Sunday, April 1, 2012

April 1.—This morning the Union forces in command of Gen. Banks made a further advance in Virginia, proceeding from Strasburg to Woodstock. On their approach near the latter town, Col. Ashby, with a force of rebel cavalry, infantry, and battery, disputed the passage of the Union troops. They nevertheless passed on through the town, the rebels retreating and frequently stopping to throw shells, which were replied to in kind by General Banks, who pursued the enemy to Edinburgh, five miles beyond Woodstock. Ashby, in his retreat, burnt one railroad and two turnpike bridges. All the railroad-bridges between Strasburg and Woodstock had been previously destroyed. The only casualty on the Union side was one man killed.—National Intelligencer, April 3.

—The Mobile News of yesterday says: European brigades are rapidly organizing in New-Orleans, three of them being commanded by Gens. Benjamin Buisson, Paul Judge and Victor Moizman. The Picayune says: The three French Generals we have now in our midst may be called the “Three Guardsmen,” of the Crescent City. Their forces will amount to about twelve thousand men, who may be divided as follows: First brigade, three thousand men, of whom are two thousand Creoles and one thousand Frenchmen, Spaniards, Italians, Germans, etc. Second (European) brigade, four thousand five hundred, of whom two thousand five hundred are French, eight hundred Spaniards, five hundred Italians, four hundred Germans, Dutch and Scandinavians, and five hundred Swiss, Belgians, English, Sclavonians, etc. Third (French) brigade, four thousand five hundred men, all unnaturalized Frenchmen. We must say, however, about this last brigade, that it is not yet complete, but that its strength will amount to the figures we give we have not the least doubt

—Warrenton, Va., was taken by the National troops.—A party of National troops, belonging to the forces under Gen. Steele, commanded by Col. Carline, had an engagement with the rebels at Putnam’s Ferry, Ark., in which four rebels were taken prisoner, and one officer killed. A large quantity of military stores and equipments were also taken.—N. Y. Times, April 6.

— The congregation of the Second Baptist church, in Richmond, Va., have set an example that may challenge emulation, but for self-sacrificing patriotism cannot be excelled. They met not long since, and by a unanimous vote, gave their church bell to be cast into cannon to be used in the public defence. To show that this was not an empty promise made for effect, they immediately had it taken down to be put to the use indicated. At the same meeting at which the resolution above stated was passed, it was determined to subscribe a sum sufficient to purchase enough metal to add to that in the bell to form into a battery to be called the Second Baptist Church battery. Mr. John F. Tanner, an influential member of the church, and largely engaged in the foundry business, promised on behalf of himself and his associates that the battery should be ready at an early day, and without cost to those who furnished the materials. The churches in New-Orleans (a large proportion of them being Catholic) have, with the sanction of their Bishop, adopted the same course.—Richmond Dispatch, April 1.

April 1.—The United States steamers Jacob Bell and Stepping Stone, visited Evansport, Va., this day. A boat’s crew from each vessel was sent on shore. They visited nearly all the batteries in that vicinity, including one on a high hill, about half a mile back of Evansport, where was found the gun that Capt Eastman had attempted unsuccessfully to burst. It is a thirty-two pounder. This battery, aided by field-pieces, was intended to cover the retreat of the rebels through the woods in the rear, in the event of their being driven from the lower battery. It was defended by rifle-pits.

Several men went a considerable distance into the country, but there were no signs of rebel troops nor inhabitants. Both parties of seamen subsequently returned on shore, in command of Lieut. Commanding McRea, of the Jacob Bell, proceeding inland, where they found five rebel store-houses, containing hay, cutting-machines, platform scales, and other useful apparatus and implements. They set fire to the buildings, which were entirely consumed. — Ohio Statesman, April 3.

—In accordance with the orders of Major-Gen. Hunter, Gen. Benham this day assumed the command of the northern district of the department of the South, constituting the First division of the army of the South, said district comprising the States of South Carolina, Georgia, and all that part of Florida north and east of a line extending from Cape Canaveral, north-west to the Gulf coast, just north of Cedar Keys and its dependencies, and thence north to the Georgia line. —Benham’s General Orders, No. 1.

—To-night an armed boat expedition was fitted out from Com. Foote’s squadron, and the land forces off Island Number Ten, in the Mississippi River, under command of Col. Roberts, of the Forty-second Illinois regiment The five boats comprising the expedition, were in charge of First Master J. V. Johnson, of the St. Louis, assisted by Fourth Master G. P. Lord, of the Benton, Fourth Master Pierce, of the Cincinnati, Fourth Master Morgan, of the Pittsburgh, and Master’s Mate Scanille, of the Mound City, each with a boat’s crew of ten men from their respective vessels, carrying in all one hundred men, exclusive of officers, under the command of Colonel Roberts. At midnight the boats reached the upper or Number Ten Fort, and pulling directly on its face, carried it, receiving only the harmless fire of two sentinels, who ran on discharging their muskets, while the rebel troops in the vicinity rapidly retreated; whereupon Col. Roberts spiked the six guns, mounted in the Fort, and returned with the boats uninjured.—(Doc. 112.)

—At Nashville, Tenn., last Saturday, Messrs. Brennan were arrested by Col. Matthews, provost-marshal, and paroled until ten o’clock yesterday morning, when they were again paroled till noon to-day. Sunday, R. B. Cheatham, Esq., Mayor of the city, was arrested, and paroled till twelve M. yesterday. He appeared at that hour, and his parole was extended till twelve to-day. Yesterday, Messrs. Sharp & Hamilton, of the Nashville Plough Manufactory, were also arrested, and put under bonds of three thousand dollars for their appearance. The charge against these gentlemen is treason.

The Messrs. Brennan, iron-founders, are said to have manufactured cannon, shells, and balls for the Confederate States, and upon this, we believe, the charge against them is founded. Aiding and abetting the enemy, that is, the confederate States—is the basis of the charge against the Mayor. Messrs. Sharp & Hamilton, it is reported, instead of turning “swords into ploughshares,” converted plough-shares into swords and knives for the confederates, and thus made themselves amenable to the charge of treason against the United States.—Nashville Banner, April 1.

—Eastport, Miss., was shelled by the National gunboats Cairo, Tyler and Lexington, this day, at the conclusion of which the troops landed, but found that the rebels had fled, having taken away their last gun two days previous.—Cincinnati Gazette, April 9.

—A Reconnoissance was made from Newport News, Va., to Watts Creek, a distance of nine miles. The enemy appeared, three thousand strong, and opened with cannon on the National forces, but their balls passed entirely over them. The batteries were immediately got in position, and opened fire on the rebels, when their entire force broke and fled, fording across the creek in great confusion, out of range. The object of the reconnoissance being accomplished, the troops retired. The whole country, through which the Union troops passed, was formerly the garden spot of Virginia. It is now perfectly devastated, and but one house was left standing. The houses, fences and trees have been burned by the retreating rebels.—New York Commercial, April 3.