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CONFEDERATE VIEW

HEADQUARTERS LEE'S BRIGADE,
Vicksburg, Miss., January --, 1863.

MAJOR: I have the honor to make the following report of the operations of the troops under my command during the recent conflict with the enemy, resulting in his abandoning his attack upon the city of Vicksburg:
The enemy's transports commenced making their appearance near the mouth of the Yazoo on Christmas day, when, in compliance with orders from Maj. Gen. [M. L.] Smith, I took charge in person of the defense of the swamp from the city to Snyder's Mill. Between that point and city runs the swamp road at the foot of the bluffs, the average distance of the road from the Yazoo being about 2 miles. The country between the road and the Yazoo is heavy bottom and intersected by sloughs and bayous, containing the plantations of Capt. W. H. Johnson, Mrs. Lake, and Colonel Blake, the first two being below Chickasaw Bayou, which bayou separated Mrs. Lake's plantation from Colonel Blake's. The bayou runs back from the Yazoo and makes the half-way point between the city and Snyder's Mill. A lake and swamp run almost parallel to the road from the city to Snyder's Mill, and at an average distance from it of about a third of a mile, giving but five points through which the enemy could reach the river road from the Yazoo, except by throwing a pontoon bridge across the lake. These points, commencing next to the city, are: First, at the race course, 2 miles from the city, by a road leading to Johnson's; next at the Indian mound, 4 miles from the city, where the lake is dry for 200 yards; next at the Chickasaw Bayou, on Mrs. Lake's plantation (a good road running along the bayou from the Yazoo); next at Colonel Blake's house, running back from the Yazoo almost to the road, 1 mile beyond Chickasaw Bayou, and at Snyder's Mill, 13 miles from the city, where we have extensive fortifications, commencing about 2 miles short of Snyder's Mill in an impenetrable swamp. The abatis of fallen timber at the race course was an almost impassable barrier to the enemy. My arrangements were as follows: One regiment (the Thirty-first Louisiana, Col. [C. H.] Morrison) and two guns at the mound; four regiments and a battery at Chickasaw Bayou, and a regiment between the mound and the bayou. Rifle-pits were hurriedly thrown up at the mound and at the bayou, and timber felled across the lake for an abatis. The enemy's gunboats had possession of the Yazoo for about a week before the arrival of the transports on Christmas day.

On the 26th they landed in force at Johnson's and at a point 2 miles above (1 mile below Chickasaw Bayou), driving in our pickets. Col. [W. T.] Withers, with the Seventeenth Louisiana, two companies of the Forty-sixth Mississippi, and a section of Wofford's battery, was directed to hold them in check near Mrs. Lake's plantation. This he did in good style, driving them from the open field into the woods.
Early on the morning of the 27th the enemy appeared in force and attacked Colonel Withers with violence. The colonel retired for a short distance up the bayou to a piece of woods and held his ground against a largely superior force. The enemy also appeared in force in the woods in front of the Indian mound, driving in our skirmishers across the lake. They also appeared on Blake's Levee, at the same time attacking our batteries at Snyder's Mill. They evidently had excellent guides, attacking us at every point where it was possible to reach the road.

On the morning of the 28th the enemy again attacked the woods held the previous day by Colonel Withers, but now by the Twenty-eighth Twenty-ninth] Louisiana Volunteers, Col. Allen Thomas, being at east a brigade and a battery of six guns. Colonel Thomas held his ground against this greatly superior force from about daylight until 12 m., when he retired in good order. The enemy were highly elated by their success and followed rapidly, but a volley from the Twenty-sixth Louisiana, Col. [Winchester] Hall, near the edge of the lake and in temporary rifle-pits, brought them to their usual prudence and allowed the gallant Twenty-eighth to move in safety. Colonel Hall held his pits in his advanced position against a vastly superior force with great coolness and effect. The enemy also attacked Colonel Morrison at the mound in heavy force, and placed several batteries in position opposite to him, which kept up a continuous fire.

The enemy on the evening of the 26th had appeared in considerable force at the levee, and gave me much uneasiness. During the night of the 27th I increased my force at that point and placed Colonel Withers, First Mississippi Artillery Regiment, in charge of its defense, he having at his disposal the Forty-sixth Mississippi Regiment, Seventeenth Louisiana, and Bowman's battery. This arrangement Was made none too soon. Early on the morning of the 28th the enemy appeared in force on the levee with artillery, but was handsomely held in check and driven back by Colonel Withers' command, the Forty-sixth Mississippi, and two Napoleon guns under Lieutenant Johnston, doing admirable service.

On the 28th the enemy, who had landed a small infantry force in front of Snyder's Mill, disappeared from that point, only two gunboats amusing themselves by firing at long range on our works. Their force in front of my position at Chickasaw Bayou had greatly increased on the evening of the 28th, and it was evident my position would be attacked next morning. During the night my command was re-enforced by two regiments and my line of battle fixed.

Before daylight on the 29th Colonel Hall's regiment was withdrawn from its advanced pits and the dry crossing left open to the enemy: as it was desired he should attack my position in front.

Early on the morning of the 29th the enemy cautiously examined the advanced pits (vacated), not understanding apparently why they had been abandoned. He was exceedingly cautious. About 9 a.m. he attempted to throw a pontoon bridge over the lake to my left. This was soon thwarted by a few well-directed shot from the section of Wofford's battery and a section of guns commanded by Lieut. J. A. Tarleton, of Maj. [M. S.] Ward's artillery battalion, [Fourteenth Mississippi]. As soon as the attempt to pontoon the lake was discovered my line of battle was pushed to the left by two regiments to throw them in front of the threatened point; the two regiments were the Forty-second Georgia and Twenty-eighth Louisiana; at the same time Col.[Pierre S.] Lay-ton's Fourth Mississippi was ordered to join me from Snyder's Mill, as no enemy was at that point. About 10 a.m. a furious cannonade was opened on my position by the enemy, he at the same time arranging his infantry to storm my position. At 11 a.m. his artillery fire ceased and his infantry, 6,000 strong, moved gallantly up under our artillery fire (eight guns), crossing the dry lake at two points, one being in front of the vacated pits and the other about 200 yards from my line. Here our fire was so terrible that they broke, but in a few moments they rallied again, sending a force to my left flank. This force was soon met by the Twenty-eighth Louisiana, Col. Allen Thomas, and the Forty-second Georgia, Col. [R. J.] Henderson (seat to the left in the morning), and handsomely repulsed. Our fire was so severe that the enemy lay down to avoid it. Seeing their confusion the Twenty-sixth Louisiana and a part of the Seventeenth Louisiana were marched on the battle-field, and under their cover 21 commissioned officers and 311 non-commissioned officers and privates were taken prisoners, and 4 stand of colors and 500 stand of arms captured.

The enemy left in great confusion, leaving their dead and wounded on the field. About 80 of their wounded were treated in our hospital. Their dead on the field numbered 200. Many of their wounded were allowed to be carried off by their infirmary corps immediately after the fight. In this day's fight their casualties could not have fallen short of 1,000. Immediately after the battle the fire of their sharpshooters was redoubled. They would not allow my command to care for their wounded.

The troops under my command behaved with great gallantry.-officers and men. It will be impossible to notice the conduct of all deserving mention. Besides the regiments already mentioned for gallantry I would mention the Third, Thirtieth, and Eightieth [Sixty-second] Tennessee Regiments, occupying the pits where the enemy made their most formidable attack. They displayed coolness and gallantry and their fire was terrific.

No reports having been received from the colonels, no names call be given as deserving of especial notice, but every one did well. Col. [Edward] Higgins, commanding the important post at Snyder's Mill, deserves great credit. He commanded only as an old soldier could. Though often threatened he was always cool and self-possessed and exhibited in his dispositions great judgment.

I would particularly mention Colonel Withers, who exhibited high soldierly qualities and great gallantry, first in holding the enemy in check after landing, and in repulsing him when my right flank was threatened. His dispositions were excellent.
Col. Allen Thomas, Twenty-eighth Louisiana, exhibited great gallantry and with his regiment did splendid service. Col. Hall, Twenty-sixth Louisiana, showed great coolness and gallantry. Colonel Henderson, Forty-second Georgia; Cols. [C. J.] Clack and [James J.] Turner, Third and Thirtieth Tennessee; Col. [J. A.] Rowan, Eightieth Tennessee; Colonel Easterling, Forty-sixth Mississippi, and Col. [Robert Richardson deserve favorable notice.

Of the artillery, I would particularly mention Maj. B. R.] Holmes. Captain Wofford exhibited great gallantry and coolness, and to him is due more credit than to any one else for such defenses as were at Chickasaw Bayou, he having planned and executed most of them. Lieutenants Johnston, Duncan, Tarleton, and Weems behaved well.

Of my personal staff I am pained to announce the death of Capt. Paul Hamilton, assistant adjutant-general, who was killed on the 29th, by the explosion of a caisson by a shell from the enemy, while executing an order. He was the most promising young officer it has been my fortune to meet. He was but twenty-one years of age, but had been in thirty battles. He was brave to a fault, always present in danger in the path of duty. His gallantry was only excelled by his modestly and strict performance of every trust confided to him.

Maj. Donald C. Stith, brigade inspector, behaved with gallantry and coolness under fire and did good service. Lieut. Henry B. Lee, aide-de-camp, showed great bravery; he was wounded in the hand bearing an order. Maj. [W. O.] Watts, Capt. W. H. Johnson, and Lieut. [S.S.] Champion, volunteer aides-de-camp, acted gallantly and were of great service.
I would also mention Corporal Champion, of Captain Johnson's company, in charge of couriers, for his bravery. He carried several important orders under heavy fire. Dr. Smith (a civilian seventy years of age) acted as aide-de-camp and did-good service.

Inclosed is a list of casualties: Thirty-six killed, 78 wounded, and 3 deserted. Total, 124.

Major-General Maury arrived on the morning of the 30th and assumed command. The report of my future operations will be sent through him.

Please find inclosed reports of Colonels Withers, Higgins, Thomas, and Morrison.

I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

STEPHEN D. LEE,

Major-General, C. S. Army, Commanding on Yazoo.

Maj. J. G. DEVEREUX,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Second Dist., Dept. Miss. and East La.

UNION VIEW

BIVOUAC, December 27, 1862.

In accordance with orders received on the 26th I moved my brigade (composed of the Sixteenth [Ohio], Twenty-second [Kentucky], Forty-second [Ohio], Fifty-fourth [Indiana], and Foster's battery) from the boat (left bank of the Yazoo River) and advanced toward the Chickasaw Bayou. In crossing the large open fields, which are known as Lakers farm, the enemy was found in the woods, on the other side of a deep bayou, parallel to my left. I changed front toward this woods with the Twenty-second Kentucky, Fifty-fourth Indiana, and a part of the Forty-second [Ohio]; opened fire with these regiments and the battery. After an engagement of two hours the enemy was driven from the woods on the left, and as by this time night had set in I bivouacked on the ground and ordered the brigade to sleep by their arms. During the night an epaulement was thrown by the Forty-second Regiment, for the protection of Foster's 20-pounder battery.

In this affair the following were the casualties: The Twenty-second Kentucky 1 killed and 8 wounded; Forty-second Ohio, 2 men wounded; Fifty-fourth Indiana, 1 man killed; Foster's battery, 3 men wounded, 1 mortally, and 4 horses wounded.

Yours, respectfully,

JOHN F. DE COURCY,
Colonel, Commanding Third Brigade.

Lieutenant SAUNDERS,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

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DECEMBER 28, 1862.

SIR: This morning I resumed operations against the enemy, who had taken position in the woods on my front and toward my right. Lanphere's Michigan battery came to my assistance and enabled me, with the fire from the infantry, to drive the enemy back several hundred yards but this only after he had offered stout resistance' of about four hours' duration. As soon as I deemed it practicable to do so advanced the brigade into the woods, and ordering a charge through it the enemy was immediately driven out of it, and I placed the brigade in position in the woods and near the abatis, facing the works on the Chickasaw Bluffs.

The casualties this day were as follows: The Sixteenth Ohio, 30 killed and wounded; Twenty-second Kentucky, 2 men wounded; Forty-sec-and Ohio, 31 killed and wounded; Fifty-fourth Indiana, 30 killed and wounded; Lanpherc's battery, 2 men wounded, 2 horses killed and 3 wounded. Lieutenant Stein, my acting assistant adjutant-general, and Lieutenant Thomas, acting aide-de-camp, on my stafff had their horses wounded.

Yours, respectfully,

JOHN F. DE COURCY,

Colonel, Commanding Third Brigade.

Lieutenant SAUNDERS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

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DECEMBER 29, 1862.

SIR: At about 11 o'clock this day I received the order to prepare to advance with my brigade and attack the works on the Chickasaw Bluffs on my front, formed the brigade in the following order: The Twenty-second Kentucky and Fifty-fourth Indiana deployed in line of battle (the former on the rigid), the Sixteenth Ohio and Forty-second Ohio in rear in double column; the Sixteenth Ohio supported the Fifty-fourth Indiana and the Forty-second Ohio supported the Twenty-second Kentucky.

At ten minutes before 12 o'clock the order to advance was given and the Twenty-second and Forty-second Regiments found themselves immediately engaged under a hot fire in the toils of a nearly impassable abatis of heavy timber. But, the gallant labor of these regiments was of no avail for the object in view, as I found that a deep and wide bayou separated the abatis from the open ground which we had yet to traverse before reaching the base of the enemy's works. By this time the Sixteenth Ohio, Fifty-fourth Indiana, and a part of the Twenty-second Kentucky, having a much easier and less encumbered ground to march over, had dashed across the bayou on their front, and by a road had marched up to and deployed on the open ground which sloped up to the works which they were to attack. This attack they began immediately, in splendid style, and nearly accomplished their object, notwithstanding the immense and fearfully-destructive fire which poured in from front, left, right, and even rear, for as soon as these regiments had advanced a few hundred yards toward the works the enemy opened with a battery in rear of the left of their advance.

Seeing that I could not cross the bayou at the point which the Twenty-second Kentucky and Forty-second Ohio had reached I ordered a flank movement by the left through the abatis, and as fast as it was possible and with hearty cheers these regiments moved to the support of the Sixteenth and Fifty-fourth which were just beginning their charge. In a short time the abatis was recrossed, the bayou passed over, and the head of the column emerged on the open ground; too late however, to afford support or assist in the desperate charge. Notwithstanding the destructive fire from all sides, which kept mowing down the ranks of the Sixteenth Ohio, Twenty-second Kentucky, and Fifty fourth Indiana, the brave men composing these corps had nearly crossed the large open space of more than half a mile which lay stretched out before them glacis fashion, when the enemy increased his fire of small arms and grape to such a degree as to render a farther advance impossible. Finding the retreat begun, and deeming it but the natural result of an advance over such an extent of open ground and under such an amount of concentric fire, I resolved not to expose the Forty-second Ohio to useless destruction. I therefore halted this regiment at the bet tom of the road under the bank of the bayou and deployed it to cover the retreat of the repulsed regiments. The Forty-second Ohio, under the command of Lieut. Col. Don A. Pardee, performed this duty with great steadiness, and re-entered our lines in perfect order under the directions of that able and gallant officer.

In this affair the Sixteenth Ohio was commanded by Lieut. Col. P. Kershner, who fell while heading the charge of the regiment. This excellent officer is supposed to be wounded and made prisoner.

The Twenty-second Kentucky was under the orders of Lieut. Col. G. W. Monroe, who was wounded early in the charge. His wound not being a serious one I hope the valuable services of this officer will soon be available. The regiment was brought out of action by Maj. W. J. Worthington.

The Fifty-fourth Indiana was led by Col. F. Mansfield, who handled his young corps and showed his men so good an example as to make them behave with like bravery and constancy of the old regiments at their side.

All these regiments brought back their colors. The praises for the heroic bravery displayed by the officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates of the regiments in my brigade this day in the attack on the Chickasaw Bluffs is out of my province in this official report, but I must be allowed to say that no troops of any army could have done better, and perhaps few would or could have done so well.

Lieutenant Stein, acting assistant adjutant-general; Lieutenants Thomas and Risdon, of my staff, showed their usual cheerful alacrity in seeing all my orders carried out regardless of all or any kind of risks. These officers have been for nearly three days constantly under fire.

Yours, respectfully,

JOHN F. DE COURCY,

Colonel, Commanding Third Brigade.

Lieutenant SAUNDERS,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

Love the bit, after the action as the Union pulled away, "Men may make fires in hollows 500 yards in back of picket line".

John H

So who is going?

Have we asked anyone from the 18VA? I only asked as there is at least one from Edinburgh (my nearest large city) and a car pool would help me for sure. Bloody long way to go on your own, not to mention expensive.

Fred