Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-01-15

from the Cairo dispatches to the Chicago
Tribune of the 18th:
"The point chosen for the attack upon
VIcksburg was a bad one-the strongest
point in the rebel line Of Notifications.
There were some fifty regiments compris-
| ing Sherman's army, mostly Western
troops. Their officers were mostly brave,
experienced, courageous men. General
/ Steele and his division were formerly un-
der General Curtis 81
a.The plans of General Grant, had they
been followed, were good. With a large
force threatening Vieksburg, his path
would be unobstructed but there were
miles between Grant and Banks, and the
! feet Of Farragut were not there.
"The first collision was on Saturday, the
2Sth ult. The results were not serious.
Without giving the topography Of the field,
or surrounding country, it will suffice to
summarize the actual movements and their
results.
- atTIa -aiaiaia.a - n-----4- -sr5eIe was the
largest one on the ground. Blairs brig
ade was only detached, and after making
q landing pushed forward inland under
Morgan L. Smith. The rest of the divi-
sion, under General C. E. HOvey, was sent
three miles further up the YazOO River, to
penetrate the rear and get at the railroad
near Vicksburg. 1t landed above Blake's
Bayou, and within two miles he encoun-
tered the heavy guns Of the enemy on the
high bluffs, in front Of lagoon or bayou,
which being impossible to Cross without
boats or bridges, he returned to Chickassw
Bayou, where General NJ. H. Morgan had
already landed.
"On Monday they were pushed to the
front The first attack was made by the
rebels on Saturday, not on Sunday. Skir-
mishing had been going on several days
The first encounter was near the White
House, two and half miles from Middle
Landing. The force Of General A. ].
Smith was behind that of Blair. Morgan,
as before stated, was at the mouth of
Chickasaw Bayou. DeCOurcy's skirmish-
ers had been attacked that night by the
enemy posted behind the levee near White
House. Our forces biyouacked on their
camping grounds in sight Of the bluffs
where the enemy we're protected by bat
terry and concealed by timber.
While this was passing, an accident
happened to the Benton, by which Cap
tain Gwin lost his life, an account Of
which has already been forwarded. Cap
tain Gwin died Of his wounds on the flag
and his remains are nov en- route for home.
His wife is here, nearly insane at his
loss.
The battle was renewed on Sunday. II
was on this day the gallant charge was
made upon the enemy's batteries by Gen
eral Blair, with the 29th, Both and 58th
Ohio, and General Wyman, with the 18th,
18th and = Illinois. The enemy were
prepared for the echarge. General Wymsn
had Just drawn his sword, being under fire
from the batteries and rife pits, when he
was struck by Mimic rifle ball in the
groin. Lieutenant Colonel Gorgas took
command Of the 18th Illinois, and General
Blair led the brigade through q slough
waste deep. All had TO 60, but the charge
was made in splendid style. They leaped
over the levee, the artillery came on, and
the rebels scampered, leaving their dead,
which we buried. HoffmRn's and Mich
igan battery did splendid execution at this
point.
nGeneral Wyman expired on the field,
in the arms of On attendant. Morgan L.
Smith wGs also slightly wounded in this
charge This was Sunday morning.
In the evening, DeCOurcy, with his 22d
Kentucky, AID and 10th Ohio, was ordered
to the front. The Kentuckians we're new
er before under fire. They behaved brave
ly. The enemy engaged them with shell,
but they soon left the outer line of en-
trenchments and seampered up the hill
The cannOnsding from above was furious.
Our troops were soon withdrawn from un-
I 4 GE,A hoN ka1r
as reported; in fact, we took no guns, and
lost nine during the entire siege.
On Monday, the duel Of cannon COM
menced. Battery after battery opened,
and at eight o'clock the duel was in full
progress It was q glorious sight. Our
artillerists did well. Many Of them were
killed and wounded. Under this artillery
contest, the grand charge was made. One
column after another pushed to the 'front.'
DeCourcy in front Of the center; Blair on
the left; Thayer on the right Of DeCourcy,
Burbridge on the extreme right. His plan
was TO seize the,hills on the right and take
/ the batteries that had been forming all the
morning. General HOvey's brigade, with
Lauman's, occupied the reserve; Stuart,
DeCourcy and Thayer were to get up the
ravine and seize the batteries.
General Sherman has not suffered any
list Of the brigade to be made public; can
therefore only give the operations Of each
corps.
The charge was made; the defense was
stubborn. A few Of our men gained the for
tiications and disappeared after a muir
derous fire. 1t is miracle that any who
! made the effort live to tell the tale. Three
i hundred men were taken prisoners. Then
there was a repulse, retreat, nothing
gained, and much precious blood spilled.
/ The place was naturally too strong, too
well defended, and the right of our forces,
instead Of charging, was not engaged until
two hours afterwards.
During that day, two gunboats were
towed up to Haines' Bluff and bOmbarded
the batteries there.
The following regiments distinguished
themselves in this storming of the enemy's
works the 42d Ohio, 18th and 18th Illi-
nois, 10th Ohio, 54tb Indiana, I'D Ken
lucky, 29th Missouri, 4th Iowa, 3lst Mis-
souri, and 10th regulars.
General Blair was conspicuous. BE
went upon foot, sword in hand, and stood
exposed until all were driven back.
De Courcy also made himselfa name not
soon to die.
Gen. Thayer of Nebraska, also behaved
well and nobly.
Col. Cavender, had his horse shot under
him.
On January ID friday SteeIs division
on twelve transports, passed up to Haines'
Bluff for the purpose Of destroying the
batteries there, as should have been done
before. They we're conveyed by the BEN
ton, Lioness, Queen Of the West, Caronde-
let, Louisville, Mound City, Baron DeKalb,
Tyler and several of the Mosquito feet =
The expedition moved at 8. m. At Al o
clock fog set in so dense that the river
banks could not be distinguished. Hence