The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1863-06-06
The Battle of Cha mpiO II Hill.
FOUGHT ON THE 10TH OF MAY, 1868.

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lowing the occupation of the city of
Jackson, it was decided to evacuate the
position. There were several reasons
which induced General Grant to arrive
at this decision, prominent among.whch
was the difficulty of keeping intact his
long line of communication, and the fear
that General Johnston, who was known
to be lowering IN the region north of
jackson with force es mated at from
fifteen to twenty thousand men, would
attack his rear. The force which we
encountered just before we reached Jack
son, under General Gregg, had divided,
one portion going to Canton from tie
north and the other from the south
johnson and Gregg combined might
prove altogether to formidable. 1t was,
therefore, decided to return to Clinton.
and move upon Vicksburg.
From documents which fell into our
hands, it was learned that the main col
umn of the enemy was at Edwards Sta
ton, proposing 10 dispute our passage
and give US battle there. Soon after
daylight, the column was in motion, Cen
eral Mcpherson in advance. They
reached Clinton at noon, and, after an
hours delay, marched to their camping
ground, short distance from the village
of Bolton.
1t may be of interest to describe the
topography and appearance of the couu-
try through which the route lay
Imagine region rugged and broken,
with succession of hills and valleys.
precipi Gus sleeps and deep ravines, over
and through which the road winds dense
forests, with here and there cleared
patches, planted with cereals, swamp,
meadows, and banks of sterile yellow
soil, and you will have fair idea of the
county between jackson and Bolton
There are no elements of beauty about
1t, and were it not for the occasional
white dwellings by the roadside, en-
bordered in a wreathe of evergreens and
Towering trees, now deserted and aban-
doned by their rightful proprietors, we
might imagine the country uninbabitcd
and uninhabitable.
The programme of the advance was
arranged by General Grant and General
McClernand as follows: Extreme left.
General Smith, supported by General
Blair; on the right of General Smith,
General Osterhaus, supported by Gem
eral Carr General Hovey in the cen err,
with Mcpherson on the extreme right,
with Croker as reserve. In this order
the advance was made, General McCler.
nand's corps, with the exception of Cen
eral Hovey's division, reaching the posi-
ion by way of the several roads leading
from Raymond to Edwards S alton.
On the evening of the 18th Gen. Nc
Clernand heard that the enemy were ad-
vancing from Edwards Station to Ray
mond, and quickly placed his troops in
order of battle TO repel the anticipated
attack. Extensive reconnoissanccs re-
vealed the fact, however, that he was
merely feeling his position and force, and
that no attack need be expected that
day.
At nine in the morning General Os-
terhaus took possession of Bolton, cap
turing rebel mail and several prison.
ers. General McClernand placed his
army in camp early in the evening, and
by daylight the following day each divi-
sion occupied the ground selected, and
prepared to offer battle.
The enemy's first demonstration was
upon our exteme left, which they at
tempted to turn This attempt was
most CALAMITY repulsed by Gen. Smith,
commanding the left wing. At seven
| o'clock the skirmshers were actively
engaged, and, as the enemy sought the
cover of the forest, our artillery was
opened, which continued without inter-
mission for two hours. At this time
General Ransom's brigade marched on
the field, and took up a position as re-
serve behind General Carr
Now the battle ragged fcarfully along
the entire line, the evident intention of
the enemy was to mass his forces upon
Hovey on the center. There the light
was most earnest; but General McPher-
son brought his forces into the field, and
af er four hours hard fighting the tide
of battle was turned and the enemy
forced to retire.
Disappointed in his movements on our
right, be turned his attention to the left
of Hovey's division, where Colonel Slack
commanded brigade of lndianians.-
Massing his forces here, he hurled them
with irresistible impetuosity, and forced
them to fall back /; not, however, until
at least one-quarter of the troops COM
prising the rigade were. either killed
or wounded. Taking new position,
and receiving fresh reinforcements, our
soldiers again attempted to stem the tide,
this time with eminent success The
enemy were beaten back, and compelled
to seek the cover of the forest in their
rear. Following up their advantage,
without waiting to reform, the soldiers
of the western army fixed their bayonets
and charged into the woods after them.
The enemy were seized with an uncon-
trolable panic, and thought only of cs-
cape. in this terrible charge men were
ughtered without mercy. The ground
was literally covered with the dead and
dying. The enemy scattered in every
direction, and took through the fields to
reach the column now moving to the
west along the Vicksburg road. At 3
O'Clock IN the afternoon the battle was
over and the victory won.
Of the part taken in this battle by
McPhersOn's corDs Won are doubtless