Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-06-08

Vicksburg.
We have but little that is new from the
situation at VieksbuIg. At last imports,
Grant was close upon the enemy's works,
and keeping them busy by incessant can
nonading from the siege guns and the
fleet. Much fear has been felt for Grant
in case of 3 formidable attack on his rear.
This fear will be increased by the reports
of the Withdrawing Of rebel forces from the
RappahannOck. A correspondent of the
Cincinnati Gazette writes on the 2Sth ult'
the following reassuring words:
General Grant is not asleep. He is si-
lent but observant, and while l pen these
words hear the heavy tread of his forces
not yet smelling Of Vicksburg powder to
look after and take care Of Joe Johnston.
Of course 1 do not feel at liberty to speak
of this movement but have the most i'm
plicit faith in its success.
Reinforcements are being rapidly sent
to General Grant. The St. Louis Republi
can reports the departure Of numerous
boats from that and other northern river
ports, with troops and supplies. 1he Chi
cago Post says:
The Chicago Irish Legion, whi,h for a
long time has been stationed near La
Grange, Tennessee, has gone to Vicks-
burg, with other reinforcements, for Cen
erai Grant. 1t would be eontraband to say
how many troops have gone and are going
in the same direction, but they are
"good many"
A correspondent of the Chicago Tri'
bnne, in sending full lists of the casualties,
writing from the nights in the rear Of
the city gives the following as an illus
tration Of rebel barbarity;
It will be noticed that most of the wounds
are characterized as severe" Medical
men say the proportion of wounds of this
character is enormously great, and ascribe
it to the use Of explosive balls by the reb-
els. These are miniature percussion shell
which explode after striking the object.
In consequence, we find that wherever
bullet enters near a bone, that bone is al
ways shattered, and amputation becomes
necessary to save life. l have seen scores
Of legs and arms taken off within the last
few days, which might have been saved
had the enemy used the missiles pre-
scribed by the rules of civilized warfare.
The soldiers remember these things, and
are laying up fearful measure Of ret
ribution.
Regarding the condition of the city it
self, the following paragraphs are taken
frcm the same correspondence:
One Of the shells from the mortars had
exploded in the Office Of the Vicksburg
Sun, and burned it to the ground. The
Whig Office was accidentally burned several
weeks since, so that now the city is desG-
tute of newspapers. Some Of the soldiers
offered fifteen dollars for q copy Of the
Tribune or Times.
In my dispatch Of the present date
have inforRed you of the plight the rebels
hold them with. I repeat this for fear an
accident should prevent the transmission
of my telegram. Deserters from all parts
Of their lines say that the rebel garrison
is only from 10000 10 1000 strong; that
their reserve is only one brigade and
half, that the men are not, cannot be re-
ieved, and that only quarter rstions are
served, consisting Of corn bread and boiled
fresh beef, carried to the trenches at night.
They have from thirty-fve to forty forts,
and their lines are between six and seven
miles in extent. The citizens live in caves
to escape the terrible destruction Of our
shell and horror and dismay reign su-
preme. The majority of the Confederates
are said to be willing to surrender the city
hold it to the last, expecting aid from
without. Pemberton had the assurance to
send some rebel families into our lines
yesterday, asking protection for them and
their negroes.
This, too, in the face of his disregard Of
the order given before the commencement
Of the siege, to remove women and child
rem. General Grant very properly sent
them back again, but retained the negroes
at their own request.
The rebels are reported in force at Jack
son, but this is as near as probability will
allow.
1t may require thirty days yet, to starve
out the rebel garrison at Vicksburg, but I
think it cannot last longer than that time.
twill make little difference, I think, for
all the indications are decidedly in our
favor. The amy is comfortably eneamped,
supplies are plenty and water good, while
the weather will not initiate against US
for five or six weeks.