and those who came to his support; but the line retreated slowly, and ultimately gained a position where it could pour a fire of artillery upon the Confederate line and force it back in turn.
Logan's division worked so well around to the enemy's rear that Pemberton realized his danger of being cut off from Vicksburg and ordered a retreat. Stevenson's and Bowen's divisions made good their escape, but Loring's division was cut off and compelled to retire to the southward, abandoning all its guns and losing many men, who were captured. Loring found it impossible to retreat into Vicksburg, but by making a wide detour south and east he reached Jackson three days later (on the 19th), and reported to Johnston with what he had saved from his command.
The Union loss in this battle (Champion Hill) was 426 killed, 1,842 wounded, and 189 missing. The Confederates lost quite as heavily in killed and wounded, about 2,000 prisoners, 15 or 20 guns, and three or four thousand small-arms. The battle was fought mainly by Hovey's division, which lost about 1,200 in killed and wounded, as it was engaged for several hours before the other divisions could come to its aid. This assertion is not intended to detract in any way from the other divisions, as all fought gallantly as soon as they reached the field. The 15th corps was too far away to be of service, as it was still marching from Jackson, and only three divisions of McClernand's corps could come up before the battle ended. Two divisions (Carr's and Osterhaus') of McClernand's corps pursued the fleeing enemy until dark, capturing many wagons and adding considerably to the number of prisoners.
The result of the battle of Champion Hill was to sever completely the communications between Johnston and Pemberton, and shut the latter up in Vicksburg. It was virtually the beginning of the siege.
