Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1863-02-03

account of the Attaek on Vicksburg-
Bravery of Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky
Regiments and gallant conduct of Col
UdasfeLd of the 54th Mdidna
JANUARY 9Th, 1863
Dear DrOther:-We left Memphis, our last
encampment December 2Olh and shipped on
board the ste lmboat Crescent City for Yicks-
burg, and landed about six miles above that
city on the Yazoo river on the following Fri
lay. When we disemdarked we we're imme-
lately formed and started to find the enemy
the AID Ohio in front, the 22d Kentucky
next and the Saith Indiana (our regment) in
the rear. We had gone but mile aud half
when the enemy was discovered on our left.
Our skrmishers Immediately opened fire upon
them, and also one Of our gunboats opened
with shells, lying in the river on our left. Our
advance continued the firing, with
lntermIsson,: until about sundown down when
We we're ordered back to the landing, where
We took lutte raw meat and some hard
crackers and LAID down in the ram upon our
arms until morning, when we we're again
formed and marched in the direction we mad
Ielt the enemy the day before We passed the
place where we had bsen skirmishlng and pro.
seeded about mile and half when the enc
ny's batteries we're discovered iu our front
about one mile distant About the time their
batteries we're discovered the enemy opened
ire on our advance. They were lying along
he banks of a creek aAd on tho Opposite slds
from US concealed in heavy wood-our
iorces exposed on open ground TO their lire
/ he Kentucky, OaiO and 54,h Ind ANA rrgi.
Inenls SOON all became engsged ~,h Ihen al d
after n sprlIed hire Oh bUlh sides, we succreu-
ed IN dryiug them from their position back
further INTO the woods. The hring now ceased.
Our forces began 10 throw up UIeast works.
aud at dark the 24lh Indiana was d.tailed tor
picket duty. We Slood AL night IN cold
rain and were iol med with AID Ohio
early in the lnorning--lhat regiment moving
out and taking its position on the right, we
formed upon Its lett along the hank OF the
creek, when general engage ment commen-
ced all along tue Line which lasted about three
,Uurs Gus company WAS ordered to ad
'aIice ~ skn mishets with the balance Of the
egmet 10 support ~ with the Kentucky
aud Ono regiments Ia the rear We had not
Proceeded more than two or three hundred
Yards when he enemy was discovered ia The
wo ds recty on Our front We immediate,
opened Ii, e ou them aud drove them slowly
Oack unul they m lde stand behind banks
aud trees, aud annoyed US considerably tor
sOmrlime We however found cover IRON
their hrs Ia rAvlneS where we exchanged shots
with them without dong much harm on either
side, Our Colonel, Mansfield ordered US 10
charge upon them and raise them from their
cover winch was dad, aud soon had them re-
treating under our hre, csunot here pass
without noticing the gallant conduct aud cool
bravery Of our Colonel, as | saw him ntAry
all the time aud heard hlm giving command,
being directly IN front, waving hs sword as
TO the charge. The enemy continued their
retreat We following, unrl they tolled US d.
rectly under aud in range OF their ba teries
when they opaned on US with shells and killed
and wounded u great many oi us Our Col.
onel Immediately formed and marched us
lnto a ravlne aud out OF the range OF their
gups, where we remained in Comparative safe.
y pRtlI the bring slscksned Our batteries
had been brought up 10 bear upon those of
the enemy and worked admirably, consider.
ing the disadvantage they we're lighting nm.
der They saved the Infantry a great deai
by drawing the Ere OF the enemy upon them.
solves The battle eommspced at 7 7o'olock
in the morning and lasted until night wher
We were ordered to lie down on our arms and
rest Our Colonel sent about mile for sume
coffee for us. We were awakened in about
thee hours to take our eoffse--about half
pat piece, when we were allowed 10 lie
down again and est Abouttw hours before
daylight our Colonel came to Us, walked us
gu ety. formed and marched us out In
front OF our whole force, where We rem aimed
annlf o'clock, when their batteries opened
upon uA, ours responding Immediately, They
continued upon both sides until O'clock
our right during the cannonadink being
npdrr cover Of some drA aud iaJlen timb-r
the timber having been previously cut by the
snemy to relsrd our progress 10 charge and
which had the desired effect Atill O'clock
our Colonel ordered oar company which was