February 27, 1863, The New York Herald
Our Army Correspondence.
HEADQUARTERS NEAR VICKSBURG, Feb. 9, 1863.
The situation in this vicinity remains unchanged. The improvement in the weather has caused a corresponding improvement in the spirits of the men. The surgeons in this department are laboring faithfully to prevent a prevalence of diseases induced by the character of the country, and other unfavorable considerations which act adversely to the health of the unacclimated.
Three deserters, who left Vicksburg on Saturday, crossed the river evasively and came within our lines. They state that the recent exploit of the ram Queen of the West, which passed all the Vicksburg batteries in safety, has caused the greatest excitement throughout the city. Nobody imagined that one of our boats would attempt to run the gauntlet. They say that the rebel steamboat City of Vicksburg, which the ram run into, was really injured much more than was at first supposed. From their statements it appears that her hull was considerably damaged, and that the rebels, despairing of being able to make her useful henceforward, had concluded that the machinery must be removed and the steamboat abandoned. He said men were already at work removing the machinery, and while this was being done she was partly supported by barges. From this shore, however, she does not appear to be greatly damaged.
The rebels about Vicksburg continue very active. When the atmosphere is clear, as it is at present, the city looms up in prominent proportions, and the men can occasionally be seen working on their batteries. They are constantly strengthening their position. It is a part of the policy of the rebels, and a policy that they have always persistently pursued, to spare no labor in rendering seemingly impregnable whatever position they may have assumed. Such is the case at Vicksburg. Knowing what a vital point it is, they are using all their energies to make it unapproachable. From this neck of land we can see them working on their batteries on the bluffs at Vicksburg, just as from Falmouth we could see the rebels working on the batteries on the hills at Fredericksburg.
The water is six or seven feet deep in the canal. At present it runs through only sluggishly. It is presumed, however, that something will soon be done to render the idea of passing Vicksburg safely with our army perfectly practicable.
Since the ram returned to her present anchorage below the lower end of the canal, the rebels have been endeavoring to hit her. From the new battery which they have erected they fired several shots at her on Saturday. They were all splendid fine shots; some struck the water near her, one within half a dozen feet of her, splashing the water on her deck, but none of them hit her. The Queen replied with her rifled guns and put a hole through one of the buildings in the city. The rebels were at work throwing up a large mound of earth on the highest hill below Vicksburg. It is presumed that they were elevating some of their largest guns, in order to increase the range and sweep the river between Vicksburg and Warrenton.
It is wonderful to see and hear the efforts and schemes of various persons to procure cotton and smuggle it up the river. A bale of cotton has now become at least a foundation for a fortune. Speculators have come down here with their pockets full of money, anticipating that trade would follow closely the progress of our armies, and that they would speedily become very wealthy men in consequence. A bale of cotton is now looked upon with envious eyes by almost everyone. It is a great temptation. And the temptation increased with the number of bales. No cotton is allowed to leave here except that belonging to our government. Every boat is thoroughly searched by the Provost Marshal before leaving here. One of the boats that left here a few days ago had some bales secreted in the hold and covered up with coal. General Grant has just issued a special that the despatch boats running between here and Memphis must not stop at any other points than two, which are mentioned in the order, unless an imperative necessity requires it, and that they will in no case take cotton on board, without orders or permission from these headquarters, unless such as is consigned to Captain Eddy or the Chief Quartermaster of the Department at Memphis, under penalty of the forfeiture of the cotton and the boat.
After the ram Queen of the West returned from her recent excursion it was a matter of much importance that she should be supplied with coal. At first it was a perplexing question how the Admiral could get it down to her. It was at length resolved that the most direct and most feasible manner was round by the river. Consequently a large barge containing eight or nine thousand bushels was ordered to be floated round to her. On Saturday evening it was towed down towards the point and cut loose in the middle of the stream, in the hope that it would float round with the current past Vicksburg, where the Queen could catch it as it was drifting past. Many persons believed that it would not reach her. The experiment was attempted on a venture, and it worked itself successfully. At eight o’clock the barge, with the coal, was floated off. The moon when it rose was generally obscured by the clouds and the rebels, it seems, did not perceive the barge, for it came round with the current, and the Queen caught it before midnight.
Yesterday was a very quiet Sunday in camp. At night a brilliant light was seen near the upper fleet. It was feared that some of the steamboats might be on fire, for the whole heavens were illuminated. A messenger was sent up to inquire the cause. On nearing the spot it was perceived that a large white house on one of the plantations was in flames. It had been accidentally set on fire, and was burned to the ground.
Everything is quiet here this morning as the despatch boat leaves for Memphis. It is the desire of every one in this vicinity that the expectations of the people of the whole country shall be realized by the reopening of the Mississippi river during the present winter.