January 2012

January 12.—A party of rebels, belonging to the command of Colonel Hammond, burned the depot and a blacksmith’s shop, and took all the goods from the store of Mr. Mustain, at Horse Cave, Ky. They also burned the Woodland Depot at Cave City, the Cave City Hotel, and stables. The citizens at all these points were notified, and escaped to Munfordville, as the rebels stated that they intended to return on Monday night and burn every house that could be used by the Union army in its advance as a hospital or quarters. They also burned up all the hay, oats, and fodder-stacks along the road, and drove off or killed all the cattle, horses, and mules to be found.

—A Nephew of the rebel General Polk was arrested to-day near Blandville, Ky., by one of the National scouting parties. He had despatches in his possession to spies at Columbus, Ky.—N. Y. Herald, January 14.

—The United States sloop-of-war Pensacola ran the rebel batteries at Cockpit and Shipping Points, on the Potomac, this morning, and reached the open sea without having been touched by shot or shell.

—A reconnoitering party under command of Lieutenant W. T. Truxton, U. S. N., left St Helena Sound, S. C, day before yesterday, and visited Bailey’s Island, but found it entirely deserted, though well stocked with cattle, sheep, and horses. They visited many fine plantations, and yesterday marched to Bailey’s Landing on the North-Edisto River, but met with no adventures. They returned to the Sound this afternoon.

—The advance of General Burnside’s Expedition to the coast of North-Carolina, sailed from Fortress Monroe, Va.

—The Twenty-fourth regiment of Kentucky Volunteers, under the command of Colonel Grigsby, passed through Louisville, on the way to the seat of war.—Louisville Journal, January 13.

—Brigadier-general Sigel issued an address to the officers of his command in camp near Rolla, Mo., instructing them to give continuous and strict attention to all matters relative to the condition and treatment of the sick. He also directed the commanders of companies to occupy their commands by regular drills, and by practical and theoretical instruction in military affairs. The officers of regiments were recommended to form military associations for discussing all subjects relative to their common interest and the good of the public service. Such a course, the General thinks calculated to produce harmony of action and feeling among the officers of the same regiment—(Doc. 14.)

January 11.—The Confederate troops burned two bridges on the Louisville and Nashville railroad, at points between Munfordville and Bowling Green.—Cincinnati Commercial.

—This morning three rebel boats from Columbus, Ky., attacked the gunboats Essex and St. Louis, lying off Fort Jefferson. A brisk engagement ensued for a short time, when the rebels retreated, and the national boats pursued until they reached the batteries of the enemy at Columbus.—(Doc. 13.)

—The First Maryland regiment, Colonel Kenly, are strongly entrenched at Old Fort Frederick, above Hancock, where they are frequently reconnoitered at a distance by small bodies of the enemy. The Colonel has sufficient ordnance to maintain himself there, as well as to command the railroad opposite.—Baltimore American, Jan. 14.

—The Florida Legislature has elected A. E. Maxwell and I. M. Baker to the Confederate Senate. — Sixty rebels, belonging to the regiment of Colonel Alexander, a prisoner in St. Louis, were captured about six miles from Sedalia, Mo.

Picket-shooting existing to a fearful extent in the vicinity of Cairo, Ill., General Grant this day issued the following order to General Paine, commanding the United States forces at Bird’s Point: “I understand that four of our pickets were shot this morning. If this is so, and appearances indicate that the assassins were citizens not regularly organized in the rebel army, the whole country should be cleared out for six miles around, and word given that all citizens making their appearance within these limits are liable to be shot.

“To execute this, patrols should be sent out in all directions, and bring into camp at Bird’s Point all citizens, together with their subsistence, and require them to remain, under penalty of death and destruction of their property, until properly relieved.

“Let no harm befall these people if they quietly submit, but bring them in and place them in camp below the breastwork, and have them properly guarded.

“The intention is not to make political prisoners of these people, but to cut off a dangerous class of spies.

“This applies to all classes and conditions, age and sex. If, however, women and children prefer other protection than we can afford them, they may be allowed to retire beyond the limits indicated—not to return until authorized.”

—The Twenty-eighth regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, under command of Colonel William Monteith, left Boston for New-York, en route for the seat of war.—N. Y. Commercial, Jan. 13.

—Colonel Garfield, having defeated the rebels under Humphrey Marshall, occupied Prestonburg, Ky., to-day.