Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-06-24

HIGHLY IMPORTANT IRON MIssIssIPPI-Lats and Re-
liable Intelligence from the Irans-Mississippi De-
pdrtmsRt, Vicksbarg aud Port Ruelson.--The Mobile
Register at last has the following direct and positive
intelligence from beyond the Mississippi which clears
up all the doubts myths aud which have been
vexing US for some time past 1t is most gratifying
We gather our Information from intelligent gen.
tleman, just from the headquarters OF General Kirby
Smith, who has official relations with that army and who
crossed the Mississippi river az Natchez last Friday
The first important fact learn that General Smith
is fully posted 10 the situation at Vickburg ard Port
Hudson, and is directing the forces OF his department.
with view to second General Johnston this side the
river in the work Of raising the sege of those cities
General Smiths headquarters Shreveport, from
from which point be has easy water communication with
the Mississippi to point Vicksburg, by the Red,
Black and Tensss rivers. His troops already at the
posts selected for them in carrying General Smiths
great plan which is to cut off Grants supplies To this
end General Walkers DIVISION OF General Dick Taylors
army, al eady at Youngs Point With 900 men and
the artillery necessary to command the river
ports and other wooden vessels.
Three thousand men, under Brig Gen. Green, we're
on tie peninsula opposite to Port Hudson ard in pc
sition, with the aid Of Cen Gardners batteries TO COM
pletey close the river to the enemys boats.
Marmaduke, of Gen. frc0's army, was Helena,
aud Gen. Price, with II 600 men, was on the march for
that point bis object being the came, to command the
river and cut of Grants supplies. The great fall in
the Mississippi river twenty eight feet below high water
mark afforded great faciits these operations The
narowness of the forced passing vessels TO
within easy range Of the shore batteries while the river
had sunk so low that the attacking parties could be
reached by the enemys gunboats.
The garrison of Port Hudson and Vcks5urg are both
well provided and in ine spris-each uneasy about the
tate of the other, but entirely confident in their own
situation. They have abundant supplies. News has
been received from Yicksburg up to Saturday night
Grants army is undoubtedly suffering for wont of wa
ter and suffering from being ged drink the
water of the Big Black, which ia very unwhoesone
As informant says, Gen. Johnson is in no hurry TO
move for this among other reasons, that he does
like to interfere with The action of the waters he is
In regular communication with the vest Of the Mssie-
ippi, and all are working to common end-the starva.
ton OF the enemy, the raising Of the SIEGE and the
CAPTURE of many possible when he begins move
off.
Louisiana has been abandoned by the enemy and
there Yankee troops except about Donaldson
vile. Gen. Monton with 1000 men, is at franklin ST.
Marys Parish In their retreat the Yankees carried oil
mules and destroyed many wagons. But most of the
negroes have teen recaptured aGd are being sent back
to their owners
+ The Red Biver Is free of Yankee vessels. Commu.
ncaton between the east and banks of the Msss-
sppi at Natchez and many other places constant
and uninterrupted. The enemy's gunboats are power
less 10 prevent it, Ten thousand head OF cattle were
their way this side and have probably passed by this
time.
The Crescent regiment and the 18th Louisiana, both
of which were formerly stationed Mobile, at
Bayou Lamourie, sixteen miles below Alexandra.
Gen. Magruder has his eyes fixed On VicksbuTg and
is operating with his eloW.sodiers the
of action.
The foregoing facts may be relied upon for their gen.
erhl accuracy; and they put face the great
campaign in the Valley.