BRITISH DISASTER IN SOMALILAND, MISSIONARY ITINERARY, A WEEK IN ROME, AND RECOVERED HIS HAT

 

Plunkett's Disaster, painted by Melton Prior.

 

Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, April 29, 1903.

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

The British Disaster in Somaliland.

   According to Kipling's verse the "Fuzzy Wuzzy" of the Sudan who, though a "pore, benighted eathen," is "a first class fightin' man," was the first who "bruk a British square." It appears that Fuzzy Wuzzy has brothers on the gułf of Aden, who are even fiercer fighters than the "big black, boundin' beggars" of central Africa. These are the Somalis, who under the Mad Mollah have done something more than "bruk a British square." They have almost completely annihilated a British column 800 strong, slaughtering colonel, captains and privates, leaving scarcely a score of men to tell the story of the disaster.

   According to late advices from Galadi, Somaliland, Colonel Plunkett's flying column was dispatched by the commander of the British forces in pursuit of the Somalis, following them into the open country seven miles westward of Gumburru, where it was attacked by a very strong force of mounted troops and the enemy's infantry, who attacked at close quarters. Plunkett kept back the enemy until he had no more ammunition, when he formed a square and charged with bayonets. At last the enemy's infantry overwhelmed the square and annihilated nearly the entire column.

   It is not perfectly clear just what the Mad Mollah is mad about, but it is evident that there is fighting blood of the sternest sort in the mixed Arab forces under his command, which appears now to be especially stirred by the religious fanaticism of a new Mohammedan propaganda. At last accounts they were about 15,000 strong. Manifestly Great Britain will need heavy re-enforcements if it is to keep in check the fierce and fanatic Somalis and maintain its supremacy in northeastern Africa.

 

MISSIONARY ITINERARY.

Miss Grace Todd to Spend a Week in Cazenovia District.

   Miss Grace Todd, a missionary from Chung King, West China, will speak under the auspices of the Woman's Foreign Missionary society of the Methodist-Episcopal church at Chittenango, Tuesday afternoon, May 5; Oneida, Wednesday evening, May 6; Tully, Thursday evening, May 7; McGraw, Friday evening, May 8; First church, Cortland, Sunday morning, May 10; Homer, Sunday evening; Pharsalia and Brackle, Tuesday evening, May 12; Homer-ave. church, Wednesday evening, May 11.

   Miss Todd is not a stranger to at least a portion of Cazenovia district, as two years ago she gave addresses in Groton, Moravia and the Homer-ave. M. E. church this city, with marked acceptance. The last named church is glad to give her a second welcome on the date already mentioned. Miss Todd is a highly cultured lady, of pleasing address and attractive manner, and interests all in what she has to say. She is fully consecrated to her calling and will return to her labors in the Celestial empire. The churches mentioned may justly consider themselves fortunate in having the privilege of hearing her. She wears a beautiful silk Chinese costume while speaking.

   These meetings are not held for the purpose of raising money for her benefit as only a collection will be taken to defray the traveling expenses of the speaker, but to give all an opportunity to hear the story of one who has taken an active part in missionary work and thereby create an inspiration to greater efforts in fulfilling the divine command. She comes from the Oswego district, northern New York conference, where she is now filling a week of appointments.

   Mrs. Geo. W. Edgcomb, District Secretary.

 

Rev. W. J. Howell, Pastor, First Baptist Church of Cortland.

A WEEK IN ROME.

Some of the Experiences and Sights Seen by Rev. W. J. Howell.

   Rome-on-the-Tiber, April 6, 1903.

   To the Editor of The Standard:

   Sir—My letters of travel are irregular. I had purposed better things. But like human life in general, one often leaves undone things that he ought to have done. The life of a globetrotter is one of perpetual motion.

   I write you now from Florence, the city of Savonarola, but I will write of my visit in Rome, the imperial city of the Caesars.

   At Naples and Rome our large and congenial company separated. Less than one hundred returned directly to New York. Many small parties took different side trips across Europe. But all were eager to go to Rome.

   I reached Rome on Monday, March 30 and left on the following Saturday. It was late in the afternoon when we had our first view of the historic city. My hotel was very near the Pantheon, so that was my first walk. I entered and remembered that it was built by Agrippa, 27 B. C. In 315 it was closed as a pagan temple. In 606 it was consecrated to Boniface IV, in honor of the Virgin and all the martyrs. Here was buried a great painter and a great king, Raphael and Victor Emmanuel.

   I then called on a classmate of a North Carolina college. He was with me the entire week. The next day a carriage drive was provided for us. We went to St. Peter's, the Vatican museum and Vatican library, the picture gallery and Sistine chapel. In the afternoon we drove outside of the city to the Catacombs, the church of Quo Vadis and the Appian Way. It was seeing all Rome in one day. I thought of a fifteen minute college oration, that I once heard on "America, Her Past, Present and Future." In that case the last word of the subject was spoken, but in our case, it was only a birdseye view, for we went day after day to the Vatican. A Harvard professor spent three months in Rome and went three hours every day to the Vatican and when he left said he was sorry to so hurry away from Rome, for he had not finished the Vatican.

   One cannot exaggerate in describing St. Peter's, the most magnificent church in the world. I walked around it. I stayed for hours inside of it. I climbed its 569 steps to its dome and up into its ball. I walked on the roof and looked out on modern Rome and the winding Tiber, saw the Sabine hills and Alban hills in the distance, there was the Compagne and Appian Way, threading itself out into the distance. We located the seven hills of the city, its leading churches and historic buildings, the Roman forum and Colosseum [sic] and the Palatine hill, where Caesar's palace stood. This church has cost $50,000,000. It has 300 different kinds of marble.

   I spent several hours in the Sistine chapel, a small room, but one of the costliest chapels in the world. Here is Michael Angelo's famous picture, "The Last Judgment." He was seven years in painting it. He did it at the age of 67 years. For 400 years this painting has been viewed and admired by thousands. Perhaps it is the first picture of the world, and Raphael's "Transfiguration" is the second and Reni's "Crucifixion" the third. It takes hours, if not days to understand and to appreciate the "Last Judgment." It has 300 figures in it. The many paintings of Raphael give unceasing pleasure. But his "Transfiguration'' is visited again and again and preferred above all others. Days can well be spent in the Vatican picture galleries.

   I visited "St. John Lateran" church and saw the holy stairs and worshippers going up on their knees. These steps were brought from Jerusalem and are believed to have led to Pilate's judgment hall. Luther was going up these stairs, when he exclaimed, "The just shall live by faith, " and then followed the Protestant Reformation.

   I did not get to finish this letter at Florence. I am now at Venice. When the conductor calls you, you must leave all and follow. Florence is a wonderful city of art. We reached Venice last night at 11 o'clock. The moonlight ride in gondolas was fine. We start this morning for several hours in gondolas. Easter in Paris, then to Holland. Sail from Bremen on April 28. I close to get this on first steamer.

   Very truly, W. J. Howell.

 

FOR THE WAREHOUSES.

Representative of Lackawanna Confers With Cortland People.

   A representative of the Lackawanna railroad was in Cortland yesterday and conferred with Agent R. R. Spier, the local representative, F. H. Cobb of Cobb & Co., and D. C. Beers of Beers & Warfield in regard to the new warehouses to be erected by the two firms mentioned. The sites were agreed upon. Cobb & Co.'s is to be east of the switch leading to the piano factory and at the corner of Pendleton and East Court-sts. Beers & Warfield are to buy the two buildings formerly used by the railroad as an engine house and storehouse and will place them on the west side of the switch facing East Court-st. Cobb & Co.'s plans for building are not yet far enough along to enable them to make any statement concerning the building.

 

RECOVERED HIS HAT.

Came Safely in a Candy Pail and Was Well Accompanied.

   Harry A. Vail was in Ithaca, N. Y., yesterday and in the course of the day called upon Druggist J. B. Todd. The car for the Lehigh Valley station passed unexpectedly and Mr. Vail seized the first hat he could find and dashed after the car. The hat proved not to be his own. He mentioned the fact to Mayor Brown last night. Whose chief clerk he is in the pharmacy, and the mayor replied that he was evidently keeping up the reputation of the store, for it is an open secret that the mayor always brings home a new hat every time he leaves town, and on a recent visit to Ithaca he too brought away on of Mr. Todd’s hats.

   This morning Mr. Vail received an express package. It was a large wooden candy pail utilized as a hat box and it contained the Cortland hat. The package was addressed to “Mayor Brown’s chief hired man.” The pail was so thoroughly decorated that the impression prevails here that Mr. Todd and his three assistants in his drug store sat up all night to prepare it. Upon the lid was a poem in which was told the story of the exchange of hats, and in which the the writer took occasion to refer to the fact that this hat of his had gone to keep company with another which had preceded it to Cortland. The side of the pail was covered with appropriate pictures and inscriptions in prose and in verse. A wide range of subjects was covered, though all bore more or less directly upon the case in point. Upon the bottom of the pail was a fitting “good night” picture. Mr. Vail says he shall keep the pail among his closest possessions as a souvenir and in the meantime he shall lie low for an opportunity to return Druggist Todd’s courtesy at the right time in the future.

 

BREVITIES.

   —The new rural delivery route to Virgil, N. Y., known as R. F. D., No. 3, will start Friday, May 1.

   —On Tuesday, May 5, the attraction at the Opera House will be “The Evil Eye,” an original novelty introducing a living skeleton.

   —On Tuesday, May 26, the city of Ithaca will hold a special election to determine whether $10,000 shall be appropriated to defray the expenses incurred and to be incurred with the recent typhoid fever epidemic and the cleaning up of the city.

   —The new display advertisements today are: The First National Bank, Banking, page 7; M. W. Giles, Refrigerators, etc., page 7; Opera House, “The Evil Eye,” page 5; W. W. Bennett, Hardware, page 7; Warren, Tanner & Co., Carpets, page 6; S. Simmons, Clothing, page 6.

 

SUNDAY FILLER: NIKOLA TESLA

 

GEN. MILES' OBSERVATIONS, NO GAMBLING AT SARATOGA, AUTOMOBILE BILL, DR. HIGGINS' NEW CAR, HARVEY N. NASH, AND VAN KLEEK-REED MARRIAGE

 

General Naelson A. Miles.

Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, April 28, 1903.

REDUCTION OF MOROS.

General Miles Says It Should Not Be Difficult.

ROAD BU1LDING AT LAKE LANAO.

General Condition of Troops In Archipelago Creditable—Effect of Climate Very Detrimental—Approves Discontinuance of Liquor Feature of Canteen—Troops Occupy Churches.

   Washington, April 28.—The extended report of Lieutenant General Nelson A. Miles concerning his observations in the Philippines was made public by the war department. It is dated February 19, 1903, and covers all features of his trip through the islands together with his recommendations.

   Of the Moros General Miles says:

   "The problem of reducing or controlling these people in case of continued hostilities does not appear to be a difficult one. They are very poorly armed and have no means of withstanding our mountain artillery and field mortars."

   Of the roads to Lake Lanao, he says:

   "At the time of my visit there were 600 of our men at work on this road. The heat was intense, and there were at the time 70 men sick and some 200 men on sick report. Heavy timbers were being cut and in every respect a road of a permanent character was being constructed. Unless there will be some great military necessity, and I know of none, this work should not be performed by troops."

   General Miles continues: "At 122 stations in the island November 27, 1902, there were 17,674 troops on duty, with 1,415 sick."

   The more important observations and recommendations of General Miles follow:

   "The general condition of the troops in the archipelago was creditable to themselves and to the country. The officers and soldiers made a good appearance.

   "The effect of the climate is a most serious detriment to the service. The men go there in perfect health and in the prime of manhood, but as a body are seriously affected in the course of two or three years' service.

   "As the military stations, with but few exceptions, are very remote and the troops are required to be in communities that are neither beneficial nor congenial to them, the service is depressing, and to some extent has a demoralizing effect. There are scarcely any amusements or recreations for the soldiers and life under such circumstances becomes very monotonous. During my visits to the garrisons it so happened that I did not see a single soldier under the influence of liquor.

   "As the result of my observations it is my judgment that the discontinuance of the liquor feature of the canteen has been beneficial to the army. Now that the temptation has been removed from the immediate presence of the young men of the army they are less likely to indulge in liquor.

   "The number of troops that will be required to occupy the Philippines is still problematical. While it is claimed that the people are pacified, evidence of hostility toward American sovereignty are apparent.

   "I found a large proportion of the troops occupying church property, monasteries, colleges and convents. This I believe to be entirely wrong and it should be discontinued without delay. The damage done to the buildings will be extensive and it will simply result in claims for some millions of dollars being brought against the United States which undoubtedly will have to be paid."

 

NO GAMBLING AT SARATOGA.

The Police Commissioner Says Even Canfield Must Close.

   Saratoga, N. Y., April 28.—The authorities declare that there will be no gambling here this summer and that even Richard Canfield's place will not be permitted to open. Carleton T. Lewis, police commissioner of the village, said today: "There will be no gambling here. I am determined that there shall not be the slightest foundation this season for the stories sent out by the newspaper men last summer comparing Saratoga to Monte Carlo. I will suffer no violations of the law against gambling from Mr. Canfield or any body else."

 

Russian Comment on Negotiations.

  St. Petersburg, April 28.—The foreign office, commenting on the negotiations concerning Manchuria, says: "There is nothing directed in any manner against the interests of the other powers or their commerce; others enjoy the same rights of commerce in the interior as we. The railway will carry Russian and foreign goods alike through the country, but we or they cannot sell them in the unopened towns. If the towns are opened all will benefit alike.

 

Gov. Benjamin Odell, Jr..

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

The Automobile Bill.

   Governor Odell has set down for next Wednesday, May 6, at 3 o'clock the hearing upon Senator Bailey's bill relative to speed restrictions by cities and villages upon automobiles. It is understood that there is to be a tremendous fight upon this, both the sympathizers with the bill and its opposers feeling very strongly upon the subject. Since the authorities of this city have shown a disposition to restrict the excessive speed of machines through the principal streets it will of general interest to know the terms of the new bill which promises soon to become a law. It will be of special interest because of the fact that under the terms of the bill a conviction for a second violation makes the defendant liable to imprisonment, while upon a third violation imprisonment is mandatory. The following are some of the important provisions of this bill:

   No automobile or motor vehicle shall pass a person driving a horse or horses, or other domestic animals, or foot passengers walking in the roadway of the highway, or cross an intersecting main highway, at a greater rate of speed than 8 miles per hour, nor pass a public school, on the days when school is held, between the hours of 8 a. m. and 4 p. m., or pass a building of public worship on the Sabbath day during the usual hours of service at a greater rate of speed than 10 miles per hour, or cross a dam or causeway where the traveled portion of the road is less than 20 feet wide, at a greater rate of speed than 4 miles per hour.

   No automobile or motor vehicle shall run upon any highway of this state within a distance of one-half mile of any postoffice of this state at a greater rate of speed than 8 miles per hour, if the local authorities having control of the highway or highways within such distance indicate by an appropriate sign on the side of any highway upon which speed is to be regulated that speed is to be reduced to a rate of 8 miles per hour. Upon such sign there shall appear clearly the words, "slow down to eight miles," and also an arrow pointing in the direction where the speed is to be reduced; provided, however, that if the territory beyond the said limit of one-half mile of any postoffice is built up to such an extent that in the judgment of the authorities having control of such highways speed should be reduced beyond such half mile limit of the postoffice, then, in such case, the authorities having charge of such highway or highways may erect such signposts at a greater distance than one-half mile of such postoffice and at the limits of such built up portion of the highway, and thereupon no such automobile shall run within such distance just established at a rate of speed in excess of 8 miles per hour.

   The bill also requires the licensing of chauffeurs and provides that if they violate the law three times their license shall be revoked.

   The bill also provides that upon the request of any driver of horses an automobilist shall cause his engine to cease running.

   The penalty for the first violation of the proposed law is to be a fine of not less than $50. A second offense is to be punished by a fine of not less than $50 or more than $100 or imprisonment for not more than thirty days or both. For a third offence the penalty shall be imprisonment for not exceeding thirty days and a fine of not less than $100 nor exceeding $250.

 

DR. F. W. HIGGINS.

The Latest Addition to the Automobile Owners of Cortland.

   The latest addition to the ranks of the automobile owners of Cortland is Dr. F. W. Higgins, and the doctor seems to enjoy his new machine even better than a child does a new toy. Late yesterday afternoon he purchased of the Cortland Automobile Co., a $750 Rambler touring car such as was described in these columns last night. The machine got a little frolicsome with its new owner, down on South Main-st. just before supper time and seemed quite insistent upon making a call at the home of R. Bruce Smith, but that was simply an incident and a physician's automobile may be expected at any time to turn right up at houses along the street and perhaps on occasion, even camp out upon the lawn under a white birch tree, but the doctor is a busy man and his calls are always brief, and this one was no exception to the rule. Some who saw it were even inclined to ascribe this move to the doctor's natural gallantry in getting clear out of the street so as not to frighten Miss Cora Wells' horse which was coming along toward the machine and which seemingly did not take kindly to the new vehicle. But whatever the reason, the doctor promptly gave the machine to understand that he was not to be trifled with and that it must cut up no more capers with him.

   We publish above a picture of the doctor's new car.

   It is current upon the streets that the next one to fall a victim to the automobile craze will be a prominent clothing merchant of the city—unless some one else gets in ahead of him.

   The automobile craze seems to be a peculiar disease—even physicians cannot overcome it. All goes well if a person lets a machine entirely alone, but once he begins to investigate the subject of automobiles and examine into their good qualities and try them he is a gone duck. It is then only a question of time, with the probabilities in favor of its being a shorter rather than longer before he is fully infected and is ready to give his order. At least that is the way one of the latest victims put it.

   This is decidedly an automobile town. Who will be next?

 

Henry Albert Dickinson.

CORTLAND BILLS SIGNED

Amending the City Charter and Raising Money for Central School.

   Governor Odell last night signed the two bills introduced by Hon. Henry A. Dickinson, which have reference to the interests of Cortland—the bill amending the city charter in reference to paving, contracts and some other minor matters, and the bill authorizing the city to raise $19,500 by bonding to pay for the enlargement upon the Central school.

 

RENTED THE COLLINS STORE.

D. E Shepard to Close Out The Fashion Stock.

   The stock of goods recently belonging to The Fashion millinery store, which were sold last week to D. E. Shepard by Trustee G. J. Mager, were yesterday removed to the Collins store on Main-st. where they will be disposed of either in bulk to some one desiring to continue the business, or if this cannot be effected, will be sold at retail, commencing the latter part of this week, announcement of which will be made later.

 

IT IS HARVEY N. NASH.

Remains Positively Identified—Some Further Particulars.

   Julius Whiting of South Cortland and Frank Danforth of Cortland, both former residents of Wolcott, N. Y., called at E. R. Wright's undertaking rooms yesterday afternoon and positively identified the remains of the man found dead in the loft of the Park hotel barn Sunday morning as being Harvey N. Nash, formerly of Wolcott.

   Last night Coroner Santee received a long letter from Superintendent J. L. Markel of Onondaga penitentiary in which he said that Harvey N. Nash was discharged from the penitentiary on April 7, 1903. He had been sent there four times on the charge of being a tramp—on June 15, 1899, for sixty days from Syracuse; on Sept. 1, 1899, for sixty days from Oswego; on Jan. 23, 1900, for ninety days from Auburn; and on Dec. 8, 1902, for four months from Syracuse. On these different occasions he came under different names, but in each case he confessed to the superintendent that his true name was Nash and his home was Wolcott.

   The superintendent described Nash in detail and the clothing he wore when he left the penitentiary and the description corresponded exactly with the man found in the barn.

   He said that James Duffy of Utica was the only person to whom Nash wrote while in the penitentiary and the only person from whom he received letters.

   Cornelius Porter who was mentioned in the letter found in the dead man's pocket is the man with whom he worked while in the penitentiary. The superintendent presumed the other names found in the pocket on slips of paper were names Porter bad given Nash to call upon. The superintendent described Nash as an exemplary prisoner, always ready and eager to work. His parents are well-to-do and highly respected in Wolcott. His father once paid a large sum of money, the superintendent said, to get his son out of a scrape in the West resulting from forgery on his part.

   Dr. Santee thinks the man had been begging here in Cortland, for he has since had traces of him in that occupation in several different places. He believes there must be some trunks somewhere to which the two keys found in the pocket belong. Possibly since April 1 he had accumulated considerable through begging. His bad arm was a ready means of exciting pity.

   The post mortem disclosed the fact that death was caused by a blow on the side of the head which ruptured the cerebral cyst. Dr. Santee says he is wholly unable to establish or to find a suggestion for any motive that would have caused any one to murder the man and believes the blow and the death to be the result of an accident. The doctor says he hardly thinks it will be necessary to hold an inquest.

   A telephone message came this morning from Wolcott asking to have the remains sent there, and they were forwarded on the 9:48 train today.

 

Sig. Sautelle's circus clowns in parade.

The Side Show Band.

   Sig. Sautelle's side show band of twelve pieces arrived in Cortland yesterday to be ready to begin the season's engagement. This band is said to be a complete show in itself, for each member is an artist, and prepared to execute some particular specialty. The big band of the circus numbers sixteen pieces. The actors and performers are now arriving on every train and from every direction.

 

VAN KLEEK-REED.

Auburn Young Man Comes to Cortland for a Bride.

   There was a quiet wedding at 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. M. F. Reed, 20 1/2 North Main-st., when their daughter, Miss Bessie Hasbrouck Reed, was joined in marriage with William C. Van Kleek of Auburn. The ceremony was performed by Rev. James Rain, pastor of the Congregational church, in the presence of about twenty of the near relatives and friends. Miss Ora W. Seward of this city was the bridesmaid and W. N. Van Kleek of Auburn, brother of the groom, was best man.

   The bride wore a handsome gown of dark blue voile over blue silk, trimmed with white appliqué, while the bridesmaid was equally becomingly gowned in a light green peu de crepe waist with black skirt.

   Following the ceremony fine refreshments were served. The presents were numerous and beautiful, and many more are awaiting the recipients in Auburn, which is to be their home.

   Mr. and Mrs. Van Kleek left the house as though to take the 4:38 train north, and a number of the party took the street car to intercept them at Homer to give them a further evidence of their good wishes, but when the train arrived there the couple were not upon it at all. It developed later that, being aware of the kind intentions of their friends, they did not go to that train, but instead availed themselves of the hospitality of a friend here in the city and passed the time very pleasantly till the departure of the 7:29 train, which they took in the most matter-of-fact way, unsuspected and undisturbed.

   Today they are to go to Auburn, where tonight a reception will be tendered them in their new home, at 60 Elizabeth-st., which Mr. Van Kleek has already furnished and prepared for his bride. Mr. Van Kleek is the time keeper at the factory of the D. M. Osborne Co., and highly respected in that city, while the bride bas a large circle of friends in Cortland by whom she is held in the deepest esteem.

 

BREVITIES.

   —A regular meeting of the A. O. U. W. will be held this evening at 8 o'clock.

   —The Fortnightly club will meet tomorrow at 3:30 p. m. with Mrs. Edward Stilson, 31 Owego-st.

   —A summary of the work of the legislature which has just adjourned is found on our third page today,

   —Sig. Sautelle, it is said, has signified his intention of riding in a Rambler automobile on Friday at the head of the procession in the circus parade.

   —One of the old landmarks of Homer, where was carried on one of the early industries of the county, has just succumbed to the mark of progress. Reference to it is made in our Homer letter today.

   —The new display advertisements today are—A. S. Burgess, Clothing, page 8; Hollister Hardware Co., Refrigerators, page 6; M. A. Case, Drygoods, page 6; F. Daehler, Clothing, page 6; S. D. Ballard, Plows, etc., page 7.

 

WAR REMINISCENCES, CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

 

Captain William Saxton.

Cortland Semi-Weekly Standard, Tuesday, May 12, 1903.

WAR REMINISCENCES.

By Captain Saxton of the 157th Regiment, N. Y. Vols.

BURNSIDE SUCCEEDS McCLELLAN.

Lee Regrets the Change—Burnside Arranged a Place of Operations—Hindered by Delay of Pontoon—Franklin Wished to Attack Immediately, but Burnside Delayed in Issuing Orders and FinallyBlundered in Them—Battle of Fredericksburg Begun.

CHAPTER 17.

   To the Editor of The Standard:

   Sir—With the order relieving Gen. McClellan on the 7th of November, came one to Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside to take command. This he reluctantly complied with, having twice previously declined the proffered offer. Now he was ordered to do so and he could not disobey orders. Gen. Halleck said to him “You have been given the command of the Army of the Potomac. What are you going to do with it?”

   When McClellan had crossed the Potomac and moved south along the east side of the Blue Ridge mountains, his direction was toward Gordonsville. Siegel with the Eleventh corps had joined his army by moving south from around Washington and seizing Thoroughfare Gap in the Bull Run mountains. This move made it necessary for Gen. Lee to move from near Winchester, in order to prevent McClellan getting between him and Richmond. He accordingly moved on a parallel line west of the Blue Ridge, passing through some gaps, and had his army round Culpepper, while McClellan was at Warrenton at the time Burnside assumed command.

“Understood Each Other Well.”

   The news of the order relieving McClellan and appointing Burnside reached Gen. Lee’s headquarters within twenty-four hours after it was received by McClellan, and Gen. Lee remarked on receiving the news, “I regret to part with McClellan for we always understood each other so well. I fear they may continue to make these changes till they find some one I do not understand.”

   Burnside divided his army into three grand divisions. The Second and Ninth corps formed the right grand division commanded by Major-General W. V. Sumner; the First and the Sixth army corps formed the left grand division commanded by Major-General Joseph Hooker. The Eleventh corps (ours) constituted the reserve, commanded by Major-General Franz Siegel. Burnside made out his plan on the 9th in compliance with Gen. Halleck’s question, and sent it at once to Washington. Halleck came down to see him on the 11th and the plan was discussed.

Burnside's Plan of Operation.

   Burnside proposed to make a feint from Warrenton on Gordonsville, but really to march his army rapidly to the Rappahannock opposite Fredericksburg, cross over, seize the city and heights before Lee would discover his move. By so doing he would have his army as near Washington as would the enemy, and when he arrived at Fredericksburg would be at a point nearer Richmond than he would be if he took Gordonsville.

   Also, by using Acquia creek as a base of supplies, it would be only a short distance in the rear of this army. Burnside accordingly requested that a pontoon train sufficient to span the Rappahannock at least twice, with a wagon train loaded with hard bread and small commissary stores be at once started from Washington, via Dumfries, for Fredericksburg. He planned to throw Sumner’s whole grand division across the Rappahannock, and make a rapid movement in the direction of Richmond and fight Lee before Stonewall Jackson, who was still in the Shenandoah Valley, could join him. The troops passing us at New Baltimore on the 16th constituted the beginning of this move, hence the move of our corps, the reserve, to Centerville to protect Washington.

Pontoons Were Late.

   Sumner’s right grand division reached Falmouth, a little village on the north side of the Rappahannock, half a mile above Fredericksburg on the 17th; but no pontoons were there, and they did not leave Alexandria until the 19th. They did not arrive until Burnside’s move was fully accomplished, and Gen. Lee, becoming acquainted with it, had hastened Gen. Longstreet’s corps to Fredericksburg seized the hills south, and fortified them, thus completely checking the entire move.

   In the interim, while we were lying at Centerville, Burnside was occupied in establishing his new base at Acquia Creek and forming a new plan.

The Confederates’ Position.

   Gen, Lee summoned Stonewall Jackson to him, fortified the height back of Fredericksburg and cut new roads in the rear of his army. He divided his army into two corps, placing Stonewall Jackson over the right and Longstreet over the left.

   Jackson’s corps, comprising D. H. Hill’s, Early’s, Tallifarro’s and A. P. Hill’s divisions was posted from right to left in the order named, Stuart’s cavalry being on the extreme right next to the Rappahannock just north of the Massoponax creek and about, three miles below Fredericksburg.

   Longstreet’s corps, consisting of Hood’s, Pickett’s, McLaw’s, Ransom’s and R. H. Andrews’ divisions joined on the left of Jackson’s corps and extended in the order named along the hills back of Fredericksburg till the left of Andrew’s division rested on the Rappahannock opposite the upper end of Beck’s Island a mile above the town making the Confederate line six miles long.

   The Rappahannock at Beck’s Island makes a sweep around to the north by Falmouth and Fredericksburg. It hugs the north side whose banks are precipitous and high, called Stafford Heights. It leaves a plain or bottom on the south, or Fredericksburg side, from one-half to a mile wide. Back of this plain is the range of hills on which the Confederate army was located. Through these hills break several small streams as they flow into the Rappahannock, the Massaponax Creek on the south, then Deep Run, then Hazel Run, which flows in just below the city. From opposite Beck’s Island above a canal runs through this plain uniting with the Rappahannock in the city of Fredericksburg.

Building a Pontoon Bridge.

    During the night of December 10th, the day we left Centerville, Burnside had the pontoon conveyed to the river, and one hundred and fifty pieces were placed in position on Stafford Heights to protect them.

   Between 4 and 5 o’clock on the morning of the 11th while it was still dark, in a dense fog the engineers commenced to place pontoons for bridges at four points: one nearly two miles below the city, just a little below where Deep Run comes in from the south side; another at the railroad bridge and two more opposite the city and near Falmouth.

   The morning was misty and foggy and the engineers had partly constructed the bridges opposite the city before they were discovered. As soon as it was learned what they were doing Barksdale’s Mississippi brigade, which was stationed along the bank and in the city as pickets and sharpshooters, opened a deadly fire and drove the engineers from their work. They were rallied and driven away again and again. Orders were now given and the artillery opened fire on the houses in town which were sheltering sharp shooters. A number of houses were set on fire, but the Mississippians would not budge. More attempts were made by the engineers to lay bridges, but each time they were driven off with loss. Finally, about 1 p. m. volunteers from the Seventh Michigan and the Nineteenth Massachusetts as a forlorn hope, jumped into some pontoon boats, hurriedly pushed across the river and drove the Confederates from their [river] bank and from the houses in town, and the bridges were soon completed, but at the cost of 300 men.

A Fighting Chaplain.

   Chaplain Fuller of the Sixteenth Massachusetts had resigned from service and just received his discharge. When he learned that his regiment was about to go into action, he crossed the river in one of these boats with the Nineteenth Massachusetts, seized a gun, joined the skirmishers, helped fight their way through the streets, and fell down dead, rifle in hand, in front of a grocery store on Caroline-st.

   Troops began at once to cross, and before dark Sumner’s grand division and part of Hooker’s with three days’ rations, had crossed over. They drove the Confederates out of the city after considerable opposition.

   The grand division of Franklin crossed over without much opposition on the lower bridge, or bridges, for he had laid two nearly side by side.

   Early on the morning of the 12th, the remainder of the troops commenced crossing, and all that day and the early morning of the 13th was spent by Burnside in making a proper disposition of his forces. The left of Franklin’s grand division rested on the Rappahannock two miles below the city. His center was advanced nearly a mile toward the hills, and his right extended to the outskirts of the city, confronting Jackson’s and part of Longstreet’s corps. Franklin with his two corps commanded. Reynolds and Smith had reconnoitered his position, and after discussing the question unanimously agreed that inasmuch as all chance of surprise had vanished, there was but one thing to do, and that was to take the 40,000 men of the left grand division, and assault Lee’s right flank on the right flank and, left of the Richmond road at Hamilton’s Crossing and carry it at any cost.

Planning to Attack.

   Burnside rode the line with Franklin at 5 p. m. on the 12th. This plan was discussed, and when he left all were of the opinion that he approved of it, and Reynolds and Smith were ordered to make the preliminary arrangements. As Burnside was leaving, Franklin asked that he be permitted to order the Third corps to him at once. Burnside declined the permission, but said he should have the order before midnight.

   Franklin had the Sixth Corps guarding the bridge head, and his plan was to relieve it with the Third Corps and thus have his whole grand division ready for the attack at daylight next morning. Orders not coming at midnight, he sent an aide to headquarters for them, who returned saying they would be along presently. The orders did not arrive till 7:45 a. m. the 13th, and were then so vague and different from what had been talked the night previous, that Franklin concluded Burnside had changed his plan.

   Burns’ division of the Ninth Corps was detached from Sumner’s grand division and sent to the left of Fredericksburg to connect with Franklin’s right. Birney’s and Sickles’ division of the third corps were taken from Hooker’s grand division and sent to the lower bridge to assist Franklin. This gave him at least 50,000 men, and Burnside made a great mistake that he did not order Franklin to mass his grand division and turn Lee’s right.

The Battle of Fredericksburg.

   The battle of Fredericksburg opened on the 13tb, soon after Burnside’s orders came to Franklin. Reynolds advanced Mead’s division at 8:30 across a ravine in front of him under a heavy fire from the enemy’s artillery. Considerable loss was sustained in a fruitless attempt to capture one of Stuart’s horse batteries on the left. Mead pushed on toward a wooded hill occupied by A. P. Hill’s division, the rebel artillery plowing great gaps in his line. Gen. Birney, with his division, supported Mead on his right. They fought their way stubbornly up that hill, gained its crest, silenced the rebel batteries wedged themselves between some of Hill’s divisions and captured some prisoners and flags. On the crest, in the thick woods, the connection between Mead and Birney became broken, and Mead passing on, struck part of Tallifero’s division in reserve and was driven back down the hill.

   Two regiments of the Third Corps, which had just arrived, were sent to help Birney on his left; but they with Birney were driven back, suffering severe loss. Sickles’ division relieved Birney’s and he and Mead checked a counter attack of the enemy.

   The Sixth Corps suffered considerably from the artillery fire on the hills, and Brigadier General George Byard was mortally wounded by a cannon ball at Franklin’s headquarters near the bridge head. There was fighting more or less along the whole line and some prisoners were captured by Brooks at Deep Run.

Burnside's Mistake.

   Night ended the battle on this part of the line with no material advantage having been gained except that Franklin had extended his line in front a half mile or so and occupied the ground. It might have been different had Franklin’s plan been adopted. Burnside afterward said: “I made a mistake in my orders to Franklin. I should have directed him to carry the hill at Hamilton’s at all hazards.” W. S.

 

TO LOCATE IN CORTLAND.

Dr. Walsh Graduated from New York Homoeopathic Medical College.

   Dr. James Walsh returned to Cortland Friday night, having been graduated on Thursday from the New York Homoeopathic Medical college. He is to locate in Cortland for the practice of his profession and will very shortly open an office here. The commencement exercises were held in Mendelssohn hall, New York, Thursday afternoon and were followed by a banquet at the Waldorf-Astoria, which was attended by over 450 people. Among those who responded to toasts were Samuel E. Quigg, the Rev. Minot J. Savage, Hal Bell, Dr. H. Worthington Paige, and Dr. E. H. Sinnell. At the alumni exercises that forenoon addresses were made by a number of men prominent in the medical profession, and among them was Dr. E. B. Nash of Cortland, who is a member of the faculty of that college.

   Dr. Walsh is well known in Cortland and by all is highly respected and deeply esteemed for his high personal character and his genuine worth. The Homoeopathetic medical profession is not overcrowded in Cortland and it would seem probable that Dr. Walsh would soon build up for himself a fine practice here. His friends are all glad to welcome him back and to know that this will continue to be his home.

 

Buried in Cortland.

   Judge and Mrs. Edward B. Thomas of Brooklyn were in Cortland Saturday morning to bury in the Cortland Rural cemetery the remains of their son who died sixteen years ago, and who had been previously buried in Brooklyn. They returned home on the 10:03 o’clock train that day.

 

To Consider the Treaty.

   Panama, May 9.—It was announced today that an extraordinary session of the Colombian congress had been called for June 20 for the consideration of the Panama canal treaty with the United States.