Litchfield enquirer., 1862-01-30
Ne,us pf the Wesk.

GEN. Halleck is determined that his order re- garding the assessment of the property of rebels for the benefit of Union fugitives shall be carried out to the very letter. Several of the St. Lotus rebels, who were recently assessed, having failed to pay promptly, their property has been seized, and additional assessment of twenty-five per cent. has been levied, in accordance with the terms of the order. One of these persons, prominent merchant named Samuel Engler, hay ing served a writ of replevin on the Provost Mar shal, for the recovery of the property taken from him, he and his attorney were arrested, lodged in the military prison, and subsequently, under special order issued by Gen. Halleck, they were sent beyond the lines of the Department of Mis- souri, with warning not to return without per mission from the Commanding General, under penalty of being punished according 10 the rules of war. All persons attempting to interfere with the course of military law, will be dealt with in the same manner.
 As AN OFFSET to the statements of Q North ern merchant, recently returned from New Or- leans, to the invincibility of the South, It Is said that Southern merchant, who has been ln the North several weeks, has arrived at the con clusion that rebellion Is doomed and he has been anxious to return to his home for the pur- pose of investing large amountof money which 1 he put into Confederate bonds in cotton. He has found it impossible, however, thus far, to get through the lines. The strength of the Govern ment, and the determination of the people to subugate the rebcls astourded him.
 rebel channels, that Cedar Keys, Fla, was cap tured by the National forces on Thursday of last week. No particulars are given. It will be re- collected that the new Department of Key West. recently established, includes Cedar Keys in it's area We also learn from Mobile that the block ading fleet captured on the 20th, the schooner Wilder, attempting to run the blockade from Havana.
 BY THE arrival of the steam transport Allan. tic, at New York, we have intelligence from Port Royal to the 20th inst. The Atlantic brought g large assignment of sea-island cotton to Collec. tor Barney-the greater portion of it unginned The most important news by this arrival is the announcement that the second stone fleet, consisting of fourteen vessels left on the morn ing of the 20th for Charleston harbor with tho purpose of obstructing the entrance through Ma fitt's channel, by which the steamer Isabel re gently entered, after eluding the vigilance of thu blockading squadron. The sinking of the yes sells was to be done under the direction of Mir George H. Bradbury, of the Navy, who hat charge of the closing of the main channel. \, event of special importance had occurred at Por Royal since previous advices. Arrangements
 were in progress, however, which were expecte, to result in movements of the greatest moment Among the reinforcements of Gen. Sherman
 command which had arrived, was portion o the Massachusetts Cavalry. The experiment 0 employing the negroes in gathering the cotton and in doing other work on the islands in ou possession. and paying them for their labor il money, or clothing and food, has proved very q successful. The Atlantic brought to the New 3 York Pos. Office about thirty five thousand let i ters, which had accumulated at the IfIsbn Iead $ Post ofiee in less than two weeks. #s'* T Two very destructive fires occurred on Sun. day, in New York, in which property amounting in the aggregate to not less than half million of dollars was destroyed. At about 2 o'clock
 Mo- Bridge street A large storehouse ex tending through from Bridge to Pearl street was nearly destroyed. While the fremen wer, still working here, another fire broke out in Full ton street, which resulted in the destruction O ten large brick buildings, including the Fulto, bank building. The Brooklyn frcmen came ove large numbers, and brought with them three 0 their steam engines, which rendered very eff cent service.
 WE HAVE. at last, full and coherent accounts of the battle on the Cumberland River, in Ken lucky. The rcbels-eight regiments strong under Crittenden-marchedf from their camp, o1 Saturday night, the 18th inst, to attack tn, troops advancing on them, under Gen. Thomas skirmishing was kept up the greater part of thu night. At o'clock, Sunday morning, the enc my formed in two fields, attacking the advanc, l-Indiana troops-in front and on the left flank Soon the battle became general-four regiments of infantry, besides cavalry and artillery, beins actively engaged on our side. In the early par of the battle Zollicoffer fell The death of tn, General did not disheartsn the enemy. But ou1 gallant troops pushed on, and reinforcement began to como up as we continued gaining ground and soon the rebels began to see that for then the day was lost. They were pushed back reg iments began to get broken, and the rebels to flee. Our artillery was playing on them witl great effect. They formed in line again, but were again broken. For the third and last time l they form, only to be scattered as before. Af ter this the rebel rout was complete. The pur- suit was pressed up to the very entrenchments of the enemy, and only nightfall prevented a general attack. Our men lay down, intending to renew the assault on Monday. But in the morning it was found the rebels had evacuated their stronghold, crossed the river and ded, and all that remained for troops to do was to take possession of the ordnance, munitions and stores they had left behind. We havo no news of any further operations of our troops since the battle.
 The forces under the command of Gen. Thom as in Eastern Kentucky were as follows: i First Tennessee, Second Minnesota, 1 Second Tennessee, Fourth Kentucky. Ninth Ohio, Tenth Kentucky, Fourteenth Ohio, Twelfth Kentucky. Tenth Indiana, Wolfords Cavalry,