The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-08-21
THE WEEKLY PIONEER AND DEMOCRAT.

making the roads at first slippery and then
miry. Notwithstanding, the troops marched
In excellent ORDER without struggling and in
the best of spirits about fourteen miles, and
engaged the enemy about IL o'clock NJ, near
jackson. McClernand occupied Clinton with
one division, Mississippi Springs with anotheg,
Raymond with third, and had his fourth a.
vision and Blair's division of Sherman's corps
with q wagon train still in the rear near New
Auburn, which Macarthur, with one brigade OF
his division OF McPhersOn's corps was moving
towards Raymond Oh the Utica road. 1t was
not the intention to move these forces any
nearer jackson, but to have them in position
where they would be in supporting distance if
the resistance at jackson should prove more
obstinate than there seemed reason to expect.
CAPTURE OF JACKSON.
The enemy marched out the bulk of his
forces on the Clinton Road and engaged Nc
PhersOns corps about two and a half miles
from the city. A small force of artillery and
infantry took strong position in front Of
Sherman, about the same distance out. By a
determined advance of our skirmishers these
latter were soon driven within their rifle pits
just outside the city. 1t was impossible to as
certain the strength of the enemy at this part
of the line in time to justify an Immediate as
sault; consequently McPherson's two divisions
engaged the main bulk of the rebel garrison at
jackson without further aid than the moral
support given them by the knowledge the en-
envy had OF force to the south side of the city,
and the few infantry and artillery of the enemy
posted there to impede Shermans progress.
Sherman soon discovered the weakness Of the
enemy by sending accommodating party to his
right, which also had the effect of causing the
enemy to retreat from this part of the line. A
few of the artilleristS, however, remained in
their places, firing upon Sherman's troops I'M
til the last moment, evidently instructed to do
so, with the expectation Of being captured in
the end. On entering the city it was found
that the main body OF the enemy had retreated
north, after heavy engagement of more than
two hours with McPherson'S corps, in which
he was badly beaten. He was pursued until
night, but without further damage to him.
During that evening learned that General
Johnston, as soon as he had satisfied himself
that jackson was to be attacked, had ordered
PembertOn peremptOrily to march out from
the direction of Vicksburg and attack our rear.
Awaiting myself of this information, I imme-
diate!y issued orders to McClernand and Blair,
of Sherman's corps, to face their troops toward
Bolton, with view Of reaching Edwards
Station, marching on different roads converg-
ing near Bolton. These troops were admirably
located for such move. MCPHERSON was Or
dered to retrace his steps early on the morning
Of the 18th on the Clinton road. Sherman
was left in jackson to destroy tee railroads,
bridges, factories, workshops, arsenals and
everything valuable for the support of the en-
envy. This was accomplished in the most et-
fectual manner.
On the afternoon of the 18th 1 proceeded as
tar west as Clinton, through which place Nc
PhersOn's corps passed to within supporting
distance of Hoveys division of McCiernandss
corps, which had moved that day on the same
road to within One and half miles of Bolton.
On reaching Clinton, at 4:45 P NJ 1 ordered
McClernand to move his command early next
morning toward Edwards Depot, marching so
as 10 Ieel the enemy ii he encountered him, but
not 10 orlng on general engagement, unless
he was confident he was able to defeat him,
and also to order Blair to move with him.
About five o'clock on the morning of the
10th, two men, employees on the jackson and
VIcksburg Railroad, who had passed through
Pemberton's army the night before were
brought to my headquarters. They stated Penn
berton's force to consist of about eighty regi-
ments, with ten batteries of artillery, and that
the whole force was estimated by the enemy
at about $4,000 men. From them also learn
ed the positions being taken up by the enemy
and his Intention of attacking our rear. I
had determined to leave one division of Sher-
mans corps one day longer in jackson, but
this information determined me to bring
MI entlre command up at once, and l ac-
cOfolngly dispatched him at $50 A. NJ. to
move with all possible speed until he came up
with the main force near Bolton. My dispatch
reached him at 1880 A. NJ. and his advance di-
vision was IL motion in one hour from that
time. A dispatch was sent to Blair at the same
time, to push forward his division in the direc
ton of Edwards Station with all possible dis
patch. McClernand was directed to establish
communication between Blair and Osterhaus.
OF his corps, and keep it up, moving the for
mer to the support Of the latter. Mcpherson
was ordered forward at 5:45 A. d.. to ioir Nc
Clernand, and Lieut. Col. Wilson, of my staff,
was sent forward to communicate the informa.
ton received, and with verbal instructions to
McClernand as to the disposition of his forces.
AT an early hour left for the advance, and on
arriving at the crossing Of the Vicksburg and
jackson Railroad with the road from Raymond
to Bolton, found McPhersOns advance and
his pioneer corps engaged in rebuilding q bridge
on the former road that had been DESTROYED by
the cavalry Of Osterhaus division that had gone
into Bolton the night before. The train of
HoVeys division was at halt, and blocked up
the road from further advance on the Vicks-
burg road. ordered ali quartermastcrs and
WaGOnmastcrS to draw their teams to one side
to make room tor the passage Of troops. Nc
Phers0n was brought up by this road. Pass
ing to the front, found Hovey's division of
the 18th army corps at halt, our skirnishers
and the enemy's pckets near each other Ho-
vey was bringing his troops into line, ready
for battle, and could have brought on an en-
gagement at any moment. The enemy had
taken up very strong position on a narrow
ridge, his LEFT resting on height where the
road makes sharp turn to the left approach
ing Vicksburg. The top of the ridge and the
precipitous hillside to the left of the road are
covered by dense forest and underground
To the rign, OF He road the timber extends q
short distance down the hill, and then opens
into cultivated fields on gentle slope and into
valley extending for considerable distance.
On the road and into the wooded rayine and
hillside HOveys division was disposed for the
attack. McPherson's Two diviaions-al of his
corps with him on the march from Nillikens
Bend (unti KanSom's brigade arrived that day
after the battle)-were thrown to the right of
the road, properly speaking the enemy's rear
But would not permit an attack to be COM
menced by our troops until I could hear from
McClernand, who was advancing with four d.
visions. two Of them on a road intersecting
the jackson road about one mile from where
the troops above described were placed. and
about the centre of the enemy line: the other
two divisions on the road still north and near
ly the same distance Off
BATTLE OF CHAMPION ELL.
I soon heard from McCernand, through
members Of his staff and my own, whom had
sent to him early in the morning, and found ty
the nearest practicable route of communic;..
ton he was two and half miles distant
sent several successive messages to him to push
forward with all rapidity. There had been
continued firing between Hovey's skirmishers
and the rebel advance, which, by IL O'clock
hotfl Enr a., :x..