Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1861-11-27

oh tac MuEuluS VI 4 TIud} lasb, Auu haS Id
ken to headquarters at Fortress Monroe,
where, upon being interrogated, ne made
known the location of number of import
ant Rebel camps on the right hank of the
James river.
Acting upon this information, an expe-
dition, consisting of two gunboats, was pre-
pared on Friday, in readiness to proceed
at nightfail to the junction of the James
and Warwick rivers, about FIVE and one half
miles above Newport News, The Cam
bridge led the way and steamed Vithout
interruption until reaching the point desig-
mated, where the white tents OF the enemy
could be plainly discerned ou low wooded
triangular piece. of land, This WIS near
midnight
Almost before the Rebel pickets could
give the alarm the gunbcats we're in posi-
ton, and had opened fire upon the camps,
the guns following each other in rapid sue
cession.
No efectual resistance was made by the
enemy, and the discharges were continued
Tor more than an hour, at which time the
camps appeared nearly deserted. The dark
ness of the night and the wan of ofsuficient
men prevented landing being Effected
Indeed, this was not the object of the ex-
pedltion, the sole aim being to destroy the
camps by an efficient cannouade, and this
was successfully accomplished 1t IS be-
lieved that the loss of life on the part of
the Rebels was heavy, owing to the sud
denness of the attack, aud their compare
lively defencelcss state.
Passengers by the Old Point boat arrived
at Baltimore, Nov. 26, say that the Nor
folk Day Book has dispatch from Rich
mond to the effect that an engagement is
going on at Pensacola.
Parties who read the paper say the Nj
agara and Colorado engaged fort McRea
1t briskly replied, and that the vessels
were damaged and had to haul off.
That Pickens was firing on the navy
yard. This is the substance of the report
One version of the affair at Pensacola
says that on Friday Fort Pickens opened
on the navy yard and Barancas, and that
the Colorado and Niagara participated and
had to be hauled off, being very much
damaged. All comes through secession
sources and must be received with due al
lowancc
A naval expedition, which has attracted
but little attention, has Teen preparing for
the last few weeks, and is probably already
on the way to its destination. About fifty
old whalers have been purchased at New
London. Sag IIarbor. Mystic, New Bedford,
and other points They have been loaded
with stone, which will assist materially in
sinking the craft, and keeping them in their
places when they shall have been sunk
The feet, which was to have sailed on Wed
nesday is under the command of Captain
John p. Rice, of New London and the crews
under his command are enlisted for three
months service.
The people of Memphis are very much
alarmed at the prospect of formidable ex
peditio being sent down the Mississippi riy,
er, and the Appeal declares that eyery man
in the country should he prepared for the
emergency"
The panic caused by the success of our feet
at Beaufort has not yet abated and the peO-
pie Of the rebel sea board cities are desertiny
their homes rapidly as rats leave sinking
ship.
Dispatches TO General Dix, from Eastern
Virginia, announce the capture Of three reb
ell officers, captain and two lieutenants-
Seven cannon were also captured. They are
all new and in good order. All traces of dis
loyalty seem to have disappeared in Accomac
and Northampton counties.
The papers publish telegraphic abstract
of the message of Jefferson Davis to the rebel
Congress. He makes an elaborate effort to
create the false impression that the schemes of
the conspirators have been crowned with |
great degree of success and that the South is |
maintaining, with comparative ease. the ter
rible burdens imposed upon her. His mes
sage reads more like the argument of an inge
nious lawyer defending great criminal than
the message of a statesman and he has 40 |
grossly perverted facts, and laid down SO
many false doctrines, that his special plead |
ing can deceive no intelligent reader.
North Carolina Coming Back-The Pro.
visional State Government for North Carroll |
ma, the establishment of which has been con-
templated for months, was formally institu
ted on the 9Th inst, by Convention of Del |
egates and proxies representing forty five
counties of the State. Ordinances were pas
sed acknowledging the Constitution of the
United States, appointing Marble Nash Tay-
lor Provisional Governor of North Carolina,
proclaiming the secession act Illegal and of
no force or effect, and empowering the new
Governor to order special elections for Rep.
resentatives to the Federal Congress.
The Army Beef Contracts.
The army beef contracts have been closed.
There are three contracts, each for 1000 cat
tie. The first was taken by McQuade, of
Pittsburg, Pa, and VIM. I. Hildreth, Harris
burg, Pa, at 1898, delivered at Pittsburg,
the first delivery to be made on the Both inst.
The second contract was awarded to Jas. Low
ther, of Latrobe, and Israel Painter, Green's
boro, at 1851, delivered at Harrisburg-frst
delivery 3lst December. The third lot was
awarded to F. Ruff & Co., of Blairsville. Penn.
sylvania, at 50, SIS, delivered at HARRISBURG
York or Cham hersh hnrn--hrst .aoI;..a=-. = L97'