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* * ? 9 ,t VOL. 1. THE FREE SOUTH. SEAUFOHT, S. CM JINE 13. 1863. iienti for the Free South. Tatlo* A Co. Hilton Head, and St. H?Ha.i Island. C. C. Luoo, No. 1 Mercer street. New York. With this number my connection with the Free South closes, having disjwsed of my interest in the same to Joseph Wilkes, who will continue to conduct it as heretofore, in the interest of the government and for the furtherance of the policy of thi? Department Hoping that he may make it advantageous to himself and eminently useful to the great interests of the Department I bid the readers of the sheet farewell. J. M. Latta. It will be seen from the above that Mr. J. M. Latta has disposed of his interest in the Free South, and that the undersigned has assumed the same. No change in the general policy of the paper will be made other than*a more earnest desire to render it useful and subser. vient to the wants and interests of the government. It is believed that a paper, well conducted, thoroughly loyal, and in harmony with the policy of the Administration of the Department, is indispensable at this place. *iot unmindful of the risks # and inevitable difficulties in the eondnct of an enterprize of the kind, in the midst of war, still we do not hesitate to incur the former and meet and conquer the latter, if possible. If cheerful toil, earnest devotion to the great principles of the Government, and anxious endeavor to cooperate in any and every way possible to their full execution, shall deserve success, then it will not be doubtfuL These we pledge to the administration and to our readers. Joseph \^ilkes. The Pbivate Soldlek.?In the honors -awaifed to the men who wear the equalette and carry the sword, we are apt to forget ^ the brave and conscierilious spirits in the rank*. If the eomolete of this war B^^M^^^^^~J^*<*,j|ritten ^orld would stand thousands of instances of - of those who, -afiPix dbntry% troubles, left beCnd the comforts, a?i freFM quently the luxdlries and opulence of home, t + j to serve as privates under officers in many cases their inferiors in capacity and intellect. In despotism and monarchies the masses, are driven like dumb beasts to the slaughter of the battle-field. Nothing but a close imitation of this example has filled the cohorts of slavery in this war. It is the patriotic fire, the enthusiastic attachment to the flag, the free-will proffering of energy and devotion to the Government, that have crowded and made invincible the armies of the Union. When we remember that many a private soldier is the representative of a large kindred, and beloved in an endless circle of acquaintances, it is sad to think that however glorious his death, it is too rarelv mourned outside of his immediate family and friends. But it is one of the compensating and ennobling aspects of the present times, and, as snch, is a glorious contrast with the experience of the past, that our journals, especially those of local circulation, contain frequent sketches of the unselfish bravery of the private soldiers. Not a few who are placed in positions of command and responsibility, might find in the lives of the private soldiers much which they could emulate with profit to themselves and honor to their country. J?" "We are happy to announce the arrival, by the Arago, of General Saxtox and lady. The- General and his lady left Pofln#Ai4 nn 4Tia loot /vf 4... JL^WU*V*V V/** uw? Wi|7 U1 U1V J.\ l uy'j north, visited Washington, transacted business, and is at his post again, by the return of the steamer. The people, all, civil and military, rejoice to welceme him home again. . The issue of legal tender notes has been discontinued. The total amount o^greenbacks now in circulation is not far from 8405,000,000. THE PREE SOUTH, SAT Jirn Montgomery Still at Work. From St. Simons, (Ga.) Island, we learn that Col. Montgomery is determined that 1 flirk fnrnoe nndor onii^cin/1 clioll iinf remain idle. Upon arriving at his post, He immediately went to work to discover what the rebels were about in his vicinity, and what damage he could inflict upon them in the way of destroying valuable property. On the 8th inst., with four companies of the 2d S. C., on board the Hariet A. Weed and the John Adams, he ascended Turtle river to within a short distance of Brunswick, and after throwing a few shells into the plain, discovered that it was entirely deserted. The Harriet A. Weed getting aground, and the John Adams drawing too much water it was deemed advisable not to occupy the city, or proceed further up the river. Captains Apthorp and Adams, desiring not to return without accomplishing something took a skiff with six men, rowed up to the bridge of the Savannah and Brunswick Bail Road, fired, it in four different : places and had the satisfaction of seeing it totally destroyed before they returned. On their return to the steamer they were fired upon from a thicket by some fifteen ! nv vaKalc Vint witK tVio ar/iontinn VI AVWOj VHV TT AUU KUV VAVV^VJVU I of Sergeant Leeonard who recei^d a Blight flesh wound in the arm, not a man was hit. j After shelling the woods by the John Adams the party returned to St Simons Island. The Fbeedmen ln the Depabtmknt of thM Cumberland.?At last something like a consistent policy is beginning to obtain in reference to the treatment of the freedmen who have fallen into 9m- hands during the process of the war. In the department of General Grant a definite plan of operations was several weeks ago announced, and now we are informed that in the Department of the Cumberland a similarly definite system Jjas been organized. In that department there are some twentyfive thousand able-bodied negroes; these are to be organized into companies of ( thirty commanded and superintendecrby loyal Tennesseeani who have been driven from their homes by rebel violence, and will be employed in building fortificat.innH and ronds in rpmnvincr nhntriwiinna i and in such other labor as they may be adapted to perform. In this way the effectiveness of the army will be vastly increased, in that the pioneer and mechanic brigades, hitherto employed exclusively in building bridges, constructing roads, erecting defenses, and the like, will return to more legitimate soldier duty; while at the same time the freedmen, judiciously directed, will be fitted for selfsustaining, effective labor, and advance in their fitness for the condition of perfect freedom which they must soon occupy. No doubt is entertained that the organization proposed will be successfully accomplished ; indeed, it is said that the first brigade will be organized with a delay of but a day or two. Undoubtedly it will one of these davs Drove a terrible shook to the sensitive slavebolding rebel leaders to find i brigades of colored troops, commanded by loyal whites, who have been driven from their homes because they unfortunately i owned no negroes, marching into their 1 midst under the old flag, prepared to vindicate the law and re-establish the authority of the nation where it had so long been defied. Jg^-We would call the attention of our patrons to the card of Sam. A. Cooley, in another column, in which he announces the fact that he has established a Photographic Gallery over his store, where he would be pleased, for a slight consideration, to catch with the sun's rays the fair features of the belles and the bronzed j | faces of the officers and soldiers fingering i I in and around the city of Beaufort. From 1 a personal inspection 01 ins gallery we do not hesitate to say that the specimens of his art to be found therein would adorn the walls of any Photographic saloon in the city of New York. * # URDAY, JUNE 13,1863. THE SIEGE OF YICKSBHRG. ! Terrific Bombardment of the City. OUR WHOLE LIKE OF GUNS OPENED - i mm* - - ? ^ \ A~ Conflagration in Vicksburg, CAPTURE IF TWELVE REBEL AESfiEJICERS. Ac., Ac*, Ac* Washington, Friday, June 5, 18?3. Up to midnight no official adviceffrom Vicksburg have been received later than those of the 31st of May; but a few additional particulars give rather a more cheerful indication of good results. Extracts from to-day's Richmond papers are represented by those who read the telegrams as containing nothing of special ! interest from any quarter. m" Cabio, June 5, 1863. The dispatch boat, Gen. Lyon, from Vicksburg, Monday night, has arrived.? Firing was kept up all of Monday. Gen. [ Sherman's troops on the right wing could I be seen in motion. When the Lyon left I m r.Vi V n trraa rrr\y -r\ rr /\n tvv a wunn^ioMvu nai uu I in the city. Some supposed our shells had set the buildings on fire, while others conjectured that the Rebels were destroying their supplies preparatory to surrendering. Gen. Grant's numbers and position must be absolutely impregnable in a few | days. Particulars cannot be given, but they are of the most cheering character. The steamer Chancellor and Atlantic, loaded with troops, when near Island No. 62, on Wednesday, wAe fired on by guerrillas from the Mississippi shore. One captain and two privates were killed, and several wounded. Chicago, June 5, 1863. A speeial dispatch from the rear <*)f VicAburg, dat-etHMay^l st, stvye : The bombardment of Vicksburg continues. * All the guns, in position, opened fire at midnight, and continued their lire until daylight The rapidity of the firing was rwparal; lelecl It is believed great damage was inflicted by the fire. Twelve Rebels were captured at daylight yesterday, endeavoring to run our pickets and get into the city. Two hundred thousand percussion caps were found in their possession. One of the Rebels, a boy, came out of the city ten days ago, took the oath of allegiance, and was allowed to go home, five miles back. He will probably be condemned as a spy. Gen. Joe Johnson is reported to be moving toward Jackson, but not in force sufficient to attack us. Philadelphia, June 5,1863. A special dispatch from Cincinnati today, to The Bulletiuy but entirely discredited by that paper, says : "A report is current hereto-day that Gen. Joe Johnson, instead of marching on Gen. Grant's rear to relieve Gen. Pemberton, is advancing in force on Memphis. The report comes in various shapes, and is somewhat credited." ^ Walnut Hills, Vicksburg, May 28. f)eserters from all parts of the rebel lines state the garrison of Vicksburg at 1 from 20,000 to 25,000 strong; that the trenches or forts are not relieved day or night, and that thev are now living on quarter rations of corn bread and boiled fresh beef. Their reserve is only one brigade and a half. The mjority of the troops are willing to surrender the ?ity. Our shells are destroying the. buildings, and the inhabitants live in caves to escape death. Gen. Pemberton sent some families, with their negroes, into our lines yesteri m * ' * > ^NO. 23. day, but Gen. Grai.'t sent the former back, and kept the negroes to wori^fqr us. The guerrillas hare made raids at and above La^e Providence, and run off a numbdl of negroes. Our sappers and miners ate progressing successfully with their work of gradual approach, and in some placet have reached , within a lew yards of tfce rebel works.? The rebel Rhamshooters do not dare to fire, ncif tlie men in the rifle-pits to show ,! their heads above the works. Our loss in killed and wounded during the siege, which commenced on the 8th, will notr exceed 1,800 or 2,000,. the first accounts having been greatly exaggerated. The rebels may have to be starved out ^ ,. but there need be no fears entertained of the capture of Yicksburg and its entire . ^ ^ garrison. u " From WaRhi?gtonv Washington, June 5. , Gen. Gilmore bos left town. It is still a matter ?f controversy whether he goes to South Carolina to supercede General Hunter in the command of the Department of the South ca- to do a special piece of work in the department under its present head. ' The better opinion would seem to be in favor of the truth of the former alternative. The colored men of the District lieidcs *? ? enthusiastic mass meeting in the rear of the Capitol this afternoon. Much enthu aiasm prevailed. Speeches were made by Col. Berney, recently appointed Inspector and Col Turner and Lieut. Coi. Raymond of the First District Regiment. The-colored troops for the first time marched through the streets of Washington, fnlly uniformed and equipped, preceded by a band. One hundred addditional recruits t i have been enlisted. No disturbance occurred. The colored soldiers were cheered on Pennsylvania Avenue. r , From Hooker*# Arm jr.. Washington, June 5,1863. The following telegraph was received here this morning: $ Sj* Fairfax Court House, Ya., June -L All is quiet along our lines and in front, on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. This morning, when the relief passu cl, our . ^ pickets were attacked on Sawyer's road by guerillas. CoL Gray at once started with about 120 men in search of them, but could find nothing of them in the woods. He then went on- to scout the whole conntry, and when he passed Frying Fan hi* rear guard was attacked by about 100 Rebels, who were hidden in a thick wood. CoL Gray turned his column and charged the Rebels, who fled in great haste through the woods. We followed them up to Al* dies, and from there returned via Dranee- ? ville, Our loss is three wounded and some horses wounded. We captured their surgeon, Dr. Alexander. J. Stahel, Major-Gen eral. From Mexico. Panama, May 27, 1863. The steamer Oi'izaba, with 67 passengers and $1,200,000 in treasure is in from San Francisco. She brings late news from Mexico via Acapuloo, to the effect that the French have met with another severe defeat at Puebk, and were again repulsed, Gen. Comonfort, with 18,000 men, having added his forces to the defenders of the place. I give this as a rumor ; you may have confirmation of it by way of Havana. Nashville, June 5, 1863. News from Franklin up to 2 o'clock today is that CoL Band, commanding the garrison, was attacked by 1,200 Rebel cav- ' airy yesterday, drove his forces back into their intrenchments. They rallied, how- * ever, and repulsed the enemy, with heavy * loss to the latter. Simultaneously an attack was made up- , on the forces of Triune. They were repulsed with a loss of 200 men, 400 horses and a lot of camp and garrison equipage. ri TTI L 1 l._l J i vjtcii. i' rtjmuut iiut> ueipeu iu mi.wer w0 question, "What shall be. done with the negroes ?" He says, " Let thein work on the Pacific Railroad." Brig. Gen. Wild, with ^is staff, sailed^ from New York, for Newbern, to organize a negro brigade. < 1 * :i " '".t ,'C y f V 4 *' > ' * I