The Portland daily press., 1863-05-26
The Bate of Champion Hill and Black
River Bridge.


CHICAGO, ILL.,, May 25.
Special dispatches contain the following
| Champion HUI, rs mites east Of Vicksbufg,
May i6M.-Early this morning Gen. McCler-
nands corps was put in motion. Hovey's d-
vision was on the main road IRON jackson to
| Nicksburg, but the balance of the corps was
| few miles to the southwark on parallel
/ road, and McPherson's corps followed Hovey's
| division closely. Alto O'Clock Hovey discov-
cred the enemy in front on Champion Hill, to
the left of the road, near Bakers Creek, APP
| parently in force. Skirmishes were thown
| out, and the division advanced slowly to give
McPherson's advance division, under Logan,
time to come within supporting distance. Gen.
Hoyey's division advanced across the open
field, AT the foot of Champion Hill, in line of
battle. At Il O'Clock the battle commenced.
The hill itself was covered with timber, and
is. in fact, but an abrupt terminus of "A high
ridge running north and south, and hanked
both sides by deep ravnes and guleys. The
rebels appeared deficient in artillery through
out the battle, but opened with rather heavy
hire from four gun battery OF rifed 6-pound
ers. The woods on both sides of the road
leading up to the face of the hill. and winding
back on the ridge a mile or more, were filled
with sharpshooters, supported by infantry.
Here the battle began Just as our men entered
the edge of the timber, and ragged terribly
from until about 4 O'Clock.
Gen. Hoveys division carried the heights in
gallant style, and making dash on the first
battery drove the gunners from their posts
and captured the pieces. The rebels lay thick
in the vicinity OF the guns and their horses
were more than half killed. The colors OF the
LIST Alabama regiment were captured there
At this juncture MtchelI's Ohio battery was
opened at about so yards from the brow of the
hill. The rebels made dash for il but the
1eetness of the horses prevented its capture
at the same time the rebels appeared with
fresh troops on that wing and redoubled their
efforts to hold their position and dislodge our
troops on the hill. Hovey was slowly driven
back to the brow, but a brigade from General
Quimby was ordered to his support and the
ground was speedily recovered and the rebels
finally repused.
At the commencement of the engagement
Gen. Logan's division marched past the brow
of the hill, and forming line of battle on the
right of Hovey advanced in grand style,
sweeping everything before them. At the
edge of the road in front of Logan the battle
was most desperate; not man tlinched or
line wavered in this division, and all behaved
like veterans. Two batteries were captured
by this division. Between Sand 4 o'clock Gems.
Osterhaus' and McArthur's divisions came into
action on the extreme left and completed what
had been so auspiciously carried forward.
They were both miles away when the engage
tUtUt Dtpdi. Dut were FORWARD
quickly as possible. The enemy were in full
retreat soon after.
ST. LOUIS, May 25
A band of guerrilas captured the town of
Richmond, Clay Co.. last Tuesday night. Az
ter short fight the Federal forces were taken
prisoners. Lieut.. Pavenston was shot by the
guerrilias after surrendering. The town was
robbed of everything that could be carried
away. The same band plundered the town of
Plaffsburp Clinton Gn N fTbursHay
From rebel prisoners we learn that Pember-
ton commanded in person at the late battles
near Vick>burg. Fiizhugh Lee and Gregg,
who commanded at the battle near Raymond,
and Others of note had subordinate commands
Great dissatisfaction exists towards Penber-
ton. He is accused by many OF selling out to
Grant. Also of planning the military opera
tons of the last four weeks SO as to insure the
latter's success.
1t is impossible as yet to do more than ap-
proximate our loss. 1t will probably turn out
to be about 1000 killed and wounded. But
few officers of distinction are injured. When
Grant appears, his reckless exposure of him
self on the field of BATTLE wins the I'M
bounded admiration of his men.
Black Rirer Bridge, ttceice miles East of
Ftcksburg, May 18th. Gen. Netherlands
corps marched to this place early this morn
ing. Asterhaus was in the advance and found
rebels strongly entrenched on the east bank of
the river. Our batteries were soon in posi-
ton. At 10 o'clock Gen. Lawey's brigade, in
Carrs Division, charged across the open field,
two hundred yards in width, and swarming
over into their entertainments. II cannon
were taken inside the earthworks, and from
500 to 1000 prisoners captured.
Gen. Greene's Missouri brigade OF rebels,
over 1900 strong was cut off by the Il It'll Wis
consin and surrendered. General Vaughan's
rebel brigade was also principally captured.
The rebel troops did not fight obstinately
to-day, they seemed to expect defeat Gen.
Osterhaus was slightly wounded but rode On
the field again.