Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-07-29
luE MISSISSIPPI RIvER-FIRsr STEAMER THROUGH FRO,
ST. LOUIS.


The steamer Imperial, Capt Sims, arrived at New Or.
| leans ION ST. Louis on the 18th. The lmpeIitl left
81. Louis on the 2Sd June and arrived at Vicksbug on
the 29h. Sac left Vicksburg July IL, with Gen. Ran
| SONS brigade and arrived at Nalchez on July IA
Geo. Ran ON was to fortiiy and occupy Natchez AL
| on ct from Vicksblrg down, and the river was
| clear.
The starting OF the Imperial on her return trip is
thus noticed in the Era Of the 18Th:
"The evee was full of life yesterday up to the hour
o. O'Clock p. M the time fixed for the departure of
the Imperial TIE throng OF visitors on, in aud around
the boat very great some Of whom we're the most
distinguished persoaages in the city. The wharf was
crowded with peOps OF all kinds aud hundr d. of la
borers were busy putting freight baggage and stores
aboard. The decks and every avai'atl, spfc, the
steamer filled with sick, wounded, convaescent or
paroled soldiers, belonging to the Iiae months men,
who returning to their homes by the way OF Cairo
aud ST. Louis after having assisted to op that road by
| the proves of their At two o'clock she was
ready take her departure The eyee in the vicinity
of the boat filed by constantly increasing crowd
and she backed the stream cheer upon cheer
rent the air. The noble boat-the poceer ia toe re-
openirg of trade between the Yves, aud the South
shook rself right CALAMITY for moment then right
Ing in the stream she breasted the sluggish waters and
walked up the current like thing OF life and beauty.
The cheers from the crowd followed he' and she
pa. ssd the shipping she greeted with the loud
snouts, which were returned from the Yenturous
steamer.
The Imperial is first class river steamer, and was
great fayo in these before the war broke out
She is not ore than four years old is built beaut
full model very swift looks and clean, and very
snowy. Her capacity for carrying freight and passen-
gers very great and the remarkable feat she has per-
formed in icing the first boat to make the trip rom St
Louis 10 New Orleans and thus again TO Link together
the gre a, sections Of country aud unite the
severed tie again to be broken will hand her name
| do En to impershabe fame
The question is what boat will next arrive ?-and
then IL next will be looked Tor until arrivals be-
come go that they will cease to excite surprise
When they begin to come by the dozen in day, per-
haps the Seces Onsts here will believe that Vicks
burg has fallen. 500 l-1
raE RAID ON wYIHEvILLE.
The following is the Yankee accoun! OF the raid on
Wythevle Itseems impossible for them to relate the
truth: .r51
CIScMSA1I July PA cavalry expedition, under
Colonel Tolland of the Tbiryfourth Onie mounted in
fanry and Colonel Powell OF the Second Virginia cav
airy sent by Bigader General Scammon from Charles
town Virginia to- cut the Virginia and Tennessee Rail
road at Wythevle has been succeijlu They Captured
Wytheyile after severe fight aud took l20 prisoners,
two pieces of artillery aud 700 stInd of arms Our loss
was about 65 killed and wounded Colonel Toliand and
Captain Delaw of Cincinnati were killed, and Colonel
Powell severely wounded. The enemy lost IS killed,
and large number wounded. Our troops we're fred on
by the citizens from the houses. The tlwn was totally
destroyed TIE comma d reached Fayetteville yester-
day after hard march.