The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1864-03-09
News.
Washington, March 4.

1t is assigned as a reason for the unexpec-
ted alert of the rebels in preparing to re-
pei Gen. Fitzpatrick that the destruction Of
the telegraph and track of the Virginia Gen.
iral Railroad was announced in Richmond by
Gen. Lee Immediately after the announcement
over the telegraph lines between Richmond,
L~yinchburg and Gordonsville. This seems
highly probable from the fact that. the expi-
dition passed through Lees pickets and be-
yend his rear without a skirmish, and was
at aome distance from Richmond BY q formi-
dable force of mounted infantry.
The Republican this evening says we arc
authorized TO announce that the Government
has received adispasch from Gen. Butler. an
Honncing that Fitzpatrick succeededin cutting
the railroad and telegraph Communication OF
Gen. Lee with RichInend, by tearing up the
rails on the Virginia Central Railroad at va
rious points, and destroying the canal and
mills on the James River. He burned much
other property belonging to the rebels, infic-
ting q severe blow on the rebellion.
He was met by the enemy outside the de.
fences at Richmond, but succeeded in forcing
him inside the outer works, where a spirited
engagement ensued, when darkness came on
and the conflict ended.
Gen Fitzpatrick finding the enemy and the
works too strong to allow him to reach the
city, and accomplished, the object of the. ex-
PS1i1AOh1 WALn4iOWJ u ICdCucQ Tile llHe6 Vi
Ged. Butler, with the loss Of about $50 men.
ST. LOUIS, March 6.
The statement made by the Washington
correspondent of the New York Commercial
that Sherman was at Vicksburg on the Oath
ult., and that he will soon start on another
expedition, is a.great mistake. .tsass Is
None of Sherman's forces had reached Jack
son on the 24th, and Vicksburgh advices of
the 9th make no mention of his arrival there,
or of any contemplated new movement. @
McPherson's corps which reached Jackson on
the 24th, will probably remain there for the
present, but another expedition will not likely
be made very soon. sa ~
Parties from Gen. Grants front, say that it
is not probable that any fighting will take
place there for some time yet. 2
WASHINGTON, March S.
HOUSE. a
The day is devoted to speech making.
Mr.. Baldwin of Mass spoke of the doc
trine of State Rights, as q nero instrument
to break down nationality and substitute plan
tation despotism.9
Mr.. Boyd of Mo-, made a speech in reply
to Mr.. Blair. He maintained that the Radi-
cal members were the only true representa-
tives here of Union sentiment of that State,
and that the President said to him, If the
throats of either Conservative Clay Banks, or
those of Radicals had to be cut, he would
spare the Radicals. tso.a
Mr.. Voorhee Of Indiana, said, the Ameri-
can Republic is dying, and summed up the
causes which are working Its downfall, for
under the present Administration justice was
no longer established, nor the blessings of
liberty secured to the citizen
New York, March Z.
The Tribune correspondent announces the
safe arrival at Fort ess Monroe Of Col. Dahl
gron and 100 Of his command.
The Richmond Whigof the I'd fdfy con-
firms the Union accounts of Kilpatrick's raid.
The World has a ruhior, via New Orleans,
that Sherman was defeated on the 18th ult. at
Chuply river, near Meridian, with a loss OF
Is 5000 men, and the army totally broken up.
Lee, Adams and Forests cavalry are reported
in his rear. The story is uh doubtedly a'can-
Yard.o A@S SslsaEG S+B Ae t