From the South.
From the latest Southern journals received we make up the following summary of news:The affair at Hanging Rock.
Exaggerated and false rumors having gone abroad with respect to the retreat of our forces from Hanging Rock, in Hampshire county, Va., we copy from the Rockingham Register, of the 17th inst., the following statement of facts, obtained from a reliable gentleman who was present at the time: ‘ Our forces fit for service, all told, did not, amount to over 300. They consisted of a skeleton of one troop of cavalry--Captain Sheets's — a part of Col. Monroe's brigade of Hampshire militia, Capt. Sibert's 8th Star Artillery, from New Market, (two guns,) and a part of Col. Mann Spittler's regiment of Page, Shenandoah, and Rockingham militia, under Lt.-Col. Buswell--these whole forces forming Col. Monroe's brigade, and amounting in all, as before stated, to not over 300 effective men. The enemy, amounting to at least 7,000 men, on Tuesday, the 7th inst., came upon this small band of soldiers, guarding this mountain pass, between daylight and sunrise, driving in our pickets, filling the road in front, and flanking our forces on both sides of the gap. Our soldiers opposed their overwhelming onset by a few well-directed shots, when it was deemed best to ‘"retire,"’ which our men did in as good order as possible under the circumstances. The enemy mortally wounded the gallant Capt. Aleshire, of Page, (who has since died,) killed outright Thomas Lloyd, of Shenandoah, and shot down at his gun and post of duty a brave-hearted Irishman belonging to the gallant 8th Star Artillery. One others man, a member of Capt. Hiram Kite's company, from Rockingham, received a slight flesh wound. These are all the casualties we suffered. Two of our men — Jona- than Whistler and Manoma J. Sluss, both residing near Mount Crawford — were taken prisoners, and are in the hands of the enemy. They were members of Capt. Samuel H. Wise's company. The principal part of the clothing, bedding, &c., &c., belonging to Capts. Wise, Kite, and Aleshire, was captured by the enemy, and burnt, according to their manner of disposing of what they cannot steal and carry off with them. They captured the two guns belonging to the 8th Star Artillery, and a good many small arms, all of which, with the exception of ‘"the big guns,"’ they destroyed. Our informant, who lost all the clothing he had, says the Yankees acted in a most cowardly and sneaking manner, notwithstanding their perfectly overwhelming forces. He says, also, that it was generally believed that some spy or traitor had communicated to the enemy intelligence of our numbers, situation, &c., at Hanging Rock. In support of this theory, he says that neither of our large guns could be got off, notwithstanding the gunners and drillmaster did their utmost to fire them. The enemy immediately beat a retreat, after firing Col. Blue's buildings, a church, &c. ’From Gen. Marshall's Camp — the fight near Prestonsburg — enemy's loss reported at 400 killed.
From the Abingdon Virginian, of the 27th inst., we copy the following: ‘ A courier arrived at this place on Tuesday evening last from Pound Gap, bringing information of a battle having been fought near Prestonsburg, Ky., on Friday last, the 10th inst., between the Confederate forces under Gen. Marshall and the Federal forces under a Gen. Moore. Gen. Marshall's forces engaged did not exceed fifteen hundred, (Col. Trigg's Regiment being held in reserve,) while that of the enemy is reported at from six to ten thousand. Our forces repulsed the enemy three times, with a reported loss on their side of 400 killed. Our loss is some 15 or 20 killed and wounded. Colonel A. C. Moore, of the Twenty-ninth Regiment Va. Volunteers, is reported to have deported himself very gallantly, as did also his men. He lost some five or six of his men killed, and several wounded. ’From Gen. Crittenden's Division--Confederate victory in Kentucky.
The Knoxville Register, of the 17th inst., says: ‘ By a private letter from Gen. Crittenden's command, we learn that a skirmish recently took place between our forces in Kentucky and the enemy, in which the Yankees were completely routed, with a reported loss of twenty. The letter states that ‘"on Thursday, (the 9th,) the General ordered a part of his command across the river, and when we arrived at the bank, the Yankees commenced a brisk fire on us. We were ordered to return the fire, when they threw down their arms and run. A man that saw the fight says there were twenty of the enemy killed. There was nobody killed on our side, and only two wounded. We took a large amount of arms and ammunition."’ ’Late from Columbus — another fight.
From the Memphis Avalanche, of the 15th instant, we copy the following: ‘ We are informed by two soldiers, just from Columbus that on last Saturday, two of the Lincoln gunboats came down within sight but beyond the reach of gun shot of Columbus, and commenced cannonading. Three of the Confederate gun-boats went up to meet them, and exchanged shots with them for about two hours, without damage on either side. Our boats tried in vain to entice the Federals within reach of the batteries at Columbus.--The day before the Federals sent down two rafts to explode the submarine batteries, which were towed to shore by our boats; but a heavy log which was also sent a float did explode one of the torpedoes. ’Later from Arizona.
The Houston Telegraph, of the 6th inst., contains the subjoined late news from Arizona: Nine Miles of Fort Bliss, Dec. 13, 1861.
Ed. Telegraph: Dear Sir
--We are feeling our way up the river slowly, in trying to avoid places that have small pox, which is prevalent in most of the Mexican towns. Colonel Reilly overtook us yesterday fifteen miles below here.
Major Raguet turned out his command and received him in due military form, to which Col. Reilly responded in one of his eloquent and patriotic speeches.
This morning Major Raguet took up the line of march again in advance.
On leaving, the Colonel turned out the remainder of his regiment and gave us a hearty farewell for a few days.
We will proceed 25 miles below El Paso, and there remain until the Colonel comes up. The prospects are, that you will soon hear of news of interest from us. General Sibley is up here, and the Second regiment will be up here in a few days.
The General is a man of too much energy and perseverance to keep us idle long, and the symptoms are good for a rich job. If it should rain, hail, snow, or sleet, I shall let you know it. It has not done so yet, though it is cloudy and quite cool tonight.
Oh! what delightful climate and weather.
It will cure any ordinary pulmonary disease or dyspepsia to travel as we have.
Eight Miles Above El Paso, Dec. 16.
Yesterday we passed the great ordeal in getting the command through the fort and city without halting or breaking ranks, trying to escape the small-pox.
Fifteen cases in Major Waller's command at Fort Bliss, and sixty cases above.
Gen. Sibley, staff, Col. Baylor, and others, had a fine dinner at Mr. Hart's yesterday.
Major Waller is looking finely.
Col. Baylor shot the editor of the Mesilla Times, and severely wounded him, but not mortally. Ed. Telegraph: Dear Sir
Yours truly,
J. F. Matchet.
J. F. Matchet.
