May 5.— H. M. Rector, Governor of Arkansas, called upon the people of that State by proclamation to take up arms and drive out the “Northern troops.”—(Doc. 6.)
— This day the battle of Williamsburgh was fought between the Union forces in the advance toward Richmond, and a superior force of the rebel army under Gen. J. E. Johnston. The Nationals were assailed with great impetuosity at about eight A.M. The battle continued till dark. The enemy was beaten along the whole line and resumed his retreat under cover of the night— (Docs. 7 and 96.)
— General Butler promised to Louisiana planters that all cargoes of cotton or sugar sent to New-Orleans for shipment should be protected by the United States forces.—National Intelligencer, May 30.
— Last night, Lieutenant Caldwell, of the light artillery, received information of the return to his home in Andrew County, Missouri, of the notorious Captain Jack Edmundson. For some months past Edmundson had been with the rebel army in Southern Missouri and Arkansas, but had now returned, as was supposed, for the purpose of raising a guerrilla company, stealing a lot of cattle and making off with them.
Lieutenant Caldwell at once proceeded to headquarters at Saint Joseph’s, and obtained an order to take a sufficient force, and proceed in pursuit of Edmundson and his gang. No time was lost, and the party arrived at the house of the guerrilla just before daybreak. But by some means Edmundson had been informed of their approach, or was on the look-out, and escaped from the house just as the party approached. He was pursued, and so hot was the pursuit, that he dropped his blanket and sword, but reaching some thick brush, managed to escape. The party then proceeded to other parts of Andrew and Gentry Counties, and arrested some twenty men whom Edmundson had recruited for his gang. They were all carried to Saint Joseph’s and confined. —St. Joseph’s Journal, May 8.
— General Dumont, with portions of Woodford’s and Smith’s Kentucky cavalry, and Wynkoop’s Pennsylvania cavalry, attacked eight hundred of Morgan’s and Woods’s rebel cavalry at Lebanon, Kentucky, and after an hour’s fight completely routed them.—(Doc. 22.)
— D. B. Lathrop, operator on the United States military telegraph, died at Washington, D. C, from injuries received by the explosion of a torpedo, placed by the rebels in the deserted telegraph-office at Yorktown, Va.
—The rebel guerrilla, Jeff. Thompson, attacked and dispersed a company of Union cavalry near Dresden, Ky.
