Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

: ;"; v "' | g g > : : - William wHIEAST.}ProI>rietors- !ln Insentient #bi% It etospaper: Jfor t|e promotion rf t|e political, Social, Agricultural ant) Commercial Interests of % Sottfjj. |$a pee teas, ihadvahob,,. * '/ ?i-? . ., ? ? ? ?? .. ' '- '- - '' '** ? ? ? : " ~ - y "VOLUME 8 YORKVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA, THURSDAY MORNING, JANUARY 2, 1862. - NUMBER L-U *? _L ? . . W, flue ffarimU* IS ISSUES EVERY THUBSDAY MOBBING, AT Two Dollars a year, in Advance. THRICE COPIES. IS 90, 10 COPIES. 913,: And an Extra Copy to the person making a Club of I Ten?the money to be paid In Advance. ADVERTISEMENTS Will be Inserted at one dollar per square for the firat, and Firrr Cents for each subsequent Innertion (less than three months.) A Square consists of the space occupied by 10 lines of this rise type ;100 words, or one inch space. No Adveutisement'considerel less than a J square. All Advertisements not having the number of inser-! tlons marked on the margin, will be continued until forbid j and charged accordingly. Cf Quarterly, Semi-Annual or Yearly contracts willbe made on liberal terms?the contracts, however, mu? In all cases be confined to the Immediate business of the firm or individual contracting. Semi-Monthly, Monthly, or Quarterly Advertisements, will be charged ose Dollar per square for each insertion. For Advertising Estrays Tolled, 82; to be paid by the Magistrate. Citations, $3; to be paid in advance by the person applying. Notices of Application to the Legislature, 85: to paid by the person handing In the advertisement. Insolvent Debtors Notice, $8 ; payable In advance. Attachment Notices, 88; to be paid for by the Attorney In.the ease. Business Cards, of a half-sqnare or less, will be Inserted at 85 per year. For each additional line, 81. jy Announcements ofMarrlages or Deaths ; Notices of Reheiotia Meetings published GRATIS and solicited. C5T Tributes of Respect rated as advertisements. mT Obituary Notices exceeding one square in length, wUTbs charged for the overplus at regular advertising rates. VPersonsl Communications, when admissible; communications of limited or individual Interest, or recommendations of Candidates for offices of honor, profit or trust will be charged for at from 3 to 10 cents per line. editorial correspondence. Cehtxsvillk, Fkinrxx, Va., > Friday Morning, December 13,1861. ) Dear Enquirer:?-There is scarcely any thing more offensive to an enlightened patriotism as well as Christian feeling and faith, than the unnecessary, unwise and wioked policy of universal Sabbath breaking which prevails iu the army. If the desire be to obtain the greatest amount of service from "soldiers and horses, more work can be done in six days with a day of rest, than in seven without rest. Hence, it is unnecessary It is moreover a direct mookery of God's holy law ; and no cause, bowever sacred in itself, can receive assistance from conduct whioh belies, and therefore opposes it. If there is any one thing to wbieb the mothers of the South have edu ???/>/! ttaiv anno with nennliar zeal and MM6V4 ?UV*I ?VMW .? *? fidelity, that thing is to welcome and keep the "day of sacred rest." The oonstaDt and nttor disregard which is paid to this betutifal, tranquilizing, happefying institution. consequently rests like a paraliziug night mare on the army. Yetajmost as often as the "blessed morn" returns, there is an inspection of arms?a piece of corruption copied from the "army regulations" of the old wreck, and a work which might be done as well on any other day. Last Sabbath morning, our Brigadier General?a red-tape West-pointer of the first water, who devotes himself to "Discipline" and military clap trap, with all the fondness of "some maiden wasting her passion on a marblo statue of Jove"?having received orders to make a general inspection of his Brigade speedily, bad the tents of the four regiments under his command struck at nine, to air and sun the ground, and the men drawn up at twelve to see if their "fire-locks" were cleao, aod they had forty rouodB of ammunition This was all the harder for the "5th," as we are without a Chaplain, as numbers of us had not heard a sermon for months, and we had been invited by Dr. Harrold to attend the r>f the First Virginia Regiment.? When a few applied for permission to attend, they were told that there was not the least chance to obtain it. But Gen. Jones is not solely to be censured; for, although he could have taken the responsibility upon himself without orders, Gee Longstreet should have ordered him to postpone the inspection until after Sunday. Nor is Longstreet alone. Beauregard and Johrston? 'the heads of the army, and therefore ''the head aod front of the offending"?had their working parties digging away at the same time on the ditches and forts; and, as long as we have been in the service, we have never seen a single general order tc their subordinate officers of the held, oommiBsary and quarter-master departments, to respect as far as possible the Sabbath day. It is an unpleasant task to inveigh against anything which may appear to be essential to the full maintenance of the cause we have espoused ; but when from sad experience we are forced to the sadder conclusion that the offioers of the army as a rale, with-its few noble exceptions, have but little practical regard for that religious liberty Wlnws the cause, we then deem it high time for the press 10 cry aloud, and for the Government to bring them to theii senses. We heard Col. Pendleton the other Sabbath say that when he passed through the camps and saw officers as well as privates so foolishly profane, it made hitr tremble for the success of our cause. Th< Sabbath breaking and intemperance thai prevail in ofl&cial circles, are perhaps great er causes of alarm. The engraftment o West-Point Tegular-armyism upon our mil itary, and Washington superciliousness anc snobbishness upon our political system, ar< hated evils?a chain and ball to the fe -to our volunteers and people. We want i purer, freer, simpler system; less ottyranj aDd insult from "ono-borse" officials; i more generous appeal to the intelligence patriotism and gentility of onr boys. Foi a commanding officer to go out among hi, men on duty, and because they do not worl exactly to please bim, to fly into a passioi and curse them and bemean them?whi can stapd this ? We know not what other may say ; but we say, such a wretch is un worthy to lead the Southern volunteer.? Let os bave a better, more humane and wiser government of the army; and we shall have, with a multitude of minor evils corrected, a more consistent and uniform observance of the Sabbath. You have doubtless seen ere this the message of Lincoln, and the war report of Secretary Cameron. The former in his recommendation to restore the old boundary of the District of Columbia, and the latter in bis recommendation to alter the boundaries of Virginia, Maryland and Delaware, and require Maryland to give up the threefifths representation of her slaves in consideration of the large accession of territory she would receive by the boundary changes, show the donkey's ears through the lion's skin. They ignore those rights of the Stales for whioh we are contending; and set np the same claim over them, that the farmer does over his fields, to rearrange, enlarge or diminish them as be pleases.? The genuine Yankee idea of consolidation and a strong government is developing so rapidly, that their army will scaroely know ? i_ -5 J 1 > toe; are in cue game wuuuuy whcu mcj m-i home again. The difficulty between these two majestic functionaries, growing out of the closing paragraph of the war report?the Secretnry recommending the emancipation and arming of slaves, and old Abe objecting to it simply because it was inexpedient and illtimed?is another illustration of the monstrous purposes of this war. They are ready not only to destroy the old landmarks but to inaugurate all the horrors of a new Hayti at the South, in order to overturn the government of our common ancestry, build up a "stronger" one and plunder the; oountry through it for the enrichment of their party. Yet some of their Congress, men were silly enough to reooramend the appointment of commissioners to confer with us for the restoration of the Union ! Their Congress betrayed better sense, bad as it was, wheo they adjourned, giving* McClellan seventeen days in whioh to advance. The right wing of the fifth regiment went on pioket Monday, to Germnntown, and returned Thursday. Although we heard any amount of drumming and firing along their lines, yet they gave no indications of an intention to visit us soon. But there has been heavy cannonading in the direction of Lecsburg, and it is reported that they have been fighting up there nil day. There is yet nothing definite or reliable concerning the report. We still believe that MoClellan's time to advance will be next Spring, when hej hopes, and we fear, our army will' be in aj oritical condition. The term of service of the twelve months volunteers will in many cases have expired; and unless they revolunteer, under the provisions of the re-> cent bill of our Congress to establish a sys- i tem of bounties and furloughs for the Pro* j visional Army, there will be a gap made in! our forces whioh it will be hard to fill up. j A Berious defeat here next SpriDg?a fail-; ure to meet and drive back the invader on j our Bull Run line of defences?will great-1 ly prolong the war; and for this reason we bav# frequently said that "how can we best re-organize the twelve months regiments into war troops," is a more important enquiry than "what will McClellan do this season." The bill referred to provides that a bounty of fifty dollars shall bp given to the three years volunteers at the expiration nf una -poar'a aprviep. and tn all twelve months volunteers when they shall re-enter the service for two or three years, or for the war. It farther provides that sach of the latter as may accept the arrangement, shall have free transportation to and from home, aDd a furlough of not more than sixty days at such time as the Secretary of War shall deem expedient. Those re-voluDteering will also be permitted to re-organiae, and ^ re elect company and regimental officers, at the expiration of their present term of service. All vacancies occurring thereafter to be filled by promotion, except a vacancy in the lowest grade of company commissioned officers, wbioh may be filled by election. Some objections are found to the bill, such as th.it it wears a mercenary face, and the j re organixation should take plaoe at home. We should have much preferred to see the bounty given not as a bounty, but as pay? in the shape of increased wages for hard service done, and not as a favor to be thankfully received from the Government.? Many companies, too, will find themselves so reduced at the expiration of their termtime, that they ought to recruit before gating into the service for the war: and this f conld be most effectually done at home.? j Besides we should be re-orgauized, and whatever new officers may be elected should ^ be familiarized with their duty, before the 13th of April. But many, we think, will 1 accept the arrangement. Those who do ' will be home before Spring; those who do 1 not, will "bide their time" here. Wejremain, war or no war. r OUR CORPORAL, s t Wednesday Evening Dec. 18. i D.eqr Enquirer ;~Much that seems to & be reliable in the news of the last day or 3; two, would lead to the inference that a fight is probable on the Occoquan at an "Iearly day. A gentleman from Evansport daj before yesterday, stated that our forces a there were drawn up in line of battle, all p the day previous to his departure. Our C cavalry videttes and couriers from the out- u posts about the same time, reported that t< the enemy's regiments were beating down n towards Oocoquan. About the same time, tl too, the Richmond Dispatch gave the opin- h ion of a refugee, who escaped from Wash- a ington last Wednesday, that McClellan si would certainly make an udvanoe in ten tl days. From his known desire to break up tl iuc uiuuaaut; ui uiu i uiuuiav u ucouc whioh he has not attempted to oonoeal?it b is easy to infer that his ?rst move will be ti made against the Evansport batterios.? a Of course, a feint attaok is expected simultaneously on Centreville?or possibly on Q Leesburg?in order to divert attention t: from tho point where the main blow is in- j tended to fall. We are still inorodulous, j however, as plausible as the prospeots of a n battle undoubtedly are. Notwithstanding, j the weather for a remarkably long time at v this season of the year, has beea clear aod j, almost vernal iu its balmioess; and the ^ roads are in admirable condition for trans- p porting artillery, and mobilizing an army, j. The great fire whioh has sent its tide of < desolation over the dear old city of Char- z leston, has stirred the sympathies of the < South Carolina forces here. A collection < is being raised, and we think five cr ten a thousand dollars will be sent to the relief p of the sufferers. Next to the suffering pro- e duoed, we regret the destruction of the In- T stitute and St. Andrews Hall, consecrated ( as they were last December to the cause of I liberty and State sovereignty. The gene- v rous appropriation of 8100,000 by the t Georgia Legislature to relieve the distres- t sed, will still more endear that noble and a prosperous State to the heart of Carolinians. J No State has made for itself, in this war, a o better name than Georgia. This new evi- d dence of her high-toned character, will make her the admiration of all who appreciate generosity and magnanimity. Many-mouthed rumor informed us soon .t ? .1.1 r\? D j L.J d mis morning, mui uk-u. jjeuuicgaru uuu received a dispatch from Richmond last 1 night, announcing the good news that the ^ large English cities are one blaze of exoite- '' ment on the Mason and Slidoil affair; and 'h i that the British government will at once ' proclaim war against the United States, if our ambassadors be not released, and this c insult to her flag thereby wiped out. We a hope this is true; and we hope that the!1 Yankee administration will stick to their 5 high handed policy. We are not of those I who court foreign interference; for it is d best for the South, now and hereafter, that 8 the Yankees should be thoroughly taught ? by ourselves, the expediency and proprie- a ty of letting us alone. But recognized by 8 England aB belligerents, natural justice, ' nnd Dot favor, to us, requires that England ^ Bhould not connive at an act committed ' under her flag?and thereby heoome^ar- C tic*px criminis in the net?which barbari- 5 ans with any tone of character would dis- 1 dain to practice on an eDemy. Wherever F | the British flag wavos, 8be is bound by the principles of international law, whioh is ( founded on natural justice. We are seek- t ing a national existence; and call this r simply a revolution, and not the disruption t of a compact, we are still entitled from all t nations, even our enemies, to a fair chance r to snoceed if we can. The Bull-trotting { despotism have overthrown the liberties of 1 their own people?crushed Maryland into c the very dost?ridden rough-shod over all * that history proves valuable, and the heat * hblds Bacred in domestic law and govern- 1 meot. They now seek to turn loose their f lawless fanaticism upon those rules of com- ( ity and peace, which the concurrent voice ' of civilized communities holds to be invio- ' lable between nation and nation. Mr. Bluckstone says that an ambassador ought ] to be independent of every power except { the one by which he is sent; and the "learn- t ed Grotius," whose sentiment prevailed in e the practice of puropo during Blaokstone's i day, carries this principle so far as to as- t sert, that "the seourity of our ambassadors j is of more importance than the punishment r of any particular crime"?even treason a- ] gainst the king's life. Our ambassadors ^ od hoard the Trent were to all intents and [ purposes on British soil?for the deck of a * British steamer is as sacred to a Britou as t the streets of London, or the banks of the t Avon ; and if tho constitution and law of ( the realm forbid their punishment for debt f or crime, they certainly forbid their illegal \ seizuro and deteutiou by another power, ( while under British protection. i It is no interference in our favor, there, j' ! but a just dcmnDd arising out of the law of! 1 |nature arid of nations, if the British gov- jl I i j-. :?l *n ieruiueub IIUS UCtcnuiu^u m ucuiauu lUD ic-j; lease of Mason and Slidell. We hope that; < | Seward and Lincoln will adhere to their 1 'bigotry and Belf-sufficiency; because Eng- 1 Jand then, if the news is true, would lead I J of in her hostilities against the North, * : yvith the recognition of oqr independence. < This would be the just consequence of the .Yankees' own acts. We wish to whip ' them soundly through their own acts, and 1 we care not how speedily, so it is done "wisely and well." i The eighth Georgia regiment has re-vol- i teered, to a man we believe, under the rovisions of the bounty and furlough bill. >ar regiment has yet taken no aotion. We nderstand that Col. Jenkins is empowered ) raise a Legion ; and the majority of his len, we think, desire to stick to him to he last. We are not aware what course e will pursue in regard to the bill. You lust excuse our frequent reference to this ubjeot; for it weighs upon our mind as hie most important, now directly before he Southern people. Sergeant Harvey of the King's Mouniin Guards, has been eleoted Third Lieu* snant, vice Lieut. Thomson resigned, on ocount of sickness. We cannot forego the selfish gratification f closing this letter with the "mere-menion" of a rare oompliment paid to the 5th tegiment the other evening by General rohnston. Sitting* in company with a umber of gentlemen, among whom was tfaj. Melton of Gen. Gus. Smith's Staff, rhen our band struck up an air in the disance, Gen. Johnston enquired whose band t was, and the gallant Major replied in his ieculiar way, "J/y band" "Whose band a ?" noVad the Anrnrised General.? 'Tho band of my regiment," was the quizing reply. "What regiment is that ?"-? 'The Fifth." "Who is the Colonel?"? 'Jenkins." "Oh ! yes !" said Johnston ; nd taming to the other members of the isrty, oontinued : "That is the best drillid regiment I have seen in the service."? ?he Georgia Regulars, Col. Pender's N. 1. Regiment at Dumfries, and perhaps the i'irst Virginia?all noted for discipline? rere mentioned ; but the General declared hat tho "5th" beat them all. This, says he Major, was the first time he ever heard compliment escape the lips of General ohnston. We roll this moroeaa between ur teeth; and chse. like an Epicarean oes his dinner. Gratifiedly, OUR CORPORAL. \ Tuesday Night, Deo. 24, 18G1. Dear Enquirer :?We write to you un!er feelings of deeper sadness to night, han we ever did before. All the news we .avo to oonvey, ia affiioting. That"troubf*? never come single-handed is mournfully llustrated by the sad ooourrenoes of the ist few days. Friday last, the anniversary of our seessioo, was signalized by a disaster to our rras, in an engagement of one hour and en minutes, near Drainsville. To give ou a detailed idea, the neighborhood of )rainsville is well supplied with an abunlance of hay, to seoure which was a deideratum both to us and the enemy. Gen. Ituart, having discovered a hostile regiment nd park of artillery at or near Drainsville, ent baok for some forces on Thursday evenrig, to cut off the Hessians and obtain the iay. Early Friday morning, a train of 136 tagons, supported by the 11th Va., Col. Jarland, 10th Alabama, Col. , 6th South Carolina, under Lieut. Col. Seorest, st Kentucky, Col. Tom. Taylor, and fonr lieces of the Sumter (Ga ,) Artillery, Capt. )utts, moved forward about dawn from Deutreville, to join Gen. Stuart and a porion of Cols. Ransom and Radford's cavaly. The whole, numbering some ?,500, her proceeded towards Drainsville. A>out two miles this side of that place, the oao passes into a very dense forest of small )ines, which extends on both sides of the oad for perhaps more than a mile. The memy, who must have gotten wind of Gen. Stuart's intentions, and been strongly reinorced, were advantageously posted in large lumbers on the opposite skirt of this tantied thicket, in an old road which had been jut into the ground, and behind a stone'euce which together protected very well as ligh as the breast. Just before reaching the exit from the lines towards Drainsville, an aid to Gen. Stuart galloped back, and informed him hat they were upon the enemy; although i Union traitor who had been met that norning, told him that they were nowhere o be Been. The 11th Virginia and 10th Alabama at once filed to the right of the oad, aud the 6th South Carolina and 1st Kentucky to the left; and were forming as veil as the ground would permit, a line of lattle. At this juncture, and when they vere within some hundred yards of the foe, he left wing of the 1st Kentucky who had urned to the left in rear of Col. Seorest's somraaud, and who had been instructed to ire upon the first men they saw, poured a volley into the South Carolinians. The jnomy at once from behind their "stone vail" opened a deadly firo upon them in 'root. This unexpected and appaling crossire for a moment caused the line to stagger; jut most of the men rallied, and during lie stormy hour which ensued, "fired lying" exhibiting in many instances, the greatest jravery, coolness, and dexterity. The Kentuckians having discovered their mor:ifying mistake, took position to the left of Ool. Secrest, and fought with energy and effect. The 11th Virginia is said to have charged the enemy's left wing, and driven them back to within sight of Drainsville. The Artillery, owing to the density of the pines, was forced to move along the road to where they could find a suitable position. Capt. Cutts succeeded in getting only three pieces f to bear upon the opposing horde; wbiob, t however, were manned bravely and skill- b fully, and did muoh execution, though they d suffered terribly?five or six being killed 1: on the field, six or eight mortally or severely wounded, and a few others slightly, while one caisson, one limber box and twenty odd horses are said to have been lost. The position was found to be untenable ; and Gen. Stuart withdrew ic good t order, and offered them battle in a less un- t equal position. The enemy, however, had enough of it, and did not pursue ; though ^ they held the field, and most of our dead t and several wounded fell into their hands. ] Our loss was perhaps fifty killed and 150 wounded and missing. The enemy, accor ding to the latest opinion of Gen. Stuart, j an mtiak m oro V Vi oi ? oirtfAFTT fnrni nrr ouugicu uiuuu LUWII; VUVII ?iv>wi^ vuiuiu^ out to be a defeat in reality. A wounded e man, whose wound they dressed and left 1 him behind when they retreated?for Gen. Stuart went six miles beyond, and could not hod tbem, the next day?stated that they had fifty wounded in the house where he lay. But their numbers and their losses aro both very unoertain at this time, and perhaps will remain so to us. We give below the official report of the casualties in Col. Winder's regiment. The Alabamians are said to have suffered most; but considering the fact that Col. Secrest had only 315 men with him, we think his loss relatively the greatest. The names in italics, are marked as distinguished for ^ coolness, bravery, intrepidity, gallantry, in ? the copy of the report handed to us: g ? Calhoun Guardt.-GAVTA.lS J. T. Walker. Wounded : severely, William , McFadden, Robt. T. Wylie. Cataicba Guards.?Capt. Strait.? Killed : John G. Barber. Wounded: severely, A. J. Barnes; slightly, Jas. Gladden, W. F. Knox, C. R. Sibley, ? Roddy. Buckhead Guards.?captain E. J. Means.?Killed: Sergeant R. H. Morris, Frank English. Wounded: mortally, Corporal W. C. Byers, Zeb. Mobloy ; severely, Capt E. J. Means, D. W. Holley, R. IP. Means, (young meaDS fought on after receiving ] his wound) ; slightly, Corpora! Butler P. Alston, Privates R. Wade Brice, and A P Lyles Chester Blues.?Capt. E. C. McClure. ' ?Killed: W. H. Abell, R. S. Johnson, 1 J. MoKeown, J. W. Smith. Wounded: mortally, Sergeant Caroth- ( ers ; severely, MoAliley; slightly, Sergeant Elliott, jr., Boyd, Robt. Lipsey, J. Lucius Gaston, E. F. Wright, R. C. McCormick, ( Lieut. D. Colvin. Boyce Guards.?Capt. Shedd.?Kill- 1 ed: J. M. Elliott. Chester Gaards?Capt. O. Harden. ' ?Killed : Corporal Thos. Harden, Priv. G. W. Brakefield. ! Wounded: severely, Capt. 0. Harden; . slightly, Sergeant J. A. Sanders, Private John Luoas. Pickens Guards ?Capt. J. M. Moore. ?Killed : J. T. Caldwell, W. S. McDill. Wounded: Capt. (?) L. S. Douglas, and . Privates M. R. Dye and S. M. Shuler. York Guards?capt. J. N. WHYTE. ?Killed : 1st Lieut. F. E. Moore, Cor- 1 poral W. T. Robinson, Privates Tboa. J. Parks, N. P. Price, Sarn'l Hoffman. Wouneed: mortally, Sergeant J. N , Faris, Private Wm. Hamilton; severely, Wm PmoKd A P Vtrfinnh. 7/ K. Fadler. Andrew Minter; sligKtly, Orderly Wm. < Campbell, Jno. Honey, Wm. M. Whitesides, Hollis, Patterson. Limestone GrucCrds.?Captain W. D. ( Camp.?Wounded : J. P. Scates, slightly. Carolina Mountaineers.?Capt. J. P. Southern.?Wounded: severely, T. B. ( Cunningham, D. W. Blamgarae, Ira C. Atkinson, R. B. Latham, J. L. Griffith ; ( slightly, J. M. Jackson, J. W. Holtsclaw ?missing, J. W. Rowan, probably killed, (has come in, we believe,) Laurence Ten- j hart. Major Woodward was slighrly wounded in the thigh, Lieut. Col. Martin of the Alabama Regiment was killed. Col. Tom. * Taylor, of the 1st Kentucky, was cat off from his command, and lay all night in the woods, with the Yankees all around him ; but esoaped and is now with his regiment. Many received bullet holes in their clothing, ' but were not hurt. One man has four in ^ his coat Bleeve that can be covered with the hand, one about his side and' a sixth { about his collar. A very sensible member t 0/ the Buckhead Guards, speaking of his ! own miraculous escape, told us that two ( were killed and two others wounded imme- j diately around him, while he was not touched. We have no doubt that this was an ' extremely hot fight while it lasted; and the wonders are that we weie not compelled I to retire sooner, and that we lost no more men. a a If. ih wif.Ti rWn nnrrnw that we add to the gloom of this letter, by recording the lamentable death of our adjutant, E. B. Clinton. We oan scarcely realize that his glowing countenance, his manly mien, his flashing eye, bis genial smile, shall greet us no more; bat, alas! be died this morning at Warrenton. His loss is irreparable to the regiment. His unoommon energy, his commanding appearance and his military tastes and knowledge, and his clenr-toned voice, made him an admirable Adjutant. From his familiar and kind, yet dignified deportment?the happy miitare of urbanity and dignity in his nature?he waB universally loved and respeoted by the 1 soldiers. No man was more approaohable when off duty; no man, more irreproaohable while on duty. You will indulge the j reshness of a friends grief, when we say hat for nearly two years we have enjoyed lis intimate friendship, and we feel that bis leath has made a great rift in onr own ife. "Green be the turf above thee Friend of ray better days ; None knew thee but to love thee, Nor named thee but to praise." Sorrowfully, OUR CORPORAL. Acts of the Legislature. The following is a list of the Acts ratified >y the Senate and House of Representaives on Saturday: ACTS ORIGINATING IN THE SENATE. An Act to authorize the formation of a Volunteer Company of Light A rtillery, and o incorporate the name of the Waccamaw Ijight Artillery. An Act to alter the time of holding the ilection for Ordinary of Anderson District. An Aot to incorporate the York Gas Light Company. An Act to require the Circuit Judges to lend with their reports to the Appeal Court he cotes of evidence taken on the trial. An Aot to %lter and amend the law in 'elation to fish sluices on the Catawba and EVateree Rivers, and for other purposes. An Act to authorize Trustees to invest unds in bonds of the Confederate States An Act to amend an Act entitled "An ict creating a military establishment for he State of South Carolina, and for other mrposes." An Act to authorize certain Building ind Loan Associations to suspend the call For monthly instalments. An Act to amend the law as to the elecion of officers in the South Carolina Col ego. An Act to imend the charter of the [Jnion Light Infantry Charitable Society ind Company. An Act to afford aid to the families of toldiers. An Aot tosuspend the ninth section of an iot entitled "An Act to raise supplies for ,be year one thousand eight hundred and wenty-three " An Act to" extend relief to debtors, and ;o prevent the sacrifice of property of private sales. An Act to encourage the manufacture )f salt within this State. An Act to authorize the City Council of Jharlestou to issue and put in circulation lotes receivable in taxes and dues to the rity. An Act to incorporate the Mutual Fire [nsurance Company of Columbia. ACTS ORIGINATING IN THE HOUSE. An Act to amend and suspend certain mri-mria <if f.hn Milif.ia and Patrol Laws of bis State. Ad Act to incorporate the Palmetto Lyseum of Charleston. An Act to authorize the Board of Trusses and Faculty of the Medical College )i South Carolina to apply certain funds to ;he payment of debt and for other purposes. An Act to amend an Act entitled "An A.ct to provide a Patrol and Military Guard "or the City of Charleston and for other purposes." An Aot to incorporate the Florence and Fayetteville Railroad Company. An Act to amend an Act entitled "An \ct to aid in the construction of tbe Georgeiown Railroad." An Act to aid in the construction of the Barnwell Railroad. An Aot to amend an Act entitled "An &ct to raise supplies for the year commencng Ootober, one thousand eight hundred md sixty," and for other purposes. An Act to incorporate the Treobolm Mutual Insurance Company. An Act in reference to the suspension )f specie payments by the Banks of this State, and for other purposes An Act to confer the rights of legitima;y on a certain child of Mary Mullinax. An Act to regulate the reports of the ailroad companies, and for other purposes. An Act to authorize the issue of stock to he amount of one million eight hundred .bousand dollars for tho defence of the State, and for other purposes. *? * - J A - An Act to amena an Act eniuieu "aii \ot to incorporate the Cheraw and Coalields Railroad Company in South Curoina," ratified on the 21st day of Docember, \. D. 1857, and for other purposes. An Aot to incorporate the Carolina Ininrance Company. An Act to grant exemptiou to certain Vee persons of eolor who shall return to ;his State, from penalties provided bylaw. An Aot to incorporate the Insurance and Trust Company of Charleston, and the Calloun Insurance Company. An Act for rebuilding the oityof Charleson, after the recent conflagration. An Act to incorporate certain religious tnd charitable societies, and societies fur ;he advancement of education, and to reiew and amend tne charters of others hereofore granted. An Act to incorporate the Southern Ex jress Company. An Act to provide more efficient Police .legulatioos for the districts on the sea >oard. An Act to charter a Cotton Planter's Loan Association. An Act to incorporate certain societies, tssociatioos and companies, and to renew Lod amend the oharters of others. Ad Act to enable volunteers in the serrioe to exeroiso the right of suffrage. An Act to raise supplies for the year lommencing in October, 1861. An Act to make appropriations for the rear commencing in October, 1861. An Act to provide for the payment by he State of the war tax of the Confederate states, aud for the collection of the Bame 'rom the tax-payers of this State. An Act to establish certain rbads, brid res and ferries, and to xenew and amend 1 tertain oharters heretofore granted. An Aot to regulate the eleotion of mem>ers of the Legislature and otbors within he Parishes of St. Philip's and St. Mich lei's. IN ACT to Extend Belief to Debtors, and to Prevent the Sacrifice of Property at Publio Sales. Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and Route of Jiepresentativetf now met and sitting in General Assembly, and by the I authority of the same, That it shall not be < lawful for any officer of this State to serve i or execute any mesne of final process of any < of the courts of this State for the collection of money, until after the expiration of the first session of the next General Assembly of this State, except in cases provided in the second seoticn of this act, and except process for military fines. Skc. 2. That if the plantiff in any suoh mesne of final process, of his agent or attorney at law, shall make affidavit before some one of olerks of the Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions of this State, that his debtor has absconded or is about to abscond, or that such debtor is removing, or is about to remove his property beyond the limits of this State, or is fraudulently disposing of the same, which affidavit shall be attached to such mesne or final process, before any action thereon, the said piantm in suon mesne or final process may require the defendant to give a bond, payable to such plaintiff, in donble the amount of the sura sued for, or of the amount of the judgment apon which such final process may be based, with seourity to be approved by the olerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the District in which such defendant inay reside, or may be taken, conditioned for tbe de livery of the property of such debtor, liable to such process, or so much thereof as may be sufficient to satisfy the plaintiff*s demand, to the sheriff of said District, or for the surrender of the body of the defendant, according to the exigency of such pro cess at the time at which judgment may be obtained on sucb debt, in oases of mesne process, or at the time limited for the operation of this act in cases of final process; Provided, hoioevei , if such bond and security shall not be given within ten days af ter the defendant shall be served with a copy of the said affidavit, such defendant shall be deprived of the benefit of this act; and in the ab3ense of defendant a copy of such affidavit left at bis place of residence shall be equivalent to personal service. Sf.c. 3 That it shall be the duty of tbe clerk before whom such affidavit may be made, forthwith to cause a copy thereof to be personally served on the defendant, or left at his residence, with a notice requiring him to give the bond and security required by th-j second section of this act within /en days from the date of such service, and the sheriff shall immediately upon the filing of such affidavit proceed to arrest the defendant, or take a levy of property according to the ezigenoy of the process to which such affidavit may be attached. Sec. 4. That all sales authorized or directed by any decree, rule or ordor of any of the courts of this State, shall be stayed until the same shall be renewed by one of the judges of the court making suah decree, rale or order, either in open court or at chambers. Sec. 5. That the operation of the statute of limitations be, and the same is hereby, suspended during the period in which this act is of force, so far as applicable to causes of action coming within the meaning of this act. om R tkot- nrhiln tHia nut. remains In UbU W. AUHU ITMMW ?MM/ WV? . force debts due on open accounts, and other demands not heretofore beariog interest by law, shall bear interest at the rate of seven per centum per annum. The Hand of Providence. Since the beginning of this war, from the evacuation of Fort Moultrie by Anderson, up to the capture of Messrs. Mason and Slide!!, there have bean the most sigoal interpositions of a Divine Power in behalf of the Southern cause since the days when the chosen people of God were miraculously protected by him. In noticing the folly and madness of the people of the North, and reviewing their whole policy since the commencement of these troubles, the Rich mood Enquirer has the followiug appropriate remarks : Spectators of these events, who can doubt that the Almighty fiat has gone forth against the American Union, or that the Southern Confederacy is decreed by divine Wisdom 1 The dullest wordling, the cool est atheist, .he most hardened cynic, might be struck with awe by the startling and contiuual interposition of a power beyond the control or cognizance of cien in these affairs. The incidents of this struggle are eo unparalleled, unexpected, and unac countable, on other grounds it is impossible i to avoid the conclusion that the acts of men and of nations are now submitted to a superior hand. Had but one such event occurred, it migbt be reckoned au ordinary II ? L I i chance. Hut eacn nas oeea runnwea oy another more wonderful than its predeces sor; while they all have an identical ten dency, and move forward, by inexorable sequence, to the same gaol. None of them, however, and indeed no miracle of man's history, is more singularly distinguished from the common contingencies of earthly transactions, than the arrest of those two Ministers on the mid-ocean. Who thought when the Trent was announced to sail, that on its deck and in the trough of the weltering Atlantic, the key of the blockade would be lost ? Who dreamed that the chief element in the strife would enter from that unnoticed door? The Eland of GEud was here visibly extended over the world j men sink to puppets, their works are naught, their intelligence turns into folly. The Privateer Sumter. The faot that the Confederate privateer Sumter bad again made her escape has al- 1 ready been announced in the Dispatch ? 1 The following statement from Capt. Lyon, I of the schooner Daniel Trowbridge, which 1 was lately captured by the Sumter, will be found interesting: . 1 Wbeu overhauled and compelled to sur- * render, be and his orew were taken aboard ' the Sumter, and a prize crew from thut ' ship took obarge of the schooner. The 1 Sumter commenced supplying herself from tbe schooner, and for three days her boats i were employed in conveying stores. At < the end of that time, having secured ail t they wanted, the tine vessel was tired and t entirely consumed, together with what re- j mained of the cargo. The Daniel Trow \ bridge was one of tbe fastest ?esseiB in tue i West India trade, and with a favorable i wiud Capt. Lyon is confident he could have i escaped the SnmUr, even with her power J Pal engines. The officers of the steamer were highly pleased with the staunch build and superior sailing qualities of the schooner, and the sacrificing of the draft was owing to their inability to take care of her. ' ' On board the Sumter, Oapt. L. found the oaptain and crew of the John A. Parks, which had also been captured and burnedAll hands were taken to Port Royal, Martinique, where they signed a parole not to bear arms against the Southern Confeder*cy. This they consented to do in preference to an indefinite detention on boardCapt. Lyons was thirteen, days aboard the Sumter, during which be was treated with the utmost kindness by both pffiti# y and crew. Of her armament or number of men he is not communicative?his parole of honor especially forbidding any inform*' tioo oa this point Late from California. San Franoisoo, December.1.?Darin? ^ the past foar days the heaviest rains experienced for years prevailed here, caocang* severe freshet in the valleys. Tha river broke through the levee, and flooded 3aorameoto from one to foar fe^deeji. This morning the people were driven to the seo ond story of their houses, aad all basioeas-v" is suspended. The freshet, from the recent heavy rains, extends throughout the valley portions of the State, doing immense damage to property of farmers, drowning their stock, carrying off bridges, fences, &e. Part of Maysville and Stockton, as well as Sicrain en to, were inundated The eatire uitd}* - J ber of lives lost is not known. Several . brick buiidiogs had fallen at May-Wife.' il The loss of property atSacrainento is estimated at half a million. Entire o-imaOj . oioation with many districts w.-* cat off and business suspended. The weather for the past two dkfSnfll*^ been pleasant and apparently settled Tho waters are consequently receading gradually The funeral of Gen. Baker is engrossing general attention at San Francisco to-day.^ The volunteer force and State military aod civic organisations, with the citizens generally, participated, making the largest procession ever witnessed here. About 820,000 have bceo subscribed for the relief of the Sacramento flood. ThO water has been from two to twelve feet deep in almost every house jn that oity. Over 00e-third" of the city was overflowed.? The water, however, at last accounts, was receding. General Shields has accepted the appointment of Brigadier-General, and is on his way to Washington in the steamer Golden Age. The steamer has 8460,000 in treasure for New Tork. Interesting English Intelligence? The Rendezvous of the British Fleet ?Preparations to Open the Blockade ?We have had the pleasure of ao interview with Mr. Fry, of Alabama, who arrived in oar city a day or two ago, after a visit of some months, to England. Mr. .. Fry came in the same ship with Mr. Bisbie, of Norfolk, to one of the West Irtdia Islands, where Mr. Bisbie is still detained. Tbeir voyage was ao nnnsnally long one, having left England on the 8tb November. Bat even at that early period, the sympathy of all classes in England with the South was universal, and Mr. Yancey expresse^^&jj the opinion that England would be at war with the U. States in thirty days. On the arrival of their vessel in the West Indies, a few days ago, the Captain of an English gun boat informed Mr. Fry that ordera had been received for the British fleet in the West India waters, numbering some eighty vessels-of-war, (a larger number than the whole regular U S Navy,) to rendezvous at Havana; ail order which was understood to be io consequence of the stats of affairs screwing out of the outrage upon the Trent. As a farther exhibition of the spirit of the British people, we learn from our informant that, shortly before ho left the West India port referred ro, some suspicion having been awakened of the intcnt'ifis of a Yankee goo boat to attack"a. Confederate vessel then lying in the harbor, the bdtt?r. ies io the port were jiut in so lasCirtE io a state of preparation for firing upori tha gun boat, and the garris m??h e hundred men?were kept up all nignt. .rwartine the attack. We also learn from Mr Fry that when he left England, a fleet of merchant steamers were id readiness to take immediate advuotage of the breaking r>f rhe blockade, and opeo up a Jiyely trade with the Southern States. Wfc are indebted to Mr Fry aod Bisbie for.r large number of English papers.?Richmond Dispatch, 24th ultimo. Fighting on the Peninsula.?We have intelligence of a sharp sktenisb dn the neighborhood of Bethel. On the day before yesterday a detachment, ooosisting of three companies of the 8th Alabama regi ment, commanded by ColoueL Wjoaton, '< ; n.?m?a?m CJ? r* /?lnin'a nrtnlnnn W rtf fhfi VjapuilU uiuuiau a wuj^/aujj y^vi Virginia regiment, and some Virgin* cavalry, consisting principally of the New Sent Troop, was sent on a reoonnoitering expedition. The cavalry, who were in advance, fell into an ambascade of the enemy, the first notice of their presence being their fire, which killed three horses of whe company, bat fortonately did no other < image. A charge was immediately made 'oj the infantry who drove the enemy from tbeir ambush across New Market bridge to the other aide of Black river. Six of the enemy were left dead on the fieid, and one taken prisoner, who was hailed and compelled to drop ' bis arms and wade aoross the river to his japtore. (t was not knowa ander whose ? command the Yankees were. The forde & said to have exceeded oar own. Oar oss was one man killed, (an Alabamian,) vhose name we were not able to learn. The general tdvioes from the Peoiosals ire reported to be of a very satisfactory sbaracter. General M&grader'a force is laid to be in most admirable condition. All ;he forces in advance are in perfect-msrohng trim, and preparations have been taken <o meet the enemy at any point he may adranee or iaod, means having been secured o notify any tnoveineat of tbe enemy, even if the telegraph line in m<e should be broken?Richmond txamiiw.