Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-06-15

impunity.-Fay. Obs.
By far the most interesting piece of intelligence re-
ceiyed from Vicksburg On yesterday is the statement
that Kirby Smiths forces hold Millican's Bend. This
is an important strategic point on the Mississippi,
thirty-two miles by the course Of the river above
Vicksburg, and, of course, above the mouth Of the
YaZoo. lfit is indeed true that the Confederates hold
that point with force, Grants campaign is virtually
finished. The reader must recOlect that the Federal
army obtains all its supplies from the river above
Vicksburg. Although Grants attack was made from
Grand Gull, that place was not long his base and
when he gained HaineS' Bluff and the YaZoo, all COM.
munication with it was abandoned. He relies on
Memphis and the river above Vicksburg for food and
re Inducements. Milliken's Bend in Confederate
hands cuts off both. The river is narrow, and makes
. such a turn as to form a narrow-necked peninsula OF
land there- With ordinary artillery only, the pas
sage Of everything except the strongest rruu CfauS Carr
be easily prevented. In fact the possession of this
point destroys Grants communications most effectu-
ally. He must either carry Vicksburg Immediately
by a general assault, or make good his retreat on
Memphis with al haste. This he cannot do without
an enormous loss of stragglers, prisoners and material,
even if uninterrupted by the Confederate troops.
The effect of the alleged movementby Kirby Smith
is easily seen the only thing doubtful is the truth OF
the statement. The news is not official, but we give
it credit, because of it's probability. 1t was stated a
few days since, that General Smith had crossed at
Port Hudson. 1t is possible that a portion of his
forces did actually aid the army at that point in the
repulse Of Banks but it is not necessary to suppose
that all his troops were engaged and when Banks
was defeated there was no longer necessity that any
of them should be here.-EgGminer, 10Th.
An TMPoRgANT STEP. - Confederate Government
ha, dismissed the British Consul at Richmond, frs
..pcing him in a pr~edicament in which he was com
puned formally to recognize or to refuse to recognize
The Government-or rather the predicament was ONT
Q: his own making, the Government awaiting itself o
it to do what many think ought to have been dom
long AGO. At the outset of the revolution various
Consuls of foreign nations were found with the Con.
federate States. They had been admitted as such b.
the United States, and recognized only the Unite
States. Their presence was useful to the Confeder
acy as we'll as to the foreign government they repre-
scented and, as it was not reasonable to expect thos
governments to recognize us until we had shown a
ability to maintain OUT Independence, President Da
- vszsery properly perrnittd them to continue the ex
.ercise of 1Consssar functions. Two years of success
full war hassAAowever, madeit eminently proper TIA
these officers should know that the United States ca
no longer confer authority here, and SO President Ds
us has made an indiscretion of one, the occasion t
Teach als-for we take 1t for granted that all foreig
Consuls will be similarity notified. This may not
well received in Europe, but it appears to US to /
right, and we owe nothing to any European govern
ment, However much some of their people may syn
pathize with Us.