June 8, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
LATEST FROM THE RAPPAHANNOCK.
RICHMOND, June 7. Letters from Hamilton’s Crossing state that a brigade of Yankees, with six pieces of artillery, have crossed the Rappahannock near Fredericksburg, and taken up a position in the vicinity of the site of the Bernard House. The movement is supposed to be a feint. Three transports and one gunboat went up the Mattipone River on Friday, and heavy firing has since been heard in that direction, but the cause was not ascertained. The Yankees have burned several mills and houses in King William county. It is reported that they have also carried off large numbers of negros.
LATEST FROM VICKSBURG AND PORT HUDSON.
JACKSON, June 6. We have not even a rumor today, either from Vicksburg or Port Hudson. Heavy firing continues at the former place. Last night it was terrific.
A gentleman direct from Clinton, La., states that the Federals assaulted Port Hudson, and after four days’ hard fighting GARDNER routed them at every point with great slaughter. The negros were put in front and were shot down like dogs. On the last day GARDNER slipped out a regiment of mounted infantry, who came charging through the Federal lines, whooping and yelling. The enemy stampeded, and were pursued and slaughtered dreadfully. The cold steel was freely used. The enemy are at Baton Rouge, and the siege of Port Hudson has been raised. Near Greenville five transports containing reinforcements for GRANT, were fired into by FERGUSON’S company of artillery, and nearly a hundred killed and wounded. The enemy subsequently landed and burned the town and several country residences. Firing is still heard at Vicksburg.
LATEST FROM BRAGG’S ARMY.
CHATTANOOGA, June 5. The report that ROSECRANS was falling back to Nashville lacks confirmation, and was probably incorrect. Heavy skirmishing occurred yesterday at Hoover Gap, 12 miles from Murfreesboro. There has been slight skirmishing today. The enemy fell back before our troops, and no further demonstrations have been made.
CHATTANOOGA, June 6. Our forces are gradually advancing towards Murfreesboro from Shelbyville. In a skirmish near Hoover’s Gap, Gen. CLEBURNE had his horse shot under him. Murfreesboro is very strongly fortified. It is supposed that Gen. BRAGG’S intention in advancing is to feel the enemy strength, without attacking his works.
COLUMBIA, May 29, via MONTGOMERY, May 31. The Abolition raid in the Tennessee Valley is coming to grief. They number two thousand mounted infantry with four pieces of artillery. Crossing the river at Savannah, they moved thence to Florence, where HARRISON defeated and drove them out, losing Major JENKINS and Captain LOCKE, 53d Ala., killed. Today RODDY crossed below and cut them off from their boats, and is driving them back to Florence, where there is little doubt the marauders will encounter the fate of STRAIGHT’S prowlers. Our artillery ran unawares upon the enemy, and was reported to have been captured, but engaged them and escaped successfully to Athens.