The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-06-19
MINNESOTA FOURTH.
Report Of Lit. Col. TOurteilOttc, Com.
lnandinG.

Report of Lit. Col. Tour'elio'te' Conn
manding.
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH MINI. Vol. INF,
Camp before Vicksburg, Miss, May "a,
Captain L. b. Martin, 4. A.. d., 1st Brigade,
7M Dicision, Eth Army Corps:
SIR: have the honor to report that on the
23d day of April last, my regiment, together
with other parts of the army, started from Mil
liken's Bend, La, on an expedition to the rear
of Vicksburg, Miss, where we are now lying.
To reach this place. we marched, via Rich
mond, Hard Times Landing, (where we crossed
and went down the stream of the Mississippi |
river ten miles, landing on the Mississippi side
at Brin,aburg) Port Gibson. Miss, Hankinson's
Ferry, on the Black river, Rocky Springs, |
Utica, Raymond Clinton, jackson, Champion
Hills near Bolton, Edwards Station, crossing |
the Big Black river at IS plantation, and ar
irving in front of the enemys works, in the |
rear of Vicksburg, on the 21st inst.
To accomplish this, we have marched a dis
lance of more than 2OOmiles At Smiths plan
tation, some % miles from Miliken's Benl, all
my regimental teams, (six in number) except
one, were ordered back to Milliken's Bend
from which place they were used in carrying
ammunition for the use Of the 18th army corps,
and were so used for several days. When re-
leved from such duty, they were for several
days unable to cross the Mississippi river, so
that during the entire march from Smiths
plantation, April Goth, to the crossing on Black
river, May 18th, the only Government trans
portation, of any kind, with the regiment, were
two ambulances, one medicine wagon, and one
six mule team. The men carried their KNAPP
sacks, rations, blankets, and 60 rounds of am
muniton The six mule team carried few
boxes of ammunition, the blankets and provis-
ions of officers, and such supplies for the men
as the regimental Qeartermaster was able to
secure along our route.
On said march we have drawn ratiOns from
government as follows We took with us four
days rations from Milliken's Bend; on or about
May LIST, we drew four days rations of hard
bread alone; May 18th, we drew three-ttth IA
tons of hard bread, sugar and tea, for five
days. beyond which, up to May, 18th, all lra-
tions used by the regiment, and all forage used
by regimental horses and mules, was secured
by the regimental Quartermaster, in the coun-
try through which we passed. The rations Sc
cured by the Quartermaster, consisted chiefly
OF bacon, corn meal, sugar. molasses, and salt.
On the 18th of May, the five regimental
teams, left behind, overlook us, bringing five
days part rations of hard bread, flour, sugar
and coffee. May Dist, we drew full ratiOns,
for the first time since leaving Milliken's Bend.
We met the enemy for the first time on this
expedition, on 21st of May, about ten miles
from Port Gibson, on the road to HawkinsOn's
| Ferry Here the regiment was formed in line
| of battle, on the right OF the road and adj
vanced for some distance under brisk fire of
the enemy's artillery. The reg iment received
| no injury. The enemy hastily retired, and we
advanced by the flank to Hankinson's Ferry,
on the Black River. where we remained seve-
| raj days.
May DIST, we heard heavy firing in front, and
on arriving near the town of Raymond, the
regiment formed in line of battle, on the left of
Gen. LOgans division, which was already in
line. in this position we remained an hour, as
support tor a battery of artillery, under a rapid
and well directed fire of the rebel battery. That
evening we passed through and encamped near
| the town.
May 14th, on the road from Clinton to jack
son, when about two miles from the latter place,
we met the enemy in strong force, and imme-
dately formed line on the right of the road.
| Soon, however the regiment was ordered to
take position on the left of the road, its right
resting thereon, and to support the 18th Iowa
in charging the rebel lines The enemy fled
! 81, u, Tho
balance of Quimby's division, entered the town.
| The loss of the regiment was two wounded
private P r. Taylor, of Co. T, and private J.
II. Epler, of Co. X.
On the 10th inst. at Champion Hills, near
Bolton, Miss, we came up to the line formed
by the divisions of Gems. Hovey and Logan,
who were already engaging the enemy. The
regiment was placed on the right of a battery
as support therefor. Almost Immediately,
however, by order of Gen. Mcpherson, my reg
iment was ordered to hasten forward and assist
the right of Gen. Logan's division which was
reported to be hard prssed. The men threw
their knapsacks and blankets from their shout
doris, and dashed forward in the direction in
Dictated at the double quick step, up the hill
into the woods and upon body of the enc
my, of whom my regiment captured and sent
to the rear 11S. Directly finding myself some
distance in front of, and unsupported on either
side by the line formed by the remainder of
our troops; and finding that the enemy were
massing heavy force in front, sent my Adju-
tant to Gen. Mcpherson to report our situation
and ask for Instructions Almost at the same
time the enemy opened upon us with artillery.
l caused the men to lie down, where they re-
manned sheltered by the crest of the hill until
I received orders to draw the regiment back so
as to connect with the right of such troops as
found in my rear. This was executed, and the
regiment formed on the right Of Col. Legget's
brigade of Gen. Logan's division. Here we re-
| manned abOut an hour when the line Of march