, 1863-06-25
FROM GRANT'S ARMY,
How Our Men LSve-tsen. Ransom
st. Louis HXf1ea.

Correspondents Of the Chicago Tribunc.1
WALNUT Hu1s. NEAR V1cKsBrno,
June IL, 1863
The names of places hare become strongly
mixed. The great depot Of supplies On the
Yazoo is called Johnson's Landing, sherman'a
Landing, and Chickasaw Crossing latter
being the true name. From there to the up.
per part Of the city, the country is level, and
abounds In bayous that run from river to
river, nearly parallel to each other. The
ChickasaW Hills cross the Yazoo, a little to
the east, and continue on to the city; and
along the base Of these hills the road leads to
Hajnes' Bluff, with u branch at this crossing.
At this point General Sherman landed his
troops, crossed Chickasaw Bayou, and at
tempted to reach the city along the base Of
the hi11s-a narrow fiat, from fourth to hall
mile vide. South Of the bayou ia heavy
Southern forest, impenetrable to artillery.
Ten thousand men eau hold this approach to
the city against almost any number Of troops.
The right wing, which rests near the river, at
the upper end Of the city, has been LETT weak,
looking to q casual observer as though the
enemy might march ont Of his work, pass
along this level plain, a distance Of some ten
miles, and destroy our stores at the Crossing;
but they know too well the nature OF this
eul de sac, in which they slaughtered go many
OF our brave troops, to be caught in 1t them
selves. The key to this Tallcy Is now in the
hands Of Gen. Steele, by the enemy leaving
thc large earthwork near his left.
now OUR MEN LIVE
The army Is without, tents, yet arc very
comfortable. They are encamped along the
steep hillsIdes, mostly sheltered from tho Gu
emy's shot. A place is dug against the hill
and, In many caees, into it-forming sort
of cave, Poles are put up, and covered with
oncloths, blankets or cane rods, Of which IN
abundant supply Is near at hand. This cane
Is used for tie sides Of the tents, and also tor
cots, making a good elastic bed. Two sol.
dicrs occupy each cot, who arc made comfort
able In this climate with their heavy blankets,
For fuel the farm fences are laid under con-
tribution. In come cases, these are hauled
two or three miles. In the early stages Of the
war, this was not permitted, as 1t was sup.
posed to encroach on the constitutional rights
Of the enemy, but hero the farms are de-
spoiled Of fences, stocks and buildings, With
out any complaint on the part Of officers.
Corn-fe1ds are laid open, and dcso1ation rules
tie hour. In the whole distance from tho
Crossing to the city-some ten miles-but
TWO houses rcnlain. One Of these is used for
a hospital, and the other for soldiers; and
this along one Of the richest avenues leading
from the city,
GEN. RANSOM.
Il - a. -
near Birds Point, and who appears to wear
charmed life, Is in command Of one Of the
largest brigades in the field. It consists of
the I'D, Fred. Starring, (Board Of Trade Reg
iment,} 95th, Col. Humphrey, It'll Illinois,
18th and 18th Wisconsin, fowell's Illinois.
and 1st Minnesota batteries. All Of these did
noble work In the five battcs, beginning with
Grand Gull. Capt. Powell fought the whole
round without losing man, using fourteen
hundred rounds Of cartridge, up to the close
ofthc assault, on the rebel works iii front.
His gun! arc now close up to the reoel rifle
pite, and Just nov bs1shing forth shell at u
cho1ogist, and before the war, had gathered
nearly all of the shell tribe In the streams Of
our State. Shells are of courss his
study, and those he now handles will
have a place in history, as great facts
error gatherer Of shells in peace, but great
distributor Of shells in war, ride the Natural
History Society Collection at Bloomington,
and the battle fields of the South. Tie Cap
tain lost his good right arm at Shiloh, but tho
rebels have paid dearly for it.
The 20tA Illinois Is sadly reduced, and to-
day they number only 166 guns tor duty. In
the late battles they lost foTty-thre per cent.
killed aid wounded, including Col. Richards,
Maj. Bradley Is now in command. We could
not remain uLmoycd to look upon their deci-
mated ranks aB contrasted with their condi-
&f &1.oxr nt.x,1 $.1$y~ T1,I
Thousand stalWart yeoman from Central ILL.,
nois.
The 113tb, Col Hoge, has bnt fire compa-
MES here, the remainder at Camp Butler.
Their loss CD the 10Th and 2.d Of May, WAS
nine killed and thirty four wounded, Colonel
struck him on the head, a part Of which pass
Cd through into his mouth, and the other
lodging agninst the skull above the temple
It Is serious wound, but tile Colonel attends
to Lis duty as Provost Marshal, though to day
he has kelt his tent and i much worse.
The Sth Missouri, Col. G. A. Smith, is com.
posed Of nearly all Illinois 1ncn. The regiment
Started with l,05o, came here with Gs0 rank
ard file; lost sixteen killed aud sky two
wounded, many Of them since dead. This
and the 6ta Missouri, Col. Blood, should be
credited to Illinois, Us there Is not q hundred
Missou1ians in both If them.
No inconside1ab1e complaint Is made in re-
gard to the quality Of part Of the powder
used. That from the ST. Louis Arsenal is
very good, mud is now being used; the other
is put inside for moro pressing time.
ST. LOUIS EzuEs.
The seceEh ladies wlo came on the City Of
Alton With us to Memphis, came here o.day
with number Of others, In lot No. q. Those
Of our party who saw Of them, said the top
2Jlical swagger had pretty much left them,
and they did not look upon the the journey
MP the Yazoo with any apparent pleasure,
The TIVE daughters Of Mrs. rrusten Folk are
with their mother, as voluntary exfles; they
has also shown herself o lady; but several Of
the other members Of tile party are perfect
vixene. The Yazoo is veil adapted to moli. |
f. their disposition, and Wc trust more Of the |
same sort will traverse it's placid waters.
The Industry and general correctness Of |
yonr regular correspondent, "BoD, !" has left |
little for lie to na1ratc, in the present condi-
tion Of things. Tomorrow we shall look |
through the hospitals and see to the sanitary |
cCnuitton Of the army. Aside from the /
wounded, We hear oflittle sickness. The last |
Of the wounded at Champion Hill have been |
sent for, and are to come in within day or
two. RURAL. |
Army vs. Civil Prucf1ce-Sanitary
Agents Supplies, how Distributed
The Wounded-The Sick OIL Board,
Correspondence Of the Chicago Tsibunc.1
Cu1cKAsAw Cnoss1NG,|
NEAR V1cKsBUHu, June II, 1863. : |
The sanitary Commission, so far us the army
In the field is concerned, has completed its