The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-06-09
THE SITUATION.

Our news from the Army of the Kappa
rebels still occupy Fredicksburg. Reports
received in Washington yesterday say that
the First division of the Sixth army corps were
stiil in the position ON the south bank of the
river which they occupied on Friday. They
had advanced no further than the open plain behind
the rife pits, from which the enemy were driven.
A visit to the front disclosed the enemy in un.
usually strong force in his old position on the right,
left and front of our advance column. The enemy
are constantly busy, and large columns seem to be
moving up and taking position TO await further
operations Of our forces.
General Hooker was across the river, and visited
the picket lines on Saturday. The picket firing on
that day was almost continuous; but since then
our pickets have been nearly unmolested. The
enemy appear to be in large force on the south side
Of the river and IL cannet be ascertained whether
any considerable portion of Lees army have been
withdrawn.
late raid Of our troops, with the assistance of
three gunboats, up the Mattapony river into King
William county, Va, which was directed by Gene.
raj Reyes from Yorktown, has resulted in deci.
ded success. After meeting with some brief rsss-
lance from the enemy our troops destroyed rebel
foundry at Aylette, together with several mills,
machine shops, q lumber yard and four govern
ment warehouses laden with grain. The expedi.
tion was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Tevs,
and returned to Yorktown on the 9th INST, after
accomplishing q very successful result with
trains loss.
despatch from near vicksburg dated ON the I'd
Of June, reports the return Of Gen. Blar's expedi.
ton through ffty-six miles of country, from the
Big Black to the Yazoo. and eleven miles below
Yszoo City. Several bridges and number of grist
mills and cotton gins used to grind corn were de.
stroyed; also large quantity Of cotton belonging
20 the rebels. The country towards the Yazoo. is
said to be tseming with agricultural riches. Cat.
tie shcep and hogs abound in all directions. Flour.
ishing crops Of corn, oats wheat and rye are seen
on every side. Hundreds Of negroes fed at the ID.
proach Of our troops, and followed them into our
lines.
kilograms from Memphis to the Sd anst say that
Gen. Osterhaus was watching Joe Johnston on the
west side Of Black river bridge with an entire di.
vision. ready to intercept his junction with Gen.
Pemberton. Gen. Johnston had shown himself
with Q strong force near the bridge on the
I.t huS fall hont,
jackson on encountering the FIRE Of our
troops. The same authority states that com.
munication with General Banks is kept up on the
Louisiana Shore that guerillss nest the region be.
tween Lake Providence and Grand Gulf with i'm
punity. and that every negro with federal uni.
form on Is hung - soon a. captured.
The formidable batteries along the Mississippi.
on the 6rst line above the water batteries, are all
slenced save one at the extreme upper part OF
Vioksburg which mounts two heavy guns and
two twenty.eight Founders. The rebel battery on
Fort Hill Is composed Of six guns Of very heavy
cslibre. Our forces have mounted six heavy guns
In front and q battery bearing dagonally at that
point
The rebel accounts Of the state Of affairs at
vicksburg are exceedingly interesting. We give
large extracts from them to-day. The dispatches
from their own friends. and correspondents in the
Southwest do no, meet with much favor or credit.
The Richmond Erom'n.r calls them "blatherskite
kilograms" This is not very plimen,ary nor IL
Il calculated to increase the value Of the reports
We receive from rebel sources. The same iourps,
says that all the kilograms received through the
sousAern Associated Press agents relative TO Gems.
gel 0rsess losses and so forth are nothing bu,