Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1863-07-08
Gen. Paine and the 2th Regiment at
Port Hind son.


The correspondent of the New York
Times, who was present at the assault on
Port Hudson on June 14th, in which Gen.
PAINE was wounded, says that the larger
share in the attack-which was intended
to be, but was not, simultaneous along
the whole line-devolved upon Gen.
PAINE's command. The 9Th New Hamp-
shire, commanded by Capt. BARRETT, and
the 4th Wisconsin, commanded by Capt.
W. P. MOORE of Beloit, were in the ad-
vance as skirmishers, followed by the 18th,
31st, 3Sth and SD Massachusetts, 2Sth
Connecticut, and 1I0tb. 1888, 156th, 173d
and 10th New York, with N1M's Massa-
chusetts battery, all in three brigades un-
der Colonies GooDING, A. FEARING and
FERRIS. We quote from the Times &C.
count:
At $50 A. NJ, of Sunday, Jnne 14th.
the column formed on the Clinton road
snd commenced moving At about 4 A
NJ. the skirmishers moved right up to the
scene of action-Gen. Paine being with
them in advancing, and the deadly work
commemorative enemy pouring in upon
them the most terrible volleys, and our
dauntless men combating their way right
up to the enemy's breastworks. For
hours the carnage continued furiously-
our determined soldiers, in spite of their
General being seriously wounded, and in
spite of the fearful odds against them of
fighting against men snugly screened be-
hind their Misunderstanding up the fight
with the most indomitable bravery. 1t
was impossible tor any men, under their
circumstances, TO show more reckless dis
regard OF death.
But Port Hudson was destined rot TO
be carried this time-at that point-at
any rate. Owing to the horrible inequali-
ties of the ground, and the impediments
which the overwhelming slaughter of our
advance had created, the whole column
was not able to come up as expected, and
late In the afternoon our troops had to be
withdrawn. During the intensest part of
the struggle, it is only fair to say that Col.
Kimball, of the Fifty third, and Col Cur
rier of the One Hundred and Thirty third
New York, advanced most gallantly with
their men to reinforce those in front.
1t is impossible to overrate the courage
and endurance which Gen. Paine show ed
on this occasion. Although so severely
wounded in the leg rs to be quite disa-
bled, he would not consent to leave the
field, but remained there during the long
sultry day to cheer on his men, at the
momentary risk of being killed by some
rebel shot.
Various efforts were made by his men
to get him off the field, or at least to get
retreshment to him, ard two gallant fel-
lows, on two separate occasions, lost their
lives in the attempt. One was Z. 2.
Woods, private, of Company E, Eighth
New Hampshire, and the other John
Williams, Company D, Thirty-first Massa-
chusetts. l happened to be at the hos
pital when the latter poor fellow was
brought in. He had been shot clean thro'
the breast, and fingered but few minutes
after his arrival there
Before Gen. Paine was wounded, he had
succeeded in getting five regiments within
three or four rods of the enemy's works
some Of the skirmishers actually getting
inside.
Our loss on this occasion was very great,
the killed, wounded and missing of Pane's
command reaching to nearly seven hun
bred. A number of officers and privates
(among them Capt. Stamyard, of the Sth
New Hampshire, Lieut.. Harsiey and Lieut.
Newell, of the same,) being wounded,
were ordered in as prisoners, under threat
of being shot from the enemy's works.
Gen. Paine was shot below the knee of
the left leg, SCATTERING both bones, but
hopes are still entertained of saving his
leg. He was not brought off the field till
night time, when his wounds were dressed
and be Immediately conveyed to New
Orleans.
Though the assault was not completely
successful it secured our forces a position
much better and nearer the enemy's
works.
The next day Gen. BANKS issued an Or
der congratulating the troops on what had
been done, saying that he "was confident
Of an INN ediate and triumphant issue of
the contest, that :" the army was on the
threshold of the rebel Notifications and
with one more advance they would be
ours He then called for q storming
party of l, 900 men.
More than enough brave hearts volun-
teered in a few hours, but it does not vet
clearly appear whether the assault was
actually made. The Herald correspon-
dent processing to write from near Port
Hudson on tie l 18th, says that the assault
was decided on at headquarters, but ow-
ing to the disagreement of Generals as to
the plan, the whole affair was abandoned.
On the other hand, the Tribune CORES
pendent, as telegraphed the other day,
writing from New Orleans, the 18th, says
that an assault was made in which the
4th Wisconsin and 9th Michigan led the
charge and were repulsed. From sundry
in the Tri5une's statement,
We are still inclined to think it incorrect
The Tribune correspondent tells the
story:
Brig Gen. II. E Paine, while CALAMITY
rallving his men, was very seriously
wounded. He lay upon the ground near
the rebel breastworks for twelve hours.
While lying there, his Assistant Adiutant
General offered to any one who would
carry him drink of water, $4,000. a
brave fellow undertook the task, and sue
ceeded in cooling the parched lips of the |
hero chieftan, and doubtless saving his |
rrou his axyp He /