The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-06-16
FRoMTHE WEST.


of General W alksr. had engaged the enemy near
the Yazoo and drove him back.
We can hear no more particulars in relation to the
late battle. 1t is generally rumored aud bellev ed
that General Walker whipped the enemy badly,
and captured three thousand prisoners.
A gentleman who has been prisoner-captur-
ed by the enemy Vicksburg-and made his
escape, arrived at Jackson. He reports that the
Yankees acknowledge that, in their first assault,
they lost, in Killed alone, fifteen thousand One
of the surgeons told me he could walk on the dead
for ten acres, with blood over his shoe tops. The
last assault was made on Tuesday with "forlorn
hope" The loss Of the enemy was very great.
He also says that the enemy is disposed to give
up the capture as hopeless job. They are short
of provisions also, having themselves burned or
otherwise destroyed everything they could lay
their hands on.
The firing heard the past day or two-except-
ing the regular OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES caused by the
Yankees trying to get the range of location of the
commissary warehouses; Their object is to de-
stroy them. Very little injury, as far as heard
from has been done. 1t is believed that we have
sixty days provisions in the city.
Of the movements of Gen. Johnston, we have
no information save news of occasional skirmishes
between some Of his men and the epemy's forces.
FROM LoUIsIANA.-Two hundred and thirty
seven prisoners, paroled and sent over from New
Orleans, arrived in Mobile, June I'd, under a flag
Of truce They portion of those taken by
Banks during his operations on the Teche. They
all agree in representing his losses in that cam
pagn as far greater than
1t is pretty we'll understood that our troops have
repossessed themselves of the country west Of the
Atchafalaya. One of our men, who had taken the
oath of allegiance, wanted to go to Franklin, and
was told he could aot 60 outside the lines, that
Franklin was no longer included in them. Some
of the prisoners understood that Banks train hae
been cut of.
Some reports state that such of the Yankee
officers commanding the negroes that we're taken
at Port Hudson were hanged. 1t is reported that
the loss of officers above the rank of maj or was
about thirty. 1t was said that Banks sent flag
of truce to bury their dead which was refused.
Accounts differed to the grounds of the refusal.
One statement was that the Confederate COM
mander would not entertain flag of-truce on any
subject connected with negroes, whether alive or
dead; another was that Banks required to
withdraw from the immediate vicinity of our works
before sending flag.
Late advices from Lincolndom confirm the sink
ing of the gunboat Cincinnati by the batteries at
Port Hudson. The Cincinnati was an iron clad
vessel, SIP tons burthen, third rate, armed with
thirteen guns. Her extreme length was IT'S feet;
breadth of beam 81 feet; depth of hold feet.
metal.
JACKSON, Miss, June S-A scout just in from
Vcksburg reposts all working we'll Our men
were somewhat wearied from lying in the trenches
and exposed to the sun, but were in good spirits
Grant was slowly advancing by building parallels,
which are within four hundred yards of our works
No general assault had been made for ten days
past. We have plenty Of provisions and ammu-
milton, and the soldiers and citizens perfectly
confident of the result. Our entire loss during
she series of assaults will not exceed six hundred
Heavy firing of musketry and artillery was heard
all day yesterday
Gen. Kirby Smith, instead of being at Port
Hudson, has taken Mken's Bend with 10000
men, and cut off Grants supplies. It is reported
that Jackson's cavalry cut their way through to
Vicksburg Jackson has evidently done some
thing
Gen. Pemberton sent word that he could hold
Vicksburg, and for General Johnston to take his
time to organize and discipline his forces:
nayThe news from the West appears to be
more than usually cheering. 1t is evident that
Grant has staked his whole fortune upon the pre-
sent movement against Vicksburg, and that he is
in great danger of losing the large stake he has
risked. He has certainly lost large number of
men, larger perhaps than any General has Yet
lost, in the same time, since the war commenced
The reported capture of Milikin's Bend by
Kirby Smith, requires confirmation. We confess
that we place little confidence in it. 1t is too
good to be true, especially seems almot impossi-
BILE that General Smith with his army should have
reached that point on the Mississippi river. There
is very little doubt but that Rosencranz is rein
forcing Grant heavily especially as Banks. having
been driven back from Port Hudson, will be un-
able to come or send any force to the aid of his
endangered principal. This may enable Bragg to
assume tie offensive giving US possession Of Mid
die and w est Tennessee
YANKEE ACCOUNT.-From the yankee accounts
of the efforts to capture Vicksburg we copy the fol-
lowing, by which it will be seen that the enemy was
terribly punished
Operations Of Tuesday, May 2O.-Our troops
having all taken up their respective positions the
night before, it was determined by Gen Grant
to attempt to force the enemy's line before they
fully recovered from the decentralization CONSEQUENT
upon their many and rapid successive defeats
across the Big Black River. The plan fixed upon
that of general assault along the entire
length Of the rebel works, at 10 O'clock in the
morning. The order, however was ouDtermanded,
in consequence, it is averred, of want of readiness
on the part of Major Gen. McClenand, and two
o'clock was fixed upon as the nour to carry out
the same intention. ~
At precisely 2 o'clock, the various regiments
rose to their feet, and with tremendous cheer.
started at double-quick oyer the hill
Passing over the crest of the first hill, behind
which they lay, the charging column saw in front
~ ~ t.