Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1863-05-29
JOHN A. RAWLING.

the army rests on the Mississippi, above Vicks-
burg
Signed JOHN A. RAwLING,
Acting Adjuiant Gen.
P. ST. learn further that there are from I5,-
! 900 to 10000 men in Vicksburg, and that Penn
berton has lost nearly all Of the field artillery,
and that the cannonading at Vicksburg closed
about three o'clock p. m. on the Doth. Major
General Grant has captured nearly ALL
Washington May o4.-The following official
details of the battle of Big Black River have
been received:
Rear Vicksburg, May 20th-6A.M.
To E. M. Stanton, Secretary Of War:
General Grant won great and momentous
victory over the rebels under Pemberton, on the
jackson g. Vicksburg road at Bakers Creek, on
the 18th inst. Pemberton had a most formida-
BILE position on the crest Of wooded hill over
which the road passes He had about 5,000
men. The battle began about eleven o'clock in
the forenoon and was gained at four in the after
noon. The brunt of the fight was borne by
hoveys Division Of McClernand's Corps, and
Logan and Crocker's Divisions Of McPherson's q
Corps.
! Hovey attacked the hill and held the greater
portion till o'clock in the afternoon when, hav-
| ing lost 600 men, he was succeeded by Boomer
and Holmes brigades of Crocker's division, by
which the conflict was ended in that part of the
field. Boomer lost 500 men. Logan operated
on the right and cut off the eneIny's direct re-
treat, so that he was compelled to escape by the
right flank through the woods. Logan lost 400
killed and wounded. We took about 9, 600 pris-
oners.
On the 7th, advancing to the Big Black river,
we fought Pemberton, and again at the bridge
there, and captured 1900 more prisoners. He
fought in rifle pits protected by difficult bayous
full of abattis. Lawless brigades of McCler-
nands corps charged the rife pits magnificent
ly and took more prisoners than their own num-
bers. Pemberton burned the bridge and re-
turned to Vicksburg with only three cannon out
of sixty that he had taken out. Building four
bridges over the Big Black River, General Grant
arrived before the town on the evening of the
18th and holds it closely invested. He had op.
ened line of supplies to Chicksaw bayou, hav-
ing cut the town off from Haine's Bluff which is
abandoned by the enemy and which General
Grant will occupy. There was sharp fighting
through the day yesterday. Steele won and
holds the upper Bluffs and the enemy's water
batteries and gets water from the Mississippi.
Cairo, May 23.-Iti is reported that General
Sherman took Haines' and Ohicksaw Bluffs
with eight thousand prisoners one hundred guns.
ammunition, and commissary stores. The pris-
oners were paroled and sent across the Yazoo
river.
Gen. Shermans corps lost yesterday 500 killed
and wounded.
Mcpherson who held the centre lost very lit
tie, as did McClernand who occupied the left
wing.
The gunboats kept the enemy on the alert du
ring the night, and probably the town will be
carried to-day. There are from $4,000 to 90, 900
in il.
Another report is that these points were evac-
uated and Sherman took quiet possession.
General Grant attacked the upper batteries at
Vicksburg on Saturday, while the gunboats at
Ik..1 a. l-&t :
were captured and the guns turned on the water
batteries. Paroled prisoners who were brought
across from Vicksburg say that our forces have
possession OF the entire outer line of fortiica-
tions, and rebel officers told their men (since
captured at Haines Bluff that there was no
chance Of their escape.
Rebel force estimated from 10000 to 10000
the widest confusion existed among them, the
officers being unable to keep them in line of bat
tie. The Empress, the last boat up, says when
she left on Wednesday evening firing had ceas-
ed. No doubt but that the rebels surrendered
Gen. Blair reached Chackasaw Bluff Tuesday
and has sent down for rations.
Federal loss reported heavy. -N
Washington, May 24-At IL o'clock a. m. of
to-day the President received the following tel
egraph dispatch, announcing that Vicksburg is
ours:
Cleveland, May 24.--A dispatch from, Mr..
Fuller, the manager Of the telegraph at Mem
phis, dated late in the night says that the stars
and stripes float over Vicksburg and the victory
is complete have held this message hoping
to get the confirmation. but the line has been in.
terrupted and now give it to you.
New York, May 24-The Herald's special
dispatch says that advices from General Grant
received by the President tonight detail his
proceedings up TO the 10th inst. He had fought
tive battles captured sixty -iourguns, and taken
nine-thousand four hundred prisoners.
Washington, May 25.-The following was re-
eeived in Washington this morning:
Cairo, May 95.
To Hon. Gideon Welles, Sec'y Navy:
The following dispatch has just been received,
signed, A. N. Pennoek Fleet-CsptaiA Missis-
sippi Squadron:
Flag Ship Black Hawk, Haines'1
Yazoo River, May 90
To Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary Navy:
On the morning Of the 18th came over to the
YazOo to be ready 10 co-operata with General
Grant. Leaving two Of the iroa-elads al Red
River. one at Grand Gull, one at Carthage, three
at Marrenton and two in the Yazoo left me
small force, still disposed Of them 70 the best
advantage. On the 18th 81 noon firing was
heard in the rear Of VicksbuFg. which assured
me that the forces under Grant were approach
ing the city. The eanD0nading was kept np
for some time when by the aid Of
glasses discovered company Of our artillery
advancing, taking position and driving the reb-
els before them. i Immediately saw that Gem
eral Sherman's division had gone to the left Of
Snyder's Bluff and that the rebels at that place
had been eat Oh from joining the forces In the |
citJ. dispatched the DeKalb, lieutenant
Oommander Walker, Choctaw, Lieuienant- Com
mander Ramsay Romeo, Petrol and Forest Rose.
all under command Of Lieutenant BFeese up the
Yazoo 20 open communication 10 that wav with
Generals Grant and Sherman This succeeded
N doing andin three hours received letters from
Generals 0fanh sherman and Steel. informing
me Of hir victories and asking me 10 send ne
provisions, which was at once done In the
meantime Lieutenant- Commander Walker. n
he DeKalb, pushed on 10 Haines' Bluff which
he enemy had commenced evseuating the day