Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-05-30


SURRENDER OF NArCHEz, vIcKsBURG AND
wARRENToN.
The naval forces on the lower Mississippi
are efiectially clearing the region of all rebel
rule, On the 18th Of May commander James
). Palmer of the United States steamer Iro-
quois, anchored of Natrhez. sent demand
to the authorities Of the city for Its surrender
the delivery Of all property in its limits be-
longing To the confederate states, and the rails
ing Of the national flag over the city. The
mayor, at a summary meeting of the city au-
thoritieS, was directed to make the following
reply =
MAYORS OFFICE, Natchez, Miss, May 10,
lS62.-SH': Your communication of the 18th
inst has been received by me and laid before
the board of selectmen of this city, and am
directed to return the following reply: Com
ing as a cOnquerOr, you need not the interpo-
sitlon of the city authorities to possess this
place. An unforti6ed city, an entirely defence
less people, have no alternative but to yield to
an Irresistible force. 1t is useless to imperil
innocent blood. Formalities are absurd in the
face of such realities. SO far as the city author
tiles can prevent, there will be no opposition to
your possession of the city. They cannot,
| however, guarantee that your flag shall wave
unmolested in the sight of an excited people;
but such authority as they possess shall be
exercised for the preservation of good order in
the city. As to property belonging to the
confederate states, they are not aware of any
such within the limits of the city. Very re-
spectfully your obedient servant,
JOHN HUNTER, Mayor.
To JAS. S. PALMER, commander United
States steamer Iroquois, at anchor off
Natchez, Miss.
The Natchez Courier of the 18th says that
the enemy had not up to that time taken pos
session of the city; but that the United States
squadron was reinforced by three more YES
sells. The Vicksburg Wing of the 10th says
four of the federal gunboats weighed anchor
at Natchez at six o'clock the previous evening
and started up the river. -Four others were
still at Natchcz, looking after affairs there
the city still refusing to surrender.
The proposition to burn Vicksburg rather
than surrender had agitated the citizens of
that town. The incendiaries were over-ruled
The formal demand for its surrender was sent
from our naval forces on the Goth. Camp ru-
mors OF the 10Th, floating among the troops be-
fore Corinth, say that Vicksburg had surren-
dered and our 1ieet was en- route for Mem
phis.
Natchez is on the east bank of the Missis-
sippi. $50 miles above New Orleans and about
500 miles below Memphis. Its population by
the last published census was 6O00. Vicks-
burg is 100 miles farther north The follow
ing table Of distances to Vicksburg by rail
road will be interesting at this time:
From jackson, Mississippi, ............. A miles
From Irand JUNCTION, via JacksOn,......257
From Corinth, via Grand Junction and
JdChSbll... -
From Memphis yin Grand Junction and
OdChSul.s" -
From New Orleans, via Jackson,.........227
fruh MoDlie...' .....--.................21 1 -
Vicksburg is the most important cotton
mart between Memphis and New Orleans, ex-
porting annually, before the rebellion broke
out, 100000 bales.