davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Weekly national intelligencer., 1863-02-12
RECRUITING NEGRO SOLDIERS.
Correspondence Of the NeD York Times,

Correspondence Of the New York Times,
FORTRESS MONROE, FEB g. 1863
An authorization having been granted by the Government
to Gov Andrew OF Massachusetts, for the enlistment Of
cooged United States soldiers the latter has re-
quested Mr. c. B. Wilder, Superintendent of Contrabands
for ts Department to enlist such desire it, Having
obtained the Of Gen Dix, Military Cover
nor Mr. Wilder Immediately held out prospects of promo
tion in the black regiment to certain commissioned and
noDcomDissoned officers here and the result spirited
recruitment their part of able men, who will render
good service In tb neghborhood including that of Nor
folk Suffolk, and Yorktown at least battalion and pro-
badly regiment, wi be raised within fortnight The
will then bet to Washington and endued with blue
and red unmentonables part of the
contingent
To those coored who do not wish soldiers life
and who may desirable employment another OPEN
ing presents itself The Secretary of War has at last de-
6nitey authorized Mr. Wilder to appropriate vacated lands
Of rebels in this department t. the Of those coored
people of beth sexes who may wsh to them. The
auds not coofscated they merely appropriated
for the time being ard, should peace speedily ensue will
be held only durng hs present year The occupants will
be placed in charge of white superintendeuts who will
each have under his control many sborers the farm
may nd employment for The blncks will either be paid
for their labor monthly wait until the sale of produce
remuueraes themsmsl advances for necessities being
made them when required Superntendents will also be
paid from the proceeds or Gales. Attention will especially
be given TO the cultivation of vget bes for the Northern
markets Free freight will bs gwen to this produce, on
Government Transports to punt where it be cent
and n giving this privilege the War Department rusts
that private bsneyoence will furnish all other facilities
Attached to each farm will be tchoo where children
will b taughtn the day and adults at ught The teachers
will be independent III their action of the farm supern
tendepts All this is intended both to relieve the Govern
meDt of the Thousand dollars day it pays for the
support Of contrabands in this department and prove,
what is doubted by many that negroes will work in a
state of freedom The result Of the experiment will be
satisfactory.
Weekly national intelligencer., 1863-02-12
A SHOCKING CATASTROPHE In RICHMOND.
From The Richmond Ezaminer Of January %.

From The Richmond Examiner Of January %
Between four and Eve o'clock yesterday morning while
upwards Of thousand Federal exchanged prisoners were
being conducted from the Confederate States prson the
Petersburg depot for transportation to City Point the foot
bridge spanning the basin Eighth street gave way while
the line was passing over it, and went down wreck in
ten feet OF water, carrying with all upon the bridge,
from fifty to eighty in number.
The utmost excitement at ensued among The pri.
and the members Of several companies OF the City
battalion who had them under guard exsrted Themselves
strenuousy to rescue them but the morning being dark
aud cloudy their ebrts attended with but partial
success On calling the roll twenyseven Of the prisoners
were found missing, at least not answering to their
names Two Of the City battalion also missing and
1t s feared they have shared the fate OF the prisoners
Notwithstanding the imentablo mishap the prisoners
cent to Petersburg by the regular train During
the morning hrongs Of persons assembled both banks
Of the basin aud the bridge witness the preparations
for recovering the bodies from the basin At the sugges
on OF Coroner Sanxay the outlets otened for the
purpose Of drawing the water off; but the basin emped
slowly and mp 10 o'clock NJ yesterday but three boz
dies had been discovered two of them Federal prisoners
aud the third the body Of Confederate soldier that had
evidently been in the water month or more Darkness
approaching the further search for the victims was post
poned until this morning when oci investigation will
be had,
Weekly national intelligencer., 1863-02-12

A GENERAL BE DISPOSED oF.-Several of the nsws-
papers Of the day iudustrousy asserting that Gen
Butler s to be sent back the Department of the Gulf
the Government having already repented of it's in
removing him Not to speak Of the surs thus indirectly
cast upon the pursued at New Orleans by Gen.
Banksa General whose administrative capacity and udg
ment have rarely been questioned before in this quarter
these reports TO Gen Buffers speedy return imply
very heavy accusation against the Government, which s
represented having charged the command Of great de-
partment unadvedy that tie grounds Of s action will
not bear months examination 1t seems far pro-
bable that the navy may be at work second time
carving ont department for Gen Butler Possibly
be may yet try match with the people Of Charleston II
So the world will watch with interest for the Issue:
Boston Daily ddpsrtiser.
Weekly national intelligencer., 1863-02-12
UNOFFICIAL ACCOUNT.

1t appears flom the statement Of intelligent eye-w
ness that the Of the attack of the rebel
squadron owing to the capture by Of the Eugsh
Princess Royal the captain and pilot Of that ves-
sci having escaped during the darkness Of the night
aud communicated intelligence to the enemy.
The Princess Royal eudeavored to the blockade by
wsy Of Beach Inlet the 90 b. but discovered by
the piotboat Blunt and the signal being given, the
gpboat Unaa towards her and captured the
valuable prize which the Unadlla carried to side o
the ousatoDc aud laid there till daylight when the
thunder Of heavy was heard accompanied ny short
ishes Of light
Az daylight broke it discovered board the Prn
cess Royal that two rebel coming from the direction
of Stono inlet steaming toward our feet One OF
the rams steamed Immediately towards the United States
Qunboat Mercedita, which lying close to Fort Sumter
and struck her at the waters edge, keeling her AT
the same time che fred shot into her sarboard boiler,
hch exploded 1t and caused the death of three persons
including the gunner by shot and steam The ram then
hated the Mercedita aud demanded surrender. Capt.
Slelwbgen REPLIED "we IN sinking condition." and
at The same time lowered one Of bis email boats
The ram answered our hail by replying, 1--WE are the
Confederate ram Palmetto Slate; do you surrender =
This repeated three times Capt Stelwaaen at each
inquiry replying, II am in sinking condition" The
rebels finally answered, cd d-n you to hell if you
don't surrender will blow you out of water send your
boat aboard"
The small boat which Capt. Stelwagen had lowered
then conveyed his Lieutenant and Executive cer 20 the
side OF the rebel The request Of the cer to De nd
m tied aboard the refused Tbe Lleutenant re-
peated Capt Stellwsgens statement IN the following
words: we are IN SINKING cohuluoh. no umcoi "
the answered You cannot sink lower than the rails
We cannot take you aboard We will accept OF your pa
role" The Executive officer OF the Mereeda Then gave
his parole aud returned to his ship
The Mercedita then steamed OIL INTO place OF safety
the rebs hayrp been ssuy deceived to her
dition by ths report that she sinking Her small boat
alone was in this condition but was received by he rebel
fcers as guarantee Of ths state Of the vessel itself
The Merceda lay 10 shoal water and hence the reply Of
the enemy that she could not sink lower than her rails
The rebel ram then steamed towards the Keystone State
~ throu oh hpr ate druu sshnt
nted great havoc board the steamer causing the instant
death Of twenty-one persons Twelve were leveled by
the shot and the rest scaded to death by the steam
which escaped from the boilers Fifteen Of the
also wounded
In the mean time, while these startling events oc-
curing The side OF portion Of feet the U.
gunboat Housatonic which sheltered the Princess Royal
engaged with the other ram and succeeded 10 driving
her off, her guns being sufficiently depressed to stks toe
ram at every shot.
At half past o'clock in the morning both OF the rams
Weekly national intelligencer., 1863-02-12
THE CAPTURE OF TIE PRINCESS ROYAL

The Navy Department has received the following
ofcal report Of the capture of the Princess Royal,
from Com Dupont:
FLAGSHIP WABASH
P0n Royal Harbor, Is. CO. January 81, 1863
Hon GIDEON WELLEs, Secretary Of the Navy.
SIR have the honor TO report the capture on the
morning OF the 29h Instant of the screw steamer Priu.
cess Royal whilst attempting to the blockade ioto
The following are the circumstances connected with
her chptIfe =
After standing in mile and half, Lieutenant Com.
mander Qlackenbush observed steamer standing along
the land IN the direction Of Charleston He ir two
shots at her, when ber was altered towards the
beach, and she was run a'hore, Two officers and an
armed boats crew were immediately to take possess
sion She proved to be the iron steamer propeor Prn-
Gees Royal last from Bermuda four days out aud laden
as lar as he could learn, with riaed guns ammunition
steame for the ronclads, and assorted cargo
On taking possession 1T ascertaned that the captain
supercago, pilot, and some Of the petty officers and pas
senger had left the ship when she aud escaped to
the shore, which fact subsanated by the chief mate
under supercago aud chief engineer we'll by seeing
me TWO missing boats lying on the beach, deserted
by the active exertons Of Acting Master f. Van Sce
aud Acting Ensiga H. W. Cornell Of the Unsdia assisted
by boats from the United States steamers Housa
tonic and Augusta, and schoouers Blunt and America
aided by two of the engineers of the prize she was got of
without sustaining any Injury.
There not being sufficient coal on board Of the Prncass
Royal to send ber North she ordered by the senior
ohcer to this port TO obtain supply No papers pertan-
ing to ship or cargo were found on hoard nf ba
ime excepting tho shipping articles and log book but
after her arrival here Acting Master Van Sice Of the Una
dia, the ocer in charge of the prize discovered acc
dentaly, IN looking the de certain papers which
aad lodged in the feuder, in the attempt to throw them
overboard These refer principally to the cargo aud with
the papers before mentioned (Which were all that were
found board) will be forwarded to the U s. District
Judge at Philadelphia.
The under supercargo Hoxley the chief mate Shaw the
captalns cerk Ga young man named Hacksley, whose
gneers and several of the femen 90 North ia the PRICE
The rest Of the crew will be sent by the frat opportunity
fact that in this prize two complete engines said to be
OF great power aud intended for iron clads ~
Very respectfully your OBJ .dent servant,
s. f. DUPONT, Rear Admiral,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockadup SQUADRON.
Weekly national intelligencer., 1863-02-12
The CONDITION OF IRELAND.

The Cork Examiner Of January 18th contains the follow,
ing remarks on the condition OF ireland:
To disguise the fact that the condition of the farming
classes, especially those Of small holdings very painful
one at this moment would be idle 1t is confessedy
bad as 1t has been since l647 succession Of wretched
harvess has so reduced their to render them
dependent upon food not the product Of their fields
What would not be the rush from Ireland to the States
the war and industry and enterprises tade
manu- acture and again to their pesccfu
sway7 We, for part believe it would be tremendous
If things 90 they aref inducements to figh are
offered to pcoplewhat will be tho populatoa Of Ire
land in 1871 eight years distant The probability
that shall not have than four mlous Of people
in the country, IL we have 10 navy"
Weekly national intelligencer., 1863-02-12
DEATH OF HORACE yERNEr.

France lost her great historical painter HORACE
VERNEr died Paris the 18th Of January aged nearly
seventy four years. having been born in Paris the 30h
Of June, 1889. Tie was the of Carl Vernct great
battle painter the grandson OF Joseph verne the great
marine painter, whore father Antoine vernet, also
painter He began to paint when quite youth and soon
showed that he inherited the talent Of the family II
would be impossible to give any account Of his works with
out filling several columns But the palaces and galleries
OF France owe of their most splendid treasures to
bis genius; and the great battles of the nation are por
ous recorded the he has enriched He leaves
no family HIS only daughter was married 10 Paul Della
roche, and she died chdless.-Poa.
Weekly national intelligencer., 1863-02-12

left of action and proceeded towards Charleston
city.
Dung the attack the seamer Princess koya succeeded
10 getting out Of Danger aud proceeded to Port Royal
The Mercedta steamed down to Port Royal. escaping
Win only one OF her boilers injured The steamer Key
stone State was entirely disabled by the attack OF the rebel
rams but she wac towed down 10 Port Royal by the
steamer Memphis
The blockadng fleet extended distance Of fifteen miles
aud the gunboat Mercedta with the Keystone State
pied the most southern point, off tie south channel and
about five miles from Fort Sumter 1
The only raising Of the blockade that occasioned by
the concentration of the whole feet point in obe-
deuce to the signals from the fsghp and by sunset the
same evening ali the vessels had resumed their stations
The fight lasted about two hours
Weekly national intelligencer., 1863-02-12

Indiana papers refer to the difficulty between
SQUAD Of cavalry sent from Indianapolis to arrest dcseers
and citizen. Of Morgan county They deny that there
apy resistance but aege that the cavalry gross
~ imposed upon innocent and unofendng psrtes-that
thew ruthessy destroyed the property aud seized the
horses and insued the families OF peoceabie citizens
The facts will be investigated.
Weekly national intelligencer., 1863-02-12
OUR MULTIFoRM CURRENCY.

We present below reliable statistics and facts re-
latve to our currency which We are confident will be
found novend valuable in view of the momentous ques
tions aud interests concerning finance undergoing
discussion in Congress and by the people
The whole number of Banks in the United States is
estimated at 1885, apporoned follows, the branches
of State Banks bainp enumerated n ths estimata
Weekly national intelligencer., 1863-02-12

A Coop ExAMPLE.--A French paper says that AZ
Thourette in the department Of the AIM the cure VINO
nearly eighty years age has always insisted for ths last
should plant fruit tree Of some kind other The retult
s that this commune which formerly very uDproduc-
tive now presents the appearance Of immense orchard
Weekly national intelligencer., 1863-02-12

NEW YoKK, FEB ca bill vas introduced in tho Le-
qsature to day TO prevent the Banks Of the State selling
specie above psr during the time of suspension Of specie
paymeDs-makiog void all contracts for the salc pur.
chase Of specie aud prohibiting loans on specie under
penalty Of the forfeiture Vf baGk charter.
Weekly national intelligencer., 1863-02-12
IRoN.CLADs ORDERED TO SEA

The Navy Department has ordered the following ror-
clad ge.e 70 be prepared or and sent South at
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-02-24
TRIAL OF PRISONERS

Judge Advocate, now in session daily at the
Old Capitol prison, having concluded their pre-
Iiminary labors, to-day commence to take up
the cases of prisoners held for attempting to
run the blockade a second time, Of course in.
yolving violation of the parole under which
they were discharged after the first offence
Such parties are among the worst and most
dangerous foes TO the country's cause. They
are not only purveyors TO the rebels in the
matter OF supplies, but in all cases spies to the
extent OF their ability SO to be. such Of them
as may be found guilty will doubtless be sum-
mariiy and severely dealt with, as they sh ould
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-02-24
TIKI HAREA CORPUS SUSPENSION Bill

TEB HABEA+ CORPUS SUSPENSION BILL
The House to-day will doubtless pass the
Senate's CONSUMPTION hill, with immatarial
amendment, If any. The letters of marquis
and reprisal bill will be the next important
putlic measure considered by them, and will
he promptly made law. The SeEate's habeas
corpus suspension bill will then be taken up,
ard we trust, will be passed with As little de-
lay possible. No country was ever in
great war, and more especially in a srcat civil
war, in which il did not become necessary, for
seH-presery alton, that its government should
exercise the powers this bill proposes TO grant.
Else, all hopes that it may be able TO thwart
the secret plottIngs OF its enemies would be
futile indeed.
Men may cavil against this prime necessity
but the enactment OF such a law will continue
to be an incident of every spch war as that
in which the United States are now engaged
The power OF making such arrests as the bill
proposes TO legalize, we sincerely believe was
never more unexceptionably exercised by asy
Government SO circumstance, than by ours up
to this tine. Thou b some improper arrests
under it have doubtless been made-for those
making them, being human, are falli5le-we
question much whether it has not made q hum
dred mistakes Of omission for its every error OF
Commission. However, be that as it may.
knowing well the earnestness Of the Presidents
desire that the power shall be exercised simply
to the end for which it is to be granted-to aid
IN putting down the rebellion-we doubt not
that, with the experience Of the past in mind,
hereafter such mistakes of commission will be
rare, indeed.
No man who is sincerely loyal need, there
fore, fear tina. his liberties or rights may be-
compromised by the due enactment of the meas
disgruntled by resort to any such necessary
policy We must bend every nerve, and resort
10 every available means of thwartinp tba
schemes OF the rebels; and to leave their BRAIN
FACED emissarifs in the loyal States free to plot
ano labor to aid and abet them under the re-.
s'r'int OF the slow and, in such cases, fagrautly
inefncient check of the civil law will be simply
~ proclaim future immunity to such most dan
gerous offenders
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-02-24
LOCAL NEWS.

OErHAs's CoCRT-TA> Barney Case Acai.
Yesterday the Supreme Court dismissed u.
appeal Of j. w. DE Kraft, taken from the -
cision OF the Circuit Court an the barney cas.
on the ground that IL had no Jurisdiction -
interest Of the appellant not amounting 70 =
sum sufIicien 70 warrant their entering into H.
merits Of the case; and this NOR ming Mr. Windev
one OF the counsel tor MIR. Barney, appeared 4.
the Orphans Court and moved that the canr,
Judge Purcell refused TO grant the motion. =.
the ground that 1t would not be con ven .e M n,
the public or himself to hold court on anv 9TH.
day than the regular term, which is next Sat
urday.
few moments afterward, Mr. RichS,a q
Coke, counsel for the children, came into co,.,
for the purpose OF resisting such molten "a hs
had just filed an Injunction in guilty, raf-rria,
To the French records and proofs against RAJ
ney OF serious nature-setting forth the nm Al
mess of Mr. Barney Is guardian of the chiIdra.
and praying that he should have nothing to AZ
with the children or property; and thar unt,l
the injunction was decided, the Children shouN
remain where they are
The Court decided TO hear the case on Sa,u,-
day.
The will Of Joseph Hutchinson was pro,ad
Five hundred dollars Is bequeathed 10 m.
rather OF the dec ased, John Hutchinson anS
the balance OF the estate TO his unmarried ss-
ter, Eleanor Jane Hutchinson, and his ami
Eleanor thompson. James Il. Munro ia an.
pointed executor.
George Seaton appointed xecutor Joaatb..
w. Barnaclo was appointed admisistrator q.
the estate of John Heissler, with the will An
nexed. John Roach was appointed guardi,,
10 William David Graham, orphan OF EIiIsh
Graham.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-02-24
CONVERSATIONAL
XXXvIIth CONGRRss-rHIRD sEssra,
TUESDAY, February Z


S2HATB.-Mr. Grimes reported back from thu
District OF Columbia Committee bills for ths
relief OF Kate K Gather and others: to 10 corno
rate the Institution for the education of colored
youth In the District OF Columbia; to define tia
duties and powers Of the Levy court ef the
county OF asnlngton, ID. O., in regard 20 roads,
@c-i and The blu to amend the act for the public
instruction % youth In primary schools through
out the county Of Washington, ID. O., without
the limits OF tho cities Of Washington and
GEORGETOWN; all OF which were severally COM
mitted.
Reports were also made by Mr.. Wilson of
Mass, and Mr.. Wilkinson, from tho Milit,rv
Affairs Committee-adv (by MI WiIsonl
on the bill 10 build q wagon road for the use OF
me Military Academy. from West Point in the
county OF Orange, State of New York to Corn
wall Landing, in said county; the bill granting
The right OF way over the military reser yatto5
at Fort Leavsnworth; and the bill in relation
70 military hospitals and the establishment OF
an ambulance corps
Bills for the removal OF the Sisseton Wahpa-
ton and other bands OF Indians; for the rsliaf Of
Lieut. Herman Tuerk; for the relief OF paw.
master Gilbert Z. Thornton; OF Susan Dickson.
and OF Hannibal Graham, wers considered And
passed, before they took up tho Indian Appro.
priation bill.
HousK.-The Speaker stated that the pending
motion was for the previous ques ton on ths
bill to organize and enrol the National forces
Mr.Fallandigham moved q call OF the HonsA
and demanded the yeas and nays Lost
Mr.. Olin withdrew the demand for the nra
yious question, and moved that the rules Ia
suspended, that he might introduce a resolu
ton to close the debate on the bill AT half nssf
O'Clock. Carried--yeas IS, nays o.
Mr.. Oiin offered his resolution; when yariors
motions were made-to adjourn, to Law on IN.
table, &c; and the yeas aud nays wore ord.r.S
on the motion 10 adjourn.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-02-24
EPORTED CAPTUREOF VICKSBURG
TURREPORT CREDITED AT GENERAL ROSH
GRAMS HBA DQUARTHRS.
APPAIRJ IN TENNESSEE.

MUEPRBEsBORo', Feb. 20.-The capture of
Ticksburg was reported to-day by Confederate
eff GERS who approached our lines with a flag
Of truce from the Rebel General commanding
~ Tullahoma.
Capt. Hoblitzell, OF Gen. McCook's staff, re-
ceived the flag, and in conversl alton the Office
in charge OF the mission remarked, swell, you
have got Sicksburg at last, though you paid
dearly for the prize" After advcrting to the
subject in these words, refused to give any
particulars. The remor is credited at head
quarters.
The weather to-day has been more encour-
aging. and stormy winds have set in, which
will greatly improve the condition Of the roads.
If these winds continue for three days longer,
you may reasonably expect to hear of the i'm
I'M diate resumption of active operations.
Our scouts report that the enemy ara we'll
posted in force at Tullahoma, and that their
advance lines extend To Shelby vile and Wood
bury.
The railroad bridge over Stone river has
been completed. and the first through train
from Nashville arrived at the depot this morn
ing,