Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1863-06-11
FROM PORT HUDSON,
Further from the Late Battle. viii
Negroes Fight?-Terrific Fight.
ing Before the Works. General
Banks Official Report.
WAsHISaroN. Juns o.

nvr~ WAsHISaToN, JuMs Q.
Gen. Banks. in an official report, dated
before Port Hudson, Msy Both. gives an
account of an attack on that place. similar
to the reports already published. In
speaking Of the negro troops. he says they
answered every expectation. Their con-
duct was heroic; no troops could be more
determined or more brave. They m sde
during the day. three charges upon the
batteries OF the enemy, suffering very heavy
Losses. and holding their position at night.
TALL with the other troops on the right Of
our line. The highest commentator 10
bestowed upon them by ell the officers in
command on the right. Whatever doubt
may have existed heretofore a. to the eff
cheney of an organization Of this character.
the history of this proves conclusivsly to
those who were in condition to observe
ths conduct of these regiments. that the
Government will find in these class of
troops effective supporters and defenders.
The severe test to which they were sub
jected, and the determined manner in which
they encountered the enemy. leaves upon
my mind no doubt OF their ultimate sue
ees. They require only good officers,
commanders of limited numbers and care
iul discipline to make them excellent SOL
ders.
Our losses from the 23i to this date, in
killed. wounded and missing. are nearly
1000, including, deeply regret to say
some of the ablest officers of the corps.
New YoRK. June 9.--The New York
Tribune says: from gentleman CONVEX.
SAINT with the affairs at Port Hudson. and
in the Department of the Gulf, who arriv-
ed here last night from New Orleans. we
learn some interesting facts of the situation
OF Banks army and it, successes. Our
informant left Port Hudson late in the
evening Of the 3lst ult.
There has been no fighting of conse
quence since the assault of the 9th; but
Gen. Banks had been rapidly and industri.
ously contracting his lines and approach
ing the rebel works. The wings of our
army rested on or very near the river. both
above and below. There is no possibility Of
endorsements reaching the belcaguersd
garrison. Banks had made mp his mind
To take the place, and he had means to do
! it.
The contest OF the 9th was very des-
perate and very bloody, the rebels fighting
with the most reckless courage, anu our
men being not whit behind in daring and
pluck. Our informant corroborates the
good accounts heretofore given of the con-
duct OF the colored soldiers. These noble
warriors provoked the most frenzied hatred
on the other side, aud the rebels bent all
their energy to their humiliation, and
since the fight they have missed no chance
to Kill negro piekets. In one instance they
pounced upon single black sentry. cap
tured and forthwith hung him. The
bloody instruction was quickly improved,
for almost within an hour, some negroes
got hold Of rebel picket. and swung him
mp in full sight OF their murdered compan-
ion.
The stories about Kirby Smith coming
to the relief of Port Hudson are probably
erroneous. Smith is no doubt in Texas
somewhere, or in Western Louisiana--cer-
tainly nowhere near Port Hudson. nor
could he get across if he were opposite.
Col. Grierson is slashing around. AMI
was. at last accounts. up between Port
Hudson and Vicksbnrg, tearing up rail-
roads. destroying bridges. hunting for
Confederate stores. and csnvsssiny the
generally.
1t i, understood that Joe johnson was
at Jackson on the 9th, but hal no force
worth bringing against Gen. Grant.
Weregres to learn that General Sher-
man. wounded at Port Hudson. is hardly
expected to live.