The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-02-20

during all this time; but that of the enemy
was directed at our Second Brigade and the
batteries, as they did not know that the First
Brigade was tlanking them. Stacks Brigade,
of Hoveys Division, then came along the road,
Old Slack leading, swinging his hat and cheer
ing, and his brigade coming CALAMITY on.
Benton's Brigade swung to the left like tho
blade Of pair of shears and caught those two
guns between 10 and the Second Brigade,
the skirmishers of which were then crossing
the ravine which was deep and difficult to
the left of the road.
The Coniedcrates, except those disabled and
captured, retreltod across some open fields be-
yOnd the Tavino, and our men pursued them
without much thought of order or organiza-
ton.
man of the First Brigade had taken the
battery flag and put 10 i'm his bosom. My Aid
(Lieut. John T.. Phelps, Sd u. $. Cav, afterward
Brgadier-Gencral of voluntcers,l took coon
skin haversack of one Of the Caissons aud put
IL over his shoulders. and wore IL during the
rest of the campaign. inclose his letter giving
his Tec0llcetions, also that of my Adjutant-
General, c. III. Dyer&
Just Mt this time Hovey's men came mp and
took possession of the guns, none of our men
thinking of waiting 10 hold them.
Hovey evidently thought he was doing it
all; because he complained TO Gen. Mctler-
nand that my men, the reserve OF the Second
Brigade, posted along the ravinc would not
charge when he ordered them; and presume
he thought, and thinks, his men were III front,
as they had possession of those two guns when
he came up, and held on 10 them.
We were, however, not so green at Black
River Bridge where you remember we capt
ured a large number of prisoners and guns and
johnny Phelps put guards over them. There,
however, we could not pursue, as the river
stopped Us, and we were, therefore, not tempted
10 run after the enemy and leave our guns for
our friends To capture.
While the charge was going on, and the cne-
my's shot coming hot. | rode into n little cut
In bank, and guess Gen. Grant thought was
Sinking. He came riding along the road, and
went up To Cl0uSs battery. which was firing
over the mems heads as they were crossing the
Tavine. lie tried To stop the firing, fearing
that II would hurt our men; but the old Dutch
man did not understand or recognize him, or
thought he knew his business, aud paid no at
tention 10 the General, till ], seeing who it
was, rode up and got him stopped; not too soon,
but just soon enough, rs our men were then,
some, browning the crest of the bank and some
closing from the right on those guns
While We Were getting our men together
again, and was in front of the church, Gen.
Benton brought me the man who had the bat
terry flag He took il from his bosom and
showed IL 10 me. and said lie wanted to carry
ii during the day and see ii they could get it
] regret exceedingly that DO not know his
name or regiment. nor what became Of him or
the flag, which told the story of no reached
the guns first.
This letter, if published, may bring him for
ward, and may induce others TO tell what
they l@ow. had as much as | could attend
TO for those two days and nights, and got
but little rest I'LL We got into Port Gibson. May
=, when went TO sleep while they were firing
the bridge; and just after walked got a repri-
mand from Gen. Grant, because Gen. LAWYER
twho had just joined and taken command OF
the Second Brigade) allowed his men 10 FIRE off
their guns TO clean them.
They fired across the bayou, and created
quito an excitement By causing the impression
that Tie enemy had appeared on the bank to
interfere with making the bridge and it made
the General very angry.
20 did not have 20 much good luck as ! had
hoped, from the accident, of. opening The cam
paEn. However, IL was "A great satisfaction in
itself aud IL WAS constant source of pride and
pleasure 60 command such troons as composed
that Fourteenth Division of Grants Nicksburg
army.
return your letter with answers 20 each of
your questions rs well rs remember, and re-
main, yours, most sincerely,
EUGENE A. CARR,
ys.E.