and so vamosed. We gave three cheers, and passed through the lockers of the other two enwere then relieved from "quarters," after an engineers, and then smashed Mr. S.'s berth all to gagement of two hours. All hands were called pieces, ripping open his mattress and cutting the to muster on the quarter-deck, and officers and ends off from all the slats. We found the shot men, begrimed with powder, assembled around on the floor. It was more than a foot long, conithe binnacle to hear the roll called. It was found cal, and weighed thirty pounds. It was a wicked that six did not answer to their names, and the shot, and was evidently aimed at the engine, and corpses on the deck and wounded men on stretch- if it had struck, as intended, a few feet further ers told the story. forward, it would probably have killed all in the engine-room and disabled the engine, when the boat would probably have been lost. Nothing but the mercy of the Almighty turned that tre At this moment the Pawnee came up, closely followed by the mortar-schooner C. P. Williams, which, though a sailing vessel, had come down from Folly River, some six miles, to our assist-mendous missile from its course and saved the ance, and showed the most praiseworthy prompt- ship and our lives. ness, although too late to participate in the engagement. The Pawnee never fired a gun or received a shot. The men "faced the music" with the most unflinching heroism, and did themselves credit. The Captain complimented them highly, and said that the victory was all due to their efforts. Two of the crew of the eleven-inch gun were almost instantly killed by shells, and the captain (a seaman) of the aft-howitzers was also killed by a rifle-shot, which took off the top of his head. One of the coal-heavers was badly wounded by the fragment of the anchor-bit, which was knocked to atoms by a shot, and two other men were quite badly injured, besides several others scratched by splinters. The enemy fled precipitately, leaving two large rifleguns and carriages, and many knapsacks and muskets, and one dead body. We landed, but could not carry off the guns on account of the marsh, and so spiked them and threw them into the river. If we had not stood our ground so well, the "rebs have captured Legreeville and all our troops there, and would then have erected a battery so as to command the whole of the river. 19 would Our cap tain acted nobly, and we are all proud of him. All honor was shown to the brave fellows who fell in the action while in the performance of their duty. Their corpses were laid upon the starboard side of the quarter-deck, and carefully covered with the finest American ensign on the ship. Coffins were made for them on board the Pawnee, in which they were laid, and are now awaiting burial. A boat has just left the ship for the purpose of digging the graves, and most of us are expecting to be present at the burial, and are only too willing to do the heroes honor. The guns used by the rebels were very heavy rifled pieces, and were worked with great rapidity. We were struck twenty times, every shot passing through the ship or masts, and the deck was covered with splinters and blood. A rifle-shot struck the ship at the steerage, and, passing through, made a perfect lumber-room of it. The hole through the ship was as large as a hat, and much broken, and the shot passing through, broke up two of the berths on the starboard side and tore down the curtains, and, going on, struck the solid floor, making a long hole in it a foot wide. The shot then passed over to the engineer's side, breaking to atoms the glass, and This is the severest fight we have had since the taking of Port Royal. Our proportion of killed and wounded is one in twelve. H. W. R. Doc. 30. GENERAL THOMAS'S REPORT. commanding the Second division of cavalry, reCOLONEL LONG, of the Fourth Ohio cavalry, ports from Cahoun, Tennessee, December twenty-eighth : The rebel General Wheeler, with one thousand two hundred or one thousand five hundred cavalry and mounted infantry, attacked Colonel Siebert, and captured a supply-train from Chattanooga, for Knoxville, about ten o'clock this morning, at Charlestown, on the south bank of the Hiawassee. The train escort had reached the encampment at Charlestown last night, and Colonel Siebert's skirmishers hotly engaged with the enemy this morning before Colonel Long was apprised of their approach. in his camp at the time-one hundred and fifty He immediately moved the small force for duty men--crossed to Colonel Siebert's support. The rebels shortly after gave way, Colonel Long pursuing them closely, discovering a portion of their force cut off on the right. He charged them with sabres, completely demolishing and scattering them in great confusion and in every direction. Several of the enemy, number not known, were killed and wounded. One hundred and twentyone prisoners were captured, including five commissioned officers. The main rebel column fled, and were pursued five miles on the Dalton road, and, when last seen, were flying precipitately. Colonel Long's loss was one man slightly wounded. The officer in command of the courier station at Cleveland, also reports that he was attacked early this morning, December twentyeighth, by a force of one hundred rebels. He drove them off, however. GEO. H. THOMAS, Major-General Commanding. COLONEL LAIBOLD'S REPORT. CAMP NEAR CALHOUN, December 28, 1863. SIR: It affords me great pleasure to report to you that I have given the rebel General Wheeler deem it so no longer, to state that the divisions a sound thrashing this morning. I had succeed- of Sheridan and Wood were left at or near Knoxed, in spite of the most abominable roads, to ville, when Sherman withdrew from that point, reach Charlestown on the night of the twenty- and they will probably remain there during the seventh, and this morning, shortly after daylight, winter; and, of course, it is necessary that their I was moving my train across the Hiawassee supply-trains, left behind at the first march, River bridge, when Wheeler's cavalry-reported should be forwarded to them. Accordingly, a one thousand five hundred men strong, with four few days since, the quartermasters received orpieces of artillery, which, however, they had no ders to move their vehicles to their respective: time to bring into action-appeared on my rear. commands, and, in a brief space, the trains were I placed my infantry in line of battle, then got on the way, guarded by the cavalry brigade commy train over the bridge safely, and asked Col-manded by Colonel Long, of the Fourth Ohio. They met with no traces of the enemy for several days-only hearing of small guerrilla parties, at different points, which were by no means formidable-and finally arrived at the very natural conclusion that the route was unobstructed, and that the train was not threatened. onel Long to place a regiment of cavalry at my disposal. These arrangements made, I charged with my infantry, on the double-quick, on the astonished rebels, and routed them completely, when I ordered a cavalry charge, to give them the finishing touch. The charge was made in good style, but the number of our cavalry was insufficient for an effective pursuit, and so the enemy got away, and was even able to take his guns along, which, with numerous prisoners, must have fallen into my hands, could I have made a pursuit. I have now with me, as prisoners, five commissioned officers, among whom is the InspectorGeneral of General Kelly's division, a surgeon, and one hundred and twenty-six men of different regiments. Night before last (twenty-seventh) the wagons were all thrown across the Hiawassee, and parked, with but a small guard, under Colonel Siebert, in the front, the main force, one thousand two hundred in number, remaining on the south side of the stream. During the night no alarms occurred, and in the morning the mules were hitched up, as usual, to proceed on the journey, when the small guard was suddenly attacked by Wheeler, at the head of one thousand five hundred men. The charge was sudden and unexpected, and resulted in a hasty retreat on Colonel Siebert's part, leaving the train in the hands of the rebels. He had but about one hundred men with him, and it would have been impossible to have resisted the progress of the enemy; but he had scarcely reached the river-bank, when reënforcements, to the number of one hundred and fifty, crossed to his aid, when a counter-charge was made, resulting in the recapture of the wagons, mules, and horses, which had not been injured, so brief was the rebel possession of the prize. Wheeler commanded in person, and it was reported to him, as the prisoners state, that I had six hundred wagons in my train, which he expected to take without much trouble. The casualties on my side are as follows: Third division-Two commissioned officers wounded, two men killed, eight wounded, and one missing. Second division-Four men wounded. The rebels lost, beside the number stated, several severely wounded, which I am obliged to leave behind, and probably several killed. The number of small arms thrown away by them is rather large, and they will, undoubtedly, be gathered by Colonel Long. I shall pursue my march at daybreak to-mor row. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A NATIONAL ACCOUNT. CHATTANOOGA, Monday, December 28. An important victory has just been added to the list which has crowned the army of the Cumberland with glory. True, the fight was upon a comparatively small scale; but victories are not always to be valued by the numbers engaged, nor the list of the slain. The importance of an achievement must be estimated by results; and, in this instance, it would be impossible to compute the magnitude of the interests at stake, and the advantages gained by the defeat of our adversary. Although it has hitherto been contraband, I After retaking the train, Colonel Siebert, with his handful of men, was unable to continue the pursuit, but, keeping his force in line, he so far terrified his adversary that no effort was made to repossess the lost plunder, until Colonel Long, with the whole force, reached the north bank, and wheeled into line, ready for work. But a moment is required to prepare for an onset; sabres were drawn, and the soldiers stood waiting for the command; it was given, and in a moment, without even making a show of resistance, the rebels broke and ran, pell-mell, down the Dalton road, up every trail, and over hills so steep that hoof had never before trodden them. Many jumped from their animals and sought safety among the rocks; others, in dismay, leaped fences, while yet more surrendered themselves prisoners of war. The loss to the rebels in this engagement was forty-seven killed and wounded, and one hundred and twenty-three prisoners. But this was not the most important result of the achievement. The wagon route from here to Knoxville has been rendered secure, and the courier lines saved from further annoyance. The old cavalry corps of this department of the rebel army, once the terror of Kentucky and Tennessee, has dwindled down to almost nothing. It can no longer effect any thing. It has been defeated so often of late, that it and its commanders have fallen into disrepute, and are no longer looked upon as of importance to the army. Our loss in the engagement is variously estimated at from one to ten wounded, all agreeing that none of our gallant men were killed, though one was taken prisoner. To the Fourth Ohio cavalry and Twentieth Missouri mounted infantry belong the honor of this last important achievement, which resulted in securing a connection of the highest importance to the country. My movements were quick enough to prevent Wheeler from bringing four cannon he had with him into action, and the stampede of the renowned rebel cavalry was such that, with any thing like an adequate number of cavalry, I could have easily captured the whole command. As it was, I captured five commissioned officers and one hundred and twenty-six men, killed (as far as I was able to learn during my brief stay) eleven rebels, wounded over thirty, amongst them General Kelly and Colonel Wade; and the number of small arms thrown away by the valiant warriors must amount to between three and four hundred. Being obliged to proceed upon my march, I had to leave it to the cavalry to bring in the small arms thrown away, and, I have no doubt, they captured a good many more prisoners, as large numbers of the enemy scattered in different directions to hide in the woods. Wheeler moved post haste into Georgia, with a couple of hundred men of his command, bare-headed, and without arms. I started next day, according to orders, and arrived at this place on the thirty-first December, all safe. The casualties in my command, in the engagement, were two officers wounded, two men killed, and twelve wounded; amongst them none of the few Missouri troops with me. Your obedient servant, BERNARD LAIBOLD, COLONEL LAIBOLD'S LETTER. LOUDON, TENN., January 1, 1864. SIR: Being well aware of the flattering interest you take in my movements, I take pleasure in informing you that I have had an engagement with the rebel General Wheeler, on the twentyeighth of December, giving him the soundest thrashing he ever received. On the twenty-third of December, I was given command of a detachment of the Fourth army corps, consisting principally of convalescents of the two last battles, camp retainers, etc., and a train of about one hundred and fifty wagons, with orders to join the army corps at Knoxville. On the twenty-fourth, I started from Chattanooga, and proceeded about eight miles, to a place near Chickamauga River, being necessitated to halt on account of the slow progress of the train. In the evening of that day, a flag of truce came into my lines, with despatches to Generals Grant and Thomas, and a mail, and I have no doubt that the bearer of that flag gave information which induced Wheeler to follow my track. The miserable state of the weather and worse condition of the roads, prevented me from moving fast, and it was the twenty-seventh before I reached Charlestown on the Hiawassee River. On the morning of the twenty-eighth, I commenced moving my train across a temporary bridge on the ties of the railroad structure, but had only a few wagons over when it was found necessary to dig a new road in the railroad dyke. Whilst this was being done, Wheeler, with two divisions of cavalry, (Generals Kelly's and Preston's,) made a rush at the train. I immediately advanced my skirmishers, and silently formed my command in line of battle, covering completely, at the same time, all avenues of approach. The guns were placed in position, and commenced firing at eleven o'clock A.M. At the same I then saw the whole of my train safely over time, skirmishing commenced all along the line. the river, and ordered a small cavalry force to be The One Hundred and Eighteenth was still quietstationed at that post under my immediate com-ly in camp; but soon an aid dashed up with the mand, stationing them in a convenient position order to "fall in, without knapsacks or blankets," for a charge. I had, up to that time, strictly for- and in five minutes we were rapidly moving into bidden all firing from the lines; but now, being our position, which was a mile from our camp. in readiness, I charged with the infantry in double- We went, double-quick, down the hill, across the quick, and completely routed the enemy, under Mossy Creek, up the steep ascent on the other Wheeler's personal command; and when they side, and had accomplished the distance in less were in utter confusion, I charged again with the than fifteen minutes. When on the brow of the cavalry, who cut down many of the terrified en-hill, we were under a terrific fire of shell, 'round emy, and made scores of prisoners. shot, and shrapnel, thrown by the rebel batteries, Doc. 31. THE FIGHT AT MOSSY CREEK, TENN. KNOXVILLE, January 31, 1864. THE following account of this fight is given by one who participated in it: We reached Mossy Creek on the twenty-eighth of December, and for the next two days our pickets were constantly skirmishing. On the twentyninth, the rebels attacked us, coming down rapidly with eight thousand cavalry and fifteen pieces of artillery. They were opposed by our brigade of infantry-First brigade, Second division, Twentythird army corps-numbering about one thousand five hundred, with four regiments of cavalry, two batteries, with nine guns. We had the advantage in position, and the enemy in numbers. AMNESTY PROCLAMATION. AMERICA. PROCLAMATION. nine of their guns reaching our position. Meanwhile, the Twenty-fourth Indiana battery was pouring a most deadly fire among the rebel ranks in the opposite fields and woods. After various manoeuvring, we were thrown into a position on the left of that gallant battery, in a piece of woods with cleared ground all around it. In getting to that position, we had to pass through a perfect storm of all manner of deadly missiles, and, after getting there, we stood for three mortal hours under fire of artillery and small arms, which old soldiers describe as being the most terrible they had ever witnessed. Our own regi- BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF ment, One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio, tried for the first time in so terrible a manner, together with the above-mentioned battery, stood the brunt of the fight, and sustained the heaviest loss. We had been thrown into a position without support, and we only escaped through the good judgment and skill of Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas S. Young, commanding, and the indomitable bravery of the men. In front of us was the railroad, running parallel to our line; and behind this, was a regiment of sharp-shooters picking us off at every opportunity. A piece of woods and a large corn-field to our left were swarming with "graybacks." They charged us the second time, and would, no doubt, ultimately have overwhelmed us, had not the First Tennessee calvary, Colonel Jim Brownlow, by a well-timed counter-charge, driven them from our left, while we poured a heavy fire into their front, causing them to beat a hasty retreat. But doggedly they rallied and advanced again, calmly filling up the gaps we made in their ranks, cheering loudly all the while. This advance was to take the Indiana battery, which had made terrible havoc among them, besides having silenced several of their guns; and they had well-nigh accomplished their purpose, and were only fifty yards from us, when Colonel Young gave the order to cease firing. He had just received orders to hold that strip of woods, and hold it he would, at all hazard. Our artillery was on the eve of being lost. What few men were left to man the guns were doing all they could to get them away. Again the order was, "Fix bayonets!" and in the next instant, led by the gallant Colonel, we charged them at the point of the bayonet. With unbroken line, at double-quick, we went at them and drove them out of the woods across the open field. This was the first suspicion that rebel infantry were in the woods, as we afterward learned from a printed address of Major-General Martin, who commanded the enemy's forces-two divisions under Wheeler and Armstrong. The First Tennessee cavalry lost several in killed and wounded. The Twenty-fourth Indiana battery suffered most severely, nearly every man and horse belonging to it, being injured to a greater or less extent. The First Lieutenant and one private had their heads entirely blown off. The One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio escaped with but forty-two killed and wounded, out of four hundred and forty-one engaged. Our entire forces were commanded by Brigadier-General Sturgis. It is due here to state, that had it not been for the gallantry of the intrepid Lieutenant-Colonel Young, in holding the strip of woods referred to, the issue of the fight would certainly have been very far from satisfactory, if not entirely disas-. trous. SUPER. Doc. 32. WASHINGTON, December 8, 1863. WHEREAS, in and by the Constitution of the United States, it is provided that the President shall "have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States, except in cases for impeachment ;" and Whereas a rebellion now exists whereby the loyal State governments of several States have, for a long time, been subverted, and many persons have committed and are now guilty of treason against the United States; and Whereas, with reference to said rebellion and treason, laws have been enacted by Congress declaring forfeitures and confiscation of property, and liberation of slaves, all upon terms and conditions therein stated, and also declaring that the President was thereby authorized at any time thereafter, by proclamation, to extend to persons who may have participated in the existing rebellion, in any State or part thereof, pardon and amnesty, with such exceptions, and at such times, and on such conditions as he may deem expedient for the public welfare; and Whereas, the Congressional declaration for limited and conditional pardon accords with well-established judicial exposition of the pardoning power; and Whereas, with reference to said rebellion the President of the United States has issued several proclamations, with provisions in regard to the liberation of slaves; and Whereas, it is now desired by some persons heretofore engaged in said rebellion, to resume their allegiance to the United States, and to reinaugurate loyal State governments within and for their respective States; therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, do proclaim, declare, and make known to all persons who have, directly or by implication, participated in the existing_rebellion, except as hereinafter excepted, that a full pardon is hereby granted to them and each of them, with restoration of all rights of property, except as to slaves, and in property cases where rights of third parties shall have intervened, and upon the condition that every such person shall take and subscribe an oath, and thenceforward keep and maintain said oath inviolate; and which oath shall be registered for permanent preservation, and shall be of the tenor and effect following, to wit: "I, do solemnly swear, in presence of Almighty God, that I will henceforth faithfully support, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the Union of the States thereunder; and that I will, in like manner, abide by and faithfully support all acts of Congress passed during the existing rebellion with reference to slaves, so long and so far as not repealed, modified, or held void by Congress, or by decision of the Supreme Court; and that I will, in like manner, abide by and faithfully support all proclamations of the President made during the existing rebellion having reference to slaves, so long and so far as not modified or declared void by decision of the Supreme Court. So help me God." The persons excepted from the benefits of the foregoing provisions are all who are, or shall have been, civil or diplomatic officers or agents of the so-called confederate government; all who have left judicial stations under the United States to aid the rebellion; all who are or shall have been military or naval officers of said so-called confederate government above the rank of colonel in the army, or of lieutenant in the navy; all who left seats in the United States Congress to aid the rebellion; all who resigned commissions in the army or navy of the United States, and afterward aided the rebellion; and all who have engaged in any way in treating colored persons, or white persons in charge of such, otherwise than lawfully as prisoners of war, and which persons may have been found in the United States service as soldiers, seamen, or in any other capacity. And I do further proclaim, declare, and make known, that whenever, in any of the States of Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South-Carolina, and North-Carolina, a number of persons not less than one tenth in number of the votes cast in such State at the Presidential election of the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty, each having taken the oath aforesaid and not having since violated it, and being a qualified voter by the election law of the State existing immediately before the so-called act of secession, and excluding all others, shall reestablish a State government which shall be republican, and in nowise contravening said oath, such shall be recognized as the true government of the State, and the State shall receive thereunder the benefits of the Constitutional provision which declares that the United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a republican form of government, and shall protect each of them against invasion, and, on application of the legislature, or the executive, (when the legislature cannot be convened,) against domestic violence. 66 And I do further proclaim, declare, and make known that any provision which may be adopted by such State government in relation to the freed people of such State, which shall recognize and declare their permanent freedom, provide for their education, and which may yet be consistent, as a temporary arrangement, with their present condition as a laboring, landless, and homeless class, will not be objected to by the national Executive. And it is suggested as not improper, that, in constructing a loyal State government in any State, the name of the State, the boundary, the subdivisions, the constitution, and the general code of laws, as before the rebellion, be maintained, subject only to the modifications made necessary by the conditions heretofore stated, and such others, if any, not contravening the said conditions, and which may be deemed expedient by those framing the new State government. To avoid misunderstanding, it may be proper to say that this proclamation, so far as it relates to State governments, has no reference to States wherein loyal State governments have all the while been maintained. And, for the same reason, it may be proper further to say, that whether members sent to Congress from any State shall be admitted to seats, constitutionally rests exclusively with the respective Houses, and not to any extent with the Executive. And still further, that this proclamation is intended to present the people of the States wherein the national authority has been suspended, and loyal State governments have been subverted, a mode in and by which the national authority and loyal State governments may be reestablished within said States, or in any of them; and, while the mode presented is the best the Executive can suggest, with his present impressions, it must not be understood that no other possible mode would be acceptable. Given under my hand, at the city of Washington, the eighth day of December, A.D. one thousand eight hundred and sixtythree, and of the Independence of the United States of America the eightyeighth. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. [SEAL.] By the President: WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State. CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN GENERALS LONGSTREET AND FOSTER. HEADQUARTERS CONFEDERATE FORCES, To the Commanding General U. S. Forces East- SIR: I find the proclamation of President Lincoln of the eighth of December last in circulation in handbills among our soldiers. The immediate object of this circulation appears to be to induce our soldiers to quit our ranks and to take the oath of allegiance to the United States Government. I presume, however, that the great object and end in view is to hasten the day of peace. I respectfully suggest, for your consideration, the propriety of communicating any views that your Government may have upon this subject through me, rather than by handbills circulated among our soldiers. The few men who may desert under the promise held out in the procla mation cannot be men of character or standing. |