Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-04-04
From Fortress Monroe.

FORTRESS MONRoE, April 2.-The wealth
er to-day is clear and pleasant, and every.
thing is progressing in the most satisfac-
tory manner.
The rebels fred several shots from Sew
all's Point last night on the transports in
the harbor, some Of the shells falling with
In fifty feet of a vessel loaded with horses
A reconnaissance was made from New
port News yesterday to Watts Greek, a dis.
lance of nine miles. The enemy appeared
5000 strong and opened with cannon on
onr forces, but the balls passed entirely
over them. Our batteries were immedi-
ately got in position and opened on them,
when the entire rebel force broke and fed,
fordiug the creek in great confusion and
keeping out of range. The object of the
reconnaissance being accomplished the
troops returned.
The whole country through which they
passed, formerly the garden spot of Vir-
GINA, has been devastated, and but one
house is left standing. The houses, fences
and trees have been burned by the retreat
ing rebels.
There are no signs of the approach of
the Merrimac yet, and from the long delay
the opinion is gaining ground that she will
not meagain. She has fine field to op.
esate in if she should triumph over the
Monitor, and if she waits to come now it is
thought she is afraid to run the risks.
AR officer of the Seminole says that he
read a Savannah paper of the 23d ult!mo,
which acknowledged terrible rebel de-
feat at Pea Ridge, and admitted there was
no use to attempt to conceal the fact.
The English steamer Racer arrived here
this morning and saluted the flag, which
was responded to by the fort, and the same
compliment passed between the French
vessel and the Racer, occasioning quite a
cannonade.
A second reconnaissance was also made
yesterday to Big Bethel, when the enemy
vas found to have returned aud occupied
the earthworks in force. On seeing our
scouts the rebels threw shells into the
woods occupied by our troops on the pre-
vtous advance, but as they were unoccu-
pied NO damage was done. It not being
the purpose of the advance to engage the
enemy no response was made to the guns.
/ A flag of truce brought down the officer
of the French steamer from Norfolk.
The steamboats, conveying troops to New
port News were repeatedly fred into from
the Sewalrs Point batteries and a rebeI
\ gunboat this afternoon. No damage was
done as far as we could learn.
Il -s-SOS-~----
i LOUISVILLE, April 3.-An intelligent gen
tleman who left Memphis last week, re.
ports Gen. A. Sydney Johnston as saying
that the Federals could outAank them il
{, any position that they might take, and
therefore, Notifications were useless
Johnston says the only chance for the reb.
Elisha an open fghtin the field.
Our informant thinks Corinth, Miss, il
their chosen place. He further says tn
rebels had about 90, 600 troops on the lin,
between Memphis and Huntsville, Ala.
which Were being reinforced, and suppose,
:, now to number from 5000 to 81, 600.
The rebels are prepared with tar an
rosin to burn Memphis when compelled Il
evacuate.
The most prominent citizens of Memphi
: say they would yield forthwith, if assure
: of their personal safety and the security {
their property from conGscation by th
!, Federal Government. s0l
d SAN FRAuC1sco, March sl.-Every bus
s ness house in the town Of Iowa Hill, Pl,
p Ger eounty,was burned on the 26th. .Lo
about $4,000.