The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-15
A GREAT BATTLE REVIEWED
Gen. George F. McGinnis's Account OF
the Conflict at Champions Hill.
New Phases of the History of the Battle,
Showing What Commanders We're az
Fault-Important War History.

- ga IF Indiana soldiers 10 recent years
the review by Gen. George +. McGinnis OF the
battle of Champions Hill is generally regarded
as the most important, on account OF the ne"
historical phases it presents of that great con-
aict and because the information comes from
high and reliable authority. The paper mas
been the topic of much talk among those who
have heard it, or have been permitted TO read IT,
and General McG1innis has been strongly urged
by his friends to allow it to be published, whlIe
two or three of the commanding officers who
took part in the battle have advised him to the
.ontrary. not because his review in any
way incorrect, but because 1T would PROBABLY
provoke controversy which will continue through
the rest of his life The General once declared,
when urged to give the paper to the public, that
Il should not be published until after his death,
but he has since reached the conclusion that,
As he believes his account Of the battle to be
absolutely true, it is proper that it should be
given to the world for whatever historical value
it may have, and he has complied with the Jour
nails solicitation to be permitted to publish it.
1t is given as follows
The campaign of General Grant against
Vicksbure was the boldest in conception, the
most brilliant IN strategy, and the most vigor-
Gus in the prosecution, of the war of the rebel
lion, and was second only in Importance to his
the capture of Lees Army of Northern Virginia
at Appomattox.
Tho battle of Champions Hill was the battle
of the campaign, and the battle of Vlcksourg.
That field was the key TO the approaches to the
rebel stropgholds the Mlsslsslppi river.
When Grant cut loose from his base or sup
plies after the battle of Port Gibson, he venured
all upon the issue of one great battle and the
two armies met and decided that issue at Cnam-
pion's Hill ,
e Nfn,r tad m
rebels under General Bowen, after very gal
LIANT and brilliant defense. lasting all day.
1t is not necessary to recount the numerous
gkirmishes, and more i'm portant actions all very
important in themselves, resulting in every in
stance in a rebel defeat which took place be-
tween the I'd and 12tn of May, during which time
the movements between Grant on the one side
and Pemberton on the other, each striving for
advantage, position and concentration, oc-
Cured. and which led up to the decl-
sive battle of the 10th. On the after
noon of the 18th the advance of Netherlands
Thirteenth Army Corps. the Twelfth DIVISION,
met and skirmished with a force or rebels at
Fourteen-mile creek, about FIVE miles south OF
Edwards Station, the railroad leading from
Vicksburg to Jackson, where the enemy were
known be in force. Colonel Spicely, OF the
Twenty-fourth Indiana, led our forces across
the creek and drove the rebels back to their
main line, after which we bivouacked for the
night, fully expecting general engagement on
the next day.
Early on the morning of the 18th columns
were in motion, with heavy line of sklrmlsh-
ers, which, soon after crossing the creek, com
menced an exchange of compliments with the
administers on the other side. ALL but the
very few especially posted, fully expected that
they would soon be engaged in desperate and
deadly conflict, which would decide the fate of
Grants army and of Vicksburg 1t was not
then to be- however. Grant was not ready to
risk all he had gained on the result OF battle
at that time. Our skirmishers crossed the
Clinton road and advanced several hundred
yards beyond, sharply engaging the rebel Skin
rnshers, who fell back stubbornly and slowly.
When the head of the column reached the Gin
ton road it suddenly changed direction TO the
right and moved off toward the town of Clinton.
and away from Edwards Station, just as If
nothing had or was expected to happen. After
the whole column had gotten well on the new
direction skirmshers were Withdrawn,
leaving the rebels in quiet possession wonder
ing what the movement meant, and what
the next would be- The enemy was so
com pletely deceived and outwitted by the
flank movement, that, we were afterwards
informed by prisoners captured at Champions
Hill they actually remained in line of battle
till next morning. looking for an immediate at
tack
On our side. it was subsequently developed
that during the night of the 18th. there had
been a conference of the federal commandants.
1t was well known that Johnston was at Jack
son with u considerable force, estimated at "a
OOO and, fearing that he might give trouble
by an uutimely interference 1T was decided that
he must be disposed OF before q general engage
ment should be rsked with Pembertons force
OF $4,000 to 10000 men. This decision was
promptly and fully executed by Sherman. 1t
was good job and well DONE and Johnston
ceased from troubling" Grants splendid
strategy was now developing The uneducated
soldiers Tin military affairs) of Grants army had
heard and read good deal about strategy. es-
pecialy on the Potomac. They had not under
stood perfectly just what it meant, but now
they knew from practical experience, which was
much better than the theory. 1t was certainly
a magnificent piece of work, and nothing better
was done during the war. During these move
ments the Thirteenth Army Corps was COM
manded by General McClernand, the Fifteenth
by General Sherman, the SeVenteenth oy den;
Mcpherson. Logan and Croker commanded
divisions in the Seventeenth, Hovey, Carr. Os-
terhaus and A. J. Smith commanded divisions
in the Thirteenth, and Blair commanded divis-
ion OF the Fifteenth. L mention these names
and divisions especially for the reason that
they all intimately connected Tor
should have BEEN W.T., Gansrd the cattle battle
daring movement resulted in the capture of
jackson and the complete rout OF Jonnsuon's
army on the 14th of May On the same day
Hoyey's Twelfth Division Of the Thirteenth Corps
was in the neighborhood OF Clinton; Carr and
Osterhaus were near Raymond, while Smith
guarded supply train between Auburn and
Raymond. Blair followed Smith. On the 10th
Hovey's Division marched from Clinton 10 Boil
tons Station. The other divisions of the Thir-
teenth Corps. and Blair's OF the Fifteenth,
moved different roads in the direction OF, and
converging on Edwards Station During the
afternoon of the 18th the enemy showed him
self in considerable force near Bolton, and, be-
lievinR an attack was in tended, our lines were
line. with few cavalry, was sent forward; the
rebels retired advanced, utterly refusing
to fight, which was entirely satisfactory to
Grant, as he was not yet ready for a general en-
gagement. On the morning of the 10th of May
the Twelfth Division of the Thirteenth Corps
moved ont from Bolton the direct road to
Edwards Station. The divisions of Osterhaus
and Carr were moving the middle road,
whilst A. j. Smith, followed by Blair. was
marching the direct road from RAYMOND to
Edwards Station. The five divisions bered
about q, 900 men. and all were marching on
nearly parallel roads within four miles OF each
other and considering the position occupied by
the rebel force, within easy supporting dis
lance. At about $50 o'clock Sergeant David
WIlsev in command of a squad of Company
=. Ct the First Indiana Cavalry, dis
covered the enemy in position on Cham
piops Hill This information was received at
the head of the Twelfth Division and immediate
ly transmitted to General Hovey. VINO was near
the center OF the column The First Brigade was
Immediately thrown into line of battle on both
sides of the road, and soon as possible Cen
eral Hovey came up with the Second Brigade,
Tofn No. GsHop fnr,. IA