Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1863-04-16
S0aggEses.se E'5esCs.
FORT PEMBERTON.

and Advertiser of the 1st inst th
81 following account Of the characte
$, of the works of the above named i'm
portant point, which, The writer say;
is now the key to the Mississipp
Valley:
Fort Penbeiton is a line OF breast
works. composed Of cotton bales ant
, mud, running across from the Yazot
to the Tallahatehie rivers, formios
something in the shape of W.
The right rests upon the Tallahatch.
lie, and the left upon the Yazoo and
the distance across in straight line
does not exceed 250 yards.
This work was constructed by or
der of Major General Loring, who
was sent up 10 that section of country
to see If some place could not be
found to stop the enemy's advance in
case he passed the obstructions which
were placed in Yazoo Pass, by order
! of Lieut.. Gen. Pemberton.
Though poorly adapted to the
purposes intended, it was the best
position to be found above Yazoo
city oA the YazOo CT Tallahatchie
river. The gallant manner in which
Gen. Loring had held if, and his
pertinaciiy in standing his ground
nov that the enemy have appeared
before him with large reinforcements,
(after being badly whipped} justifies
the choice male.
Ihe idea of the Yankees as pub.
licIy expressed and privately spo.
ken Of in all their unofficial CORES
pondence, is TO alnk Vicksburg, Cap
ture Jackson, cut off Grenada. and
destroy all possibility Of our obtain.
lag supplies throughout that rich
country, by this one bold stroke
The getting into the Y.zoo river be-
low where the YaIlabusba enters it,
and quietly drifting to Yazoo City,
would, they supposed, accomplish
all but the thanking Of Vicksburg. -
Vast numbers Of troops we've TO DO
the balance.
But the mud works Of Fort Penn
berton, backed by a brave comman-
der and an indomitable force, inter-
posed check 10 this on to Vicks-
burg movement, aud the proud foe,
after trying nine days to get by our
works, ingloliOusly aed before an in-
ferior force, nor stopped until REIN
forced to double the number which
attacked US.
Having received reinforcements,
they returned to the attack on Mon
day evening week, anu Immediately
resumed operations. Since that day,
as far AS your correspondent has been
able to learn, all has been quiet!
The enemy is doubtless vancouver
ing for position, or awaiting fall in
the river, so that he can land bis In
fan,ry in large force and attempt to
storm our works. Thanks to the
God Of battles who controls the rise
and fall Of streams, it will be many
weary weeks before the waters sub
side, and il Gen. LOriug does not
make the river too bot for them, in
the meantime, | am much mistaken.
Should they attempt, however, to
storm the works either before or af-
Ter the water in front subsidies, God
help them! for tho slaughter at
Chickasaw Bayou will not compare
with the slaughter at Fort Pember-
ION. | cannot be more explicit oD
this point, bot | hardly think that
Gen. Ross, who has the reputation
Of being cautions man, will attempt
anything SO absurd, so suicidal, as the
Of For. Pemberton.
| have no hesitation 10 saying
hat | firmly believe that the entire
Yankee expedition will fall into our
hands-inlautry, cavalry; artillery.
sanboats. baggage, aud all. "Old
will cever allow them to
pass the Qualifications, for Lieut.. Gen.
PembertoD, fully alive to the impor-
lance Of The position, has sent for
yard TO him men and materials for
holding it. They acknowledge them
selves the impossibility of getting
back through the Yazoo Pass to the
Mississippi. Therefore, must the,
light 10 victory and pass US, or fall
nto our hands victims to the univer-
'al Yankee greed and raPacity.
Fort Pemberton is now the key !