ed a few hundred paces, I commanded Major | of Col. Salomon and Lt.-Col. Wolff, in solid colBackof to open fire upon the enemy with all the umn. Lt.-Col. Wolff, seconding my movement seven field-pieces. The fire was promptly an- with his accustomed ability, formed three comswered. I soon perceived that the two mount-panies of the first battalion, Third Regiment, ed regiments of the rebel army made preparations to circumvent our two wings. They made a flanking movement, and, describing a wide semicircle, caused a large interval of space to be left between them and the centre. I forthwith ordered the whole fire of our artillery to be directed against the right centre of the enemy, which had the effect in a short time of considerably weakening the fire of the rebels at this point.

I now formed a chain of skirmishers between our cannon, ordering two of Capt. Essig's pieces from the right to the left wing, and gave my officers and men to understand that it was my intention to gain the height by advancing with my left wing, and taking position on the right flank of the centre of the enemy.

At this critical moment Capt. Wilkins, commander of one of our two batteries, declared that he could not advance for want of ammunition. No time was to be lost, as part of our troops were already engaged with the hostile cavalry at the extreme right and left, and as it seemed to me of very doubtful expediency to advance with the remainder without due support of artillery. The moral effect which the hostile cavalry made in our rear could not be denied, although the real danger was not great. The threatening loss of our entire baggage was another consideration not to be overlooked. I therefore, with great reluctance, ordered part of the detachment at Dry Fork Creek back, while Lieutenant-Colonel Hassendeubel, with the first battalion of the Third Regiment and a battalion of the Fifth Regiment, under Lieut.Col. Wolff, followed by four cannon of Wilkens's battery, proceeded to the baggage train in order to protect it against the meditated attack.

into line, and made them take up marching line against the cavalry in front of the baggage. Behind these troops and the baggage, Lieut. Schrickel, with a portion of the first battery of artillery and two companies, took a precautionary position in view of that part of the enemy coming in the direction of Dry Fork.

After the firing of one round by our whole line, our infantry charged upon the enemy_at double quick and routed him completely. His flight was accompanied by the deafening shouts of our little army.

The troops and baggage train now crossed the creek undisturbed, and ascended the heights which command Carthage from the north, this side of Spring River. Here the enemy again took position. His centre slowly advanced upon us, while his cavalry came upon us with great rapidity, in order to circumvent our two wings and gain the Springfield road. Deeming it of the utmost importance to keep open my communication with Mount Vernon and Springfield, I ordered Lieutenant-Colonel Wolff with two pieces of artillery (Lieut. Schaeffer, of the second battery) to pass through Carthage, and occupy the eastern heights on the Sarcoxie road. Capt. Cramer, with two companies, (Indest and Tois,) was ordered to follow him, in order to protect the western part of the city against a hostile movement in this direction. Our rear took possession of the city, in order to give the rest of the troops time for rest, as they had marched 22 miles on the 4th, and 18 miles more during the day, exposed to a burning sun, and almost without any thing to eat or drink. The enemy, in the mean time, derived great advantage from his cavalry, being able to cross Spring River at various places, scatter on all sides through the woods, and harass our troops almost unintermittingly.

I therefore ordered a retreat toward Sarcoxie, under cover of both artillery and infantry. We first took position on the heights beyond Carthage, and then again at the entrance of the Sarcoxie road into the woods, about two and a half miles south-east of Carthage. From the latter place our troops advanced unmolest

The enemy slowly followed us to Dry Fork. Capt. Essig's battery had taken position behind the ford, assisted by Captain Stephany's company (Fifth Regiment) on the left, and two companies of the Third Regiment, Captains Golmer and Denzler on the right, while at the same time two companies of the Fifth (Captains Stark and Meissner) stood as a reserve behind the wings. At this point it was where the aforesaid companies and battery made suc-ed as far as Sarcoxie. cessful resistance to the entire force of the enemy for two hours, and caused him the heaviest losses. By that time two rebel flags had been shot out of sight, each act being accompanied by the triumphant shouts of the United States volunteers. In the mean time the two cavalry regiments had completely surrounded us and formed a line against our rear.

They had posted themselves close by a little creek, called Buck Branch, over which we had to pass. In order to meet them, I abandoned my position at Dry Fork, and ordered two pieces to the right, and two to the left of our reserve and baggage, supported by the detachments

Our whole loss in this engagement amounts to thirteen dead and thirty-one wounded, among whom is Captain Strodtman, Company E, Third Regiment, and Lieutenant Bischoff, of Company B, same regiment. The first battery lost nine horses; the third one (Major Bischoff's) and one baggage wagon had to be left behind, in Carthage, for want of horses to pull it away.

According to reliable accounts, the loss of the enemy cannot have been less than from three hundred and fifty to four hundred men. One of their field-pieces was dismounted and another exploded.

Doo. 79.

FIGHT NEAR NEW ORLEANS, LA.

A REBEL ACCOUNT.

With the deepest regret, I have to announce to you the surprise and capture by the rebels, of Capt. Conrad and his company of ninety-four men, in Neosho. Officers and men were afterwards liberated, after taking an oath that they would not again take up arms against the Con-Higgins, formerly of the United States navy, federate States.

ON Thursday last, the 4th of July, Captain

and now of the Confederate army, and aide-deOn the other hand, it affords me intense camp to Major-General Twiggs, fitted out the pleasure to be able to say, in justice to the offi- steamer Oregon, commanded by Captain A. L. cers and men under my command, that they Myers, and also the steamer Swaim, Lieutenant fought with the greatest skill and bravery. Warley, C. S. N., commanding, for the purpose Although threatened more than once on the of driving the enemy out of the Mississippi flank and in the rear by powerful detachments Sound. The steamers sailed on Friday last, of cavalry, and attacked in front by an over- both well armed and manned, and proceeded whemingly disproportionate force, they con- as far as Bay St. Louis, where they filled up ducted themselves like veterans, and defended the bags which they had provided themselves one position after another without a man swerv-with, with sand. They left the bay at 9 o'clock ing from his place.

Saturday morning for the cruising ground of the I would also specially acknowledge the ser- enemy, the Swaim taking the main land, or side vices of the Fifth Regiment, under its brave passage, and the Oregon the outside, and procommanders and adjutants, with heartfelt grat-ceeded to Ship Island Pass. itude. They proved themselves to be true friends and reliable comrades on the battlefield.

The excellent artillery under Major Backof, who, like my adjutants, Albert and Heinrichs, was untiring from morning till night in his efforts to execute and second my commands, also deserves honorable mention.

I am, sir, with great respect, yours,

FRANZ SIEGEL, Commanding Officer.

Doo. 78.

HENRY A. WISE'S PROCLAMATION.

RIPLEY, VA., July 6, 1861.

Finding no enemy in sight, the Oregon proceeded to sea from Ship Island, and soon saw two vessels, and gave chase. They proved to be two fishing smacks of our own. The Oregon then returned to Ship Island, and Capt. Higgins, who was in command of the expedition, deemed it advisable to take possession of Ship Island. Accordingly he signalized the Swaim to come to and go alongside of the island. The Oregon then came alongside the Swaim, and both proceeded to disembark the men and munitions of war, provisions, &c., which was done in very short time considering they had no derrick for hoisting out the guns.

After the disembarkation, the guns on the boats were put in battery, protected by sandbags. The Swaim was left at the island while To the true and loyal citizens of Virginia on the Oregon proceeded to New Orleans, via Pass all the Ohio border, and more particularly to Christian, for the purpose of sending a despatch those of Jackson County, I would earnestly ap- to Gen. Twiggs to send forward reenforcements peal to come to the defence of the Common- of ammunition and men. The Oregon then wealth, invaded and insulted as she is by a proceeded to New Orleans, where she arrived ruthless and unnatural enemy. None need be on Sunday morning, and was immediately orafraid that they will be held accountable for dered to take on board guns, gun carriages, and past opinions, votes, or acts, under the delu- munitions to reenforce Ship Island, Major-Gensions which have been practised upon the eral Twiggs, and Captain Higgins, and Major Northwestern people, if they will now return Smith using every possible effort to get every to their patriotic duty and acknowledge their thing in readiness. The steamer Gray Cloud allegiance to Virginia and her Confederate was also taken into requisition, and was loaded States, as their true and lawful sovereigns. and got under way on Monday morning, at 11 You were Union men, so was I, and we held a o'clock, also well armed. The Oregon followed right to be so until oppression and invasion the same night, at 11 o'clock with provisions, and war drove us to the assertion of a second and proceeded directly to Ship Island. independence. The sovereign State proclaimed At 6 o'clock on Tuesday morning, when it by her Convention, and by a majority of within eight miles of the fort on Ship Island, more than 100,000 votes at the polls. She has | Capt. Myers saw a large United States steamer seceded from the old and established a new and a tender lying off about two miles outside Confederacy. She has commanded and we the island. At this moment our troops at the must obey her voice. I come to execute her sand batteries opened fire on the steamer, which command-to hold out the olive branch to her was immediately returned, and the battle comtrue and peaceful citizens-to repel invasion menced in good earnest. The Gray Cloud from abroad, and subdue treason only at home. coming up slowly, the Oregon took off her amCome to the call of the country which owes munition, and proceeded at once to the scene you protection as her native sons. of action, Major Smith directing the Gray Cloud Ito follow at a safe distance.

HENRY A. WISE, Brigadier-General.

Having arrived at the island, Captain Myers | acknowledged and obeyed by all. God, in his proceeded at once in his yawl, with Major providence, and for our sins, may in his inscru Smith, with a load of shell and powder, being table wisdom, suffer the folly and wickedness received with cheers by Captain Thom, of the of this generation to destroy the fairest, noblest C. S. marines, and the sailors and soldiers, who fabric of constitutional freedom ever erected at once carried the supplies to the batteries. by man. Its whole history, from the first The enemy had fired some thirty odd rounds of moment of its operation even to the present shell and round shot, which sank in the sand, hour, bears evidence of its unrivalled exceland were used by our gallant sailors in return-lence. Our country, our whole country has, ing fire. The explosion of the enemy's shells did no other damage than slightly to injure one man in the leg.

The steamers immediately commenced landing their guns and provisions, during which time the enemy again opened fire, the shot falling short, but being returned with great effect. It is supposed the attacking steamer, the Massachusetts, was hulled three times, and a shell was seen to explode over her decks, which, it is presumed, did great damage, as she immediately hauled off, and put for the Chandeleur Islands, a distance of twelve miles from our batteries. Great credit is due to Major-General Twiggs and Captain Higgins for the expeditious and prompt manner in which this island has been fortified and defended.

from the first, prospered under it, and because of it, with a rapidity, and in a manner, before or since, unknown to the nations. That prosperity vindicates the wisdom and patriotism of its good and great founders. Is this prosperity now to cease? Is it now to be dashed to the earth? Are the hopes of civilized man, the world over, now to be blasted? Are we to become the jest, the scorn, the detestation of the people of the earth? Are all memory and reverence for the great dead, whom living we admired and adored, to be now forgotten? Is all gratitude for the mighty, trying struggles of our fathers now to end? Are the warnings, the parting warnings of the peerless man of all this world now to be disregarded and despised? Is the country of Washington, consecrated by his valor, wisdom, and virtue to freedom and peace, now to be converted into a wild scene of disorder, fraternal strife, bloodshed, war? May Heaven in its mercy forbid! May it stay the arm of the madman, arrest it in mid-career before it strikes the fatal, parricidal blow. May it give time for reason and patriotism to After taking possession of the island, Captain resume their sway! May it remove the deluHiggins detailed the following officers, with sions of the misguided, strengthen the efforts the marines and sailors, to hold and defend it: of the patriotic, impart heavenly fire to the Lieutenant Warley, commanding; Lieutenant eloquence of the faithful statesman; silence, Thom, of the marines; Surgeon Lynch, and by the universal voice of the good and true the midshipmen. After the enemy had retired, men of the nation, the utterings of treason now the steamer Swaim arrived with Lieutenant- tainting the air and shocking the ear of patriotColonel H. W. Allen, of the Fourth Regiment, ism, and the whinings of imbecility now disfrom Mississippi City, with three companies. couraging and sickening the honest public Major Smith is now in command, fortifying the heart! May it, above all, rekindle that fraterisland, and a larger force may shortly be ex-nal love which bound us together by ties. pected. So much for our first naval brush with the enemy, in which it is but just to say that our officers and men all acted with the greatest spirit and gallantry.

The following is a list of the officers who were attached to this expedition: Captain E. Higgins, commanding; Lieutenants Warley, Thom, and Dunnington; Surgeon Lynch; Purser Semple; Midshipmen Reid, Stone, Comstock, Dalton, and Robey, with 65 sailors and 85 marines.

-Ñ. O. Picayune, July 10.

Doo. 80.

REMARKS OF REVERDY JOHNSON,

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES.

Ar the conclusion of his argument in an important case before this court, in December, 1860, Mr. Johnson spoke as follows in impressive reference to passing events and in just tribute to the historical place which, in any event, must be filled by the high tribunal before which he was called to plead :

May it please your honors, indulge me with a word or two more before I conclude.

This may be the last time that this Court will sit in peaceful judgment on a Constitution

stronger, infinitely stronger, than any which mere Government can create, during the whole of our Revolutionary struggle, and has since cheered us on in our pathway to the power and renown which have made us, until now, the wonder and admiration of the world!

But if all shall fail us and ruin come; if chaos, worse than chaos, is to be our fate, the spirits of those who have departed, and the survivors who have administered justice in this tribunal, in the general wreck and wretchedness that will ensue, will be left this consolation: that their recorded judgments, now, thank God, the rich inheritance of the world, and beyond the spoiler's reach, will, till time shall be no more, testify to the spotless integrity, the unsurpassed wisdom, the ever-bright patriotism of the men who from the first have served their country in this temple, sacred to justice and duty, and to the matchless wisdom of our fathers, who bequeathed it and commended it to the perpetual reverence and support of their

sons, and remain a never-dying dishonor and reproach to the sons who shall have plotted or permitted its destruction.

Doo. 81.

MAJOR S. D. STURGIS' PROCLAMATION.
JULY 4, 1861.

To the Union-loving Citizens of Missouri:
THE undersigned, learning with regret that
evil-disposed persons, already in open rebellion
against the Government of the United States,
have spread rumors through the country in re-
gard to the objects and practices of the Fed-
eral troops now among you, rumors calculated
to alarm the peaceable citizens, avails himself
of this occasion to assure the good people of
Missouri that the mission of the troops is one
of peace rather than that of war. It is to be
hoped, therefore, that all loyal citizens will re-
main at their ordinary avocations; and all those
who may have been deluded from their homes
by the emissaries of the so-called Southern
Confederacy, and persuaded to take up arms
against their Government, will lay down their
arms and return to their allegiance.

Among the many falsehoods which you have been made to believe to our prejudice, is, that the prime object of our coming among you is to steal and set free your slaves, and thereby encourage a servile insurrection in your midst, spreading ruin and desolation over your rich and beautiful State. You have been told that we would plunder your houses and barns; demolish them with fire; destroy your crops; rob you of your horses, cattle, &c.; insult your wives and daughters; butcher your men; in fact, commit every outrage known among the savages of the dark ages. All this is done to carry out a wicked rebellion against the Constitution and the laws.

The Government and troops thus vilified you are called upon to judge for yourselves. Upon our march thus far we have religiously observod the laws of your State and protected you in the full enjoyment thereof. In no instance has property been seized for the use of the troops. Every thing required has been fairly purchased, and its full equivalent paid for in gold. We have been ever diligent in guarding the soldiers from committing the least impropriety, and whenever detected have punished them with extreme severity.

Unite your energies with ours to restore peace and prosperity to our distracted country. Let us put down the arch-traitors who are endeavoring to create anarchy and confusion among us by violating the laws, suppressing the liberty of speech, destroying your mail facilities, tearing up your railroads, burning your bridges and ferries, and otherwise bringing ruin and desolation upon this once free and happy people. S. D. STURGIS, Major First Cavalry Commanding. CAMP WASHINGTON, near CLINTON, Mo., July 4, 1861. VOL. II.-Doc. 23

Doo. 82.

GENERAL SWEENY'S PROCLAMATION.

HEAD-QUARTERS SOUTHWEST EXPEDITION,

SPRINGFIELD, Mo., July 4, 1861. To the Citizens of Southwest Missouri:

YOUR Governor has striven to cause the State to withdraw from the Union. Failing to accomplish this purpose by legislative enactment, he has already committed treason by levying war against the United States. He has endeavored to have you commit the same crime. Hence he has called for troops to enter the military service of the State, not to aid, but to oppose the Government of the United States.

The troops under my command are stationed in your midst by the proper authority of our Government. They are amongst you not as enemies but as friends and protectors of all loyal citizens. Should an insurrection of your slaves take place, it would be my duty to suppress it, and I should use the force at my command for that purpose. It is my duty to protect all loyal citizens in the enjoyment and possession of all their property, slaves included. That duty shall be performed.

I require all troops and armed men in this part of the State now assembled, and which are arrayed against the Government of the United States, to immediately disperse and return to their homes. If this shall not be done without delay, those hordes of armed men will be taken prisoners or dispersed. I request every citizen who acknowledges he owes allogiance to the United States to aid ine to prevent the shedding of blood and to restore peace and quiet to this portion of the State.

Those who have manifested a want of loyalty, either by word or act, towards the Government of the United States, are requested to appear before me, or any officer in command of any post or any detachment of troops under my command, and take an oath of allegiance to our Government. Gross misrepresentations of the oath which has already been administered to many of your most respectable citizens have been made. No loyal citizen will decline to take such an oath. It is the duty of every good citizen to bear allegiance to the Govern. ment and to support the Constitution of the United States, not to encourage secession by word or act, and to obey all legal orders emanating from the constituted authorities of the land. No loyal citizen will bear arms against his Government or give aid and support to the enemies of the country. Such, in brief, are the obligations required.

I assure you the Government of the United States will deal leniently yet firmly with all its citizens who have been misled, and who desire to maintain and preserve the best Government ever devised by human wisdom.

T. W. SWEENY, U. S. A.,
Brigadier-General Commanding..

Doo. 83.
SPEECH OF A. H. STEPHENS.

DELIVERED AT augusta, ga., juLY 11 1861.

MR. CHAIRMAN, Ladies and Gentlemen of Richmond County:-I appear before you today in the discharge of a duty assigned me by the Confederate Congress. I am rejoiced to see so many persons out-persons of all classes and ages, men as well as women. It is true, that the subjects upon which I am to address you to-day concern mostly-most directly the men, and a particular class of men at that-I mean the cotton planters-interesting all alike. The questions involved are questions which concern all alike. They involve the peace of the country-her political and social existence. All, therefore, do well to be here. We are involved in a war-the most important war that the country has ever been involved in since the revolution of our fathers-since American Independence was declared. We have had many wars since. We have had Indian wars with the different tribes; we had a small French war; we have had a second war with the mother country. Many, perhaps, who hear me today were engaged in that conflict. But this is war far transcending every other war, in magnitude and consequence the consequences that will result from it.

creases, that we shall have to raise more. The estimate, however, of the Secretary of the Treasury was fifty millions of dollars, and whatever number of men and whatever amount of money shall be necessary must be raised. We do not intend to be subjugated. Mr. Lincoln has increased his call from seventy-five thousand to four hundred thousand men. He has increased his demand for money from the five millions first asked for, (the amount I do not exactly recollect,) and asks his Congress, now in session, for four hundred millions of dollars. Whether he will raise his men or his money, I know not. All I have to say about it is, that if he raises his four hundred thousand men, we must raise enough to meet him, and if he raises his four hundred millions of money, we must raise enough to meet it.

It is a war of political and social existence, and unless we intend to be overriden and beaten down and subjugated, and to become the vassals of his mercenaries and myrmidons, we must every one of us-every man, every boy, and every woman-be prepared to do our duty. Our means in men and money are ample to sustain our independence. We have, upon a reasonable estimate, at least seven hundred thousand fighting men. Whether all these will be required to drive back his armed myrmidons, I know not; but, if they are, every man must go to the battle field. He may think, and doubtless does, that four hundred thousand men will intimidate, subjugate, and overrun us. He should recollect, however, as we should, and reverently too, that the "race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong," but it is God that gives the victory.

My business to-day is to unfold to you the exigencies of this war and its requirements. The Congress, it is known to you, provided for raising one hundred thousand men. Nobly, gallantly, and patriotically has that call been responded to, and is now being responded to. Thousands and tens of thousands (the exact Four hundred thousand may be a formidable number I am not able to state to you) have gone army against us, but it is not as formidable as the to the battle field. These men, however, must six hundred thousand led by Darius against the be clothed; they must be fed; they must be | Grecian States; and we there have the examarmed; they must be equipped. Wars can be ple of much fewer numbers than we are, fightsustained, not by men alone; it requires men ing a battle for right, for justice, for independand money. The gallant volunteers have re-ence, and for liberty. We have an example sponded on their part. The questions upon which I am to address you to-day relate to the importance of raising the necessary amounts of money to meet these requisitions.

Upon the adjournment of the Congress from Montgomery to Richmond, the estimate was for one hundred thousand men for the first fiscal year.

The amount estimated by the Secretary of the Treasury to meet the requirements to support an army of this number was fifty millions of dollars a large amount. This amount must be raised. How to do it is the question. But since that adjournment, since that estimate, this war has assumed a wider and broader range. It has taken on larger and more gigantic proportions, and instead of one hundred thousand men, we may have to send two hundred thousand to meet the enemy; instead of fifty millions of dollars, we may have, and the probability is that we shall have to raise one hundred millions; and it may be, if it goes on and in

worthy of our imitation. Six hundred thousand Persians invaded Greece. These small States could bring against them but eleven thousand all told. The eleven thousand met the hosts of Persia, not the six hundred thousand, but all that could be brought against them, on the common plain. The eleven thousand, with valorous hearts, fighting for home, fighting for country, fighting for every thing dear to freemen, put to flight the hosts of Persia, leaving sixty thousand slain upon the field. Men of the South, therefore, let this war assume its gigantic proportions, its most threatening prospects (nerving our hearts with the spirit of our revolutionary fathers, when they were but three million, and coped with Great Britain, the most powerful nation in the world)-animated by these sentiments, fighting for every thing dear to us, fear not the result, recollecting that 'thrice armed is he who hath his quarrel just;" and as our fathers, in the bloody conflict of the Revolutionary War, appealed to the God of