The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-06-12
THE HI 81 WEEK. WEEKLY PIONEER AND DEMOCRAT

Pemberton, Lee, Reynolds, Stevenson and
others are in the city. Most of the sick
left before the investment. Over one hum
dred women and children have been killed
by our bombardment. The gunboats in
flict no injury on the city.
"Gen. Pemberton believed his rations
would hold out thirty days, but urged
Johnston to come to his relief within ten
days at the furthermOst. Cavalry horses
have been turned loose, and driven towards
our lines, owing to the lack of forage.
There was ammunition enough to last sixty
days, with the exception Of gun caps.
These were scarce. All confidently ex-
pected superhuman efforts to be made by
those outside to raise the siege. They con-
slider Vicksburg the strongest place in the
Oonfederacy.'
Gen. Blair has met no enemy in force,
and like reports of Johnston being near
are disbelieved.
CAIRO, June 5.-[Special to Chicago
Times. Several boats have arrived from
below, but bring no particulars of the
siege. All concur in the statement that
Gen. Grant is making progress. General
Sherman's troops can be seen from the
Admiral's boat assailing the enemy's
works. The fighting is principally done
early in the morning and the cool of the
evening. Noontime is thought to be too
warm for such hot work.
New YORK, June ga letter from near
Vicksburg, May Oath, to the Herald, says
the situation was then unchanged. Gen.
Carr had captured and held an important
work on the left of the railroad during the
day, but near dark was completely over
powered and compelled to retire. The
22d Iowa planted its colors on the rebel
rampant. Col. Stone all day requested
aid, when after keeping their colors there
all that day, and after every man in the
regiment who entered the fort in the
morning had been killed or wounded ex-
cept the Lieutenant Colonel and fifteen
men, they were captured and taken into
Vicksburg. The storming of the works
cost us $500 killed and wounded. The
place is now besieged. Onr skirmishers
are so efficient that the enemy has no
chance to work his guns, and our batteries
pour in murderous fire night and day.
During the night they manage to place cot
ton bales around the embrasures, which
are destroyed during the day. The rebels
are constructing new line of works be-
tween the outer line now opposed to US
and the city. In the recent charge the
22d Iowa lost $50 men, Stevenson's brig
ade 26O, Ransom's 35S, Carrs 500, Blair's
division $50, Steele's 600, Osterhaus 200,
and Smiths $50. To-day (24th) there has
been vigorous cannOnadiEg along the right
and left.
CHICKAsAw BAYOU, June l, VIA CAIRO,
June 81 have no important change to
report of matters in and near Vicksburg.
Grant is we'll up to the enemy's works.
Logan has planted battery of heavy siege
guns within one hundred yards of the reb-
ell forts, and constructed a covered path
way from behind hill, through which his
gunners can pass to and fro with little
danger. McClernand and Sherman still
hold all the ground they have occupied.
OnSaturday, eight rebel emissaries from
Johnston to Pemberton were arrested
while endeavoring to pass through the lines
on our left. Upon their persons were
found 100000 percussion caps, and cy-
pher message conveying important infor-
nation to the rebel garrison.
Last Thursday G. S. Douglass, son of
J. M. Douglass, of Mason county, who,
several years since, migrated to Texas and
there Joined the Confederate army, came
out of Vicksburg with dispatches from
Pemberton to Johnston, and, instead of
going to Jackson, as directed, he took a
bee line for Grants headquarters, and
communicated to him their precious con-
tents. Grant sent Douglass up the river
yesterday on the steamer Sultana. The
Sultana also took up four hundred rebel
prisoners, captured at Raymond, and in
the grand assault upon Vicksburg They
were under charge of Lieut.. Col. Graham,
of the 22d Iowa.
The Sutler of the 68th Ohio, reports
that Gen. Legget's brigade was repulsed
at Big Black River by detachment from
Johnston's command. I have not been
able to verify this report at headquarters,
but give the information as l have re-
ceived it.
1t is reported that Johnston has re-
ceived large reintorcements. g.
PHILADELPHIA, June ga special dis
patch from Cincinnati to-day to the Bul-
letin, but entirely discredited by that pa
per, says: A report is current here that
Gen. Joe Johnston, instead of marching on
Gen. Grants rear to relieve Pemberton,
is advancing in force on Memphis. The
report comes in various shapes and is
sOmauhat cradito6