Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-06-26
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on the Sd inst, tue rebels opened somewhat
vigorously along the line, with heavy and
light artillery, but half hours FIRE from our
artillery and sharpshooters silence their
guns. In this brief time we destroyed one
heavy piece and dsmounted another, and ma
terially damaged their works. The writer
adds
"ro my mind this siege has fully demon
straicd thc superiority Of our forces 10 the ac-
curacy of firing both artillery and small arms.
Pemberton's dispatch to Richmond says
they arc constantly picking off our officers
and men. This is doubtless true, while on
the other side it is different We have a
very few, comparatively. killed or wounded.
The enemy has the advantage OF us. His ar
ullery is mounted in strong forts, and the
men are in IiAe pits constructed with much
care and labor, and all protected by cotton
bales and sand bags. Our artillery is only
protected by temporary earthworks, and the
rifle PITS are necessarily imperfect from being
hastily constructed under hle Of the enemy.
Each day. or rather night, pefiects them
forts are making their appearance along the
line heavy columbiads are being mounted in
position rife pits that were only few days
ago dug in detached portions, are now extend
ed aud will soon form continuous line, and
reinlorcements that we're needed TO strength
en- and perfect the investing force, have arr-
we'd.
A few days more will find the Union army
in a strong defensive position. The number
Of our killed and wounded would be reduced
probably one-half il the Government would
haLg few villainous ordnance contractors.
Much of our artillery ammunition is defective
and explodes ptematurely. The artillery is
Obliged TO FIRE over the river in the trenches,
and one man wounded by our own guns pro-
duoes more demora zaion in the command
than three killed by the enemy. That the
range and execution Of our artillery is effect
tive, is proved by the admissions Of rebel Of
hcefs
The number Of reiniorcements now arriving
decides the probability Of Johnston being able
to interfere with the siege Of Vioksburg."
Maj Gen. Sherman writes in recent let
ter
After five months patient labor am now
on the Walnut Hills. Vicksburg is before
US, armed and intrenched, but instead of be-
ng above us is now on a level, and we have
firm ground to tread on with our army bat
talions.
The course to reach it was circuitous, but
none the less intend and now the Mississip-
pi aud Yazoo feed us while we close upon our
foe. | make no prediction, but the right
must prevail, and | think | have about as
clear a conception of that right as any one !;
and fatter myself if time is consumed. it is
not wasted"
HEAD QUARTERS WALNUT HILLS. June l3,
Via Cairo June IS, 1868 !
A ride along the lines developes change
Of the position Of the rebels. Their batteries
are silence and only few of their rifemen
appear. Our bombardment is kept up with
continuous vigor Deserters coming in our
lines say the men and line officers are dis
couraged and only prevented from deserving
by the hope that they may be honorably sur
rendered in few days. Gen. Blar's recent
reconnaissance between the Yazoo and Big
Black, revealed no signs of the enemy with
in 80 miles. Everything useful has been de-
stroyed for 80 miles around Breckenridge
is said to be at Jackson. Our position is
equal to 900 men.
June l4.-Nothing of Importance has trans
pired for the last "a hours. On Friday our
batteries slackenod and the rebels rarely re-
ply The rebels are believed to be erecting
an interior line of works and falling back
About 100 OF the enemy are reported to be
killed and wounded, daily by our sharp-shoot-
ers Gen. Osterhau's holds the Black river
bridge without interruption.
The prospects of the seige look brighter
and brighter, and no fears are entertained as
TO the result.
MEMPHIS, June IS, via CAIRO June 20.
Official advices from Vicksburg to the | g tn
nave been received
The siege was progressing slowly but sure
ly. Our total loss last week is estimated at
less than thirty. Only eight or ten killed
The garrison continued a vigorous firing of
musketry, and she'll up to the time the dis
patches were written, but no success. An at
tack from Johnston is looked for daily but
each day lessons his chances Of accomplishing
anything. The guerrilAs are still acting at
various points on the Mississippi.
The steamer Imperial has arrived bringing
Z official adyices from Gen. Grants army down
to Sunday last: On the 18th the rebels open
j ed fire with artillery and musketry along
their whole line keeping it up most Of the
day. At times their FIRE was furious, but it
was without much effect. The rebels placed
two Of their mortsrs out Of the reach of our
/ sharpshooters, while they fired nearly 100
shells at our trenches, but only wounded two
: or three of our men. The siege is being pres
sed with yigor on all sides, The defences in
our rear are being daily strengthened
, heavy cavalry force is being sent South by
/ Gen, Hurlburt.
! CHIcKsAw BAYOU, NEAR
VfcKsBuRG, June Is.
There ia increased cannonadng this morn
I ing. Logan's division is reported to be en-
gagged, The enemy is resisting our advance
on the central portion Of the line. Ii is
! thought the rebels are expending the remain
! der Of their ammunition before the final ca
pitulation. Johnston is fortifying the east
bank Of the Big Black.
The following is the proclamation Of Gov.
Pierpont of Western Virginia;
PROCLAMATION.
The commandants Of regiments and COM
panies of Virginia Militia, will Immediately
call their companies and regiments together to
be held in readiness to 90 TO the field at an
hours warming, and will provide such means
az shall be effective in giving immediate no.
tee to all Arms aud equipments will be
furnished at the several places Of rendezvous.
The or emies of our liberty and and prosperi-
ty are again threatening our peaceful homes
Citizen soldiers stand by your hresldes and
defend them against the common foes of a
free government, make every available spot a