davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald., 1862-09-18

STEADINEss OF OuR RAW TRooPs IN THE
FrELp.-Camps Of instruction for recruits are
very good things when there is time to perfect
their theoretical education. Active service in
the field is, however, better and quicker
school of training, as has been proved by the
conduct Of our new levies in the recent terri
BILE conflicts in Maryland. One rsgiment-the
Seventeenth Michigan--we are told, after using
up all its ammunition, retired in the most or
derly manner to get fresh supply, then re-
turned to the fight and nearly annihilated Day
tons rebel brigade. And yet this regiment had
not been more than a fortnight under arms, and
had never before been under fire. To the
steadiness and gallantry generally Of the new
regiments raised under the last call General
Mcclellan bears the most cordial testimony.
lie says that with but little assistance from our
own artillery they carried very strong positions
defended by artillery and infantry. Can there
be a greater stimulant to us to complete and
send forward as rapidly as possible the regi-
ments now in progress of formation than this
gratifying iaots Let us but place within General
McClellan's reach enough men, raw or other
wise, toscarry out bis plans, and we can reckon
on q prompt and effectrsl crushing out OF this
unnatural rebellion.
The New York herald., 1862-09-18
FRIGHTFuL CATASTROPHY AT PITTSDuRG

Explosion mt tho United states Arsenal--
seventy-nve or Eighty Lives Lost
Burning OF the Ruins-Horriblc Scenes.
PnrsBrRG, Pa, Sept. II, 1s62
rrightful explosion occurred at the United States
Arsenal this afternoon at two O'Clock II occurred IN
the largo frame building known the Laboratory"
Ono hundred and seventysix boys and girls en-
uloyed in the building at the time Of the disaster OF whom
seventy Eve or eighty were killed.
one explosion followed another until the entire building
was destroyed and those who could not escape In time
were burned up.
The most appalling, the dead bodies lying In
heaps they had fallen In places whore tho hsas
was most intense whicnsd bones could be through
he smoke and flame. In other places large masses oe
blacksned Gesh wore visible. Up TO tho present time
sixty three bodies have been taken from the ruins
The cause OF the explosion said 10 have been the ao
cideutal falling of . sheh.
The New York herald., 1862-09-18
The Great Battle OF sharpsburg The
Death Struggle OF the Rebellion.


Death Struggle OF the Rebellion.
Our reports from the great battle field Of
Sharpsburg are as yet SO brief and indefinite as
only to sharpen our anxiety for something more
The Baron Cuvisr, from single bone or two Of
one of the uncouth monsters of the saurian
epoch, would reconstruct the entire animal.
Could we, in like manner, from few facts, build
up complete chart Of this great battle, we
should promptly do so for the satisfaction Of
our readers. We think, however, that scanty
and vague as are the specifications before us,
they are sufficient to justify the unqualified con-
clusion that General Mcclellan has administer
cd the death blow to this hydra-headsd rebel
lion.
First, it is evident that after the battle Of
Sunday at the South Mountain, the rebels, in
their hurried retreat, realized the necessity Of
putting the Potomac river between their army
and our advancing forces. Secondly, it ap-
pears that, failing in this enterprise, they were
not slow to comprehend their critical situation,
and that they could escape only by the most
desperate and obstinate resistance. In this
exigency the forces Of jackson, estimated at
forty thousand strong, were called up some
twelve miles from the Virginia side Of the river
at Harper's Ferry; but Lee was checkmated
even here, in the thirty thousand additional
troops from Washington which joined McClel-
Ian at the same time. Thus the battle was
Joined between all the forces Of the two armies
that could be hurried up to the field. Tuesday,
the first day of the battle, closed decidedly in
our favor and with the close Of the second day
yesterday the impression prevailed at Ha-
gsrstown, some twenty miles to the northward,
that "the whole rebel army Of Virginia is ami
hilated.n
While this main battle was progressing at
sharpsburg it appears that there was an i'm
portant flank fight, resulting in another Union
victory, on the southern side Of the dividing
onalU Vi mOuutdlusy az OcHOCNlC, Ou VIC
Kittoctan or Catoctin creek, in Maryland, a
short distance above the Point Of Rocks We
presume that the rebel forces in this battle
were those left at Leesburg by General Lee,
and that they had moved over into Maryland
and were endeavoring to reach him. when they
were intercepted by our troops left behind by
General Mcclellan for this purpose. If we are
not mistaken the brave and trusty Sigel was
the commander Of this corps. Assuming this
reported battle and victory to be correct, the
success Of General McClellans combinations is
so complete as instantly to repair our late in.
cidental drawback Of Harpers Ferry.
The rebel leaders appear to have been com.
pletely blinded by their late delusive victories.
1t was only the other day that in the so.called
House Of Representatives at Richmond series
Of resolutions were adopted, declaring that
Congress has heard with profound satisfaction
| Of the triumphant crossing Of the Potomac BY
The New York herald., 1862-09-18

Ian. This statement was forged by the radical
abolitionists, under the impression that because
General Kearny was dead it could not be con.
tradicted. We have, however, the authority Of
Commodore Kearny, United States Navy, a
cousin of General Kearny, for stating that no
such letter was ever written. This is not the
first time that the radicals have attempted to
give their cowardly lies currency by foisting
them upon honorable men.
The New York herald., 1862-09-18
IMPORTANT FROM CHARLESTON.

Tho Investment OF the City Confirmed-
Fort sumter Seriously Damaged.
RosroS. Sept. IL, 1852.
The reported investment Of Charleston by tho gunboass
has confirmation by letter received in this city
from on board tho United States steamer Bbb, which
says-"rort Sumter has already received . premi-
nary dose Of shot aud shell, which resulted In serious
damage
The New York herald., 1862-09-18
News from Albany.

GENERAL stcKLEs EXCELSIOR BRiGApE-GENERAL
pusTEEp MAKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR TUE DRAFT.
ALBANY, Sept. II, 1867.
General Daniel sickles is here, and, after inter-
view with Governor Morgan has succeeded in securing
prompt payment Of tho state bounty to the volunteers Tor
lie Excelsior Brigade.
The moet strenuous exertions will hc made by the
Governor and state War Department 20 prompt
Iv the hng up Of all the regiments of General Sckas,
brigade in conformity With tho earnestly expressed wish
of The War Department at Washington.
General Dick Buseed IL aso here important business
connected with the draft which will probably be made
the lat of next month.
The New York herald., 1862-09-18

GENERALS McCLELLAN AND KEARNr.-A state
ment is going the rounds Of the papers, alleging
that General Kearny, just before his death,
wrote letter to M v. Halstead, Esq., Of New
Jersey, in which be denounced General MoQlel-
The New York herald., 1862-09-18

our victorious army; and assured Of the success
Of that mastery movement" this army is sx-
pected to go on "to achieve new triumphs, to
relieve oppressed Maryland, and to advance
our standard in the territory Of the enemy"
Against these insane declarations Mr.. Lyons
Of Virginia, vainly argued and protested. Mr..
Miles, Of South Carolina, was bold and defan t.
"Give Jackson" said he (and he spoke by u
thority of rebel general), one half our pre-
sent army, and although there we're six un
dred thousand men union troops) in the field,
he would drive them all before him." Further,
said the infatuated Miles, "the regular armies
off Mcclellan and Pope are unable to make one
fifth Of the number they ought to be-" and, by
vote Of 62 to Is, the rebel House of Repre-
sentatives adopted these opinions Of silly South
Carolina.
One Of our reports Of the Sharpsburg battle
says that tho routed forces Of Lee were retreat
ing towards Hagerstown, and that oorps Of
ten thousand Of Governor Curtin's sturdy Penn
sylvania militia was moving down to meet
them. If Lee was driven to the extremity of
moving northward to seek passage across the
Potomac, his retreat towards Harper's Ferry
and Shepherdstown must have been cut off.
Even supposing that large portion of his army
has effected its passage over the Potomac
higher up at Williamsport, how is it to escape?
1t is two hundred miles away from Richmond,
short of supplies badly cut up, demoralized,
and with desolated country before it. Thus
we see that in adopting this bold and desperate
war programme Of an invasion of Maryland and
the North the rebel government at Richmond
has precipitated its own destruction.
The results of the battle Of Sharpsburg will
enforce the adoption Of different set of reso-
lutions; and it would not be surprising if this
redoubtable Miles were to be the first man to
suggest the expediency to his fellow legislators
of an exodus of Richmond without loss of
time. The country surely will expect General
Halleck to cut short the session of the rebel
Congress ct Richmond, while Gen. Mcclellan
is gathering up the fragments of the late great
Maryland liberating rebel army.
Anticipating during this morning the full
confirmation of our confident hopes, We think
we may venture to congratulate the masses of
our loyal people that in we'll directed blow
or two Gen. Mcclellan has substantially pros
trated this rebellion, silencsd the clamors of
our abolition faction, and vindicated the sound,
sagacious, conservative policy of honest Abra-
ham Lincoln's administration
The New York herald., 1862-09-18

The Gas AND RAILROAD TAx-WHOLEsOME
INFLUENCE OF PUBLIC OPN1oN.-1herc has rarely
been measure against which such unanimity
of opposition has been manifested as against
the attempt of the gas and railroad companies
to make their customers pay the tax intended
by Congress to be levied off their own profits.
To such an extent has the feeling excited by 1t
been carried that arrangements are being set
on foot to carry the matter before tho Legisla-
ture, with a view to deprive Of their charters
all those companies that persist in levying the
tax. We have an idea, however, that it will
not be necessary to resort to so extreme q
step. Since the press came out 80 decidedly
against this imposition several of the gas COM
panies have backed out of 1t. The New York
and Manhattan companies, we understand, are
among those who have yielded to the pressure
of public opinion, and now consent to pay the
tax themselves, That thick-skinned monopoly,
the Brooklyn City Gas Company, have also
been shamed out Of their purpose. These cor
porations must mind, however, that in pretend
ing to pay the tax themselves they do not try
to extort 1t from their customers in another
their proceedings, and it would take but little
effort to bring pressure to bear upon the Le-
gislature to effect transfer Of their charters to
the different municipalities. There is no rea-
son why the Corporation should not supply our
citizens with gas as we'll as with Croton water.
We believe that it could furnish purer article,
and at half the cost of that sold at present
In mentioning the companies that have been
compelled to recede from the position they had
assumed on this question We must not omit to
do justice to those who, from the first have re-
cognized the unfairness of the attempt to levy
this tax on the consumer. The Harlem, N. Y;
Citizens, Brooklyn New Bedford, Mass, and
Philadelphia (city works. have thus honorably
distinguished themselves.
The railroad companies had better at once
take the back track on the same issue. They
may kick as much as they please, but they may
depend upon it that they will ultimately have
to do it.
The New York herald., 1862-09-18
Notice to the New YORK Enrolling poards.

% Enrolling Boards OF the several towns Of this state
are hereby notified thai arrangements will be made tn
pay all proper expenses attending the enrolment pro-
vided in general ordvs NO 30 from the War Department.
Due notice will be given when the necessary forms and
instructions prepared aud ready TO be issued All ac
coun of this nature should be until such notice
appears, THOMAS HILLHoUSE, Adr 0encra.
The New York herald., 1862-09-18
Death or Commodors PercivaI

I'b'fVNi NvFt' IbUzs
Commodore John Perciva, OF the United States Navy,
died at mis- residence In Roxbury ibis morpiog,
The New York herald., 1862-09-18
THE PAROIED SOLDIERS TO BE SENT
AGAINST THE INDIANS.

WASHINGTON, Sept II, 1862.
Tho paroed prisoners Of Colonel Niles late command AZ
Harpers Ferry be sent Immediately TO the North
west to suppress the Indian nsurrecton This dspos'
tion Of the soldiers indicated cannot affect their parole
and will enable the government 70 place eight thousand
well drilled troops In field where their services ar
much needed.
The New York herald., 1862-09-18
THE SITUATION.

New York. Thursday, Sept. IS, ls69
The New York herald., 1862-09-18

Jackson's forces at about forty five thousand
THE RxBsrs ATTACK IN THREE COLUMNS
The attack forces made In three columns or
divisions, under the commando OF Generals Ill., McIawor
and third whose did not occur TO our inform.
ants Hl's division attacked the Maryland Heights
Gen. McLawlor moved, via Sandy Hook, 10 Bolivar
Heights and the third division, which Gen Jackson nc
companied, approached BY tho charlsstown pike each
column numbering about fifteen thousand men.
HEAVY LOSS or rHH REBELS
Tho encmys loss admitted by rebel officers 10 be
about fifteen hundred men killed and wounded In ALL
axAsL UNION Loss IN KILLED AND WOUNDED.
Our oss was about sixty killed aud one hundred and
afty wounded.
SPLENDID ARTILLERY PRACTICE.
Our artillery Gre the rebel masscs was very dsstrue
tive.
THE Rxsr, SUPPLY TRAINS
After the capture OF the place Jackson trains marched
through IL, on their way 70 the vaiey Oh 'ns sue
nandoah They wore hurried rapidly along and
seemed 70 be well filed with supplies oi all Kinds
Over cne hundred and lfty wagons, containing tho
one article Of salt alone, obtained at Frederick, were
in one train. 0ther wagons contained cothing, shoes
ana other articles much needed by the rebels. The
,,ro train was immense and would stretch for ton
twelve miles and all filed The story that jackson
na hn, small train Of wagons with him In his foray
thus shown TO be incorrect.
PROVISIONS AND AMMUNITION CArTrRnp
The enemy found put few provisions in the storehouses
n. the supplies nearly exhausted when the siege be
can The supply or ammunition found was however,
quite large and was eagerly appropriated by tho
rebels All the saddles cut 70 pieces when IL was
forescen that surrender likely to occur, and sucf
.evolvcrs and sabres az remained with the sick csvar,
men were put aside.
ESCAPE or rHS UNION CAVALRY.
The Escape Of the 1880 mounted men, composed Of th
FIRST ostalry battalion Of the Maryland cavalry SEC
fton Of tho Maryland mounted regiment, one companyc
The New York herald., 1862-12-02
The Navy.

PmrADfLpHo NAVAL Ngws-isl0ug ISLAND. .--On satur.
day Hon John Ccyodo, Hon John x Moorhead, Hon. s.
s Blair and other distinguished aud influential pcrsonaess
paid q visit 20 League IsaGd with view Of examining
II "a a site for naval station II s only necessary that
the advantages Of this spot for the purpose proposed
should bo thoroughly understood at Washington to do
nitey settle the location Of this great naval depot
generally understood that despite The majority report
the minority report carries with 1t such conclusive evil
dence the fitness OF League Island as renders its ac
ceptance no longer question Of doubt.
BRooKLyS NAVY YARp-There are over four thousand
ayo hundred workmcn now employed in this yard, and
more are required The Sork !s progressing as rapidly
a: crsManssahtss Viii sdm,. i-;a. -.
CuAsrEsrows NAVY YARp-The Minnesota, repaired
at Portsmouth, win 10 ChaIesown this week to receive
her crew and stores The bark Gem OF the Sea viii sail
within week ton days, the stores being In prsTara
on and the repairs nearly finished. The Same is true
Of the bark Ksngasher Of which Acting Master J. G.
Dutch has been appointed commander The late com.
mander, Lieut., J. r. Couhony is awaiting other orders.
PAwxx-tsn guns.--Tns United States sloop.or.war
Pwnce was on Saturday oated or the sectional docks Of
the Navy Yard Considerable repairing was cneced but
not 50 much as was anticipated The old copper In some
cases. was very deficient and rotten. II has been
placed with good material Tho Pawnee will no doubt
leave por, 10 short time The Do Soto 70 have been
aoated on yesterday.
pAia-Tne sailing sloop-ofw Dale sailed on Saturday
last from the Delaware for the blockadng squadron.
BAwBspoR guns.-Thc brig cambridge Lieutenant
Commanding D. Lynch, was at Aspinwal, N. a., u the
latest adv!ccs. All we'll.
pxxHr-nius guns. Tho brig Perry had sailed from
Aspinwaii for Key West 81 The latest dates.
ArporMxRSrs Charles r. Gardner, Of New Bedford,
has been appointed Paymassers Steward on board the
new Monitor Nahant Capt Down, now nearly ready Tor
sea Charles NJ Collins, Of New Bedford, has received
tho appointment Of Captains Clerk on board tho school
ship Macedonian, at Charlsstown Navy Yard.
sxlr or Parsx vrssn Bosrox-The prize brig Lila
was sold by public auction on saturdsy,by the United
states Marshal, 20 Samuel Knight, Esq for e9,215.
The New York herald., 1862-12-02
THE BANKS EXPEDITION.
Vessels Loading-The Expedition Nearly
Complete-fts Strength, &c, sc.


Tue formidable expedition which for several da.s has
been organizing 70 this vicinity under Major Genera
Banks now nearly complete and before tho close OF ho
week wiz sail for it's unknown destination.
The General expected to sail yesterday but rni"re cen
delays incident all large expeditions occurred. Tie w
not get od before to and Il is not at al unlikely
that hs may De detained beyond that time.
The delay has been occasioned principally W she ii
Guilty In obtaining proper transports. Tho pefsoi al
inspection OF the vessels by snera Banks on Sunday
undoubtedly resulted in changes, which con
sumed considerable time. Complaints had been made By
some Of Tho c)mendans or regiments that the vessels TO
which they were assigned were Insufficient Ia sizs and
accommodations ami by personal investigation ths
General was enabled decide how many Of tness com
plants were veil founded.
The rain of yesterday made very difficult 70 mov, The
troops board the transports and no doubt occasonsd
some delay tn. following vessels. however TOOK IN coal
provisions and troops during the day
Steamers Haze Promstheus, Green Salyor ate prize,
oriole Northern flight. George Collins New Brunswick,
Che Kan, Illinois and others
Tie secret OF the expedition seems 70 have been well
kent une7s indeed believe the Original story that
was bound for Texas, which is not generally credited.
s'Iiow many will you have on your expedition.
General" inquired curious visitor the other day.
"wenr replied the Genera, pausng as If going through
with process of mental arithmetic, "woll, shall have
. good many"
Rev. f. G. Holland, known to the American people MS
traveller and author chaplain Of the One Hundred and
Firty.sixh New York Volunteers, in Banks division.
The New York herald., 1862-12-02
The situation in Middle Tennessee.

,Irom the Chattanooga Rebel, Nov. 10
The campaign ia Middle Tennessee becomes moro and
interesting overy day. On all hands succession of
rapid military movements bespeaks rough
rivers Our a,hoes begin 70 open their eyes to tho ne.
ccssty OF holding that rich BASIN that rolls through arc
gon no. sscVna % 20 % h Snc ao y
the fats OF the Harpeth and Tennessee II Is truly land
flowing with wne milk aud honey, aud illustrates the
but TO be tickled with hoe"
The main boay Of our enemy occupies the melancholy
little depot station OF Tullahona II forms the junction
Of tho Chattanooga and McMnnyille railroads, about
thirty eight miles southeast from Murfeesoro At tho
latter Lont Gen. Breckenridge hasa division well posted
Forrest and Morgan operate around Nashville. They
make Iayergne place Of rendezvous, whence they sally
forth like Marons men OF old at tho peep Of day dealing
death and destruction TO the outposts foragIng parties
and subsistence trains of the enemy These excursions
ssss o Morean ana Forrest have abundsncs Composed
Of dashg veterans and led by cheains who have never
been for skill and daring the cavalry branch Of
tho Army OF the West may challenge comparison with any
army Of tho service.
AS yet the operations OF the opening campaign are
merely ia OF preparation TO say We arc organ
izng force mcct the advance OF Rosccrans. Schools
OF instruction have been organized recruitenlistcd
subsistence procured and clear ed opened for FREQ
Gght.
cation Is 10 be kept open We learn Colonel Cole
that hereafter rcgrlar agent win attend the sta
arrangement Of this department. and that the people OF
Middle Tennessee not 10 he wholly neglected by that
miserable hmbug, the Postmaster General at Richmond
For six nay nearly long months, these people have
bean kept in the dark. They have nothing have
heard nothing but one foul tissue Of asehood The whole
country has been flooded with Yankee fabricatons OF tho
most absurd quality. They know nothng OF what has
becn transporting IN the South. Surely that have
= FREQ access, should disseminate ray Of light and
truth IL Is duty which the Confederate states owe TO
a zcd but true and loyal people.
Parties lust from below report that the Sbolitioniss
grow more mpudcn and that the operations Of Morgan
and Forrest conducted upon system Of greater pru-
dencc u, 90, ,,.
howeycr are still In Murfreesboro.
The New York herald., 1862-12-02
IMPORTANT FROM GEN. slsEL's s CORPS.
brAAap. vr..auOnS of the Union Cavalry
Under General StahI.
Rebel Cavalry Routed at
Smokers Ferry.
Prisoners, Colors, Arms, Horses and
Cattle Captured,
L.. A1. ~.

CnASTnLY. Va, Nov. 30-TP. u.
Brigader General stah has just rsturned lie atackcd
the enemy at snickers Ferry and followed shem with
three hundred cavalry into their camps on the other side
Of the river and near Berryve Our charged splen
didly whenever they met the enemy. Whites cavalry
were driven in all directions nearly all their officers cap
tured and their colors taken. White hnssf fed and hid
himself at house In Berryvie.
Tho Third, Seventh and Twelfth Virginia cavalry
were also attacked and routed Forty Of their
with horses were taken prisoners and
fifty killed and wounded, and two coior7 taken.
One wagon load Of pistols and carbincs picked up
on the road, thrown away by the flying enemy. Eighty
cattle and eighty horses were also brought in.
Our loss In killed and wounded about ffteon.
General sahl reports that his officers and men behaved
excellen,ly. and used only their swords-no firearms.
lie also reports that there brigade under General
Jones at Winchester. but that Jacksons main force was
at New Market last Wednesday, reported previously
L. SlGEL.
Major General Commanding