The Sun.
London, England, 1864-08-31 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, AUGUST 31, 1864

By this act nearly 1,000 people, mostly women,
were reduced to destitution. Gen. Sherman would
neither allow them to remain in Marietta, nor
transport them within the Confederate lines, but
sent them in a body, packed as close as cattle, in
the railway cars to Louisville, thence to be conveyed
across the Ohio into Indiana, to shift for themselves
as best they might. Among the number was one
old lady of 92, the grandmother of one of the factory
girls, who sat with the rest at the station without
food or shelter, under a broiling sun, waiting for
the conveyances that were to take them over the
river, and there pitch them among strangers on an
alien soil, as if they had been of no more account
than so many cartloads of refuse and rubbish. Many
of the women were sick and ill, and one was prema■
turely delivered of a stillborn child in the train. My
informant thinks that there were at least 150 young
children in this unhappy multitude, and, as far as
he knows, not a word of their fate was allowed to
appear in any of the Kentucky newspapers.
Gen, Burbridge, though he revels in the wanton-
ness of arbitrary power, acts, it appears, under the
orders of Gen. Sherman, and does perhaps no more
than his instructions warrant. He has declared his
intention to make " a wholesome example" of all
" Secessionists" and " Secession sympathisers," and
to " tolerate none but loyal men and women on the
soil of Kentucky." He is particularly scrupulous in
enforcing the law of retaliation, and will not only
have an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, but
two eyes for one eye, and three lives, if he be in the
humour to exact them, as a penalty for one. Among
the specimens of his "vigour,' the following may be
cited—At Georgetown, in Kentucky, a man who
was known by his fellow citizens to have been in the
Confederate army and to have deserted was recog-
nised in the streets in the Federal uniform. A
crowd gathered around him. He was accused of
treachery, laden with opprobrious epithets, and vio-
lently assaulted. He drew a revolver or some other
weapon to defend himself, and in the confusion that
ensued was shot dead. The circumstance being re•
ported by telegraph to Gen. Burbridge, he sent the
Provost-Marshal to the prison, where some hun•
dreds of Confederate soldiers were confined, with
orders to take out the first two " that came to
hand" and have them shot. Two unfortunates
were accordingly selected, and two coffins were
hastily prepared to receive their bodies. They were
then driven through the principal streets of the
little town, seated each man upon his coffin, to
the place of execution. As soon as they arrived a
spade was put into the hand of each, and he was told
to dig his grave. This done, they were bandaged,
and shot with as little remorse as if they had been
wild beasts, When the facts came to be talked over
by the people of the town, a large body of men
hastily armed themselves, proceeded to the house of
Burbridge,near the town where he had left his wife
and family, and seized two of his young children,
under ten years of age, with the intention of putting
them to death in retaliation. This, however, was
too horrible to be permitted, and the leading men
of the place, hastily organising, flew to the rescue,
and were fortunate enough to recover the children
from the hands of the mob and deposit them in
safety in a distant city.

Another case as savagely vindictive as the pre•
ceding, and as horribly illustrative of the agonies of
civil war, was that of a gentleman named Sparks
—a member of the Kentuckian Legislature, and a
well-known opponent of slavery. When the Con-
federate troops entered the town of Eminence, in
which he resided, he fired a pistol at them from a
window and killed one of the soldiers. The exas-
perated comrades of the man thus slain broke into
the house, and Sparks, going out by a back door,
attempted to make his escape. He was hotly pur-
sued and brought down by a long shot, mortally
wounded. General Burbridge, when made ac•
quainted with the fate of his friend, ordered three
Confederate prisoners to be sacrificed to his manes,
and they were accordingly shot, after having been
drawn through the town seated upon their coffins,
and made to dig their own graves, after the fashion
most approved by this great adept in the art and
mystery of refined as well as brutal torture.

The General, however, does not always wait to
be assured of the death of the person on whose
enemy he desires to be revenged. Hearing that a
man named Porter had been shot by guerillas in
the neighbourhood of Russelville, in Kentucky, he
ordered a Confederate lieutenant to be taken out of
the nearest military prison, brought to itusselville,
and there hed him publicly shot in the open market
place. Porter appeared the same afternoon alive
and hearty, having only suffered a finh wound, and
Barbridge expressed his joy that there was a loyal
man alive whom he had imagined to be dead, and
"one more Confederate in hell."

It is not by such modes as these that fraternal
union can be re-established in Kentucky or any other
State, though, to judge from the general action of
the Federal Government, Mr Lincoln and his ad-
visers, civil as well as military, appear to be of a
contrary opinion.
Naval and Military Intelligence.

An Admiralty order has been received at Chatham
for the fine screw frigate Bristol, 39, 600 horse
power, now being brought forward for the steam
reserve squadron, to take the place of the Arethnsa,
35, 3,141 tons, 500 horse power, in the first division
of the steam reserve, the latter frigate being in-
tended for the pennant. The Bristol has been re.
moved into the steam basin, where her fittings are
being prepared as rapidly as the resources of the
dockyard will permit ; bat there are several months'
work to be effected on board before she is com-
plete. Her armament is to consist partly of the
100 pounder smooth bore guns, the 110 pounder
Armstronge, and the old naval 68 pounder.
The 41 armour plates from the Lord Warden tar-
get, recently tested at Shoeburyness, and the re-
mains of which were removed to Chatham Dock-
yard, have undergone a careful inspection by the
officials at that establishment, in order to ascertain
the quality of the iron after the battering the plates
received during the trials with the 600 pounder and
other guns. The opinion formed of the quality of
the metal is that the plates are the best of the kind
yet received at the dockyard, and when it is remem-
bered that the armour-plates in question were taken
from a stack of several hundred tons, sent in by the
Iron Company, it is satisfactory to know
that those in store in Chatham are in every respect
as good as those tested. The Lord Warden plates
have been removed from the Anchor-wharf to the
smithery, where they will be broken tip under the
tilt hammer, and the iron used for the general ser•
vice of the yard.

Capt. F. S, Tremlett, inspector of training ships,
completed his inspection yesterday of the Wellesley,
72, training ship, in Chatham Harbour.

The paddlewheel steam surveying tender Bann,
Lieut. Horner, was placed in No. 3 dock in Devon-
port yard on Saturday to stop a leak. She was
removed on Monday, and will shortly resume her
duty on the coast.

Preparations are making at Devonport for expe-
diting the departure of the screw steam corvette
Brisk, 16, to Australia. Draughts of men are being
told off from the receiving and training ships in
Hamoaze, and it is probable that her marines will
be sent on board this week,

The halfyearly inspection of the troops in Ports-
mouth garrison took place yesterday on Southsea-
common. The troops formed in position on the
common between 2 and 3 p.m., and consisted of the
B and K batteries of Field Artillery, under the
command of Major Milman, the Ist battalion of the
21st Regiment, Col. Stuart, C.B„ 26th Regiment,
Col. Carey, and the 64th Regiment, Col. Shute. The
inspecting-officer, Major-Gen. Lord W. Paulet, C. 8.,
accompanied by Col. Shadwell, Assist.-Quarter-
master•Gen., Col. Thackwell, Assist.-Adjt.-Gen.,
Col. Elliott, R./1.., Town-Major E. Breton, and Capt.
St. John Panlet, Aide-do-Camp, arrived on the
ground in the front of tho line at 3 p.m., and was
received with the usual honours. After the parade
ceremony of marching past had been gono through
the troops were put through a series of manceavres
incidental to a field-day on a small scale, in whioh
the artillery played a conspicuous part. The troops
appeared to go through the different movements
very steadily, and at 5 p.m. Lord William Paula
brought the inspection to a close, and dismissed the
men to their respective quarters.
The Orontes, screw troopship, Capt. W. H. Hire,

was undocked at Portsmouth yesterday, and is
ordered to leave Portsmouth on the 9th prox. for
Dover, where she will embark troops for the Cape
of Good Hope and the Mauritius, calling in at
Devonport on her way down Channel.
A number of ten-years men whose period of en•
listment has expired have this week been either dis-
charged or re.enlisted at the camp at Colchester.
The men who have re-enlisted have obtained three
months' furlough, in addition to a liberal bounty.
Admiral Sir Charles Burrard, on the retired list,
with the pay of 20s. a day, becomes entitled to the
pay of 255. a day in consequence of the death last
week of Admiral Popham, Sir Charles entered the
navy in July 1805, and, after serving in the Chan-
nel, was present at the capture of the Marengo, 80,
and Belle Ponle, 40, March 13, 1802. He was ad-
vanced to Lieut. May 1, 1812, and as such served
on board the Mitford, 74, in the Adriatic, and was
employed on shore in the batteries at the reduction
of Trieste in October, 1813. He became commander
June 7, 1814, and commanded the Grasshopper, 18,
at the blockade of Naples in 1815. He commanded
the Hind, 20, stationed in the Channel for the sup-
pression of smuggling, from April, 1819, until ad-
vanced to post-rank January 29, 1822. He was
Flag-Capt. to Vice-Admiral Sir H. B. Neale in the
Mediterranean from March, 1823, until April, 1827,
became retired Rear-Admiral October 1, 1852 ;
Vice-Admiral November 4, 1857 ; and Admiral
April 27, 1863.

The following appointments and promotions were
made yesterday at the Admiralty :—Thomas H.
Tizard, master, additional, to the Rifleman ; Subs
Lieut. Alexander R. Kerr, to the Marlborough ;
Sub• Lieut. Algernon H. Peroy, to the Meeanee;
Sub-Lieut. R. W. Stopford, to the Revenge; Alex.
M. S. Graeme, William E. B. Atkinson, Norman L.
H. Clarke, Herbert Wilkinson, Robert Sutton, and
Henry L. F. Royle, midshipmen, to the Marl-
borough; Bertie W. Vernon, midshipman, to the
Meeanee ; Thomas A. Hamilton, midshipman, to the
Gladiator ; Murray Johnson, Samuel Ewin, Regi-
nald C. Prothero, Robert C. Leader, Robert M. Bun.
bury, and Stephen H. Thompson, naval cadets, to
the Marlborough; Hans H. H. Brooke, naval cadet,
to the Gibraltar ; George S. Langton, naval cadet, to
the Brisk; H. J. Layland, chief engineer, to the
Cumberland, for the Forte ; P. Richmond, of the
Royal Oak, confirmed as engineer; S. V. Bull, of the
Chanticleer, confirmed as first class assist.-engineer ;
Michael Harris, of the Insolent, promoted to acting
engineer; T. G. Woodfield, of the Asia ; J. W.
Owen, of the Dasher, H. Burstow, of the Meeanee,
R. B. Nicholson, and J. W. Watson, of the Indus,
to be first class assist.•engineers.
General Grant's Last Stratagem.

A correspondent of the New York Herald, under
date of Point of Rocks, Virginia, Aug. 14, writes as
follows :—" For some time past Major-General But-
ler has been conning over a brilliant scheme where-
with to annoy the enemy and advance the Union in-
terest in this region materially. His plan contem-
plated nothing less than the construction of a canal
at what has been hitherto known as Dutch Gap.
hereafter to be known as Butler's Gap, in the direct
face of the enemy, which, when done, should
among other results, by reason of its situation,
compel the rebels to extend their line of de-
fence a distance of four miles, that is to Bay, the
distance saved to us by the digging of the
canal—which is to be one 40 yards in length—is
seven miles of water-course in the James River
Some four days since the proper details of men and
officers were made for this important and hazardous
work, and these men were encouraged to its perfor-
mance by extra inducements. The work proceeded
handsomely for three days, during the last of which
the enemy discovered our operations, and made in-
stant preparations to open fire, which the result will
show to have been an advantageous one for them,
though the commander, Major Ludlow, nobly and
successfully held his position, still holds it, and will
continue to hold it, until his appointed work is ac-
complished. Yesterday morning two rebel rams,
believed to be the Virginia and the Richmond, ap-
peared at Dutch Gap in the James River. The
James, at this point, forms a promontory which is
very narrow at its apex. Its shape is in the form
of a long tongue, and verging to the northward and
westward makes another turn which forms a point
similar to the first, east by north. Hence the river
bends yet again, end forms a third angle running
north-west. Under cover of this angle, completely
and literally sheltered from our gunboats by the two
rebel rams, their position was such as, taken in con- I
nection with the Howlett-house battery of the
enemy, to subject our forces to a severe enfilading
fire, which was borne throughout the day with
manly fortitude by our men. It was one of our
advantages to keep up a cross-fire, which we made
to bear most heavily upon the enemy, our artil-
lery having excellent range of their batteries, in.
eluding the famous Howlett-house battery, from
which work our fire dismounted and disabled a gun
early in the day, finally silencing the battery as
well as the enemy's batteries situated in the bot-
toms. The Union monitors and gunboats, as be-
fore stated, lay wholly quiet in their positions at
Crow's Nest, in the James, not participating i❑
the action of the morning by reason of the peculia-
rity of the enemy's position. The successful con-
struction of the canal, of which there can bo no
doubt, will, it is alleged, enable our gunboats to
wholly overcome the formidable obstruction of the
James River, and possibly ultimately be the means
of their engaging Fort Darling and other rebel
strongly-fortified places adjacent to Richmond, and,
perhaps, before the end comes, operate largely in
the reduction of the rebel capital itself. These are
glowing anticipations, bat nevertheless they are
capable of realisation by patient and indulgent
waiting for. Any one of these results added to
the necessity imposed upon the enemy of lengthen-
ing his line of defence a distance of four miles, re-
quiring several thousands of men to man this pro-
longation of their lines, will certainly be regarded
adequate compensation for the time, labour, and
men bestowed upon the accomplishment of the
undertaking. In every view the substantial results
of the day remained to us at nightfall. There can
be no manner of doubt that we administered a
severe lesson to the foe, and punished him stoutly
for his temerity in killed and wounded, The work
upon the canal will go on to completion, and we
shall insist upon all its contemplated advantages,
though wo shall not probably realise them fully
without farther dispute of a similar character to
that we have encountered to-day."

THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.—The weather
has again become fine and warm in the eastern counties.
On Sunday there was rather a considerable amount of rain,
which will greatly benefit the root crops, but Monday was
favourable for the conclusion of harvest work, and yesterday
morning the skies were again unclouded. The harvest will
be pretty well closed in East Anglia this week.
EXTRAORDINARY ABUNDANCE OF WASPS.—These
insects have multiplied to a most unusual extent
this summer, owing, no doubt, to their being a good
"plant" in the first place, which has been fostered by the
exceedingly favourable weather. Not only are the banks
thick with nests (says the Chelmsford Chronicle), but large
colonies frequently infest ground cracks in the cornfields,
causing great annoyance to the reapers. Farm ere have
been obliged to adopt systematic means of extirpating the
pests by the liberal use of combustibles and boiling water,
but even these stringent measures are not always successful
where the nests are built in the ground, while the danger
of retaliation is much increased. The scarcity of plums
and wallfruit has caused a serious attack on pears and
apples, which have been attacked long before being
ripe, and the intruders have in some cases actually
held the rightful owners at bay, while even indoors there
had been a " fight" with the insects for the quiet posses-
sion of dinner. The present cooler weather, however, will
more effectually than any other moans tend to keep the
enemy in check. " A Beemaster" (Dr Cumming) writing
to the Times, says—" Let me beg all that value their
lives to examine well every apple, pear, and poach they
eat, for those venomous insects, wasps, may ho seen
this year ensconePd under the skin, and it' admitted
within the mouth they will sting the throat, and, as
in several recent cases, the sufferers will die. no not
conclude lam uncharitable. It is no charity to connive at
theft and murder. I am satisfied that killing wasps is no 4
murder. Had Peter the Hermit or Walter the Penniles
lived in my garden, and witnessed these wicked vagabon
ds
trying every hive, worrying my bees, and stealing my '
ney, they would have preached a crusade against wasps. •In
one respect they are unfortunate; they have no quee' a, no
subordination, or reverence for law end order. Th ey are
grmuino Red Republicans- Marats end Robespierres, end
richly deserve the wore t they get,"

Railway and Other Companies,

SEVENOAKS, MAIDSTONE, AND TUNBRIDGE,
Yesterday the half-yearly meeting of this company was
held at the Victoria Station, Pimlico—Mr G. F. llolroyd
in the chair.
The report was taken as read.

The CIiIIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report,
said that he thought the general prospects of the line were
very satisfactory, as, although this was the worst half of the
year, embracing only two of the summer months when the
traffic was the greatest, the increase in the receipts had been
very considerable, and since the accounts had been made up
the traffic had increased is still greater preportion. There-
fore there was every reason to expect that their next report
would be still more satisfactory. (Hear.) He was happy
to state that an arrangement had been made with the London,
Chatham, and Dover Company for the construction of a line
between Maidstone and Sevenoaks, which would bring a
large amount of traffic over the line, without having to pay
anything for it, and at the same time the arrangements of
this company with the London, Chatham, and Dover would
stand as they were at present. He had to regret the retire-
ment of their noble chairman. When Earl Amherst ori-
ginally took the chair he stated that he dql so temporarily,
until the line was completed, as he did not wish to be the
permanent chairman of the company. At the solicitation of
the directors from time to time he had been induced to retain
that office, but now he felt that the time had arrived when
he should resign. That must be a matter of regret to them
all. In conclusion, the chairman moved the adoption of the
report and statement of Accounts.

Mr C. J. HILTON seconded the motion, which was carried
unanimously, and a me of thanks to tho chairman and
directors concluded the proceedings.

RENT COAST.

The half-yearly meetiag of this company was held yes-
terday at the Victoria Station, Pimlico—Sir C. P. Roney
in the chair.

Mr JOHNSON, the secretary, read the report.
The CHAIRMAN, in moving its adoption, expressed the
gratification of the directors at seeing the chairman of the
company, Mr C. J. Hilton, once more among them in im-
proved health. The wo-ks, for the carrying out of which
powers were obtained lett session to raise additional capital,
were all progressing rapdly. The directors had to congra-
tulate the proprietors upon the large traffic receipts of the
company. The earnings had been still more satisfactory
since the commencement of the current half-year, and
amounted to £143 Us per mile per week, and he believed it
would be difficult for any railway in the empire to show
such a return in its first year. Yet this return was one that
the company might fully expect to be exceeded. The goods
traffic was almost entirely undeveloped, and when the sta•
tion of the London, Chatham, and Dover Company at
Blackfriars was finished, and the connexion formed with
the Great Northern and other railways north of the Thames
an important accession of goods traffic would be brought to
the company's lines. The traffic at present was satisfactory
in various ways, and in none more than at the present time
the company was earning enough not only to pay its ex-
penses, the interest on its icbentures, a dividend on the B
shares and a dividend on the A shares, but to have a surplus
every week of £6OO. The places where the company's rail-
ways ran were places of public resort, and as the winter ap-
proached a falling off in this high traffic might be looked
for, but as there would be a large margin from the surplus
there need not be any fear as to the company having ample
funds after paying the expenses, not only to pay the deben-
tures and the B shares, but to provide a good sum for the A
shares. The dividend, it was believed, would be little under
6 per cent. Since the last meeting a new oyster company
had been established, and if that company should be suc-
cessful, it could not fail 0 prove an important source of
revenue to the company. He explained the advantages
which the company offered to visitors going to and from
It amsgate.

Mr. HILTON seconded the motion for the adoption of the
report, which was carried olein. con.
2, A vote of thanks to the Jhairthan and dir,ctors concluded
the proceedings.

the line had been opened for passenger traffic. They had
now opened up inland railway communication to one of the
finest ports on the south coast, and he had no doubt that in
the course of a few years it would become an important har-
bour. It was, ho thought, possible that Dartmouth might
be made a steampacket station, as the port had been in-
spected and reported favourably to Government. (Hear.)
The motion for the adoption of the report was seconded
by Mr BELFIELD, and unanimously carried.
A vote of thanks to the directors concluded the proceed-
ings.