Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-05-20


bridge by which the railroad from Vicksburg
10 Jackson crosses from the north to the south
side of the Black. Here the two armies VILE
probably Join battle, and may God prosper or
cause and give us the victory.
THE BATTLE OF BAYOU PIERRE
From the Jackson Mss Appeal, Naval
Something OF the particulars of the affair mar
Port Gibson, that occurred on Friday last, has
rcache d US, alter pertinacious INQUIRIES made
in every direction 10 ascertain the result, and
we regret our report cannot, in trnfh, lr 20
favorable as have been those OF other operations
in this department.
There is no doubt but that the Federal forces
landed at Bruinsburg, below the mouth OF
Eayou Pierre, were much larger than had been
reported; that they excelled Gen. BoWen's
command al least five 10 one is Tot dou hted
The few prisoners taken from the enemy-only
some eight or ten-estimate the force engaged
1t twenty thousand, and claila that the reserve
on the river bank was equally great. To
oppose these Gen. Bowen had in the fight two
brlgades With such disparity in numbers.
OF course. a Confederate victory was next % an
impCsshility.
Gen. RoWen's object in leaving his position
at Grand Gulf, on the south side Of the Big
Black. and CROSSING Bayou Pierre, Wa, we
presume, to hold the enemy in check ana pre-
vent their advance into the country and avon
Pert Gibson until reinforcemants then kno WI
10 be on the way, could arrive. The move
9!tnis OF The Federals, howe, sr, were rapidly
made, and in great force. The forces me- about
midnight on Thursday. some two or three ri
IRON Port Hudson, and the fight RACED almosr
unnteTruptediy until toward evening on Fri
Gay. WheE Gen Bowen gave the order 10 fa!i
back across Bayou Pierre, which moyemen
was effected, and the bridges behind the re-
iTeating forces destroyed. o. cour-e this sten
Involved he loss of Porf Gibson, which was
occupied by the Eederals the same night Such
of our sick and wounded in the hospitals as
Were able 10 walk had timely warning. ana
crossed the bridges before they were fired The
remainder fell into the hands or the enemy
who, we are informed, found extensive hospi-
rp3iy
ON Saturday The anemy continu ued 10 ad-
vance in such nnmserS that il was da-men
best to retire across the Big Black. Saturday
night the works ar Grand Gulf were aban-
doned, after dismounting and destroying the
guns, and oil Sunday the army crossed the Big
Black at HaHkinSOn's ferry, where it was met
by achievements strong enough to make fur
ther retreat unnecessary, and to pre- vent pas
sage being effected by the enemy. This, We
believe, is the present position of our forces on
The Big Black, and rs any further ad vance OF
The enemy against Fieksburg will be contested
by greatly Increased forces, derived from no
matter where, and aided by all the artificial
detences that science can add 10 a naturally
strong position, q delay of active hostilities
must ensne that will enable our generals 10
make such further arrangements as may be
required.
We have made every effort to obtain some
intelligence of the loss on both sides, but have
been unable to do so. Yesterday mornine
nothing more was known at Vicksburg than
here. Both armies suffered severely. The gene
-
that our loss was one Thousand killed, woun.
ded and prisoners that of the enemy about
four thousand. Our killed and severely
wounded were left upon the field On Satur-
day the enemy refused to allow a party sent
out under flag of truce to bury the deaf 10
cross their lines for the purpose, saying that
their own details were attending to that tu:y,
and that the wounded We're cared for. They
secured some hundreds of prisoners. most Of
whom were sick or disabled.
The engagement was a long and bloody one,
and gallantly did our boys, for hours, repal
hordes concentrated against them. Whatever
of advantage the enemy gained was dearly
fought 1t was emily when our little band was
worn ont by fatigue and their ANN unition ex-
bausted that they fell back, which was done in
comparatively good order, and the army saved
TO win honors elsewhere, which they are now
prepared to do whenever the enemy see fit 10
advance toward the stronghold at Eicksburg
On Sunday morning, bridge having been
thrown across Bayou Pierre, a Federal caval-
ry force crossed and gave some little annoy
ancs 10 me rear OF our column moving along
the Big Black Nothing serious, however, oc-
Cured as the enemy generally kept az q re-
spe cti nj distance.
As we look upon it the position at Grand
Gulf was only of strategic Importance so long
sShe Big Black was navigable. The defenses.
such as they were Were emily constructed after
the enemy had succeeded in getting some ofhys
craft between Port Hudson and Ficksburg.
when it W as apprehended they might possibly
get transports through the canal. At that time
the Black was navigable as high mp as the rail-
road bridge, and 10 obstruct the passage of !.
forcp 10 the rear of Eicksbure bY that route.
he place was occupied The river has now
fallen, and a division of our forces for holdiag
Grand GRif is 10 longer necessary. It's ab b9n-
donment viii enable our Generals to concen-
frate their siren 9Th, whenever necessary -
move INLAND to some point where they ifnIgiie
communication can be cut OF, remains 10 b
seen. Military opinions difer as 20 what may !
be reasonably expected but watchfui eyes are
upon them. Our opinion is great battle viii
yetbe fought in open field, upos which the
fate of Vicksburg may, 10 some extent, s.epani-s
When it does eccpr, we shall entertain no fears
as to The result