The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1863-01-29
HoNoRABLE MENTION,

The of1cial reports may show why
this movement failed of its object. We
anticipate the drift of their excuses
that the enemy were too strong in men
and guns, and the natural obstacle.
We know that some of them lost heay.
lily in the assault. Gen. Thayer is said
to have wept at tho tardiness of lag
.ardly regiments. There was abridged
road in front of DeCourcy; how he
came to be behind is a matter of sur
prise. We have no desire to do him
injustice. We believe him 10 have
shown personal bravery. Two of bis
regiments had gotten up the hill far in
advance of him. Most of his brigades
suffered very heavily. 1t NAV have
been because they were huddled in the
ascending line OF entertainments lead.
ing To the right, where they were swept
by canister. The honors Of this dis
tinction belong, through accident or
merit, to the briyadcs of Blair and De
Courcy. 20 faa ~ = D'
II Is unfortunate that the sfrinpency
OF the general orders does not extend
to us list Of the organization of these
forces who have thus slistin g,iirbed
themselves, at a time when it may be
made useful. We shall be Obliged.
therefore, to speak Of the regiments
and -brIgades Iy their commanders.
There are many brave officers, whose
names deserve to be enrolled ON the
page OF our national history, did not
the meaner motives Of supcriors con.
spire TO cheat them of this Justice. or
the brigade of Gen. Blair. most con.
spicnous in this action, the regiments
were as follows: s - 10
goth Missouri, Col. John S. Cayen-
der; 18Th Illinois, Lieut.. Col. Gorgas:
3lst Missouri, Col. john &. Fletcher:
5Sth Ohio, Lieut. Col. Dlshler. The
i2d Missouri, Col. Manter, and Sotb.
Lieut.. Col. Schadt, were engaged fur.
ther to the right, under Gen. Morgan.
OF DE Codrcy's brigade, We know
only two regiments hotly engaged. -
l6th Ohio; 22d Kentucky, Colonel
Kerscbner. OF Gen. Thayer's brigade
42d Ohio, Col. -, of Gen. Sworts'
brigade, 54th Indiana, Col. Simpson:
4th Iowa, Col. Williamson; 9Th Mis-.
souri,, Major -; slh Missouri. Col.
-. OF ikis list, Col. Fletcher was
wounded and left on the field: Col.
Dister killed; Lieut.. Col. Simpson
killed, and the commander of the 4th
Iowa missing. Others there were. ;
doubtless, who distinguished them.
selves by great exposure, whose names
have not reached us. Col. Cavender
bore himself with great calmno.s ard
effect. He had his horse shot under
him. One private in his regiment was
promoted on the field for bis yallantry;
Lieui. Col. Peckham was noticeable iu
he ihickest of the fight, rs was Major
Peterson. Major Garesche was killed
md Captain Hand mortally wound.
I'd. The 9th and s;b, the 29th and sIst
iad half of their line officers killed or
Wounded. No general officer was
iiled, but the mortality among the sub.
'r'ilnate officers was very great. The
'rigade of Charles Z. Henry, in the
eserve, was engaged half an hour. but
'wing To the lack of general support,
lid not reach the second line of, works,
THE REASONS FOR OUR DISASTER.
After some desnltory skir,nishing on
he extreme right, the firing gradually
leased. For some time we saw move,
nents indicating renewal OF the
:harge. The afternoon was fast wan-
ng, aud the rebels could be seen mcv.r
ny bodies of troops into the ride
renches. The cannonadiDg WAS kent
Up most feebly. At 4 o'clock = dark
hadow passed over the sky, aud over
he hearts of many anxious faces. It
vas evident that the attempt was To bs
bandoned. There is one general rea.
on for our failure in this matter. I
nay mention it. A very general mnrs
nuring aud distrust in the army at the
ctions and character of its command
NJ General. II is not for us to decide
rhether or not this feeling was lust.
mt To notice the fact. The specific.
easons are appreciable. There must
e choice IN The r,.i,r OF attack, if
ne was to he made with tho unsup-
orted nrmy. What point in all this
ing line, extending from Warrrnton
. Haines' Bluff, ten miles, should that
q? The road from the Yazon river
vas well known Ia our forces last sum-
,er. 1t was, next Ia the river land.
ig, the most accessible road 20 that
ity.
ow vIcKSBURG MIGHT HAVE BERH
s5 TAKEN. ad -i
One popularity of this road was that
wound up the side of a cleft in the
ills. 1t was TINS easily commanded
y siege and field batteries. Ii wasa
cry natural expectation that we should
p,,roach by this road. 5 vlseils1 -
Vicksburg might be taken by storm,
r 10y siege. Its garrison might be
riven ont, or starved out. They
hight be compelled to surrender, or
ONE out and fight the battle which
ecides their fate whenever We should
ave at least equal advantages. To-
esiege it-invest it-cut s.ff all its .ex.,
ernal supply sources, it WAS necessary
, destroy its single line of railroad
, interrupt the passage of its high.
TO favor this plan, the Big
Black river was some twelve milss TO
he rear 1T the city. The bridges Of
hia stream held or destroyed, tho
hole army il left to its boarded stock.
% reach The barks of this stream, wt
nust first cross the chain of bluffs "a
ASS round them. The batteries N
iaines aud those at Warrenton con.