LATEST AMERICAN INTELLIGENCE

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1900, 28 July 1863, Page 3

LATEST AMERICAN INTELLIGENCE

{From the Home Neivs, May 26, 1863). The arrival of the Euiopa brings our intelligence up to May 14. 1 1 will he seen that the news contained in previous columns is in some respects contradictory to that novt published. It has been positively asserted, and as positively denied, that General Hooker's army has again ciossfd the Rappahannock. It is now known, however, that no such movement has taken place, although it is believed that it was ordered by the President and General Halleck on May 9. Telegraphic despatches from Philadelphia, published ou May 10th, asserted that 13,000 Federal troops were landed at Fortress Monroe, on May 5, that General Keys advanced upon Richmond, via Norfolk, and that on that day the Federal flag was floating ovev the Confederate capital. This report, though apparently | sanctioned by the Government, has received noi confirmation, and is generally discredited. On May 6, General Hooker issued the following extraordinary document: — " Headquarters, Army of the Potomac, May 6. " The Major-General commanding, tenders to this army his songratulalions on its achievements of the last seven days. If it has not accomplished all that was expected, the reasons are well known to the army. It is sufficient to say, they were of a character not to be foreseen or preveuted by human sagacity or resources. "In withdrawing from the south bank of the Rappahannock before delivering a general battle to our ad rersaries, the army has given renewed evidence of its confidence in itself, and its fidelity to the principles it represents. "By fighting at a disadvantage, we would have beeu recreant to our trust, to ourselves, to out cause, and to our country. Profoundly

loyal and conscious of its strengtb, the army of the Potomac will give or decline battle whenever its interest or honor may command it. By the celerity and secresy of our movements, our advance and passage of the river were undisputed ; and on our withdrawal not a rebel dared to follow us. The events of the last week may well cause the heart of every officer and soldier of the army to swell with pride. We have added new laurels to our former renown. We have made long marches, crossed rivers, surprised the enemy in bits intrencbments, and whenever we have fought we have inflicted heavier blows than those we have received. We have taken from the enemy 5000 prisoners, and 15 colors, captured seven pieces of artillery, and placed hors de combat 18,000 of our foe's chosen troops. We have destroyed his depots, filled with vast amounts of stores, damaged his communications, captured prisoners within the fortifications of his capital, and filled his country with fear and consternation. We have no other regret than that caused by the loss of our brave companions, and in this we are consoled by the conviction that they have fallen in the holiest cause ever submitted to the arbitration of battle. By command of Major-General Hooker. S. Williams, Assistant Adjutant-General. The cavalry raid in the rear of General Lee was, according- to the accounts received, most brilliant. The expedition consisted of 2700 picked men, and six pieces of flying artillery. It started on the 13th April, but, owing ta the heavy rains, the crossing of the Rappahannock was delayed until a fortnight later, when it was effected at three different points. The task assigned to it vras the destruction of the Fredericksburg and Richmond Railway, of th« bridges over the South Anna River, and of the locks of the James River Canal. All the detachments are reported to have been eminently successful in achieving this task and lo have returned to headquarters in safety on Friday morning, May 8, with the exception of 50 men, who were captured. All the artillery was brought back, and several hundred Confederates were taken prisoners. Despatches from Cairo of the 11th, psbhsbed in the Memphis Bulletin, report that Jackson, on the Mississippi, in the rear of Vicksburg, has been invested by General Grant's forces. The position of the Federals would interrupt the Confederate line of supplies, ana the capture of Jackson would cut off the retreat of the Confederates in the e^ent of the reduction of the batteries at Vicksburg. The latest news from Port Royal is to the 6th May, AH the iron-clads have been repaired and had left Port Royal for the North Edisto inlet, preparatory to a new attack on CharlesGeneral Hunter's forces still occupied Folly, Seabrook, and Cole Islands, in which they were intrenching: themselves. At n meeting of the Democratic Association of New York a resolution was adopted to call a mass meeting in Union-square, to give expression to the public indignation on the arbitrary arrests of Mr Valliudigbam, and to vindicate the principles of freedom of speech. General Lee, on the 7th May, issued a congratulatory address to the army on its recent victory at Chancellorsville. He complimented the officers and men upon their heroic conduct, and reminded them that they were more especially bound to return their grateful thanks to the Almiehty as the only giver of victory. The New York World, of May 14, in comparing the modest order of General Lee with that of General Hooker, says that it is the fate of many a brave and capable nation and army to be defeated ; but to be untruthful, boastful, and false, when occasion demands honesty, resignation and loyal hopefulness in adversity willturn j against us every civilised nation on earth. No honest and fair minded man can read these two orders without grief, pain, and shame. The incapables who are ruling and ruining us cannot save our honor. . i The Tribune states that its news from the Rappahannock is to Tnes'lay, May 12, brought from the army of the Potomac by one of its own editors. Up to that time no further en- ' gagement had occurred. General Stoneman's performances had been greatly exaggerated ; the damage to the Virginia Railway was trifling 1 , and the trains on the Richmond and Fredericksburg Railway were not interrupted longer than twenty-four hours. j General Lee, in an official order dated the; lHh May, announced to the Confederate army tbe death of General Stonewall Jackson. It was found necessary to amputate bis wounded arm, and the effect of the operation together with pneumonia, caused his death. In speaking of his wound previously to his death, the Richmond Examiner says : " We could better sps re a brigade or a di vislou, and our base foe will exult in the disaster to General Jackson ; yet the accursed bullet that brought him down was never moulded by a Yankee. Through a cruel mistake, in the confusion, the hero received two balls from his own men, who would all have died for him."