The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-09-03
WAR NEWS.

WAR NEWS.
| RICHMOND, Aug 31-Congress has authorized the
President to purchase large screw steamers
for purposes. They to be built in England.
Negotiations are pending in regard to their con-
struction.
! The bill uaugurating a commercial nonintercourse
policy towards the North, with certain limitations land
these exist ouy during the wary to be enforced by
penalties also forbiding letter correspondence, has
passed.
bill is before Congress vesting the power of retaa-
| ton in the President.
| 1t is reported here that VIM. W. Corcoran, the
wealthy Washington Banker, has been arrested and
sent to Fort Lafayette.
! The prvateer steamer Gordon, Captain Lockwood,
reached Charleston Thursday. She has had sue
cessfu rum having in six weeks captured four prizes
FAYETTE, Missouri, August 3l-The Cashier of the
Bank sent 100000 to Springfield but twenty Seces
sionists headed by Capt. Poindexter, seizedit.
The N. Y. Herald says it is estimated by enti-
tied to know, that $4,000 Confederates between
Harper's Ferry aud Edwards Ferry waiting an orpor-
tunity to force crossing into Maryland, Meantime,
the Maryland secessioniss are gathering the Eastern
! Shore.
| CLARKsBURG, Va, Aug 31-The Confederates
attacked the Federal pickets ten miles below Hut
louisville, and after skrmish retired The Wash
ington correspondent of the New York Times says
the Confederates, with three cannon, attacked the
pickets at Balls Cross Roads. The Federals fell
back, but again advanced, occupying their old
position.
RICHMOND, Aug. 31.-The President signed a
number of bills to-day but none have yet been
made public. Congress will adjourn tonight
Many rumors circulating about skirmishes
and battles, but only the former reliable. The
public generally express the opinion and signs
generally Indicate that an important battle is
at hand.
Another .fyht-Norttern account.
GALL1POLIs, Ohio, Aug. %.
battle fought near Summerville Va, on
the Goth The conflict was \ bloody one. Col.
Tyler's (federaO force of 900 was surrounded
while at breakfast Two hundred of them are
missing. After desperate conflict, they were cut
through and scattered. The following are known
to be killed among the Federals: Captains Dyer,
Shuteff and Sterling, Adjutant l.. DeForrest,
Lieut.. Warren, and Sergeant Major Long. The
Confederates reported as 5000 strong, in
Guiding 400 cavalry. Their loss is severe.
We have received later confirming the defeat of
Col. Tyler. They acknowledge the loss of 200 men,
and it is likely they suffered greater than that
IMPORTANT FROM THE POTOMAC
Confederate Forces near Alexandria.
letter from Fairfax Courthouse, dated Tues
day last, August q, gives information OF great
interest.
During tie late alarm, when Gen. Longstreets
Brigade marched in full force to Falls Church to
beat back the mag inary enemy, two batteries-the
celebrated New Orleans and Leesburg artillery
accompanied it, The latter, and less formidable
of which, fired twenty shots and threw number
of shells at private residence within two miles Of
Alexandria, in which large body of Yank scouts
had taken refuge-tearng the house into atoms
and killing and wounding at least twenty of its
inmates.
The hoarse thunder of our guns was heard in
Washington and Alexandria, and intelligence has
bod tho kho Eolo
appalled, at the fearful noise that they ran to and
fro, crying out that army of two hundred
thousand was in rapid march against their Capital
and orders given for the burning or tearing
down of Long Bridge, If necessary in arresting the
march OF the gigantic army. On the day follow
ing this alarm pickets captured and conveyed
to headquarters three despicable tools of the Yam
KEGS, who detected in the act of giving their
sentnes information of the approach of our scouts
by signal with the hand; and for the warning,
they say they ankees had agreed to pay small
sum In gold. There is road leading from Alex
andria in the direction Of Fairfax, called the
"Anondae Road that intersects with the main
turnpike, on which Falls Church is situated along
which our pickets have been posted to within FIVE
miles of Alexandria. Recent successful skirmishes
have embJldened our that on yesterday
they attacked the enemys scouts at place called
Mason's Heights, within two and a half miles of
Alexandria and the Potomac river, (from which
view of both Alexandria and Washington is
plainly visible,) and after sharp firing, sue
ceeded in occupying it. The Federal scouts
retired, with the loss Of several in killed and
wounded; and, under the apprehension that our
pickets would be attacked by superior force, a
large body of troops havo been sent to their
assistance.
The above skirmish and advance are perhaps
the last of small character that will be reported
to the Dispatch from Fairfax, as have assurances
positive indications the most unmistakable can
give, that armies on the eve of grand
operations. Officers and men have been notified
to remain in their camps; more furloughs will
be granted Regiments are being thrown forward,
and the distance between the "Army of Fairfax"
and the Potomac river is rapidly decreasing.
RICHMOND, August 3O-Letters from and
passengers by the Manassas train to-day. say that
active skirmishing commenced at Falls Church,
on Wednesday afternoon. The opinion prevails
that general engagement will take place at an
early day.
The Committee on foreign affairs in Congress,
has reported bill prohibiting all trade and inter-
course with the United States, except in certain
necessary and specified articles. This regulation