While waiting for
the brigade to move, I will endeavor to write up what transpired yesterday. At
about I A. M. we were aroused from sleep with orders to fall into line, but no
movement was made for nearly two hours. We saw that the wagon-train was in
front, and this indicated a fight or a retreat; at 3 o'clock we began the march
at a quick gait, which was kept up until evening, when we bivouaced on the
Jackson road, fifteen miles from that place, and three from Clinton.
We had passed in a
few miles of the enemy early in the morning, but so silently that he was
probably unaware of the movement. The wagon train was sent by another route for
safety. We now have confirmation of the news from Vicksburg. There is no longer
any doubt about its truth. The place surrendered after the garrison had
subsisted ten weeks upon mule meat and pea meal. The officers and men are to be
brought within our lines and parolled, the officers to retain their side arms.
It is said that there is a heavy column of the enemy, under General Osterhaus,
following in our wake. General Johnston is having the pond, which afforded
water to the army last week, ditched off, and to make it palatable for our
pursuers, is having dead mules thrown into it. It is the only chance for them
to get water this side of Big Black. Bragg's army is reported falling back to
Chattanooga, leaving our homes to the mercy of the foe. It is now ten o'clock,
and Ector's Brigade, which is in line of battle in our rear, and ours are all
the troops left here, the rest having gone ahead.
SOURCE: Edwin L.
Drake, Editor, The Annals of the Army of Tennessee and Early Western
History, Vol. 1, p. 216-7
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