posed to a terrific fire of musketry from the intrenchments in front, and also to a fire from the enemy's batteries on the right and left flanks. These batteries were so situated as to perfectly command this point.

Times, but I can and will tell the truth, something which he is not willing or able to do. Colonel De Courcy's brigade is composed of the following regiments, namely, Sixteenth Ohio, Lieut.-Col. P. Kershner; Twenty-second Kentucky, Lieut.-Col. After effecting the crossing, the head of the G. W. Monroe; Forty-second Ohio, Lieut.-Col. column filed right, the left coming forward into Don A. Pardee; Fifty-fourth Indiana, Colonel line, the right resting on and inside (the side next Mansfield. The brigade disembarked on the twenthe enemy) of a strong abattis which had been ty-sixth, on the south bank of the Yazoo River, formed by the enemy for his own protection. and made a reconnoissance through a belt of woods Here I was informed by the General command- to Mrs. Lake's plantation, to discover a practicable ing the brigade, that contrary to his orders the road to Chickasaw Bluffs; exchanged a few shots regiment was not supported by others, and that with the rebel pickets, neither side doing any should hold the position I then had, until he damage. On the twenty-seventh a general adcould ascertain if support was coming, provided vance was ordered. Generals A. J. Smith on the I could do so, leaving me to judge of that matter right, Morgan L. Smith_next, G. W. Morgan the for myself; I held the position for about thirty centre, Steele the left. In crossing the large open minutes, under a fire which cannot be described. fields known as Mrs. Lake's plantation, the enemy At the end of this time, seeing that I had no sup- opened fire on us from a dense woods on the other port, and that none was coming; that my regi- side of the bayou, parallel to our left. Colonel ment was the only one on the field; that my De Courcy changed front toward the woods with officers and men were suffering dreadfully from the Twenty-second Kentucky, Fifty-fourth India fire that could not be returned effectively, I ana, and part of the Forty-second Ohio, opened gave the order to fall back, which was accomplish-fire with these regiments, and Foster's twentyed in good order, though with great loss. The regiment went into the action with four hundred and eighty men and officers, of whom one hun

dred and twelve were killed and wounded.

Among the killed was Lieut. E. C. Miller, of company G, who had command of the thirty men on the twenty-eighth. No braver officer has fallen in his country's cause.

It would be invidious to speak of individual acts of bravery, as all did well. Every officer and man did his whole duty, and regretted that he could do no more.

Under any circumstances the loss of so many brave men is a matter to be deeply deplored, but in this instance it is doubly painful, as no advantage commensurate with the loss was obtained.

The officers and men of the regiment join me in tendering the General commanding the brigade our heartfelt thanks, both for the part he took in the charge-going as he did at the head of the column-and for the manner in which he spoke of the action of the regiment on the field.

Hereto attached, you will find a list of the killed and wounded.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. A. WILLIAMSON,

Colonel Commanding Fourth Iowa Infantry.

Captain BLACKER,
A. A. General, Third Brigade, Fourth Division, Thirteenth
Army Corps, Right Wing.

LOUISVILLE "JOURNAL" ACCOUNT.
CAMP YOUNG'S POINT, LA.,
January 27, 1863.

GENTLEMEN: Doubtless you and your readers have seen the unjust and false account published in the Chicago Times of the sixteenth instant, of the "Chickasaw Bayou and Bluffs" affair of December twenty-seventh, twenty-eighth and twenty-ninth. As I was a participant in the affair, I have concluded to give a plain statement of the facts. It is true I will not be able to use the flowery language of "W. E. W.," of the Chicago

pound battery. After an engagement of two hours the enemy was driven from the woods, and as night had set in, the brigade bivouacked on the ground. The Forty-second regiment worked all night throwing up a work for the protection of the battery.

The casualties in this affair were two killed and twelve wounded. Among the wounded was Sergt. John Peterson, company G, Twentysecond Kentucky, whose parents reside in Ironton O. On the morning of the twenty-eighth operations were resumed early. The enemy had taken position in our front and right, the infantry were ordered forward, and, with Lampkins's Michigan battery, opened fire, which was kept up briskly the whole morning, the enemy contesting stubbornly every inch of ground. About two o'clock the Forty-second and Fifty-fourth regiments, supported by the Sixteenth and Twentysecond regiments, were ordered to charge through the woods. Bayonets were fixed and these regiments starting with a cheer, the enemy gave way and retired hastily to his first line of rifle-pits. The brigade followed and was formed in line of battle on the edge of the woods in front of the enemy's first line of works, and an incessant fire of infantry and artillery was kept up until dark. The brigade biouvacked on the ground and threw up a long rifle-pit during the night. The loss in our brigade in killed and wounded was over one hundred. That is what W. E. W. calls a slight skirmish. I think if he had been in front instead of the rear, he would have found it warm enough to call it a pretty well contested fight. General Steele, finding natural obstacles in his front, was ordered to fall back, leaving the enemy's right clear, and thus enabling him to mass his troops on the centre, the point which we attacked next day.

Twenty-ninth. The plan of attack for this morning was as follows: The hills on the right were to be taken, and when in our possession, the signal for the advance of the centre was to be a gen

eral volley of artillery. The hills on the right | cy's brigade was late in coming up; that it was were not taken, but yet the signal for the centre the reserve; that Blair's men cried out for the to advance was given. Our brigade was formed, reserve, and saw it not coming to their help. the Fifty-fourth and Twenty-second deployed in Why, De Courcy's men were started for the line of battle, the former on the left, supported by charge by the same signal which moved Blair's, the Sixteenth in double column, the Forty-second and though the distance they had to go over was supporting the Twenty-second. At ten minutes greater, they advanced far beyond the rifle-pit before twelve o'clock the brigade was moving where Blair's men had stopped, and out of which forward, the right wing led by Col. De Courcy, and they did not move until they retreated, many of they had advanced but a short distance when we them throwing away their arms, and nearly all found ourselves in the toils of an almost impass- their colors. Why does W. E. W. suppress the able "abattis" of fallen timber, where it was im-fact about the loss of so many colors? De Courpossible to preserve our formation in line of bat-cy's brigade brought all theirs back, torn to tle; the gallant labor of these regiments was of no pieces by shot, shell, and rifle-bullet. What avail for the object in view, as part of the Twenty- was the state of De Courcy's brigade after the second Kentucky and the Forty-second Ohio came charge? A statement of the losses will alone into a deep and wide bayou which separated them suffice to show the world how nobly it attemptfrom the open ground in front of the enemy's ed to do its duty. In short, it is apparent that works. The Sixteenth, Fifty-fourth, and part of W. E. W.'s intention is to make a hero of Blair the Twenty-second having a much easier road to and his men at the expense of De Courcy and traverse, had dashed across the bayou and com- his brigade. The question must be put, Why is menced the charge over the open ground. Offi- this attempt made? Is it to make capital for cers and men of the Twenty-second seeing the the politician at the expense of the soldier, whose splendid advance of the Sixteenth, remarked to non-promotion proves so clearly that the latter Colonel De Courcy: "There is the effect of disci- has no friends near the White House, whatever pline." Not being able to cross the bayou imme- the reason? I am one among the many who are diately in front of the right wing, the order was ready to prove that W. E. W. has put that in given, "By the left flank," and at "double- print about De Courcy's brigade which is false, quick." We now traversed once more, though in and which will do injury to their fame unless another direction, the “abattis," and by a com- distinctly denied, and suppressed that which parative easy slope rushed down and across the will do it honor. That he has put in print subayou, and soon reached, notwithstanding a heavy premely ridiculous and exaggerated accounts of fire of shell and musketry, the open ground, too Blair's doings, suppressing in toto that which late, however, to afford assistance to the brave would certainly injure him. This attempt will men in the advance. They had reached the foot fail, and fail with a tremendous recoil, for there of the enemy's works; the Sixteenth, Fifty-fourth, can be no comparison between the two men. and Twenty-second planted their colors there, but Blair is notoriously ignorant of all matters apwere compelled to fall back. Batteries in front, pertaining to his present profession, and it is right, and left, and indeed there were batteries so well known that he has not the most distant placed as to command even our rear, (after an ad- conception of the simplest manœuvres. vance of one hundred yards over the open ground,) Whilst Col. De Courcy is as well known for and rifle-pits in every conceivable place filled with his theoretical and practical knowledge of the men which vomited one sheet of flame on the ap- soldier's art and science, and as a tactician has proach of our men. No troops could stand such given proof of the facility with which he can an amount of concentric fire, and our men retired. handle any number of regiments-handle them, The Forty-second was halted and deployed in line I mean, in a technical manner. As to bravery, of battle to cover the retreat of repulsed regiments. I know not what General Blair's may be. Its This regiment performed this duty well, reënter- quantity and quality may be all that W. E. W. ing our lines in perfect order. Gen. Blair's bri- says it is; so be it, for I wish not for a moment gade got as far as the enemy's first line of rifle- to detract from it. But Col. De Courcy I have pits, and moved not beyond them. Colonel De seen often under fire, and it is his bearing on Courcy's brigade did go beyond them, and got such occasions which has given him the great up to the main line of the enemy's works; and hold which he has acquired, notwithstanding the when this brigade had to retreat, Blair's brigade severity of his discipline, over all ranks of the had already left. Much has been said about regiments in his brigade. Under fire this offiGen. Blair's bravery. I do not wish to detract cer's tactical perceptions appear to be as clear from it, but I can assure you he did nothing that as on the peaceful drill-ground. His manner day to merit the ridiculous encomiums heaped is there always cool, and if any confusion takes upon him. When I got to the bayou I found said General Blair safely ensconced (and very excited) under the high bank. W. E. W., not content with bespattering Blair with indiscreet praise, proceeds to bespatter De Courcy's brigade with mud. But it is the oily, dirty stuff of a liar; for he lies when he says that De Cour

VOL. VI.-Doc. 21

place, he can, and he always has restored good order. But two things above all. First: He is always under fire whenever and however small a portion of his brigade may be engaged. Second: He never, when danger is in front, orders his men to "go on," as some do, but giving the example, he leads with a "come on."

FACTS.

and bitter cold, and much of the time with only he would join us. At noon General Carter came such scanty rations as you could procure in your up with ten companies of the Ninth Pennsylvania rapid march. You bore such hardships and pri-cavahy, under command of Major Russell, two vations as few of our soldiers have been called battalions Second Michigan cavalry, under Lieuupon to encounter, without a murmur or a single tenant-Colonel Campbell, our forces thus united word of complaint. You have acquitted your-making one thousand and five, rank and file, offiselves like worthy soldiers of the Republic. cers, servants, etc., all told. After feeding here "Through the Lord you have done valorously." on secesh hay, we proceeded to the Red Bird Your country is proud of your achievements. Fork of the Kentucky River; following up said To your valor and endurance are due the success river to its head-waters, we crossed through War of our undertaking. With such men few things Gap to the Pine Mountain; crossed said mounare impossible. tain, and at its foot struck the Cumberland River; We drop a tear to the memory of our brave followed up this river to Mt. Pleasant, the countycomrades who sleep in the valley of East-Ten-seat of Harlan County; this is one of the countynessee, and tender to their surviving friends our heartfelt sympathies.

seats, and is certainly worth describing. It consists of a court-house, with the gable end out; a Let it be our pride to emulate their heroism log jail, the logs so far apart that a man could and devotion to our most glorious and holy cause. crawl between them; half a dozen log huts inIn future let your conduct as soldiers be in keep-habited by white people, who refused a drink of ing with your recent glorious deeds. Others will water to a Union soldier. respect you all the more because you belonged to the expeditionary force to East-Tennessee. Soldiers, again the General Commanding thanks you. By command of Brig.-General CARTER. C. W. COWAN, A. A.G.

Official-C. J. WALKER,

Leaving the Cumberland River here, we followed up Martin's Creek to the foot of Cumberland Mountain. At four o'clock P.M., Sunday, the twenty-eighth, we commenced the ascent of the Cumberland, and at half-past ten P.M. we crossed the State line, and the Old Dominion

Colonel Tenth Kentucky Cavalry, Major Wm. Reany's Bat- was, from this side, for the first time polluted by tallon Seventh Ohio Volunteer Cavalry.

CINCINNATI "COMMERCIAL" ACCOUNT.

WINCHESTER, KY., January 11, 1863.

If your readers will for a moment lay before them their maps of Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee, I will endeavor to lay out to them the route pursued by General Carter in his expedition to East-Tennessee. The First battalion of the Seventh Ohio cavalry, under command of Major Reany, consisting of company A, Captain Green, First Lieutenant A. Hall; company B, Captain Lewis, First Lieutenant J. P. Santmyer, Second Lieutenant W. T. Burton; company C, Captain Simpson, Second Lieutenant M. Schuler; company D, Captain E. Lindsay, Second Lieutenant, Samuel Murphy; Acting Adjutant, D. Sayer; Acting Quartermaster, Second Lieutenant Rich-left this camp on the twentieth of December, under the guidance of Colonel Carter, of the Second Tennessee volunteers, and proceeded to Clarke's salt-works, at the head of the Kentucky River, where we were to meet a force of cavalry, under General Carter, to proceed somewhere, on some important business, no one knew where or what. We arrived at our destination on the twenty-fourth ultimo, ahead of the rest of the force.

Clarke's salt-works is situated near the mouth of Goose Creek, and has never yet been in the hands of the rebels. They attempted to take the place some six months ago, but the mountaineers, being nearly all strong Union men, met them, and drove them from the field; killing four, and wounding eight. They have notified Mr. Brown, the Superintendent, several times, that they were coming to take it; but have, as yet, failed to do so. On Christmas-day, a courier arrived from Gen. Carter to move up Goose Creek to Hurd's, where

"Lincoln hirelings." We crossed the east cor-
ner of Lee County during the night, and halted
for one hour for feeding. At ten o'clock Monday,
twenty-ninth, we crossed Powell's Creek, and as-
cended Powell's Mountain, where we entered the
State of Tennessee. Here we took eight bush-
whackers and four horses. At five o'clock P.M.
crossed Clinch River and fed our horses. Here
our rations commenced to fail. We gave out
only about half a cracker to a man. Rumors of
plenty of bushwhackers ahead. The General
here played a Yankee trick, by taking prisoners
all the citizens and placing them at the head of
the column. We then proceeded to cross the
Clinch Mountain. We took some twenty pris-
oners during our trip across this mountain, one
of them belonging to Floyd's body-guard, and
one to the celebrated State Rights guards, the
worst specimen of humanity I ever saw.
were again in the saddle all night, going at a
brisk trot. On the top of the mountain the First
Duty Sergeant of company D, Second Michigan,
was killed by a bushwhacker, and the Orderly
Sergeant of the same company taken prisoner.

We

At eleven o'clock on Tuesday morning, we entered Blountsville, the county-seat of Sullivan County. As we entered the town, a lady ran to the door, throwing up her hands, exclaiming: "The Yankees! the Yankees! Great God, we are lost!" After stopping here a few minutes to feed our horses, we proceeded toward Zollicoffer, formerly called Union Station, on the Virginia and East-Tennessee Railroad. At this station were encamped about one hundred and fifty of the Sixty-second North-Carolina regiment, confederate soldiers, under command of Major McDowell. Colonel Carter, being in advance, met three citizens, and, after passing the salutations of the morning, inquired the news of the day,