Pictorial history of the war for the Union, volume 2 (of 2)

by Ann S. Stephens

This artillery duel lasted half the forenoon, resulting, as such duels usually result, in no great loss of life. The batteries in the face of the bluff became rather too warm for occupancy, and one after another of them was abandoned, the gunners dragging their guns with them to the top of the hill. This apparently left the coast for the advance of the Federal infantry. As the lines began to emerge from the woods, the broad plain extending from the timber to the base of the hills was found to be cut up with gulleys as well as covered with abatis, and these gulleys were filled with the sharpshooters of the enemy, whose skill was soon found to be of no mean order.

Beyond these, at the foot of the bluffs, was the range of rifle-pits, filled with rebel infantry. The right centre division, commanded by General Morgan L. Smith, made an effort to cross the bayou in their front. The Sixth regiment of Missouri Volunteers, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Blood, was detailed for the advance. The enemy’s works were very strong, there being a steep bank of thirty feet high to ascend, fortified with breastworks and rifle-pits, with a heavy force drawn up in line of battle behind them. The only approach was by a road across a sand-bar in the bayou, exposed to a double cross fire from the enemy, and the only way of ascending the bank was by cutting a road. An order was received for two companies to be sent over in advance for the purpose of cutting the road—one with picks and shovels, and the other with muskets to protect the workers from the enemy’s sharpshooters in the rifle-pits over their heads. Company F, Captain Boutell, and Company K, Captain Buck, were the first to volunteer, the peril being so great that Colonel Blood was reluctant to order a detail. Their services were accepted, and the two companies of heroes went across under a most terrific fire, which left more than a tenth of their number stretched upon the sand. On getting across they immediately commenced operations on the bank, and very soon made a large excavation, almost sufficient for the purpose, when the position of the enemy’s forces and batteries were found to be such that the further prosecution of the attempt would be certain destruction to all concerned in it, without accomplishing any thing. In the mean time Lieutenant-Colonel Blood, with the balance of the regiment, had crossed over to their support, but with still greater loss, one-sixth of his force being killed or wounded.

The greater part of the division had now been brought under fire, and after vainly struggling to advance amid a storm of destructive missiles from an unseen enemy, the men hesitated, and were on the point of retreating in confusion, when General Smith, seeing the emergency, rushed to the head to lead the column across in person. Scarcely had he taken his position, and called out a cheering word to the men, when a ball struck him in the thigh, tearing the flesh badly, causing a profuse hemorrhage. He soon became weak from the loss of blood, and was carried from the field. His division being left without a commander fell back to its old position, and under cover of the Federal guns, and favored by approaching darkness and a heavy shower of rain, succeeded in returning without further loss. Private McGee of the Sixth Missouri was shot four times, and thirteen bullets penetrated his clothing. As he lay upon the bar, unable to proceed, the enemy’s balls still came whistling around him, and to protect himself he scooped a hole with his hands in the sand and crawled into it.

General Steele’s division had no bayou to cross, but had in front of it the same broad plain, covered with abatis and cut up with gulleys, in which were concealed the sharpshooters of the enemy. Notwithstanding these obstacles, the column was crowded forward close up to the bluff, securing one of the enemy’s fortifications and a field battery of six guns. But the ground was too hot for them; and they were compelled to retire, but not without taking their trophies with them.

Once again this gallant division was brought up to the work and made a noble charge across the plain, this time making a considerable further advance than on the former occasion. They drove the enemy out of their rifle-pits and pursued them half way up the hill, fighting heroically as they went, receiving galling volleys of musketry at every step, with showers of grape and canister from the field artillery above.

Some regiments of this division actually gained a foothold on the summit of the hill in this charge, but, being unsupported, were compelled to retire. The division labored right nobly to maintain their position, but it could not be done, and again they retired across the plain to the cover of the timber, their lines terribly thinned and shattered by the effort, but carrying with them three more guns captured from the enemy.

On the extreme left General Morgan made a like effort to break the rebel lines and get into the rear of the batteries at Haines’s Bluffs. But he too, after reaching the foot of the hill, was compelled to abandon the attempt.

On the right, General A. J. Smith had a bayou to cross in the midst of the plain, to reach which he had to find his way through a field of abatis, as well as to cross the abatis after reaching the opposite side of the bayou. But these difficulties had but little weight with him. He ordered the Fifty-fourth Ohio to charge across the bridge, which they did most gallantly. They were met on the opposite side by a vastly superior force of the enemy, but were not disposed to surrender or retreat. Most bravely they stood their ground, fighting against vastly superior numbers, until finally they were surrounded and forced to the alternative of surrendering or being annihilated. In this emergency, one of the Union batteries was brought to bear from our side of the bayou, and poured a fire of shell into the contending forces, regardless alike of enemy or friend.

The rebels quickly abandoned the field, leaving many of their number upon the spot. The Ohioans then gathered up their killed and wounded and retired across the field. The Federal shell had killed seven of their number, and wounded twenty or thirty others. But it was not a dear price to pay for the salvation of the regiment. They had made a noble stand, and deserved to be rescued.

After the Fifty-fourth had retired, the gallant Eighth Missouri—the heroes of a dozen battles, and a regiment that was never known to waver or give way—and the Thirteenth Regulars, led the way. The crossing was effected with safety, when the little column filed off to the right to get possession of the road leading to Vicksburg. At this moment a brigade of rebels came charging down the road at a double quick. The little Union column soon wheeled into line and were ready to meet their assailants. A brisk engagement ensued, lasting nearly half an hour, when the rebels gave way in disorder and fled.