Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-06-03
BY SAMUEL J. ROW
CLEARFIELD. PA..JUNE 8. 1868.
GEN. GRANTS CALENDER.

From the beginning of his march from Milii-
ken's Bend to Carthage, down to the hour
when his victorious divisions crowned the
heights above Vicksburg, General Grant has
done what all other of our generals have omit
ed to do. He has controlled his operations ac-
cording TO the approved Napoleonic maxims
of war. He moved with secrecy he advan-
ced rapidly he marched in commanding force;
he covered his own line of operation perfectly;
he broke up the communicat tions of the enc
my; having possession OF the main line of
supplies to the enemy, he held it firmly; he
compelled his enemy to divide his forces; and
he pursued and beat them in detail. The
suits are victory, glorious and priceless. At
ter a series of admirably concealed move
ments, Gen. Grant landed the Mississippi
side on April Both. On May LIST his army de-
feated Bowen at Port Gibson, the rebels los
ing 500 men and pieces of artillery. Be-
tween that day and the llth he advanced to
and took, successfully, Willow Springs, Rocky
Springs, Cayuga and Chrystai Springs, and
compelled the evacuation OF Grand Gulf. On
the 18th Gen. Mcpherson fought and won the
battle at Raymond, inficting further loss of
500 on the rebels. Advancing to Jackson on
the l4th, Gen. Grant there defeated Joseph
Johnston, one of the best soldiers of Rebel
dom, took the Capital of Mississippi, burned
large amounts OF rebel supplies, destroyed the
railroad bridges, Killed and wounded 400 more
of the enemy, captured IL additional guns,
and sent Jehnston and his men flying towards
the north. Turning his back on ckson, Grant
advanc ID on the road to Nicksburg, all the
time keeping possession OF the railroad track
On the 10th he met Pemberton at Bakers
Creek, about Is miles from Yicksburg, and af
ter most obstinate and bloody battle, he cut
Pemberton's army in two.; took % pieces OF
artillery and A 900 prisoners, and sent Lovell's
brigade flying TO the South. Pursuing Penn
berton, who had brought out the wholeVicks-
burg force with him, Grant brought him to
bay en- the 18th at the great bridge over the
Big Black river, about 10 miles from the city,
taking 1900 more prisoner, and Ii more pie
ces of artillery. On the 18th he marched close
up to and invested Vicksburg ITSELF carried
the rife-pit to the north of the city, cut off
the formidable batteries at Haines' Bluff aud
opened up new line of supplies fol- himself
through the Chickasaw bayou into the Yazoo.
Next day, the 10th, Gen. Steele carried the
enemy's upper water batteries, enabling Gen.
Grant to rest his right wing on the Mississip-
pi river, where the great stream is overlook
ed by the famous Walnut Hills, just outside
of Ficksbbrg.
Since then the siege has continued uninter-
rupted; and Gen. Grant has succeeded in
capturing every rebel redoubt in the vicini-
ty of Vicksburg extending his LETT wing TO
the river capturing their water batteries
bove and below the town; and thus leaving
the enemy only their interior line of defences
The fail OF Ficksburg is all that is wanting to
make this campaign of Gen. Grants one OF the
the great American rebellion