Our telegram from
Petersburg, Saturday gave a synopsis of the news from Northern papers of Wednesday, July 8th. From the papers we take a few additional paragraphs.
The following is the official announcement of the
fall of Vicksburg:
Mississippi Squadron, Flag-ship Black Hawk, July 4th.
Hea.
Gedcon Welles, Sec'y of the Navy:
Sir
--I have the honey to inform you that
Vicksburg as surrendered to the
United States on this Fourth of July.
Very respectfully, your ob't serv't,
D. D. Porter,
Acting Rear Admiral.
The
North was entirely enthused over this news.
Lincoln was serenaded, and the Philadelphia
Inquirer published the following editorial entirely winding up the war:
When
General Grant defeated
Johnston and
Pemberton in five pitched battles, inside of twelve days, and then encircled the city of
Vicksburg with his victorious battalions, we felt assured, and so declared, that he would not fall to strike the great over whelming, blow still required to crown his triumphant campaign with a glory brighter than all the rest.
It might be delayed by the unparalleled strength of the rebel position, but we felt assured that he would never cause "moving against these enemy's works" until he could th the loyal States with the glorious alliteration of "
Vicksburg and Victory." He has empty fulfilled the brilliant promise of the opening battles of his campaign.
To the bright names which already illuminate the flags of his noble army — to
Fort Donelson and
Shiloh, and
Port Gibson, and
Raymond, and Champion Hills, and Big Black Bridges — he now adds the crowning name of
Vicksburg, and as if to give pectic finish to his work, he completes his long labors for the capture of this fiercely contested city on the anniversary of our National Independence.
Fit consummation, that this great victory, which, coincident with
Meade's, has saved the life of the
Republic, should have been finally accomplished on the day which gave the nation birth!
The day that ushered in the glad findings that Mestle had defeated and expelled the rebel invaders from the free
North, also witnessed the final enfranchisement of the great high way of the noble West!
The battle field at Gettysburg.
On Sunday night, says the
Northern dispatches.
Longstreet's headquarters were at
Jack's Mountain, ten miles from
Gettysburg.
They add that
Lee's wagon trains were crossing the
Potomac.
This, of course, is now known to be false.
A letter from
Gettysburg says:
‘
To day have we made a tour of inspection over the three separate spots in this neighborhood where the desperate engagements of the first, second and third days of July were held; one to the
West of
Gettysburg, back of the
Seminary, another South of the same place, near the
Emmetsburg road, and a third upon the
Cemetery Hill.
’
All exhibit the same evidence of the fearful struggle for supremacy there taken place.
Every variety of military accoutrements, every species of arms, dilapidated artillery, wagons abandoned and worthless ammunition, as well as dead horses, are scattered about in profusion.
Upon the battle field in rear of the seminary we witnessed at least as many as five hundred rebel dead bodies, lying in every conceivable position, and emitting a perfume anything but agreeable.
All this, too, after the enemy themselves had been in possession of the premises for two days after the battle.
Upon the site of what is known as the
Cemetery Hill battle, where the first and second corps fought so gallantly, the eleventh not doing so well, besides other evidences of the fearful conflict which had there been raging, we counted eighty one horses lying dead, from the effect of the shot and shell which had there been so fearfully raining.
Scarcely a house or barn in the immediate neighborhood of these battle fields but are in some- way injured, while many are totally destroyed, being set on fire by shells.
All along the many positions where our line of battle was formed, are evidences, in the shape of hastily constructed breastworks, the never falling ingenuity of the ready handed
Yankee.
Our dated are all interred, while at the head of the grave of each some mark is placed, by which the body there buried can be recognized.
Gettysburg.--During the afternoon of Saturday the above-named placed was held jointly by our own and the rebel forces, but late in the evening the rebels evacuated their portion, leaving us in quiet possession of the built up section of the town.
To-day we spent over an hour in roaming about the place and in conversing with the inhabitants, many of whom remained at their residences while the fearful struggle was in progress.
That portion of the town located nearest to tire seminary, and where the road from
Emmetsburg cutters, exhibits some evidences of the fearful battles which had been fought — Yet nothing like the destruction and desolation anticipated is apparent.
The large majority of the residents are in their houses, and to-day are attending to family matters the same as though nothing had happened.
The Eleventh corps occupied the town until late last night, doing guard and provost duty.
Those of our wounded who could not bear the fatigue of a justify to your many Northern hospitals have been removed within the town, and by the inhabitants are being handsomely provided for.
