Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-06-12
FROM TCKSBURG.


fcer who arrived from Vcksburg:
The base OF the Federal lines extends from
right to leit on the Mississippi from the Yazoo
to the lower part Of Vicksburg, over six miles
in the rear Of the rebels
Our lines come up to the rebel lines east Of
the town. We hold undisputed possession
everything between the Black river bridge
and 60 feet of the hills ia the rear Of the rebel
army. At last accounts Gen. Frank Blair's
division had started for the Big Black river
bridge His destination was unknown.
1t was believed that the gunboat Cincinnati
could be raised.
Deserters report that the rebel losses were
heavy on the 22d ult
The cessation Of hostilties on the 2lst ult
was for the purpose Of letting the women and
children leave the city
Flagship Black Rirer, near Vicksburq. May
27.-Str Admidst our successes | regret to
report any losses, but cannot expect to con-
quer place like this without some LOSSES
At the urgent requests of Gems. Grant and
Lhetman ! sent the Cincinnati to onfade
some rifle pits which barred the progress of
the left wing Of our army
Gen Sherman supposed that the enemy
had removed his heavy guns TO the rear Of
the city. On the contrary he seemed to have
placed more ON the water side than usual
The Cincinnati was sunk and went down in
shoal water with her flag flying The enemy
still continued firing upon her, but the flag
was not hauled down. twenty-five we're kill
ed aud wounded, aud fifteen are missing. 49,
The latter are supposed to be drowned. The
vessel can be raised. The pilot was killed
early in the action.
(Signed, DAVID ID. PORTER
Acting Rear Adm Comdg Miss. Squadron.
MISSISSIPPI SQuADRoS. FLAasurr. BLACK HAWK
Near Ncksburg May q, 1868. !
Sr:-I have the honor to inform you that
the expedition sent up the Yazoo River. on
the day after | took the forts at Snyder's
has returned, having met with perfect success
As the steamers approached Yazoo city the
rebel property was fred by Lieut.. Brown, of
the ram Arkansas, what he began our forces
finished. Three powerful rams were burned
viz; the Mobile, screw steamer ready for
plating, the Republic being fitted for ram
with railroad iron plating, and a vessel on the
stocks, a monster $40 feet long and IS feet
beam This vessel was to have had six en-
glnes, four side wheels and propelers. The
would have given us much trouble. The
rebel had under construction a fine navy
yard, containing five saving and planning ma
chimes, an extensive machine shop, carpenter
and blacksmith shops, and all the necessary
appliances for large building or repairing
yard.
1t. Commander Walker burned all these,
with large quantity of valuable building
timber. H. also burned large saw mill
that had been used in constructing the mon
ster. The timber destroyed, at moderate
estimate, would cost more than two million
dollars. We had one killed and wounded
by field pieces, from the enemy's batteries.
LIT. Walker deserves much credit for the
handsome manner in which he performed the
pilots he would have succeeded in getting
possession of all the rebel rams instead Of
having them burned
(Signed) d. d. PORTER.
staff officer from Grants army, who was
in Cincinnati on Sunday, states that Vicksburg
is short of water, the inhabitants and soldiers
being compelled to rel on wells and cisterns
in the city, they having been cut off from both
the Mississippi and the Yazoo rivers, and
that the,e was considerable distress on this
account
The Chicago Tribune says, upon the most
direct and positive authority, that Gen. Banks
has been ordered to cooperate with General
Grant in the reduction of Vicksburg that the
attack on Charleston, at least by land has
been temporarily abandoned, and that Hun
ter's men, or large part Of them, arrived at
New Orleans probably to secure the quiet
OF Louisiana--many days ago. 1t also as
sumes to know Gen. Grant well enough to
believe that, if needed, every available man
in his department, save and except only
enough to hold Memphis, will be called to his
aid, and if they are not enough, Missouri and
Kentucky ought to be able to furnish on
brief notice all that he may lack.
Cincinnati, June 4.-Our direct advices
from Vicksburg are to the 30th Of May For
several days previous quiet prevailed all along
our lines, broken only by occasional cannon
aiding.
The Commercial has dispatch saying,
"spades are once more trumps." We are
erecting earthworks to protect the men and
are mining to blow the face out of one or two
of the rebel forts that are unapproachable
otherwise. The of carrying the place by
storm seems to be abandoned. The safer and
surer plan Of starving Pemberton into sub
mission now finds favor everywhere.
A deserter came into our lines this morn
ing He represents that he was sent by
Pemberton to communicate verbally with
Generals Johnston and Loring. The former
is supposed to be between the Big Black river
aud Jackson. He represents affairs in the
city as growing desperate. About 10000
effective men are there, two-thirds Of whom
are kept on the iortihcations night and day,
and not allowed so leave an instant on any
pretoxt. Generals Pembertop, Lee, Rey
nolds, Stevenson and others are in the city
Most Of the sick left the city before its invest
ment Those who remain have excavated
caves, and remain in them night and day
Valuable merchandise in this city is alsc
stored in caves from fear of conAagration.-
The poor are generally in their houses. Over
100 women and children have been killed by
our bombardment The gunboats intlct nc
injury on the city Gen Pemberton believed
his rations would hold out 80 days, but urges
Johnston to come to his relief within 10 days
at the furthest.
Cavalry horses have been turned loose aud
driven toward our lines, owing to the lack o
forage. There was ammunition enough to
last sixty days, with the single exception Of
gun caps these were scarce. All confident
ly expected superhuman efforts TO be made by
those outside to raise the siege. They con
slider Vicks burg the strongest place in the