Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1863-05-20
jackson In the hands Of the Enemy.

Jackson In the hands Of the Enemy.
The Richmond Esam,iaer Of Saturday conveys the
unwelcoms intelligence that Jackson, the capital Of
the State Of Mississippi is in the hands oft enemy.
That paper says: s.l... go
"a courier arrived here yesterday with official
intelligence that the enemy, probably the combined
armies of Grant and Banks, had penetrated to Jack
son, Mississippi and taken possession of that place.
This news was regarded as bad by the uniformed,
but we are assured upon the best authority, that
General Johnston who fell back from jackson for
strategic purposes regards the situation all that
is desirable. With q fine army he has taken q po-
sition between jackson and Vicksburg, with bis
communications open to the latter place. A grea!
battle in this vicinity is regarded imminent and
all our military men are sanguine that signal VIC
tory awaits our arms
jackson is about forty miles from Vicksburg, and
contains population of some Eve thousand.
We learn that the supplies on hand in jackson
were removed to Vicksburg before the enemy reach
ed the former place. it be true that the enemy is
in possession of Jackson, Vicksburg may fall
This would be great blow to the Southern cause.
1t would give the enemy control of the entire Mis-
sssippi and Interpretations would be carried on from
the river as his base against the States Of Mississp
pi and Alabama The death of Stonewall Jackson
and the loss Of VicksUorg, taken together, would
occasion serious fears among our people a. to the
result of the war. The Er1miner says:
"By running the gauntlet Of our batteries at
Vicksburg with his transports, Grant avoided the
necessity Of the completion Of the canal and secured
passage of the river after leading his troops over
the narrow peninsula below Vicksburg, at any point
above Port Hudson which he might select. 1t aP:
pears that the defences at Grand Gulf which Is
twenty two miles south of Warrenton, at the mouth
of Black river, only constructed after the enc
my had succeeded in getting Of his vessels be-
tween Port HUDSON and Vicksburg. The Black
river being navigable for some distance they were
intended Obstruct the passage of force to the rear
of Vicksbnrg by this route.
The abandonment of our works there after &C.
we're bombardment has opened the door to the enc
| N.Y. and the recent battle of Port Gibson has put
them still further on their way TO Vicksourg Inc
evacuation of Port Gibson by General Bowen has
been followed by that of Bayou Pierre, and, at last
accounts his forces had been withdrawn across the
| Big Black, within twenty miles of Vicksburg.
The situation is one of immediate and critical in
| terest 1t remains to be seen whether the enemy
will advance against Vicksbu, or make an attempt
on our communications at some inland point II is
more than probable, however, that Vcksburg is the
prize to be contested and that Its fate is the eve
of decision. Hitherto the Yankees have failed in
every attempt on this heroic city by canals and
through lagoons and bayous and their plan Is evil
Gently now to march around the city, destroy the
Southern railroad and compel its capltulation.
| An immense stake is to be contested in the cam.
pagn in Mississippi. Not only are the two strong
holds of Vicksburg and Port Hudson menaced, but
the line of the Mississippi from far above the mouth
of the Yazoo and the interior of the State with its
great system of railroads. including the three lines
Of rail divergng from Corinth, from below by Pear
river and from Pontchateula, are threatened by q
numerous and enterprising foe. On all sides the
department of Gen. Pemberson is assailed"
Gen. Pemberton is Northern man by birth. Sc
was Gen. Lowell, by whose treachery or incapacity
! New Orleans was lost.