New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-06-01

Station, located on the main road leading 10 thai
goal. On the 18th Mcpherson ard Hovey were 10
the neighborhood Of Clinton eighteen miles distant,
on the jackson Railroad. Blair was moving for
ward on the road from Grand Gulf TO Raymond, and
within call. A. J. Smith was advancing from Mont
eomery Ford on the -Four Mile Creek Carr and
Os,erhaus were at or near Raymond. Hence tho en-.
tire army with the exception Of shermaDs corps
which was at Jackson although scattered, were cap
able. by days march of concentrating upon Edwards
Station. In tho evening Of the 18th, Gen. Nee Or,
nand ordered the various regiments TO move rnon
Edward,'s Station, a. follows Blair to NOV An ,be
road flint diverging to Edwards Static a from the
Bolton and Raymond road, about mil and half
from Raymond, aud 30 forming tho H. wing O,,.r.
haus 10 move on the road next d. .ring 20 Edwards
Station and about three ,,,.. from RAYMOND
and so form the enter; General Carr
to . move on The ano road with
0s,erhaus, and thus fOrri reserve: Cen Hovsy to
move on or near the n >ad leading on the south side
OF the railroad frorA Bolton to Edwardss Station,
each division TO ,ovo promptly a, o'clock on the
morning OF the, 10th, except Gen. Blsirs, which
was to move, at 5, and all to leave their baggage
trains IN u % rear 10 be out OF the way. Each
OF those divisions were TO move simultaneously upon
Edwar sss Station, converging upon that point, and
presf rving constant communication. Gen. Smith
Wa directed 10 follow Blair but this order was
eAsnged, 90 as TO place Smith in front and Blair IN
:, the rear. Gen. Mcpherson was expected 10 move
forward on the north side Of the road from Bolton TO
Edwardss Station, and thus prevent the enemy from
escaping in that direction. From tks order, il will
be seen that the columns of McClernand and
Mcpherson were 10 advance from positions lying in
an irregular arc Of 80 degrees upon radiating lines
uniting at Edwards Station Such was the strategic
plan of battle. The character Of the country
trayersed by these roads would be difficult to
describe 1t was q nondessrpt blending Of hill and
ravine; Of clumps Of timber high, open plateaus
sometimes under tillage, more frequently grassy
meadows, but chiefly, especially on tho theater Of
the battle, dense timber, deep gloomy gorges,
natural earthworks and ambuscades. Hovey's
Division being the right Of tbs advance column
under McClernand, marched upon the main road
from jackson 10 Edwardss Station, and OF courre.
was likely TO encounter the hesviest opposition.
We had been advised by various rumors, particu-
larly q very coherent statement by negro-Dan-
who came in from Rebel quarters, that the enemy,
in great force numbering at least 2aooo, were ad-
1
vancipg upon Raymond; and the brigade OF 6en.
Featberstone by way Of Bolton; that the main body
of the army were along road which nterSeets the
Bolton and Raymond road about half way. Hence,
the army felt its way along cautiously, throwing Out
q heavy force of skirmishers in advance.
by 9 o'clock !, was evident from the heavy sklr-
mshing in the direction Of Hovey's division that we
had flushed the game, aud Gen. Cars two brig
AIDES were quickly drawn up in battle line along the
crest of an open rolling table land while osterhaus
was advanced into the timber beyond. Smith and
Blair were hidden by a cops Of timber to the LETT.
The scene picture of all that was splendid ana
chivalrc, and inspiring in war; There was the clear
sunlight Of May morning shining on blue squares
Of soldisry; lines Of bsyonets that flashed Ike
threads Of steel and the "crmson glorles" oil many
a waving banner.
Gradually, 90 tho morning advanced, tbs rattle Of