Juliet signal., 1863-06-02
The Great Battles near VICks-
burg.

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For many days past the public mind has
been completely absorbed by the news from
General Grants army near Vcksburg.
The dispatches from that scsne OfcoDfict
have been meagre and unreliable, and, at
times, very contradictory. Thrice during
tbe past week have reports gone over the
wires that "Yicksburg is ours" and the
flags went up and rejoicing commenced,
when later dispatch would come convey
ing the unwelcOme news that tho rebels
still held out and that Yicksburg was yet
10 their possession. DOWN would come the
fag', and the countenapces of all wculd
again assume the cast of intense anxiety,
mingled with forebodings of fearful result.
Thus the week has passod--and up to the
writing Of this matters at Vicksburg are
as undecided as ever as far as we know.
But whatever may be the result, it cane
not be denied that Gen. Grant and his
brave men have achieved wonders.
According to the official report of Gen.
GraDt's AdjutaDt General, the first of the
series Of battles was fought on the lst of
May at Port Gibson. The rebels were un-
der the command of Gen Bowen, and after
a bot conflict were defeated with loss in
killed, wounded and prisoners of at least
fifteen hundred, and FIVE pieces of artil-
lery.
On the 18th OF NJ ay, the battle of Ray
mcnd was fought, ard the rebels defeated
with loss of eight hundred.
Ga the l4th of May the main part of the
| forces OF Gen Jvseph E johnson were de-
leated. and Jackson captured with loss
to the enemy of four hundred, besides i'm.
mense stores. manu- facturies and seventeen
pieces Of artillery.
On the 10th of May the most bloody and
de cisive battle of the series was fought at
Bakers Greek. At the commencement Of
the battle, thu enemy, about % QUO strong
under Gen. PembertOn, were posted upon
Champion Hill, wooden elevation over
which ran road diagnnally, Gen. Hovey's
| division advanced to the attack across the
open field. At ii O'Clock the enemy opened
upon his columns with heavy fire from
their four gun battery, and from their
sharpshOotsrs in the woods. Gen. Huvey' g
troops carried the heights i'll gallant style,
making dash on the first battery and cap
tured it. At this juDcture the rebels were
reinforced and Gen. Hovsy was driven
back. having lost, as one dispatch says,
$500 men. Gen. Qaimby, with brigade
Of men come to the support of Gen. Hovey,
and the ground was speedily re>occupicd.
Meanwhile Gen. Logau's division marched
to the brow Of the hill. forming in line OF
battle on the right CT Gen. HOvey, and ad-
vancsd in gallant style, sweeping every.
thing before them to the edge of the woods
In front of Gen Llgan's division, the battle
was of the most desperate character imagi.
nable. The rattle of musketry was inces
SAINT, represented by one correspondent al
50 blendid that a single discharge wal
rarely heard. This was the hottest and
most brilliant battle that has occurred il
the Southwest for several months. Tht
enemy were finally driven from the field
with heavy loss. Gen. Gran: was on the
field, and his reckless exposure of himself
caused unbounded enthusiasm among the
privstes.
On the 18th Of May. Ger. Grant defeated
the rebels at Big Black river bridge, with
a loss Of 2. 600 men to the enemy.
On the 18th of May. Vicksburg was in.
vested, since which time there has been the
most desperate fighting between our forces
and the rebels for the occupancy of the city
The accounts Of numerous assaults and des
perate hand to- hand fighting has come t.
us, but without particulars of details.
Further news from that scene of carnage
is waited with almost breathless anxiety.
While we have the utmost confidence in
the competency, skill and generalship o.
Gen. Grant, and the bravery and courage
of bis gallant soldiers, at the same time ",
cannot refrain from expressing our feerfu
apprehensiOns that the task before them
was greater than they could accomplish. -
We hope for the best, but we fear that Lib
Mcclellan before Richmond, Gen. Grant
has not been properly sustained by the
authorities at WashingtoD. The next
news will probably solve the fa.e of ou1
army of the Mississippi, and we shall for.
bear further Comments at present.