davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-05-14
THE CHANGE OF BASE.

The Army correspondent Of the New York Tri-
bune, who left Gen. Hooker's headquarters on
Wednesday last, found means to communicate to
that journal, in its number Of yesterday, the au-
thentic intelligence" that Gen Hooker, in conse-
quence Of "reverse" sussainsd in the battle of
Tuesday and 10 apprehension of the " overwhelm-
ing numbers" massed against him by the enemy,
had been compelled to retire from his position and
place his army in safety this side Of the Rap
pahannock." This announcement is made by our
contemporary with particularly which may be
justified by the responsible reporter from whom it
draws information relating to the Army Of the
Potomac, but is certainly more specific, as well As
more oircumstan:ial, than the statement we were
yesterday called to make on what We knew to be
trustworthy authority. 1t will be seen that the
Tribune accompanies its announcement of Gen
Rockers retreat with the statement that "the
forces which should have strengthened the national
army were too far distant TOO long ,oithheld to
enable Geo. Hooker to maintain the post on which
he had gained by mastery strategy aud held
through two tremendous battles" II by this re-
Election it is meant to intimate that Gen Hooker
expected reinforcements ohich he did not receive,
We have the best reason for believing that the in
timation is unjust to the Administration The
following is the Trbune's article:
I'VE have authentic intelligence that Gen Hooker has
sustained reverse in battle fought Tuesday but has
succeeded 10 placing his army in safety this side the
Raprahsnnock. Gen. Lee having been heavily Reinforced
appears to have found himself 10 sufficient strength to re-
new hs assault exhausted troops aud 80
successful that it has been deemed prudent withdraw
the army the river It'll only too evident that here
as 30 often before the rebels succeeded in concentrating
their forces upon the point Of attack while those which
should have strengthened the rational army were too far
dstaut too long withheld 70 enable Gen. Hooker to
maihtain the position which he hid gained by mastery
trat ny and held through two tremendous battles IT
must be presumed that the effort to break Lees commu.
nicstons with Richmond failed He able. therefore,
to bring up the whole rebel force from Richmond and
points below, aud Gen Hooker compelled retire from
before overwhelming numbers"
Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-05-14
THE RECRossING OF THE RIVER.

Another letter, written from United States Ford,
gives the following account OF the recrossing OF the
Rappahannock ~ that point:
UNITED STATES FoRD MAY 6-6 A. M.
Yesterday morning the trains all ordered back to
camp and 10y dark the wagons extra casous pack mules
&c. were Falmouth. The wounded hastily
moved from the hospitals, and Washing on leaving
nothing the other side except iuaory and arl ery
About five o'clock it commenced raining. Tho wattr
fell in for hour delugng the roads, tearing
up TIE cordurcys sweeping away bridges aud threatening
the destIuc ion of the pontons Tn with great
rapidly, and ove wed the ends Of the pon.oons,
r-udering crossing mpracticabe The upper pontoons
taken up and used engthenng cut the Others and
after several hours of very hard labor the bridges
once more ready.
Pine boughs spread upon tie pontoons to prevent
the noise of crossing and about midnight the troops
menced falling back. The Fist Corps the first 10
cross and nearly The Third Corps remains in
the entertainments the retreat II hoped the
army will reach this side before the enemy discovers the
retreat; but cannonsdng has commenced quite fercey at
the front, and desperate battle ia not Improbable
event We doubtless retire the river without
loss but II discovered in attempt the strug
gle will be fierce Unnoestsd the troops get over by
noon. ag
The roads ia terrible condtion-almost bad as
when Gen. Burnside foundered here last winter. Our
sick lying in the roads but ambuances ming up
to them
There fighting yesterday OF any consequence.
The sharpshooers quite active. and the artillery
opened occasionally, but results unimport,nt The
enemy has evidently massed his army right with
view it s believed of crossing above and attacking us on
the flank and The high water however will Illustrate
that movement
A great number of our wounded have fallen into the
hands Of the enemy Our dead the battlefield OF Sur
day still unburied, and the wounded undoubtedly
dying in great numbers for want of attention DIR. John
son. medical Inspector Of The army has volunteered go
with corps of surgeons and take charge of
wounded. He will probably be sent across soon as
practicable.
General Hooker is very much depressed Last night he
held consultation with his Commanding Generals, IN
which it urged that longer stay in its present position
would prove unsafe for the army hasty returl TO
camps is imperative. The rain sfaling heavily aud the
river rising with great rapdity = NJ CARPENTER
Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-05-14
WESTERN VIRGINIA.

The Wheeling IDtelge !. far from easy at the pros
poets OF Western Virginia. Early on Thursday morning,
it says the rbes appeared the line Of the Invest
road at West Union Doddridge county attacked
essfuy Colonel Latham, Of the I'd Virginia, who
there with about hundred men, and then marched
off 10 the direction Of Ednboro, Richie county, further
down the railroad toward Parkersburg BY the longest
route this would make them only seventy miles from
Wheeling. On Friday they had advanced nesr Parkers
burg Petroleum enl were still their ro,d IL they
failed TO zee g. cd chance to go into that town. they
would 10 was thought probable Of to the left and
strike out into Writ and Kaoawha counties. The enemy
frpm ak to eight hundred strong were at Mddebourne
on Friday nght and Saturday morning and moved thence
toward New Martinsvie Taey stole all the horses they
could got and then turned about and south towards
Ellenboro Col Latham teegrspbs that he thinks they
designing to escape through Greenbrier county.
A despatch dated at Grafton Monday says; Heavy
Union reinforcements have arrived. The rebels under
Jackson Imboden, Jones' and Jenkins retreatng TO-
ward the Southwest Mountains There now no rebels
on the lines Of tbs railroad, 10 Western Virginia"
Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-05-14
TEE LATE BB.5. GEN. JOS. B. pLuMMrR

Brissdisr General JOSEPH b, PLuMMrR whose obss-
ques we're celebrated In tbis city Monday the Atm and
whose remains pow r. 81 ia tie Congressional Cemeery
w,s Of Barre, in tho County Of Worcester MAG
saehusolts. He gr4duated at West Poiut in l84l
Ia tie same class with the late Gems Lyon, Richardson
ard Wbpple, ibe Lite C,l Gsreschr, and Geus. Buell.,
Reynolds, aud Wright OF the Army OF the Utntd States
Aitor serving With distinction il Florida and Mexico Gen
PluUm,I stationed for several years at the w.
On the breskhg cut # the rebeloa he was captain of
the rirt United states Iufaury and accepted tue com
maud OF regiment OF Missouri Volunteers Ia this
capacity he par cpated the battle Of Springfield where
his friend aud cisssmtte Gea Lyon, bis death so
glorousy Subsequent he distug for hs gal.
l.nry 1t the bait Il ed rtcktoa, Missouri in which
action he bore important part aud FIR hts services on
that day was promote the rank of Brig or General
Of Vounle. rs Ia the OF 1862 Geu. P.uuuer
Hss nc yely employed In the campaign Of the Mississippi
river and 0isint ushed hms, at Island No 10 and ct or
engag IN that vcn ty Becoming Frustrated by
ness bs Obtained leave of absence recruit bio
hrbth AZ or shottv visit To bic family in Baltimore be
reimned 10 HE command although wholly unfit for duty
AID OF NJ Corph the cay OF his arrival ID the camp
of Gen R"secratt AZ bias b, 81 well said BY brother
ofrrT, lie ft a victim to h sensitive courage and
spirit thst would brook suspicion Of avoiding duty
RUNNER leaves widow, the daughter OF the late
Major Satisfies CLARK Y. b Army and two cmldren san
a. daughter Tie SOU Is Cadet at the Unt,d states
Miltniy Acadeu y and Promises inherit the military
Dale Mt oi bis Oh tlnRushcd iatier
At the funeral cerem"nes OF Gen. Plummer on thu Attn
instant, the following Ofc as paLoear.r,: Gem
Taylor, Casey CaUby, Murel Ricketts, aud Major Miller
q the Army, Admiral Davis aud Capt Gis OF the Nav,
Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-05-14
THE VIRGINIA RIVERS.

The New York Times discusses in the following terms
one OF the probable o an Hookers retreat
the Rappshatnock, ru
There IL certanly suParhuman element IN the
probemtbe great rise in The consequent upon the
tremendous aud most unreasonable storm This confre
temps perhaps, the fatal cause With our pre-
sent means ~ Judging ia fact 90 inclined to re
gard it. By making the ppntoon bridges insecure, It
endangered all the between the army and
Aqua Creek-the base OF supplies. And again Il throat
ened il cut off all If retreat IN case the army
should be attacked and worted and thus might ent, alb
soue destruction Considering the tremendous interests
involved IL would that sound military principles
positively forbade exposure to such risks; and that
Gen Hooker demonstrated his prudence quite credits
by 10 bic retreat he demonstrated hs daring 10 bis a.
vance," es
The correctness Of this estimate made by the Times Of
the importance Of such circumstance the sudden rsps
Of river in the rear q the army very probable II
will be remembered that similar event, under ciroum
stances presenting striking parallel with those detailed
shove. prevented the Army Of the Potomac on former
occasion from advancing from the Chlckshoulny % Rich
mond aasr The battle Of Fair OAks-Besso~ Daily Ads
Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-05-14
ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS.
The writer in another letter, gives additional
particulars We extract tho following

The writer in another letter. gives some additional
particulars. We extract tho following
ARMY or THE Potomac, MAY CLOS M.
On Mopdsy mornn g st daylight the enemy placed gun,
the heights be Scots Dam which commanded the
grounds norh of United States Ford and began Smelling
the wagon hospitals, causing stampede among
the trnins The guns silvuced by Twelfth
Corp which had taken mp position tue extreme left
the night previous reicvsg the Eleventh Corps, which
moved 10 the right
Toere was no battle on Mopdsy. The enemy continued
to feel our lines from esreue EN- to right, making vgor
f,nts driving pckets picking on artillery horses
aud Ufcers horseback La one Of thcso forays Gen
Whpps mortslly wounded in the spine while stand
Ing agsst tree 10 his own camp supporting himself to be
10 p. feet security.
During the entire day Gsseral Hooker continued to
strength his position with second lGe of raepits and,
contrary 10 lis expectation was Rot attacked by the enc
my IL wns The general expectation Of the army that il
The energy refused TO attack strong position General
Hooker wsuid order attack THIS, doubtless for
'ns which ssr med sun ienf to bin. was not done.
lo"aid Fredericksburg large force was thrown
Bahs. eotw CD frOm the rebel army on our 'front.' and
h Raent corps defeated and driven the river
oeLW bankss Ford with considerable lose The defeat
seuR uncovered the line of the Aqua Creek rail
road, and Cen Hooker was IN danger q having his com
munscations AID his supplies cut of
During monday night the enemy continued slight ,kir-
mshhk along The lines add frequently voeys Of
were heard from some portion other Of hs rife pts
Videes and scout brought frequent reports of move
meats Of the enemy al the in ont but nothing
dehe ." his 'ituaon and force lear, ed nor were
n. movements such to Indicate hp ipentons He had
ruhed his position 10 front Of nes aud seemed more
likely TO s down to regular Siege of n Ho ker's NOS.
ton than To attempt 10 it, In all ady.n,aoso,s
stos batteries wern run out and vigorously used In
hehng our camps. As guns brought 10 bear
AGAINST there hJng batteries, they would disappear and
show themselves again 10 somc new position Our troops
we're thus Kept constantly on the watch day and tight
and by Tue'day morning very much exhausted and
beg n 10 be di couraged.
When the army changed 'front.' md took M third no.
sitln Sunday at III o'clock having fought themselves
nto ~ entr camp which the emmy refused 20 at
Oh, thdiawing beyond shell Dg distance, Gen. Hooker
of rode along the Dus just inside ID. r6e-ps aud
every where received with the most eDthusastio
cheers IL at that ttoe evident that they bad iu
coufdepce In bis ability to lead them 20 Richmond II
Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-05-14
generally believed through tho army that aor resting
Sunday afternoon and Sunday night, forward movement
xvonldk a IA

generally believed through tho army that aor resting on
Sunday afternoon and Sunday night forward movement
would be made on Monday mornDg
Sunday afternoon and Monday haVing ps SD without .
battle the do ensiye auiv began 70 wok is feet upon
tho morale of the troops, and all thought OF making an
aggressive movement was banisred from thtlr minds.
Their turned upon the strength Of III In poi
ton and ths safety OF the army The advantage thus lost
felt by the Commandilg Gen raj. and this, added 10
the OF Sedgwick aud the advice Of of HE
coT ps Commanders, nuosd BIN to the river and
commence the campaign anew.
Early ON Tuesday all the pioueers and with extra
tools employed on the roads leading from the army
back United States Ford Old roads repaired and
mes cut through the woods The arrangements fr
the Withdrawal of the army were extensive aud perfect
river early inths evening Rain falling rapidly, and
the uiglt was quite dark.
The crossing was commenced at ten O'Clock, and at
three click on "Wednesday morning all the wagons aud
mule trans and tho artillery had passed tho bridges AMI
tho crossing Of the infantry commenced The second
Corps, commanded by Gen Couch, led the adva Gen,
Meades Fifth Corps iormcd The guard with Sykes
division OF kesuia to cyer the retreat There wa not
The slightest confusion la The nts OF the al
corps Each cued 10 tho road and ut the time desg
nat-d and Ia good order. 4442aFt4t t
Tfo eLemy was not aware ofhe movement until was
too late 10 interfere The ar iley .ssed hill
commanded The approaches TO tho brogs and wou
have made short work with the columns OF approaching
enemy.
Gen Hooker crossed the river on Tuesday evening and
pitched hi headquarters commanding grouhdsi from
which hs could watch th progress Of The cross g. The
heavy Tuesday afterDoon and 0gtt I'd ed the
liver rapidly that tns ends OF hv triiges were
hoa cd such extent to make IL impossible 10 cins
Two umed in la, lug ad iional lpa as
lrpghen the BRIDGE aud raise no ends above ho water
IL finally became necessary 70 take up Of the three
bridges in order to procure material 10 ngthen the other
two. Notwithstanding thee delays good order was pre-
served throughout and The whole army, With all he
supplies, hospital, and prisoners, crossed in safety aud
marched d way toward the Aqua rnilr ad
Tn eney again occupies Fredericksburg and the heights,
aid the situation ia substantially as IL Was before the open
lug Of the campaign. j. X. SYPHEh.
Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-05-14
THURSDAY, NAY IA, 1858
DEBATE In THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT


Our readers have been already informed that an
animated and important debate on American affairs
Gath ultimo, Of which more extended report will
be found in another part Of to-days Inteligeucer.
The debate was opened in the House Of Peers
by Lord CLANRIoARDE, who INDUCED in some
severe structures on the alleged conduct OF naval
officers Of the Northern States Of America in the
West Indian and Mexican waters, and which was
apparently sanctioned BY their Government" He
also cited the English newspaper versions Of the
case Of the Dolphin, Of the Peterhoff, and Of the
Adela, and the certificate given by Mr.. Adams to
the British vessel clearing for the Mexican port Of
Matamorss. th,laia 81
The reply Of Earl RussELL to the impeachments
Of the speaker will be found admirable throughout
for the tone and temper which it reveals, showing
as IT does disposition on the part Of the British
Government to give candid consideration to the
acts Of the United States in the exercise Of belli
gerent rights on the high seas. Under this head
Earl Russell says:
~ do not thirk that 10 convenient; will say more
T0dtfO00 between
nations, immediately have report Of nm Outrage to
ssy II 10 quite clear that the Government of friendly ma
ton will act in c0ntravenon Of all tie principles OF the
law Of nations or thats having committed offence
against friendly nation, they will refuse raparaton On
the contrary bound presuue either that there
are some facts unknown 10 else the act being ng
that the Government WILL in regard to its character
and its own honor render PREPARATION This the
with regard TO the Dolphin, and there is apparent
ground for supposns that PREPARATION be demanded it will
not be granted BY the United States Government"
In the House Of Commons the debate was open
ed BY Mr.. RoEBUCK in terms more suitable to the
style Of political harangue than to the dignity Of
the subject We are not unfamiliar In our own
country with this manner Of speech, belonging as
it does to party tactics Of baser sort
The remarks made by Lord PALMERsroN, on
the part Of the Ministry, serve to show that they
mean to be guided entirely by the law of the cases
at issue, and pay no attention to the angry feelings
Of parties representing mercantile and shipping
interests which are striving to profit by the mis-
fortunes Of our country. @
In reply to such parties Lord Palmerston said that
" England's commercial interests with Mexico had
the best security in the belief that the United
States Government would not seize them without
due cause, and there no reason to believe that
the American prize courts would act unjustly with
regard to bags of letters" osap
With such sentiments animating the British
Ministry there is no reason to believe that any
cases Of outstanding difference between the two
Governments threaten to disturb the friendly re-
lations that now exist
Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-05-14
IMPORTANT FROM vIcKsBURG.

CAIRO, MAY 1.-THE Memphis Bulletin ssys:
1--WE learn that the city Of jackson s already invested
and that The rebels have way Of getting out Of vicks
burg but by cutting their way through the national forces
"The steamer Horizon during the engagement at Grand
Gulf Into snag aud sunk with 100000 rstions Most
OF the ratiOns were Iost en
"Itwss the pontcon bridge over The Big Black river
hat wac destroyed instead OF the railroad bridge"
Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-05-14


commanders to retreat across the Rappahannock
Of course there will be many I" military critics.
ready to pronounce this movement injudicious and
premature, If not cowardiy, a. indeed is more than
iusinuated by military correspondent Of the New
York Tribune, whose letter we reproduce to-day.
Fortunately, the public is tolerably familiar with
these imputations on Generals who exercise eau
ton that cannot be always understood either in its
causes or in its necessity, by those who are not
placed in situation to take the responsibility Of
military decisions on the field Of battle. II Gen.
Hooker HI. TO. shown himself to be an ADLER Gene.
raj than we entitled to expect from his former
brilliant services in subordinate command, he has
At Last given proof that his fiery zeal in the exc
cution of orders emanating from ssuperior can be
tempered, when he is placed in supreme command,
with that discretion whichais tho better mart Of
vaor.
We must reserve further observations on the re.
cent abortive campaign until we arc In possession Of
facts as yet.but imperfecty koown to us or to the
country. There is one point especially respecting
which weswait definite information as preliminary
condition necessary to afford the elements Of fair
criticism upon Geo. Hooker's conduct in ordering
retreat We are not yet automatically informed
that Gen. Hooker was apprized Of the brilliant suo-
cess which had attended Gen. Stoneman's co-ope.
rative expedition ia the cutting Of Gen. Lees sou.
munication with Richmond. II Gen. Hooker was
apprised Of this fact, it will be admitted by all
that nothing but the most imperative and obvious
OF prudential motives could have justified him in
depriviDg the army and the country Of the ad-
vantages that must have resulted from Gen. Stone
mans success, could it have been followed up by
an equally vigorous and successful advance Of the
army. We shah look with impotence to Gen.
Hookers report on this subject, and In the mean
Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-05-14

The correspondent Of the New York Times gives the
following account of the return Of Gea Sedgwicks
mand
Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-05-14

Another letter, written from United States Ford,
gives the following account of the recrossng of the
RappahannoCk At that point
Hammond gazette. [volume] (Point Lookout, Md.) 1862-1864, 1863-03-31
communicated. 4

10 tie Editors Of the Hammond Gesette:
Would you see our hospital in the dis
lance. allow me to point you first to wards
A and b. The former contains twenty
nine beds, all well and neatly made, with
white coyerlcts. The ceiling is high and
beautifully frescocd, and its walls Of soft,
dove colored hue, so soothing TO the sick
mans ere, are decorated with eyergreens
of cedar and holly Wreaths in the centre
Of the long ward, and arhors near the head
Of the couch. or bedstead. In the centre
OF each apartment, see table covered with
books, games. de-, and various sea pro-
duclions, gathered by the convalesccnts
from the shores of the Chesapeake, (shclls,
pebbles. and grasses. tastefally arranged.
Then look upon the occupants Of said wards,
aud sec satisfied and cheerful faces; even
the most suffering take pleasure in this.
AMI smile upon the kind care takers who
have 10 considered them in their day of
trial, For time. they arc taken from
themselves to the pleasant things around
Hammond gazette. [volume] (Point Lookout, Md.) 1862-1864, 1863-03-31

MONSIEUR ToMpsoN" AGAN.-We ara
permitted to make an extract from letter,
dated Cherry Stone Landing, Va, relating
to the late Major Brown.
Our boys got paid at last, and glori.
GUS time they had after it, | can tell you
Major Brown and the officer of the day
were actually Kissed out Of camp, and
stood it wonderfully we'll. We are bound
for Yorktown, and the boys are trying to
see how much steam they Gun get up before
leaving. We don't think much Of this part
of the country. How are you M,yor
Quick"
Hammond gazette. [volume] (Point Lookout, Md.) 1862-1864, 1863-03-31

say it unscrupulously, because ii. Is plain, ;
unvarnishcd truth.
You see the picture in all its brightness.
but / am required to turn to its dark side
This is the darkest day Point Lookout has
ever realized. DR.. Wagner. who has never
wearied Of well doing. and who has by his
faithfulness won the respect, esteem and
admiration of all with whom he has been
associated, is called away Perhaps to
wider field Of action, but never where he
will be more appreciated and honored.-
We wish for him the best this life can give
he has earned it.