The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1862-12-20
BY TELEGRAPH
Rebel Dash into Plymouth.-Attack on a
Federal Gunboat.-The Town Burnt by the
Rebels.

Ooi1Oao.-4hc LoWh burnt py lno
NEW YORK, Dec. 10.
A letter from Roanoke Island to the Herald,
dated the 14th, says: On Wednesday morning
last, about O'Clock, body of $50 rebels made
dash into Plymouth aud attacked the Custom
House, where the post guard. consisting of one
company of the Massachusetts 9Th, Captain
Ever, and one company of the North Carolina
list, were stationed There was but slight
resistance, Capt. Ever and some of his men
escaping to the gunboat Southfeld, then lying
in the stream.
On entering the town they drove our troops
to the Custom House, a three-story brick
building, opened fire upon them with field
guns, soon driving them from IL, and scattering
them to all points They then planted their
guns-three in number-upon the wharf, and
opened fire upon the Southfeld at short range
One of the first shots entered the steam drum,
which enveloped the steamer with scalding
steam in an instant Fortunately no one was
injured by the accident, but the working of
the engine was prevented, and at the same
time all access to the magazine was cut off,
Capt Belm ordered the vessel to drop down
the river, where she could be out of range of
the enemy's guns As soon as the steam clear
ed of, fire was again opened upon the rebels,
but with what effect is not known. 1t is said
that several rebels were killed and wounded
and carried off by their friends. Fifteen of
Capt Ewers company are reported captured,
and stragglers were coming in at last accounts.
Mrs. Phelps was killed by an accidental shot
while entering the Custom House. Several
on board the Southfield were badly wounded
and one has since died.
About twelve shells were fired by the South
field before she drifted out of range. The re-
bells occupied the town about an hour and
half During that time they laid three-quar-
tiers of 1t in ashes. Many Union families were
rendered houseless by this barbarous act. The
gunboat Commodore Perry was not present at
the time OF the attack, having started on an
expedition the evening previous, but laid at
the mouth of the river. She came up on hear
ing the cannonading, but too late to partici-
pate in the engagement.
Arrived at shlngton.-Suspicious Yes
sci Seen;-One of Gen. Banks Transports
Wrecked.
New YORK, Dec. 49,
The Times Washington dispatch says that
Surgeon Gen. Hammond returned last eve
ming from Falmouth. The wounded there are
all in comfortable condition, and are being
removed to Washington as rapidly as possible.
Upwards OF 1000 wounded from Falmouth ar
rived here yesterday, and 100 at Alexandria.
They are distributed among the hospitals,
which are being rapidly filled up. A great
many of the cases which arrived yesterday
were serious, requiring litters to remove them
from the boats. 1000 more will arrive here
to-day.
The bark Barbados arrived this morning
from Rio Janeiro, reports, 30th ult., in Ulona
passage. saw long, low, bark-rigged screw
steamer, with six guns each side and large
gun forward. She ran near to the bark, but
the latter displayed the British flag, when the
steamer kept off. The bark made signals for
the steamers name, but received no answer
The steamer then run up the American flag,
and went into the harbor of Point Espodo,east
end of st. Domingo. She had black lower
masts, and square and fore and aft foresail and
mainsail. When nearing the bark she took in
a lot of sailors clothes which were hanging in
the rigging.
The steamer Blackstone reports that the
steamer NJ. Sanford, with 800 troops of Gen.
Banks expedition, went ashore two miles south
of Carysfoot reef. The bark Gemsbok took
off most of the troops and cargo, and the
Blackstone also took on board 200 troops and
towed the Gemsbok to Key West.
From Burnside's Army.-Burial of our Dead.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF Potomac
Dec. Is. 1862
Yesterday the rebels sent under flag of
truce request that we would bury our dead.
A burying party accordingly went over, and
continued their labors to-day.
During the truce Col. Watson, chief of
Longstreets artillery, informed some of our
officers that the rebel infantry force engaged
on Summers front on Saturday was only two
brigades, but that they had large force near
by. He said our men exhibited the greatest
bravery, but he considered the rebel position
impregnable, and that force Of 100000 men
would find it impossible to carry the nights
in the face of their batteries The rahaI IoSs
was small compared with ours, from the fact
that they were protected by a stone wall and
rifle pits.
Our losses as heretofore reported have been
decreased by arrivals of stray
glers in camp. The enemy took 800 prisoners
from us. The prisoners taken on both sides
have been paroled.