The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-08-22

lured. Alter reaching the top or tn
Hill through which was the cut W
moved off to the left side of the roa
and short distance from 1t, and kep
on in the same general direction abOu
a half mile and marched in behind
farmhouse of moderate size owned b,
Mrs. Thompson, which perhaps caused
the battle here fought to be calle'
Thompson's Hill.
While we were here it became lighter
a fog which prevailed having lifted, and
we then had a chance to see somethin.
of our surroundings. To our right, anC
about half mile distant, was a small
frame, unpainted building, evidently {
country church. On our front was the
farmhouse of Mrs. Thompson, and off to
the left were some farm sheds and negro
cabins.
The ground which was TO be the bat
tlefeld was broken by rayines whose
STEEP SIDES AND MARROW BOTTOMS
were covered with thick growth of
cane and underbrush, and the Southern
forces, being first on the ground, had oc-
cupied all the best positions.
Our regiment moved off still farther
TO the LETT, again encountering the fire Of
the rebel artillery, this time, unfortu-
nately, losing one man killed and an
other wounded.
Here again we halted; company from
the right was sent out as skirmishers, adj
vanced to a ravine in our front, and soon
disappeared in the cane and underbrush.
The enemy's s&irmishers were hid in the
brush on the opposite side. A desultory
fire was kept up on our front by the
skirmishers on both sides, and this con-
tinued for hours.
Meanwhile the forces on our extreme
right advanced, meeting with strong OPP
position, but steadily driving the enemy.
There was a lull in the firing on that part
of the line, and the struggle shifted to
the center. Here, too, the troops from
the North pushed back those who APP
preached them. At no time during the
day did the fight appear to be general,
and not more than one-third Of the line
of-battle, perhaps in all two and one-half
miles in length, was hotly engaged at any
one time.
Along in the afternoon the battle shift
ed again to the left of the Union line,
and the forces under Osterhaus had their
share in the contest.
The Confederates placed several pieces
of artillery near the negro quarters or
cabins before mentioned, and for while
fired so rapidly and burst their shells so
as to make our
SITUATION VERY UNCOMFORTABLE.
After a time the gunners of Fosters bat
qery, on our side, got the range on the
rebel artillery, dismounting two of their
guns in short order and causing the others
TO retire.
At FIVE o'clock a general charge was
made by the left of the Union forces,
the Confederate line was broken, many
prisoners were captured, and the re-
mainder Of the enemy were driven about
two miles. Darkness coming on the
pursuit was abandoned, and the victori-
Gus Northern soldiers bivouacked for the
night.
The next morning the 114th started
for Port Gibson, and camped not far
from the town and on the bank Of
the BAYOU Pierre.
The south fork of the Bayou Pierre
at the town Of Port Gibson had been
spanned by an elegant suspension bridge,
and this the Southern forces, having
crossed in their retreat,
CONSIGNED TO THE FLAMES.
Men were at once put to work, a
hoating bridge was constructed from the
timbers Of sheds and other buildings in
the village, and was placed across the
stream just above the ruins Of the bridge
The new bridge was finished early in
the morning Of May 3, troops at once
began crossing, and the pursuit Of the
enemy was resumed. Five miles from
Port Gibson the north fork of BAYOU
Pierre was reached, and here a stand
was made by the enemy, and an effort
to burn another suspension bridge The
enemy was driven of, the fire on the
bridge eXtinguishcd, and the Yankee
forces were once again in pursuit.
This place was known as Grindstone
Ford, and from thence the road ran almost
due north along the crest Of a ridge
About mile from Willow Springs we
were Lated, the head Of our column hay-
ing overiaken the enemy, who appeared to
be disposed TO dispute farther advance.
Our regiment was stopped in the road
In front Of log dwelling occupied by
a family in apparently tolerably fair
circumstances. An old gentleman, prob
ably the head Of the household, was
seated on the porch, and some Of our
Generals and other high officers went
and sat with him. A number Of sol
diers from several regiments started on
a tour Of investigation. A smokehouse,
IN which was a small quantity Of meat,
was soon cleared Of its contents, and
then attention was called to
LARGE NUMBER OF BEEHTvEs
arranged along q fence In the back part