We have received copies of the Philadelphiagatra Baltimore American and New York Herald, of dates as late as the afternoon of April 2d, from with we make the following selections:
Advance of the Valley.
Gen! Banks pursued the enemy to Edinburg, five miles south of Woodstock, Ashby burning the intupike and one railroad bridge in his retreat. All the railroad bridges between here and Strasburg had been previously destroyed.
The only casualty on our side was one man killed an the Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania regiment, and one of the Second Massachusetts regiment received a rifleball in his sels plate, but it proved harmised.
Later.
Our forces will rebuilt the bridge over the creek to-day.
All was quiet during the night. It is no known if Jackson's main body were engaged in the skirmian yesterday.
A Yankee Captain report of the battle of Kernstown.
Winchester, March 26, 1861.
To-brigadier-General James ShieldsCommonding Second Division Eight Army Corp:
General: I beg respectfully to report to you that after having received, on Sundays, last, the March, 23 at nine o'clock A. M., an order to report for duty as aid-de-camp on your staff, I left headquarters for Kernstown, and assisted Colonels Kimball, Tyler, an Sullivan in their efforts as commanders of brigades, fighting the enemy under General Jackson, and to insure a unity of action of their three respective commands.
To-brigadier-General James ShieldsCommonding Second Division Eight Army Corp:
I reported at half past 9 A. M. to Colonel Kimball, acting Brigadier, and senior officer on the field, who was stationed on a hill almost one half mile west of Kernstown, which latter place is interested by the turn pike leading to Strasburg. There's informed myself on to the events which had transpired previous to my arrival and understood that the enemy, who endeavoring to drive in out pickets the day before, has been repulsed, had opened with his artillery about eight o'clock A. M. upon our forces again, and that since the time we were engaged responding to his battery of four guns, which he then had in play, and in endeavoring to repeat his small but harassing attacks of cavalry upon our chain of continuing Reconnoitering the ground surrounding me I found that between the still upon which. I now stood with Col, Kimball, and the post oppositions upon which the enemy's battery was posted, about half a mile distant, a ravine was lying waiting from east to west, which is entirely free of wood. When about half a mile to the east a forest connected both hills, through the centre of which passed a mud road, and in bounded on its extreme right by another mud road leading to Cedar creek. The country to the left (west) of the turnpike to flat and comparatively little wooded.
We pinned in position a six-gun battery, commanded by Capt. Jenks, 1st Virginia artillery, to oppose the enemy's four guns, which latter was reinforced by a whole battery, whereupon Capt. Clarne's regular battery was put in prolongation of the formen named. Both batteries were fought by Col. Dann. Chief of Artillery, Gen. Shields's division, in person. Our fire from the two batteries became too hot for the enemy, and they brought a third battery in the direction of their regat wing in such position upon our two batteries on the hill that they enminded them but with this man œavre exposed their batteries, placed near Kernstown to defend the turnpike, and they were necessitated to limber to the lear, with all their batteries, but continued their fire.
In the mean time the infantry regiments were moving up to the support of our batteries, and formed into line of battle about a thousand yards to the rear of our batteries, when at once the enemy's heavier battery moved to the front and threw in rapid succession a number of well aimed shell into our batteries and the cavalry and infantry stationed upon the interior slope of the battery hill, and the necessity to storm and take their guns became evident.
In conjunction with Colonel Kimball and Tyler, the following infantry regiments were drawn up in mass, paral of with each other. The right resting upon the mud road passing through the forest was held by the Seventh Ohio, the Sixty-seventh and Fifth following, and the Thirteenth Indiana, and Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania, and Twenty-ninth Ohio, a little to the rear, thus leaving the One hundred and Tenth Pennsylvania and the three companies of the Eighth Ohio in reserve. During the time these arrangements were made, a me singer was sent to you, General, to have your approval as to his flank movement, and I personally supprized all the commanders in the rear and flanke of our intentions, so as to keep them on the alert.
Col. Dann was enjoined to keep his artillery in lively fire so as not to direct the attention of the enemy from him, and when the order came to move on everything was ready to respond. Gen. Tyler moved his column by the right flank as far as the Cedar Creek road, rested his right upon the same, and his left upon the before mentioned mud road, pushing forward upon both roads some cavalry; changed direction to the left, right in front, and moving silently but steadily upon the enemy's left, through the woods for half a mile, when, coming upon a more sparsely wooded ground, he made a halfwheel to the left and came to the face of the extreme flank of the enemy, who received him behind a stone wall at about 900 yards distance, with a terrific volley of rifled arms, but still on went the regiments without a return of fire, and then threw themselves, with immense cheering and an unearthly yell, upon the enemy, who, receiving at 15 yards our first fire, fell back across the field, thus unmasking two 6 pound iron guns, which huried, on being cleared in front, death and destruction into our ranks with their canister.
But still onward we went, taking one gun and two caissons, and making there a short stand. Again the enemy unmasked two brass presses, which of last drove us, by their vigorous fire, back. But I caused the captured gun to be tipped over, so that the enemy in regaining the ground could not drag it away. The Fifth Ohio and Eighty-Fourth Pennsylvania threw themselves once more with fined bayonets forward, the former losing four times in a few minutes their standard-bearer. Captain Whitcomb at last took the colors up again, and, cheering on his men, fell also.--So, too, Col. Murray, whilst gallantly leading on his Eighty-Fourth regiment. In fact that ground was strewn with dead and wounded. General Tyler lost there his aid, Lieutenant Williamson, of the Twenty-ninth Ohio.
I hurried back to bring up the 110th and 14th Indiana by a right oblique movement through the woods, and the enemy, receiving all the combined shock, retired and left us in possession of our dearly bought gun and caissons.
United onward we pressed against the enemies, two brasspieces and musketry pouring in their fire. Three companies of the 8th Ohio reinforcing us, we gainst our brase place and its caisson; and compelled the enemy to fall back.
This was at seven o'clock P. M. I moved to the right flank and caused the cannon to go forward on the now fast retreating enemy, when I met with six of Ashbey's cavalry, who shot down my orderly and killed his horse, one of their bullets piercing my cap. I was compelled to use my sword to kill one of them.
The cavalry captured two hundred and thirty prisoners, and met only with little resistance from the enemy's cavalry.
At eight P. M. the musketry ceased. A few more cannon shots from their extreme left were fired so as to withdraw our attention from the retreating foe, and all was over. Our men remained on the field of battle picking up the wounded, and slept upon their arms, and awoke for the pursuit of the enemy on the morning of the 24th, who fell rapidly back beyond Newton. When at nine o'clock of the morning of that day, Major. General Banks took command, and reported back to you.
General, I have the honor to be ever ready to serve in so glorious a body of soldiers under your able leading.
A highly colored story.
A private letter received in Philadelphia on the 3d inst, dated on board the United States gunboat Seminole, says that the Seminole, Wyandotte, and Norvich under command of Capt. Gillis, senior officer, proceeded up the Wilmington river, and arriving within a mile of the rebel batteries dispersed the rebel cavalry by throwing shell, after which the batteries were shelled.The rebel force then fled ingloriously, having everything behind, even they Steels The batteries were then all destroyed. spared They were afterwards burnt by the rebels. The batteries mounted ten guns, and were well but The squadron returned to Warsaw Inlet.
Fort Pulaski had act surrendered at the date of this letter, but it will be compelled to do it shortly.
Further from the coast.
The Seminole has arrived at Fortress Monroe, with late advices from Port Royal She reports that the surrender of Fort Pulaski was daily expectable. The number of "rebels" in the fort was reported by deserters at five hundred, and two German companies had revolted and were in iron. It was the intention of General Sherman to summon the fort to surrender to-day, and if not acceded to he would immediately commence to shell it. His mortars and siege guns were so stationed that the guns of the fort could not reach them.A refuges from Savannahs says there is great anxiety in that city in regard to the garrison of the fort and a proposition had been made by the friends of the officers to give $30,000 to any one who would succeed in rescuing them. It was understood that a proposition had seen made to General Sherman to allow the garrison to withdraw with the honors of war, which he refused to accept, demanding an unconditional surrender.
The rebels had withdrawn all their troops from the coast and had abandoned their earth works, previously removing the cannon to Savannah. Their fort at Thunderbolt, mounting fourteen large guns, was found abandoned a few days since and the cannon all gone a baot's crew from the Seminole landed and destroyed it setting fire to the barracks and blowing up the magazine. This fort at Thunderbolt is just five miles from Savannah. over a fine shell road.
The city of Savannah, however, is understood to be very strongly, fortified on all its approaches, and the refugees from there variously estimate the rebel force from twenty to fifty thousand. There is not, however, believed to be more than twenty thousand.
The Seminole further reports that affairs on the coast of Florida were "progressing finely" The account goes on to say:
The men were all renewing their allegiance, but the women were as kantankerous rebels as ever, or at least fully two-thirds of them. Out of twenty-five hundred citizens of St. Augustine, fully twenty-three hundred had returned to their homes, and business was resuming.
It was generally understood that the rebels had abandoned Pensacola, though no doubt intelligence had been received from Fort Pichens. It is presumed that the troops from Santa Rosa have crossed over and taken possession, and that Billy Wilson's Zouaves are now the home Guard of Pensacola.
The steamer Oriental, at New York, brings some further advices from Port Royal. We give the following as a specimen:
It is understood that the plan of capturing Savannah by sending gunboats in to the water courses leading into the Savannah river has been abandoned, for the reason that Fort Jackson, which lies between our batteries and the city, cannot be safely attacked with the small boats which can be got through the passes. It is deemed absolutely essential that the larger craft should assist in the fight when all the preparations have been made.
meanwhile our forces are act idle. There is reason to believe that an important work, which has been a long time in progress, is on the eve of accomplishment. We are not at liberty to give details.
The flags of truce.
The Fortress Monroe correspondent of the Baltimore American writes, April 1st, as follows:‘ All communication having been out off with Norfolk on account of the dishonorable conduct of the rebels in refusing to deliver Col. Cordovan and his compatriots in accordance with the agreement with Gen. Burnside, there are now no regular flags of truce as heretofore. The only flage recently have been these for the accommodation of the French and English officers. To- day, however, about 1 o'clock, a rebel steamer was observed off towards Craney Island, with the white flag flying Capt. Davis, of Gen. Wool's staff, in the absence of Capt Millward, the regular port Captain, started at 2 o'clock in the Rancocas, and was soon on his way up the Roads. On approaching the rebel steamer it proved to be the gunboat Teazer, with a 100 pound rifled cannon at her stern, of a Parrot style.
’ The rebel flag was for the purpose of bringing a package of letters from the Federal prisoners at Richmond, and also a communication from Gen. Huger to Gen. Wool. It was accompanied by an Aid of Gen. Huger and the port officer, both of whom were dressed in gray uniforms, with an abundance of gold tinsel. The crew were also in new uniforms, and presented altogether quite a respectable appearance. The interview between the officers was quite formal, and lasted only about six minutes.
The writer gives a summary of Southern news, and adds:
From the fact that the Day Book is a ware that Vice President Hamlin was here on Monday, and that he was accompanied by a party of ladies, it can no longer be a metter of doubt that all that transpires here of a much more important character is daily Conveyed over the lines. In this connection I may also state that the two drummers captured by the rebels a few days since are known to have given all the information they processed to their captors. This fact was as certained from two rebel prisoners captured yesterday. They say the boys disclosed all that had taken place recently in their division of the army.
From the same correspondent we have a scintilla of news from the Peninsula, vize.
We have a rumor here that Yorktown has been abandoned, and the main portion of Magruder's army has fallen back on Richmond. Whether this is reliable cannot at present be known. The latest previce advices were to the effect that Magruder was there with 15,000 men.
The "Iron Clads."
A Fortress Monroe correspondent of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes that the "Merrimac" continues to be the subject of talk and of curiosity. Glasses are constantly directed toward Craney Island, and every indication of smoke or steam there is closely investigated by hundreds of eager eyes. Another correspondent writes.The latest news received here from Norfolk by the underground railroad, leaves no room for a doubt that the Merrimac is thoroughly repaired and in commission, ready for another expedition against the woodlen walls of the Federal navy, and the numerous transports laying in the Roads. The delay in coming out is believed to be that she is waiting for some ammunition for the heavy guns that have been placed on board of her, and also for some infernal machines balling constructed by Bombastes Maury.
The steamers Yorktown and Jamestown are also being strengthened and more thoroughly clad with iron, to accompany the Merrimac. There is also a rumor that two steamers are being clad with iron at Richmond to join in the expedition.
The English frigate Rinaldo and the two French war steamers have taken positions above the Monitor, the former lying almost under the rebel guns of Sewell's Point. The officers of these vessels, who have communication with Norfolk every day or two, undoubtedly have better information as do the purposes of the enemy than we have; and the position they have taken, the Rinaldo having gone up yesterday, is regarded as indicating not only a desire to witness the approaching fight but a knowledge that it is soon to come off. As to the propriety of their placing themselves no decidedly in time way there is some controversy, but it is presumed that Commodore Goldsborough will give them timely notice as to his desires on this point.
As to the loss of life on the Merrimac in her conflict with the Monitor, we have now information that it was pretty heavy. One of the recently arrived contrabands states that he was a nurse in the general hospital, at Norfolk, and that up to the time of his departure he had helped to suroud thirty — two of the crew of the Merrimac, and that both Commodore Buchanan and Minor are dead!--There are still a number of the wounded surviving. The statements of contrabands, however, are to be received with great caution.
[The "contraband" was me ulfestly playing an"April fool" upon the Yankees at the Fortress.]
Burning of great Bethel
The Philadelphia Inquirer has a "special" from Watt Creak, near Warwick, Va.,March 27, in which we find the fallowing remarkable information:"The rebel forces, under Gen. Magruder, previous to their evacuation of Great Bethel not fire to the town about noon to-day, and completely destroyed it, leaving nothing but a mass of ruins. This is another act of vandalism on their part. You need not be surprised to hear of their burning Yorktown in a few days, as such a course may naturally be expected."
[The place the correspondent calls the "town" of Great Bethel, was, as our readers are aware, burnt by the Yankees.]
The steamer Nashville.
The Northern papers are much exercised in consequence of the escape of the steamer Nashville from Beaufort. The Philadelphia inquirer has come "spirited remark" on the subject, and a Patriotic Lady," in thesemssays."By showing the Nashvills to the blockade, we have exposed ourselves to the world we seat the Tunnarord across the account in pursuit of time watched her for a time on the English account, and then allowed her not only to run into Beaufort with her cargo of rifles but to escape the account time with a cargo of cotton, What an encouragement to English sympathizers the with the South to decry the blockade
We have exposed ourselves to contempt and derision. While the Nashville lay at Beaufort, that was the most important point to be guarded south of the Chesapeake; and our whole country will rise up in indignation at the wretched mismanagement of the blockade. No sufficient excuse can be offered."
Thus, speaks an indignant strong-minder females of Philadelphia. The following is an extract from a New York letter in a Baltimore paper:
It is the prevailing opinion among the sleeping merchants here that the rebel steamer Nashville, before proceeding to England with her cargo of cotton, would put into Sermain for coal, though some of them are afraid that she has gone on a cruise to the West lady in which case, if she is well armed, she is likely to fall in with many prince, an they are at least thirty vessels now on their way here from ports this side of the Spanish
The fact that she has cotton on board, however, is at war with this theory, there being no market in that quarter for "the King." The underwriters think we shall first board her at Southampton. The report brought by the Empire City, by the way, that the Nashville was still lying in Beaufort harbor, men be all nonsense, as we have the testimony to officers on board both the blockading vents Cambridge and Gemsbock that they the vessel go out. The Captain of the Empire City had no other authority for his statement than a rumor current at Newborn when he left.
Arrest of a New Jersey Surgeon.
The Washington correspondent of the New York Times makes the following statement.I have mentioned the case of Surgeon Come of the Third New Jersey, arrested on charge of treason. The facts are said to the those: Since the evacuation of Manassas is the rebels, a military paper, purporting man a report of the rebel General, was found a the wreck there by one of our officers, with something like this endorsement:
"Information as to the position and strong of the army, furnished voluntarily by Sime geon Coxe, of Third New Jersey."
This document contained statements to the effect that recruiting was played out in the North; the army must decline for want the new enlistments; that the number of trees in Gen. Kearney's brigade, to which the Destor's regiment belongs, were so and so, and hereabouts were so many more, etc. The document was sent to headquarters at Washington, and to that the Doctor's arrest mainly attributed. He was taken prisend to Washington on Monday last. It appears that the Doctor had been in the habit of at senting himself from the camp at night frequently, sometimes alone and at other time accompanied by a few soldiers, always or the pretense of scoutings Repeatedly he has two or three men on these excursions.
In October last he lost two or three not, and next day took a flag of trues to receive their bodies. It was on this occasion that the information was given contained in the above mentioned report. Dr. Coxe relant, on his return to camp, the incidents of he visit within the rebel lines; said he had been questioned, and that he had lied as well as he could to deceive the enemy.
Coxe conducted himself in a very a bilant manner at his beasted success — He was away so much from his camp as to neglect the duties of his office port forbearance. Colonel Taylor at last approved and forwarded charges against arm for inefficiency. About the same time, I understand, this rebel document same to the knowledge of the Colonel, but independently of that document, suspicions were gathered against him, and the Doctor was put under arrest and kept in his tent. He resigns in office as Surgeon of the regiment. His resignation and the charge were sent to gether to Washington, and he immediately followed them as a prisoner. Dr. Coxe is, I believe, a resident of Philadelphia. His grandfather was a confederated physician of that city, and he himself enjoyed excellent professional opportunities abroad, in London and Paris, It may be he is wrongfully charged, but I give the alleged grounds of his arrest.
Northern Congress.
In the United States Senate, on the 1st it a resolution was adopted instructing the Committee on the Conduct of the War to collect evidence in regard to the barbarian treatment of the Union officers and soldier by the rebels after the battle of Bull Run, and whether the rebels have enlisted lectern in their service Mr. Sumner said it was evident we were in conflict with a people lown in the scale of civilization than ourselves [Heaven pity a people lower than Sumner and his coadjutors.] The bill for the a solution of slavery in the District of Columbia was taken up. An amendment was adopted making the a mount for each slave freed one-half of which is to be paid to the stam, on condition of his emigrasion to some two-eight country. An amendment submitting the question of emancipation to a vote of the people of the District was rejected--Alyce 16, and 24. An amendment was adopted deet-right that no one who had borne arms against the United States, or rendered aid to the rebels, should be compensated for his slaves.In the House of Representatives Mr. Halchins, of Ohio, asked leave to introduced resolution setting forth that General Mooler, commanding on the Lower Potomac, the issued in order permitting certain slam owners of Maryland to enter his campall search for fugitive slaves, and request, the Committee on the Conduct of the War to inquire whether such order is not a victorious of the Article of War recently passed by Congress, forbidding any officer to return fugitive slaves to their masters.
Mr. Calvert, of Maryland, objected, and it was, therefore, not received.
The War in Arkansas.
The Texas troops were much disheartened at the death of Gen McCulloch, and Arkansas feels the loss of Gen. McIntosh very severely.
The rebels are bad off for clothing a stores.
Pike's Indians have returned to the Indian Nation. They were not found sufficiently formidable in battle, having been parts stricken at the effect of our artillery.
One regiment of Texas troops reached Var Buren on the 15th to reinforce Van Ders, and more were expected from Louisiana--The whole rebel reinforcements will not exceed 5,000 in the next six weeks. Lieut. Col. Herron, of the Ninth Iowa regiment, the was taken a prisoner at the battle of Ridge, was in the hands of the rebels for two weeks. They were badly frightened after the battle and retreated very repidly. and for the first three days of their fight had nothing to eat, and it now appears that the cannon and baggage train might have been easily captured.
Gen. Curtis's army fell back to Keitsvills in order to secure forage; Arkansas, north of Fayetteville, having been entirely eaten out. Our forces are now camped where water and forage are plenty. Our pickets extent into Arkansas, and the rebel pickens county. north to the top of the Boston Mountains.
Fayetteville, Ark., is unoccupied. Wm. little Union sentiment is developed in Arkansas.
Difficulties of the bogus Government.
A late wheeling paper says:‘ A most diabolical attempt was made, as Saturday afternoon last, to assassinate . iff James L. Hanlon, of Picasants .Virginia, and Mr. Johson, a collector of as Hanlon and Mr. Johnson have been .over Pleasants county for some three weeks and have met with many annoyances from Secessionists, who object to paying taxes late while they call the bogus Wheeling Government. They left St. Mary's on Saturday afternoon, to go to another part of the county, and when within five or six miles of St. Mary's, and near Petticoat Ripple, they were fired upon from a hill by two or more concealed assassins. One ball took effect in Mr. Hanton's breast, near the left nipple, and passed entirely through his body. Another whizzed by Mr. Johnson's car so clearly that he has not been able to hear distinctly .The horse commenced running at the first fire, but had not run more than fifty yards when two more shots were fired without doing further damage. Johson assisted Hislon from his horse and helped him into the nearest house, where he now lies in a very dangerous condition. Johnson them .moned a number of men and went in search of the assassins, whom he succeeded in chasing a considerable distance, but finally lost the track. The neighborhood in whish there men were attacked is inhabited entirely by Secessionists, and it is the opinion of Mr. Johnson that the assassins are rebels, who oppose the Wheling Government, and who are waging a war upon its officers, Several Sherith have recently been elected in Pleasants county, but owing to the violence and danger necessary to be incurred in collecting taxes and the known audacity of money, they failed to qualify. Mr. Hanlon at last accepted the position, and was being assigned by Mr. Johnson, who had been previously appointed by the Governor.
’
The situation.
The following is from the New York weekly at .
