The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-01-16
FREDERICKSBURG. Jan, 9.

&C., &C., &c.
FREDERICKSBURG, Jan. 9.
: Reports from the other side of the river
state that the main body of the enemy are re-
treating towards Washington. -.
The New York Herald of the 7th was re-
ceived late to-day.
Seymour's message is published in the He
raid of the 9th.
1t says that the war has taken more than
two hundred thousand men from workshops
and fields. There ,aust be no attempt to put
down public opinion. 'The people demand
free discussion, and desire to learn their actual
condition. 1t says slavery has been the sub
ject, not the cause Of the war. Must look for
the cause of the war in the prevailing disre-
gard of the laws and the Constitution above
all. in local prejudices which have grown up
in the two extremes of the country whose re-
mote positions and interests made them less
informed regarding the condition and charac-
ter of the whole people, than in the central
and western States. Our difficulties teach
that we must reform the people and policy of
the Government. Says the rights of the
States must be respected. A consolidated Co.
vernment in this vast country would destroy
the essential rights and liberties of the people.
The sovereignty of the States cannot be given
up. Denounces arbitrary arrests, the. sup
preston of journals and the spy system of
the General Government. Denies that the re
belion can suspend a single right of the citi
zens of the loval States. Enjoins sheriffs
and civil officers to take care that no person
is imprisoned, or carried from the State by
force, without process and authority of law
Denounces martial law as opposed to the Con
stitution of the General Government. The
President holds his Office, not by the will Of
the majority, but the Constitution, which
placed him in Office by a vote of one million
$50 thousand against twenty-eight hundred
thousand If the Constitution cannot keep
the Executive within its restraints; it connot
restore States in union with those who hold
there is no sanctify in the Constitution, and
must admit no guilt in rebellion.
These practices are more dangerous to our
liberties than the rebellion itself: Condemns
the emancipation proclamation as impoitic,
unjust and unconstitutional, that may be con-.
strued as the grandparents of the hope Of
restoring the Union. If the South must be
held in military subsection and the negroes be
managed by the government, the government
must be converted into military despotism.
The opinion that the South must be suhjugat-
ed weakened the hopes of the people and de-
stroyed all confidence abroad. The message
argues that the Union is indlssoluble-
factions North or South will be put down.
So clearly, he says, are the upper and lower
valleys Of Mississippi bound together, that
when cotton is burned in Louisiana corn is
used as fuel in Illinois. Ruin to Southern
custom bankrupts Northern products. Neither
in the Northern or Southern Union and con-
ficting interests of agriculture, commerce and
manufactures be adjusted.
Dispatches from Cairo, the 7th, say that
Sherman fought his way within two miles of
Vicksburg. The fighting was desperate in the
extreme. Regiments and Brigades fought
hand to hand. The fourth Iowa lost 600.
Gen. Haney, with 1900 men, had been sent
on a special mission and was missing.
General Holmes is marching in the direc-
ton of Vicksburg.
The Rebel force, at Vicksburg, is sixty.fve
thousand; their entertainments extend six
miles from the city.
Sherman was attacked on the 29th and
driven back to the first line of his defences,
after taking the main battery and rife pits
Loss estimated at from four to FIVE thousand.
Grant, at Holly Springs, did not reinforce
Sherman. A Federal General was killed
General Morgan L. Smith wounded.
Farragut and Porter were expected to CO.
operate with Sherman aud McClernand.--
Banks army had been divided.into two col
umns, and one sent on an independent expe-
dition.
Butler, in speech in Philadelphia, on the
7th, attempted to justify the murder Of Num-
ford and said, rightly or wrongly, the act COM
mended itself to his judgment.
The Herald says it is probable that Butler
will return to New Orleans and Banks push
forward to the field.
The Herald learns, by an arrival from New
Orleans, that Banks had established his Head
Quarters at Baton Rouge. He had ten thou
sand men in Camp Moore. The vessels of
his expedition had arrived.
Butler was to have a public reception in
New York on the 9Th.
A bill had been passed by Congresspro-
viaing for the issue of ten millions thirty year
bonds in aid of emancipation in Missouri, the
Government pledging the removal and coloni-
zation of the freed slaves.
A Key West correspondent of the Herald
learns that the Anglo-Rebel steamer, Comet,
with a valuable cargo from Nassau, was cap
tured on the 25th.
Official from Vicksburg.
RICHMOND, Jan. 10th.