Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-06-12
Inside of VickshurU

The correspondent of the Chicago Tribune
writing from the rear of Vicksburg on the 3lst
ut., gives some interesting particulars de-
rived from the messenger entrusted with dis
patches from Pemberton to Johnston, and
who made his way to Gen. Grant His name
is Greene S. Douglass, of Mason county, ILL.,;
was formerly in the United States service in
Texas, was taken prisoner, wentinto the con-
tederate service, and was deemed particular
ly trustworthy by the rehsl commander
Dressed in the garb OF a CITIZEN he left the
rebel lines, when he put into execution the
plan formed to crafty his long cherished hope
to return to his friends and loyalty. BY sun
dry devices he reached the Union lines, and
finally the headquarters of Gen. Grant, to
whom he confded the important document
with which he had been entrusted. 1t proved
to be an urgent appeal by Pemberton to john
ston for help. The number of re-entorce-
ments required was put at 30,O00-adviSng
retreat if he could not bring that number upon
Grants rear within ten days-numberO troops
in Vicksburg IS,000-on hand thirty days ra-
tons for the garrison, one meal day-ammuni-
ton short, particularly gun-caps. Douglass
was further instructed to ascertain the exact
number of JOhnston's army, and report as
speedily as possible He desired to return
home, and Grant sent him up the river on the
steamer Oultdna. ne says Iuele are lo,OOU
fighting men in Vicksburg, commanded by
Gems. Pemberton. Stevenson, Reynolds,
Bowen, Forney, Morris, Lee, and M. L.
Smith. Pemberton is chief in command and
exceedingly unpopular. 1t is surmised that
he thinks of surrender. Referring to this,
Bowen said in his Douglass hearing, ''tbat
if Pemberton made the first movement toward
giving up the city he would hang him as high
as Hannah" The evident policy of Pember-
ton will be when he is satisfied that all hopes
OF succOr from Johnston are gone, to break
out through our lines on the left, and endeav-
or to cut his way through to Big Black. The
damage to Vicksburg occasioned by the fire
of our guns and mortars is immense. He es.
Inmates that at least one-fifth of the city is
destroyed. Up to Wednesday at twelve
o'clock the names OF one hundred women and
children were reported at the provost mar.
sha's office who were killed by the explosion
of our missiles in different parts of the city.
Among these is said to have been the wife of
Pemberton himself. The depot and court
house are but slightly injured; the Jail is
nearly destroyed. The largest magazine,
containing three-quarters OF the shot and
shell in Vicksburg, is blown up; horses, cat
tie and mules are killed, and a large number
of houses burned. On the day of the assault
2000 were killed and wounded, including IS
colonies and lieutenant colonies. The day
after Saturday., Col. 7. N. Wall, Col. Lee
Willis, Col. Reeley, Major Cameron, Adju-
tant Williams, Adjutant Parker, Capt. Hoge,
and Capt, Stahl- all officers of the Texas Lee
gion--were seated chatting pleasantly in the
shade, al the angle of the fort opposite Logan's
heavy battery, when shell from it exploded
In their midst and killed them all. Wall and
Willis were literally blown in fragments.
'Hhprp mr. tI,a mil 70
Warrenton, Of which Douglass could remem.
Der the names of but three-tort Pemberton,
mounting nine guns; fort Mccullough, five
guns; and fort Pulaski, four guns. Fort
Beauregard is on the right (our right of the
railroad, and contains but single gun not
disabled. The cannonade of the 23d disabled
thirteen guns, and killed and wounded many
rebel soldiers. On the 22i inst, eight Geor-
gia and Tennessee regiments refused to fight,
and fell back into the rifle pits; Louisia ma
Texas, and Missouri soldiers are considered
Trustworthy.