, 1863-05-18
cannot better describe the situation then
Of the following rough diagram: 'D'&'

| logan's division WAS ordered tn take n
road to the left, while Smath's brigade tool
the road leading from the direct roadto Gran
gun, and bfanc('ing into the former as indica
balance Of lis corps, Kept on the direct roa,
10 tue Big Black Crossing. The object Of hi
movement is evident. If Logan couid no
INTO the rear of the enemy we had than
| baeged- That we did not run into them is NJ
fault Of plan. The enemy appeared to hav,
mace me oest OF bis way to the crossing alont
| the directest road. There were fGW strngs
glerss, hundred in all, captured on the III
hand road by Gen. Logan, aud Gen. Crant
who accompanied him.
EVACUATION OF GRAND GULF.
When Gen. Lognn arrived at the iunctfou
ol tue Grand Gulf and Hankcrsoa7s Ferry
road, prisoners were captured who left Grand
Gn1 carly Sunday morning, and from them we
learned Of the evacuation 81 that position. W.
l had heard early in the day, three heavy reports
in that direction, and supposed the eunboats
we're at work. 1t now turns out that thcse
we're occasioned By the explosion Of powder
magazine, and the ArinE of Of twn "nns M
which ut the time Of its abandonment Terc
loaded: The rest Of the guns were spiked.
and left behind. As soon as this infor1nation
reached Gen. Grant, he rode thithcr. accnfn.
panied by Iogan's escort, and remained fhcrc
until midnight, when he returned to th;s
place. When he left, thegunboats were 1r;no
of the fort, and the camp was occupied br :
Federal garrlson. J"
REBEL PLEAsASTREs.
Inc troops reached q road crossing thrca
= mics from the Ferry, about five ltl.t ni,,ht
and halted at the same tree under which Gen''
erals Lee, Loring, Tighlman and Pemher@.n, IN
1tor Me were following all these distinguished
o1ncers md halted two hours before. Fr,r.
ments Of dispatches, bearing the sirnatnrtsss %s
ol these officers, aud directing the movements
q the retrcatfng army, were discovered MI
directly In front Of the tree on a boa7i1 na;1a5
to an upright and planted in the ground ~.
thc following characteristic message to onr,
selves: ~ oui'
"IAsKs! Tou can't catch us this time. We
are foo smart Tor you. Meet us in |ickshur1 and
VIC will dail you like hcli.'' 0Ao
Signed. Rens.
There was also an order from Gen. Lorinc
TO Zen. Tighlman, requiring him to retreat as
rapidly as possible, and to throw out stron@
nue o1 sh1f1nlshcrs to protect his rear.
ZIG BLACK CROSSING.
-, -. ihere was ferry hero in ordinary times.
PEELED the construction Of pontoon brifiee
ever which the rebels crossed the river. ~
1ohoEed them closely, and inst "a ne m.
pteaeacu pas ~ Within range were sa1u,ed with
tMfl C5lsk arn ron the rebel rear guard. The3Oth
Unlo ~ !nat Ime IN the advance, were deploy
~-'N A-~t . tAAu lHOfEG toward the rfrnr
1hcy exchanged shots and managed ~ Iii
tnfee or four men who were in tbr act nt cnt-
ing dunn the pontoon bridge, This Ia nrs-
served and guarded ut this end bT n connfl, ~
cannon and strong picket guard. "tte u
THE SITUATION.
The army is at rest to day. The evh,ust;ro.
march from Millikcn's Bend and tie scrnrs
battle Of Friday has rendered brief resn;t..
lmpe'atiYely necessary. Important recon.
uoissanccs are being made up and down H.
river, one ofthem to Rocky Ford above. Thc !
enemy have four boats up Big Black. one ~ |
[hen' the Paul Jones, 4 cotton clad gnn hat
To-day the scouts report them rcturninrr tn
the north bank Of Big Black river, and dis.
Possd to dispute our passage. They have
:neled ,Islt our position furiously during thc
night and up to the eprcscnt writing this NOR.
3lng. There is no danger that we shall be
1Iiven back, although 1t is not impossible
ne Tt may be compelled TO fight a battle herc.
1he !, army Is In excellent spirits, and although
hc Tcather is hot eco deg. in the shade !.
heir health is I'LL that coula BE- desired. ~,
zSfEeT = to capture l'icksbn,y niihin tic nezt ten
r nyif<m d1yx; Troops arv marching from
irand Gulf hither, aud VIC shall soon Be- nrc.
:tlea y lot movement which shall be ran.
4'A NNsistee. Bop.
From TG.1vf |