Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-05-25
MORNING
MONDAY MORNNG. MAY IS, 1853.
Highly Important from Graut---The Car
ture Of Vicksburg.


Highly Important from GraHt---The Cap
ture Of VicksbUrg.
At length the loyal pulse bounds with
the exhileration forwhich the public heart
has long waited-the rejoicing over the
capture Of Vioksburg. There is but little
doubt remaining that the great work has
been accomplished and that the Federal
flag now waves over that stronghold. A
dispatch from Adjutant-G General Rawlings,
with Grants army, briefly narrates the
preliminaries to the final blow. That dis
patch brings up the operations Of the army
to Wednesday last at which time General
Grant had worked his way to the rear Of
Vicksburg and taken the outer works, with
every prospect Of capturing the city, and
the entire force in it. This was the latest
information received here up to Saturday
night. Yesterday morning a dispatch was
forwarded from Cincinnati; Chaving been
sent to his wife in that city, by Mr.. Fuller,
manager of the telegraph lines at Mem
phis, containing the glorious news that
the City IOas captured on Thursday; that the
Stars and Stripes noaO DaUs OUsr the city, aud
that the vieforg is complete. The glad news
spread rapidly throughout the city, and
devout thanks went up to God from our
churches, that he had given US this great
and signal victory
In Importance of results, no victory Of
the war has been OF more value than
this. Vicksburg, even more than Rich
mend, was valued by the rebels as a strong.
hold Of Confederate power. In position
it vas nearly ~impregnable upon the sides
from which attack was ~apprehended; while
in geographical location it was the key Of
the whole Of western rebellion. Its occu-
patton by rebel forces was most damaging
to the North, inasmuch as il completely
cut of all trade with the Mississippi. Il
was also Of incalculable Importance to the
rebels, as q gateway through which the i'm
mense supplies Of provisions afforded by
Texas sesured safe passage to the Confed.
eraey. The Mississippi will now be opened
flor Port Hudson, if not already in General
Banks hands, must speedily fall now
Texas and Arkansas will be isolated 6
base Of operations against the Southern
rebels will be secured, and the railroad
system Of the Gulf States will be in Oul
hands. The rebel army at Vicksburg de-
stroyed, dispersed or captured, gives Rose.
Grams an opportunity to advance upon his
opposing force, while Burnside takes VI
his march in cooperation with Rosecrans
for East Tennessee. II we have this gen.
ersl activity in the West we can look indif.
fersntly upon the inactivity of the Poto.
mac army, satisfied if it only keeps Lee'l
army in expectation Of 8 fight. Othsl
successes Of the Federal arms may haYt
been as important in their remote cOnse-
quences, but for immediate and tangible
results, no blow yet dealtthe rebellion ha;
been equalt to this. To Grant and his army
be the hOnors and the plaudits of The
American people.
The record of Grants achievements, al
briefly stated in our dispatches, is one O.
great interest In the three weeks from
the 3Oth Of April TO the 2lst Of May, hi
fought five important battles, defeated the
rebels every time, and captured sixty-se7en
pieces Of artillery, with a loss to the enemy
Of nine thousand three hundred and fifty
men; sIl of this being previous to the cap
ture Of the city, with all its troops, stores,
ammunition, guns and Notifications. Sure
ly this is 3 record which should crown its
participants with immortal hOnors.
Our Sunday nights dispatches may
bring us later accounts than those upon
which these remarks are predieated.