The National tribune., 1902-01-02

ing, the battle of Champions Hill wa:
won.
Gen. Grant rode down to the left unit
he struck the Raymond road. where he mel
Gen. McClernand at the head of Cars
Division, with OSteThauS farther to tho
left. These troops had not been engaged
Gen. Grant informed them that the rcbc
army had been beaten and was in full re
treat toward the Big Black. He directed
Gen. McClcmand to pursue the fleeing
army with the divisions of Carr and
Osterhaus, and cross Big Black River il
possible
This battle was fought and won by the
Seventeenth Corps and Hovey's Division
Of the Thirteenth Corps. OF course, the
fact that a large body of Union trOops
We're close at hand, although not actually
engaged, gave confidence TO those who
were really under fire. Grant had about
$4,000 men actually engaged in this bat.
tie. The total loss was 40 killed. 1,S4i
wounded, 1S7 missing. Hovey's Division
brought on the battle and was in the midst
of the fighting all day, his loss being
LOO killed. wounded and missing.
The Confederate loss was over 3,00C
killed and wounded, 5000 captured. and
30 pieces Of artillery. Gen. L0ring's Divi.
sion of the Confederate army, about > 000
strong. thrown far to the right on Penn
bertOnJs line, was cut off but escaped to
the southeast.
SHERMAN MOVES Up.
Gen. Sherman evacuated Jackson al
noon, May 1G, following Stecle's Division
which had started west at 8 a. m. lie
parOled his prisoners and left his wounded
with a corps of Surgeons, who two days
later received medical supplies for their
own and the Confederate wounded under
a flag Of truce from Gen. Grant
Shcrman's advance marched 20 miles
and reached Bolton before night, the rear
guard Of his column arriving at = p. m.,
May IL, and two and half hours later
started for Bridgeport.
While the battle Of Chamnions Hill
was bci'.g fought Gen. Joseph L. Johnston
remained in camp about 40 miles 10 the
east, waiting the movements Of Gen. Penn
bcrtOn, who was under orders to unite
with him.
So far Gen. Grant had attacked and
beaten the Confederate forces in detail.
and now he had united. and with him the
full strength of the Thirteenth, Fifteenth
and Seventeenth Corps TO cope with Penn
bcrton at NickSburg.
IMPORTANCE OF GRAND GULF.
As has been seen, Grand Gulf became an
important point i'll connection with this
great campaign. 1t was the base for sup
plies and the point of crossing for troops
to reach the front From the time Gen
Sherman began to cross the river on May
I there was steady stream of troops
and wagon trains crossing the river and
pushing for the front.
The 18th III. came, and was detained
II few days to assist in the duties there
One of Gen. McArthur's Brigades came
and by order of Gen. Grant encamped
near the river to meet any rebel force that
might appear Gen. Blair with his divi
sion and some 800 wagons crossed the
river. Gen. Ransom with his brigade
came over about May II. On the same
day Col. Hall with his Iowa regiment
crossed the river.
I now decided to go to the front will
my regiment, and Col. Hall was assigned
to garrison the place with his regiment
Capt. Owen with the gunboat Louisyill,
was stationed there as part Of the defen
sive force.
On the morning Of June 10 my regi
ment, the 18th ILL.,, took up their line Of
march to join the army at the front TIL,
regiment was in charge of Lieut. Col
John +. Hall, who had had command Of
the regiment during our stay at Crane
Gulf, while l had command of the post
On that day Gen. Dana, of Gen. Bank.
staff, with one or two Aids reached Crane
Gulf on steamer. BE was Il bearer oi
dispatches from Gen. Halleck and Gen
Banks to Gen. Grant, and / at once pro
yided Gen. Dana with horses and an es
cnrt to go forward in search OF Gen
Grant.
| accompanied him. The start was
made late in the afternoon. We rode wei
into the night, oyertaking the regiment