Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-05-26

Rebels.
Correspondence of the n. Y. Times.l
PoRr G1Bsox, Miss, Saturday, Maya.
This morning, soon after daylight, our
troops entered this place, the rebels having
it last night, after suffering about as
severe a repulse as any similar sized body
has received since the breaking out of the
rebellion. The battle took place yesterday,
ct a point distant from here some three or
four miles, and about twelve from Bruins
burgh. They marched out day before yes
terdsy with a force of 5000 men, ten
pieces of artillery, and the firm conviction
that they would meet and destroy the Yam
kee army with ease lastnight they passed
through here in hot haste, minus several
Of their best officers and nearly or quite a
tenth Of their whole force in killed and
prisoners. They went out jubilant and
returned crest fallen.
The road from Bruinsburg leads across
a plantation some three miles and then
winds up the bluffs, follows a broken range
Of Chickasaw Bluffs, and finally leads to
this place-one Of the most beautiful and
wealthy in the State. It is distant seven
miles eastward from Grand Gulf, with
| which it has direct railroad connection
and is situated on the left bank of the
| Bayeu Pierce navigsble stream empty
ing into the Mississippi.
O~sterhaus, in pushing towards this place,
met the advance of the rebels about one
AN. yesterday, at q point six or seven
miles from here, just beyond q range OF
broken country known as Anderson's Hills.
A few shots were exchanged, the rebel ad-
vance fell back, AID our men ~bivcuacked
on the ground for the balance of the night.
Immediately after daylight the men took
their breakfast and then skirmishers were
thrown out on both sides Of the woods.
The rebels during the night had fallen
back to q series of heights occupied by the
plantation belonging to a man named
Griffin, and here our skirmishers came up
on their first line of battle.
A sharp conflict ensued here, which re-
suited in the falling back of the rebels to
another line formed along Anderson's Hill.
Here was their main body, occupying a
splendid position, protected on its tanks
, by timber, and containing three batteries
Of artillery, posted upon commanding
heights in a manner that swept the ap.
proaches in every direction. Our troops
reached this position about noon, and
conflict Of the most determined character
took place, which resulted in the utter rouI
of the rebels. About one o'clock Genera
McPherson's corps arrived on the ground
General Logan's division was detailed tt
turn the right flank Of the enemy, which
it did in handsome style, charging up 8
hill and directly upon a battery, which
they captured, routing its supports in con
; fusion, and capturing some $50 prisoners
The center was also at the same time Of
soon after charged upon and broken by
brigade from General Cars division
The right and centre being broken, thu
left gave way, and by two Pm. the whole
rebel force was in full retreat across Bayou
Pierre at this place. The rebels, accord
ing to the statement of prisoners, number
ed about 10000, and were commanded by
General Bowen, and a General Tracey whit
was killed in the sction They lost abouI
600 prisoners, several hundred wounded
and, perhaps, one hundred killed, among
whom was q Colonel and many other LESSEE
officers. Considering their numerical in
feriority, the rebels fought splendidly-
they gave way inch by inch, afflicted will
no psnics, and m~aneuvering under fir
with the GOODNESS of veterans.
If they we're inferior in numbers, they
had the advantage Of selecting their OWL
positions, and forcing US to attack then
at such points as they pleased. Thii
placed them upon an equality with oul
forces, and hence all I nave said about thu
gallantry and stubbornness Of their mel
} can be justly said Of ours.
=. General Grants present army is thu
very flower of the West; g large majority
Of them have been hardened by exposure
in many a battle stUrm, while the UtIeIl
} are those who remain from the attacks o
disease, and have thus become scclimateC
and prepared to endure all the vioisitude.
Of this unhealthy Southern country
Their arms are good; their supplies fo-
the present ample; and, in view Of thesI
!, facts, it is safe TO assert that it will meet
a much larger force than they encounter
? ed yesterday to conquer them.
The ground fought over is a mile IL
width by three o. four in length. 1t pre-
sents the usual evidence Of a struggle
trees and buildings torn with ann shot
patches Of clothing, dead, swollen horses
broken down wagons and caissons, here
wounded man, there q dead one. In ont
place where the rebels made their las
stand, the wheel was knocked from a rifeC
brass gun, six horses and two rebels we
killed, and one caisson exploded by
single shot from one of our batteries-al
the evidences Of the effects Of the fata
missive lay there as 1 passed through to
day. The rebel dead were being burieC
by our parties, and their wounded hunted
up and taken to the hospitals, where they
received the same attention from the sur
geons as our own men.
Yesterday morning General Bowen, tn
rebel commander, sent IN a flag Of truce
asking a suspension of hostilities for 2.
hours, in order that he might bury hi
dead and gather up his wounded. Thi
was decidedly mean on the part Of tn
/ rebel commander, for the reason that tn
? evening before he had telegraphed tt
Pemberton for immediate reinforcement
and additional supplies of ratiOns snC
ammunition. The original dispatch wa
found in the telegraph Office. Of coursI
General Grant refused the request, givinl
his reasons for so doing, and at the sam
time stating that our men would see tina
all due attention should be paid to the reb
els in our possession.
As soon as the r~esr-guard Of the Confed
crates nau CfOsseu bayou LlerIe3 lAey sc
fire to a fine suspension bridge in order Il
prevent pursuit. This act of vandalism
costs the rebels thousands Of dollars anC
inhicts upon residents a serious annoy
ance. Its only effect upon us was to della.
our columns for two or three hours.
Many residents of this place left las
night, but a majority Of them very sensi
bly, remained. The result thus far ha
been that not a house has been burned, o
q single occupied one %plunderei; in fact
a very amicable state of feeling seems t
have sprung up between the National off
| GERS and the citizens. Ladies are prone
nading the streets, chatting with Yankee
: at street corners, inaugurating here an
thara i-nniniant hirInLinns and saaminnl,