The Placer herald., 1862-05-17
LATEST EASTERN NEWS.

der Gen. Lee, who were endeavOrlng to
make their way to Richmond. 1t is said to
have been the severest battle on the penin-
sula. The rebels were totally defeated and
driven back towards the Chickahominy.
The whole number Of Federals killed and
wounded was 3OO The rebels had not less
than 10000 engaged the whole Federal
force is said not to have exceeded 10000.
The latter would have probably been defeat
ed had it not been for the gunboats oppor
tunely arriving and driving the enemy back
with great slaughter,
A bill to educate the black children Of
the District of Columbia and to abolish the
black code has passed the Senate by a vote
of % to 7.
Mr.. Adams, U. S. Minister at the Court of
St. James, has made a demand upon the
English Government for return of all Brit
ish ships which have eluded the blockade.
The ship Emile st. Pierre, captured whilst
attempting to run the blockade, was after
wards re captured by her crew while on her
way to Philadel phia, and taken to Liverpool.
FORTRESS MONROE, May 10th
Norfolk is ours, also Portsmouth and the
Navy Yard Gen. Wool with force of
5000 men, proceeded to Wiloughby Point
on Friday night and effected landing. This
morning he commenced his march on Nor
folk, five miles from the landing A rebel
battery was stationed on The opposite side of
Tanners Creek After few shots the rebels
retreatel, after burning the bridge, which
compelled march round five miles further.
At o'clock in the afternoon, when within
a short distance Of the city, our troops were
met BY citizeus of Norfolk, who formally
surrendered the city. Our troops marched
in and now hold possession. Gen. Viele
commands as Military Governor. Neither
city nor Navy Yard was burned. Gen. HUI
ger, commanding the rebel forces withdrew
without fight.
FORTRESS Monroe, May llth.
The Merrimac was blown up 10y the rebels
at o'clock this morning. The Monitor
the Naugatuck, and gunboats have gone 10
Norfolk.
A fire occurred in Troy, New York, May
10th, destroying between 500 and 600 build
ings occupying so acres of ground. Several
lives were lost. The loss of property i'll es
timated at $3,0OO,OOO.
MONTEREY, Tenn. May lOth-Deserters
from Louisiana regiment in the fight of
Friday, just arrived, state that the rebel
force making the attack on their left wing,
on Friday night, was $4,000 strong, with
30 pieces of artillery, under Bragg, Van
Dorm, Hardee and Price. Their object was
to overwhem and drive the left wing into
The river. Their loss Of officers and men WAS
very heavy. Ours, so far as ascertained, was
80 killed and 10 wounded All was quiet in
front.
CHICAGO, May l2th-A naval engage
ment took place near Fort Wright, on the
Mississippi, on tie 10th. One rebel boat
was sunk and two blown up. The fight is
represented to have been desperate on bo'h
sides. Two of the Federal gunboas were so
much damaged that they sunk after the
fight
LOUISVILLE, May llth.-A squadron of
rebel avalry at noon to-day captured a
train of freight and passenger cars at Cave
City, KY They destroyed all bnl two pas
senger ears and locomotives, which they al
lowed to bring the passengers through
1t is said that the rebels on the Chicka
hominy will make a stand near its head wa
ter~. 45 miles from Richmond Mcclellan
is rapidly 70 lowing them within few miles.
A>OhfOLh, may lOLu-bcu. ' itio ms
been appointed military Governor of Nor
folk. The Navy Yard has been completely
destroyed, together with large number Of
steamboats, and other vessels.
CAIRO, MAY 18Th
BY the steamer Meteor, from Pittsburg
Landing Sunday morning, it has been defn
itely ascertained that General Lowell from
New Orleans has arrived at Corinth with
10000 troops. Instead of the rebels aban
doning their intrenchments, an innumerab.e
number of negroes were at work telling
trees and forming an abattis and strengthen
ing the misunderstanding indicating
determination on the part of the rebels
to fight. On our side preparations on a
through the woods for the movement of the
different divisions Siege guns are being
mounted in great numbers.
WasHINGToN, May 18th.
A dispatch from headquarters at Cumber.
land, Virginia, ION the Pamunky, between
West Point and White House,) Sunday eve.
ming, says there have been no movements of
the troops to-day, as General Mcclellan was
observing the day and giving his men an
opportunity to rest. SEQ ting parties con
firm the report of burning brid ges across
the Chckahominy. The enemy were seen
in considerable force opposite the river.
Gen. Mcclellan has formed a junction with
Gen. Franklin. The line extends from White
House to New Kent, thence south to the
Chickahomny river. A strong picket of
the enemy made its appearance two miles
from White House TO day. The Federal
gunboats, which arrived at one O'Clock,
sheled them out.
NASHVILLE, May 18th.