Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-06-08
THE SITUATION IN MISSISSIPPI.

The correspondent of the Noble advertiser writes
from Jackson, Miss, hay goth, as follows:
The principal fighting at yicksburg has laed aud
the enemy has fallen back a commenced fortifying
among the hills in parallel lines with those of Pember
ton. His assaults on the Vicksburg works have been
terribly disastrous. More Of the enemy have BEEN
slaughtered before the VcRsburg trenches than in any
other battle Of the war; being from $4,000 20 10000
This is great number Of men to be put hors de
bat in single battle, for in this estimate do not
to include the enemys losses at Grand Cult Raymond
Jackson Bakers Creek or Big Black nor do | make
the statement without the careful inquiry. SuicS
it that my information is correct.
q teegraphed you that VcksbuTg was closely be-
sieged. At the time did so the enemy had command
land yet have) Of the Mississippi river in bis 'front.'
above and below the city, of the Yazoo river to Sny
ders Bluff where his right wing rested Of the Big Black
river to the Southern Railroad bridge, where his LETT
wing rested his northern base of operations Spyder
Bluff, his southern base of operations at Grand Gulf
The Big Black and Yazoo rivers flow from NorthCTn
Mississippi in southwesfery direction; the YazoO dis
charges into the Mississippi few miles above Vicks
burg, and the Big ack at Grand Gulf some 30 milo
below. The enemy hadmassed his army-l00, 900 10,
ON a line from the bridge 10 the Bluff, a distance O!
twenty miles, being from river to river while lis
gunboats and pckets held river Ii this was not
closely besiegiDg fortified city then must "knock
under 10 the self placent garruous cOncus Of
the sleepy editor of the Selma Dispatch IN 10 that
pOre the President to youch,ae the security Of Wick
burg by making him a brgadE and dig LIN to tho
field
have furthermore stated that reasonable fears ge5e
tnter,arCd F,v 80 s'c'v e NirIe+r nra 1''tcr-t
tue face of affairs : ga u.>.,... .f 4 a. =
no good reason for en- abandonment OF those ieas
True the enemy have assaulted the works, and have
encountered an extraordinary amount of slaughter; 20
great as to deter them for le at least from SIM
lar experiment but they still in front OF our er-
Ill. ~ Flf
effective men They have fallen back and commeuc
series of fordcatons parallel with those in their from
AID cOmmun cation with VlcksbuTg yet remains cut of
and can only be had ny such it would be I'M
polite for to mention. want of water Of neces-
sity compes the enemy 10 fall back the Big Back,
which h, has done and ne supply himself by haul
Jog Here his lines assume convex FORM having wheel
ed his left round the Mississippi river aud unless well
projected by salients, his TANKS OF necessity oK-
posed The same want of water prevails from here to
Big Black in dry weather the creeks dry up; tie .
ere few springs, and have never yet seen q we-a
are csterns which do furnish but bare supply fo
the families who sunk them. Now until the way shall be
cleared by driving of the enemy IL impossible either
to throw supplies endorsements into Vicksburg.
The enemy is evidently sick OF the fight. and prefers
to adopt the slow method Of bes eging starving
the garrison. Sickness will exist biz camps 70 en-
charming extent but we must remember that the garri
sou of VicksbuIg will suff also. hope that, in
king these statements, will not be considered alarm
is. | am however, sanguine of ultimate success and
hope for the best but the truth might well be told
FIRST as last Unless Fieksburg is relieved must ut
mately fll.
The movements Of Gen. Johnston and others is In
proper in me to mention, but from them ! DIV Tie
most cheeriOg inIerences. The garrison o. " , 2urg
Is better supplied than at frat supposed the plan
ers the appearance Of the enemy, drove all Of
their hogs sheep and cattle into tie city, and also sent
in 400 wagon loads of corn, which invaluable hip
at this TIM.
The movements Of Grant shov his consciousness in
the strength OF numbers and lis quick movements mis-
led those nigh in authority while it il believed he has
received orders to take Vckburg il he has sacrifice
his entire army Banks is reported have crossed his
main army at Bayou Sara and is said to he moving up
TO Grand Gulf II So he is expected to operate against
Warrenton and on the New Orleans road. Banks and
lis frees are considered of but little consequence
Gov. Pettus and Gen Johnston have Issued a joint
appeal to the people Of Mississippi to volunteer,
ninety day troops cavalry infantry. There is 10
time for procras'inaiion; they have but one choice
fight, or give up to the Yankees. No half way mea.
sures will do it is meek nothing" 81 don't think
the Yankees will ever here" a foolish remark
or opinion from ANYBODY west of the Bigbee river.