The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1862-11-14
THE BoMRARpNENr OF y1cKsR1rRa.


The bombardment of Vicksburg was no in
significant affair, although the results were
meagre. The location of the city, which is
dotted around among hills, proved its safety.
On learning that the fleet had started out from
New Orleans, and that the city was TO be de-
Tended, a large majority of the citizens imme-
diately removed their household effects to the
interior. The merchants and traders did the
same with their stocks. The country for
miles around was soon dotted with camps of
every description, from the camp made of
brush TO the more pretentious one erected by
throwing carpets over stakes previously driv-
en- in the ground. The general expectation
was that the city would be captured the first
day of the bombardment, the object in moving
being to save life, and await the hour when
the fatal blow should be struck. The result
was they were compelled to remain in this
condition for three months. during which time
there was more or less shelng every day.
Most of the shells from Capt. Porters mortars
tCom. Farragut's feet fell without exploding,
while those from the upper feet (Com. Dasis')
almost invariably exploded. OF the percus-
sion shells fired scarcely any exploded. They
were opened, and the powder extracted, quite
an important item, as powder was 81 pound.
The bombardment was kept up,
with different degrees of intensity, at intervals
of several hours, for eleven weeks, yet the
than one hundred thousand dollars.
HOPES AND CALCULATIONS OF THE REBELS.
All the energies of the Confederacy will be
bent to maintain the war till the expiration of
Mr.. Lincoln's presidential term The idea has
become general that by that time a man will
be elected who will represent the views Of the
peace democrats 1t is well lunderstood-how-
ever erroneous 1t may bethat every day adds
to the number of their friends In the North,
and that already the Northern secessionists,
conservatives they are called here, are in
numerical majority. Every argument used in
the North in reference to the constitutional
rights of men who have trampled the Consti-
ton under their feet is hailed with delight
All the convention proceedings of the peace
Democrats are Immediately copied and spread
broadcast, and received with the widest joy.
REBEL FINANCES.
So long as Confederate notes will answer
the purposes of money-whieh they now do
al the point of the bayonet, as any man reius-
ing to take them Is subjected TO a court mar
tial-so long will the rebels be easy on money
matters. While these notes express on their
face promise OF redemption at time uncer
tain, and in the event of contingency which
it is TO be hoped may never oecur-a treaty of
peace with the United States-it is well under
stood that even in the event of these contin-
gences being fulfilled, the money will never be
paid. The first act will be general sweeping
reputation of the entire Indebtedness of the
rebel government, while the present system of
direct taxation will be maintained. As the
country now holds over S300,000000 worth of
cotton, this tax can be readily paid, while the
holders of rebel scrip would burn every dollar
in their possession to have peace. Their sue
cess, therefore, holds out the brightest induce
ments to the leaders. With slavery established
forever and themselves uernanently installed
in office, they could desire no more. And GER
tainly, to man utterly devoid of any prnc-
pie, and governed entirely by selfish motives,
the end in view is worth striving for, and will
be striyen for desperately, the more particu-
larly as they are convinced that the majority
of the North will be too happy to treat with
them at the next Presidential election.