From the North
The Northern papers, of the 16th inst., contain no news of public interest from any direction. We make up the following summary from the Yankee reports of war movements and other matters:
From M'Dowell's Division.
A day or two since Major Lacy, Aid de-Camp to the rebel General Smith and owner of the estate occupied by General McDowell for headquarters, came up within a few mites of Fredericksburg and sent in for his wife. Suspicious ware aroused by her departure, and a scouting party was sent upon her track, resulting in the capture of Lacy. He now professes great anxiety to be paroled.
Col. Wood. of the Brooklyn Fourteenth, is expected to join his regiment again with the hundred recruits in a few days. The exuberance of his command upon the reception of the news was indescribable.
The bridges damaged by the recent high water have been repaired, and trains will cross the Rappahannock again tomorrow.
The battle of Fort Republic.
The force engaged was composed mostly of Western men, who did their duty nobly, as is evidenced by their fighting a foe more than five times their number for five hours, and then retreating in order, excepting, one or two regiments which were completely surrounded and compelled to take to the mountains, many of whom made their way back to the division. The Seventh Indiana regiment did noble duty, holding their position on the right for four hours against a vastly superior force. Colonel Gavin repeatedly charging and driving the enemy like sheep. They left Fredericks burg with only three hundred the remainder being left along the route, sick and disabled, and after the fight they mustered about one hundred and forty, losing more than half their force.
The Twenty-ninth and Sixty-sixth Oldo regiments also lost heavily.
After Monday's fight, it is understood, Jackson took the road towards Stanardsville, passing through the gap of the Blue Ridge Mountains, in a line for Gordonsville, at which point is railroad communication with Richmond.
[The Yankees always trump up some sort of an excuse for a defeat. the story of their ‘"fighting a foe more than five times their number,’ Is intended as a sort of sugar-coating for a very bitter pill; since it is will known that Jackson's force, numerically, was far less than that of the enemy. Another imaginary statement is, that of ‘"repeatedly charging’ the Confederates in the battle. The charging on that occasion was done by the glorious Louisiana brigade, and that theymade the Yankees‘"run like sheep’ is proved by the result.]
A correspondent of the Cincinnati Gazette, giving an account of the battle, puts down the Federal lose at 450 killed and wounded, including several Colonels and captains, and the rebel loss at 600, including Gen. Stewart killed ! Remarkable statement ! The writer concludes:
Col. S. S. Carroll, of Ohio, with two regiments of Shield's division, reached the opposite side of the river from here yesterday morning.(8th,) and attempted to hold the bridge, but was driven back by Jackson. He opened with his artillery this morning on the bridge, as the rebel army were crossing, out was driven back by the superior force of Jackson, and retreated down the river.
"curious rebel Document"
The New York Herold informs us that the following ‘"curious rebel document"’ was found, with others, in a partially destroyed railroad car at Winchester:
Instruction to Gen. Jackson; received at Staunton, May 28, 1862
by telegraph from Richmond.
To Major A. W. Harman:
Gen. Johnston directs that this dispatch be sent through to General Jackson as soon as possible, and that it be kept entirely secret.
Telegraph to me at what hour your courier starts from Staunton with the dispatch.
by telegraph from Richmond.
To Major A. W. Harman:
General- have just received your letter of yesterday by lieutenant Boswell. A copy of a dis patch telegraphed by that officer from Staunton reached me this morning. After reading. I wrote to you by a special messenger, suggesting a movement threatening Washington and Baltimore, unless the enemy still has in your vicinity force enough to make it rash to attempt it. He has no force beyond the Potomac to make it ugerous; only what he has on this side need be considered. You cannot in your present position employ such an army as yours upon any enterprise not bearing directly upon the state of things here — either by preventing the reinforcements to McClellan's army or by drawing troops from it by divisions. These objects might be accomplished by the demon striations proposed above or by a movement upon McDowell, although I fear that by the time this reaches you it will be too late for either. The most important service you can render the country is the preventing the further strengthening of McClellan's army. if you find it too late for that strike the most important body of the enemy you can reach. You compel me to publish orders announcing your success so often that you must expect repetition of expressions,
J. E. Johnston,
P. S.--It is reported this evening that McDowell is moving this way from Fredericksburg. It is probable.
J. E. Johnston.
The Lincolnite in Missouri murder a Secessionist.
The following is from the Hannibal (Mo.) Herold. of June 10th:‘ Information was brought into camp at Palmyra on Saturday last that Colonel John Owen, a notorious rebel, who has made himself conspicuous in burning bridges, care, and depots, and firing into passenger trains last summer and fall, was secreted at or near his farm in Monroe. A detachment from Company A. Eleventh regiment Missouri State Militia, (Colonel Lipscomb's.) under command of Lieutenant Donahue, was immediately sent out from Palmyra to hunt the outlaw. On approaching the farm of Colonel Owen on Sunday, about 12 M, the squad discovered a negro running rapidly from the house towards a piece of brush. The Lieutenant and his company immediately started for the brush, and going into it, discovered the game and soon bagged it. At first the Colonel showed a determination to resist his capture; but finding such a proceeding unclose, he yielded. Preparations were made for his exception. He begged the soldiers to take him prisoner. They informed him that ‘"taking prisoners"’ was played out. They then placed him upon a stump. in front of a file of soldiers, and at word of command eight bullets pierced the body of the rebel, killing him instantly.
Thus has ended the career of a notorious bush whacker and outlaw. He has met the just retribution of his damning cranes
’
News from Memphis.
The Northern papers bring us news from Memphis as late as June 14th We copy the only Hems of interest:‘ The city remains unusually quiet and orderly, and business is slowly revising.
Thus far the amount of rebel property seized amounts to only $50,000.
Captain Dill, of the Provost Guard, estimates the ping, to be $150,000. This is rapidly finding its way to the level.
The number of absentees has been overestimated. Many have returned while those who go on upward boats are mostly members of sundered families.
The Mayor and City Council are Union proclivities, as a general thing, and exercise their functions in harmony with the military rule. Their continued good conduct is a renewed assurance of this
As arrival here diet from Madison. Arkansas, brings information that General Curtis had not reached Little Rock, but was approaching it from Searey. He would meet with he apposition.
Mr. Markland, agent for the Post Office Department, opened the city Post-office to-day and an agent. of the Treasury Department is on his way to re-open the Government Custom-House. There have been about thirty applications for the office of postmaster by prominent citizens of Memphis.
There is, as yet. but one Union flag flying from a private residence, and that is from the house of Mr Gage.
There is but Rule activity in shipping although a few dray loads of cotton have been handled down to the leaves this morning. Some 5,000 bales are concealed in warehouses.
The avalanche, an article on the belligerents, admits that the south has defeated the use of privateers and guerrillas, and charges the North with the commission of ordnance at which human naturals its wursts paroxysms of passion feels itself horrified. It claims that the terminate belligerents should settle the questions of the war. having peaceful citizens to the enjoyment of their rights; and observe that these views are acknowledged by the federal here, and think win gradually upon the Southern
The Argus indulges in a series articles, and should be supports
The Avalanche says about seventy-five officers and soldiers have thus far surrendered Fitch.
The United State Navy-yard and buildings been taken possession of by Flag-officer Day is the name of the Government, and will be occupied as the headquarters of his fleet. The buildings are in good preservation.
There is no evidence that the fleet will star down the river for several days.
Mr. C. Galloway, into Postmaster at Memphis announces that he has removed the office to Grenada.
Colonel Stack issued orders this morning prohibiting dealing and using the currency of the Confederate States, and that the use there of as a circulating medium would be regarded as an insult to the Government of the United States. Persons offending are to be arrested and summarily dealt with
Rebel sympathizers are already beginning to wince under the vigorous pulley of the new commandant.
Beauregard's army is reported at Tupelo, fifty miles south of Corinth. Arrangement have been made looking to the fortification of the place,--Deserters arrive here daily and take will immediately require all civil and judicial officers to take the oath.
The Gunboat Sterling Price has been raised, and will be sent North immediately for repairs.
’
Jail delivery at Leesburg — citizens arrested.
Wool at Harper's Ferry.
Gen. Wool visited Harper's Ferry on the 13th, and after looking around awhile, went back to Baltimore. It is thought Bolivar Heights will be fortified. A telegram from the Ferry says:‘ From the feeling exhibited by the Secessionists in the vicinity of Martinsburg and Winchester, some credit may be attached to the rumor that Jackson has again been largely reinforced; but while I have confidence in the ability of Fremont to successfully cope in the event of his meeting with a reverse, the preparations which Generals Banks and Sigel are making in the vicinity of Winchester will render any success which the rebels may achieve but of short duration.
The bridge across the Potomac at this point was completed yesterday, and its security tested by the passage of a heavy burthen train. The road between here and Winchester is being rapidly repaired, and it is believed the Government will have its use in a few days, thus greatly facilitating the transmission of supplies to the army in the Valley.
’
M'Clellan's army.
The New York Tribune, of the 14th, says, editorially:‘ We have late private advices from our army be fore Richmond. In spite of its heavy losses by sickness. privation, and combat, it is to-day the strongest and most effective army ever yet assembled on this continent — much stronger even in numbers than is generally supposed. It has more and better artillery than any other army in the world over had.
The tremendous. incessant rains of the last month have converted the Chickahominy rivulet into a river — or rather lake — and the whole adjacent region into a miry bog, over and through which cannon and supplies are moved with great labor and difficulty. But we have a railroad running from White House Point (the head of Navigation via York river) across the Chickahominy, into the heart of our encampments, and the best sort of corduroy roads are being made in every direction. Gen. McClellan will soon be almost independent of the elements. though drier weather would be very acceptable. In fact, there have this week been two consecutive days without rain, which is hailed as a harbinger of "the good time coming." It will surely cause.
It we supposed it necessary to urge the sending of every spare regiment to Gen. McClellan, we should dwell on this point but it is not. The Government understand the whole matter, and are wide awake. They do not deem more troops essential to the reduction of the rebel stronghold; but they are anxious to take it with the least possible blunt shed, and are hurrying forward men to that and. If fifty disciplined and uniformed militia regents were to-morrow to offer themselves for three months service, we feel confident that all would be promptly accepted.
’
Burnside's Opinion
A dispatch from Washington date Friday, June 13, says:‘ Gen. Burnside Was in town yesterday returning to Fort Monroe, by the afternoon boat. His reports from the Peninsula, where he spent several hours with Gen, McClellan, are favorable, He sees no reason why, with good weather, our army should not be in Richmond within a very few days. He does not think that the rebels are strengthened by their-forced levies, but believes that undisciplined members endanger an army which they apparently reinforce, as was the case at Newbern, when the few North Carolina militia threw the whole rebel forces into a panic.
Gen Burnside sees some signs of loyalty in the old North State, but is not so sanguine of its early return to the Union, voluntarily as are some of the newspapers correspondents.
’
Churches seized for hospitals.
Four of the churches in Washington — Trinity the Rev. Dr. Styles, Rector; Epiphany, Dr. Hale; Ascension, Dr. Style, Rector; Epiphany, Dr. Hale; As pension, Dr. Pinkney, all Episcopal, and one Presbyterian church--have been taken possession of by the Government for hospitals. Three at least, of the four have the reputation of being semi rebel. Rumor says that this movement was used by recent imaginary disasters in the Shenandoah Valley; but, in fact, it was determined upon some time agoA dispatch from Fremont says all is quiet in the Shenandoah Valley.
British vessels about to run the blockade.
The inhabitants of Queenstown state that two other vessels sailed running the blockade.
Mr. Carrier states that in England there is a general feeling in favor of the South.
What the "Balloon Corps" Saw.
The Chickahominy correspondent of the Philadelphia Press writes:‘ We have, from the balloon corps, a most startling account of a rebel mummy. Two or three days ago whilst taking observations, the balloonist observed quite a commotion in the enemy's camp. A large party of troops were drawn out, and from the hurrying of horsemen and preparation of arms he first though there was to be an attack upon our forces Soon, however, he observed the troops take a position and direct their pieces at their rebel brethren Field-glasses being brought to bear, discovered the curiously acting party to be North Carolinian, and that they were taking a position of defence against the attack of others in the rebel army. Fire was soon opened by both parties, Valley after volley of musketry was poured into each other a ranks, and the battle swayed to and fro, for a long time undecided. Soon, however, the North Carolinians seemed to be getting the worst, and directly broke and fled; the others gaining a complete victory.
I send you this story as I heard it. For some time the rebel gone opposite Mechanicville have turned towards Richmond, and on the day on which it is said this mutmy and battle took place, a great smoke arose from the enemy's camp, and volleys of musketry could be distinctly heard during several hours. North Carolinians are known to be discontented. When prisoners are taken in battle, it is generally discovered that the North Carolinians among them have not fired their muskets, and that they make no resistance to capture, The news of the doings at home — of the repudiation of the rebel Government, and the recall of the Carolina troops in the army has, no doubt, by this time reached the army's camp, and would be sufficient to cause a army hand sanguinary battle. As. It is. I observed rebel gastritides towards the Iowa works on the afternoon in question; saw the smoke and heard the volleys of musketry.
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