Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-06-05
FRou CEN GRANTS COMMAND.

fourth day that Gen. Grants army mas oeeh
around Vicksburg. During that time there
have been daily battles and continued can
nonading. At least 1000 Of our men have
been placed bors do combat in several charges
ordered against the rebel earth WORKS. Dur
ing the last night the gun6oaw aud mortar
loats in front Of Nicksburg, kept up con-
tnual fire, and several buildings were burn
cd by exploding shells,
At eight oclock this morning the cannon
aiding commenced along our entire hnc' FROM
every hill top 10 front Of the ehenys WORKS
cannon played upon the rebels. The rebels
we're poweress to reply, as our sktmishers
we're close to the works who unorrlugy pick
ed off the rebel gunners. This oannonade
continued two hours, when Smith s, Cars
and Osterhous' divisions charged through
murderous cross fire, close up to the rebel
works, where an impossible ditch with sharp
stakes was encountered. Our men planted
their flag directly in front Of the Fort and
then couched down behind the ombankment
out Of range Of the rebel FIRE. The rebels IN
side the Fort could not show themselves
above the patapei, without meeting death
iaom our sharpsooters, and could only effect
anything by cutting off the fuses to shells,
lighting them and rolling them over the slope
of the embankment Subsequently our boys,
with picks and shovels dug breach into one
Fort, and then took it, One Fort was gall
lantly taken by stormng, by Cars division.
During three days we lost five officers killed,
including three Colonels and 80 wounded.
Steels forces are reported to have 1000 men.
The Commercial has full particulars OF the
operations OF Cen Grants army up to the
22d of May When the army advanced upon
the city OF Nicksburg, it was confident Of an
easy victory, but the ground IN the rear Of the
city was found 30 broken and rugged and
wild as to be almost impossible for artillery.
The rebel fortihcations we're discovered to be
very formidable The main Notifications con-
sist of chain Of fJits about 800 yards apart
connected by deep entertainments and extend
ing for seven miles Our loss 10 he assault
of to-day, (May %, was about 1000
1t was the opinion that another general as
ssult upon the rebel works would not be or
defed, but that the city would be taRen by reg
ular siege approaches
A special dispatch to the Times, dated
headquarters, in the field, near Nicksburg,
23d, says But little has been ELECTED IN
the last thirty-sx hours. Over Que hundred
pieces Of field artillery and several siege gum
have rained shot aud she'll on the enemy
works Yesterday The mortar fleet also
took a position behind De soto Point ana
bombarded the city the entire day. On the
right Gen. Sherman has pushed Stoele's divi-
sion squHrely 10 the front of the parapets. -
Our men lay in the ditch and ON the slope OF
the parapet Inside one Of the principal forts
unable TO take it by storm, but determined MOI
to retire. The federal and rebel soldiers were
not twenty-five feet apart, both powerless to
inhict much harm. Each watches the other
and dozens Of muskets are fred as soon as a
soldier exposes himself above the works on
either side Nearly the same condition of
things exists in McPherson's trout His
shatpshooters prevent the working OF the
enemy's pieces in one or two forts.
A chntge was made yesterday morning on
one of them by Stevenson's brigade Two
companies OF one regiment got inside.
few got out again, but most of them were
captured The forts are all filled with infant
~ Our artillery has dsmounted few guns
aud damaged the works in some places, but
they are still strong. Gen. McCernand was
hard pressed on the left yesterday, and sent
for reiniorcemen,s. Quimby's division went
to his assistance at 4 O'Clock. The contest
continued until T. One OF our flags was
planted at the foot Of the earthworks on The
outside Of ona rebel fort aud kept there sew
eral hours, but the fort was not taken. Nc
Clernands loss is estimated at 1000 killed
and wounded yesterday The fighting grows
more de. perate each day. Transports now
bring suppl by Na.cr to within three miles
of our right.
Gen. Joe Johnston is reported near the Big
Black river in our rear, with r"iniuIccmehts
for the besieged. Geu Grant can detail men
enough from operations here to keep Johns.
ton in check.
The Gazette has adyices up to the 9th,
through staff officer OF one Of Gen. Grants
Generals. who left for Washington last eve
ming. Three assaults had been made by our
forces upon the rebel stronghold, in all Of
which we were repulsed. The last assault
was made by Gen. sherman with 20 900 men,
in which we lost 600 killed and la.ge num-
Der wounded. Our outer line is within 100
yards Of the rebel works. Our sharpshooters
prevent the rebels from working their guns
The rebel works in the rear Of the city are
far more formidable than those in front. Joe
Johnston is in the neighhorhood of jackson,
with about $4,000 men, short Of provision
and ammunition. No apprehensions are ielt Of
any serious damage to our rear
Cairo CORES pondent of the Chicago ri
bune, under date OF May 20, says
We have Memphis papers Of the 18th. The
Bulletin confirms the statement that General
Grant invests Vicksburg. 1t also states that
our forces have succeeded in taking potion
OF the rebel works. The forts remaining to
be taken are very formidable and command
the entire town. Several charges had been
made upon them, bat with little success
The rebels seem TO think their position is i'm
pregnable.
The river batteries have been mostly 81
fenced. sherman is on the night, two miles
from Haines' Bluff; McCIeraand is -
miles from the Court House. in the centre ;
Mcpherson is at the lower end OF Vicks burg
The dispatch boat, New National from
foung's Point Tuesday afternoon, has arrived
Fighting took place on Monday, lasting from
a. m. to p. IN, when there was a cessation
of hostilities TO bury the dead. The battle
was resumed on Tuesday morning, but no
particulars have reached Young's Point. But
few if any batteries had been taken Shells
from Gen. Sherman's Siege guns came over
into the city as could be seen from the feet
Gen Banks forces had not arrived. 400
prisoners are expected here tonight
a special dispatch from Memphis, dated
June /, furnishes the following intelligence /.