Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-01-17
LETTERS FROM vIOKsBURG.

The most notable thing to be observed here
just now is the-raPid rise in the river. Tie old
Father of Waters seems to have taken it into
his head to " rise early - in the season this
time, and for 0 weeks past has been work
ing his way up the banks quite perceptibly, IN
til within the last two or three days he has COM
menced going it with a perfect loOsness."
Large quantities of drift are going down on the
bosom Of the turbid waters, and the rise seems
to be unusually rapid. Occasionally q fat boat
and other Yankee tricks are seen floating By our
city, some Of which are picked up by the ferry
boat. day or two ago a bass drum was seen
coming down on the buoyant waves Of the Mis-
sissippi. 1t was evidently a deseTter froIn the
Fed5r feet above. The fats must also have
come from the same quarter, having probably
got away from the feet in the confusion Incl
dent to the rapid embsrkation of the troops,
when they were leaving Vicksburg " alone in
her glory, y to seek a more congenial climate
and safer quarters.
The river being now in splendid boating con-
dision for the Federal feet, we await vita a
considerable degree of curiosity to learn what
the next move win be. Early il the fall it was
announced that as soon as the river would rise
sufficiently for the gunbost feet to move with
ease and safety, Commodore Porter would pro-
coed to attack Vicksburg. In obedience 10 the
usual custom, the river commenced rising, and
a fine stage of water enabled the feet to come
within ten or fifteen miles of Vicksburg, but in
stead of attacking the city, Commodore Porter
made an effort to go up the Yszoo, and finding
that route impracticable, has concluded to haul
off his boats, leaving only a small squad Of
them at the mouth Of Old river, as q river po-
lice to prevent our steamboats, from going up
the YazoO after forage and supple When he
intends to make another visit to Vieksburg is
not known, and creates very little interest to
the people about this city. A sort of a general
disappointment is manifested here that Conmo-
dore Porter should take away his gunboat8
without attempting to give US a bombardnent.
Most anything would have been satsfactory-
if the effort had been ever so little.
But travellers are sometimes thrown eff their
track by very slight accidents, ana Of fhese
happened to the Federal army in its Onward
march to Y%icksburg their progress was rncsr-
enormously interrupted in the swsmps of Chick
assw bayou, and caused the invader to halt, and
reflect before sacrificing his large army to the
murderous guns of the gallant Sous of Dixie.
Whatever may have been his motive in aban-
doning the siege SO easily, it is now certain, that
success can never attend any further efotts at
the reduction of Vicksburg. All weak Ioints
have been so strengthened that hereafter ii will
be folly to attempt aH advance against the place.
Nothing is lost sight of that can in any way as
in rendering this place perfectly imprsgna-
bic to assault, and the longer the enemy delays
in making his foray against the place, the
will grow her defenses, and her power
to stand firm and mistaken against ali assaults
no matter how large the a~sssiling party, will be
placed beyohd all contingencies of doubt. The
absence of the enemy gives our ofRcsrs
another lease upon time to complete all the de-
in and around the city.
The exchange of prisoners seems to have been
abolished BY the Federals. About a
week ago a transport, with a number of Gonied-
prisoners, arrived at the point where the
was stationed above this city. Bull the
boat was not allowed to proceed, and was or
iered to return up the river, since which time
has been heard of them. In the mean
lime Yicksburg has to feed some seven hundred
Yankees, who are confined here to await an ex-
NRsroR.