No. 40.
Reports of Lieut. Col. P. F. De Gournay, Twelfth Louisiana Artillery Battalion, of operations, May24--July 2.
HEADQUARTERS LEFT WING, HEAVY BATTERIES,
Port Hudson, May 24.1863.
COLONEL: During the two hours and a half bombardment by the enemy's mortar and gunboats, the batteries of this command fired twenty-four shots with little effect, being at very long range. One of the shots from Captain [W. B.] Seawell's battery struck the Monongahela in the bow. Our batteries were struck many times, but with no damage. The gun-carriage at Battery 10 was slightly injured, but not enough to disable it.
I have to deplore the following casualties among the men armed as infantry at the breastworks on the extreme right, viz: Killed, Corporal [William] Zengle and Private [Adolph] Hildman, of Company A, twelfth Louisiana Battalion; Private [John] Haindel, Company E, Twelfth Louisiana Battalion. Wounded, Private [John] Fink, Company A, Twelfth Louisiana Battalion.
I am, colonel, respectfully, your obedient servant,
P. F. DE GOURNAY
MAJOR: I have to report the following casualties among the men of my command armed as infantry and stationed at the breastworks on the extreme right: Killed, Corporal [William] Ziengle and Private [Adolph] Hildman, of Company A, and Private [John] Haindel, of Company E, Twelfth Louisiana Battalion. Wounded, Private [John] Fink, Company A, Twelfth Louisiana Battalion. These casualties resulted from a single bombshell. The gun carriage at Battery No. 10 was slightly injured, but not disabled. I have no other damages to report, although the batteries were struck quite often by fragments of bomb, and rifle shells.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
P. F. DE GOURNAY
Maj. T. F. Willson,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
Colonel: I had the Parrott gun and the rifled 24-pounder trailed and pointed yesterday, and bearings marked, so that they could be directed at the mortar-boats during the night. At 11.30 the mortars commenced bombarding, when our guns replied, firing at the flash, deliberately and slowly. We fired in all nineteen shots, and this morning the mortar fleet is below the Point, having fallen back during the darkness that preceded daybreak. I owe this result in great part to the excellent management of Lieutenant [L. A.] Schirmer, whom I hall placed in charge of the Parrott gun. During the fight the bursting of a bomb-shell in the rear of the battery wounded 3 men of Company D, Twelfth Louisiana Battalion; 1 seriously. No damage to the works.
I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
P. F. DE GOURNAY,
Lieut. Col. M. J. SMITH,
Chief of Heavy Artillery.
MAJOR: During the furious bombardment by the enemy's mortar-boats this afternoon, a shell struck the gun (32-pounder rifled) at Battery No. 10, breaking the screw. The damage is easily repaired, and the gun can be used to-night. Another shell fell in the clump near Battery No. 9, killing 1 man instantly. The mortar-boats have moved to-day nearer the Point, probably on account of the river falling steadily. They are not much nearer to us, but in better view. For several days they have been using occasionally extra charges of powder, by which they have attained greater range, and thrown shells beyond Battery No. 6. I will take advantage of their new position, and attack them tomorrow with the Patrott gun (30-pounder) and the rifled 24-pounder and 32-pounder.
I am, major, respectfully, your obedient servant,
P. F. DE GOURNAY
Maj. T. F. WILLSON,
Assistant Adjutant-General
COLONEL: The communication to General Gardner from several officers of the right wing, land defenses, asking that more heavy guns should be placed on that wing, is before me, and I have the honor to submit my opinion, as requested by you. As regards the 8-inch shell gun, the only one from my command alluded to, I cannot see the practicability of its removal to the lines. It is a barbette gun, and a battery would have to be constructed, which would involve delay and labor; it would, besides, deprive the river defenses of one of the few effective guns they have with which to contend against the superior armament of the fleet.
If this gun were placed in Battery No. 8, on a columbiad pivot carriage, as agreed lately, it might be brought to bear on the enemy's land batteries, while still retaining its position on the river.
Such is the case with the 30-pounder Parrott and rifled 24-pounder, which commands both the river and land. These two guns will support any battery on the right wing whenever, by previous understanding, it wishes to open. By so doing, they will probably attract the fire of the fleet, but such a consideration can have no weight. If we calculate the number of guns of the enemy, and bow to their superiority, we are lost.
We have to fight them when and as we can, and trust to God and our own fortitude for the result. There is nothing to warrant the opinion that with two heavy guns on the line we can silence all their batteries, and, in my opinion, the removal of the 8-inch shell gun would give certain prejudice and barely probable benefit.
These remarks are my candid opinion, but should the general order any of the guns of my command to be moved to other positions, he may rest assured that we will fight them as long as they will stand. Should he wish the 24-pounder and 30-pounder Parrott to open tomorrow on the enemy's batteries, I will have it done. We could effect nothing at night with these guns, as the enemy's batteries are concealed from view, and we must be guided by the smoke of their guns.
I am, colonel, respectfully,
P. F. DE GOURNAY,
Lieut. Col. M. J. SMITH,
Chief of Heavy Artillery.
COLONEL: During the firing from the ships this morning, the 24-pounder rifled gun at Battery 11 was struck by a shell near the vent, and a small piece of metal broken off. No serious damage, however, and the gun can be worked with safety.
Yours, respectfully,
P. F. DE GOURNAY,
Lieut. Col. M. J. SMITH,
Chief of Heavy Artillery.
COLONEL: The 30-pounder Parrott gun was disabled about an hour ago by a solid shot from a land battery, nearly opposite, that had just opened for the first time. The shot struck the guu near the muzzle, cutting off a piece and splitting the gun. Two other successive shots broke the axle and a wheel, making the piece a complete wreck. The piece was just being placed in position to fire, and was not yet in battery when struck. Sharpshooters now line the hill opposite, and keep up a steady fire when our men show themselves. Amid this sad disaster, I have the consolation to report that none of my cannoneers were hurt.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
P. F. DE GOURNAY,
Lieut. Col. M. J. SMITH,
Chief of Heavy Artillery.
MAJOR: The enemy opened fire from their land batteries and the fleet (including mortar-boats) at 3.45 o'clock this afternoon, to which the guns on this wing replied, and soon brought on a spirited artillery fight.
The mortar-boats ceased firing after two hours and a half, the gunboats four hours. No damage was done to our guns and no man hurt at the batteries. The works at Battery No. 11 were badly torn up by the enemy's fire, which seemed to be, in great part, concentrated on that point. So terrific was the fire at that battery, that it was found impossible to man the siege 24-pounder rifled gun without an almost certainty that it would be dismounted. The guns engaged on the extreme left were the rifled 33-pounder, which fired fourteen shots; the 8-inch shell gun, which fired six shells with excellent effect on the enemy's principal works, after which it unfortunately got disabled by the accidental giving way of the elevating screw--the damage is now being repaired; the rifled 24-pounder barbette, which fired 27 Reid shots at the mortar- boats, many shots taking effect on the boats and also on the Essex.
From the center, the 10-inch and 8-inch columbiads of this command were also engaged, first with the fleet, and subsequently, with much better effect, firing on the enemy's works. I cannot yet report the number of shots fired frown these two guns.
I beg leave to make most honorable mention of Lieut. L. A. Schirmer, of my command, for an act of heroic bravery. The flag of [W. R.] Miles' Legion was hoisted on the extreme left (Battery 11), and was shot down. Lieutenant Schirmer seized it, fixed it to a light pole, and, jumping on the parapet, planted the flag-staff amid a shower of bullets. Again and again the flag was shot down, and each time the gallant lieutenant raised it, waved it defiantly, and planted it firmly, regardless of the volleys of the enemy's sharpshooters. He escaped unhurt after repeating thrice this gallant feat, that called forth the enthusiastic cheers of the brave men who lined our works.
There is still occasional firing, and it is probable that the attack will be renewed tonight, preparatory to an attempt to charge the works in the morning. The men are in excellent spirits and will do all their duty.
I am, major, respectfully, your obedient servant,
P. F. DE GOURNAY
Maj. T. F. WILLSON,
Assistant Adjutant-General
MAJOR: Capt. Felix Le Bisque, Company B, Twelfth Louisiana Battalion, died yesterday in the general hospital, after a protracted illness.
My batteries were again engaged to-day with the enemy's guns recently placed on the opposite side of the river. The 32-pounder rifled gun at Battery No. 10 was dismounted by a shot cutting down the cheeks. The gun is not injured. Captain [W. N.] Coffin, commanding, was slightly wounded. We are unable to say what damage was inflicted on the enemy.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
P. F. DE GOURNAY
Maj. T. F. WILLSON,
Assistant Adjutant-General