The New York herald., 1863-03-18
Vicksburg.

Down to the latest advices last night the gov
ernment had received no official confirmation Of
the reported brilliant operations Of the Yazoo
expedition. The despatch re ceived on Monday
at Washington from Admiral Porter, on the
Mssissi ippi river, near the outlet Of the Yazoo,
stating that he had heard the signal by cannon
agreed upon with Captain Smith, announcing
''the arrival of the naval portion Of the expedi-
tion in the Yazoo," is our last direct informa-
of papers before us from Richmond down to
the 18th inst, and from the significant fact that
they contain no reports or rumors of battle,
or even a petty skirmish, along the Yazoo, we
may reasonably infer that nothing had occurred
on that stream down to the 18th inst. Of any
consequence to either side Of which the rebels
at Vicksburg had any knowledge.
From Yazoo Pass. out of the Mississippi into
the little Moon Lake and Coldwater bayou,
and thence down into the Tallahatchie river
and Yazoo to Haines' Bluff, on the north
flank Of Vicksburg, the distance by the tortu-
GUS water courses pursued is, we suppose, not
less than four hundred miles, or not less than
and Richmond. 1t is hardly possible that our
warlike expedition could traverse all this dis
tancs down these aforesaid rivers, in the heart
Of one of the richest cotton districts Of the
South, and almost into the rear of Vicksburg
without picking up considerable number OF
rebel steamers and cotton bales. The expedi-
ton, as has been reported, may have captured
or destroyed . number OF rebel steamboats,, and
the flooded condition Of the Yazoo and its low
lands may have kept the rebels at Vicksburg
in ignorance OF the movements of our squadron.
AT all events, considering the promptness
and avidity with which the rebel journals at
Richmond pick mp any disaster to our arms,
great or small, and in view Of the fact that not
even . hint of any rebel success on the Yazoo
down to the 18th instant is to be found in
those journals, we are satisfied that Captain
Smiths expedition has met with no serious
resistance; and it has, perhaps, met with not
even detachment Of the enemy. They may
have been driven of by the spreading floods
let into the head branches Of the Yazoo from
the Mississippi.
In addition to the rebel Notifications at
Hainss' Bluff there may, too, be distractions
In tho river near that point, which may have
prevented any communication down stream
with Admiral Porter; while we all know that q
return up stream to the Yazoo Pass, against
the swift current Of the descending food, and
in the narrow, crooked and dangerous channel
which must be pursued, has been pronounced
absolutely impossible We feel, therefore.
satisfied that the expedition, though temporarily
cut of from any communication, up or down,
or across the flooded country to Admiral
Porter, is all right. Our greatest apprehension
il that when our land and naval forces advance
10 the assault upon vicksburg they will find
the place evacuated, after the fashion Of Co
rinth, and that General Rosecrans will frs,
know the exact whereabouts Of the rebel army
Of General Pemberton. Before the close oI
the day We expect some definite news from
| Admiral Porter or General Grant, or from