Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1863-06-12

TEE BATTLE or PoRT HUpsoy PLAIss-
The correspondence Of the New York papers
furnishes an account Of the LATHE near Port
Hudson from which we extract the following.
1t viii be observed that tho 2ni Vermont bat
terry was engaged
! The field Of battle was ca Port Hudson Plains
These are two open tracts Of smooth country four
| miles east Of Port Hudson. The lower plains are
a mile scross each way, lying on either side Of
| the Bayou Sara Road. The upper plains extend
for half mile north and south, and a fourth of
/ a mile IN the width on the same road. 4 cross
| road runs in a northwesterly direction fFom the
| lover plains to Port Hudson, and another one,
I IN westerly direction, from the upper one. On
ali SIDES dense forest hens in the two fields.
Nature could have given the rebels no better po-
sition TO ambush and cut of or destroy army,
than there is here.
The first general engagement with the enemy
occurred on Friday, the 2lst inst. IT O'Clock
in the morning the Uivouac station ou the Bay
Gu Sara roal was broken up, and the troops re-
sumed the march, which was commenced At Bl-
ton Rouge st 1 O'Clock on tie previous day.
Major General Augur, was in chisf command.
General Dudley's brigade heading the column,
and General Chapin's coming next IN order.
Capt. Godfrey and Capt. l,aton, Of the First
Louisiana Cavalry, were halt mile ahead OF the
column with their companies, when. upon reach
ing the first woods above the lower pllins, they
met q small force Of mounted rebel infantry.
with which they had brisk skirmish. The
hels ambushed the two companies AZ = bend in
the road, but retreatel after firing a yolley and
receiving the FIRE Of the advance guard. No fur
ther opposition was made to the progress Of the
column until the cavalry rcicbcl Redwood cross
road, short distance below the upper plains.
At this point the r,hel, were drawn NJ in line
of battle
One section Of Battery c. Fifth Unitcl States
Artillery, Lieut.. R1wle- commanding, was at
once sent forward 10 shell the rebel position. l.
Wa lste,l at a sharp bend in the road, with a
densc forest on either siie, but sn open area
90 the front as flr gs the plain store" near
which we're dweling-h0uss aui some negro
shsntiss. Cur artillery had hardly taken pos
ton when two shells came piungiug down direct
" in front q the gun. Then commenced = hesvy
cauu0naling, which v1= maintained with great
viclr oa t0th sidls. Another section Of the Fifl
Regular Artillery vas quickly brought forward,
and q, once opened irg. ono section Of tie
Eighteenth New York, aui two sections or the
Second Vermont BittCrie, we're also brought up,
and joined iu the engagement. The enemy had
favorable position for accurate firing, hut their
shot and she'll did but little harm IN proportion
90 the advantage they hal.
While our batteries were keeping up All i1-,,-
slnt ire. the Second louisiana Regiment. a..
Paine. y,as sent through the WOO! % flank 'i,-
reiel battery on the right. But ane- going ttr,--
Quarter. 5f n milo through tbe woods. thtv sui
denly came upon force of rebels. s1o were
waiting their approach, ci-ssly concealed IN ths
dense ihi5tet. Ihev 7vere re; sen uutI tlcv
Srei voilev. 7ghi-b killed two men snd vouuieI
ijeut.-C5l Everett and two privstes. Tie men
CALAMITY stood their ground sudcalm'v return
81 the ire. Ivoconrauis, we've quickly derl'v-
cd q. sxirn'shsrs and sent On In aiv.uoe Tie
rebels were i.s,-ncer-ei boy the shower & lu'-
lets which dew among them, aud O. nus1c5l 70
retreat Thsv we're III owed up. onl the ssir-
mislers succ,els.i IN faukinsthe battery, vh'ch
immed at,lv they lindcrei and ssnt 70 tie rear.
The Tbirtieth Nassachuss-ts Regiment. Gel
". W. Bullock, which had the risi; q General
pudley's tri-aie, dep'0vsi f-1r c5ur1-iss as
sEirmishers. under command Of Ms'5r r. o.
Whittsrore They dcul5vei both 70 the rish-