The Local news. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-11-30
WAR NEWS.


WAR NEWS.
Contrabands continue to arrive at Port
Royal, Gen. Sherman had built entrench-
ments across the whole Island. The sore
throat prevailed among the troops. Large
quantities Of cotton were still found in store
houses and barns, and also uninjured.
Beaufort was still unoccupied by the Fed
eral troops Olly two guaboats were an
chored off the town.
We have it again reported as Southern
news received by way of Louisville, that the
privateer Sumter has been captured off the
coast of Texas The report is not generally
believed.
We have news from R,lla, Missouri, to
the 9th inst. Gen. McCulloch was en-
camped at Springfield with four thousand
men. Rains was at Sarcoxie with seven
Mcdonald county, with the main body Of
the Confederate army, on his way to form
junction with McCulloch and Rains. Many
refugee families in destitute condition had
followed the Federal troops Co Rolla.
The following is the account furnished to
ASSOCIATED Press" of a recent affair beyond
Springfield, towards Fairfax Court House
"a reconnaissance was made yesterday by
squadron Of the Lincoln Cavalry, under
Command of Captain VIM. H. Boyd. They
proceeded to within about mile of Fairfax
Court House, when they observed Confede:
rate infantry partially concealed in rifle pits,
which extended across the turnpike. A few
Confederate cavalry were also in the rear,
and within rifle range. Shots were ex.
changed, the Lincoln Cavalry using their
carbines. and taking every precaution to
prevent surprise, by deploying on foot to
the right and left. The squadron returned
in good order, having accomplished the ot.
ject of the reconnaissance. One of our troops
had his arm slightly grazed by ball, and
a Confederate was killed The cavalry and
infantry of the enemy were seen to change
their positions, by falling back into the
town."
A telegram from Sandy Hook, Md, dated
Nov. %, says:-S,mewhato of an excitement
was occasioned here this afternoon, by the
Confederates throwing about thirty shells
at the quarters of some companies of the
28th Pennsylvania Regiment, under COM
mand of Major Hector Tyndale. at Harper's
Ferry. The Major tried the long range
Enfelds at them, but tbs distance being
two Thousand yards was too great. AL
though some Of the firing from the Confed
crates was fair, nobody was hurt, the men
being well deployed.
Information has been received at Port
Royal of the occupation of Tybee Island, at
the mouth of the Savannah river, by de-
tachment of marines from the gunboats
Pocahontas, Seneca, Augusta and Flag
No opposition was offered to the landing of
the troops on the Island, the works upon it
having been wholly abandoned before the
arrival of the gunboats. Tybae Island is
within mortar distance of Fort Pulaski, and
the approaches to Savannah from the sea
are cut of. On the island are strong Mar
tello tower, with battery at its base, which
commands the entrance of the harbor of Sa-
vannah and Fort Pulaski. The squadron
of steamboats, which did this work was
by Commander John Rodgers
The schooner Essex had arrived at Hilton
Head, reporting it had been chased and
fred at by privateer several times between
ST. Helena Sound and Hilton Head.