Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1863-08-20
FROM THE WEST.
CAMP, 9TH ILLINOIS. Cav

|
June l4th. | gave condensed account Of
operations in the vicinity of Vicksburg
Since that time there has been great chang
es in the State of Mississippi. You will
long ere this, have learned of the down.
fall Of Vicksburg, and also the battle al
Helena, Arkansas. on the 4th of July, a
day that has been celebrated, and kept sa.
cred by the American people, since our
National Independence; but now the sur.
render of Vicksburg, with twcnty-seven
thousand, five hundred prisoners. seven
teen generals, one hundred and eight siege
guns, one hundred and fifty four field pei
ces of artillery, and thirty two thousand
stand of small arms. On that day, vic
tory without parallel in any war in the
history of the world, is greater reason
why we should celebrate it as a memora
BILE day, on which tyranny and treason
has been defeated by the Goddess of Lib
crty.
On the 9th of July, Gen. Grant issues or
ders to the different corps and divisions, to
provide four days rations in their haver-
sacks, and be in readiness to march at a
moments notice On the 9th, the army
took up the line of march in three col
umns. Gen. Ostcrhaus on the right,
Gen Steele, in the centre, and Gen. Parks
on the left, also one brigade of cavalry in
the centre. The expedition being under
command of Gen. Sherman. We crossed
Big Black river the same day. On the
9TH, the army moved on toward Bottoms,
town on the Vicksbnrg and Jackson
Railroad. We skirmishcd with the enc
my until we reached Bottoms, camped for
the night. next day at 8 p. m., started for
Clinton, met the enemy in force, skirmish-
ed, and drove them before us, reached
Clinton at dark and bivouked until morn
ing The cavalry were then sent on the
left flank to reconnoitre, formed junction
with infantry five miles from jackson,
then camped for the night, and next morn
ing moved for Jackson. When within
three miles of the city, our army came up
on the enemy's Notifications, which were
found to be strong and extensive, the
country very much broken and dense
groves of wood surrounding, which gave
the enemy great advantage Gen. Sher-
man then commenced operations by flank
ing and surrounding the enemy, which was
no small undertaking.
On the 9th, the cavalry brigade under
command of Col. Bassay, of the Sd Iowa
Cav, were ordered to go to Canton, Miss.
a town about thirty miles north of Jack
son, with intent to destroy the Railroad,
shops, &C., We started in good spirits,
believing the cavalry were about to have
an opportunity to do something, we had
fairly got under way, when the order was
given to level the fences. fearing an attack.
We kept on leveling fences until we arriv.
ed within three miles of Canton. We
there run into about thirty of the enemy's
pickcts, our whole force was deployed in
the field in line of battle, and there wait
ed until the enemy had all disappeared.
We then moved forward about % or "a
of mile, and halted a few minutes. The
order was then given to take westerly
course, which we kept up for some ten
miles. stopped, fed our horses, and then
took up the march for Jackson so were
we returned, without accomplishing any
thing. rh h'aa I Ht .ao'
Gen. Sherman then ordered out one
brigade Of infantry, and one battery, to
accompany the cavalry. The whole force
proceeded to Canton, and when within
three miles of the place, met the enemy ia
considerable force. We deploycd and skir-
pished. soon dispensing them, but instead
Of pursuing them into the town, We went
4, arRat pE