Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1862-03-12
THE LATEST NEWS.
WASHINGTON, March 6.

Oi QUE pIChcls, auu iV|S'o" w 49, W
about 40 concealed rebels, who then i'm
mcdatcly fled through the woods. Capt.
Chapman and Lieut.. Lyle were killed,
and two privates were wounded, ono OF
them MORALLY.
One hundred and fifty soldiers recent
" deserted from Savannah to Gen. Sher-
man. When asked why they did it, they
replied that they were tired of fighting in
a rich mans war.
Numerous civil and military noinina-
tons of secondary importance were pass
ed upon the Senate in executive session
to dav. No Generals were confirmed or
set aside.
The following statement of the strength
and position of the rebel force opposed
to the Union army of the Potomac, was
perfectly accurate four days ago.
Changes have probably occurred since,
but the main facts must still correspond
with the figures. AT Centrevile which
is now the strong point of the rebels,
there are $4,000 infantry, 900 caval-
ry, and 800 pieces of cannon light and
heavy.
Behind the batteries on the Potomac
there are from 10000 to $1,000 men.
At Gum Spring, between Leesburg and
Centreville there are three regiments of
infantry, with squadron of cavalry.
At Leesburg there are three regiments
of infantry, one battery, and 400 cavalry.
At a point five miles south of BrentS-
vile, that is to say some ten miles south
of Manassas, there is one brigade of in
fantry of $4,000 men; these forces do
not include any part of Jackson's army
forming the rebel left wing, against
which Gen. Banks is operating.
At Manassas there is not single full
regiment, whole companies and even
regiments having gone home on furloughs
of 10, 20, and so days. All of the
troops from South Carolina and North
Carolina, Tennessee and Louisiana have
gone home within the past two or three
weeks. Very few of the men whose
term of service has expired are reenlist-
ing.
DENVER Cry, March Z.
By military express the following news
was received here to day
A desperate and terrible battle, last
ing all day, took place at Valvcrde, ten
m les south of Fort Craig, on the 2lst,
the eight probably resumed on the 22d.
Loss great on both sides. Both parties
claim the victory. A regiment of Mexi
cans commanded by Col. Panon, ran
away. Capt. McRae, who had charge
of the artillery, and every one of his
command were killed at their posts, and
their cannon taken by the enemy.
Kit Carson was within Is miles of
Fort Craig. Firing was heard in bis d.
rection, with what result had not been
ascsrtained at the timo the messenger
left.
Fortress MONROE, March I.
A flag of truce from Norfolk brought
down the command and ten others of
the French steamer. They represent
that the excitement ut Norfolk is very
great. The hotels were swarming with
officers from the Gulf States. The Vir-
ginia troops have been sent away. Tho
people dread the destruction of the city
in case of an attack. A strong force
was concentrating at Suffolk to resist
Gen. Burnside, who was reported to
have reached Winton in force and was
moving on Suffolk.
The reason given by the rebels for not
hot
drawings have been concealed upon his
person. No further communication has
been received as to the release of the
Federal prisoners at Richmond.
Richmond papers of Friday contain
no military news except the arrest OF a
number of Union men, principally Ger
mans. A detective officer broke into
the room of tho German Turner's and
found two Union American flags md a
painting on the wall Of the Goddess OF
Liberty holding the Union colors and a
she'll, with the words underneath,
| " Hats off,"
FORTRESS MONROE, March Q.
The rebel frigate Merrimac and gun
bOtlS Il OIhlONH stiiu thiiISotoWll ttJdCh0N
the Ericsson battery. After FIVE hours
contest they were driven off: The form
er in a sinking condition. This is official.
The stars and stripes float over Cock
pit Point.
AT two O'Clock on the 9Th the rebels
began burning their tents and other prop.
erty difficult of removal, and also burn.
cd the steamer Page.
Our gun-boats opened fire on the bat
terry at halfpast 4 o'clock, and landed
and took possession.
In the naval engagement the Merri
mac sunk the Cumberland, and captured
and sunk the Congress, and took the
officers prisoners She afterward opened
fro on the Minnesota. The Ericsson
steamer Monitor met them and opened
fire on the enemy's vessels, which retired
except the Merrmac. These two iror
clad vessels tonight from 8 o'clock til
noon part of the time touching each 9th
er. The Merrimac retired in a sinking
condition.
Nearly half Of the Cumberland's crew
of 500 were lost.
Col. Geary has taken possession O