Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1862-03-05

papers and a variety of items OF late South
ern intelligence, including Jefferson Davis
first Annual Message to the so called Per
manent Congress. Mr.. Davis admits the
+ seriousness of the Rebel defeats at Fort
DonelSon aal R1an0ke Island, and init
mates that in both eases the surrender was
disgraccful % their army. The most re-
markable statement is that the Rebel Gov
ernment has no floating debt, and that its
whole expenditures have been but about
one hundred and seventy millions of dol
/ lars. This is tantamount to an admission
that the troops are not paid, as the sum
named is not equal to the pay, subsistence
and transportation of any army of three
I hundred thousand men for twelve months.
The Savannah papers admit that communi-
cation with Fort Pulaski is efectually cut
off One hundred Federal prisoners arri-
we'd at Richmond on Wednesday from Col
umbus s. c. Two hundred more were to
arrive, and the whole would then be sent
to Fortress Monroe A meeting had been
held at Richmond and preliminary action
taken by the Rebel Congress in reference
to the destruction Of tobacco and cotton,
sort of confession that these two staples are
in danger of capture All the Rebel pris-
oners captured at Roanoke Island had been
delivered up on parole. An amusing de-
bate had occurred in the Rebel House of
Representatives on a proposition to allow
the members of the Cabinet seats upon the
floor. Memphis papers comment gloomily
on the capture Of Fort Donelson, and much
alarm prevailed there The probability of
burning and destroying the city was discus
sed
During the past week, important military
movements have taken place on the upper
Potomac On Monday, Gen. Banks d.
vision commenced to cross the Potomac at
Harper's Ferry, Col. Geary's Pennsylvania
regiment being in advance. On Wednes-
day our troops occupied Harper's Ferry,
and Immediately took possession OF Bolivar
and Loudoun Heights, SO that our position
could not be fanked. Our forces did not
meet any opposition, but, on the contrary,
large numbers of refugees returned to their
homes, and manifested great JOY oa the ap-
pearance Of troops 1t is said that the con-
dition of the country is deplorable, in con-
| sequence of the vandalism and marauding
depredatons of the rebels The plans Of
our generals arc not known, but all may
rest assured that the position we have
gained will be maintained at all hazards.
T report that Columbus, Ky, had been
evacuated by the rebels is fully confirmed
by the Official dispatches forwarded to
Washington Commander Phelps, who
was sent with flag Of truce to the town,
returned to Cairo with the report that the
hegira had commenced, and that the rcb-
els had fred their quarters, which, with
quantity OF army stores, we're destroyed -
Large fires were also seen in the town. in
dcating that the torch had been applied
to it, The belief prevails in Cairo that our
forces have occupied the post. Commo-
dore Foote is doing enough effective work
on the Western waters to win an imperish-
able fame, and the thanks of the nation
| will reward him.
Our gunboats have made another recon-
noissance up the Tennessee river. The
| TAYLOR, under the command Of Lieutenant
Gwin, proceeded up the river as tar as
Eastport, Mississippi. The commanding
officer in his official report, states that he
found the Uni n sentiment very strong, and
the late glorious successes of Our army have
throughout the country he visited. He
warned the inhabitants OF the different
towns along the banks of the river that he
would hold Seceszionists and their proper
ty responsible for any outrages committed
on the Union people,
Official dispatches from the Burnside
Expedition have been received in Wash
isgton Our forces sent up the Chowan
river had retured. They did not 90 beyond
! Winton. The rebels fed when they saw
our troops approaching the latter place
Official dispatches state that our fortif-
cations at Nashville are completed, and
nothing is needed now but the establish
ment OF state government The Presi
dent has designated Hon Andrew John
son to proceed at once to Tenne, see with
the rank OF brigadler general, and estab
lish military provisional government.-
. Aho,,t G Inn nm worth Of nnt4nr, LII l -.