The operations of the Army of the Potomac during the month are exceeded in importance by those of our army and navy on the Mississippi, which are still in progress. On the 30th of April General Grant landed his forces at Bruinsburg, 65 miles below Vicksburg, and immediately advanced upon Port Gibson, where he was opposed by the Confederate General Bowen, who was defeated, with a loss, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, of 1500 men. At Grand Gulf, 10 miles above Bruinsburg, the enemy had begun to erect strong fortifications. These had been fired upon by our gun-boats a few days before, under cover of which the fleet had run past. Grant having now gained the rear of this post, Admiral Porter, two days after the fight at Port Gibson, returned to Grand Gulf and found it abandoned. He reports it to have been the strongest place on the Mississippi; had the enemy succeeded in finishing the fortifications no fleet could have taken them. Grant's army then marched upward toward Vicksburg, and on the 12th of May encountered the enemy again at Raymond, not far from Jackson, the capital of the State of Mississippi, and again defeated them with a loss of 800. Two days after, May 14, they were opposed by a corps of the enemy under General Joseph E. of this Department, there to be kept during the continuance of the war." The sentence was approved by General Burnside, who designated Fort Warren, in Boston Harbor, as the place of confinement. The sentence was modified by the President to deportation to the Confederate States, which was carried into effect. Public meetings to protest against this procedure have been held at various places. One was held at New York, on the 18th of May, before the action of the Government in respect to the case had been taken. To this meeting Governor Sey people of this country now wait with the deepest anxiety the decisions of the Administration upon these acts. Having given it a generous support in the conduct of the war, we pause to see what kind of Government it is for which we are asked to pour out our blood and our treasure. The action of the Administration will determine in the minds of more than one half of the people of the loyal States whether the war is waged to put down the rebellion at the South or to destroy free institutions at the North." To a similar meeting at Albany, two days before, Governor Seymour wrote that the arrest of Mr. Vallandigham was "an act which has brought dishonor upon our country, which is full of danger to our persons and homes, and which bears upon its front a conscious violation of law and justice." of artillery. On the next day the same force was encountered and defeated at Black River Bridge ten miles from Vicksburg, with a loss of 2600 men and 17 pieces of artillery. On the 18th Vicksburg was closely invested, and the enemy were shut up within their works, which were found to be very strong. An attempt to carry them by storm was unsuccessful, and regular siege has been laid to the city by the land forces, the gun-boats in the river co-operating. The gun-boat Cincinnati was sunk by the enemy's fire on the 26th of May; of those on board 25 were killed and wounded, and 15 missing, sup-mour addressed a letter, in which he said: “The posed to have been drowned. The latest reliable accounts from Vicksburg come down to May 29. At this date the city was closely besieged; but General Johnston was collecting all the scattered troops in the region in order to raise the siege. It is as yet impossible to ascertain whether he has received, or is likely to receive, reinforcements from the Confederate armies in Virginia and Tennessee. Upon this uncertainty depends the result of this renewed attack upon the Confederate strong-hold. If it succeeds, the whole course of the Mississippi will be at once opened from source to mouth; for the capture of Port Hudson, the only remaining point of obstruction, must in any case follow that of Vicksburg. The map on the preceding page shows the seat of war on the Mississippi. The river runs nearly north and south: the top of the map as placed on our page is therefore west instead of north, as is customary; the bottom east instead of south. Clement L. Vallandigham, a prominent member of Congress from Ohio, was arrested at Dayton by order of General Burnside, on the 5th of May, brought before a military commission, and convicted of "publicly expressing, in violation of General Order No. 38 from Head-quarters of the Department of Ohio, sympathy for those in arms against the Government of the United States, and declaring disloyal sentiments and opinions, with the object and purpose of weakening the power of the Government in its efforts to suppress an unlawful rebellion."-The following is the specification of which he was found guilty: A "Peace Meeting" was held at New York, June 3, under a call signed by several prominent politicians of the Democratic Party of the State. A long Address and a series of Resolutions were presented. The Address declared that the cardinal principles of the Democratic Party were: "Opposition to a strong government; strict construction of the Constitution; the entire sovereignty of the States; the limited powers of the Federal authority; close economy in public expenditures; aversion to British power on this continent; the expansion of our territory, in which all the States should hold equal rights; the largest liberty of the citizen consistent with public good; and that the best government is that which governs the least." The Address went on to argue that the sovereignty of the States was the cornerstone of the party; that no "State can be constitutionally coerced by the other States by force of arms;" that "loyalty is due to the United States "That the said Clement L. Vallandigham, a citizen of the State of Ohio, on or about the 1st day of May, 1863, at Mount Vernon, Knox County, Ohio, did publicly address a large meeting of citizens, and did utter sentiments in words or in effect as follows: Declaring the present war aonly so far as the Federal Government acts within wicked, cruel, and unnecessary war; a war not being waged for the preservation of the Union; a war for the purpose of crushing out liberty and erecting a despotism; a war for the freedom of the blacks, and the enslavement of the whites;' stating that 'if the Administration had so wished, the war could have been honorably terminated months ago; that peace might have been honorably obtained by listening to the proposed intermediation of France;' charging that the Government of the United States was about to appoint Military Marshals in every district to restrain the people of their liberties, to deprive them of their rights and privileges; characterizing General Order No. 38, from Head-quarters Department of Ohio, as a base usurpation of arbitrary authority;' inviting his hearers to resist the same, by saying, 'the sooner the people inform the minions of usurped power that they will not submit to such restrictions upon their liberties the better;' declaring that he was, at all times and upon all occasions, resolved to do what he could to defeat the attempts now being made to build up a monarchy upon the ruins of our free Government. All of which opinions and sentiments, he well knew, did aid, comfort, and encourage those in arms against the Government, and could but induce in his hearers a distrust of their own Government, sympathy for those in arms against it, and a disposition to resist the laws of the land." He was sentenced by the court "to be placed in close confinement in some fortress of the United States, to be designated by the Commanding Officer the scope of its delegated powers, and no further;" and that "in all other respects loyalty is due to the respective States;" that "treason against the Federal Government consists in overt acts against the exercise of its delegated powers of sovereignty, and treason against a State is warring against it in the exercise of its undelegated rights and powers." The Address went on to affirm that the General Government could not constitutionally coerce the States by military power; that Democrats could not consistently support the war; that the people were tired of the war; that we had been beaten throughout; that God intended that we should be beaten, or "he would not have placed in command a Lincoln, with such coadjutors as a Butler or a Burnside." This address then went on to controvert the declaration made by the "Address of the Democratic members of the New York Legislature," in favor of conducting the war according to the Constitution, maintaining that "the war being unconstitutional, it can not be conducted constitutionally." The Resolutions were of the same tenor as the Address, concluding with the following: "Resolved, That thus believing there can be no reliable security to persons or property pending this war, and that of France, Great Britain, and Austria, were made by its continuance the Government itself will be utterly simultaneously, and evidently in concert. The genand irrevocably subverted, and that the South as well as the North must alike crumble into general ruin and de- eral purport of these is to urge upon the Czar the vastation, we recommend, in the name of the people, that fulfillment of the treaty stipulations of 1815, by there be a suspension of hostilities between the contending which the Duchy of Warsaw was to be erected into armies of the divided sections of our country, and that a Convention of the States composing the Confederate a separate kingdom, to be inseparably attached, unStates, and a separate Convention of the States still ad- der specified conditions, to the Russian Empire; and hering to the Union, be held to finally settle and determ-assert that the periodical disturbances in Poland enine in what manner and by what mode the contending danger the peace of Europe. sections shall be reconciled, and appealing to the Ruler of all for the rectitude of our intentions, we implore those in authority to listen to the voice of reason, of patriotism, and of justice." The replies of the Russian Government differ in tone. Great Britain is assured that the Czar wishes to give to Poland such a constitutional Government as is best adapted to the condition of the people; but insinuates that the form which is desirable for England may not be adapted to Poland. Austria is assured that the Czar is disposed to act with clemency; but hints that Austria, having been a gainer by the partition of Poland, is open to injury from "the permanent conspiracy organized abroad by the cosmopolite revolu tionary party," and that therefore she will "neglect nothing in her power to oppose those dangerous manœuvres by measures as favorable for her own interest, as for her international relations with Russia." France is told that the remedy in the hands of foreign Powers is to "check elsewhere those rev The leading speech at this meeting was made by Fernando Wood, formerly Mayor of New York, and a member-elect of the next Congress. He argued that the war should cease: Because it never should have been commenced; because it was now unnecessary, since a settlement could be had on terms of fairness and equality; because even if just at first it had become one for the abolition of slavery; because it had become a pretext for the invasion of private rights; because it was costing so much money; because it was establishing a military despotism; because we have no men capable of conducting it; because it will result in the loss of Southern trade; because men to fight it out can not be had by en-olutionary tendencies-the bane of our epoch-conlistment or draft; and, in his own words: "Finally, because experience should admonish us that the overruling power of God is against us. We can not succeed in what we have undertaken. Hence every dollar expended is thrown away-every life lost is little less than murder-every acre of land laid waste is so much toward national impoverishment-and every day's continuance of the war places an additional barrier between us and reunion, and drives another nail in the coffin of the republic." We have given space to the proceedings of these meetings to evince the nature of the doctrines to which some prominent Northern political leaders have fully committed themselves. MEXICO. The French, under General Forey, have for some months been besieging Puebla, with varying suc cess. The Mexicans defended the city with unex centrated now in that country, because there are found sufficient combustible matter to give rise to the hope of there commencing a conflagration which will extend to the continent." Under courteous words there is concealed a charge that the Government of the Emperor has fomented revolutionary measures in Europe. The replies to the notes of the Swedish, Italian, and Spanish Governments are merely formal and complimentary. Political writers in Europe argue from the tenor of these replies that the Russian Government is desirous of an alliance with Great Britain and Austria against France. Editor's Easy Chair. HE abundant, redundant, magnificent June! pected skill and determination. But in spite of it is strange to sit under the sassafras, to lie several severe checks, the besiegers steadily made their way. For a while the advance seems to have upon the brookside, to listen to the wood-thrush been partially suspended on account of the scarcity and watch the oriole flitting in the air, or the Deutof ammunition. This having been supplied from zia and Weigela flowering upon the lawn, and read Vera Cruz, the assault was re-opened on the 16th of fierce and bloody battles, not in old histories of of May, with vigor. The artillery of Fort Toti, one ancient times and countries, but in the morning paof the main defenses, was dismounted, and the French pers wet from the press. Where they are fighting parallels were continued up to the remaining works. the sky is as blue, the air as soft, the birds as sweet. On the 17th the Mexican commander offered to sur- A friend who fought at Antietam told the Easy render the city, on condition that the troops should Chair that nothing was so impressive as the old be allowed to retire with a part of their artillery. summer evening murmur of insects and tree-toads, This was refused by General Forey, upon which which began as soon as the battle ended and the Ortega, the Mexican commander, surrendered at night fell. The ground was covered with the dead discretion. The French commander made his formal and dying. All day long the deafening roar of arentry into Puebla on the morning of the 19th. The tillery had shaken the earth and the air. Blinding, prisoners numbered 3 generals, 900 officers, and from bitter smoke overhung the battle-field, and slowly 15,000 to 17,000 soldiers. On the 20th General Ba-rolled away. But when the silence of evening came zaire, with two divisions of French troops, set out for Mexico. EUROPE. Apart from the relations with America, which present no important new aspects, the Polish insurrection occupies the foremost place in European interest. Contrary to expectation, instead of being suppressed, the insurrection has from week to week assumed larger dimensions, and has assumed the proportions of a European question. All of the European Powers have made formal representations to the Russian Government in relation to it. Those the grass and trees and stream-sides went on dreamily piping their immemorial song, as if only gentle winds had blown over them, and cloud - shadows flitted and robins and bobolinks sung to them all day long. If the battle had raged into the night, would the crickets have still sung on, although inaudible in the din, as the old tradition says that an earthquake "reeled unheededly away" beneath the feet of the fighters at Lake Thrasymene? Is the whole world of insect life, which is so blended with the sounds and sights of our own, utterly unconscious of the superior creation? May we close in mighty battle-shocks that shake the earth, and still the crickets chirp disdainful? The How easily, as I lie here and listen to the rippling of the stream, the peep of the frog, and the vast hum which fills the tranquil evening air, I can fancy the young soldier crawling from the iron storm of the field and bathing his wounded limb or his hot brow in the gently gurgling water. He lies in the shade. He hears the roar of battle advance and recede and die away. He hears it more fiercely renewed. The hissing shells seem to be searching for him. loud and terrible shouting rings into his retreat. is the battle-cry of his friends, and he longs to charge with them. It is the yell of the foe, and he longs to withstand them. But the red blood that oozes from his wound is his ribbon of the Legion of Honor. He has been decorated upon the field. In the wild uproar he hears no sound of brook, or tree, or bird; faint and fainter his head droops and he lies motion less. It The cool breath of the evening awakes him to a vague, visionary consciousness of life. The lingering glow of sunset makes the shade luminous in which he lies. His listless eyes mark the darting of the water spiders, the blue violets leaning from the bank, the ferns, the long grass hanging over the water. His ears are full of the sounds he has heard at evening upon the farm in the quiet old time. Home, wife, mother, sweet-heart, father, rise in his memory from that murmur. How dear, how cious! And the native land, whose power preserved him and them in the constant chance of prosperity and the perpetual benediction of peace, how well worth fighting for! How well worth dying for, when the ruin of that power and the destruction of that peace are attempted! pre If to-morrow the battle be renewed, the murmur of the evening by the stream has also renewed the soldier's heart and hand. The unconscious insects as they buzzed and droned have brought him the inspiration which the images of loved ones always bestow upon the manly and tender heart. If he live to fight, he shall strike home. If he fall, he dies contented. For the brave soldier is not of those who sing the old camp song, "Why, soldiers, why Should we be melancholy, boys, Whose business 'tis to die?" But at the present time the whole country is thrown into high excitement, fortunes are won and lost, the wildest public enthusiasm or depression is displayed, simply because some man guesses, another infers, and a third declares, that what is possible and agreeable is therefore probable and therefore true. Yet every man in his senses ought to be able to see just where the slip is. Thus we heard on a certain Sunday morning, officially, that certain battles had been fought in the Southwest. They were parts of a movement which was to culminate in the capture of Vicksburg. Now we were all so ardently anxious that Vicksburg should be taken, that it was very sure somebody would guess, or infer, or say that it was taken. So on the same Sunday, in the evening, came the extra, which every body might have prophesied, with its tremendous heading, "Vicksburg ours!" How many people, instructed by the experience of the war, believed the heading? How many did not instantly run their eyes along the columns to see that the morning news was confirmed, and that Mr. Fuller, in Memphis, said the flag waved over Vicksburg. That was all. That was the sole reason for announcing that Vicksburg was ours. Somebody thought he heard the cannonading stop. Somebody told Mr. Fuller that somebody thought he heard the cannonading stop. Somebody in Cleveland said that Mr. Fuller said that the Stars and Stripes floated over Vicksburg. And although we had all had our experience from the first Bull Run to the last Fredericksburg to teach us, we shouted victory, and asked in long columns of grave writing, "What next?" Apparently there was no editor who had the courage to say, "Mr. Fuller, in Memphis, says that he thinks Vicksburg is taken. If Mr. Fuller had any certain information he would not express it as his opinion. If he knew that we had it he would say how he knew. And as the capture was sure to be reported after the previous accounts, we ought to say to our readers that there is no other ground for believing Vicksburg to be ours than that General Grant has invested it." No one said it. It was announced that the news was not indeed official, but the confirmation would doubtless arrive immediately. On Monday evening came Admiral Porter's dispatch. He said that But he is the happy warrior whom Wordsworth de- Haines's Bluff was taken! Hurrah! That the fortiscribes : "Whom neither shape of danger can dismay, Whom every man in arms should wish to be." THE experience of the last month has but taught us afresh how inaccurate we all are in telling what we know. Every body has observed how difficult it is for a man to repeat precisely what he hears, or to describe exactly what he sees: and whoever has made a speech and been reported in the newspapers knows what extraordinary things he has been made to say. fications were destroyed. Hi-hi! Porter put his name to that. There was no mistake there at least. To-morrow, he added, Grant will doubtless have the city. Well, let us hope so. But history is what we want, not prophecy. On Tuesday evening comes General Hurlbut's dispatch inclosing ordnance officer Lyford's of Grant's army. It was dated two days after Porter's. "I think we shall have the place to-morrow." "If we take Vicksburg we shall take," etc. In the same papers that published this were other surmises-" that another line of defenses has been discovered in the rear of Vicksburg”—“that the rebels may have made themselves so strong in field-works behind the city as to render some countervailing operations of like kind necessary before General Grant can venture," etc. And By this time, of course, public confidence broke down, and people began to be foolishly gloomy. Gold, which had fallen four or five per cent., rose again. The air was full of sinister rumors. yet the absurdity of all rumors was conspicuous in the morning dispatches from Washington published side by side in the same paper. One said: "Dis |