Washington telegraph. [volume] (Washington, Ark.) 1839-1871, 1863-05-27

AZ, VI IA dSSuilll tHt lpIltlpl
LArEsT.-By Hon. c.. L. Mitchell we are
furnished with papers from Jackson as late as
the 18th and from Natchez of the 10th inst.
The Appeal of the 18th states that Gen. Grant
has commenc ID his movements from the river
eastward the south lie of Big Black; that
he had changed his place of landing from
Bruinsburg to Grand Gulf, and that all his
forces had left Port Gibson, a movement of
one body Of the Federal army was made in
force on tie 18th towards Edwards depot, but
up to the time Of publication, the enemy had
not appeared before tho place. Our forces
were prepared there to hold them in check
until reinforcements might arrive.
Fighting occurred at Raymond on the 18th.
The accounts are yet vague but something to
this effect Gen. Gregg with $500 infantry
and portion OF Adams cavalry were stationed
a mile south Of the town. Early in TIE morn
ing, body of the enemy, 5000 or 10000
| strong. advanced upon them, and skirmishing
began. The enemy continued to recev, rein
| forcements until about one O'clock, when a
Gregg receiving intel gence that heavy rein
forcements were about to join the enemy, with
drew in good order. No rcinforcements were
coming up TO ten. Gregg and those Of the enc
my had arrived aud were ready for action.
| At 4 o'clock in the afternoon our troops were
reported marching through the town slowly
and in good order; whilst the enemy were
pressing upanG their shells were falling in the
suburbs. The courier who brought the news
to Jackson, met reinforccmente going to Gen.
Gregg four miles from R'.ymond.
The loss is supposed to have been consid-
cradle on both sides. Amongst the slain, we
Col. R. W. McGavock of the 10th Tennessee.
| He was a gallant scion Of old stock-a
grandson of N. Felix Grundy. Upon the
| secession OF Tennessee, he left home Of ele
CANT affluence aud entered the regiment COM
manded by the brave old Prussian, Gen. then
| Col. 4. lehman, with whom he was tax en-
prisoner at Fort Donelson. After his release,
he was elevated to the command Of the regi-
ment, and met soldiers death, leaving the
proudest name to a proud family.
Gen. Joseph E. Johnston was expected to
arrive at jackson on the 18th. He takes COM
mand of the department. Pemberton is re-
ported to be under arrest. but we cannot learn
for what cause. The Appeal says he has been
an excellent executive officer and his army a
good one. This is about the stereotyped praise
accorded to all the old military grannies, and
leads to the conclusion that he may be re-
moved for sheer inefiiciency. Disobedience
of orders is also spoken of II cause. No
matter He is done, and we are glad of it.
| A portion Of Grants army, some 200 or 300
strong reached the jackson and New Orleans
railroad at Chrystal Springs ON the ii tn inst,
and committed slight depredations. 1t is sin
gular how helpless that country is against raids.
| We almost hold our breath whilst relating
what DEMONSTRATING to hope, and yet having
no grounds of disbelief DIR. Mitchell crossed
at Natchez on the 10th, bringing with him the
papers giving the position of affairs stated
above lie was detained two days at Trinity,
and whilst there saw an extra OF the Natchez
4 Courier Vi lhS ICtil tiisii IL Wis Stdtcu
the Federal troops had entered Jackson, burnt
the Confederate House and penitentiary, and
made an unsuccessful attempt to blow up
the State House. The extra stated that Gen.
Johnston had made but feint of resisting
them at Jackson, leaving there only about
| 1900 men, whilst with the main body under
his command he had met the main forces of
the enemy under Grant at another point, ut
| terly routed and crushed them out, and had
succeeded also in getting between the river
and the body of the enemy at Jackson so as to
cut them off There is nothing improbable in
this, although we cannot yet trust .he extra
entirely. 1t accords with the position of the
enemy's forces already known, with the fact
that we have been receiving rapid reinforce
ments from the East, and with the obvious
policy of the enemy to make feint on Jackson
| whilst their main strength might be hurled
upon Vicksburg in the rear. We give the ac-
count as we have it, only hoping that We may
not have it to correct in our next issue.