The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1863-06-05
JUNE S. ls63.
The FOrty-secOnd in the Battle Of Port
Gibson.


wo embarked, and vent doSh to within
three miles of Grand Gulf. The main for
ti6cations there wore on hill which roso
out Of bend in the river, in tho shape Of
hemisphere. On the morning Of tho 29th,
got good position to SEQ whai was dono.
The programms~as for the gunboats to ST.
lence the batteries, and then tho transports
Tnn down and land the infantry. The gun
boats opened fire at ~ A. M, aud, as the
big officers were on the boat which towcd
us. we we're run out into the stroam, and
dropped down so some of tho time VIC
were within miles, and my position was
such that could see all that was DONE 1t
was grand sight to see the bnats pass along,
delivering broadsides of 9 aud II inch guns,
aud receiving the same in return. At length,
all bu, two (9.inch) of the cnemy's guns
were sionced, and all six Of tho gunboals
gathered around and kept up continuous
FIRE; but the Rebel classmates wero too
heavy to batter down. So,' after consulta.
tion between Gen. Grant and Admiral Por-
ter, ve we're all landed on tho Louisiana
side, and marched across tho bend to point
bivouaeked for the night. The loss on tho
Sunbosts had been 20 or 25 killed, and 90
or 60 wounded.
On the morning of the 3Oth, we embarked,
and started up towards tho Gulf, and then
turned around and ran down the river ten
or fifteen mites, aud landed, and stayed
till or p. NJ. Then started for Port
Gibson; marched till about 3 A. NJ. Began
20 encounter the enemy's pickots about 2
A. Nj. We're allowed to lay down and sloep
about II hours but, before light on tho
first of May, were called up, aud told TO
hurry up our breakfast. Then wo wore or
derod to fall in, and commenced ascending
ThompsoG's Hill. The artillery from both
sides had opened some time boforo VIC
started, and as soon as we got to tho sum
nit Of the hill. one or two shell passed in
rather unpleasant proximity to our heads,
About this time, tho infantry in Carr's di.
vision, which had been in advance, COM
mcnced skirm shing on tho right. Thorc
was u heavy artillery duel going on on tho
left, aud our artillery was in a pretty hot
place,and wo (0storhau s. division werc or
dored out to the loft. Boforo wo startod,
saw some of Carr's division charging into
tho woods, and, in few moments, tho firing
grow nearer, and sbo we'd that our BOYS had
boon ropulsod, and wore falling back. Tbon
our artillery Game to tho rescue, aud tho on-
emy foil back. We started for tho loft, and
advanced near mile, with no trouble ex.
Cept from tho enemys artillery, which killed
Two or three, Whom about mile ont, most
OF our division was doployed into Iino of
battlo.
Tho 42d's position was on ridge. quite
exposed, and about 500 yards from the
main force of the euomy, though they had
skirmishers aud sharp. shooters nearer still.
From this line we fred about 90 rounds,
and skcdaddled somo of the Rebels. Then
we wero ordered back a few rods, under
cover of bank, to rost. After that all ap.
puars indistiDct to me. l know that wo
Inado fivo charges, that VIC cred into an
StNSA W SaA hOpy ahh tOOol'ct
their fire, &C., &c. The last charge wo mad o
was up high ridge. Tnoro were about 100
of the 42d against tho Sd Alabama and 9th
Missouri Regimonts of Rebels. That was
tho closest lighting l oyor saw. Ono man
near mo had his clothes set on fro by thu
flash of a Bebei gun, and at longth wo wer,
obliged to rotire, but another forco of ou
mon cama and captured nearly a.l of tn
Regiments we mot there.
Our Regiment suffered tho most sevorol
of any have heard Of Before uoon thor
were but three commissioned officers in IN
right wing, but had boon bit. Captain Old
was mortally wounded 10 the second cbarg,
as weeo the lst and "a Liouts. of Co f.
Lieut.. Henry, Co. A. was wounded in tb
hand, but kept ia the field. So Cos. A IN
i wore without commissioned officers for
timo, till some were transferred from Coz
on tho loft. Co. G suffered tho wors'. Tho
los. 10 or Is killed and wounded in on
charge. Tho thrco men who stood noares
me wero all bit almost at tho same momon
but did not even get shot through m
clothes, but got shots through tho color'
and tassel shot off.
] am tirod of writing with such penc
as this. and, as there is no knowing whom
can send it, Ill wait while till tbero is
chance to send letters, and then :nish
Our destination, l suppose, Ia Jackson.
Wednesddy p. VI .nay Gh, 1868 Tho
is to bo chance to send mail this p.
and I'll improve il. Our loss (42d) was !
killed and about 20 wounded. A great nuu
ber Of tho wounded wero shot In tho hin
More than half of Co. CO wounded We
bit there. and it is very dangerous piac
We slept, the night aftor tho fight, on h
ground whore wo had uuslung our knal
sacks before going into the fight. On Ii
loft,we bad been fighting a superior force
thc enemy, and had hello them in check, al
driven them somo ill near night, when pa
ofLOgans division came over, and tho Robe
were all driven off. On tho right, tho Re
els were driven steadily all day. All ou