The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-01-30

hand-possessing, also, every advantage Of
position-it was too great an odds to con-
tend against: but Gen. Hherman's "orders
were peremptory 81 they must cross. 1t
looked, and many believed, = that death
wonld be the inevitable result to each and
every man that attempted it. Artillery
had poured volley after volley; shell after
shell had exploded among them, killing
doubtless, hundreds of the enemy yet they
still held their position,--the growl of the
t'bull-dogs" was Intellectual! The only
method that remained, was to rout them
by an infantry charge. 1t required men of
the most undaunted courage-men old in
the service, whose bravery and endurance
was beyond question, to make the fearful
effort. The Sixth Missouri, as said be-
fore, being in the advance, was to be the
first to pass through the perilous ordeal.
Under command of Lieut.. Col. Blood, who
has for long time commanded the regi-
ment, the Sixth was ready to go wherever
duty called There was some hesitancy as
to which company should cross first. FL
nally Company F volunteered, and were
duly accepted by their Colonel.
THEY CROSSED THE BAYOU, followed by a
portion of ':K,'' who had been detailed to
make road, up the opposite bank, which
was very steep, and right upon the top Of
which were rebel sharpshooters, in their
rifle pits; after the completion of the road
the balance of the regiment Vas to cross.
But this idea was finally abandoned and in
about an hour and a half the whole regi-
ment had reached the opposite side. \
portion OF "K" company, who had crossed
with spades, shovels, &C., commenced
digging, but it was found to be useless, too
perilous! Directly over their hea1s were
rebel rifiepits, so close that some OF the
boys of company ''F" locked bayonets with
the rebels Thee pits were occupied by
the I'D Georgia and 18th Louisiana Regi-
ments. On the other side OF the bayou,
the 18th Regulars were deployed, to the
right and left Of the passage OF neck, after
which they kept up a continual fire in the
direction of the rebel Notifications, thus,
as far as possible protecting the Sixth from
humiliation. While | cannot but regard
the order to cross, from whatever source
it may have originated, as rash and alb
snrd in the extreme, yet | and every
tluc CltiLcl ol tEiS tiSlidCtEu COtutly,
must admire and applaud the daring bray
cry and untinching devotion Of those men
who willingly obeyed it. The Sth Mis-
souri,, also, afterwards came up and as
sisted the 18th Regulars.
Sixteen of the gallant Wisconsin 9th lie
entonbed in the once honored soil of Mis-
sissippi. Green grows the sod above them :;
may no traitors foot pollute it! Lieut.
Robert L. Vance was the only commits
stoned officer killed. a noble, high-mind-
ed man, q good soldier, attentive to his
duties, an ardent lover of his country,
devoted to her cause we miss him. He
died like 4 brave and gallant officer, and
on the banks OF the Yazoo, he slumbers.
May the waters flow gently, and the south
ern winds be hushed, as they pass his
resting place, lone and solitary, in the
land of the stranger and enemy
OF Lieut. Col. Blood, too much cannot
be said. He shared the peril with his
men, and, although twice wounded, never
tiinched The rebel balls fell thick and
fast around him, but he remained cool and
collected never gave up his command,
but remained at his post, resolved to do or
u'c, as VIC CAST lhlSlC DC, Will lis StllftHt
followers. Verify, he deserves well of his
country. May the rebel balls ever prove
as harmless to him, as on the present oc-
casion!
But, there is .f,'ale to all this gallantry,
heroism, bloodshed and death, that
shrouds it in a great measure, in dissatis-
faction! Was it all in cain, this sacrifice
OF treasure and blood? This remains for
time to divulge! We are now on the RE
TREAT! Why? One thing is certain, Grant
failed to come to time! Was he out-gener-
aled? 1t certainly appears so! 1t is sta
ted Gen. f. P. Blair's brigade was fearful
ly decimated. Our total loss is estimated
at 1900 Who is to blame? Who "as-
sumes the responsibility" await devel-
opments. Yours, YANK.