The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-07-11
DOWN THE MISSISSIPPI
Bombardment Of Vicksburg -.
T Il E CITY SHELLED.
STEAM RAM SWITZERLAND,
above Vicksburgh, June %. :
via Memphis. July 2.

To E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War.
Since my dispatch informing you that 1
have.communicated with Flag Officer Fara.
gut, I have been able to maintain constant
intercourse with bis feet through the active
energy of Gen. Williams. On the Goth
inst, I went up the Yazoo river with two
rams, the Monarch and Lancaster, the lat
ter under command of medical cadet Charles
r. Ellet. proceeded about IS miles to
point where the river is INSTRUCTED by a
raft built by the enemy, and protected by
four guns in battery.
Ny object was to capture or DESTROY
three of the enemy's gunboats that 1 was
informed were lying before the raft-the
Van Dorm, Policy and Livingston.
Iran up close under the battery and was
mortified to see the enemy set fire to the
boats and start them adrift down river
upon US. was obliged to leave the river
to escape confagration.
The three boats were totally DESTROYED,
The enemy did not fire upon us.
It is with great pleasure that announce
the arrival of flag officer Farragut with
nine vessels OF his fleet, above Vicksburg.
They passed up this morning about five
o'clock through severe fire from thirty or
forty of the enemy's guns. Their loss az
far as reported Was four men killed and
thirteen wounded.
CAIRO, July So M.-The Monarch
has arrived with important news from
Vicksburg. On Thursday morning the 26th,
Commodore Porter's mortar feet com.
menced to shell the upper fort below the
town. This was continued all day without
any result. Friday morning the lombard.
ment was recommended, and In the afternoon
directed on the town itself. The shells could
be seen to burst over the town. This was
continued till about 4 o'clock, when the
fleet was signaled to cease firing. The bat
teries on shore replied very light and at
long intervals, firing very inaccurately.
About half an hour after the cessation of
this b0mbardment, the water batteries
opened on the mortars, which replied till
the batteries ceased firing, when the firing
| ceased.
At P. N. the Captains of divisions were
signaled to report on flag ship, where an
order was issued to open fire with the entire
feet upon the town. At 8 o'clock that
night, at the appointed time, the action was
continued one hour. An order then came
from commander Farragut, whose feet was
then five miles below the town. to again
shell the town next morning at 4 o'clock,
when portion of his feet would run the
blockade. This wac done, and eight ves-
sells passed the batteries without serious
damage. The damage to the city must
have been great, topping houses, falling
chimneys, crashing roofs, and slight conAa>
grations being seen in numerous places.
We are also informed on uudoubtable
authority that 5000 negroes have been Or
dered by General Butler to work on q canal
across the bend on which Vicksburg or its
site are now situated. The bend of the
Mississippi being thus turned, Vicksburg
becomes an isolated city forever.
More than 700 shells have been cent for
to New Orleans. with which to reduce the
remains OF Vicksburg to ashes, and the
canal IS fast progressing to completion.
MEMPHIS, July 6-Vicksburg dates to
July second have arrived.
The canal across point of land opposite
Vicksburg is nearly completed, negro work.
men having been collected from various
plantations: Government receipts given for
labor.
The bombardment is kept up at regular
intervals from both fleets. 1t was believed
the rebel works would be stormed on the
Fourth of July. There is every reason to
believe that the city has already fallen.