Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-03-13

therefore legal and proper. As the whole affair
| mas ended in iserable failure, we shall have
nothing further to say, but to reiterate our re-
| mark, that the army and the people will pro.
vide the successor.
The whole debate was useless and impolitic-
the speeches had all been delivered in secret
session, and their repetition was mere matter
OF personal vanity We shall not dispute with
Mr.. Wigtall whether the Congress is factious or
suoseryient Either horn Of the dilemma will
prevent any of its members from receiving the
reward of succession in any successful plot
against Mr.. Davis
The Tobacco Affair at Fredericksburg.
The Richmond " hig gives an account OF the
affair at Fredericksburg, follows:
portion of Gibbons division Of the Army
OF the james arrived at Fredericksburg on
Monday evening, in transports conveyed by
two gunboats. Their arrival was not whelly
uneX pected, though the people were led to be-
lieNe that they would not come with any hos
tile InteRt
Itwas understood that certain parties, with
the connivance of both Governments, had per.
fected an arrangement tor the shipment OF
large quantity Of tobacco to the United States,
for which lot of bacon was to be sent in
change. The tobacco was forwarded from this
city TO Fredericksburg and Hamiltons Cross
ing last week. Gen. Grant was informed OF
what was going on, he determined TO play a
"Iankee trick' upon the spectators. He ac-
cordingly sent the force mentioned to Fred
ericksburg to destroy the tobacco. His orders
were executed. and the Yankees thereu pom
returned to their quarters. Some thirty
freight cars belonging to the Richmond and
Fredericksburg railroad company were also
destroyed.
Some OF the people of Fredericksburg went
10 the wharf to witness the landing or the
Yankees, supposing they were about to carry
out the arrangement in good faith; but they
were soon undeceived and scattered. The
Yankees did not modest the citizens during
their stay.
The Dispatch says, in relation to the tobacco
affair:
We are informed that Mr.. Singleton had no.
IL ,h.t tvryFn hum rnd
pounds of tobacco carried from this city TO
Fredericksburg, and there burned by the enc
nv. 1t is said it was sold TO the \ ankee Gov
ernment for greenbackS, carried TO Frederlcas-
burg tor them, and deposited there at their risk
ana that it was burned by an offic GUS Yankee.
commander of guDboats, who, it is presumed
was ignorant OF the purchase Of the article by
his Government.
The Exemption Law.
The Confederate Congress has passed bill
repeating so much Of the exemption law as e1-
ennpts one overseer or agric culturlst on each
farm on which fifteen field hands between the
ages of sixteen and fifty are employed, bat th:@t
persons over forty-fye shall be granted ex-
emptions as heretofore. No exemption or de.
tail shall be granted by the President or Secre.
tary OF War except persons lawfully reported
by board Of surgeons unable to perform &C.
ice service in the field; persons over the age OF
forty, and of artisans, mechanics, and laborers
employed in the nitre and mining bureau, in
localities where slave labor cannot with safety
he employed, and persons of scientific skill
and with the same exceptions OF exemptions
and details heretofore granted by the President
or Secretary OF War by virtue OF said act are
hereby revoked.
The Gold in Southern Banks.
From the Richmond Enquirer, March 10
The exodus of the gold Is fairly under way;
example of the Bank Of Virginia. The public
enemy Will soon hold all the gold heretofore so
well guarded and defended by the army. The
OF the SanE Sa8a al be oa
nnpl5sfs Ihs SiIy OF Richmond and the
Surrender or the ne city Of Richmond 70 the snahs
fmperatiye And all this for the dishonest and
disreputable end Of shaving their own notes
Shall II This nos De to '
That the gold In the banks OF hlchino.o .sa
would place the defense OF the city anu lue
holding OF the State beyond danger we enter
tain no doubt whatever. General Lees army
can defend it's lines if 1t is fed; but without
gold 1t is almost impossible to procure Ine
necessary supplies. The banks hoio eole
enough to procure twelve months supples ior
the army. If they are permitted to deport this
gold to the enemy, then the people Will nave 70
give mp their supplies or give up the state.
The laws of the land impede It's defense; be.
hind those laws selfishness has entrenched IL
self and mocks at patriotism. snail THESE laws
he permitted to shield otfenses against the puo-
lie safety, such as these or the banks! In tne
name and behalf of the State OF Virginia, we
call upon the Legislature to come forWard
and arrest this unpatriotIc subterfuge for shay
ing paper. -
Good News from the valley.
From the Richmond Examiner
We have some good news from the Valley,
which il would not be prudent TO give In ue-
tail n We Ta snd Mosby
have surrounded the guard who are conuuct-
ing to Winchester the prisoners taken OF Larry,
and there was not only good prospect OF our
prisoners being recaptured, but chance tnat
their escort might be "gobbled." We snail
probably hear Of the result OF this movement
IN a day or two.
prise the guard and recapture the prisoners,
which attempt was so signaily defeated by our
men.-ED. STAR.
Staunton 1t Is reported that during their oc.
cupation OF the town they did comparatively
little Jury, exceptin the way OF burning Gov
ernment stores and supplies
The Richmond papers Of the 9th print cor
respondence between him and the rebel Gen.
eral Wade Hampton, the characteristic letter
Of General Sherman being dated g In the field,
Feb. 2i,' and that of General Hampton, in re-
ply, Feb. %. From the tone of Gen. Shernaa 8
letter, which Is in reference to the numbering g
Of his foraging parties when taken prisoners
by the rebels, he could not at that time. have
met with the slightest reverse. After stains g
tha il had been officially reported to him that
certain of his foraging parties had been mnr,
dered after capture, and labeled "Death to all
foragers," he says. 81 have ordered similar
number OF prisoners in our hands TO De dis
posed OF in like manner lie also states ne
| has a sufficient number Of rebel prisoners in
his hands to retaliate for all such murders.
| The rebel general, in reply, denies that any
| orders have been given for the killing of pris.
oners after capture, and threatens re-retal.
iation.
| Some Of the Rebel States Threatening to
Desert the Rebel Cause.
From the Richmond Sentinel, March 81
| Nothing can be more unpatriotic or IN worse
| taste than to threaten the majority with deiec,
| ton and abandonment unless they snaii yieiu
th.;r nn;riors tn a listless and unenergetic mi
norty. H. indeed, the worst that Is tnreatened
should happen, the detection OF mart W9uia
be q less evil than the paralysis OF the Whole.
But we credit no such intimidations. WehaVe
| great faith in the people, and we do not dread
| the result of an appeal to them from the qua.
| king of the faint and whipped. Iae
| time has come when the brave and true men Oh
the country everywhere must cry aloud and
| not allow their views and wishes to be mlscon.
/ Or raisrpnraSantad.