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

ABOUT VIcKsBURG.-The Big Black River
rises high up in Mississippi, runs southwest
erly, passing in the rear of Vicksburg between
that city and Jackson and empties into the
Mississippi some thirty miles below Vicksburg
Grand Gulf is situated at the mouth Of the
river on the south side. The railroad from
Vicksburg to Jackson crosses the Big Black at
Edwards depot, about twelve miles distant
from Vicksburg. South of the Big Black and
parallel with it, runs another river, the Bayou
Pierre, which empties into the Mississippi
some ten miles below Grand Gulf. Still south
of the Bayou Pierre, Port Gibson is situated
1t is the county site Of Claiborne county, ana
is some ten or twelve miles off from the Mssis-
sippi. Upon the Mississippi and above the
mouth of Big Black, Warrenton is on the Mis-
sissipp side, about IL miles below Vicksburg,
Louisiana. Raymond is in Kinds county,
about half way between Edwards Depot and
Jackson, and some or miles south Of the
railroad, there being a small branch to the town.
AUONe -
on the Yazoo, l3 miles northeast of the city,
and Chickasaw Bayou is still nearer the city
on the road to Snyder's Bluff. We advise our
readers to study carefully these positions by
the aid of map if one be at hand, as
without some correct notion of the topography
of the country, they can form no correct idea
of operations Dates and Geography are said
to be the eyes of history.
On the 29th of last month, Gen. Green with
a part of his brigade was ordered to Port Glib
son for the purpose Of guarding il against
Grierson's cavalry but lac met far different
work He learned that large force of the
enemy were landing at Bruinsburg, and on
Thursday 30th went four miles out to Bethel
Church to meet them. Next day, Friday, the
st. the battle of Port Gibson was fought .-
The brigade of G On. Tracy, had arrived the
night before, and part of Gen Bowens came
up about ten o'clock in the morning. The
battle ragged for IL hours, and was fought with
a desperation and gallartry upon our part, I'M
surpassed before. Twice the enemy we're re-
pulsed. Again, md again, aud the third time
their reinforcements poured in from the land
ing, and rolled upon our little army
like the waves of the sea. At last nature could
endure no more, and we were forced to re-
tire.
The loss upon either side has not been given,
but that Of the enemy is represented enor
mous Our trains, and the wounded soldiers
/ II n. -. -
in the afternoon, and late in the day every
thing was across. We then burnt the bridges,
and the enemy marched in and occupied Port
6 bison on the other side. All next day Sat
urday 2d) diminishing continued, ana at night
the enemy commenced landing troops above
the mouth Of Bayou Pierre and below Grand
Gulf The latter place was no longer tenable,
and about two o'clock Sunday morning the Sd,
by order of Gen. Bowen. the guns were spiked
aud the magazine blown UT, tearing the gun
carriages to pieces. and al mounting the guns.
Our army then moved up and crossed the Big
Black to the ycksturg side.
Since then we have no reliable Intelligence
of AIRY important movements. The armies stand
| arrayed against cach other. we desperately de-
terminei on the defence Of the city, and they
meditating an attack We have rumors that
a portion Of them have penetrated the sountry
to Raymond. and an attempt IN cut of our
communication At the Big Black Bridge u ap-
pretended Also. that reinforcemants are
| pouring in from Savannah and Charleston.
We may look for the most decisive battle Of the
war by every mail. Our commanders are con
/ fdent Of the result.