North Carolina Newspapers

THE jfTEllAM W. HOLDIN, KDITOB AND FBOFBIBTOS. .. .. ; . TERMS OF TQE STANDARD. The terms of the Standard are U follows : Sfmi-Weekly, ix montttf, $T Weekly paper, an months, Advertisements inserted at three dollars per sever of tea or less, for first insertion, and one dollar for each ''tLuent insertion. The Tery' large cirenlatton of the LJtrd renders it a valuable medium for advertising . Honey sent by Eipress at onr risk. rALEIuTtU1SSDAY SEPT. 2. 1864. We regret to learn that Col W. H. A. Speer, of the28tb N. 0. regiment, and Lt Colonel Bird, of the 11th N. C. regiment, were killed in the recent fkht at Reams' Sution. They were both gallant and accomplished officers. Col. Speer had just been elected to the Senate of the State from tbe 44th dis- "'Se accounts we publish to-day of- iixt fight it Reams' Station, show the determined .valor with which the North-Caroline troops charged upon the enemy. North Carolina is conspicuous in every b-ule. She is, indeed, the key-stone of the Con federate arch. Party feeling nou dictates that the Kichmond press should do her justice, and at last she bis justice at their hands. We do not care what the motive is so they speak of her as she deserves, and cease to indulge in the sneers at her loyalty and the gallantry of her sons which formerly characterised their columns. The Chicago Convxntios. The latest news from this Convention indicates the nomination of Gen. JlcClellm for the Presidency. Mr. Vallandigham had made a speech demanding peace on any terms. The result was he was defeated for the place of chairman of . the committee on resolutions by Mr. Guthrie, ot Kentucky. The latter is for peace on, the basis of s restored Union. Soldiers ! You, who hare left the service with out proper authority, are earnestly requested to re turn immediately. We, the undersigned, officers i,Tona anneal to vou as friends to return. We are authorized by Gen. Lee and Got. Vance to gay to you that if you will return voluntarily you ill not be Dunished. Report yourselves to any of us, and we will take pleasure in assisting you back to your companies. . n.u; . I v.... lti. alnrul nnhlv hv vnnr com lWLU(OT 9 . 1UU - mvw.j j j in arms. We aDoreciate. your past services, and we ask you to be good soldiers again. Do rot n.i.;t vAnr&ilvs to the eevere penalty of the law hv refusing to return voIunUrly. Remember your friends at home. Do not bring trouble and sorrow fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, wives nd' little children. Come to us, and you will be late from punishment G, C. MOSES, Lt CoL Com. 1st bat H. G. WM. J. CLARKE, CoL 24th Regt N. C. Troops. WM. A. SMITH, Major Home Guards. YT. G. BANKS, . Captain Home Guards. J. a. UOATS, Capt Home Guards. " W. H. A VERA, H. H. FINCH, J. T. LEACH, J. W. AVER A, W. H. SANDERS. Johnston County, Aug. 29th, 1864. The above appeal to absentees frQtn the army, suggested by the Hon. J. T. Leach, and adopted and signed by officers and citizens, strikes us as an ex cellent mode of reaching those for whom it is in tended. We trust this appeal will have a good ef fect Many of the deserters are men who have fought long and valiantly for their country, and the execution of such men for the crime of desertion, . i i 1. or for any crime, wouia De a saa spectacle. Their excuses for desertion are no doubt various, but nothing can justify them in abandoning the flag of their country. Desertion is not only wrong in itself, but bad policy. It is idle for any deserter to hope that he will not, in the end, be arrested. The longer he remains out the greater will be his punishment when he is caught An opportunity! for an honorable return is now offered" which may never be offered again. Let every absentee avail himself of this opportunity by reporting him self for duty. Remember, soldiers, that your comrades whom you have left behind, are toiling, "' bleeding, and dying in field and hospital. The r obligations to the country are not weightier than yours. Remember, also, tbat it one man nas a ridit to desert all have; and that if all should de- kert we should at once be at the mercy of the ene my, and no compromise of any kind could be ob tained. la this Sot The Confederate of the 31st August says: "We take this opportunity of making note of another thing, a gross, unmitigated evil, it is tne habitual employment in the local offices of men who re fit for field duty. One sees them every where. h the enrolling offices, to begin with; Does a Gen ral want a clerk 1 He will take the primmest and healthiest young man be can find. Does the Adju tant General need Bureau assistants 7 the Quarter frwter. Commissary and all the various depart ments ? They find them among the young and able- bodied far too much. While our army .is hard pressed, worn with constant, laborious, wearying duties, its force reduced, and the duties of each soldier increased; there are everywhere to be found tbusc who are as well fit, exempted all the war, and "fit irom sharing the onerous and dangerous du men SDoerrain to the service. And what the law reauires is constantly violated, and evasions ri mtrl nf it nrnm'dnnl Thn ftnv. ernuient is not to blame for this, but the individuals ho slight its commands. And the most Jament- 'e feature of the case, so far as North Carolina is 11 " tbat the "shade offices," as they are 'kd, have been filled durine the war by those nose hearts were least in the cause, and are now, many mgUnces. by disloval men Yankees at , who are shielded from the milit litary service "1 'shade" employment" 11 this so Is it true that the law of the country constantly evaded or violated f ' The CmfedtraU ys it is. But " the government is not to blame or it." Of course not Who said it was ? But . adninitration is; -Who constitutes the admin 'ration ? Doea nnt thn nMvf.i,rn.U V no. . Ald is it possible that Gov. Vance has under him, 1st iL .. . 1 - le "shade offices" about Raleigh, "duloyml yn-Yanltet at heart f If so. who is to blame ' n n r.. r . -- uov. vance Know ltr it ne un, , retains such men "ditloyal menYankea ul ar'" what must be thoueht of him T ConfyltraU tells much ober truth ahnnr a .uuuo umbo, niui UUiUJ uuu sno;n - ! i iv- i. - "I and 50 are being taken from their fami- their farms, and workshops, and placed in camp. It IS a frrt avil T..t (h.n 44iab An "'en 1, i j polif t0 Cer'in faTored fniliM,or their 1(3 are Of the riffht alomn nr it tn.ir ha rtiatr n wen .v. " J I.- .. Inst 18. nair their rsnera mmt lUfaren. . auH01 iors ior iuo special privileges lL " no Knows r PWt... D"i,, nvnand earth, Horatio, -Miai or iu jour puilosophy." . . 1 . i tssmsBsm msssamsBom asBgBflnBSsscsBsnssjBj i.....v . t v-";-' ' " "." XXX No. , The. Late Peaee Interview In Rictunoad. We publish to day a letter from Mr. Benjamin, the Secretary of State, which may be regarded, we suppose, aa an authorised account of the recent interview between President Davis and Messrs. Jacquess and Gilmore on the subject of peace. The newspapers have also published a much fuller account of this interview, prepared by Mr. Gilmore, but we have not copied that, for the reason that much of it is no donbt exaggerated and colored by the peculiar, views of the so-called com missioners referred to. : - It is obvious that these persons had no official authority to speak for Mr. Lincoln, and it may be that if they spoke from any knowledge of his real sentimenta and purposes, they were feeling their way to ona point, while jhtj indicated another es:" the only one which they would consent to consider at all debatable. For example, they knew that Mr. Davis would not consent to reconstruct the old government on the basis of the abolition of slavery, and he so replied to them ; but they were not sure he would not reconstruct if slavery could be pre served, and the seceded States restored to all the rights which they enjoyed before they seceded. They made no offer of this kind, nor did Mr. Davis refer to such an alternative ; but it may be tbat they felt tbey were opening the way to such a re sult They failed to draw him out. At any rate, we are glad the two administrati ons are talking about peace, however remotely. All things, whether good or bad, must have a begin ning. We believe now, as we believed twelve months ago, that no permanent or substantial peace can be established without the intervention of the States. The two extremes, represented by Mr. Davis and Mr. Lincoln, will never give us peace. Nor do we believe that the Chicago Convention which assembled on the 39th, will do much to has ten peace. No doubt that body has taken ground for a cessation of hostilities at the earliest practicable moment ; but the armistice for which it calls is on ly to precede a discussion which must result, if the views of tbat Convention are to be carried out, in a restoration of the Union with a guarantee for slav ery where it now exists. Are the friends of the administration of Mr. Davis prepared for that f Are they ready to reconstruct on such a basis, or any basis f If not, they look in vain to the Northern national Democracy. We know something about that Democracy, and we feel sure that what we say is true. ' We fear they will never consent to a perma- j nnt dissolution ofthe Union. But these speculations are idle, for the plain reason that Mr. Lincoln will bu re-elected. Even if the national Democrats had a majority in the United States, they would find themselves unable to contend with Mr. Lincoln's patronage,, to say nothing of his bayonets. The election for President in November next will notf be free. The freedom of suffrage will be trampled un der foot there, as it was trampled under foot in this State at the recent election. Money and bayonets will carry the day. The Democrats will feel and know that their dearest rights have been disregard ed, and that they are no longer free men, but they will be powerless to vindicate their liberties or avenge themselves; while the Lincolnites will ex ult at the prospect of four years more of war, fraud, and corruption, and will declare that the election was as " fair a thing as ever was." Lincoln will be re elected and the war will go on. That is our opinion.' We may be mistaken, and we hope we are; for though the Democrats are as firmly fixed as the Lincolnites are against secession or disunion, yet they are a much better order of public men, and the South might expect that they would treat her with more justice and generosity than the Lin colnites would, in any settlement that might be ef fected. EiCHAsoa or Pbisonkks. It seems from the latest news from Richmond, that the prospect of an early exchange of prisoners is not good. There are some thirty thousand federal prisoners at Anderson, Ga., and no doubt there are as many Confederates who are prisoners in the hands of the enemy. For some reason or other the federal authorities refuse to ex change. . Will Timid. ine following extract n-om a speech .of the Hon. John Law, of Indiana, in the Federal House of Representatives on the 1st ult, w8 a severe rebuke to his abolition associates : Sib : It is said by way of sneering at the loyalty of the Democratic party, by those who never put foot on the tented field, and never mean to, so long as they can cheat the government out of money enough to procure a substitute, that the Democratic party is tne " peace party ot ttie country. While they " will spend the last dollar, sacrifice the last man, and die in tne last ditch, to put down tne accursed rebellion. They are for "war, war to the knife, and the knife to the hilt When Cato called his little Senate together, at Utica at a time when Caesar was marching upon tne city tne nery sempronioua proclaimed in fu rious and indignant eloquence, such as we frequent ly near in tms nau, M y voice is still for war ; Gods! ean a Soman Senate long debate Wbicb of the two to eboose slavery or death 1 Go 1 Lot us rise at once, f ird on our swords, And at the head of our remainiug irnons, Attack the foe, break through the thick array Of bis thronged legions, sua charge home upon him. Psrhaps some arm more potent than the .rest, Hay strike his heart, and free the world from bondage. The conservative Lncius replied : " My thoughts, I must confess, are turned to peace." Tne advice and counsel of Lucius was the special object of the warrior's indignation. -The loyal Sempronious, who scorned to submit to meditation, and could not brook the idea of mediation, whispered into Uato's ear, beware of Lucius, be is a traitor." The very next night Sempronious deserted Cato and joined L'sssar. While Lucius, the advocate of peace, remained and bravely fought for the liberties of Home. There is a moral in this to which I would call the attention of every blatant radical of the Republican party who is crying out for more blood and denouncing the Democrats. Instead of being the enemies of the government, as they are charged, they are its truest and best l! iends. The worst and most violent enemies of the government are those who blindly and wilfully throw up their caps and cry, ".Long live iking inch ard ?" who blindly and w ilfully yield to the " Sic vol m Jubeo" of Presidents or Htng. , The above is as well-timed for the South as for the North. The Conservatives or peace men of the South occupy the same ground relatively that is occupied by the Conservatives or peace men of the North. The Republicans call the national Demo crats traitors, and the Destructives call the true Conservatives of the iouth traitors. So we go. Subtract front many modern poets, all tbat may be found, in Shakspeare, and trash will remain. 26. RALEIGH; N. 0., WEDNES - . . .. . .. I Tns Railsoabs aid Exfbxss Company. At a recent meeting ofthe stockholders ofthe Western N. O. Railroad Company the following resolution was adopted: . - "Whbrias, It is the opinion of the stockholders of the W. N.' 0. R. . Company that it is injurious to their interest to farm out any of the property or franchises of their Company, to any independent Company, and believing the ft. R. Company can transport all articles over the road with as much safety and despatch as the Express Compsny, and believing that all profits of transportation ought to be made by the R. R. Company : Boohed, that the Board of Directors are in structed to terminate their contract with the South ern Express Company, after giving due notice, and that they confer with the North-Carolina R. R. with the view to make such combined arrangements with said road aavto insure to all persons safe aud expeditious transportation of their property, money and effects, over the road under the charge ana management of their own agents and messengers." The Express Company is s great convenience to the public. We think it doubtful whether sny of the Railroad Companies can or will transport arti cles over the roads with as much safety and dis patch as the Express Company has done. WAR HEWS. , , Tie late Fieat at Kiams' Static. A correspondent of the Expreet, writing from Malone's crossing on the Petersburg and Weldon RaHrosd, under data of Aug. S6th, says: The people residing in this locality, have just re ceived an idea of the war, which has most indelibly impressed it upon their minds. Heretofore they bve only read the newspaper accsunts end heard the recitals of the wounded and convalescent, as they would pass back and forth to their homes. We felt sure the Confederate authorities would protect this Railroad, but. this feeling of security was greatly shaken, however, when on yesterday two weeks ago, we learned that Grant had suddenly swung around an entire army, corps, seized the road, and proceeded to fortify. The subsequent unsuccessful efforts of our forces to dislodge the enemy, naa tne eitect to still further depress ut, ana wnen, during tne past nve or six days, we learned that the enemy were . gradually extending tneir lines down the road, hope gave way to a feel ing of deep despair. We prepared for the worst. and many, we regret to say, have realized all and more man they expected. Destruction ofthe Railroad. A walk to-day, from the 14 Mile Crossing to Keams, a distance ot four, miles, showed truly sad scene. On both sides of the track the enemv have swept fences and crops, leaving scarcely a Tesiige remaining, ine crops, consisting caieny oi corn ana sorgnum, nave been fed to men and horses, and the fences piled upon the railroad sills to assist in tne nurning. The road is quite effectually destroyed as far as Mrs. Fannie Hat ton's place, a distance of about 2 mues soutn oi Keams' Station. Above the station, I did not extend my walk, and therefore cannot speak from observation, but from all I can learn. the same destruction has taken place at least to the Yellow Tavern, Baking all about nir.a uiUs of the track destroyed. In some places I observed that the sills bad not been destroyed, but for the greater portion ot the distance, sills hare been burnt, and tne iron heated. . The Battle Yesterday. The battle yesterday opened in this immediate neighborhood, as early aa 11 o clock, and was com macded by that gallant son of South Carolina, Gen. wade Mampton. tie bad at band his brave assia tants, Generals Butler, Rower, Btrringer and also Cbamblisa' Virginia brigade, whose noble . leader fell but a few days since on the north of James riv er, but by whom commanded yesterday, I have been unaoie to learn. The eneaiy's cavalry were centred chiefly about Malone's crossing, with a strong force extending out on the county road leading to Brunswick stage road. This force was encountered a half a mile or more from the rtilroad and our cavalry dismounted ana oraereu to crutrge. Like veterans tbey obeyed the command, and un der the eye of their great leader, rushed forward with an impetuosity that proved irresistible. Upon nearing the railroad, there are no woods to protect an assaulting column, and the approach is up a steep hill. Through this open space and up this rising ground, our nghting troopers drove the ene my to and beyond tne railroad, for a distance ef half mile or mora In the meantime, such of the enemy as bad advanced to the south of the crosamcr. hearing the firing on their right, quickly drew in lueir iinea, ana icll oacK. The way being now clear south of the crossing Gen. Hampton quickly swung his column of dis mounted cavalry around to the neht of theirail road, facing in the direction of Petersburg, andcon tinucd to advance, the enemy falling back before mm. From a short distance above the farm formerlv owned and occupied by Dr. Crawford, on both sides of the railroad, Che enemy had thrown up strong lorlihcalions, builrof logs, fence rails and earth. These fortifications extended on the left as hierh nn as the lower water tank at Reams', stretching across the road, and passing on to the right in front of Oak. throve Uburch aa far east as Emmons olaata lion. On the right the enemy's works extended nn the side of the county road from Lanier's place to about 400 yards this side of Duval's Blacksmith shop, where they abruptly turn to the right and extend in a northeasterly direction around Duval's sugar cane field, until they strike the other line of works away on near Amnions' place. They were prvtccuat ou ait siues, ana as tbey thought both in At a given signal, the order to charea wan riven and en both sides of the road up came the Confed erate troops tne cavalry on the right, and Gen. A. r. Hill s infantry on the left Both charges were alike successful, but the 'works on the left being the strongest,-and most heavily manned, the infantry suffered most The cavalry never fought better, and many of them leaped the breastworks and shot auch of the enemy as remained in the trenches. The cavalry column comnrisad Georcri , ans. South Carolinians, North Carolinians and Vir ginians, all racing to be in first at what they ex pecieuweuia be me death struggle. Strange to say, the casualties here were unprecedentedly small, and I am credibly informed that the 18th Virginia regiment lost not a man killed, and had but. two wounded. Capt Junius Goodwyn, well known in your city, commanded a squadron of ii i i j . ... ...7 vuauiuiufs ongaae, ana was in tne thickest of the ngnt Fifteen of his men captured fifty-one pris uucra. uen. Hampton occapied a prominent position overlooking the field, and it was enough for the cavalry to know that the eye of their noble leader was upon them, and that his wise head and skill ful hand controlled and directed all their operations. Ueneral Hampton will prove a most worthy sue ceosor to the chiralrous Stuart The men not only have .confidence in him, bat they love him, and as long as his life is spared te command them, we may safely predict success in future for the cavalry where it is possible te command success. ' Of the subordinate cavalry generals, it .was my fortune to meet only with Gen. Barringer, of North Carolina. A more courteous gentleman, and one who enjoys to a greater extent the esteem andTes pect of his men, the service cannot beast Gen. B. has done much service in the vicinity of Peters burg; and your people are much indebted to him and his men for their timely aid on the memorable 9 th of June, when KauU's raiders actually entered DAT, . SEPT. 7, 1864: the suburbs, and saw the spires and steeples of Pe tersburg. It is due to our IteWe sister State Nor th-Caroli- na to say tbat the entire infantry column engaged hi the assault on the left of the railroad, was com posed of her sons. Never did men move forward with a finer sten when ordered to charm, and never did troops fight with more distinguished gal Untry. Any one who will visit the battle-field as I have dona, and see the character of the work they had to perform, will concur with me in the opinion Sum me man wno carried tnem in the face of sucn . fearful fire, from both infantry and artillery, are - v. uj u uoing ciassea among tne orates t. as a V irginian, I am proud to award this humble tribute to the gallantry of the brave North-Carolinians who participated in this desperate fight. It is true that Uiey bars fought on every battle field sines this commenced commencing with Bethel, in June io&i, ana closing e jxeam- tMatton, August loo !iL X. . a . . . . .a wiw muco, gaiwniry ana Determination aa ma troops n-om any other Bute, but on yesterday, aa none but North-Oarolinians participated in the as sault on the left, there can be no dispute as to who did the work. Amid the leaden hail and iron storm they rushed directly on to glory and to vic tory. . The Troops Engaged. The cavalry engaged on the part of the enemv. were commanded by the noted Colonel Speer, who is believed to have had a brigade All accounts agree that they were soon routed, and that they moved out of tne way as fast as their horses could carry them. Ine infantry consisted of the famous Second corps, (Hancock's) and all prisoners concur in the statement, that it numbered between ten and twelve thousand men. They fought more valiantly than the cavalry, but were finally compelled to give way oeiore tne impetuous dasn of tbe orate Murtn uar olinians, and although the engagement did not be come general until about three o'clock, before night tne entire corps were utterly routed and flying in wild confusion east of the railroad in the direction of Prince George. - They left all their killed and wounded, over two thousand prisoners and nine pieces of cannon in our possession. The enemy s dead lay thickly scattered in all di rections Friday morning. Many ef them had fallen before the terrible fire of our artillery, (Pegram's battalion,) and we saw several who had been eut in twain. The number of the enemy's horses killed ws unusually large, and at the locality where most of the artillery were captured, we counted sixty- one oi tnese animals piled up and lying around on about a quarter acre of ground. Hancock's corps, it will be borne in mind, is con sidered the very best in Grant's army, and more than one prisoner with whom we conversed, stated tbat it was regarded as the 'Stonewall Jackson corps of the army of the- Potomac. What an equivocal compliment to that deeply lamented and illustrious hero and ptriot 1 It was Hancock's corpa that made the attack .upon Johnston's division -t SpotUyivania Courthouse, and gained some advan tage. It was there, too, that the jubilant Ingalls, Lincoln's Inspector General, telegraphed to Wash ington, 'Hancock has made a ten strike to day. He has used up Johnston, and is now about to pitch into Early.' The army correspondent of the Richmond Die patch speaking of the battle" of Reims'' station, says: . About S o'clock, all arrangements being complet ed, Lieutenant-General Hill ordered the line forward, and the command was promptly obeyed The line thus formed, and in motion, was preceded by. two squadrons of the seventh Virginia cavalry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Marshall, of Faquier.- This lit tle body drove the enemy's pickets back, in gallant style, into their rifle-pits, in sight of tbe enemy's main line of battle. In this affair Colonel Marshall was slightly wounded. Having arrived in front of the enemy's line of works, Gen. Hill determined to assault them at once, and, accordingly, ordered Major General Wilcox to take two brigades and as sault the enemy's work. Scales' (North-Carolm) and Anderson's (Georgia) brigades were aelected for the work in hand. The dispositions being made, the order to advance was given, and the troops moved forward in good style, driving in with ease, and with, great enthusiasm, the enemy's skirmish- ers and sharpshooters. At the moment they began their advance the enemy opened with artillery aud musketry most rapidly. he result, briefly told, was that our column was repulsed. General Hill was determined, however, net to give up the struggle without another effort to dis lodge the enemy. Accordingly, General Heth was ordered forward with Cook's and McCrae's North Carolina brigades, (the latter Pettigrewg old brig ade.) and Lane's North Carolina brigade, (Wilcox's division,) commanded by Couner, of South Carolina, was ordered to unite in the charge. McGowau's brigade was on the extreme right engaging the en emy's pickets and sharpshooters. The second charge was made somewhat to the right of the point where the first was engaged, but still vefy near it The second assaulting column was formed Lane on the left, Cook ia the centre, and McCrae on the right Again, about 5 P. M., everything being arranged, and our officers having gone repeatedly up and down the .lines and encouraged the men, telling them what they had to do and what obstacles they would meet, the order was given, and the men bounded forward with a yell that made the welkin fairly ring again, and plainly told, in advance, of a deter mination to achieve success which could scarcely fail of grand results. And now the enemy, having massed their artillery, pour iortn a deadly, railing nre oi shot, shell, grape, shrapnel and canister ; but our brave men heed it not and press onward, deter mined to win a victory or fall in the effort The abaltis and - undergrowth in front of the enemy's works bad to be parted and avenues for entrance mace in tbe face of a deadly musketry as well as artillery fire, but our braves, heedlea of danger, and resolved on those works, push aside the brush and destroy tbe abattis and reach the work! Wfltsstll squads and not in line. Here a vigorous hand-to-hand fight ensued over the works with pUtols, bay onets and the butt ends ofthe muskets, until a suffi ciency of our force bad gotten up to form the line of battle anew; then, springing over the enemy's works, they swept rapidly down them, capturing and driving before them all of the enemy's force engaged in the fight to a point some distance south east of Ream's sution ; and, in order to encourage their hasty retreat and to increase their speed, whilst so laudably engaged, our infantry boys mann ed the artillery which we captured, and poured into the retreating foe a raking fire. And here, at Ream's sUtion, just as daylight was fast paaaing away, the fight ended with the following results : The enemy driven from a mile and a half, at least, of their lines, and their breastworks (constructed doubtless for permanent occupation) wreaatad from them, with a loss of, at this writing, nineteen hun dred prisoners, representing all tour divisions of Hancock's crack corps, including quite a sprinkling if heavy artillerists. Among their prisoners, seventy-five commissioned officers, not the least of which is Lieutenant-Colonel Walker, assisunt ad - jntant-general to Major-General Haneeck, command , ing the Second corps; nine splendid piece of artil lery nve oi tbem being elegant brass napoleon and the other four, fine three inch rifle guns ; eight stand of colors, upward of a thousand small arms, and some twenty horses. Many of the artillery horses were killed or disabled by onr sharpshooters. By the way, to do j istice even to an enemy, let see say that I have it from all accounts that their ar tillerists acted with great gallantry, andimgiifc hand to hand using mubkeEs. North-Carolina Troops ia the Battle. The Petersburg Expreee pays the following trib ute to the gallantry of our noble soldiers : It gives us great pleasure to notice the gallant Wholb Number 1529. conduct of the North Carolina troops in the Battle at Ream's Sution. Gen. Lee, in his dispatch to tbe Secretary of War, sUtes that Cook's McRae's and Lane's brigades, all from North Carolina, to gether with Pegfim's artillery, constituted the force that assaulted and carried the enemy's works. Too much, praise cannot be awarded to these veteran commands for the intrepid manner in which they marched up to their work and accomplished it The soldiers from North Carolina have from the day of the first Manassas down to that of Reams', fought with a valor that was never surpassed, and they have well entitled themselves to the admiration and gratitude of their country. In every battle in which they have engaged, they have acquitUd them selves nobly. There are no truer and more indom itable soldiers than they, as a score of bloody fields in this war gloriously attest At Reams' they formed nearly the whole attacking force, and again distinguished theinseles, as they always have done and will continue to do the end of the war.- - For further and better notice of tbe part borne by the North Carolina brigades in the battle on Thursday, our readers are referred to the letter from our correspondent, " SpecUtor," which will be found in another column. Jtoblle. The correspondent of the Montgomery Aivtrtit r, writing to that paper, says : You have published much concerning affairs in this quarter, but very little approaching the truth. Permit me in behalf of history to drop you a few lines now and then, and which are not writ ten with rose-water. The long epistle from St Paul, which you gave your readers a few days ago, was very readable. but the romancer failed to say that the day after tne desperate naval engagement, in . which be rep resented our little navy to have been torn from stem to stern by the enemy's guns, the Selma steamed up under tbe enemy's flag and turned her guns upon our inner line of batteries, and the UMAted lenneieee steamed off to Pensacola, and new lies at anchorage off -New Orleans. If the fight was so desperate, it seems that little damage was done. No one feather can or should be plucked from tne plume of the gallant Buchanan. lie did his best with what he had. Why had he nothing more i A shot across her rudder disables the Tenneetee and lays her and her woodon consort at the mer cy of thrice their number of ships and guns. On such a slight chain depended the salvation of Mo bile Bay. Tbe public may ask why her rudder was left so much exposed, why we had no more iron dads like the Tennetue, why the government is bled to pay contractors for ships that are worth-' less! But the public is tired of asking questions tbat never receive an answer from offieial quar ters. Must citizens of Alabama keep their lips tlosea while imbecility is surrendering the gateway to their homes. As one of those citissns, in be half of my beloved SUte, I demand an answer to these questions. Why was it that Fort Powell, whichcomman ded an imporUnt pass into the Bay, was left com paratively defenceless in the rear, so as to neces siUta iu surrender, when the enemy's fleet should sail past these forte T Why was' it that the guns of Fort Morgan were not so placed as to command the entire channel through which -th "enemy was to pass f Why was it, that the engineers asked for a fa tigue force to complete the rear works oi these forts, tbey were answered that the negroes had more important wor.k elsewhere f Why waa it that but one-third of the batteries around the city were ready for action when tbe enemy's fleet sailed into the Bay 1 Why was it, tbat not a spade full of dirt was thrown up along the outer line of rifle piU before the enemy was within seven miles of the city t Why was it that when the enemy's guns were thundering in our ears, not a gun had .been mount ed upon the batteries on the Eastern shore, which commands the rear of the city f Why was it that the command of two important Forts was given to an officer against whom w.arning had been given by responsible parties T Why was it that Gen. Page did not prevent the surrender of Fort Gaines by remaining there and waiting the deneuement of Anderson's visit to the fed eral fleet ? Why is it that on the eve of action the commands of old and tried officers are placed under strangers and men of no record promoted to responsible com mand f These are questions which can have no answer, except a wouen's answer, volo ergo eet. I will it, therefore it is so. ' West Point turns up its haughty nose, walks by wi'bout an answer and repeats the history of New Orleans and Vicksburg. Oh 1 for one-spark of the energy of the Prince of Orange and Prince Maurice. Those men could for tify towns and throw supplies into beleagutred for tresses by novel expedients, such as would make the mouths of these West Pointers stand open uutilthe swallows built nests in them. Fort Powell might have stood until now had her rear walls been built up. She could have been supplied with men and provisions, across the channel through wh'ch her 'garrison waded to escape. Then she would have kept the enemy from receiving supplies through Grant's pass for his. fleet Then his fleet through want of coal, provisions andshot would bave been compelled to sad back under tbe guns of Morgan. - But now. my pen trembles on the page. Powell ia gone, Oames is gone, Morgan win go so soon ss tne provision of the garrison is exhausted, and the Fed- erai need nue wuuiu hii uiuva vt u Later News-Official From Gea. Hood Richmond, Aug. 80. The following was received here Ibis morning: Atlanta. Auir. 28. To Hon. J. A. Seddon The enemy have changed their entire position, the left of their line resting near tbe ChatUboochee, neat Sandtown, and their right extending to points opposite and near the West Point railroad, between JKast Point and Fairburn. Tbey hold all the cross ings on the Chattahoochee, but not with continued line. Dispatches of the 19th, from Wheeler, report the capture of Dalton, with a large quantity of atores, about 200 prisoners and 200 raulas. He destroy el three trains of cars and twenty-five miles of the railroad. His command is in good condition. -(Signed) J. a HOOD. f-VCOND DISrATCH 1 Atlanta, Aug. 80. The enemy have occupied tit Wt Point rsilmf1 nri ra fortifvintT and ra ue v i vow m. vine w w. cr moving the track south. It was reported last night tbat the Federal cavalry were advancing in the di rection of West Point tiof V. II. Coffee, of the 60th Kentucky rest. ment, is appointed Provost Marshal General of this army ana assumea nis pusunm iui wviuiug. The Progret of this City thus sums of the sit nation around AtlanU: " Some of the' Georgia papers are jubilant over Sherman's lata xMkogeif base, and are even pre dicting an early and disastrous retreat for him ; be lieving tbat vv heeler nas or soon win eneciuauy destroy the railroads over which he gete bis sop tiliaa. We would gladly accept tbese sanguine apeculations, but after an examination of our maps and Railroad Guides, we are sorry to say that we T cannot ; but that, on the contrary, we are inclined to tbe beliet tnat .snerman's cnange oi position, like the late movement of Grant before Petersburg, i is an advantage to him rather than to us. For some I time his left wing has rested on the Georgia Rail 1 road, whieh runs East from Atlanta, and by this j change he has given up this road, thrown his left I back to the Chatuhooche, North or Northwest of I the town, and swung his. right round to the West . Point Railroad, where ho is fortifying, He can well aflord to abandon tbe Georgia road, for he tm 1 raided it so factually that the damae cannot be. repaired for months, while if he eaa reach and bold the Macon road, the only remaiaing line we nave open, our army cut ofr, as tar as raiiroaa communication is eoncerned, and would be soo compelled to fight, probably at great disadvantage, or retreat East Point is six miles from Atlanta. The cars for West Point and Macon leave Atlanta on the same track, but at East Point, six miles oat, the roads branch, the right going to West Point and the left tojlacon. Fairburn ia on the Wast Point road thirteen miles farther on and nineteen from Atlanta ; and so it will be seen that if Sher man's left rests upon this road at a point between East Point and Fairburn, he cannot be far from the Macon road, which branches off at the former place. Sherman's object, therefore, is evidently to ex tend his lines from the Sute road, over which he gets his own supplies, across the West Point to the Mcon road, thus cutting off all communication sava by the Georgia or Augus-a road, waichhe basso badly, damaged as to prevent its being of any servlee to our commander. The contest, then, will be for the possession of East Point, or tne Macon road near tbat place, towards which Sherman is extend ing his lines ; and insteacLof the Federal army being in-full retreat we shall not be surprised to hear at any moment that a desperate battle has been fought or is in progress, on or near tbe Macon road. South of AtlanU." Prone Petersburg. PaTEBganiin An Sft Th. .;...:. - this place and Bermuda Hundreds unchanged. - Du ring the whole of yesterday the enemy poured a-fa-rious and continuous fire of shot and shell upon the town, doing however little or no damage. To day all comparatively quiet Frasn the Taller . RicsKoHD, Aug. 80. The Lynchburg Republican of Saturday, states that tbe Yankee cavalry advanc ed on Rogersville a few days since and retired the way they came. It is reported, on what ia consid ered good authority, that Wheeler, with a large fbroe of cavalry, waa between Knoxville and Bristol, ad vancing into Kentucky. . Later from the North. Pstxrsbdbo, Aug. 81. The Chrenidle ofSunday says tht Stanton hd telegraphed Dix that Usnoock was assaulted several times on the South of Reams' Station on Thursday, but had repulsed the enemy iu every atuck. At half past fire, p. in., a com bined attack was made on his left and centre, which, after one of the most desperate battles of tbe war, resulud in the withdrawal of the enemy from the field, leaving their dead and wounded behind, . Hancock, in his report, says we withdrew at dark for reasons stated, lie says .his chief of artillery lost 250 horses and that the rebels hold some of our ground with their skirmish line. Our loss will probably reach 12 or 1500, though this is surmise. This is acknowledged to have been the most des perate fight of the war, resembling that of Spotsyl vania in tne cnarges, tbougb the number engaged was less. Meade telegraphs a safe guard has come in who reporte the field strewn with rebel dead and says this shows how severely they were punished. He says the safe gnard talked with rebel officers, who -say their loss was greater than ever before during tbe war. -Grsot says the-enemy cannot sUnd the losses on the Weldon Railroad. SUnton estimates the rebel loss in the last two weeks at 10,000, and Federal loss as heavy. Dispatches fram Chicago say McClellan will be nominated. War Democrats are pressing Dix, but ne stanus no cnance. uov. uampbelL of Tenn.. Guthrie, ef Ky., or Pendleton, of Ohio, will be nom inated for Vice President A great peace meeting was held in Chicae-o on - Saturday night Garrett Davis, Vallandigbana and iernanao Wood spoke. McClellan and Horatio Seymour sre prominent candidates for the Presidency. The Tallahauee is reported to hare captured 27 vessels. Later accounts report her at Halifax. Richmond, Aug. 31. The Herald of the J9th has a telegram from Chicago which stetes that the . flew lore delegation were received with a nerfeet ovation from Detroit to Chicago at every station. Kvery delegation closed with cheers for McClellan. Thayes, of New York, several times asked the crowds, "who wanted Seymour nominated ?" . The cry was always emphatically, no McClellan. Dean Richmond expresses the positive conviction that McClellan will be nominated. Petsksburo, Aug. 81. The Herald of the 30th Kays that Sheridan telegraphs that Early left bis front on Friday night; falling back to Smithfield or Middle Way. He has reports of the capture of 100 prisoners and in flying the loss of the rebels waa 150 killed and wounded. The Herald says McClellan will be nominated. but the contest will be between McClellan and Sevmour. Sheridan says the indications are that the rebels wi I leave the Valley. The Herald apprehends that the draft will be re sisted in the city at: da conflict between tbe con scripts and the authorities wiil take place, which may seriously disturb the public peace. Stanton telegraphs Dix that' he has not heard from Sherman for two days. Tbe Chicago Convention. Richmond, Aug. 81. Tbe Washington Chreaiele of the 80th haa press telegrams from Chicago of the yyyi. f nn convention was called to order by Bel mont In his remarks on Uking the chair he urged harmonious action in order to succeed in tbe causa of the Constitution and the Union, and that, laws may prevail over fanaticism and treason. Rev. Mr. Clavkson offered prayer for a speedy peace. A committee of one from each delegation was appoint ed to report resolutions. A number of resolutions were read and referred, including one by Long, of ' Ohio, for the appointment of a committee to pro cesd to Washington to pursuade Lincoln to suspend the draft until it is decided at tbe coming election in favor of peace or war, by the election of candi dates for the Presidency. The Convention adjourn ed until to morrow. Tbe New York delegation took a vote as to its choice for the Presidency, giving McClellan 68, scattering 13. The Ohio delegation voted McClel lan 16, against him 26; Indiana, McClellan It, against 14 ; Illinois, McClellan S3, against 10. A special dispatch from Chicago of the 29th says the excitement is intense. Vallandigham had made speeches demanding peace on any terms. The out side Eentiment is strong for peace. Pendleton, of ' Ohio, gains strongly for the nomination to the Viee Presidency. The committee on organisation will recommend Seymour for President of the Conven tion. The committee on resolutions held a long session. Vallandigham was defeated for Chairman,' and Guthrie elected. From Richmond. Ricbxoko, August 81. A communication frost Judge Ould, addressed to the relatives and, friends of Confederates confined in Northern .prison, will be published to morrow, setting forth the efforts made by tbe Confederate authorities to effect sa exchange of prisoners. Ould gave a copy of the letter sent by Mulford yesterday aud is waiting for a reply to his last proposition. Mulford answers, under date ofto day, as follows ; I have no communication on the subject from our authorities, nor am I authorized to make an answer. From East Tennessee. Ltncibubo, Aug. 31. A correspondent of the Republican under date Bristol, August 9th, says Wbeeler has burned London bridge over the Ten nessee river, and went thence to Marysvills where lie captured 700 prisoners, thence to New Maiket capturing 300 prisoners, all of which ha seat to South Carolina. The above news was heard at Bristol by the evening train and was deemed reliable by the au thorities there. ' Fro as Miasiesippl. . OsTsiA, Aug. 29. The enemy 7,000; strong are. in full retreat ior the river. OoL Scott has all tfca roads blockaded in their front and CoL McClelland is between them and the river. CoL Ogdeiv vjilb. his command, Maj. Cabei's cavalry, are in purstut, Capt Bartons Battery is close to the river. n.rtt Jnhn W I.,wt nf rtl. Scott'-e ataft wkiaa carrying a very iinporUat dispatch bad his borsa 'shot and was slightly wounded. From Richmond. Ricdmohd. Aug. 81. The flag of truce,' beet; "New York" arrive! yesterday at Verina, bnpgnr live officers, inciudingM-jor Armsey,Capt Wood nnd one Chaplain, and Mrs. Gen. VaugaodfaBV ily. - -' " " -