Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1863-01-16

CONDUCT oFgEM SHERMAM
OUR LOSS FROM $500 TO 5000.


.
Special Dispatch TO the Chicago Tribune.
CAIRO, Jan. IL, 1858.
From our special correspondent, arrived this
evening from the battlefield, we gather tho
following concerning the second selgc Of Vicks-
burgi
The point chosen for the attack upon Yicks-
! burg was bad ono-tho strongest point In the
rebel line of Notifications. There were some
fry regiments comprising shcrman's army,
mostly Western troops.
/ Their officers were mostly brave, experienced,
courageous mon. Gen. Steele and his division
were formerly under Gen. Curtis.
The plans of Gen. Grant, had the been fol-
lowed, were good. With a large force threat
ening Nichsburg, his path would be unObstruct-
cd; but there were miles between Grant and
Banks, and the feet Of Farragut was not there.
The first collision was on Saturday, the 2SLh
ultimo. Tho results were serious. Without
giving the topography Of the field, or surround
ing country, It will sufiice to summarize the sC-
tual movements and their results.
The division Of Gen. Steele was the largest
QUO on the ground. Blalr's brigade was only
detached, and after making a landing, pushed
inland under Morgan L. Smith.
The rest Of the division, under General c. L.
HovCy, wns sent three miles further up the Va
ZOO river, 10 penetrate the rear and get Of the
railroad near vlcksburg. 1t landed abo6
BlakC's Bayou, aud within two miles h. Gu
counterod the heavy guns Of the enemy ON the
high bluffs, In front Of a lagoon or bayou,
which was impossible to cross without boats
or bridges, and he returned 10 ChckaBaw Ba-
you, where General II. II. Morgan had already
landed.
On Monday they were pushed to the front,
The fret attack was made by the rebels on
Saturday, not ON Sunday. Skirmishing had
boon going on several days. Tho first oncOun-
ter was near the White house, two aud o half
miles from Middle Landing. The force Of Gen.
A. j. Smith was behind that of Blair; Morgan,
as before stated, was at the mouth Of ChlCka-
saw Bayou. DeCOurcy's skirmishcrs had been
attacked that night by theonemy postod behind
the lCvoG near White house.
Our forces bivouaCked on their camping
grounds In sight of the bluffs where tho enemy
we're protected by battery aud concealed by
tlmhUr.
While this was passing, an accident happen
cd to the Benton, by which Capt. Gwin lost his
life, an account OF which has already been for
wardCd. Capt. Gwin died Of bis wounds on the
flagship Blackhawk, Saturday, January 2, aud
his remalns are now Gu route for home. His
wife Is here, nearly insane at his loss.
Tue battle was renewed on Sunday. II Vab
on this day the gallant charge was made upon
the cncmy's batteries 10y General Blair with the
Twcnty.ninth, ThrtCth, and Fifty-cighth Ohio,
and General Wynan, with the Thirteenth, Six
tcenth, and - Illinois. The enemy were
just drawn his sword, being under fire from the
batteries aud riHe-plts, when he was struck by
Mimic rife ball In the groin. Lieutenant
Colonel GOrgas took command of the Thir-
tccuth Illinois, and General Blair led the brig
adc through slough waste deep.
All had to go, but the charge was made in
splendid style They leaped over tho lryCU, the
artillery came on, and the rebels scampcred,
leaving their dead, which We buried. TIof-
mans and Michigan battery did splendid OK
eCution at this point.
General Wyman expired on the field, IN the
arms Of sn attendant. Morgan l.. Smith was
also slightly wounded In the charge. This was
Sunday morning.
In tue cN ening, DcCOurcy, with his Twenty
second Kentucky, Frrty-second and Sixteenth
Ohio, was ordered TO the front. The Kcntuck-
lans we're never before under fire. They be
haved bravely. The enemy engaged them with
shell, but they soon left the outer limo Of en-
trenchments, and scampered up the hills. The
CannOnading from above was furious. Our
troops were soon Withdrawn from under that
hrc. There was no battery taken; as reported;
la fact, we took no guns, and lost nine during
the siege.
On Monday the duel Of cannon commenced.
Battery afler battery opened, and at O'Clock
the battle was in full progress, 1t was o glo-
riou5 sight. Our artillery did we'll. Many Of
them were killed and wounded. Under this
artillery contest the grand charge was made.
One column after another pushed 10 the front
DeCUurCy In front Of the centre; Blair on the
loft Thayer on the right Of DeCourcy; Bur.
bridge on the extreme right. His plan was to
seize the hills on the right and late batteries
that had been forming all the morning.
Gen. HovGy's brigade, with Humans, oc-
'eupied the reserves Stuart, DcCourcy, and
Ihaycr were to get up the raVlne and attack
the batteries.
Gen. Sherman has not suffered any list Of
the brigade TO be made public, therefore l can
only give the operations of each corps.
The charge was made; the defence was stub
born. -Four Of our men gained the fortihca-
tons, and disappeared after a murderous Are.
II Is miracle that any who made the effort
lived TO tell the talei 800 men were taken prl-
soners.
Then there was repulsc, retreat, nothing
gained, and much precious blood spilled. The
place was naturally too strong, too well do
Tended, and the right of our forces, instead Of
charging, was not engaged until two hours
aftcrwaTd.
During that day two gunboats were towed
up to Haines's Bluff and bombarded the bat
teres there,
The following regiments distinguished them
selves in this storming of the enemy's works:
The Fortysecond Ohio, Thirteenth and Six
tenth Illinois, Sixteenth Ohio, Flly-fourth In
diana, Twenty-second Kentucky, Twenty-ninth
Missouri, Fourth Iowa, Thirty-hrst Missouri,
and Sixteenth regulars.
Gen. Blair was conspicuouH He went upon
foot, sword In hand, and stood exposed until
all were driven back.
De Courcy also made himself name not
soon to die.
Gen. ThayCr, Of Nebraska, also behaved well
and nObly.
Col. Lavender had his horse shot under him.
The following 10 complete list of the killed,
wounded aud missing among the commissioned
Otfccrb, as can at this early day be furnished
Col. Fletcher, Thirticth Missouri, killed.
Col. Lavender, TWGnty-ninth Missouri, in
jurud slightly horse shot under him.
Lieut. Col. GVrgas, Thirteenth Illinois, slight
ly.
Lieut.. Col. Dieter, Fifth Ohio, Killed
Lieut.. Col. sampson, Fifly fourth Indiana,
killed.
Col. Williamson, Fourth Iowa, wounded.
Col. Smith, Eighth Missouri, killed.
Gen. NJ. L, Smith, wounded In thigh
Gen. JnO. b. Wyman, killed.
Lieut.. Col. Kischncr, Twenty second Ken,
lucky, killed.
Lieut.. Mononmy, Sixteenth Ohin, wounded.
Capt. TOunchill, wounded.
Lieut.. McLqne, wounded.
Lieut.. Mills, wounded.
Our loss could not at an carly day BE- exactly
arrived at, and even nov only simple estimate
can be formed. Reports are dreadful in some
and companies / 800, Killed, wound
cd, and PRISONERS, would not be an over esti.
nate.
Mauy of our man r,rro ,,,nurdnJ c,rI, la a.,