May 31.
A body of Illinois militia, numbering between two and three hundred, under command of Capt. John M. Richardson, were attacked by a force of five hundred Indians and white secessionists, under Capt. Coffee and Major Thomas Wright, at Neosho, Mo., and were compelled to fall back to Mount Vernon, where they were reenforced by a detachment of the Tenth Illinois cavalry. There was no general engagement, and the Federal loss was but two killed and three wounded. The rebels captured a number of guns and overcoats, together with a quantity of ammunition, camp equipage, and about fifty horses. They did not hold the town, but retreated to their camp, eighteen miles from Neosho.
The schooner Cora was captured this day off the bar of Charleston, S. C., by the United States steamer Keystone State.--A force of Union troops, under command of Gen. Williams, arrived at Baton Rouge, La., in the gunboat Kennebec.
A sharp fight took place on the Greenville road, eight miles above Washington, N. C., between a Union scouting party of fifteen men, of Mix's Third New York cavalry, under Lieutenant Allis, and a superior force of rebel cavalry, resulting in the defeat of the rebels, with a loss of three men killed, six wounded, and two taken prisoners unhurt. None of the Union party were killed, and but one was wounded.
Major-Gen. Butler, commanding Department of the Gulf, issued an order directing and authorizing the Provost-Marshal of New Orleans, La., to execute six rebel prisoners, convicted of having violated their parole.
Part of General Banks's command advanced beyond Martinsburgh, Va.--A reconnaissance in force was made at Winton, N. C., by the National troops, under Gen. Viele.
At noon to-day the main body of the rebel army near Richmond, Va., under General Joseph Johnston, attacked the left wing of the Union army at Fair Oaks and the Seven Pines, and a desperate battle ensued, which lasted till night. At night the rebels occupied the camps of the Fourth corps, but their advance was completely broken.
