Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1862-07-18

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arc number Of heavy rited guns anon9
them, but the majority are not considered Il
be Of formidable weight.
| The mortars keep up an intermittent fire
which is mainly destructive to the town, :.lc
is a source Of annoyance TO the army en-
camped beyond it.
| The mortar boats were attacked last nigh
by an infantry force Of two regiments, whc
opened fire of musketry On them, and, IN
der cover Of darkness, attempted to cut then
out CT sink them. They were rcpulsed witt
great loss by fire from the BROOKLYN ant
the gunboats.
There seems to be no prospect OF deci
sive action at present. The enemy are toe
strong for the feet, and & concerted -lore
| ment By land loops will be necessary.
Opposite F;ch2tlrq, July IL made :
visit TO the point Of land on the Louisian;
shore, opposite Ficksbure, Yesterday, anc
had perfect view of the town and fortified.
tons. Vicksburg lies in bend of the river
and resembles, from the admirable point o.
view above mentined, a vast ampitheatrc, o.
three or four miles in length, and three
hundred feet in height. The bank OF the river
rises gradually for couple CT miles back
and on this curved slope lies the town, in.
bedded in natural cradle, which, for beauty
and symmetry, cannot be cxcellcG. Gyery
| house in the place is distinctly visible as il
rises above its neighbor in front. and the
view is rather that ofa vast ara2ithcatrt. with
crowded seats, viewed from the paruuetlc
than such as is presented by ordinary towns
"a maze OF roofs and chimneys. \ more
! complete and concise panorama of metropoli-
tan life to be taken al single glance never
| vas seen.
Not only vas the city thus spread out 10
| the view, It's features so distinct that ever
sign could be read with good glass, aud
every prominent building and terrace ga-de
noted, but the fortifcations were equally
open to inspection. Above and below thc
city, OF the sides of the slope, lay these sleep
ing volcanoes whose Storm Of iron bur lately
made the heavens re-ecno. Abore
three banked battery, OF tiers rising one abo:e
another, from point halfway down tAs
slope to the summit. Four heavy guns in
each tier frowned over the top OF the earth.
work, and men paced back and forth, silent.
y snd with cleaning bayonet. This FORTH
cation did heavy work ut the late encounter
Immediately below the suburbs Of the town,
commenced and hid from view whatever
other hostile preparations may have been
made in that locality. The town lay in thc
sweep of the bend, as silent and grave as Z
city of the dead Tie streets o.: the cata-
combs we're not more lonely in their drearieet
hours thar this fair city, upon which tae de-
scenjing sun poured its rays il q Hood OF
light. Not house Naa open, not a widow
raised TO invite III. delicious breeze, not a
store front displ2yed its 5audy colors in in
vitstlon to the passer. al vas stiffness and
desertior. Tie town night have been c relic
Of thousand years gone by, destined &c sleep
o. Until enchantmeat broke its sp2ll ana dis
sipated tie fabric Of fairy creation. From
The foot of the slope, where the river washrll
the paved leysa, to the summit Of the vice
amphitheatre, not soul was visible.
Below the city were situated the more
formidable of the batteries. The summit OF
the bluff was surmounted by two batteries,
containing e;x heavy guns each. Below
them was the Marine Hospital, a large build
ing, in the usual style Of those edifces. 10
the left was four-gun battery, halfway
down the slope, and still lower down, anotl-
rr Of about the same calibrs. Towards the
other side YVES another battery, seemingly.
stronger than the last, while IN the under
growth near at hand were more earthvcri;s.
which were apparently Of no great strength.
In all they mounted about twenty guns. Some
Of the enbrasures were vacant, either from
the effect OF the late engagement: which is;
knowr to have dismounted many, or from &
scarcity of metal. I counted in all thirty,
guns, making count il some places which
we're doubtful, and it seems quite improbable
that their strength exceeds tina: amount
General Van Dorm is in the rear, however,
With heavy force.
You are aware that the rirer makes =
sweep here, which encompasses about twelve
miles Of distance, while across the neck milo
will cover the ground. Across tbs bend
General Williams is cutting, By the aid CT his
soldiers and si1 hundred negroes, canal.
which Is to tu1. taeriver from isS beo, furnish
communication between the fleets, apd, evep-
:ually, iesve Vick.burg five miles II 1ne
country, ruined city. The canal Is t:cw cut
across, s..d il a few days tie "a:eT will &c ie.
il.