Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-05-20

and moved with the apparent intention
of OCCUPYING the advantageous. position
from which our men had retired. Bir-
ney was ordered back to his former
position, which he regained after short
encounter and the loss of AS men killed
and wounded.
About three o'clock this afternoon the
batteries on our right threw few shells
into the woods in front of them, and
y sharp skirmish took place between the
pickets, which soon subsidized. Since
then almost undisturbed silence has
reigned in the army.
Lee has taken advantage of the short
respite given him and entrenched him
self still more strongly than before.
An order was read to the troops, stating
that reinfOrcements had reached us.
Our baggage and supply train, which
has been lying on the plank road near
Charlottesville, for several days, has
been sent to Fredericksburg.
WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON,
May 17-9 p. M To ifaj. Gen. Dir::-
Dispatches just received from Gen. But
Ter report the success of his expedition
under Gen., KautZ. He cut the Danville
Railroad and destroyed the iron bridge
across the Appotomax.
Monday morning the enemy in force,
under cover of thick fog, made an at
tack upon Smiths line, and forced it
back in some confusion and with consid-
cradle loss, but as soon. as the fog disap-
peared Smith re-established his lines
and the enemy was driven back to his
original position. At the same time the
enemy made an attack from Petersburg,
on Buffers force surrounding the rear,
but were handsomely repulsed. The
troops having been on incessant duty
five days, three of which they were ex-
posed to the rain and storm, Butler re-
tired leisurely within his own lines. We
hold the railroad between Petersburg
and Richmond.
Prisoners state that Bragg and Davis
were present on the field. ..
Dispatches from Sigel, received this
evening, report that on Sunday he fought
the forces of Eichols and Imboden, I'M
der Breckenridge, at New Market; that
number, and that he gradually withdrew
from the battlefield and recrossed the
Shenandoah, having lost five pieces of
artillery, about 900 killed and wounded
and so prisoners, but he succeeded in
bringing all his trains and all wounded
that could be transported from the battle
field. He states that in consequence of
the long line of trains that had to be
guarded, he could not bring more than
six regiments into the fight, besides his
artillery and cavalry, and that the ene-
my had about 1000 infantry, besides
other arms; that his retrograde move
ment to Strasburg was effected in perfect
order, without any loss of material OF
men.
No report of the operations of the
Army of the Potomac has been received
to-day.
A dispatch from Sherman reports his
advance upon Johnston progressing to
his satisfaction. His supplies are album
dant. His animals are improving on
grass and grain in the fields which now
afford good pasturage.
[Signed] E. NJ. STANTON,
Sec'y of War.
Especial to the Cincinnati Commercially
GAULEY BRIDGE, May ia courier
arrived this morning, direct from Gen.
Crook. He had fought three battles near
| Newbern, with forces under Gems Nor
gan, Lane, Jones and A. G. Jenkins,
gaining complete victory over the en-
envy. The enemy lost 600 killed and
wounded and 800 prisoners. Gen. A. G..
Jenkins fell into orX hands, MORALLY
wounded. Our loss is 400 killed and
wounded.
The large railroad bridge over New
River, at Newbern, with several miles OF
track, was completely destroyed.
Gen. Crook was ct Newbern on the
18th.
New YORK, May 1S.-The World is
the only paper which appears to have
the following:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, May 17.-Fel-
tor Citizens Of the United States In all
seasons of exigenciesit becomes a nation
carefully to scrutiniZe its line of conduct
meekly implore forgiveness, wisdom
and guidance.
For reasons known only to Him, it
has been decided that this country
should be the scene of unparalleled
outrage, and this nation made sufferer
of the nineteenth century, With a
heavy heart but undiminished conf
dence in our cause, I approach the per-
Torrance of a duty rendered imperative
| by my sins of weakness before the AL
mighty, and of justice to the people. 1t
is not necessary that 1 should tell you
that the first Virginia campaign under
Lieut.. Gen. Grant, in whom l have ev-
cry confidence, and whose courage and
fidelity the people do well to honor, is
virtually closed. He has conducted his
great enterprise with ability he has in
tlicted great loss upon the enemy; he
has crippled their strength and defeated
their plans. In view, however, of the
situation in Virginia and disaster at Red
River, delay at Charleston and the gen.
eral state of the country, I, Abraham
Lincoln, do hereby recommend that
Thursday, the Goth day of May, 1864, be
solemnly set apart throughout the Unit
ed States as a day of fasting, humilia-
ton and prayer. Deeming, furthermore
that the present condition of public af-
fairs presents an extraordinary OCCASION
and in view of the power vested in me
by the constitution and laws, | have
thought fit to call for the citizens of the
United States between the ages of Is
and IS, to the aggregate number of 4O0,-
600, in order to suppress the existing re-
belliOus combinations, and cause due
execution of the laws. And further
more, in case any State or number of
States shall fail to furnish by the 18th of
June next their assigned quotas, it is
hereby ordered that the same be raised
by immediate and peremptory draft.
Details for this object will be commu-
nicatcd to the State authorities through
We Wac hetsflllleHt. / call upon all
loyal citizens to do all in their power to
facilitate and aid in this effort to main
tain the honor, integrity and existence
of our national Union, and the perpetu-
ity of popular government. l..4
49,, In witness whereof, have
L. s. hereunto set my hand and
'--' caused the seal of the United
States to be affixed.
Done at Washington, this 18th day of
May, A. D. 1864, and Of the indepen-
dence of the United States the SSth.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
By the President:
w. H. SEWARD, Sec'y of State.
CAIRO, May Ito correct abuse on
the Mississippi river, Gen. Washburn