The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1862-03-20
r ELEG r APHIC.

Winchester was fully evacuated, and /:
reconnaissance went out this morning t
ascertain the facts.
Leesburg has been occupied by Fedora
troops, under Colonel Geary. This wa
one of the rebels greatest strongholds
Many prisoners were taken. The enem,
evacuated the town Friday morning. takin,
all their supplies and baggage to Middle
burg.
Cockpit Point has been taken by tn
Federals. This raises the quasi blockad
of the Potomac
Centreville, the famous stronghold of th
rebels presents scene of desolation rare!,
witnessed. The rebels commenced evacua
ting on Saturday, the Sth inst, and coutin
ued until Sunday night, then blew up the
bridges, tore up the railroad tracks, burned
tents, forage, provisions, and in fact de-
stroyed everything they could not remove
Most Of the cannon have been taken away.
Those remaining are of inferior quality
and all spiked.
The forti6cations are most formidable
stretching over chain of hills to the rear
Of Centrevile for several miles, one behind
another at proper distances, SO if We took
one We would be at the mercy of the next
The Notifications at Manassas seem to be
the same ones there at the time of the bat
tie of Bulls Run.
The President has ordered the army of
the Potomac divided into Ave corps d'armee,
under Generals Mcdowell, Sumner, Heintz-
Gilman, Keyes and Banks.
The gunboat Alabama, from Fernandina,
Fla, has arrived at Baltimore with bearer
Of dispatches from Com. Dupont.
A feet left Port Royal, March 1st, for
Brunswick, Ga, the enemy flying at the
approach of our gunboats. The forces
took possession and left one gunboat in
charge
The feet next went south to Cumberland
Sound, which is the entrance to Fernandina
and took possession of Fort Clnch.-
Twelve large guns fell into our hands, in
cluding one 120 FOUNDER rifled. We also
captured the rebel steamer Darlington,
loaded with wagons and ammunition.
The Federal forces under Gen. Wright,
landed and garrisoned the forts and earth
works, taking possession of the city. This
latter has been one of the most useful forts
to the enemy.
The expedition sent against the Bates
Co, rebels, has returned to St. Louis, hav-
ing taken forty prisoners and a large
quantity of arms and ammunition.
FORTRESS MONROE, March 9.
The Confederate steamer Merrimac made
her appearance yesterday, with the assist
ance Of two gunboats from Norfolk, and
made an attack on Newport News and the
naval vessels stationed at that place. The
Merrimac was first seen from the ramparts
of Fortress Monroe at one o'clock. Her
sides, bows and stern, was covered with
sloping iron plates extending two feet above
the water line, ana meeting together like
the roof of house. On her bows, at the
water line, are two sharp iron points re-
sembliug plows. On her bows were seen
two guns projecting from long eliptical
pcrt-hoies. The design of the enemy did
not become apparent until after one o'clock,
by which time the Minnesota had got under
way for the scene Of action. The Roanoke
Gag. ship being disabled, was taken in tow
by two guuboats. The first shot was fired
from the frigate Cumberland, ct two O'Clock.
The Sewall's Point batteries then opened
on the Minnesota, which, passing the Saw
yer gun at the Rip Raps, replied, and the
engagement became general. After firing
two guns, the Cumberland was struck twice
by the Merrimac's sharp bows, making
terrible holes at her water line. The Cum
berland continued firing until the water
entered her port holes, when she careened
slowly and finally sank. No apparent
effect was produced on the Merrimac by the
continuous firing from our batteries and
vessels. The Minnesota having got aground
On her way up, could render but little
assistance. Shortly after , o'clock, the
rebel gunboats Yorktown and jamestown,
arrived. The former was disabled early in
he afternoon, and put ashore for repairs.
After sinking the Cumberland, the Mer-
rimac turned her attention to the frigatel
Congress, and in less than an hour she sur s
The officers and marines were
aiken prisoners, and the seamen allowed to
escape. II
The frigate St. Lawrence arrived here
Turing the afternoon and immediately pro-
'eeded up the river, following the example 7
# the Minnesota and Roanoke, firing on (
he batteries at Sewall's Point, but like the S
est her shots fell short. S
The gunboat Mystic was also towed mp, r
'ut at sundown, the Roanoke, Mystic and
It. Lawrence returned
The conflict between the Minnesota and
he rebel gunboats continued without effect \
i'll dark. At midnight the Congress was '
'urned by the rebels. During the evening II
he iron. clad Monitor arrived here and pro- r
eeded to take part in the action. q
Reinforcemeuts of men and sr,mur;t;op II