gest states of the Union. If there ever was a
jubilant army, Grant's army at Jackson was that night. The papers of the
morning were found, which said that the Yankee vandals never would
pollute Jackson. The force we met were direct from Charleston, S.
C.--Eastern troops; but a wounded man told us they soon found out they
were not fighting New York troops. Went into park in the suburbs of the
town back of their breastworks. Lieutenant Simpson went down-town
foraging. Ordered to cook three days' rations.

Near Clinton, Friday, May 15. Awoke to prepare to march at 6 A. M.,
cooks having been up nearly all night baking the flour and meal.
Retraced our steps back, leaving one of Sherman's divisions to guard the
place and we were to go and partake in more stirring scenes. Passed
through Clinton in the afternoon and encamped at sundown four miles
beyond.

Near Clinton, Saturday, May 16. Started at 7 A. M. Heavy firing in
front, and at 10 A. M. we came up to the scene of action. They were
engaged by Osterhaus's, Hovey's and Logan's Divisions. We were
immediately called forward and took a position on a knoll where we had a
good view. They were in thick timber. Logan's Division managed to get on
their right flank, driving them with rapidity, but at the same time they
were driving the line on the left and came near penetrating our center,
many of our men having used all their ammunition, and the amount of
stragglers falling back without order becoming dangerous. It was a
dangerous moment. All eyes were anxiously looking, almost trembling, for
the result; but at last there comes Colonel Holmes with his Brigade on
double quick, which soon checked their progress, and the artillery were
brought into position, McAllister's 24-pounder howitzers on the left,
with Quinby's on the right and center. The infantry fell back at double
quick as we opened fire on them, shelling the woods--38 pieces in all,
belching away in fearful rapidity. Kept it up for one hour. When we
ceased firing, they had left and all was still. The fight continued
about five hours, the musketry having been exceedingly hot. We took
seventeen pieces of artillery and about 2,000 prisoners.

After the battle intelligence reached us that Vicksburg was occupied by
our forces, and that the troops of that place had met us in force with
the hope of saving Jackson, which was met with cheer after cheer,
although it was almost too good to believe. We marched after them, and
g