Delaware State journal and statesman., 1863-06-16


Ga the left, after dark, the main body being ex-
posed to flank ere, withdre o belt Of woods,
tho skirmishers remaining cl1e upon the fortih
cations
Ia the assault of eth, the brhAvi r. of the Off
ee,s aud men was most gallant AMI lcf no hing
tn he d,siiel Oar limited acquait me with the
ground and the character OF the works, which
Nere almost hidden from our ubserva lou until
the moment OF approach, alone prevented the
capture Of tho post
Ga tue extreme right of our liue posted the
first and Ihild regiment Of negro troops. The
hrst regiment ut Louis ana Engineers. composed
exclusively Of colOied men, excepting the Off
GERS, WAS also engaged ~ the operations Of the
day. The position occupied by these troops
vas one Of Importance, an called for the utmost
strnliuess nni bravery in ihnse to whom il was
cnnhded. II gives me pleasure 10 report that
they answered every expectation. lu many re-
rlrets thi r conduct was heroic. No troops
could be more determined or more daring They
made during the day three charges upon the bnt-
teres OF tho enemy SUI ring very heavy losses,
and holding their position at nightfall with the
other troops on the right Of our line The high
est commentator is bestowed upon them by all
the officers in colnnlil ou the tight. Whatever
doebt may have exi-t.d heretofore as TO the oh
o'eucy ofOrganzatUns Of this character the bis
were in condition to observe the conduct Of these
regiments that the Government will find in this
class of troops effective supporters aud delen-
d,rs. The severe test to which they were sub
j'cted, and the determined manner in which
they encountered the enemy, leaves upon my
mind no doubt OF their ultimate success. They
require only good officers, commands OF limited
numbers, aud careful discipline 10 male them
excellent soldiers.
Our losses from the % to this date, in killed,
Wounded, aud missing. nre nearly Que thousand,
including, l. deeply regret to say, some Of the
nhlrst officers of the corps Am unable as yet
to repeat them in detail
have the honor to be, with much respect,
your obedient servant N. 7, BANKS,
Major General Com mSnding
-
dASeRAL BANKS OPERATIONS The campaign
Of Gen. Banks in Loulsinna will prove to one
OF tho most valuable. for its brevity, of
any that has been undertaken during the war
Other successful campaigns have resulted in the
capture Of strategic positions aud valuable spoils
ol war. Gen. Banks, however, has succeeded in
almost reieeming the State OF Louisiana from the
t,bel grasp, and, Mt last accounts, was engaged
IN placing his stal upon Port Hudson. by which,
II he meet with success, he will accomplish the
final act toward that State from ebe rule.
ten, Binbs evidently planned the campaign
/ which is about to terminate so successfully. lie
snw in Western Louisiana the garden whence
were procured immense quantities Of supplies for
the rebel amy east OF the Mississippi. This
locality almost abound in sugar plantations and
other sources of wealth. to deprive the III
snrgents Of which would materially weaken
them Leaving New Orleans amply protected,
he pushed his way westward, and, penetrating
| the field in question, pushed his way rapid y,
striking at points vulnerable aud important to
obtain. His march from Ergshear city To
Alexandria appears to have been attended with
u succession OF victories, in which the enemy lost
position after position, and was ut last compel
10 fall back demoralized aud disheartrned The
captures made 10y the victorious army were OF
immense value, not the least Of which was that
| NJ fet Ainse salt mine, where there has ulreAdy
been discovered over fifty acre. of tue finest rock
-alt- This mine has been explored to the depth
Of twenty leoi witaont leaving any signs OF OK
: haustiOn The LOGS OF this mine Ia the enemy
NIL prove almost incaculable, and the gain /,
~ - OF far more than CORES ponding Importance
u ~ snd that the property captured by Gen
lihnku in this campaign wall amount in value
sufficient 10 almost pay the entire expenses o
his command.
Urn- Banks administration of the affairs u
hi7 department has beeu temperate but fun
lie huA not Illuminated ordera Of Ioleful meaning
Or singular severity. Tue inhabitants have been
taught obedience Ly the strong ann If military
power without lnNng cnuso IL complain Of an,
act Of rJu lice. Registered rntinies have hrei
banlshed, and the professe,lly hyh have beer
! protected III Their newly acquired tiehs. NV
Vrleans, Tie iutnnce Of disolnliy in the Stale
has been made to gov wth earnest nnl out
spoken patriotism, and dslrynty nte now dis
counteuanced. Gen Bank progress through lii,
STATE has been make with tue same symrtom
|s.Nl faH.a l..