“At 2:30 a.m. …the enemy’s pickets fired upon my cavalry scouts and skirmishers. The cavalry scouts fell back…upon the skirmishers [who thought they were part of the enemy’s cavalry] …consequently they fired upon them, wounding…horses…[but]…fortunately no man was killed or wounded by this fire….My skirmishers immediately pressed forward, driving the pickets of the enemy before them….the enemy’s skirmishers in considerable force opened upon us under cover of a thick hedge. [I threw part of my force in to line] …. and drove the enemy from his lurking place to the next hedge, about 600 yards farther; and thus the fight or skirmishing continued from hedge to hedge and ditch to ditch.” – Brig. Gen. Henry McCulloch, C.S.A.

“At three o’clock [a.m.] the camp was alarmed, and the troops…taken to the ditches and posted closely along the levee…[While standing atop the levee,] I saw defiling from the woods on the right a body of troops…I supposed in the grey morning they were our pickets coming in. But to my surprize they…deliberately halted…and moved directly upon us in ling of battle, solid, strong and steady.” – Col Isaac Shepard, U.S.A.

“The [Confederate] troops charged the breastwork, carrying it instantly, killing and wounding many of the enemy by their deadly fire, as well as the bayonet.” – Brig. Gen. Henry McCulloch, C.S.A.

“The enemy charged us so close that we fought with our bayonets hand to hand. I have six broken bayonets to show how bravely my men fought.” – Lt. Matthew Miller, Co. I, 9th Louisiana Infantry, African Descent

[The Rebels] “came madly on with cries of ‘No quarters for white officers, kill the damn abolitionists, but spare the n—-‘” – Col. Hermann Lieb, commander, African Brigade, U.S.A.

“They met the shock like heroes…but were overpowered by numbers. At this moment the conflict was terrible….In ten minutes not less than three hundred of our brave men were either killed or wounded.” – Chaplain G. G. Edwards, 11th Louisiana Infantry, African Descent

“This charge was resisted by the negro portion of the enemy’s force with considerable obstinacy, while the white or true Yankee portion ran like whipped curs almost as soon as the charge was ordered.” – Brig. Gen. Henry McCulloch, C.S.A.

“I declare truthfully that [the 23rd Iowa Infantry] had all fled before our regiment fell back, as we were all compelled to do.” – Lt. Matthew Miller, Co. I, 9th Louisiana Infantry, African Descent

“Double quick! For God’s sake! They are right on us!” – Col. Samuel L. Glasgow, 23rd Iowa Infantry

[The Negro troops] “had just drawn their guns the evening before and did not know how to use them. They did not know how to load their guns, did not know where their caps were….I showed them and each one had his cap pouch full….The negroes gave way on our left and let the rebels in…They fired a terrible volley right down in the ditch…The Col. ordered us to fall back…to the river bank.” – William M. Littell, 23rd Iowa Infantry

“The 23rd Iowa…fell back overpowered, and with them fell back the blacks,…while the line of the levee was filled with a mass of the enemy cheering, and waving hats. I think they displayed the white flag, with a black crossbones and coffin….I saw it indistinctly. Others assert it without question.” – Col. Isaac Shepard, U.S.A.

[Waterhouse’s regiment (19th Texas Infantry) made] a gallant and desperate charge over the levee,…[driving] the enemy…to the very bank of the river.” – Brig. Gen. Henry McCulloch, C.S.A.

[Allen’s and Fitzhugh’s regiments (17th Texas Infantry & 16th Texas Cavalry)] “charged in the most gallant style under a heavy and determined fire of the enemy, [where] the officers distinguished themselves for coolness and courage, and their men for a determination to conquer or die.” – Brig. Gen. Henry McCulloch, C.S.A.

[Flournoy’s regiment (16th Texas Infantry) drove the enemy] “from an angle in the levee…which commanded a considerable portion of our line, and from which they were pouring a heavy fire upon us…they were driven from it by assault with considerable slaughter.” – Brig. Gen. Henry McCulloch, C.S.A.

“The gunboats [Choctaw and Lexington] opened on the rebels with shell, grape, and canister.” – Acting Rear-Admiral David Dixon Porter, U.S.A.

“It was impossible for me to see the enemy on account of the high banks, and I could learn their position only by hailing our troops….I opened fire with the 100-pounder rifle and 9-inch gun….About 8:30 the enemy commenced to retreat.” – Lt.-Com. Frank M. Ramsay, USS Choctaw

“In proportion to the number [of wounds] more are severe and fewer slight than I have ever witnessed…in my former military experience.” – Brig. Gen. Henry McCulloch, C.S.A.

“I never felt more grieved and sick at heart than when I saw how my brave soldiers had been slaughtered, one with six wounds, all the rest with two or three…Two of my colored sergeants were killed, both brave, noble men; always … vigilant and ready for the fray. I never more wish to hear the expression, ‘The n— won’t fight.'” – Lt. Matthew Miller, Co. I, 9th Louisiana Infantry, African Descent

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Sources: Official Records of the War of the Rebellion, Series I, Vol. 24, Part 2, pp.467+ and Series III, Vol. 3, p. 452-453; Report of Col. Isaac F. Shepard to Adjt. Gen. Lorenzo Thomas (reprinted in Milliken’s Bend A Civil War Battle in History and Memory, pp. 207-210); Cornwell Chronicles (Heritage Books, 1998), 216-218; Rebellion Record, vol. 7, “Documents” p. 12; Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies, Series I, Vol. 25, p. 162-163.