The New York Herald Newspaper, March 26, 1865, Page 1

THE NEW YORK HERALD. WHOLE NO. 10,436. - NEW YORK, SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 1865. TH man at the time, restrained the prisoner, and | tion of the law. You are shortly to suffer death in such & E HOTEL INCENDIARI told kam to to his fate like a man, manner that warned by your example, may be “T am prepared for this thing,” replied the prisoner, | the more afraid to ; and we pray God you may and hobling out his arms motioned executioner tO | make such use of your punixbments tn thie world that | / ] Execution of Robert Cobb Kennedy. Extraordinary Conduct of the Culprit, IE DIES SINGING A SONG. ~~ BCENES AT THE SCAFFOLD. ‘The Bounty Jumpers Made to Wit- ness the Bxecution. The Culprit Leaves a Written Confes- sion of His Guilt, &., &., &e, ‘Whe execution of Robert Cobb Kennedy, the raider and Rotel Incendiary, who was convicted befere a military @ommission some weeks ago, took place yesterday at Fort Lafayette, in the presence of several handred spec- taters, The culprit exbibited a mixture of bravado and fear dering the ordeal, and at intervals ucted in a very ‘ipooherent” manner. Most people thought he was in- Qembated, but those who knew him beet attributed his @enduct to nervous imsanity, and maintain thathe was perfectly sober in bis last moments, BIOGRAPHY OF THE CULPRIT. Kennedy was a native of Georgia, but was brought up fi Louisiana, He entered tho Military Academy at West Point in 1354, but left it two years afterwards, and, re ‘erving to his home in Louisiana, led the life of a planter. He was among the first to enter the rebal service ‘when the rebellion broke out. He was one of the chief esuspirators in the attempt to fire the city last fall, and was detocted in irying to burn Barnum’s Museum at am:hour when its destruction would have mvolved the Joss of a large number of lives. The incendiary’s flight to Canada, in order to avoid arrest, and his subsequent zeturn to Detroit and cature there by the det 00 fresh in the minds of our readers to need recap tula. tien. Sutfloe it to say that he was brought to this city, ‘ied befere a military commission, and condemned to dle yesterday by order of Major General Dix, commander @f the Depar.m.ut of the Fast, In person the condemned wae about five feot eight or nine inches high, light build, with brown eyes, and ha'r and whiskers of the same color. He was usually atiired in a suit of gray cloth, and Bhi general air was that of an educated and well brod person. HIG INCARCERATION AT FORT LAFAYETTE. During his continement at Fort Lafayetie Kennedy easxmed a perfect, devil-may-care sort of manner, and woukl have his visitors believe that the government would never have the nerve to hang him, for fear of Betal'atory measures on the part ot Jeff. Davis. Not. withstanding his faith in the confederacy, however, the prisoner thought it would not be a good plan to trust Presi- @ent Lincoln too far, and accordingly he conceived the idea of making his escape. On Sunday last be was de- tected in the act of trying to burn the jock of his cell door ‘eff by means of a red hot poker. The sentry who made the scovery communicated the fact to Colonel Burke, the @ommandant of the garrison, and the result was thata guard was kept in front of his cell day and night, render. fog any further effort to escape a matter of impossibility ekpost. THE DAY BEFORE THE EBAECUTION. Sergeant Young, of the detective squad, called upon ‘the prisoner the day before the execution and had an fmterview with him. Kennedy completely exonerated Altison and McDonald from any attempt to burn the ety, and said he hoped they would both be released. During the conversation he intimated to the detective that he was in possession of some valuable information, which he would agree to divulge provided General Dix would get him respited, But Mr. Young could not hold ot any hope to the culprit, and so here tho matter dropped. Subsequently the prisoner had .an interview with fhe mother of McDonald, when he etated that Ber son was entirely innocent of the charge yproferrea against him. The night was spent writing letters, and directing envelopes wh ch were to enclose hia photographs, when they arrived from New York the next day. He was oce pied in this manner ‘auth near five o'clock, when he threw himeelf on his ot, and obtained a few hours sleep. THE MORNING OF THE EXECUTION, Kennedy rose from his bed about seven o’clo k, appa rently bul little refreshed by his sleep. The chapiain ‘wae arly in att ndance and unremitting in his e'forts to @unifert the culprit, who Was by no means resigued tol # fate. The prayers for condemned prisoners, according to tue service o! Protestant Episcopal Chorcli, were read by the clergyman, and every ellort was made to méniger to the wants of the unhappy man. MIS INTERVIEW WITH 11g COUNSEL. Golone! Stoughton, who acted as the prisoner's con pel on the tral, visited the condemned, m company with General Beale, of thgerebel army. They iound the prisoner much d jected, put he cheered up when Wey spoke to him, and tried to be as lively as the eir- @uastances of hs'case would permit. When cutting oil a lock of bis hair, howover, and handing it to Genoral Bouse wo be delivered’ to his friends as a memento, he bsuke down, and sh d tears as freely asa child, He beg. ed hat General Beale would remain with bim auul the ‘and upon receiv ng an aesurance .n the affirmative he seewed to regain his lost sp:riw,and was cheerful again, THE PREPARATIONS for the execution commenced about 6] ven o'clock, under the persunal superintendence of Colonel Burke and Mar- shal Murray, scailolt—the one on which Beall was anged—-was ercetod in the centre of the yard, A batal- hon of the Seventeenth United Siates infantry formed a square, and kept out all who were not spe ially invited to be present near (he reatiold, £0 ther was none of that poshing and confusion which {avariably happené on ov- @ag.uns of this kind, TUE BOUNTY BROKERS AND JUMPERS, to the number of one hundred and eighty-five, wore com pelied to witness the execution, aud it is to be hoped that tho fate of Kenvedy will serve as a warning to more than oue of the gaoy, A more villanous looking set of ras tals never were collected together perhaps; but they Debaved themacives with remarkable propriety, and showed that they were und r proper subjection for once in their lives, The brokers were drawn up in oue end of the yard and the jumpers in another; but to the observer there was very little diler nce in ‘the ap pearance of the squads, They all looked seedy enough, And felt somewhat mortified at being paraded before the mand the spectator# like #0 many wild animals; Gat ey bore their misforwine with b coming neigna THE EXRCUTIONER VISITS THE CULPRIT. The executioner visited the ) ato cell during the for. noon, for the purpose of finding out his weight, eight, Kc, so that he might arrange the gallows ac- eordingly, ‘The hanginan tried to get the desired infor- Matton by Aw tittle piece of strategy, that the pris oner’s feelings might not be hurt; but Ken Ready was so gruff with him that he was Merown off his guard and unwittingly revealed the object of bw vinit. ‘ean aly did not relish the executioners viet much; but nevertheless he gave lim the cesired information in regard w his weight and height, saying fhe weighed about one hundred and thirty-five pounds, aud was about five feet eight wnches inh ight. The table a whi h the prisoner gat was etrewn with writing mate- books, letters, &c. The prisoner had also an aban- dant supply of tobaceo on hand, th re being no less than four packages on the table, besides whut he carried m Ihde poukets, SCBNE IN THE CONDEMNED CELL, About one o'clock Colonel Burke, Marshal Murray, Brigadicr General Beale and Captain Wilson, followed by the execut oner, v sited the cell of the conlemned for the purpore of preparing the © Iprit’ for the geaff sid, Ypon entering the cei the party were met by the boy Mr Hurse, thw e had been plain of For. Havaitton, w eloa ted with the prisoner since nv K Ailing ata table, a. If he was engaged nw 4 aor to be aware of (he presence of bis visiturs wndil clustered around the v ry table, Marshal M ray, who healed tho party, addressed the prisouor brioly, saying the etal hour bad'arrived, end it was ho vssary for the culprit prepare himscli for the peaijord “L know your errand and Tam prepared for it,?? re Wed Konnedy, in a broken voioe, and geting up from 6 table he advanced towards the contre of the room, apparently greatly agitated “Are you ready?” inquired the executioner, who had 1 forward and touched hm on the shoulder: nedy was quite disconcerted at (hy abraptness of the vuquiry, and, looking at ie executioner wiih con tempt, replied, “Who are you? L don't know vou’? @eusral Beale, who way conygraum with the clergy- dy was y and tid eqme forward and bind him ‘The executioner quickly to pinion the . during whi o Kenaedy ‘ed vio- trepidation and eried achitd, He was evidently and bore the trial with anything TAKING LEAVE OF HIS FRIENDS. ‘The firet person 'who took leave of the condemned was & representative of the proms, who had visited him on several occasions, and ac! the part of a.friond to him, « old fellow,” said Kennedy; ‘do me justice tn that publication of yours.” Captain Wilson then shook hands with h'm, when Kennedy requested him to forward bis pipe to his mother. In taking leave of Gen, Beak his manner was quite affectionate and unrestrained. He wept bitterly, but General Beale soothed him by telling him to dle jike s man. “Oh, this is hard of the damned Yankees, to treat me im this way,” remonstrated the prisoner. “I have been a regauiar soldier, should not have been treated #0."* Then, asking Gencral Reale for a handkerchief, he sig- nified his readinees to proceed to the scaffold At this juncture the executioner stepped Place the k cap on the culprit’s head, when Kennedy drew back in horror, and inquired if it was necessary to wear the cap before arriving at the scaffold Marsbal Murray aseured that it was, when Ken- pedy resigned himself into the hands of the executioner, and quietly allowed himself to be arrayed for the forth. coming coremony.. 4 procession was then formed, whos, just'as the coriéga was about to move, Kennedy tu around, and, address! General Beale, said, “This is a cowardly murder;” and then, relaps'ng into silence, mo- tioned the Marshal to proceed. THE SCENE AT THE GALLOWS. The procession started fro.n the condemned ot ee five minutes past one o'clock, and marched to the in the following order:— . Lieutenant Black, Officer of the Day Chaplain and the Culprit. BT Rares and ones | Beale jarshal. Murray and Depaty. Hepresentatives of the Presa. The culprit stepped unsteadily ag he wended his to the scaffold, and showed visible strus of mental a bodily weakmess. Hé was furnished with @ cher on reaching the gallows, but only sat on it for a few eccouds, Upon rising he took the black cap off bis head, and threw it upon the ground with a feeling of pervect contempt for all around him. To a person unacquainted with Kenne dy’s manner, one would suppose that he was intoxicated, but the officers assured our reporter that it was his usual appearance, and that ever since his incarceration he manifested the same eccentric disposition, READING THE COURT MARTIAL PROCEEDINGS, Lieutenant T F. French then proceeded to read the order, for the execution, as follows:-— GENERAL ORDERB—NO, 26 Heapquarters, Depantaeyt ov tae East, New York City, March 20, 1865, 1 Refore a military @ommission, which convened at Fort Lafayette, New York harbor, and at New York city, by virtue of Special Ordera, No, 14, current series, from these headquarters, of January 17, 1865, and of which Brigadier Gencral Fite Henry Warren, United States Vol- untecrs, ts President, was arraicned and tried Robert C, Kennedy CHANGE 1—"ACTING ASA SPY.” Specificction Pir t—"In this, that Robert C. Kennedy, ntain in the military service of the insurgent States, is fonnid acting as a spy in the city of New York, in the State of New York, on or about the Ist day of Novem- ber, 1864.” Sprevfieation Sre-nd—“In this, that Robert, Kennedy, 2 captain m the wihtary service of the insurgent States, was found acting asa spy in the city of Detroit, in the State of Michigan, on or ubout the 29th day of’ Decem- ber, 1864.” CHARG® T—"VIOLATION OF THE 1 AWS OF WAR.” Specificatin—'‘In this, that Robert ©. Kennedy, a captain in the mititary service of the insurgent States, undertook to carry on irregular and unlawful wartare the city and raid under i aking, attempted to burn and destroy said of New York, by setting fire thereto. AU th’s in id c'ty of New York, ou or about the 2ith day of No- vember, 1864,” To which charges and specifications the accused plead- ed “Not guilty,” FINDING, ‘ Of specification frst, charge T., “Guilty ’ Of specification second, charge J., “Guitty 9 Of charge T., “Guilty,” Of specification, charge IT, “Guilty.” Of charge IL, “'Guilty."* EERTHNCR, And therenpon the Commission sentence nin. sald Robert C. Kennedy, captain ip the military servic» of the insurgent Stat s, ‘to he hanged by the neck until dead, at such time and place as the General in. command of the department may direct," two-thirds of the mem- bers concurring therein, TL. The Major General Commanding approves the pro- ceedings, finding and tentence of the court. It is shown by the testimony :— 1, That the accused has been an officer in the service of the inenrgent States since August, 1861 2, That he wus in the city of New York in disguise, and under a false name, in the month of November, several weeks immediately preceding the attempt to seb the city on fire. 3. That he was here fora purpor® which he refused to isclose, aud that he returned hastily by night to Conada, 4, That the stated, in the presence of several persons, that he set fire (o Barnum's Museum and to one of the “down town” hotels; and 5, That he was arrested at Detroit in deguise, armed with a revolver, travelling under a falzo name, and with a pasaport representing himself to be a Joynl citizen. THE MOTEL INCKNDIARISM, On proof of these facts, he was convicted of acting as a spy and carrying on irregular and illegal warfare. The P Fron who teotitied to his confession of Laving seton fire Barnum’s Museum and one of the hotels in the lower part of the city, wax not under dureas or an accomplice, was a reluctant witness, and coald have had no motive to make a false statement. He is corroborated by other ropt to set fire to the city of New York Je one © the greatest atrocities of the age. There is nothing in the anmals of barbariem which eviness greater vindictive: nose, It was not a mere attempt to destroy the city, but to set fire to crowded hotels and places of pablic resort, in orer to secure the greatest possible destruction of hi. man life, The evidence shows that Barnum’ and ty hotels were fired on the evening of the 26th of November, the fires in most of them breaking out in quick succession, and indicating not only deliberaty aid complex design and concert on the part of the inendiaris, bet @ cool caleulaton to cre ate co many conflagretions at the same time as to baftle the efforts of the Fre Department to extinenish thet, In all the buildings fired, not only non-combatant men, Lat women children were congregated in great num- bere, and nothing but the most diabolical spirit of ro- venge could have impelled the incendiari:s to acts 80 re- volting. ‘The partfeipation of the accused in this inhuman enter. pris 4 @crme which follows him, end his liability to answer for it is not to bo cast off by withdrawing for a tm» from the jurisdiction with n which it was committed, He has not only been guilty of carrying on irregular ware ‘are, in violation of the usages 6° civilized States in (ho condurt of war, but he has, by outracing every principle of humanity, incurred the highest p nalty known to the law. KENNEDY'S RSCANE TY CANADA, His evcape to Canada was followed ina few days by his return to the Un ted States, o ain in diegiee, with a new name, aud personating a loyal citizen, while holding a commission in the service of the insurgents, thus fur- nishing the highest prima faci evidence that he was act ngasaspy, No rebutting ev'dene» was produced on the trial, aithongh it continued twenty-three days, of which fiiteen were given to the aceused, by ad, ments, to procure testimony and prepare his defence, Two papere were read a3 @ part of his address to the ; one aplglgegiven to the transportation agent in II due diligence “to the confede- racy,” and the other a certitieate made by him that he was a citizen of the State of Louisiana, with a reqnest that he might be provided with meauy to retarn ‘to the confedera y."" Admitfing their gentineness, they do not repel the presnmption raised by the metances attend. ing his arrest—the @isguis” and the falve pretonces, with which he was found within our lines. Hin flight to Canada was net a retern within the lines of his own army. If he had found his way back to the insurgent States, and had been & bseqnently captured in battle, he could not have heen convicted under the firet specifica. tion of the fireteharge. But neither of there facts exists to remove or terminate bie liability to conviction under that #pecifleation, INS FEN TENCE. Whatever question may exist as to the effect of his re. turn to Canada, after baving lurk dasa spy, as charced {a the first spec * cation, no such question can arige as to as charged in the secand specification, wilt as asp) hich-aete forth an ofuue? entirely distinct from the frst, of which he bas been convicted on full proof, The Major General commanding considers his duty as clowt in this case as in that of Beall, The lives, the pro- perty, the domestic security of non-combatant ¢:tizons must be protected against all invasion not in strict ae- corlinee with the laws and utagos of Ofyillgzed States in the conduct of war. Crimes whieh .oute id hock tho moral aeuse by their atrocity, must not only be pun- ished and the perpetrators be deprived of the, power of repeating them, but the sternest condemnation of the law must be pretented to others, to deter them from the commission of similar enormities, Robert C, Kennedy will be hanged by the neck till he ie dead, at Fort Lafayette, New York harbor, on Satur: day, the 25th day of March instant, between the hours of twelve, noon, and two in the afternoon. The cotnmanding officer of Fort Lafayette is charged wich the execution of th.s order, By command of Major Genoral DIX. D. 'T. Van Burks, Colonel and A, A, G. Official: BE, W. Heorer, Aid-de-Camp, TUR SCENE AT THE GALLOWS, Doring the reading of the above erder tho coJprit Manifesied come uncas ness, by stamping his foot and turning toward tho officer, a If to iterrnpt him, bat he restrained hs feelings mach better than we expected, and reserved what be had to say until (ue reading of the order was gone through with. “He then motioned to Col. Burke to approach, as if he had something to say; but lain seeing that the latter hesitated to advance, offered bd a fervent prayer for the benefit of the culprit, and for the timo the conversation was interrupted, THR CHAPLAIN'S PRAYER, The Rev. Mr. Burkes prayer was taken from the Pro- ant Epteoopal rerviee, and was as follows :— Dear y beloved, it hath pleased Almighty God, in H's dustce, 10 Dring you under tie penience and condemme te: |, pray for this bleased tem) | the mercies te of New York, and, in the execution of | Museunr. your goul may be saved in the world to come. Wherefore we come to you in the bowels of compass'on; and, being desirous that you should avoid presumption on the one and ir on the other, shall plainly lay before you wretchednexs of your ¢ondition, and ‘@clare how far you ought to ‘on the mercies of God and the merits of our Savi sori- ‘ously with yourself, in all we dissolution draweth near; your sins have laid fast hold upon you, you are soon to be removed from among men By 8 nt death ; ond yon ahah Saee jay suddenly like the grass, which in the morning is green and grow- eth up, but in the evening is cut down, dried up, and withered, After you have thus fnished the course of @ sinful and miserable life, you shall appear before the Judge of all flesh, who, as he pronounces blessings on the righteous, shail likewise say, with a ternible voice of Jud to th tek: Be ein rhe Sen i Led eats angels, fore sing have brought you too near this dreadful sentence, it is therefore your part and duty, my brother, humbly to confess and bewail your great and manifold offences, and te repent you tr+ly of your ging, ag you ten- der the eternal salvation of your soul, if » Be not deceived with a vain and mptuous expec- tation of God's favor, nor say within yourself, peace, where there is no peace; for there is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked. God is not mocked; Hew of parer eyes than to behold iniquity; and without holi- ness no man shai) tee the Lord. Ou the other hand, despair not of God's morcy, though trouble is on every side; for God shutteth uot up His mercies forever in displeasure; but if we confess ovr sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanee us from alf un- teouspess Do not way abuse the goodness of God, who calleth us meteifully to amendment, and of ‘His endicss pity promiseth us forgiveness of that which ipa, M with @ perfect and true heart we retura unto Since, therefore, are s0on endices and unchangeable me and pa bed Hig seve or 4 ‘depends upon the few moments whleb are left you, \uire you &t ‘ictly to examine yourself, and Zetats both towards God ‘and towards man; and ‘eno y tion hinder you from making e true and confession of your sins, and giving all the satisfac- ‘tionow!ieh is in your power Lo every one whom you bave wronged or injured; that you may find mercy at your pooh aisle wwe ei ae sake, 20d. not be eo) mmed in the dreadful day of juc nt. jets beloved, submit Tiadsetas ach itian tion to the just judgment of God, which your own crimes have brought upon you, and be in charity with ali men; Deing ready serpin | to forgive all such as have offend: you, Not excepting those who have prosecuted you even unto death; and, though this may seem a saying, yot know assuredly that without it your charity is not yet perfect. And fail not earnestly to endeavor and and composure of mind 80 may you cae yourself with an entire dependence upon God, through the merits of our Saviour and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. AN INCIDENT. ‘The prisoner did not appear to be much engrossed with the clergyman’s effort, notwithstanding it was full of feeling, and calculated to inspire the most hardened cha- racter with feelings of religion. Dyring the reading of the prayer an incident occurred which could not fail to leave a lasting impression op all who witnessed it, Ken- | nedy was standing underthe bam to which was dangling the fatal rope, apparently quite absorbed, when the rope, in swaying backwards aiid forwards with the wind, struck himon the shoulder, He immediately tvmned around, supposing that some ope had touched him to attract, bis attention, when his eyes met the rope Tt wasa dreadful retinder of hisxitnation, and the expression of terror depleted on the man’s countenance as he shrunk from the cord showed how complete was the realization KENNEDY'S LAST SPEK The elerzyman having concluded his prayer, he took the prisoner by the hands and invoked him to die like @ man and a Christian; but Kennedy seomed to pay little attention to the words of the minister, for bardly bad he concluded his relnarks, when the culprit summed to Colonel Burke and osked bim if he could not have a drink before he died. Colonel Burke turned from the mun in pertect disgust, aud shook his bead, aa if there should be no further délay to the execution Kennedy, finding that no noticagvas taken of his re- queat, addressed the crowd as follaw#’— “Let me make statement here. Tconsder this a judicial and cowardly murder. The government of the United States had uo need to condemn me.’” , TB SINGS A BONG. shook General Beal bt 4 by the executioner to place the black the Be then sarees hand, Polat ob cap over l. ¢ hangman proceeded to just the rope, when the wofortunate man, on the vriuk of eternity, as it were, gave way to his feelings, aad ip a plainuve voice cc 3 ‘ et athe; 4 went of ‘Stare fate in the face, For your heart will be easy If Ws in the right place. THE EXECUTION, rs had scarcely recovered from thé shock by the effect of the above lines, when Lieuten- ant Samuel M. Black gave the signal to the executioner, the axe fell with @ heavy thug, and instantancously. the body of the culprit was dangl ng in the air The tion took place at s'xteen_ minutes past one o'clock, and in twenty minutes thereafter the body of the culprit was lowered and placed ina rude cofiin, and conveyed to the soldiers’ burying ground at Fort Hamilton, Dr. Randall, the post surgeon, who was in attendance, gave it as his opinion that the deceased wuffered but lit: tle pain, The neek of the privoner having been broken, he struggled but little, and appeared to be quite dead after the firat or second minute of his suspension had elapsed; but the law required that he should remain hanging for twenty minutes, and there he remained, a sad spe ‘and a warning to all who witnessed the vecurrence, THE CULPRIT'S CONFESSION. Among Kennedy's effects was a letter addressed to Marshal Murray, which is sa‘d to have contained a fult confession of bis guilt in retting tire to the hotels in this city. Whether the deceased implicated others in the ailair we do not know; but the presumption is that be did not, His confession was full and unreserved. Hemovat of the Corporation Attorney. REPLY OF TLL FOWLER, LATE CORPORATION ATTORNEY, TO THE COMMUNICATION OF JOHN B. DEVBLIN, CORPORATION COUNSEL. %ix—In your communication, as published in the Be- pr cs of last evening, after reciting the resolutions of tho Sevate of this State appointing a committee to investigate the various departments of the city, except the law de- partment of the city, and also acopy of your letter ad- dressed to the chairman of said committee, you charge that ‘at an examination before said committee, on the 16th inst., my conduct was not only divrespectful to raid committee and to the Senate of the State, but was also against the expressed wish of this department, injurious to its efficiency, and a prblic scandal whieh ought not to go unrebuked,”” and therefore remove me from the office of Corporation Attorney. You admit that the law department was not included in the resolu. tion of inquiry, bat you claim to have ad- dressed to the chairman of the committee of inquiry “a letter asking that the law department be con- sidered as covered by the resolution of the Senate, or the adoption of » supplementary resolution, embracing the law department.” If such Lotter was ever forwarded to the chairman of raid commitice, should not a certified copy of the same have been served upon the Corporation Attorney, if ho ‘was expected to comply with its terms? Acai: upon the supposition that such letter was duly forwarded to the chairinan of the Committes of Investi gation, a8 you state, has the committee, through its ¢hair- man, ever replied to your communication? ‘The Senate certainly has not as yet paseed any supple. mentary regolution as you euggeste@ = Theretore the in. ference must be, either that no # ch pretended letter was ever rent to the chairman of the eo\wsnittee, or if it was, that, you were snubbed by the committee and also by the Senate. ‘Then, again, in referencs to your pretended quotation from some newspaper upon which you charge my con- duct was not enly disrespectful to tho committee be fore which I appearcd asa witness ontaturday, the 18th Instant, but also to the Senate of the Stato of which it was the representat T stated to you, npon my only interview with you since the receipt of your letter to me containing notice of my removal, that the report, as you had it, was, both mn its letter and spirit, and could be be ge and I then asked for am opportunity todo so, This was denied me by you, as also any eubse- quent interview, Senator Munger, the chairman of the committee, and the only member preeiling at the time referred to, has waited upon by @ distingulehed altorn-y at Albany. #® statement of my conduct ix as follows:—“Brnator Munger says Mr. Fowler appealed to the eommiitee acainst some questions rlstg A the law department. ‘The Senator concurred with Mr. Fowler, and had the in- quiry passed. Mr. Fowler's manner did not produce any unpleasant impression on bis mid, and he had given the matter no thought since." Assim therefore, that the pretended report was true (which you had been informed was —-), no one’s dignity beetme to have suffered materially but that of the Corpora- tion Counsel, whose summary proceeding in thus remov- ing me from’oMee without a hearing, upon #0 flimay and shallow a pretext, was not only anjurt and unmanly, but ae Hand insult to the © ty governmont and the Com- mitts of Investivat nd shall not go unrebukod, nor shall the real motive therefor be long withh Id from the public, Kexpectiulty, N. HILL FOWLER. Willlamsburg Clty News, Grand Promenape Concent.—-A grond concert took Place at the Odeon last night, under the auspices of Com- pany E, Forty-seventh regiment. Grafuila’s band fur- nished the music, assisted by the drum corps of the regi- ment, The assemblage war a brilliant one, Major Ge vel Duryea and staff were present, and also representa. tives from the Seventh, Twelfth, Twenty second, Twenty- third and Seventy-first re.iments, Conepicuous among the 1 litary gnests was Captor Barnard, of the Sixty fifth Chasseurs, who was so badly wounded at Malvern Hill. Captain Vandewater presented all the ladies prevent With a iragrans bougues, l Official Despatch from Gene- ral Schafield. Occupation of Goldsboro by His Troops on Tuesday, . Slight Opposition Only from | the Rebels. Shermau’s Left Engaged in tho Ben- ’ tonsville Fight. yk Jymption of Terry’s Forces with Schofteld’s. A a5 * Sherman's Plans, &e. 1 Dix. ke., Seeretary Stanton to Gene ‘Wan Deranruenr, ‘Wasaiworon, March 26—10 P. "7 Majo®Geveral Joux A Dix, New York :— + ‘Ftw following despatch from General Schofield reports Die grrivel at and occupation of Goldsboro on Tucsday, Marth 21, with Dut slight opposition EDWIN M STANTON, Secretary of War GENERAL SCHOFIELD'S DESPATCH. Gousnono, N C., March 21, ‘Vu Forrams Monnos, Va, March 25—7P M Lidatenant Gouersi U8. Grant, City Point, Va :— , Lave the honor to report that J occupied Goldsboro this evening witb but slight opposition General Terry's column, from Wilmington, was at ‘Farcon’s dopot last night, and should be near this place tonight, “ Sherman’s left was engaged with the enemy pear Ben tonsville on Sunday, The artillery fring was quite rapid during the day, aod for a sbort time on Monday morning Sherma: rigbt—the Seventeenth corpe—was near Mount Olive on Sunday night There has beep some artillery firing during to-day, ‘which indicates a gradual approach of Sherman's army Aowards this place. All thin being strictly in accordance with Sherman's plana, I bave no doubt all is well, 1 hope to have mare definite and later intelligence from Sherman very soon, and will forward it to you without delay. Ffipd the bridges burned, but otherwise the road is Y red; and the depot facilities are yery fine. T captured here seven cars, atid General Terry has captured two locometives and two cars, which he is now using. JOHN M SCHOFIELD, Major General, &ec., The Desolation of South Carolin {From the Richmond Sentinel, March 22. General Sherman has acc mplished hus pu: pee of making South Carling a wave His march from Savannah to Branchville, and thence to Columbia, Winnsboro and Cheraw, was marked, thrgh @ wide bt of count y, by fire and’rapine, The beautiful city of Columbia no longer { exists, It is a mass of charred ruins—Herculaneum | buried in ashos, A few straggling buildings remain here \ and thereto disclose where the city once stood. Tho ) State House was burned to the ground, the gas works blown up, the main street, extending for more than a mile. and for-the most part clovely Luilt up, bas but oue small building left. The Court Honse, with itg records, has disappeared; the town hall and market, the banks and four churches are gone, Of the squares cast of the iain wtrect some are entirely destroyed; others only in Fost Fighty-four blocks in the city were burned, and Columbia is Palmyra in the desert. All provisions ‘were se'red, used or destroyed; the stores were broken open, pillaged and then burnt. What tle eoldiers con ld not carry off was given to the noTo#s and dag vp what was buried. All the horses and mules ‘were carried off and the carriages destroyed. Brutal, drunken soldiers entered every honse in teareh of s\lver and jewelry, and took them by violence and ins) Sherman seems emulous of the iminortality whi With a halo of infamy, the names of Attila and the Tartar, and the Russian Hayneg, in Voland. achieved ‘the distinction of being elas monsters of the human race. Some officers were polite and expressed sympathy; they pretended that the conflagration was accidental— that it went beyond the original purposes, and was the act of their drunken soldiers, The evidence demonrtrates | that this is a false pretence, and that the city wax delibe rately given up to be sacked. When the work had beer | aceomplished, a few noter of the bugl: called in the winds, and quiet was restored forthwith Sherman left a few starved catt & present itizens. They were too poor and feeble to follow rmy. One of the Indies said ioneral Francis | Lreston Blair, ‘Is thie the way you war’ I thought le- gitimave war was by army against army; but you war upon women and childven, and inflict inflnite injury and diriress upon helpless non-combatants,” “Madam,” he replied, “we came hore to produce distress. Your men fight bravely, and the war would be interminable, If to be fought ont in regular campaigns We will adopt a more sure and a speedier course, We will exhaust your mulation of refuges had made Columbia a populous city; with its eaburbs it had about twenty five thousand inlab Hants These have dwindled to a few the creep amidst the ruins to the office of the Pre shal and get tickets with which BY proceed t vielon depot and get a ral dof pint of meal. The poor receive this allowance grat Such 8 are able to pay-give two dollars for a rat ‘This is @ faint picture of the present condition of Co lumnbia, ‘The usual concomitants of a great calamity are hot wanting. The demoralization of the lower classes i alarming. All ideas of meum and tunm are lost, as when ship is about to be wrecked, or the plague devolates a ety, Alas, for the beautifal eapital of the Palmotto State, crushed by the Modern Has! Mrs. General Sherman at ¢ ago. SERENADE TO THE WIFE OF THE DISTINGUISHED SOLDIER—WELCOMING ADDRESS AND RESPONSE, ETO. [From the Chicago Post, March 23.] On Tuesday evening Mrs. Sherman, wife of Major Gone- rai W. T. Sherman, arrives in Chicago, and took quarters at the Sherman House. Sho was ac nied by Mra Judge Arrington, and her son, a manly little fellow of about ten years of age. Yesterday she was visited by a Jarge number of citizens, including « number of ladies, Mrs. Shei to take an active part in the and, with Mrs. Dovglas, will preside over the department assigned to the Roman | Catholics Dering the afternoon she was the guest of Dr. Dugean, Bishop of € , and, in his carriage, drove over the city, Visiting all points of interest. Her son Thormae, who claims the rank of corporal in the army of th Union, but at present at home on a furlough, in company with Professor Beleke, visited Ca where | General Sweet gave bim unrestrict the | lilo representative of the hero of h | aid South Carolina wae gr eted with much euthusiet by the troops at the camp, and was an object of great interest to the rob 1 prisoners, wi ti general appearance, &e,. ae considerable part cularity: He glo Doo glas and the Chicago Universi | In the evening Mrs, Sherinan was again the guest of Bishop Duggan, whose residence wax thronged and gentiemen, At pine o’clock the band of the Veteran Reserve corps, with a large crowd of citizens appeared before the Bishop's palacs to do honor to the illustrious chieftain by respect to his wife, The band played a number of Appropriate airs, and Mra, Sherman, attended by the fayor of Chicago, appeared on the steps of the Epireopal residence. His Honor introduced the lady, ant the ion #8. Hayes then addreseed her av follows Mavim—Your presence in Ch cago wo aid a noble charity affords our authorities and citizens the opportunity of paying you the gompliwents Whick arg sO Juetly your with | They felt with their bayonets dilixently in the gardens, | | 1 among the | country, consume your subs lestroy your means of subsiste shut up your ports, interrupt your | railroads, render transportation difficult’ and ” the yupplies to your armies impossible. This ix mercy to you, for it will shorten the wi The aceu PRICE FIVE CENTS. dine. On their behalf I have the honor to express to you their sentiments of high respect and esteem for your- self, and of admiration and gratitude towards the emiuent man to whom you are related by the dearest of all ties. Your husband has wou for him- self a place im history among the names that are not born to die. In all paris of the werid his lendid career is known. It has demonstrated, not the capr:ers of fortune, but the inborn power of true greatness. It bas exhibited, in rare combination, a pro- found and origina! genius, an elevated and philosophic mind, a faithful and just conscience, a drm and unbend- | dug will, and a kind und tender heart. All these quali- ties he has displayed ia the cause which alone justifies the destruction of human life in the cause of rightful order and justice, True and loyal to the constitution of his country, he hag fought, not to overthrow that con- stitution, but to maintain it in ail its harmony. Should it become his duty hereafter to administer its functions in peace, ashe has defended them in war, we have in his character.the assurance that all its provisions will be bare observed, as well for the preservation of indi vidual liberty as for the defence of our political system againet domestic or foreign foes, Thus appreciating your honored husbend, we will remember with lasting grati- tude the great services he has rendered his country, and whenever the occasion shall offer we will be ready to pt him, as we now greet you, with a cordial and last- ge eo acieed ishop Ducaan, at the request of Mra. Sherman, briefly acknowledged the compliment which bad been paid to her. He said he had been requested by Mrs. Sherman to express her thanks for the kind manifestations to- wards her on this occasion, which she fuliy appreciated a8 a compliment paid to her distinguished husband. Well did they know Mrs. Sherman as the devoted wife of the distinguislied and illustrious man, He felt assared | that when General Sherman heard of the complment that night to his wife with such whicb bad been delicacy, he would underst: that it was intended for Himself, and as a recognition of the services he had tendered his country. All desired the speedy retura of General Sherman to his home and to the bosom of his family, feeling assured that when it did take place ho would be welcomed as one who had secured the peace, ‘union and happiness of our country (Applause ) Mrs. Sherman then retired, and- the band for some time after continued their music in honor of the wife of the Mlustrious soldier During to-day Mrs. Sherman will devote herself to arrangements for the fair, and this evening will be the guest of Mayor Sherman. She will return to South Bend on Saturday. TO MBS, GENERAL W. T. SHERMAN, ON UKK FIRST VISIT TO CHICAGO, MARCH 22, 1865. ‘We hail thee, the bride of the hero Who never hath lost a tight; ‘The bero th conquers distance d Of whose foot-falls echoes or in the night; The scorner of gory laurels; ‘War's ruler by reason’s might ; ‘Who never cared for the world’s app:aase, But leveth alone the right! ‘We welcome thee to the city That worships thy hero's fame, 0, woman, who art bis idol, Al bail in our hero’s name! All hail in the name of the nation That hiv prowess has saved from shamel ‘We greet thee with grateful bosoms, On fire with fadeless flame; For thy presence doth thrill us with delight, Although our words be tame! All bail to thy early wisdom, Ere thy achool-girl days were o'er, Who didst see, in the future gleaming, The wings of the eagle soar To the utmost verge of vision, ‘Though he then was plumetess and poor; Belecting thy bold boy-bero All other forme before, Whom the world hath learned to love so wel), Thou wert the. first to adore! Then: e for both we chant our prans, Blent in one for evermore! SHERIDAN. Wastuneroy, March 26, 1866. ‘The chartered steamer Wenonah, Captain Dawes, ar rived here yesterday afternoon from the White House, to which point she had been despat with supplies for General Sherid ‘The Wenonah reports that the troops in Genera) Shert dan’s command are rapidly recovering from the fatiguer of their recent brilliant but tiresome raid, and that the ‘men are in excellent spirits and ready to enter upon auy work cutout for them, Nambers of guerillas have made their appearance lo the vicinity of White House, and all along the banks of the Pamunkey river they have become quite trou! some by firing upon our transports, Anumber of General Sheridan’s troops who have re ceived furloughs for meritorious conduct while on the recent raid, came up on the Wenonah. The Wenonah aiso brought up from White House a number of cavalry horses worn out on the raid, which are being replaced by fresh ones. Sheridan at Scottsville. {From the Richmond Enquirer, March 22.) A private letter from Scottsville gives a sud account of the action of Sheridan and his raid ‘The enemy was in two columns—one from North Gar- don, commanded by Sheridan in person, passed on towards Howardsvillé and New Market. ‘The remainder, from Charlottesville, supposed to have been about four thousand, went to Scottsville, They entered the town on Monday, about one o'clock in the alt rneon, The citizens were jn the blreets at the time of the entry of the advance geard, who were somewhat diaguised, and were not sure that they were Yankees until they began to fire promiacuonsly’ upon the citizens. They immedately broke open the dissappointed at not finding fects bad been removed the the people were hart, but some None week previous. were made prisoners and carried away som’ distance from town and then released, The stores were broken open and their contents «ppropriated and indiseriml distributed by the Yankees to tho negroes and low ass of whites, who led the robbers from place to place, pointed out property to be rubbed. Fi de rly altogether by the white people, an y On Monday evening they y burned the mill, factory, com: pany’s chop, foundry, and many other buildings, which caught fire from the burning of these, Twenty-five dwelling hoses were destroyed, and the peoplo are in a state of destitution. On Thureday Sheridan's fore came down the canal, and on Friday pillaged everything they could find in town, and then left.for Colombia. Some persons were treated in most shameful manner, and some with inh ity. The Yankees en tho room of hs w lady w was very ill, and cursed her and other fadies of the famdy, A Crank n part? went to the house of Mr. Char it, who lives about six ® miles from ville, insulted his wife, pushed hor out of the houee, and then fired it, Mr. Scott had gone to the woods w reerete some valuables, and return ng, saw his house in flames, He fell dead, and was eo found next day, Whon Sheridan himself was in town, those with whom the officers were quartered, and also those who applied for a goard, were not molested ‘¢ learn that the Yank: Mr. Turner, the Prest dent of the Bank of Howa the presence of hs family » somewhat available n Columbia was not inj sed ugh the embankment, water from the canal, otherwise the ‘The locks are all injured to some 4. About a thousand ne , among them woren ti ome of them, tired of their burdens, and not caring to help them, a& many as sixteon throw: their babies into the canal, ‘The mon were taken off whether they were willing to go or not, and forthwith mounted and armed Wherever Sheridan's raiders went they took whatever they wanted, end did as they pleased. but it can be repaired so as to ke. Tie aqnedue three wi Th Yank id this drew olf th eduet id uninjured. tent, but can soon t off with th On the {From The escape of ang raiders is © in consequence of General Longstreet not being ab procnre pontoons to bridge the Pamunkey. We are ad. ised that every order was given and every effort made ral Longstreet to get the pontoons, but all fi That owing to the dilatoriness or negligence of in Richtnond the poutoons were not sent up in tim’, and the enemy esteped. We are also advived that the pon toous were in the river Richoroud. nex tig been able to e@ ertain, Lut that gor 7 censured cannot be doubted, If ever there was an occa sion for strict invesiivation and eumtuary ponlehment this ix that occasion. But we feel confideut that it will be hushed up. Coroner's Inquest. Fatat. Accrmyt on tan Tame Avesue Rarxoan, at the Now York Hovpital, over thes f Mr, Oto Hawn, a native of Gormany, whoee deat! edt Injuries recetved by b tot nor ot t Lowery and bb by on rd Avon Rotirowl oar one of t eased pared to the ona span of borer, at ta d 1, knocked him down, and the w: th bis lea, Mr Y as Fomoved to the N baequently 4. Owl tk Hor to th Hoon death poriant witnerses th tlgntion was postpone morrow. Deceased ¢ + 129 Allen street A Cinp Acapestaviy Kiuso.—Henry Simpson, @ little hoy five years , whowe parents + at 319 Canal strost, dl rduy fr » ol! received in cone neo of failing f y window to tue gt The corwuer was BR quent, GRANT. Brilliant Affair inFront near Chatfn’s bliff, and not in | | great skill in th of Petersburg. | Rebel Attack on the Lines of the Ninth Corps. FORT STEADMAN CAPTURED. An Attack on Fort Haskell Repulsed with Great Loss to the Enemy. The Captured Fort and Cannan Retaken. Two Thousand Seven Hundred Rebel Prisoners Captured. Three Thousand Rebels Killed and Wounded. The Union Loss Less Than Eight Hundred, &e., Secretary Stanton to Geneza) Dix. Wan Duwaverscor, Wastuxaton, March 26—1 P. ‘w.} Major General Joun A. Dix, New York :— This morning, at half-past four o'clock, the enemy, by & strong and sudden assault, captured Fort Steadman, but after a vigorous contest the fort was recaptured, with sixicen hundred prisoners, two battle fags, and all the guns uninjorea, General McLaughlin was taken prisoner by the rebels, who also axgaulted Fort Haskell, but were repumed With great toss, EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. War Deranrweny, } &e., &o, Wasmrxatos, Mareh 25—9:90 P.M. Major Gonerat Jony A, Dix, New York:— Later reports from General Grant, which are seb- Joined, show that the operations of our forces this morn- ‘ng were brilliantly successful, The rebel prisoners alroady secured number two thousand seven hundred, The rebel killed and wounded General Grent estimates a! probably pot less than three thousand. Our joss + estimated at eight bundred, but may prove less. EDWIN M, STANTON, Secretary of War. QENEKAL GRANT'S DISPATCHES. Cry Porxt, Va, March 26—8 A. M. Hon Epwiy M Stamox, Secretary of War:— ‘The number of prisoners received by the provess marsha! is twenty-two hundred, taken by the Ninth corps, and five hundred by the Second corps, There may be sti sume more ty be brought in, U. 8. GRANT, Lieutenant General. Crry Poryr, March 25—1:30 P.M. Hon. Enwin M. Stanton, Secretary of W: the result of the day aceu- rately, but the number of prisoners captured proves larger than at firet reported, Tam not yet able to give The slaughter of the enemy at the point where they entered our lines and in front of it was probably. not less than three thousand, Our loge is estimated at cighy hun- dred, and proves lees, General Humphreys attacked on the left with great promptness, capturing near one hundred men, and cacs- ing the enemy to return his troops to that part of his Une rapidly. U. & GRANT, Lieutenant General, Ory Persr, Va, March 25—1:30 P.M. Hon, Fowry Mf, Braxtoy, Secretary of War:— Tho following despatch of General Parke te received from General Meade. U, 8 GRANT, Lieutenant General. OBNERAL PARKE’# DESPATCH. Crry Port, Va., March 25—1:20 P, M. Hon, Epwry M, Braxton, Beeretary of War:— The following despateh of General Parke ie received from General Meade, U. 8. GRANT, Lieutenant General. ‘The enemy attacked my frout this morning, about half. past four o'clock, with three divisions, under command of General Gordon, By aeudden rash they seized the tne held by the Third brigade, First division, at the foot of the hill, to the Tight of Fort Steadman, wheeled, and, overpowering the garrison, took possession of the fort, They established themselves apon the hill, tarming eur guns upon us, Our troops on either flank #tvod firm, A‘terwardy a determined attack was made upon Fort Haskell, which was checked by part of MetaughHin's brigade, Wilcox’s division, and waa repuleed with great loss to the enemy The First brigade of Harsufs division, held in re rerve, Was brourht up and «check given to any further adval One oF two attempta were made te retake the bill, ane were only temporarily enceeenfel antil the arrival of the | Seoond brigade, when a charge wax made by that bri gade, aided by the troops of the First divicion on either flank, and the enemy were driven out of the fort, wit® the loss of a number of privoners—about wixtéen hun drod, Two battle fage have also beem bronght tn, The enemy aleo lost heavily In killed outaide of our Hiner, The whole line wae immediately reoceupied, and the guns retaken, uninjured, T regrot to add that General McLaughlin was eaptared n Fort Steadman, Our lose otherwire was not heavy. noes! Harteuft for the gaitantey ny Which behaved with bt Ke, Major General, . alike Is due to Cr digplayed in bandliny his div ae {te first engages ING PA Mr. S. Cadwaila Deepateh. Cry Port, Mareh 24, 1965, Cor Prk RINCLELON! MOVEMPN' jeton arr t nine o clock with the Lieuten: ¢ not transpired be visitors te Or 1 rel G at General Grant's headquar last evening, and had an ae r. At General, the part “of Grant, Beq,, brother of w t Gen deen spemecing 9 Haiptances on th acormpanytne ¢ 1 ’ awl ait the on the reqien utp Army quiet