Washington telegraph., 1863-07-15

VICKsBURG.-We fear that this renowned
citadel of the South has fallen. Possibly it
has not, but We can find little grounds for any
hope that the following accounts from the
Camden Herald Extra are untrue:
Delhi. July 8.-Vicksburg was surrendered
to the Federal army Saturday morning, July
4th, at 10 oclock-not to the force of arms,
but for the actual want Of provisions. Some
who escaped by swimming the Mississippi
river, report that the terms of surrender, when
they left, were OF known, but that the garri-
son would be probably paroled. They also re-
port that as soon as the terms of surrender
could be settled. Grant would Immediately
issue orders to move On Gen. Johnston.
Since writing the above, l learn that Capt.
Scott, of this parish, has just arrived, who says
he was paroed. and the whole garrison had
been or would be paroled the officers going
out with their side arms. He also states that
the Federal officers told him that Memphis
had been taken by Johnston, and Washington
city by Lee, and that the report in regard to
Washington was generally credited by the
Federals.
Monroe, July 11.-Several paroled prisoners
have arrived here and at Delhi, who confirm
the report of the surrender of Vicksburg, but
bring no further particulars.
Many of our citizens here refuse to believe
it. They say we were well assured from rari-
Gus sources that Vicksburg was largely pro-
visioned. They think the reports put out at
Delhi are by deserters, or by the enemy, or by
Spectators in cotton. They have heard als1
from respectable gentlemen, that there is good
reason to believe that fighting was going on
still at Vicksburg on the 9TH and 9th. We
pray they may be right. We have never been
more anxious to find our own judgment defec
tive than now.
Since the enemy obtained possession of the
rear of Vicksburg, we have anxiously feared
this result We have endeavored to prepare
the minds of our readers against the reaction
of over confidence. Now that the disaster has
occurred, (if the report be confrmed) let us
assure them again that although the loss is
sadly to be deplored, it is not fatal We lose
large number of men from active service
we lose ordinance and stores. The enemy will
take new courage, and the war viii No doubt
be prolonged. That is all. The cause of our
country is not materially weakened. We lost
months ago all the advantages of Vicksburg.
The tide of war will only be rollel to some
other quarter, where we may meet with the
fullest compensation.
Everywhere else the skie. are bright We
only, near Vicksburg, feel the gloom of the
cloud. We are rolling our victorious troops
over the hitherto peaceful retreats of the enc
my in Pennsylvania. They quake in their
cities on the sea shore, whence they have sent
forth their millions of money for their armies
In the South, we thunder at the very gates Of
New Orleans All else goes well. The loss
of Vicksburg can be borne.
Since writing the above, we have received
the Shreveport Gazette of the 1lth. Up to L
O'Clock on the 10th, no official report of tn,
surrender of Vicksburg had been received a
Gen. Smiths headquarters. Gen. Smith him
self returned to Shreveport last Wednesday.
LATER-Passengers by the Shreveport stage
which left there Monday morning, say that n
intelligence of the surrender of Vicksburg ha
been received; but a letter had been receive
from the stage agent at Monroe of the 10th
stating that it was not believed, and that Capt
Scott could not be found.
We saw, last night, letter from ]. M. Mont
gomery, Esq, of Lewisville, stating that MI
A, Mcdaniel had arrived from the Mississippi
river, opposite Vicksburg. He left there o
the 7th, and reports the fighting to be sti
going on.
1t has been a terrible nightmarel Vicksbur
hoe no, .,,r-an5ared yet Her fate still treInble
in the balance. Surely Johnston will not lie
her fall With out coming to the rescue, even q
the risk Of half his army. Proud little city
how we love her Whether she stand or fal
she ia already glorious in history.