Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-03-27
FROM TIE MISSISSIPPI.

Rear Admiral Porter in an official dispatch
Gays he has received information from w. A.
Watson, commander, that On the 18th the
whole expedition arrived in the Talahatchie,
which gives us control of the heart of the
Mississippi. The vessels ali got through in
fighting condition, except the Petrol, which
lost her wheel entirely. This movement of
the feet evidently alarmed the rebels, as they
are energetcally at work preparing them
selves against all contingencies.
There is much distress in Vicksburg. The
occupants have no meat, but are living almost
exclusively on corn-meal.
III, gunbot Chillicothe bombarded Fort
Pomberton on Saturday and Sunday, but with
out decisive result. The Fort is so situated
it could not be attacked by a land force on
account Of high water.
The guns Of the DeKalb had been taken
ashore, and a land battery constructed near
the rebel works. Therebel force is estimated
at 5000, under Gen. Loring. Renforcements
are being rapidly sent forward to the seat of
operations, and it is expected that our fleet
will soon be able to reduce all the rebel forth
fcatioDs on the Yazoo.
Advices from the Yazoo Pass expedition
represent that the movements are slow, but
that there is every prospect of getting through
successfully. Our forces had debarked near
Greenwood, and were beseiging Fort Penn
berton. A number OF transports were
badly damaged in getting through the Pass
The ram Lioness overhauled the steamer
Parallel with 500 bales Of cotton, on the 10th
instant, crowding her so closely that the reb
els were compelled to run her ashore and
hurn her. The rebels burn the cotton on
every plantation as the army advances.
The Tribune has special dispatch from
L.. 81 . ka ,yhf oh
says: CONTRARY to the belief expressed in a
former dispatch, the authorities concluded to
let the water in at this point at shutdown to-
day.
The water is now pouring in threatening
friend and foe alike. The aperture is 20 feet
wide already and is visibly widening at the
mouth. BY morning the greater part of the
town at Lake Providence will be submerged
Dispatches from Admiral Porter indicate
that, in consequence of the necessarily slow
progress of the expe1 ition, moving sometimes
not more than a mile day, and the publicity
given to it, the enemy has made such ample
preparations for resistance that Gen. Grant
has found it necessary to despatch reinforce
ments to overcome it.
The Democrat learns from gentleman just
from Vicksburg, that the steamer Diligent,
with the 9th Missouri regiment on board, had
succeeded in entering the Yszoo River, above
Haines Bluff. Her course was through Cy-
press Bayou, which debouches into the Yszoo
opposite Johnson's plantation, where Gen
Shermans troops landed last September,
thence through Steel's Bayou into the Sun
flower, which empties into the Yazoo eight
miles above Haines' Bluff. The Diligent was
accompanied by light gunboat. As soon as
it was found possible to get through, four
iron-clAds followed.
The informant also says that thousands Of
men have gone up before this. Our forces
can thus be placed between Hanes' Bluff and
Yazoo City, which will enable us to operate
in the rear Of the former position, and bring
the latter between two fires.
1t is also believed that our feet can navi-
gate the Bayous. and enter the Yazoo above
Yazoo Pass, by which means our gunboats
can cooperate with our forces at Greenwood,
reduce Fort Pemoertou, throw their COM
bined strength against Yazoo City, and flank
the rebel position. Being thus surrounded,
Vicksburg will undoubtedly be evacuated
The batteries at Haines' Bluff were built to
sweep down the river, and powerless against
an attack from above. Confirmation of these
tidings is anxiously looked for
The Democrats special dispatch from be-
low, dated the 10Th, says the rebels continue
shelling the canal at Yicksburg, retarding the
progress of the work somewhat. The river
is falling, and the fears OF the OVERLOOKING of
the camping ground have subsidized. All is
quiet at Greenwood. Both parties are repair
ing damages Our present force there is re-
garded as insufficient 70 reduce the rebel for
tihcations. The leyeeS are being cut, which,
II is thought. would result in drowning the
rebels out. Rumors are in circulation of the
. II
Missouri regiment has gone to garrison the
place. II this he true, it foreshadows the fall
or evacuation Of Vicksburg.