Washington telegraph., 1862-03-19

from New Madrid of the 9th represent the
enemy, still maintaining threatening at
titude, without having made an attack.
1t was thought, contest could not be
long averted. The Federal tents could
be coutted from our lines. They appear.
ed about three miles long, and as rep'rted
by a Federal drought in wounded BY The
pickets) the enemy were about 10000
strong. They were supposed to be wait
ing until the guDboats passed Island No
TO- They were attempting to plant bat
teries below New Madrid. A skirmish
took place on the 7th 10 which or 3 OF
the enemy we're killed-one field officer.
NAVAL E:GAGEMENT.--The steamer
Merrimac with three Confederate gun
boats, left Norfolk about noon of 9th
March. In Hampton Roads she was JOIN
ed BY three Confederate steamers from
jamestown, Patrick Henry, Jamest '~p'
and Teaser. An attack was made on thc
enemy's works at Newport News, ana oh
the Yankee slips, Cumberland ana oo"-
grcss During the engagement the Fede-
tal steamers Minncsotl aud Co'orano ea"e
M from old Point e. the retci 81 M"
co ur.des, and also the Er.cs'n i 'ni Da'
terry. 1t i. difficult to get Gear iuea -
"details from the tclegraph'c reports, eut
the result of the whole matter was that
,va su,k tI,c Cumberland, and fired the
Cop,rc.s whose magazine exploded, and
blew hernp The Minnesota ran aground,
and rbe Confederate runboats jamestown
and Pa,rick Henry poured III upon her
fierce and destructive fire. The Federal
frip,te ST. Lawrence cam, to her relief
and she also got aground. A large tug
boat attempting to get the Minnesota off
was fired into aud blown up. A large
portion Of the stern works of the Mime
sofa was shot away aud she is reported as
ruined and unable to float
The St. Lawrence is badly damaged.
During the fight the Ericsson Ram Battery
and the Merrimac were fercely engaged
for several hours. They were only 30 or
40 yards apart. The Merrimac (also
called the Virginia) got aground, and the
Ericsson poured shot after shot into her
without effect. The NJ errmac got ahoat
and she fed. The batteries at Newport
News were all silenced except one. The
enemy's loss is reported at from six to
twelve hundred. Our total loss said 10
be nine killed and twelve wounded.
prisoners were brought to
Norfolk. Three small Yankee sohoouers
were captured.
At the meeting Of the English parla-
ment indications were favourable TO the
South. 1t seems to be party matter,
the representative men for the South,
their opponents for the north.
From Richmond we learn that Gen.
Lander is dead and Gen. Shields succeeds
him. Andrew johnson is appointed Brig
adeir aud is to be made military governor
IF Tennessee. IL is thought no change
will be made in the cabinet The bill
providing for the destruction BY military
authority Of all cotton and tobl eco liable TO
fsl into the hands Of the enemy was at
last account. & th) still under discussion.
Fort Smith. March 9.-Col. II. II. Johnson
Our army has been fighting the federas for
three days and nights. near the crossing Of the
Telegraph road and Missouri line The noble
and brave McCuloch has fallen. No nobl.r
vi
the liberty Of the South. But this is not all:
the gallant Mcintosh also has yielded up his
life for the cause he was espoused to. Young
and brave. and as daring as brave. his like
his brave companions name, was u terror TO
our enemies. But they only live now in deeds
Of noble daring and devotion to the cause of
the South. His devoted wife has the heartfelt
sympathies Of many friends in the west. The
South should adopt her and her children and
may God be a protector to the widow and or
phans. Col. McRea is also reported an ong
the slain, killed whilst gallantly leading his
men into action. His name will long be treas
ured by his State as one VINO sacrificed his life
to drive the vandals from her soil Our men
have fought desperately, and against superior
arms and numbers.
The result is still unknown, but all report.
concur that our men were sanguine Of success;
but alas, a victory is almost n defeat when
purchased with the loss Of such brave and
daring leaders. Gen. Slack is said to be NOR
tally wounded; Gen. Price slightly.
Col Sims, Of Texas, right arm broken below
the elbow by a Minnie ball. Gems. McCulloch
and Mcintosh are both said to be shot through
the heart Their bodies will reach here to-
morrow My heart bleeds TO record the loss
of such men, at a time too when their services
arc so much needed in the South.
It is reported that Col. Hebert has been take
prisoner; also that our troops are in the enemy's
rear, and driving them South also that we
have driven them from the position held by
them on the eth. The trains having been
ordered to stop at Elm Spring and Sutton's
Mill indicates that we are maintaining our
ground. 1t il impossible yet TO ascertain any
correct account from the enemy of their loss.
The battle has been one of the hottest and most
desperately contested Of the whole C mpagn
Our troops have covered themselves with i'm
perishable honors.
N. b. PEARCE.
FoRT SMITH, March TO- Editor T ue Dem
ocrat-I send you the latest dispatches by
express. just heard from Gen. Van Dorm.
He fought at Elk Horn, four miles South of
the Missouri line. lie commenced at 10 a. IN.
on the 9TH, aud fought until dark. Generals
McCulloch and Mcintosh and Col. Hebert
were killed early in the action. Loss heavy
on both sides. Gems. Price and Slack wound
ed-the former slightly, the latter morta ly.-
Many officers killed and wounded-names not
given. There is some difficulty about q cor
rect list. Our forces slept on the battle field
the frst night.
The enemy took another and stronger posi-
ton, but McCulloch's division being so much
disorganized by the death Of their officers tha
Gen. Van Dorm was afraid of panic among
them-they fell back, and therefore on the Sth
he made attack on the enemy, and under
nretence of n fight Withdrew his whole army