Miscellaneous Back Matter [pp. 472A-RD06]

THE SOUTHERN CONFEDERACY.
that a long continuance of this blockade might, by a diversion of labor and
an investment of capital in other employments, so diminish the supply as to
bring ruin upon all those-interests of foreign countries which are dependent
on that staple. For every laborer who is diverted from the culture of cotton
in the South, perhaps four times as many elsewhere, who have found subsistence in the various employments growing out of its use, will be forced,
also, to change their occupation.
While the war which is waged to take from us the right of self-government can never attain that end, it remains to be seen how far it may work
a revolution in the industrial system of the world, which may carry suffering to other lands as welt as to our own. In the meantime, we shall continue this struggle in humble dependence upon Providence, from whose
searching scrutiny we cannot conceal the secrets of our hearts, and to
whose rule we confidently submit our destinies. For the rest, we shall
depend upon ourselves-Liberty is always won where there exists the
unconquerable will to be free; and we have reason to know the strength
that is given, by a conscious sense not only of the magnitude but of the
righteousness of our cause.
BY THE PRESIDENT-A PROCLAMATION.
Whereas, it hath pleased Almighty God, the Sovereign Disposer of
events, to protect and defend the Confederate States hitherto, in their conflict with their enemies, and to be unto them a shield:
And, whereas, with grateful thanks we recognize His hand, and acknowledge that not unto us, but unto Him, belongeth the victory; and in humble
dependence upon His Almighty strength, and trusting in the justice of our
cause, we appeal to Him, that He may set at naught the efforts of our enemies, and put them to confusion and shamie:
Now, therefore, I, JEFFERSON DAVIS, President of the Confederate
States, in -view of the impending conflict, do hereby set apart FRIDAY,
the 1)thl day of November, as a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer;
and I do hereby invite the Reverend Clergy and the people of these Confederate States, to repair on that day to their usual places of public worship, and to implore the blessing of Ahlnighlty God upon our arms, that He
may give us victory over our enemies, preserve our homes and altars from
pollution, and secure to us the restoration of peace and prosperity.
Given under my hand and the seal of the Confederate States, at
[L. S.] Richmond, this thirty-first day of October, in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
By the President:
R. M. T. HUNTER, Secretary of State.
Subjoined is the official report, by telegraph, of the battle of Belmont,
and President Davis' reply:
HEADQUARTERS, 1ST DIVISION, WESTERN DEPARTMENT,
COLUMBUS, Ky., November 7, 1861.
To Ceiieral Headquarters, Richnmond, through Get. A. S. Johnson:
The enemy came down on the opposite side of the river to Belmont at an
early hour to-day, about seven thousand five hundred strong. They landed
under cover of their gunboats and attacked Col. Tappan's camp.
I sent over three regiments, under Gen. Pillow, to its relief; then, at
intervals, three others; then Gen. Cheatham. I then took over two others
in person, to support a flank movement which I had directed. It was a
hard-fought battle, lasting from half-past ten, A. M., to five, P. M.
They took Beltzhoover's battery; four pieces of which we recaptured.
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