thick pine wood. Assistant-Surgeon Alexander | results from the irregularities and neglect in was seriously wounded, and private Joel Hough-the appointment of the officers and the mustaling, I fear, mortally wounded, and I had my tering of the troops, or in the making of requihorse killed. Surgeon Stanton received a ball in his overcoat, and his horse was shot twice. The woods were instantly surrounded, and the carbineers dismounted and sent within them. We killed two and captured four, one of whom is shot twice and not expected to live. I captured two good horses, five shot-guns, one Hall's rifle, and two pistols. The names of the prisoners are as follows: W. D. Farley, First Lieutenant South Carolina Volunteers, Captain on General Bonham's staff; F. De Coradene, Lieutenant Seventh South Carolina Volunteers; P. W. Carper, Seventh South Carolina Volunteers; F. Hildebrand, A. M. Whitten, Thirtieth Virginia Cavalry, taken at Drainesville, on picket; Thos. Coleman, citizen of Drainesville, dangerously wounded. We killed or captured all we saw. I cannot close the report without speaking of the splendid manner in which both men and officers behaved. The fine manner in which Majors Jones, Byrnes, Second Lieutenant Fifth Cavalry, and Burrows acted, cannot be too highly appreciated. All acted well, and I cannot but thus publicly express my admiration for their truly admirable behavior. Very respectfully, GEO. D. BAYARD, sitions on the proper departments for supplies, inspecting and mustering officers will be immediately sent to the different divisions, brigades, posts, and detachments, to apply, as speedily as possible, a remedy for these evils. The officers so detailed will, where no proper musters have been made, muster or remuster the troops so as to cover the full time of their service, and will see that the proper requisitions for supplies be made out and duly presented. The General Commanding is convinced that the present wants of the forces under his command result from the ignorance or culpable neglect of those whose duty it was to have them organized according to law, and properly furnished with arms, clothing, and provisions, and he will hereafter punish with severity every neglect of this kind. 2. Where it is necessary that requisitions for supplies be sent to head-quarters, St. Louis, they must be directed to the heads of Departments, who, if they require the approval of the General Commanding, will present them for such approval. In case such requisitions are not filled or replied to promptly, the facts will be reported to head-quarters, and all official neglect in such matters will be speedily inquired into and punished. Such requisitions should be Colonel H. I. BIDDLE, A. A. G. transmitted by mail, where practicable, and the sending of officers to head-quarters for this purGeneral McCall transmitted Colonel Bayard's pose, without permission, is strictly forbidden. report in the following words: Colonel First Penn. Regiment Cavalry. HEAD-QUARTERS MCCALL'S DIVISION, Gen. S. Williams, A. A. G.: Doc. 194. GENERAL HALLECK'S ORDER. IN REFERENCE TO IRREGULARITIES IN HIS DE PARTMENT. HEAD-QUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI, General Orders No. 8: 3. Numerous cases have been brought to the attention of the Commanding General, of alleged seizure and destruction of private property in this Department, showing an outrageous abuse of power, and a violation of the laws of war. To avoid a recurrence of these evils, the following rules will hereafter be observed: 1. No private property will be taken except where necessary for the subsistence or transportation of the troops, or in cases of persons in arms against the United States, or affording aid and assistance to the enemy. 2. Where it becomes necessary to take private property for the former purpose, intelligent and responsible officers will be detailed for that purpose, who will take an accurate account of the property so taken, and give receipts therefor. All such property must be duly returned and accounted for, and the authority for the seizures must be stated in the receipts and returns. Any unauthorized and unnecessary seizure or destruction of private property will be punished with the extreme penalty imposed by the laws of war, which is death. 3. The seizure and conversion of the private property of an enemy, (where not required for immediate supplies as provided in the foregoing paragraph,) is justifiable only in particular cases, provided for by the laws of the United States, and the general laws of war, and should never be made except by the orders of an officer highest in command, who will be held account DOCUMENTS. able for the exercise of this power. Great | be treated as outlaws-enemies of God and Playing war is played out, and whenever Union troops are fired upon the answer will boom from cannon, and desolation will follow Any person violating these rules will be treason. Loyal citizens will be fully remuimmediately arrested and reported to head-nerated for all property taken from them for the use of the army. quarters. 4. In all cases where prisoners are taken at other posts or in the field, and sent to St. Louis, they will be accompanied with a written statement of the charges against them, and the evidence on which the arrest was based. Otherwise, prisoners so sent will be released on their arrival here. 5. No person will be hereafter arrested without good and substantial reasons, and officers making arrests without sufficient cause or without authority, will be held to account and punished. And officers sending prisoners to St. Louis without charges, proofs, or proper explanations, will be charged with the expenses of their transportation. By order of Maj.-Gen. Halleck. JOHN C. KELTON, A. A. G. Doc. 195. COL. JENNISON'S PROCLAMATIONS. To the People of Jackson, Lafayette, Cass, Johnson, and Pettis Counties, Mo.: I HAVE Come among you with my command, under the authority of the General Government, for the purpose of protecting the supply trains, and all other property of the United States Government, and for the purpose of throwing a shield of protection and defence around all men who are loyal to that Government. No excesses will be committed by any soldier in my command. We march to enforce the laws and sustain the Government. Every loyal citizen is expected to give evidence of his loyalty by active efforts for the protection of the flag. For four months our armies have marched through your country; your professed friendship has been a fraud; your oaths of allegiance have been shams and perjuries. You feed the rebel army, you act as spies, while claiming to be true to the Union. We do not care about your past political opinions; no man will be persecuted But neutrality is because he differs from us. ended. If you are patriots you must fight; if you are traitors you will be punished. All the land between Fort Leavenworth and the head-quarters of the army of the West is under the jurisdiction of the United States, and we propose to have a regular road over it and sure communication through it, no matter at what cost of rebel treasure and blood. It is hoped that you will see the necessity of abiding by the laws and actively sustaining them. But if you raise an arm against the Government we have sworn to protect, the C. R. JENNISON, course I have briefly marked out I will follow to the letter. Col. Com. First Kansas Cavalry. KANSAS CITY, Mo., 26th. To all Persons in Arms against the Government in Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, and Pettis Counties: 1st. All who are now in arms against the Government of the United States in the abovenamed counties, and who will surrender their arms and ammunition to me and deliver to me all Government property in their possession and under their control within reasonable time, and shall sign a deed of forfeiture, and shall hereafter perform their duty as good and loyal citizens, shall not be held responsible for past acts of rebellion, but shall be protected in their lives and property. 20. Arms which are thus surrendered to me shall be stored and taken account of, so that when the present difficulties are settled, the owners thereof can obtain them. 8d. Persons who shall surrender themselves to me in order to make arrangements for securing peace to their neighborhoods, shall be respected in their rights while arranging or attempting to arrange any terms, and shall be allowed to return to their homes, even should they, after a conference, fail to come to any arrangements or understanding. 4th. All who shall disregard these propositions, and shall continue in armed rebellion against the government of the United States, shall be treated as traitors, and slain wherever found; their property shall be confiscated, their houses burned, and in no case will any be spared either in person or property, who refuses to accept these propositions. The time for fighting has come. Every man The deed of forfeiture accompanying these who feeds, harbors, protects, or in any way gives aid and comfort to the enemies of the propositions conveys all real and personal propUnion, will be held responsible for his treason erty, including present and future acquisitions, with his life and property. While all the prop-into the hands of the Government, said property erty of Union men and all their rights will be to be used for the benefit of the Government. religiously respected, traitors will everywhere In case of a rebellion, all loyal citizens are re VOL. III.-Doc. 36 quired to enrol themselves, amenable to the military authorities of the United States and of the State of Missouri, pledging their utmost exertions to maintain its authority against all hostile combinations. Doc. 196. SKIRMISH NEAR FAIRFAX COURT CAPTAIN W. H. BOYD'S REPORT. CAMP KEARNY, NEAR ALEXANDRIA, Va., Capt. E. Sparrow Purdy, A. A. G., Alexan- coolness, standing where the enemy's bullets whistled all around them, and aiming their pieces in a calm and determined manner. It was with much reluctance they left the field. On our return, the enemy followed us at a respectful distance, firing upon our rear guard. Our men returned the fire, and the pursuit was abandoned. We returned on the Little River turnpike as far as Hughes' house, where we took the lefthand road leading to Mills' Cross Roads, and thence on the Fairfax road to Falls Church. When on this road, about a mile from Mills' cross roads, we were challenged by the advance guard of the Twentieth New York Volunteers, Colonel Pratt, who mistook us for rebel cavalry, as a lot of cavalry had been seen on the hill reconnoitring all day. The officers of the regiment showed a complete knowledge of their duty, and it would be well for the service if all our outposts would exercise the same vigilance. We met no further obstructions, and reached camp about five P. M., having been in the saddle since nine A. M. There ought to be signals adopted so that outposts and patrols may be enabled to recognize each other, and thus avoid very unpleasant suspicions, and, frequently, accidents. It is my opinion, that if a squadron of cavalry were allowed to bivouac out over night, some prisoners might be captured, as the enemy's cavalry, in squads of about a dozen, are in the habit of patrolling the road early in the morning and late in the evening. A few companies of infantry, a section of artillery, and a squadron of cavalry might dislodge the enemy from Fairfax Court House. The roads to Fairfax Court House are in excellent condition for all arms of the service. I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. H. BOYD, Captain Company Lincoln Cavalry. SIR: A reconnoitring party of a squadron of cavalry, consisting of my company and Captain Bennett's, was ordered out this day, under my command. The command proceeded along the Little River turnpike to within a short distance of Annandale, where we passed the last of our pickets. Here we halted, and ordered the arms to be loaded, and sent forward an advance guard, consisting of a dozen good men, armed with Sharp's rifled carbines, under command of Lieutenant Stevenson, of my company. I also detached a rear guard and flank patrols, under the direction of Lieutenants Woodruff and Thomas, Captain Bennett and myself remaining with the main body. In this order we proceeded to within one mile and a quarter of Fairfax Court House, where we learned that about a dozen of the enemy's cavalry had been for corn early in the morning. Hence we marched to within about a thousand yards of the Court House, when our advance guard was suddenly fired upon by the enemy's infantry, from behind a large rifle pit, running diagonally across the turnpike, covering the approach to the village. The direction of the pit was from our right to left. The advance guard immediately deployed to the right and left, some of them sheltering themselves behind a house on the right of the pike, from which they kept up a lively fire upon the enemy's cavalry, which appeared in scattering groups at various points, evidently for the purpose of drawing us out. On the first shot being fired, I rode forward to General Orders No. 48: reconnoitre, having halted the main body, and leaving them under command of Captain Bennett, where they remained concealed from the enemy's view during the whole affair, none but the advance guard being engaged. As one of my men, who was dismounted behind the house, raised his carbine to his shoulder, he said, "I wish I had my old rifle here." With the remark he fired, and one of the rebel cavalry dropped from his horse. During all this time the enemy kept up a desultory fire from the rifle pit, and fearing they might be manoeuvring to outflank us, I ordered the men to cease firing, and we started on our way home. It gives me pleasure to be able to state that during the whole affair the officers and men of my command behaved with most admirable Doc. 197. THE ARMY AND THE SABBATH. HEAD-QUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, THE Sunday-morning company inspections prescribed by article thirty, Revised Army Regulations, will hereafter be made at eight o'clock A. M. Congress having by law provided for the employment of chaplains for the army, it was no doubt designed, and the General Commanding directs, that no officer place obstacles in the way of a proper exercise of the functions of their offices. It is therefore ordered, that in future the Sunday-morning services will commence at eleven o'clock, unless manifest military reasons prevent. Commanding officers will see that all persons connected with their commands, when not on guard or other important duty requiring their constant atten DOCUMENTS. tion, have the opportunity afforded them of | might fall an easy prey to the attacks of a hos- The second article of war earnestly recommends all officers and soldiers diligently to attend divine service, and attaches a penalty for irreverent behavior while at the place of worship. Chaplains will at all times be permitted to visit the camps, quarters, and hospitals within the limits of the commands to which they are attached, to hold free and uninterrupted intercourse with the officers and soldiers off duty. Chaplains will not in future be required to appear at reviews or inspections, as it is believed their time and services may be more profitably employed elsewhere. It is enjoined upon all persons connected with the army to preserve at all times a respectful deportment toward chaplains, and to give them a hearty coöperation in their efforts to promote and improve the moral condition of the army. By command of Major-Gen. MCCLELLAN. Doo. 1971. To the Senate: In response to the call made upon me by the Senate, I herewith transmit copies of such correspondence between me and the Secretary of War, relating to the defence of the coast of Georgia, as is, in my judgment, proper to be made public at the present time. By reference to this correspondence it will be seen that I have, from time to time, since the middle of April last, urgently solicited the Secretary of War to place upon the coast of this State such force as was necessary to the protection and security of our people. While his responses to my various calls have been kind and conciliatory, pro:nising the protection which might be needed, his sense of duty has caused him to withhold as large a force as I have considered necessary, or the embarrassments by which he has been surrounded have rendered it impossible for him to do what his sense of propriety dictated. The Convention of this State, in March last, passed an ordinance transferring the forts and arsenals acquired from the government of the United States to the Confederate States. At that time there were not sufficient guns and ammunition in either of the forts for its successful No steps were defence against a heavy attack. taken, so far as I know or believe, by the Confederate Government to place additional guns, shot, shell, or powder in the forts, and I was compelled to purchase the necessary supplies with money taken from the treasury of the State, and to place them at the disposal of the Confederate general in coinmand, or to permit the forts to remain in a condition that they As the Confederacy was not prepared with The steamer Savannah, which cost the State pended by the Quartermaster-General of the | far advanced that I considered the danger too State for supplies for the troops and for other imminent to admit of further delay, and I conmilitary purposes. The Secretary of War re-sidered the force too weak to make even a fused to purchase the steamer Huntress, which cost the State fifteen thousand dollars in New York. The steamer was in the possession of Commodore Tattnall in the State service, and after he entered the Confederate service he retained, and still retains, the possession and management of her in the inland waters of this State and South Carolina. I hope to be able to transfer this steamer also to the Confederacy at a future day for the amount she cost the State, to be paid for in Confederate bonds or notes. I transmit a copy of the correspondence between myself and the Secretary of War relative to the transfer of the forts, arsenals, and arms. respectable show of resistance to an invading fleet as large as the Government of the United States was likely to send upon our coast as soon as they could venture in our climate. Under these circumstances, I did not feel that I would be justified should I longer delay active preparation for our defence in organizing State troops and holding them in readiness in case of attack, to act in concert with the small Confederate force upon the coast. I have, therefore, called out the State troops, as it was my duty to do, under the act of the last Legislature; and Í shall have completed the organization of the first division within the next few days. As the General Assembly has already been In response to that portion of the resolutions informed, the military appropriation is exwhich relates to the present number of Confed-hausted, and it will be impossible for me to erate troops now on our coast, I have to state my information is that there are about five thousand five hundred. In addition to this number ten thousand others will, in my opinion, be necessary to repel the invasion and defend the coast. I may also state that General Lee expresses a desire that I hold a reserve of ten thousand men in camp, in readiness to reinforce the Confederate troops on the coast at any time when needed. maintain the troops in the field much longer unless further appropriations be made. Since the commencement of the session some of the articles necessary to supply the army have risen over twenty-five per cent. in the market. Whether the further delay in procuring the supplies which must result from withholding the appropriation is compatible with the public interest, is a question which demands the serious consideration of the General Assembly. The estimate made in my annual message of I am aware that it may be insisted that the the amount necessary to sustain our military Confederate Government shall take upon itself operations for the present fiscal year was based the entire expense of our defence. It is adupon a smaller number of troops. If ten thou-mitted that this is correct in principle, and the sand State troops are to be called into the field, my opinion is an appropriation of at least five millions of dollars will be necessary. I believe the correspondence herewith submitted will furnish a sufficient reply to the other points contained in the resolutions. During the summer months the State was not invaded, and I could not say that the danger of invasion was so imminent as to admit of no delay. I did not feel, therefore, that I was at liberty to call out and maintain a heavy force on the coast on State account, or that it was my proper province to take charge of the erection of the necessary fortifications. This duty, under the constitution, properly devolved upon the Confederate government, and I did not feel at liberty to assume the exercise of powers which properly belonged to that gov ernment. willingness of that Government to do its duty to the State, to the extent of its ability, is not questioned. Thus far, however, the Confederate Government has not placed upon our coast a sufficient number of troops for our protection, and the question presented for our present consideration is, whether we will assist the Confederacy and defend ourselves, or wait till the Confederacy is prepared to defend us, and risk the disasters which may, in the mean time, befall us on account of the delay. My own opinion is that it is not now the time to stop to count the cost, but that we should call out as many troops as may be necessary to repel the invader, should he appear either upon the sea-coast or upon the borders of Tennessee. Whether it may take ten thousand or twenty thousand men, or whether it may cost five or ten millions of dollars, I ask, in the name of the people, that their representatives place at my command the men and money necessary to accomplish this object. JOSEPH E. BROWN. Doc. 198. Early in September I visited the seaboard, and found only about three thousand Confederate troops stationed there to defend the city of Savannah and about one hundred and ten miles of coast. I considered this force entirely inadequate to the task. As the correspondence THE COMMERCE OF THE MISSISSIPPI. will show, I had repeatedly offered to supply a larger number of troops if the Secretary of War would make requisition upon me for them, for our defence. He had not thought proper to increase the number beyond that above mentioned, and there was no requisition upon me for any additional number. The season was so GENERAL CURTIS' ORDER. General Orders No. 4: In obedience to instructions received from the General commanding the Department of the |