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his great military road, but all his machine-shops, engines and rolling stock.

Thus providing yourselves with ample transportation, you have struck blow after blow with a rapidity unparalleled. Stevenson fell, sixty miles to the east of Huntsville. Decatur and Tuscumbia have been in like manner seized, and are now occupied. In three days you have extended your front of operations more than one hundred and twenty miles, and your morning gun at Tuscumbia may now be heard by your comrades on the battle-field made glorious by their victory before Corinth.

Elizabeth River, followed by her consorts, as if they were bound to Newport News. The Merrimac approached the English sloop-of-war, and after apparently communicating with her, fell slowly around, and moved back toward her consorts in the rear. The English and French vessels then moved up, as if they had been informed that the Lower Roads were to be the scene of conflict and they had been warned to get out of the range. For an hour the rebel fleet kept changing position, without making any decided advance in any direction. On our part no movement was made. The Monitor, with steam up, A communication of these facts to headquar- and in fighting trim, lay quietly near her usual ters has not only won the thanks of our Com-anchorage. The Naugatuck (Stevens's battery) manding General, but those of the Department came out and took position alongside the Moniof War, which I announce to you with proud tor. Signals were made between our vessels, the satisfaction. Fort and the Rip Raps, but no movement was made. Curiosity grew rapidly into suspense.

Accept the thanks of your Commander, and let your future deeds demonstrate that you can surpass yourselves. By order of

O. M. MITCHEL,
Brig.-General Commanding.
W. P. PRENTICE, A. A. G.

Doc. 130.

At length the Yorktown moved rapidly up, and after advancing well toward Newport News, steamed rapidly toward Hampton. The object was then seen to be the capture of three sailing vessels two brigs and a schooner - transports which were lying either aground or had not been furnished with a steam-tug, in order to make their escape. The bold impudence of the manoeuvre, contrasted with the apparent apathy of our fleet,

THE SECOND VISIT OF THE MERRIMAC. excited surprise and indignation. There was a

APRIL 11, 1862.

rebel boat, not built for war purposes, leaving the protection of the Merrimac and her consorts, where it appeared to unprofessional eyes she

THE following is the account given by the Bal- could easily be cut off, and yet no attempt was timore American's correspondent:

FORTRESS MONROE, Friday, April 11.

made on our part to do it. Of course there were good reasons for this policy, though the crowd "could not see" them. The Yorktown then steamed rapidly along the beach from Newport News to Hampton, sent a boat to each of the vessels, which were apparently deserted by their crews, and steamed toward the three. A small tug-boat, loaded with troops, followed, whilst the

I said two days since, that we were looking for the Merrimac and sunshine together. Both are here this morning. The day opened bright and clear, with the broad expanse of Hampton Roads almost unruffled by a wave. About seven o'clock a signal-gun from the Minnesota turned all eyes toward Sewell's Point, and coming out from un-Jamestown laid off about a mile distant. der the land, almost obscured by the dim haze, Nine o'clock.-The rebel tug-boat has made fast the Merrimac was seen, followed by the York-to the largest brig and is towing her off. The town, Jamestown, and four smaller vessels, alto-Yorktown is still in the bend above Hampton. gether seven in number. There was instantaneous The Naugatuck has moved up, and is apparently activity among the transports and vessels in the getting within range of the Yorktown. There is Upper Roads, to get out of the way. Steamboats, no other move on the part of our fleet. Our inseveral of which were crowded with troops, action seems unaccountable, except upon the moved down out of danger. Steam-tugs ran whist- supposition that the desire is to get the rebels ling and screaming, towing strings of vessels be- still further down. hind them, whilst sloops, schooners and brigs Half-past nine o'clock. The rebels have actook advantage of what air there was, got up sail, complished the capture of three vessels, the and moved out of harm's way. In the course of Yorktown towing off two of them, and the tug an hour the appearance of the crowded Roads taking hold of the third. Not a shot was fired was greatly altered. The forests of masts be- on either side. The Merrimac maintains her potween the Fortress and Sewell's Point disappear-sition about half-way between Sewell's and Pig ed, and the broad, open expanse of water bore on its surface only the rebel fleet, and two French and one English men-of-war, which, with steam up, still maintained their position.

Half-past eight o'clock. For the last hour the manoeuvres of the rebel fleet have apparently been directed toward decoying our fleet up toward Sewall's Point. When the Merrimac first appeared, she stood directly across the mouth of

Points. One of the French steamers is coming down to the Lower Roads. She has a waterschooner in tow, which was alongside her when the Merrimac appeared. One of our gunboats went up along the shore toward Hampton, but too late to prevent the capture of the three vessels, if that was the purpose. The Yorktown and tug towed the prizes well up toward Norfolk, when small tugs came out and took charge of

them. Upon one of the brigs they hoisted the American flag at half-mast.

Half-past ten o'clock.-There is no change in the position of affairs. The rebel fleet lies in line of battle, stretching from Sewell's Point up toward Pig Point. The Merrimac is black with men, who cluster on the ridge of her iron roof. The other vessels are also thronged with men. In all, the rebels show twelve craft-all, except the Merrimac, Yorktown and Jamestown, being insignificant tug-boats.

back. About an hour since she moved over in the direction of Hampton and fired a shot toward the gunboat Octorora, lying in the bend near Hampton, and full four miles distant. The shot fell at least a mile short; the Octorora immediately replied, but her shots also fell short, though well in line; the Naugatuck then took part, and discharged her rifled gun, making a splendid shot, but the ball fell beyond the Merrimac full half a mile. The Naugatuck then fired at the rebel gunboats Yorktown and Jamestown, which were The Jamestown is armed with an iron prow, lying beyond the Merrimac; the practice was exwhich can be seen protruding about six feet be- cellent and her guns showed extraordinary length yond the water-line of her bow. The position is of range. Turning her attention from the Merrisimply one of defiance on both sides. The reb-mac, her shots were all directed at the rebel gunels are challenging us to come up to their field of battle, and we are daring them to come down. The French and English vessels still lie up be- The rebel vessels fell slowly back, and firing yond the rebels; the French vessels not more soon ceased. The practice and prowess of the than a mile from the Merrimac, and the English-Naugatuck's rifled gun excited great admiration, man further up. Not a shot has yet been fired by either party.

Twelve o'clock M. No fight yet. The Merrimac occasionally shifts her position, but does not come further out. The Yorktown, and some of the smaller tugs, have gone up to Norfolk.

Two o'clock. The position of affairs has not changed, and there seems to be little probability of any fight to-day. The Merrimac and all the rebel fleet keep their position, and so does our fleet. It is possible that the rebels may come down with the flood-tide, in an hour or two hence; but it looks as if both parties hesitated to assume the offensive.

boats, and of four which were fired all appeared to strike near the object aimed at.

and if brought into play this morning would pro- ·
bably have prevented the rebels from capturing
any prizes. As I close, at five P.M., the firing
has ceased, and the Merrimac appeared to be re-
turning to Craney Island. We look for warm
work to-morrow.
Half-past five o'clock.-All the rebel fleet are
moving off toward Norfolk.

Doc. 131.

THE REBEL COMMERCE. THE following is a list of the vessels from rebel ports, arrived at Nassau, N. P., between the commencement of the National blockade and April 12, 1862:

1861.

June 17.

June 18.

Sept.

The events of this morning are much comment ed on, and have caused considerable feeling of irritation, and some humiliation. Beyond the capture of three transports, the demonstration of the rebel fleet has been little more than a reconnoissance; it cannot but be concluded, however, that the rebels have had the best of the affair. The capture of the three prizes was a bold affair, and we can well imagine the "hurrah" with Aug. which their arrival at Norfolk was greeted. Whether they might not have been saved and Aug. the rebels have been made to suffer for their temerity, is a point upon which I shall not venture a decided opinion. Their position was close into the beach, about half-way between Hampton and Newport News, and from four to five miles distant from the position of the Merrimac. A light-draught gunboat or two, sent up in time, might have saved them. The Naugatuck started, but a little too late to be of any effectual service. Of course the naval authorities are acting upon Oct. some concerted plan, and under definite orders, the carrying out of which are considered of more Oct. importance than saving two or three small vessels. The capture was effected almost under the Oct. bows of the French and English cruisers, and we may be sure that our national prestige was not Oct. increased in their eyes by what they saw.

Sept.

Sept.

Sept.

Half-past four o'clock P.M.-For some hours Oct. the Merrimac has continued moving about, sometimes advancing toward the Monitor, as if chal- Nov. lenging her to combat, and then again falling

7.

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13.

Sch. Victoria, Certain, Wilmington,

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Nov.

Nov.

Nov.

6. Sch. John R. Wilder, Gardner, Sa- March 27. Steamship Nashville, Gooding, George

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Feb.

Feb.

29. Sch. Col. McRca, Perry, Georgetown,
S. C., naval stores.

29. Sch. Arrow, Dennis, St. John's, Fla.,
naval stores.

6. Sch. Alert, Howe, Charleston, cotton.
8. Sch. Louise, Byers, Charleston, rice

and cotton.

10. Sch. Courier, Davis, Charleston, cot-
ton.

12. Steamship Nelly, Moore, Charleston,

cotton.

13. Sch. Sue, Smith, Charleston, naval

stores.

16. Steamship Kate, Lockwood, Charles-
ton, cotton.

Feb. 24. Steamship Cecile, Peck, Charleston,
cotton.

March 3. Sch. Chase, Allen, Charleston, lumber.
March 3. Steamship Ella Warley, Swasey,
Charleston, cotton.

March 4. Sch. Sir Robert Peel, Guage, Charles-
ton, cotton and naval stores.

March 8. Steamship Cecile, Peck, Charleston, cotton.

March 10. Sch. Zaidee, Adair, Charleston, cotton and tobacco.

March 11. Sch. British Empire, Parsons, sonville, naval stores.

April

5.

town, S. C., ballast.

Sch. Pride, Davis, Georgetown, S. C.,

cotton.

Steamship Economist, Burdge, Charleston, cotton.

April 5. Sch. Rutherford, Green, Charleston,

cotton.

April 7. Sch. Sarah, Russell, Charleston, cot

ton.

April 7. Sch. Acorn, Habenicht, Charleston,

cotton.

April 8. Sch. Louisa, Tolle, Charleston, cotton.
April 8. Sch. Chase, Habenicht, Charleston

cotton.

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Having received orders from Washington, we started, April thirteenth, down the Potomac, for the Rappahannock River. When off Blackistone's Island, visited the fine frigate St. Lawrence, which lies abreast of the island at anchor. The fleet being assembled, the Jacob Bell being the flagship, Lieut. Commanding E. P. McCrae, took the lead, followed by the rest of the fleet, consisting of the Reliance, Satellite, Resolute, Island Belle and Piedmontese. At twelve o'clock at night we arrived opposite the small town of Urbana, and anchored in the morning.

On the morning of April fourteenth, a boat's crew was sent ashore, under the command of Acting Master Streets, to procure a pilot. When within twenty-five yards of the beach, they were Jack-fired upon from rifle-pits; but, as good luck would have it, no one was injured, only the boat receiv

March 11. Steamship Kate, Carlin, Charleston, ing a few bullets in her hull. The Jacob Bell

cotton.

being the nearest in, immediately opened fire

March 12. Sch. Kate, Sabistan, Charleston, cot-upon the rebels, which scattered them in every

ton and lumber.

March 17. Sch. Laura, Ferklenberg, Charleston,
cotton and lumber.
March 17. Sch. Carrie Sandford, Haggett, St.
John's, Fla., naval stores.
March 17. Sloop Coquette, Moore, Charleston,
cotton.
March 22. Sch. Argyle, Davis, Charleston, cotton
and naval stores.

March 27. Sch. Victoria, Fowler, St. John's, Fla.,
naval stores.

March 27. Sch. Annie Deans, Morse, Fernandina,
Fla., naval stores.

direction, after which we proceeded on our voyage up the river, toward Fredericksburgh, passing some three or four fine wharves, which have been partly destroyed. Stopping at the second one, where there was a white flag hoisted, they informed us that all the rebel soldiers had left that side (east) of the river. Arriving opposite Lowry's Point batteries, at twelve o'clock M., we commenced, from the whole fleet, to shell the works and fortifications, driving out the pickets which have occupied it since its evacuation, some twelve days ago, by a large body of the rebel ariny. After the shelling, the boats' crews landed, and

proceeded to burn some one hundred and fifty This morning, about five o'clock, espied a sloop plank and log-houses, used by the rebels as quar- coming down from the direction of Fredericksters, which were entirely consumed, after which burgh, when we gave chase and captured her, she the boats returned to their ships, loaded with proving to be the Reindeer, Capt. Ailworth, who blankets, quilts, medicines and muskets, left by made his escape in a small boat. She was loaded the rebels in their flight. with oysters, shad, cedar posts, carpet-bags, conWe next proceeded to the town of Tappahan-taining a quantity of clothes for the rebels, with nock, some two miles above Fort Lowry, arriving a lot of letters, from which we learn that the reoff which at one o'clock, we fired a blank cartridge, bels are evacuating Fredericksburgh, and talk of and hoisted the white flag of truce, which was re-burning the town, to keep it from falling into our sponded to from the people of the town, (what hands. At nine o'clock we got under way, and was left of them,) by displaying a great many proceeded down the river to Corbin's Creek, to white flags. After coming to an anchor, our cut out some schooners which are in there, which Commander, with his gig's crew, proceeded to we did in fine style, bringing out two very fine land, when they were met at the beach by a large schooners, one of them being the Sidney A. Jones, concourse of persons, of all colors, and it seemed of Baltimore. I have not learned the name of the with great demonstration by the darky popula- other. tion, one old woman exclaiming: "Bress God! de Yankees hab come at last." The rebels have sunk the light-ship, and a large schooner off Lowry's Point. At half-past two o'clock P.M., the American flag was run up over one of the largest houses in the town, when it was hailed with enthusiastic cheering by the crews of our own gunboats. Subsequently our Commander was informed, that one of the people of the place had said, as soon as we left, it would be torn down; our Commander then politely told them, if it was, he would give them six hours to leave the town, before he burnt it. When our men first landed, an old negro told them not to drink any liquor, as it was all poisoned; and on landing the second time, they were invited to drink by one of the inhabitants, but they very politely declined the invitation to do so. We were also informed there by contrabands, that four large schooners, and other obstructions, are placed in the narrow channel of the river, five miles this side of Fredericksburgh, to prevent our approach to that place, where lie the steamers St. Nicholas, Eureka and Logan, the former having two guns mounted on her.

As far as we could learn, there are no rebel soldiers on the neck of land lying between the Potomac and Rappahannock, excepting a few picket cavalry, which are mostly composed of Marylanders, to prevent the escape of negroes. The company who fired on our boats the morning of the fourteenth, we are informed, were composed of Marylanders; and it was astonishing that none were killed or hurt, as there were over forty shots fired into the boat, at the distance of twenty-five yards. It was quite amusing to see secesh, and others of Tappahannock, leaving in all directions, when we arrived off the town, some that remained, running to and fro, with white rags suspended on broom-handles, and an old darky had a bleached salt-sack tied to a limb of a tree, waving it at the rate of two-forty on a plank-road. The town is very prettily situated on the left bank of the river, some fifty miles below Fredericksburgh. It contains two churches, a jail, a hotel, and a large steam saw-mill, and many handsome old mansions, that are fast going to decay, like the rest of the old ancient towns of the Revolution.

April 15.—Laid off the town during the night.

Just below Corbin's Creek we came to anchor, and sent the boat's crew ashore, to a storehouse at the wharf, when they soon returned with two secesh soldiers, in uniform, they nabbed at the store. They told our Captain, if he would let them alone, they would let him alone, and they wanted to go ashore again; but they were told, they would have to go to Washington first, when one of them exclaimed: "I have a horse ashore, that cost me five hundred dollars.” "So much the better," says the Captain, "we will take the horse, too." There were also a lot of contraband goods found in the store, which were taken, but the liquor was all destroyed. The owner of the store, holding a prominent position in the rebel army, deserved to have his whole stock demolished-fighting against his country, and at the same time extorting from the poor people of the country the enormous prices of twenty dollars a sack for salt; forty cents a pound for sugar; seventyfive cents a pound for coffee; ten cents a pound for flour; twenty-five cents a pound for bacon, and thirteen dollars a pair for boots.

April 16.-The anchor once more on the bow, and we are steaming down the beautiful Rappahannock, toward the town of Urbana, which we do not stop at. We arrived at the mouth of the river after dark, and spoke the gunboat Young Rover, of five guns, which has been her station for some time, and proceeded on up the bay, and entered the Potomac just before midnight, and by eight o'clock arrived at Wade's Bay, where we met the Yankee, Lieutenant Commanding R. H. Wyman.

On our arrival at Tappahannock, a great many, leaving in a hurry, left their houses open and exposed; and in the house of a notorious rebel, Dr. Roane, our men picked up many secesh letters, lying about the floor in confusion, among which was a secesh army signal-book, picked up by our Purser's Steward, Mr. Paul, which, from its contents, may prove of service.

The two prisoners we have, are a Mr. Kiernan, of the First Maryland regiment, and the other a Mr. Mozinga, of the Fifty-ninth Virginia regiment, and a younger brother of the owner of the store below Corbin's Creek, referred to above. They do not relish the idea of residing north of "Dixie," and they say that the Southern Confed

DOCUMENTS.

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ABOLITION OF SLAVERY

IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S MESSAGE. Fellow-Citizens of the Senate and House of Representatives:

The act entitled "An act for the release of certain persons held to service or labor in the District of Columbia," has this day been approved and signed.

I have never doubted the constitutional authority of Congress to abolish slavery in this District, and I have ever desired to see the national capital freed from the institution in some satisfactory way. Hence there has never been in my mind any question upon the subject except the one of expediency, arising in view of all the circumstances. If there be matters within and about this act, which might have taken a course or shape more satisfactory to my judgment, I do not attempt to specify them. I am gratified that the two principles of compensation and colonization are both recognised and practically applied in the act.

In the matter of compensation, it is provided that claims may be presented within ninety days from the passage of the act, but not thereafter, and there is no saving for minors, femmes coverts, insane, or absent persons. I presume this is an omission by mere oversight, and I recommend that it be supplied by an amendatory or supplemental act. ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

WASHINGTON, April 16, 1862.

Doc. 134.

BATTLE OF CAMDEN, N. C.*

FOUGHT APRIL 19, 1863.

GENERAL BURNSIDE'S REPORT.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT NORTH-CAROLINA,

NEWBERN, April 29, 1964,

Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War:

SIR: I have the honor to enclose Gen. Reno's report of the movements made by him, in accordance with my order, for the purpose of accomplishing certain objects already indicated in a former despatch, the main order of which was most successfully accomplished.

as the Chaplain of the New-York regiment, left in charge of the wounded, reports having seen on the field thirty killed, besides several wounded— the main body of the wounded having been taken from the field when they retreated.

Our forces drove the enemy from the field in a most gallant style; buried our dead; bivouacked on the field for seven hours; transported all the wounded, except fourteen, so severely wounded that they could not be moved, but who were comfortably provided for and left in charge of a surgeon and chaplain.

Gen. Reno then, in obedience to orders, reHe turned to his fleet, and embarked his men. felt less reluctance in leaving behind these fourteen wounded, with the surgeon and chaplain, from the fact that I had but a few days before released some eighty wounded, with the surgeons, who were left by the enemy in Newbern; and the commanding officer in that neighborhood would be less than human were he to refuse to release these wounded men as soon as they can be transported safety.

I beg to enclose my congratulatory order in the report of Gen. Reno; also, the correspondence between the General and the commanding officer at South-Mills.

I have the honor to be,
Your obedient servant,

A. E. BURNSIDE,
Major-General Commanding Department of North-Carolina.
REPORT OF GENERAL RENO.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND DIVISION,
NEWBERN, N. C., April 22, 1862.

Capt. Lewis Richmond, Assistant Adjutant-General:

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that, in obedience to the order of Major-Gen. Burnside, I proceeded from Newbern, with the Twenty-first Massachusetts and Fifty-first Pennsylvania regiments, to Roanoke, and was there joined by part of the Ninth and Eighty-ninth New-York and Sixth New-Hampshire.

We proceeded directly to Elizabeth City, and commenced disembarking on the nineteenth inst., at midnight, at a point about three miles below, on the east side. By three P.M., Col. Hawkins's brigade, consisting of the Ninth and Eighty-ninth NewYork and Sixth New-Hampshire, were landed, and ready to move. I ordered Col. Hawkins to proceed at once with his brigade toward South-Mills, for the purpose of making a demonstration on Norfolk. I remained to bring up the other two regiments, they having been delayed by their vessels getting aground at the mouth of the river. They came up at daylight, and were landed by seven A. M. I proceeded directly toward SouthMills, and about twelve miles out met Col. Haw

Gen. Reno's report gives a detailed account of the movement, and I need only add that I feel increased confidence in the brave officers and sol-kins's brigade, who, it seems, lost his way, either diers, who accomplished so much in so short a time.

Our loss in the engagement was fourteen killed and ninety-six wounded, and two taken prisoners. The enemy's loss must have been much greater,

This battle is also known by the name of the South-Mills.

by the treachery or incompetency of his guide -he having marched some ten miles out of his way. As his men were very much jaded by their long march, I ordered them to follow the Second brigade. Proceeding about four miles further, to within a mile and a half of South

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