The National tribune., 1893-04-06

Clernand's Corps formed the right wing Nc
! Phersons the center, aud the Fifteenth (Sher
mansl the left wing. and they were 10 move
across in that order. following each other as
| rapidly as the narrow road wonld permit. Al
that date two divisions of the Fifteenth Corp:
We're near Duckport aud Young's Point and
/ the other division (Steele's) was under orders
| to return from Grernvile.
By May Grant had gained footing on tie
east bank OF the river, the enemys Hank had
been turned and his troops were scattered
| On that date (May 81 Gen. Grant sent an
order to Gen. Sherman. directing him to or
| ganize train Of l20 wagons, bring them to
Perkins's plantation, and from that point ferry
| them over the river to Grand Gulf, where
| they were to be loaded with 100000 rations
| from the transports
From the Sd to the 9th of May McClernand's 8
and McPherson's Corps were at Willow Springs
| and Hankinson's Ferry. waiting for supplies
aud the Fifteenth Corps On the 9TH, the
Fifteenth Corps being across the river, the
advance was resumed. AT this time Grant
had learned that the enemy's force at Hankin-
sons Ferry had retreated toward Vicksbnrg,
and that force was being collected at Jack son.
Ho therefore concluded 10 advance along the
line of the Big Black toward Edwards Station.
midway between jackson and Yicksburg. The
Fifteenth Corps was to follow the Thirteenth
the direct rosd to Edwards Station, through
On May IL, about IL a. M, the Union forces
encountered the enemy in force al Raymond,
and after severe fighting, which continued for
two or three hours the enemy abandoned the
field and retreated rapidly toward jackson.
The defense made by the enemy at Raymond
led Grant to believe that their force in the
vicinity of Jackson might be stronger than he
had supposed, and he determined TO move his
whole force in that direction. On the evening
of the 18th orders were given for Mcpherson
to push forward at daylight toward Clinton
and thence TO jackson; the Fifteenth Corps,
followed by McClernand with three divisions
to move to Raymond and thence by Mississippi
Springs toward Jackson. During the day
sharp skirmishing was had with the enemy.
JACKSON.
At about 10 q. m. on the morning Of the 14th
the Fifteenth Corps approached Jackson in a
pouring rain. The enemy, in intrenchments
constructed on the high ground commanding
the approaches over the open fields. made a
feeble resistance. After some preliminary
tillery firing, a portion of the Fifteenth Corps
were moved around the enemy's flank, and
at / p. m. they reached the enemy's intrench.
ments to find them deserted. About $50 pris-
o,iers were taken, together with 15 pieces of
artillery and a considerable quantity of am
munition and stores. The loss Of the Fifteenth
Corps was 32 killed, wounded and missing, all
of tire Third Division.
During the night of the 18th the Fifteenth
Corps bivouacked at Bolton, and on the next
morning moved to Bridgeport at which point
two divisions crossed during the night of the
18th, followed by the other division the next
morning. At break of day the leading di-
visions were on the road to Vicksburg. By 10
q. M. the corps had reached tho Benton road,
thns interposing between Vicksbnrg and the
forts on the YaZoo. After halt of couple of
hours Sherman was directed by Grant, who by
this time had come up. TO form the right of the
line, and at noon he resumed his march. About
two miles outside the intrenchments the road
forked, the right hand, known as the Grave
yard. and the left hand as the Jackson road,
both leading into Vicksburg.
The Fifteenth Corps took the right hand,
and on approaching the defenses two divisions
moved toward the right along the ridge extend
ing to the Mississippi The cavalry regiment
which had been sent by Con. Sherman iii the
morning to take the bat cries at Haines's Bluff
arrived in rear of the batteries at that point
during the afternoon aud rode In without op-
position, the two com pan les of the enemy which
bad been left behind to destroy the guns having
fed without accomplishing their purpose.
Signal was made TO gnnboat lying in the
YaZ0o, and 1t came up and took possession.
The magazine was filled with ammunition, and
the guns, IA in number, wore all in good con-
ditiou.
MAY IL AND ~.
At a. M on the 10Th the Fifteenth Corps
in position the ridge beyond Fort Hill
FROM the Mississippi River to the Graveyard
road. Steele's Division was on the right, Blar's
on the left, and Tuttle's in reserve. In the
assault Of this day the Fifteenth Corps made a
vigorous effort and succeeded in reaching the
ditch, but being unsupported by the other
corps, they were repulsed. Casualties were
713 killed, wounded and missing, distributed
as follows: