Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-08-18
NORTHERN NEWS.

NORTHERN NEWS.
Gen. Meade has issued an order announcing
severe measures Of retaliation against the dislOy-
al farmers residing on the line Of the Orange and
Alexandria Railroad, between Alexandria and
Warrenton. who aid Mosby in his guerrilla raids.
They to be made responsible for all damages
committed on the railroad by guerilla forces, to
be impressed as laborers for the repair of the
road, and their houses to be taken for govern
ment use.
Gov Seymour, of New York, has addressed
letter to the President relative to the draft, in
which he complains of the injustice done to the
State by the mode of enrolment, and asks for a
/ suspension Of the draft until the errors can %
corrected. He states that large body of the
people believe the CONSUMPTION act to be uncon-
stitutiena and claims that its legality should be
tested in the courts. The President replies very
briefly. He says: 81 cannot consent to sus-
pend the draft in New York. He promises to
see that justice is done, and will not object to see
the constitntionality of the CONSUMPTION tested.
But at present no time can be wasted or argu-
ment used, if We would prevent the rebe's from
turning upon our now victorious soldiers.
] The President has ordered that three prisoners
from South Carolina shall be held in close con-
finemeat as hostages for three negro seamen cap
tured on the gunDoat Isaac Smith, and who are
now in prison at Charleston.
The expedition up James river was accompa-
MED by turret iron clad Sangamon and gunboats
Comm, Barney and Cohasset. A torpedo was
exploded under the bows of the Barney, lifting
| them completely out Of the water, and throwing
a great quantity of water high into the air, which
fell upon the deck of the boat, washing overheard
fifteen of her men, including Lieut.. Cushing the
commanding officer. Maj. Gen. Foster was up
on this boat. The Barney and Cohasset were in
Ijured by shots from field pieces.
/ NEGRO TRoops.--A Georgia paper says that
the only efectual way to prevent Northern ne
groes from enisting, and white officers from
commanding them after enlisted, is not to take
either prisoners. Leave them on the battle
field. If our troops IN hurry to pursue
their retreating foes, they need not give the
black rascals and their blacker-h hearted officers
any more attention than the Scotch soldier did
the Frenchman who was begging for ssquarter."
81 Gamma stop to quarter ye,' he remarked,
but II cut ye in twa;'' and, suting his actions
to his words, passed on.
YANKEE HoNEsTY.--In the late raid to Rocky
Mount, N. c., (says the Raleigh State Journal. )
the Yankees entered the dwelling of Ex-Gov-
ernor Clark and took from his wife the wedding
present OF jewelry her husband had given her.
and which, of course, she highly priced. One of
the men remarked he thought it hard but, said
he, though officers profess otherwise, in
stealing these things we strictly under or
ders--we must obey.
\
| QUESTION OF EooNoMY.--Is an officer of the
army--be he general, colonel, major, or captain
ENTITLED to draw feed from the Government for
| horses not IN Government service? Ii the officer
is in the field, and has but one horse with him.
| can he draw for two or three more that he NAV
nave at work to his private carriage or upon hisl
| farm Scarce as prOvender is at this time, and
is likely to be while the continues, it is very
important that all Government leaks should be
stopped at once, and thus insure justice to the
people and the service.
| Why MORGAN WAS CArrURED.--We copy the
following from the Tennessee correspondent of
the Atlanta Appeal:
Captain Coke, one Of Morgan's Commissaries
| in answer to the question why Morgan and his
whole force did not not avoid the enemy by cross
ing at some ungu arded point on the river, said
there was no such places that there was heavy
! river force, consisting of gunboats and trans
ports of infantry, who kept up prompt and intel
Igent communication by means of couriers with
the cavalry force pressing on their rear, which
it was impossible to get ahead of.
/ The sslRREPREssIBLE CoNFLIcT'' IN IowA-A |
serious collision took place on the 1st instant at |
South English, in keokuk county, Iowa. be |
tween the Democrats and Union men. One Dem |
ocrat was killed and two others died from their |
wounds. The Democrats were driven from the |
place, but were subsequently, reinforced to the |
number of fifteen hundred men, and were hourly |
receiving fresh accessions Ali are represented
to be armed and full Of fight The Sheriff oil
keokuk had gone to Davenport for military as
/ sistance,
| "HERMEs,' - the we'll informed correspondent
OF the charleston Mercury, under date OF Goth
/ ultlmo, from Richn- ond, writes as follows:
| ssAmld all our sorrows, we see CLEANS OF COM |
tort IN suilen, down-trodden New York, and in
4 the New French Government in Mexico. Tol
hold what he has obtained this continent,
Napoleon must 1nterpoSe an independent Con-
federacy between Mexico and the North. Hence
we take comfort, knowing that every day briDgsl
US nearer the goal. The tug OF war is upon u.s.
| THE REPORTED LOUISIANA VIoroRY.-The
Motile Advertiser, of the 9th instant, has tt
subjoined paragraph, which is probably the
losssaetion from which grew the story about Gen.
IIaylor having captased six thousand prisoners at
tDonaldsonyille, Louisiana
i sWe learn that bearer of dispatches from
| Gen. Taylor to the Government at Richmond ar
rived here yesterday. We are informed that he
reports that severe battle had taken place at
|Donaldsonville, on the 18th ult., between por-
| ton OF the forces OF Taylor and Ranks-the for
mer with seven hundred and the latter one thou
sand men. Our forces won victory, and cap
| tured five hundred prisoners. No battle to the
extent that has been rumored has occurred with
in bis knowledge.''
TRUE LIBERTY.-We are heartily tired Of
having pointed out to us, as bright examples, the
| trials and snfferings of other struggling nations
IN their strife for liberty. We should be indie
| pendent enough not to require stimulus to our
achievement of Independence. Our proud am
bltlon should be to live ourselves, the brightest
example to future nations the world has vet pro
4 duced.
MIssIssIpPI.-Our accounts from Mis-
Islsippi are Of the most encouraging
character. When the order was given
by Gen. Johnston for the retreat Of the
army from jackson, number of men
who were attached to the Mississippi
regiments and were eager to shed their
last drop of blood in defence of her soil
and capital, temporarily left the ranks
without leave, totake a last adieu OF the
loved ones at home, who were left in the
lines of the enemy. Every man who
has spark of human kindness in his