Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1863-11-27
Tour Army Correspondence. J
From Nicksburg.
CAMP 5rH ILLINOIS CAyALRY NOL.
CLEAR CREEK, near Vicksburg Miss.
Nov. 4 1868

Nov. 4. 1868 )
.Nessrs. Editors Of the Fress Press:
News from Vicksburg is not sought for with
as much interest at the present time as it was
four months since Notwithstanding, Nicksburg
j. the most important military point on the Mis-
sisspp River. Ii was formerly the market and
trading point for planters and merchants for a
large territory being easy of access by river and
railroad. Planters shipped their cotton and
produce, and received their various supplies at
that point, which made the city Of Vieksburg of
vital Importance to the Southerners. Since that
strong hold has been reduced, the enemy are de-
prived ofthat market,-to say nothing Of their
losing also the most important place in the
Southwest to them viz, Yazoo City, which with
all the strong works on the Ys,oo River has been
rednced. jackson, the Capital of Mississippi,
was formerly very pleasant place with many
very fine residences extensive store houses, &c.
which are now one mass Of charred timbers,
bricks and mortar, perfect heap Of ruins.
Nearly all of the buildings between Vicksburg
completely desolated Flanters who were worth
their millions when the war commenced,-some
Of them have escaped to their place Of refuge
" Texas, 8" with portion of their negroes, others
nave gone to Alabama, and in their fight leA
everything, except what negroes they could col
lect aud take along with them. Many plan
tation that was in high state Of cultivation
two years ago. Is now growing up to weeds
Fine residences that were surrounded by every
variety of shrubbery. which had taken years
to grow and ornament the yards, are
now tramplel cut and pulled down.
There Is nothing left to Indicate that
the wealthy Southerner ever lived there
The enemy are still lowering around our posts,
watching our movements. \ reconnaissance in
force, was made by our troops with cavalry, az
tillery and infantry, on the 10th Of October, ia
the direction Of Canton, Miss. As soon as our
forces crossed Black River, they encountered the
euemy's skrmishers at BrowuvilIe- We had
pretty sharp fight and dispersed them ia the IL
rect.on Of Canton, >kirmishing continually until
when within about ten miles of Canton the en-
emy made "a stand. charge WIS made on
their hues with infantry in the centre and cav
airy on the flank, the enemy throwing shell,
grape and canister, from six piece Of artillery
with great rapidity. but fortunately for US, they
oyershot us, consequently did no harm. Our /
forces broke their line and dispersed them. One /
of our scouts came IN and reported that the en- I
emy were concentrating their forces at Canton .
from Brandon, two Divisions having already
rived and more being on the way Our Gener- /
ais thinking presume, that they intended to .
flank Us, turned the Read Of the column to-
wards the camp on Black river. The enemy
followed Us up and haassel our rear guard .
nearly to Black River, when they quietly with
drew.
Our lines have been drawn in some 1--WE miles .
nearer the city, which give Us a much better pO-
sition should the enemy attempt to make raid .
upon US.
Vicksburg is being fortified 50 to be as
strong as the skill Of men and materials at hand /
can make IL Inc ltFllhtiDH NA Al4t lauA 4ANNAA
the city makes it quite easy to fortify it is a
continuous chain of deep ravines and high ridges
Forts are being constructed on one of these /
ridges in rear of the city, and large siege guns (
are being mounted both front and rear, riAe-pits
are being dug in the appropriate places. and .
with a proper garrison in the city, no army in
the world could take the place if resistance .
should he made. The Mississippi is now open to I
navigation through its entire length. and ne
enemy cannot again put any serious obstruction /
at anv point Small parties occasionally FIRE On Z
transports. but that is seldom, as the Marine 4
Brigade metes out punishment to any one living |
in the vicinity of any attack, and SO they are
very careful how they FIRE into boats. The |
health Of the army is good at this place now |
The prospects now are, that We will stay here
during the winter. Circumstances Will govern
our movements. think the enemy are keeping
quite force in our front, thinking they will
prevent our forces, any of them, from going to
the Cumberland if such is their motive they
certainly are fooling themselves. The weather
is very warm here now.