2nd_Trans_Miss - Page: 10 of 13

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	We arrived at Port Hudson just at day break after traveling all night. The sun came up and displayed the pines and cypress trees with Spanish moss hanging like tensile from a Christmas tree. Everything was green and the crepe myrtles were in bloom. The air was humid but cool and even though we had no sleep the men were energetic in setting up camp which was at one end of a great pond with the company streets facing it. After officers call and inspections the battalions were soon formed and the army was on the march. We marched about three miles through rugged terrain and then threw out skirmishers to probe the enemy’s position. Soon their was the crackle of muskets as we encountered the enemies own skirmishers but they quickly disappeared into the thick Louisiana forest like ghostly spirits. The skirmish lines of the first battalion were then reinforced and we proceeded through the dense forest of vines, ferns and moss trying to pick up the enemies trail with the second battalion coming up in support. Soon the sound of muskets echoed through the forest. This time the enemy was in force and entrenched on the high ground. Our left wing soon over took a bridge which was below the hill while the rest of the skirmishers were met with stiff resistance from the higher ground. We were able to hold our ground and pressed the enemy as much as possible while waiting for the support of the second battalion. After about 15 minutes of stiff resistance the enemy’s flanks were tested by reinforcements of the second battalion. Col. Sanders sent the word down the line for all companies to advance and press the enemy hard. We hit their right flank hard and the enemy began to weaken and fall back but they put up a stiff rear guard and held the road which they were using as means of escape. Their rear guard put up a valiant defense but was no match to our numbers. As soon as we were able to reposition our companies after taking the hill we quickly swept away the last of the defiant rebels but the enemy escaped with their army intact. The battalions were reformed and we began to march again. After a couple of miles we stopped and the men found shade amongst the pines and cypress and searched their haversacks for lunch. Spirits were high among the ranks after our skirmish in the forest and everyone was ready for a fight. Soon the battalions were reformed and we marched again. The army came to two roads running parallel divided by forest but headed in the same direction of the enemy the first battalion taking the right and the second taking the left. The road was short and came to a clearing where all the trees had been felled and were positioned in defense thought the field. In the distance we could make out the enemy works at the far end of the field. Our battalion cleared the forested road and companies were fronted and began to advance. The enemy artillery began to rain down on us with long range shell. We advanced over the first Chevaux-de-frise and wire without loss but when we arrived at the second the enemy was in range. The first battalion advanced over several of these receiving heavy casualties moving within close range of the enemy redoubt before having to fall back and reforming. While all this was going on the second battalion fired volley after volley in support. The second battalion then took its turn testing the enemy’s fortifications and they also took heavy casualties. The enemy’s rifle pits trained on us as we advanced over the obstacles and we paid a high price for the ground we covered and were soon forced to fall back and reform while the first battalion fired volley in support. Soon the order was given for the first battalion to advance again and again hell rained down them. There was a moment when we thought they would break the enemy’s defense but they were driven back by a wall of musket fire. They fell back once more and reformed along side the second battalion. Colonel Sanders then ordered both battalions to assault the enemy. The enemy artillery and muskets fury blasted gaps in our battalions but the captains kept their companies intact and when we passed the last obstacle of felled trees we were given the order to charge. Several companies courageously advanced to the berm of the rampart and tested the enemy’s fortifications but all were soon ordered to fall back with horrific losses. The siege was over for the day and we collected our dead and wounded reformed our battalions and marched back to camp. After a nights rest we were up early and after officers call and inspections the battalions were soon formed and the army was on the march again. This time we knew where the enemy was and we knew what deadly business was in store for us but we were also armed with the news which had just arrived of the surrender Vicksburg. The army used the same approach as the day before. After our artillery shelled them we began our advance across the expanse through the obstacles of felled trees. Our battalions went to work hammering away at their defenses. The enemies left flank was beginning to weaken and we almost broke their defenses but they were dug in too deep. Our battalions charged the redoubt this time not only sending shot into the enemy but hurling papers with the news of the fall Vicksburg into their fortress. After several assaults the battalions fell back and a truce was called to remove the dead and wounded from the field. The news was in the hands of the enemy that Vicksburg had fallen and its effect was demoralizing. We were given the order to advance on the enemy with an all out assault of both battalions trying to storm the ramparts. With great determination our men assaulted their works but were then ordered to fall back and reform. Col. Sanders then asked for the surrender of the demoralized enemy. The Rebel commander accepting the honorable terms of surrender we paroled their men and gave them much needed food. Only a few escaped defiantly refusing to surrender thus ending our siege of Port Hudson. (Brevet) Capt. D Hill