Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-05-16
THE MOVEMENTS AGAINST vICKS-
BURG.

Vnauthentic Il umor Of SanSuinary Battle
NJ Observation-Disclosures OF the Rebel
Gen. Bowsn's Defeat NJ BaycI Pierre-
Lock Gloomy for them-The Rumored
Evacuation OF Port Hudson Contradicted.
CINCINNATI, May 15.-An unauthentic ru.
NOR fror, Murfreesboro reaches MS that San
culinary battle, by land and water, has been
fought at Vicksburg, in which the Union troops
were discounted. 1t does not accord with re-
liable advices, which place Grant eighteen
miles east Of yicksburg.
1t was reported at Memphis, on the 18th, thai
therebel Ferguson had Destroyed tw o transports
and TWO barges, crippled another, and driven
of gunboat, near Greenyille, Miss.
The Jackson Appeal, Of May 9Th, contains
rome details of Gen. Bowens defeat at Bayou
Pierre, near Port Gibson. His force is ut at
two hrigades, while the Union force ls eshmat,
ed at twenty thousand. Bowen left Grand
Gulf and crossed the Bayou 10 check the u MON
advance until reinforcements, known to be
coming, arrived. Grants movements were
too rapid. The armies met at midnight on
Thursday, three miles from Port Gibson. and
fighting commenced, which continued till Fri
day evening, when Bowen retreated across the
Bayou, burning The bridges: This involved
the less Of Port Gibson, which the Unionists
Immediately occupied. A number Of sick and
wounded in the hospital were captured.
On Saturday the Union troops again ad-
yaneed. On Saturday night the works at
ing and destroying the guns, and on Sunday
the Rebels crossed Big Black River at Haw-
kinson's ferry, where they met reinforcements
sufficient to make further retreat unneces-
sary.
The rebel total loss is estimated at 1,0O0 killed
and wounded. Many We're left on the field.
Several hundred prisoners were captured, in
GLIDING an entire company OF the 10th Missis-
sippi regiment. A Virginia battery lost four
guns, five men killed, eleven wounded and
nineteen missing Gen. Tracy, of Alabama,
Lieut.. Col. Pettns, brother Of the Governor
OF Mississippi, and Major Tuekerman were
killed. Col Garnet, of the Goth Alabama, was
badly wounded, and Major Hurley, of the 3lst
Alabama, MORALLY wounded and captured.
BaldWins brigade reached the battle field in
ii me 10 suffer considerable loss.
The Appeals correspondent, writing from
yicks burg or the 4th and 5th instants, takes
gloon view of matters. He regards the giver
1ortif cations there as insufficient to stop the
passage of boats whether iron or wooden, and
says, ssan oversight was com nitted in net maxi
ing proper defenses below, and that when the
gunboats Went down The people and military
men were deceived: and thought G rants army
was 10 be taken to operate against Port Hudson
before attempting Nicksburg. Although safe,
1t will require the utmost caution to avert dis
aster. After having had years of time to per-
feet all defenses, it appears we are now beset
in every quarter where we least expect it. 1t
may be regarded as contraband TO say this, but
it is due that the people should know how
affairs stand, and II any danger threatens, they
are entitled to know III what quarter it lis and
how it was brought about
There was great excitement at J ackson on the
9Th, on account of the rumored appearance OF
the UnioDists at Edwards Station, on the Jack.
son Railroad.
General Bragg and wife were at Atlanta on
The 29th nit. On the I'd inst, Bragg issued an
order pardoning all deserters who returned in
seventy days.
The Appeal contradicts the rlInor of the
evacuation of Port Ii udson.
Governor Pettus issued proclamation dated
May 5th, TO the people of Mississippi, calling
on hem, in consequence of events known 10
them, to make united effort to expel the in
yaders. He exhorts them TO meet in every
county ard hurry forward. and says, s:the
comnon safety demands every sacrifice"