Massachusetts Weekly Spy, 1861-11-27

engagement BETWEEN THE I'M I'MTED - TED I'MTED STATES STEAMER MASSACHU MASSACHUSETTS - SETTS MASSACHUSETTS AND A REBEL STEAMER. New York, Nov. 20. - The following are the particulars ot the naval fight of Oct. 19th. It is reported that the Massachusetts was ly lying - ing lying at anchor in Mississippi Sound, when a steamer called the Florida came down and challenged them to engage by throwing a shot across her bows. The Massachusetts got un underway - derway underway and stood for her adversary, who kept up a brisk fire from a large rifled gun amidships. Before the steamer Massa Massachusetts - chusetts Massachusetts could get her guns to bear, a shell from the enemy struck her aft and penetrated the side, entered the ward room, tearing away a table in its course, and finally bursting, demolishing four state rooms. The Massachusetts at length succeeded in getting shell to take effect on the Florida's rifled gun, when she (the Florida) ceased firing and re retreated - treated retreated up the river. The Rebels have a pow powder - der powder mill at Mississippi City that turns out 1800 pounds of powder a day, and are also casting large rifled cannon at the foundry in New Or Orleans. - leans. Orleans. GLEANINGS FROM' SECESSION FA FAI'KKS. - I'KKS. FAI'KKS. Louisville, Nov. 19. - The Memphis Ap Appeal - peal Appeal of the 13ih acknowledges a loss at Bel Belmont - mont Belmont of 625 killed, wounded, and missing, and reports the federal loss at 1000. It says Col. Logan acknowledged that the federals would be whipped. The Richmond Whig, of the 9th, says that the confederate army in Virginia is reorgan reorganized. - ized. reorganized. The state is constituted a department, comprising the three armies of the Potomac, the valley, and Aquia, under the chief com command - mand command of Gyn.. JohnsHm. Geu. Beauregard commands tire fathy of Hie Potomac, General Thomas Jackson that of the valley, and Gen. Holmes, Aquia. The army of the Potomac comprises lour divisions, the first including the valley under Gen. Dozen, second G. W. Smith, third Gen. Longstreet, fourth General Kirby Smith. Troops continue passing through Richmond northwardly. The fourth Texas and twenty twentyfirst - first twentyfirst Georgia regiments left on the 28tb for the Potomac. All the federal prisoners in Richmond are being sent to North Carolina. The rumor that General Lee bad left south southwestern - western southwestern Virginia for South Carolina is con confirmed. - firmed. confirmed. Gen Floyd again commands the reb rebel - el rebel force opposed to Rosencranz. The Richmond Enquirer of the 13tli publish publishes - es publishes the correspondence between the secretary of war and Gen. Winder, telling the latter to make a choice o! the federal pri-oners as host hostages - ages hostages for southern privateers. As a hostage for Smith, condemned at Philadelphia, the lot fell on Col. Corcoran, who was ordered into close confinement in a felon's cell. The other hostages are Cols. Lee, Coggswell, Wilcox, and Wood, Lieut. Cols. Brown and Neff, and Majors Potter, Revere, Vodges, and Captains Richland, Brownson, and Jeffer. The Memphis Appeal says the journey from Richmond to Memphis occupies four days, owing to the destruction of bridges in east Tennessee. Two of these bridges are costly and cannot be speedily built. The railroad managers are using every effort to keep up communication by ferries and temporary bridges. There is great excitement along the road especially at Knoxville. Parson Brown Brownlow - low Brownlow had leil tor parts unknown. Five hun hundred - dred hundred Unionists were expected at Uniontown when the bridge was burnt. Col. Josiah Anderson, a prominent east Tennessee rebel politician, was killed at the polls at the election to day. Scverd skirmishes between Unionists and secessionists are reported from various points in east Tennessee. The reported transfer ot Gen. Zollicofier's force from Cum Cumberland - berland Cumberland Gap to eastern Kentucky is unfound unfounded. - ed. unfounded. The latest Nashville and Memphis papers show that Gen. Zollicoffer is still at the Gap with five thousand troops, and a brigade of Tennesseeans under Gen. Carroll had orders to reinforce Gen. Zollicoffer. She Bowling Green Courier of the 12th states that three regiments and two companies ^^javaliy^ and a battery ci artillery, was sent fe , BMngGreen in the direction of Scotts Scotts's - 's Scotts's re-

GENERAL NEWS SUMMARY. BOSTON AND VICINITY. The steamship Constitution, lying in Boston , harbor, awaiting the departure of Gen. But Butler's - ler's Butler's expedition, has been for the last two or three days a scene of lively interest. The ship was cleared for the reception of troops, Tuesday afternoon, ami is expected to sail sometime to day. The peripatetic lieutenant who has succeed succeeded - ed succeeded in swindling a number of respectable people in Massachusetts, was brought before the Su Superior - perior Superior Court at Boston, yesterday, and sen sentenced - tenced sentenced to eight months residence in the house of correction. The blacksmith and wheelright shop of Wm. Griffin, at 417 Tremont street, caught fire, Monday night, and, with five shops, ad adjoining - joining adjoining and two stables, was destroyed. The whole loss is estimated at SIO,OOO. . One of the privates belonging to a company of Butler's brigade, was arrested in Roxbury, Wednesday, for desertion. He said that as neither the city or state would pay him bis due, he was compelled, in order to keep his family from starving, to leave his camp and go to work. MIDDLESEX COUNTY. The twenty-sixth (Mass.) regiment (Col. Jones) left Lowell, Tuesday afternoon, for Boston, en route for their southward journey with Gen. Butler's brigade. The companies of the regiment have their full compliment, are finely uniformed and equipped, and aimed with the Springfield musket. HAMPDEN COUNTY. Hiram Smith of Holyoke, who died a month since, from injuries received on the railroad while on his way to Washington with his regime** (Col. Wilson's), had J««t cflbAded insurance of S2obo on his lilt, in the Berk Berkshire - shire Berkshire company, which has been handed oeer to his widow. . franklin county. Col. Jolin Nelson of Deerfield started for Boston in a sleigh, Nov. 14th, 1820. He was two days on the road, remaining there one day, and returned during the two following days, finding good sleighing all the way from Deerfield to Boston and back. Henry Stebbins, a man about 46 years old, was found dead, recently, in the north part of Bernardston. He had been to a distillery in the border of Vermont, and procured some cider brandy, which he drank to excess, causing hi death. f RHODE ISLANU. ' An attempt wrs made to rob the Woonsojk Woonsojket - et Woonsojket Falls Bank last night at halt past eleven o'clock. The robber was caught in the build building - ing building with false keys atul burglarious imple implements - ments implements upon his person, by two young clerks who were left there purposely to watch for him. Thia precaution was taken in conse consequence - quence consequence of small sums of money having been missed from time to time, and marks having been found where tools had been used for en entering - tering entering and tamperingwit.h the safe. It bad. been correctly surmised as to who was the depredator, as he was seen to leave the build building - ing building the preceding day, just before the bank closed. The watchers heard him try the door, open it.and lock it behind him. They immedi immediately' - ately' immediately' seized him, and one retained him in cus custody, - tody, custody, while the other went for an officer. He is now under arrest. lie ha<L unmu.Usly-sue^ ceeded in boring boles from above into the upper part of the vault, so tfirft filings were found scattered on the bgoks. The robber be belongs - longs belongs in Woonsoeket^F most respectably con connected, - nected, connected, and bhs considerable properly. He has formerly beeti clerk or bookkeeper in two or three of the-Woonsocket banks. We deet^it proper to withhold his name from the pubnc', for the present. - Prov. Press, Nov. 19. The citizens of Lonsdale, R. I .have formed a military company, one hundred strong, through the exertions of Rev. N. W. T. Root, who has been actively engaged as drill master for the past seven or eight weeks. VONNRCTICCT. Misses Sarah and Harriet Saunders of Mys Mystic, - tic, Mystic, while driving home from New London, on Wednesday' night of last collision with another team, tj^B set, and the ln,^ ran. ri^/t arm.

elicited the highest commendations from all the observers. FROM THE IT'rl K POTOMAC. Darnestown, Nov. 18. - The division team teamsters - sters teamsters and wagon masters received two months pay last Saturday. Everything in the shape of locomotives, machinery, &£., belonging to the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, have been removed by the rebels and taken in the direc direction - tion direction of Winchester. Even the double track for 20 miles has been torn up. Last week, Major Stone, chief of the pro vost guard, with a company of cavalry, paid a visit to the neighborhood of Sandy Spring, Montgomery county, Md. He made the arrest of Rev. Samuel Leech, a clergyman of the Methodist persuasion, whom he sent to Fort McHenry'. Other cases where parties were charged with diaffection were investigated and dismissed, much to toe regiet of his subordi subordinates - nates subordinates of the guard, and the pleasure of his regimental command. Major Stone has re rejoined - joined rejoined his regiment, having been promoted from a captaincy to a major ity du. ing his absence on detached service. The first brigade, and probably others, have been ordered to report their full strength, equipment, &c., to Washington, immediately. A rumor has been circulated in camp that Gen. Banks with his command will be ordered to some more active duty this week. John Candle of Cumberland, and John Row Rowsle - sle Rowsle ot this district, have been discharged from arrest by Gen. Banks. THE CAMPAIGN IN ACCOMAC. Baltimore, Nov. 20. - Information received at headquarters this evening, from Accomac county* Va^ announces the disbanding .of about three thousand rebel troops who had been in camp near Drummondtown. As the expedition advanced the rebel flags disap disappeared, - peared, disappeared, and the Union citizens hoisted their flags, which bad hitherto been concealed. The proclamation of Gen. Dix had been scattered through the county, and when received in the camp where tile Union men had been drafted and forced into the rebel service, they rebilled and the commanding officers .were compelled to disband their whole force. The secession secessionists - ists secessionists said the force coming against them was so great that they thought it folly to resist, and the Union men met our troops with hearty cheersand the greatest enthusiasm. As far as the expedition had progressed, there was every evidence that a large majority ot the people were opposed to recession, aTO the troops were hailed as their deliverers from tyranny and oppression. The people are suf suffering - fering suffering for many necessaries of life, and were rejoicing at the prospect ot an early restoration ot the trade and commerce with Philadelphia, on which they depend for a livelihood. Information received from Northampton county warrants the belief that the rebels there will also disband. They have destroyed bridges, and felled trees across the roads, but the proclamation has given boldness to the Union men and satisfaction to the people gen generally. - erally. generally. All who are not loyal will be disarm ed. Union men who had fled into Maryland, to prevent being forced into the militia, are returning to their homes. FROM FORT KOVAL. New York, Nov. 19. - A Port Royal letter of the 16th inst. states that Gen. Sherman, on the 14th, sent one of his aids, Lieut. Wagner, under a flag of truce, to carry his proclamation to the people of South Carolina. He was ac accompanied - companied accompanied by Dr. Bacon of the sixth Con nectieut regiment. They proceeded to within two miles of Gardner's Corner, a place oppo opposite - site opposite Port Royal Ferry, said to be occupied by rebel troops. There they bad an in eryiew with two rebeUofficers, under the flag of truce. The officers admitted that the depredations on Beaufort was the work of the blacks, and entirely exculpated our forces from any com comjlicitv - jlicitv comjlicitv in it. On their return our messengers secession cavalry, who gave

tied my pockets, including my pocket book- The rebels fir^d volley after volley at us until we had got ne fly halt way across, and though I saw a number shot, and there were many drowned in the river, yet I escaped without a wound. . After I had swam the river I was so cold I could hardly travel; but I met a surgeon, who told me the only thing that would save me from the fever and ague would be, either to take a big horn of whiskey, or keep moving until I got dry ; and I started tor the camp, which was seven miles from where I was then. I soon got warm, and I reached the camp about 12 o'clock at night. I was a little tired, and somewhat hungry, having had nothing to eat since morning, but I found hot coffee and plenty to eat, and soon felt better, and turned into my tent and laid till morning, when I was detached to do guard duty at the camp, which was tough, but necessary. To-day 1 feel al almost - most almost as good as new, but I am lonesome, for five out of my tent are missing, and one is in the hospital. Yours, for the Union, Albert. LATER FROM EUROPE. St. John, N. F., Nov. 19. - The steamship United Kingdom, from, Glasgow on the 9tli, for New York, arrived off Cape Race at four o'clock this (Tuesday) morning. London, Nov. B.' - The prince of Holland is no better. The state of iiis health is the cause of much anxiety. The London Times' Paris correspondent says that the Swiss Dappen affair will in all probability be settled without any unpleasant results. The Indian and^tAnstrian mails arrived at Alexandria on the wh inst., but it is under understood - stood understood there was no regular China mail. The convention respecting the Mexican ex expedition - pedition expedition i> that the invading powers shall not seek territorial advantages tor themselves, nor use their influence to interfere with the rights ot the people to choose their own government. It also contains an article providing that an invitation shall be given to the United Stales to accede to the convention in behalf of their own subjects. It does not fix the number of ships or troops to be used, nor stipulates tor a march to Mexico. Constantinope, Nov. 3. - The sultan has made a two days' visit to Ismidt, and laid the keels of some pew ships. A meeting of the representative/ of foreign powers has been held at the resident's of the Bri'ish minister, to con siiler the Montenegrin question. The grand vizier was present. The meeting was not de decisive. - cisive. decisive. There had been a storm on the Black Sea, causing loss of life and damage to shipping. There is neks from Syria that David Pasha had become al French tool, causing great ex citement and discontent. Letters from Raguza dt'ny the rumors of the detent of the Turkish army by the insurgents. Markalohick, chief of insurgents, had put a price ot 100'J sequins on the head ot Omar Pasha. Vienna, Nyv. B. - Tranquility prevailed at Pcs lb. FROM WASHINGTON- Washington, Nov. 19 - A letter has been received by Captain Charles Cdrray, assistant adjutant general to General Lander's brigade, from Col. Lee of the twentieth Massachusetts regiment, now a prisoner at Richmond. Col. Lee says he and the other imprisoned officers have been very kindly treated, and he makes inquiries as to the disposition of the enemy captured at Ball's Bluff. The rebels say that fewer of the Massachusetts officers would have been killed, bad they not been too proud to surrender. John R. Myrick has been appointed second liuutuiuirit in the third artillery. |^By direction of the government, the oath bear arms against it has been adminis mis'oners at the old

taught to hunt chickens as well as slaves - slavesupon upon slavesupon which Mr. Taylor replied, "We do not hunt our slaves with dogs." Finding that our colonel could not be moved to become a slave-catcher, the slaveholder soon left. Some of us feared that Richard, the slave, had been so badly frightened that he would not return. The colonel has not seen him since, but some of the boys have seen him, and, tearing that he might get into trouble, they sent him off. How they did it is a secret. His reappearance in our camp was known to but a few persons. I think his life and freedom are safe. Today, about noon, Mr. Tucker, the claimant, with his son and brother, made their appearance, in search of Richard, and askjed the colonel if they could search the camp for him. Col. Upton told them that he had not seen him since he ran away from the camp in fear of Mr. Taylor and the sheriff. They were allowed to go through the enmp, but did not remain long. Yesterday was a great day with us for Sun Sunday, - day, Sunday, when we intended to take rest and write letters. Soon after breakfast, Gen. Burnside came into our camp, and, after passing all through it, paid us a very high compliment by saying that it was the neatest camp lie had visited. Soon after we were notified that the whole brigade wt s to pass in review before Secretary Cameron, Gen. Burnside, Gov. An Andrew, - drew, Andrew, and many other military men. Col. Devens, Gov. Hicks, and Olivers were presiMit. There were nearly eight thousand soldiers, all in dress uniform, with arms and bayonets glistening in the sun, all 'tl motion together, passing in review, with the officers, generals, and governors all handsomely mounted. It was certainly one of the grandest spectacles I ever witnessed. Col. Devens came to the line and shook hands with many of our boys, who were all glad to see him. The move movements - ments movements of things yesterday makes us think that we are soon to go south. The news of Ma Mason - son Mason and Slidell's arrest gave joy to all the sol soldiers. - diers. soldiers. We notice that an edition of the Spy says that Col. Morse's twenty first regiment had gone into camp, which is a mistake. They are still quartered at the Naval School build buildings - ings buildings at Amiap flis. We are having cold weath er here. We shall welcome our inarching or orders, - ders, orders, and trust they will come before long. Continue to send your papers and letters to cheer on your soldier boys, and when the tug of war conies we will do our duty. e. [For the Daily Spy.J The Flahtnt I-eeobura. Worcester, Nov. 20, 1861. It may be a little late to publish accounts of the battle in which our own fifteenth suffered so much, yet in which those who survive may feel that laurßs rre theirs in number to coni -pensate for almost anything. Devens is still in ^B^nit - it any thing exceeds his gallantry it He innvvil about among us ^^u-ile re lui.-kly, limn ^^vr hi- simp, but

rounded upon three sides by the New York fifty-first, the Massachusetts twenty seventh and twenty-third, and the Connecticut eighth and tenth regiments. The two other Massa Massachusetts - chusetts Massachusetts regiments are not up to the maxi maximum - mum maximum number. It does not speak well for the patriotism of our people at home to allow reg regiments - iments regiments to leave with about nine hundred men, when over a thousand are required. We are getting on well in our camp duties. Our drill is pretty severe, but no more so than necessary. We are required by orders from Gen. Burnside to drill eight hours per day. For a few days past the weather has been changeable, with some rain. Yesterday it blew at fresh and cold. It seemed like a November day in New England. Many of the men are afflicted with colds, and in my own company, as well as in some others, there have been several cases of colic, which attacked the men suddenly and severely. But all have been properly treated, and are getting over it. To-day being Sunday, we have no duties to perform, save the regular Sunday morning inspection and cleaning up the streets and quarters. The cleansing process is done to perfection, and I think those of our friends who used to visit us at "Camp Lincoln," and praise our clean appearance about camp, would be astonished to see how much more neat we are here. We go upon the maxim tiiat there is nothing so clean that it cannot be made cleaner. - Our commander, Gen. Burnside, visited cur camp this forenoon. 1 don't know bow he felt, but he looked pleased. Hope he was. We shall soon be in active service. We are going somewhere, and we shall do something. When we get there you will hear that some thing has dropped; whether it will be the sau cy Palmetto flag, the rattlesnake flag, or any other emblem of this wicked rebellion, it mat. ters not. Something will drop, and while our regiment is able to stand on its legs, we don't mean it shall be the glorious stars and stripes. We are going under a glorious commander - commanderwe we commanderwe go upon a glori us mission in a glorious cause, and it matters little what is the result to us personally, if the emblem ofour country is successfully planted on rebel soil and there maintained. Let our fri nds at home push on the column ! Give us plenty of backers - that's all we want. I wrote early in the day that this was Sun Sunday, - day, Sunday, and our duties would be light. But, alas! the great uncertainty of these war times! Soon after dinner we were notified that we must prepare tor service,&c. Sunday services were therefore suspended, and putting ^^^mrkuapsacks aniLequipments. the twenty twentyto - to twentyto tile parade

T*: -? ?****? -koMhase the eye o/ Argus: he is honorable ts he do but look to the welfare of the Commonwealth " AVOKCHSTEH: WEDNESDAY. NOV. ST, 1801. THEN AND NOW. Mason as a guest of the solid men of Boston, and Mason as a prisoner in Fort Warren for treason, are not so far apart as the different times and circumstances would indica'e. When lie stood on Bunker Hill, four or five years ago, and assisted in the inauguration of the statue of Gen. Joseph Warren, he said I'qjrtwmhfrly inconsistent with -the position he is now in. His.plausible and or ornamental - namental ornamental generalities about the honor and good faith of the states implied a reservation which left him free to violate both honor and good faith - freedom of which he has availed himself to his sorrow. It was the people who entertained the traitor and salat his feet to learn ; political wisdom, who were deceived, and have ' had the good sense to change their opinions I Old men like Mason and Slidell, who have ' grown gray in pursuit of pet measures of state policy, do not undergo radical changes easily. If their hatred of free institutions developed them into traitors, on the first opportunity which seemed to teach them safety, it is fair to assume that the elements out of which tra^_ tors are made were coursing' their! veins, at least as long ago as June, 1857, The i false doctrines of political policy and state eiaf t I which were listened to then, with too patient 1 and generous alacrity all the way from Boston to Washington, are now bearing them bitter and poisonous fruit.

THE PRISONERS OF THE FIFTEENTH. We have already published the names of some of the members of tie Massachusetts fifteenth regiment who wee taken prisoners at Ball's Bluff, including i complete list of those belonging to company D, sent by Capt. Studley. Since those nam<s were printed we have received a list of th'se of all the com companies, - panies, companies, prepared by Lieut. Yassall of company E. He says "this list d>es not include the wounded prisoners, from ifteen to twenty-five in number, who are nowat Leesburg." This is dated Nov. 6. It is posible that there may be others among the prisoner^'at Richmond whose names do not sppear ?n Lieut. Vas Vassail's - sail's Vassail's list, which we prill ^Sf v > for omission might be occasioned by aiy jflit or otherwise, j He says in his note, tr Wor three excep exceptions - tions exceptions we are all enjoys ®° Wd health." We print with the others tl, ^w eß °I those be belonging - longing belonging to company D.^^Wer to have them all together, and becai^^^Di e has been a de j maud for the Daily S|^^K hieh they appear appeared - ed appeared which we were unt^^B supply.