The New York herald., 1863-03-17

- i ~ - xN1Ns
There is stirring news from the Southwest to-
day, and although it may appear somewhat indis-
tnct and mysterious in the shape it reaches u.s. is
evidently based upon substantial facts
despatch was received in Washington yester-
day from Admiral Porter, dated before vcksburg
on the 7th inst, stating that he had received the
signal agreed upon between him and Commander
Smith, Of the Yazoo expedition, to be fred as soon
as the latter officer entered the Yazoo river which
signal was to be nine minute guns, and three guns
afterwards in quick succession. A despatch
from ycksburg to Cincinnati yesterday says that
the Yazoo Pass expedition has captured twenty
six steamboats,, eighteen Of which were destroyed.
The gunboats have arrived above Haines' Bluff
and would soon commence the attack. Rumors
were rife Of the evacuation of vcksburg, and it
was supposed that the greater part Of the rebel
force would 60 to Chattanooga and endsavor to
overwhelm General Rosccrans General McCler-
nand's troops were compelled to embark for Mil
liken's Bend, sixteen miles above yicksburg
owing TO high water. Recent operations
at Lake Providence and elsewhere result
ed in inundating more than one hundred
miles of Louisiana territory destroying millions
of dollars worth Of property. The rebel guerias
suffered fearfully by the food In fact, they were
completely driven out. The same intelligence
was received at Chicago. 1t is said that the au.
thorties in Washington are confident Of the sue
cess of our military movements in the West and
are in high spirits over the late news. The sue
cess Of the Yazoo expedition, and possibly the
evacuation Of yicksburg, may therefore receive
confirmation at any moment.
We are in receipt Of Richmond papers from the
9th to the 18th instant. The rapid decrease Of
food in the South is creating the utmost solictude
A resolution was offered on the llth instant in the
Congress Of the confederacy by Mr.. Conrad, pro.
posing terms Of peace, and was referred to the
Committee on Foreign Affairs. In effect IL pro
vides that "ths Senate and House Of Repre-
sen,ativcs Of the Confederate States do there.
fore resolve that they will cordially cooperate
with the Executive In any measures 1t may adopt
consistent with the honor, the dignity and inde.
pendcncc Of these States, tending to speedy res.
toraon OF peace with all or with any Of the States
of the federal Union.n The Mobile Tribune saw
that the pirate Florida left while nine blockadsrs
were in front Of Mobile. She was chased nineteen
hours; but finally ran out of view, and on her way
destroyed new Union brig on her first voyage.
letter from Tybee Island, below Savannah
ssys-On the evening Of the 9th steamer came
into the harbor, fred two guns, and left again be
fore the guns Of the fertilization, six In number
could be brought to bear on her. The fort was II
charge Of Lieut.. Albert r. Miller, with q detsch
ment Of the Forty.eighth New York II is sup
posed that she was the Alabama or the Florida o,
blockade runner.
Important news reaches us from San Francisco
10 the effect that the schooner Chairman whom
leaving for Mexico on the 18TH was boarded bv
the government officials, and taken in charge as 4
privateer. About twenty secessonists were can.
tured aboard, well armed and six brass Dahlureu
guns, with carriages suitable for use on ships
Correspondence on the persons OF the prisoner:
identified them with the party recently negotiating
for steamer Victoria for pnvateer. The prison