Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-05-20

others were peeking into the muzzle The
writer cautioned the men to stand clear of the
gun, as it was likely to explode. He had
scarcely uttered the words before it went off,
capsizng the piece end over end down the
embankment. The men lay astonished and
sprawling around in divers places. Nobody
hurt.
The rifle pits and works of the enemy ex-
tended along the shore from the Point of
Rocks, continuously, for half miv, and are
of great strength and extent-capable of shell
tering many thousand troops. All the field
artillery, OF which there were many and very
effective pieces, had been carried off The
only residents about the place were two me-
gro families, who welcomed us with every ex-
clamation of joy. ''God Almighty be tank )"
"Glad you come" and such like expressions,
manifested the sincerity of their Joy at the
capture of the place. regret to say that the
men did not respect their pigs and chickens;
but perhaps they belonged to others less loyal.
Below is the congratulatory order of Gen.
Grant,
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE TEsNRs ;ER)
In the Field, Harkinsons Ferry, May7. !
Soldiers of the Aynly of TennesSes:-Once
more | thank yon for adding another victory
to the long list of those previously won by
your valor and endurance. The triumph
gained over the enemy ut Port Gibson, on the
LIST, was one of the most important of the war.
The capture of five cannon, and more than
1000 prisoners, the possession of Grand Gulf,
and firm toothold on the highlands between
the Big Black and Bayou Pierre, from whence
we threaten the whole line of the enemy, are
among the fruits of this brilliant achievement.
The march from Mllliken's Bend to the
point opposite Grand Gulf was made in
stormy weather, over the worst of roads.
Bridges and ferries had to be constructed
Moving by night as well as by day, with labor
incessant, and extraordinary privations endur-
ed by men and officers, such as have rarely
been paralleled in any campaign, not muir
muir or complaint has been uttered. A few
days continuance of the same zeal and con-
stancy will secure to this army browning VIC
tories over the rebellion.
More difficulties and priyations are before
us; let us endure them manfulIy. Other bat
ties are to be fought; let us fight them brave
ly. A grateful country will rejoice at our
success, and history will record it with immor-
tai honor. u. S. GRANT
Maj. Gen. Commanding.
The following, from rebel sources, confirms
our victory at jackson -
The Petersburgh Express of the 18th saws
''The affairs about Vicksburg at this time can
not be regarded as tattering. Although safe,
it will require the utmost caution, courage,
and skill to avert disaster. After having had
years time to perfect the detences, al ap-
pears that IRE are no1o set upon in the ae1.Y
quarter Where ace had least expected 1t NAV
be contraband to say this much, but it is due
to the people that they should know how af-
fairs stand and if danger threatens they are
fl,aA EN-
place for the next fight will be below Vicks-
burg, or on the railroad between Vicksburg
and Jackson"
The Richmond Sentinel Of the 18th, has an
article on the News from Mississippi" and
after reviewing the situation, and admitting
the defeat of Bowen, says:
1.-The first desire of the enemy will be to
cut the railroad which leads from jackson to
Vicks5urg, and over which the forces at
Vicksburg obtain supplies. At Raymond
they only five miles from this road, and
pro proacss 81 res ST work, randeaH9g Re very
vulnerable point 1t seems, therefore, that
conflict with the enemy cannot long be delay
ed in that quarter. We hare too much at kaz-
ard to dllOw delay. We do not know what
our force is compared to that of the enemy (;
but it will not do to stop to count. We DtHSt
fight, at mhGteUeT odds, and ace cannot afford
to be beaten under the circumstances ne hare
named. We are happy to learn that Gen. Jo-
seph i. Johnston is in command of our
troops.
The progress of the enemy thus far in this
attempt to gain the rear of Vckshurg and
take jackson has not been without opposition.
There was heavy fight near Grand Gulf,
Port Gibson, in which Gen. Bowen, with five
thousand men, held and severely punished a
greatly outnumbering force of the enemy &;
but was ultimately out1anked and forced to
TALL back, with the loss of Louisiana regi-
ment taken prisoners, besides heavy list of
killed and wounded. Subsequently the enc
my were repulsed at Hawkinsons Ferry,
near the mouth of the Big Black, but their
superior force has enabled them to prosecute
their march, as we have stated, along the
highway between and parallel to Bayou Pierre
on the south, and the Big Black on the north
This leads them toward jackson, and brings
them near to the bridge, by which the rail-
road from Vicksburg to jackson crosses
from the north side to the south side of the
Big Black. Here the two armies will proba-
hlv ioin battle +"