Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-06-08
WOrtrstGr Dailp Syn
THE DAILY SPY,
HEAVY FIGHTING AT PORT HUDSON
One or Two Bat er es Captured.


portant news from Port Hudson. We copy
from the New York Herald -
I'm the department of the Gulf the whole
interest in military affairs conferred on Port
Hudson, which was completely invested Nv
the Union forces. Gen. Banks commanded
in person force supposed to be sufficient for
Its reduction. The enemys strength within
the detencrs is estimated at from 10000 to
1900. Fighting was still going on at the
date 0t-tAe departure of the Morning Star.
Brig Gen. Sherman had arrived at New Or
leans on the night of the 2Sth, severely but
not dangerously wounded. Col Daniels "a
Louisiana negro regiment distinguished itself
especially in charging upon the enemy's siege
guns, losing in killed over GOO. Gen. Welt
Eel had captured portion OF the line of de-
fence, and held one Of their heaviest batter
les"
A correspondent of the Herald gives the
following account of the fighting =
New ORLEANS, May %.
The long expected attack upon Port Hudson
commenced yesterday, and last night and this
morning it was continued, the advantage being
with us, although it has been perhaps the
bloodest battle that has yet been fought on
this continent. The position was closely in
vested some days since, our right resting on
Thompson's bayou, and the left on SPRING
fields landing. he extreme right was com.
manded by Gen. Weitzel, with his own and
the division of Gen. Emory; the right center
by zen. Grover; the left center by General
Augur; and the extreme left by Gen. j. W.
Sherman-our artillery brigade being under
command OF Gen. Arnold. The defences of
Port Hudson on the land face consist OF sew
era lines of entertainments and rifle pits, with
an abbatis of heavy trees fellcd in every direc-
ton. 1t is one Of the strongest positions in
the world, and to assault it, in the face of the
terrible fire Of artillery and musketry to
which an attacking force would be exposed,
seemed about impossible, with any hone of
success. 1t has been commenced, however,
and carried on thus far with Succ SIS, but with
terrible slaughter. We are expecting mo-
mentarly to hear that it has fallen.
The number and calibre of the guns in the
rebel batteries facing the river is yet to be de-
termlned, and also their force inside the
works, but we have good reason for saying
to-day that they have at least twelve thousand
men. The artillery force of our army is very
large, and many of the guns are of very heavy
calibre, and, under the able direction of Gen.
Arnold, they have done most efficient service.
1t was arranged with Admiral Farragut that
the attack should be general, by land and wa
ter at the same time, and signals were estab-
HShed between the army and navy in o-Io- 20
prevent the shot and shell from our ships be-
ing thrown over the enemy into the lines of
our attacking force.
WEITZEL's ATTACKSON THE ENEMY'S LEFT.
The plan appears to have been TO carry the
enemys position on the right and lett first,
and this work consequently devOlved upon
the divisions Of generals Weitzel and Sher-
man, 1t was not long after the advance was
sounded that our troops met those of the en-
envy, and it soon became evident that every
foot of ground we gained was to be fought for
with determination. The fight soon com
menced along the entire line On the right
the sharp rattle of musketry and roar OF ar
tillery gave notice that Wellzel was at work.
and as 1t increased in intensity it became evil
dent 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 no purpose, our boys drove them
slowly but steadily, using dubbed muskets
and hayonets when they could not load. 1t
was soon apparent that whatever else would
be done by the army, Weitzel was bound to
win his column could not be checked, al
though suffering greatly; the enemy went
down before them as grass before he scythe
of the mower; and, although the work was
tedious and bloody, no one faltered. Gen.
Wcitzei, keeping 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 will,
making the air resOund with their shouts.
Here the fight became murderous it was
hand to hand and breast to breast, the bayonet
doing the main part of the work. The rebels
could not stand it, however, and were COM
PEELED 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 out of the celebrated six
gan battery that did such terrible execution
)On the steamer Mississippi the night she was
d .strOycd. Here was 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 Oy it. As soon as practical
bic 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 successful 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 greatest point gain
ed, and proved what we could do when re-
solved to accomplish certain ends. BY this
operation the eneuyS left was turned, and in
manner to prevent the lost ground being re-
covered. The battery captured was the most
annoying OF any Of the line, for it raked com.
pletely the channel way of the river.
SHERMAN ATTACK UPON THE ENEMY's RIGHT,
When Cindad Roderigo was stormed the
flower of the English army was selected for
the ''forlorn hope" but they. veterans asthev
were, never moved with irmer step or solid
column than did the second division of the
nineteenth army corps in the attack of vester
day upon the right of the enemy's position
with an impetuouS charge. The 9th Mchi-
gan and the l2Sth New York carried the ene-
my's works at the point of the bayonet; but
they were compelled to give way, for the en-
envy had massed his troops here, and it be-
came necessary for our glorious fellows to
fall back before overwhelming numbers. Not
much ground was lost however, we only failed
to maintain our position within the main
works. The I'd regiment Louisiana Native
Guard, Col. Nelson, were in this charge; they
went on in the advance, and when they came
out six out of nine hundred men could not be
accounted for. 1t is said on every side that
they fought with the desperation of tigers.
One negro was observed with rebel soldier
in his grasp, tearing the flesh from bis fpce
with his teeth other weapons having failed
him. There are other incidents connected
with the conduct of this regiment that have
raised them very much in my opinion as SOL
diers. After firing one volley they did not
deign to load again, bat went in with bayOnets
and wherever they had chance it was all up
with the rebels. Although we gained much
ground, and hold it, still the principal object
of the attack WAS not ACCOMPLISHED namely