Daily national Republican., 1863-07-11
v CKsBUR r g,
0facial Dispatch Of Ad'
: g. -, niral Porter. ,s.....z.
Details Of Naval Operations in The
.... ,.- Siege. ...-
us,rrp srAr.s Mrsr,..r,, sayApnor, }

UnrTED STATES Mif1fs9fPII SouADuON,l
FLAo-sHIY BLACK HAwK,
vfcKsDuRo. July Z, i0o9i7
erH: 4 have the honor TO inform you that
vicksburg has surrendered at last tothe United
States forces, after desperate but vain resist
ance. --------'s--
That she hss not dono 90 sooner has not been
for want Of ability on the part Of our military
com mnanders, but from the magnitude of the
defences which were intended to fspulse any
force ths Government could possibly send there.
What bearing this will have on the rebellion
rema'ns yet to be seen; but the magnitude Of
the success must 20 far toward crushing out
this revolution, and establishing once NOR the
commerce Of the States bordering on this river.
History has seldom had an opportunity OF
recording so desperate defence on one side,
with so much courage, ability, perseverance, and
endurance on the other; and II ever an army
the Army of the Tennessee and Its gallant
leaders.
The navy has necessarily performed less
conspicuous part in the capture OF Vicksburg
than the army; still 1t has been employed In o
manner highly creditable to all concerned.
The gunboats have been constantly employed
below Ticksburg in shelling the works, and
left wing Of the army.
The mortar boats have been at work for AZ
days without interm!sslon, throwing shells into
all parts Of the city, even reaching the works
In the rear Of Vicksburg and In front Of our
troops, . distance OF three miles. Three heavy
guns, placed on scows, o Q inch, 10.inch, and q
lOO.pound rife, were placed in position mile
from the town, and commanded all the import
ant water batteries; they have kept up an ac-
curate and incessant fire for fourteen days, do
ing all the damage that could be done by guns
under such circumstances. Five S-inch, two
9-inch. two 42. poutder rides, four 80 FOUNDER
shell guns, have been landed at the request of
the different generals commanding corps, from
thcgunboats, and mounted In the rear Of Vicks-
burg, and whenever could spare the officers
and men from our small complement, they were
sent to manage the guns; with what ability
leave to the General commanding the forces to
say.
in the mean time, 1 stationed the smaller
class Of gunboats to keep the banks Of the Mis-
sissippi clear ofguerrillas, who were assembling
In force and with large number of cannon, TO
block up the river and cut of the transports
bringing down supplies, reinforcements and
ammunition for the army. Though the rebels
| on several occasions Juilt batteries and with a
large force attempted to sink or capture the
transports they mover succeeded, but were de-
tested by the gunboats with severe logs on all
occasions. ..-
Without watchful care over the Mississippi,
the operations Of the army would have been
much interfered with; and can say honestly
| that officers never did their duty better than
those who have patrolled the river from Cairo
to Visksburg. Ono steamer only was badly
disabled, since our operations commenced, and
six or seven men killed and wounded. While
the army have had . troublesome enemy in
front and behind them, the gunboats, marine
brigade under General Ellet, and q small force
OF troops under Generals Dennis and Mower,
have kept at bay large force of rebels, over
1000 strong, accompanied by large quan.
tity of artillery. Though offered battle several
times and engaged, they Invariably fed, and
satisfied themselves by assaulting half discip
hned and unarmed blacks.
The capture Of yicksburg leaves us larg,
army and naval force free to act all along tn,
river, and hope soon to add to my departlnen
the vessels which have been temporarily lost tt
the service, viz: the Indianola and Cincinnati
The effect Of this blow will be felt far up til,
tributaries of the Mississippi, the timid ant
doubtful will take heart, and the wicked will
hope, cease to trouble us for fear of the pun
ishment which will sooner or later overtakt
tiem.
There has been large expenditure of ammu
milton during the siege. The mortars have
fired 1000 mortar-shells, and the gunboats
4,5OO; 4,50O have been fired from the nava
guns on shore, and we have supplied over 100,
10 the different army corps.
Ihave the honor to remain, very respectfully
your obedient servant,
DAVID d. PoRTEH, Act'g Rear Admiral,
Comdg Miss, Squadron
Hon. GIDEON WELLEs, Secretary Of the Navy
Washington, D. c.