The news.
The news of yesterday is of little importance, though we have to record a very brilliant little affair on the lower James river. It seems five gunboats on Monday evening came up to Fort Powhatan, and after shelling a wharf in that neighborhood for some time started two barges, loaded with troops, to the shore. When the barges were within a few yards of the land the troops attached to our signal corps at that point from an ambush poured into them such a murderous volley of musketry as caused them to make a precipitate flight. At least two--thirds of the Yankees in the boats are said to have been either killed or wounded. There were no casualties on our side.We yesterday saw a gentleman who had just returned from his farm near the mouth of the Chickahominy who says the report that a gunboat had gone up that river is without foundation.
Advices from Fredericksburg are of little interest. A company of Yankee cavalry dashed into Falmouth on Monday evening and captured two of our soldiers who were fishing on the north side of the river.
