The Shasta courier., 1864-03-05
SHASTA COURIER.
WAR NEWS.

to dispossess US Of our position at Newbern,
with the assistance of iron-clads which are
nearly ready to move simultaneously down
the Neuse, Tar and Roanoke. General Peck
is taking measures to impede the progress of
these iron .clads, which purpose moving con-
Jointly with the land forces on three of the
most important points on these rivers-New-
bern, Plymouth and Washington. 1t appears
to be the impression, both inside and outside
of our lines, that Virginia is to be evacuated
and the battle-ground to be transferred 10
North Carolina Hence the desire OF the en-
emy to make desperate effort to obtain pos
session of this productive portion OF the State
and its extensive water communication, pe-
fore Federal reinforcements arrive.
Intelligence has just been received thatthe
enemy hung fifty one soldiers captured IN the
recent movements against Newbern, all of
whom belonged to the Second North Csroll-
ma Volunteers. The report creates consider
able excitement, and if confirmed must re
suit in the hanging of the same number of
rebels by General Butler.
Washington, February 26th.-The Com
mittee of Conference on the Lieutenant Gen
eral Bill, agreed to the Senate amendment
striking out the clause recommending Gen.
eral Grant The report was accepted and
the bill rassed the House, and was signed
Ly the President, who immediately issued a
commission to General Grant.
New York. February 26th.-The Times
says: The Fulton, from Port Royal on We'd
nesday last, Oath, arrived here at a late hour
last night bringing information of a sad re-
verse to our Florida expedition. We are un-
able to give the details, because after the
Fulton put out into the bay she was boarded
by the Provost Marshal with orders from
General Gilmore to deprive passengers of all
private letters in their possession. To pas
sengers by the Fulton we are indebted fo1
the following main facts: The battle oc,
curred on the afternoon of the Goth. Our
troops, under Seymour, met the enemy, ff
teen thousand strong, fifteen miles beyond
Jacksonville and eight miles beyond Sander
son on the line of the Jacksonville and Tai
lahassee Railroad. The battle was desper-
ately fought for three hours. At sunset our
forces, overpowered by numbers, retired to
Sanderson, taking with them the greater part
If their wounded. Colonel Firby. Eighth
United States Infantry, was left dead on the
field Colonel Reed. Hungarian officer,
was mortally wounded. All the officers Of
Hamilton's battery we're wounded.
The Cosmopolitan arrived at Beaufort on
Monday evening, 22d, with two hundred and
forty wounded Colonel Reed was amcng
them. and was living when the Fulton left
on Wednesday. The enemy's loss is not
knowr, They captured five guns. 1t is sup
posed that the troops were from Bragg's
army. Hardee himself was on the field, hav-
ing 5me to Florida on a visit to his family
and also to perform a contract of marriage.
Our loss is varlously estimated at from SOC
to 300.
New York, February 27th.-The United
States corvette Housatonic was sunk in
Charleston harbor, February 18th. rebel
torpedo struck ber starboard quarter, and in
a short time she sunk off Beach Inlet
HuEtsville {Alabama), February 25th.-
The most distressing stories are brought in
bydeserters as to the condition of Longstreet'
forces. They are reported to be nearly ma.
ked and frightfully worn down by the expos
ures of the Winter campaign. Men naked
10 indecency, and barefoot, compose his rank
and file.
Cincinnati, February 26th-A Nashville
telegram. dated yesterday, says: Scouts who
have arrived at Grants headquarters, say
Sherman struck the Mobile and Ohio road
and cut Polk army in the middle. Sherman
subsists on the country, which abounds in
stores. Great excitement is reported at Mont.
Somery. Aiabama The scouts also report
that a heavy attack is progressing on the
forts at Mobile.
Cincinnati, February 26th.-A general of
Seer who arrived here yesterday states that
the object of General Shermar's expedition
is not an attack on Mobile, but the capture
of Selma, which is the most important man.
ufacturing point for cannon and small arms
in the Confederacy. He designs, also to des-
troy all railroad communication with Mobile
and with nayigable waters. By WHICH supplies
or reintQreements can be forwarded to that
city. After the capture of Selma Sherman
movements are discretionary and as he can
not procure forage SUFFICIENT to maintain him.
self while hesieging Mobile, it is scarcely
probable thar he will make any real demon
stration against that city.
Cairo, February 26th.--The Memphis Bull
letin says: A Nicksburg letter mentions high
military authority as the source of the knowl
edge that Sherman is in full possession OF
possession of the place was gained after a
severe fight. 1t is understood that the next
place to be attacked is Montgomery, which
is about ffty mies east of Selma.
Philadelphia, February 26th.-A special
dispatch to the Bulletin, dated Chattanooga
Wednesday, 9th. says: The movement
against Tunnel Hill commenced on Monday
22d. strong column ofinfantry, preceded
by cavalry, moved out from Chattanooga nea,
the old battlefield of Chickamauga and took
the direct road for Tunnel Hill and Dalton.
a party of rebel cavalry were driven il con
fusion across the Chickamauga. and throu gb
Ringgold Gap and Taylor's Ridge, by the
advance under Colonel Harrison, who rested
that night at Ringgold. The next morning
the cavalry in advance had several lively skir-
mishes with the First Tennessee rebel regi
ment, who were, however, continually pushed
back until four P. NJ, when cur forces arri-
we'd in sight of Tunnel Hill. Here good
deal of fighting was done. but with little loss
20 either side. Colonel Harrison, finding the
enemy outnumbered him. fell back to the iu-
fantry support and again pressed forward and
drove the enemy out OF the town of Tunnel
Hill. The rebels had an entire brigade Of
cavalry, under Wheeler, with four pieces Of
artillery, and, opening with these, checked
our further progress. As soon as our artil
lery arrived its FIRE was directed principally
at Jones' rebel cavalry, who had advanced
upon Colonel Ear.. ~on's right. At dark oul
forces retired about four miles, to await sup
plies. In the meantipe, Stanley command
advanced from the vicinity ofCleveland, pre-
ceded by cavalry under Colonel Long, of th,
Fourth Ohio Cavalry. The latter is said Il
have penetrated to within three miles Of Dal
ton to-day.
Buzzards' Roost (Ga.). February 25th-
$50 P. M.-General Craft is in tie valley be
II Il L Il