Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-06-16
SOUTHERN NEWS.

Tribune's special:
Edmond L. Pearee, agent of the Treasury De-
partment at Port Royal, arrived here to-day
HIS report oil the agricultural condition Of the
Islands, cultivated by free negro labor, is encour-
aging. Some 1900 acres have been planted
nearly half IN cotton, and the crops are forward
and Well cared for.
News had reached Beaufort Of the appearance
at Port Royal Ferry, of rowing party Of rebels
who fired at our pickets, killing one man and
wounding several. twas supposed at FIRST that
general attack was intended, but it soon appeared
the alarm was by small guerrilla band
The Massachusetts stopped several hours off
Stono Inlet, and picked up some vague rirnors
touching the position Of things on James Island,
Where Gen Hunters army had landed and found
itself confronted by an uneKpeetedfy large rebel
force, believed to have been increased by reinforce
ments from Corinth. Some said that Beauregard
himself was there, and not less than 25OOO rebels
were opposite Gen. Hunter, on the Island.
Some fighting had taken place in which the 10Th
Highland regiment and the Massachusetts, CavaI-
ry had particularly distinguished themselves but
the Massachusetts 2sth had not done itself credit
Several batteries had been carried by storm, and
general engagement was thought to be immi-
nent. r.
Firing in tho direction for half an hour was heard
by the passengers of the Massachusetts as she
Sumter.
The British Consul, it was reported, had sent
word to the Captain of a British man-of-war lying
of the harbOr, that there would be a fight on
James Island within p hours.
1t was understood that our forces which went
within three or four miles of Charleston, were to
be the attacking party III
Eight vessels were bioc1ading Charleston. and
Mr.. Pearce is surprised to hear that arms have
been smuggled in there within q week
Gen. Burnside was in town Yesterday returning
to Fort Monroe by the afternoon boat
His report from the Peninsula, where he spent
several hours with Gen. Mcclellan, are favorable
He sees no reason why, with good weather our
army should not be in Richmond within very
few days. He does not think that the rebels are
strengthened by their forced levies, but believes
that undiseiplined numbers iniure an army, as
was the case at Newberne, where the raw North
Carolina militia threw the whole rebel forces into
panic.
Gen: Burnside sees some signs ofloyalty in the
Old North State, but is not so sangtIine Of her
early return TO the Union Voluntarily as are some
Of the newspaper correspondents.
The Daeotah, which arrived at Fort Monroe
yesterday brings dispatches from flag officer Far
ragut, who was at New Orleans when she left on
June I'd.
He went 10 VicksbuTg in the Richmond but re-
turned without attacking the place, leaving q
number Of gImboats as a blockading SQUADRON
The town was under their guns, but lies rather
nigh above the riYert for assault. twill, however,
be captured before many days.
On his way down stream he was fred at several
times by musketry from the banks Of the river,
and he expresses the opinion that the war on the
Mississippi will heneeforWard be OF this character
New Orleans was quiet H