May 20, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
IMPORTANT FROM THE WEST –
LATEST NEWS FROM THE ARMIES OF GRANT AND JOHNSTON.
JACKSON, MISS., May 18. The enemy sent a flag of truce this evening to convey to our lines their principal surgeon, who has been left in charge of their wounded.
He states that, in the fight of Saturday GRANT captured 16 guns, but lost 6000 men. Our troops, according to his report, fell back across the Big Black, in the direction of Vicksburg, destroying the bridge after they had passed. The enemy then advanced eight miles north, and this morning found Gen. JOHNSTON’S forces in line of battle.
Our advices, on the contrary, say that we lost no artillery, that the bridge over the Big Black was not burned, and that, in the battle of Saturday, 12,000 of our men fought two of GRANT’S Army Corps, 24,000 men, with success, sustaining their position all day long, and only falling back at night to their entrenchments. Our loss was heavy. The battle was severe, but indecisive.
The enemy is in a position that enables him to cut off our communication with General JOHNSTON. Rumors, good and bad, are prevalent here, but we have nothing trustworthy later than the above.
LATEST FROM THE ENEMY’S LINES.
TULLAHOMA, May 19. All quiet in front. The Louisville and Nashville papers of the 16th have been received, but contain nothing important. The Press states that large numbers are daily leaving Memphis to reinforce GRANT.
On the 15th large numbers of rebel sympathizers were banished from Louisville. The scene was touching. Amid sobbing and weeping, fathers, mothers, and daughters were separated. Men with families were allowed to take a thousand dollars; and those without, [continue reading…]