Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1862-06-07

GENERAL. HALLEcK's HEADQUARTERS,
May 30, 1862.
During nearly all last night the moving of
| cars and the suppressed sound of steam
whistles betokened that some movement was
going ON in the enemy's camp; but, this not
being any extraordinary occurrence, it was
not considered worthy of more than passing
notice.
About five o'clock this morning, several
explosions were distinctly heard. Immedi-
ately afterwarwards skirmishers were thrown
out, and general advance of the United
States army commenced, when it was found
that the enemy had left his western strong
hold and fed.
A very large amount of railroad iron was
left untouched. There being some twelve
or fifteen tracks of railroad running from
the depot to the entertainments, with side
tracks and switches, the enemy was enabled
to move off with great rapidity.
From all information that can be CLEANED
from the prisoners taken, it is thought that
the evacuation was commenced at sundown,
last night, the enemy retreating in three
dircctions-cast, west, and south.
Beauregard stated to the citizens of Co.
rinth, last night that he intended to throw
himself on both our fanks.
At this hour, Corinth is held by our army
as an outpost.
Our cavalry are seeking for the enemy.
The force sent from General Popc's COM
mand came upon, and dispersed, the enemy,
eight miles below Corinth, on the Mobile
and Ohio Railroad; while in the act of burn
ing the bridge at that point Forty prison
ers were captured.
The cnemy's rear guard destroyed the
railroad depot at Corinth and a church, and
intended to destroy the entire village, but
the inhabitants saved some fifty of the
houses. A few bales of cotton were CON
sumcd. They also broke open many of the
stores and burned the contents.
A large force of United States cavalry,
under Colonel Elliott, was sent out on We'd
ncsday morning 10y circuitous route to
destroy bridge on the Mobile and Ohio
Railroad south of Corinth Though the
expedition has not yet returned, we learn
from the prisoners that ii was known in
Corinth last night that large bridge had
been destroyed, forty miles SOUTH by a body
of our cavalry.
They also state that one of the twenty
FOUNDER Parrot shells, fired from General
Popc's column, exploded in their camps,
killing eighty men and hundred horses,
and that thirtyroundcr Parrott shell
| thrown into Corinth as an experiment, by
General Pope, destroyed a locomotive and
killed its engineer.
1t is thought among military men that the
destruction of the bridge south of Corinth
the uncomfortable proximity of our falling
shell, and thcpossibility of Federal success
on the Mississippi, were the causes of the
| evacuation.
The cncmy's works were certainly of very
great strength and capable of a stout resist
| ance.
| WAR DEPARTMENT, WAsnrSGToN, May
SO.-Thc following dispatches were received
this afternoon
NEAR CoRINTH May 80.
To the Hon. EDWIN VI. STANTON, StcretQlg
g IIT:
Gen. Popc's heavy batteries opened upon
the encmys entertainments yesterday, about
| 10 o'clock 4. NJ, and soon drove the rebels
from their advanced battery.
| Maior-Gcncral w. T. Sherman established
another heavy battery yesterday afternoon
within one thousand yards of their works
and skirmishiug parties advanced at day.
break this morning.
Three of our divisions are already in tho
cncmy's advanced works, about thrcc-quar
| tcrs of mile of Corinth, which is now in
flames The enemy has falen back TO the
Mobile railroad.
II. W. HALLECK, Major-Gcneral.
SECOND DESPATCH.
NEAR CoRINTH, May 80.
To the Hon. EDWIN NJ STANTON, .StcretGrJ
Of Var:
Three strong accommodating column,
advanced this morning, on the right, centre
and left, to feel the enemy and mmask his
batteries. The enemy very hotly contc tcd
his ground at each point, but was driver
back with considerable loss The column
on the left encountered the strongest opposi
tiOn. Our loss was twenty-five killed and
wounded. The enemy left thirty dead on
the field. Our losses at other points are not
I yet asCcrtained. Some five or six officer,
and number of privatcs were captured
Tho fighting will probably he renewed to
morrow morning at dayhrcak. The Who'll,
country is so thickly wooded, that we arr
compelled to feel our way.
II. w. HALLECK, Major General.