The Cecil Whig., 1863-02-14
Port Hudson-Thc Rebel Stronghold

Port Hudson-Thc Rebel Stronghold
Port Hudson stands on an almost per-
pendicular cliff, full 200 feet in height,
the river below making one of those sud-
den scrpcntine curves which render the
Mississippi the most tortuous stream in
the world, and abruptly narrowing its
dimensions to three quarters of a mile
from twice that width, above and below
Thus contorted and contracted, the cur
rcn rushcs southwark at its swiftest,
irresistibIy impelliug anything afoat
toward the bluff, directly in range Of the
Rebel batteries. Upon this fact the
enemy relies for the destruction or dis
conf ure of our guaboats, should they
attack from below while in the event
Of simultaneous bombardment from
either side, our vessels would run con-
siderable risk of shcllng each other.
Indeed, too, the position is eminently
favorable 70 the Rebels, because difficult
Of access to our troops. Unlike Nicks-
burg, the approaches to which are as good
as could be desired for an invading army
consisting for the most part of hard,
we'll made roads, the country at the back
of Port Hudson is generally swampy,
in.ersectcd with co ton woods, ravines
and other Typographical obstacles. The
only roads are of the poorcs description !:
the railroad being Il onc-horse or one
| mule line, ordinarily used for the con-
vcying Of cotton from the interior for
transporta ION down the river. The
plantations in this vicinity are almost
exclusively devoted to this staple, the
comparative coldncss Of climate not ad-
hitting Of the profitable cultivation OF
sugar.
Port Hudson is unIucstionably beav-
lily fortified, many siege guns Of tormd
able caibrc Eaving been conveyed from
Nicksburg for the purpose. The number
Of its defenders is now confidently cs j.
mated at 10000 men, principally newly
arrived troops from Western Texas, IL
locality at present entirely cleared Of
them. They are, however, but iuiiler-
en- ly armed with old nuakcts, fowIing
pieces, duck guns, bowie knives, etc
Their officers have but very recently
brigadod, and arc working very hard in
drilling and preparing.
1t is known that both Van Dorm and
Lowell are in command at Port Hudson
They are reported neither to be in
friendly relations with each other, or to
be popular among their men. Still, the
najorl y Of these rough, hardy, ignoran,
fellows, familiar with The wild life on the
Texas frontier, and fully persuaded tlat
in every battle be wecn United Sta cs
troops and the Rebels the latter have
achieved 4 glorious yictory-wi.l fight,
and ha desperately.
Previous to the battle of Murfrcsbola
the enemy sent nearly all his best regi-
mcnls from Nicks sburg ,hithcr, retaining
only one or two, wi h some 1000 con-
scripts. Since that diSas er to the Rebel
arms, th2>c regiments have returned
either to Nicksburg or Port Hudson
The defeat has probably induced Il
change Of plan, or RI her the resump ION
Of one well known to be tavorite with
Jeff Dayis-the cons ruction of his mil
ltary lines and the making standpoint
on the Mississippi. That is vital to
him, aud everything indicates Port iIud-
son as the specific locality. Geographic
cally it possesses the greatest advanta-
gcs for defense, aud, unlike Nlcksburg,
i capture involves the closing Of Red
River and the cutting off of all supplies
of men and mum ions from Texas
Nicksburg taken, the Rebels fall back