Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-12-05

4
vention.
In regard to tho arming ofsnegroes, Gov
ernor Watts says
The idea of using negroes in the army
except as teamsters, cooks, &c, is utterly
indefensible in principle and policy. K
permit the Confederate Government 4
acquire property in them and ultimately
to emancipate such as faithfully perform
service would be as unconstitutional as i
would be destructive to the interests Of thC
State So far as Alabama is concerned
the legislature is without power to aid IL
the Accomplishment of such purpose, Al
our State constitution declares that nc
slave shall be emaneipated by any aci
dene to take effect in this State or any
other.
APPLE BRANDY THE CAUSE OF REBEL
REvERsEs.
Iu the rebel Congress, on the 25th ulti-
mo, discussion took place on the bill to
authorize the holding of Courts Martial
| for the trial and punishment of derelict
officers. The discussion was quite sharp.
| The prevalence of drunkenness in the
army was referred TO, and it was limited
that apple brandy was the principal cause
I Of the Tuverses in the Shenandoah MP.
Orr said that justice had not fallen On q
single officer for dereliction of duty since
the war began. While private soldiers
have been held to strict account not q
single officer has been court-martialed or
dismissed for non-perfOrmRnce of duty.
THE PEACE QUESTION.
A Raleigh paper has an article on the
peace question, and says: Georgia and
1or,anA -
for peace by negotiation.
The same paper asserts that the rebel
authorities are anxious to prevent pesce
negotiations, and fear Il complete usurps-
tion of power.
The article closes by stating thst unless
lhe wisdom of Congraess or of the State
Legislature shall devise some plan by
which the war may be stopped aud peace
restored, it dose not require a spirit of
prophecy to gee that we are a ruined
people.
THE POTOMAC ARMY.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF POTOMAC, !
December 3. I
From information obtained through
scouts and deserters it was ascertained
that the rebels were constructing q rail
road from Stony Creek Station, on the
Weldon Railroad, toward Irwood's Court
House, and that quite large lot of sup
plies had accumulated st that place. Or
ders were given to : Gregg's division
OF cavalry TO proceed in that direction and
to destroy all property found.
The column started at half past three
O'Clock yesterday morning. crossing Re-
warty Creek, where our forces met the enc
my's pickets, who at once retired. The
command rushed on, passing DouvalPs
Mills, where the first brigade, General Ds-
Wis, were put into position to protect the
flank. The second brigade, Colonel Gregg,
commanding, advanced towards Stony
Creek, where the enemy were found in q
strong position on the south side, with
three guns sweepisg the open field.
The 4tb, 30th and 18th Pennsylvanis
Regiments took the advance and did most
of the fighting. The 4th formed in linest
the edge of the woods, aud with loud yelis
charged scroEs the opening till within five
hundred yards of the creek, when they
uIsmOunusd, and crossing the bridge, rush
ed up the banks and inner works before the
rebels could get their guns TO bear on the
bridge. The enemy had previously torU
plsnks up on the bridge, making the cross
ing more difficult. Those who remainedin
the fort were surrounded, but about one
hundred attempted to make their escape.
These were met Dy squadron of the 4th,
under Captain Evary, which has swan the
stream at another point, snd many of them
in trying to get away were killed or wound
ed. Captain Evary has received great
praise for the manner in which he execu-
ted this part of the movement. He re-
ceived a severe wound in the arm.
The 10th, Major Swan commanding, in
the meanwhile made similar charge, and
another work, taking a number
of prisoners.
The 18th were also busily engaged, and
captured six wagons and twenty-five
mules
Three guns were found in the works
two of which we're thrown into the creek,
and the other being too heavy to handle
was spiked. Had the bridge been in good
condition they would all have been brought
away. All the buildings at the station
were then Fred and burned to the ground,
besides the following supplies: ZOO En-
field rifles, large quantity of ammuni-
tion, 5000 sacks Of grain, 500 bales Of
hay, some corn and oats, 400 bushels of
sweet potatoes, 50 barrels of coal oil, a
quantity of bacon, camp and garrison
equipage, and railroad bridge about so
feet long.
The command was then ordered to fall
back which they did in excellent order.
The enemy had by this time made their
appearance in pretty strong force with an
indication of making a flank attack, but
we're driven off by few shells from the
End United States artillery.
On reaching DuySlrs mills an order was
given to fire them, ard in q few minutes
they were in one mass of fame One of
rebel cavalry brigsdes again attempted to
shell, but were received with a salute Of
seven-shooters from our men and four
well directed shots from our battery and
they fell back quickly.
Among the captured is Major Fitz
Hugh Lee, who it will be remembered was
the leader of the raid in Ma rylsnd last
summer, and who captured q captain and
took away his boots, making him walk
about twenty mi es bsrefooted. To re-
mind him of so doing the captain who
captured him made him perform the same
trick.
General Davis was struck by a spent
ball during the action, but suffered no in
jury.
The enemy had quite stretch of the
road graded. Trees had been cut and rails
were the ground, ready to be laid down,
but it is believed they will abandon the
project, as they have learned that our cav
airy can at any time strike it in four hours.
1t is said that the Hampton Cavalry had
really been sent off to oppose Sherman,
and that the stores found at the depot
were for supplies for their horses, which
had been run OF when our troops were
found to be advancing.
The entire affair was one of the most
successful we have had during the cam
paign, and reflects great credit on all who
were engaged.