The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-06-12

Is VIC dlC0I W GIOS lCuA ASNS onSS Ne~ancSNN |
he rebels only little. Our shells set
ire to a number of cotton bales inside of
The forts.
Before two o'clock OH the morning of
the 22d, our artillery had fired and de-
stroyed three service magazines. in rebel
forts, one on the center and two on the
left. They were small affairs, judging
from the explosions which occurred.
THE ASSAULT ON THE CENTER.
The assault was to have been made all
along the line at ten O'Clock, A. M. The
order was not obeyed, l think, by single
division of the army. At the appointed
time our lines occupied exactly the posi-
ton assigned them on the previous day,
and up to eleven O'Clock the skirmishers
had not advanced, save those Of one or
two divisions. On the center, the first
and third brigades of General Logan's d.
vision, commanded by Generals John e.
Smith and John D. Stevenson, advanced
at about half-past eleven o'clock. Two
regiments of Stevenson's brigade were
provided with scaling ladders forty feet
long, but had no opportunity to use them,
being driven back before reaching the rifle
pits. Logan's men went forward bravely,
but were met by overwhelming numbers
of the intrenched foe. Hundreds of them
jumped into the bitches, but the number
who reached the parapet was small. Nearly
two companies rushed into the fort and
were captured. The flag of the Seventh
Missouri was planted on the parapet after
seven color-bearers had been shot down.
Amid a terrific storm of bullets and grape
shot, the third brigade held it's ground
until recalled by orders from the proper
source. They advanced holding their fire
to pour into the ride-pits, after their as
cent of the parapet. The enemy gave
them volley after volley as they approach
ed, sending terrible devastation among
their ranks. Colonel Dollins, of the Thir-
ty-frst Illinois, was shot through the head
while CALAMITY leading his regiment. He
expired in few moments, while exhorting
his men to push forward in the charge.
The loss in Stevenson's brigade will reach
nearly three hundred. The Thirty-second
Ohio, one of hisregiments, lost ten wound
ed and nine killed.
To the left of Logan, in the center,
General Quinby's division Joined in the
assault. Like their brave comrades I'M
der Stevenson and Smith, their valor and
courage was great, but could not accomp-
fish the work assigned them. They were
driven back with heavy loss. Colonel
Boomer of the 26th Missouri, command
ing the I'd Brigade of this division, was
killed on the field.
THE ASSAULT ON THE LEFT.
m Tho 1oft Naporo1 MoIlarpou6 corn
menced the assault earlier than any other
commander. The first advance was made
by Netherlands center, General A. J.
Smiths division, of two brigades, COM
manded by Col. Landrum and Gen. Bur-
bridge. AS early as II O'Clock, Landrum's
men took fort, and were in actual pos
session of it. General Osterhaus on their
left, mad, breach on the south side of
the work, with his artillery. There wete
two companies of rebel soldiers in it at
the time-one of them ran away, and the
other actually burrowed their way thro'
the earth to our men in front, and surren-
dered as prisoners. Landrum on obtain
ing possession of the fort, put pioneer
force at work to throw up earth-works in
the rear, so as to bring the guns of the
tort to bear upon the rebels. In con-
structing the Notifications, the rebels left
the rear of all the forts open, to give them
an opportunity to assail our men, in the
event of our success in driving them out.
The flags of the 48th Ohio, 18th Illinois,
and 10Th Kentucky, foated from the in
ner slope Of the parapet, from half past
eleven O'Clock A. M, till four p. M. At
~ %bo roho1,
pairing for charge to retake the fort.
An entire brigade was about to be pitted
against few companies. Our men did
not receive the support which had been
promised them, and were compelled to fall
back, leaving the enemy again in possess
ion of the fort. The 4Sth Ohio acquitted
itself very creditably in the affair. The
conduct of its officers and men is highly
spoken Of inclose list of the casual
ties of the regiment. Between twelve and
one O'Clock the 10th Indiana, after des-
perate charge, succeededin capturing
fort to the right of the one in possession
of Colonel Landrum. They held it gal
lantly agaiot determined assault, until
relieved by the 4Sth Indiana, from whom
it was taken by a surprise force of the
enemy.
The fighting on the left was done by the
divisions of Generals Carr, Osterhaus, and
Smith, aid was of more desperate char
acter, and of longer duration, than that
upon the right or centre. McClernand
and his men performed their part with
energy and determination, but were un-
able to dislodge the enemy from his works,
save temporarily in the instances l have
mentioned. During the afternoon Gener-
al Grant received dispatch from McCler-
nand to the effect that he had taken three
forts, and would be in possession of the
city soon, if Immediately reinforced. Nc
Arthur's division of cPhersons was sent
to his assistance, and, if mistake not,
two brigades of another division. But Nc
Olernand did not take Vicksburg.
ON THE RIGHT.
The assault on the right was commence
ed soon after ten O'Clock by General Thay-
er's brigade of Steele's division, consisting
of the 9th, 4th, Goth, and SOth Iowa Re-
giments. The men of this command
marched forward heroically, under the
leadership of Thayer. The assault was
made by them at terrible cost; but the
promised succor did not arrive, and the
prize had to be abandoned, when it