The National tribune., 1902-01-09
MAP OF BATTLEFIELD OF BI

MAP OF BATTLEFIELD OF
along the line. The creek ran in front OF
the works; the trees along the creek had
been felled into the stream The main
army, under Pemberton, had crossed the
river. Gen. Carr Occupied the right Cen
0sterhaus the left. and Mcpherson $
Corps was drawn up in columns in the
rear, ready to support McCIernand, while
Sherman was marching toward Bridge
port Gen. LAWYERS Brigade occupied the
extreme right of the line
The artillery on both sides kept I'D a
continuous fire for several hours, and
there was considerable Skirmshing along
the line, but the advantages of the rebel
position were so great that there was little
disposition TO order an assault
Gen. Lawler, always on the alert, full
of resources, and fearless as a lion. con-
ceived the idea that he could turn the en-
enry left by quick movement through
the underground and by wading the
stream de decided 10 undertake this
hazardous enterprise.
RUSHING THE WORKS.
With LOO men he marched rapidly up
TO the edge of the ditch. all the while
Under heavy musketTy fire The balance
of the brigade Immediately charged the
works. The assaulting column made for
the end of the rebel parapet. They rushed
oNApf,S LlAC Slttdill, tHTTltU Ile HOFkS, en-
fliaded the line, and drove the enemy from
their works along the front of the brig
ade. The whole rebel line was seized with
panic The divisions Of Carr and Ostpr-
haus, witnessing LAWYERS success. charged
the works on Il run. They went over the
works. but the enemy had already fed.
And now occurred a terrible scene. The
beaten Confederate army sought safety in
hight. Black River was in their rear
Many undertook to cross by the railroad
bridge, others swan the river, while many
others, throwing down their arms, sur
rendered. The panic spread to the troops
on the west bank of the river They set
fire to the bridge, and thus prevented the
escape of many.
PeHberton's whole army fed pell-mell
toward yicksburg.
The Union losses in this engagement
were - killed and 242 wounded. They
took l,T1l prisoners Is guns. and five
stands of cOlOrs. The battle was over by
10 O'Clock in the morning.
The movement which brought about the
victory was conceived by Gen. I.awlcr.
never excelled
The road 10 Nicksburg was now Omen.
The first step was to cross Big Black
River The bridges had all been de
strOyed.
Gen. Grant directed that bridges be CON
structed. Gen. Mcpherson, Gen. Ran
SOM and Lieut. Haines, of the Engineer
Corps, superintended the work. Tieut
haiieS built = floating bridge Of timber
Gen. Mcpherson built ponroon bridge of
cotton bales, and Ransom fclcd trees ON
each side of the river for the support of
his structure The bridges were provided |
with substantial plank floors, so that men
ana teams could pass in safety.
CRossIs;G TIE BIG RACK
Gen. Sherman reached Bridgeport about
noon; BAR had already arrived THIS !
place is on Big Black River about six miles /
above and to the east of the raiIroad cross.
ing where the battle was fought. A rebel
picket post WAS stationed on the opposito
side. Gen. Blair proposed to have II few
men swim the river above and attack and
drive them off, hut Gen. Sherman caused |
section of Guns TO be cautiously drawn |
forward, wlen few shells directed ut 1
Their intrenchment brought out 4 Licutan /
ant and 10 men. who surrendered and were |
1errled over III pontoon boat Blair's |
pontoons were made of rubber They were
soon inflated and bridge promptly made
across the river. The Fifteenth Corps |
crossed during the night of the 18th. Gen. |
Sherman, accompanied by Gen. Grant |
witnessed the scene by the light of pitch |
pine fires
McClernand and Mcpherson began
crossing the river about S O'Clock on the
18th. They went steadily on until tb.
Thirteenth and Seventeenth Corps, with
all their artillery and wagon trains wcr..
safely over. sherman, on the right. moved
forward at daylight: by 10 O'Clock he had
reached the Benton road, three miles ans.
half from Vicksburg. and had command
OF the country between the Big Black and
the Yazoo Rivers. He at once directed
CoL Swan, Of the 4th Iowa Cav, to -