Arrest of Union Men in Richmond

On Saturday night Capt. Goodwin, by order of the Government, proceeded, with a party of select-men to the farm of John Minor Botts, and took him and all of his papers and private correspondence in custody.  Leaving an officer in charge of the papers and house of Botts, Capt. Goodwin brought him prisoner to this city, and lodged him in McDaniel’s negro jail, situated in Blankinship’s alley, some fifty yards north of Franklin street.

Captain Goodwin then went to the farms of Valentine Heckler and Franklin Stearns, and took both these well-known Union men, and all of their papers and letters, and brought them to this city.

Botts’s and Heckler’s letters and papers have not yet been examined.  Stern’s letters have undergone only a cursory and partial examination, and, so far, nothing of interest has been found among them, except several letters from his friend Botts, begging for money.

We are under the impression that, as yet, the Government is in possession of no positive information that would convict Botts of treason.  But he is known to be the recognized leader of the disaffected, all the low Germans of the Red Republican, Carl Schurz school, and the vile remnant of the Union party.

Against Stearns’ and Heckler’s loyalty the Government has been for a month in the possession of the most conclusive evidence; and it feels confident of its ability to prove that both of these men have been loud in their denunciations of what they have been please to term the “Rebellion,” and have, over and over again, expressed their willingness to sacrifice their entire property to restore the dominion in the South of the United States Government.

The man Wardwell, another party arrested, has, since the beginning of the war, been known to every citizen as a blatant and defiant Union man.

Miller, who has also been lodged in jail, is the chief or high priest of the secret Black or Red German Republican societies of Richmond, some of whose members, it can be proved, have since the reverse of our army at Fort Donelson, boasted that they had thousands of arms and abundance of ammunition concealed in the city, and that the men were enrolled who would use them on the first approach of the Yankee army.

An Irishman, named John M. Higgins, has also been arrested and put in the same prison.  Higgins is a connection of Col. Corcoran of the Yankee army.  Two of Higgins’ aunts married two of Corcoran’s uncles.  A letter from Corcoran to Higgins, advising the latter to send his wife and family North, and containing assurance that he (Corcoran) would have them safely conveyed under flag of truce, has recently been intercepted by our Government.  Whether our Government has any evidence of Higgins’ intention to follow Corcoran’s counsel, has not transpired.

It is said that Stearns, the whisky man, on approaching the prison, surveyed it with a most contemptuous expression, and remarked, “If you are going to imprison all the Union men, you will have to provide a much larger jail than this.”  Mr. Stearns will, we think, be not a little mistaken in his calculations.

It will be recollected that, on Thursday last, John Gold and Elias Paulding were arraigned for having made use of treasonable language, and that it appeared on investigation, that Gold had proclaimed himself a Union man, and announced that the stars and stripes would soon wave from the top of our capitol, and that Elias Paulding amended Gold’s announcement with an emphatic “That’s so.”  We stated in our last paper that the Mayor had turned both parties over to the Confederate authorities.  In this we were mistaken.  The Mayor had merely committed them for further examination, and they were accordingly brought into court on Saturday, and again committed till this morning. – {Richmond Examiner, March 3.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 1

From Washington

WASHIGNTON, April 2.

Tribune’s Special.

A reporter sent to the other side of the Potomac, assured us this morning that secretary Stanton had issued an order forbidding newspaper correspondents, as well as all others not actually connected some way or other with the service from accompanying any of the corps de armes.  Very many correspondents are with the army, and it is understood that an order was dispatched yesterday that the whole of them be cleared out and sent back, under penalty of immediate arrest and confinement if they attempt to stay.

Blenker’s brigade has been assigned to Fremont’s command.  Carl Schurz is to have command of a division under Fremont.

Col. Van Allen resigned his command of the 3d N. Y. Cavalry yesterday.  Lieut. Col. Mix will succeed him.

Times’ Correspondence.

It is not yet positively determined who will succeed Carl Schurz as Minister to Spain.  No nomination will be made to the Senate by the President until Schurz is confirmed as Brigadier General.  Hon. Geo. Ashman, of Mass., is talked of for the place.

Major Donaldson, chief of the quartermaster department in New Mexico, arrived at Washington to-day.  He brings much important information in regard to the rebel raid into that Territory.  He says the rebels hold every position of value, except Forts Craig and Union.  The latter, which is the most important fort in the far West, containing millions of dollars worth of government stores, is now safe beyond peradventure, and garrisoned by fifteen hundred soldiers.  It has water within the fortifications, and provisions for an almost unlimited siege.  It will be the rallying point for the ample Union forces now marching to expel the invaders.  Major D. relates many incidents of the late battle near Fort Craig, and says that Major Lockridge, of the Nicaragua filibusters, fell dead at the head of the Texas Rangers in the terrible charge on McRae’s battery.

Secretary Stanton will probably proceed to Fort Monroe to-morrow, to give matters there his personal attention.

WASHGINTON, April 3.

It is now conceded among the rebels that the Virginia troops are equal, if not superior, to any in the army, notwithstanding the brag of the South Carolina chivalry. -  It is charged upon them that they were the first to break ranks and run at the battle of Bull Run.  A large number of desertions from the North Carolina and Georgia regiments are reported to have taken place lately.  The time of the London troops expires on April 23d.

The teamer King Phillip arrive from the lower river last night, bringing up four refugees from Richmond and Westmoreland county, Va., who came off from Kinsale on Saturday last.  They state that the rebels are pressing every man between the ages of 18 and 48 into the service, and they have been closely hunted by the press-gangs for a week or two.  The rebels had nearly all  left the neighborhood of London, but a few squads of their cavalry roamed through the country, pressing into service all able to bear arms.  The refugees also say that late secession papers state the Federal loss in the conflict with the Merrimac was fifteen hundred men.  Also, that the shots of the Monitor had no more effect on the sides of the Merrimac than hailstones.

Our loss in the engagement on Saturday and Sunday, March 22d and 23d, was 86 killed and 424 wounded; fifty have since died.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, April 4, 1862, p. 1

From Washington

WASHINGTON, March 25.

Times’ Correspondence.

It appears that Secretary Stanton, late on Monday night, concluded to forego his purpose to order the arrest of the editors of certain New York and Boston papers.

Advices from Fortress Monroe are quite conclusive that the Merrimac is out of the dry docks, and prepare[d] to run out when she chooses.  The Monitor is on hand.

Herald’s Dispatch.

The main body of the rebel army can not be very far distant, as it is known that scouting parties have been discovered within the past 24 hours but a short distance from Manassas Junction.  Appearances indicate that the enemy are strongly fortified behind the line of the Rappahannock.

Several State prisoners were released to-day on taking the oath of allegiance.

Gen. McDowell’s corps was reviewed to-day by McClellan.

Committee on foreign relations in the Senate reported a bill to-day.  The radicals generally voted against taxing slaves.

Gen. Blenker was to-day restored to his position.  This is a victory over Schurz who desired his place.

The tax bill was amended to-day by placing a license on dentists of ten dollars per year.

The circulation of the National Republican and the Tribune has been forbidden among the troops of the army of the Potomac, on the ground that the articles against McClellan are calculated to incite insurrectionary spirit.

Commanding officers of the various companies issued an official order to-day, that no boats will be allowed to visit Mount Vernon.

The Committees on Naval Affairs determined to-day to report a bill for the construction of iron clad steamers.

The City Council has made an earnest remonstrance against the abolition of slavery in the District.

The victory of Winchester turns out to be one of the most brilliant of the war.

A paper has been circulated and signed by nearly all the Democratic members of Congress, and by Senator Carlisle, having in view the rallying of the Democratic party, and a convention in this city at an early day to give direction to its future movements.

The commission appointed by Gen. Wool to inquire into the condition of vagrants or contrabands, say in their official report, that they started with the general proposition that the military power had not only the right, but it is among its highest duties to avail itself of any and all means within its control, to perfect its discipline, render its position secure, or make it effective for an advance against an enemy; and for these ends it has the right to compel service or use from anything, animate or inanimate, which a military necessity may demand.  At the same time they consider that necessity is the only proper measure by which this, however can be exercised, the Number of Contrabands is given as 1,508, thus distributed; at Fort Monroe 691; at Camp Hamilton 743; at Camp Butler and Newport News 74.  Little inclination is manifested by them to go North.  Comparatively few contrabands come to our camp.  The navy is decidedly popular with them; they are treated as boys, and receive $10 per month.

The commissioners point out various abuses, and suggest remedies.

It further appears from the report, that Gen. Wool has issued an order, that hereafter all wages earned by them will be paid the contrabands for their own use and support under such regulations as may be deemed proper.

Representative Steele, of New Jersey, one of the members of Government contract investigation committee, returned to-day from Cairo wither he was accompanied by a colleague of the committee, Mr. Washburn.  Their business was to look into the quartermaster and other departments. – The discoveries and suggestions of this committee have been the means of saving large amounts of money to the Government.

Petitions in favor of a general uniform bankrupt law are received.

Until further orders no boats or vessels will be allowed to visit Mount Vernon.

Herald’s Dispatch.

Gen. Sumner has issued an important order prohibiting acts of marauding.  He assures the people of Virginia that their only safety is in the general government, and that it will be his constant endeavor to protect them in their persons and property to the extent of his power.  The General has also determined to accept no resignations in his corps during the campaign.

The House having addressed an inquiry to the Secretary of War, regarding purchases of vessels for carrying water, be responded to-day be enclosing a letter from Assistant Secretary Tucker, explaining these purchases.

Frequent applications are made as to the disposal of public lands in the territory of Nevada, but as the land districts have not yet been organized, there is no species of claims that can now be located.  There seems to be no doubt that those who at present occupy land will be secured in their location by future legislation.

A Democratic conference was held last night, continuing till a late hour.  The call was signed by all, excepting four or five of the members of congress who were elected as Democrats.  Representative Corning presided, and Pendleton and Shiel acted as secretaries.

In injunction was placed on all present not to reveal the proceedings.  It is, however, ascertained from private conversation to-day that the conference was principally confined to the consideration of the resolutions reported from a committee of which Mr. Vallandigham was chairman, declaring in substance, that the restoration of the Union and the maintenance of the Constitution would require that the organization and principles of the Democratic party, of the U. S., should be fully and faithfully adhered to, and inviting citizens, without distinction of section or party, to co-operate with the Democrats in support of the constitution and restoring the old Union.  A committee, one from each State, represented by a Democrat either in the Senate or House, was appointed to report at a further conference.  The names of the members are not yet known.

It is understood that several members from the border slave States were present and participated in the proceedings.  The entire number present at the meeting was about forty.  The proceedings are represented as having been harmonious.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, March 27, 1862, p. 1

Southern News

NEW YORK, April 25.

Ex-Lieut. Gov. Koenrner, of Ill., has been designated to the post of Minister to Spain in place of Carl Schurz, provided the latter intends not to return.

We have a statement from the Atlanta (Ga.) Confederacy Stating that the Northern Alabama and Western Georgia are completely at the mercy of Gen. Mitchell, whose present position is declared to be such, at Gunter's Landing, that he can at once proceed to Rome, take that city, burn down the foundries and capture all the arms, take possession of the engines on the railroad, and not only cut off reinforcements and means of retreat from the rebel Gen. Kirby Smith, who was alleged to be marching towards Huntsville, but leave at the same time the rebel forces at Knoxville, Greenville and Cumberland Gap, together with all Western Virginia, completely exposed.

The Richmond Examiner, of the 22d, speaking of affairs at Yorktown, says: “Our troops have cut a canal between the York and Warwick rivers, which gives us a water front across that whole stretch of country, which must contribute materially to the strength of our position.”

The Examiner further states that on Saturday last our troops were engaged in throwing up entrenchments, and at daylight on Sunday they were completed and guns mounted within 1,000 yards of the rebels’ position.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, April 26, 1862, p. 1

Carl Schurz

The Democrat of this city pitches into this distinguished citizen of Wisconsin in almost every issue of that paper. Schurz is a man of masterly mind, and we doubt if he ever uttered the sentiment attributed to him – that the Union is already gone. The simple fact that he is a German, is the sole cause of our neighbor’s rancor. He should remember that certain Germans of this city whilom contributed to his support and to the placing of prominent Democrats in office in our city, and should not be so bitter against them.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 24, 1862, p. 2