The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1906-02-15

of drum. a brawl in the street might
bring about an uprising that would
sweep away him and his scanty follow
ers like leaves before a November gust.
When we recall the raging passions
OF the year before, when Farragut ar
rived before the city, there is only
amaZement that no leader of revolt took
advantage OF the Supremely favorable
moment. Butler had builded far better
than he could possibly have expected
when he hanged Mumford.
There must have been constant COM
munication between Dick Taylor and
the Secessionists in New Orleans. There
had always been an extensive contra
band trade by the way of the intricate
bayous and streams, which the military
authorities had been hopeless of sup
pressing, and now Taylor's advance was
SO near that any man could pass from
his camps directly into the city or vic.'
versa in a few hours almost without
fear of molestatfon from the scaniy
Union guardians of the city and its
approaches.
In the Trenches.
Before the thin Gordon of grimIy de-
termined Yankees holding the long line
OF investment was d compact, we'll
sheltered mass of the enemy whose
deadly rifles were never silent. Above
the scorching sun made the narrow
trenches reverberatory furnaces which
literally baked the unseasOned men
from the far North. Around and be-
hind them were the pestilential swamps
breathing feyers well-named break
bone" Clouds of the large ferocious
mosquitoes, called "gallinippers," add
ed acute torments to the misery The
mental atmosphere was as full of dis
Couragement as the physical air was OF
disease and death. The besiegers seem
ed wearing themselves out faster than
or hn
was Staying more than bullets. Kirby
Smith was coming across from Texas
with an immense army, of which Dick
Taylor was the adyance-guard. Joe
Johnston had dropped Grant. and was
coming down from Mississippi with an
overwhelming force to capture the gar
rison and rush forward to New Orleans
STILL as long as the besiegers could
stand up To work they kept resolutely
at IL. The saps were pushed forward
hour after hour, closer to- the enemy's
Hne. bitches We're run out TO the right
and left to hold men for the final as
sault, and mines We're run To blow up
the powerful forts Immediately in front
md breach the line. The negro troops
we're employed in making 1000 fas-
zines with which to fill the ditch and
make path for the stormers.
So June ended and July began.
A Letter From Gen. Grant.
Much encouragement came i'm q let
.er from Cen Grant, brought by Col
Ailby Smith, and which read:
Headquarters Department of the
Tennessee, near Vicksburg, Miss. June
30. 1863.
Maj. Gen. y. II. Banks. Commanding
Department of the Gulf
General: Feeling great anxiet,
% learn the situation at Port Hudson
| send Col. KiIby Smith 10 comntuni-
cate with you. Col. Smith has been here
during the entire siege of Eicksburg
and can inform you fully OF the posi-
tion of affairs at this place. / conf
IDENTIFY expected that Vicksburg would
have been in our possession before this
'eaNinS me able To send you any force
That might be required against Pore
Hudson. | have a very large force,
much more than can be used in the in
Testment of the rebel works-but John
ston still h0Vers east of Black River
Whether he will attack or not, 1 look
upon now as doubtful. No doubt he
would. however, if / should weaken my
force to any extent. j have sent into
Louisiana TO learn the movements of
Kirby Smith, but as yet hear nothing
definite.
SHOULD 1t be my good fortune, Cen