Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-07-08
THE SIEGE OF vICKsBURG.
DISPATCHES TO The WESTERN PRESS.
rResnstnh 20 The Chle.ga Trlbune |

lbesp6tch 70 the Ohlcsso tribune
CHIcKAsAw Bayou, Jule %, via CAIEo, June 29-l
have lust returned from tour of inspection along Sher
mans and McPhersoR's front Sherman is still creeping
up to the left Blars division is sappng it at three
points General Giles Smith is tne left Gen. Ewing
in 'front.' and General Lightburn on the right In each
of these approaches the bTeatworks serve for the
rebels and for US Gen. Brockand Of Tutte's division,
g also approaching very near.
An UNUSUALLY sharp attack was made BY the enemy on
BARS approaches this morning, but without effect.
Tie rebels yesterday threw into Bairs trenches
COPY Of the Vicksburg Wing Of Saturday, printed on
wall paper. 1t admitted that the oannonsding on that
morning did much damage among the women and chill
dren.
Gen McArthurs works are being pushed steadily for
ward Not an hour not minute is lost. The digging
is no. terrifying, but approaching.
Ransom'S men have gone forward u rod to-day, amid
concentrated re from the rebel sharpshoOters, while
ten gun Ioi, just being completed dug during the
week viii probably OpeI are the rebels tomorrow.
This fert is hor zonta ne ahead of all other works.
LogGns approach has entered the large key fort Of the
rebe piercing nearly to the nner base OF their entreneh
msnts, and two 2O.pouud Parrots have been planted
upon the rebel entertainments just under the crest this
side and are doing fearful execution. One last evening
sieCced gun Of the enemys which had been annoying
Shcrm4n's batteries.
IND cover of these two guns and our sharpshoOers
Logans pioneer corps is cutting traverse inside the
big fort, thus gaining position from which the reduc-
ton OF the entire fort must necessarily be effected.
rebel Sc geant escaped into our lines Saturday
who proved be of the two spies sent into Nicks
burg over year ego, by Admiral Porter. The other
was burg and this enlisted, and hes served the
bells faithfully " 20 this time, TO avoid the fate.
lie has OF late had caags OF sapping and mining par
ty and seems well posted in regard to the position Of
the enemy's works. He SAYS their redoubts and bas
ito ms are all undermined h trains laid ready to be fred
the moment we gain possession of then. The rebels
also have sewers :and pitfalls covering the ways by
which our troops mast approach the city. lie says
they have provisions last from ten 20 fifteen days
or ger and plenty of ammunition with the exception Of
caps and have lately been casting ordnance. Accord
ing TO his story and officers disposed to believe
t. il is a moral impossbility for Vcksburg 70 hold
over a fortnight longer.
There is a general feeling this morning along the
lines among intelligent and influential officers, that
though an immediate crisis is not probable as on
saturday yet that Vicksburg will DO before the
4th OF July. No one is willing TO put it of day be-
You'd that time.
REAR VICEsBURG, June %, VIA CAIRO, June 20 -
The Indications that the great struggle is at hand.
Srmishng has occurred along and front every
day and night since my last.
The 18th Iowa cavalry, day before yesterday, had
severe skirmsh with Rebel cavalry Bridgeport
Ferry. They held their ground although attacked by
superior numbers.
Night before hast picket Of some 500 was cut of
and captured by the Rebels Bear Creek seven miles
from Suyders Bluff
In he attack the transports at Cyprus Bend
the P-uaa Donna received % shOts-one in the boiler
di7t.-s s,r
L., ht the Rebels made sorte on the left, and
were icp-.s,d With heavy loss.