May 6th. Commences with clear and pleasant weather, and light breezes from the northward and westward; at six thirty-five A. M., the steamer Sachem got under way and steamed up the river, exchanging signals with lower fleet from mast-head; at eight forty-five called all hands up anchor, got under way, and proceeded up the river; at eleven thirty came to anchor off Point Coupée; sent forth cutter, in charge of an officer, and with six marines and an armed boat’s crew, to destroy some Confederate property; at one thirty P. M., under way steaming up the Mississippi; at 3 o’clock passed the Sachem; at seven o’clock came to anchor off the mouth of Red river; Albatross also came up and anchored.

Wednesday, 6th.—All quiet to-day. Have very good place to camp; plenty of mulberries.

(Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

Wednesday, 6th–The Sixth Division trains all went to the landing this morning for ammunition. Wagon trains are passing back and forth all the time, hauling provisions and ammunition for the army at Grand Gulf. We had battalion drill this afternoon.

Kentucky

6th. Reached the ford at Waitsboro at noon. Troops were crossing. One boatload of 27th N. J. drowned, 32 persons, Capt. Alexander. Pitiful sight. Camped on the hill. Rainy and chilly. Issued about half rations. Saw an old lady, “Aunt Betsy,” 115 years old, good mind and good heart. Enjoyed hearing her talk. Rheumatism, ready to die when God calls.

MAY 6th.—The excitement has subsided, as troops come pouring in, and many improvised cavalry companies go out in quest of the fox—who has vanished we know not exactly whither.

It is believed we have taken 15,000 or 20,000 prisoners, and that the enemy’s killed, wounded, and prisoners must reach the appalling number of 40,000.

On Sunday, the enemy opposite Fredericksburg sent over a flag, asking permission to bury their dead. This was granted. But when they came—two corps under Gen. Sedgwick came over and fell upon our few regiments in the vicinity. So goes the story. Then, it is said, when Gen. Lee ordered two of our divisions to drive Sedgwick back, the men, learning the enemy with the flag of truce had given no quarter to their comrades, refused to fight unless permitted to retaliate in kind. This was promised them; and then their charge was irresistible, never pausing until the Yankees were hurled back across the river. No prisoners were taken. However this may be, Gen. Lee sends the following to the President:

[Received by telegraph from Guiney’s Depot.]

“HEADQUARTERS, 10 o’clock A M.,
“May 5, 1863.

“To HIS EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT DAVIS.

“At the close of the battle of Chancellorville, on Sunday, the enemy was reported advancing from Fredericksburg in our rear.

“Gen. McLaws was sent back to arrest his progress, and repulsed him handsomely that afternoon. Learning that this force consisted of two corps, under Gen. Sedgwick, I determined to attack it, and marched back yesterday with Gen. Anderson, and uniting with Gens. McLaws and Early in the afternoon, succeeded by the blessing of Heaven in driving Gen. Sedgwick over the river. We have reoccupied Fredericksburg, and no enemy remains south of the Rappahannock in its vicinity.

“(Signed)…………………………………………… R. E. LEE, General.”

Another dispatch from Gen. Lee says Hooker is still on this side of the river, at United States Ford, fortifying.

Gen. Longstreet is now closeted with the Secretary of War. No doubt his entire corps will immediately rejoin Lee.

Jackson was wounded (his arm has been amputated) before the great battle was fought, by our own men, in the gloom of the evening, supposing him a Federal officer. He was reconnoitering in front of the line.

S. S. H______ writes to the department, proposing to send an emissary to the North, to organize secret societies to destroy the enemy’s stores, ships, railroad bridges, etc. by an unexplained process.

Tillman, Griffin & Co. write to Judge Campbell to obtain them permission to trade with Mexico. Does this mean trading cotton with the enemy? I know not whether the request was granted.

Mr. Benjamin, Secretary of State, writes to the Secretary to-day for permission for some of his Louisiana friends to leave the country in a government steamer.

It is said that the government at Washington is ordering their troops from North Carolina and other places on the Southern seaboard towards Washington, and to reinforce Hooker—or Hooker’s army. I think Hooker himself will go the way of all general flesh that fails.

The President sent to the War Department fifty-five letters to-day, written to him on various subjects, but mostly asking appointments. He had read them, and several had indorsed on them, in his own hand, what he wished done in the premises. So he has not lost his sight. He still attends to business at his dwelling, and has not been in his office for more than a month.

Secretary Seddon is gaunt and emaciated, with long straggling hair, mingled gray and black. He looks like a dead man galvanized into muscular animation. His eyes are sunken, and his features have the hue of a man who had been in his grave a full month. But he is an orator, and a man of fine education—but in bad health, being much afflicted with neuralgia. His administrative capacity will be taxed by the results.

From the diary of Osborn H. Oldroyd

MAY 6TH.–This day has been a hot one, but as our duties have not been of an arduous nature we have sought the shade and kept quiet. While in camp, the boys very freely comment upon our destination, and give every detail of progress a general overhauling. The ranks of our volunteer regiments were filled at the first call for troops. That call opened the doors of both rich and poor, and out sprang merchant, farmer, lawyer, physician and mechanics of every calling, whose true and loyal hearts all beat in unison for their country. The first shot that struck Sumpter’s wall sent an electric shot to every loyal breast, and to ­day we have in our ranks material for future captains, colonels and generals, who before this war is ended will be sought out and honored.

It can not be possible that we are to be kept at this place much longer, for it is not very desirable as a permanent location. Of course we are here for some purpose, and I suppose that to be to prevent the enemy from assailing our line of supplies. As they are familiar with the country they can annoy us exceedingly without much loss to themselves. But after we have captured Vicksburg, and the history of Grant’s movements is known, we shall then understand why we guarded Hankinson’s Ferry so long. One of the boys said he thought Mr. Hankinson owed us something nice for taking such good care of his ferry for him. The variety of comments and opinions expressed in camp by the men is very curious. Some say we are going to surround Vicksburg, others think Grant is feeling for the enemy’s weakest point there to strike him, and one cool head remarked that it was all right wherever we went while Grant was leading, for he had never known defeat. Confidence in a good general stiffens a soldier–a rule that ought to work both ways. Surely no leader ever had more of the confidence of those he led than General Grant. He is not as social as McPherson, Sherman, Logan and some others, but seems all the while careful of the comfort of his men, with an eye single to success. Great responsibilities, perhaps, suppress his social qualities, for the present; for each day presents new obstacles to be met and overcome without delay. The enemy are doing all they can to hinder us, but let Grant say for ­ward, and we obey.

Unable to sleep last night, I strolled about the camp awhile. Cause of my wakefulness, probably too much chicken yesterday. I appeared to be the only one in such a state, for the rest were

                        “Lost in heavy slumbers,
                                    Free from toil and strife,
                        Dreaming of their dear ones,
                                    Home and child and wife:
                        Tentless they are lying.
                                    While the moon shines bright.
                        Sleeping in their blankets,
                                    Beneath the summer’s night.”

May 6, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

(From the Atlanta Confederacy, May 5.)

Yesterday morning before 10 o’clock, Col. Lee received a despatch from Major Rowland stating that the Yankee cavalry were at Gadsden, Ala., (on the Coosa river, at the corner of the four counties of Cherokee, DeKalb, St. Clair, and Benton, say 50 or 60 miles below Rome). The despatch of Maj. R. was from Marietta, the nearest telegraph station – whither he had come on an engine to send it. It stated that a messenger had come from Gadsden to Rome, and from Rome on the railroad down to Kingston, and that it was expected the enemy would proceed at once to Rome to destroy Noble’s Iron Works, on the river below, and the valuable work shops at Rome. Later in the day a despatch was received that they had passed by Rome, and were to the south, between that point and Kingston. We also heard it reported that a body of the enemy were approaching via Cedartown, but we saw no despatch to that effect, and suppose it was not correct. It was then supposed they were aiming at the bridge and Iron Works at Etowah. Col. Lee, with all that remained of the Provost Guard and some others, taking two pieces of artillery, took the train at 7 p.m., intending to go to the defence of the bridge and the Iron Works, or to any other point where his presence might be needed. At this writing, we have received nothing from the movements of him and his command since leaving here.

This raid has created a good deal of excitement in the city. Many supposed it was intended to make a descent upon this place, for the purpose of destroying Government supplies, of which the Yankees know we have a considerable amount stored in the city. Various speculations were indulged, and reports canvassed as to their number, and the point from which they came. Some supposed it to be a small force cut off by Forrest in his fight with them at Courtland (Lawrence County, on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, twenty miles west of Decatur). Others supposed it to be a separate expeditions from Corinth, having come entirely to the south of Forrest’s command – say through Marion, Hancock and Blount counties. When the news came that they had passed by Rome, it was supposed that they were in small force, [continue reading…]

May 6, 1863, Southern Banner (Athens, Georgia)

    We are compelled once more to issue only a half-sheet.  The necessary supply of paper could not be obtained.  We trust we shall not have to ask the indulgence of our patrons in this respect again.  By omitting advertising matter, we are enabled to present nearly as much reading matter as usual.

May 6, 1863, Arkansas True Democrat (Little Rock)

            A friend in north-western Arkansas writes to us the particulars of some of the atrocious acts committed by the federals there.  Two of them seized two young girls and outraged them.  Afterwards, two negroes, after severe struggling committed rapes on two respectable ladies, while their white comrades in arms stood by laughing at the shrieks and prayers of the poor women.  May God nerve the arm of Gen. Cabell, and give strength to the brave men under him, to avenge the foul deeds of these dastardly ruffians.

May 6, 1863, Galveston Weekly News

            A Rappahanock correspondent of a late Southern paper writes from camp:

            There are but few tents, but the army is beginning to regard tents as a nuisance.  Much soldiering has made them very sharp, and given them a full knowledge of the law of self-preservation, and they seem to have the same instincts as the beaver, for their operations seem to resemble the habits of that animal.  Brigades move about near thick woods to get supplies of fuel, and for benefit to health.  When the troops stop to camp, you see them scatter about and become very busy, and in course of an hour or two the whole brigade has disappeared.

            You can hear voices and noises, and see moving things, and you almost think it a vision of a haunted place; but after some painful suspense you are enabled to understand this sudden and strange “transmogrification.”  The drum beat summons the men to duty or inspection, and all at once, from holes, caves and cellars, over which is a roof of close brush, covered with a thick coating of dirt, to turn rain and weather, while the tenant below is warmed by a snug and well filled fireplace cut in the solid earth on the side; and such are the winter quarters of Lee’s army.

May 6, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

The guns of this famous iron clad now line on South Commercial wharf. They consist of two long 11 inch Columbiads, and will soon be mounted for our defence – valuable acquisitions, no less than handsome trophies of the Battle of Charleston Harbor. By order of General RIPLEY, Colonel ALFRED RHETT, on the […]th, after the departure of the iron clad fleet, examined the wreck, and reported the obtainment of the guns practicable. Mr. LACOSTE, assisted by Adjutant BOYLESTON, and detachments of men from Fort Sumter, under different lieutenants, have effected the saving of these fine pieces of ordnance with much trouble. Latterly the Keokuk has been entirely submerged, and in rough water. The turrets had to be unbolted, or unscrewed, and taken off before the guns could be slung for removal. This was an unpleasant job of some difficulty, the labor being performed under water, when the sea was smooth, and in the night time only. Those engaged in the undertaking, going in the small boat of the Fort, were sometimes protected from the enemy by the presence of our gunboats; at other times not. One gun was raised last week, being removed by the old Light Boat. General RIPLEY himself, night before last, went down to superintend the removal of the second gun. Enterprise, even with scant means, can accomplish much.

May 6, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

(From the Columbus, Miss., Republic.)

The past week has been an eventful one. The boldest, and we may say one of the most successful, raids of cavalry that has been known since the war, has been made (we say it with shame) through the very centre of Mississippi, and, at the time of this writing, we fear have escaped without the loss of a man. We are almost inclined to believe the words of a correspondent (the article which was declined publication), that the manhood of Mississippi had gone to the wars; women only were left, although some of them wore the garb of men. We do not know where the responsibility rests, but, wherever it is, if it is not a fit and proper subject for court martial, we are afraid there is none. This raid was known to the authorities, or at headquarters, some two weeks ago. The Mississippian sounded the alarm, and the Appeal also gave the note of warning, and the result was, we had a regiment of cavalry added to our small force, half of them without arms. We do not know what more the Commanding General could do in this department with the small force at his command. We have always doubted the ability of Gen. Pemberton to command this department. That he may be a capable and efficient officer, as far as his mind may comprehend, may be true. We find no fault as far as he is concerned, for matters directly under his eye, but he cannot see beyond. When the enemy were coming through Yazoo Pass, he was notified of the fact, and when asked if he would send a force there, he curtly replied, that he had but two points to defend, and that was Vicksburg and Port Hudson. It seems he still believes it, and has shown his belief.

It is reported that between four and five thousand Federal cavalry started on this raid. They divided; some fifteen hundred, or perhaps a few more, stopped and gave Colonel Barteau battle, while the remainder, three thousand strong, marched directly south, scouring the country, from eight to ten miles wide, leaving the railroad, south of West Point, on their left. They encamped one night within twenty-five miles of this place. They destroyed the hospital at Okolona, and a few other buildings, passing south through Houston, Siloam and Starkville, to within one mile of Mason, and thence south to Newton Station, on the Southern Road, which we learn they destroyed. We can learn of no serious damage done, or [continue reading…]

May 6, 1863, Arkansas True Democrat (Little Rock)

            Curtis, the cotton card man, has been arrested again; this time in western Arkansas.  A man named Cox, who was concerned in the swindle, and another, named Mitchell, were arrested with him.  Cox escaped, but Curtis and Mitchell are on their way here, and may be expected as the paroling officer seems to be about Batesville at present.

May 6, 1863, Arkansas True Democrat (Little Rock)

            At Richmond, lately, a number of women, headed by a market woman, went through the streets accompanied by a number of rowdies, and went into several stores, presenting pistols and knives and helping themselves to goods.  They pretended to want food, but stole calico, cloth and everything but breadstuffs.  Several such scenes have occurred in other southern cities, and there is good reason to believe it is part of a system organized at the North, and carried into effect through Lincoln emissaries in Dixie.  The northern papers make a great bluster over this, and point to it as an evidence of our desperate condition.

May 6, 1863, Southern Watchman (Athens, Georgia)

            The paper on which the Watchman is printed this week cost us $15.00 per ream; Paper of the same size and far superior in quality, cost us, before the war, $3.50 per ream!  We could then buy corn at from 50 cents to $1.00 per bushel–wheat at $1.00–bacon at 10@12 1/2–sugar at 10@12 1/2–butter at 12 1/2@15–eggs, 5 cents, and every thing else in proportion.  Corn is now worth $3–wheat $11–bacon $1–sugar $1–butter $1.25–eggs 60 cents!  A hat which then cost $3 now costs $40!  Shirting which then cost 15 cents is now worth $2!  Calico was then 15@20–it is now $3@$4!  All other articles are in like proportion.  We then charged $2 for our paper–we now get only $3.  Every thing we use has advanced from 500 to 1000 per cent.–our paper has advanced only 50 per cent!!  Every body knows we cannot live at this rate.  To bring our business upon a level with that of others, we ought to have $12 per year for our paper, and yet some people are grumbling because, in common with the other weeklies we propose to advance our price to $4 per year–just one third of what it ought to be–after the 1st of June next!

    All we have to say to such persons is, to repeat the proposition we made when the price advanced to $3–which was this:  Pay us in any kind of farm products at former prices, and you can have the Watchman at $2, as heretofore.  If not satisfied with this proposition, have your paper discontinued when the time paid for expires.  We are not anxious to furnish it at *four dollars* when we know we ought to have *twelve.*

May 6, 1863, Southern Watchman (Athens, Georgia)

            The paper on which the Watchman is printed this week cost us $15.00 per ream; Paper of the same size and far superior in quality, cost us, before the war, $3.50 per ream!  We could then buy corn at from 50 cents to $1.00 per bushel–wheat at $1.00–bacon at 10@12 1/2–sugar at 10@12 1/2–butter at 12 1/2@15–eggs, 5 cents, and every thing else in proportion.  Corn is now worth $3–wheat $11–bacon $1–sugar $1–butter $1.25–eggs 60 cents!  A hat which then cost $3 now costs $40!  Shirting which then cost 15 cents is now worth $2!  Calico was then 15@20–it is now $3@$4!  All other articles are in like proportion.  We then charged $2 for our paper–we now get only $3.  Every thing we use has advanced from 500 to 1000 per cent.–our paper has advanced only 50 per cent!!  Every body knows we cannot live at this rate.  To bring our business upon a level with that of others, we ought to have $12 per year for our paper, and yet some people are grumbling because, in common with the other weeklies we propose to advance our price to $4 per year–just one third of what it ought to be–after the 1st of June next!

    All we have to say to such persons is, to repeat the proposition we made when the price advanced to $3–which was this:  Pay us in any kind of farm products at former prices, and you can have the Watchman at $2, as heretofore.  If not satisfied with this proposition, have your paper discontinued when the time paid for expires.  We are not anxious to furnish it at *four dollars* when we know we ought to have *twelve.*

May 6, 1863, The New York Herald

THE GENERAL ENGAGEMENT.

THE CORRESPONDENCE OF MR. L.A. HENDRICKS.

CHANCELLORSVILLE, May 3, 1863.

A REVIEW OF TWO DAYS OPERATIONS.

Day before yesterday, about eleven o’clock, the fifth corps advanced from Chancellorsville down the old turnpike towards Fredericksburg. Six miles from the city the enemy had intrenched himself, and showed an inclination to dispute our further progress. The artillery opened in a few moments and a severe fight was maintained for some time, General Sykes’ division of regulars being hotly engaged. Our advance was gradually driven back to Chancellorsville, where the Hampton Pennsylvania battery of ten-pounder Parrott guns was planted, supported by the Seventh Ohio and Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania regiments. Skirmishing was kept up throughout the afternoon, but results were insignificant. Yesterday morning the attack began simultaneously on the right and on the left below Fredericksburg.

The rebels advanced against our front, cheering and fighting like demons, but were repulsed. After a lull of considerable time, during which their troops could be seen moving hastily around further to the right, an attack was made by the enemy on the plank road. Geary’s division fought handsomely, and after a fierce struggle drove them back. Towards night a demonstration was made on our right flank from the direction of Gordonsville. The cannonading was very heavy and the roar of musketry deafening. The Eleventh corps fell into the disorder, and came back upon the main body of the troops badly broken up, but the Twelfth corps moved rapidly out and checked the enemy’s operations. [continue reading…]

May 6, 1863, Arkansas True Democrat (Little Rock)

            Can’t help it, gentlemen.  Mr. Yerkes has gone for a supply of paper.  As the feds are below Vicksburg and crossing may be delayed for weeks, we are bound to reduce our sheet so as to have enough to issue a paper, however small, until he returns with a supply.  “Half a loaf,” you know.  It is mortifying, but it cannot be helped.

May 6, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

As we see various descriptions of the new Flag adopted by Congress, it might be instructive to our readers to give the description in correct heraldic terms, which would be as follows: ‘Argent: on a canton gules, a saltire azure, fimbriated of the field; charged with thirteen etoiles of the last,’ which is rendered thus: ‘White: on a canton red, a St. Andrew’s cross blue, edged with white, bearing thereon thirteen white stars.’ We are not sure that the blue cross on the red canton is edged with white; but if it is not it ought to be, in order to relieve it from the charge of false heraldry, which forbids color to be placed upon color; and this edging, or fimbriation, was expressly invented by the English heralds to avoid false heraldry in the Union Jack of England.

It will be seen by the following despatch to the Hon. Mr. VILLERE, of Louisiana, that the design that has been adopted is a favorite design with one of the greatest leaders of the Confederate army:

CHARLESTON, S.C., April 24.

To Hon. C.J. Vallere:

Why change our battle flag, consecrated by the best blood of our country on so many battle fields? A good design for the national flag would be the present battle flag as Union Jack, and the rest all white or all blue.

G.T. BEAUREGARD.

June 6, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

VICTORY AT PORT HUDSON.

The refugees from New Orleans, who arrived at Mobile a day or two ago, bring accounts of glorious Confederate victory at Port Hudson on the 27th ult.:

The Yankee troops had made two desperate assaults, which were repulsed with immense slaughter. When ordered to make the third assault, they refused, and swore they would be led into a […..] slaughter pen.’ Four of the Abolition Generals were seriously wounded, whose names we were unable to ascertain, with the exception of Gen. Stafford, who was shot through both legs. General Grove, it is also stated, was killed. Some parts of these rumors are hardly credible; such as that, of all the men taken by Banks into the fight, only 3000 escaped. General Banks’ entire staff was captured. Of one negro regiment which made the assault, 600 were killed. We further learned that General Gardner had given orders to take no negro soldiers prisoners.

Later and Confirmatory. The following is a copy of a hasty note written at New Orleans just before the boat containing the prisoners left the wharf. It is from a gentleman of high character:

NEW ORLEANS, May 26. Tremendous fight at Port Hudson on the 27th. Yankees driven back with a loss of 3000 killed and wounded. Generals Sherman (since reported dead), Neal, Dow, Chapin and Nickerson, wounded. General Payne killed. Negros, to use the language of the aid of General Sherman to H. Evans, […..]. They held our outworks for two hours, but the 15th Connecticut and 26th New Hampshire caught the infection and the whole concern broke and fled. They report the United States sloop of war Richmond sunk; some say it was another vessel. This is their own version. Banks not in the fight. All under the direction of Sherman. He was brought here last night. Registered enemies will apparently be left alone for a while.

May 6, 1863, The New York Herald

Our Cape Girardeau Correspondence.

CAPE GIRARDEAU Mo., April 28, 1863.

The gallant fight sustained by the garrison of this place two days ago has already been announced through the country by telegraph. Though the battle was not of long duration nor the losses heavy as compared with most of the actions in which our troops have been engaged, it was in reality an affair of considerable importance.

THE INVASION PRECONCERTED.

It seems that the invasion of Missouri has been for some time past in contemplation by the rebel leaders. In February General Price arrived at Little Rock, and commenced preparations for an advance toward the North. Hitherto all the invasions of Missouri, or the attempts at invasion, have been into the Southwest, striking at Springfield, as the key point of the region. The occupation of that portion of the country both by the rebel troops and our own have completely stripped it of supplies and forage. It was but recently that a portion of the army of the frontier was obliged to fall back to Rolla, in order to receive its supplies of forage from St. Louis. This exceeding scarcity of food and forage induced Gen. Price to change the usual routine and make an attack upon the Southeast. Cape Girardeau was the point to be aimed at.

COMPOSITION OF THE REBEL FORCE.

Batesville, on the White river, was made the base line for the movement, and here the rebel forces were assembled. They were gathered from various parts of Arkansas, but chiefly from Little Rock, and consisted of forces from Missouri, Texas and Arkansas. The command of the army of invasion was given to Brigadier General Marmaduke, and consisted of four brigades of about two thousand men each. The brigade commanders were Colonels Carter, Burbridge, Shelby and Green. Carter’s brigade consisted of the Nineteenth and Twenty-first Texas, Platt’s battery of artillery and two battalions of mounted men. Shelby’s brigade was composed of Missouri troops, and Burbridge’s chiefly of Arkansas men, while [continue reading…]

May 6, 1863, The New York Herald

Our latest intelligence from the battle field on the Rappahannock is up to Sunday afternoon at six o’clock, at which time things looked favorable for General Hooker. Three sanguinary battles had been fought up to that time; the heights of Fredericksburg, with all the lines of the enemy, had been taken; the attempt of General Lee to turn our right wing had been defeated; we had captured from four to six thousand prisoners, three thousand of whom had already arrived in Washington; and though no positive of official reports of any later proceedings reach us, the result cannot be looked upon with much misgivings, while intense anxiety necessarily still prevails. We have accounts from the vicinity of the battle ground as late as Monday night, from which it would appear that the fight was renewed that day near Chancellorsville. It was thought that General Lee had been reinforced from Richmond, which would throw doubt upon the cutting off of communication by General Stoneman, about whose movements nothing very positive is known, except that he had got into the rear of Fredericksburg, and was attempting to cut the railroad connection.

We refer our readers to the thrilling descriptions of the battles of Saturday and Sunday, given by our special correspondents on the field. They paint the scenes they witnessed with a vividness and force which leaves nothing to the imagination to supply. A map accompanies their accounts, showing the theatre of operations. The list of killed and wounded proves our loss to be heavy in the three engagements, particularly in general officers.

The reconnoissance in large force made by the army of General Peck on Sunday from Suffolk, under Generals Getty and Harlan and Colonels Stevens and Dutton, for the purpose of ascertaining the position of the enemy on the north side of the Nansemond, and learning whether General Longstreet had withdrawn to aid General Lee, resulted in a very serious and sharp encounter with the rebels, in which our troops did valiant service. The gallantry of the officers is described as magnificent. The enemy were driven into the woods in disorder, and on the following morning there were none of them to be found within twelve miles of Suffolk, except the wounded left behind. It would appear that they had commenced a retreat for the purpose of joining Gen. Lee before the reconnoissance was made. They fled along the South Key road, and [continue reading…]

May 6, 1863, The New York Herald

THE GENERAL ENGAGEMENT.

THE CORRESPONDENCE OF MR. L.A. HENDRICKS.

FIFTH ARMY CORPS HEADQUARTERS, IN THE WOODS BACK OF CHANCELLORSVILLE, Va., May 3, 1863.

We have had some of the heaviest fighting of the war since sending my despatch yesterday afternoon. Happily the Fifth corps has been blessed with the good fortune of being only slight sufferers.

GENERAL TYLER’S BRIGADE, of General Humphrey’s division, is a painful exception, however, as will be seen by the account below, in the terribly sanguinary conflicts of the past twenty-four hours. What may be yet in store for us – through what new scenes and changes we must pass, and how we may come out of the series of contests so fiercely begun and presented, and with no show of speedy termination – involved in deepest darkness and doubt.

GENERAL SKIRMISHES.

Hardly had the messengers left with my last despatch when a general skirmishing began nearly the whole length of our line. It was kept up rather desultorily, cannonading and musketry intermingling until about five o’clock, when it waxed into a pretty
GENERAL ENGAGEMENT.

The attack was mainly on the right, where the work was warmest. For one or two hours the roar of artillery and musketry was incessant. The disastrous and disgraceful giving way of General Schurz’s division of Gen. Howard’s corps [continue reading…]

May 6, 1863, Galveston Weekly News

            It is becoming a matter of grave consideration says the Augusta Chronicle, how our railroads shall be kept up.  The building of locomotives does not appear to be as difficult as the making of rails–nor does the procurement of other rolling stock.  To an inexperienced mind either the building of a locomotive or the founding of a cannon appears a much more difficult task.  Yet we believe that the first iron rail has yet to be made in the South.  Cannot some of our ingenious mechanics, assisted by our millionaire capitalists relieve us from the dangerous dilemma, without compelling a resort to the temporary make shift of taking up the iron from some roads to repair others?

May 6, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

THE VICTORY ON THE RAPPAHANNOCK.

RICHMOND, May 5. No official despatches were received last night, or this morning from General LEE’S headquarters, but a private telegram represents our victory to have been complete.

General (Stonewall) JACKSON’S left arm was skilfully amputated below the shoulder, by Dr. McGUYER, of Winchester. The General was removed to a country house, about 15 miles distant from the battlefield, and is doing well.

Direct railroad communication with our army has not been re-established. The guide of the Yankee foragers was captured yesterday, at Tunstall’s Station, on the York River Railroad, where a skirmish occurred between the Yankees and a few Confederate Infantry.

IMPORTANT FROM THE WEST.

JACKSON, May 4. General BOWEN, being attacked by overwhelming numbers of the enemy, and his position being outflanked, has fallen back from Grand Gulf. The 31st Louisiana Regiment was captured, fighting desperately. The loss was very heavy on both sides. Gen. BOWEN now occupies a position east of Grand Gulf and south of Bayou Pierce, with Port Gibson between him and the enemy.

The enemy is reported to be at Pontotoc, 7000 strong, intending to march on Meridian, via Columbus.

Governor PETTUS, says that no serious disaster has occurred near Grand Gulf. He wishes the people to have confidence in the result. He has come to the rational and deliberate conclusion that the whole State will be held, though a few towns [continue reading…]