The Rebellion Record—A Diary of American Events; by Frank Moore

May 31.—A body of Illinois militia, numbering between two and three hundred, under command of Capt John M. Richardson, were attacked by a force of five hundred Indians and white secessionists, under Capt Coffee and Major Thomas Wright, at Neosho, Mo., and were compelled to fall back to Mount Vernon, where they were reenforced by a detachment of the Tenth Illinois cavalry. There was no general engagement, and the Federal loss was but two killed and three wounded. The rebels captured a number of guns and overcoats, together with a quantity of ammunition, camp equipage, and about fifty horses. They did not hold the town, but retreated to their camp, eighteen miles from Neosho.

—The schooner Cora was captured this day off the bar of Charleston, S. C, by the United States steamer Keystone State.—A force of Union troops, under command of Gen. Williams, arrived at Baton Rouge, La., in the gunboat Kennebec.

—A sharp fight took place on the Greenville road, eight miles above Washington, N. C, between a Union scouting party of fifteen men, of Mix’s Third New-York cavalry, under Lieutenant Allis, and a superior force of rebel cavalry, resulting in the defeat of the rebels, with a loss of three men killed, six wounded, and two taken prisoners unhurt None of the Union party were killed, and but one was wounded.

—Major-Gen. Butler, commanding Department of the Gulf, issued an order directing and authorizing the Provost-Marshal of New-Orleans, La., to execute six rebel prisoners, convicted of having violated their parole.

—Part of General Banks’s command advanced beyond Martinsburgh, Va.—A reconnoissance in force was made at Winton, N. C, by the National troops, under Gen. Viele.

—At noon to-day the main body of the rebel army near Richmond, Va., under General Joseph Johnston, attacked the left wing of the Union army at Fair Oaks and the Seven Pines, and a desperate battle ensued, which lasted till night At night the rebels occupied the camps of the Fourth corps, but their advance was completely broken.

May 30.—The army of the South-West, under Major-Gen. Halleck, occupied Corinth, Miss., it having been evacuated by the rebels last night— (Docs. 50 and 95.)

—This morning the rebels opened fire from one of their pieces, situated on a hill at the left of the road that approaches Mechanicsville, Va., from Chickahominy Bridge, directing it toward the Fifth Vermont regiment, which had been sent out to do picket-duty. The regiment advanced into an open field, thereby exposing themselves to the rebels, but retired into the woods before any casualties had occurred, after a few rounds of shell had been dropped among them.

—Judge James H. Bircch, candidate for Governor of Missouri, was arrested at Rolla, in that State, by order of Col. Boyd, “for uttering disloyal sentiments, while making a speech, which was evidently designed to procure secession votes.”

—The English iron steamer Cambria arrived at Philadelphia, Pa., having been captured by the United States gunboat Huron, after a chase of five hours, off Charleston, S. C. She hails from Carlisle, and sailed from Liverpool for Nassau, and thence for Charleston. Her cargo consisted of liquors, cloths, medicines, Enfield rifles, saltpetre, etc.

—The Thirteenth and Forty-seventh regiments, of Brooklyn, and the Sixty-ninth regiment, of New-York City, left for the seat of war.

—The rebel forces, under Gen. Jackson, made an attempt to dislodge the National forces at Harper’s Ferry, but were repulsed.—(Doc. 62.)

—A Brigade of National troops, preceded by four companies of the Rhode Island cavalry, entered Front Royal, Va., this morning, and drove out the rebels, consisting of the Eighth Louisiana, four companies of the Twelfth Georgia, and a body of cavalry. They were taken completely by surprise, and had no time either to save or to destroy any thing. A large amount of transportation fell into the hands of the Nationals, including two engines and eleven cars of the Manassas Gap Railroad, and they captured six officers and one hundred and fifty privates, besides killing and wounding a large number of rebels. The Union loss was eight killed, five wounded, and one missing. Several of the Union men who were taken prisoners at Front Royal a week ago were recaptured.

—Thirteen members of the Eleventh Pennsylvania volunteer cavalry were captured near Zuni, Va., this day.—Petersburgh Express, June 2.

May 29.—Lieutenant-Colonel Downey, of the Third regiment, Potomac home brigade, in a skirmish this morning, drove a large party of Ashby’s rebel cavalry through Wardensville, killing two and wounding three.

—The English steamer Elizabeth was captured off Charleston, S. C, by the United States gunboat Keystone State.—The public debt of the United States on this day was four hundred and ninety-one million, four hundred and forty-five thousand, nine hundred and eighty-four dollars, at an average interest of 4.35 per cent.—Captain Frisbee, commanding a detachment of three hundred and seventy-eight infantry and First Missouri cavalry, captured near Neosho, Mo., two colonels and one lieutenant-colonel, two jayhawkers, and numbers of guns, revolvers, fifteen horses, and a train of forage.—Dubuque Times, June 3.

—This morning at nine o’clock, the Yankee cavalry followed by infantry, entered Ashland, Va. The confederate troops, quartermasters, and commissaries, and even the pickets had withdrawn, leaving valuable stores behind, including cars filled with flour, etc. The village was swarming with the people of the neighborhood, and negroes who were helping themselves to the public stores. Mr. Crichter, of Westmoreland, and Mr. Grimes, of King George, assumed authority to order about forty negroes to push the cars about one hundred and fifty yards to the point of descent, whence they would run three miles toward Richmond; but after removing eleven cars to the point, the Yankee cavalry dashed into the village, and Messrs. Crichter and Grimes escaped unpursued. —Richmond Whig, June 2.

—Brigadier-General Schofield, commanding the Missouri State Militia, issued a general order, stating that all guerrillas and marauders in that State, when caught in arms, engaged in their unlawful warfare, would be shot down on the spot, and that all citizens who should give shelter and protection to those outlaws, or who would not give all the assistance in their power to the military authorities in detecting and bringing them to punishment, would be regarded and treated as aiders and abettors of the criminals.

—A skirmish occurred at Pocotaligo, S. C, between a party of Union troops, under command of Colonel B. C. Christ, of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania volunteers and a party of the rebels, numbering about eight hundred. After a contest of two hours the rebels were routed with severe loss.— (Doc. 123.)

—Near the “Seven Pines” Va., the rebels made an attack upon the pickets of Casey’s division about sunrise this morning. They approached under cover of a dense fog, to within fifty yards of the pickets of the Eighty-fifth Pennsylvania and Ninety-sixth New-York regiments, when a sharp fight occurred. The pickets were driven back a short distance, when they were reenforced, and drove the rebels, regaining their former position. Major Kelly, of the Ninety-sixth New-York was shot through the neck, and bled to death. Orderly-Sergeant David II. Lancaster, company C, Eighty-fifth Pennsylvania regiment, had his left arm shattered at elbow, and private William Leighty, was shot through left thumb.

—Colonel C. C. Dodge with two companies of the New-York Mounted Rifles, while on an expedition into North-Carolina, captured seven officers of the rebel army, at Gatcsville, in that State. —(Doc 124.)

—The publication of the New-Orleans Bee was resumed this day, the proprietors having made a satisfactory explanation to General Butler.

—The Sixth United States cavalry burned a bridge five hundred feet long over South Anna Creek, a tributary of the Pamunkey. The bridge was on the line of Stonewall Jackson’s retreat to Richmond.—The Eighth and Thirty-seventh regiments, N.Y.S.M., left New-York City for Washington.—General Pope’s heavy batteries opened upon the rebel works at Corinth, Miss, at ten A.M., this day.

May 28.—A public meeting was held in Richmond, Va., for the purpose of enrolling the names of such of the citizens as chose to form themselves into a Home Guard for the defence of the city.—Stringent orders in respect to communication with Norfolk, were published by General Wool—The Seventy-first regiment, N. Y. S. M., left New-York City for Washington.—The Legislature of Virginia appropriated the sum of two hundred thousand dollars to defray the expense of removing the women and children of Richmond to a place of safety. Mrs. Jeff Davis was sent under the care of ex-Senator Gwin to Raleigh, N. C.

—Governor Andrew, of Massachusetts, issued an order relieving the militia who rallied in obedience to the proclamation of Monday, and they returned to their homes, except such as volunteered for three years or the war. The men generally expected to serve three or six months, not knowing that an act of Congress required the service for an indefinite period.—At Newbern, N. C, the evening schools established by Dr. Vincent Colyer for the education of colored persons were closed by order of Governor Stanly.— N. Y. Tribune, June 4.

—The United States mail steamer Northern Light, under the command of Captain Tinklepaugh, in lat 31°, lon. 73° 35′, captured the rebel schooner, Agnes H. Ward, of Wilmington, N. C. She was found sailing under the rebel flag and papers, and bound for Nassau, N. P., with a cargo of cotton, turpentine, and tobacco. The mail steamer took her in tow and carried her into New-York.

—The Charleston and Savannah Railroad at Pocotaligo, S. C, was destroyed by the National troops under the command of Col. Christ.

—Pierre Soule was arrested at New-Orleans, La., by order of Gen. Butler.—N. O. Picayune, May 29.

—General Shepley, Military Commandant at New-Orleans, ordered that prayers should “not be offered up for the destruction of the Union or Constitution of the United States or for the success of the rebel armies.”

—Lieutenant-colonel Sickles, in command of four companies of the Ninth Illinois cavalry, had a skirmish with a party of rebels near Cache River bridge, Arkansas, totally defeating them. Captain Blakemore, with three companies of the same regiment, pursued a party of rebels, mortally wounding one and taking one prisoner. Captain Buel with his company, pursued another party, but they succeeded in making their escape. —Jacksonport, Ark., Cavalier, June 9.

—Three strong columns advanced and reconnoitred within gunshot of the rebel works at Corinth. They were commanded respectively by Generals Thomas, Buell, and Pope. The rebels hotly contested the ground at each point, but were driven back with considerable loss. The column on the left encountered the strongest opposition. The National loss was twenty-five killed and wounded. The enemy left thirty dead on the field. Some five or six officers and a number of privates were captured.—Halleck’s Despatch.

May 27.—The schooner Andromeda, from Sabine Pass, was captured off Mariel, Cuba, this day.—A portion of Gen. Fitz-John Porter’s corps engaged and defeated the rebels at Hanover Court-House, on the Pamunkey River. Five hundred rebels were made prisoners and a hundred dead were left on the field.—(Doc. 16.)

—Six men of the First Missouri cavalry, under command of Lieut. Pruette, in advance of a foraging party on the northern road from Searcy, Arkansas, were fired upon by about forty rebels, concealed in the adjoining bush, mortally wounding two or three of their number. The foraging party coming up, succeeded in killing four of the rebels and taking some prisoners.—St. Louis Democrat.

— The steamer Gordon, (Nassau,) whilst attempting to run the blockade of Wilmington, N. C, was captured by the gunboats State of Georgia and Victoria. — The bombardment of Fort Pillow on the Mississippi was resumed after nearly a week of quiet on the part of the Union troops.—Baltimore American, June 3.

—A fight took place near Corinth, Miss., between a force of Union troops under the command of Col. Purcell of the Tenth Iowa regiment and a brigade of rebel infantry, resulting in the defeat of the rebels with considerable loss.

—The Speaker of the House of Representatives at Washington laid before the House a message from the President, referring to the history of the commencement of hostilities, and his exercise of the broad powers of the Constitution to preserve the capital of the country during the absence of Congress. Incidentally with this, he referred to the arrangements with Gov. Morgan, Alexander Cummings and others, with a view to speedy and efficient protective measures. By these means he believed the Government was prevented from overthrow. He had no knowledge that even a dollar was lost or wasted. The President quoted the House resolution censuring Mr. Cameron, and said that not only himself, but all the heads of departments, were responsible with Mr. Cameron for whatever error, wrong or fault had been committed.—(Doc. 47.)

—In New-York City the military excitement, occasioned by the calling out of the State Militia, continued, and the greatest bustle prevailed at the different armories —recruits applying to be admitted as members of the regiments, officers despatching the necessary business connected with their departure, and orders hourly arriving containing the instructions from headquarters.

—The schooner Lucy C. Holmes was captured by the United States gunboat Santiago de Cuba, on the coast of Georgia, having run the blockade of Charleston, S. C, the night previous.

—General Mcclellan sent the following despatch to the War Department:

I find some of the newspapers publish letters from their correspondents with this army, giving important information concerning our movements, position of troops, etc., in positive violation of your orders. As it is impossible for me to ascertain with certainty who these anonymous writers are, I beg to suggest that another order be published, holding the editors responsible for its infraction.

—The Sixty-first regiment of Ohio volunteers, left Columbus for Washington. — The Norfolk (Va.) Day Book, which was allowed to continue its issue by Gen. Viele, after the occupation of Norfolk, on condition that it should be respectful in its tone, was to-day suppressed in consequence of a communication in yesterday’s paper signed “Enquirer,” which in severe language assails those Union citizens who have taken the oath of allegiance to the United States. A meeting was held last night, in which the course of the paper was discussed, and a committee having waited upon Gen. Viele and stated their request that the paper should be stopped, he acquiesced, and the order was issued this morning.

—Governor Curtis of Pennsylvania issued a general order countermanding the order for enlisting three months’ volunteers, the emergency which seemed to require them having passed. He congratulated the people on the fact, and commended the alacrity shown in every part of the State in volunteering for the defence of the National capital.

—The gunboats Stepping-Stones and Cœur de Lion made a reconnoissance a short distance up the Appomattox River. When about a mile up the river, they were attacked by a party of rebels who were lurking among the houses. The gunboats returned the fire; and, after cannonading for about half an hour, completely riddling the houses, they returned to City Point, on the James River.—Baltimore American.

May 26.—The Eighth, Eleventh, Seventy-first, and Thirty-seventh regiments New-York State Militia were ordered by the Governor of the State of New-York to hold themselves in readiness to proceed to Washington.

—The Seventh regiment, New-York State Militia, left New-York for Washington in response to the call for troops to defend the capital.—The Twenty-fifth regiment, New-York State Militia, met at Albany and resolved to volunteer their services.—The Thirty-second regiment of Massachusetts volunteers, under the command of Col. F. I. Parker, left Boston for Washington this evening.

—General Banks’s command crossed the Potomac safely at Williamsport, Md.—(Doc. 15.)

—This day, by order of Gen. Dix, commanding the Department of Maryland, Judge Richard Carmichael and James Powell, Prosecuting Attorney, of Talbot County, Md., were arrested at Easton, in that county, by the United States Marshal, upon a charge of treason. Some resistance was apprehended, and a body of military proceeded from Baltimore to insure the arrest, which was made in the court-room. The accused were lodged in Fort McHenry.

— Intelligence was received at Washington that the United States steamer Shawsheen, with one company of the Ninth New-York regiment, on the ninth instant, proceeded up the Chowan River, N. C, to Gates County, and destroyed fifty thousand dollars’ worth of bacon, corn, lard, fish, etc., belonging to the confederate government. The warehouse containing it was burned, and as the party were returning to the boat they were fired upon by thirty rebel cavalry, but succeeded in driving them off, and killing the leader.

—General D. E. Sickles resumed the command of the Excelsior brigade, N. Y. S. volunteers- —The Confiscation Bill passed the United States House of Representatives.

— The British steamer Patras was captured, twenty-two miles off Charleston bar, by the United States gunboat Bienville, Commander Mullaney, while attempting to run the blockade. Her cargo consisted of gunpowder, rifles, coffee, and a large quantity of quinine. She had no papers showing her nationality or port of destination.

—A skirmish took place near Grand Gulf, Miss., between a small party of Union troops, commanded by Lieut. De Kay, which landed from the gunboat Kennebec and a body of rebel cavalry, resulting in the retreat of the Unionists, and the loss of their leader, Lieut. De Kay, who was killed at the first fire.

—Lieutenant Frank C. Davis, of the Third Pennsylvania cavalry, returned to Fair Oak Station, after successfully delivering a message from Gen. McClellan to Captain Rodgers, in command of the Union gunboats on the James River.— (Doc. 118.)

May 25. —General Banks at Winchester, Va., with about four thousand men, was attacked and compelled to retreat by Gen. (Stonewall) Jackson and Ewell with fifteen thousand men.—(Doc. 15 and 102.)

—The Government of the United States called for additional troops, and issued the following order:

Ordered—By virtue of the authority vested by an act of Congress, the President takes military possession of all the railroads in the United States from and after this date until further orders, and directs that the respective railroad companies, their officers and servants, shall hold themselves in readiness for the transportation of troops and munitions of war, as may be ordered by the military authorities, to the exclusion of all other business.

— The National forces under Gen. McDowell, advanced towards Richmond, and encamped on the Massaponax, six miles from Frcdericksburgh.

— The news of General Banks’s defeat, and the sudden call of the Secretary of War upon the State militia, created the utmost excitement at the North, not only among the military themselves, but among the thousands connected with them. The greatest enthusiasm and eagerness to march at once to any field of service named by the Government was every where apparent

— Great excitement existed in Baltimore, Md., consequent upon the rejoicings of the secessionists of that city, at the defeat of General Banks and the repulse of the First Maryland regiment— (Doc. 116.)

— A Reconnoissance of the rebel works at Vicksburgh, Miss., was this day made by the United States gunboat Kennebec, under the command of Captain Russell. The Kennebec approached within about two miles of the works, when a battery of four guns opened on her, killing one man and wounding another.—New-York Evening Post.

— General McClellan issued an order to the effect that upon the passage of the Chickahominy River, the troops of the army of the Potomac were to be “prepared for battle at a moment’s notice.”—(Doc. 117.)

May 24.—A skirmish took place at Craighead Point, near Fort Pillow, Tennessee, between a party of Federal pickets and a large body of rebel infantry. After the two parties had exchanged a few shots, the Union gunboat Benton opened fire upon the rebels and brought on an engagement with the batteries at Fort Pillow, which was closed by the Benton retiring to her position with the Union fleet.—New-York World.

—Five companies of the Fourth Michigan regiment, under Bowen, of the Topographical Engineers, and Lieutenant Cusher, of the Fifth cavalry, acting with the Topographical corps, crossed the Chickahominy a short distance above New-Bridge. At Cold Harbor a small command of thirty men, of the Fourth Michigan, succeeded in getting between four companies of the Fifth Louisania regiment, who were out on picket-duty at the bridge, and a brigade of rebels who were supporting them.

In the mean time, the rest of the regiment and the squadrons of cavalry approached the bridge, thus attracting the attention of the four Louisiana companies. The first knowledge the rebels had of the near presence of an enemy, was the firing from thirty muskets at pistol-shot range, making havoc in the ranks and causing a serious panic, while the main body advanced in front and opened a deadly fire.

The result was, that thirty-seven of the enemy were taken prisoners, fifteen wounded, and between sixty and seventy left dead on the field. Among the prisoners was a lieutenant. Lieut. Bowen had his horse shot under him during the skirmish.[1]—(Doc. 45.)

— A Union meeting was held at Murfreesboro, Tenn., at which speeches were made by Andrew Johnson and others. — Louisville Journal, May 26.

— Yesterday General Stoneman’s brigade and the brigade of General Davidson, of Smith’s division, advanced from New-Bridge up the Chickahominy to Ellison’s Mills, on Bell’s Creek. Here they encountered four regiments of the enemy’s infantry, with nine pieces of artillery and a command of cavalry. Of these, two regiments of infantry and three pieces of artillery were on the opposite side of the creek. The rest of the infantry, composed of the Eighth and Ninth Georgia regiments, under General Howell Cobb, were posted in a favorable position to resist McClellan’s advance to Mechanicsville.

Fitlar’s and Robertson’s batteries of the Second artillery, were quickly brought into action, and after firing some one hundred and fifty rounds the rebels withdrew, with their guns — not however, until one of them had been dismounted — to the village, covered by their infantry and cavalry. Four regiments of General Davidson’s brigade, with Wheeler’s battery, were then sent around, but night coming on, they went into camp, within six hundred yards of the enemy.

This morning at daylight, the batteries on both sides opened, Wheeler confining his guns to shelling the houses behind which the enemy’s infantry were concealed. The fire was too hot for the rebels, and they left the village, a portion retiring across the Chickahominy, the remainder falling back to the railroad. The Thirty-third New York regiment were the first to enter the village. The houses showed unmistakable evidences of the accuracy of the artillery, some of them being riddled in a dozen places. The rebels carried off their killed and wounded, one man excepted. The Union casualties were two killed and four wounded. Colonel Mason, of the Seventh Maine, was slightly injured by the explosion of a shell.

General Stoneman then sent two squadrons of the Eighth Illinois cavalry under Major Clendennin, three miles further up the river, and caused to be destroyed the bridge of the Richmond and Fredericksburgh Railroad.

—The British steamer Stettin was captured this morning while attempting to run the blockade of Charleston, S. C.—Charleston Mercury, May 27.

— A reconnoitring party from Pope’s command had a skirmish near Corinth, Miss., resulting in a complete rout of three rebel regiments, with loss of knapsacks, blankets, and haversacks, several were killed and wounded, and six prisoners were taken. The regiments fled in confusion across the creek. The national loss was four wounded.

— A party of National troops from the Fifth Virginia regiment, and Captain Fish’s company of Connecticut cavalry, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Latham, surprised a guerrilla band on Snuff’s Mountain, Randolph County, Va., and put them to flight, capturing most of their arms and equipments, and without any loss on the National side.— Wheeling Intelligencer, May 27.

— The steamer Swan, laden with one thousand bales of cotton, and eight hundred barrels of rosin, was captured off the coast of Cuba by the United States brig Bainbridge, and bark Amanda, and sent to Key West, Florida, for adjudication.—National Intelligencer, June 2.

—A reconnoissance in force was this day made from General Keyes’s headquarters, for the purpose of ascertaining the strength of the rebels in the neighborhood of ” the Pines,” some eight and a half miles from Richmond, Va.—(Doc. 115.)

[1] A despatch to the War Department from General McClellan mentions this affair as follows:

“Three skirmishes to-day. We drove the rebels from Mechanicsville, seven miles from New-Bridge. The Fourth Michigan about finished the Louisiana Tigers. Fifty prisoners and fifty killed; our loss ten killed and wounded.”

May 23.—Colonel Kenly’s command of infantry and cavalry, in General Banks’s department, was driven from Front Royal, with considerable loss, by a large body of rebels.—(Doc. 43.)

—Captain Tilford, stationed with forty men on the east side of the Rio Grande, seven miles below Fort Craig, N. M., received a summons to surrender from a band of two hundred Texans. He refused; but after fighting for three hours, was obliged to retreat to Fort Craig with the loss of three wounded.—Denver Herald.

—Portions of the army of the Potomac crossed the Chickahominy River in two places, at the Railroad Bridge and at Bottom’s Bridge.

—The battle of Lewisburgh, Va., was fought this day. The rebel Colonel Heath attacked Col. Crook with three thousand infantry and cavalry, and six cannon. After a spirited fight of an hour, the rebels were put to flight in utter confusion, and their flight soon became a rout. Col Crook captured four rifled cannon — one so near his position that it was loaded with canister—and caissons, and eight rounds of ammunition.

The rebels, in the early part of the fight, carried off their killed and wounded, but left on the field thirty-eight dead, including several officers, and sixty-six wounded. A hundred prisoners were captured, among them Lieutenant-Colonel Finney, Major Edgar, and others. Three hundred stand of arms were taken. In the evening, to secure their retreat, they burned Greenbrier bridge, beyond which they could not be pursued. Crook’s victory was won only by hard fighting against greatly superior forces. The Nationals lost fourteen killed, sixty wounded, and five pickets captured. Some of the wounded were shot in the streets of Lewisburgh, as they were returning to the hospital, by the citizens of the town.—(Doc. 44.)

—The town of Grand Gulf, Miss., was shelled by the Union gunboats Richmond and Hartford. Considerable damage was done to the town, but no person was injured.

The reason assigned for the shelling was, that two United States transports loaded with soldiers were fired into by a masked battery of four guns in the vicinity of the town.—Jackson Mississippian, June 4.