The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1864-04-01
WAR NEWS.

The Confederate raid into Kentucky seems TO
be assuming an aspect of importance. 1t is now
stated that Gen, Forrest, with force Of five
thousand men, made an attack upon Paducah,
on the 25th instant, and succeeded in capturing
it, and destroying portion Of the city by fire.
The Union troops, eight hundred strong, under
Colonel Hicks who occupied the fort below the
city, made desperate resistance, but without
avail. Com. Pennock, on hearing that General
Forrest had occupied The city, sent up two gun
boats, and demanded its surrender. Forrest re-
fused, and Immediately Com. Pennock opened
Gre on the city, completely destroying it, and
driving out the enemy after their temporary con-
guest. The inhabitants who had left on the APP
proach OF the Confedorates, soon returned, and
the work OF reconstructing the burned buildings
was at once commenced. The Union loss is said
10 be twelve killed and forty wounded. From
one hundred and frly TO three hundred Contcd-
crates are reported killed, among them Gen.
Thompson. Twenty-Five houses around the fort
were destroyed by the Union troops, as they
were used by the Confederate shnrpshootcrS as a
screen. The headquarters and government store
houses, however, were burned BY the enemy. A
despatch from Columbus ~, dated SUNDAY,
says Forrest and Faulkner are between that place
and Mayfe!d. They were marching towards
Clinton at last accounts.
Paducah is situated on the Ohio, just below
the mouth OF the Tennessee river, and three hun
dred and forty miles from Louisville. 1t has
fine range Of warehouses on the river four or
FIVE churches, several public buildings, ard is
quite thriving and important commercial town.
1t was the scene of General Grants first exploit
in Kentucky, having been occupied by him just
after the Conederates invaded that State SION
after the commencement of military operations in
the west.
1t Is stated in despatch from Chattanooga,
Tenn that the Coniedrrates are in strong force
in froGt of Dalton, with three thousand cavalry
this side. General Polk is said to be reinforcing
General Johnston, and Longstreets cavalry, uu-
der General Martin, are at Marietta, Ga.
General Philip Sheridan, for a long time in
command Of Il division of nfIntry in the army OF
the Cumberland, has, it is said been appointed
TO the command of the cavalry corps of the army
Of the Potomac, to succeed Gen. Pleasanon.
Further advices from paducah, Kentucky
state that the late raid on that town resulted in
the destruction ofthe railroad depot the quarter
masters buildings, the hospital, gas works, the
steamer Dacotah and nearly fifty houses, incu-
ding several private residences. Many stores
were plundered and large number of horses sto-
len.
Among the rumors mentioned in the northern
press is one that General Grant has expressed a
desire that General Fremont should be assigned
TO active service the former to take charge of the
defenses at Washington when the army of the
Potomac moves. General Fremont's arrival in
Washington is expected within few days.
The United States steamer Shawsheen arrived
at the Washington navy-yard on Monday even
ing, bringing up schooner, sloop, thirteen
boats, lot of oyster touga, silt, wheat oats, to-
bacco, plows and plow castings. These boats
and goods were captured by the steamer Morse
Captain Babcock, and Crusader, in York river,
Va Small boats to the number of over thirty,
with oyster toags, were seized by the Crusader,
In Ware river, but during the recent storm all Of
them save fourteen drifted away.
A letter received in Washington from prison.
er in Jail at Columbia, S. c., states that Acting
Ensigns Williams and Porter, Of the navy, vino
were captured in the attempt to storm Fort Sum
ter, have been released from irons, and restored
TO the usual liberty of prisoners.