Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-06-26
A BATCH OF SOUTHERN NEWS.
LEE BELIEE ED ~ THE RICHMOND PAPERS
TO BE MOVING ON WASHINGTON,
REBEL REPORTS FROM yICKsBURG.

We have Richmond papers of late dates
from which we make the following extracts:
The Richmond Dispatch, June %, says
sThere can be no longer any doubt that MilIi-
ken's Bend is in our possession. 1t was taken
by Gen. Taylor, forming part of Gen. Kirby
Smiths forces. The force of Gen. Taylor num-
bered 5000 men. These facts have been COM
municated to the President officially by q dis.
patch (telegraphic) from Gen. Johnson 1t is
impossible to oyerestimate the value of this
capture. Millikens Bend completely com
mands the channel of the river when the water
Is low as 1t is at present, and the party in pos
session OF it can in such q stage of the water
absolutely stop the passage of all and every
kind of craft bound either up or down the
river. In the meantime, Smith having
possession of Millikens Bend has a free pas
sage TO Johnston whenever the latter may call
for his assistance, and can pass over Price, who
is at the head of I7,OCO men,
(The Dispatches hopeful DEMONSTRATIONS
have ere this been knocked in the head by dis.
covery Of the fact that Kirby Smith is not in
possession of Milliken's Bend.-ED. start
The Dispatch admits that it is thought in
Richmond that Ficksburg must fall, sswithout
the interposition of a miracle;;'' but it under
takes 10 show that with resolute commander
and with the cooperation of Johnston and
Kirby Smith, Grant will not only not take
Vicksburg, but will himself be put upon the
defensive. 1t says that "Johnston has pow.
ertul army" and that though sapparently
slow, he has had to organize an army in the
face of the enemy, to supply it with the mu-
nitions of war, and to encounter other I'M
heard of difficulties. He has surmounted them
all, and now that the water is down, we may
expect to hear from him in manner that shall
silence his detractors forever"
The Dispatch has rather lugubrious article
upon sour cavalry" in which it admits that
there is talk in Richmond that the "sceptre is
departing' from the Confederates in the mat
ter of cavalry pre-eminepce. 1t thinks our
horsemen are not equal TO theirs, but that ours
are better equipped and mounted.
The Richmond Sentinel, Extr a, OF the Goth
inst, has the following.
VICKsBURG, June 10.-The Federal lines are
contracting. Kirby Smith, with 6,OOO men,
came up the Wachita river, making demon.
STATIONS on the Louisiana side. The Federal
troops at Milliken's Bend have been reinforced
FROM THE SOUTHWEST.
JACKSON, June 1s.-Eor the first time in four
days, heavy firing was heard at Vicksburg this
morning Last accounts represent that Grant
is busy fortifying and cutting down trees be.
yond the Big Black TO impede Johnstons
move ments They also represent that great
distress prevails among citizens inside Of the
enemy's lines. The Yankees having robbed
them of all their provisions, and numbers are
in q starving condition.
OsYKA, June 16, (via Mobile, 10th. )-Oficers
fro m Port Hudson report that all is safe and
the garrison in good spirits, with provisions
for thirteen months. The enemy has made
tw enty-seyen assaults, with a loss OF 5,eOO.
Gu r~ioss is 300.
JACKSON, June II, (via Mobile, 18Th. l-Nu-,