Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-07-18
THE CAPTURE OF THE FEDERAL BORTltCA-
TONS AT BRASHEAR CITY.
From the Louisiana Democrat, July11

cheering and important The effect on our good
people palpabe, and at once every was impa-
ent for extra, giving to the public the account of
the glorious victory by the proves. of our arms in
the Teche country We are now able TO lay before
readers the full particulars.
General Taylor, with Walkers division, fought the
enemy at Ashland in North Louisiana, on the 7th ult.
Before starting this expedition, he had dispatched
of his staff officers to Southwest Louis to keep
him advised of matters in that direction Information
be received about this time determined him make the
movement that has resulted gloriousy to
10 half an hour he in the saddle. Ia this way aud
10 ambnlances he Travelled through from Richmond La,
to Alexandria, in three days. hardly pausng for rest he
pushed on with relays of horses overlook COL Majors
commanding brigade Of cavalry on the Atchafaaya,
and instantly unfolded TO him his plan OF campaign, in
which that gallant young officer was to play such con.
spcuous part jor5 was TO push boldly through the
Crosse Tete Marangoin and Laourche country to Don.
aldsonvie, thence to Thbodeaux cut of the railroad
and telegraph communication then push rapidly to
Bout river in the OF Bashear City and at the rst
sound Of Mouons and Green's guns attack them at that
place.
After seeing Col. Majors we'll on his way, G neral
Taylor returned via Washington and Opelousas and
pushed on rapidly to Gems. Mouton and Green's head
quarters to superntend in person the attack on Bra
shear CITY and its forts Orders had already been
given them to make this attack aud dec ors had been
given open communication with him via the kes so
that they could make combined movement
Two of Gen. Taylor's staff had been ureiug on pre-
paraons for crossing tie troops the bay. Lieut.
Avery particularly, had used every exer1n under di-
rection OF Big. Gen. Green in the construction Of
headq the morning of the 2lst. Generals
Mouton and Green had not been Idle in carrying out
their orders For the few days previous they had
ganzed the different corps and their positions in the i'm
pending attack. Shortly after Gen. Taylors arrival
houtons headquarters OF his staff brought up from
Erppn'g haad1uaItars n dpsnatnh nf 10 M tha
vious day from Col Majors; that daring mander bad
all eady arriv at Thbodeaux, after triumphant cam
Ypaign through the whole LatOurche-tad captured Pla
quemine with $50 prisoners, destroyed three large
g,isg vessels loaded with valuable stores and had taken
Donald sonye with its gari .on had attacked the
day the enemy at Thbodeaux driven him. with Pyrons
Texas infantry, at the point of the bsyonet, from his
strong POSITION had charged and routed his cavalry by
charging him with Lanes, Stones and Philips Texas
cavalry aud now ready to operate with US in our
movement Of the morrow.
At P. NJ, on the evening Of the 2lst "Forlorn
Hope" composed OF volunteers from the different regi
ments embarked in the skins and sugar coolers pre-
pared for them. Tneirs was tie proud privilege Of
stormpg the almost mpregnable fort the opposite
side of the bay at dawn the following morning while
General Green and General Mouton occupied them at
different points in their front.
II was composed as before remarked, OF volunteers
from the 9th Texas Greens old regiment I'd Louisiana
cavalry Walters battalion and I'd Arizona brigade all
der the command of the gallant Major Hunter of the
latter. |; hazardous mission to cross the Lake
Twelve miles, in these fra barks to land at midnight
on the enemys side in an almost impenetrable swamp
and await the dawn of day make the desperate attempt
which would ensure them victory or soldiers death (;
but they seemed to treat it holiday froic as they
were rowing away, waving their hats to Gen. Taylor
and Gen. Mouton who the bank watching their
departure. The boat expedition having left Gems. Tay-
or and Mouton proceed below Pattersonve arrange
for other movements. bouton, with the 18th Texas
Texas and I'd Arizona regiments, stood post at Gibbons
Point on island of that name and Immediately oppo-
site Fort Buchanan. From this place his sharpshooters
could sweep the gunnes from III positions the heavy
guns in the fort. Gen. Green, with his old regiment
18th Texas) Walters battalion, I'd Louisiana cavalry,
Vaverde and Nichols batteries, took position Just be-
fore day in Berwicks City, ready 10 open all their
camp which extended up and down the opposite bank
for two miles and also keep in check their gunboat
Every matter of Importance being now ready Major
General Taylor waited with confidence for the boom of
Green's artillery, which 10 be the signal of attack.
Immediately after daylight Gen. Green fired the f st
gun from the Va verde battery at gunboat of the
envy which wa steamng up the bay j. he direction of
the upper fort (Buchanan.) Instant he whole bay
was in a blaze, all of our guns fir Ayed upon the i'm.
mense line of tents of the enemy nich occupied
by about one thousand Yankees. They COM
pietely surprised-they had not imagined an enemy in
twenty miles OF them this side OF the bay (sheir
prisoners admit this Their heavy guns from the three
forts now open on Green at the moment the sharp
crack of Mouton's thousand Enfield rifles is heard
tinuay from Gibbons point, sweeping their gunners
from their places like whirlwnd would dash the sand
of the desert; all are anxious to hear the
of Majors guns The worthy pupil Of old Stone
wall strains bis ear for the signal; if Majors has
arrived at the Bout crossing, we have bagged them
al still we do not hear them, although the
nonade has been going on without intermsson for
and a half hours. What has become Of the storming
.l..I
them; presently we hear one, two, and then the long
distant sound of artillery from the Beuf-Msjors IL
there there communication is cut of completely
Just at this moment to add TO the enemys confusion
and disaster the long looked for "forlorn hope made
is appearance in the edge OF woods with real Texas
yell they dashed at once with bayones fixed and pistols
drawn hl at the threatening walls of the proud fort
in twenty minutes they had climbed It's walls dispersed
It's Garrison torn down the and stripes and hosted
the 'bonne blue flag" its ramparts leaving small
band TO take care Of the fort The gallant Hunter
rushed on the camps below, the affrighted enemy
their and surrendering ndiscrimi-
nately until he had swept the whole place. Green in
the meantime had engaged their gunboats with the Val
verde and Nichols battery and after hoty contested
duel of half an hour drove it shamefully away.
In half an hour Generals Taylor, Mouton and Green,
with their respective stsfs had their headquarters in
the city Of Brashear
THE RE:ULr
Captured 1900 prisoners and SO commissioned Off
GERS $4,000 900 commissary stores, 81 600 quarter
master stores $3.50 900 ordnance Stores 100000 med
cal stores 20 garrison and regmenta flags, 1000 tents
600 horses and mules between 5000 and 900 ne.
groes, l6 guns, 1000 stand Of small arms, and posi-
lion of as much importance to this country rransAis
sissppi) as Port Hudson and Vcksburg; in fact the
Ken to Louisiana and Texas. This brilliant campaign
General Taylor had another great object in view, and
one of vast Importance viz diversion to force the
enemy to raise the siege of Port Hudson. He ha:
his choice loose New Orleans or to abandon his ope
rations against Port Hudson and retire with his beaten
and demorslized army into the city.
The captured flags in charge of Major Tom 0chil
tree assistant Adutant General on Major General Tay-
lor,s staff en- route to Lieut. Gen. Smith.
AFFAIRS AT CHARLESTON.
The exchange of shots between the Yankee gunboat
L...o.;o. On Tnaedav kent nm A long inter