The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-05-31
THE SITUATION.

There appears to be no later reliable news from
Eicksburg than that Of Monday last, the 25th inst,
which we published yesterday. Dispatches from
various points Cincinnati, st. Louis and else.
where-gve many vague reports, out Of which
may be gathered the fact that no news is known Of
any fighting later than Monday. General Grant
Is still represented as prepared for any attack in
his rear, and that his army Is full Of confidence,
30. Our base Of supplies on the Yazoo river was
not only secure but reinforcements were arriving
there rapidly. II is said that the attack on the
rebel Notifications on Friday week was not made
by the entire line, as reported, but by force un.
der General Blair, which assaulted the big battery
and failed. Whenever the rebels attempted to
plant guns, however, they were foiled by our
sharpshootsrs.
We give map to-day illustrating all the leading
points in the progressing siege of vicksburg, to-
gether with copious accounts of fresh interest,
relative to the operations there for some time past
contained both In our own correspondence and the
rebel statements.
R1mors of q movement Of the Army Of the Cum
bcrland from the vicinity of Murfreesboro find
circulation from some sources; but there appears
to be no confirmation for them.
There issttle doubt, from all the inte gence
which reaches US, that the army of General Lee ia
very actively in motion, and that ON attack on
General Hooker's lines Is not at all an improbable
fEent. Large masses of the enemy's troops were
traced yesterday on the road to Culpepper and
Kelly's Ford by the clouds Of dust which rose in
the rear Of the river front of the army. stuarts
and Mosby's cavalry are evidently on the move
with their usual dash and suddenness of action.
detachment Of the First Vermont cavalry had
skirmish on Friday near Thoroughfare Cap with
ascouting party Of Stuarts cavalry consisting OF
forty men, commanded by Captain Farley, of
General stuart's staff, The rebels fed precipi.
lately, with the loss of one killed, two wounded
and one man taken prisoner. They were then
being pursued.
Yesterday morning the rebels attacked train
of sixteen cars from Alexandria, loaded with
forage, about mile and half from Kettle run.
towards ws~renton junction. The Third brigade,
under Colonel De Forrest, was stationed nj Kettle
run, and the picksts were first notified of the enc.
hy's presence by hearing heavy firing. A force
was immediately sent In the direction of the firing
but too late to save the train, which was utterly
demolished. the locomotive being pierced by two
six pound cannon balls The train was then fred but
fortunately the men upon II escaped without injury
The attacking party was a detachment of Mosby's
cavalry, four OF whom we're captured. They had
two small sixpounder brass pieces with them.
Our forces were closely on their heels, but unfor
tunatey reached the spot just fifteen minutes after
the mischief was done. Fears are entertained
that this bold feat Of the rebels is intended a,
snare to draw our forces into on ambuscade.
Later news from Fairfax Court House las, even.
ing says that Colonel Warren had come M with and
engaged Mosby's troops, capturing their guns and
cutting them up badly
Late intelligence from Arkansas would seem 10
Indicate the advance Of Prices rebel army. A
despatch from Leavenworth on the Goth says that
the enemy crossed the river on the 10Th and were
driven back by Colonel Philips with email loss.
The rebels were tcn massed IN our front, 10 the
number Of eleven thcueend men, and considerable
s1tilley. COMMANDED by Generals Steele. Coopsr