The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-01-08
The War in the South Sest-The Nc ws
from Vicksbarg.


from Vicksbarg.
The news from vicksburg, although no later.
is exciting. 4. il not exactly what we should
like TO roc sive from there; but no stronghold
can be taken without desperate fighting.
vicksburg and its approaches have been strong
" fortified, and the rebels have concentrated
large force in that vicinity. They inteod to
Hsht for the control Of the Mississippi to the
bitter end. We intend TO do the same Our
force under Sherman, at the last accounts. was
not sufficient valor Of the most heroic order
had saved our army from humiliation, and the
! endurance and pluck Of the Union troops will
avail. the arrival of endorsements. which are
| no doubt, pushing down the Mississippi and up
the Yazoo to strengthen Sherman and hs brave
soldiers. n they arrive in time vicksburg will
be ours and the Mississippi free. But no time
is to be thrown away. We are in hopes that
McClernand is there ere this, and that our next
news will no OF victory.
The late defeat OF she rebels in the heart Of
Tennessee, though NOS q crushing victory over
the retiring army IF General Bragg. is yet one
Of tie most fortunate events ri the war since
the expulsion of the rebel General Lee from
MARYLAND General Rosecrans. at one Of the
most important points, and sgainst the most
powerful army Of the rebellion in the South
west. has spoiled tho plans and calculations Of
TIE rebel leaders for the recovery OK their
losses in that quarter.
| In h.s recent Southwestern tour of observa-
ton JeE Davis made special visit to Muir
al a1a n No tnl-
| lowers in which he promised them that he did
| no. intend to abandon the scored sol Of Ten
nessee to 'iLe Yankees but expected success
| fully 70 hold It. lie then passed on down to
| Jackson. the State capital of Mississippi, and
! 70 Vicksburg. and thence across 70 Ao-
bile, and thence by way OF Montgomery,
| Ala. Atlanta, ca, across South Carolina
to Raleigh, N. g.. and thence 10 Rich.
| mond This WIS no holiday excursion hut one
of active and serious business on the part OF the
supreme and experienced military chief of he
rebellious States. That !. was particularly de-
voted to inquiries Of and Instructions 70 bis
| generals ut Murfreesboro. jackson, Vichsburg
and Mobile, We are satisfied; nor can we doubt
that this visit to General Bragg had much 70 do
With his desperate efforts in the late pro,rac'cd
contest, not for tho possession. OF Murf.cesboro'
but for Nashville.
We have every ressos TO conclude that the
rebel programme for the winter campaign in
the Southwest comprehended An aggressive sys
TEN Of warfare against Nashville, and defen.
si-e system south of Tennessee; that Bragg was
assigned to the task Of drawing Rosecrans out
Of Nashville in the expectation Of such defeat
! To hs army ~ would involve the loss Il the
city, and secure an open Geld and FREQ course
! 70 Bragg back TO The Ohio river. The plans Of
TIE rsb1.s IN tbs view were well laid. and they
we're defeated only by he constant vigi
lance, un,aiiipe sclfpossess.or and skill OF
Genera Roseclans and his srboriirsto officers,
aau tho indcf1itsols bravery Of his troops.
/ Thus. TIC Aggressive branch DC the rebel pro-
rranne IA lie Southwest is . least temporarily
broken up, and Bragg is reduced p the ai,srna-
| tive 81 looking ous for lbs own ssiety against
Ghe victorious arEly IL his rear Hs hes re-
tired = TIE strong defensive heights around
| Tuilahoms where ne wili most probably remain
rome time 20 repair damages, " permitted to
doro.
Nesrlime although He HAD no definite intel.
lgcncg iii last night ron yctshurg We arc
anticipating q. aDy moment tho good tidings
Of 4 great victory VI that important point
The work Of reducing that stronghold, &.
appears hV bean lot y Generals
gbofrl' and EoClcrnsud with tae co-ore.
rating laval forces q Amdirals Fsragut
ana Porter, end tbe7 rill be snhcou, for tho