Journal of the War [pp. 199-213]

JOURNAL OF THE WAR.
copy of the Mississippian Exwtra, published
at Jackson, Monday evening. The Mississippian's account of the operations down to the
evacuation by our forces, is briefly as follows:
Tuesday, the 12 h, General Gregg, with 2,700
men, fought the enemy 8,000 strong, under
Major General Logan, near Raymond. Our
loss was about 60 killed and 120 wounded;
the enemy left upward of 800 wounded at
Raymond. That day, General W. IH. T.
Walker's brigade reached Jackson, and the
next day joined Gregg at Mississippi Springs,
ten miles from Jackson. The enemy coming
up in force in other directions, our troops fell
back to Lynch's Creek, two miles southwest of
Jackson, and Wednesday held the enemy in
check for three hours, while Gen. Johnston
removed such Government stores as could be
removed, or distributed them to the citizens.
About 12 o'clock our troops entered the city
and fell back toward Canton. The entire loss
of the enemy in all these actions is estimated
at about 600.
FRIDAY.-Stated that on Saturday
our troops in Mississippi had fallen
back on the Big Black and beat back
the enemy on Sunday. The enemy
then crossed the river above and
took our works in the rear, which
caused the loss of the bridge and
works and 30 pieces of cannon which
were abandoned. The news creates
quite a depression, but hopes are entertained that it is exaggerated.
Later in the day it is telegraphed
that the enemy were repulsed badly
in front of Vicksburg on Wednesday.
Refugees in large crowds are flocking in from New Orleans. Several
thousand will at once enter the army.
MOBILE, May 20, 1868.
ADMIRAL: The undersigned have been appointed a committee on behalf of Louisianians, now ill Mobile, to take such steps as shall
secure the early transportation to this city of
their unfortunate fellow citizens, who have
been exiled from Now Orleans as "registered
enemies," and who are now, to the nlumber of
several thousand, including old men, women
and children, at or on the way to Pascagoula.
It is evident to you, Admiral, that the distan,ce by land to that point, and the difficulty
of obtaining conveyance, carriages, wagons,
&c., is such that several weeks would be consumed in the removal, during which delay
great inconvenience and suffering would result.
It has occurred to us that under cover of a
flag of truce permission could be obtained
from the enemly's fleet, off Mobile, for the
passage to and fro of a steamer froiri this city,
to bring away the refugees, which could thus
be effected speedily and with comfort, and we
take the liberty of requesting from you, sir.
if compatible with your sense of official propriety, such communication with the enemy
as would lead to the result desired.
With high regard, your obedient servants,
J D. B. DrBOW.
E. D. FENNER,
J. BENSADON.
Admiral BucuHAiANA, C. S. N., commanding
Mobile.
VOL. III. —NO. II.
NAVAL COMMANDANT'S OFFICE,
Mobile, Ala., May 20, 1863. f
GENTLEMIEN: Your communication of this
date I have received. I can fully appreciate
your desire to alleviate the sufferings of your
unfortunate fellow-citizens who have been so
cruelly exiled from their homes by our unfeeling Yankee enemies. I wvill communicate by
flag of truce with the commander of the blockading fleet, and ascertain if your wishes can be
complied with. I have but little hope, however, that any act to relieve the distress of
men, women and children will be granted by
such people. I am, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
FRANKLIN BUCHANAN,
Admiral, &c., &c.
Messrs. J. D). B. DEBow, E. D. FE.NNER, J.
BENSADON.
FORT MORGAN, May 21, 1868.
ADMIRAL: I have communicated with the
enemy's fleet. Capt. Goldsboro declines acceding to your wishes-says he has orders not
to suffer anything to pass the bars; but will
at once send for instructions to his Admiral,
and send you his decision under flag of truce.
TIhOMAS T. HUNTER,
Commanding C. S. N.
Admiral F.BUCHANAN.
SATURDAY. The arrest of Vallandigham is rousing angry feelings at
the North. Gov. Seymour of New
York says this act of the Administration will determine in the minds of
more than half the people of the
loyal States whether the war is
against rebellion by the South or
free institutions at the North. The
act is denounced in a public meeting
as a "startling outrage upon the
rights of American citizens."
SUNDAY. Telegraphed that Price
has captured Helena, and that the
Yankees have been badly repulsed at
Vicksburg.
JAcKsoN, May 28.-Latest advices from
Vicksburg are to Thursday night, at which
time the enemy had been foiled in all their
attempts to take the city or works.
One estimate places their loss in killed and
wounded at 10,000. Our loss is slight and the
injury to the batteries trifling. Our garrison
is well supplied, and all are confident of holding the place. The enemy's dead strew the
ground opposite the works.
Firing has been heard at intervals last night
and to-day. The enemy are, supposed to be
shelling.
It is reported that the enemy are at Pontchatoula, running trains up that far from New
Orleans.
MONDAY.-Refugees from New Orleans continue to flock into Mobile.
Among them are many necessitous
persons among.whom there will be
great distress. Relief movements
at Mobile are in progress, and much
will be effected. Many of the exiles
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