DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF IN 1863.
General N. P. Banks arrived in New Orleans on December 14, 1862, having been appointed to supersede General Butler in command of the Department of the Gulf. The news of this change created much surprise among all classes of citizens; and not a few of those who were opposed to the restoration of the national supremacy were sorry to part with an officer who, though obnoxious for his zeal in the discharge of his duties, had succeeded in establishing unexampled order and security in the city. General Butler tendered a cordial welcome to his successor, assuring him that the army would render a cheerful obedience to his orders. On the 15th General Butler took leave of the troops under his command, and paid a well-merited tribute to their patriotism, valor, and soldierly bearing; and on the following day he issued a lengthy address to the citizens, in which he recapitulated the leading measures of his administration, demonstrated the many great advantages which had resulted from the reestablishment of the Federal authority, and exhorted them all to return fully to their allegiance as the only means of obtaining peace and lasting prosperity to their city.
On the same day a proclamation was issued by General Banks of a patriotic and conciliatory tone. The commencement of General Banks’s administration was marked by a leniency which seemed to indicate that the severity which General Butler had thought it necessary to exercise was either distasteful to the new commander, or contrary to the policy of the Government. Many political prisoners were released, and other lenient measures adopted towards obstinate rebels, which only resulted in the abuse of his clemency, and the manifestation of a turbulent spirit and disloyal conduct on the part of rebellious citizens. It soon became evident that General Banks did not possess the ability to govern a conquered city with that ease and tact which had been evinced by his predecessor; and during his whole administration he was subjected to opposition and constant annoyance from a class of civilians upon whom the more bold and energetic measures of his predecessor had always been sufficiently potent to restrain them from direct conflict with him.
Previous to the arrival of General Banks at New Orleans, he had been for two months engaged in organizing a military and naval force to accompany him, which was designed, in the first place, to cooperate with the forces of General Grant and Admiral Porter in the reduction of Port Hudson and Vicksburg, in order to open the Mississippi river to the free passage of the Federal gunboats. This accomplished, a movement on Texas was contemplated, which State was now contributing largely by her trade on the Mexican border, and her contributions of army subsistence, to sustain the rebellion.
No military events of importance occurred in Louisiana until the middle of March, 1863, excepting a small expedition up the Teche river by the gunboats, in which Commander Buchanan of the Calhoun was killed.
During the first weeks in March General Banks had concentrated his army at Baton Rouge, amounting to nearly twenty-five thousand men. The naval forces on the lower Mississippi were under the command of Admiral Farragut.
Port Hudson, or Hickey’s Landing, as it was called some years ago, is situated on a bend in the Mississippi river, about twenty-two miles above Baton Rouge, and one hundred and forty-seven above New Orleans. Approaching Port Hudson by water from below, the first batteries were situated on a bluff about forty feet above high water mark.
On the night of 14–15th March, Admiral Farragut passed the rebel batteries at Port Hudson with his flagship, the Hartford, and the Albatross. He attacked the forts with his entire fleet, but all but the two vessels above named were repulsed, and the Mississippi, having grounded, was set on fire and abandoned. A graphic description of this event is given by a correspondent of the New York Herald, on board the Richmond, from which we subjoin the following condensed account, written at the time:
“The rebel batteries extend about four miles in length, with a gap here and there between. Below, just before the high bluff begins, a very large number of field batteries were placed in position. These batteries are by no means to be despised; for in such a narrow part of the river they are just as effective as siege guns, especially as they can be handled with far greater facility than ordnance of larger size. Proceeding upward, the regular fortifications commence. They seem to consist of three distinct ranges of batteries, numbering several in each range. It does not seem, however, that either of them mounts guns of very large calibre. The river now begins to trend to the west, forming a faint representation of a horseshoe, in the hollow of which the town of Port Hudson is situated. It is right in that hollow, and just below the town, that the most formidable battery—the central one—is situated, on the highest bluff. Four heavy guns appear to be mounted there in casemates. I say appear, because the flashes from these guns revealed nothing; but the flame from the muzzles showed that all beyond was in obscurity—precisely as would be the case with guns in casemate. The other guns, en barbette, or peering through open embrasures, revealed, when fired, something of the lay of the land behind and around, though but for a moment. Above the town are other batteries, only less formidable than those just below. Beyond these the high bluffs gradually subside into the general level of the surrounding country. Right opposite the principal batteries, on the right bank of the river, is the point of land on which the Mississippi grounded, in consequence of which she had to be set on fire and destroyed.”
After describing the first shots from the Hartford, which were promptly returned by the rebel batteries, the correspondent thus describes the mortars opening fire:
“And now was heard a thundering roar, equal in volume to a whole park of artillery. This was followed by a rushing sound, accompanied by a howling noise that beggars description. Again and again was the sound repeated, till the vast expanse of heaven rang with the awful minstrelsy. It was apparent that the mortar-boats had opened fire. Of this I was soon convinced on casting my eyes aloft. Never shall I forget the sight that then met my astonished vision. Shooting upward at an angle of forty-five degrees, with the rapidity of lightning, small globes of golden flame were seen sailing through the pure ether—not a steady, unfading flame, but corruscating, like the fitful gleam of a fire-fly, now visible, and anon invisible. Like a flying star of the sixth magnitude, the terrible missile—a 13-inch shell—nears its zenith, up and still up—higher and still higher. Its flight now becomes much slower, till, on reaching its utmost altitude, its centrifugal force becomes counteracted by the earth’s attraction; it describes a parabolic curve, and down, down it comes, bursting, it may be, ere it reaches terra firma, but probably alighting in the rebel works ere it explodes, where it scatters death and destruction around.
“The Richmond had by this time got within range of the rebel field batteries, which opened fire on her. I had all along thought that we would open fire from our bow guns, on the topgallant forecastle, and that, after discharging a few broadsides from the starboard side, the action would be wound up by a parting compliment from our stern chasers. To my surprise, however, we opened at once from our broadside guns. The effect was startling, as the sound was unexpected; but beyond this I really experienced no inconvenience from the concussion. There was nothing unpleasant to the ear, and the jar to the ship was really quite unappreciable. It may interest the uninitiated to be informed how a broadside is fired from a vessel-of-war. I was told on board the Richmond that all the guns were sometimes fired off simultaneously, though it is not a very usual course, as it strains the ship. Last night the broadsides were fired by commencing at the forward gun, and firing all the rest off in rapid succession, as fast almost as the ticking of a watch. The effect was grand and terrific; and, if the guns were rightly pointed—a difficult thing in the dark, by the way—they could not fail in carrying death and destruction among the enemy.
“Of course we did not have everything our own way; for the enemy poured in his shot and shell as thick as hail. Over, ahead, astern, all around us, flew the death-dealing missiles, the hissing, screaming, whistling, shrieking, and howling of which rivaled Pandemonium. It must not be supposed, however, that because our broadside guns were the tools we principally worked with, our bow and stern chasers were idle. We soon opened with our bow eighty-pounder Dahlgren, which was followed up not long after by the guns astern, giving evidence to the fact that we had passed some of the batteries.
“Soon after firing was heard astern of us, and it was soon ascertained that the Monongahela, with her consort, the Kineo, and the Mississippi were in action. The Monongahela carries a couple of two-hundred-pounder rifled Parrot guns. The roar of cannon was incessant, and the flashes from the guns, together with the flight of the shells from the mortar boats, made up a combination of sound and sight impossible to describe. To add to the horrors of the night, while it contributed toward the enhancement of a certain terrible beauty, dense clouds of smoke began to envelop the river, shutting out from view the several vessels and confounding them with the batteries. It was very difficult to know how to steer to prevent running ashore, perhaps right under a rebel battery or into a consort. Upward and upward rolled the smoke, shutting out of view the beautiful stars and obscuring the vision on every side. Then it was that the order was passed, ‘Boys, don’t fire till you see the flash from the enemy’s guns.’ That was our only guide through the ‘palpable obscurity.’ Intermingled with the boom of the cannonade arose the cries of the wounded and the shouts of their friends, suggesting that they should be taken below for treatment. So thick was the smoke that we had to cease firing several times, and to add to the horrors of the night, it was next to impossible to tell whether we were running into the Hartford or going ashore, and, if the latter, on which bank, or whether some of the other vessels were about to run into us or into each other. All this time the fire was kept up on both sides incessantly.
“‘Muzzle to muzzle.’ This phrase is familiar to most persons who have read accounts of sea-fights that took place about fifty years ago; but it is difficult for the uninitiated to realize all the horrors conveyed in these three words. For the first time I had, last night, an opportunity of knowing what the phrase really meant. The central battery is situated about the middle of the segment of a circle I have already compared to a horseshoe in shape, though it may be better understood by the term ‘crescent.’ This battery stands on a bluff so high that a vessel in passing immediately underneath cannot elevate her guns sufficiently to reach those on the battery; neither can the guns on the battery be sufficiently depressed to bear on the passing ship. In this position the rebel batteries on the two horns of the crescent can enfilade the passing vessel, pouring in a terrible cross-fire, which the vessel can return, though at a great disadvantage, from her bow and stern chasers. We fully realized this last night; for, as we got within short range, the enemy poured into us a terrible fire of grape and canister, which we were not slow to return—our guns being double-shotted, each with a stand of both grape and canister. Every vessel in its turn was exposed to the same fiery ordeal on nearing the centre battery, and right promptly did their gallant tars return the compliment. This was the hottest part of the engagement. We were literally muzzle to muzzle, the distance between us and the enemy’s guns being not more than twenty yards, though to me it seemed to be only as many feet.
“Matters had gone on in this way for nearly an hour and a half—the first gun having been fired at about half past eleven o’clock—when, to my astonishment, I heard some shells whistling over our port side. Did the rebels have batteries on the right bank of the river? was the query that naturally suggested itself to me. To this the response was given that we had turned back. I soon discovered that it was too true. Our return was, of course, more rapid than our passage up. The rebels did not molest us much, and I do not believe one of their shots took effect while we were running down rapidly with the current. It was a melancholy affair, for we did not know but what the whole expedition was a failure; neither could we tell whether any of our vessels had been destroyed, nor how many. We had the satisfaction of learning soon afterward, however, that the Hartford and Albatross had succeeded in rounding the point above the batteries. All the rest were compelled to return. As I passed the machinery of the vessel, on my way forward, I was shown a large hole that had been made by an eighty-pounder solid conical shell, which had passed through the hull of the ship, damaging the machinery so as to compel us to return.”
During the naval combat, General Banks marched three divisions of his army from Baton Rouge, to a point within seven miles of Port Hudson, where after engaging in a skirmish with the enemy, with trifling loss, they returned to their starting point. Being unprepared as yet to undertake the capture of Port Hudson, General Banks now turned his attention to that portion of the State west of New Orleans, and bordering on the Teche river. This diversion, it was afterward discovered, would have been made unnecessary, had General Banks possessed the means of learning the exact force of the rebels at Port Hudson, which was by no means so formidable as he had reason for believing.
The Teche river is a tortuous stream rising in St. Landry parish, and flowing southwardly. On its bank are the towns of Franklin, Martinsville, and Opelousas. General Weitzel had previously made an unsuccessful expedition up that river, and to guard against further invasion a considerable rebel force was now posted in that region, and heavy earthworks were thrown up in the vicinity of Patersonville. The district of country bordering on the Teche, comprised the parishes of Terrebonne, Lafourche, Assumption, St. Mary, and St. Martin, rich in agricultural wealth, and having a large slave population. This district had furnished valuable supplies to the rebel army.
OPERATIONS ON THE TECHE AND ATCHAFALAYA RIVERS, LA.
April 13–20, 1863.
General Banks having concentrated his forces at Brashear, General Weitzel’s brigade was crossed over to Berwick on the 10th of April, without opposition, followed on the succeeding day by General Emory’s division, and both commands advanced upon the fortified position a few miles above Pattersonville. On the 13th, there was considerable artillery firing, in which the gunboat Diana, a late Federal capture, took active part. On the 12th, the division of General Grover left Brashear on the gunboats Clifton, Estrella, Arizona, and Calhoun, and transports, and proceeded up the Atchafalaya river, which joins the Teche at Berwick City, into Lake Chetimacha. The object was to get into the rear of the enemy, and if possible cut off his retreat if he evacuated his position, or to assail him in rear at the time of the attack in front. The expedition effected a landing early the next morning, about three miles west of Franklin, near a spot called Irish Bend. At this time, the gunboat Queen of the West, which had been captured previously by the enemy, was blown up and destroyed on the lake. Skirmishing immediately ensued with a small force of the enemy, that fell back as General Grover advanced. His position was about eleven miles distant from General Banks.
BATTLE OF IRISH BEND, LA.
April 13, 1863.
A correspondent in the army thus describes this battle:
“About seven o’clock A. M., the advance reached the edge of a dense line of woods near what is known as Irish Bend (a sharp bend of the Teche), about eleven miles distant from the rebel earthworks, where General Banks was engaging the enemy. Here our force was met by a strong one of the rebels, in position, from the banks of the Teche, across the front and right flank of General Grover’s division. The enemy was strongly posted at this point, their right flank supported by artillery, and their left extending round into another wood, in such a manner as to completely encircle any force which should simply attack their position in the wood first spoken of.
“Colonel Birge, of the Third Brigade, of General Grover’s division, at this time in command of the advance, and supported by two sections of Rogers’s battery, now skirmished with the rebels in front for about an hour, our skirmishers and their supports engaging the infantry and dismounted cavalry of the enemy. Colonel Birge then ordered the Twenty-fifth Connecticut and One Hundred and Fifty-ninth New York in front of the first skirt of woods. He had no sooner done this than the enemy commenced a flank attack, endeavoring to take the section of Rogers’s battery which was on the right. These two regiments, assailed by a fire on their front and right from an enemy very perfectly concealed, replied ineffectually to the fire, became shaken, and finally commenced to fall back, when General Grover rode up to the front and rallied them, at the same time ordering General Dwight to hasten up with his brigade. The section of Rogers’s battery was compelled to limber up and go to the rear, the fire of the enemy being so lively as to pick off nine cannoneers at their guns.
“At this time General Dwight moved on the field with his brigade, and placed the Sixth New York on his right, in such a manner as to outflank the enemy’s left, in a similar way that the enemy had outflanked our right. The Ninety-first New York was ordered in front to advance against the woods, with the First Louisiana supporting the Sixth New York, and the Twenty-second Maine and One Hundred and Thirty-first New York in support of the Ninety-first New York.
“The order to advance was given, and like veterans they moved forward across the field, through the woods, and over another field, the enemy slowly but surely falling back before them; sweeping on, taking from him all his positions, and finally compelling him to so hasty a retreat that he left over one hundred prisoners in our hands. Then the position which Colonel Birge’s brigade failed to take, with a loss of something over three hundred men, was taken by General Dwight, with a loss of only seven killed and twenty-one wounded.
“General Dwight was now ordered to halt, take a favorable position, and hold it. This was done, the enemy continuing to manœuvre in front of General Dwight’s and Colonel Birge’s commands, for two or three hours.
“Our troops in the mean time, had been ordered by General Grover to rest in their places until further orders, which they did until about three P. M., when an order was given to feel the enemy on the front and flank, with a view to our attacking their position in force.
“Before any considerable advance further was made the enemy evacuated, retreating to the woods and canes, having previously set fire to the gunboat Diana, and transports Gossamer, Newsboy, and Era No. 2. They were signally repulsed, with a loss of from three to four hundred. On the field of battle, one hundred and fifty prisoners were taken, and thirty wounded.
“Among the killed is General Riley, and among the wounded, Colonel Gray.”
This success of General Grover was followed by the evacuation of the works before General Banks. Early on Tuesday, the 15th, the cavalry and artillery, followed by General Weitzel’s brigade, with Colonel Ingram’s force of General Emory’s division, as a support, followed the enemy. So rapid was the pursuit that the enemy was unable to remove their transports at New Iberia, and five, with all the commissary stores and ammunition with which they were loaded, were destroyed at that place, together with an incomplete iron-clad gunboat. On Thursday the army reached New Iberia. A foundry for the manufacture of cannon and other munitions of war was immediately taken possession of, and a similar one had been seized two days before at Franklin. Two regiments were also sent to destroy the tools and machinery at the celebrated salt mine of the town. Thus far about fifteen hundred prisoners had been captured, and more than five hundred horses, mules, and beef cattle taken from the plantations. The Federal loss was small. The entire force of the enemy was about ten thousand men.
On the next day, the 17th, the army moved forward, but General Grover, who had marched from New Iberia by a shorter road, and thus gained the advance, met the enemy at Bayou Vermilion. Their force consisted of a considerable number of cavalry, one thousand infantry and six pieces of artillery, massed in a strong position on the opposite bank. They were immediately attacked and driven from their position but not until they had succeeded in destroying by fire the bridge across the river. The night of the 17th and the next day was passed in rebuilding the bridge. On the 19th, the march was resumed, and continued to the vicinity of Grand Coteau; and on the next day the main force of General Banks occupied Opelousas. At the same time, the cavalry, supported by a regiment of infantry and a section of artillery, were thrown forward six miles to Washington, on the Courtableau. On the 21st, no movement was made, but on the next day, Brigadier-General Dwight, of General Grover’s division, with detachments of artillery and cavalry, was pushed forward through Washington toward Alexandria. He found the bridges over the Cocodrie and Bœuf destroyed, and during the evening and night replaced them by a single bridge at the junction of the bayous. Orders were also found there from General Moore to General Taylor, in command of the Confederate force, directing him to retreat slowly to Alexandria, and, if pressed, to retire to Texas.
Bute a la Rose, with its garrison of sixty men, two heavy guns, and a large quantity of ammunition, was captured by General Banks. The result of the expedition thus far is thus stated by General Banks: “We have destroyed the enemy’s army and navy, and made their reorganization impossible by destroying or removing the material. We hold the key of the position. Among the evidences of our victory are two thousand prisoners, two transports, and twenty guns taken, and three gunboats and eight transports destroyed.” The Federal loss in the land battle was six or seven hundred.
Admiral Porter took possession of Alexandria on the 6th of May, without opposition, and General Banks established his headquarters at that place on the day following. This town is situated on the Red river, one hundred and fifty miles from its mouth. Admiral Porter thus describes his operations at this time in a dispatch to Secretary Welles, dated May 13:
“Sir: I had the honor to inform you from Alexandria of the capture of that place, and the forts defending the approaches to the city, by the naval forces under my command. Twenty-four hours after we arrived the advance guard of United States troops came into the city. General Banks arriving soon after, I turned the place over to his keeping. The water beginning to fall, I deemed it prudent to return with the largest vessels to the mouth of the Red river. I dropped down to Fort de Russe in the Benton, and undertook to destroy these works. I only succeeded however, in destroying the three heavy casemates commanding the channel and a small water battery for two guns. About six hundred yards below it I destroyed by bursting one heavy thirty-two pounder and some gun carriages left in their hurry by the enemy.
“The main fort, on a hill some nine hundred yards from the water, I was unable to attend to. It is quite an extensive work, new and incomplete, but built with much labor and pains. It will take two or three vessels to pull it to pieces. I have not the powder to spare to blow it up. The vessels will be ordered to work on it occasionally, and it will be soon destroyed. In this last-mentioned fort was mounted the 11-inch gun, which I am led to believe lies in the middle of the river, near the fort, the rebels throwing it overboard in their panic at the approach of our gunboats. The raft which closed the entrance I have blown up, sawed in two, and presented to the poor of the neighborhood. I sent Commander Woodworth in the Price, with the Switzerland, Pittsburg, and Arizona, up Black river to make a reconnoissance, and he destroyed a large amount of stores, valued at three hundred thousand dollars, consisting of salt, sugar, rum, molasses, tobacco, and bacon.
(Signed) DAVID D. PORTER,
Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
General Banks now concentrated his troops at Simmesport, preparatory to an advance on Port Hudson.
Minor expeditions were meanwhile taking place in other districts of the department. A brigade under General Nickerson advanced to the neighborhood of Lake Pontchartrain, destroying some valuable property, and capturing a few prisoners. A portion of General Auger’s division penetrated to a point on the railroad between Clinton and Port Hudson, where they encountered and routed a Confederate force, killing five and capturing twenty-five. Colonel Grierson was also successful in an expedition near Port Hudson, capturing three hundred head of cattle.
Admiral Farragut now in command of the fleet, was preparing to assist in the attack on Port Hudson. General Banks’s army advanced about the middle of May from Baton Rouge to Port Hudson, portions of his army on either bank of the Mississippi, and a part being forwarded on transports.
On the 21st of May General Banks landed, and on the next day a junction was effected with the advance of Major-General Augur and Brigadier-General Sherman. His line occupied the Bayou Sara road. On this road General Augur had an encounter with a force of the enemy, which resulted in their repulse with heavy loss. On the 25th the enemy was compelled to abandon his first line of works. On the next day General Weitzel’s brigade, which had covered the rear in the march from Alexandria, arrived, and on the morning of the 27th a general assault was made on the fortifications.
Three series of batteries extended along the river above Port Hudson to a point on Thompson’s creek, making a continuous line about three and a half miles in extent. Above Thompson’s creek is an impassable marsh, forming a natural defence. From the lower battery began a line of land fortifications, of semi-circular form, about ten miles in extent, with Thompson’s Creek for its natural terminus above.
ATTACK ON PORT HUDSON, LA.
May 27, 1863.
It having been understood that a grand and simultaneous attack from every part of the lines encircling Port Hudson was to be made on Wednesday, the 27th, General Augur, as early as 6 A. M. of that day, commenced a heavy cannonade upon the works, which continued incessantly until 2 o’clock, P. M.
At 10 o’clock, General 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 two regiments of colored troops, made an assault upon the right of the enemy’s works, crossing Sandy creek, and driving them through the woods into their fortifications. The fight lasted on this line until 4 o’clock, and was very severely contested. Brigadier-General Sherman, who intended to commence his assault at the same time on the left, had his troops in readiness.
General Augur’s assaulting forces consisted only of Colonel E. P. Chapin’s brigade, viz., the Forty-eighth Massachusetts, led by Lieutenant-colonel O’Brien; the Forty-ninth Massachusetts, by Colonel F. W. Bartlett; the One Hundred and Sixteenth New York, led by Major Love; and the Twenty-first Maine, by Colonel Johnson; also two regiments of Colonel Dudley’s brigade, called up from the right, viz., the Second Louisiana, under Colonel Paine; and parts of the Fiftieth Massachusetts, under Colonel Messer.
Before commencing the assault Captain Holcomb’s Vermont battery played upon the works to draw their fire, which he did very effectively; and then the order for the assault was given. A number of brave fellows from each regiment had volunteered to go in advance with the fascines, for the purpose of making a roadway through the moat; these were immediately followed by others who had volunteered to form the assaulting party; and after them the various regiments with their colonels, all under the immediate direction of Major-General Augur.
The scene that presented itself to the view as the devoted men emerged from the wood was really appalling. Between them and the fortifications to be assaulted lay an immense open space, at least a mile in length, from right to left, and at least half a mile in depth from the edge of the wood. This space was originally a dense forest, but the rebels had ingeniously felled the trees, leaving the huge branches to interlace each other, and forming, with the thick brushwood underneath, a barrier all but impassable.
It was enough to daunt the stoutest hearts; but the order had been given that Port Hudson must be taken that day, and the brave men advanced.
In so horrible a place, where men could scarcely keep their footing, and were sinking at every step up to their arm-pits, and tumbling along as best they could with their muskets and fascines through the impenetrable rubbish—the enemy all the while blazing away at them with grape, shell, and canister—the result may easily be imagined. It was wholesale slaughter.
But it was cheering to see the heroism and endurance of the men. Onward they went—the old flag streaming proudly above them (the fascine-bearers falling in every direction)—until they actually, many of them, fought their way through the half mile of tangled rubbish to the narrow open space between it and the breastworks, where, as a matter of course, the gallant fellows perished. The unequal contest lasted from 3 P. M. to 5 P. M., when General Augur, finding it utterly impossible to carry out the instructions he had received, withdrew his men in perfect order—returning shot for shot as they got back to the wood.
A vigorous bombardment of the position had been made by Admiral Farragut for a week previous to this assault; and reconnoissances had discovered pretty accurately the nature of these formidable defences.
ASSAULT ON PORT HUDSON, LA.
June 14, 1863.
After a bombardment of several days, another assault on Port Hudson was made on the above date. General Banks deemed it necessary on this occasion to change the position of his troops, and they now formed a right and left wing, without the customary centre, and were joined in the form of a right angle. The division of General Grover, on the upper side of Port Hudson, extended a distance of nearly four miles from the river, toward the interior, within supporting distance of General Augur’s division, which was on the west side of the fortifications, and extended a distance of three miles to the river, within hailing distance of the fleet. The defences of the enemy formed nearly a right angle, both lines of which extended to the river, and enclosed a sharp bend. The point of attack was the extreme northeastern angle of the enemy’s position.
Several of their pieces had been dismounted at this point by the incessant bombardment of the previous days, while the Federal sharpshooters were able to render dangerous any attempt to work the artillery in position. Two regiments of sharpshooters were detailed to creep up to and lie on the exterior slope of the enemy’s breastworks, while another regiment, each soldier having a hand-grenade besides his musket, followed. Another regiment followed with bags filled with cotton, which were to be used to fill up the ditch in front of the breastworks. The remaining regiments of General Weitzel’s brigade succeeded, supported by the brigades of Colonel Kimball and Colonel Morgan. These forces, all under General Weitzel, constituted the right of attack.
On the left General Paine’s division constituted a separate column. The whole command was under General Grover, who planned the attack.
It was expected that General Weitzel’s command would make a lodgment within the enemy’s works, and thus prepare the way for General Paine’s division.
The advance was made about daylight, through a covered way, to within three hundred yards of the enemy’s position; then their progress was retarded by deep gulleys, covered with bush and creeping vines. Under an incessant fire from the enemy, a part of the skirmishers reached the ditch, where they were met with an enfilading fire, and hurled back, while their hand-grenades were caught up by the enemy and thrown back again into the Union ranks. The assaulting column moved on as rapidly as possible, and made several gallant and desperate attempts on the enemy’s works, but found them fully prepared at all points, and every part of their fortifications lined with dense masses of infantry. At length the assaulting columns were compelled to fall back under the deadly fire of the enemy, and the fighting finally ceased at eleven o’clock in the morning. General Banks’s loss was nearly seven hundred in killed and wounded.
Meantime the first parallel encircling the outer line of the rebel defences was pushed forward, and the skirmishers were posted in rifle-pits so near that skirmishes were of constant occurrence at night.
The withdrawal of General Banks’s force from the west side of the Mississippi was followed by great activity on the part of the enemy, for the purpose of recovering the places held by small bodies of Federal troops, and to cause a diversion from Port Hudson. Opelousas was reoccupied by a considerable Confederate force; and the west bank of the Mississippi was lined with squads of the rebels, who fired on every boat which passed. On the 17th of June, an attack was made on the Federal pickets at La Fourche, which was repulsed. On the 23d, Brashear City was captured by a Confederate force under Generals Green and Morton. A camp of contrabands was attacked by the enemy, and large numbers killed. Immense quantities of ammunition, several pieces of artillery, three hundred thousand dollars’ worth of sutler’s goods, sugar, flour, pork, beef, and medical stores, of vast amount, were also captured. On the 28th, an attack was made on Donaldsonville, and the storming party succeeded in getting into the fort. But the gunboats opened a flanking fire above and below the fort, and drove back the supporting party, so that the enemy broke and fled. Of those who had entered the fort, one hundred and twenty were captured and nearly one hundred killed.
Other movements on the part of the enemy were made at this time, which indicated great activity, and enabled them to destroy much Federal property. No embarrassment however was caused to the position of General Banks. The enemy, in short, recovered the La Fourche, Teche, Attakapas, and Opelousas country, and captured Brashear, with fifteen hundred prisoners, a large number of slaves, and nearly all the confiscated cotton.
After the two attempts to reduce Port Hudson by a land assault, on the 27th of May and the 14th of June, the purpose to make another was given up General Banks, until he had fully invested the place by a series of irresistible approaches. He was thus engaged in pushing forward his works when Vicksburg was surrendered. Information of this surrender was sent to General Banks, and it was the occasion for firing salutes and a general excitement in his camp, which attracted the attention of the enemy, to whom the surrender was communicated. General Gardner, upon receiving the information, sent by flag of truce, about midnight of the 7th, the following note to General Banks:
“Headquarters, Port Hudson, La., July 7th, 1863.
“To Major-General Banks, commanding United States forces near Port Hudson:
“General: Having received information from your troops that Vicksburg has been surrendered, I make this communication to request you to give me the official assurance whether this is true or not, and if true, I ask for a cessation of hostilities, with a view to the consideration of terms for surrendering this position.
“I am, General, very respectfully, Your obedient servant,
FRANK GARDNER, Major-General.”
To which General Banks thus replied
“Headquarters, Department of the Gulf, }
before Port Hudson, July 8th, 1863. }
“To Major-General Frank Gardner, commanding C. S. forces, Port Hudson:
“General: In reply to your communication, dated the 7th instant, by flag of truce, received a few moments since, I have the honor to inform you that I received, yesterday morning, July 7th, at 10.45, by the gunboat General Price, an official despatch from Major-General Ulysses S. Grant, United States Army, whereof the following is a true extract:
“‘Headquarters, Department of the Tennessee, }
near Vicksburg, July 4th, 1863. }
“‘Major-General N. P. Banks, commanding Department of the Gulf:
“‘General: The garrison of Vicksburg surrendered this morning. The number of prisoners, as given by the officer, is twenty-seven thousand, field artillery one hundred and twenty-eight pieces, and a large number of siege guns, probably not less than eighty.
“‘Your obedient servant, U. S. Grant, Major-General.’”
“I regret to say, that under present circumstances, I cannot, consistently with my duty, consent to a cessation of hostilities for the purpose you indicate.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
N. P. BANKS.”
The following further correspondence then took place:
“Port Hudson, July 8th, 1863.
“General: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of this date, giving a copy of an official communication from Major-General U. S. Grant, United States Army, announcing the surrender of Vicksburg.
“Having defended this position as long as I deem my duty requires, I am willing to surrender to you, and will appoint a commission of three officers to meet a similar commission appointed by yourself, at nine o’clock this morning, for the purpose of agreeing upon and drawing up the terms of the surrender, and for that purpose I ask for a cessation of hostilities.
“Will you please to designate a point outside of my breastworks, where the meeting shall be held for this purpose?
“I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
FRANK GARDNER, Commanding C. S. Forces.”
“Headquarters, U. S. Forces, before }
Port Hudson, July 8th, 1863. }
“To Major-General Frank Gardner, commanding Confederate States forces, Port Hudson:
“General: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of this date, stating that you are willing to surrender the garrison under your command to the forces under my command, and that you will appoint a commission of three officers to meet a similar commission appointed by me, at nine o’clock this morning, for the purpose of agreeing upon and drawing up the terms of the surrender.
“In reply, I have the honor to state that I have designated Brigadier-General Charles P. Stone, Colonel Henry W. Birge, and Lieutenant-Colonel Richard B. Irwin, as the officers to meet the commission appointed by you.
“They will meet your officers at the hour designated, at a point where the flag of truce was received this morning. I will direct that active hostilities shall entirely cease on my part until further notice, for the purpose stated.
“Very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
“N. P. BANKS, Major-General Commanding.”
CAMP SCENES.
ASSORTING THE MAIL.
THE NEWS DEPOT.
The following are the articles of capitulation mutually agreed upon and adopted:
Art. 1. Major-General Frank Gardner surrenders to the United States forces under Major-General Banks, the place of Port Hudson and its dependencies, with its garrison, armaments, munitions, public funds, and materials of war, in the condition, as nearly as may be, in which they were at the hour of cessation of hostilities, namely, 6 o’clock A. M., July 8, 1863.
Art. 2. The surrender stipulated in article one is qualified by no condition, save that the officers and enlisted men comprising the garrison shall receive the treatment due to prisoners of war, according to the usages of civilized warfare.
Art. 3. All private property of officers and enlisted men shall be respected, and left to their respective owners.
Art. 4. The position of Port Hudson shall be occupied to-morrow, at 7 o’clock A. M., by the forces of the United States, and its garrison received as prisoners of war by such general officers of the United States service as may be designated by Major-General Banks, with the ordinary formalities of rendition. The Confederate troops will be drawn up in line, officers in their positions, the right of the line resting on the edge of the prairie south of the railroad depot; the left extending in the direction of the village of Port Hudson. The arms and colors will be piled conveniently, and will be received by the officers of the United States.
Art. 5. The sick and wounded of the garrison will be cared for by the authorities of the United States, assisted if desired by either party, by the medical officers of the garrison.
The formal surrender was made on the 9th of July. General Andrews, Chief-of-Staff of General Banks, with Colonel Birge leading his column, followed by two picked regiments from each division, with Holcombe’s and Rowle’s batteries of light artillery, and the gunners of the naval battery, entered the fortifications. The enemy were drawn up in line, with their officers in front of them, on one side of the road, with their backs to the river. The Federal troops were drawn up in two lines on the opposite side of the road, with their officers in front of them. General Gardner then advanced, and offered to surrender his sword with Port Hudson. In appreciation of his bravery, he was desired to retain it. He then said: “General, I will now formally surrender my command to you, and for that purpose will give the order to ground arms.” The order was given, and the arms grounded. The surrender comprised, besides the position, more than six thousand two hundred and thirty-three prisoners, fifty-one pieces of artillery, two steamers, four thousand four hundred pounds of canon powder, five thousand small arms, and one hundred and fifty thousand rounds of ammunition. The loss of General Banks from the twenty-third to the thirtieth of May was about one thousand. The village of Port Hudson consisted of a few houses and a small church, which had been nearly destroyed by the cannonade. The wounded and sick of the garrison suffered most from want of medical stores. The provisions of the garrison were nearly exhausted.
A short period of inactivity succeeded the heavy campaign of General Banks’s army, which culminated in the capture of Port Hudson, on the 9th of July, 1863. But the plans of the commanding officers were maturing for new expeditions, in more remote regions, where the flag of rebellion was still floating defiantly, and where the machinations of European powers were striving covertly to give aid to the Confederate cause, and to establish an unfriendly Government on the Federal confines, if not on American soil.
Rear-Admiral David D. Porter arrived at New Orleans on the 1st of August, 1863, and resumed command of the gunboats on the Mississippi. About the same time Major-General Franklin, formerly a corps commander in the Army of the Potomac, arrived at the same place, and reported for duty.
A naval expedition to the mouth of the Sabine river, in Texas, was undertaken by General Banks, who dispatched General Franklin with four thousand men in four army transports, to capture the forts at Sabine Pass, at the mouth of the river, which forms the boundary line between Texas and Louisiana. The armed steamers employed were the Clifton, Sachem, Arizona, and Granite City, and the naval forces were commanded by Lieutenant Crocker.
Early on the morning of September 8th, the Clifton stood in the bay and opened on the fort, to which no reply was made. At 9 A. M. the Sachem, Arizona, and Granite City, followed by the transports, stood over the bar, and, with much difficulty, owing to the low water, reached an anchorage about two miles from the fort at 11 A. M. About the middle of the afternoon the Sachem, followed by the Arizona, advanced up the eastern channel to draw the fire of the forts, while the Clifton advanced up the western channel. The Granite City remained to cover the landing of a division of troops under General Weitzel. No reply was made to the fire of the gunboats until they were abreast of the forts, when eight guns opened fire upon them. Three of these were rifled. Almost at the same moment the Clifton and Sachem were struck in their boilers and both vessels enveloped in steam. The Arizona, not having room to pass the Sachem, then backed down the channel until she grounded by the stern, when the ebb-tide caught her bows and swung her across the channel. White flags were raised on the Clifton and Sachem, and within twenty minutes they were taken in tow by the enemy. The naval force of the expedition being thus disabled, the transports moved out of the bay. The Arizona was got afloat during the night, and followed. The expedition then returned to Brashear City. The officers and crews of the Clifton and Sachem, and about ninety sharpshooters who were on board were captured, and the loss in killed and wounded was about thirty. After remaining at Brashear City some time, the military force moved to Franklin and Vermillionville.
On the 27th of October an expedition under General Banks put to sea from New Orleans. It consisted of about twenty vessels, accompanied by the gunboats Owasco, Virginia, and Monongahela, which sailed to the mouth of the Rio Grande river, the boundary between Texas and Mexico. Brownsville was occupied by Federal troops, which did much to check the designs of the French Emperor. An American army was now placed on the frontier, prepared to check any open demonstration of sympathy between the armies of Davis and Napoleon.
Western Louisiana was again the scene of military operations in the Teche district, where General Washburn’s command was attacked on the 5th of November, and after a severe struggle, he succeeded in beating off the enemy with a loss of one hundred killed and two hundred prisoners. The Federal loss was forty killed.