Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1863-04-10
CHARLESTON OURs!.
THE GREAT SECESH CITY FALLEN
Attack of our Land and
Naval forces on Charleston.
Report Of the Committee on the
conduct of the War.
expedition under Gen.
Stanley.
Fight and Rebel defeat at Snow Hill

New YORK, April 6.
The Heralds Washington dispatch says
a report reached here by way of Fredericks-
burg, derived from rebel sources, that Charles
ton was bombarded by our fleet and attacked
by our land forces on Thursday last, and is
now in possession of the Federals, under Gen.
Hunter and Admiral Dupont. a ..s. e..
j This report is fully credited by prominent
officers of the Government who are in pos
session of facts in reference to the contem-
plated attack on Charleston, which it is not
yet prudent to divulge.
1t is certain however that those who pos
sess the information are confident that our
soldiers and sailors will celebrate the second
anniversary Of the fall of Fort Sumter in the
captured city of Charleston.
Restrictions upon publication in Southern
papers are so stringent that it is not expected
to find much in them in reference to the cap
ture of Charleston until the disaster can no
longer be concealed, but reports which have
arrived here are definite and positive and are
believed by those who have the best right to
know what foundation there is for them.
Fir. MONROE, April 8.
The Richmond Dispatch says: "The enemy
have landed in force on Seabrooks or Johns
Island, S. c., and two or three gunboats and
several transports were lying off the island.
Skirmishing had already taken place between
ours and the enemy's pickets. Our pickets
were driven in, and the enemy are advanc-
ing. Gen. Haywood has ordered all women
and children and non-combattants to be re-
moved to Adams Run, which is 20 miles
from Seabrooks Island"
New York, April 6.
Information has been received contradict
ing positively the reported preparations OF
the rebels to evacuate Richmond. The re
ports were based upon the movements OF
troops and materials sent from Richmond to
strengthen the defences at other points of the
Confederacy.
1t is believed, however, that the rebels are
erecting formidable defences at Chattanooga,
as place for a last grand rally, in case of be-
ing compelled to retire from the borders.
Especial to the Times.]
WASHINGTON, April 5.
The city is nervous tonight over news de-
rived from rebel sources that Charleston has
fallen, and that our attack commenced on
Friday and was overwhelmingly successful.
A flag of truce came to Falmouth this morn
ing. Newspapers struggled under it makes
no mention of the fall of Charleston or of its
salvation.
Gen. Lee, with considerable force, is in the
Shenandoah valley.
Prisoners captured by our troops have been
found with papers bearing his signature.
Fitz Hugh Lee is in the neighborhood of
Culpepper with his cavalry.
The 1ribune's special says our relations
with Great Britain are conceded by those con.
versant with the extremely delicate cores
pondence between Earl Russell and Minister
Adams, with relation to the fitting out and
sailing of the pirate Alabama, contained in
the English blue books but not yet published
in this country, and which correspondence is
still going on, concerning the construction
and equipment in British waters of other pi-
Bull in line which is unfriendly, if not men
acing and provocative of war.
Earl Russell plants himself on the strict
letter of the statute applicable to the case.
He refers our Government to that statute, and
in effect refuses to take steps to remedy the
grievance complained Of The matter has
recently been seriously discussed in the Cabi-
net
tits thought in some quarters that the cap
ture Of Charleston is untrue. Apprehensions
on that score may be dismissed. The Minis
te,s Of the principal foreign powers are
believed to be of the opinion that its capture
is impossible.
The Presidents proclamation has cause d
the return Of 500 deserters daily to their reg
iments; therefore no impediments have been
thrown in the way of enforcing the procla-
nation, for the time for their return has ex-
pired. The Government is disposed to deal
leniently with all who return to their regi-
ments.
The Committee on the conduct of the war
urged on the President yesterday, the issue of
letters of Marque. The subject was the oc-
casion of protracted Cabinet meeting, after
wards, in which two Of the heads of the De-
partment were as positively opposed to the
measure as the others were in favor of it.
The conclusion was deferred.
A notorious secessionist named Gen. Will
hanson, formerly of Attorney General Of
Maryland was arrested yesterday by order Of
Judge Advocate Jas. White, en- route from
Canada to Richmond. On searching his bag
gage number of letters were found showing
conclusively that he was in correspondence
with the rebels, involving prominent parties
in New York and Baltimore. He was sent to
Fort Lafayette. -
Z. 'i New YORK, April 5.
The full report of the Committee on the
Conduct ofthe War occupies sixty-four closely
printed pages. The principal part Of the tes
timony relates to the Army of the Potomac.
The Report shows that, Dec. 18th, 1861,
exclusive of the command of Gen. Dix, at Bal
timore, the Potomac army numbered 1856 900
men, well armed, disciplined and equipped.
The strength of the enemy was variously esti
mated at from 10000 to 100000, at that
time, and their works exceedingly formidable;
but subsequent events proved that their force
was less than 10000, and the strength of
their Notifications greatly overestimated. At
the same time it was considered unadvisable
to attack the enemy in front; also, that it
would be necessary to leave 81, 900 to $4,000
men in front of Washington, for its defense,
thereby allowing but 1907 900 men for service
elsewhere The Committee AYERS that ade-
quate provision was never made to man the
Notifications in front of Washington.
In relation to the blockade of the Potomac,
the Committee states that it was proposed to
take possession of Matthias Point, in June,
1861, and again in August, but nothing was
done. In October, plan was adopted to take
it. The Potomac fotilla was to act conformity
with detachment of troops; but the troops
were not sent as agreed upon, and the plan
was not carried out. After the Potomac fe-
tilia left on the Port Royal expedition, the
river was almost entirely closed by rebel bat
teries, until the rebels voluntarily left.
On the 10th Of January 1862, the President
as Commander-in- Chief, issued orders for a
general movement of all the armies of the
United States, one of the results Of which
was the capture of Forts Henry and Donel-
son on the st of January. The President