New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-03-18


Rebels - Our Gunbonts I'm the Y"zoo
abovo Haincss BIun:-Capture Of the
star OF the Wen-E1ccllenf Map Of tho
Surrounding Country-Grand Ball mt
vicksburg - The Union Commanders
Cordially Invited-suspens;on OF Hos
tiiities tor One Might Only.
from Our Special Correspondent
AMY oy TIM IssSR.gy. within sight o'yicl,5urg(
Below YouDss Point. Msdson Parish. La, }
Saturday afternoon Asfcd J. lbU3
No change of consequence in the condition Of III
fairs in this vicinity. The Rebel have been very
quiet since my last letter-day before yesterday
aud have hardly made heir presence known by the
fling of single gun. They are anxious but silent,
and seem to have fshen into our own tranquil mode
of conducting warfare.
The Thousands Of laboren on the canals are still
actively engaged on the work, though heavy
thunderstorm last night, with a copous descent OF
rain, has interfered with operations. The river
which has been nearly stationary for two or three
days, Is again rising rapidly, and new fears are
created Of such an overflow as may compel our
forces to leave the peninsula and retire TO higher
ground. The levee, however, will, ! think protect
the caups from inundatlon and even IL it should not
fatigue corps will probably be employed to increase
the st. uds and strength OF the artificial enlbank-
ment 49,
The prospect now is that Farraguts ditch will be
completed very soon, and that vessels may possibly
be tosted to the opposite eide oi the point during
the coming week.
Tho Rebels seem TO be informed OF the early con-
summation of our Designs aud have for several days
been engaged in erecting new battery nearly oppo-
ate the mouth of the Canal, for the purpose VI firing
into our boats when they make an attempt to pass
into the Mississippi.
We have constructed batteries on the Louisiana
shore below the mouth Of the cut, and will be
enabled 10 engage those the eneuy has planted on
the Mississippi eide. SO, W hen our transports are
prepared TO 20 below Vicksburg, they can do 30
without much risk.
Our gunbosts, which went through the Pass be-
low Helena into the Yazoo have descended the
river, and were last night above Isness Bluff, and
we are hourly expecting to hear Of fight between
them and the " Confederate" batteries. We have
been waiting wishfuIly TO hear of the success OF
their adventurous enterprise, but, u yet, We Lave
no particulars.
An excellent map Of tho country hereabout has
been made by the Geographical engineers on Gen.
Shermsn's staff, and will do much TO render the
preseut undertaking against Vicksburg prosperous:
The map gives exact idea Of every foot OF ground
for miles around-representlng the swamps, blufis,
bay ous lsgunes, soos, rivers and bottoms OF tDls
section OF Secesss. Had We possessed thiS map
before the attack WAS made the Rebel stronghold
last December, at least thousand men would nave
been saved In the assault upon the 1905 works. Dut,
perbsps the slaughter Of that occasion VIA neces-
nary " tho obtainment Of the knowledge We now
have.
Several flags Of truce have been sent up from
yicksbury within day or TWO, IN regard 10 the dis
position OF 500 National prisoners now held In that
civ, Many Of them were tuken below, and proba-
blyfnclnde tho csptives on the queen OF tho west
md Indianola. Tho Confederate authorities, IL ID
nnder,tood desire TO effect an exchange but no sat-
F. arr.nuempnt has been made.
Speakipg of these colorless symbols OF peace, one
tbat was scot down on tug the other day 10 the
CITY caused some Of the high Southern officials TO
IN ut. Cen Grant, Admiral Porter aud other promi
nept commanders Of the army and navy TO grand
hall which was soon 10 take place in the town, and
10 which the iarest and the nost distinguished
men Of Mississippi aud adjoining States had been IN
vited. ,u.
effort would DO made to render the occasion pleasant
and to prevent the possibility OF any repentance oil
their visit. The entertainment was to be the most
elaborate and at the same time elegant and recherche
which Vicksburg had witnessed, even III the fruitful
times Of peace. =,
Our officers were assured Of the kindest and most
Qeuerous treatment. They would be taken, thcy
we're told. from the boat after dark IN Close car
nages and conveyed to the terpsichorean festival,
where they might remain until almost day lght, ana
then return a. they had come.
The war and the different opnons of the North
and South we're to be ignored. The descendants o,
The Puritans and the Cavaliors-as me RtcHmond
Eram,n,, would say-were 10 meet on purely
social and individual terrns, and forget everything
but the enjoyment ot the hour
Tho fascinating daughters OF tottond0m were
longing to meet tho brave Yankees, and to PUNISH
them Tor their violent opposition TO the South 10y
breaking their hearts and rendering them etefnaly
wret chcd through their affections.
The delicious creatures were determined 10 prove
that their bright eyes were more formidable than tie
rowninp batteries of tho city and to establish the
fact that a beautiful woman Is tho most dangerous
enemy man OF gallantry can have
Az may 10 supposed, our commanders could not
accept the kind Invitation, sincere as 1t was, ana
0enrrously AS they would have been treated. They
ysre comIelled by their regard for appearances and
their udi.positon TO share The hospitality OF their
foes. 70 refuse to waltz with the bewitching bellies
of Mississippi and hirt with the dark-eyed darilngs
OF Louisiana. . $1,000,
IL would have seemed odd, but quite in accord
apce with the olden Cbvalry, to fight the Southern
IL to-day and banquet with them Tomorrow; 10
clnsp the waist of tho traitors in cuolne ut night
and shoot their brothers III the morning
But what would the Mrs. Gruudys Of the North
cay to 40 anomalous O proceedipgf They would
think tho cause Of the Republic lost, as many
GOOD causes have been, through wine aud women,
through love Of one and worship Of the other.
Oar guuboats must have captured or destroyed
many Of the enemys transports or steamers up the
Yazoo and ! understand they have in their posses
sion the California packet Star OF the West, taken
up lho river just alter the eommeueeweht Oh Inc
war.
The heavy rains last night have washed away the
embauknen, OF tho canal. and the water is pouring
upon the peninsula in such quantities Us to render
nundation and the removal VI part OF the troops
biQhly probable, JuNIus,