20

18 and Johnston were encountered at Champion Hills the
real battle of the Vicksburg Campaign in
which Hovey's division alone lost 5000 men
and Johnston escaped to the rear by a flank
movement. The battle of Black river [bridge]
was fought the next day mainly by [illegible]
brigade, which charged the enemy (who had
set fire to the bridge over Black River) and captured a great
number of prisoners

It was this battle that caused the mis
understanding between Grant and [McClernand?]
on account of the latters disregard of an
order to hold the enemy while Sherman made
a detour to prevent Pemberton from going
into Vicksburg The successful issue of the
battle made it an expedient for Grant to
relieve him at that time, but it was done
after an unsuccessful assault on the 19th
of May, [McClernand?] claimed that he
had possession of part of the works on the
left of the Jackson railroad and if reenforced
he could hold them. As a matter of fact
Sergeant Griffith and eleven men of Stowe's
Iowa regiment did get into the works, but
could not remain. McArthurs division
came as re enforcements at 4 oclock: Meantime
the enemy had massed to defend the vulnerable
[point]. McArthur moved forward and