May 21, 1863, The New York Herald
From all the rumors which reach us today it would seem that the position of general Grant is not quite as secure as his recent occupation of the capital of Mississippi, after a succession of victories at Raymond, Mississippi Springs, and Jackson itself, might lead us to suppose it was. There appears to be an evident intention on the part of the enemy to withdraw their forces – as far as it can be done with safety – from various points, and to concentrate them on Jackson and Vicksburg. Thus we learn that the rebels at Shelbyville have been sent off either to support Pemberton at the latter place, or to retake Jackson. A rumor prevailed in Murfreesboro that Gen. Bragg was quietly withdrawing his men from the front and sending them to Jackson. Then comes the news from Cincinnati yesterday evening that Gen. Grant had evacuated Jackson after destroying the state House and the rebel stores. Stories of the abandonment of that city by Gen. Grant also comes from other sources, but nothing definite is stated as to the time, the manner, or the cause of that movement. The rebel journals exult over the suspicion that Grant is caught in a trap. The Mobile Register insinuates that the victorious advances of the Union army, in the Southwest have received a permanent check. It threatens Grant with the advance of Joe Johnston, and predicts that the flag of the confederacy may ere long float again over New Orleans. The Chattanooga Rebel speculates upon the failure of Gen. Burnside’s plans in East Tennessee, and thinks that the mountains will prove an insuperable barrier to his advance. A Knoxville journal says that ten Union regiments have advanced on Cumberland Gap; but it does not say from what point. The whole tone of the rebel press shows that they are anticipating the defeat of General Grant and the success of General Bragg’s plans to induce General Rosecrans to advance from his secure position at Murfreesboro.
From points farther West, in Arkansas, we have intelligence of several successful reconnoissances by our troops, the destruction of rebel stores and the capture of several prisoners.
General Hooker’s army remains in the old situation on the Rappahannock. No moves nor rumors of moves.
The full returns of the killed, wounded and missing of the Third army corps (General Sickles’) in the battle of Chancellorsville have been forwarded to us; but, owing to our limited space and the fact that we have already published the names in various forms and at different times, compels us now to omit the publication of the complete report. We shall, however, keep it on file for reference. The promptness with which this voluminous report, arranged as it is, in regiments, brigades and divisions, has been made up, reflects great credit on the capacity and skill of Lieutenant Colonel O.H. Hart, the Assistant Adjutant General of the Third corps. If such capacity were promptly shown by every Adjutant General throughout the United States, the fate of every soldier in the army who has fallen would easily be ascertained, not only within a few days of his fall, but also at the end of the centuries.
The cavalry of General Milroy had a skirmish with the rebels on Tuesday six miles from Winchester, Va., in which they killed six and took seven prisoners. Our troops continued to pursue the enemy at last accounts.
The expedition sent out from Suffolk under Colonel Foster is reported to have entirely succeeded in its mission. The damages on the Seabrook and Roanoke Railroad have been repaired.
Much fear for the safety of Richmond appears to be entertained by some of the journals of that city. They admit that its capture would be a terrible blow to the rebel cause, and they urge that a strong defensive force should be called out of its residents, from sixteen to sixty, to protect it from such dangers as imperiled the city during Stoneman’s raid.
Mr. Vallandigham was put on board a gunboat at the levee in Cincinnati, on Tuesday evening, to be conveyed to Fort Warren. He was said to have looked sad and much broken down, doubtless from the humiliating conviction that the citizen of a free State could be hurried off into captivity and exile from his home, without even the due process of civil law accorded to a common felon.