The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1862-02-20
THE ANACONDA CoILING
Brilliant Victories
FoRr MONROE, Feb. Y.

of H. co,nnIete success of the Burnside
cxnedition. Roanoke Island, destructive
punboats, and Elizabeth city were attacked
on Sunday, and evacuated by the iahabit
ants. The city was burned, but whether
by cur shells or the inhabitants is not GER
tain. The FIRST news Of tie defeat was
received at Norfolk Sunday evening, and
caused great excitement, che previous news
having been very satisfactory, stating that
the Yankees bad been allowed to advance
for the purpose Of drawing them into a trap
Tue rebel force on the Island Is supposed
to have been over 5000 fighting men.
General Wise was i'll at Mays Head.
When the situation became dangerous be
was removed to Norfolk.
One report SAYS only seventy, another
onl, twenty five Of the Confederate army
escaped from the Island. General Hager
telcgraphed to Richmond that 50 escaped
There appears to be no bright side of the
story for the rebels. The Richmond En-
amiiner, in long editorial, says: "The
loss of our army on Roanoke Island is GER
taiBly the most painful event of the war, y
and adds, the intelligence oe yesterday is
fully confirmed. $500 brave troops were
exposed to the entire force Of Burnside's
feet. They resisted with determined cour-
age, but retreat being cut off by the sur
rounding elements, they were compelled to
surrender"
The following dispatches on the subject
are taken from the Richmond papers from
Norfolk" The latest news states that o.
Jennings Wise was shot through the hip.
wound not mortal About 800 Confeder-
ates were killed The wounded number
over 1000. Number Of Yankees wounded
is about the same" A late arrival this
morning says the eneriy is pushing on
Eden'on.
A rumor prevails that Com. Lynch's feet
of gunboats has been captured 1t is not
regarded as true, however. 1t is believed
that all were burned By the Confederates to
prevent their capture, with the exception of
one which was endeavoring to escape.
The Norfolk Day Book says that cour
ier arrived at that place, who stated that the
Federals advanced in full force upon Eliza
beth City aud began an attack. The citi
Gems finding resistance vain evacuated the
place, but before doing SO set fire to the
town. When our informant left the fire
was still raging. We have also to record
the capture by the Fcierals of our little
feet.
Norfolk and Richmond papers attributes
the loss of Roanoke Island to the inefciency
of their Navy, aud to some Roanoke pilots
assisting and plotting Yankee vessels to the
only point that could effect landing safely
Elizabeth City is now occupied by the
Federal troops.
The rebels have Withdrawn a large mum
Der of troops from Charleston and Port
Royal to Savannah. The Federais are
advancing on Savannah.
In Western Virginia, Lander is said to
have $4,000 men, Banks ii 900, while the
enclosed rebel force is $4,000. Lander
believes the whole rebel column will be
taken or scattered.
The gun boat expedition up the Tennes
see river was greeted everywhere with the
widest enthusiasm. Prominent men came
to the boats and said that should Union
army enter Tennessee $4,000 men were
ready and would cluster around it.
At Florence, where the States Of Ten
nessec, Alabama and Mississippi meet, there
was but one sentiment of bitter hostility
against the Confederate officials. Gun
boats, which went up short-handed came
back with full crews, and had to refuse
many who applied for the privilege of en-
listing.
Fort Donelson, a point On the Cumber
land river, twelve miles southeast Of Fort
Henry, is surrounded by the Federal troops
There are high steep hills, heavily wooded
and protected by two redoubts, trenches
and rifle pits The rebels gave us battle
from their entertainments, outside the fort
They were driven in after severe battle.
The loss was considerable on both sides
Our troops hold two of the rebel batteries
outside of the Fort. Our loss is probably
As killed and 200 wounded.
General Buel's whole army is in motion
upon the enemy.
Papers are said to have been captured at
Fort Henry, showing General Folks force
at Columbus to be only 900 effective
men, the remainder being on the sick list
and worthless.
Fort Donelson is invested BY the Federals
and heavy cannouading is going on con;in-
ually. The force within the breastworks
is estimated at 1900. The fort will be
stormed in two days if not surrendered.
Generals Johnson, Floyd, Pillow, and Buck
ner arc all said to be there.
A tclegrapbic dispatch to the General-in
Chief from General Halleck announces the
investment of Fort Donelson BY 80, 900 men,
and by the feet Of Commodore Foot, anti
cipating its speedy reduction. General
Hslleck's report confirms public dispatches,