Winchester journal. [volume] (Winchester, Indiana) 1862-1863, 1863-05-15
News Of the Week.
HOOKER's OPERATIONS.

The country was hopeful; and
many were confident. Since then
we have learned the truth. Hook
er was compelled to fall back, and
has re-crossed the Rappahannock
with his entire force. A heavy
rain, producing n sudden rise of
the streams in his rear, thus cut
ting off his supplies, and the fact
that the enemy were heavily re- en-
forced, with, it may be, other rea-
sons, made him determine to retire.
On Tuesday, May 9Th, about five
o'clock il commenced raining, del
uging roads, tearing up corduroys,
sweeping away bridges, and threat
ening destruction to the pontoons.
The river rose with great rapid
ity and soon overlooked the ends
Of the pontoons, rendering cross
ing impracticable. The upper
pontoon was taken up and used in
lengthening ont the others. and,
after several hours very hard la
Dor, the bridges were once more
ready. Pine boughs were spread
upon the pontoons TO prevent the
noise of crossing, and, about mid
night, the troops commenced fall
ing back.
The retrograde movement was
not disturbed by the rebels, and
all the artillery, material &c. was
brought over.
1t is said the rebel loss is much
heavier than ours.
Our army is in excellent spirits,
and Gen. Hooker does not seem
depressed, but is still confident of
success. The President, Cabinet
and Gen. Halleck all express them
selves as having undated faith in
Hooker.
The statement so extensively
published last week that Hooker
was REINFORCED during the fight
was an error. No re- endorsements
were sent him. Allthe papers
predict important movements soon
but nobody knows what is to be
done
The result Of the Vallandig-
ham Court Martial has not been
announced.
The news from the Lower
Mississippi is highly important,
General Grant having captured
Grand Gulf and Port Gibson is re-
ported marching against Vicks-
burg, with confident hopes of vie
tory.
Although much of the news
of the past week turns out bogus,
that of the death of the rebel Gen.
Van Dorm seems TO be well con-
frmed. He was shot by one DR..
Peters for the alledged seduction
of his wife. The DIR. is said to be
now within our lines.
A General Court Martial Mt
Cincinnati has convicted four rebel
soldiers of having come into our
lines as spies, and has sentenced
them all 10 be hanged. Private
John c. Shore. Co. F, Tooth Reg
Illinois Volunteers. is convicted of
desertion. and of resisting the ar
rest Of other deserters. He is SEN
fenced 10 be shot. Major General
Burnside has approved and con
frmei the sentences, and they
will be executed on the Doth of the
present month.
Richard Eggleston, a citizen,
was convicted of hurrahing for
JET. Davis, and sentenced to sixty
DAYS confinement at hard labor, on
Johnson's Island, Ohio.
We have news from rebel
sources of the capture of Colonel
Straight, of the 5lst Ind. Regt..
and his entire command, which
consisted of the 3rd Ohio, 18th
Illinois. 5lst Indiana, 73rd Ind,
and 400 loyal Alabama soldiers
IL is said all will be paroled but
the Alabamians, and that they
will be sent 10 Richmond to be
treated as traitors TO the Con-
federacy; whereupon Governor
Morton has asked the Secretary
of War TO order the confinement
of 500 of the rebel prisoners now
in our hands, that they may be
held as hostages for the exchange