The national Republican., 1861-09-16
Important fren Fortress Menroe.
THE YORKTOWN OFFERS FT9HT AND
IS COMPELLED TO RETIRE.

Baltimore, Sept. 15.-Ths Old Point boat,
which arrived here this morning, brings the
following interesting intelligence, dated Fort.
ress Monroe, September ID: rU ....
There was prospect Of an engage ment last
night at NewportNews,
About four O'Clock in the afternoon, the
steamer yorktown ran down within three riiles
and opened nre upon the camp and blockadins
squadron, which consisted OF the Savannah.
Cumberland, and the gunbost Louisiana. She
fred twenty i've shells, one Of which exploded
near the Savannah. Other shells fell considera.
bly, short. The guns Of the Cumberland and
Savannah could not reach the Yorktown, butts
couple Of shells from sawysr's gun on shore
caused her to retire. Ono Of the shells ex.
plodsd three.fourths Of . mile beyond the
steamer. ... d.
A Frenchman, who managed to escape from
the Yorktown the day before yesterday, states
that she has been watching, for some time, an
opportunity to run the blockade, and that the
loyalty Of many Of the crew was suspected. T.
About four O'clock in the afternoon, also, .
party ssnt out to cut fuel encountered two
hundred Confederate cavalry and an equal
number Of infantry, about thros miles from
Newport.News. The teamsters left their
wagons and gallopsd In to give the alarm, but
no further demonstration was made, and the
wagons were afterwards brought into Damp.
Tho steamer Yorktown has been cut down
forward and an by the removal Of the upper
cabins, so a. to Garry two large pivot guns.
She has, in addition, six heavy guns on each
side. There are NO indications Of her having
been iron.plated. 81 "' '.I
The Confederate steamer Curtis Peck msde
her appearance this morning above Newport.
News, and steamer from Norfolk also made Q
reconnaissance.
The distinguished political prisoners from
Baltimore, including Mayor Browne, Ross wi.
mans, Henry May, and others, arrived at Old
Point this morning They will be closely Con.
fined in the oascmates within the fortress,
Fortress Monroe, Sept, lathe steamer
%o1nins Snf The sasqSehaaIns ham and The Paw Psxnes nee
still remained there. The former had sus.
tanned but little injury In the collision with the
gunsost Flag, The Spaulding brought the
remnant Of Col. weber's regiment, and nearly
q thousand stand OF arms. captured from the
G9nfederates, and dozen prisoners, taken
Four vsssels had run into the inlet with Eng
lish oolors aying. under the suppyaition that
Federal flag having been temporarily hauled
down. Pilots were offered 10 the vessels, and
every facility for getting In was given, and they
did not discover their mistake until II was too
% Tx s tns sn s Ssnn 1Rs sns
cs,, and. had valuable cargoes of molssses,
shoes and clothing.
Our troops, at the inlet, have mounted all
the guns and rendered those effective which
had been spiked by the Confeders'es before
| the surrender.
No Intelligence Of importance had been re.
ceived from the sound or from the main land.
Gen. Reynolds has arrived at Old Point, and
will proceed tomorrow by the 8. r. Spauiding
TO assuMs ooMpapA st Hatteras.
The lighthouse at Body island baS been
blown up, and Oregon Inlet evacuated by the
| COnfederates.
| One Of the schooners referred to above as
haylng bsen GaPtHTea, Was rroFa hostsn, anA
had y cargo Of boots and shoes.
The frigate Savannah, of Newport News, had
been relieved by the Roanoke.