Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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SPl u4. " ' '^W f THE WEEKLY US UHIOH TIMES. < Jg^eotitd to ^jritultnq, gortitullur^ Domplit ?tonomj, fiolite Jit^ratnre, |oHti?, and the Current IJcujs of the gaji. I. . . ; i ' ' X ' VOL. XVII.?New Series. UNION C. H., SOUTH CAROLINA^AUGUST 20,1886. NUMBEB 33. . * ' > -v reminiscences i ? * 1 5 or Tim MACBETH LIGHT ARTILLERY. UY ONK or THRU. No. 10. On llio 23d May, 1863, tho Maobetli went into camp just inside of our line of fortifications in tha western suburbs of Jaokson, Mississippi. Our oamp was near tho residence of llishop Green, a man of groat kindness of lioart, and a true patriot, who permitted us to get drinking water from his cistern. I do not remember that I ever drank better. Its virtues may have been somowhat magnified by tho contrast with the surrounding water. Be that as it may, one thing I know, had it not been for the kindness of the Bishop we would have sufTored for water. When we reached Jackson the organization of an army for the relief of Vioksburg was actively going on. The artillery companies were placed under Major Graves, Gen. Breckenridgo's chief of artillery, for equipping and gotting ready for the campaign then being in augurnlod for Iho'relief of Vicksburg. Ho was a man of giant size, and possessed an anorgj and will equally as great as nis body was large. Our cause lost an excellent soldior when lio fell, a few months afterwards, on the blood-washed field of Chicamauga. Tho weather was dry and hot during our encampment at Jackson, but Miy. Graves did not stop for wtather. He drilled the artillery companies morning and evening, and for hours at a stretch. It was through hinVthat our old guns were exohanged for a battery of new pieces?six beautiful Napoleon guns?and many of our exhausted horses turned over to tho Quartorinarter and good horses given to us in the place of them. We were better equipped for effective work than wo had beon since tho organization of the oompany. Tho Macbeth had a liking for Major Graves, and ho evidently had a good opinion of the Macbeth. It was at Jackson, inspecting the breastworks near our camp, that 1 saw Gens. Johnson and Breckenridgo for the first time. Tho troops had fallen in lovo with Johnson before they over saw him. There is a magnetism about the man that inspires confidencn ami tr???? ' ? ?vvUUC o WIUll* | ration for him forever on tho increase. <3en. Urcckenridgo was of a different monld. I would speak of hiin physically as I would of Johnson intellectually, from a military standpoint. Breckenridge was, by odds, the best \ looking spooiuien of a soldier I ever saw. I hare looked with the greatest admiration on the handsome form of General Lee, but the superb 1 form of ltobert K. Leo did not compare with __rf\>0W ^giiro Of John BrerkenWdgeu We were in oamp at Jackson one month, anu ^ during that time we eat more poor beef and ( bad bread than wa did all the balance of the r war. Our bread was exclusively out of meal made from musty and wcavil-eaten corn, and our beef was of that ooliosive quality that gave it tho character of au adhesive plaster. It was reported, without contradiction, that the beef cattle wore driven over a pole three feet high once each day and thoso too feeble to get over the dead line, as it was called, furnished rations for the soldiers tit at day. After wc left Jackson tho water was no better than the beef. Vicksburg was fifty miles from Jackson, and f wc could distinctly hoar tho booming of cannon as they wcro firod into tho city at regular intervals, so as to annoy and prevent our troops shut up there from resting. Sometimes the firing bacamo rapid, indicating that the enemy had assaultod our works and tho booming of cannon was npw from our guns. Tho Federals soon ......It. 1 .L.. Ill v* VI ?u?iviUq nronuiva, UUU V/UUUldUCU innt time, if slower, was a surer way of ro<lucing our works at Vicksburg. The constant booming 1 of cannon which at first prevented us, who were fity miles away, from sleeping, had a stimulating effect on Johnson, causing him to hurry on his preparation for the relief of our men in Vicksburg. As soon as our now army was organized and drilled for tho oorapaign, it pasted in review before Johnson ; nnd on the next day, tho *J2d June, with three days' eookod rations, wo made a flank movement towards Vicksburg. This was tho beginning of the shortest nnd severest campaign of any with which tho Macbeth was connocted during the war. There had been no rain in Mississippi for a long time? water was scarco and dust plentiful. The first water we reached was one-half of a day's march from Jackson. The farmers in that section of the Slate threw up embankments across ravines and oaught a supply of water during winter for their stock during the summer. Water thus preserved became very hot under the burning rayg of a mid-summer's sun, and was usually covered with slimy green film. It was the home of the wiggletail, the nursery of the mosquito, and the source of nnmerons diseases. It was from suoh places that we got our drinking and cooking water. At first the soldier that drank the most of the water from these stock ponds got the lion's share of wiggletails. The soldiers, however, soon learned the Mississippi plan of taking advantage of these creatures. A sudden lick on the water frightened thorn to tho bottom, and before they recovered from thoir fright and returned to the surfaoc the soldier had gotten his fill and left. Had tho campaign for tho relief of Viokshurg been a protracted one and the fighting severe, I am quite confident wo would hare suffered more from disease contracted from drinking bad water than from the enemy's bullets. Wo bivouaeed the first night after leaving Jackson at a pleco called Batllo Springs. The spring wee very poor, and oifered a meager supply of water. The energy with which the soldiers * contended for it was a striking evidence of the appropriateness of its name. On the 23d we made another day's march towards Vioksburg, going into oamp that night on Mrs. Cassaway's farm, in Madison county, where we rested for one week. * On July the 1st, we moved up to within one mile of Big Black <*nd camped on Byrd Sing's farm, near a tolerable good spring for that part ...? wu.ni;. x ne spring, However, km not as bold, as some soldiers placed around it, as a guard, were partial. Our camp at that place will be remembered as abounding in rocks, under which wero the dens of rattlesnakes that infested that country. We were now getting near Vickeburg and the enemy's guns sounded much louder than they did when we were at Jackson and made us more nervous. After remaining in that camp five days the troops were ordered to cook three days' rations. We all knew llio interpretation of that order, and began to Imagine a fight was at hand. Just after the turn of midnight on the 6th July, the army marched out of camp, and on reaching the road filed to the right and moved towards Big Black and .Vioksburg. The army had scarcely straightened out in the road before it was halted. Every one knew that Big Black was not far off", and just beyond was the Federal army. It was believed that an attempt would be mado to cross tho river before day, and with the sun would come bloody work. A deathlike stillness pervadod tho army. AThere was no whispering. Perhaps eaoh man was busy with thoughts of what the morning's light would bring. The night wore on and still the ominous silence hung with mysterious forebodings about the army. The soldiers not being able to divine its meaning, began to imagine tome evil forebodings. Perhaps the time wee Doing consumed in laying pontoons for the snccoisfal crossing of tha river. Or it may be that the enemy had gotten wind of our approach ind were already at the rirer to dispute our passage. Thoughts like these doubtless filled the minds with conflicting emotioos and the loldiers with a kind of dread of the revelations hat dny would bring. Just beforo day the mysterious silence was broken. The news ran lown the lino that Vicksbnrg had fallen and hat wc were already confronted at tho river >y the Federal army. No one can form any :oncoption of the emotions that ran wild hrough the soldiers' brains at that hour. The mportanco of Vioksburg had been greatly maglified. Our troops had been led te believe that >ur national existence depended upon our ability o hold it ; but it was bow in the possession of he'enemy. We knew that the eyes of the Confederacy were watohing Johnson's army and hat much was expected of it. None, therefore, vho were not on the Big Black that morning inn ever realise how Johnson's men staggered inder the blow. Uad tho garrison held out two Inys longer, the experiment of relieving Vioksjurg would have been made ; and, in all prob.bility, Johnson's army would have been eat to tieoes. Yet wo cannot but wish the experiment lould have been made. Johnson has been severely criticised for not ?' ?* " l.iri.n1, ?U?f ?uflnfr II mUSt >e remembered that an army cannot be glurferfeb ip from the four points of tha compass and node available in a few days' time. On the 2l>d of May, 1803, when Evans' brigade arrived at Jackson, Temberton was already lermetically sealed in Vioksburg. and Johnson >n the outside with a command of six thousand . ?o ?. - 1? ' * ? iVU|>o, U9 II?UUHI.-1 IU4 IIIJ IUI UIDUUU UI III wmy for tlie purpose of sating Vicksburg. rolinson's army grew in number <lnily and soon iwcllcd to thirty thousand men. The troops hat composed this army came from Charleston, Beauregard, Bragg, and a part of Pemberton's defeated army at Edward's Depot, but being cut off was not shut up in Vicksburg. The medley >f troops suddenly brought together had to be organized into divisions and corps and then Irilled together before they could have that mutual confidence in each other so essential to success on the battlefield. It is only when officers and men hate mutual confidence in each other?a confidence that is born of association and courage exhibited in the trying hour of danger?that tho best results can be safely counted on. Johnson's army composed of officers and men hastily thrown together, nnd without any practical knowledge of each other's courage, could not hope to meet successfully an enemy superior in number and training, and, at the same time, flushed with victory. It is true that Johnson made no record as a fighter. He thought the preservation of his army was worth more to the Confederacy than towns and cities; that troops should not be sacrificed and exposed whore there is no advantage to be gained. The wisdom of his policy was verified in two notable instances. His first order to l'emberton, after taking command in Mississippi, was not t> shut himself up in I'l.b.t...... ...I K-.?L ? 1 _1 mL. v ivnouui auu iuoc uuvu iiicu dUU JHUCC. 1U0 order was set aside, and both place and army were lost to the Confederacy. Johnson did not believe that tho sacrifice of his army in an unequal contract on the battlefield would save Atlanta, and if it did, the place was not worth the price paid for it. He was removed and the gallant llood was put in command of our western army. No troops fought belter. Atlanta was lost, and in three fights Johnson's old army, under Hood, had an existence only in history. Had Johnson remained in command of our western army, Sherman would never have reached the sea in command of a conquering army, or had the pleasure of sticking his fiendish torch to the city of Columbia. The noble Lee, under the pressure of publio sentiment, proved the impracticability of invasion. Twice he mado the experiment and twico he returned to Virginia with a shattered army. Johnson s plan was the only one that had in it the element of success. Tut the encmy to the necessity of hauling supplies oTor a long lino, forcing him to garrison every town and station in his rear, and fighting him onlj under advantageous circumstances. We foolishly tried to hold too muoh territory, and was overwhelmed a< every point and beaten in detail. It was about sunrise on the morning of th< Oth July, two days after the fall of Vioksburg, that we began to fall back towards Jackson. 1 remember passing Gen. Gist's brigade on the side of the road, and saw a number of South Carolina men whom I had known In Greenville, i Several of them were afterwards killed it Hood'a fight to save Atlanta. I have folt hot weather, but I remembar tha 6th day of July, 18G3, aa tha hottest I ever experienced. The dust, too, was awful beyond dcaeription. Frequently the men were forced out of the line to get their breath. The road we fall back to Jaekaon on wan not the same one that we traveled when we were going towards Vickabnrg. The road aloog which we retreated was almost without any water. Even the bad pond water was scarce. It did seem as if life depended on our drinking water from the mire to which the aow that was washod had returned. It was so bad that we could fed the solution of dust lining our throat as we drank it, and it tasted just as the hog wallow Smells. We camped that night near Clinton and used water from one of those ponds that had been so stirred up that fish and frogs came to the surface to get their breath. On the morning of the 7th, just as we were about to resume our march, Johnson bad some' of bis poorest beevc^ (I wonder if any one oan imagine how poor they were T) driven into the pond, shot and cut open, to retard the progress of Grant's army that was pursuing us. When we reached Jackson that evening men overcome with heat, had dropped out of line in such numhors th*i "? nviv ouinuer than regimonta and regiments less than oompaniea, and companies no larger than a corporal's guard. I saw more suffering among our troops that daj than 1 did on any other march during the war. Most of the men retired as soon as the shades ot night came on and reported to their commands before day. The Macbeth crossed to the east side of Tearl River and camped that night noar a spring a few hundred yards above the bridge ; but we were ordered back to the breastworks on the west side of the river before day the next morning. Notwithstanding the scarcity of water on tho road, and our effort to render it unfit for use, the Federal army had followed us so energetically that we had not more than taken our poeition in lino of battle before their advance eame in sight. They began at once to intrench and extend their line north-east and south-east till they reached the river above and below Jackson. Then, day by day they inohed their way towards our line of fortifications. During the nights they would advance their line and intrench. Our ammunition was scarce, and onr orders were to save it, but the temptation to fire inte the bold Federals was sometimes greater than we eould resist; and when one gun violated the order it was a kind of signal' far a general bellowing all along the line. We remember that a Federal battery opened en us one aserning from some works that had been 1 thrown up during the night, in ' was spIsmStdL^The first shot fired at my section passed through the embrazure of ouc of eur guns and the next lodged between the dirt and a bale of cotton on top of the breastworks. The other sections had a like experience. W# concentrated our fire on that battery and soon silenced it. Just after tliia artillery duel ended, for some purpoie, I never knew what, an armistice was had and many of the soldiers of the two opposing armies met on half-way ground and had a pleasant interview, exchanging jokes and criticising each others shooting. The captain of the battery just mentioned said our practice was excellent, and that we had killed and wounded a number of his men. Our last shot, he said, killed one of his men and took o(T the leg of another. What a strange thing our war was. One moment the opposing soldiers were laughing and joking with each other and the next were trying to take each other's life. What a power there was in a little white handkerchief. As long as it was uplifted all was peace, and it would have been death to the soldier of either army who would have dnred to ignore it. Its removal was the signal for drawing blood. Water was so scarce that it was believed that the Federal soldiers would be hurled against our works without much delay. The Federals, however, showed by their works that an assault was not comtemplated. Batteries were being placed in position and reinforcements were dnily arriving, and Johnson's army was in no condition to stand a siege, neither was he Btrong enough to go out and attack the I Federals. Johnson decided to give up Jackson as soon as be was satisfied that the enemy would not assault our works. During the six days that the troops were in the trenches they were supplied with water hauled in barrels at night, from Tearl ltiver. Two nights previous to the one during which we left Jackson, John on kept wagons running all night, for the purpose of quieting anj suspicion the rumbling of our wagons might awaken when we began retreat. And the wagons did sound unusually loud those two nights. They must have been old wagons, gotten up for the purpose and run without oiling. The night the army left, we were ordered to muffle our guns and roll them from the breastworks by hand. We made muoh less noise that night than any of the nights during the siege. The enemy did not suspect us, and it was late the nest day before they knew we had gone. When Vickaburg fell and Grant turned on Johnson, it was reported that an old citixen on Big Black told him that Johnson was a red fox that would not be oasily , run down, or so easily caught in a trap as Pern, berton had been. He pursued Johnson to Brandon and then abandoned the chase. Vidi. Sam Jones sajs : 'There is somothing > wrong when a preacher gets $400 and a pitcher $5,000.' Tho lioeton Trantcript explains : 'Hut Sam should remember that ' the $5,000 piteher has a muoh better de| lirery than the $400 preacher.' A student of human nature says anything can be sharpened. Put a lead-poncil in a i womaos's band, and see. | MEXICO'S P08ITI0K STATED. Monday afternoon the New York llet aid correspondent In the City of Mexic interviewed the Hon. Ignacis Marisca Secretary of Foreign Affairs, regard in the Catting case. Ho uid that Cuttin had been tQsdand condomncd in acco: d^noe with the Mexican laws. His couc sfN appealed to the Supremo Conrt c Chihuahua, and the Federal governmon were awaiting tho resnlt of the appeal He further said that from the commence meat the Federal government had urge* the Chihuahua authorities to strict com plianco with the law. When Mr. Bayard' domand for Catling's release was made, 01 the groand atiJlegal imprisonment, Seno Mariscal did not understand how such im prisoQ?ent^?a'd bo illegal. But ho ha since leaded that Mr. Bayard rcforred t< tho jurisdiction of the Court. This question of jurisdiction, Sono Mariscal statod, is a conflict between thi common and tho civil law. Laws similai to that under whioh Cutting was tried exist in uearly all countries where the civi ? - - "** taw is operative. The common law is con sidered general, and the criminal jurisdic tion is strictly territorial or local. Sonoi M arise# 1 is satisfied of tbe sincerity o; Secretary Bayard's friendship for Mexict and his spirit of justice. IIo thinks tba the wholo troublo has grown out of Con sal Brigham's ignorance of Mexican am of all law?other than that of the Unitec States. Senor Mariscal called attention t< the IHot tho law applied to Cutting wa: almost identical with tho Texas libel law stating tbat Cutting received less thai balftbe maximum punishment provided bj thvlfaugan law. lie qualified the runioi tl^/Tbo Chihuahuans wcro likely to invadi Texas as perfectly .absurd, and assertec that if the Federal govornmcnt orderod t feffftroops to Paso dol Norte it was for the purpose of preventing a conflict between the lawless classes ou the two frontiers Hejfco^rftoted^tho i<)ca of the Texas paper? tp^lhere was a want of harmony between lb ^Federal and Ohihualiuan governments existing that the two governments aro in ntfurcs caacat*K?gIe Pa A# fJfiNMF ^ItfT istif said that details had not been roccived but if wrong had been committed by th< Mexican authorities it would bo as far ai possible redressed by tho prompt punish, ment of tho guilty parties. Cutting in Jail.?A correspondent o tho New ITork World who saw Kdito Cutting in tho Mexican jail at El l'aso ds Norto on Sunday says : Tho prisioncr was found in tho opci ^urtof tho prison in histshirt sleeves, en joying the cool evening preparatory t pending a hot, uncomfortable night in hi cell. The only visible change in his look siaoa bis incarceration is a slight tinge o gray in his hair. IIo is onjoying goo health, and since the extra allowance fc his aupport has been made he manages t live very fairly. He takes his present pr< dicament calmly, and has tbo utmost cot fiance that something will turn up t .uocor him. His theory is that diplomati relations will cease on Monday, and, i that case, Mexice will back down. Soonc than go to war it will grant him a pardo he thinks. Outsiders do not take such a sanguin viow of affairs. They say that Cutting a doom oil man. Should the Uuited State take a final step and declaro war, Cuttin undoubtedly will be the first man to 1 put to the bayonet. On the other bant if the government does not interfere an the prisoner is compelled to serve out tl; sentence imposed on him', ho will nevt livo to see its expiration, as no America can do the work that will be imposod o Cutting, on tho allowance for food of fir cents a day. That ho will be pardoned generally disbelieved, as the Mcxicai have got their backs up. In passiog sentonco upon Cutting, tl Mexican District Judge at Paso del Nor used tho following langutigo : "It is tl doorec of this court that tho defender A. K. Cutting, be condomcd *o serve tl State of Chihuahua at hard labor < public works tor the period ot one vo; and in addition pay the treasurer of tl State tho sutn of $600, and in the ere of failuro to pay this fine, that the sa A. K. Cutting bo held to serve out additional 100 days at hard labor on pub works of the State. It is further me dserced that the said A. K. Cutting held responsible to a civil suit for damag to Kmigdio Medina, the party injured tho illogal publication by tho defeoda should the said Medina dusirc to institi such a suit. In regard to the npplieati of tho prosecuting attorney, asking tl this court recommend that tho Uoil States Consul at this point be withdra on acoouut of offensive offioiousness, I court holds that it is a matter of such importance as to bo entirely beyond its scope, and the application is therefore respectfully I referred to the Suprome Court of Chihua' hua for action." As soon as tho verdict became known on ^ tho American sido the ezcitoment became intense, every one seeming to understand ^ that a crisis was rapidly approaching. ^ Places wero opened for tho enrollment of j minutemen, nearly every able-bodied man in the community volunteering. On the j Mexican side the cxcitemont is equally intense. Arbitration Possible.?A Washington special of the 9th iust., to the New York Herald' sajs: It is understood hero to-night that Mexico has assumed in the diplomatic conversation now going on in regard to the Cutting caso that tho position of Mr. Bayard goes beyond the judicial acts of this country and attacks the theory of the Mexican systom of jurisprudence. The Mexican laws arc founded on the code of j several European nations, and as % last rsresort in the interest of peace it will be proposed that tho entire question be referred to international arbitration as to P whether tho Mexican codo as administered in the Cutting caso is in accord with intert national law. Mr. Bayard, it is said, has retraced the j position taken by him in the corresponj dcnce sent to Congress, and is resolved to } enforce acquiosccncc in his peremptory des mand for Cutting's release. On the other hand, Mexico insists that it is not just for ' one povornmftnt in nut- ?nniK?? : 0 ?w .w ? uuuvum %KJ i^uuru ^ its only internal safe-guard?the regular f administration ol the law?and requires 5 the surrender of a prisonor held for violaI tions of its laws ; that if suoh a step were ^ posaiblo on tha part of Mexico it would ^ invito additional differences from powerful ^ nations, equivalent, in fact, to asking its own destruction by foreign or internecine ^ wars; that, as the Mexican code docs not ^ stand alone, submission to suoh a declaration would, according to the law of nations, ' be discourteous to countries h iving similar codes and with which the Uuitcd States ^ and Mexico are this day at peace. Finally, natioWfl-mtrdxili anu.?l ?o a great intor' what at present is only a thoorctical question between tho two natious, and refers ' to the principles laid down in the treaty of Washington, uudcr which a similar oonj. troversy was finally settled bctwecu Great Britain and tho United States, r ^ 1 Tiik Platform.?The democratic party of South Carolina in tho State Convention n asscu.bled, reaffirming their allegiance and i- devotion to the principles of tho Democratic o party, dcclaro tho following to be the prins ciples and policy of the Democratic party in s State and Federal affairs : f First. Wise and just legislation ; tho imd partial administration of equal laws ; t>ffi>r cioncy with economy in every department o of the State Government. ;- Second. Popular education is the buli wark of free institutions. Liberal support - ft*. n..ui:? -~i?i- ft*. ?i 1.-1 1 V 1UI VUb puuiiu OViUUV IO iUl II1U UIIUIC JJUUJJIC. ic Third. The present protective tariff n taxes the many For the benefit of tho favored sr few. The duties on imports should bo dco creased. An early ropeal of tho duty on cotton ties, on the machinery used in tho io manufacture of cotton and wool, and on is tools and agricultural implimcnts, will !8 stimulate manufactures and be a measure of g relief to the farmers of the country. ?c Fourth. Tho public credit, National and 3, State, must bo maintained, id Fifth. In the conduct of affairs in this io Stato the Democracy have been actuated by sr tho desire to promoto the groatest good to n the State. Democratic unity is public >n safety and private security, re Sixth. In the State, justice and equality is for all, to insuro harmony and good will as botween tho races. In the union no sectionalism in policy or foeling ; an indisso10 luble Union of indestructible States; one te flag, one country, ono destiny. :ie Seventh. Civil service reform. Appointit, mcnts to minor offices under tests that will lie indicate tho qualifications of the antilicant. 3D promotiou by merit, a fixed tenure of office tr, and no removals except for cause, he The committee on Resolutions to whom nt were referred various res dutions amend ing iid the Constitution as to tlio mode of selecting an tlio candidates, respectfully submits the fol lie lowing report. Tho following amendment ire they recommend, shall bo adopted as a subbo stitute for all tho proposed amendments so ;os rofcrrcd to them. by Amend Article XIII by adding therctr nt, the'followiog, ite 'Each Congressional District a judicia ion circuit in this State shall be at liberty to rat adopt the method of primary election in ted stead of the convention plan for nominating wn candidates for Congress or Solicitor, pro the vided such method bo determined upon bj * contention re, _ 1" " * ^ J' ? I ...|. heroinbefore speoified, tor" voir yqj -anti among others. If sucli method bo adopted, tho convention adopting the same shall fix ? tho timo when, and prescribe tho rules uudcr which snoh eleotion shall bo hold, provided that such primary eleotion shall be held in each County composing such district or circuit. Provided, furthor, that no olection either for delegates to a contention or under the primary plan shall be hereafter held prior to tho first day of September in ovory year.' ? ? Fury of the Forest Fires.?Chicago, August 9?Late advices from tho sectiou of Wisconsin devastated by forest fires yos: terday place tho loss by tho burning of tho village of Spencer at nearly $400,000, instead of $200,000. as at firat rnnnvfiiil , ? There was a large fire in Marshall, 150,000 feet of chair stock at Webster's factory being destroyed. The town was saved by hard work. A dispatch from Neilsvillo says : Great feara arc expressed in this city on account of the extensive forest fires which are within four miles of the city and coming nearer. The mayor and council have ordered the fire companies to be in readiness at nny moment. Ilewittville seven miles west of here, was burned to tho ground yesterday. Tho loss has not been estimated yet, but will be very great. Dill's Dam, six miles south of here, is also in imminent danger. If rain docs dot fall insido of 24 hours it is feared this city will also suffer greatly. Milwaukee, August 9.?A late dispatch from Marquette, Mich., to the Evf-uimj DVsconsm says : Tho city is in danger of destruction by forest fires which rnako the air densely sinoky. Pcndell's slaughterhouse, in tho city limits, has been destroyed and the nitro-glyccrino works of tho Lake Superior l'owder Company arc surrounded by lire. Tho men are fighting tho tiro with desperation. An opportune chnngo of wind saved the new city park at Presquo Isle yesterday. The day is oppressively hot and tho fire fighters aro suffering greatly. At Applet on a fire at midnight destroyed the paper mill of lliohmond Bros., causing a loss of $G0,000 ; insurance $35,000. \t llewittsvillo, ten miles from Nailsville, building connected llicrcWltn ??- ' x'miji-uuusua in vnu nt'igiiuuraouu wcro burned and many families were compelled to move iuto the fields with their household goods. Fires arc still raging southwest and north of Neilsville, destroying grain and farm buildings. Particulars are difficult to get. For au almost uninterrupted distanco of nearly one hundred miles north of Steven's Point, along the liuo of tho Wisconsin Central road, forest fires are raging and hundreds of men are fighting tho flames scoking to save the towns and villages hemmed in by them. Telegraphic communication is greatly interfered with and dotails are [ meagre. The complete destruction of the town of Spencer is fully confirmed and tho loss is now placed at 8300,000. Several hundred pcopls are destitute and homeless. At Colby, a few miles distant, fire is raging on two sides. Thewtole population turned out to save the town. Several times the fire was almost to tho houses, but was k ui?: ? U1MUII LS f! v> r? , i x uvnvjf VTUO U?un lil? To-night tho gale has toned down, but tho people nro tired out, and if the gale resumes tho village is doomod. To-night tho village of I'rcntico, in Marathon Countj, is surrounded by Haines, and it is feared that it will be swept out of existence unless the wind dies down. Near Chippewa Falls the fires arc confined to tho prairies aud no buildings wcro destroyed. 1 ? A Ciiy koii UitBAD.?Austin, Texas, Aug. 11.?Governor Ireland to-day issued the following proclamation for the relief of the drought sufferers : "Whereas it has been made known to me that on account of the unprecedented drought which has prevailed in tho Counties of Brown, Coleman, Callaghan, Castland, Stephens and others contiguous, many families arc suffering for want of food. Now, therefore, I, John Ireland, Governor, confidently call upon the people . e . 1 ? - - - ~ oi oilier sections 10 coniriDuio to tne relict of their distressed fellow citizens, by for' warding, without delay, funds to County Judges of the several Counties asking ; aid." Few people realizo how rapidly the government's land is disappearing. The pub> lie land in all the States and territories is overrun with buyers and the best is being I picked np with an energy that bids fair to leave Uncle Sam without an aero of good - land at the end of the next decade. Is it ; not about time a limit was p?t -upon the * amount of land that any ono person or F company ?an own '(