New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-05-19
The Attack and Captsrc of Port Gibson
Osserhaus Leads n Bayonot Charge
The Rebels Reuted-RRpid Pursuit OF
the Foe-Hurrah for yicksburg.

Tfen Our Special Correspondents
Or THE JACKSON ROAD miles from Pon Gibson
Nv account Of the battle Of the LIST OF May was
rnavoidably incomplete, owing to the hurry Of our
army dispatches, which "wat for no man." At
tbe last writing, Osterhaus forcing the enemy
steadily backward with bis splendid Parrots and
gallant infantry, showing pretty conclusively that
one Southerner was hardly equal 10 ten Dutcbmen.
particularly those of the Generals caiber. Toward
noon, "a if by mutual consent, there ull.
9he weather was oppressvely warm, and our SOL
6ier were much failgued by loes Of nights
test and tedious march. Still, heavy skirmishing,
amounting almost 10 CONTIGUOUS battle, was car
ried on under Gen. Osierhaus by the 22d Kentucky,
Both Indiana, and 10th Ohio from that time until
about p. N. At least two brigades Those Of Gen.
TRACY aud Gen. ~ had been opposed 70 hin from
die outset strengthened afterward. it is sapposed,
by re-enforcements BY O'Clock the battle
renewed in good earnest From that time until near
dark 1t was an incessant roll Of musketry mingled
with artillery Late in the afternoon the PARROTS
had succeeded In sileociDg the most important bat
terry of the enemy. The accuracy OF ire from these
guns was like that of telescope rifles. frame
building nearly in range with the eneny's cannon
was set on fire by the shells.
The guDners, alter standing up TO tier work with
desperate bravery, were at length forced 70 aban-
don the pieces. Now was evidently the time for a
forward movement Accordingly, the 49th Indiana
and 1l4th Ohio, supported by the 69th and AID ln-
diana-tbe two latter making g flank movement
upon the Rebels from right-were hurled sgains,
the enemy ct q charge Of bsyoDet. Gen. Osterbaus
himself, carried away by the enthusiasm Of the mo-
tnepi, headed the column OH foot, striking about
him with bis sword 70 the night and left. The
enemy, who had stood toerably well against the
Mimic, were not proof agsn,t the bayonet, and fed
helter-skelter in the utmost confusion. Their Off
GERS in VAN attempted TO rally them. 1t was
LIT
30 within mile Of Port Gibson, when darkness put
an end 10 further progress
Iais finishes the history Of the battle the left.
HOvEY'S DIVISION
took most prominent pant in the engagement Of
Skaters Plantation. From until 9 1t was kept
behind that Of Gen. Carr as reserve; but as the
fighting progressed IL became clear that the enemy
was determined, if possible, TO break through our
right and had concentrated his main force III TINT
quarter aud by 10 O'Clock 1t became necessary to
advanee the brigades Of Gen. hcGinnis and Col
Slack which had thus far been stretched along under
cover Of the ridge running eastwsrdly just this
side OF the ravine, where the fighting was hottest,
20 the sid Of Generals Stone and Benton. / recol-
lect observing particularly column, drawn up TO
che south Of the ravins. which afterwsrd learned
was that Of Gen. hcGinnis, which had pushed
forward through the hollow. SO far from showing
any signs OF waverng, 1t stood like a rock under
tremendous hro, aud delivered its own ~ if on
psrade-cay. About the same time the brigade of
Gen. Slack had deployed 70 the left Of the ravne
and came into line Of battle on the left Of Gen.
McGnnis
4 am conscious Of lsboring under great dissdyan-
taPe In attempting to describe ravines and ridges.
maneuvers and lines of battle in q country inter-
miuably broken with hills and hollows, in bsrts
In which two divisions were engaged. Moreover.
any one who has witnessed battle knows perfectly
well that its lines not geometrical lines and |
parallels as on q parade day, but irregular and
broken, and constantly shifting even in the best
drilled annie, and with the best management. The
exact posiuons Of regiments, aud even brgades at
any given time can hardly be determined; the CON-
panies Of regiments frequently change positions, |
and become entaugled together.
At the time when Hoveys Division was brought |
into action Bentons Brigade was far TO the left and
on the flank Of the enemy. The 18th Indiana &C. 1
oopying his extreme right. aud near the angle 4
formed by that brigade and the remainder Of our
ostlle hne was, Of course terribly pressed III the
attempt 70 break through. This statement gives
rode idea OF the pos,tion when McGmnis's Brig
ace advanced 70 the support. But 30 far from being
continuous and unbroken, there seems TO have been
egsp between Benton's Brigade and that Of Harris
Here the troops under hcGinnis became iInmedi-
eteiy exposed, and here IL was Cen Hovey ordered
abe 18th Indiana, supported by the 56th Ohio to
charge the enemy. There 10 great dispute In the
smy as 70 whose regiment gained the glory of TAX.
z the Rebel battery. Now, In point Of fact the
uy's guns were not taken by the charge, but by