The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-08-22

Gen. Pemberton to Gen. Gregg, who COM
manded the day before in the battle of Ray
mond. Sherman moved to parallel po-
sition on the Mississippi Springs and Jack
son road; McClernaiid moved to point
near Raymond.
The next day Sherman and Mcpherson
moved their entire forces towards jackson.
fore, and continued until about noon of that
day, making the roads at first slippery and
then miry. Notwithstanding, the troops
marched in excellent order, without stray
Cling and in the best of spirits about four
teen miles, and engaged the enemy about
II clock NJ, near Jackson. McClernand
occupied Clinton with one division, Mis-
sissippi Springs with another, Raymond
with third, and had his fourth division
and Blair's division of Shermans corps
with wagon train still in the rear near
New Auburn, which Macarthur, with one
brigade of his division of McPherson's
corps moving towards Raymond on the
Utica road. It was not the intention to
move these forces any nearer jackson, but
to have them in position where they
would be in supporting distance if the re-
sistance Of Jackson should prove more OBJ
stinate than there seemed reason TO expect.
The CAPTURE OF Jacksonville enemy
marched out the bulk of his forces on the
Clinton road and engaged McPherson's
corps about two and half miles from the
city. A small force of artillery and infan-
try took strong position in front of Sher-
man, about the same distance out. By a
determined advance of our skirmishers
these latter were soon driven within their
rifle-pits just outside the city. 1t was inn
possible TO ascertain the strength of the en-
envy at this part of the line in time to JUS
tify an immediate assault; consequently
McPherson's two divisions engaged the
main bulk of the rebel garrison at 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 infantry and artillery of the
enemy posted there to impede Sherman's
progress. Sherman ssoon discovered the
weakness of the enemy by sending recon-
noitering party to his right, which also had
| the effect of causing the enemy to retreat
from this part of the line. A few of the ar
tillerists, however, remained in their pla-
| ces, firing upon Sherman's troops until the
last moment, evidently instructed to do so,
with the expectation of being captured in
the end. On entering the city it was found
| that the main body of the enemy had re-
| treated north, after heavy engagement of
more than two hours with McPherson's
corps, in which he was badly beaten. He
was pursued until near night, but without
further damage to him.
During that evening learned that Gen.
Johnston, as soon as he had satisfied him.
self that Jackson was to be attacked, had
ordered Pemberton peremptorily to march
out from the direction of Vicksburg and
attack our rear. Awaiting myself of this
information, I Immediately issued orders
to McClernand and Blair, of Sherman's
corps, to face their troops toward Bolton,
with view of reaching Edwards Station,
marching on different roads converging
near Bolton. These troops were admirably
located for such move. Mcpherson was
ordered to retrace his steps early on the
morning of the 18th, on the Clinton road.
Sherman was left in Jackson to destroy the
railroads, bridges, factories, workshops, ar
senals, and everything valuable for the sup
port of the enemy. This was accomplished
in the most effectual manner.
| On the afternoon of the 18th, I proceeded
as far west as Clinton, through which place
McPherson's corps passed to within sup
porting distance Of Hovey's division of Nc
Clernand's corps, which had moved that
day on the same road to within one and a
half miles of Bolton. On reaching Clinton,
at 4:45 P. NJ, I ordered McClernand tomove
his cammand early next morning toward
Edwards Depot, marching so as to feel the
enemy, if he encountered him, but not to
bring on a general engagement, unless he
was confident that he was able to defeat
him, and also to order Blair to move with
him.
About S o'clock, on the morning of the
10th, two men, employees on the Jackson
and Vicksburg railroad, who had passed
through Pemberton's army the night be-
fore, were brought to my headquarters.
They stated Pemberton's force to consist OF
about eighty regiments, with ten batteries
of artillery, and that the whole force was
estimated by the enemy at about rs ,OOt
men. From them I also learned the posi-
tons being taken up by the enemy, and his
intention of attacking our rear. l had de-
termined to leave one division of Sherman's
corps one day longer in Jackson, but this
information determined me to bring his
entire command up at once, and accord.
i ingly dispatched him at $50 A. NJ, to move
with all possible speed until he came VI
with the main force near Bolton. My dis.
patch reached him at 1880 A. NJ, and his ad
vance division was in motion in one hour
f from that time. A dispatch was sent te
Blair at the same time, to push forward his
division in the direction of Edwards Sta
ton with all possible dispatch. McCler
nand was directed to establish communi
cation between Blair and Osterhaus, of his
corps, and keep it up, moving the former
to the support Of the latter. Mcpherson
was ordered forward at 5:45 A. NJ, to .joir
McClernand, and Lieut.. Col. Wilson, of nv
staff, was sent forward to communicate the
information received, and with verbal in,
structions to McClernand as to the DISPOSE
ton of his forces. At an early hour left
for the advance, and on arriving at the
crossing Of the Vicksburg and Jackson rail
road with the road from Raymond to Boil
ton, found McPherson's advance and his
pioneer corps engaged in rebuilding g
bridge on the former road that had beer
destroyed by the cavalry OF Osterhaus
, division that had gone into Bolton the
night before. The train of Hovey's divis
ion was at halt, and blocked up the roaG
from further advance on the Vicksbure
road. l ordered all quartermasters anC
wagoners to draw their teams to one side
to make room for the passage of troops
Mcpherson was brought up by this road
Passing to the front, found Hovey's divis
ion of the 18th Army Corps at halt, with
our skirmishers and the enemy's pickets
near each other. Hovey was bringing his
troops into line ready for battle and could
have brought on an engagement at any
moment The enemy had taken up a very
strong position on narrow ridge, his lef
resting on height where tho road makes
very sharp turn to the left approaching
Vicksburg. The top of the ridge and thu
precipitous hillside to the left Of the roaG