Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-06-02
CArRo H.. Nav 25. 1863

CAIRO ILL.,, May 70, 1908.
Hon Gideon Welies, Secretary Of Mary:
The following dispatch has just been received
from A. NJ. Pennocs, Fleet Captain OF the Miss.
issppi squadron:
FLAG SHIP BLACK HAWK,
IIaines' Bluff Yazoo river, May Is, 1863 (
Hon Gideon IPtlies, Sec. Of Navy:
On the morning Of tho 18th came over to
the Yazoo to be ready to co operate with Gen.
Grant, leaving two or three lrcu-clsds at Red
river, one at Grand gulf, one at Carthage, three
at Warrenton, and two in the Yazeo river, left
me small force, still disposed Of them to the
best advantage.
On the 18th, at meridian, firing was heard in
the rear of Vcksburg, which assured me that
Gen. GIANT was approaching the city. The
cannonading was kept up furiously Tor some
time, when by the aid Of glasses discovered
company OF our artillery advancing, taking po-
stion and driving the rebels before them.
Immediately saw that Gen. Shcrman's division
had come INTO tho left Of Snyder's Bluff. and
that the rebels at that place had been cut of
from joining the forces in the city.
dispatched the De Kalb, Lieut. Com. Walk
or, the Choctaw, Lieut.. Com Ramsay, Romeo,
Petrol and Forest Rose, oil under command Of
Lieut. Com. Breeze, up the Yazoo to open COM
munication in that way with Geneials Grant
and Sherman. This succeeded in doing, and
in three hours received letters from Gems Grant,
Sherman and Steele, informing me Of this vast
success and asking mo to send up provisions,
which was at once done.
In the meantime Lieut. Com Walker in the
Dc Kalb pushed on to Haines' Bluff, which the
enemy had commenced evacuating the day be.
fore, and party remained behind in the hopes
of destroying or taking away large amount Of
ammunition on hand. When they saw the gun
boats they ran out and left everything in good
order, guns, fort, tents and equipage Of oil kinds
which fell into our hands.
As soon AS the capture Of Haines' bluff and
the fourteen forts were reported to me, showed
up the gunboats iron below vicksburg TO FIRE at
the hill batteries, which was kept up for TVS
or three hours At midnight they moved up to
the town and opened on il for about an hour
and continued at intervals during the night ia
annoy the garrison
On the 10Th, | placed six mortars 10 position
with orders to Ere night and day as rapidly N
they could.
The worksat Hanes' Bluff are very formidable
There are IA Of the heaviest kind Of mounted
eigh, and ,en-iuch and l2 inch rifle guns will
ammunition enough to last long siege.
As the gun carriages might again fall into tn
hand, Of the enemy, had them burnt, blew ul
the magazine and destroyed the works generally
| also burnt up the encampments, which were pei
manenty and remarkably we'll constructed, look
ing as lfthe rebels intended to stay for some tim,
These works and encampments covered man
acres Of ground, and the Notifications and the z
ne.pits proper Of Hanes' Bluff extended abou.
mile and quarter, such a network Of dsfenses
never saw. The rebels we're year constructin
them, and all were rendered useless 10 an hoJI
Az soon as got through with the destrue,io
Of the magazines and other works started Lieut.
Com. Walker up the Yazoo river with sufiicien
force to destroy all the cnemys property 10 thu
direction, with orders to return with all dispa,el
and only to proceed as far as Yaroo City, wher
the rebels have navy yard and storehousea
In the meantime Gen. Grant has closely inve'
ted vicksburg, and has possession Of the best con
, manding points. In a very short time gener'
assault will take place, when hope TO announc
! that vicksburg has fallen after q series Of u
most bl ant successes that ever attended an arm
There has never been case during the vi
where the rebels have been 90 successfully beats
at all points, and the patience and endurance sho~
by our army and navy for so many months,
, , about being rewarded. Il Il mere question Of
few hours, and then, with the exception Of Po