It is said that the enemy was piloted through a swamp on our left by a mulatto; at any rate, they were piloted by somebody who knew the country, and there is not wanting suspicion attaching itself to some white person or persons. The artillery companies behaved well. Of course our heavy guns had to be abandoned, and some of our field-guns also. Latham's battery is said to have worked great havoc among the enemy. Bremen's battery lost some of its pieces, as did Latham's. We believe the horses were killed. The all-sufficient explanation of our defeat was, want of men. With the militia, they outnumbered us nearly five to one; leaving out the militia, they outnumbered us nearly six to one. After Sinclair's regiment left, those who bore the brunt of the battle were outnumbered fully seven to one. That, under these circumstances, we could hold our position permanently, was not in the range of possibility. Whether it was worth while to make a fight at all, with such a disparity of force, is a question. The railroad-bridge across Neuse River, was not burned until all our troops had crossed, except those whose escape had been effectually cut off by the Yankees. The railroad-bridge is said to have been an elegant structure, and of a most substantial character. It was burnt by a raft, upon which were piled two hundred barrels spirits of turpentine and one hundred and fifty bales of cotton. The torch was applied, and the raft set adrift, and in a few moments it lay alongside the piers of the bridge, and the costly fabric was wrapped in flames from end to end. The turnpike-bridge across the river was also burnt by our forces. The Gaston House, the Washington Hotel, many churches, and the greater portion of the town, is in ashes. A lad, who left Friday night, and reached Petersburgh yesterday morning, says the Yankees were busily engaged in endeavoring to check the progress of the flames, and it was thought that some few houses would be saved, at least enough to shelter the demons who have invaded the place. All the cotton, about two hundred bales, and one thousand five hundred barrels of rosin and turpentine, besides naval stores, were destroyed. The theatre, it is said, escaped destruction. Here the Yankees secured about twenty-five kegs of gunpowder, which had been stored there for the manufacture of cartridges. The steamer Post-Boy was destroyed by the confederates, but the Albermarle, with a schooner in tow, loaded with commissary stores, was taken by the gunboats of the enemy. It is said that Burnside sent in a couple of officers, under a white flag, to declare to the people that they would not be molested, nor would their property be interfered with. It was stated, however, that all soldiers, or other persons, found with arms in their hands, would be arrested. The Daily Progress office falls into the hands of the enemy; but the proprietor, Mr. Pennington, had thrown all the type into pi, and so disabled the press that it could not be used. VOL. IV-Doc. 21 Seven trains left Newbern for Goldsboro Friday forenoon, all crowded to overflowing. A shell from the enemy's gunboats fell within twenty-five feet of the last train as it moved off. All the rolling stock of the railroad was saved, and but few persons remained in the town. Women and children were overtaken by the trains many miles from Newbern, some in ve[hicles of various kinds, and many on foot. The people, with but few exceptions, say they prefer death to living in Newbern under Yankee rule. The obstructions which had been placed in Neuse River gave the Yankees no annoyance whatever. They had skilful pilots, and threaded the channel with as much facility as our own boats. GOLDSBORO, Wednesday, March 19. A flag of truce boat brings information that the confederate loss in killed, wounded and prisoners, during the recent battle, was five hundred. Burnside admits that the Yankee loss in killed, wounded and prisoners was one thousand five hundred. Major Carmichael, of the Twenty-sixth North-Carolina regiment, was the only field-officer killed. Col. Avery was made prisoner. Doc. 96. FIGHT AT POUND GAP. A CORRESPONDENT of the Cincinnati Gazette gives the following account of this fight: PIKETON, March 19, 1862. For some time it has been known to Gen. Gar field that an irregularly organized body of rebels, amounting to some four hundred or five hundred, were holding the pass through the Cumberland Mountains, known as the Pound or Sounding Gap. Though, militarily speaking, they were of little account, owing to their loose, imperfect organisation, and their harum-scarum guerrilla character, yet this, under the circumstances, rendered them even more troublesome, so that a perfect reign of terror prevailed throughout a large area, of which their rendezvous was the centre. Some fifteen days ago a small scouting party of our troops was sent out, which penetrated to the waters of Elkhorn Creek, encountered their pickets, dispersed them with a loss of one man on each side, and after making some valuable observations, returned to camp. A party was immediately detailed from the Twenty-second Kentucky regiment, the Fortieth and Forty-second Ohio, beside one hundred cavalry, under command of Major McLaughlin, amounting in all to about seven hundred, to make an assault upon the main body at the Gap, and wipe out the foul den of miscreants at a blow. Sounding Gap is situated about forty miles south-east from Piketon, and is connected, by a good turnpike-road, with Gladesville and Abingdon, Va. A road has been cut through the Gap, which is now entirely obstructed on the western slope by large trees, fallen across it by the rebels. Being the only channel of communication for wagons between South-eastern Kentucky and South-western Virginia, it was of course an important point in the strategic policy of General Marshall. before our arrival, by the road toward Abingdon, our cavalry was brought up the hill and sent in pursuit. We now turned in to ransack their camp. It comprised sixty log huts, or barracks, capable of accommodating about a dozen men each, besides ten commissary buildings, and one large house, occupied as headquarters by the commandant of the post. The huts were well provided with bedding, blankets, cooking utensils, and rude fur Our march occupied two entire days, and was attended with the severest labor. The nature of the roads, being merely paths, following the creeks and rivulets, the constant rain and snow soaking both officers and men to the skin, and the fathom-niture, and contained beside a large quantity of less, endless mud, formed a combination of untoward circumstances, difficult to overcome. Nevertheless, after two days of wading and splashing, the whole expedition arrived safely at Elkton Creek, two miles below the Gap, about ten o'clock on Saturday night. Several circumstances now modified General Garfield's preconceived plan of attack, but without hesitation he sent the cavalry up the road, to appear in front of the enemy's position, and by skirmishing attract their attention, while himself, with the infantry, should climb the mountains at a point a mile and a half below the Gap, and thence filing along the summit of the range, attack the rebel camp by the flank. At ten on the morning of Sunday, the ascent commenced, and by twelve o'clock we had reached the summit, two thousand feet above the valley. Turning to the right, our guide led the column along the soaring crags, until, when within a quarter of a mile from their camp, a rebel picket was discovered only a few rods ahead of our van. He started to run, when several of our boys fired upon him, but with no other effect than to add a new impetus to his flight. The column was now pressed rapidly forward, until, emerging from the woods, the rebels were observed forming on the opposite hill, between which and the one we occupied lay the camp of the rebels, in a deep gorge or ravine, through which the road is built. clothing, arms, and promiscuous articles of personal property. There being no means at Gen. Garfield's disposal, by which any part of this vast quantity of effects could be transported to camp, the men were allowed to take whatever they chose, and the remainder, together with the buildings, were burned. Late in the afternoon, laden with trophies, our troops descended the mountain to the camp of the previous night, and on the morning following began our long, weary return-march. Two more days of floundering through mud and water, and we are again in camp. Though the expedition lacks the éclat of a brilliant and bloody engagement, it was admirably planned and ably executed, and will, it is hoped, be permanent in its effects. LOUISVILLE "DEMOCRAT" ACCOUNT. PIKETON, PIKE Co., KY., Friday, March 21. In my last I informed you that we were about starting out on a scouting party, consisting of four hundred from the Twenty-second Kentucky, and about an equal number from the Fortieth and Forty-second Ohio, and one hundred cavalry of the First Ohio squadron, making a force of nearly nine hundred, all under the direct command of Brigadier-Gen. Garfield. We started on Friday, the thirteenth instant, and after two and a half days of the hardest marching that ever any force undertook or went through, we Conceiving the rebels about to make a perma- made Pound Gap on Sunday, the fifteenth, at nent stand, Gen. Garfield drew up his line in noon. Although our troops were completely front of them, with his right resting on the sum- broken down and foot-sore, from having to wade mit of the mountain, and the left stretched away creeks from the very beginning to the time we down the eastern slope. About this time, how-reached the foot of the Cumberland Mountains, ever, the rebel lines seemed to be melting away, as though they were gradually falling back into the woods. Fearing the results of a loss of time, Gen. Garfield immediately ordered his men forward to scale the hill, and, if necessary, carry it at the point of the bayonet. we climbed the hill, drove in the pickets, and made short work of it in driving the thieving rascals from their boasted stronghold. When we got to the foot of the Cumberland, the whole force was divided into three divisions. The first, cavalry, under Major McLaughlin; the A loud echoing shout burst from the long line, second under Col. Cranor, of the Fortieth Ohio, as with fixed bayonets it swept down through and the third under Gen. Garfield. The cavalry the ravine and up the hill. There was no back-took the main road, or old State road, as it is bone for us to contend with, however, for as our called, running straight into the Gap; the other bayonets appeared over the hill, scarce an enemy two divisions took a short cut and came in the was in sight. A few straggling ones could be enemy's rear. The plan was for both forces to seen tearing through the laurel underbrush, and get at the Gap at the same time-for the cavalry we sent a ringing volley after them, killing one and wounding several. We were now ordered back to camp, as the nature of the country precluded any possibility of our ever overtaking them. It being suspected, however, that a large proportion had retreated to present themselves in the front of the rebels' breastworks, and as soon as the attack was made, for the infantry to come in on their rear, and take the whole force prisoners. But the plan didn't work exactly, for the cavalry carried out the first part of the programme full an hour before we nearest blockading station-Wilmington. Between the hours of seven and eight P.M., on the seventeenth of March, a dark object was noticed coming out of the channel. She had chosen the darkest part of the night to elude us, and it was only the utmost vigilance that enabled us to see her as quick as we did. two miles distant. The "rattle " was sprung, calling all hands to quarters, and at the same time a rocket was fired, a signal to the Cambridge that the enemy was coming out. We now began to fire our broadside at the Nashville, which vessel had approached to within a mile and a half from us, feeling her way out the channel farthest from us-we lying almost at the entrance to one. The Cambridge was close by us at the time and seemed as if she was never to move. We continued firing at the rebel until she escaped from the channel, when she went out of sight in a "twinkling" almost. It was dead calm at the time, making it impossible for us to get under way. The Cambridge finally started off in the direction of our shells, but almost before she left us the Nashville was gone. We fired some twenty-one guns, the Cambridge four; but to crown all, she fired them at what she knew not. Unfortunately, she could not see the rebel, but fired probably because we did. If we had had a steamer instead of a sailing vessel, the privateer would not have escaped so easily; or if the Cambridge had seen her, and run down to the channel as soon as we made signals to her, there would have been an opportunity to head her off, and perhaps drive her back or capture her. As it was, I hardly think she escaped without some damage, because our shells appeared to burst all around her. The captain of her laid his plans admirably, and in the same manner executed them. The time selected for her escape could not have been more opportune; it was just before the moon rose, and a heavy bank of clouds lined the eastern horizon, making it very difficult for any object between it and us to be seen. I suppose the papers will rub us pretty hard, when it becomes known. It needs four steamers, or at least three, to effectually blockade this port, because there are two channels a mile apart. Doc. 99. EXPEDITION TO GALLATIN, TENN. COLONEL MORGAN'S REPORT. SHELBYVILLE, TENN., March 19, Major-Gen. W. J. Hardee, Commanding First Division: SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of a portion of my command on the fifteenth, sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth inst. At about four o'clock P.M., on the fifteenth inst., with Col. Wood and a detachment of forty men, I left Murfreesboro for Gallatin, having learned that no Federal forces remained at that place. The chief objects of the expedition were to intercept the mail, to destroy the rollingstock on the road, to make prisoners, and to obtain information of interest to the service. Our destination was kept secret, and the command having been sent from Murfreesboro in separate parties, by different roads, to unite at some distance from town, it was impossible that the enemy could be apprised of the movement until after the blow was struck. A citizen of Murfrees boro, whose zeal and loyalty is undoubted, made the necessary arrangements of runners to keep us perfectly posted as to any movements that might be made with the view to cutting us off. Our first march, conducted mostly at night, carried us about two miles beyond Lebanon. Early next morning we continued the march, crossing the Cumberland at Canoe Branch Ferry, and reached Gallatin about four P.M. Leaving the command just outside the town, Lieut.-Col. Wood, of Wirt Adams's cavalry, myself and the men disguised as Federals, entered and took possession. The colonel, myself, and two men galloped to the dépôt, and secured the telegraph-operator, his instruments, books, etc. Among the papers found are several orders of Gen. Buell's, some in cipher, which please find enclosed. We secured also, a few minutes after, as it came in, an engine and tender, carrying a number of carpenters to repair the road; they were made prisoners, but were released as we left the town. As soon as the citizens were made aware that we were confederate troops, facility was afforded us gine, we at once commenced to accumulate all the to carry out our plans. Upon securing the enrolling-stock (a large quantity) on the main track, preparatory to burning. When this was complete the fire was applied, and in the course of an hour all except the engine was rendered permanently useless. That night, having picketed securely, we remained in Gallatin. The next morning we de stroyed the water-tank, and taking the engine, the colonel and myself proceeded some miles up the road, with a view of discovering any approach of the enemy or the mail-train. In the mean time, a lieutenant and four privates of Grider's regiment, (Federals,) on their way to Nashville, were taken prisoners by our pickets. The mail-train being some hours behind time, and learning that our presence might have become known, we concluded to withdraw and return to Murfreesboro. We were made acquainted, just before reaching Col. Jno. S. Sammis, Jno. W. Price, S. F. Halliday, Paran Moody, and Philip Fraser were appointed a Committee to draft resolutions to lay before said meeting, the following being a true copy of the same, which were unanimously received and adopted: the town, that a body of Federal cavalry had rid- At a meeting of the loyal citizens of the United den through the evening before, and that the ene-States of America, held in Jacksonville, Eastmy was in large force near by. We remained Florida, March twentieth, 1862, at half-past ten about twelve miles from town, long enough to as- o'clock A.M., C. L. Robinson, acting as Chairman, certain their exact locality, and then passed safe- and O. L. Keene as Secretary. ly through, within two miles of their infantry. We reached Shelbyville, about four o'clock P.M., to-day, the men and horses a good deal jaded. Yesterday several transports passed down the Cumberland, carrying the remnant of Gen. Thomas's division. As our party had not entirely crossed, we did not fire into them. From all we could learn, the enemy has commenced to move. A large body of cavalry was seen on the road to Columbia. It is believed that the enemy have sent a large force down the Tennessee by boats, and will also move in force across the country. | It is reported in Nashville that they intend to end the campaign before June. The prisoners will be sent forward in the three o'clock train to morrow. We, the people of the city of Jacksonville and its vicinity, in the county of Duval, and State of Florida, embraced within the territory and jurisdiction of the United States of America, do hereby set forth our declaration of rights, and our solemn protest against the abrogation of the same by any pretended State or other authority: First. We hold that government is a compact in which protection is the price of allegiance; that when protection is denied through weakness or design, allegiance is no longer due. Second. We hold that our established form of government cannot be changed or abrogated, except by the will of the people, intelligently and clearly expressed, and fairly ratified. Third. We hold that no State of the United States has any legal or constitutional right to separate itself from the government and jurisdiction of the United States. Shortly after leaving Gallatin, we learned that a party of twenty of the enemy, in charge of three prisoners, were approaching Gallatin by the Scottsville road. It was determined to cut them off. Pushing the prisoners, with a guard, across the Cumberland, we returned to effect the capture. We had taken our position on the road so as to secure the capture of all, but, unfortunately, when within half a mile of them, they were warned of danger by a negro, and fled precipitately to the woods-Capt. Austin, in command of the party, making his escape on a horse cut from a buggy. It being too dark to follow, we remained, picket-rect ing the road until morning. No further opportunity offering, we resumed our march, and, after travelling about sixty miles, reached Murfreesboro about two o'clock next morning. I have omitted to mention that before leaving Gallatin, the engine was destroyed, thus leaving but one on the road. Fourth. We hold that the act of the Conven tion of the State of Florida, commonly known as the Ordinance of Secession, is, void, being in diconflict with the Constitution of the United States, and never having been submitted to the people for ratification. Fifth. We hold that the State of Florida is an integral part of the United States, and subject to the constitutional jurisdiction of the same, and we have reason to believe that thousands of her citizens would hail with joy the restoration of the authority of the Government, bringing deliverance from the terrors of an unrestrained popu I have ascertained, beyond doubt, that Love, a man of my command, who was taken prisoner in the affair of the eighth inst., (since dead,) was shotlar and military despotism. by the enemy after being taken. The whole country through which we passed turned out in masses to welcome us. I have never before witnessed such enthusiasm and feeling. Men, women, and children, never wearied in their efforts to minister to our wants. All expressed themselves gratified at the presence of Southern soldiers in their midst. A handsome flag was presented us by the ladies of Gallatin, and some accompanied us even to the ferry. Upon our return a number of Col. Bates' regiment were enabled to accompany us. Very respectfully yours, JOHN H. MORGAN, Doc. 100. MEETING AT JACKSONVILLE, FLA. We solemnly protest against all the acts and ordinances of the Convention of the State of Florida, which were designed to deprive us of our rights as citizens of the United States. We protest against the despotism fostered by the State and other authorities claiming jurisdiction over us, which has denied to us the rights most dear to freemen-freedom of speech and a free press. We protest against the exactions which have been imposed upon us-forced contributions of money, property and labor, and enlistments for military service, procured by threats and misrepresentations. We protest against the tyranny which demands of us, as a measure of revolutionary policy, the abandonment of our homes and property, and the exposure of our wives and children to sickness, destitution, gaunt famine, and innumerable and untold miseries and sorrows. We protest against the mad and barbarous policy which has punished us for remaining in ing are the minutes of the meeting: our own homes, by sending a brutal and unre |