The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1863-08-28

in the rear near New Auburn while Nc
Arthur with one brigade of his division of
AcPherson's corps was moved toward Kay
mond on the Utica road. II Was not the in
tention to move these forces any nearer
Jackson. but to have them in q position
where they would be in supporting disi1nce
il TIE resistance at Jackson should prove
more obstinate than there seemed reason 10
expect.
CAPTURE OF JACKSON.
The enemy marched on, the bulk of his
force on the Ci.nton rosd and engaged Me
fherson's corps abou, 2l miles from the city
A small force Of artillery and infantry tool
strong posi,i on in front OF Sherman, abou'
the same distance out. By determined
advance on the part of our skirmishers these
latter were soon driven within their rif1e-pits
just outside of the city. 1t WAS impossible
/. to ascertain the strength of the enemy a.
this part of the line in time to justify sn i'm.
mediate assault: consequently McPhersou's
two divisions engaged the main bulk of the
rebel garrison II jackson without further
aid than the moral support given them by
the knowledge the enemy had of force to
the south side Of the city and the few in.
fsntry and artillery of the enemy posted
there to impede Sherman's progress. Sher-
man soon discovered the enemy's weakness
by sending a reconnOitering party to his
right, which also HAD the effrc. OF causing
the enemy to retreat from this part Of his
line A few OF the artilleIists, however. re-
msined in their places, firing upon Sher
mans troops until the last moment. eviden'
ly instructed 10 do SO, with the expectation
o. beng captured in the end. On entering
the city it was found that the main BODY OF
the enemy had retIeated north. after heavy
engagement Of more than two hours with
McPherson's corps in which he was badly
beaten. He was pursued uniil near nighi,
bat without further damage TO him.
During that evening iearnei that Gen
Johnston. as soon as he had satisfied himself
th,t lacksoa was TO be attacked had orter
ed Pemberton peremp orily u march our
from the direction of V.cks5lrs and attack
cur rear. Awaiting my self OF this informa
ton. l mmed ateiy issued orders to ieCicr-
usnc and Blair, OF Sherman corps. to t.ce
their troops toward Bottom, with a view of
r acnipg E1g4ris' Station, marching on
different roads converging near B,iton.-
These troops were admirably located Tor
such move. McPher on was ordered 70
re- race his seps early op the morning of the
Is h ~ the Clinton road. Sherman was
left in Jackson to DESTROY the railroads,
bridges, factories. workshops. arsenal and
ever ything valuable tor the support OF the
enemy This was accomplished in The most
| eff-e,ual manner.
On tre afternoon of the 18th proceed
ec as far west as Clinton. through which
place McPh-rson's corps passed to within
supporting distance OF Hovey's division of
McClernand's corps. which had moved iha,
day on the same road TO within miles of
Bolton. On reaching Clinton a, 4:45 N :.
ordered McClerDsnd to move his command
early next morning tward Edwards Depot,
marching so to feel he enemy, il he en-
countered him, but not to bring . gem
eral engagement. unless he was confident he
was able to defeat him and also TO order
Blair TO move with him.
About s O'Clock on The morning of the
18th two men. employees on the Jackson
and VicRsburg railroad. who had passed
through Pemberton's army the night before
were brought to my headquarters. They
stated Pemberton' 8 force t. consist of about
so regiments, with 10 batteries Of artillery,
and that the whole force was es,imAt ed by
the enemy ut about e, 900 men From them
I also learned the positions being taken mp
by the enemy. and his intention of attack
ing our rear. had determined to- olease one
in Jackson. but this information determin-
ed me to bring up his entire command at
once, and / accordingly dispatched him at
$40 A. NJ. to move with all possible speed
until be came up with the main near Bolton.
Nv dispatch =. cached him at 7:1O A. M.. and
his advance division was in motion in one
hour from that time. A dispatch was sent
| 70 Blair at the same time. to push forward
Z b,a div,S,,D a, ha 1i,acs.cn Of "a
Station with all possible dispatch. McCler
nand was directed to establish communica-
ton between Blair, and Osterhaus OF his
corps, aud keep it up, moving the former to
the support Of the latter. Mcpherson was
orde. ed forward at 4:45 A. NJ, to join Ne
Cleraanj. and Lieut.. Col. Wilson, Of my
staff. was sent forward to commanicste the
in formation received. with verbal ms: rue
tons to NcClernand, as to the disposition
( OF lis ioTess. Al an early henr ieit for
tie advance, and on arriving g. The crossing
Of the VlcksbuIg and Jzttson railroad with
/ the road from Raymond o Bolton, found
McPn=rsen's sd,s ce aua his pioaesr corps
engaged ~ rebuilding bri3ss on the for
uier road rat ba! been destroyed by the
cavalry o. Osterhaus,s division that had
s.ae .ato y faa the ni1lt before. The
rain of uovey's division was AZ halt. AID
blockef up tue v3sG rom further advance
on ire V.oksburg road. lorteTed all & Ear
termAs and ~agcnm2s,e 20 dra. itssr
teams 10 one side ami make room FOR troo p.
Mcpherson was brought up by this asd--
Passing TO The .ront, found Hovey's di-
vision os the 18Th Army Corps at halt,
Z viii our skirr,;s.srs nj the enemys pickeis
near each o'he- Hovey VAS bringing his
troops io.o iipe. ready for battle. and could
have broush, on Al engagement at any mo-
men.. Tae enemy bad 'aken up very
strong position on narrow ridge. his left
resting on height where the road makes .
sharp ,urn 10 he Ieis approaching sleks-
burg. The top Of the ridge and The pre-
r,n,:ous hillside to the leit o. the road are
covered by dense forest and undergroxth.
| To .hs right Of the road the timber extends
/ . short distance down the hill, and then
"Opens into cultivated felds on gentle slope
and into valley extending for . consider.