The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1863-08-19
I McCleruand moved for point near Ray

McCleruaud moved for point near Ray
mou6.
The next day Sherman and McPher-
son moved their entire forces forward .
toward jackson. The rain fell in tor
rents that day, making the roads at first
slippery and then miry. Notwithstand-
ing. the troops marched in excellent or
der without struggling and in the best
| of spirits about fourteen. miles, and en-
| gagged the enemy about II o'clock, NJ s.,
near Jackson. McClernand occupied
Clinton with one division of Sherman's
corps, with wagon train, still IN the
rear near New Auburn, while McPher-
sons corps was moving towards Ray
mond on the Utica road. 1t was not the
intention to move these forces any near
err jackson, but to have them in po-
sition where they would be in supporting
distance if the resistance at jackson
should prove more obstinate than there
seemed reason to expect.
The enemy marched out the bulk OF
his force on the Clinton road, and en-
gagged McPherson's corps about two and
q 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 de-
termined advance of our skirmishers
these latter were soon driven within their
rife pits Just outside the city. 1t was
impossible to ascertain the strength o.
> IL rart of the line IN
time to Justify an immediate assault
consequently McPherson's two division:
engaged the main bulk of the rebel gar
!, rison at jackson without further aid thar
: the moral support given them by The
, knowledge the enemy had OF force II
8 the south side Of the city, and the few in
fantry and artillery of the enemy poste'
4 there to impede Sherman progress
Y Sherman soon discovered the weakness
4 of the enemy by sending reconnoitel
j ing party to his right, which also had tn
;, effect Of causing the enemy to retrea
n from this part of the line. A few OF tn
l artillerists, however, remained in thei
t, places, firing upon Shermans troop
Q until the last moment, evidently IL
If structed to do so, with the expectatio
= Of being captured in the end. On ente
IS ing the city it was found that the mai
body of the enemy had retreated mort
e after heavy engagement OF more tina
{. two hours with McPherson's corps,
le which he was badly beaten. He WI
D. pursued until near light but witho
lie further damage to him.
i During the evening l learned that &c
"a eral Johnston, as soon as he had Statistic
ii himself that Jackson was to be attacke
IN had ordered Pemberton peremptorlly
d, march out from the direction of Wick
burg and attack our rear. Awaiting m
he self of this information, immediate
to issued orders to McClernand and Bla
Id ofSherman's corps, to face their trool
rs toward Bolton, with view to reachi
ID Edwards Station, marching on differe
ps roads converging near Bolton. The
,rt tr, ops were admirably located for such
ur move. Mcpherson was ordered to
trace his steps early in the morning
I'M the 18th, on the Clinton road Sherm
Of was left in jackson to destroy the rs
he roads, bridges, factories, workshops,
tn senals, and everything valuable for
,rt support of the enemy. This was acco
90 plished in the most effectual manner.
r Concluded tomorrow.
)m MI ACHTNE EST