Late Northern News.
the Eastern Virginia expedition — attack on Confederate pickets near Drainsville — from Fortress Monroe--Floyd's retreat from Gauley — arrest for treason, &c.We give below a summary of Northern news gathered from the columns of the latest papers received at this office:
The Eastern Virginia expedition — Capture of cannon — preparations for Annexation to Maryland.
The Baltimore American, of the 26th November, gives the following as the result of a conversation with a Federal captain, just arriving that city from Drammondtown, in Accomac county, the headquarters of Gen. Lockwood's division: After passing Newtown the military force met with various obstructions in the road, consisting of the destruction of bridges and the felling of trees across the road. Some were easily marched around and others quickly removed. The first earthwork they encountered was this side of Oak Hill, prepared for four guns, but none were mounted, and there was no force visible anywhere. Between Oak Hill and Drummondtown another battery was encountered, on which eight guns were mounted, but it was entirely deserted. There was also another earthwork about eight miles beyond Drummondtown, which was likewise deserted. Up to the time our informant left there had been nine smooth-bore iron cannon captured, all elegantly mounted, but no ammunine, with the exception of some bags of iron rings, evidently cut from rod iron, about an inch and a half long- No powder had been discovered, and if they had any it has been concealed. The only muskets thus far secured were about one hundred old that-locked, with rough units in them that would not explode powder placed in the pans more than once in six trials. Colonel Smith, who had command of the militia who made these earthworks, had made his escape, and had eluded the most diligent search. A Captain and two Lieutenants had been captured, and the disbanded militia all contend that they were forced to take up arms against their will Not a single individual, acknowledging himself to be a Secessionist, had been encountered. The Unionists, of whom there is undoubtedly a great number, have met the troops with the most enthusiasms demonstrations of joy at their deliverance, and now have full control of the two counties. The column about to start for Eastville, the Capital of Northampton county, were not expected to reach there before the close of the present week, though the advance — composed of Richards Pennsylvania Cavalry, the fifth New York, and an Indiana Regiment--had already reached there. Information had, however, been received from there that the Secessionists had disbanded, and that the Union men had received the column with every demonstration of loyalty. Arrangements were being made in both Accomac and Northampton counties to hold meetings, and to give expression to the loyal sentiment of the people. It was expected that an application would be made to Governor Pierpont to accept the counties as a portion of the new State of Kanawha as a temporary measure, looking to future legislation to attach the two counties to the State of Maryland. The light on Cape Charles is to be immediately repaired and lighted, by order of the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Post Minister General has sent an agent to renew postal arrangements between the two counties.Attack of a Detachment of Gen. M'Calls troops on the Confederate pickets at Drainsville — official report.
Notice has already been made of an attack by a Yankee force, numbering some seven or eight hundred, under Col. G. D. Bayard, on our pickets near Drainsville, on the night of the 26th ult. We give below the official report of the Lincoln General relative to the expedition: Camp Pierpoint, Va. Nov. 27, 1861.
Sir;
In obedience to orders, I started from this camp yesterday with my regiment at nine o'clock in the evening, for the purpose of marching on Drainsville.
We reached positions above and behind Drainsville shortly after five in the morning, after a very tedious and tollsome march.
Major Barrozs advanced on the town by the northern pike, which leads to it, with two companies of the regiment, whilst I with the other eight gained the rear of the town, and advanced by the Leesburg pike.
There were but two picket men in the town.
These were cavalry men belonging to Colonel J. E. B. Start's regiment of Virginia horse, and were captured, with their horses and arms, by Captain Stadelmants company B.
I arrested six of the citizens of Drainsville, who are known to be Secessionists of the bitterest stamp.
The names of the citizens taken are as follows John F. Day, M. D., of Drainsville, R. H. Gennell, of Great Falls, Va. John T. D. Bue and C. W. Coleman, of Drainsville.
W. K. Day, M. D., of Drainsville and J. B. Fair.
Upon my return, some miles from Drainsville, a fire was opened upon the head of the column from a thick pine-wood thicket.
Assistant Surgeon Alexander was seriously wounded, and private Joel Houghtelling was badly wounded.
and I had my horse killed.
The wood was instantly surrounded, and the carbineers sent into the woods.
We killed two and captured four, one of whom was shot twice, and is not likely to live.
I captured two good horses, five shot guns, one Hallis rifles, and two pistols.
The names of the prisoners are as follows: W. D. Farley, First Lieutenant South Carolina Volunteers, was Captain on General Bonham's staff;) F. DeCarandene, Lieutenant Seventh South Carolina Volunteers, P. W. Casper, Seventh South Carolina Volunteers; Thomas Colsman, citizen of Drainsville, dangerously wounded; F. Holdebrand, private Thirteenth Virginia Cavalry, A. M. Whitten, private Thirteenth Virginia Cavalry, (taken at Drainsville on picket) We killed and captured all we saw.
Sir;
