Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 10.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[711] the same brigade, placed along the bank, wherever the ground was favorable. As conjectured, the enemy were in motion at sundown, and at dusk descended amid the roar of cannon, the flashing of musketry, the glare of lightning, and scenes in every respect such as had distinguished their passage up, except that the action was of shorter duration, and the Arkansas was on the river returning their broadsides. The firing was mainly over in the course of an hour, and, at the batteries, not a single casualty from the enemy's shot occurred. From the fifteenth to the eighteenth the enemy were mainly occupied in endeavoring to sink the Arkansas with their mortars, and on the morning of the eighteenth a daring attempt was made to cut her out from under one of our batteries. It resulted, however, in no injury to the Arkansas, but in the destruction of one of their boats. This was really the termination of the attack, although the bombardment was kept up until the twenty-seventh, when both fleets disappeared. It will thus be seen that the enemy were in front of Vicksburg sixty-seven days, during which the combined efforts of two powerful fleets have been foiled, and the accompanying land force, from four to five thousand, held at bay.

The number of shot and shells thrown by the fleets is unknown. It has been estimated as high as twenty-five thousand, and put as low as twenty thousand. The number, however, is unimportant, and mentioned only to illustrate the fact, that the loss to a land battery when attacked by one afloat is comparatively small. The casualties from the enemy's firing was seven killed and fifteen wounded. In the town two only are reported. The enemy fired at least ten shots to our one, and their number of killed and wounded can, from information, be safely put down at five times as great. It is a matter of surprise that not a single gun was dismounted during the whole time, and only two temporarily disabled, both being repaired in one night. The number of guns brought against us, including mortars, could not have been much less than three hundred. The number on our side, as you are aware, was considerably less. After this general description given, it would be great injustice not to mention the commands and their officers that have been instrumental in so signal a success. The batteries were manned by three companies of the First regiment Louisiana artillery, two companies of the Twenty-second, two companies of the Twenty-third Louisiana volunteers, Major Clinch; four companies heavy artillery from Fort Pillow, Major Headley; three companies Eighth Louisiana battalion, Major Ogden. Colonel Jackson and Lieutenant-Colonel Sterling, both of the heavy artillery, were, respectively, in immediate command of the upper and lower batteries, and Colonel Fuller, Chief of Heavy Artillery, Lieutenant-Colonel Pinckney, Eighth Louisiana battalion, in command of two of the lower batteries for a portion of the time, was temporarily relieved, under a special organization, which reduced the battalion to a Major's command. The officers commanding these companies were as follows: Captains Capers, Grayson, Butler, Tissot, Purvis, Herrod, Todd, Disumkes, Parks, Morman, Postlethwait, Durives, Kerr, and Lieutenants Eustis, Butler, and McCrory. The names of the above-mentioned officers are given for the reason that, in connection with their Lieutenants and men, they have passed through an ordeal that troops are but seldom called upon to undergo! For more than seventy-five days and nights have these batteries been continuously manned and ready for action at a moment's warning. During much of this time the roar of cannon has been unceasing, and there have been portions of it during which the noise of falling shot and the explosions of shells have been such as might make the stoutest heart quail. Yet none faltered. The blazing sun, the fatiguing night watch, the storm of battle-all were alike cheerfully endured, and, whenever called upon, heavy and telling blows were dealt upon our foes in return. 1 feel a pride in having such officers and such men under my command, for they have nobly sustained our cause in time of need, have added to the country's glory, and deserve well of her gratitude. Some officers possibly attracted my attention more than others by their chivalric courage and inspiriting manner; yet the conduct of all was so noble and unexceptionable that I do not venture to particularize. The distant picketing was most efficiently and faithfully performed by the cavalry, commanded at different times by Colonel Starke, Lieutenant-Colonel Ferguson, and Major Jones, according as they were present. The nearer picket duty, together with that of being at all times guarded against surprise, and ready to meet an attack, was so patiently and carefully performed by the Twenty-sixth, Twenty-seventh, and Twenty-eighth Louisiana volunteers, under Colonels Declonet, Marks, and Allen Thomas; the Fourth and Seventeenth Louisiana volunteers, Colonel Allen and Colonel Richardson; also by the Third regiment and Sixth battalion Mississippi volunteers, Colonel Mellon and Lieutenant-Colonel Balfour, together with Withers' Light Artillery, under Lieutenant-Colonel Parker, that I felt secure in giving most of my attention to the bombardment going on. Whenever events demanded a united movement of all, I found a most reliable and efficient officer to represent me and carry out my instructions, in the person of my present Assistant Adjutant-General, Colonel Girault, whose judgment and zeal were never at fault. Of Captain Lockett, the accomplished engineer officer of my staff, I have to speak in terms of unqualified praise, both as regards skill in his profession and qualities as a soldier. The services of such an officer are so important and indispensable as to have all the effect of a positive increase of force in determining the issue of a contest. I most cordially recommend him to notice. Captain McDonald, brigade ordnance officer, and Captains Frost and Harrod, aids, have in turn performed almost every duty, during the siege, known to