Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams.
Sir: The plot which was formed by evil disposed refugees in Canada to seize the United States steamer Michigan, and with that means to release the prisoners on Johnson’s island, failed in its execution. No serious dangers in that quarter are apprehended. The Canadian authorities seem to have acted in a friendly and honorable manner.
[Page 320]General Sherman perseveres in establishing a large and strong camp at Atlanta. The insurgent Forrest is engaged in an attempt to break the general’s communications, but he is believed to have taken effective means for thejr protection. Some free intercourse has been had between him and citizens of Georgia residing within the extended lines of our army. This is the only foundation there is for many reports of negotiations between this government and the State or the people, of Georgia. The change of relations they have suffered by the fall of Atlanta is yet too recent to have worked a lasting influence upon their sentiments. No new military operations have occurred in that State. Jefferson Davis has repaired to Macon. He is credibly reported to be very censorious upon Governor Brown, of Georgia, who has furloughed the Georgia militia. The militia of that State is understood, like the reserved force in other.insurgent States, to consist of boys under the age of sixteen, and of men over the age of fifty years, which are the terms of the so-called confederate conscription.
Gold is now reported as having no market sales in the insurgent States. The last quotation is 3,000 per centum. A refugee just arrived from Texas tells us he paid $70 of confederate currency for one of gold.
There are insurrectionary or guerilla movements in Missouri, but the details are vague and unreliable. On the 29th of September, General Sheridan reported that he had pursued Early’s retreating forces through Staunton to Port Republic, and he now reports that he has further pursued the fugitive force through Waynesboro. That once imposing force seems to have been effectually routed and dispersed. General Sheridan thinks that the destruction of stores at Staunton and of railway communication in that vicinity will prove very injurious to the enemy at Richmond.
Under direction of Major General Butler, Major General Ord, on the 29th of September, has advanced across the James river at Chapin’s bluff, carried a strong line of fortifications, and taken sixteen guns and many prisoners. Simultaneously, Major General Birney, by direction of Major General Butler, advanced from Deep Bottom, on the north side of the James, and scattering the insurgent forces before him, made a lodgment in rebel fortifications six miles from Richmond.
On the 30th, Major General Warren, under direction of Major General Meade, attacked the enemy’s extreme right south of the Weldon road, while at the same time Major General Meade made an advance from the centre of his line in front of Petersburg, and carried the enemy’s works at Poplar grove, near to Petersburg. While these assaults were going on, the enemy twice assaulted Major General Butler at Bermuda Hundred, and was effectually repulsed. It is believed that these movements have considerable strategical significance, and it is at least certain that they tend to increase the embarrassments of the enemy at Richmond and to prevent his sending re-enforcements to Early in the valley and to Hood in Georgia.
On the 1st of October, instant, the Honorable Montgomery Blair’s resignation of the office of Postmaster General was accepted, and the Honorable William Denison, of Ohio, succeeded to that important position in the executive government.
The Honorable John C. Fremont, who was nominated for the Presidency, has retired from the canvass.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, &c., &c., &c.
[Same to Mr. Dayton.]