New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-07-11
FypEDITION Up YAZOO RIVER


EXPEDITION Up YAZOO RIVER.
On THURSDAY Oh laet week, swo rams. the Monarch
and the Lancaster No. 3, went up the Yazo0 River a
distance OF 90 nes. When 10 miles from the mouth
of the river, the rams were hailed by man on the
ehorc. who desired to be taken on board. Capt.
Elle, brother of he late COL Ellet, sent small cat
ont 70 bring The stranger in. Theman proved to DO
tie carpenter from the Rebel gunboat Van Dorm, and
deserer. He represented that 20 miles further
up the channel was blockaded by sunken Iait ard
chain stretched arross the stream. Below the OBJ
ructons were the Van Dorm, three small rams, and
one transport. All these were represented to be IN
immediate readiness to be burned the approach Of
our feet. The rams proceeded up tire river; but be-
fore they came fully in sight o! the enemy the smoke
was fsen rising from the burning steamers. The
boats were eat loose 10 DRIFT toward our rame;
these, however, were careful TO keep safe distance
from the fiery enemy.
REBEL FORTIFICATIONs on THE YAZoO.
Within good range above the raft and chain the
enemy has erected "a battery of nine guns on the
bluff. Tbs guns were taken mp from New-Orleans
and pa ed III position before the gunboat Arkansas
was run up for safe keeping. The distractions bad
already been placed IN the river when the Van Dorm
arrived, and II was deemed unwise 10 remove them
to allow her to pass, and The has, therefore, with
her companions, become the last sacrifice OF the
greatly Wanted Rebel navy on the Western waters.
The guns were taken from there boats and placed
on board the Arkansas, which the carpenter OF the
aground.
MEETING or THE TWO FLOTnLAs.
Tho feet arrived tat IA point three miles above
Vicksburg On Tuesday morning ut ~ CLOCK, when
six Of Commodore FarTsguts yesses. including the
Aag-ehip Hartford were discovered quietly at al
Choir. The feet from the North came to anchor
alongside and in tie rear Of Farraguts vessels and
a conference was had between the Two commanders
on board the Tag ship Benton. The commanders
may here pass thor greetings, but the nmon OF the
sets can occur only after the fall OF Vicksburg.
ENGAGEMENT AND RUNNING THE REBEL
BLOCKADE.
The feet below, consisting Of seven gunbosts,
under Farragut, and ten gnnooats ana eiBn'eeh
ortsr.boats, III command Of Com. Porter, made an
attack on the enemy's works early On Saturday
morning The engagement lasted about one hour.
Six of Farrsgut's vessels, including the hagship
Hartford passed up In front OF the Rebel batteries
and are now above the city. The fleet several
times drove the enemy from bis guns, and it is
reported bv descrters that the gunners were forced
back TO their batteries at the point Of The bayonet
TIE slaughter Of the enemy was terrible, though
The exact number of his killed cannot be ascertalned
The casualties on the feet were Six killed and two
wounded; one OF the latter died on Saturday. The
Miami, W tch sustained tho hottest Of tie eDemy's
fire. Wa sevela! times struck ana bad her mAsts
entirely carried away.
Inc battle, though Of short duration, WAS terribly
severe and gave the Mississippians some foretaste
Of whet they must expect, when our feet should
once attack them With the determination OF taking
their works.
VICKsBIRG.
The CITY Of Vicksburg is built on bluff, varying
In .ght from 300 10 800 feet above the river. IL
eontaius about 5000 inhahitanis, and monopohzes
the trade of the entire Nazoo Valley, one OF the
most fertile counties IN the South. The annual ship
rre1t Of cotton exceeds 100000 bales. IL contains
an elegant Conrf-lIouse, six churches, three scnin-
aries of learning, aid three newspaper eetaohsh-
,aeDts.
THE REBEL FORTIFICATioNS.
The enemys works consist Oi two separate fOrtlil-
cations; one above and the other below the city;
thoush both are 70 immediately adjoining tie place,
that il will be impossible to she'll the works without
DESTROYING the city in the attempt 10 take 1t. lie
situation is such that the upper fertilization can be
attac ked 10 beet advantage from above and the lower
more advantsgeonsly from below the city Each
fertilization consists of two linee Of batteries. The
lower lines are .ome 80 feet above the present water
line, and form en- irregular line Of batteries, both in
elevation and front.
The upper lines are a series Of earth works similar
to those below, and some what similarly situated.
though more extensive, stronger, and mount more
and heavier guns. IL ii impossible accurately TO es
innate the strength Of the works from the point Of
observation occupied by our forces. 1he number Of
guns is varousiy reported to be from 50 to % and
the infantry force IL believed to be about I2,VOO
strong
The bend in the river and the location Of VickG-
burg are such ar make it practicable TO draw the
Mississippi three miles from the ciy, and allow ves-
sells TO pass at that distance from the batteries,
through cutoff of threeiourtbs Of mile In length.
Commodore Farragut bas placed five six hundred
contrabands TO work with picks and shoves, and III
a few days hence the channel Of the river may be
turned from iis present course, aid shortened about
seven miles.
The military purpose Of the new channel will
u A,.ir-
burg may be nothing less than total annihila'ion
Of her commerce, aud tie sweeping away OF her
chief eource Of wealth.
The merry negroes at work on the Cut OF enjoy
the escape from tue plantation amazipgy, and say,
" de boys is mi hty glad to work for youS ALL
FAILURE OF THE CORN CROP.
Though the corn fields on the bottom lauds Of the
Mississippi promise All abundant haryest. the mort
Trustworthy accounts from the interior indicate a
total f.ilure Of the corn crop. The severe drou,h
has 20 completely parched the soil the ridges aud
high lands that the corn has wlihered erd died.
Jhousands Of plantation negroes have been sent
from the interior to the rivor counties, To endeavor
10 make a corn crop from late paintings, ana mus,
uogsible prevent famine from llDcratng the saves
and eating out tie substance Of tie masters.
rHE KILLED AND WOUNDED.
The following is tie Official list OF the killed and
wounded during the engagement at Nick'0nrg;
kpoyL NICKsBtEG, Miss June =. 1867 .
SIR: hive the honor report the following Lot oi Killed
AID wounded in s portion Of the eei which paed ABOVE
IicksbuIf ~ the engagement ms morning.
KILLED.
E,o..ufp AnTP0np-Edward r.. Jennings, seaman. from
Mnsaachusetts MI
RicExoSb.-George Aluslgum, ordinary seaman Ihona
fianty, seaman. -
ONEipA-stepAen II Kendall, sosslan
p,so't- MILAN H. Thomas, quarter gunner, ThoEi'
Graham. Ltudsuan o..
,CIo4,-Augustine Ellsworth, ordinary seanan.--I
WOUNDED.