The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-05-26
BATTLE OF PORT GIBSON.
[ bloody AEf,

a bloody Afdfr.
An eyewitness of the recent fight at Port UiD-
son, Miss, has furnished the Jackson Appear
with the following reliable statement:
TO guard against possible raid upon the town by
Grierson's cavalry, and at the same time 20 watch
the movements of the enemy below Bayou Pierre,
on the goth of April Gen. Green, with part OF his
brigade, was ordered to Port Gibson. On the
3Uth, learning that the enemy was landing troops
at Bruinsburg he selected an excellent position
near Bethel Church, some four miles from town.
and awaited their approach His command con-
sisted Of the 18th Arkansas infantry, numbering
$50 men, part of the 21st Arkansas, 65 men; Eth
battalion Arkansas sharpshooters, numbering ~
men, and the 9th Mississippi, about $50 men-ln
all 700 men.
The enemvs advance encountered the Tlckets
about midnight. Some diminishing ensued, fol
lowed by heavy cannonading, which continued
until daylight The brigade Of Gen. Tracy, hay
ing marched rapidly all day, arrived at night and
took position on the extreme light AT the earnest
solicitation Of Gen. Green, who foresaw that, as
soon as daylight revealed his position and strength,
his little command would be fanked and over
whelmed by superior numbers, the 23d Alabama
was detached from this brigade, ordered to report
to Gen. Green, and assigned position OH the right
At sunrise the battle commenced in earnest.
J
heavy force of the enemy, outnumbering him
three to one. After a fierce conflict, the Federals
fed, leaving the ground strewed with their dead.
But after short interval they returned with
augmented numbers, and second time driven
back with dreadful slaughter.
In the meantime Gen Tracy's brigade was en-
gagged on the right, this gallant officer being killed
in the very first onset. The brg ade fought gal
lantly and succeeded in holding their ground
against fearful odds. Gen. Bowen arrived on the
field about 10 a. H. He perceived at a glance
that the position Of Gen. Green must be out
flankcd by the enemy i'm such numbers ~to
velore AID capture his gallant little force or drive
them from the field, unless speedily reinforced
Baldwins brigade WIS ordered forward on double
quick, but too late; before they could reach the
field, the enemy rallied his forces the third time,
and brought bis thousands against the little re-
naming force of Green, fanking him op the left,
and, after a most stubborn and bloody contest,
forcing our boys to fly in disorder. Never did
men fight more gallantly. For eleven hours they
held their position against overwhelming odds.
Twice cid they empty their cartridge boxes, firing
from sixty to eighty rounds each, aud causing
more of the enemy to bite the dust than their own
forces numbered at the first. The 18th Arkansas
being on the extreme left, aud exposed to the
thanking fire Of the enemy suffered most yet were
the very last to leave the field, and many of them
are prisoners. Of the hundred and eighty,
only about seventy-fve escaped from the field.
Only nine positively known to be killed !;
several others MORALLY wounded, and how many
fell in the last onset of the foe and the retreat
from the field is of course unknown AID cannot
for months be ascera ined, but I will venture the
assertion that since the beginning Of the war no
regiment ever suffered the loss Of greater pro-
portion OF the numbers engaged, maintained a
position longer against equal odds. All honor to
the noble fifteenth. Nor Is less honor due to the
other regiments under Green's command. Though
from their position they suffered somewhat less
severely, yet they fought no less gallantly, and
covered themselves with glory.
Badwin's brigade having come up, new line
Of battle was formed two miles in rear of the first
position, Baldwin in the centre, Tracy on the
right, and Colonel Cockrell, commanding the Sd
and 9th Missouri regiments, OH the left; the ene-
my advancing, about noon tho battle was renewed
with increased fury. Col. Cockrell, in gallant
Missouri style, charged the enemy's right aud
found himself in the very midst of heavy masses
of the enemy, from which he extricated his COM
mand by the most vigorous sort Of fighting, and
with heavy loss, falling back to his first position
and holding it until sunset.
In the meanwhile General Green having rallied
the remnant of his shattered command formed
them on the 9th Missouri, which had been order
ed to report to him, by skillful maneuvre led
them in full view of the enemy marching toward
our left, and then, countcrmarching out of view
proceeded to the extreme right near the mouth of
bayou Pierre, and again attacked the foe. Line
of battle having been formed, Colonel Irving, Of
the 9th Missouri, wishing to advance some forty
yards to better position, gave the command
Forward! Once forward, it was in vain to cry
halt. Forward became a charge and on dashed
the boys until ascending HILL they found them
selves 10 front of tremendous force of Federas,
about sixty yards distant, opposing hill with
an almost impossible ravine between Here, for
two hours the opposing forces fought, shooting
and shouting at each other, in full view and easy
distance; the Missourians defying the overwhel-
ming odds of the foe to charge their own short
but stubborn column with the bayopet A re-
treat had been ordered and the lines were falling
back but the order had failed to reach Col Irving
Accordingly he held his position until he pc, ceiT-
ed his isolated situation, when he effected a safe
retreat from most hazardous position
The battle was fought at every point against
overwhelming odds, and the wonder is that whole
regiments were not captured by the enemy. As it
Is, SO many of our wounded being left in their
hands, our loss in prisoners is great
fhe boys are cheerful, and ready again to meet
the fee, and will give good account of themselves
IN the coming contest, which We all regard as ini-
minent.
The VICTIMS OF YANKEE BRuTAL1rY.-We
are under obligations to friend for the following
list OF persons driven by the Yankees from the
Town OF Newbern because they were true to their