March 16, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
IMPORTANT FROM NORTH CAROLINA – ‘BETHEL’ HILL ADVANCING ON NEWBERN.
RALEIGH, March 15. – The Kinston correspondent of the State Journal says that Gen. D. H. HILL came upon the enemy outposts at Deep Gully, on the Trent Road, eight miles below and this side of Newbern, yesterday morning. The enemy’s force was four companies of infantry and one light battery. These became panic-stricken and fled across the stream, destroying the bridge. Gen. HILL had it quickly repaired and pushed on after the enemy. The General’s horse was twice struck with a minie ball.
A Yankee and a […..],’ who were captured, have reached Kinston. They report the enemy at Newbern 12,000 strong.
Gen. Hill is moving on Newbern.
FIGHTING ON THE TALLAHATCHIE RIVER.
JACKSON, March 14. – The following official despatch has been received from Gen. LORING:
‘FORT PEMBERTON, March 13 – 1 p.m.
‘There has been a terrific fire by the enemy, uninterrupted for four hours, from ten to sixteen heavy calibre gunboats, two heavy guns on land and one mortar. All their guns from the boats except one have now ceased firing, and the gunboats have retired round the bend, eight hundred yards distant, showing only one gun. The enemy’s gunboats and batteries were constantly hit, and large quantities of burning cotton struck from them. We have lost some valuable gunners and a few others. Thank God, our loss is small, so far. The enemy loss must be very great.
‘Later. – MARCH 13, 7, p.m. – Just as I sent off my last despatch to you, the enemy opened upon us again with guns of one gunboat, the land battery and their 13-inch mortar. The fire was kept up with great spirit until after sunset. The ammunition for our heavy guns has, just now, arrived.’
Fort Pemberton is situated at the mouth of the Tallahatchie.
MOVEMENTS IN ARKANSAS.
PANOLA, MISS., March 12. – Tolerably authentic advices received here say that Helena, Ark., was attacked in the rear on Monday. Parties from that direction say that heavy firing was heard yesterday. The information comes from deserters, who say there are but 5,000 troops left at Helena. A gentleman from Memphis reports that there are 2,500 sick Yankees in the hospitals of that city.
LATEST FROM TENNESSEE.
CHATTANOOGA, March 14. – All quiet along the front today. It is believed here that a battle is imminent in the neighborhood of Tullahoma. There was light skirmishing yesterday between our cavalry and Yankee foragers on the Murfreesboro road, at Old Forestville.
Fifteen Yankee deserters, who gave themselves up on the Mississippi, arrived this morning by the Huntsville train, having walked from Okalona to Huntsville. They are all Kentuckians.
VAN DORN’S MOVEMENTS.
COLUMBIA, TENN., March 12. – Four brigades of the enemy, under Generals GRANGE, ROSECRANS, DAVIS and SHINDER, endeavored to hem VAN DORN in yesterday, just across Duck river, knowing that he had no means of crossing. Our artillery was kept in position until yesterday morning, and relied to the Yankee fire. The river was there crossed by a ferry. The outposts were held as usual. The whole command then withdrew, passed the enemy’s left flank, and escaped by the way of White Bridge, twenty-six miles above which they crossed successfully. The Federals are not yet aware of our whereabouts, and are looking for VAN DORN in their rear. The successful escape from so perfect a net is regarded as unusually skillful and fortunate.
Later. – The enemy are greatly surprised and exasperated at VAN DORN’S escape. They returned to Franklin to protect their rear, and committed many depredations, burning the houses which VAN DORN had occupied as his headquarters.
Nashville papers state that the enemy’s loss at Spring Hill was only three hundred, and that the Confederates had three negro regiments engaged, who fought bravely. The four brigades sent in pursuit of VAN DORN have returned. – Savannah Republican.