Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-05-30
FROM yICKSBURG.

The Rebels at Vicksburg Probably Rein
forced by Brags-Important Testimony
on that Point-R eports from the Rebel
Lines at urfreeSboro'-Hardee, Polk
and Coiburne'S Divisions on their Way.
The telegraph does not give us all the news,
even from Chicago and Murfreesboro', and
hence there are some facts in the mails that
reach us this afternoon, bearing upon Vicks-
burg, of the highest importance.
One CT these facts, stated in q telegram
from Murfreesboro' May Goth, Tuesday, TO the
Chicago Tribune, is, that the movement COM
menced by that portion of Braggs army under
Breckenridge had, at last accounts, become
as well as Hardee, still further to our right,
had withdrawn their forces in the direction of
Vicksburg, though Bragg himself still kept his
quarters at Shelbyyille, as if to watch Rose
Grams.
Another Murfreesboro' letter, under date Of
Goth, to the same journal, says:
"Our information to-day is to the effect that
COlturne's dtrision had been actually withdrawn
and sent to Mississippi. From the lips of several
refugees, who since forty y-eight hours have
been within the rebel lines, have it that the
most serious alarm peryades the rebel army
regarding the doings of Grant in the South
west, and the rebel authorities are gathering
troops from Carolina, Alabama and Georgia,
with which to crush him. One informant, in
whom am warranted in placing the greatest
faith, tells me that Brdggs army is nolu fdlIing
back to the line Of the Tennessee He was told but
few days ago by prominent rebel officer
that their (rebel) force would retire beyond the
Tennessee River, SO as to get within reach of
Pemberten, and that the move would be made,
even though the State of Tennessee had to be
given mp, for it was better to lose Tennessee
All this time the people are, no doubt, anx-
iously asking, will not Rosecrans advance and
strike the rebel army, now that its troops are
being ordered by divisions to the support Of
Pemberton WIN Rosecrans permit the heroic
army now operating under Grant to be crushed
by the aid Of Bragg's troops, and withhold at
tack
Inmy mind the thing stands this way Grants
capture of Jackson struck terror into all rebel
dom. The telegraph quickly told the story at
Richmond, and as quickly went the order to
Johnston to muster every available man in his
department, for the crushing of the audacious
Yankee. Georgia and Alabama were ransacked
and from every city and garrison in those States
troops Were hurried towards the Mississippi
capital. Bragg was consulted, and agreed
10 furnish division, receiving, in the mean
time instructions to hold his whole army
ready for retrogade movement, which, by
further reyerses in Mississippi, might become
necessary. And now, if the army of Grant
is defeated, the army of Bragg will until fur
ther orders, remain where it is; on the other
hand, if Grant achieves victory, Bragg will
quickly put the Tennessee River between him.
self and Rosecrans.
The questions are pertinent, but not TO be
answered by me. I have an ,sopinion." of
course, which may be recorded The with
drawai Of a division Of 10, ,0Oe makes no mate
rial reduction in the strength OF Bragg's army.
II his army was invincible with Colburnjs di-
vision, it is inyincible without il and Isus-
pect, therefore, that unless the rebel Generals
entire force moves to the support OF the Missis-
sippians. there Will be no immediate advance
OF this army.
am aware that great movement, requir-
ing the consultation and care OF several De-.
partment Comm anders, is now 10 rehearsai, and
unless il is demonstrated that Grants saliva
ton depend upon an immediate advance Of the
army OF the Cumberland, the plans of our
commanding Generals, which, Tor success, de-
pend upon certain delay, are not likely to be
disturbed.