The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-06-03
Com. P0rfer's Report OF Ops
eratiOns before Vicksburg.s

SOAAAs VTtCk . AsCkSOEt OA Ops
eratiOns before Vicksburg.
WAsHINaroN, May 25.-The following
was received in Washington this morn
ing:
CAIRO, Ill, May 25.
To Hon, Gideon Welles, Secretary of The
Nary. Washington:
The following dispatch has just been
received this forenoon:
| sPENNocK FLEET, Miss. SQUADRON, \
| Flag Ship Black Hawk, Haines'
Bluff, Yazoo River, May 90
To Hon. Gideon Wezles, Washington:
On the morning of the 18th, came
over to the Yazoo to be ready to co -ope-
rate with Gen. Grant, leaving two of the
iron clads at Red river, one at Grand
Gulf, one at Carthage, three at Warren
ton and two in the Yazoo, which left me
small force Still disposed of them to
the best advantage. ao
On the 18th at poon, firing was heard in
the rear of Vicksburg, which assured me
that Gen. Grant was approaching the city.
The cannonading was kept up furiously
for some time, when, by the aid of glasses
I discovered company of our artillery
advancing taking position and driving the
rebels before them.
l Immediately saw that Gen. Sherman's S
division had come on to the left of Sny-
der's Bluff, and that the rebels at that
place had been cut off from joining the
forces in the city l dispatched the De
Kalb Lieutenant Commander Walker,
: Choctaw, Lieutenant Commander Ramsey,
Romeo, Petrol and Forrest Rose, all under
command of Lieut.. Commanding Breeze
up the Yazoo, to open communication that
way with Generals Grant and Sherman.
This I succeeded in doing, and in three
hours received letters from Generals Grant
Sherman and Steele, informing me of his
vast success, and asking me to send up
provisions, which was at once done. In
the meantime, Lieut. Commanding Walk
er, in the Dekalb, pushed on to Haines's
Bluff, which the enemy had commenced
evacuating the day before, and party
remained behind in the hopes of destroy
ing or taking away a large amount of am
, munition on hand. When they saw the
gunboats, they came out and left every
= thing in good order, guns, forts, tents and
equipage Of all kinds, which fell into oul
hands As soon as the capture of Haine's
Bluff and fourteen guns was reported tt
nae, showed UP the gunboats from below
Vicksburgh to fire at the hill batteries
which fire was kept up for three hours
At midnight they moved up to the towr
and opened on it for about an hour, anG
continued at intervals during the night te
annoy the garrison. On the 18th placee
six mortars in position, with orders to
, fire night and day as rapidly as they could
The works at Haines's Bluff are very for.
midable There are fourteen of the heavi
lest kind of mounted eight and ten inch
and seven and half inch ri1ed cannon
with ammunition enough to last a long
siege. As the gun carriages might again
fall into the hands of the enemy, i had
| them burnt, blew up the magazine, and
5 destroyed the works generally also burnt
up the cncanlpments, which were perma
nently and remarkably well constructed
looking as if the rebels intended to stay
for some time.
The works and encampments covered
!. many acres of ground, aud the fortifca
tions and rife pits proper of Haines's Bluff
extend about mile and quarter. Sucl
. a strong work of defenses never saw
The rebels were year in constructing
them, and ALI were rendered useless in al
hour. As soon as / got through with the
destruction Of the magazines and Other
works, I started Lieut.. Com. Walker ul
! the Yazoo river, with sufficient force t.
: destroy all the enemy's property in tha
: direction, with orders to return with al
= dispatch and only proceed as far as Yazoc
! City, where the rebels have navy yart
: and store houses. In the mean time, Gen
Grant has closely invested Vicksburg, ant
has possession of the best cannonadins
points. In very short time, genera
assault will take place, when hope tt
S announce that Vicksburg has fallen, afte
;. series Of the most brilliant successes tina
/ ever attended an army. There has neye
e been case during the war when the rebel
: have been SO successfully beaten at al
2 points, and the patience and enduranc,
e shown by our army and navy for SO man.
/ months is about being rewarded.
: 1t is mere question of a few hours
a and then, with the exception Of Port Hud
n son, which will follow Vicksburg, tn,
f Mississippi will be open its entire length
/. D. D. PORTER,
A. R. A., Commanding Miss. Squandron,
al
FIR o m M u n FIR e e 8 b o r0-