Near my vacant chair they gather, blending tears | Freedom's champions were fewer, but their hearts amid their prayers God will hear them; Outward from the dusty city, far beyond the bustling streets, Through the hazy atmosphere, quivering with the summer heats, I am gazing where the heavens bend to touch the valley's rim, And the farmer's humble cottage seems a spectre, pale and dim; Where the roseate, fragrant clover, where the yellowing harvest grew, Where June flowers and tender grasses treasured up the jewelled dew On those glowing fields and meadows war has set its iron heel, And the eye is pained and dazzled by the deadly gleam of steel. In the grove and leafless forest gleams the manytented camp, And the russet fields are shaken by the dull and measured tramp Of a mighty host of freemen, true of heart and strong of limb Men who learned to love their country from their mothers' cradle-hymn ! From their pleasant Northern firesides, from their children and their wives, Come they to redeem the nation, if it need be, with their lives! Leavened by the martyr spirit, lo, in eager hosts they come! Never were such legions marshalled in the palmy days of Rome! Think they of our birth-time struggle?-how our fathers gathered then From the fields and from the workshops-few, but stern, determined men ! were strong and true, And their pulses coursed as madly when the trump of battle blew; Freedom's workers were not many, but their arms were tried and strong, And their souls, less kindly nurtured, chafed as sorely under wrong. Grand old days of inspiration! Do we witness their return? Does their deathless love of freedom in our hearts as fiercely burn? With a faith that never falters, can we watch the ebb and flow Of the battle-tides, as martyrs did a hundred years ago? WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 1861. THE Memphis Appeal contains the following items of Texas news: In the Texas House of Representatives a resolution was adopted instructing the sergeant-at-arms to remove from the beak of the eagle, over the Speaker's chair, the United States motto, "E Pluribus Unum." We notice since that the obnoxious motto is absent. A joint resolution has been introduced, and will doubtless pass, approving of the promptness of the President in providing for retaliation, in case of the execution of the condemned privateers by the Lincoln Government.-Louisville Journal, Dec. 24. RICHMOND, Dec. 19-Hon. Charles James Faulkner and Honorable Alfred Ely-one a quasi prisoner and the other a real one-had a very pleasant interview yesterday at the Confederate States Military Prison, where Mr. Faulkner called to see Mr. Ely. We are told that there was great rejoicing in the prison, but whether it was confined to the breast of Mr. Ely, or shared by his fellow-captives, we were not informed. The circumstances that induced the Lincoln Government to allow Mr. Faulkner, whom they had arrested without warrant of law and without a shadow of pretext to justify so flagrant a breach of individual right, to come here, are known. The condition exacted was that he should procure the liberation of Mr. Ely in exchange for his own, or return and submit himself to the rigors of a captivity as hard as it is unjust. So far as Mr. Ely is individually concerned, he has proved himself a man of kindly disposition and amiable impulses since here, and on his own account we could find no objection to his being returned to the "bosom of his family," if he would stay there, and not attempt to influence the minds of the fanatics of the North by his harangues. His own assurances have been given that he will not, but the question is, will Old Abe and his sable crowd allow him to keep so commendable a resolution? We think not.-Fredericksburg Recorder, Dec. 23. INCIDENTS OF GUYANDOTTE.-That citizens, in the late" massacre," fired from their houses upon our men, seems to be well attested-at least from J. W. Hite's, (now prisoner at Columbus;) and our men say that the Scott women fired upon them! E. A. Smith (prisoner) is reported seen in the streets with a revolver, firing on our men. John S. Everett, who lives below the Guyandotte River, on that side, with his gun in his hand, was active in shooting men as they came to the shore in swimming across. Capt. Wm. Turner, an old and respectable citizen of Wayne County, a very candid man apparently, was in the fight, and escaped by mounting his horse and dashing through their lines, but was obliged to abandon his horse at the bank of the river; was for a long time lying in the mud at the water's edge and in the water, with a part of his face out in the shade of a tree, while they were searching for him. He heard them shout across: "John, O John Everett, shoot them d-d devils coming out of the water there," and two guns went off. "There's another just out behind the tree there." "Oh, I've sunk that d--d Yankee." Another was shot while crawling in the mud, near where Turner lay concealed in the water, and there was a yell, "I've got one of the d-d dad's scalps, and a first-rate Enfield rifle." Turner afterward swam the river, and gives us some of these items: A reliable citizen of Cabell County reports that he heard the rebels boast, on the return to Barbours ville, that they had thrown eight or nine wounded men off the bridge into the river. When the rebel cavalry left Guyandotte, twentyone secession women, all with their secession aprons on, paraded and cheered the victors. They captured at Guyandotte, 98 Enfield rifles and 32 horses; but themselves lost in the fight 19 horses. Of their men, they lost 11 killed, about 18 wounded, 2 of them since dead. Capt. Huddleston, Kanawha Rangers, was the captain killed and buried at Ceredo. The captain of the Rockbridge Rangers was mortally wounded, and in a dying condition on Tuesday night. On leaving Guyandotte, Col. Jenkins remarked to a reliable citizen there, "We did not make much by coming; the losses are about equal !" He made the same remark again in the hearing of Col. Whaley, before he escaped. Henry Clay Pate, of Kansas notoriety, was there as a captain, and it was he and his men that captured Col. Whaley.-Ironton Register. The taking out of Confederate naval officers, wherewith to supply commanders for first-class frigates to be purchased in Europe, does not seem a perfectly satisfactory explanation. Those who know Captain Pegram would not be surprised to hear of any brilliant achievement being performed by him, of which the Nashville is capable, before he reports himself again to the Navy Department in this city. If the good people of some New England seaport town should wake up one of these fine mornings, and find their homes in flames, they may console themselves with reading of the exploits of one John Paul Jones of the long, long ago. "It is now Thursday evening. Last week at the same time I felt very well assured that before set of sun to-day great events would have happened all around and very near us. Yet every thing is quiet as before at the critical points on the border. Not a word more of the 40,000 Yankees that landed at Newport News. Nothing farther of the advance upon Winchester. All serene at Centreville. Some artillery practice at transports attempting to go by the batteries at Evansport-reported sensationally as 'heavy firing-only this, and nothing more. "Very funny stories came across the lines to us of the horsemanship of the Federal cavalry. A day or two ago a prisoner was brought into Centreville who was strapped to his saddle to keep him from falling off, although the saddle was of the McClellan pattern, invented expressly for bad riders. At a cavalry review a fortnight ago, near the Federal capital, a sham charge was ordered, in which not less than thirty-five knights came to the ground. Their mounted troops are said to be splendidly armed and equipped, and furnished with fine horses, (rather lean and shaky just now, in consequence of a want of forage ;) indeed, in all respects they challenge admiration as a magnificent body of dragoons, except the comparatively unimportant circumstance that they can't ride." A SINGULAR INCIDENT.-The Lynchburg Repub A CORRESPONDENT of the Troy Times, in describ-lican of the 26th of November publishes the following the recent skirmish near Newmarket Bridge, ing incident, remarkable alike for its singularity as Dec. 22, says: "The most singular thing connected well as for its melancholy fulfilment to the brother with this skirmish, was the appearance of a woman of one of the parties concerned : mounted upon a beautiful horse, riding fearlessly in the thickest part of the fight, and report says that she rode far in advance of the rebel cavalry, and dashing up to the captain of Company G, Twentieth regiment, discharged a pistol at him; when he turned around, she smiled, and rode off. The captain says he could easily have ended her life had he felt disposed, but he was too much of a gentleman to shoot a woman. But the most provoking of all was the appearance of a company of niggers among the rebel infantry, and three of those wounded, from the Twentieth regiment, were shot by these black rascals. We can fight men, and even niggers, but we can't fight women, though I think if this rebel horsewoman, or any more female cavalry, make their appearance in another fight, they had better keep out of range of our rifles.' A LETTER from Richmond, Va., dated Dec. 12, says: "The object of the Nashville's visit to Europe appears to puzzle Lincoln and his friends to a considerable degree. Certainly there must be something intended of importance, something to damage them, or the undertaking to run the blockade and proceed across the Atlantic would not have been adventured. Just before the war broke out, and before Lincoln's proclamation was issued, a young Virginian named Summerfield was visiting the city of New York, where he made the acquaintance of two Misses Holmes, from Waterbury, Vt. He became somewhat intimate with the young ladies, and the intercourse seemed to be mutually agreeable. The proclamation was issued, and the whole North thrown into a blaze of excitement. Upon visiting the ladies one evening, and at the hour of parting, they remarked to Summerfield that their present meeting would probably be the last; they must hurry home to aid in making up the overcoats and clothing for the volunteers from their town. Summerfield expressed his regret that they must leave, but at the same time especially requesting them to see that the overcoats were well made, as it was his intention, if he ever met the Vermont regiment in battle, to kill one of them and take his coat. Now for the sequel. Virginia seceded. The 2d Vermont regiment, a portion of which was from the town of Waterbury, was sent to Virginia. The battle of Manassas was fought, in which they were engaged, and so was Summerfield. During the battle S. marked his man, not knowing to what State he belonged; the fatal ball was sped on its errand of death; the victim fell at the flash of the gun, and upon rushing up to secure the dead man's arms, Summerfield observed that he had a fine new overcoat strapped to his back, which he determined to appropriate to his own use. The fight was over, and Summerfield had time to examine his prize, when, remarkable as it may appear, the coat was marked in the lining with the name of Thomas Holmes, and in the pockets were found letters, signed with the name of the sister, whom Summerfield had known in New York, and to whom he had made the remark we have quoted, in which the dead man was addressed as brother. The evidence was conclusive-he had killed the brother of his friend, and the remark which he had made in jest had a melancholy fulfilment. We are assured this narrative is literally true. Summerfield now wears the coat, and, our informant states, is not a little impressed with the singularity of the coincidence. and in the hour of battle the memory of those who have befriended us will urge us onward in the path of duty. Your prayers may ascend in common with ours for the cause which we each in our several spheres are laboring to support; our prayers, besides, shall go up for you, that the institution with which you are connected may be richly blessed, and that Heaven's choicest gifts, which fall as the gentle dew upon the flowers, may fill your hearts to overflowing. May we in common soon look upon our country, reunited, entering upon a new and nobler life, protected by the old flag our fathers fought for, while the mothers and sisters of that olden age supported them, as you are aiding us. With a soldier's well-wishes, I remain, very respectully, your obedient servant, H. V. W. BOYNTON, Maj. 35th Reg. O. V. THE LAME, THE Halt, and tHE BLIND, TO BEAR late Richmond paper: SCHOOL-GIRLS' AID TO THE SOLDIERS.-The follow- ARMS.-The following advertisement appeared in a ing correspondence explains itself: THE SCHOOL-GIRLS' AID TO THE SOLDIERS. W. F. COLLEGE, Nov. 19. WANTED-For local purposes, a company of a hundred men, who are not capable of performing service in the field, yet are able to perform duty in the city. and good references will be required as to character. None need apply who are capable of field service, Apply at the office, corner of Broad and Ninth streets. JNO. H. WINDER, Brigadier-General. H. V. U. BOYNTON, Maj. 35th Regt. O. V. M.: We experience therefore the pleasure known only to the cheerful giver, as we now deliver our offering into your hands. DOG-HAIR STOCKINGS.-We have seen a curious specimen of knitting, wrought by a lady of Norfolk, and sent to the President, with the following note: "I send to President Davis a pair of socks, knit entirely of the curls taken from my little pet, a lapdog. I do not send them for their beauty, or for the use of them; but only as a slight evidence of SouthAssure your brave men that gratitude to them ern independence and home manufacture, both of mingles with our desire to serve our country; and which every Southern heart should endeavor to obalso, that it is our earnest wish that they may find tain and encourage. With every wish for your future strength and courage as well as warmth in the school-health and happiness, I remain, very respectfully, girls' gift. In behalf of Soldiers' Aid Society of W. F. Col- lege. THE SOLDIER'S REPLY. CAMP BOURBON, KY., Nov. 24. Miss Alice S. Wood, Secretary Soldiers' Aid Society, Wesleyan Female College: DEAR MISS Allow me, through you, to express my thanks to the ladies of your Society, for the very serviceable and acceptable present received from them last evening. The stockings arrived most opportunely, and were distributed this morning, when a driving snow-storm made such a gift seem more valuable. The brave men who received them, expressed their thanks in various ways; grateful above all that the cause for which they are fighting enlists the sympathies of loyal women. The gift, in itself considered, has great intrinsic worth, but the circumstances connected with it impart a new value, which words can hardly express. We think of your labors in our behalf-your days of self-sacrificing effort, and feelings such as brothers cherish toward sisters swell our hearts with thankfulness. Such tokens of interest in our welfare encourage our hearts and strengthen our hands, nerving us for the stern conflict in which we are engaged; yours, MISS S. C. PANNELL." The ingenuity of the work is remarkable; and although the socks may not be quite so soft as silk, they nevertheless possess the advantages of durability and warmth. The ladies of the South are showing a praiseworthy determination to turn every thing to account. We notice that one in Tennessee has produced a very superior article of cloth, woven from cotton and cow's hair, spun together, which the papers pronounce a very good substitute for wool. It gives us pleasure to notice these evidences of what the people are doing to thwart the inconveniences of the blockade.-Richmond Dispatch. LEATHER.-The Tallahassee Floridian has seen a specimen of kip leather, tanned in twenty days with dog-fennel preparation, and which the shoemakers there pronounce equal to the best French leather. The leather was prepared by Isaac Bierfield, of Newberry, S. C., who has a patent for the process, but asks very high prices for the privilege of using his discovery-three hundred dollars for an individual right, seven hundred dollars for a county, and ten thousand dollars for a State. The Floridian_recommends planters in Florida, where dog-fennel grows abundantly, to gather and cure the weed, which is found to possess so valuable a property.-New Orleans Picayune, Nov. 27. CAPT. BUCHANAN's Resignation.—Captain Frank | culty the unswerving patriot reached our army, and Buchanan, who is the author of the annexed letters, is in command of one of the rebel batteries on the Potomac. We commend the third epistle to his Southern friends: "THE REST," NEAR EASTON, MD., May 4, 1861. joined one of the Tennessee regiments. He obtained permission from his commanding officer to take twenty mounted volunteers, who went as far as the State line. Upon reaching there they resolved to penetrate into Tennessee, and knowing the country well, by unfrequented paths they went to Huntsville, which is about 60 miles from our camp, whence they started. Pushing boldly into the town, John Smith and his comrades succeeded in capturing the five prisoners, and immediately commenced their retreat; rescue was threatened and attempted, but the pursuers were never able to overtake the captors until they returned into our lines with some of the wretches who had acted so inhumanly. The secession robbers were transferred to this city, and John Smith has gone into Tennessee again with a squad of Union soldiers, where he hopes to make more captures. He has all the elements of a successful partisan, and his feats of desultory warfare are noble episodes in our Southern campaigns.-Louisville Journal. A SENSIBLE OPINION.-A Washington correspondent says that there are various opinions at the capital respecting the length of the present session of Con the shrewdest men in Congress, advises an early adjournment. He says: "War is not a business Congress can engineer. It is properly Executive business, and the moment Congress passes beyond the line of providing for the wants of the Government, and deciding the purposes of the war, to say how it shall be conducted, the whole thing will prove a failure." SIR: If his Excellency, the President, has not ac-gress. Judge Collamer, of Vermont, who is one of cepted my resignation as a Captain in the Navy of the United States, I respectfully ask to recall it. The circumstances which induced me, very reluctantly, to tender my resignation, no longer exist, and I cannot voluntarily withdraw from a service in which I have passed nearly forty-seven years of my life, in the faithful performance of duty-as the records of the Navy Department will prove. I am ready for service. Respectfully, sir, your obedient servant, FRANKLIN BUCHANAN. VERY scandalous reports are rife concerning Col. Scott, nephew and secretary of the old General. It The Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, is boldly asserted that he is the traitor who has done Washington, D. C. -New York, Nov. 1861. A GALLANT EXPLOIT.-Lieut.-Col. Spears, of Bird's 1st Tennessee regiment, now stationed near Somerset, is in our city. He brought as prisoners John L. Smith, his two sons, Joseph M. and Calvin, and two other active secessionists, who were arrested by a refugee Tennesseean named John Smith, who is now in the patriot ranks of our State. John Smith, when called upon to decide between the Union and the Confederacy, lived in or near Huntsville, and loyally determined to adhere to the Stars and Stripes. Jeff. Davis' proclamation warning all to leave the Confederacy who did not sympathize with the rebellion, induced him to sell his property preparatory to leaving, and he converted the proceeds into gold. But about the same time came the blockade order of Gov. Harris, forbidding any one to quit the State. John Smith was then seized by the five men who are here as prisoners, aided by some secession cavalry, and scourged and abused in various demoniac ways, until he revealed where his money was concealed. Upon telling where it was, his trunk was broken open and robbed of its contents, and a parcel of counterfeit bank bills inserted in the place. He was then sent on to Knoxville, where he was charged with treason and passing counterfeit money. After being imprisoned some time, he was tried before a military court, with no forms of law, and as they could make out no case against him, he was discharged, minus a valuable mare and all his money. After incredible diffi so much mischief by revealing cabinet secrets and the plans of the Commander-in-Chief to the enemy. The failure of the scheme against the rebel camp at Munson's Hill, which was known only to Gen. Scott, Gen. McClellan, and Col. Scott, is attributed to the latter. It is intimated that the suspicions against Col. Scott were so strong, that his friends advised him to quit the country, and that this had something to do with the sudden resignation of Gen. Scott and his departure with his nephew and others for Europe. It is probable that these rumors and suspicions have been exaggerated.-Buffalo Courier, Dec. 6. A WOMAN FOR THE TIMES.-A lad of less than six teen, named Darling, from Pittsfield, Mass., recently Northern Black Horse Cavalry. On learning that he enlisted in Captain Cromwell's company, in the had a sick mother at home, who was sadly afflicted by his departure, the captain discharged the youngster and sent him home, as the brave lad supposed, knowledgment of his kindness from the sister of the on a furlough. He has received the following ac"bold soldier boy." It is good: PITTSFIELD, Mass., Oct. 20. CAPTAIN CROMWELL-DEAR SIR: My brother, David H. Darling, a lad of sixteen, left home and joined your command without the consent or even knowledge of our parents. I went from school to see him last Thursday, and stated these facts to your second lieutenant. Our young soldier returned home Friday, on furlough, as he supposed, and seeing the effect of his conduct upon my mother and a sick sister, gave his |