The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-08-21
as rapidly as it could be put across the river.
PORT GIBSON

as rapidly as it could be put across the river.
POET GIBSON.
AT 2 o'clock, on the first of May, the advance
of the enemy was met eight miles from Bruins
burg, on the road to Port Gibson. He was
forced to fall back, but as it was dark, he was
not pursued far until daylight. Early on the
morning of the first, went out, accompanied
by members of my staff, and found McCler-
four miles from Port Gibson. At this point
the roads branched in exactly opposite direc-
tiOns both, however, leading to Port Gibson
The enemy had taken position on both branch
es, thus dividing as he fell back the pursuing
forces. The nature of the ground in that part
of the country is such that very small force
could retard the progress of q much larger one
for many hours. The roads usually run on
narrow, elevated ridges, with deep and impen-
etrable ravines on either side. On the right
were the divisions of Hovey, Carr, and Smith,
and on the left the division of Osterhaus, of
Netherlands corps. The three former sue
ceeded in driving the enemy from position to
position back toward Port Gibson steadily all
day. Osterhaus did not, however, move the
enemy from the position occupied by him ON
our left until LOgan's division of McPhersOn's
corps arrived. McClernand, who was with the
right in person, sent repeated messages to me
before the arrival of Logan to send Logan's
and Quimby's divisions of McPhersons corps to
him.
l had been on that as well as other parts of
the field, and could not see how they could be
used there to advantage. However, as soon
as the advance of McPhersOn's corps UOgan's
divisiOn) arrived, l sent one brigade to McCler-
nand on the right, and sent one brigade, Brig
adler General j. E. Smith commanding, to the
assistance of Osterhaus.
GRAND GULF.
By the judicious disposition made of this
brigade, under the immediate supervision of
Mcpherson and Logan, position was soon
obtained, giving us an advantage which soon
drove the enemy from that part of the field to
make no further stand south of Bayou Pierre.
The enemy was here repulsed with heavy
loss in killed, wounded, and prisoners. The
repulse of the enemy on our left took place
late in the afternoon. He was pursued to-
ward Port Gibson, but night closing in, and
the enemy making the appearance OF another
stand, the troops slept upon their arms until
daylight. In the morning it was found that
the enemy had retreated across Bayou Pierre,
on the Grand Gulf road, and brigade Of
Logan's division was sent to divide his atten-
ton whilst a floating bridge was being built
across Bayou Pierre, Immediately at Port
Gibson. This bridge was completed, eight
miles marched by McPherson's corps to the
north fork of Bayou Pierre, that stream
menced passing over it at o'clock the fol-
lowing morning. On the Sd the enemy was
pursued to Hawkinson's Ferry, with Slight
skirmishing all day, during which we took
quite number OF prisoners, mostly stragglers
from the enemy. Finding that, Grand Gulf
had been evacuated and that the advance Of
my forces was already fifteen miles out from
there, and on the road too, they would have
10 take to reach either V cksburg, Jackson, Or
any intermediate point on the railroad between
the two places determined not to march
them back, but taking small escort of cavaI-
ry, some fifteen or twenty men, 7 went to the
Gulf myself and made the necessary arrange
ments for changing my base of supplies from
Bruinsburg to Grand Gulf. In moving from
Mllllken's Bend, the 10th army corps, Major
General w. T. Sherman commanding, was
left to be the last to start. To prevent heavy
reinforcements going from Vicksburg to the
assistance of the Grand Gulf forces, | directed
Sherman to make demonstration on Haine's
Bluff, and to make all the show possible. From
information since received from prisoners cap
tured, this ruse succeeded admirably. 1t had
been my intention, up to the time OF crossing
the Mississippi River to collect all my forces at
Grand Gulf, and get on hand good supply of
provisions and ordnance stores before moving,
and in the meantime to detach an army corps
to cooperate with Gen. Banks on Port Hudson
and effect o junction Of our forces
THE MARCH TO JACKSON.
About this time received letter from Gen.
Banks, giving his position west of the Missis-
sippi River. and stating that he could return
by the reduction of Port Hudson he could join
me with y OO0m men. I learned about the same
time troops were expected at jackson from the
Southern cities with Gen. Beauregard in COM
mand. To delay until the 10th of May, and
for the reduction of Port Hudson after that,
the accession of 1900 men would not leave
me relatively so strong as to move promptly
with what had. Information received from
day to day OF the movements of the enemy
also impelled me to the course pursued
While lying at Hawkinson'S Ferry waiting
for wagons, supplies, and Sherman's corps,
which had come forward in the meantime, de-
monstratiOnS were made, successfully believe
to induce the enemy to think that route, anG
the one by Halls Ferry above were objects of
much solicitude to me. "Reminiscences were
made TO the west side OF the Big Black to
within six miles of Warrenton. On the 9TH of
May an advance was ordered, McPherson's
corps keeping the road nearest Black River
to Rocky Springs, McClenands corps keeping
the ridge road from Willow Springs and Sher-
man following with his corps divided on the
two roads. All the ferries were closely guarded
until our troops were well advanced 1t was
my intention to hug the Black River as closely
as possible with Netherlands and Shernan's
corps, and get them to the railroad at some
place between Edwards Station and Bolton
Mcpherson was to move by way of Utica to
Raymond, and from there into jackson, de-
strOying the railroad, telegraph, public stores,
&C., and push west to rejOin the main force.
Orders were given to Mcpherson accordingly.
Sherman was moved forward on the Edwards
Station road, crossing Fourteen Mile Creek at
billions plantation; McCIernand was moved
across the same creek, further west, sending
enc division of his corps by the Baldwin S
Ferry road as far as the river. At the crossing
OF Fourteen Mile Greek both McClernanG and
Sherman had considerable skirmishing with
the enemy to get possession of the crossing.
MCPHERSON met the enemy near Raymond, two
brlgades strong under Gregg and Walker, on
the same day engaged him. and after several
hours hard fighting drove him with heavy loss
III killed, wounded and prisoners. Many
threw down their arms and deserted NV
position at this time was with Sherman's CORPS
some seven miles west of RAYMOND. and about
the centre of the army
On the night of the 18th of Nav. after Or
ders had been given for the corps of McCIer-
nard to march towards the railroad bv paralle
roads, the former in the direction of Edwards
Station, and the latter to point on the rail-
road between Edwards Station and Bolton
the order was changed, and both were directed
to move toward Raymond. This was in conse-
quence of the enemy having retreated toward
information receiv1l that achievements were
daily arriving at Jackson, and that Gen. Joe
Johnson was hourly expected there to take