cutting of the first would indeed only occasion the evacuation of Petersburg, but it would be a long step towards cutting the other. During the winter, and pending the movements of Sherman and Thomas, we can. not think that General Grant has designed to make a serious attempt to do this. We believe he has limited the movements of the forces immediately around Richmond to keeping up a good circulation, and threatening the rebel right, thus causing them to feel that they were in such danger that they could make no large detachments, unless they should incline to detach their whole army, and move southwestward. Whether the recent movement upon and around the works on Hatcher's Run was meant for any thing more, remains to be seen, for, while we write, it is still incomplete. That Lee will evacuate Richmond we do not believe, because with that evacuation the rebel cause is lost not only in our eyes, but on foreign exchanges, and, still worse, in the eyes of their own people. So far they have successfully defied the "On to Richmond" boast of many "consular armies," and with each success they have more completely identified the fate of Richmond with that of the rebellion. As far as we are informed of the latest movement it was thus: On Tuesday, January 31, the orders were issued and preparations begun, all the corps were ready to move, the sick and baggage were sent to City Point, and the batteries all along the line cracked their throats, apparently to confuse the enemy, but to our mind as the stratagem has been so often tried-really to put him on the look-out. Once more Gregg puts his three brigades of cavalry in motion before daylight on Sunday, the 4th, upon the Jerusalem Plank-Road, drives away the enemy from Rowanty Creek, which he crosses on bridges of his own construction, and then sends his scouts out towards Dinwiddie Court-House, while he moves upon the Boydton Plank-Road. The country is extremely difficult to handle troops in, being intersected by many confusing cross-roads, and thickly interspersed with forests, swamps, and thickets. At 5 A. M. of the same day, Warren moved by the Halifax Road with the Fifth Corps, and, a little after, Humphreys moved with two divisions of the Second Corps. The plan was, in its general points, similar to the former one. Humphreys was to attack the works in front, while Warren, himself flanked by Gregg, was to pounce upon their right flank. If the movement should succeed, the rebel right was to be rolled back, we were to gain their rear, and then strike the Southside Railroad. The crossing, after continued skirmishing, was fully effected. Humphreys' line was formed and slightly intrenched; and there was then a delay, not accounted for, but supposed to be to let the Fifth Corps come up on Humphreys' left. While affairs were in this condition, our line was vigorously attacked three times, and three times rolled back the enemy's force, under the energetic command of General Humphreys and the valor of his divisions. During the night of Monday, the line was re-formed, Humphreys on the right, Warren on the lett, flanked by Gregg, and the Sixth and Ninth Corps in easy support. Warren sent out Crawford about mid-day to seize Dabney's Mill, a strong position in front, and he was successful at first, but the rebels massed Pegram and Gordon's Divisions of Early's Corps, and Mahone's of Hill's, and succeeded in driving back Crawford and the supports sent him, and in throwing a portion of our left and centre into confusion. The retreat was not very far, and we hold the new line from the Squirrel Level Road, across the run, with our advance towards Dabney's Mill; something gained, a new point of departure for the next move. The peace diplomacy has culminated, but it will rise again. Jacques and Gillmore, Blair and Singleton, were forerunners, not, however, prophetically appointed. And at length a conference took place for four hours, on a vessel in Hampton Roads, between Messrs. Stephens, Hunter, and Campbell, on the part of the Richmond authorities, and President Lincoln and Secretary Seward, for the Government; a conference conducted with consummate skill on the part of our authorities. That both parties desire peace, this meeting is a direct additional proof; but there was also much indirection about it. On the rebel part it had three indirect purposes. First, in order at least, they wanted that informal recognition which the reception of their commissioners at Washington would give. Secondly, they wish to temporize, to have a cessation of hostilities, in which, released for a time from their terrible straits, they might look about them for new expedients, by which to save their lives and salve their pride. Thirdly, and failing in the other two, they wish to raise a new blast, by which to "re-fire the rebel heart," and give a new start to the war. We have stood firm; not an iota have they gained, and "firing the rebel heart" will be like blowing embers where there is no fuel; they burn brightly for a moment, and then vanish into cinders. But we feel fully satisfied that this is not the end of peace negotiations. A step has been taken. Even a year ago they scorned a conference. Now they have had one; and at some early day in the future, when they are in greater straits, this peace conference will be the new point of departure, and different terms will be readily discussed. In spite of Lee's appointment as generalissimo (which gives him really no new powers), in spite of mass meetings in the African church, those greater straits will soon come; and if to avert them they arm the slaves, let the reader judge what would be the effect of pitting against each other a corps of colored soldiers armed for freedom, and a corps armed to perpetuate their own slavery. There would not be much fighting; verbum sat. We need not spend many words in recording the abortive effort of the rebel ironclads to pass down the James River, remove the obstructions, run the batteries, and play havoc with our transports at City Point. It came near succeeding, but did not. On the 24th of January, the iron-clads Virginia, Fredericksburg, and Richmond, and the wooden war-vessels Drewry, Nansemond, and Hampton, with a flotilla of torpedo-boats, left their anchorage at Howlett's, ran past Fort Brady, removed some of the obstructions, encountered no opposition from the north bank, but were fortunately checked by shoals and the batteries on the south bank. The Richmond, Virginia, and Drewry, got aground, and a lucky shell from Fort Parsons blew up the Drewry, whereupon the scheme was abandoned. Our floating defences were inadequate, as Admiral Porter had taken away most of the gunboats; and the doubleender Onondaga, for reasons unexplained, retired at once down the river, without attempting to check the rebel fleet. MAJOR-GENERAL A. E. BURNSIDE. In the January number, an article on the Quartermaster's Department contains an implied charge upon General Burnside, for the delay in the pontoons at Fredericksburg, and for the want of success at the explosion of the mine at Petersburg. The article is a valuable one, contains many important facts, and is written by a responsible officer; but we wish, editorially, to withdraw these asser tions with regard to General Burnside. Such judgments should only be based upon substantial evidence; and the recent investigation of the mine disaster certainly does not charge upon, but rather exonerates, the distinguished officer referred to. His former valuable service, and his constant readiness to do all in his power for his country and her great cause, entitle him to our respect and to this explanation. MAJOR-GENERAL O. B. WILLCOX. As we have seen numerous errors of statement, with regard to the career of this distinguished officer, we desire to place him correctly upon the record. As a colonel, he was the real captor of Alexandria, at the time that Ellsworth fell. This he accomplished with his own regiment (1st Michigan), a section of Sherman's Battery, and Stoneman's Company of Cavalry. Ball's Company of Virginia Cavalry (probably the first capture of rebels in the war) there fell into his hands. Three days before the battle of Bull Run he took (it is believed) the first colors captured in the war, from an Alabama regiment at Fairfax Station. At Bull Run he commanded a brigade of Heintzelman's Division, recaptured Rickett's guns, and fell wounded into the hands of the rebels, three hundred yards in advance of that battery. After thirteen months' imprisonment, he succeeded Stevens in the command of the First Division, Ninth Corps, which he handled skilfully at South Mountain and Antietam. When Burnside succeeded McClellan, Willcox commanded the Ninth Corps in the battle of Fredericksburg. At Knoxville he commanded the left wing, and made a masterly retreat from Bull's Gap to Cumberland Gap, in presence of a superior force, without losing a man or a wagon. In the organization for the campaign of 1864, General Willcox was assigned to the Third Division of the Ninth Corps. The number of this division was changed to the First, in September last. For "distinguished and gallant services in the several actions since crossing the Rapidan," he has been brevetted a major-general. CORRESPONDENCE. Editor "U. S. Service Magazine :" BEFORE PETERSBURG, February 16, 1865. SIR:-I take occasion to inform you, as a correction to the newspaper reports of our last movement, that there are the following errors in the newspaper correspondents' statements that I know of: 1st. The Sixth Corps did not, nor any part of it, fire into the Fifth. 2d. There were no ammunition-wagons destroyed or abandoned. 3d. The movement did not at all contemplate, as far as I know, a lodgment west of Hatcher's Run, or on the Southside Railroad, but merely to capture any wagontrains the cavalry could reach. 4th. There was no panic; the troops engaged were pressed back by superior numbers, but held the enemy before reaching the intrenchments. MILITARY NOTES AND QUERIES. FIFTH CORPS. S. L. H., Vicksburg.—“Through what interval does the rear-rank man aim in firing to the left oblique ?" Answer.-Over the left shoulder of the man in front of him. E. R. H., Sacramento, Cal.-" In loading a piece of artillery, when does No. 3 leave the vent, after sponging the piece, or after the cartridge is rammed home?" Answer.-After sponging. OBITUARY. BRIGADIER-GENERAL JAMES ST. CLAIR MORTON. JAMES ST. CLAIR MORTON, son of the distinguished physician and naturalist, Dr. Samuel George Morton, was born in Philadelphia, in the year 1829. The rare qualities of mind which he exhibited at a very early age were nurtured and fostered by his father, and the habits of industry and study thus acquired in his youth eminently qualified him for the severe tasks and brilliant career of his later life. Entered as a Cadet at West Point, he graduated in June, 1851, second in a class of forty-two members, and was commissioned second-lieutenant of engineers. From August 18th, 1851, to May, 1852, he was on duty as assistant to the officer in charge of the military defences in Charleston Harbor. From May, 1852, to September, 1855, he was assistant to the officer in charge of construction of Fort Delaware. From September, 1855, to June, 1857, he was stationed at West Point, N. Y., as acting-assistant professor of civil and military engineering at the Academy. From June, 1857, to March, 1858, he was assistant engineer in construction of fortifications at Sandy Hook, entrance to the harbor of New York. From March, 1858, to July, 1859, he was on duty under the Treasury Department, as engineer Third Light-House District, extending from Gooseberry Point, Massachusetts, to Squam Inlet, New Jersey. From July, 1859, to July, 1860, he was in charge of the Potomac Water-Works, after which he was assigned to duty under the Navy Department, as engineer of the "Chiriqui Expedition," which was undertaken in August, 1860, and concluded in November, of the same year; following this he was engineer in charge of the construction of the Washington Aqueduct. From April, 1861, to March, 1862, engineer in charge of the construction of Fort Jefferson, Tortugas, Florida. Recovering from a fever contracted while in Central America, he was assigned to the engineering operations at Fort Mifflin. Reporting capable for field duty, he was ordered to report in person, in May, 1862, to Major-General Halleck, and by him ordered to report to General Buell, commanding the Army of the Ohio, and appointed engineer-in-chief of that army. At about this time General Buell commenced his retreat, for the purpose of intercepting Bragg in his advance towards Louisville. The necessity of abandoning Nashville becoming a question of vital importance, Captain Morton was called upon for his opinion, as chief-engineer, which he gave to the effect that with the aid of the fortifications he had already constructed and those he could construct before attack could be made, the place might be held by a comparatively small force. The result proved the correctness of this opinion, for, an attack having been made, the works were found by the enemy so formidable in their character as to preclude all possibility of success, and they were forced to retire with some loss, without even an attempt to storm. By this time five forts were completed, and a line of intrenchments, extending around the city; the minor points being defended by cotton-bales. Soon after the arrival of General Rosecrans at Nashville, Captain Morton was charged with the organization of the "Pioneer Brigade," a body composed of details of twenty men from each regiment of the Army of the Cumberland, which, in three days after reporting for duty, were ordered to march on Murfreesboro. Their services at the battle of Stone River, called forth the following eulogium from the Commanding General in his official report: "Among the lesser commands which deserve special mention for distinguished service in the battle is the Pioneer Corps, a body of seventeen hundred (1,700) men, composed of details from the companies of each infantry regiment, organized and instructed by Captain James St. Clair Morton, Corps of Engineers, Chief Engineer of this army, which marched as an infantry brigade with the left wing, making bridges at Stewart's Creek, prepared and guarded the fort at Stone River, on the nights of the 29th and 30th, supported Stoke's battery, and fought with valor and determination on the 31st, holding its position until relieved; on the morning of the 2d advancing with the greatest promptitude and gallantry to support Van Cleve's Division against the attack on our left; on the evening of the same day, constructing a bridge and batteries between that time and Saturday evening. The efficiency and esprit de corps suddenly developed in this command, its gallant behavior in action, the eminent service it is continually rendering the army, entitle both officers and men to special public notice and thanks, while they reflect the highest credit on the distinguished ability and capacity of Captain Morton, who will do honor to his promotion to brigadier-general, which the President has promised him." Immediately following the battle, Captain Morton was appointed brigadier-general of volunteers, and afterwards confirmed by the Senate. During the six months that the army remained at Murfreesboro, General Morton was engaged in the construction of the immense and impregnable fortifications of that place, known as Fortress Rosecrans, consisting of a series of lunettes, some three miles in circuit, interiorly commanded by strong redoubts containing block-houses, mounted with heavy guns. General Morton accompanied the army in its advance from Murfreesboro to Chattanooga, continually employed in the construction and repair of roads and bridges, destroyed by the enemy in his retreat. Upon the capture of Chattanooga, he immediately commenced the construction of the fortifications of that city, which proved so efficient in sheltering our army upon its retreat after the battle of Chickamauga, where he was wounded. When General Rosecrans was relieved, General Morton was ordered to report for duty at the Engineer Bureau, as major of engineers. His subsequent movements and death are detailed by Major General Parke, commanding Ninth Corps, as follows: "Lieutenant-Colonel ADAM BADEAU, "HEAD-QUARTERS, NINTH ARMY CORPS, Military Secretary, Head-Quarters, Armies of the United States. } "COLONEL :-In reply to your communication of the 28th inst., asking the particulars of the death of Major James St. Clair Morton, Engineer Corps, I have the honor to inform you that that officer reported to Major-General Burnside, then commanding the Ninth Corps, for duty as engineer, on the 18th of May, 1864, while the army was at Spottsylvania. From that date, to the 17th June, he performed the arduous and dangerous duties of his position, with an activity, zeal, and ability, which often called forth the praise of his Commanding General. He was noted in the corps for his personal gallantry, and in the attack made by General Ledlie's Brigade, First Division, at the North Anna, he took a conspicuous part, narrowly escaping death, as a bullet tore through his hat. On the morning of the 17th June, he received orders from General Burnside to place the troops making the assault in their proper position, and to direct at what point they should strike the enemy's works. When this had been accomplished, feeling deeply interested in the success of the movement, he went forward with General Hartranft, com |