Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-05-28
General Grants Recent Operations in
Mississippi.

The following sketch of General GRANT's OPP
erationa 10 Mississippi from the 18Th TO the 2Olh
of May, is given 10 dispatch from Memphis,
dated May 25.h: a-
On the 18th the larger part OF the army lay
stretched out from point a Few miles west OF
Raymond to Jackson, anticipating an attack
from the direction of Edwards Station. Gen
eral Grant suddenly massed his forces between
Raymond and Bolton, Sherman moving down
from Jackson, north Of the railroad, and toward
Edwards Station, Mcpherson moving toward
Bolton, Bair's division and Ransom q brigade
of McArthur's division arriving at Raymond
| from the West. McClernand's corps afterWsrd
lay on or near the main road from Raymond to
Bolton. On the 10th the movement to ward Ed
ward's Station began. Hovey's division of Nc
Clernand's corps, followed by McPherson's ON
the right by the road from Bolton /; Osterhsas's
division, followed by CsrF's on the center by
middle road, and Smith Q division, followed by
Bair's on the left by the first road from Ray
mond to Edward's Station. Ransom's brigade
afterWard moved up as reserve behind Carr'a
division. The action was begun about eigb>
A. NJ, BY gu attempt of tho enemy to turn
our left, which was promptly met and
checked by Smiths division, The bulk
Of the enemy's force was then massed
upon our right and center, held by Hovey's
division. The struggle here was most bitter,
until about two o'clock P. NJ, when Hovey be-
Ing strengthened by Crocker, began TO drive
the enemy, while MCPHERSON, having come up
on the right, swung around and turned the en-
emy's lett. Osterhaus's division, on the center,
had, In the meantime, kept up vigorous and
steady pressure of the enemy. At about half
past two P. M the day was decided In our favor,
and the retseas OF the enemy began. Ii was
soon converted into an ignomini0us rous. We
captured about three thousand five hundred pfis-
oners, nineteen fed guns, and an immense
number of small arms, and large amount of
ammunition and stores at EdWafd's Station,
which VIC occupied that night. On the l7th, at
daylight, McClernsnd's corps advanced from
Edward'a toward Big Black, and about four
O'Clock attacked the enemy in his earthWofks at
the railroad bridge, Carr's division moving up
on the right, and General Osterhaus on the lelt,
with General Smith ns reserve After fighting
about two hours, with some diminishing, our
right charged 10 upon the lett OF the enemy,
and our LETT at the same time advancing rapid
ly, the works were captured. We took about
two thousand five hundred prisoners and eight
cen guns, the enemy retreaIing In great dIsor-
der over the Big Black
General Osterhaus was slightly wounded al
the beginning Of the fight, and bis division was
then commanded by General A. A. Lee
AS soon as the works were taken Gen. LBe
proceeded to construct q floating bridge over
the Big Black, on which the corps of McCler-
nand and MCPHERSON crossed early next morn
ing, and marched on Vicksburg.
Sherman's corps having in the meantime
crossed on o pont0on bridge five miles above
on the evening of tho lS.h, our army came in
sight Of the wofks Immediately in the rear of
Vlcksburg, and distant from the city about two
miles.
On the 18Th our general movement toward
the works began; Sherman on the right, Nc
Phe,so in the center, and McClernand on the
left.
At2P. M. q general charge OF McClernsnd's
division was ordered. General A. A Lee, who
was leading the first brigade of Ostefhaus's
division, was wounded severely, but NOS danger
ously. He 10 nov on his way North for treat
msnt. Our forces gained ground on that charge,
and held 10, but not capturing any Of the rebel
redoubts.
On the 20lh the same style of operations was
followed along the whole line, our forces creep
ing up slowly toward the works. our sharp
shooters, at many points, getting 90 near as 10
prevent the enemy from working his guns, and
our artillery being rapidly and closely advanced
upon the enemy's works.
The movements made by the Federal forces
In this fight have been the most brilliant OF the
war. Gen, Grant displayed the most conaummaie
skill as sn officer