The New York herald., 1863-07-08
THE SITUATION.

The surrender OF vicksburg is the most import
ant feature of the war to-day. 1t was consum-
mated on Saturday, the Fourth of July-an
suspicious time for the realization of another tri-
umph for the Union and the fiag Gen. Pemberton
offered on that morning to surrender if his
troops permitted to march out. Gen. Grant
refused to accept of any conditions; an absolute
surrender of the garrison as prisoners of war
was demanded. After brief consultation with
his officers General Pemberton surrendered un-
conditionally, and vicksburg was ours after a
long and tedious siege. Rear Admiral Porter fully
confirms this fact by an official despatch to the
Secretary of the Navy, dated from the flagship
Black Hawk on the 4th, in few words as fol.
iows:-'I have the honor to inform you that
vicksburg has surrendered to the United States
forces on this Fourth Of July"
We give to-day complete story Of oil the late
operations before vcksburg, from our army CORES
pondent ons the spot, together with two maps Of
Eioksburg, and the line of the Mississippi now
opened by the recent victory. The most intense
excitement and enthusiasm prevailed all over the
rountry yesterday at this news. The voices Of
the people as well as Of bells and cannon testified
to the delight experienced by the fall Of the West
ern rebel Gibraltar. There was q grand popular
demonstration at Washington, at which the Pres
dent and Messrs. Seward and Stanton and General
Halleck addressed the people.
Next to the cheering intelligence from the West
and Maryland. The latest news il from Williams
port up TO four o'clock yesterday afternoon, at
which time the rebels were drawn up along the
bank Of the Potomac. The river was q rolling
and surging food. The enemy had no pontoon
bridges, and were ferrying their wagons across
under great difficulty in two scows. The ope-
ration was so slow that II amounted to . stand
still. Our army had already arrived at the scene.
and at four o'clock in the afternoon furious bat
tie was progressing, in which the annihilation Of
the rebel army was almost reduced to certainty
Generals Meade. Mulligan and Pleasantou were
upon them In fall force. Dispatches fom Harris
burg at eleven O'Clock last night state that the
news then received was that the whole rebel army
was routed In utter panic. A body Of thirty thou.
saud militia has been despatched from Harrisburg
within the last few days 10 support Gen. Meade's
army.
An assault was made upon Helena. Arkansas
ON tho eth inst, by the rebels, under Generals
Marmsduks. Price and h ines. They were total
IL repulsed, with ths loss Of fifteen hundred men
killed. wounded and prisoners, by the Union troops
under General Prsntis, after fight Of six hours
Over seven hundred Of the prisoners arrived a
Cairo yesterday.
BY the arrival Of tho Arsgo from Port Royal
8. c., We have nsws TO the Ath inst. Admra
Dahlgren had arrived there, to succeed Admira
Dupont. The Santiago de Cuba, Of the West
India squadron, captured last week the steamer
Victoria, from Wilmington. and the Britannia
from Charleston, bound for Nassau, laden with
cotton, valued at several hundred thousand dollars
The Victoria was sent North in charge Of prize
master, and the Britannia was towed into Port
Royal.
The steamer Ellen S. Terry arrived at this port
last evening from North Carolina, bringing New.
bern dates to the 5th instant. Everything Ioot.
promising in that department, and General Foster
has shown great activity in pushing the rebels.
We have some very interesting news, bu, deem Il
injudicous to publish 1t until the result is known
EUROPEAN NEWS.
The steamship New York, from Southampton on
lhe 24th Of June reached this port yesterday. Tn,
Asia, from Queenstown the on 2sth Of June arrived
o. Halifax yesterday on her voyage TO Boston
rhe news OF the Asiais two DAYS later.
Tile news q Lees Northern invasion was mad,
ge.al IA England On l,e 18th of june. II vs,