The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-02-16

During the night Gen. Carr's Division was
joined by Gen. Osterhaus's. Gems. Blair's and
Smiths Divisions rested about three miles
southeast of Edwards Station, and Gen.
Hovey's Division at Midway, under orders to
care for the wounded and bury the dead.
At $3.50 on the morning of the 18th the corps
again took up the march, Gen. Carr's Division
in advance, followed by Gen. Osterhaus's Di-
vision, on the road to Black River Bridge, six
miles distant. Gen. Cars Division captured
and sent to the rear number of prisoners and
on reaching skirt of woods which masked the
enemy's position encountered and drove back
his picket. On the farther edge of the wood
the enemy was found to be in strong force, in
trenched in elaborate defenses. On coming in
contact with the enemy brisk engagement
ensued, which closed with brilliant charge by
the Union troops, resulting in the capture Of
the enemys works, with many prisoners The
enemy fled toward steamer which formed a
bridge across the Big Black River near the rail
road bridge, and most Of them escaped to the
commanding bluff on the opposite side, while
others, holly pressed by Benton's and the right
Of Lindsey's Brigades. were cut off and driven
to the left and down the river upon the left Of
Lindseys and the front Of Burbridge's Brigades
and fell into their hands. The victory was in
every way complete.
The enemy burned the bridge over which he
passed, two other steamers, and the railroad
~
of arms, lS pieces of cannon and a large guam
tity of ammunition aud cotton fell into the
hands of the Union forces This battle was
fought on the Union side by the Thirteenth
Corps alone, its total losses amounting to 279 in
killed, wounded and missing.
On reaching the opposite side of the river the
enemy attempted a stand for the purpose of
covering his trains and retreat upon Vcksburg,
but before sunset was dislodged leaving be-
| hind a number of tents, considerable guam
| tity of clothing and other stores in smoking
| ruin.
During the following night bridge was
| thrown across the Big Black by the Pioneer
| Corps, and on the morning of the 18th, Gems.
| Osterhaus's, Smiths, and Cars Divisions took
up the line of march for Vicksburg, IL miles
distant. The line was led by Smiths Division,
on the Jackson and Vcksburg road, to Saint
| Adams; thence by crossroad and the Bald
| wins Ferry road at Four Mile Creek, where
they arrived at about sunset and rested for the
night four miles from Vicksburg.
The enemy s defenses consisted of long line
of riie-pits occupied by infantry, covered by
numerous strong works occupied by artillery
so arranged as to command approaches either
by the ravines or ridges in front.
At 6:30 a. m. on the 18th the Thirteenth
Corps, which under orders had been in readi.
ness since a a. m. to move forward and com
mence the investment of Vicksburg, came up
and formed behind tho crest of the hill-Gen
Smiths Division GU the right of the road
Gen. Osterhaus on the left, and Gen. Carr's
along the base of the hill as reserve. Skin
mishers were thrown forward to engage the
enemy's skirmshers, and artillery was opened
upon the enemy's works. The enemy's Skin
mishers soon fell back, and the Union line was
advanced across Two Mile Creek to the hills or
the opposite side. About 10 O. m. an order
was issued by Gen. Grant, directing corps com
manders to gain position as close possible t.
the enemy IS works until 2 p. M, at which houl
three volleys should be fired from all thei
pieces in position, and general charge of al
the corps along the line should then be made
By o'clock the Thirteenth Corps had, will
great difficulty, gained about half a mile, ant
was within 500 yards of the enemys works
At the appointed signal the infantry moved
forward, under cover of the artillery, and amid
destructive conflict had reached within 50t
yards of the enemys lines when exhaustion
and darkness interrupted. An advance hat