Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-02-12
NEWS OF THE WEEK.

NEWS OF THE WEEK.
No news of an exciting or even very inter
esting character has been received from any
portion Of the army up to the time Of wri-
ting this article. We give, however, a brief
summary of such as has come to hand.
1t was currently reported and believed in
Norfolk that the Burnside feet has left the
North Carolina coast Whether it has gone
to refit, after the terrible disasters it has
met with in the loss of ships, stores, am
munition, &C.; or whether it has gone fur
Their South to operate with some other expe-
dition, is not yet fully known. A despatch
from Norfolk dated she 4th inst, says hat
Buffers feet left Old Point that day, bound
south it is supposed either to make a de-
monstration on the N. c.. coast, or join the
expedition now threatening Savannah The
northern papers say that Com. Farpagut
Phebus, what q name) with the Corvette
Hartford, and % gunboats, is soon to make
an attack upon Mobile. So much for the
Naval news.
A report is published in the Nashville pa
pers (Which will DO found in this paper) ola
victory gained by Gen. Crittenden over the
Federal forces after his defeat in the battle
In which Gen. Zollicoffer was killed. Should
the rumor prove true, it will relieve Gen. G..
from many very grave suspicious and charges
concerning the recent disaster to his troops.
We hope to be able to announce something
definite on the subject before going to press.
The Richmond Examiner of the 9th publish
ss an account ofthe Somerset disaster, sgivcn
by an officer who was engaged in the battle,
and in which the Examiner expresses conf
d dence, in which it is confidently asserted that
Gen. Crittenden had either to come out from
his entertainments, as he did, and give the
enemy battle, or else suffer severer disadvan-
tages which would have resulted FROM his re-
manning where he was. See the account in
another column. A heavy engagement is
expected ut or near Green river OF Bowling
Green, very sOon-the extensive rains it is
believed, have alone prevented its occurrence
before this time.
The tone Of the British and French papers
received since our last issue, indicate that an
alliance has been or is about to be formed
between France and England, for the pur-
pose of recognising the independence of TIT
Southern Confederacy and also for raising
the blockade ON the Southern ports. 1t il
declared in the foreign journals that the Con
federate States of America may now be just
ly considered a Government de tdcto, an
the sooner it is acknowledged by other Pow
srs, the sooner will an end be put to this an
natural fratricidsl strife" And concernin
the breaking up of the blockade, it is urge,
because there is no sufficient reason VIII
mankind should be interdicted from inter
course with so large and so rich a portion
the earth's surface ss the Confederate State
and their independence is the quickest mo,
of re-opening them for the general benefit
The northern papers are evidently app
hensive of an interference with American
fairs by France and England.
P. S. Since writing the above, we lea
that Gov. Clark has received o dispatch, s
ting that on Tuesday last, 80 vessels of
feet passed Hyde county, bound northwa
The supposition is that the feet attacked R
noke Islando on Wednesday. This news cen
from Maj. Hallin Hyde, and may be relied
tits further reported that Gen. Hugcr is on
Island with 5000 troops, and will defen
to the last extremity.