Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-06-19
FROM I1CKSBURG.
The folIowlng is a special dispatch



There has been no very considerable change
in the situation for several days past. The
siege is regularly progressing Our forces
take new positions from day to day only to 6nd
equal difficulties presenting themselves from
other quarters. We are mounting aud ad-
Jusung new large siege guns as fast as possi-
bic. There are many indications that the
rebels are in want Of food and ammunition
All deserters coming into our lines tell the
same story OF suffering and des.itutlon in
Nicksburg
The women and children are compelled TO
stay in caves 10 avoid slaughter by shells,
and OF these in the avcs some have been
killed, circumstance Of great horror. Gen.
Johnston was at Canton at last adyices.
There has been some trouble on the river from
Lake Providence, down to within sight Of
Nicksburg. The rebels have approached aud
threatened opr ront at Milliken's Bend, yes
iorday they drove our forces to the banks
here they were saved by the gunboats.
There was considerable dghting for two days
The loss on both sides being considerable.
Two or more colored regiments constituted
nearly the whoIe union forces. Our loss 10
killed aud wounded amount to 1000 or 5000.
At Young's Point yesterday within sight
OF Nicksburg, on the Louisiana shore, the
rebels appeared in considerable force to the
number Of 500 probably. We nave nothing
90 oppose them but some 800 conuaband sol
Iiers who were hurrediy drawn into line.
The rebels were drawn into line, but being
promptly confronted by larger force than
tuey expected they retreated TO the woods.
mere was some firing between picket' late in
the evening, but nothing like au engagement
or even skirmlsh.
The following has been received by mail
from Washington the 10th:
Two dispatches were received tonight from
Mai Gen. Grant, addressed 60 different gem
tIemen in high official positions. The dis
patches are dated Monday the Sth inst. An
important fact is derived from them, viz:
Tuat Gen Grant was in communication
with Gen. Banks as late as tue 4th at which
time Port Hudson was closely invested -
Grant reports Gen. Johnston ls couceutrat-
ing troops with which TO operate against him
and mentions a report that three divisions
are moving from Gen Bragg to reinforce
Johnson, Gen. Breckenridge Il known to have
Joined him Vicksburg is still closely invest
ed and the siege progressing layorabIy.
The dispatches are represented to be such
as tus show that Grant neither fears the enc
my in his front nor rear. He will protect
hi, line at all hazards. 1t is presumed that
be did not know at the date of his dispatch
whether OK not he was to be reinforced
This information inspires hope and conf
dence in the final success OF the siege.
A special Memphis dispatch dated the Sth,
says the Steamer Lumtnary from Young 5
Point at o'clock on FRIDAY evening brings
the following Gen. Klmbail with 3 600 men
vas sent up the Yazoo River to sarpla, 50
miles below lazoo City.
lie arrived there on the 4th and learned
THAT rebel force under Gen. Writ Adams,
Was not ar of and Immediately marched to
meet him. At 10 o'clock on the morning OF
Thur,day, he came up with the pickets OF
the enemy
A brisk fight ensued which lasted 80 min
utes, when the enemy gave way and total
rout ensued. Our loss was one killed and / Z
wounded We ecaptured 100 prisoners The
enemys loss in killed and wounded was con-
siderable The rebels were 2000 strong
There was no charge before the enemy $
works at Wick burg Gen Johnston is still
reported to be ON the Big Black river, endeay-
orng 70 cross below the bridge with an army
of 10000 men. Gen Osterhaus was watch
inp his movements with sufficient force to
chcckmate any demonstrations he may make.
A run.or was in circulation that Pemberton
had requested Gen. Grant TO permit women
and children to pass through his lines. Over
500 head of cattle aud mules had been turned
loose on account Of the scarcity of forage.
Steamer ST. Cloud from Vlcksburg, Mon
DAY noon, has arrived,
There was heavy cennonading up the Hazoo
when the boat left. Officers by this arrival
say 1t is believed in the camps that battle IN
our rear Is highly probable. No one believes
however that Johnston is able to raise the
siege. The fight at Mlliken's Bend on Sat
urday, was Of more Importance than first re-
ported The rebels were 1900 strong under
Henry McCullock Our force was less than
1000, over COO Of whom were negroes The
rebels at first drove our forces nearly sur
rounding them.
The lighting was conducted with energy
and desperation by our forces, and the rebels
held at bay until gunboat came to our assist
ance witnesses report our loss in killed
at 1874 100 of whom we're negroes The
wounded were about the same number. The
list Of the rebels is very large Ia consequence
Of many Of the wounded being killed, under
the mo quarter" cry. The rebels left over
100 dead on the field and took away several
wagon loads of wounded. The negroes, It Is
reported, fought better than their white OH
GERS. many OF whom, it is said were killed.
About the time the battle was over, column
of rebels made their appearance at Dung
Point. AL the citizens aud transient persons
had been put under arms. No attack had
been made when our informant lcit.
The steamer Fort Wayne from Young !
Point brings no later dates from Vlcksburg
than the 9Th inst. No guerrias we're seen
on the way up.
The fight at Millikens Bend on sunday
was very sanguine affair and the loss Is much
larger than was at first ported The rebels
under McCul.oeh $500 strong advanced upol
the federal forces, comprlalng three negro
regiments and the 23d Iowa.
The rebels made desperate charge at day
light The negroe, broke 10 confusion but find
ng that theit captured comrades were being
3, slaughtered by the rebels, rallied With great
desperation and drove the rebels back -
The loss was heavy on both sides. Guer-
rillas destroyed portions of the railroad track
near Germantown last night. The damage
will soon be repaired.
JoHNsON's LANDING, June 3,