The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1863-06-24
Particulars of the Fighting Previous
to the Investment of Vicksbure


battle Of Bakers Creek furnishes to ;he
Appeal the, annexed account Of the affair,
which is the first connected narrative vet
published from Southern source. The
writer dates at Jackson, Miss May "a:
On Friday afternoon, the 18Th inst three
divisions of the army under Lieut. Gen.
Pemberton U.oring's, Stevenson's and Bow
en's,) advanced from Edwards Depot in the
direction Of Raymond, aud stopped that
night about six miles from the starting
point, and on what is known az the middle
Raymond road At light o'clock the ne xt
morning, Saturday, Just "s We were prepar.
ing u move forward, the enemy opened
upon our advance guard with artillery brisk.
ly. indicating that thev had found out our
movements and had determined 10 give us
battle.
We Immediately fell back a mile to an
eligible position, and formed iD line Of bat.
tie, 10 be 10 readiness for an advance or TO
receive their attack. We had not long to
wait, Our line was formed IN II curve of
Bakers Creek, upon a ridge, our righ, he.
my posted in n position TO use ford Ml The
crossing Of the creek in case We were over.
whelmed, and our left equnIly convenient
W a pTlukt over lHt SlTtuul, NhlIn, u was
expected, would furnish safe passage for
our army in such contingency.
The cannonading on our right ceased az
we fell back To this point. and distinguish.
ed officer remarked at The time that the AT
tack Oh our right was feint; that, in his
Judgement, the left Of our line would have
to receive the shock OF their advance. An
hours time revealed the truth Of his state
ment; the enemy having mHssed n large
force against our l.f, aud opened upon ia
| with an enrnes,ness which Lsiokeued the
| most serious determi alton.
Aware Of our pOsi'i"n, il seemed TO be
| their purpose TO turn "ur left so as 10 g-,
Possession Of the bridge over Bakers Creek
| (ref-rred TO Ahov.) and move between us
and I'D yards Depot
| rs their 'front.' Ianks were moved down
! by the deadly fire of our brave troops, m,r.
lads uf fresh men fell into,theIr PLACES. and
slowly, but steadily, drove our left and cen
ire back foot by ioot, until Stevenson's pal.
lant division vas almost in rear Of the line
A brigade Of Bowen's division was ordered
up 10 the support Of SI",ruson-then an.
other brigade. and finally the eurre division
Continuing the most desperate fighting
(por,ion Of !; hand ,o.kand, and with club.
bsd muskus) brigade (Buford's) Of Lor
| lng,s division FROM the right, was sent to
the rescue. Gen I.oring Immediately fol.
lowed with another Of his br'gades (Frath.
erstons) by short route, and reached the
left as the lines were giving way, leaving
| Tilghman with his brigade ~ hold his 20.
sitIon on the right
| Having succeeded, with great tact, 10
| covering the retreat OF the worn out forces
| who had A. noby and bra,ely stood the
shock for six hou.-. Gen. Eoring moved
back To the right IN time 10 see y fresh line
OF the enemy coming down on his from
and flank. The ea-my were galnntly NET
and driven back with great slaughter II
was Al this point that Brgsdrer General
Lloyd Tilghman, one Of the brnyest AMI
best officers in the Confederate army, feI.
pierced through lis manly breast with a
fragment OF shell lie MAS serving with
his own hands n twelve pound howirzer,
trying to disIodgs piece which was annoy
ing US
At this time two bigades of Bowen. di.
vision were planted, one al the bridge across
Bakers Creek and one al The ford. 10 guard
the crossing, while Gen. Loring, with hi.
division, engaged ihe enemy IN front and
drove him back. Bufort. brigade was also
ordered 10 support Bowen al the ford, aud
was 10 motion for that point, when word
was sent to Gen. L"rng by Gen. Bowen
that an overwhelming loGcr Of the ensmy
had succeedsd IN getting into The rear Of
the brigade. and Gen. Bowen wa. compel
ed to fall back in the dlrec ion Of Edwards
Depot Al the same time the enemy avail
ed himself Of the advantage gained and
moved to apositlon commanding the ford
pressing at the same time Lonng's right
flank and rear
The General then determined TO make
bold stroke, and, with hi, deyision, at.
tempt TO cut his way through east, turn
Jackson, and effect n junction with the for
ees under Gen. Johnston, then supposed TO
| be near Canton. How we'll he succeeded