davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-10-24
The Manassas.

The following is brief description of
the iron-clad steamer which did such good
service at the Passes the other day:
"The Turtle, it is said, did all the exc
cutiou, and has proved complete success.
Most of our readers are acquainted with
her peculiar construction, but as the enemy
has seen and felt her there is no improprie-
ty in describing her She is encased with
iron an iuch thick, and is shell and shot
proof. Her construction is very strong and
symmetrical. In front, several feet under
water, projecting from her bow, is ma
chine like a scythe, that burst anything
"wide open" that it comes in contact with.
In the water the Turtle looks like the hull
of steamboat bottom side up. Of an o.
val shape from the water-line up, every
ball or shell would glance harmlessly off
1t has but Que aperture, and that conceals
ten.inch howitzer in front When in
range this, which is just large enough for
the muzzle of the gun, is opened and the
bowitzsr discharged. The recoil is sufi
cient to permit the "door" or "hatch" tc
fall, which it does of its own weight, and
presents the same imperviousness to shot
and she'll as the remainder of the novel
structure. Its complete success demon
strates the fact, that it is only necessary tc
"turn her loose" to demolish the whole
of Lincoln's navy.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-10-24

THE BATTERIES ON THE Potomac
Federal Steamer fted Upon.-We have
gathered some interesting intelligence from
members Of Capt. Chaudler's corps of ar
.ilIery, from old Caroline, who were de-
tached from their company at No. 2 battery
on the Potomac, and sent to Evansport fol
temporary service at one Of the guns. With
regard to the condition Of affairs at the lat
ter point, it may be safe to say that the
river is virtually blockaded. On the morn
ing of the 18th instant the Federal steam
er -Pocahontas passed down the river, firing
two shots, which were not returned bu
preparation was made at once te. give 4
warm salutation to the next passer by
About an hour afterwards large three
masted steamer, supposed to be the Semi
mole, hove in sight, when our batteries
opened with telling effect, and she wa:
struck some five or six times. The mex
morning the hated Pa,onee sought to rur
the blockade, and succeeded; but soor
called for the assistance Of two tugs, BY
which she was attended as far as Maryland
Point.
- - There are now about fifty sail vessels lay
ing off Acquia Greek, fearips,sDpass the
batteries. @sbeQld they make the attempt
they will encounter obstacles which may
deter others from following their example
Richmo44 Dispatch.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-10-24

DIFFICULTIES OF THE North. -Am mong
the many reasons assigned by Northern
men for the cruel war now waged by the
North against the South, we do not recol.
lect to have seen the honest truth more
plainly told, than fell from the lips of Gen.
Mcclellan, and set forth in the following
extract:
A few months ago, Gen Mcclellan was
asked by friend from Kentucky--"Do
you expect by this war to subjugate the
South ?" "Subjugate the South" he re.
piled. "No, sir; the North can no more
subjugate the South than the South can
subjugate the North" "What, then, dc
you propose as the object and justification
of this ho~rid war;" The answer was
"Well, sir, this war is military necessity
to the North. We are obliged to fight you,
or We shall have to fight one another
There is an impression abroad uufavorable
to our courage; the same opinion prevails
at the South and if we did not fight, We
should lose the control over large portion
Of our own people. So we are under ne
cessity to fight"
The Central Presbyterian, of Richmond,
is responsible for the statement, having re-
ceived it from "good authority"
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-10-24
The Legislature.

We are requested to state that Governor
Pickens wrote some time ago to request the
President to grant furloughs to all the mem
bers of our Legislature now in any branch
of service in our army in Virginia, and
the President has replied that the furloughs
desired will be granted.
We are gratiied to learn this, and hope
that members will not throw up their com.
missions as such, except where their reten'
tion will be likely to affect seriously either
branch of the public service. The country
is averse to disturbing them, and is averse
to elections at such time as this.-Cotuna
bia Guardian, 2lSt
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-10-24
A Visit to Fort Pickens.

PENSACOLA, October IL, 5 p. m.-Cap
tains O 'Bannon and West, G. S. A., visit
ted Fort Pickius this morning, carrying
over money and clothing to our wounded
men and other prisoners in the hands of the
enemy.
They were Hospitality entertained by Col
Brown and officers, and report that our men
who are prisoners are treated most kindly
Col. Billy Wilson, of the Zouaves, who
has been hid ever since the engagement Of
the other night, was found this morning
He is highly grati6ed to iud himself uu
hurt.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-10-24

FINANCES OF THE CoNPEDERACY.-A
late number of the Richmond Whiy gives
the following gratifying intelligence. 81
says: "From one in a situation to be well
informed, we learn that the financial con
dition of the Confederacy is far batter than
we had supposed. The whole expenditure
of the Government, up to this day, does not
exceed fifty millions. This does not include
the expenditures by the States and volun'
tary contributions. We also hear that the
authorities feel no fear of not b, .ng able to
raise whatever sums may be necessary for
the public cause. We are glad to hear
this, and it will be reassuring to the coun'
try"
This announcement will surprise every,
body. The manner in which the States
have come to the support of the Confede,
rate treasury in its time of need affords some
evidence of the resources and moral power
of our new Government And yet NJ
State has serious y embarrassed itself. All
could do ten times as much as they have
done without depressing the people.
Just think of it; only fifty millions up
to the present time, while the Lincoln gov.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-10-24

CAVALRY CAMP, York County, Va, Oc-
tober 13.-We have had another fight with
the Yankees. About fifty of the cavalry,
belonging to the Second Regiment, went
out scouting on the James River Road
They met wagon with four horses attach
ed, attended by about eighty Yankees, on
a foraging expeditionAges, stealing ex.
pedition-a short distance from Newport
News. Our cavalry charged upon them.
They wheeled and fred and ran like cow
ardly devils in every direction. Twelve
were captured, and their wagon and team
became the property of the Confederate
Government in quick time. 1t is not known
how many Of the Yankees were wounded
or killed, but this much isItrue-not one of
our boys received the least injury. These
are the facts of the case.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-10-24
Colonel Ashby's Fight.

The Richmond Dispatch, of Saturday,
has the following interesting account of the
successful skirmish mentioned in the oul
telegraphic columns on Saturday last:
Official advices have been received al
the War Department of an attack, by Col
Turner Ashby, commanding small force,
with superior body of the enemy, on
Wednesday, the 10th instant, at place
called Bolivar, contiguous to Harper's Fer
ry The Federals, numbering, with subse
gent reinforcements, from 800 to 1000 men
were sent over to protect the transportation
of grain from Hurrs Mill, ON Shenandoah
Island, and Colonel Ashby, with $50 men
800 of whom were militia, met and drove
them back with considerable Slaughter
The action commenced at o'clock in the
morning, and terminated about II. 1t i;
to be particularly noted as the first in which
the Virginia militia have been engaged il
a hand to- hand encounter with the enemy
and the result reflects the highest credi
upon that branch of the service. At
charge bayonets, they drove the Hessiaus
before them down the hill into the village
of Harper's Ferry, at which point in tht
pursuit they were checked by detach
ment of artillery, supposed to have beer
Doubleday.s battery, stationed on the Mary
land Heights Col. Ashby now Withdrew
his troops to point behind the hill, fo
the purpose of protecting them from tn'
shot and shell, which fell thick and fas
around them, but fortunately with little
effect The loss of the enemy in the en-
gagement, as reported by woman who af
terwards came ont from Harper's Ferr,
aud saw the dead carried away in wagons
was at least fifty or sixty, in addition t.
which our men captured twelve or fourteen
prisoners. Among the latter are SOM
"Union" men, who had been particular.
busy in aiding the Federals by means o
Signals. Our loss was one killed (Zamper
of the Shenandoah militia) and ten woun
ded-two supposed mortally.
Col. Ashby's success would have beel
much greater but for lack Of cannon, ant
very few of the enemy would have escape'
from the field of battle. He had but on
inefficient gun, and another improvised 70
the occasion--a 24-pounder mounted o1
wagon wheels, which, any artillerist viii
readily toncede, was very difficult to man
age. Justice to this brave and gallant Off
Ger demands that he should be amply sup
piled with every facility for successful WAL
fare, t6sfhcrease his influence on that bor
der as terror. to the invaders. By a curl
Gus coincidence this fight took place on tn
second anniversary of the John Brow
raid, and in the very locality Of that nota
BILE event.
Rev. James B. Averick, chaplain Of Col
Ashby's regiment, who reached the cit
yesterday afternoon, is bearer of dispatche
to the War Department.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-10-24

How GEN. LEES PLAN WAS THwARr-
ED.-Major Allensworth, who has recently
returned froa Western Virginia, furnishes
the Nashville papers with the cause of Gen.
Lees plan to entrap and whip the Lincoln
ite army in that section being frustrated.
The plan, it seems, was admirably arranged,
and Cheat Mountain was at one time sur
rounded by the Confederates under Gene
rails Lee, Anderson, Loring, Donelson and
Jackson, and had it not been for the killing
of Col. John A. Washington, who had in
his possession the plans of attack, brilli-
ant victory would have been the result
On hearing, however, of the death of his
aid, Colonel Washington,) General Lee,
with his accustomed prudence, promptly
orderd our troops to their former positions.
Petersburg Erpress
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-10-24
Commercial Convention.

MACON, October 1.-THE Convention,
iu Wednesday evenings session, passed the
following resolutions: To sequestrate the
property of such alien enemies as have sons
in the Confederate army for the benefit of
those sons approving the plan of marine
batteriug ram, by J. R. Butts recommend.
ing it for adoption by the Government of
the Confederate States, and that subscrip-
tion be opened in the Convention to put it
in operation; declaring the Importance of
opening railway communication with the
coal and iron mines in North Carolipa de-
claring that leturn cargoes of our produce
should be furnished vessels bringing goods
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-10-24

we'll lighted up, not very high, with flags,
etc., and with at least four persons in it.
1t is also reported that another was seen on
Monday morning or Sunday night. We
are unable to account for it, yet it is not
impossible that the eronauts of the Poto.
mac or Old Point may have been driven by
currents of air beyond their moorings. We
know that Prof: Lcwe was only a few months
ago driven from Cincinnati to South Caro-
lima. If the four aronauts should prove to
be Prof. Lowe, Abe Lncolo, Billy Seward
and Gen. Mcclellan, and should light be-
tween this and the South Carolina line, we
should rejoice. Look out for them.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-10-24
The Walled Lake.

The wonderful Walled Lake is situated
in the central Part of Wright county, Iowa.
The shape of the lake is oval 1t is about
two miles in length, and one mile wide in
the widest part, comprising an erea Of some
1000 ao5ss: ., The wall enclosing this 1t lake
is over SIX 3fhiles in length, and is built or
composed of stones varying in size from
boulders of two tons weight down to small
pebble, and intermixed with earth. The
top of the wall is uniform in height, above
the water in parts, which makes its height
to vary on the land side according to the
unevenness Of the country from two to
twelve feet in height.
In the highest part, the wall measures
from ten to twelve feet thick at the base,
and four to-six at the top. incliuing each
way-outward and inward. There is no
outlet, but the lake freqssaAy rises and
flows over the top of the wall. The lake
at the deepest part is about ten feet in
depth, and abounds in large and fine
fish such as pike, mackerel, bass, perch,
&c. The water is as clear as crystal, and
there is no bubbling to Indicate any large
springs or feeders. Wild fowls of all kinds
are plenty upon its bosom. at tire l9tth.
end are two small groves of about ten acres
each, no other timber being near. 1t has
the appearance of being walled up by hu
man hands, and looks like huge fortress,
yetahere are no rocks in that vicinity for
mil M around. There are no visible signs
of&e lake being the result of volcanic &C.
tions, the bed being perfectly smooth aud
the border of regular form. The lake
is about seventeen miles from Boon river
on the west, eight miles from Iowa on the
west, aud about one hundred and twenty
miles from Cedar Rapids. 1t is one of the
greatest wonders of the West, and has been
already visited by hundreds of curiosity
seekers.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-10-24
hold themselves aloof from any partici pa

hold themselves aloof from any participa-
ton in its sentiments or actions. Lincoln
seems to have become the mere mouth piece
of the rowdies, who control and gag the
press, and insist upon being regaled with a
series of disgraceful, vain boastings, and Of.
feusive articles directed against the British
power, and advocating the conquest of Can
ada. As British subjects and Canadians,
we naturally feel these outrages and insults
(though we can we'll afford to laugh at the
threats, and can have just cause to feel the
strongest antipathy to the Northern States,
apart altogether from our sympathies, with
what We must call justice to the South.
TQucbec Morning Chronicle, Sept. II.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-10-24
The Blockade,

Capt. Hol!ins has led the way in show.
ing how the very Intellectual blockade oi
Lincoln may be broken up. Although the
proof and evidence of its ineficiency, both
by incoming and outgoing vessels, have
beef established beyond doubt, We dc
not perceive that the European Govern.
ments have given any manifestation of their
determination to enforce the strict construc-
ton of the law of blockade, as understood
and laid down by them.
True, we have a report that Lord Lyons
has officially notified the Lincoln Govern
ment that the arrival of the Be.Qsscla in
Savannah was sufficient evidsnce ,thM the
blockade was Intellectual, yet it remains to
be seen what action his Government will
take in the premises. In our opinion, we
attach too much Importance to the action
of foreign Governments in this particular.
The South, within herself, is able to break
up the blockade, and it becomes the duty
of our Government to organize the proper
naval means to do 80.
Captain Hollins has demonstrated what
may be accomplished. In all our other
seaports the same thing can and ought to
be done. We have materials and ship.
builders, we have scientific men, who can
construct "Aoating batteries" and iron clad
vessels. Let them go to work let the
Government authorize the construction OF
such vessels, and it will not be long before
the blockading feet, composed chiefly o1
hired vessels will be dispersed from our
coast. We ought to incur no debt of obll
cation to foreign powers to break up the
obstacles to our commercial intercourse
with the world, and it will be one of our
highest claims to full recognition Of indie
pendence, when we can demonstrate that
by land aud sea, we are perfectly compe
tent to thwart the designs and repel the
assaults of our enemy.-Guardian.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-10-24
Letter from Secretary Memminger.
RICHMOND. October 1S

A letter from Secretary Memminger ad-
dressed to the receivers of the subscription
to the produce loan, appears in the Rsch-
mond Enquirer of this morning. He ad
vises the commissioners to continue their
efforts to increase the loan, Notwithstanding
the blockade, and declares that the Govern
ment has control of the produce itself, and
does not regulate its time of sale or price,
and says the subscription is confined to the
proceeds of sales, and contains an order on
the commission merchant or factor of the
planter to pay over to the treasurer the a.
mount subscribed, in exchange for Confede,
rate bonds. He says further, that it be.
comes the interest of both parties to wait
for good price, and the Government will
readily conse Mt to the postpouement of the
sale. The Secretary then devotes the larger
portion of bis letter to theinquiry about ex
tending material aid from the Government
to planters; and says no power is granted to
any Department to lend money for the re-
lief of any interest. What Congress may
do the Secretary is unable to state.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-10-24

THE PAwNEE RIDDLED.-We learr
from our Richmond correspondent that or
Wednesday last, the Federal steamer Paw
nee, 10 eudeavoring to pass our batteries OF
the Potomac, was fired upon with great sue
cess, the shot from our powerful guns taking
effect finely. The Pawnee was so disabled
that she was unable to leave until two tug
came to her assistance and towed her away
This information was obtained from a gen
tleman who reached Richmond yesterday
from Fredericksburg g-Petersbury Erpress
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-10-24
Important from Roanoke Island.

The steamer Roanoke, Captain Hobbs,
arrived here last evening, about 8 o'clock,
from Roanoke Island.
The Roanoke left the Island 6 o'clock
Monday afternoon, and her captain reports
that the Confederate steamers Curle'o, Fan
ny, Raleigh, Wins1ow and Ea~ards left
Sunday afternoon, under the command of
Com. Lynch, for Hatteras. Very heavy
firing was beard on the Monday following
in the direction of Hatteras, which began
at daylight aud continued until 8 o'clock;
but no reports from the expedition had
reached the Island when the Roanoke left.
The captain further states that it was re-
ported that two Federal war steamers were
cruising in Pamlico Sound previous to the
departure of the expedition, but that they
we're chased out by our steamers.-NovoH
Day Book. Oct. l6.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-10-24
From the Southern Guardian.
The Confederate States War Tax.

The Confederate States War Tax.
Mr. EDITOR: In looking oyer the col
umus of papers from several Of our Confed-
crate States, we see: that the editors and
others are discussing the manner in which
this tax is to be paid, and vexing themscl-
yes upon the ways and means therefor
Now, why this helabaloo, when it is yet
some months off before the tax will be call.
ed for7 Our Congressman evidently ex-
pected epa.ports to be open and sale for
our produce long before this time. So do
we believe. The truth is, Mr.. Editor, that
England and Eubpe h5p twist aad -prn as
much as they Fsasa may call upon China,
Egypt and Africa, as we'll as their East a.
dia possessions, for cotton, but the answer
will be only echo 1t can't be did, sr =
they must have our cotton or starve. Let
us t.: 20 hoM on until these countries hay
their eyes opened to the nature Of their pYh
interest. Nor can England and France
omplain if we hold on, and use this ele'
meut of our strength for our own safety,
auy more thsaswe could reoaaPlain Of their
use uf, f,guppowder and balls. Let us then
90 on now in providing for the comfort OF
our soldiers, and leave the war tax for'the
time when it will press upon us. I'VE be-
lieve so strongly 10 te. justice of our cause
that we have no fear but that by May next
way will be opened not only for the pay
lnent of this tax, but also for our own pri'
vate debts "Sudicient unto the day is the
evil, thereof" says the good book. Let us
then be wise and act upon the maxim, lea
wing for the future difficulties that may
never come. These are my sentlments.-
PAUL PRY.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-10-24
The North and the South.

| At the commencement Of this deplorable
struggle, there can be but little doubt that,
believing it to be simply question of sla
very, from an imperfect knowledge of its
causes, and national impulse on the part
of the British subjects to support the pow
ers that be, the strongest disposition was
manifested throughout Canada to advocate
the cause of the Northern States; but gen.
orally, as the clouds of doubt and uncertain
ty which surround the question were, by
the actions, "manifestoes1" and "messages'
of the Washington authorities dispersed,
we have been taught to believe the struggle
now only commencing is simply one between
the mob law and tyrannical abuse of the
North, against the constitutional freedom
and the right to proper representation OF
the South, and somewhat sudden revul.
sion of feeling displayed itself, not only in
Canada, but we may say, throughout the
whole civilized world.
When we find the President, in his mes
sage, misquoting the Declaration of indie,
peudence, call men were created equal,
suppressing the word "free," as if the idea
we're unpleasant to him-wheu VIC find the
doctrine advanced that "the Union created
the States, and not the States the Union
when We find the argument used that
since Louisiana and Florida were purchas.
ed, these States have no right to "rebel,
without the remembrance of the fact that
the sale of lands to the residents in these
States has repaid the treasury teufold the
amount of the purchase money-when we
know that even in the Northern States the
negro is infinitely more of real slave and
worse treated than in the South-when We
see before US daily the grossest instances ol
corruption and peculation in the transac
tions Of diguitarles-when we read of the
wholesale designations of Northern officers,
and their greatest General hurried to de-
feat by the pressure and howlings of an
outside mob-when we read of thousands
of soldiers insisting on their discharge, or
the ground that their term of Office had ex
pired, and marching homeward through
their advancing fellow soldiers, to the music
of the booming of the enemy's caunons-
when we read and lessh all this, and wit
ness the disorder, d@Ssation, the vain boast
ing in $780, E't Die1oN' which which p per !!
any wonder, indeed, that we turn with
loathing from the contemplation of such {
picture, refuse our sympathies, and thank
full that our own Constitution preserves u:
from ever being similarly situated, deplor
ing sadly and deeply that civil war shoulc
rage among some twenty-five millions of on
own kinsfolk, speaking the same language
as ourselves, exclaim from our inmost soul
God preserve the right
1t is sheer nonsense to endeavor to iden
tify the Northern cause with freedom, eli
ther for the black or white. Freedom Ii
unknown iu the North. Universal suffrage
has thrown the power of Government int
the hands Of the mob, and the educated
and the thinking classes, fo- the most part