The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-10-01
WAR ITEMS.

every moment.
1t is also reported that two Federal steamers
were fred upon to-day by batteries on the Po-
tomac, and completely riddled.
n1% The Baltimore Clipper, of late date, gives
an account of Gen. Prices operations in Missouri.
According to that account, there was three days
fighting at Lexington. The first day, Price sue
ceeded in forcing the Federals from their entrench
ments and from the town; the next day SIAM
pede took place among the Federal horses, which
forced the Federal troops to retreat and they got
into corner where there was no water, and on
the Sd day they were compelled to surrender.
This is the Federal account-whether true or
not we will not vouch. The probability is, that
it understates the success of the Missourians.
DEARTH OF NEws.-We do not mean by this
caption that nothing whatever is stirring in the
way of ne,cs but that there is a scarcity amount
ing almost to famine of any public intelligence
of reliable character. We daily have a budget
of trashy stuff in the shape Of flying rumors,
which serve to create a momentary excitement,
acting upon the body polite in way similar to
that in which certain stimulan:s act upon the nat
ural body when in a dropping state. They no
sooner, however, die away than they are succeeded
by fresh batch equally lively and ephemeral, and
thus the community is enabled to escape the pangs
of ennui, and to preserve a tolerable amount OF
animation. The hundred -tongued Deceiver is
doing at present very active business. Truth so
rarely tells her tale that people begin to be i'm
pressed with the idea that she has fed to parts
unknown, and left the field entirely to Fiction
Petersburg Express, 9Th.
RICHMOND, Sept 24.-The Cabinet is now in
session. Wide disagreements are known to exist
among the members as to the future conduct of
the Mr. Benz amin, whom President Davis
has appointed Secretary of War, ad interim, is
to he StrOD adv re N
defcnsirc policy. Others in the Cabinet, however,
are for vigorous and instantaneous aggressive
movement.
The naval preparations at the North are repre-
scented to be on the grandest scale. The expedi-
tons against the Southern coast are to sail in
about one week from this time. 1t is generally
believed here that the points threatened are Bruins
wick, Ga, and Mobile, Ala
A well informed gentleman just arrived here,
and who is recently from New York, gives it as
his decided opinion, founded upon facts and COM
muncations we'll understood by interested circles
at the North, that Yankee proprietors of extensive
interests in the neis hborhood of Brunswick, GA,
have succeeded in inducing Lincoln to fit out
large and extensive expedition, comprising about
20 900 men, with view Of taking Brunswick.
1t is futher contemplated to establish navy yard
there, to open port for the shipment of stolen
cotton, naval stores and live oak, and to fortify
the place as q DdSe Tor future Operatl0nS.
Sasacious men here think there is much reason
to believe this statement, especially as it is known
that the Lincoln Government is controlled by
schemers and spectators.
A lady who arrived here to-day from Baltimore
reports that the Exchange, South and Republican,
the States Rights papers of that city, have been
Suppressed and that the Sun is soon expected to
share their fate
THE CABlNET.-We clip the following from
the Richmond Examiner, of the 10Th:
We arc satisfied that the statement of diver
gence Of views among the members Of the Gov
eminent upon the mode of prosecuting the war, is
entirely incorrect.
FIGHT IN KENrUCKY.-CaptJ John Robertson,
of the Hurst Dragons, of Union county, who
came from Cumberland Gap, yesterday, informs
that there engagement at BarbOursvlle on
Thursday, between 1900 Lincontes encamped
there, and 800 Confederate troops, who advanced
upon them from Cumberland Ford. The Conted
crate troops consisted of portion of Col. Battles
regiment and two companies of cavalry-Captain
Simpsons and Capt. Plumlees. The Lincolnites
were utterly routed, and we took 400 stand of
arms, besides other equipments. The Confederate
troops now have possession of Barboursvlle. The
loss on our side was two killed-Lcut Powell, of
Hawkins county, and private, name unknown.
The loss the other side has not beer ascertaned
.K"oroiHe Register, 21st.
Bog On some of the lines of the Potomac the
pickets of the two forces said to be within three
and four hundred yards of each other. The diver
sions Of such close neighborhood are various. Oc-
one of the enemy will show himself, and
his presence be welcomed by shot. There are
constant exchanges Of shouts. You frequently
hear Yankee cry out, cd rebels to which
cur men reply, with shout, "Bull Run" On
one or two occasions the pickes have met, ex-
changed courtesies, and taken drink together
Richmond Examiner.
RECRUITING AT THE NoRTH-A gentleman
recently from New York informs that the
recruiting in that city proceeds slowly and that
draft will probably have to be resorted to. The
lawfuluess of this draft, under the theory that the
South is rebellious district of the United States
is disputed by some lawyers, but law being obsolete
in the United States, and Lincolnism being supreme
the draft will 60 on. Out informant thinks that
while parties interested in army contracts are eager
to fire the popular heart, yet Manassas gave it such
smoking, it does not burn rapidly. 'On to Rich
mond, however, is still believed practicable, but
not by the Manassas route Our informant an
ticipatcS scenes of great misery and riot in New
Iork this winter.-Richmomd Dispatch.
GEN. LYON KILLED BY A DARKEY.-The Fort
Smith ARKANSAS Times contains the following in
relation to the death of Gen. Lyon, at the battle Of
Oak Hill, in Missouri:
A negro man, body servant to Capt John
Griffith, of the gallant Third, was in the hottest of
the fight, at Oak HILL and fought in the last
charge like tiger He claims to have killed
Gen. Lyon! He says he shot man in the breast,