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I AlSrXJME II CAMDEN'rsO."cA^ FRllbA\, FEBRUARY" 6, 18G3. IS UMBER ^5
y^W < ^ ^ v
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No deduction mode, except to our regular advertising
patrons.
?BWBg
J. HEESHMA.N, Editor.
' ' ' ' ?
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY ?, 1S6SI.
Fine Polaloes.
Wo were the favored recipient, a few days since, of
a bag of extra fine Spanish yams, grown on the plantation
of Mrs. A. F. Cousar, ofBishopvillo. The good
lady will please accept our thanks foe her kind consideration.
Personal.
During Uip past few days, Gon. J. B. Kershaw,
Capis. T. J. Warren and A. E. Dobt, have arrived in
uamden, And will remain for a short time, with n view
of recuperating. Capt. Warren has been laboring
under a severe attack of neuralgia for some weeks.?
Tho commands of each fit the above named gentlemen
are reported to be in a fine condition, with but little
sickness in camp.
. ??
Rumors of Peace.
Our own newspapers, as well as some of the Van.
kee nation, are again filled with rumors and specula,
tions as regards peace. We regret to say we have no
settled opinion as to when this most desirablo boon is
to be granted us. We see nothing to baso such an
opinion upon. The radical Republican party of the
United States arc still in power, and seem not to have
abated anything in their wicked and evil designs.?
They have a mighty cordont of armies almost en
circing our eutire territory; and their leading journals
are ferociously urging them on to deeds of blood and
carnage. Tue.Democratic party, who aro in the ascendant
in some of their^States. and who are looked to for
bcrma ui aeeojnmoaation between the two Confederacies,
sveip to fully comprehend the nature of the |
crisis with which they have to deal, nor the manner
of dealing with it. They still prate about "the Union
aS it and the Constitution as it is." They j
^tilt*complain, more about the manner of conducting
t/ic than df the fact that the war exists.
T|l?fb ftan l^e i\6 doubt but both the Republican
andU^emocratic parties are deeply disappointed in
their $arty expectations. They both thought the
South would >bo an easy conquest; and if their purpose
had been realized, it is not likely that we should
; oon have hoard of any division of sentiment amongst
hem. Tho Democrats are foremost in being awakened
to ihqir error.' They are the trading, cunning,
onfty party of the North, and finding that tho sub.ugatibn
idea "will not pay," their attention is being
airecteu now, to bargain-making, in which they alwayshpvc
shown themselves our superiors. In the
old tfrtlon they always found the South liberal and i
yielding, and In controversies involving tho interests of
the two sections, they managed to get up a compromise
favorable to their own section. Their principles
and policy was to divide the honors and take all tho
spoils. In view of these facts wo would warn the
people of the South, and most especially our diplomatists,
to .beware of tho rising party at tho North.
Wo musWio^ deceive ourselves concerning these
speculations about peace. It i9 not yet within our
grasp. The Lincoln dynasty lias not yet fulfilled its
destiny. Kentucky lias yet to l>e drawn out of the
old Union, and be made to take her place among the
Confederate States of tho South, and then the Northern
people has to bo taught by tho same tyranny, that
their only security for the,enjoyment of religious and I
civil liberty is in their State governments. That it is
the State governments that gives the citizen protec-. |
tion to person, property, character and pursuits in life 1
?and therefore the citizens first allegianoo is due to j
tho States?that confederations are, and can only bo
erected by independent sovereignties, and that each j
creation does not transfer the allegianoo of the citizon
to such confederation. When they have learned those
important fundamental truths, and begin in earnest to
act upon them, then wo may look for peaoe, and not
until then.
Tho State of Illinois, for instance, could nt. Alt/to 1
. 6"?
the country peace. If that State, in her sovereign ca
parity, would give notice to the Lincoln dynasty that
alio iutonded to withdraw her citizens from the armyi
and negotiate a treaty of peace and ajpity with the
Confederate Statos, the war would at once be put an
ond to. That tliore are growing symptoms of this
most desirable result, there can be no doubt, but when j
it is to be accomplished is still in the futuro.
Kecrntts Wanted.
By reference to our advertising columns it will bo
seen that our gallant young townsman, Capt. W. Clyburn,
is desirous of recruiting twenty-five or thirty
frrtrul *L - %" ^
0 ..r.v-?v?>su won iwr vne Mount Kttles. II? requests
those desirous ofronlisting to report to him at
Wilmington, N. CM or to the editor of the Confederate,
Camden, S. C., who will take pleasure in giving the
necessary information. Fifty dollars bounty paid.
Situation of Aflfalrt'offthe Bar?Highly
Important News.
Yesterday forenoon passed in tho city and harbor
without any stirring news or incident of note. About
one,o'clock a telegram from Fort Sumter announced
that a strange steamer, evidently an iron-clad, had
just hove in sight. Tho number of tho ordinary blockading
vessels strung along the horison was eleven.
"With a good glass the outline of the iron-clad could
be plainly seen from the ciiy wharves, and au endless
variety of rumor, and conjectures in relation to her
identity and dvsigi s were soon afloat.
1 Meantime, another strange sail made her appearance
in the offing. Sho proved to be tho British steam
frigate Cadmus, 2L guns, bringing despatches for tho
I British Consul and for the Petral, now anchored in
the harbor. At three o'clock one of the boats of the
Cadmus brought tho despatches to tho city in charge
of a Lieutenant.
We have learned from good authority, that the
Cndmup brings intolligenco that nu expedition of a
very formidable character has been prepared to operate
against tho City of Charleston, and that tho enemy
?J - - - -
in uun uwiri^ luauy ior me attack. Mr. Robert
Bunch, the British Consul, has orders to go aboard the
Cadmus and to get to Havana with the least possible
delay. Wo understand that lie expects to leave on
Saturday next
From tho Cadmus wo have information that the
m} sterious steamer off North Channel is tho Yankeo
iron-ciad-frigate New Ironsides. She can hardly
cross the bar, as she is said to draw nineteen feetf
water. Her object, for tho preseut, probably, is merely
to protect the blockaders from another attack.
Tho Ironsides, it is believed, came from Broad
River. Tho transports plying southward from Beaufort,
N. C , tiro probably bound for Port Royal, as the
rendezvous of tho laud forces of the expedition.
In our naval suocess last week tho enemy has had a
forotaste of our strength upon tho water. But the
preperations for tho attack on our city were matured
previously, and it is not believed that our naval victory
will either prevont or post' one it. It is well,
however, thnt our defences are now complete, and that
we wero ablo to strike the llrst blow in the struggle
J to hold our good old seaport. The blow, we trustj
v? in encourage our aeienaera, on land and sea, to re
double tlioir activity and vigilance, and to sparo no
pains to give a bloody welcomo to the assailants.?
Mercury 8dinst.
Impending Anarcliy in Hie Ji or 111.
A correspondent of the New York Iferald, writing
from Albany and speaking of the late disgraceful proceedings
of tlio Legislature, says.
They provo clearly that we are to-day standing on a
volcano, liable at any moment to break forth with all
its fury. It proves also that the public mind is right
for revolution, and is in that condition not to be trifled
with, either by Jacobin abolition faction or any
other. It's as liable to break out in one place as another;
and when it oneo breaks loose, when the first blow
is struck or the first pistol fired?which at ono time
was imioenthero?the infection will HDread nnd nn
human power can stop it. That this is the true condition
of the publ'c mind at present,, and that daily
events are developing- this sentiment and ripening for
the future, no one who has carefully watched their
progress in different localities of tho North can help
but admit, it proves that the perilous hour of the
nation is now upon us, and that we are fast approaching
a period when anarchy will be the order of tho
day unless our rulers take such steps as are necessary
to stay the storm.
The administration at Washington have not
nicaied with Governor Seymour or any of his official^
since he was placed in office; also, the movements of
Gen. Wool, calling upon the militia to report to him
instead of the Governor. They consider this as evidence
that it is the determination of the authorities at
Washington to force on issue upon tho State. Well
may it be asked whither wo are drifting?
?
important if TRUE.?We flndj the following paragraph
in the Starksville (Miss.)^Barmev of the 17 th ult.
"We have just learned from a reliable and authentic
source, and we accord full credence to the report, that
Senator Bright's wife, of Indiana, crossed General
Bragg,s lines in possession of sealed despatches for
President Davis: the contents of which, as announced,
solicit our Government to receive into the Confederacy
the States of Illinois and Indiana, and in fact all the
States west of the Mississippi. We do not know the
condition, but presume free navigation of the river the
paramount one. This will meet with a cheerful and
thrilling response in the hearts of our people."
f
I * . Brilliant. Kaval Victory.
j At about 11 o'clock on Friday night, the Palmetto
State, in command of Capt Rutledge, and with the
Flog Officer. Commodore D. N. Ingraham, on board,
together with tlio Chicora, commanded by Cnpt. John
R. Tucker, cast off from the wharf, and with their
prows turned seaward, steamed across the Cooper.
Tlio moon was shining briglnly, there was not a cloud
on the face oi the bluo sky, and tlio surface of the
water was smooth and glassy as a mill-pond. Nature
seemed to smile upon the enterprise, and water, sky
and wind presented a most delightful manifestation
of the divine favor towards our just and noble cause.
Having reached Fort Sumter, they came to anchor,
and there awaited the going down of the moon.
At three o'clock the report of two guns ecliood
through the air. That was tlio signal for their dopartnre,
and once more the gunboats are in motion.
Silently they move through the darkness, urging their
course with all speed, so as to come upon the unsuspecting
war vessels before tho dawn of day.
But deep darkness is still on the deep, and they are
near tho enemy. Commodore Ingrahnm descries a
black form just ahead, and llio sharp bow of tho Pal*
motto Statet is turned upon the object. Nearer and
nearer with all steam on moves tho iron vessel. A
crash is hoard, and the ram of the gunboat penetrates
tho wooden side o! one of Lincoln's blockaders. And
while the water was washing into tho holo, tho guns
of the Palmetto State opened upon the hostile vessel.
Tho officer in command of the Mercedita, seeing it
was folly to contend with such an antagonist, immediately
struck his Hag and surrendered. All this time
Captain Tucker, of the Chicora, was laying about him
vigorously right and left. The shell.from his guns f et i
fire to a large .ship-of-war, and she lowered her Hag- <
He sunk, it is believed, another, and the two monsters 1
tl'.rew shot and shell at tho other vessels, that seeing
the fate that had befallen their comrades, turned their <
bows to tho sea and were making their best speed to i
get beyond tho reach of danger. Not one of them i
showed any disposition to continue the fight, but careIfVQfl
n F 1 lin liAn/??* 11 J1
...v, ui tiiwi, nag tuey proiess 10 adore, I
their cowardly hearts thoroughly possessed by fear, I
they lied with all tho speed their* sails and engines
enabled them to command. But though they fled so
precipitately, we have no doubt that many of the
seventeen carriod away with them some painful remembrance
of tnat terrible surprise, while it is posi*
tively known that several who succeeded iu making
good their escape, were severely injured.
When the morning light broko, not one of the fleet <
was in sight. The gun-boats cruised many miles sea- i
ward front the bar, but tho glasses revealed nothing i
within the range of vision.
Official Despatch from Commodore Ingraham.
?The following official despatch, brought by the
steamer Chesterfiold, was received in the city about
12 m., on Saturday:
"u un-hoax .palmetto statk,
January 31, 18G3.
I went out last night. This vessel ran into and
struck tlie United States steamer Mercedita, when she
? <
sent an officer w?th a boat's crew to the Palmetto '
State and surrendered. The officers and crew were '
paroled. Captain Tucker thinks he sunk one vessel,
and set another on flre, when she struck her flag.
The blockading fleet has gone to tho Southward and ,
Eastward out of sight. j
(Signed) D. N. INGRAHAM, ,
Flag Officer board Palmetto Stato." ]
Proclamation. I
Headq'ts Naval and Land Forces,
Charleston, S. C., Jan. 31, 1863. <
At about the hour of 5 o'clock this morning, the 1
conieaerato States naval forces on this station attack- i
ed the United States blockading force off the harbor 1
of tho city of Charleston, and sunk, disporsed or drove
off, and out of sight for the time, tho entire hostile
fleet. 1
Therefore, we, the undersigned, commanders respec- i
tively of the Confederate States naval and land forces
in this quarter, do horoby formally declare th6 blockade
by tho United States of the said city of Charleston, ]
S. C., to be raised by a superior force of the Confederate
States, from and after this 31st day of January, A. <
D. 1863. >
(Signed.) G. T. BEAUREGARD, 1
General Commanding. <
(Signed,) D. N. INGRAHAM, ]
Flag Officer Com'dg Nnval Forcos in 8. C. 1
Official -
i
Thomas Jordan, Chief of Staff. 1
- J
The War fn Mexico. 1
There is a report of a reverse to the French arras in *
Mexico from Havanua on the 18th ult. Three hundred
Mexican cavalry surprised a Fronch force of four <
thousand men ne r Rio Seco. In the darkness of the g
night, tha Fronch shot each other indiscriminately. ^
Their loss is estimated at one thousand. General Ne- ^
greete, with ten thousand Mexicans, made a sortie on ^
the French from Puebla, and routed the divisiou, four- (
teen thousand strong. *
'iii' i i
Battle ueaur Suffolk Tlrgtnlo-CoaM
crates Victorious.
Richmond, February 1.?An official despatch to
Gen. G. W. Smith, says Gen. Pryor was] attacked
on Saturday by a heavy force of the enemy, eight
miles from Suffolk. Alter a hard fight of three houra
the enemy was repulsed with heavy loas. Gen. Pryor
at last accounts, held the entire battle field and the
enemy were tu lull retreat. Our loas is considerable.
Among the killed is the gallant CoL Podge, j
Brilliant Exploit.
Our community were groatly elated, says the
Clinrlestou Courier of Monday last, Friday evening
by tho stirring news of the oapture of the gunboat
to-son tj s3c" ?
jooav i. kjimiiiij hi oiviiu Aivofi near jt$a*Lery Islsnd,
between Lcgnre's place and Grimball's plantation.
The news reached the city about seven o'clock, aud
the gnuify'.ng intelligence spread with great rapidity
Our iroops were commanded by Lieutenant Colonel
Jos. A. Yates.
The engagement commenced at four o'clock and
lasted one hour, when the Isaac P. Smith was uoconditionally
surrendered. Another gunboat was attacked
by the forces under Major J. Welsman Biownr
but mauaged to escape, not, however, without being*
very badly crippled.
The Isaac P. Smith is a three roasted steamer, carrying
thirtoon guns. The number of prisoneis taken
is represented at from one hnndred and fifty to two
huudrcd. They are expected to arrive in the oity this
morning.
Important from Vlcltsbiirg.
Vicksburo", February 3.?A Yankee irou-clad ram
succeeded in passing our batteries Ibis morning. Several
shots were tired at lier, but only three struck.?
She attempted, when opposite the steamer Vichsburg
to grapple her, but was prevented by our sharpshoot.
ers. The shots which struck her seemed to make
not the slightest impression. Our forces are all on the
alert and ready for any more desiring to attempt tho
experiment.
Later.?Tho boat which ran past our batteries this
morning is said to be the ram Queen of the West She'
attempted to butt the steamer VicLsburg, striking her
heavily on the larboard side, without doing any damago.
Ton deserters from the 31st Wisconsin Regiment arrived
hero last evening. They state that great dissatisfaction
exists in the Yankee army, and they con Arm
the arrival ol Grant's army, making an oftective fore*
of from 3u,000 to 60,000 men. Grant superseded Mc.
Olcrnand, and takes command of the whole expedllion.
From tlie West. %
Mocilk, Feb. 4.?There is a growing dissatisfaction
among the Yankees. One brigade had been placed
under guard in the fortiticetious at Memphis. Artillery
had beon placed at all tho stations on the Memphis
and Charleston Railroad.
Jackson, Feb. 3.?New Orleans papers received at
Ponchaioula, anuouuee iho raising of the blockade at
Sabine Pass, and the capture of th?*eo Federal vessels
by the Confederates. No particulars received.
From Savaunuli.
Savannah, February 1.?At three o'clock this
afternoon, an iron-clad and a gun-boat appeared with*
in two miles of Thunderbolt Baitery, dipped their
Hags, tired two shots a id retired. Thunderbolt is four
miles South of Savannah.
Savannah, February 1.?Two of the Abolition gunboats
camo up to St. Mary's on Monday last. One
went up the river aud set lire to several plantatiops.
apt. Harrison's company of cavalry fired on them,
wnen 11 nauiea on to a distance out of range of our
small arms, and shelled the shore furiously. The other
boat was landing men at St. Mary's last Tuesday.
Brownlow and tiik Methodists.?Parson Brownlow
has issued an address to the people of Tennessee,
in which ho takes note ol a recent conference of the
Methodists, of which body he is a member, held at
Athens, in that State. That oonference, it: seems, suspended
all ministers from their office, who were
Unionists, and Brownlow says, issued to the rest a
commission to the effect: "Go ye ipto all the South,
and preach Jeff Davis to every creature." He says
lie purposos to call the loyal preachers and members
cf the church together, at an early day for the purpose
of declaring themselves the church and claiminir
,he church property, and maintaining tboir title befpre
,he Courts. He ulso says: "We will expel the rebels
from tbo church, in that diopter in the Wesleyan
Discipline &whieh requires obedience to the 'powers
hat be,' and a ready and cheerful obedience to the
aws of the land! "
Valla ndiaiiam, in his late speech in the Vankee
Congress, said : "You can never subdue the seceded
Jtates. Two yea rs of fearful experience have taught
rou thai. Why carry on the war? If you perslstthe
whole Northwest will go with the South. The day
vhich divides the North from the Sooth, the self sama
lay decrees the eternal divorce between the West and
he Kast."