( 8 ) the promotion of Lieut.-Col. Colburn to the Colonelcy, Major Peck was commissioned Lieut.-Colonel. During this winter, Col. Colburn having been appointed Superintendent of the New Orleans and Opelousas Railroad, Lieut.-Col. Peck took command of the regiment, and continued in command until his death. He led them through all that arduous and decisive campaign which resulted in the capture of Port Hudson. He was with Gen. Weitzel in the attack on the gunboat J. A. Cotton. His regiment, — on the left of the advance, and exposed to severe fire, — rendered efficient service in accomplishing the destruction of the gunboat. He was in Gen. Banks’ expedition to the Red River, and bore a gallant part in the severe battle of Bisland on the 12tli and 13th of April. He and his men shared patiently and cheerfully in the long and exhausting marches which followed that decisive victory. On the 25th of May they reached Port Hudson, and entered at once on the memorable siege of that formidable stronghold. It does not belong to this occasion to dwell on the history of events so familiar to all. But I may venture to say that where all did so well, none bore a nobler part than the Twelfth Connecticut and their gallant leader. On the morning of the 27th of May, being ordered to silence a certain battery, he advanced to the front under a heavy fire, driving the enemy’s skirmishers before him, repelling (though unsupported by other troops), an attempt of the enemy to turn his flank, silencing four pieces of artillery, nor pausing for a moment until his line had reached the parapet, and his right had at one time succeeded in scaling the work. For want of proper support, however, they were unable to follow up their advantage, and had to rest satisfied with holding the position. In this action Col. Peck’s hand was fractured by a shell. From dhis time until the 10th of June, the regiment was on duty day and night, by reliefs, as sharpshooters behind extemporized entrenchments, and within a hundred and fifty yards of the enemy’s breastworks. On the night of June 10th four companies of Col. Peck’s
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM4ODY=