March 26, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
VICKSBURG, March 25. – Two of the enemy’s boats attempted to pass down the river this morning. Our batteries opened upon them with effect. One was sunk opposite our batteries. The other was badly riddled, and now lies opposite the canal batteries. It is expected she will be sunk. She was set of fire, but appeared to be extinguished. The firing of our batteries was splendid; nearly every shot taking effect.
On Saturday morning Colonel FERGUSON, commanding the batteries at the junction of Deer Creek with the Sunflower River, thirty miles above its junction with the Yazoo River, repulsed the enemy, destroying, it is said, three gunboats and driving the rest back. Colonel FERGUSON had sufficient strength to hold the enemy in check, and recommended that reinforcements should be sent in rear of the enemy to cut off his retreat. This movement on the part of the enemy was made with a view to flank our batteries at Haines’ Bluff, on the Yazoo River.