June 23, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
THE NEWS FROM THE WEST.
JACKSON, MISS. June 20. – A soldier who escaped from Louisville, Ky., on the 5th instant, reports that Majors J. H. THOMPSON and F. M. COWAN had been taken from the jail at that place and hung, under BURNSIDE’S order forbidding recruiting in that State for the Confederate service.
Citizens just in report that a heavy engagement has been going on between JACKSON’S cavalry and the enemy, near the Big Black Bridge. At the time they left the musketry and cannonading were awful. Terrific firing was also heard in the direction of Vicksburg.
OSYKA, June 21. – A trustworthy informant just from the vicinity of Port Hudson, reports that BANKS had received eleven transports, bringing him reinforcements from Hilton Head, but he had mustered out of service as many as he received. His army at present consists of from 12,000 to 15,000 men, whose terms of enlistment have expired and who refuse to fight.
A courier from Colonel LYONS reports heavy firing at Port Hudson every night. General GARDNER’S men are firm.
(The statement that BANKS’ reinforcements were drawn from Hilton Head, is merely conjectural and probably erroneous. There is very good reason for believing that there has been no material diminution in the Yankee forces in this department. – Mercury.)
OSYKA, June 20. – Occasional firing was heard at Port Hudson during last night.
JACKSON, June 22. – On Saturday morning at two o’clock, a.m., the enemy made another furious assault on our lines near Vicksburg. The action lasted until 10, a.m., and ended in the complete rout of the enemy. Citizens from the neighborhood report that the fire of musketry exceeded everything they had ever heard before. The loss of the enemy was heavier than in any previous attack. Nothing whatever in regard to our own loss is known, but it is certain that we have gained another great victory.
Passengers from Grenada report that the Yankee raiders, after burning Panola and Batesville, had gone back in the direction of Memphis. It was thought that General CHALMERS had overtaken them, as firing had been heard in the direction they had taken.
JACKSON, June 22. – A special correspondent of the Mississippian estimates the loss of the enemy on Saturday at 10,000. He also states that the enemy are throwing pontoons across the Big Black, between the Railroad Bridge and Baldwin Ferry, near Warrenton. It is reported that our forces have taken possession of Union Bluff, on the Yazoo.
(Later.)
One of our scouts, just arrived from the interior of the enemy’s lines, reports that they acknowledge their loss to have been heavier than in any other assault. It was variously reported at from 7000 to 10,000, and that our victory was complete. Their troops were much depressed in consequence. They say that Vicksburg has always been a slaughter pen, and abuse General GRANT for undertaking an impossibility.
RICHMOND, June 22. – Official despatches received here state that KIRBY SMITH is at Milliken’s Bend. A letter from Gen. LEE dated Friday states that portions of Gen. E. B. STUART’S command have had several engagements with the enemy cavalry, all of which resulted successfully for our side.
It is reported that the bridge over the Holston has again been destroyed by the enemy.
SENATOBIA, June 17. – We have certain intelligence that the movements of Gen. PRICE are diverting the reinforcements intended for GRANT. Several thousand troops have been detained at Memphis. The campaign on the river is becoming complicated, and GRANT’S delay is being strongly reprehended in the Northwest.
HATCH is returning from North Mississippi, and McCULLOCH is bushwacking him. Before leaving New Albany, on the Mississippi Central Railroad, the Federals burned the place.
JACKSON, June 22. – General RUGGLES, with his cavalry, overtook the Yankee raiders near Rocky Ford on the Tallahatchie today. A severe engagement ensued, resulting in the capture of thirty prisoners, two pieces of artillery, the entire Yankee baggage and ammunition train, together with a large amount of provisions stolen from the citizens. The enemy’s loss in killed was 80. Our loss was small. General GRANT sent a flag of truce yesterday to General JACKSON, asking permission to remove his wounded left at Edwards’ Depot, after the fight at Baker’s Creek, which was allowed, and afterwards they were duly exchanged.
THE ENEMY’S MOVEMENTS AGAINST KNOXVILLE.
KNOXVILLE, June 20. – Six regiments of mounted infantry, one of cavalry, and a battery of artillery, 3000 in all, attacked this city this morning. Colonel TRIGG, of the 54th Va. Regiment, was in command of our forces. After a spirited engagement of an hour and a half, our batteries drove the enemy from the field, with heavy loss. Our loss was six killed and wounded. Captain H. McCLUNG, of this city, was killed. The enemy tore up the railroad and cut the wires some miles above here.
(Later.)
KNOXVILLE, June 22. – The Yankee raiders left here on Saturday morning, at 10 o’clock, and reached Strawberry Plains at 5, p.m. After a brisk fire of half an hour, our troops were captured. The enemy paroled 130 prisoners, burned the bridge, depot buildings and four or five private dwellings, and rifled others. They proceeded to New Market and Mossy Creek on Sunday, where they burned the Railroad Bridges, tore up the track and cut the wires as far as they went. On Monday, at a point between Mossy Creek and Moorestown, they were confronted from the front and rear by the commands of Generals JACKSON and PEGRAM, and Colonel SCOTT. It is rumored and believed that we took all their artillery, and that their whole force has been dispersed; our cavalry pursuing and capturing prisoners. Our loss in the fight on Saturday was six killed and nine wounded. The enemy’s loss was 21 killed and wounded. No injury was sustained by property here.
FROM BRAGG’S ARMY.
WARTRACE, June 21. – Gen. WILDER’S division’ of 2000 Federal cavalry, 500 of whom were negros, were driven back from Alexandria, Tenn., eight miles north of that place, by DUKE’S cavalry, on the 17th. The enemy’s loss was 10 killed and a number wounded. There was no loss on our side. Capt. SHELTON, of DUKE’S 2d Kentucky Regiment, has returned from Bardstown, which place he left on the 8th. He brought out a quantity of valuable stores. The enemy has fallen back from Lebanon and Triune, towards Murfreesboro’. ‘Things are working.’