Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

Poor concluded to send notice to the flag-officer of the squadron at Pensacola, informing him of the escape of the Sumter. I repeat it, that had it not been for the repeated urgings of our officers, we would have gone back to our old anchorage, from which place there is no manner nor chance of communication with Pensacola.

However, after the representation of the officers in question, a boat was sent up to the gunboat Massachusetts, despatching her to the flag-officer with the information of the Sumter's escape. We learned subsequently that the Niagara had gone in pursuit of her; we hope soon to overhaul her; yet, in the mean time, I repeat, she may capture millions of dollars' worth of property, sink and burn at pleasure, and all this must be suffered, owing to Capt. Poor's very poor judgment in the matter. -Baltimore American, August 5.

Doc. 166.

BATTLE AT ATHENS, MO.

FOUGHT AUGUST 5, 1861.

In the mean time, the secessionists had formed a camp, under Martin Green, a brother of the ex-Senator, at Monticello, the county seat of Lewis County, which is about thirty miles south of Cahokia. A few days after the Union camp was formed, word came that Green was marching on it with a force of 800 men. The Unionists immediately sent to Keokuk and Warsaw for assistance. Keokuk did not respond, but the Warsaw Greys, Capt. Coster, fifty in number, went over to the Union camp, intending only to act on the defensive, but when there, as no enemy appeared, Col. Moore determined to rout out the various bands of secessionists which were prowling about the country. Accordingly, for three days he kept his men on the trot, completely worrying them out; but in no instance could they compel the enemy to make a stand. The only work performed was the arresting of numerous secessionists, who were liberated on taking the oath. Moore, with his command, then retreated to Athens, a small town on the Des Moines River, about twenty-eight miles from its mouth. Here the Greys left and returned home. This was about two weeks ago. Soon after retiring to Athens, the secessionists proposed a peace confollow-ference, and many Unionists went into council with them to bring about a restoration of order; but the more wary said the object of the rebels was only to get them to disperse and then they would disarm them. The effect, however, of this proposition, was to very much weaken the Union camp, and Col. Moore soon found his force reduced to less than three hundred men.

A CORRESPONDENT of the Chicago Tribune in a letter from Warsaw, Ill., gives the ing details of this skirmish :

WARSAW, ILL., Aug. 9, 1861. The telegraph has informed you of the battle at Athens, Mo., on the 5th inst., and I now propose to detail the events which preceded and accompanied it.

For the past three or four weeks the northeast corner of Missouri has been in a state of anarchy. There has been no security for life In the mean time, Green had been making and property, and no effort made to enforce the large additions to his numbers from all the adlaws and to restore order. This state of things joining counties, and ten days ago he had unoriginated from the attempts of secessionists to der his command from 1,200 to 1,500 men. He drive Union men out of the country. To effect visited Scotland and Knox Counties-running this, they did not use actual force; but they out Unionists, insulting and abusing their famcollected in squads, visited the houses of Union-ilies, and committing all sorts of depredations ists-mostly in the absence of the men-insulted and abused the women, and threatened that unless the family left the men would be shot or hung. Union men and their families were thus kept in a state of constant dread and apprehension, which in many instances became unendurable, and the consequence has been that many Union men have abandoned every thing and left the State. The Unionists formed Home Guards, but these were powerless to protect from assassination; and besides, the members being scattered, in many instances miles apart, were useless in a sudden emergency. Finally, the rebels becoming more bold and threatening, the Unionists resolved to go into camp. This they did, to the number of about six hundred, at a town called Cahokia, eighteen miles from the Mississippi, in Clarke County. Their commander is a rough, not over bright, but withal, a well-meaning and brave old soldier, who has seen service in Mexico. Soon after going into camp, they received from St. Louis 240 stand of arms.

upon their property. On Saturday last it became evident that he was approaching the Union camp at Athens, with a view of attacking it. The Unionists sent to Keokuk for help. On Sunday about seventy of the Keokuk nilitary went up to Croton, (a small town on the Iowa side of the Des Moines, immediately opposite to Athens,) but would not pass over the river. Moore, however, received soine reinforcements on Sunday, so that at the time of the attack he had nearly 400 men. Moore's camp was in the town, which is situated at the foot of and on the side of a high bluff. The main business street is on the river, and the second street runs parallel with the river, on a beach, a short distance up the hill. Moore stationed his main force in this second street, his right and left wings extending back to the river. Here there was this little band, attacked on the entire front and both flanks, by a force of 1,200 or 1,500 men, with no mode of retreat but by fording a river 300 yards wide. They were without artillery, while the rebels had

C.

three pieces-one an eight-pounder, which was | flight the combined secession forces of half a placed on the brow of the hill, to rake the prin- dozen counties, and, for the present, at least, cipal street entering the town, the other two hold the complete ascendency. pieces were imitation cannon, made out of the cylinders of old steam engines.

The attack commenced between five and six o'clock in the morning. In the very beginning of the action Lieut.-Col. Callahan, who commanded a company of cavalry, retired with his company across the river, and it is said that this gallant officer, who claims to be a graduate of West Point, never stopped until he reached Montrose on the Mississippi River. Through the country over which he and a few of his comrades passed, they spread the report that the Unionists were cut all to pieces, and the secessionists were advancing into Iowa. The consequence was that the wildest panic seized the people-some flew to arms and some to the bush.

A portion of Moore's infantry were also seized with the panic, and fled across the river, but seeing their companions standing firm, many of them afterward returned and took part in the fight. The portion of Moore's men which remained amounted to only about 300, yet they stood firm as regulars, and delivered their fire with the coolness of veterans.

After all sorts of a fight, regular and irregular, which lasted for an hour and a half, Col. Moore led his centre to a charge, which was executed in fine style, upon which the rebels broke and ran for life. Most of the enemy had horses, but they dismounted and fought on foot. The result of the battle was ten Unionists killed and ten wounded, two of these mortally, who have since died. The rebels left nine dead and four wounded on the field, and they have since admitted that they carried away 14 dead and 40 wounded. The "Gate City" of this morning states that it has been definitely ascertained that the rebel loss was 43 killed; but it is hardly credible that there was such havoc in such a battle. The Unionists also captured about 40 horses, five wagon loads of supplies, the mock cannon, and a quantity of arms.

Col. Moore pursued the fugitives for three miles; he then returned to his camp, but the next day, being reinforced, he started in pursuit. The Unionists flocked to his standard, while the rebels, being discouraged, were disbanding. When last heard from, Moore was in Scotland County sweeping all before him.

A portion of the Keokuk military performed good service during the fight, by forming on the Iowa side and pouring a galling fire into the flank of the enemy's right wing, across the river, with their Minié rifles.

At the time this action was fought there were two regiments of United States Iowa Volunteers in Keokuk, twenty-five miles from the scene of action. A portion of these were despatched to the aid of the Unionists, but the battle had been fought and won before their arrival. Thus have the Union Guards of Clark and Scotland Counties, almost unaided, put to

Doc. 167.

BOMBARDMENT OF GALVESTON,
TEXAS.

GALVESTON papers of Tuesday, 6th of August, mention two attempts on the part of the blockading fleet on that station to shell the city

the first by the schooner Dart, on Saturday, 2d, doing no damage; the second by the steamer South Carolina, on Monday, 5th, which resulted in the killing of one man, the wounding of two or three slightly, and the damaging of several dwellings.

After particularizing the manoeuvre of the vessels, and their getting in position, and the position and manning of the Confederate batteries, and the eagerness of those in charge for the fight to commence, the News says:

The Dart came sailing down in front of the batteries, doubtless to draw their fire, but this was of no avail. The steamer had now come almost to a stand-still. She was within range, and seemed to dare attack. She had not long to wait. Col. Moore sighted No. 1 at her, and in a moment after the white smoke rose above the breast works, and the thundering report that shook the earth and filled the air, announced that the contest had begun.

All eyes now turned to the steamer. In a minute a puff of white smoke issued from her prow, as she still continued to move slowly on; the heavy report rang out, and then the sharp hum of a shell was distinctly heard.

Again, again, and again, this slow interchange of shots took place, the intervals pretty regular between each. Our first shots were delivered steadily, and evidently with care; they were in line, and went nearer the propeller each time, and one struck so near her, amidships, that from various parts of the city, far distant from each other, as we have since learned, the remark was simultaneous: "That hit her!"

Capt. Alden now began, however-much to our mingled astonishment and indignation-to fire shells over the city. He had endeavored to enfilade the guns in the batteries, but his gunners failed to hit either the sand bags or the men around and near them. He doubtless then bethought him that, as he had succeeded so well in opening ladies' letters, he would be as triumphant in frightening or injuring some of our women and children. May his name be infamous for the dastardly deed.

Several large shells exploded high in the air, the pieces flying in all directions, far and near. One piece traversed the roof of Mr. Tankersley's house, one square in the rear of Mr. Brown's and Gen. Nichols' residence, on Broadway. It went through the pantry, next to the kitchen, and through the outer plank

wall into the yard. We heard of a piece falling | to injure our city. There are many of an opat the south side of the public square, penetrat-posite opinion, however.

Doc. 168.

THE BURNING OF HAMPTON, VA.
AUGUST 7-8, 1861.

STATEMENT OF MR. JAMES SCOFIELD.

ing the roof and floor of Mr. J. Dykeman's portico; and an entire bomb at Mr. Blose's foundry, and a piece going to the first ward market, and one shell burying itself near Smyth's garden; but none, fortunately, hitting any one, though some narrow escapes were had. We were shown a 32-pound ball that was said to have been picked up in the street, near Broad- MR. SCOFIELD, a native of Darien, Conn., and way and Tremont. We have been informed, a resident of Hampton, Virginia, for the past also, that some of the shells were found unex-five years, carrying on a general variety of busiploded; but we cannot hear that any of the ness in that village, was there at the firing of gallant Alden's missiles came nearer than the the place by the rebels. At about half-past further part of Mr. League's new hotel lot, on eleven o'clock on Wednesday night the rebels Tremont street, south of the bayou, or about arrived at Hampton, and completely surrounded half a mile from the gulf. This is considered the place. The poor inhabitants, at least all by many as the range of the propeller's guns, that were left, were sound asleep, and awakened from her nearest approach to the shore, oppo- by the sharp firing of the rebel pickets and the site the beach batteries. Union troops of Colonel Weber, who were postIt was now ed on the other side of the creek. Thursday morning when Mr. Scofield noticed about twenty minutes past twelve o'clock on about six houses down town being fired through the weather boards with flambeaux or torches, apparently saturated with tar. An old female slave walked through the place and awakened those that had not heard the firing. All was bustle and confusion.

The News states that two consular flags-one the British—were flying, but were not respected by Capt. Alden. The News continues:

A large number of people having collected on and near the sand-hills, a little to the eastward of the batteries, to gratify their curiosity, a shell fell among them, apparently directed for that purpose, cutting one man in two, and carrying away most of his body between the shoulders and hips, and exploding about the same time. Some two or three others were slightly wounded with the pieces.

This, we believe, was all the harm that was done by this first attempt to bombard our city. The firing continued about half an hour. Some of the shells measured ten inches in diameter, and must have been thrown by a sixty-eight pounder, said to be the steamer's pivot gun.

Mr. Scofield hurriedly dressed himself in a light suit lying handy to his bed, and by the time he had on his pantaloons and shirt he heard loud knocks at the front door, and before he could get out of the door his bed-room was already set on fire by one of the torches. In the confusion he escaped, but heard some one say, "We want you," and Mr. S. asking who addressed him, was answered that it was a member of the North Carolina regiment. Mr. Scofield, however, escaped, having been fired upon once by a pistol shot, but fortunately escaped unhurt. On the outskirts of Hampton, going toward Old Point, he met an old acanx-quaintance formerly of Hampton, belonging to the cavalry, who answered to a question why Hampton was fired, that the "cursed Yankees," having had possession of the place once and evacuated it, they (the rebels) might not get another opportunity, and they would set fire to at once and keep them from having the same for winter-quarters.

During the firing the city rang with the shouts of the people from the roofs and balconies at every discharge from the batteries, and even the ladies participated in the enthusiasm of the excitement, manifesting the utmost iety to see our shot strike the steamer and sink her.

Some twelve or fourteen shots were exchanged between the shore and the steamer. She then moved out to sea, firing a last shell, and our guns replied. A number of careful lookers-it on report that, with their glasses, they distinctly saw a boat, or something like it, lowered over her side as she turned away, and this, as is thought, to plug or examine a shot hole in her side. It is also thought that her pivot gun was capsized, from being raised at too great an angle, as a large number of men and officers were seen bending over it, as they were on Sunday.

The Dart had soon got out of range and followed the steamer, which speedily resumed her old position east of the bar and off Bolivar peninsula. There she has remained up to the time of writing-Monday afternoon.

Good judges think that Capt. Alden made his best effort on this occasion, to show his power

Mr. Wilson Jones, an old and gray-headed gentleman, and his wife, (Unionists,) the coroner of Hampton, Mr. Kennon Whiting and lady, and several other prominent citizens of Hampton, are at Old Point, under the protection of the old flag they were born under, being kindly cared for by Major-General Butler.

The village is a complete wreck; every house is gutted with the exception of about five at the north and south end of the town, which are the residences of Mr. Moody, the sutler at the fort; Miss Eliza Jones, (a brick building;) the Episcopal parsonage; the house of Joseph Phillips, II. Clay Whiting's store and warehouse, and one or two small frame houses on the outskirts.

The reason of these being spared was that them. She asked him if he had seen any thing the rebels had no time to prosecute their hellish of her husband, who had returned for some work further, being closely pressed by Colonel clothing. It was a pitiful sight to behold. Weber's men, and the wind blowing southwest swept through the middle of the town, leaving these buildings untouched.

Mr. Scofield was endeavoring to save the bed of Mrs. Kenner, the lady with whom he boarded, and had already procured a wheelbarrow for the purpose of carrying it off, when within about three minutes five rifle balls struck within ten feet of him. These missiles came from the Turner regiment of Colonel Weber, firing at the rebels from the opposite side of the creek. Mr. Scofield estimates that there must have been at least five hundred rebel troops in the village, and, from what he can learn, a reserve of upward of five thousand were stationed on what is called the cross-roads, on the outskirts of Hampton.

The enemy was well supplied with a quantity of ladders, carried on wagons, which had ropes attached. This would appear as if the rebels intended to get inside of our lines and use the ladders in scaling. However, the rapid and well-directed firing of the Twentieth regiment skirmishers drove them back, and cautioned them that by further advancing they would meet with a well-prepared and resolute check. One resident of Hampton was seen to set fire to his own dwelling, giving as an excuse that Gen. Magruder gave orders to destroy every thing they could not hold.

An English captain, arriving from Norfolk under a flag of truce, reports that among the rebels there the story was told that Hampton was fired by the troops of General Butler.

-Baltimore American, Aug. 12.

N. Y. "TRIBUNE" NARRATIVE. FORTRESS MONROE, OLD POINT COMFORT, August 8, 1861. Another and a fearful scene has been enacted in the drama of Rebellion. Last night the village of Hampton was laid in ashes by the rebels. Mr. Mahew, formerly of Bath, Maine, who went to Georgia to live, and was there pressed into the rebel service, came into our lines yesterday afternoon as a deserter, and gave much valuable information concerning the movements of Gen. Magruder. On Monday morning last Gen. M. left Yorktown with two Tennessee, one Georgia, one Alabama regiment, and two battalions, and some cavalry, in all, five regiments, or between 5,000 and 6,000 men, with eight guns, one of which was rifled. The force reached Great Bethel about noon of the same day, and encamped on Tuesday night, when they proceeded to Newmarket Bridge, two and a half miles beyond Hampton, arriving there about 11 o'clock A. M. Wednesday. Gen. Magruder immediately formed his men in line of battle, expecting Gen. Butler would attack him, and waited some time. The impression among the men was that they were to be led to the attack of Newport News that afternoon. While awaiting the appearance of an opposing force, and while Gen. Magruder was engaged in taking observations from the top of a house, Mr. Mahew escaped into the woods, made his way to Hampton, swam the creek, and gave himself up to our pickets, by whom he was conducted to Gen. Butler's head-quarters. Information of the movements of the enemy

Mr. Scofield very much regretted to leave the place, having buried the wife of his bosom in the churchyard there, having lost every dollar he possessed in the world; and when the old church toppled over on her grave, his feelings may be better imagined than described. Being compelled to fly for his life, he had no opportunity to take any thing with him, and is now thrown on the world penniless, after a weary toil of eighteen years, having two motherless children to support. He estimates his loss at about eight thousand dollars. This morn-was immediately telegraphed to Gen. Phelps at ing he returns to Darien, Connecticut, to join his relatives.

Newport News, who had obtained corresponding intelligence from other sources. Measures The general impression was prevalent that were taken, in conjunction with the fleet, to the firing of Hampton was done by order of defend our position here and Newport News General Butler. Even such an opinion was ex- from the combined attack which it was evident pressed within our lines. But Mr. Scofield em- the enemy intended. This was about 6 o'clock phatically declares that the rebel General Ma-P. M. The rebels had already reached the outgruder gave the order to burn and desert the village. The Union troops, when compelled by the necessities of war to burn a place, spare the inhabitants by giving them ample and timely warning, which the enemy in this instance did not do. Without a word of caution and warning, they set fire to the dwellings and stores, and that the entire number were not burned is no fault of theirs, but attributable to our gallant troops who so completely dispersed them.

Mr. Scofield, in getting away, fell in with five little children of a poor man, a resident of Hampton, sitting on the river bank, shivering in their night clothes, their mother being with

skirts of Hampton, and an advance guard occupied the village about 4 o'clock, the force having left Newmarket Bridge about the time Mr. Mahew deserted. During the evening proper orders were issued to the force at Camp Hamilton, commanded by Colonel Max Weber, and a scouting party was sent to Fox Hill to watch the movements of the enemy in that neighborhood. At 10 o'clock General Butler, after visiting Camp Hamilton, went to Hampton Bridge and instructed the force posted there to hold the position, and resist any attempt either to destroy or pass the bridge. About 25 feet of the planks had been taken up, and the tim

bers cut away on the Hampton side. At that point our force, consisting of a detachment of Max Weber's riflemen, erected a barricade. When Gen. Butler left, every thing was quiet in the village, and there was no appearance of any thing unusual. Shortly after a rebel force came to the bridge, and commenced a vigorous attack on our force there. A sharp contest ensued, which resulted in loss to the enemy and their retreat. The rebels then commenced to fire the town. Fire was first set to the buildings nearest to the bridge. Those who committed this act of Vandalism were, to a considerable extent, former leading citizens of Hampton and owners of property, and consequently among the greatest sufferers. They distributed themselves through the village, went to the residences of the few remaining white inhabitants, and warned them to prepare for the event that was at hand. No other reason was given than that they had orders to burn the village, and | that it would be done. No time was given to remove furniture or other effects, and scarcely enough to allow the terrified people to dress and escape to the street.

At the house of Mr. Joseph Segar, who was absent, a faithful colored servant undertook to remove some valuables, when he was warned by the rebel charged with the duty of setting fire to the dwelling to desist. The negro, instead of obeying, kept on, only remarking that the things must be got out. The rebel then told him if he did not stop he would shoot him. "Can't help dat; massa's things must be got out," was the reply. The chivalrous rebel fired, but missed his aim. The negro fled, and is safe, having done all that could be asked of any one. It is known that in not a few instances men fired their own property, and thus destroyed dwellings in which they had spent a good share of their lives.

After the first fire had been kindled, the attacking force returned to the bridge, where another sharp contest of about twenty minutes ensued, and which resulted as before in the repulse of the rebels. It is known that they lost quite a number, as they were seen carried away, picked off by the German riflemen, who took good aim in the light of the burning buildings. No one was was hurt on our side, though the planks and barrels of which the barricade was constructed were freely pierced by bullets.

Failing in the attempt to carry the bridge, the town was fired in every part, and by a little past midnight the village was a mass of flames lighting up the heavens, so that as far off as Newport News it was light enough to read a newspaper. It required no very vivid imagination to discern in the glare, smoke, and flame, the horrid features of civil war. Never before has our country furnished a scene calculated to suggest a thought like this. "Kill, burn, destroy," was the injunction of the Charleston Mercury, and here it was literally obeyed. It was the first instance of the kind in the course of the war. How many more,

and perhaps far more terrible, will there be before it is over!

There were probably from 20 to 50 white persons in the village, and from 100 to 200 negroes. Terror-stricken, as they well might be, at such a midnight visitation, they fled in all directions, not knowing what fate might overtake them at any turn. One old, half-dying, speechless, and utterly helpess man, Mr. George L. Massenberg, one of the oldest inhabitants of the place, surrounded by a few devoted servants, was taken by them from his house, near the bridge, and, while the fight was going on, the flames raging, the stifling smoke surging, and bullets whizzing all around, was removed on a wheelbarrow to a point on the creek, where a small boat was found, in which he was taken in safety to our side. To-day he found security and attention in the fortress hospital. He is an undisguised secessionist, and, though the fact was as well known as any other, he received neither mercy nor the manifestation of human feelings from the rebels. But for the devotion of his servants he, no doubt, would have perished in the flames that were the legitimate consequences of his own doctrines.

Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Jones, two old and highly respectable people, known to sympathize with the rebellion, and about the only couple who could but did not flee when Hampton was deserted three months since, and who, notwithstanding the well-understood views of Mr. J., lived in undisturbed quiet, were roused from their slumbers and scarcely given time to dress. They did take out a very few things that were sacred in the household so long maintained, and now so rudely and suddenly set in flames, and retreated to the rear of the yard; and there they stood all night silent, solitary spectators amid the glare of conflagration, barely escaping the flames that almost lapped them in their folds. This morning, two gentlemen, old acquaintances, solicitous for their fate, set out from the fortress, and, at their own risk, went into the village and found the aged couple standing there still under the rays of the sun that were scarcely less scorching than the flames that all night had raged around them. The protection which was due to them from the rebels, but was worse than denied them, was given by the two loyal citizens, who by their acts evinced that fidelity to the Government was but humanity to man. Certain features of Mr. Jones' case are peculiarly aggravating.

In the afternoon, a relative, holding an office in the Secession army, came to his house, and after enjoying his hospitalities, informed him that the order was out to burn the village. So absurd was the statement that he did not credit it. In the evening he went into the streets, where all was quiet, and no evidence of such a purpose. Rebel guards were stationed; besides this, there was nothing unusual. About ten o'clock he returned to his house and retired. Scarcely had the aged couple fallen

« ZurückWeiter »