Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1862-01-31

Washington, Jan. 24.-The Navy De-
partment has received dispatches from Flag
Office Mexican, dated Sbip Island, January
9Th in which be reports the arrival at that
place of the Unit d States steamer Mer-
eedita and the United States gunboats,
Winona aud Sycamore. By the first nam
ed be had received the communication of
the Secretary Of the Navy, and in accord
ance Herewith he will dispatch the frigate
Potomac to Vera Cruz
Having been Informed on the 31st that
| rebel steamer was at anchor near Biloxi,
he dispatched Commander Smith with the
steamer Water Witch. New London and
Henry Lewis, to capture her. but upon
reaching Biloxi, it was found she had been
removed, and Commander Smith demand
ed the surrender of the town. which was
complied with and detachment of sea-
men aud marines landed A small sand
battery was destroyed, and two guns-a
9-pounder and pounder-brought off
| The place was found almost deserted by
the male population, but was crowded with
women and children.
A schooner landed with lumber was cap
tured and brought out by the Henry Lew
is She is very useful prize. the lumber
being much needed by the Army Quarter
master for the construction of storehcuses,
and tie schocner making serviceable
ligh ter
The reputed evacuation of Manassas is
not confirmed. but there can be little
doubt that bodies of troops have been sent
from that place to points in North Careli-
ma supposed to be menaced by Burnside
expedition. The rebels cannot afford to
let Weldon, Goldsborough, or Wilmington
fall into our possession without fight
The destruction of the railroad bridges over
the Tar and Mouse rivers would insolate
the rebel army from the South Atlantic
States, and would lead to its demoraliza-
tion. Hence it would not he surprising if
90, 900 rebel troops have been quietly sent
tc the menaced points, together with all
the local force 1t is possible to collect
The seizure OF the railroad by Gen Burn
side will be the most important event of
this war.
lie published story. that the rebels bad
evacuated Manassas, is Let believed here.
Inform ration has been received here to the
contrary.
The Senate has been to-day the scene
of the most exciting interest, the galleries
being crowded, and the speeches on the
tooT being of a most animated character
At times the crowd in the galleries gave
vent to their feelings, which compelled the
chair to order removal. Senator Bright's
defence was listened to with great atten-
ton, and was IN some respects very vim
dlctlve and earnest III its character Th.
vote on his right to his seat will probably
be taken Tomorrow.
New York. Jan, 97.-Lctters from Ha-
vana to-day state that the allies are great
ly dissatisfied with tt cir prospects in Mex
leo, and complain that Mlramon aud others
have received them. they expected aid
from strong party and they FL d the popu-
lation as one man against them. They are
CT nvinced their present force is entirely i'll
adequate to the task of bringing the Next
cans to terms, TIE troops at Vera Cruz
are suffering greatly from sickness. 500
men out Of 5000 being in the hospitals
Whenever they have ventured beyond
the range of their cam on they have been
shot down if few or driven back l. in force.
Discontinued and virtually beseiged.
they quarrel among themselves Ga one
occasion French Regiment fought Span
ish Regiment until number were killed
and wounded in each, In consequence
of this brawl it was determined that the
French 70 ce should Immediately land at
TamI leo. where, as previous advices in
form US. resistance would be made.
I e English were at the same time to
| attack Matamoras.
Mr.. C"rwin writes that Dubalado, who
is the soul of the new administration. de-
clares that Mexico will make a successful
resistance to the invaders, but adds shat
he has not learned on what territorial line
of defence he will make it.
The allies have already differed among
themselves on number of trIfipg points,
such as the relative position at Vera Cruz
of their national flags. which have been
changed no less than three times, and of
the order of their signatures to proclama-
tions and other documents.
A REDUCTION. The whaling feet of
New London has been reduced from twen-
tycight ships and barks. nine briggs ard
schnoners, with a tonnage of 1925. on
the first of January, 1861, to fourteen
ships and harks, ard six briggs and schoon-
ers, with tonnage of 6,556. at the pres
ent time. The i" portatinn of sperm oil,
whale oil and whalebone into the por5 tho
past year amounted to 217 barrels sperm,
1882 barrels whale and 42450 pounds
bone, falling greatly short of that of 1860
San Francisco, Jan. 16 -Dufing the
past fifty hours it has rained hard-al
most necessarily. The storm still contin
ues
Yesterday noon the water at Sacrament
to commenced rising again On the Sd a
complete inundation of that city was una
vuidable. ,r..t
An area of land new nyerf1owed in the |
State is twenty miles broad and two hun
dred aud fly miles long, taking upwards
of three million acres. M silly arabic, con-
siderable portion being actually fenced in
and TILED. a ..,- -
1t is estimated that 4500 cattle and
sheep have been drowned since the winter
commenced
The unprecedented succession of the
froman1,,ue ct,,r,nc bouo yroeboJ 81