The New York herald., 1863-06-03


down to the 29th of May FRIDAY last), at which
time the prospects of the siege were "still en-
couraging." We think the issue must be deter
mined now within very few days that the
garrison is holding out in expectation of q res
cue by General Joe Johnston, and that should
he fail to come up within the appointed time
the city will be surrendered.
When Psmberton was driven in behind his
intrenchmsnts Johnston assured him that If he
could hold out for fifteen days hundred thou
sand men would be brought to his support.
On Friday last ten Of those fifteen days had ex-
pired, and all the efforts of General Grant to
penetrate the enemy's works had been repulsed.
Meantime, General Johnston, who, in the sweep
ing advance Of General Grant, had been driven
northward from jackson, with some five or six
thousand men, had returned to that city with
force reported at fifteen thousand. Doubtless
this increase of bis nucleus Of an army was
made up from the odds and ends of Pemberton's
forces, scattered about to the right and left,
and left behind by General Grant in his pur-
suit Of Pemberton to Vicksburg. We may
next hear that from Mobile, Charleston, Savan-
nah, and from Bragg's army In Tennessee,
larger accessions have been joining Johnston.
But, from the destruction Of the enemy's stores
at Jackson and Yazoo City, from the damages
done to their lines of communication, aud
from the exhaustion Of their supplies over .
great extent of country around Jackson, we
think it most likely that Johnston will not get
his army or his provisions in season to fulfil
his promise to Pemberton.
The result at Vicksburg is evidently now
reduced to question Of reinforcements. We
know not what the government has been doing
to strengthen General Grant; but we know that
it has had time enough, men enough within
reach and facilities enough to strengthen him
to the extent of at least twenty-five thou
sand men. Should he, In default of rein
forcements, be compelled to raise the siege of
Vicksburg, the administration will be held to
terrible responsibility. The people Of the
loyal States believe, and the rebels know that
with theafall of vicksburg the whole fabric of
the rebellion begins to crumble to pieces. The
prize is within our grasp, and we can only lose
it through the negligence or imbecility Of the
military authorities at Washington. We rely.
however, upon General Grant, from his own
resources if necessary. to wind up his glorious
Mississippi campaign in the crowning victory
Of the war.
Our latest intelligence from Port Hudson b
to the effect that while General Banks, from
| stronghold, he had been joined by Colonel
Grierson's cavalry from the south side. after
| the destruction by that officer Of rebel camp
and depot of the enemy's supplies along his
line Of march. We hope next to hear that
General Banks and Admiral Farragut have
settled their accounts with Port Hudson in
season to make another movement which will
compel General Joe Johnston to move to the
relief of Mobile instead of vicksburg-for he
is charged with the defence Of both places
and If the one cannot be saved he must move
in time to the defence of the other.
Tho News from New Orleans-What Gen.
Banks Has Accomplished.
In another column we give, from CORES
pondent in New Orleans, an account of affairs
in General Banks department. So much noise
has been made elsewhere, and the succession Of
events nearer home has been SO rapid, that
public attention has been distracted from Banks
substantial and extensive triumpbs, and com
paratively little notice has been taken Of his i'm
portant campaign in Louisiana. Without undue
sound or fury, he appears to have accomplished
what was expected of him. BY series Of move
ments, at once well planned and rapidly exc
cuted, he has entirely Disconnected the rebel
arrangements to hold Louisiana, and has So
cured to the United States the possession Of
Gk.tn AfTo oksx
ally ousted the rebel power and authority there
that the inhabitants once more regard them
selves as safely within the Union.
BY this success the great resources Of Loui
siana-e especially its immense sugar planta
tions--are brought under the control Of til
United States government. Other captures
that equally enrich US and impoversh th
rebels. have been made-such as that Of th
Petit Ainse salt mine, where there ha
already been uncovered an extent Q
6fty acres of the finest rock salt, whic
, has been explored to the depth Of twent
A feet without any appearance Of exhaustion
, No mine of the precious metals could eve
! have been so valuable to the rebellion. In
Q mense quantities Of war mdteriel Of every kin
. have been taken in different points in the Stat
and this to such an extent that 1t Ii estimate
: that General Banks captures Of all kinds wi
: nav the expenses Of his campaign.
Besides what has been thus directly accon
, plished in Louisiana, Banks success there q
sures us the possession Of the whole State {
J. Texas; and his position at Alexandria CON
o mands the navigation Of the Red river, and, {
> course, the resources Of the greater part I
Arkansas. Thus, while vicksburg still hang
!, in the balance, he has already checked II
u great flow Of provisions that poured into Il
!. confsderacy from Texas, and thus deprived Il
!. rebellion Of an element Of strength that 1t
| With all thfa h,o vroy