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at Ark. Post, they say that their men retreated. They had never heard of the fight with Gen. Blunt in Ark. The paper says that Hooker is badly whiped that the loss is heavy on both sides the enemy were retreating with Jackson after them. We have the news of a grand victory. Also of the evacuation of Port Hudson, to be folowed up by the surrender of Vicksburg, with the Mississippi river open to trade, free of obstructions. Gen. Grant has issued a complimentary order to his Army for the desisive victory won, and hard ships which they have endured. He says that they have endured hard ships, by exposure, short rations, and hard marching, which is seldom equaled by any army. In my last I made a mistake at to the number of prisoners, there were over one thousand with five pieces of Artillery. Governer Yates has been here since the fight, and been makeing speeches to the Army. He says that he is going to do all in his power to get Ills. troops that are wounded at Vicksg. back to their State, and as far as practacable to let them go home. A few night ago a Spy was caught with a map of all our encampment. He says that it was their intention to have made a Cavalry charge on us that night [begin vertical writing] J. Beam is on detached service in the Mercantile Batty. I hated to have him go for he was my best friend [end vertical writing]