New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-07-08

| lowed with hardly more interest than belongs 70
local instruction.
Admiral Porter's official dispatch announces
the surrender of vicksburg TO "the United
States forces"-under Gen. Grant, he might
more gracefully have added. AS we are still
without the dispatch of the Commander who
took the place, there are no means oil estiinat'
ing exactly the strength Of Pemberton's army,
the number of guns captured, or the amount
of stores, material, and supplies that fell into
his hands. 1t is safe to reckon the prisoners
of war at twenty thousand, and the cannon
which become the trophies of the victory they
were meant to prevent, at not less than one
hundred. PembertOn surrendered uncOndition.
ally, and whatever was in Vicksburg belongs
to Gen. Grant No doubt the visible fruits Of
his success are sufficiently abundant.
But the grand results of this magnificent
success are not cannon or prisoners, not the
possession Of the town, not even the temporary
control of the Mississippi which Rebel Vicks-
burg presumed to dispute. 1t is, of course.
true that the fall of this stronghold practically
opens the river throughout its length; Port
Hudson inevitably falling as the corollary to
Pembertons proposition Of surrender. That
is right cause for rejoicing, and it is easy to
anticipate the exultation with which the West
hears that its great River rolls once more IN
INSTRUCTED to its mouth; that the Lakes and
the Gulf are indissolubly reunited. The East
shares in its delight, and offers its beartcst
congratulations on victory which the courage
and resolution of the West achieved. Still,
the decisive advantages Of the success are not
commercial nor prospective, but military, and
ready to be reaped by continuous and instant
energy.
At such moment as this, when Meade is
pressing hard the fleeing troops of Lee, and
when Rosecrans is driving helplessly before
him the remnant Of Braggs divided army, the
immediate value Of Grants victory Is that 1t
liberstes his forces to join in the grand cam.
paign which is sweeping the Rebellion into the
ocean and the Gulf. Five States remain, and
only five, to DO subducd: Alabama, Georgia,
South Carolina, North Carolina, aud Virginia;
and even Of these not more than three are
heartily subject TO Jefferson Dayiss sway.
Georgia is for disunion, but only half devoted to
the Coniederscy. North Carolina 10 waiting the
moment which shall deliver her from n hated
tyranny, and restore her troop, 10 the soil
which they have not been trusted 10 defend.
Florida is not worth considering. Mississippi
has still force under Johnston within her
borders, but Johnston will fight no battle for
the possession of the State lie hope, if he
hopes anything. 10 check Grants advance
either on Mobile, Atlanta, or Chattanooga, on
one or all OF which three points the Army Of
the Mississippi will move as soon as Port Hud-
son falls. Possibly Gen. Grant will deem HIM
self strong enough to garrison Vicksburg,
detach sufficient force TO the relief Of
Gen. Banks, and with the remainder Of his
army enter at once on his new campaign. Ia
either event be viii be- in time TO cooperate
with Rosecrans, and must sooner or later
unite with him, unless that commander sball
leave 10 Grant the whole Of the Gulf cam
pagn, and move northward through Eas.
Tennessee or North Carolina, TO fling himself
on the flank and rear of whatever Rebel forces
may succeed in escaping from Nirginln. The
surrender Of Vicksburg puts the Issue IN either
case beyond a doubt.