Late reliable intelligence from the Trans Mississippi Department--Vicksburg and Port Hudson.
We have at last direct intelligence from beyond the
Mississippi, which clears up all the doubts, myths and rumors which have been vexing the public for some weeks past.
The information is from a gentleman just from the headquarters of
Gen. Kuby Smith, who has official relations with that army.
He crossed the
Mississippi river at
Natchez, on the 12th inst. The intelligence he furnishes is published in the Mobile
Register, and the first important fact we learn is that
Gen. Smith is fully posted as to the situation as
Vicksburg and
Port Hudson, and is directing the forces of his department with a view to second
Gen. Johnston on this side the river in the work of raising the siege of those two cities.
Gen. Smith's headquarters were at
Shreveport, from which point he has easy water communication with the
Mississippi, to a point near
Vicksburg, by the
Red,
Black and
Tensas rivers.
His troops are already at the posts selected for them in carrying out
Gen. Smith's great plan, which is to cut off
Gen. Grant's supplies.
To this end
Gen. Walker's division, of
Gen. Dick Taylor's army, was already at
Young's Point with 7,000 men, and the artillery necessary to command the river as to transports and other wooden vassals.
Three thousand men, under
Brig. Gen. Green, were on the peninsula opposite to
Port Hudson, and in a position, with the aid of
Gen. Gardner's batteries, to completely close the river to the enemy's boats.
Marmaduke, of
Gen. Price's army, was near
Helena, and
Gen. Price, with 17,000 men, was on the march for that point, this object being the same, to command the river and cut off
Grant's supplies.
The great fall in the
Mississippi river, 28 feet below high water mark, afforded great facilities to these operation.--The narrowness of the stream forced passing vessels to come within easy range of the shore batteries, while the river had sunk so low that the enemy's gunboats.
The garrison of
Port Hudson and
Vicksburg are both well provided and in fine spirits each uneasy about the false of the other, but entirely confident in their own situation.
They have abundant supplies.
News has been received from
Vicksburg up to Saturday night.
Grant's army is undoubtedly suffering for want of water, and suffering more from being obliged to drink the water of the Big Black, which is very unwholesome.
Gen. Johnston is in no hurry to move, for this, among other reasons: that he does not like to interfere with the action of the waters.
He is in regular communication with the
West of the
Mississippi, and all things are working to a common end — the starvation of the enemy, the raising the siege, and the capture of as many as possible when he begins to move off.
Louisiana has been abandoned by the enemy, and there are no Yankee troops except about
Donaldsonville.
Gen. Mouton with 7,000 men is at
Franklin, St. Mary's Parish.
In their retreat the
Yankees carried off mules and destroyed many wagons.
But most of the negroes have been recaptured and are being sent back to their owners.
The
Red river is free of Yankee vessels
Communication between the east and west backs of the
Mississippi at
Natchez, and many other places, was constant and uninterrupted.
The enemy's gunboats are powerless to prevent it. Ten thousand head of cattle were on their way to this side, and have probably passed by this time.
Gen. Magruder has his eyes fixed on
Vicksburg, and is cooperating with his fellow-soldiers nearer the scenes of action.
