davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The national Republican., 1861-10-23
Gs- The Washington correspondent of th,

G9- The Washington correspondent of the
New York Evening Post says:
"Mr. Russell's statement in his last letter,
that many Of our regular army officers disliked
the Government, the war, and any attempts to
strike at slavery, has caused commotion
among the regular officers here They gen.
orally deny, In unmeasured terms, the insinu-
alton of Russell-that they meddle with polit-
cal matters. But there is no doubt that there
are officers who have not hesitated to own to
foreigners and to native secessionists that they
disliked TO wage war upon the South The
remarks as a text from which it breaches
presses the opinion that If our regular army
seventeen thousand men, when the war broke
out, the rebellion ere this would have been
perfectly successful. Those individuals who
have had an opportunity to mix with army
officers-the regulars mean-will not take
exception to this opinion. Yet a tremendous
pressure for an increase of the regular army
will be brought to bear upon the next session
of Congress The difficulty In the way is the
fact that men will not enlist. Today we have
five times the proper number of officers for the
recruits which have been made. When Cob
eress, through the persistent efforts of Senator
Wilson and Secretary Cameron, consented to q
large increase Of the regular army, the officers
for this force were instantly appointed. This
was the pressure which passed the bill. have
alluded to this matter because learn, on the
authority of prominent member Of Congress,
that the whole matter will be thoroughly in
vestigated next winter by a Congressional
committeev
The national Republican., 1861-10-23

THE UTAH VALLEY.-Under date Of Septem.
ber l6, the Surveyor General of Utah, (Mr.
Fox) writes concerning the valley of Unitah,
in that Territory. He says in substance that
the valley is about fifty miles long by sixty
wide, and contains two million acres. 1t is one
hundred and fifty miles southwest of Salt Lake,
has fertile soil, is well timbered, and has ex-
cellent water power. Besides Indians, who
have been taught by the Mormons to look to
them for authority, there ia but one settler In
the entire region. This season, the Mormons
have sent out their surveyor to mark out loca-
tions for one hundred and fifty of their families
but this game will be now blocked, as Presi'
dent Lincoln has set aside the whole region, for
the present, as an Indian reservation.
The national Republican., 1861-10-23

NJ The subjoined communication Is from
one Of the most respectable citizens Of Wash
ington. In the case particularly referred to-
he says that the appointee was recommended
by men of the highest character, and 1t is un-
doubtedly too true that the looseness with
which such recommendations are given, is most
lamentable. In ninety nine cases out Of q hun
dred, the Departments have nothing to govern
their selections of officials but the representa-
tions of others, and it is to be regretted that
men Of standing will so often, out of weak
good nature, or to rid themselves of importu-
know to be antit for places Of trust, and whom
they would never think Of employing in their
own business:
Mr.. EDITOR have just heard of the ap-
pointment, to very important position in the
army, Of one Of the most worthless lOafers aud
drunkards anywhere to be found in this or any
other city. l know it is hard to believe that
those who have held important positions in the
army, educated at the expense Of the Govern
ment, and bound to uphold Its honor, could be
found degrading themselves by habitual and
constant drunkenness, but what shall be said
OF those nigh IN the commence OF the people
who urge or recommend such for appointment
Fathers and mothers, who send forth their dear
brave sons to put down this wicked rebellion
and protect us against the most brutal and
savage enemy, to preserve the best Government
on earth Are such who deny themselves Of
every luxury and comfort of their dear homes
taking their hsnd., going forth to contend with
all the dangers of battle, also to contend with
the utter insuficiency and drunkenness of their
officers
If loyalty at this time is an indispensable
qualification for military appointment, so are
| temperate habits, to render the command of an
officer safe, useful, or honorable to the army
If these late appointments have been made
through the recommendation of their friends
and deception practiced upon our Secretary Of
War, hope he will soon be informed of the
facts. and their commissions Immediately re-
called.
hold 1t to be the bounden duty OF every
loyal gentleman to do what he can to aid thu
Secretary in his arduous duties, and not allow
him to be thus deceived in the character of ap
pllcants. The appointment Of one such open
the door to an endless number of those equally
unworthy. If drunkenness is good cause fo
Dismissal from service, why should drunkard
be appointed? SUBSCRIBER.
The national Republican., 1861-10-23
steam Battering Rams.


The following letter, addressed to the Presi.
dent In September, has a peculiar interest at
this time: RAsg
GEoRaErowN, D. O.,
September IA, 1861.
His Ercelency, Presiden! Lincoln.
SIR: You are very likely to hear, at no dis.
taut day, of the loss of some Of the vessels Of
our blockading squadron in the Gulf of Mex
leo.
! have endeavored, for more than six years,
to induce the Navy Department to take up and
investigate the proposition to introduce steam
battering rams In naval warfare. But have
not been able to attract the serious attention
OF the Department, although have pressed the
subject upon three successive Administrations.
l address myself now to you, In the hope that
you may listen to the assurance which give
you, that, for moderate cost, q steam vessel can
be constructed Of sufficient strength to sink any
ship that ever foated, by the mere force Of
collision, and without herself suffering material
injury.
While have failed entirely to impress my
views upon the confidence of any of the Secre-
taries of the Navy, yet, since their publication
and distribution to Congress, the suggestion
has been taken up and applied on q most ex-
tended scale, by both the French and British
Governments-under the recommendation of
eminent engineers anu naval omcers; 80 that,
In the event Of foreign war with any naval
power, we must look for the application OF our
own system against ourselves.
The rebels at New Orleans and Mobile are
at work, as I informed the Secretary Of the
Navy some four months ago-building rams
to run down onr blockading vessels; and
since we have nothing there to oppose to
them, as I think we ought to have l greatly
fear that we shall soon receive accounts Of sons
serious disasters In that quarter.
Ny principal object In calling your personal
attention to this subject now, however, is to
recommend the steam bsttering ram as the
only effectual means of defending our rivers
and harbors against the modern iron-plated,
and shot-proof vessels, which England and
France are introducing into their navles.
lit is the purpose of the Government to
strengthen our board defences, with view to
possible contingencies, allow me respectfully to
urge upon your attention the value and eff
cheney Of the steam ram-the direct shock of
which the hull Of no iron-plated vessel can
resist.
remain, sir, with great respect, your obe-
dient servant,
CHARLES ELLET, Jun,
Civil Engineer.
The national Republican., 1861-10-23


The National Inteuigeneer has got new
lease Of life, by the allowance at the Treasury
of claim of upwards of forty thousand
dollars, connected with the printing of the
American State Papers. That whole thing was
a piece of stupendous jobbing, as has been
fully shown. in the reports of Congressional
investigating committees. The particular claim
recently allowed may have been good one.
for anything we know to the contrary, and we
are informed that II was so by persons la whom
we have confidence. Its original merits, how.
ever, are said not to have been involved in the
recent decision in its favor by Secretary Chase
1t was allowed originally last winter, by Mr..
Thomas, when temporarily at the head Of the
Treasury Department. When Gen. Dix came
in, he set aside this allowance as improper !;
and it is now said to be paid by Mr.. Chase, on
the ground that 1t was not competent for Gen.
Dix to set aside decision Of his predecessor,
except upon new evidence, or proof of fraud.
We may presume that Mr.. Chase, in arriving
at this result has guarded himself by proper
exceptions against revival of the various al.
lowances of Gov. Floyd, rejected by his sue
cessors.
The National Inteligencer enjoys considera.
bic degree Of local consideration on account of
the private virtues Of its venerable proprietor,
Col. Seaton. That gentleman, however, is very
little benefited by the public plunder by which
the establishment has been gorged for so many
years That enures to others, who use his
name. more slippery concern does not exist
in ha N 10 q, he
it recommended the surrender to the rebels of
every Southern port still held by the nation,
and deprecated the inSasion of the sacred soil
OF Virginia as the greatest of crimes and follies
1t is persistently pro slavery, because Its pa.
irons are Shareholders, and is obseuuious to
everybody in power, of whatever complexion
All the euloges upon the living, in the Nationa
Inteligencer, are paid for, either in advance, OF
by promise, or in expectation. Nobody under
stands better than its managers, that of mel
great by position, the majority are little b,
nature, aud that fattery Is a coin of universe
currency. They are toadies by habit and by
calculation but notorious as this is, there lave
never ceased to be men In public life veal
enough to be cajoled by their mercenary
praises.
The National InteiHgencer would suffer no det
rimentifJeff Davis & Co. were installed in Wash
ington tomorrow. 1t would still be Vicar O.
Bray Itisunder too many obligations to JEFF
Davis, personally. ever to say harsh things Of
him. and would slide back into its old language
of adulation in forty-eight hours !; 1t opposed
making war upon the rebels at all, and, failing
TO prevent that altogether, has advocated {
style of carrying on the war, equivalent to nt
war. 1t has done nothing, in short, to provoke
the ill-will OF the secessonsts, and is we'll pre-
pared for all contingencies of fortune. Happy
National InteAigencer
The national Republican., 1861-10-23
The condition of things on the Eastern shore

The condition of things on the Eastern shore
and the Patuxent peninsular counties in this
State is deplorable. Prosecutions of the Union
men are the order of the day, especially in st.
Marys, Calvert and Charles counties Gen
Sickles has done much good in that quarter
but it would take 10000 men to bring the mac
people thereabout to their senses. Out O
1900 votes in St. Mary's,' there are not more
than 100 Unionists, and they are daily peeled
and scorched by the enemies Of the Republic
Many of the more wealthy class Of rebels have
left for Dixie. Nothing will cure the tendency
to violence in those parts of the State but the
speedy washing out Of existence of the rebel
army South of the Potomac by Mcclellan
Baltimore correspondence ofhs ~ !. Tribune.
The national Republican., 1861-10-23
FROM THE GRAND Army,
: THE FIGHTING NEAR EDwARDs's FERRY.

THE FIGHTING NEAR EDwARDss FERRY.
General Stone, ss already noticed, COM
menced crossing to the Virginia shore at one
O'Clock Monday morning. The fighting com.
menced at nine o'clock in the morning, but
was not serious (uereiy skirmishing) until nve
O'Clock In the afternoon, when Col. Baker, CON-
manding the right wing, was killed, during a
collision with rebel force, under Gen. Evans.
Col. Baker had the bulk of his own regiment,
aud also of the Fifteenth Massachusetts,, and of
the IN. W Tammany regiment, in all 800
men, At this present writing, (nine O'Clock
last evening) we have only reports that our
loss during the day was about 200 killed and
wounded, that our troops firmly maintained
their hold on the Virginia shore, that large re-
Inducements were thrown across by General
Banks during Monday night, che himself being
at their head,) and that the fighting was not
resumed down to two o'clock yesterday after
noon.
Col. VIM. Raymond Lee, of the Massachusetts,
Twentieth is among the missing. Col. Cogs
we'll, Of the Tammany, was seen to fall, but It
is hoped that be Is alive and q prisoner. Lieut.
Col Ward, Of the Massachusetts, Fifteenth, was
wounded, losing a leg.
The operation of crossing the river, always
critical one in face of an enemy, seems to
have been admirably performed, and the ad-
vantages gained are well secured. The loss,
although lamentable, is small, considering the
circumstances.
PROMOTION.
NJ H. Mcnamara, first lieutenant, Company
E, Ninth regiment, Colonel Cass commandng,)
is about to return home. We understand be Is
promoted to a captaincy In the Twenty-ninth
Massachusetts, regiment, Colonel Thomas Fran.
els Aeagher. He is one of the party who fig
ured SO conspicuously in the late attack on
Munson's Hill.
The national Republican., 1861-10-23
The " Thomas Watson :" Destroyed by our
Blockadtng Vessels or Charleston.

The "Thomas Watson " Destroyed by our
Blockading Vessels or Charieston.
The Secretary Of the Navy received late last
night the following official report:
u. s. FLAG SHIP MINNESOTA,
Hampton Roads, Oct. 2l, 1861.
SIR: By the Vandalia, which arrived here
last night. am informed by Capt. Marston,
of the Roanoke, that the merchant ship Thomas
Watson, Zone Of those to which you called my
attention short time since,) was burnt to the
waters edge, on the 18th Instant while lying
aground on Stony Rect, by our blockading YES
sells off Charleston.
1t was in attempting to get into Charleston
despite OF the blockade, and the pursuit of our
cruisers, that she ran on this reef No arms
were among her cargo. 1t was made up of
salt blankets, flannels, and few other things
She had various national flags on board and
among them a Confederate flag.
Respectfully, your obd't serv't,
L. M. GoLDsBoROUGH,
Flag Officer.
Hon. GIDEON WELLEs
Secretary of the Navy.
The national Republican., 1861-10-23
I'd Cavalry, U 8. A. /
"a Artillery, U. 3. A. 9
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
WheeliIll, OctOIsr Il,
TO THE PEOPLE

Wheeling, October IL, 1861.
TO THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA
Whereas several Of the Cong gressionaI districs of
this State are unrepresented In the House of Repre-
sensstives In the Congress Of the United States by
reason OF failure to elect on the fourth hu sday la
May last, caused by armed men in rebellion against
the Constitution and laws Of the Uuited States and
OF TINS state and being the right of the loyal In
hapiants In each district to be represented In said
House by representative of their own appointing,
the Convention Of Virginia, on the goth day of Au,
gust 1861 passed an ordinance directing an election
to be held on the fourth thursday Ia October in,
stant, t24thD In every district the State so
represented and where vacancies exist 1t is fur
ther made the law by virtue Of the ordinance afore
said that any person who Ia prevented from attend
ing such election, by reason of th, occupation OF
his own county by armed men In hOsti fly to the
government, that such voter may vete anywhere
in his Congressional district 1t IL further ordained
that the election shall be conducted and the result
asoertaned, declared, and certified in the manner
directed In the code Of Virginia of the edition OF
1860. by the l1th ection of chapter 7th of that
code, any two freehoders may hold an election, III
rected by law, at any place OF voting, II no com
missioner to superntend the same appears and Is
willing to act, or II commissioners have been
appointed to hold the election
Now, therefore, In confederation Of the premiles
l, FRANCIS II. PIRRPoIsr, Governor of the Common
wealth OF Virginia, do hereby eLtreat the loyal yo
tiers of this State to Id elections in thr several
districts the day above mentioned to the end that
the people may be represented, the principle Of rep.
Tesentative government sustained, and The Stale
have her due weight In the National Legislature
oct lid +. Il. fIEkPOINr.
The national Republican., 1861-10-23
DE listers OFFICE,

TO ALL WHOM 1T MAY CONCERN-Notice
is hereby given that licenses given to taverns, re.
tailers Of spiruous and fermened liquors wines and
cordials, to groceries, dry goods, hardware, med.
cines, perfumery, watches and jewelry lumber,
wood, aud coal, commission merchants also 10
keepers OF hackney carriages and omnbuses, billiard
tables, ten pin alleys, and Confectionery and for
hawking and peddling and dealers In old iron brass
copper, &c, will expire on Monday, the 4th day of
November next, and that said licenses must be re.
newed at this Office within ten days after that time
SAMUEL Il. DOUGLASS,
DOT 23-dtith Nov hegister.
The national Republican., 1861-10-23

A UCTION MOTTO E.-The attention OF
n the public Is respectfully called to the extensive
sale of dry goods hosiery, cloths ca'smeres shaws,
Cloaks manillas, dress gosds &c, TO be sold at the
store Of X. brice Hall, No 87S Seventh street, be-
tween and X sti eets, on this (Wedn, sday) morn
Ing October Sd, at 91a clock and continuing daily
until the whole stock Is disposed Of
The goods will be sold without reserve. No post
pOnem mt on account of he weather.
THEO SHECKELt,
Trustee.
BONTZ GRIFFITH
oct 2S-lt Auctoneers.
The national Republican., 1861-10-23
NEILIT RY GOODS.

We open this morning large assortment Of Mill.
tary Goods consisting OF swords, Sashes, Epaulets
Shoulder Straps, and all other officers belong nRs
for every grade in the army and navy.
These goods are OF recent importation, entirely
new, and of superior quality.
Orders for Presentation Swords, 40, promptly
executed
NJ. W. GAIT Il BRO, Jewellers,
854 Pa av., 4 doors west Of Browns Hotel
oct 23-3t
The national Republican., 1861-10-23
a saving to the Department,

under the present contract, as com.
pared with the former one, of. sl2 900 90
Ordinarily, when there is no exchange Of
stamps, about 1000, 900 stamps per year are
required for the use of the whole country,
which, at the present price, would cost the
Department IS 900 per year less than under the
old contract which in the six years of the new
contract would result in a saving Of $4S 900.
The national Republican., 1861-10-23

nRUG STORE FOR SALE, having
~ an eligible location, and doing good OK
business Address DRUGGIST, Washington, YR
D. G. oct 23e3t III
The national Republican., 1861-10-23
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN.

~ The publication once Of the National
Republican is at the northeast corner of D and
seventh street, second door, over W. d. Shep.
herds store. Entrance on Seventh street.
The national Republican., 1861-10-23

Or nearly 25 per cent difference -. $500 90
Thus far there have been issued under the
new contract, IS COO 900 stamps; as many more
will be required to furnish all the post offices in
the country, and to meet the demand for the
exchange of the old stamps.
The estimated issue of new stamps at the ex.
piration of one year, from the commence ement
thereof, is SOC, 900 900
Which at the old price would cost the Depart.
ment ........... .....................$5 .$54 600 90
While at the present price 1t will cost
but. ..................... AZ, 900 90
The national Republican., 1861-10-23

1al Two ofhcers (b) One officer. (c) -Four officers.
td) One officer (e) One officer.
At General Hospital, Union Hotel, corner Of
Bridge and Washington streets, Georgeto,on,
Oct. IL.
The national Republican., 1861-10-23
Postage stamps.

The price paid the former contractors for
furnishing postage stamps was Is cents per lb.
The price paid the present contractors is IA
cents per lb.; saving nearly rs per cent. During
the fiscal year ending June 80, 1860, while there
was no discontinuance Of postal service in any
part of the country, the number of postage
stamps issued was 2ls 900 900, which, at ls cents
per lb., the price actually paid under the former
contract, amounted to. .$3s $50 90
While at IA cents per lb., the present
price, they would have cost the De.
partment .......................3 &c, ,24O 90
The national Republican., 1861-10-23
Wednesday, October %, 1851.
THE NATIONAL INTELLIaENCER.

sE Reading Matter ON every pags.-Ss
The national Republican., 1861-10-23
CICK AND WOUNDED sOLDIERs.
~ IN HOSPITAL.
Published in conformity with the resolution of
the Senate Of July Is, 1861.

AT General Hospital on Il street. bet,osen Fourth
and FBh streets, Wdshinqton, Oct. IL.
The national Republican., 1861-10-23

Sickles Brigade, N. Y. 8
TaInmsny, N. Y, Vol. .
Garibaldi do do. /
De Kalb do do. l
Berdan's n'sSharpshoot' l
1st U. y. Chasseurs. -. l
lst N. j. Cavalry.....l 10
The national Republican., 1861-10-23
At Seminary Hospital, Georgetown, Oct II.

(a) One omcer.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-04-11
Peace.

Notwithstanding the extraordinary activity that
has been going on IN in the War and Navy Depart
ments during the last few days. continually hear
giyinQs out from Administration circles that Mr.
LINCOLN policy will be one of peace. If Mr.. LIN
coins policy is of peace, he is certainly pursu-
ing most astonishing course. Does he desire by
the warlike attitude which he is assuming simply
to plunge both confederaces into an enormous debt
by keeping and causing to be kept powerful force
in readiness for action If his policy is peace, he Is
crue lily triing with the feelings of the nation If
his policy is peace, why much secrecy in his move
mentsi Why is he chartering loading and sending on
under sealed orders so many vessels of war and trans
port ships Why does he not proclaim what his
purposes arei We would fain hope that the almost
universal anticipations of the whole country may
be disappointed, and that we shall have peace. Let
not Mr.. LNcNIN deceive himself by supposing thai
he can create the impression that he is acting on the
defensive when he is attacked for attempting to re-
inforce Sumter or Pickens. By all the laws of ma
tons such acts on his part will be regarded as
declaration of war by the Confederate States, and
as such it will be treated by them. This Mr.. LIN
COLIN and every member of his Cabinet well knows
They well know that their acts are provocations OF
and will lead to war.