The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-06-09

to the Yazoo, and succeeded in getting des-
patches through to Young's Point Supply
boats came up at once, and the army was fully
provided with rations. This is now our line of
supplies, and the army is well and easily pro-
vided with commissary and ordnance stores.
At the time of the first assault, the enemy
was in the greatest CONSERVATION. All the
prisoners in Vicksburg were released and sent
across the river. believe, if McClernand had
made the assault, as ordered, our army would
have taken Vicksburg. Why he did not l
really do not know. / would not like to say
that he is more politician than general-more
jealous of others and ambitious of self than is
becoming the good soldier; but this is the fact,
If one-halft that is asserted by officers in relation
to his conduct at the first and second assault 2
is true; and If it is, he ought not TO be where
he is.
During the night of the 2lst, the gun-boats
and mortars opened upon the city and the
lower batteries. During the whole night and
until ten in the morning of the 22d, a constant,
heavy, terrific cannonade was kept up. Soon
after daylight, the batteries ofthe army opened
fire. The Rebels replied from all their guns.
The water batteries were silenced by the gun
boats, but those on the heights kept at work.
The gun-boats could not fire at them, as our
army was in their rear
Before the second assault upon the enemy's
rear fortifcations, General McArthnr, with
portion of his division, crossed the Mississippi
near Warrenton, and after a severe engage
ment drove the enemy and occupied the
heights above Warrenton and below Vicks-
burg
About midday another assault was ordered
on the whole line Storming parties of volun-
teers, and foriorn hopes, were advanced under
cover of field batteries and sharpshooters,
and supported by brigades The men moved
bravely and well into the field and up to the
works, but all in vain. We could not take
the works. The men dug steps in the earth
works with their bayonets, and placed their
colors on the Rebel parapets, whence neither
party could remove them, every man who
showed himself falling from the shot of a rifle
man. Our loss during the day was very severe
especially of officers. -..
Vicksburg is defended in the rear by works
fifteen feet in height, with bitches ten feet
deep-the works standing on steep bllsides,
every approach protected by rifle pits and
covered by artillery. 1t cannot be taken by
assault but ,oiU be taken. 1t is doomed
city.
This morning mine under one Of the forts
in front Of Sherman's Corps, was blown up,
and the site is now in our possession.
The gun-boats Choctaw and Baron de Kalb
returned last evening from Yazoo City, one
| hundred miles above, on the Yazoo. The city
capitulated. All the Rebel Government
stores and partly built ram were de-
stroyed.
send you partial list of casualties. Our
loss So far, is about 5000 killed and wounded,
perhaps less. The enemy's loss, SO far, is not
less than $4,000. Seven thousand prisoners
are in cur hands, and 92 pieces of artillery. The
quantity Of small arms, ordnance, camp and
! garrison equipage that has fallen into our
hands, is very large.
This is the total of our army's work. In sixt
"a -.