The New York Herald Newspaper, February 24, 1865, Page 1

%. f Campaign Directed Against ‘Lee's Communications. The Rebels Concentrating in His Front. Dangers "Beginning to Thicken ‘What Beauregara is Ex- pected to Do. THE EVACUATION OF CHARLESTON The Fell of the “ Accursed City” Another Blessing ip Disguise. @t Xnspires Cheerfulness Rather Than Gloom, &., &., &, The Campaign in South Carolina. DOES NOF DETACH A FORCE TO MOVE AGAINST CHARLESTON. f {From the Richmond Examiner, Feb. 21.) ‘She War Department is still dumb as to the situation fi South Carolina. It is stated that no official despatches fhave been received from General Beauregard since (Geese dated at Winnsboro, on which he had moved on he evacuation of Columbia. ‘We have yet no news of the enemy’s occupation of @Barieston, although it is reported that our force has wihdrawn from there on Sherman’s front, It docs appear that at Branchville Sherman detached any of BMaferes to move upon Charleston, The only Yankee Perce we know of in the close vicinity of the city is that Which was reported some days ago to have made a lodg- ent on James Island. The Ashley river, two thousand Yards wide, intervenes between James Island and the (@tgq;, and there are strong works on the other side of the filand facing towards Fort Sumter and the harbor, ‘Which have probably had the effect of warning off the Beree of the enemy. Reports from Charleston as late as Thursday last state @at on the lines in the immediate front there everything ‘Wes quict. The enemy are not moving in this direction. Geouts report no enemy within atx miles of Vance’s ferry. Sherman Marching to His Ruin. [From the Richmond Whig Feb. 21.) ‘Phe aeoounts which reach us from the South are not @afictentty voluminous or explicit to inform us with even accuracy of the military situation in South All that we know is that General Sherman is Qwesecuting another movement, characterized by much ere than his ordinary vigor and far more than his fepeal celerity. We can only infer, in a general way, his Bana objects, without pretending to decide positively on course he intends to pursue in order to attain them. infer, then, that he is really attempting to consum- fete that comprehensive plan for severing General Bee's communications with the South; and finally, by com- Riaing his force wih Grant's, to either force the @vaeuation of Richmond or to capture it by the of overwhelming numbers. A plan of this kind been repeatedly sketched by the Northern news- and has been even prefigured, with much mi- as to details, by the Now York 7imes, a journal ‘appears to be well instructed in military matters. Philadelphia Inquirer maintains that, while this is Bherman’s ultimate design, his proximate object is to @weep along the great intenor lines of railroad, and, by G@estroying them, deprive the Confedernte forces of that Seasibility of communication and combination which they Bave hitherto enjoyed. The developments of the past flow days have justified this theory, although they do not enable us to say whether Sherman intends to prose- bis march through the interior upon the great rail- ‘way lines, or to content himself with what he has already @ocomplished, and fall back upon the coast, say at Charles- ten or Wilmington. It is only by adopting the former (Qwuree that permanent results can bo anticipated; while, @t the samo time, that course is so pregnant with peril @at it exposes the federal army to absolute destruction fm ease of failure. The occupation of Columbta, or of any faland position on his route, must of necessity be inci- @ental and transiont. From that place he must move @pecdily in some direction. Should he adopt the safer and fall back upon Charleston, supposing that bis on that city bo not intercepted, he will leave South @arolina in the same condition in which he left Georgia @Mer his march through that State and the capture of Gavannab. Tho Georgia expedition, by itself, amounted fe mothing more than the mere acquisition of Savannab pa base for renewed operations. The country marched @ver was abandoned the next day, and as soon as the Yan- kee army had passed the work of r’pairing the railroads ‘was commenved. By the time Sherman was prepared Bor another move the railroad communication in Georgia (@es restored; and the Btate which had been declared @emquerd by the simple transit of a Yankee army through Gs territory is now free from enomies, except at one point @@ Ms coast and another at its extreme northwostern @mgic. This important fact shows the nature of Yankee (@toupancy in the country, and the kind of conquest they Sabieye at s distance from the guns of their navy. ‘The same thing would happen in South Carolina should (Berman retire upon Charleston, or any other seacoast own. The interior would at once bo relieved. In a fow weeks the railroads would be repaired, and bis movementa, ! ge@eced to the dimensions of « gigantic raid, would entirely barren of permanent military results. ahould bave lest Charleston, and perhaps Wilmington ; Put our armies would be concentrated on the great in- terior lines, where they would have every advantage for @efence against any futare movements, To accomplish @mything decistve, therefore, Kherman must continue his @arch through the country, taking en route the great gailway centres—Charlotte, Greonsbore and Danville. We should not be surprised to hoar that from Columbia fhe bas marched om Charlotte, nor that, in a few days, he Will have possessed himself of that piace, Bul en Ganger: begin to thicken arownd him. The very evacuations Weich his movements may force will add to the effective G@rength of our army in the field. very day's march weaken his forces and strengtien ours; and he will Teach & point where he will be compelled to give under ciroumetances altogether adverse to him and tous, Bis march resembles, in many respecte, of Burgoyne through the Btate of New York, oi It will havo, wo have strong reason to hope, a similar @demination. General Boauregard, who commands our @erees in that department, is Shorman’s master in all the ts of strategy and tactics, He wil give baitle whon he @inks it advirahle to Aight, or doolie it whon he thinks (@at to avoid it is the proper course, And we may de. upon it that he thinks the proper ourse will be the that could be adopted. We do not?pretend to know where or when he purposes to moot sherman; but we @fe frinly convinced that the Yankee con\mandor, if he Porecute Lie march towards Richmond with the anda- @ous purposes now indionted by his moveme dts, will go his doom. We believe that his army will be met and @eckod, and in such a position a check wil! be a defeat, €24 fb dofess will be destruction. We cau sina, too with certainty, that the best military authorities concur in this viev# of the situation. /Whe Evacuation of Chi “ANOTHER BLESSING IN DISGUIEE.’? the Richmond Whig, Feb. 21.} * On last Thursday night, tho 16th inst., our forecs evacu- ‘ated Charleston, and it is believed that the enemy took Possession during the next day. Many guns must have Deen abandoned by our troops; but it is consoling to know ‘that the Yankees got little else, There was no cotton at Charleston to gladden Lincoln’s heart, aud the city itself was little better than @ deserted ruin, Several telegraph eperators, all of them men ef Northern birth, did not come ous with our forces, but remained to receive the Yankees. The evasuation of Charleston should rather in:pire cheorfulness than gloom. Sherman can only be checked by am immediate concentration in his front of all our troopa, both in North and South Caroliua. If this is done he may be defeated and his present expedition broken wp, Uf he ia not defeated he will march straight up the reitroed te Charlotte, thence to Salisbury, thence to Greensloro and Danville, and so on to Richmond. Many different estl- ‘mates have been made of Sherman’s army, Some think he has sixty thousand men. We know he has four fall army corpe and a strong force of cavalry. His corps ‘will not number less than twelve thousand men. ‘The Only Word of Regret for the Fall of the Ill-Fated Cradle of Secession. (From the Richmond Dispatch, Feb. 21.) ‘While the War Department could furnish us nothing upon the subject, it was generally belioved that Charles. ten, the cradle of secession and the very nest of rebellion, bad been evacuated by our troops. Sherman, by bis bold edvance, has thus accomplished, without bloodshed, what Dupont, Dabigren, Gillmore & Co. have in vain attempted, though aided by the combined maval force of Yankee- dom. This ill-fated city, or rather the remnant of it, ‘will now experience to ite full extent the mercy and mag- napimity of Yankee rule, The Mercury moved ite quarters several weeks ago, in anticipation of this sad result. PORTER. Oar Naval Correspondence. Orr Cuantzston, 8. C., Feb, 11, 1865. On Thursday, February 9, the United States ships Pawnee and Sonoma made @ reconnoissance up North Edisto river to shell a battery which had fired on a land party from the Sonoma a few days previous. They had anchored and shelled the woods in the vicinity for an hour or so without receiving any reply, when the fire was slackened, In the meantime both vessels had got aground, the tide having run out entirely. The rebels, who had been waiting for this event, suddenly opened upon both vessels from three different batteriee—two ahead, which sent raking shotg, and the other abreast of tho vessels, Captain Balch, who was on board the Sonoma at the time, at once repaired on board his vessel, though his boat barely escaped being sunk by the shot, which fell thick and fast around both vessels. They both opened fire immediately, and in one hour had completely silenced all the rebel guns. The enemy fired perhaps two or three hundred shots, one-half of them passing directly across the vessel’s decks or drop- ping alongside, only ten or twelve shote taking effect. Strange to say, no one was hurt on ¢jther veesel, though it certainly appeared at one time, from tho rapid fring which ‘the rebels made, that many would be killed or wounded. Both vessels being aground gave the enemy a stationary target, but the rapidity of the vessels’ fring Prevented them from getting accurate aim. The Pawnee fired about three hundred and fifty and ‘the Sonoma about two hundred and fifty shots during the fight, two-thirds of which were nine-inch shell, the rest being from an eleven-inch and one-hundred-pounder on the Sonoma, and a rifled fifty and one-hundred on the Pawneo. The officers and crew of both vessels behaved well. The Pawnee is commandcd by Commander Balch, and mounts twelve nine-inch and two large rifled guns. The Sonoma carries six heavy guns and four howitzers, The following is a list of the Sonoma’s officers: — Lieutenant Co: ‘Thomas Scott Filebrowne, Acting Protgra Mt. J. Daly, Goo. ouch, 8 G. B 8H. Pollock. Phir ea omy eee Paymaster. ti Villiam Soll pa jam low. Paymaster's Clerk—Joh Tay lee ‘se john anderson. Cap’ain's Clerk—O. B. Van Bergen. . B. Cullins, George Paul, John O'Keefe, Rufus Burton, George Lewis. Board of Supervisors. MORE MONEY TO BB RAISED FOR RECRUITING, ETO. The Board of Supervisors met yesterday, Supervisor ‘Tweed presiding. The Comptroller sent in a communication, in which he farnished a list of the moneyed institutions which had subscribed to the $2,000,000 bounty fund loan authorized by the Legislature, and also a list of institutions which he had asked to take up the balance of the loan ($986,- 500), in order to obtain funds enough to carry on reeruit- ing in the city. The communication also stated that an additional sum will be necessary to continue the patriotic work; and that a loan of $2,000,000 is authorieed by an ordindnce paeaed by the Bourd on the 10th of January, 1865, and which received the sanction of the Legisiature on the 10th of February. Tho Comptroller concluded as follows: The bonde to be iseued by virtuo of this ordinance are to be made payable in annual {instalments of $600,000, commencing Nov. 1, 1805, at a rato of interest not ex- co.ding seven per cent per annum. The louns of the cbunty of New York have heretofore been neglected at six per cent perannum. At the present time, however, the general government is offering securities at seven: thirty per annun nd the Etate governinent is in the market with a loa seven. It therefors becomes ne- eensary for the county to fix the rate of mterest on aforesaid loan at seven per cent per annum, in order that it may be speodily negotiated, as delay will defeat the ct for which it is authorized. Ae the bonds to be jued by said loan are for a period of thirty yoars, it is believed that by fixing the rate of interest at seven cent they may be readily hey overs of by inviting se: proposals for the same, at a handsome premium on their par value. I shall await your action before taking mea- sures to negotiate the proposed loan. The report was adopted and the following resolution was then offered and adopted :— Rerolved, That the Comptroller be and he is hereby suthor- eae ter tre he pape kates Sader sees a for five day OF ‘oldiers’ Boun Ful Bonds, No. to veal interest at the ‘rate of ae per cent per annum, payable semi-annually dinance of thi }, passed Januat Uoned by the Legisiature, February 10, [566. The following resolution was then offered and adopted : Resolved, That the Commities on Volunteering eoufér w the mptrolier ‘nto the expedicney of ing Coeds ot the seven. thirties United States stock, of the denomination of or under, with ® view of paying bounty to recruita, or in \d notes, as they inay determine. A resolution was offered and adopted, directing the Tax Commissioners to report whether the valuation of pro- ive real estate in this city is to be imcreased in pro- Portion to the increased incomes which it yields. 4 call of the Board was then made, and a quorum not being present the Board adjourned. —a— The Draft in Brooklyn. ‘The draft in the Third district was resumed at ten o'clock yesterday morning, and the Second, Seventh and Thirteenth wards were disposed of. To-day the First, Fourth, Eleventh, Nineteenth and Twentieth wards will bo drawn, which will complete the district, Among the lucky ones yesterday was Coroner Lynch, of the Seventh ward. He will make a very good soldier. The Detroit Board of Trade Building. Dernorr, Feb. 23, 1865. The now Board of Trade building was dedicated to.day ‘with appropriate ceremonies, Delegations from the prin- cipal cities participated in the exercises, The New York Produce Exchange waa represented by Genoral Walbridge and Movers, Hincken, Bogart and Lee. The Ball of the Spiteakugein Club. TO THE EDITOR OF THY RERALD. ‘You will oblige the members of the above club by cor. Fecting the report of the ball given last night in Irving Hall. This socicty is not a musical, but s strictly humor- ietic an convivial clad, It is not an offepring of, or Sica Ste AP color; some mal of ad goo! LI Sie bro or ehips with the sharpalooters. Fire tal was & anpeatned or ip any mann ulated by the mem- re; but got up as @ privaie sp@onlation for the bonefit of the proprietor of the club hy who was permitted to Make use of the name, 1 ton an pe - '0.'Tg, respectfully, how Yous, Sot; a, METHAVER, Secretary. NEW YORK, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1865. THE SOUTH. OVERRUN. Raiding Forces Penetrating Every Part of the State. Movements Upon the Charlotte and Salisbury Railroad LEE’S COMMUNICATIONS IN DANGER, BATD UPON GREENVILLE AND 'PARBORO. Seemann aoe ADVANCE UP THE NEUSE RIVER. Proclamation of the Governor of North Carolina. Grant’s Combinations Against Richmond. The Last and Grandest Campaign Wow in Progress, &e., &e., The North Carolina Raids. Gotnsnono, Feb. 19, 1865. a Reger Hood te PBedlaia eo Lact strong, rough Greenville yeate: , aud when last heard from were advancing on Tarboro, It ig thought to be a mere raiding party. General Baker is after them. Another party is reported coming up the south side of the ae This needs confirmation. No trouble ie an- ticipated, THE OFFICIAL REPORTS LARGELY AUGMENTING THE FORCES RAIDING IN NORTH CAROLINA. [From the Richmond Examiner, Feb. 21.] We by the telegraph a confirmation of the report we gave yesterday of a cavalry raid in the direction of Tarboro, North ina; and also a renewal of the rumor of a movement of the enemy up the south side of the Nouse. We know that oficial intelligence has been re- ceived here giving a much more magnified account of the latter movement than the popular report of it; and that it is supposed that Foster's forces, or aconsiderable portion of them, have moved up to 'Newbern to operate from there, probably upon the Wilmington and Weldon road, There is no doubt that the landing of troops at New- bern and the reinforcement of Terry ‘at Wilmington aro both intended to aid or co-operate with Sherman. 4 MOVEMENT FROM KNOXVILLE ON SALISBURY AND CHARLOTTE. [From the Richmond Examiner, Feb. 21.] pa Lapis! to pallets that for Nog ms of the hie ition which was reported yesterday to have certal moved from Knoxville, ars not upon Southwestern Vir- ginia, but that i kein yams geri North Carolina, and to s'rike thera between Salisbury and Charlotte. This force, consi:ting of several thousand cavalry, and supposed to be begin benoit ae pont a we reper ies Yerday, at Green m whicl int the = a wage “road a North Ckrtina branches pe passing through Warm Sprin, appears to the ‘obvious direction of thee rpral 1. From all we can learn there ts nothing lo tempt them in Southwestern Virginia, as they have already damaged the ealt works and railroad there, and plundered the country to such an extent that it is doubtful whether any considerable num- Der of troops could be subsisted there. &e, Proclamation of Governor Vance to the People of North Carol: [From the Richmond Examiner, Feb. 21.] We. find in the North Carolina papers a proclamation of @overnor Vance, iasned on the 14th inst., relative to the recent ‘‘peace negotiations.” The following are some of the concluding paragraphs of this patriotic and stirring paper:— Ptrast and believe that there will be little difference of opinion in North Carolina as to the propricty of continued resistance. The great argument which will be brought forward to shake your honor and intended to excite you to despair will be that successful resistance ts no longer possible. Some will tell you that we are already subdued ; that the enemy outnumbers us; that our fighting men are all slain ; our resources all exhausted, and we might ae well submit now. This, my countrymen, is fale, and as frequently roceeds from a craven or @ traitorous, as from an onest but mistaken spirit. Great as our calamities have been, straitenrd as we are for all supplies, Loch of men and material, I tell you in all candor that’ when I survey our condition by the light of human history, I see no danger which threatens to be fatal to our cause, except the d-presion of spirit among the perpie ana the still more ‘ul risk of internal dissension. So long as we remain one and determined, it is not in the power of out enemies to subdue us. “But except these abide in the ship we cannot be saved.” All things my be suppliod ifwe were but possessed of that bold and Aanly spirit of resistance to tyranny, of whieh liberty anv. independence are born. That alone can fill the widow's arre at etl the orphan’s can cast cannons and build ships of war; can raise up armed men from tie dust of the di 's teeth, can wrest tangibie realitie from the very jaws of impossibility. Without it, num rs but add to the ignominy of certain dofeat, even as the Persian millions were whipped and shamed by the three hundred in the mountain Are our men all slain? Over four hundred thovsand names yet stand upon the muster rolls of the confcderacy, to say nothing of the many thovsands who shirk. here are they? Thousands upon thousands, absent without leave, are lurking in the woods and swamps of the South. Are our provisions all gone? Hundreds of thousands of bushels of gmin now rot at the rious depots of the South for the want of transportation, and ths transporta- tion cannot be protected because these abeent uldiers are not at the post of duty. Oh, my countryme you would but rise to entroat, to shame, to drive them back to their country’s standard! Has our territory been over- run? It has; but how much of it has been held? The enemy marched triumphantly through the heart of our sister, Georgia, and Except for the ‘garrison at favannah, aches ashes of desolation on their travk through the Interior, Georgia has neither enemy nor the eign of enemy on her roi. So of most portions of the South which space does not permit ine to enumerate. For four ears their countless legions have gnawed at the vitals of rainy yet to-day they claim not even all of ‘her terri. tory which is swept by their cannon. The cities they rrison, the land their armies actually stand upon, and the waters ridden by their fleets, are all that they reall hold, or ever can hold except by our ignoble Conseuk Let ‘the balance of our cities go—Mobile, Charl Wilmington, Richm all; and, if we are dotermin to be free, our subju; is quite as distant as ever. For, thank God, the confederacy does not consist In brick and noah Rood ie agen [sa of ground, howevor valu- able they may in & military point of view. Our ne tionality consists in our le, Liberty dwells in the hearta of her votaries, and the , barefooted wol- diers, standing in the depths of tho or in the sha- dow of the mountain, can offer her sacrifices which will be as sweet and as acceptable as those in temples in the midst of magni it cities, ‘our country and ite cause, like to the Kingdom of ‘be enthroned in our hearts, then indeed am I that neither principalities nor an ak nor sent ner things to come, nor height nor depth, nor life nor death, nor any other oreatare ll be able to sepa- rate us from that independ and honor for which our people have suffered and our #ns have died. Theref my countrymen, ha’ warned you of this ‘danger which fa upon us, I now to 33 ie you, by everything held sacred ‘mong mon, to bear yourselves as pibon your high lineage and future ho; Timplore you to lay down all pe bpert Zl tnd to be reconciled to your neighbor for the sake*of your country; to use every ible exer- tion to restore absentees to the army; to een freely with the poor and bysical, mental and moral, im whatever sph ate revent the degradation weabry ina the ruin of ite people. The Combinations of Grant. THR PRESENT TO BB From the Rishmond Examiner, Fe ‘The enemy is now gathering all the availa from all Yankee armies and 8, and direct: ia a Feacng thro out Gro Richmond. Sher. man advanc! Hit y lowly: fotreate Bim towards Chart ‘oster, or some other mand! ing demonstrations with heavy f Nouse rivers eastward, while rumor says that the Yankee force in East Tennessee ia, at the same time, to cross the Alleghany and come dowg Into North Carolina by the west, thus advancing Both by way of Weldon and by way of Ballebur§, atvempling to take Beauregard in flank, or even to cat him ol un) hed bia rear.; while Grant waits patiently ia his fortidoations for Sher. man's appearonce on the line of the Danville Railroad, that so the whole accumulated nower af tbe federal hesia may close in on Richmond, cut off its supplies and com- pel its surrender. It is all extromely fine, but not new; we have heard of something of thts sort before, and even more than once. It is one of Shoe sagniGcont combinations, extending over a vast now form the well ki cha- fucteristo of Yankee warfare. ‘Those ‘superburman oom- binations satis(y and exalt the imagination; but the; have the disadvantage of always failing in ‘some 4 essential In a newspaper mime, on the ro may, In the general orders ansigning to each Ys and, we and commander his special duty, all to be accom- ished by agiven day, this sort of campaign undoubtedly ks mniaior only when set agoing and brought into collision with hard fats it} somehow becemes dislo- cated, Thus contemplation of those many armies sepeoncbing from all points of the com; aud bound to keep time, has lost a rt deal of its intimidasi effect. What is this campaign but a repetition of of last year? Then, also, Butler with Aft) jen was to advance u| Kichmond by the south, Grant with a hundred and {ifty thousand from the north, Hunter with fifteen thousand men from the west, taking Lynchburg on his way, and destroying the railroads both beyond and on this side of thatcity. Of course ous supplies were to be cut off; and of course Richmond was to surrender; and Butler wag to have been Rigning. over us some time in July last, at the latest, has become of those might armies? Nine menths have barely passed, ane @ broken and wearied remnants of them are scarcely sufficient to provoke an skirmish at some point upon our lines, which no longer causes an alarm bell to ring in Richmond, Grant demands @ hundred thou Men; and as for But- ler, mow “planting his cabbages’’ at native Lowell, no Confederate names bim without a laugh. Yet those commanders and their hosts seemed formidable enough to usmine months ago; especially as portrayed to us in the eloquent and menacing paragraphs of Yankeo war fents, who are iy learning to write cam- paigns in a military slang quite imposing to persona in civil life. Accordingly, in May and Juno last, man: weak-minded citizcns were preparing to quit Richmond; and Mr. Memminger, ever mindful of the safety of his interesting Treasury employés,. packed them off to Co- lumbia. “Now am I in Arden,” quoth Touchstone. “More fool I. When I was at home I was in a better place.” That was indeed one of the great financial strokes of Mr. Memminger. Now, there is not at this moment so much to alarm us in reality as there was last May. It is true, we have met so many troops; but neither has our enemy, by a great deal. On that occasion, too, General Butler could and did land his forces at City Point, without any effort or loss; but this year Sherman has to fight bis way through many 8 swamp, and take or turn many a bat- tery, and leave many.a blue-coated corpse belind him ere he can hope to see a Virginia railroad. It is hoped, not without some degree of eonfidence, that the Presiden! will not this year relieve General Beauregard in the very crisis of bis campaign, and appoint General Pemberton ip bis place, with orders to the latter to slip round to Sherman’s rear and marcliaway to Mobile, But, bar- ring this, or some other equally enormous blunder or crime, it seems evident that Shor has before him @ much moro difficult and perilous of the grand campaign than Butler bad last year, And in the mean- time his devastating march through South Carolina is no more conquering tat State than his great raid through Georgia has converted Georgians to tho “Union,” Richmond is safe if ail parties concerned do their duty; that is, if (ho new Secretary of War is energetic, and if the new commissary sh! be found to have some ele- mentary ideas about food; ially if Congress proceed ‘at once with such legislation, for the purpose of giving General Lee control of rg? mumbers of. negroes, as that general aske at their hands. Promptitude and docision are important in this matter; yet it is understood that many members have long speeches to make; and one, they say, has even threatened to be heard for two days—golg down into the very first prin- ciples of human society and soaring to the sublime fu- ture which is reserved for the dvstiny of our species— and the roads almost begigning already to dry under the winds of March. Two | Why Sherman can march forty miles in two days, If this measure is to be adopted to increase our means of national defence, it were well it were done quickly, in order that there may be at least a portion of the new material ready for the work of the coming struggla In the meantime lot it not enter the thoughts of any citizen of Richmond that the city isin any greater danger this spring than It was the spring before. There is the strongest probability, too—all the omens indicate—that Shia will be the last campaign against the capital of Vir- gini Rebel Financial Measures. THE IMPRESSMENT OF COTTON AXD TOBACCO. {From the R.chmond Examiner, Feb. 21.) Among the financial schemes in Congress is a bill re- cently introduced by Mr. Rusrell ia the House, to faa- thorize the impressment of cotton and tobacco at a price appraised in specic, to be paid in six per cent bonds at F; OF, at the option of the owner, the cotton or to- Pasko ty be tesuieea ta kjad within a specified time aftor one ss the war. The bill has been ordered to be printed. The Rebel Congress. BOTH HOUSES IN SECRET 828SION ON THB NEGRO SOLDIER BILL.+ [From the Richmond Sentinel, Feb 21.) It was generally known that both Houses were in secret seasion yesterday on the bills to put negroes in the army. It is understood a bill on the eubject wed the House yesterday, and it is believed one of the same character Will pass the Senate to-day. As they differ in detail, the subject will come before both Honsesagain. There is but litle doubt of the adoptim of tee measure. The Com- mander-in-Chirf and the rank and Ale are in favor of it, and it 1s growing in favor withthe peop'e, ‘THE NEW REBEL CONSCRIPTION LAW. In the rebel Honse of Representatives, on Monday ! Mr. Rocers, of Florida, continued his argument aga the bill of the committee and in favor of the present system. He thought the State enrolling officers, and uot the authorities connected wich the Conscript Bureau, are culpable for the non execution of the Conscript law. The number of men placed in service through the agency of the bureau ts much larger than is claimed by the com- anitice, Mr. Rogers’ substitute was lost, and the Dill, as re- Ported, passed by the following vote—ayee 50, noes 13, The lollowing is a copy of the bill The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the ,eneral oilice:s commanding the reserves in ate arged with the duty of directing and ‘i controling the enfor tion, exemptions ati shall report to the 8: ) and Inspector General, who shall as tant Genesal in his ofiice to the «petal ail returns and in the se ions to the Secretary n appeals, the appe uring the pendency o lants » able to military service. Ther Le assigned from the inva cers certified by the proper meaical b service in the Geld, a sutliclent number of enrolling oflicers, Who shall report to and b: control of the general fice seription tn the severnl Baten, lconseripts shall be examined by the medical boards of the army after Joining the commands tn the ficid to which y respectively wanigned, and every disc Hall be final, and fee in the’ future wi se Of it iw wet forth in of War! bu 1 1 corps, ar from offl- rd tobe unit foractive nder the Im:nedlate dipection and nducting the business of con- e- en dlseharge. If amy conseript shall furnish to the enrol offloer of bis county acerti bie physician command to dice (0 his health, or festly unfit for Seid survicg, or Shall present to such enroll. ing Officer a certifieate of discharge on account of permanent dina’ furlough shall be granted to him until the next the medical board, hereinafter provided for. I! be aanigned to each Congressional district @ medical board, eonsisting of three, two of whom shall be army surgeon who, after due notloe of the Lime and place of their meeting, shall visit each county of the district at least once in two montha, and shall examine, for discharge or recommendation for light duty, all conseripta who have deon furlonghed under the provisions of the proceding sec: tion. Ei ncharge granted by the ald Imedieal hoard P— auure whoa the disso is peruaneny ‘uture, w e 6 enh, ani the cause of it net forth in the certificate: se shall be the duty of all efflcers and others em toyed tn the scrvioe of the Confederate Staten, and not actually in the field, nor attoehed te any army in the field, includin, quartermastere and art ‘commanders of 4, provost marshals, off itreand mining and medical bureaus, and othere, to make certified monthly returns to the co" the nainrs, ages and in their ich ret rarded eral ofhcer cor iraling conscription fou in the Bate For the enforcement of the duties imposed by this act upon officers control eonseription i py aj reserve forvee as they tng took vale it The bureau of ‘and the camps of instruction hereby abolished, and all War Department fwith hi act'tre boreby set MORE VISIONARY GCMEMES OF PEACE—wnaT THR SOUTH I8 DETERMINED TO DO AND WHAT SHB MIGHT BK INDUCED TO DO BY CoAxING. In the House on Monday, under a suspension of the rules, Mr. Pearrvs, of Loui: back from the oe on Foreign Affairs, resolutions, Resolved. b; the of the Confederate, Rtaten of ft to Ch le of the Seated bat . coutinw: ous and dis visaion te lerme of peace alike Fula. Sart Starke ctoetgy pe a eee it the * Pe a eta rms woul thet them, and Sees Uomistakable avid dedic: ete in the Held, our soldiers Fecelve the thanks of the onunt jenolved, That the Congress invites the peo Btatoe to abserudle 'n publle meeting and reuew Te mn to the ean: om iw idence; to declare their de- Jartaination to mai iain thelr [teerues; to pledge thernenl todo all in thelr power and Oil the route et Say sone te ind wi Provide for thy ad pertef the farbilies of our soldier: cheer m1 very meni allant men years, through (rials and dangers, vindicated our righ on the battles eld. Resolved, That confiding tn the justice, and aide? and sue. tained by the God of batten, in the wnior and oriurance of our soldiers, and in tbe deep and ardeus devotion of gus veo ple to the great prin jon of civil and political Mberty for which we ure conten: », Congress pledges itself to the pas- tage of the most energetic measures tw secure our ultimale success, Mr. of North Carolina, offered the following as an addition to the committee's report :— Resoly further, That notwithstanding all this, we be- Neve hs Gontatoraie States would consent, Ist. That there bea separation between the United States und Confederate | Biates of Ame } one perfectly free and independent of the other—the rights of navigation, trade, Trani de sproperiy and fairly on and setiled, ‘2d. That an Amerfean Dict created, each party shall be -gntes, nm judge as mauner ch party paying its own expenses. 8d. The privileges of this Diet to be elearly and definitely dened and setiied. 4th. In this Diet there be ° votes, one by the deegates of the United States of America, Sree be cblekcat treaty ohen ed of 1a be Ing on the the Hou jenate nd Presldebt ef euch. Bib. In settling t the States of Kentucky and Missouri deter- alan ina ant emcee their people, The resolutions of the committee and those offered by Mr. Gilmer were ordered to be printed. On motion of Mr. Baldwin, of Virginia, the House went into secret session on the Negro bill. The doors being opened the House adjourned. Voting in the Rebel Army in Favor of Arming the Negi oe [From the Richmond Sentinel, Feb. 21.] ‘We understend that a vote was taken yesterday in Pickett's division on the question of employing negroes fn the army, and resulted tn a very large majority voting in favor of the measure. Arrival of Rebel Exchanged Prisoners. {From the Richmond Sentinel, Feb. 21.) ‘We congratulate the friends of the ‘returned Confede- Fate prisoners, and the gallunt men themselves, upon the arrival of twenty-five hundred more at the landing at James river. Over one thousand were brought up to the city yesterduy, and the remainder are expected to-day. A number of federal prisoners will be sent down to- day in exchange. We understand Colonel Hatch has been sent to Wilmington to facilitate the sending off large number from that point, The authorities of both governments are heartily engaged in the good work, and will receive the heartfeit thanks of the poor fellows, both friends and foes, who are thus permitted to vieit bome and friends again. It is the earnest wish of every good man, that nothing may occur to stop 60 humane @ inca- sure. General Grant is proving by his acts that ihe charges of Butler against bim were not true. Promotions of Rebel Officers Confirmed. [From the Richmond Sentinel, Feb. hag The following officers were confirmed by the Senate yesterday:—T. 1, Rosser and L. Lomax, to be major Dende of cavalry. H. D Clayton, of Alabama, and lobn C. Brown, of Tennessee, to be major generals, and Mille L, Bonham, of South Carolina, to be a brigadier gene {General Bonham was formerly a brigadier general, but resigned to accept the Goveruorship of South Carolina, He is now restored to bié original rank im the rebel army.—Ep. Hrratp.) General Sorrel pecoverl ee. [From the Richmond Sentinel, Feb. 21.] The friends of General Sorrel will be pleased to learn that he is recovering from the effects of his wounds THE SHENANDOAH. Mr. Charles H. Farrell’s Despatches. Y Wixongeren, Va., Feb. 21, 1865. THE RECENT AFFAIR AT AsHRY’s GAP, Tam happy to state that the affair in Ashby’s Gap on the 19th instant, between a detachment of the Four- teenth Pennsylvania regiment and a party of Mosby’s guerillas under Captain Richardson, was not so extensive as mentioned in my previous account of the affair. On yesterday upwards of forty of the ninoty men reported captured returned to camp, having escaped to the woods when they saw resistance with the hope of success over the enemy was impossible. Among the officers captured by the rebels was Colonel Coppinger (captain Fourteenth United States infantry), recently appointed to the command of the Fiftcenth New York cavalry, General Custar’s division, A party of rebel guerillas made a dash on a party of soldicrs who were chopping wood near Summit Point, on the Winchester and Harper's Ferry Ratlroad, and cup- tured one or two of them. The affair took place within a short distance from where @ brigade of Union troops were encamped. A SALUTE FOR REGENT A salute of one hundred guns w: honor of the capture of Columbia, £. ©., and the tion of Charleston. ie news created great among our troops end Union citizens. The Union gens asserobl’d on the streets in large numbers and ex- changed congratulatory remarks on the success of Major General Sherman. VICTORIES. fired here to-day, fo Wixcuxerem, Va., Fob. 22, 1868. One of the most daring gucrilla dashes was made yes- terday morning by a gang of rebel bandits under the no- torious Captain McNeil!. From what I can learn of the affair he crossed the Potomac river near Cumberland, evading or misleadmg our guards and pickete, entered the city of Cumberland, Maryland, whore thoy then and there seized and took prisoners Major General George Crook, the commander of the Army of West Virginia; also Brevet Major General B. F. Kelley, commanding the First division of the same. ‘These officers were stopping at the Revere House, in that city. It is supposed the rebels crossed from Virginia into Maryland at Frankford ford, oij;t miles east of Cumberland, following the course of the river to the latter place, On the information reaching here, General Sheridan senta large dotachment of cavalry to the direction of Romney and Moorefield, in lopes of intercepting the daring rebels and reseutng our luckless major general prisoners. It is thought the rebals will take their soners to the upper valley to Staunton, by way of Mountain roads and secret paths. Colonel Currie, commanding this post, has issued orders declaring to day, the anniversary of Washington's birth- day, a boliday. The goldiors will be allowed one wlase of whiskey to inspire their patriotism. A national salute will be fired at noon, THE RECENT UNION VICTORIES. Grand National Jubilee from Ca! Maine, to San Francisco, At © meoting of merchants of this city yesterday, in Collector Draper's office, Moses Taylor presiding, it was resolved that measures be taken to duly celebrate the re- ent victories In a manner commensurate with the gran- deur of the Union triumphs over the rebel hordes; and that the appreciation folt by the people of this city and the country of the fact of the reoccupation of Charleston by our loyal brotherg in arms, together with the fact that the flag of our chantry again floats over the walls of Fort Sumter, should beanade apparent in a fitting mannor, it was voted to suspend all business on the 4th of March next, and that the business community and people of the Whole country, from Calais, Maine, to San Francisco, California, be requested to unite in fitting demonstra Hons of joy on that day. Tho Boards of Trade and Chambers of Commeres of the principal cities of the Union, including San Fran- cisco, have signified their hearty co-operation in this Patriotic movement, and the 4th of March will undobut- @dly be observed throughout the land as a day of jubila- Hon and as the peoplo’s Union holiday. TRE AMENDMENT REJECTED BY THB KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE. Frannrot, Ky., Fob, 22, 1865, In the Senate to-day the reports of the Judiciary Com- mittee on the constitutional amendment were taken up. Mr. Robinson's minority report, favoring ratification 0n condition of compensation, waa rejected by the de- Cistve vyoto—yeas 9, nays 24, A substitute for the report of the majority was offered by Mr, Pisko, that the Legislature ratify unconditionally, ‘was also rejected by « vote of yeas 11, nays 22 The final vote rejecting the amondment was yeas 21, nays 12, Frasnron?, Ky., Fob, 23, 1866, Tho House of Representatives this morning, bye vote Of 62 to 21, rejected Mr. Robinson's minority report, which favored the ratification of the oconstituttonal amendment on the condition that the owners of slaves ‘be compensated for the slavos thus set free. The majority report, rejecting the amendment, was then adopted by « vote of 68 to 26. Thue Kentucky refuses to ratify the anti-slavery amendment, THE KEW JERSEY LEGISLATCBR AND THE CONSTI TUTIONAL AMENDMENT. Taarton, Feb, 28, 1865. This morning the Judiciary Cammittes of the House reported a bill to ratify the constitutional amendment, with an amendment to eubmit it to the vote of the people at the next general clectior Tho minority of eald committee reported against sub- tiltting It to a vote of the people, and to favor of passing 4 resolution to ratify it without such @ proviso. Hon. James M. Soovel, Senator. from Cainden, bas beon Arafiod PRICE FOUR CENTS. WILMINGTON. PROBABLE OCCUPATION OF THE CITY. General Schofield’s Troops Only Four Miles Distant. HEAVY FIGHTING GOING ON, QUR FORCES RAPIDLY ADVANCING. The City Doubtless Captured on Sunday Last, &., &., do. The Capture of Fort Andersoa. QBNERAL SCHOFIELD’S REPORT OF THE LAND OPE> RATIONS. Fort Axperson, Feb. 19, 1865. To Lieutenant General U. 8. Grant, City Point, Va. :— Gxxerat—I have the honor to report the success of our operations against Fort Anderson and the adjacent works ‘on both sides of the Cape Fear river. ; Yesterday, while the guns maintained a heavy fire upon Fort Anderson, I pressed the enemy on both sides of the river, and sent a force, under General Gox, about sixteen miles around a swamp, to turn theenemy’s right, This force made its way along @ narrow defile between two swamps, ond completely turned the enemy's posi- tion, As soon as the movement became known to the enemy he abandoned his works and retreated towards Wilming- ton. We capfured ten guns uninjured and a considerable amount of ammunition. We have about fifty prisoners. The loss in killed or wounded {s small on either side, The troops are pursuing the enemy, and the gunboats are moving up the river. Fort Anderson and its collateral works are very strong, and rendered almost inaccessible by swamps. A small force could have held them till thelr supplies were ex- hausted. My information is that the rebels have a line of de- fence behind Tom creek, where they propose to make @ stand. If £0, it can probably only bea short one. ( 1am, Gencral, very respectfully, your obedient ser- vant, . J. M. SCHOFIELD, Major General Commanding, Despatch from Comm: ler Trenchard to Secretary Welles. Wacninoton, Feb. 23, 1868. Tho following ofMfelal despatch was received at the Navy Departmont to-day. Unirep Starrs Sreamer Ruope Ieiaxn, } Haurton Roans, Va, Feb. 23, 1866 To Hon. Gmwow Weis, Secretary of the Navy :— The Newbern has just arrived from Cape Fear river, which place she left on the 2ist inst. Her commander reports that our forces were within four miles of Wil- mingtom. Hoavy tighting was going on, and our forces were still advancing. Very respectfully, STEVHEN D. TRENCHARD, Commander, The Press Despatch. Wasurxctos, Fob. 23, 1866. Commander Trenchard, of the United States steamer Rhode latand, tolegraphe to the Navy Department from Hampton Roads this morning that our troops are will four miles of Wilmington. Heavy fring was beard, ‘our troops were advancing rapidly. ‘ Information received here, coming through rebel sources, is to the effect that Wilmington was occupied by our forces on Sunday last, the rebels moving towards Raleigh NEWS FROM KENTUCKY. General Palmer in Command of the De- partment, &c. Lovicviter, Feb. 22, 1865. Major General Palmer will publish an order to-morrow, assuming command of the Department of Keatucky from the 18th, making his headquarters at Louisville. Major General Rousseau and Brigadicr General Whipple arrived here this evening. James I. Dozier, Esq., father-in-kaw of Major General Rousseau, died this morning. ‘ A salute was fred to-day in accordance with the ordess from the War Department, and many of the government buildings, business houses and private dwellings, were decorated with fags. General Palmer's Programme. Faaxxront, Ky., Feb. 22, 1868, General Palmer is at Louisville, his headquarters for the present, In conversation last night he stated that he caine to execute, vigorously and thoroughly, tho policy pursued heretofore by the administration, and thas neither party could use him to advance their own pur. poses. All forces for the defence of the State are to be mustered into the United States service, and to be under the control of the officers of that service. No more State troops will be allowed to be raised. The enlistment of negroes will be continued. It was inferred from his states monte that he would carry out the policy of General Bure bridge as far as necessary, and that the amplest protec- tion would be offered to the Union men. The oldest son of Rev. R. J. Brockinridge, Colonel R. J, Breckinridge, of the rebel service, was captured near Versailles; Ky., this afternoon, A Rebel Force Believed to be Entering Mount Sterling. Lounvitee, Feb, 28, 1868. It ts reported that the rebel Colonel Howard Smith entered Mount Bterling under « flag of truce, and was held as @ prieover by our forces there. It is believed @ rebel force may be entering Kentucky from that direction, The Execution of Captain Beall, To-day. The execution of Captain Beall, the alleged rebel spy, is positively Gxed for to-day, The gallows upon whieh tho unfortunate man will be compelled to expiate big guilt was sent over to Governor's Island yesterday by order of General Dix, and everything was in readiness te carry out the extreme ponalty of the law. The impres, sion that Captain Beall was in some way connected with the incendiaries who attempted to burn down the city @ fow weeks ago turns out to be entirely unfounded. There was no ovidence to show that he was in apy way com- neoted with the gang. ‘The execution will take place between the hours of twelve and two o'clock, ' BEALL’S CASE REFERRED TO THE JUDGR ADVOCATS GENERAL, ‘Wasnrraton, Feb. 28, 1865, ‘The proesedings Of the oamrt martial in the aie Boal, the rebel raider and spy, new under sentence o death at New York, have been roforred to Judge Advocate Gonera! Holt for examination and report. There is little probability of @ commutation of bis sentonce, as if thas should be done there would bo ne reason for the execu~ tion heroafter of such dosperadoes, whatever might be thot crimes. ‘i The Seven-thirty Loan. Purtanmuenra, Feb, 93, 1866. Jay Cooke & Co, report that the subscriptions to the seven-thirty loan since the last report amount ta 96,256,900, ‘The largest Wostern subscription was for $2,000,000 from Cleveland, and the largest from the East was $558,000 from Philadelphia, There were 4,347 sim. gle subscript! ons. The D of the @ Steers. 10 THE BDITOR OFTHE HERALD. r Tocmwrrow, N. J., Feb. 21, 1866. In my report of the 16th inst, 1 mentioned the fact of the body of a man having been picked op on the beach near this place, T learn to-night that another boty hag been found, They no doubt came from the pilot dost which went to on Barnegat Shoals, The bodie have bees taken im charge by the Coro: and will buried at this piace, a W. Pal