Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-05-25
The News OF the Week.

The News Of the Week.
From what can be learned by northern
papers, there is little doubt but what Hook
er contemplated an early return to an attack
upon Gen. Lee on the south side of the Rap
%pahannock, but Gen. Hallsck, who seems to
have taken Fighting Joe " under bis guar
rianship, ordered otherwise, knowing as he
did that a worse thrashing than the first
awaited him if be returned upon such q
mad career. It seems to be considered now
that q considerable portion of his army has
been withdrawn, while a larger force than
usual is kept in front, so as to produce the
impression that they are making ready for
an advance. Hooker's army is undoubtedly
greatly demoralized and deserters swarm
the country in the northern neck of Virgin.
ia. With this situation Of affairs it is hardly
probable he will give battle on the same
ground where so many thousands of bis hire.
lings bit the dust. =
The enemy are 'entrenching with q small
force at Vest Point, about ao4mu.--~
Richmond, between Mataponl AND Panon-
kew rivers. The movement seems to attrack
very little attention from our authorities.
Unusual activity prevails around Charles
ton. and it is asserted thstthe enemy medi-
tates another assault upon that city. They
have erected Q heavy battery on Folly Island,
bearing upon the southern portion Of Morris
Island and 10 full view of Fort Sumter. At
Ssabrook Island other Notifications are be-
ing thrown up, and five iron clads and .
large number of transports lie in the stream.
Seventy transports are in Broad river, and
Gen. Walkers outposts have been doubled in
strength. We may have warm work at
Charleston soon:
The news frsm Mississippi is highly i'm
portant. A bloody and desperate battle has
been fought at Port Gibson, between ou1
forces, six thousand strong, commanded by
Gen. Bowen, and an overwhelming force o
the enemy. The fight lasted through tn
day and the enemy's loss is represented a
treble surs; but so rapidly were they rein
forced that after one of the most fierce a
sanguinary struggles Of the war. Gen. Bow
en- was compelled to withdraw his troop
who retreated in admirable order. The d
mics Of Banks snd Grant subsequently form
ed a junction and marched on Jackson.
Our forces evacuated Jackson before Il
enemy's large forces, and they entered wit
out o contest. A despatch from Jackse
says the enemy held the place but a sho
time, but before leaving committed the 70
lowing depredations:
Catholic Church destroyed. Mississippi
Office Quilted, presses broken, type thros
in the street, furniture in the Capitol bad
abused. and in Governors Mansion demolis
ed. The ladies were robbed of jewelry a
money. All the stores were sacked and CO
tents destroyed. Iron safes were brok
open, railroad badly torn up for seve
miles, and telegraph wires torn down. ABB
three thousand negroes from Kinds coun
Joined the Yankeess The county was pill
dered generally and the damages are estin
ted at from five 10 ten millions of dollars
There is much destitution and suffering
The enemy evacuated on Friday and Sat
day. retreating hastily. No serious engaI
ment occurred. Last of the rear guard
about two O'Clock. Our cavalry pickets ds
ed in and killed q Colonel md captured
others. The Yankees captured and part
two hundred wounded at jackson and
hundred at Raynsnd. Grant occupied j
son in full force. ii S entire army not n
than Fifty thousand strong. Gen. Lo