Brigadier General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, May 30, 1862

CAMP OPPOSITE FREDERICKSBURG, May 30, 1862.

It would appear from your letter that the Great Stampede, or, as it is called, the “Third Uprising of the North,” had not reached 2037 Pine Street¹ on the 25th instant, though it must have been in the city at the time. We, who are in the midst of the troubles and dangers, are greatly amused to see the terrible excitement produced in Philadelphia, New York and Boston by the inglorious retreat of Banks before a force but little larger than his own. McDowell has gone to Manassas, and has taken every one with him except our division, who have now the honor of holding Fredericksburg and the railroad from thence to Acquia Creek. Had not the enemy, in anticipation and fear of our advance, destroyed all the bridges on the rail and other roads between this point and a place some ten miles this side of Richmond, thus preventing their advance rapidly, as well as ours, I should look, now that we are reduced to one division (about ten thousand men), to their concentrating and coming down suddenly on us. This is their true game, from which they will perhaps be diverted by McDowell's movements, and their own work — placing obstructions to their rapid movements. At the latest accounts they had all retired from our front and gone back either to Richmond or Gordonsville. Still, they are much more enterprising than we are, and we are on the lookout all the time.

__________

¹ Home of General Meade's family.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 269

Brigadier General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, April 30, 1862

CAMP OPPOSITE FREDERICKSBURG, April 30, 1862.

We arrived here yesterday afternoon, after a two-days' march from our last camp at Catlett's Station. We were very glad to receive our orders, because I began to fear we should be kept in the rear, repairing and guarding railroads. We had a pleasant march, over a pretty fair country, but pretty generally abandoned by its inhabitants, particularly the male portion. The last day (yesterday) we marched twenty-two miles, and our men came in good condition. Reynolds had preceded me, and Ord, I presume, will follow in a day or two. We are now encamped on the bank of the Rappahannock, directly opposite the town of Fredericksburg. We are some twenty thousand strong, but as yet no one has crossed the river, except some flags of truce, holding intercourse with the municipal authorities. We have a pontoon train, and could throw a bridge over in a few hours, but it is rumored McDowell's orders are not to cross, for what reason is not known. To-be-sure, the railroad from Acquia Creek is not yet rebuilt to this place, and we have to haul our supplies some eight miles in wagons, and it may be that it is not deemed worth while to move forward until the road is repaired and we can communicate freely with our rear. We have received the news of the fall of New Orleans, which caused much rejoicing, and of the death of General Smith, which was received with deep regret by all those who knew him.

McDowell has his headquarters back at Acquia Creek Station. He was in camp to-day with Lord George Paulet, commander of the English forces at Montreal, and did me the honor to call at my quarters and introduce his lordship, which was not necessary, however, as I had met him in 1842 in Quebec, when I was there with Graham and Schroeder.

The people that are living around here are all pretty strongly tinctured with "Secesh." The men are away, and the women are as rude as their fears will permit them to be.

Dr. Meredith Clymer has joined our division, with the expectation of being medical director, and being at Division Headquarters, but as he is junior to Stocker, the arrangement cannot very well be made, and I expect Stocker will go to McCall and Clymer come to me.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 262-3

Brigadier General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, April 20, 1862

Sunday, April 20, 1862.

You will already see by what I have written yesterday, that the prospect of our having work before us is quite good, in fact that two portions of our force — Abercrombie's brigade and Bayard's cavalry — have had a brush with the enemy, and from all I can learn, they are determined to dispute our passage of the Rappahannock and advance there from on Richmond.

I have my headquarters in a house in which a poor man with eight children is living. Some of these little ones are pretty and intelligent, and bring to mind my own dear little ones, from whom I am separated. I have ridden all about the country in this neighborhood, posting pickets and outguards. The country is very beautiful, but it makes one's heart sad to see the desolation and destruction produced by the war. Handsome farms abandoned by their owners, left to a few negroes, the houses gutted, furniture broken and scattered all over, fences burned up, and destruction everywhere. Sometimes I fancy the great object in sending McDowell this way, is that the country may be laid waste, and the negroes all freed. Such certainly is the practical result of the movement, whether designed or not, and as there is no other apparent object, it is reasonable to infer this is the one designed. McDowell has not yet returned from his trip to Acquia Creek and Fredericksburg, and we shall have to await his return before our movements will be decided on.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 261-2

Brigadier General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, April 19, 1862

CAMP AT CATLETT'S STATION, April 19, 1862.

My last letter was written from Manassas Junction. Yesterday we broke up that camp and marched to this point, which is twelve miles farther on the railroad from Alexandria to Gordonsville. I do 'not know the object of our being moved here, except that we are nearer the Rappahannock and Fredericksburg. The railroad we are on crosses the Rappahannock about fifteen miles from here. At this point the enemy have destroyed the bridge, and it is said have a force of some ten thousand behind earthworks, on the other side, determined to prevent our rebuilding the bridge. Yesterday a brigade under Abercrombie advanced to that point and exchanged artillery shots with the enemy, without injury to either side. Abercrombie is still there, and the railroad to that point is being repaired. When this is done, I suppose we will be pushed forward and the enemy dislodged from the other side, unless in the meantime it is determined to go from here to Fredericksburg, which is only twenty-eight miles from here. McDowell went yesterday to Washington, intending to go down to Acquia Creek, and sent from hence under Augur a brigade of infantry and two regiments of cavalry to Fredericksburg. At Falmouth, a place on the Rappahannock, some five miles from Fredericksburg, and where there was a bridge, our advance of cavalry was fired upon from an ambuscade and some twenty-two saddles emptied, Bayard (the colonel in command) having his horse shot under him, but he was not touched. Our men charged and drove the enemy (a Mississippi regiment) before them and over the bridge, which they set fire to in their retreat; but our people were in time to extinguish the fire and save a great portion of the structure. I have always believed they would resist our advance on Richmond, and have no doubt by the time we get across the Rappahannock, whether we cross at Fredericksburg or at the railroad crossing near here, that they will have assembled a force sufficiently large to give us all the glory we want in overcoming it.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 260-1

The Gun Boats Shell the Batteries at Aquia Creek -- Great Amount of Rebel Arms Recovered -- Gen. McClellan’s Address to his Soldiers.

WASHINGTON, March 15. – The steamer Yankee arrived at the Navy Yard and took on board a quantity of shell, yesterday.

She then, with the Anacosta [sic], proceeded to shell the rebel batteries at Aquia Creek.  The enemy replied briskly with their guns, but failed to reach the Yankee, although they made several excellent shots.

One shell struck but a short distance from the Yankee, in direct range with her wheel house.  The heavy guns of the Yankee enable her to lay off out of range and drop her shells with precision into the batteries.

After firing some time the Yankee and Anacosta hauled off without being struck.  It is thought the rebels are removing their stores, ordnance, &c., from Aquia Creek.

The batteries at the Potomac Creek are still occupied by the rebels.  The Yankee has recovered a portion of the iron works of the burned rebel steamer Page.

A large number of splendid guns have been recovered which were left by the rebels in their upper batteries.  Yesterday the Leslie brought up from the Evansport battery a 7½ inch rifled gun, throwing a 128 pound shell.

Cannon of the very best description are daily being found in the river at the various batteries.

Many of these, together with a large amount of loaded shell, are being brought up to the Navy Yard.

GEN. M’CLELLAN’S ADDRESS TO HIS SOLDIERS.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

FAIRFAX C. H., March 14.

Soldiers of the Army of the Potomac:

For a long time I have kept you inactive, but not without a purpose.  You were to be disciplined, armed and instructed.  The formidable artillery you now have, had to be created.  Other armies were to move and accomplish certain results.  I have held you back that you might give the death blow to the rebellion which has distracted this once happy country.  The patience you have shown, and your confidence in your General, are worth a dozen victories.  These preliminary results are now accomplished.  I feel that the patient labors of many moths have produced their fruit.  The army of the Potomac is now a real army; magnificent in material, admirable in discipline and instruction, and excellently armed and equipped.  Your commanders are all that I could wish.

The moment for action has arrived and I know that I can trust in you to save our country.  As I ride through your ranks, I see in your faces the sure prestige of victory.  I feel that you will do whatever I ask of you.  The period of inaction is past.  I will bring you now face to face with the rebels and only say that “May God defend the right.”  In whatever direction I may move; however strange my actions may appear to you, ever bear in mind that my fate is linked with yours, and that all I do is to bring you where I know you wish to be, on the decisive battle-field.

It is my business to place you there.  I am to watch over you as a parent over his children, and you know that your General loves you from the depths of his soul.

It shall be my care, as it has ever been, to gain success with the least loss; but I know that if it is necessary you will willingly follow me to our graves for our righteous cause.  God smiles upon us; victory attends us.  Yet I would not have you think that our aim is to be obtained without a struggle.  I will not disguise it from you that you have brave foes to encounter – foemen well worthy of the steel which you will use so well.  I shall demand from you great and heroic exertions, rapid and long marches, desperate conflicts and privations.

We will share all these together, and when this sad war is over, we will all return to our homes and feel that we can ask no higher honor than the proud consciousness that we belonged to the Army of the Potomac.

(Signed)

GEO. B. McCLELLAN,

Major General Commanding.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 22, 1862, p. 4

The Potomac Cannonade - A Remarkable Result

The Fredericksburg Recorder mentions the following remarkable fact.

The Yankees have thrown from 4,000 to 5,000 shot and shell from their various war steamers and tugs within the last six months at the soldiers manning our guns in the various batteries on the Potomac yet, most extraordinary as it may appear, they never destroyed life, nor even were guilty of drawing Southern blood until last week, if we except the very slight scratch received by a soldier on the 1st of June at Acquia creek.  Surely a kind Providence must be shielding the heads of our soldiers, when only one such disaster occurs in a department whose soldiers are numbered by the thousands.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 22, 1862, p. 3

Aquia Creek Abandoned

Fort Macon and the Towne of San Augustine and Jackson abandoned by the Rebels.

WASHINGTON, March 19. – The brig Leslie, which arrived last night, reports that when she passed Aquia, the buildings and wharf there were burning.  It is supposed the rebels have evacuated after firing the place.

Dispatches received from Com. Dupont announces that the United States flag floats over Fort Macon, at San Augustine, Florida.  The town surrendered without fighting.  The town authorities received Com. Rogers in the Town Hall, and being assured he would protect loyal citizens, they raised the flag with their own hands.  The rebels evacuated the night before our gunboats appeared.

Jackson, Fla., also surrendered.  The Governor of Florida recommended the earliest evacuation of East Florida.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 22, 1862, p. 3

Washington News

WASHINGTON, March 19. – The Aquia Creek batteries have been abandoned and the buildings burnt.

Lieut. Colonel Pomeroy, of the Engineers, was confirmed as a Brigadier General go-day.

Leslie, formerly Chief Clerk of the War department, was rejected by the Senate.

The news from Mexico is regarding in official circles as highly favorable.

It is believed that the Allies will withdraw without interference with Mexican internal affairs.  When the steamer left, there was danger of trouble between the French and Spanish forces, as the former were still acting under orders looking to the enthronement of Maximilian, which the next mail would, however, countermand.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 22, 1862, p. 3

From The Potomac

WASHINGTON, March 11. – By an arrival at the Navy Yard to-day it is ascertained that the rebel batteries were evacuated at Aquia creek yesterday morning; whether permanently or not we have no means of ascertaining.

Gen. Fremont will return to Washington either this evening or to-morrow morning.

Repairs have already been commenced at Bull Run and the probability is the railroad to Manassas will be in running order this week.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 3

Adventures of a Contraband Scout at Aquia Creek

(Correspondence of the N. Y. Times)

I spent three weeks at Liverpool Point, the outpost of Hooker’s Division, almost directly opposite Aquia Creek, waiting patiently for the advance of our left wing to follow up the army, becoming, if not participator against the dying struggles of rebeldom, at least a chronicler of the triumphs in the march of the Union Army.  During this time I was the guest of Col. Graham, of Mathias Point memory, who had brought over from that place, (last November,) some thirty valuable chattels.  A part of the camp was assigned to them.  They built log huts, and obtained from the soldiers many comforts, making their quarters equal to any in the camp.  They had friends and relatives.  Negroes feel as much sympathy for their friends and kin as the whites, and from the present time, many a man in Virginia has lost a very likely nigger for the camp contains now upwards of a hundred fat and healthy darkies, in addition to its original number from Mathias Point.  One of the number deserves more honor than that accorded to Toussaint L’Overture, in the brilliant lecture delivered by Wendell Phillips.  He is unquestionably the hero of the Potomac, and deserves to be placed by the side of his most renowned black brethren.

The name of this negro is James Lawson, born near Hempstead, Va., and belonged to a Mr. Taylor.  He made his escape last December.  On hearing his praises spoken by the Captain of the gunboats on the Potomac, I was rather indisposed to admit the possession of all the qualities they give him credit for, and thought possibly his exploits had been exaggerated.  His heroic courage, truthfulness and exalted Christian character seemed too romantic for their realization; however, my doubts on that score were dispelled, and I am a witness to his last crowning act.  Jim, after making his escape from Virginia, shipped on board of the Freeborn, flag gunboat, Lieut. Saml. Magaw commanding.  He furnished Capt. Magaw much valuable intelligence concerning the rebel movements, and from his quiet, everyday behavior soon won the esteem of the commanding officer.

Capt. Magaw, shortly after Jim’s arrival on board the Freeborn, sent him upon a scouting tour through the rebel fortifications, more to test his reliability than anything else; and the mission, although fraught with great danger, was executed by Jim in the most faithful manner.  Again Jim was sent into Virginia, landing at the White House, below Mount Vernon, and going into the interior for several miles, encountering the fire of picket guards and posted sentries, returned in safety to the shore, and was brought off in the Captain’s gig, under the fire of the rebel musketry.

Jim had a wife and four children at that time still in Virginia.  They belonged to the same man as Jim did; he was anxious to get them, yet it seemed impossible.  One day in January, Jim came to the Captain’s room and asked for permission to be landed that evening on the Virginia side, as he wished to bring off his family.

“Why, Jim,” said Capt. Magaw, “how will you be able to pass the pickets?”

“I want to try, Captain, I think I can get ‘em over safely,” meekly replied Jim.

“Well, you have my permission,” and Capt. Magaw ordered one of the gunboats to land Jim that night on whatever part of the shore Jim designated, and return for him the following evening.

True to his appointment, Jim was at the spot with his family, and were taken on board the gunboat and brought over to Liverpool Point, where Col. Graham had given them a log house to live in, jus back of his own quarters.  Jim ran the gauntlet of the sentries unharmed, never taking the roads, but keeping in the woods – every foot-path of which, and almost every tree, he knew from his boyhood up.

Several weeks afterward another reconnoisance was planned, and Jim sent on it.  He returned in safety, and was highly complimented by Generals Hooker and Sickles, and the entire flotilla.

On Thursday, week ago, it became necessary to obtain correct information of the enemy’s movements.  Since then, batteries at Shipping and Cockpit Points have been evacuated, and their troops moved to Fredericksburg.  Jim was the man picked out for the occasion, by Sickles and Magaw. – The General came down to Col. Graham’s quarters about 9 in the evening, and sent for Jim.  There were present the General, Col. Graham and myself.  Jim came into the Colonel’s quarters.

“Jim,” said the General, “I want you to go over to Virginia to-night and find out what forces they have at Aquia Creek and Fredericksburg.  If you want any men to accompany you, pick them out.”

“I know two men that would like to go,” Jim answered.

“Well, get them, and be back as soon as possible.  Away went Jim over to the contraband camp, and returning almost immediately, brought into our presence two very intelligent looking darkeys.

“Are you already [sic],” inquired the Gen.

“All ready, Sir,” responded the trio.

“Well, here, Jim, you take my pistol,” said Gen. Sickles, unbuckling it from his belt, “and if you are successful, I will give you $100.”

Jim hoped he would be, and bidding us good bye, started off for the gunboat Satellite, Capt. Foster, who landed them a short distance below the Potomac Creek batteries.  They were to return early in the morning, but were unable from the great distance they went in the interior.  Long before daylight on Saturday morning, the gunboat was lying off the appointed place.  As the day dawned, Capt. Foster discovered a mounted picket guard near the beach, and almost at the same instant saw Jim to the left of them, in the woods, sighting his gun at the rebel cavalry.  He ordered the “gig” to be manned and rowed to the shore.  The rebels moved slowly, thinking to intercept the boat, when Foster gave them a shell, which scattered them.  Jim, with only one of his original companions and two fresh contrabands came on board.  Jim and lost the other.  He had been challenged by a picket when some distance in advance of Jim, and the negro, instead of answering the summons, fired the contents of Gen. Sickle’s revolver at the picket.  It was an unfortunate occurrence, for at that time the entire picket guard rushed out of a small house near the spot, and fired the contents of their muskets at Jim’s companion, killing him instantly. – Jim and the other three hid themselves in a hollow, near a fence, and after the pickets gave up pursuit, crept through the woods to the shore.  From the close proximity of the rebel pickets, Jim could not display a light, which was the signal for Foster to send a boat.  Capt. Foster, after hearing Jim’s story of the shooting of his companion, determined to avenge his death; so steaming his vessel close in to the shore, he sighted his guns for a barn, which the rebel cavalry were hiding behind.  He fired two shells – one went right through the barn, killing four of the rebels and seven of their horses.  Capt. Foster, seeing the effect of his shots, said to Jim, who stood by: “Well, Jim, I’ve avenged the death of poor Cornelius,” (the name of Jim’s lost companion.)

Gen. Hooker has transmitted to the war Department an account of Jim’s reconnoissance to Fredericksburg, and unites with the army and navy stationed on the left wing of the Potomac, in the hope that the Government will present Jim with a fitting recompense for his gallant services.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 9, 1862, p. 2

From Washington

WASHINGTON, April 2.

Special to Tribune.

It is stated that the Senate military committee dissents from the rule that volunteer officers must seek from promotion in their own branch of service only.  They think vacancies in the regular army should be filled by experienced men from the volunteer regiments, in preference to civilians.

Mr. Ames of Chicopee manufactory, has presented flag officer Foote with a sword and Lieut. Worden with a cutlass.

Times’ Dispatch

Prisoners taken in the recent reconnoisance to the Rappahannock, state that the rebel force in that vicinity consists of eight regiments of infantry, two of cavalry and six pieces of artillery.  Gen. E. Wells, of Drainsville notoriety, was in command on the return of our forces to Warrenton junction.

The rebels hover around the outskirts of our army, and frequently succeed in picking up small parties of our men, who contrary to commands, go out on foolhardy foraging expeditions.

Information has just been received from the Times’ correspondent on the lower Potomac, that contrabands from Fredericksburg report that town now occupied by thirty regiments of the enemy, the main part of which have arrived there within the last three days.  They report the steamer St. Nicholas and another boat which formerly plied to different points on the Rappahannock, as being held in readiness to transport rebel troops down the Rappahannock to some point.

Other rebel troops are reported as having gone down the York river to reinforce the enemy’s position at the mouth, where the rebels have batteries.  Small detachments of rebel cavalry still occupy Aquia Creek and as far up as Dumfries.

Another magazine has been found at Shipping Point, containing large quantities of shells.

Herald’s Dispatch.

About one and a half millions of six per cent. certificates were issued to-day, chiefly of the denomination of $100.  The checks and warrants now in amount to about ten millions.

Yesterday the Jacob Bell and Stepping Stone visited Evansport.  A boat’s crew from each vessel was sent to shore.  They visited nearly all the batteries in that vicinity, including one on a high hill about half a mile back of Evansport, where was mounted the gun that Capt. Eastman had attempted unsuccessfully to burst.  It is a 32-pounder.  This battery, aided by field pieces, was intended to cover the retreat of the rebels through the woods in the rear, in the event of their being driven from the lower battery.  It was defended by rifle pits.

Several men went a considerable distance into the country, but there were no signs of rebel troops nor inhabitants.  Both parties of seamen subsequently returned on shore in command of Lieut. Commanding McCrea, of the Jacob Bell, and proceeded inland, where they found five rebel store houses containing hay, cutting machines, platform scales and other useful apparatus and implements.  They set fire to the buildings, which were entirely consumed.

A citizen of Cambridge, Mass., who went to Bull Run to recover the remains of his brother, who belonged to a Boston company, gives a melancholy account of the sacrilege committed upon the graves of our soldiers by the rebels.  About thirty of the Boston company and Chelsea company had been buried near each other, but every skull had been taken away and nearly all the principal bones of the bodies were gone.  Some of the bodies had been dug out and others pressed out of the graves with levers and some the sleeves of the uniforms were slit to obtain the bones of the arms.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 3, 1862, p. 1

From Washington

WASHINGTON, March 27.

The Senate to-day confirmed the nomination of Lewis S. Ely, of California as Consul at Acapulco.

The bill reported by Senator Pearce to-day, from the committee on finance, provides that the authority given to the Secretary of the Treasury to refund and remit the duties and imposts on all arms imported into the United States by or for the account of any State, shall extend only to arms for which orders or contracts were made prior to January 1^st 1862, provided the Secretary shall have satisfactory proof exhibited to him that the arms were actually purchased in a foreign country for the account of a State, and the price paid for the same was only the first cost and the usual customary exchanges attending the purchase of the same, inclusive of duty.

The attempts that are made to connect the present supervision of the telegraph with the censorship lately reported upon by a committee of Congress, renders it proper to state that the censorship of the telegraph was abolished by the Secretary of War on taking military possession of the telegraph, and a military supervision of the telegraph throughout the U. S. substituted.  The duty of the supervisors is to prevent the transmission, by telegraph, of information concerning, late present or contemplated movements of the armies of the U. S., and all other information which is of a military character, that ought to be concealed.  From the political or private affairs, the telegraph is as completely unrestricted as it was before the commencement of the war.

Hon. Emmerson Etheridge has written a letter from Nashville, stating that W. H. Polk, brother of the late President Polk, is in Nashville, and that W. H. Stokes is shortly expected.  Both are strong Unionists, and will co-operate with Gov. Johnson in putting the State government into operation.

The following dispatch was received from Cherry Stone via Fortress Monroe this p.m.  There was a reconnoisance this evening to Big Bethel, which was occupied by 1,500 rebels, who fled at our approach.  We now occupy the place.

The surgeons of the regiments engaged at Winchester have not reported the list of killed as yet.  It will be forwarded as soon as received.

Eight wagon loads of the enemy’s dead were carried into Strasburg Monday.

It is believed that the enemy’s killed and wounded amounted to 1,000.

Tribune’s Dispatch

WASHINGTON, March 27.

The enemy have at last entirely abandoned Aquia Creek, carrying with them artillery and stores, and there is no rebel force now between the river and Fredericksburg.  In that town there are but few soldiers, the main body being posted about a mile and a half beyond.

Col. Crittenden of Indiana was nominated as Brig. Gen. to-day.

Times’ Special

A smoke on Tuesday in the direction of Warrenton indicated the destruction of property, which always attends the enforced retreat of the rebel army.  Their disastrous attack on Winchester has provoked a blow from which they are recoiling.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 29, 1862, p. 2

From Washington

WASHINGTON, March 20.

An official dispatch from Commodore Foote received at 12 o’clock last night, at Cairo, and telegraphed hither says that Island No. 10 is harder to conquer than Columbus, as the Island shores are lined with forts, each fort commanding the one above it.

I am gradually approaching the Island but still do not hope for much until the occurrence of certain events which promise success.

Commodore Foote adds: “We are firing day and night on the rebels, and we gain on them.  We are having some of the most beautiful rifle practice ever witnessed.  The mortar shells have done fine execution.  One shell was landed on their floating battery and cleared the concern in short metre.”

Three rebel deserters, brought up by the steamer Leslie, this morning, confirm the report of the evacuation of Acquia Creek.  They say the rebel forces there had been 2,000.  Before the rebels left they tore up a large portion of the railroad, set fire to the station and wharves and burnt a large schooner.

A dispatch from flag officer Dupont, March 15^th, San Augustine, contains the following:

Further information from St. Johns river is satisfactory.

The burning of the mills and lumber with the fine hotel at Jacksonville, and the house of Mr. Robinson, a Union man, was by order of the rebel General Trapier.  After ingloriously flying with his forces from the town, with very considerable means of defence at hand, he sent a large force back for that incendiary purpose, on discovering that our gunboats had not been able on their first arrival to get across the bar.

Ex-Governor Morehead, of Kentucky was to-day released by order of the Secretary of War, upon the conditions of the parole, which he was requested to take at the time of his discharge from Fort Monroe.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 22, 1862, p. 1

WASHINGTON, March 12 [1862]

By an arrival at the Navy Yard to-day it is ascertained that the rebel batteries were evacuated at Aquia Creek yesterday morning – whether permanently or not we have no means of ascertaining.

Gen. Fremont will return to Washington either this evening or to-morrow morning.

Repairs have already been commenced at Bull Run, and the probability is that the road to Manassas will be in running order this week.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, March 13, 1862, p. 1