Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-08-20

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Tie following synopsis Of GsnsGR ASI's Of,
fetal report Of, his operations against Ticks-
burg contains matters of interest not referred
TO in the regula5 telegraphic report "a 80
o. Gen Gran states that, from the moment
he took tie command ia person, he became
satisfied that Niekshurg could only be turned
from the south side, and IN accordance with
that conviction, he aprese cuIed1 the work on
the canal across the peninsula ons the Louisi-
ana side OF the ri yer. He gives details of the
operations on the canal and OF the failure in
sending a naval expedition through Back
Bayou. From the time the order was given
TO occupy New Carthage, and run the army
by Nicksburg on,transports under protection
Of Porter's feet, to the landing al Bruinsburg,
the operations are detailed at length. Upon
a call for volunteers for crews ior the vessels
about to run BIZ the batteries, Gen. Grant
says that. for this. dangerous enterprise, Off
GERS and men presented themselves BY hun
dreds, anxious to undertake the trip.
The march to Grand Gn1f, and thence to
Jackson, and thence to Ficksburg, Including
various battles, are also detailed, in which is
shown Grants knowledge Of the enemv's
forces and position, even to the fact that, be-
fore reaching Ficksburg, Joe. Johnston had
ordered Pemberton to come out and attack
Grants army in the rear, which resulted in
battle of four hours at Edwards Station. de-
feGting the enemy. Of the continued march
TO the front of the enemy's works at Eicks-
burg, nothing is added not known already.
OF the assault on the works, Grant SAYS
that the assault was gallant in the extreme
on the part of all the troops but the enemv's
position was too strong, both naturally and
artiicially, to be taken in that way. No one
succeeded in entering the enemy sworks but
Sergeant Griffin of the 2lst iowa Regiment,
and some eleven privates,-none returning
but one man. 1t was during this assault that
Gen. McClernand sent dispatches to Gen
Grant that he held two OF the enemys forts,
and requesting a diversion by Sherman
Gen. Grant says: g The position occupied by
me during most of the time Of the assault gave
me better opportunity of seeing what was
going on in front of,the 18th Crops than l be-
i.yed it possible for a commander to have.
l could not see his possession of the forts, nor
necessity for reinforcements as represented in
his dispatches, and expressed doubts of their
correctness, which doubts. facts subsequently,,
but too late confirmed; but, at the time, |
could not thus regard his reiterated state
ments, for they might possibly be true, and
that not possible opportunity of carving
the enemy's stronghold should beAallowed to
escape through fault Of mine, | ordered a di-
version, which was promptly and vigorously
made, and resulted in the increase of our
Emortality list full fifty per cent. without adj
vancing our position or giving us other advan-
tage." r.. a.. s sr5sf.& Ez-
Gen. Grant details the surrender and saws
that the terms agreed upon ne regarded as
more favorable to the government than I'M
conditional surrender, as it saved the trans
portation, which was limited on the river
then, Of the rebel army, and left his forces to
move on Johnston. s ssu ga a..
Col. Grierson's raid was made by Grants
Instructions and is regarded by the latter as
the most brilliant of the war
After acknowledging the cooperation of
the navy the report concludes thus: "The
result of this campaign has been the defeat
of the enemy in five battles outsidelof Weeks
burg, the occupation OF jackson, the capital
OF the State, and the capture of Yicksburg,
its garrison, and munitions Of war "a loss to
the enemy of $1,000 prisoners, among whom
were fifteen general officers ); at least 10000
killed and wounded, and among the killed
were Generals Tracy, Tighlman, and Green,
and hundreds and perhaps thousands Of stray
gers, -whe can never be collected and reor-
gained Arms and munitions of war for an
army of 10000 men have fallen into our
hands; besides large amount of other pub
lie property, consisting of railroad locomo-
tives, cars, steamboats,, cotton, &C.; and much
was destroyed to prevent its capture. Our
loss in the series of battles may be summed
up as follows: Port Gibson, killed $50,
wounded 71s, missing 5; Fourteen Mile Greek
skirmish, killed 4, wounded 4, missing none :;
Raymond, killed SO, wounded 81, missing 80 :;
Jackson, killed 40, wounded 240, missing 6 !;
Champion Hills. killed 426, wounded 1,84s
missing lS9; Big Black Railroad Bridge,
killed 20, wounded 242, missing 2; Vicksburg,
killed 545, wounded 3,6Ss, missing 3O3.-
Total killed, 1922; wounded, 1926; missing,
537 Of the wounded many were but Slightly
wounded and continued on duty. Many more
required but a few days or weeks for their
recovery. Not more than one-half of the
wounded were permanently disabled. l.s..
''ln all former reports have failed to make
mention of Co. A, 4th Illinois Cavalry Vol
unteers. Capt L. D. Osband, commanding
this company, has been on duty with me, as
escort, since November, 1861, and in every
engagement have been in since that time,
rendered invaluable service, attracting gen
eral attention for their exemplary conduct,
soldicrly bearing, and promptness.s 1t would
not demonstrating the merits of this company
to say. that many of them would fill with
credit any position in cavalry regiments"