Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1863-02-27
THE SENTINEL.
SUMMARY on WAR NEws.

Gazette
FRIDAY, Feb 2O.-There is literally no war
news Of consequence from any quarter. We
are still favored with the lucubratons Of news
paper correspondents, concerning the opera
tions before Vicksburg, but they furnish no
new facts upon which an opinion might be
predicated in regard to the practicability Of
any Of the various attempts which are now be-
ing made to turn the course of the Mississippi
or to divert portion Of its waters into other
channels for the purpose of forming a nayiga-
bic route to the upper waters of the Yazoo IL
ver. In respect to the health of the troops
comprising the Mississippi Expedition, the
statements are conflicting some writers as
serting that it is improving, whilst others, on
the contrary, declare that it is very bad -
Nearly all the writers, however, concur in one
particular, and that is, if the volume of wa
ter continues TO increase in the Mississippi for
short time longer, as it has done during the
past few weeks, General Grants army, which
is even now threatened with being drowned
out, will have to be withdrawn
The latest advices from Charleston and Sa-
vannah lead to the belief that the long expect
ed bombardment Of those cities has become
imminent. Tho Richmond Enquirer Of We'd
nesdav last publishes proclamation of Gene
raj Beauregard, dated on the 18th, in which
he notifies the authorities and citizens of Sa-
vannah and Charleston u that the movements
Of the enemys feet indicate an early land and
naval attack on one or both cities, and warns
all persons unable to take an active part in
the impending struggle to retire into the iate-
rior." At the close of the proclamation a
brief paragraph states that - the final prepa-
rations for the expected attack are being RAJ
pidly perfected, " and that the troops and
people are calm and confident
The New York Times in an article Of more
than usual force and explicitness calls upon
Congress to lose no time in making prepara-
rations for a foreign war The editor OF the
Times, Mr.. Raymond, being the close friend Of
Mr. Seward has doubtless received from the
latter such intimation Of the probable result
of the existing complications with France, as
seem in his opinion to justify this new call up
on Congress, coupled with a significant warn
ing to the country at large. The Times has
como " with great reluctance to the conclu-
sion q that the French Emperor has deter
mined to open our ports for the export Of cot
ton before the first Of April.p Having but
little doubt that the recognition Of the South
ern Confederacy by France within the next
two months, will be followed, or accompanied
by the breaking of the blockade" the Times
Is nevertheless even more confident u that the
people will resent SO great an outrage upon
ourindependencc and honor" and trusts g that
make that resistance efiectual"
SATURDAY, Feb. 2l.-From the Army of the
Potomac we learn that sickness among the
troops 4" is fearfully on the increase" and that
notwithstanding the efforts of the surgeons,
it was doubted whether much abatement of
the prevalent diseases would be apparent until
the frequent and unuBual changes Of weather
ceased.
1t is reported as having been definitely as
contained that the Confederate forces have been
moving recently on Culpepper so rapidly and
IN such numbers as to lead to the belief that
they are attempting to establish themselves
permanently somewhere near Brentsville, with
the intention ofsendng out parties from thence
to annoy the Federal transports on tho Poto-
mac. Another theory is thata new raid into
Maryland and Pennsylvania is contemplated
AT the same time there comes to us from
Cumberland, OiG Wheeling, a report that a
body of Confcderates had made an attack up
on Romney, and had captured the town, driv-
ing out the Federal troops that were stationed
there. Another report had it, that a Federal
toraging party, numbering one hundred and
fifty men, with nine wagons, having gone out
from Romney, were attacked by the Confede-
rates, and were all captured. Similar rumors
having apparently some' basis of truth, have
been current in this city for the pastfew days.
The Washington Star notes, as story de-
rived from Southern sources and teegraphed
to the Northern papers, that General Banks
has been badly repulsed before Port Hudson.
The Star discredits the story on the ground
that the Government has received no informa-
tion of the fact
MONDAY Feb. 23.-The latest dates from
Charleston received by way of Richmond, are
to Wednesday last, the 18th inst, up to which
time no attack had been made on that city by
the Federal forces General Beauregard had
issued an order calling upon the planters Of
South Carolina to furnish with all possible
despatch three thousand able-bodied laborers.
armed with spades and shovels The Charles
ton Mercury speaks of the Notifications of
that city and the determination of the Com
manding General and people to defend it to
the last extremity.
TUESDAY, Feb. 24.-According to a Mem
phis despatch, which is telegraphed TO us from
Chicago, we learn that the third attack on
Vicksburg commenced on the 18th inst. On
that day the mortar boats were towed into
position aud opened briskly upon the Coufe-
derate works; but with what effect was not
known. Although the enemy responded from
th.ee batteries only, his fire must have been
accurate and CALLING, as il was soon discovered
that the position Of the mortar boats a" was
too much exposed, aud change became nc
ces4afg. When this was accomplshe&x the
bomBsrdment vas resumed. The land forces
whose situation since the extraordinary rise
10 the Mississippi has-if we may believe the
statements Of newspaper Correspondence
come exceedingly critical, do not appear TO
have taken any part in the operations. Ii is
impossible to say what object is sought TO be
attained BY bringing on a bombardment Al
this time, unless 1t be 70 cover some move
ment OF the troops which may be necessary
in consequence of their position on the penin- |
sula opposite the city having become untena-
bic from the danger Of overflow. II Il nro
per, nevertheless, TO say that tho Nortbern
journals have INDUCED recently in mysterious
limitations Of some grand concerted moye- |
ment which was soon to take place, and which |
is TO result in forcing the Confoderates 10 aban-
don their almost impregnable position with |
out making even respectable show of resist. |
ance. Whether this piece of splendid strate- |
gy Is now in tho act Of being executed. or
whether .he present demonstration is TO be
made by the navy alone to mask some ulterior
purpose, We shall not learn until further intel
ligence is received
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 25.-According to a telo-
gram published in the Richmond Examiner oil
the 2lst, the triumphs of the famous guuboat
Queen Of the West, have been suddenly brought
a wa ID.