New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-05-07
THE sIEGR OF vICKsBURG.
Gunboas Rceennoissance 10 Grand Gull
Increased Strength Of the Place-hay
and Ceal Barges Defying the seHs-
bug Guns-Eniire Failure Of the DUCK
port Canal-Movements Of our Forees-
May Pregnant with a Battle, etc.


From Our Special Correspondent - rrvxvs.vv,
MnIIvrSs BEND, MADISON PARISH, La
Monday Afternoon, April q. 1863.
Gen. Grants headquarters are still here, though
N. Commanderin- Chief is yet absent at New-Car-
thsce arranging the plan of the forthcoming attack
A have said, he has never been as energetic az
now for he believes his success or failure sgainst
V;cksburc will determine his retention suppressed.
ore in the army.
Admiral Porter made reconnaissance with his
supbosts to Grand Gulf day or two ago, and dis
covered that tie place quite strong more so than
had been anticipated, and could not be reduced in all
probability, without hard fighting. The Rebels have
ss thew consider the position the key to the Black
River they will no doubt defend it stoutiy, aud only
surrender It upon the severest compuision.
Several barges of coal and hay the batteries 81
Vicksburg last night, or early this morning sther,
accompanied by the tug J. S. Runsey, and though
thew passed through q heavy fire, IT is known they
reached Carthage in safety.
The reign OF hydraulics, feryently pray, IA ever
down here. Spades will never, in all probability,
be trumps agsin; for even the Duckport Canal has
initiated the example of all it's predecessors and
ploded utterly and irretrievably. However IL may
be with the bright lexicon Of youth it is very differ
ent with the military bitches about Nicksburg,
which know no other word than fail.
below here is the rapid falling OF the river IN con-
sequence of which there are not now moro than Elk
inches Of water in the ditch. The Mississippi will
no doubt steadily recede for the remainder of the
Spring and through the Summer and therefore there
h little probability of the ditch being Of any use 10
u in the reduction Of the Rebel stronghold
Gen. Steele has reached here with his division
from Greepyile, having destroyed all the Secession
property personal and rnateriel, along Deer Cree k,
IN the vicinity in which he was. He has done a
great deal of damage to the Southern cause IN his
late expedition, and made that region desolate at
least for months 10 come.
Gen. Logan's division has also struck tents and
marched to Carthage. Part Of Gen. Sherman's corps
has srriyed aud the remainder will be here to-mor
row or next day. The troops will soon move toward
Carthage, and assist in the expedition below.
The transports are rapidly being released from
Geyerpmcpt service and leaving the fleet; as many
a twenty OF thirty week going north. During
the coming fortnight most OF the steamers will prob
ABLY have departed from Young's Point. M:llikenI
Bend, and Providence.
The weather here continues TO grow warmer ant
warmer and musketoe and sand-ties and gnats have
become very annoying, 80 much 80 that II Is dihcul
90 walk with comfort during the day, or rest with
satisfaction at night
Daily the Inconvenience and annoysnces Of this
climate are angmentiOg and life down here growing
more unpleasant and unwholesoine. The approach
apg mouth must witness fight that will have some
decided result either ending IN the fall OF Nicksburg
or delaying the resumption Of the fiege until the
close Of Summer. JUslus.