eral Sam Jones-Mudwall Jackson, who wears not the mantle of Stonewall-and Cerro Gordo Williams, fortified Zollicoffer and Carter's, in order, as they said, to make a stand, and drive the Yankee horde back. But, alas for poor rebs! they knew not the metal they were contending with. night, they evacuated, taking off their artillery, and leaving the gun-carriages and caissons in the fortifications. Most of the North-Carolina troops took to the mountains, while others returned to their homes, perfectly satisfied that they have been grossly humbugged and have at last found their rights! On the twelfth instant, Colonel Foster, Sixty- General Shackelford's division has been confifth Indiana Mounted infantry, commanding Sec- stantly on the move since their arrival in Eastond brigade of Shackelford's division, moved up Tennessee, the Second and Third brigades being toward Bristol, and got in the rear of the rebels, on the east end of the road, (East-Tennessee and and burned two railroad bridges. The rebels | Virginia Railroad;) Colonel Bird, with the First moved out to meet him, but our forces drove brigade, was on the west end supporting General them back and held possession of the town. Rosecrans. The men are subjected to a great Night coming on, the rebels retired within their deal of hard work, but do it most cheerfully. works. Our loss in this engagement amounted General Burnside is daily gaining popularity with to two killed, one mortally wounded, and four the people of East-Tennessee, as well as endearslightly wounded, while the rebels lost twenty ing himself to the soldiers. While he says but killed and thirty-five wounded. little, he knows who does the work. On the fourteenth the Third brigade, Colonel Carter commanding, was ordered to the front, and proceeded as far as Jonesboro, where he learned that the rebels intended to make a stand. More or less skirmishing ensued for the two or three days following. General Shackelford arrived at Haynesville, (the residence of the rebel senator from this State, who, like all the chivalry, took to his heels,) on Monday morning at daylight, and took command of all the troops in the field. The rebels opened on our advance with their artillery, doing but little damage, our loss amounting to one man killed and one wounded. The rebels left four dead in our lines and two wounded, one of them a Captain. We captured about thirty prisoners. On the morning of the twenty-second, Tuesday, General Burnside arrived, and demanded the surrender of Carter. They refused. In the mean time Colonel Foster, who was still in the rear of the rebels, was ordered to attack them that afternoon. He did so. The rebels took their position in the town of Blountville. Colonel Foster sent a flag of truce, asking them to retire from the town, as he did not wish to destroy it. The citizens also remonstrated with their rebel friends, but without avail. They had sent the flower of their army to meet the fighting men of the fighting division-Georgia's gallant sons, who never ran. Colonel Foster opened fire at one o'clock, and the fight lasted until dusk, when Georgia's sons, who never ran, broke and retreated like a quarterhorse, leaving one piece of artillery, twenty-four pounder, and sixty-nine prisoners, in the hands of our boys. The rebel General Jones had picked the fresh troops, (he had Georgians,) for the purpose of driving back Foster's brigade, but met with a sad and sure defeat. Our loss was five killed and twelve wounded, while the rebel loss was thirty killed and fiftysix wounded. Colonel Carter's Third brigade was closely pushing the rebels on the west of Carter's Station, and succeeded in driving them into their works at Carter's, which, under cover of the General Shackelford, one of the best officers in the service, always at his post late and early, is universally liked by both officers and men. I predict for the General ere long another star. Movements are now going on, and you will hear from this army ere long. DELTA. INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL ACCOUNT. IN CAMP NEAR KNOXVILLE, TENS., Last Tuesday, the day of the battle, was clear and pleasant. The Second brigade, commanded by Colonel Foster, left camp early in the morning, to march fifteen miles and attack the enemy, who, it was reported, had made a stand at Blountville, Tennessee. All ready and eager to hear the roaring of the cannon, the brigade gayly wound its way through the woods and over the rough and dusty roads of East-Tennessee. Near the middle of the forenoon, we came upon the enemy's pickets. These gentlemen, thinking prudence the better part of valor, took to their heels and made their escape. A little further on a small portion of the chivalrous Southern soldiers, like a set of barbarous savages, had concealed themselves behind logs and trees to dispute our way. The Fifth Indiana cavalry, ever ready to take the front if called upon, entered the timber on the right and left to hunt these brave soldiers and drive them from their dens. Bushwhacking seemed to be the order of the day. For ten miles we made our way through the corn-fields and woods, with a flanking party on each side to prevent surprise, expecting every moment to come upon the secreted foe in force. As fast as our brigade advanced the bushwhackers retreated, covering their retreat by firing upon the "Yankees" from behind every hill and wood. At two o'clock in the afternoon we came in sight of the town. Lieutenant Dumont, in command of the artillery, was ordered to the front. He took a position and opened upon the enemy with shells. The hills and woods echoed and reechoed with the sound of the roaring cannon, until the last shell in the caisson was shot. At four o'clock the Sixty-fifth Indiana was sent out on the right to act as sharp-shooters, and flank the enemy. In half an hour the quick and continuous Doc. 174. firing of their heavy rifles told plainly that they JEFFERSON DAVIS AND POPE PIUS IX. were hotly engaged. Lieutenant Colvin was then ordered forward with his battery, and did RICHMOND, September 23, 1863. good execution. Company C, Captain Smith, VERY VENERABLE SOVEREIGN PONTIFF: The and company I, Captain Morse, Fifth Indiana, letters which you have written to the clergy of were ordered by Colonel Foster to charge on a New-Orleans and New-York have been commudetachment of the enemy who were supporting nicated to me, and I have read with emotion the their battery. The frightened rebs, seeing deep grief therein expressed for the ruin and dethree columns moving upon them-the Sixty-fifth vastation caused by the war which is now being on the right, Colonel Butler leading the Fifth waged by the United States against the States cavalry in the centre, the Eighth Tennessee on and people which have selected me as their Presthe left-gave up in despair, and, panic-stricken, ident, and your orders to your clergy to exhort left in hurried confusion. Our brave boys, see- the people to peace and charity. I am deeply ing the enemy give way, raised a shout, put spurs sensible of the Christian charity which has imto their horses and made chase. Colonel Butler pelled you to this reiterated appeal to the clergy. charged on after them, capturing one twenty-four It is for this reason that I feel it my duty to expound gun and one wagon. The gun was taken press personally, and in the name of the Confedby Orderly St. John, company H, with a small erate States, our gratitude for such sentiments of squad of men. The charge through the town Christian good feeling and love, and to assure was perhaps the most exciting part of the battle. your Holiness that the people, threatened even The sun had set far in the west, behind the col-on their own hearths with the most cruel oppresumn. The town in front was already on fire, and mostly consumed, from the rebel shells. The Sixty-fifth Indiana, on the right, was sharply engaging the enemy. Companies C and D, on the left, were driving the rebels out of the corn-field back to their guns, when our men dashed on through the smoky streets, with burning timbers and columns of blaze on both sides. The shout of victory was soon raised, and our never-flinching soldiers, who had been exposed from nine o'clock in the morning to the firing of a secreted enemy, now felt that they were reaping a full harvest in seeing the enemy completely whipped and themselves the victorious party. Great praise is due to each commander of the three regiments and two batteries engaged in the battle, and the men have the real Spartan metal in them. The result of the battle is as follows: Rebel loss fifteen killed, fifty wounded, and one hundred taken prisoners. Our loss was five killed and twenty-two wounded. Only one killed in the Fifth Indiana cavalry-John W. Johnson, saddler in company C. We camped on the ground occupied by the enemy that night and the next day, when we took up our line of march for this place. sion and terrible carnage, are desirous now, as they have always been, to see the end of this impious war; that we have addressed prayers to heaven for that issue which your Holiness now desires; that we desire none of our enemy's possessions, but that we fight merely to resist the devastation of our country and the shedding of our best blood, and to force them to let us live in peace under the protection of our own institutions and under our laws, which not only insure to every one the enjoyment of his temporal rights, but also the free exercise of his religion. I pray your Holiness to accept, on the part of myself and the people of the Confederate States, our sincere thanks for your efforts in favor of peace. May the Lord preserve the days of your Holiness and keep you under his divine protection. JEFFERSON DAVIS. REPLY OF THE POPE. ILLUSTRIOUS AND HONORABLE PRESIDENT: Salutation. We have just received, with all suitable welcome, the persons sent by you to place in our hands your letter, dated twenty-third of September last. Not slight was the pleasure we experienced when we learned, from these persons and the letter, with what feelings of joy and gratSince entering Knoxville, on the first of Sep-itude you were animated, illustrious and honortember, our regiment has been to Sevierville, nearly to the top of Smoky Mountains, N. C., to Greenville, to Bristol, Va., to Zollicoffer, where we had a sharp fight, killing fifty and wounding one hundred. We had a short skirmish also at Bristol, where we had five men wounded and none killed. We are now at Knoxville, waiting further orders. Our horses are jaded and our men tired, but at the sound of the bugle will all jump, give one whoop and start off to win new laurels, and hasten the time when we can all return to our homes again. FIFTH CAVALRY. able President, as soon as you were informed of our letters to our venerable brothers, John, Archbishop of New-York, and John, Archbishop of New-Orleans, dated the eighteenth of October of last year, and in which we have, with all our strength, excited and exhorted these venerable brothers that in their episcopal piety and solicitude they should endeavor, with the most ardent zeal, and in our name, to bring about the end of the fatal civil war which has broken out in those countries, in order that the American people may obtain peace and concord, and dwell charitably together. It is particularly agreeable to us to see that you, illustrious and honorable President, and your people, are animated with the same desires of peace and tranquillity which we have in our letters inculcated upon our venerable brothers. May it please God at the same time to make the other peoples of America and their rulers, reflecting seriously how terrible is civil war, and what calamities it engenders, listen to the inspirations of a calmer spirit, and adopt resolutely the part of peace. As for us, we shall not cease to offer up the most fervent prayers to God Almighty that he may pour out upon all the peoples of America the spirit of peace and charity, and that he will stop the great evils which afflict them. We, at the same time, beseech the God of mercy and pity to shed abroad upon you the light of his grace, and attach you to us by a perfect friendship. Given at Rome, at St. Peter's, the third of December, in the year of our Lord 1863, of our Pontificate 18. PIUS IX. Doc. 175. Doc. 176. GENERAL BANKS'S ORDER. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, GENERAL ORDERS, No. 70: I. The heroic efforts of the army of the United States have reëstablished the free navigation of the Mississippi and its tributaries. The vindication of the freedom of these waters by the iron hand of war against a confederation of rebel States is an event of equal import with their discovery and settlement, and makes the Union a nation. It is a baptism of blood. In a brief period of time this vast and fertile valley will be opened to the peaceful commerce of the world. Notwithstanding the ravages of war, the destruction of property, the dispersion of laborers, and the decimation of population, the inhabitable globe does not offer a nobler theatre for intelligent enterprise than the valley of the Mississippi. The cultivation of new products, the application of new elements and different systems of labor, the immediate reorganization of local governALEX-ments, and the resistless energy of many millions PROCLAMATION OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN. RAISING OF THE BLOCKADE OF THE PORT OF ANDRIA, VIRGINIA. By the President of the United States. A PROCLAMATION. WHEREAS, in my Proclamation of the twentyseventh of April, 1861, the ports of the States of Virginia and North-Carolina were for reasons therein set forth, placed under blockade; and, whereas, the port of Alexandria, Virginia, has since been blockaded, but as the blockade of that port may now be safely relaxed, with advantage to the interests of commerce; now, therefore, be it known that I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, pursuant to the authority in me vested by the fifth section of the Act of Congress, approved on the thirteenth of July, 1861, entitled "An Act further to provide for the collection of duties on imports, and for other purposes," do hereby declare that the blockade of the said port of Alexandria shall so far cease and determine from and after this date; that commercial intercourse with the said port, except as to persons, things, and information, contraband of war, may from this date be carried on, subject to the laws of the United States, and to the limitations, and in pursuance of the regulations which are prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury, in his order, which is appended to my proclamation of the tenth of May, 1862. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the city of Washington, this twenty-fourth day of September, in the year of our Lord 1862, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-third. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. By the President: of freemen, will create individual and national wealth, such as the world has never seen. Never was a country better worth fighting for, better worth defending. The highest duty of the people is to maintain and defend the freedom of the Mississippi, upon the hope of the future. The Government is enwhich depends the support of the present and titled to the armed assistance of all those who privileges. Those who covet the profits of trade, claim the right of citizens or seek to share their disclaiming citizenship and acknowledging allegiance to foreign nations only, remain here by permission and favor, and not of right. In the performance of this duty, and to assist in maintaining the important advantages secured the Mississippi and the markets of the world, by a free communication between the valley of sional Districts of Louisiana, liable to military the citizens of the First and Second Congres duty, have been enrolled for general military service, in accordance with the provisions of the law of conscription, passed by Congress, so far as it may be applicable to this Department. Proper of troops required for this purpose, and the time publication will be hereafter made of the number will not be held to embrace those well-disposed and manner of their selection. The conscription persons who, in the event of capture by the ene my, would not be entitled to the full immunity of soldiers of the United States. II. The organization of one or more volunteer regiments, to be designated "The Louisiana Volunteers," whose services will be limited by the term of enlistment, to the protection and defence of New-Orleans, is hereby authorized. Volunteers for this service will receive a bounty of one hundred dollars, twenty-five dollars of which and one month's pay will be advanced when the volunteer is mustered into service for the war. Captain C. W. Killborn, Provost-Marshal of the city of New-Orleans, is charged with the immediate organization and command of the first regiment; Captain R. B. Brown, Provost-Marshal of the parish of Jefferson, is authorized to organize and command the second regiment. The first regiment will be recruited and organized in the city of New-Orleans, excepting the Fourth District, and the second within the limits of the parish of Jefferson, and the Fourth District of New-Orleans. tillery against him and compelled him to fall back. He attempted to join Colonel Leake, but was unable. After considerable skirmishing, he succeeded in cutting his way out, with a loss of five men. About the same time that Major Montgomery was attacked the enemy engaged both flanks of Colonel Leake. The forces under Colonel Leake were taken completely by surprise, the enemy having advanced within one hundred yards and opened upon them before they were aware of their presence. Both regiments immement soon became general. Against overwhelming odds this little detachment obstinately contested every foot of ground. The enemy, for some unknown reason, did not use any of their artillery against our infantry; but not so with us; for, charged as heavily as they were with After two gallant charges, in which many of our bravest men fell, our forces fell back behind a levee near by. Here the enemy pressed us so closely that our line became broken, and every man fought for himself. III. Able-bodied men of color between the ages of twenty and thirty years, employed upon Gov-diately formed into line of battle, and the engageernment or on private plantations, will be detailed for military service in the Corps d'Afrique, upon order of the Commission of Enrolment. No officer or other person is allowed to recruit men for any special regiment of that corps; and every officer recruiting for this corps under this order will be furnished with, and required to ex-grape and canister, they did frightful execution. hibit, authority for his acts, signed by the Superintendent of Recruiting, and approved by the Commission of Enrolments. Substitutes will be received in cases where the labor of the recruit is specially required, and exemptions allowed in cases of necessity, upon application to the Commission of Enrolment, but by no other person or authority. Arrangements will be made to secure the crops of the season, and laborers will be furnished as far as practicable to supply the vacancies occasioned by the execution of this order. | The first duty of those engaged in the cultivation of the soil is to protect it from invasion, and those whose interests are inconsistent with a vigorous defence of the Department, or who are indifferent to the invasions of a public enemy, can have no rights which the Government is bound to re-caping; but the majority were taken prisoners. spect. By command of Major-General BANKS. G. NORMAN LIEBER, A. A. A. General. Doc. 177. FIGHT AT MORGANZIA, LA. HEADQUARTERS SECOND DIVISION, THIRTEENTH SINCE the occupation of Morganzia by our forces, an outpost, consisting of the Twenty-sixth Indiana, Nineteenth Iowa, and about one hundred and fifty cavalry, under Major Montgomery, has been established some nine or ten miles from this place, in the direction of the Atchafalaya, under the command of Colonel Leake. The cavalry had been posted about two miles in advance of the infantry, with instructions to advance daily and skirmish with the rebels across the Atchafalaya. The object of this post was simply to hold the rebels in check. Yesterday about four thousand five hundred of the enemy, commanded by General Green in person, crossed the Atchafalaya. They then divided into three detachments, and advanced on both flanks of Colonel Leake and the front of Major Montgomery. After skirmishing some me with the Major, they brought a piece of ar Just as our men were beginning to recover themselves, the third detachment, which had engaged Major Montgomery, appeared in our rear, and the whole of the enemy closed upon our force, thus completely surrounding them. It was impossible for our men to stand the galling fire which was poured into them from every side, and rather than surrender, the order was given for every man to save himself as best he could. They were not slow in taking the hint, and broke for the bushes. A portion of them succeeded in es Among the latter were Colonel Leake, reported wounded, and Lieutenant-Colonel Rose. This short but furious engagement lasted about two hours, and for the fierceness with which it raged, in proportion with the forces engaged, has never been equalled. From the obstinacy which the superior force of the enemy encountered, they estimated our force to be at least two thousand, when in reality it was but a little over five hundred. This report is corroborated by a number of persons who participated in the engagement, but were afterward captured. Our whole loss will not fall short of four hundred in killed, wounded, and taken prisoners, and two pieces of artillery. ANOTHER ACCOUNT. MORGANZIA'S LANDING, September 30. We are still "snooping around" here, as Captain Gray says, with no immediate prospect of getting away, and no great present chance of doing any good. I will tell you why we came here. Nearly a month ago a transport was fired into near this place, which is very favorably located for enterprises of that description, the river being unusually narrow right here. The perpetration of the outrage having been reported to headquarters in New-Orleans, General Herron was forthwith ordered to proceed here with his division; and I suppose he was to stay here and keep the rebels back from the river, as he has done but force was entirely inadequate to guard against a surprise so easy of accomplishment. It is a result that every body here has foretold since he has been out there. very little else. On arriving at this place, which place is peculiarly favorable to the performance is twenty-five miles above Port Hudson, and of such a feat. The camp was surrounded by thirty miles below the mouth of the Red River, cane-fields and weeds, which were so thick that we landed on the west side, and sent out the a hundred thousand men might be concealed Second brigade, (ours is the First,) to feel of the within a mile distance, and you not suspect the rebels. The brigade started in the morning, tak-presence of a single man. Besides, the Colonel's ing a road that ran directly back from the river, and soon came upon a small rebel force, which commenced skirmishing and falling back. About ten miles out they turned off on a road that leads to the Atchafalaya (Shafalar) River, and soon entered the timber, which is very dense and effectually conceals every thing twenty rods distant. Here they began to contest our advance more earnestly, and at about nine o'clock our troops found themselves in the midst of darkness, on the bank of the Atchafalaya, in front of a fort of considerable size, and mounting several pieces of artillery-how many they could not tell; so they fell back for the night, and sent back for reënforcements. General Herron was relieved by General Dana, and left us just in time to be able to say: "I was not in command at the time." THOMAS. Doc. 178. GOVERNMENT OF THE FREEDMEN. SPECIAL ORDERS, No. 63: I. The following regulations for the government of freedmen are announced for the information and government of all concerned. The next day we went out, got in sight of the fort, staid over night, and marched back in the II. All male negroes, who after examination morning. It was understood that a rebel force, shall be found capable of bearing arms, will be numbering from seven thousand to twelve thou-organized into companies and regiments. All sand, were strongly intrenched on the other side others, including men incapable of bearing arms, of the Atchafalaya, which is about nine hundred women and children, instead of being permitted feet wide at that point, with steep banks and to remain in camps in idleness, will be required very muddy near the water. We had no means to perform such labor as may be suited to their of crossing, and they were too strong for us if we several conditions, in the several staff departhad; so General Herron contented himself with ments of the army, on plantations, leased or sending out a force of about six hundred men, otherwise, within our lines, as wood-choppers, or under Lieutenant-Colonel Leake, to act as an in any way that their labor can be made avail army of observation. They were encamped about able. For the carrying out these regulations, three miles distant, and were daily employed in there will be established a system of general and skirmishing with rebs, who crossed the river local supervision. on a small flat-boat. Colonel Leake has been out there about three weeks. Day before yes-ical Department will issue supplies necessary for III. The Quartermaster's Commissary and Medterday it began to rain a little, and the night fol- the care and employment of these people, on the lowing was dark and drizzly. requisition of the properly authorized officers. Under the cover of darkness the rebels crossed IV. All freed people, by whomsoever employover seven regiments of infantry and some caved, will be paid for their labor as already ordered, alry, and marching in a large circle, surrounded or as hereafter may be determined by the Comour little force, which, after a sharp fight, was manding General of the Department. captured. Very little is known about the matter, for a certainty, at the present time. I hear that Lieutenant-Colonel Leake is slightly wounded by a ball which killed his horse; but there is no telling as yet, except that it is certain he is wounded and a prisoner, as also is Lieutenant-Colonel Rose, of the Twenty-sixth Indiana. There was only one man from any company in our regiment out on that duty, the force being mainly composed of the Nineteenth Iowa and Twenty-sixth Indiana, two pieces of artillery, and some cavalry. When the troops were ordered into line, the Thirty-seventh Illinois was ordered out to see what was going on, and the gunboats fairly swarmed here; but the rebels only came over to take Lieutenant-Colonel Leake's command, and having accomplished that, scampered back as fast as possible. As far as is now known, we sustained a loss of fourteen killed and about forty wounded. No blame can be attached to Lieutenant-Colonel Leake for having been thus surprised. The V. A tax of ten per cent on all labor rated at six dollars per month, or above, will be deducted from monthly payments and paid to Superintendents by all officers and private individuals employing or having in charge colored laborers, to be expended according to order for providing for the sick and otherwise dependent. VI. Transportation will be furnished for persons and goods, for the benefit of these people, on Government transports and military railroads within the Department, on the order of the General Superintendent. VII. Citizens voluntarily laboring for the bene- By order of the Secretary of War. |