The Portland daily press., 1863-02-21
Situation at vicksburg.

Our latest private advices from before Vicks-
burg indicate that important operations are
now in progress for the reduction of that
stronghold. General Grant, it seems, who is
commander-in-chief of the forces before that
city, has adopted method of attack very DIFF
ferent from that of his predecessor, Sherman.
Instead of rushing on pell nell TO the strong
lines OF intrenchments and batteries he is en-
deavoring to circumvent the great complication
OF rifle pits, abatis, sloughs, and easements, by
pushing down beyond them and seizing the
lower end of the chain of bluffs upon which
the rebels are planted.
From Vicksburg to Warrenton by the road
is about ten miles; from Vicksburg to Haine's
Bluff, IN the opposite direction, is about twelve.
This line, twenty-five miles in all, we can men
ace at almost every part-at Haihe's. at Chick
asaw Bayou, at Old River, at Terrill's or up
per bluffs, at the city wharf, and thence down
the river bank at almost any point to the low
er end of the bluffs at Warrenton. This is
task so prodigious that the southern officers
will see at once how great is the disadvantage
at which they are placed. They must concen-
trate a vast army at that point in order to be
ready at every moment to resist simultane-
Gus attack from every point above indicated.
All this force must now be fed and transferred
by the one single line of railroad running east
ward to Jackson, as every other source of sup
ply is now cut off from them. On account of
tne large Oh ram tile very Ddu ROADS OF IN
terror Mississippi are now impossible. The
river below Is blockaded both by rams and our
own batteries. West Louisiana and Texas are
finally and hopelessy sundered from the con-
federacy. Nothing beyond a mere skiff-load
can be smuggled across the Mississippi.
Already we have established chain of bat
teries from opposite the lower edge of Vicks-
burg to opposite Warrenton, which, though
they may be useless In reducing the heavier
ba aftQrips nf tho rabpls IN N htufs maj " ha of
the great service In covering landing oftroops
In conjunction with the gunboats, and absolute
ly close the door against river communication.
Not even the unfinished Vicksburg can hope
to escape from her present lodgment, but must
be either destroyed by the hands of her owners
or fall into our hands as prize. So far this is
great gain.
The latest indications are, however. that a
more sweeping and less hazardous process Is
to be attempted than the landing of troops in
front of the city-something of the nature Of
of the coup de guerre at Island 10. General
McArthur's division is reported to have NOV
ed up. from the mouth of the Yazoo TO Lake
Providence, La, hundred miles further up.
Here it appears the Mississippi is not far re-
moved from two streams, the Bayou Mason
and Bayou Tensas, which, at high water, are
nearly Joined TO the parent stream at their
sources. Thence they continue down In tor
tnous path until they reach the Red river near
It's mouth, some twenty-five miles above Bayou
Sara and ifey above Port Hudson. II is deem
ed possible at the high stage Of the Mississippi,
by little excavation and clearing, to turn SO
much OF the river into this new channel as TO
make navigable stream Of the Tensas or Ma
son, leaving Vicksburg some hundred miles 10
the left. Should this scheme succeed we might
expect to see half OF our army advancing i'll a
feet of transports TO assist General Banks at
Port Hudson, preparatory TO the grand attack
on Vicksburg by the combined armies.
1t will thus be seen that there Is very
narrow chance between the rebels and their
utter defeat. They will not think of transfer
ring the bulk Of their army 10 Port Hudson,
for il could neither be gotten there nor fed II
there without the river. The alternative
would be that Port Hudson must be eyacuat-
ed, the garrison withdrawn for the support Of
Vicksburg. where the contest could be resum-
ed with the united forces of both parties.
II, however, this plan should be unavailing
and a few days must determine the fact then
the resources left to US is the iorcible occupa-
ton Of Warrenton. Heavy guns are being
shipped down TO Gen. GRANT. with which TO
line the shores in such numbers that by dint
of more rapid fire and more liberal expendi-
ture of ordinance and the aid of the gunboats,
the batteries can be seized with comparatively
trifling loss. At present the bulk of the hostile
guns are at the upper part OF the chain, at and
above the city. It is unlikely that the rebels
will be permitted TO fortiiy at their leisure be-
low. IL therefore. an army can be ferried over
on RATS or gunboats a lodgment might safely
be made at one end, and once began orr su-
periority Of means and appliances would insure
the rest
The canal in front of the city seems to be
looked upon with more doubt. Ii il should
wash out a channel then gunboats might pass
through comparatively out of danger; other
wise they must follow the noble eyample of
ELLET aud his Queen. and run the blockade.
The other vessels OF the fleet are represented
as being ready and anxious TO face the ordeal.
On the whole the prospects are more enconr-
aging from the lower Mississippi, and the APP
pearanees are that the accumulation of scientific
resources will prove too much for the enemy.
IN. Y. World. 10Th.