Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1863-06-06

rNCINNAT[, j me 4. line a0Vlces from
=" ioksburg are to the Goth Of May.
2orseveral days previous quiet prevailed all
atcng the lines, broken only by occasional can
The Commercia..'s dispatch, dated 30th,
aavs "Spades are once more trumps. Neare
erecting earthWorks to protect our men, and
are mining to blow the face out Of one or two
3f the Confederate forts that are unapproach-
obe otherwise. The idea OF carrying the
place by storm seems to be abandoned. The
safer and surer plan of starving Gen. Pember-
ton into submission now finds favor every
There.'' A dcserter came In this morning.
He represents that be was sent by General
Pembert0n to communicate verbally with
Gems. Johnston and l1orng The former IS
supposed co be between the Big Black River
and Jackson. The latter was near Port Glib
SON. TTe represents affairs in the city as grow
ing desperate. About eight thousand ettec~
tive men are there, tWo-thlrds OF whom are
kept on tie fortifcations night and day, and
not allowed to leave an instant on any protext
Sens. Pemberton, Lee, Reynolds, Stevenson
and others are in the city. Most Of the sick
eft the city before it's investment. Those who
remain have excayated caves and remain in
hem night and day. Valuable merchandise
ia the city is also stored in caves from fear OF
2onAagration. The poor are generally IN their
houses Over one hundred women and child
zen have been killed by the bonlbardment.
The gunboats inhict no injury on the city
Ten pemberton believed that his ratlons
would hold out thirty days, but urged, John
sron to come to his relief within ten days at
the turthest. Cavalry horses have been turn
ed loose and driven towards the lines, owing
20 the lack Of forage. There was ammunl-
zion enough TO last sixty days, with the single
exception of gurc caps, These were scarce
All confidently expected superhuman efforts to
0e made by those outside to raise the siege. =
They consider Vicksburg the strongest placeln
The Confederacy. Gen. Blair has met no
oonfederates in force, and the reports ot. John
ston being near is disbeleved. A cavalry re-
4Onnoissance three days ago discovered a
32:all force, and had one man killed and tour
I:ounded. Gen. Banks, with reinforcements,
S reported near there, but like many other rJ
1lorg, it may have little foundation in fact
This morning the heaviest oannonading Of the
3iege was kept up without intermlsslon tor
nearly three hours. New batteries have late
y been put in position, and oness hundred and
it1y guns are now playing on the city. At
daylight this morning the firing was rapid be-
ycnd belief The reports Of the guns along
the whole line averaged one per second tor
minutes together. The roar of the heavy
siege guns was awful, and the earth was sha-
zen by the concussion rhe roads and camps
a:e unoommonly dusty The wounded are re-
moved to hospital boats in large numbers and
transported to Memphis.
CHICAGO, June "a special dispatch from
The rear Of Vicksburg, dated May 81, says the
Hombardment continues
All the guns in position opened fire at mid
4lght, and continued the fire until daylight
4be rapidity Of the firing was unparalleled. 1t
1s believed great damage was inflicted. Twelve
1ontederates were captured at daylight yes