Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1863-07-03
VOL. XIV---NO so.

VOAs al V wv OVs
dale and made several prisoners and destroy
ed Government stores. Another dispatch
says train of empty wagons from Tenlytown
was attacked three times by rebel cavalry.
The rebels had pieces Of artillery and sew
eral regiments of cavalry. They captured
1900 arms and 900 mules. Three rebel cav
airy brigades are marching towards the Wash-
ington branch of the Baltimore & Ohio rail-
road. They passed north of Washington and
Annapolis junction. Their object is to de-
stroy the trestle work between Washington
and Annapolis. ........a f.,
CAIRO, June 30.
Passengers who have arrived to day from
Vicksburg state that Port Hudson was cap
tured on the morning of the 23d, with its
garrison of 10000 men and all their equip.
ments The news came to Vickburg by way
of the river. This report lacks official con-
firmation.
WALNUT HILLS, June 90.
Our working parties in front of Gen. Her
ron's position ON the extreme left, met with
sharp resistance in endeavoring to establish
a battery in advance. After an hours sklr-
mishing, in which we had several wounded,
the guns were finally planted.
A reconnaissance since from Haines' Bluff,
under Gen. Washburn, could find only recon-
parties of the rebels thrown forward.
An advance of cavalry under Maj. Grant
Wilson entered Mechanicsville and drove Oft
twice their number of rebel horsemen, cap
turing some horses. They brought in herd
~ xryhioh had hQon
gathered for Johnston's army. Several thou
sand bushels of corn were destroyed.
The best information states that Johnston
is concentrating at Cantonsville $4,000 men.
He is believed to be preparing for an advance
on Memphis or Port Hudson. No fears are
entertained Of his efforts in this direction.
An intelligent deserter from Vicksburg says
that the rebels are using the powder from our
shells. Gen. Pemberton is pay
ing six dollars a pound for it. Monitor shells
are being cast from our fragments. The men
are on one third rations, and are complaining.
Two regiments are said to have laid down
their arms in mutiny. On receiving assur-
ance from Gen. Pemberton that Johnston
would attack the next day, they re-took their
muskets. . .t,
JUNE 21.-Yesterday morning at o'clock
. general bombardment commenced along the
whole line. The firing from hundred guns
continued for three hours, the troops being
10 readiness to take advantage of any weak
ness the cannonading might develop.
The opinion of Gen. Grant seems to have
been adverse to an assault, as none took
place.
Both parties are mining, and in some places
the sappers are within a few feet. So soon
as our pits command the rebel works the lat
ter are abandoned for others further back
The enemy make few replies, except from a
mortar, or two or three heavy guns in the
center of the city. ..,...
TUESDAY, 22.-All along the lines is the
usual desultory fire of sharp-shooters, with
an occasional shot from the enemy.
Gen. Grant visited Snyder's Bluff yester-
day.
It is believed in high quarters that capt.
ulation or an assault will take place before the
first of July.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoToMAC,
June %.
Hooker has issued the following farewell
address:
In conformity with orders from the War
dated June 9th, relinquish the
of the army of the Potomac. 1t lis
to Maj. Gen. Meade, an accom-
pllshed officer, who has nobly earned the con-
fidence and esteem of the army, on many
well fought fields. Impressed with the be-
lief that my usefulness as commander of the
army of the Potomac is impaired, I part from
it, yet not without the deepest emotions of
sorrow at parting with comrades of many
battles; and impressed with the conviction
that the courage and devotion of this army
will never cease nor fail; that it will yield to
my successor, as it has to me, hearty and
willing support. With prayer that the tri-
umph of its arms may bring successes worthy
Of it and the nation, bid it farewell.
[Signed] JOSEPH HOOKER.
This was followed by an address from Gen.
Meade, dated headquarters army Of the Poto-
mac, June 2Sth, 1868.
By direction of the President of the United
States, hereby assume command of the
army of the Potomac. As soldier, in obey
ing this order, an order totally unexpected, l
have no promises to make. The country
looks to the army to relieve it from devasta-
ton and the disgrace of hostile invasion;
whatever fatigues and sacrifices we may be
called upon to undergo let us bare in view
the magnitude of the interests in
volved, and let each man determine to do his
duty, leaving to the all controlling Providence
the decision of the contest. 1t is with just
difidence that relieve from the command of
this army an eminent and accomplished SOL
dier, whose name must ever appear conspicu-
Gus in the history of its achievements, but l
rely upon the hearty support of my comrades
in arms to assist me in the discharge of the
duties of the important trust which has been
confided to me. GEO. G. MEADE,
Maj. Gen. CONG.
ST. LOUIS, June 30.
The Republicans special dated headquart-
ers army of the Cumberland, Beech Grove,
lS miles south of Murfreesboro, says: A gen.
eral forward movement of Rosecrans' army
began on the Oath. Continuous heavy rains
made movements slow, but they have been
satisfactory. All the enemy IS forces opposed
to our advance were pushed back with severe
punishment. . ... .f
Col. Wilder's mounted infantry had Sc.
we're skirmish at Hoover's Gap, on the oath,
driving superior force of infantry, inaicting
a loss of several hundred in killed and wound
ed, while his own loss was only forty or fifty.
Winyck's brigade, the advance of McCook's
corps, drove two regiments Of infantry, with
artillery, from strong position at Liberty
Gap, 13 miles south of Murfreesboro, on the
oath, suffering loss of fifty. On the after
noon of the 25th fight occurred at the same
place, between rebel division under Clay
born and Willyck, Wilder and Carter's brig
ades. After an hours fighting the enemy
leaving their dead and part of their wounded
and number of prisoners in our hands. Our
oss was 40 killed and 100 wounded, includ-
ing IA officers. .. .r..
Gen. ,Mitchell's cavalry encountered a body