The Portland daily press., 1863-07-01
COMMUNICATIONS.
The Siege of Port Hudson.
LETTER FROM THE TWELFTH MAINE.
In REAR OF PoRr HUDSON, La,
June 9th 1Sfi3

June 5tn, 1905.
TO the Editor Of the Press.
Among the late movements of the Federal
forces, certainly not the least in Importance is
that of the Army of the Gulf. Comprised Of
but single corps, it has garrisoned the large
conquests of last year made in this State and
marched further and with greater success,
than any other army, Federal or Con-
federate, since the commencement of the re-
bellion. In the present campaign it has
marched 500 miles, fought in fodr successful
engagements, routed an army of Rebels num-
bering 10000, leaving its flying squads after a
pursuit Of zOU miles SO far demoraliZed as to
be beyond the hope Of reorganization, and
now for the eighteenth day is pushing the re-
duction OF Port Hudson.
Gen. Banks column crossed the Mississippi
by way of tbe mouth of Red River, landing at
Bayou Sara, marched down the river aud uni
ted with Gen. Augurs column, which moved
up from Baton Rouge, in rear of this place on
the 23d of May. On the 2lst, previous to the
union of their forces, the Rebel Gardner at
tackled Gen. Augur's division some four miles
below Port Hudson, with the hope Of cutting
his force TO pieces, but in this attempt was
signaly defeated and compelled to retire with
in his stronghold. On the morning of the oath
our iorce moved cautiously toward the works
OF the enemy, and about IL o'clock the skir-
mishers OF Col. Kimbali's brigade were sharply
pits, from which they were soon forced TO re-
tire by our steady advancing line Of skirmish-
ers and the well directed tire of Battery l.,
lst u. 5. Artillery, commanded by Lieut.. Tay-
lor. Pressing forward we soon came in sight
of the regular line of defenses around Port
Hudson, at distance OF six or seven hundred
yards. A section OF Battery L, supported by
the 18th Maine opened on the works, and itbe-
came evident that the fight for Port Hudson
had i'm nar A lttrf. ot,fs
to move up through narrow road, on both
sides of which were heavy forests with trees
feled in every direction and deep ravines
running every way, while the guns of the
fort were trained upon our position with an
accuracy that would do creditto sharpshooters
Solid shot, shell, case shot and spherical case
were showered upon us so rapidly, that the
heavens seemed literally filed with screaming
missiles OF destruction. Not only from the
front bul from our right an enfilading fire
opened, that our light artillery could not with
stand. Heavy Parrott guns were brought up
and put in position, which was maintained
Notwithstanding the terrible fire ofthe Rebels.
The plateau on which the batteries were post
ed lies between two rayines running nearly
parallel with the works OF the fort, and is
mostly covered with growth of large trees
As evidence Of the conflict here there is not
tree but is SCARED, while many were cut OF
by solid shot. saw a magnolia, two and
half feet in diameter, with hole bored
through it not more than a foot from the
ground, by solid shot from heavy rified
piece.
1t was not long after Growers division be-
came engaged before Aagur's guns announced
the battle extending along our lines to our
left Gems. Augur and Grover steadily
maintained their positions, waiting for Gen.
Weitzel to come up on the extreme right and
Gen. Sherman on the left. Sharp skrmishing
and artillery duels continued until O'Clock
L. NJ, the next day, when the action became
general along the entire right, our lines stead
ity advancing until darkness prevented further
progress. Skirnishng continued through the
next day, while Gen. Banks and the division
commanders were busy in ascertaining as
nearly as possible the nature of the fortilica-
tions in front and the topography of the coun-
try along our lines. A belt of heavy wood
land, IRON one half to a mile in depth, extends
almost the entire length of Port Hudson in the
rear. From the Rebel earthworks back to the
woods, for a distance varying from five to
eight hundred yards, the trees have been
ieiled in every conceivable way, forming an
dodtis that only the heavy and varied growth
Oh southern forest could furnish. The
ground covered with the abattis is cut at every
PAGES with deep ravines running in every pos
siDIe direction, and underneath the fallen
trees Is thick growth of briars, running up
rom iour 10 ten feet in height. 1t was against
such deienses as these that our soldiers moved
on the morning of the 9th of Nav.
The action began about daylight and soon
ran along the entire line. aForwardr' was
the command and forward our determined
lines moved. The abbatts was reached and
entered. The 18th Connecticut, 4th Wiscon-
sin and 162d New York reached position
within a hundred yards of the parapet and
maintained it under deadly fire of infantry
and artillery. The two colored regiments
thrice charged, and thrice fell back, but not
the third time until all their company officers
had iaiien, and then only yielded with dogged
oosnhacy under most deadly fire. They fell
pack snort distance and without officers per-
sistently held their position
Never hereafter let 1t be said that negroes
cannot nght. They here exhibited valor
unsurpassed by whites. They accomplished
more than many white regiments could. And
there is not negro of the 100 that were en-
gagged that day, but that has more couraoe
and is animated with purer patriotism and
love g country, than any Of the Northern
traitdkb who for years have. called the blacks
a race of slaves and towards, and have treated
them as such.
The Sth New Hampshire and 18th New
fork added new laurels to their heretofore
well earned reputation. The 18th Maine was
the only regiment that reached the works of
the enemy. When ordered TO charge they
moved steadily forward, over and under fallen
trees, at one time crawling through the thick
DrlafS and branches of the trees nj another