, 1863-01-05

.Rnn1ors and Reports from yIckebnrg
>~-18em0val OF Rebel Troops from
Jackson, Hiss.


=" GFsom tho Memphis Bulletin, Dec 81 p.
An intelligent gentleman, who has come up
from our fleet near Vicksburg, reports that
the Confedcrates had evacuated Port Hudson,
and that the fleet from New Orleans was near
Natchez, en- route for Vicksburg, and that the
ConfedCrates had sent Ill their steamboats,,
except three, up Rcd River to prevent cap
ture.
The fleet approaching Vicksburg from He
lena is represented very near its destination,
and VIC shall doubtless soon learn Of active
hostilities In front Of Vicksburg, unless, in
deed, the place shall have been Surrendered.
A prisoner from jackson had reported at
Helena that when he left that place aA tue
Confederate troops at Jacks except twenty
five, had been sent nway, he did not kno"
where but supposed thelr desnatioh - 10 pc
on on,s aSmpost innumcrable amount Of guns. larre
aud small, mounted. He confirms the re-
port that their Notifications extend back
eight miles, and are Of tie most perfect char
acter.
There was quite serious skirmish about
about two miles back Of Helena on Sunday
night. About $50 Confederates came in and
surrounded the pickets, a skirmish ensued.
which resulted in nineteen Of the pickets be-
ing captured.
By way Of holly Springs we get report
that General Price evacuated Grcnada several
days ago. and had gone East. Some suppose
the object to be to get to Vicksburg, and
concentrate large force on the line for which
they are now striking Columbus, Paducah,
and Fort Donelson.
From gentleman just from Little Rock,
We gather the following Interesting items:
There are about Is coo troops in Arkansas
COCO at Little Rock, Il, 600 at the post Of Ar
kansas on Arkansas River, 5000 sent to Vicks-
burg, 5000 ut Austin, Ark, 5000 organized
guerilhs. They are well armed and pretty
well clothed. They get most Of their clothing
from Texas. They have brass field pieces
and twelve-pounders. Their arms have been
shipped to them from across the Mississippi
from time to time. About three months since,
they had Il, GOO stand of arms shipped to them
in very short time.
mouth Of the Yazoo on Tuesday, we learn
that the oraeT had been given for every boat
to be ready to 60 up the Yaxoo Riyerto St.
Charles, about fifteen miles from the mouth,
ut which point the rebels were said to be
strongly fortified. st. Charles is only six
miles from Vicksburg. overland, and the tor
pedoes IN the river and the batteries On shore,
being cleaned ont, General Sherman would
not lave much difficulty in taking the city.
On Tuesday evening, it was reported at
wood landing on the river, that heavy cannon
aiding had been heard up the Yazoo, and q
great light seen in the direction Of st. Charles,
from which circumstance it WAS inferred that
Notifications at st. Charles had been taken,
though We have heard OF no certain informa-
ton on the subject.
From one Of the prisoners taken on the
Lake City, VIC gather the following:
The Notifications in rear Of Vicksbnrg do
not extend as tar as has been reported. IN,
stead Of eight miles they 60 no further than
three miles, but as late US Monday week they
had no guns mounted on the works in rear Of
thr town: This liuc was exposed, us the rebels
had no idea but that Grant and Pe1nberton
would have to fight it out before they reached
Vicksburg.
The people at..Vicksburg admitted that they
could be starved out, but they hooted at the idea
that the town could be carried in any other
way. The impression was that u few troops
there could hold the place securely agairst all
corners, aud. consequently, there did not ap-
pear to be many soldiers in sight, though it
WAS understood that there were thousands in
easy supporting distance. AL along the river,
from the mouth Of the Yazoo to Vicksburg, IS
said to be strongly fortified. They have two
Of the rebel torpedoes, taken up in the Yazoo
River, on exhibition in our fleet off Vicksbure.