The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-06-23
correspondence Of the Clnoisuau Gazette.
The Siege OF vIeksburg.
CHIoKAsAw BAYOU,
REAR OF VIpKsBURG, MIss.,}
June l4th, z, M.

June l4thI L, M.
The soldiers and chieftains of this ar
my are as confident of success as the
disloyal are eager for defeat. To you
the fear Of defeat hinges upon Johnston
in our rear-we have no such fear, and
from sundry reasons. After riding from
this place to Warrenton, a distance of
some fifteen miles; after seeing the en-
tire army and conversing with several
officers of note, | return to this place with
confidence doubly assured in the ability
of our army to sustain itself and to cap
ture the garrison of Vicksburg. The
ability, the provision, the ammunition,
the temper of the besieged, are all known
TO our Generals.
A few nights ago, ten persons attempt
ed to enter the city with articles much
needed by the compdtriotS-all were
captured. So perfect is the picket that
nothing can enter. Yesterday a rebel in
the uniform Of Federal Lieutenant, at
tempted to pass our line into the city.
He was arrested and important dis
patches found on him from Johnston and
Breckenridge. The penalty may be
severe should be.
CONDITION OF THE BEsIEdED
We get accounts daily of the interior
of the city. The ration is now quarter
of round of bacon and nine ounce of
meal. Large numbers are sick, and must
necessarily be 80 from want of medicines,
and the exposure of men in the trenches,
and the women and children in the caves.
DEsERTERs.
Deserters come in mighty. Tennes-
scans are tired, and, like those from Mis-
sissippi and Louisiana, deem their States
lost TO the Oonfederacy. They say,
what we all might expect from SO selfish
a combination, their States subiugated,
they will not fight for the others. Many
from Louisiana have come over and gone
home. All occur in the fact that they
are unable TO hold out much longer, that
they are short of all things needful.
Minnie balls from our sharpshootcrs do
most execution. AT night the slain 81
the day are laid in their last resting
place. They who had only blessings to
be grateful for two years ago, now suffer
all the ills and curses of froward and
proud rebellious people. The first can
non, believe, was fred from Vicksburg
in this rebellion. How feaFfully is she
reaping where she has sown, and gather
ing sorrow where she has stTown treason.
The rebel troops have not been reliev-
ed in the trenches since the siege until
the 10th OF this month. A great many
have died Of diaIThoea and other diseases
superinduced by insufficient food. They
have to keep a guard 10 prevent deseF
| uOn. The citizens are unanimous for q
surrender, also most Of the soldiers, but
officers cling to the hope that Johnston
will assist them.
WHY HE CANNOT DO 80.
If he had a hundred thousand men il
would be impossible to assist Vicksburg
from the rear. The more men he could
bring the better for US. Ii0ish our people
10 Understand his. The country is for fifty
miles, all beyond the YaEOO and Big
Black, desolate. Our troops have burned
all the corn and pork, all mills, and al
that could contribute TO the support Of
troops.
The topography Of the country is the
most favorable 10 defense Of any upon
earth. II is q succession Of hills and
! gullies, and there are only three roadf
by which an enemy could advance
these are commanded by hills that could
be defended by a small force against ten
times their number, General Grant has
no more fear of them, has no more doubt
Of success, than your readers have Of th,
approach Of autumn and its golden fruits
Suppose Johnston sh ould Gomez II,
cannot make more than I've miles pei
day. lie cannot carry more than five
days Talions. Where would that carry
himI lie knows that, and his only hope
is Ia a force from Louisiana aud Texas
How could they cross the Mississippi
II Is futile TO fear, foolish to dread AL
\ 4 IL.