booth, was attacked by the rebel forces under General Forrest, and after a severe contest was surrendered to the rebels, who commenced an indiscriminate butchery of their prisoners, unparalleled in the annals of civilized warfare. (Docs. 1 and 139.)

-A DETACHMENT of the First Colorado cavalry had a fight with a party of Cheyennes on the north side of the Platte River, near Fremont's Orchard, eighty-five miles east of Denver, on the State road. Two soldiers were killed, and four wounded. Several of the Indians were also killed.-THE steamer Golden Gate, from Memphis for Fort Pillow, laden with boat-stores and private freight, was taken possession of by guerrillas to-night, at Bradley's Landing, fifteen miles above Memphis, Tenn. The boat, passengers, and crew were rifled of every thing.

April 13.-The rebel General Buford appeared before Columbus, Ky., and demanded its unconditional surrender. Colonel Lawrence, in command of the post, refused the demand, and the rebels retired.—THE ocean iron-clad steamer Catawba was successfully launched at Cincinnati, Ohio. THE schooner Mandoline was captured in Atchafalaya Bay, Florida, by the National vessel Nyanza.—THE rebel sloop Rosina was captured by the Virginia, at San Luis Pass, Texas.

-LAST night the notorious bushwhacking gang of Shumate and Clark went to the house of an industrious, hard-working German farmer, named Kuntz, who lives some twenty-five to thirty miles from the mouth of Osage River, in Missouri, and demanded his money. He stoutly denied having any cash; but the fiends, not believing him, or perhaps knowing that he did have some money, deliberately took down a wood-saw which was hanging up in the cabin, and cut his left leg three times below and four times above the knee, with the saw. Loss of blood, pain, and agony made the poor fellow insensible, and he was unable to tell where the money was concealed.

His man

-THE British schooner Maria Alfred, with an assorted cargo, intended for the rebels, was captured in latitude 28° 50' N., longitude 95° 5′ W., by the National vessel Rachel Seaman.

April 14.-Major-General Alfred Pleasonton was assigned to duty as second in command of the Missouri department, by order of Major-Gen

eral Rosecrans.

-AN expedition, under command of General Graham, consisting of the army gunboats, the Ninth New-Jersey, the Twenty-third and Twentyfifth Massachusetts, the One Hundredth and the Eighteenth New-York regiments, and two sections of artillery, under Captain Easterly, left Fortress Monroe last night, and landed at different points. They concentrated at Smithfield, Va., this evening, and succeeded in routing the enemy, capturing one commissioned officer and five men-all wounded; also several horses and carriages, and some commissary stores. A rebel mail, and one piece of artillery, formerly taken from the gunboat Smith Briggs, were also captured. Fifty contrabands were brought off at the same time. The Union loss was one missing, and five slightly wounded.

-Tus morning, a force of confederate cavalry, estimated at some twenty in number, and supposed to be a portion of Captain Jumel's command, stationed on the Grosse Tête, appeared in front of the village and park on the opposite side of the Bayou Plaquemine, La., and a party being detailed, crossed over and set fire to all the cotton at that place, while parties were at the same time engaged in burning that on flatboats at the village.-Plaquemine Gazette and

Sentinel.

-COLONEL GALLUP, at Paintsville, Ky., while falling back to get an advantageous position, attacked one thousand rebels, killing and wounding twenty-five, including a rebel colonel, and capturing fifty rebels, one hundred horses, and two hundred saddles.

Near Shelbyville, the rebel advance ran into Colonel True's advance, which was going from gled body was found to-day, life extinct. A boy West-Liberty to Shelbyville; Colonel True capwho lived with him, succeeded in making his es-tured six rebels, and then pressed forward to join cape, terror-stricken, to give the alarm. After Colonel Gallup. leaving Kuntz's, the gang went to an adjoining American farmer, and not succeeding in their demands for money, they destroyed every thing in and about the place, took the man out, and literally cut his head off.—Missouri Democrat.

April 15.--The National gunboat Chenango, while proceeding to sea from New-York City today, burst one of her boilers, killing one man, and severely wounding thirty-two others.-A MEETING was held at Knoxville, Tenn., at which

resolutions offered by W. G. Brownlow were miles above Smithfield. The others were to land unanimously adopted, favoring emancipation, below at that place. We took up our line of recommending a convention to effect it, and re-march, and within about one mile came upon the questing Governor Johnson to call the same at rebel signal corps, who gave us a volley and fled. the earliest period practicable, and indorsing We followed, meeting with no opposition for the administration and war policy of President three miles, when we found them posted behind Lincoln. Governor Johnson made a powerful breastworks and reënforced. They were too speech in support of the resolutions.-THE Ninth strong for our skirmishers, and Captain Story, Connecticut and Eighth Vermont reenlisted vet- of company F, was ordered to charge the breasteran regiments arrived at New-Haven, Ct., this works with his command, companies I and D, evening.-GENERAL JOHN W. GEARY, command-about fifty men; and lest this should seem small ing Second division, Twelfth (afterward Twentieth) army corps, started from Bridgeport, Ala., on an expedition down the Tennessee, last Tuesday, taking with him one thousand men, and one gunboat. They shelled along the banks of the river, occasionally routing a party of guerrillas and rebel cavalry, until within eleven miles of Decatur. Here they came to a large force of infantry, artillery, and cavalry. It was nearly dark, and the General ordered the boat up the river again. But the rebels were not to be thus trifled with, and sent a battery of flying artillery up both sides of the river to head off the gunboat. The artillery went up the banks, and got in posi- road watching the movements of the enemy, but tion to play when the Nationals passed; but the night was very dark, and the General with his men passed in safety. The expedition halted ten miles below Bridgeport, at a small village, and sent out a company as skirmishers. They went in the town, drove some rebel pickets, and captured a mail and seventeen thousand dollars in confederate money. They returned to camp this evening.

-A BODY of rebel cavalry made an attack on the National pickets at Bristoe Station, Va., killing one man, and wounding two others of the Thirteenth Pennsylvania regiment. They were driven off after a few shots had been exchanged, but carried their wounded with them.—THE notorious guerrilla Reynolds, and his command, was surprised by a party of National cavalry, near Knoxville, Tenn., and ten of them killed. Reynolds and fifteen others were captured, together with their horses, equipments, and arms.

-THE expedition to Smithfield, Va., which left Portsmouth day before yesterday, returned this day. A participant gives the following account of it:

"The expedition consisted of three regiments, the Twenty-third and Twenty-fifth Massachusetts, and the Ninth New-Jersey. Our regiment, the Twenty-third, alone landed at a point nine

for two companies, I will say, our whole regiment only mustered three hundred men, and were put into six companies of fifty men each. We were ordered to fix bayonets, and then forward, every man's eye being on the breastworks as he advanced toward it, expecting to receive a volley; but the rebels fled without firing. We pressed after them; and a mile further came to a mill-dam, with a bridge to cross, and discovered a turn in the road on the opposite side, where the rebels had posted themselves to advantage. A company was ordered into the woods to keep up a fire on them. The videttes were on the

kept themselves well covered, as we had already found they were good shots, having had two men wounded before reaching their breastworks. At this point, Sergeant Thomas Porter, of company I, a daring and brave young man, ventured beyond the videttes to get a shot, when he fell mortally wounded, the bail entering his shoulder, passing entirely down the back, and was extracted near the side.

man.

"At this time we heard firing in our rear, and feared that the guerrillas would give us trouble by attacking our rear-guard; but we were determined to clear our way in front first, and Captain Raymond was ordered to charge across the bridge at all hazards, and disperse the foe, which was handsomely done, capturing the officer of the signal corps and two of his men, while the rest scattered in all directions, we not losing a In the morning we were informed that the Colonel's orders were from General Graham, commanding the expedition, to reach Smithfield at such an hour, expecting we should meet with little or no opposition; but, as the prospect was, that every mile was not only to be disputed, but that we were going to have considerable trouble in our rear with the guerrillas, the Colonel concluded to fall back to the river, under the protection of the gunboats, as we had already three wounded men to get there, and no ambulance to

I think this expedition is the second

convey them in. On turning back to the breast-learn. works from which we drove the rebels, we took made under the command of Brigadier-General

Graham."

-A FORAGE-TRAIN belonging to the National forces under the command of Colonel Williams,

of the Kansas infantry, was attacked and captured at a point about eight miles from Camden, Ark., by a portion of the rebel forces under Gen

a different road from the one we came up in the morning, but had not gone far, before the guerrillas were following us, and a rear-guard was taken from company F, and they had something to do to keep them back, continually exchanging shots. The rebels were bold and daring; they knew every turn in the road, and would watch their chance to ride up and give us a shot, whenever opportunity offered. When within a halfmile of the river where we halted, Corporal Hi-lowing review of the situation; "Whilst the ram B. Lord, of Newburyport, was wounded in the thigh, the ball passing in one side and out of

the other.

eral Price.-Leavenworth Conservative.

-THE Richmond Examiner contained the fol

black cloud is slowly gathering on the horizon which will soon overspread the heavens, and, amid roaring thunder, discharge its flashes of lightning, a silence full of awe reigns through all nature, unbroken except by the painful soughing of the wind and a faint muttering in the distance. Such is the apparent quiet that oppresses our mind, and makes us bend low before the fearful storm that we feel in our heart is not afar off. Even the busy hum of preparation is hushed; what man can do to prepare for the fearful day has been done, and the South, at least, stands ready, like the strong man armed; the good

harness bright and his heart full strong. Our men, after all their struggles and buffetings, riddled with wounds, broken by sickness, tried by cares, overcast by checks, are yet undaunted and unwavering; and once more, after imploring the Most High for his blessing, cast off the dust and ashes from their head, and rise at the call of danger, hopeful and confident as when they buckled

"We came to the river-bank and stacked our arms in front of the residence of General F. M. Boykin, who was a noted politician of the democratic school, as letters found on his premises proved. This place has of late been made the headquarters of the rebel signal corps. Here was found a brass field-cannon in good order. A few rods from here is a fort which was erected at the outbreak of the rebellion, and was to command not only the river, but all approaches to it by land. In it were a number of large guns dis-knight, with the sword loose in its sheath, his mounted, and ten so damaged that they will never be of any use again. It looks as if it had been deserted for some time. Just before dark, our regiment took up its quarters in this fort, as it was thought it would be a good position, in case the enemy should come upon us in force. We had not been in the fort more than two hours, before we were ordered to go aboard the transport, and that night moved down to Smith-on their maiden swords. People and army, one field; and the next forenoon the other part of the expedition came out, and we all returned to Portsmouth. A Lieutenant, belonging to frigate Minnesota who accompanied the expedition to Smithfield, was killed, and also an officer of the Ninth New-Jersey killed, and one private wounded. I believe those were all the casualties they met with. The Twenty-third had one mortally wounded, Porter, of company I; two seriously, Lord, of company I, Symonds, of company C; one slightly, Osborn, company G; and one wounded and taken prisoner, Thomas, of company F, who was sent with the quartermaster and another man to signalize the gunboats of our whereabouts. What damage we did the rebels we do not know. The other part of the expedition took some prisoners, two of them wounded; whether they killed any I did not VOL. VIII-DIARY 5

soul and one body, feel alike in their innermost hearts that when the clash comes, it will be a struggle for life or death.

"So far, we feel sure of the issue. All else is mystery and uncertainty. Where the first blow will fall, when the two armies of Northern Virginia will meet each other face to face; how Grant will try to hold his own against the master spirit of Lee, we cannot even surmise. But it is clear to the experienced eye that the approaching campaign will bring into action two new elements not known heretofore in military history, which may not unlikely decide the fate of the gigantic crusade. The enemy will array against us his new iron-clads by sea, and his colored troops on land.

"Europe will watch with nervous interest the first great trials made of these improved moni

tors, if it should be our good fortune to finish and equip our own vessels of that class in time to meet them on equal terms. For since Aboukir and Trafalgar—a longer pause than was ever before known in the history of Europe-there have been no great naval fights, where fleets have met and the empire of the ocean has been at stake. Great wars have been carried on by land, but the sea has not been the scene of like great conflicts. During this long truce, two new elements-steam and improved projectiles-have entirely changed the conditions of such contests.

"Vessels have become independent in their movements. Wind or tide may aid or impede, but they are no longer essential, and steam enables them to approach each other at will, untrammelled by external agencies. The power of the engines of war which they carry has steadily increased; and in precise proportion as the projectile gained in weight and distance, the means of defence were improved in the armament of vessels. Thus, we have now guns of a calibre unknown since the first days of artillery, and ships armed like the mailed knights of the middle ages. They promise a truly fearful character for the result of the first hostile meeting on a large scale.

on pivots, have ascended our rivers with impunity, frightened the people on shore, and controlled the country for miles around. The prestige that attended them at first, and cost us so dear, has, however, completely vanished. Like every dreaded danger, they succumbed as they were fairly looked in the face. Now we know fully their vulnerability, and the perils of a water transport for troops, with their helplessness when attacked in boats.

"Since the first trials, however, the Yankees have made great efforts to remedy the evils that attended their early iron-clads-their want of buoyancy, their sinking too deep forward to approach well at certain landings, the necessity to tow them out at sea, and their slowness, which would embarrass the fleet to which they may be attached. They claim now to possess vessels as buoyant and free in motion as ordinary steamers, impenetrable to any known projectile, including the new Whitworth arms, and provided with a heavier armament than the last built iron-clads of the English. These they propose to carry into our harbors, and if we there can meet them, a conflict such as the world has not seen yet will take place. The famous deeds of our noble Merrimac will be repeated, and England especially will watch the result with intense interest, as she well knows that these Yankee iron-clads were, in

"The experiments heretofore made with ironclad vessels have been but very imperfect trials. During the Crimean war certain 'floating bat-reality, not built for us, but for British ports teries' of the French attacked the very strong batteries of Kinsburn, and silenced them with apparent ease. They were, however, mere iron boxes, having neither masts nor yards, and, in fact, in no point like the iron-clads of our day, with their plate armor at the sides and their tur-country, and there is no doubt that the Yankees rets on deck. A trial on a larger scale was contemplated against the forts of Venice, when peace came and resigned them to the dockyard.

and British vessels. After Mr. Seward's insolent despatch to Mr. Adams, which Earl Russell so conveniently ignored, they are amply forewarned.

"Another fleet of smaller but equally dangerous vessels has been built in the interior of the

will again send out the fleet of light gunboats, well armed and iron-clad, to force their way into regions otherwise inaccessible, to carry war to waters where they are least expected, and to overcome shore defences by a tempest of converging fire. They will again try to illustrate the powerful aid which a land army may receive from the kindred branch afloat, manoeuvring on its flank, and supporting it by bold demonstrations. It is fortunate for us that we are both forewarned and forearmed. We have been steadily informed of the powerful engines of war prepared for our de

"In our navy, also, the vessels of the enemy have, with the exception of the fight with the Merrimac, attempted only the reduction of stone walls at Charleston. Successful in beating down brick and mortar, and reducing granite to atoms, their projectiles have been found powerless against sand-bags and heaps of rubbish. The only serious encounter that can be called a fair trial of iron-clads resulted in the destruction of the monitor Keokuk, by the superiority of our project-struction. We have had our successes on the iles-steel bolts and spherical shot-devised by Lower James and in Charleston harbor. Brooke, the ingenious inventor of the deep-sea sounding-line. The Yankee gunboats occasionally, with their light draughts and powerful guns

"We have, just in time, received the instructive account of the first trial of an English-built iron-clad, the Danish monitor Rolf Krake, before