IF wißfoym UNION I
Desperate Naval Engagements
in Hampton Roads..
Attack upon our Blockading Vessels
by the Rebel Steamer's Merrknac,
Jamestown and Yorktown.
FRIGATE CUMBERLAND RUN INTO
BY THE MERRiMAC AND SUNK.
Surrender of the Frigate Congress
THE MINNESOTA ANIJ OTHEB
VESSELS AGROUND.
Fire Hours' Engagement betwen the
Monitor and the Merrirnac.
IMPORTANT FROM NEW-MEXICO.
CAPTURE OF COCKPIT POINT.
Burnside Advancing on Suffolk.
FOKTKEAS MONROE, March 8,1862.-
The dullness of Old Poiut was star tied to
day by the announcement that a suspicious
looking vessel, supposed to be the Merrirnac,
looking like a submerged house with the roof
only above water, was moving dowo from Nor
folk, by the chaunel in front of the Sewall'a
Point batteries. Signal guns were also fired
by the Cumberland and Congress to notify the
Minnesota, St Lawreuce, and Roanoke of the
approaching danger, and all was excitement
iti and about Fortress Monroe.
There was nothing protruding above the
water but a flag-staff flying the Rebel flag, and
a short smoke-stack. She moved along slowly,
and turned into the channel leadiug in to New
port News, and steamed direct for the frigates
Cumberland and Congress, wbish were lyiug
at the month of James River.
As 60011 as she came within range of the
Cumberland, the latter opened on her with her
heavy gnus, but the balls struck and glanced
off, baviDg no more effect than peas from a
pop gun. Her ports were all closed, and she
moved on in silenee, but with a full head of
6team. In the mean time, as the Merrimac
ffas approaching the two frigates on one side,
the rebel irou-clad steamers Yorktown and
Jamestown came down James River uud eu
gaged our frigates on the other side. The bat
teries at Newport News al*o opened on the
Yorktown and Jamestown, and did a'l in their
power to assist the Cumberland and Congress,
which, beiDg sailiug vessels, were at the mercy
of the approaching steamers. The Merrimac
in the meantime kept steadily on her course,
and slowlj approached the Cumberland, when
she and the Congress, at a distance of one hun
dred yards, rained full broadsides 011 the iron
clad monster, that took no effect, glancing
upward and flying off, having only the effect
of checking her progress for a moment.
After receiving the first broadside of the two
frigates, she ran on to the Cumberland, strik
ing her about midships, and literally laying
open her sides. She then drew off and fired
a broadside into the disabled sbip, aud again
dasbed against her with her irou-clad prow, and
kuockiog in her side, left her to sink, while
■he engaged the Cougress, which lay about a
quarter of a mile distant. The Congress had,
meantime, kept up a sharp engagement with
the Yorktown aod JamestowD, aud having no
regular crew on board of her, seeing the hope
lessness of resisting the iron-clad steamer, at
ouce struck her colors. Her crew bad been
discharged several days since, and three com
panics of the Naval Brigade had been put on
board temporarily, uutil she could be relieved
by the St. Lawreace, which was to have gone
up on Monday to take her position as one of
the blockading vessels of the James River.
On the Congress striking her colors, the
Jamestown approached and took from on board
of ber ali her officers as prisoners, but allowod
the crew to escape in boats. Toe vessel, be
ing thns cleared, was fired by tbe rebels, when
the Merrimac and her two iron-clad compan
ions opened with shell and shot on the New
port News batteries. The firiug was briskly
returned. Various reports have been received,
principally from frightened sutler's clerks.—
Some of them represent that the garrison had
been compelled to retreat from the batteries to
tbe woods. Another was that the two small
er rebel steamers had been compelled to re
treat from their guns.
lu tbe meantime the steam frigate Minne
sota having partly got up steam, was being
towed up to the relief of the two frigates, but
did not get up until it was too late to assist
tbem. She was also followed up by the frig
nte St. Lawrence, which was taken in tow by
several of tbe small harbor steamers. It is,
however, rnmored that neither of these vessels
had pilots on board them, and after a short
engagement, both of them seemed to be, in the
©pinion of the pilots on the Point, aground.
The Minnesota, either intentionally or from
necessity, engaged the three steamers at about
a mile distant, with only her two bow guos.—
Tbe St. Lawrence also poured in 6bot from all
tbe guns she could bring to bear, aud it was
the impression of the most experienced uaval
officers on the PoiDt that both had been con
siderably damaged. Tbese statements, it must
be borne in mind, are all based on what could
be seen by a glass at u distauce of nearly eight
miles, and a fewpauic stricken non-combatants,
who fled at almost the first gun from Newport,
News.
la ihe meantime darkness approached,
though the moon shone out brightly, and noth
ing but the occasional flashing of guns could
be seen. The Merriuiac was also believed to
he aground, as she remained stationary at a
distance of a mile from the Minnesota, making
no attempt to attack or molest her.
Previous to the departure of the steamer
for Haltimore, uo guns had been flred tor half
an hour, the lastoue beiug tired from the Min
nesota. Some persons declared that, immedi
ately after this last gun was tired, a dense vol
ume of vapor was seen to rise iroui the .\ler
rimac, indicating the explosion of ber boiler.
Whether this is so or not cannot be knowD,
but it was the nuirersal opinion that the rebel
monster was hard aground.
Pears were of course entertained for the
tafely of the Miuuetota and St. Lawrence in
each an unequal contest, bat if the Merrirnac
was really ashore she could do no more dam
age. It was Che intention of the Minnesota,
with her pieked and gallant crew, to rna into
close quarters with the Merrirnac, avoid her
Iron prow, and board her. This the Merrimae
seemed not inclined to give her an opportunity
to do.
At 8 o'clock, when the Boltimore boat left,
a fleet of steam tngs were being sent up to the
relief of the Minnesota and the St. Lawrence,
and au endeavor was to be made to draw them
off the bar, on which they had groaoded. In
the mean time, the firing had suspended,
whether from mutual consent or necessity
cou'.d not be ascertained.
The rebel battery at Pig Pofnt was also
enabled to join k> the combined attack on the
Minnesota, and several guns were fired at her
from Sewall's Point as she went up. None of
them struck her, but one or twooi them pass
ed over her.
The Baltimore boat left Old Point at eight
o'clock last night. In about half an hour after
Bhe left the wharf the iron clad Ericsson
steamer Meuitor passed her, going in, towed
by a large steamer. The Mouitor undoubted
ly reached Fortress Monroe by 9 o'clock, and
may have immediately gone into service if
not, she would be ready to tak& a hand early
on Sunday morning.
FSBTBBSS MOKKOE, March 9, 1962.
The Monitor arrived at 10 p. u. yesterday,
and went immediately to the protection of the
Miuuesota, lying aground just below Newport
News.
At 1 x. u to day the Merrirnac, accompa
nied by two wooden steamers, the Yorktown
and Jameatown, and several tugs, stood out
toward the Miuuesota, and opened fire. The
Monitor met them at once, and opened fire,
when the enemy's vessels retired, exceptiog
the Merrirnac. The two iron-clad vessels fought,
pari of the time touching each other, from eight
a. m. till -noon, wheu the Merrirnac retreated.
Whether she is injured or uot it is impossible
to say.
Lieut. J. L Worden, who commanded the
Monitor, handled he with great skill, assisted
Engineer Stuuers. The Minuesota
kept up a continuous fire, and is herself some
what injured. She was moved considerably
to-day, and will probably be off to-night.
Tne Monitor is uninjured, and ready at any
moment to repel another attack.
WASHINGTON, March 9,1862.
The following was received to-night by Ma
jor-General McClellan from Gen. Wool, dated
Fortress Monroe at 6 o'clock this eveniug :
"Two hours after my telegraphic dispatch
for the Secretary of War, last evening, the
Monitor, arrived. She immediately went to
the assistance of the Minnesota, which was
agrouDd, and continued so until a few moments
sinee. Early this morning she was attacked
by the Merrirnac, Jamestown, and Yorktown.
After £ Ave hours' contest, they were driven
off, the Merrirnac in a sinking condition. She
was towed by the Jamestown, Yorktown, and
several smaller boats, toward Norfolk, no
doubt, if possible, to get her in the dry dock
for repairs. The Minnesota is afloat, and be
ing towed toward Fort Monroe."
The Merrirnac is understood to have been
under the command of Commander BuchanaD,
late of the Navy Yard.
The principal loss of life was on board the
Cumberland, where, it is thonght, as many as
one hundred and fifty men must have been
killed or drowned.
But six lives were lost on board the Minne
sota, according to the report of one of her
officers.
CAPTURE OF COCKPIT POINT.
WASHINGTON, March 9 1862.
The Stars and Stripes wave over Cockpi'
Point. Abotit 2p. M. to-day the rebels com
menced to fire their tents and other property
difficult of removal. They also burned the
steamer Page, and all the other creft in the
creek.
Our gunboats opened fire on the Cockpit
Point battery about three o'clock p. M., and at
four and a half lauded and ruu up the glorious
old flag.
Oen. Hooker reports that all the enemy's
batteries in front of his line are entirely aban
doned, and their guus spiked. Some of the
guns of which we have taken possession appear
to be valuable pieces. This is virtually open
ing the Potomac, and raising the so called
blockade.
The above dispatch is dated Rudd's Ferry.
IMPORTANT FROM NEW MEXICO.
DENVER CTTV, March 5.
The following news was received here to
day by military express :
A desperate and terrible battle, lasting all
day, took place at Valverde, ten miles south of
Fort Craig, on the 21st of February.
The fight was probably resumed again on
the 22d.
The loss is great on both sides.
Both parties claim the victory.
Capt. Mcßae, who had charge of our artil
lery, aud every one of his command were killed
at their post, and their cannon were taken by
the Rebels.
Kit Carson was within fifteen miles of Fort
Craig.
Firing was heard from his direction, but with
what result was not ascertained at the time
the messeuger left.
GEN. BURNS IDE ADVANCING TO
SUFFOLK.
FORTRESS MONROE, March 8.
A strong force is coucentratiug at Suffolk
to check Gen. Burnside, who was reported to
have occupied Winton, in force, and moving
on to Suffolk.
The reason given by the rebels for not re
turning Col. Corcoran is that maps and draw
ings have been found concealed upon his per
son.
LEKSBCRG, Saturday, March, 8.
Col. Geary has taken Leesburg, and driven
Gen. Hill, with his whole command, from the
town and surrounding forts. The Stars and
; Stripes now wave over all. Gen. Hill's army
! fell back toward Middleburg.
Last night Col. Geary left Lovettsville
! with his whole command,and marched through
Wheatland aud Waterford, taking prisoners
at both places, and putting the scattered for
ces of the rebels to flight.
Shortly after sunrise he took possession of
Fort Johnston, which was cristened by the
officers Fort Geary. He then entered the
towD, with flags flying aud bayonets fixed.
The Rebel troops, who had thought this ODe
of their greatest strongholds, could be dis
cerned through a glass retreating.
Tbe command took many prisoners and
' are in possession of the back, Post Office, aad
public building. Fort Beauregard and Evans
were also-taken.
This brilliant achievement, by a weH-timed
Wow and skillful - maneuvre, is of vast impor
tance. The commands is well, and in good
spirits.
A detachment of the Ist Michigan Cavalry
did much service under Col. Geary iu this
movement.
SASDT HOOK, March, 8.
Col. Geary, with the fource under his com
mand, occupied Leesbnrg to-day,aDd the aban
doned works of the enemy in the vicinity of
that town.
No further particulars have yet been re
ceived here, but it is believed the enemy de
clined in this instauce, as in most others, to
give battle.
Col. Broadhead of the First Michigan Cav
alry is acting us Chief of Cavalry in this di
vision of the army.
At this moment artillery firing is heard in
the direction of Winchester.
Message from President Lincoln,
WASHINGTON, Thursday, March, 6.
The President to day submitted to Congress
the following Message :
Fellow-citizens of the Senate and House of
Representatives :
I recommend the adoption of a joint reso
lution by yoor honorable bodies, which shall
be substantially as follows :
Resolved, That the United States ought to co operate
with any State which may adopt a gradual abolishment
of Slavery, giving to such Stales pecuniary a-d, to be
used by such State in its discretion, to compensate for
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
and there is the end ; but if it
does command such approval, I deem it of im
portance that the State and people immediate
ly interested should be at once distinctly noti
fied of the fact, so that they may begin to consid
er whether to accept or reject it.
The Federal Government would find its
highest interest iu such a measure as one of
the most efficient means of self preservation.—
The leaders of the existing insurrection enter
tain the hope that the Government will ulti
mutely be forced jto acknowledge the indeprn
dence of somejpart of the disaffected region
and that all the Slave States north of such
parts will than say, " The Uuion, for which
we have struggled, being sdread gone, we now
chcose to go with the Southern section." To
deprive them of this hope substantially ends the
rebellion, initiation of emancipation complete
ly deprives them of it, us to all the States ini
tiating it. The point is not that all the States
tolerating Slavery would very soon, if at all,
iaitiate emancipation, but that while the offer
is equally made to all, the more Northern
shall, by such initiation, make it certain to the
Sonthern that in no event icill the former ever
join the latter in their proposed Confederacy.—
I say " initiation," becau e, in my judgement,
gradual and not suddeu emaucipatiou is better
for all.
Iu the mere financial or pecuniary view any
member of Congress, with the census tables
and the Treasury reports before him, can read
ily see for himself,how soon the ccrrcnt expend
itures of this war, would purchase, at a fair
valuation, all the slaves in any named State
Such a proposition or the part of the Gen
eral Government, sets uy no claim of a right by
Federal authority to interfere with Slavery
withiu State limits, referring, as it does, the
absolute control of the subject in each case, to
the State and its peopte immediately interest
ed. It is proposed as a matter of perfectly
fret choice with them.
Iu the annual Message last December I
thought fit to say :—" The Union mast be
preserved, and hence e.U indespensable means
must be employed." 1 said this not hastily,
but deliberately. War has been, and continues
to be, an indespensablj means to this end.—
A practical of the Nation
al authority would render the war unnecessary,
and it would at once cease If, however, re
sistance continues, the war must also continue,
and it is impossible to foresee nil the incidents
which may attend and all the ruin which may
follow it. Such us may seem iudespensable
or may obviously promise great efficiency to
ward ending the struggle, must and will come.
The proposition ucw made, though an offer
only. I hope it may be esteemed no offence
to ask whether the pecuniary consideration
tendered would not be of more value to the
States and private persons concerned that are
the institution and property iu it, iu the pres
! eot aspect of affairs.
While it is true that the adoption of the
proposed resolution would be merely iuithto
ry, and not within itself a practical measure,
it is recommended in the hope that it would
soon lead to important results. In full view
of my greot responsibility to my God and to
my Country, I earnestly beg the attention, of
Congress and the people to the subject.
(Signed,) ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
THE TREASURY NOTE BILL. —The United
States note bill bis received the President's
signature, and become a law. The most im
portant of the Senate's amendments, that ma
king the interest on all the obligations of the
bill as it finally passed. The duties on imports
are set apart as a fund for the payment of this
interest, and the creation of a sinking fond
for the liquidation of the principal. The bill
authorizes the issae of a hundred and fifty mil
lions of note in addition to those now ia cir
culation ; bat it contemplates the withdrawal
of these last from circulation, while the new
ones may be repeatedly paid out after being
received for government dues. The old notes
and specie wiil r.lone be received in payment
of duties on imported goods ; the new ones
are receivable for every other kind of govern
ment dues, aud ire a legal tender for the pay
ment of all public and private debts except
interest on government notes and bonds, and
does at the custom house.
The new curiency has some advantages over
the notes of thi suspended banks, 60 long as
suspension of specie payments continnes.—
They can be used for the payment of taxes,
for which bank notes cannot, and they will
legally discharge all private debts. Being
convertable into interest bearing bonds, they
will faciliate the funding of the publie debt,
and through this channel and the payment of
taxes a large amount of them will be constant
ly withdrawn from circulation to be as constant
ly returned into it by the Governmen.
t&r Specie is quoted at Richmond at 40
to 50 per cent, premium.
Eeporte.
E. O. GOODRICH, EDITOR.
TOWANDA :
Thursday Morning, March 13, 1862.
THE LATE NAVAL ENGAGMENT.
We hare news of the most excitiug char
acter from Fortress Monroe. The rebel iron
clad steamer Mrrimac, about which BO much
has been said recently, came dowu from Nor
folk on Satorday morning accompanied by the
steamers Yorktoicn and Jamestown, also iron
clad, and directly toward Newport
News engaged the sailing frigates Cumber
land. and Congress, blockading the mouth of
James River. The Merrimac is represented
to hare resembled a submurged house, with
the roof only above water. The two frigates
opened fire upon her, but with to affect, as
the heavy mettle glanced from the slanting
top of the Merrimac. Even at the distance
of only one hundred yards, a full broadside
from both vessels did her no damage. She
ran against the Cumberland amidship, with a
full head of steam on, staving a large bole in
her side; then drew off and poured in a broad
side, after which she dashed against the doom
ed vessel again, aud left her in a sinking con
dition. She theu turned against the Congress
and that vessel, having no regular crew on
board, and seeing the hopelessness of further
effort, lowered her colors, when she was board
ed by the Jamestown, and all her officers were
taken prisoners, while the few men on board
were allowed to escape in boats. The Con
gress was then set on fire and left to her fate.
The three rebel vessels then opened fire upon
her batteries "at Newport News, which had
beeu rendering what assistance was possible
to the Cumberland and Congress, and the ac
tion continued for Bome time, when the Merri
mack aud her two companions drew off as far
as Crauey Island. Tbo Minnesota, at the
commencement of the uction, in atlemping to
tow the Roanoke up, got ashore near the Rip
Ilaps, and could render no assitanc.e It wus
supposed that the Merrimac would attempt to
run the blockade on Saturday night, and prep
arations were made accordingly ; bat she ap
pears not to have made the effort. Mean
time on Saturday night the iron-clad Ericsson
Battery Monitor, whish left this port on
Wednesday arrived at Fortress Monroe, aud
Sunday morning she was attacked by the
Merrimack, Jamestown and Yorktown, but this
time they met more than their match. After
a five hour's contest, they were driven off, aud
the Merrimac retreated toward Norfolk in a
sinking coudition. The fall particulars of this
late action are yet warning, but there is no
doubt of the correctness of the report, as it is
telegraphed officially from Washington, also
from Fortress Mouroe,by order of Geo. WOOL.
The latter dispatch states that at times during
the engagement the two iron-ciad vessels were
touching each other. The Monitir was unin
jured.
THE LATEST WAR NEWS.
The left wing of Gen. Bank's Division is
giving a good account of itself. The advance
reported, including the occupat ou of Lees
burg, Col. Geary having left Lovettsviile ou
Friday evening, marched throng j Wheatland
and Waterford, and being master of the forts,
surrounding the town before sunrise on Satur
day. Leesburg would appear to have been
defended by a large Rebel force—whatever
may have been the policy of retiring without
a fight. The position gained by Col. Genry
is one of great importance ; aud we may uow
look fairly for a sweeping advarce by General
Bank's right, in conjunction with the forces
under. General Shields. It deserves to be
specially recorded that the scouring of the re
gion leading to Leesbur* is dt.e in very great
part to the Ist Michigan Cavilry, under Col.
Broadhead. As to the rumors of heavy firing
In the direction of Winchester we attach no
valnc to them. By a good road, such as the
main bo y of the division would move over
from Charlestown,Winchester must be distant
from the Ferry at least 40 mi .es.
From the provoking Rebel position at Cock
pit Point, on the Potomac, comes the agreea
ble news that the Union gun'aoats opened fire
on the latter at 3 o'clock ou Tuesday after
noon, that the rebels having set fire to the
greater portion of their moveable effects, aud
burned the piratical boat Page,retired to some
of their other haunts in the interior, and the
National flag is restored to the ground so long
held to the annoyance and discomfiture of the
Union traders in the river. A reference to the
map will show that Cockpit Poiut is situated
about seven miles below tie junction of the
Occoquan Creek with the Potomac.
Byway of Chicago we have news from
Cairo of the Bth inst., which represents that
in their hasty exodus the Rebels at Columbus
were compelled to leave no less than 30 can
non behind them,which will doubtless be turned
to account in the National service.
New Madrid, Missouri, where the Rebels
have made a stand with ltetween 5,000 and
10,000 men,supported by four gunboats, under
Gen. Pope. Some skirmishing had taken
place, during which serial of our men bad
been killed by shells from the Rebel gunboats.
Our officers were confident of their ability to
achieve an easy victory, provided the gun
boats were diven off New Madrid is a little
town of two thousand inhabitants on the Mis
sissippi River, just below Island No. 10, 280
miles south-east of JeflFerson City.
The Rebels are said 1.0 be fortifying Savan
nah, on the Tennessee River, to resist the ad
vance of our gnnboats. Savannah is si tasted
on the east side of the Tennessee, about 13
miles south of Nashville, and before the rebel
lion had a population of 1,000, with a flour
ishing trade in cotton and negroes.
A despatch from Denver City states that a
desperate battle had been fonght on the 21st
of February, at Valverde,New-Mexico, on the
left bank of the Rio Grande, ten miles sooth
of Fort Craig, lasting two days, with great
loss on both sides. The title to the victory
was disputed. A regiment cf New-Mexicans
under Col. Paoton are said to have ran away.
Capt. Mcßae, who had charge of our artillery
and every one of bis command, are said to
have been slain,and his battery was then taken
by the Rebels. Kit Carson was within 15
miles of Fort Craig, and was supposed to hav
arrived at the scene of action soon after the
messenger left, as by the la:est reports firing
was heard in the that direction. The Union
forces were under Col. Canby, and the Rebels
under Gen. Sibley. Judge Watts, the Dele
gate from New-Mexico, thinks from his latest
advices, that no action had takeu place, or at
all events, that the reports are greatly exag
gerated.
From rebel sources we learn that Gen. Buro
side had occupied Winton, ia force, and was
moving on Suffolk. Winton is a villages in
Forsyth County, Nort Carolina, situated on
the right banks of Chowau Kiver, 115 miles
N. E. of Raleigh. Suffolk, the alleged point
of attack, is at the junction of the Seaboad
and Roauoke, and the Norfolk, Peterburg.and
Richmond Railways. A strong Rebel force is
concentrating at Suffolk to check Buruside's
advance.
t&" A very large meeting was held at the
Cooper Institute, iD New York, on Wednes
day evening of last week, in response to a call
for the friends of emancipation. Hon. J. M.
Hamilton, sou of Alexander Hamilton, presi
ded, and addresses were made by the Presi
dent, Rev. Mr. Conway, CarlScbuiz and oth
ers. The tone of the meeting was unanimous
ly in favor of emeueipation as a war measure.
Letters, sympathizing with the objects of the
meeting, were received frou Hon. Charles
Sumner, Hon. David Wilmot, Hon. Heury
Wilson, Iloa. G. W. Julian aud Rev. John
Pierpont. A petition to the President was
ectensively circulated for signatures, advoeat
ing the emancipation policy to complete the
word which the revolution began.
Mr. Wilmot's letter will be foaud in another
column.
A special despatch to the N. Y. Even
ing Post, says the news from the South is
that the Confederates have organized a new
grand military plan, which is to revive their
waniug fortunes. A part of it is that Robert
Toombs, the violent orator, is to be appoin -
ed Lieutenant-Gencral or General Command
jng, and that he is to organize an offensive
war agaiust the North. Ohio and Pennsyl
vania are to be invaded, and the forces now
io the border states driven home.
BY TELEGRAPH,
7 I
Over the Tovrauda Telegraph Line.
EVACUATION OF MANASSAS.
Evacuation of Winchester and
Centreville.
EVACUATION OF MANASSAS.
WASHINGTON, March 11,1362.
Despatches received by General McClellao
today state that oar forces occupied Manassas
•Junction yesterday. No official news yet.
EVACUATION OF WINCHESTER.
CHABLKSTOWN, Va., March 10, 1*62.
It is currently rumored and believed that
Winchester was fully evacuated yesterday.
A reconooissanoe is out this morning to as i
certain the facts.
The intelligence from other quarters greatly
encourages all friends of the Union, as iudi
eating a speedy termination of hostilities.
EVACUATION OF CENTREVILLE.
WASHINGTON, March 10,1*62.
There is no longer any doubt that the rebels
have evacuated Centreville, Winchester aud
other important points, indicating a general
falling back of their forces.
CHARI.KSTOVN, VA ., March 10,1862.
It is now ascertained beyond a doubt that
Winchester has been evacuated by the rebels.
The prominent places between here and Win
chester are occupied by our troops.
WASHINGTON, March, 10,1fi2.
The President received to-night a despatch
from Gen. Halleck announcing that after a
three days' battle at Sugar Crock,in Arkansas,
General Curtis had won a complete victory
over the combined forces of the rebel leaders
Van Dorn, M;Cnlloch, Price and Mcintosh
Tho Union loss is estimated at one thousand
killed and wounded. The rebel loss is much
greater.
The fol'owing is an official despatch to Ma
jor General McClellan
ST. LOVIS. March, 10,1362.
The army of the Southwest, under Geueral
Curtis, after three days' bard fighting, has
gaiued a most glorious victory over the com
bined forces of Van Dome, McCullocb, Price
and Mcintosh.
Our loss in killed aDd wounded is estimated
at one thousand !
That of the enemy was still larger.
Guns, flags, provisions, kc., were captured
in large quantities.
Our cavalry are iia pursuit of the Oyiog en
emy.
H. W. HALLICK Major General.
Letter from Beaufort"""*"**
I Tlw following letter waa writ*, for „„v
Bradford Argut, some weeks io- t
in that paper, and .1 the r* iafcll of "
the Company to which it refers, w e J?? ***?
columns. We think it will be f ouu j ,* * 1 '
this late date. ]
BriuroßT, S 0 1
Fkisno Argus For the fi.
life, I address a lelter to at, editor? 8 ' I *,
a few leisure moments in WrUl
statistical account of what has tr W
these parts within ths past few :
no more than natoral for one 1'
" been in a battle" to be highly °
impressed with its scenes. °
December thirty first there w as
motion in camp. Orders were
preparation to move ; blankets lV* f< *'
forty-eight hours rations in our k ro, * i
forty rounds of cartridges in our
neatly scoured—all things in
dusk, six Companies of our (50tb k? A;
were on the move toward Port R ;
at 9 r M. the balance of the iWj T,
Companies A. B G. (Goodrich Gudru'"'
I. moved to the beach at Beaufort 4 V 4
barked in flat or ferry boats. \\/ '
toiled, bailed, and rowed until 11
the tide, too strong to stem with this
la.gest in the expeditio'u, containing i[ lt;
rich Guards and apart of Company j J ?
hauled up at Brickyard Point,
leaving nine men to mau the boat, and
variegated tramp of two miles through
hedges, cotton helds, aud brushwood
by a faithful contraband, in a solitary '
tine footpath to meet the "9th {'
Regiment. In about half an hour oor „ '
all came up, we all embarked, and sU;i-. '
regular order dowu the river to the John J
place near Chisholms ; ut sunrise, after? !
pull, and a strong pull of two miles ag*i 0 .-
tide, we met two gunboats of light dr??
and four surf boats, each carrying a
pound howitzer ; a lauding was theu ef
without resi6tence. Gereral Stevens,
with the surf boats, weut on shore' w,;-
body guard, and followed by the Goc
Guurds, the first of whom to jump
muddy beach was our valiant Captain, ft;
11. Telford, followed by his mcu, who baa. ■
tiouor of beiug the first to form in battiear-ji
ou the rebel main. The balance of the tr ,
immediately landed—five hundred all !„,?
drawn up, made an advance preceded by tv
of the howitzers, taken from the surf-boa ,
aud one Company thrown oat as an advu;
aud skirmishers. The gunboats moved ale*
aud aiagestically up iD front of the rebel fa,
teries, and opened a fire. Their lort rjj&v,.
abandoned, when we, after a march of \
miles came up, we were told by iheottrjot-.
darkies that their " massas ull run todewcv,.
All that remained for us too see was a re-1
ing white flag through the brush oniu*r.|
Port Royal Ferry. Meanwhile our intta,
at the Ft-rry was dealing death aud am®
among their terrified troops.
We remained here about three hocw,pt*
took of a hearty dinuer of cold pork uj
c ackers, aud were reenforced by the baiw
of Gcti. Steven's Brigade and part o r Gem
Vela's command, amounting to about fo
thousand men. A march was made for i;
Ferry. About one mile we marched amid
bursting shells of the rebel batteries that.,
been moved from their fort and planted in::-
woods. Strange to say, but one inau wash-'
aud he but slightly, although the bar!:":
shells would fall among us, tear up the crow
at our feet, and literally cover us wi!b ;:
Wc tame to a halt, the different Regiatta
were posted in the most favorable po>„ J
possible, Gen. Stevens, our Commander r J
at the head of the columns with perfetieaJ
posure, not seeming to shield himself >;.
least, nor asking his men to go wherei?nr.
not lead, and managed the battle sou to siwl
the favor aud approbation of every m, W.il
officer and private. The Eighth M'.rttpJ
Regiment were seut forward in one directijoti
gain if possiole the rear of their batteries,
when within musket shot, they were fi*ed opa
i by a Regiment of Infantry in the thick brush
wood, killing two and wounding six. Tnefn
was returned with telling effect, but their fan
assisted by their battery, was too forniidablt
foe for a llegiment with only small arras. 1
retreat was ordered and made in perfect ord'
The Fiftieth was then thrown in advance i
another direction, under 001. B. C. Christ,u
i met about four hundred of the enemy far::
1 face, and were fired at by them, when he
Christ) halted his men, called in his skint*
ers, advanced oue Company and fired,k
about twenty ; another Compauy immedut''
advanced, and fired by platoons, fall.nga nai
ber and disorganizing them. They bejaa I
rally, when we came to a charge bayonet 01
double quick, but came to a sudden fetd "t
and rolled up three hearty ch etis it thrift
of a single shell, sent by one of owgMbaM,
burst in the midst of the gathering rV>
killing and horribly mutilating twenty pr
thirty, and wounding many more ; the 't->
scampered off in every direction. Our
were oil called in, and the woods were she.rc
from the boats for about half an hour ; a '*
quiet, not one of our Regiment was
wounded. All who were hurt ia the w "
engagement were the aforesaid eight i° -
Michigan Eighth. We all took quarter?
; the beach, iu and arouud the evacuate!
after securing two Euglish guns, too hear?
1 the rebels to move in their hurried flight.
slept soundly with the blue and starry
a covering.
In the morning we found that the
were filled with from twenty five thotr*
thirty thousand men driveu from Savannas
| Charleston. We accomplished with
success all we undertook, said all *
ordered by Gen. Sherman, and catoe
| Port Royal Island elated with oar V*
' excursion and exercises wider the fi*.
gunboats four in number, which 5 (
woods for miles back, dealing death
Several darkies who have come h f ""
Gardner's Corners, state that the re^', f ,
treated past that place and
loss not less thau seven thotisand :m 1 .
stance one whole Company was killed
three, from eoe shell, thrown four mi |fs
our gunboats.
A party of the Michigan Eighth
portion of the ground occupied by
Carolina troops, on the 3d, and state
woods were literally filled with
and fouDtl no living sccesh within five .
! the Ferry. ] close by wishing J ou ',
New Year, and promise that
hear from me. K.B. P*
KING or Si.or ASH THE HUJ' !UN
Majesty of Siam, learning that 8 jjj,
, a great curiosity in our benight l
i proposed to the Pn sided to oU r
: ber, to be let loose and propagate
ern wilds, bat the proffur waspoftfi'-