The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-03-20
THE SITUATIO N.

The most important news Of late date from
vicksburg and Port Hudson which reach us from
rebel sources is the disaster which occurred to
Admiral Farragut's feet at the latter place,
resulting in the burning Of the Mississippi and
the disabling Of the Hartford. The Richmond
but We will take that for what it is
worth. Dispatches from jackson, Miss,
dated the l4th inst, have reached Richmond,
stating that St. Helena was attacked in the rear
on Monday, the 9th, and that heavy firing was
heard there on the 18th. St. Helena is about
twenty-five miles in rear of Port Hudson in an
easterly direction, and when we remember that
the forces of General Banks have been for
some time moving in that direction from
Baton Rouge towards Port Hudson by the
Amite river, the heavy firing may probably be
accounted for by the fact that Port Hudson is
being invested by land and water. The position
of both arms Of the service engaged will be readi-
ly seen by the map in another column II is
remarkable fact in this connection that the Rich
mond Wing of the 18th instant "nourns over the
reverses in the Southwest and it is equally re.
markabie that despatch from Port Hudson was
read in the rebel Senate the same day which
caused lively sensation.
The intelligence from the Yazoo expedition is
not very encouraging. We learn from Memphis
that our feet has met with check at the mouth
battery of five heavy guns opened upon the
Chillicothe, and did serious damage TO her, one
shot killing four of her crew and woundng four
teen, through the portfolio. The firing continued
all day Friday last. She received sixty-four shots
in all. At latest accounts our feet was three
miles above the junction of the two rivers above
Yazoo City.
The rebel account Of this affair Is given In Rich.
mond paper. Fort Pemberton, at the mouth Of
the Tallahatchie river, was bombarded on the 18th
instant. We have lost some valuable gunners and
few others. Our loss is not heavy
Our map illustrates all the points.
is also interesting. A despatch from Columbus,
Tennessee, dated on the l4th instant (rebel
sourccl, states that four brigades under General
Rosecrans endeavored TO hem in Van Dorm on the
day previous Just across Duck river, knowing that
he Ind no means Of crossing. The rebel artil.
icry was kept in position, and replied to
araf nv hov orJ tLcc -
of Whites Bridge, twenty six miles above.
II says that our troops were greatly surprised
and exasperated at Van Dorn's escape, and that
they returned to Franklin after burning the houses
that Van Dorm had occupied Us his headquarters.
A battle was considered imminent in the
vicinity OF Tulahoma. rs some skirmishing took
place on the Murfrcesboro road, near Old Fosters.
vile, on the 18th inst.
The blockade runners appear TO be carrying OF
. successful game, II we can rely upon the rebe
intelligence upon that point. II Il reported from
Charleston that British steamer reached Con
federatc port on Friday night, loaded with mer
chandise, bringing Nassau dates Of Thursday The
steamers Ruby, from Charleston, and Giraffe, from
Wilmington, had arrived safely at Nassau. Many
new steamers had reached Nassau from England
Intending to run the blockade. II h also STATED
by despatch from Wilmington, y. c., tina, IN,
British steamer Britannia, from Glasgow, arrived
on Sunday, with valuable cargo, and that tn,
steamer Gertrude. from Greenwich Scotland. ar