St. Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1845-1863, 1862-05-22
War and Other News.

Aaac IhteuiSeuce from tue icnIhSuia
confirms the evacuation of Norfolk and its
occupancy by Gen. Woors command.
Gen. McClellan's forces are reported to be
still in the neighborhood Of Chickahominy
river aud fifteen niles from Richmond.
Tho Confvderates are reported to have been
driven across the river OF Saturday last.
but no further advance of the Fedcrals is
mentioned. A Federal gunboat feet.
numbering several 'iron-clads." assembled
the James river for the purpose Of coop
Grating with the land forces against Rich
mond. but, when within eight miles of the
city. they encountered Confederate Fort
and could proceed no further. An official
report shows the river to bc INSTRUCTED
from Fort Darling-whrre the late en-
gagemcnt oc.urTed-to the city. and the
Fort itself is thought to be so constructed
aud manned az to render its reduction cx-
tremely improbable. As this is the frs,
instance on record in which a Fort has
successfully resisted iron.c&ds. or made
any serious Impression upon them. this
affair viii! be regarded bah here and
abroad as a matter of more than ordinary
importance. The officix.. accounts of the
Ugh. are vngue and misty. but repulse
is acknowledged and considerable loss ad.
mittcd. Latest reports show a portion Of
che gunboats to be at James Island, sew
enty two miles from the late scene Of con-
hiet. The iron-clad boat, Galcna, is re-
ported to have been struck eighteen times
and most Of the shots, it is stated, passed
entirely through her. 1t is now thought
that there is but little doubt that the Con-
federatcs will make fight for Richmond
and q great battle will probably cnsuc be-,
tween the Chickahominy river and that
city. 1t is conceded that they have an
immensely large force in front of McClel-
Ian. and the recent defeat Of his gun-boats
will no doubt inspire them with renewed
hope and courage.
Late advices FROM the West show that
Gen. Halleck has marched in full force
upon Cerinth, and heavy skirmishing and
severe fighting is reported along the entire
line. The advance took place on Satur-
day last. on which day the above incidents
occurred. Now. is it not little strange
that nothing further has been received
from this quarter? 1t strikes us. that
when 50 weighty movement as this is on
hand. the Government would receive at
least daily intelligence Of what is going
on, yet, several days have transpired since
the fighting commenced and nothing new
has arrived. So far, in the history of this
war. Federal silence has generally follow
I'd upon Federal reverses, and. taking the
lamp of experience for our guide. may we
not infer, that Gen. Halleck has not sue
eeeded at Corinth?
The late gun-boat fight on the Missis-
.ippi seems not to have been SO brilliant
an affair for the Federals as ut frst reported.
IL is now admitted that the Federal feet
was very materially damaged. and the
Cincinnati and the Mound City both seem
to have been sunk The Confedcrates
claim to have suffered no material injury and
are reported to be preparing to renew the
fight. They appear to be quite sanguine
OF future success and have notified the
citizens Of Memphis that they will afford
them full protection against the Federal
Aotilla
The late fight at Pennington appears to
have been considerably more than a Skin
nish. aud it is clained ut the South rs
u brilliant success Federal reports admit
a reverse. but claim the ciedit for good
fighting and mastery management in tho
rrtreat. which. it seems, was conducted in
a manner quite worthy of the old Nsp"l-
con himself. Whilst tLs infantry were