Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-04-18
Frn1n Waahinntnn-

AoEL Jus operations OF the troops,
r. The Norfolk Day Book Of the, 18th,
says it7i su.- I5.as7 f7s r icii5-I
{NAt the present crisis, when the lsn;r;t
and proves of the Confederate arms have
.beenso stgually INDICATED, is It not a ia
vorable time for the Confederate Govern
ment to propose to the Government at
Washington a cessation of the fierce and
unnatural strife which has watered our
soil with blood and tears, and darkened
the annals of our country's history p
What dignity and sublimity in the propo-
sitton coming from the Confederate Gov
eminent, now bristling in readiness for the
dire conflict which fanHtiCism and wrong
has forced upon usI Why not say to the
Government at Washington: We are coun-
trymen and brothers. Come, let as reason
together; let US terminate this murderous
controversy, and settle our difficulties
without thirsting for each others blood.
Is not the precious blood already spilled,
poured out from the hearts of brothers and
countrymen, enough2 Are not the heca-
tombs of brothers, husbands and sons al
ready made, sufficient TO appease the vile
demon let loose among us.
WASHINGTON, April 17.-Iutelligence was
received to-day from the Potomac Flotilla,
which, on the l4th inst, visited the town
of Urbapa, on the Rappahannock. A
boats crew was sent ashore, and when
within a few yards of the beach, they; were
fred upon from riAe-pits. No one was in.
jured, but the boat received several bullets
iu her hull. The Jacob Bell being the
nearest to it, immediately opened fire up-
on the rebels wniCh scattered them in eve
~ direction. After this, the flotilla pro-
ceeded on its voyage towards Fredericks-
burg. Arriving opposite Lowny's Point
Batteries, they commenced from the whole
| feet to shell the works and Notifications
driving out the pickets, who have occupied
| 1t since its evacuation, twelve DAYS ago by
a large body of the rebel army. After the
shelling, the boats crew landed and pro.
ceeded TO burn some one hundred and IF
ty plank and log houses used by the rebels
as quarters, when the boats crew returned
to their ships loaded with blankets, quilts,
medicines aud muskets, left by the rebe Is
in their flight.
The feet thence proceeded to the town of
Tappahannock, about two miles above
Fort Lowry, arriving off which a blank
cartridge was fred and flags of truce
hoisted, which were responded to by the
people of the town, by displaying num-
Der of white flags. Our Commander with
his gigs crew landed, when they were
met by large concourse of persons of ell
colors, and it seemed with great demon
stations by the dark colOred population.
One old woman eXClaiming "Bress God,
de Yankees hnb come ut last" The Ameri-
can flag was run up over one of the largest
houses in, the town when it-Was hailed
with enthusiastic cheering by the crews
of our own Runboats. Subsequently, our
commander was informed that two of the
people of the place had said as soon as
we left it would be torn down.
Our commander then politely told them
if it was he would give them six hours to
leave the town before he burned it.
Information was given by contrabands
that four large schooners and other OBJ
structions are placed in the narrow chan
mel of the river, five miles this side of
fredericksburg, to prevent our approach
to that place, where also lie the steamers
st. Nicholas, Eureka aud Ia2ar'; the for
mer mounted with two guns. As far as
could be learned there are 10 rebel SOL
diersgGn the neck of land lying between
the Potomac aud Rappahannock, excepting
few pickets of cavalry, mostly composed
of Marylanders, to prevent the escape of
negroes. EE
On the 18th the feet lay off Tappahan.
mock, about fifty miles below Fredericks-
burg. Our fleet captured the sloop Rein
deer, loaded with oysters, shad, cedar posts
and carpet bags containing quantity of
clothes for the rebels, with money letters;
from which it was ascertained that the
rebels are evacuating fredericksburg and
talk of burning the town to keep it from
falling into our hands. The feet proceed
ed down the river to Corbin's Creek and
there cut out two very fine sChooners, one
of them being the Sidney A. Johns, of
Baltimore. Just below the creek two se-
! Cession soldiers were captured and con-
traband goods were found there and APP
propriated, but the liquor was all de-
stroyed.
The Navy Department to-day received
the following dispatch: ,ya
CAIRO April l6.-The mortars opened
on the l4th. and soon cleared the river of
all hands. Our shells fell into the rebel
camp. -a. Ed a-s
Tie rebel works are strong and extern
sive.
boats and say that ex Lieut.. Huger, late of
U. s. Navy, is in command at Fort Pillow,
and that Gen. Pillow aud Com. Hollins
have gone below. 49,
The following was received at the War
Department: si9 ~ sss.s
MoUNT JACKSON, April IL, 8 A. M.-Our
troops Occupied Mt Jackson atg7 o'clock
this morning, and are now in, front of
Rude's Hill, where the enemy appears to
be in force. The people report that they
intend a fight there. They resisted our
advance in order to gain time for the burn.
ing of bridges and railway cars, engines,
&C., that had accumulated at the terminus
oftthe road, bat our movement was so
sudden, and the retreat Of the rebels SO
precipitate that we were enabled to save
the bridges, two locomotives and some
cars. gnsIts 20 81
The troops have acted admirably. They
were inmotion at ten o'clock A. n. Col.
4 Oarroll's brigade of Shields division led
the advance, on the road to the rear of Mt.
Jackson and Gen. Kimball on the turn
pike, Gen Williams with his fine division
bringing up the reser We. .'
we shall occupy New Market tonight.