The National tribune., 1901-12-26
MAP oF nArr1Es OF RAYMOND AND JACKSON.


wardss Station, - fall upon Grants rear
at Clinton.
Gen. Johnston's orders came too late.
Mcpherson on the 18th moved rapidly
upon Clinton. reached the town by p.
M, and at once began to tear mp the rail
road and destroy the telegraph line. He
intercepted dispatches from Pemberton to
Gregg showing that Pemberton still eX-
ptftcd an attack at EdWards'S Station.
Sherman marched into Raymond, meet
ing Gen. Grant, who ordered him TO take
he direct road 10 Jackson.
-AfcCiernand carried out his orders
promptly. withdrew from PembertOn's
front without opposition, marched to Ray
mAnd with part Of his corps, one division
20 the rear and one division advanced to
the fork of the roads leading to Sher-
mans and McPherson's positions. Grant
remained with McClernand at Raymond
on the night of May II
On the evening OF May IS, when the
army halted for the night, the Fifteenth
Corps on the right, the Seventeenth Corps
on the left and the Thirteenth Corps in
supporting distance, all had their heads Of
columns toward Jackson.
During The carly part of the evening
Gen. Grant issued his orders for the next
day. To Sherman lie said. Move directly
toward Jackson, starting at early dawn in
the morning. TO Mcpherson, who was at
Clinton, he said, Move at carly dawn
upon Jackson
TO McClernand he said, Move one d-
vision of your corps through this place
lkaymOndl TO Clinton. charging it with
destroying the railroad a. far as possible
70 q point on the direct Raymond and
Jackson road. Move another division
three or four miles beyond Mississippi
Springs. and eight OF nine miles from this
place. and another 10 Raymond, ready to
support either of the others. Also, direct
your .5O-pOuBd siege guns TO follow close
behind the advance guard Of the division
which takes post beyond Mississippi
Springs. on the main jackson road. You
VIII begin your movements at j n. IN. to-
norrOw.' Thus il was arranged that the
Fifteenth and Seventeenth Corps should
fsii upon Jackson on the 18th, while the
Thirteenth Corps shoald ic in supporting
distance and at the same time continue
the destruction Of the Nicksburg & Jack
son Railroad.
On the morning Of May II at Raymond
Gen. Grant wrote Gen. Halleck at Wash
IngtOn: Mcpherson took this place on
the 12th after Il brisk fight Of two hours
FIIe IS how at Clinton. Sherman
Da the direct jackson road, and McCler-
haHd bringing uD the rear. | will at
tack the State Capital today
This letter was rhc first cummunicati ton
Srut 10y Gen. Grant 70 Washington after
leaving Grand Cuff. II WAS sent by n
messenger without escort 10 the river along
the roads Travelled by the troops hasten
ing 10 the front. During the night there
was a heavy rain. and the whole army
was unprotected IL tents, but the troops
were ready for the march at daylight and
moved forward OTcT the slippery and
niiry roads in good order
Gen. Croker lad the advance OF the
Seventeenth Corps. When within five
uiles of jackson his s.yirInshers engaged
tae encmy's oHtpOsiS- They were driven
IN and pursued, and they fcll back upon
thei: main line. about TWO miles and a
half outside Of b. city
This occurred abOu: 8 o'clock in the
raprning.
Mcpherson Immediately took steps TO
bring his corps :ntO action; the artillery
vas brought forward and placed in posi-
tivn 10 reply 10 the enemy : guns which
lad opened Oh tic advancing line.
While these praparation~ were going
forward heavy Rain set IN, which lasted
for over an hour, uei. ing the attack AT
II O'Clock McIAcrsoN ordered an advance
his skirniishrrs driving IL The rebel pick,
SIS, but The Are from the cncmy'S line be
came 10 heavy thai tho Si,irniisherS were
called i'll. when CrocArFs whole line
rushed forward h~, an avalanche. driv
ias everything nefotc them. The Confed
rraic Inc He'd. ana WIS pursued 4 mi!c and
Il half, McPhersul.s batteries wheeling
into position from '.uc ro time and firn2
upon The Fetrcat.ng "HeIay. The Confed
crates took sIeltar .a the main defpuses
cf the city.
Sherman had Has lrreu idle OH th,. right
Tie pushed his shirGliiShrrS forward anC
soon drove The opposing force into thci
main intrcuchmrnts
Gen. Grant tLe-I ordered flank move
EHrEt to tho extreme left of the rebel line
Ie foli0wc,! fa2s, troops ami soon dryel
"pcd the fact thai ,he Confederate forces
tad evacuated l' city. making Il haSty
retreat 10 the Hprihwa..i, having left !
small fore. % s.r+i.ierNmcu To keep M .
show Of Resistance until the army couli
get away. JhCsc EleU were captured viii
their guns while Gen. JOS T.. .IohnStoI
was retiring with the Confederate force.
from the Capital of Mississippi Gen
-lehEston found himself with greatly IN
I ferior force. Grants movement had beer
SO rapid that the expected reinforcement,
had not arrived, his army was overmatclleG
and he now sought safety in fight. Gen