Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1863-04-24

questions concerning which we are left at pre-
sent IN perfect Ignorance. All that the letter
discloses is, that General Foster has himself
escaped.
later despatch from Fortress Monroe, re-
ports that the Federal troops still remained at
Washington; that they had been supplied
with provisions and ammunition, and that,
being well fortified, they would be able to
hold the place till other reinforcements can
reach them. In addition to the large humber
of troops sent forward to the relief of the
garrison, four regiments have been despatched
by General Hunter from Hilton Head TO New
bern, to cooperate with those that were al
ready there.
The Federal troops at Suffolk are said to be
in such superior numbers, and so well fortified,
that no important engagement is apprehend-
ed, unless General Peck should conclude to
advance, Of which there is very little proba-
bDity. Sharp fighting is reported to have ta-
ken place on the Blackwater.
A letter from Fredericksburg to the Rich
mond Wing, under date Of the l4lh instant,
states that General Sloneman, in command Of
some six thousand men, attempted to cross at
kelly's Ford, but did not succeed. We are
also told that General Hooker had been mass
ing troops near United States Ford for several
days past, and that on Monday and Tuesday
| last considerable bodies of cavalry and i'm
= .
The Confederates are said to have concentrate
ed in great force in the vicinity of the iords Of
the RaPpahannock, but had made no attempt
4 b efess.
According to the Washington correspond
ence of the New York TrjJune, the movement
Of General Stoneman on Kelly's Ford was but
a feint to cover his real intentions. lie is said
to have subsequently crossed the Rappahan-
mock higher up and to have pushed forward
tn ftttls 4
Vile. He is said to have driven the Confede-
rate troops from the latter town, and to have
occupied it with his command; but the As
ISOLATED Press despatch intimates that the
statement is not true.
TUESDAY, April 2l.-The siege of the town
of Washington, North Carolina, still fingers
/ Nine days ago the Southern papers announced
that General Hill had completely invested the
garrison at that place, and that he could take
II by fighting, but expected to make the cap
ture without firing gun. To do so, at that
time, was certainly within The range Of proba-
bility but the delays that have interviewed
whilst they may have exhausted to very con
siderable extent the meagre supply of provi-
sions which was stored at Washington 70" the
support Of the Federal troops, have neverthe-
less strengthened the hope of ultimate relief.
One small steamer, laden with ammunition
and perhaps also with provisions, has succeed
ed in running the blockade of the Tar river
owing, it is said, TO the cafelessness of the Off
Ger in command of Wyatt's Virginia battery
subsequently, the steamer Escort escaped from
Washington, though in a crippled condition.
with General Foster and portion Of his staff
on board. With the heavy endorsements Of
troops from Newport News and Hilton Head
which have arrived at Newbern-numbering
in the aggregate not much less, it is Supposed
than from ten to twelve thousand men-it
would seem an easy matter for Gen. Foster, in
cooperation with the gunboats, to capture the
batteries on Tar river, and thus open the way
for the passage Of transports to the beleaguer-
ed garrison But whatever he concludes to do
1t Is evident must be done quickly, as fodder
for the horses gave out some two weeks ago
and the garrison as early as the 9TH, reduced
to three-iourth's rations Of salt meat and hard
bread, had only provisions remaining for two
weeks
Advices from Suffolk indicate increased con.
hdence on the part OF the Federal troops to
hold that place. The principal fighting, thus
far, has been between the gunboats and the
Confederate batteries on the river. Up 10
Friday last, the Confederatcs are said to have
been bailied in every attempt which they had
made TO cross the river. There had been some
skirmishing on the Somerton road, which, as
it is only briefly alluded to, was very proba-
ny pioOuClANt VI NO important TtSullo. 4 nc
Federal troops evidently fell back, though the
loss as chronicled was but Slight. "The move
ment, we are told, was in order to feel the
enemy's strength" A later report purport-
ing to be official, announces the capture Of
Confederate battery Of heavy guns, aad two
hundred men Of an Alabama regiment some
where on the river, by considerable body Of
Federal troops, supported by the gunboats.-
We are also informed that the indications were
that the enemy was Withdrawing to his line Of
defenses on the Blackwater. What his DESIGN |
originally was, or whether it has actually been
frustrated, we shall probably learn hereafter
At present, with the mcagre information !
vouchsafed to us, the whole movement appears
to have been crudcly diges;ed and loosely ex- /
ecuted. 1t is quite possible, however, that in
the progress OF events, we may obtain q clear 1
or view of % the situation" and Of the object !
sought to be attained by the Confcderates.
Concerning the Army Of the Potomac there F,
are many rumors and but few facts. 1t was
reported that the whole army had again taken
up its line of march for Richmond but sub |
sequently, we are assured, that the movement
was limited to Stonemans cavalry. Accord
ing to Southern papers Stoueman made seve-
raj attempts to cross the Rappahannock at
Kelly Ford, but was driven back each time
with some loss, The Federal accounts speak
OF the demonstration as merely a feint the
intention being to cross at some point higher !
up the river. Whether, in spite of quasi de- /
mails to the contrary, General Hooker has put
his entire command in motion or whether, as
some say, the roads are not yet sufficiently
firm to admit the passage of artillery ard bag
gage wagons, and all the 1apc8emea'a Of a
great army, are questions which will, without
doubt, be distinctly answered before the lapse
OF many days-probably before the close Of
the present week.
Some three thousand Confederates attacked (
the Federal troops at Fayetteville, Arkansas, /
ON Saturday morning last, and were repused 1
with considerable loss
1t was rumored AT Nashville two days ago /
that Van Dorm was about to make an attack /
upon that city The story appears to be Who'll /
ly improbable in view Of the strong defenses .
commanding the town, and Of the compare
i,.Nely small iorce-nearly all cavalry-which !
van Dorm could bring into action.
WEDNESDAY, April 22-We have various
stories touching General Grants operations on
eue Nnssisslppi, one Of which is full of sar-
casu whist the others range from desmond
ehoy up to hopefulncss-the last of all taking
the highest flight Of exultatiou. TO beri5
with the beginning: On the ION n corrn,-
pendent of the Boston Courier. writirg a.,