Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1863-06-19
FROM YICKsRnRG.

Cairo, June l2-The steamer ST. Cloud from
Nicksburg on Monday morning reports heavy
cannonading up the Yazoo river when the boat
left; its import not known. Officers by this ar
rival say that it was believed in the camps that
battle in our rear is highly probable. No one
however believes that Johnston will be able to
raise the siege.
The fight at Milliken's Bend ON Saturday is
OF more Importance than was at first reported
the Rebels being 800 strong under Henry Nc
Cullough Our force was less than ono thou
sand; six hundred of whom were negroes. The
rebels at first drove our forces, nearly surroun-
ding them
The fight was carried on with energy and des-
peration by our forces, and the rebels were driy-
en- OF only when the gunboats came to our as
sistance.
Eye witnesses report our loss in killed at one
hundred and thirty -four one hundred of whom
were negroes, and about the same number woun.
ded. The list of killed was very large i'm conse-
quence of many wounded being killed under
the mo quarter cry. The rebels left over one
hundred on the field and took away several wag-
on loads of wounded.
1t is reported the negroes have fought better
than their white officers, many of whom il il
said skulked away. About the time the battle
was over column Of rebels made their appear
ance at Young's Point. All citizens and trans
lent persons were put under arms At the
time our informant left no attack had been
made
| Washington, June 13.-The following extracts
are from letter of an officer dated Haynes
Bluffs, Mississippi June llth, 1863, and which
to-day, was received in this city:
we reached here yesterday after a weeks
march up between the Big Black and the Yazoo
Rivers The object of the expedition was to de-
stroy the resources of the country to prevent the
enemy from subsisting thereon, and TO drive out
any force he might have in that region, and. IL
possible, to ascertain if the enemy was concen
trating in any considerable force for the purpose
OF raising the siege of Vicksburg.
We had six brigades, numbering something
over 10000 men. We have marched over one
hundred miles in week during the hottest
kind of weather We destroyed all the forage
and supplies and cotton and drove off all the
cattle, horses and mules between the two lines
for distance of fifty miles. We met no con-
siderable body of thee enemy We had only one
or two slight skirmishes. We ascertained where
the enemy was concentrating, and gained much
valuable information fuse hereafter The COM
mandng General having reported to General
Grant, the latter came this morning TO Haine's
Bluff, and seemed well satisfied with our onera-
tions. 1t has been our painful but imperative
duty to destroy everything-co cotton, meat,
mills, and cotton gins-that we could find, leav-
ing only dwellings and small supply of provis-
ions for each family. They can raise no force
to make US give up the seige.
Memphis, June l3.-The steamer Heawatba
from below, brings dates to the 10th. The situ-
alton at Vicksburg was unchanged, except that
our lines are daily contracted. The late rains
improved the condition of the army.
About 5000 of Kirby Smiths force il renort-
ed TO have come up the Washta river and ara
making demonstrations on the Louisiana side of
the river. - =
Our troops at Milliken's Bend have been rein
forced.
Johnston is receiving reinforcements from the
East and is preparing to move forward.
Memphis, June 16.-Arrivals from below
bring official dispatches from General Grant nm
TO noon 1.-THE 18th inst, ReinfOrcements are ar
irving and taking positions assigned them. The
movements of Kirby Smith g force on the Louis
lana side attracted much attention. They will
be closely watched. 1t is doubtful about his
having means to cross the river, but the mum
erous bayous may afford him facilities to make
the attempt.
II is pretty well ascertained that the Vicks-
burg garrison is on quarter ratons, consisting of
corn meal and pea -four, and the supply of these
very limited. Their fresh beef is an gone.
The rebel General Walker, at Yazoo CITY and
Jackson, is said to have arrived with division
OF cavalry from Bragg.
drant Is confident and very hopeful.
About 200 prisoners arrived here from Vicks-
burg to-day.
st. Louis, June l6.-News from Vicksbur0 IN
the evening Of the 18th states no change in the
progress Of the siege.