June 23, 1863, The New York Herald
The news from the Army of the Potomac bespeaks movements of great importance in operation or soon to be enacted in Virginia. The cavalry fight of Sunday may be but the prelude to a grand battle. Orders have been issued by General Hooker that […..] shall be said by correspondents in the front until the grand battle comes off.” This is significant.
General Lee occupies the Shenandoah Valley in large force.
General Pleasanton’s official despatch of the late cavalry fight at Aldie is dated from Upperville, near the eastern foot of the Blue Ridge. The battle of Sunday was not only a desperate one, but resulted in a decided success to the Union arms. General Pleasanton encountered the forces of General Stuart in considerable strength in the morning and drove them before him for the entire day, until he reached Upperville, inflicting a severe loss, as the dead and wounded left upon the field testified. He took two pieces of rebel artillery, three caissons, a number of carbines and pistols, and sixty prisoners, including two field and five line officers. The charges made were terrific and the sabre was used freely. General Pleasanton reports that the fight was most disastrous to the enemy.
Our latest news touching the invasion of Pennsylvania and Maryland, from Harrisburg and Chambersburg yesterday, is to the effect that the rebels are marching in great force upon Harrisburg. They have reoccupied Greencastle, are threatening Chambersburg, from which point Gen. Knipe is prepared to fall back, if hard pressed. His troops were drawn up in line of battle yesterday, awaiting an attack. The enemy visited Millerstown, eight miles from Gettysburg, possibly with the view to a movement against the Northern Central Railroad, to cut off Baltimore. People were flying in crowds from Gettysburg, literally blocking up the roads. The enemy is fortifying Hagerstown.
The fine packet ship Isaac Webb, one of the Liverpool and New York line, was captured by the privateer Tacony on the 20th inst., and subsequently released on giving bonds in forty thousand dollars. The brig Umpire, from Sagua for Boston, with a cargo of sugar, &c., was destroyed on the 14th by the same vessel. The bark Evening Star was chased and fired into on the 28th ult. by a hermaphrodite brig while on her way to Porto Rico.
Recruiting in North Carolina, both of white and black soldiers, is going on famously. The movement in favor of the Union is increasing.
Our despatches relative to the capture of the rebel steamer Fingal in Warsaw Sound by the Weehawken and Patapsco establish the fact that only five shots were fired by the privateer. We captured one hundred and eighty prisoners, who reached Fortress Monroe yesterday.
A day or two since a blockade runner was run ashore just north of Lighthouse Inlet, on the Morris Island shore, by our naval vessels. The batteries on Folly Island immediately opened with their James guns, putting over seventy shells into the vessel. Since the firing upon the steamer the enemy batteries on Morris Island have been engaging our batteries on Folly Island continually, but not a man has been wounded on our side. One battery on Morris Island has been silenced.
A despatch from Murfreesboro last night states that General Carter has made another raid into East Tennessee with 2,000 mounted infantry, spreading terror before him. He destroyed the station and took up the track at Lenor and advanced as far as Loudon, where he drew up in line of battle to meet the enemy. He stated his intention to march on Knoxville and destroy that city.
Our correspondence from New Orleans today, by the latest arrival yesterday, contains a most interesting account of the progress of affairs there. The reports from Port Hudson represented the siege as going on vigorously. The rebels seized the steamtug Boston near Pass-a-l’Outre and converted her into a privateer.
We give numerous extracts from the Southern journals of Tennessee, Mississippi and Virginia commenting upon the prospects of the rebel arms in the West. Both Vicksburg and Port Hudson appear to be looked upon as doomed.
Among other news is the explosion of the boiler on board the rebel steamer Chattahoochie, at Apalachicola, while attempting a raid upon our blockading squadron. The disaster was a fearful one, resulting in the death and terrible suffering of many of the crew.
The Richmond Dispatch of the 19th says:– “Richmond is about to be uncovered of the defence afforded by the proximity of General Lee’s army, a part of which is already in the valley of Virginia and probably in Maryland, and the rest will probably follow on, whence they cannot be brought instantly to our assistance, if assistance we should need.” This, in connection with the doleful tone concerning Vicksburg, looks significant of coming trouble for the rebels.