The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1863-06-27
War News of the Week.

The news from the East continues IN
tensely exciting. Lees plan is gradually
unfolding itself and Is now considered
plainly to be to capture Baltimore and
Washington, or, at least, by throwing
himself between two cities, to cut OFT COM
munication between Washington and the
north. The bulk of his army, at last adj
vices, was still in the Shenandoah Valley,
but was approaching the river, above ana
below Harper's Ferry, the evident ih'en
ton being to cross end approach " asii"s
ton OIL the north or Maryland SIDE
Evils division, $4,000 strong mas un~
oues,ionably moved into Pennsylvania
They left Hagerstown, Monday towards
chambersburg, on Tuesday. They had
nth them an immense tram OF empty
wagons, which gives the impression that
the object is q mere raid for supplies into
the r:ch Cumberland valley, and that In
oil probability the alarm at Harrisburg Is
xroundless. Evils cavalry has been
within FIVE miles of Carlisle, and the little
towns of Greencastle, Shippinsburs, &cn
are daily occupied and ravaged by them.
There is, however quite an army collect
ing Eat Harrisburg for defence, and the
place is being thoroughly fortifyed
There is daily heavy skirmishing be-
tween the Federal and rebel cavalry along
the Blue Ridge, six to ten thousand being
frequently engaged on 4 side. Our cavai-
~ have generally driven the rebels.
Vicksburg still hangs fire. The indica-
tions, however, grow more positive every
day that the place must speedily fall.
Grant has opened upon the city with new
range Of siege guns, and is doing immense
execution johnson, instead of proposing
to attack Grants rear, appears to be io:u-
fvins at Jackson. to prevent Grants march
in that direction after Nicksburg surren-
ders.
The news also continues favorable from
Port Hudson. On the l4th Gen. Banks
summoned the rebels to surrender, and CT
their refusal, he made another vigorous
assault, in which our forces gained some
new and important positions. OF course,
the place cannot hold out week after
Vicksburg falls. The rebel reports OF dis
asters to Banks on the 10Th and llth are
fatty contradicted by official dispatches
from Banks himself to the 18th.
The same inactivity as heretofore cons
Rosecrans, of course, will not advance
Until the fate of Nlcksburg IS decided
while Bragg, SO far from proposing TO adj
vance to the attack, is said to have sent
20 900 men to garrison Richmond
John Morgan, with a rebel force of some
5000, continues to keep southern Ken
lucky in state of alarm; but he seldom
ventures more than few miles north of the
Cumberland, being closely watched by Col.
Wilder, who commands brigade Of fede-
rIl cavalry in that quarter.
4 band Of some - gueriilas made q raid
into southern Indiana on Friday Of last
week They were repulsed and nearly all
captured by the home guards in thot quar-
ter The report Of 4 second invasion 10y
900 rebel cavalry on Monday proves tC
lave hecn a coHard.
Montgomery negro troops, in what wa
II--.-A@It- --..--~--.r ..-..,ro t.s'vs "a
the Sth inst. into Georgia, taking and de
stroying the town of Brunswick and Darien
Our blockading feet on the Georgia ant
South Carolina coast have made q mum
Der Of important captures lately-amon:
others the famous rebel suuboat Fingal
the most formidable of all their iron cIa,is