Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-01-10
LATEST FROM WASHINGTON.
Evidence of Strong Union Sentiment at
Richmond.
A BATTLE IN PROGRESS ON THE PO.
TOMAC.
from KENTUCKY.


"AsHlNGToN, Jan. D.
A dispatch was received here this evening
from Louisville, which states that up to the
latest advices from Buelrs army, no engage
ment had taken place. 1t was expected that
but little time would elapse before there
would be a decisive battle fought, or rapid
retreat The rebels were reported to have ta-
ken their position, and the Unionists were
within one and a half days march of them.
The Norfolk Day Boek, of January lst,
contains the following telegram
NdshuiNe, Dec 31.-A special dispatch to
the Nashville Courier, from Hopkinsville,
says Col. Forests cavalry, about 800 strong,
and the Union cavalry, about the same num-
ber, met at Sacramento, on Green River Sat
urday. when skirmish ensued About so
Unionists were killed, wounded and taken
prisoners Our loss consists of Capt Clay
Merriweather, of Louisville, and one private
killed and one wounded. The enemy fed in
great confusion.
The Richmond Enquirer of the Goth, says
that the Hon. VIM. N. Brown, an English
man, formerly editor of the New York Jour-
nrl of Commerce, has been commissioned as
acting secretary of state during the temporary
absence from Richmond OF the Hon. R. NJ. L.
Hunter. This confirms the report that Hun
ter, with Breckenridge, had sailed from Hall
fax for Europe.
The Richmond papers OF the 2sth say that
Charleston was fired in several places, on
Sunday evening last Several wooden build
ings of but small value We're destroyed.
1t is almost certain that the English will,
if they have not already, occupied Matamoras
with the design it is feared, of opening COM
merce with the rebel States by way of
Brownsville, for exporlirg cotton and import
ing contraband.
Times Dispatch.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4.
Two rebel prisoners were sent to headquar-
ters to-day. They were taken by our picke,s
on the left wing of the army. Their infor-
nation is deemed of high value, and stringent
cation with them.
The rebels are expecting an advance of ou1
army along the whole line. They are moro
than ever demoralzed by quarrels among
their public men.
Gen. McGruder is believed to have been
relieved of his command at Yorktown, and
Gen. Wise, who has been quiet since his re-
turn from Western Virginia, is expected tc
assume command there, or. if not there, al
Frederick.
There is a we'll founded belief of serious
disaffection among the rebels at Charleston
amounting almost to an insurrection, by rea
son of the apparent abandonment of the South
Carolina coast to national invasion, and the
immense destruction of property that owners
have willingly consigned to the fames.-
they have destroyed not less than $40, 900,
900 worth of cotton, which at last accounts
they were deploring, as they supposed th'
blockade was about to be raised by England
and they might have shipped and sold it
They were holding Jeff Davis responsible fo
these disastrous losses, and many citizens
were bold enough to say that the old govern
ment was better than the new.
| ... Herald's Dispatch.
A fight occurred on the I'd inst, be
tween the Union gun boats, Yankee and An
acosta, of the Potomac hotiila, and the rebe
battery at Cockpit Point The missi es from
the rifed gun of the battery struck the Yam
kee doing but small damage. Several of tn
proectiles from the gun-boats took effect il
the midst of the battery. .-
FREDERICK, Nd, Jan. 2.
| OIuCidl duVlCeS lTCul w illtdlIlSCOIC SIdl
that detachments of the 18th Massachusett
and lst Maryland had participated in tn
route of the rebel forces. Our troops bu
ricd twenty-nine of the cnemy's dead and
is supposed that many afterwards died {
their wounds. Our loss, according to privat
information, was five wounded and none kill
ed. O.. g-ee
| FORT MoNRoK Ian 2
The steamboat George Washington left OF
Point at IL o'clock this morning, and prt
ceeded up James River about nine mile
above Newport News, when the rebel steame
Northampton was met with Union prisoner
from Richmond. They stepped on board ur
der the protection of the nation al flag, as thei
names were called Such happy looking me
are seldom seen. Cheer after cheer aros
from each boat as they approached, and til
band played Home, Sweet Home" whic
added to the enthusiasm. AS the boat passe
Newport News the crews Of the United State
frigates Cumberland and Congress manne
the rigging other troops at Camp Butt,
T crowded the beach and wharves, and Sci
over the water their shout of welcome.
The George Washington arrived at 81
o'clock, and the Baltimore boat, which vi
detailed for the purpose, took the releas'
J prisoners to Baltimore. The number releas,