July 2, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
LATEST NEWS FROM RICHMOND AND THE NORTH.
RICHMOND, July 1. — A flag of truce boat arrived at City Point yesterday with returned prisoners of war, ten political prisoners and five ladies. The boat brings a report that the Confederate troops occupy Harrisburg and York, Pennsylvania, but no further particulars.
A deserter reports the Yankee force at the White House to be 10,000 men. They are waiting for reinforcements before attempting an onward movement.
The following despatch has been received from General Stuart:
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY DIVISION
June 27.
General: I took possession of Fairfax County House this morning, with a large quantity of stores. The main body of HOOKER’S army has gone towards Leesburg, except the garrison of Washington and Alexandria, which have retreated within their fortifications.
PETERSBURG, June 30. — Northern dates of the 27th have been received here.
The Herald says that the enemy progresses slowly, but in large force into Pennsylvania. Affairs at Harrisburg bear a more quiet aspect, though the country people, with droves of cattle and horses, are rushing into the city in large numbers. Preparations for defence are going on rapidly. Gen. KNIPE has evacuated Carlisle, but at last accounts the rebels had not occupied the town. Great perplexity exists as to the exact route the rebels have taken. EARL’S division is at Gettysburg, and RHODE’S at Chambersburg. Gen. MILROY has been superseded by Col. PIERCE.
The Herald publishes very interesting news from Port Hudson. The second assault of the Yankee troops on Port Hudson was made on June 14, and they were again disastrously repulsed. The loss of field officers was very large. No less than five Colonels were killed or wounded. The Federals, though repulsed, fought bravely. Gen. BANKS has not force enough to accomplish what he so daringly attempts, and wants reinforcements. It was expected that another assault would be made on the 19th.
The latest Yankee news from Vicksburg is to June 22d. Everything [….] was going on ,’ and navigation was closed up to Memphis.
The destructive operations of the rebel privateers in Northern waters continued unabated. The Herald says that the ocean is lit up by the work of the rebel sea devils. Four more vessels have been destroyed within the last day or two, one of which was a large side wheel steamer. Three rebel privateers, a large steamer, a barque and a three- masted schooner, were hard at work off the Bay of Fundy. The merchants of Boston offer a reward of $10,000 for the capture of the barque Tacony. The Alabama and Georgia were still at Bahia.
The rebel steamer Hattie was captured off Wilmington on Saturday week by the gunboat Florida.
The Petersburg Express of today says that the reported occupation of Harrisburg and York, Pennsylvania, by the Confederates is not confirmed, but there is every reason to believe it to be true. It was credited at Fortress Monroe, and believed by persons on the flag of truce boat. We have received despatches, from reliable sources, stating that there is no doubt whatever of the fact. Another report by the boat says that HOOKER has been superseded by MEADE.
An order issued by General EWELL at Chambersburg on the 22d, prohibits the sale of intoxicating liquors under the penalty of a confiscation of property. Citizens not in the military service are admonished to abstain from active hostilities, under pain of being dealt with in a summary manner.
The Herald of the 26th says that despatches from Harrisburg of the 23d state the enemy is advancing slowly. Over 10,000 men are at work on the Pittsburg fortifications. During the last week no less that 27 vessels have been sent out in search of the rebel privateer Tacony. Resolutions condemning the arrest and punishment of VALLANDIGHAM were defeated in the Connecticut Legislature.
The Washington Star says: It is a deplorable fact that the people of Pennsylvania are utterly incompetent to protect themselves to any extent, and are driving their cattle and horses north, before a squad of rebel cavalry pounce on them. Cotton in New York was quoted at 65 cents.
AFFAIRS IN NORTH CAROLINA.
RALEIGH, N.C., June 30. — The Supreme Court of North Carolina decided, yesterday, that a man who put in a substitute in July, 1862, aged 40, when men up to 35 only had been called for, is not liable to conscription now.
The Legislature met in extra session at eleven o’clock this morning. Gov. VANCE’S message was read, after which both Houses adjourned until tomorrow. The Governor recommends that provision be made for the continued reception of all non-interest-bearing Confederate Treasury Notes, irrespective of the dates of their issue. He says that the Virginia banks, however patriotic their motives, have taken a course which has had a most unfortunate tendency towards the still further depreciation of the currency. He says that no more deadly blow could be struck against our country than that North Carolina should be amongst the first to dishonor money paid her citizens for their subsistence and her soldiers for their blood. It is something that he should regret living to see. If one issue of Confederate notes be good, then all are good, since the same honor is pledged for their redemption. He refers the Legislature to accompanying communications of the public Treasurer, and also recommends a modification of the Militia Law to facilitate the equipment of the 7000 militia called for by the President. The communication of the State Treasurer recommends that the collection of the State and Confederate taxes be temporarily suspended.