Creator unknown. 'Monthly Record of Current Events, April 20' in 'Harper's New Monthly Magazine 29.169 (1864): 124-127' . New York: Harper and Brothers, 1864. [format: journal], [genre: history]. Permission: Northern Illinois University
Persistent link to this document: http://lincoln.lib.niu.edu/file.php?file=hmr640420.html

that they are indifferent spectators of the deplorable events now transpiring in the republic of Mexico; Therefore they think it fit to declare that it does not accord with the people of the United States to acknowledge a Monarchical Government erected on the ruins of any Republican Government in America under the auspices of any European Power." On the 8th, in the course of debate, Alexander Long, a representative in Congress from the Second District of Ohio, declared himself in favor of recognizing the independent nationality of the Confederates, avowing other sentiments regarded as offensive to the loyal sentiment of the country. On the 9th, Speaker Colfax offered a resolution for the expulsion of Mr. Long. This led to a debate extending over five days, during which the greatest excitement prevailed. Finally, on the 14th, the resolution was modified so as to declare Mr. Long "an unworthy member of the House," and in that form was passed; 80 to 70. During the debate Mr. Harris, of Maryland, expressed approval of Mr. Long's sentiments, and was also censured by a vote of 92 to 18. Mr. Fernando Wood, during the same debate, said that he agreed perfectly with Mr. Long, that he would prefer recognition as an alternative rather than that the people of the South should be subjugated and exterminated. — Among the bills passed by the House are the following: to establish an ocean mail-steamship line between the United States and Brazil; to establish a postal money-order system; to authorize the construction of a railroad bridge over the falls of the Ohio, near Louisville, Kentucky. The National Bank act, after mature consideration, was also passed. The bill confines the entire notes for circulation issued under this act to $300,000,000; every association may charge on any loan or discount seven per cent. interest; and no association shall have a less capital than $100,000, nor less than $200,000 if in a city of more than 50,000 inhabitants.

Military operations have continued with some activity during the month. The Red River Campaign has not been attended with entire success. On the 26th of March a fight took place at Cane River, thirty miles above Alexandria, where the armies of Generals Banks and Smith united, between some of General Smith's forces, consisting of 6000 infantry and one brigade of cavalry, and General Dick Taylor's Confederate army, estimated at 12,000, posted in an advantageous position. The fight lasted three hours, when the enemy gave way, with a loss of 200 in killed and wounded and 500 prisoners. The Federal loss was 18 killed and 60 wounded. General Smith at once pushed forward in pursuit. Meanwhile Confederate deserters have come into our lines in large numbers, and within a fortnight after our occupation of Alexandria 900 negroes entered the place and claimed the protection of the Federal flag. Some five hundred citizens have taken the oath under the Amnesty proclamation, and on the 4th of April a large Union meeting was held, at which strong anti-slavery sentiments were avowed. On the 6th. of April the army left Grand Ecore, a point sixty miles above Alexandria, the cavalry in the advance. On the 8th, after driving the enemy two days, the cavalry were confronted by an overwhelming Confederate Force at Pleasant Hill, fifty miles cast of Shreveport, and a large body of infantry hurrying forward a stubborn battle ensued, resulting in the defeat of our entire force, the cavalry being seized with panic and sweeping the infantry with them from the field. Finally, however, the Nineteenth Army Corps, with 7000 men, came up, and succeeded in checking the enemy, enabling all our trains except those of the cavalry to escape. Our total loss was from 1200 to 1500; that of the enemy was over 1500. General Stone, of General Banks's staff, had direction of the battle. On the 9th General A. J. Smith, with the Nineteenth Army Corps, again engaged the enemy, and defeated them, capturing 2000 prisoners and 20 cannon. The Confederate Generals Morton and Parsons were killed. After the first day's fight General Banks, being short of rations, sent word to Admiral Porter to return with the fleet, which had advanced to within eighty miles of Shreveport, and was preparing to blow up the steamer at New-Falls City which the Confederates had sunk in the Channel. On the way down the fleet was attacked by large numbers of the enemy on both sides of the river, who attempted to capture the transports. A fight ensued between the gun-boats and Confederates, in which the latter were repulsed, with 500 or 600 killed and a large number wounded, while none on the gun-boats were injured. General Greene, commanding the enemy in this action, had his head blown off by a shell.

In Texas there have been some movements of importance. Indianola was evacuated on the 13th of March, the troops taking the land route and crossing the bayous by pontoon ferries. In doing so 34 men were drowned by the swamping of boats. Subsequently to this evacuation a force of 4000 Federal cavalry occupied Eagle Pass, 400 miles above Brownsville, and the outlet of a Confederate highway, by which cotton and other articles have been run into Mexico. About the same time Corpus Christi, at the mouth of Nueces Bay, was reoccupied by our troops, who captured 1000 Confederates stationed at that point, together with immense quantities of cotton. The movements in the Red River, in connection with those of General Steele, who has advanced beyond Arkadelphia, in Southwestern Arkansas, with a force of 30,000 men, must have an important bearing not only on the Confederate occupation of Texas, but on the entire situation in the Trans-Mississippi Department. The enemy will find it impossible long to hold out against the heavy columns moving against them. General Steele, in his advance, fought two considerable engagements with the enemy, in both of which they were defeated with loss.

Active preparations for the opening of the campaign are still going on in the Army of the Potomac. The Eleventh and Twelfth Corps have been consolidated under the title of the Twentieth Corps, and Major-General Hooker assigned to the command; Major-General Howard has taken command of the Fourth, relieving General Gordon Granger; and General Slocum is to report to General Sherman. On the 8th of April an order was issued by General Grant ordering all civilians, sutlers, and their employes to the rear, with all property for which there was no transportation. By the same order furloughs were stopped. During the month Lieutenant-General Grant visited Fortress Monroe, Annapolis, and other points, and by personal observation informed himself of the condition of the several departments. General William F. Smith has been assigned to General Butler's department, and will direct military movements on the Peninsula, which will probably be made simultaneously with the advance of the Army of the Potomac, which has been largely reinforced for the spring campaign.

On the 26th of March a small Federal force marched from Pine Bluff, Arkansas, to Mount Elba and Longview, on the Washita River, destroying at the latter place several pontoon bridges, a train of thirty-five wagons loaded with camp and garrison equipments, ammunition, stores, etc., and capturing 820 prisoners. On the 30th the same force engaged 1200 Confederates at Monticello, routing them, and capturing a large quantity of small-arms, many wagons, and over 300 horses and mules. Our loss was but fifteen, and that of the enemy over one hundred. The Confederates are still roving about some parts of Kentucky and Western Tennessee. On the 13th of April the Confederate General Buford appeared before Columbus, Kentucky, and demanded the surrender of Fort Halleck, giving five hours for the removal of women and children, and promising protection to white soldiers (in case of surrender), but none to colored troops found in arms. Just at that time a steamer arrived from New Orleans with 3000 veterans, on their way home on furlough. These were landed with a battery, and fighting immediately commenced, Colonel Laurence, the Union commander, refusing to listen to the summons to surrender. Subsequently the enemy retired, but threatened for some days to renew the attack.

On the 12th of April the Confederate General Forrest appeared before Fort Pillow, on the Mississippi River, some seventy miles above Memphis, and sent a flag of truce demanding its surrender. This, as was a second demand, was refused by Major Booth, the Federal commander, when a vigorous attack was made by the Confederates, which resulted in the surrender of the fort, after several hours fighting. Major Booth was killed, together with several other officers. Upon taking possession of the fort, which had only a garrison of 600, the Confederates commenced an indiscriminate butchery, not only of the soldiers — black and white — but of the women and children, killing in all some 400 persons, mutilating the dead, cruelly bayoneting the wounded on the field, and shooting some of them in the hospitals. The negroes, against whom the Confederates cherish a deep animosity, were treated with particular indignity. Five were buried alive. Six guns were captured by the Confederates and carried off, including two 10-pounder Parrots and two 12-pounder howitzers. A large amount of stores was destroyed or carried away. In other parts of the field operations have been without importance. Both sides appear to be preparing for the grand struggle of the summer, in which the vital question of the time is to be finally decided.

The spring elections in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Missouri, New Jersey, and other States, show heavy Union gains. In Maryland and Louisiana the elections for delegates to State Constitutional Conventions were carried by the friends of unconditional emancipation; and in both States slavery will soon he abolished by constitutional amendments. The Louisiana Convention met in New Orleans on the 6th of April.

The Poland troubles continue, and several engagements between the insurgents and the Russians have taken place. The Polish peasants have issued a manifesto against the Czar. The paper contains a programme of organization for the raising of a peasant army of a million of men, from the ages of sixteen to sixty, who are to assault Warsaw and the other Polish cities held by the Russians.

Hungary is also excited by renewed revolutionary agitation. A military organization is said to be forming on the basis of a former regimental list of the National Guards.

Garibaldi has arrived in England, and been received with great enthusiasm.

In the English House of Lords, on the 5th of April, the Marquis of Clanricarde moved for the correspondence with the Confederate States in reference to the removal of the British consuls from Southern ports and the enlistment of English subjects in the rebel army. Earl Russell agreed to the motion, the words "so-called" being inserted before "Confederate States," lest it should be imagined that Parliament had recognized the Confederacy. The House of Lords has decided against the crown in the Alexandra case, and the vessel would be restored to her owners. Mr. Stansfeld, M. P., has resigned his seat in the British Cabinet, in consequence of the French official repetition of his complicity with Mazzini and Greece in the conspiracy against Napoleon's life. Lord Palmerston, speaking on the subject, said that the "personal" and "dynastic safety" of Napoleon were essential to the best interests of Europe.

has negotiated a treaty with the Japanese Government which considerably enlarges the facilities for commerce between the two countries. It was signed at Yeddo on the 28th of January, and provides that the articles used in the preparation and packing of teas shall be free of duty; that the following articles shall be admitted at the reduced duty of five per cent: Machines and machinery, drugs and medicines [except opium], iron, in pigs or bars; sheet-iron and iron wire, tin plate, white sugars, in loaves or crushed; glass and glass-ware, clocks and watches, watch-chains, wines, malted and spirituous liquors; and that the citizens of the United States importing or exporting goods shall always pay the duty fixed thereon, whether such goods are intended for their own use or not.