Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-06-12
The Attack On Port Hudson

Commencement ofthe Assault on the PIN
Of May--.Severe Fighting and Reo,v
Losses.
Our intelligence from the attack On
Port Hudson is to May %. A 6eroo
bombardment of the place was kent Nm
from Friday, May %, and on Wednes
day the 9th ult. grand assault was or.
dered and commenced at o'clock p. N
The lines extended for distance of near
ly four miles in front of the enemv,.
works. The extreme right was given to
Gen. Weitzel, Gen. Grover occupying
the next position, Gen. Augur the third
and Gen. Sherman the left. On the RIGHT
the sharp rattle of musketry and roar Of
artillery gave notice that Weitzel was at
work, and as it increased 10 intensity II
became evident that he was having no
boys play, and he had not. Every inch
was disputed; the enemy fought with the
ferocity Of demons; but it was to M
purpose ; our boys drove them slowly
but steadily, using dubbed muskets and
bayonets when they could not load. It
was soon apparent that whatever else
would be done by the army, Weitzel was
bound to win; his column could not be
checked, although suffering greatly; the
enemy went down before them as grass
before the scythe of the mower and al.
though the work was tedious and bloody.
no one faltered. Gen. Weitzel, keepiop
his men well in hand for the last rush.
put them at the enemy's works on the
river side, and they went on with a will,
making the air resound with their shouts.
Here the fight became murderous it was
hand TO hand and breast TO breast the
bay onet doing the main part of the work.
The rebels could not stand il, however.
and were compelled to fall back. Our
people pressed them close, allowing no
space to be created between the attacked
and the attacker, and finally drove them
into and then out of the celebrated six
gun battery that did such terrible execu.
ton upon the steamer Mississippi the
night she was destroyed. Here was a
great point gained-a point that we could
use to advantage against the other works
of the enemy. And it did not take long
for the quick eye Of Weitzel to see all
this and profit by it. As soon as practi.
cable the guns were shifted and put to
work, and were busy at last accounts in
throwing shot and shell into and against
the position of their late owners. This
was decidedly the most brilliant and sue.
cessful part Of the days work not that
the men fought any better, or showed
more determination than those on other
parts of the field, but it was the great
est point gained, and proved what we
could do when we resolved TO accom-
plish certain ends. By this operation
the enemy's left was turned, and in a
manner to prevent the lost ground be
ing recovered. The battery captured
was the most annoying of any Of the
line, for it raked completely the chan
mel way of the river.
On the extreme left, also, the troops
under the command of Gen. Sherman
were Immediately engaged. The 9Th
Michigan and the 128th New York car
ried the enemy's works at the point Of
the bayonet, but they were compelled 10
give way, for the enemy had massed bis
troops here and it became necessary for
our glorious fellows to fall back before
overwhelming numbers. Noground was
lost, however; we only failed to main
ain our position within the main works.
The I'd regiment Louisiana native guards,
Col. Nelson, were in this charge; they
vent on in the advance, and when they
,ame out, GOO out Of 900 men could not
)e accounted for 1t is said on every
ide that they fought with the despera-
ion of tigers. One negro was observed
With rebel soldier in his grasp, tearing
he flesh from his face with his teeth,
'ther weapons having failed him. There
re other incidents connected with the
onduct of this regiment that have raised
hem very mnch in my opinion as sol
iers. After firing one volley they did
ot begin TO loa d again, but went in
nth bayonets, and wherever they went
was all up with the rebels. Although
re gained much ground, and held it, still
he principal object of this attack was not
namely, getting possession
f and holding the batteries on the en-
my's right. 1t was owing to some mis-
understanding. The charge cost us hea-
lily in killed and wounded. Gen. Sher-
ian led the attack in person, and fell Sc
nralv woundad in tho Iao Con Neal