May 21, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
From a gentleman just arrived from Jackson, the Mobile Tribune learns some points of interest not exactly in the nature of the latest news, but facts which enable the reader to form just conclusions in reference to matters in that district.
That a grand effort to reduce Vicksburg would be made by the enemy has been believed for some weeks; but at what precise point the blows would fall could not be foreseen. Whatever conjecture might be entertained, it was impossible to foretell with certainty whether the attack would be made from the north, south, or front of Vicksburg, or from all points simultaneously. When Grant, or Sherman, crossed the river below Grant Gulf, it could not still be known whether the foe meant to approach our stronghold by the river under cover of the gunboats, or whether he would attempt to circumscribe the place and cut our communications east. Along a river front of more than a hundred miles, the enemy could land somewhere; and having landed, he must move in some direction, and the General commanding deemed it prudent to wait until the enemy’s plans were sufficiently developed as to leave no chance for a surprise by feint.
Gen. Bowen, with the 1st and 2d brigade of Missouri and Arkansas troops, checked the rapid advance of the foe, and retarded his movements until Tracy’s and Baldwin’s brigades could arrive, and offer such resistance as enabled Gen. Bowen to evacuate his position south of the Big Black, and establish a line of defence extending along that stream east from the Mississippi, so as to secure Vicksburg against assault from the south. This was the work of the first few days after the enemy crossed the Mississippi. The fighting incident to this plan was very sharp and sanguinary. We lost about five hundred, and the enemy three times as many, in the judgment of old and experienced officers. Previously to these events Vicksburg had no defences on the south, other than the river, the swamps and the hills. Now it is strong in the superadded lines of earthworks. These extend twenty miles, and cross Big Black at the railroad bridge, where a crescent line of some miles protect that structure. General Pemberton, who, whatever his capacities may be as a Field Marshal, has extraordinary energy, was instructed by telegraph from the President to hold his position at all hazards; and he has stubbornly and earnestly addressed himself to that work. Reinforcements began to arrive, of whom some joined our main force at Vicksburg, to the number of seven or eight thousand, were either in front of the foe, fighting and falling back in order, or at Jackson awaiting his advance. General Johnston arrived at Jackson Thursday at 7 p.m., while some two thousand troops leaving Meridian on Friday morning failed to reach Jackson in time, and were turned back, and are forming a corps at Newton Station. General Johnston deemed it unadvisable to risk a battle at Jackson with very great odds against him, for the enemy advanced in heavy columns, and our troops, stores, rolling stock, etc., etc., were withdrawn towards Canton, and the enemy took possession of Jackson Friday evening at 3 o’clock. These conditions leave the foe with a line on the south of Vicksburg and Big Black extending from the Mississippi below Grand Gulf to Jackson – at least one hundred miles long; while we hold that very strong position with our main army, and a column 10,000 strong under General Johnston is on the north; and another body swelling to 12,000 or 15,000 more, under General Gist, of South Carolina, on the south of Jackson. Never did an army occupy a more perilous position than General Grant’s unless they can bring out such vast and overwhelming numbers as to maintain a line and forward supplies a distance of 100 miles. Meanwhile, our army is troubled, and our plans somewhat disarranged; but our army is not beaten; all our forces remain to contest the occupation of the great valley, and a braver body of men never went to battle. We now have Johnston to plan, and a host of gallant officers to execute his plans. Vicksburg is in no immediate danger; it is provisioned for months to come; and the battle which decides the possession of that stronghold and the navigation of the river has yet to be fought. We now know that a powerful column from Vicksburg was thrown out to move against the enemyline forty-eight hours since; but up to this time the result has not reached us. The occupation of Jackson is a mere incident, and decides nothing in itself; and the seizure of the railroad neither cuts off supplies nor prevents the coming of reinforcements. While the facts are certainly calculated to excite our interest and our apprehensions, there is no ground yet for despondency.