Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1863-05-28
IutnCt VI Tie IflHfFts UT. IEIk
ARMY LETTER.
HEADQUARTERS 18TH ARMY CoRps,
Near Rocky Springs, Miss. May 8, 1868

hard to tell, our mail facilities being
somewhat disarranged by our late
movement. We are now fifteer
miles below Vicksburg, on the same
side Of the river. The troops left Mil
liken's Bend on the 25th of April
and. after q long march over the
worst Of roads, through swamps and
bayous, they arrived at Hard Times
nearly opposite Grand Gulf, on the
30th.
A portion of the 18th Corps went
still further below, and waited for the
gunboats to lombard Grand Gulf
which they did in a splendid manner
The rebels fought well, but could not
withstand the broad sides of the iron
clads. Their battery was silenced
after four hours hard fighting. Gen
Logan's Division now crossed the riv.
er, and was followed by Generals
Quimby's and Osterhaus's. Logan
succeeded in capturing about four
hundred prisoners-all stout, hearty
looking fellows, just paid of, pockets
full of Confederate money, and all
anxious to try ga new hand"
Generals Grant and Mcpherson now
crossed over and started for Port Glib.
son. On the first day of May, our
army met the enemy drawn up on
what is known here as "Thomas Hill.'
A desperate fight ensued, neither par.
ty willing to fall back. The rebels
were commanded and cheered on by
Generals Bowen and Tracy, while the
brave Union boys were led in person
by Generals Grant, Mcpherson and
Logan. Isl
The Union boys fought for foot.
hold upon the Mississippi shore, while
the rebels fought for the purpose Of
preventing them from gaining it. A
rebel battery of five heavy PARROT
guns, planted upon hill swept the
field and told terribly among oul
boys. A Brigade from Logan's Di.
vision was ordered up and General
Mcpherson, himself led the charge
As he placed himself, at the head Of
the charging line he shouted 1" Boys,
We have to take that battery we
can do it come on s" and away they
dashed at double quick, with bayo,
nets fixed. A terrible discharge from
the battery swept down the head of
the column, but the survivors rushed
on. A short but desperate struggle
over the guns, and the rebels gave way
with the loss of General Tracy, and
leaving behind their killed and wound.
ed. And their dead lay not alone on
the hillside. There lay one hundred
and fifty Of our brave boys, cold, 81.
lent witnesses of love for the dear flag
But the fight was over and the vic.
tory won. The town was in Federal
possession. The fruits of this victory
were, five guns, one stand of colors,
one thousand prisoners, and small
arms innumerable. We have a sure
foothold upon the ridge road that
leads to Jackson we have Grand
Gulf, a good depot for supplies, and
all the rich country adjoining. The
people Of Port Gibson were surprised
to see the Yankees there, as they ex-
pected none Of them would ever find
their way there. They had an army
to defend them, well supplied with ar
tillery and munitions of war. But
they did not know the pluck of those
"little blue Yankees" They thought
they had winning hand
"But General Mac, he dealt the Jack,
And stacked the cards on Dixie;
Bets were made, the hands were shown
-Four Knapes the rebels had: r
1t wouldn't begin, the pile to win,
And so they lost in Dixie
1t is expected that fight will again
take place in a short time, as we are
the rebels fast. A dispatch
Just in from Admiral Farragut says
that Port Hudson is evacuated. Three
gunboats have gone down there, and
The truth will soon be known. Rr
/ stated in The beginning of this let
.er the poorness of our mail facilities.
On the 9th of April your correspond.
ent left Milliken's Bend, for Memphis,
with alarge mail. After two days
rip he arrived there, aud soon start
ID down the river with one hundred
and FIVE sacks of mail. Arrived all
light at the Bend. found the army had
gone, and Headquarters were some
where in the front. reported to
luartermaster for transportation. He
refused ! showed him paper with
General McPherson's name attached )
ne collapsed, and furnished team !;
travelled all day, and at night report
ed to General Macarthur started next
lay with an escort of a company of
cavalry arrived at night at Perkins
Landing /; reported to the Colonel CON-
handing the Post !; procured an order
for the transport Victor to take the
mail to Grand Gulf next day found
a team, and at night had the pleasure
Of reporting all right" at Headquar-
tiers. ! was amply repaid for my
trouble by finding several letters, and
two Imeiligencers for myself.
While in Memphis l saw my old