The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1863-05-30
THE FIGHTING AT VICKSBURG.
By Friday Mornings Mail

Specials contain the following reports of
the battles, 10th and 18th: l .gq.
Champion Hills, 26 miles east of Vicks-
burg, May 16th.-Early this morning Nc
Clernand's corps was put in motion. Ho-
vey's division was on the main road from
Jackson to Vicksburg, aud the balance of
the corps was a few miles to the southward
on q parallel road. McClernand's corps
followed Hovey's division closely. At 9
o'clock Hovey discovered the enemy in
front on Champion Hill, to the left of the
road aud apparently 10 force. Skirmishers
we're thrown out. and the division advanced
cautiously and slowly to give McPherson's
advance division under Logan time to come
within supporting distance. Hovey's di
vision advanced across an open field at the
foot of Champion Hill, in line Of battle.
At IL o'clock the battle commenced. The
bill itself is covered with timber, and is in
fact but an abrupt terminus of the high
ridge running north and south, Aanked on
both sides with deep ravines and gulleys,
and in many cases covered with an almost
impenetrable growth of scrubby white oak
bushes. qs .l.
The rebels appeared to be deficient in
artillery throughout the battle, but opened
with rather heavy FIRE from four gun bat
teries, riAed six Founders, planted about
four hundred yards back from the brow of
the hill. The woods on both sides of the
road leading up the face Of tie hill, and
winding back on the ridge q more, were
filed with sharpshooters, supported BY in.
fantry.
Here the battle began in earnest as our
men entered the edge Of the timber, and it
ragged terribly from 1 o'clock till between
3 and 4. Hovey's division carried the
heights in gallant style and captured the
pieces. The rebels lay thick in the vicinity
Of their guns. Their horses were more than
half killed. Gun carrisges and caissons were
broken and overturned; while knapsacks,
blankets, small arms and other debris at-
tested the death struggle for the ground.
The colors Of the 31st Alabama were
captured there. At this juncture the rebels
sppeared to be reinforced With fresh troops
on that wing, and redoubled their efforts to
hold the position and dislodge our troops
on the bill. Hovey was slowly driven back
to the brow, but . brigade from General
Quimby was, ordered to his support, and
the ground vas speedily reoccupied By us
Logan's division was marched past the brow
Of the hill, formed in line of battle on the
right Of Hovey, and advanced in grand
style, sweeping everything before. At the
edge Of the woods in front Of Logan, the
battle WAS Of the most desperate character
imaginable. The rattle Of musketry Vas
incessant from tho irst moment Of the
engagement and blent in continuous and
deadly roar, in which the reports 90 blended
that . single discharge vas rarely heard.
Not man finched or line wavered In
this division !; al behaved ike vetsrans.
moved to new positions With conscious tread
Of victory. Two batteries we're, captured by
this division, and enough hard fighting done
to immortalise It. Besides this it captured
. large portion Of prisoners, small arms,
&c. Between three and four o'clock. Gen.
Osterhaus and Gen. McArthnrs divisions
nme into action on the extreme left and
completed what had been % anspiciouslyl
carried forward. They were both miles
away when The engagement began, bat we're
brought forward With oil the dispatch possi-
bic. The enemy we're in fall retreat soon
after, and their divisions pursued hll nine
o'clock, and are nov encampsd q Edward
Station, s miles beyond the battle ground. !
From rebel prisoners We learn that Pen,