The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-04-08
The Fall of Vicksburo.

Ane rail- Of V1cksburg.
General JOSEPH Z. JOHNSTON, of the
rebel army, has made report, charging
that disobedience of his orders by General
PEMBERToN resulted in the defeat of the
rebel forces in Mississippi, and their cap
ture in Vicksburg. 1t must be remarked
that General JOHNSTON was in 1862, as
now, in command of the rebel Department
of the Southwest General PEMBERToN
was in immediate command of the rebel
army in Mississippi In April PEMBERToN
thought GRANTS army would be sent to
ROsECRANs On the 18th of the month he
said: 81 am satisfied RosEcRANs will be
reinforced from GRANTS army. Shall |
order troOps to Tullahoma. 80 But on the
29th he had ascertained that GRANT was
about attacking Grand Cult, "with view
10 Vicksburg." On the lst of May be
telegraphed that there was battle at Port
Gibson. JOHNSTON ordered PEMBERToN
to unite all bis forces to beat GRANT at
once. JOHNSTON hurried from Tullahoma,
and found GRANT sweeping through Missis-
sippi. He ordered PEMBERToN to march
to the north in order TO save hi,ns-lf from
being cooped up in Vicksburg, but Penn
BERToN gave GRANT battle at Edwards
Depot, and was defeated. May 18th
JOHNSTON wrote to PEMBERToN
If Haines Bluff be untenable, VicksburS
Is of no value, and cannot be held. If, there
fore you are invested in Vicks burg, you must
ultimately surrender. Under such circum-
stances, instead of losing both troops and
place, YOU must, if possible, save the troops.
If it is not toe late, evacuac Vickshurg. and
its dependencies and march to the north
east.
PEMBEEToN fell back ioto Vicksbnrg
and wrote JOHNSTON" greatly regret
that felt compelled to make the advance
beyond Big Black, which has proved So
disastrous in its results
The remark exasperated JOHNSTON, who
without orders After the investment of
Vickshurg JOHNSTON attempted to collect
an army for it relief lie was a-keI for
reintorcements at Port Hudson, but or-
derel the evacuation of tie place The
| General did not receive this order JouN-
sTON says:
| On May 2.th I sent 4 dispatch TO Gen. Penn
cel IN to thc following effect:
81 am too weak to save Vcksburr Can Go
| NO aIf nj n 81, l and
garrison 1t will be Impossible to extricate
You unless you cooperate and We make mu-
| tualiy supporting movements. Communicate
Your plans and suggestions. if possible"
| The receipt Of this acknowled in a com
munication dated Vici\sburg June 3, in which
| Gen PembertOn says:
1--WE can get 70 information from outside as
to your position or strength, and very littIc in
regard to the enemy"
dispatch was brought HE from Gen 7. H.
berton, dated June % suggesting that should
make to Grant propositions to pass this army
out, with all its arms and eQuipages,' renewing
his hope Of my being able, by force Of arms,
to act with him. and expressing the opinion
that he could hold out for fifteen days longer
To this dispatch | replied. June q. informing
him that Gen. Y. K smiths troops had fallen
back to Delhi, and that had urged him to a.
sumo the direct command, and continued
81 he determined spirit you manifest. and
his expected cooperation, cncorr'.c me 10
| hope that something may yet be zone to save
VicksburG and to postpone both Of the modes
suggested of merely eXtricating the garrison.
Negotiations with Grant for the relief of the
garrison should they become necessary. must
be made by sou. Ii would be Il confession Of
weakness on my part, which l ought no: to
make, to propose them. When it becomes
necessary to make terms, they may e con>id-
cred Us made under my authority
o. the 10th Of June, heid tlaii> portaiion
and other supplies having been Obtained, the
army marched toward the Big Black. and on
the evening of July /, encamped between
Brownsville and the river
Reconnaissance. which occupied the "a ana
Sd, convinced me that the attack north Of the
railroad was i;npracticablc. | determined
therefore. to make the examinations necessary
for the attempt south of the railroad. thinking
from what was already known that the chance
for success was much better there although
The consequences Of defeat Nigh: b. more dis
astrOus.
Is On the nigh: OF The Sd 4 messenger was sen:
TO Gen. PembertOn with information that an
attempt 10 create diversion would be made
to enable him 20 cut his way Out and that |
hoped to attack the enemy about the 7lh.
On the 9TH, however, We learned the fail of
Vicksburg. and therefore fell back 20 Jackson.