January 3.
A large force of rebels, under General Sam Jones, made a descent upon a small body of Union troops stationed near Jonesville, Virginia, belonging to an Illinois regiment, commanded by Major Beers, and eighteen men of Neill's Ohio battery. A desperate resistance was made, continuing from seven A. M. to three P. M., when the Nationals surrendered. The rebels numbered four thousand men. They lost four killed and twelve wounded.--Admiral Lee, in the United States gunboat Fah Kee, entered Lockwood's, Folly Inlet, about ten miles to the south of Wilmington, North-Carolina, hoisted out his boats, and examined the blockade-running steamer Bendigo, which was run ashore by the captain a week previous, to prevent her being captured by the blockaders. While making these examinations, the enemy's sharpshooters appeared and opened fire upon the boats' crews, which was returned by the Fah Kee's guns, when a rebel battery opened fire and the boats returned to the ship. The Fah Kee continued her fire until the Bendigo was well-riddled, but her battery was light, and in consequence of her draft of water and the shoals inside, had to be at long-range, and consequently not as destructive as was desired. Night coming on, the Admiral returned to the fleet.--Official Report.
The British ship Silvanus, while attempting to run the blockade at Doboy Sound, Georgia, was chased ashore by the National gunboat Huron.--Twenty shells loaded with Greek fire, were thrown into the city of Charleston, South Carolina, causing a considerable conflagration.
