The New York herald., 1863-07-12
Su6erings OF the Inhabitants OF
the City.
REINFORCEMENTs TEADERRD TO GEN. BlNRs
Omcial Report % AdmiraI Porter.
UxrrxD STATES MIsnmPr SouADRox.

OmCh0k Report O1 Admiral Porter
UxnxD STATES MnansuPrr SQUADRON,
FLAGSHIP BLAcxHAwE, vrcKsBuRo, July 4, 1858.
Hon. GIDEON WELn, Secretary Of the Navy
6RI have the honor 70 inform you that vcksburg has
surrendered a last 10 tho United States Forces after
desperate but vain resistance. That she has not done
has not been Of ability tho part OF
military commanders, but from the magnitude OF the de-
fences which were intended 70 repulse any force the
government could possibly send there. What bearing
this win have the rebellion remains yet 70 bs seem
- the magnitude Of the must 60 far towards
crushing out this revolution and establishing more
ths commerce Of the States bordering this river. His
tory has seldom had an opportunity Of recording
% desperate defence side, with 90 much
courage, ability, perseverance and endurance on
the other; and army entitled to the gra
tude OF the nation Is the Army OF the Tennessee and
its gallant leaders. The navy has necessarily performed
less conspicuous part the capture Of vcksburg than
the army; sti has been employed in manner highly
creditabe to all concerned The gunboas have been ocn
stantiy below vicksburg, Smelling the works with
cess cooperating heartily with the left wing Of the army
The boats have boon at work for fortytwo days
without ntermisson throwing shells into all parts Of the
city, reaching the works n Of Vcksburg
and In front Of our troops, distance OF three miles.
Three heavy guns placed nine inch, tennch,
and one hundred FOUNDER placed in position
mile from the town, and commanded all the water
batteries They have kept up and incsssant
fire for fourteen days. doing all the damage that could be
no by guns under such circumstances. Five eight inch
two nine-nch two fortytwo.pounder rifles, and four
thirty FOUNDER shell guns, have been landed at the
request OF tho different generals commanding corps from
the gunboats and mounted In the Of vcksburg and
whenever l could spare the officers and mon from our
small complement they sent to manage the guns
with what ability leave 70 the general commanding to
say.
In tho meantime stationed the small class Of gun
boats keep the banks Of the Mississippi clear Of
guerillls, who assembling In force, with large
number Of cannon 70 block the river and cut on the
Transports bringing down supplies endorsements and
ammunition for the army Though the rebels several
occasions built batteries, and with large force at
tempted to sink capture the transports, they
never succeeded, but were defeated by tho
gunboats with severe loss on ell occasions Without
watchul the Mississippi the operations Of the
army would have becn much intsrsfed with, and can
say honestly that officers never did their duty better
than those who patroIed the river from Cairo 70 voks
burg One steamer only Vas badly disabled since
operations commenced and six or seven msu were killed
and wounded. rsoea
whIb the army have had roublssoms enemy IN mont
Asd behind ths the gunsoats, Marine Brigade unAsr
rN Ellst ed small force Of troops under Generals
DSG9rsst se<r, have kept at bay large force of
rebels, ovvr accompanied BY large guam.
tity Of artillery ad though offered battle several times
and engaged, they invariably led, and satisfied thsm
selves by assautna half disciplined blacks.
The capture OF vicksburg leaves q large army and
naval forces free TO all along the river hope
soon TO add to my department the vessels which have
been temporarily lost to the servce-viz the Iadanola
and Cincinnati Tho erect Of this blow will be felt far up
the tributaries Of the Mississippi The timd and doubt
fu will take heart and the wicked wl hope, cease to
trouble Us, for fear Of the punishment which win
or later overtake them
There has been large expenditure Of ammunition dur
ing the SIEGE The mortars have arcd thousand
mortar Shells and the gunboats -four thousand nv hun
dred Four thousand ave hundred shots fred
from naval guns shore, and have supplied six
thousand to the different army corps.
have the honor 10 remain, very respectfully your
obedient servant, DAVID d. PORTER,
Acting Rear Admiral Commanding Mississippi Squad.