The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1863-01-08
THE VAR.
GREAT BATTLE AT VICKS
BURG.
THE REBELS GET THE WORST
OF 1T.
vicksburg Probably Taken.

CAIRO. Jan. 3.--John Frederick Of the
llth Indiana. at Helena, furnishes the Asso-
ciatcd Press with the following:
A detachment under Captain Caven Of
the lit, Indiana, conveyed by the gunboat
Conestog,, with dispatches from General
Sherman, on the battle field Of Vicksburg,
had just arrived Mt Helena on Saturday
morning, the 9th. Sherman debarked his
force on the left bank of the Yazoo, ten
miles from the mouth, and filling in line Of
battle he advanced toward Vicksburg. Az
ter passing beyond reach Of the fire from
the gunbeats he encountered the enemy in
force and terrific conflict of hours en-
sued. The enemy was driven back beyond
two bayous that grit the rear of Vicksbnrg,
and from works intcrceptins him by shell.
On Saturday night the two armies lay on
their arms with two b,yous intervening
During tho night pontoons were constructed
in front of Gen. Morgan's AMI Gen. Smiths
Divisions, notwithstanding the terrific fire
from the enemy under cover Of the under.
brush. -a
At daylight Sunday morning concerted
advance was made by Sherman's whole
force. Steele held the left, Morgan and
Blair the centre. Gems NJ L. Smith and A.
S Smith the right. Gen. Steele turned the
enemy's left so as to communicate with Nor
ssn's Division. having been separated by a
swamp running at right an giles to the main
| front BY sunrise the whole force was en-
gagged. Up to ten o'clock the fighting with
musketry and artillery was severe. The
rebels werc entrenchcd on a high rising ele-
walton from the west side Of the bayou. Fl
nally part of Mo-gan's and Smiths Divis-
ions and the S0th Missouri took it by storm
Vicksburg is doubtless ours. The gun.
boats had not co.opcrated, bit the gunboat
Benton had engaged the Qualifications at
Haines Bluff She was struck by 81 solid
shell without material injury. Several OF
her crew were killed and wounded. Capt
Gwin, who commanded her was martally
wounded by six-pound shot striking him
in the right breast and carrying away part
Of his right arm. His words as he fell were,
my love to my wife, my wishes to my
country"
The 5Sth Ohio, 9th Missouri and % Ken.
lucky regiments sustained considerable
loss in Saturdays battle.
Gen. Banks and Farragut were expected
to cooperate from below, but did not.
Gen. Steee'e division, composed mostly
Of Indianians, did bloody fighting, as they
turned the enemy's left.
/ The dispatch boat Rocket, ON her trip
down t, Vicksburg on the Goth. was fired
into by company Of gutrrllas. She re-
ocived not less than one hundred shots in
her cabin and pilot house. She headed round
and replied With grape, canister and nuskst
~, from detachment Of the 18th and 2ith
Indiana volunteers.
CAIRO, JAN 4-The Mem his Bulletin,
lust received. contains further information
from Vicksburg. The steamer Rather had
arrived direct from Vicksburg, which place
thoy left Wednesday evening. The fighting
had been gong on s days, having com nancr
ed on Wednesday. Up to Monday morning
Gen. sherman had captured lines of the
enemy's works Firing on the 4th and last
line of defenscs on tbs Jackson and Vicks-
burg R. X. had ceased. and indications were
that il had surrendered. This line Of forti-
lications is just miles from V.cksburg, and
then there was nothing between Sherman
and the city but trestle work on the r. R.
Officers of the Rather think there 10 no
ldpnbt- but vic. >'.Ir. IA srrs