The Portland daily press., 1863-06-11

Correspondence Of the N. y. Herald.
FIRST DAYS FIGHTING.


bloodiest battles yet fought ON this continent.
The position was closely invested some days
since, our right resting on Thompson's bayou,
and the left on Springiield's landing. was
uncertain as to what course Gen. Banks would
pursue to reduce this stronghold. / hardly
thought he would attempt to carry the i'm
mensely strong works by storm, seeing how
much life it would cost; but, knowing that
his time was limited, he has determined upon
that course, not caring to compel a surrender
by starvation, or by the regular approaches of
an engineer
Our extreme right was commanded by Gen
WeitZel, with his own and the division of
Gen. Emory; the right center by Gen. Grow
er; the left-center by Gen. Augur, and the
extreme left by Gen. j. w. Sherman-our ar
tillery brigade being under command of Gen.
Arnold. The deenses of Port Hudson on the
land face consist of several lines of ntrench-
ments and rifle pits with an abattis of heavy
trees ielled in every direction. 1t is one of
the strongest positions in tie world, and to
assault it in the face of the terrible fire OF ar
tillery and musketry to which attacking
force would be exposed, seemed about impos-
sible, with any hope of success. 1t has been
commenced, however, and carried on thus far
with success, but with terrible slaughter.
All of the Commanding Generals plans
having been perfected, it was determined to
feel the enemy at once. Accordingly the at
tack was ordered for yesterday morning. 1t
was arranged by Admiral Farragut that the
attack should be general, by land and water at
the same time, and signals were established
between the army and navy, in order to pre-
vent the shot and shell from our ships being
thrown over the enemy and into the lines OF
our attacking force.
The plan appears to have been to carry the
enemy's positions on the right and left first,
and this work consequently devolved upon the
divisions of Generals Weitzel and Sherman.
1t was not long after the advance was sounded
that our troops met those of the enemy, and
il soon became evident that every foot of
ground we gained was to be fought for with
determination. The fight soon commenced
along the entire line. On the right the sharp
rattle OF musketry and roar OF artillery gave
notice that Weitzel was at work, and as it in
creased in intensity it became evident that he
was having no boys play; and he had not.
Every inch was disputed; the enemy fought
with the ierocity of demons but it was to no
purpose, our boys drove them slowly but stead
lily, using dubbed muskets and bayonets when
they could not load 1t was soon apparent
that whatever else would be done by the army
Weitzel was bound to win; his column could
not be checked, although suffering greatly the
enemy went down before them as grass before
the scythe of the mower; and, although the
work was tedious and bloody, no one faltered.
General Weitzel, keeping his men well in hand
for the last rush, put them at the enemys
works on the river side, and they went on
with will making the air resound with their
shouts. Here the fight became murderous; it
was hand TO hand and breast to breast, the
bayonet doing the main part of the work. The
rebels could not stand it, however, and were
compelled to fall back. Our people pressed
them close, allowing no space to be created
between the attacked and the attacker, and
finally drove them into and then out out of the
celebrated six-gun battery that did such terri
bic execution upon the steamer Mississippi
the night she was destroyed. Here was a
great point gained-a point that we could use
TO advantage against the other works of the
enemy. And it did not take long for the quick
eye of Weitzel to see all this and profit by il.
As soon as practicable the guns were shifted
and put to work, and were busy at last ac-
counts in throwing shot and shell into and
against the position of their late owners. This
was decidedly the most brilliant and success
full part of the days. work not that the men
fought any better, or showed more determi-
nation than those on other parts of the field,
but il was the greatest point gained, and
proved what we could do when resolved TO
accomplish certain ends. By this operationI
the enemys left was turned, and in a manner
to prevent tine lost ground being recovered.
The battery captured was the most annoying
of any of the line, for it raked completely the
channel way OF the river.
No more desperate fighting has ever taken
place than of the division of General Sher-
man yesterday in the attack upon the right of
the enemys position. The 9th Michigan and
the l2Sth New York carried the enemys
works at the point of the bayonet; but they
were compelled TO give way, for the enemy
had massed his troops here, and it became
necessary to fall back before overwhelming
numbers. Not much ground was lost how
c.tl
within the main works.
The second regiment Louisiana Native
Guard, Colonel Nelson, were in the charge;
they went on in the advance, and when they
came out six out Of nine hundred men could
not be accosnted for. 1t is said on every side
that they fought with the desperation of IT,
gers. One negro was observed with rebel
soldier in his grasp. tearing the flesh from his
face with his teeth, other weapons having
failed him. There are other incidents con-
nected with the conduct of this regiment that
has raised them very much in my opinion as
soldiers. After firing one volley they did not
deign to load again, but went in with bayo-
nets, and wherever they had chance it was
all up with the rebels. Although we gained
much ground, and hold it, still the principal
object of this attack was not accomplished,
namely, getting possession of and holding the
batteries on the enemy's right.
The attack on the center OF the enemys po-
sition by the columns of Generals Augur and
Grover also exhibited the most terrible fight
ing and the same obstinate resistance. Our
troops here, as well as on the right and left,
did all that men could do, and held every inch
Of ground they gained. The enemy were
driven foot by foot out of their rifle pits and
intrenchments into their main works, whence
they will never come out except as prisoners
of war. As l before stated, every obstacle
that could be placed in the way of our ad-
vance, and every art that could render our
columns subject 10 slaughter, was used by the
enemy, and with terrible effect.
The lower battery at Port Hudson had been
abandoned some days since and the heavy
guns spiked, as the position was too much ex-
posed to the fire of our mortars and the
broadsides of the heavy ships. Between it
and the other works there is ravine, which
also helped to necessitate the abandonment OF
that work on account of their concentrating
all their available force in the main position
When we consider what was accomplished in
a few hours, the result may be be called a VIC
tory But the end is not yet; we are TO wit
ness fighting at Port Hudson before which
that of yesterday will sink into insignifcance.
Our loss in killed and wounded is very hea-
Wy. The least estimate l have heard is
between two and three thousand. Heavy
achievements are being sent up the river to-
night which will greatly add to the strength
of the army before Port Hudson, and much
more than cover the loss sustained Yesterday.
The fight commenced as early as seven
O'Clock yesterday morning, or rather became