The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1862-07-12
From yicksbur9.

CAIRO. July j.-Thc steamer Prima Donna
has just arrived from Memphis, and brings
the following news.
The Steamer Monarch arrived from Vicks.
burg on July 3D..
On Thursday, week ago, the lombard
mcnt Of Nicksburg was commenced by Com
modorr Pnrtcr's mortar fleet, at about eight
O'clock in the morning. The smells were
directed against the upper fort below the
wn, which mounted eight guns. The bonn
imrdmcnt continued on that tort all day with
out result.
On Fir day morning the firing WAS again
opened and continued until the afternoon, at
viii b time Porter sisnalized TO shell the
town. which was done with delibcralon and
great accuracy.
The effect Of the she'll could not be wei
discovered from the Octorara, then anchored
In the stream about two miles below the
town. TIE slI $ could be seen to burst.
hut the effect of the bursting was hidden by
the buildings in front.
This con inucd ill about 4 ~'clock, when
the feet was sgnalcd to cease firing, which it
did.
The batteries on shore replied very lightly
I'M at long and irregular intervals. Their
firing WAS very inaccurate.
Alb 1T hall an hour after the c. station IF
this bomh-r m Mt the water battery opened
IN the m"rtars, which replied till the battery
cease firing.
During the whole time the Octorara fired
ten shot from her one hnndrcd-ponn rifle
almost every one Of which was direct
cd with surprising accuracy, till the gun
become heated when it began to throw high
and needed del r:ssion.
When the firing ceased, at 4 p. NJ, the
Capt aims II divisions were sigralcd to report
on the flagship when an order was issued to
open fire with the entire feet upon the town
at s o clock that night.
At 8 o'clock, therefore, the entire mortar
ticct vomtrd heavy rain of shells upon tie
dcvo., d city, The round missiles seeming to
be eager first to strike. and the last fired often
outstIiping its p 'rdcccssors.
This terrible fire continued about one hour.
when an order was issu, to Cease firing.
1t appears that an order came from Com
modorc FaIragut, whose fleet was five miles
below the town in the bend. to again she II the
town al O'Clock next morning when a p"r-
tion of his feet would run past the rebel
bI;tcrics.
This order was obeyed, and again the SKY
was shaken 10y the bursting OF bombs and the
explosion of mdrtlrs.
At about O'Clock that morning. as tie
sun was shining, Farraguts feet came up.
aud eight of them passed the batteries pour
Ing br"adsidcs into the town and batteries
These eight ssels consisted Of three mem
''-"hts tNo sIOVpS-Ol-NuT. anu lllcc gun
boats.
During this daring passage the Rebel bat
teries poured in iron hail on the fleet. scarce
lv damaging any of them, and disabling none.
The filing of the batteries was high and cut
much rigging.
The flagship. the Hartford, was struck on
The Starboard side twicc-one shot hear Il
stern, the other near the bow. These shots
struck some ten feet above the water line.
passing through the bulwarks.
Two OF this fleet passed above the mouth
OF the inzoo river; tn, oth"rs anchored in
tie stream, where they remain.
When "u informant left the damage Sus-
tanned hy the city must have been very gre. t.
Topping houses, falling chimneys and crush
ing roofs. with here and there a slight c"ntIa,
grafton. present to the imag inatiun picture
beyond all power of pcnpainting.
Captain Curry was informed by refugees
from the CONSUMPTION along The shore that the
women and children had been removed to
some distance from Vicksburg. and were OH
the line of the Jackson Railroad, dwelling in
holes ding along the hil'sides.
There is a most affect state of distress, not
hhly through the immediate range about
Virksburg, but through all Mississippi
Hunger and starvation are rife, and the Cap
tain asserts that many runaways whom he
saw looked like skeletons, covered with a
rallid skin. within which their bones seemed
to rattle. So in Arkansas, along the White
river.
The Captain was informed that Hndman
ordered no trading with Yankees on pain of
death, save for ammunition and salt.
We are also informed Oh indspuable
authority that 5000 negroes have been
otdrred by Major General Butler to work on
emitting canal across the bend on which
Vicksburg. or It's remains. are now situated
The bed Of the Mississippi being thus turned,
Nicksburg becomes an IN land city Tor ever
more.
Seven hundred nccndiary shells have hccn
sent for to New Orleans, with which to
reduce the remains Of Vicksburg to ashes,
and the canal is fast progressing to compile
tt.,u