New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-06-29
THgE LATEST WAR NEWS.


TIE LATEST WAR NEWS.
The most interesting news since our last issue
is that relating to an engagement with the Reb-
els at Matthias Point. II would appear from an
unofficial account, that on Thursday Capt. Ward
OF the Freeborn, with his own vessel the Paw
nee, and the Resolute, left washington for the
purpose of landing men at the Point, there to
erect battery with which to operate against
the batteries planted by the Rebels there threat
eniug the navigation of the Potomac. a party
of thirty or forty men were landed III small
boats, under cover Of the guns of the feet, and
at once proceeded to build battery of sand-bags,
While thus engaged, a large force of the
rebels, who had been concealed in the woods,
rushed upon our troops and opened CALLING fire
of musLetry. A part Of the men retired to their
boats and rowed back to tie FreebOrn; the rest
swan thther, exposed TO the fire. by which sev-
eral were wounded. When the attack was made
Caut. Ward opened fire from the guns of this
vessel, dispensing the rebels, and sending them
back TO the woods. While thus engaged, he was
struck by bullet and died within tho hour.
! The National flag carried by the party was rid
! died with balls.
! Captain james II. Ward, killed in the above
engagement was born in Hartford, Conn. in
I506. He was the Oldest son of the late Colonel
James Ward. His education was excellent and
/ he was always devoted student, having given
particular attention TO naval tactics gunuery, and
the application Of steam to vessels OF war; upon
these subjects he has written some valuable works
At the age Of IL years, on the 4th OF March,
1923, be entered the Navy, and sailed IN the
Constitution as a midshpmen for four years. lie
had seen much active service on the African
c, asst and in the Gulf Squadron He WIS
also at one time professor in the Naval
School at Annapolis, and had for four years
been in command Of the recei9ng-ship North
| Carolina. He gave up the latter situation in
order to engage in more active duty, and his ex-
plot at Sewars Point is well remembered
Capt. Ward was married in 1882 to a daughter of
Mr.. Samuel Whittemore Of this city. His widow
is now in Europe. A later dispatch concerning
this affair gathered from an official source, states
that Capt Ward did not land his men with the
design Of sitting them at work upon the con-
struction of battery, but that his intention was
to burn piece Of brushwOod which served rs
an ambush whence reble rihemen were in the
habit of firing upon passing vessels. Two of the
four men wounded were desperately injured, aud
two seriously, in the language Of the report
From Washington we have the most decisive
Information that an important forward movement
is at once to be male aud though we are not
allowed to publish the particulars, we are led to
suppose that Richmond is the point aimed at.
Gen. Mcdowell is not to be superseded by
Major General Dix; this fact has raised the
spirits of the troops who are now under the d.
rection of fhe former officer, and its announce
ment gives satisfaction to all who know and
have confidence in Mcdowell
Col. Stones headquarters are still at Poolcs-
vile. The 9th New-YOrk Regiment is at
Monocacy as an advance guard. and the lst
New Hampshire and the 18th Pennsylvania Regi-
ments are holding the ferries opposite Leesburg
Bodies of Rebel troops have for some days been
moving toward Leesburg, but in what force it is
rot stated.
On Wednesday night email scouting party Of
our men, dozen in all, in the vicinity Of Cum
berland, Nd, encountered company OF Rebels,
forty strong A sharp engagement ensued, and
twenty three Of the enemy we're killed. Cor
poral Hayes, in command of the scouting party,
was wounded, and one of bis men was killed.
The official report Of Col. Wallace speaks Of this
affair in the warmest terms, as showing unusual
bravery.
1t appears that large numbers of Missourians
are concentrating on the Arkansas border, ex-
pectiug to be there joined by troops from Arkan-
sas, Tennessee, and Mississippi, after which they
win make an inroad upon Missouri. 1900 Union
Home Guards have been organized in johnson
County, No., for tho protection of the rights
and property Of loyal citizens. They call on
Gen. Lyon for arms.
The Commander of the barracks at Newport,
Ky, has received orders to prepare quarters at
once for 5000 regular troops; one regiment will
be cavalry aud two regiments foot eoldicrs.