Milliken's Bend, La.,
May 3d 1863.
Father:
Our Division left camp at Young's Point on the 29th ult. on transports, and proceeded up the Yazoo to within five miles of "Haine's Bluffs", where we landed and remained until the next day. The fleet consisted of ten or 12 transports, three mortars, two iron clads (the Baron De Kalb and the new turreted boat, heavily iron-clad, Choctaw) and four wooden gun-boats. The next day the expedition went up 2 miles further, just out of range of the rebel batteries. The gun-boats proceeded still further up and engaged the enemy's batteries. The Choctaw went up within 800 yards of a battery of two 12 8 pdr's and after two hours firing fell back down the river, having been hit 53 times without serious damage. One solid shot went into the turret near the top without damage. Had it struck a foot lower it would not have went in as the iron and wood was heavier than where it struck. / This was the first engagement of the Choctaw, and the crew were all green, also. The Baron De Kalb engaged a battery near the shore, landed 30 or 40 marines drove the rebels from the guns (two in number) and spiked them, killing a Major, and capturing a Lieut. On Friday Thursday evening the infantry disembarked for the first time, and marched up within a mile of the Bluffs for the purpose of drawing the fire of the rebels, in order to discover the position number and caliber of the enemys guns. They soon opened from three or four guns without effect. Next day in the afternoon all the gunboats opened on the enemy which was returned for a short time, but it soon became too hot for the rebs, and after a short time the firing on their part ceased, having one gun dismounted. It was impossible, however, to storm the position as there is a bayou running close under the bluffs which could not be crossed. About the time the firing ceased, an orderly or dispatch bearer of Col. Kilby Smith (who commands a brigade) galloped up to our / outposts, told the officer in charge to draw in the pickets immediately, which was done, and the orderly proceeded toward the enemy's lines at full speed, swam the bayou and was soon received by the rebels with cheers. This is the same orderly who was taken prisoner (or as is now supposed, deserted,) on the Black Bayou expedition some 5 weeks ago, and was exchanged not long since. As our force was only intended to draw the attention of the rebels, and having accomplished its purpose, we left the Bluffs at nine o'clock P.M. and arrived at our old camp at 12, and yesterday the whole Division came here, where the general hospital is located and Grant's Headquarters. There are no troops between here and Vicksburg, about 15 miles. The army is mostly at Grand Gulf, 35 miles below the city, and there has been severe fighting with what results I have not learned. There are yet two Divisions of our Corps here but we will probably all leave in a few days to join the forces below, with the exception of one brigade to guard this post, as all the supplies are landed here, and transported across the country / to the army below. It is reported that our brigade is to remain. It is now camped near Gen Grants Headquarters.
The health of the army is very good, now. The river has fallen five or six feet; the weather is dry and excessively warm.
The prospect of an immediate battle, that is, a final struggle for the possession of Vicksburg, is not so flattering as it seemed a week ago. The transmission of 40 or 50,000 troops below Vicksburg now looks more like a change of base of operations than an attempt to storm the enemys works immediately. But, I will let future operations determine this, and in the meantime keep you posted as to what takes place, so far as possible.
Clarkson
Co. E. 4th Reg't V.V.I.
near Vicksburg, Miss.
