Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1863-04-18
PUBLISHED (DA1LY) By
EDGAR SNOWDE JR.
rs OFFICE-No. l04 King street, over
tones, (formerly French's) Book Store:
WAR News. "A Fortress Monroe dlspatch

o..
dated Yesterday. reports the Confederates
still investing Suffolk. From official dispatch
es of the engagement on the river on Tuesday
i aDears that it was quite a spirited affair."
The Federal gunboats were more or less MUIR ~
ed, and one Confederate battery sllenced. Inc
Federal loss was five killed and eighteen wound
ed The gunboat most seriously damaged was
the Mount Washington, formerly the Mount
Vernon. the mail steamer between W ashlngtOn
city and Aqua creek.
Reinforcements have reached Gen. Foster at
Washington, North Carolina A river steam
er having on board regiment of troops and
supplies of provisions and ammunition succeed
ed in passing the Confederate batteries on lar
river, and reached the wharf at Washington on
Tuesday last, the 18th instant The Federal
forces, therefore, now are about twenty-five
hundred strong, but whether they can hold out
against the large army of Confederates report
ed to be in the vicinity, remains to be seen.
A Confederate dispatch from Charleston,
dated the 18th, states that the entire Federal
noon Of that day for the South. It is the i'm
preston in Charleston, however, that the yes
sells will soon return and 1eneW the attack
Another dispatch states that the Federal troops
occupy Kiawah, Seabrook and Coles Islands
in considerable force, under the protection OF
the gunbOats.
The expedition which left Helena on Sunday
last, on a reconnaissance up the st. Francis
river, an important stream, which, rising IN the
southeastern part Of Missouri, flows southwark
and empties into the Mississippi about ten
miles above Helena, proceeded a distance Of
sixty miles, secured the adjacent country,
had several skirmishes with the Confederates
and then returned to their point of of embark
alton.
It is stated that the Confederates have all
been driven from the north side of the Arkan
sas river and that the Federal troops occupy
Fort Gibson The Confederates are gathering
on the south side of the river, and hold all the
fords
Askirmish occurred near Hickman, Tenn,
& few days ago, in which four Confederates
were killed and fifteen captured. Several Skin
mlshes have occurred near Memphis lately,
but with unlmportant results. Two Federal
gunboats and three transports have been de-
stroyed on the Cumberland river by the Con-
tederates under Cen Wheeler
4 letter dated Norfolk, 18th, reports much
excitement in that city in consequence of the
proximity OF the Confederate forces. The wri-
ter adds. The Nansemond river is perfectly
olockaded by the Confederate batteries. It was
Iumored among the inhabitants here last night
that the Merrinlack No. will be down to-mor
TOW to cooperate with the Confederate land
!or2es The inhabitants are leaving this city
II drovess, and today have seen a number of
cart :, loads Of furniture, with any number of
lamles en- route to Old Point Orders are
very STRICT to allow no one to pass through
10 Suffolk but soldiers think there is a
prospect Ola great battle in this vicinity short
y: ~ Two gunboats are lying off the city, with
1>' ''ean up day and night, aud on the first ap-
PcSrance CT the enemy it will be shelled. y
vcne lne bark Helen Augusta, arrived at New
,oon. orh from st. Do1ingo, brings q number Of