Indiana State Sentinel, Volume 22, Number 7, Indianapolis, Marion County, 7 July 1862 — Page 2

WEEKLY SENTINEL

M V JILY 7 The ( nlon it must e prc.ereea. JacJtson. Democratic Union State Ticket. rOft 8CC RET AKT Of STAT. JAMES S. ATHON, Or Marion Count v. rot AUDITOR Of STATE, JOSEPH RISTINE, Of Fountain County. rOK T.EASl.E. r TUT., MATTHEW L. BRETT, Of Daviess County. FO. ATTORNEY GENERAL, OSCAR B HORD, Ot Dec.itur Cointy. rOR SUPER! tfTEXDETT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, SAMUEL L. RÜGO, Of Allen County. The Democratic täte TIass Convention. The proposed Mass Convention of the Democ racy and conservative citizens of Indiana tobe held in this city on Wednesday, .he 30th of July, promises to be the largest and most imposing ever assembled within the State. The call is everywhere favorably received, with the assurance that it will meet with a favorable response from all who desire to maintain the Constitution as it is and to perpetuate the Union as it was. With great pleasure we announce that the Hon. Johx J. Crittenden, ot Kentucky; Hon. Wm. A. Richardson, of Illinois; Hon. Johx S. Carlile, U. S. Senator from Weitem Virginia; and Hon. Charles A. Wickliffe, of Kentucky, have accepted the invitation of the Central Committee to be present and address the Convention. Mr Crittenden says "that nothing shall prevent his attendance except some providential circumstance." The Democracy of Indiana we know will tnrn out en masse to welcome the-e distinguished citizens, whose devotion to the Constitution and the Union.and elevated andslf-sacrificing patriotism none can question. Arrangement wilt be made by the committee with the railroad companies leading into this city to run half f ue trains for the accommodation of all who may desire to attend. We append the Hon. W. A. Richardson's letter of acceptance, who is known to the Democracy of the nation as (he lite Ions and most intimateTrieod of the late Senator Dot glas: Washington, July 3, 1862. J. J. Bingham, Esq , Secretary, kc. Dear Sir: I am in receipt of yours ot the 2Hlh of June asking me to be present at a Mass Convention at Indianapolis on the .'0th of this month. I accept the invitation wyh pleasure. There are many strong ties existing to bind me to the Democracy of Indiana. I remember gratefully and shall while I live the devotion with which their repie sen t.itives stood byme at Charleston and Baltimore in support of the great and lamented Douglas. As they fought by my side then, so I am willing to render them faithlul service now. Our battie is for the Constitution as our Fathers made it and for the Union born of that Constitution, and if our treat leader was alive to-day his voice would be hetrd as in times goue by cheering on the movement in which the "Democracy and conservative citizens" of Indiana are engaged. Animated by this feeling and actuated by the principles to which my lite has been devoted, I shall feel happy and honored to meet and council with the friends of constitutional Government on the 30th inst. I have the honor to be your obedient servant. W. A. Richardson. Toe Light Hays Fighting Before Hichmond. The Administration has erred in attempting to conceal from the people the result of the eight days fighting before Richmond. In a popular Government there is nothing gained by such a course. Honesty is always the best policy, and the effort to withhold information defeats the very object which is hoped to be gained thereby. If our arms have met with a reverse, let the people know it, so they may hive the opportunity to meet the exigencies which disaster occasions. Fortunately if oue source of informatian is closed, others are still open. From the cones pendents of the press we learn what those in power have withheld. Overpowered by numbers and a sagacious foe. the Federal urmy lias re ceived a check in its advance upon Richmond and compelled to change position. In the terrible conflict which will occupy a prominent page in history, the two armies fought with unsurpassed bravery, desperation and generalship. The carnage was terrible, for it could not be otherwise when two such armies fought for eight days; but amid all, nothing was developed to tarnish the courage and the gallantry ot those engaged in the fierce conflict, and who in common bear the American name. While the Federal a run has not been defeated, and in all probability occupies a stronger position now tban before the battle, it might have been different if it bad been reinforced. With an army equal to the rebel forces, and we see no reason wby It should not have been, the Fourth of July, 1562, might have been signalized by the occupation of Richmond. With every resource and every facility superior to that of the enemy, we have permitted the foe to outnumber and out general as, when a victory would have demoralized the cuemy aud hastened the termination of the controversy, if it did not virtually end it. We know not where the responsibility rests for the failure. If the Administration were advised of the superior numbers of the enemy and of the necessity of our army being reinforced, a great and fearful crime rests upon tho.-e who withheld the aid and thus jeopardized the interests of the Government. All accounts agree as to the bravery, tenacity and desperation with which our gallant army fought. The retreat of McClellan across the swamps to James river, in the face ot a much superior foe, has no equal in brilliancy and success. None but an army weit disciplined and officered could bare accomplished it. This terrible light before Richmond illustrates the truth of what has often been stated, that the Administration has never yet comprehended the magnitude of the struggle in which we are engaced or the means necessary to successfully overthrow the rebellion. TheanoihiUtion of the rebel " armies should have been the only object in view to that end II the energies of the Government should have been ditected, and no time wasted in discussing collateral issues or adopting schemes of confiscation and emancipation, useless statutes unless we had the power to enforce them. Wisdom sometimes comes by the hardest schooling, and our rulers, after a few more defeats, with tbe immense sacrifice of blood and treasure which accompany them, ma have their eyes opened. But there must be a change, a different policy in the future must be adopted, if the Government is saved. President making most cease. Peculation most stop. Radicalism must be rooted out and the conservative sentimeut of tbe country role, if we hope for tbe restoration of the Union. Tbe Generals who are faithfully fighting the battle of tbe Union must be sustained or all is lost. In conclusion we copy the following from the correspondence of the New York Tribune, and ask for the facte and state meats it contains tbe careful consideration of every truly patriotic citizen: The movement will probably be successful though its trail will be bloody. The world will regard it as a masterly stroke of genius The army will so regard it, and will feel for its commander tbe admiration and gratitude that saviors of MO ever enkindle in loyal hearts. But the brilliancy of this movement will not for an in stent dazzle the eye of th wronged and wrath-

ful men of the army of the Potomac, nor will it j

U nzie t tie siuht ot the angry people so as lor a moment to cbscuie their perception of the crime against the nation, which has made this change of base and front imperiously nec essary This crime is the refusal to reinforce McClellan. I don't care about the question which legislators, soldiers and politicians, have debated of this General's fitness to command. The York and James river peninsula was not the place for that discussion. The hour of the junction of Beauregard's and Jackson's forces to those of Johnston is not the time for such a debate. I care not lor any criticism of Geu. McClellau's campaign on this Peninsula or on the Poiotuac. 1 have blows, but not a word, for the untimely casuist, in or out of administrative office, who, under the roar of rebel canuou sweeping our ranks with shot and shell, meets the demand for aid to this array with a chronological measure of delays at Fort Monroe, at Yorktown, at Williamsburg!), at Seven Pines. I don't care whether there were delays or no delays whether they were McClellau's delays, Quartermaster General's delays, or tbe delays of the elements! No man, no party, uo interest shall, with my assent or my silence, be permitted to mix up with the sacred right of an outnumbered American army to demand help from their countrymen and to promptly receive it, collateral questious of fitness, of vigor, of fidelity in com manders. When loyal New York regiments, lifted from their feet by the fire of rebel brigades, cry, out of their wounds and death, for help when the choicest of New England, Michigan and Pennsylvania troops, outnumbered in front and on both flanks by whole divisions of the enemy, beg for reinforcements, I say that the blackest crime that power can commit is to stalk upon the field of peril and say "Soidiers, I have no faith in your Commander! Let your martyrdom proceed." Aiid(sosays this urmy of the Potomac, and it registers to-night vows of vengeance as it marched in the dark from a position which their diminished numbers und disabled men prevented them from holding, but which is consecrated to them forever by their sufferings, their 1 ibors and their wrongs. The politicians and statesmen who left us here to be outnumbered and cut off! from our supplies and the possibility of retreat are doomed men. We here knew that the rebel army before Richmond was being reinforced with the most desperate energy. We knew that Jackson was to come. We knew that the whole jiower of the Confederate rebellion was being put toith to ac cumulate a force here which just by its weight should crush the Union MM. Why were not corresponding efforts put forth by the Adminis traüuii ai Washington to strengthen our army at least to an equality with that of the enemy? Vt e being superior to the rebels in population, wealth, and all resources, l'ie neglect to send into any and every field a preponderating advantage on our side is of itsell a crime, which, had we Ro man virtue, would be inexorably punished with the axe. The (tickets of both lines firing into e ich other's bosoms day and night for a whole mouth of deadly animosity, and ours feeling every successive night and each successive morning that the enemy grew stjonger while we grew weaker officers, men, and civilians keenly conscious that when the rival brigades or divisions locked together in combat, the enemy outnumbered us in a constantly increasing ratio, and developed their settled policy to be to attack in coliimnt in mass, because they had the troops to do it with all of us demanding reinforcements, and demonstrating its necessity, we gnashed our teeth at receiving from President makers and Convention engineers, instead of corps d'armee. a question for debate: Can a civil engineer be a good general? We had no time to debate wheth er McClellan was a good General or a bad one He was our General, and the strong grip of the strengthening toe was upon our throats, and we ' wanted help. We did not care whether it came to us uiid-r Halleck, or Burnside, or was committed to McClellan. Not a single man of us who is not a fool or a slave, is fighting here for the glorification of any commander. We light for MNM we fight to save the Republic, and to squelch forever on this continent organized rebellion against the democratic principle. Ohio Democratic onvrntion. The Democracy met in Convention on July the 4th. to nominate a State ticket and to give I expression to their sentiments upon the great issues of the dav. Gov. Ssiuel Mkoaet was President of the Convention. The Ohio States man in noticingthe proceedings rematks Every county in the State was represented, and many of them by immense delegations, and the nominations and the addresses and resolutions will, we think, meet the cordial approval and support of the conservative men of Oiiio. of all parties, as they did the unanimous sanction of the Convention: The following ticket was nominated: Judgeof the Supreme Court. Rutus P. R mney ; Secretary of State, Win W. Armstrong; Attor ncy General, Lyman R. Critchticld; School Commissioner. Chas. W. H. Cathcart; Member of the Board of Public Works, James Gamble. THE PLATFORM. To the People of Ohio: In the exercise of the right guaranteed to us by our Federal and State Constitution-, we have this day assembled together in a peaceable man ner to consult for the common good, and. re jecting all mere partisan feelings, to give that utterance to our earnest and sincere convictions that the slate of the country seems to us to demand. The history of the Democracy of Ohio is a record of unceasing and unvaried devotion to the Union of the States; ever f ulfilling the injunction of the Fathers of our country, to "cherish a cordial, habitual and immovable attachment to it; accustoming themselves to think and speak of it as of the palladium of our political safely and prosperity, watching for its preservation with : jealous anxiety; discountenancing whatever might j surest even a suspicion that it could, in any event, be abandoned, and indignantly frowning upon the first dawning ot every attempt to alenate any portion of our country from the rest or to enfeeble the sacred ties which link together the various parts." Incited solely by this love for the Union, and for the country it so signally blessed, and lielieving with AniJrew Jackson that "the foundations of the Union must be hid in the affections of the people, in the security it gives to life, liberty, character , nod property in every quarter of the country, and in the fraternal attachments which the citizens of the several States bear to one an- ( other as memlers of one political family, mutu- I ally contributing to promote the happiness of '. eich other," the Democracy of Ohio have never ! adopted a sectional platform nor ever cast a sec- ! tional vote. Actuated by this enlarged and elevaied spirit of patriotism, and esteeming it no dishonor to perpetuate by compromise and concession a Union I that was formed and had hitherto been preserved by those means, and trusting that the power ol ! patriotism might overcome the madness of party, j the Democracy of Ohio, in conjunction with the other conservative men ot tne country, most ! j eirnestly souglrt to avert our present calamities, I ! and to preserve the Union by peaceable means. ' But when the fell spirit of Abolitionism at the i North and Secessionism at the South, disregard . ing the wishes of the majority of the people of ; ' both sections, rendered all efforts tor a peaceful j j adjustment ineffectual; when the integrity of the i Union was assailed bv force and the country i plunged iuto civil war; when the President de dared his intention to maintain the supremacy of the Constitution by arms and to employ them for that purpose alone; the Democracy of Ohio, Union men in war as well as in peace, rallied en masse to the support of the Government Fiom that day to this they have given to every constitutional measute fitr the suppression of the re bellion an effective support. In the field they have constituted and yet constitute a moiety, if not more, of the military quota of the Slate; and there is scarcely a battle ground that does j not bear witness to their heroic devotion to the i Union. In the National and State -councils they i have printed without hesitation all the men and I money demanded by the Government; while as I private citizens and voters at the b tllot-box they j have given to it a moral support more powerful ' l by tar than was over before given by a party to ; an Administration elevated to power by political ! opponents. And now, in this sore hour of our 1 country's trial, iu motto is, as it ever has been, j "To maintain tbe Constitution and preserve the , Union." A party whose wnole history is thus signally illustrative of patriotism, a party that I . I. . . . ; a i .11 m aJ i i . . a has thus sacrificed all mere partisan prejudice and feeling, for the sake of the Republic, needs no defense at our hands againH the malignant as sanlte of its enemies, ami is entitled to be heard with thoughtful attention when it proclaims its sein i menu. And the time hascome when, in our judgment, that proclamation should be respectfully but distinctly and earnestly made. A little over a year ago. Congress, with an almost entire unanimity, solemnly declared that "Congress, banishing all feeling of mero passion and resentment, will recollect only its duty to the whole country ; that this war is not waged on their pert in any spirit of oppression, or for any purpose of conquest or subjugation, or purpose of overthrowing or interfering with the rights or established institutions of those States, but to defend and maintain the supremacy ot the Gonad - mtion, and to preserve the Union with all the

dignity, equality and rights of th several States

unimpaired; ami that as soon as tne-e objects are accomplished the war ought to cause." We need not remind you with what satisfaction ton declaration was hailed in the loyal States; how it served to tall the ranks of the army, to strengthen the hands of the Government, and to infuse spirit and fortitude iuto the breasts of the loyal men of the South who yet clung to the hope of seeing the Union restored in all its pristine vigor and supremacy. And had there been no departure from the spirit of this declaration; had no doctrines been auvaneed in high or influential places subversive of the most cherish ed liberties guaranteed by the Constitution to the peopler had the e been no corruption so monstrous as to appal the nation by its magnitude, and were there no danger to our institutions to be apprehended in the future and to be carefully guarded against, it would not be necessary for us now to address you. But the powerful and persistent efforts that have been and are yet being made to convert the war into a mere crusade against slavery; the fearful strides taken by Congress at its present session, in that direction, and the yet more r.larming measures proposed and warmly advocated; the audacious itUmpts to overawe the President whenever he hesitated to yield to the demands of the radicals; the unmeasured abuse that has been heaped upon almost every General in the field, however meritorious, who has declined to become an emissary of Abolitionism; the daily promulgation of doctrines utterly destructive of the Constitution and of civil liberty, and the incissant denunciation of every conservative man, however loyal, who does not subscribe to them; all give a warning that ought not to pass unheeded by the people, und require of all who desire to see the Constitution maintained and the Union perpetuated an expression of their sentiments. We, therefore, the representatives of nearlv or quite 200,000 voters of the State of Ohio, who have as deep a stake in the welfare of the country at, l in the preservation of the Union as any other equal number of men, in the exerc:se ot our duty and constitutional rights, and with the desire of upholding insteid of weakening the just powers of our Government, and anxious to unite all men, without regard to their former party associations, who agree with us in opinion, and to treat all loyal men who honestly differ from us with becoming respect, do hereby declare cur own opinions and those of our constituents, as follows: 1. Rrsolotd, That we are, as we ever have been, the devoted friends of the Constitution and the Union, and we have no sympathy with the enemies ot either. 2. That every dictate of patriotvm requires that, in the terrible struggle in which we are engaged tor the preservation of the Government, the loyal people of the Union should present an unbroken front, and therefore all efforts to obtain or peroetuate partv ascendency by forcing party issues uon them that necessarily tend to divide and distract them, as the Abolitionists are constantly doing, are hostile to the best interests of the country. 3. That the Abolition party, by their denunciation of the President whenever he has inani felted a conservative spirit, by their atrocious defamation of our Generals who were exposing their lives for their country, and who needed and merited its hearty support, by their acta and declarations tending to promote insubordination in our armies, und a want of confidence in their commanders, and by their persistent representations ol all conservative men in the loyal States as sympathizers with the rebels, have given immense aid and comfort to the rebel cause, and encouraged them to hope for ultimate success. 4. That we have seen with indignation the intimation of the Governor ol Massachusetts that that State will be slow in furnishing her quota of troops unless the war be carried on tor the pur-po-es of emancipation. When the nation is strain ing every nerve and pouring out its blood and treisure like water to pieserve its existence, it is monstrous that a conditional Unionism that places Abolitionism above the Constitution, and the success of a party above the integrity of the republic, should thus ier its head in high places and seek to dictate the couduct of the war. 5. That while we would mete out merited and lentil punishment to the plotters of and leaders in the rebellion, we are opposed to the contemplated sweeping and indiscriminate acts of confiscation and emancipation by Congressional legislation or Executive proclamation be cause: 1st. We do not believe that such acts would be constitutional. 2d. We believe that by driving the rebels to desperation, and converting Union men nt the S uth into rebels, they would have the effect to indefinitely prolong the war, afford a pretext for foreign intervention, and rei.der the restoration of the Union next to, or quite impossible. 3d. because, if practicable and carried out they would engender a feeling of bitterness between the different sections of the Union that would not be allayed for generations to come, and that would be an ever-pteeirt cause of danger and disturbance to the public peace, a source of perpetual weakness in the Govenitnct, and an ever present incentive to foreign powers to interfere iu our domestic concerns, and to promote a disruption and overthrow of the republic. 4th. Because they would destroy, in a great degiee, if not entirely, for many years to come, the industrial interests of a large section of the country, and most injuriously effect the interests of the whole people. 5th. Because the immediate and indiscriminate emancipation of the slaves would be an act of inhumanity to them. 6th. Because such an emancipation would throw upon the border free States, and especially upon Ohio, an immense number of negioes to compete with, and underwork, the white laborers of the State, and to constitute, in various ways, an almost or quite unbearable nuisance, if suflered to rem tin among us. And we would deem it most unjust to our gallant soldiers to see them compelled to free the negroes of the South and thereby fill Ohio with a degraded population to comjete with these same soldiers tqion their re turn to the peaceable avocations of life. 6. That, entertaining these views, we cannot too strongly condemn the refusal of our General Assembly to prohibit by law the immigration of negroes into this State. 7. That we are opposed to being taxed to purchase the freedom of negro slaves. With all due respect for the opinions of others, we think that such a measure would be unconstitutional, impolitic and unjust. B. That the unparalleled frauds and peculations upon the Government, revealed by the investigating committees, und otherwise, demand the steine.-t condemnation of every honest man and friend of the country, and call for the severest punishment prescribed by the laws. 9. That the patriotism, courage and skill manifested by our armies has never been exceeded in the history of the world, and deserves and receives our highest admiration and gratitvde. 10. That the refusal of the General Assembly to permit our gallant soldiers in the field the right to vote, was a great aud unjustifiable wrong to (hem, thai ought not to have been committed. 11. That while we will, as heretofore, discourage all mere factious opposition to the Administration, and will continue to give our earnest sup port to all proper measures to put down the ret bellion, and will make all tbe allowances that the necessities of the case require of goodritizens, we protest against all violations of the Constitution. 12. That we hold sacred, as we do all other parts of that instrument, the following provisions of the Constitution of the United Slates: "The trial of all crimes, except iu cases of impeachment, shall le by jury; and such trial shall be held in the Stale where the said crimes shall have been committed." "Congress shall make no law respecting nn es tablishmentof religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof ; or abridging the freedom of ipeech or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved lo the States respectively or to the people." "The right of the peo?le to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects against un reasonable searches and seizures, shall not te violated, and no warrant shall issue but upon probI - . . . . aide cause, supported by oatb or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons and things to be seized. "No person shall be held to answer for a capital or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a pre sentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land and nava! forces, or iu the militia, when in actual service, in time of war and public danger; nor to be deprive! of liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation. "In all criminal prosecutions th seemed shall enjoy the right to a speedy aud peblic trial by an impartial jury ot the State and District wherein the crime shall have been committed, which District shall have been previously ascertained by law; and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the wit against him; to have .'ompulsory process

for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have '

tne assistance ot counsel tor his ueiense. Ami we utterly condemn and denounce the re peated and gross iotahoa by the Executive of the United States ot the said rights thus secured by the Constitution; and we also utterly repudiate and condemn the monstrous dagma that in time of war the Constitution is suspended, or its powers in any respeet enlarged beyond the letter and true meaning of that instrument.' 13. That we view with indignation and alarm the illegal and unconstitutional seizure and imprisonment, for alleged political offenses, of our citizens without judicial process in Stetes where such process is unobstructed, but by the Executive order by telegraph or otherwise, and call upon all who uphold the Union, the Constitution and the laws, to unite with us in denouncing and repelling such flagrant violation ot the State and Federal Constitutions and tyrannical infraction of the rights and liberties of American citizens; and that the people of this State cannot safely and will not submit to have the freedom of speech aud freedom of the prrs, the two great and essential bulwarks of civil liberty, put down by unwarranted and despotic exertion of power. Declarttlon of Independence. When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opiuiotis of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal; that they a e endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the contest of the governed; and that, whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its power in such torm as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prude'ice, iudeed, will dictate that governments, long established, should not be changed for light and .ransient causes; and, accordingly, all exerience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right them selves bv abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. Hut when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evince a design to reduce them under ubI solute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide i new guards for their future security. Such has J been the patient sufferance of the colonies, und such is now the recessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. The hiotory of the present king of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries aud usurpations, all having, in direct object, the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these States. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world: tie has refuser! his ussent to laws the most wholesome and necessary lor the public good. He has forbidden his Governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operations till his assent should be obtained; and, when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them. He has refused to pass other laws for the ac coniniodatiou of large districts of people, unless those people would lelinqiiish the right of repie MMN iu the Legislature a right iiifstiuiuble to thein, and formidable to tyrants only. He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the repository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with ins measures. He has dissolved Representative Houses re peatedly for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people. He has refused, for a long time, after such dis solutions, to cause others lo be elected; whereby the legislative powers, incapable of annihilation, have returned to the people at large for their ex erase; the bute remaining, it; the meantime, exposed to all the dangers of invasion lrom without. Mid convulsions within. He has endeavored to prevent the population of these States; (or that purpose, obstructing the laws of naturalization of foreigners, refusing to pass others to encourage their migration thither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands. He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers. He has made Judges dependent on his will alone tor the tenure of their offices, aud the amount and payment of their salaries. He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance. He has kept among us, iu time of peace, standing armies, without the couseut of our Legislatures. He has affected to render the military independent of, and superior to, the civii power. He has combined, with others, D subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our Constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation: For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us: For protecting them, by I mock trial, from punishment of any murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these Slates: For cutting off our trade with all purls of the world : For imposing taxes on us without our con sen t : For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefit of trial by jury. For transporting us beyond seas, to be tried for pretended offences: For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighboring province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging its bouuda ries so as to render it at once an example and tit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these colonies: For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws aud altering, fundamentally, the forms of our Government: For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate lor us in all cases whatsoever. He has abdicated government diere, by declaring us out of his protection, and waging war against us. He has plundered our seas, ravage! our coasts, burnt our towus, and destroyed the lives of our people. lie is, at this time, transporting large armies of loreign mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny already be gun, wilh circumstances of cruely and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ae-, aud totally unworthy the head ot a civilized nation. He has constrained our fellow citizens, taken I captive on the high seas, to bear arms against their country, to become the executioners of their friends aud b'elhren, or to fall themselves by j their hands. i He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, anil has eudeavoreu to Dring on me inhabitants of our frontiers the merciless Indian savages whose known rule of warfare is an indislinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and coo ditions. In every stage of these oppressions, we have pet tioned for redress iu the most humble cernis. Our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injuries. A prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unlit to be tbe ruler of a free people. Nor have we been ranting in attention t our British brethren. We have warned them, from time to time, of the attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarranted jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the cirenmst -.nces of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them, by the ties of our common kindred, to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They, too, have been deaf to the voice of justice and consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity which denounces our separation; and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind enemies iu war, in peace friends. We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judgeof the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do in the name md by the authority of the good people of these colonies solemnly publish and declare that these United Colonies are, and of right ought tobe, free and independent States; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, and that all political connection bei ecu them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved; and that, as free and hide pendent Steles, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliance, establish commerce, and do all other acts and things which independent Steles may of right do. And, for the support of this declaration, with a firm reii an. e on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our live, our fortune?, and our sacred honor.

MOVEMENTS. CHANGE OF BASE Or OPERATIONS. The Situation Before the Change A SERIES OF BLOODY BATTLES, THE SITTJA-TIOKT 2STO"W. The fearful suspense that .-o long has trembled over the nation is at last relieved. Tbe army of the Potomac, after a series of bloody battles and terrible suffering, is at length free from the swamps of the Chickahominy, and securely posted on the high lands and bluffs of James River. All eyes in the loyal States have been turned upon Richmond for months, where Gen. McClel las, with an insufficient force, has been moving upon and menacing the rebel capital. Since the battles of May 31st and June 1st, when he beat i back the massive columns hurled upon him, it I has been evident to every reflecting mind that j his situation was a very critical one, and that he i must be heavily reinforced to make success pos sible. The dashing demonstration in bis rear, towards White House disclosed the fact too that his base of supplies could be read ed by the enemy, and with his force he could not advance his long line of investment, or even hold it without extreme danger. In short it was demonstrated that he could be flanked, but whether the move ment to the James River was forced upon him prematurely or not by the advance of the enemy, we can only conjecture. The position of his army in his old line on the Chick ahoniiny is clearly stated by the correspondent of the Cincinnati Commercial : THE SITUATION. You remember that the army was pressing hard upon Richmond. Every crmmunicatioii to the press assured you that it was not strong enough to execute the task. For week the symptoms of insufficiency of power manifestly increased. But the army pressed so clo.-ely upon Richmond it could not be withdrawn without great peril. Gen. McClellan was committed to "do all he could," with what he had, while he hoped for aid. If the enemy did not reinforce, he might accomplish his aim. So the work was pressed, while the people clamored that it was slow. The right wing, consisting of McCall' Morel's, and Sykes's divisions, less than 95,000 strong, was well (tosted on the left bank of ihe Chickahominv, trom Beaver Dam creek to a point below New Bridge. Several military bridges formed the avenues of communication lietweeit the two portions of the army separated by the river. The center, consisting of Smith's, Sedgwick's, and Richardson's divisions, stretched in line of battle from Gulding's, on the banks of the river to a point south of the Yorktown railroad. The left wing, consisting of Hooker's, Kearney's, and Couch's divisions, stretched froir Richardson's left to a point considerably south o' the Williamsburg stage road, on the borders of White Oak Swamp. The whole 1'iie was protected by strong breastworks and redoubts. The necessary extent of the line left but few troops for supporters. Casey's, now Peck's, sadly reduced division, now guarded Bottom Bridge, the railway bridge, and were assigned to other similar duty. Our line of battle on the right bank of the Chickahominy, as I have informed you, pressed so close to the rebel lines that neither could advance a regiment outside ot their respective breastworks without provoking battle. On Wednesday, June 25, General McClellan made the first distinctly offensive movement, by directing Gen. Hooker la take up an advanced position on Fair Oaks Farm, near the Williamsburg road. It provoked a sharp resistance, which we overcame, and accomplished our object. It is necessary to note this fact particularly, because it bears strongly upon the question whether Gen. McClellan had then distinctly contemplated chancing his base of operations to James nver a perilous thing to attempt before; more so now that we were still nearer the enemy. It was pronounced an " important achievement by Gen. McClellan himself, because it gave him advantages over the rebel position which he had not enjoyed before. Sometime during the night, however, tidings were received of a movement of Stonewall Jackson on our right wing. It was deemed hazardous to maintain the advantage of the previous day, and the line was ordered lo resume its old position. Thursday aftenuon the anticipated attack upon our right wing was made and handsomely repulsed; but it was discovered that it had not been made by Jackson's com uiand. Information was received that Jackson was sweeping down the Pamunkey, probably to capture military stores at the White House, to cutoff our communications wilh our water base, and menace our rear. Orders were i veil at once to destroy all public property at the White House and evacuate that point. Matters began to as sume a critical appearance, and danger culminated in the disaster of Friday. It was then :ully determined to "change the base of operations to James river." It seems to me this was compulsory. The enemy had turned our right, eridently outnumbered us in great disproportion, was too strong in front for us to break through, and was in nosition to crush us iu front and jer and, perhaps, intended to strike on our left flank. Apparently his army was numerous enough tor that grand combination. The great retrograde move ment was really begun last Friday evening, by the transfer of headquarters from Trent's Bluff to Savage Station, but llie grand exodus did not commence until Saturday, aud did not swell into full proportions till nightfall of that day. The reader being supposed to be familiar with the war map, will now follow the course pursued by the urmy. In order to preserve the aiorale of the army as far as possible, and obtain supplies of ammunition und subsistence, it was determined to carry through all the wagons loaded, and the ambulance train making a mighty caravan vastly increased by artillery trains. There was but one narrow road to pursue. It struck almost due south from the Williamsburg road, through White Oak Swamp to the Charles City road, into which it debouched about eight miles from Tur kev Bend in James river. The course then layup the latter road towards Richmond, where it struck a little southwest by the Quaker road, which terminated in New Market road, leading from Richmond. The river was but a short distance south, and Malvern Hill, a beautiful, lofty bluff overlooking the river und commanding the surrounding country, being our goal. Although there was but a single road with slight exception it hid the advantage of coursing through White Oak Swamp, upon which we might rely in some degree for protection of out flanks. There was greater d inger that the enemy might cut us off by moving columns down the Charles City, Central, or New Market roads, or all three, but these chances were necessarily accepted. Gen McClellan acted upon the supposition that the enemy would not guess his determination until he was able to defeat their movements. At all eveuts, it was the onlv hopeful course, because j the enemy was watching for him on the left bank of the Chickahominv- The road was a narrow funnel for such a mighty torrent of trains and men, but fortunately it whs smooth and dry. Iu order to make the movement successfully, it was necessary to fight at the outset, because it was was morally certain that our line of battle could jot be withdrawn from the front without sucking Hi he enemy alter them so that due preparations were made. FAIR OAKS. Supposing the situation as given above to be correct, and it is by all odds the t ie. nest we have yet seen, the advance made on the right bank or from the center wag to cover the movement contemplated. The ground gained was not held and on Thursday, the 26ih, the enemy in strong force attacked the right wing posted on the left bank of the Chickahominy. This fight is called the BATTLE OF MECH AMC6VILLE. The extreme right wing consisted of McCalPs Pennsylvania reserves with four batteries of artillery. Gen. Porter's corps, consisting of Morrill's division and Sykes's regulars, 5,000 strong, with Dnryea's Zouaves, were at New Bridge within supporting distance. General Stoneman with one regiment of cavalry and two of infantry was stationed as a corps of observation to check the flanking movement of the enemy and if practicable to decoy him to the Pamunky river. About; noon McCall's position was attacked by a heavy force consisting of Hill's, Longstreet's and Anderson's divisions under Gen Lee. The fight was opened with artillery at long range, but the enemy fin dly discovering our superiority in this arm. foreshortened the range and came into close conflict. He was evidently provoked at his own inefficiency, siace his shells were not destructive iu our intreiichmente, while our gunners played upon his exposed ranks with tearful effect. The fight seemed to increase in fury as it progressed, and it filially became the most terrific artillery combat of the war. The uproar was incessant and deafening lor eours. At times it seemed as if fifty guns exploded simultaneously and then ran off at intervals into splendid

MCCLELLAN 'S

file firing if I may apply infantry descriptive terms to cannonading. But no tanoae can de scribe its awful grandeur. Tbe enemy at last essayed a combined movement. Powerful bodies of troops plunged into the valley to charge our lines, but our men. securely posted, swept them away ruthlessly. Again and again the desperate fellows were pushed at the breastworks, only to, be more cruelly slaughtered than before. Memtime our forces had been strengthened by Griffin's brigade, which increased the volume of infantry fire, and Martiudule's brigade came up to be ready for emergencies. At dark it was evident the rebels had enough much more than they bargained for. Their infantry fire had entirely subsided, and it was obvious that they were withdrawing under cover of their artillery. Our own batteries, which had opened in full cry at the start, had not slackened an instant. Comprehending the situation fully now, the cannoniers plied themselves with tremendous energy to punish the retreating foe. We have no sure means to determine how many were slaughtered, but prisoners who were in the fight, and an intelligent contraband who

escaped from Richmond the next day. tnd who was all over the field, are confident that 3,(KM fell. Our own loss was eighty killed and less than 15(1 wounded. The Conduct of our troops was admirable, and the gallantry of the officers conspicuous. ; battle ok GAiNLs' mills. j It was srrt:iiiil tht ALr.n h.H nni tnin-rt iee on on hursdav, and it was presumed that he was sweeping down the Pamunkey to strike at the line of supplies. Gen Stoneman was sent to watch in that direction, and orders were given to evacuate the White House. The trains of the right wing were withdrawn to Trent's Bluff, and the sick and wounded to Savage Station. Bv daylight Friday morning, the 27th, McCall had fallen back to Gaines' Mills, his left joining the right of Buttei field's brigade resting iu the woods and near the swamps of the Chickahominy. The attack was made by Lee, reinforced by Stonewall Jackson, about 1 o'clock, with terrible impetuosity. The enemy, massing his columns, hurled them on our lines, first on the right, and theu on the left, and then on the center. His force was overwhelming. In addition to Jackson's armv, 35.000 strong, he had four divisions to 30,000 a'll told of our troops. We had fourteen batteries, eighty-four pieces in the field, and lost twenty of them. We lost 7,000 men, killed, wounded, 'and missing, and the enemy's loss, it is said, exceeded onra. We clip from the New York Herald: A COUNCIL OF WAR. Headquarter tents were moved from Dr. Trent's field, on the bank of the Chickahominy, to Six age's station, a mile aud a half distant, at dusk on Friday. At night, as the several brigades came over the bridge and clustered on the bor ders of the swamp, a single tent dotted the hillside, nnd in this sat Gen McClellan. At eleven o'clock a council of war was called iu front of this tent, and the several corps commanders, the Commander-in-Cliief and his aids, the Prince de Joinville, the General of Engineers, with other trusted and faithful counsellors, congregated. A larj:e fire had been lighted just beyond the ar bor, aud (he blaze o the lighted knots lit up the faces ot the military men within. 1 hey sat in a sort ot aroor that hoi formed a pavilion in one of the tents, and the conlerence was very long tu I c rnest. Doubtless at that council the first called on the field since the beginning of the war General McClellan presented his plans of reaching James river. he order to fall back was given, aud on Saturday the long lines of wago.is, ambulances and dusty and tired soldiers took up their sad march. The sick and wounded were uecessarily left behind. TUE BATTLE OF PEACH ORCHARD. At daylight on Sunday our whole line of earthworks had been deserted, and our artillery removed a mile to the rear. Here it was judici-ou-ly disposed, the batteries masked, and the infantry covered by thicknesses of woods. The spot was a part of the battle ground of Fair Oaks, but it is designated as Peach Orchard Station. At daylight the enemy came eastward on the Williamsburg road, one column advancing down the railroad. They opened from two batteries on the left; but their firiug was awkward and iuef fective, as likewise their musketry, which was close and might have been more serious. When they reached a line ot march, about three hundred yards from our front, the whole terrible tire of our cannon burst upon them. They staggered, but belore the lull effect of our discharge was discernible the pieces rang again and their columns were fearfully thinned. For a half hour our tire was so close that it seemed the perpetual echo of a single deafening report a continuous blaze of flame and all, to which the Couleder ates replied feebly, but with some show of deter initiation. Gen. Sumner rode in the thickest of this fight, and the gallant brigade of Meagher was like a wall of shamrock. Indeed RichardSon's division vied with Sedgwick's, and Heiutzelman 's troops were not behindhand iu the rapidity of their discharges aud the steadiness of their behavior. The whole fight, though it lasted from eight o'clock A. M. to twelve, was like one incident, and it terminated with a loss to our side of not less than one hundred and fifty men, to the rebels of not less than one thousand one hundred. The efforts ot the enemy to overreach us on the lell were made futilely. for we took pains to cover our line of general retreat along the Williamsburg io:.d, by deploying our left along that road to a creek that crosses it more than a mile iu the rear of S tvage's. They endeavored to charge through the brigades of Burns, Dana and Gorman; butthesteady tire of such regiments as the Massachusetts 2i)th baffled them iu thtt regard. Having held the place until, in the judgment of the Generals, our teams, heavy artillery and ambulances were far across White Oak Swamp, our troops fell back leisurely to the neighborhood of Savage's Station, and again drew up in order of action. '1 he fight of Peach Orchard (for so it was called) was a decisive victory to the Union troops. It was fought with a small force against immense odds, and in the rear of the main army that was every moment receding. THE BATTLE OF SAVAGES. The battle of Savages was more sanguinary. It commenced about five o'clock in the afternoon and lasted till eleven o'clock nt night. Tie reb els, when we had fallen back from Peach Orchard, tiled, with large reinforcements and additioiial batteries, as well as with several squadrons of cavalry, toward several roads leading to the Chickahominy, and, covered by the thick timber, were enabled to remain concealed until they had reached a wheat field thatstretchrs from Savages to a dense belt of woods in the direction of the farms of Dr. Trent and Messrs. Mickey, Dudley and Couch. Suddenly appearing out of the edges of the timber, they opened with rifled cannon upon our forces, drawn up in full view to the south ot the railroad. Uirectiy they ran out three batteries to commanding points in the wheat field, and opened a rapid enfilading tire of shell and grape. This was at first so steggering that our men could not form, nor our artillery bring their batteries into service. The 106th Pennsylvania regiment was seized with momentary panic, but soon recovered and did good service. The first named lost in the beginning of the fight a hundred killed and wounded men, and a regiment of rebel cavalry I galloped in and drove the regiment off, so that the wounded had to be resigned. In the mean time a rebel brigade was observed stealing down the right, as if with the design of flanking our troops by reaching a position on the WMMMM nrx ron'd Cant I'ettit at OllCe planted tWO CUDS on the railroad and swept the column with grape and cauiiister unt'l it went back to the woods upon a run. Some of the sharpest infantry fighting of the war ensued, in which parte of Sedgwick's, Richardson's. Hooker's. Kearney's and Smith's divisions engifed with various success. The rebels came determinedly across the field, firing as thev advanced, until Gen. Sumner ordetedour troops up at double quick to a charge. About four thousand of them ra'lh h"vrowfned lhe mU:V,.r- A lhJt rebels kept their position for . moment and then 5 ? the rear of ,he,,r v'-. M?8ne brigade, however, succeeded in P'Wf to tue guns oi a Virginia umiciv, i" ...v.. , tbey hauled off. spiked and chopped the carriages to pieces. The fbth, bJd ana btn participaiea in tkii I.mt ..-t It n as here ttmt the brave Col. Pierce, of the 29th Massachusetts regiment, formerly Gen. Pierce of Big Bethel fame, lost an arm. It was taken off by a solid shot. Night came on, but put no end to the carnage. The steady roar of cannon andtheßharp quick ring of musketry, now bursting into volleys, now degenerating to to that rasping made by file tiring. filled the whole air. The darkness was lit up by the fitful flashes; and to complete the awful pictare, the wojds were set on fire by bursting shells and conflagration painted fiery terrors on the sky. THE LOSSES AT SAVAGE'S. The battle of Savage's was much heavier than that of Peach Orchard. We lost, iu addition to jour wounded all of whom fell into the posses .ion of the euemy from seven hundred to a thousand men. During the several parts of the action we took not less than five hundred prisoners, but were compelled to let them go for the same reason that operated in the case of our wounded. Still the White Oak Swamps were

to pass, and our weary and battle worn soldiers found no rest. TUE G&KAT BATTLE OF WHITE OAK WAJir. The enemy followed us hard toward White Oak Swamp, the faithful fellows of Heiutzelman, Sumner, and Franklin protecting our laggard baggage and artillery. These, indeed, wete compelled to keep iu line of battle across the country along the whole extent of the retreat, for the enemy was forever endeavoring to turn us upon the right and the left. The enemy appeared on White Oak Swamp in strong force, and directly opened from some twenty masked batteries, that blew up several of Capt. Mott's elisions, dismounted his pieces, and raied a hubbub generally among teamsters, wagoners, cannoniers and infantry. The 20th New York at this time made their celebrated stampede, for which, next day, the Provost

i Guard, by order of Gen. McClellan, picked them I up and took them to headquarters like so mauy I culprits. However, very soon our light batteries recovJ ered themselves and vigorously res. ooded lo the j enemy, who was soon at a perceptible disadvan j tage, so far as accuracy and effect were con j cenied. Our infantry, too, feil in line, ready to support the batteries or meet bait way any atfp,nt of the r-bl infantry In nush a'cros the creek. Thus the battle progressed till late in the afternoon with serious loss to both sales more wounds from cannon shot pet liaj resulting than at any other time in any battle. The rebels made some desperate efforts to cross the creek, but Gen. Smith brought his men up to close ; quarters with them whenever they dared the ' contest, and although iu each case some ot our best and most beloved soldiers bit the dust, there m ere no signs of holding off. The cannon firing I was incessant here, some of the deepest snd closest of the war, and the infantry fire extended , along whole columns. I THE F.NEMT AT CHARLES ( ITT CRO8 ROADS. The cannonading had continued several hours with fearful effect among our baggage and artil ! lery teams. We had, however, prevented the enemy trom crossing the swnmp in our front, und i fondly hoped that he would be unable to pierce ! its fastne-ses at any other point at our right or ' left. T hat this hope was ill founded was soon I testified by the appearance of the enemy in great force at Charles City Cross roads, which lies i about four miles from White Oak Swamp due j south, anil about a mile and a half or two milas i fiom the James river at Turkey Island Bend. 114 , had advanced direct from Richmond eight brigades, the first under command of the redoubte- ' ble Gen. Henry A. Wise, and when discovered at I the Cross Roads was endeavoring to work quietly ! down the river road between our trains, our wounded and the army. At 5 o'clock they engaged the enemy, hidden ; by woods and the swelling of hills, and the firing : from musketry and field batteries were soon iu- ! tense. The rebels did fatal execution among us, i and some of our most valuable officers fell here, wounded and dying. The men lought well, ; though half dead with heat, thirst and weariness. Some broke for the river and plunged in '.he cool ' water for an instant, then emerging rushed back to the fray and fought like lions. THE GUNBOATS OPEN FIRE. About five o'clock in the afternoon the gun1 boats Galena, Aroostook and Jacob licll opened fire trom Tin kev Island Bend, iu the James riv er, with shot aud shell from their immense rifle guns. The first few shots went wide, but the man in the Galena's topmast lookout signaled the proper elevation to the guns, and soon they threw among the serried rebels on the hill their ponderous obligations, that cut down whole ranks, spreading contusion, desolation and dismay. Tbe tire went on with the same fatal effects, miking music to the ears Of our tired men, and consternation among the exultant and blood-thirsty traitors. They (already confident of concluding their work and driving us into the James; began to reel and grow uneasy. Their fire perceptibly j slackened; their ranks seemel slow to close up I when the naval thunder had torn them apart; disaffection and disappointment had alieidy seized I upon them, and every tocsin from the (jalena addi ed its impetus to the prevaing dread, when HRBMUUI CUARGLIi! j The whole corps of this famous warrior, cou j fident that a recovery of the fortunes of the time I could be made, prepared to give another great efi lor; to retrieve the lortunes of the day and the I cause of the country. Waterloo did net know j such a charge ol horse and foot, while our b itte j ries upon the hill tops, far and near, played in i cessaiilly upon the foe. Heiutzelman made a little appeal to his gene- ! rals, telline them that in the dash about to be made, their confidence and courage might only save the army, but do something towards avenging the great number of lot al men who had fallen in the several fatal encounters. The soluiers, poor, heroic, jaded fellows, responded with a spirit that must have come from hungry hearts, and soon the grand corps of ! Heiutzelman was in line, with tbe gaunt, gray ! figure of its commander galloping down its columns. The enemy anticipated some such dash, ! for they directed their fire upon this part of the line if possible more concentratedly than ever. ' Then Heintzelman passed down the order, and I like the surging ol a sea long embosomed in a ! plain, the column moved, slowly, certainly, vigi orously belching fie and ball at every step, but ; never halting until thev came so close to tbe rebels that they might have halloed the name of each, mm to man, across the little interval. The latter came up bravely to the offered combat; but there was a destructiveness in our fire, and a vehemence in our tread, that they could not with stand. The fiery brigade of Meagher edged up gallantly on the right, using the musket right soldierly, and Gen. Sickles's Excelsior Brigade, already fearfully cut up. went into the action like a battalion of fresh veterans. The brigade of Hooker was ably led by that distinguished officer, mid General Kearney seemed ubiquitous, as he screamed his orders here and there, always urging his men on to the foe. The brigade of Gen. Graver, including some Massachusetts regiments, behaved finely here, but the whole corps was a unit, and Heiutzelman was its genius. Pushing steadily ahead, defying all the efforts of the ene my to break or turn its line, the corps had at last the satisfaction of seeing the enemy bieak and fly in confusion to the swamo, totally dispirited and repulsed. We took iu this engagement over two thousand prisoners, but as our oiiject had been gained in covering our advance to the. I amea river, it was not deemed of sufficient im;rt.nce in view of the risk to be encountered iu holding possession of them through the night. A large number of these prisoners, however, remain on our hands, and will serve in some sort to console us for the loss of very maoy of our owu. TUE LOSbES AT WHITE OAE SWT AMT. We could not have lost, in killed, wounded aud . prisoners, less than two thousand five hundred men. and our loss may reach twice that amount, i But we gained our point and made the James t-jver, despite all the enemy's attempts to cut us off therefrom. In failing to do this he suffered the j retreat, whereas in the pitch of battle we beat him back with immense loss aud so crippled that he was , either unable or unwilling to fire a gun next day. The gunboats Aro .s'.ook and Galena are entitled i to the most unbounded ciedit. ; rBE battle of ttssday. The battle raged with fearful earnestness on Tuesday, the first jf July, but full and detailed accounts of it have not yet been received. Tbe rebel loss was upualing. The gunboats hurled shell upon them like hail and they wete driven back at all points. ! JEFF. DAVIS AT THE BATTLE. i Jeff. Davis was at the house of Mr. Price, I just opposite Dr. Gaines s. tor three cousecutive 1 days before the battle ol Thursday, in every case engaced in close consultation with Gen. Lee. ; Col. Towers.of the 7th Georgia regiment, states that Jeff, planned the whole attack ; thk siti atiox now. ; Qn on ' left bank of the James river, in a position much ! easier defended than the one abandoned, and f.r Uje of t,(e meu T e ,iM i tends nI the rjver fpom H;iriin .s L mdi to Curtis s Neck, above Turkey Island Bend. The i gunboats can sweep the flanks, and here the re mains of the nobie armv, whose perils and trials and devoted heroism will command the admiration of the world, can defend themselves until thei- ranks are swelled by the uprising tide of patriotic feeling sufficiently to enable them to act again on the offensive. The Mass Cosvustiox. The Democratic State Central Committee has issued a call, which we publish, for a Mass lV.' ention at Indianapolis on the 30th inst , to which are invited, ir live of past political ties, all who favor the ervntion of the Constitution as it is and the Union as it was. The call breathes the spirit of true and elevated patriotism, and we direct to it the attention of all our readers. Ooskrn Dem. XW A correspondent of the New York Ex pre says the James River is obstructed by thirty vessels, sunk iu three lines or rows, and the space between filled in with rocks and other material. He didn't think the gunboats could effectively co operate in the redaction of Ricfa-mona