The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1863-02-12
THE NEWS.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7.

WASHINGTON, Feb I.
At Charleston, S. G. on the 3lst ult, the
rebel iron-cad gunboats Chicora and Pal
metto State attacked the blockading squad
ron, sunk Two vessels, set four On fire, and
drove the remainder of the fleet away. The
loss of men by the Federals is represented
az very severe, while the Confederates
had not a man hurt. General Beauregard
and Commodore Ingraham. on the lSt
issued a proclamation declaring the block,
ade of Charleston raised. At last advices
twenty blockaders were lowering off the
bar.
On the 2lst ult. the rebels captured two
Federal vessels off Sabine Pass, Texas OBJ
tanning with them l3 cannon, about 81, >
600, 900 worth of property, and over 100
prisoners. Gen. Magruder. as we have be-
fore mentioned, had proclaimed Galveston
open to commerce, but Commodore Bell
had issued 9 proclamation declaring that
port AMI the whole cost Of Texas unsdr &C
tual blockade.
The Committee on Federal Relations in
the Kentucky House of Representatives
have made reports denouncing the policy
Of the administration; asserting that Ken
lucky has right to refuse tc support a
war calculated TO overthrow the United
State, Constitution AMI the Institutions OF
the State; and appointing Commissioner
TO meet Commissioners from other States,
at Louisville, on the 18th prox. to confer
10 relation 10 the condition of the coun-
try.
A Richmond letter-wriler reports that
French bankers have proffered loan OF
100000 francs (Sl5,00O. OO0) to the
Southern Confederacy.
1t is believed that the rebels, seeing the
impossbility, during the present weather.
OF any movement BY the Army of the Pc.
tomac. have withdrawn a large number of
troops from the Rappahannock for service
elsewhere.
The reported attack on Island No. 10
was nothing but a scare, the rebel assail-
ants existing only in the Imagination Of
the officers of the gunboat New Era.
1t is stated from Washington that the
rebel reports in relation to the engagement
at Charleston are II uch exaggerated; that
the government viii not admit that there
has been any interruption of the blockade;
that the port was thoroughly blockaded on
the Sd inst; and that an attack on the city
was momentarily expacted. It's under
stood at Richmond that the blockade can
not legally be renewed until after sixty
days notice to neutral maritime govern
ment has been given
Four iron -clads--the Keokuk, Nantuck-
ct, Catskill, and Sangamon- have been
ordered to proceed southwark as soon as
possible. 1t is believed that they can be
got ready in four days. All the Ericsson
batteries are expected to be engaged in a
fight before two weeks shall have elaps-
ed.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10.
Gen. Fosters expedition has arrived at
Port Royal. and the Charlestonians expect
that an attack will soon he made upon that
city.
The ram Queen of the West. after run
ming by the batteries at Vicksburg, passed
down the river, inffcting considerable
damage during her progress. A portion
of the fleet wen. by the Yazoo on the LIST
on accommodating expedition.
The Montauk has been engaged for sew
eral days in attacking an iron-clad battery
on the Ogeechee River. Capt. Worden
expects SOON to effect its capture. The
steamer Nashville is protected by the for
tification, and will share its fate.
By the arrival of the steamship Europa,
with European dates to the 25th ult, We
have reports that the Emperor Napoleon
has made propositions 10 the United
States government with view of secur-
ing termination of the war.
The Kentucky House of Representatives,
Yesterday, passed the resolution appoint
ing Commissioners to meet Commissioners
from certain other States, at Louisville,
on the 10th Prox. to confer in relation to
the condition of the country.
1t is variously reported that Gen. Butler
is to be made Secretary of War; that he is
to be assigned to the position OF General
in Chief and that he is to command Tex
az expedition shortly to be fitted out.
The Reserve Grand Division Of the Ar
nv of the Potomac ha, been dissolved, and