The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1861-07-05
WAR NEWS.

The most interesting news since our
last issue is that relating to an engage
menI with the Rebels at Matthias; Point.
1t would appear from an unofficial &C.
count, that on Thursday Capt. Ward Of
the Freeborn, with his own vessel, the
Pawnee, and the Resolute, left Washing
ton for the purpose Of landing men at the
Point, there to erect battery with which
to operate agains. the batteries planted
by the Rebels, there threatening the navi-
CATION Of the Potomac. A party Of thirty
or forty men were landed in small boats,
under cover Of the guns OF the feet. and
ut once proceeded to build u battery ot
sand bags. While thus engaged, a large
force of the rebels, who had been con-
ceaied in the woods, rushed upon our
troops and opened CALLING fire OF mus
kerry. A part OF the men retired TO their
boats and rowed back 10 the Freeborn :;
the rest swamed thither, EXP osed TO the hre
by which several were v ounded. When
the attack was made Capt. Ward opened
fire from the guns Of this vessel. dispers.
ing the rebels, and sending them back to
the woods. While thus engaged, he was
struck by bullet and died within the
hour. The National flag carried by the
party was riddled with balls. Captain
James II. Ward, killed in the above en-
gagement, was born In Hartford, Conn,
in 1906. lie was tie oldest son of the
late Colonel James Ward. His education
was excellent, and he was always de.
voted student, having given particular
attention 10 naval tactics, gunHery, and
the application Of steam TO vessels OF war;
upon these subjects he has written some
valuable works. A the age OF IL years,
on the q h OF March, 1928 he entered the
Navy, and sailed in the Constitution AS a
midshipmen for four years. He had seen
much active service on the African Coast
and in the Gulf Squadron. He was also
at one lime professor in the Naval
School at Annapolis, and had for four
years been in command of the receiving
ship North Carolina. He gave up the
latter situation in order to engage in
more active duty, and his exploi, at Sew
ALPS Point is well remembered. Capt.
Ward was married 10 1892 to a daughter
of Mr.. Samuel Whitemore 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 de-
sign Of setting them at work upon the con-
struclion Of battery, but that his inten-
tion was TO burn piece OF brushwood
which served as an ambush whence rebel
r1emen were in the habit OF firing upon
passing vessels. Two of the four men
wounded were desperately injured, and
Two seriously, is the language Of the re-
port.
From Washington we have the most
decisive information that an important
forward movement is a. once to be made;
and 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 direction OF the former
faction TO all who know and have conf
dence in Mcdowell.
On Wednesday night small scouting
party Of our men, u dozen in all, 10 the
vicinity of Cumberland, Md, encountered
a company Of Rebels. forty strong. A
sharp engagement ensued, and twenty
three Of the enemy were killed. Corpora
Hayes. in command of the scouting party
was wounded, and one of his men wa
killed. The official report Of Col. Wsllac,
speaks Of this affair in the warmest terms
as showing unusual bravery.
1t appears that large numbers Of Mis-
sourians are concentrating on the Arkan
sas border, expecting 10 be there joinet
by troops from Arkansas, Tennessee. ant
Mississippi, after which they will make al
inroad apon Missouri. I,2D0 Uniol
Home Guards have been organized il
Johnson County. Mo-, for the protection
Of the rights and property of 10y al citizens
They call on Gen. Lyon for arms.-1ri6
une, 2eM.
. 1t is said that the arch-trator, Marsha
Kane OF Baltimore, has lost his brace
, effrontery since the discovery Of his mine
OF hidden arms. Baltimore remains quiet
} evidently glad TO be rid OF the danger sh
incurred when he was in power.
Beauregard's advance is said to be en-
camped in forest near Fairfax Cour,
House, where they are occupied in rob
binS farmers OF their produce. and wait
ng for some brilliant Union officer to lea,
: our troops into another Vienna trap.
. Vice-Traitor Stephens is not dead. II
1 was advertised to lie at certain place i
Y Georgia yesterday to beg for cotton. an
1 from the handsome manner in whic
r Traitor Benjamin subscribed the othc
8 day, each Confederate soldier may cour
n on getting at less; bale year for h
pay.
b BY their own estimate, the Traitor
d. have only 10000 troops in Virginia,
y which $4,000 are effective. They d
Q not mean 20 accept a general battle, b.
J, rely upon guerilla practice. Their chic
e strength is at Manassas junction, whel
4 they nave $4,000 men. They are al:
d growing very strong at Yorktown.
IS A dispatch from Fortress Monroe giv'
G an evidently one,sided view OF the a
q rest of Col. Allen Of the LIST Regiment