Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-05-12
The News of the Week.

n news OI Tic We6k.
There is no longer any doubt about the
enemy having possession of New Orleans
The Federal flag now floats over the Custom
House. Forts Jackson and St. Phillip have
fallen. The guns, it is said, were all spiked
before Gen. Duncan made a surrender. He
is now in that city on parole. Gen. Lowell
with his troops are at Camp Moore, some
70 miles above New Orleans. The city was
quiet at the time of our last dates from the
city-which was the 1st inst. The enemy
being in possession of telegraph and every
other means of communication, of course we
are cut off from late advices. For further
particulars see News columns.
1t is no longer a secret that our troops
have fallen back from Yorktown to Williams
burg, in order to deprive the enemy of the
advantage of his gunboats in an engage
ment. 1t has already been demonstrated
that this was a wise move. Several brisk
skirmishes have occurred recently, and on
Wednesday last Gen. Longstreet's division
had a heavy engagement with the enemy
near Williamsburg. Our loss was some 500
killed and wounded; while we capknrs{
some 900 prisoners and a quantity of a%rtille-
ry, &c. The enemy's loss in killed and
wounded is not stated. See full accounts in
our News columns.
There has been a very current rumor for
some days, that it was possible our troops
were preparing to eyacuate Norfolk, destroy
the Navy Yard, &c. But the Richmond Ex-
aminer says it seems incredible that the Gov
eminent can harbor such an idea. So long
as Norfolk is held, Richmond will be secure
on her most Vulnerable quarter, and so long
as Richmond is ours the Southern States are
safe. So long as the Virginia is below as a
sentinel and guard over the Roads and en-
trance to James River, with a navy yard to
fall back on for r%efitment, she performs as
valuable an Office in the protection o. .Rich~
mond from gunboats as if she was anchored
off that city.
From Corinth we have been for several
days past in hourly expectation of the news
of a great battle there. Indeed, in the early
part Of the week it was reported that the
battle had been commenced; but nothing
further being heard, the report must have
been premature. On the Sd inst. the enc
my's advance column of 5000 infantry, with
cavalry and artillery, engaged Brig. General
Marmaduke's brigade and Capt. Sweat's bat
terry near Pennington, four miles from CO.
rinth. The contest was sharp for an hour,
and the enemy having much the advantage
of us in artillery, our forces fell back, with
a less of 20 killed and 100 wounded. The
enemy's loss is considered muca heavier
The enemy took possession of Pennington
and many poor families were driven from
their homes by the cannonade. A 1t. Col,
Major and others were taken pris ners by
our forces. Our forces are said to be in high
spirits and confident Of victory. May Heaven
make it a signal victory for the South.
The government has received official infor-
nation of the falling back of the enemy in
Northwestern Virginia, being hotly pursued
by Stonewall Jackson. They have evacuted
Harrisonburg and the town is now in our
possession.
The enemy has appeared in Southwestern
Virginia also, and Col. Jenifer's command
has r~etreated to Rocky Gap, after an engage.
ment with the enemy near Princeton in
Mercer c0unty-our loss three killed and ten
wounded. The town of Princeton was burn.
ed up.
Inc re-occupation of Huntsville and De-
catur, Ala, by our troops, is confirmed
The enemy shelled the latter town and burn
ed the bridges.
There has been a rumor that the enemv's
~gunboats had assembled the Roanoke To with.
in 80 miles Of Weldon; but it is believed to
be ~unfounded.