New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-07-23

keep the public mind in a state ofuncertain expec-
tation disquiet, and reHtessness aud to encourage
interested hopes and fears that the national gov
eminent will continue to furnish to classes Of cti
zens in the several States means for support and
maintenance, regardless as to whether they pursue
life of Incidence or of labor, and regardless also
Of the constitutional limitations OF the national au-
| thortty In times OF peace and tranquility.
The bill is herewith returned to the House OF
Representatives, in which it originated for its final
action. ANDREW JOHNSON.
Washington, D C, July I6 1868.
p----
The Defense of Fort Gregg near Petersburg.
In Mr.. Pollard's recently-published history
Of the war entitled "The Lost Cause there
occurs statement in regard to the defense
of Fort Gregg near Petersburg, just before
the retreat of General Lee from that city in
which the statement is made that "Captain
Chew of the Fourth Maryland battery Of ar
tiIlery, was in command of the work " that
there were some of Walkers dismounted
drivers, some Yirginians, and Louisianians,
and some men from Harlis's Mississippi
brigade, and some North Carolinians driven
bacl, from the picket lines, and had fed into
Fort Gregg for shelter"
A writer i'll the Vicl5sburg Times Of the
l7th under the signature Of Justit!a who
is acquainted with all the circumstances OF
the case, and speaks from personal knowledge
denies the correctness Of the above state
ment, and gives the following circumstantial
narrative Of the facts
Fort Gregg was held not by Captain Chew, as
stated, nut by the Eth and IGLh Mississippi regi,
nents, Harriss brigade, numbering about one
hundred ana fifty muskets under command OF
heut Col. James ii. Duncan, of the 10Th Miss5-
sippi, who had been assigned by Gen. Harris TO
the immediate command of that work. The artil-
ery in the fort was a section OF the third company
battalion Washington Artillery, commanded by
Lieut. McErOy. Gen. Harris in person, with his
two other regiments tue 18th and 4Sth Mississippi
regiments occupied Fort Wtworth, or, as Pollard
incorrectly names it, - Fort Alexandria, distant
from Gregg about one hundred yards, and between
that work and the South Side Railroad
An extract from a letter of General Harris de-
signed TO he an official report of this engagement,
must forever set those facts at rest: General
Wilcox ordered me to take position in front OF the
enemy and detain them as long as possible With
this object in view ! advanced about four hundred
yards and formed line at right angles with the
B0ydton plank road. The ground being undulating,
threw both tanks back behind the crest on which
formed and exposed my center, in order that
might induce the enemy to believe that there was
A continuous line of battle behind the ridge.
then advanced line of skirmshers well to the
front. The enemy being msled by this device made
the most careful dispositions, forming two lines OF
battle, and advancing with the utmost caution NJ y
position was held until the enemy were III
close range, when heavy fire was opened upon
both sides. The enemy pressing upon me heavily
and Outreaching me on my TANKS, in obedience to
instructions from Gen. Wilcox, my command, with
great steadiuess fell back upon Fort Gregg and
Whitworth-the 18th and 10th, under Col. James
II. Duncan were ordered by me into Gregg, and to
hold it at all hazards. The 18th and 43th were
dered into Whitworth. In Gregg, there was a
/ 4prtibn nj tiln 21 1attAIlinu WagiiUufou
artillery, commanded by Lieut.. Frank McEroy.
/ In Whitworth, 4 ritled guns, commanded by Capt.
-. Preparations were now made by the enemy
for the assault and at this time Capt, Wake, A.
/ d |. q. of Gen. Walker, chief of artillery, came
with orders to withdraw the artillery, and against
! this most earnestly protested. The four guns,
however were withdrawn from Whitworth; but the
! enemy were too close TO permit the withdrawal
of the guns from Gregg. Perceiying the guns
from Whitworth leaving, the enemy moved for.
ward to assault us in both works. He assaulted
| in column of brgades, completely enveloplug
| Gregg, and approaching WhitWOrth only in front.
| Gregg repulsed assault for assault; the two rem
nants OF regiments, which had won glorious
honor on so many fields, fighting this, their last
battle, with most terrible enthusiasm, as il feeling
this to be the last act ia the drama for them; and
the officers and men of the Washington Artillery
fighting their guns to the last, preserved unfair.
nished the brillancy of reputation acquired by
their corps. Gregg ragged like the crater of a vol
Cano emitting it's flashes of deadly fires euyeloped
in flame and cloud-wreathing our flag as well il
honor as in the smoke Of death. 1t was glorious
struggle. louisiana represented by these noble
arterists, and Missi sppi, by her shattered bands
stood there side by side, together holding the
lastregulary fortified lines around Petersburg.
The thrilling account given OF this terrific scene
by Lawley, in his dying hours and struggles Of
the Confederacyh himself an impartial observer
will not soon be forgotten by our readers. He
says
Fort Gregg manned by Harriss Mississippi
brigade, numbering $50 undaunted men, breasted