The Portland daily press., 1863-06-10
BY TELEGRAPH
TO THE
EVENING PAPERS.
From Now Orleans - Daring and Bloody
Contest on the 9th ult

From Now Orleans Daring and Bloody
Contest on the 9th ult.
NEW YORK, June o.
The Tribune says, from gentleman fully
conversant With affairs at Port Hudson, and
| in the Department OF the Gulf who arrived
here last night, we learn some interesting facts
of the situation OF Gen. Banks army and its
prospects. Our informant left Port Hudson
late on the evening of Sunday, the 3lst ult.
There had been no fighting Of consequence
since the assault Of the 9th, but Gen. Banks
had been industriously and rapidly concen-
trating his lines and approaching the rebel
works. The wings of our army rested on or
very near the river, both above and below the
city, and there is no possibility of reinforce
ments reaching the beleaguered garrison
Gen. Banks has made up his mind to take the
place, and he has the men and means to do it.
The contest on the 9th was very desperate
and bloody, the rebels fighting with the most
reckless courage, and our men were not whit
behind in daring and pluck. Our informant
corroborates the good account heretofore given
of the conduct of the colored soldiers. These
sable warriors provoked the most sanguine
hatred on the other side, and the rebels bent
all their energies to their humiliation, and
since the fight they have missed no chance to
kill rebel pickets. In one instance they pounc-
ed upon single black sentry, captured and
forthwith hung him. The bloody instruction
was quickly improved, for almost within the
hour some negroes got hold of rebel picket
and swung him up in full sight of their muir
dered companion.
All the stories about Kirby Smith coming
TO the relief of Port Hudson are probably
ERRONEOUS. Smith is no doubt in Texas, or
possibly in Western Louisiana, certainly no.
where near Port Hudson, nor could he get
across were he opposite.
Colonel Grierson is slashing around, as the
boosters say, and was, at last accounts. up
between Port Hudson and Vicksburg, tearing
up railroads, destroying bridges, hunting for
confederate stores, and canvassing the State
generally.
1t was understood that Joe Johnston was at
Jackson on the 9th, but had no force worth
bringing against Gen. Grant.
We regret to learn that Gen. Sherman, who
was wounded at Port Hudson, is hardly ex-
pected to live.
The Times letter says the LIST Louisiana,
(colored) regiment, showed great pluck on the
27th, marching up to the guns within 80 PAGES
at double-quick, supported by the 9th Michi-
gan, 174th and 16lst New York regts These
regiments are completely cut up. The colored
regiment has but 200 left. On reaching the
Sd battery OF siege guns the rebels opened on
them with terrific slaughter, when they were
forced to retreat, receiving heavy shot, shell
and pieces OF railroad iron, from twelve to
eighteen inches long The I74th New York
captured three guns but could not hold or use
them and were obliged to leave them. The
rebels fought with great desperation every
way, being cut down at the guns of the LIST and
I'd batteries.
Col. Gardner offered to surrender il Gen.
Banks would allow him to march out with their
guns and provisions, but it was declined.
One Of General Banks staff arrived at New
Orleans, wounded in the leg, and reported
that the black flag was raised by the rebels.
Everything was kept quiet as to the results of
the fight.
On the both ult, the Navy bombarded Port
Hudson all day and night without response.
The steamer Fulton had gone up with REIN
forcements.
The 9th Conn.,, and 26th Mass, are the only
regiments left in New Orleans.
Gen. Neal Dow is 10 town slightly wounded
A New Orleans letter says that at the meet
ing Of the Union Association of the first dis
trict on Saturday evening, resolution was
unanimously passed rendering to Gen. Banks
for sixty days, whenever deemed necessary,
the services of the unconditional Unionists Of
New Orleans.