-- ,Lsl,r7egilygttia hpg.
c oTA:7 MB IA Pa.
SATETEDAT; , . * :4..1.8.C11. 8, 1862.
FJa, ~71
Jusvez orinc rzAcr..—Wk-Are re
cueoted to annouttin that J. \V'. .11anvilton
wilt ben enndidatelor the °Ewe: Jnatiee
.f the :Deice in the Upper 'Ward.; at the
unentinti S e pt rig; ,‘„
rfeab-We call attention to the lar , to stock
f Carpeting% 3;,i:;MlVertisetl by Iluldemau.
Call. eg4'.ela;nlllo rGe ii.ssciriniette. in which
%1 ill Ls fun , l something to cult every ono,
et tit; wont reasonable prices.
Tan .E.tat.'s limns. By Mrs. Ellen Wood,
author of "Beet Lynne," &c.
T. 13. Pete:eon & Bros.
Messrs. Petersdn has 'here given to the
public the very best siuty we have read since
`l ll ffire'Mifirt' "Woman in White." We
don't mean to call it the best work of fiction;
but in skill of construction, natural (level ,
opulent of plot, and entire possibility end
l; We are indebted to Mr. N. W. Greene 1 lo4ical sequence of incidents and A:tosttions,
for a supply of fancy' pd - triotic stationery. Iwe think it decidedly Nritlinut ioat. • lfmot
Greene' fer;risites to the public i first-class writing, it is very' hearlv'first•
very excellent•artides in that line, at very I class story telling. The nafrati-:e is plain
I.tv rates. The patriotic designs on his ; and clear, without ellbrt at' find wihing or
no.te paper and envelopes are the best nhd ! profound reflection. The tale is told fall:iglu
most neatly ear: me 1 that we have along to the end, the interest never flagging,
' the attention never diverted by irrelevant
Hurcuise,Ns.-This celebrated trouped matter. Who takes up the book, reads I'
of lingers announce it concert in .(t.ld Fel- I
through at a sitting. We finished it among
1;.,%-;..s' flail, on Tuesday evening nett. They ; the small hours, and feel confident tl:.at we
' i.w too well known to need recommendation shall fall asleep over any bouk we may
IA the public. Their program 7e on the cc- chance to pick up for a week to come through
casion will consist of a alsinben if their best force of contrast. The story, although
songs, among which areeieveral new nation-I hinging. on a deeply trarleal indident, is en
ol song, which have been received with ,
without unpl.tasant or depressing in
great pay,,: introduced. Ui course littenve. The tragedy falls in at Mc right
- he hose will bs ' ll I: /It ' d ' """ i " - beginning of the book. Of the
dettaueineot we say nothing —let every one
rc td . fur himself.
'The publishers will send the work, post
paid, to any part of the country on receipt
of the price—Fifty Cents a copy.
I'ENNsys.w.tstA C!\4.—We learn that
enter tslsl " :Oct rri'ti; the Canal u» ti.ionday.
We -rotty riiok'f,retttly and brief 3 opening;
_f Zsrigatiob.
-•
I6RGE.I r 5.411.3 —We regretted
to learn so:o6. W .. e.eits since of the illness of
: 4 erge:tnt 11.bert W. Smitb,.jr., of thz..
kath•lieserve. Ile returned to his limn? in
I:rriglitsville on Saturday and t:c-had
`the pleasure of greeting him in our tninetuot
fear amyl since. Ile has olitninzA ten dace'
4...erlotiglh and we lilpe he trs,:y ho speedily
ris up try home co•nforts .an care. Ile
looks, however, as if a longer leave wou/d
d.; him no harm. Lie, 'reports the buys td*
Ii as all licart::, athi probably aarmg
Ciliu advancing :.ray. They had we lett
Pletpant tthsii a on Saturday morning.
Kerry!: Ciactrasrit.t.—Oo invitation
we spent an evening last week nt the room
'Qt. the "Keller Orchestra," 'in Walnut street,
lie:ening to the mush) of that band of in
'wruntental performer,., We WCAT, scarcely
'prepared fur the improvement matte and
attained by-tho oktestr.i. The
'members, moat of tl t erm . commenced With
the rudiments of music upon thelormitien
..)r the associathia last fall,and their present
attainments do•bredit not only to themselves,
bat to their etEcient and talented instructor,
W. IL .Itieffittl. As our musical education
has amounted to exactly nothing, we cannot
'he expected to speak• critically of the -per
"formance. The music was pleasing to
'as—exceedingly so; and we sat listening
't,o it a whole evening. We can honestly
'..rompliment the performers upon their rnliid
trancement and the good music which they
bring out of their instruments. We noticed
a number of visitors present. and all ap
peared delighted with the entertainment.—
iihter. the Orchestra shall have become fa
railiaewith a few more good pieces of music
—their present selection is excellent—they
will doubtless give the citizens a touch of
their quality. We bespeak for them gener
al encouragement, when they shall appear
-in
A PittcaurioNany %suer: or Iletars.—
When, a week or twa since, new. -arrived
of meter° fighting on the Putomae,in wEeh,
it was exceedingly probable that our Pthn
*ylvania troops had been, or soon would be
engaged. many anxious hearts in Columbia
beat in apprehension of harm to loved ones
in the ranks of our defenders. It was then
buggested to us a duty on the part of those
svinrrenutin at home, to be prepared to do
their part tawards the the alleviation of the
suffering of those of our brave boys whose
ill 4 :ortt:me it might be to fall %rounded in the
tight. •We learned Later that the advance of
Gen. Banks had been made Without 4 col
-I,.iiont nod mate recently our attire forces
'have been pashe I forward, the enemy retir
ing befbre the.n. 1141 a great battle takun
place near Washington, the hospital. of that
city woul 1 have been thronged with our
o:ottudel, and it was the anticipation of this
..for‘tingency that lel to a remark ;hit organ•
readiness for relief, on the part of our
-citizens, ought certainly to eliza. The Qug•
Igestion W 34, that the meet Aloctual nil that
tould pus„ibly Lo extended to our wounded,
mould 1,3 4 t ; obtain them It furlough, when
1,,t..1%; to travel, and bring them home fir the
anrc7ol imr6ing and kindness of friends. In
co4c., chi., if pa-siblo, would cer
tainly be dono; but from our t..wit there
and nei,cl,b ere m Loy soldiet a 11 11 311
h,,,e fcilmitlernJval. aud attmldance such ;
rte- is re, l iirel, at-Jul./ fill too heavily for
their means; and eons again arlm are with
'ant immc Hate families to look after them.
It i t for thew men who are fighting our bat
tle.% thst provision sheaf be made. The al
.,
111 .st cortiinty of a Lattlip—and probably a
severe one—Lefure our forces .reach Meh
ra in& renders the event of such a call on
soir spa ;whist• and nilistance not a remote
Tassibil:ty. In such c ase Washington would
still he the main hospital fur the wounded,
whose aufferinga would only be increased by
'the udditiannlly fatiguing transportation
front tae battle-field.
t.
C: it/ we not be rea ly for anch a dread
emat,cenay as this? Can we nut urisanize
unmittee whose. duty it tL.iIF Le to. loot
af
;er our :rounded, in the event of a ecrieiet
wall the enemy, and procure their remora!,
if tt,risable, to their homes? Car -main
tare. •volunteera is with the ariny of the
l',.tomac„ an i the first great battle will proh
-41,1y I, l r. Curia; within our reach. Let, then,
a committee he appointed and a fund Le
~,tai to be applicd a? may Le deemed best,
in relief of the wounded. Shall any of our
Lth.vti b.ya unf..ortunitcly be uuult•ered
among them, yve believe 41w moat speedy
means of restoring their health and strength
will be that sag:pitted. A ai;,,,514 of home
/tacit* to the pick or woundereo'Zier is a
kraut of new life and strength. Give them
*his and it will ,1) the v ork of a regiment
f phyi.z:ans.
••••
We may mention sug gestion
that the suggestion came '
:him to!. Welsh, whose eiperience of the
depressing monotony of hospital life dates
back to hia first service. Ile relates that the'
visit of an American lady, with her little
girl, to the hospital of our army at Suhill°,
where he Icy 04 the battle of Buena Vis
ta, mei - equivalent to a week's new strength
to every pafient inithe wards.
Will our citizens take this matter into se
rious•considemtion, and act?
1 2:CTCNDED RAILTLMD Flax mat ES —Pau-
VOSED COMPLETtoN OF Tar. REWIN4.; AND CO
LUMBIA Itoxn,—The report made from the
(louse Committee on Roads and Canals to
day, accompanying a bill thr Increased rail
road facilities betweenN ? M'.lfork and Wash
ington, set!! fm:th that the exigencies of the
Government" i'equire additional and more
speedy commuaicatian, and that the line
should be inland, and safe from the dangers
of •fiti•cign invasion, to 'which die existing
shore line is everywhere exposed. This
x•.utt, they say, can be supplied I , y cum
pleting the Readiiig and Columbia
and the committee accordingly recommend ,
that the Secretary of the Treasury be author_
iced to endorse on the first mortgage bonds
the guarantee of the payment of the
principal and interest to the extent of S-Iso_
000—one half to be paid on the completion
of half the road, and the remainder on its
completion.—PAlla. Press, Yard 14171.
Oar Army Correspondeno6
CoLumniA, March, 13th. 1862
17u. Srvt—Your cummunications from
our boys in the army have been numerous,
and, I believe, attractive to a majority of!
your readers. Having recently served a
short term with one of our companies in the
field, I propose to constitute myself your
"Special" fur the nonce, and give to you in
brief my campaigning experiences.
I left Culumbia-cm Saturday, March Ist,
for the city of Washington, my errand being
simply to visit my numerous friends and
acquaintances encamped around the Capital.
I stopped over Sunday in Baltimore, and
reached Washington next day, proceeding
directly to Camp Birncy, in Prised George
Cuunty, Md., where utAr boys of Co. I,
Twenty-third Regiment wet e encamped. I
I{llS heartily received by the boys—ollicers
and men—and made welcome to bed and
hoard. I was nt once rated as Corporal, and
filled that position (with what digaity it does
not become me to soy) during my stay. j
I spent a week with our , friends enjoying I
the visit hugely, in spite of rain and mud.
I found the Colombians all hearty. in good;
keeping, and full of enthusiasm. They are''
comfortably quartered, are well clad, armed
with rifled muskets, and supplied with an
abundance of everything. 'Their rations
arc everything a man can desire.
I was voted the freedom of the camp and
initiated in the mysteries of camp life and
amusements. It would consume !too much
space to enter into particulars of these, but
I must mention the theatrical entertainment
up mainly by the members of the regi
meat enlisted in Philadelphia. These were
first rate, and gave great satisf:xtion both
to spectators and performers.
I also freqeently reviewed the regiment
' when on dress parade, and found their pro-
ficiency iu drill, &a , entirely satisfactory.
Ile new CulUnel—Neill—ts bringing, the
boys out, and Las done wonders for them
since taking the comma nd. l le tv,L5 a little
rhy of putting them throng!' befote me at
first, but I assure,' him t: tot 1 ass prepared
to be pleased with the regiment; mid indeed
! sown found that even were I disnused to be
critical I could find. no fault. Among the
, 'err best companies of the regiment is coin
( I, under Capt. Ilaldem.ll and Lieut.
I Van Clue. (Lieut. Adams is detailed as
Aid to Brig. Gen. Graham.) They are well
drilled, make a fine appearance, and I was
prou 1 of being able to claim the majority of
them as fellow-citizens. I ant not giving
Imy (possibly prejudiced) upimen of our
boys—they rank in the regiment, as I Lave
said, among :he very best.
The brigafe was niit brdered out for my
inspection on account of the mud; but I
begged that Gen. Graham would Out tual“.
any apolgics—and he didn't.
I found that Cul. Neill and all other offi
cers of the regiment were favorites with the
men, and treated them with uniform kind
ness. I found no-ill feeling existing in the
regiment. The only unpleasant circom
stance"connected with my rilit was thedeath
of a member of Company I—Curporal Lane,
of Philadelphia. Capt. Haldeman had the
redains sent home to his family.
I had intended getting over the Potomac
to see our boys of the rifth, and the Lan
casterians, but I wee some distance from
town, our quarters were comfortable, and I
felt disinclined'to'move, so I• put it off until
too late. On Monday morning, at 1 o'clock
the orders came to be reely for a move, and
you may be sure it war r•_.;:uri with cheer,.
The boys were rejoiced that the long wished 1
for advance had.nt' le , iigth been ordered.—
By three everything was Tacked:,llnd we
cverd off. Your "Special", fully armed and
equipped, with his rations in his haversack,
bearing the musket of one of ,the sick,
inarchld in the ranks. (Declined Gen. Keys'
offer of a horse, as I wanted .to be - with . the
boys.) wo had five miles to Waktifngnin,
Marched through the city and On to the
Chain Bridge. Out .march was cheered by
song and shout. I joined in the "Star Span
gled Banner," and other National out-pour
ings, and my throat vas hoarse with cheer
ing.
Up t: near this point I felt as good a sol
dier CS '':"any other man," although the
rain.had been falling- for some time arid the
mnd•was knee deep. Illy heart was tired
with eagerness to meet the foe, my boy, and
make him . ; mine; but, alas, the flesh was
unequal 'to the spirit. You know, Ma. Srr,
that I'm not a light weight, and the ten
mile march commenced to tell. My throat
began to parch, there was a whizzing in my
airs as of lager escaping from -a "fresh sag,''
and visions of the foaming beakers of the
"Continental" danced before my eyes. I
felt that the hour of separation had indeed
arrived. Murmuring to myself "Duke et
decorum est pro putria mori, my boy!" I
struck nn impressive - attitude and grounded
arms at the entrance to. the bridge. "Good
bye, fere!" said I, mid burst into tears.
Capt. Llaldeman relieved me of my mus
ket and ammunitit n, the boys chunk my
hand and told me Wove my nose and stop
crying, and with a farewell cheer my com
panions in arras marched on over the bridge,
as gallant and daring a band of soldiers as
has left any town or city of our land to tight
in dcfcnce•of our lit.st ti.:z.` May 'they catch
the rebels—l knciw they Will whip them if
tliey'gst a chance. And may they all re
turn to their homes safe, and soon. •
I wended my way back to Washington sad
from the parting. On Tuesday I armed at
home, and to-day I give in my experience.
I shall never forget the week I spat with
the brave soldiers of the Twenty-third, God
bless them. " • • • •
By command of the President.
(Signed) •'BOWERY,"
Corporal
The Great Battle in Apt - iansas.
THE COMBINED REBEL ARK.DZFEATED.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF GEN. CURTIS
Sr. Louts, March 11.—The following is
the official report of Gen. C . (1111'80' the great
. .
battle in.lArkansas.:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF VIE SOUTIIIVEST, 1
March PEA ItinGE, Arkansas, 9.
Ceneiwr—Cto Thursday, the 6th inst., the
enemy commencZ;cl an attack bn my right,
assailing and following' the 'rear 'guard . of
the detachment under General' Sigel to'ryiy
main lines on Sugar Creek hollow, but
ceased firing when he met my reinforce
ments about 4 P. M.
During the night I became convinced that
he had moved on so as to nttaek my tight
or rear. Therefore early on the 7th I ordered
a change of front to the right. My right,
which thus became my left, still rested on
Sugar Creek Hollow. This brought my line
across Pca Bridge, with my new right rest
ing on the head of Cross'Timber
which is the head of Big Sugar Creek: '
I also ordered an immediate advance of
cavalry and light infantry under Cul. Oster
haus, with orders to attack and break what
I supposed would be the reinforced line of
the enemy. This movement was in progress,
when the enemy, at 11 o'clock in the morn
ing, commenced an attack on my right.
The tight continued mainly at lbesopoints
during the day, the enemy at one time hav
ing gained the point held by Col. Carr at
Cross Timber Hollow. But he was entirely
repulsed with the full of their commander,
Ben. McCulloch, in the centre, by the forces
under Col. atvis.
The plan of the attack on the Pnemy's
centre was gallantly tarried forward by Cul.
Osterhaus, who was immediately su.tained
and superseded by Col. lhavis' entire divi
sion, supported also by Gen. Sigel's com
mand, which had remained till near the close
°rale day on the left.
Cul. Carr's Division held the right under
a galling and continuous fire all day.
In the evening, the firing having entirely
ceased in the centre and the right being
now on the left, I rtinforced the right by a
portion of the Second Division, under Gen
eral Before the day elo.ed I was
t.`, winced that the enemy had concentrated
his main force on my right, I therefore com
menced another change of front forward, so
ai to face the enemy, where he had deploy.
ed on my right flank in strong position.
This change had been partially e!fcete.l
but was fully in progress when, at sunrise
on the morning of the Stla, my right and
centre renotted firing, which was immedi
i ately answered by the enemy with renewed
I energy along the whole extent of his line.
My left, under General Sigel, moved close
to the hills occupied by the enemy, driving
him from the heights and advancing steadily
toward the bead of the Hollows.
I immediately ordered the centre and
right wing forward turning the left of the
enemy and cross-firing, on his centre.
This final position placed the enemy in
the arc of :a circle, when a charge of infant.
ry, extending throughout the whole line,
completely routed the whole Rebel force,
which retired in great confusion, but rather
safely through tile deep and impassable de
files of cross timber. .
Our loss is heavy. That of the enemy
can' never be'ascertained, for his dead are
scattered over a large field. Their wounded,
too, may, many of them be lost and perish.
The fee scattered in all directions, but I
think Lis main force has returned to Boston
Mountain. •
Gen. Sigel fullows towards Keithsville,
while my cavalry is pursuing him toward,
the mountains, scouring the country and
bringing In prisoners, and trying to find the
Rebel 11.Inior. General Van Dorn, who had
command of the entire force at this battle at
Pea Ridge.'
I have not Tct received the statements of
the dead an.l :15 ju,tify
report, but I will refer you to a despatch I
will forward yiPa, very soon.-- •
The officers tad sOldieritave 31144 played
such untivitir gartiry Airidlyidare 7 to
make diatiaCtions. , most, lowever, name
Coinmadders of• Divisions: Gen. Sigel gal
lantly carried the right, and drove back the
left wing of the enemy. Gen, Asboth (wai
Wounded in the arm in his gallaht teffort to
reinforce the right, Colonel and Acting
Brigadier General-Divis, who commanded
the centre where - MeCußoch fell on the 7th,
and pressed. forward the centre of the enemy
on the Bth, Colonel and Acting Wrigadier
General Carr was also wounded in the arm,
and was under the continuous fire of the
enemy during the two hardest days of the
struggle.
Illinois, Indiana, lowa, Ohl:Nand Missouri
may proudly' share' the honor of the victory
which their gallant 'ltrose have'• won over
the combined Threes of Tan Imrn, 2'rit•e and
.McCulloch, nt Bea. Ridge, ic: the MOuntains
of Arkan'sas. • •• 4
(Signed) it. CURTIS, Brigadier General
Major General flalleek, •St. Louis.
GLORIOUS NEWS FRO! VIRGINIA.
•
Manassas Evacuated by the Rebels
The Mion Teoops in qiiei .possession
Wes II I YGTON, March 11, A. M.—Manas
sas has been evacuated by the Rebel's tina
our forces have taken peaceful possession!
No other news of public interest has been
received this morning.
LiLIER
IVAsuisuros, March 11.—The reliable
details of rho evacuation of Manassas and
its ocedfaskltin - by our troops have not yet
been' received. The whole fortifications
were abandoned, and everything possible
burned.
The Retreat of the Rebels from Mazas
CENTREVILLE:, March•LL.—Yesterday morn
ing our forces, tlrnour4:ing. to upwards of
2,000r/ten, procoSeded' to Centreville and oc
copied that village about 4 o'clock on the
previous afternoon. It was altogether de
serted.
The entire command thence proceeded to
Manassas, arriving there in the evening.—
The''Rebels had destroyed much of their
property, w'tich they could not carry away,
by fire and othOwise. The bridges and
railroad track and depot in that vicinity
were ' extensively damaged, nothing but
wreck tan]: desolation wore apparent.
Who' 1301:110 time ago it was stated in this
correspondence the Rebels'wzre falling back
from INianassas the a•ssert'roh was industri
ously contradicted, but there is now satis
factory c : v4leucc :hat the rattln body left their
Lines nearly tiro Weeks ago. The roads in
Virginia in some places are tolerably good
and improving.
The . %v,bersaboats of, the liebels who re
treated from Manassas is n subject of earn
est speculation.
LATER
Upon closer examination it was discover
ed that the Rebels before evacuating their
much-boosted stronghold had set fire to such
of their commissary stores as they could
not conveniently carry off. The place *-
suited a scone of the utmost desolation—a
masa of charred and blackened ruins.
The Rebels also blew up the bridges along
the line of the Orange and Alexander Rail
road fur seine miles below Manassas. Such
of the locomotives its were out of repair
were also destroyed, it is supposed by being
blown up, and the vicinity of the depot is
covered with fragments of machinery be
longing to the destroyed locomotives. It is
said that the Rebels left Centreville on Sun
day morning.
Large nu...hers of contrabands have
reached our fines, which now extend beyond
Manassas Junction, and are still coming in
by droves.
On our way from Centreville yesterday
morning we pas.ied , at least one hundred,
who were making their tray to Washington.
Some of the refugees cinfin to have come
from twenty miles west of Manassas. They
all ngree in saying that the Reba's left the lat
ter place in great precipitation; and thlt the
destruction of the commissary stores was
commenced at an early hour on Sunday
morning.
The contrabands stet° that a portion of
the force which left Manassas passed north
wardly, but this is considered improbable,
but if they did it was for the purpose of re
inforcing Jackson at Winchester. They
also state that all the bridges along the
route which they came had been blown up
by the Rebels in their retreat, and that the
greater portion of the track is also torn up.
The earthworks at Centreville had been
greatl; mis-represented. They were not of
the ftiMidable character supposed. The
enemy' before evacuating had somewhat in
jured them by breaking the embrasures and
caseinCtl: )at Manassas, which however,
has not•Lberi fullyrexatnined.
Our ticap.s cii ;Arriving at Fairfax Court
House foilnd not more than a dozen families.
The soldi rushed into the Court [louse
and away some of tho records, but
this bein4 'discovered the officers directed
their ra;.;rn.
Whet? "cur troops learned that Manassas
had been 'evacuated their spirits suddenly
became depressed, al they had anticipated
a spiritel conflict with the enemy.
About a mile and a half before reaching
Centrerin a number of graves were discov
ered, pr:i.:;cipally of Alabama troops. The
g raves irere marked with head and foot
boardg, 'Vith the names of the deceased
thereon. - A guard was placed near them as
if to shield them from mutilation, although
it waS not; to be supposed :bat such an act
coul.l be committed.
Most of the contrabands above alluded to
weio cheerful and happy in their liberty,
nod remarkably communicative to the ex
tCrt of their limited knowledge.
466upatton of Fairfax and Centreville
.' by the Federal Troops.
1.47EW Yong., March 11.--The Tribune's
special Bays that the companies under Major
['offal- were ordered on Sunday morning
to go to Fairfax Court House by the old
Broad Jolt ro4.d. They met the enemy t mile
this tile. I. , tit the 11 . 2';e15 roireated azi our
troops entered the Court House at noon ye.s
rerday... Major lintfieldis compdny reached
Cdutieviife and tdund evacuated
on the night priii , Jil,l'erOing behind tests
and other property in large quantity. Roth
, plitees'werenecupied last night. Gene Val
Kearney's Brigade drove back the Rebels
at Sangster's on Sunday. Lieutenant Wee
dein, of the Lincoln Cavalry, was killed.—
Several were killed on both sides.
CAPTURE OF FERNANDINA, FLA.,
AND BRUNSWICK, GA. •
Impngtant,licim tom. Dupont's Expedition.
t . • ...
The United States steamer Alabama, Cap
taro Lanier,.`iiirived here yesterday, direct
from Fernandina; Florida, bringing Captain
Davis, late Plag - offredr of the South Atlantic
Squadron, as bearer of despatches from Com
modore Dupont to the Na:vy Department,
announcing the capture of Ferhandina and
Brunswick by the fleet under his command.
We aro indebted to Captain Davis for an
outline of the operations 'of the fleet since
it reft Port Royal, about the let of March,
on what was announced as an important
espedition, the Place of destination having
been withhold at the reqaost of the Govern
ment.
The first point of the coast approached by
the fleet was the town of Bru it' ick, * Gei-gia,
the enemy abandoned their works aid pre
cipitately flying at "tho upProach of the On
boats. It was taken possession of anti gun
boats leh in charge. ThiS gives the Govern
ment the control of the whole' coast of Geor
gia, from. South Carolina to Florida. '
Brunswick' being disposed of,'the fleet
moved twenty miles further to Cumberland
Sound, the entrance to Eke kaits:m of Fer
nandina, Florida.
The fleet ente:ed Curuherland Sound in
the following order:—The Mohican, flag-ship
of Com. Dupont, the Ottowa, the Seminole,
the Pawnee, the Flag, the Bienville, the Al
abama, the James Adger, the Florida, the
Seneca, the iluron and the Pembina. They
were followed by the small armed steamers
P-otowska, Penguin and Ellen. Neit came
the armed revenue cutter Henrietta. and the
armed tratispert McClellan, followed by the
transports Empird City, Boston, Belvidere,
Star of the South, George'si'Creek and the
brig Gen. Wright, all loaded with Troops
under the command of General Wright.
When the expedition came in sight of Fort
Clinch the Rebels were discovered making a
hasty flight, and fired two or three random
shots from the barbette guns of the fort.—
The shells of the fleet, however, caused a
hasty evacuation, and Fort Clinch was im
mediately taken possession or, and the flag
of the Union raised on the old staff which
has been so long disgraced by the traitors'
colors. This is the first of the old Southern
forts of the Union that has been recovered
since the proclamation of the President de
claring that they must all be restored to the
Union.
As the fleet approached the fort a train of
cars was observed' leaving Fernandina, and
as the track runs some three miles along the
shore of the Sound, Oom. Dupont 4ent one
of the gunboats in pursuit of the train.
An mtaiting race took place, the steamer
thtowing shells at the flying train, some of
them falling in such close proximity that
some 3 , r the fleeing rebels jumped from it
and trek to the bush. Among the latter is
said to have been the late Senator Yulee, of
Florida, accompanied' by his servant. The
train, of course, outrma the gunboat and es
caped.
The old casemated Fort Clinch having been
taken possession of, the flag Was also speed
ily raised from the eight Rebel earthworks
abandoned by the enemy. Twelve' large
guns fell into our possession, including one
immense rifled gun of 12.0-pour4 calibre.—
Five of them were found in Fort Clinch, and
the others were in the earthworks.
They had hastily removed a portion of
their guns, which were said to be at St. Johns,
farther up the Sound. An expedition was
preparing to go up to capture them when the
Alabama sailed.
Considerable ammunition was also cap
tured, and the same evoing the Rebel steamer
Darlington.loaded with wagons, ammunition
and camp equipage, was also captured whilst
endeavoring to escape.
The expedition accomplished its mission
on the 4th of March, the anniversary of the
inauguration of President Lincoln. The
troops'of Genaral Wright were landtd. and
Commodore Dupont handed over to him pos
session of the forts and earthworks, which
were quickly garriscined.
Most of the male inhabitants of Fernan
diva had fled, and tilt - , city tins taken pos
session' of.
This has been one of the most useful ports
to the Rebels, a large number of veseels har
ing run the blockade here.
MESSAGE PROM THE PRESIDENT
lle Indicates a Policy on the Slavery tfuestion
GRIMM EMANCIPATIQN ',CO)!,3IENDEII
On Thursday 13th the Preoid.gili trans
mitted to Congress the following, message:
• Fellow Citizen's of the Senate and Ihusc of
Representatives: I recommend the adoption
of a joint resolution by your honorable
bodies which shall be substantially as fol
lows: '
Resotcra; That the United States ought to
cooperate with ac-! State which may adopt
the gradual abblislimmit of slavery, giving to
such State pecuniaryaid,•to be used by such
State in its discretion, to compensate fur the
inconveniences, public and private, produced
by such change of system.
If the proposition contained in the resolu
tion does not•meet the approval of Congress
rind the country, there% the end, but if it
does command such approval, I deem it of
importance that the States and people im
mediately interisted should be at once dis
tinctly 'notified et the fact, so that they may
begin to consider whether to accept er reject
it. The Federal Government would find its
highest interest in such a measure, as one
of the mebt efficient means of be!ftpreserra
tion. Tho leaders of the existing insurrec
tion entertain the hope that this Govern
ment will ultimately be forced to :tawny
ledde the independence of some part of the
disaffected regiun, and that all the slave
States north of such parts will then say—
The Union for which 'we :have'etrugg/ed
being alreaay gone;!ycenow choose eeln
with the Smitherti section. To deprive them
of this'hcipe substantially ends the rebellion.
end the initiation of emancipation complete
ly'dePrives them ofil nein' all the States
initietinglt. The point is not that all the
States tolerating sladeiTy.WiTtialev'ery' hooty
if' at elf, initiate emancipation ; 'but that
While - tlieliffer is eqUally"maffe to'nll;lhe
more Northern shall, by such initiation,
make it certain to the more Southern; that,
in no eielit, th 6 foitner ever join the
latter in their proposed confederacy:. I say
initiation, because, in my judgement, gfafi
ual and not suild'en' n etriencipation is hitter
for all. In the- mere fivinneirol oppeemsiary
view, any member of Congress,' with' the
census tables a.ad Treasury reports before
him, can readily see foll-hiniself how very
soon the current expenditures of this 'war
would purchase, at a fair valuation., all the
slaves in any named State. Such a propo
sition, on the part of the General Govern:
ment, sets up no claim of right, by Federal
authority, to interfere with slavery within
State limits, referring, as it does, the abso
liddeontrol of the subject, in each case, to
the State and its people immediately inter
ested. It is proposed, as a matter of per
fectly free choice with them. In the annual
message list I,...e.cemper I thought fit to say:
"The Union - Must be preserved, and hence
all indispensable means must be employed."
I said this not luistily, but deliberately.—
War has been made,' and continues an in
dispeneatle'weabs to tbli end. A practical
reacknowlediement of the'national authority
would render the war"tinnecessary, and it
would at once cease. If, however, resist
ance continues the war must also continue,
and it is impossiiii.3,to forsee all the inci
dents which :may attend, and all the ruin
which may follow it. Such as may seem
indisponSaLle, or may obviously promise
great efficiency in mining the struggle, must
and will come. The proposition now made
is an offer only. I hope-it may be esteemed
no offence to ask Whether the pecuniary
consideration tee.e.ared'would not be of more
value tolhe 'states and private persons con
cerned than are the institutions and property
ir, it; in the present aspect of affairs.—
While it is true that the adoption of the
proposed resolution would, be merely initia
tory, and nut witb.iniOelf a practical meas
ure, it is recommended, it; the hope that it
woul,l soon lelid'to important prnetical re
sults. In full view of great responsibility
to my God and to my country, I earnestly
bog the attention of Cong:ess and the, people
. to the subject. ' '
A DR it.. LINCOLN
FROM MISSOIIRL
A Battle Supposed to be Coing On at New
If2drid
Craft°, Marchlo.—A despatch from Gen
eral Pope's column says his forces have
reached New Madrid. Heavy cannonading
has been heard in that direction. The ene
my are said to be in strong force there..
The total number of torpedoes found in
the river thus far is four hundred.
Exciting news from New Madrid is.expect
ed huurly.
Large gangs of negroes have been working
in Forts Randolph and Pillow, on the Missie.
sippi river; the former mounts 100 guns.
FROM. FORTRESS MONROE
Particulars of the Attack of the Rebel Iron•
Clad Steamer Merrimac ou the Fleet,
GREAT BATTLE-•SEVERE LOSS OF LIFE
Heroic Bravery of American Tars
CAPTrEE OT FRIGATE CONGRESS--SUE IS
'''.l3l.:ExT TO TUE WATER'S EDGE.
TERRIFIC EXPLOSION OF TIER 3LIGAZINE.
T 1 Cumberland makes a Brave Fight.
One of the Rebel Steamers Disabled.
ANOTHER REBEL SIEAMER Crt IN Two
THE MINNESOTk GOES TO THE ATTACK BUT
GETS AGROUND.
She Escapes with no Material
Damage.-
OPPORTUNE ARRIVIL OE THE MONITOR.
A Fierce Fight—The Merrimac has a
Hole Battered in Her Side and Retires.
NO DAMAGE TO THE MONITOR
SHELLING OF NEWPORT NEWS
FOT.TRESS MONDOE,Ch 0, P. Ill.—The
long expected and talked of Rebel steamer
Merrimac has at length made her appearance
in these waters. Yesterday afternoon. with
the assistance of two wooden gunboats which
came out with her from Norfolk, and the James
town and Yorktown, which came down the
.fames river, she made an attack upon New
port News and the naval vessels stationed at
that place.
The Merrimac was first seen from the ram
parts of Fort 'Monroe, on her way to Newport
News, at about a quarter to one o'clock. Two
gunboats followed, all carrying the detested
Rebel Hag at their stern. The gtinboats had a
French Hag at their mast-head by way, as is
supposed, of complimenting the Fzetch men
of-war ..,.
in the roads.
The Merrimac had a flag at her bows, which
was thought by some to be a Commander's
blue flag, and by others it was set down to be
a black flag, but most likely the first opinion
was correct. She appeared to be'viry low in
the water. Her sides, bows and stern were
covered with a sloping iron roof, extending
about two feet below the water line, and meet
ing above like the roof of a house. At her
bows, on the water line, were two sharp iron
points, about six or seven feet apart. Her
number of guns has been stated at twelve, but
she might not have had so many. At her bows
two guns were seen projecting from a long,
eliptical porthole
The precise design of the enemy did not be
cornet apparent until between one and two
o'clock, and by that time the Minnesota had
got under way for the scene of action.
The Roanoke (flagship), having been disabled
by the breaking - or her shaft some time since,
was taken op in tow by the tugboats Dragon
and Young America.
At about the same time the alarm stzual g,uu
of the fortress was fired and the v6;hole garrison
'promptly , turned out juk; arms, ,. eagpr for the
antieipited fight. " "
The Tenth Reginieg,Cif New t Volun
teers were drawn up - anebrietly4dl3ressedl.q .
Col."Ile - nedix, and all testi ked the gretest de
light at: - the prospect of pitting into
After being under ordens‘for some time' the
garrison-was dismissed until.. ttiVy should be
iiranted."_
The Rebel boats steadily pursued their jay
to Newport News, and the Merrimac soon
turned the point and was lost to the Tievirlofl)e
eager spectators at the Fortress.
The first * .shot was fired from the frigate
Cumberland at a little past two o'clock.' 'The
Sewell's Point Battery then opened upon the
Minnesota, which was passing up, and trie
Sawyer gun from the Rip Ravi: replied with
a few shots at the Sewell's Point Rebels.
• A 'thick cloud of sracke was seen To arise
above•and hangover Newport News, Indicating
that our batteries there, as well as Meath:op-of
war Cumberland and the frigate Congsiesi,
were engaging the enemy.
The progress of. the action could not now be
seen from the fortress,.trut the telegraphic linC
thith'ei• kept GenefeJ Wool advised of the pro
gress of events.
despatch wa s alter a time received an
nouncing tint the Cittnberland'and the Merri=
mac were in close qfiarters. As the latter ap
proached the ehmlierland she dad not pay any
attention td the Congress, but after firing two
guns struck the CUMberland with her sharp
bows, making a jagged hole in her side, aLtFe
water line, about seven feet in extent.
Cumberland immediately commenced to sink,
when the Merrimac, backing a short distance,
run into her a time, making another
terrible hole, which admitted the water at a
furious rate. She continued firing, however,
her brave crew working it lei guns untii'ihe
water began to enter her port bolas. She ca.
reened over slowly, and finally sunk at about
three o'clock.
The Newport News Battery and the guns of
the Cumberland fired continually upciri the
Merrimac, but no apparent effect was produced.
The Minnesota unfortunately got aground
on the way up and could offer but little assis=
tance.
Shortly before three o'clock the Jamestown
and Yorktown arrived from up the James river,
but the latter was disabled by the Cumberland
shortly after her arrival and had to put in ticort
ly after her arrival for repairs.
After sinking the Cumberland the Merrimac
turned her attention to the Congress, and in
less th&ri an hour afterwards a white flag was
hoisted on board the latter. A Rebel gunboat
immediately went alongside and the officers
and marines being taken prisoners the seamen
were allowed to escape to the shore.
The United States frigate St. Lawrence
ar
rived here during the afternoon, and without
dropping anchor proceeded up the river. She
followed the example of the Minnesota and
RoAnoke in firing upon Sewell's Point, but like
theirs her sh;t fell short.
The gunboat Mystic was also towed upin
the afternoon. At sundoWn the Roanoke, St.
I...wrence and Mystic all returned.
'After 4 o'clock the Merrimac continued to
throw shell into the camp at Newport News,
while the Jamestown and other Rebel gunboats
commenced firing upon the Minnesota. The
latter replied as vigorously as possible, and the
conflict was continued without any apparent
effect until
During the evening the frigate Congress was
set on fire and made a brilliant spectacle. At
midnight she blew up with a tremendous ex
plosion.
During Saturday evening the Monitor GErics
son Battery) arrived very opportunely, at once
proceeded up the river, although not prepared
for immediate action, having just arrived.from
her first sea trip. During tne night only an
occasional gun was fired. Both sides seemed
to be willing to wait for daylight.
Reinforcements amen and ammunition were
sent to Newport News early in the afternoon
But little serious damage was done there, and
no one was killed.
The Pattie Rene Ned:
This (Sunday) morning the conflict was re
newed by the Rebels. Until the presence of
the Monitor wa s _ known to the Merrimac the
latter was engaged . with the Minnesota; lied
but for the fortunate arrival of the Monitor,
the Minnesota might have been lost, as she
was aground and of course unable to do egect
.;..•
ive service.
The two iron-clad batteries now engaged
each other for three or four hours at tong and
short range. For a long time no perceptible
elect was produced upon either. Once or twice
they lay close alongside and seemed almost to.
run each other down, but they soon reappeared.
from the cloud of spoke that hoverail over
them. Finally the Monitor succeeded in dam
aging her antagonist, battering a large hole in
the port side of the Merrimac,
S and she soon
drew off, and with the whole Confederate Reet
retired towards Norfolk at about I o'clock.
During the fight this morning the United
States gunboat Oregon was struck by the Mer
rimac in her boilers, which blew up.
The gunboat Zouave was also seriously
damaged, and was obliged to return.
One of the Rebel gunboats was cut in two
yesterday afternoon by the sloop-of-war Cum
berland before she was sunk.
The principal loss of 14 was on boasd.the
Cumberland, where it is thought as many as
150 must have been killed or drowned.
But six lives were lost on board the ninne
sots, according to the statement of one of her
officers.
The crew of the Minnesota were brought on
chore this afternoon, and with the assistance
of the steamer Spaulding she has been got off,
and is now on her way here. She received
numerous shots, but no serious damage.
The frigate Congress is supposed to have lost
over one hundred men, including but one officer.
the tscaped crews of the Congress and Corn
berland have arrived here. The Monitor has
come up to the expectations that were enter
tained of her and has played herself impreg
nable to the heaviest shot at close quarters-
She behaved remarkably well on her passage
hither from New York, and although the sea: at
times completely covered her decks, her speed
did not seem to be at all diminished. To'her
presence here may be attributed the:safety of
the Minnesota and probably other veinal, in
port, and the final disabling of the steamer
Merrimac, with had previously been proof
against everything.
Capt. Warden of the Monitor, was wounded
in the head while looking out of the wheelhouse
No other accident of any 'kind occurred to the
battery or crew. We have not yet any . list of
killed and wounded. Naval Men 'bete are gen
erally of opinion flat, considering everything,
the Rebels bad the worst time of it. With
out the Monitor the damtiges-it ight save been
much mote serious