Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-06-19
From the Yickshnrr cl..-


The dsienses OF Vicksburg are now assnm;n,
acter OF bold defiance of all approaches Of the Coa
either by land or water. The repeated ahortin0 my
temps OF the gunboats to she'll out our batteries a.
that their Efforts to pass by compel them to
is futile, and that we are able to hold them at bav ;
as long the high stage of water will allow tbpi JUST
vessels to remain in this part of the RIVER As large
their gun and mortar boats keep up their fire at as
taW they cannoi accomplish anything aod uhug
they venture within reach of batteries few t
dir ced shots notifies them of the impossibitv of L
lug exposed position, and none Of their vessel Io'
yet dared to remain 10 range longer than to receive
shot from. guns. Our works are constructed ~ ae
highest military scserce; our officers are brave viz; ue
and competent and our gunners are skillfu and "a
rate. The location OF our works is such as TO c;vo
the advantage of plungng fire upon the vessel. !;
every position while their elevation secures them AGO.;
any damage from the enemy. Fort Henry, IsaTS IG
Fort jackson, st. Phillip, and the BATTERIES AT CaI
mette were all on low ground and partly under wot
which gave the advantage of elevated position n a.
gunboats Here the case is dierent-the batterio.
neither be sheed out they be stormed hv tSu
close approach of the vessels. No force however ne
could effect landing within range of our guns and
other available landing place be found Whirab,.u
miles; and our land forces are everywhere prepared f.
such an emergency.
We are not making vain boast of our abilities b
we draw our conclusions from actual observations az
experiences and we are now beginning to feel nero
safe in asserting that Vicksburg cannot be taken i,
is here that will save the great Mississippi VaIav
keep open the communication with eastern Texas 81
the rich and fertile valleys of the Yazoo Ark
sas, White aud ST. Francis rivers which will furnish m
with food and provisions for the army and the peona
We will here turn the tide of war down the river o
and turn the enemy back TO New Orleans, and from
thence to the Gulf and save those impor ant and fertile
valleys embraced withi1 the great valley of the Mss
sppi to which must look for subsistence the loo,
OF which would put US to great straits If not to actual
| famine
The position OF Vicksburg at the present time is ono
OF lncacuiabe national Importance and the successful
defence of this place must be regarded as equivalent
not superior to that ct the capital of the Coincidence
Itself. With the fatal surrender of New Orleans and
the loss of the lower river, are isolated from that
most important section of the Confderacy-Texas and
a large portion of Louisiana and here at Vickshurc
we must original status auti again sece
the connection between the States east and those west
of the Mississippi and unless sons unforeseen and f
tai accident should befa US, will certainly be able to
hold this place. and "Vicksburg will not shortly be u
der the control of the Philistines"
If the enemy lands bis troops thirty miles below to
march them up through the swamps, and hills ana gu
lies OF the intervening country, shall be able to ki
or capture the last of them and If be keeps div
daliying with his war vessels much longer the river
now falling quite rapidly, will compel him soon to make
desperate attack, withdraw his ships of war down
stream into deeper water. If they were even now in
possession OF Vcksburg they could not venture to 90
up any higher of the recedng waters and
consequently this fleet will be able to GO up to
operate against Fort Pillow in conjunction with the
other fleet above that fort. Vicksburg will hold in
check or destroy the lower squadron On the Mississippi
and Fort Pillow will hold at bay the upper fleet on the
same river and the great Mississippi valley will yet be
saved from falling into the clutches of the enemy in
spite of the surrender of New Orleans Let our friends
In the interior of the country take courage for Vks.
burg is the glorious little city that will discomft and
rout the enemy.