Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-03-20
x.n,,.. ,n =, against yicksburg.

Yankee movements oSaln1b VlcASUuSs
The oft repeated tale of Vicksburg and the Fed,
eral canal has been lately renewed with an air o.
official sanction. Vicksburg stands at sharp BEND
of the river. In 'front.' there is long, narrow Pc
ninsuia Of land formed by the SAID bend OF the
stream. By cuttingS ship canal across the base OF
this peninsula the enemy's gunboatS and transports
will be able to pass up and down the Mississippi in
that neighboaEhood without coming under fire OF
the Confderate artillery in the town, This project
found favor with the Federal Generals last year
when they had exhausted the flower OF their ARMIES
en- the vain attempt to carry the Iity by storm, or
reduce X by a cannonade. They were at first pur.
suaded that it only necessary to cut an ordna-
ry ditch across the land and that tie rapid current
Of the great river would perform the rest OF the Ia
bour. But the Father of Waters obstinately adj
hered to his ancient Courses, and the ditch remain
ed ditch Repeated attacks on the city having
absolutely jailed the Federals have become satisfied
that the strength of the place and the valour of its
defences is proof against their arms. In this year,
therefore, they have undertaken to- do the work
which the Mississippi disdained. For several months
they have employed an army of negroes in digging
this ditch. 1t is said they have actually CON-
pleted an artificial channel for the river five miles
long, deep and broad enough to float the largest
vessels and that their fleets Of iron cladS ana steam
boats can pass down the Mississippi without ap-
preaching VickSburg within many miles.
We are inclined to believe that this story is pre-
mature Northern papers contain dispatches from
the neighborhood Of ViCsburg so late as the llth
of March, and speak Of the canal as a work incom-
plete. The dredging machines specially men,
toned as still at work, and nothing is said Of YES
sells having passed or likely to pass, at any near
date.
Z. Neve, theleSs, this rumour may be one Of these
shadows which coming events are said to cast be-
fore The excavation Ct such canal, unless inter
rupted by the operations of an opposing army, is
but question of time, labour and expense. ship
canal thirty miles long, was once duauthFough the
rock and shifting sands Of the Isthmus of Suez and
1t cannot be impossible to cut the five miles of the
clay which form the peninsula Of Eicksburg. The
Yankees are better dItchers than soldiers. They
may achieve Inglorious success in their present
undertaking, and render the batteries OF Vicksburg
comparatively useless. In that. circumstance, it
would seem not improbable that the large army now
employed in its defense, might find other occupa-
tion andhe town loosing its stratee Importance,
should be left with q sufficient force to hold it
against sudden enterprise of the enemy, which
will then be all that it will have to fear.
Such an event would be serious loss and disad.
vantage to 1t will be notifying to hear the ex
ultalion Of the enemy. Vieksburg has bsted the
utmost effort of their arms. Their troops have again
and again been hurled back by her hills like. the
breakers Of the sea by the rocks. Without taking
the city, they will have neatralized its importance
by smart trick. In military engineering twill
indeed be counted 4 considerable achiev emrnt.-
Since the fall Of Constantnople that memorable
event which closes the long chapter which IS filed
with The name Of the Roman Empire, and ma'ks
the commencement OF what are called Modern
Times, incident Of that Sort striking is to be
found in story. Mahomet ii took Constantinople
BY transporting fleet across tract Of land seven
miles broad from water to another; great
work. but not greater than this. IL successful, it
will deprive us of the full command of the MisSis-
sippi Oetween Ticksourg and Port Hudson, now
free of their fleet and permitting full coa.munica-
top with that portion OF the ContedeRcy which lies
west of the riYer-R'chm9Rd Erdmiaer