Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-11-05
LATE NEWS FROM THE SOUTH.


take the following:
WHAT Is THOUGHT or TIE NAVAL EXPEDITION
The Appeal copies the account Of the naval
expedition, as published in the N. Y. CONNER
cial Advertiser, and alludes to it editorially as
follows:
The account estimates the preparation large
ly, and 1t will be seen that the destination of
the armada and the feats it is to accomplish
are also announced with great perspicuity
The Richmond Enquirer of the 23d states that
gentleman who was at Annapolis on Wednes-
day Of last week confirms the statement Of the
Commercial with regard to that point. A very
large military force had been assembled there
with aifthe celebrity which the railroad would
allow The regiments were drawn, very many
of them, from Washington, and comprised
some Of the choicest of McClellan's command,
OF both infantry and artillery. Nine transpor {
steamers had arrived to convey them away,
and others were coming. The opinion was also
prevailing that the design of this piratical ar
mament was to operate against Virginia; that
either the james or the York river was to be
the theater Of its debarkation. The opera
tons which have taken place In the peninsula,
and the rumors from that quarter, leave it for
the present time in doubt whether the surmise
above stated has not already proved to be true.
The article from the Commercial, however is
the Federal story; as the Enquirer remarks, it
Is impossible to distinguish between what it
tells for truth and what may be diyulged to
deceive the South.
FROM PENSACOLA.
Col. Billy wilson Occupying kts form = Po-
sttIoH-MOrs about the Santa Rosa Fight.
Correspondence Of the Mobile Advertiser !
PensaeOEa, Oct. 81, l861.-This morning
Billy's big guns announced that Mr.. Wilson
and his braves were to be found at THAR old
quarters Their new cloth houses look suite
neat and inviting. Whether our folks have
any need Of them, now that they are being
housed after town fashion, / am not able to say
The name Of the Confederate gunboat Ewing
has been changed to the Bradford, and the
steamer Neafe will hereafter be known az the
Nelms, in honor Of the brave Capt Bradford
of Fla, and Lieut. Nelms, of Ga, who fell in
the battle Of Santa Rosa. The military spirit
of Pensacola is aroused to the fullest extent
In every direction, Of an afternoon, the drum
beat Is heard, calling the home guards to the
plaza, or summoning the soldiers to his quar-
arrived to-day from Richmond, on business
connected with the navy department
Lieut. Sayre, Of the Confederate marine
corps, has been released on parole by Colonel
Brown, on honor that when his wound would
admit he should return to captivity, unless
honorably exchanged. He was treated with
the utmost kindness by the chief surgeon, the
officers Of the army, as well as by regular and
Zouave privstes. Col. Brown visited and con-
yersed with him in the most smiable manner
Lieut.. Sayre will divulge nothing that COM
promises his honor. All our prisoners, while
on the island, were treated in similar man.
ner, and 1t was no doubt gratifying to Colonel
Brown to learn that Gen. Bragg had acted in
like manner toward the Federal prisoners in
his hands.
We have learned that our prisoners all sailed
on the 10th. We know not where, but proba-
bly, for New York or the Tortpgss. The old dry
dock, or rather its remains, am told, hoatea
Oh on Friday night during very high tide,
and now lies precisely where it was originally
intended to place it, right on the bar. Some
officers from Pickens visited the old hulk on
Saturday morning.
AFFAIRS IN RICHMOND.
Correspondence Of the Memphis Appeal
RICHMOND, Oct. 81, 1861.-Oficers Yes.
oficers-all over town Walk where you will
like the cannon at Balaklavs, there are officers
some to the right of you, some to the left of
yen, some just In front Of you. Officers of all
grades and descriptions, from the general in
his buff fscings to the little artillery lieuten-
ant with the scarlet trimmings Go to
church, and the chance is you'll see an of
fcer In the pulpit. Go to a concert, and you
may hear an officer perform & solo on the cla-
rlonet: Go to the hetels, and the main saloon
Of the Exchange or the Spottswood looks as CAV
as tulip bed or poultry show. Zouave CAP
tains crowned with their blazing red caps and
uaddling sboat in their loose trowsers; cavalry
colonels, gold laced in three lines from wrists
to elbows; infantry majors, in smart uniforms
fresn rom the tailors, and probably as get
unpaid for, all moving in and out of the mis-
cellaneous crowd in bewildering confusion.
The ignorant visitor wonders how the army
gets along in their absence, and what such a
multitude Of fighting men in commission can
be doing In Richmond. make no effort to
explain 1t. As correspondent only seek to
give you rapid sketches Of what is seen and
talked about here; and officers lust now are
more seen 9 good deal than anyshing else.
Bod Hstcs from tbs forces under Gen. Lee
at Big SstceH MountatR. A gentleman of
this city, occupying high position in the gov
ernment, hasj just reached Richmond from Gen.
Lees headquarters. The enemy under Rose
Grams was in full retreat towards the Ohio, hut
pursuit was impossible. The roads were in the
most awful condition. Dead horses and mules
that had perished in their tracks, broken uag.
ons and abandoned stores lined the road to
Lsuisburg. There was no such thing as get
ting team or wagon through uniDjured. The
road beyond Big Sewell was, if anything, worse
than on this side Of it. To be sure, the diff
ouites were quite as great-perhaps even
greater-for the Yankees in their flight, as for
our troops in pursuing them. Bur Gen. Lee
scGS entirely our Of procssions, and ha4 NOT
ths ichsrscth to cook the npsat for himself or
70 ssrvs the Hezt rGtton to has soldiers. The
General was not in the best health, and Ii NAV
be imagined, not In the best spirits The
splendid horse that was presented to him lust
before he left this city had been lamed in two
legs, and was unfit for service. IL toiH Be ab-
SolEtsty rseessGry for Gen. Lee to abandon
hsS Posttton IN Gerry short time as untnhab-
st46ts for hfs army, and go into tcintsr quar.
tsrs. Who're this will be-rhether in the Ka.
nsuha Valley or on the line Of the Central
Railroads. uncertain; but much depends on
the choice as 10 the fooling the Yankees will
have In Western Virginis next spring.
Gen. Huger is expecting q combined move
ment upon Norfolk, and Gen. Magruder sp-
prehsnds the landing Of q large force in Mob.
jack bay. The better opinion here is that
these win be but feints to divert attention
from really formidable assault to be made
Immediately on the Evansport battery. This
assault Is intended by Mcclellan beyond a
doubt, and it may be true explanation of
the withdrawal Of yohnson's army within the
lines Of Manassas, where they can cooperate
readily, and at four hours notice, with the
command Of Gen Homes at the battery. From
the information I have received, am 90 con-
fdent that the attempt will be made by a
heavy force from Washington TO reopen the
navigation Of the Potomac at an early day,
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