Cairo News

CHICAGO, March 26. – Special dispatches to the Times, from Cairo, says that our Nashville Correspondent arrived by boat from that place yesterday.

Advices from Memphis represent that city as being in great consternation, from our progress down the Mississippi.  They do not propose to make a stand there in case the upper forts are taken, and have given up burning the city.

Gov. Johnson has put the Nashville newspapers under military rule, and has suspended on or two of them.

Troops are still pouring in.  Six or eight boat loads arrived on Sunday last.

Gov. Johnson had done nothing except to issue a proclamation of conciliatory character, in which he said he desired to win the people back to the Union, but should deal vigorously with treason.

Mr. Etheridge made a speech, in which he brought in the nigger question, said that slavery would be abolished if the rebels could be conquered in no other way.

The new government was to get into operation this week, and warning was given that any one uttering treason would be arrested.

The Union feeling is gaining ground, but secesh pickets hang about our out posts and many skirmishes occur.

The guerrilla, Morgan, who captured the Louisville train, came into the city in disguise, and was recognized at the City Hotel, was surrounded and searched, but he had destroyed all evidence of his treachery.  He has many accomplices in the city and is regarded as a bold and dangerous man.  He came in once driving a farmer’s team.

The Louisville Railroad is repaired, and trains again running, and will now be well guarded.

Business is pretty much resumed in Nashville.  All stores open, and many army sutlers trading; prices much reduced.

Nothing from Island No. 10 since last night.

ST. LOUIS, March 26. – The Republican’s Cairo correspondent says:

Persons who left Memphis report Beauregard, Polk, Cheatem [sic], and Clark at our near Corinth, Mississippi, where it is expected a great battle will soon be fought.

The rebels at Island No. 10 have not burned their transports and barges as previously reported, but were transporting cannon and ammunition from the Island to the main land.  They communicated by signal lights with their forces at Union City night before last.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 3

First Session -- 37th Congress

WASHINGTON, March 14. – SENATE. – The bill introduced by Mr. Hale, from the Committee on Naval Affairs to-day, provides for the construction, under the direction of the Secretary of the Navy, of an iron clad steam vessel of not less than 5,000 or 6,000 tons burthen and of great speed and strength, to be used only as a ram, for which purpose $100,000 to be appropriated. – Also $13,000,000 for the construction of iron clad gunboats; $783,000 for the completion of Steven’s Battery, and $500,000 for extending the facilities of the Washington Navy Yard, so as to mould and forge plates for the armored ships.

The relations between the United States and foreign nations are now, it is said, entirely free from apprehensions whatever of disturbance.  The tone of all correspondence is conciliatory.

The Senate confirmed Brig. Gen. McDowell, as Major General of Volunteers.

It is the freely expressed opinion of members of Congress, many of whom have opposed the completion of Steven’s Battery, that the bill will pass.  Mr. Steven’s plan is not the only original of mail clad vessels, but his battery is superior to any application of the same principle in any other country.

WASHINGTON, March 17. – SENATE. – Mr. HARRIS presented a petition from the citizens of New York asking Congress to dispense with the agitation of the slavery question and attend to the restoration of the Union.

Mr. WILSON of Mass., presented a petition for the emancipation of the slaves.

Mr. LANE of Kansas offered a resolution that the committee on Territories inquire into the expediency of so altering the boundary of Kansas as to include the Indian Territory.  Adopted.

Mr. FESSENDEN from the Committee of Conference on the bill providing for the purchase of iron made a report which was agreed to.

Mr. HALE offered a resolution that the Naval Committee into the expediency of appropriating money to make experiments and for providing iron clad vessels of war.  Adopted.

The joint resolution authorizing the President to assign the command of the troops in the field to officers without regard to seniority, was taken up after discussion.

On motion of Mr. NESMITH of Oregon the resolution was recommitted to the Military Committee.

On motion of Mr. FESSENDEN the Post Office Appropriation Bill was taken up.

Mr. LATHAM offered an amendment that the Postmaster General be authorized to establish a mail less than semi-monthly between San Francisco and Crescent City, including the intermediate points.  Agreed to.

Mr. LATHAM also offered an amendment that American steamers and sailing vessels bound for foreign ports shall receive such mails as the Post Office Department may choose to place on board and promptly deliver the same, and that the Letter Company for foreign ports shall receive any mail matter from Consuls, &c., the compensation being the usual postage.

Mr. SHERMAN moved to add, and provided the Government shall not pay more than it receives.  On motion it was agreed to.  The amendment was then adopted and the bill passed.

The bill for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia was then taken up and postponed until to-morrow.

Mr. TRUMBULL, from the Committee on Judiciary, reported back the House bill to facilitate judicial proceedings for captured property.

Went into executive session.

HOUSE. – The House passed the Senate joint resolution that if any State, during the present rebellion, shall make any appropriation to pay the volunteers of the State, the Secretary of War is authorized to accept the same and use it.  To be applied by the Paymaster General to the payments designated by the Legislature’s act making the appropriation, in the same manner as if appropriated by act of congress, and also to make any sureties that may be necessary for the disbursement and proper application of such funds for the specific purpose of which they may be applied by the several States.

The House concurred in the report of the Committee of Conference on the bill regulating sutlers, who are authorized to have a lien on the soldiers for only one-sixth of the amounts.  The penalties were added for violating this provision.

A resolution was adopted calling on the Secretary of War to inform the House by whose authority certain vessels were recently chartered and the amount of compensation to be paid for the same, &c.

Mr. LOVEJOY, asked leave to introduce a resolution instructing the Committee on the District of Columbia to inquire by what authority Mr. Bressler of Georgetown, had been arrested and sent to gain; whether such arrest was not in violation of the provision in the Constitution, which says no person shall be deprived of his live or liberty without due process of law.

WASHINGTON, March 18. – HOUSE. – The House considered the Senate bill to increase the efficiency of the Medical Department of the army.

During the discussion, Mr. BLAKE said he had no doubt that the army of the Potomac had been well and medically provided for, but it was not so with the Western boys who had been murdered by neglect.  He had received letters from fathers and mothers beseeching him to have something done, so as to save the lives of their children.

Mr. BLAIR of Mo., replying, said the first steps to be taken were to place at the head of the medical department, a Director General who combines experience with great surgical skill.

Mr. BLAKE caused to be read an article in the Cincinnati Times, showing gross inefficiency in the Medical Department.

Mr. KELLOGG, of Illinois, pronounced the article a scurrilous and vile slander, and this was apparent upon its face.  It was bad taste to have the article read.

Mr. BLAKE regretted, with pain, that the gentleman, (Mr. Kellogg,) thought it necessary to administer such a rebuke.  His want of good taste might be owing to his early training.  The article states facts which came under the editor’s observation

The subject was then passed over, and the House went into committee of the whole on the Tax bill.  The proceedings were confided to discussing and amending its general provisions.

SENATE. – Mr. FESSENDEN offered the following resolution:

            Resolved, That the Secretary of the Navy furnish the Senate with copies of all contracts with R. S. Stevens for floating battery; also a statement of all payments and allowances on said contract and the report of the commissioners appointed to examine the battery.

Mr. SUMNER introduced a bill to remove all disqualifications of color in carrying the mails.  Referred.

Mr. WILSON, of Massachusetts, from Military Committee reported back Joint Resolution authorizing the President to assign the command of troops without regard to seniority, with an amendment striking out the portion giving the President power to dismiss from the service.

The amendment was adopted and the resolution passed.

On Motion of Mr. TRUMBULL the bill to provide for judicial proceedings on captured property and for the better administration of the law, was taken up and passed.

The resolution offered by Mr. STARKE, of Oregon, that the papers in referring to the loyalty of Starke be referred to the Judiciary Committee, was taken up.

Mr. Hale thought the question was already done, and hoped the Senate would spend no more time upon it.

Mr. HOWARD wanted to know if the Senator from Oregon (Starke) intended to go into an investigation of the question.

Mr. STARKE said he had offered the resolution, in order to show that he had no indisposition to meet the charges of his loyalty anywhere, but he (Starke) had no intention of being his own prosecutor.

After further discussion by Messrs. Hale, Browning Howard, Trumbull and Howe, Mr. WILKINSON moved to lay the resolution on the table.

The motion was disagreed to, by yeas 3, nays 35.

YEAS – Messrs. Hale, Saulsbury, and Wilkinson.

Mr. TRUMBULL moved to amend the resolution so as to make it referable to a select committee of five.  The motion was carried.

The resolution was then adopted, yeas 37, nays 3.

NAYS – Messrs. Howard, Hale, Saulsbury.

Mr. CLARKE introduced a bill to furnish supplies to the sailors who were on board the sloop of war Cumberland.

The bill for the abolition of Slavery in the District of Columbia was taken up.

Mr. HALE merely wished to reply to the statement of the Senator from Kentucky, in regard to the effects of this bill.  If passed, the most dangerous and fatal form of secession is when it argues that it is not safe to perform a plain and simple duty for fear of disastrous consequences, and this question of emancipation had rarely been argued in this country on the great fundamental principle of right and wrong.  The question was never asked in political circles what is due to the individual, but what is to be the consequences.

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

The Sutler Law

Congress has recently passed an act providing for the appointment and defining the duties of sutlers.  They are to be chosen by the commissioned officers of the regiments respectively.  They are allowed a lien on the pay of an officer or soldier indebted to them not exceeding one-sixth the monthly pay of such persons.  The Inspector Generals are to make out a schedule of articles which sutlers may sell taken from a list of articles designated by the act.  The acting brigadier general, surgeon, commissary, and quartermaster of each brigade are a board of officers to fix the maximum price on each article, for their brigade.  No person can be sutler for more than one regiment; nor can any sutler [underlet] his business, nor sell to any enlisted man on credit more than one-fourth the amount of his monthly pay.  The act vacates all regimental sutlerships now filled in the volunteer service.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, April 11, 1862, p. 2

XXXVIIth Congress -- First Session

WASHINGTON, D. C., March 17.

SENATE. – Mr. Harrison presented a petition from the citizens of New York, asking Congress to dispose with the agitation of the slavery question, and attend to the restoration of the Union.

Mr. Wilson, of Mass., presented a petition of the emancipation of slaves.

Mr. Lane, of Kansas, offered a resolution that the committee on territories inquire into the expedience of so altering the boundaries of Kansas as to include the Indian territory.  Adopted.

Mr. Fessenden, from the com. of conference on the bill providing for the purchase of coin, made a report, which was agreed to.

Mr. Hale offered a resolution that the naval committee inquire into the expediency of appropriating money to make experiments in testing and proving iron-clad rig for vessels of war.  Adopted.

The joint resolution authorizing the President to assign the command of the troops in the field to officers, was taken up.  After discussion, on motion of Mr. Nesmith, the resolution was re-committed to the military committee.

On Motion of Mr. Fessenden, the post-office appropriation bill was taken up.

Mr. Latham offered an amendment that the Postmaster General be authorized to establish a mail, less than semi-monthly, between San Francisco and Crescent City, including all intermediate points.  Agreed to.  Mr. Latham also offered an amendment that American steamers and sailing vessels bound to any foreign port, shall receive such mails as the Post-office department may cause to be placed on board, and promptly deliver the same; and that vessels coming from foreign ports shall receive any mail matter from consuls, &c., the compensation being the usual postage.

Mr. Sherman moved to add “provided the government shall not pay more that it receives.”  Motion agreed to.  The amendment was then adopted and the bill passed

The bill for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia was then taken up, and postponed till to-morrow.

Mr. Trumbull, from the committee on judiciary, reported the House bill to facilitate judicial proceedings for captured property.

HOUSE. – The House passed the Senate’s joint resolution, that if any State during the present rebellion shall make any appropriation to pay the volunteers of that State, the Secretary of War is authorized to accept the same and use it, to be applied by the Paymaster General to the payment designated by the legislative act making the appropriation, in the same manner as if appropriated by act of Congress, and also to make any regulations that may be necessary for the disbursement and proper application of such funds for the specific purpose for which they may be appropriated by the several states.

The House concurred in the report of the committee of conference on the bill regulating sutlers who are authorized to have a lien on the soldiers, to only one sixth of the amount paid them.  Penalties are annexed for violating this provision.

Mr. Lovejoy, of Ill., asked leave to introduce a resolution instructing the committee on the District of Columbia, to inquire and report by what authority Mr. Bristoe, of Georgetown, seized, two men, having them sent to Baltimore, and imprisoned in jail; and whether such arrest and imprisonment was not in violation of the provision of the Constitution which says, “No person shall be deprived of his life or liberty without due process of law.”

Mr. Johnson objected to the resolution.  It therefore could not be introduced.

LATER. – Mr. Lovejoy succeeded in introducing his resolution.

Mr. Wickliffe, of Ky., moved to lay the resolution on the table.  The motion was lost – yeas 43, nays 68.  The resolution was passed.

The House went into committee of the whole on the tax bill, Mr. Colfax in the chair.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 18, 1862, p. 1

Local Matters

LADIES’ FAIR. – The ladies of St. Luke’s parish will give a fair and festival, at Metropolital Hall, on Wednesday evening.  More particulars will be given to-morrow.

TOO BAD. – A man came into our office yesterday with a full length pig’s tail pinned to his back.  Boys should not carry their jokes to such extremities!

ALEXANDER’S black and colored kid gloves, spring styles delaines, elegant French prints, striped French prints for bordering, just received at Wadsworth’s.  New goods constantly arriving.

TEACHERS’ EXAMINATION. – The regular examination of teachers and persons desiring to become such, will take place next Saturday morning, commencing at 9 o’clock at the brick school-house, corner Sixth and Warren streets.

GOING TO MISSOURI. – Mr. W. J. C. Taylor, so long in Mr. N. Jordan’s store, intends to leave to-day for Rolla, Mo., where he will be connected with the Sutler’s department of one of the regiments there.  We hope Mr. T. will find his new employment pleasing and advantageous, and not fall into the hands of the ‘secesh.’

PARTICIPATION POLICIES. – For evidence of the superior merits of these Insurance policies inquire of Thomas Orr, Jas. M. Dalzell, Joshua Burr, Rev. I. Butterfield, B. B. Woodward, and others who have been insured in them and have received dividends from them.  Robt. Simpson is the only agent for these companies in this city.  See new advertisement. *

JEWISH SYNAGOGUE. – The Jews of this city have rented a room in the third story of Forest’s block, on Perry street, which they are fitting up for a synagogue.  They were negotiating for the use of Wesley Chapel, at the time it was burned down, but that unfortunate occurrence has caused them to select more humble quarters.  We understand there are quite a number of that persuasion in our city.

DECLINE OF REAL ESTATE. – The Muscatine Journal says that ‘Davenport has probably suffered more in the decline in the value of real estate than any other town in Iowa.’  It is true that in the great rush to this State in the years 1855 and ‘6, Davenport was the principal city toward which immigration tended and that prices of real estate went up beyond its value, but comparatively the decline has not been greater than in Muscatine and other prosperous towns in our State.

ALMOST A FIRE. – Saturday morning, when Mr. L. Blatt’s store, Second Street, opposite the Le Claire House, was opened, it was discovered to be on fire near the stove, a portion of the flooring having already been consumed.  It was promptly extinguished though, for want of water at hand; cider had to be used – a truly great waste of that liquid.  The fire originated from the stove, and must have been burning some time, though partly smothered.  If a current of air had got at it, so as to give the fire a fair start, that whole row of frame buildings must have been destroyed.

PUBLIC LIBRARY. – Davenport is big enough to have a public library and it ought to have one – a place where our citizens of both sexes, and particularly the young, could go, once or twice a week, and spend a few leisure hours, and find choice intellectual entertainment. – Many of our citizens do not know that there is a very excellently chosen collection of books in the library of the now defunct Young Men’s Association of this city.  It contains works of most of the standard authors of the language, in history, biography, poetry, science, &c.  This library is now closed, and will probably remain so till the settlement of some legal difficulties in which it is involved, after which it is to be hoped, an effort will be made to throw it open to the public at large, under some permanent arrangement.

VALENTINES. – The little ones kept themselves busy Friday and Saturday, buying, inclosing, sealing, and sending these little missives.  The post office was blockaded by the juveniles sending and receiving their packages.  The business of buying and selling valentines, too, this season, has been unexpectedly good, the entire stock on hand being pretty much sold out.  The fancy and sentimental ones mostly went to the country, while the town boys and girls indulged in the cheap ones, while some of the youngsters resorted to verses of their own composition.  The class who used this species of correspondence a few years ago – young men and women – hardly made a purchase this year.  So let the custom die out; it has been of very little benefit to the world, while its abuse has often caused many bitter feelings.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, February 17, 1862, p. 1

6th Ohio Sutler's Chit

We understand that Thos. Grosvenor died . . .

. . . at Huntsville, Ala., on the 14th inst., of congestion of the brain. We were not acquainted with Mr. Grosvenor, but we understand that he was employed in the Sutler’s department of the 18th Regiment.

– Published in The Athens Messenger, Athens, Ohio, Thursday, April 24, 1862