The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1863-05-23
War News of the Week.

The latest bulletins from the army OF
the Potomac report everything quiet
here" Most of our wounded have been
brought over the river, and report that
they were we'll treated by the rebels.
The rebels, since the battle, are eniarging
their works on the other side, erecting
batteries so as to command the fords.
Stree the battle of Fredericksburg
Longs,reet's corps appears to have return
ed to the Blackwater, in the Vicinity Oh
Suffolk, where there is now a rebel force OF
10000 men. Skirmishins continues IN the
vicinity of Saffolk. few days ago, two
Federal regiments in that neiehoorho'd,
n,istak;nc each other for the enemy, had
a brisk fight together, IN which feverai
were killed and wounded.
Eun,ors continue of a aebel invasion OF
Kentucky, their force being one day stated
,tIIOOO and the next at 10000. 1t Is
not believed, however, that Gen. Bragg Is
foolish enough tn detach any such body
of troops from his force in front OF Rose
Grams, by whom he may be attacked any
hour
There is no change in the position OF
affairs at Murfreesboro. The two armies,
supposed to be about equ.i in number,
stand sullenly facing each other, but
neither venturing to advance to the attack
The fate of Vicksburg will probably
decide in a few days whether Rosecrans
or Bragg will make the attack at Murirees-
boro. If Vicksburg falls, Bragg must
fight at once, or run.
The next active part of the grand army
of the Union is that portion under Gen
Grant As already stated. after taking
Grand Gulf and Port Gibson, Gen. Grant
advanced up the Big Black As far as the
stream was navisable, and then took 1t by
land across towards Jackson. About the
10th, his cavalry made a dash on Clinton.
on the railroad between Vicksburg and
Jackson, taking the place, thus cutting
off communication between the two points
On the 18th, Gen. MePherson's corps ad-
yanced Oh Raymond some Is miles north
west of Jackson, which place WAS taken
after hard fight of four hours Our loss
wa. 81 killed and $50 wounded the reb-
els admit of q loss OF 700. Grant then
advanced on Jackson and on the l4th
took it after three hours fight with Joe
Johnston He occupied the place but
day, destroying in that time the railroad
in all directions, and large quantities of
store. collected there, as well as burning
the capitol, in which ordinance and other
stores had been placed. He then svacu-
ated Jackson, moving, it ID thought to-
wards Haines' Bluff Vicksburg has not
yet been really abandoned but the rebel
army under Pewbertou, $4,000 strong, is
said to have moved to the Big Black,
where it is awaiting the arrival Of Gen
Grant in a strong position, and where 1t Is
thought great battle must be fought
within few days
Gen. Banks. with the CO operation OF
Porters gunboat fleet, has been operating
up Red River, having cleanrd out the
rebels as far up as Alexandra. As Banks
has been able completely to flank Port
Hudson, there seems to be no reason
for tn e rebels longer occupying that posi-
ton ia force, and the rumors are revived
of its evacuation.
Gen Curtis ha. been removed from COM
mand at ST. Louis, ard Gen. Sco6eId takes
his place.
Gen. Butler has been summoned to
Washington. Rumor assigns him to vari-
Gus important positions.
The resignation Of Gen. Meagher has
been accepted, and he has taken leave Of
l.