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[304] pushed forward 18 miles next day, to Hankinson's Ferry.

Grant's advance, under McClernand, first encountered the enemy1 when eight miles out from Bruinsburg; but the Rebels were not in force, and fell back unpursued till morning; when McClernand advanced, and, when approaching Port Gibson, was resisted with spirit by a Rebel force from Vicksburg, under Maj.-Gen. Bowen ; the country being broken into narrow ridges, separated by deep ravines, which afforded great advantage to the defensive. Our superiority in numbers being decisive, however, they were steadily driven; Grant finally sending up J. E. Smith's brigade of McPherson's corps to the support of our left, under Osterhaus; when, late in the afternoon, the enemy was defeated with heavy loss, and pursued toward Port Gibson. Our loss was 130 killed, 718 wounded. We captured 3 guns, 4 flags, and 580 prisoners. Night soon closed in, and our troops slept on their arms till morning; when it was found that the enemy had retreated across Bayou Pierre, burning the bridge behind them, abandoning Port Gibson, and evacuating Grand Gulf; as our army advanced2 in its rear to Hankinson's Ferry on the Big Black, skirmishing and taking some prisoners, mainly stragglers, but not seriously resisted.

Gen. Grant now rode across to Grand Gulf, with a small escort of cavalry, to make arrangements for changing his base of supplies from Bruinsburg to this point, while his army awaited the arrival of wagons, provisions, and Sherman's corps; meantime, scouts were busy and reconnoissances employed in obtaining information of the enemy.

Grant had expected to remain some time at Grand Gulf, accumulating provisions and munitions, while lie sent a corps down the river to cooperate with Gen. Banks in the reduction of Port Hudson; but the information here obtained dictated a change in his plans — Banks not having yet invested Port hudson. Accordingly, his army was pushed forward3 on two parallel roads up the left bank of the Big Black: McPherson on that nea est the river; McClernand on the higher, or ridge road; while Sherman's corps, divided, followed on each ; all the ferries on the Big Black being watched to guard against a surprise from the enemy, who had taken care to burn the few bridges.

Thus advancing, our army encountered no serious resistance until its van, under McPherson, then moving, on Clinton and Jackson, was encountered,4 near Raymond, by two Rebel brigades, under Gen. Gregg, who had taken a good position, with two batteries, commanding the road in our front, having his infantry posted on a range of hills to the right of the road. and in the timber and ravines just in front. The fight here was a short one. The Rebels opened it with great fury, attempting to charge and capture De Golyer's battery, which was in position on our front; but, being repulsed by a terrific fire of grape and canister, they broke and fled precipitately, so that McPherson had scarcely begun the fight when it was ended; the Rebels fleeing at full speed through Raymond, which our troops occupied at 5 P. M. Only Logan's

1 May 1-2 A. M.

2 May 3.

3 May 7.

4 May 12.

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