May 17, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
HIGHLY IMPORTANT FROM THE WEST.
REPORTED CAPTURE OF JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI, BY THE ENEMY.
THE ENEMY DRIVEN BACK.
The telegraph, thus far, has brought us no tidings of the capture of Jackson, Miss., by the enemy. Vague rumors of that disaster, however, have been rife since our last issue. The Montgomery Advertiser, which was received at a late hour last evening, contains some definite information obtained from an officer who reached that city on Friday night. His advices from Jackson were derived from refugees who had escaped and telegraphed from Brandon and other points. The Advertiser says:
‘It appears from these accounts that the fight began at an early hour Thursday morning, some eight miles southwest of Jackson, and continued nearly all day, our troops commanded by JOHNSTON and the enemy’s by GRANT. We were finally driven back to Jackson, and fought them through the streets until overpowered by greatly superior numbers, and were compelled to evacuate the city, the enemy’s force amounting to about 20,000 or 30,000, and our own only to about 9000. General JOHNSTON then retreated on Canton, twenty-four miles due north of Jackson, situated on the wagon road connecting thence by Vaiden to the road running due east to the Yazoo River, and leading directly to Vicksburg, some seventy miles from Jackson by this route. ‘ When heard from yesterday morning, the enemy’s cavalry were at Brandon, on the Southern road, twenty odd miles this side of Jackson, near which point we had a force to protect the road. This fact is official, and may be relied on.
‘General JOHNSTON had arrived at Jackson 11, a.m., Wednesday, and the fight commencing so early next morning, left him no time to reorganize and concentrate the forces, and he no doubt made a desperate resistance under great disadvantages. It is stated that some days before leaving Tennessee General JOHNSTON sent General PEMBERTON an order to somewhat change his plans, which was forthwith set aside by the latter as very improper dictation to so consequential a commander, whereupon General JOHNSTON received an order at the last moment on Saturday to go to Mississippi and take command of the army. He left the same day, and arrived in unprecedented time, as before stated, Wednesday morning. We are glad to learn that his complacent predecessor had so far anticipated the evacuation as to have the most important supplies, and the archives and other articles of value, removed. Our army has four months’ provisions at Vicksburg. We have ample forces in communication in Mississippi, under the masterly lead of JOHNSTON, to meet and repel the invaders, but it may require some little time to put our forces in the proper position.’
(The Latest.)
From trustworthy private despatches, received yesterday evening, and dated Mobile, May 17, we get the following important and gratifying news:
Our troops now occupy Jackson. The report that a part of the troops from Charleston and Savannah had been captured is without foundation. The Yankees were whipped and routed from Edward’s Depot.
Lieut. Col. ELLISON CAPERS, of the 24th S. C. V., was slightly wounded in the leg.
From the fact that the enemy was beaten at Edward’s Depot, which is about fourteen miles from Jackson, in the direction of the Big Black, we infer that GRANT’S forces must have fallen back from Jackson. MERCURY.
ANOTHER ADVANCE ON ROME.
ATLANTA, May 16. The Quartermaster of HOLKE’S corps passed through this morning, and reports 7000 or 8000 of the enemy approaching Rome. All the available forces are ordered to be held in readiness.
ATTACK ON PORT HUDSON.
PORT HUDSON, May 10. The bombardment was renewed at 15 minutes past 10 o’clock last night, and continued till half past 11. Our loss was one man killed – head torn off by a shell – and one man severely wounded. At 4 o’clock this morning our light battery opened upon the mortar boats, causing two of them to change their position. A brisk fight and heavy fire ensued between our batteries and the sloop of war Richmond, which continued up to 7 a.m. We had ____ wounded; Lieut. CAVANOR, of the heavy artillery, dangerously, by fragment of stone on the temple. The damage done to the enemy is unknown, but the mortar boats are certainly injured.
It is evident, from the foregoing, which we copy from the Mobile Advertiser, that a fight had been in progress, previous to the date of the despatch.