The New York herald., 1863-07-20
the PURSUIT OF J0HMsrOH's ARMY.
Mr.. Charles IL. Farreli,s Despatch.

'HI SVhSSi' VT JoHToiUB'S D AhI1Ts
mr.. Charles ii. FnrrelIs Despatch.
nfTEsSru Army CoRrs. /
PoLros Miss, July 3, 1893 +
MY last letter dated Berina the eth This corps is
s on the march IN pursuit OF General Johnston and
bis army. The weather here is excessively warm water
scarce and marching necessarily slow. For past
ten days we have marched but thirteen miles Even at
ths snail pace hundreds Of our havo fallen from sun
stroke
CROSSING BLACK MvrR
This corps crossed tho Big Black river the site OF
the vicksburg and Jackson Railroad tho afternoon Of
the 9th inst. General Ostcrhaus' division led the way
The crossing made q pontoon bridge. with single
way that Is was work OF some labor 20 cross the
corps.
DESTRUCTION RAILROAD BRIDGE
The FIRST thing that strikes tho eye the behodcr as
he reaches tho eastern bank Of the Big s tho debris
Of the railroad bridge destroyed by the rcbcls tho
early part OF last May. The bridge was about milo
long. built OF trcsc work md a costly structure
Nothing OF 1t but cbarred remnants OF timber
and warped raroad iron.
rM DAY's MARcI
Our second days march from vicksburg was TO Ed
wards Station, eighteen miles from tho former place
Tho march made under a scorching and dusty
roads, Late In tho afternoon the Ornament filed
with black clouds, the wind blew, and every indication
was apparent for rain Storm The troops praying
for IT, and Its advent would havo becn hailed with salts
faction.
xScAxpSKxr At NIGHT.
AT dark the troops encampcd 10 double line OF BATTLE
tho division OF osterhans and Benton the u the
road. and those OF Hovey, Lanman and A. j. Smith
the right The guns all put into battery front
baltic array the horses saddled for immediate action.
The cavalry put in reserve
POSITION rux ENEMY
In nv last letor stated that Johnston In Full
treat from the Big Back and at last had
the Pearl river This information furnished by
irresponsible scout, who knew nothing OF what he
taking about. The truth the enemy In front In
considerable force from tho time crossed the Big
Black and retired approach evidently matter
Of strategical policy; doubt nc has his ground
chosen for battle On the road which this corps
marching have Information that the rebel troops
are under Generals Breckinridgc Gst sowel and Pres
ton. Thoy have aggregate thirty thousand
and thirty pieces OF artillery.
ocR orHxR coWps.
General Sherman Ia In command of this movement.
His old corps (hc Fifteenth), under command OF
6cncral Frederick Steele crossed tho Big Black tho
5th at place called Messengers Ferry three miles north
Of the point whore this corps crosed The Ninth
corps, under General Parke compose the left wing or
the army. Thcy crossed tho Big Black about the
time that the Fifteenth corps crossed The three
encampet AT intervals Of about thrcc miles
shcrmans corrs the Bridgeport road and tho Ninth
another of the many roads the left convcrgng
on Jackson Firing has been heard at intervals fos DAY
or two the loft. General Parke has no doubt been
cnpaging tho enemys outross.
THIRD DAv's MARCH.
Our third dny's march was from Edwards Station 70
this place. me weather dry, hot and sury, tho
fatigue OF marching excessive Our troops suffered
severely with the heat, and the Of stroke
merous. Detachmcnis of the Second and Third Ilnos
cavalry led tho advance and tho country they
procecdcd examining thoroughly every road creek and
bride rath In search Of tho In the forenoon os
yesterday they captured rebel soldiers belonging to
Gists South Carolina brigade. Those
cornHeld search cr "roastipr ears when cavalry
upon them. Thcsc prisoners say that tho rebel
army Is in force bc,wccn this point and jackson.
TEE BArux GROUND CHAMPION HLLs
Yesterday passed the battle ground of Champion
Hills where troos routed the eoerny on tho ieth of
last May. The battle cid 10 speak is range n hills
three miles Ions the Junction read. The enemy had
choice OF ground and occupied every eminence. Our
cors advanced without any In the front ~ the
enemys position rrecipous banks md In tho
adeuse woods of stately trees. There s nothing c!se
msrksble about the position eScer' that here and tborc
are secn large pits where s the bodies n thusc
Here md there single graves, which
placed wooden slabs, informing the spectator The name q
u occupant.
We are twenty six miles from vclsbrry md eigh
ten miles Jackson Miss We arrived hsre last
ing Tho enomy showed themselves 10 our front NJ We
came In sight We formed line battle AMI prepared fo at
tack No enemy appeared to give battle and wo encamp
cd M we formed
pAIy sropx.
Shortly aer dark terrific rain ard thunder storm
cuvrei here, ACCOMPANIED by gale. Tho rain Iouref
down IN torrents for hour two. Our troops. having
tcnts obliged TO weather the storm. Everybody
the army from the major general down to the pvatcs
in the ranks, was wet through and through
CONDITION oy rnx oorNrrr.
From vcksburg TO this point the country gives sbun.
dart promise Tor iarge crop. The lands formerly
usf the growing a the celebrated upland cotton has
this been devoted TO grain. In order 70 farnsh
supply for the rcbal arny II wl now be applied 70 ths
purposes and wants o. our own army.
rrx rsK,y ~ YRoST.
Tfa enemy forming liue II battle In our 'front.'
battle IA imminent.
Arrival OT tpe Ira sport Guide.