Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-12-30

belts cavalry expedition to Gordons-
vile. A sharp fight occurred at Liberty
Mills. The rebels were driven on COM
Ing within two miles of Gord0nsville.
That place was found to be strongly de-
Tended, and reinfOrcements arrived from
Richmond while our forces were recon-
noitering. Torbett concluded it could
not be taken with his force, and he re-
turned. On the march it was reported
that Mosby had been MORALLY wounded
by one of our scouts. ~. L
The result of the expedition shows
that all the counties in East Virginia
northeast of the Virginia Central rail.
road are in our possession. eAk -
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2S.-Official in
formation has been received at the War
Department that our naval and military
forces operating against Wilmington,
N. c., have been Withdrawn and are
now near Fortress Monroe.
New YORK, Dec. 2s.-The Whining
ton fleet story is bogus. s,.t
WASHINGTON, Dec. 28.-It seems to
be mistake as reported this morning
that the naval and military fleet has re-
turned from North Carolina to Fl. Mon
roe. The Navy Department has no such
information, but that one vessel only re-
turned to the latter place, bringing dis
patches from Admiral Porter The mes
senger has not yet arrived at Washing
ton. 1t is ascertained from an anthem
tic source, however, under date of Fort
ship was exploded within 800 yards of
Fort Fisher, about 2 O'Clock, q. M, on
the oath. Later in the day Admiral
Porter attacked the Fort and adjacent
defences, and renewed the lombard
ment on Christmas day. On each occa-
sion we drove the rebels from their guns
under the shelter of the bomb-prOofs,
so as to effectually silence their fire. In
very few minutes after the frigates
and heavy ships got into position, a
detachment Of troops landed. On Sun
day afternoon the skirmishers pushed
up gallantly to the Fort under cover of
our fire. Some of the more daring
actually entered the works and brought
off the flag. The bombardment of the
fleet continued on Monday. The Sem
tiago and DeKalb captured company
of North Carolina soldiers in the outer
works, and brought them off.
New York, Dec. 2S.-Gold is steady
with no special demand from specula-
tors, and for export. The price opened
at $2,16a, and advanced to $2,171, and
again fell to So, f64. On account of the
rumor of repulse before Wilmington,
the price rose to 1921, but receded again
to S., l9a.
The Cuba took out 1854, 900 in specie
to-day. f-...
BALTIMORE, Dec. 2e.-No news has
been received from Fort Monroe this
forenoon.
New YORK, Dec. 28.-The large piano
factory owned by the united piano ma
kers in Brooklyn, at the corner of South
Third and First streets, was destroyed
by fire last night. Loss over $50, 600.
The Worlds Washington special says
that Sherman considers Branchville, S.
c., of much more importance than
Charleston, as it is great railroad CEN
ire, and once there, could open ready
communication with Beaufort, when
Charleston would fall from its own
weakness.
ST. LOUIS, Dec. 2S.-!The ice gorges
above the city broke away on Monday,
and the river is now believed to be clear
from the mouth of the Illinois river to
Cairo. Several steamers were badly
damaged by the ice. A number of
barges and fiat boats were carried away
The steamer Highlander, from Pitts
burg, with cargo of pig iron, was sunk
at the Island. 1t is feared it will he a
total loss. The boat was valued at forty
thousand dollars. The famous ram
Monarch was sunk twenty miles below
here. The total damage by the moving
of the ice is not yet known.
The Missouri, Illinois and upper Mis-
sissippi rivers are reported rising, and
navigation, doubtless, will soon be re-
opened.
PORTLAND, Dec. 2S.-The steamship
Peruvian, from Liverpool the 18th, Lon
donderry the 10th, and Cape Race the
evening of the oath, arrived this even
ing.
Abiding to the Florida disaster, the
London Times says: I" Assuming it to
have been by design, we are not disposed
to waste much indignation on the sub
iect, as the method of procuring and
equipping the Florida was such viola
ton of neutrality as to deprive the suf-
ferers of sympathy. Brazil is really the
outraged party"
The same paper predicts that Mr.. Sc
ward will make ample apology.
A blockade running crew has been on
trial in the Court of Exchequer, in which
the Judge pointed out that all parties in
the matter are foreigners, and denounced
such violation of the rights of asylum.
A large open air meeting of the opera
tors of Manchester adopted resolutions
strongly opposed to the recognition of
the slave-holding Confederacy.
Parliament meets on the 1sC of Feb
ruary. ,...
The breach between the Papal govern
no se.fn i.,r
ming.
The Times of the 10Th, says the reduc-
ton in the rate of Exchange, per cent,
is step entirely in harmony with the
market, and will he especially welcome,
from its being calculated to lesson NOR
bid dependency which has prevailed
in all branches of trade since the specu-
lation mania was corrected by the salu-
tary advancing up to and 8 per cent.
The demand for discount yesterday was
of the average character, under the full
expectation that the bank rate would
be advanced.
MONMOUTH, ILL, Dec. 27.--The Hi
nois State Teachers Association began
tits session here to-day. The number of
delegates in attendance is quite large,
and others arrive on every train.
In the absence of the President, Prof
Edwards, of Bloomington, the associa-
ton was called to order by the Vice
President, Mr.. Rowland, Principal Of
the Chicago High School.
After prayer by Rev. DIR. Young, of
Monmouth College, the Inequalities of
the town were rendered the Association
by Rev. Mr.. Mathews, of Monmouth.
The Association was welcomed to
Monmouth College by Rev. DR.. Young.
Mr.. Rowland responded very happily
on behalf of the Association.
The remainder of the morning ses-
sion was employed in the appointment
of committees.
In the afternoon session Mr.. Powers,
Conductor of the Normal Gymnastic In
stitute, of Chicago, gave q short exer-
else, which was received with decided