Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1863-02-27

the former, We learn nothing more than that
the Coifederates were, at the last adgices an
tlclpaung an early attack, and were prepared
| to make desperate defence. II we may be-
/ leye the statements Of the correspondents of
the New York Times and the World, the sani-
tary condition of Gen. Grants army is very
far from being good Both Of these writer's
concur in declaring that the number Of deaths
IS not less than one hundred per day; that the
hospital accommodations are Of the most
wretched description; that the medical stores
are deficient; whilst the surgeons are charged
with being entirely Indifferent to the wants
and suiferings of their patients. If it be true
that the weekly average Of deaths in the army
of the Mississippi is seven hundred the amount
Of sickness among the troops must be terrible
in the extremes Under such circumstances,
the resumption of active operations on the
part Of General Grant, appears to be quite as
much matter Of necessity as of good policys
Notwithstanding the doubts expressed in
some Of the journals, and the denials of others,
! ii is now certain that the Confederates have
| re-entered the Blue Grass region of Kentucky
in some force. The Louisville Journal reports
that seven hundred Confederate cavalry were
| in 'Nieholasville on Monday last, and, it was
supposed, would Immediately proceed to de-
stroy the Louisville and Lexington Railroad,
near,Midway. The Democrat also learns that
on Sunday last, from twelve to fifteen hundred
Confederates occupied Richmond and it was
generally believed that they were the advance
OF force Of ten thousand men under Long
street. The Democrat discredts the report ;
but the Journal expresses the belief that this
last invasion is a formidable one.
The advance Of a portion of the command
Of Gen, kosecran5 from Murfreesboro' as tele-
graphed to the Richmond papers. seems to in-
dictate the probability Of another engagement
between the Federal and Confederate forces in
that region at ar early day. Cannonading
was said to have been beard on Wednesday
! last, in direction southeast Of Alurfrecsboro'
/ which would be on the line Of advance upon
| Mcllinnsville, where the Confederates were
reported to be stationed in some force If, al
| so, it be the ultimate intention of Rosecrans
/ to attempt the capture Of Chattanooga, he
would, Of necessity, be obliged first Of all to
! drive the ConiederatCs from McAiinnsyile as
otherwise in his advance upon the stronger
position Of Tullahoma they could very readily
reach his rear and cut of his Communication
with Murfreesboro', at which placeall bis sup
plies have been concentrated.
THURSDAY, Feb. 2G.-The capture of the
Queen of the West is officially reported in the
Southern papers. As previously published,
der TO battery up Red river. How thissud-
den and most unexpected transfer Of owner
ship was brought about may be briefly stated.
On the 10th instant, the Queen Of the West,
accompanied b. the transport De Soto left
the foot Of the canal, opposite Vicksburg, on
an expedition up Red river On her way up
the river she captured the Confederate trans
port Era No. 5. Guided by tie filot Of the
latter vessel, who was forced to take the wheel
the Queen Of the West was brought directly
within range Of Confederate battery After
brisk cannonading, during which she was
disabled by a shot which broke her steam pipe,
her colors were hauled down, aud she driftcd
to the opposite shore. All of her crew, with
the exception Of eighteen officers and men,
took 70 their boats, and, getting on board the
De Soto, effected their escape. If subsequent
reports are to be credited, the DE Soto being
closely pursued, was burned to prevent her
from falling into the hands Of the ConfeGe-
rates. The Confederate steamer Era was also
re-captured. What became Of those who were
on board the De Soto is not stated The Quen
of the West was u wooden tug, strongly built
for special service us a ram was partially
iron-plated, and was reputed to be one of the
best Of her class. The Confederates report that
she was but slightly injured in her brief en-
gagement with the battery, and would soon be
IN lighting trim again unless re-taken by the
! Federal gun6oat lndianola, which has been
sent up the Red river for that purpose.
| The steamer Jura, the last arrival from Eu-
rope reports that the steamer Sumpter has
succeeded in escaping from Gibraltar The
| Tuscarora, which had been watching for her
off that port so long, having missed her prey,
had sailed for Madeira. 1t is also announced
that another Confederate steamer, styled the
296, was about to leave the Mcrsey for an APP
pointed rendezvous.