Washington telegraph., 1862-03-26

TELEGRArHIc SUMMARY.-Our news
from Richmond and the East, extends,
since our last, from the 11th TO the 10th.
We CLEAN the following items as worthy
Of attention:
On the l1th the, President Informed
Gqpgress that lie had suspended GePfs
Pillow and Floyd fron their commands,
on account Of the unsatisfactory nature
of their reports, concerning the battle of
Fort Donelsou. The matters of exception
we're that they fail to show that REIN
forcements were demanded; also that the
place might not have been evacuated, and
the whole army saved as well as part;
and also the unusual proceeding OF two
superior officers turning over their re-
sponsibility to a junior.
C, ngress has advised the planting of
no Gotten or tobacco this season.
A Richmond dispatch of the llth, to
the Memphis Appeal, announced that
President Davis was coming West.
The captain Of the steamer Sumpter
had been arrested at Langhuir. nc the in
stance Of the u. s. Consul at Gibraltar,
and the commander of the Tuscarora-
Official accounts Of the naval engage
meut at Hampton Roads show but Il
guns in all ou- combined squadrou.-
Againss them the Congress had 30, the
ST Lawrence 80, the Minnesota aud Ro-
noake each SO, besides the batteries at
New Port News, and some small steamers
armed with heavy rifed guns. Congress
has passed vote Of thanks to the officers
and men engaged, and complimented
their gsllantry. Our casualties we're: Com
Buchanan wounded by a minrie ball in
the thigh, seriously; Lieut.. Minor in the
left side, slightly; two men killed and FIVE
wounded. Much excitement was fels in
the North on account of the result. Some
Journals say il was az disastrous as Balls
Bluff The federal authorities are much
blamed The Meramack was struck IS
times and returned to Norfolk unipj ured.
The North fears she may sweep the seas
and raise the blockade.
Gen'l Robert Z. Lee has been appointed
Commanding General Of our armies.
Federal reports from Washington rep
resent Centreville in their possession on
the 10th.
A LyDchburg dispatch of the 18th
states that on the 18th the enemy were in
sight Of Cumberland Gap, and fight was
expected next day. On the 10th, dis
patches received at Richmond by the
Tennessee delegation stated that the FRI
day previous Cl4th) 10000 federals pass
ed Cumberland mountains and captured
two companies Of our cavalry. A dispatch
Of same date from Knoxville represented
the enemy advancing, from 1000 to 5000
strong, aud 20 miles from that place
That they bad crossed the mountains In
large force at Big Creek Gap. a part Of
our cavalry dispersed. GeD'l Ledbetter
had gone forward with large force
On the 18th the enemy appeared with
SO vessels below Newbern. Next day they
began shellipg and landing troops at 81.
cumb's point, IA miles below town. That
night 10000 federals landed near the
New bern batteries. The gun boats at
tackled the batteries and drove cur men
off Our forces consisted of five skeleton
regiments of infautry, few artillery com
paDies aud battalion of cavalry, which
came upin time 70 cover our retreat. Our
entire force estimated at 1000 The only
troops eng ged were from South Carolina
They held their position for FIVE hour;
the MALTA then first gave way Our loss
is estimated at 100 to $50; enemy's loss
500 to 1000. At ii o'clock the town of
Newbern was fired by the enemy's shells,
without moments warning. Two small
steamers filled with women and children
were also fired on BY the federals.
We learn hy Memphis dispatch OF
the 18Th, that New Madrid had been
evacuated by the small fvrce stationed
there. During the fight there on the
TLursday previous, the enemy made three
advance movements, as if 10 storm the
position, but were repul>ed by shells
thrown from our guuboats. Occasional
shots we're thrown all aloug until evening
During The night information was received
through Gen'l Thompson's scouts, that
the enemy had large reinforcements sd-
vancing--forty regiments Of infantry and
four OF cavalry. They were stated to be
only two miles Of, expecting to storm our
works at midnight. Our forces thereupou
re,reated by gun boats to Island No. 10,
and Tipionville. All the command came
safely Of except few pickets. All our
mounted guns were spiked aud abandoned.
A portion Of our ammunition, most Of
our baggage and a hundred mules we're
left
The Sunday evening Appeal O6th)
reports that Columbus bad ben occupied
in fvrce by the federals, aud their advance
guard had reached Hickman by land. On
the day previous. feet Of mortar and
gun boats anchored above Island No 10,
and fired number Of shots at our works
We returned only two shots. No casual
ties occurred. By dispatch Of the 18th
We learn that the enemy continued slow
fire during Sunday from their heavy guns
Several shells thrown a distance of q
nj lies exploded over our works without
damage. BY same dispatch we learn tha,
great activity prevails in the gun and
mortar boats at Cairo, which are now all
: competed.
A dispatch from Decatur, Alabama,
(l5th) reports the enemy in large force
at Paris, Tenn Three gun boats and