March 17, 1863, The New York Herald
There is stirring news from the Southwest today, and although it may appear somewhat indistinct and mysterious in the shape it reaches us, is evidently based upon substantial facts.
A despatch was received in Washington yesterday from Admiral Porter, dated before Vicksburg on the 7th inst., stating that he had received the signal agree upon between him and Commander Smith, of the Yazoo expedition, to be fired as soon as the latter officer entered the Yazoo river, which signal was to be nine minute guns, and three guns afterwards in quick succession. A despatch from Vicksburg to Cincinnati yesterday says that the Yazoo Pass expedition has captured twenty-six steamboats, eighteen of which were destroyed. The gunboats have arrived above Haines’ Bluff and would soon commence the attack. Rumors were rife of the evacuation of Vicksburg, and it was supposed that the greater part of the rebel force would go to Chattanooga and endeavor to overwhelm General Rosecrans. General McClernand’s troops were compelled to embark for Milliken’s Bend, sixteen miles above Vicksburg, owing to high water. Recent operations at Lake Providence and elsewhere resulted in inundating more than one hundred miles of Louisiana territory, destroying millions of dollars worth of property. The rebel guerillas suffered fearfully by the flood. In fact, they were completely driven out. The same intelligence was received at Chicago. It is said that the authorities in Washington are confident of the success of our military movements in the West, and are in high spirits over the late news. The success of the Yazoo expedition, and possibly the evacuation of Vicksburg, may therefore receive confirmation any moment.
We are in receipt of Richmond papers from the 9th to the 13th instant. The rapid decrease of food in the South is creating the utmost solicitude. A resolution was offered on the 11th instant in the Congress of the Confederacy by Mr. Conrad, proposing terms of peace, and was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. In effect it provides that […..] Senate and House of Representatives of the Confederate States do therefore resolve that they will cordially co-operate with the Executive in any measures it may adopt, consistent with the honor, the dignity and independence of these States, tending to a speedy restoration of peace with all or with any of the States of the federal Union.”
The Mobile Tribune says that the pirate Florida left while nine blockaders were in front of Mobile. She was chased nineteen hours; but finally ran out of view, and on her way destroyed a new Union brig on her first voyage.
A letter from Tybee Island, below Savannah, says:– On the evening of the 9th a steamer came into the harbor, fired two guns, and left again before the guns of the fortification, six in number, could be brought to bear on her. The fort was in charge of Lieut. Albert F. Miller, with a detachment of the Forty-eighth New York. It is supposed that she was the Alabama or the Florida or a blockade runner.
Important news reaches us from San Francisco to the effect that the schooner Chapman, when leaving for Mexico on the 15th, was boarded by the government officials, and taken in charge as a privateer. About twenty secessionists were captured aboard, well armed, and six brass Dahlgreen guns, with carriages suitable for use on ships. Correspondence on the persons of the prisoners identified them with the party recently negotiating for the steamer Victoria for a privateer. The prisoners taken on board, confessed that the Chapman intended to taken in a full complement of men at some point on the coast, and that it was designed to capture the steamer Oregon on her way to Mazatlan; to put a prize crew on board of her, and then to make an attack conjointly upon the two treasure steamers coming from California. This bold enterprise was defeated by the officials at San Francisco. It is said that the Chapman was fitted out in New York, and purchased by secessionists in San Francisco for this expedition.