Late war News.
the fight at Lewisburg, &c., &c.Contradictory reports of an engagement at Lewisburg, Va., between our forces under Gen. Heth and a large body of the enemy, have been in circulation for two days past; and as it was known that the Otey Battery, composed of young men from this city, participated in the fight, much anxiety has been manifested here to learn the result. The Lynohbourg papers, of yesterday, contain some particulars, which we copy. The Republican says: Capt C. Gaston. Otey, of Richmond, who was wounded in the late fight at Lewisburg, and who is now in this city, has furnished us the following items of laterest concerning the battle. The fight occurred in the town of Lewisburg and immediate vicinity on last Friday morning. The forces engaged on our side, about 1,800 in number, were the 22d, 45th, and 50th. Virginia regiments, Edgar's battalion one company of cavalry, two guns of the Otey battery, two guns of Lowry's battery, one gun of Chapman's battery, and two guns of Bryan's battery, from Monroe county, all under command of Gen. Heth. The Yankees numbered from 5,000 to 6,000. Our men made the attack, drove the enemy from two positions, when he was reluforned, and, having gained a position in our rear, in the town of Lewisburg, through which he had been driven, our forces fell back in good order, losing no biggage or wag us, across the Greenbrierriver, the bridge over which they burnt. The Yankees did not pursue our retreating forces. and the destruction of Breenbrier bridge will materially impede their advance. Our forces will make a stand at — a very strong position. Gen. Heth acted with signal bravery, being in the thickest of the fight at all times. The 45th regiment, who have been reported to have fled from the field, only retreated under orders, after being opposed to a vastly superior force, by whom they were severely cut up We took some 75 prisoners, and lost none of our own except it a wounded, who were left in the hand of the enemy, some of our surgeons who retired our men, and posibly a few stragglers. The guns of Bryan's battery, and one gun of Otey's battery were taken. The cause of the capture of the latter was a of the order to retreat. The fallure of the Yankees to pursue our retreating forces with activity was caused, as Captain Otey thinks, it, the fact that they had sent a part of their forces by a circultous route to the bridge, with the design of destroying it, and thus cutting off our retreat — a plan to which, however, they signally failed. Major Edgar, of Monror a good man and gallant officer, was killed on the field. Captain Finney, A. A. General, of Powhatan county, was wounded in the side nor dangerously. Capt Thompson, of the 45th Regiment, was mortally wounded. None of the Otey Battery, save Captain C., were injured. Captain Otey being ordered from the field to have his wound dressed, can give no correct extimate of the killed and wounded on either side, though he saw numbers of the enemy dead. Passangers by the Western train last night brought but in additional to the above — in the particular of our loss, reporte very considerably, some stating it only two killed and about twenty wounded others estimating the whole loss as hight as 800 killed, wounded and missing. We are inclined to believe that our total casualties will reach in the neighborhood of 200. The day preceding the fight, we captured a scouting party of cavalry in Monroe, near the Greensburg river numbering 42 without to the flight we took about 50 prisoners all of whom were endured, losing of our own. Gen. Co. and McCock are reported to have been incommand of the enemy. The 23d Virginia regiment is said to have suffered considersbly losing more than all the others The Virginia has the follwoing additional particulars: ‘ By an officer who arrived here last night from Flacasele, we were informed that an official dispatch had been received by General boring from General Both stating that he was upon the eve of victory when an unaccountable a portion of his men, and he was compared to fall back with a loss of thirty killed, wounded and missing, and two pieces of artillery. The gentleman from whom we received this information read the dispatch, and we are induced to believe that it is perfectly reliable He says that the artillery reported captured was was out from Captain Otey's and one from the Gree Artillery, the horses of which were killed. We captured 75 prisoners, 40 of whom were cavalry and 35 infantry, including some of the pickols who were sleeping on their posts. Among the cosualties reported on our side is Major Finney killed. Major Edgar and Capt C. G. Otey wounded. The enemy's less is supposed heavy. From the above, it would not appear that the defeat was so disastrous as at first reported, but merely a slight reverse. We understand that Gen. Heth is severely consured for the movement which brought on the engagement but whether there are just ground or not for the censure, we are ware. ’
The gunboats at city point.
The Petersburg Express, of Tuesday, says: ‘ We understand that two of the enemy's gunboats Often to City Point yesterday, and off down the river.--There are now nine left, and a schooner or two. Yesterday the enemy became a little deflant and landed about one hundred men at the Point. Having been informed that our pickets were not near, we understand that they marched boldly up and down the beach and seemed to feel free from danger. They remained ashore about one hour and then returned. We are informed that our pickets have received orders not to fire on these invaders if they merely come ashore. Why not, we are unable to uncertain. They claim an exclusive control of the water, and were we in command they should confine themselves to the water. Not a man should put his foot on the shore without incurring the risk of his life The landing of the Yankees at the Point yesterday gave rise to many rumors in Petersburg. The number swelled to 300 long before the news reached Petersburg, out upon getting within the corporte limits, it quickly rose to 1,500. Some expected to see three or four of our gailant brigades marched down, but they were disappointed. Our authorities are on the look out, and prepared for any movement the enemy may make. ’Affairs at Baton Rouge
The following private letter from a gentleman in Baton Rouge, to his brother, in Vicksburg, gives some interesting particulars of the landing of the Federal gunboats at the former place. It is dated May 12th. The Yankees have been here for nearly a whole week. We have the Yankee fleet right before our little town, consisting of the flagship Hartford, Brooklyn, Richmond, and and gunboats with different numbers. The Hartford is right before our house, and the dogs are getting so impudent that no lady can go to the window without being insulted by them. The first Yankee who landed here, for the purpose of demanding the surrender of the city ran a greanbrisk of getting killed, for more than one revolver was aimed at him, and only the great influence of our old citizens saved his life. Many and loud were the hurras for Jeff Davis, to which he had to listen. To his demand for surrender, he received a written answer, that the city of Baton Rouge would not surrender to any power on earth. If they wanted to take possesson of the barracks and ordnance building they could do so — they are not within the limits of the corporation On the third day the Yankees landed about 75 marines, with one brass howitzer, near the garrison, and just as they were in the act of raising their grid-iron, a party of about sixty of our guerililas appeared on the ground, and the Yankees took to their hests and made for their gunboats. I expected every minute to bear the roar of the cannon, and the messengers of death and destruction pour forth, but no, it is not so quickly done as said. Several messages were brought to the Mayor informing him that they would hold from responsible for everything, but he answered their ‘"The city was as quict as ever, and he had no contrul of the garrison"’ In the afternoon they landed again, and succeeded in hoisting their rag on the lightning red, and then they were again driven back to their boats. This seems to salisfy them, for they stick to their boats. Yesterday, Sunday, all the officers came ashore and went in all the churches, but nobody took notice of them, but treated them with contempt. They all tried to buy some liquor, but they cannot get a drop here. About half an hour ago one of their transports landed a little below the city, with a land force, and we are now expecting their entrance. They will and Baton Rouge a lively place, I'll assure you; all the planters have forme into guerrilla parties, and number about 550men, and if the Yankees don't bring a large force, they will be saved the trouble of taking any away from here. This morning we had a little revoll in the penitentiary; about twenty convicts tried to make their escaps, but they did not succeed. The guards killed four of them and wounded three. The Yankees seixed the ferry-boat with the captain, also a large coal pile — this is the way they promised to respect private property, but never mind, our day will come yet. The transports just arrived hate They landed about 4,000 men between this and New Orleans, to go across the country to the rail- road. Here they have as yet not done any damage, they have only stolen a wood-pile.Interesting from New Orleans — Butler's war upon the ladies.
The Mobile Register, of the 21st, has some further intelligence from New Orleans, showing that the infamous Butler has been carrying out some of the threats enumerated in his recent ‘"order."’ A lady from New Orleans makes statements which confirm other accounts, and the tenor of Butler's orders, to the effect that the conquerors are making the unhappy citizens feel the iron heel of their power, Every day the military surveillance becomes more rigid and the regulations more stringent. Butler, as the most infamous of his orders indicates, injuring fierce warfare upon the ladies. They grievously offended his Yankee highness by wearing as trimmings of their bonnets, &c., semblances of the Confederate flag, and the Southern colors, red and white. Picayune ordered them to indulge no more in such demonstrations of rebellious sentiment, under penalty of condign punishment. How many oboyed and how many were punished, our informant does not set forth. But she does state that Mrs. J. B. Walton, the lovely and accomplished lady of Col. J. B. Walton, of the Washington Artillery, is now in close confinement, because she refused to remove the little flag which formed part of the trimming of her boune. It is thus that the valorous Picayune avenges so much of the rout at Bull Run as was due to the well served guns of the Washington Artillery. Persons were being arrested and consigned to dungeons at the whim of the Yankee despot. Our intelligence from the above-mentioned source is to the effect that fifty thousand men had been landed in the city, and were now quartered within and about it, and garrisoning the works of the coast, lakes and rivers. A great deal of sickness, and of a very fatal type, was prevalling among the unacelimated Yankees of New England, and seventy dead invaders were carried out from one hospital and buried during a single night. Large numbers of buildings are being converted into hospitals for the accommodation of the great number of sick rascale, who, if they do not die from actual disease, probably do from fear, their imaginations being tormented with terrible visions of Yellow Jack. If all signede not fall, they have every reason to he frightened than ever they were by a Bayonet charge of the Confederates. Our informant says it was common talk among the Yankee officers that Mobile would soon be atracked, and they said that the city would be shelled without hesitation if resistance was made after their gunboats were in range. When the lady applied to the Yankee Provost Marshal she tendered a Confederate note in payment of the fee exected. The official took it and hurled it violently back into herface. Obtaining other money, she paid the amount. The Orleantans are finding out what being a corquered people means. Let their sad experience instruct us that any other evil is more endurable, any suffering preferable to the scourge of Yankee masters.Spirit of the Mississippians
The subjoined article from the Jackson Mississippian, of the 20th, shows that preparaations are on foot to give the invaders a warm reception. We We trust the call made by Governor Pettus yesterday for one thousand Stated man to repair to Vicksburg, will be responded to without delay. We notice that many have gone down this morning. Let everyman who can furnish a trusty rifle go at once. Let him provule himselt with rations for a week or ten days, during which time the fight will probably take place. Let us give to the vilelessians who have penetrated into our country to steal our property and insult out women such a welcome as they will remember. There can be but one santiment among Mississippians, and that is, her soil must be made too hot for the maranding thieves and cowardly lick of Yankeedom. Remember the proclamation of Butler, and determine to die, every man of us, before we will subject our waves and sisters and mothers to the insults and loathsome presence of the most infamous people on the face of the earth. They must be sent howling back to their frigid dens of the North, or hurled into the reeking fames of bell. The gross, diabolical outrag which the blackhearted Butler licensed his brutal bords to perpetrate upon the virtuous women of New Orleans must be avonged. Let the of Vicksburg be made classic Let her example which will live in history and make her fame honorable for all time.--Let her people never consent to be ruled by the base of our unprincipled despot. Rather let the flames consume the of her beautiful buildings, and every life and every dollar's worth or property be wrapped up in one grand funeral pyte.The fight at Glorietta, New Mexico.
The Jackson Mississippian, of the 17th inst. has the following: ‘ We learn from a passenger just through from Taxas. that an engagement between 1,700 of Gen. Sibly's brigade, and 2,300 Federals, occurred on the 10th ult., at Glorictta canton, New Mexico. Col. Scurry commanding, had his man posted in the canton through which the Federals were compelled to pass to communicate with Fort Craig. About six hundred of the enemy were killed and wounded, and less than 100 of Scurry's men — among whom however, were Majors Kaguct and Shropabire killed and Lieutenant. Col. Sutton mortally wounded. Gen, Sibley's A. D. C., Capt. Ochlitree, who was bearer of dispatches from Gen. Sibley, reported to our informant that the result of the battle at Glorietta would be the surrender of Fort-Craig to our forces, and the occupation of all New Mexico and Arizona by the Confederates. [Some further mention of this battle will be found under the telegraphic head. ’Badgas of honor for Beauregard's troops — an Inspiring order.
The following is the order recently issued by Gen. Beauregard, to which allusion has been made heretofore:Headquarters Western Department,
Corinte, Miss.,may 18th, 1862.
To do full justice to the private soldier, who is seldom accorded his meed of praise, and who rarely receives full credit for his gallant deeds; and to place him, in this respect, more nearly on an equality with the commissioned officer, the commander of the forces has determined to distribute a badge of merit, in person, in presence of the troops, to every officer and every private soldier who shall greatly distinguish himself in any engagement with the enemy.
The badge will have insoribed upon it the name of the battlein which it was won.--During way, it will be a proud testimonial of the wearer's heroism, and and will place his name upon the list of those entitled to promotion in the army and when the invader is driven back, and our independence secured, it will gloriously prove his litle to the gratitude of his countrymen, and to the hignest civic honors,
Commandere of corps, divistons, brigades, regiments, and companies, will, immediately after each engagement, carefully report their bravest men to a military commission, to be appointed for the purpose, upon whose report that their conduct has been preseminently brave, they will receive this reward of patriotism and courage from the hands of their General G. T. Beauregard,
Gen'l. Com'ding.
Gen'l. Com'ding.
