Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-07-17
FROM YCKSBURG.
wAsHrNeroN, July II.


FLAG sHtP BLACK HAwK.I
Viet.burg Jnlyt
have The honor 70 inform you that vieEsburg b"
surrendered at last to the United States forces, after
desperate but vain resistance. That she has not done
80 sooner has not been for want ability the part of
military commanders but from the maguuTe OF the
defenses which intended IN fepuse any force the
government could possibly send there. What bearing
TINS viii have upon the rebellion, remains yet to be seen,
but the magnitude Of the must 20 far toward
crushing out this rebellion and establish the
commerce ofthe States bordering on this river.
History has seldom had opportunity Of recording
desperate a defence on one side with much courage
and ability and perseverance and endurance the other
II ever an army entitled to the gratitude Of nation
i Is the army Of the Tennessee and its gallant leaders
The Navy has necessarily performed less conspicuous
part in the capture of Vicksburg than the Army Still
II has been employed in highly credtable all
concerned. Gunblats have been constantly busy be-
low Nioksbufg in shellng the works. and with success
cooperating heartily with the let wing Of the army
The Mortar boats have been work for AZ days without
intermisson. throwing shell into all parts Of the city,
even reaching the works in the Of Vcksburg, and
In front Of troops distant hree miles Three heavy
guns we're placed scows o-inch, l0neh and 100
FOUNDER ride and placed in position miles from the
Town, r sna eommandns all the water batteries
They have kept accurate and incessant hre for
fourteen DAYS doing all the damage that could be done
by guns under such circumstances. Five sinch two
9inch two 81 FOUNDER rife and four - FOUNDER shell
guns have been landed at the request OF the different gen
erals commanding corps from the gunboats and mount
ed in the rear Of Ncksburg and whenever could spare
the officers and men from small complement they
were sent to manage the gunswh what ability leave
to the general commanding to aay.
TO keep the banks ofthe Mississippi clear of guertlAs
Who assembling in force with large number of
cannon 10 block up the river und cut OIL the transports
Bringing dIWn supplies, rcinforeements and ammuni-
unn for the army.
Though the rebels on several occasions built batteries
and with large force attempted to sink or capture the
transports they succeeded, but defeated by
the Runbats with some loss all occasions. Without
watchfa Of the Miss ssipp river the operations Of
the army Would have been mach nterferred WITH and
eau say honestly that the officers did their duty
better than those who paroed the river from Cairo to
Aaalah Isaa bad lnv
our operations commenced, and six or seven men were
killed and wounded.
While the army have had trouble with some Of the
enemy in front ahd behind them, the gunboas and Ma
rine Brigade under Gen. sElet and small force of
troops under Gems Dennis and Mower have kept at
bay large force OF rebels, over 1000 strong, accompa-
MED by large quantity If artillery and though they
offered battle everal times aud engaged they invariably
Aed aud satisfied Themselves by assAulting half discf-
pined and unarmed blacks.
The capture Of vicksburg leaves US large army and
naval forces free all along the river and hope
soon TO add TO department the yesses which have
been temporarily lost to the service viz the Indianca
and Cincinnati The effect Of this blow will be felt far
up the trib tAries o. the Mississippi river. The mid
and doubtful will take heed and the wicked hope,
TO trouble for fear Of the punishment which will
or or later overtake them.
Where has been large expenditure Of ammunition
during the siege. The morars have fired 200 mortar
shells and the gunboats i5OO shells and $500 shots have
been fired from naval guns shore We have aso sup
piled over 6O00 to the different army corps
obedent servant
(Signed) DAVID ID. PORTER,
Acting Rear Admiral Cong Miss. Squadron.
A dispatch from Grants Headquarters da-
ted 8 A. NJ, the Sd, which says flag from
Pemberton appeared at A. NJ, with
communication proposing the appoint
ment of commissioners to arrange for the
surrender of the place to which Gen. Grant
responded The only terms | can entertain
are those of unconditional surrender
Subsequently Gen. Grant met Pemberton,
and, after hours Of consultation, it was settled
to surrender, the former TO parole the troops.
The number Of prisoners including the
wounded is said to be $4,000, IL 900 being
in fighting condition, The immediate cause
of the surrender was the exhaustion of sup
plies and ammunition, and the failure of
Johnston to relieve them. Our army will enter
Vicksburg triumphantly at daylight, doubly
celebrating the 4th
The Tribune has the following special dis
patch, dated Chckasaw Bayou, July 8, via
Cairo, July IT,
Vicksburg is ours. Firing from our front
ceased this morning. pending negotiations for
surrender, which have occupied the greater
part of the day The only contested point
touching the surrender has been in reference
to what shall be done with Gen. Pemberten's
army. He asks and demands that, while the
surrender is unconditional in other respects,
the garrison. which has so long resisted our
army, shall be spared unnecessary humilia-
tion. and shall be paroled in Vicksbnrg. This
will nrobAblv he conceded from motives of
expedienoy alone. and not as a condition. AZ
it will save an immense expenditure for trans
portation and subsistence. General Grant
and Pemberton had a long private interview
At the latter's request. in relation to the
surrender before it was determined-
Officers ACCOMPANYING the flag of truce indi-
cate by their conversation that all that b.;
been published in the North concerninr the
suffering of the rebels in Vicksburg, has bee-
but half the truth. There has been .5ou.
| 25 900 people in Vicksbure and but u 900
of whom are efficient soldiers. or army
will take possession morrow morning.-
The surrender is Just IN time 70 save oosh
~bich ,~onIa tsga .stsrasd AN st,emnt 10
$50 ,ho -. of ~ = snsnv NV s,orn, assuch
49, a,,o1,., haJ -, "a mon co. TO-
,,osro,,, ,,orn;,'.
No, havina hsen allowed an inside v;sw he
rora ,ha dana,,nra Of the hoat l cannot Give
snch de,siIs as nav he desired