The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1863-01-15
Full details Of the Fight of vicksburg.
snoo;sI DisDatcb TO the Chicago Tribune.
CAIRO, Jan. II, 1863,

we gather the tOiIOWlng concerning the
second siege Of Vicksburg:
The point chosen for the attack up
on Vicksburg was bad one-the
strongest point in the rebel line OF
Notifications There were some fifty
regiments comprising Sherman's army
mostly Western troops. Their Off
GERS were mostly brave, experienced,
courageous men. Gen. Steele and his
division were formerly under General
Curtis.
The plans of Gen. Grant, had they
been followed, were good. WIN a
large force threatenening Flcksburg,
his natb would be unobstructed but
there were miles between Grant and
Ranks. and the feet Of Farragut were
not there.
The first collision was on Saturday,
the 28th ult. The results were not
serious. Without giving the topogra-
ply of the field, or surrounding cOun~
try, it will suffice to summarize the &C
tual movements and their results.
The division of Gen. Steele was the
largest one on the ground. Blair's
brigade was only detached, and after
making landing, pushed forward in
land under Morgan L. Smith. The
rest of the division, under Gen. &. K.
Hoyey, was sent three miles further up
the Yazoo River, to penetrate the rear
and get at the railroad near Eicksburg.
1t landed above Blake's Bayou, and
within two miles he encountered the
heavy guns of the enemy on the high
bluffs, in front of a lagoon or bayou,
which was impossible to cross without
boats or bridges, he returned to Chick>
asaw Bayou, where Gen. NJ. II. Nor
gan had already landed.
On Monday they were pushed to the
front. The first attack was made by
the rebels on Saturday, not on Sunday.
Skirmishing had been going on several
DAYS. The first encounter was near
the Whitehouse, two and half miles
from Middle Landing. The force of
Gen. A. J. Smith was behind that of
Blair, Morgan, as before stated, was
at the mouth of Chickasaw Bayou
DeCourcy's skirmishers had been at
tackled that night by the enemy posted
behind the leyee near WhitehOuse.-I
Our forces biYouacked on their camp
ing grounds in sight of the bluffs where
the enemy were protected by a bat
terry and concealed by timber.
While this was passing, an accident
happened to the Benton, by which
Capt. Gwin lost his life,an account of
which has already been forwarded
Capt. Gwin died Of his wounds on the
flagship Blackhawk, Saturday, Janua-
airy I'd, and his remains are now en-
route for home. His wife is here,near>
ly insane at his loss.
The battle was renewed on Sunday.
II was on this day the gallant charge
was made upon the enemy's batteries
by Gen. Blair with the 29th, 30th and
59th Ohio, and Gen Wyman with the
18th, 10th and - Illinois. The enee
my were prepared for the charge, Gen.
Wyman had just drawn his sword, be
ing under fire from the batteries and
rifle pits, when he was struck by
Minnie rifle ball in the groin. Lieut..
Col. Gorgas took command of the 18th
Illinois, and Gen. Blair led the brigade
through slough waste deep. All had
to go, but the charge was made in
splendid style. They leaped over the
leyee, the artillery came on, and the
rebels scampered, leaving their dead,
which we buried. Hofman's and a
Michigna battery did splendid execu~
ton at this point.
Gen. Wyman expired on the feld,in
the arms of an attendant. Morgan L.
Smith was also slightly wounded in
this charge. This was Sunday morn
ing.
In the evening, DeCourcey,with his
22d Kentucky, 42d and 10th Ohio, was
ordered to the front. The Kentuck>
ians were never before under fire
They behaved brayely. The enemy
engaged them with shell, but they soon
left the outer line of entertainments
and scampered up the hill. The can
nonading from above was furious
Our troops were soon withdrawn from
under that fire. There was no battery
taken, as reported ;in fact, we took no
guns and lost none during the entire
siege.
On Monday the duel of cannon com
menced. Battery after battery open>
ed, and at O'Clock the battlewas in full
progress. 1t was a glorious sight
Our artillerists did well. Many of
them were killed and wounded. Un>
der this artillery contest the grand
charge was made. One column after
another pushed to the front, DeCourcY
in front and center; Blair on the left
Thayer on the right of DeCourcy, Bur
bridge on the extreme right, his plan
was to. seize the hills on the right and
late batteries that had been forming
all the morning. Gen, Hovey's bril-
gade, with Humans, occupied the re
serve; Stuart, DeCourcy and Thaver
were to get up the ravine and seize the
batteries.
Gen. Sherman has not suffered any
list of the brigade to be made public,
therefore l can only give the opera
tons of each corps.
The charge was made the defence
was stubborn. -Four of our men gaiR- |
ed the Notifications and disappeared |
after murderous fire. 1t is miracle |
that any who made the effort live to |
tell the tale. 300 men were taken pris-
oners. Then there was a repulse, a |
retreat, nothing gained and much pre-
cious blood spilled. The place was
naturally too strong, too well defends |
ed, and the right of our forces, instead |
OF charging, was not engaged until
two hours afterwards.
DURING that day two gunboat~ Were
towed up to Haine's Bluff and bonn
barded the batteries there.
The following regiments distinguish
ed themselves in this storming of the |
enemy's works: The AID Ohio. 18th
and 10th Illinois, 10th Ohio, 54th In |.
L;nna GOD kanlunLN ooth L,SSnur,