June 2, 1863, The New York Herald
The latest reports from the scene of operations around Vicksburg are to the 27th, by way of Cincinnati, to the effect that three assaults had been made by our forces on the rebel stronghold, in all of which we were repulsed. The last assault was made by General Sherman, with twenty thousand men, in which we lost six hundred killed and a large number wounded. Our outer line is within one hundred yards of the rebel works. Our sharpshooters prevent the rebels from working their guns. The rebel works in the rear of the city are far more formidable than those in front.
General Joe Johnston is in the neighborhood of Jackson with about fifteen thousand men, and is reported to be short of provisions and ammunition.
General Grant has taken 8,400 prisoners and 84 pieces of artillery.
The main fortifications of Vicksburg consist of a chain of forts, about eight hundred yards apart, connected by deep intrenchments, and extending for seven miles.
Despatches from headquarters in the battle field near Vicksburg, dated on the 23d, which we publish today, give some thrilling accounts of the progress of the siege up to that time. The fight was evidently a fierce and sanguinary one, involving heavy loss on both sides. At one time, while attacking the outer works, our troops were within twenty-five feet of the enemy.
Telegrams from the headquarters of General Hooker state that a flag of truce was sent across the Rappahannock on Sunday. The rebel officers then stated that General Grant has been repulsed at Vicksburg, but refused to allow any Richmond papers to be seen or brought across the river. Where they got this information is difficult to tell.
A despatch from Louisville, dated June 1, based on information received from Murfreesboro, Tenn., May 30, announces that the rebel General Marmaduke is reported to have captured Helena, Arkansas, and a regiment of negro soldiers, whom. together with the white officers commanding them, he has hanged. The direct route of communication with Helena is via Cairo and Memphis. The distance from Helena to Memphis is but about ninety miles. There is a regular line of mail steamers plying between the two points, leaving Helena every evening at five o’clock, and arriving at Memphis at daylight the following morning. In addition government vessels are constantly passing both points in going to and returning from Vicksburg. From Memphis there is now telegraphic communication with all points in the North. Were there any foundation in the despatch the intelligence would have been received from Memphis on the day following the reported fall of the town, or before the 30th ult. As no such intelligence has been received through this direct route, the whole story may be safely considered at canard.
The steamer Sheldrake, from Havana, which arrived at this port last evening, has brought us highly important news from Puebla, if all the details can be fully relied upon. According to these advices the French have ultimately succeeded in the capture of Puebla with its commander-in-chief (General Ortega), a large number of inferior officers and thousands of soldiers. The garrison artillery, by the same accounts, had also fallen into their hands. It is said that immediately on the arrival of his heavy siege artillery, General Forey opened a tremendous bombardment on the city, and on the 17th ult. ordered a general assault. The garrison, however, made but little resistance, and the whole force, commander, officers, soldiers and artillery, unconditionally surrendered. This may be all very true, but we may at least wait a few days for some confirmation of such extraordinary news. We give full particulars in another part of today’s paper.