The National tribune., 1884-09-04

been sheer madness 1t remained. therefore,
TO run past the batteries of Grand Gulf, march
the troops overland, and attack the position
in the rear from below. The men on the trans
ports were quickly landed, and the whole corps
moved rapidly across the Point on a high
levee. emerging from the cypress woods at De
Shroon's plantation, three miles below Grand
Gulf, on the Louisiana shore. After dark the
gunboats, followed by the transports and barges,
steamed down, ran past the batteries, receiving
and returning terrific fire, and before mid
night all were safely below the obstacle. 1T
had been hot dag for the gunboats. One of
them had been struck AZ times, and bomb
had burst in the turret of the Tuscumbia, kill
ing and wouuding number of men. The loss
on the feet had been Is killed and 90 wounded.
Early next morning the movement was re-
sumed. The nearest landing place on the east
ern shore was Bruinsburgh, six miles below.
The Thirteenth Corps was rapidly embarked
on the transports, barges, and gunboats, and
dropped down the river TO that point. By
noon two divisions were landed Barrels of
bread, bacon, and coffee were rolled on shore
and opened, each man having permission TO
stuff his haversack and pockets with sufficient
food TO last five days. Very few horses had
been brought-Generals being allowed but one,
with but two mounted staff officers. Many of
the guns had but four horses to each carriage,
and even Gen. Grant, when he arrived that
night, with no baggage but toothbrush, was
obliged to borrow mule for a charger.
The river bottom at that point was mile in
width, hanked by high bluff, to which the
road assembled through deep artificial cut.
BRIGADE OF THE ENEMY
at that point would have held McClernand in
check all the afternoon. But DO brigade was
there and McClernand's staff, with company
of infantry, hurried up through the defile,
capturing Confederate Colonel, who had been
observing the debarkation of the troops from
the tower of stately villa which stood en-
powered in trees at the crest of the hill.
ONCE MORE ON SOLID GROUND.
The corps moved rapidly up, the regiments
cheering when they reached the ridge and
stood once more upon the solid ground. For
five months they had been wading through
bayous and the soft, alluvial bottom lands of
the Mississippi, and the feeling of firm ground
beneath their feet gave new life and elasticity
TO the spirits of officers and men. Twelve
miles inland was the town of Port Gibson, on
Bayou Pierre, in the midst of fertile and
beautiful country. Toward this point Nc
Clernand pushed rapidly, Carr's division in
advance, followed by 0sterhaus, Hovey, and
A. J. Smith. The night was intensely dark,
and the road, though remarkably smooth, was
so narrow that regiment marching by the
flank filled it completely. AT o'clock a. m,
May j, Carr's advance came upon heavy in
fantry force apparently marching toward Bru-
insburgh. Both parties opened fire sharply,
and,
THE ENEMY PROVING STUBBORN,
section of artillery was unlimbered, pushed
forward and set TO work with canister. The
enemy retired doggedly short distance and,
having reached a fork IN the road, refused
TO move farther. Carr, seeing he had en-
countered a serious obstacle, ordered his men
to cease firing, and the whole column sat
/ down in the road TO await daylight. Gen.
McClernand, with his staff, had the night before
gone forward with his leading division until it
had drawn well out on the main road, and then
returned TO the large house on the hill, two
miles from the river landing, SO as to be within
easy reach of Gen. Grant, who was expected
/ during the night. He had orders to proceed
! only TO Port Gibson, seize the important bridge
at that point across the Bayou Pierre, and await
orders. No resistance had been expected in
that direction, and Gen. McClernand and his
staff, who had not had their boots off since
( leaving Perkinss plantation, returned to the
4 great house on the hill, anticipating comfort
able night. Hardly had they been an hour in
/ bed when the guns of Cars advance were
heard through the still night, nine miles to the
I eastward. Horses were saddled,-enough had
/ been captured during the afternoon TO mount
the staff and orderlies,-and the General set
out at a break-neck pace for the front. Pick
A
naDd reached the front Just at dawn. Carr
4 held the fork Of the road with regiment
thrown out a few rods on either branch. Two
hundred yards distant, on an oak ridge which
crossed diagonaliy both branches of the road,
the hostile line was plainly visible, and how
4 itZer battery from the right front sent a few
shells crashing harmlessly through the trees
1 which surrounded the house at the junction of
I the roads. Gen. Carr was found on the porch
eating hard-tack, and the dead and wounded
of the nights skirmish lay on the grass IN the
yard. Ii was evident that the enemy had taken
a stand and proposed to give US battle. The
country was broken by parallel ridges, divided
/ by deep ravines filled with a rank growth of
/ timber. cane and vines. The roads followed
the ridges, which were alternately timbered
and cleared for cultivation, so that the ground
abonnded in positions which could only be
fanked with extreme difficulty, and we're In
every way admirable for defense
THE BATTLE OF THoMPsoS's HILL, OR PORT
GIBSON.
Dispositions were made for immediate attack.
Carr's division was put into line across the
/ right-haad road, 0sterhaus moved out on the
road 70 the left, HoYey's division Joined the
4 left Of Carr, and 4. J. Smith was for time held
4 IN reserve. The sun was Just rising upon such
a May day as had been dreamed Of but never
4 realized in Northern cline. The smoke of the
/ preliminary skirmish hung in long wreaths
over the fields and woods, and warmed and
reddened ia the morning sunlight like a halo.
The trees were in full leaf and the thickets
and canebrakes that filled the rayines -yere
dense masses of fresh green foliage. "a good
day for fight" observed the gallant Carr as
he rode away on his white mule TO put his men
into action. Osterhaus's division. the 42d
Ohio in front, came gaily up and took the
eft-hand road The men were munching their
hard bread and taking few whif1s at their
pipes before the hard work of the day. Capt.
Oids, Of Co. A, z2d, leading his company at the
head of the column, blithely greeted staff
officer sent 10 guide the division TO its position,
with the question: Where are those Johnnies
who have been keeping us here in the road all
DightY" Poor little Captain He little
thought that IN the garden which he was then
passing he would be buried before another
sunrise
The dispositions were quickly made and the
battle opened furiousy. Hovey's men, on the
left of the right-hand road, dashed forward ia
a little wooded rayine and held it for few
moments, when the enemy in the thicket be-
yond attempted to charge across the open space
but was met by wirbering fire and driven
back in confusion. Seeing the foe retreating in
disorder Hoyey's men leaped from their cover