Send No Freight That Way

Let it be remembered, now and always, of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, that its Board of Directors by a large majority refused to require its employees to take the oath of allegiance to the United States.  Whatever lying excuses may be offered for this conduct, it is simply disloyal and should be discountenanced by all loyal men.  The miserable sycophants of a vulgar and barbarous aristocracy, still cling to their idolatry, and dote upon the incendiary scoundrels who blew up the bridge at Harper’s Ferry, burnt the locomotives at Martinsburg, and tore up the track for twenty miles along the Potomac.  Never in the history of the world were men so mean and presumptuous, so ignorant and devilish, as the conspirators engaged in the Southern rebellion, rewarded with devotion so abject and unqualified as that which the servile class of the whites bestow upon the traitors.  The boasted devotion of the negro to his master, pales before the voluntary fawning slavery of the poor spirited white toward the negro driver. – {Cincinnati Commercial.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4

Genuineness of the Union Sentiment in Eastern Florida

A correspondent of the N. Y. Times gives an interesting account of the Union meeting at Jacksonville, Fla., the spirited resolutions of which we have already published.  The writer says:

About an hundred men were present, said to be nearly all the men left in the town.  The first words spoken were by Mr. Frazer:  “Fellow citizens, we are met here as loyal citizens of the United States of America.  I take it that no one is here who is not prepared to acknowledge his allegiance to the Union.”  He spoke earnestly, but only a few words.  Mr. C. L. Robinson was called to the Chair, and his speech was also short, but full of meaning.  These men felt that they were taking their lives in their hands, in thus openly avowing Union sentiments for the first time in Florida for more than a year.  But there was no mincing matters.  The whole tone of the meeting was determined, but not enthusiastic.  The matter was too serious, but the unanimity was unmistakable.  The resolutions and protest, which I append were endorsed in the heartiest manner, and the meeting adjourned, to resume its movements in two or three days.

On the same day Gen. Sherman issued this proclamation to the people of East Florida. – There was no sort of collusion, there was no attempt made to influence these people.  Gen. Sherman declined to be present at the meeting; he did not know what would be said or done beforehand; he did not issue his proclamation until the resolutions were sent to him and after the meeting he made certain of the willingness of the people to stand firm in their allegiance.  It was not attempted to induce the Floridians to return to the Union; the movement originated in themselves and forced a response from the commanding General. – After he gave orders which will secure their safety, and probably lead to a spread of the sentiment so eagerly avowed.  The citizens manifested the greatest satisfaction; invited the National officers to their houses and tables, introduced them to their families; the women and children turned out in the streets at evening parade, and every person who met a Union officer accosted him cordially.  They seemed never tired of the endeavor to convince the Nationals that their loyalty was real.  They insisted that the Union sentiment is shared by thousands of others; that many of the rebel troops are ready to desert; and indeed on one day that I was in Jacksonville half a score came in from a neighboring camp, and took the oath of allegiance.  The triangle formed by Fernandina, Baldwin and Jacksonville, is said to be especially full of loyal people.  The whole population is represented to be suffering, and at least half of it anxious to be relieved from the results of the rebellion.

At St. Augustine nearly the entire population remained in their homes and the Mayor of the place raised the American flag once more.  National troops are stationed there, so that in the southernmost State of the entire Union the loyal sentiment is found to exist in all its purity and fervor.  It is even said that a company of troops could be readily raised in Jacksonville to fight for the Stripes and Stars.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4

Military Items

We have learned at the Adjutant General’s Office, that 14 men of the 4th Iowa Regiment wounded at Pea Ridge, have died since the battle.  Names not yet returned to the Adjutant General’s Office.  A list will soon be forwarded which will appear in the monthly return. – The Adjutant General has received the monthly returns of the 4th up to March 1st, and a list of casualties at Pea Ridge in said regiment.

Capt. Granville Berkley of Company F, 2d Iowa Cavalry, was mustered out of the service on March 29th.

Fifty-eight men of the 4th Infantry on furlough have been ordered to join their regiment at once.

Samuel M. Wise, a Captain in the Iowa 1st Infantry, has been commissioned Major of the 17th Regiment, Col. Rankin. – {Des Moines Register.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, May 3, 1862

We struck our tents and at 7 a. m. started in the direction of Corinth. After marching eight miles we pitched our tents for camp number 4. All of the sick boys have been sent to the hospital set up at camp number 2, which we left a few days ago. General Pope has taken Farmington, out to the left of our army. There was some very heavy cannonading this afternoon.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 47

An Old Confidence Transaction

Here is an anecdote of a confidence man, told by M. Pasquier, who was a Prefect of Police in Paris under the first Emperor:

“A magnificent carriage drove up, one day, to the door of a rich jeweler in Paris, and a well-looking, important, and overdressed gentleman alighted from it.  He said he wanted a complete wedding parure, consisting of a lady’s set of diamond ornaments, the price limited to 200,000 francs, equal to $40,000. – From several designs, which he examined with the evidently practiced eye of a connoisseur, he selected one, which he desired might be executed within five days, and insisted on leaving four thousand francs with the jeweler as a deposit.  He also selected a ring, worth 120 francs, which he begged might be sent to him the next day, giving his address as Prince Gargarin, Hotel Hollande, Rue de la Paix, which was a more fashionable house in 1805 than it is in 1862.

“The jeweler’s messenger called at the appointed time, and was shown into an apartment in the second story.  There were five or six liveried lackeys in the antechamber, one of whom escorted him to the Prince, who received and examined the ring, paid for it and presented ten francs to the messenger, who returned home, joyfully congratulating the jeweler on having so wealthy and liberal a customer.

“On the fifth day, as agreed, the jeweler carried home the diamonds and found the Prince in his study, sitting before his cylindrical secretaire.  His Highness minutely inspected the jewels with a glass, and suddenly one of the valets announced ‘Prince Dolgoronki.’  ‘Ah!, my brother-in-law,’ exclaimed his Highness.  ‘I do not which him to see the presents with which I intend surprising his sister.  Request him to stay in the drawing room and I will immediately join him.’

“Touching the table, the cylinder moved and the secretaire closed.  The diamonds were within it – but on the table was an open box filled with plump leather bags, and numerous rouleaux of louis were huddled together confusedly.  On his arrival the jeweler had noticed all this treasure, and more especially a large Russia leather port-folio, well lined with bank notes, the rough edges of which were visible.

“The Prince quitted the room, saying that he would immediately return.  The polite jeweler begged him not to hurry himself.  Twenty minutes elapsed, which seemed like three hours to the jeweler, over whom a vague apprehension crept.  The door opened – Oh! Here is his Highness, he thought.  No.  It was the master of the hotel, who asked if he was waiting for any one. ‘For the return of Prince Gargarin,’ said the jeweler.  ‘I have just sold him a set of diamonds for 200,000 francs.  Are you his secretary?’  The maitre d’hotel shook his head and sadly said, ‘I am his dupe, and so are you, I suppose.’  ‘Impossible!  The diamonds are shut up in that secretaire.  Besides, look at all this money.’

“Alas, the leathern bag which he seized was filled with nails.  The rouleaux were of wood.  The Russian leather portfolio contained scraps of waste paper.  However, there was one consolation – the diamonds were safe.  A locksmith was sent for – the secretarie opened, and found – empty!  It stood flush up against a wall, in which a hole had been made, and there being a corresponding hole in the back of the secretarie, the jewels had readily been removed into the next room.  The jeweler, as he well might be, was in despair.  The master of the hotel had been swindled.  All the servants were his except the valet de chamber, who was the confederate of ‘the Prince.’  They had decamped, without suspicion, at the door of the hotel.  All efforts to discover them were ineffectual.

“The poor jeweler nearly ruined by this robbery, had to remove his much diminished business to another part of Paris, where his name sunk in that of his partners.  Many years after he received a message from one Monsieur Teron described as a gentleman holding an official situation, who desired to purchase some rings.  Instead of sending a clerk he went himself, and was shown into a partially lighted bed chamber where, in the invalid in bed he recognized his old customer the cidevant Prince Gargarin. – The recognition was not mutual, and the jeweler held his tongue and bided his time.

“From the rings exhibited, a few were selected to the value of 6,000 francs, and M. Teron, declaring that he had not the means of paying in cash, asked if the jeweler would exchange against a curious snuff-box, which he declared to be of great value.  This was an octagon shaped china snuff-box, ornamented with ten miniatures by Clinchsteil, set in gold and rubies.  No one knew its value so well as the jeweler, for it was one which had been stolen from him shortly before Prince Gargarian’s visit.  Moreover, he knew what few others did, that it had a secret spring by means of which all the miniatures could be taken out of their settings and their reverses exhibited, on which were painted subjects treated with admirable skill, in the indelicate style peculiar to the age of Louis XV.

“Without any hesitation, the jeweler valued the box at 50,000 francs, which was more than M. Teron expected.  The jeweler on the other hand, said it was probably worth even more and made this proposal:  “Take the rings you have chosen, and put the box in an envelope, stating it to be my property – if it does not bring more than 50,000 francs, you shall have the rings for nothing.”

“Gratified al the idea of being able to obtain the rings without opening his purse, M. Teron assented.  Two of his neighbors, one of them a notary, were sent for, and the invalid asked “Who shall fix the price of the box?”  “You, sir,” said the jeweler.  “I will lay a wager that you will value it at 500,000 francs.  Let me tell you in private a circumstance connected with this box which will enable you to perceive its true value.”

“M. Teron, curious and anxious enough now, gave his consent, and the two referees retired.  Then the jeweler said, “Sixteen years ago that snuff-box was stolen from me, when I traded on the Boulevard des Italiens – a few days before I was robbed of 200,000 franks’ worth of diamonds by yourself, under the assumed name of Prince Gargain.  My evidence relative to the loss of the box is on the records of the police.  You now declare the box to be yours.  I have already sworn that I purchased it at a public sale.  The man who sold it to me is still alive.  I know a secret about the box which will further prove my ownership – a secret which you have not discovered.  Unless you fully repair all wrong you have done me, I shall at once have you arrested as a thief.  I give you five minutes to determin.”

Within that time thus driven into a corner M. Teron, who really was an invalid, handed his keys to the jeweler and bade him open a drawer, in which he would find 300,000 francs in billets la banque, and signed a cheque for 200,000 francs more, payable at his banker’s that same day.  This done the witnesses were recalled.

“Gentlemen,” said the jeweler, exhibiting the bank notes and check, “you see that M. Teron has become aware of the value of the box.  He has purchased it back from me for five hundred thousand francs.  Is it not so?”  “Yes,” sighed M. Teron, “I have given him that sum.”  “Then,” said the jeweler, “here is the box, and I will let you have the rings into the bargain.  You may explain the mystery as you please; for my part, I promise eternal secrecy.”

The jeweler retired, leaving the witnesses in amaze and M. Teron in dismay.  The notary was unable to keep silent, and the police eventually unraveled the mystery, though the jeweler faithfully observed his promise of secrecy.  M. Teron, who was so immensely rich as to leave three millions of francs to his heirs, never recovered from the mortification of having been detected and compelled to refund, with compound interest.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4

Gov. Andy Johnson’s Policy

You must not suppose, from any signs of discontent observable in my letters I have despaired of seeing the Government show its teeth at Nashville.  Governor Johnson has always cherished a passion for first hoodwinking and then catching the politicians; and I am disposed to believe he is tickling his fancy, in the morning of the Provisional Government, as well skilled anglers amuse themselves and accomplish their purpose in trout fishing.  He is waiting perhaps to see the cork sink well under water.  There is something ominous in his very sweet language, when he says: “I feel called upon to appeal, not only to the charitable, but especially to those who have been instrumental, in seducing their misguided citizens to this sad degree of suffering, and who have been co-laborers in the unholy work in which they are engaged, to come forward and contribute to their relief.”  There will be some sport soon, I guess, for the people’s amusement, and for the edification of political puppies.

There was a slight symptom of activity on Saturday in the arrest of T. M. Brennan, who figured and fattened so largely as manufacturer of cannon here, with his brother, J. C. Brennan.  The proceeding rather took us by surprise, and I suppose it agreeably disappointed the Federal soldiery.  The Alderman and Common Council elected to their position by the disordered public stomach, have been trying to persuade our policemen to refuse the oath of office required by the Governor.  But in spite of all efforts, and the mutual hesitation meeting in the City Hall, many of the police have come forward and subscribed heartily to the oath of allegiance. – Nashville Cor. Cin. Gaz.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Friday, May 2, 1862

It is warm and pleasant. The water is very scarce at this camp and poor in quality. We hear the sound of cannon in the front every day. The Sixth Division is in the second line of battle, but we are building no fortifications, as we are moved from right to left, as the case may be, in support of either wing of the army whenever reinforcements are called for.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 47

A letter writer who visited the Pea Ridge battle ground, a few days after the fight, says:

The tremendous effect of shot and shell among the trees, the rows of fresh graves where the dead soldiers were buried, and the intolerable stench rising from the decaying carcasses of scores of dead horses and mules, I must confess, had a tendency to take out some of the poetry and romance of war from me, and picture rather vividly the prose of this scourge.  In one place our men saw about one hundred cold Cherokee Indians, whose carcasses are respected no more than so many mules. – They came into the battle with one side of their faces painted black, and the other red, signifying that they would give no quarter.   But they were of no account in the battle, as a shell thrown near them would put them to rout in no time.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4

Accepts The Invitation

The other evening a humorous member of the New York Legislature wrote a note to a sensitive member from an extreme Western county, saying that a lady in the gallery had been attracted by the fine appearance of said member, and would like to meet him.  If the desire was mutual, the “lady” wished the gentleman from C_____ to hold a newspaper in each hand, so that she could see the signal.  The note having been dispatched to the member, the wicked author posted all those around him, and soon half the Chamber awaited the developments.  The unfortunate legislator read the note, cast a sentimental glance at the ladies’ gallery, and seized two Tribunes, and held them aloft with all due energy.  A loud laugh from those around him followed, but this will be about the first notice he has received of the rather practical sell. – He is yet looking for “that woman.”

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4

We have sent our old friend Roger Hanson . . .

. . . a five-gallon demijohn of good whiskey.  Roger is still a zealous rebel and will soon be recruiting in Fort Warren. – {Louisville Journal.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4

The Free Negro Population

The subjoined table, compiled from the census of 1860, is interesting at this time.  It will be seen that the free negro population of the South is considerably in excess of the North:

NUMBER OF FREE NEGROES
In the Free States.		In the Slave States
California	3,816	Alabama	2,680
Connecticut	8,542	Arkansas	137
Illinois	7,069	Delaware	19,723
Indiana	10,869	Florida	908
Iowa	1,023	Georgia	10,146
Kansas	623	Kentucky	10,146
Maine	1,195	Louisiana	18,638
Massachusetts	9,454	Maryland	83,718
Michigan	6,823	Mississippi	731
Minnesota	229	Missouri	2,988
New Hampshire	450	North Carolina	30,097
New Jersey	24,947	South Carolina	9,648
Ohio	36,225	Texas	339
Oregon	121	Virginia	57,579
Pennsylvania	66,373	Dist. Columbia	11,107
Rhode Island	3,918		259,078
Vermont	582
Wisconsin	1,481
	222,747

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Thursday, May 1, 1862

We received marching orders, and striking our tents moved four miles further toward Corinth. All of the Sixth Division moved forward today. We went to work and cleaned up our camp in a heavy piece of timber. This is camp number 3.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 47

4th Iowa Cavalry: Regimental Flag

4th Iowa Cavalry Regiment

Cloth (silk, cotton); pigment

American Civil War

NOTE:  Of special interest in the canton of this regimental flag.  The design reflects that of a regimental flag.  The eagle carries a ribbon in its beak which has the State of Iowa motto painted on it.  On talon grasps a cache of lightening bolt arrows and the eagles head faces toward the hoist.  These are indications that this is a war flag.

SOURCE:  Interpretive sign (at right) next to the flag.  Displayed at the museum of the State Historical Society of Iowa, Des Moines, Iowa, November 2012.

Andrew Johnson and the Traitors

Col. Forney writes from Washington to the Philadelphia Press:

Andrew Johnson is as bold in denouncing treason in Nashville as he was in Washington.  He does not hesitate, as some of our Northern politicians do, when seeking to find the authors of our calamities.  In Tennessee he could safely locate this responsibility upon the Abolitionists and Black Republicans;  he could imitate the Breckinridgers of Pennsylvania and other Free States by criticizing and condemning Republican legislation.  Disdaining all such shallow tricks, however, he tells the rebels that it was not Mr. Lincoln and his friends who refused all compromise, but the Secession leaders, and that these later could have carried the Crittenden proposition if they had not persistently determined to break up the government and to dissolve the Union.  When the day of reckoning comes, when the public stewards go before the people to render an account, Andrew Johnson’s words will drive the plausible falsehoods of the Breckinridgers away, like so much chaff driven by the whirlwind. – They will talk against the tax, against the republicans, against confiscation and in favor of a dishonorable peace.  He, and the millions who believe in him, will assume a high and manly ground – that, as the war was begun by the rebels, they must be made to feel the indignation of the Government they have assailed, and that they are no patriots, who in their sympathy with the rebels, labor only to restore them to power by embarrassing and misrepresenting the Administration.  This will be the ground of Johnson and the honest masses of the United States.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4

Chivalric Warriors

It was the chivalry of South Carolina who started the rebellion.  It was they who led off in the drama of secession.  The first company of volunteers against the Union was raised in the Palmetto State.  The first rebel gun was fired on the sacred soil of that wayward and pettish Commonwealth.  From Charleston and Columbia, its only cities, came the original statements of the universal cowardice and poltroonery of the “Yankees,” and those lofty boasts of the invincible courage of the citizens of South Carolina, who “could whip five to one of Lincoln’s mercenaries.”  Well, we have had nearly a year of war.  Where have the South Carolinians distinguished themselves?  They gathered some eight or ten thousand men, with the assistance of North Carolina and Georgia, about the harbor of Charleston, planted miles of batteries, drove out to sea the Star of the West, an unarmed transport, and compelled a garrison of less than one hundred men to evacuate Fort Sumter.  This is the sum of their glorious achievements.  At Bull Run the South Carolina troops were the first to run, whilst the Federals were in the tide of their first successes on that bloody field.  At Port Royal they scampered like sheep at the approach of the Federal fleet.  And this is the whole record of the Palmetto chivalry in the secession war.  Amongst the killed and wounded rebels in the bulletins of the engagements of this year, you look in vain for those belonging to South Carolina regiments.  They do not die in the last ditch.  They fail to offer themselves up as sacrifices for their bleeding country.  They do not exterminate the race of Yankees.  Whilst the record of the rebel Virginians, Tennesseans and others of the more Northern States of Secessia is full of valor and heroic daring, South Carolina, with all her vain-glorious vaunting, presents a page that is densely blank.  So much for barking dogs that will not bite!

The original seceders made a good thing of it when, finding there was going to be fighting to do, they coaxed the border States into their causeless and cruel war.  This explains their anxiety to get Missouri, Kentucky and Maryland into their Confederate concern, after they had succeeded in seducing Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina and Arkansas. – The brunt of the hard work, the raising of men and means, and the fighting itself, has all fallen on the poor dupes that were cajoled into Secessionism after the rebel government was organized at Montgomery, whilst the aristocratic gentlemen of the cotton States have had comparatively an easy time of it.  These latter congratulated themselves that the horrors of war would be kept far away from their immediate neighborhoods, but they are soon to find out – indeed, they are having a taste of it already – that they reckoned without their host.  We feel exceedingly sorry, of course, for the people of Charleston, whom late reports represent as getting very much frightened. – {St. Louis Republican.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4

From Fortress Monroe

FORTRESS MONROE, April 5. – The Mobile Advertiser of the 4th has a special message from Memphis stating the Buell’s army reached Savannah, on the Tennessee river, and there had been brisk skirmishing, and great activity on both sides for the great struggle.

MOBILE, April 4. – Wednesday a Yankee force of 2,000 strong landed at Biloxi and cut the telegraph lines between Mobile and New Orleans.

There is authority from the War Department for saying that dispatches from Fortress Monroe, dated 3 P. M. Sunday had been received.

A reconnoissance had been made towards Yorktown.  The headquarters of our army are now about five miles from Yorktown.

There had been some cannonading, but with out injury on either side.

FORTRESS MONROE, April 5. – The latest intelligence received of the Virginia, otherwise Merrimac, is dated Norfolk, last night.  She was then coaling at the Navy Yard and was expected to come out to-day.  Capt. Pegram is still mentioned as likely to command her.

The Yorktown, Jamestown and Teazer and four other gunboats are at Norfolk.

A deserter who came in this morning reports the force on the Peninsula not so large as supposed.

Magruder’s headquarters are at Lee’s Mills.

Three tugs arrived from Newberne Thursday, bringing little news of interest.

Reports are current that Burnside has been ordered to evacuate Newberne within six days, and he replied that he would not.

The rebels at Goldsboro’, Raleigh and fort Macon still hold out.  Extensive preparations are being made for the reduction of the Fort. – A few shells had been already thrown at it.

FT. MONROE, April 7. – Nothing has been done in front, Yorktown except reconnoissance in that direction and some skirmishing.

A telegraph has been established at headquarters near Yorktown.

The Spaulding came in this morning from Shippings Point.  The rebel works abandoned there are quite formidable.  The rebels took off their guns.  Shippings Point is about eight miles from Yorktown, affording a fine base of operations.

A great crowd of Norfolk people assembled on the shore near Sewall’s Point on Sunday, including men, women and children, all eagerly engaged in watching the Yankees.

A Norfolk paper of this morning contains a dispatch from Mobile, dated the 6th inst., announcing the reception of news from Corinth that morning of a great battle – that the Confederates had taken Buell’s batteries, and a large number of prisoners.  It was expected that the whole Federal army would be swept away.  This is given as a specimen of the rebel mode of keeping up the spirits of the people, and the courage of the army.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, April 30, 1862

We were routed from our beds of leaves at 4 o’clock and moved on two miles farther in the direction of Purdy, when we received word from General Wallace that we were not needed. We marched back to camp, arriving here about noon, in a heavy rainstorm, soaked to the skin and covered with mud. We had lain all night with rifle in hand, in a heavy timber, on beds of leaves, without blankets, and some of the boys caught cold. The Eleventh Iowa was inspected today for pay. Thus ends this month in old Tennessee.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 47

First Session -- 37th Congress

WASHINGTON, April 4. – HOUSE. – The House went into Committee of the Whole on the States of the Union, Mr. Webster in the Chair.

On motion of Mr. STEVENS, the bill to establish a branch Mint at Denver, in Colorado Territory, was taken up, and debate limited to five minute speeches.

Mr. VALLANDIGHAM said an allusion had been made in the Senate recently, to a Democratic conference held last week.  As to what took place there, he had no right to speak, but the injunction of secrecy did not apply to the call – which was in these words:

Democratic Conference. – We, the undersigned, members of the Democratic party, of the United States, determined to adhere to its ancient principles, and maintain its organization unbroken under all circumstances, as the party able to maintain the Constitution, to restore the old Union of the Sates, do hereby united in this call for a conference of all who may sign the same approving the objects indicated.

This call was signed by some thirty-five members of the Senate and House of Representatives.

Mr. STEVENS asked who signed it.

Mr. VALLANDIGHAM &c.  He continued, all of them are able to read and right.  No one made his mark.  If this did not refer to a political organization, he was not capable of understanding language.  The movement thus commenced would go on, and it was the determination of some that the organization should be completed.  Beyond this he was not able to speak.  His name was appended to the call.

The Committee rose and the bill for the branch Mint ad Denver passed.

The House went into committee of the whole.

Mr. BEAMAN expressed his views in favor of establishing Territorial Governments in the so-called Confederate States.

The committee rose and the House adjourned till Monday.

Several bills relating to the District of Columbia, were passed, and after Executive session the Senate adjourned till Monday.

WASHINGTON, April 8. – HOUSE. – Mr. VALLANDIGHAM offered a resolution, which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, proposing with the consent of the Senate to adjourn on the third Monday in May.

Mr. ARNOLD read a dispatch from Com. Foote to Secretary Wells, dated Island Nol. 10, saying that two officers of the rebel Navy from Island 10, boarded the Benton yesterday, offering to surrender the Island.  The dispatch was received with rounds of applause.

The House resumed the consideration of the amendments to the tax bill.  Among other amendments concurred in, are the following:

Every person owning a dog to pay a tax of one dollar; pleasure or racing vessels, under the value of six hundred dollars, shall pay a tax of five dollars, when not exceeding one thousand dollars in value, ten dollars, and for every thousand dollars additional, ten dollars; organs and melodeons kept for use [or on] sale, according to value, from 60 cents to $6.  All dividends in scrip or money or sums of money hereafter held due or payable to the stockholders of any railroad company, as part of the earnings, profits or gain of said companies, shall be subject to pay a duty of 3 per cent on the amount of all such interest or coupons or dividends, whenever the same shall be paid.

Duties of dividends of life insurance shall not be deemed due until such dividends shall be payable by such companies, banks, trust companies or savings institutions.

Insurance companies are authorized and required to deduct and withhold from all payments made to any persons or parties on account of any dividends or sums of money that may be due and payable as aforesaid from the 1st of May next, the said debt or sum of 3 per cent.

Foreign bills of exchange or of credit drawn in, but payable out of the United Sates, if drawn singly, or if drawn in sets of more than one according to the custom of merchants and bankers.  For every bill of exchanged State or drawn on any Foreign country, but payable to the United States, where the sum made payable shall not exceed five hundred dollars, or the equivalent thereof, in any foreign currency, in which such bills may be exposed according to the standard value fixed by the United States, shall pay a stamp duty of five cents; the manifest of a part of a cargo of any vessel or custom of clearance shall pay a duty of twenty-five cents; a manifest in the custom house entry or clearance of the cargo of any ship, vessel or steamer, if the registered tonnage does not exceed three hundred, shall pay a duty of $1; upon every protest of every note, bill of exchange, acceptance, check or draft, in any marine paper, whether protected protested by notary public or any other officer who may be authorized by the law of any State to make such protest, there shall be paid a duty of 25 cents.

The proceedings were agreeably interrupted by Mr. COLFAX sending up to the clerk’s desk to be read:

______ Landing, Tenn., April 8, 8 p. m.

To Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War:

The enemy evacuated Island No. 10 last night.  It is occupied by Col. Buford of the 27th Illinois regiment.  Gen. Pope will capture all that remains on the high lands to-day.  The movement on the rear has done this work.

(Signed.)

THOMAS A. SCOTT.

This was received with loud applause and cries of good.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4

How the Virginia is to be Used Up

In the debate in the Senate, on the Stevens’ floating battery, Senator Pomeroy of Kansas expressed his opinion that it will soon be demonstrated that any wooden vessel, and large ocean steamer, for instance, can run down such a battery as the Virginia and sink her.  He said if he was captain of the Minnesota he would lighten her, except for the stem and put her at her highest speed, and run her upon the Virginia and sink her.  The Boston Commercial Bulletin says on the same subject:

“If the Minnesota, or any other vessel of the same size, should run bows on with a speed of twelve knots an hour, striking the Merrimac on her broadside, she would sink her.  As for instance, in 1839 the ship Columbian, 500 tons, lying a Damon’s wharf, Charlestown, parted her bow hawser, and swinging with the tide run bows on against Charlestown bridge and cut it through.  In 1841, the ship Eli Whitney, of 400 tons, coming up the harbor with her three topsails set, run three quarters of her length into the end of Long wharf.  In 1850, a ship going up to the Docks in Liverpool became unmanageable and ran into the stone pier head, moving the stones some twelve or thirteen feet, and doing but comparatively little damage to the ship.  We believe there is tact and skill enough in our navy to dispose of the Merrimac if she ventures out of Norfolk.”

These sagacious and prophetic hints are getting common, and since half the people hereabouts already know what the project to be tried in Hampton Roads is, and the rebels are unquestionably well informed on the subject, there can be no harm in printing the fact that the ocean steamers Vanderbilt and Arago have been armed with strong iron prows, and are now awaiting the appearance of the Virginia, to try upon her the experiment suggested.  It is also stated that their upper works are protected by a covering of cotton bales, which are more impervious to cannon balls than iron.  The experiment will be a novel and exciting one, and if it shall turn out that iron-clad vessels can thus be destroyed by vessels of superior speed and momentum, new and important elements will be introduced into the calculation of the value of mailed ships of war.  The Virginia is undoubtedly ready to come out, and if she does not soon appear it will indicate that the rebels have lost confidence in her impregnability.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4

1st Lieutenant William D. Templin, Company D, 32nd Iowa Infantry