rps toward Bridgeport,
and to Blair to join him at this latter place.

At daylight, on the 17th, the pursuit was renewed with
McClernand's corps in the advance. The enemy was found strongly
posted on both sides of the Black river. At this point, on Black
river, the bluffs extended to the water's edge on the west bank.
On the east side is an open, cultivated bottom of near one mile
in width, surrounded by a bayou of stagnant water, from two to
three feet in depth, and from ten to twenty feet in width, from
the river above the railroad to the river below. Following the
inside line of this bayou the enemy had constructed rifle-pits,
with the bayou to serve as a ditch on the outside and immediately
in front of them. Carr's division occupied the right in investing
this place, and Lawless brigade the right of his division. After
a few hours skirmishing Lawler discovered that by moving a
portion of his brigade under cover of the river bank he could get
a position from which that place could be successfully assaulted,
and ordered a charge accordingly. Notwithstanding the level
ground over which a portion of his troops had to pass without
cover, and the great obstacle of the ditch in front of the
enemy's works, the charge was gallantly and successfully (p. 386)
made, and in a few minutes the entire garrison with seventeen
pieces of artillery were the trophies of this brilliant and
daring movement. The enemy on the west bank of the river
immediately set fire to the railroad bridge and retreated, thus
cutting off all chance of escape for any portion of his forces
remaining on the east bank.

Sherman, by this time, had reached Bridgeport, on the Black river
above. The only pontoon train with the expedition was with him.
By the morning of the 18th he had crossed the river, and was
ready to march on Walnut Hills. McClernand and McPherson built
floating bridges during the night, and had them ready for
crossing their commands by 8 A.M. of the 18th.

The march was commenced by Sherman at an early hour by the
Bridgeport and Vicksburg road, turning to the right when within
three and a half miles of Vicksburg to get possession of Walnut
Hills and the Yazoo river. This was successfully accomplished
before the night of the 18th. McPherson crossed Black