...n his abandoning his attack upon the city of Vicksburg. The enemy's transports commenced making their appearance near the mouth of the Yazoo on Christmas day, when, in compliance with orders from Major-General Smith , I took charge in person of the defence of the swamp from the city to Snyder's mills. Between that point and the city runs the Swamp road at the foot of the bluffs,--the average distance of the roa...