The Local news. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1861-1862, 1862-01-31
WAR NEWS.

side expedition, writes that in the three
days intervening between the depart
ure of the Spaulding and the ship by
which his letter was forwarded much had
been done to repair the damages of the storm
to the expedition. Every one of the naval
ships has arrived and got over the shallow
entrance but two, the Whitehall and Barney
The Whitehall had been sent back to For
tress Monroe for necessary repairs, and the
Barney had been delayed there, but was
then expected. Com. G. regarded (when he
wrote) the difficulties of the expedition sur
mounted, and was confident that the joint
movement from the inlet would be very
speedily made. His fleet then had entire
possession of those waters-Pamlico and
Albemare Sounds.
A vessel, supposed by some to be the Mer-
rimac, appeared at Craney Island yesterday.
The Eastern State and six tug boats from
Old Point sailed for Hatteras on Wednes-
day. apP
The Norfolk Day Book says that after TIA
king possession Of Cedar Keys and Wakas.
sa Bay, the Federal gunboats steamed up
Suwanee river, spreading terror among the
inhabitants, after which firing was heard,
and'it was supposed that Fort Clinch had
been taken by the U. S. forces. fsa#
There is. no news of importance from the
Upper Potomac. 1t is known that the shots
fired in reply to the attack of the Confede-
rates near Sandy Hook, on Tuesday, killed
several Of their men. There were no casu-
altiss among the Federals. n
There appears to have been some cause for
alarm at Newport News on Tuesday, as the
Federal troops ,encamped there were required
to sleep on their arms at night. tAa SEQ
Adispatch from St. Louis states that large
bodies Of Federal troops are moving from
different points in the direction of Spring
field, where Gen. Price il encamped with .
force of about ten thousand men. The ad.
vices from Rolla, however, state that the
Federal army is encamped ut Lebanon, in
Boone county, about forty miles north west
Of Jefferson city, and that no troops, except
scouts, have advanced beyond that town, nor
is it expected that they. will until additional
forces arrive. Gen. Sigel is at Rolla, and it
is understood that he viii! 90 forward with
the expedition. 1a 1.f pf&s
1t is stated, by dispatch from Leaven-
worth. Kansas, that Gen. Hunter, the Major
General commanding, of that department.,
has issued an order setting forth that unless
expressly directed otherwise by the author-
ties at Washington, he will command in per-
son the movement generally known as Gen.
Lanes Expedition" In consequence OF hav-
ing no means of transportation furnished
him by the government, he further orders
that each officer and soldier carry with him
only one change of linen and his bedding,
all tents, trunks, &C., to bs stored and aban-
doned. @
The skirmish near Occoquan, on Tuesday
night, took place atEJohn Potser's house,
which was surrounded by detachment Of
Federal: sroops A party Of Confederate SOL
diers were inside having dance. The fir
ing was kept up ON both sides for some time,
when those in the house surrendered, after
having nine Of their party killed--and some
say, in addition, a Texan Major and one
civilian. One Of the Federal troops was
killed, and four wounded. azl4fI .t r
The Resolute came from the lower Aotilla
past the Confederate batteries TO Indian Head
ON Tuesday night. She was fred at. but
was not struck. 1t is reported at the Navy
Yard that short time since, while one OF
the Federal vessels was firing at Confede-
rate battery, one Of the gums could not be
discharged, when the load was Withdrawn,
and the cartridge found to be filled with
sand. seva4Hva 81
Yesterday, the U. s. Senate confirmed the
nomination of Maj Frederick Steele, of the
18th infantry, to be Brigadier General Of
volunteers::' Also, that Of John Tucker, Of
Pa., to be an Assistant Secretary Of War.
The clerk of the Potter Committee, who
divulged the report of the Committee before
it was made to the House, will be brought
before the bar of the House for their action