New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-05-19

tho nrsv;ous fire of our troops, and had been
abandoned some time before the charge was
,pade. The llth and 34tb Indiana and 56th
Ohio, however, deserve none the less praise
for their gallant and decisive charge,
sweeping past the Battery and driving the enemy
before them. No fact 10 better evidence 4 the prom
ineni part played by Hoveys Division in this scion
than their heavy osees equalhng If not excelh has
any other. The 18th Wisconsin alone lost 70 k,le'
and wounded. The 56th Ohio took stand OF oo,oIe'
and two others are reported to have been takeG en-
Gen. Hovey lie entitled to the highest prsise loi hs
handling OF troops az this time have IL iIon 'n ~
highest authority that he was "the incsrna''o" "
energy aud activity"
THE AFTERNOON ENGAGEMENT ON 'LI""
HILLS
commenced at about p M, ana was an,;no q
nrincinally by the artillery the infantry ehaoupe
minor mart There were about twenty-five pieces
ready for action although not all engsgeu ~ ny
one time The plateau, which 1 am 'olu oeas Io
name of Clear Hills, stretches In dlrecuoh nesIy
nortb and south for miles, terminating In nsReu
hng which bounds the horizon. Through the dense
farrsst beyond this tsble-land the enemy repiled
,ro,n some eminence which could not be dislin-
guished .,ro..,uo ,ho,
of Gen. Carr out the main road, pushed across 'ne
fields and through the forest " tue rgnt, ana 'oo
position on the extreme night. g.,
The enemy attempted TO drive him back win
she'll but III pieces OF artillery being orcght 10
bear made It too hot for them. Cars Division en-
tered the elevation BY the main road, and estao-
lsbed itself on the left OF Hovey. Our administers
were Immediately pushed forward into the timber,
and suffered much annoyance, not only from the
muske,ry but from the continual sheling Of the
enemy. Supported by heavy bodies OF infantry,
they advanced steadily, and the almost ince'-
sant roll of small-arms indicated their progress.
One peculiarly strong position was, after u
brief but desperate struggle, carried by the
heroes Of Rich Mountain, the Sth Indiana. About
the middle Of the afternoon word was sent that Gen.
Osterhaus was holly pressed, and needed support.
Accordingly Beuton's Brigade was ordered back,
but were met the way by second messenger
announcing that that General was driving the enemy
before bin.
Tbus affairs stood at the close Of the evsntful LIST
Of May. The battle was not barren victory,
merely repulsing the enemy, while it left our army
too much crippled TO pursue but gave us possession
of Port Gibson, and opened our way TO Black River
where our advance now is Ii gave US Grand Gull,
aud is likely to give US the browning mercy oil
Vicksburg. After three months Of sbortive labor
on canals and Yazoo Passes, the country Will give
all honor TO the commander whose daring and un'
firing energy has accomplished 40 much.
! So far we have been completely successful. lhe
enemy burnt the bridge across Bayou Perre, at Port
Gibson but pontoon bridge soon supplied us place,
and the next morning the srmy was again pressing
forward. We gave them no time to rally or fortlfy
Our advance was upon them before they could de-
sroy the bridge thst spans the north branch OF Bayou
Pierre ten mlles this side OF Port Gibson, and our
force to-day hods possession Of the bridge that
crosses Black River We have taken over 500
prisoners, including the wounded, and they are
constantly coming IN. Gen. Tracy was killed early
in the battle of May.day.
| The enemy are said TO be very much demoralized,
and possibly will not make stand this aide their
last ditch--yciept. Vicksburg. We have evidently,
almost for the fret time since the war began COM
pletely surprised our sdversari1s.
There is Que topic which am compelled TO allude
to, although l DO 30 Wi b much modification. re-
fer 10 the system Of indlscrminaie and wholesale
plunder which has TO great extent marked the
progress Of the expedition. This is not universally
/ Inc case. Port Gibson was hardly molested. And
1 here are am aware, many things TO DO said In
palliation Of such conduct. Our army need trans
portauon, and frequently needs food such as our
Commissary Department cannot supply. Bot thu
wan on vandalism, this plumber and destruction OF
urivae property, is q disgrace 10 our army aud Q
stain upon our escutcheon. Ii is the grossest inhu
mainly, frequently deprying families OF all meant
OF subsistence It's effect upon our army muft be
such outrages cannot be entirely prevented, and il IL
70 be hoped that the vigorous measures will be
employed 70 stop them far IS possible hereafter
Our killed and wounded will probably not fal
.hOrt Of COO.
| There were five bigades represented IN the late
sction--those commanded by Bowen, Green, Cock
rell, Baldwin, aud Tracy.
Osterhaus is within thirty miles Of Jackson
NEhOFHOS.
2. S-The Losses I'D far as heard from are: Ho
vey killed and wounded, 225; Smith's killed eut
80 wounded; Beuton's brigade, 2 killed and Is
+, wounded.