Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1863-06-26

stacked arms and awaited the LIST and Sd brig
AIDES TO take their place. The rebels opened
the fire, and at II O'Clock the ball fairly open.
ed. Our regiment replied with good effect
and murderous fire Of musketry ensued. On
our right the gallant 10th Illinois were too far
in advance, and became exposed to a cross fire
from some Of our own troops. They were
compelled to fall back and our right partially
gave way The rebels advanced yelling, until
the opposing line in front of cur regiment
was SO close we could throw our guns and
strike them. AT this critical juncture Col.
Force gave the command, Forward, Twen-
tieth," in a voice well known and always obey
{. ed A b out the m t me the
9Th Illinois charged on our right, and our own
charge was truly grand, driving back the ad-
: vanciDg rebels at dead run. To see them go
over the hill and through ploughed field was
certainly an interesting sight, as they threw
away gnn, cartridge boxes, coats, haEersncks, a,
blankets and everything that would enable
them 10 make better time. Gen. Gregg com
manded the rebels-Gen. Logan the Union
forces. The rebel force was about 1000 meH,
all engaged. Ours about 5000, about 1000
engaged. We were nearly equal in regard to
numbers, the rebels certainly having the ad-
vantage of position. In the battle of Ray
mond fought May 18th, our loss was 60 killed
and 250 wounded in the whole division. In
our own regiment we had 9 killed and 81
wounded. Among the wounded was Capt.
Kaga, acting Major of the regiment, and Ex-
Editor of the Shelby county Democrat. Kaga
was severely wounded in the right shoulder.
AT present he is doing we'll. Capt. Kaga is
brave officer and good soldier and has no.
bly, done his duty on every occasion. | under
stand he was taken prisoner at Raymond,
where we had to leave our wounded The reb-
Ell cavalry came into the town and paroled our
wounded men. Among the paroled prisoners
are S. P. Thrall, F. Pierson and E. Allen, of
company D, wounded at the battle of Ray
mond. J. F. Ledlie and L. J. Corwin. hospi-
tai cooks, were also paroled. To return to
our march on Jackson, we kept steadily on,
Netherlands force coming up on our left and
Sherman taking route that would bring him
east of jackson, on the road we moved
Quinby's division took the lead followed by
Logan's. About o'clock on the 14th firing
commen ced among the skirmishere of both ar
mics. Tie rebels steadily fell back, until with
in 3 miles of town they made a determined
stand. Their line of breastworks was well
and had they disputed the day with
US heavy loss both sides must necessarily
have been the consequence. AS it was our
killed and wounded were heavy for such a
short engagement. At 1 p. m. the rebels
made hasty retreat north of jackson aDd
our forces entered and occupied the town.
they left their cannon unfired and unspiked,
when they heard Sherman was getting in be-
hind them. They left doubtless for the pur-
pose of finding that classic battle ground, the
asst ditch, which is said to be somewhere here
n Mississippi. The houses along the road
rear town were deserted and our soldiers took
good deal ofliberty in approprating articles
to their comfort. Chickens turkies
Ind geese were 10 great demand, and eggs,
1utter and milk quite acceptable. Every house
rad large supply of sugar and molasses, and
iome of them had plenty of meat. Honey
vas found in abundance, and or these named
rtcles the soldiers levied for supper. l have
10 doubt but considerable damage was done
o the city. On the 18th we changed roads,
teering for Vcksburg, 50 miles distant On
he 10th we encountered strong rebel force
N the road to Vicksburg who were coming
o defend Jackson, as they did not know we
ad captured the place. The battle Of Cham
,ion Hills commenced at 10 o'clock and con-
inued till p. m. 1t was the most stubborn
attle of the war, holly and iercely contested
AllheHgh eur regiment bore its part ia the ac-
ion, we came out very safe. We had 2 killed
nd 28 wounded. The victory was q decisive
me, as we captured about 1000 prisoners and
% pieces artillery. The 32d Ohio and 9Th
illinois captured six gun battery, which is
ow manned by the 32d boys. In this battle
he rebels are said to have 25,OOO men engag-
d d-our force amounting to about 10000. Lo-
ans, Hovey's and Smiths divisions bore the
ruut of the fight so that till 4 o'clock we en-
aged them with only $4,000 TO 10000 men,
n the evening Blair came up on the left Carr
! the center and Quinby on the right. With
be renewed attack the rebels gave way and
Eft US complete masters of the field. The road
7as blocked up with dead horses, broken wag-
ns, and caissons, while small arms were scat
cred in every direction. On the 18th we had
mother battle, in which the rebels were again
epulsed-this time with heavy loss of can
on and prisoners. Since the lst of May we
ad gained decisive battles, captured nearly
90 pieces of artillery and about 5000 prison
rs, and now here we were on Big Black River
ith the road open to the Notifications of
-icksburg. The campaign thus far has been
ne of the most successful of the war, and it
lly needs the capture of Vicksburg to make
equal to any recorded in history.
At Champion Hills we had wounded in
,mpany D, v. Williams, slightly, NJ. Risher,
,verely, and Capt Hills, slightly in foot
Williams has returned to the company, and is
lady to pay the rebels at the first opportuni-
?. Risher is doing well, and Capt Hills has
gain taken command Of the company. John
Wallace, left behind at Bolivar has joined his
ompauy.
Hitherto have only spoken of our loss in
ounded. Would had no more to mention.
ur little band is now so small that the boys
gard each other as brothers, and no men,
er falls but his loss is deeply felt We have
# comrades at Shiloh, Bolivar and La
range, men whose history is written 10 the
ARTS of their surviving comrades, never to be
rgotten. We have two more to add to the
st. Lyman 9. Sherman and David Fl. Thorn
/, were soldiers that would be an honor TO
" company. In the battle Of Raymond L.
Sherman fell while noby discharging bis
lty He was shot in the head, and died in
antly Sherman was a soldier in camp or
Id quiet and peaceful, ever ready for daty,
ID during the time he had been in the service
was never excused from duty.
a soldiers heart, and a soldiers hand,
Our comrade brave possessed
HIS words and looks were kind and bland.
In friendships garments dressed.
Ever prepared at his country's call;
a With his comrades fer TO stand,
To conquer the foe or noby fall