June 25, 1863, The New York Herald
All the news from Harrisburg would indicate that the rebels are moving directly upon that city, though slowly, not only with cavalry, but with a large army of infantry and artillery to support them. They were only six miles from Carlisle yesterday, and were still advancing. Our troops abandoned Shippensburg at one o’clock yesterday, the telegraph operator clearing out to Gleason’s Station. Deserters report that the whole of Gen. Ewell’s forces are now in Pennsylvania. At half past four o’clock last evening the rebel infantry were reported coming over the mountain from Mercersburg, where they were in large force.
Information received at General Schenck’s headquarters yesterday morning from Frederick says that the rebels, with a considerable force of infantry, cavalry and artillery are again threatening that city, and are half way between Middletown and Boonsboro, crossing South Mountain.
Our latest advices from Vicksburg are to the 20th, from rebel sources at Jackson. They state that at that time a heavy engagement was going on at Big Black bridge between our troops and the rebel cavalry under Jackson. The firing of musketry and artillery is said to have been terrific. Heavy firing was also heard in the direction of Vicksburg. Official despatches from General Grant, dated the 18th, say that everything is progressing well, Johnston’s forces are at Yazoo City, Brownsville and Clinton, that we scarcely ever lose a man now. It was intended to open upon the city with hot shot upon the 20th.
The General further states that despatches from General Banks have been received by the Department, to the effect that on the 14th, inst., having established his batteries within three hundred and fifty yards of the rebel works at Port Hudson, after a vigorous cannonade he summoned General Gardner to surrender. On his refusal an assault was made, and our forces gained positions within fifty to a hundred yards of the enemy’s works, which they held. General Paine was severely wounded. General Banks expressed himself confident of success.
The news from General Hooker’s army is not very exciting. Heavy firing was heard yesterday afternoon in the vicinity of Gainesville or Manassas. It is certain, however, that, with the exception of some skirmishing in Bull run valley, there was no fighting yesterday. An important reconnoissance by the cavalry of General Stahel has just been made, the result of which is that no rebels occupy any portion of the district extending from Culpepper to Warrenton, New Baltimore, White Plains or Salem, on the west, nor to a distance of several miles south of the Rappahannock in the eastern section. The main body of Lee’s army is supposed to be between Culpepper and Harper’s Ferry.
The privateer Tacony is giving a good account of herself among our fishing squadron, and she appears to be entirely uninterrupted in her raids, no efforts being made by our navy, so far as we know, to stop her in the profitable business of destroying and burning everything carrying the United States flag that comes in her way. She is reported to have destroyed upwards of a dozen vessels on Monday and Tuesday off Martha Vineyard, including the schooner Marengo.
Our Southern files by the last arrival contain several articles on the present position of the armies of the North and South, and the operations of the French in Mexico. As regards the whereabouts of Lee and Hooker the rebels evidently know nothing; but, nevertheless, they assert that they know a great deal, and pretend to be able to mystify the Northern press! In regard to the French expedition to Mexico, the Richmond papers appear to be very much pleased. They back up the movements of the Emperor, and say that while it is the interested policy of the North to favor the Mexicans, it is the solemn duty of the South to sustain the French in every way and to encourage them to perseverance, as the recognition of the Southern confederacy depends entirely on the previous conquest and subjugation of Mexico by her invaders. They pray for the conquest of Mexico, because on the ruins of that nation their nationality is to rise.