Delaware State journal and statesman., 1863-02-06
NEWS AND oruEn mArTERs.

Gen. Grant has been obliged to dig an
entirely new canal opposite Vicksbnrgi that
commenced by Gen. Williams last Fall hav-
ing been planned on unsound engineering
principles. At last accounts the water was
flowing in rapidly, and it was expected that
the river would soon make itself at home in
the new channel Gen. Grant had several
guns in position at the foot Of the canal,
with which to silence battery planted by
the Rebels opposite.
The Richmond papers report that an
iron-clad gunboat, the Montauk, engaged
Fort McAllister, at the mouth Of the Ogee-
hee river, on the 9th. They admit that
solid shot broke to pieces against the Mon
tauk's sides, but claim that her turret was
injured. From other sources we learn that
the engagement was merely to test the in
vulnerability Of the Montauk and that she
stood it successfully, the Rebel balls break
ing harmlessly against her sides
The Richmond Wing Of Saturday an.
nounces the capture, by our blockading
squadron, Of the British steamer Princess
Royal, whilst attempting to run into Charles
ton. The capture is an important one, aa
the Princess Royal has on board an ex-
tremely valuable cargo, which it was spe-
cially desirous that the Rebels should NOT
receive. The cargo in part consisted o
eight Whitworth guns, four steam engines
six hundred barrels of gunpowder rifles
machinery, &c, the whole amounting tC
about nine hundred tons. A party of Eng
lish workmen, skilled in the manufacture o.
projectiles were captured with the vessel.
The United States barque Restless, ar
rived from Port Royal, reports having pass
cd on the 3lst ult off Cape Fear, a portion
OF Gen. Fosters expedition from Beauror
for Port Royal, consisting Of six steamers
The Restless brings nine passengers VIII,
were on board the rebel steamer Huntress
burned of Charleston.
JEFF Davis is reported to have had a con
ference with Gov Vance last week upon tn
relations Of North Carolina to the Rebe
Confederacy. The Governor insists, it i
said, upon the recall of sufficient Mort
Carolina troops from other fields to protec
the State from the advance of the Fedora
forces.
Ex-Gov Edwin d. Morgan has bee
elected U. S. Senator from New York, an
Reverdy johnson from Maryland, each t
serve six years from the fourth Of Mare
next.
Private intelligence from New Orlear
represents heavy conflict as imminent /
Baton Rouge the rebels having appeare
in the vicinity in large force and with IN
evident intention of making an assault upo
the city. We have assurances, howeve
that our forces are on the alert, and thi
they will give good account of themselyt
when the ball shall have been opened. A
last accounts Gen. Banks had returned
New Orleans from Baton Rouge, but only +,
short period
On Monday night the steam boiler Of
rolling mill in Baltimore exploded, KILN
four persons and wounding five seyerel
The building was set on fire but the fam,
were soon extinguished.
A movement is already on foot among Il
colored people of the District of Column
to organize a regiment among themselyt
and when the bill recently passed by Co
gress shall have become II law, to tender Iii,
services to the President to go wherey
ordered The colored population of Il
District of Columbia is between $4,000 al
10000.