June 12, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
THE BATTLE OF BRANDY STATION.
RICHMOND, June 11. The battle of Tuesday occurred at Brandy Station, on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, five miles beyond Culpeper C. H. The accounts, so far, are very conflicting; but there seems to be no doubt that the attack of the enemy was unexpected. They gained some advantage in their first onset. On the arrival of our reinforcements a desperate and sanguinary battle ensued, and the enemy was finally driven from the field. Much of the fighting was hand to hand. General STUART commanded our forces. Among the killed were Col. FRANK HAMPTON, of South Carolina, Col. SOL. WILLIAMS, of North Carolina, and Col. GREENE, of Culpeper. Brigadier General ROONEY LEE, a son of General R. E. LEE, received a sabre cut in the thigh. Captain BALL, of the ‘Black Horse Cavalry,’ was shot in the hand, and other casualties amongst our officers are reported. Among the prisoners brought down last night, there are eleven commissioned officers.
LATEST FROM VICKSBURG.
JACKSON, June 5. A rumor prevails here today that a portion of General JOHNSTON’S forces, under command of General WALKER, had engaged the enemy near the Yazoo and drove him back. There are no particulars. All is quiet here, with no news from Vicksburg or Port Hudson.
JACKSON, June 6. We can hear no more particulars in relation to the late battle towards the Yazoo. It is generally rumored and believed that General WALKER whipped the enemy badly, and captured three thousand prisoners. A few short hours will enlighten us on the subject.
A gentleman who has been a prisoner – captured by the enemy near Vicksburg – and made his escape, arrived here this morning. He reports that the Yankees acknowledge that, in their first assault, they lost, in killed alone, fifteen thousand. One of the surgeons told him he could walk on the dead for ten acres, with blood over his shoe tops. The last assault was made last Tuesday with a […..] hope.’ The loss of the enemy was very great.
He also says that the enemy is disposed to give up the capture as a hopeless job. They are short of provisions also, having themselves burned or otherwise destroyed everything they could lay their hands on.
The […..] are sent to Milliken’s Bend. Two thousand were sent a few days ago.
The firing heard the past day or two – excepting the regular bombardment – was caused by the Yankees trying to get the range of location of the commissary warehouses. Their object is to destroy them. Very little injury, as far as heard from, has been done. It is believed that we have sixty days provisions in the city.
Of the movements of Gen. Johnston we have no information, save news of occasional skirmishes between some of his men and the enemy’s forces.