The free South. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1863-1864, 1863-08-08
NEWS ITEMS.

pehels in tbe Indian Territory on the 10Th inst.
,ha enemy were overtaken at Elk Creek, oooO
strong, under Gen. Cooper, and was there 'isof-
ouslv attacked bv ., 500 men and twelve guns OF
Con Blunt's command The fight was cbsti-
nate but bv a bold charge it was finished III the
flight of the rebels who left all their stores Ill
our possession. Our cavalry were pursuing the
Hee;np rebels when the express left. The Rebel
loss was GO killed and 81 wounded. COL VIII
1;ams of the st Colored Kansas was severely
wounded.
The Nashville Tnion says it is reported that
Hon. Meredith P Gentry, formerly an emiHe"
Wing Member of Congress, more recently Mem
Der of the last Confederate Congress, surrendFeo
himself voluntarily to the Federal commander
at Shelbyville, a few days since de WAS the
.samer;can" candidate for Governor OF len
nessee, in 1855, but defeated by Andrew john
son.
Two prize steamers arrived at philadelphia On
the o4tb-the Kate Dale, captured by the grl-
boat r. r. Cuyer off Tortugas, and the LiZz'e,
captured by the Santiago de Cuba off Abaco.
Lee has successvely tried all the Blue Ride
,,.,S and been repulsed in each instance. Foil
ed in his desperate attempt TO march into Cen-
trail Virginia. it is thought that he is now NOV
inc in all haste up the valley of the Shenandoah
toward Staunton. Our army is practically be-
tween Lee and Richmond, and ready for any
hattie lq may Cfisr "St,iss:ts cayalr TO I0at.r
able to do Us serious damage; only Mosebys
band are troublesome At Chester Gap our
cavalry captured 100 cattle, several thousand
sheep, number of horses and mules. Our cav
alry have done most excellent service for the
past week
Admiral Porter has officially informed the
Navy Department of the result of the expedition
recently sent by him through the navigable
waters of the Red River country. The enemy
appear TO have been taken completely by sur
prise Two fine steamers laden with stores were
captured, and two others were burned by the
Rebels to prevent their falling into our hands
Large quantities of ammunition were also cap
fmed AT Harrisonburgh, on the Red river, Il
very strong fort was found, on considerable
elevation, which could not be reduced by wooden
gunboat>, which alone composed the expedi
ton.
The service Of officers and men on board the
Monitors in Charleston harbor has been found
very severe upon them, in consequence of the
,.orv l;m;red accommodations and dficrlty of
ventilation while prepared for action The Navy
Department is about TO despatch large steamer
with reinforcements for the crews of the Moni-
tors and relieve them by changing the men ell
ployed upon them at intervals, allowing them a
time to rest on board the steamer while fresh
men take their places.
The United States steam sloop Ossipce cap
1ured on the Goth inst, the James Battle and
Wm. Bagley, loaded with cotton, blockade run
ners from Mobile
The United States steamer Sciota, off the
coast of Texas on the 7th inst, chased two
small vessels, both of which ran ashore and were
burned by our men. Their cargoeS consisted of
cotton. On the Thursday following, while pass
ing Corpus Christi, TWO vessels were discovered
at anchor behind Mustang Island awaiting an
opportunity to escape the blockade rifle
twenty FOUNDER was fired III them, when both
got Under weigh and stood mp the bay about six
miles, where they grounded. An expedition i'll
charge Of Lieutenant Davenport was a; once
sent the island TO capture them if possible
and if they coulA not be saved TO DESTROY them
by fire, which was done after an unsuccessful AZ;
tempt 10 float them. While returning Lieuten-
ant Davenport accidentally sho: himself with a
life ball, TIE Iall assing through the right les