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The stronghold of the rebel power on the Mississippi
is now completely invested by the army of General Grant. The
fragments of the insurgent forces which escaped from the victories
of Port Hudson, of Jackson, of Champion or Midway Hills, and of
Big Black, have retired within the strong but small circle of
defenses which surround the city, at a distance of about two miles
from the heart. There a stubborn resistance is now being made,
the redoubts and rifle-pits giving the rebels an advantage in
the way of safety, but none, I think, in the way of moral strength.
Presumptively the advantage is with the attacking party, and
especially in this case, where our army, since its bold move from
Young's Point, by the way of Grand Gulf, has been uniformly and
brilliantly successful.
To-day our forces are busy from right to left, over
the entire line, in creeping more closely to the formidable works
of the enemy. At several points our sharpshooters are so near
the redoubts, and so well sheltered by the remarkably rough ground,
that they totally prevent the enemy from using his guns. They
are near enough too, to indulge in jocose conversation with the
rebels in their rifle-pits.
At the same time our heavier artillery is being pushed
up slowly in such a way as to bear effectually on the enemy's
works. The ground is such that the hills occupied by us are just
about as convenient and commanding as those occupied by them.
What works they have within the line we are now attacking, is
not certainly known but they cannot be extensive, for their present
line is quite near the city. If the rebels retire from their
present position, they subject the city to destruction.
Below and above Vicksburg our mortar fleet is grumbling
and thundering, very slowly but steadily, and we can see the huge
shells bursting over the town. A warm place to live in now.
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