The New York herald., 1863-05-25
THE SITUATION.

Two important events in the news received
RAID in the afternoon, created considerable ex-
citement throughout the city. The first was the
capture OF Vicksburg by the army of General
Grant, the other was the raising Of the seige
OF Pucbla by the French invading army in
Mexico. The interest which the first piece
OF intelligence excites, pregnant as it is with
hopes of grand successes over the power of the
enemy in the Southwest is hardly excelled by the
news from Mexico, which predicts failure in the
designs of the French Emperor upon the Ameri-
continent. The French accounts state that
the siege OF Pucbla was raised temporarily in the
absence of heavy guns and reinforcements. Other
statements. however, from Mexican and English
sources, represent q severe defeat and retreat Of
the invaders towards Orizaba.
The capture of vicksburg, however, claims the
first position in importance. After brilliant and
successful campaign of three weeks, Gen. Grant
has taken possession OF vicksburg and planted the
old flag there. The outer works and rife pits hav-
ing been taken, as we announced yesterday, the
fall Of the city was inevitable. It is said that
Admiral Porter co-operated with General Grant in
che siege, his feet cannonading the city and its
works. still in the hands of the rebels, by night
while Grants army assailed 1t by day. thus giving
the rebels within the town and intrenchments not
moments relaxation from the perils of their stu
alton. The garrison consisted of from fifteen to
twenty thousand men, and are probably captured.
The official accounts Of the battles which preceded
the fall Ct vcksburg at Bakers Creek and Big
Black river bridge given in our columns TO-.
day, together with map of vioksburg and its
surroundings.
Information has also been received officially that
Admiral Farragut's feet was actively bombardng
Port Hudson.
The greatest enthusiasm was manifested in
Washington last night upon the receipt Of the
news from vicksburg. The victory Of General
Grant was looked upon as placing Missouri, Ar
kansas and Texas at the mercy Of the Union
forces shutting out the rebel armies from their
most of which were received through Texas, giving
Co the United States the control of more than
million bales Of cotton and large quantities Of
other productions, securing TO the great North.
west the navigation Of the Mississippi river, and
opening avenues for the advance Of the Union
armies into the very heart OF rebeldom. The
federal repossession of vicksburg was in fact re.
garded as of more value than the capture Of
Richmond.
A despatch from Cairo late last night says that
General sherman had taken Hanes' Bluff and tho
Chickasaw Bun, capturing one hundred guns and
eight thousand prisoners.
Admiral Porter sends an official report to the
Navy Department, which we give In another col.
umn, of the capture Of Alexandria by the Missis.
sipp squadron.
The only news from General Hooker's army ID
that the enemy are busy in digging on the bank
opposite where the lower bridges were thrown
over previous 10 the late crossing, and that their
pickets have been streng gthened on the river.
z15CELLANEoUs NEWS
The news frou Havana. by the steamer Roanoke
il highly interesting. The accounts OF French dis
astcrs before Puebla are all but fully confr0ed
That great struggle has been in progress at thi
great Mexican city there Is no doubt; but the new
had not reached Havana In a sufficiently substan
tal form to justify correspondent In coming 4
definite conclusion. Our other dates by tele
graph from San Francisco, published yesterday
are 10 the LIST OF Nav and by these II will be seej
that the tide Of war was obstinately setting agains
the French.
py the steamer North Star which arrived yes
to-day afternoon, we have interesting news iron
Central America. The details will be found In th
letters Of our correspondents, published to-day.
From Venezuela we learn that conference too
place on the 23d Of April between the foreig
ministers and the leader Of The fcdcrdcion Guy
maA Bianco II was resolved that truce shOul
q, r'vsn TO hostltics for the formation Of ne,
o. rnmcrt that shoald satisfy the public gene
rHy. ho cessation of enc Dictatorship aud tn
ena.ion OF General raoz, and Of Rolas his Sc,
lDary.
special despatch TO the Merchants Evchane
p.e Street. dated S. Johns, Newfoundland. Ma
announces the arrival az that port Of CAPITA
re ana crew. Of The British ship Hmalay
nu liverpool March on, log Montreal. which vc
lI atJ been totally lost 10 tho lce pa enc i2,
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