Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-07-28
Our War Correspondence.
From Gen. Banks Army

From Gen. Banks Army.
DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, July 2, 1862.
Since Gen. Banks amy has invested Port
Hndson, the entire country west Of the MssiS-
sippi has been abandoned by Federal forces, ex-
cept Donsldsonville on the river, and the line Of
the 0pelousas Railroad to Brashear city. These
it was intended TO hold, but by the absence
Of our military forces from that part of tho
State, tho guarding Of these places was
left entirely to eonvaescents, or fragments of
companies. The rebels have concentrated all
their scattered regiments and with one or two
new regiments from Texas have busted themselves
10 making attacks upon these points, persccut-
ing in most mbuman manner all who had
taken the oath OF allegiance to the United
States, burning their dwellings and their sugar
houses, and destroying every species Of their
property. They have attacked and driven one
small force from Brashear, captured quite a
quantity Of camp and gun-equipagc, and
torn up the railroad track, hoping by these
raids to distract Gen. Banks attention from
Port Hudson and, il possible, induce him to di.
vide his force there and enable the now hungry
garrison to force their way out, and escape the
certain doom Of being captured, which surely
awaits them.
On the 9th Of June, just eight months from
the day Gen. Weiizel landed bis Reserve Bri-
gade at Donaldsonville, on his march through
the Laiourche country,--at which time his e1-
cellent judgment satisfied Major General Butler
that small Tort should be constructed at that
point, which was Immediately put under way
and soon completed by the lst Louisiana yolun-
ieers, and chrstened " Fort Butler,"-and while
this fort was garrisoned by only hundred men,
and tie town occupied BY some fifty conyalescent
soldiers, the enemy appeared in large force, sur.
rounded The little place on all the land sides,
and peremporily demanded the surrender Of
/ the fort and town. or the immediate removal Of
4 the surrender Of the fort, Major Bullin Of the
28!h Maine Regiment, replied that be was " in
structed 10 hold the place, and could, therefore,
see no proprety in surrendering it," Major
! Porter of the 7th Vermont, Provost Marshal
there, declared the women and children as safe
under his protection as that Of any rebel power,
and therefore saw no necessity for their disturb
4 ing themselves whereupOn fierce fight com
menced and ragged hotly for three hours, when
the rebels were repulsed, and followed by shell.
I from a gunbOat for several miles on their home
ward march. Upon taking an inventory after
the fght i, was found that the Upiou forces had
gained one hundred aud nine rebel soldiers aad
eleven commissioned officers, who had entered the
fort, and having neg ected to take the oath, Pro
vcst Marshal Porter declined to allow them tC
leave, but taking their arms, found them suitable
quarters on board gunbOat lying in the river
FoIty-nine rebel soldiers and officers were killed
and with a great many dead rebel horses were
left ON the field. The bel wounded were taken
away, but must have numbered two hundred OIL
more Our loss was five killed, and but few
wounded. 1t is confidently stated that the reb.
els had here over 5000 men. This, then, We
must admit one Of the most gallant defences by
a small party against an army that has been
ehronicled during the war They have since
been reinforced, and no danger is apprehended
of any further trouble from that gang OF rebels
The citizens most heartily pray that Port
Hudson may soon fall and that Gen. Weitzel
may be sent to reclaim the valley of the La
iourche, and drive from their borders the bar.
barous Texans aud guerrillas.
FRoM BEFORE PoRr HuDsON, !
July |, 1868.
The army is in good spirits. Maj Gen Bank:
reviewed his troops yesterday aud made them q
fine finland speech. lie says, a" We have moth
ing to discourage us, but everything looks bright
and hopeful. In few days the enemy's works
will be ours, and the Stars and Stripes shall
float proudly over his battlements, To you il
given the proud privilege and high duty Of sew
ering in twain the territory Of rebeldom by open.
ing the Mississippi. Port Hudson shall soon be
yours, and then you shall march to the assist
anee of the gallan. army before Vicksburg
Never was an army entrusted with a more re
sponsible or important work. This work sue
cessfully completed and glory will rest upOr
your heads and the heads of your children for
ever. On you will this nation look with PROUD
satisfaction and thankfulness.
The principal work now is being done with
the shovel and pickaxe, Port Hudson Is surely
ours soon