The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-05-29
BY TELEGRAPH.
viCKSBURG NEWS.

WASHINGTON, May 25.-The Tribune
says the President has received second
message which has not been sent to the
press, which stated with rather more pre-
cision than the first, that the whole rebel
army has been captured, and third also
received confirming accounts OF the other
two.
We consider both these as nearly trust
worthy as any thing but official or other
information can be, and reading them in
the light of the previous news it is hardly
possible to doubt the GROWING victory of
the long struggle has at last been won,
and that Vicksburg is ours.
WASHINGTON, May 25.-The following
dispatch was received in Washington this
morning:
CAIRO, May 25.-To Hon Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington
The following dispatch has just been re-
ceivsd, signed, A. M. Pennick, Captain
Mississippi Squadron:
FLAG SHIP BLACK HAWK, HAINEs' BLUFF
YAzoo RIVER, May 20.
To Hon G1pEoN WELLEs, Secretary Of the
Navy;
On the morning of the 18th, l came
over to the Yazoo, to be ready to co-ope-
rate with General Grant, leaving two of
the ironclads at Red River, one at Grand
Gulf, one at Carthage, three at Warrenton
and two in the Yazoo, and used the small
force | still had left of them to the best
advantage.
On the 10th firing was heard in the
rear of Vicksburg, which assured me that
Gen. Grant was approaching the city.
The cannonading was kept up furiously
for some time, when by aid of glasses, l
discovered company Of our artillery
advancing, taking position, and driving the
rebels before them. I Immediately saw
that Gen. Sherman's division had come on
the left of Snyder's Bluff, and that the
rebels at that place had been cut off from
joining the forces in the city.
I dispatched the De .Kalb, Lieutenant
Commander Walker, the ChOctaw, Lieu
tenant Commander Ramsay, the Romo,
Petrol and Forest Rose, all under COM
mand of Lieutenant Commander Breese,
up to the Yazoo, to open communication
in that way with Generals Grant and
Sherman.
This l succeeded in doing, and in three
hours received letters from Generals Grant,
Sherman, and Steele, informing me of his
vast success, and asking me to send up pro-
visions, which was at once done.
In the meantime Lieutenant Commander
Walker, in the De Kalb, pushed on to
Haines' Bluff, which the enemy had COM
menced evacuating the day before, and a
party remained behind in hopes of destroy
ing or taking away large amount of am
munition which the enemy had on hand.
When they saw gunboats they came out
and left everything in good order. Guns,
forts, tents and equipments of all kinds
which fell into our hands.
AS soon as the capture of Haines Bluff
and IA guns was reported to me, showed
up gunboats from below Vicksburg, to
fire at the Hill batteries, which fire was
kept up for two or three hours. At mid
night they moved up to the town and fired
for about an hour, which fire continued
at intervals during the night to annoy the
garrison.
On the 10th l placed six mortars in
position, with orders to fire night and day
as rapidly as they could.
The works at Haines' Bluff were very
formidable. There are fourteen heavy
mounted eight and ten inch and seven and
a half inch rihed cannon, with ammunition
enough to last long siege.
AS the gun carriages might again fall in
to the hands of the enemy, had them
burnt, blew up the magazine, and destroy
ed the works generally. I also burnt up
the encampments, which were permanent
ly and remarkably we'll constructed, look
ing IS if the rebels intended to stay for
some time.
The works and entertainments covered
many acres of ground The Notifications
and rifle pits back of Haines Bluff reach
ed above mile and a quarter. Such
net work of defences | never saw.
The rebels were year in constructing
them, and all were rendered useless in an
ho.r.
AS soon as l got through with the de-
struction of the magazines and other
works, l started Lieutenant Commander
Walker up the Yazoo with sufficient force
to destroy all the enemy's property in that
direction, with orders to return with all
dispatch, and only proceed as far as Yazoo
City, where the rebels have navy yard
and stOrehouse
In the meantime Gen. Grant has closely
invested Vicksburg and has possession OF
the best commanding points.
In very short time a general assault
will take place, when | hope to announce
that Vicksburg has fallen, after series of
the most brilliant successes that ever at
tended an army.
There has never been case during the
war where the rebels have been so success
fully beaten at all points, and the patience
and endurance shown by our troops, army
and navy, for so many months is about be-
ing rewarded.
It is question of few hours, and then,
with the exception of Port Hudson, which
will follow Vicksburg, the Mississippi will
be open it's entire length.
(Signed D. D. PORTER,
Comdg Miss. Squadron
LATEST.
WASHINGTON, May 26.-The following
has been received at the Headquarters Of
the army here:
MEMPHIS, May 25th. AM