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articles, and all papers belonging to the ship in proper form from the United States consul there. On the morning of Tuesday, the 19th instant, the ship then being in about lat. 49° 6' N., long. 9° 52′ W., a steamer was made out bearing for the Harvey Birch, which, on getting nearer, was found to be an armed vessel, and hoisted at the peak the flag of the so-called Confederate States; and when within hailing distance a person on board, who I learned was the captain, hailed my ship, saying, "Haul down your colors and heave the ship to," the ensign of the United States being at this time set at the peak of my vessel. This order was complied with, and I then received the order, "Lower your boat and come on board," which I also complied with, taking my ship's papers with me. After arriving on board the steamer I was introduced by the first lieutenant, by name Fauntleroy, to Captain Pegram, as commander of the Confederate States steamer Nashville, to whom I produced all the papers of my ship for examination, to show that I was engaged in legal trade. Captain Pegram took the ship's papers. He did not return them, and still holds them, and then told me that he should hold me a prisoner of war by authority of the Confederate States. He then told me I might go on board my ship, and I was ordered to send my crew on board the steamer as quick ly as possible. I returned to my ship, and at once made preparations to leave her, but orders were repeatedly given from the steamer to hurry up, and sufficient time was not given to enable either myself or my crew to get our ef fects out of the ship. The second lieutenant, with other officers, came on board the ship and took charge of her, and orders were given to seize fresh stores, etc., and in consequence thereof all the fresh meat, poultry, pigs, eggs, and butter were taken out and put on board the steamer, and especially it was ordered that all the oil, tea, coffee, and sugar should be put on board the steamer, which was done.

When all this had been accomplished, the crew left the ship by order of the second lieutenant, I being last on board, leaving the second lieutenant and his boat's crew in charge of the ship. After arriving on board the steamer we saw that the Harvey Birch was in flames, and the second lieutenant returned on board the steamer with his boat, which was secured, but the ship's quarter boats, which had been used in communicating, were cast adrift. Captain Pegram now said, “Now, as it is all over, we will give her a gun," or words to that effect, and a gun was discharged at the ship, but without apparently hitting her. The steamer then was put on an easterly course, the crew of the ship having been previously put in irons. I, with my officers, was summoned to the captain's cabin, and there signed, at the request of the captain, a document stating that we would not take up arms against them while in their custody; he having said that I and my officers should have our liberty on board when we had

signed it. I was frequently told that an oath would be exacted of us "not to take up arms against the Confederate States" before I could be liberated, but I was liberated without any such being taken. The steamer steamed up the English channel, and arrived at Southampton at about eight A. M. on the 21st instant, and came to anchor in the river. Captain Pegram then told me that I and my crew were at liberty, and might go on shore, but he refused to put us on shore, and I therefore employed a steamtug at my own expense, and landed my crew in Southampton docks between nine and ten A. M., and they were taken charge of by the United States consul there. Repeatedly while on board the steamer, in conversations with her officers, I was told that she was not fitted out as a vessel of war, that she was on a special mission to England, but naval officers were in command of her. I was told by one of the crew, that the crew originally signed articles at Charleston, South Carolina, to go to Liverpool, but that before sailing the officers were all changed, and new articles were brought on board, which the crew were compelled to sign by threats of force. I was also informed that the crew was composed of English and Irish.

The chronometer and barometer belonging to the Harvey Birch, were taken by Captain Pegram, who refuses to deliver them up. The Harvey Birch was a ship six years old, and of 1,482 tons register. Before we lost sight of the ship her masts had gone over the side, and she was burnt to the water's edge.

W. II. NELSON.

Sworn before me in the consulate of the United States at London this 22d day of November, 1861.

Captain Nelson stated that Commander Pegram endeavored to compel himself and crew to take the oath of allegiance and not to take up arms against the Southern States. This was denied by Commander Pegram and officers, who stated that the only document that Captain Nelson and officers were requested to sign was one of which the following is a copy:

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CONFEDERATE STATES STEAMER NASHVILLE, AT SEA, November 19, 1861. We, the undersigned, officers and passengers on board the United States ship Harvey Birch, being now prisoners on board the Confederate States steamer Nashville, do pledge to our own captain our sacred honor not to bear arms against or in any manner to countenance hostilities against such Confederate States till our regular exchange or discharge.

W. H. NELSON, Master.
CLEMENT F. STEVENS, Mate.
FRANCIS STEWART, Second Mate.
J. B. BLYDENBURGH, Passenger.
PAUL F. HALLETT, Carpenter.
THOMAS W. LOFBYS, Boatswain.
HENRY FREHARD.
GEORGE CERVINONS.

The remainder of the crew, not having signed the above document, were placed in irons until their arrival at Southampton.

-London Times, Nov. 23.

Doc. 183.

DEFENCE OF CHARLESTON, S. C.

PROCLAMATION OF THE MAYOR.

MAYOR'S OFFICE, November 22, 1861.

I, Charles Macbeth, Mayor of the city of Charleston, do hereby most earnestly appeal to the citizens of this city to come forward and assist the military and civil authorities in putting Charleston in a proper state of defence. A large number of laborers are wanted, and called for, on the works now progressing around the city; and surely there is a sufficient number of unemployed laborers to supply the demand. Proper arrangements will be made for the superintendence and subsistence of all laborers that may be tendered, and I confidently hope that every citizen of the city will, without any further appeal, come forward promptly and report at the City Hall the number of laborers he can contribute.

CHARLES MACBETH, Mayor. By the Mayor-JOHN R. HORSEY,

Clerk of the Council.

Doc. 184.

ENGAGEMENT AT WARWICK, VA.,

NOVEMBER 22, 1861.

A correspondent of the Philadelphia Enquirer gives the following particulars of the attack upon the rebel camp at Warwick by the gunboats Cambridge and Hertzel.

over an hour, at which time the camps appeared nearly deserted. The darkness of the night and the want of sufficient men prevented a landing being effected. Indeed, this was not the object of the expedition, the sole aim being to destroy the camps by an efficient cannonade, and this was successfully accomplished. It is believed that the loss of life on the part of the rebels was heavy, owing to the suddenness of the attack, and their comparatively defenceless

state.

After the exploit the gunboats returned to Newport News and anchored in the stream, the result being communicated to Gen. Wool and Commodore Goldsborough.

The rebel deserter alluded to was about twenty years of age. He managed to elude the vigilance of the outer rebel pickets, and followed the sandy shore of James River, from the camp which he was deserting to Newport News, where he was met by five men of one of the Massachusetts regiments, and taken in charge. He desired to return to his parents in Boston. He was a sailor by profession, and at the time of the blockade was attached to a Massachusetts vessel at Savannah. Owing to the blockade, she was unable to get to sea, and the lad found himself without employment. He finally visited Augusta, Georgia, and being entirely destitute of money, and attracted by the placards covering the walls of the city, promising eleven dollars per month to those who would enlist, he became a member of the Tenth Georgia regiment, Col. Cummins.

The regiment was armed principally with smooth-bore muskets. It was composed of sailors and the laboring men of Augusta, and after its organization was located at many dif ferent points without seeing active service, until finally, about two months ago, it left Richmond and came down the James River to a place known as Young's Mills, in Warwick An intelligent deserter from the Tenth Geor- County, Va., on the banks of Deep Creek. gia regiment reached Newport News on the Here a camp was formed, and in this same morning of Friday last, and was taken to head-neighborhood were, and still are (except those quarters at Fortress Monroe, where, upon being interrogated, he made known the location of a number of important rebel camps on the right bank of the James River.

Acting upon this information, an expedition, consisting of two gunboats, was prepared on Friday, in readiness to proceed at nightfall to the junction of the James and Warwick rivers, about five and one-half miles above Newport News. The Cambridge led the way and steamed without interruption until reaching the point designated, where the white tents of the enemy could be plainly discerned on a low wooded triangular piece of land. This was near midnight.

Almost before the rebel pickets could give the alarm, the gunboats were in position, and had opened fire upon the camps, the guns following each other in rapid succession.

No effectual resistance was made by the emy, and the discharges were continued for

scattered by the gunboats) the following regiments: Tenth Georgia, Col. Cummins; Second Louisiana, Col. Farnaw; Fifteenth Virgi nia, Second Florida, Tenth Louisiana, Sixth Georgia, Louisiana Zouaves, five hundred cavalry, one battery of eight pieces.

The Second Louisiana regiment had the most exposed position, the camp being on the point of land at the confluence of the Warwick and James rivers and Deep Creek. It was this regiment which sustained the fire of the gunboats, as already stated. On the point they have thrown up an earthwork, and procured two howitzers for its defence. They have also brought a number of old canal boats down from Richmond, and sunk them across the entrance to Warwick River, a stream one mile in. width at its mouth.

The Tenth Georgia camp adjoins that of the Second Louisiana, being further up the shore of Warwick River. Adjoining these, and still

Therefore I, Henry H. Lockwood, BrigadierGeneral commanding in said counties, do hereby, by virtue of authority vested in me, authorize the judges, magistrates, and other civil officers in the counties aforesaid, to continue in their several offices, and perform all and every function of the same conformably to the Con

further up, is the Tenth Louisiana. Beyond these, and one mile distant from the river, at Tabb's fields, (near Warwick Court House,) is the Second Florida. The Fifteenth Virginia command the road leading from Newport News to Richmond, and have thrown earthworks across it at a point about five miles above the News. They have also ditched it, and erected an eight-stitution of the United States, the law of Virgun battery, already alluded to. Of the guns two are brass field-pieces and one a rifled cannon. A squadron of five hundred cavalry is stationed with this regiment, and used for scouting purposes. The Sixth Georgia regiment is at Yorktown, where formidable earthworks have been thrown up with the assistance of negroes impressed into the service. The Louisiana Zouaves are at Williamsburg, exactly sixty miles from Richmond.

Nearly all of the rebel troops are erecting winter-quarters, there being no design of advancing upon Newport News or Fortress Monroe, although this idea was entertained some time since. General Magruder has twenty-three thousand troops in this department, comprising the districts of James and York rivers. He visits the camps at long intervals, and is addicted to hard drinking. The tents in use are generally very poor. The rations consist of fresh meat and hard bread twice each week; bacon twice, and sugar and coffee twice. There is plenty of food such as it is, the provisions being brought by steamers from Richmond.

Two weeks ago the Tenth Georgia regiment received new clothing, each man being obliged to pay twenty-four dollars for his suit-this sum being deducted from his wages. This created much dissatisfaction among the soldiers. Two months ago three other regiments received

new clothing.

The Second North Carolina regiment went home two weeks ago, many of the men positively refusing to serve under Gen. Magruder.

Doc. 185.

GEN. LOCKWOOD'S PROCLAMATION. TO THE PEOPLE OF ACCOMAC AND NORTHAMPTON

COUNTIES, VA.

ginia, previous to the "ordinance of secession," except so far as modified or changed by any subsequent act of the Legislature sitting in Western Virginia, and the laws passed by said Legislature, sitting in Western Virginia, subsequently to said act; provided, always, that all such persons, before exercising said functions, appear before me and take the oath of allegiance to the United States.

HENRY H. LOCKWOOD, Brigadier-General Commanding.

HEAD-QUARTERS, DRUMMONDTOWN, November 23.

Doc. 186.

MEETING IN KENTUCKY.

A MEETING of Union men was held at Frankfort, Ky., on the 23d of Nov., to express sentiments in opposition to the recommendation of John Cochrane and Simon Cameron, in relation to arming the slaves of the South. The following resolutions were passed unanimously: *

That the Government of the United States

has no constitutional power to interfere with the institution of slavery in any of the States, nor has it the power to deprive any citizen of his slave property without due process of law, nor the power to appropriate such property to public use without just compensation.

That the exercise of any such power by any officer of the United States, whether civil or military, is a palpable violation of the express provisions of the Constitution, and should be condemned by every department of the Government, and by every citizen thereof.

That the proposition recently announced, for the emancipation of the slaves of those at war with the United States, and the arming of such slaves against their masters, is in violation of the rules of civilized warfare; is abhorrent to every principle of humanity and Christianity, and in its results would add to the calamities of the present civil war the additional horrors of servile insurrection, murder, rapine and plunder, by the black race against the white, throughout the slave States of the Union.

WHEREAS, under the proclamation of MajorGeneral Dix, the people of Accomac and Northampton counties, (Va.,) having laid down their arms, are entitled to the protection of the Federal Government; and whereas a serious inconvenience might arise from a suspension of the operations of the authorities and laws therein; and whereas the functionaries holding office in That as friends to the Constitution and Govsaid counties were elected to the same previous to the ratification of the so-called "ordinance ernment of the United States-as patriots, as of secession" whereby this people put them- philanthropists, and as Christians, we do hereby selves in hostility to the Federal Government; most solemnly remonstrate and protest against and whereas the responsibilities and duties of such a proposition, and do most earnestly imsaid functionaries were sought to be changed plore and entreat every department of our Govby an oath of allegiance to a pretended Govern-ernment, and every officer and citizen thereof, ment in rebellion against the Federal Govern- to condemn and reject the same.

ment:

See Colonel Cochrane's Specch, ante.

VOL. III.-Doc. 35

That we hereby tender our thanks to the editors of the Louisville Journal and Louisville Democrat, for the ability with which they have resisted this threatened violation of the Constitution, and the firmness with which they have denounced this inhuman proposition and its fanatical authors.

Doc. 188.

GENERAL CARROLL'S PROCLAMATION.

MARTIAL LAW IN EAST TENNESSEE.

HEAD-QUARTERS RIFLE BRIGADE, CAMP LOOKOUT, Nov. 24, 1861.

MARTIAL LAW having been proclaimed at this That a copy of the foregoing preamble and post on the 14th day of November, by order resolutions be forwarded to his Excellency of Colonel S. A. M. Wood, the officer then in Abraham Lincoln, President of the United command, many disaffected persons were arrestStates, and that the Hon. John J. Crittenden ed and placed in custody of the proper military be requested to present the same to the Con-authorities for trial. The larger portion of gress of the United States and our representatives.

Doc. 187.

PRISONERS OF WAR.

PLAN FOR PAYING THEIR FAMILIES.

these have voluntarily taken the oath of alle giance to the Confederate Government and were released and returned to their homes. Those who were organized for active hostilities have, for the most part, been dispersed and driven beyond the limits of the State, thus effectually breaking up the conspiracy recently existing in this portion of the State to resist the authority of the Confederate States Govern

THE following Circular has been issued by ment, and thereby restoring peace and quiet

Government:

The following plan for paying to the families of officers and soldiers in the service of the United States, who are or may become prisoners of war, sums due them by the Government, having been approved by the President, it is published for the information of all concerned: Payment will be made to persons presenting a written authority from a prisoner to draw his pay; or, without such authority, to his wife, the guardian of his minor children, or his widowed mother, in the order named.

Application for such pay must be made to the senior paymaster of the district in which the regiment of the prisoner is serving, and must be accompanied by the certificate of a Judge of a Court of the United States, of a District-Attorney of the United States, or of some other party, under the seal of a Court of Record of the State in which the applicant is a resident, setting forth that the said applicant is the wife of the prisoner, the guardian of his children, or his widowed mother, and if occupying either of the two last relationships toward him, that there is no one in existence who is more nearly related according to the above classification.

Payments will be made to parties thus authorized and identified, on their receipts made out in the manner that would be required of the prisoner himself, at least one month's pay in all cases being retained by the United States. The officer making the payment will see that it is entered on the last previous muster-roll for the payment of the prisoner's company, or will report it, if those rolls are not in his possession, to the senior paymaster of the district, who will either attend to the entry or give notice of the payment to the Paymaster-General, if the

rolls have been forwarded to his office.
By order.
L. THOMAS,
Adjutant-General.

throughout the country adjacent to this post.

The commanding General being satisfied, from the evidences of loyalty (upon the part of the people) now before him, that the neces sity for the enforcement of martial law does not now exist, orders that the same be no longer in force. It is not the purpose of the Commanding General at this post to impose any restrictions, or enforce any law not requir Those persons who ed by stern necessity. remain at home, submitting to the established laws of the country, will not be molested, whatever their previous political opinions may have been, but those found in arms against the Government, aiding or abetting its enemies, or in any way inciting rebellion, will be visited with all the rigor of military law.

WILLIAM H. CARROLL, Brigadier-General Commanding G. H. MONSARRAT, Ass't Adj't-Gen.

-Richmond Dispatch, Nov. 2

Doc. 189.

OCCUPATION OF TYBEE ISLAND,
NOVEMBER 24, 1861.

FLAG-OFFICER DUPONT'S REPORT.
FLAG-SHIP WABASH, PORT ROYAL HARBOR,
S. C., Nov. 25, 1861.

SIR: I have the honor to inform the depart

ment that the flag of the United States is flying over the territory of the State of Georgia.

of the Flag had been repaired, I despatched As soon as the serious injury to the boilers Commander John Rodgers to Tybee entrance, the mouth of Savannah River, to report to Commander Missroon, the senior officer, for a preliminary examination of the bars, and for the determination of the most suitable place for sinking the proposed obstructions to the navigation of the river.

Captain Rodgers was instructed to push his

reconnoissance so far as to "form an approx- | Savannah without our permission during the imate estimate of the force on Tybee Island, remainder of the war. and of the possibility of gaining access to the inner bar; and further, "if the information acquired by this reconnoissance should be important, to return and communicate it to me immediately."

I was not surprised when he came back and reported that the defences on Tybee Island had probably been abandoned. Deeming it proper, however, to add the Seneca, Lieutenant Commanding Ammen, and Pocahontas, Lieutenant Commanding Balch, to his force, I directed him to renew his approaches with caution, and, if no opposition was met with, to occupy the channel.

I am happy now to have it in my power to inform the department that the Flag, the Augusta, and the Pocahontas are at anchor in the harbor abreast of Tybee beacon and light, and that the Savannah has been ordered to take the same position.

The abandonment of Tybee Island, on which there is a strong martello tower, with a battery at its base, is due to the terror inspired by the bombardment of Forts Walker and Beauregard, and is a direct fruit of the victory of the 7th.

By the fall of Tybee Island, the reduction of Fort Pulaski, which is within easy mortar distance, becomes only a question of time.

The rebels have themselves placed sufficient obstructions in the river at Fort Pulaski, and thus, by the cooperation of their own fears with our efforts, the harbor of Savannah is effectually closed.

I have the honor to be, sir, respectfully, your most obedient servant, S. F. DUPONT, Flag-officer Commanding

South Atlantic Block'g Squadron.

Hon. GIDEON WELLES,

Secretary of the Navy.

We now hold the harbor with the three steamers-the Flag, Commander Rodgers; the Pocahontas, Capt. Balch; and the Seneca, Capt. Ammen-but no doubt will have other vessels sent here and also a strong garrison, as soon as Flag-officer Dupont and Gen. Sherman are advised of the capture.

We hear, upon what we consider reliable authority, that Commodore Tatuall says the rebels must abandon all their coast defences, for after the sample of firing at Hilton Head by our fleet, nothing they have erected can stand before it.

The abandonment of their strong works on Tybee Island may be considered as confirming this report. The panic throughout the Southern coast from our success at Port Royal is intense and all-pervading. Savannah is nearly depopulated, and the trains go loaded with household and every description of goods, including negroes.

SECESSION ACCOUNT.

FORT PULASKI, November 25, 1861. I suppose you have heard of affairs down here before this. The enemy appeared around Tybee point about eleven o'clock A. M. yesterday. The sentinel reported them, and the assembly was beat; we were ordered to the guns; there we awaited them. The enemy, composed of a frigate and one gunboat, rounded the point and commenced throwing shot and shell on Tybee. Not having received a reply, they despatched the gunboat for more vessels. About four o'clock the gunboat came back with two more very large vessels; soon after a long train of small boats was seen to leave the vessels and head for the shore. About six o'clock the Federal flag was seen flying on Tybee

The following account of the occupation is Island. About seven o'clock at night Captain given by an officer of the expedition:

Read, of the Irish Volunteers, took a squad of his men and went over to the island, and got in sight of the Yankees. He could see them all around the fire; but finding that he could not effect his object, which was to burn the large

U. S. SHIP POCAHONTAS, AT THE ANCHORAGE, SAVANNAH HARBOR, TYBEE ISLAND, Nov. 24, 1861. The steamer Flag, Commander John Rodgers, was despatched by Flag-officer Dupont to re-hospital, there being too many men around the connoitre this point and ascertain the position and strength of the rebels. He did so, and on his return to Port Royal he had the Seneca and this vessel added to his command, and this morning, with a view to feel the enemy, we threw a few shells into the fortifications, but getting no reply we soon found that the works were abandoned, and we have taken possession of them. They consist of a strong martello tower, with an intrenchment at the foot of it, over both which the Stars and Stripes now float. It is a most important acquisition, as the ship channel to Savannah passes within five hundred yards.

Fort Pulaski is doomed, for it is ours whenever we think proper to take it, as it is within most convenient shell range-six hundred yards. No vessel will now leave or enter the port of

house, he returned and burnt all the houses on his way, including Captain King's large house, also the platform where the boat lands. They also brought off an old negro, the property of Mr. King, which the picket had left. He is now at the fort. This morning the Federal flag could be seen flying on the light-house. There are three large vessels off the point now, and another gunboat has just arrived. The island is naturally protected by large sand hills, which could have protected our men from the shells of the enemy. I think a thousand men could whip them off the island in two hours. The enemy have a foothold on all the Southern States bordering on the Atlantic, but I think they have gained very little by taking Tybee Island. I do not think they can get enough rice and cotton on Tybee to pay the cost of the

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