Thoughtfully curated historical journalism
The Cairo correspondent of the St. Louis Republican writes :
The seamen who lately arrived from the East, and who are now quartered on the receiving ship Maria Denning, are a queer set, haying customs, thoughts and, expressions peculiar to themselves. They attract considerable attention when allowed on shore. Directly, on their arrival, while they were being transferred from the cars to the boat, some of them picked up a little; boy, about knee high, a bright little fellow who was just beginning to talk, stuffed him in a mess chest and smuggled him in board. They tattoed the youngster with their marks, and took such rough care of him as they could. When asked where they got him, they swore that he belonged to them, and that they had brought him from the East. The “old man,” however, was not satisfied, knowing their tricks by experience. He took the little fellow on shore, bought him a cap and feather, with other “fancy fixings” and after a time found his home, restoring him to his anxious mother.
The Fortress Monroe correspondent of the New York Times says of the resent engagement at Newport News, between the Confederate steamer Yorktown and some of our gunboats, that:
One after another the acts of the Government show their utter contempt the rights of our State. They have the railroads, and now, without any act of the loyal Legislature, at present in session, they have taken the canal. We do not see them taking the canals of Pennsylvania, New York, or Ohio, though the necessity may he quite as urgent.
Among the many instances where the bravery of our officers and men have shown conspicuous, the one we copy from the Boston Gazette is almost unequalled
Captain Spencer, aid to General Wool received information from two ladies, who went from Norfolk to Fortress Monroe with a flag of truce, that near midnight a six-oared boat was to leave Norfolk for Richmond with money for the payment of the rebel soldiers. He requested permission of Major General Wool to attempt their capture, and was told not to place too much confidence in the information received. Nevertheless, permission was given, and selecting two oarsmen on whom he could rely, with their oars muffled, he started at dark and awaited the coming of the enemy’s boat he had preciously given directions to his men to pull directly for the boat, and on the moment of striking to “back water” instantly.
Correspondence of the American
Hilton Head, Port Royal
South Carolina, Nov. 28
Dear American : Although we had an order more than a week ago to hold ourselves in readiness to move at a moment’s notice, we have not “budged an inch” since. The story in camp is that we have been ordered to leave to-morrow, but l am not certain about it. We are not allowed to know where we are going, but it is said to be not over one day’s sail. I hope it will not be far, for I am heartily sick of “steaming it o’er the main.”
I have nothing very particular to write you for news. Everything seems to be moving on to the completion of the defence of this island. Hundreds of men are continually throwing up entrenchments and fortifications. It is said that “Jeff.” says “he will have this island in his hands again, if it takes every man he can raise.” It will take every man he can raise, and then “he will not be able to re-take it. Gen. Sherman says: “Give me two weeks more, and I will defy all he can bring against me.” We have no idea that an effort will be made to regain what they have lost here. Yesterday, our gunboats “let loose their dogs of war,”” on a small place, about six miles from here, where a number of rebels had made their appearance. I understand they scattered in “double quick” time. We distinctly heard the booming of the cannon here. It is of no use for them to come prying into our affairs, to get information in regard to our proceedings, in order to report to their rebel chief, because “argus eyes’’ are upon them—our pickets are stationed at every corner and loophole, ready and most willing to give the alarm on the instant any appearance of their “ugly phizes,” becomes manifest.
Engineers Considering the Feasibility of Plans for Structure to Outrank Woolworth Tower.
New York, Dec. 9.—New York is to have an 88-story office building outranking in height the Woolworth building, which has 61 stories, according to meager information obtainable in real estate circles.
No definite Information regarding the new building will be given the public for the present, it was said at the offices of Cass Gilbert, architect. It was admitted that the project was under consideration, although details are being withheld because negotiations for the size have not been closed.
The new mammoth structure will occupy an entire block in downtown Broadway, it is said.
The weather of the past few days has been quite pleasant. Seldom is such moderate weather experienced so late in the season. Even at dawn this morning the atmosphere was quite balmy, and the weather, but little hazy, altogether suitable for a morning jaunt. Light had dawned upon a city of stillness. The streets were without an echo, save when the sentry’s musket struck the pavement, or the lumbering of a distant wagon made a heavy murmur up in the air. The beautiful river slept without a wave beneath the early light, and shone in the thin mist like burnished steel.
(From the Norfolk Day Book, Dec. 3.)
For some days past two or three of the federal gunboats have been in the habit of running up James river five or six miles above Newport News each evening, and remaining there all night. What the object of this is unknown, unless it may have been to keep a watch on the movements of the Confederate steamer Patrick Henry. These gunboats on Sunday evening repelled this same manouvre, and on yesterday morning the Patrick Henry got under way from her position further up James river and came down. On seeing her the gunboats left immediately and put out down the river towards the blockading ships. The Patrick Henry continued her chase after them, and they ran in under the protection of the guns of the frigates Cumberland and Congress and the fort at Newport News.