West, has with Gen. Grant, been introduced
into the East, and with such advantages for
aggressive operations against such, drawbacks and embarrassments to the enemy, as
the Army of the Potomac has never before
commanded.
Through the year 1861 the people of the so-called Southern Confederacy were bountifully sustained from the fruitful grain, cattle and swine-producing States of Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas, Western Louisiana and Texas. At the end of the year 1862, though dispossessed of Kentucky and Missouri, Western Tennessee and a part of Louisiana, their lines of communication from Texas to Richmond were still uninterrupted. But what is the present situation of their "Confederacy?" With the trans-Mississippi States completely cut off, it is now practicably reduced to Southern Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi, excepting those parts of each of these States occupied by the Union forces. This restricted and beleaguered Confederacy by land and sea, comprising some 4,000,000 of inhabitants (one-half African slaves), is now practically all that is left of a rebellious Confederation, originally comprehending 11,000,000 of souls.
The armies of Davis within this diminished empire, drawn from all the slave States, and variously represented as making a sum total of from 200,000 to 300,000 men—these armies are now mainly subsisted from the last year's Indian corn crop of Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi. And here lies the fatal weakness of Jeff Davis in undertaking, against all the adverse circumstances suggested, still to maintain the prestige of his authority at Richmond. For 100 miles around that city the country is exhausted, and North Carolina has been so impoverished by Confederate foragers that the scanty supplies still held by her planters are hardly equal to the extremest necessities of her destitute people. The armies of Davis in Virginia draw their supplies of food mainly from Georgia; and the capacities of their two life-sustaining lines of rickety railroads are taxed to the uttermost to meet the necessities of Richmond and Gen. Lee from day to day.
Under such a state of things the elaborate entrenchments which enclose the army of Davis on the Rapidan, and the formidable network of fortifications which encircle his capital are literally no defences at all. The protection of their railroad lines between the Rapidan and Richmond, and thence to Atlanta, in Georgia, is the first essential to the security of Davis and Lee in Virginia. Hence the mustering of all their available forces for the inevitable work of open field fighting, but the danger at Atlanta is also imminent. The army of Gen. Thomas, at Chattanooga is a powerful army, and with Longstreet removed from East Tennessee, Gen. Joe Johnston must be strengthened as well as Gen. Lee, or the evacuation of Richmond may be enforced upon Davis by the loss of Atlanta.
From the relative situation of the opposing forces in Virginia; from the decided superiority in numbers, equipment and efficiency of the legions of Gen. Grant, as compared with the highest estimates (90,000 men) of the enemy's strength; from the necessities which will compel Gen. Lee to abandon his entrenchments, to protect his lines of subsistence; from every point of view in which we have considered the subject, we are confirmed in our opinion that in the Virginia campaign of 1864 all the misfortunes of '61, '62 and '63 will be repaired, and that the grand object of a crushing blow to the rebellion will be fully achieved. The wisest combinations of war, we know, are frequently overthrown by the most trivial accidents or mistakes; but still, in this instance, we have no fear that our foreshadowings as a prophet will be marred by the facts of the historian. We anticipate an unexampled and exulting celebration of the coining 4th of July.
Boston, New York and Newport Steamboat Company.—Those accustomed to the conveniences and comfort of the old Fall River route, between New York and Boston, will be glad to learn that the new Company, into whose hands this popular line has recently passed, have spared neither pains nor expense in increasing the elegance and convenience of their boats. The Metropolis has been thoroughly refitted, enlarged and refurnished at an expense of $100,000, and the Empire State is soon to be hauled off for similar improvements. Mr. E. Littlefield, the Agent of the Company in New York, has his office at No. 72 Broadway.
Hudson River Navigation.—Trips up the river have been resumed by the favorite steamer Mary Powell, under the charge of the popular Capt. Anderson. The boat will leave Jay street daily at 3½ o'clock p.m., stopping at West Point, Cold Spring, Newburg, Cornwall, New Hamburg, Milton, Poughkeepsie and Rondout.
The National Loan.—Seldom has any loan been so welcomed by the monied world as the United States 10.40 loan. In one month 33 millions were subscribed for, and there is no doubt but every dollar the Government wants will be got at 5 per cent. interest, payable in gold. It is the best investment of the day.
Barnum's American Museum.
FOUR ENORMOUS GIANTS—Three men and one woman, each over eight feet high; two Dwarfs, each less than two feet high—besides a host of other Novelties. DRAMATIC PERFORMANCES daily at 3 and 7½ o'clock p.m. Admission to all only 25 cents.
Oscanyan's Oriental Album.
The gift of a copy of this Album to newspapers advertising it is withdrawn for the present, in consequence of the great demand for this unique and popular collection of Photographs. Costs only #3. Sent free my mail, on receipt of price.
N. B.—To prevent counterfeiting, each package is accompanied by the proprietor's own autograph in four different languages, viz: Turkish, Armenian, Greek and English.
FRANK LESLIE'S
ILLUSTRATED NEWSPAPER.
NEW YORK, MAY 14, 1864.
All Communications, Books for Review, etc., must be addressed to Frank Leslie, 538 Pearl street, New York.
Dealers supplied and subscriptions received for Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, also Frank Leslie's Pictorial History of the War of 1861, by George P. Bemis & Co., Proprietors of the London American, 100 Fleet Street, London, England. Single copies always on sale.
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NOTICE.
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To Correspondents.
Declined.—Patrick Maglone—Old Age—Something New—Serenade—Drover's Leap—Amy Hazlewood—The Fisherman.
Stories of a high character, poems, and sketches for comic illustration are thankfully received. They will be read promptly, and returned if not accepted. Care should be taken to write legibly, and give the address especially with all distinctions.
Summary of the Week.
VIRGINIA.
A cavalry skirmish occurred recently near Strasburg, Va., between 100 of the 1st New York and 300 rebels.
Seven of Moseby's men were captured on the 29th by a scouting party from Fairfax Court House.
The Union troops recently entered, and, it is said, burned Madison Court House.
NORTH CAROLINA.
A flag of truce was sent to Plymouth, but was not received.
Gen. Wessells and his little band of 1,500 fought like heroes for four days and nights, and the rebels admit a loss of 1.700.
A Union or "Buffalo" camp near Windsor was attacked and captured by the 624 Georgia, about the middle of April, and Capt. Hoggard, the commander, killed.
The Fork Jackson, Capt. B. F. Sands, with the Niphon, on the 21st, went up to Masonboro', near Wilmington, and destroyed valuable saltworks belonging to the rebel Government.
SOUTH CAROLINA.
The suspension of hostilities here has been followed by the withdrawal of troops. Beauregard has proceeded to Virginia, as he did three years ago. He passed through Wilmington on the 21st.
The shelling of the city is kept up at intervals, and a broadside given to Fort Sumter.
LOUISIANA.
Our army is at Grand Ecore, fortifying. The large boats are above, but the smaller ones are below. Several of the boats have been hotly attacked by guerillas and troops on the bank. The Blackhawk had quite an adventure with them.
Gen. Steele is said to have captured Shreveport, and Banks has advanced on the 22d to meet the enemy.
Gen. Stone has been superseded by Gen. Dwight. A small Union force had gone up the Wachita river, and a cavalry expedition had been sent out on the north bank of Red river, near Alexandria, by Gen. Grover.
The rebels, under Jumel, have made a raid on Plaquemine, destroying a large stock of cotton.
TENNESSEE.
Our pickets near Nickajack gap were attacked on the 23d, and five killed, seven wounded and 19 taken by the rebels.
ARKANSAS.
Gen. Thayer joined Gen. Steele at Elkin's ferry, on the Little Missouri river, where the rebels were driven from their breastworks. The enemy then made a stand at Prairie de Anna, fortified by riflepits and epaulements, but Steele flanked their positions, and Price retreated towards Washington. Steele then dashed on Camden, which Price endeavored in vain to reach before him. From Camden Steele moved on Shreveport.
MISSISSIPPI.
Forrest is retreating towards Alabama, followed by Gen. Grierson, who had a fight with him on the 21st near Hudsonville, MIss., and captured a number of prisoners, wagons, horses and mules.
KANSAS.
Quantrell is reported to have crossed the Arkansas and Verdigris rivers, on his way to Kansas.
Gen. Blunt has been ordered to Kansas for service.
MISSOURI.
A detachment of Rogers's Union troops at Charleston had a fight with guerillas, on the 19th and 20th inst., in which they killed 12 of them. Six more were killed by the State Militia.
KENTUCKY.
A detachment of the 45th Kentucky, under Capt. Adams, attacked the rebels in Brent Hill county, killing and capturing 20; he then pursued Everett's command, whom he also defeated, killing two officers and taking 35 men.
FLORIDA.
A party of refugees ascended Wetappoe river some 20 miles to White bluffs, and destroyed 2,000 bushels of salt. They captured a valuable barge. Some of the crew of the Restless destroyed another Government saltwork on East bay.
NAVAL.
COmmander Fox, of the Potamac flotilla, recently ran up the Rappahannock and destroyed two ferries, seven large lighters, three pontoon boats, 22 large skiffs, white oak ready to build a sloop of war, 22 large boats.
The blockade-runner Mary Sorley, from Galveston, was captured on the 3d of April.
The rebels continue their torpedo attacks. The Wabash in Charleston harbor was recently attacked, but escaped.
Admiral Dahlgren has gone back to the command of Charleston harbor.
CONGRESS.
In the Senate, on the 26th of April, a bill providing that no naval officer shall be retired until the age of 62, and whose name shall not have been borne upon the navy register 45 years after the age of 16, was referred to the Naval Committee. The rest of the proceedings were unimportant and preliminary.
In the House, the consideration of the Tax bill was resumed in Committee of the Whole. An amendment that incomes derived from the interest of notes, bonds or other securities of the United States shall be included in the estimate of incomes was adopted. Another amendment, providing that on incomes exceeding $800 and not more than $10,000, a tax of 5 per centum shall be imposed; on incomes of $10,000 and not exceeding $25,000, a tax of 7½ per centum shall be imposed; and on incomes of over $25,000, a tax of 10 per centum shall be imposed, was agreed to by a vote of 73 against 35. A proposition to tax the salaries of Members of Congress 10 per cent. was voted down by a large majority. At the evening session a number of bills giving away a large quantity of the public lands for Western railroads and other purposes were passed.
In the Senate, on the 27th, the National Currency bill was under consideration at length, but no conclusion was reached. Several bills of commercial interest were passed, and petitions presented from the wives, widows, mothers and sisters of soldiers, praying for an increase of the soldier's pay.
In the House, the Tax bill was taken up and considered vigorously, progress being made to the 119th section. The joint resolution from the Senate appropriating $25,000,000 to pay the expenses of the 100 day troops was passed.
In the Senate, on the 28th, after the transaction of some unimportant business, Mr. Fessenden reported the House joint resolution, increasing the duties on foreign imports temporarily 50 per cent., with an amendment making the increase 33½ per cent., and exempting goods in bond and in transit. A spirited debate followed the submission of this amendment, and after considerable manœuvreing the House bill was finally passed without alteration by a vote of 30 to 8, whereupon the Senate adjourned.
In the House, the Internal Revenue bill occupied the larger part of the session. A spirited debate ensued upon a motion to tax the circulation of all other than National Banks ¼ of 1 per cent. per month, but the amendment was finally adopted by the close vote of 52 to 51. An amendment was offered by Mr. Fernando Wood repealing the act of March last, which imposes a tax upon liquors on hand; and Mr. Washburne moved, as a substitute, to tax domestic liquors on hand 50 cents a gallon, with some restrictions. This amendment was adopted by 72 to 62.
In the Senate, on the 25th of April, Mr. Sumner presented a joint resolution authorizing every road operated by steam to become a postal or mail route, and to carry the mails at such compensation as the Government thought fit to bestow. The disagreement on the Montana question came up, and was discussed by Mr. Doolittle until the close of the session.
The House sessions, both day and evening, where occupied mainly with the Tax bill, and considerable progress was made.
In the Senate, on the 30th of April, Mr. Sumner offered a resolution requesting the President to communicate to the Senate the opinion of Attorney-General as to the rights of colored persons in the army and elsewhere, but Mr. Powell objected, and the matter was laid over.
In the House, a resolution for a Special Committee to investigate the charges against the Treasury Department was adopted, and Messrs. Garfield, Wilson, Davis, Fenton and Jenckes, Republicans, and Brooks, Stewart, Dawson and Steele, Opposition, were appointed said Committee. The Army Appropriation bill was then taken up, the question being on agreeing to the Senate's amendment thereto. The amendment placing colored troops on an equality, as regards pay, rations and allowances with white soldiers, excited a long and lively discussion, but finally the amendment was adopted by a vote of 81 against 49.
FOREIGN NEWS.
Maximilian accepted the crown from the Mexican deputation at Miramar on the 10th of April. The formality was conducted with great pomp. The new Emperor made a speech in reply to the deputation, stating that he was convinced that the throne was voted by a great majority of the Mexican people. After this he was addressed as Emperor and the Archduchess as Empress. The Mexican flag was hoisted at the castle of Miramar and saluted with 21 guns. The Emperor commissioned ministers to the courts of Rome, Vienna and Paris, and made quite a number of appointments for his staff and household. On the 11th of April Maximilian was seized with a low fever so that his departure was again delayed. It was thought he would set out on the 14th instant for Rome, where he goes to receive the benediction of the Pope, of which he, as he states himself, stands in great need. The Archduchess, his wife, after some very difficult negotiation in Vienna, and after renouncing her right to the throne of Austria and her income from the State, brought the Emperor Francis Joseph to Miramar to sign the great Imperial State paper of Mexico.
Duppel was still besieged and vigorously bombarded by the Germans. Its fortified works were almost silenced; but still the garrison defended the ruins with vigor. The Danes made a vigorous sortie on the Prussians, but were repulsed. The Conference had not yet assembled in London. The English House of Commons expressed some doubts of the prudence of permitting the English Delegate in the Conference to pledge the nation to any strict course of policy on the Dano-German question without the consent of the Parliament.
Garibaldi had entered London. He had a popular reception of the most enthusiastic description. The crown in the streets was about equal to that which received the Prince and Princess of Wales. Mazzini was endorsed by the working men in their address to Garibaldi. The General had private audiences with Lord Palmerston and Earl Russell. He was afterwards entertained at a banquet given by the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland. The city fêtes in his honor were to continue some days.
Lord Clarendon had gone on a private mission to Paris. It is said that he was to endeavor to allay an "irritation" which had sprang up in Napoleon's mind towards England since the Mazzini-Stansfeld exposé.
Twelve vessels, from Matamoras, Nassau and Bermuda, laden for the most part with cotton from the rebel States, reached Liverpool in two days.
The City of New York remained fast on Daunt's rock.
TOWN GOSSIP.
About May Time.
"Pity the sorrows of a poor"—landlord-ridden city.
In no other part of this wealth-bestridden land does such an execrable custom exist as that of making all renting and leasing terminate on a certain day, and that day the most uncertain of the year. To New York city alone belongs the insane custom, that could only have been derived from the King of Dahomey, of parading the household appurtenancies and goods of mankind through the streets upon a set day, and inviting all the world to look upon his poverty or his wealth. We are, perhaps, doing the before-mentioned monarch an injustice in attributing to him so disgusting a fashion, when we remember that his celebrated "custom," as it is called, or holiday of "Parading the King's Wealth," is confined to his own property, which, upon the 25th of May, is taken from the palace and borne by an army of his slaves through the streets of the city of Abomey, and then returned to its old quarters. In this "custom" the King merely parades his household utensils, but, wiser than barbarian whites, does not attempt to change their place of deposit. His civilization extends farther than that of New York landlords, and does not force upon his loving subjects a following of his "custom."
While in the country the day is ushered in
With buds and flowers, and sunny hours,
And birds in gladness singing;
With loosened streams and lovers' dreams,
And winds their perfumes flinging;
With laughing eyes and joyous cries,
Through field and homestead ringing,
To falling age its life's first page
In memoried beauty bringing.
In the city, as though intended to illustrate the old saying that God made the country and man made the town, it comes:
With smash and crash, and fearful dash
Our household gods they're flinging,
And draymen's screams, the music seems
Of loosened devils singing;
With careworn face and hurrying pace
Each wretched cit is bringing
His weary limbs, where'er their whims
His broken goods are flinging.
The enormous rise in rents, so utterly at variance with the small rise in the value of labor, has this year driven an immense per centage of New Yorkers to a change of domicile. Those who have been accustomed to pay $12 per month for rooms, find themselves charged $20, and have, consequently, sought less comfortable quarters, where they can live at the old price or somewhere near it. The same rule applies all the way up the scale, and all classes suffer alike. There is one thing in connection with this matter at which we never fail to wonder, and that is why capitalists do not esteem it worth while to enter upon suburban building on a large scale, and offer inducements to men of small means and mechanics to live in.
Country Houses.
To show how this can be done, let us enter upon a financial estimate.
Within half an hour's travel of the city by rail and steamboat upon Long island, the Passaic river, the Raritan, the East river, and a score of other places, there is plenty of good ground that can be bought for $500 an acre. What is to prevent this being cut into acre or half acre plots, the first with a house costing $1,500 and containing six rooms, the last with one of $750 and four rooms, and rented to citizens? We speak practically when we say that these houses can be contracted for and well finished at that price, and allowing a liberal estimate, rented for 10 per cent on the entire cost, which would be $200 and $100. To make the working of such a piau practical it must have the co-operation of the railroads and steamboats running to the spot, and while a low rate of commutation and swift time makes it possible for the humblest workman to spend the charge, and be at his city labor at the earliest hour, it will eventually reward them by increased travel. This can be done by an addition of $25 per annum to the family expense, and the time consumed in reaching this rural home will not be longer for the clerk and working man than now in reaching the City Hall from 40th street; time that in the cars or on the boats can be profitably employed in reading the morning papers or something else.
This is no dreamer's scheme, but only wants the action of a few practical men to become a reality.
What nobler charity could awaken the hearts of our Lennoxes, Astors, Blunts, and other rich and benevolent citizens, than that of relieving an over populated city, decreasing mortality and destroying the infamous tenant-house system, in which property we feel sure that none but Shylocks and money grabbers ever invest.
Posthumous Record of the Fair.
With the going down of the sun on the third week of its existence the Sanitary Fair went out, and the glories of its over-rated magnificence became among the key things that were. A slight effort was made to keep the Union Square Department open for a few days at a tax of 50 cents per head for those who
