St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1861-06-06
The War.

The War.
The war news this week is quite
meacrc No decisive results have ia
ken place, but both contcnding armies
are active in making preparations.
jeff. Davis has arrived at Richmond,
and it is expected that something de-
cisive will be known before long. In
deed, the last mail brought a rumor
that the rebel army, numbering forty
or fifty thousand, were on the way
from Richmond to drive the Federal
troops from Alexandria. The rumor
is not credited.
Something decisive may soon be
expected from Harrcr's Ferry. If the
rebels do not c%vacuatc the place, it
will be surrounded and captured, and
a precious lot of prisoners will need
to be provided for. The number of
rebel troops there is estimated at
5000. This includes all within five
miles of the railroad bridge. They
are all equipped with the exception of
1000, who are but partially provided
with arms. At least 1000 of them
have only hint-lock muskets. The
bulk of these men are cncamped on
the nights west of the village +; they
have a battery of two 6-pounders
and one 32-poundcr-all on the Mary
land heights. They have four bate
rics overlooking the bridge, and from
three quarters of a mile to three miles
distant. The Federal forces were
planning to cut off all retreat.
Extensive preparations were making
: at Fort Monroe ; troops were pushing
forward rapidly toward the interior,
and it was thought an attack on Nor
I folk by a circuitous route was shortly
: to be made. Another account says
the movements of Gen. Butler are con
sidercd as indicating an intention on
his part not to trouble SewclPs Point
or Norfolk at present, but to strength
, en- his position on the other side OF
James River, and in time to move for
, ward to Richmond.
Aqua Creek seems 10 be . trouble
. some spot and will have to be disposed
of. The Government forces had /:
conflict with the rebels there. Tht
steamers Freedom, Anacosta, ltesolut'
#, and a schooner opened fire, finally 81
q. lcncing the wharf battery, and killing
~ several rebels !; none Of our troops in
jurcd. The Pawnce and Yankee were
W sent the next morning.
/. despatch states that a force o
1. cavalry and 45 infantry under Licuts
Tompkins and Gordon, attacked Il,
al rebels at Fairfax Court House. TIN
&c rebel pickets were met four miles thi
1t side, who fed and alarmed the camp
INV
re The cavalry charged on the town, eli
D. countering a vigorous resistance, tn
'e people firing on them from the houses
l. Tompkins' horse was shot under hin
IF and his cavalry surrounded by tn
1t rebel infantry, who poured in a con
~tinuous fire, but they fought their wa,
II through them, taking a number 9
le prisoners. One of the cavalry wa
r, killed and two wounded !; some stat
officers of the Fifth New York regi
of mcnt were wounded, being with til
ly Federal troops. Lieut.. Tompkins re
IN ports 80 rebels killed, and that thei
forces amounted to 1900. They ha
IL previously supposed there were bu
lie 200 there. The following night on
troops were to advance Oh Fairfa
- Court House and take it. Anothc
+, dispatch says the rebels arc fast re
n treating from Fairfax.
Is Gov. Banks is in Washington by il
H. vitation of the Secretary Of Wa
ee He has been commissioned q Majo
ID General and placed at the head
Commissariat. lie favors putting a
c. army of SOC, 900 men into active sc,
T.. vice at nee
The determination Of the Prcsider
no to give Col. Fremont a Major Genera
no ship elicits much qualification anon
the western troops.
ID Dcfences are being constructed GU
n side of Richmond. All the bridge
,h on the Alexandria railroad have bee
tv burned.