The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-08-06
OUR SOUTHERN ESTAFETTE.
The Battle at Manassas.

battle has been banded US. Its brief reference to
the horrors of the field will enable our readers to
form some faint conception of the suffering and
sorrow which were witnessed bv those who saw
more of that scene of carnage:
July 26, 1861.
My DEAR Nj. Il wrote you hasty pencil no e
the other day, to tell you of cur safety. | write
you one equally short and hasty now, in case the
other does not reach You. None of us-nobody
tuaJ YOU know III our regiment hurt. Al
though net exposed very long to the fire of the
F-ciny, still men behaved as well as | could
have hoped, and by arriving just in time, after a
very tatiguing march-half march and half ride
from Winchester, and, turning the flank of the
enemy, gained much credit. In fact, believe our
brigade saved the day. We are very anxious to
see what the official report of the battle and the
Baltimore papers will say OF us. | am afraid |
shall see more battle fields before we shall have
blessed peace again. went back alone into pine
thicket, from which we had driven the enemy dur
ing the BATTLE and the scene shall never forget.
There were canteens, haversacks, cartridge boxes,
&c, scattered through it, here gun barrel bent
double by shot. Next | came upon a man who
was horribly shot, and who ImplOred me for Gods
sake, to run him through with nv bayonet.
gave him drink of water, and passed Next
was wounded man, who was cutting his own
throat, to put end to his miSeries. Then | saw
three men lying face upward, stone dead 1t was
as still as DEATH in the thicket, aud stood aene
over the dead and dying | prayed that might
never be compelled to see another such night [
felt almost perfectly Indifferent during the battle,
except sometimes when cannon balls, shells and
mimic balls were unusually thick, nor did | feel in
the slightest degree at seeing so many dead
and dying when it was over, and while it was
raging. others say the same. So all my previous
ideas OF battle field sensations were false. have
10 time to write further, and know not how this
will reach you. Good bye Do not be uneasy
about Us, or believe one-tenth the reports you
hear. We offered Gen. Patterson battle near Mar
tlnsourg, for three days. which he declined, so this
was our hrst tight. our affeetonate son, NJ.
The Maryland Boys ut Manassas
The Mary land Regiment, in Company with the
Tenuesseans, marched frem Winchester oa Sunday
mornlDg-32 mies-and arrived at the scene of the
battle very much fatigued. Upon their arrival at
ihe junction, at II O'Clock, they threw aside their
knapsacks and marched at double-quck to the
scene OF action, where they exposed to heavy
hre. They were at once drawn up in line of battle
to repe au attempt to turn General Johnston lett
wing. This they did most CALAMITY by several well
directed vOlleys and charge. The result is known
The enemy retreated in coufusion, throwing away
everything which might impede their fight. Un-
doubtedly the timely arrival and noble conduct of
the Maryland Regiment, contributed materially to
the successful issue of the battle. Many personal
acts of bravery were exhibited, but all performed
their duty well Col Eizey, who commanded, was
promoted upon the field, aud highly compmented
Tor his GOODNESS and bravery The loss of the regi-
ment, fortunately, was not heavy.
IN connection WIN the ABOVE, we cannot t0rbear
mentioning the bravery of Col Thomas, who acted
as Aid to Gen. Johnston. At period OF the
battle many OF the regiments were broken and
scattered, when he gathered them together and led
them on to the charge 1t was at this time that he
was shot and instantly killed.-Richmond Dispatch.
COnfe crate Congress Retaliation.
In the Confederate Congress, sitting at Richmond
on the 25th ult, Mr. Kenner, of Louisiana, offered
the following preambles and resolution, which were
agreed to:
WHEREAS, The Congress of the United States has
passed providing for the conscation Of the prop
erty of all rebels found in against the United
States; and
Whereas 1t is known by the public official declaration:
the ri,e.t md ! f'~z-~ss of the United States that
the rebel citizens of the United ties But ef ft
United States; and
Whereas, the confscaton aforesaid is in effect gene
raj seizure of the property of all the Inhabitants of these
Confederate States, inasmuch they all in arms
against the United States: and
Whereas, this additional resort by the Government
the United States means of warfare repudiaed by the
usages of civilized nations can only be repeed and re
sisted by that just retaliation which is the legitimate
weapon of defence against such barbares the
States have naugurated in this war, the disgrace
this Government and people Therefore,
ReSolrsd, That the Committee the Judiciary be in
Structed to inquire into the propriety and necessity
adapting means of retaliation by general coniscaoI
bill and make report by such bill otherwise early
as practicable.
Provisions for Federal Naval Officers for.
meriy Resigned.
Mr.. Avery, OF North Carolina, said that, will
reference to the memorial of DR.. Garnett, Offered
by the gentleman from Virginia, bis not in
dividuai case. Among the officers in the Fedora
naval service, who had resigned some years ago
not in consequence of the secession of their States
were number of citizens of North Carolina, WHIT
bad been appointed by the Governor of that Stat
to their former ranks, before North Carolina hat
surrendered her Navy to the Confederate Govern
meut. He proposed to introduce a bill to includ
such cases. and tn settle their relative ranks in h
Confederate naval service; and he asked that it b.
| referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.
The bill was referred. 1t provides for the ap
pointment of former naval officers of the Unite
States, who NAV be fit for active service, in tn
| same rank and position they would have held il
! the Federal Navy by the ordinary course of pro
motion therein, if they had remained in said Sci
vice; except that no officers shall hold hghe
rank than that to which his State mi ght have as
signed bin, or be appointed to higher rank tina
| that OF Lieutenant, where he had not been LieU
tenant or Sailing maSter in the line of promotion
or passed Midshi pman, at the time of leaving th
| Federal SERVICE or, in default thereof, had nc
seen six years of sea-service in the Navy and mel
chant service combined.
The BIockade--Purchase of Naval Steamers
| Mr.. Hill, OF Georgia, said that h. had received
| copy of the proceedings of a meeting held at N a
rietta, in his State, the 18th instant, which ha
come to him probably with the desire that it shOul
be communicated to Congress. The subjects
which it treated were OF great Importance; an
| the gentlemen who had principally participated i
the meeting were we'll acquainted with these sut
jects, and had made them particular study. Th
Communication recommends to Congress the pro
priety of throwing open our ports to the shippin
and commerce of neutral nations, by granting
those who succeeded in running or breaking tn
blockade a remission of duties 1t also sugges
the propriety of plan to purchase ocean steam
| ers, by some sort of assurance from Congress {
the owners of those vessels suitable for war pu
poses that upon their successful entry into ou
ports they would be purchased for navy, afte
| examination by commission, &c. The commun
| cation was referred to the Committee on Finance.