The Vindicator, August 12, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
Since the little affair of Friday last, in which Gen'l Beauregard tried his hand in springing a mine, the situation in front of Petersburg remains unchanged. The "Express" states that the object of the explosion of our mine on Friday was to blow up a sap which the enemy was running towards an important position on our centre. This was effectually done, as it is known that the enemy's gallery ran very close tot he point at which the mine was sprung. The result will, it is believed, completely check further mining operations on the part of the Yankees at this point, and render them exceedingly cautious elsewhere. The loss of the Yankees was, no doubt, small as the mine did not extend quite to their breastworks. The explosion had however the effect of causing a panic among the enemy, and at the same time gave them to distinctly understand that this interesting game of mining is one in which two cam play, the decision of which, is not always in favor of the one who institutes the game. It is also reported that Grant is sending away his troops, and that he is removing his heavy guns from the front, which indicates an evacuation of his present position. If the sequel should prove this report to be correct, there will be no more fighting of any magnitude around Petersburg. The next grand battle between Lee and Grant may probably be fought on northern soil.
From the army in front of Atlanta Gen. Hood reports the repulse of two assaults on different portions of his lines on Saturday with some loss to the enemy. Since then nothing additional has been received from that point, but we are nevertheless satisfied that all is well in front of the Gate city, and when the battle is joined no tears need be entertained as to the result.
From the lower Valley we learn, through the Northern papers--that a portion of Gen. Early's command occupied Hagerstown on the 4th, another portion estimated at 7000 strong were in the neighborhood of Harpers Ferry, whilst Gen. Early with the remainder of his command, was at Bunker Hill guarding the trains of plunder and grain moving up the Valley. The Harrisburg papers, in commenting upon the situation, say that the force of Gen. Early is now very large, having been recently largely reinforced, and predicts that an incursion into either Maryland or Pennsylvania will be successful. What position Gen. Early at present really occupies, we are not informed, but feel assured that he is not inactive, but in due time will turn up at the right place.
A report has reached here, within the past day or two stating that Bradley Johnson's forces, attached to McCausland's command, were surprised, having 4 pieces of artillery, and 300 men and horses. We trust when we receive a correct account, it will not be so bad as at first represented.
The burning of Chambersburg by McCausland meets with the universal approval of the Confederate press. Just retaliation, though long delayed, has commenced at last, and will continue to be practiced until the corrupt dynasty, which rules at Washington, shall direct its minions in the field to cease their Vandalism, and return so that mode of warfare practiced by all civilized nations.
The Vindicator, August 19, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
No general engagement has taken place in either department of our armies during the past week. The situation of our armies, as far as we can learn, presents a very active appearance, and we have no doubt, ere many days elapse, to have the pleasure of recording a glorious victory in more than one department.
The same stillness prevails in front of Petersburg that has marked the progress of the campaign for some days past. Grant is making another demonstration on the north side of the James, by sending over a large body of troops. This may only be a repetition of his strategy, previous to his springing the mine, on the 30th July, with the object in view to draw off our forces from his front, and then strike a blow for the reduction of Petersburg. A few days will develoope [sic] his plans, and, whatever they may be, he will find Gen. Lee, as ever, ready to foil him at every point.
From Atlanta we learn, by telegraph, that, with the exception of some heavy skirmishing and occasional shells thrown into the city, nothing has transpired at that point during the past week. Some of the shells thrown into the city had scriptural quotations in Hebrew pasted on them.
The news received by late telegrams, and through the Mobile papers, is not calculated to exonerate from blame, (if not from disgrace) the conduct of Col. Anderson, commanding the garrison at fort Gaines, and Col. Williams, at Fort Powell. The Mobile Register pronounces the capitulation of Fort Gaines, and the evacuation of Fort Powell, as humiliating to our people, and disgraceful to the officers in command.
The cause of the Confederacy will never be upheld, nor our cities saved from destruction, by giving up strong works of defence without a struggle. Officers must be placed in command of such defences who know their duty, and thus knowing it, will endeavor to perform it at all and every hazard.
Had Cols. Anderson and Williams tried the mettle of their respective garrisons, and the power of their guns against the Yankee fleet, and were then compelled, either by the force of superior numbers, or the overpowering weight of metal brought to bear against them, to give up their works, then, in that case, they would have received the plaudits of a grateful people, and their names written, in living characters, on the pages of their country's history.
But as it is, the belief and opinions at prese[n]t entertained by our people in regard to their conduct and actions, without being removed, will brand them as traitors to our common country, and their names ever held in the most profound contempt.
Notwithstanding this defection on the part of these officers, Mobile still stands, proudly defiant as ever; her citizens were arming to aid the regular troops in its defence, and the willingness and alacrity with which the people of all classes have rushed to the defences of the city, must be gratifying to the pride of every Confederate and every Mobilian.
The entire line of works is manned, and if we get none of the reinforcements that are on the way to the city, it can be held against all the available forces the enemy can bring against it. Mobile is, in fact and deed stripped for the fight, and the public composure tells unerringly of the public determination:
From the Valley we have various rumors, (at this writing) without any thing strictly authentic. Gen. Early, from the most reliable information, is at or near Strasburg, awaiting the approach of the enemy. Some skirmishing is said to be going on between the armies, and a great battle is said to be imminent. Joe Hooker is, according to the reports of prisoners, in command of the Yankee army.
A few days ago Mosby attacked one of the enemy's wagon trains at Berryville, in Clarke county, destroyed it, and captured a quartermaster's wagon, with a large amount in greenbacks. He also took some two hundred or three hundred prisoners, who were at Gordonsville yesterday on their way South. Good for Mosby.
An official dispatch, received last night states that the enemy, yesterday, made a determined attack on our line between the Darbytown and Charles City road, and at one time broke through, but he was repulsed and our original positions re-occupied.
The Vindicator, August 19, 1864, p. 2, c. 4
Ran away from the subscriber near Waynesboro, Augusta County, on Sunday morning the 14th inst, my negro Boy named
about 19 years of age, black skin, and about 5 feet 7 or 8 inches in height. He had on when he left, a blue coat, grey cloth hat, and brown pants. It is probable that he is taken to the Mountain, intending to travel through it, and by that means make his escape.
David D. Koiner.
August 19.--5t.
The Vindicator, August 26, 1864, p. 1, c. 5
This act is thus explained in a letter from Maryland to the New York Herald:
"Just before leaving Williamsport, General Early made some public remarks in regard to the burning of Chambersburg which are of interest. He said that he ordered one hundred thousand dollars in gold to be demanded of the town; and that if the demand was not complied with in three hours the town was to be burned; that the sum of money demanded was to reimburse Andrew Hunter, William Lucas, E. J. Lee and Hon. Alexander R. Boteler for their losses, caused in the destruction of their property by order of General Hunter, and that he felt perfectly justified in the course he had pursued. He explained how General Hunter had burned the house of his (Hunter's) cousin, in Jefferson county, Virginia, and taken that cousin (Andrew Hunter) off as a prisoner, and said that the act was a brutal one, because the inmates of the house were not allowed time to save even a portion of their clothing. In concluding, he said it would be the future policy of the rebel Government to retaliate in the severest manner for all barbarities practiced against them. He delivered these remarks in a calm, firm manner. In a private conversation, he said that no man more than himself deprecated the necessity of such an act as the one committed at Chambersburg, but that he sanctioned it, believing he was only doing his duty to those people who had suffered by General Hunter's orders; and again, because he believed that by retaliation such barbarous practices would be sooner discontinued than in any other way. He was particularly severe on General Hunter, and said that should he fall a prisoner into their hands, his lot would be a hard one."
The Vindicator, August 26, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
Nothing of importance has occurred in front of Petersburg since the battle of Sunday last. There have been three short, but sharp, contests on the line of the Weldon railroad since the enemy advanced their lines in that direction on Thursday last. In the fight on Friday, in which we attacked the enemy and compelled them to retire upon their inner and strongest line of works, we captured 2700 prisoners and a large number placed hors de combat.
In Sunday's fight we also made the attack and drove them from their several inner lines of works to their main entrenchments and here for the third time the work was stopped.
Further movements in front on the immediate line of the railroad were dependent upon the success or failure of the flanking column, and as the movement resulted unfavorably, offensive operations were ceased. In this day's fight we lost a number of prisoners, and many killed and wounded. We captured nearly four hundred prisoners, and inflicted heavy loss upon the enemy.
In these three battles the enemy's loss, including prisoners, could not have been less than eight thousand, probably more. Our loss has not yet been stated, but does not reach nearly so high a figure.
Since which time everything has remained quiet all around the lines, with the exception of the usual shelling and picket firing. The enemy still maintain their entire lines on and across the railroad, and no further attempt has been made to dislodge them. They are still engaged in fortifying and strengthening, and show no disposition to depart. They are rather endeavoring to advance and get as near the city as possible.
The occupation of the Southern road is certainly an event much to be lamented, not only on account of the inconvenience to which government, but also to which the citizens are subjected. An abiding confidence is felt in our Generals, however, and it is believed matters will shortly assume a better aspect.
From Atlanta we have dates to the 22d inst., which inform us that no general engagement had taken place up to that time. On the morning of the 18th the enemy, in front of the city, opened a heavy fire, which exceeded anything yet witnessed. A forty two pounder Sawyer shell exploded in a house, killing Captain Jarson, of the 14th Texas cavalry. Two children and several ladies were wounded. No further damage was done.
The [illegible] composed of 2500 men commanded by Kilpatrick, attack the Macon road at Lovejoy's, and moved towards Jonesboro'. On the next day they were surrounded between these two points by a portion of our forces, and a sharp engagement ensued, in which the raiders were completely routed, and closely pursued by two Georgia regiments of cavalry. Only one mile of the Macon road was destroyed, which has been repaired.
There are reports from the enemy's rear to the effect that Wheeler had burned the bridges at Etowah, Resaca and Dalton, between the up tunnel. [The enemy, then, is undoubtedly on half rations.]
From the lower valley we learn that the Yankee General has at last been successful in finding the whereabouts of Gen. Early, which appears to have been in the neighborhood of Winchester; and the arrival of between four and five hundred prisoners in our town on Wednesday last, gives at least an inkling of the result of that interview so much sought after by the Yankee commander.
The meeting between the parties is said to have been of short duration, the Yankees leaving, quickly satisfied that Gen. Early was not exactly the person they wished to see, and thinking discretion the better part of valor, abruptly broke up the interview and hurried off at full speed, burning barns and grain, and carrying off stock, closely pursued by a portion of Early's forces.
The next meeting may probably be sought by Gen. Early, and the place selected be on Yankee soil.
The Vindicator, August 26, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
An idea is again entertained in the North, that, in some way or other, a convention of delegates from all the States of the old Union can settle the existing difficulties. We confess our inability to see how it would be capable of accomplishing any thing of the kind.
Laying aside the fact that the States of the Confederacy, by sending delegates to such a convention, would thereby acknowledge that we were of the same government, and merely acting in concert with sister sovereignties of that government for the general good, which we have successfully contended against, in arms, for four years, such a convention would, however desirous it might be of restoring peace to a disturbed country, be powerless for good. If it should convene within the limits of the Confederacy, its sitting would be undisturbed and its proceedings untrammeled, but its determinations would have but little weight in the United States, while, if attempted to be held there, it would be prevented, if possible, by Lincoln and his coadjutors, as the action of such an assemblage could have no other effect than to loosen the hold of Lincoln upon the people, and weaken his power as President, which his grasping ambition could but illy brook. Its action would express only the sentiments of the people, which is already known to be fore peace, and would in no degree effect the present condition of affairs, being totally unauthorized to act for the cessation of hostilities, or the restoration of peace.
We are not perfectly sure that the convening of the Chicago C[o]nvention on the 29th inst. will be undisturbed by the minion of Abraham I. Perhaps he may understand that, by disturbing its sitting, he will raise a cry throughout his country, (which the disturbance of a general convention would not,) that will forever ruin his and the prospects of the party he represents, and may, in consequence, leave it to adopt a platform and nominate candidates at its pleasure. Whether he prevents its convening or leaves it undisturbed is yet to be seen; but neither course will redound to his advantage. If they be free to act they have but to unfurl the banner of peace, coupled with the acknowlegement [sic] of the rights of the States, to hurl one from and prevent the acquisition of power by the other of the two war parties who have already placed their favorites in nomination.
Such action may be anticipated from the late speeches of Mr. Vallandingham, at Dayton Ohio, and Syracuse New York would receive more encouragement from the people of the Confederate States than could possibly be given by delegates to a general convention. It is not treason here to say that we are all--officials, soldiers and citizens--anxious for, yes, would hail, with joyful acclamations, the return of peace! peace, leaving the States untrammeled and sovereign, as they are recognized to be under the Constitution, from which the power of the General Government of the United States, as the agent of those sovereign States, was derived.
Our proposition is before the world, has been from the beginning of the contest, and has lately gone forth again from our able President, (if a Yankee statement can be relied upon) which sufficiently indicates that we are ready to co-operate with the peace party at the North to bring about a cessation of hostilities upon those terms which are alone just and equitable. It needs no general convention--our delegates, to which could only say what has been proclaimed to Northern ears a thousand times, but let peace candidates be nominated and elected, and we are ready to make peace upon the very terms so strongly and ably set forth by the head and front of the peace party, Hon. Alexander Long, of Ohio, viz: the recognition of the sovereignty and independence of the States composing this Confederacy.