The Situation at Vicksburg.
Grant's movements — the late fight at Port Hudson, &c.We have received a copy of the Jackson Mississippian as late as the 2d inst. It says a rumor prevailed there the day before, said to have been brought by a messenger from Clinton, that Grant's army was moving from Vicksburg "towards up the river. " The Jackson correspondent of the Mobile Advertiser, writing on the 31st ult., gives that paper some interesting information. He says: ‘ The golden moment for taking Vicksburg has passed, and future events rapidly culminating will soon settle the question of its future destiny, either of its being the strongest stronghold of the Confederacy or a Federal garrison. If Grant, after compelling Pemberton to abandon the indecisive field of Baker's Creek and then forcing him to hurriedly throw the Big Black in his rear — I say if he had followed up his advantage by advancing his fresh troops, he might have gone pell mell into Vicksburg with a large portion of Pemberton's discomfited soldiers. The point at which he made his attack on Tuesday was the most vulnerable, and on Sunday night it is my opinion that Grant could have carried it like a "flash, " but he dallied until Tuesday. Meanwhile Pemberton eat no "idle bread." It was dig, work, work; and by the time General Grant was ready to "go and see Gen Pemberton," his house had been set in order, and he was prepared to "receive company," and Grant received one of the most bloody entertainments of modern history. Right gallantly did Grant's men rush to the charge — they had been flushed with an ephemeral success, the booty of Jackson and an abundant supply of whiskey, and forward they dashed with an energy worthy of a better cause. But all in vain — they were numbered with the dead — and with all of their freshly committed crimes suddenly ushered into the presence of God. The robbers of Jackson have met with speedy bloody deaths, but no Christian burial — their bodies are the food of beasts and birds of prey. I have not learned whether Grant wanted to bury his dead or not. If he had Pemberton would not have permitted it, for it would require stouter hearts than there are in Grant's army to march or charge over the Golgotha in front of the Vicksburg batteries. If Grant, on being so murderously repulsed by Pemberton before Vicksburg, had wheeled round and marched against Johnston he could have done an immense deal of mischief and dealt us a heavy blow. By so doing he would have forced Johnston back on the east bank of Pearl river, and would have for some time yet prevented him from successfully massing his army in a strategical position, while he would have had control of, or rendered useless, the New Orleans, Jackson and Great Northern, Mississipppi Central, and Mississippi and Tennessee railroads. As it is, Johnston has these roads, with but slightly inconvenient breaks in them, and thus holds and commands this part of the State, and in a few days in all probability, the rear of Grant will be at his disposal. Grant has shown himself to be a sleepy booby, and we may "thank our stars" that a more enterprising General was not at the head of the Federal army. Grant is moving along the Yazoo, and is seemingly threatening Canton or Vaiden. If he has gone "fishing for a bite," he will certainly get it during the coming week. I expect to "change my base," and tell you of other bloody deeds, and I feel confident of victory; but, once for all, let me say to you that the stake of Vicksburg will be a series of battles and of army movements. If not, then the siege of Vicksburg will be speedily raised. The latest news from Vicksburg shows that the investment is quite complete. The lines of the enemy occupy a convex position. A want of water of necessity compels this. There is said to be a large spring four miles west of the Big Black bridge, to which the Federals have fallen back. Its supply of water is represented as being good. From below our news is uncertain and confused. That Banks has landed at Bayon Sara there can be no no doubt. He and Augur have moved to and are investing Port Hudson. --But little or no fear is entertained for its safety. The Chaplain of the 12th Louisiana, just from Western Louisiana, states that Smith's forces pushed those of Banks so hard at Vermillion bridge as to capture his wagon train, consisting of 900 wagons and teams. Banks came to Bayon Sara on transports from Alexandria. Yesterday the city was full of rumors, all of a good nature; but believing them to be sensational I did not telegraph them. One was that Kirby Smith had pushed on after Banks, and had crossed over at Port Hudson and joined his forces with these of Gardner. The report is possible; but I hardly think that Smith has yet the banks of the Mississippi. At Port Hudson Gardner has the means of transporting troops across the river, but the Federal fleets are above and below. The Monitor fleet is reported below coming up. It is reported that the Federals own up a loss of 39,000 since landing at Grand Gulf. I give these as reports. Yesterday morning the Federal cavalry made a dash on Bolton's Depot, twenty miles west of Jackson, and burned the depot, together with 900 bales of cotton, said to belong to the Government. It is my deliberate opinion that every bale of Government cotton will be burned by some means, and charged to the general account of incendiarism and accident. The former will have the longest finger in the pie. ’ The Mississippian has the following about the Port Hudson fight: ‘ A surgeon just from Woodville conversed with several Confederate soldiers who were in the fight at Port Hudson last week, and he confirms the news of a complete victory to our arms. The soldiers informed him that General Gardner pursued the flying Yankees after their repulse at the entrenchments and routed them completely. He also confirms the rumor of Grierson's defeat. ’
