The
Mississippian has intelligence from
Vicksburg to the 3d inst. The report, published a short time since, relative to the arrival of numerous transports with Yankee soldiers, is contradicted.
No troops had arrived there, except three negro regiments from
Milliken's Bend.
There had been but one or two boat arrivals per week for some time, the
Yankees being afraid, on account of our guerillas, to attempt a frequent navigation of the river above or below.
The citizens had earned that the city would be garrisoned by negro regiments the coming winter, and were apprehending a perfect reign of terror.
The military commission appointed by
Gen. Grant to meet on the 1st October, or as soon there after as practicable, for the purpose of examining into the claims of owners of property in the city — In other words, to require the citizens to take the oath of allegiance to the
Lincoln Government — had not met, but it was thought would do so on the 4th inst. The "loyal citizens" appointed on this commission are
Rev. Mr. Hopkins and
Judge Houghton.
Grant's order had not been enforced in any way, and but few persons had taken the oath.
Those who took it did so of their own choice.
The generality of the citizens were as true as ever to the cause.
They were suffering much, and presented appearances of great sadness, but were yet hopeful, believing that the time for their deliverance from Federal rule could not be very far distant.
There was a universal disgust among all classes for everything relating to the
Yankees, and but three or four young ladies had civilly received any of them as visitors.
Many persons, unable to get away from the city, or to find employment to make a living, were engaged in teaching little schools.
The school in the basement of the Methodist Church, taught by Yankees, and attended by three hundred and fifty negro men, women, and children, was to be removed to the Baptist Church; which was repaired.
There was no foundation for the report that
Prof. F. M. Stevens was teaching the negro school at the Methodist Church.
He had nothing to do with this dark institution of learning.
The
Yankees were constructing a railroad along
Cherry to Jackson street, and the work was progressing rapidly.
The negro draymen were loud in their complaints against this enterprise, saying that the
Yankees were building the railroad just to cheat them out of their rights.
There was a general stagnation of business, and no encouragement given to any department of trade by those in authority.
Some of the citizens seemed to take this as an indication that the
Yankees expected not to be able to hold the city long, though the fortifications were being strengthened and extended.
The houses of
Capt James Cowan,
Benj. Hardaway, and
Mrs. Irvin, had been torn down to give place to fortifications.
The
Yankees appeared to live and move in a state of trepidation from fear of
Lee's cavalry.