The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-02-20
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What Our Veterans Have to Say About
Their Old Campaigns
BATTERY AT PORT GIBSON.
Silence Broken by Bomb from BentOn's Brigade
As 20 Who Took it.


nmns concerning the captured battery at Port
Gibson, Miss, May /, 1863. HOvey's Division
especially came TO the 'front.' aud calamity
claimed the guns and honor, which history had
given 10 Cars Division, and specifically TO
BentOns Brigade.
These old soldiers, ] need not say, were some
what reluctant TO part with the glory at so late
day, and hence the encounter, that probably
changed no opinion, and certainly cost not a
single man.
About that time the writer engaged in a still
hunt for evidence, and many pleasant letters
were received from old soldiers, who, however
much they bristled for the fight in print proved
60 be most genial when attacked IN personal cor
reSpondence. But unusual duties and heavy
pressure of work-with the feeling, Also that
perhaps the columns of your paper had been
for the time sufficiently monopolized-inter-
rupted the effort.
In looking over the papers collected, how
ever. noted the very interesting one from
Gen. Carr, and felt that this. at least should
not be kept in nay package from the public
longer. so, il you please, will fire this last
shot furnished by the General, with such COM
ments, by the way OF notes, as other letters Sug-
gest, and then have done with my part of this
contest with the pen.
1t will be necessary 10 say that j sent letter
of inquiry 10 the General, then at st. Louis,
calling out the answers embodied in his reply.
the - questions sent. The following is a sum
mary OF the most important OF these:
j. Thinks Stones Brigade tSecond) landed
first &C Bruinsburg though all landed about
together. ?. Left Brninsburg about p. m. 3.
Stones Brigade took the lead. 4. Second Bril-
gade opened the fight which began after mid
night BentOns Brigade struck the battery
first; don't know which regiment. give here
two questions and their answers:
llth. How does il come that Hovey's Di-
vision claims the battery? Ans. Because our
men went on in pursuit, and did not put guard
over the guns.
18th. Where on earth did Hovey's Division
come in anyhow? Ans. Stacks Brigade came
right along the road 10 fill the gap between our
brigades, but Benton's Brigade swung in and
took the battery before they got there.
Here is Gen. Carr's statement:
H'DQ'Rs MOUNTED RECRUITING SERVICE
ct. LOUIS. No. March %, 1856.
Rev. G. A. HOBBS, formerly Sergeant, Co. j,
99th Ill., Delavan, Wis.
DEAR SIR: / am glad TO hear from an old
soldier Of my command, and glad that the
question is raised as 10 who took those two
guns at Magnolia Church at the beginning OF
the Nicksburg campaign, May /, 1863.
i pTided myself somewhat on my manage
ment al that time, as well as upon the hand
some way in which / was seconded by the
officers and soldiers of my division.
II Was curious now the GCaG was Shllteu IN
The movement OF Grants army to Bruiusburg,
and how we finally landed first and got the
first blood after crossing the Mississippi in the
final Nicksbzrg campsign.
Ii was first intended that my division tthe
FOurteeBth) Of the army operating against
Nleksbnrg, and the last Fourth which had
been assigned 10 Gen. Mctiernaud's fThir-
teenthl Corps, should take boats at the point
where VIC first reached tie river below Nicks-
burg, after marching across the bend of the
Mississippi; bnt were ordered TO march
down the west bank Of the river 10 Deshroons
plantation, opposite Brunsburg and Oster-
haGs's Division, reaching the river later was
put on the boats which division then thought
il was 10 lead; but il was landed at the planta-
fion and the boats sent back for others. Then
HoFey's Division was put on the Funboats, aud
he, hoping they would be the first 10 land
called his officers around him and gave them
instructions accordingly. But the gunboais
lay Of ia the stream 20 As TO bring their guns
20 bear and cover the landing Of the transports
and 50 IL happened that our division was first
10 cross the river and we first landed on the
east side. Our landing at Bruinsburg was Gu
tiTely unexpected, and there was 10 enemy
there. j had some bread boxes broken Open
the bread issued. and we moved cut a. soon a.
possible. as ! had been instructed that IL was
hoped % surprise aud take possession Of the
town OF Port Gibson and the bridge % that
body wanted TO be in front.
think NY second brigade led, as the first
had marched in advance the previous day. We
met cart with a darky driving and sent it
back for more brad. aud ] sent out for what
ever transportation could be bad.
After marching some distance Gen. McCler-
naEd came 10 the head % the column. aud told
me that Gen. Benton, who Commanded the
Fint Brigade, had complai ned 10 him that bis
men hid nothing 10 cat and BE- MctlernaHd,
ordered me 10 halt, send Lack for provisions
get supper and allow tile next division 10 passi
] halted near lie Female Seminary, aud the
next lOsteThaGs's division passed me-
However, While The men were getting supper
j found out that the main road there took
big bend OF a mile OF two around the head of a
Tayine, aud that there WAS a country read
across the TagiIe, which took a. soon as ready
o. march.
When ! came To The main road again. found
there was halt; the advance guard Of the
division which lad passed me being in front
and the division Itself ia rear Of THAI point
sent % Enquire about il, aud found that that
division Has cooking supper.
then sent 10 ask D.icrAaus II be objected 20
my taking the advance again. lie said he did
not aud ! went On. followed, 1 believe, by
H0gey.
IL Was q magnificent moonlight night and
We marched forward with great hopes 10 sur
U
with Tic advance guard.
Suddenly We were fired upon by a picket
stationed a. a house - the left Of the road Col
Stone tie brigade commander, afteTwaTd Brig
adler-GeneFal u volunteers aud Governor Of
Iowa, Was with me, but ! do not know which
81 hlz regiments WIS IN advance: they were the
zIst, 25d add I'D Iowa aud tie lIth Wigs
We formed some troops into line aud moved
forward. When We got past the house into the
open belds We were opened Oh By two guns
which were, with their infantry support, posted
beyond ragiDe in front Of the Magnolia
Church. We brought up some Of our gsns and
ID little while silenced those Of the enemy
Ihie WIS after midnight, and the engagement
WAS one ofthe most interesting lever witnessed
IL was the first collision Of the final Eicksburg
campaign; the full moon Was high IN the
heavens and tue beIcbing aud darling flames
Of The cannon and sna!l-aTms made sight
never ~ be forgotten.
j think tie whole Of tie leading brigade was
b. line along the hitber side OF tile Yayine 10
Tie left Of the road, which there made bend
70 tie right for convenience Gf crossing tb.
TaEine higher Up. where IL WAS shallow
surprise u tie town Of Port Gibson was
nov out Of question, aud / established NV
headquarters al tho house where tie enemyfs
picket had been stationed. They had evidently
been having good time, probably with SOM.
young ladies' for We found some fany which
they had been pulling, and enjoyed ID Ourselves.
also got there one Of those small burnside
ear5iness which kept long while.