Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1862-05-07

terS twelve miles toward the front, ana onl
advance is now within two miles from the en-
emy's works. The entire advance Is still
pressing onward and skirmishes between the
advance and the rebels are of daily occur
renee. The latter is making slight show OF
resistance and falling back.
On Thursday, four hundred Germans, from
a Louisiana regiment, who had been sent cut
from the rebel camp on guard duty, came In
to our lines in body, with white flags on
their guns, and gave themselves up as deser-
ters.
Successful Movement of General Mitch
ell.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala, via Louisville, May |.
To Hon El,cin 4. Stanton, Secretary Of Var:
On Yesterday the enemy having cut our
wires and attacked during the night one Of
our brigades, deemed it my duty to head IN
person the expedition against Bridgeport.
| started by train OF cars in the morning,
followed by two additional regiments of IN
fantry and two comp panies ofcavalry. 1 found
that our pickets had engaged the enemy's
picketS four miles from Bridgeport, and after
short engagement in which we lost one
man killed, drove them across a stream whose
railway bridge had burned. They had four
regiments Of infantry and two pieces of artil
lery dragged by hand and two companies Of
cavalry.
At three P. NJ, we advanced to the burnt
bridge and opened our fire upon the enemys
on the other side, thus producing the impres
sion that our advance woald be by the rail-
way. This accomplished, the entire force
was thrown across the country, about mile
above, and put on the road leading from Ste-
venson to Bridgeport The whole column
now advanced at a very rapid pace. Our
cavalry scouts attacked those of the enemy
and forced them from the Bridgeport road
We thus succeeded in making complete sur
prise, deliberately forming our line of battle
on the crest of a wooded hill within five hun
dred yards Of works constructed to defend
the bridge.
At our first fire the guards broke and run.
They attempted to blow up the main bridge,
but failed. They then attempted to fire the
further extremity, but the volunteers at my
call rushed forward in the face of their fire
and saved it. The bridge from the island to
the main shore we could not save. 1t is of
small moment, it's length being only about
450 feet.
The prisoners taken report that five regi-
ments 10 infantry and $500 cavalry were sta
toned at the bridge.
This campaign is ended, and Inow occupy
Huntsville in perfect security, while all of
Alabama north of the Tennessee river floats
no flag but that of the Union.
(Signed) o. NJ. Mitchell,
We are still without direct news from
New Orleans, though it is reported that
Gen. Buffers army was there, and that
large amount of cotton, sugar, &c had been
discovered.
From Gen. M'Clellan's army we learn
that the division in which is the 10th reg
iment, had an engagement, but no particu-
lars are given. The following is the dis
patch:
WAsHNGroN, May 6.
The boat to Cherrystone Inlet has arrived
with dispatches for the government.
The enemy are in strong force and en-
trenched near Williamsburg, intending to
dispute the further passage Of our troops
there.
There has been some brisk fighting, in
which Gen. Uancock's division had taken
two redou5ts aud repuised Early S rebel brig.
ade by brilliant bayunet charge.
In this engagement, Gen. IIancnck's rces
are said to have killed two rebel colonels. two
heutenants, and captured $50 prisoners.
Gen. Mcclellan highly compliments Gen.
Hancock 5 conduct.
At the time Of sending off the dispatches
our loss was not known, but it is supposed
to he considerable in proportion to the ex-
tent OF the engagement, as the fighting was
quite severe.
The rebel leaders are evidently concen-
trating their troops with the ultimate hope
of making stand at some favorable point,
or dash at detached divisions. Our gen
erals have now critical duty on hand in
bringing the rebels to battle, and it
ought to be one that will lay low thousands
Of these cutthroats-for in no other way
will the rebellion ever be effectually crush
ed