Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1863-06-08
ATTACK Upon PORT HUDSON.

The intelligence HOul tlle AoH0l ~ hooiooAPP1
is highly important. The last accounts from
Port Hudson were to the effect that Gen.
Banks had crossed the river and was moving
on the Confederate position. An arrival from
New Orleans on Saturday brings the lntorma,
ton that general attack, both by land and
water, was made on the afternoon OF " ednes-
day, the 9th ultimo. The lighting on both
sides is represented as OF the most desperate
character, but after gaining some temporary
advantages, the Federal forces tell back TO
their original position, having lost some tour
thousand in killed, wounded and missing: -
The Confederate loss was not SO heavy, owing
20 the protection of tie fortifcations but It IS
nevertheless believed to be very severe. On
Thursday morning body Of Coniederates at,
tempted to cut the left wing OF the Federal
line, but were REFUSED and retired to Their
works. It was believed that the engagement
was renewed on Friday, as heavy firing was
heard in New Orleans in the direction OF Fort
Hudson, on that day. The Confederate force
defending the position Is estimated at from
ten to twelve thousand Gen. Banks's army
is much larger than this, and is 1eceiving rein
f0rcements from below. 4 Southern dispatch
to Richmond paper states that General klr-
by Smith crossed over TO the rehef OF the
Confederate garrison on Sunday. the 3Oth.-
They claim the battle Of the 9th as complete
victory,
The following is from letter in the New
York Tribune. dated New Orleans, May Goth:
"Atl ?. N. on Wednesday, the battle com
menced. The lines extended tor a distance OF
nearly four miles in front Of the Confederate
works The extreme right was given to Gen.
Weitzel, Gen. Grover occupying the next po-
sition, Gen. Augur the third, and Gen. Sher-
man the left.
Gen. Sherman intended to carry a section OF
the Notifications at the point Of the bayonet'
The I'd Duryea Zouayes and the l77th New
York made desperate onset and were met
by storm OF bullets. Lieut.. Col Smith,
OF the former regiment, was severely wound
ed Finding it impossible to successfully &C
complish the purpose, retreat was erected,
Col. Clark, of the Sixth Michigan, carried
the colors of his regiment inside the first line
of Notifications, and raised them upon the
flagstaff The l2Sth New York, Colonel
Covles, Immediately followed, and were with
in the walls Of the earthwork, when both reg
iments were forced to retire on account OF
lack of support by the 18th New Hampshire.
Col. CoWles was killed.
Col. Clark was so terribly stunned by shell
while retreating that he remained senseless tor
an hour. He escaped unlnjured, and was
conspicuous for bravery. Gen. Neal Dow {the
we'll known Maine temperance advocate) was
slightly wounded, and Gen. Sherman rallied
and took charge Of BOWS brigade, when he
received compound fracture Of the right leg
from grape shot. Gen. Shermans conduct
is highly applauded.
The Sd Regiment Louisiana Colored Guards,
Col. Nelson, attracted great attention for their
bravery. They sustained loss Of nearly 500
men. Nearly every officer was killed: 1t IS
said on every side that they fought with the
desperation of tigers. One negro was observ-
ed with d soldier in his grasp tearing the
flesh from his face with bis teeth, other Vea-