Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1863-03-20
THE SENTINEL.
SUMMARY OF WAR NEWS.

Gazette:
FsTDAY, Mar. l3.-Ft isreported from Nash /
ville on the authority of a gentleman OF the
utmost reliability, that the Confederate army
under General Bragg, has been recently rein
forced to the extent Of twenty-five thousand
men, This same informant claims to have
learned, personally, from General Early, that
sufficient assistance had been received from
Richmond to enable Bragg to resist successful
ly the forces of Gen. Rosecrans, notwithstand-
ing the belief entertained by the Confederates
that the Army of the Cumberland had been
strengthened since the battle Of Murfleesboro'i Il
by twenty thousand fresh troops. 1t is also
stated that the Confederates contemplate an
other expedition into Kentucky, and that fif-
teen regiments Of cavalry and infantry were,
at the last advices from East Tennessee, under
marching orders.
A rumor from Memphis has it that Yazoo
City has been captured by the Federal forces.
We are warned however, that the story ''needs
confirmation" Weare also told that the re-
ports concerning the steamer lndianola . are
still conflicting"
The latest telegram received from Nashville
effectually disposes Of the rumor, previously
circulated, tina, Col. COburn, with two thou
sand of the prisoners taken by Van Dorm at
Spring Hill, had escaped from the hands Of the
Confederates All that we are now told is that
that the means Of crossing Duck river have
been destroy the Federal troops, We
presume, although this is left TO he inferred
From the Washington correspondent of the
New Y ork Tribune, we learn that difficulty
has arisen with the Confederate Government,
in relation to the circumstances connected with
the parolling Of the officers and crew OF the
Mercedita; which circumstances, we are further
told, " are Of an unusual character, and in
81 1laf 10 aaA in ma.
val circles that the pontin dispute, is in re-
gard to the right Of the Confederates to the
possession of the Mereedita which was actual
ly surrendered by Captain Stellwagento Com
modore Ingraham. II is said, but we do not
know with what truth, that Capt. Stelwagen
believes that the Federal Governments bound
in honor to give up the Mercedita, and that
finding the Navy Department indisposed to
adopt his views, he has rendered his resigna-
ton.
The United States Consul at Victoria, Van
couver's Island notifies the Department at
Washington, that attempts are making by the
Confederates on the Pacific Coast TO purchase
vessels for privateering purposes.
General Blenkerand Colonies ID Utassey and
De Forrest are, il is believed, TO be tried be-
fore general court-martial, which is to as
semble in New York shortly, on charges im-
putting to them the most despicable conduct.
;
whilst on her way TO New FORK for repairs,
captured the British steamer Douro, with a
cargo OF four hundred bales Of cotton. The
Quaker City and her prize both reached New
York last evening.
The Confederate steamer Florida was at
Barbados on the goth ult., taking in coal and
provisions.
SATURDAY, Mar. l4-Among variety OF
rumors that are pronounced doubtful, there
are two that demand something more than a
passing notice. A special telegram from Cal
70, to the Cincinnati Commercial, states, on
the authority of the Memphis Gdsete that 2
battle occurred recently at Ya2oo Pass, which
resulted in the capture Of seven thousand men
and eight transports. Another telegram places
the alleged engagement GA the laz00 river
If the affair took place at all, which, we arc
told, is very questionable, it must have been
somewhere in the neighborhood Of lazoo
Pass; and the seven thousand prisoners and
eight transports captured must have been part
Of the Federal expedition which was attempts
ing to force its way through Coldwater river
into the Talahatchie, aud thence into the
Yazoo, with the design of approaching Yicks-
burg by the rear. Some color of probability
is given to this theory, from the fact that such
a result was seriously apprehended by the cor
respondent of the Chicago Times, Who in his
letter written from on board the expedition,
then in Moon Lake, and dated February 22d,
remarked
'llf we do nottake the enemy by surprise
if they shall chance 70 be fully informed of
the nature and extent Of our preparations,
and shall be fully prepared to meet US, God
help us There will be no escape for any of
us. When we advance beyond this reneez-
vous there is no return for us. The pass from
here to Coldwater is much narrower and infi-
nltely more tortuous, with more RAPID cur
rent than that leading from the Mississippi in
to the lake. Once through that, we can never
get these boats back again through il. The
current itself would be sufficient impediment
to our return, did none other exist. Orr only
chance, then, is to fight our way through 10
Vicksburg. The only watchword we can have
will be Fight or die. 4"
Still later, we learn by telegram, dated
Port Hudson, March 9th, that the Conlederates
acre fully apprised of the nature and extent of
the Federal movements at Yazoo Pass. Cou-
riers who arrived at Granada, Mississippi re-
ported that the artificial instructions had been
at that time removed as far as the Coldwater,
but none of the boats had entered that stream
up to the Friday evening previous. The tele-
gram then goes on TO say
- 1t was not known whether any additional
boats or troops had arrived, and their force
then on the spot was supposed to be as before
reported. As the Mississippi has already fall
en- SIX or seven feet at the mouth Of the BAYOU
leading from Lake Moon, and the upper rivers
are falling rapidly, the old river men express
confidence that the enemys boats will not be
able to return to the river without another
rise. If so, they and the whole accompanying
forces may be gobbled up.n
Now, it is quite possible that the apprehen-
sions thus fostered in regard TO the success OF
the movement may have given rise to the ~
mors which were current al Memphis, and that
no battle has taken place, aud consequently no
captures of Importance made on either side
At all events, il is perfectly evident that no
safe conclusion can be reached until the arr-
val of further adyiees from Memphis. The
whole story is a curious one, and il it be with
out any foundation in truth, merits, aud will
doubtless receive, an official Contradiction.
Another rumor which also comes under the
category of doubtful is that Ports Donel-
son and Henry have fallea into the hands Of
the Coniederates.
The third and last, aud The least worthy of
credenee, is given as derived from South
Earolinaa planter who'is, or was, a member OF
Tue Legislature Of that State. He reports.
OF IS SAID to have rennrted fha n,aesinfv La.