Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-05-20
rae wan IN THE s0UTnWEsT.

J6lkson Mssssippqn PROCESSES to give succnct, cor
and ineligible statement of the late battles and
of the situation on the 18th inst, which copy
furnishing an introduction to the history Of recent
events:
Grant had moved a large body of troopsRcross the
peninsula, opposite Vcksburg, as to obtain river
crossing BY means of boats which had run our bate
ries a. point below all Vcksburg WarrentOn and
Grand Gulf garrisons. His first effort 10 silence
our battery at Grand Gulf and then force landing at
that point. Hence fierce aud terrific bombardment
moving up within three hundred yards and within long
range OF our sharp shooters. Bravey the late Col.
Wade and his cannoneers stood toit; and the result
was although Col Wade killed. tue batteries drove
the feet o badly inurog one boat and sinking anOth
era fact which has not been previously noticed.
Grant vas forced to selscta point ten miles below
Grand Gulf for landing Which was effected during
she night General Bowen seut Forward portion OF
General Green's brigade 10 sklrmish with the enemys
advance, wtich began early on Thursday night. The
enemy kept in check until of troops could
be brought up The force at Grand GGif, before the
arrival OF renioreements consisted Of Two small bril-
gades the first brigade commanded by Colonel Cock
erel consisting OF the frst second, third, fifth and
sixg Missouri Infantry, and the second brigade, COM
handed by Gen. Green, consisting OF the fifteenth and
twenty-frst Arkansas twelit Arkansas battalion, first
Missouri cavalry, dsmounted, and the - Missouri
infantry, Colonel Samuels and the sixth Mississippi
OF tins little force regiment the second Missouri
Lieut.. COL SentneT in the entertainments at the Gu
20 protect the batteries and prevent movement in our
rear the others distributed TO guard bridges aud
passes the Bayou Pierre tue route to the scene OF
action nearly fifteen miles; Gen. Green's command
which Was first brought into action was nearly exhausted
and the remainder OF the force met the enemy in one oil
the most herce and sangunary conflicts, cont nding
with the ut least twenty five thousand
Early on Friday TWO brigades arrived, commanded
hy Tracy nd Gan Ralnuin eVha nv "A
long forced march, making the effective force our
SIDE az any time less than 5000 After forming into
something ike general line OF battle Tracys brigade
(en T. having already falen) was pressed hard by su
periOr numbers; Col Erwin, 9th Mo-, arriving their
right without. orders acting Gen. BeaursgsrdS sug
gesOn 70 in the ABSENCE OF orders to the heaviest
irRg) charged the enemy, drove hp back recaptured
section OF Capt Johnsons Virginia battery and held
goOdthe ground for and hall hours against fear
tul odds. Al the same moinept TTaoy's brigade
ceived orders to tall back ana retired leaving Col Err
win to contend alone and the officer 10 command
deemed IL afterwards hazardous and uAeless TO attempt
support COL Erwin. At the expiration OF an hour and
halt Col T. retired and had 70 leave the re-capured
guns Tor want OF and horses TO bring them away
This charge Of the 9th NO. deemed one Of the most
gallant aud daring feats of vsor ever Witnessed Loss
OF the 9th more than so men. Tracy's brigade
sayed ~ @nothet point or me iDe tHPs necessary TO
Gislodge the foe, and charge made by the Sd NO.,
COL Cause and IL. Col! Hubbeli ana the 5Gh No COL
MCGOWAN and Lt. Col. Bever, and led by Gen. Bowen
and Col CockeFel against two brigades OF the foe-
The nature OF the ground precmded the possibility OF
closing With tue foe and these TWO regiments held the
ground, moving down the ranks Of the foe, VINO could
Aot advance further during the day. Alt that could be
accomplished under these circumstance 10 check the
advance Of the foe until Grand Gulf could be evacuated
and our stores removed Big Black As our
forces retired over Bayou Pierre, the bridges
destroyed ALhe troops behaved with great gallantry.
The loss Of the LIST Brig was two hundred and twenty
five; the whole loss our side, about five hundred
the regiments which suffered most weFe-the Ord,
9Th and oh Missouri 18th, 2lst and 18th Arkansas
Sch Mississippi; Capt. Johnsons Virginia battery sut
tered much; and uapts Lands, Guibar aud Lieut.
Welc, ana their batteries respectively fought and SUI
fered severely.
The 2lst Arkansas, COL Cravens 18Th Arkansas,
Lieut. Col Reynolds and the 18th Arkansas battalion,
Capt Bayne dangerously wounded) behaved with great
gaantry, anu exhibited the most determined courage
TIE first brigade with Col. Gates and Col Erwus reg
meus covered the retreat aud the last day the bE
gade marchedsthirtytpo miles.
Il was impossible 10 prevent Grant from landing at
some point river coast on hundred mlies;
and when be had crossed the river, and developed
his plans, the purpose to CHECK his immediate adj
vance, and give time TO troops, and prepare
to meet him for trial OF strength. That is precisely
what is now beiug done.
Our troops we're never in finer health, or better
spirits All they ask for is such reasonable reinforce
able exest and prevent assault from several points
at the same time. Sur boys anticipate oSE great vic.
ory" in the West, ana they burn for an equal and
favorable Oppo. tuny finish their work ana vindcate
the reputation oil the army OF the Mississippi All these
conditions are complied WITH and Grants army
never Was before in so precarious situation. He must
either embark, and recrOs5 the river, move down
TO form junction with Banks shattered forces, be
captured, and that before many weeks.
Our fortunes, with Gods blessing, never looked
brighter.
With this cheerful view, one account closes The
public will look with deep interest for the next chapter
in the history Of the war in the Southwest the preface
to which was received by telegraph on Monday Mean
while, we copy from the vicksbdrg correspondence
(May l2) OF the Mobile Advertiser statement respect
ing the situation of affairs at that point:
Although the appearance of things about Yicksbure
wears threatening aspect at present. Il is gratifying to
behold the confidence with which every one regards the
situation. The prospects bid very fair for continued
siege perhaps interni1ed with repeated aud desperate
lighting IL evident that department commandant
is preparing for regular od.fashoned siege with de.
termination to hold hspo ii all the balance OF the
Conledera * should fall When such determination is
manifested, not surprised to Willingness of
the ENTIRE army expressed to stand by their beloved
General.
The season Of the year when the Confederate army
always eeswith success is approaching, and our
troops being accimated and possessing ahe strength
aud energy of the native element Of the sell will be en-
abed fail upon the Northern dogs with all their ma
tive vigor-the result of course cannot be doubtful.
The force which General Grant is now bringing against
this place estimated at one hnndred and twenty-five
thousand Taking in view the vast extent of our line
of defences and the probability that assault viii be
made along its whole length at the same time can
easily comprehend that he viii need every man of
them.
Tue prospect for heavy crop of fruit rye and wheat
in Northeast Georgia was SO promising, and the
most extensive crops Of and potatoes are planted
Mrs. Thomas Gibson, of Warren county, Ga, has
made and is making good sewing silk. She has now
$4,000 worms and expects to produce Eve hundred
SIX IDS Of silk.
Selma, Alabama, is being put in state of defence
by the armng Of citizens aud operatives in Government
enPioy&-