The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1862-05-15

engaged, while the Federal army is said not
to have exceeded 10000 The latter would
probably have been defeated had it not been
for the presence of the gunboats, driving
the enemy back with great slaughter.
Deserters report great excitement at Nor
folk this morning, and say Gen. Burnside,
With large force, is within few miles of
Weldon. The rebel troops were evacuating
the city. Sewall and Pig Points are said
to be already abandoned. Preparations are
making for the destruction of the Navy
Yard and other public property.
| Southern Civilization.
LOUISVILLE, May s.
Two thoroughly reliable Keutuckians
just arrived from New Orleans report all
along the Mississippi from Memphis to New
Orleans one general bonfire of property,
particularly of cotton of which eleven or
twelve thousand bales were burned at New
Orleans. The people Of the river towns
were all retreating inland, destroying prop
erty along all the tributaries to the Miss
issippi, the planters u many cases were
applying the torch to their own property.
Among the great number of planters but
one was found who objected to burning his
cotton.
The French commander of the Melclairc
before the surrender of the city gave notice
of the required sixty days notice before
bombardment of the city in order to remove
the French citizens. All the cotton at
New Orleans and Baton Rouge has been
burned-32, 900 bales were thus destroyed.
JEFF Davis has issued proclamation re-
questing the people to assemble at places
of worship on the 10th of May, to ask the
blessing of God for the Confederate arms.
A dispatch from an officer at Williams
burg says short time before reinforcements
came up our men gave some guns, after:
wards recaptured. Information from Fred
ericksburg says merchants there are largely
indebted at the North, and are selling out
their property with the avowed intention of
of defrauding Northern creditors.
Anonymous letters have been sent to the
Union men of Fredericksburg threatening
their lives and property when our army
leaves.
Played Out.
WASHINGTON, May 6.
The New York Times dispatch says the
French Minister has gone to Richmond to
assure the rebel Government that the En-
peror doesn't recognize them as power
among nations; that England and France,
by recognizing them as belligerents, did all
that could be expected on the part of neu-
uai Governments; that the blockade of their
ports is effectual; that they are fairly beat
en- in arms, and their independence as a
nation is impossible; that continuance of
hostilities by the threatened destruction Of
cotton aud tobacco crops would only be
wanton injury to the commerce of the
world, injuring France and England even
more than the United States; that resort
to guerrilla wa;firc, as proposed, when
their armies were dstroyed, would demor-
alize society, and would be simply q return
to barbarism. The rebels have, therefore,
been aamonished that cessation of hos,ili-
ties is duty they owe to themselves and
TO the word, which all civilized nations will
unite in requiring of them.
Amnesty.
NRw YORK, May 5.
The Herald's Washington dispatch says
Two months ago we stated there was in
contemplation by the Government, an ana-
nesty measure : that it was proposed to
offer ssid amnesty as soon as our power ex-
tended over Richmond and few other
places. Now learn, not in so many words
directly, but Indirectly, that the matter of
such amnesty is actually under considera-
tion, and may soon be Issued, the whole
depending upon immediate success or de-
feat of our armies. ! was tod that some
time ago, that such amnesty would be ex-
tended to all except Davis Cabinet, and
Confederate Major and Brigadicr Gener.
ais, with a few prominent civilians"
The Loss at Pitisburg Landing,
CINCINNATI, May 2.
The correspondent of the Commercial
with General Halleck's army gives the fol-
lowing official figures as our loss at Pitts
burg 1876 killed, 1882 wounded and
1858 missing-about 800 wounded have
since died. Gen. Sherman's division suf-
fered most in killed-the number being
437. Hurlbut next with 315 killed.
Others from 450 to 500. Of Prentiss' d.
vision 1,s0O are missing. Wallace's divis-
ion 1853 missing. Hurlbups division has
1850 wounded. Prentiss' 400 wounded, +,
Netherlands 1850, and Wallace's 1,033. =
Our burial parties report between $500
and 5000 rebels dead on the field.
THE INDIAN REGIMENTS.
The following telegram was received by
Gen. Blunt, yesterday in reply to COM