The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-11-11
NORTHERN ITEMS.

4 Rrbei iron-cldd Feet-F Plans for ,ciEferino
in PhHadelphiG-A correspondent Of Northern
paper, writing from Baltimore, says the following
rumors have been circulated there for several days
coming from such sources that he cannot ignore
them w..
1t is said that the efforts of the rebels in Europe
towards the formation of q navy there have been
attended with good success and that there are now
IN various European ports, no less than fifteen
lron-clad steamers, in various stages of progress,
of which eight are nearly seady for sea. These
eight vessels already have their armament on
board, and it s said that on given day they, in
company with the steamer 1880" will rendezvous
at some convenient point, and will cross the At
lantc in company; that they will steer direct for
Delaware Bay, and up the Delaware River, and
attack Philadelphia. The armor Of these vessels
is said to be such that they viii be invulnerable
to the effects Of aay known projectils while their
armament Us said to embrace guns and mortars Of
the most approved construction. 1t is said that
the power Of this feet will be such that they
will be able to lay the entire city 10 ashes, but
that they expect that, in order to avert this
calamity, the city will be surrendered to them
And this is only the beginning Of the exploits
that are expected Of this new rebel navy.
| No doubt there is much idle brag in all this.
But it may be wise to provide against such an
attempt. Intelligence from other sources has de-
monsrated the fact that che rebels are having iron.
clad vessels built in European ports. And / am
Informed today that besides the Merrimac No. 2,
there are two other large iron-clad steamers now
nearly ready for sea at Richmond, and two more
at Mobile There is no doubt that the rebel Gov
ernment is preparing to strike blow with their
navy somewhere. But cannot see tket Phila-
delphia is any more exposed than New YCrk, and
| not 40 mueh az Boston or Baltimore.
| The other rumor has reference to the rebel de-
signs on Baltimore and Maryland Il is said to
be the design of the rebel leaders TO concentrate
3ne 900 of their best troops at Gordonsvile in
cluding 10000 eavalry, in order 70 invade Penn
sylyania, capture Philadelphia, and to hole that
| city and Baltimore during the winter They
boast of having 800 900 other troops, which they
say are sufficient to defend Mobile, Charleston aud
Savannah, and TO operate in Kentucky and West
! of the Mississippi. With 100000 Of their best
troops, they say they accomplish the above
designs, in spite Of whatever force the Union Gao
| bring against them. was a-f
| STEAMERS BUREED.--Two Federal steamers,
the Admiral and Philadelphia, were burned at
| Columbus, Kentucky, on the 18th. They were
mander Of the post, injured by a fragmeRt Of
. shell The loss was estimated at S75, 900. The
| fire originated in the cabin of the Admiral, and
while burning, she foated against the Philadel-
phia One thousand kegs of powder were taken
from the latter during the confagratiou. Several
hundred shells exploded ON the Admiral, teariu z
her to pieces and scattering fragments about town
Many houses were bit.