New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-05-19
GEN. CHANTS PROGRESS.

The public interest 10 drawn anew toward
Vicksburg on the report Of important sue
cesses by Grants forces. Since the successful
transfer OF his army to Grand Gulf the cap
ture OF HAT strongly fortified place, and the
pos session Of Port Gibson immediately there.
after, Gen. Grant has moved rapidly but eau
tiously toward the communication Of bis main
olject--the possession OF the railroad leading
from Yicksbrrg 10 Central Mississippi. lie
found sharp resistance on the Blackwator, and,
instead OF crossing that river, turned somewhat
from the direct course, moving uorth-eastefly, to
avoid even the rick Of having bis supplies cut
of. The Rebels made three or four attempts
TO stay his progress--at Raymond and at Mis-.
sissippi Springs particuarly-but without effect;
the splendid operations Of Col. Grierson's cav
airy had destroyed their means Of getting re-
endorsements, the gunboats and land forces
ready to pounce upon Nicksburg forbade
the withdrawal Of any considerable force
from that STRONGHOLD Bragg had oil be could
do to amuse Rosecrans, even if his railroad
communication bad been perfect. and so the
Rebels were unable TO muster more than
! few brgades, under commanders Of no distinc.
ton, to oppose to Grants heavy and well.
trained force. Gen. Joe Johnston 10 said to
have been at Jackson on the 18th, but he
passed on toward Nlcksburg without Offering
resistance. Our latest news-chieny from
Rebel sources--is that Jackson was captured
by Union forces on the 18th, after an all.day
fight. The Rebels confess thorough defeat.
Jackson is the capital Of Mississippi, on the
Great Northern Railroad at the point Of inter.
section of the Vicksburg road and 44i miles
east OF the latter place. The Yicksburg Rail.
road runs TO Meridian, on the Mobile and
Ohio road, thus placing yicksburg in railway
communication with Eew.Orleans and Mobile
on the South, and Corinth, Grand juno
ton, and the Tennessee roads On the north.
1t is vital point for Vicksburg; now
that supplies and re-enfOrcements are cut Of
by way Of the river and from Louisiana and
Texas, they must come over the Jackson road
or not at all Grants lines sweep the country
: from Grand Gulf TO Juckson--or at least e
this rood-On the south; all the north is il
possession Of Sherman, McClernand, aud Rose
Grams; and there is no river, turnpike, OF
cross-rOad that can bring barrel Of -four OF
pound Of powder to Vicksburg. We note
by one dispatch that Jackson was not takel
by the men directly under Grant. but by som,
separate force, and that Grant is reported Il
have reached the much.desired railroad al
Edwards Station, only eighteen miles east
/ Of Vicksburg. If this is true his lines
are Immediately threatening Pemberton--the
anaconda is almost within striking distance.
The Rebels have but one hope of escape, and
that is TO cut their way out. Should they
attempt 80 bold q hazard, il is presumed that
Grant will be able 10 destroy or capture most
OF their forces; he is constantly receiving re.
e1iorcements-they cannot receive a man. II
they decline this. Vicksburg ought certainly TO
iall into our hands after a brief siege. 1t is
lot probable that they arc proyisoned for any
great length OF time, aud hunger is always
victor. But we need not speculate upon
PROBABILITIES. The facts seems 10 be all in
our fayor' and whether Vicksburg shall be
ours alter sanguinary battle or at the close
Oh regular siege, would appear to depend
upon The Rebels themselves. Gen. Grant is
certainly entitled TO great credit for 90 much
of his last campaign as has transpired. and
should no unexpected turn Of fortune inter.
vene, be cannot fail to bring to successful
termination by the reduction Of tho strongest