Later from the North.
New York and Baltimore papers, of the 12th inst., have been received. The American, of Tuesday, under its caption, "The News," has the following: ‘ The Washington papers of yesterday make no mention of the movements of the Army of the Potomac; the telegraph is silent, under the closed hand of the Government censor, and it seems probable that whatever new movements Gen. Hooker undertakes, a secrecy more rigid even than attended his last operations will be observed. From Washington the rumor comes that the army has again crossed the Rappahannock, and the rebels forced either by the necessity of obtaining food, the severance of all their communications with Richmond, or by the demonstration of Gen. Dix's forces from the York River, have retreated rapidly toward Richmond, leaving the celebrated plateau at Fredericksburg to our peaceful occupancy. The New York Times professes to have "positive knowledge" that Gen. Hooker had recrossed the Rappahannock in force, his men being again provided with eight days rations. There is a probability, of course, that these reports are true, but until verified it is best to consider them as needing confirmation. New York and Philadelphia were excited on Sunday by a report that Richmond had been taken by the force moving up the York River. The same report prevailed here, but found few believers. ’Gen. Halleck about to take the field.
We learn by special advices from Washington, (says the New York Evening Post, of Monday,) that Gen. Halleck is about to take the field in person, not, it is understood, with the purpose of relieving Gen. Hooker from his command, but that he may be in the very presence of transpiring events, and the better able to influence their general direction. The authority upon which we have this information is usually well informed. It is a significant fact, and one that will increase the confidence of the country in Gen. Hooker, that he did not execute his late retrograde movement until he had planned his present one, and had become satisfied of its superiority to any effort he could make in the field of Chancellorsville, contracted as it had been by the unfortunate defection of the 11th corps at the commencement of the struggle. A letter from a member of Sickles's corps dated on the 10th, giving an account of predations for an intended move, says: ‘ The men had been supplied with eight days rations, and the whole force were under marching orders. To-day the rumor assumes a more tangible shape; and now there is every reason to hope and believe that the campaign is not ended with the retreat across the Rappahannock, but that movement was only the commencement of a series by which the wished-for end is to be attained. A few days will suffice to show that Gen. Hooker has skillfully, and with great foresight, planned these movements, and that the real object is yet within his grasp. ’From the Pamuskev — activity of our forces on York River.
West Point, Va., May 7--9 P. M.
--West Point is indisputably in our possession.
The U. S. steamer Commodore Morris, Capt. Jas. H. Gillis, at the suggestion of Maj. General Keyes, came up to this point yesterday on a reconnaissance.
Nothing of any interest occurred by the way, and she returned last evening.
This morning York town was all alive.--The scenes of activity, such as were witnessed a year since, appeared again.
Several transports and ever so many soldiers, (I dare not tell you how many,) cavalry and artillery, were ready for the move.
Additional gunboats appeared on the river, and without ten minutes delay the whole moved this way and occupied the point.
The whole were under the orders of Gen. Keyes, he making the Morgain his flag-ship.
The Commodore Morris led the way. Everything was quiet on the river, and by two o'clock pickets were thrown out and an advance made towards the White House by a squad of the 6th New York cavalry, led by Maj. Wm. P. Hall, and a squadron of the 5th Pennsylvania cavalry, led by Captain Paul. Gen. Keyes, with a portion of his staff, then reconnoitred the position and personally superintended the landing and disposition of the troops.
I have seen much of such matters during the war, but certainly I never saw anything conducted so quickly and efficiently as the occupation of this place.
I followed the cavalry a short distance out of West Point.
About three miles out the rebel picket line was established.
It consisted of thirteen men, under the command of a Lieutenant from the 15th Virginia cavalry.
On seeing our vessels coming up they retreated to the woods.
Lieut. Crozier, of the 6th New York cavalry, led a detachment through the wood, when the first shot that was fired struck his horse in the neck, and was the cause of the rider's death.
The horse jumped aside and threw his rider on his head, and then fell on him heavily, killing him instantly.
The rest pursued the rebels and captured four, who were brought in at once.
Lieut. Crozier was immediately seen by a surgeon, but to no purpose.
His remains will go to Fortress Monroe to-morrow morning.
He was an excellent officer and loved by his men. I believe he leaves a young wife residing in New Jersey.
From the accounts we have from the enemy, I think they have but a small force in this vicinity.
When the cavalry returns to-morrow morning we shall know more.
Maj. Gen. Dix came up this evening from Fortress Monroe on the C. W. Thomas, and consulted with Gen. Keyes, who commands the expedition.
The boat is about to leave, so that I must close.
The raid in Northwestern Virginia.
The Wheeling Intelligencer, of Saturday, has the following: ‘ The rebels had got as near Parkersburg yesterday evening as Petroleum and were still on their road. They will reconnoitre that place and see what they can do. Failing to see a good chance to go into town they will turn off to the left and strike out into the Wirt and Kanawha county. It is said they have captured great quantities of horses and cattle and other booty. So also has the other column that was left around Weston, and which is now reported to be moving off into Gilmer and Braxton. We hope that Gen. Roberts will be able to show that he has been of some earthly account thus far. There is a feeling of indignation that our military have been utterly powerless in the hands of this raid, and have actually been as much despised as so many men in buckram by the raiders. ’The Vallandigham case.
Cincinnati, May 12.
--The motion for a writ of habeas corpus in Mr. Vallandigham's case was argued yesterday before Judge Leavitt, United States Circuit Court, and the argument will be continued to-day.
The Buell Court of Inquiry concluded its labors yesterday, and adjourned sine die. The Court has been in session one hundred and sixty-five days.
Disloyal papers.
St. Louis, May 11.
--The sale or distribution of the Freeman's Journal, of New York, the New York Caucasian, the Columbus (Ohio) Crisis, the Democratic Journal, of Jerseyville, the Chicago Times, and the Dubuque Herald, has been prohibited in this military district by General Davidson.
Yankee forces near Charleston.
The Port Royal correspondent of the Philadelphia Inquirer says: ‘ Our forces occupy, no doubt with a view to future siege operations, Folly Island, and have advanced up to within two hundred yards of Light-House Inlet, which separates Folly from Morris Island. Our troops are protected by earthworks which they have thrown up.--Guns will be mounted, and then the rebels, who are in full view of our troops, strengthening their position, and making it harder for us to take when we advance, will receive the compliments of shells and other projectiles of uncomfortable size, which will materially interfere with their labor. The pickets of both armies are so near that conversation has been carried on between them, although every effort has been made to stop such proceedings. Propositions have been made by the rebel pickets to exchange tobacco for coffee, and a tacit agreement has been entered into by the pickets not to fire upon each other. The Keokuk is still lying off Morris Island, and the rebels, besides getting off her guns, are now employing themselves at night in carrying off the machinery. In the day time our gunboats modestly remind these thieves that Uncle Sam yet considers his title good to the remainder of the Keokuk's glory, and therefore during the day the rebels omit their Jeremy Diddling on board the well ventilated iron clad. It is not yet definitely known when the attack on Charleston will be resumed. Some of the iron-clads are lying at Edisto Inlet, off Folly Island, while another is still receiving repairs in our harbor. ’Frightful Carriage.
A member of Sickles's corps, who was in the fight at Chancellorsville, writes: ‘ Through the mercy of Heaven, I escaped harm in the terrible carnage of Saturday and Sunday. Our corps bore the brunt of the battle both days, repulsing Stonewall Jackson on Saturday, whose command numbered 40,000 men, and on Sunday holding in check for more than two hours the masses of Lee in his attack on our right. We lost more than three thousand in killed and wounded, including two hundred and forty-five officers, and among the latter three Generals and six Colonels. ’The War in Tennessee.
Murfreesboro', Tenn., May 8.
--Wheeler's division of rebel cavalry has moved from its position on our left, and advanced in force to Livingston, with the evident intention of falling upon Carter, who is reported in the vicinity of Jamestown.
This cavalry force is very formidable, and the movement is looked upon as serious.
Bragg's infantry maintains its position, with the intention of occupying our attention and to prevent a detachment being sent below to interfere with Wheeler's rans.
Franklin, Tenn., May 10.--A flag of truce from Spring Hill to-day reports Van-Dorn's death confirmed.
He was shot by Dr. Peters, not Major Cherry.
There had long been an undue intimacy between Mrs. Peters and General Van- Dorn.
Dr. Peters escaped to Nashville.
A letter from Columbia to the Rebel says three transports and two gunboats, descending the Tennessee river on the 27th of April, were attacked by Col. Woodward, and the transports were sunk.
The gunboat escaped.
Progress of Gen. Grant.
Cairo, April 11.
--The Memphis Bulletin says: ‘
We learn that Jackson, Miss., is already invested, and that the rebels have no way of getting out of Vicksburg but by cutting their way through the national forces.
The steamer Horizon, during an engagement at Grand Gulf, ran in a snag and sunk with 100,000 rations on board, most of which were lost.
It was the pontoon bridge over Big Black river that was destroyed, instead of the Railroad bridge. ’
