The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1863-05-28
Vlcks5urE.

Our advices from Grants army, up till
the 18th inst, are of the most gratifying
character: The dispatches give brief
summary of Grants movements from the
landing at Bayou Pierre on the 30th uit.
Grand Gulf, occupying the bluffs between
the mouth of Black river ana Bayou
Pierre, had been hastily but strongly
fortified oy TIE enemy, and after two at
tachs, n-the 2Sth and 29th of April, our
guuboats and transports ran past the bat
terries, fanking the defences, which could
not have been carried in front. The ene-
my then abandoned his works and retreat
ed hastily in a soutwesterly direction across
Bayou Pierre, to Port Gibson. The
Grand Gulf works were taken possession
Of by the navy, together with thirteen
guns of the largest calibre and large
quantity Of ammunition. The army had
been marched down the west bank of the
river from Young's Point above Vicksburg,
and On the Both ult., landed at Bruins S
Ford, on the Bayou Pierre, followed the
rebels under Bowen to Port Gibson, where
battle was fought on the 1st of May, and
the rebels, II, 600 strong, totally routed
with loss of l 500 men, and five pieces
of artillery. Our loss was 100 killed and
500 wounded. The next stand made by
the enemy was at Raymond, small vii
lage six miles south of the Wick sburg and
Jackson Railroad and connected with 1t
by branch road Here the rebels were
defeated, on May the 18th, with a loss Of
800, and retreated hastily toward Flcks-
burg. On the Oath a detachment Of
Grants army entered Jackson: after a
severe struggle, and at once cut OF Nicks-
burg from further reinforcements. Johns
ton had already interposed considerable
force between Vicks5urg and the capital,
but without avail, our forces entering the
city after he had moved out. By this
movement all the immense stores gathered
in the city fell into our hands.
Pemberton and Johnston had meantime
concentrated their forces for desperate
effort to save the city, and on the 10th
inst, a sanguinary affair took place at
Bakers Greek and Edwards Ferry
Grant had also collected his entire strength
at this point, and abandoned his commu-
nication with the river by way Of Grand
Gulf, having supplied his men with eight
days rations. The enemy was again
defeated, and with loss of 1000 men
and 20 pieces of artillery, hastily crossed
the Big Black river, about ten miles from
Vicksburg. Here another engagement
took place on the following day, May 18th,
and again the entire rebel force under
Pemberton was beaten, falling back behind
the entertainments of the city, with q
loss of 1000 men and IL pieces of artil-
lery.
On the 18th, the city was closely invest
ed. During the two or three days ensuing,
the right wing assaulted and captured the
rife pits between Haine.' Bluff and the
city, and forced its way to the river. we
have reports of the capture of Haines'
Bluff on the goth, thus opening the CON-
munications of our right wing with the
gunboats on the Yazoo, large number
of prisoners and 81 pieces Of artillery
falling into our hands.
Thus far everything promises we'll for
the success OF our arms. That the enemy
has been driven back step by step to
Nicksburg is confirmed by rebel reports.
His losses have undoubtedly been heavy,
and we may fee! assured that such victo-
ries have not been gaiued without cost by
our troops. From the vague estimates of
.he dispatches. the captures of rebel
artillery would reach GO pieces of field
artillery, while the fall of Haines' Bluff
places in our hands 81 siege guns--a
total Of over 120 pieces. The fall of
Vicksburg seems certain, and with its
loss Port Hudson becomes untenabie.-
Admiral Farragut is closely investing
this stronghold, and its evacuation we
trust will not be permitted without severe
loss to the enemy. We know the place
was bombarded on the Sth, 9th, and 10th
inst, and intimations given OF more
important movements agains. it being in
OrOoresS