Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-05-29
Rebels Intent on a Bold Stroke.
FROM VICKsBURG TO SUNDAY.
All is stllI Going on Wei.
REBEL DISPATCHES CONCERNING
VICKSBURG.

REBEL DISPATCHES CONCERNING
VICKSBURG.
From the Richmond Enquirer, of the
25th:
Latest official dispatches, as follows from
General Pemberton, Commander at Vicks-
burg, were sent to Jackson, Mississippi,
and from thence telegraphed to President
Davis:
YIcKsBURo, May 20.-The enemy as
saulted our Entertainments yesterday on
our center and left; they were repulsed
with heavy loss. Our loss small. The
ensmy's force at least 10000.
VIcKsBURG, May 21.-The enemy kept
up heavy artillery FIRE yesterday. Two
of our guns dismounted in the center; our
works, however, uninjured. Their sharp
shooters picked off officers and men all
day. Our works were repaired and our
guns replaced last night. Our men are
encouraged by the report that General
Johnston is near with large army, and
are in good spirits.
May PIP P. M.-We have had brisk
artillery and musketry firing to-day also
heavy mortar firing from the gunboats.
3P. N.-During the past two days trans
ports with troops have gone up the river;
destination unknown.
MOBILE, May Pa special to the Ad-
vertiser and Register, dated to-day, says
that the enemy has been foiled in all his
efforts His dead streW the ground in
front of our works. According to one es-
innate his loss is 10000. Firing heard at
intervals last night, and to-day the army
is supposed TO be. .shelling.
WASHINGTON, May 81.
The Richmond Examiner of Monday
contains the following:
All that can be considered certain in the
confused jargon of kilograms from Jack
son is that two points of the land defences
of Vicksburg have been assaulted, and the
assaults repulsed. Indeed nothing could
excuse or explain a want of success on the
part Of the defense. On all sides are high
bluffs crowned with breastworks and bat
teries. We are informed that an attack
can nowhere be made with force equal
to the garrison, and that on no side can
more than 5000 men be deployed in line
for an sssault The character of the
ground renders regular approaches diff
cult, while the heat and malaria Of the
country during six months Of the year
would make its siege at the present sea-
son one Of the most murderous ones on
record. Only treaohery or cowardiee
could explain the capture Of Vicksbure by
sudden assault, and its fall by any other
means seems daily less and less probable.
If the Yankee army had swept down the
valley in such overwhelming force as not
only to beat the Confederate forces in
Northern Mississippi, but to take perma-
nent possession Of the whole country, and
establish themselves there as they have
done in Northern Tennessee and Kentucky,
the fall Of VicksbuTg could with difficulty
bs prevented. Isolated in the midst of
territory possessed by the enemy, its re-
duotion by blockade would be bat ques-
ton of time, but Grants army isn't an
army of conquest, still less Of occupation.
Its advance on Jackson, however intend
ed, has been converted into a very ordi-
nary raid.
It is true, he gained rapid and repeated
advantages from the time he captured
Grand Gulf till lately, because the Con-
federate forces under Pemberton had been
scattered over half the State Of Mississip-
pi, and were unable to defend any point.
In the moment Of danger, however, john
SUN "es VAueASU VHSAo " S- 'aAS SVAli SV u "a
of that army. ~
Whether he will be able 10 retrieve all
the losses suffered by the COnfederates re-
mains to be seen; but we have little reason
/ to fear the loss Of the State Of Mississippi
and consequent fall of Vicksburg while he
can keep the field there.
A disgraceful attempt was made here in
Richmond to fix upon him the responsible.
| ity Of the disasters Of the Lieutenant Gen
eral, by favor, who was entrusted the most
important army Of the Confederaey with
out having put o squadron in the field Of
battle; but it is the duty of every man to
see that this detestable manoeyre shall
fail.