Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-01-22
The Situation at Vicksburg-The Attack
The Repulse and Withdrawal.
Special dispatch to the Chicago
YAzoo RIVER, Dec. 81, (via Cairo. J

lace or the bluH from three miles below
Vicksburg to Drumgool's Bluff on the
1az)o River, nine miles northeast of
Vicksburg. They are very formidable
throughout. Rifle pits at the base of the
bluff, and single gun batteries are scatter
ep along the face. There are also field
works for light artillery, or to mount
heavy guns, in an emergency, on the top.
The rebel forces are 10000 to %, OOo, com
manded by Gen. Lee.
Our army obtained positions and on
Sunday attacked ali the lines. Ca Mon
day general engagement followed, arc
heavy fighting took place at several points
along the line.
Gen Morgan L. Smith, of st. Louis, was
wounded, leading charge, by a musket
shot in the thigh, but not severely, and is
doing well.
Col. Wyman, 18th Illinois, was shot in
the breast while leading his regiment, in
Steele's division, into action. He was
killed instantly.
A splendid charge was made by Frank
Blair's brigade, Blair leading in person.
He had two horses shot under him. but
tearlessly led his men on foot and carried
the rife pits at the foot of the bluff
works. DeCourcy and Dove. of Stewards
brigade, supporting. got into some contus-
ion and did not come up in time, and
Blair was compelled to retire.
Col. Lavender, of the goth Missouri had
bis horse shot under him. Col. Fletcher,
2lst Missouri, was wounded and left on
the field. Col. Diesler, 5Sth Ohio, was
killed. Stewards brigade suffered badly,
but behaved nobly. The 9th and Sth
Missouri, supported by the 18th Regulars,
fought whole division of rebels, and
repulsed them with great slaughter.
The following are among the casualties :
Lieut.. Col. Kitchener, 22d Kentucky,
killed; Lieut.. Col. Simpson, 5Sth Indiana,
killed; Maj. Jameschey, 32d Missouri,
wounded; Col. williamson, 4th Iowa,
wounded Gen. Morgan L. Smith, com
maEding division, flesh wound in thigh on
Saturday, but is doing we'll.
Our losses are reported. officially, at
$50 killed, wounded and missing.
The battle Was wholly barren of re.
suits, and both forces occupied the same
position at the close as at the commence
ment.
There was a heavy rain on Monday
night; an inch and a halt of water fell,
and covered the ground, preventing fur
Their movements.
Everything was quiet yesterday. De-
serters say the rebels are evacuating.-
The expedition did not get through to
destroy the railroad. Trains are running
constantly night and day; their whistles
were heard plainly in our lines. Our
right is in plain view of Vicksburg and
can hear the town clock strike the hour.
Nothing has yet been heard of Banks and
Farragut, but they are expected hourly.
No demonstration has yet been made on
the front OF Vicksburg No fighting of
consequence has taken place since Monday.
The dead were buried under flag of
truce. On Wednesday many wounded
were found on the field. Our total loss in
the Yazoo movement is 600 killed, LOO
to 1900 wounded, and 800 prisoners.
The enemy's loss is much less, owing to
the protection of rifle pits aud other reb-
Ell works.
Pemberton and Price, with the bulk of
the rebel army in front of Grant, arrived
at Vicksburg; also reinforoements from
the east The rebel strength is reported
at 600. One hundred and sixty guns
are mounted in battery, and an immense
quantity of field artillery is in position.
There are seven miles OF rifle pits st the
foot of the bluff, besides a semi-circular
range of works enclosing Vlcksburg, two
miles back OF the city.
Gel. Sherman ordered retreat on New
Years night. The movement commenced
on Friday morning, and our forces were
all safely embarked before they were dis
coverd.
The rebels made dash at one brigade
of MOrgan's division, loaded on transports
lying at the bank. near Chickasaw bayou.
The gunboats Marmora, Lexington, rams
Switzerland and Monarch, and the Chca-
go Mercantile Battery opened fire AID re-
pulsed the assailants. No one was hurt
on our side. The enemy were badly
slaughtered before they could get away.
1t is supposed they mistook our gunboats
for transports and thought no gunboats
near.
The feet dropped out of the river before
dark on Friday, and moved up to Mill
ken's Bend, and is now moored to the
louisiana shore. The naval squadron is
anchored at the mouth of tie Yazoo. The
4azoo river is wholly evacuated, and
abandoned to the enemy
Gen. McClernand arrived on Tuesday
night, and assumed command on Friday
night. He will soon determine plan of
operations. Gen. Sherman divides the
army with him, each taking a corps, Nc
Clernand having command b7 seniority.
Lieut.. Commanding Gwin, late of the
gunboat Benton, died this afternoon from
wounds received in the engagement with
the rebel batteries On the 27th.ult. His
remains will be sent North.
Continuous and very heavy rain lasted
thirty-six hours; six inches of water have
fallen on a level; there was severe thunder
and lightning. The mississippi is rising
rapidly.
-- Second Dispatch.]
Napoleon, Ark, Jan. 6.-The great ex.
petition to open the Mississippi has come
to nought. The siege of Vicksburg has
been abandoned, at least for the present,
and the entire army is moving up the riv-
er. We left the mouth of the Yozoo Wed
nesday morning. Owing to a lack of coal
the transports were compelled to tow the
gunboats, and the whole feet moves slow
ly. The Benton was left to guard the
mouth of the Yazoo. -- s
The withdrawal from Vicksburg was
decided on because of the improbability
of receiving reinforcements at present,
and the impessibility of doing anything
with the present force. The advance of
the expedition has already reached This
point. y=zzz-aD = ega.z -sgG
Arkansas and White rivers are both full
to the banks. Reports are current here
that the rebel ram Ponchartrain, building