New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-01-12

streets whatever lie desires. Rumor with her count-
less tongues has killed Jefferson Davis, Gen. John
stop, and Gen. Sherman; has given ms Vicksburg,
appihilated the Rebel army and our own, and made
il impossible for us 10 possess the place.
Com Porter and Gen. Sherman are said to be con-
6dept of ultimate success, and the Contederates to
be entirely secure Of their ability to resist every
efor; of the Yankees TO capture the town.
Independent OF It's strategic importance, there II
no doubt the Rebels had a particular PRIDE in hold
ing Vicksburg. They have declared again and again
Il Should never fall into our hands, and they will
squander men and treasure to an untold extent 10
make good their boast.
Vickabure is the Richmond Of the West. Onr
foes have employed every effort to render both I'M
pregnable, and have not only had leisure to perfect
their works but have been furnished opportunities
in abundance to determine by actual siege where all
the weakness of their defenses lay.
Having been cut Off from communication with the
North for nearly three weeks, l am unaware what
intelligence you have received from tcksburg, and
have given you the latest and best obtainable here
| Gen. Sherman, it appears, is determined the plan
and execution OF operations at Vicks6nrg shall re-
main mystery, as he has issued al order declaring
that any person going attempting 10 60, there LII
any CAPACITY but that Of a soldier or Government
employee shall il discovered be placed in the ranks
and compelled to serve as private IN the army dur
| ing the war.
| Whether or not this order 10 aimed at correspond
ente, am unaware-but il would certainly seem so.
! Sherman has no love for journalists, because they
have freely criticised him. and given him, he thinks
his reputation for occasional insanity, which, with
out some very satisfactory cooperation on his part,
il il fair TO presume lie would never 20 literally have
shared.
/ Generally. Sherman il, believe, a competent and
an efficient officer but that he has snndry defects OF
Judgment his best friends, apprehend, viii hardly
undertake to deny-an example OF whicn Is mani
fest in the absurd order have ALREADY mentioned.
Helena 1 undo rstand, IL to be evacuated ana the
Union forces there 10 be sent up the Arkansas to
operate agan the enemy from the interior. a
Rebel gunboat, called tho Lizzie Smmonds, Is up
that river, and 10 declared iormidabiei with now
much correctness 1 cannot say.
/ Everything at present is quiet in Memphis, and
the loyal citizens much gratied at the opening
of the Charleston Railroad 10 Grand Junction;
thinking it will materially improve the business of
the town, now presenting very fair degree OF
trade.
The guerrilla bands In Tennessee and Mississippi
have asseverated that the Yankees should not keep
the road in running order that they would destroy
it in spite Of all our Efforts even II every crosS-Iie
were guarded by half dozen soldiers.
/ Internationally the will Of the Rebels, 90 far as
anv and all injury TO our is concerned 10 ex.
ceent. Whether their execution is equal to their
will remains to be seen.
Geo. Grant will, presume, send considerable
portion of the troops now in Southern Tennessee
and Northern Mississippi down to Vieksburg, to the
assistance Of Sherman, who If tie reports received
be correct. must sorely need re-enforcements. In
deed | understand he desired TO do so last week,
bat that he is waiting 10 hear from Gen. Halleck on
! the subject.
No doubt, within few days. at least 10000 men
will be forwarded to Vicksburg, aud l hear that
Cen. Clinton Is. Fisks excellent Merchants Brig
AIDE now stationed at Columbus, Ky, Will be or.
dered down below where, feel assured, they Will
render an excellent account OF themselves under
their energetic and patriotic leader
| For week past rumors have been riie that Gen.
Grant was 20 be relieved OF bis command, and the
soldiers generally believe it true, and, so far as
can learn are n no way greved at the prospect Of a
I change.
Considerable small poY is prevalent in the Army
of the Tennessee though the cases are less nurner'
ous than they were month ago. The Rebels have
suffered a great deal from this loatbsone sc0urge,
having had few opp0rtG ntes for vaccination.
Eleven hundred Southern prisoners were sent 10
Vlcksburg Oh the Minnehaba recently for exchange,
bat in consequence of the engagement there, they
were refused. The small pox Lad broken out among
the poor feows, and, on account OF their suffering
aud alarm, u number Of them jumped overheard, and
some of them were drowned. On the trip up 10
Cairo 900 of the csptiyes died.
The forthcatious at Memphis are progressing
slowly. The soldiers are tearing down u number OF
buildings in the lower end Of the town to make
room for the extensive works, which will not be
completed for some weeks TO come.
\ Curtis +. Gilbert Of your city, and for eighteen
months past an army correspondent, has discarded
tho pen tor the sword, and entered artillery com
lanJ in the capacity OF sergeant. He har capacity
courage and pat riotism and will reflect discred
on tho Bohemians in the faithful service which tee
assured he will render his country in this hour 81
her imminent peril. JUSIUs