May 27, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
(Correspondence of the Mobile Advertiser.)
JACKSON, May 19. – I sit down to write you relative to the stirring events of the last ten days, but without any knowledge of how or when I will be enabled to forward my letter, but trust to good luck.
FROM MOBILE TO JACKSON.
Leaving Mobile on the 15th instant I arrived at […..] Maridian time,’ and the next morning obtained passage on a transport train for Forrest, where our troops were being massed under Gen. Gist. The country was wild with excitement, and Madam Rumor was busy with her thousand tongues. At Lake we were detained until dark on account of returning trains. Here we learned that Jackson had been evacuated. I arrived at Forrest about 8 o’clock, p.m., and luckily met Mr. Flannery, the General Superintendent of the Southwestern Telegraph Company, who took me on his train to Brandon. From Brandon we were to proceed cautiously and reconnoitre. We arrived at Brandon at sunrise Sunday, and walked a mile for breakfast and then returned to the train and started West.
The first evidence we had of the Federals was about eight miles from Jackson, where we found two rails prized up and bent. This was repaired in ten minutes. We then proceeded to the 48 mile post from Vicksburg, and some 2 1/2 to 3 miles of Jackson; here the wires were cut in two places and torn down to the city. Mr. Flannery had them up and in working order by night. The Southern road we found torn up badly. All of the bridges, large and small, were burned. The cross-ties were torn up, piled up, and the iron thrown across them and burned. This was done in places amounting to about one miles of track destroyed in all to the bridge over Pearl river, which was also burned, but not seriously. About one o’clock I crossed the ferry and arrived at the Owen House, very much exhausted, black and dirty, not having a wink’since leaving Mobile.
JACKSON.
Upon entering the city I saw what I pray God I may never see again – a sacked city and outraged people. A general scene of desolation presented itself. The track of the Southern road, from Pearl River though the city, including all turnouts, and switches, platforms and rolling stock, with offices, &c. were all destroyed in like manner for two miles west. The New Orleans, Jackson and Great Northern Railroad was likewise destroyed north and south from two to three miles each way, together with all its buildings, &c. All foundries, factories, machine and work shops were burned. The Confederate House and all its furniture and stores were burned. I am told that some Federal officers were at the table eating, while another portion were firing the buildings. The excuse given for so doing was that Mr. Edwards, the proprietor, refused to entertain General Prentiss as he passed through this city a prisoner from Shiloh. The hat and blanket factory east of the Confederate House, the depot hospital, small pox hospital, the building on the west, north and south, were destroyed.
On Main street the large block of brick buildings, where the medical stores had been stored, except the southwest corner, was destroyed. In this block was Green’s banking house, which was robbed of $200,000. The Fair Grounds’ buildings were destroyed. The quarters of Maj. Mims were also burned. The office of the Mississippian was gutted, the types thrown into the street, and the presses broken to pieces and everything injured possible. Every store in the city, without a single exception, was gutted, the contents given to those who would take them or destroyed. Private houses were also robbed; likewise individuals of money, watches, jewelry, &c. The State House was visited by them, the Federal flag hoisted on it and the furniture badly injured. The Governor’s mansion came in for a share of their wrath. The furniture was smashed and piled up in the floor for burning, but through the interference of some parties was not burnt.
The Catholic Church was fired and burned to the ground, as a matter of course.
The Masonic and Odd Fellows’ Halls were rifled of all but the jewels, which were saved. The building was saved through the intercession of the Master of the Lodge.
In the course of the grand jubilee of vandalism the Federals frequently remarked that they would do as much damage here as Van Dorn did them at Holly Springs. One remarkable fact disclosed itself, viz: that there was no scarcity of provisions or dry goods in the hands of dealers. The immense stocks found in the cellars, garrets, bedrooms and other places, was surprising. There was a plenty for all. Flour was said to be here in the greatest of abundance. All was taken, given away, or destroyed.
The Federals had plenty of counterfeit money, and passed it on all who were simple enough to take it.
A general gloom prevails here and people are despondent. The criminations and denunciation of Gen. Pemberton are painful and humiliating. Not a man has a good word for him. The more moderate say that he wants capacity. Bitter, bitter, indeed is the feeling against him. I can but hope that he will show himself unworthy of these aspersions. I could write you a column of what the people say, but it would do no good.
A good deal of distress and suffering exists in consequence of the damages done.
FEDERAL ELECTIONEERING.
The Federals hurled any number of curses at the .’the ____d Dutch,’ and ‘the _____d Jews,’ and were very particular that their feelings in this respect should be known. Their curses may be true, but they are our speculators, our Dutch, and our Jews, and so long as we tolerate them such littleness avails them nothing to create local prejudices, and were but cowardly excuses to cover most shameful and wanton acts.
NEGROS, HORSES, ETC.
From the best information that I can obtain, the Federals have carried off about 3000 negros from this county, together with a large number of horses and mules. Some of the negros have already left them and come home.
BATTLE OF RAYMOND.
But little is known of this battle, or the losses sustained. Gregg fought the Federals with less than 4000 men, and held them back for some time, say forty-six hours, but having no artillery, and the enemy being constantly reinforced, he was compelled to fall back on Jackson for reinforcements, where there were but few to give him. The Federals advanced on the city, and after a short but spirited engagement captured it. Our loss altogether in killed, wounded and prisoners, will foot up about 800. Of the Federal loss, we only know of some 250 wounded in the Jackson hospitals, and over 900 in the neighborhood of Raymond.
VICKSBURG.
Ever since the enemy occupied Clinton all communication with Vicksburg has been cut off. We receive some news from couriers in small doses. Nothing later than the 15th from the city. The military let out but little, and for a while it is best they should be reticent.
GENERAL JOHNSTON.
General Johnston marched with Gregg’s and Walker’s brigades to Calhoun on the railroad to Canton. He has succeeded in collecting a fine column of 10,000 to 12,000 men, which he this morning safely threw over the Big Black to the Vicksburg side. This fact has given great satisfaction to all, and a general feeling of relief is experienced, and it has gone far towards restoring public confidence.
BATTLE OF BAKER’S CREEK.
On Saturday, 16th, the Federals having been mending Big Black Bridge by way of Edwards’ Depot, Gen. Pemberton advanced a heavy force over on this side of the river, about six miles, and engaged the enemy on Baker’s Creek. Here a very heavy battle was fought, very few particulars of which are known. It is known that Pemberton had the advantage of the ground – that he was successful until Grant reached the field with reinforcements from Jackson. Pemberton did not fight half his forces. Gen. Lloyd Tilghman’s division was known to have been engaged. He was killed. Tilghman commanded at Fort Henry, and had the alternative of escaping and losing his army, or saving his army and being captured himself. He chose the latter alternative. A few days after Buckner, at Donelson, had the alternative of escaping and losing his army, or of sharing its fate in captivity. He shared its fate. Both were heroic and noble examples of Kentucky chivalry. Loring, who commanded our left wing, did not engage until late, when he found himself surrounded by the enemy in heavy force.
He charged and cut his way through their lines, and marched on Crystal Springs, twenty-eight miles north of Jackson. After getting out, it is said, he encountered a supply train of Grant, of 150 wagons, which he destroyed. It is also reported that he lost all of his artillery, which he was compelled to abandon, but lost few men. Our loss, as estimated by Gen Pemberton, is said to be 3000, and the enemy’s at three times that number. Knowing the ground, the disproportion of the loss of the two armies is quite a reasonable estimate, if we lost 3000 men. Pemberton whipped the forces he was fighting, and when Grant came up retired behind his entrenchments, expecting, it is said, a general attack from Grant, which was not made. Loring is very highly extolled for his part in the fight. I know of no more particulars.
FLAG OF TRUCE, ETC.
Yesterday evening the enemy sent a flag of truce for his principal surgeon, who had been left here in charge of the Federal wounded. From the enemy we learn that their loss in the battle of BakerCreek was 6000 killed and wounded, and that they supposed our loss to be as great. They claim to have captured sixteen pieces of artillery. This may be, if true, that of Loring. They say Pemberton fell back to the Big Black, crossed the river, and burnt the bridge. They claim to have taken 700 prisoners. We have no news of fighting today. I have endeavored to detail such facts as I have been able to obtain. Affairs are beginning to look better, and I sincerely hope the worst has passed. The storm has been a long time gathering, and our entrenchments have not yet been attacked; all has been so far out-post fighting. Vicksburg has not yet been shaken. Grant’s army above and below is estimated at 120,000 men; and now, to make due allowances for casualties, I think that he can hardly bring more than 80,000 men into the field.