Signs of Despair among the Rebels

The tone of the Southern press grown more and more desponding.  We observe several recent articles from Southern newspapers which show that hope and confidence are wavering in view of the situation.  It is quite evident that there is a foreboding of the end now apparently near and inevitable.

The Richmond Examiner of the 16th of instance “sees but one chance of success from the net that has been coolly drawn around us, it is to concentrate our energy on one point and cut it through to convert our defensive into an offensive war and transfer the scenes of at least a part of these hostilities to the enemy’s own country.  Situated as we are, it is only possible at one point, and that is Kentucky.”

But since the time when the Examiner discovered one possible point in Kentucky the army of Zollicoffer, which held the key to Tennessee has been utterly routed and dispersed.  The examiner anticipated the movement and declared that if the plan of Buell – that is of flanking Bowling Green on either side – was successful, it must result in a great disaster.  “Its only hope then was in an offensive campaign across the Ohio from the point that Gen. Johnston now defends.”

But when the intelligence which had not then reached Richmond, of the utter rout of Humphrey Marshall’s forces at Prestonburg and of Zollicoffer’s defeat at Somerset, which took place three days afterwards, became fully know that “only hope” must have perished.

The Richmond Whig of the 17th apparently to counteract the discouraging effect of the Examiner of the day previous, said, “Let us turn for a moment to the West, Price, Polk, Marshall and Zollicoffer having whipped the cowardly mercenaries at every point.”  Of course this was intended to cheer up the despondent Southern ear, but how much more disheartening must be the reaction when the truth was known.

The Richmond Dispatch discovers that even in Richmond there are men who are loyal to the Union and the fervor of its denunciation of such indicate clearly the fear that Union sentiments may become contagious as the fortunes of the Confederacy from day to day become more gloomy.

The Trenton (Tennessee) Standard “regrets to say considerable evidence of disloyalty to the Confederate Government has been manifested in West Tennessee,” designating the counties of Carroll, Weakly and McNairy as the localities of formidable Unionism and resistance.  In that part of the State, too, where secession in the start, had unresisted and absolute sway.

The articles we recently published from the Memphis Argus, where filled with the most bitter hostility to Jeff. Davis and his conduct of the war.  There would be no utterances of that sort – no recrimination so intensely wrathful except in the abandonment of all hope of present success under his auspices.

All these things clearly denote the growing suspicion, at least in the minds of sharp intelligent observers of events, that the catastrophe is not very far off.  They perceive how completely they are beleaguered by hostile forces on every hand – that the Port Royal expedition is still in potential activity in the heart of South Carolina, that Burnside’s expedition, whatever the point to which it is directed, will meet no adequate opposing force; that Butler has a position on the Gulf coast where he can assail either Mobile or New Orleans at pleasure; that Lane’s expedition will soon move down through Arkansas and Louisiana irresistible.  In short, turn which way they will, now that the hope of our instant war with England, on which they counted, is dissipated, there is nothing but black, rayless despair. – {St. Louis Democrat.

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

Jim Lane In Chicago

General Lane, of Kansas, was in Chicago on Wednesday last, and was called on at his hotel by an immense throng of citizens who clamored for a speech until he responded.

The uppermost fact in every loyal man’s mind was that this rebellion must be crushed in some way.  He knew there was not a loyal man present who was unwilling to lay down his own life and sacrifice even his own family to accomplish this result.  There was no resolution so strong among all true patriots as that demanding that the rebellion must be put down so as to stay down.  The curse of slavery has been agitated long enough and it must now be radically cured.  For eight long months the North has been contending against the rebels, and what have we got to show for it?  What results have been accomplished – what advantage obtained?  For eight long months the Government has been prosecuting this war so as to hurt nobody.  It is time some one was hurt.  We were willing enough to kill white men in the South and to allow them to be killed in the North but we were afraid of committing sacrilege if we touched the sacred negro.  [Cries of “that’s so”] – Yes, afraid to touch the sacred negro who has caused the whole of this trouble.  But let me tell you the government has got over it and I think I can certify that this crowd have got over it. – [Applause and cries of “yes we have”]  We have been permitted to discuss all questions human and divine, all questions of society of morals and religion to canvass the character of God and the nature of his laws, but have been forbidden to say a word about the viper which has stung us in our bosoms.

It is no time for talking now, but for action.  We have consumed eight months in inactivity, have wasted three hundred millions of dollars and sacrificed twenty five thousand lives, and turned this country upside down in our insane endeavors to put down this infernal rebellion and to save slavery.  I tell you it can’t be done and the Government has come to that conclusion.  Let me tell you confidentially that on Monday last, they opened a new set of books and came to the conclusion that if the Union can’t be saved and slavery saved then down goes slavery.  The rebels have either got to submit to die or to run away.  I tell you the time has come when play must stop.  The rebels must submit or be sent down forthwith to that hell already yawning to receive them.

The desirable consummation was effected by compromise.  The radical men agreed the conservative men should carry on the war according to their notions for eight months provided they were allowed the next eight.  The time is up for the conservatives and they now hand the war and its conduct over to the radicals and every conservative man should now extend the same encouragement and support which we gave to them in the prosecution of their method.

There are in the South 600,000 strong and loyal male slaves who have fed and clothed the rebel army and have as good as fought upon their side.  Government now proposes that these loyal slaves shall feed and clothe our army and fight upon our side.  The other day while I was talking with the President, Old Abe said to me, “Lane, how many black men do you want to have to take care of your army?”  I told him as my army would number 34,000, I proposed to have thirty four thousand contrabands in addition to my teamsters and wagon masters.  I consider every one of my soldiers engaged in this glorious Crusade of Freedom a night errant and entitled to his esquire to prepare his food, black his boots, load his gun and take of his drudgery.  Vanity and pride are necessary adjuncts of the soldier and I do not propose to lower him by menial offices nor compel him to perform the duties of the slave.  So while I shall elevate the slave by giving him his freedom and making a man of him I shall also elevate the soldier and leave him no work to do but fighting.  [A voice in the crowd – “What are you going to do with the niggers?]

The General, singing out to the owner of the voice and pointing his finger at him replied –

“Ah, my friend, you are just the man I have been looking for.  I will tell you what I am going to do with them.  I am going to plant them on the soil of the gulf coast, after we have got through this war, let them  stay there and cultivate the land, have Government extend a protection to them as it does to the Indians, and send superintendents and governors among them and pay them wages for their labor.  There could be no competition between black and white labor.”  He believed whether the rebels killed the idea or not that the blacks at no distant day would have possession of that Gulf country to which they were acclimated and physically conditioned.  He proposed to establish free State governments as he went along and he could promise his hearers that either he or the rebels would be cleaned out.

After urging the benefit of a vigorous prosecution of the war, the General closed by again thanking the crowd for the handsome reception and retired to the parlors amid almost enthusiastic applause.

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

Gen. Lane’s Staff

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29. – The President handed to-night to Champion Vaughn commissions for himself and the following gentlemen who are to constitute the staff of James H. Lane.  Col. Wm. H. Merritt, Lieut. Col. J. Kirkpatrick, Maj. Verplank Van Antwerp, Maj. John Ritchie, Maj. T. J. Weed, Capt. Wm. A. Phillips, Capt. Wm. O’Donnell, Capt. J. McClure, Capt. A. P. Russell, Wm Kyle, Capt. Vollney Hickox.  Col. Vaughn also had a sociable interview with Secretary Stanton.  The above staff of officers are ordered to report to Major General Hunter to be by him detailed to Gen. Lane.  They leave for the West to-morrow to enter active service.

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

From Washington

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24, 1862

It is raining in this miserable city, – it has rained for more than two weeks.  The roads are almost impassable.  I understand the horses on the other side of the Potomac are suffering for want of forage, because it is impossible to carry it in sufficient quantities.  Fever and small pox are prevailing to an alarming extent.  Everybody gets vaccinated, but still everybody trembles.  And it is to this long spell of bad weather, that the wiseacres tell us the slow movements of the army are owing.  Gen. McClellan, they say, contemplated a grand movement of our entire army – the Burnside expedition, the Cairo expedition, the brilliant maneuver in Kentucky, Halleck’s advance in Missouri, that of Rosecrans in Virginia and that of the great army of the Potomac, were to be projected simultaneously.  The plan is frustrated by the weather.  I hope and believe it was so contemplated, for the pressure from the North and from Congress must have forced a forward movement of some kind, but I only give you the rumors, and you can judge.  And by the way, I hear that the member of the cabinet most strenuous for an immediate advance is the Attorney General., Mr. Bates.  Postmaster General Blair has heretofore occupied this position, but it is now occupied by a man whom we have been accustomed to consider and old fogy of the slowest kind.

The war will continue according to General McClellan’s policy, endorsed as it is by the President, and such men as Garrett Davis and Mr. Crittenden.  The story of a conversation between Jim Lane and Mr. Lincoln, in which the latter endorsed the former’s opinions is a most ridiculous hoax.

Judge Swayne of Ohio is appointed to the Supreme Bench to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Justice McLean.  The appointment will create some surprise as it was understood no immediate appointments were intended. – But it has been difficult sometimes to obtain a quorum of the Court, and hence the appointment now.  Judge Swayne is an Ohio man, of about fifty years of age, and a Republican of what they please to call conservative tendencies.  If the bill creating another Circuit in the West passes, Senator Browning or Secretary Smith will probably be created a Justice.

The expulsion of Bright is occupying the attention of the Senate.  The charge against him is similar to that of against our illustrious fellow-citizen Gen. Jones, of writing letters to Jefferson Davis, asking him as President of the Confederate States, friendly offices towards a Mr. Lincoln, a new inventor in fire arms.  He will hardly be expelled, (a two-thirds vote being required,) but a majority will probably be recorded against him.

The War Department under Secretary Stanton is at present very active and efficient.  But “as new broom always sweeps clean,” and the present is no indication of the future.  A bill has been posted up, allowing Congressmen Saturdays to transact their business, and the ungloved Public  Mondays, while for the rest of the week the Department is closed to outsiders. – Mr. Stanton says that without such an arrangement he cannot proceed.

A movement is in progress to make a Major General of Brig. Gen. Sigel.  I understand the President favors it as a recognition of the services of our German fellow citizens during the war; their regiments being acknowledged on all hand to be among the most efficient and the best drilled of the troops in the field.

XOX.

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

Specials to New York Papers

(Special to Tribune.)

WASHINGTON, March 3. – The following nominations were made to the Senate to-day as Major Generals: McDowell, Burnside, Buell, Pope, Lewis and Wallace.  As Brigadier Generals, Cols. Oglesby, W. H. Luella, Cook, McArthur and J. G. Lauman, who commanded brigades at Donelson.  Col. Berry of Maine and Fry of Connecticut, are to rank in the order named – Gen. McDowell thus out ranks the rest  and out ranks Sigel.

In Answer to a requisition of the Senate, the Secretary of War incloses [sic] the instructions of the Adjutant General to Gen. Hunter touching the Hunter Lane expedition, dated Jan. 20.

The order to Gen. Hunter says the General in Chief, in giving you this information, desires it to be understood that a command independent of you is not given to Gen. Lane, but he is to operate to all proper extent, under your supervision and control and if you deem propert, you may yourself, command the expedition which may be undertaken.

Under these circumstances the General in Chief will not give you a formal leave according to your instructions, but he authorizes you to absent yourself from your command for 30 days at your discretion.

The Herald’s Washington dispatch says it is understood that arrangements have been made for release from their parole of all the officers of our army, regulars and volunteers, who have been out on parole by the enemy.  We have such a host of rebel prisoners that there is no longer need that a single officer or private shall be any longer on parole.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 8, 1862, p. 3

NEW YORK, Feb. 6 [1862].

Private advices from Kansas state that Gen. Lane was there about the 1^st inst., and announced that he had not accepted his commission as Brigadier General, and that he visited that State only as a member of the Senate Military Committee.  He declined to assume any military character, but maintained the most friendly relations with Gen. Hunter, between whom and himself there is no practical difference of sentiment with regard to the relations of slavery and the war.

The report that Gen. Scott is going to Key West, is erroneous.  He did intend to go for the benefit of his health, and the Government offered him a passage on board the Richmond, but the preparation of the vessel was delayed till the season was too far spent, and he has now resolved not to make the voyage.

Gordon, the slaver, was notified yesterday that a respite was granted, by which his execution is postponed from to-morrow till the 21^st inst.

– Published in The Dubuque Herald, Dubuque, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 7, 1862, p. 1

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 5 [1862].

A Rolla letter, dated the 4^th, states that an important report, if true, had reached there from Lebanon.  The report comes by letter from Lebanon, which says, in substance, that Henry King, formerly Sheriff of Webster county, his son Isaac, and about 90 others of the same stamp, are now prisoners at Lebanon.

The letter also states that Gen Lane has Captured Gen. Rains and all his rebel force.  Nothing is said of the time, place, or circumstances, under which the capture was made.  That general Lane himself has made any such capture, will not, of course be believed; but some of his forces being in the southwest corner of the State, the story is not improbable, as Gen. Rains is known to have gone down in the direction of Granby some two weeks since.

The remainder of General Sigel’s division – three regiments – left Rolla on Sunday, under command of acting Brig. Gen. Coler, of the Twenty-fifth Illinois.

The roads are somewhat improved and the teams are progressing with less difficulty.  The streams, which were a few days ago much swollen, have subsided so to allow wagons to cross without serious hindrance.

G. N.

– Published in The Dubuque Herald, Dubuque, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 7, 1862, p. 1

The President takes Another Step.

Our excellent President has taken another step in the right direction; he has given his unqualified approval to an additional article of war, which goes into operation immediately, discharging from service any officer, military or naval, who shall be found guilty of employing any of the force under his command for the purpose of returning fugitive slaves.  That is good, “firm as rock he stands on the Constitution.”  As the Tammany men say, “he will prove himself a good democrat before the expiration of his present term.”  If this be democracy, commend us to it.  It is a bitter pill to the pro-slavery press, but it is used to such doses – it can sugar coat and swallow it without a wry face.  The ambidextrous prestidigitator who presides over the Democrat of this city, can convert it into a sweet morsel and roll it under his tongue, all the time disguising his groans with shouts for the man who “stands like a rock on the Constitution.”

Good again, say we; but where are the defenders of Gen. Stone, the admirers of Col. Oglesby, and the worshippers of “Order No. 3” of Gen. Halleck?  Gen. Fremont’s policy was right, so said the President, but the time he thought had not arrived to adopt it, the hold of slavery was yet too strong on the country, the pro-slavery press of the North would rebel, the Border States might forget their allegiance – but the time has now come, there stands the article approved by the President and who dares say nay?

Standing firm as a rock on the Constitution, and taking one more step and the policy of Gen. Lane will be that of the Government, and the death-knell of slavery and the rebellion will resound throughout ever swamp and bayou of the South.

The telegraph informed us, a few days since, that “large gangs of negroes have been set to work on Forts Randolph and Pillow.”  Previous to the approval of the above order if any of those negroes had escaped from either of those forts, and sought the Federal army from protection, it was the policy of the Government to send them back to work to strengthen those fortifications!  That this was done is an absolute fact.  Early in September last, about four hundred slaves were set to work in erecting the fortifications at New Madrid.  Three of these slaves deserted, bearing with them important intelligence, and made their appearance at Bird’s Point, and offered their services to our Government.  Col. Oglesby, then commanding, ordered their return to their disloyal masters, and they were driven back to assist in building the breast works and fortifications, to rebel the Federal army, when it should make its attack on that point.

Slaves were used in building the fortifications at Columbus.  Seven of them, mounted on horses, escaped to our ranks one at a time.  The horses were retained and the slaves driven back!

Is it not time, full time that an order was promulged throughout the country, prohibiting such inconsistency in future?  It is, and the man who would oppose the adoption of such an order is a sympathizer with the rebels.  The Government has already sacrificed enough at the shrine of slavery; and while the people of the North are willing to give their service, their money, and their lives for the preservation of the Union, they are unwilling to prolong the war a single hour to preserve slavery.  They would rather see it sink, and all cause for future hostility removed.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 18, 1862, p. 2

Gen. Lane has returned . . .

. . . to the Senate and we believe those who conspired to crush him will be utterly confounded in the end.  Nobody ever kicked Lane yet, without hurting his own shins. – Railway Gazette.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, March 14, 1862, p. 2 

Jim Lane Back Again

Jim Lane issued a circular, published in the Kansas papers, on the 26^th ultimo, from which we publish the following extract:

“I had no military ambition beyond that of connection with this expedition.  I desired to surround the institution of Slavery with free territory, and thus girdle the cause of the rebellion itself.  Without fault on my part, as I believe, I have been thwarted in this, the cherished hope of my life.

“The sad yet simple duty only remains to announce to you, and through you to the people of Kansas, my purpose to return to my seat in the United States Senate – a purpose declared to the President through a telegram, of which the following is a copy:

LEVENWORTH, KANSAS, Feb. 16.

“All efforts to harmonize with Major General Hunter have failed.  I am compelled to decline the brigadiership.”

J. H. LANE.

“I have nothing further to say.  I trust you will find me as ever faithful to the State and the country.  All I am and all I have shall now, as heretofore, be devoted to them.”

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, March 10, 1862, p. 2

New York, March 4 [1862]

A special to the Tribune says that the following nominations were made in the Senate to-day as Major Generals: McDowell, Burnside, Buell, Pope, Curtis, McClernand, C. T. Smith and Lewis W. Williams, acting Major Generals at Fort Donelson.  As Brigadier Generals: Colonels Oglesby, W. H. L. Wallace, Cook, McArthur, Lauman, who commanded brigades at Donelson.

Cols. Berry, of Maine, and Ferry, of Ct., are to rank in the order named, General McDowell thus outranking the rest and Curtis outranking Sigel.

In answer to a resolution of the Senate, the Secretary of War encloses the instructions of the Adjutant General Touching the Hunter-Lane expedition, dated January 3d.

The order to Hunter says:  The general-in-Chief, in giving you this information, desires it to be understood that a command independent of you is not given to General Lane, but he is to operate to all proper extent under your supervision and control. – If you deem it proper, you may yourself command the expedition which may be undertaken.  Under these circumstances the General-in-Chief will not give you a formal leave according to your application, but he authorizes you to absent yourself from your command for 30 days at your discretion.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, March 5, 1862, p. 1

From Washington

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.

The Navy Department to-day received the following:

CAIRO, February 24.

To Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy:

Lieutenant Commanding Gwynn, with the gunboat Tyler, has just arrived from Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama, and reports the Union sentiment in south Tennessee and North Alabama to be very strong.  I shall send him back to-day, and he will call for a regiment at Fort Henry to accompany the gunboat, which will aid the loyal people of those States to raise Union forces within their borders.

Signed,

A. H. FOOTE,

Flag-Officer Commanding.

The President has approved the fortification bill.  It is therefore a law.

Both Houses yesterday agreed to the report of the committee of conference on the Treasury note bill.  It retains the provision that notes to be redeemable in five years, or payable in 20 years, at the pleasure of the government.  It also makes duties on imports payable in coin and pledges it to the payment of interest on the notes and bonds.  It strikes out the pledges of public lands.

The communication of the Russian government on the subject of the Trent affair, was communicated to the Senate to-day.  It was characterized by the strongest feelings of friendship for the United States.

Special to Tribune.

Several days have passed since a gun has been fired from the rebel batteries on the Lower Potomac, although numerous vessels have sailed by them.  Although the rebel cannon seem to be in their places, it is doubted whethe[r] they be not blackened logs, and whether the gunners have not left the banks of the Potomac.

Two Whitworth guns reached Gen. Hooker’s division yesterday, and will be used to ascertain the truth of the case.

World’s Dispatch.

The indications in the Senate to-day are clearly in favor of the immediate passage of Senator Trumbull’s confiscation bill, with an amendment forfeiting all slaves of rebels.  Senator Powell will deliver a speech to-morrow against the bill, and take occasion to explain his present position as a Senator, it being intimated that his views are inconsistent with his holding his seat at the present time.

The House judiciary committee are nearly agreed on confiscation, but may possibly await the action of the Senate.

The tremendous gale, that commenced so furiously on Monday, has dried up the mud, and prepared a solid ground for our soldiers to march over.  Already a wonderful change has taken place, and the soldiers are becoming confident that they are to move at last.

Times’ Dispatch.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.

Gen. McClellan received a dispatch, an hour since, from the west, confirming the report that Nashville, Tenn., is taken by Gen. Buell’s army, and stating that the rebels have fallen back to Murphysville, about 30 miles south of Nashville.

The judgment of the Court Martial in the case of Col. Jas. Kerrigan, has been approved by Maj. Gen. McClellan, and a general order issued, carrying it into effect. – The court did not find Kerrigan guilty of treason, but of inefficiency and conduct unbecoming an officer of his military duty, and manifested in the disorganized and disgraceful condition of his regiment.  Kerrigan was adjudged to be dismissed from the service.

Much excitement has been occasioned by the discovery that the bill introduced by Mr. Wade, from the conduct of the war committee, and passed some time since, authorizing the President to take possession of railroads, also authorized him to extend railroads by construction.  It appears, that since the passage of this bill, a contract has been made by the War Department to build a railroad, 180 miles long, from Lebanon, Ky., to Knoxville, Tenn.  To-day the House repealed that portion of the bill almost unanimously, and there is talk of a motion to discharge the conduct of the war committee from further action.

It is understood that a resolution has been adopted in executive session of the Senate, calling for information relative to the alleged improper acts of Gen. Blenker.

Gen. Sturgis’ confirmation is hung up by the Senate.

The forces on the Potomac will not be paid until the paymasters are through with those battling for the Union in the West and on the seaboard.

Gen. Fremont was not at Saturday’s ceremony in the House, because the invitation did not rich him till yesterday.

Col. Lee, from Richmond, brought to this Government a communication from Howell Cobb, relating ostensibly to an exchange of prisoners, but probably to other matters, also.

Mr. Trumbull’s speech on the confiscation bill to-day, was very strong, and had a marked effect; taking the ground, among other things that the rebels, and not the loyal men, ought to pay the expenses of this war.  The bill will have a decided majority in the Senate.

News from Leavenworth has rendered tolerably certain Gen. Lane’s return to the Senate.

The Mexican treaty resolutions, &c., were defeated in executive session of the Senate.  Ayes 8, nays 28.  This carries the rejection of Gen. Scott as additional minister to Mexico.

Mr. Blair’s bill, from the House military committee, for an engineer brigade, is believed to have connection with the Danville and Knoxville Railroad, and also with the recent appointment of Amasa Stone, the great railroad contractor of Cleveland, as Brigadier General.

WASHIGNTON, Feb. 26.

Pre President has approved the United States note law, and it is therefore a law.

Special to Post.

WASHIGTON, Feb. 26.

New mail routes are to be speedily opened in Tennessee and Kentucky.

The senate bill authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to issue certificates of indebtedness to government creditors whose accounts have been audited, will probably pass the House.

The following notice to the public has just been published:

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24.

The undersigned, on behalf of the commissioners appointed by the President to represent the interests of such American citizens as might desire to appear at the Exhibition of the Industry of all Nations, to be held in the city of London during the present year, submit the following statements:

The Congress of the United States, after due consideration, has declined to adopt any measures to further a national representation of our works of industry, invention and art, at the aforementioned exhibition.  The authority of the Commissioners has, therefore occurred.  They have advised the Commissioners appointed by the British Government that there will be no general participation on the part of the people of this country on the occasion; but they have thought it not improper, at the same time, to recommend to the consideration of the royal commissioners such works of industry and art as have received the authentication of the commission and may to a limited extent be presented for exhibition through individual exertions.

Signed,

WM. H. SEWARD.

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

From Washington

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13.

(Tribune’s Correspondence.)

Senator Sumner’s resolutions on the relations between the U. S. and the rebel territory were laid on the table at his motion, where they can be called up whenever he thinks best.

A bill organizing the rebel territory into territorial governments, on the principle of these resolutions, will soon be reported by the territorial committees of both Houses.

Another bill establishing a provisional government in South Carolina has been sanctioned in an important quarter.

No decision has yet, it is believed, been reached by the War Department in the Hunter and Lane matter.  Gen. Lane is still waiting at Leavenworth for news from Washington.  We have the authority of Mr. Covode for saying that he made the original arrangement with Secretary Cameron, by which the Government agreed to furnish Gen. Lane with the troops he wanted; that throughout the negotiation Gen. Hunter’s name was not used, and there was no intimation that any one except Gen. Lane was to have the command.

D. C. McCollum, formerly manager of New York and Erie R. R., Confessedly among the first in his profession in this country, was to-day appointed by the Secretary of War to take charge of and operate the railroads taken possession of by the government.  The office being military, the rank and pay of Colonel were conferred with the appointment.

President Lincoln to-day voluntarily appeared before the House judiciary committee, and gave testimony in the matter of the premature publication in the Herald of a portion of his last annual message. – Chevalier Wykoff was then brought before the committee and answered the question to which he refused to answer yesterday, stating that the stolen paragraph was furnished to the Herald by Watt, the President’s gardener, who was reported as disloyal by the potter committee, and whose nomination to a Lieutenantcy the Senate so decidedly refused to confirm.

Gen. Sherman, at Beaufort, proposes that the government shall take charge of the plantations coming into its hands, and shall raise the cotton, employ and pay the negroes, keeping the latter under a strict, but mild, discipline of overseers.  He also proposes that suitable teachers be provided for the blacks, and that religious instruction be given.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, February 15, 1862, p. 1

From Leavenworth

LEAVENWORTH, February 12.

Maj. Gen. Hunter made a formal call on Senator Lane yesterday.

Matters in regard to the Southern expedition remain in statu quo.

Lane has not resigned the Senatorship.

No movements of troops of particular moment have taken place the last two weeks.

The 13th Wisconsin have gone to Fort Scott. The first Kansas is on furlough for 10 days.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 14, 1862, p. 1

Contested Seat Settled

In noticing the fact that Gen. Lane’s claim to a seat in the Senate has been confirmed, the Washington correspondent to the N. Y. Commercial says his decision settles another election in the House, where a seat from Iowa is claimed by Legrand Byington, who found that the member from his district was in the volunteer service, and on the next election day obtained a few votes for the vacancy which he declared existed.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 13, 1862, p. 2

Kansas Correspondence

CAMP DEFIANCE, Linn Co., Kansas,
February 3d, 1862.

Events of but little interest have transpired since my last letter to the GAZETTE. Our camp is located on Mine Creek, in this county, about four miles from the State line, where are quartered the 3d Kansas volunteers, under Col. James Montgomery, and where we have been since December last; eight miles below us is the 5th regiment, under the command of Maj. Sumner, and at Ft. Scott are some six or eight companies of home guards, under Col. Judson. The U. S. paymaster and mustering officer are here, paying off these regiments and mustering them so as to make full and complete regiments, preparatory to their march South into the Indian country west of Arkansas, and between here and Texas.

Col. Jennison’s regiment of cavalry marched through Mound city to-day, under the command of Lt. Col. Anthony; they numbered 840, and were on their march to Humboldt, in Allen Co., where they will remain for a few days, when they will move as the advance column of the great expedition soon to leave Ft. Leavenworth for the South. They were well provided with tents, clothing, &c., and with but few exceptions, were live specimens of genuine border men, who at any time can whip their weight in wild cats, ever ready to face where danger is the most daring. About 4,000 friendly Cherokee and Creek Indians are assembled on the Neosho river, some 30 miles below [Humboldt], waiting to join the “big Colonel with heap fight.”

Much fear is manifested among the citizens along the boarder here, that on the removal of the troops from along the line, guerilla bands of the rebels, which still infest our borders, will march over, and, if so, murder, rapine, and plunder will follow them.

For the last few weeks news had reached camp that Gen. Lane was to lead us on south to victory. But for the last few days rumor says that Gen. Hunter is to have the command. We are all ready to march under Hunter or any other Union General, but there is no disguising the fact that Gen. Jim Lane is the popular choice of a large majority of the regiments here along the boarder, and that in him we feel that his very name is a tower of strength, and that with him at our head, though but few in numbers, we will be more mighty than a great army with banners. At all events were are all anxious to be off, and the march of this expedition, either under Lane, Hunter or any other General, will be marked with a desolation and ruin, such as now marks the homes of the rebels in southwestern Missouri.

During the last four months some 3,000 or 4,000 contrabands have left southwestern Missouri and Arkansas, many of whom have passed into your State and Illinois; yet many remain here and all readily find work and are all peaceable and quiet, and feel very happy in their exchange from slavery to freedom. Schools have been established by the benevolent for them, and it would surprise many of your readers to see with what avidity they learn; all are contented and the only anxiety you can see about them is as to how they are to get the friends they left behind from slavery.

I will give all details as they transpire en route the great expedition.

Yours,

Kansas

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

Gen. V. P. Van Antwerp . . .

. . . arrived in our city yesterday en route for Leavenworth, to take the position of Adjutant General upon the staff of Gen. Lane. – Mo. Democrat, 7th.

Gen. Van Antwerp and Col. Merritt, to of Iowa’s most ultra pro-slavery Democrats, are on Jim Lane’s staff, and will assist him in carrying out his policy should his expedition go forward.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, February 11, 1862, p. 2