The Big blue union. [volume] (Marysville, Kan.) 1862-1866, 1864-02-20
Condensed News.

A Especial dispatch 10 the N. Y. Tribune,
dated Washington, Feb. s, says From
your correspondent with General Buffers
command, we have just received the fol-
lowing highly important dispatch, dated
Fortress Monroe, February s, 1884,
The expedition having returned. we are
permitted to state the following facts: On
Saturday morning Gen. Buffers forces,
under command of Brigadier Gen. Wistar,
marched from Yorktown by the way of
New-Kent Court House. The cavalry ar
rived at p o'clock yesterday morning At
Bottoms Ridge, across the .Chicahominy,
ten miles from Richmond, for the purpose
of making . ssid into Richmond, and en-
deavorlug by surprise to libsrate our
prisoners there.
The cavalry reached there at the time
appointed, gnarching in 161 hours, AZ
miles A force Of infantry followed in
their rear, for the purpose of supporting
them. 1t was expected to surprise Che en-.
envy at Bottoms Ridge, who had had for
some time only small picket there The
surprise failed because, as the Richmond
Ecaminer says, "a Yankee deserter gave
information In Richmond of the intended
movement" Tho enemy had feled
large amount of timber so as to block up
and obstruc, the fords and make it impos-
sible for our cava:ry to pass. After re-
naming at the brid ge from l O'clock till
IL, Gen. Wistar Joined them with his in
fantry and the whole object of surprise hav-
ing been defeated, Gen. Wistar returned
to Williamsburg. On his march back to
New-Ken, Court House, his rear was at
tackled by the enemy, but they were re-
pulsed nsiEo :. ioss 70 Us. A march by OUT
infantry, three regiments Of whom were
colore5, Of more than so miles, w.s made
in Sc hours. Cur cavalry marched ever 100
milessin SO hours. This shows that it is
possible to make campaign in Virginia
IN winter.
KENT.
Morirstown, Tenn, Feb. 9.-Reports
from Knoxville represent the garrison suf-
fering from small pox, of which there are
700 cases, and scarcity of rations. The
Richmond Examiner says the authorities
kave taken measures to prevent an antici-
pated rise of the Yankee prisoners on
Belle Island. The Examiner urges riged
enlargement of the conseription act. The
forces at Richmond are commanded by
Gen. Essy. Gen. Hood is assigned to the
rebel army in Tennessee.
New York, February lin the rebel
House Of Representatives, January 30th,
an important debate occurred on the ques.
tion Of conscription.
Mr.. Smith, Of North Carolina. stated
that the strength Of the rebel army was
two hundred thousand smen, whom the
country was unable to feed.
Mr.. Chambers, Of Virginia, said they
could feed double that number; if moi, the
sooner they make peace with Lincoln the
better. Everybody expects next spring
will be the heaviest aud most decisive
campaign that will occur.
Mr.. Gooden, of Virginia, said his State
could not stand another draft, and this was
the opinion OF the enrolling officers re-
GENTLY Assem- bled at Richmond.
Washington, February 10.-A letter
received here to-day from an officer of
General Banks staff, at Brownsville, Tex
as, says the Mexicans are recognizing
their armies for offensive operations in the
spring. They are confident of their abil-
ity to drive the French out Of the country