Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-07-31
IRON 1HE SOrrR WESr

To MAJOR General H1lleck
Gen Sherman has Jackson invested from
Pearl river on the north to tho river on the
south. This has cut off many hundred cars
from tho Confederacy. Gen. sherman says he
has force enough and feels no apprehension
about the result,
Finding that Yazoo City was being iortiG-
ed, ] sent Gen. Heron there with his divisi-
on. He captured several hundred prisoners,
one steamboat, FIVE pieces of heavy artillery.
and all the public stores fell into our hands.
The enemy burned three steamboats, on the
approach Of the gunboats The DeKalb was
blown up and sunk in ! 3 feet Of water by the
explosion Of torpedo.
Finding that the enemy were crossing cat
tie for the rebel army At Natchcz, and were
said 10 have several thousand there, have
sent steamboats, and troops to collect them,
and destroy all their boats, and means for
making more.
vIcKspURo, July ls,
Mqj. Gen. H1leck, General-in- Chief:
Joe Johnston evacuated Jackson on the
night Of the 6th inst He is now in full re-
treat. .east. Gen. sherman says the most of
Johnston's army must perish from the heat
and lack Of water, and general discourage
ment.
The army paroled have, to a great extent,
deserted and are scattered over the country
in every direction
Learning Ia Yazoo Citylwas being fortif-
ed, ] sent Gen. Heron there. Five guns
were captured many stores, and about 500
prisoners.
Gen. Ransom was sent to Na,chez TO stop
the crossing Of cattle for the eastern rebel
army. On arrival be found that large num-
bors had been driven ont Of the city TO be
pastured also that munitions OF war had
recently been crossed over to wait for Kirby
Smith. He mounted about two hundred Of
his men and sent them in both directions.-
They captured number OF prisoners, 5000
head of Texas cattle, 2O0O head Of which
were sent to Gen. Banks the balance will be
brought here.
In Louisiana they captured some prisoners
and a number of teams loaded with ammuni-
sion Over 1000, 600 rounds of ammunition
were brought back TO Natchez with the teams
captured, and 2Gs 600 rounds, besides artilIe-
ry ammunition, were destroyed.
(Signed) u. S. GRANT, Maj Gen. Com.
Memphis, July 2O.-By an arrival from be-
/ low we have Natchez dates of the 10Th,
Jackson Of the l5.h and Vicksburg of the
Sth inst.
Gen. Sherman ordered charge on John
ston's forces on Friday, but they had so far
escaped that capturing them was out Of the
/ question. We only got few stragglers, a
few guns and some ammunition.
A portion Of Gen. Sherman army is now
in Jackson, which is his headquarters, while
the remainder are on their way back to Vicks-
burg.
Eight steamers left Vicksburg on the 9th
inst for Natchez, bearing on board 1900 sol
diers under the command Of Gen. Ransom.
/ On his arrival he captured five rebel officers,
aud crossing the river he captured battery
Of nine guns, four Of which we're ten pound
/ porrots.
Gen. Ransom then marched back into the
country, nine miles, and captured 247 boxes
of ammunition and nine more guns. The
rebels fed in CONSERVATION.
On returning to Natchez he found five
thousand hogshoads Of sugar, all Of which he
took possession Of in the name Of the United
States.
On the 8th inst, two steamers arrived FROM
New Orleans via Port Hudson, bringing up
23O0 parolod rebel prisoners.
Two steamers left on the Sth for New Or
leans with large loads Of cattle, and three
more for Nlcksburg, with live stock.
MEMPHrs, July 81.
Via Cairo July 23.
Gen. Hurlbut's scouts arrived to-day from
Okolona, Miss. They report Johnston at
Brandon, and Gen. Sherman in possession Of
Jackson. The rebel Gems. Chalmers, Saun-
ders and Ferguson's forces are at Tupela.-
Ruggles is concentrating his forces with tho
intention, probably, Of making dash on our
lines Johnston's army is estimated at not
exceeding 80, 900. Great CONSERVATION exists
throughout the Southern country. The re-
ports of our successes at Natchez, lazoo City
and Jackson are fully confirmed. Large a
mounts OF munitions of war have fallen into
our hands, with these places
WAsHINeroN, July 25
The following was received at the Navy
Department this morning
FLAG sHP BLACK HAWK,
Of Nieksburs, July rs
sir--I have the honor inform you that the eXped
ton sent into the Red river region proved very sue
Ascending the Black and the Tensas rivers running
PARALLEL with the Mississippi Lieut.. Commander Sci
fridge made the head " navigation Of Lake IensRs and
Bayou Macon thirty miles above Vioksbufg and within
five six miles Of the Mississippi river The enemy
taken completely by surprise not expecting such
. a force in suca qlartcr The rebels that have ascend
ed to that region will be obliged to move further back
from the river, il not go away altogether Lieut. Com
nandef neliTuet ufileQ MS iuftta On nhnlNH Auhl wv
transports which had been carrying stores TO walker
army had escaped up some Of the narrow streams. H.
he darrtoA aud Rainer up the Little Led river
small tributary Of the Black and the Forrest Rose an'
and Petrol Up th5 Iensas. lho night was dark aud
rained very hard.
The Marion aud Rather succeeded IN capturing th'
Rebel steamer Louisye Que of the largest and per
haps the best steamer the Western waters, w me
rensas on one of It's tributaries the Forest Rose ani
Pere captured the kmrR, loaded with stores
sugar, and rum, TOT the rebel army Finding that ih
steamers which conveyed Gen. Walkers army had re-
turned up the Washita, the expedition started mp tha
river and suddenly upon two rebel steamers bu
the rebels set. hom fire and they we're Consumed n
rapidly that thtir names could not be ascertained Ou
stoanrr loaded with ammunition Escaped above me for
al Hausonburg, which is very strong work aud unas
. sailahle with wooden guubGats II is on an elevator
one hundred feat high which elevation covers what wa
Ter batteries Of navy guns thee are.
G Lieut. Scrdge was fortunate enough, however,
20 hear of large quantity of ammunition that had lale
bern landed from Natchea, and deposited at OF near In
ity ucay due of Nschrz and from whence stores
provisions, cattle, guns and ammunition are transported
lie captured fifteen thousand rounds snooth-bpre am
, munitOn ten thousand rounds Of knheld rifle and tw
~ hundred and twenty four round, OF field ammunition 10
n guns. a HAed thiry-two pound Parrot gun carriage
hfy-two hogsheads Of sugar ten puncheuns Of rum
nine barrels Of and hy barrels Of salt, all belong
a ing to the rebel government.
d At the time they heard " large amount O
ammunition that had started from Natehee for Trinity
- and was lying ia wagons on the road half way
II lie dispatched a boat around inform OF ~ bu
- Gen, Ransom, who had landed a few days before a
Nachez healng n il also sent detachment of caya
~ and captured the whole. Thus Walkcrs army is lei
+ shout ammunition. Tho Ohitefb Hnl neu have show