Latest from the South.
From the latest Southern exchanges received at this office we make up the following summary of news.
The war on the Seacoast — the word Signaturing in Barnest
This Charleston Mercury, of the 3d inst., has the following account of operations on the coast of South Carolina, in reference to which a brief notice appeared in our columns on Friday last!The long agony of suspense is over, and we have now reason to believe that the enemy has begun the active operations of the invasion. Late in the forenoon of Wednesday, the 1st inst., the Yankees approached the mainland in their booths at Chisholm's and Page's Points, These placed are on opposite sides of Port Royal Ferry, and about four miles apart. One of these attempts to land appeared to have been a feint, as we hear of sharp fighting only at one of the points named. Here the enemy, 3,500 strong, was met by Col. Jones's South Carolina regiment, and a sharp skirmish ensued, during which Col. Jones was reinforced by a Tennessee regiment. Our troops, though still inferior in numbers, determined to try the efficacy of cold steel, and advanced with the bayonet. The enemy immediately fell back. A portion of Col. Junes's regiment, in the heat of pursuit, ventured within range of the boat howitzers of the Yankees, which poured a sudden fire into our ranks, killing six and wounding twelve of our men. The enemy rallied under cover of their guns, and again pressed forward. But this time they were met by a still more impetuous charge, our brave boys pursuing them to their very Loats So precipitate was the flight of the Yankees that they incontinently threw down and abandoned their guns and whatever else encumbered their valuable persons. It is said that in the second charge of our troops not a musket was fired. But the Connectivities did not fancy the portentous tramp of our companies and the silent glitter of our bayonets, so they broke and ran in the true Bull Run style.
Our loss, beyond those killed and wounded by the shells of the boat, howitzers, was but trifling. Of the enemy's loss we have no definite account. When they finally departed in their boats, they left four gilled and many wounded upon the field; but it is known that besides these, they carried off with them numbers both of killed and wounded.
Early yesterday morning, the enemy again approached the main in much heavier force than on the preceding day. Gen. Gregg's brigade, which was stationed in the neighborhood, fell back a short distance to secure an advantageous battle ground, and, at last accounts, the Yankee forces were advancing up the Comanche road, the skirmishing between the pickets being heavy and continuous. Of the results of the action yesterday we have no news whatever; but the firing was steadily maintained until quite late in the afternoon.
We have given the above accounts as brought by passengers from the scene of action. Up to a late hour last night no official dispatches had been received in relation to the events which we have mentioned.
At five o'clock yesterday afternoon official dispatches were received, announcing that the enemy's gun boats had again opened a sharp fire of shells upon White Point, but for what purpose was not known.
We have advices that, on Tuesday last a Yankee gun-boat entered Bull's Bay, and chased a Schooner that was coming from Santee, by the inland passage. The steamer was crowded with armed men on deck. She ran the schooner up a creek, but finding the water too shallow, ceased the pursuit.
The Savannah News, of the 1st inst., says:
‘ On Sunday last a party of Yankees, whose favorite amusement seems to be ‘"leap-frog, "’ showed themselves rather boldly near King's Landing, on Tybee, and while they were practising their antics, our boys at the Fort experimented in marksmanship by firing a few shells and round shot at them. One of the round shot being well directed, caused a sudden commotion in their midst, and their actions after wards indicated that somebody was hurt. The Yankees soon after retired to their safe retreat on the lower end of the Island. On Monday afternoon their drums and fifes, performing the burial march, were heard at the Fort, from which it is conjectured that some one of their number, who bad been killed by our shot, was buried.
’
The affair off the coast of South Carolina--a Correct statement.
The following private dispatch, received in Savannah on the 3d inst., in answer to an inquiry as to the real state of affairs on Port Royal river, comes from a high source, and may be relied on as strictly true:Coosawhatchie Jan. 3.--Day before yesterday the enemy landed six miles below Port Royal Ferry, under cover of the guns of seven steamers. They then marched under their cover, and made a lodgment on the main, at the ferry. On advancing, they were met by our men and driven back under the guns of their steamers, where they now remain and are fortifying.
In the engagement fifteen were killed and wounded on our side, mostly by one shell.--The enemy's loss is about the same. A Federal Sergeant was captured. The steamers still protect their position on the main.
From the above we infer that the skirmish reported to have occurred on Thursday, is without foundation.
Resignation of General Pillow.
A correspondent of the Knoxville (Tenn.) Register, of the 3d inst., has the following paragraph in reference to the resignation of General Pillow:Yesterday, on the cars at Corinth, Miss., stepped Gen Pillow on his way home. He was just from Columbus. where he had resigned his position on account of a disagreement between himself and Major General Polk. This fact we learned from the General, and learned it with much regret; for he was the most active General we had, without any disparagement to any other be it said.
In reference to the above the Register says editorially:
‘ It will be seen from the above paragraph that Brig. Gen. Pillow has resigned his position in the Army of the Confederate States. There is not a soldier who would have a fearless leader on the battle field, and a chief who does his duty without regard to personal momentary popularity — there is not one who has the interest of the Southern Confederacy at heart, who will not read this announcement with profound regret. To Gen. Pillow we are indebted for the formidable army, for its supplies and ammunition, which now guards the valley of the Mississippi. He organized, has fed and equipped it and then he led it to victory on the bloody field of Belmont. A grateful people will honor the illustrious patriot and soldier in his retirement.
’
The fight at Sacramento — glorious Confederate victory.
The Bowling Green (Ky.) Courier, of the 2d inst, has the following account of the fight at Sacramento, brief mention of which has been made under our telegraphic head:On Saturday evening last, a detachment of Gen. Chark's cavalry, under command of Col. Forrest, met Jackson's cavalry, under command of Major Megowan, at Sacramento, nine miles from Rumsey, and defeated them after an engagement of half an hour. The action of our troops was gallant in the highest degree, and the victory achieved by them was a brilliant one. The loss of the Hessians cannot be less than sixty in killed, wounded and prisoners. Thirty of their dead were left on the field. Eighteen prisoners were taken, of whom fourteen are wounded, most of them mortally--four of them have since died. Captain Bacon and one lieutenant of the enemy were killed, and Captain Davis and one lieutenant are wounded and our prisoners.
Our loss is Capt. O. E. Merriwether, and one private killed and one private wounded. The loss of Capt Merriwether is a great calamity. He was a gentleman of large fortune, generous and brave — the idol of his friends and the terror of the enemies of his country.
The enemy fled in great confusion toward Rumsey. Many horses, arms, blankets, caps, etc., were captured.
Our force was 300--not more than 75 were engaged in the fight. The force of the enemy was about 300.
Jeff. Thompson again at work.
The Memphis Avalanche, of the 1st inst int. says:‘ A letter to the editor from a well-informed friend at New Madrid, dated last night, informs us that Jeff. Thompson had just returned from a scout near Commerce, Missouri, where he took the Federal steamer City of Alton.
The particulars are not given. The City of Alton left St. Louis on Friday afternoon with the mail for Cairo.
Since the above was written, we learn from a gentleman, who conversed with Jeff Thompson, that he did not take the City of Alton, owing to the fact that his artillery and horses broke down, but he captured instead a large lot of clothing and blankets belonging to the Federals at Commerce. He also fired about two hundred rounds into the boat as the backed out, and it is thought had killed the pilot and many others on the Alton. Jeff, returned to New Madrid on Monday afternoon, having made the trip to Commerce and back, one hundred and four miles, in forty-three hours.
’
