Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1863-06-12
Correspondence Of che Journal.
Letter from the 72d o. v. I.

no materials for letter writing Since we came
here and communication was opened by way Of
Haines Bluff, constant duty and lack of any
convenience for writing, have prevented me from
sending you even line.
or the capture of Grand Gulf the battle near
Port Gibson, &c, you have learned fully. The
morning of May %, this Division, (the Sd of the
18th Army Corps,) began its march from the
old toward Perkins Landing. We passed over
a very beautiful and rich country, the finest l
ever saw. l shall never forget the splendor of
the country along the route we passed. Alliga-
tors were abundant and many one lay dead
on the banks of the bayous. Our course lay
along Brushy and Walnut bayous, then along
Roundaway, then Bayou Vidal, until we came
TO Perkins Landing, on the 9Th. We then
marched along the border of Lake st. Joseph
and again came to the river at Hard Times
Landing, four miles above Grand Gulf on the
7th, and crossed the river landing at Grand Gulf
the same day. We crossed on the Forest Queen
Next day we marched for the interior, keeping
a course parallel with the Big Black river
Sunday the 10th, we rested, the only rest we
had for eighteen days.
The country over which we passed in Mssis-
sippi is very broken and hilly aud of the very
worst character for military operations.
On the 18th, Gen. Steees Division, holding
the advanc of Sherman's Corps had skrmish
with the enemy at Fourteen Mile Creek. The
same day Gen. McPhcrsons Corps fought the
enemy at Raymond, utterly routing them and
capturing quite a number of prisoners. On the
18th the 18th Corps reached Clinton, on the
Vicksburg d. jackson Railroad, and the 18th
Corps reached point near Mississippi Springs,
where the enemy were expected to make stand
On the l4th there was heavy fall of rain, which
continued during the day. But the army push
ed on and at noon arrived within range of the,
enemy guns at Jackson. There was consider
able resistance and sharp fighting on the left,
where MCPHERSON was, but on the right there
was but little fighting By the time we had
got into position it was found the enemy were
running away, and at 3 p. NJ. we occupied the
city and Notifications. A few prisoners and l6
cannon were captured, besides large amount
otsupplies and ammunition. Our loss / cannot
state. In the I'D not a man was hurt, although
we were for some time under a heavy fire of ar
tillery. Next day Mcpherson moved towards
Vicksburgh, and Gen. Sherman's Corps began
the work of destroying supplies, ammunition and
public property of all kinds. The railroad in
all directions was completely destroyed The
Capitol, Penitentiary, Confederate House, Ap-
l peal office, DC, were demolished. The cannon
broken, spiked and thrown into the river. Vast
amounts of cotton, sugar and other articles des-
troyed. In short the work of destruction was
e complete. Nothing was left which could in the
least aid the rebels.
On the 18th McPherson's and McClernand $
Corps came upon the enemy near Edwards De-
pot, and a severe battle ensued resulting in the
defeat of the rebels with loss of over 5000 pris-
nd 4 al
followed up and more fighting ensued, resulting
III the capture of about 1000 prisoners and piec-
es of artillery. The same day the railroad
bridge across Big Black was destroyed. Pom
toons were thrown across the river and portion
5 of our forces crossed on the 18th. The remain-
der crossed on the following day. Little oppo-
position was made to our advance until we came
near the rebel works, when skirmishing began
On the 18th general attack was made along
the whole line, which proved unsuccessful
Our loss in the attack was quite heavy. Our
line was now within three hundred yards of the
rebel works, and skirmshing continually going
on. Favorable positions were selected for the
artillery and n brisk cannonade of the rebel
works was kept up.
On the 22d a general assault was ordered at
) 10 A. M, which was repulsed with severe loss.
J Our Regiment not being in front directly did
not suffer great loss. Gen. Blairs troops suf-
fered much. of the entire loss you will have
DelOTe LntS GtdCncS you. Del1eVe
we have now settled down to a regular siege of
the place. and its capture may be regarded mere
ly as question of time. Our artillery keeps
up quite constant fire on the rebels, while the
gun boats and nortars do their share / am
sure We damage the enemy considerably and
no doubt infict him severe loss. 1t is be-
I lieved he is short of supplies, and as he is now
completely hemmed in, must soon capitulate
We are now getting abundance of supplies
from Hanes' Bluff only six miles distant The
C latter place the enemy evacuated leaving his
heavy guns. The health of the army is good
Its esprit dcorps likewise good. Wenow get oui
mail with regularity, also late papers from the
north.
The country is remarkably rough and not lev.
el ground enough can be found on which tc
pitch tent The rebel position is strong rath.
er because of the impossible character Of the
ground than for any other reason.
1t M. t. Williamson, formerly on Gen. Den.
vers staff having reported here is now on duty
as aide de camp TO Gen. Buckland.
S Of Gen. Grants operations since leaving the
/ encampment obove Vicksburg. need say little
They speak their own praise in the grand re
i suits achieved For audacity, celebrity and
skill, they excel any movements of this war
I The enemy has been utterly dumfounded, igno-
rant of our movements and purposes and when
f ever he has been met he has been completely
# routed. We have captured many thousand pris-
: oners, and over 20 pieces of artillery. His only
line OF communication has been destroyed =
: Large amounts of supplies and ammunition have
been destroyed. The Capital of this State was
captured and voluntarily left after every thing
: which could be of use to the enemy was des.
is troyed. Railroad bridges and depots have beer
d destroyed. And, to-day, the rebel army find,
!, itself shut up closely in its Notifications, vrtu
" ally prisoners of war-because doomed TO be
come such. We have them secure. There i,
not the shadow of chance for their escape
With the gunboats on the river side and thi.
army in the rear what chance of escape is there
: left? They cannot cut their way out Moth
ing would suit us better than to have them at
tempt such thing.
Let the people take courage and hope.
/. glorious success shall crown the efforts of thi
army. Cease to be Respondent over draw
battle on the Rappahanock and rejoice over tri
: umphs here. Give to the army your suppor
d and words of cheer and it will achieve deeds O
! glory. Let the people but come up manfuly tC
" the work, fill up the army encourage the gal
liant soldiers and the end of this rebellion will
soon come.
Official list of killed and wounded of the 72d
Il Regiment, O.V l., in the vicinity of Vicksburp
= from May 10Th to May 29th, 1863:
!. 18th. 1t Col Leroy Crockett leg, slightly
18th. Cha's H. McCleary, Sergt Maj lef
thigh, slightly.
If 2ad. George NJ. Camp, private Co. B, shoul
der, slightly.
g 10Th. Fred. Smith, Co. G, private, head, severe
18th, Jeff BeerV Co q nri vate arm ali0ht