Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-03-09
OLEARFIELD, Pa, MARCH g, l8e
THE WAR NEWS.

Army of the Potomac. On Sunday some
skirmshing took place on our right between
Gen Clusters cavalry and some rebels !;
which attracted the attention of the rebel
commander, whilst Gen. Fitzpatrick was
moving past their right towards Richmond.
Custer had but 800 men and section of ar
tillery On Monday he passed through
Madison Court House, crossed the Rapidan
and Riyanna, and went within three miles
of Charlottesville There the Rebels had
hastily gathered heavy force, and Custer
wheeled about Meantime, the Rebel cav
airy had gathered in his rear, to the number
of a whole brigade, and felt sure of captur.
ing his entire force, but by a series of bril-
liant movements, including some fine char
ges and sharp fighting, our men got safely
off, having burnt the long bridge over the
Rivanna, several mills and factories taken
90 prisoners. many valuable horses, eight
wagon loads of stores, six caissons, two for
ges, &c. The horses belonged TO the Rebel
army, and had been put out to board, so as
to be in good condition for the Spring cam
paign The expedition has returned to the
North side of the Rapidan, having accom-
plished the purpose intended. Not man
was killed only II were wounded and cap
tured Meanwhile Gen. Fitzpatrick crossed
the Rapidan at Elys Ford on Saturday
morning at 4 o'clock. He surprised and
captured the rebel pickets-a captain and
Is men-on the south side of the stream
and moved towards Spottsylvania Court
House, where he was On Monday at IL
clock. His force was 5000 strong and
was moving direct for Richmond. On his
way South Fitzpatrick destroyed the greater
portion of the Richmond and Fredericks-
burg and Virginia Central Railroads, thus
destroying Lees communications with Rich
mond. The Richmond papers, admit that
our troops penetrated to within three miles
of that city, and relate how narrowly Lee
escaped capture On Tuesday the 1st,
Fitzpatrick directed Col. Dahlgren with
500 men to make reconnaissance to the
James River, who attacked the rebels and
drove them in on Richmond The main
attack having failed Dahlgren attempted to
rejoin Fitzpatrick at Meadow bridges, but
did not make the junction. The greater
portion of Dahlgren's men, however, finally
reached Kilpatrick's main force, but Col
d. and about so men became separated from
his main body and have not been seen since.
Fitzpatrick reached Yorktown, having lost
about $50 men in thisraid towards the rebe
capital. LATER-Col. Dahlgren and his men
have arrived safely within our lines
The steamer. from New-Orleans, brings
news from Mobile. Our fleet opened a
tremendous fire on Fort Powell on the
morning of the 23d ult, and it was thought
that it could not holdout long. The Rebel
ram Tennessee now lies nnder the protection
of the guns of Fort Morgan. The women and
children were being removed from the city.
Admiral Farragut on board the Calhoun
was inside of Dauphin Island, and the flag
shin Hartford was at Ship Island, forty
miles west of Mobile An attack on oui
.bloekaairg feet was anticipated, provided
that the Rebel rams were iii good order anc
condition.
Or Tuesday March ist there was some
fighting at Deep Creek, ten miles from New
Berpe, but to what extent was not known
Next day the Norfolkians heard continuou:
and heavy artillery firing in that direction
but nothing definite had been received a
headquarters when the dispatch left. The
Rebels are getting troublesome along the
Albemarle Canal, and in the Dismal Swamp
The Rebel papers admit that at the bat
tie of Olustee, Florida, their force engaged
consisted of eleven regiments of infantry
four battalions of cavalry, aud three batter
les of artillery, while our own equal to two
thirds of it, Another account sets dowr
the Rebel loss at about 500 killed an(
wounded.
The Rebels are In a strait about whisky.
On the publication of the new Currency bill
whisky rose from $50 to S120 per gallon
Brown sugar was up to 81 80 per pound b.
the hogshead, and none offering at that.
Twenty six Rebel deserters from Tennes
see, who have been confined in the Ok
Capitol for the past two months, have jus
taken the oath of allegiance.
The movements of Gen. Sherman are still
shreuded in mystery nothing definite hay
ing been heard from him since he left Me
ridian.
Col Fry has published an official order sus
pending the draft, and saying that subse