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 on the river may probably be taken temporarily, but measures will be taken to meet the enemy at every point assailed, driving him back. He thinks that our affairs are not half so gloomy as they were three days ago.
WIRT ADAMS ambushed GRIERSON’S Yankee cavalry at Anute Bridge. He let three companies cross, when he opened fire, killing and wounding several. Col. PRINCE (Yankee) ordered his regiment to charge, but the men generally refused. PRINCE himself charged at the head of a few of his men, and was mortally wounded. He has since died, and his body is in our possession. Three companies escaped to Baton Route; the remainder are hemmed in, and will probably be captured.
The New Orleans True Delta of the 28th predicts that the United States are on the eve of a war with Great Britain and France.
VICKSBURG, May 4. A Yankee craft, with two barges in tow, laden with medical stores and rations for the Yankee army below, attempted to run by our batteries last night; but were set on fire by our guns, and all burned to the water’s edge. The crews were taken off by our skills, and have been brought here.
MOVEMENTS IN GEORGIA AND TENNESSEE.
CHATTANOOGA, May 4. The Federal cavalry, 1700 strong, have penetrated into Georgia. They were met by armed citizens near Rome, and held in check. FORREST is in their rear, and will probably capture them.
All is quiet in front. It is reported that BURNSIDE is hurrying to Nashville.
A heavy force of the enemy crossed the Cumberland River at Celina, and under cover of their artillery, attacked Col. HAMILTON’S forces, who, inferior in numbers, and without artillery, fell back to the hills, where they made a stand, and, after several hours fighting, repulsed the enemy, killing 10 and wounding 19. Our loss was two killed and three wounded. The Yankees, retreating through Celina, burned the place. Col. HAMILTON pursued them to Tompkinsville, Ky., and destroyed most of that town.
ROME, GA. (via DALTON, GA.), May 4. General FORREST, yesterday accomplished a most brilliant success, capturing Colonel STUART (Yankee) and his entire command, consisting of 1600 infantry. He had pursued them from Courtland, Ala., and captured them two miles from the Georgia line, and 20 miles from Rome. He was fighting incessantly for five days and nights. General FORREST lost 10 men killed and 40 wounded. His reception in Rome yesterday was a triumphal ovation. A salute of 20 guns was fired, and the ladies extended to him a cordial welcome.
ATLANTA, May 4. Passengers by the State Road report that 1600 of the enemy and 400 contrabands were captured by FORREST, at Cassville. The Yankee loss was 50 killed; our loss 10 killed. A despatch from Colonel LEE, of Etowah, confirms the above.