Smyrna times., 1861-06-06
Skirmishes In Virginia.


Greek, WiAiGmsport. 3c.
The Federal troops are ina king slow but sure
advances upon the secessionists in Virginia,
in line extending from Fortress Monroe TO
usrper's Ferry. and unless the Southern troops
eou,inue TO recede, there must, at an early
S.y. be a severe engagement at Norfolk, Harp
ar. Ferry, Manassas Gap or at Richmond.
During the past week several engagements
have taken place but such are the conflicting
aad FREQUENT accounts Of them in the daily
oavers that it's almost impossible 10 arrive at
ihsir dsinite result.
On Friday a company Of United States Ca
,.lry. under Lieut.. Tompkins, left their camp
about half.pas ten on scouting expedition
.,h.y reached Fairfax about three in the merning
where they found a much larger body Of troops
,b.n they expected. In dashing through the
.ilIsee they killed and wounded several of
,hsm, whose bodies were observed by ore of
ssr dragons in the Court House, and captured
krs prisoners who were sent TO washington.
One Of our soldiers was killed, four wounded,
and two are missing.
A later despatch announces the recovery
from the enemy of the two missing dragons,
by daring attack on the Court House. where
th.y were confined. The rescue was affected
without loss Of life.
The Ave Rebel prisoners brought away from
The Court House are in Washington. One of
them, sou of the late Ma Washington, of the
Army, said that he did not want TO fight sgains'
the United States. and made amends by taking
the cath Of allegiance. The other four refused
TO subscribe 10 it, and were detained.
Details oithe second attack on the rebel bat
tsfies at Aqua Creek have now reached US,
The fret attack. was made on Friday, and
lasted two hours-the Thomas FreebOrn, the
Auueostu and another small vessel being en-.
gagged. The second attack took place on S0t.
nrdsy. and the Pswnee took part in it.
The lower. or beach battery. which had
bsen 90 essentially damaged the day previous
had, 10 the meantime, been repaired by the
Rebels. whose force is supposed to be about
1000 strong. The steamer Freeboru Saturday
spprsashed about two miles from the shore
early in the afternoon, and fired four or FIVE
shots, when the Pawnee entered into the con-
hrst. taking position nearer to the land.
For the first two hours the FIRE from the
shore batteries wasvery brisk. but was returned
with more expedition by the pawnee. During
the expedition she fred one hundred and sixty
Shells one Of which was seen 10 explode i'm.
rnedIately over the heads Of the rebels whC
we're working the battery. The observer
nuh al L.. al LII
carried away 10 wagons. During that iiRi
The movement among the Rebels was exceed
Ingly brisk. The FreebOrn lodged three she'll
30 succession in the breast battery, perceplibll
damaging the works, which had also the etfec
ofgreatly diminishing the fire.
The Freeborn received two shots, one o
which passed through the cabin, dana GIN
some oflhe crocksry, bat not the vessel, excep
making a passage through the bulwaFks q
Glgk consequence.
Tie pawnee received eight or nine sho
but sll too high 10 inficr much damage. On
struck the maihtopsail yard, which was Ihereb
unslung. Another grazed the mizzen mas
head aud one passed through the hammoc
neitipgs. II is the opinion Of the officers o
board that had the Rebels been provided wit
COED gunners The vessels would probably hav
been sunk. Some of their shots passed owe
The masthead to the Maryland shore.
The next demonstration against these ba
sfies will undoubtedly be by naval and Ian
ioFee combined which will insure not only III
silence, but the capture of the guns. several
ShIeh are believed to ha rife cannon.
We have also, further particulars OF u
sklrmsh at Williamsport, Md, II appears Ia
mecolpsIon was occasioned by another az en
on the part of The rebels across the Potomac
ge' possession et the ferry boat at Williamson
VIVA the Intention of appropriating it to the
Dwa nse, TO facilitate mauraudng on the Mar
nas slde, the Union company at WilliamspO
no"sFeF' were eP the lookout, and after war
D'ns 'ne rebels te dRsist 10 their attempt
fo"Oety' hred aPOn them. Phe exc was EetuT
su' ana tee skrmlsh continued for about
nSe'-sesulIng in three or four of the rebt
eeag wounded, one of them seriously. wh
soeooT was injured on the part OF tao MAI
tsndeSs.
1--we columns Of troops from General N
Nlelisnls commaad, one commanded bV C.
Kelly. consisting of the FIRST Virginia volt
teers. and the other eommsndad bz Col. O.
kenden, consisting Of the Indiana yoluntee
teft GraftOn early Sunday night, and af
marching the entire night through drenchi
rain, surprised camp OF rebels two thonss
strong at Pbilipp. western Virginia. rou
them completely, killing fifteen and captur
alaEge amognt Of arms, bGEses. ammgniti
provisions and camp equieage. The surPr
sas complete, and at the last adyices the
m.uoops were in hst pursuit Of the Lsb
Fsoesbly many prisoners viii be iskea.
oo- Nelly was mortally wounded, and
s,aee a'ed. Several of the u. ). troops W
slighsly yOhndcd.
q ------S~N~~-
AAE Local Preachers aud Exhorters' me
'ng at lCsmden, on Saturday and Sunday
was quite an interesting occasion. Ssiur
was occupied with their usual exercises
\ euss'ons. reading essays, &e. Sunday was
suPied as follows: Love fess, Al O e'cI,