The Portland daily press., 1863-07-01

beating passage through large enough for
the human body, again dashing forward, per-
haps to fall at the bottom Of deep ravine and
springing, scramble up its almost perpendicu-
lar side, only to meet with new distractions.
But this was not all, with which our brave
boys had TO contend. 1t was through such
distractions and facing fire of lead and iron
that cut down every sixth man, that the 18th
Maine moved forward, not stopping until the
parapet was reached. Torn, bleeding and ex-
hausted, the gallant fellows threw themselves
into the ditch, reformed their shattered ranks
and moved on to the enemys works, waiting
the proper support preparatory to entering.
Entering the abattis with 2S0 muskets, the
regiment reached the works with less than
2O0; many fell utterly exhausted, while many
more dropped from the deadly bullet. This
charge, was made at about eleven o'clock a.
m, with the thermometer standing at so Fab
renheit, and the wonder is that more did not
yield to the burning rays of the sun. Our lit
tie band of two hundred were opposed to the
10th and 18th Arkansas regiments whose num-
ber could not be less than 800 men, the 18th
being full regiment. For six hours we lay
on the works, so near the enemy that not
bayonet could rise on either side, but that the
opposing party could strike it with his in re-
turn Many times the sharp click of steel
from the top of the work told of the crossing
bayonets. Capt. Appleton of Co. II, first
reached the parapet with FIVE men, one of
whom, Corpl. Alonzo Woodwork, sprang to
the very top, but hardly had his feet been
planted on its summit, before he fell back
corpse in the ditch below. During truce a
few hours afterward, the colonel of the 10th
Arkansas offered to bury his remains with mill
tary honors for his bravery.
After reaching our position on the parapet,
it was the work of the regiment to hold the
enemy down while Weitzel's brigade was sup
piled with ammunition, task successfully ac-
complished. At this time an enemy sprang
up In our rear that we had by no means ex-
pected to contend with. The abattis was on
fire; and heavy breeze having sprung up,
the flames were leaping along through the dry
branches of the fallen trees at a furious rate,
directly toward us. Men were sent to stop
1t, but in vain. On came the fire until its
tongues of flame reached to our very feet If
the men retired, it must be in extreme silence,
or the regiment would be cut to pieces by the
rebels. If it crossed the parapet it must fight
hand to hand with one man against five. or
perhaps greater odds. 1t was decided to re-
tire through the flames. With great difficult
ty they moved silently back a distance OF fif-
ty or sixty yards, across a deep ravine that
ran parallel with the work in front, and as
sumed new position on the brows of two lit
tie hills, the men seeking protection behind
the large logs that the fire had left Frcn
this position the regiment had complete COM
mand OF the work in front, and for five days
we held the work with one OF their guns upon
the parapet The regiments that have sue
cessiyely filled our position there, have held
II TO this day. The enemy retired from the
position in the evening and not rebel has
been seen above that work si..ce, nor has a
shot been fired from it. The work is new
and very narrow on the top, while it Is sup
posed that there is another at some distance
in its rear. But we are well assured that none
other can be much stronger.
The officers of the 18th behaved in man
ner worthy of themselves and OF their coun-
try. For particular GOODNESS and courage
Capts. Appleton, Robinson aud Packard, and
Lieut. Webster deserve special merit. But
while speaking of these should not forget TO
mention Col. VIM. X. Kimball of the 18th
Maine, commanding the I'd brigade, Growers
division. During our late campaign he has
not only proved himself thorough soldier,
but in action he has never sent men where he
dare not lead In the present siege, daily ex-
posed to the enemy's fire, he has ever exhibit
ed remarkable gallantry and issued his orders
with the GOODNESS OF veteran.
The assault made by Gen. Augur's division
on the 9th failed, but his forces secured a
nearer and better position as regards the
works in his front. Since the 9th the reduc-
tion OF the place has been steadily progressing.
and all OF the enemy's guns on the outer works
have been silenced, while Gen. Banks has been
active IN throwing up works and mounting
heavy guns and mortars.
Of our success have not the least doubt
but believe that before this week ends the
Stars and Stripes will float over Port Hudson
Some of the best informed military men con-
slider this place stronger than Vicksbnrg
Major Gen. Gardner, the rebel commander in
Port Hudson, virtually deserted from our ar
my at or about the time of the Bull Run dis
aster OF 1861. He was an officer in the same
regiment with Gen. Grover, and they served
together in the Utah Expedition against the
Mormons. They now meet as enemies, Gen.
Grover fighting for liberty and Union, Gen.
Gardner for anarchy and despotism. Gen.
Grover pronounced him good and brave Of
ficer, and probably he will defend Port Hud-
son to the last extremity.
Gen. Banks has even surpassed the expec-
tations Of his most sanguine friends. He has
completely deceived the rebels in regard to
his movements upon this place, and they, rest
ing in sense OF full security with regard to
any further movements east OF the Mississippi
in this Department, hurried their troops from
Port Hudson to join Pemberton and Johnston
in northern Mississippi, leaving Gardner's
command so reduced that this seige must ter
inmate successfully.
Our loss thus far l cannot correctly esti-
mate, although it has been heavy, while the
rebel loss must have been equally large, as we
have taken large numbers of prisoners. Our
loss OF officers has been unusually heavy, the
enemy's sharpsh0oters having been posted in
every available cover to pick them off. Lieut.
Col. Ilsley, commanding the 18th Maine, was
wounded in the head by piece of shell during
our first days fight but never gave up COM
mand for moment.
Gems. Sherman and Dow were both wound
ed on the 9th. 1t is feared Gen. Sherman's
wound will prove mortal. was intending to
furnish you with list of killed and wounded
in Maine regiments, but am prevented for
want of time. l expect the general bonn
bardment of the place by land and water to
commence to-day; and rest assured that then
Port Hudson will fall. JUNIOR.