The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1863-07-09
BEFORE VIcKsBURG, Miss.
June 20, 1863.

BEFORE VICKsBURG, Miss,
June 20, 1863.
Dear Brother and Sister Some time
has elapsed since you have heard directly
from me, and, indeed, have had but few
opportunities to write to any one during
the last two months, for, as you are doubt
less aware, Grants army has been actively
engaged since our advent into Mississippi
A brief sketch by participant may be Of
some interest to you.
On the oath of April last our division
Uogan's) with two others, comprising the
7th Army Corps, left Milliken's Bend, La,
by land, in the direction of Grand Gulf,
and after severe march of FIVE days we
arrived opposite Bruinsburg, Miss. On
the evening Of the Both we landed on the
"sacred soil' Of the chief state in rebeldon,
and at an early hour next morning we
resumed the line of march for Poit Glib
son, town of some importance, about nine
miles from the river When within three
miles of the town We met the enemy In
considerable force, aid after an obstinate
engagement of about eight hours, we were
masters of the field The rebels suffered
severely, while our loss was comparatively
light. Our regiment escaped remarkably,
losin but one killed and six wounded.-
We captured two hundred prisoners and
six cannon.
We next met the rebels, on the 18th of
May, al Raymond, in much stronger force
and better position than at Port Gibson.
The rebels opened upon Us with heavy
artillery FIRE, which was soon vigorously
replied to by our own, and for some time
it was exclusively an artillery duel. The
rebel guns, however, were ultimately ST.
fenced, when the rebels, as a last resort,
attempted to carry our batteries at the
point of the bayonet. This, of course,
brought forward our infantry, and the
most terrific musketry fighting that ever
witnessed was kept up for about two hours.
Our brigade stood the brunt of this action,
and our regiment was under fire for three
hours We had fred our last cartridge,
when two other regiments were sent to our
support, with the order to charge, which
was done in handsome style, and from
that time until night we pursued the re-
treating enemy, capturing trains, strag-
gers, guns, &c. 1t was most brilliant,
but hard Won victory. Our regiment
lost in killed and wounded over 33 per
cent of its number. Our Lit. Col. was
killed, also five line officers, and several
severely wounded. My company lost six
killed, and ten wounded.
A detail was left to bury the dead and
collect the wounded, while we pushed on.
Although foot-sore and weary, We marched
eighteen miles the day following, in the
direction of Jackson, the capital of the
State, where We again expected to enccun-
ter the enemy, and were not disappointed.
Early on the morning of the 14th Grants
cannons were laundering at the portals of
the capital, and after feeble resistance
the rebels destroyed its army stores, and
fed in confusion, leaving the "mudsills"
to reign supreme, while the Stars and
Stripes foated in triumph from the dome
of their State Capitol.
On the morning Of the 18th VIC cvacu-
ated jackson, aud commenced our march
on Vicksburg, and were met on the morn
ing of the 10th, near Edwards station, on
the Jackson & Vicksburg RR., by Gen.
Pemborton. commanding force OF thirty