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May 28, 1863, The New York Herald

Our Army Correspondence.

CROSSING OF BIG BLACK RIVER, May 16, 1863.

GENERAL GRANT’S RAPID MARCHING.

The situation remains unchanged at this point. When we arrived here on the heels of the retreating enemy, the army was entirely exhausted. We had marched continuously from Milliken’s Bend for seven days, and with hardly an hour’s rest night or day. We had fought a severe battle and achieved a splendid victory, and it was proper that a few days’ respite should be given the tired soldiery. This rest is working wonders. The men are now anxious to move. They are in the best of spirits and confident of their ability to whip the enemy. The indications are that in the desire to advance they will soon be abundantly gratified. Tomorrow, they say, we move upon the railroad bridge and the city of Vicksburg. One division is already several miles in that direction. It is intrenched, and the whole country is being thoroughly scouted, to arrive if possible at the enemy’s intentions. He doubtless means fight and defence.

A RECONNOISSANCE IN FORCE was made across the river at this point yesterday. Our troops penetrated the country to the north a distance of seven or eight miles, and found the enemy occupying an advantageous position, and drawn up in line of battle to receive them. There was slight skirmishing in front; but, as an engagement was undesirable, the troops were soon after withdrawn, and recrossed the river to their old camping ground. We captured a few army wagons and several boxes of fixed ammunition.

CAPTURE OF GUNS.

Gen. McClernand yesterday found the two 32 pound Parrotts which the enemy used in his retreat to keep us all busy, concealed in a clump of bushes by the roadside, near Willow Spring. They will do yeoman service with the Union army.

GENERAL McCLERNAND’S HEADQUARTERS – MR. INGRAHAM.

General McClernand established his headquarters at the house of Rev. Professor J. H. Ingraham, of yellow covered literature notoriety. This gentleman’s […..] and piratical” turn of mind, as evidenced by his novels, will be readily remembered. His heart was touched, and several years since he became a Christian and thought he had a call to preach the Gospel. He settled down a country parson, married a rich widow, and, becoming tired of the care of souls, gave up his profession and undertook the care of his money. His old literary habits returned in greater force in his retirement, and he wrote the religious novel, “The Prince of the House of David,” and others of the same character. Professor Ingraham’s mansion is a beautiful one, situated just on the crest of a hill overlooking a deep ravine and miles of grand old forest trees. Evergreens, magnolias and beautiful flowers around the house attest the man of culture and refinement. Personally Mr. Ingraham is agreeable. He has a mild, sanctimonious cast of countenance, and when conversing uniformly defers to his lady – a large portly creature, gray haired and red faced – by whom he is evidently kept in proper subjection. The lady brought him his fortune, and should therefore receive his respect and attention.

I am afraid Mr. Ingraham is a bit of a rebel. The troops had halted on the top of the hill when we were pursuing the enemy beyond Willow Spring a few days since, and I rode along the pathway leading to his house, and called upon the old gentleman. I naturally desired information as to the whereabouts of the enemy; but he insisted that not a rebel soldier has passed. We bade the Professor adieu, and had hardly reached the roadside again before the rebel bullets began to whistle about our ears like hailstones. The rebel soldiers were lying within twenty yards of the Professor’s house, and had they known of our presence might easily have picked us off. Either the Reverend Ingraham was profoundly ignorant of what was going on directly under his nose, or he spoke falsely.

THE KILLED AND WOUNDED AT THOMPSON’S HILL.

The following is a table of killed, wounded and missing in the late battle of Thompson’s Hill. It is correct and complete as far as it goes. The removal of General Osterhaus’ division to the front has prevented me obtaining his report and a similar reason prevents me from including the record of the casualties in the Second brigade of Carr’s division. Both of these divisions will doubtless present an aggregate of four hundred, which will swell our entire loss to nearly nine hundred men: –

We have reason to know that the enemy’s loss will reach twenty-five hundred men, including four hundred captured and paroled in the hospital at Port Gibson. Nearly six hundred prisoners have already been sent North.