the advance of the army of the Potomac--General Statesman's cavalry — Gen Banks's victories in Louisiana State.
The New York Herald, of Saturday last, the 21 inst., has been received. Its news is not of a very important character, though the following summary will be found interesting:
The situation.
General Hooker's army had made a positives and, so far, a successful, advance, having crossed the Rappahannock on Wednesday, encountered the enemy on the other side drove them from their rifle pits below the city of Fredericksburg, capturing, five hundred prisoners, and gained a decided victory over the rebels. The troops are reported to be in magnificent condition, both as regards health and discipline. The crossing was made by the right wing above and the left wing below the city, General Hooker superintending the losing of the pontoon bridges near Kelly's Ford in person. The rebels made but a slight show of resistance at this point; as the One Hundred and Fifty-fourth New York and Seventy-third Pennsylvania crossed over, but fell back after a little skirmishing. The advance of Hooker's army has crossed the Rapidan. Gen. Lee's forces are therefore outflanked to a great extent, and must either give battle or fall back to Richmond. Our army correspondence to-day relative to this important advance is full and interesting and our map of the Rappahannock,--Capture, the fords, and surrounding country, will be found most valuable in following the movements of the grand army.From the correspondent from Fortress Monroe on Thursday, we learn that Col Robert M. West, commanding Fort Magruder, made an attack, with infantry and cavalry, on the enemy at Williamsburg, and succeeded in driving the rebels two miles beyond the town. Our pickets are at present stationed there and are ordered to maintain their position at all hazards.
By the arrival of the transport Escort from Newbern, N. C., we have intelligence from that region up to the 29th ult. Gen. Palmer made a successful reconnaissance towards Kinston and returned after driving the rebels from their position behind earthworks, within eight miles of that place. The chief participators in this affair were the Forty fifth Massachusetts and the Fifty eighth Pennsylvania regiments.
Skirmishing to a great extent had been going on in the vicinities of Newbern and Washington. The enemy have been repulsed at every point, and considerable numbers of rebels prisoners have been taken and sent into Newbern. General Hill is supposed to be at Goldsboro', with a portion of the forces with which he lately invested Newbern and Washington.
Gen. Hickman forwards his official report of the march of his forces to Washington and the operations there.
The news from the Southwest is most important. By the arrival of a steamer at Cairo yesterday, from Milliken's Bend, we are informed that nearly the whole of our army at that point was in motion, leaving tents and baggage behind, and the soldiers taking six days rations.
It is stated, on what is considered reliable authority, that Gen. Osterbans occupied Grand Gulf. Two tugs, having in tow four day barges, run past the batteries at Vicksburg on Saturday night, without being fired upon.
Dispatches from Franklin, Tennessee, dated yesterday, report a splendid dash of our cavalry, under Col Campbell, of the 26 Michigan, among Gen. Van Dorn's rebel pickets, near Thompson's Station. The enemy were prepared to run. Fourteen of them were killed and twenty wounded, and eleven prisoners taken, including one officer.
It was stated by a rebel deserter at Murfreesboro' that Gen. Breckinridge advanced to Beech Grove and Hoover's Gap, twelve miles from there, on the Manchester pike. He stated that the entire rebel force now is in position from Beech Grove, through Wartrace, Gay's Gap, and Shelbyville.
We give to-day, from the Wheeling Intelligencer, a very interesting account of the late rebel raid into Western Virginia. The rebels went from Morgantown to Uniontown, where they committed some depredations and returned by way of Blacksville towards Fairmont, passing within thirteen miles of Waynesburg, Pa. There was a good deal of alarm at the latter place, and the cashier of the bank there destroyed $60,000 of the bank's issue for fear of its falling into their hands.
Yesterday was another day of wild speculation in Wall street. The business done was enormous, and everything was higher, the leading speculative stocks being Harlem, Pittsburg, and Erie. The Government also did a very large business. Nearly five millions were loaned to Government at five and six per cent. The limit of the five per cent. deposit has been reached. Gold was dull. The price fluctuated between 150½ and 151½, closing at 5 P. M. at 150 ⅞. Exchange closed at 166½@167. Money was very easy. Call loans 4@5 per cent.
Cotton was dull, but quoted steady, yesterday.
The advance of the army of the Potomac--the great struggle close at hand.
The Herald has the following editorial:The reports which we publish to-day of the movements of Gen Hooker's army indicate the near approach of the most important, and, perhaps, the decisive struggle of the war.
The details of the crossing of the Rappahannock by the army indicate General Hooker's plan of operations. He is moving on an interior line above or west of Fredericksburg, to turn that strong position or draw the enemy out into the open field. The detachments which were sent down several miles below Fredericksburg, to day a number of pontoon bridges, as if for the crossing of the whole army there, were evidently employed to divert the attention of the enemy from the main design of crossing above, and this stratagem no doubt contributed largely to the passage of the river at the several crossings above almost without a show of resistance.
The main body of the army was thus rapidly marching southward, several of the advanced corps having crossed the Rapidan, and the alternative was thus presented to General Lee of instantly coming out of his defences for battle, or for a rapid retreat to secure his roads to Richmond. He could not remain behind his entrenchments with his enemy rapidly pushing along his flank to get in between him and Richmond his base of supplies. He must come out and fight or retreat, and without loss of time, or the powerful advanced cavalry force of General Stoneman will anticipate him and cut off his railway communications. We shall not be surprised, therefore, if our next intelligence from the Army of the Potomac is that of a desperate battle, or of the hasty retreat of the rebel army to some new position.
But, as the enemy appear to have had at none of the crossings of the Rappahannock any protecting force beyond a line of pickets and a squad or two of riflemen, is it not possible that Lee, anticipating this flank movement of Gen. Hooker, may have played upon him the old rebel game of Manassas and Corinth. We are aware of the fact that only a few days ago the rebel tents by day and their camp fires by night along the heights of Fredericksburg appeared to be largely increased; but even this may have been a ruse. Some weeks ago we were informed, through an interested letter from a soldier of Lee's army that orders had been read through all his camps for preparations for a march, involving the destruction of all surplus baggage. It is possible, therefore, that while Gen. Hooker has been waiting for the roads to dry his enemy may have given him the slip, though all our information direct from the field leads to a different conclusion.
At all events, this advance of Gen. Hooker is now the all-absorbing question of the day. The hopes and the fears of the country are now centred upon him. He is aware of the tremendous responsibilities of his position. His success will be to him an enduring crown of glory; but should be jail he is lost beyond redemption. He enters upon the momentous task before him with everything supplied him essential to success by the Government and the people, except these essential qualities of unfailing skill, promptitude in action, and vigilant discretion, which he is expected himself to supply, and which we trust be will supply, as the leader of the magnificent army which he commands. We await the next intelligence of his advance, therefore, with confidence that it will give as the best assurance of a victorious campaign.
From Fortress Monroe--the Rumored forward movement of the army of the Potomac.
A few days, however, will determine this knotty question. If the army of the Potomac, which has been recruiting and perfecting since the memorable battle of Fredericksburg, and is, therefore, supposed to be in the very best condition, will make a telling demonstration, the command of Major-General Dix will not be found wanting. We have some of the best troops in the army, and excellent leaders.--Every necessary of life is in abundance, and every soldier is anxious for work. Gen Dix has promised them a sufficiency thereof, and he is a man to keep his word.
Reported Occupation of Grand Gulf by Union troops.
Nearly the whole of the army at that point was in motion. They marched across, leaving train and baggage behind. The soldiers took six days rations.
It is stated on what is considered reliable authority, that Gen. Osterhans now occupies Grand Gulf.
Two tugs, having in tow four bay barges, ran past the batteries at Vicksburg on Saturday night. The rebels did not fire at them.
It is thought the military stores at Millikin's Bend, of which there are considerable quantities, will have to run the blockade.
Gen. Baks's victories in Louisiana.
The results, among others, of Gen. Banks's expeditions are: Accomplishing a march of over three hundred miles; beating the enemy in three battles--two on land and one on Grand Like, dispersing the rebel army utterly; destroying the rebel navy; capturing the foundries of the enemy at Franklin and New Iberia, and demolishing the salt works, ten miles southwest of the latter place, capturing the camp equipage of the enemy, also several guns, and between 1,000 and 2,000 prisoners, and so deranging the plans of the rebels that they cannot for some months, if ever, reorganize the land and naval forces in that part of Louisiana.
Other successes of Gen. Banks, already known to the public, are mentioned.
Our loss in the two land battles was about 600 or 700. Nothing could exceed the conduct of the officers and privates in Gen. Banks's command.
The dispatches say that we have not only destroyed the army and navy of the enemy, and captured his materials for the reorganization of his forces, but we have also in our possession his ablest officers of the sea and land.
