Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-08-13

and carry the place by storm; and accordingly
a. O'CLOCK that DAY the navy commenced nm the
OF the enemy were too elevated and their forth
hcations too strong to be taken from the water
eide. The whole range OF hills on that side
were known to be iineo with rifie-pits, besides
the field artillery could be moved to any posi-
ton where it could be made useful in case of
an attempt at landing This determined Grant
position by effecting landing at Rodney, or at
Bruinsburg, between GRAND G ulf and Rodney.
Accordingly the gunboats again engaged the
batteries at night, the transports ran past, and
at the same time an expedition was ordered out
in the direction OF Bruinsburg; and the Thir-
tenth Army Corps, which composed the ex-
petition was within three days after ordered
On May 1st McClernand and his corps en-.
gagged the enemy four miles from Port Gibson.
The enemy was here repulsed with a heavy
Ices in killed, wounded and prisoners. The
rcpulse OF the enemy on our left took place late
In The afternoon. He was pursued toward
Port G ibson, but night closing in, and the enc
my making the appearance Of another stand,
light.
In the morning it was found that the enemy
had retreated across Bayou Pierre, on the
Grand G ult road, and a brigade of Logan's di
vision W as sent to divert his attention while a
floating bridge was being built across Bayou
Pierre Immediately at Port Gibson. This
bridge was completed, eight miles marched by
McPheTson's corps to the north fork OF Bayou
Pierre, that stream bridged, and the advance of
this corps commenced passing over it at five
o'clock the following morning.
Tn the 30 the enemy was pursued to Haw-
kinson's Ferry, with slight skirna shing all day,
during which we took quite a number of pris-
oners, mostly stragglers from the enemy.
Grand Gulf having then been evacuated,
Gen. Grant changed his base to that point
During sill this time Gen. sherman had been
left behind, and was ordered to make a Demon
straticn on Haines' Bluff. in order to prevent
the en.my from reinforcing Vicksburg. This
About this time Gen. Grant received informa.
ton that Beauregard was expected at Jackson,
Miss. with large force of Southern troops,
and ne therefore sent out reconnoissances in
different directions, and on the 9TH of NAV an
advance was ordered along the Black River.
McPherson's corps was In the advance, and
strong, under Gregg and Walker, on the same
day engaged him, and after several hours, hard
fighting drove him with heavy loss in killed,
their arms and deserted.
Grants position at this time was with Sher.
mans corps, some seven miles west OF Ray
mond, and about the center OF the army.
On the night OF the 18th OF May, after orders
had been given for the corps of McClarnand
and sherman to march toward the railroad by
parallel roads, the former in the direction OF
Edwards Station, and the latter to n point on
the railroad between Edwards Station and
Bolton, The order was changed, and both were
directed TO move toward Raymond.
This was in conseq uence of the enemy ha wing
re reated toward Jackson after his defeat at
Raymond, and Of information that reinforce.
menfs were daily arriving at Jackson, and that
Gen. Joe johnson was hourly expected there
TO take command in person.
PARTICULARS are then given of the fight 81 and
capture OF Jackson, Mississippi.
Grant was informed that Penn berton had been
ordered by Johnston to march out OF Vicks-
burg and attack his (Grants) rear; and he
Therefore awaited himself of the information
und issued orders TO McCiernand and Blair,
OF Sherman's corps, to face their troops toward
Boiton, with view TO reaching Edwards
station, marching on different roads conyerg-
ing near Bolton.
On the 9Th Of April McClernand was ordered
TO move toward Edwards Depot, marching so
as to feel the enemy, if he encountered him,
put not TO bring on general engagement un-
less he was confident he was able TO defeat
him; and also to order Blair to move with him.
Full partic ulars are then given of the pur-
snlt OF Johnston and of the arrival of the Union
army before icksburg on the 18th of Apr,i
and of its complies investment on the morning
OF the 18th. TIE possession of Vicksbure al
that time would have enabled Grant to drive
Johnston from me State and take possession OF
all the railroads, DC; and conseu uently a gem
22d. "
On that day portion of the commands of
eacn corps succeeded in planting their flags
on the outer slopes of the enanry's bastions
and maintained them there until night. Each
corps had many more men than could possibly
DE used In the assault, over such ground as
interviewed between them and the enemy,
More men could only avail in case of break.
ing through the enemy's line or in repelline q
sortie. The assault was gallant in the extreme
on the part OF all the troops, but the enemy's
position was too strong, both naturally and
artinciaiiy, TO be taken in that way. At every
point assaulted, and at all OF them at the same
time, the enemy WAS able to show all the force
MS works could cover The assault failed, I
regret to say, with much loss on our side in
killed and wounded; but without Weakening
the confidence Of the troops in their ability to
ultimately succeed.
No troops succeeded in entering any of the
enemys works with the exception OF Sergeant
Grimth, OF the 2ist regiment Iowa volunteers,
and some eleven privates of the same regi.
ment. Or these none returned except the SER
geant and possibly one man. The work en-
tered by him, from its position, conld give us
no practical advantage, unless others to the
night and LETT of ii were carried and held at
the same time.
About ~ m. Gen. McCiernand was directed
to reinforce the points hard pressed from such
troops as he had that were not en- gagged.
ing despatch from McOlernand:
Headquarters Thirteenth Army Corps, in tie
eral: We have gained the enemy's intrench-
ments at several points, bat are brought to
stand. have sent-word TO McArthur to reiu.
force me II he can. Would it not be best 10
concentrate the whole or part Of his command
on this point!
Jso: A. MoCLxRNAsp. MAJ. Gen. CONG.
Major General U. s. GRANT.
troops are ell engaged. and cannot withdraw
any to reinforce others. Moo.
In his report Of the battle there, Gen Grant
goes On TO state a. follows:
The position occupied b. nae during most OF
the time Of the assault gave ma o better oppor
tunity Of seeing what was going on In front Of
the l3sh army coYps than beAe yed II possible
for the cou.m ander OF Il to havfsr Iconld not
see his possession OF forts, nor necessity for
reinforcerents, ss represented in Ids dis.s
patches, up to-S1e time 1 left 1t, which was
6etween twelve N. aud one p. m, and J. ex.
pYes<ea DOUBTS OF their correctness. winch
doubts the facts Subsequently, but too late,
confirmed. At the time could not disregard
his reiterated statemeats, for they might pos.
sibly be true; and that no possible opportunity
Of carrying the epemy's stronghold shoald be
allowed to escape. through fault OF mine, I
ordered Quimby's division. which was all OF
corps then present. bus four bri-
gedes, 70 report 70 McCle4naud. aud notified
nim OF the order. showed his dispatches to
McPnerson. as l had 70 Sherman, 70 satisfy
nin OF The necessity OF IA active dive9sion on
kheH part % hold o. much force In their fRonka