The weekly Ottumwa courier., 1861-05-22
THE WAR.
LATEST BY TELEGRAPH,


at the mouth of the Potomac. She was at
tackled by an armed propeller from Richmond
AMI after brisk contest the rebels were
beaten off. Four government soldiers were
killed. and five wounded. An armed steam
or has gone in pursuit.
Late advices from Charleston say they
are erecting batteries on the coast nea,
Charleston of rifed cannon to beat off block.
ading fleets.
A daily mail is established lssswecn, Wash.
ington and Fort Monroe, via Baltimore
A collision at narper's Ferry is regarded
as certain this week
Times Dispatch
Gen. Sickles left this p M for New York
with his commission and instructions His
whole brigade Will be at once put in the fed
probably they will 60 to some point nea,
Buffers command near Fort Monroe. He is
ordered to make all possible haste in his
movements.
Herald Correspondence.
1t is understood that Gen. Mansfield will
take command of $500 volunteers and $500
regulars, to be advanced into Virginia from
this point. The forces that will be detailed
to take Harper's Ferry will probably be com.
manded by Brigadier General Reeder
Gen. Patterson and staff, includin. Scna
tor Sherman are here, and received verbal
instructions concerning the proposed move
ment of troops from Southern Pennsylvania
upon Virginia.
The President has been absent from the
house nearly all day reoennoitering in the vi
cinity of Washington.
1t is decided that no more troops will be
accepted by the Government under the last
requisition, either from New York or else
where Some 25O,oo0 men are enlisted:
The Wa! Department contemplate estab
fishing cantonment, one at Gettysburg, Pa.
and another in the neighborhood' of New
York. The forces that will be collected ir
these camps will probably be $4,000 or 20,
900 men. They will be worked up by thu
best officers to the highest proficiency and
kept in constant readiness for active service
The force at Gettysburg will no doubt b.
employed at the right moment for an inland
movement, that it may not be proper at this
time to disclose That near New York il
meant to be directed against various points
of the seaboards bounding rebel States. Or
ders are issued to get ready at the earliest
moment fleet of steam transports that will
rendezvous on the adjoining waters, so that
in few hours, when the signal is given, the
whole of til, forces or the Atlantic coast can
be embarked TO proceed with all speed or
the service designated.
Especial to the N. Y. Post
Government has received advices from
London, which afford satisfactory indication
of the line of policy which will be pursued
by the British Government towards the Sc
ceded States. The Administration enter
tain the firm convictions that its course in
crushing out the rebellion will be fully sus
tanned in England
Judge Nelson writes from Tennessee that
the Union men of the eastern ssstion of the
State will give 10000 majority against Sc
cessisn.
WASHINGTON, May 20.-The o. S. trans
port Freeborn arrived this afternoon direc'
from Fort Monroe, bringing dispatches to
the Government. On the way up, she cap
tured two small vessels and brought them to
the Washington Navy Yard.
A passenger on the Freedom states that
on Saturday two vessels from the Fleet paid
visit to the vicinity of Cowalls' Point about
four miles from the Fortress, where the Vir-
ginians were erecting batteries, and threw
sundry shells at the works spelling materi-
ally the architectural arrangements. Shots
were fred at the vessels, but without effect
1t was not known whether any one on the
shore was injured.
Com. Pendergrast sent flag of truce to
Norfolk with view to make arrangements
for transportation thence of certain persons
to the North, and received assurances that
in this respect he should be accommodated.
A vessel was in waiting to take the.a to
New York.
Some excitement was created to-day by
the report of a fight at the mouth of the Po-
tomac, between Federal coast guard stea-
mer and an armed propeller from Richmond
resulting, it is said in the killing of four and
the wourding of five on the former. The
truth of the story being doubtful.
The Navy Department this evening, made
specific inquiries in the proper quarters, AID
is satisfied that the rvnor is entirely with
out foundation.
Worlds Dispatch.l
WAsnISGroN, May 20.-Large numbers
of Bostonians here assure the Government
that they can have abundant material.
Special Herald's reporter says that Mem.
phis is in a deplorable state, troops constant,
ly arriving, and being transferred to Fort
Randolph.
The universal talk there was of the ease
with which the North could be conquered.
A Union man was hung in Louisiana, q
few days since for expressing Union Senti
ments.
Senator Foote, of Vermont, tenders thu
Government ten regiments of Green Noun
tain Boys.
CHAMBERsBrRG, May 19.-Judgc Masen