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Robert E. Lee Portrait
Page) Thus the whole vision of "Southern" supremacy based upon cotton
fades away. The success which was a demonstration of political economy
disappears. The entire fallacy of Southern political shrewdness is exposed. This
is, of itself, a profoundly instructive fact. It illustrates the character and
consequence of a civilization based upon monstrous injustice. Men who consent to
live by the ruin of a race, can not believe that other men will be influenced by
any other motive than the grossest selfishness. Consequently they looked no
farther than the fact that the demand for cotton was incessant and enormous.
That the interested nations might look elsewhere for it; that to raise a
blockade forcibly implied war; that the rebellion showed the essential
uncertainty of a supply which depended upon slave labor; in short, all the
considerations that must modify and control the simple selfishness they had not
The first shot that "the
venerable Edmund Ruffin, of Virginia," fired from
Beauregard's batteries at
Fort Sumter killed the cotton monopoly and
NEW FORM OF SECESSION.
ANOTHER of the ridiculous humors
of this waning rebellion is the project of "John M. Vernon, Esq., of
New Orleans," who probably left that city about
the middle of April for up country, for a Confederate decimal system for the
currency of "the South."
"We are," says Mr. Vernon, "a
separate and distinct .people, influenced by different interests and sentiments
from the Vandals who would subjugate us. Our manners and customs are different,
our tastes and talents are different, our geographical position is different,
and—in conformity with natural laws, nature, and instinct—our currency, weights,
and measures should be different." He then suggests the following table:
10 Centimes 1 Tropic.
10 Tropics 1 Star.
10 Stars 1 Sol."
John M. Vernon, Esq., then adds
three reasons why it should be adopted; but the second is so singularly
pertinent to the condition of "The
Confederacy" today, that it is quite sufficient: "Second. They are
emblems of cheerfulness, honor, honesty of purpose, solidity, and stability."
Rabelais and Swift combined could
not surpass that biting sarcasm.
FATE OF GUERRILLAS.
THE fall of New Orleans is
evidently felt by the rebels to be the direst wound they have yet received.
"This is a heavy blow," says the Richmond Dispatch; "it is useless to deny it."
But toward the end of the article the paper waxes more hopeful, and it concludes
with the cheerful remark that "thus far his (the national) success is scarcely a
disadvantage to us." The Petersburg Express declares that "the ways of God are
mysterious, and He directs the affairs of men so as often to lead them to
consider an event calamitous which afterward proves the happiest that could have
occurred for their welfare." The Atlanta Intelligencer says, "Memphis, we
apprehend, will share the fate of New Orleans. To delude ourselves with any
other hope is now a folly." They all agree that our gun-boats are irresistible;
that wherever they can be used the Government will restore its sway; that the
case of rebels is unpromising, but yellow fever may do something to help them
against us; and that at last they must take to the bush and carry on a guerrilla
That will be the natural course
of the more desperate—and for them
General Fremont's method of treatment in
Western Virginia will be the surest. Two men taken in the act of such warfare
have been sentenced to death, and he has approved the sentence.
FORESEEING THE "MERRIMAC."
WHILE the Merrimac is still a
vague terror, and the wonder and regret that we had not known more of her are
still alive, the reader may remember that in this paper for November 2, 1861, an
admirable, and as it proved, quite accurate cut of the monster was published,
with a description of her construction and armament which is very faithful. The
account was derived from a workman who professed to have been employed upon the
Merrimac, and the result justifies his word. It shows that it is possible to
know something of the interior policy and economy of the enemy, and to be ready
to meet him. Forewarned is forearmed.
Some day, doubtless, it will
appear why the
Norfolk Navy-yard was not saved to us; why the
Merrimac was not anticipated; and why Norfolk was not sooner taken. And when
that day comes, we equally believe that it will be seen that, as in the general
military conduct of the war, all was done that could be wisely done.
A FRIEND in Baltimore writes to
know why the battle at Pittsburg Landing, on the 7th April, was called "The
Waterloo of America." Certainly such a title has no meaning; but if it had been
called the Waterloo of Rebellion the reason would have been that, as Blucher
came up to the support of Wellington, and secured the rout of the French, so the
coming up of Buell to the support of Grant secured the defeat of the rebels; and
as Napoleon never recovered from the battle of Waterloo, so the Rebellion will
never recover from its defeat at
—The two great battles of the
Italian-French campaign in Lombardy three years ago were Magenta and Solferino.
HUMORS OF THE DAY.
WANTED—An unlimited number of
young men, possessing the four good qualities of stayathomeativeness,
antismokeativeness, antifindfaultativeness, and antistingymindedness, with
hearts capable of appreciating feminine disinterestedness.
PULL ARMSTRONG, PULL
A PROBABLE CHRONOLOGY.
1860. MR. ARMSTRONG, of
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, invents Rifled Ordnance that will knock any ship to pieces.
He is knighted, and the Admiralty is benighted.
1861. The Admiralty recovers, and
invents Iron Ships that resist any known cannon-balls.
1862. Sir William Armstrong
invents a gun that smashes the Iron Ships into blacksmithereens. The Admiralty
1863. The Admiralty re-expands
and invents Platina Ships fastened with diamond cement, and Sir William
Armstrong's balls fly to pieces like bonbons.
Mr. Gladstone doubles the
1864. Sir William Armstrong
invents Brazen Thunderbolts (supposed to be the original Jupiters), and in a
pleasing experiment sends the greater part of the British Fleet to the bottom of
1865. The Admiralty invents
Torpedo vessels which sail under water and below any range of guns. Sir William
Armstrong tears his hair and swears in the Newcastle dialect.
1866. Sir William Armstrong
invents a Vertical gun that discharges Greek fire straight down, and a second
time he destroys the greater part of the British fleet. The Lords of the
Admiralty are about to hang themselves, when a thought strikes them, and they
Mr. Gladstone again doubles the
1867. Dr. Cumming, who has for
some weeks been having in his coals by the sack only, suddenly proclaims the
Millennium. As there is now to be peace every where, the Admiralty does not
invent any thing, but waits to see. In order to test Dr. Cumming's veracity, and
to find out whether lions will lie down with kids, the Zoological Society
(against the advice of their excellent Secretary, Mr. Sclater) lets loose their
biggest lion while a charity school is in the Gardens. As the lion, instead of
lying down with a kid, only lies down to digest him, the Admiralty thinks there
is some mistake somewhere, and determines to invent a new fleet.
Mr. Gladstone once more doubles
1868. The Admiralty invents a
Stone Fleet, with cork keels, and defies Sir William Armstrong.
1869. Sir William Armstrong
invents the Hannibal, or Alp-Shell, which contains the strongest vinegar, and
melts the Stone Ships. Having for the third time destroyed the British Fleet, he
is raised to the peerage as Lord Bomb.
1870. The Admiralty invents an
Aerial Fleet, which sails in the clouds, out of shot range, and the First Lord
takes a double sight at Sir William Armstrong.
Mr. Gladstone a fourth time
doubles the Income-Tax. 1871. Lord Bomb invents a Balloon battering-train, and
in an experimental discharge brings down all the British Fleet into the German
1872. The Admiralty, in
desperation, invents a Subterranean Fleet, which is to be conveyed by tunnels to
all the Colonies; but Mr. Gladstone blandly suggests that as every body now pays
twice his income in taxes, the people may object to further imposts unless some
proof of economy is given.
Government therefore stop the
pensions of a hundred superannuated clerks, discharge some extra night-porters
at the Treasury, and bring in Estimates for the Subterranean Fleet.
1873. Lord Bomb invents his
Typhaeons, or Earthquake Shells, and suffocates the British Fleet in the
Mr. Gladstone a fifth time
doubles the Income-Tax. 1874. The Emperor of the French proclaims the
Millennium, which of course immediately occurs; no more war-ships are wanted,
and the collectors remit the quarter's Income-Tax not yet due. Lord Bomb invents
his Volcanic Fire-works in honor of the occasion, and by some accident burns up
TRIFLE NOT WITH CUPID.
On a sunny morn a maiden Met a
boy at play,
With a bow and quiver laden,
Singing on his way—
"Trifle not with little Cupid,
Love will hold his sway;
He is not so blind and stupid As
some people say."
As he came he plaited rushes,
"Maiden, put aside your blushes—
Come and play with me!
Come and trip o'er hill and
valley, Round about each tree;
Love shall make your spirits
rally, Joyous, gay, and free!"
Hardly had the maid decided
With the boy to rove,
When his line he nimbly glided
O'er a branch above.
Round the elm they ran
enraptured, While his web he wove,
Till, alas! his prize was
captured In the "cords of Love!"
"Elder, will you have a drink of
cider?" inquired a farmer of an old temperance man who was spending an evening
at his house. "Ah—hum—no, thank ye," said the old man, "I never drink any liquor
of any kind—'specially cider; but if you'll call it apple juice I'll take a
When some stupid fellow charged
Sheridan with inconsistency, the wit replied that the accusation reminded him of
the reasoning of the entertainer of a convivial party, who, hearing his friends
observe that it was time to take leave, as the watchman was crying past three,
observed, "Why, you don't mind that fellow, do you? He changes his story every
"Pat," said a builder to an
Irishman engaged in carrying slate to the top of a four-story building, "have
you any houses in Ireland as tall as this one?" " Ya'as, M'Mither's cabin." "How
many rooms had it?" "There was the ateing room, the slaping room, the kitchen
room, and the pig pen—four rooms." "That's a story," said the builder. " Ya'as,
four stories," says Pat.
Sir Walter Scott's wife, though
an excellent and admirable woman, was a matter-of-fact one. One day that he was
walking in the fields in early spring he dilated to Lady Scott on the beauties
of nature, the verdure, the wild flowers, the playful lambs, etc, "Ah, my dear,"
said the lady, "you remind me that we must have a nice roast leg of lamb, with
mint sauce, for dinner to-morrow!"
An eminent and witty prelate was
once asked if he did not think such a one followed his conscience. "Yes," said
his lordship, "I think he follows it as a man does a horse in a gig—he drives it
"Do you call them large turnips?"
"Why, yes, they are considerably large." "They may be for turnips, but they are
nothing to an onion I saw the other day." "And how large was the onion?" "Oh, a
monster; it weighed forty pounds." "Forty pounds?" " Yes, we took off the
layers, and the sixteenth layer went round a demijohn that held four gallons!"
"What a whopper!" "You don't mean to say I tell a falsehood?" "Oh no; what a
whopper of an onion, I mean."
Why is the assessor of taxes the
best man in the world? —Because he never "underrates" any body.
The worst of all kinds of
eye-water is a coquette's tears.
FOR an account of THE CAPTURE OF
FORT MACON, and THE FALL OF YORKTOWN, see page 315.
On Tuesday, April 29, in the
Senate, Senator Grimes introduced a bill to provide that the school tax
collected from the colored people of the District be applied to the education of
colored children. A bill to amend the bill of
last session, confiscating
slaves, so as to include the wives and children of slaves, was introduced by
Senator Wilson. The resolution calling on the Secretary of State for the number
and names of persons who have been arrested in the State of Kentucky and
confined in forts, etc., in other States, was called up, but no action taken on
it. The debate on the confiscation bill was then resumed, and Senator Browning
made a speech against it. Senator Cowan moved to refer all the propositions on
the subject of confiscation to a select committee, but the motion was not
pressed to a vote. Senator Doolittle introduced a bill providing for the
collection of taxes in insurrectionary districts.—The House was occupied in a
discussion of the Report of the Government Contract Investigating Committee.
On Wednesday, April 30, in the
Senate, Senator Wade, from the Committee on the Conduct of the War, made a
report respecting the barbarous treatment of our soldiers at
debate on the Confiscation bill was then renewed, the pending motion being to
refer the subject to a select committee. An amendment was offered by Senator
Howard, instructing the Committee to bring in a bill confiscating the property
of all the leading insurgents, and emancipating the slaves of all persons who
have taken up arms against the United States. Senator Davis, of Kentucky, moved
to strike out all the part relating to
emancipation. Senator Davis's proposition
was rejected by yeas 11, nays 29, and Senator Howard withdrew his amendment.
Senator Cowan's motion to refer the subject to a select committee was then
rejected by a vote of 18 to 22, and the Senate adjourned.—In the House, Mr.
Eliot submitted two bills, one to confiscate rebel property and to provide for
the payment of the expenses of the present rebellion, and the other to provide
for freeing the slaves of all rebels who have taken up arms against the
Government. They were referred to the Select Committee on Confiscation. Mr.
Wickliffe, of Kentucky, asked leave to introduce a resolution of inquiry, to
ascertain by what authority General Hunter had issued an order to emancipate
slaves in the manner expressed by Messrs. Hutchins, Lovejoy, and others.
Objection was made, and the proposition lies over. The resolutions reported by
the Contract Investigating Committee were then taken up, and the motion to lay
them on the table was rejected by a vote of 17 to 107. The resolution requesting
the Secretary of the Treasury to pay $12.50 each, and no more, for five thousand
Hall carbines purchased through Simon Stevens by General Fremont, was
adopted—123 against 28. The House adopted a resolution censuring Mr. Cameron by
a vote of 79 against 45. A resolution censuring Mr. Welles, Secretary of the
Navy, was rejected by 45 against 72. The House then went into Committee on the
Whole on the Pacific Railroad bill; but not much progress was made upon it.
On Thursday, May 1, in the
Senate, a resolution, offered by Senator Davis, of Kentucky, declaring that the
war now carried on by the United States of America shall be vigorously
prosecuted and continued to compel obedience to Constitutional laws in the
limits of every State and Territory by all the citizens and residents thereof,
and for no further end whatever, was, on motion of Senator Sumner, laid over.
The resolution directing the Military Committee to inquire whether any further
legislation is necessary to prevent soldiers and officers from returning
fugitive slaves to their owners was called up by Senator Wilson, and Senator
Sumner spoke at some length against the action of
General Hooker, General M'Cook,
General Halleck, and the Provost Marshal of
regards fugitive slaves. At the expiration of the morning hour the consideration
of the Confiscation bill was resumed. Senator Wilson, of Massachusetts, offered
an amendment to the bill, authorizing the President to issue a proclamation and
free the slaves of all those who continue in rebellion against the United States
thirty days thereafter. The debate continued; but no action was taken on the
amendment, and after an executive session the Senate adjourned.—In the House,
Mr. Blair explained the provisions of the bill providing for a Board of
Fortifications, to provide for sea-coast and other defenses, and the
consideration of the bill was postponed. Bills for the better organization of
the Adjutant-General's Department, and to render freedom national and slavery
sectional, were reported, the latter by Mr. Lovejoy, from the Committee on
Territories. The remainder of the session was spent in Committee of the Whole on
the Pacific Railroad bill.
On Friday, May 2, in the Senate,
a bill was introduced limiting the number of major-generals of the army to 20,
and the number of brigadier-generals to 200. The bill was referred. Senator
Sumner gave notice of a bill abolishing the inter-State and coastwise slave
traffic. The Homestead bill was taken up, and an amendment adopted excluding
from its benefits all persons who have borne arms against the United States, or
given aid and comfort to the enemy. Senator Carlile, of Virginia, offered a
substitute for the bill, giving officers and soldiers of the army and officers
of the navy 160 acres of land at $1.25 per acre, or 80 acres at $2.50 per acre,
in lieu of $100 bounty in cash; but without further action the bill was laid
aside. A message was received from the President relative to the arrest of
General Stone. The President says General Stone was arrested upon evidence
which, whether he was guilty or innocent, required that such proceedings should
be had against him for the public safety, and that he deems it incompatible with
the public interest, as well as unjust to General Stone, to make a more
particular statement. General Stone will be allowed a trial without unnecessary
delay. The consideration of the Confiscation bill was then resumed, Senators
Doolittle, Wade, Collamer, and Saulsbury participating in the debate.—In the
House, the Committee of Ways and Means reported a bill making appropriations for
the support of the army for the year ending with June, 1863. The appropriations
amount to the enormous sum of $226,283,000. Mr. Morrill made explanations
relating to the charge of intoxication preferred against General W. F. Smith,
while in command of the troops in the fight at Lee's Mill, near
Yorktown, on the
16th ult., from which it appears that the General is entirely guiltless of the
accusation. Mr. Washburne, of Illinois, defended
General Grant from the
aspersions which he said had been cast upon that brave and successful officer;
and Mr. Cox declared that the charges brought against certain Ohio regiments
that participated in the victory at
Pittsburg Landing were groundless.
On Monday, May 5, in the Senate,
the bill relative to the number of Major and Brigadier Generals was reported
back by the Military Committee, with an amendment fixing the number of
Major-Generals at thirty instead of twenty, which was adopted. The bill was then
laid over, without action as to the number of Brigadier-Generals. A joint
resolution in favor of an exchange of prisoners of war was referred. The
Homestead and Confiscation bills were discussed, an executive session held, and
the Senate adjourned.—In the House, the bill to provide increased revenue from
imports, and to pay the interest on the public debt, etc., was passed. Bills
indemnifying the people of Kansas for losses and depredations, and for the
punishment of treason and the suppression of the rebellion, were introduced and
referred. In Committee of the Whole the consideration of the Pacific Railroad
bill was resumed. A motion that the Committee rise, and that the bill be
postponed till the second Monday in December next, was lost by a vote of 34
against 61. After some debate the amendments were ordered to be printed.
OCCUPATION OF YORKTOWN.
Yorktown is ours, with all its
defenses, seventy-one heavy guns, and camp equipage. The enemy completed the
evacuation of the place on Saturday night, and our troops entered the place four
hours after the rear of the rebel army marched out. It is said by deserters that
the order for evacuation was decided upon on Wednesday by
General Robert Lee and
Jeff Davis, who, after a close examination of General McClellan's splendid
works, came to the conclusion that their own defenses were untenable, and that
the army must fall back on a new position. The immediate necessity of the
retreat arose from the near approach of General M'Clellan's parallels, and the
damaging effect of his siege guns upon the enemy's works. The rebels have fallen
back to a point on the
Chickahominy Creek, beyond Williamsburg, on the direct
line to Richmond; but General M'Clellan's entire force of cavalry and light
artillery are in close pursuit of them.
General Franklin's division has also
been dispatched by boats up the river to West Point, where they must have
arrived on 4th, and they will, therefore, be probably soon in the rear of the
enemy. Some of our gun-boats went up immediately, and kept a constant fire of
shells upon the retreating army. Our troops are also in possession of
GENERAL McCLELLAN'S DISPATCH.
The following dispatch was
received at Washington on 4th:
HEAD-QUARTERS ARMY of POTOMAC,
May 4—9 A.M.
E. M. Stanton, Secretary
We have the ramparts.
We have guns, ammunition, camp
We hold the entire line of his
works, which the engineers report as being very strong.
I have thrown all my cavalry and
horse artillery in pursuit, supported by infantry.
I move Franklin's division, and
as much more as I can transport by water, up to West Point today.
No time shall be lost.
The gun-boats have gone up York
I omitted to state that
Gloucester is also in our possession. I shall push the enemy to the wall.
THE NET RESULT.
General McClellan's dispatches
state that his troops have thus far taken seventy-one heavy guns, large amounts
of tents, ammunition, etc. "All along the lines their works prove to have been
most formidable, and I am now fully satisfied of the correctness of the course I
have pursued. The success is brilliant, and you may rest assured that its
effects will be of the greatest importance. There shall be no delay in following
up the rebels, who have been guilty of the most murderous and barbarous conduct,
in placing torpedoes within the abandoned works, near wells and springs, and
near flag-staffs, magazines, telegraph offices, in carpet bags, barrels of
flour, etc. We have not lost many men in this manner—some four or five killed,
and perhaps a dozen wounded. I shall make the prisoners remove them at their own
REBEL REAR-GUARD CAUGHT.
General Stoneman's cavalry force
overtook the rear of the rebels on Sunday afternoon, and forced them to an
encounter which, in more than one instance, was hand to hand. The artillery on
both sides were engaged for a short time, but in the end the rebel cavalry were
forced by our men to abandon their position. The want of infantry prevented our
men from advancing on the enemy's works; and it being evident that it was
useless to attempt further operations, the troops fell back about two hundred
yards to await the arrival of infantry, which soon after arrived, but it was
deemed advisable to defer further operations until the next morning. It was
expected that Williamsburg would then be occupied, as the rebels were still in
EVACUATION OF WILLIAMSBURG.
On Monday, May 5, there was a
very severe fight, in which
General Hancock and his brigade covered themselves
with glory. The rebel loss was very heavy. On Tuesday
General Johnston evacuated
Williamsburg, and fled with all his force toward Richmond. General McClellan and
his army are following in close pursuit.
GENERAL FRANKLIN'S ADVANCE.
General Franklin's division, in
transports and the gun-boats, have arrived at West Point and destroyed the
railroad bridge. It is reported that they have captured several transports and a
large number of prisoners.
SURRENDER OF NEW ORLEANS.
From Southern papers received at
Fortress Monroe we learn that
Commodore Farragut's propositions to surrender New
Orleans had been accepted by the Mayor, Mr. Monroe, and the city of
was at last accounts held by a battalion of marines from the squadron. General
Butler's forces have reached the city, having landed on
CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE MAYOR OF NEW ORLEANS.
The papers have published the
correspondence which occurred between Commodore Farragut and Mr. Monroe, Mayor
of New Orleans, on the appearance of our mortar fleet before that city. The
Commodore's letter is a blunt and sailor-like demand for the unconditional
surrender of the city; for the hoisting of the Union flag over the City Hall,
Custom-house, and the removal of all flags emblematic of any other
sovereignty than that of the United States. He requests that the Mayor shall
restore order, quell disturbance, and call upon all good citizens to return to
their avocations, promising protection to all such, but commanding that no one
shall be molested for expressing sentiments of loyalty to the Government, or
exhibiting evidences of pleasure at witnessing "the old flag" once more flying
over the city. Upon this point the words of Commodore Farragut are very
emphatic. He says: "I shall speedily and severely punish any person or persons
who shall commit such outrages as were witnessed yesterday by armed men firing
upon helpless women and children for giving expression to their pleasure at
witnessing the 'old flag.'" The Mayor responds in an utterly absurd and
bombastic communication, in which he admits the impossibility of resistance, as
the army upon which he depended has deserted him; but he refuses to haul down
the secession flags, and declares, in the name of the people, that their
allegiance to the rebel Government remains intact despite the necessity of
yielding to the conquerors.
PORTS TO BE REOPENED.
It is announced by
Mr. Lincoln will very soon issue a proclamation declaring all the
leading ports of the South open to the trade of the world, upon which event the
restoration of the commerce of the country as it existed ante bellum may be
expected, and the most mischievous efforts of the rebellion be at an end. The
circulars issued by Mr. Seward to the foreign ministers, opening the mail
communications with the Southern ports, are but the preliminaries of the
President's proclamation declaring the reconstruction of commercial relations
with the South.
COLLECTOR FOR NEW ORLEANS.
A Collector of Customs for New
Orleans, in the person of Mr. Charles L. Lathrop, has already been appointed and
confirmed by the Senate. Mr. Lathrop was formerly a resident of New Orleans, but
left that city on the outbreak of the rebellion, being a sterling Union man.
AFFAIRS AT CORINTH.
Important events are expected to
occur immediately in the vicinity of
Corinth. A reconnoissance was on 3d pushed
in the direction of Corinth, which found the enemy, 4500 strong, at Farmington,
with four pieces. Our forces immediately attacked them, and after a sharp
skirmish carried the position in fine style, compelling the rebels to abandon
every thing, leaving thirty dead on the field. Our cavalry then pushed through
to Booneville, took possession of the town, tore up the railroad track there,
and destroyed the bridges. Our loss in this gallant affair is only two killed
and twelve wounded.
FRANCE DECLARES WAR.
The news from Mexico, by the
steamer Roanoke, is of the highest interest and importance. The tripartite
alliance of England, France, and Spain, for the destruction of the liberties of
Mexico, is now virtually at an end; but France alone has undertaken the
hazardous work of forcing a monarchical government upon the unwilling people. To
this end, and under very specious excuses, war has been declared against Mexico
by the French plenipotentiaries. President Juarez and General Doblado have
expressed the firm determination of resisting their Gallic invaders by every
means in their power, but offering still to continue negotiations with the
Spanish and English. General Lorencez, the new French commander, says that he is
responsible to his Emperor for his action.