THE FIGHT AT WILTOWN. "Honor to whom honor is due." MESSRS. EDITORS: In your issue of the eighteenth instant, I noticed an account of the engagement of our forces and the enemy at Wiltown, on the Edisto River. I do not wish to detract a single iota of the glory that now covers the hereso of that combat. We are all engaged in a common cause, and the defeat of an unprincipled enemy is our only aim, our highest ambition. That attained, we are a happy, free, and independent people. We would not have serious contentions over small matters. But, at the same time, let us "share and share alike" the brilliant deeds as they transpire-give "honor to whom honor is due." We would not pluck a single twig that would cause to wither the laurel that crowns a fellow-soldier. York, Pa., June 29, 1863.-My Still Remembered and Dearly Beloved: How long has it been since I saw you and listened to your sweet voice? And when about to leave you, the clasp we gave each other's hands, the kiss, the last fond look, and thus we parted. This is all fresh to memory, and will be until I behold you again, in the same way that true friends are known to meet. What I have suffered and The "Ranger" is perfectly correct in his account gone through since I left you I cannot describe. It of the progress of the enemy up the river in the diappears like a long time to me, and you are ever pre-rection of Jacksonboro Bridge. The Sixth regiment sent in mind, and I hope I am still remembered by of cavalry fought gallantly and bravely, encountering my dearest love. all the difficulties of an ambushed enemy at every step-they having gained possession of a thick wood, lay concealed behind every log and in every thick cluster of trees. Like a "snake in the grass," one heard their bullets when he least expected them. But, like "old soldiers," our men rushed onward, driving the Vandals before them like a herd of sheep, even to the very water's edge. Virginia's heroes could not have taken a plume from their hat. Now, in conseI had to give my horse, “General Lee," to a man to quence of the dense fog, the sudden and unexpected pilot us. I hated to part with him; but I will soon approach of the enemy's boats, a section of Captain get another one, a better one than I have now. Schultz's battery at Wiltown were forced to make a George and I have temporarily joined the Seven-hasty retreat, to prevent being captured. The cavalry teenth Virginia cavalry; that is, until we can get with the Maryland companies, which are not very many miles distant. It is very likely we will be in a battle before to-morrow morning at Harrisburgh, if it is not surrendered, After a difficult and very perilous route I arrived at this place about eight o'clock last night, and found the rebels in full command of the city. They have been skirmishing about the neighborhood this morning. They destroyed some of the railroad track at Hanover on Saturday, captured a good many horses, but they were returned, the men not being authorized by the officers to do it. York, Pa., June 29, 1863.-After a long and roundabout wild goose chase, we arrived here about eight o'clock last night, and found Jackson's foot cavalry in full possession of the town. The notorious rebels are under the command of General Early. They are in high spirits, well dressed, and all they want is to fight. We expect to be ordered to Harrisburgh every minute. The pickets drove back a large force of the Yankees just below Columbia, yesterday evening, and I expect long ere you get this you will hear of the fall of Harrisburgh. The General has demanded one hundred thousand dollars from the Yankees of this place. Already preparations are being made for the desired amount. As there is no money in the bank, there has been a committee of the citizens appointed to raise it, which I think can be done, as they are terribly scared. Good by. Rest assured that I will never disgrace myself by running from a black Yankee, but, on the other hand, fight till I die or conquer. This is my motto, actuated by pure motives and principles. York, Pa., June 29, 1863.-We are in strong force, numbering about eight thousand. There are about sixty thousand to eighty thousand rebels in Pennsylvania. We will march on Harrisburgh, I expect, tonight. About six hundred cavalrymen were at Hanover Saturday night. They destroyed the railroad for a few miles, took what horses they wanted, and then made back. I expect we will make an attack on Baltimore after Harrisburgh. had not as yet reached the scene of action. This move left the enemy in quiet possession of the river at that point. Hence they proceeded forthwith to remove the obstructions that had checked their progress; after which they passed with ease and without molestation up the river, within two miles of the railroad bridge on the Charleston and Savannah Roadthe object of their raid. Here they came in unexpected contact with Captain George H. Walters's battery, who gave the enemy a warm reception with salutes of shot and shell. This certainly surprised them very much, for they did not anticipate any danger so high up the river and on the opposite side. But with a mighty demonstration of courage, the enemy turned her broadside, fired several rounds and retired, Captain Walters shaking hands with her stern as she left-as the poet says, a "long, lingering farewell," for he knew she would never venture there again. It was at this point, (if any,) and not Wiltown, that she was death-stricken. Suffice it to say, that it was here she was stopped in her diabolical career. The Jacksonboro Bridge was saved! Huzza! for the Washington artillery. On their return, a section of Schultz's battery and Captain Parker's took a beautiful position at Mr. Gibb's house, one mile above Wiltown Bluff, and rapid cannonading ensued, which continued about ten minutes. She may have been hit, I will not say, but steamed along down the river until she struck the obstruction again, and failed to pass through the clearance she had made in the morning. Our guns had then ceased to fire on her. Giving up in despair, her bottom being tightly wedged on the piles driven in the river, she threw her guns overboard, to make it lighter, that she might pass over. The men embarked on the other boat, and left this in flames. The wreck still stands high up out of the water, on top of the piles, which proves clearly ing against the incorrectness of the statement, and the that if she is dead she committed suicide. -Charleston Courier, July 24. ANOTHER RANGER. INCIDENTS OF VICKSBURGH.-A Vicksburgh letter, describing the meeting of General Grants and Pemberton, on the day before our occupation of the rebel stronghold, says: "Thousands of soldiers looked upon the strange scene. Two men who had been lieutenants in the same regiments in Mexico now met as foes, with all the world looking upon them-the one his country's glory, the other his country's shame. When they had approached within a few feet there was a halt and silence. Colonel Montgomery spoke: General Grant, General Pemberton.' They shook hands politely, but Pemberton was evidently mortified. He said: 'I was at Monterey and Buena Vista. We had terms and conditions there.' General Grant here took him aside, and they sat down on the grass and talked more than an hour. Grant smoked all the time; Pemberton played with the grass and pulled leaves. It was finally agreed to parole them, allowing the officers each his horse. It was a politic thing. The dread of going North and fear of harsh treatment had deterred them from capitulating sooner. "Our men treated the rebels with kindness, giving them coffee, which some had not tasted for a year. The city is much dilapidated, and many houses are injured. The Vicksburgh paper of July second admits the eating of mule meat and the pilfering of soldiers. "In private houses there seems to be much suffering from sickness and our missiles. "The river batteries at Vicksburgh are composed of thirty-six guns of the Blakely, Whitworth, and Brooks pattern. All these fell into our hands." PERRY'S REBEL BRIGADE AT THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURGH. The following is a copy of a communication addressed to the editors of the Richmond Enquirer in relation to the conduct of Perry's brigade at the battle of Gettysburgh, which we cheerfully lay before our readers as an act of justice to the brave men of Colonel Long's command: HEADQUARTERS ANDERSON'S DIVISION, THIRD ARMY CORPS, August 6, 1863. EDITORS RICHMOND ENQUIRER: In the letter which I addressed to you a few days ago, correcting the state ments made of P. W. A., the correspondent of the Savannah Republican, I omitted to take notice of the following sentence: "Perry's brigade advanced a short distance, but did not become fully engaged." This is quite as incorrect as the other statements which I have contradicted. Perry's brigade, under the command of Colonel David Long, advanced as bravely, as perseveringly, and as far any troops could have done in the same situation. They were hotly engaged. Suffered heavier loss in killed and wounded, in proportion to their numbers, than any brigade in the army, and did not retire until compelled, like all the others, to do so by the superior force of the enemy and the great strength of his position. By giving this communication a place in your columns, you will render an act of justice to brave men, whose honor and reputation I take pleasure in defend inferences which might be drawn from my omission to notice it. I am, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, R. H. ANDERSON, Major-General. In this connection, we publish the annexed letter, which appeared in our evening's edition of yesterday, previous to the receipt of General Anderson's communication correcting the mistake which our correspondent, unintentionally, had fallen into, in relation to the part borne by Perry's brigade in the Gettysburgh fight. The letter will speak for itself: HEADQUARTERS WRIGHT'S BRIGADE, ORANGE C. H., VA., August 5, 1868. MR. EDITOR: I desire to make a correction of the statement in my letter of the seventh ult., and published in your issue of the twenty-third, as to the conduct of Perry's brigade in the charge upon the enemy's lines at Gettysburgh on the second of July. From information received from several officers of that brigade, and who were in the charge, I am satisfied that the brigade (which is very small) acted well that it advanced along with Wilcox's and Wright's brigades until it was overwhelmed by vastly superior numbers, and that even then it only fell back in obedience to orders, and when it was apparent that the day was lost. I learn, also, that it was engaged again on the third, when Pickett's charge was made, and that it suffered severely in this latter charge. This correction and explanation is due to those gallant soldiers, and I trust that all the papers that published the original letter, as a matter of simple justice will publish this also. Just after a battle there are so many reports and rumors of particular commands, that it is not at all surprising that grave errors should be made by those who write hurriedly, and not alone from what they see, but from what is talked of in the camps.-Georgia Constitutionalist, August 12. MUNCHAUSENIANA.-Mr. J. D. Howe, of the First Missouri regiment, informs us that on the second inst. two regiments, one from Kentucky and the other from Indiana, rebelled at Rienzi, Miss., and started South with their arms. Four regiments of Wisconsin troops were sent to intercept them, when a fight ensued, lasting from Saturday morning until night. The Kentuckians and Indianians drove the Wisconsin regiments six miles in the direction of Corinth. At sundown the Federals were reënforced by two Illinois regiments, who came up in the rear of the rebels and compelled them to surrender. They were arrested and sent to Chicago. An eye-witness who walked over the field says he counted three hundred and fifty-three killed; and another, who spent more time, says he counted over six hundred dead.-Jackson Mississippian, August 25. SPERRYVILLE, Thursday, August 7, 1862.-Out of one hundred and twenty citizens of Sperryville who have taken the oath of allegiance within the past two days, there are fifty who cannot write their names. The poor whites as a rule are loyal, and but few of them will be sent South.-N. Y. Tribune, August 8. WHAT WAS FOUND IN A PRAYER-BOOK. -The following was found written on the fly-sheet of a prayerbook in one of the churches in Louisville: "Hurrah for John Morgan!" The Marion of the South, following his footsteps as much so as the The reported blowing up of the Long Bridge is now generally believed. A lady who came through to this city from near Washington states that she was an eyewitness to the affair. The enemy, before evacuating Acquia Creek, destroy "P. P. FIELDS." A SUBSTITUTE.—I will serve as a substitute in the confederate service for two thousand five hundred dollars, or in the militia for one thousand five hundred dollars. For further information, apply to THOMAS ALLEN, Dépôt Agent at Duck Hill. WANTED. Any one wishing to act as a substitute for a man subject to the conscript act, will receive the following compensation: a likely negro boy and five hundred dollars. Address B., Appeal Office.-Vicksburgh Whig, August 6. Later intelligence gives us the gratifying assurance that General Jackson has entered Maryland by the route above indicated, and is now on a tour to the most important and inviting point between Baltimore and Washington. It is now useless to speculate upon probabilities. The war has assumed a new phase, and will startle amidst both good and bad report. The our citizens must expect hereafter to hear news that tables have been turned, and the confederate army is now an army of invasion. LOYAL DISCIPLES.-The Disciples, "Campbellites," of Ohio, had been holding a tent meeting at Bedford, in Cuyahoga County. On the morning of the eighth of September, just before commencing religious exercises, Dr. Robinson arose and offered the following resolution : "Resolved, That in the present condition of our counAN ANECDOTE. -The rebel General Stuart and try it becomes us as a people professing Christianity, General Milroy had a conversation, in which General to remember our Government before God in our Milroy censured the system of guerrilla warfare prac- prayers, to give of our substance in support of the tised by the rebels at that time, in the most severe same most freely, and our lives in every emergency, terms. General Stuart remarked that this species of when called upon by the powers that be,' which warfare was practised by our troops in Mexico. Gen-powers are ordained of God; remembering that our eral Milroy asked him where he obtained his informa- duty to our God and to ourselves requires this at our tion. General Stuart-"I read of it." General Milroy-"You are mistaken, sir! 'Twas not done, sir! I was in Mexico myself." In the course of conversation, General Stuart feigned impatience at the time consumed in burying the dead, and said he was in a hurry, as he intended to sup in Culpeper that evening. The conference ended by General Milroy remarking: "You may sup there, sir; but I will sit at the head of the table." hands." INCIDENTS OF PORT HUDSON.- Adjutant Howard Cooke, One Hundred and Fifty-sixth regiment N. Y. V., at Port Hudson, related the following incidents of the battle of the fourteenth of June: "Drummer Alex. Clearwater especially distinguished himself by his exertions in carrying off the wounded. He took charge of a squad of four negroes, and went through the field in discharge of his duties unmindful of the balls which were flying around thick CERTIFICATE OF AN "EXEMPT."-Doctor G. H. Burrell, of North Hyde Park, Vermont, gives the follow-eral Paine-the same fate that met all others who as rain. He was wounded while trying to rescue Gening certificate to one G. C. Lowther: "August, the 19 1862 "this may Surtify that I george H Burell of North Hide park as a Fisian do surtify that gardner C Lother is not Liable to do Military duty having a pain in the Left Side and the Liver Bing a fected and a Kidney efected and one hand efected GH BURRELL " MUNCHAUSENIANA. attempted it. "Wouldn't you like to hear of Col. Lew. Benedict? He led a charge down on the left, and with his colorbearer reached the top of the parapet. Here the sergeant was killed by a shell, and the Colonel seized the color, when his regiment being forced back, he was compelled to retire, which he did without injury." The following is an extract of a letter from Adjutant S. B. Meech, of the Twenty-sixth Connecticut, written after the battle: RICHMOND, September 8.-Yesterday being Sunday, "I saw Colonel Benedict standing just in front of the usual variety of rumors were afloat. Those which me, where I was wounded on the edge of the ravine, gained most credence were the following: That Gen-looking intently at the rebel works, while bullets and erals Jackson and Longstreet had crossed the Potomac at Edward's Ferry, and were at the Relay House on Friday morning last. There may be some truth in this rumor, as the account published in another column from a Yankee journal shows that the greatest panic prevailed in the Yankee capital; and old Abraham doubtless has his Scotch cap at hand, ready to make his exit. If Generals Jackson and Longstreet have really reached the Relay House, all communication between Washington and Baltimore and the West is thereby entirely cut off. shells were flying about very thick. He walked to the rear as composedly as if he was out for a stroll. I think he is a fine officer. One of his officers died in this hospital this A.M. Lieutenant Haven, I think, was his name." SQUIRREL-SKIN SHOES.-Squirrel skins tacked down to a board, the hair next to the board, with hickory ashes sprinkled over them, for a few days, to facilitate the removal of the hair, and then placed in a strong decoction of red-oak bark, will, at the end of four days, make excellent leather, far stronger and tougher than calf skin. Four skins will make a pair of ladies' shoes. We hear that the ladies of some of the interior counties are wearing these shoes, and find them equal in softness and superior in durability to any others. The longer the skins are left in the decoction of bark the better the leather. By this plan any body may have a tan-yard, and make their own leather, as the skins are easily and cheaply procured, and any vessel holding a gallon will serve as a vat. Our readers will do well to try it.-Richmond Whig, August 21. association. It is given as authentic, and was told by an eye-witness of the occurrence in Texas: "A Union man, or Yankee as he was called, had been taken out by the Texans and hanged before the very eyes of his family. They then cut him down, cut off his legs, his head; cut him open, took the fat, tried it out and put it in the vials to oil their revolvers; took out his heart, put it into a jar, took the scalp from his head; then boiled the head till the meat was removed, then nailed the skull to a board fence, and putting a candle in each eye, in the evening they had a dance in front of it, and as they promenaded up to GENERAL LEE ON INVASION.-A correspondent writ-it, the chivalrous gentlemen would ask their partners how they liked the Yankee candlestick." Council Bluffs Nonpareil, August 1. ing from Gettysburgh, June seventh, relates a talk be tween General Lee and a mill-owner of this State, during the recent invasion: General Lee's confiscation of paper at the mills near Mount Holly Springs has been mentioned. Mr. Givin, one of the sufferers, at whose house the General breakfasted, gives me some facts of interest. "It is not that we love the Pennsylvanians," observed Lee, "that we refuse to let our men engage in plundering private citizens. We could not otherwise keep up the morale of the army. A rigid discipline must be maintained, or the men would be worthless." "In fact," adds Mr. G., "I must say that they acted like gentlemen, and, their cause aside, I would rather have forty thousand rebels quartered on my premises than one thousand Union troops. The colonel of one of the New-York regiments (militia) drove his horse into the engine-room of my mill, a place which must be kept as clean as a parlor; the men broke all the locks, and defiled every apartment from basement to garret. Yet all this time I have been quartering sick officers at my house, and my new hotel is thrown open to the men to sleep in free of charge." "I told General Lee," continued Mr. Givin, " that the South must give it up; that the North would fight it out rather than see the country broken in two, and that their invasion of Pennsylvania was a great mistake." "What would you do," replied the General, "if you were in our place?" Here he produced copies of the Richmond papers, which complained so bitterly about the war being waged in the South, while it ought to be carried into the Free States. One of the motives to this inroad was, therefore, the pressure of public opinion brought to bear on the confederate government by means of the newspapers. The eircumstance shows that uncle Jeff's throne is not so stable as has been supposed. If the insurgents acted somewhat humanely by the way, they exacted an ample recompense from the citizens of Gettysburgh. After getting possession on Wednesday, they advised the people to leave. Those who did so had their houses broken into and robbed without mercy. Every thing was carried off that could be made use of, and what could not be was torn, soiled, defaced, or rendered useless. With the influx of strangers, the destruction of property, and the railroad in the hands of Government agents, it is positively difficult to get enough to eat, except "hard tack," and even that is not easily come-at-able by civilians. As to sleeping accommodations, blessed is he that expecteth nothing, for he shall not be disappointed. Yet I have good reason to believe the people kind and hospitable to strangers to a degree that Harrisburgh has never attained and never may. "CHIVALRY."-We find in the New-Orleans Era the following horrible story related by a speaker at a Union YANKEE VILLAINY AND FLUNKEYISM.-In the late raid to Rocky Mount, N. C., says the Raleigh State Journal, the Yankees entered the dwelling of ex-Gov. Clark, and took from his wife the wedding present of jewelry her husband had given her, and which of course she highly prized. One of the men remarked he thought it hard; but, said he, though our officers profess otherwise, in stealing these things, we are strictly under orders-we must obey. We learn from the Philadelphia Inquirer, the most sycophantic of all Lincoln's lick-spittles, that the betrothal ring ordered by ex-Governor Sprague for his intended bride, Miss Kate Chase, is a diamond solitaire, set in enamel and not chased. It is described as a beautiful and tasteful ornament, worthy of the beautiful young lady who is the happy possessor of the token. The price of the ring was four thousand dollars.-Savannah News, August 14. A WOMAN'S APPEAL FOR VOLUNTEERS. While Autumn lustre peaceful dies down in the yel- For thee, my country, I would plead! Is she then quite bereaved, has love of glory fled the Do men forget, who wear the scars, Have the forgotten days of Christ then past so far away? He knew not where to lay his head! Is God's own image sunk so low that money stands for man? Where are the arms of will and brawn? Men, fathers, brothers, hear you not our strong be- O lovers! Women have grown proud! Lord, we only fight for peace, Lest we pray in thoughtless guilt, Help us, Lord, our only trust! Help us, Lord, our only trust! Help us, Lord, our only trust! THE CONSTITUTION. BY ALEXANDER H. MORRISON. Hail!-thou eternal platform of the right! And who will raise his eyes and look afar O'er the broad plains and rivers of our land, And see for every State a blazing star Gemming our flag, that waves on every strandSees binding all the Constitution's band Into one mighty whole-will dare to say One word, and much less raise his impious hand Thou mighty fortress of a people free! A rock upon whose solid front may break The billows of oppression ceaselessly, And never cause its firm-set base to shake. Kingdoms may tumble, monarchies may quake, And revolutions rend the very earth, Yet all the while, if freedom's sons awake, Will guard their sacred rights of bloody birth, Thou "Bow of Promise" on oppression's cloud! |