The New York herald., 1863-05-26
| vICKSBURG.
Important Official Despatch of
Admiral Porter.
Immense Destruction of
Rebel War Material
at Haines' Bluff.
The Whole OF the Yazo0 River
in Our Possession.
The Brilliant Success Of the
Army and Navy
st -~~-~~>>~N>~~~~o>~~~~
Additional Details of the Battle
of Bakers Creek,
h., H.. -.
The Whole OF the YazOO River
in Our Possession.

H., H.. Il.
TsIegram from Aamiral Porter.
wAsnisoroN. May rs, 1868.
The following was received in Washington at
ten minutes past eleven this morning.
CAIRO, H., May rs, 1863.
Hon. GiDsos wELlEs, Secretary Of the Navy
The following despatch has just been received
from Admiral Porter.
A. M. PENNocK,
Fleet Captain of che Mississippi squadron.
FLAGSHIP BLAcxHAwx, HArNEs' BLuFF,l
YAzoo RIVER, May TO- 1868.
Hon. GIDEON WELLEs, Secretary of the Navy
On the morning of the 18th came over to the
Yazoo to be ready to cooperate with General
Grant. Leaving two Of the iron-clads at Red
river, one at Grand Gulf, one at Carthage, three
at Warrenton and two in the Yazoo, left me a
small force. Still disposed of them to the best
advantage.
On the 18th, at meridian, firing was heard in the
rear of Vcksburg, which assured me that General
Grant was approaching the city. The cannonading
was kept up furiously for some time, when, by the
aid of glasses, discerned a company Of our artil-
lery advancing. taking position and driving the
rebels before them Immediately saw that
General Sherman's division had come on to the
left Of snydcr's Bluff, and that the rebels
at that place had been cut or from
joining the forces in the city. despatched the
DeKalb, Lieutenant Commander Walker; Choctaw,
Lieutenant Commander Ramsay; Romeo, Petrol
and Forest Rose, all under command Of Lieutenant
Commander Brecse, up the Yazoo to open COM
muncation in that way with Generals Grant and
Sherman.
This succeeded in doing. and in three hours
received letters from Generals Grant, Sherman
and Steele informing me Of this vast success, and
asking me to send up provisions, which was at
once done.
In the meantime Lieutenant Commander Walker,
in the DcKalb, pushed TO Haines' Bluff, which
the enemy had commenced evacuating the day
before, and party remained behind in the hopes
Of destroying or taking away large amount Of
ammunition on hand.
When they saw the gunboats they ran ont and
left everything in good ordcr-guns, forts, tents
and equipage Of all kinds, which fell into our
hands.
As soon as the capture of Haines' Bluff and
fourteen forts was reported TO me showed up the
gunboats from below vicksburg 10 fire at the hill
batteries, which fire was kept up for two three
hours. At midnight they moved up to the town
tinued at intervals during the night to annoy the
garrison.
| On the 10Th ! placed six mortars in position,
with orders TO fire night and day as rapidly as
| they could.
! The works at Haines' Bluff are very formida.
BILE. There are fourteen Of the heaviest kind
and q half inch riHed guns, with ammuni-
tion enough to last long siege. As the gun
carriages might again fall into the hands Of the
enemy, ! had them burned, blew up the magazine
and destroyed the works generally, also burned
up the encampments, which were permanently and
remarkably well constructed looking as if the
rebels intended to stay for some time.
These works and encampmcnts covered many
acres Of ground and the fort6cations and the rife
pits proper Of Haines' Bluff extend about mile
and quarter. Such q network Of dcfenccs I
never saw.
The rebels were year constructing them, aud
! all were rendered useless In an hour. As soon as
I got through with the destruction Of the msga.
zines and other works started Lieutenant Com.
mandsr Walker up the Yazoo river with
sufficient force TO destroy all the enemy's pro
perty in that direction, with orders TO return with
all despatch, and only to proceed ~ far as Yazoc
City, where the rebels have navy yard and store
houses. f'nt
In the meantime General Grant has closely IN
vested vicksburg, and has possession Of III.
best commanding points. In q very short time I
general assault win take place. when hope 70 an
nounce that vicksburg has fallen. after series O
the most brilliant successes that ever attended al
army.
There has never been case during the wal
where The rebels have been 30 successfully bcater
. at all points, and the patience and endursnc,
shown by our army and navy for 30 many month
are about being rewarded.
II Is mere question Of few hours, and then
with the exception Of Port Hudson. which viii fol