Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1863-01-09

peditlon had gone up the YazcO river At
Dunning Bluff, 20 miles above the mouth.
rebel battery was discovered. A severe can
nOnade followed, during which the eunboat
Benton was struck sixteen times, the shot
penetrating Gen. Sherman's force will de-
bark up the Yazoo and march to near Yieks-
burg.
When Island No. 10 was evacuated lately.
slxty-nine eanncns were spiked and 10000
rounds OF ammunition thrown into the river.
JEFF. Davis addressed the Mississippi leeis-
lature at jackson, on the 26th uIt.
Considerable excitement was created in
Norfolk, New Years day, by a negro celebra-
ton. The cOntrabands collected together with
their marshals formed procession Of at least
four thousand negroes, Ofall kinds and e0lors
hcaded BY a band Of music, drums and ffal
and IaTadcd through the principal streets Of
the city. They carried several Union fai-s.
and cheered loudly for the downfall Of Al
can slavery. 1t was understood that ,b.v
were celebrating the birthday Of the emanci-
patton proclamation.
Adyices from New Orleans state thst Gen.
Banks had removed the restrictions upon tho
holding OF church services, giving notice.
however, Herewith, that elergymen arr sub-
iect q the restrictions imposed on al other
men. Quite q number Of political prisoDers
had been ordered released on giving their "a
role to commit NJ acts of hostility 70 The
United States
Dispatches from Gen. Sherman, on tLs
battlefield at Eicksburg. received at Helena.
Ark, Saturday, Dee. 9th. give the follow
ing intelligence
Cen. sherman delarked bis forces On the
left bank Of the Yazoo river, 10 miles above.
it, mouth, and flrmi. in line Of battle sd
vanced towards Vicksburg. After passing be-
yond thercach oflhe lre0fthe rebel eunb1ats.
Cen. sherman encountered theene1ny i, force
\ terrible conflict cnsued, lasting5 hours.
The cnomy vas driven back beyond two bay
Gus that grit the rear Of Ficksburg, and from
their entrenched works On hill, BY shells.
On SATURDAY night, the two armies lay On
their arms, with the two bayous intervening.
During the night, p0ntJons were constructed
notwithstanding the terrific Grc Of the rebels
Under cover Of TIE undcrgrowth at DAYLIGHT
on saturday, concerted advance was made
BY Gen. Shcrnan's whole force ten Steele
Ecid tLc leit, Gen. Morgan and Gen Blair the
centre, and Gen. 4. L. Smith, and Gen. NJ.
l.. Smith, the right Cen Steele turned the
enemy right 50 as 10 communicate with Gen
M1rgan's division, which had become sopart-
el BY ,wamp- running at right anrles t6 The
main front
BY sunrise the whole force was ENGAGED.
and up to 10 O'Clock. the mrske.rv and az III.
lcry firing was very ssyere. The rebels in
front Of Gen. Morgan and Gen. Smiths di-
visions were entrenchcd on rising ground
This position was finally carried by Storm
The eunbJats did not e2-oDsrste. Int the,
Benton engaged the rebel fortifr.,ti.,,,s at Uar-
ucs's Bluff. Duripr the action severaI of The
Bent5n's crew were killed and Cent Cv-,nne
her commander. WAS mortaIlv y.o,inJoJ
In S.tgrlav's frbt. the ssh Ohio. 9.b Mis-
souri. and p Kentucky. sustained cens;1er-
able loss.
Cen. Banks and Admiral Farrargt we're
expected to cl-orer.ttc in the movement. but
hadnot arrived ct tie scene Of conflict.
Further details Of tie battle Of Murrrees-
L,ro are as follows.
On Wednesday, W. lost u guns from two
divisions and had y wagons Of hospital stores
destroyed. Our army was driven back four
miles. In the morning, the whole army
went through heavy skirmishing on tho march
with the loss of 100 men. We had taken GOO
prisoners and q battery.
The enemy attacked us at daylight, belieg-
inc Us % h. terribly crippled Onr right
wing was hard pressed and fearfuUy cut IN
Tie Pennsylvania tr1ors all fought splendid-
w. Ncglev 5 and Rlsecrans' divisions drove
thr enemy at every point before them.
The euclnv at one time completely Aankei
our right, " hich was reinforced and rea-aincd
it, position We gained no great advantage
until afternoon. The fight lasted until 10
O'Clock NJ night
i was renewed ut 3 O'Clock Thursday
morning, as an amusement for New Years
day. Several batteries were recapturcd by
our regulars. A panic reignei at one time,
owing % demonstration made in our rear by
the enemy.
=, -, -, -, go - - -
TrrrsJ,,. pi,,bt o. Pos,c-,,rs I'D
R,,t+vSt,;a-de ocr1ss ct1n,,. - ~, on
I.rt vbi.L 1,s or,-,To,,Iisbcd I'm Fr;Js,
o,4a-,o,, tbe r.b.Is ,adJ. a t-.r,c,,Jo,,s -
r,c, an ,,'. ,.o,,te- b,,, ,ys-,. Jo,J-oT,oI, "a
Ill A. ~ -. -. - ,t,, ~ =,
- - g Paat.1,s -,
"a. -, N,,l's "a r., -, -,
-. +b.ira;J ,,ost -
Ell and MI TN, artiIl'rv If Lctb sr7S;'s ,vs.
br,,,,,bt =, baar Our r,o,, s,,lF,rcI ter-;bIv
b,,+ ,5rliDcbiD,,Iv At I,st MI, ,rgIo-cJ, :,
cborge when tbc rcbeIs g,,vc ,,9v Tbc 7gth
p, eborccd bo,n,. o, The 2Gtb Tcprs.sce e-ay,-
t,,ripo, its c,lors Anotber rc,,;,ocrt cbarc,di
and seized a whole rebel batterv rrsnd
shout of yict,rv arose aIony the whole linz
when Gen Roseer,,r. advanced bisy,LoIe line
tle neg 'lanilsisd on the east oank OF me
iHcI ''e oci'I5 i'iui,is 'ne enemy 'ofihe1
p1sili'h' anu anu Ii'o IiStt hoid'nS Us oriSinAi
P'sI.i'h Il, oI " ,il''7'1Ay y ..
90, lhere "as nca'y c''hhohaaihs saturday IN
u! n"'n' "Hoh .iic tI"eis AIIiSAed our ieie
wing ana were terIioiy repniSed: Our iofces
do H't YET occupy Nurireesooro me rebels
are pelnS strongly f''-inioIeed from 'he Fen1
The loss IN this battle on both sides can
only be described as absolutely TREMENDOUS
Gen. Negiey fought his division all day
thursday splendidiy' and lost very heavily
Oen. Rousseau mnOrtallzed himself long be-