Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-06-25

From the Mobile Register and AdVertlser lin lhst
Lat, Important and EsIsbIe Intelligence from she
Trans-Hlissssappi De pas tm.nt, Vicksburg and Fort
Hudson.
We have at last direct and positive intelligence from
beyond the Mississippi which clears up all the doubts
myths and which have been vexng Us Tor some
weeks past.
We gather our information from an intelligent gen.
teman, Just from the headquarters of General Kirby
Smith who crossed the Mississippi river at Natchez
last Friday The first important fact we learn is that
Gen. Smith is fully posted to the situation at Flcks
burg and Port Hudson, and is directing the forces OF
his depar tment with view to second General John
ston on this side the in the work of raising those
two cities Gen. Smiths headquarters were at ShreVe
port from which point he has easy water comnunlca-
ton with the Mississippi, to point Vicks5urg,
by the Rcd Black and Tensas river. His troops are
already the posts selected for them in carrying out
General Smiths great plan which is to cut Gil General
Grants supplies TO this end General Walkers dvl-
sion Of General Dick Taylo, s army, already at
YouDgs Point with 1000 men, and the artillery neces-
sary to command the river as to transports and oner
wooden vessels
Three thousand men, under Brig. General Green,
the peninsula opposite to Port Hudson, snd IN
a position with the aid of General Gard11rs batteries,
20 completely close the river to the ene1nys boats
Marmaduke CT Gen. Prices army, was near Helena,
and Gen. Price, with II 600 men was on the march
for that point his object being the same, to command
the river aud cut eff Grants supplies. The great TALL
in the Mississippi, % feet below high water mark, al
forded great facilities for these operations. fhe mar
rowness of the stream forced passing vessels 10 come
within easy range OF the shore batteries while the RI
yer had sunk SO lOw that the attacking parties could
not be reached by the enemys g1nboate.
The garrisons of Port Hudson and Vicksburg are
both well provided and in fine spirits each uneasy
about tie fate of the other, but entirely confident III
their own situation. They have abundant supplies.
News ias hsen received from Nlckshurg up TO Sa'
turGay night Grants army is undoubtedly suffering
from want OF water. and suffering still more from be-
ing obliged to drink the waters Of the Big Black,
which IS very unWho!e3Om".
AS our Informant says, JOhn5'oa is in no hurry to
move for this among ether reasons that be does not
like interfere with the action OF the waters. He Is
in regular communication wit the west OF the NJ ISIS
sppi, and al working to common end-the star
walton Of tic enemy tie raising OF the seige, ard tie
capture Of many possible when lie begins to move
of
louisiana has been abandoned by the enemy, and
there are no Yankee troops except about DonadoVlile
Gen. Monitor with 1000 men at Fran kIn ST Mary
parish La their retreat the Yankees carried eff mules
and destroyed many wagons But most OF the regroes
have be recapturcd AID sent back 10 lh-r owners.
+ 4 river is free Of Yankee vessels. Communica-
tion between tie east ard w,s banks of the Mississippi
uninterrupted. The cnemys punSoats Fowtrcss to
prevent it. Ten thousand head ct cattle their
way to this side, aid have probably passed by this
time.
The Crescent regiment and the Is h La both Of
which formerly stationed Mobile at Bayou
LGm0uIie, 10 miles below Alexandria.
Gen Magru1or has lis eyls fixed upon NiclsbuTg
aud is COOPERATING with his fellow so.tiors nearer tht
scene Cf action
TIE foregoing Hc's uey be rciild for their genera
accuracy md 1hsy put pcw face o0 the great cam
palgn III tht VIiey.
Ptmhcrton and Gardner slut up in their stroneholds
with plenty 10 sat ard drink, and AM pie powder anC
bail ior Tx @TtaInment of The enemy-cey and laugh
at the ho~:s wlc arc scowrg and digging outside O.
their works. Wall! Grant SITS down q1iey-that s
as qpie1'y as Big Black water ard the sun and mus
quetoes will pcrmit--to stagve cut Pember;on Kirby
Smith Price ard Tayl0r arranging little details tc
starye him cut md comIe! him 10 abandon his IN
healthy locality.
Onca again, orr climate CONES to OR all The riv
ers have fallen with unwoned rapdty, and The enemy
vessels led sandbanks beauty spots the
picturesque OF the great river Ii Grant is for
ced to retire many OF the vessels Of the Yankee fleet
between Vi issburg and Port Hudson must be lost
When scarcity bad water, malaria and demoralz alter
have done their work upon GraGts hosts, JohLstonE
opportunity will have arrived, and we nave strong
hopes that combined attack between him and PEN
bertCn will sult in reazing Of these pulverizDg'
military o era tioHs Ct which read much North
ern papsrs.
We tbinE the "situation' greatly relieved, aud WI
certainly "hreahe ifer" ~We can low afford to avail
events with becoming patience.
G,,r cspoDdeEce of tie Savannah Republican.