thirty miles west of Hannibal, Mo., embracing 300 of the Iowa Third, 200 of the Illinois Sixteenth, and about 100 of the Hannibal Home Guards, was attacked by 1,600 secessionists, under Brigadier-General Harris. Although the Federals were surprised, they repelled the attack, drove the rebels back, killed four, and wounded several, besides capturing five prisoners and seven horses. Harris retreated to Monroe, where another skirmish occurred, in which the rebels were again repulsed. Smith then took up a position and sent messengers for reenforcements from Quincy.—Baltimore American, July 12.-(Doc. 761.) -THE Seventh Massachusetts Regiment, under command of Colonel D. N. Couch, left Taunton, Mass., this afternoon for the seat of war. -N. Y. Ecening Post, July 10. -HENRY A. WISE of the rebel army issued a proclamation, calling upon the citizens of Western Virginia to rally to his standard, and holding out to them the promise of pardon for past offences.-(Doc. 78.) -A SKIRMISH took place at Laurel Hill, Va., between the Federal troops under Gen. McClellan, and the rebels under Gen. Pegram. About 2 o'clock in the afternoon two large bodies were seen from a high hill in the neighborhood to leave the rebels' camp. Instant preparations were made to resist. About 4 P. M., there was skirmishing in front by the Fourteenth Ohio and Ninth Indiana Regiments, which soon became very warm. The rebels advanced under cover of the woods when the Federals rushed forward, pouring in a sharp volley, killing several of the enemy. The rebel cavalry then advanced to take our skirmishers in flank. The Federal troops rapidly retreated, and the artillery dropped a couple of shells, one of which exploded among the cavalry when they instantly fell back. Again the Union troops rushed forward and pouring in another volley the rebels scattered in the woods, and the officers were seen attempting to rally them, but they could not be brought up again in a body. In the meantime the skirmishers picked off their officers, and several additional shells were thrown in. The Federal troops made a final rush, driving the rebels from their own rifle ets, canteens and guns. The rebel force engaged was a Georgia Regiment, 1,200 strong, and generally considered the crack regiment of this division of the rebel army. -THE New Orleans True Delta of to-day has two characteristic articles, containing bold denunciations of the rebel leaders. One refers to the contemplated assembling of the Congress of the Confederate States in Richmond on the 20th inst., of the future of which no very sanguine anticipations are entertained. If the State of Louisiana, it says, is to be taken as a sample of the way things have been conducted, the result shows a treasury collapsed, a great city comparatively defenceless, a people full of chivalrous feeling discouraged, and an ardent and zealous local militia disappointed and disgusted. It suggests that the provisional gov-pits, and bringing back several of their blankernment should immediately organize the local military strength, under the direction of capable and intelligent military officers, to which should be temporarily attached such scattering material as may be found unemployed in adjacent States, so as to familiarize it for any duty the future may require of it. The other article shows the absurdity of the donation reliance; states that the men who have managed to get the country into the war have proved themselves utterly incapable of carrying the rebel States safely and honorably through it, and asks why should not the people awake at once to the opportunity that will soon present, to find other men more fit to carry them with honor, glory, and success, to a triumphal termination of all their troubles? It is quite likely that the indignation of the people of the rebellious States will recoil upon the rebel lead-new road by the rebels through which to esers who have madly led them into this unfortu nate war. The most astonishing bravery was displayed by the Federal skirmishers, and the only trouble was to keep the men from rushing into the midst of the enemy. The whole skirmish was a most spirited affair, and the Ohio and Indiana boys gave the Georgians some new idea of Yankee courage. A prisoner taken says that the Georgians refused to come into the woods again opposite to the Federal position, and they were all astonished and terrified. The rebel supply of provisions has been cut off, and they must soon come to extremities. The Union loss is one killed and three wounded. Indications have been seen of an attempt to open a cape or bring in provisions. Every outlet is watched, and they are trapped. -THE New Orleans Picayune of this day | that the British Ministry have not the courage contains a particular account of a fight that nor the inclination to apply to the Confederate occurred lately at the mouth of the Mississippi. States the rules which they have uniformly ap-(Doc. 79.) plied to other nations. It adds: "Too much importance has been assigned to the idea that France and England would break the blockade to get Southern products." The editor, therefore, proposes a recall of the Southern Commissioners, and to refuse the recognition of resident Consuls of all the Powers which will not recognize similar officers of the Confederate July 11.-Alexander H. Stephens delivered an elaborate speech at Augusta, Georgia, defending the cause of secession and pointing out the way to the success of the southern rebellion. (Doc. 83.) -Tшis morning a young man presented himself at the quarters of one of the Pennsylvania Regiments, near Shuter's Hill, opposite Washington, dressed in a suit of blue navy flannel, surmounted with a lieutenant's epaulettes, and introduced himself as "Lieut. Smith of Company A, 6th Massachusetts Regiment." Not being suspected at the time, he was allowed to inspect the works at Fort Ellsworth, and to witness the departure of the Zouaves toward Fairfax. Not until he had safely returned to Washington and been carried by the cars some miles on the road to Baltimore, was it discovered that a secessionist had been in camp.-N. Y. Tribune, July 13. States abroad. -THE rebels at New Orleans, La., have taken a powerful tug-boat, covered her with railroad iron, and put her machinery below the waterline. They have also built a new boat completely of iron, very sharp, with a sharp point below the water-line, intended to run down the Federal vessels of war. The latter will be commanded by Capt. Seward Porter, formerly of Portland, Maine.-National Intelligencer, July 16. -THE Charleston Mercury of this day publishes the following:-The Sixteenth Regiment -THE companies sent to the relief of Col. S. C. M., comprising eight beat companies, Smith, at Monroe, Missouri, returned to Hanni- were on the Green yesterday for inspection (?). bal this evening, and report the road unob- A more ridiculous farce could not possibly have structed between Hannibal and Monroe. On been enacted than that gone through with yesarriving at the latter place, they formed a junc- terday-that is, if regarded in a military point tion with Col. Smith's force, which was in- of view. If six hundred citizens, drawn up in trenched in the Academy buildings. The reb-two ranks, without arms or equipments, ununiels, 1,200 strong, were grouped over the formed, and ignorant of the first principles of prairie, out of reach of Col. Smith's rifles. They a soldier's duty, can be called a regiment, this had two pieces of artillery, which were brought was a regiment. to bear, but the distance was so great that the balls were almost spent before reaching the lines. Col. Smith's artillery was of longer range, and did considerable execution. The fight lasted until dusk, and the last shot from the Federal side dismounted one of the rebels' guns. Just at that moment Governor Wood, of Illinois, fell on their rear with the cavalry sent from Quincy and completely routed them, taking seventy-five prisoners, one gun, and a large number of horses. About twenty or thirty rebels were killed. Not one of the Unionists was killed, although several were severely wounded. General Tom Harris, the rebel leader, escaped.-Chicago Tribune, July 12. -THE New-Orleans Delta, of this day, says that further persistence of the Confederate States in the endeavor to obtain the recognition of our nationality is useless. It also says We forego further comment, only remarking, that what is a farce now, to be enjoyed by idle juveniles, may be at ro distant day a tragedy over which the State will mourn. -Ar St. Louis, Mo., about 400 men belonging to Col. McNeil's regiment, a reserve corps, visited the State Journal office early this morning, removing the type, paper, etc. They then read an order from Gen. Lyon prohibiting the further publication of that sheet. Col. McNeil published a proclamation to the people of Missouri, stating that the suppression of the State Journal was in consequence of its giving aid and comfort to those in active rebellion against the authority of the United States Government, encouraging the people to take up arms against that authority, to commit acts of violence and oppression against loyal citizens, and by the fabrication of false reports re specting the United States troops, inciting dis-on the rear of the rebels, and, after a desperate affected citizens to the commission of overt acts of treason, with a view of entirely subverting the Federal authority in the State.-N. Y. World, July 16. -A BATTLE was fought this afternoon at Rich Mountain,* about two miles east of Roaring Run, Va., where the rebels, numbering about two thousand, under command of Col. Pegram, were strongly intrenched. About 3 o'clock this morning Gen. McClellan ordered four regiments-the Eighth, Tenth, Thirteenth Indiana, and Nineteenth Ohio Regiments, under the command of Gen. Rosecrans -to proceed along the line of the hills southeast of the enemy's intrenched camp on the Beverly road, where it crosses Rich Mountain, two miles east of the enemy's position, with orders to advance along the Beverly road and attack the east side of the work-Gen. McClellan being prepared to assault the west side as soon as the firing should announce the commencement of the attack. The capture of a courier, who mistook the road through the enemy's camp for the route of the Federal troops, placed the enemy in possession of intelligence of the movement. The rebels, about 2,500 strong, with heavy earthwork batteries, were intrenched on the western slopes of the Rich Mountain, about twenty-five miles east from Buckhannon, and two miles west from Beverly, which is on the east side of the mountain. They had selected the forks of the Roaring Creek, which empties after a northerly course into the Tygart's Val ley River, a branch of the Monongahela. The creek crosses the road in two places, about a mile apart. The morning was cool and bracing, and the Federal troops were in capital spirits. Gen. Rosecrans ordered the brigade to cut a path through a thick growth of mountain pine trees and heavy undergrowth of brush for nearly nine miles, which occupied about ten hours, resting at noon. Late in the afternoon Gen. Rosecrans came Rich Mountain is a gap in the Laurel Hill Range where the Staunton and Weston turnpike crosses it between Buckhannon and Beverly, and about four or five miles out of the latter place. It is about as far from Laurel Hill proper, (that is, where the Beverly and Fairmount pike crosses it, and where the enemy is intrenched,) as Beverly is some 15 or 16 miles. It is also about 25 miles from Buckhannon.-Wheeling Intelligencer. fight of an hour and a half, completely routed them, driving them in the utmost disorder into the woods, and capturing all their guns, wagons, and camp equipage, or, as Gen. McClellan says, "all they had." They also took several prisoners, many officers among them. Sixty of the rebels were killed and a large number wounded. Of the Union troops twenty were killed and forty wounded. Gen. McClellan had his guns mounted to command the rebels' position, but he found that the gallantry of Rosecrans spared him the trouble of going into action. He is now moving on Beverly, and the advance command of Gen. Rosecrans are within three miles of that place.—(Doc. 84.) July 12.-Last night, after the battle at Rich Mountain, Colonel Pegram, who was in command, withdrew from the fort near Beverly, leaving behind six guns, a large number of horses, wagons, and camp equipage.—(Doc. 85.) -J. P. BENJAMIN, Attorney-General of the Confederate States of America, issued a circular of instruction to Marshals in relation to prisoners of war, and persons captured at sea, as follows: 1. All persons captured at sea and placed in custody of the Marshals, are at once to be confined in such manner as to prevent their obtaining any information which could be inade useful to the enemy. 2. All persons captured on board of vessels (whether armed or unarmed) employed in the public service of the United States, are to be considered as prisoners of war. All persons employed in the service of the enemy, are to be considered as prisoners of war even when captured on unarmed vessels not employed in the public service of the enemy. and not employed in the public service of the Persons captured on private unarmed vessels, enemy, are not prisoners of war. 3. As soon as the Marshal shall have re ceived into custody persons captured at sea, he shall make out a list of their names, rank, and position, and submit one copy thereof to the judge of the court, and another to the captors or their proctor, for the purpose of designating such as are to be detained as witnesses. 4. After separating those who are to be detained in confinement as witnesses, the Marshal will at once deliver to the commander of the nearest military post all the prisoners of war; and will transport to the frontier and place beyond the limits of the Confederacy all such alien enemies as are not prisoners of war. -Baltimore American, July 22. -THIS evening a detachment of three companies of Colonel Woodruff's Second Kentucky Regiment attacked six hundred rebels between Mad River and Barboursville, on the Kanawha River, Western Virginia, completely routing them. Ten or twelve rebels were killed and a number wounded. The Kentuckians had one killed.-(Doc. 85.) -TO-DAY the ladies of Martinsburg, Virginia, presented to the Second Wisconsin Regiment a beautiful National ensign. Coming as it does from the people of a State which has been declared out of the Union by her constituted authorities, the regiment received the donation with peculiar sensations of pleasure. The flag was presented with the following remarks: Soldiers of the Wisconsin Regiment:-We have met this bright and beautiful morning to present to you this emblem of our national glory as a token of our high regard for you and our cause; we welcome you into our midst bearing the flag of our glorious country, trusting in God; this flag has protected the oppressed of all lands, who have sought its shelter, and so long as this flag shall wave the oppressed shall be free. Believing from what you have already accomplished, it will never be disgraced in your hands you will accept this token from the ladies of Martinsburg, Berkeley County, Virginia.—Baltimore American, July 23. -THE Senate of the United States passed the bill, which had previously passed the House, to provide for the collection of duties in such ports as are situated within States, or parts of a State refusing obedience to the ordinary revenue laws of the nation. the collection of the customs in the ordinary way is obstructed, may be established in any secure place within such district, or on shipboard near the coast. Provision is also made for enforcing the regulations of Congress under this head. In cases where these extraordinary means may be found unavailing for the purpose of protecting the public revenue, the President is authorized, by proclamation, to close such ports of entry; and any ship undertaking to disregard such proclamation is rendered liable to forfeiture. Another section of the bill directs that all commercial intercourse between other portions of the Union and States, or parts of States, declared to be in insurrection, according to the terms of the act of 1795, shall cease and be unlawful so long as such condition of hostility exists.-National Intelligencer, July 13. -THE Thirty-sixth Regiment N. Y. S. V., commanded by Colonel Charles S. Innes, departed from Riker's Island, direct for Washington.-N. Y. Times, July 13. -IN the House of Representatives at Washington, Mr. Vallandigham, of Ohio, offered a preamble and resolution, declaring vacant the seats of such members as have accepted commands in the militia of their several States, which occasioned a lively passage of words between various representatives, when the matter was tabled by ninety-two votes to fifty-one. -COLONEL PEGRAM, the commander of the rebel forces, near Beverly, Virginia, surrendered to General McClellan. This morning he sent a messenger to the Federal camp at Huttonsville, Va., stating that he, with six hundred men, would surrender as prisoners of war. They were nearly starved, and as Gen. Garnett was flying from Laurel Hill, to which point he was flying, he had no chance to escape. Gen. McClellan required an unconditional surrender. In such cases it is ordered by this new act To this Col. Pegram was obliged to submit, that the Surveyors at the several ports shall be and, with his whole force, was disarmed and subject to all the obligations and provided with marched into Beverly. Lieut.-Col. Cantwell, all the subordinate officers of Collectors, and that with a part of the Ohio Fourth Regiment, reall the general provisions of law regulating trade ceived their arms and took them in charge. and commerce shall apply to such ports in the His army was composed of the flower of Eastsame manner as they do to ports of entry es-ern Virginia, and contained among its curiostablished by the laws now in force. ities a Professor in Hampden Sidney College, The President is also authorized to direct with a company of his students. Col. Pegram that the custom-house for any district in which is a West Point graduate, a brave man, and has only left the United States army within a few months. Gen. Garnett, who is now flying with his whole force of six thousand men, is also a graduate of West Point, and was the commandant there a few years ago.-(Doc. 87.) -THE Galveston (Texas) Civilian, of to-day, contains the following:-"The San Antonio Ledger has late advices from New Mexico. Brigadier-General F. B. Stanton has arrived and organized two regiments for Lincoln's service. The first regiment is commanded by Ceran St. Vrain, Colonel. The Second Regiment is commanded by Miguel Pino, Colonel, and Manuel Chara, Lieutenant-Colonel. The Fifth and Seventh Regular Infantry have orders to march to the States. So we may look for trouble in New Mexico." July 13.-John B. Clark, member of the House of Representatives from Missouri, was expelled from that body, having been found in VOL. II.-DIARY 8 arms against the United States Government, and in active part with the rebels under Governor Jackson, in the late battle of Booneville, Missouri. -JOSEPH HOLT addressed the citizens of Louisville, Ky., this day. His speech was a triumph for the Government of the Union. He called forth in expressive outbursts the popular consciousness that the Government of the United States, which has so long protected and blessed all its citizens, is now itself in need of protection and blessing from them; and in this hour of its peril calls for, and has the right to call for, the earnest and absolute support of all who still profess allegiance to it. An eminently distinguished Kentuckian, an old and highly honored resident of Louisville, an illustrious patriot, faithful to his country and to his oath amidst untold embarrassments, Joseph Holt was listened to by the vast gathering of |