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Subject: [IA-CIVIL-WAR] Cedar Valley Times, May 1863, Champion Hill, MS
Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2003 10:47:01 EDT

The Battle of Champion Hill in Mississippi occurred May 16, 1863, and
involved both Grant's Federal forces, the Army of the Tennessee; and Pemberton's
Confederate Army.


The Cedar Valley Times
Cedar Rapids, Linn Co., Iowa

Thursday Morning Edition
June 4, 1863

Summary of War News.

>From Friday's Mail.

We had about 20,000 troops engaged in the battle of Champion Hill; the
rebels were badly beaten and lost 3000 prisoners; 1700 men on our side were
wounded. Grant has been reinforced and a final attack was to have been made on
Vicksburg on Monday the 24th ult. Jackson, Mississippi has been destroyed and
the forces which captured it are now with Gen. Grant.

>From Saturday's Mail.

The rebel army in Virginia is on the move and it is said that Gen. Lee has
published an order promising his soldiers "long and rapid marches and great
victories." Serious apprehensions are felt that he will attempt to invade
Maryland and make a dash into Pennsylvania. Our troops continue to make assaults
on Vicksburg but the place has not yet been captured. The rebels are holding
out with great obstinacy in the hope that Gen. Johnston who is gathering
reinforcements will arrive and attack Grant in the rear.

>From Monday's Mail.

Up to the 23d ult. four assaults had been made upon Vicksburg, and each
time our forces were repulsed. The former reports concerning the movements of
the rebel army on the Rappahannock are contradicted, but there seems to be but
little doubt that a movement of some kind is on foot. It is confidently
reported that Gen. Bragg's army has fallen back and that Gen. Rosecran's troops at
Murfreesboro are under orders to be ready for a forward march.

>From Tuesday's Mail.

Intellingence from Vicksburg has been received up to the 26th ult.
Several desperate assaults have been made upon the works of the enemy and we have
continued to gain ground without being able to capture the place. A
correspondent of the Chicago Journal in summing up the results thus far says, that in
sixteen days Grant's army has marched 160 miles, fought five battles, captured
7000 prisoners, 92 cannon, 8000 small arms, large quantities of army stores and
seven miles of fortifications. Thus far our losses have been about 5000 and
the loss of the enemy 15000. The Iowa troops have borne a gallant part in the
battles and the number of killed and wounded in some of the regiments is
frightful. Gen. Grant is entirely confident that he will be able to protect his
rear from any attacks of the enemy. It is asserted that Vicksburg can be taken
at any time by a grand assault, but that the loss would be very great, and as
it is confidently believed that Pemberton must soon surrender with his whole
force it is not thought expedient to make the attempt.

>From Wednesday's Mail [in part]:

The gun-boat Cincinnati was sunk by the Vicksburg batteries in front of
the city on the 27th. Twenty-five men were lost by this causuality.



Sue Trout Reisdorph

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