Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1863-05-29

before, and party remained behind IN the hopes
OF destroying or taking away large amount Of
ammunition on hand. When they saw the gum
boats they came out and left every thing in good
order--guns, fort tents and equipege Of all
kinds-which fell into our hands. As soon ns
the capture Of Haines Bluff and fourteen guns
was reported TO me, showed up the gunboats
from below Vicksburg to FIRE AZ the hill batter
les, which iire was kept up for two or three
hours. Al midnight they moved up 10 the
town and opened on il for about an hour and
continued at intervals during the night to annoy
the garrison. On the 18th placed six mortars
in position, with orders to FIRE night and day as
rapidly as they could.
The works at Haines Bluffs are very formida.
BILE, There are fourteen Of the heaviest kind oi
mounted eight and ten inch and seven and one
halfinch rifed cannon, with ammunition enough
TO last long siege.
As the gun carriages might again fall into the
hands OF the enemy l had them burnt, blew
up the magazine, and destroyed the encamp.
Inents which were permantly and remarkably
well constructed, looking as If the rebels intend
ed to say for some time.
The works and encampments covered nearly
an acre Of ground, and the Notifications and rifle
| pits proper Of Haines Bluffs extended about
a mile and a quarter. Such a net work Of de.
fences never saw The rebels were year in
constructing them, and all were rendered use.
less in an hour. As soon as | got through with
the destruction of the magazines aud Other
works, started the Lieutenant Commander
| Walker, up the Yazoo river with a sufficient
force TO destroy all of the enemy's property il
| that direction, with orders to return with al
dispatch, and only proceed as far as Yazoo City
where the rebels have a navy yard and store
houses.
In the meantime General Grant has closely
invested VicksburR and has possession Of the
| hnut .t..Na Ia. eIs a
general assault will be made, when l hope tc
announce that Vicksburg has fallen, after a ser.
les of the most brilliant successes that ever at.
| tended an army. There has never been a case
during the war where the rebels have been SC
successfully beaten at all points, and the patience
and endurance shown by our army and navy
for so many months is about being rewarded. II
is question of few hours and then with the
exception OF Port Hudson, which will follow
Vicksburg the Mississippi win be open its en-.
tire length.
Signed D. d. PORTER,
A. II. A. Cong. Miss. Squad'n.
Chicago, May 25.--A Cairo special says dates
from below to the morning of the 22d are re-
ceved.
! The bombardment Of the enemy's upper works
continued by the mortar feet. Persons who
saw the operations through glasses say that
Grant was satisfied. He has captured the bat
terry of Walnut Hill. Furious cannonadng was
going ON all around the city.
Washington, May 25.-The latest advices
here were to Friday night. The city then was
not taken. Great ad vantages had been gained,
but the enemy offered firm resistance. 1t was
thought we would take il next day Saturday. }
Our men had their colors planted in the enemy s
works, and were lying on the extreme slope
We captured about 5000 prisoners and 70 pie
ces Of artillery. Part Of our troops were within
mile and others mile and half of the court
house. The mortar and gunboats in front Of
Vicksburg were hard atwork.
Chicago, May 26.-Private dispatches re-
ceived in this city to-day, from officers of Him
ois regiments, dated near Vicksburg, May Oath,
infer that the city was not captured up to that
time. Dispatches say nothing as to what was
done on Sunday.
Cincinnati, May 27.--The latest advices from
Vicksburg are to Friday. A vigorous lombard
ment by land and water was going on.
A special despatch from Murfreesboro SAYS
that rebel prisoners report that on Sunday last,
a courier dashed up with a despatch from Col
Breckenridge to General Wheeler, at McMinns-
vile, saying, "Vicksbrng has fallen, but Penn
berton escaped with most of his army but lost
his artillery" 4ia
Chicago, May GA special communication
to the Journal from paroled prisoner, who left
Sherman s Landing on the 23d, says that Just
before leaving he cOnverSed with the bearer of
dispatches from Pemberton to Johnston, (who
had been captured) who said that the number
of rebels in Vicksburg is between 25IO00 and
10000
Friday morning Pemberton sent flag Of
truce to Gen. Grant offering to surrender Vicks-
burg if Grant would allow the garrison to lay
down their arms and march out The offer was
refused.
Thursday the rebel batteries on the hill north
of the town were taken and turned on the en-
envy.
On the evening of the same day the water
batteries at the foot of the hill were captured
and also those below Vicksburg, by Porter's
gunboats.
Friday, after Grants refusal to accept Penn
berton's offer Of surrender Grant moved on his
works and the rebels retreated to the inner for
tifications.
The Logan Guards at Black River Bridge,
Grant felt certain will be able to take care of
Johnston. The latter has only about ten thou
sand men, inclusive of what he may have by re-
Inducements.
Grants army is larger than was generally sup
posed-quite numerous enough for the work in
hand-and stretches completely round the
doomed city, each wing resting on the river
Vicksburg is full Of women and children
Not only the original inhabitants are there, but
many that came from the surrounding country
for safety.
Washington, May 27.--Gcncral Grants dis
patches TO the President are very satisfactory in
the details; but contain information which,
If published, might be useful to the enemy.