The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-06-12

the faithful at jackson, some time ago, spoke
in extravagant terms Of him as military
man, and advised hearty acquiescence in all
his plans. e SOC So 81. 7fa
His personal characteristics are. height
S feet 10 inches; eyes, dark gray; nose, keen,
sharp and straight; voice, coarse and rough,
speaks quickly, and plumes himself upon his
dignity; is reserved in bis manner; believes
ia General Pemberton, and don't care rush
for public opinion. . -fiA
General LoriDg is . native Of Mississippi,
and is considered one of the best officers in
the Southern army. He lost an arm in the
Mexican war. His personal characteristics
are those Of . gentleman, treats everybody
with profound respect, and espouses the cause
Of the rebels because he believes it just. He
is 5 feet nine inches high, dresses magnif-
Gently, and aims to secure the confidence Of
his men. He is o jovial, good hearted fellow,
and worthy Of q better cause. He was re-
Gently ID command at Greenwood, where the
Federal troops were repulsed, and is now Id
the vicinity Of Vicksburg. ese
Brigadier General G. D. Lee is South
Carolinian, and when he became . rebel was
q First Lieutenant in the Federal army. He
graduated at West Point, and bears the re-
putation of an excellent soldier. This officer
commands the Vicksburg batteries, and all
the artillery in the district Of Vicksbnrg It
is said that he was so indignant Ut the recent
running of the blockade BY the transports and
gunboats, that he sent all the gnnners with
their officers in irons to Richmond.
General Lee dresses plainly, and acts the
gentleman. JEFF Davis believes il Lee, and
ascribes to him the possession Of extraordi
nary military genius. His conduct in the
battle Of Chickasaw Bayou is highly COM
mended. General Lee is considered one Of
the rising men of the Confederacy.
There is one gunboat in Big Black river,
the Paul Jones, an inferior side wheel trans.
port, formerly used as a freight boat. The
rebels have clad her with cotton, and mount.
ed three guns upon her, one 4 80 FOUNDER
Parrott, and two IL FOUNDER brass pieces
There are beside three other steamers. the
Charm. Dot, and another, whose name my in
formant does not remember. None of these
can pass the railroad bridge.
The country through which the river flows
is of surprising beauty and ordinarily rich
in the great stapk inst now, in obedience to
tho mandate Of Jefferson, it is planted in
cereals. Not an acre of cotton can be found
III tHc eIIlr0 region. i mere are DO COWnS on
The Big Black below the bridge. just at that
point tie rebels have built sort of fort,
Upon which they have mounted several guns.
am profoundly ignorant Of their number.
,ize and position.
The railroad bridge crosses Big Black at q
point IA miles from Vicksbnrg, due east
The structure is one mileand half Ion g, and
Of light trestle work. In the CEN
re. directly over the stream, it is lofty, but
gradually decreases in height on either side
as Yum rise the lower bottom lands and strike
he crest Of the hills beyond. This bridge is
the main artery of Vicksburg. Once cut it
if, and stop the ehb and flow Of provisions
and soldiers, and the heart-the city-dies.
Lieutenant Colonel Thompson, the Inspector
General Of the Department, says that Vicks-
burg is hgone up" if the bridges be taken
Colonel Thompson has made many less
foolish and untrue remark.
The roadway across the bridge is covered
with heavy plank, to facilitate the crossing Of
artillery. The present force is small, but
when threatened, troops will be moved Thu
ther, and the position most pertinaciously.
defended. tia
jackson is the capital Of Mississippi. and
The shire town Of Holmes county. Its popu-
lation is about 5000.
81 a = @r