The New York herald., 1863-05-26

ne,ro,eum which was advancing Tho changes in other
articles we're not important Freishts were depressed
and declining
Tho Fate OF vicksburg. s
As vet we have no official intelligence con-
firmatory of the news published yesterday Of
the actual capture of Vicksburg; but we have
an important official despatch from Admiral
Porter to the Secretary of the Navy, dated, the
goth instant which fully confirms all the ac-
counts we had previously received Of the
splendid achievements Of Grant and his army,
who defeated the rebels at all points and in such
a manner as they have never been defeated be-
FORE By his rapid Napoleonic movements he
outgeneraled Johnston, Loring and Pemberton,
preventing their junction, and whipping them
separately. According to this despatch, "Gene-
raj Grant had closely invested vicksburg, had
possession of the best commanding points, and
in very short time q general assault would
take place" In fact the capture Of the
rebel stronghold was deemed on Wednesday
last but ''the question Of few hours" and no
doubt the next boat which arrives from Vicks-
burg at Memphis will bring the news Of its sur
render or being taken by storm after . terrible
battle The distance between the two cities ID
FIVE hundred miles, and against the current the
time occupied in making the passage even by
swift boat is from two to three days. From
Memphis there is telegraphic communication.
At any moment, therefore, we may receive the
most stirring news, giving oficial confirmation
Of yesterdays report that the flag Of the Union
floats over the rebel Gibraltar of the West.
How formidable It's inner fortiRcations are
may be estimated from what Admiral Porter
says of Haines' Bluff-"Such network Of de-
fences 1 never saw. The rebels were year in
constructing them, and all were rendered use
less in an hour" Fourteen Of the heaviest
kind Of mounted eight and ten inch and seven
and half inch riied guns, with ammunition
enough to last long siege, were captured by
the Admiral And there can be no stronger
proof of the rapidity and vigor of Grants
movements than the fact of the rebels abandon
ing such defences without having time to de-
stroy or carry Off the ammunition. It is also
evidence that the demoralisation Of Pember-
toms army is complete. Haines' Bluff formerly
resisted the most determined assaults from
our gunboats. It has now fallen without
any resistance at all. Il Is the key Of the
whole position, and. holding 1t, as he does,
Grant can get supplies, and more troops If he
needs, them, through the mouth Of the Yazoo.
So that, even If he had not now sufficient force
to capture vicksburg, he could hold Haines'
Bluff till he received such reinforcements as
would render its speedy reduction matter Of
certainty. ,,a.
Admiral Porter deserves great credit, not
only for his energy and successful cooperation,
but for his generous praise Of the land forces
and their heroic commander.
Should the news be confirmed, as there is
every reason to believe 1t will, the moral and
military effect of the blow on the rebels will
be tremendous. We have just received
news to the effect that they are prepar-
ing to invade j. Kentucky. The news Of
the fall of vicksburg will speedily
break up that enterprise and compel them
everywhere to contract their lines. Now Is the
time for activity in the army Of Rosecrans and in
that of Hooker. The dispersed insurgent forces
in Mississippi will retreat to Bragg's army.
Before junction can be effected Rosecrans
ought to strike, and II he needs reinfercements
he ought to receive them at once. Hooker, too,
ought to press Lee before he can be reinforced
by the remnant of Braggs army, retreating
from Tennessee The fall of vicksburg will
render the rebels desperate, and they will en-.
deavor to concentrate all their forces in Vir-
ginia for an advance upon Washington, in order
to restore the equilibrium which they have now
lost.
If advantage be not taken Of this favorable
opportunity to crush the rebellion by quickly
repeated blows, not only will the capture Of
vicksburg be in vain, but 1t may result in Sc
rious disasters. The capture Of Fort Donelson,
though heavy blow to the rebels, was not fol-
lowed up as IL ought to have been by General
Halleck. and 1t had only the effect Of causing
the Confederates to draw in and strengthen
their lines, and levy new army Of conscripts,
all of which General Halleck permitted them
to do by his dilatory movements against CO.
rinth. Now, therefore, is the moment for a
simultaneous vigorous movement all along the
line, and the armed rebellion will be put down
before the fall Of the leaf now green.
MEAN JouRNALIsx--The Chevalier Forney's
Washington Chronicle Is the meanest and most
contemplate journal published in this OF any
other country. II is not yet quite as mean and
contemplate as the Chcvalicr Forney himself,
however; but IL promises to be so soon. In q
recent issue Of this miserable sheet We flnd the
following
The NEW YoRx HERALD guilty, the other day, of q
little the smallest trick ever knew TO bc perpetrated
| bv a newspaper. late Richmond paper quoted the
Chrovice about Stooeman raid and introduced the
nv ing the Washington Chronicle and lis correspond
ens attempt" &C. The HrRAiD copies tho item entire,
but subettues OF the HERALD for thar Of the
Cronck We mention this nos because We care for IL,