New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-04-25


vioLsburg Problem About 70 be Solved
-Communication Between the Soldiers
and Their Homes.
Frem Our Special Correspondent.
MKsPHIs Tenn, Monday, April %, 1883.
forward spirited account Of Porter's gunboass
and Grants transports running the Vicksburg bat
tories, written by one Of your special correspond
ents, who witnessed the stirring spectacle from
above. The same mail will probably bring You de-
scriptions by other members of The TRIBUNE staff,
who saw it from below, or from the gunboats while
they were passing the fiery ordeal.
Great importance 10 attached 10 the movement by
the military authorities here, and there is hearty re-
iociug that il was accomplished with no loss except
the destruction Of single transport old and OF little
value. The sacrifice Of one or more gunboats was
expected and the object sough. was of sufficient i'm
portanco to justify it.
Now, for the first time, we really command the
whole Mississippi. We have gunboats enough and
In the requisite positions to blockade the great river
at all points, and efectuay cut of the rich supplies
of corn from Arkansas and beef from Texas, which
were supplying the shortened larders OF the Rebel
armies.
But this is not the chief advantage gained Grant
has obtained foothold the Mississippi shore, aud
can throw many troops there as he chooses. AZ
Pope, at New-Msdrid, by taking his transports
through the canal while Admiral Foots ran the
blockade Of Island No. 10. with his gunboais, was
enabled 10 throw bis troops below and In the rear OF
the enemy. threatening their only line OF commune
cation 10 Grant ssems 10 command the Rebel posi-
ton.
A glance at the map will show you that the only
outlet Of the Rebel army at Yicksburg 10 the ono
leading east 70 Jackson. II is understood that Grant
win strike for the railroad bridge Black River
II he once reaches 1t, tina, settles the question And
unless the Rebels are more strongly fortified on the
south than Is generally believed, he will be able 10
gain 1t, by moving promptly. / have not been
sanguns OF the success Of his army In its present
condition. and under its present leadership; bat, to-
day the prospects from this standpoint are far more
favorable than they have been for months. Gen.
Grant himself expects an early solution OF the
Vicksburg problem. He has ordered all the Gov
ernment ambusnces from this city sent down TO
him at once, in anticipation Of decisive battle.
Two weeks ago. in Southern Illinois, L saw the
parting steps Of Winter-he last snow falling upon
the first blossoms Here, the season is far advanced.
The woods and orchards are almost in their full Sum-
mer foliage; the wild flowers spange the river
banks; The gardens wear all their Summer smiles,
except roses and magnolIas; and the young peaches
are as large as Mimic bullets.
The funeral Of Mrs. Houston, well known to all
familiar with Memphis society for many years past,
was btlenueu yesterday Ny uu luinobso Cohcouir0 vi
citreus and soldiers. She was a sster, by marriage,
OF Gov Sam Houston Of Texas; lady of rare intel
ligence and culture, who despite her Southern birth
and rearing kept the Union faith through the long
ordeal Of Rebel rule aud welcomed our arrival last
wear with an earnestness which endears her memory
10 all who came in with the National forces
The long procession which followed her remains
TO Elmwood Cemetery witnessed curious feature
of Southern life. IL was negro funeral, the cor
tege third Of mile in length, returning from the
ssme City of the Dead. All the carriages were
filed with negro families but nearly all were driven
by white men, 1t was picture which Northern
s6riekers about negro equality ought to see.
Memphis, the outlet Of Grants army, and OF our
troops about Grand junction. jackson, and Corinth,
is the chief point of communication between the
soldiers and their Northern homes. The letters
going North through the Memphis Post-Oflce
average 5000 daily, and on Friday evening the
Adams Express Company took up the river, as the
accumulation Of two days, over 1000 packages OF
money amounting in the aggregate to nearly hall
million dollars. The paymaster has gene down the
river and the wives and little ones at home are re-
eeiving substantial evidence Of his visit. A. D. r.