Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1863-01-09

on the battlefield of Vicksburg, had just
arrived at Helena. III 4
Saturday morning, Dec. 9th. Gen. Sher
man debarked his forces on the left bank Of
the Yazoo river, ten miles from the mouth,
and forming in line Of battle he advanced to-
wards Vicksburg. After passing beyond
reach Of fire from the gunboats, he encoun-
tered the enemy in force. A terrific conflict
of five hours ensued. Thee enemy was driven
back beyond two bayous that grit the rear Of
Vcksburg. Saturday night the two armies
lay on their arms, with the two bayous inter
vening. ...f
During the night pontoons were construct
ed in front, by Gen., Morgan's and Gen,
Smiths divisions, Notwithstanding terrific
fire from the enemy under cover of the
underground.
At daylight Sunday concerted advance
was made by Sherman's whole force. Gen.
Steel held the left, Gems. Morgan and Blair
the center, Gems. NJ. L. Smith and A., L..
Smith the right. ....e ........i.
Gen. Steel turned the enemy's left, SO as to
communicate with Morgan's division, having
been separated by a swamp running at right
angles to the main front ~,
BY sunrise the whole force was engaged,
and up to 10 o'clock the fighting with mus
kerry and artillery was severe. The rebels
were entrenched on the high ground rising
from the west side of the bayous. Finally
part of Morgan's and Smiths divisions, the
s5th Missouri, took it by storm.
Vicksburg is doubtless ours.
The gunboats had not co-opp erated; but
the gunboat Benton had engaged the fortif-
cations at Haines' Bluffs. She was struck
by 81 pound solid shell, but did no material
injury. .. a..
Several of her crew were killed and wound
ed. Capt. Gwin, who commanded her, was
MORALLY wounded by six pound shot strik.
ing him in the right breast, and carrying
away part Of the right arm. His words as
he fell were: "My love to my wife and my
wishes to my country
The 5sth Ohio, 9Th Wisconsin and %
Kentucky regiments sustained considerable
loss in Saturdays battle.
Gen. Banks and Farragut were expected
to coop crate from below, but did not q,
Steel's division-composed of Indanians-
did bloody fighting, as he turned the enc
my's left. "
The dispatch boat on her trip down te
Vicksburg, on the Goth, was fred into by 8
company Of guerrillas. She received not less
than 100 shots in her cabin and pilot house
She headed round and replied with grape and
canister, and musketry from a detachment o
the 18th and oath Indiana volunteers.
'~ '-''.----.'-' FT. MONROE, Jan. 3.
To Hon. GIDEON WELLS, Washington
The State Of Georgia reports that the
Monitor foundered on Tuesday night, south
of Cape Hatteras, with the loss of two off
GERS and thirty eight men,-names unknown
Signed - LEE, Rear Admiral.
I'd -..- ..--.-- New YORK, Jan. 8.
A California cavalry company arrived to-
day. They were received by Col. Howe
State Agent of Massachusetts,. They dined
at the New England Rooms. They were
then reviewed by the Mayor, and escorted te
Boston by three Massachusetts, regiments
Their march in Broadway was perfect ova
ton. All arrived safe and WELL .a..or
.................. CAIRO, Jan. 4.
The Memphis Bulletin, just received, con
tains farther information from Vicksburg.
The steamer Rather had arrived direct from
Vicksburg, which place it left on Monday
evening. ......... 'ytar.Ia q i
Fighting had been going on for five days
having commenced on Wednesday.
Up to Monday morning Sherman had cap
tured three lines Of the enemy's works
Firing on the 4th and last line of defences
on the jackson and Vicksbug Railroad, had
ceased, and indications were that it had sur
rendered. ; a.."1
The line of Notifications is just two miles
from Vicksburg, and there was nothing be-
tween Sherman and the city but trestle-work
of the Railroad. =s1 a '' -s3
Officers of the Rather think there is nc
doubt but that Vicksburg is ours.
Before taking the Notifications, Sherman
sent a brigade to cut off communication with
the city by Shreveport Railroad The work
was successfully accomplished.
On Sunday night Sherman was reinforced
by 5000 men from Grants command up the
river. '.@-'
Our whole force now at Vicksburg is about
10000. .ctr.,..
We have captured ten guns and 700 pris-
oners. .7e ,,'H
Nothing yet had been heard from the
forces below H..
The gunboats Black-Hawk, Benton, Baron
Dekalb and Louisville, with SO lighter boats,
had attacked a battery at Yazoo City, with
what result unknown.
It is reported that Capt. Gwin has died
of his wounds.
A coal boat taken from Blue Wing was
scuttled in shallow water six miles below
Napoleon, and the rebels were graphing out
the coal for the gunboat Lizzie Simmons,
which is expected out of the Arkansas river
as soon as it rises sufficiently. The Rather
stopped at the barge and took on fifty tons
of coal.
The ammunition-boat Judge Terrence, on
Monday, was fred at twice while passing
Millikinville. In retaliation, the Rather
shelled the town. Seventy-six rounds were
fired. The principal part of the town was
set on fire and consumed.
The steamcr Gladiator has heen cant,,rnd