The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1881-12-28
THE BATTLE OF RAYMOND.
How Gregg's Brigade Fought the
Advance of Grants Army
in Mississippi.
BY WILLIAM E. cUSSTNeHAN, LATE CAP
TAN COMPANY F. 4lsT TENNESSEE

Phlladelphia Times.
The morning Of December II, 1868,
was bright and pleasant. Our men after
a march of two hundred miles from
Port Hudson, Louisiana, we're scattered
ABOUT the camp which We temporarily
occupied about one mile north of Jack
son, Mississippi Our march had been
tedious. as Grierson's raid had played
sad havoc, unto the railroad TO New Or
leans, a short time before, leaving
nothing for fifty miles but the hacSed
road-bed. The men were in groups
wandering about camp or enjoying a
cool plunge into the grateful waters of
Pear river, which ran close by. Many
we're the surmises as to our destination
and as TO the object of our march.
Many an eve cleaned aud frightened
as some comrade ventured the prophecy
that we were bound for Tennessee, for
our brigade was composed of Tennessee
regiments, save one. The surmises
were cut short by the sharp bugIe blasts,
which sounded the assembly. In a few
minutes We were ready, and a short
march brought US out on the hill over
jooking JaekSon.s Hating 10 fern, we
lbsgan the march through the city.
tie Ferty-iirst tennessee, Col. Far
quharson = man who gained celebrity
in Mexico as Major of the First Tea
nessee, and was badly wounded at
Monterrey was followed by the Third
Tennessee, Colonel Walker. Then
came the Tenth Tennessee, Qrish,
Col McGavoek; then the Thirtieth,
Col. Head the Fiftieth, Col Suggs,
and the First Tennessee Battery,
Major Combs. The rear was
brought up by Col. Granbury, 9TH
Texas, all under command of that la
mented soldier and gentleman, General
John Gregg, of Texas. The column
was headed by the band of the Third,
and it fell to my lot to command the
advance. As we moved down the
wide road, marching to the strains
of The Girl | Left Behind Ne" l
glanced back aud could not restrain
feeling of pride in the splendid array of
gallant men, nearly all of whom | knew
either personally or by regiment. 1t
was a perfect body of men Gen. Gregg
| led through jackson that lovely morn
ing, and many fair hand on this occa-
sion gave the lie to the story that Jack
son people charged for handing water
to the noble fellows as they filed by.
The streets were lined and the windows
crowded as we marched along, not know
ing our destination, till we passed the
depot and took the Raymond road.
Raymond is the county seat, although
Jackson is the State Capitol, and both
being in the same county. We soon
met struggling cavalry, who stopped in
their mad flight long enough to tell US
of cavalry raid up from Grand Gulf.
We had been itching for fight and
could not have been suited better than
to meet the raiders. The country was
green with growing grain and presented
a peaceful, happy and contented appear
anee. No sign of war had ever dis
turbed the people in their quietude no
thought of Yankee, save as prisoner,
ever for moment entered their
heads. If there were timid ones they
were reassured as our army of seven
regiments appeared, advancing to meet
foe which we little dreamed was the
advance of Grants host. Tie citizens
met us kindly and wonderingly. Ray
mond was peaceful Raymond was nap
py. No sound of strife had yet reach.
ed that retired spot, which was then
filled with refugees from other points.
Early on the morning of the 18th the
town was overrun with soldiers, having
what we called "high old time" In
the midst of fun, feasting and coquet
ting, the long roll sounded and every
man answered promptly. Gen. Gregg
moved thro' town very quietly, where
hundreds of people were eagerly watch
ing events, little dreaming of the car
| mage to follow. He formed his com.
mand with the right, composed OF
the Forty-irst Tennessee, covering the
Edwards depot road and at interval:
, OF fifty or one hundred yards success
, sively, with Captain Graves three-guE
Battery III the centre, on the GranC
Gulf road. This is the same Captain
Graves who mounted an old rusty piece
on wagon wheels and fired the first gun
at Boonville, Mo-, early in 1861. Thi;
battery was supported by the Tenth
We were expecting nothing but cavalry
, which we felt satisfied we could whip
Skirmishers were advanced in the thicA
black copse, and almost instantly the
quiet was broken by the crack of the
rife, answered by the first big gun il
our centre. Suddenly the sound of the
skirmisher's rifle was lost amid the roar
of musketry, while our three pieces
belched thundered defiance at the six
gun battery Of the enemy on the hill
opposite. The force of the enemy wa
developed and very suddenly, for from
right to left along our whole front fo
the distance of mile the battle openec
at close range.
At this junture, Col. McGayock ad
/ vanced to charge the battery, supporte'
0 by the Third. Nearly all saw him a
| with gallant bearing be led his men, am
7 they moved irresistible forward capsur
ing four guns. This was as gallant
charge as was ever made against terri
' bic odds. La the moment Of success tn
: fiery McGavock fell shot through th
; heart. Major Grace took comman
Il only to fall with severe wound. Tt
e fighting around the battery was blood
J in the extreme. The Third moved up /
support and in ten minutes one hundre
and ninety Of FIVE hundred, comprisin
their number, were killed or wOandec
By this time the battle along line wa
raging with incredible fury. At th
2 one hundred and thirtieth round one
: Bledsoe's guns burst Still We held OF
ground and had possession of the cal
tured guns. Gen. Gregg had disco
cred long before this that we had el
countered something heavier tina
Il cavalry, and by examining captu
v ed prisoneres found theY repr
sented eighteen regiments. 4 Who'll
corps was Ia cur front. There was OF
Of two things left us-to retreat in tn
face Of such a number or wait till y
to we're entirely surrounded He decide
ID to retreat, which we accomplished su
s. cessfully, even moving Cur shatte<e
guns 10 Mississippi Springs, six mill
from the battlefield, where we bivouac
IS ed for the night On our retire:
1e through RAYMOND ws saw ladies vii
10 quilts and handages for the Wounds
who were being cared for by the
or tender hands. They would not be pc
c suaded to leave the streets even aft
the enemy's shells we're flying al
= crashing through houses. MournfuH
o- We took up our line Of retreat, bearir
- ar our u11oh4Iv .-cr4uda1 r,-szo--o-