True Democrat du lieu suivant : Little Rock, Arkansas • 1

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No. 35. R. H. JOHNSON, Editor.

LITTLE ROCK, May 27th, 1863. all the forms and necessary instructions pertaining to the department, for sale at the True Democrat office. Persons sending by mail will be furnished, free of postage, at $5 per copy. mm The have had very few dispatches by telegraph during the week, and the few northern papers we have seen are so contradictory that nothing reliable can be gathered from them. It appears that division, a the time of the buttle on the Rappahannock, turned southward and went down, east of Richmond, doing some damage by burning stores an injuring the railroad and scaring timid people.

The expedition, or race for safety, was magnified and dilated upon in the northern press until the people were induced to forget the terrible whipping Hooker had received. The most improbable stories were circulated by Lincoln and Halleck to cover up the disgrace of defeat. On the tenth, it was telegraphed all over the North, that Gen. Keyes had come up York river with 30,000 men, crossed over from the White House and taken Richmond. Bells were rung, Hags hoisted, cannon fired, preachers stopped in their sermons to tell the news to the people, congregations were dismissed to go home and rejoice, and if anybody pretended to doubt it he or she was forthwith abused.

By Tuesday it was generally known that it was a Keyes had come upas far as the White House and stopped. On Tuesday the papers were tilled with circumstantial accounts of retreating and Ilooker advancing. They gave details of skirmishes in the rear of army. The credulous public swallowed this, but more slowly. The latest news from northern sources is that Lee held all the fords and, instead of retreating was preparing to advance and Lincoln was again trying to arouse the spirits of his dejected people, by the the cry of the is in There are rumors of Stuart being up near Washington and the burning of the Long Bridge to prevent him i from crossing.

From Vicksburg, the news is cheering indeed. We have reports from individuals, confirmed by telegraphic reports from below, that Johnston is drivingthe enemy before him on Big Black, and the federals after heavy losses were trying to seek safety under shelter of their gunboats. There wag a report to the effect that a thousand federals had dashed into Jackson, set fire to some buildings and were endeavoring to destroy the State House, when Johnston attacked the main body, at Raymond, and the enemy left Jackson in hot haste. This is a doubtful story at best, but if true, shows that they were foiled in their design and have been driven back. We give a full report of the battles at Port Gibson and a list of the casualties among the Arkansians.

All apprehensions for the safety of Vicksburg have vanished with the news of the victory on Big Black, and it would not surprise us to learn of Grant trying to get his army up to Memphis again. From Lousiania we have but little intelligence and that of a cheering character. Gen. Smith is gathering a little army and will soon be in a condition to drive Banks down to the sea coast, if he has not already tied from the State. The federals have no foothold in Arkansas except at Helena, and they dare not leave that place except in heavy force.

They are cooped up there and enjoy the delights of drinking sipe water and the companionship of stolen negroes. In Missouri, there is hot work and the patriots keep the enemy busy. From all quarters the news is cheering and these results are the more weighty because it was known that in the months of May and June, the whole force of the federal government would be exerted against us. Indeed, we had made up our minds to prepare for temporary reverses, but they have been so few and so far overbalanced by our that we can congratulate our readers on the result. Though Lincoln and Halleck may succeed, for a time, in concealing the extent of their misfortunes from the northern people, the truth will, sooner or later, be known, and we will see if that, with the arbitrary arrests, the enforcement of the conscription act, the heavy taxes and the want of success will not excite the people to put an end, at once, to their abolition administration and this abolition war.

Persons who arrived here' last night, (Monday night) state that the current report in Memphis and Helena is that Grant is deleated. 1 here is very little doubt but the battle has been fought and won. Indeed, if we had no account ol it, the knowledge of the situation of the opposing forces, and that one must advance and the other repel, would force upon our minds the conclusion ol a battle being fought. Federal federal? are hugely tickled at the narratives of the exploits of Grierson, in Mississippi, and Stoneman, in Virginia. Exaggerated accounts of these raids are published in the northern papers and eagerly swallowed.

It is likely they may try the experiment in other localities especially as it is supposed by many that their policy now is to damage us all they can during the spring and summer, and in the fall, to give us the stroke of grace. The success of these enterprises depends on their unexpectedness. Where they are known they are prevented. In localities where such raids are possible, the people should bear in mind that these invaders represent that they are the advance of thousands, and say this to awe the people into non-resistance. Their numbers are always over-estimated, and a few men hanging upon their Hanks, in front or in rear, always has the effect to huddle them, turn them back, or hasten their flight for safety.

One expedition of this kind, 1700 strong, was checked in this way and finally gobbled up, arms, horses and all, by Forrest. Two or three have been turned back with heavy loss. Very often they burn bridges behind them to prevent pursuit. In such a case, the burning of a bridge before them, may be the means of having the whole command caught. The people should bear in mind that their stories of large federal forces following them are all false; that they are simply a band of marauders and plunderers; and that if the people of the country will harrass, worry and delayjthem, they will be caught.

If unmolested they spread over the country, and do a great deal of mischief; if worried, they keep closely together, and soon leave the country. However, their late experiments in that line have sickened them, and their experience in Arkansas is not of the kind to prepossess them in favor of such attempts here. Gen. Marmaduke's Expedition. We have been furnished with an authentic an reliable account of Gen.

raid into Missouri. Our space compels us to condense it. The division was concentrated on Eleven Points river. The country being destitute of forage in in the direction of Holla, it having been devastated by the enemy to prevent raids, it was determined to march to the cast of Irouton, capture a regiment of federals at Patterson, and strike xMcNeil, who was at Bloomfield. On account of the scarcity of forage the command was divided: one division, under Shelby, to march via Van Huron, and reach Patterson on the 20th, and the other, under Carter, to march via Doniphan to reach Pat terson on the same day.

Col. Shelby threw out scouts far to the left to create the impression of a force marching north-westwardly. Gen. Marmaduke accompanied Col. division, and when within 30 miles of Patterson, detached Lt Col.

Giddings with a force, to move by a direct but unfrequented route, to surprise the garrison. Twelve miles from Giddings surprised and captured the whole federal lieutenant and 24 then for some cause, too slowly, and permitting his artillery to open when two miles off, the federal force, under Col. Smart, 600 strong, took tl alarm and fled to Pilot Knob, burning every thing they could, but leaving a large supply of subsistence, and stores. Col. Giddings pursued the retreating foe seven miles, killing, wounding and capturing a number.

and divisions reached Patterson on the 20th, Shelby having killed and captured 8 or 10 of a federal picket he encountered. The two divisions again separated, on the 21st, Carter inarching against McNeil at Bloomfield, and Shelby to Fredericktown, to cut off retreat to Ironton. At Fredericktown, Shelby captured dispatches showing that force would be there on the 22d. Gen. NcNeil, after burning a large amount of stores, left Bloomfield on the 21st, and learning of column, retreated hastily to Cape Girardeau.

Col. Carter pursued him, hoping to intercept him, but was prevented by high water and bad roads. On the way, Carter with a small detachment, charged a federal guard of 60 men and captured 46. While at Fredericktown, Gen. Marmaduke sent a detachment of 90 men, under Capts.

Lineback, Muse and Lt. Bledsoe, to burn a bridge on the Iron Mountain railroad, vs ho, on arriving there, found a guard of 250 or 300 Yankees. These they charged and killing, wounding and capturing a good many, and succeeded in leaving the bridge in flames. Gallantly done. At Cape Girardeau, the two columns united and drove the enemy's pickets and advanced forces into their works, but finding them too well posted, having four large forts, mounted with heavy guns, field artillery and about 3,000 troops, Gen.

Marmaduke withdrew and encamped around Jackson. On the night of the 26th a large force of cavalry and artillery, under Gen. Vandever. coming to the aid of McNeil, attacked regiment, on the Jackson and Fredericktown road, and killed two and captured six of his men. On the 27th, McNeil having been reinforced by water, Marmaduke found himself between two forces, Vandever on the west and McNeil on the east; either outnumbering, and both prepared to attack him.

He then commenced his retreat to 1 the south, with 3,500 effective fighting men, pur- sued by 8,000 cavalry and infantry with 15 pieces of artillery. He anticipated no difficulty except in 1 crossing the St. Francis river, which was swollen rapid, unbridged and no ferry boats upon it. He marched slowly, and sent forward all his broken down and dismounted men to construct rafts on the St. Francis.

Vandever and McNeil pursued but did not seem anxious for a fight. Light rear guard fighting was of daily occurrence, and two or three times battle was offered and declined when our advantageous positions. Marmaduke reached Chalk Bluffs 1st of May, dismounted the most of his men, and posted them in line of battle 4 miles from the crossing, until he had crossed his wagons, horses and artillery. That night he quietly withdrew and by sun-rise had all his men safely over. the pursuit ended.

entire loss on the expedition was 30 killed, 60 wounded and 120 missing, (stragglers, perhaps captured.) lie gained on the raid 150 re cruits. The federal loss must have been five times greater. In every instance when they made the attack, they were repulsed. The retreat is represented to have been skillfully executed, almost without loss. The steadiness and bravery of the troops were admirableAt no time were they demoralized or disordered, but always willing, even anxious to fight.

hi mam hi To Lieut. Gfn. Holmes The Camden line is working. The operator at Monroe learns from passengers from East of the Mississippi river, that there has been a heavy bat tie on Big Black River, in which we were victorious, killing and wounding 9,000 of the enemy, and taking 5,000 prisoners. Gen.

Johnson is in the rear of the enemy, and driving them. I have ordered the operator at Monioe to telegraph all particulars that he may have, and I will forward the same to you as soon as received. Yours respectfully. BAKER. ITEMS.

-Samuel B. Churchill, of a brother of Gen. Churchill, has been tried at St. Louis, found guilty of sympathizing with the South, and is to be sent into Dixie. -The Uth federal array corps that ran so fast in the late battle, and to which running Hooker ascribes his defeat, was composed of dutchmen.

-Lincoln has made another back down to England in the case of the Peterhoflf. The mails were delivered to the English consul unopened. -Wo have before us the proceedings of the trial in court martial, of Vallandingham. The witnesses against him were army officers, and V. asked them what they were doing there in dress.

After a good deal of squirming they admitted they were sent there to spy and report. -Our neighbor of the Gazette will resume th.e publication of his paper in tiie course of a week or so. This item of news will be receiv ed with satisfaction by the numerous readers of that paper. -The men and officers of the command of the late Major Hall S. McConnell, have subscribed a large sum and ordered a handsome monument to be placed over his grave.

-M ajor Haynes, formerly chief of the clothing bureau here, has gone to Shreveport, to take charge of the bureau there. The court of enquiry asked for by him, acquitted him. -Batson W. Cox and Thomas Fiddler, two respectable citizens of Johnson county, were lately murdered by jayhawkers. The citizens of that county went in pursuit of the murderers.

-We are in receipt of a great number of communications, some of wliich we would have printed if we had room. is too long, and its publication would do no good. Recruit does not give his name. The lines of are good but not as good as she can write. With a full sized paper we could make room for many of the articles sent to us, but as it is we cannot publish them.

-Another lot or federal prisoners arrived on Saturday, in charge of Capt. Up Winsor, of Lexington, Mo. They were captured on the Bayou Macon in a fight there a week or so ago. Among them is Lt. Col.

Tennison, and several of his Kansas jayhawkers, belonging to that thief regiment the 1st Kansas by Geo. W. Deitzler, the prince of Haynau of the federal army, and more recently known as the Mississippi cotton This is the regiment that captured Capt. Winsor, together with Capt. Barnett and Lieut.

Carroll YVoods, and retained them in miserable and cruel imprisonment for fifteen months, in dungeons and in irons, but from which they have just been released. Having been exchanged these gentlemen have returned to duty in the Confederate army from captivity leading their We are told of the kind treatment of Capt. W. to Col. Tennison, on their way here, but how little deserving it.

The jayhawkers will be properly attended to by the authorities here. -The Military Board of Texas has doneja great work. It built'vessels, bought arms, established workshops and armories, and took a broad view of the wants of the people. Lately, it announced that it had a large lot of cotton cards for distribution; over 100 pairs to each county. It has but few employees we are told, and none under the conscript age.

It did not suffer itself to be made a mere auditing board with sets of useless officers to certify, to examine and pay claims at enormous expense to the State, where such officers were already provided by law. The Galveston News gives the planters of eastern Louisiana a blessing. The News shows that instead of burning their cotton, they hauled it back, and large quantities fell into the hands of the federals. The planters called on Banks and wanted to know if he intended to pay them for their property, whereto Banks replied that rebels have no propertij. Perhaps the fact of the cotton being there was one of the principal reasons for Banks invading that country.

The northern papers copy, or pretend to copy, full and circumstantial accounts from England of the action of the British authorities in regard to the ships said to be building for the Confederacy. The ship yards were guarded, the ship builders required to enter into heavy bonds not to furnish these vessels directly or indirectly, to or for, the Confederate government or any agent thereof. If it be true as represented, the British government has done this knowing that Lincoln i has millions of dollars worth of arms and muni- tions of war leaving Liverpool every week, and that thousands of Irishmen are brought over to -well the ranks of his army. The same account idmits that two vessels have succeeded in getting iff, and it was supposed they would proceed to ome west India port to take on their armament. Wo were shown, last week, a tine double gun, made by S.

Trumpler ot this city, or Col. Borland. 1c was a splendid affair, and is lome made, lock, stock and breech. The mountng and tinish was equal to that of any imported Camp on Bio Black, 10 Miles East op Vicksiutro, I M'vj 7, 1SG3. Editor True battle field at Union Church lear I'ortGibson on the 1st inst.

the number of troops mgaged, one of the most sanguinary ol the war. Late in afternoon ot the Gen. Green commanding the 2d brigade, composed of the 21st. loth. 20th and 10th" battalion Arkansas iniantry.

and 1st battalion Arkansas dismounted cavalry, and 1st Missouri and 3d battalion Missouri ilismounted cavalry, was ordered to advance with a part of his command four miles south of Port Gibson on the Rodney road tome the enemy, who had landed a heavy force below at Brewensburg, and was reported advancing upon Port Gibson. The 1st and 3d and the 1st Ark. dismounted cavalry, the 20th Ark. and one half of the 2lsfc Ark. under Lt-Col.

Mathehy, were on picket duty guarding the approaches to lower Big Biack and Bayou Pierre, leaving Gen. Green with i a small portion of his brigade; oue half Di the 2lst, tlie 15th and loth buttalhen Ark. sharpshooters, the 6th which had been temporarily attached to the brigade and the Hudson battery, commanded by Hudson. With his force lie advanced four miles in the ction ot the enemy and took position just above Union Church on th- Rodney out tiie I Ot battalion Arkansas sharpshooters as skirmishers half mile, with picket guard still in advance. He formed his line of battle under the brow ot a hill adjacent to the road side, and planted ids aittllery upon an eminence commanding the front.

The line ot battle formed early in the night, the troops were ordered to bivouac and await the approach of the At 2 clock a. m. tne fire of the pickets announced the arrival ot the advance guard. The pickets having discharged tneir pieces fell back according to orders, and tiio ejpmy, nothing daunted, continued his advance until the luidi battalion Aakansas sharpshooters, commanded bv Cant. Bayne in the absence of Maj.

Wapley, who was in Arkansas on detached service, greeted his arrival with a shower of balls from his ot well directed musketry, and still they continued advance, returning fire for fire, until the skirmishers were compelled by overpowering nnmbers to fall bac.v upon our line ot battle, contesting, however, every foot ot ground as they stubbornly retired. The enemy in the mean time threw forward a battery of light artillery and continued his advance until the Hudson battery extended to him a hearty greeting. When lie his artillery into position and opened upon oar lines apparently directing his fire upon tne Hudson battery, which he vainly attempted to silence. It was now past 2 o'clock. The clear full moon had illumined both the heavens and the earth with her silvery light until the elements appeared almost bright as at noon-day.

All nature it seemed was hushed and reposing in silence save the two fierce and angry batteries hurling at each other the missies of destruction and death in a well disputed contest for mastery of the field, which a few short hours afterwards had been consecrated by the warm hearts-ldood of a valiant soldiery to the valor and heroism of the Confederate soldier. Tl.n ilnnll.v 1 Huconiinnea witnonc intei ruption or cessation for more than a a liour, when the enemy perceiving his inability to hold even an equal hand with the experienced and veteran gunners of the Hudson battery, brought up a battery of heavy rifled guns, and opened with a rage and a fury, very clearly indicating his discomfiture. Another hour had passed and with thosamo resuits; our battery scill maintaining its positionand exhibiting prowess in hurling defiance at its antagonist, The moon had now set, the enemy withdrew and the field was ours, hut prudence prevented any advance of our hues. A short hour had passed in silence and it was again daylight. Our casualties were ten or fifteen si-'ghtly wounded, and one battery horse lu.led.

The injury inflicted upon the enemy w.i8 unknown, ine enemy skirmishers andhlicirpsh'totpnj were now visable deployed on the field in front, and his long lines of infantry in the rear. Tho sun id risen and wo were slid awaiting an attack. The enemy soon advances his hues. The sharpshooters are already engaged in their work ot death. 1 he artillery now opens.

Gen. Tracy, a mils on the right, who had takon position during the with his brigade of Alabamians is ready. He has sent one regiment over to reinforce Gen. Green. It has arrived and taken position on the right of brigade lines.

Tho left, composed of the 21st, loth and 10th battallion Arkansas infantry is s-h ly engaged at sin rt range. 1 lie oiuiie length ot our lines are hotlv engaged while the belching thunder of the artillery shakes the very earth beneat h. Both our artillery and musketry are making feat till havoc in the ranks ot the enemy, whiloourovvn lines are protected under tile brow of the hill with a deep ravine rear. For four long hours the battle rages with a fury and desperation unsurpassed by any bloodv field of strife. The ranks of the enemy are literally mowed down by our musketry, while the artillery cuts them down by The different charges of the enemy wire as many times repulsed by the veteran Arkansiand who occupied the left, although their weak lines were assailed by full regiments and brigades.

The field was literally strewn with the dead, wounded and mangled invader, and it was not until the fifth ot the enemy, when our lines were ordered to fall back that they surrendered their position, and up to which time our loss had been almost nominal. But falling back our lines were so much exposed they suffered teriibly. Tho right of our brigade lines, composed of the (5th Missouri, Alabama, fought nobly, but having better protected grounds to fall back upon, did not sutler so badly as the left The gallant Tracy fell early in the engagement, but his gallant brigade of brave Alabamians are said to have fought with a daring and a courage characteristic of the troops of that noble State. His brigade too suffered seriously. After having fallen back about a mile, we were reinforced by Bowens and Baldwin brigades.

The enemy being in hot pursuit, they unexpectedly met these veterans who, notwithstanding they had double quicked it that warm day for miles, made their hated foe recoil under the well directed and tire of their lines, and compelled them to give back, and establish their lines in the rear of those occupied by them in their pursuit- And our lines continued to drive them until late in the afternoon, when they were so strongly reiniorced that our weary and exhausted troops were unable to dislodge them, and at sun set quietly returned from the field and moved beyond Bayou Pierre without pursuit or molestation. It is evident that, although lie outnumbered us at least five to one, lie had done a lull day's work and was unwilling to undertake any further labors for that or the succeeding day. He will doubtless proclaim tho victory full and complete, notwithstanding when wo withdrew from tho field he dared not follow us a rod. and permitted us to remain on his front for thirty-six hours afterwards without threatening us even with another battle, when we withdrew from before him and retreated to the north bank of Big Black, and have since rested in quiet. This we did with a force not exceeding from five to seven thousand, against an enemy who was fighting us with two divisions, or thirty-six regiments as stated by prisoners, with a reserve force of equal strength at his command.

ilns is the character of the fighting of the north western troops whom wo generally esteem as good fighters. With me it is and ever has lx en a doubt whether the genuine blue belly is not the superior soldier of the two. The fights as lie believes from a sense, as Tie has been taught, of religious duty. The other moves'and is impelled as a machine by the New are fitting subjects for -hewers ot wood aud drawers of for lxis superior Yankee master. Our casualties will probably Aggregate in killed, wounded and missing, one thousand, which evidences the sanguinary character of the engagement.

True.it resulted in the evacuation of Grand Gulf, which was ot no stragetic importance, and was fortified alone with the view of protecting the mouth ot llig black, whiTi is now no longer season being closed, the destruction of a few guns, a small quantity ot ordnance and commissary stores, four pieces of artillerv and four ordnance wagons, lost on the field. The loss of the enemy in killed and wounded is is certain that it was very severe, as great, perhaps much greater than onr own. Two days after the battle we fell back above Big black, and are now awaiting and momentarily expecting the attack in the rear of the devoted but proud and defiant city ot Ilis force is large, variously estimated at from 80,000 to 100,000, and necessity will impel him to attack or prosecute an inglorious retreat. He cannot remain where he is in inglorious inactivity; his commissary boats are now sunk by our frowning batteries at Vicksburg as fast as they attempt to descend the river. We are, I think, perpared for the attack, both with men and means.

All praise is due to the officers and men engaged in the recent battle. Col. Cravens, of the 2.1st, Lt-Col. Reynolds of the 15th. and Capt.

Bayne commanding the 10th battalion sharpshooters, as well as all the field and line officers, acted with great courage and self possession, endearing themselves to their commands. The list of the killed ind wounded of Arkansas, is believed to be correct, though aot official. It will be seen that the Arkansas troops suffered severely. But the loving and affleted ones at home while lamenting the loss of these brave defenders of their jountry, may congratulate themselves that they died as he'oes without an exeeption, and that although the wounded, mch as could not be moved away, were left at Port Gibson md fell into the hands of the enemy, yet the ladies have of them, who are mothers and sisters to the sick aud vouuded soldiers. God bless the ladies of Port Gibson..