Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-11-13
LATEST NEWS FROM THE SOUTH.

We find In the Cincinnati papers the SUD-
Joined interesting extracts from Southern pa
psrs!
CAPTAIN sEMNEs IN EtROPs.
The following evidently has reference to
Capt. Semmes, Of the privateer Sumter, whose
mysterious arrival in England has already |
been mentioned:
A Richmond correspondent Of the Savannah |
News says q certain noted captain, well known
in Savannah and Charleston, will soon turn up |
in England, and subsequently on the high seas, |
as a master of large and powerful priyateer,
carrying the flag of the Confederate States. 1t
is not necessary to state in what manner and
by what means the Yankee blockade has been
thus contemptuously violated. A gentleman
Of distinguished family well knOwuin Georgia,
accompanied the captain referred to, and will,
no doubt, worthily represent his State on the
deck of privateer.- Courier.
TIE cABIsEr-BRECKISRIDGEN NOT TO COIN
The Richmond Wing says:-We have rea-
son to believe that the rumor which has found
its way into some of the city press that Mr..
Breckinridge has received the appointment of
Secretary Of President Davis CabiRet, is with
out foundation. The presumption is, instead,
that be will be given command in Kentucky.
Unless we are nisinformed, the gentleman who
has since the retirement of Secretary Walker,
SO satisfactorily and ably discharged the oner-
Gus duties Of the War Department, will be re-
tanned at that post. We have heard no con-
lecture INDUCED as 10 VINO Is nkely 10 De calIeQ
to the Department OF Justice.
TIE EFFECTED BATTLE ON THE POTOMAC.
The Charleston Mercury says: The Rich
mond papers still speak in confidence Of a
battle soon to take place between the main
bodies Of the two great armies on the Potomac.
Such q battle must be terrible in its slain, and
most critical in its consequences. But there is
hardly, We presume, man in the Confederate
army, or the Confederate States, who will not
gladly nerve himself to know the certainty Of
such an event. Even as q matter Of life, the
hazards Of q battle with the enemy are prefer
able TO the disease and destruction which must
await the army in the unprepared and despe-
rate winter quarters near Centreville and
Manassas. The Confederate troops have con-
quered in every battle which has been fought
upon the Potomac.
Whether their superiority consists in supe-
rior courage and enthusiasm, or superior use
of arms, or in both Of these causes, the fact is
uDqusstionable, they are superior to the United
States troops in battle. Gen. Besuregard's
report, just submitted, of the battle Of Msnas-
sas, states that, at that battle, there were
25, 900 men in the Confederate army. Our
readers will remember now the correct state
ments Of our published correspondence IN this
particular, and with what incredulity these
Low figures were received shortly before the
battle. Il was mistakenly believed we had
under Gen. Bssuregsrd, from 40, 900 to sc, 900.
OF these q, 900, there were but 1000 tnHseds-
cteIy engaged. What q vast disparity of
numbers did our troops vanquish on that event
full day1 And what fearful risk was run by
the previous rejection OF twelve months volun-
teers! Our escape seems providential. r
We verify believe, however, that in one day,
on fair field. our noble army can settle for
ever the destinies Of the South, and make Us
at once . great, independent and triumphant
people. While, therefore, We look with conf
dence to future achievements Of this army, If
permitted to fight, We cannot but turn with re-
gret at its past inactivity. We are floating
along relying on possibilities.
DETAILS OF THE ENGAGEMENT NEAR RoNNEY-
COLONEL N'DoNALD SUPPOSED TO BE TAKEN
PRISONER.
Correspondence of the Richmond Enquirer. !
WINCHESTER. Va, Oct. 27.-An engagement
took place yesterday Saturday between Col
Angus MeDonald's cavalry, about 300 in mum
Der, and about zoo militia, under Col. Monroe
and q body Of Yankee troops, vsriously esti
mated at from 8, 900 to 5, 900 Our little forct
was obliged to retreat before superior mum
bers. The fight commenced three or four mile
from Romney, whittier our troops had gene u
meet the enemy.
After fighting some time, 1t was found tha
they could not keep back the Federals, and
retreat towards Romney followed-the enemy
pursuing. Our army wagons blocked mp tn
road, and the artillery could not pass, and /
was consequently captured, with wagons, tents
OdkBhkop &C., anu We regret 70 dQd IHdL OOl
Mcdonald, Ii il believed, fell into the hands o
the pursuers. When last seen he was on horse
back, with the enemy but short distance il
the rear. Some Of his friends fear he has besl
killed, as the Federsls, IL has been stated, sx
hibited no disposition to take prisoners, bu
rode mp to teamsters and killed them with thei
sabers. Major o. r. Funsten escaped. He wa
thrown from q hor9e, but was carried of in
carriage and reached this place in a bruise
condition. Some 20 or 30 Of the cavalry hav
reached Winchester, frsm whom We obtai
these particulars.
Although directly from the scene of the er
gsgement, they bring reports containing dii
crepancies to details. / aim to give what
believe to be the most reliable. 1t is believe
We had about twenty killed, and q numbe
wounded. A large number of the enemy wsr
killed, the artillery making roads throug
them.
The enemy are, no doubt, once more in Ron
ney, and some Of our citizens fear they ma
extend their visit to Winchester-forty-t tu
miles being the distance-but have no sue
fears.
militia force left here this morning in Ii
direction Of Romney, to check them If the
should have the temerity to advance in Ia
direction. The cars have gone 10 Charleston
to bring some troops from that place to 20 al
towards Romney. OF course, our people regr
that the enemy have for once stolen q mars
on our men, aud given the invaders son
cause 10 "crow.n
sEE. BEAURseARD's REPORT ON BULL RUN
The Richmond papers contain Gen Besur
CARDS oficial report Of the battle Of Bull Ru
near Manassas, on the 2lst Of July last, 81
although considerably behind the times in th
fast age, We give the following synopsis Of
published In the Dispatch:
Gen Beauregard opens with q statement
bis position antecedsnt TO the battle, and
the plan proposed by him to the govsrnme
Of the junction Of the armies Of the Shena
Of Maryland and the capture Of the city
Washington, which plan was rejected by 4
President Gen. B. states that he telegraph
10 the War Department on the 18th Of Jul
the contemplated attack by Gen. McDowe
urgently asking q junction Of Gen. johnson
forces with his own, and continued TO ma
urgent requests for the same until the 18th
July, when the President consented TO ord