The National tribune., 1900-02-15

Corps alone commanded by McClernand
came in sight of the enemy at Black River
Bridge, and was then halted in order TO pre-
pare the troops for the attack.
On the left of the road leading to the
bridge lay an open cornfield, while a piece
of heavily-timbered land skirted it upon the
right Strong rebel breastworks extended
In circle for the distance of a mile and a
half from points at the river both above and
below the bridge. In front of this circle Of
breaStworks they had cleaned out an old
ditch about II feet wide and three or four
feet deep, which had from two TO three
feet of water in it at the time.
Grant sent a heavy force under com
mand Of Lawler into the woods on the right
Of the road. Lindsey with his brigade was
ordered to the left. This brigade was com
posed of the 22d KY, the 10Th, 42d, Hath
Ohio, and the 54th Ind.
BLACK RIVER BRIDGE.
We formed line of battle and marched
directly towards the enemy's works under
a heavy fire from their artillery until we
got within 500 yards of their lines We
were then halted and ordered to lie down.
1t was now about 9 o'clock a. IN. We lay
there three hours. under heavy fire from
artillery TO which We did not respond. but
our artillery was working with good re-
suits in our front upon their lines.
All this time Lawler was making il
warm for the rebels on our right. After
three hours Of hard fighting the enemy be-
gan To retreat before him. Orders then
came for our brigade TO charge the works in
our front and take them at the point of the
bayonet. 1t was quite a relief to MS. tn.
most difficult thing for soldier to do is tG
remain under fire and yet not be permitted
to return il.
At the word of command away we went
right up to their works. Here we found the
ditch above described, into which the sol
dlers jumped and waded across. The
writer crossed on bale of cotton that
chanced to be in the ditch in front OF him.
By the time got over the ditch and on the
rebel works the whole line was there also.
but they were very wet.
When the enemy saw lis coming they be-
gan TO retreat towards the bridge. knowing g
that their left wing was being driven hack
by our right. They were foiled in the
attempt to escape here, however. for their
left wing in retreating had fired the bridge
after crossing il, and there was nothing left
to do but surrender TO our superior forces
The number OF prisoners was 800.
This ended the battle of Black River
Bridge Our loss was light: that of the
rebels was quite heavy. Here we received
our knapsacks and remained all night.
NEARING THE CITADEL.
The Pioneer Corps was busy at work
laying pontoon bridge across the river
On the morning of the 18th our forces be.
gan to cross TO the NickSburg side. BY 3
O'Clock that afternoon We began the march
toward the city, 1t being the objective point
OF Grants movements. Our advance was
slowly and cautiously made. The adj
vance-guardS Were frequently fired upon by
the enemy that afternoon
About $ O'Clock in the evening we arrived
within five miles Of Vicksburg. and the
army was halted and formed in line of
battle. After the lines were formed, we
stacked our arms and lay down III the rear
OF our guns. This was i'll a heavy piece of
woods. We couldShear the movements Of
the rebel army during the night. but moth
ing of importance occurred. We had a
heavy picket force out 10 prevent a surprise
The movements Of Grants forces on
May is, above stated. was the real begin
ming OF the siege Of Vicksburg, which, AZ
days later, eliminated III its capture.
May 10 was a busy day with our troops
marching and counter-marching over the
fields. The face OF the country in the real
OF vlcksburg is much broken, and the
rebels had their forces posted al all points
OF vantage. 1t became necessary for oul
army TO feel its way cautiously.
The rebel artillery being in position al
all the leading points, whenever our forces
came III sight they became the targets fol
big guns. Then our forces would move in
some other course. This all consumed
time. Our artillery was kept busy replying
70 the enemy AT many points, but in conse.
Quence OF the rebel positions we were at a
great disadvantage. Their batteries were
concealed IN many places and we knew
nothing OF their presence until they would
open out upon us with a salute that was
not at all agreeable. But Grant was equal
10 the occasion, and kept his forces well