HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE GULF, NINETEENTH ARMY
CORPS,
Before Port Hudson, La., May 30, 1863.
GENERAL: Leaving Simsport, on the Atchafalaya, where my command was at
the date of my last dispatch, I landed at Bayou Sara at 2 o'clock on the
morning of the 21st. A portion of the infantry was transported by steamer, and
the balance of the infantry, artillery, cavalry, and wagon train moving down on
the west bank of the river, and from this to Bayou Sara.
On the 23d, 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 5 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 25th, 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 26th, and on the morning of the 27th a general
assault was made upon the fortifications. The artillery opened fire between 5
and 6 o'clock, which was continued with animation during the day.
At 10 o'clock a.m. 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 negro troops, made an assault upon the right of
the enemy's works, crossing Sandy Creek and driving him through the wood into
his fortifications. The fight lasted on this line until 4 o'clock, and was very
severely contested. On the left, the infantry did not come up until later in
the day, but at 2 o'clock an assault was opened upon the works on the center
and left of center 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 occupy this position. On the left, after
dark, the main body, being exposed to a flank fire, withdrew to a belt of wood,
the skirmishers remaining close upon the fortifications.
The works are defended by a garrison much larger than generally
represented. There appears to be no want of ammunition or provisions on the part
of the enemy. The fortifications are very strong, and surrounded by a most
intricate tract of country, diversified by ravines, woods, plains, and cliffs,
which it is almost impossible to comprehend without careful and extended
reconnaissances.
Six regiments, under command of Colonel Chickering, were detailed at
Alexandria to guard the train from that point and from Opelousas. These troops
will be here to-morrow, and strengthen our force some 3,000 men. My effective
force on the day of the assault was about 13,000; that of the enemy, within the
works, ten regiments, of between 500 and 600 each — in all, about 8,000 men — with
mounted infantry out side the works in our rear (2,200), consisting of the
Ninth and Eleventh Regiments of Arkansas troops.
In the assault of the 27th, the behavior 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.
We occupy the enemy night and day with harassing attacks of infantry
and artillery, giving him no rest or sleep. Numerous prisoners and deserters,
who are captured or come in, report that the men are dispirited and depressed.
We wait only the arrival of our troops and the completion of more perfect
reconnaissances to renew our assault, and have strong hopes that it will be
successful. No time will be lost.
To avoid possible failure in carrying this important post, I have
notified General Grant by one of his staff officers, who was present on the day
after the assault, of the details of our position and our strength, and have
asked him, if it be possible, to send us 5,000 or 10,000 men, with whose aid we
could accomplish its reduction in a single day. I understand the pressing
circumstances of his position, but hope that he may be able to assist us in
this emergency. We want only men. With the reduction of Port Hudson we can join
him without delay with at least 15,000 men and a finely appointed siege train
of artillery, which he greatly needs. We shall not, however, delay our
operations or post-pone effective movements for the reduction of the post on
account of this application to him for aid.
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. The severe test to which they were subjected, and the determined
manner in which they encountered the enemy, leaves upon my mind no doubt of
their ultimate success. They require only good officers, commands of limited
numbers, and careful discipline, to make them excellent soldiers.
Our losses from the 23d to this date, in killed, wounded, and missing,
are nearly 1,000, including, I deeply regret to say, some of the ablest
officers of the corps. I am unable yet to repeat them in detail.
I have the honor to be, with much respect, your obedient servant,
N. P. BANKS,
Major-General, Commanding.
Major-General HALLECK,
Commander-in-
Chief, U. S. Army, Washington, D. C.
SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of
the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume
26, Part 1 (Serial No. 40), p. 43-5
