Vicksburgspirit of the Mississippians.
--We sppend the brief and emphatic replies of the civil and military authorities of vicksburg to the insolent demand of the commander of the Federal fleet. It will be seen that they don't know how to surrender a city, and refuse to be taught the process. The first note is from Mayor Lindsey, and essed to Phillip Lee, commanding Advance Naval Division, U. S. N. Your communication of this date; addressed to ‘"the authorities at Vicksburg,"’ has been delivered to me. In reply, I will state to you that, so far as the municipal authorities are concerned, we have erected no defences, and none are within the corporate limits of the city. But, sir, is further reply, I will state that neither the municipal authorities nor the citizens will ever consent to a surrender of the city. The second note is from James L. Autry, military governor and commandant of the post.Sir:
The following is the reply of Gen. Smith: Sir:
Your communications of this date, addressed to the ‘"Authorities of Vicksburg,"’ demanding the surrender of the city and its defences, has been received.
In regard to the surrender of the defences, I have to reply, that, having been ordered here to hold these defences, it is my intention, to do so as long as it is in my power.
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of yesterday evening, and in reply have to state that my communication of yesterday, in relation to the removal of the women and children, was for the purpose of placing it at my option to fire or not, as I might thing proper, at the earliest moment, upon the defences of the town, without producing a loss of innocent life; and to that determination I shall adhere.
