with Randall's brigade and some artillery, and found that McCullough had withdrawn out of reach of shells. After examining the position, General Walker reported to me that three additional gunboats, attracted by the firing, had arrived, that he could find no position from which to use his artillery, and that the prostration of the men from the intense heat prevented him from marching down to Duckport as directed. It is true the heat was intense, the thermometer marking ninety-five in the shade, but had common vigor and judgment been displayed the work would all have been completed by 8 A. M. McCullough's brigade lost some twenty killed and perhaps eighty wounded. A very large number of the negroes were killed and wounded, and unfortunately some fifty, with two of their white officers, captured. I respectfully ask instructions as to the dispositions of these prisoners. A number of horses and mules, some few small arms and commissary stores were also taken. In this affair General McCullough appears to have shown great personal bravery, but no capacity for handling masses.
I turn now to Hawes' operations: No report was received from him till late in the evening of the 7th—Lieutenant Routh, signal officer, returned and informed me that General Hawes was falling back; that he had asked General Hawes if any attempt was to be made to communicate with Vicksburg, in sight with a good glass, and received a negative reply. Lieutenant Routh then attempted to make his own way down the point, but meeting some armed Yankees and negroes was forced to return. Shortly after Lieutenant Routh's report, a man of the signal corps arrived with some "memoranda," which General Hawes directed him to read to me. From these it appears that General Hawes reached the rear of Young's, one mile distant, at 11 A. M. on the 7th; that he had consumed seventeen hours in marching nineteen miles over a good road without impediments. It further appears that a more favorable condition of affairs was found at Young's than General Hawes was told to expect, for late as he arrived he surprised the enemy. A number were found fishing some distance from the camp, and two or three were captured at this peaceful work. Two shots were fired by the enemy; both taking effect, one killing a horse and the other severely wounding in the arm one of the guides of Harrison's cavalry. General Hawes formed his line of battle, advanced in the open field to within half a mile of the enemy and then retired. I quote from the "memoranda": "He was satisfied he could carry the position, but did not think it would pay." General Hawes then returned to the junction of the roads in less time than he had taken to advance, leaving, as General Walker reported to me, over two hundred stragglers behind. Harrison's cavalry was sent to bring in these. They were, however, in no danger, as the enemy at the time were rushing aboard their transports and burning stores. General Walker desired me to see General Hawes to learn the reason of his conduct. I declined, directing his report to be written out, and informing General Walker that I should ex-
