Important information.
--The New Orleans
Era of the 13th instant copies the following from the Vicksburg
Herald, which paper, being so near the seens it describes, ought to be well posted:
‘
From unquestionable authority we have received intelligence that a very heavy force of rebel cavalry or mounted infantry is now at
Jackson, Mississippi, evidently preparing to strike a sudden and formidable blow at some portion of our lines.
Our informant states that
Generals Forrest,
Dick Taylor and
Gholson are all at
Jackson, and that troops are camped around the city for several miles in extent.
Forest is compelled to walk upon crutches, as he has not yet fully recovered from the wound received at
Tupelo, but is perfectly able to manage a horse, and is almost constantly in the saddle, superintending the various movements of the troops.
General Wirt Adams is also here, but his authority is completely ignored,
Generals Taylor and
Forrest assuming the entire control and direction of affairs.
Their wagon, pontoon and artillery trains are said to be very extensive, the wagons all bearing the brand of the
United States, and are those captured by
Forrest from
Sturgis in the fight at
Guntown.
Every movement is said to be conducted with the greatest secrecy, even the changes from one camp to another being made at night.
None except the generals are allowed to know the least thing in regard to the contemplated movements, and no expedition of similar strength was ever more secretly collected or more carefully guarded from outside observation.
The whole command is said to be in fine condition, the animals in excellent order, the artillery and pontoon trains of the finest description, and the wagons new and substantial.
The entire force, so far as our informant could judge from the observations he was permitted to make, will number some twenty thousand men.
Whether this command has been collected for the purpose of going to the succor of
Mobile, or for an offensive demonstration against our lines, is, of course, only a matter of conjecture; but we have no doubt that ample preparations will be made for their reception at any point they choose to visit.
’
