The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1863-08-15
Cen. Grants Report.

the day ne assumed the immediate COM |
mand of the expedition against Vicksburg /
to the surrender of that place, is made
public to day. Gen. Grant states that,
in person, he became satisfied that Vicks- |
bure could only be turned from the south |
side and in accordance with that convic |
tio... he prosecuted TIE work on tie canal |
across the peninsula on the Louisiana side |
o. the river Ho gives details Of the OPP !
erations Oh the canal and Of the failure in |
sending a naval expedition through Black !.
Rayou. From the time TIE order was
given to occupy New Carthage, and run
the army by Vicksburg ON Transports
under the protection of Porter's fleet. to
the landing at Bruinsburg. the operations
are detailed at length. Upon call for
volunteers for crews for the vessels about
10 run by the batteries, Gen. Grant says
that, for this dangerous enterprise, officers
and men presented themselves by hum
dreds, anxious to undertake the trip. The
names Of those whose services were accep-
tod will be given in a separate report. A
striking feature, he says, SO far as Osserva
ton goes; of the present volunteer army
is that there is nothing which men are
called upon to do, mechanical or profess
siutial, that accomplished adopts cannot
be foutd for the duty required in almost
every regiment.
The march to Grand Gulf, and thence
to Jackson, and then to Vicksburg, inclu-
ding various battles are also detailed in
which is shown Grants knowledge Of the
enemy's forces and position, even to the
fact that, before reaching Vicksburg, Joe
Johnston had ordered Pemberton to come
out AID attack Grants army in the rear,
which resulted in a battle OF four hours at
Edwards Station, defeating the enemy
OF the continued march to the front Of
the enemy's work at Vicksburg, nothing
is added not known already.
OF the assault on the works, Grant says
| that the assault was ga!!.nt in the extreme
on the part o. nll the troops, but The enc
my's position was too strong both natu-
rally and artifcially, to be taken in tn at
way No one got into the enemys works
but Sergeant Griffin, OF TIE Dist Ioaa Reg
iment, and some eleven privates, none
returning but one man. 1t vas during
this assault that Gen. McClernand sent
dispatches to Gen. Grant that he had two
! of the enemy's forts, and requesting a di-
versio. by Sherman. Grant says: The
position occupied by me during most Of
| the tine Of the assault gave me a better
opportunity of seeing what was gong on
in front Of the 18th Corps than ] believed
it possible for commander possibly to
| have ] could not see his possession OF
/ tn g forts. nor necessity for reinforc me hts,
as represented in his dispatches, up TO the
time ! lief, 1t, and expressed doubts OF
its crrectness which doubt, facts suisse
auenly, hut too late, confirmed; but, at
the time ! could not thus regard his re.
it rated statements, for they mi ht possibly
be true and that not a possible opportuni.
~ Of carrying the enemy's stronghold
should b. allowed to escape through fault
Of mine, ordered diversion, which was
promttly and vigorously made, and result
ed in the increase OF our mortality list
full fifty per cent, without advancing our
position or giving us other advantage
Gen Grant details the surrender, and
SAYS that the terms agreed upon ne re-
varded "a more favorable TO the govern
Ineut than unconditional surrender. ~ j,
saved the transportation, which was !,ni
ted on the river then, of the rebel army,
and ler; his forces 10 move on Johnston.
Col Grierson's raid WAS made hy Grant
instructions, aud /. regarded By the latter
As the most brilliant OF the war.
After acknowledging the cooperation o.
the navy, the report conciu des thus The
result Of thi, campaign has been the de-
Fea, Of the enemy in five battles outside
Of Nicksnurs, the occupation of Jackson
the capital OF the State, and the capture
of Vicksbur:. its garrison and muni,ion,
Of war; a loss - the e,Iemy Of 1000 pr.s
oners among whom We're fifteen general
officers; a, least 1000 killed and wound
ell. aud amoug the killed Cans. Trace
Til,hman and Green, sni hundreds and
perhap. thousands Of stras..e:s, -hC car
never be collected and teorrzbizei Arm.
and munitions or war for an army Of 60,
900 men have fallen into our hands te
side. large amount OF other public prop.
erty, consisting Of railroad locomotive.
cars, steannboas, cotton, &c. and much
was destroyed to prevent It's capture Uu.
loss IN the series OF battles may be sum-
med up as follows: Port Gibson. killed
1870, wounded us, missing 5; Fourteen
Mile Creek skirmish, killed T. wounded
missing none, Raymond, GO killed, 81
wounded, 81 missing; Jackson, killed 40
wounded 240, missing 6 Champion Hills
423 killed, l.S42 wounded, lS9 missing
Big Black Railroad Bridge. killed %,
wounded 242, missing; Nicksburg, kill
ed 5i5 wounded BOSS. missing 305 To
tai killed 90 wounded, .,29j missing
53,. OF the wounded MANY We're bu:
!. slightly wounded and continued on duty
, Many more required but few days OF
! Weeks tnelT HtCONeTN- ->Ot more tDat
one half Of the wounded were permanent
, ly disabled
J In all former reports have failed to
, make mention Of Co. A, 4th Illinois Caval
~ Volunteers. Capt l. D O-band. com
, handing this company, has been on duty
with me, as escort DUTY, since November
1861, and, In every engagement | have
: been in since that time. render. d invalu
able service, attracting general attention
, for their exemplary conduct, soldierl,
: bearing and promptness. 1t would no
5 be overstating the merits OF this company
: to say that many of them would fill with
5 credit any position in cavalry regiments.