The National tribune., 1909-09-30

River for the safe passage of Union
vessels. These operations began with
the crossing of Berwick Bay on the 9Th
of April, and were TO culminate IN the
reduction of Port Hudson. To accom-
plish this end he was to cooperate
with Gen. Grant, who was at the same
| time slowly advancing on Vicksburg.
The situation of Port Hudson was fav-
orable for defensive action both by land
and by water. It occupied the summit
| of a cliff on the east bank of the Mis-
sissippi River, forming almost a semi
circle about a bend in the river. Long
stretches of broken ground with hills,
| woods and ravines made it difficult of
access from the surrounding country.
During an interval of several months
the Confederates had constructed
around the place a series of works of
remarkable strength. A heavy, we'll
mounted battery commanded the bluff
on the water side at an elevation of
about so feet above the river. A con-
tinuous line of parapet encirc1ed the
place from Ross Landing, about a
mile below the fort, to the waters edge
on the northern side. Every adjacent
hill was a redoubt. Heavy artillery
raked the ravines and open spaces, bris-
Ting guns covered all approaches, the
outworks were well planned to delay
an attacking army and impede prog
| ress, and when the forces Of Cen. Banks
| took position on the Goth of May the
commanding officers knew that n severe
struggle must take place before the
Union Flag would float above the gar
riSon.
The positions taken by the army at
this stronghold were: Gen. Weitzers
Brigade occupied the right. Gems. Augur
and Grover the center and Gen. T. w.
Sherman the left. while Farragut'S fleet
engaged the batteries on the river. The
plan was fully outlined to the COM
Inanders of brigades, regiments and
batteries the night before the assault
| began, and Gen. Banks ordered the
| attack to open simultaneously all along
| the lines. In the engagement Col
Thomas commanded WeitZePs Brigade.
consisting of the Sth VT, 18th Conn.
and the I14th and 10th n. Y. In ac-
cordance with orders the fleet opened
with their guns on the river on the
morning of May q, and rafned shot
and shell upon the garrison. The land
batteries began firing with great spirit
| ana determination, and the ground
| faIriy shook, while the air echoed with
the noise OF battle WeitzePs Division
| at once moved into action and at the
| outset Thomas's Brigade was the third
| in line of battle. The first advanced
and found the enemy as soon as they
entered the woods, and the mUsketry
firing became hot, heavy and incessant
| structions in the way. and. being COM
| pletely exposed to a raking fire, the
men in the foremost lines fell rapidly,
ard while trying to force the enemy
from the outer position they were so
badly broken up that Gen. WeitZel or
dered Thomas to charge with his bri-
gtde. His men responded nobly, led by
! the gallant Colonel on foot, for orders
had been given to the field and staff
officers to leave their horses in the
rear In few moments they passed
| the broken lines of the other briga des
! fell upon the enemy with a rush. drove
/ them from their position. captured
many of them and hurried the rest from
| point to point until they were sent bacl,
! in disorder behind their main fortifica-
| tons.
When Gen. Thomas halted his men
| after his brilliant sally they found
themselves within SO or rs yards of the
main earthworks of the enemy and
| exposed. to a murderous fire which the
| Confederates instantly opened upon us
| To remain there or to attempt to scale
| the works was useless. Therefore, we
| fell back down into n ravine, and Col
Thomas reported to Gen. Weitzel what
] he had done. Word came back 10 hold