The Portland daily press., 1863-11-10

irrica, of Rebel Prisoners-1he Destruction
and Capture OF Btocko,de Rannerrs--Nect
Rdfi0as Slapped ia Rebet Prtsohs-frricot
Of Eebei officers at Coyitot Prtsons-From
the Erort-Erom B.rSside's Army.
WASHINGTON, Nov. o.
IL is reported to-day on authority of the
surgeons in our army, that our loss on Satur-
dav was about 400. Two hundred and Sky
of these arrived here this morning, and were
placed in the hospitals.
The premises OF the old Capitol prison are
deusely crowded to-day, ,730 rebel prisoners
taken on Saturday having reached here up to
, o'clock A. M. Officers say Il few more are
on the way.
Acting Rear Admiral Bailey reports to the
Navy Department the destruction of the
blockade running steamer Scottish Chief aud
sloop Kate Dole, by an expedition from the
u. 5. gunbaats Tohoma and Adela. He says,
having learned that the vessels were loading
with cotton, and about to sail, he sent Lieut.
Commd'r Selmes to Tampa Bay to destroy
them. The Tohoma aud Adela shelled the
fort to distract the attention Of the rebels
from the real object. Under cover of the
night the men landed at point in old Tampa
Bay, and proceeded overland to place on
Hillsboro' River where the blockade runners
lay. Our forces set the vessels on fire, and on
their return were encountered by an armed
party near the beach, and two rebels were
captured. When our men commenced EN-
barking the rebels opened fire upon them.-
Our forces returned the fire with great cool
ness. Our vessels in the mean time shelled
the works in which the rebels were concealed.
The rebels were under Capt. Wescott, late
Senator. Our loss was thee seamen killed
and ten wounded. including Ensigns Randall
and Ratheler, aud five were made prisoners
The expedition numbered one hundred men.
The Navy Department has received intelli-
gence of the capture of the steamer Mail, sail
ing under British colors. from Bayport, Fla,
bound to Havana. She had l76 bales of cot
ton on board. According to her register she
was built at Glasgow, Scotland.
The British schooner Martha Jane was al
so captured off Bayport, Fla bound for Ha-
vana, wirh nearly $1,000 pounds OF Sea Island
cotton. On the persons of the captain and
crew were found over 81, 200 in gold, silver
aud treasury notes.
The British schooner Herald, of and from
Nassau, was captured off Frying Pan Shoals.
She had on board $40 bags OF salt and l25
kegs of soda.
Lieut.. Col. Towers, Provost Marshal of Al
exandria, has been relieved of his command
by an order from the War Department, and
Capt. Gwynn, medical inspector of General
Slough's staff has been appointed to the office.
The 9Th Wisconsin volunteers of the Army
of the Potomcc, cast 4l5 votes for the Union
ticket of their State, and one for the opposi-
ton.
The first snow Of the season fell to-day. 1t
was very slight and of short duration.
A government officer here in high position,
received pencil note from Il Union prisoner
in Richmond to-day, saying that the rebel au-
thorities have at length altogether stopped the
very small meat ration heretofore allowed to
our starving soldiers in their prisons. The
excuse alleged is that they have ceased to be
able to furnish their own soldiers with meat.
One hundred and twenty-five officers are
among the rebel prisoners just brought irom
the front. They represent that but few of the
companies retreaied across the river, and their
general commanding had barely time to es-
cape on his horse, They seem TO unite in re-
garding the movement on our part as one of
the most brilliant and successful of the war.
Reports received from the front, represent
that heavy firing was heard yesterday and
this morning, as though occurring in the low
er part of Culpepper, out from Keliy's Ford,
in the direction OF the junction of the Rapidan
with the Rappahannock.
The Star says, I'VE learn that Gen. Grant
has telegraphed hither. that two of the most
advanced positions of Burnside. have been as
sailed and captured by the rebels. who made
prisoners of half of the two regiments that
were holding them at the time"