Newbern weekly progress., 1861-08-20
VOLUME LII.
THE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE.
PROGRESS AND SPIRIT OF THE REVO-
LUTON.

late Northern papers:
MOVEMENT OF FEDERAL TROOPS AT WASHINGTON
WAsHINGToN, Aug. THE movements O
troops are now conducted with the least posi-
bic parade and publicity, affordlng strong
contrast to former similar military proceedings
1t is evident, however, that Gen. Mcclellan is
sedulously employed in making the best dis
position of the forces under his command with
a view to the protection of the capital, should
the Confederate forces threaten its security.
Reports are prevalent that a laIg, body Of
secessionists, supposed to be part OF General
Johnson's command, has recently been secn
within two miles of the Potomac, at Great
Falls, in nearly direct line with the fording
place.
1t is known that there is on the part OF OuI
troops the utmost vigilance, while our lines are
sufficiently extended to guard against surprise
from any quarter
LINCoLN's MOOR AND BRIGADIER GENERALS.
WAsHINGToN, Aug. T. The Senate was IN
executive session until II o'clock last ight.
The following nominations for Brigadier Gen
as, in addition to those heretofore announ-
ced, were, it is said, confirmed: Hulhurt,
McClcrnand, Schenck, Grant, Baker, Lyon,
Cox, Prentiss, Anderson, King Sigle and
Crouch.
Tic principal officers for the new army reg
iments were also confirmed, while the rcjec-
tons comprised only few of the minor ap-
pointments Lieut. Colonel Emory's nomina-
ton was also confirmed.
The Senate confirmed only two Major Gen
erals for the regular army, namely Major Gen
cral Mcclellan and Major General Fremont,
and Brigadier Generals, Mansfield, Mcdowell,
Rosencrantz, Anderson, Meigs and Thomas
the last named an Ajutant General.
The following is u correct list Of the con-
tirmations of the highest officers comman-
ding the volunteers, as copied from the official
record:
Major Gcnerals-Banks, Dix, Butler.
Brigadier -Generals--McCall, Curtis Kear-
ney, Reynolds, King, Sigcl, Heintzleman, Por-
ter, Franklin stone, Thomas, w. Sherman,
Iluker, Landor, Baker, Kelley, Lyon, Pope,
Cox. IIurlburt, Schenck, Prentiss Grant,
Crouch, Governor Spraguc, Burnside, Mont
gomcry of New Jersey, Phelps of Vermont,
Williams of Michigan Hunter, w. 7. Sherman,
Buell. Oakcs Hamilton of Wisconsin, and Nc
Clernand.
A number of these gentleman arc regular
army officers, while others have received 4
military education.
All the nominations were confirmed, few
captains and liutenautS excepted.
srATMENT OF GEN. PIERCE ABOUT THE BATTIR OF
BEruEL-TnE GOVERNMENT AFRAID OF ITS REvE-
LATIONS
Brigadier- General Pierce, of Massachusetts,
who commanded the Federal forces at the bat
tie of Bethel, publishes statement in regard
10 the Great Bethel fight, in which he states
that he was ordered to make the attack by
General Butler, who informed him that he
Butlcr) had directed the proper reconnaissance
TO be made, and that only about 800 Con:ed-
crates were stationed there az III time. Gen.
Pierce in continuation. saws
1t was by his Gen. Butler'S) order that
took new recruits, who had never been under
fire, and who had hardly been in camp a
month, and contrary to all the establish c rules
of warfare, to march at midnight, twelve
miles into the country, without o ie moments
rest and with only twenty rounds of cartridge
to make an attack upon an enemy Ofunknown
numbers, and as We found, strongly cntrcnchCd
in masked batteries.
1t was bv the order Of the commanding gen
eral that was provided with only two small
hOwitZcrS and one SIX FOUNDER, with only
twelve rounds of enthusiastically sufficient
or five minutes fire to attack a masked bat
tery of at least six we'll mounted cannon. 1t
was by the direction of the commanding gen
eral that every man in the detachment which
went from camp Hamilton Wore on his left
arm a white badge that as the attack was TO
be made in the night, or in the gray Of morn
ING, and by dctachnents from two different
camps, no accidents might occur; and it was
to the neglect on the part of him who ordered
the expedition and arranged the plan to notify
the detachment from Newport News of that
badge, that l attribute the lamentable occur
renee of the day-the collision of friends in the
morning. Indeed, [ have since learned that
the white badges were seen on our arms by
those who first fired upon us, but, alas, for
them they had no significance.
Tho orders DlVp M 1ap1rI to tho otfapE
were explicit yet they betray want OF knowl-
edge of the cnemy's position and numbers
Had the opportunity been afforded me to have
made reconnaissance myself, am confident
that the defeat at least would not have been
ours.
General Pierce, in conclusion, says that af
ter the battle had taken place, and public opin~
ion had fastened on me the opprobium OF the
defeat, applied for a court of inquiry, that the
facts might set Alright and the blame, if there
was any, rest on the proper officer. Inanswer
to my applicatlon-nay, my demand-l received
but one reply that court of inquiry would
reveal far too much that eeou1d iajure tie scr
rice.
THE NORTH NOT UNANIMOUS FOR WAR.
One of the largest Democratic meetings ever
held in Bloomfield, Conn, say late Northern
papers took place there on 5th inst Resolu-
lions were adopted expressing sincere and devo
ted attachment to the Constitution and the
Union; among them also the following:
Resolred, That Immediate steps should be ia
ken by the Federal officers who have in charge
the destinies of the country, to establish Suspen
sion of hostl,ties to the end that National Con-
vention of all the States composing the confeder-
acy may be had for the purpose of devising
means for such amendments to the Constitution
as will guaranty the rights and equality of each
and all the States. and thus bring peace and har-
mony to our people, aud if possible, reconstruct
a now discovered Union.
Resolred, That the Democratic State Central
Committee be requested to call mass meeting
of the Democratic electors of the State, at the
earliest possible moment, that their conservative
voice may be heard touching the great questions
w hich now agltate the public mind, and to de-
wise and recommend such measures will pro-
mote the best interests of the people of this and
the other States.
The resolutions were eloquently advocated by
several speakers, and unanimously adopted
The Hartford Times says:
The meeting shows the deep seated feeling
that is pervading the public mind in favor of a
peaceful settlement, especially among the think
ing and reading people of the agricultural towns
The meeting the largest ever assembled in
the town, not even excepting those in the excite
ment sof Presidential elections. No expression
was made and believe no sentiment was enter