Doc. 174. Waldren's, and is the scene of several little artillery duels between the opposing forces. Here HELD AUGUST 6, 1862. PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S SPEECH. Gen. Stevenson, with his brigade, consisting of WAR MEETING AT WASHINGTON, D C. the Eleventh Tennessee, Fourth Tennessee, Forty-second Georgia, Eighth Georgia battalion, and Yeiser's battery, with the Eufala artillery, met the enemy. Taylor's brigade acted in conjunction. All went to work to dislodge the enemy; with such a furore did they attack him, that in a few hours the Federals, consisting of about three brigades, turned and fled, the majority at a run, and some in great disorder. The Sixteenth Ohio was the only regiment that left in any manner appertaining to good order. As usual, they left a good portion of their dead on our hands, taking seven or eight wagon-loads off previous to their defeat. FELLOW-CITIZENS: I believe there is no precedent for my appearing before you on this occasion, [applause,] but it is also true that there is no precedent for your being here yourselves, [applause and laughter,] and I offer, in justification of myself and of you, that, upon examination, I have found nothing in the Constitution against. [Renewed applause.] I, however, have an impression that there are younger gentlemen who will enter tain you better, [voices-" No, no! none can do better than yourself. Go on!”] and better adWe have not captured any artillery, as an- dress your understanding than I will or could, nounced; neither did the Third Tennessee regi-and therefore I propose but to detain you a moment lose one hundred and nine men in killed ment longer. [Cries-"Go on! Tar and feather and wounded, as reported; but they fought gal- the rebels !"] lantly, and I have been told that, had they been supported, they would have taken the enemy's guns in a charge made by them. Capt. Corput's battery did fine execution, and poured the shot and shell into their disordered column as they put out in a double-quick for the Gap. Forty prisoners were captured, a good many stand of arms, and some commissary stores. Lieut.-Col. Gordon, of the Eleventh Tennessee regiment, (Col. Hains,) was captured by the enemy. I cannot call this a battle, as it does not come up to my idea of what a battle is; I denominate it more like a heavy skirmish. I have asked as high as fifty persons what our losses are, and after putting myself to the trouble of comparing all statements, I strike a balance of nine killed and thirty or forty wounded. The loss of the enemy is variously estimated at from fifty to one hundred and fifty in killed and wounded. It was a brilliant affair, and reflects great credit upon our arms. It has come like a thunderbolt on the Unionists in this section, who were making their boasts of soon shaking hands with their Federal friends. It has relieved a large section of country from the depredations of a ravaging foe. The boasted threat that this railroad would soon be in their hands, coupled with the congratulatory promise of Andy Johnson to dine with his tory friends, is all exploded now, and pray "where now is heard the scream of Montgomery's eagle ?" The Federals fled to the Gap, and our forces now occupy Tazewell. They have advanced in a few days over twenty miles in the enemy's front, and I should not be surprised if this affair, small as it appears to be, will cause General Morgan to leave Tennessee, and let his hoped for junction with Buell go by the board. The decisive battle of East-Tennessee is yet to come off, and Buell is now "trying not to try"-not to find out where to attack us, but how to avoid it and get safely away. I am very little inclined on any occasion to say any thing unless I hope to produce some good by it. [A voice-"You do that; go on."] The only thing I think of just now not likely to be better said by some one else is a matter in which we have heard some other persons blamed for what I did myself. [Voices-"What is it?"] There has been a very wide-spread attempt to have a quarrel between Gen. McClellan and the Secretary of War. Now, I occupy a position that enables me to observe, at least these two gentlemen are not nearly so deep in the quarrel as some pretending to be their friends. [Cries of "Good."] Gen. McClellan's attitude is such that, in the very selfishness of his nature, he cannot but wish to be successful, and I hope he will— and the Secretary of War is in precisely the same situation. If the military commanders in the field cannot be successful, not only the Secretary of War, but myself, for the time being the master of them both, cannot be but failures. [Laughter and applause.] I know Gen. McClellan wishes to be successful, and I know he does not wish it any more than the Secretary of War for him, and both of them together no more than I wish it. [Applause and cries of "Good."] Sometimes we have a dispute about how many men General McClellan has had, and those who would disparage him say that he has had a very large number, and those who would disparage the Secretary of War insist that General McClellan has had a very small number. The basis for this is, there is always a wide difference, and on this occasion, perhaps a wider one between the grand total on McClellan's rolls and the men actually fit for duty; and those who would disparage him talk of the grand total on paper, and those who would disparage the Secretary of War talk of those at present fit for duty. Gen. McClellan has sometimes asked for things that the Secretary of War did not give him. General McClellan is not wo blame for asking what he wanted and needed, and the Secretary of War is not to blame for not giving when he had none to give. [Applause, laughter, and cries of "Good, good."] And I say here, as far as I know, the Secretary of War has withheld no one thing at any time in my power to give him. [Wild applause, and a voice-"Give him enough now!"] I have no accusation against him. I believe he is a brave and able man, [applause,] and I stand here, as justice requires me to do, to take upon myself what has been charged on the Secretary of War, as withholding from him. I have talked longer than I expected to do, [cries of "No, no-go on,"] and now I avail myself of my privilege of saying no more. Doc. 175. WAR DEPARTMENT ORDERS. ISSUED AUGUST 8, 1862. War Department, WASHINGTON, D. C., Ordered-First. That all United States Marshals, and Superintendents or Chiefs of Police of any town, city, or district, be and they are hereby authorized and directed to arrest and imprison any person or persons who may be engaged, by act, speech, or writing, in discouraging volunteer enlistments, or in any way giving aid and comfort to the enemy, or in any other disloyal practice against the United States. Second. That an immediate report be made to Major L. C. Turner, Judge Advocate, in order that such person may be tried before a military commission. Third. The expenses of such arrest and imprisonment will be certified to the chief clerk of the War Department for settlement and payment. EDWIN M. STANTON, SELF-MUTILATION IN CONNECTICUT. THE following note from the surgeon of the Eleventh Senatorial district of Connecticut, gives an account of the measures resorted to, to avoid the draft: To the Editors of the Evening Post: I see by an article in your paper, (August 13,) that three individuals from Danbury had cut off each a fore-finger, to evade the draft. There is a mistake in one particular. These persons were not from Danbury, but from New-Fairfield, an adjoining town. Instead of three there were five, besides some have had all their teeth extracted for device to which they have not resorted to escape the same purpose. There is no trick or dishonest helping to maintain the best Government under heaven. I find men can be loyal - yes, very loyal, vociferously loyal—when it costs nothing; white feather, and like miserable cowards as they but when the hour of trial comes they show the are, resort to the meanest acts possible to escape. EZRA P. BENNETT, Examining Surgeon for the Eleventh Senatorial District, Doc. 177. First. By direction of the President of the United States it is hereby ordered that until fur- BOMBARDMENT OF DONALDSONVILLE ther orders no citizen liable to be drafted into the militia shall be allowed to go to a foreign country, and all marshals, deputy-marshals, and military officers of the United States are directed, and all police authorities, especially at the ports of the United States on the seaboard and on the frontier, are requested to see that this order is faithfully carried into effect. And they are hereby authorized and directed to arrest and detain any person or persons about to depart from the United States in violation of this order, and to report to Major L. C. Turner, Judge Advocate at Washington City, for further instructions respecting the persons so arrested and detained. Second. Any person liable to draft, who shall absent himself from his county or State before such draft is made, will be arrested by any Provost-Marshal or other United States or State officer wherever he may be found within the jurisdiction of the United States, and conveyed to the nearest military post or dépôt, and placed on miiltary duty for the term of the draft; and the FLAG-OFFICER FARRAGUT'S DESPATCH. UNITED STATES FLAG-SHIP HARTFORD, SIR: I regret to inform the Department that at the town of Donaldsonville, on the Mississippi, they have pursued a uniform practice of firing upon our steamers passing up and down the river. I sent a message to the inhabitants that if they did not discontinue this practice I would destroy their town. The last time I passed up to Baton Rouge to the support of the army, I anchored about six miles above Donaldsonville, and heard them firing upon the vessels coming up; first upon the Sallie Robinson and next upon the Brooklyn. In the latter case they made a mistake, and it was so quickly returned that they ran away. The next night they fired again-upon the St. Charles. I therefore ordered them to send their women and children out of town, as I certainly intended to destroy it on my way down the river; and I fulfilled my promise to a certain extent. I burnt down the hotels and wharf buildings; also the dwelling-house and other buildings of a Mr. Philippe Landry, who is said to be a captain of guerrillas. He fired, upon our men, but they chased him off. We also brought off some ten or twelve of his negroes, and supplied ourselves with cattle and sheep from his place. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Flag-Officer Commanding W. G. Blockading Squadron. Secretary of the Navy. Doc. 178. FIGHT AT INDEPENDENCE, MO. LIEUTENANT-COLONEL BUELL'S REPORT. ST. LOUIS, MO., August 17, 1862. Vance and Second Lieut. Pence, both of the Sev From authentic sources, I learn that Colonel Adjutant Sub. District, Lexington, Mo. THE "BORDER STATE" NARRATIVE, An extra of The Border State, dated Independence, Mo., August twelfth, contains the follow that place: Just before daylight on Monday morning the eleventh inst., our people were aroused by a volley of musketry from the vicinity of the Federal encampment, followed by rapid firing from the Colonel's residence and headquarters, and from the direction of the jail, where a strong guard is always posted. LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to report that the military post of Independence, Mo., was attacked on the morning of August eleventh, ating details of the capture of the military post at daybreak, by the rebel forces under command of Col. J. H. Hughes, numbering from seven hundred to eight hundred men. These forces entered the town at two points, namely, by the Big Spring road and the Harrisonville road. The party entering by the Big Spring road divided into two parties, one of which attacked the provost-guard, of twenty-four men, stationed at the jail; the other attacked the bank building, which was oc- It seems that the recent military orders, folcupied as headquarters, also the armory of the lowed as they were by stringent though necessavolunteer militia, situated on the opposite side ry steps on the part of the local military authoriof the street, guarded by a detachment of twenty-ties, have greatly excited and exasperated the one men, sixteen of this number being volunteer militia. people of this county, and for a week past men have been flocking to the standard of Hays and Quantrel. During the past week their force has been augmented by recruits from other counties, and some days since they were joined by Gen. Hughes, Colonel Boyd, Col. Thompson and other confederate officers, by whom they were sworn into the confederate service. Needing additional arms and ammunition, they determined to attack the post at Independence, which was weak in point of force. The Federal forces here did not number over four hundred and fifty, all told, including sick and wounded. The main body, entering by the Harrisonville road, proceeded along the two streets leading to the camp, which was situated nearly eighty rods west from the bank building, attacking the camp on the east and north sides, and thus cutting me off from all communication with the camp. The first attack was made on that part of the camp held by the company of Captain Thomas, second battalion Missouri State militia. This company, not being able to maintain its ground, being hard pressed, fell back to the cover of a stone wall running parallel with the south side of the camp. The remaining companies, which were posted to the right and rear of this company, fell back to the same position, where, being enfiladed by a destructive flank-fire, they retired along the stone wall, thus avoiding a galling fire from the enemy posted in a corn-field. At this critical moment Lieut. Hetherington, of the second battalion Missouri State militia, was detached with sixty-five men to open, if possible, a communication with headquarters. Advancing northward, he was at-in front of the jail, while the larger portion took tacked by a superior force, which compelled him to seek the cover of a brick house, which he defended in a most gallant manner, until he was apprised that further defence was useless, when he withdrew his command to Kansas City. The number killed, and who have since died of their wounds, amount to twenty-six. The wounded number thirty, comprising First Lieut. The enemy entered the town by two roads. On one of these roads the Federal pickets either concealed themselves or retreated without giving the necessary alarm; on the other the pickets were killed. The confederates were in town and in almost every part of it before there was any notice of their approach. They divided their forces, a portion surrounding the Colonel's headquarters, and thus cutting him off from communication with his men, another portion drew up possession of gardens, orchards, corn-fields and buildings commanding the camp. The Federals, though thus surprised and taken at disadvantage, fought with daring courage. Col. Buell gathered his little force together, and to every volley poured into him from the adjacent houses and streets, he sent back an answer of the same kind. He directed Orderly Haskell to hoist the Stars and Stripes upon the roof of the house points leads us to believe there has been a simulto show his men at camp that he was holding taneous uprising of rebeldom throughout the out to the last. In doing this the gallant young State. man was shot, and died a few hours after. He sent up another man, who succeeded in elevating the flag and concealing himself. About this time Doc. 179. a white flag was displayed from the camp, then THE FIGHT AT COMPTON'S FERRY, MO. withdrawn, displayed again, and again withdrawn. The firing had ceased in the direction of the jail and the provost's office. CINCINNATI GAZETTE ACCOUNT. HEADQUARTERS FIRST BATTALION MERRILL'S HORSE, Captain Breckinridge was in command of the CAMP DEFIANCE, GLASGOW, Mo., August 19. camp, being senior captain. At the beginning of THIS post, garrisoned by about one hundred the fight he detailed a squad of fifteen or twenty effective men of Merrill's Horse, had been threatmen to proceed to the intersection of the streets ened for ten days by a guerrilla band, numberin front of Mr. U. Turner's, and prevent accessing from seven to eight hundred men, commanded from that quarter. The men did not stop in front by the notorious Poindexter. On the seventh of Mr. Turner's, but pushed on from point to point, instant, the monotony was broken by the appeartaking shelter wherever they could, and firing ance of two steamers coming up the river with wherever they saw a foe, until they at last took reënforcements, consisting of about four hundred shelter in the large brick house of Mr. William of the Ninth Missouri State militia; companies A McCoy. From here they kept up a brisk fire upon such confederates as strayed that way, but finally made good their escape to parts unknown. During this time the camp was evacuated, the soldiers being pressed back into Woodson's pasture, and had formed back of the rock fence. In this retreat the losses on both sides were pretty serious-here General Hughes fell, while leading his men to a desperate charge. By this time the Colonel's headquarters were surrounded on all sides, the building completely riddled with balls, every pane of glass demolished, the walls and floors covered with bullets—and an adjoining building set on fire in order to communicate flames to the house. Looking toward the camp, the Colonel saw it evacuated from other points where resistance to the enemy might have been expected, no sound of musketry was heard-and as the only alternative to save the lives of his men and the property of the citizens, he consented to hang out a white flag and surrender the post. So soon as this was done the confederates ceased firing, messengers under flags of truce were sent to and fro, and the post surrendered. and D, Seventh Missouri State militia; about seventy men, commanded by Capt. Turley; a section of Missouri State militia battery, commanded by Capt. Washburne-all under Colonel Guitar, Ninth Missouri State militia. When they came in sight of our camp, it was greeted with cheers, as fears were entertained for our safety. To this force was added company A, Merrill's Horse, twenty-four men, Lieut. Lovejoy; company B, Merrill's Horse, forty men, Lieut. Bennett; company D, Merrill's Horse, fifty men, Lieut. Roher, under the command of Major C. B. Hunt, and on morning of the eighth we started to look for the enemy, who was supposed to be encamped near Silver Creek, some thirty miles distant. We marched thirty miles, learned that Poindexter occupied a strong camp in the Persia Bottom, seven miles distant, and that he was perfecting his organization and preparations for service, and that he had twelve hundred men. We were compelled to go into camp on account of rain and the near approach of night; left camp early on morning of the ninth; expecting a fight, approached the camp cautiously. When we reached it, learned that he had left during the night in great haste. Following his trail, we drove him away from a dinner which was prepared for him by the citizens; went into camp after dark, having marched thirty-five miles; on morning of the tenth left camp early, and continued pursuit vigorously during the forenoon; took a number of his rear-guard prisoners; drove him away from his dinner again, and finally came up with his rear-guard at Swisler's Mill, on the east branch of Chariton River. A portion of his men were drawn up in line on the opposite bank, having torn up the planking of the bridge. Capt. Turley, who was in the advance, fired on them, killing five. They returned the fire and fled without giving time for the artillery to open fire. No injury was sustained by us from his fire. We repaired the At last accounts from the confederate encamp-bridge, crossed and camped for the night, having ment they had been reënforced, and now number some twelve hundred. The surrender was to the Southern Confederacy -not to bushwhackers-and the prisoners were most kindly treated as prisoners of war and paroled. In the hour of victory a moderation and magnanimity were exercised that was far from what was expected. No private house entered, no private property taken, except wagons for transportation, and no Union family molested. The confederates returned to their camp in the country, taking with them all the arms, munitions of war, cavalry-horses, etc. Camp equipage, and such articles as were not needed, were piled up and burned. Many horses were killed during the engagement, and others so crippled that they had to be shot to put them out of their misery. marched thirty miles; continued the pursuit on the morning of the eleventh; learned that PoinAt present we have no promise of any new dexter was making a forced march to gain time Federal force immediately. News from other to cross Grand River at Compton Ferry, thirtyVOL. V.-Doc. 37 I have received news from Major S. H. Kennedy, of my staff, commanding another portion of the expedition. He is driving the enemy in every direction. JAS. S. NEGLEY, Brigadier-General Commanding. Doc. 181. NEWBERN "PROGRESS" NARRATIVE. NEWBERN, N. C., August 21, 1862. A RECONNOISSANCE in force to the town of Swansboro set out from Newbern on Wednesday, thirteenth August, under the command of Col Stevenson, commanding Second brigade, First division. It consisted of a portion of the Twentyfourth regiment Massachusetts volunteers, under Lieut.-Col. Osborn, a detachment of the marine artillery, under Lieut.-Colonel Manchester, and a company of the Third New-York artillery. five miles distant. He obstructed our progress alry, numbering one hundred and eight men, enby tearing the plank from bridges, etc. On near-gaged one hundred and seventy-five of the enemy, ing the river at sunset we saw their pickets and near Kinderhook, at five A.M., continuing the conother signs that the whole body had not crossed. test fiercely for four hours. Seven were found Our advance, commanded by Capt. Turley, felt killed, and a large number were wounded. Twentheir way cautiously through the thickly-timbered ty-seven prisoners were captured, among which bottom, and on reaching the ferry landing, were are a number of officers. Our loss was three greeted by a volley of rifle-balls and buckshot killed. The woody and broken character of the from the opposite bank, which was received and country, and the combatants being scattered, prereturned in a gallant manner, firing three rounds, vents an actual estimate of the enemy's loss. one of which was directed at a boat-load of men in the act of crossing, all but one of whom jumped overboard, making their way to the bottom or to the other shore. At this time the guns were in position, and opened with canister and shell. Eight rounds were fired, when, as it was no longer answered, the firing was stopped. Although the enemy fired three hundred or more shots at us in easy range, but two men on our side were hit by his shot, and those not hard enough to break the RECONNOISSANCE TO SWANSBORO, N. C. skin. It was different with them-losing one hundred in killed and wounded, two hundred prisoners, six (all) wagons, about one hundred horses and saddles, one hundred and fifty guns, all his ammunition, provisions, etc. Many of his men succeeded in making their escape, leaving boots, hats, etc. On crossing the river near one hundred guns were found. On the ground that he had occupied when firing, it would seem that when the artillery opened on them they dropped every thing and run. In some instances these guns were found loaded, and even capped and cocked. The pursuit was continued by Major On that day the transports Pilot Boy, Ocean Hunt, with Merrill's Horse, Capt. Turley's com- Queen, Massasoit, Wilson, and Union-carrying pany, and company D, Ninth Missouri State mili-a portion of the troops-proceeded through Core tia, to Utica, twenty-six miles further, when it was found that a large force of militia men were on the trail ahead of him, returned to Compton Ferry. Col. Guitar remained at the ferry, collected the captured property, and then went to Leclede, on the H. and St. J. R. R., for provisions, of which the command was short. On his return he again encountered Poindexter, who had made a turn, and seemed to be making for the point from which he started; had a running fight with him for several miles, killing five of his men and taking a number of prisoners, horses, etc., having one man of his command shot through the thigh, which was the only wound received on our side during the three days. Our whole command got together at Keitsville, and, from information received, believed Poindexter had disbanded the remnant of his force. We returned to Glasgow, having been absent ten days. H. Doc. 180. FIGHT NEAR KINDERHOOK, TENN. Sound to Beaufort, where they were joined by the others, who had come down by rail. Thursday was passed in providing the vessels with coal and water, and on Friday the expedition proceeded on its route. The Union, together with the Wilson and the launches of the marine artillery, went by way of Bogue Sound, while the other transports, accompanied by the gunboat Ellis, Lieutenant Porter, pushed out past Fort Macon into the ocean, and followed the coast to Bogue Inlet. The wind, which was light at daybreak, blew hard by afternoon, and it was with some difficulty that the vessels passed through the narrow, winding inlet, among the breakers. Within was still water, and a broad creek with meadow-lands on either side. The boats anchored at its mouth, and waited for the arrival of the Union and the Wilson. Swansboro was seen in the distance, and very soon after their arrival a large white flag was seen to wave from a high brick building. A launch of the artillery was at once sent forward, and its men landed. At nightfall the Wilson arrived, bearing Col. Stevenson and staff, and proceeded immediately to the town. By this time it was quite dark, and all the vessels lay quietly at anchor during the night. In the morning the Union arrived. She had gone aground several times. HEADQUARTER 3 U. S. FORCES, COLUMBIA, TENN., August 11, 1862-3 P.M. My movement against the guerrillas who have committed the late outrage has been completely The vessels then proceeded up to Swansboro. successful. Major McGowan, in command of the It is a small village, built on a slope of land rising Third Kentucky cavalry and First Tennessee cav-slightly from the marshes around. But few in |