Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-03-24
BY TELEGRAPH.

PoRT HUDSON, La, March 10Th, O'Clock, "A
M A ombardment commenced here at two o.
clock, p. NJ, yesterday, and continued up to g.,
2. M. The enemy fired slowly, but our batter
les did not reply. At IL clock, last night. a
most desperate engagement took place. The
cover of darkness. The firing was most terrific.
and lasted fully two hours. One gunboat sue
ceeded in passing in damaged condition. The
United States irigate Mississippi was set on fire
and burned to the waters edge in front OF our
batteries One large vessel was completely rid
lied, third badly crippled, and the rest were
driven back. At O'Clock the enemy withdrew
Our victory is complete and glorious. So far
as known there are no casualties on our part
The boat that passed our batteries is doubtless
so disabled as to render her achievement fruit
less.
Thirty six men and one midshipman of the de-
stroyed frisate Mississippi We're brought in by
our cavalry this morning. Several of the pris-
oners are severely wounded.
MOBILE, March 16.-A special to the Appeal
dated Pamela Miss, says . gentleman direct from
Coldwat,r- states that two formidable gunboats,
the Chilacothe and the De Kalb, two rams with
cotton defenceS, three gunboats not deemed 1Or-
mdable, three batteries, three hundred cavalry
and ten Thousand men, comprise the Yankee
| force in the Yazoo. Some boats not loaded &C
| company the expedition, it is thought Tor The
wiz one days ratiuns OF meat, plenty of bread
and other supplies. They rely upon the resour.
Of the country for meat, which they are steal
Ing.
The Appeal says gentleman who witnessed
the fight at Fort PemDertVn.states that our troops
waded to their waists to get a chance at the enc
my. The Yansee fleet consists of SIX g.nboatS
and rams. with an infantry force of from five to
eight Thousand. The enemy's movements indi-
| Gated landing higher up the river. on the oppo
sit1 bank. Our officers wsrs preparing to frus-
trae the enemy at all points.
| MOBILE, March lS.-A special Gespa tch t. the
| tribune, dated Parota, Miss, 18th, says two
cav airy regiments occupied fernando last Sat
| urday night. Their further noyemt hts are un-
| known, though it is supposed they have retro
graded. requirements are reported coming
Town YaZoo Pass. and It IS further reported that
| there has been heavy arrival of reiniorcements
at ii emphis from above. The roads are drying
| OUT the rivers very difficult to cross. The
Tallahatchie river IS rising.
| special 10 the Appeal, dated Pamela, 18th,
says the trestle work at Waterford, on the Mis-
slss ppi Central Railroad, has been destroyed by
Yankees from Lagrange. Sew, raj partizan COM
panes are in pursuit ot the marauJers, with ev
| ery prospect of Overtakng them.
| CHARLESTON, March 1S.-The steamship Ca
| iypso arriv ed from Nassau this morning. She
was chased last night 10y the blockaders, vino
| tired repea, eddy. One shell burst over hei deck
hurting nobody.
| All quiet tonight. If no attack be mate to-
morrow, il is supposed that the enemy will wait
fourteen days longer. for the nex' spring tide
CHATTANOOGA, March 18.-N otling new from
| above Gen. Johnston lett here this morning
for the Army OF Tennessee. Eighteen prisoners
| and deserters We're brought in to-day from Tul.
| iahoma.
| CHATTANOOGA, March 19.-No movement of
Importance reported from the front.
| The enemy have fallen bac., from Murfreesbo-
70, out our forces have net advanced as yet
| The movement is thought TO be a feint of Rosen-
| crauZ.
gentleman from Kentucky says ten thousand
relnforcements by way of Louisvi lie. and five
regiments from GAINESVILLE have, been sent t.
Rosencranz.
Yankee column Of 49, 900 is reported eros
sing the Tennessee at Savannah, to march by
way of Huntsville.
ATLANTA, March ia special drspatch to
the Intelligencer, dated Chattanooga, March 10.
says the news of the evacuation of MarIreesboro
oy the enemy is positively confirmed. Our pick
cts are four miles the other side.
| 1t is reported that the enemy has changed his
base, taking Columbia as his left wing, extend
| ing towards the Tennessee river, and that Grants
army is coming up via North Alabama to eff
| feet a junction with Rosencranz.
| Van Dorm is still ON the N orth side of Duck
river.
A portion OF Cox's division from Western vir
ginia are advancing from Woodbury. and Car
thage, towards McMinnyile, upon Wheeler
cavalry.
Col. Cark's regiment. Of Nor! ans command
captured sixteen pickets aud the guard in front
of Lexington, Kentucky, and brought out large
supplies OF stores.
Official Dispatches.