New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-02-02
THE sEIGE OF vICKsBURG.
Operations ON the Cut-OH-Gen. mcCler-
nard,s Chief Of staff Killed.

Col. Stewart, Chief Of Gen. McClernards Staff
was killed opposite Vicksburg on the Oath inst He
was destroying the Rebel ferry-boais, and was shot
by the enemy.
CAiRo, Jan. o. have seen Captain Of the Goth
Illinois who left Vicksburg on the cd inst
Gen. McClsrnards forces have landed on the
Louisiana side five miles below the mouth Of the
Ysroo River, and in full view Of the city.
Two brigades were engaged, whsn the Captain
left in opening the famous cutoff, Of which 20 much
wac said last Summer.
The river is bank-full at Vietsburg, and high
enough 20 rush through the canal at fearful rae.
He thinks it will be perfect success. He thinks
that should this channel become large enough 10 sd'
nit the passage Of boats, the Rebels for the present
will be allowed TO hold yieksburg while the Union
lists turn their attention 10 matters further South.
In his opinion it would take 10000 men TO storm
their Notifications Vcksburg. Ourguu and mortar
boats could fhel the cty from where they lie on the
north side Of the river BEND but, II 1t were en-
tirely destroyed the Notifications which extend for
miles back, would be as formidable as ever. ..
Return OF the White River Expedition
Grants Army Moving toward Vieksbur:
Scarcity OF Transports- Miiiiken's
Hend the Present Point of COneentra-
tion-Lcgiiin,nte Strategy 10 be Tried
on the Rebel Observation-Disclosures on
the Lower Rivcrs-n eager Provision for
Invalid soIdiers-Tbe Wississippi and
IFS Tributaries Rising hnpidiy.
From, Our Special Correspondent
NATIONAL FLEET TRASsPosT RrrH, }
Down tie Mi'si"ppi below the Month OF 1''e RIVER
Friday, Jan. ~. IdhJ-2 a NJ
The White River expedition ia ended all the fleet
having returned. Gen. German is now at Helena
again, and Gen. Hoyey also; while Gen. Fisk is Oh
his way to Memphis having been instructed to meet
Gen. Grant there.
Fisk will Immediately return down the river en-
route to veksturg, having been assigned the COM
mand OF a Division, composed OF the 3d. 18th aud
Goth Iowa, 28th Wisconsin, aud 33d aud 35ih Mia
souri, Co. A, lst Missouri Artillery, and three com
panes IL. Missouri Cavalry.
Within day or two, come % or 30 transports
have parsed down the river from Memphis with
troops from Grants army, snd others will be moving
southwark ia sooD as Transportation can be obtained.
The boats that have gone below will probably return
as soon as they have disembarked their military car
goes in order TO transfer eodiers 10 tie seat
of war.
The present point of concentration 10 OF Milikep's
| Bend above Vcksburg, and II IS thought that the
forces will be drilled, and disciplined, and rcoTgan-
lied there before tue siege is regularly begun. do
not look for any active offensive movements Tor two
three weeks yet, and presume we VIII rely this
time upon strategy moro than grand tactcs IA JONI
mi defines those branches in his Dart Of War"
Another attempt viii be made TO cut u canal
across the louisiana peninsula, and trust, with
more success than attended the effort last Summer.
The management Of the enterprise will be given, l
understand, to Col j. III. Bssell, who made the
canal AT Island No. ia work TINT deserved all the
praise il received. In a conversation with Col. Bis
sell the other day, he was asking about the topo-
graphy of the country about Vicksburg, and after
understanding it, he said he felt confident Ire would
have no trouble in changing the Of the Mis-
sissppi. Should lie be enabled 20 realize his expec-
tatons we will gain all we desire without tho ne
cesNty OF battle.
Vicksburg. cannot hep believing, is destined to
give us deal OF trouble YETI and though lis fall ID
lated, fear its downfall will cost us many iives
The region of country about Vicksburg Is SUI
premely unhealthy, and 1t 10 10 be hoped proper san
itary measures will be taken 10 provide for the ac.
conulo dation and comfort of the hundreds who VIII
be taken sick there.
No constitution 10 vigorous no health go elastic
that il Will not yield eventually to the poisonous ma
laia and the atmospheric deblitGtion OF the Lower
mississippi. Disease Ia In its tributaries, ana
death in it1 exbalatons Last Summer VIZ
experienced ibis most painfully, aud the nu,
merous graves upon Mississippi aud Louisiana sou
give mournful evidence Of the fact. The present
season is far more favorable than the torrd days o.
July, but there it'is always unhealthy, anu hie
ancs ever upon elender threads. m
Gen. Fisk designs to take hospital boat WIN
him Tor the accommodation Of his command and y
Ding 90 lie viii ssye many Lives; ior tho Leaving "