Latest from the North.
matters in Tennessee--Operations in Mississippi--Organization of negro corps under Banks in Louisiana--engagement on the Blackwater.Our correspondent at Fredericksburg has received the Washington Chronicle of the 20th, from which he compiles the following summary of Northern news: Rosecrans's Department.--Affairs at Rosecrans's Department are unchanged. An invasion of Kentucky is threatened by 17,000 rebel infantry and 14 pieces of artillery. A letter says they have crossed the Cumberland and are advancing on Richmond to flank Rosecrans and compel him to abandon Murfreesboro'. From Mississippi.--Grant to Halleck, from Cayuga, Miss., says: ‘"My forces will be as far advanced this evening along Fourteen Mile Creek--the left near Black river, and in a line extending nearly east and west — as they can get without bringing on a general engagement. I shall communicate with Grand Gulf no more except it becomes necessary to send a train and heavy escort. You may not hear from me again for several days."’
"Raymond, Miss., 12,30 P. M. May 14, via Memphis, 11 A. M., May 18.--Major-General Halleck: McPherson took this place on the 12th, after a brisk fight of more than two hours. Our loss, 51 killed and 181 wounded. Enemy's loss, 75 killed (buried by us) and 186 prisoners captured, besides the wounded. McPherson is now at Clinton. Gen. Sherman is on the direct Jackson road. Gen. McClernand is bringing up the rear. I will attack the State capital to-day.
"U. S. Grant, Maj.-Gen'l."
From Memphis.--A dispatch says Grant has taken Jackson--Capitol burned--5 to 10,000 mounted men near Okolona, threatening an advance in the direction of the Memphis railroad. A citizen just up from Jackson says the enemy evacuated Vicksburg on Saturday, marching on the ridge northeast to Livingston, a post village in Madison co., Miss., 20 miles northwest of Jackson. It is impossible that the movement from Vicksburg is to concentrate for a battle with Grant's army. The defeat of the rebels at Raymond is said to have been very disastrous to them. We are yet without particulars. Heavy reinforcements were hurrying forward to the rebels, and stopping 12 miles east of Jackson. A great battle is imminent. Banks is to raise a corps d'afrique (corps d'affrights) consisting of eighteen regiments. Banks has ordered one hundred citizens to be held as hostages in close confinement for those who killed Capt Dwight near Bayou Courtableu. Col. Grierson made a speech in New Orleans, and said there was a strong Union sentiment in Mississippi. He says the men and resources of the rebel army have been greatly exaggerated. Grant and Porter have issued congratulatory orders upon the taking of Port Gibson. There was a fight near Blackwater river on May 1st--three killed and eighteen wounded. It is said, "by all odds, the severest infantry fight yet had in the vicinity of Suffolk." The rebels attacked their trains. The Federal say they fell back to get them in the open field. The fight occurred near Suffolk. The rebels attacked a Yankee party who were pulling up rails. Seven Yankee regiments were in the engagement.
