E. O. GOODRICH, EDITOR.
TOWANDA:
Thursday Morning, July 3, 1862.
IN TIMES OF GREAT TRIAL it is proper to disen
gage the mind from its too intense contempla- j
tion of the present, and direct it upon the
probable wants and necessities of the future.
The spectacle of a nation undergoing or
ganic change seldom' recurs in an ordinary
lifetime. We who behold this great struggle !
for national life arc accustomed,and are teach- ;
ing others, to regard it as sudden and violent;
while the truth is, that various causes have
beeu at work every hour since the birth of the
nation to produce just the effect now being
witnessed, with various emotions, by the civil-'
ized world. Nor is this straggle unique in |
kind, cause and probable result. Every na- ;
tion worthy cf the name has its record of ex
periences exactly similar. The only material '
difference is that we have a larger repertory !
of fact and experience to resort to than any i
that have gone before. Shall we wisely open
our eyes and make the most of this extra priv
ilege, and thereby gravitate to a firm anchor
age among nations, or shall we refuse to be !
taught by fact and experience and enter upon ,
the precarious revolutionary existence enjoyed !
by the South American and Mexican Repub- ;
lies ?
These arc serious questions. It may be
proper to refer to our national past in plain
terms. As a people wn have beeu neither dis
interested nor virtuous. We have not been
true patriots. If the interest of any class have
Buffered, that class itself is to be charged with
the blame. We have habituated ourselves
to the thought and practice that certain clas
cs needed protection from the rapac'ly and
bad ambition ol other classes. We have cre
ated this idea and taught the people to Lar
bor it. Why ? Because we have been mis
ers heaping up a certain kiua of capital,known
as political capital, with reference to the ag
grandizement of organizations of men. The
fact is, that every class is, in this conntry.able
to care for itself. All the patronage aDy class
or interest needs from parties or government
is simply relief from cutsido influences. That
the rich are the natural enemies of tho poor
in this country is a false teaching. And that
the poor hate the wealthy is equally false.—
These are some of the falsehoods which have
been disseminated am ocg the people by de
signing men for seifish purposes, and which
have bad their share of influence in precipitat
ing tho present straggle. Time was when
these nipcais to the worse passions of men
were the stock in trade of the democratio
party.
The fierce struggle ia which wo are engaged
will operate in many ways to elevate us in the
6cale of national life. It will act as judge,
jury and executioner of our great popular
crimes. It will act as the idol-breaker in the
temples we have erected for the worship of
falsities. It will act the great physicians to
purge popular opinion of its gross impurities,
and it wd! cleanse the political and moral at
mospheres of their corrupt and heaven-insult
ing stenches, as tho hurricane purifies the at
mosphero of the natural world of pestilence
aud plagues. Whatever ny be the immedi
ate los 3, the nitimation can be nothing but r.
great and saving gain. Posterity will see that
this war was us inevitable as it was tiecessarv.
There is another greut evil of which we have
made no mention, and which sach strife as we
are now waging is destined to prove a cor
rective. Heretofore we have sought men for
place not so ranch for their peculiar fituess, as
for that something which may be anything or
noihiDg,—availability. The meaning of this
terui is vague. The nature of the qualify it
pretends to name and define is necessarily
gross and impure. Sometimes a man is avail
able because he has money, and can bear the
expenses of a campaign ; or, he understands
the " ropes'' that lead to the most excitable
passions of the multitude, and is therefore
available ; or, he is a great political general,
or manager,and cau move puppets in high pla
ces. But how seldom have we heard men
urged for place, among the managers, because
of their peculiar desent and fitness! No wou
der if we have been nearly wrecked by bad
ru!er3 and misled by evil counsel ! No won
der that we are disfiguring the ago with the
most stupendous civil war yet recorded in his
tory 1 All this must be charged before we
ean hope for a stable goverument and a uni
ted people. Mere politicians must go the
wall and the reai men, who constitute the spi
nal marrow of the nation, must be brought
forward and pnt in their places. Those who
have served faithfully aud well must be con
strained to coutinue iu the public service.—
The best men—men who can bo trusted—
whose lives have growu to be sufficient guar
an tees of their ability and integrity—these
must be preferred in the new order of things.
Aud we stands upui the threshold of that new
era in our history. Already it is time to act
in obedieuee to the behests of that better fu
ture which must succeed this better present.
If there be any yet uueonviuced the day is not
far distant when the conviction will be forced
upon them.
SS* Some of Gen. Crawford's men made a
reoonnoissance on Monday up the Shanandoah
V alley to the town of Luray. They drove out
the rebel pickets, and had a skirmish on the
JVewmarket road, a mile beyond the village,
taking four prisoner*. One of onr meu was
killed and three were wounded The enemy
bad no stores at Luray.
THE SITUATION IN VIRGINIA.
From a variety of sources, the authenticity !
of which is unquestionable, we learn that the
latest advices from McClellan, received in
Washington, up to noon on Monday, were to
the date of Saturday, at 2 o'clock, p. rn. Up
to that time he had successfully catried out a
plan which he had pointed out some time ago,
as one which he was very likely to put in exe
cution, should circumstances render it expo
dicnt to do so. That plan was to swing his
right wing towrcd the rear, including the di
visions of Fitzjohn Porter, Hooker, and Ilan.
cock, being ail the forces which iay north of
half way between Bottom's Bridge and New-
Bridge, while, at the same time, he advanced
his left wiog toward the James River, and
CDcned communication with the gunboats.
The attack of the enemy in great force on
the right wing, last Thursday, rendered it ex
pedient to resort to this strategic movement
sooner than was intended. Of course, this
change of position necessitated a change of the
base of operations, and White House Landing
was ordered to be abandoned, in conformity
with the prearranged plan.
Under the direction of Gen. Casey, this dif
ficult undertaking was accomplished with en
tiro success. All the sick and wounded were
carefully shipped off, the orutiance and com
missary stores placed on transports, and the
troops aud property embarked for James Ri
vc-r, the refuse left behind, which did not ex"
ceed $5,000 in value, being given to the flames.
The tr.ile and a half of steamboats, with a
large camber of sloops, brigs, and schooners,
moved off, under convoy, and on Monday were
at Turkey Island, on the James River, about
eight miles below Fort Darling, aud fifteen
from Richmand, as the crow flies
To return to McClellan anu the army.—
After an interruption of nearly 43 hours in
i his intercourse with Washington,during which
I ho was completely isolated from his commani
! cations, and, as it were, buried in the Cliicka
| hominy wilderness, so that the most painful
i apprehensions began to be entertained for his
: safety, the head of his left wing emerged from
! °
' the swamp, and touched the James River,
l on Monday, near Turkey Island Bridge. Of
i course, he immediately opeueu communication
| with Com. Rougers cf the James River flotil
! la, and through him with Washington, to the
| great joy of all who were favoreJ with the
; glad tidings. The result of this movement may
'be briefly stated. If "we are not raistaken,ere
| many hours his miie and a hair of steam tran
: sports may relieve his weary soldiers of the
! fatigue of marching to Richmond, by landing
j them within easy approach to the rebel capi
i tal, aftar the gunboats snail have sufficiently
smoothed the road thithc-r.
In thus returning to the.original plan of the
campaign, frustrated for a time by the prcs
, or.ee of tlift dreaded Merrim.ie, and extrieut
| ing our gallant army from the malarious
swamps of Cnickahominy, placing them in the
| pare atmosphere and on the high grounds of
the Jemes River, a great advantage has been
, gained. Of course, th'i3 has not been obtained
1 without a heavy cost of life ; but the enemy
has equally, if not more severely suffered, at
' cur Land?, and we trust that the time has
! come for making the campaign against Rich
| moiid i; short, sharp, acd decisive."
IMPORTANT ARMY CHANGES. —The forces un
der Maj. Gens. FREMONT,BANKS and MCDOWEU,
have been consolidated into one army, called
the Army of Virginia,and Major General POPS
has been especially assigned by the President
to the chief command.
The forces under Gen. FREMONT constitute
the first army corps, to be commanded bjGen
FREMONT.
The forces under Gen. BANKS constitutes
the Second Army corps , and are to be com
manded by him.
The forces under Gen. MCDOWELL const itute
the Third Army Corps, to be commanded by
him.
MCCALL'S Division, 10,000 strong, which
formed a part of MCDOWELL'S corps, has
reached MCCLELLAK by water, aud another
division is to follow immediately in the same
way,while Gen POPE will also operate against
the enemy at Richmond.
Besides UCCALL'S I)ivision,Gen. MCCLELLAN
has receivee other reinforcements to the amout
of several thousands, since the battle of Fair
Oaks.
The first work of the new Commander will
of cuursc be to take in hand that audacious
rebel marauder, Stonewall JACKSON, (and in
this business of rebel catching, lie lias had
more experience tiiau any man iu the field,)
and drive him finally out of the region which
he has so long ravaged—or, what would be
still better, and more accordant with POPE'S
antecedents, " bag" or des roy him and his
entire command.
The following order was issued from the
War Department under date of June 27 :
I—Major-General John C. Fremont having requested
to le relieved from the command of the fiist army corps
of the Army of Virginia, because,as he says the position
assigned hint ly the appointment of Major General
l\>pe as Commander-in-Chief of the Army or Virginia
is subordinate and inferior to that heretofore held by
him, and to remain iu the subordinate command now as
signed would, as he pays, largely reduce his rank and
consideration in the ser\ ice.it is ordered that Major-Gen.
John (J. Fremont be relieved from command.
II That lirigadier General Rufus King be and he is
hereby assigned to the command of the first army corps
ot tlio Army of Virginia, in place of General Fremont,
relieved. By order of the PRESIDENT.
EDWIN JT. STANTON, Secretary of War.
£©• Byon arrival from Port Royal, we
learu that Gen. Ilunter has withdrawn his
forces from Juraes Island, and than the re-en
forcements expected from Key West had ar
rived in good health. Deserters professing to
come from Beauregard's army state that large
numbers of his men, whiic on the way to
Richmond, had been diverted toward Char les -
tOD, to re enforce tbe robe! army there.
THE IB fORJE UNION.
Operations Before Richmond.!
Three Days Important Events.
A CREAT BATTLE ON FRIDAY.
WHITE HOUSE EVACUATED.
THE EMENRSR REPULSED.
GAINE'S MILL, Friday, Juue 27,15G2.
The army of the Potomac is having a week
of work.aud the promise of the prevailing signs
is that ihe closing day of the last week in June,
is to witness hard fighting. Yesterday after
noon, at about 2 o'clock, the rebels, who had
crossed the Chickahominy at Meadow Bridge,
two miles below Mechauicsvilie, attacked with
artillery from across the river,and with a strong
infantry force, the regiment composing the
First Brigade of McCall's Division —the Pu,k
tails, the Tenth, Eighth. Ninth and Fifth
Pennsylvania Regiments. The were prompt
ly met by the Pennsylvanians, who fought
them for two hours, when the Second and
Third Brigades of McCall's Division, compris
ing six regiments, reinforced their hard-pressed
comrades, aud fought them until evening, re
pulsing them at ever point. Our men suffered
a very considerable loss in kiiied, wounded and
prisoners, something like three hundred—the
figure is merely estimated—but were ready for
further work this morning and in high spirits.
The Bnektuiis were especially unfortunate
Two companies of them were surrounded by
the enemy. One of them succeeded in escap
ing, hut the other Company lv, fell into the
clutches of the Confederates. The Captain
of the company, Capt Irving, after lie had
been taken, took advantage of a temporary
cciifusiou and made good Ids escape. First
Lieut. Welch, of the same company, was hfft
in the hands of the rebels. After holding the
enemy in cheek for four hours, McCall's Divis
ion was reinforced by two brigades from Gen.
Fitz John Porter, and the rebels were again
driven back, they making a further attack,
with u heavy loss During the action a severe
cannonading was kept up by both par'ies, the
rebels, however, failing to do much damage
with their shells. Tiny advanced upon us in
great force. It is estimated that at iea-.t 39,-
000 men were brought by them into the tUb;,
to make a desperate 1 Sort to flank our right.
Our far inferior force, however, held them ef
feetually iu check and eventually drove them
back.
Geu. McCieliau himself arrived on the groud
to ward evening, and immediately sent a d-s
patch to be read to the troops on the other
side of ike Chickahominy, t • tiie ( ff< ct that
Gen, McCall had repulsed tiie enemy and
driven tiiem back upon their entrenchments —-
The dispatch was read to the troops just at
dusk, and from tiiat hour till ia'o in tiie night
all along toe lines of our army, cheer after
cheer went up.
The fight was renewed early in the morning,
when the enemy were again repulsed ; but at
about G o'clock, in accordance with strategic
plans oi Gen. McClcilan, our troops fell back
two or three aides, the rebels following.
The fiuht has proceeded to uuv on hotter
ground ami satisfactorily. The movements ot
the army are important,but lam foi bid tos.nt
them Hi detail.
From White House we hear of a probable
j advance of the enemy 0:1 that post of supplies,
' and every thing there is ready to receive them.
All aio >g the lines today tlx re has been
vigoious firing, the enemy attempting to theli
our camps.
Much of our paper is occupied with details
of the operations of the Army of the Potomac
during the lust three unys ol mst week. It i<
haruiy po-sible to weave the several accounts
into any connected narrative, nor is ii precise
ly clear irom any or ail of them what lias been
done and what has been tiie result. The first
1 indication of "something in the wind" was ob
served at White House, one of the main depots
for commissary stores —on Wednesday last,
when a neet of boats began to remove the
.stores down the \oik River toward City
I Point. This was done very privately, ail in
quiring correspondents and civ.iians being kept
, off. Toe sick and wounded Were also saiViy
' removed, and the few troops at White House
1 ordered to be ready at any moment to leave,
i During the morning there was a report abroad
i that a division of the rebels, the forces of Stone
! wall Jackson and Gen. Ewell, were aporoach
I ing and threatening to open the way by the
| right flank for a raid on the White House.—
j Meantime, the trains on the railroad were kept
running night and day, carrying forward noth
ing but ammunition and munitions of war, and
; siege and rocket trains, and field pieces. The
last event 01 Wednesday night was the arrival
i of nearly a hundred wounded men of Hooker's
division, who had participated in the mysteri
ous move. cut of Gen. McCieliau on that
morning, securing Tavern Hill (the " impoit
| ant point" in Gen. McCiellan's dispatches,)
; which commands Rcbmond. Nothing of great
j importance occurred on Thursday morning ;
the removal of stores and munitions of war
continued. About noon the enemy made their
j first attack in a feint upon Gen. Stonemati's
forces, near Hanover Court House, but about
j 2 p. m. crossing the Cliiekahouiinv, and tnak
; ing a desperate attempt to drive back our men.
The only forces engaged here were MeCah's
division, who were located on the opposite
side of 11 swampy ravine, about a mile and a
half hack from the Chickahouiiny River. The
battle lasted trum about 2 unlii 9 p. ui , when
! the enemy drew off. renewing the attack at
j the break of day ou Friday, and, after several
hours ot hard fighting, Gen. McCah's division
were ordered to full hack. The fighting, espe
cially on Friday, is said to have been terrible.
The rebels had overwhelming forces, and as
soon as they met 0113 repulse, they returned
doubly stiong. They came in such dense
masses that the shell and grape pcurtd into
them made great gaps in their lints, which
were immediately filled up, at.d they moved
forward most determinedly. Their artillery
was so poorly set ved that the damage to our
ranks was light in proportion. They still
j moved on, and exchanged shower.-, of Minie
balls ; hut when Gen Porter ordered a bayo
net charge, they retreated in double quick,
though he pursued them but a short distance,
i The enemy ugain rallied and approached our
Hues, when the same terrible slaughter ensued.
This time their artillery was more effective.
Ou coming to close quarters they were again
repulsed, and driven buck a still greater dis
tance, the twice fought-wer battle-ground be
ing literally strewn with the dead and the dy
ing. - Gen. Porter a second time fell back to
his position, and waited nearly an hour for tlw
enemy to renew the assault. They finally came
ou in increased numbers, having been largely
re-eaforued, and were again received with shell
and grape, causing great chasms in their ranks.
A third time they bore down most de termined
iv on onr lines, and this conflict was the most
severely contested of the whole, but when the
bayonet was brought to bear lie fell back, and
was pressed toward Richmond fully a mile be
youd our original lines. Again, for the fourth ,
time, General Porter fell hack to his first po
sition, when an order was received from Gen.
McCieliau to continue his retrogade movement
slowly and in order. The enemy again push
ed torward boldly, when their advance was
checked by the entire reserve force. This
Iresli force held the enemy in cheek, while the
force which had previously borne the biunt of
the battle moved back iu good order, carrying
with them their wounded and dead The i ne
my made a fierce uilaek on the reserve, but
cannon were posted at various points of the
route by which they were retiring toward the
Chickahominy, which occasionally poured in
shot and shell upon them, and checked their
movements, and enabled the troop.-, to move
back in order. At one time iu this retrogade
movement, the reserve force of Gen. Sykes
charged on the enemy with the bayonet and
drove him back nearly a mile. This is about
the substance of the lighting, which closed on
Friday night. Our loss is estimated at I,2U(J.
Tiie loss in officer.-, is heavy. There are many
wild rumors afloat, hut we place little reliance
upon them. A letter writer, wh ought to he
well informed not only ot results but of plan,
comes to the following gratifying conclusions :
That the object of Gen. McCieliau, long be
fore the battle on Friday, was - to anaudou the
White House, and also draw in his right wing
across the Chickahominy. That he has ac
couipiished this most masterly movement with
but 1 ttle loss in comparison with his punish
meut of the enemy iliere can be no doubt, and
that he lias .strengthened his position by con
tracting his lines, and changing the base of his
operations 10 the J imes liver, is equally self
evident. There lie wiii have the cooperation
of the gunboats, at d .f the enemy attempts to
interrupt his supply-vtsci.- by making a dash
on the James River, they wili meet vvi'h prompt
punishment from the gunbo its, and so weaken
their forces iu front that the city w.'d fall into
his possessioc with but a slight struggle.
Fur.Tii F R rAKTirrt. A RS.
WASHINGTON. Jun? 20, ISG2.
S lice closing my letter at the White Hou-e
I find myself very unexpectedly in Washington
City, and in possession of most trustworthy
information from White House, and otliei
points on the Peninsula, nearly a day later
than is contained in my letter.
It appears that telegraph communications
between White House and G ■. McCieliau
was not broken until near 1 o'clock on Sat
urday, itud thru the wire was cut at Dispatch
station, 11 miles out. Tutx-tall's station, 4
miles, was in our possession until -4 o'clock in
the af'ernoon, at wh'cii hour the operator at
White House heard a .strange signal coioming
over the wires
On going to the lustrum mt, he was herald
ed with what the Union soldiers call the Reb
el national salute —" i say, oil you Yankee
, son of n !" This was the signal given
for liuul evacuation, when a portion of the in
fatitry forces immediately embarked on steam
-1 boats hi waiting for them.
The hist of the tnin.-p rts was moved off bv
stearntngs, and a few articles scattered about
ot! shore, even some dam iged liav, lire i Tilt
whole was of a very small value. Tims of the
many millions of property here a few davs ago
perhaps not s.*>,ooo worth was destroy, d.
Ju the midst of ihis closing scene in the
beautiful Chickahominy region, I regret to
have to state that some vandil set fir.: to til •
\\ bite House, and it was entirely consumed.
The enemy made his appearance in cous dura
tile force at tiie \Y uite House about 7 o'clock
on Saturday evening, and, although i,e nei-
Ufitlier found bread for man,nor hay for beast,
was welcomed with heavy .showers of gruye
shot from tHe three gunboats which were
ranged along in front 04 the landing.
They were supposed to he 30,000 strong,
and unless lln-y drought t'n-ir h ivt-r-acks w, II
supplied, must have gone supper less to bed.
In the best o. times 1 found starvation stare
me iu the f re, at the White Hou-e, and ]
hops 1 lie reliefs found no better fare
Tiie eiv.tlry at tin- \ ti.te House guarded
the departure of the last wagons and horses,
which moved off at the final 1 vacuation, and
joined the forces of Gen. Sfoiiemaii, whowt-re
i uoveriug in the vicinity ail day.
Alter passing these trains < ff, and securing
their entire safely, (Un. Stoneman, with the
entire force, moved off in a direction that 1 am
not at liberty to state.
Gen. Casey reports that he lost not a man
nor did lie leave a soul behind, cot even a cm
traband.
At 10 o'clock on Saturday morning Col
lugallsand Capt. Sautelle were before York
town, with an immense convoy of vessels and
steamers on their way to the new base of op
oration on James river.
They would doubtless move down immediate
ly to Fortress Monroe and await the instruc
tions ot Gen. McCieliau. A number are,
however, already up the Junes River under
the protection of the gunboats.
•Since an early hour on Saturday morning,
Gen. MeClcllan iias been deprived ol his tele
graph communication with Washington. ID
abandoned its use several hours before the
wires were cut, doubtless being fearful tlntt
the enemy might, hv placing a magnet 011 the
wires, read his orders
D.reet communication with Gen. McCieliau
is now being opened,however,by the gunboats
up the mouth of the Chickahominy, and will
soon be right in this respect.
There are signs of activity in the neigh
borhood of Vicksburg. News received at
Cairo states that our fleet of gunboats had
passed the Mouth of Yazoo, and gone ot. to
within four miles of Vicksburg ; that men
had gone overland and communicated with
Commodore Farragut, whose fleet lies ju-t
below the city ; that the Commodore had
sent a dispatch to Capt. Davis at Memphis,
and that the latter officer immediately started
down the river with the gunboat B-nton. ot it
ers of his flotilla being directed to follow im
mediately. Th. Mnnp/iis Appeal of the 23 I
S says that the Union fleet of twenty gun and
mortar boats opened upon the Vicksburg low
her batteries on that morning. Ttie re-uit was
not known. Van Dorn is the Rebel eoiutuand
. er, having supcrseeded Mansfield Lovell in
I that D-pnrtment. Rebel authorities say that
j Van Dorn had advised families to leave the
j city, as be intended to defend it at all haz
ard*.
ARRIVAL OF THE ERICSSON.
Interesting from South. Carolina.
-New Yoik. June 28, 1.-5'2.
The United States transport Ericsson, Cap
tain Lowlier, from Tortugas 16th instant, Key
West IBlb, and Port lloyal 23J, arrived here
yesterday morning. She brought a large mail
from ail the above places and 181 passengers,
among whom are General Beuham and stalf.
Bdie also brought lilty-ReVen soldiers who were
wounded in the late engagement on James Is
laud, S. C They are in charge of Bui g* on-
Craven and Scholl. She brought from Key
West four companies of the Ninetieth N<w
York -State Volunteers, and landed them at
Port Royal ; also the Ninth New Hampshire,
and lour companies o! the First Lulled Slates
artillery (regulars.)
The United Slates troops, under General
Bcuhuui, nude an altaek on the morning of
June 10, ut four o'clock, and were repulsed
alter lour hours' hard lighting, with flic loss
of six handled and sixty-eight men killed,
wounded and missing. The Michigan Eighth
had but two hundred and fi'ty men left at roll
cull. The New York Seventy Ninth suffered
severely The Union troops were obliged to
retreat under tlie cover of the gunboats.
Gwi Brauuau, from Ivey West, was expect
ed to arrive at Port Royal daily.
Col. Perry, of the Forty-Eighth regiment,
(of Brooklyn,) dcid at Fort Pula.-ki, June 18,
ut apoplexy.
The United S-ates ship San Jacinto was at
Key West All Weil.
By the Eiiessou we have full particulars of
the operations of the Federal torces on James
island, near Charleston, up to the end ol last
week. There have been two engagements
Willi the rebels—the first of which occurred
on the evening oi the lUlh in-taut, resulting In
little loss ; aud the bailie ot the 10 h, winch
was the ouiy check our forces have received
at any point on the eo ist since the war began.
Nearly six huudriti men were h si.
Tne tiist reconiioi.-Sanee in lorce, which was
to be made ly our troops on J iims Island,
was ordered for the lltii in-t , but was po.-t
poued on account ct an attack ty the i< o, ;>
on the Federal can p on the night o! the lOih
This attack was, howt ver, repulsed with lutie
10-s ox our side The fact tiia' the cue ny
had ventured to ppr am our camp, tor the
evident purpose oi a-c-M'taining the extent ot
our fore.-, aud iu whicli ifT-u't they wcie stic
ccs.-iu! to some ex'ent, iin'ueed Gits. B uhain
to change his p! ice, and to make an attack
instead of a neoniioissame in force, with the
intention ol storming the rebel works, i! cir
cumstances ucr- livorable
The but!le ot the lothin-'auf began at lour
o'clock iu the morning. Tue ue.-ign of our
ofijeers was to approach the rebel wotk- in-ai
Becessionvi!!e bciure dayliglit ; but the delays
incidental to an advance ov.-r ground where
not perfectly understood, pr<. vented the cxeeu
tion of this pit.gramme.
It i- proper to leinuk that ti.i- attack wa
d- citled On iu const <picr.ee of inlormatiou re
ceiveil from nb' I ihseiter.s —afterwards found
to be correct who repr s> uicii tin<t the r< bel
winks were very strong, ami that a uum or tii
additional gnu- imd been rtciived ami would
at once lie mounted, thus rendering an up
proach exceedingly hazatuous it not impos
sible.
Gen. Betihnin nssnmed coiiimand, anil our
men, with the Highlanders and F -ghth M eh
igan regiment in the advance, marched gallant
Ir on the enemy's works Tins charge was so
rapid that the rebels were unable to bring
tin ir guns into full use ur.til the Federal foive
was very near. They poured in a destructive
lire, including musketry, and remained insnl
their iinrench.it' nts. iaerc was but Intl.
pause. The regiments we have named rusher
up to the trenches and into and t. rough th-m
and direct 1 v to the breuslwotlis, where a t-r
nble struggle took place, in which the tncup
were driven from their guns. A large num
ber of our troops sciilcd ti.e parapets, tin- re'>
i els ret routing.
i There are conQ cting state-n 'tds regarding
i the fiatt'e ut this point. The oflieois ol tic
| storm.ng party diclare that they were mn
sunportiaf—that G-m. S'evcns faded to bring
op his forces in tiiti- ; an i a hull, it appear-,
was ordered It is believed by the troops h
: constitute.i the ad wince that I hey coiiel hn
- cleared the defences it tin y hud to.lowed up
the advantage while the r.-tnls were di-o gan
: iz ti and exp cted to be pursued. fheiiii',
'however, enabled tlietinmv to collect ti.eo
forces. Titey soon recommenced the light, ami
, a sanguinary iiand-10-hand cui.fl ct ensued, ii
which lite vastly superior rebel force brought
against the small number —variously staled ut
i one to three hundred men—who had actually
sealed tile parapets, enabled the rebels to form
f them back and into the trenches. Here a ter
i nble and destructive light took place. Tin
i r. lie's obtained positions whence tin y could
j pour an enfilading fire upon our troops, and
I lour hundred tuea of the Federal lorce were
j either killed or wounded belore a retreat could
i be successfully accomplished.
CLEARING THE SVJSSS.'SSIPPI.
Communications betv/een Commo
dores Davis and Farrag ut.
Union Ham Feeet, off Vick-ri iiu. June 20—p. m. )
Via Memuuis. June 2s— Via Cihcauo, June 30. F
The Union runs communicated with Coin
uiodore Farragnt on W• dnesday. He was to
attack Yicksburg on Friday. Twenty wen
| in position at Yicksburg.
Farragnt was co fident of victory Tin
; rebel lorce is estimated at 12,000. It is re
! ported that Fanagut destroyed the town ol
| Warrington.
The cotton was burned nil along the rivers
! Commodore Davis's flotilla is to cooperate
| with Farragnt.
The full of Memphis was unknown at Yicks
j burg.
Curtis is in a perilous situation in Arkansas
Tin: rebel Gen Rains is in Ids rear with
fifteen thousand men. The guid oat Aikansa.-
! is aground in the Yazoo River. There is great
distress and alarm in the South.
Memphis, June 23, ISM 2.
The Grenada Appeal of ihe 231 learns that
the Union fleet, to the number ot twenty gun
boats and mortars, opened fire at an earlv hour
that mon iug on the lower batteries at Vn ks
burg. The result is not stated. Van Dorn
is in command there, having superseded Lovell
in the command of that depnriment.
A letter to the same paper from Chatta
nooga, the lGtli, savs * "We have direct
news this morning that the enemy are falling
back before our advancing columns from Pow
ell's Valley to Big Creek Gap. While this is
going on, Mitchell is moving on our rear in
the vicinity of Battle Creek, waiting to fail
upon his prey.
The Grenada Appeal of the 25th says :
"Gen. Van Dorn advised u!l families in Yicks
burg to move eight miles back from the river,
fie intends to defend that department to the
last extremity " Tlmt paper also says thut on
Saturday last the Union mortar fleet, in tow
of nig boats from below, was repulsed ui Grand
Gait by our batteries ol six and twelve pound
ers. The same day the gunboats ut Yicksburg
opened a brisk tire on the batteries, which con
tinued over an hour without doing any injury.
Ol uifdrs in Aikansas, '.he Appeil says that
the rapid movements of General llindman's
forces have a most mi the State of
armv, and that they have succeeded in driving ■;
him back to a position within a sliort distance
ol the Missouri line. When our informant left
they were still retreating."
At an election in this city on Thursday,
John Park, the Union candidate for.\la\or,.
received 721 votes, being all the votes east.
Cairo, Monday, Ju e 30, lsC2
The steamer Forest Q teen, from Memphis,
has arrived with GSO bates cotton.
News from the Hot Ila is highly interesting.
Oar gunboats and rams passed the mojutli
of the Yazoo River and proceeded to within
four miles of Yicksburg, from which point sev
en men went, by laud to the Louisiana side and
communicated with Farragut's lleet. Com.
Farragut has since sent a di-patch to Captain
Davis, which reached Memphis Saturday morn
ing. Capt. Davis immediately started down
the river with the Beaton, and others ol the
fio.illa will .-o m follow.
FROM GEX. HTLELLAX'S ARMY.
ADVANCE TOWARD RiCHMCND.
McClel can's Headqiartees, MYdnesday, )
June 2a, —Evening, f
Gen Hooker, at G o'cio k this morning, ad
va ced his Division with the view of occupy
ing a new position. The result wag thai, his
troops met with a mo.-t determined resistance
from the i in my.which lasted nntil four o'clock
in the uftei aoon, b i the r.-bels were forced to
give way before the invincible courage of our
men.
Dmieg the day evetything indicated a gen
era! etigMgeiueixt, but the enemy tor some rea
sou or other, backed out of it.
'1 ne troops ail fought us gallantly as ever.
The !ovs on our si.ie will tie about two iiun
dl'eii killed ami uoumled.
Tlie following are among the wounded.
Col. Morrison, volunteer Aij to Gen Pal
mer, wounded in the hand.
Coi'. Katr ity, of the Second Excelsior
Begimciit, wounded in the irg.
The loss among the cffiei rs in the F.rst
.Massacliuseits B giment, winch suffered the
most, i> as follow s :
Dap!. Wild, wounded i'i the hand.
Capt. C iirutii wounded in the lirest.
Capt Cha in be ihn wounded in the face.
L < ut. Ti.oma-, wounded in the ana ; am- ;
putated.
Lieut. Dal bin, woutideil in the hrest.
L •ui Pai !i. i >on, i ti*"i ie the leg.
Our killed is st.-mli, most of our men being
w onuded.
The loss of the enemy i< not known, but it
is believi d to tie equal to our own.
The c imp of the rebels in front of Gen.
I looker was captured, and is: now occupied by
his troops.
The giound funght for was n swamp, with
thick underbrush, beyond which is an open -i|
country. The words intervening between our
roops ai.d the enemy prevented the result
of our iirti!|..i v firing from being known
Two Napol- i) i 1 2 pounder-, under Capt.
Deßus-v, sue .hi ih d in getting through thu
-w,imp during the nf ernoon, and did excellent 1
service Ai. i fl'ort of the enemy to cipttrrn
hem it suited in their being driven back with
| Vt-re loss.
T e result of today is highly important to
lie health of the armv, as but a Utile more
ground is to <e ga'.nvd to place our trooos be- ■
yomi tie s amp.
G it McCiobaa was present during the
whole day, supei intending nil-h overrents
WAsiiiNureN, Th'ir-dav. Jane 25.
-
A desputch, leiaivcd at the \Va r Depirt*
meet, this aiti-no'on, fiom Gen. .MeCieilan, a
-tu' s that the all ui' of yesterday was per-
Yciiy iu eesi'ii!; that we im'd the new picket, m
line undi-'urbn 1, nod that u!i is verv quiet on } u
the banks ol the Chick ilioiniey.
From Llemphis.
VKuruis, June 25, 1567.
The Ja* tie li'fk Demrcra! says that there
ire iu Aikansas troin lIMK.H) to 12 OUO Utroit
■
! troojts scattered over a large ex'ent of eotta
trv. The largest body, amounting to 5,000 or
G,OOO, are in the vicinity of Batcsviile. '-'lie
■ litest advices arc. that they have crossed 'he
White R-vc-r, and are retreating toward Mis
-oni-i.
The railroad from Columbus, Kv., to this
city ts now in operation, and in a day or two j
there will lie railroad communication to Cor-
Kith, ami from there to Hantsville, Alabama.
Enough lolling stock has been secured to com- j
mei ce o; (-rations with.
Over 1,500 prisoners hare taken the oath of j
allegiance since the occupation of this place.
All is quiet at Corinth. That point is gar
risoned by two division?, and it is reported
that Gen llullcck will return to St. Louis
very soon.
Gen. Lew Wallace and staff ! ft here yes- J
teiday for their homes. Gen. MeCler "and is f
siili at Jackson, lelin.*
A lleet of steamers, with supplies for Gen.
Curtis s army, has ui rived, and will be escort
ed up White River, Atk., hv a strong guard.
Mayor Datks and Aldermen II ibinson, Lo |
Gfee and liurlliiirt, have taken the oath of
allegiance, but the remainder of the Board
hang back
It is reported that there are 23,000 troops M
at Yicksburg. under Bragg and Pillow.
The Grenada Appeal says that Yicksburg
will he held at all sacrifices, and that all non- |
c lubatan s have be n sent away.
The Victsbnrg CiU~m says the Rebel force 9
at TnpVllo has been greatly increased, and I
their camps much improved.
The Citizen pnbli-h.es a letter from the 1
Lieutenant commanding the gunboat Miatni I
to the authorities of Rodney, warning than) a
that if the Union transports are tired upon 9
from the batteries erected at or near that ■
point, the same punishment will he visited I
upon that town which the Cnv of Grand (* u 'f I
received ; to which G -. Lovell replied thnt |
his batteries are located at the best point®# I
and that he shall lire when lie pleases.
It is now .-.luted that General Rosoncrans I
takes command ot Geo. Pope's command, U* M
stead of Gen Haniilton's Division.