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 Fortijicdtion and Siege of Port Hudson. 315

there, nor were they considered necessary. But it having become apparent that the enemy preferred to overcome the natural obstacles of the woods rather than the artificial ones in the shape of fortifica- tions, General Gardner had sent a good part of his forces to meet him, giving the command, from the left of our breastworks to the river above, to Colonel J. G. W. Steedman, of the First Alabama regiment, an officer who proved himself fully equal to the responsi- bility. The troops under his command were the Fifteenth Arkansas, Colonel B. W. Johnson ; the Tenth Arkansas, Lieutenant-Colonel Vaughn ; First Alabama, Lieutenant-Colonel M. B. Locke and Major S. L. Knox; Eighteenth Arkansas, Lieutenant- Colonel J. C. Parish; Thirty-ninth Mississippi, Colonel W. B. Shelby, and one company of Wingfield's cavalry, dismounted, under command of Lieutenant O. N. Daliet. The left wing had also Herrod's battery, and a section apiece from Bradford's and the Watson battery.

Colonel Steedman, to make his position secure, had rifle-pits hastily thrown up on the ridges and spurs of high ground, but the valleys and gorges had no such protection. They were principally choked, however, with fallen timber.

OFFICIAL REPORT OF COLONEL J. G. W. STEEDMAN, FIRST REGI- MENT ALABAMA VOLUNTEERS.

Captain T. Friend Wilson, A. A. G. :

Sir, — On Friday, the twenty-second of May, I was ordered with my regiment (First regiment Alabama volunteers), to take posi- tion a half mile in advance of the main works of Port Hudson, on the road leading by the commissary depot, grist mill, &c. , in the direction of Aberger's field. At this point, Wingfield's battalion of cavalry and one section of the Watson battery was ordered to re- port to me. The same day I received an order from the Major- General commandu-ig, placing me in command of the left wing of the defences of Port Hudson, including the advanced work in com- mand of Colonel Johnson (Fifteenth Arkansas), on the right, and extending to the river on the extreme left.

My orders were to observe the enemy and to oppose his advance upon our works, but without risking a serious engagement. Through the energy of Lieutenant-Colonel Wingfield, commanding cavalry, I soon learned that the enemy had completed the investment of Port Hudson, and was reconnoitering every possible approach to our defences. I at once threw forward a line of skirmishers, consisting