CAPTURE OF JACKSON, MISS.
May 14, 1863.
On the 13th, General McPherson moved to Clinton, and destroyed the railroads and telegraph. General Sherman moved to a parallel position on the Mississippi Springs and Jackson road, and General McClernand to a point near Raymond.
On the 14th General McPherson and General Sherman each advanced from his respective position toward Jackson. The rain had fallen in torrents during the night before, and it continued to fall until about noon, thus making the roads at first slippery and then miry. Nevertheless, the troops marched in excellent order and spirits about fourteen miles, when they came upon the enemy. The main body of their force in Jackson had marched out on the Clinton road, and encountered General McPherson about two and a half miles from the city. A small force of artillery and infantry also took a strong position in front of General Sherman, about the same distance out from Jackson.
On the march of General McPherson from Clinton toward Jackson, General Crocker’s division held the advance. All was quiet until he reached a hill overlooking a broad open field, through the centre of which and over the crest of the hill beyond, the road to Jackson passed. On the left of this latter hill the enemy had posted his artillery, and along the crest his line of battle. As the Federal force came within range, the artillery of the enemy opened fire. The battery of the First Missouri was moved to the left of a cotton gin in the open field, and returned the fire for nearly an hour, when the guns of the enemy were withdrawn. Meantime, General Crocker had thrown out two brigades to the right and left of his battery, supported by another brigade at a proper distance, and had also pushed forward a strong line of skirmishers, and posted them in a ravine in front, which protected them from the fire of the enemy. After a little delay they were again advanced out of cover, and a desultory fire ensued between the opposite line of skirmishers, in which the enemy, owing to the nature of the ground, had the advantage. At length General Crocker, seeing the necessity of driving the rebels from the crest of the hill, ordered a charge along the line.
With colors flying, and with a step as measured and unbroken as if on dress parade, the movement was executed. Slowly they advanced, crossed the narrow ravine, and, with fixed bayonets, reached the crest of the hill in easy range of the rebel line. Here they received a tremendous volley, which caused painful gaps in their ranks. They held their fire until they were within a distance of thirty paces, when they delivered the returning volley with fearful effect, and, without waiting to reload their muskets, with a terrific yell, they rushed upon the staggered foe. Over the fences, through the brushwood into the enclosure, they worked their way, slaughtering on the right and left without mercy. The enemy, astonished at their impetuosity, wavered and fell back, rallied again, and finally broke in wild confusion. They finally retreated north, but without further damage.
When General Sherman encountered the enemy, he discovered their weakness by sending a reconnoitering party to his right, which had the effect of causing them to retreat from that part of their line. A few artillerists, however, remained in their places, firing upon General Sherman’s troops until the last moment.
At this time General McClernand occupied Clinton with one division, Mississippi Springs with another, Raymond with a third, and his fourth division and General Blair’s division of General Sherman’s corps were with a wagon train, still in the rear, near Auburn. At the same time General McArthur, with one brigade of his division of General McPherson’s corps, was moving toward Raymond on the Utica road. It was not the intention of General Grant to move these forces any nearer Jackson, but to have them in a position where they could be in supporting distance if the resistance at Jackson should prove more obstinate than there seemed any reason to expect.
On the retreat of the enemy, General McPherson followed directly into the city of Jackson. A fine battery of six pieces was found, and around the Deaf and Dumb Institute, which was used as a hospital, tents enough were seized to encamp an entire division. The commissary and quartermaster’s stores were in flames. The Governor and State Treasurer had withdrawn, taking the State funds and papers. All citizens officially connected with the State or Confederate Governments had also left. Many soldiers remained, besides a large number in the hospital.
Early on the morning of the day following the occupation of the city of Jackson it was decided to evacuate the position. There were several reasons which induced General Grant to arrive at this decision, prominent among which was the difficulty of keeping intact his long line of communication, and the fear that General Johnston—who was known to be hovering in the region north of Jackson with a force estimated at twenty thousand men—would attack his rear. The force which he encountered just before reaching Jackson, under General Gregg, had divided, one portion going to Canton from the north, and the other from the south. Johnston and Gregg combined might prove altogether too formidable. It was therefore decided to return to Clinton and move upon Vicksburg.
The main column of the enemy was at Edwards’ Station, proposing to give battle there. Soon after daylight the column was in motion, General McPherson in advance. They reached Clinton at noon, and after an hour’s delay marched to their camping ground, a short distance from the village of Bolton.
The programme of the advance was arranged by General Grant and General McClernand as follows:—Extreme left, General Smith, supported by General Blair; on the right of General Smith, General Osterhaus, supported by General Carr; General Hovey in the centre, with McPherson on the extreme right, and Crocker as reserve. In this order the advance was made; General McClernand’s corps, with the exception of General Hovey’s division, reaching the position by way of the several roads leading from Raymond to Edward’s Station.
On the evening of the 15th, General McClernand heard that the enemy was advancing from Edwards’ Station to Raymond, and quickly placed his troops in order of battle to repel the anticipated attack. Extensive reconnoissances revealed the fact, however, that he was merely feeling his position and force, and that no attack need be expected that day.
At nine in the morning, General Osterhaus took possession of Bolton, capturing a rebel mail and several prisoners. General McClernand placed his army in camp early in the evening, and by daylight the following day each division occupied the ground selected, and prepared to offer battle.