January 2.
The battle of Stone River, or Murfreesboro, Tenn., between the Union army of the Cumberland, under the command of Major-General Rosecrans, and the rebel force under General Bragg, which commenced two days previous, was resumed this morning, and, after a most obstinate and bloody contest, which lasted all day, resulted in the retreat of the rebel forces with great slaughter.--(Docs. 26 and 146.)
Skirmishing continued yesterday around Vicksburgh, and this morning the rebels advanced upon a portion of General Grant's army who were engaged erecting works on the lake near the city, causing them to retreat with a slight loss. General Pemberton, in command of the rebels, sent a despatch to Richmond stating that “the enemy finding all his efforts unavailing to make any inroad upon our position here, has reembarked, leaving a considerable quantity of intrenching tools and other property, and apparently has relinquished his designs upon Vicksburgh.”
President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation was officially issued as “General order no. 1.”
A detachment of Stuart's rebel cavalry, commanded by Major Herring, made a descent into Dumfries, Va., and captured a quantity of public stores and ten sutler's wagons, belonging principally to Maine and New York regiments. The movement was accomplished with such extraordinary expedition, that but two drivers only escaped.--At Richmond, Va., brown sugar sold at one dollar and ten cents per pound, molasses at eight dollars a gallon, and other necessaries of life in proportion.--Richmond Examiner. Salutes in honor of the confirmatory proclamation of the President of the United States, declaring freedom to the slaves of rebels, were given in many portions of the loyal States.--Boston Transcript.
Union prisoners captured at Galveston, yesterday, arrived at Houston, Texas. In noticing the event, the Telegraph said: “They are a fine-looking body of men, and ought to be ashamed of themselves for volunteering their services in the villainy of trying to subjugate a chivalrous people.” --Colonel Hoskins, commanding military post at Lebanon, Ky., made report of his operations before that place, commencing on the twentieth day of December, 1862, at which time he was notified by General Boyle that the rebel forces under General Morgan had again entered Kentucky, and ending on this day, when the pursuit of them was abandoned, by order of General Fry, three miles beyond Columbia, Ky.--(Doc. 52.)
