The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1863-09-04
GEN. GRANTS OFFICIAL REPORT.
F4m history eF she vick sbuss Casa
poegA!
coHcLUsIoH.
pArTL. OF CHAMPION HILL.

BATTLE OF CHAMPION HILL.
soou heard from Nc Cleruand. through
members Of his staG and my own. whom
had sent TO him early iu the morning. and
found that by the nearest practical route o
communication he was 81 miles distant.
sent several successive messages TO him to
push forward with all rapidity. There had
been continuous firing between Hovey 3
skiYmishaTs and the rebel advance. which
by II o'clock, grew into battle. For SOME
time this division bore the brunt Of the con-
6ict, but finding the enemy too strong for
him, at the instance OF Hovey, directed
first one and then q second brigade from
Crooker's div ision to reinforce him. All
this time Logsn's was working upon the
euemy's left and rear. and weakened his
front attack most wonderfully. The troops
here opposing rs evidently far outnumbered
onrs. Expecting McClernsnd momentarily
with four divisions (iucluding BIair's)
never felt doubt of the result. He dill
not arrive. however, until tho enemy had
been driven from the field, after a terrible
contest OF hours, with heavy loss Of kill
ed. wounded and prisoners. and number Of
pieces Of artillery. It was found after
wards that the Vicksburg road. after fol-
lowing the ridge in a southerly direction
for about one mile, and TO where it intersec.
ted one Of the Ray ymond roads, turns almost
TO tho west, down the bill aud across the
valley ia which Logan WAS opei ating on the
rear Of the enemy. One brigade OF Logsn's
division had, unconscious Of this important
fact. penetrated nearly to this road, and
compelled the enemy to retreat 10 prevent
capture. As il Was, much OF his artillery
A.Syss. g "a.
of, besides the prisoners captured. On the
e>p - HsSev Gs< ..~-.- -.:-s~-----
before the rous Of the enemy commenced. I
ordered Mcpherson to move what troops he
could bya left flank around the enemy's
front. Logan rode up at this time and told
me that il Hovsy could make another dash
1t tho enemy he could come up from where
he then was and capture the greater part OF
their force. Immediately rode forward
and found the troops that had been so gal
lantiy engaged tor so many hours Withdrawn
from their advanced position, aud were fill
ing their cartridge boxes. directed to uss
all dispatch. and push forward a. soon as
possible. explaining to them the position Of
Logan's division. Prodceding stil farther
forward. expecting every moment TO see the
enemy. and reaching what had been his
line. found he was retreating. Arriving
At the Raymond road I saw to my left and
on the next ridge column of troops which
proved TO be Carr's division and McCler
nand with II in person /: and TO the left Of
Carr. Ostsrhaus's division soon afterwards
appeared with his skirmishers we'll in ad-
vance. sent word 70 Osterhaus that the
enemy was in full retreat. and 10 push up
with all haste. The situation vas soon ex-
plaiusd. after which I ordered Carr to pur-
sue with oil speed to Black river and cross
il il he could. and to Osterhaus to follow
Some Of McPherson's troops had already
got into the road in advance, but having
marched end engaged the enemy oil day
they were fatigued and gave the road to
Carr, who continued the pursuit till after
dark, capturing train Of cars loaded with
comuissary and ordnance stores and other
property. The delay in the advance Of the
troops iumedistely with McCiernand was
caused. no doubt. by the enemy presenting
. trout OF artillery and infantry where it
was Impossible, from the nature OF the
ground and The density of the forest, to
discover ais numbers. As il was. the bat
tie OF Chsrpion's Hill. or Bakers Greek,
was fought mainly bs Hovey's division 0!
McClsrnand's corps. and Logan aud Quim.
by's divisions (the latter commanded by
Brigndier General NJ. NJ. Crccker) Of Nc
Pherson's corps.
Ransom's brigade, OF Me- cpherson's corps,
came on the field where the main battle had
been fought Immediately after the enemy
had begun his retreat.
cRcssISG OF rnE BIG BLACK.
Word was sent to Sherman ~ Bolton. OF
the result OF the days engagement, with d.
rcotions to turn his corps to wards Bridge
port, and to Blair 10 Join him at this latter
place. Al daylight. on the nth. The pur-
suit was renewed with McClernand's corps
in the advance. The enemy was found
strongly posted on both sides Of the Black
river. AZ this point on the Black river. the
bluffs extend TO the waters edge on the
west bank. On the cast side is an open,
cultivated bottom near one mile in width,
surrounded by bayou OF stsgnant water
from two 10 three feet in depth. and from 10
TO 20 feet ia width. from the river above the
road to the river below. Following the 10 J..
side line Of this bayou, the enemy had con-
sssuoted ri6s pits. with the baycS to serve
- Q ditch on the outside and Immediately
in front Of them. Cars division occupied
the right in investing this place. and Lawler
discovered that by moving portion Of his
brigade under cover Of the bank he could
ret position from which that place could
b successfully assaulted, and ordered .
charge sccord;ngly. Notwithstanding the
level ground over which portion Of his
troops lad 70 pass without cover. aud ths