Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-07-14
Feaernl Reper,. from yick.burr:

spe cil Dispatch 20 the Missouri Democrat
MEMPHIS, July s.. 10 A. NJ. via CAIRO, July
6-By the ram Lioness, of Com. Ellett's ran
feet, which arrived from VicksbuTg last even
ing at o late hour, we have dispatches, letters
papers, and d mail from CONS. Ftrfagut, Porter
and Dsvis's fleets as late as the ID inst.
The ram left for the North on "Wednesday
evening. The substance of dispatches to thl
authorities here, as given by an officer OF the
ram, is as follows: The canal across the pOint
] of land opposite Vicksburg had been nearly
completed. The rebels kept continually firing
/ upon the negroes performing the work, but the
range being too high no harm was done, and
the labor continued without cessation. The ne
groes were gathered from the plantations in the
vicinity of the rams, receipted for and brought
to the spot. They laboTed with assiduity. A
couple of thousand were thus engaged.
When the ditch shall have been completed il
is presumed the force of the river current will
create a wider chanRel for its passage, and thus
Vieksburg will be left out 10 the cold, a small
ruined and deserted inland village. Should
high water come, the new channel will be com
plete in a few days, if indeed it is not 50 al
ready,
Firing was kept up by both Farragut's and
Dsvis's fleets, at short intervals, the shell being
principally directed over the rebel batteries,
The COnfederstes replied weakly.
Farraguts and Porter's fleets were below the
city and Davis above. The latter arrived on
Wednesday without meeting with auy serious
difficulty, and Immediately commenced to do its
share in the work.
There is but little doubt in the minds of both
naval and military officers who came up on the
LiOness, that before this the town of Yicksburg
has either been destroyed or taken by force OF
arms, with several hundred prisoners, or that the
enemy has ingloriOusly fed and our forces have
occupied the batteries and city. This consum-
nation was planned by the commanders as a 4th
of July celebration for themselves and men.
Vicksburg had not been as badly damaged by
our shells as had been previously reported, still
many houses were in ruins and more were being
reduced TO the came state. The n-On-combatant
portion of its inhabitants seem to have been en-
tirely removed. The rebel force was estimated
at 10000 or I5. 600, instead of 10000.
Several hundred rebels were reported killed
aud wounded by the rebel shells More particu-
lars must reach here in a day or too.
LATER.-The. ram Mingo arrived last night
from Yicksburg, which place she left on Sunday
evening last.
She brings no important intelligence from that
point.
The mortars are sill engaged slowly Smelling
the batteries, which reply only at intervals. A
number Of guns in the upper battery have been
dismouuted by the Federal shells.
The Confederates have a number of siege guns
mounted on field carriages, which they transfer
from point to point in the town as the mortars
obtain the range Of their different positions.
Considerable damage has been inflicted on the
town by the bursting of the shells.
Commodore Farragut has planted a battery
of field pieces on the point opposite the town,
which seemingly cause considerable annoyance
to the men engaged in working the enemy's
guns.
The work on the canal was progressing rap
idly at the time the Mingo left, and it was
expected to be completed in a day or two.
Whether the effect of this canal will be to change
the course Of the river. is uncertain but, in any
case, it will afford a secure passage for steam
boats, and will render the batteries at Vicksburg
entirely useless.-MemPhiS Bulletin, July 10.