The Sun.
London, England, 1863-04-03 00:00:00

SHAKESPERE'S LAST DAYS.

Mr. Deputy BOWER thought the hon member was
not addressing the Court in a discreet manner.
Mr. LAWLEY said he was about to say, that when
the committee, to whom the Court had delegated
that particular work, bought up that report, their
action was paralysed by the decision of the Court in
negativing that report. The Remembrancer was
unfortunately absent, through illness, during a
time when the police was threatened—and there
would only be a few days interval before that sub-
ject was tried—and they had no Parliamentary
officer, and no committee to watch the fourpenny
coal dues which were threatened by the Metropo-
litan Board of Works, and he thought a special com-
mittee ought to be formed with power to do what
was necessary. If they valued their privileges, if
they were to keep out the threatened introduction of
,he Metropolitan Board of Works into their rights
to the coal dues, or to prevent any encroachment on
..heir privileges, it seemed to him that the course
which he had proposed should be adopted, and that
they should have such a body as would make an
opposition, and if they were to be beaten, it should
not be until they had shown that they did not
shrink from any difficulty, whatever it might be, if
they thought they could conquer it. On the other
hand, if it were referred to any of the existing com-
mittees, it would meet the same fate as that which
went to the joint committee.
Mr. BENGOUGH seconded the motion.
Mr. ROWE asked the hon. member if he thought
it possiVe out of the court to form a committee,
none of whom had any pre-conceived opinions; and
hoped that if he did not quite agree with him he
should not be excluded from the list of true-hearted
men. He thought it time that the Corporation
should endeavour to obtain a character for consis-
tency. They had departed somewhat lately from
the rules of consistency. They had now begin an
antagonism with the Government and the Metro-
politan Board of Works, and he hoped the court
would well weigh and consider the situation in
which they were placed. They had been playing
fast and loose with the Government, and now they
said they would have all or none. He was afraid
if they did not mind they would get none ; they
would loose their fourpenny tax. There was a notice
of motion before the Metropolitan Board of Works
that they were not content with their ninepenny
tax, and they wanted the fourpenny tax.
Mr. BLAKE, chairman of the Law Offices and
Parliamentary Committee, thought that committee
was equal to the requirements of the case. He had
formed no opinion, for he was not present on Tues-
day, when the report of the joint committee was
discussed, and therefore he had no opportunity of
doing so, and since he had the honour of being
chairman of that committee he had had nothing to
do with any other. The committee was comprised
of gentlemen as well calculated to deal with such
an emergency as any others, and he thought it
ought to be left to their charge.
Mr. HARTRIDGE hope the court would adopt the
course proposed by Mr. Lawiey.
Mr. LOWMAN TAYLOR said it was in the power
of the Court to order any committee in existence to
carry out certain instructions, and until the decision
which was agreed to by the majority of the Court
was revoked, it was their order, and it was in their
power, if the court pleased, to instruct any commit-
tee to carry it out ; but it did not follow that they
must appoint a fresh committee. He did not see why
he should be excluded from a committee to consider
a question in all its bearings. He had always
looked to the interests of the Corporation and not to
his own, and he considered it cast a reflection upon
the committee ordinarily appointed to inquire into
law and Parliamentary matters—(hear, hear, and
No, no)—a committee that was free from any im-
putation of having preconceived notions. In his
opinion they could appoint no committee which
would be superior to the Law and Parliamentary
Committee, which consisted of eight aldermen and
a member from each ward, and also the chairman of
every committee of the Court. To appoint another
committee he thought would be a serious reflection
upon them, and he should like to see them resign,
to a man, if such a proposition were carried out.
He hoped it would be referred to the Law and Par-
liamentary Committee, and he was sure they would
do all that was necessary.
Mr. Alderman and Sheriff LAWRENCE said he
was sure it was not the wish of the Court to take
any action which would be looked upon as an in-
sult to the Court, or to any member who was one
of the committee. One circumstance ought to be
taken into consideration, and that was, for what
purpose was the Parliamentary committee con
structed ; and secondly, whether or not the circum-
stances were not of such a character as to require
calm consideration, and the greatest care in the
selection of a special committee; but it seemed to t
him that any one who looked at the existing ctoboa-
mittee, and for what it was framed, wouldiescatyed
caeion,
stir
that was a committee such as should be
s
the purpose required on the present
he hoped the motion would be carlrd i d
not be carried,
it 1);:u whose special duty
Mr. ELLIOTT thought
There was a committee existi
it was to look after Parliam
entary business, and on
names
could he did not think there
looking down the
at
commend itself
could be a commit teeth
ce:unets thought the Court would not be
fldence of the Court.
more
mn toßtEhse
going
out of their usual course by selecting a special
committee, as the had done in 1856 under similar
circumstances.
HARRISON tx oved, as an amendment,
Deputy
Mr.
that it should be referred to the
Lay and Parlia-
mentary Committee. He thought, • with Mr. Taylor,
that it would reflect seriously
that committee if a spe • l cia committee were appointed.
Mr. BONE seconded
the amendment.
Mr.SAUNDERS favoured the motion of Mr.Lawley.
Mr. FRY hoped the motion would not be carried,
and that it would be referred to the existing com-
mittee, who, he was sure, would do the work as
well, if not better, than any other, and he hoped it
would be referred to that committee.
Some further discussion took place; and, upon a
division, it was ultimately referred to the Law and
Parliamentary Committee, instead of to a special
committee.
Mr. F. K. GLOVER presented a petition, signed,
by a large number of the inhabitants of Ludgate.
street and vicinity, praying that the Court would
be pleased to take such steps as might be considered

(From Shakespere's Home, By the Rev. C. M. Bellew.)
There are two circumstances connected with his last days
at New Place with which we are acquainted. "In perfect
health and memory,God be praised," he had his will drafted
the 25th January, 1616. February the 10th his daughter
Judith married Thomas Quiney. We are led to conclude
that the will was probably drawn up in January with refe-
rence to his daughter's marriage, and that, subsequent to
the wedding, Shakespere was seized with some sudden ill-
ness, which led to the execudon of the will on the 25th day
of March. These few facts occurring in the first three
months of the year 1616, constitute the entire knowledge we
possess of the closing days of Shakspere's life. Forty years
after his death the then vicar of Stratford, Mr. Ward, jotted
down some of the stories current in the places regarding
the poet. Among others he stated " Shakespear, Drayton,
and Ben Jonson had a merry meeting, and it seems drank
too hard, for Shakespear died of a feavour there contracted."
When we remember that Shakespere died in the prime of
life, and that he was in perfect health and memory twelve
I weeks prior to his decease, it seems likely enough that fever
was the cause of death. The wedding of Judith would per-
fectly account for Ben Jenson and Drayton being his com-
panions at Stratford at such a time, though no evidence has
as yet been produced to prove Jonson's whereabouts at that
date.
The story of drinking too hard is susceptible of explana-
tion in the same way; and it is eaey to be understood how
the convivality of a wedding party at New Place would be
converted, on the tongues of gossips, into "hard drinking
at a merry meeting." Village stories and traditions, as it
has been already admitted, are worthy of consideration,
but not of trust. They are seldom absolutely true in them-
selves, and yet they almost always direct the historic in-
quirer in the right direction t 9 arrive at truth. Tradi-
tions are like photographs—distorting the prominent fea-
tures of the subjects they represent. Accepting the reve-
rend vicar's story as a Stratford tradition, told him in the
rough end ready phraseology of the place, and translating
the meaning of "hard drinking" into the joyous festivity
which would be naturally observed at such a period as
the wedding of the poet's daughter, when friends like Ben
Jenson and Drayton were gathered around the board of their
old companion, to drink to the health and happiness of the
bride and bridegroom,—we have a domestic picture pre-
sented to us of the last days of Shakespere, as happy in itself
as it is probable from its consonance with his character.
Though the picture is the barest sketch, yet its toucbes are
true to nature ; and all, save one, we know to be true in
fact. That one (the coarseness of its colouring toned down),
harmonises well with the rest, and gives completeness to the
outlines. Let fancy fill in the canvas, and the autumn days
of the poet's lice be painted in the golden tints of nature's
own autumn time, in which sunniness and sadness so mys-
teriously blend. Pleasant it is to think that the happiness
of New Place was not shadowed by any tedious or agonising
sickness. There was no lingering disease, no protracted pain.
"In perfect health and memory, God be praised," our
Shakespere lived until his 52d year. He enjoyed his Merry
Christmas and the conversation of his friends.
Then came the preparations for the wedding. New Place
was all alive. Mrs. Shakespere's second-best bed, like
enough, was aired and made up for the arrival from town of
Ben Jonson. Shakespere thought the time befitted that
he should make his will, which was accordingly drafted.
The great garden was neatly trimmed, no doubt, and the
borders of snowdrops and crocuses fringed the beds about
the mulberry-tree. The wedding-day arrived. Parson
Rogers, the vicar, appeared in his best cassock, bands, and
tippet ; and, robed in clean white linen surplice, leaned
against the tomb of John a Combe, book in hand, until the
wedding party came. Coaches in Stratford were unknown,
but

" Slowly—stately—two by two,"
.he train of relatives and friends proceeded from New Place
to the church. The merry marriage -bells rang out their wel-
come, and William Shakespere, leading Judith through
troops of friends, presented her at the altar to the vicar, and
gave the woman to the man, there were no signatures of
witnesses to the ceremony necessary, else had we seen, per-
chance, Shake.pere's and Rare Ben's upon the same page of
the register. The ceremony over, and, the vicar unrobed,
the whole party left the church. It was the last time Shake-
spere entered it alive, and the last time he left it I The wed-
ding of his child brought him there that day : about nine
weeks afterwards his children attended in the same place at
his funeral I But on that marriage morn none dreamt of, or
anticipated, the impending loss which not New Place only,
or Stratford, but England and her literature were to suffer.
The marriage tables were spread; the cakes and ale were
plentiful; and Parson Rogers, garnishing his periods with
Latinity, after the fashion of his day, told how one of old
lime, in a little town of Galilee, had blessed with His pre-
sence that marriage- feast at which the " water saw its Lord,
and blushed 1" _ .

" Meanwhile the day sinks fast, tho sun is set,
And in the lighted hall the guests are met;
Of
fnaleorvue,, and
happyad m
eveningi rat io n , ann d
sd t
raetl
fi
ogrhdt . "
1
The beautiful looked lovelier in the light
It wasNo doubt the
Haleses, and the Quineys, the Hathaways, "my Cousin
Green," Thomas Combe, and all the lads and lasses of the
varied Shakespere connection, as far as Warwick, had col-
lected at New Place to celebrate the wedding,—to " dance
and eat plums ;" to be merry with the " round" and " woo-
ing dance," and to trip it lightly to the stirring notes of,
" John come kiss me now!" Substituting Ben Jonson for
" Cousin Capulet, the poet's own words best serve our pur-
pose to imagine the scene :
" Welcome, gentlemen I ladies that have their toes
Unplagued with corns will have a bout with you :
Ah ah, my mistresses 1 which of you all
Will now deny to dance?
I have seen the day
That I ..
A whispering tale in a fair lady's ear,
Such as would please I—'tis gone, 'tis gone, 'tie gone,'
Come, musicians, play.
A hall 1 a hall I give room, and foot it girls.
More light, ye knaves 1 and turn the tables up.
And quench the fire, the room is grown too hot.—
Nay, sit, nay, sit, good Cousin Capulet,
For you and I are past our dancing days I"
So, while they went on with the dance, and joy was uncon-
fined, we can imagine these patres conscript*: of Stratford
glthering together in a knot, and the " natural wit" of
Shakespere goaded into point and brilliancy by Ben and
Drayton bursting forth into coruscations of fancy I Then
the reminiscences of London life, of Blackfriars, and the
Globe, would come up, and the experiences of these wits
would astonish and delight their country friends. Shake-
sper3 could tell many an anecdote of kings and courts of
Whitehall and Hampton ; and, perhaps, among the jovial
pledges of the supper, Ben Jenson might let slip something
about Gunpowder Plot. Such a " merry-meeting"—the
celebration of his daughter's wedding day—we have suffi-
cient reason for supposing, presents us to Shakespere at
New Place, in health and vigour, for the last time. A fever
seized hips. A few brief days of sickness intervened. Gra-
dually the strength of the hale man succumbed before the
invaaing enemy. Neces ity compelled the will to be
signed. Gloom possessed the lately happy, festive h
jeer;
At Chapel-street corner, with whispered wet ds,
antodldswtheir
head•shaking, the friends of the dying m
•an I In Holy
worst fears. Then there was another gathwer:
heard for
Cross, most litre, the Church's prayers
vicar Rogers would
him who lay a•clying. By his bedsideandpointing v,
stand, calming the woes of the living, to
whiu, gradually—",ut painlessly as
e
hopes of the dying— last (nem t •
fever does its work— thoef
New
Place s o in among the
group, and the wind°l the k were darkened, and
ut, an
the doors were sb eethre of the house trembled,
and the mourners went about the street, because
man goeth
to his long home! " The West is silence !"
Le

WORD
how
p oN
theburst FOUNDLINGrst of humanity
HOSPITALS.—Have
on
never heardW° behalf w
oef
foundlings issued in London, in the last century ? and how
it operates in Paris now? The Empress talks of opening
another Foundling Hospital ; and a Middlesex coroner has
seriously proposed the same thing lately, with singular per-
verseness, as a remedy for infanticide; yet everybody, from
empresses to relieving officers, have the means of knowing
the invariable result of such experiments. In the London
case, the throwing open of the Foundling Hospital caused
an increase of foundlings, in three years, of from 117 to
nearly 15,000 ; and of those 15,000 only 4,400 lived to be
apprenticed. In Paris 58 per cent, of illegitimate children
are abandoned within the range of the foundling charity;
and wherever arms are foi thcoming to support infants, base-
born or other, child-murder increases tremendously. The
more institutions are opened as a refuge for them, the faster
the need grows; and, as the need can never be overtaken,
the infants are put out of the way in tenfold proportion.--

Once a Week.
CIIARITY.—The truth is, one of the most disheart-
ening facts of our social state is its excessive alms-
giving—called charity. Any citizen who is supposed to be
in easy circumstances can tell what his experience
His hand is never out of his pocket. Every day, at d 911
day long, he hears of want and misery of sine kind or other,
which he is summoned to help to alleviate. Some evidences
reach me occasionally of the prevalent condition of alms-
giving in which society is living. Letters come to me from
must live
persons I never heard of, bogging money, for cases which I
cannot possibly know anything about; and the writers seem
unaware both of the impertinence towards me, and th©
folly of asking any person of common sense to give money
at random in that wtha:
among pecple who, like these gentlemen on the platform,
have settled that they themselves, and every body else, ought
to give away a tenth part of their income at least. That
the best chance of
amount being fixed,
es on vigorously—•
being liberally served, and begging go .
Otifo a WON. 'firsittcoleen:BB
havetey

~,,IVI, ••••••••----- .......,......,

AMERICA.

(Per City of Baltimore.)
NEW YORK, March 21.
The of eamship Norwegian arrived at Portland
March `2O.

The following is the situation, from the New
York Herald of March 21 :

Nothing of importance occurred in the army of
tl-e Rappahannock yesterday. A heavy snow storm
wafa falling during the day and previous night, and
the weather was very cold.

By an arrival from Hilton Head we have an ac-
count of the exploits of the Black Brigade in Florida,
by which they have obtained posseesion of many
important points and a large quantity of munitions
and supplies. Large reinforements, supposed to be
Burnside's Army Corps, were expected at Hilto❑
Head.

Rumours were circulated in the city yesterday
thAt some of our gunboats had passed Fort Sumter
on Monday and Tuesday, and that Charleston was
b ins b3mbarded. We need hardly say that this
report is without confirmation, as we have had
despatches from Charleston dated Monday, saying
that ali was quiet in that vicinity ; nor do our re-
ports from Hilton Head of the same date make any
mention of a fight going on near Charleston.
We have some very interesting news from the
Sonth.west to-day. The Union forces made a bril
liant dash into Northern Alabama, in company with
a number of gunboats, reaching as far as Tuscum-
bia, on the 22d ult. The advance drove the rebel
cavalry from the town into the mountains, and
occupied the place. Advancing farther into the
interior cur troops, who were commanded by Col.
Corwin, carried away considerable plunder. This
account of the raid comes from a rebel source—the
Con federacy, published in Atlanta, Ga.
The only news from Vicksburg is to the effect
that the cut-off is likely to prove a success,and that
our troops are improving in health. The move-
ments of transports and gunboats up the Yazoo P 389
continue very active.

Large bodies of rebel troops are said to be concen-
trating at Knoxville, and that a number of them,

amounting to 400, crossed the Cumberland a
Ro Nena, Ky., on Wednesday which were supposed
to be the advance guard of a large army en route for
the invasion of Kentucky, which has been antici-
pated for some time.
A despatch from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, dated
yesterday, says that Cot. Hall's brigade of General
Reynolds's division was attacked near Miltom by a
large force of rebel cavalry. Col. Hall sent word
he could hold his own until reinforcements should
arrive. Colonel Wilder went to his aid with a
mounted infantry force. At last reports quite a
heavy engagement was going on.
The enemy, under Van Dorn, are evidently de-
tea mined to harass our troops in the vicinity of
Franklin, Tennessee. A large force of their cavalry
recrossed Thick river and advanced towards
that place on Thursday, but were driven back by
Col. Walker's cavalry brigade. The bridge at
Columbia has been rebuilt, and General Van Dorn
is said to have been largely reinforced. Cavalry
skirmishes uccur constantly.
The extracts which we give to-day from the
Southern journals are unusually interesting. They
comprise an official report of the recent raid of rebel
cavalry near Fairfax Court House and the capture
of Colonel Stoughton, and General Stuart's com-
mendation of the officers in command. The defences
of Charleston are described by the Mobile Register
as absolutely impregnable. It says that no floating
thing can breast unharmed the batteries of Sumter,
Moultrie, and Battery Bee; that the attack will be a
fearful shock of tremendous forces, and will test the
quality of ships and iron-clads against powerful
batteries more conclusively than has ever been done
before. The fight with the Chillicothe, on the Tal-
lahatchie, opposite Fort Pemberton, is minutely de-
scribed by the Richmond Enquit er.
With regard to the late attack on Port Hudson
and the firing at St. Helena on the 13th inst., the
Jackson Mississippian of that date confirms the
theory suggested by us yesterday, by stating that
General Banks' movements against Port Hudson
had commenced ; that General Weitzel was sup-
posed to be about making a diversion in the rear of
his position, and that the attack would probably be
made by our combined land and naval forces.]
The _Richmond Examiner of the 19th has an ar-
ticle which is evidently intended to prepare the
public mind of the south for serious reverses to the
Confederate arms on the line of the Rappahannock.
It says that the active operations of the army under
Hooker are now commenced, and either a decisive
battle or the retreat of General Lee must be the
speedy consequence. The latter contingency is pos-
sible, but not probable, and another heavy struggle
over the line of the Rappahannock may be sately
anticipated.
It continues to state that if General Lee's force is
not sufficiently numerous to prevent the completion
of Hooker's manoeuvre, it is supposed that no course
remains but to fall back upon some point nearer
Richmond, and give the enemy battle at a greater
distance from his base.
The following news is from the Southern jour-
nals :

(From the Richmond Enquirer, March 18.)
A considerable force of the enemy, consisting of
cavalry and artillery, made a demonstration yester-
day on the ford over the Rappahannock near the
south..of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. The
movement was anticipated, and General Stuart ad-
vanced sufficient force to hold him in check, at least
until a proper time far more cheerful greeting.
Fighting was in progress yesterday, and it was
reported from Gordonsville that the enemy had suc-
ceeded in crossing. The result of the engagement
aid not appear.
The Yankees have crossed the Upper Rappa-
hannock in strong force, with cavalry and artillery,
advancing towards Gordonsville on a raid.
(From the Richmond Enquirer.)
MOBILE, March 16, 1863.
A special despatch to the Appeal, dated Panola,
Miss., March 14, says a gentleman direct from
Coldwater, states that two formidable gunboats, the
Chillioothee and De Kalb, two rams, with cotton
defences, three gunboats, not deemed formidable,
three batteries, 300 cavalry, and 10,000 men, com-
prise the Yankee force in the Yazoo.
Some boats not loaded accompany the expedition,
it is thought for the purpose of stealing cotton.
They left Helena with one day's rations of meat,
plenty of bread and other supplies. They rely on
the resources of the country for meat, which they
are stealing.
gentleman The Appeal says a gwho witnessed the
fight at Fort Pemberton statesi
that our troops
waded to their waists to get a chance at the enehaY-
The Yankee fleet consists of six gunboats and rams
with an infantry force of from 5,000 to 8,000.
Tae enemy's movements indicated alanding higher
up the river, on the opposite bank. Our
were preparing to frustrate the enemy at all points.
(From the Jackson Mississappian.)

Thera can no longer be any doubt that the move-
ments of the Federal commander in Louisiana
against Port Hudson have commenced.
Gentlemen who left New Orleans on Friday,
March 13, inform us that the last steamer from
Now York brought out orders to General BAnks to
make the movement without delay, and active
operations were at once commenced. General
Weitzel bas been reinforced until his command
numbers from 8,000 to 10,000 men, and from the
position he occupied it is supposed he will attempt
to make a diversion in the rear of his position. The
main force under General Banks is moving by river,
on transports, and numbers from 17,000 to 20,000.
The gentlemen who gave us this information re-
, and the movement as having commenced in earnest,
and" make up their opinions from personal obser.
vat ion.

The attack will probably be made by the com-
bined land and naval forces of the enemy. Farra-
gut refused to attack the batteries with his fleet
unless supported by a land force, declaring it would
be a useless sacrifice to do so. The transport fleet,
therefore, accompanied his fleet of war and mortar
vessels.

The Missi;,„„,
Ppson contains the latest Confederate
intelligence from New Orleans, furnished by a gen-
tieta in who came direct from that city.

He stye the Federal vessel Brooklyn oame up to

the city badly riddled. It is supposed the damage
was inflicted by Confederate war vessels. Ten of

the pilots in the Federal blockading squall.= were
confined in the Custom •house for alleged treachery
in permitting two Confederate steamers to pass the
blockade and procure coal from two z, hooners in-
side the Yankee lames.

(prom the Charleston Correspondence of the
Mobile Register.)
The struggle, when it comes, will certainly be of
a fearful character. It will be the shock of tremen-
dous forces, the relative powers of which are yet
untried. The long-mooted question of the fighting
value of ships against batteries will be brought to a
test more conclusive than any to which human war-
fare has yet subjected it. In other words, the Mo-
nitor iron-clads, which the Yankees claim to be the
most impenetrable vessels ever constructed, will
necessarily come within point-blank range of the
most numerous and powerful batteries that have
ever yet been used in a single engagement. We
have good reason, too, to believe that our guns will

ba managed with admirable tact and precision.
The more important batteries are manned by the

South Carolina regulars, for whom the credit
is claimed, and I think justly, of being the

most expert and practical heavy artillerists in
the Confederate army. The forts are well officered,

and General Ripley, who has made the study of
heavy ordnance a speciality for years, and whose

excellence in that particular branch of military
knowledge is an admitted fact, will himself take
command of Fort Sumter as soon as the enemy
makes his appearance.
It is scarcely possible that any floating thing can
breast unharmed the concentrated storm of heavy
mefal from the guns of Sumter, Moultrie, and Bat-
tery Bee, the three principal works commanding
the throat of the harbour. Nor can the peril of
running this terrible gauntlet be diminished by an
attempt to pass under cover of the darkness, as has
been the case at Vicksburg and New Orleans. So
tortuous and intricate is the channel leading to the
forts that the most experienced pilots of the harbour
would not venture to bring in a vessel by night,

under the conditions which the enemy canno

escape, viz., without light or landmark to guide the
way. Even when the blockade running vessels
leave the harbour, it is always necessary to aid their
exit by previously arranged lights (shaded) and

signals; so that it is reasonably certain that the
attacking iron-clads must either enter in open day,

or incur the imminent Lazard of getting aground

upon one of the most treacherous bars on the
Southern coast, which seldom yields a vessel when

once it has grasped the keel. Bat if, perchance,
despite of mazy channel, multiplied torpedoes, and
the combined batteries of the forts, some of the nine
Monitors should chance to get into port, they would
still have to encounter a concentrated fire of other
batteries, which, as the Yankee papers have learned
from contrabands, "line the shores of the interior
of the harbour." And then will come the " tug of
war," which will determine the possession of the
honoured old city.

(From the Richmond Enquirer, March 18.)

A gentleman in Richmond received lately the
subjoined letter from Captain John S. Mosby, and
having shown it to us, we take the liberty of making
the gallant captain tell the story of his brilliant
act_ The letter was entirely private, and is published
by us without the knowledge or consent of either
party :
My dear Sir,—You have already seen something
in the newspapers of my recent raid on the Yankees,
though I see they all call me Mosley instead of
Mosby. I had only 29 men under my command. I
penetrated about ten miles in their lines, rode right
up to the general's headquarters, surrounded by in-
fantry, artillery, and cavalry, and took him out of
bed and brought him. I walked into his room with
two of my men, and shaking him in bed, said,
" General, get up." He rose up, rubbing his eyes,
and asked what was the meaning of all this. I re-
plied, " It means, sir, that Stuart's cavalry are in
possession of this place, and you are a prisoner." We
also surrounded the headquarters of Col. Wyndham,
acting brigadier of cavalry, but unfortunately he
had gone down to Washington. We got his assistant
adjutant-general, and also his aide, an Austrian,
Baron Wordener. There was an immense amount of
all kinds of stores collected there, but I was unable
to destroy them, as they were in houses, without de-
stroying the town. The horses we brought off were
mostly very fine, belonging to officers. If I had had
enough men I could have brought off hundreds. It
was my purpose to have reached the Court-house by
12 o'clock at night, but it being very dark and
raining we got lost and were delayed two hours,
so that we did not have over an hour to I
stay in town, it being necessary for us to
pass out of their lines before daylight. In coming
out we passed within two hundred yards ot the for-
tifications at Centreville, and were hailed by a sen-
tinel from one of the redoubts. A Captain Barker,
from New York, here made a desperate attempt to
get away. He dashed out of the ranks and tried
hard to reach the fort, but a shot from one of my men
convinced him that it was a dangerous undertaking
and he came back. At Centreville there was a force
of about two thousand, consisting of infantry, artil-
lery, and cavalry. In the vicinity of the Court-house
one cavalry and one infantry brigade were camped.
There were about two hundred just in the town.
We easily captured the few guards around the town,
as they never dreamed we were anybody else but
Yankees until they saw a pistol pointed at their
heads, with a demand for a surrender.
Yours truly,
JOHN S. MOSBY.
The following is General Stuart's order :
GENERAL ORDERS NO. —.
Head- quarters, Cavalry Division,
Army of Northern Virginia, March 12, 1863.
Captain John S. Mosby has for a long time at-
tracted the attention of his generals by his boldness,
skill, and success so signally displayed in his nume-
rous forays upon the invaders ot his native State.
None know his daring enterprise and dashing
heroism better than those foul invaders, though
strangers themselves to such noble traits.
His late brilliant exploit—the capture of Briga-
dier General Stoughton, United States army, two
captains, 30 other prisoners, together with their
arms, equipments, and 58 horses—justifies this
recognition in general orders.
This feat, unparalleled in the war, was performed
in the midst of the enemy's troops, at Fairfax
Court House, without loss or injury.
The gallant band of Capt. Mosby share the glory,
as they did the danger, of this enterprise, and are
worthy of such a leader.

J. E. B. STUART,
Major-General Commanding.
The Charleston (S. C.) correspondent of the Rich-
nzond Enquirer says the captured gunboat Isaac P.
Smith, now called the Steno, has been repaired and
is now in gold fighting trim. She will be the flag-
ship of Commodore Ingraham.
The Yorkville (S. C.) Enquirer says that Lieut.
G. Premble, one of the captured officers of the Isaac
P. Smith, off Stone, and who has been confined with
his Yankee confreres in the gaol at Columbia, has
renounced. the old Union and taken the oath of elle-
etnee to his proper mother—the Southern Confe-
deracy—aride occasion, is a
na discharged.
varl.
varied
phrasesQ ui t e a
e wsrcee
en
xe
coccurred
on the,
we learn—rather more of the
marine than the moral
school.

Gen. Beauregard has presented the sword of the
commander of the Yankee gunboat recently cap f,ured
in Stono river to Lieut. J. A. Yates, in compliment
to the skill and success with which the latter officer
conducted the expedition which effected the capture.
(from the _Richmond Enquirer, March 18.)
The municipal election took place to-day in Frede-
ricksburg, though under the guns of Gen. Hooker.
Mr. Slaughter was chosen mayor.
Th.ieonscript officers have been quite busy for a
few days hereabouts, hauling in the nice young men.
- - —•-

The premium for gold at Richmond on the 17th
was 4 doll 25c ; the brok,?rs were paying 4 dole.
Silver was selling at 4 dole to 4 dole 10c ; bank
notes, 90 per cent. prem. ; North Carolina Bonds,
6'i, available for the purposes of Northern exchange,
have advanced, with sales at 165. We quote Vir-
ginia 6's, registered, at 108; North Carolina B's, at
118 and interest ; Farmers' Bank stock, at 111;
Exchange Rink, 108; Richmond Fire Assurance,
Notwithstanding the quotations of gold in the