The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-02-10
War News.


War News.
Gsr The main feature Of the war
news, the past week, is the reported dis
persion of the blockading fleet at Char
lesion by two rebel iron clad gunboats,
the Chcora and Palmetto State The
first dispatches came through rebel
sources, and were jubilant enough to
satisfy The most inveterale Copperhead
They represented that our entire fleet
was sunk, burned and dispersed, and
that Commodore INGRAHAM and Gen.
BEAUREGARD had declared the blockade
Of the Port raised. There were great
discrepancies in the several dispatches.
however, which rendered it apparent
that there was but little reliance to be
I placed upon them. The next days
Richmond papers were good deal less
jubi'ant in their tone, showing that they
were lHCieuuiouS VI IlleIT own stories.
The facts seem to be that the rebel rams
run out during the night Of the 31st and
surprised the blockading fleet. One of
the rams struck the Mercedita, keeling
her over, but not sinking her. A shot
was also put through the steam drum of
the Keystone State, killing 81 persons
and wounding 8 others. The Mercedi-
Ia had three killed. These vessels were
imply armed transports. The Housa-
tonic, gunboat, engaged one of the rams,
and drove her off, after which the rebels
left. These were all the casualties. The
Mercedita steamed down TO Port Royal,
and the Keystone State was lowed down,
while the rebels own account admits
that the blockading feet was at its post
in tie afternoon, proving that the block
ade was not raised. as BEAUREGARD and
Commodore INGRAHAM declared.
The raising Of the blockade would
have been most unfortunate. By inter
national requirements it would have been
necessary, in such case, before the gov
eminent could again blockade the port,
TO give Official notice such intention to
foreign powers. This would take CON
siderable time. an! in The meantime the
port woul! be open TO commerce. Tbs
is a result which Monsieur BEAuREGARp
would b. over 'yed TO accomplish. bul
in which he has probably failed, not
wilhsan ling his proclamation.
We have had another brilliant victory
1T Fort Donelson. FORREST s, WHEEL
ER's aud JoHNsoN's rebel forces, number
ing 5000. attacked Col. HARDING's com
manl. numbering 700 men, but were
defeated with the loss Of 200 killed and
500 wounded. Our own loss was but
IL killed and A wounded and missing
The rebels retrea;ed southwark precipi-
lately.
The Federal Ram, Queen of the West,
performed brilliant movement on the
81. AT daylight she ran past the Vicks-
burg batteries, stopping long enough to-
butt rebel guhboat two or three times,
badly SCATTERING it. 1t is said that 100
guns were turned on her, but although
she received 2 shots, she escaped niu
ry. A large number of contrabands are
engaged in digging new ditch around
Vicksburg, and, it is thought, with de
cided prospects oil success. Nothing
has been heard of BANKS operations
against Port Hudson.
STARKE's Tennessee cavalry surpri ed |
a camp of rebels at Middleton, 10 miles
west of Marreesboro, taking 100 prison
ers, and all their camp equipage, horses,
wagons, &c. Msjor DoUGALLs and all
his officers were taken.
The telegraph yesterday transmitted
an absurd report, taken from the CORES
pondence Of philadelphia paper, thai
MCCLELLAN is 10 be called again 10 the
command of the Potomac army. We
should as soon expect to hear President
LINCOLN inviting JEFF DAVIS 10 The com.
mand, as TO think OF his reinstatement Of
after the latters association
" lth NALLANDIGnAM, Cox, john VAN.
BUREN,, etc, apd after his talk about con
sentiments.
The Dubuque Times says that an
freshman, named Thomas D1oLES. who
VAS pat into Ill for assault aud battery,
st fire to his bedding, aud was nearly
burned TO death. lie bad promised The
'ther prisoners, when he was shut up
Or The night, 10 make fun alore morn