General Gilmore Bombs Charleston

JANUARY 30, 1864.]

HARPER'S WEEKLY.

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(Previous Page) to decline them, but the other insisted, and he gratefully put them on and looked at his well-covered hands with a sigh of satisfaction, The man was a plain, quiet-looking person, and did the little act of kindness without the slightest ostentation, as if it were a matter of course with him to clothe the naked. Nor was this all, he asked where the soldier was going. I could not hear the reply, but caught only the word "Albany." At the corner of Warren Street the good man got down and lifted the poor fellow out in his arms with the greatest care, readjusted the cape of his coat over his head, and supported him to the sidewalk, and the last I saw of him he was conducting him down Warren Street. I was deeply touched, and said in my heart, God bless him! for had I not two brothers soldiers? and one "is not," and the other is still in the service of his country; and I thought I would tell you, dear Mr. Editor, that through you others might perhaps be prompted to "go and do likewise." E.

LITERARY.

THE first number of the North American Review (Crosby & Nichols, Boston), under the editorship of James Russell Lowell and Charles Eliot Norton, appeared punctually with the first of the month, and has been read with the interest and curiosity which naturally greet our oldest Quarterly, with which the names of our most illustrious authors and eminent scholars are associated, and which now proposes to take its part in the work of national regeneration. By this we do not mean that the Review intends to act as a party-guerrilla; but the present number is the sufficient proof that it does intend to discuss with the utmost ability, earnestness, and good temper the fundamental principles of society and Government which are presented by our war: of course this will not be done to the exclusion of its purely literary discussions. In this January number, for instance, there is a very thorough transcription and reduction of Mr. Ticknor's Life of his friend the historian Prescott, and a very skillful paper upon Mr. Winthrop's early Life of his great ancestor, John Winthrop. The article upon Renan's "Life of Jesus" is the most genial and delightful in spirit that we have seen. It exposes the undue sentimentality of Renan's story, and the frequent flimsiness of his argument; but it is just to the idyllic charm of the work and the sincerity of the author, while it maintains its own difference of opinion with good-humored scholarly courtesy. It is a model paper for the gentle and generous tone in which it discusses radical religious differences. The articles upon the Ambulance System and the Sanitary Commission, written by the most competent hands, are of immediate practical value, while the three political papers grapple various points of our great public debate with a cheerful vigor, insight, skill, and grace which at once rank the North American among the leaders of American thought. The copious literary notices are neither puffs, sneers, nor commonplace phrases, but are genuine opinions. As an illustration we may refer the reader to Lieutenant Heard's History of the Sioux War and Massacres. Such book notices are not only useful to authors but valuable to the public. The North American is but a quarterly visitor: and there is no Review, domestic or foreign, that we could more heartily commend to universal favor.

DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.

CONGRESS.

SENATE.—January 13. The Committee on Military Affairs reported back the bill authorizing the appointment of an Assistant Secretary of War.—The Military Committee were instructed to inquire whether any obstacle had been thrown in the way of egress of colored men, not liable to military duty; if so, by whom and by what authority.—Mr. Lane of Kansas introduced a bill prohibiting the sale of gold at a higher price than that paid in the regular market in New York for United States 6 per cent. bonds, except for the purpose of exportation in payment of debts, or for the purpose of paying interest upon United States bonds; the penalty is a fine of not less than $1000 or more than $10,000, and imprisonment for not less than six months: referred to Committee on Finance.—The resolution for the expulsion of Mr. Davis came up and was debated mainly by Senators Davis, Sumner, and Wilson: no vote was taken.—January 14. The bill authorizing the appointment of an Assistant Secretary of War for one year, at a salary of $3000, was passed.—The Enrollment Bill was taken up. The amendment of the Committee exempting any person who should pay $300, until the time when another draft should be rendered necessary by the exhaustion of the enrollment under which the draft was made, was rejected, 28 to 11. Mr. Sherman's amendment, that a drafted person furnishing a substitute or a commutation of $500 should be liable to another draft on the exhaustion of the present enrollment came up; on motion $400 was inserted in place of $500, and then the whole amendment was not agreed to. Various other amendments were proposed; but those exempting clergymen and non-combatants were finally passed.—January 15. The House bill, appropriating $700,000 for paying officers and men in the Western Department of Missouri, was passed.—After current business, the Enrollment bill came up. An amendment making persons who have resided in the United States one year, and who have voted, liable to draft, was adopted. The substitute amendment was renewed, and carried, by 22 to 19, the amount being fixed at $400. The final action, therefore, Is that upon the payment of $400 a person drafted under the present call is exempt from this draft, but liable for any future draft.—January 16. Mr. Morgan presented a petition from citizens of New York, remonstrating against the exemption of non-naturalized residents from the draft.—The Enrollment bill was taken up and debated, the discussion turning mainly upon the position of colored recruits. Mr. Grimes offered an amendment that the word "white" should be introduced into the bill, so that colored men should not be accepted as substitutes for whites. Mr. Harlan concurred, he did net believe that colored soldiers could be employed with the same results as whites. The colored man should not be accepted as a substitute for his superior. Mr. Davis said that a great proportion of the labor in Kentucky was performed by slaves, and they ought not to be enlisted as substitutes, stripping the Border States of their laboring classes, as substitutes for Northern laborers who remained at home. Mr. Johnson said that it was not believed in Maryland that colored troops could do the duty of whites. Mr. Grimes's amendment was rejected, 28 to 14. Amendments were adopted providing that veteran troops re-enlisting should be credited to the quotas of the districts from which they originally enlisted; and that commutation money should be applied to procuring substitutes in the districts where it was paid; and that colored troops be credited to the States from which they enlist.—Mr. Trumbull offered a resolution that the President call out 100,000 men for 100 days, for the sole purpose of driving

the rebels from Virginia: rejected.—The Senate adjourned till Monday, 18th.—January 18. After unimportant business, the joint resolutions offering thanks to Hooker, Meade, Howard, and the Army of the Potomac, and to Burnside and Banks, and their officers and men, were adopted.—The resolution for the expulsion of Mr. Davis was referred to the Judiciary Committee.—Mr. Pomeroy introduced a bill to incorporate the "North American Land and Emigration Company," with a capital of $1,000,000, with privilege to increase it to $5,000,000, the object being to promote the sale and settlement of unoccupied lands, and to develop the mineral and agricultural resources of the country; referred to Committee on Agriculture.—The Enrollment bill was taken up, and after slight amendments was passed, by 30 to 10.—A resolution of thanks to Cornelius Vanderbilt, for his donation to Government of the steamer Vanderbilt, was passed.—January 19. Resolutions were reported favorably upon thanking General Thomas and his troops for services at Chickamauga, and to Admiral Dupont and Commodore Cadwallader Ringgold, and officers and men of the frigate Sabine.—The Finance Committee reported in favor of authorizing the Secretary to increase the pay of certain inspectors of customs, not exceeding one dollar a day.—The rule requiring an additional oath from Senators came up. Mr. Bayard, of Delaware, spoke at length in opposition to it. As he was the only Senator who had not taken the oath the rule must be aimed at him. He denied the constitutionality of the rule; and said, in conclusion, that by loyalty he understood steadfast adherence to the organic law as defined by the Constitution, and an ardent support of the guarantees for civil and religious liberty which it was the design of the framers to perpetuate. If loyalty meant any thing but adherence to the spirit and letter of the Constitution he wished to be considered disloyal; and when it was so decided he would meet, the issue as became his dignity as an American Senator. Mr. Collamer rose to reply, but gave way until the next day, in order that the Senate might go into executive session.

HOUSE.—January 13. The Committee on the Judiciary reported a joint resolution explanatory of the Confiscation Act: it provides that it shall not be construed to work forfeiture except during the lifetime of the offender, as provided in the Constitution, with a proviso that no warning shall be required except the President's Proclamation of July 25, 1862; the proviso was adopted by 77 to 54; the resolution was laid over.—After some business of detail the Judiciary Committee reported back a bill to enable the President to carry into immediate effect the Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, and prohibiting the holding of certain persons as slaves in designated States.—Debate arose on the President's plan of reconstruction, in the course of which Mr. Yeaman of Kentucky denied that a State could be in insurrection, though persons in it might be. Emancipation and confiscation should be left to the judicial tribunals. He was for putting down the rebellion by force of arms; but rebellion did not work forfeiture of the rights of loyal persons. He was in favor of encouraging the loyal people to resume the functions of loyal States. The ordinances of secession were void. Kentucky and the other Border States were the most unconditionally Union of any on the continent.—January 14. The resolution explanatory of the Confiscation Act was debated at length, mainly between Mr. Cox of Ohio and Mr. Davis of Maryland.—The joint resolution from the Senate providing that the commutation-money be specially appropriated to the expenses of drafting and the payment of substitutes was adopted. The bill for increasing the revenue came up; an amendment that all spirits distilled since August 31, 1862, now on safe or reserved for consumption, shall pay the duty provided by the present act, was adopted.—January 15. No business of general importance was transacted unless under this class may come a bill allowing small packages of clothing to be sent by mail at the rate of eight cents for two pounds; and the Senate bill providing for an Assistant Secretary of War. The House adjourned till Monday, 18th.—January 18. The use of the Hall was granted to the Christian Commission for anniversary meeting in spite of the opposition of Mr. Cox, who animadverted severely upon Miss Dickinson's address on the evening of the 16th.—Mr. Dawson offered a series of resolutions to the effect that the President be requested to announce that when any State now in insurrection shall submit all hostilities against it shall cease, and it shall be protected from all external interference with its local laws and institutions: laid on the table by 79 to 56.—Mr. Cox offered a resolution requesting the President to appoint Commissioners to negotiate with the Southern authorities for an exchange of prisoners; and that "the negotiation be withdrawn from the hands of Major-General Butler, who, as it is reported, is unable, from causes connected with his past military conduct, to hold intercourse with those charged with this business at Richmond: laid on the table by 91 to 56.—The Military Committee reported back the Senate resolution for a joint Select Committee to report on the conduct and expenses of the war; after some slight amendments the resolution was agreed to by 106 to 23.—Mr. Harding offered a resolution that the right of each State to order and control its own local affairs is essential to the balance of power on which our political fabric depends: referred to Committee on Rebellious States.—The Military Committee were instructed to inquire into the expediency of retiring General Robert Anderson, with fall pay and allowances.—Mr. Smith, of Kentucky, offered a resolution that "it is the political, civil, moral, and sacred duty of the people to meet the rebellion, fight it, and forever destroy it, thereby establishing perfect and unalterable liberty:" a motion to lay on the table was rejected by 101 to 27, and the resolution passed by 112 to 16.—Mr. Holman offered a resolution condemning the practice of retaining in pay military officers with undefined leave of absence, and instructing the Military Committee to provide a remedy: adopted.—January 19. The joint resolution explaining and amending the Confiscation Act was brought up and debated, after which the House went into Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union. The special subject was the tax upon distilled spirits. Various sums, ranging front 50 cents to $1.20, were suggested. An amendment making the tax 50 cents per gallon was rejected. Mr. Morrill said that the rate proposed by the Committee, 60 cents per galIon, was the utmost that spirits would bear as a revenue measure. The Committee rose without coming to any definite conclusion.—Mr. Fernando Wood introduced a bill to reimburse the city of New York for expenses incurred its calling out troops to suppress the rebellion.

THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.

No active operations of any consequence have disturbed the quiet of camp life during the past week. The raid of Stuart upon Leesburg is proved to have existed only in rumor. So far as the roads will permit, however, the guerrilla forces in Virginia exhibit a good degree of activity. The rebels have a strong line of works along the Rapidan, which they have been fortifying ever since last April, with a view to future operations on our part against Richmond. Our army is in the most excellent condition, and is about to be divided into three corps, thus undergoing a complete reorganization in respect of its command, General Marston, with a considerable force of cavalry and infantry, assisted by the flotilla, has lately made a raid upon Westmoreland, Northumberland, and Richland counties, destroying large quantities of provisions, burning a bridge at Farnham's Creek, and taking twenty-five prisoners.

EAST TENNESSEE.

A cavalry fight took place on Sunday the 10th inst. at Strawberry Plains, in which the rebels were repulsed. General Longstreet has been strongly reinforced from the armies of Lee and Johnston. General Grant has been making a tour of his department, having especial reference to the situation at Knoxville, which seems to be the objective point toward which the enemy will be most likely to move upon the resumption of the campaign. There is a strong guerrilla army scattered about in detachments to the southwest of Grant's position at Chattanooga, but fortunately we have a superior cavalry force which would render it useless for any practical effect. On the 12th a fight occurred between a part of Colonel McCook's cavalry and the Eighth and Eleventh Texas regiments at Mossy Creek. Fourteen of the enemy were killed and forty-one taken prisoners. On the 14th the rebel General Vance made a raid toward Temsville, capturing a train of twenty-three wagons; but Palmer pursuing him, recaptured the wagons, took Vance, his Inspector, and his Adjutant prisoners. Railroads are being repaired and bridges rebuilt with great rapidity in Tennessee, in preparation

for the next campaign, in which velocity of movement will be an unusually important element of success.

NORTH CAROLINA.

The development of popular sentiment in North Carolina is tending rapidly toward peace. The Raleigh Progress, going always just so far as it is backed by popular opinion, says that unless the leaders who have misled and betrayed the Southern people make some overtures of peace, on the best terms which can be made, starvation will soon stare the country in the face, and develop an opposition against the Confederate Government which will not stop short of revolution, and the muscle of the country will be arrayed against its aristocracy. We shall not exaggerate the significance of these utterances if we accept them as an expression of the prevailing popular sentiment in North Carolina. Indeed the people in the western counties of the State have been deprived of all mail facilities on the ground of their disloyalty to the Confederate Government. The Richmond Sentinel of the 14th appeals to the people of the State in the most imploring manner to stand by the Confederacy to the last.

FORTRESS MONROE.

There is now a good prospect that there will soon be a resumption of the exchange of prisoners. General Butler has been invested with plenipotential power in this matter, and the enemy, though at first disposed to indulge their prejudices rather than their humanities, seem to have come boldly up to the sticking point, contenting themselves by way of satisfaction with abusing General Butler.

CHARLESTON.

A great number of shells have been thrown into the city. General Gilmore has made Hilton Head his head-quarters during the winter. The firing on Fort Sumter appears to have been discontinued; a rebel garrison still retains its position among the ruins, and from authentic information it appears that our late bombardment of the fort has rather fortified than weakened this position. Movements are now contemplated which will bring the entire siege to a crisis early in the spring. An expedition up Morrill's Inlet has destroyed a rebel schooner lying there loaded with cotton, rosin, and turpentine.

LOUISIANA.

General Banks, on the 11th, issued a proclamation to the people of Louisiana, on the basis of the President's Amnesty Proclamation, inviting the loyal citizens to vote on the 22d of February for State officers to constitute the Civil Government of the State, under the Constitution of Louisiana, except in so far as that Constitution relates to slavery. The sworn oath of allegiance is to be the only qualification enabling the citizens thus to cast their votes. He also orders a convention to be held next April for the revision of the Constitution as relates to slavery, and announces that an election for Members of Congress will soon take place. At the same time the General proclaims that, for the present, the fundamental law of the State is martial law.

A CURIOUS CORRESPONDENCE.

Some interesting developments have lately grown out of the seizure of some letters of a rebel agent in Europe, Colonel C. A. Lamar. Mr. Lamar, it appears, has been engaged in numerous schemes for the Confederacy, the most important of which is speculation in cotton. He has had sub-agents in New York city and Brooklyn who seem to have had not a little to do with Wall Street and the gold market. The correspondence reveals the difficulties and discouragements that have irritated and excited the profanity of these poor fellows, and also an amount of gullibility that is extremely amusing. Mr. Lamar was even made to believe that powder might be made out of plaster and a little warm water, and came very near negotiating with parties in Paris for this extraordinary sort of ammunition. A noticeable scheme is broached in one of these letters, according to which the Confederacy is to be made a protectorate of the French Government as the price of recognition.

THE REBEL SITUATION.

The Richmond papers express the most anxious solicitude in regard to the next campaign. "The enemy," says the Sentinel, "will press us hard. They are buying mercenaries for the fight as men buy sheep for the shambles. They are paying bounties the half of which the world never heard of before. They will commence the next campaign, too, with some advantages of position which they did not have in the beginning of 1863. They will begin at Chattanooga instead of Nashville, at Vicksburg instead of Memphis. The division of opinion which is rapidly developing among the people, as to the further prosecution of the war, comes just at the time when it is most injurious to the prospects of the Confederacy; it is distracting us when distraction is destruction." The willingness with which our veteran regiments are re-enlisting suggest a very uncomfortable comparison with the willingness shown by rebel regiments to disband and desert.

FOREIGN NEWS.
EUROPE.

GENERAL BERG has promised the Russian Government that he will put down the Polish insurrection in two months, on condition that he may exile or in any other way punish offenders at his own discretion. The insurrectionists are in considerable force in Sandomir and Cracow, where they have 3000 men and 300 cavalry, under very experienced officers.—The Sultan has accepted Napoleon's invitation to the European Congress. The Turks were hastily fortifying the Servian and Wallachian frontiers.—Garibaldi has sent in his resignation as Deputy of the Italian Parliament. The King of Italy on New-Year's Day expressed his regret to the deputation from the Chamber of Deputies that the year 1863 had not afforded a favorable opportunity to accomplish the political redemption of Italy. The Pope has addressed a letter to Jefferson Davis, wherein he styles the latter "illustrious and honorable President;" and after invoking God's blessing on him and his people, expresses the hope that he may be attached to himself by the bonds of perfect friendship.—On the 24th of December Kossuth issued a proclamation to Hungarians, inciting them to revolution, which provoked a great deal of discussion and apprehension at Vienna.

On New-Year's Day Napoleon expressed to Mr. Dayton the hope that the year 1864 would be one of peace and reconciliation in the United States. The Archduke Maximilian seems disposed to accept the Mexican throne; he will soon be at Paris, whence it is probably intended that he shall embark for Mexico.—The Schleswig-Holstein difficulty is gradually approaching its crisis. England has protested against the Federal occupation of the duchies, and in dispatches sent to the courts of Austria and Prussia insists on the treaty of 1852 as still binding upon the signitaries; that it would not look quietly upon the dismemberment of the Danish monarchy; and that in the event of any attempt at the infringement of the territorial rights of Denmark it would be the duty of Great Britain to afford the latter moral and material support. The attitude taken by Napoleon is similar to that of England; he has expressed to the Duke of Augustenburg his regret that the Confederation has seen fit to interfere in Holstein before the question of the succession has been decided, declaring, moreover, that if Denmark should suffer by the operations of her more powerful neighbors, public opinion in France would turn in her behalf. The Duke himself, on the first of January, issued a proclamation to the people of the duchies, expressing his conviction that the Federal execution has now ceased to have any object, yet advising his subjects to respect the Federal administration, and to avoid any conflict. Prussia and Austria remain yet undecided as to what attitude they shall assume in regard to the question. Sweden and Norway, however, side with Denmark. The Danes have completely evacuated Holstein, but King Christian has called out 14,000 veteran troops.

MEXICO.

The London News says that General Forey obtained a promise from the United States not to dispute the Mexican monarchy, and made promises in return in regard to

the Confederacy. At last accounts the Mexican and French armies were rapidly approaching in the vicinity of Tlapultan, near Columba, the former being 7000 strong and the latter 18,000. The Mexican Generals Uragua and Jopia intended to risk an engagement.

ARMY AND NAVY ITEMS.

THE following is the official list for the month of January of officers ordered upon duty from the Instruction Ship Savannah, at the New York Navy-yard.

The Secretary of War, in answer to the resolution of the House, reports the number of Generals unemployed, length of time off duty, their staff, and pay of each, with the number off duty in consequence of wounds received in the service: Major-Generals unemployed, 14; Brigadier-Generals, 11; total, 25. Staff-officers of the same, 25; three Colonels, one Lieutenant-Colonel, and seven Lieutenants. Total monthly pay of officers and their staffs, $12,200.

An order has been issued authorizing General BURNSIDE to recruit and fill up the 9th Army Corps to the number of 50,000 men. Major-General HANCOCK has been ordered to Pennsylvania, to superintend recruiting and volunteering for his corps. The General has power to increase hie Army Corps to 50,000.

It is reported that Generals CADWALLADER, HUNTER, and WADSWORTH have been appointed a Commission for the purpose of investigating into the conduct of the campaign at Chickamauga.

LONGSTREET is fortifying at Bull's Gap. He is reported to have been reinforced by 12,000 infantry. His entire force is estimated at 34,000 infantry and 12,000 cavalry.

The thirty-five men belonging to the First Massachusetts Cavalry who were captured by guerrillas a few days since made their escape from the rebels, and have all returned.

Fourteen rebel officers, among them Captain J. S. LEE, nephew of General ROBERT E. LEE, have been sent from the Old Capitol to Fort M'Henry for confinement.

The States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa have been formed into a military department, under the command of Major-General HEINTZELMAN, with head-quarters at Cincinnati.

Mr. WARFIELD, a merchant of Baltimore, has gone to Richmond, by the authority of the War Department, to endeavor to effect the exchange of Senator WHITE, of Pennsylvania, for General TRIMBLE, who is a relation of Mr. WARFIELD.

The rebel steamer Florida had completed her repairs at Brest, and anchored about two hundred yards from the Kearsage. She would sail in February. A French vessel will accompany each, at an interval of twenty-four hours.

The Senate has passed resolutions of thanks to Generals HOOKER, MEADE, HOWARD, BURNSIDE, and BANKS, and their officers and men. Also a vote of thanks to CORNELIUS VANDERBILT for the steamer Vanderbilt.

Lieutenant-General SCOTT, a third time, entreats the forbearance of correspondents. He still receives thrice the number of letters he can read, and a multitude more than he can acknowledge. To open applications for autographs alone he finds oppressive, though it is long since he has answered one, and he hopes to be pardoned for adding that his observations on men and events are often misrepresented by letter-writers he has not seen.

Lieutenant HOLLOWAY, son of the Commissioner of Patents, while on a foraging expedition with thirty men from the Army of the Potomac, was captured by the enemy after a determined resistance, and is now en route for the Libey prison.

Captain FRANK W. MARSTON, of the Signal Corps of the Army of the Potomac, has been ordered to New Orleans as Chief Signal Officer of the Department of the Gulf.

EDWARD SMITH, Ninth New York Artillery, H. STONE, Second New York Cavalry, R. P. BARKER, Tenth New York Artillery, G. S. PROSSER, Ninth New York Artillery, and THOMAS FARRELL, Second New York Veteran Cavalry, have died in Washington during the past week.

Captain W. W. WHITE, Provost Marshal of the Eighteenth Pennsylvania district (Williamsport), has been dismissed the service, and arrested and lodged in the Old Capitol prison, for alleged frauds in the business of his office.

Lieutenant-Colonel C. C. SUYDAM, of the Cavalry corps of the Army of the Potomac, on Major-General PLEASANTON'S staff, has resigned his position, to accept the lieutenant-colonelcy of the Third New Jersey Cavalry, commanded by Colonel A. J. MORRISON.

Brigadier-General SAXTON was on New-Year's Day presented with a handsome sword by the negro troops of the Department of the South "as a testimonial of the gratitude of the freedmen for his sacrifices and labors to procure their liberty, protection, and elevation."

General GILMORE is trying the strength of one of his 300-pounder Parrotts. The gun is sighted for Charleston and has been fired, at intervals of ten minutes, about 500 times, dropping a shell each time into the cradle of secession.

General DIX has promulgated an order for a Military Commission to meet at Fort Lafayette on the 19th inst. "to examine and investigate the cases of persons there detained other than prisoners of war and convicts." This is supposed to reach the Custom-house cases. Major JOHN A. BOLLES is Judge-Advocate,

On January 8 General MORGAN had a reception by the authorities at Richmond. Mayor MAYO welcomed him, and General J. R. B. STUART made one of the speeches.

The body of a soldier was found hanging at Smith Mills, North Carolina, on the 14th instant, with the following words placarded upon it; "Here hangs private SAMUEL JONES, of the Fifth Ohio regiment, Hung by order of Major-General PICKET, in retaliation for private DAVID BRIGHT, of the Sixty-second Georgia regiment. Hung December 18th, by order of Brigadier-General WILD."

Captain C. H. POTTER, of New York, has been appointed Assistant Adjutant-General, and is assigned to duty under General HEINTZELMAN.

It is rumored that Major-General McClernand has resigned, or will soon resign, and appeal to the public against the injustice that has been done to him.

The estimated cost of clothing for the army during the next fiscal year is fifty-eight millions of dollars.