Specials to the New York Papers

(Tribune’s Dispatch.)

WASHINGTON, April 21. – The Norfolk Day-Book of Saturday Contains the following:

Knoxville, April 18. – Capt. A Shely, commanding 300 artillery, intercepted 1,075 Lincolnites starting for Kentucky, yesterday, near Jackboro’. They fought for two or three hours and succeeded in killing about [75] and taking 500 prisoners. Our loss – none were killed and only about twenty-five wounded.

No less than 5,500 Lincolnites have left East Tennessee for Kentucky, since the Governor’s proclamation calling on the military.


Wilmington, April 18 – Private letters dated April 17th, says the enemy attacked Fort Macon last Saturday and had been fighting two days. Col. White sent out a part of his men on the beach and found three hundred Yankees. They killed fifteen of our men, when we retired into the fort. Col. White fired canister at the enemy, killing large numbers of them.

The enemy have erected a battery two miles from the fort, on the beach, and planted mortars and large size guns. Eleven large ships are outside.

The enemy have sent to Newbern for gunboats to operate in the Sound. The enemy are committing every imaginable outrage in Onslow and Cataract counties.

Fort Macon has not yet been taken.


Augusta, Ga., April 18 – The Savannah Morning News says that a skirmish took place at Whitesburg yesterday, between some companies of the 15th Georgia and a Michigan battery, in which the latter were repulsed.

An accident occurred on the Atlantic and West Point railroad, at Greenland, by which about 200 confederate soldiers were killed and six slightly wounded.

The Richmond Inquirer of Friday says the Rebel Court of Inquiry which has been deliberating for some time past, upon the advisability of releasing John M. Botts from imprisonment, adjourned Thursday. The result of their labors have not yet transpired.


Goldsboro, April 15. – On Monday last below Pollocksville, near Evanston, a skirmish took place between a detachment of the 2d North Carolina cavalry regiment and the enemy’s pickets.

Lieut. Cololnel Robinson, who commanded is probably a prisoner. Capt Turner was hurt by a fall from his horse. Five privates were severely injured and five wounded from gun shots.


(World’s Dispatch)

Information has been received that Gen. Joe Johnson has about three thousand rebel troops at Gordonsville, and is ready to fall back on North Anna River, preparatory to a general retreat on Richmond.


(Herald’s Dispatch)

We learn from the Petersburgh Express that a requisition has been mad upon the slave owners of Prince George and Surry counties for one-half the negroes between the ages of 16 and 50 years, to [report] to Wilmington, where the rebel General McGruder’s [sic] reserves are posted to work on the fortifications which are designed to protect Yorktown in the rear.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 4

Siege at Yorktown

FORTRESS MONROE, April 19 – Thirty-nine wounded from Yorktown arrived to-day, making ninety wounded in the fight on the left flank Wednesday. The whole number was 32 killed and 90 wounded. In Norfolk Papers Magruder’s account gives 25 rebels killed, including Colonel McKinny, and 75 wounded.

Cannonading is heard towards Yorktown, but it is an attempt of the enemy to [disturb] our working parties.

With the exception of affairs at rifle pits Thursday they got the worst in skirmishing. – Operations are progressing rapidly, and when the siege guns opens the fire will be terrific.

The steamer Page arrived at Newbern on the 18th. Fort Macon is thoroughly cut off. It has been ascertained that the supply of provisions is short. No attempt will be made on the fort, but to starve them out. Slight apprehension still prevailed that the rebels might attack Newbern, and fortifications were being built for protection.

Smoke and flames from the Norfolk fire are still visible.

There was a flag of truce to-day, but the agent of the Associated Press was not allowed to see the papers.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 4

The Rebels and the Battle in Tennessee

FORT MONROE, April 17.

Copies of the Richmond Dispatch and the Norfolk Day Book were received here last evening. The Dispatch contains a telegram from Beauregard, dated Corinth, 9th inst., stating that he was strongly entrenched and prepared to defy the Federals in whatever numbers they might attack him. He claims the battle of Pittsburg Landing as a most important Rebel Victory. He says: “We captured 6,000 Federal prisoner [sic] and 36 cannon.”

The Dispatch, commenting on the above thinks that the total route of Gens. Buell and Grant is certain. No mention is made of Beauregard being Wounded.

The Dispatch says, in reference to affairs on the Peninsula, that no anxiety need be felt as to the result of the forthcoming battle. The Yankees are to be driven back to the Fortress, and thoroughly vanquished by our forces under Generals Lee, Johnson and Magruder.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, April 19, 1862, p. 1

The Latest News

The accounts of the battle near Corinth are still contradictory. Some statements indicate a severe battle on Tuesday, but the most reliable accounts refer to the battles on Sunday and Monday. That of Sunday was a complete triumph. The battle on Monday, though severe, was less decisive. Both armies seem to have been worsted, and a truce for three days to bury their dead was agreed upon. The following statement from Hon. Mr. Tibbs of the House of Representatives, who reached Richmond on Saturday last, appears to be the latest, which we take from the Richmond Dispatch. The Dispatch says:

“His reports of the glorious victory at Shiloh are the most gratifying that we have read or heard – He States confidently that the number of prisoners taken is not less than 7,600, and the enemy’s loss in the battles of Sunday and Monday, in killed and wounded, by their own admission, reaches 15,000. Mr. T. also states that nearly the whole of the ammunition and stores captured by our army on Sunday, and which Gen. Beauregard had to leave behind him when he retired to Corinth, had been saved by the gallant and indefatigable Morgan, whose very name is a terror to the enemy in the Southwest.

Other rumors state that the whole loss of the enemy in the two days fight was near 23,000. The confederate loss about 4 or 5,000. Perhaps it is safest to wait official reports.

The reported evacuation or surrender of Island No. 10, is not confirmed by the last accounts. One of the enemy’s gun boats which passed the Island is said to be at New Madrid. It was not taken as last as the night of the 7th.

The surrender of Fort Pulaski is certain. Five Confederate companies were in the Fort, commanded by Col. Olmstead. He sent a verbal message to Savannah, saying that the garrison had done all that men could do. About 1,000 large shells were thrown into the Fort by the enemy. The enemy must take Fort Jackson and other strong batteries before reaching Savannah. It is supposed that our forces will destroy Savannah before giving it up to the enemy.

A large force of Federal cavalry is said to have taken possession of Huntsville, Ala., on the 11th.

At Atlanta, Ga., it is said that an engine and three cars had been stolen from the Western and Atlantic Road, and they were afterwards found in the possession of eight bridge burners, where were sent by the federals from Shelbyville to burn the bridges and cut the telegraph wires. They were captured.

The Merrimac went out on Saturday again and challenged the enemy, but the Monitor did not move from her safe position. Some suppose that she lies close, hoping that the Merrimac will attempt to pass Fortress Monroe, when she will run in and burn Norfolk and the Navy Yard.

The Petersburg Express learns from passengers that Gen. Magruder attacked the Federals on Saturday morning last, at the point where they were throwing up entrenchments near our lines, and the engagement lasted several hours. He succeeded in driving the enemy from his position. It is said that three of our regiments sustained considerable loss in killed and wounded, and the Yankees are thought to have suffered severely. The statement is not entitled to full credit, as no such intelligence is confirmed by the Richmond papers.

It is said that two of the brigs captured by our fleet on Friday in Hampton Roads was loaded with hay and the third with sugar and molasses.

– Published in The North Carolina Weekly Standard, Raleigh, North Carolina, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, p. 3

News from Rebel Sources

BALTIMORE, April 12. – A dispatch from New Orleans to the Richmond Whig dated April 5, says the enemy shelled Pass Christian yesterday, and landed 2,400 men and 12 4-pound howitzers. Our force was 2,500 men and two howitzers. We made a narrow escape.

A letter from Pattonsburg, North Carolina, to the Richmond Whig, says the Nashville was taken to sea by Lieut. Wm. C. Whittle and that she was taken to Charleston to be delivered to her new owner. The Richmond Whig contains news from Yorktown that Gen. Magruder, with his staff, was at the Lee House near Lee’s Mills on Sunday, and came near being captured or killed by Gen. Keyes. The horse of one of his staff was killed under him in his flight by a shell.

On Monday Jeff Davis addressed some wounded soldiers and said he intended to share their fate on the next battle-field, and come weal or woe, he would be with them, and whatever might betide, whether victory or defeat ensued, of one thing he assured them, the course is safe – we’ll conquer in the end.

The Richmond Whig Contains a dispatch announcing that the rebel General Gladden lost his arm in the Pittsburg battle of Sunday.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862

Operations At Yorktown

Rebel News, &c.

FORTRESS MONROE, April 16. Calm weather at present here. It has been most propitious for the reappearance of the Merrimac, but as she does not come, it is concluded she was most likely injured by getting aground when last out.

A flag of truce was sent this morning to deliver letters and dispatches, but no news transpired. It was impossible to obtain even a glimpse of the papers received at headquarters.

Copies of the Richmond Dispatch and Norfolk Day Book were received here last evening.

The Dispatch contains a telegram from Beauregard dated Corinth 9th inst., stating that he was strongly entrenched and prepared to defy the Federals in whatever numbers they might attack him. He claims the battle of Pittsburgh Landing as a most important rebel victory. He says we captured six thousand Federal prisoners, and thirty-six cannon.

The Dispatch, commenting on the above, thinks that the total rout of Generals Buel [sic] and Grant is certain. No mention is made of Beauregard’s being wounded.

The Dispatch says in reference to affairs in the Peninsula that no anxiety should be felt as to the result of the coming battle. The Yankees are to be driven to the Fort and thoroughly vanquished by the forces under Generals Lee, Johnson and Magruder.

The Richmond Dispatch has some more comments on the Merrimac, which it says spent two days in Hampton Roads, bantering the Monitor and Yankee fleet to come up from the security of the batteries.

The rebels claim the Merrimac as the master of Hampton Roads.

The exploit of the Jamestown in sinking three of the federal vessels, is regarded as showing the terror with which the Yankees view the Merrimac.

The Dispatch says, considering it not worth while to waste any more coal to entice the Monitor into a conflict, the Merrimac returned to her anchorage.

The belief is very general here that the Merrimac received some injury during her recent raid, which compelled her to go back to Norfolk. She was undoubtedly aground all the second day, and may be the heavy weight of her armament caused her to spring a leak. She is, however, back at Norfolk Navy Yard, and there was little doubt she was taken back for repairs of some kind. When moving about on the Upper Roads on Friday last, and exchanging shots with the Naugatuck she was very close to the English steamer Roden. At one time she was close alongside in conversation with one of the English sailors.

Yesterday an experienced gunner assured me that the last gun the Merrimac fired the shell exploded before it left the muzzle, he was close enough to see the great commotion on board and the escape of smoke out her port holes. – the rebels have for several days been building large fortifications on the Gloucester side of the York River about two miles from Yorktown and within sight of our gunboats, but their guns were of too long range to allow of the approach of the gunboats to shell the works. About one thousand men were at work on the fortifications, and the mortars were not sufficient to check the operations.

Yesterday morning, however, the gunboat Seebago arrived having a hundred pounder rifled Parrot gun, and at once opened upon them with shell, which were so well aimed that they could bee seen falling in their midst and exploding with fatal effect. The rebels could be distinctly seen carrying off their killed and wounded, and in the course of two hours the work was entirely suspended, the men retiring out of range. At every attempt to renew the work they were driven back. Up to night the guns mounted by the enemy on the Yorktown side of the river number not less than fifty 100-pounder, some of them rifled, bearing directly on the Bar. Our gunboats are at rest about two miles below the town.

There is said to be skirmishing along the line before Yorktown, and the Berdan sharp-shooters are spreading terror among the gunners of the enemy by their unerring aims. The enemy have made several sorties with infantry to dislodge or capture our riflemen, but have been driven back with heavy loss.

As to the arrangements for the final siege we need only say, the work goes bravely on.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly-Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862

BY TELEGRAPH

Gen. Curtis has Returned to Missouri!

DEATH OF GOV. HARVEY, OF WISCONSIN

FORCES OCCUPY FREDERICKSBURG!

Beauregard Wants More Troops!

ST. LOUIS, April 19. Gen. Curtis has returned to Missouri and is now encamped at Forsyth, Taney county, 45 miles south of Springfield.

WASHINGTON, April 19. General McDowell’s division yesterday marched from Warrenton Junction upon Fredericksburg. March disputed by one regiment of Infantry, one of cavalry and one Battery of Artillery. They made distinct stands but were driven across the Rappahonnoc. Our loss 5 killed and 16 wounded. The rebels burned the Bridges at Fredericksburg. Our troops have not yet occupied the town. Small parties cross and recross the river to the outskirts of the town. We have been warned by loyal citizens not to venture too far except in force. Large bodies of rebels which occupied the place have gone to Yorktown.

NEW YORK, April 20. The steamer Philadelphia has arrived from Fort Pickens. Negroes constantly arriving from Pensacola. The rebels had not evacuated but were moving their guns away. Town under marshal law. Large fires are seen nightly, indicating that the rebels are destroying their property. Rebel commanders had issued proclamation that they would hang all idle people on the 3d of April.

NEW YORK, April 21. Steamer Troy from Newbern April 17th, and Hatteras 18th, arrived. A sortie was made on the 12th from Fort Macon, by a detachment of 150 rebels, and our pickets driven in. After a short engagement, the rebels were driven back to the Fort. Two of our wounded stated that the fire would be opened on Fort Macon on the 21st, with mortars and siege guns.

FORT MONROE, April 19. Thirty-nine wounded arrived from Yorktown to-day, making 90 wounded in the fight on the left flank on Wednesday. Whole number killed, 32.

Norfolk papers contain Magruder’s account of the fight, and say the Rebel loss was 25 killed and75 wounded.

Steamer Hoag from Newbern, arrived. Ft. Macon completely invested. It has been ascertained that the rebels supply of provisions is short. No attack will be made on the Fort, but we will try to starve them out. Slight expectations still prevail that the Rebels will attack Newbern. Fortifications are being built for protection.

MONTREAL, April 19. The ice in Richelieu river broke yesterday, doing great damage. Steamers lost estimated at $200,000.

HARTFORD, Conn., April 21. The river at this point has risen 28 feet above low water mark, rising one inch per hour.

CONCORD, N.H., April 21. The freshet is the highest known since 1851. At Brattleboro, Vt., the river is at 3 ½ feet higher than ever known before.

WASHINGTON, April 21. Gen. Shields has been nominated Major General.

Gen. McDowell’s headquarters will be immediately transferred to Fredericksburg.

CHICAGO, April 21. Gov. Harvey, of Wisconsin, was drowned at Savannah, Tennessee river, Saturday night. He was there looking after the welfare of wounded Wisconsin troops.

WASHINGTON, April 21. Our forces under Gen. Anjer still occupy Falmouth Heights opposite and commanding Fredericksburg.

On Friday a flag of truce crossed the Rappahannoc to communicate with the municipal authorities, all of whom remain in city. Council had called a meeting after the appearance of our troops and appointed a committee to confer with the Federal General relative to the occupation of Fredericksburg and protection of private property. Council at the same time adopted a resolution declaring that since the adoption of the ordinance of session the city had been unanimously in favor and was still firmly attached to the Confederacy, surrendering only upon condition of the protection of private property. Arrangements were perfected for a meeting of the committee with the commanding General on Saturday.

Much valuable information has been obtained from the loyal citizens of Fredericksburg, who have crossed to Falmouth. Most of them affirm that so soon as we take possession of the city and there is no fear of a return of the rebel soldiers, a majority of the remaining citizens will be found loyal.

There is a vast amount of grain and other forage stored in the vicinity of Fredericksburg, much of which belongs to Rebel army. The enemy, besides destroying the bridges burned three steamers and twenty schooners loaded with corn.

WASHINGTON, April 21. Gen Banks telegraphs the Department that a skirmish took place between his advance and a rebel force at the bridge across the south fork of the Shenandoah, the object of the rebels being to destroy two important bridges across the river. They did not succeed.

SPARTA, Va., April 20. Everything quiet in front of us.

Yesterday our cavalry made a reconnaissance and penetrated the valley several miles toward Harrisonburg. They report large quantities of forage and provisions there.

Deserters report Jackson’s force at McGaughlstown, east of Harrisonburg, still retreating. Ashby’s command still forms the rear guard. Signal officers report cavalry of the enemy in sight yesterday p.m. Deserters believe that Jackson means to cross Blue Ridge and reach Gordonsville; others that he intends to attack our left flank.

WASHINGTON, April 21. Gen. McDowell’s design of advance on Fredericksburg has been kept a secret, and was not know here until he had occupied the suburbs of the town. Our army are now in full occupation.

NEW YORK, April 21. The city of Apilachicola has been occupied successfully by our troops. Capture effected by two gunboats on the 2d, with little opposition. A few shells dispersed the rebels. – Remaining population found to be in a starving condition, the blockade having cut off supplies on the sea-board, and the resources inland not sufficient to maintain ordinary comforts of life.

NEW YORK, April 21. Herald published a telegram form Beauregard at Corinth to Adjutant Gen. Cooper at Richmond, which is said to have been intercepted by Gen. Mitchell after taking possession of Decatur, Ala., in which Beauregard says: “All present possible. Join us in a few days with fifteen thousand men. Can not we be reinforced from Pemberton’s army? If defeated here we lose the Mississippi Valley, and probably our cause; whereas we could even afford to lose for a while Charleston and Savannah, for the purpose of defeating Buell’s army, which would not only insure us the Valley of the Mississippi, but our independence.”

– Published in the Daily State Register, Des Moines, Iowa, Tuesday, April 22, 1862

Latest from Fortress Monroe

Baltimore, April 11. – The Old Point boat has arrived. The following are the main part of a letter from the American’s correspondent.

Fortress Monroe, April 10. – The Storm is at last over. Nothing has been heard or seen of the Merrimac to-day, and in view of the recent reverses of the rebels it is doubtful whether they will attempt offensive operations even with their iron-plated monster. Their desperate strait my induce an attempt at something in this way. If she ever does come she will probably come to-morrow.

Parties who have come in from the army report no special change in affairs. A continual skirmishing is going on and a brilliant affair occurred on Monday in which Griffin’s battery participated with marked effect, killing and wounding 27 rebels.

The rebel position extends across the peninsula from Yorktown to Warrenton near the James river a short distance above Mulberry Point. The conformation of the land and the making in of the creek from James river shortens their line of defense and enables them to command with their fortifications all the roads up the Peninsula.

Gens. Lee and Johnson [sic] are both reported to be with the rebel force here, one commanding at Yorktown and the other at Warrington, Magruder holding a subordinate command is with the reserve at Wallenberg.

According to reports of deserters, the rebel force numbers about fifty thousand, of whom thirty thousand are reinforcements received by or drawn from the line of the Rappahannock and about Norfolk.

Despite the weather and bad roads our Generals are pushing forward preparations for the assault upon the enemy’s works, and not many days will elapse before Yorktown will be ours, and Richmond threatened.

The glorious news from the West is acting as an example for our army, and greatly encourages the troops.

Berden’s [sic] sharp shooters give good accounts of themselves. They hold an advanced position under the rebel batteries, from which they constantly practice on the enemy, and a head above the parapet becomes an instant mark for half a dozen rifles, which at the length of a thousand yards distance rarely fail to hit their mark. One sharp shooter belonging to the California regiment has almost wholly prevented the rebs from using a large gun in an important position – from a well selected rifle pit he keeps a constant aim upon the gun, and hardly an attempt has been made for two days to fire it without the rebels losing one or two men from his deadly aim.

It is said one of our divisions has secured an important position, the holding of which will lead the eventual forcing of the rebel line of defense.

Much important preliminary work has been perfected by our troops, and with the return of good weather active operations will not be postponed many days.

The task before McClellan in reducing fortified entrenchments is one for which he is held specially qualified, and the result is not doubted.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, April 12, 1862

The Armies at Yorktown

The Armies at Yorktown

Baltimore, April 9. – A letter to the New York Herald says the accounts of the progress of the affairs at Yorktown, which have reached this city through channels believed to be reliable, differ materially from the accounts furnished by the government.

It was known at Richmond when a portion of the Union Army, of the Potomac, moved from Manassas to Washington. It was known there when the Corps de Armie landed, and were assembled at Fort Monroe. It was known there when Gen. McClellan and staff arrived at the Fortress. It was known there when the march commenced, and the number of troops General McClellan had wherewith to make the attack.

These facts convinced the Confederate Government at Richmond that their hour was [sic] come, unless they took instant measure to arrest the march of Gen. McClellan. The fortifications of Yorktown were all that could be desired, both as to strength and armament. But Gen. Magruder had, as yet, only thirty five Thousand troops. The withdrawal of such a large number of our troops from Manassas, rendered it unnecessary to keep the main body of their army of the Rappahannock along that stream, and from that source Gen. Magruder has been largely reinforced. Troops have been arriving at Yorktown from Gordonville, every day, for the last week.

It is believed that General Johnson [sic] and Jeff Davis are both at Yorktown and that General Johnson [sic] is in command.

The number of Rebel Troops at Yorktown is thought to be not less than 100,000.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, April 12, 1862

{Special to World.}

Washington, April 9. – The World’s correspondence at Warrenton brings the following today:

The advance forces are now resting on the Rappahannock, our pickets extending to that stream. The railroad is now in running order to Cedar Run, within two miles of Warrenton Junction and thirteen miles from the Rappahannock river. It will take several days to complete the bridge over Cedar Run, as the recent storm has swollen all the streams very much. – Neither Bull nor Cedar Run can be forded at present, and no troops can move except by rail.

The Cavalry Pickets extend some distance south-east of Brentsville, and skirmishers with the rebel scouts are of daily occurrence.

As the army proceeds south the country begins to present fewer of the ravages of the enemy, though in no vicinity has there yet been discovered sufficient supplies to support either the men or horses for more than one day.

The reports of the enemy’s position are indefinite and uncertain. Contrabands and refugees from Fauquair and Culpepper say that the rebel army have dwindled greatly in its proportions, and that it is retreating upon Richmond as fast as possible, leaving nothing but scouts and guerrillas in its rear to watch our movements. It would seem from this that the rebels are not reinforcing Magruder, and intend to make a stand this side of Richmond.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Friday, April 11, 1862