, 1863-01-03
Gunboat Fight On the Yazoo.
THE NEW MADRID AND ISLAND
NO. 10 AFFAIR. So
Is Gen. Davies a Traitor or
an Idiot?
FOUR MILLIONS In PAY WAITING
TO GO FORWARD FROM CAIRO.
Latest from Vicksburg and
the Lower Mississippi.

Especial Dispatch to the Chicago Tribune.]
cAIRo, Jan, 2, 1853
1o-nlgnt we are once more in communion
tion, Geographically, with jackson and Holly
Springs. Tho supply train which went to
Memphis returned to Holly Springs this even
ing. 1t was escorted By large force under
Gen. Quinlby.
Gen. Grant still holds Abbeyflle as his
southern outpost, and the probability now Is
TINT he will advance again as soon as the road
Is rebuilt between Columbus md jackson.
1t is now definitely stated that the road will
be opened from Memphis to Lagrange.
Col, Murphy has been placed under arrest,
and Is now In Memphis, for allowing Holly
Springs to be retaken in an inglorious manner.
The steamer "B," direct from our fleet, ar
rived to-day. She brings. news to the effect
that gunhoats had gone mp the Yazoo to clear
the way for transports with the land forces Of
Gen. Sherman. They proceeded to Haines'
Bluff, where the high land first makes its an
pearlncc upon that stream. Tic rebels at that
point had prepared for a formidable defense.
An attack vas made and Z severe cannouade
cnsued, in which several of our vessels were
struck. The Benton was hit sixteen times.
Three shots penetrated her, one severely
wounding Capt. Gwinn.
The rebels are perfectly appriscd Of our
proposed mode Of taking Vicksburg. Tie
report Is they have but 10000 men at Vicks-
burg, though some Of their works of defense
are really formidable. The Mississippi at that
point is rising.
There seems to hare been great destruction
OF government property at Island No. 10,
causcles5ly and use1essly. The facts Us VIC
hare them are these: Gen. Davies understand
ing it to be part Of rebel policy to take Is
land No. 10, md thus cut off river transpor-
tation, and fearing they might be successful,
sent an order to the commanding officer to
spike his guns, destroy Lis ammunition and
eyacuate the place..
This order WIS not executed. Davies then
sent another order and his Adjutant to see
that it was executed, and scyenty-nine guus
were spiked last Monday, and about 10, 900
rounds Of ammunition rolled into the river.
The $50 men on the Island protested, but the
order was executed.
Especial Dispatch to the Chicago TEibune,1
AT THE Mourn OF THE YAzoo, Dec. aa
via CAIRO. Jan.2 2, 1863
Just arrived from Vicksburg, having been
there with the flag Of truce for the exchange
Of 500 prisoners. The City of Madison brought
back the crews Of the Lake City and the Lone
Star, captured At Plaqucmine, La, and few
Federal soldiers from New Orleans.
The gunboat Tyler, from Helena hithcr, was
fired on five times by muskctry, The Cham
pion, which she was conveying, received six.
pound slot from battery near Millikcn's
Bend. The Tyler returned the fire in every
instance, doing much damage.
At Ashton's Landing. from the Louisiana
shore, a shower Of musketry came from be-
hind the leyee. Capt. Pritchett landed and
burned several houses, GOO bushels Of corn
and a quantity Of medicine sufficient for q
brigade. The place was the station for pick
cts Of a rebel regiment encamped few miles
back. 80
Very many Of the shots took effect upon
the Tyler, one lodging within six inches Of
Capt. Pritchett's head, in his cabin. The
Lexington goes up river with the City Of Mad
ison this morning.
Tho expedition goes up the Yazoo to-day.
Some rebets have appeared In the river
jeff. Davis left Vicksburg December I'D
r Richmond ria Charleston, Mobile and
Savannah Railroad.
CAIRO, Jan. 2.-An immense. amount Of
mail matter has accumulated here from the
North since the break in the railroad It
| will shortly be forwarded by steamers Mem
phis,
Wc have eighteen Paymnsters, with four or
| five million dollars, intended for Gen. Grants
army. They had got as far as Columbus just
| before the break In the railroad, md had the
| rebels waited one day longer some Of them
might have been taken.
One hundred and twenty exchanged pris-
oners arrived from Vicksburg yesterday.