The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-07-04
From ViCkS0RTg.

IN REAR or NICkSBURCI, TWO MILES
FROM THE COURT House, Tune Is, lS63.-
The entire number OF guns the rebels are
working upon us is not over six, with one
or two mortars. There is no change in the
situation, with the exception OF the pro
gress we are making in our approaches;
these are al thaGcould be desired.
There seems q settled determination on
the part Of Pemberton to hold out 10 the
very last moment. don't think it is true
that his provisions are giving out, but have
no doubt, from all L can gather, that with
the fractional ration now being dealt out to
his troops, his provisions viii last many
days yet. The ammunition seems the most
likely to give out first. This conclusion is
gathered from a careful weighing of the re-
ports given by deserters, as we'll as the
opinions Of our general officers.
I am not permitted, of course to state the
number Of reintorcements that have arriv-
ed, but have been kindly furnished with
information in regard both TO the former
and the additional forces, which enables
me to state that it is emphatically impOsi-
BILE for any army that Johnston can raise
TO effect any damaging flank or rear move
nent upon Gen. Grant. After extensive
inquiry among both ordnanceand commits
sary officers, | am also enabled 10 state
we have all the ammunition and subsis-
tence supplies that we need; and that even
if one source thereof should he cut OFT by
any raid o. TIE enemy, others are OPEN
So that there is not q conting cncy suppose
bic in which the Federal army here can be
caught in trap, no matter how long the
rebels in the city yODder may hold out.
Many Of our troops are anxious for an
assault. but undoubtedly. in view of the
peculiar advantages the rebels would have
for close rifle range at the very points we
would attack, an assault would be attend
ed with great slaughter among our troops.
The digging that we are doing is not so
extensive as seems 10 be generally sup
posed. Our points Of approach are very
few, but these few points will sap the enc
my's works in their most vital parts.
The rebels, two or three days ago, plant
ed u mortar in a sunken place in Logan i
front, which they have been able TO work
more effectively than any battery they have
yet stablished. but the fact that no range
could be obtained, has rendered the work
Of this mortar comparatively futile. Last
night the enemy planted two guns Of small
calibre in McArthur's front, but have not
been able to work them much to-day, on
account Of the firing of our sharpshooters.
This morning, Capt. Powell, artillerist, Of
Ransom's brigade, reports excellent pro
gress in Gen. RS approach, which is now
| assuming q position decidedly threatening
| to the enemy. The rebels are making des
| perate efforts to drive off the fatigue par.
!
and wounded six, and this morning have
wounded three or four. Onr men are no
allowed TO fire in return, it not being de
sirable to draw any increased attention 0
the enemy to this point. So exposed wa
this work that considerable opposition wa
made TO it, but Gems. Grant, Sherman anC
Mcpherson are in favoy of letting Capt
Powell 90 on. I went through the grave
like narrow trenches, and and can testif.
that the bullets whining over the heads c
the w0rkner average one a second.
i this work is successful / think it probabl
that it will decide the fate of the leadin
forts Of the enemy, and from indications
, opine tina. Gen. Grant is watching its pre-
gress with unusual il terest.
{ Gen. Logan with his battery of ritled car
non and his siege guns, Is gradually leve
ling down Fort Hill, one of the stronges
| works of the enemy. To-day Logan's AT
, proach is so close that child can toss
marble over in among the rebels.
| The best evidences of the damage don
by our shells among the enemy, are th
: constant daily increase in the number
j hospitals, which is to-day particularly oil
, servable, especially in front of Steele o
r the right and also the increase in til
f. number of their sharp-shooters, and thei
I attempts to silence our batteries. Thu
$ far, however, not q single oaae of oar g't1
' has been s5ieHced.
! The 18th Illinois, iii Humans division
on the eft, took twelve or fifteen prisoner