The National tribune., 1906-02-08

"The sap on Gen. Growers front has
been pushed to within 13 feet of the
ditch in the re-entrant OF the priest
cap. The sap-roller rolled into the
ditch last night
IAN elite storming party has been
organized, made up Of about $50 vol
unteers from the whole force. under
the command Of Col Fl. w. Birge, 18th
Conn.,, who has been engaged some days
in preparing the column for It's work.
The number of deserters increases
steadily. There have been 80 to-day
The beef-cattle of the garrison have all
been killed, either for food or by our
fire, and the salt meat has all been eat
en-. The men who deserted to-day after
dinner have had no meat and were told
they would get no more, and that mule
meat was to be issued hereafter.
II have seen copy OF the Port Hud-
son Herald of the oSth, containing the
news Of the arrival at that place of an
officer from Gen. Joe Johnston with
dispatches Gen. Gardner publishes a
general order, Of date the 9th. assur-
ing the garrison that Gen. Johnston will
soon relieve Vicksburg, and then send
reinforcements here. and declaring his
purpose to defend the place to the last
extremity.
"On the 18th instant a force Of the
enemy (stated by some of our prison.
ers. who were released on parole to be
one regiment of infantry, two Of cav
airy and a battery of artillery, under
the command of Col. James p Major
burned the steamers Anglo-American
and Sykes at Plaquemine, taking 68
prisoners, of whom five were citizens.
The prisoners consisted mainly Of some
convalescents belonging to the 2Sth Me-
1.-THE same force then passed down
q hn nd
avoiding Donaldsonville, struck the
Opelousas Railway at Terre Bonne Sta
tion on the goth instant cutting off COM
municaiOn between Brashear City and
New Orleans.
"The same day they attacked and
were repulsed by our forces at La
Fourche Crossing consisting of the
10th n. Y. and 23d Conn, lacking two
companies, which had been concentrat-
ed to meet the attack, under command
Of Lieut.-Col. Albert Stickney, 47th
Mass.
"The attack was renewed on the
afternoon of the 21st, and again re-
pulsed in manner very creditable to
the troops engaged and to their COM
mander. With less than 1,000 men he
drove back the greatly-superfor force
of the enemy, who retired, leaving SO
of his dead on the field and 16 prison
ers in our hands. Our loss was eight
killed and 16 wounded
'"The 26th Mass. and 9Th Conn. were
sent down from New Orleans in spe-
cial train that night, and, the 18th Me-,
which had oppertuneIy arrived from
Pensacola. followed the next morning.
No further attack was made.
'"rhe steamer st. Mary's sent round
from New Orleans, with orders from
Gen. Emory to the troops at Brashear
to hold out to the last, met at South
west Pass the gunboat Hollyhock, re-
turning from Berwick Bay, with the
unpleasant news that the enemy, hay
ing crossed the lake on RATS in consid
erable force, succeeded, on the 22d in
slant, In surprising and capturing the
small garrison at Brashear--although
as fully warned of thei~ danger as any
orders could warn thann-taking at the
same time about 800 prisoners, two 30
FOUNDER Parrott and six 24-pounder
guns. small train Of cars and every
thing else at the place
early yesterday morning Donald
sonviile, garrisoned by but 225 men, in
Guiding convalescents, under the COM
mand of Maj. J. d. Bullen, 2sth Me-,
enemy. under the command of Brig
Gen. Thomas Green, of Texas.
1.-The attack began at 1:30 a. m, and
lasted till daylight. The defense was
most gallant. The brave garrison de-
Tended their interior line with despera-
with great slaughter, killing and wound
ing more than their own number, and
taking prisoners twice as many officers
and nearly as many men as they had.
1.-THE enemy retreated some five miles
and Gen. Green sent a flag asking per-
mission to bury his dead, singularly
enough accompanied by an apology for
his failure-that he was unfortunate in
not getting his men into the skirmish,
owing to the rashness Of his command
ers.
II sent down Brig. Gen. last
night with the 1st La. and two sections
of Blossoms Battery, and Gen. Emory
sent up two companies from New Or
leans.
1.-THE gunbOats Winona, Princess
Royal and Monongahela rendered great
assistance I'm the defense of Donaldson
vile and they have since been joined
by the Genesee.
"Our forces on the railway have fall
en- back upon Algiers. The forces Of the
enemy now occupying the La Fourche
and operating upon our communica- |
tions consist Of all the troops in west |
ern Louisiana. under Maj.-Gen. Taylor, |
and about 5000 cavalry, sent by Ma
Is from 5000 to 1900. The fall of
Port Hudson will enable US to settle |
that affair very speedily.
"The dispositions of Brig Gen. En-
Ory were well made and with the great |
est promptitude, and our only misfor-
tune at Brashear Is due entirely to the
and disobedience of subor-
I'm these operations but 400 soldiers
could be left in New Orleans to protect
the depots Of this army and all our vital
interests I'm large city occupied by a |
population essentially hostile, and liza
BILE from it's position to sudden attacks
II ON several quarters.
1.-THE consequences that would have
the movement of the enemy
upon the La Fourche. had my COM
mand moved to Vicksburg, leaving
Port Hudson and it's garrison in my
rear. are obvious-New Orleans would
have fallen. A few more days must
decide the fate Of this place. I regard
Its fall as certain"
The Gallant Defense OF the Besieged.
While too much honor can not be Civ
EN- to the splendidly- -indomitable
Yankees, who. enfeehled by disease and
discouraged by Encouragement,
steadily pushed forward their deadly
advance. fighting for every foot of
ground they gained. 1t must be con-
ceded that the garrison made a mag
nificent defense. The garrison had i'm