MAY 1, 1863.--Battle of Port Gibson, or Thompson's Hill, Miss.
No. 31.--Report of Brig. Gen. Martin E. Green, C. S. Army, commanding Second Brigade, Bowen's Division.
HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, SECOND DIVISION,
Big Black, May 11, 1863.
SIR: I have the honor to transmit the following report of the part taken by the troops under my command in the battle at Union Church, near Port Gibson, on May 1:
In the evening of April 29, I received an order from Brigadier-General Bowen, commanding, to send a force of 500 men beyond Port Gibson, to take position and picket the different roads leading south. I accordingly sent, under command of Colonel [J. E.] Cravens, that part of his regiment(Twenty-first Arkansas) not on picket, the Fifteenth Arkansas, and Twelfth Battalion Arkansas Infantry (sharpshooters), making in the aggregate a little over 400.
. . . . . . .
The Arkansas troops were exposed to the heaviest charges made by the enemy, yet they stood like heroes at their posts, repulsing at least a dozen heavy charges, each charge having been made (as I learn) by fresh troops.
Our loss, without including that of the batteries, Sixth Mississippi, or Twenty-third Alabama, is 222, as follows:
Command Killed. Wounded. Missing.
6th Missouri 4 32 46
21st Arkansas 4 11 22
12th Battalion Sharpshooters. 1 3 17
15th Arkansas Infantry 8 37 37
Total 17 83 122
Doubtless many or nearly all of those reported missing are killed, yet we have no means of ascertaining what has been their fate.
Although all the troops under my command stood to their posts and fought with a desperation unequaled, and particular mention of any might be thought an invidious discrimination, yet I feel it my duty to mention Capt. Griff. Bayne, commander of the Twelfth Battalion Sharpshooters, as having acted pre-eminently gallant, and after skirmishing with the enemy and holding him in check from 12.30 o'clock until about 8 p.m., fell, severely, if not mortally, wounded. I recommend him to the favorable consideration of the Department.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
M. E. GREEN,
Brigadier-General, Second Brigade, Second Division.
Capt. R. R. HUTCHINSON,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Bowen's Division, Army of the Mississippi.
............
Green's command.
Brig. Gen. M. E. GREEN.
1st Arkansas Cavalry Battalion (sharpshooters, dismounted), Capt. W. S. Catterson.
12th Arkansas Battalion Infantry (sharpshooters), Capt. Griff. Bayne.
15th Arkansas, Lieut. Col. W. W. Reynolds.
19th Arkansas, Col. T. P. Dockery.
20th Arkansas, Col. D. W. Jones.
21st Arkansas, Col. J. E. Cravens.
1st Missouri Cavalry (dismounted), Col. E. Gates.
3d Missouri Cavalry Battalion (dismounted), Lieut. Col. D. Todd Samuels.
Missouri Battery, Capt. W. E. Dawson. Missouri Battery, Capt. Schuyler Lowe.
Escort.
Western Rangers (one company), Capt. P.M. Savery.