Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1862-05-14
THE WESTERN ARMY

peh' 1aileck's forces are in so close prox.
unity to the rebels that news of a fiebt NAV
be expected at any moment Our advance
plckeis now occupy the grouad lately held
by the rebels. Gen. Halleck has gone on
a reconnoitring expedition, and had not re-.
turned at the date of our last despatch.-
The Provost Marshall of Corintb had c.m.
menced to burn all the cotton and sugar
IN that vicinity. Gen. Beauregard has is
sued proclamation, ordering all the troops
IN the Mississippi valley to the defence of
Corinth, and that all of the cotton, sugar
and molasses in said valley be destroyed.
The long expected naval engagement
on the Mississippi has taken place, and
resulted in adding another link to the chain
of splendid victories for our Western 40
tilla. The rebel feet, under the command
of Commodore Hollins, consisting of eight
iron-clad vessels, four Of which we're arm.
ed with rams, made an attack on our TO-
tilla on Saturday. Our feet consisted of
six vessels, under command of Capt Davis,
acting commodore il the absence of Flag
officer Foot. The engagement lasted one
hour, and the rebels were driven back un
der the guns of Fort Wright, with the
loss of two boats blown up and one sunk.
None of our gunboats were sunk.
The bombardment of Fort Wright still
slowly continues. From certain movements
of the rebels, it is believed they are slow
ly evacuating the place. Commodore Foote
has left the feet, and is now en- route North
it is supposed for the purpose of obtaining
medical treatment for his injuries. Capt.
Davis, late feet Capt. of Com. Dupont, is
now in command of the feet
Gov. johnson, of Tennessee, has issued
a proclamation to the effect that, for every
Union man captured or i'll treated by the
rebel bands Of marauders, FIVE prominent
rebels shall be made to suffer, and that am
pie remuneration shull be made to all loy-
alists who may be despoiled of their pro-
perty, out of the property of such parties
as have given aid and comfort to the enc.
my.
PITTsBURG Tenn, May H.
The following dispatch has just been re
ceiyed at the headquarters of the army Of
the Mississippi:
NEAR FARxINGToN, May 9.-Mai. Gen. Hal.
leck. The enemy 10000 strong drove in our
pickets beyond Pennington, and advanced
against the brigade. occupying the farther
side of the creek in front Of my camp.
The brigade held on for five hours, until il
was heavily pressed in front and on the flank,
and as | could not sustain them without
passing the creek with my whole force,
which was contrary to your orders, and
| would have brought on general engagement,
withdrew to this side in good order.
The conduct Of the troops was excellent
and the withdrawal was made by them very
reluctantly. The enemy made demonstra-
ton to cross but abandoned the movement.
Our loss was considerable, though ] canno,
! tell how great.
The enemy being much exposed suffered
. severely, one of his batteries heing cornp pete
! ly disabled and his infantry line driven back
several times. My command is eager for the
advance. JoHN PopE, Major General
Pennington is five miles north west of
| Corinth. The only forces engaged in the
conflict referred to in the above despatch. on
the federal side, were Plummer's and Cole
mans brigades.
Naval Engagement Near Fort Pillow.
WASHINGTON, May IL.
The following despatch has been received
by the Navy Department:
FLAG SHIP BENTON, ABOVE Fort PILLOW,
MISSISSIPPI RIVER.
May 10, via Cairo, May H. J
Hon. Gideon WelleS, Sec'y. Of the Nary:
The naval engagement, for which the rebels
have been preparing took place this morning:
| The rebel aeet, consisting of eight ironclad
gunboats, four of which were fitted up with
rams, came up handsomely. The action last
ed one hour. Two of the rebel gun boats were
| blown up, and one sunk, when the enemy re-
tired precipitately under the guns of the fort.
| Only six vessels of my squadron were en-
gagged. The Cincinnati sustained some injury
from the rams, but will be in fighting condi
| tion tomorrow.
Capt. Stempble distinguished himself. He
| is seriously wounded. The Benton is unin
jured. Mortar boat No. IL, in charge of Sec
| ond master Gregory, behaved with greatspirit
! The rebel squadron is supposed to be com
| manded by Commodore Holins.
(Signed) G. H. DAVIS,
Captain Commanding the Western Flotilla on
| tho Miceiscinpi ri var ,14O fem