by John Beauchamp Jones
JANUARY 5TH.—We learn from Gen. Bragg that the enemy did not retire far on the 2d inst., but remain still in the vicinity of Murfreesborough. He says, however, that our cavalry are still circling the Yankees, taking prisoners and destroying stores. During the day an absurd rumor was invented, to the effect that Bragg had been beaten. We are anxious to learn the precise particulars of the battle. It is to be feared that too many of Bragg’s men were ordered to reinforce Pemberton. If that blunder should prove disastrous, the authorities here will have a hornet’s nest about their ears. The President arrived yesterday, and his patriotic and cheering speech at Jackson, Miss., appeared in all the papers this morning.
We hear of no fighting at Suffolk. But we have dispatches from North Carolina, stating that a storm assailed the enemy’s fleet off Hatteras, sinking the Monitor with all on board, and so crippling the Galena that her guns were thrown overboard! This is good news—if it be confirmed.
A letter from Major Boyle, in command at Gordonsville, gives information that the smugglers and extortioners are trading tobacco (contraband) with the enemy at Alexandria. He arrested B. Nussbaum, E. Wheeler, and S. Backrack, and sent them with their wagons and goods to Gen. Winder, Richmond. But instead of being dealt with according to law, he learns that Backrack is back again, and on his way to this city with another wagon load of goods from Yankee-land, and will be here to-day or to-morrow. I sent the letter to the Secretary, and hope it will not be intercepted on its way to him from the front office. The Secretary never sees half the letters addressed him, or knows of one-half the attempts of persons to obtain interviews. The Assistant Secretary’s duty is to dispose of the less important communications, but to exhibit his decisions.
January 5.—Captain John H. McNeill of Imboden’s rangers, made a descent upon the National troops in Hardy County, Va., and succeeded in killing one, and in capturing thirty-three men, sixty-one horses, with accoutrements, besides several revolvers and other articles of value. This was accomplished after the rebel forces under General Jones had retired from Moorefield.— Richmond Dispatch.
—By direction of the President of the United States, the troops in the Department of the Gulf were constituted the Nineteenth army corps, to date from December fourteenth, 1862, and Major General N. P. Banks was assigned to the command.—The English sloop Avenger, while trying to run the blockade at Jupiter Inlet, Fla., was captured by the gunboat Sagamore.—Captain W. B. Cushing with the schooner Home, made an expedition up Little River, N. C, surprised and captured a rebel fort, destroyed all its defences and stores, and retired without any casualty.—Official Report.
— Brig.-Gen. R. H. Milrot, commanding the National forces at Winchester, Va., issued a notice to the citizens of that place, of his intention to maintain and enforce the Emancipation Proclamation of President Lincoln.—The rebel pickets, stationed eighteen miles below Kinston, N. C, were driven in by the advance of General Foster’s forces.—An emancipation jubilee was held at Cooper Institute, in New-York City.—Jefferson Davis returned to Richmond from his tour in the South-west.
Buntyn Station, Monday, Jan. 5. Sabres were brightened for inspection at 2 P. M. Order read from General Hamilton stating that Van Dorn was concentrating at Pontotoc for another raid on this railroad, and ordered that stockades be built along the road, and that we be on the alert. No parole to be taken from any cavalry force. The raid to be resisted while there was a musket and cartridge left. 4 P. M. mail came in, a sack full, the first for nearly 20 days. Oh! the welcome it received. Heard from father, brother and four sisters. Welcome! welcome! indeed. 1st piece planted on the track pointing south.
