May 26, 1863, The New York Herald
DETAILS OF THE BATTLES.
The Advance on Raymond.
RAYMOND, 18 MILES SOUTHWEST OF JACKSON, MISS.
May 13, 1863.
When I last wrote Gen. McClernand was on the extreme right, with Osterhaus’ division advanced to Rocky Spring. General McPherson at that time lay, with his army corps to the westward, near Hankinson’s Ferry, on a road running nearly parallel to that occupied by McClernand. Gen. Sherman was on the road between Grand Gulf and Gen. McPherson. On Thursday, the 7th inst., Gen. McPherson moved his corps to Rocky Spring also, and his camp was occupied next day by Gen. Sherman. On Saturday McPherson again moved to the eastward, to the village of Utica, crossing the road occupied by McClernand, and leaving the latter on his left. On Sunday morning McClernand marched to Five Mile creek, and encamped on the south bank at noon, on account of broken bridges, which were repaired the same day. Monday morning Sherman’s corps came up, passed McClernand’s and encamped that night at the village of Auburn, about ten miles south of Edwards’ Station, on the railroad from Vicksburg to Jackson. As soon as it passed McClernand’s corps followed a few miles and then took a road going obliquely to the left, leading to Hall’s Ferry, on the Big Black river. Thus, on Monday evening General McClernand was at Hall’s Ferry, General Sherman was at Auburn, six or eight miles to the northeast and General McPherson was about eight miles still further to the northeast a few miles north of Utica. The whole formed an immense line of battle, Sherman’s corps being in the centre, with those of McPherson and McClernand forming the right and left wings. It will be observed also that a change of front had been effected. From Grand Gulf the army marched eastward, but, by these last movements, swung on the left as a pivot, and fronted nearly northward.
Up to this the enemy had not appeared on our line of march. On Tuesday morning General McClernand’s advance drove in the enemy’s pickets near Hall’s Ferry, and brisk skirmishing ensued for an hour or two, with little loss to either side. By noon the rebels had disappeared from his front, and seven wounded and none killed was the total Union loss. General Sherman put Steele’s division in motion early in the morning and came upon the enemy at the crossing of Fourteen Mile creek, four miles from Auburn. The cavalry advance was fired into from the thick woods that skirt the stream, and was unable, owing to the nature of the ground, to make a charge or clear the rebels from their position. Landgraber’s battery was thrown to the front, supported by the Seventeenth Missouri and Thirty-first Iowa infantry regiments, and threw a few shell into the bushy undergrowth skirting the stream which gave them cover. Skirmishers were thrown out and advanced to the creek, driving the enemy slowly. A brigade was thrown to the right and left flanks, when the rebel forces, mainly cavalry, withdrew towards Raymond. The bridge was burned during the skirmish; but a crossing was constructed in two hours, and trains were passing before noon.
But the principal opposition to the line of march was in the front of General McPherson. General Logan’s division came upon a body of rebel troops, estimated at about ten thousand, posted on Fondren’s creek, two miles southwest of this, at ten o’clock on Tuesday morning. Brisk skirmishing began at once, and a general engagement was soon brought on. The enemy (as in front of General Sherman) was almost wholly concealed at first by the woods bordering the stream, behind which their forces were posted. Their artillery was on an eminence that commanded our approach. Our troops had to cross an open field, exposed to a terrible fire. The First and Second brigades, commanded by General J. E. Smith and General Dennis (both Illinois men), were in the thickest of the fight, and suffered most. After three hours’ hard fighting the enemy withdrew sullenly in two columns, the principal one taking the road to Jackson. The federal loss in killed, wounded and missing will not be far from three hundred. The rebel loss is much greater. We have already buried seventy-five of their dead left on the field. Our own killed will, it is thought, fall below that number. Among those who fell nobly facing the foe was Colonel Richards, of the Twentieth Illinois, instantly killed. Colonel Ed. McCook, of the Thirty-first Illinois, is badly wounded in the foot, and started for home this morning. Lieutenants Barrett and Lamb, of the Seventh Missouri, were both killed. Captain Stevens, of Company H, and Lieutenant Sayres, of Company C, Twentieth Illinois are also among the killed. At this writing it is impossible to give a full list of killed, or do more than convey a general account of the result of the battle.
Tonight General Grant’s headquarters are here. General Sherman is six miles from here, on the road to Jackson. General McPherson pushed northward this afternoon to Clinton (a station on the railroad), and has, at length, cut the artery that animates the American Gibraltar. Its reduction now is only a question of time. Its surrender is, to my mind, made certain.
From intercepted despatches, General Grant learns that General Pemberton has instructed his forces to fall back on Vicksburg whenever hard pressed, and that the rebels have resolved to stake all on their final ability to hold the place. With the railroad in our possession to the eastward, the river patrolled by a gunboats above and below, and cavalry dashing southward from Memphis, the fate of the doomed and ill-starred city of Vicksburg is irrevocably sealed. The escape of the forces now in it seems impossible.
No fears need be felt for the supplies of Gen. Grant army. Corn, salt, meats and live stock are abundant everywhere. The soldiers are well fed and well satisfied. At a review a few days ago Gen. Grant’s appearance on the field was the signal for such an outbreak of universal enthusiasm are rarely ever greeted the heroes of ancient or modern days. The soldiers seemed to be given bent to a long pent up admiration for their old commander, and woke the echoes of the State with shouts and yells. Nothing like it was ever before observable in this department. Animated with such a spirit, our army is well nigh invincible.
By making demonstrations on Hawkinsville and Hall ferries, Gen. Grant has succeeded in completely deceiving the enemy as to the real point of attack. Gen. Pemberton has been sending troops to both places, whilst we have quietly marched to this point, and will probably be in Jackson in two days at farthest.