May 19, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
LATEST FROM THE WEST.
BRANDON, Miss., May 16, (via Montgomery May 17.) Five gentlemen rode to Jackson today and traversed the city. The enemy evacuated the place about two o’clock. Their force is supposed to be about 40,000. They have retreated towards Vicksburg. Firing has been heard in that direction. It is believed that Gen. PEMBERTON is in the enemy’s rear. The Yankees, before leaving, burned the Confederate forage and the Depot, the Penitentiary, GREEN’S and PHILIPS’ Factories, STEVENS’ Foundry, WERNER’S Hat Factory, a block of buildings on State street, including the Medical Purveyor’s and other Government offices, and both bridges over the Pearl River. They also destroyed several miles of railroad track. It was reported in Mobile that some of this burning was done before we retired – several Confederate houses having been burned by the property holders.
MOBILE, May 18. A despatch from Jackson, dated today, says that a heavy but indecisive battle occurred near Edward’s Depot on Saturday. We fell back to our own entrenchments. The loss was heavy on both sides. General TILGHMAN was killed.
A despatch to the Advertiser and Register confirms the previous accounts of the damage done by the enemy to the town of Jackson. The Catholic Church was destroyed. The Mississippian office was gutted, the presses broken, and the type thrown into the street. The furniture in the Capitol was badly abused, and the Governor’s mansion was demolished. Ladies were robbed of their jewelry and money. All the stores were sacked, and their contents destroyed. Iron safes were broken open. The railroad was badly torn up for several miles, and the wires were broken down. About 3000 contrabands from Hinds County joined the enemy, and the country was plundered generally. The damages are estimated at from $5,000,000 to $7,000,000 worth. Much destitution and suffering prevails. The enemy evacuated Jackson on Friday and Saturday, retreating hastily. No serious engagement took place at that time. The last of their rear guard left about two o’clock on Saturday. Our cavalry pickets dashed in and captured a Yankee Colonel and other prisoners. The Yankees captured and paroled 200 South Carolinians and Georgians. They left 200 of their wounded at Jackson, and 900 at Raymond.
GRANT occupied Jackson in full force. His entire army was about 50,000 strong. LORING on Friday cut off and captured his supply train.
Two hundred and fifty New Orleans exiles are at Pascagoula. Five hundred more are to arrive tonight. Conveyances will be sent to them tomorrow morning.
A despatch from Pascagoula gives a rumor which was current in New Orleans on the 15th, that the steam sloop of war Hartford had been burned by FARRAGUT, after being stripped.