The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-04-05
WAR ITEMS.

March 28th, follows:
Fourteen of our men, belonging to Col. Whit.
ford's command, yesterday captured, within 81
miles of the breastworks protecting Fort Ander-
son, near Newbern, where the yankees are block
aiding the Neuse River, large Flat Boat loaded
with 1000 hand-spikes and pile driver. They
threw them all overheard and burnt the boat. Pro-
ceeding further towards Fort Anderson, they came
in contact with about 200 yankees going to the
boats relief and drove them into their rife pits
near the Fort, with no loss on our side"
"a Richmond correspondent of the Char
lesion Mercury writes as follows
In addition to the knowledge of Burnsides
landing in North Carolina, the Government was
made acquainted, several days ago, with the fact
that great number of launches have lately been
built at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. 1t is
thought here that large storming party is to be
landed at Charleston; others say Wilmington is
aimed at. Hence Burnside's appearance at Wash
ingtor. It is more likely that Burnside's main
object ia, not to cut railroad communications i'm
mediately, but to detain our troops in North Car.
dlina while Grant is massng his forces in front of
Lee.
MoRE CONFEDERATE CAPTUREs--T Too Yankee
.Schooners seized.-We learn from the Petersburg
Express of bold and successful adventure, on the
part of twelve members of the 18th Virginia Cav
airy, which resulted in the destruction of two vau-
able Yankee schooners, and the capture of large
amount of vauables. The parties proceeded down
one Of the rivers emptying into Albemarle Sound
one night during the past week, and at an oppor-
tune hour, boarded the schooners and disarmed
the crews. Both vessels loaded with coal,
cotton and salt, and all the contents were saved
and sold, after which the vessels were burnt. The
cargo of vessel realized S23, 900 in Confeder-
ate currency. but were unable to ascertain how
much was obtained for the other.
1t IS stated that there are some golden opportu-
mites offered in the Sound to annoy the eneny's
commerce, and we hope to hear of them being fire.
aquently seized. Yankee vessels have no right to
be pIowling about Virginia and North Carolina
waters, buying cotton and other valuables.
ORANGE G. H., Va, March 3O-Parties out
from the Yankee lines report the enemy scouting
actively in the direction of fredericksburg Grant
will advance as the old troops return from
fnrloughs and troops be brought from the
West, which will be about the 18th of April.
There are greet many assertions from the Yam
kee army in the of the Yankee lines
COOP News FROM THE SoUTH-A gentleman
arrived at Mobile from Vaudeville, bringing some
cheering news of army affairs in Louisiana
A battle had taken place at Franklin St Mary's
Parish, in which the enemy we're badly whipped.
Our forces were led by Gen Dick Taylor; those of
the enemy by Gen Franklin. What the extent
of the loss was is not known, but it is reported
that hundreds-one report says thousands-of the
enemy's wounded were arriving at New Orleans.
The gentleman who brought this news read the
Picayune, of the 18th ult, in which the loss of a
battle OF franklin was acknowledged, although no
details of it were given
Our readers recollect that we had rumors few
days ago Of battle in the Teche country in which
it was reported that Gen Taylor had beaten the
enemy very severely. This may be confirmation
of that rumor.
Passengers by the Mississippi train report that
Gen Polk has received dispatches from the Trans
Mississippi department, stating that General Dick
Taylor had met the enemy in the Red River coun-
try, and achieved decided victory; capturing one
thousand prisoners This report may be taken as
reliable
DALTON, Ga, March 3O-Our latest advices
from the front represent the enemy inactive No
;reinfereements arriving.
The weather still remains cold and the ndca-
lions that we shall have some rough weather,
which will intercept military operations. Probably
the campaign will not commence before the mid
die of April,
MOBILE, March 26-To Gen s Cooper: News
from New Orleans to the 18th instant has been
.ceived. The Yankees have met with a severe re-
verse near New Iberia-two regiments reported
captured. All the gunboats except eight have
left for Red river. 1t is reported that Fort De
Russy was taken by assault on the 14th instant,
bat the report is not credited. On the 18th inst.
Col Holland, with the 3lst Mississippi regiment,
attacked the enemy on Choctaw Hatchie bay. An
entire boats crew of about twenty-five were killed
or drowned. No less on our side. Col Holland
captured over five hundred head of cattle and
some twenty horses. d. FL. MAURY,
Maj General.
aG- 1t is stated that the yankee fleet took posses
sion of Alexandria, La without opposition.
WHAT THE "MIL1TIA" CAN Do.-The Selma
Gala Citizen states that about ten day since
party of State militia, numbering about seventy
men, under the command of Capt. Smith and Col.
Samuel g. Henry, of the 9th Alabama Volunteers,
crossed the Tennessee at Claysvle, Marshall coun-
ty, and attacked party of one hundred Yankee
cavalry, defeating them and killing five, captur--
ing fftynine, with their horses, arms, and accout-
renents. The party returned, with the loss of two
men, bringing their prisoners, and armed
with the Spencer rife the trophies of their victory
PUTTING EN- THRoUGH.-We are glad to learn
that Gen Hoke is making himself felt among the
monographs round Kinston. He is indeed max
inc himself terror tn those semi.vankees wLo