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| Brig. Gen. Stephen Dill Lee (Library of Congress) |
Report of Brig. Gen. Stephen D. Lee, C. S. Army, Commanding
Provisional Division, of operations December 25, 1862—January 2, 1863.
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 Major-General [M.L.] Smith, I took charge in person
of the defense of the swamp from the city to Snyder's mills. Between that point
and the city runs the Swamp road at the foot of the bluffs,--the average
distance of the road from the Yazoo being about two and a half miles. The
country between the road and the Yazoo is heavy bottom — and intersected by
sloughs and bayous — containing the plantations of Captain W. H. Johnson, Mrs.
Lake and Colonel Blake; the first two being below Chickasaw, 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 mills. A
lake and swamp run almost parallel to the road from near the city to Snyder's
mills, and at an average distance from it of about one-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, two miles from the city, by a
road leading to Johnson's; next, at the Indian mound, four miles from the city,
where the lake is dry for two hundred 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, one
mile beyond Chickasaw bayou; and at Snyder's mills, thirteen miles from the
city, where we have extensive fortifications. Commencing about two miles short
of Snyder's mills is 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 First Louisiana, Col. S.R. Harrison), 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 two miles above (one mile below Chickasaw bayou),
driving in our pickets. Colonel [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 mills. They evidently had excellent guides, attacking us
at every point where it was possible to reach the road.
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| Pvt. Theogene Chaisson, Co. E, 26th Louisiana Infantry (Copy print, M. Jones Collection) |
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 least a brigade and a battery of six guns. Colonel Thomas held his
ground against this greatly superior force from about daylight till 12 p.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 battery, Mississippi artillery, 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 Johnson
doing admirable service.
On the 28th the enemy, who had
landed a small infantry force in front of Snyder's mills, disappeared from that
point; only two gun-boats 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 that my position would
be attacked next morning. During the night my command was reinforced 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 shots from the section of Wofford's
battery and a section of guns commanded by Lieutenant Tarleton, of Major Ward's
artillery battalion. 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 Colonel Layton's Fourth
Mississippi was ordered to join me from Snyder's mills, 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, six thousand 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 two
hundred yards of my lines. 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, Colonel
[R.J.] Henderson (sent to the left) in the morning, and handsomely repulsed.
Our fire was so severe that the enemy laid 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 four stands of colors and 500 stands 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 Tennessee
regiments, occupying the pits when 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 can be given as deserving of especial notice, but
every one did well. Col. [Edward] Higgins, commanding the important post at
Snyder's mills, 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.
Colonel 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. Col. Henderson, Forty-second Georgia; Cols. [C.J.] Clack and [James J.] Turner, Third and
Thirtieth Tennessee; Col. 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 modesty 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 Aids-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 Aid-de-Camp and did good service.
Inclosed is a list of casualties—Thirty-six
killed, 78 wounded, 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 enclosed 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.
Major J. G. Deveraux, Asst. Adjt.-Gen., Second Dist., Departments Miss.
and E. La.
[Official
Records: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the
Union and Confederate Armies; Series 1, Volume 17 (Part 1) 680-684.]
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