Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1863-03-19


The Tribune's correspondent at Cairo writes
on the 9Th: "Thenews from below Of q move
ment Of Gen. Grants forces from Vicksburg in
transports, apparently to some new scene, and
it should seem to be Is follows Yazoo City is
about. twenty miles from vicksburg, on the
river of this name. You have heard Of the
Y,soo Pass. It leaves the Mississippi about
half way between vicksburg and Memphis,
about 100 miles from each. The distance BY
this route to Yaz0o City is about 200 miles,
the course being very crooked. About ten
days ago seventeen transports, with at least
10000 men, entered this pass and now Gen.
Grant is supposed to have gone with large
force up the Yazoo to form junction at Yazoo
City, whore the rebels have q large force. The
approach to Vicksburg from Yazoo, westward,
and to the rear of the besieged city is easy,
both by rail and wagon roads, and the coun-
try is rolling. Yazoo is the key to Vicks-
burg. When Yazoo falls, Vicksburg falls"
The Chicago Times has accounts from the
expedition in Coldwater river, tributary of
the Yazoo, March LIST, as follows: ssThe ex-
petition left Moon Lake on Wednesday morn
ing, reaching the end of the pass yesterday
noon, twelve miles in three days and half
The boats are much broken in the light upper
works, but not one damaged in the hull or ma
chinery. The most difficult portion Of the trip
is overcome, and it will be memorable as the
grandest achievement Of the war. Any one
who had seen the pass before the expedition
entered could never have supposed that a fleet
of steamers could possibly pass through it.
Soldiers and seamen were occupied at every
turn, cutting down trees, clearing away RATS
and drift wood, and otherwise making the
channel water very deep. With a swift cur
rent and course terribly crooked, there was
liability of boats being dashed to pieces
against trees at every turn, but all is now
safe. We move forward again to morrow
morning. A battery is reported at the mouth
of the Codwater, twelve miles from here. Ev
erybody is anxious to see it. The health o
the expedition IS excellent. All are in flint
spirits and confident"
The same correspondent writes on the 9th
sThe expedition has advanced twenty mile
since my last report. The country is entirel,
destitute Of population. Nothing of the slight
est Importance has occurred with us yet. w
receive nothing in the way Of news, either from
the front or rear. We hope to reach the Tai
lahatche tomorrow, when we shall begin t
make better progress. The rams Fulton ant
Lioness have Joined us. Indications are tina
the enemy has filled the river with timber
mostly sycamore, which, sinking, only OBJ
structs the bottom of the channel A grea
rise in the river, caused by cutting the Missls
sippi levee, enables boats to pass over thes
distractions without the slightest trouble"
A letter from in front of Vicksburg, the Sd
represents that the rebels are pretty certain T.
evacuate the position: "Deserters state tn
rebels are throwing up strong works at Column
bus, Georgia, and it is probable IN evacuatn'
they will retreat there. Thousands OF negroe
are known to be busiE employed at that point
The principle cause that would operate imme
diately on the confederate leaders, and compe
them to fall back upon their old policy of evac
uating, is this: We now hold every side 9
Vicksburg except the rear, and by that rout
their only hope of escape is over the Blacl
River railroad bridge That is a long, hig
structure, easily destroyed and which coul
not be rebuilt for months. Our army is al
most ready to seize upon it, and thus cut o
the last avenue of rebel communication. The
have never yet waited for our armies to get il
their rear, and will not do so this time. Vicks
burg, it is apparent, will be taken speedil.
and without battle"