The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-06-09
BY TELEGRAPH
4 O'CLOCK, p M.
TO THE FREEMAN.

the Gulf, who arrived here last night, we learn
some interesting facts of the situation OF Gen.
Banks army. Our informant left Port Hudson
late on the evening of Sunday, 3lst. There had
been no fighting of conseq hence since the assault
of the 9th, but Gen. Banks had been rapidly
contracting his lines and approaching the rebel
works. The wings of our army rested on or very
near the river, both above and below the city,
and there was no possibility Of reinfOrcements
reaching the bleeaguered garrison Gen. Banks
had made up his mind to take the place, and he
had the men and means to do it.
The contest on the 9th was very desperate
and bloody, the rebels fighting with the most
reckless courage, and our men were not behind
in daring and pluck.
Our informant corroborates the good account
heretofore given of the conduct of the colored
soldiers. These sable warriors provoked the
most frenzed hatred on the other side, and the
rebels bent all their energies to their annlhlla-
ten, and since the fight they have missed no
chance to kill negro pickets. In one instance
they poanced upon single black sentry, and
forthwith hung him. The bloody instruction
was quickly improved, for almost within the
hour some negroes got hold of a rebel picket
and hung him up in full sight of murder
ed companion. .a.
| All the stories about Kirby Smith coming to
the relief of Port Hudson are probably errone-
GUS. Smith is no doubt In Texas, or possibly
| in Western Louisiana, certainly nowhere near
Port Hudson.
Col. Grierson is slashing around" as the
| Hooslers say, and was at last accounts between
Port Hudson and Vicksburg, tearing up rail-
roads, destroying bridges, hunting for Conteder-
ate stores and canvassIng the State generally.
1t was understood that Joe Johnston was at
jackson on the 9th, but had no force worth
bringing against Gen. Grant.
We regret to learn that Gen. Sherman, who
was wounded at Port Hudson, is hardly expect
ed to live.
The weather is hot, and the place very dry
and dusty.
Col. Lull of the 9Th New Hampshire, anC
Col Bean of the 4th Wisconsin, are killed
The 4th Wisconsin lost 20 killed and wounded
out of 800, ON the 9th.
Gen. Stone had arrived at New Orleans, anC
would probably lie placed in command of Gen
Shermans division.
The Times letter says the lst Louisiana
colored regiment, showed great pluck on tn
9th, marching up to the guns within 80 PAGES
at double quick, supported by the 9th Michigan
l74th and l6lst New York regiments. Thes
v regiments are completely cut up. The colore(
: regiment has bat two hundred left On reach
d ing the third battery of siege guns, the rebel
. opened on them with terrific slaughter, wher
l. they were forced to retreat, receiving heavy shot
: SHE'LL and pieces of railroad iron.
@ Gen. Gardner offered to surrender if Genera
e Banks would allow him to march out witt
e their guns, provisions etc., but the offer wa
declined.
One of Gen. Banks staff arrived at New Or
, leans, wounded in the leg, and reported that th
black flag was raised by the rebels. Everythn
u was kept quiet as to the result of the fight. Th
+ losses could not be made known till official dit
patches were sent to Washington.
On the Goth, the Navy bombarded Port Hue
Of son all day and all night without response
v The Times Headquarters Army of the PotC
mac dispatch, dated 9Th, P. NJ says the 81
uation here remains unchanged.
y The position taken by Howe's division on tn
South bank of the Rappahannock, on Frida
evening, is still peacefully held. The only no
e. hours has been an occasional shell from guns st
toned on the hills on this side. .....
Our skirmishers hold the line of Deep ru
and the Bowling Green road, while the enem
are in plain sight about one quarter of a mi
further on. No large bodies OF troops are
her sight
Is. About one mile directly in front OF our p
siton is battery in sight, but this is all we ca
see. There is evidence however, that the enen
: is closely watching our movements.
Our troops lay on their arms in an open plai
3. covered by several batteries OF those fierce bra
Napoleons. A large detail of men is to-day e.
ay gagged in destroying the enemy ride-pits on tt
n n, banks of the river.
- can safely say that no general engagement
To- is yet imminent. There are indications, thong
not very numerous, that ere the week is ov
there may be note worthy news, though frol
es what quarter and in what shape no one seer
mt to know.