Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-10-02
-. - No.
!. WAR ITEMS.

-As+ ~ -
Critical Situation in Western Viryiaia-Rosen
crans marching on the Big SeweM
intelligence of the most important and critical
nature has reached here says the Richmond Esams-
ner of the 9th ult from the seat of war in the
West, by special express arrived yesterday evening.
The, news from our.camps on the Galley line Is as
late as Wednesday last, furnishing most uncom-
mon instance of the dispatch of intelligence from
that quarter. e 3
On Friday last Gen. Lee arrived at Floyd's camp.
at Meadow Bluff He was accompanied by an escort
of twenty men and three baggage wagons On the
Sunday following Gen. Lee proceeded to Wises en-
campment on the Big Sewell, and made thorough
reconnaissance Of the position.
1t was known that Rosencranz had crossed the
Gauley, and was making his way towards our lines.
1t was reported that he had crossed the Gauley at
Hughes Ferry, taking up his line of march on the
Wilderness road but learning the position of Floyds
forces, had retraced his march, crossing the river
again at Carnefax he locality of the late batte) and
directing his movements towards Wises position on
the Big Sewell.
Gen. Lee had taken four regiments of Floyd's
command to reinforce Gen. Wise The juncture of
these two forces would not it is said, amount to
more than 5000 men, and it had been determined
to give battle on the approach of the enemy. Rosen-
cranz force estimated at IA, 600 men.
1t was understood that the position of Gen. Wise
was exceedingly strong. The disposition Of the
forces had been made by Col. Henningscn; and it
was hoped that the" would be allie to check Rosen-
cranz, Notwithstanding the considerable superiority
of his numbers.
On Wednesday last Gen. Floyd had prepared dis
patches to hurry up reinforcemens on points from
the route to Richmond. COL Russers Mississippi
Regiment had arrived out as had Col. Phillips
Legion or Battalion, 600 strong.
AT the time Of the preparation of these dispatches
it was reported in Cen Floyd's camp that an en-
gagement had already taken place, or was in pro-
gress between Gems. Lee and Wise and the enemy.
Meadow Bluff is about fifteen miles distant from
Wises position. If an action had taken place, or
was being contested its result was not known or
certainly anticipated at the last reliable accounts
which have reached here through special express
The army in the Northwest remained under the
command of Gen. Loring A skirmish took place
in Northwestern Virginia between Gen. Andersons
brigade of Gen. Lorngs division about the 10th ult
Our loss small. The enemy lost some so killed and
200 prisoners.
Reinforcements to the amount of sirty:tour COM
panies have been sent to Floyds command. They
comprise four Virginia regiments, a Georgia reg-
ment, a Mississippi regiment and battalion OF
Louisiana volunteers, composed of four companies.
A considerable portion of this large force has al
ready reached Floyds camp Two egimentS will
leave the city tomorrow to reinforce our army in
the West.
Gen. Wise had been ordered to Richmond. He
will be appointed to some other post
From the Lynchburg Republican of the 9th
IMPORTANT FROM WESTERN VIRGINIA.
HEAVY SxIRMIsn BETWEEN GEN. LEE AND THE FED
ERALIsrs.-A gentleman who came over on the Or
angc Railroad on extra tram yesterday morning.
informs US that Cen Lee had effected junction
with Generals Floyd and Wise, near Meadow
Bluff, and that they had marched their combined
forces for the purpose Of attacking the Federasts
under RoSencranZ, who occupied strong position
some few miles distant.
1t was reported that heavy skirmish took place
between the advanced guards of the two armies on
Tuesday, resulting in the defeat Of the Federals,
with considerable loss
Ii was further reported by a gentleman direct
from Jackson'S river on Wednesday morning. that
information received at that point before he left
that combined attack to have been made by
Generals Lee Floyd and Wise on the enemy on
Wednesday; and the gentleman further states that
heavy cannonading was heard in the direction of
Lewisburg before his departure, and there was no
doubt that severe battle was being fought.
We give these rumors as we heard them, not
vouchIg for their accuracy. We will remark, how
ever, that there is strong probability of their
TRUTH as it seems to be well authenticated that Gen.
Lee had marched strong column, estimated at
5000 to the ald oil Gen. Floyd.
ARMY OF TIE PoroMAc-The divisions of Gen.
Beauregard and Smith have pressed closely upon
the Potomac. Sharp skirnnshes continue, but the
advance has not yet been ord red.
Intelligence had been received at Richmond Of an
engagement on Wednesday last, between Of our
batteries on the Potomac and number of Federal
vessels which We're descending the river for the
purpose, it is supposed, Of making reconnaissance
The action occurred off Evansport-some distance
above AQUA Creek-whcre powerful battery of
ri1ed cannon has been constructed las the enemy
have now reason to know,) under the command of
Gen. Holmes. Our fire was opened from the mask
ed battery" upon the vessels in mid channel, with
terrible effect Two Of the steamers were crippled,
being towed away as the enemy were hauling off,
The loss of life is not stated.
KESrrckY-The Nashville Union of the oath,
saws: ave learn from gentlemen who came in on
Yesterday evenings train that the Lincolnites under
Gen, Sherman, of Ohio. have possession of Null
drauch's hill 1t is supposed Sherman has force
of ABOUT 500, portion of which had reached Null.
drauphs hill at last accounts. What the intention
If the enemy is is not known. 1t seems, General
Buckner has not regarded Muldraugh's hill as
strategic point, and consequently did not invest it.
as he was amply able to do"
| The Memphis Appeal of the 9th says ION Sat-
urday last the camp at Columbus was favored with
another visit from two or three Of the Cairo gun
boats-the same that have recently been so atten-
| tive to us. They came within couple of miles of
Columbus, and, stopping at the head of the river
above, commenced feeling for masked batteries by
throwing random shells. Eighteen of these missiles
were thrown at intervals of about ten minutes, one
of which is alleged to have struck not far from Gen.
Thompson's camp, on the Missouri shore. After
exercising their batteries some three hours without
damage to any one, these boats retreated toward
their rendezvous, not a single gun on our side re-
spending to their feint-"
A REINFORCEMENT OF TWENTY THOUSAND Men,
We learn through gentleman just arrived from
Kentucky that Gen. H., ): B. Bnckner, the CheI o.
on his way to join General Johnston, with twenty
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