Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1863-01-16
FROM vICKsnURG,
PARTICULARS OF THE RECENT BATTLE.
YAzoo RIVER. Dec. +!


zoo1river, nine, miles northeast of Vicksburg
They are very formidable throughout. Rife
pits at the base of the bluff, and single CUR
batteries are scattered along the face There
are also field works for light artillery, or t.
mount heavy guns, in an emergency, on the
top. The rebel forces are from 90 900 to %,
OOO strong, commanded by General Lee.
Our army obtained positions and on Sun.
day attacked all the lines. On Monday a
general engagement followed, and heavy fight
ing took place at several points along the line
Gen. Morgan L. Smith, Of st. Louis, was
wounded, leading charge, by a musket shot
in the thigh, but not severely, and is doing
well. Col. Wyman, 18th illinois, was shot
in the breast while leading his regiment, in
Steele's division, into action. He was killed
instantly.
a splendid charge was made by Frank
Blair's brigade, Blair leading in person. He
bad two horses shot under him, but fearless
~ led his men on foot and carried the rife
pits at the foot Of the bluff. Blair was the
drst man in the enemy's works. Decourcy
and Dove, OF Stuarts brigade, supporting,
got into some confusion and did not come up
in time, and Blair was compelled to retire.
CO.. Lavender, of the Goth Missouri had
his horse shot under him. COL Fletcher,
( 2lst Missouri, was wounded and left on the
Held. Col. Diesler, 18th Ohio, was killed
Stuart's brigade suffered badly, but be-
havcd nobly. The 9th and 9Th Missouri sup
ported by the 18th regulars, fought whole
division Of rebels, and repulsed them with
great slaughter.
The following are among the casualties
Lieut.. Col. Kitchener, 22d Kentucky, killed :
: Lieut.. Col. Simpson, 5Sth Indiana, killed !;
Major Jameschey, 32d Missouri, wounded !;
Col. Williamson, 4th Iowa, wounded; Gen.
Morgan l.. Smith, commanding division,
flesh wound on Saturday, but is doing we'll
Our losses are officially reported at 75O
killed, wounded and missing.
The 9th and 9Th Missouri particularly dis
tiEgnished themselves, crossing the bayou
on the right. The Saith Ohio was nearly cut
to pieces. AT the same time another Ohio
regiment charged upon the rebel cavalry,
broke and fed. The cavalry surrounded and
captured 800 of them. The battle was Who'll
~ barren ofresults, and both forces occupied
the same position at the close as at the com
mcncement. There was heavy rain on Mon.
day night; an inch and half of water fell,
and prevented further movements.
Everything was quiet yesterday. Desert
ers say the rebels are evacuating. The ex-
petition did not get through to destroy the
railroad. Trains are running night and day !;
their whistles were heard plainly in our lines.
Our right is in plain view of Vicksburg, and
can hear the town clock strike the hour
Nothing has yet been heard of Banks and
Farragpt but they are expected hourly.
NO demonstration has yet been made on the
front Of Vicksburg. No fighting of conse-
Quence has taken place since Monday.
The dead were buried under flag of truce.
On wednesday many wounded were found
on the field. Our total loss in the Yazoo
movement is 600 killed, l, 100 wounded, and
800 prisoners. The eneiny's loss is much
less, owing to the protection Of rife pits and
other rebel works.
Pemberton and Price, with the bulk of the
rebel army in front of Grant, arrived at
; Vicksburg; also relnforcements from the
/ east. One hundred and sixty guns are
mounted in battery, and an immense guam.
t'ty OF field artillery are in position. There
are seven miles of rifle pits at the foot of the
blum, besides sem-circular range of works
incloslng Vicksburg, two miles back Of IKE
city. Gen. Sherman ordered retreat on
New Years night. The movement commenc.
ed on Friday morning, and our forces were
all safely embarked before they were discov-
cred. ....
The rebels made dash at one brigade of
Morgan's division, loaded on transports "
ing at the bank, near Chickasaw bayou The
gunboats Marmora, Lexington, rams Swift
erland and Monarch, and the Chicago Mer-
camille battery opened fire and repulsed the
assailants. No one was hurt on our side
Ihe enemy were badly slaughtered before
they could get away. 1t is supposed they
mistook our gunboats for transports and tho't
no gunboats near
The feet dropped out of the river before
dark on Friday, and anchored up at MILL
ken's Bend, and is now moored to the Louis
! lana shore The naval squadron is anchored
at the mouth of the Yazoo. The Yazoo riv-
er IS wholly evacuated, and abandoned to the
enemy.
Gen. McClernand arrived on Tuesday
night, and assumed command on Friday
night. lie will soon determine plan of op-
erations. Gen. Sherman divides the army
with him. each taking corps, Gen. McCler.
nand having command by seniority. Moth.
ing has yet divulged Of future movements
Lieut. Commanding Gwin, late of the gun
boat Benton, died this afternoon from wounds
Z received on the 9th ult. His remains will
] BE- sent North.
/ Continuous and very heavy rain lasted
thirty six hours. Six inches Of water have
fallen on level; there was severe thunder
and tightening.
The Mississippi is rising rapidly.
NAPOLEON, ARK, JAN 8.
The great expedition to open the Mssiss.
ippi has come to naught The siege of yioks
burg has been abandoned, at least for the
present, and the entire army is moving up
the river. We left the mouth of the Yazoc
Wednesday morning.
Owing to lack of coal the transports
were compelled to tow the gunboats, and
the whole feet moves slowly. The Benton
was left to guard the mouth of the Yazoo.
An expedition, bound on secret move
/ ment, this side of Vicksburg-exact point
i aimed at not permitted to be published
be heard from soon.
The withdrawal from Vicksburg was de-
cided on because Of the improbabiity of re-
ceiving reinforcements at present, and tn,
lmpossibility of doing anything with tn,
! present force.
The advance Of the expedition has already
3 reached this point
Arkansas and White rivers are both full
] to the banks.
Reports are current here that the rebe