ing, by force of arms, the Government of their choice and the life of the nation, they are at the same time effectually asserting the inviolable doctrine that this continent is forever devoted to the cause of liberal institutions and republican government. 2. Resolved, That the recent signal victories achieved by the military and naval power of the United States over the insurgent forces in revolt against the Government call for the expression of cordial congratulations to officers, soldiers, and seamen, who share in the renown of these glorious successes. 8. Resolved, That the armies led by Generals Graut, Sherman, Thomas, Meade, Sheridan, and Terry, and the naval forces serving under the orders of Admirals Farragut and Porter, have, by their valor and devotion to duty, maintained the integrity of the nation and upheld the honor of its flag, and richly deserve the applause of a grateful people. 4. Resolved, That in brilliancy of design, intrepid energy of action, inexorable determination to compel success, the campaign of Georgia and the Carolinas has no example in military history, and covers the names of Grant and Sherman with imperishable glory. 5. Resolved, That the treacherous assault upon Sumter has been fitly expiated in the ignominious flight of the assailants from the soil they had desecrated without a shot fired in defense of a city dedicated to treason. 6. Resolved, That it is becoming in a free and enlightened people to recognize and applaud distinguished public services rendered in the cause of the country, and that the citizens of New York regard it as a duty to give public expression of their gratitude to the heroic men who, under Divine Providence, have defended the flag and preserved the honor of the nation. 7. Resolved, That a committee of citizens be appointed to consider and report, at a subsequent meeting to be called by the chairman and secretary, in regard to the time and manner of celebrating the recent triumphs of the Union arms, and with the purpose of uniting in a whole community, irrespective of all other considerations, in a grand ovation to the principles of loyal duty to the country and its Government. 8. Resolved, That copies of these resolutions be transmitted to the President of the United States, to the governor of this State, and to the several officers named therein, and that the same be published. Brief remarks were made by Mr. William M. Evarts, Mr. Wetmore, and others, and the resolutions were unanimously adopted. Judge Davies offered the. following resolution, which was seconded by Mr. R. L. Stuart, and unanimously adopted: Resolved, That the President be requested to send a national ship to Charleston Harbor to convey thither General Robert Anderson, that he may replace upon the flag-staff of Fort Sumter that national banner, the emblem of our liberties and of our Union, which, on the 13th of April, 1861, he was compelled to lower at the dictation of the traitors of South Carolina. By order of the meeting: MOSES TAYLOR, Chairman. S. B. CHITTENDEN, Secretaries. SPECIAL ORDERS, WAR DEPT., ADJT. GENERAL'S OFFICE, No. Washington, February 25, 1865. 53. Brig. Gen. Hugh Ewing, U. S. Volunteers, will report in person. without delay to Major-General Schofield, U. S. Volunteers, commanding Department of North Carolina, to relieve Brig. Gen. T. F. Meagher, U. S. Volunteers. HDQRS. DEPARTMENT AND ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE, Maj. Gen. W. T. SHERMAN, Commanding Military Division of the Mississippi: GENERAL: Your dispatch of yesterday is just received. General Logan's head of column reached West's Cross-Roads, near De Bruhl's, where he encamped two divisions last night. His other two divisions are heading on the same road, having moved toward Camden as far as Saunders' Creek, and then taking a cross-road directly toward Tillersville. I have to-day sent my headquarters escort, signal party, and scouts with instructions to go to Camden, burn the depot and bridge, and then rejoin us. I also directed General Logan to send all his mounted men to secure and hold Tiller's Bridge. The rest of Logan's command will remain in camp to-day. General Blair's head of column encamped near Flat Rock last night. As soon as he gets near enough he will send his mounted infantry straight to Young's Bridge. Considering the rain the roads in this quarter are not bad, though the farms are not very productive, and a good ways apart. My scouts, day before yesterday, under Lieutenant McQueen, stampeded a force of the enemy near Camden, captured three prisoners, and broke up twelve or fifteen muskets. General Logan's scouts were near Camden yesterday, and encountered some mounted militia, but no great force. The advance yesterday captured some 50 or 60 refugee wagons and a large number of fine mules. General John E. Smith's foragers captured about 70 militia. It is said they gave themselves up. General Blair's advance encountered a few rebel cavalry near Flat Rock last night. We have a good many prisoners, who left Charleston Thursday. The information is positive that Charleston is in our hands. A dispatch was received in Camden yesterday stating that Wilmington was in possession of our forces. At the last crossing about 2,000 horses and mules were taken from men not authorized to use them. The unserviceable were killed. The artillery and mounted men and pontoon trains were refitted. I believe I understand your views fully, and will not hasten my march too much, and will carefully consider the propriety of sending a force to Florence. I think I might at least secure some rolling-stock above Black Creek by tapping the railroad near Darlington. I could send a division light to Darlington with mounted infantry. Thence the latter could move down to Florence and vicinity, burn bridges, trestle-work, &c., and return. This could be accomplished and the entire expedi tion reach Cheraw in five days, causing us to wait at Cheraw about three days. Please say if your movements on the left will admit of that amount of delay. My headquarters to-morrow night will be at Tillersville Post-Office. Please communicate with me through General Blair. This will probably reach you in time to answer to-night, as the rear of General Blair's column will not be farther than Williams' CrossRoads. Very respectfully, O. O. HOWARD, CIRCULAR.] HDQRS. DEPT. AND ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE, Near Williams' Cross-Roads, S. C., February 25, 1865. The general believes that it is the enemy's intention to kill our foragers after capture. Two were found murdered the other day and labeled "Death to foragers." Two were killed this morning near General John E. Smith's camp. General Sherman's directions with regard to retaliation will be strictly carried out by corps and division commanders; yet it is enjoined again upon all officers to prohibit individual foraging. The party must be big enough to be self-protecting. In two or three instances of late trains have been so straggled out on the march that a sudden dash of the enemy might capture several wagons without difficulty, and frequently wagons are sent out to forage with insufficient guards of five or six men. Every officer who cares at all for our safety and would save the precious lives of our men must do his part to prevent these irregularities. If not already done, an officer will be detailed in each brigade to have permanent charge of the foraging parties. His name will be registered at division and corps headquarters. The corps chief of artillery will regulate the foraging for the Artillery Brigade of the corps; the chief quartermaster for the trains of the corps, and an officer be appointed to the same duty for each headquarters. Capt. P. A. Taylor, chief signal officer, is announced as the officer for these headquarters. The specific directions of each corps commander will be republished. By order of Maj. Gen. O. O. Howard: SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS, No. 49. A. M. VAN DYKE, Assistant Adjutant-General.. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT AND ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE, Near Williams' Cross-Roads, February 25, 1865. The movement for to-morrow will commence at 7 a. m. The Seventeenth Army Corps, Maj. Gen. F. P. Blair commanding, will move to Young's Bridge. The Fifteenth Army Corps, Maj. Gen. John A. Logan commanding, will move to Tiller's Bridge and cross at least two divisious. Each of the pontoon trains will be located daily in the column by the corps commander and its commanding officer notified. Headquarters will be to-morrow night at Tiller's Bridge. By order of Maj. Gen. O. O. Howard: A. M. VAN DYKE, Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Capt. A. M. VAN DYKE, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Department and Army of the Tennessee: CAPTAIN: The rebel cavalry are moving on the Porter road, down on my flank. I have had a little fight with them and drove them off apparently. What they may have behind them I cannot say. I have had 2 men killed and several wounded; have killed and wounded some 10 rebels. Think it would be well for General Blair to send some of his advance well out toward this (Porter's) road to see what is in his front. Have possession of Tiller's Bridge all safe. I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, [Indorsement.] HDQRS. DEPT. AND ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE, Near Williams' Cross-Roads, February 25, 1865-2.35 p. m. Respectfully referred to Major-General Blair, commanding Seventeenth Army Corps, for his information. I think the road referred to in the within communication is the one shown on the map as running direct from West's to Camden. By order of Major-General Howard: WM. E. STRONG, Chief of Staff. HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS, [Maj. MAX. WOODHULL:] MAJOR: I respectfully report that I am still occupying the position as reported last evening. There are no indications of the enemy in my front. To-day there was one regiment of the Second Brigade of my division sent out on the road toward Camden to the distance of four miles and a half from my camp, but the reconnaissance discovered no signs of the enemy. Some of my foragers have been captured off in the direction of Camden, though I cannot learn of their being any body of rebels in that vicinity. The parties have all been well cautioned against separating when away from the column. One of my regiments encamps out on the Camden road one mile to-night, and I have a party of eighty men, mounted, sent back to the rear this evening, partially with a view to reconnoitering in that direction. I am, major, very respectfully, C. R. WOODS, Brevet Major-General. HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Brevet Major-General WOODS, Commanding First Division, Fifteenth Army Corps: GENERAL: Instances of brutality, and murder even, have come to the attention of the commanding general, committed, it is presumed, by the citizens of the country upon foragers from this and other corps of the army. Moving through an enemy's country, in the manner and on distant marches as this army does, it becomes necessary to resort to this means of obtaining subsistence, as it would be impossible to carry rations for the campaign in our wagon trains. The general commanding has given the matter his attention, and would have issued instructions relative to a system of retaliation had not the commander-in-chief himself prepared a note upon the subject. I am directed to communicate the following extract from General Sherman's note for your information and guidance: [Extract.] He (General Kilpatrick) reports that two men of his foraging parties were murdered after capture by the enemy and labeled "Death to all foragers." Now, it is clearly our war right to subsist our army on the enemy. Napoleon always did it, but could avail himself of the civil powers he found in existence to collect forage and provisions by regular impressments. We cannot do that here, and I contend if the enemy fails to defend his country we may rightfully appropriate what we want. If our foragers act under mine, yours, or other proper authority, they must be protected. I have ordered Kilpatrick to select of his prisoners man for man, shoot them, and leave them by the roadside labeled, so that our enemy will see that for every man he executes he takes the life of one of his own. I want the foragers, however, to be kept within reasonable bounds for the sake of discipline. I will not protect them when they enter dwellings and commit wanton waste, such as woman's apparel, jewelry, and such things as are not needed by our army. They may destroy cotton and tobacco, because these things are assumed by the rebel Government to belong to it, and are used as a valuable source of revenue. Nor will I consent to the enemy taking the lives of our men on their judgment. They have lost all title to property and can lose nothing not already forfeited, but we should punish for a departure from orders, and if the people resist our foragers I will not deem it wrong, but the Confederate army must not be supposed the champions of any people. I lay down these general rules and wish you to be governed by them. If any of your foragers are murdered, take life for life, leaving a record of each case. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, (Same to Generals Hazen, John E. Smith, and Corse.) HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Maj. Gen. W. B. HAZEN, Commanding Second Division, Fifteenth Army Corps: GENERAL: I am directed by the general commanding to request you to push a brigade at once to the cross-roads at R. McCaskill's, where they will please go into camp in a defensive position, covering the cross-roads. General Smith has been skirmishing with the enemy's cavalry, and a force of rebels is believed to be in this vicinity. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, MAX. WOODHULL, Assistant Adjutant-General. HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Maj. MAX. WOODHULL, Assistant Adjutant-General: The head of column of both divisions has arrived here and encamping. I sent a force of mounted foragers early this morning to take possession of Tiller's Bridge. As soon as I hear from them I will report their GENERAL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note written at 1 p. m. I presume ere this you have received instructions from the general commanding to place one brigade in position at the cross-roads at R. McCaskill's, and to send another to Tiller's Bridge, |