May 27.—The rebel fortifications at Port Hudson were this day attacked by the National forces under the command of General Banks, but, after a desperate conflict of eight hours’ duration, they were unable to reduce them. In the first charge made upon the works, Captain Callioux and Lieutenant Crowder, both colored officers, were killed. — (Doc. 201.)
—The United States gunboat Cincinnati, was sunk by the rebel batteries at Vicksburgh, Miss. Lieutenant Commander Bache, gave the following report of the occurrence to Admiral Porter: “In obedience to your order, the Cincinnati got under way this morning at seven o’clock, and steamed slowly down until a little abreast of where the mortars lie. When we rounded to, the enemy fired several shots from a gun called ‘Whistling Dick,’ but soon gave it up. At half past eight, with a full head of steam, we stood for the position assigned us. The enemy fired rapidly, and from all their batteries. When abreast of our pontoon, and rounding to, a ball entered the magazine, and she commenced sinking rapidly. Shortly after, the starboard tiller was carried away. Before and after this, the enemy fired with great accuracy, hitting us nearly every time. We were especially annoyed by plunging shots from the hills, and eight-inch rifled and ten-inch smooth-bore shots did us much damage. The shots went entirely through our protection—hay and wood. And now, finding that the vessel would sink, I ran her up-stream as near the right-hand shore as our damaged steering apparatus would permit. About ten minutes before she sank we ran close in, got out one plank, and put the wounded ashore. We also got a hawser out to make fast to a tree to hold her until she sunk. Unfortunately, the men ashore left the hawser without making it fast. The enemy were still firing, and the boat commenced drifting out. I sung out to the men to swim ashore, thinking we were in deeper water (as was reported) than we really were. I suppose about fifteen were drowned and twenty-five killed and wounded, and one probably taken prisoner. This will sum up our whole loss. The boat sunk in about three fathoms of water; she lies level and can easily be raised, but lies within range of the enemy’s batteries. The vessel went down with her colors nailed to her mast, or rather to the stump of one, all three having been shot away. Our fire, until the magazine was drowned, was good, and I am satisfied did damage. We only fired at a two-gun water-battery.”
—The Eleventh battery of Massachusetts volunteers, returned to Boston from the seat of war.
