taking a number of prisoners, and forcing the enemy, through his fears, to mass his forces to stop my progress. Another rumor charges me with the responsibility of the loss sustained by the other army corps. And wherefore, do you imagine? Simply, because I urged that other parts of the line should continue the attack as well as mine, or that I should be reënforced-one or the other. In asking the former, I but asked what General Grant had expressly and peremptorily ordered. The fault, therefore, if any, was not with me. In asking, alternatively, the latter, I only asked what, in massing our forces on a single and shaking point, would have materially conduced to the suc cess of the attack. every attempt to dislodge me, and in the mean time repeatedly asked for a diversion of the enemy on my right, or to be reënforced. Reënforcements finally came up, but too late; night cut short the engagement. With timely reenforcements, I doubt not, what a number of my officers affirmed, that we could have gone through the enemy's works. Indeed, I have learned since that the enemy was about to yield. With what justice it has been imputed to us that we have brought up the rear, you will decide. Others, doubtless, have done their duty as well-it may be, better than we. It is foreign to my purpose to complain of any one, to make invidious comparisons; but let justice be done. If need be, let there be an investigation by com Perhaps our endeavors would have been crown-petent authority of the whole campaign, in all its ed with success if the latter plan of attack had parts and policy, and in regard to all its officials, been originally adopted. In short, it was but from Milliken's Bend to this place, and the truth fair for all to coöperate under an order from a declared. Your obedient servant, common superior, alike binding on all, for the atJOHN A. McCLERNAND. tainment of a common object. And if loss was To His Excellency, Richard Yates, Governor of sustained by others, it was also sustained by me, Illinois. probably in still greater proportion; but not as a consequence of any thing that I said or did, but as a consequence of the order alluded to, and the effort to carry it into successful effect. INDIANAPOLIS "JOURNAL" ACCOUNT. CAMP IN REAR OF VICKSBURGH. On Friday, the twenty-second, while accompanying General Smith's aid, I again had an opportunity of witnessing some of the operations. Coming as it did, from competent authority, it is not my province, nor is this the proper occasion to impugn that order. Without intending injustice to any one, I may be permitted to say that my corps led the advance from Milliken's Bend to Bruin's Landing, and to the field at Port Gibson. At the latter place it was the first to attack the enemy and break his force. This battle was determinate of all our following successes. Pursuing the enemy next day, it captured the town of Port Gibson, and drove the enemy from the north bank of Bayou Pierre; thence marching toward Edward's Station, on the Vicksburgh and Jackson Railroad, it encountered and drove back the enemy from one of the crossings of Fourteen Mile Creek, on the same day that General Sherman drove him back from the crossing at Turkey Creek, and McPherson beat him near Raymond. Soon after it led the advance to Bolton on the railroad, and again against the enemy at Champion Hill, first attacking him and achieving a signal victory, with the assistance of McPherson's corps. That my corps bore the brunt here is attested by the conspicuous part borne by General Hovey, and the greater loss sustained by his division. Rapidly pursuing the routed enemy, we captured many prisoners, together with Edwards's Station, and all of the enemy's stores there, during the evening and night of the same day. By eight o'clock the next morning we over-ed the hissing hail of lead. took the enemy in considerable force on the Big Black River, and immediately engaged him, drove him from his skilfully constructed works at the point of the bayonet, taking many prisoners and eighteen pieces of cannon. Thence we marched upon Vicksburgh, and have done what has already been recounted. Brilliantly streamed the sunlight on that May morning over the fort-crowned hills around Vicksburgh. Traces of serious thought were upon the countenances of the men, for they well knew that to many that gladdening sunlight was their last. The order was to open with all our guns, and at ten o'clock to charge. From the hills where the siege-guns were planted, manned by the First regulars, the wreathing smoke of our batteries in active operation, could be seen around the whole line, while to the ear, came the sudden roar of the gunboats on the river. The rebel hospital and court-house were in sight, but for miles along their rifle-pits and forts, not a man was visible. About four hundred yards in front of their works, was a ridge, on the top of which the rebels had burnt a house. Three pieces of the First Indiana battery were in the rear of the chimney, and two of Blunt's cannon were in the road, to the left of which Generals Carr and Smith made their headquarters. The odds were now largely against me, yet for some eight hours I held my ground, baffling Between ten and eleven o'clock, the rattle of musketry and a shower of bullets announced that Benton's brigade was advancing. General Carr, followed by his staff, rode up to the ravine from the railroad, stopping just below the crest of the hill, and sat like a statue while around him pass Lawler's brigade, on the left, advanced nearly to the works, and while Osterhaus's division was falling back, Landrum's brigade rushed down the hill through the ravine and commenced ascending the hill on which that fort was situated, amid the concentrated fire of a half-dozen forts. The Twenty-second Iowa had planted their flag on the outer edge. Some of the Pioneer corps, with picks, were trying to dig into the works. A few reached the inside and were fighting hand to hand. While this was transpiring on the left of the railroad, equally heroic actions were being performed on the right. Burbridge's brigade had been ordered to the support of Benton. Colonel Washburn, of the Eighteenth, shouted to his men: "The Hoosiers are coming." Colonel Lucas answered, as with gun on his shoulder he led up his men: "Here's your mule." Some of the Eighteenth had jumped into the ditch and could not get out. Smith ordered Burbridge to send two regiments from his right to the left, to which the answer was: "I cannot move; they are rolling down cotton-bales and trying to flank us." Major Montgomery and Captain De Grasse, of the Eighth Missouri cavalry, went over the hill by the burnt chimney shouting like Indians. Captain De Grasse had a ball in his foot, and the staff-officer who attempted to follow their example received two bullets in his horse. Colonel Wright, too sick to fight, had crawled up to see it. The Sixteenth Indiana moved by the flank up to where the Eighteenth was lying close by the fort. These two regiments who have seen service in States widely separated, now mingled their ranks and planted | their flags side by side on the crest of a rebel fort in Mississippi. The rebels scarcely daring to show a head under the constant stream of bullets, lit the fuses of shells and threw them by hand among our men, who showed them a Yankee trick by coolly picking them up and throwing them back, where they exploded among the traitors. The exaggerated pictures of illustrated papers usually provoke our merriment, but this scene far surpassed any description words could give of it. Not a man in the two divisions believed they could enter the fort, but here they stood thickly crowded before the fort they could not storm; on the edge of the ditch they could not cross; under an enfilading fire that diminished their numbers, coolly throwing back the lighted shells that fell among them. Slowly the hours dragged by. Messengers came from each brigade, asking reënforcements. Word was sent to the Eighth Indiana to advance to the left of the fort. Colonel Shunk answered: "Half of my men are killed and wounded, but I will go with the rest.” McPherson's attack had been repulsed, and the rebels had concentrated in our front. All hearts felt glad when, coming up the road, appeared the head of column of Quinby's old division, now commanded, I believe, by Crocker. General Carr took Colonel Boorman, commanding the brigade, and showed him the position he wished him to occupy. The brigade was formed, and moved over the hill, and now fiercely rose the storm of musket-balls, canister and shell. The living passed on, trembling, over the dead and wounded of their own ranks, over the broken ground, through bushes and abattises, where no line could be kept. All had noticed the gallant bearing of Colonel Boorman as he formed and led his brigade over the hill. In a few minutes I saw two men bringing back his corse, his clothes torn and dirty, blood running from his mouth and ears; he died as a hero should. Without presuming to criticise those who ordered the movement, I think an error was committed in the way and manner in which the last brigade advanced. If they intended the rebels should only feel its force, it might have moved around the ravine as the other troops did, concealed as long as possible. If it was intended to show reënforcements coming, they could not expect a single brigade to overawe the rebels, who, for a whole day, had kept back two divisions, even though that brigade advanced so boldly under the murderous fire. At last night came and orders were given to withdraw. The men came back with clothes torn and dusty, and faces blackened with powder. They had lived years in those few hours. General Burbridge, the man to whom honor is dearer than life, came back with his brigade, his eyes glaring, and the perspiration standing thick upon his haggard face. General McClernand, of a nervous, sensitive temperament, seemed much depressed at the slaughter of his men. Carr, the hero of Pea Ridge, who had freely exposed himself all day, seemed the most cool and businesslike man on the field. In the morning a soldier had cried out, "Look at the men falling" he broke fiercely out: "Who talks of dead men here? Think of the enemy, and of killing them. It is no time to speak of dead men now.' General Smith is the oldest among the generals in years, and one of the most fiery and impetuous in disposition. In the bewildering chaos of battle men tell the incidents which strike them most forcibly. Mistakes cannot be avoided in such rapidity of action. The men came back singly or in groups. Some regiments formed a line on the top of the ridge. General McClernand, in a low tone, called his division commanders around him, and while the big drops of rain commenced falling, soldiers were calling on comrades' names and carrying by the wounded, these men sat on the hillside and held a consultation near the body of Colonel Boorman. A dreary ending of a fearful day. I do not believe greater bravery was ever displayed than by the men of these two divisions, who, without hope, had boldly assaulted the works, and for eight hours maintained the unequal contest. The Eighth Indiana had lost nearly one hundred men killed and wounded. Among the killed were three captains. Lieutenant-Colonel Jenks, of the Eighteenth, was mortally wounded. Colonel Lucas, of the Sixteenth, was hit twice, but not seriously. I have spoken only of the bravery of Indiana regiments, but from no disparagement to the soldiers of other States. In the divisions of Smith and Carr, not a regiment faltered or fell back. History alone will reward the actions of those who gave their lives here today, and in other years men will read with thrilling interest of that "wild charge they made." J. R. S. C. ADMIRAL PORTER'S REPORT. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, FLAG-SHIP BLACK HAWK, May 23. SIR: On the evening of the twenty-first I received a communication from General Grant, informing me that he intended to attack the whole of the rebel works at ten o'clock A.M. on the next day, and asking me to shell the batteries from half-past nine until half-past ten, to annoy the garrison. I kept six mortars playing rapidly on the works and town all night, and sent the Benton, and Mound City, and Carondelet, up to shell the water-batteries, and other places where troops might be resting during the night. At seven o'clock in the morning the Mound City proceeded across the river and made an attack on the hill batteries opposite the canal. At eight o'clock I joined her with the Benton, Tuscumbia, and Carondelet. All these vessels opened on the hill batteries, and finally silenced them, though the main work on the battery containing the heavy rifled gun was done by the Mound City, Lieutenant Commanding Byron Wilson. I then pushed the Benton, Mound City, and Carondelet up to the water-batteries, leaving the Tuscumbia (which is still out of repair) to keep the hill batteries from firing on our vessels after they had passed by. The three gunboats passed up slowly, owing to the strong current, the Mound City leading, the Benton following, and the Carondelet astern. The water-batteries opened furiously, supported by a hill battery on the starboard. The vessels advanced to within four hundred and fifty yards, by our marks, and returned the fire for two hours, without cessation, the enemy's fire being very accurate and incessant. Finding that the hill batteries behind us were silenced, I ordered up the Tuscumbia to within eight hundred yards of the batteries; but her turret was soon made untenable, not being able to stand the enemy's shot, and I made her drop down. I had been engaged with the forts an hour longer than General Grant asked. The vessels had all received severe shots under water, which we could not stop up while in motion, and not knowing what might have delayed the movement of the army, I ordered the vessels to drop out of fire, which they did in a cool and handsome manner. This was the hottest fire the gunboats have ever been under, but owing to the water-batteries being more on a level with them than usual, the gunboats threw in their shell so fast that the aim of the enemy was not very good. The enemy hit the vessels a number of times, but the shot did but little damage. Not a man was killed, and only a few wounded. I had only enough ammunition for a few moments longer, and set all hands to work to fill up from our depot below. After dropping back I found that the enemy had taken possession again of one of the lower hill batteries, and was endeavoring to remount his guns, and had mounted a twelve-pounder field-piece to fire on General McArthur's troops, which had landed a short time before at Warrenton. I sent the Mound City and Carondelet to drive him off, which they did in a few moments. I beg leave to inclose a letter from General McArthur, explaining why he did (to use his own expression) take advantage of the results gained by the gunboats. I have since learned from General Grant that the army did assault at the right time vigorously. In the noise and smoke we could not see or hear it. The gunboats were, therefore, still fighting when the assault had proved unsuccessful. The army have terrible work before them, and are fighting as well as soldiers ever fought before. But the works are stronger than any of us dreamed of. General Grant and his soldiers are confident that the brave and energetic Generals in the army will soon overcome all obstacles and carry the works. DAVID D. PORTER, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. Doc. 201. Acting Rear Admiral OPERATIONS AT PORT HUDSON. REPORT OF GENERAL BANKS. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE Gulf, NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS, BEFORE PORT HUDSON, May 30, 1863. Major-General Halleck, General-in-Chief, Washington: GENERAL: Leaving Semmesport, on the Atchafalaya, where my command was at the date of my last despatch, I landed at Bayou Sara at two o'clock on the morning of the twenty-first. A portion of the infantry were transported in steamers, and the residue of the infantry, artillery, cavalry, and wagon-train moved down on the west bank of the river, and from this to Bayou Sara. On the twenty-third a junction was effected with the advance of Major-General Augur and Brigadier-General Sherman, our line occupying the Bayou Sara road at a distance of five miles from Port Hudson. Major-General Augur had an encounter with a portion of the enemy on the Bayou Sara road, in the direction of Baton Rouge, which resulted in the repulse of the enemy with heavy loss. On the twenty-fifth the enemy was compelled to abandon his first line of works. General Weitzel's brigade, which had covered our rear in the march from Alexandria, joined us on the twenty-sixth, and on the morning of the twentyseventh a general assault was made upon the fortifications. The artillery opened fire between five and six o'clock, which was continued with animation during the day. At ten o'clock Weitzel's brigade, with the division of General Grover, reduced to about two brigades, and the division of General Emory, temporarily reduced by detachments to about a brigade, under command of Colonel Paine, with On the left the infantry did not come up until later in the day; but at two o'clock an assault was opened on the works on the centre and left of centre by the divisions under Major-General Augur and Brigadier-General Sherman. The enemy was driven into his works, and our troops moved up to the fortifications, holding the opposite sides of the parapet with the enemy. On the right our troops still hold this position. On the left, after dark, the main body being exposed to a flank fire, withdrew to a belt of woods, the skirmishers remaining close upon the fortifications. In the assault of the twenty-seventh, the behaviour of the officers and men was most gallant, and left nothing to be desired. Our limited acquaintance with the ground, and the character of the works, which were almost hidden from our observation until the moment of approach, alone prevented the capture of the post. NEW-ORLEANS "ERA" ACCOUNT. NEW-ORLEANS, May 28. The long-expected attack upon Port Hudson commenced yesterday, and last night and this morning it was continued, the advantage being with us, although it has been one of, if not the bloodiest battle that has yet been fought on this continent. As I have before stated, the position was closely invested some days since, our right resting on Thompson's Bayou, and the left on Springfield's Landing. Our line of investment was as follows: The extreme right was commanded by General Weitzel, with his own and the division of General Emory; the right centre by General Grover; the left centre by General Augur, and the extreme left by General T. W. Sherman - our artillery brigade being under command of General Arnold. The defences of Port Hudson, on the land face, consist of several lines of intrenchments and rifle-pits, with an abattis of heavy trees felled in every direction. It is one of the strongest positions in the world, and to assault it in the face of the terrible fire of artillery and musketry to which an attacking force would be exposed, seemed almost impossible, with any hope of success. It has been commenced, however, and carried on thus far with success, but with terrible slaughter. We are expecting momentarily to hear that it has fallen, for if it cost ten thousand men, General Banks and the gallant officers and men under his command, will never rest, now that they have commenced, until the Stars and Stripes wave over the stronghold of the rebels. The assault has been made with unparalleled fury; no men in the world ever fought with more bravery or determination than our glorious volunteers; but the defence has been excellent, as the result of the first day's fighting will show. On the extreme right of our line I posted the first and third regiments of negro troops. The First regiment of Louisiana engineers, composed exclusively of colored men, excepting the officers, was also engaged in the operations of the day. The position occupied by these troops was one of importance, and called for the utmost steadiness and bravery in those to whom it was confided. It gives me pleasure to report that they answered every expectation. In many respects their conduct was heroic. No troops could be more determined or more daring. They made during the day three charges upon the batteries of the enemy, suffering very heavy losses, and holding their position at nightfall with the other troops on the right of our line. The highest commendation is bestowed upon them by all the officers in command on the right. Whatever doubt may have existed heretofore as to the efficiency of organizations of this character, the history of this day proves conclusively to those who were in condition to observe the conduct of these regiments that the Government will find in this class of troops effective supporters and defenders. All the Commanding General's plans having The severe test to which they were subjected, been perfected, it was determined to feel the enand the determined manner in which they en- emy at once. Accordingly the attack was orcountered the enemy, leaves upon my mind no dered for yesterday morning. It was arranged doubt of their ultimate success. They require with Admiral Farragut that the attack should be only good officers, commands of limited num-general, by land and water at the same time, and bers, and careful discipline, to make them excellent soldiers. The number and calibre of the guns in the rebel batteries facing the river is yet to be determined, and also their force inside of the works, but we have good reason for saying to-day that they have at least twelve thousand men. artillery force of our army is very large, and many of the guns are of very heavy calibre, and, under the able direction of General Arnold, they have done most efficient service. The signals were established between the army and navy, in order to prevent the shot and shell from our ships being thrown over the enemy and into the lines of our attacking force. Although our men had endured the fatigues of battle and hard marching, in the recent campaign in the Teche, they forgot it all when they found themselves in front of Port Hudson, and knew it was to be attacked. They were in high spirits as the time drew nigh, and became impatient for the moment to arrive when the order "forward!" should be given. All thought of the uncertainty of battle seemed to have vanished; every one seemed to think he would prove a hero, and felt certain that promotion would follow the battle of to-morrow. Those who witnessed the enthusiasm of our men said it was wonderful; their bearing was more like that of veterans than men who less than a year ago knew nothing of war and its horrors. They appeared determined to know no such word as fail, and felt satisfied that by their exertions a great point was to be gained in bringing this war to a successful termination. The line of battle was formed at daybreak yesterday morning, and no better men can be found in any army than they who formed it. I refer to the division commanders-Weitzel, the young man, but old soldier; Grover, the well-known commander of a brigade in Hooker's division on the Peninsula; Augur, who commanded a brigade and was wounded at Cedar Mountain; and last, though not least, Sherman, better known in the army as Tim Sherman, one of the best soldiers in the service. The plan appears to have been to carry the enemy's positions on the right and left first, and this work consequently devolved upon the divisions of Generals Weitzel and Sherman. It was not long after the advance was sounded that our troops met those of the enemy, and it soon became evident that every foot of ground we gained was to be fought for with determination. The fight soon commenced along the entire line. On the right the sharp rattle of musketry and roar of artillery gave notice that Weitzel was at work, and as it increased in intensity it became evident that he was having no boy's play; and he had not. Every inch was disputed; the enemy fought with the ferocity of demons; but it was to no purpose; our boys drove them slowly but steadily, using clubbed muskets and bayonets when they could not load. It was soon apparent that whatever else would be done by the army, Weitzel was bound to win; his column could not be checked, although suffering greatly; the enemy went down before them as grass before the scythe of the mower; and, although the work was tedious and bloody, no one faltered. General Weitzel, keeping his men well in hand for the last rush, put them at the enemy's works on the river side, and they went on with a will, making the air resound with their shouts. Here the fight became murderous; it was hand to hand and breast to breast, the bayonet doing the main part of the work. The rebels could not stand it, however, and were compelled to fall back. Our people pressed them close, allowing no space to be created between the attacked and the attacker, and finally drove them into, and then out of the celebrated six-gun battery that did such terrible execution upon the steamer Mississippi the night she was destroyed. Here was a great point gained-a point that we could use to advantage against the other works of the enemy. And it did not take long for the quick eye of Weitzel to sec all this and profit by it. As soon as practi ble, the guns were shifted and put to work, and were busy at last accounts in throwing shot and shell into and against the position of their late owners. This was decidedly the most brilliant and successful part of the day's work-not that the men fought any better, or showed more determi nation than those on other parts of the field, but it was the greatest point gained, and proved what we could do when resolved to accomplish certain ends. By this operation the enemy's left was turned, and in a manner to prevent the lost ground being recovered. The battery captured was the most annoying of any of the line, for it raked completely the channel-way of the river. No more desperate fighting has ever taken place than that of the division of General Sherman, yesterday, in the attack upon the right of the enemy's position. Our men faced the storm of iron and lead that was hurled against them as if it had always been their business to do so. They moved steadily forward under the most murderous fire of shot, shell, grape, canister, and musketry, with a steadiness that was surprising. When Ciudad Rodrigo was stormed, the flower of the English army was selected for the "forlorn hope;" but they, veterans as they were, never moved with firmer step or more solid column than did the Second division of the Nineteenth army corps in the attack of yesterday upon the right of the enemy's position with an impetuous charge. The Sixth Michigan and the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth New-York carried the enemy's works at the point of the bayonet; but they were compelled to give way, as the enemy had massed its troops here, and it became necessary for our glorious fellows to fall back before overwhelming numbers. Not much ground was lost, however; we only failed to maintain our position within the main works. The Second regiment, Louisiana Native Guard, Colonel Neilson, were in this charge; they went on in the advance, and when they came out six out of the nine hundred men could not be accounted for. It is said on every side that they fought with the desperation of tigers. After firing one volley they did not deign to load again, but went in with bayonets, and wherever they had a chance it was all up with the rebels. Although we gained much ground, and held it, still the principal object of this attack was not accomplished-namely, getting possession of and holding the batteries on the enemy's right. It was owing to some misunderstanding. The charge cost us heavily in killed and wounded. General Sherman led the attack in person, and fell severely wounded in the leg General Neal Dow was also wounded. Colonel Clarke, of the Sixth Michigan, was killed. Colonel Cowles, of the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth New-York, also, by a bayonet thrust; LieutenantColonel Smith of the Zouaves, severely wounded. The Sixth Michigan and One Hundred and Twen ty-eighth New-York have each lost about half their effective men, and the other regiments have suffered severely. The attack on the centre of the enemy's posi tion by the columns of Generals Augur and Gro |