The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1861-11-12 00:00:00

THE WAR IN AMERICA.

The New York Merced of the 26th gives the fol.
lowing xis the "situation of Affairs" of that date :
There la nothing of importance to report with re;ard to
the movements of our army in front of Washington.
Scouting parties from General Keye's brigade had
paased throng!' Fairfax Court Homo, mid reported the
rebel centre to be stationed et Centreville. Gehr.rs!
Mrlellan and staff, accompanied by Inspector General
3flircy, are to ersma the Potomac, ta-dny and review the
division of General Porter.
From the Lower Potomac we learn that the rebels
have batteries efficiently pOsteid, extending froin Cockpit
Point to Mxttliias Point, a distaliCe of 20 miles, And
that they will soon have the river closed for five
further, es far as Freestone Point. The United States
an boats lying off Aqui& Creek, have ben withdrawn
down the river, and there are none sof our armed
Vessels now betWOOti Tuactico Creek and Msttheis
Point.

_
Tlie Ray. Mr, C,onwsy, chaplsin of the 9th New
Yoik Volunteers, arrived at Washington yesterday,
Irons Hatteras Inlet, whence lie was iliapatched by
General WiMains to the 'resident, informing him of
the loyal feelings of the citizens of Hyde county, NC,,
and bringing with him • declaration of independence
of the people of that county, announcing themselves for
ever free and independent of the rebel confederacy,
together with • request for arms for their defence.
They are represented as suffering terribly, alluost to
the point of atarvatios, front the deepotiant of the rebel
army. The President has given them every assurance
of protection in Ins power.
The news from Missouri tells of active movements on
the part of all our generals there. General Fremont
I wee it Poulin° de Terre river, on the march for Quincy.
The divisions of Hunter, ii"Binstry, and Askooth are at
Warsaw. Tlie main body of General Siegel's forces
were at Quincy at last account", and Genersl Sturgis's
command ono day's march in his rear. General lame
occupied Osceola, only two day's march north of the
rebel General Price, who was said to be retreating
towards Greenfield. It will than be seen that Price is
hotly pursued. A camp of rebels wee broken spat
Buffalo Mills' ten miles from Cole Camp Creek, by •
'neutron of United States cavalry, on Tuesday night,
who killed 17, wounded • large number, and took 90
prisoners. .

•
Intelligence has reached Rolla that the rebel troops
were all falling hack to the different stabs from which
they name, the Texans to Houston and the A rkanbas
men to LitUe Rock. If this be true it would indicate •
breaking up of the rebel army in Missouri. 'low far
such a movement may be traduce...id by oar ears'
expeditions to the South remains to be seen.
On the 19th, • Federal force under General Hancock
made • reconnaissance beyond Vinna, and advanced to
within a mile and • half of Fairfax Courthouse, whence
• Confederate picket was observed. Another recom
naimanee, under General M'Call, passed • mile and •
hall beyond Dransreille. On the 71st, General Stone
crossed the Polemist, with one portion of his command
at Edward's Ferry, and the other at Harrison's Island.
Skirmishing began between the Confederates, in
uncertain numbere, and part of General Stone's com-
mand, as early as nine o'clock in the morning, and
sectioned without mach effect until about die o'clock
: in the afternoon, when large reinforeenieus of the enemy
appeared upon the Federal right; which was com-
manded by Colonel Baker. The Union forces engaged
were about I,Boo,and were attacked by • force supposed
to be from 5,000 to 10,000. At this juncture Colonel
Baker 411 at Use heed of his brigade, while gallantly
cheering on his men to the conflict. Immediately
before he fell he deeratched Major Young to General
Stone to apprise him of the condition of affairs, and
General Stone immediately proceeded in person towards
the right to take command; but, in the confusion
created by the fall of Colonel Baker, the right wing
sustained • repulse with considerable loss. General
Stone reported that the left wing retired in good order.
A crossing was also made at Edward's Ferry, and the
Federal troops ocespied the Virginia side. A cavalry I
reconnaissance was made from there in the direction of
Leesburg, and the 14th Mirsimippl Regiment was
encountered, but without lose. The most ioarrtant
movement along the lines of General M. Clellso • army
was the taking possession of Annandale, on the Little
River Tampa.), about ten miles west of Alexandria.
General M'Clellan had removed bis bead-quarters from
Washington to the south side of the Potomac. The
Federal lose was between 600 and 700 in killed and
missing.