Henry David Thoreau to Parker Pillsbury, April 10, 1861

Concord, April 10,1861.

Friend Pillsbury, — I am sorry to say that I have not a copy of “Walden” which I can spare; and know of none, unless possibly Ticknor & Fields may have one. I send, nevertheless, a copy of “The Week,” the price of which is one dollar and twenty-five cents, which you can pay at your convenience.

As for your friend, my prospective reader, I hope he ignores Fort Sumter, and “Old Abe,” and all that; for that is just the most fatal, and, indeed, the only fatal weapon you can direct against evil, ever; for, as long as you know of it, you are particeps criminis. What business have you, if you are “an angel of light,” to be pondering over the deeds of darkness, reading the “New York Herald,” and the like?

I do not so much regret the present condition of things in this country (provided I regret it at all), as I do that I ever heard of it. I know one or two, who have this year, for the first time, read a President’s Message; but they do not see that this implies a fall in themselves, rather than a rise in the President. Blessed were the days before you read a President’s Message. Blessed are the young, for they do not read the President's Message. Blessed are they who never read a newspaper, for they shall see Nature, and, through her, God.

But, alas! I have heard of Sumter and Pickens, and even of Buchanan (though I did not read his Message). I also read the “New York Tribune;” but then, I am reading Herodotus and Strabo, and Blodget's “Climatology,” and “Six Years in the Desert of North America,” as hard as I can, to counterbalance it.

By the way, Alcott is at present our most popular and successful man, and has just published a volume in size, in the shape of the Annual School Report, which I presume he has sent to you.

Yours, for remembering all good things,

Henry D. Thoreau.

SOURCE: F. B. Sanborn, Editor, Familiar Letters of Henry David Thoreau, p. 437-8

The War News

Pensacola Navy Yard and Forts burnt down!

Fort Pickens Bombards the place during the Conflagration.

North Carolina Seceding back to the Union.

GOV. CLARKE ORDERING HOME ALL N. C. TROOPS.

Brag Commands at Corinth.

Proclamation by President Lincoln.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, May 20, 1862, p. 1

Diary of Edward Bates, December 31, 1861 – Second Entry

Since last date the weather has been and is remarkably fine. Mr. Eads⁶⁷ has been here, bringing his wife, Miss Genevieve and little Mattie — He has returned, by way of N.[ew] Y.[ork] to St Louis (leaving Genevieve with us, untill [sic] his return again in a few weeks)[.] He was sadly disappointed about gitting [sic] money, and went away in no good humor with Q.[uarter] M.[aster] G[eneral] Meigs.⁶⁸ I hope it will be all right soon.

I think he has made a very favorable impression upon the Navy Dept, especially with Mr. Fox,⁶⁹ asst. Sect: He will probably contract for the building of 4 of the 20 iron ships ordered for the Navy, at $500,000 a piece — perhaps a little more.⁷⁰

Mr. Gibson⁷¹ shewed me to day a letter from Gov Gamble⁷² in very low spirits — Genl Halleck⁷³ rules out the malitia [sic]. The goods sent from here—those clothes and blanketts [sic] —expressly for Gambles malitia [sic] are taken and transfer[r]ed to other troops, this is too bad.

< [Note.] Jany 3 Mr. Gibson read me another letter from Gov Gamble in much better spirits. He thinks, in the main that Halleck is doing very well[.>]

Genl McClellan and his chief of staff, Genl Marcey [sic], are both very sick — Said to be typhoid fever — and this is making much difficulty.

The Genl: it seems, is very reticent. Nobody knows his plans. The Sec of war and the President himself are kept in ignorance of the actual condition of the army and the intended movements of the General — if indeed they intend to move at all — In fact the whole administration is lamentably deficient in the lack of unity and coaction[.] There is no quarrell [sic] among us, but an absalute [sic] want of community of intelligence, purpose and action.

In truth, it is not an administration but the separate and disjointed action of seven independent officers, each one ignorant of what his colle[a]gues are doing.

To day in council, Mr. Chase stated the condition of things in sorrowful plainness; and then, as usual, we had a “bald, disjointed chat” about it, coming to no conclusion.

It seemed as if all military operations were to stop, just because Genl McClellan is sick! Some proposed that there should be a council of war composed of Maj: Genls, in order that somebody besides the Genl in chief, may know something about the army; and be able to take command in case Genl McC[lellan] should die or continue sick.

I differed, and told the President that he was commander in chief, and that it was not his privilege but his duty to command; and that implied the necessity to know the true condition of things.

That if I was in his place, I would know; and if things were not done to my liking, I would order them otherwise. That I believed he could get along easier and much better by the free use of his power, than by this injurious deference to his subordinates [.]

I said, the Sec of War is but the Adjutant Genl. and the Sec of the Navy the Admiral of the commander in chief, and through them, he ought to know all that is necessary to be known about the army and Navy. And I urged upon him (as often heretofore) the propriety of detailing at least two active and skillful officers to act as his aid[e]s, to write and carry his orders, collect his information, keep his military books and papers, and do his bidding generally in military affairs.

But I fear that I spoke in vain. The Prest. is an excellent man, and, in the main wise; but he lacks will and purpose, and, I greatly fear he, has not the power to command.

__________

⁶⁷ Supra, Jan. 28, 1860, note 38.

⁶⁸ Montgomery C. Meigs : West Point graduate of 1836 ; officer in the Artillery and Engineering Corps ever since; commander of the expedition to Fort Pickens which had saved that fort; quartermaster-general with the rank of brigadier-general, 1861-1882.

⁶⁹ Supra, March 9, 1861, note 40.

⁷⁰ He did actually contract for seven armor-plated gunboats of 600 tons each to be finished in sixty-five days. He and Mr. Bates had suggested these gunboats for the Mississippi, and, before the War ended, he had built fourteen armored gunboats, seven “tin-clad” transports, and four heavy mortar boats, and had added several new ordnance Inventions of his own to them.

⁷¹ Supra, April 27, 1859, note 27.

⁷² Supra, July 23, 1859, note 39.

⁷³ Supra, Nov. 13, 1861, note 37.

SOURCE: Howard K. Beale, Editor, The Diary of Edward Bates, published in The Annual Report Of The American Historical Association For The Year 1930 Volume 4, p. 219-20

Burning of the Pensacola Navy Yard

BEFORE CORINTH, Miss., May 18.

The Mobile Advertiser and Register contains the following:

PENSACOLA NAVY YARD, May 10.

At 12 o’clock last night the Pensacola Navy Yard and the Forts were set on fire and destroyed.

When the enemy discovered what was going on, Fort Pickens opened a furious bombardment and kept it up during the conflagration, and without doing damage to anybody.  At Pensacola all public property, excepting the Easton House, which was incapable of being burnt, was destroyed; but movable Confederate property has been saved.

The railroad track leading out of the city towards Montgomery was torn up this morning.

A Federal vessel, with a flag of truce, came up to the city, demanding a surrender.

Major Balbe refused to comply with the demand, but as all the military forces had left, he had no power to oppose.

The Federal officer replied they would occupy the city by to-morrow, but that the inhabitants need not be alarmed.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, May 20, 1862, p. 1

Southern Items

The Montgomery Advertiser, of the 5th estimates the number of troops in the Rebel army from Alabama, at 17,000.  Governor Moore, in his October message, puts it at 30,000.  Which statement is true?

The Quincy (Fla.) Dispatch of the 8th instant says the British steamer Gladiator, which recently ran the Federal blockade, is safely moored in a Florida port.  Her cargo of arms is valued at two millions of dollars.

The Pensacola Observer, of the 9th, says that about one dozen slaves recently escaped to Fort Pickens.

The Marshall (Texas) Republican of the 14th inst., leans of large mortality among the Texas troops on the Potomac.

The Richmond Dispatch, of the 15th inst., has advises from New Mexico, from private sources, dated from the 19th ult., stating that General Sibley had taken possession, by proclamation , of New Mexico and Arizona, and declared martial law therein.

We here from New Orleans that the French residents in that city are anxious to escape, that they have held a meeting to take measures to effect this and that they have put themselves in communication with the Union troops at Ship Island.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 4

Fort Pickens

An officer on board of the United States steamer, Cuyler, off Fort Pickens writes that no one was killed in the Fort during the cannonading of the 1st instant.  Only one man was wounded, and no damage was done to the fort or surrounding batteries.  He adds:

“This heavy cannonading at the forts will never lead to a victory on either side, and the one who has the most powder and shot provided the other side exhausts its supply, can in this way alone get the advantage.  If the rebels’ forts are taken, it must either be accomplished by assault or starving out the garrison.  Do not believe what you see in the papers about McRae and Barrancas being disabled and at our mercy.  I am on the spot and speak with authority when I say it is not true.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 3

From Key West

NEW YORK, Jan. 29. – The steam transport Philadelphia, from Key West, Jan 22d, has arrived.  She brings Company K, U. S. Cavalry.

The troops at Fort Pickens and Key West are all in good health.  Nothing new has transpired at either place since last advices.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 2

From Fort Pickens

New York, Jan. 29. – Advices from Ft. Pickens by the Philadelphia, state that the Rebels have withdrawn a portion of their forces to Mobile which they consider in special danger.  It is understood that the rebel force opposite Ft. Pickens is not over 6,000 exclusive of that at Live Oak plantation which is held by from one to three thousand and fortified.

Contrabands are constantly coming in to Col. Brown

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 2

Illness Of Col. Brown

The friends of Colonel Brown, the gallant defender of Fort Pickens, will learn with sorrow that the dropsical symptoms developed some time since  by his labors and the climate of the gulf, have recently become so pronounced that it will probably be necessary to relieve him from his important command.

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

Later from Ft. Pickens

NEW YORK, March 25. – The brig Island Blade has arrived from Ft. Pickens, with dates to the 11th inst. And Key West to the 17th.

The impression was that Gen. Bragg had left Pensacola, and parties with glasses say the rebel guns had been turned in-land, probably in expectation of a visit from Gen. Butler.

Four contrabands, who escaped say there are but 3,000 troops at Pensacola, and that they are poorly armed.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 4

Col. Harvey Brown . . .

. . . Commandant at Fort Pickens, is in New York on Furlough on account of Ill health.  Gen. Bragg took advantage of the Colonel’s absence to achieve a “rebel triumph;” that is to say he retired, or, in other words, took up a position further in the interior.

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

From Washington

Special to the Chicago Tribune.

WASHINGTON, March 23.

The States this evening says it is the impression in naval and military circles, that New Orleans is ours, the mortar fleet having probably attacked the rebel fort Rigolette on the 11^th inst.

Letters from Ship Island confirm the statements.  The fort referred to is Fort Pike commanding one entrance to Lake Ponchartrain.

Gen. Brown has been out in command of the forts in New York harbor.

Gen. Arnold takes his place at Fort Pickens, which illness obliged is abandoning.  He leaves his staff, mustered out of service by recent General Order.

The Roanoke and Vanderbilt are being iron-clad as rapidly as possible.  Ericsson is preparing specifications for a vessel over three hundred feet long.  The smoke stacks on the new vessels will be higher.

Capt. Buchanan’s family still believe him alive.

In spite of a belief in their uselessness the seven millions voted by congress for stone forts are being appropriated for that purpose.

Dr. John Evans of Chicago, Ill., is nominated Governor of Colorado Territory, and Hardin of Indiana, nominated Governor of Utah.

Van Cleve and Asboth were also confirmed Brigadier Generals.  Fremont, at the last moment, concluded not to leave Washington yesterday, his staff not being fully determined upon.

Advices from the Gulf state that the Sickles cut off on the Pensacola is a failure; as a consequence the Pensacola is a failure.

Gen. Wadsworth is authorized to issue passes to the loyal North Carolinians, of whom many desire to reclaim their property from which they have been driven by the rebellion.

For the first time, the President yesterday visited Alexandria.

The Arlington House, hitherto occupied as headquarters, has been converted into a hospital.  The Freedman’s Aid Association, for the assistance of fugitives, has been organized here, with Mr. Hamlin as President.

Lieut. Morris, who fought the Cumberland so gallantly against the Merrimac, has received thanks of Secretary Wells, in a letter which does justice to his heroism.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 25, 1862, p. 1

From Fort Pickens

NEW YORK, March 11.

The Steamer Philadelphia arrived to-night from Fort Pickens 1^st, Tortugas 4^th and Key West 6^th.  Gen. Arnold was in command at Ft. Pickens, Col. Brown having sailed for New York.  Troops at Fort Pickens all well.  Contrabands from Pensacola report that a rebel regiment had left, and two unarmed regiments had arrived.

Anderson was to be court-martialed for commencing the bombardment of January 1^st.

Com. Porter’s Mortar fleet was awaiting favorable wind to sail from Key West for Ship Island.

The steamer Magnolia arrived at Key West, a prize to the steamer South Carolina.  She had 1,000 bales of cotton.  The steamers Mississippi and Mantauzas were at Port Royal with Gen. Butler and his troops.

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

Evacuation of Pensacola --- The Navy Yard Burned

BEFORE CORINTH, MISS., May 18. – The Mobile Advertiser and Register contains the following special:

PENSACOLA, May 10. – At 12 o’clock last night Pensacola Navy Yard and the forts were set on fire and destroyed.  When the enemy discovered what was going on, Fort Pickens opened a furious bombardment and kept it up during the conflagration and without doing damage to anybody at Pensacola.  All the public property except the custom house, which is incapable of being burned, was moved, but all the moveable Confederate property has been saved.  The railroad track leading out of the city was torn up this morning.  A Federal vessel with a flag of truce came up to the city, demanding a surrender – Mayor Ballbe refused to comply with the demand, but as all the military forces had left he had no power to oppose.  The Federal officer replied that they would occupy the city to-morrow, but that the inhabitants need not be alarmed.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 24, 1862, p. 4

A Hoax

BALTIMORE, Feb. 12.

The reported bombardment at Ft. Pickens is a humbug, and was originated by Southern rebels.

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

From Fort Monroe

FORT MONROE, Feb. 11.

By a flag of truce to-day we learn the complete success of the Burnside expedition at Roanoke Island. The Island was taken possession of and Com. Lynd’s fleet completely destroyed.

Elizabeth City was attacked on Sunday, and evacuated by the inhabitants. The city was previously burned, whether by our shells or the inhabitants is not certain.

The first news of the defeat arrived at Norfolk on Sunday afternoon, and caused great excitement.

The previous news was very satisfactory, stating that the Yankees had been allowed to advance for the purpose of drawing them into a trap.

The rebel force on the island is supposed to have been little over 3,000 fighting men.

Gen. Wise was sick at Nag’s Head, and was not present during the engagement. – when the situation became dangerous he was removed to Norfolk.

All the gunboats but one were taken, and that escaped up a creek, and was probably destroyed.

One report says that only 70, and another that only 25, of the rebels escaped from the island. Gen. Huger telegraphed to Richmond that only 50 on the islanded escaped.

There appears to be no bright side of the story from the rebels.

The Richmond Examiner, this morning in the leading editorial, says:

“The loss of our entire army on Roanoke Island is certainly the most painful event of the war. The intelligence by yesterday’s telegraph is fully confirmed. Twenty-five hundred brave troops, on an island in the sea, were exposed to all the force of the Burnside fleet. They resisted with the most determined courage; but when 15,000 Federal troops were landed against them, retreat being cut off by the surrounding elements, they were forced to surrender. – This is a repetition of the Hatteras affair on a large scale.”

The following dispatches on the subject are taken from the Richmond papers of this morning:


NORFOLK, Feb. 10.

The latest news states that O. Jennings Wise, son of Gov. Wise was shot through the hip, and disabled.

Maj. Lawson and Lieut. Miller were mortally wounded. About 300 Confederates were killed. The wounded number over 1,000. The number of Yankees wounded is about the same.


SECOND DISPATCH.

A rumor has prevailed that Com. Lynd’s fleet of gun-boats had been captured. It is not regarded as true, but it is believed that all were burned by the Confederates to prevent their capture, with the exception of one, which was endeavoring to make its escape. The fleet went to Elizabeth City from Roanoke Island, and was probably burnt at the former point.


THIRD DISPATCH.

NORFOLK, February 10.

A dispatch was received at Richmond at midnight, stating as follows:

A courier arrived here this p.m. at four o’clock, and brought the intelligence that Elizabeth City was burned this morning by its inhabitants. During the conflagration the Federals landed a large force. All our gun-boats, excepting one, were captured by the enemy. Gen. Wise has not yet arrived at Norfolk.


The following – the very latest – we copy form the Norfolk Day Book:

A courier arrived here yesterday p.m. at about three o’clock, from whom we gather the following information: The enemy advanced in full force upon Elizabeth City yesterday about 7 o’clock and began an attack upon the place. The citizens thinking resistance vain evacuated the place, but before doing so set fire to the town, and when our informant left it was still in flames. We have also to record the capture by the enemy of all our little fleet except the Fanny or Forrest. Our informant is not certain which eluded the enemy. She was pursued, however, and fears are entertained that she was captured. It is said that before our boats surrendered they were abandoned, and that their crews succeeded in making their escape. If so, we are at a loss to conjecture why the boats were not fired before they were abandoned.

This disaster to our little fleet is attributed to the fact that having exhausted their supply of coal and ammunition, they proceeded to Elizabeth City for the purpose of obtaining supplies. Every effort was made to obtain coal, but without success, and the boats could not therefore return to the Island and send any assistance whatever to our forces.

All the details, as published with reference to the capture of Roanoke Island, are confirmed by the courier, who represents our loss at 300 killed and 1,000 wounded, and that of the enemy not less than 1,000 killed.

Great havoc was made among the enemy while coming up the road leading to the Fort. Our soldiers brought to bear upon them two 32-pounders, and at every fire their ranks were terribly thinned. The places of the fallen, however were quickly filled.

The Park Point battery was manned by the Richmond Blues, and most nobly did they defend it during the conflict. They were attacked by a whole regiment of Zouaves, and though completely overpowered, they stood their ground; they did not yield a foot till all but seven of them had fallen bleeding to the ground.

There is good reason to believe that had Col. Henningsen, with his artillery, been on the island it would not have been forced to surrender.

It is reported that one regiment from Massachusetts was badly cut up, but it is impossible to ascertain which of the five it was that were attached to the expedition.

All the Southern papers received to-day are unanimous in admitting a complete victory for our troops, and in saying the loss of the island is a very serious one. The news received to-day occasioned great excitement at Old Point.

A steamer with official dispatches from Gen. Burnside is hourly expected.

The prisoners captured, numbering at least 2,000, will be here in a few days.

A flag of truce was sent to Craney Island early this morning, to inform Gen. Huger that the prisoners of war from Ft. Warren had arrived. The rebel Steamer West Point came out from Norfolk, and the prisoners were transferred. They numbered 4 Captains, 3 1st Lieutenants, 6 2d Lieutenants, 2 3d Lieutenants and 384 privates and colored servants. They were taken at Hatteras and Santa Rosa, and are the last of the prisoners of war at Ft. Warren, except. Com. Barron.

The Norfolk boat brought here the Captain of the transport Osceola, which was part of Gen. Sherman’s expedition, which was wrecked on the coast of Georgia, Nov. 2d, and the Captain and the whole crew taken prisoners.

The latest intelligence from Savannah is that the Federal gun boats were at Wall’s Cut, and opening which [communicates] with Savannah without passing Ft. Pulaski.

A dispatch from Charleston to Richmond says that, on the 9th, Fort Pickens, with the Niagara and Colorado, opened fire on Forts McRae and Barrancas and the Navy Yard. After some hours’ bombardment, both vessels hauled off. Both are said to be badly damaged.

There has been some skirmishing between the Federals and the rebels at Port Royal.

The city of Savannah was being strongly fortified.

We find the following additional news from various points of the South in the papers received to-day:

Ex-Gov. Campbell declines the tender of the appointment of a Brigadier General, and assigns as a reason his physical incapability to perform the duties of the office. He was to have filled the place vacated by the death of Gen. Zollicoffer.

The bill to raise troops to meet the requisition of Virginia by the President of the Confederate States, passed both branches of the Va. General Assembly on Monday in secret session. The bill provides that all companies now in the field shall be filled up to the number of 100 men; that the Governor shall call for volunteers for this purpose, and that if the requisite number be not thus enlisted the deficiency is to be made up by draft from the enrolled militia.

The injunction of secrecy has been removed from the bill passed by Congress appropriating $2,000,000 for the benefit of the State of Kentucky.

James Lyons is probably elected to congress, to supply the vacancy caused by the death of John Tyler.

The War department has issued an order for the seizure of all corn in the hands of distillers or others for the purpose of distillation. This step is taken not only on account of the pernicious effects of the unlimited manufacture of whiskey, but also because of the exorbitant prices that Government is obliged to pay for an article indispensable to the subsistence of the army.

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

From Fort Pickens

NEW YORK, 20. – The Steamer Philadelphia has arrived from Fort Pickens.

Deserters were constantly arriving from Pensacola. The rebels had not evacuated but were moving guns away. The town was under martial law. Large [fires] are seen nightly, indicating that the rebels are destroying their property.

Minard Wood is the sutler who has escaped from the rebels, taking $10,000 in gold. He came passenger in the Philadelphia.

The rebel commander, Col. Jones, issued a proclamation that he would hang all idle people after the [3d] of April.

The steamer Troy, from Newbern, April 17, via Hatteras, April 18, has arrived here. Four companies of the Connecticut 8th had a skirmish on the 12th with 150 rebels who sortied from Fort Macon and drove in our pickets. After a sharp engagement the rebels were driven back to the Fort. During the engagement the Fort fired seventy shots at the forces engaged. Two of our men were wounded. We shall open on Fort Macon on the 21st with mortars and siege guns. Health of troops good.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 4

Gen. Hunter has divided his department into three districts . . .

. . . and has designated their commanders as follows: Gen Benham, headquarters and Beaufort; Gen Brannan, at or near Key West; Gen. Arnold, at Fort Pickens.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 17, 1862, p. 2

BY TELEGRAPH

Gen. Curtis has Returned to Missouri!

DEATH OF GOV. HARVEY, OF WISCONSIN

FORCES OCCUPY FREDERICKSBURG!

Beauregard Wants More Troops!

ST. LOUIS, April 19. Gen. Curtis has returned to Missouri and is now encamped at Forsyth, Taney county, 45 miles south of Springfield.

WASHINGTON, April 19. General McDowell’s division yesterday marched from Warrenton Junction upon Fredericksburg. March disputed by one regiment of Infantry, one of cavalry and one Battery of Artillery. They made distinct stands but were driven across the Rappahonnoc. Our loss 5 killed and 16 wounded. The rebels burned the Bridges at Fredericksburg. Our troops have not yet occupied the town. Small parties cross and recross the river to the outskirts of the town. We have been warned by loyal citizens not to venture too far except in force. Large bodies of rebels which occupied the place have gone to Yorktown.

NEW YORK, April 20. The steamer Philadelphia has arrived from Fort Pickens. Negroes constantly arriving from Pensacola. The rebels had not evacuated but were moving their guns away. Town under marshal law. Large fires are seen nightly, indicating that the rebels are destroying their property. Rebel commanders had issued proclamation that they would hang all idle people on the 3d of April.

NEW YORK, April 21. Steamer Troy from Newbern April 17th, and Hatteras 18th, arrived. A sortie was made on the 12th from Fort Macon, by a detachment of 150 rebels, and our pickets driven in. After a short engagement, the rebels were driven back to the Fort. Two of our wounded stated that the fire would be opened on Fort Macon on the 21st, with mortars and siege guns.

FORT MONROE, April 19. Thirty-nine wounded arrived from Yorktown to-day, making 90 wounded in the fight on the left flank on Wednesday. Whole number killed, 32.

Norfolk papers contain Magruder’s account of the fight, and say the Rebel loss was 25 killed and75 wounded.

Steamer Hoag from Newbern, arrived. Ft. Macon completely invested. It has been ascertained that the rebels supply of provisions is short. No attack will be made on the Fort, but we will try to starve them out. Slight expectations still prevail that the Rebels will attack Newbern. Fortifications are being built for protection.

MONTREAL, April 19. The ice in Richelieu river broke yesterday, doing great damage. Steamers lost estimated at $200,000.

HARTFORD, Conn., April 21. The river at this point has risen 28 feet above low water mark, rising one inch per hour.

CONCORD, N.H., April 21. The freshet is the highest known since 1851. At Brattleboro, Vt., the river is at 3 ½ feet higher than ever known before.

WASHINGTON, April 21. Gen. Shields has been nominated Major General.

Gen. McDowell’s headquarters will be immediately transferred to Fredericksburg.

CHICAGO, April 21. Gov. Harvey, of Wisconsin, was drowned at Savannah, Tennessee river, Saturday night. He was there looking after the welfare of wounded Wisconsin troops.

WASHINGTON, April 21. Our forces under Gen. Anjer still occupy Falmouth Heights opposite and commanding Fredericksburg.

On Friday a flag of truce crossed the Rappahannoc to communicate with the municipal authorities, all of whom remain in city. Council had called a meeting after the appearance of our troops and appointed a committee to confer with the Federal General relative to the occupation of Fredericksburg and protection of private property. Council at the same time adopted a resolution declaring that since the adoption of the ordinance of session the city had been unanimously in favor and was still firmly attached to the Confederacy, surrendering only upon condition of the protection of private property. Arrangements were perfected for a meeting of the committee with the commanding General on Saturday.

Much valuable information has been obtained from the loyal citizens of Fredericksburg, who have crossed to Falmouth. Most of them affirm that so soon as we take possession of the city and there is no fear of a return of the rebel soldiers, a majority of the remaining citizens will be found loyal.

There is a vast amount of grain and other forage stored in the vicinity of Fredericksburg, much of which belongs to Rebel army. The enemy, besides destroying the bridges burned three steamers and twenty schooners loaded with corn.

WASHINGTON, April 21. Gen Banks telegraphs the Department that a skirmish took place between his advance and a rebel force at the bridge across the south fork of the Shenandoah, the object of the rebels being to destroy two important bridges across the river. They did not succeed.

SPARTA, Va., April 20. Everything quiet in front of us.

Yesterday our cavalry made a reconnaissance and penetrated the valley several miles toward Harrisonburg. They report large quantities of forage and provisions there.

Deserters report Jackson’s force at McGaughlstown, east of Harrisonburg, still retreating. Ashby’s command still forms the rear guard. Signal officers report cavalry of the enemy in sight yesterday p.m. Deserters believe that Jackson means to cross Blue Ridge and reach Gordonsville; others that he intends to attack our left flank.

WASHINGTON, April 21. Gen. McDowell’s design of advance on Fredericksburg has been kept a secret, and was not know here until he had occupied the suburbs of the town. Our army are now in full occupation.

NEW YORK, April 21. The city of Apilachicola has been occupied successfully by our troops. Capture effected by two gunboats on the 2d, with little opposition. A few shells dispersed the rebels. – Remaining population found to be in a starving condition, the blockade having cut off supplies on the sea-board, and the resources inland not sufficient to maintain ordinary comforts of life.

NEW YORK, April 21. Herald published a telegram form Beauregard at Corinth to Adjutant Gen. Cooper at Richmond, which is said to have been intercepted by Gen. Mitchell after taking possession of Decatur, Ala., in which Beauregard says: “All present possible. Join us in a few days with fifteen thousand men. Can not we be reinforced from Pemberton’s army? If defeated here we lose the Mississippi Valley, and probably our cause; whereas we could even afford to lose for a while Charleston and Savannah, for the purpose of defeating Buell’s army, which would not only insure us the Valley of the Mississippi, but our independence.”

– Published in the Daily State Register, Des Moines, Iowa, Tuesday, April 22, 1862

From Havana and Mexico

NEW YORK, April 16. – The steamer Columbia from Havana, 30th.

Confederate buyers were much chagrined that no powder was at Havana – [805] pounds sold at 75 cents per pound. It would bring a dollar or morn on the 12th.

Dates from Vera Cruz are the 1st, of Mexico to the 28th.

Vice Admiral Jurin was recalled.

Gen. Robles was executed on the 23d for treason.

President Juarez demanded that Almonte be given up. The French refused.

Comonfort has been appointed by Juarez military governor of the State of Tamaulipas.

The steamer Philadelphia Havana on the 10th, from Fort Pickens, brought nine refugees and one sutler from the rebel camp who ran away, taking one hundred thousand dollars in gold and a large amount in Confederate scrip.

Only five hundred rebel soldiers were at Pensacola.

Fort McRea had been abandoned.

The Fort at the eastern end of Santa Rosa Island had been taken by Union troops.

Peace had been restored in Honduras.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862