The Vindicator, November 4, 1864, p. 1, c. 3
HdQr's Army Northern Virginia,
October 19, 1864.
Lieut. Gen. U.S. Grant,
Commanding U.S. Armies:
General: In accordance with instructions from the Hon. Secretary of War of the confederate States, I have the honor to call your attention to the subject of two communications recently addressed by Major General B.F. Butler, an officer under your command, to the Hon. Robert Ould, Commissioner for the Exchange of Prisoners.
For the better understanding of the matter, I enclose copies of the communications.
You will perceive by one of them that the writer has placed a number of officers and men belonging to the Confederate service, prisoners of war captured by the United States forces, at labor in the canal at Dutch Gap, in retaliation, as is alleged, for a like number of Federal colored soldiers, prisoners of war in our hands, who are said to have been put to work on our fortifications.
The evidence of this fact is found in the affadavits [sic] of two deserters from our service.
The other letter refers to a copy of a notice issued by a Confederate officer commanding a camp near Richmond, calling upon the owner to come forward and establish their claims to certain negroes in the custody of that officer.
The writer of the letter proceeds to state that some of the negroes mentioned in the notice are believed to be soldiers of the United States army captured in arms, and that, upon that belief, he has ordered to such manual labor as he deems most fit[t]ing to meet the exigency an equivalent number of prisoners of war held by the United States and announces that he will continue to order to labor captives in war to a number equal to that of all the United States soldiers who he has reason to beli[e]ve are held to service or labor by the Confederate forces, until he shall be notified that the alleged practice on the part of the Confederate authorities, until he shall be notified that the alleged practice on the part of the Confederate authorities has ceased.
Before stating the facts with references to the particular negroes alluded to, I beg to explain the policy pursued by the Confederate Government towards this class of persons, when captured by its forces.
All negroes in the military or naval service of the United States, taken by us, who are not identified as the property of citizens or residents of any of the Confederate States, are regarded as priso[n]ers of war, being held to be proper subjects of exchange, as I recently had the honor to inform you.
No labor is exacted from such prisoners by the Confederate authorities.
Negroes who owe services or labor to citizens or residents of the Confederate States, and who, through compulsion, persuasion, or of their own accord, leave their owners, and are placed in the military or naval service of the United States, occupy a different position.
The right to the service or labor of negro slaves, in the Confederate States, is the same now as when those States were members of the Federal Union.
The right to the service or labor of negro slaves, in the Confederate States, is the same now as when those States were members of the Federal Union.
The constitutional relations and obligations of the Confederate Government to the owners of this species of property, are the same as those so frequently and so long recognized as appertaining to the Government of the United States, with reference to the same class of persons, by virtue of its organic law.
From the earliest period of the independence of the American States, it has been held that one of the duties incumbent upon the several common governments under which they have, from time to time, been associated, was the return to their lawful owners of slaves accoptured [sic] from the public enemy. It has been uniformly held that the capture of abduction of a slave does not impair the right of the owner to such slave, but that the right attaches to him immediately upon recapture.
Such was the practice of the American States during their struggle for independence. The Government under which they were then associated resumed to the owners slaves abducted by the British forces and subsequently recaptured by the American armies.
In the war of 1812 with Great Britain, the course pursued by the United States Government was the same, and it recognized the right of the owner to slaves recaptured fro the enemy. Both the Continental and United States Governments, in fact, denied that the abduction of slaves was a belligerent right, and the latter power insisted upon, and ultimately secured by treaty, pecuniary indemnity from the British Government for slaves taken by its forces during the war of 1812.
And it is supposed that a negro belonging to a citizens of a State in which slavery is recognized and which is regarded as one of the United States, were to escape into the Confederate States, or be captured or abducted by their armies, the legal right of the owner to reclaim him would be as clear now as in 1812, the Constitution of the United States being unchanged in this particular, and that instrument having been interpreted in the judicial decissions [sic], legislative and diplomatic acts and correspondence of the United States as imposing upon that government the duty of protecting in all cases coming within the scope of its authority, the owners of slaves as well as of any other kind of property recognized as such by the several States.
The Confederate Government, bound by the same constitutional obligations, considers, as that of the United States did, that the capture or abduction of a negro slave does not preclude the lawful owner from reclaiming him when captured, and I instructed to say that all such slaves, when properly identified as belonging to citizens of any of the Confederate States, or to persons enjoying the protection of their laws, will be restored, like other recaptured private property, to those entitled to them.
Having endeavored to explain the general policy of the Confederate Government with regard to the subject, I beg leave to state the facts concerning the particular transactions referred to in the inclosed communications.
The negroes recently captured by our forces were sent to Richmond with other Federal prisoners. After their arrival it was discovered that a number of them were slaves belonging to citizens or residents of some of the Confederate States, and of this class fifty-nine, as I learn, were sent, with other negroes, to work on the fortifications around Richmond until their owners should appear and claim them. As soon as I was informed of the fact, less than two days afterwards, not wishing to employ them here, I ordered them to be sent to the rear.
By a misapprehension of the engineer officer in charge, they were transferred to our lines South of James river, but, when apprised of the error, I repeated the order for their removal. If any negroes were included among this number, who were not identified as the slaves of citizens or residents of some of the Confederate States, they were so included without the knowledge or authority of the War Department, as already explained, and the mistake, when discovered, would have been corrected.
It only remains for me to say that negroes employed upon our fortifications are not allowed to be placed where they will be exposed to fire, and there is no foundation for any statement to the contrary.
The author of the communications referred to has considered himself justified (by the report of two deserters, who do not allege that the negroes in question were exposed to any danger,) in placing our prisoners at labor in the canal at Dutch Gap, under the fire of our batteries.
In view of the explanations of the practice of the Confederate Government above given and of the statement of facts I have made, I have now, in accordance with my instructions, respectfully to inquire whether the course pursued towards our prisoners, as set forth in the accompanying letters, has your sanction and whether it will be maintained?
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant
(Signed) R.E. Lee, Gen'l.
Hdq'rs Armies of the United States
October 20, 1864.
Gen. R.E. Lee, C.S.A., Commanding Army Northern Virginia:
General--Understanding, from your letter of the 19th that the colored prisoners who were employed at work in the trenches near Fort Gilmer have been withdrawn, I have directed the withdrawal of the Confederate prisoners in the Dutch Gap canal. I shall always regret the necessity for retaliating for wrongs done our soldiers; but regard it my duty to protect all persons received into the army of the United States, regardless of color or nationality. When acknowledged soldiers of the Government are captured, they must be treated as prisoners of war, or such treatment as they receive will [be] inflicted upon an equal number of prisoners held by us.
I have nothing to do with the discussion of the slavery question, therefore decline answering the arguments addteed [sic] to show the right to return to former owners such negroes as are captured from our army. In answer to the question at the conclusion of your letter, I have to state, that all prisoners of war falling into my hands shall receive the kindest possible treatment, consistent with securing them, unless I have good authority for believing any number of our men are being treated otherwise. Then, painful as it may be to me, I shall inflict like treatment on an equal number of Confederate prisoners.
Hoping that it may never become my duty to order retaliation upon any man held as a prisoner of war.
I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully,
Your ob't servant,
U.S. Grant,
Lieutenant General.
The Vindicator, November 4, 1864, p. 1, c. 6
The following is taken from the New York News, who thus defines the at[t]itude of the negro for military service, when used in the ranks of the Southern armies:
The slaves of the South can be made to supply an excellent material for infantary [sic]. Docile and of great physical strength, they may be converted into a soldiery in six or eight months. Under command of officers to whom they have rendered a life long unquestioning obediance [sic], and to whom they may be moulded into an invincible machine under the direction of a man of military genius. Events are moving rapidly toward that conclusion. Negroes of the South become attached to the Confederate armies in the capacity, at first, of servants. The demand for men increasing, they were next admitted by Congress to approach the status of a soldier by their employment as attaches of the commissariat. Recruiting demands pressing s[t]ill more closely on the whites of the South, the journals of Richmond, falling in with a policy recommended twelve months ago by the legislature of Alabama or Mississippi, insist now that negroes be sent into the field to do, in battle, the duties of the soldier. This reserve policy of the Confederates, if the necessity shall be held to demand such a step, to force upon the Federal government half a dozen additional drafts; for once adopted, it will recruit the ranks of the South to extent of at least three hundred thousand men.
The Vindicator, November 4, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
On Thursday the 27th ult. General Grant made a very formidable attack upon our lines both in front of Richmond and Petersburg. The attack was simultaneous at both points, extending the whole length of our lines from the Darbytown road on the North side to the Boydton Plank road below Petersburg. As usual General Lee was fully apprised of the intentions of the Yankee General, and was prepared to give him the dame kind of reception of which he had been the recipient on many former occasions. The war worn veterans of Gen. Lee met the attack with their accustomed valor, and showed themselves worthy the confidence of their accomplished leader. The enemy were repulsed with heavy loss at every point, leaving their dead and wounded in our hands on the field. Their loss is variously estimated from five to eight thousand in killed wounded and captured. Fifteen hundred prisoners have already been received at the Libby in Richmond.
The Yankee General will publish this defeat as he has done others of a similar character, as a reconnoisance [sic] in force, for the purpose of "feeling" the enemy, and that the object was satisfactorily accomplished. The deserted camp that they captured will be heralded as something great, many valuable papers and documents will be said to be found therein, the few prisoners taken will be magnified into many hundreds, and various other bulletins of that sort will be published throughout Yankeedom to cover up the failure of this last attempt at another "On to Richmond."
How this affair can be called (by any sane man) a reconoissance [sic], we are certainly at a loss to know. It if was in truth entitled to be such--it was certainly made on a grander scale than is usual in such cases. Gen. Grant was commanding in person, his associates Meade, Warren and Hancock with their respective corps' were in motion--the whole Yankee army, infantry, artillery and cavalry, from one end of the line to the other, advanced in order of battle precisely as if they intended to bring on a general engagement. They did make the attack, and attempted several times to storm our works, but were each time severely repulsed with immense slaughter. The engagement was a general one, and although Gen. Grant and Mr. Secretary Stanton may succeed in throwing dust in the eyes of their Yankee admirers we are satisfied that our own people, will regard it as a general battle in which we triumphantly repelled every assault made upon our lines, and at the same time administered to the Yankee General a severe rebuke which will be keenly remembered by him for some time to come.
The following despatch from Genl. Lee gives the additional news from the army in front of Petersburg.
Headquarters, Oct. 31, 1864.
Hon. J.A. Seddon:
General Malone penetrated the enemy's picket line last night, near Petersburg, and swept it for half a mile, capturing 230 officers and men, without the loss of a man.
Total number of prisoners captured on 27th, below Petersburg, according to General Hill's report, was 700.
(Signed) R.E. Lee.
The latest accounts from the army of Tennessee say that Hood and Beauregard effected a junction at Gadsen, and marched to the Tennessee River crossing at Guntersville on the 23rd and 24th ult.
We have no news from Missouri, but that which we get through Yankee papers. They represent Price badly whipped, yet their latest dispatch represent, him still in Missouri, when their previous accounts have placed him some distance beyond Fort Scott in Kansas, in full flight. The truth is that Price has never been driven out of Missouri and that all these dispatches are hatched up for the occasion, and sent abroad for effect on the pending Presidential election in Yankeedom.
We learn Gen. Forrest has blockaded the Tennessee river. On the 29th ultimo he captured a steamer and barge, and got off sixty wagon loads of shoes, boots, blankets and hard bread. The vessels were destroyed.
Gen. Duffle captured by Col. Mosby a few days ago, has arrived in Richmond and taken lodgings at the Libby.
No news, from the lower Valley. Our army still in camp at New Market.
The Vindicator, November 4, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
The failure to carry the State of Pennsylvania by a large abolition majority, that State having gone democratic as far as heard from, and Maryland failing to adopt the new abolition Constitution, by her home vote, has made the present occupant of the White House, at Washington very uneasy. He dislikes exceedingly to loose his lease of power and must attempt to retain it. Something must be done and quickly to destroy the prospect of McClellan's election or, in other words, to prevent the defeat of Abraham Lincoln.
Addresses to Soldier's by "loyal ladies" who confessedly ignore the teachings of the Bible have been tried without success. Other means such as tampering with the rights of voters, &c., have proven equally unsuccessful. The only thing that can buoy the present administration in its, as they fear, sinking condition, is a military success. To the achievement of which all the energies of the pen as well as the sword seem to be brought to bear
The Vindicator, November 4, 1864, p. 2, c. 2
Upon the revocation of details many of our best men, the very bone and sinew of our land, reported promptly to the Enrolling Officer and went soon thereafter to Camp Lee, in time to make the allowed selection of commands. However much the necessity which called them from their homes was to be regretted, no one could complain, certainly they did not, but with exceeding cheerfulness responded to the call of their country and went to share the same toils, fatigues and dangers with the brave veterans of the war. We do complain, however, of the after treatment received by these unmurmuring men. These men were sent from Richmond to Gen. Early's army under guard, as if they, who had reported promptly when called upon and after arriving at Camp Lee, where they learned that Gen. Lee desired men at once, waved the examination they were entitled to and with alacrity selected their companies, were a set of skulking stragglers or deserters instead of being the best and most reliable men in the country. If any had delayed to report and consequently had to be brought to the Enrolling Office under guard, having thus evinced by their conduct that they intended to evade the call, then we would utter no complaint, no matter how heavily guarded they might be, but the case however is entirely different.
We have no doubt it was humiliating to these men to be marched under strict guard, through their county, town, and especially so when a short distance from town they met a squad of 100 Yankee prisoners coming from the army, not as strongly guided as they themselves were, but we hope this feeling may have been but temporary for our people think not a whit less of them than formerly. No disgrace attaches to them, for they have acted the part of men, but the party by whose authority they were sent from Richmond under guard should hang his head in everlasting shame for such treatment to such men, who have shown themselves to be the unfaltering reliance of their country in her time of need.
The Vindicator, November 11, 1864, p. 2, c. 6
Ran away from the subscriber living near Jennings Gap, in this County, on the 7th of October, a negro Boy named
aged about Twenty years--yellow complexion, very stout and healthy.
I will give the above reward if delivered to me, or secured so that I can get him.
John Sanderson.
Nov 11--2t.
The Vindicator, November 18, 1864, p. 1, c. 4
In contemplating matters in the Shenandoah Valley, one will find himself at a loss whether to most admire the vast number and extent of Sheridan's victories or the remarkable stolidity with which the rebel Early endures frequent annihilation. For the last two months the enemy have exhibited the remarkable peculiarity of being defeated overwhelmingly at very short intervals, and within a few days after each defeat presenting themselves in stronger force than ever to again undergo a defeat more disastrous than any of its predecessors. There was once, in some olden fable, a dragon that possessed the somewhat singular power of producing a half dozen or more new heads whenever one of its old ones was chopped off, and in Early we see the modern prototype of this fabled monster. The more Sheridan [illegible] away his limbs, the greater becomes his task, for, from each bleeding stump springs a crop of new limbs, till the rebel chieftain now resembles the hundred handed Briareus.
Early was first routed at Winchester, and a little later is found at Fisher's Hill waiting to be routed again. He is once more routed, with tremendous loss; and three days after, his demoralized cohorts present a firm array at Harrisonburg. From this place he is routed, with fearful slaughter, so that there is scarcely enough left to carry the tala [sic] of disaster to the rebel capital. A little later, and Sheridan falls back to Strasburg, but has hardly reached there ere Early's broken legion precipitate themselves upon him with the fierceness of tigers. Again are they routed with tremendous slaughter. Sheridan falls back to Strasburg, but has hardly reached there ere Early's broken legion precipitate themselves upon him with the fierceness of tigers. Again are they routed with tremendous slaughter. Sheridan falls back to Cedar creek, and has but just gone into camp when the routed Early is again upon him, driving him four miles, and captures twenty cannon. But the success is only a momentary one, for the gallant Sheridan dashes upon the field, reforms his broken regiments, and turns the tide of battle. Again does the unlucky Early undergo the crucifixion of being routed in a style which, for effectiveness, the record of defeats furnishes no parallels.
The worse Early is routed, the speedier and deadlier is his next attack. Like the old Antaeus, he only strikes the ground to arise a stronger, bigger giant than before. The more violent he is hurled to earth, the higher is his rebound. The more completely he is "settled" and the sooner he regains strength to be "settled" again.
Wonderful as is this recuperative power in Early, it is not more so than his inexhaustible ability to furnish cannon. He lost a large number of cannon when Sheridan first "settled" him; and he lost a considerable large number the second time he was "settled" be Sheridan. A little later, and Sheridan once more "settled" Early and captured all his cannon. Within a week he "settled" him again, and again captured a good many cannon. Day before yesterday he once more "settled" the unfortunate Early and captured fifty cannon; and we have no doubt that to-morrow or the next day he will again "settle" Early and once more capture a great many cannon--probably not less than fifty or sixty. The more cannon Early loses, the more he seems to have left; so much so, that if Sheridan keeps on "settling" him for six months longer, the Federal Government will be able to stop all its foundries, having enough cannon for its own supply and a large surplus for the next war with Canada, Maximilian, or Great Britain.
One would thin that either Sheridan would get tired of "settling" Early, or Early of being "settled." But they do not. Judging by the past, Sheridan having routed Early all the way from Stanton to Cedar creek, will continue routing and "settling" him from Cedar creek to the Pennsylvania boundary.
The Vindicator, November 18, 1864, p. 1, c. 4
The Savan[n]ah News refuses to publish communications in referance [sic] to placing negroes in the army, for the reason that it does not regard the question in detail as a proper one for newspaper discussion. And it adds: "In opposing it, and pointing out the many evils sure to result from such a policy, our correspondents are led into arguments and reasoning which, while they suggest, themselves to every reflecting mind, are unsuited for news paper circulation either North or South. A measure so disorganizing, so unnecessary, unwise and impolitic, will, we feel confident, be rejected by our people and our Congress. Consistency self-respect, Southern honor and humanity demands it."
The Vindicator, November 18, 1864, p. 1, c. 6
The New York World, commenting on the general failure of Grant's advance, says:
It is no longer a secret that the rebels have again thwarted Gen. Grant's movement for the capture of Richmond. His attention was to have accumulated a vast army of three or four hundred thousand men, with a view to invest Richmond on every side. After the fall of Atlanta, it is supposed he could spare fifty or sixty thousand troops from the West, and take all the conscripts to be added to the army of the Potomac and of the James. But he invasion of Missouri by Price and the menacing of St. Louis, the attack of Hood upon Sherman's rear and the activity of guerrillas and rebel raiding parties throughout Tennessee and Kentucky, and last of all, the wonderful vitality of the rebel armies in the Shenandoah, have prevented the concentration of troops in Grant's army to be effective in time for the Presidential election.
A large part of this army is composed of raw recruits, and General Grant is supposed to be unwilling to force them against the strong defences of Richmond, while he would not have hesitated had he a sufficient number of Sheridan's or Sherman's veterans. The theory is that in all probability, the campaign against Richmond will be postponed until next May; that another draft for three hundred thousand men may be made after the election, which draft will be a real one, and all the men will be secured and incorporated in the armies during the coming winter. With these, the Administration hope to carry all the important points of the South.
There is now no harm in stating that at least two army corps, under General Sheridan, were on the way to the Army of the Potomac when they were recalled to beat back Longstreet's force in the Valley. While the rebel army has been defeated, Lee's strategy has won a strategic victory in the postponement of the campaign.
The Vindicator, November 18, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
We said before our readers in our last issue the message of President Davis.
From it we have a most encouraging statement of affairs. These portions of our states held by the enemy have nearly all been reclaimed or the tenure of the enemy upon them much weakened. Our finances are in much better condition than many had supposed and with the addition of the seemingly practicable suggestions of the Secretary of the Treasury it is hoped may still further be greatly improved. And the arming of slaves in defence of our liberties is not deemed essential at present. The various suggestions of the Message meet with the approval of the people with the exception of the recommendation of the repeal of all class exemptions. This is condemned as unwise not only by the people but the men in the field. The last Congress modified the exemption bill so as to apply to Preachers, Teachers, Printers, Physicians and Druggists, which classes were deemed essentially necessary for the public good. There has been much acerbity of feeling shown against the Executive on account of this recommendation, but we are among those who believe that President Davis is eminently a patriot, that he would do anything consistent with reason and right for the advancement of the interests of his country, but that the suggestion on this subject was elicited by the perusal of the exemption bill as it stood before it was modified by the last Congress, the vast array of classes mentioned therein being sufficient to cause the request for the repeals of all exemptions as a patriotic duty on his part. But Tanners, Shoemakers, Telegraph operators, Workmen in mines, Blacksmiths, Millers, and in fact all save the classes named above have been subject to detail and not exempted since the framing of the new exemption bill by the last Congress. We doubt not that when the President calls to mind that only a few classes, deemed essentially necessary, were exempted, instead of the array mentioned in his message that he will be as averse to a change of the law as the people, the press or the army.
We do not for a moment believe that were Editors, Preachers &c., detailed that President Davis would exercise any authority to muzzle the Press or the Pulpit. For it must be clearly understood by him that the free, outspoken sentiments of the Press have contributed largely to make us the united people we are, that where the administration has been wrongfully assailed ten friends have been made for one enemy and that the concordant utterances of the Press have kept up the continued cheerful and determined spirit of our people. This at least is understood by our enemies, for in their invasions they make it an universal practice to destroy this great confederate agency, by demolishing all printing establishments in their reach. This has been especially the case in our Valley; but our enemies have been foiled in their attempts for nearly all have arisen Phoenix-like from their ashes and still lend their sufficient aid to their Government. The great moral power of the press is universally conceded but what a falling off therefrom would there be were the representatives of of [sic] free speech and thought compelled to seek, with supplicatory appeal, for details from the powers that be--However free in the expression of thoughts yet it would all be considered as winked at by Government for effect, and the moral effect of the Confederate Press be forever gone.
We think it is patent that those who are at present exempted are essentially necessary for the public good and that details not exemptions are the subjects of fraud.
We agree with a contemporary of Lynchburg that it is idle to believe that an enlightened Congress will interfere with the liberties of the Press or Pulpit and with another of Richmond that it is better to let well enough alone as the chances are greatly in favor of making matters worse.
The Vindicator, November 18, 1864, p. 2, c. 2
The latest Northern exchanges received at Richmond concede the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States for another term of four years. Laying aside the moral effect upon the world at large, of the election of Lincoln after a four year's exhibition of incapacity, we must view it in the relations which obtain with reference to ourselves.
The unbridled licentiousness of the past four years is to be continued for the next four, with all the ingenious adjuncts which the minds of our Barbarian Enemies can devise. The destruction in our beautiful Valley will be vastly obscured by the ravages of other invaded portions, but the cry of failure thus far to subjugate the Confederate States, if we be true to ourselves, will be reiterated at the expiration of the last year of his second term. We must prepare now for a longer war than many surmised, without relying upon dissentions among the people of the United States or failure of their financial system or anything else for relief except the physical force and determined will of the people of our Confederacy. We should hoard up our resources, doing away with the wasteful extravagance exhibited in so many instances, save the lives of our men by all the devices of engineering skill, ever be ready to take advantage of circumstances to strike our enemies severe blows, infuse discipline, so needful to retain the advantages gained, retaliate for all of their wanton acts with "Oriental Scrupulosity," and we will prevent the accomplishments of their designs and in the end achieve that independence which the unbiased opinion of the world at present would and should declare our due.
The Vindicator, November 18, 1864, p. 2, c. 4
The following is a fair and an accurate exhibit of the losses inflicted upon this great and noble county of the "old commonwealth" by the Yankees in their last raid up the Valley. It has obtained by our County Court, after diligent effort, and the employment of all the means necessary to approximate accuracy in such a calculation. The Court after being called together for this purpose, appointed a committee of 72 persons, consisting of 36 citizens of respectability and standing, located in every section of the county, and after a careful and an accurate canvass of the county, they have furnished the estimate of the lesser hereto appended. Has any other one country in the Confederacy suffered to the same extent? Look at the exhibit:
| Losses. | |
|---|---|
| Dwelling House burned, | 30 |
| Barns burned, | 450 |
| Mills burned, | 31 |
| Fencing destroyed, (miles) | 100 |
| Bushes of Wheat destroyed, | 100,000 |
| Bushes of Corn destroyed, | 50,000 |
| Tons of Hay destroyed, | 6,233 |
| Cattle carried off, | 1,750 |
| Horses carried off, | 1,750 |
| Sheep carried off, | 4,200 |
| Hogs carried off, | 3,350 |
| Factories burned, | 3 |
| Furnace burned, | 1 |
In addition to which the[re] was an immense amount of Farming Utensils of every description destroyed, many of them of great value, such as McCormick's Reapers, Threshing Machines; also, Household and Kitchen Furniture, Money, Bonds, Plates, &c., &c. The whole loss being estimated at the enormous sum of $25,500,000. This estimate is in Confederate prices, and should be reduced, we think, about one-fifth, in order to bring it to the government standard.--Rockingham Register.
The Vindicator, November 25, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
The constant rain which has fallen for several successive days during the past week has almost effectually put a stop (for the time being) to military operations both in front of Richmond and Petersburg.
On the 17th Gen. Picket captured a portion of the enemy's picket line in his front. The following is Gen. Lee's report of the affair:
"H'd Qrs. Etc., Nov. 18
"Hon. James A. Seddon:
"General Pickett reports that last night, a portion of the enemy's picket line in his front was taken possession of and held.
"One colonel, two captains, two lieutenants and one hundred and twelve privates were captured, besides the dead and wounded left on the ground.
"Our loss, one killed and nine wounded.
R.E. Lee
On Friday and Saturday the enemy made an effort to recaptured the position, and re-establish their picket lines, but each time were repulsed with loss.
The "Express" gives the following statement of an affair that took place on the Petersburg lines.
"A most amusing, and at the same time satisfactory incident, occurred in front of Wright's brigade, just to the left of the Weldon railroad, on Saturday morning an hour or two before day. A report was brought in that the enemy was advancing at that point, and the men were called to arms at once. The pickets were on the alert; and soon heard a noise in front, as of advancing forces. A sharp volley of musketry was discharged at the supposed foe, when a sudden rush was heard, and forward through the lines charged in wild disorder forty-two fine beeves--until that moment Yankee property. They had evidently strayed or deserted from the Yankee herd, or perhaps came in search of those recently captured by General Hampton on the banks of the James. They got lost on the way, and were wandering between the two armies, coming in the direction of Petersburg, when they were discovered by our pickets. The sudden discharge of musketry in their front, and the probable wounding of one or two, frightened the creatures and caused them to dash forward. This is the first instance on record of a charge by cattle on lines defended by armed men and in the face of a rapid musketry fire. We understand they came in good line of battle; and were not gathered up until they had passed to the rear. They are remarkably fine beeves, and the incident caused great amusement in camp. Perhaps the Yankees might learn a lesson from the charge made by the dumb beasts they had transported for slaughter."
Gen. Breckinridge's victory in East Tennessee gets better as it gets older. The prisoners captured are now reported at eight hundred and fifty. The Yankees stopped on Friday to make a stand at Strawberry Plains, but finding General Vaughan again making for their rear; broke again, and did not stop until safe within the fortifications at Knoxville.
As troops have been withdrawn from Knoxville to reinforce General Thomas at Pulaski, we shall not be surprised to hear that General Breckinridge has carried the city by storm, and dislodged Brownlow and his filthy associates.
The latest accounts from Georgia, state that Sherman was in close proximity to Macon and a battle was deemed imminent. He has cut the Railroad between Augusta and Macon at a point about 25 miles from Macon. The invading force consists of four corps of infantry, viz: Fourteenth commanded by General Jeff. C. Davis; Tenth, commanded by Gen. Osterhaus; Seventeenth corps, commanded by Gen. Blair, and the Twentieth corps, commanded by Gen. Slocum. The Confederate force will be stated hereafter, but is much larger than is generally supposed.
Since writing the foregoing we learn that Gov. Brown's residence, in Canton, Cherokee county, embracing his commodious dwelling house, kitchen, out-houses, &c., together with his office building, were all burnt to the ground by the vandal foe, a few days ago. The officer in command of the vandals who were sent to execute the work they so ruthlessly and successfully performed, allowed the family who were living on the premises at the time, only fifteen minutes to remove the furniture from the house, and all that was not removed within that time was devoured by the flames.
The same party burned the court house, jail, academy, both the hotels, and about two-thirds of the best dwelling and business houses in Canton.
From the lower Valley we learn that the enemy advanced with two divisions of Cavalry, two miles this side of Mt. Jackson (Rood's Hill) on Wednesday last and was met by a portion of our Cavalry and Infantry who immediately charged them and drove them back twelve miles. They left their dead and wounded in our hands. Our loss very small.
The Vindicator, November 25, 1864, p. 2, c. 2
While we dislike to dwell upon the unpleasant theme of the inhuman treatment of the people of our Valley by the destruction of their houses, barns, subsistence and in many instances their all, by the forces of Sheridan under the omnipotent order of Grant, yet so many have been the statements of the loss of property in portions of this County made to us and many the cases of individual hardship consequent thereupon, that we are again constrained to notice this subject.
The people of the United States claim to be in the fore front of the world's civilization and to possess all the attributes that make up a great and glorious nation, and would fain posses the world's applause for all their deeds, while they hold up to the scorn of that same world the nets of those they are pleased to designate as Rebels to the "best Government the world ever saw." We have no means now of disabusing the minds of outside nations of the false ideas thus sought to be inculcated upon them, even if we desired to do so, but we can build up a mountain of attested facts which will stand as an everlasting monument of the malicious inhumanity and wanton barbarity of that make-believe enlightened nation--a perpetual badge of its disgrace. We propose then that our County Court shall, as the Rockingham County Court has already done, appoint a committee whose special duty it shall be to estimate the damage to the people of our county by the incendiarism, theft and pillage of the public enemy, and report to the Court as fully succinctly and promptly as possible, and the said report be carefully preserved among the proceedings of the Court to be used when the future demands of History shall require all the minutiae of the cruel and heartless prosecution of this war on the part of our enemies. The loss of property, by our people and the sufferings of innocent children, helpless women and decrepit age, caused by the uncalled for destruction of their means of subsistence demand that a record of the outrages spoken of above shall be made and preserved, and we know of no means equal to the one suggested of handing down to coming generations a statement of facts so perfectly incontrovertable. We ask then that our County Court will at its next convening act in this matter.
The Vindicator, November 25, 1864, p. 2, c. 3
On last Thursday evening, a meeting in behalf of the Education of the Children of deceased and disabled Soldiers was held at the Baptist Church of this place. After prayer by Rev. W.S. Baird, Wesleyan Female Institute, Rev. A.E. Dickinson of Richmond, addressed the congregation. He states that there were in Va. 5000 children, whose fathers had perished in this war, which number was of course increasing every day--that last June at the Va. Baptist General Association a movement was inaugurated to secure the education of these little ones, and that the plan was to expand all monies secured in sending such children to the best and most convenient schools, without regard to denomination. He eloquently dwelt on the claims of the soldiers, whose chief anxiety was for his loved ones at home, and by whose sacrifice and suffering our safety was secured, and our victory must be won. He dwelt on the feelings of the widowed mother, and urged that we owed it to her to aid in providing for her children whose Protector had died for us. He then spoke of the importance to our nation of giving this large and increasing class of youth at least a good English education--such as would enable the truly talented among them to rise higher, and would prepare all for the ordinary business of life. He was followed in a few statements by Rev. Geo. B. Taylor, and then a subscription amounting to nearly $11,000 was secured. It is hoped that the committee, consisting of H.H. Peck, C.R. Mason, and W.H. Peyton, appointed to increase this sum will run it up to over $20,000. Mr. Taylor also announced that the following gentlemen, vi: C.R. Mason, W.H. Peyton, W.J. Shumate, W.J.D. Bell and M.G. Harman and himself had been appointed to act for the Central Committee in Richmond in finding out and putting to school all the children in the Valley of the class referred to. This Committee will doubtless make some communication to the public, but it may be stated here and now, that children of deceased soldiers, reported to them will be provided with tuition and books at such schools as their friends may select. Teachers in every neighborhood would do well to look up such children and report them Ministers and Magistrates and indeed all who care for the children of the dead soldier are earnestly invite to co-operate. The writer has found in this town five such children, and placed them at the Schools of their choice.
G.B.T.
Staunton, Nov. 22nd, 1864.
The Vindicator, November 25, 1864, p. 2, c. 4
Ran away from the subscriber at Midway, a bright mulatto boy, about 21 years of age, 5 feet, 9 inches high, named Isham, no marks recollected I will give the above reward if delivered to me or placed in any jail so that I can get him.
W.J. Hopkins.
Nov. 25,--3t.