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.
