Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1863-04-29
Gkt StaHba-rs.
RALEIGH: FRIDAY. APRIL "a, 1863.
The Situation-The News.

The Situation-The News.
At Fredericksburg the situation is unchanged,
and Hooker, instead Of "changing his base" or
preparing again to advance is quietly awaiting, it
seems, the time now rapidly approaching, which
will relieve him of at least one third of his army.
The teri, of enlistment of large number Of his
men will determine about the middle of May, and it
is certain but few of these will remain any longer
in service. The object of Lncoln's late visit to
Hookers camp, was to secure if possible the re-en
stment of those whose time Of bondage is about to
expire In this he totally failed, though during his
yst unbounded license was suffered to prevail and
risEey was supplied ad li6itum. 1t is true the
sere-s we're consumed with genuine Yankee ra-
|pacty, but his speeches, prufuse of promises "to
squelch the rebellion" in the ninety days proven
|bially assigned for that purpose, were received
with apathetie Indifference, for they knew full well
THAT previous predictions of analogous purporthad
successively heralded bloody and disastrous defeats
|Ths President returned to Washington, it is said,
adder if not wiser a man.
From Suffolk.
Advices from Suffolk up to Sunday at twelve
o'clock state that general engagement was mo-
|mentarily expected. Skirmishiug was going on
between the two armies and had been for several
days, with pretty considerable loss. The Yankees
had taken to the rear number of their killed and
wounded, and the fire had grown quite sharp be-
tween the opposing forces. On Sunday there was
an incessant cannonading which continued up to
- o'clock at night, and the opinion prevailed that
the skirmishing, whieh was gradually increasing,
would bring on general action the next day.
portion of our forces are said to have certainly
|crossed the Nansemond river. The object of this is
h euncoR hsr<esny's eommunication.z During
some days last week the enemy's communication
was cut off with Newport News, but whether the
Yankees have forced a passage, is not known. 1t
now certain, however, that in attempting to come
up the river one of their gunboats (he Louisiana)
was sunk and two others seriously disabled. The
fire Of our artillery had been SO effective, that the
whole Aotilla had been driven back.
The Yankees are said to be receiving heavy rein
Iforcements. There was the greatest alarm of the
capture of Suffolk and the advance Of our army and
trains of powder and combustiLles have been laid
under all the bridges leading from Suffolk, SO that
they may be destroyed in an instant, if the necessi-
ty should arise. The greatest fears felt for
the fate of Suffolk.
Major General Dix had arrived at Suffolk, and it
was reported he would assume command there.
From Port Royal.
The Savannah Ne,os states that there were on
Thursday at Port Royal steam frigates, gun
boats, iron, ,cads, ships, barks, brigs, ocean
steamers 6river steamers, tugs and S6 schooners.
On Friday morning four additional iron-clads and
IA schooners arrived, making total of 1ls (incu-
ding iron-clads) now at Port Royal
All quiet at Charleston.
From the West.
There is no prospect of an early engagement in
Tennessee and have heard of no material changes
in the relative positions of the armies of Bragg and
Of Rosencrans.
Cumberland river near Nashville, captured a wagon
train and killed and captured forty Yankees on the
18th inst
Scouts from the Tennessee river report the land
ing of twenty y-four transports at Eastport eight
miles from Iuka, with twenty thousand Federals,
chiefly cavalry.
The Progress has the following dispatch, con-
irming the capture Of the "Queen Of the West"
Pour HUDSON, April 21-New Orleans dates of
the 10Th confirm the report of the destruction of
the Queen of the West and Diana The former got
aground in Grand Lake. As the Yankee feet ap-
preached fierce boaabardment ensued
shell from the Calhoun exploded on the Queens
J deck, igriting quantity oe powder which commu.
ncated with her magazine and caused an explosion
The. Diana is reported to have been burnt by the
rebels. .One hundred and thirty-six prisoners in
Guiding seven commissioned officers, three surgeons
and eight of the crew Of the Queen of the Vest ar
rived at New Orleans on the 18th. Among them
is Capt. Turner, commanding the fleet, who was
Slightly wounded in the ankle. He is now at St.
James hospital prisoner. Forty,6ve of the crew
are reported missing, and supposed to be drowned
or killed. A dispatch from Berwick's Bay on the
10th reports the Federals beyond Franklin. Their
forces are landing and marching on.
From Eastern North. Carolina.
Wehave no intelligence of interest from the East.
We are looking with interest to that quarter
A skirmish occurred at Core Creek on the goth.
in which we had three men killed and some taken
Prisoners.
Confederate Congress.
RICHMOND, April 2l.-in the Senate to day q res
'lution was adopted fixing the first of May as the
time for the adjournment Of Congress. The House
'nendment to the bill authorizing newspapers to be
Snt to soldiers free Of postage, was concurred in.
use bill for the assessment and collection of taxes
'samended and passed.
'ne House passed Senate bill abolishing supernu.
6s"y offices in the quartermaster and commissary
uepaItmsnts.
From the United States.
NAs lone of the Northern press indicates final