Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-06-16
Vicksburg Items.

The st Louis Republican publishes the follow
ing from gentleman Of that city whose engage
ments have taken him to the vicinity OF Vicks-
burg, and who is in a position which enables
him TO obtain the beet information as to the
matter he refers to. The letter Is dated " Yazoo
river, May 20 /"
"I have been within mile and half Of the
river Immediately back Of Vicksburg to-day.
Our forces have their outer works oil around,
and our line is only six miles long-strongly
entrenched, 50 that two handred thousand men
could not dslodge them. So Vicksburg may be
considered taken. The soldiers and officers are
in fine health aud spirits. Our loss in wounded,
including every variety Of wounds, is four thou
sand five hundred two thirds OF them were re-
ceivcd in assaulting the batteries last Thursday.
| have seen an order from Gen. Grant forbddng
the wounded to 20 out Of his department.
| The rebels have driven all the horses and cat
tie out of Vicksburg, as our shells killed so
many Of them that the smell became iBtolerable.
Our boats and batteries are shelling the town
all the time. Tho women and children are still
in the city.
| was told that great numbers OF women and
children had been killed by our she'll"
A letter in the st. Louis Democrat says there
is notion in the minds Of our generals that the
rebels at vicksburg will break out some night,
and the troops consequently sleep on their arms.
They sleep around their guns when they have
chance. They sleep in the day time when tho
guns are cooling One of our batteries on the
brow OF hill had dismounted 8 rebel guns, and
its shooting was 80 accurate that tina enemy did
not dare mount gun within thousand yards
of it. During an armstice to bury the dead,
rebel officer admitted that the battery was too
much for them, and that the lost five hundred
men in the stockade 10 front of ii in one day.
Sharpshooters still command the rebel works
il the rear, and the Confederates are notallowed
to show their heads without becoming targets
for hundreds Of rifles.
The general position Of Grant g army remains
unchanged, his advanced regiments being daily
relieved and fresh ones substituted.
A deserter who camc into our lines to-day re-
ports that three rebel Brigadier Generals have
affected their escape from Vicksburg on our left
and one on our right. The same men say tia.
Lieut.. Gen. Pemberton has been compelled 70 ield
tho command Of the troops in Vicksburg his
junior officer on account OF dissatislactio ith
his management OF the defense.
The prospect is encouraging for starvius 10
enemy out Of his stronghold. lisa tadioss
undertaking, but have no doubt Of its uita9te
success Although the health Of the CT is
good at this time, fear this hot, sultry " her
may induce different condition.
A deserter from Vicksburg says the sent
policy of Pembcrton will be, when he is ..;sted
that all hopes Of succor from Johnston AZ gone,
to break out through our lines on the let, and
endeavor to cut his way through to Ri Ack.
The damage to Yicksburg occasioned by the
fire of our guns and mortars is immen,o. lie
estimates that at least one fifth Of IL. ty is
destroyed. Up to Wednesday at IL o'co I; the
names of 1909 women and children were reported
at the Provost Marshalss office, who wt,e killed
by the explosion If our missiles in differ Mt parts
OF the city. Among these is said to have bcen
the wife Of Pemberton himself.