, 1862-05-29
LATEST EASTERN NEWS.


The Mississippi may now be considered clear
for our vessels, since the desperate affair be-
tween the Rebel and Federal fleets near Fort
Wright, on the 10Th.
Tue attack was begun on that day by the
Rebel steam.Fan louisiana, Capt Hollins, which,
finding her guns imperative against the Federal
Uunboat CiMeiRRGti made for her under q full
head Of steam, intending to run her down. This
naneuver was met by Capt Stembel, who
changed the position Of his ship in such q man.
mar that she fell alongside the ram, which she
drove off by q terrible discharge Of scalding hot
water from her steam batteries, Capt Stembel
himself shooting the pill t through the head.
The contest was intensely exciting; the crews
oG each boat being armed with cuIlasses, carbines
aud boading pixies, discharging vOlIey after Voley
in quick succession.
(If the Rebel fleet, the new ron.clad steamer
MtLLOTV was cut in two by the Federal gunboat
81. Louis and sunk, and two Of the encmyS boats
blew up in the heat Of the action from the firing
of their magazines from the shells discharged by
our gunbOats. The fight was one VI the most
desperate Of the year; the fleets being at one time
enyeloped in smoke, which covered the river.
The loss Of life on both sides was considerable,
hut that Of the Rebels said to 6e in excess Of
our own. It is known that at least two entire
boat crews Of the Rebels perished, and but few
if any Of the MGlLOrys complement escaped.
Several distinguished officers are among their
losses. Holins, the Rebel Commodore, is sup
posed to have escaped unhurt
IN. noise Of the strife was heard at distance
of many miles, being continuous for more than
an hour, while the surface Of the river was
covered with fragments OF vesses, bodies and
furniture. The fight was observed by spccta-
tUrs on the distant highlands.
The r bel troops are moving from that Vicin.
ity TO some point further South.
The effect Of this news upon the forces at
Corinth was nearly overpOwering. number
of eumpanies are in q condition TO mutiny, and
several o the ringIeaders are reported " bave
been shot
LOUISVILLE, May IA.
A squadron Of Rebel cavalry at noon to-day
captured q train Of freight and passenger cars
at Cave City, Ky. They destroyed all but tao
passenger cars and locomotives, which they al
lowed to bring the passengers through
. New KENT, Va, May 10.
Tho pursuit Of the Rebels by Gen. StOneham
has been ia every respect successful His head
quarters is now here, 90 miles from Richmond !;
while his advance is o miles ahead. The Rebels
are ever in sight but are gradually falling back.
The inhabitants along the route nearly in every
Instance have len. Cumbt rland, small town
on the Pomonkey river. ~ miles from here, was
burned by the Rebels An Gngagem, Mt took
place Yesterday between our advance and the
Rebels near Slater's Mills, miles from hire.
Fourteen Rebels were killed and . number cap
tured.
Howell Cobb was here last night aud left this
morning
Il is said that the Rebels on the Chckahominy
will make u st,ud near its hcadwatcrs, 10 miles
from Richmond. Mcclellan is rapidly following
them, within few miles.
WAsHNoroN, May IS.
McClellan's advance is within IA or 10 miles
Of Richmond.
The most active operations are In progress in
every section Of the country, covered by the
Federal lines, and their progress is steady and
continuous
Com. Porter, with his feet Of gunbOats, is pre-
pairing for the attack on Mobile
A partial famine prevails in New Orleans.
Outrages on Federals in Tennessee were to
be met with stringent retaliatory measures.
A strong feeling, favorable to Intervention in
American affairs, Is said to be growing on the
parts Of England and France. The reports to
this effect originate with Paris Correspondents
Of the London Herald and Daily NetcS. The
Cabinet at Washington have received no intel
tie North has its agents In London aud Paris,
who would not Gail TO communicate all facts con.
nected with such demonstration.
CBUA0o, May IA.
Dispatches from the Mountain Department
state that Gen. FremOnts headquarters is At
HaFrisonburg, Va
Gen. Cox has had three sharp engagements
with the enemy, driving them entirely out Of
Green Brisr, Mercer and Giles counties are al
most entirely free from gucrillhs for 40 miles
each side Of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
CARo, May 18th.
In the naval engagement on Saturday, the
RunbOat Cincinnati was more seriously damaged
than at first reported. Finding herself in a
sinking condition, she was run ashore in shoal
water, where she grounded. The last arrival
from the feet states that she had four feet Of
water on her gun.deck. A wrecking derrick
has gone down TO raise her. II is expected that
she will be afioat again to-day.
The gunboat Mound City, which was struck
by the Rebel ram, and ran into shoal water and
settled on the bottom, has been pumped out and
arrived here to-day, In tow for repairs.
During the heat Of the engagement one Rebel
boat got hold Of one Of the bomb catchers, but
alter . short engagement the gunboat Benton
compelled her TO release the prize.
On the Cincinnati one was killed and three
wounded. Among the latter was Capt Stembel,
who was shot through the neck. The wound Is
not considered dangerous
Gen. Butler has issued proclamation, de-
elafinR martial law IN New Orleans, and sup
pressing the collection Of taxes, except such as
we're imposed bV the laws Of the United States
The circulation Of the Confederate bonds as evil
dences Of debt was strictly forbidden; but, IN
consequence Of the great distress which would
opsuO among the poorer classesif the circulation
Of the Confederate bank notes was suppressed,
such circulation ls permitted 50 long as any one
may be 90 inconsideFate as 10 receive them, until
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