Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1863-05-21
THE LATEST WAR NEWS.

l.
New Orleans, and an intensely interesting anC
most valuable description of the cavalry raid
of Colonel Grierson with his gallant Illinois
cavalry. His expedition was o magnificent
success. He cut his way through the eaemy's
country with two regiments of cavalry, de
stroying on his route four millions of rebel
property, capturing over thousand men and
twelve hundred horses, demolishing camp OF
insurrection, with all its equipments, cutting
the communication on the Great Northern and
New Orleans and jackson railroads and de.
stroyfng large number of cars, telegraph
wire, water tanks and army stores. After
passing through many dangers and working
terrible damage he arrived at Baton Rouge
on the lst instant, to the great surprise OF
the inhabitants From thence he pushed on
to New Orleans, where he was received
with great ecLat. The whole movement only
occupied seventeen days. This is certainly
one of the most brilliant feats of the war.
We have received from the Southern journ-
ais number OF highly interesting articles,
chiefly dwelling upon the disastrous effects of
these grand cavalry raids of ours in Virginia,
Mississippi and Georgia, in which it will be
seen the enemy admit that terrible damage
has been done by our forces in these States.
The Richmond journals also lay great stress
upon the occupation of West Point, Virginia,
by the Union forces, intimatng that its pos
session would be an incalculable damage to
that large and most productive portion of
Virginia, which, having thus far escaped the
ravages of war, has supplied the people of
Richmond and the troops and hospitals with
large and indispensable supplies Of bread-stutfs
and other provisions. Such is the opinion of
the Examiner And it further states that the
presence of the army at West Point will CON-
pletely paralize the agricultural energy Of more
than seventy thousand persons, the most dis
tant of whom do not reside fifty miles from
Richmond because, not having suffered from
the ravages of war, the farmers throughout
that whole region are making the most exten-
sive preparations for large crops. These are
significant admissions, and show not only the
value but the necessity of gaining and keeping
a secure foothod at West Point.
Lieutenant Colonel II. Davis, of the 18th
Illinois cavalry, sent forward his report of the
part which his troops played in the great
Stoneman expedition in Virginia, and it was
highly efficient and we'll conducted one. In
his dash from the South Anna river to GIou-
cester Point he destroyed an amount of the
enemy's property, consisting chiefly of army
stores, found 10 wagons and railroad trains of
bridges, roads and depots,t to the value of over
a million of dollars. In his expedition he
came INTO collision with the rebel pickets at
several points killed and captured many of
them, and only lost on his own side two com
missioned officers, aud thirty-three privates in
killed, wounded and missing
The capture of Jackson, the capital of Mis-
sissippi, by the Union army of General Grant
is fully confirmed by the admission of the
Vicksburg and jackson papers and by des-
patches from Mobile and Chattanooga Gen.
Hurbut telegraphs from Cairo to General
Halleck that this fact is stated by the above
authorities. The rebel General Gregg aband,
oned Raymond on Tuesday, the 18th. On
the next day he was reinforced by General
Walker, of Georgia, at Mississippi Springs
but their combined forces were driven back
to Jackson on Thursday. Our troops then
followed and took possession of the city from
the east General Joe Johnston arrived at
jackson the day previous, but pushed on with
three brigades towards Vcksbnrg. General
Grant at last accounts had struck the railroad
at Edwards Station, about eighteen miles
from Ficksburg. The capture of jackson is
thus placed. beyond doubt, and the second
chapter in this great and somewhat complicat
ed story of the war in the outhwest-the
fall of Vicksburg-is about to be written, un
less some unforeseen disaster or mistake should
mar the projects of General Grant.
Dispatches from Gen. Grant to the War
Department, dated llth and l4th are receiv
ed. On the 11th his forces were that evening
to be along Fourteen Mile Creek, the line be-
ing nearly east aud west. He would 90 as
far as possible without bringing on general
engagement He would not communicate with
Grand Gulf again for some time. On the IA
Gen. Grant reports that Raymond was taker
on the 18th. Union loss, 81 killed and lSC
wounded rebel loss IS killed (buried by
Gen Grants meD) and lS6 prisoners, beside
au unknown number CT wounded. Mcpherson
was at Clinton, Shermon Oh direct road to
ward jackson, and McClernand was bringing
up the rear. Gen. Grant says "I will at