Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1863-03-03

Late News BY Last Nights Mails

Queen OF the West was captnrcd b, the
rebels at Fort TAYLOR, near Gordon's
Landing, eighty miles up Red rlser,
litllc after dark on Saturday, the l4th
inst. She started on the expedition the
Tuesday night previous, with an arma-
ment of three l2pound brass howtzcrs,
one - and one 30-pound riiled farrotts.
The ferry-boat De Soto accompanied her,
aud carried 3O-pound Parrott The
crew consisted mainly OF negroes. The
artllclists were 20 inexperienced men,
detached from the 18TH Illinois Infantry,
under Capt. Connor and Lieut.. Tu,hlll.
The ram was commanded by Captain
Thompson, of Peoria. Col. Elet accom-
panied the expedition, and, AS ranking
officer, really commanded.
The boat passed the Warrenton bat
teries without a shot, and met with no
mocstaton above the mouth Of Red riy-
er. On Thursday morning, she ran down
the Atchaialaya a few miles. and captur-
ed and DESTROYED rebel Quartermaster
train of seventeen wagons. Returning,
she was fired at, on Thursday night. by
guerrilas, near Ccntgcyille. On Friday
forenoon, Col. Ellet landed, and burned
all the buildings for miles, in retaliation,
DESTROYING half a million dollars worth
oi property.
The Queen then proceeded up Red
river. ana met and captured the Era No.
5, with fourteen 50 dicrs, two officers, and
several citizens and a cargo Of corn.
TIE lam and the De Soto came within
range Of Fort / yIor at 800 yards dis
tance, abou. dark, and were immediately
fired on. The De soto fell back, while
the ram engaged the fort. The third
shot struck the ram, crashing through
her decks. Our men fired once at the
fort, and then deserted their guns. In
the emergency Col. EIict ordered the pl
lot TO back out. Attempting to do so,
he ran hard aground. The next shot
plugging through the deck, broke the
lever of the engine. A succeeding one
cut her steam pipe in two, completely
disabling her. Twenty six Of fifty-one
white men on board escaped i'll boats,
and on floats. The remainder were cap
tured.
The De Soto transported the survivors
TO the Era, lying beow. Fearing pursuit,
she was prepared for a speedy trip up
the Mississippi. The DE Soto was burn
ed. The Era met the gunboat Indiaaola
near Na;chez en- tn, sday morning, and,
while lying there, the rebel gnuboat VIII
came in sight, pursued her, but turned
back.
WASHINGTON News, 2Sth.--last night
Mcdowell gave an entertainment to his
staff, at his residence in this city. lie
goes on Monday to organize the court for
the investigation Of cotton frauds. Tho
place OF holding the court has been
changed from Cairo to ST. Lonls.
The President has occupied the Pres
dent's room at the Capitol to day, tc
facilitate public business.
The closing hours of Congress arc
marked with most important documents
on the foreign policy OF the government
as relates to the intervention question.
The Herald says "Rumors were rife
in Washington yesterday that Gen. Hun
ter is to be relieved from the command
of the Department of the South. Burn
sides name is spoken Of in connection
with the succession.
at is also said that certain parties ar
preparing charges against Mcclellan witt
view to a court martial.
The Times Washington CORE spond-
ent states that "Thcrc is little or no hop
of the pa sage of the NJ ssouri emanci
patton blll this session. NOEL. its abcs
friend is sick. II will be impossible t
pass the bill against the determined OF
position Of the democrats, who tn cate
to tiilibuster to prevent its passage.
DEs MONIES News, lst.-An abol
ton preacher in Mahaska county insulte
=. his congregation, last Sunday,by a'temp
nc to transform the pulpit into politi
cal rost um, from which to proclaim Ii
offensive political dogmas; but he recei
ed very decided in .itation to quit AL
retired from the church with large fl,
, IN his ear.
Capt. l.. D. Houston, company A, p
REGIMENT, who has been here for ds
or two reports that regiment in fine co
dition, numbering 725 effective men.
: Was at Pilot Knob, Mo-, when he left {
Saturday last, and is brigaded with Il
alst and 22d,-Col. w. NJ. Stone COZ
manding the brigade. The disisio
. 10000 strong, expects to move IN e
days from Pilot Knob for the Mssissip
d. River. striking at either ST. Genevieve
Cane Girardeau Its ultimate destinsti
:. xt,a Arkansas River.