The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1863-03-05
Affairs on the Mississippi.

IN =" 1854 II
Gen. Grant arrived at Vicksburg, Jan. 80. Work
was progressing on the canal, which was being
widened and d%eepened. The rebels had planted a
battery on the Mississippi shore which commanded
the lower mouth. Our men were sheIed away from
there on Friday.
The health Of the troops Mt Vicksburg is very sat
isfactory. Our forces are now engaged in repairing
the crevasses of last fall, in order to keep the water
out of the camp. The water in the old canal is 6
feet deep, but doing little execution.
\ staff officer who arrived this evening says the
rebel force 1T Eicksburg does not exceed 10000, and
thinks this number is all they can bring TO It's defense.
200 negroes are to be sent from Memphis to work
on the canal.
lac Richmond Dispatch of Feb. !, says We learn
from NickSburg that appearances indicate an early
renewal of the fight there. Five thousand Yankees
are working on the canal opposite the city. They
intend 10 float transports through when the river
rises, and land their troops below. The Yankee feet
number lO7 boats, including ii gunboats, and there
may be more arrivals of %gunboats before the renewal
Of the fight. The Yankee army probably numbers
$1,000 men.
Aiyices from New Orleans to the 26th Jan. state
shat the last transports of the Banks expedition left
f0c Up the river on the Goth. Gen. Banks went up
on he oath, and only sufficient troops are left to
defeld New Orleans. with four or FIVE g%unboats.
1t i. inferred that the destination Of the expedition
is Pert Hudson.
Tae ram Queen Of the Hest ran the blockade on
Monday morning Feb. =, at daylight. Over 100
guns opened on her as she steamed swiftly past.
lhG. Tebel steamer also opened on the queen OF me
Uea, which replied, disabling the rebel craft. The
QUEEN Of the Hest was under FIRE for three-Quarters
OF NJ hour.
The Federal ram Queen Of the Hest, which passed
Vicksburg Feb. >, arrived at the landing at Vidaiia,
opposite Naichez, on the same evening. \ guard Of
men was sent on shore, which attempted TO capture
Col. ZebulOn York. but he escaped. The ram then
steamed down the river, doing considerable damage.
CAIRO, Feb. live have news from F~icksburg
to Saturday the eth. The ram Queen Of the Hest
had returned from below. The trip down the river
was most successful. She met three steamers with
provisions for the rebels at Eicksburg, and succeeded
in destroying all Of them. She took 90 or 60 prison
ers, one OF them being n colonel. The Queen Of the
Hest went near enough Port Hudson 10 draw ire
from the upper batteries.
Letters say the brilliant achievement of the Queen
Of TIE Hest running the gauntlet Of the rebel bate
ries At FIcks5urg, had q most beneficial effect on the
spirits of our troops.
The Vicksburg correspondent of the Jackson
.4pyfdI says: 1t is possible that Gen. GRAFT will
make the canal a success. and suggests that Warren
ton. Grand Gulf, Port Gibson, Rodney, and other
points between Vicksburg and Port Hudson, be
fortified.
The New Orleans Dsi;a says that accounts from
the rebel army At Port Hudson and elsewhere, show
q most deplorable state of affairs among them, the
men only being kept from mutiuy by promises Of
peace. During 80 days over 20 CONSUMPTION officers
had been shot while endeavOring to raise men.
The British steamer ST. Thomas. at Aspinwall,
reported that the privateer Retri5ution had burned
four American vessels near st. Thomas. This must
be a new rebel piraie.-Efs. -fita.l