Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1863-06-11
OF tho Charles City Intclligencer
ARMY LETTER.
Posi- OFFICE 18th ARMY CoRPs,

ting scenes, of which give you a
complete account, choosing the journ-
al style of writing, in order to place
the scenes exactly where they occur
red.
May 18th. Commenced the work be-
fore us, by flogging force of the Phi
listines. on this day, as the" Army
of the Tennessee" was moving upon
Jackson, the capital of the State;
moving in three columns, Sherman
having the Right Wing, McClernand
the Left Wing, Mcpherson the Centre
and direct road. At Raymond, Gen.
Gregg of Texas with 10000 men at
tempted to dispute McPhcrson's pas
sage. A sharp fight cnsued, ending in
the total defeat of the rebels, with a
severe loss, among whom was Col.
Robert McGavock. Our loss was
one hundred killed and three hundred
and fifty wounded Colonel Richards
of the Goth Illinois killed, Col. McCook
of the 3ls Illinois wounded. General
Mcpherson then moved forward and
occupied Raymond.
May 18th. Occupied Clinton.
May l4th. Still occupied Clinton.
Destroyed over two miles of Vicks-
burg and Jackson Railroad. Captur-
ed a large rebel mail, and some high
ly important dispatches. Conference
between Generals Grant, Sherman,
Mcpherson and Steel. The Editor of
the yicksburg Wing arrested by or
der of General Grant, TO be held as a
hostage for the reporters captured in
running the blockade. Marched for
ward for Jackson. Raining severely.
When within three miles Of the city,
found the enemy under Joe Johnston
in line of battle admirably posted up
on a ridge or range of hills. The
rebels opened the ball with their ar
tillery. For about one hour there was
a most terrible cannonading, the in
fantry not becoming engaged.
The enemy's right was held by a
brigade Of South Carolina boys, who
had just arrived, and had boasted that
they would clean out the Yankees in
Just twenty minutes. They were
commanded by General Johnston in
person. Annoyed by their volleys,
General Mcpherson ordered Colonel
Holmes to charge them with his whole
brigade. The brigade is composed
of the 18th Iowa, 10th Missouri, and
oist Ohio. With a yell the boys
dashed forward feeling that the fight
rested on their conduct. and also
knowing that the eye of the General
commanding was upon them. For a
short time it was give and take, but
the boys from the South could not
Withstand the boys from the West,
and they turned and retreated towards
their entertainments, hoping there to
defend the city. But Sherman coming
in upon their right, they fell back
leaving their killed and wounded, their
camps and equipage in our hands.
There were captured four hundred pris-
oners, thirteen pieces Of artillery, a
train Of cars loaded with supplies val
ucd at $4,000. A large mail was
captured with an extensive supply Of
G. S. Postage Stamps. They had the
city finely fortified. The city itself
is very shabby town, wha, in the
East would be termed village. The
State House is very commodious
building, yet very old and dilapidated.
Among the trophies was gun pre-
scented to the State by General j. a.
Quitman, captured in Mexico. The
hotels were open and hundreds focked
in to see Gen. Grant.
The railroad was destroyed, the de-
pot burned, as was the Confederate
House, and Deaf and Dumb Asylum,
used for an arsenal. The Appeal
Office was destroyed. On the morn
ing We entered the city they had just
finished striking off their daily edition,
and boosted about their being able to
hold the city against all the Lincoln
rascals." Our loss in the fight was 26O
killed, and 1870 wounded.
May 18th. Marched back to Gin.
ton and took the direct road to Vicks-
burg, it not being the intention of
the General commanding to hold
jackson, the object of capturing
and destroying the depot of sup
plies being fully accomplished. Camp.
ed at night Is miles from Vicksburg.
May lG. Great fight at Champion
Hill. 1t was discovered early this
morning that the enemy were in hca.
w force on Champion Hill, three miles
from Big Black river. The 18th corps,
with Hovey's division, owing to the
nature Of the ground, had the battle
to fight. The enemy were commanded
by Generals Pcmberton. Tilghman,
Gregg, snd Stevenson. The National
army by Major General Mcpherson.
At about 10 O'Clock A. M. the rebels
fired the opening shot, at Hovey's di-
vision. This salute was answered by
a volley from battery, and the fight
had commenced along the whole line
The enemy massed all his force and
descended upon onr left, Hovey's Di-
vision. For four hours this Division
withstood them, but at length, over
powered by numbers, they had to fall
back. IS.
With cheer the rebels now turned
their attention to the centre. At this
moment Mcpherson saw his critical
condition and ordered the lost ground
to be recovered by the bayonet at all
hazards. Gen. Croker, Of Iowa, led
the charge, and think is entitled to
the honor of saving the day. The
fight was terrible. Men fell as grass
before the scythc. But the enemy al
length fell back. on the left. to renew
his attack on the Centre with redoub.
led fury.
For few moments it was feared
the centre would be broken, SO terri
BILE was the rebel assault. But McA!
listers Battery of 24-pouDd howitzers
came to the rescue and sent at hall
range double charges of shrapnel and
canister into the rebel ranks. The en-