The New York herald., 1863-07-08

eoro ensued and resulted in the deea Of ths rebe q
sha point thereby securing part Of rennes
SO and the region between Nashville tho Mississippi
rs~ A few rowing bands still infested the region, bus
a. whole the specified space was cleared Of the rebel
iorces. And thus opened the year 1868 10 the Wess
oenerA AcClernand, wishing TO MS rear from
asck' and knowing that rebel force existed al Fort
hindman, on the Arkansas river, planned an expedition
wnicn secured the whole aair-works and men, horse
1901 and artillery This battle and victory, which took
place on the 10th and Il,h Of January, 1893 was COM
pete success and prevented many disaster that doubt
sss would have subsequently occurred but for this move
ment
CONSOLIDATION o COMMANDO.
Abe road beng now clear matters began 70 assume
definite shape, and General Grants forces were cnso
dated with the McCernand expedonary troops General
Mcoernand assuming command Of the Thirteenth corps
while the other corps commanded In the order be-
lore stated The Sixteenth corps be employed 10
securing the with the North and having
the headquarters stationary Memphis The thirteenth
Fifteenth and Seventeenth corps placed imne-
diatcly under General Grants ORDERS corps having
its headquarters In the field.
All this time the forces under General had
been de but securing the bank OF the river oppo-
site to Baton Rouge.
THE cur OFF AGAIN.
IL was deemed advisable to try and reopen the 70
nous cut OF originated and begun by General Williams
during the previous summer, but which had been par
TALLY filled up by rebels after tho withdrawal OF the
Union forces in July. Therefore two brigades were
engaged upon this work. whiie transports and
gunboats were employed carrying other troops 70
chosen spot on tho river bank above the canal,
70 as to be ready operate proper and place
On the 18th Of January the armada sst sail from
Napoleon md Memphis for Youngs Point and Miken's
Bend two locations on the west side Of the river. little
above vcxsburg. The troops landed, Mcclernands
forces occupying the advance Meanwhile tho pro-
gressed steadily towards completion, and all eyee Union
and rebel, were turned upon this work
QUEEN TIE WET
On the I'd Of February the Queen OF the ran tho
Vicksbnrg batteries and caused serious damage to
the rebels along the shore and adoat Mississippi
but what was Of more consequence the sequel
caused diversion and turned the OF the euemy
for time from Grants operations about Youngs Point
and Milken's Bend The Indanola shortly accom-
pshed the same feat IL s that by these dashes
lost the vessels but they had, during interval
pshd great deal delaying the transmission of stores
from the Red river, so. Coal boats been run by
the batteries. supply them with during their
operations.
THE BohBARDxESr Rg0fESEp.
On the 18th OF February the mortar boats having taken
up their chosen positions opened Are upon tho devoted
city The fire replied to by tho batteries and the
boats had TO withdraw. Shortly after they took up
exposed position and removed the bombardment.
THE CANAL
While these operations were going attempt was
made 70 get into the rivers Of Louisiana running parallel
with the Mississippi by OF Lake Providence and
to gain this lake fiat bot,omed gunboa. was carried
overland from the river. BY OF this vessel tho
rowing rebel bands in this vicinity cleared away
and the military allowed TO operate canal be cut
from the Mississippi to the lake. This canal was com
piced and the water lot into 10th OF March
only advantage OF the scheme was TO food immense
tract Of country including tho Jiage OF Providence al
though the theory Of the scheme promised grander re
suits.
TIE PAS.
Another scheme tried 10 get behind tho rebel
works 81 Vicksburg by Of tho bayous inland
streams, but tho dflculty 20 reach them. An
old closed up stream known tho Yazoo Pass
many years unnavigable, stagnant, drearv wild and
almost forgotten water course brought before
the notice Of the Union military authorities reopened
On tho oath Of February the feet commenced entering
the by tearing down the levee before entrance
and on the 2sth the vessels Codwater river
The work Of opening the pass dangerous
herculean yet it was accomplished and the vessels
were in deep watcr with clear sailing But the rebels
interposed another serious obstacle this "a.
tho bend near junction Of tho Talla
hatchie and Ysabusha rivers, earthvork fort was
erected by the rebels 10 command the former stream
above and the Yazoo (Which Is formed by the union Of
both streams) below All attempts TO reduce this work
proved afailure therefore, after all trouble ex-
pensc, this scheme Abandoned
TIE mo suSrIowEg ExrFprIos.
About the middle Of March another rear o,
Vicksarg above Haincs HluG disc versd. This was
by way Of ,he Cypress bayou and lake and number Of
cther almost insignificant and nearly unknown
streams into the Big sannover. This route was
very tortuous and easily defended by mere hand.
fu OF men, and as the plan discovered by
tho rebels before II had been fuzzy put into
working order, they Deaely succeeded in catching tho
gunooats in neat trap aud nothing bat the bravery OF
tho men and tho arrival Of ren.orcemcn,s saved tho
whole force from cap,ure. NY tho end o. March this
scheme abandoned.
IHE S1exsHuRo Crr.orF
During all tins time tho troops before vcasturg wore
engaged the euto o." The water, from some cause
could be induced now through canal therefore
dredging machzes brought play about the l.,
Of March and every apparent attempt made widen
deepen the new channel. This scheme, however, was,
ike the rest last decided failure and was gvon
up.
ADMIRAL EAaR.cUI sArrRsIs roRr HUDSON
Another important operation took place tbs Isth Of
March, and has had much TO do with tho success Of
General Grants movements Admiral Farragnt, with his
feet attacked Port Hudson the flagship succeeded
In running past the batteries aud arriving before Warren
tom when he communicated with tho fcot above. shortly
after this Admiral Porter succeeded running somo OF
his feet down 10 the assistance Of Farragut and the
unted fleets began operating upon the river between
yicksburg and Port Hudson, cutting or the communca
tons Of the rebels with the louisiana shore making
important Union military movements on the Louisiana
shore.
cDsrs xnsrAry ALTERATIONS.
may now bo TO notice what General Grants
force~ have been dong oil this time II would appear
thai all the before named the occupation
Of Young. Point, ho., had been performed by tho
sells, or that tho isw troops engaged were OF
teria character to call forth especial mention
But, Judging from the sequel, may BE- led to believe
that most Of tho expeditions we're merely blinds to draw
on the Gemys attention from the point Of opera
,ons The rcope With tho expeditions we're principally