The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1864-12-24

rive feOsi youOoats ana tWo rams
are reported as distinctly visible in the
James river under the guns Of Fort
Darling. 1t is thought they presage an
attempt al mischief.
The rebels are urging the arming Of
slaves as last resort. The Richmond
Enquirer Davis organ) has leader
on the subject, and ends by saying.
1--WE hate debt and despise the army
far more than We love slavery"
The Union and peace sentiment is
growing in North Carolina.
The Richmond papers are trying to
keep 1.-The courage of their msn BY
reporting disaster or failure on the part
Of Sherman. His success al Savannah.
as far as they admit il, is reported as
an attempt to open a way Of escape.
We think Sherman will show them how
he will escape.
A large naval force. and land forces
BY water, have gone south; doubtless
either to CO operate with Sherman, or
TO capture Wilmington. We rather
think the latter.
Sherman reports bu, 10000 people
in Savannah ard $1,000 troops under
Hardee.
Five or six Of our vessels, most...
small ones. but two of goci size, were
blown up on lhe Roanoke river, N. C..
| by torpedoes. Of which tie river is said
to be full,
Basil Dukes command formerly
John Morgan's) was recently whipped
by our forces under Brecbridge. $50 Of
them killed. wounded and prisoners. and
among the latter a brother of John
Morgan.
Papers found on the Florida i. is said,
implicate foreign officials OF high rank.
Perhaps that is the reason the British
aiis;ocra;s are making such an ado over
the matter. A board of inquiry has
been Instituted to investigate the cir
cumstances attending the sinking Of the
Florida. TO see WHO. if any one. is to
blame.
A bill designed to become National
Bankrupt Law has passed the House
and will probably go through the
Senate We fear it will do more hurt
than good. Rascals will always take
advantage Of such laws.
Last year 6,740 applications for pa
tents were made in the Office at Wash
ing.on.
There are 5l.l35 pensioners on the
Bbas'a' Bss Of i whom who T;R are Revolutionary PEN
sionefs; Lab widows of revolutionary
soldiers: s5. 767 army pensioners: 25.-
433 orphans and mothers of pensioners;
and 1906 sailors: S4.595.3 and
$780, .76o acres Of land (i,8l2 County
warran,s were expended on pensions
during the year. Il, is estimated that
s7.ooO.oo0. will be required to pay
pensions the current year.
The radicals Of Kentucky have sent
a committee 70 Washington TO wait on
the President and ask him for a radical
administration OF affairs in their State.
and that Ben. Butler be appointed mill
tary commander.
Lord Lyons has left the country on
account Of ill-heal:h. His horses, ,carfi
ages and liquors have been sold. He
will no, probably return.
The rebel governor Of Virginia. Ex-
ira Billy Smith. renegade Methodis. t
preacher. in his rscen, message tas. es
ground holly in favor of arming the
slaves to fight for the rebellion.
Resolutions have been introduced in.
TO the legislature Of North Carolina in
favor of sending comm ssioners of
peace to Washington. In the South
Carolina legislature action has been
taken against any attempts. for peace
short Of southern Independence.
kossuth has three sons in the Feder-
al army.
The Catholic Seminary at Suspen-
sion B'idge was burned recently. Loss
100000. One young man lost his
life.
Copperhead Jewstt and q few others.
are endeavoring to gs, traitors and crazy
people to sigu . memorial to Congress
against prosecuting the war and in
favor Of peace.
Five deserters are to be hung in the
army of the Potomac to-day. Friday.
Gold has tumbled again. 1t was
down TO gig Monday. and still the Ton.