The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-06-19
~, ra +. FIFTH 18TH. mINNEsosA.
Report Of Colonel Hubbard 10 A"'"-
tant General Malmros.

vi
COL Oscar Ma,mros, ADJ. General, Minnesota:
Co1oNr1,: I have the honor to submit for
the information of your Department, the fol-
lowing details of the part sustained by the
Fifth Minnesota Infantry in the movements of
the late campaign in this Department. which
have eliminated in the thorough investment
of the rebel Gibraltar and its garrison at Vicks-
burg
On the I'd inst, the Sd Division of the 18th
Army Corps, of which the Fifth Minnesota
forms a part, left camp at Ducksport, near
Youngs Point, La, and marched via Richmond
to Hard Times Landing, crossing the rive at
the latter place to Grand Gulf, Miss, on the |
9TH inst. From thence we took the road to-
ward Jackson, arriving at Raymond, twelve |
miles from the State Capital, at about noon |
of the 18th. Here the Fifth Minnesota was |
ordered to the front, with instructions to Skin
mish along the road and through the timber
upon either flank, to feel for the enemy's out
posts and clear the way for the column to
pass. We advanced about four miles before
meeting obstruction, when a considerable body
of rebel cavalry was encOunted adyantageously
posted in a piece of woods in our front.
from which we received sharp volley of mus
kerry. here deployed the entire regiment as
skirmishers upon the right and left OF the road,
Lieut. Col. Gerc commanding the left wing.
The enemy retired rapidly as we advanced,
offering but little resistance to our progress.
/ moved the line of skirmishers forward to
Mississippi Springs, one and half mites, a
point where several important pixies form a
T prIn 70, ha1t
picket the roads and bivouack for the night.
The main column had halted and bivouacked
where the enemy had been first encountered.
At daylight on the morning of the nth was
ordered to continue in the advance, and push
forward on the Jackson road. A considerable
body OF the enemy had bvouacked the preced-
ING night within half mile Of my line OF pick
cts which retired as we moved forward.
Owing to the broken and wooded nature OF
the country, and the known proximity OF the
enemy, We were required to move slowly and
with extreme caution. For distance OF
more than five miles / found it necessary
to keep in front Of the column strong line
of skirmishers consisting OF three companies,
which frequently encountered and exchanged
yOllies with the skirmishers of the enemy.
When within perhaps two miles of Jack
son determined stand was made, and
hot fire opened upon us from full battery of
artillery supported by strong line OF infantry.
At this juncture was ordered by Major Gen
eral Sherman to deploy the balance OF the reg
iment as skirmshers covering the column
while it should form in line, and penetrate for
ward as tar as possible into piece of timber in
which the enemy was posted. As soon as the
column had deplOycd the skirInishers were re-
called and the regiment took its position with
the Second brigade i'll the front line OF battle.
We then advanced and charged through the
timber at double quick, the enemy retiring rap
idly within his intrcnchments near the precincts
of the town. Here he made another stand
and obstinately disputed our further prog
ress. The fight continued for more than all
hour, but was confined principally to artillery,
the infantry occupying position OF shelter.
! At about > o'clock, p. NJ, the order - forward
| was given, all suppOsng we were about to as
! sault the works in our front. With fixed bay
onets and cXultant shouts the line moved for
ward at a run. 1t was soon discovered. how
ever. that the enemy had evacuated, and that
the charge would be a bloOdless one He had
made precipitate exit from the town, leaving
all his artillery to fail easy capture into our
| hands.
1t had rained flriOusly all day. The men
were very weary and thoroughly wet, having
been not only exposed to the storm, but requir-
ed to wade streams and penetrate dense thick
cts through almost impossible swamps, while
skirmshing the country through which the
column passed. Many had been almost entirely
without food for twenty-four hours, yet not a
of complaint to pass his lips. The heroic en-
durancc of the reg iment, and its uneyceptiOn-
able good conduct in action, elected from the
General commanding, under whose immediate
eye it had acted, cncomirlms OF u most fatter-
ing character. "
The Fifth Minnesota, with the other reci-
ments of the Second brigade, was assigned to
duty as Provost Guard OF the city Of jackson,
and quarters assigned them in Capitol Square.
Each individual man seemed to regard it as the
prOudest day of bis life, rs the old flag OF our
regiment was unturled to the breeze in the cap
ital CITY of the rebel Presidents own State.
Even the tattered and faded emblem itself
seemed to feel the inspiration OF the occasion,
and shook its folds more gandly than ever as
q response to the scOrnful glanccS of the con-
quered traitors of this rebelOuS capital On
the afternoon of the 10th, Jackson was evac
uated by the Federal troops, and the column
marched towards Vicksbur@, arriving in front
OF the rebel works on the 18th inst. We here
lay quietly in biyouack until the morning of the
22d, when general assault was ordered upon
the Notifications OF the city. The regiment was
exposed to a heavy musketry fire for several
hours during the fore part of the day. bnt for
tunately escaped casualty. At about O'Clock
p NJ. the I'd brigade was ordered to make a
charge upon strong point in the detrnccs.
when similar attempt had such re ulse in
the morning The broken nature of the conn.
try and the inaccessible character of the posi
ton made it necessary that the stOrming party
should move 10y the flank. The position of the
9TH Minnesota was upon the left of the brigade.
hence was the 4th regiment in the column
This circumstance saved the regiment from,
fearful slaughter, for as the head OF the column
emerged from the cover of the timber and pass.
ed an opening leading to the work, it was met
and literally melted down by terrific fire OF
musketry and artillery, the latter double shot
ted with canister and grape From every pc
sition within range along the whole line of de
fences fire was concentrated upon this point
where the column must pass. Within proba-
bly, the space ola minute the brigade lost up
wards of two hundred men, principally sus
tained by the leading regiment. The 9th Min
nesota lost but two The General commanding
the brigade declared it futile to attempt to move
the column on. The road had become blocked
up with the dead and wounded; the right Of
the column had become shattered; the parts Of
regiments left were ordered into ravlne
where they were rallied under cover. while the
9Th Minnesota, in good order and with but two
men missing, filed down the ravine, where the
nature OF the ground afforded complete shelter.
Nothing could exceed the GOODNESS and cour-
age of the regiment as it marched up to the as
sault. None faltered or seemed week with fear,
but each mans countcnance bespoke determi-
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