, 1863-06-10
FROM PORT HUDSON.
Further from the Late Battle.
WILL THE NEGROES FIGHT j?
Terrific Fighting Before
the Works.
General Banks Official Reports


official report, dated before Port Hudson,
May S0th, gives IN account Of an attack on
that place, similar to the reports already pub.
nshcd. In speaking Of the negro troops, he
says they answered every expectation. Their
conduct was heroic; no troopscould be more
determined or more brave. They made dur
ing the day, three charges upon the batteries
Of the enemy, suffering. very heavy losses,
aud holding their position at nishtf4ll with
the other troops on the right Of our line. The
highest commentator is bestowed upon them
by all the officers In command on the night
Whatever doubt may have existed hereto
fore as to the efficiency Of an organization Of
this character, the history Of this proves con-
clusiycly to those who were In q condition to
observe the conduc. Of these regiments, that
the Government will lnd in this class Of
troops effective supporters md defenders.
The severe test to which they were subjected,
md the determined manner in which they en-
counteEed the enemy, leaves upon my mind
no doubt Of their ultimate success. They rc-
quirc only good officers, commanders Of lin1-
ited numbers and careful discipline to make
them excellent soldiers.
Our losses from the 23d to this datc, in
killed, wounded and missing, are nearly 900,
including, deeply regret to say, some Of the
ablcst officers Of the corps.
New YORK, June 9.-Thc New York Til.
bnHe says: from gentleman fully conyertant
with tho afI.irs at Port Hudson, and In tho
Department Of the Cult, who arrived hero last
night from New Orleans, we learn some In
mi fnnft of fhc of y
snd its processes. Our informant left Port
Hudson late in the evening Of the 31st ult.,
There has been no fightiugof consequence
since the assault Of the 9Th; but Gen. Banks
had been rapidly and fndnstriously contract
Ing his lines and approaching the rebel works.
the river, both above and below. There was
no possibility of reinfurccmcnts reaching the
belenguered garrison. Banks had made up
biz mind to take the place. and he had means
The contest of the eth was ve.y desperate
and very bloody, the rebels lighting with the
most reckless courage, and our men being
not u whit behind in daring aud pluck. Our
Informant corroborates the good accounts
heretofore given Of the conduct of the colored
soldiers. These noble warriors provoked tue
most frenzfed hatred on the other side, and
the rebels bent all their energy to their ami
hilation, and since the fight thcy have missed
no chance to kill negro pfckets. In one in
stance they pounced upon single black sen
try, capturei and forthWi b hung him. The
bloody instruction was quickly improved, fur
almost within an hour, some negroes got huld
Of rebel picket, aud swung him up in full
sight Of their murdered companion.
The stories about Kirby Smith coming to
the relief Of Port Hudson arc probably erro-
neous. Smith is no doubt in Texas some
where, OF in Western. Louisiana certainly
nowhere near Port Hudson, nor could he get
nrFnsR {f he were nDnnEftA
Col Grierson Is slashing around, and was,
ut Inst accounts, up between Port Hudson and
Vicksburg, tearing up Fai1roads, destroying
bridges, hunting for Confederate stores, and
canvassing the State generally.
It is understood that Joe Johnston was at
bringing against Gen. Grant.
We regret to learn that General Sherman,
wounded at Port Hudson, is hardly expected
The weather is terribly hot, and the place
Tort Hudson advices via New Orleans, state
that neither Gen. Nlckereon, Col. Clark, o1
| the 9th Michigan, Col. Bullock, Goth Mass,
nor Col. Paynr, ed La, are in the least jured.
| Col Lnll, 8th N..H., Col. Bean, 4th Wis, and
Capt. Wrothanski, of Gen. Wci:zel's staff
were killed. Capts. Crayon, and Heron and
wounded. That regiment lost 70 killed aud
wounded out Of 500 IN the fight Of the eth.
Gen. Stone had arrived ut New Orleans. IND
| probably will be placed In command Of Sher
mans Division.
Kirby Smith was reported at Franklin, La
| but this Ia not vouched for.
| a New York Times letter says: The Isl
! Lonisiana co1orcd regiment showed great
| pluck on the eth, marching up to the gum
within eighty PAGES, Mt double quick, sup
| ported by the 9Th Michigan, 174th New York
and 151st New York. These regiments ART
compile ely cut up The coloEed regiment
fas but 200 left On reaching the third bat
tery Of siege guns, the rebels opened on then
with terrific slaughter, when they were forcet
| to retreat. receiving heavy shot and shell, nnt
| pieces Of railroad iron twelve to eIghteer
inches long. The rebels. fought with grea
desperation, every man being cut down at tn
guns.
Col Carrier offered to surrender It Bank
! would allow him to march out with his guns
! provisions, 6c., but it was declined.
| It is reported that black Tag Tas ralse{
tby the rebels. -:
Everything was kept quiet as to the resul
| of the fight. The losses would not be mad
known until the official dispatches were sen
| to Washington.
| On the 25tl, the feet bombardcd Port Hud
| Son a1l day and night without response.
| The steamer Fulton had gone up with rein
! forcemcnts. Only two regiments are lett II
| New Orleans. General Neal Dow is in town
slightly wounded.