The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1912-02-24
05e
CIVIL WAR
FIFTY YEARS AGO
THIS WEEK
February 4, 1852.

Captaln Lowing OF the Second Mich
igan, on picket duty in front of Gen.
-eral Heitzleman's position, took seven.
ty-eight men from the regiment and
started out in search. of a body of
'Confederates who had been reported
to be In Pohick church. Not finding
the enemy at the church the Federal
soldiers proceeded to Occoquan, where
they encountered them. A brisk fire
was maintained for a time. when the
Federals withdrew.
]. p. Benjamin, secretary Of war for
the Confederates states, issued an or.
der for the impressment of all salt
petre found in the hands of any but
the manufacturers or Confederate au-
thorities, the same to be paid for at
the rate Of forty cents a pound. The
order was made necessary by the ex-
tortion that had been practiced on
the Confederate government by bands
OF SPECTATORS, VINO had obtained q
corner on the commodity.
The Richmond Examiner uttered a
strong plea to the citizens of the
south, asking them for more active
support Of the Confederacy. and warn
ing them against too great security
in their recent victories.
February 8, 1852.
All doubt whether the state Of Cali
fornia would adhere to the United
States was set at rest by the receipt
OF message from Governor Stanford
to Salmon p. Chase. secretary Of the
treasury. The message was as fol-
lows: Il am instructed by a resolu-
tion of the legislature of California
to inform you that this state will as
isume and pay into the treasury of the
United States the direct tax of 1884,
1898 apportioned to this state by the
act of congress-
lSigned) LELAND STANFORD.
Governor of California"
The British schooner Mars, laden
with salt, was captured on Fernan-
dina, Fla, by the United States steam
'er Keystone State Her charter party
disclosed her intention Of running the
blockade. A small sum of money was
found aboard, among 1t being bank
bills and certificates of deposit in
South Carolina and Georgia banks.
Dig. Ten. L. Meagher, accom-
panied py General Shields and stan.
formally took command of the Irish
brigade, in the Union army o: the
oa, anu sleae enthusiasm ana
GO. !ol.Is u omcers ana men.
:. :. oeus inaue an ADDRESS 10
oS
'esse Dsnt was expeiied rom
.e ' ~ mo oni'eo 'Seates.
e.h-,. zoe,
Fort Henry. on the Tennessee river,
one OF the Important positions in the
nrst line OF Confederate defense, was
taken by squadron of gunboats un-
der Flag Omcer Foote. General Grant,
IN command OF an expedition that left
Cairo against the fort. learning that
lne enemy intended to reinforce, or,
1ered an immediate attack, before his
entire force had come up. The infan-
ny moved INTO position, one division
% intercept retreat from the fort and
prevent the sending OF reinforce
4ents, another to the high west bank. |
commanding the works, and the third
along the east bank, ready to assault
'r support the nrst division.
At half past twelve the squadron.
Of the iron-clad gunboats
Cincinnati. Commander Stembel; Es-
tex. Commander Porter; Carondolet,
commander walker, and the st. Lou
ls' Lieutenant Spauiding commanding,
With the old gunboats Conestoga, Ty-
er and Lexington astern, In the Sec
md DIVISION steamed up the river and
opened fire on the works. The fire
vas returned. AT nalf-past one shot
entered one OF the boilers on the rs