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burg was limited, Gen. Grant found it necessary to extend his line of movement by land to Hard Times in Louisiana. By the circuitous route it was necessary to take, the distance was increased to seventy miles from Milliken's Bend.

On the 29th of April, the thirteenth corps of the army had reached the Mississippi, and the seventeenth was well on the way. Gen. Grant then embarked so much of the thirteenth as could be got on board the transports and barges, and moved to the front of Grand Gulf. This was a strong position on the east bank of the Mississippi, below the mouth of the Big Black river. The plan was that the gunboats under Admiral Porter's command should silence the fortifications, and under cover of the gunboats the troops should land and carry the place by

storm.

At eight o'clock in the morning the attack was commenced by the gunboats, and continued fiercely for more than five hours. The following is the despatch of Admiral Porter respecting the attack:

FLAG SHIP BENTON, BELOW GRAND GULF, MISS., April 29th, 1862. Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy: have the honor to inform you that, by an arrangement with General Graut, I attacked the batteries at Grand Gulf this morning, which were very formidable. After a fight of five hours and thirty minutes, we silenced the Tower batteries, but failed to silence the upper one, which was high, strongly built, had guns of very heavy caliber, and the vessels were unmanageable in the heavy current. It fired but feebly toward the last, and the vessels all laid by and enfiladed it, while I went up a short distance to communicate with General Grant, who concluded to land the troops Gulf. I sent the Lafayette back to engage the upper and march over to a point two miles below Grand battery, which she did, and drove the persons out of it, as it did not respond after a few fires. At 6 P. M. we attacked the batteries again, and, under cover of the fire, all the transports passed by in good condition. The Benton, Tuscumbia, and Pittsburg were much cut up, having twenty-four killed and fifty-six wounded; but they are all ready for service.

We land the army in the morning on the other side, and march on Vicksburg. DAVID D. PORTER,

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Acting Rear-Admiral.

Gen. Grant, who was a spectator of the scene, says: Many times it seemed to me that the gunboats were within pistol shot of the enemy's batteries. It soon became evident that the guns of the enemy were too elevated and their fortifications too strong to be taken from the water side. The whole range of hills on that side were known to be lined with rifle pits. Besides, the field artillery could be moved to any position where it might be useful in case of an attempt at landing." He therefore determined to run the enemy's batteries again, and to turn his position by effecting a landing at Rodney, or at Bruinsburg, between Grand Gulf and Rodney. Rodney is a small village on the east bank of the Mississippi, some miles below Grand Gulf. Bruinsburg is a small place between the two others. A reconnoissance was made to a point opposite Bruinsburg, and information was obtained from a negro that

there was a good road from that place to Port Gibson. Gen. Grant determined to make the landing on the east side of the Mississippi, at Bruinsburg. Accordingly the troops were immediately ordered to land at Hard Times, and march across to the point below Grand Gulf, and at dark the gunboats again engaged the batteries, and all the transports were run by. They received but two or three shots during the passage, and these caused no injury.

At daylight on the morning of the 30th, the work of ferrying the troops across the Missis sippi was commenced both by the gunboats and the transports. The thirteenth corps, as soon as landed and supplied with three days' rations, was started on the road to Port Gibson. The seventeenth corps followed as rapidly as it could be taken across the river. Port Gibson was a flourishing village on Bayou Pierre, 28 miles from its mouth, and about 65 miles southwest from Jackson, the capital of Missis sippi. It was connected with Grand Gulf by a railroad.

About two o'clock on the next morning, May 1st, the advance of the enemy was met eight miles from Bruinsburgh, on the road to Port Gibson. They were forced to fall back, but as it was dark, were not pursued far until daylight. Then Gen. McClernand with his corps pressed forward within four miles of Port Gibson. Here the road divided in opposite directions. Both branches, however, led to Port Gibson. The enemy took a position on each branch, and thus divided the pursuing force. The nature of the ground was such that a very small force could easily retard the progress roads run on narrow, elevated ridges, with of a much larger one for several hours. The deep and impenetrable ravines on each side. The corps of Gen. McClernand was so divided that on the right were the divisions of Gens. Hovey, Carr, and Smith, and on the left the division of Gen. Osterhaus. The three former succeeded in driving the enemy from position to position steadily back toward Port Gibson. On the left, Gen. Osterhaus was unable to move the enemy until he was reenforced by a brigade of Gen. Logan's division, which was the advance of Gen. McPherson's corps. Another brigade of the same division was sent to Gen. McClernand on the right, and the enemy were so badly repulsed there as to be able to make no further stand south of Bayou Pierre. Late in the afternoon, Gen. Osterhaus was successful in repulsing the enemy, whom he pursued toward Port Gibson, but night closing in and the enemy making the appearance of another stand, the troops slept upon their arms until daylight. On the morning of the 2d, it was found that the enemy had retreated across Bayou Pierre, on the Grand Gulf road, and a brigade of Gen. Logan's division was sent to divert his attention whilst a floating bridge was thrown across the Bayou at Port Gibson. This bridge was completed, and Gen. McPher son's corps passed over and marched eight

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miles to the north bank of Bayou Pierre, built a bridge over that stream, and the advance commenced passing over it at five o'clock on the following morning. On the 3d, the enemy were pursued to Hawkinson's Ferry, with slight skirmishing all day, during which quite a number of prisoners, mostly stragglers, were taken. The following despatch from Gen. Grant was sent to Washington:

GRAND GULF, May 7th. To Major-General Halleck, General-in-Chief: We landed at Bruinsburg, April 30, moved immediately on Port Gibson, me the enemy, 11,000 strong, four miles south of Port Gibson, at 2 o'clock A. M., on the 1st instant, and engaged him all day, entirely routing him, with the loss of many killed and about 500 prisoners, besides the wounded. The enemy retreated toward Vicksburg, destroying the bridges over the two forks of the Bayou Pierre. These were rebuilt, and the pursuit was continued until the present time. Besides the heavy artillery at this place, four field pieces were captured, and some stores, and the enemy was driven to destroy many more. The country is the most broken and difficult to operate in I ever saw. Our victory has been most complete, and the enemy is thoroughly demoralized.

Very respectfully,

U. S. GRANT, Major-General Commanding.

These movements of Gen. Grant had caused the evacuation of Grand Gulf, and Admiral Porter, upon making a movement to attack that position on the 3d, found that it had been abandoned. He then sent the following despatch to the Navy Department:

FLAG SHIP BENTON, GRAND GULF, MISS., May 3d, 1863. To the Hon. Gideon Welles, Sec'y of the Navy: SR: I have the honor to report that I got under way this morning with the Lafayette, Carondelet, Mound City, and Pittsburg, and proceeded up to the forts at Grand Gulf, for the purpose of attacking them

again if they had not been abandoned.

The enemy had left before we got up, blowing up their ammunition, spiking their large guns and bury ing or taking away their lighter ones. The armament consisted of thirteen guns in all. The works are of the most extensive kind, and would seem to defy the efforts of a much heavier fleet than the one which

silenced them.

The forts were literally torn to pieces by the accuracy of our fire. Col. Wade, the commandant of the batteries, was killed; also his chief of staff. Eleven men were killed that we know of, and our informant says many were wounded, and that no one was permitted to go inside the forts after the action, except those belonging there.

We had a hard fight for these forts, and it is with great pleasure that I report that the navy holds the door to Vicksburg. Grand Gulf is the strongest place on the Mississippi. Had the enemy succeeded in finishing the fortifications, no fleet could have taken them.

I have been all over the works, and find them as follows: One fort, on a point of rocks 75 feet high, calelated for six or seven guns, mounting two 7-inch rifled and one 8-inch, and one Parrott gun on wheels, which was carried off. On the left of this work is a triangular work, calculated to mount one heavy gua.

These works are connected with another fort by a covered way and double rifle pits extending a quarter of a mile, constructed with much labor, and showing great skill on the part of the constructor. The third fort commands the river in all directions. It mounted

one splendid Blakely 100-pounder, one 8-inch and two

30-pounders. The latter were lying burst or broken on the ground.

The gunboats had so covered up everything that it was impossible at first to see what was there, with the exception of the guns that were dismounted or broken. Every gun that fell into our hands is in good condition, and we found a large quantity of ammunition. These are by far the most extensively built works, with the exception of those at Vicksburg, that I have seen yet, and I am happy to say that we hold them.

I am dismounting the guns, and getting on board the ammunition.

Since making the above examination, new forts have been passed nearly finished. They had no guns mounted, but were complete of the kind as regards position, and had heavy field pieces in them.

(Signed) DAVID D. PORTER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Com'g Mississippi Squadron. Gen. Grant now made the necessary arrangements for changing his base of supplies from Bruinsburg to Grand Gulf. From Milliken's Bend to New Carthage a water communication had been opened by the Roundaway bayou, and troops occupied positions along the route from Milliken's Bend to Dallas and thence to New Carthage. A strong body also occupied Richmond, situated in the angle formed by the junction of the Brashy with Roundaway bayou.

When the army moved from Milliken's Bend, the fifteenth corps, under Maj.-Gen. W. T. Sherman, remained to be the last to follow. Gen. Sherman had also been ordered to make a demonstration on Haines's Bluff, in order to prevent heavy reënforcements leaving Vicksburg to assist the Confederate forces at Grand Gulf. Gen. Sherman moved upon Haines's Bluff, landing his forces on the south bank of the Yazoo, and the attack was made chiefly by the gunboats, on the 6th of May. The ironclads De Kalb and Choctaw, with other gunboats, engaged the batteries for six hours, during which the Choctaw was struck fifty-four times. The enemy displayed a strong force, and anticipated a battle. On the 7th the expedition returned, and the military part prepared to join Gen. Grant. It was entirely successful in preventing reënforcements to the enemy at Port Gibson.

It had been the purpose of Gen. Grant, up to the time of crossing the Mississippi, to collect all his forces at Grand Gulf, and to get on hand a good supply of provisions and ordnance stores, before moving against Vicksburg from the south. He had also determined, in the mean while, to detach an army corps to coöperate with Gen. Banks on Port Hudson, and effect a junction of forces. But this plan was given up by him in consequence of learning that Gen. Banks could not return to Baton Rouge from his position west of the Mississippi before the 10th of May; and that by the reduction of Port Hudson he could not join Gen. Grant with more than 12,000 men. The delay also for the arrival of Gen. Banks at Baton Rouge, and then for the reduction of Port Hudson, would be so great that the addition of 12,000 men to his forces would not make him relatively so strong for the attack upon

Vicksburg, as if it was at that time promptly made. Another reason for a change of his first plan, and in favor of a prompt movement on Vicksburg, was the information that troops were expected at Jackson from the Southern cities under command of Gen. Beauregard.

Meanwhile the army was lying at Hawkinson's Ferry, waiting for wagons, supplies, and the arrival of Gen. Sherman's corps. Hawkinson's was the lowest of three ferries over the Big Black below the railroad. Hall's and Baldwin's were the names of the others. It was on a new military road from Grand Gulf to Vicksburg.

In order to facilitate Gen. Grant's operations by destroying the enemy's lines of communication and preventing the early concentration of reenforcements, a cavalry raid of unusual boldness was made in the rear of Vicksburg. Col. Benj. H. Grierson, commanding the first cavalry brigade, had proposed a descent into the State of Mississippi, without meeting the approval of the commanding general until the 1st of April, when he was instructed to prepare for an expedition. The force was stationed at Lagrange about fifty miles east of Memphis, and four miles west of the junction of the Mississippi and Charleston railroad. On the 17th, Col. Grierson was ordered to move his force, consisting of the 6th Illinois cavalry, Col. Loomis, 7th Illinois, Col. Edward Prince, and 2d Iowa, Col. Edward Hatch, out on the road to Ripley. Feints had previously been made from Lagrange, Memphis, and Corinth, in orto divert the attention of the enemy from the real movement. Early on the next day, the 18th, the force proceeded to Ripley: from that village, the 2d Iowa, advancing on the left flank of the column, took a southeasterly direction, and crossed the Tallahatchie about five miles northeast of New Albany. Meanwhile the main body proceeded directly south and crossed the river two miles east of New Albany. At the same time a battalion of the 7th Illinois marched on the right flank and crossed the river at New Albany. Skirmishing was kept up throughout the day by all the forces with detached bodies of the enemy, who were on both sides of the river, but unable to impede the progress of Col. Grierson. At night the 6th and 7th encamped about four miles south of New Albany, and the 2d Iowa about four miles east of that place. About midnight an attack was made upon this regiment, which was promptly repulsed. On the morning of the 19th a detachment was ordered by Col. Grierson to proceed eastward, another to move back to New Albany, and a third to march northwest toward King's Bridge, where a Confederate force under Maj. Chalmers was reported to be encamped. These movements were designed to lead the enemy to believe that the object of the expedition was to break up the different military organizations in that part of the country. This was successful. About nine o'clock the main body resumed its

march in a southerly direction, with the 2d Iowa on its left flank. The various detachments which had been sent out soon joined the main column, and the whole force proceeded to Pontotoc. A small Confederate force was here encountered, and pursued through the town by the advance, and their entire camp equipage was captured, and also four hundred bushels of salt, which were destroyed at night. Col. Grierson encamped six miles south of Pontotoc, on the road leading to Houston.

Early the next morning, Major Lall, of the 2d Iowa, with about one hundred and seventyfive of the least effective portion of the command, one piece of artillery, and all the pris oners, moved northward, on the return to Lagrange. The object of Col. Grierson, in ordering this movement, was to relieve his command of incumbrances, and to lead the enemy to believe that the expedition had retraced its steps. The march southward was then resumed, and the force encamped that night about ten miles beyond the town of Houston.

On the next day, the 21st, Col. Hatch, of the 2d Iowa, was ordered to move his com mand toward Columbus, and destroy as much of the Mobile and Ohio railroad as possible, to attack Columbus if the opposing force was not too strong, and march thence to Lagrange, taking such route as he might consider to be the most suitable. In this movement, Col. Ilatch was quite successful. It entirely misled Gen. Chalmers, who was in pursuit of Col. Grierson, and gave the latter a start of two or three days. The main body now continued its march to Starkville, and captured a mail, which was destroyed. At Dismal Swamp, four miles from Starkville, a halt was ordered, and a part of the command continued on five miles farther to one of the principal tanneries in the State, which was destroyed, with a large stock of boots, shoes, saddles, and leather.

On the 22d, the command again united and marched twenty-seven miles, nearly to Louisville, Mississippi. The deep streams and marshes made the route very difficult and perilous, On the next morning the command reached Philadelphia; here a mail was captured and destroyed. About daylight, on the next morning, Newton was reached, where two trains of cars, loaded with all kinds of quartermaster and commissary stores, ammunition, and shells, were captured, and their contents destroyed. One bridge was destroyed about half a mile east of the place, and three heavy trestlework bridges ten miles farther up the railroad. On the 25th, Col. Grierson reached Nichols's Plantation, seven miles west of Montrose. A more southerly route was now pursued. At Raleigh a halt was ordered for the night, and a scout sent to cut the telegraph wires on the railroad between Lake Station and Jackson. On arriv ing within seven miles of the railroad, a regiment of Confederate cavalry was met, which had

left Brandon in search of Col. Grierson. They were on the direct road to his camp, and only fourteen miles distant. The scout succeeded in misleading the enemy, and returned safely to camp. Col. Grierson immediately moved his command over Leaf river, and destroyed the bridge, thereby preventing the possibility of a surprise in the rear. The command then moved on to Westville, and crossed the Pearl river at a point ten miles distant from the latter place. Two battalions, which had been sent out in advance, under Col. Prince, moved rapidly to the railroad station at Hazelhurst, and captured forty cars, loaded with shell ammunition, quartermaster's and commissary stores.

When south of Starkville, Capt. Forbes, of Co. B, 7th Illinois, was ordered to march to Macon. As he approached within a short distance of that place, he found it occupied by a considerable force of the enemy. He then moved to Newton, and thence to Enterprise, one hundred miles east of the main body of Col. Grierson's force. Here he sent a flag of truce to Col. Goodwin, commanding the Confederate force in the place, and demanded his surrender. Col. Goodwin requested one hour in which to determine his reply. But Capt. Forbes, finding the enemy to be stronger than he had supposed, and having accomplished his object in diverting their attention, before the expiration of the hour commenced a rapid movement to join Col. Grierson, then more than a day's march distant. Taking a westward course, he soon struck the route of the main body at Pearl river, and effected a junction. Near Gallatin a 32-pound Parrott gun, destined for Port Gibson, was captured and spiked. Five miles east of Gallatin, a detachment was sent to the railroad at Bahala, which destroyed the track, several cars, water tanks, and a considerable amount of other property, and cut the telegraph wires. On the morning of the 28th, Brookhaven was entered by the advance so suddenly that two hundred of the enemy were surprised and made prisoners. A large number of muskets and five hundred tents, at a camp of instruction, were destroyed. The main body, after leaving Gallatin, encountered a cavalry force under Col. Garland, when a skirmish ensued, in which several of the enemy were killed and others taken prisoners. A feint, for the purpose of deceiving the enemy, was made toward Port Gibson, and another toward Natchez, when the main body marched to Brookhaven.

On the 30th, Col. Grierson moved in a southerly direction, and destroyed all the bridges between Brookhaven and Bogue Chito Station. At the latter place fifteen cars, partly loaded with army stores, were destroyed, together with the depot and other railroad buildings. The force then marched to Summit, where twenty-five freight cars were destroyed. Thence Col. Grierson moved from the railroad to a point between Magnolia and Liberty, for the purpose of reaching the Clinton road. Finding a regiment of the enemy's cavalry at Wall's

bridge, on the Tickfaw, a dash was made upon them, in which eight or ten were killed, several wounded, and the rest put to flight. The loss of Col. Grierson was one killed and five wounded. Moving then east of the Tickfaw a short distance, the march was continued directly southward. At Edwards's bridge another regiment of the enemy's cavalry was posted, purposely to dispute the passage. A battalion was sent to engage them, while the main body moved on in the direction of Greensburg. Only a few brief skirmishes took place with this regiment. The march thus far had proved a constant surprise to the inhabitants, and as it was supposed that Col. Grierson would return to Lagrange,

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My force will be this evening as far advanced along Fourteen Mile creek, the left near Black river, and extending in a line nearly east and west, as they can get communicate with Grand Gulf no more, except it be without bringing on a general engagement. I shall comes necessary to send a train with a heavy escort. You may not hear from me again for several weeks.

arrangements had been made to cut off his re- railroads, telegraph, public stores, &c., and then treat. It was apparent now that his intention push west to rejoin the main force. Gen. Sherwas not to return, but to march through the man moved forward on the Edwards's Station State. Preparations were therefore made at road, crossing Fourteen Mile creek at Dillon's Osyka to stop his progress. It was well known Plantation. Gen. McClernand moved across that to advance any farther south it would be the same creek farther west, sending one dinecessary for him to cross several bridges. vision of his corps by the Baldwin's Ferry road Hence a regiment of Confederate cavalry was as far as the river. At the crossing of Fourteen so posted as to flank his force, while a body of Mile creek, both Gens. McClernand and Sherinfantry was thrown in his front, to hold him man had considerable skirmishing with the in check until the cavalry could make an at- enemy to get possession of the crossing. On the tack upon his flank and rear. Col. Grierson, evening of that day, May 11th, Gen. Grant sent understanding his danger, at once ordered a the following despatch to Maj.-Gen. Halleck, charge upon the infantry, and, with one dash, at Washington: broke through their lines, and soon left them far in the rear. Fortunately he met with no loss, and continued his march south to Greensburg, thence direct to Clinton. About ten miles above that town he crossed the Amite river. On the Big Sandy creek a camp of partisan rangers was found, which he attacked, and destroyed one hundred and fifty tents, with the camp equipage and private baggage. Several horses were also captured. He then marched on the Greenville Spring road toward Baton Rouge. About ten miles from the latter place he suddenly came upon a force of cavalry, under Col. Stewart, and captured the entire body. About four o'clock in the afternoon of the 1st of May he entered the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In seventeen days the troops had marched over eight hundred miles through the heart of the State of Mississippi. A large number of the enemy were killed and wounded, and it was estimated that over four millions of property were destroyed. On two important railroads communications were cut off with strong positions of the enemy. Over a thousand prisoners and more than twelve hundred horses were captured, and great excitement was created throughout the State.

Meantime, as the army of Gen. Grant lay at Hawkinson's Ferry, waiting for supplies and the arrival of Gen. Sherman's corps, demonstrations were made to induce the enemy to think that route and the one by Hall's Ferry, next above on the Big Black river, were objects of much solicitude to Gen. Grant. Reconnoissances were made on the west side of the Big Black river, extending within six miles of Warrenton.

On the 7th of May an advance was ordered. Gen. McPherson's corps were required to keep the road nearest Black river to Rocky Springs. Gen. McClernand's corps moved on the ridge road running from Willow Springs, and Gen. Sherman followed, with his corps divided on the two roads. All the ferries were closely guarded until the troops were well advanced. It was the intention of Gen. Grant here to hug the Big Black river as closely as possible with Gen. McClernand's and Gen. Sherman's corps, and thus get them to the Jackson and Vicksburg railroad, at some point between Edwards's Station and Bolton. Gen. McPherson was or

dered to move by way of Utica to Raymond, and from thence into Jackson, destroying the

That night Gen. McClernand's corps was near Black river. Gen. Sherman, in the centre of the line, was at and beyond Auburn ; and Gen. McPherson, about eight miles to the right, with his corps, had advanced a few miles north of Utica. Corn, salt meat, and live stock were found abundant."

On the next morning, Tuesday, May 12th, Gen. McClernand's advance drove in the enemy's pickets, and brisk skirmishing ensued for an hour or two, with little loss on either side. By noon the enemy had disappeared from his front. Gen. Sherman early set a division in motion, which came upon the enemy at the crossing of Fourteen Mile creek. The cavalry advance was fired upon 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 enemy from their position. A battery was brought forward, supported by two regiments, and skirmishers thrown out, who drove the enemy slowly until a brigade was thrown upon their right and left flanks, when they withdrew toward Raymond. The principal resistance to the line of march was, however, in front of Gen. McPherson. At ten o'clock his advance, under Gen. Logan, came upon a Confederate force, estimated at ten thousand, but which proved to be two brigades under Gens. Gregg and Walker, posted on Fondreu's creek, about two miles south of Raymond. Brisk skirmishing began at once, which soon brought on a general engagement. The enemy was almost wholly concealed at first by the woods bordering the stream, behind which their forces were posted. Their artillery was on an eminence, which commanded the Federal approach. The battle continued for three hours, when the enemy, after heavy loss in killed, wounded, and missing, withdrew in two col umns, the principal one taking the road to Jack

son.

Gen. McPherson immediately occupied

Raymond.

Gen. Grant was at this time with Gen. Sherman's corps, and had ordered that corp and also Gen. McClernand's to move toward the rail

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