Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-02-21
THELaTEST WAR NEWS.

G1z5uat EypstiftoE 20 ClarkSrjlgs-THs ensEqV
Flee,Hg 10 NashUiiis- CaPihTs 81 F.atboafs and
MgritIoHS Of WaT-DcSfroyiHg Railroads.
~. LOUIS, Feb. 20 "A Cairo dispatch saws the
latest sdvices from Fort Donelson report that
the gunboat st. Louis y issed up the Cum berland
FveT on A recOnaO issanCe 10 Clafksville, and
found tie enemy abandoning that place In
panic Tive large hatbOats, laden with munitions
OF wal were captured al the rolling mill lust
below ClaTksville. Everything was being moved
10 Nashville, where the next rebel stand, IL IL
supposed, will be made
81. LOUIS, Feb. ga Union scout has reached
here, and reports that one span OF the Memphis
and Charleston Railroad bridge crossing the Ten
nessee river at Decatur, Alabama, was destroyed
on Saturday last, by the Union men in that
vicinity.
II wss reported also that the bridge at Bridge
port some seventy ye miles above had also been
disabled, but this had not been confirmed.
LATEST FROM FORT DONELsON-THE CAPTURE OF
BROADER GENERAL PRICE.
ST. Louis, Feb. l9.-General Halleck received
dispatches to-day from Fort Doneson stating that
one thousand more rebels have been taken pfis-
oners. They came down the river 70 reinforce the
fort, not knowing IL had surrendered.
The names of the rebel officers cap tured at War
saw on Saturday last were incorrectly reported
from Sedalia this morning. They are Brig dier
General Price, Col Dorsey, Col. Cross, Capt.
Judge, and all Of Maj Gen Prices st f.
THE NUMBER OF PRISONERS
The actual number OF prisoners taken At Fort
Doneson was 1900. Among them was Brig
Gen West, not previously mentioned. This num-
since captured near Fort Donelson.
GIN. HALLEcK SHOWING MERCY TO THE REBELS.
ST. LOUIS, Feb. 20 Gen. Halleck has issued
order that in consideration Of the recent vic
tories won by the Federal forces, and the rapidly
increasing loyalty of the citizens Of Missouri the
sentence Of the eight bridge burners heretofore
condemned to death are Professionally mitigated
TO close confinement In the military prison az
Alton.
II, however, the rebels should again destroy the
railroads or telegraph lines, and thus render il
necessary 10 make severe examples, the original
sentence against these men will be carried into
execution.
No further assessment will be levied or collect
ed from any one who VIII take the presented
oath OF allegiance.
A board Of commissioners will be appointed 10
examine the cases Of prisoners Of wars applica-
ton to take the oath Of allegiance and on their
recommendations order will be issued for their
release.
ARRIVAL OF FORT DoSELsON PRIsoSERs-RE-
PORTED EVACUATION OF COLUMBUS.
ST. Louis, Feb. 20.-SiK additional boat loads
OF Fort Donelson prisoners have arrived at Cairo
and will be speedily forwarded to their destina-
ton.
Private advIces indicate that Columbus hs.
been or lie being evacuated, and preparations will
undoubtedly be made for an immediate advance
on Memphis.
THE PURSUIT OF GIN. PRICE
SPkISGFIELD, Mo, Feb. 2O-lt is not probable
that the army will follow General Prices retreat
ing army very far into Arkansas.
There Is considerable talk Of terrifying Neosho
and placing troops at Csssville.
A letter found In Prices headq quarters reveals
strong Union sentiment existing In Arkansas.
Albert Pike is working wonders among the
Indians.
GEN. HALLECKis THANKS TO GIN. HUNTER.
ST. Louis, Feb 20-Gen. Halleck, In an ofhcial
dispatch to Gen. Hunter, says: "To you, more
than any other man out Of this department, are
we Indebted for our success at Fort Donelson. In
my strait for troops TO reinforce Gen. Grant, ap-
pealed 70 you. You responded nobly and placed
your forces at my disposal. This enabled IN to
win the victory"
CAIRO, Feb. 20.-There remains only sixteen
regulars OF Company G, Eleventh Illinois Regi-
ment, who are not killed or wounded or taken
prisoners, and Of the whole regiment not over one
hundred and Fifty effective men are left.
Two thousand prisoners left here last evening,
and two beat loads have just arrived from Port
Donelson.
PURSUIT OF PRIcK-ATTAoK ON HIS REAR sUARp-
CAssvILLK, Mo-, Feb. 1--we are In pursuit Of
the enemy. He is encamped al keetsville, eight
miles southwest Of this place ecting the arri-
val Of five regiments from Arkansas. Perhaps
Price will make a stand at Keetsville, but IL 10
doubtful, as his army seems demoTallZed. At
McDowelI's on Flat creek, we attscfed his rear
guard, and they made weak resistance and then
precipitatelY fed.