The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-02-02
INTERESTING FROM THE SOUTHWEST
PreparatiOns for Third Movement
Against VickSburg.
General Grant to Command
i'm Person.
Character and Composition of
His Army.
>>>~~~-.~~o~>-->>>>o~>~--
Large Additions to Admiral Perter's
Gunboat Fleet.
New Boats Completed and on the
Stocks.
~~----~~-~-~-~~~-~~>>
the new CHANNEL Of THE MISSISSIPPI.
OPERATIONS OF TIE REBELS.
&C.. &C.. &c.
New Boats Completed and on the
Stocks.
the new CHANNEL Of THE MISSISSIPPI
OPERATIONS OF TIE REBELS,
&C., &C.. &c.
our Cairo Correspondence.

Our Cairo Correspondence.
CAIRO, Jan p, 1863.
Indications not wanting, have they been
ceaed from the public view that another attempt to re-
duce the rebel Notifications ycksburg will be made
How this attempt will be made, or in what manner,
il is my prov to know do know that the next
attempt, when made. will be of q far formidable
character that preceded it and promises
satisfactory results. II is enough to say that the
movement his been committed TO General Grants con-
tro-the Of officer who has been defeated in
any single campaign during this war, yet has fought
many, If not more, than any other officer.
General Grant will take with him to vicksburg the bulk
OF his immense army Of West Tennessce-all veterans
fred score OF iercey contested fields. They bear
uson their banners such proud inscriptions Belmont
"lonelson 'shloh .'Cornth," &C, and they will
suacr the lustro these to be dmmed by dis
graceful McCcrnands army will also part in
the oveent, and will strive with desperation wipe
the deep disgrace Of their late rcpulse while
Sherman These combined armies will make mighty
host They composed exclusively of Northwestern
mel, and mainly oaicered by men from the
g,on They therefore all have personal
The welfare and prosperity of the states which they
long require the free and uninterrupted navigation Of the
Mississippi Aside, therefore, from any purely pa
and the usual stimulus of the soldier in
stoaon OF personal advantages that have been taken
from them Hence the country will not BIO disappointed
in expecting from them record such army has
yet achieved during this
when how this army will renew the attempt 10
open great tho free navigation OF the
Is not fitting subject 10 enlarge upon. They may
strike directly ut vicksburg or they make wide detour
and by strategic'movement compel the evacuation
Of the Gibraltar Of the lower river withou, struggle as
Gcne al Grant winter compelled the evacuation Of
Columbus by his movements tho Cumberland and
tennessee Whatever the plan to be pursued may
he have an abiding confidence that will meet
with success. Apprentice generals are no longer in
aud ia this direction, and We have become convinced
OF the Inagn the task before Tried skilfu
officers viii henccforh lead 10 the work force based
ai knowledge OF the strength with which they
will have to contend.
The naval squadron under Admiral Porter will be in.
ntcy better prepared Tor hard work when another at
tempt the really formidable batteries Of vicks
burg than IL heretofore been The number OF
irouc.d unboas viii be considerably increased, and
the rrniorcements thus received will be Of greatly
improved character
Inc Chllcotne Of the boats has already joined
the squadron. she is powerful side wheel craft heavily
plated, and carrying, in stationary turrct, two
inch guns ihs is heavier metal than has before
been ioscd on these Western rivers, will tell with
wondrous effect upon the enemys works The Chilcohe
also the desirable qualities of speed AID VI
handbag either with o. against The current, in which
the odd class OF iron cads sadly deficient
The indnoa left here last night TO ION the squadron
he considered by TO be- the finest gunboLt aoat
giuss, and works side wheels as well Her
plating Is Of the most substantial and impcnctrable
character She has stationary nrrct in front like the
Ch,llculhe. III which she carries ecven-nch guns
having ranges that sweep the horizon, and, addition,
ON her boiler deck By this arrangement she Is better
adapted light down stream than any other vessel in
fleet by anchorng in the ordinary with her head
t. the current both her batteries are brought into direct
play against tho objective point aud IN ~ accident
She 4 position 10 steam away out Of range without
delay IN turning about. She capable OF making the
mi
carrying this heavy armament and being unusually
heavily plated she draws but four and half feet OF
water. she built ut Cincinnati where she has been
detained tor the last two months by the low stage Of
the falls at Louis se, which prevented her get
ting down, the canal being too narrow for her
The lafayette is another new boat which, though not
vet with the squadron is here receiving her armament
aid OUTFIT, and will so down IN lev days She Is side
wheel steamer OF great power and good speed, with
sharp Prov, finished wtth solid timber aud for the
purposes Of ram The Lafayette looks, externally very
much like the PASSPORT, although much larger. she has
au extreme 'ensth q Two hundred ana nnctytwo feet,
with forty nve feet beam and thirty-sx feet
floors Her hold Is ten feet deep. Her engines, of
which there are two, are high pressure, with twenty
inch cy inders and ten feet stroke. Her wheels
thirty three feet IN diameter, with four
feet buckets. Her classmates diiercnt FROM
those Of the astport, in having inch aud a hall OF
rubber beneath the and bstwcen and the wood
after the fashion OF the Essex am not permitted
menton The thickness IRON armor nor Of the timber
composing hc classmates upon which IS placed This
may say: that the whole forms the m - impregnablc
Casematc OF any vessel in the aeet Besides this ir
rounds her boilers and engines. all Of which placed
below the water line. Her great length gives ample
on the main deck for the accommodation Of officers
ans crew, the spu,mehts provided ior whom are spa
cous, airy and comfortable. Her the finest
that mas yer been pnt nion any snip IN ths ncet she
carries two elcven'inch guns, .M ninc.inch and
hundred FOUNDER PARROTS The veteran Captain
wakevctcran at least as touching his services with
squadron--has been assigned 10 the command this fine
vessel. Captain Wake was one 81 the srst batch OF
officers that came West and has had Of the
Carondeet during all Western naval operations lie
fought that ship brsvsy and well all the carly
ran the blockade Island No 10 with tackled
the ram Arkansas 81 the mouth of Yazoo last sum
mer, and would have her been sunk himself but
grounded bar aud the Arkansas cutting
from him. performed her valiant feat OF running through
So adron unnjured. No officer IN the feet
done efficient service than has Captain Walk. and
none are more deserving u the command that has been
The Passport that with slight breakdown owl
T. afAult in her construction has been thoroughly over.
hauled and strengthened and Is af1at again trim
and pretty she has been greatly
and will not DO likely 10 meet with a similar mshap
Commander Phelps, who will have command Of her here
after. Sh0 ID now taking on her armament and will b.
ready 10 50 below IN few days She 20 carry four
inch guns and two hundred FOUNDER parrotts
Her officers will not afmi, that she has ANY superior In
the squadron and are extremely Jealous Of the praise
rhc Tuscumba was launched at New Albany about two
months since ~ which time her constructors promised
thai she would he ready for within three we~ss
hat she has no, made her appearance here vet and II
matter OF doubt bow much longer she vii he delayed
SIZE Is the counterpart ~ all respects q the indano
and will probably be as good q vessel Lieutenant com
andcr Shirk OF the Lexington has been assigned 10
the command Of her and has already gone 70 New Albany
"a expedite the finishing work upon ncr
The Choctaw, at 81 Louis Is another new vessel, the
same plan the lafayette. though somewhat smaller
She Is IN a very advanced stage 81 completion, and
viii be uut few weeks Both she and the Lafayette
were planned by Commodore ", u Porter aud Act ing
Nonnteer iacuenart James Iannng and have been
suuccd under tie supcrutendcnce the latter named
officer
TIE 0.age rccen,iy launched St Ions, viii be more
on the llah = tte Monitor Shc will have two crculqr
tuffcts, each stationary, how ever and between them
deck carry ms single thrccn.inch mortar This vessel
with some hall dozen u tho same characos ye m,
the stocks, IS not yet sufficiently advanced az a,,5 y
clear idea &C what she will be sLcH done 49, "