The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1863-01-16
Matters at Vicksburg.

we cup from tue igptIii 'dSNSo"i VI
the Sth instant:
Our observations during a short visit to
Vicksburg have served TO convince us
that the enemy met with most signal
defeat in his late attack upon our lines.
Every person in the least conyersant
with the facts, whom we met, gave us the
same information as to the gallant beha-
vior OF our troops engaged, and of the
complete rout of the enemy, notwith'
standing his superior numbers. Numer-
Gus trophies from the battlefield were TO
be seen in many quarters, which had
been obtained by the curious, and were
being held as mementoes,
No one pretends to account for the
hot haste with which the Federals aban-
doned the position they had Obtained
They were not threatened with an attack
by our troops, yet their departure was
sudden and unexpected. evidently as
much so to themselves as TO our friends.
OF this, abundant testimony was left be-
hind. In addition TO their ,1trenching
tools, some of their pickets, arms, etc,
were forgotten; such was their hurry that
they left behind considerable amount
of -four, buiscuit, fine picked pork, and
other delicacies, which were thrown into
lake, much of which was rescued by
our men before being much damaged
A number of stragglers, who were absent
from camp, were also abandoned, and
have since been brought in as prisoners.
1t was an incomprehensible "skedaddle"
The smoke ofat least a portion of their
feet has continued visible from the city.
Our special dispatch this evening proba
bly, gives correct information as TO their
whereabouts.
We found active preparation going on
at every point to meet further attpck,
and the enemy will find different state
Of things, when he makes his grand ef-
fort, from that of last summer. Not on
ly is the army confident, but the citizens
also Most of them are pursuing their
usual avocations without any apparent
distrust as to the future. A few only
| have removed their effects.
In our walks about the city, we were
pleased to observe the excellent conduct
of the soldiery. twas entirely uneXam
pied in our former experience. Although
relieved from the restrictions Of the
CdIuD, TIC We iltt NtlU uulCl
and Northumberland bouyant and
determined Of spirit and in their inter-
course with all were courteous and atia-
BILE in almost every instance. Such men
are true soldiers, and the citizens of the
Hill City can implicitly rely upon the
defenders assigned them.
That the Federal plan for the capture
of Vicksburg embraced operations by
both Banks and Sherman, aided by both
fleet of gunboats, we have no doubt and
the reason generally assigned by officers
who reached Memphis on the 4th, for
the withdrawal of Sherman's forces was
that Banks failed to come in time" They
had failed to include in their arrange
ments the work the latter will have to
accomplish at Port Hudson, where, we
predict, he will meet with distractions
that will hereafter prevent his coopera-
ton at Vicksburg.
1t was stated in Memphis that the plan
Of operations was for the gunboats to
make, as above stated, combined at
tack. The land forces from both direc-
tons were expected to effect a landing,
Tie one on the Yazoo and the other below
Warrenton; and make a junction at OF
near Raymond. This will probably ac-
count for the gunboat attack on the
Yazoo-the object being to silence the
batteries which were not supposed to be
strongly supported by infantry, and thus
permit the troops to land. On learning,
as they did by couriers, that Banks was
not on hand, they withdrew. The failure
caused great modification among the ex-
pectants, Sherman having promised them,
on leaving Memphis, that he would open
the river in short week. The disap-
pointment must create necessity for the
organization of new plans, as our inior-
mant thinks; but of this we have no fears
The time can be as pro6tably employed
by us as by the enemy.