Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-02-19

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Which they attached to cord. This would
Be f.led BY the party at work in the tunnel
and pulled out into the cellar by their COM
panions, who disposed Of it by spreading it
in shallow layers ON the floor, concealing it
beneath the straw. The work was necessarily
very slow so close was the atmosphere in
the tunnel that they could stay there but . few
minutes at . time, and their candles would 20
out At one time they got SO near the bend
of the street that . small hole about the size
of stove pipe broke through, but fortunately
was not discovered BY the guard, and was Of
great service in admitting air, enabling them
to prosecute their work more rapidly. The
tunnel when completed was about go feet
long, and opened into an old tobacco shed be-
yond the line Of guards. As soon IS they
found the way clear they emerged slowly in
single squads of two or three, and sauntered
off until they got clear Of the guards, making
their way towards the Williamsbur road by
the shortest routes. The darkness favored
them, and the fact that the rebel soldiers
whom they met were habited in the army
coats of Uncle Sam, which they had stolen
from the supplies cent to our prisoners by
our Government, was of great help to them.
Although they were attired in our army over
coats, and many of them had haversacks,
they found the national uniform better dis
guise than if they had been provided with
genuine rebel uniforms. In order to elude
the pursuers who would soon be on their
track, they scattered as much as possible
Many were their hardships and suffsrings and
frequent their narrow escapes from the rebel
cavalry who the next morning were BUSH
whacking in every direction for them. The
joy which they experienced when they first
caught sight OF our troops sent to help them
and protect them from their pursuers can not
be expressed. To the officers and men of the
18th Pennsylvania cavalry. whom they first
met, they express the most profound gratitude
for their unbounded kindness, and also bear
testimony to the gallantry with which these
brave fellows pursued the rebel cavalry and
rescued many Of the wayworn fugitives, who
otherwise would have been recaptured. There
is good reason to hope that many more will
yet come in safe.
b CUMBERLAND Gar, Feb, II.
Captain j. B. Watkins, Provost Marshal 1T
this place, reports the average number Of de-
serters from Longstreet's army at five per
day. All complain of being heartily sick of
war. Their accounts are corroborated by off,
GERS, who generally consider themselves
whipped, but think that the finances of the
North are giving out. o
At times when officers are going the
rounds" relieving guards, they find their
pickets have deserted. The country is full of
such, awaiting opportunities to give them
selves up.
On Friday Longstreet's headquarters were
at Morristown. His main force is at Straw
berry Plains, under marching orders. Their
forces for want of confidence in his men.
New YORK, Feb. II.
The Worlfs Nashville letter, of the 18th,
says: At Chattanooga the army is prepar-
ing for immediate action. Chattanooga is
now base, we'll stored with munitions of
war.
The roads in Georgia are in better condi-
ton than was expected, and the writer be-
lieves that Gen. Logan, with the 18th corps,
who has moved from Huntsville, will strike
for Rome, Ga, to operate on Johnson's flank.
Gen. Grant will move against johnson,
assuming Logan's destination to be Rome,
with nearly $4,000 men. ~
Gen. Sherman's force will be ample for the
purpose he is intended to accomplish, even If
Mobile should be the ultimate projected point.
CAIRO, Feb. II.
The steamer Imperial, from st. Louis, has
arrived. She reports passing the steamer
Orient, sunk to her hurricane deck, in Dog.
tooth Bend, 20 miles above here. She struck
a snag at half-past seven o'clock this morn
ing, and went down in ten minutes. From
twenty to thirty lives are supposed to have
been lost, including the wife of Capt Horton,
the chamber-maid, steward, bar-keeper, and
Custom House officer. .. .,'t
The boat was laden with government stores,
including eighty horses, all but three Of
which were lost
The Imperial brought down the surviving
passengers. CEDAR
The screw steamer Continental, from New
Orleans, arrived this morning, with large
cargo of sugar and molasses, for st. Louis,
The LIST Indiana Artillery and the 47th
Indiana Infantry, numbering 1000 veterans,
are en- route home.
Fa' LEAvENwoRTH, Feb. II.
Advices from Colonel Phillips expedition
in the Indian Territory state that he penetra.
ted farther into rebel territory than was ever
reached, and is marching ON to Texas with
Kansas troops and one loyal Indian brigade.
General Co per's headquarters are at Fort
Washita. Co.'s. Standthwaite and Adair are
at Preston, Texas. Quantril is at Benhams,
and two Greek rebel regiments are at Doggy
Depot.
WAsHINGroN, Feb. II.
The Committee of Conference on the en-
rollment bill have agreed to exempt drafted
men under single call precisely for one year
upon payment Of $500. The committee have
not agreed to the amendment of the House
bill proposing the enrolment Of persons of
African descent and the payment of 500 to
the loyal owner of any slave who may be
drafted.
..-j-. . WASHINGTON, Feb. II.
The Senate in extra session to-day confirm
ed the nominations of Edward H. Darnell to
De Judge of the District Court for the Eastern.
District of Louisiana, Thomas Seely, Iowa,
Register Of Land Office, at Des Moines, Orsa-
nush IrisD, Of Nebraska, as Superintendent
If Indian Affairs for the Territory of Utah,
md John Fl. McMonogh, of California, to be
Hospital Chaplain.
The committee of conference of the House
IN tho disagreeing votes of the two branches
If Congress, on the whisky amendments,
consists of Washburne, of Illinois, Stevens
md Fernando Wood.
-.g.0 .r-. WASHINGTON, Feb. II.
The Euening Star has the following:
The King Phillip. acting master Frank, ar
ived at the navy yard yesterday afternoon
rom the Lower Potomac, with the intelli-
,ence that a few days ago our officers At the
amp of rebel prisoners at Point Lookout dis
covered that the prisoners were making ar
angements to escape. By some means they
lad procured some lumber with which they
lad built two boats, in which, it was sup
'osed, they were to embark for the Virgins
hore. Fortunately they were detected be-
orn thew had caullad the hoata They had