Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-03-28
FROM FORTRESS MoxR6E.

More Deserters from Dtzte-TAe Merrinsae
E1pected-Lats Mems from Shin Island
Increment on Nev Orisans-Tkc Monitor
and the MerTtDtae.
Especial Correspondence q Baltimore American.
FoRfRkss MONROE, March % There is no
change in military or naval affairs In this locality
TO note to day, and lack Of energy or activity
10 observab BILE In any department. The expectart
temperance Of the Merrimac IL the subject Of
conversation, and whilst some doubt her Coming
most Of the best informed in military and naval
circle are confident In the opinion that tefofe the
close Of the present week she will make one more
desperate attempt to dispose Of the Monitor And
10 the result OF the conflict no doubt Ia entertained
bat that she will become permanent fisture in
the bed OF the Roads from which navigatofs will
be warned to keep clear
MORE DBsERTBRs FROM DIXIE
party OF four persons, consisting of three men
ard one woman, landed at Newport News this
morning In a small bsat, having deserted from
the 18th North Carolina regiment, which is sta
toned a short distance up James river, on the
southern shofe. Two cotttpanies Of the regiment
are placed at a battery near the mouth of Pagen
creek, just below SmithHeld, and II was from
this place that the deserters escaped. They OBJ.
tained a small boat Yesterday evening and sci sail
aftertattoo, passing under the guns Of the battery
without being noticed. Two Of the men belong
in 81. Lawrence county, New York, and the other
In New Haven, Connecticut. The woman is a
native of Virginia. and is the wife of one of the
| men. They were brought down to Old Point this
morning by the Express, and were taken before
General Wool.
They state tina, the battery which they left was
manned by about $50 men-two communicating
consisted Of five guns four short u Founders arL
one long 32-pounder, The remainder of the fegi-
ment 10 within few miles OF the place. The
whole number Of troops on the river from Smith
land to Norfolk, under command of Gen Huger
Is supposed to be about is 900. Reinforcement
were sent to Norfolk u short time since from the
north side Of the river, but thev have recently re-
crossed To the number Of ), 900. No news was
received nm
he bad. A Richmond paper arrived there last
night, which was the only one for SONS weeks
IL contained no telegraphic despatcbe or other
news of importance. The necessaries of life were
very scarce and dear. Coffee was selling for 81 25
a pound, whisky SIC a gallon, salt IS cents
pound, &c.
The MerrimaC had been expected to come out
for the last three days. IL was believed that
during the height Of the excitement In Norfolk
In eonseq aence OF the victories and proximity of
Burnside, some three weeks ago, Gen. uuger was
ready to caPitulate If demand had been made
upon him.
The troops on James river are represented {.
well fed and clothed. but terribly scared by t..
recent Union victofies They are armed with
old Springfield muskets The regiment TO
which the deserters belong has been In the ser
vice eleven months.
LATER FROM SHIP ISLAND
The mammoth steamer Constitution arrived
here last night from Ship Island, bringing dates
up to Sunday, March is.
Commodore David ID. Portcr's mortar feet.
with the Harriet Lane as the flagship, left Ship
Island on the 18th inst, and was to be followed
In few days by Commodore Farraguts feet of
! sloops- of-war and gunboats. Their destination
was understood to be the Southwest Pass from
which they were to open fire on Forts jackson
and Phillip, which guard the passage 10 New
Orleans: The departure Of this immense feet is
reported to have been a grand sight, stretching
In line for many miles along the ocean as far as
| the eve could reach In the following order: