From the diary of Osborn H. Oldroyd

MAY 20TH.–When I awoke this morning I offered thanks to God that my life had been spared thus far. We slept on our arms–something unusual. This day has been busily spent in making cautious advances toward the works of the enemy, and, although our progress seems to have been very little, we are content to approach step by step, for the task is difficult and dangerous. Bullets are flying over our heads, and it is quite common to see the boys trying to dodge them. A few have succeeded in stopping these bullets, but they had to leave at once for the hospital. A blanket displayed by its owner was called a map of the confederacy, on account of the holes in it made by bullets at Raymond and Champion Hills. It is good enough yet for warmth, but will not do to hold water. We are ragged and dirty, for we have had no change of clothes for over a month. But we have the promise of new suits soon. If we were to enter Vicksburg to-morrow, some of our nice young fellows would feel ashamed to march before the young ladies there. We can see the court house in the city with a confederate flag floating over it. What fun it will be to take that down, and hoist in its stead the old stars and stripes. Then yonder is the Mississippi river again; we want to jump into that once more and have a good bath. The hills back of Vicksburg, and in fact all round the city seem quite steep and barren, and to run in parallels, affording our troops good shelter from batteries and secret approaches. It is upon these hills opposite the town that our tents are pitched. We must cut back into the hills to escape the shower of bullets, for we like to feel secure, when asleep or off duty. A great many of the balls that come over are what are called “spent,” that is, have not force enough left to do any harm. We do not feel quite as safe awake or asleep as we did before we got so near the city. However, we manage to sleep pretty much unconcerned as to danger. Our regiment is detailed to watch at the rifle pits in front to-night.

May 20, 1863, Charleston Mercury

A correspondent of the Mobile Advertiser, writing from Shelbyville, says:

            An officer in General Bragg’s army had obtained a short leave of absence to permit him to go home and attend to personal interests demanding his presence.  Before his time of absence had expired he requested a further leave of absence for thirty days, and promised to return a better soldier than he had ever been before.  His request was approved by the various officers in command over him, who knew him to be a tried and faithful man, and finally by General Bragg.  Before the thirty days’ time granted had expired, he again forwarded a communication desiring a still further leave.  His officers were astonished at his impudence and audacity, and each one in turn through whose hands it passed marked it “disapproved.”  Before the communication reached army headquarters, General Bragg was the recipient of a letter from this officer, who stated that he had made application for further leave, and gave as his reason that while our army was further advanced he had become engaged to a young lady from whom he had received a letter, which he enclosed.  This delicate missive contained a sad and touching farewell to the young officer who had gained her affections.  She explained that since the enemy had gained her homestead, they had destroyed her property, taken everything from her, and well nigh made her penniless.  When she had engaged herself to her lover she was the possessor of property, and was in different circumstances.  With this state of things existing, hard as she felt would be the trial to her, she had determined to release the object of her affections from an engagement made in her prosperity.  This noble missive was couched in such loving and gentle, though prudent and touching language that it might well have drawn tears from the iron warrior to whom it was presented.  The officer added that the misfortunes of his affianced had only the more endeared her to him, and this manifestation of her disinterested love and spirit had only inspired a stronger affection for so noble a woman.  He desired a still further holiday that he might go to her and marry her, proving that his love was as pure as her own, and by making her his wife endow his property upon her in case he was made the victim of a bullet.  Gen. Bragg sent directions to his bureau officer to send him the communication so soon as it should arrive, and regardless of the endorsement of “disapproved” made by officers unaware of the circumstances, he marked it “granted for thirty days,” and endorsed upon the letter, “The lady is worthy of the best and bravest soldier, and from what I learn I believe you are worthy of the lady.–Braxton Bragg.”

May 20, 1863, The New York Herald

Jackson is a city of Mississippi, of which State it is the capital. It is situated in Hinds county, and has heretofore been a very thriving place. It is located on the right or western bank of the Pearl river, at the terminus of the Vicksburg and Jackson Railroad. In the city are stations of the Southern Mississippi, New Orleans and Jackson, the Great Northern and the Vicksburg and Jackson railroads, and it is thereby a great centre of business. The site of the town is level and the plan regular. It contained, previous to the rebellion, a number of churches, several newspaper officers, the State and country buildings, executive mansion, the State lunatic asylum, an institution for the deaf and dumb, another for the blind, the penitentiary or State prison, a United States land office and several other prominent buildings. The State prison, is a large and handsome edifice, and the State House (which is reported as having been burned by the United States forces under General Grant) was an elegant building, and cost for its erection the sum of six hundred thousand dollars. The Pearl river is navigable for cotton and small boats from Jackson to the Mississippi sound, leading into the Gulf of Mexico, and in […..] times” from thirty to forty thousand bales of cotton were annually shipped from the Mississippi capital. To show the progress made in the prospective rise and progress of Jackson, it is but necessary to glance at the census returns. In 1850, the population numbered 1,881; in 1855 it had increased to about 3,000; and in 1859 the returns showed a further increase, numbering then 3,500. It is distant by rail from Vicksburg forty-four and a half miles; from Meridian, ninety-five and a half miles; from New Orleans, one hundred and eighty-three miles; from Grand Junction, two hundred and thirteen miles; from Corinth, via Grand Junction, two hundred and fifty-four miles; from Corinth, via Meridian, two hundred and eighty-nine and a half miles; from Memphis, via Grand Junction, two hundred and sixty-five miles; from I-U-K-A, via Grand Junction, two hundred and seventy-six miles, and via Meridian, three hundred and eleven and a half miles; from Chattanooga, via Grand Junction, four hundred and seventy miles, and via Meridian, five hundred and five and a half miles; from Mobile, via Meridian, two hundred and twenty-nine and a half miles; from Port Gibson, by the turnpike road, about sixty miles; from Raymond, about fifteen miles, and from Auburn, about thirty miles. As each station between Jackson and Vicksburg may become of prominent interest during the forthcoming operations, it may be as well to point them out individually, with their respective distances from each place.

From Jackson.  Name.   From Vicksburg.
9 1/2 miles.  Clinton.   35 miles.
17 1/2 ”  Bolton.   27 ”
26 1/2 ”  Edwards.   18 ”
34 1/2 ”  Bovine.   10 ”
36 1/2 ”  Black River Bridge.  8 ”
39  ”  Mount Alban.  5 1/2 ”
44 1/2 ”  Vicksburg.  – –

The county in which Jackson is situated is located in the southwest central part of the State, and has an area of about 930 square miles, or 595,200 acres. The Pearl river forms the boundary on the east and the Big Black river on the northwest. The surface is nearly level and the soil very fertile. In 1850 the country produced about eighty thousand bushes of peas and beans, the greatest quantity produced by any county of the United States. Raymond is the seat of justice of the county, although the State capital is also located in the vicinity. The county was named in honor of Colonel Thomas Hinds, a member of Congress for Mississippi. The population of the county in 1860 was 31, 339, of whom less than nine thousand were free.

May 20, 1863, The New York Herald

The Pearl river, which runs through nearly one half of the State of Mississippi, rises in Winston county, in the northeast central part of the State, and flows in a southwesterly direction to the city of Jackson. Here it makes a slight deviation from its course, and flows south-southeast, until it strikes the boundary line which divides the States of Mississippi and Louisiana. From this point it pursues a direct southerly course until it reaches Lake Borgne, through which it flows into the Mississippi sound and the Gulf of Mexico. By this means a communication is opened with the sea near one of the United States naval and military depots – Ship island. The whole length of the river exceeds two hundred and fifty miles. The navigation of the stream is somewhat impeded by sand bars and driftwood; but flat boats and other light draught vessels often ascend the river as high as Jackson.

May 20, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

(CORRESPONDENCE OF THE MERCURY.)

RICHMOND, Saturday, May 16.

So far as I can learn, the fall of Jackson is based on a private telegram received yesterday from Mobile. The wires to that point have been cut, and the War Department professes ignorance. The greatest apprehensions are caused by the universal want of confidence in the tenacity of purpose and judgment of Lieutenant General Pemberton. That he is zealous there can be no doubt. That his air, bearing and prompt address are military is unmistakable. That he is busy and brave is certain. But of his mental calibre and moral firmness it would be idle to say there are not the gravest misgivings. He has the reputation of a strict disciplinarian and of being devoted to his profession. As an executive officer simply, he would do well. In the field, under orders of such men as Lee, Johnston and Beauregard, and not in too high a position, he would probably be very useful. But the verdict of the country is that he is narrow and vacillating and unfit for any such important posts as Vicksburg and Charleston. After the gratuitous abandonment of the Stono River, thus inviting an attack on Charleston, he officially advised the dismantling and destruction of all the forts in the harbor. Charleston was saved by the decided and emphatic disapproval of this extraordinary recommendation by General Lee and the President, and by the heroic conduct of the feeble and exhausted force left at Secessionville. Yet the author of such a proposition, who was not near Secessionville, upon removal from Charleston was promoted and put in charge of Vicksburg, instead of [continue reading…]

May 20, 1863, The New York Herald

The latest news from General Grant’s army reports that the Capitol at Jackson has been burned, but whether by the troops of General Grant, or by the rebels in retreating, or by an accident, is not stated. The official reports of General Grant’s action at Jackson and the capture of that city, forwarded by General Hurlbut from Memphis, merely mentions that Capitol was burned, but does not state by whom. General Hurlbut states that from five to ten thousand mounted men are concentrated near Okoloma, threatening an advance in the direction of the Memphis Railroad.

He also says that a citizen just up from Jackson reports that the enemy abandoned Vicksburg on Sunday, marching on the ridge northeast to Livingston, which is a post village twenty miles northwest of Jackson.

We give a map today of the city of Jackson and its surroundings – showing the Pearl river and the railroad and turnpikes leading to the city – accompanied by sketches of the localities.

The recent raid of Colonel Grierson through Mississippi has provoked a most excited proclamation from the rebel Governor Pettus, to his brother Mississippians, which we give in another column.

The rebels are making a demonstration in Kentucky. Despatches from Cincinnati dated on Monday say that the rebel force in Wayne and Clinton counties is increasing. They are said to have seventeen thousand men and fourteen pieces of artillery. Four rebel [continue reading…]

May 20, 1863, The New York Herald

The Correspondence of Mr. G.W. Hosmer.

CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, May 13, 1863.

THE ORDER TO CROSS THE RAPPAHANNOCK ISSUED AND COUNTERMANDED.

Distinctly and certainly – as forcibly as possible, in fact – the Army of the Potomac is not south of the Rappahannock river. How the statement that it was could have been so spread and believed at the north I do not know; but the statement was false. Perhaps it was given out from Washington that an order for the army to pass the river once more had been issued, and it was not given out that the order was countermanded almost immediately. Some whispers of such an order and countermand are heard in camp.

WHERE WE REALLY ARE – THE FEELING IN THE ARMY.

Here we are, dropped noiselessly at random on the hills and in the valleys, between Fitz Hugh’s house on the left and Fitz Hugh’s house on the right – not exactly in our old camps, but near enough to them to know how they smell. Here we are, and the army feels – this Sixth corps part of it – much as it always has felt after battle – it feels ready to fight. It feels that it has done its duty, and that if the chance had been given to the Sixth corps, and the staunch old soldier who command it, they alone could have changed the issue of the nine days. Ah! if this corps – composed of Couch’s old division (now Newton’s), Smith’s old division (now Howe’s ), and Brooks’ division – if it had only been [continue reading…]

May 20, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

The movements in Central Mississippi are by far the most important and critical of any now transpiring in the great theatre of the war. The accounts from that quarter, both by mail and telegraph; have for several days been of a very confused and unsatisfactory character. We know, however, that a large force of Confederate troops is now collected in that Department, and, with the able direction of General JO. JOHNSTON, there is every reason to hope that the enemy will not be permitted to gain any substantial advantage. In the absence of official information, we gather from our exchanges such paragraphs as throw light upon the situation of affairs in and near Jackson. The Mobile Advertiser says:

The occupation of Jackson by the enemy in force, is not so serious a matter in a military point of view as it appears at first sight. Gen. Johnston yielded it without a fight, in preference to risking a battle with overwhelming numbers. He would have taken that risk if Jackson had been of greater importance than as a point of railroad in possession of the enemy. But that possession he already had at Clinton. That the movement of Gen. Grant is a bold one must be admitted – that it has been so rapid, as up to this point, to surprise and outgeneral the Confederate authorities, cannot be denied. But in the boldness of the enterprise consists its danger. He has stretched out his line from his base at the crossing of the Mississippi River, to Jackson, a distance of some seventy-five miles, and however great his force may be, a line of that length is fearfully exposed to even an inferior enemy of disciplined troops in the field. Near his left wing, resting on the Mississippi, in the neighborhood of the Big Black, is the main body of General Pemberton’s army. General Johnston, with some 3000 men, is in front of his right, and in a position to communicate with or join Pemberton in a night’s march; whilst a third army is being massed on this side of Jackson, subject to orders to [continue reading…]

May 20, 1863, The New York Herald

THE FIGHT AT CARRSVILLE.

The Correspondence of Mr. Edward F. Denyse.

IN BIVOUAC, NEAR CARRSVILLE, Va., May 15, 1863.

On Wednesday afternoon, at about two o’clock, a reconnoissance force was started from Suffolk for the interior of the rebel country by way of the South Quay road. This force, which was quite large, was under command of Colonel Foster, of the Thirteenth Indiana.

Owing to the expedition being entirely commanded on this occasion by Colonel Foster, Colonel Follansby, of the Sixth Massachusetts, commanded his brigade. In addition, our force was swelled by several regiments of Corcoran’s Irish Legion, organized as a temporary brigade.

The object of this movement was to tear up the fine railroad in the vicinity of and between Carrsville and Franklin, thus destroying a portion of the Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad on its most important line – that between here and Weldon – thus preventing the easy transportation of rebel supplies from North Carolina. [continue reading…]

May 20, 1863, Savannah Republican (Georgia)

            The large fire at Richmond on Friday last, and of which telegraphic announcement was made in these columns, is thus alluded to by the Richmond Dispatch:

            “The large fire of Friday morning, which destroyed the Crenshaw Woolen Manufacturing Mill and part of the Tredegar Iron Works, was the most serious that has occurred in the South since the war.  But it is gratifying to know that, though the woolen mill cannot now be restored, there is no irreparable injury done to the iron works.  The delay that may occur in the completion of some unfinished work for the Government will be of no consequence.  It is probable, indeed, that nothing that is now needed will be delayed at all.  The works have been of so much public service that this assurance is quite gratifying.  The Crenshaw Mills furnished […..] to the Government; but, of course, means will be taken to get it from other sources.  The fire happens at a period of the year that gives ample time before the next inclement season for the Government to make all necessary arrangements for this purpose.”

May 20, 1863, The New York Herald

Our New Orleans Correspondence.

NEW ORLEANS, April 30, 1863.

The great importance of General Banks’ recent victories can scarcely be appreciated by the people of the North. Let me assure you that their results will be of incalculable benefit to our country.

The rebel prisoners in communicating with their friends today, represent that the campaign of the Teche country is of far greater importance that any other that has occurred during the war. They avow that every effort will be made to concentrate all the available force west of the Mississippi, for the defeat of our columns. The concentration is easy, because the great portion of their troops are mounted. But it is not believed by them that they can gather more than twelve or fifteen thousand men. They say that unless they can successfully oppose the progress of General Banks’ column the confederacy is cut in two. This comes from one of the most intelligent men in their army.

A significant fact in the present condition of affairs is found in the movements of the planters. These men are not politicians, and although assenting to the rebellion, and, since the secession of the State, sympathizing if not participating with the rebels, they are governed now with reference to their own interest; they act together. Recently they had two meetings, of which no notice has been taken by the public, and to which no reference has been made by the newspapers. The condition of the South, of the rebel government, and of the federal army have been fully considered and discussed. Their judgment is worth attention, and the conclusion of all their deliberations has been that they will at once take efficient measures to aid in the restoration of the government of the Union in this State; and, not content with acting for this city of which they are citizens, they will advise the planting interest of all the southern States to pursue the same course. They [continue reading…]

May 20, 1863, Tri-Weekly Telegraph (Houston, Texas)

            Rev. Mr. Moeling has, since the battle of Galveston, devoted himself to getting up a painting of the principal scene in the battle–the capture of the Harriet Lane.  The artist has taken the moment when the Bayou City ran into the Lane, and our boarders rushed on board and captured the vessel.  The painting gives one a good idea of the position of affairs at this juncture of the battle.  Mr. Moeling has his picture on exhibition in the office lately occupied by Messrs. McKeen, upstairs in Wilson’s building.  Admission, 50 cents.

May 20, 1863, Galveston Weekly News

            The San Antonio Herald says the Government has undertaken to establish a Tannery, and cotton and wool Factory in that city on a tract of 75 acres purchased of the city and some two miles above the city.  These public works are under the Superintendence of Maj. T. A. Washington Quartermaster.  The building for the Tannery is already in a state of forwardness, and is 90 feet by 275, and the vats are sufficient to contain 5000 hides at a time.  The cost of leather to the Government made in this Tannery is estimated at 50 cents per pound which is a saving of 500 per cent on present prices.  The cotton and woolen Factory is being built of stone and to be worked with water power.

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…]

Tuesday, 19th.—We are surrounded; considerable cannonading on Chickasaw Bayou. Federal Regiment reported captured on the left. Our division on right wing occupying from the railroad to the river. Yankees charged, but were driven back with loss. Sharp shooting our artillery.

(Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

Tuesday, 19th – All is quiet here at Grand Gulf. We heard some heavy cannonading up at Vicksburg. The Third Brigade of General Lauman’s Division arrived this afternoon, and about 10 o’clock our brigade (the Third of the Sixth Division) and the Third Brigade of Lauman’s received orders to embark at once for Vicksburg. The Eleventh and the Thirteenth got on board the “Queen Forest.”

19th. Finished a letter. Henry Drake brought me a letter from Will Hudson. Good but rather discouraging. Beat Capt. Nettleton at two games of chess. Horse shod. Mike took him out to graze. Put up a fly for commissary. Read the Lorain News and also Herald. Compliment to Case. Favorable news from Grant, Jackson and Alexandria Banks.

May 19th. Commences with clear and pleasant weather. Heard firing from twelve, midnight, to one A. M., in the direction of Port Hudson. From four o’clock until eight this morning, fresh easterly breezes; at five thirty A. M. steamer Price got under way and went up Red river, at twelve noon, the river steamer Empire Parish, “direct from New Orleans,” came out of Red river with a coal schooner in tow, and brought same alongside of us; at one P. M. the Empire Parish returned up Red river; and the crew employed coaling ship remainder of the day. Received fresh beef on board.

May TUESDAY 19, 1863

Shallie Kirk & Mr Geo Atchison came with me Home this evening, no trouble with the Pickets. Mr Atchison leaves in a day or two for the Southern Army—and we were fortunate enough to get every thing through which he will need.

MAY 19th.—A dispatch from Gen. Johnston says a battle has been fought between Pemberton and Grant, between Jackson and Vicksburg, Mississippi, which lasted nine hours. Pemberton was forced back. This is all we know yet.

Another letter, from Hon. W. Porcher Miles, remonstrating against the withdrawal of Beauregard’s troops, was received to-day. He apprehends the worst consequences.

The government is buying 5000 bales of cotton for the Crenshaw scheme. Jas. R. Crenshaw, of this city, is at Charleston on this business. Why not arrange with Lamar?

Gov. Shorter forwards another strongly written memorial from Mobile, against the traffic of cotton with the enemy, and, indeed, against all blockade-running.

Gov. Jno. Milton, of Florida, also writes a powerful denunciation of the illicit traffic, which it seems the policy of the government has been to encourage. They all say this traffic is doing the work of subjugation more effectually than the arms of the enemy.

The President is too ill again to come to the Executive Office. His messenger, who brought me some papers this morning, says he is in a “decline.” I think he has been ill every day for several years, but this has been his most serious attack. No doubt he is also worried at the dark aspects in his own State—Mississippi.

If Vicksburg falls, and the Valley be held by the enemy, then the Confederacy will be curtailed of half its dimensions. Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri, Arizona, New Mexico, all the Indian country, Kentucky, half of Tennessee, one-third of Virginia, Eastern North Carolina, and sundry islands, etc. of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, will be wrested from us. What will remain of the Confederacy? Two-thirds of Virginia, half of Tennessee, the greater part of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and the whole of Alabama,—less than six States! But still the war will go on, as long as we have brave armies and great generals, whether the President lives or dies.

From the diary of Osborn H. Oldroyd

MAY 19TH.–This day beholds a cordon of steel, with rivets of brave hearts, surrounding Vicksburg. The enemy left their fortifications on the first, twelfth, fourteenth, sixteenth and eighteenth of this month, and dealt their best blows to prevent the occurrence of what we have just accomplished–the surrounding of their well fortified city. We have now come here to compel them to surrender, and we are prepared to do it either by charge or by siege, and they cannot say to us nay. They have fought well to keep their homes free from invasion, and surely deserve praise for their brave return to battle after so many defeats. Our army encircles the city from the river above to the river below, a distance of seven and a half miles.

The three corps have taken respective positions as follows: Sherman’s Fifteenth occupies the right of the line, resting on the river above; General McClernand’s Thirteenth touches the river below, while McPherson’s Seventeenth stands in the center. Our own division, commanded by Logan, occupies the road leading to Jackson.

In taking our position we did a great deal of skirmishing, and I suppose the same difficulty was probably experienced by the rest of the line. We have been nineteen days on the march aroundVicksburg, and the time has been full of excitement–quite too varied for a comprehensive view just now, but those who have borne a part in it will store it all away in memory, to be gone over between comrades by piece-meal, when they meet after the war is over.

The personal experience of even the humblest soldier will get a hearing in years to come, for it is the little things in an unusual life that are most entertaining, and personal observations from the rank and file, narrated by those who saw what they describe, will make some of the most instructive paragraphs of the war’s history.

This has been a day to try the nerves of the boys, while taking position in front to invest the doomed city. It has been a day to try men’s souls, and hearts, too. The long lines of rebel earthworks following the zig-zag courses of the hills, and black field guns still menacing from their port-holes, bristle with defiance to the invaders.

Our regiment, the 20th Ohio, being ordered in position on the Jackson road, immediately passed to the left in front of Fort Hill, where it stood ready to charge at a moment’s notice. Meanwhile Colonel Force cautiously made his way in front of the different companies and spoke familiarly to his men words of encouragement. Said he, “boys, I expect we shall be ordered to charge the fort. I shall run right at it, and I hope every man will follow me.” At that instant a soldier of one of the companies on the left was found snugly hid in a ravine under the roots of a tree, and his lieutenant’s attention being called to the fact, he was ordered out, when he replied, “lieutenant, I do not believe I am able to make such a charge.”

Map of Vicksburg, showing the river front and the positions of the Union and Confederate lines in the rear.

May 19, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

LATEST FROM THE WEST.

BRANDON, Miss., May 16, (via Montgomery May 17.) Five gentlemen rode to Jackson today and traversed the city. The enemy evacuated the place about two o’clock. Their force is supposed to be about 40,000. They have retreated towards Vicksburg. Firing has been heard in that direction. It is believed that Gen. PEMBERTON is in the enemy’s rear. The Yankees, before leaving, burned the Confederate forage and the Depot, the Penitentiary, GREEN’S and PHILIPS’ Factories, STEVENS’ Foundry, WERNER’S Hat Factory, a block of buildings on State street, including the Medical Purveyor’s and other Government offices, and both bridges over the Pearl River. They also destroyed several miles of railroad track. It was reported in Mobile that some of this burning was done before we retired – several Confederate houses having been burned by the property holders.

MOBILE, May 18. A despatch from Jackson, dated today, says that a heavy but indecisive battle occurred near Edward’s Depot on Saturday. We fell back to our own entrenchments. The loss was heavy on both sides. General TILGHMAN was killed.

A despatch to the Advertiser and Register confirms the previous accounts of the damage done by the enemy to the town of Jackson. The Catholic Church was destroyed. The Mississippian office was gutted, the presses broken, and the type thrown into the street. The furniture in the Capitol was badly abused, and the [continue reading…]

May 19, 1863, Peoria Morning Mail (Illinois)

Cairo, May 18th.

            By arrival of the steamer Luminary we have news from Grant’s advance to the 11th and Milliken’s Bend the 14th.

            It is reported that Generals Logan and Osterhaus are marching towards Jackson, driving Bowen before them, while Grant is marching up the Black River expecting to engage Pemberton near the bridge over that stream.

            A letter dated Jackson the 12th ins., says, Bowen has been compelled to fall back from Raymond, and was hourly expecting that the federals would take possession of the town.  The women and children and valuable stores had been sent to Meridian, and all the men had been forced into the rebel army.  It is further said that Osterhaus had made large captures of men, artillery, ammunition and commissary stores a few miles from Raymond.  Bowen’s forces are estimated at 15,000 and Pembertons at 50,000.  The latter is reported strongly entrenched near the bridge, and a great battle there is eminent.

May 19, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

(From the Examiner of Saturday.)

We regret to have to announce this morning one of the most serious conflagrations that has afflicted Richmond for several years, involving not only loss of private property to the amount of half a million or more, but a short delay in the supply of some kinds of war munitions, the manufacture of which has been interrupted, we learn, only temporarily. The conflagration originated about two o’clock yesterday morning, in the Crenshaw Woolen Factory, a brick structure of five stories front, and six in the rear, situated in the midst of the buildings composing the Tredegar Iron Works, on the James, between the canal and the river. The factory was built about seven years ago for Messrs. Crenshaw & Haxall, as a flouring mill; but about the commencement of the war the machinery for the manufacture of cloth was substituted by an Association, under the style of the ‘Crenshaw Woolen Factory,’ and the same went into operation quite extensively. The factory was worked at night, and the fire is supposed to have originated from fire engendered during the night in the picker room, which was on the second floor. The firm are said to have had three watchmen on the second floor of the building; but so rapid was the spread of the flames that a young man named Carey, in the building, barely escaped with his shoes and part of his clothing in his hand. So combustible was the nature of the refuse oil and wool that fed the sparks that the flames leaped almost instantly through the range of stories, and burst roaring from the windows before the alarm could be sounded by the Tredegar bell. Mr. W. F. Tanner, the General Superintendent of the Tredegar Works, was at his residence, on Third street, between Canal and Byrd, when the alarm rang, and knowing the bell he hastened down. The rolling mill was in operation, and the workmen were turned out with buckets to protect the surrounding buildings, from the midst of which rose the Crenshaw factory, now a pyramid of flames, and showering [continue reading…]