Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 7.djvu/632

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CONFEDERATE MILITARY HISTORY.
147

ing force after his supports had been driven back, and trusting that a succoring command would arrive in time to save his batteries, and displaying a degree of courage and determination that calls for the most unqualified admiration." Company G, First Mississippi light artillery, Capt. J. J. Cowan, served with the division of General Loring. He was compelled to abandon his guns, but being supplied with others he continued to serve in this division with gallantry and efficiency till the close of the war. Company B, Capt. A. J. Herod; Company F, Capt. J. L. Bradford; Company K, Capt. George F. Abbey, served in defense of Port Hudson. The remaining six companies of the light artillery served during the siege of Vicksburg and were distributed along the line. Almost all the artillery horses of the companies engaged were killed in the battle of Champion's Hill, and nearly all the guns fell into the hands of the enemy.

The loss of Stevenson's division at Champion’s Hill was 233 killed, 527 wounded and 2,103 captured; also 11 cannon and 2,834 small-arms. Bowen's division lost 65 killed, 293 wounded, 242 missing, and saved its artillery. Tilghman's Mississippi brigade lost 5 killed, 10 wounded, 42 missing; Buford’s brigade lost 11 killed and 49 wounded; Featherston’s brigade 2 wounded and 1 captured. On the Federal side the main loss was sustained by Hovey’s division, which lost a third of its numbers. The total Federal loss was 410 killed, 1,844 wounded, 187 missing.

Pemberton said: "Had the movement in support of the left been promptly made when first ordered it is not improbable that I might have maintained my position, and it is possible that the enemy might have been driven back; though his vastly superior and constantly increasing numbers would have rendered it necessary to withdraw during the night to save my communications with Vicksburg." On the other hand, Grant declared: "Had McClernand come up with reasonable promptness, or had I