The National tribune., 1901-12-19

Pierre. He reached high ground about
an hour before sunset, and pushed stead
lily forward. When within FIVE miles of
Port Gibson, at Thompson's plantation,
he met the enemy, who had taken a strong
position and evidently proposed to give
battle. Some skirmishing occurred during
the night, but neither side was disposed
to bring on general engagement in the
dark.
Brig.-Gen John S. Bowen, Confederate
ARMY, commanded the garrison of Grand
Gulf, which consisted of about 5000 men.
He gallantly and successfully resisted the
attack Of the gunbOat fleet on April y
and made such defense that Gen. Grant
decided not To attempt to carry the place
by assault. On the morning Of the Both
Gen. Bowen saw the passage of Gen.
Grants army from the west bank of the
river to Bruinsburg, and realized that the
hour had come for him to take decisive
action. He at once informed Gen. Penn
bsrton Of the situation, and called for re-
Inducements.
Bayou Pierre. a nayigable stream. lay
between Gen. Bowen and the Union
forces. The only bridge across the stream
was at Port Gibson. This became the
objective point of both McClernand and
Bowen. Bowen, taking an early start,
reached there first. He crossed the bridge
aud moved down the road toward Bruins
burg, put his army in battle array in a
strcas position at Thompson plantation,
and awaited McGlernand's attack.
During April 30, while Gen. Grant was
crossing the river. Gen. Bowen kept up
Il show Of strength at Grand Gulf, but
during that day and night much of the
stores were removed, and at = o'clock i'll
the morning of May ] tremendous eX-
plosion occurred. The magazine was
blown up. and Grand Gulf AZ Confed-
crate foItiiicufinu was abandoned forever.
/ was then Colonel of the .tith H., and
had been left at iBc ShoOn's with instruc-
tons that when Grand Gulf was aban-
doHed to Immediately take possession and
establish a base 1f supplies there for the
army. When the explosion occurred
everything was made ready To transport
the troops across the river III the early
morning. Soon after daylight Admiral
Porter steamed up with sunbOats i'll easy
range Of the fortifcations and threw
few shells into the works. Everything
indicated that the place was abandoned.
Admiral Porter sent some men ashore
and not Il Confederate soldier remained
To resist them. Gen. Bowen's entire force
had gone ont TO give battle to Gen.
Grants army.
Est ABLIsHING \ BASE AT GRAND GULF.
The 5Glh Ill. was Immediately trans
ported across the river, and the place WAS
taken possession Of The work of cstab-
li> hing Grand Gulf as base for the
army WAS At once begun. May |, 1863,
was a busy day for the Army of the Ten
ncNsec and the naval and transport flOtila.
The real base for the military supplies
OF Grants army was AT N1illikens Bend.
a Sub-base bad been established at Per
Iuss plantation on the Mississippi
1 River, some 20 miles above Grand Gulf.
| set everything in motion promptly;
boats were sent up to Perkins's planta-
tion for suW,iies; other boats were used
! 70 transfer the immense wagon trains
I across from DE ShoUn's 10 Grand Gulf,
and two pioneer corps which were left
behind subject 10 my orders were put to
work cutting down the sides and decking
over several tlatbOats to be used rs decked
hnrges IN ferrynE over the Fifteenth
4 Corps when Gen. Sherman should arrive.
| Gen. Sherman on his part was busily
engaged in drawing off his expedition
against Haynes Bluff, which was done
| without the loss Of man. But the great
event Of May l was the battle of Port
! Gibson.
The country west of Port Gibson for
some 10 miles is broken by ridges, and
! valleys emptying toward the river. The
public roads are located on the ridges.
Gen. BoHehs line of battle lay across
| two ridges, two miles apart, and the in
tervening valley. He held the roads in
strong force along the ridges, both of
| which led to Bruinsburg, and united be,
| fore reaching the landing. Gen. McCler-
nand ordered the divisions of Gems. Henry
Carr and A. j. Smith to attack the en-
emy on the right and Gen. Osterhaus TO
attack on the left The rough character
of the country made each OF these move
ments substantially independent, as the
troops could not easily reinforce each