The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1865-01-20
WAR NEWS.

Jefferson Davis conan unicated TO the rebel House
of Representatives on Friday afternoon the fact
OF the arrest of Henry S. Foote at Occoqnan,
whilst endeavoring 10 pass North and as it in
volved question of privilege he submitted the
matter to the decision of the House. He accom-
panied his communication with letter from Mr..
Seldom, Secretary of War in which the latter
states that no instructions were given for the ar
rest Another communication from the provost
marshal at Fredericksburg says that Mr.. Foote
has been paroled TO await orders from the gov
ernment. When arrested Mr.. Foote stated that
he WAS on his way to Washington to negotiate a
peace. The whole subject was referred by the
House to special committee of FIVE.
The Richmond Examiner of Saturday states
that Mr.. Blair on his arrival announced to Jeff.
Davis that he had no credentials from President
Lincoln, but would he glad to NEE, him as an
old friend; that Davis granted an interview to
Mr.. Blair, and that Mr.. B. told Davis he could
have peace on the basis of gradual emancipation.
MIR. Davis said he was willing to receive three
commissioners to treat for peace, or to send three
to Mr.. Lincoln, provided he could have any guar
antee That they would he received.
The Richmond Dispatch of Saturday last an.
nounces that after an interview between Jeff.
Davis and Mr.. Blair, the former placed letter
in the hands Of the latter offering to send TO
Washington or receive in Richmond, commits
sioners to make an amicable settlement of our
present difficulties
new expedition against Wilmington. N. c.,
is reported by the Richmond papers of Saturday,
to have made its appearance off Fort Fisher, and
on the next day to have commenced the bonn
bardment of the fort. The land forces dispm-
barked during Friday afternoon, snd occupied A
belt of woods between three and four miles from
the fort and to the right Of the point Gen But
lers forces had previously landed A report
from Richmond is said to have reached City
Point on Sunday that Fort Fisher had been at
tackled BY both land and sea.
Washington paper of yesterday afternoon
states that parties from Sharpsburg and Hagers-
town, Maryland, say tlnt some uredsiness exists
in Western Maryland owing to reported move
ments OF rebel troops in the valley and the APP
pearance of rebel scouts along the river. some of
whom, it is said have crossed the river, and are
scouting in Pennsylvania.
Reports were brought to New York from North
Carolina that the enemy have nearly finished II
new ram on the Roanoke river, and that An at
tack from it and the rebel r m at Kingston,
above New bern, was expected as soon as the food
tides which the spring showers make would ena-
bic them 10 be brought out
From Clarksburg, West Virginia, we learn
that Rosser captured four hundred of the garr
son at Beverly, in his recent attack on that place
The affair is said to have been surprise, and a
court-martial is TO I've ordered for the pnrpose of
asceraining upon whose shoulders The blame Of
the disaster ought TO rest.
Information has been received by the NAVY
Dela, 'nlent Of the captures off Galveston Tex
rs, on rcemher l9ih of the schooner Cover
with us bales OF cotton, and on the 9th OF De.
cemher, from under the batteries of Galveston of
the British schooner Belle, with cargo of s5
bales Of cotton
Major Gen. Butler and staff arrived in wash
lag yesterday morning and took lodgings II,
Willnrd's Hotel. He will shortly 60 before The
committee OIL the conduct of the war. who are
now investigating the causes Of the failure of the
recent attack upon Wilmington. General Welt
2tl is also in the city, and will testify before the
same committee.
Aoth'ng later concerning the arrest of Mr.
Henry s. Footr on lis way North is contained
III the Southern papers Of Saturday They re-
train from making any comments on the arrest
until the facts are better known, hut admit that
it WAS made without instructions nom tie au-
thories at Richmond
The capture of Fort Fisher, North Carolina,
by the Union forces has been officially announced
by boIh the War and Navy Departments. An
assault by the land forces aided by battalion of
marines and sailors was commenced on Sunday
afternoon at three O'Clock, and by eleven o clock
that night the Union army had obtained full po-
session of Fort Fisher, aud according to the la
test oEirial accounts captured seventy two guns
and 2,5o) prisoners, including General Whit
Ing aud Col lamb, the COMMA dart of The fort,
both won"ied. Many Of the guns ARE injured
Inc n2G'.ng is represented To have been Of the
most desperate character, and it was foot by foot
ibat the works were carried 10y The Union iafan-
try No estimate of the Union casualties is Civ
ell, but the loss is said to lie severe General
Curtis and Colonies Pennrbaker and Bell the
commanGe oi the three leading brgadrs in the
attack were ~ouuded. Lieutcnnnts S. W. Pres.
ton and Porter uf the United States navy were
killed.
An account of the fall of Fort Fisher contained
in the Richmond yhy of yesterday morning,
has been transmitted 10 the War Department.
Ii says The news had occasioned in the comnun-
ty at Richmond n sensation of profound regret
as the fort was the main defense of the entrance
to the Wilmington harbor, and in future the ar
rival and departure Of blockade-runners Will be
prevented. G n. Bragg reports to the rete Sec
rotary of War that Fort Fisher was fnriously
ded all day Sunday by the fleet at four O'Clock
in the afternoon WAS al acke by the Union in
fntry, and at ten O'Clock, P. M.ws captured
with most Of its garrison.
Tho Secreturv uf War l,et ninht l.. 4 rco;r,J