The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1863-02-20
c.,,-e.onde.oe OF the Palsndauua
DKPARrMKSr OF THE Tenn,
BEFORE YICKKBuRG, FEB'r ed, '63-

DRPAnrMrSr OF THE TENN,
BEFORE vrCkxBuaG, FEB'r I'd, '63-
I 4 Fen V'ords f5om the Still Small Voice. !
The army of the Mississippi rests few
days after its victory at Arkansas Post The
works which have cost the Rebels five
months bard labor, are demolished in a less
number Of days. We are again ordered on
board the Transports. The snow and mud
is hGsfieg deep; the wind bowls in very mad
ness; but wha. cares the brave General. He
drinks another mug of tom and jerry. !"
while seated in the warm Cabin Of the beau
tiful steamer Tisress--turns to the Chess
Board and says to his Adjutaut General !:
Make your move, sir.
A long batch of orders are received direc-
ting the feet to move in regular order down
the Arkansas River. 10 the Mississippi
thence down the Mississippi to Milliken's
Bend which means in so many words-(, Il.
hand writing on The ,OQN )-Vicksburg
again ! Then comes the wonder how it's
to be done this time. Our sick lisi is fright
ful-our men. poor fellows. have been living
on nothing almost--no chance to cook their
rat.ons OF fat pork and -four, while on board
tie boats and drinking water from swamps,
bayou and the muddy Mississippi; no Won
der when we land each day dozen graves
dot the hi lside, opposite as many boats
This may seem fabulous, yet tell but the
truth. and the truth deserves TO be told IN
This case day he sick list OF this army
numbers over tlcelus thousand, and the da'
ly mortality would frighfen the most Pc
nurious Undertaken that ever iire1t by death
on earth.
Who is 10 blame for all thisl cannot
say; bu; surely tie untimely death of many
a brave heart rests upon somebody's hands
o. Wednesday January 2I, the fleet Lam
ded at Young's Point, Louisiana. opposite
the mouth Of The Yazo River. and ten miles
above Vicks burg. We are ordered into
camp FOR the purpose OF recruiting the health
and condition OF the army, and also 70 beta
Dor in the most approved and modern style
the quiet citizens of Vicksburg, and sur
country. Since that time. we have
been leading monotinous camp life, with
but few exceptions. The health of the army
has improved very much. About thous-
and men are working daily at the cut off or
ditch, trying to change the channel of the
and leave Vicksburg an inland
town, By about FIVE miles. lis one and
one eighth Of mile across the neck, or the
length Of the ditch. proposed as the future
channel OF the Mississippi. and about twelve
miles around by way OF Vicksburg.
After pal ing visit to the machine, have
passed Judgement in this wise: If the old
White Water canal is likely to ever be the
channel OF the Mississippi, then. this may
But then have no right to pass opinions
against the "popers thai be-" The enemy
have heavy batteries stationed on the bluffs
on tie opposite side of the River, distance
OF from two to three miles from tie cutoff.
They worry our working parties some by
keeping up a constant firing with their long
range guns; and to illustrate how pleasant
those long spherical shaped shot are. will
give an amusing incident Of a steam boat cap
tain. who wen. down TO see the sights. One
Of those Tong chaps came bowling and whiz-
zing near Lim-it plowed the ground up at
a fearful rate. The time the Captain made
in getting away from that particular spot.
would have done credit to 40 Nag-he
come back to the boat and score they shot
a lamp post at him.
This morning at ayligh., we were awak.
ened by very heavy firing in the direction of
Vicksburg. The cause of which l after
" ards learned was the running Of the Block
.de by our Ram the Queen Of the Vest
got my information from an eye witness. |
The Ram had her sides cased with cotton
,ales. 1t was desperate undertaking to
ace all those big guns, and instead Of run
ling like race horse, she turned her sharp
,ow to the enemy and slowly hoaed down
he River, returning shot for shot, with her
louble tier of guns. After getting through
ii safe ard sound, to show he's utter con-
empt for the Rebel batteries, she turned ,
md came back, and gave the Vicksburg,"
me of the enemy's largest steamers. coup
e of butts, which sunk it almost Instantly,
md then dropped quietly down the river
gain. without being apparently hurt, al I.
hough under a terrible FIRE for more than
IN hour. Ihe value of this move is immense
by this, Banks below can be made famil-
ar with our movements. and the two armies
an work together understandInsly. How
md vi hen an attack is to be made upon the
acred city, is not vet made known. l pre-
ume though ii will be done by means of
nen and guns but when, that's he ques
ion.
By the way. we have a splendid view of
he city at a distance Of three miles; it is
iyuated on range Of bluffs much like Gov.
ngton, Ky. The buildings look clsan and
White, aud. altogether. has the Appearance
# being a very neat little city; containing
population Of near five thousanl IN time Of
,eace and quietude, but we have striking
violence Of their being much larger popu-
alton there just now. Suppose it must be
rinter resort for the chiUalry.
Since our arrival at this point. Maj. Gen
raj Z. S. Grant and staff, have joined us.
irant has assumed the immediate command
( the forces Operating against Vicksburg.
ien'l McClernand is assigned to the com.
hand of the 3th Amy Corps. Ger. Sher-
nan commanding the 9Th Army Corps.
1t might be Interesting to some Of your ma
y readers, to know just what position the
9th has, and to whose command it belongs:
The 69ih Indiana is the right of the lst
'rigade, commanded by Brigadier General
vm. Van deveE; OH Division, Brigadier Gen.
y. Os.erbaus. commanding--composing
lie left wing Of the 18Th Army Corps Gen.
!. J. Smith. now commanding corps.
The camps OF the two army corps, extends
long the banks of the river. distance OF
fleen miles; consequently great portion