The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-06-05

.l'hoSA III tHC Icdt, iHu Oh inc Otucf size.
Their line was nearly three miles'long, of
which the 18th corps engaged about one
half, Sherman, on the right, giving his at
tention to the other half On ascertain
ing the position of the enemy, Croker Or
dered the 1st Missouri battery, of four
Parrott guns, into position to feel their
artillery strength. A reply from three
batteries was elected before long, and an
artillery duel commenced and was contin
ued for upward of half an hour, without
any decisive results to either side The
infantry were now ordered into action.
The first move was a signally successful
charge-a charge that should immortalize
every participant, and fill with pride the
hearts OF all who admire true courage and
heroic devotion to the cause of the Amer
lean Union. No pen can reproduce the
impression made upon the minds and
hearts of all who witnessedit. The imag-
lnatiOn OF the artist has equaled it-never
excelled it.
a mile of open space lay between us and
the enemy, every foot of which was con-
trolled by the well served artillery of the
foe. The task before our brave soldiers
was to form on hill in face of this ter
rite fire, and move forward to victory or
death.
The first brigade, under Col. Sanborn,
consisting of the 18th Minnesota and 59th
and 5Sth Indiana, and the second brigade,
under Col. Holmes, consisting of the 10th
Missouri, 18th Iowa, 56th Illinois and SOlh
Ohio, were selected for the bloody work.
They formed in line and advanced stead
lily. They had two hills to ascend and de-
scend. The shot and shell from the enc
my's batteries fell thick among them,
threatening destruction to all. The lines
began to wave. Some hearts began to
quail, as they approached the jaws of
death. They halted for a few moments
under cover of a hill side. Words of en-
couragement were spoken by the COM
handing otiicers-every man was nerved
to the struggle-"Forward"-again, and
the long line OF heroes assembled heavy
slope, with colors flying and voices shout
ing. Three minutes of double quicking,
Indifferent to an enflading fire of grape
and cOnnister, and the fire of musketry at
deadly range, commenced. Another min
ute and our men sent up the loud shout of
victory, as the defeated foe left the field
in panic-stricken haste. All was over
Nearly two hundred Union soldiers had
fallen, but the day was won.
THE REBEL RETREAT.
The rebels retreated in hot haste before
the two brigades of Gen. Crocker's divis-
ion. Our Generals thought they had fall
en- back to better position, and made
every preparation for another attack upon
them. The two divisions Of McPLerson's
corps followed them up closely in line of
battle, expecting every moment TO hear
from them at a second stand point. But,
while we thought they were forming for
another struggle, they were making the
best of their way out of jackson, Oh the
road leading to canton, Mississippi At
about noon, a heavy column of smoke
arose from the beleagured city This
might be a signal, or it might be large
contlagration-we did not know which
We have since learned, 10y observation,
that 1t was Occasioned by burning the
railroad depot, which was filled with army
stores.
GEN. sIIERMAN's PART IN THE FIGHT.
Gen. Sherman opened the bali on the
right, at about . O'Clock, A. NJ. | cannot
speak in detail OF bis movements, as did
not witness them, being on the battle
ground on the left all day The part he
took can, however, be judged from his
casualty list, which is very small-only
two or three killed and proportionate
number wounded, | believe. After the
route by Croker's men, the rebels were
panic-stricken all along the lines Gen
eral Sherman arrived in the city imme-
diately after Col. Sanborn had hOisted
the Stars and Stripes on the Capitol build
ing.
THE REBEL FORCE.
The rebels had 10000 men in the fight.
Had we postponed the engagement half a
day, they would have had twice that num-
Der, as reinforcements were hourly expec-
ted. The oath South Carolina and 10Th
Georgia, arrived last night from Charles
ton They were eight days in coming.
There were several regiments of Port
Hudson troops in the fight
LOSSES.
Our loss in killed and wounded will
reach two hundred, all sustained during
the charge. The 18th Iowa lost heaviest.
The rebel loss was less than ours, owing
to the fact that they were under heavy
cover, while our men were in an open
field. We took probably hundred pris-
oners l will send you our casualty list,
as soon as it can be obtained.
PEMBERTON OUTGENERALED.
General Joseph f. Johnston arrived in
Jackson last night from Tennessee, to di-
rect affairs here. On learning ''the situa-
tion," he expressed himself disguised
with Pemberton's management, and said
he would have no hand in it, as defeat
was inevitable.
Pemberton has been outgeneraled by
Grant. He has had heavy force at Big