Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1863-03-20


Washington, March ls-The steamer vander-
built has captured, off the Island Of st. Thomas,
another new Anglo-rebel steamer as large and
valuable as its predecessors IL Is named the
Peterhof Part Of the cargo. which was made
Of the multitarious articles Of blockade runners,
consisted Of an engine with complete maohin-
cry.
Washington, March l6.--The Government de-
tectives arrested today Miss Antoinette J. Ford,
who planned the capture Of Stoughton and staff
at Fairfax Court House. She lived opposite
Stoughton's headquarters, and was in the habit
Of receiving Confederate officers in Disguise
She had among her papers letters from promi-
nent rebels, and commission as honorary aid
de-camp TO General Stuart, dated October, 1861.
She enjoyed considerable intimacy with our un-
suspecting officers. il
To tho Cincinnati Commercial.
Gen. Burnside, now here, is about to depart
South, 10 assume command ofa new department
yet TO be created.
A Navy department official advertisement
appears for proposals for the construction of
war steamers, to be built Of iron and irou-clad.
These are 10 be the most formidable war-ves-
sells ahoat, eight thousand tons burden, and
armed with ten guns in caseniate, each gun
weighing twenty Ave tons without carriage.
General Sigei has withdrawn his resignation
at the remonstrance Of both official and unoffic-
ial friends. The reasons for offering Il were OF
course his chronic difficulties with General Hal
lcck.
Washington, March ia despatch has been
received at headquarters here, from Gen. Rose
Grams, dated Murfreesb0ro 10th, reporting the
gallant conduct of our cavalry under Col. Min-
ty, which captured rebel camp, 16 wagons, ~
mules aud ll4 prisoners. Place not stated.
Washington, March l7.--The Navy Depart
ment has received information of the capture, off
New Inlct, st. Georges Sound, Of the schooner
Hortense bound from Havana for Mobiles ando
the schooner Anna, while endeavoring to break
the blockade, on the sand bar off the mouth Of
the Suawnce river, Florida.
Washington, March l7.-It is stated draft
of 500000 men Is soon to be ordered, and that ar
Tangements have been made to enforce conscript-
ion without difficulty.
Washington, March I'm official despatch
es from vicksburg have been received to-day
by either department.
| tits regarded certain that Vicksburg is, or
will be soon in our possession.
The Secretary of War has repeatedly express
ed his opinions that the great and decisive bat
tie Of the campaign will be fought in fbe South
west, and is confident that it will result in a
speedy suppression of the rebellion.
Provision has been made for Rosecrans' safety
against the combined rebel attack. Also against
the invasion of Kentucky or Missouri.
1t is understood the rebels concede the cap
ture of Yazoo City. a
HKApouARrERs ARMY OF PoroNAc
March ls, 1863.
most brilliant cavalry fghtoccurred on the
Rappahaunock yesterday, beyond Kelley's
Ford. A reconnaissance under the command of
Gen. Averill, forced passage over the river in
the face of determined resistance by consid-
erable body of rebel sharpshooters, who were
covered by houses and rife-pits, and dry mill
race, with an abbattis in front The ford ad-
mitted but single horseman at time, and the
stream, which was swollen, was very rapid.
Arriving at the south side of the river our
cavalry charged the rebels in their entrench-
ments and succeeded in killing or capturing
nearly the entire force, beside securing large
number Of horses picketed near by. A short
distancefrom the shore Gen. Averills command
encountered the rebel cavalry under Stuart and
Fitzhugh Lee, who had hastened from Culpep-
per to prevent our passage. They made some
dashing charges on our troops who repulsed aud
in turn charged them with fatal effect, using sa-
bres only in the conflict.
Whenever the enemy made stand they were
Immediately charged upon and routed from
their positions with great loss. The battle last
ed five hours and was a series of charges and
hand to hand conflicts resulting in the falling
back of the enemy. The forces were about two
hundred on each side. The enemy at last took
refuge behind an entrenchcd battery four miles
from the ford, fianked by rifle pits and abaitis.
Gen. Averill having accomplished his object and
secured his prisoners the wounded on both
sides and large number of horses, recrossed the
river without attack or demonstration on the
part Of the rebels who were too badly whipped
to follow annoy him.
Among the prisoners is Major Breckenridge, a
cousin Of the traitor ]. @. Breckenridge. The
prisoners characterize the affair on our part, as