May 19, 1863, Savannah Republican (Georgia)
Brandon, Miss., May 16.–Five gentlemen who rode to Jackson to-day, and traversed the place while there, report that the city was evacuated by the enemy about two o’clock. They are supposed to number about 40,000, and they retreated in the direction of Vicksburg. Firing was heard by the party in that direction, and they suppose Pemberton was in their rear.
Before leaving Jackson, the enemy burnt the Confederate House, the railroad depots, Green & Phillip’s factories, Storm’s foundry, Lenoir’s hat factory, together with a block of buildings on State street, including the Medical Purveyor’s and other government offices. Both bridges over Pearl river were destroyed, together with several miles of railroad track.
It is reported in Mobile that some of this burning was done by the Confederates before they retired. The Confederate House was burned by the proprietors.