The following articles are transcribed from the New York Times, dated July 19, 1863:

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REAR OF PORT HUDSON, Sunday, July 5, 1863.

 

The Fourth of July came and went without seeing us in possession of Port Hudson. In the morning I was aroused by loud and continuous cannonading quite near us, which sounded like an attack, but it soon turned out to be only a national salute in honor of the day. Soon the other batteries took up the hoarse music along the whole length of our line, and in the distance came booming the thunder notes of the great guns from the fleet. The same salutes were fired -- 34 guns each -- at noon and at evening. I took a ride round to Gen. BANKS' headquarters, and was glad to find him quite recovered from a severe cold which had, for some days past, taken away his voice almost entirely. The General must have an iron constitution to withstand the fatigue he is now undergoing, both mentally and bodily. It is a common thing for him to be in the saddle two or three nights in succession, examining the works along our whole lines, and not returning till 4 or 5 o'clock in the morning, to snatch a few hours' sleep. Beyond these salvos, and little symptom of stolen conviviality, noticed hero and there -- especially toward evening -- there was nothing, of a public character, to mark our natal day. It was my lot, however, to be present at a little spontaneous sort of celebration, which was probably the first -- and may it be the last--one of the kind ever seen inst.[???] country. I was seated in the tent of Maj. G.B. HALSTED, Gen. AR[???]R's Acting Adjutant-General, when an Orderly came up and handed him the following note: HEADQUARTER SECOND VERMONT BATTERY, NEAR PORT HUDSON, July 4, 1863. MAJ. HALSTEED -- .Sir: I have the honor to request that, if convenient, you will be present in the battery at 12 M. to-day, and lead the Declaration of independence to my command; after which I will fire a salute of thirty-four guns -- each of which shall deposit a shot in the enemy's work. Please invite Mr. -- your humble servant "No[???]" to be present. I am, Sir, very respectfully, your o[???] servant. P.E. HOLCOMB, Captain Second Vermont battery. To this the Ma[???] at once dispatched the following reply: [???] HEADQUARTER, [???] ARMY CROPS, LEFT Wine July 4, 1863. In Camp before Port Hudson, La., at present a nest of black-[???] traitors against the best Government the sun Shines on. Captain P.E. Holcomb, Second Vermont Battery: DEAR CAPTAIN. I have just received your very patriotic, request for me to be present in your battery, at 12 o'clock to-day, and read the Declaration of in dependence to your command, Thanks, many thanks, Captain, for the high honor intended. Nothing could afford me more pleasure, on this recurrence of our nation's natal day. here under the very flash, sound, smoke, and smell of rebel powder and whistle of rebel bullets -- within 300 yards of their breastworks -- to perform the pleasing task you have solicited of me. I shall send immediately to try and procure a copy of that immortal work -- "The Declaration.'' If found -- which I much fear cannot be in this traitorous region -- I will be with you at the hour named, to perform the pleasing task, which I Know will afford equal pleasure to the audience -- officers and men -- patriots gallant and true, of the Second Vermont battery. Mr. -- returns his sincere thanks for your invitation, and will accompany me. With kindest wishes for yourself and all your command, believe me, most admiringly and respectfully, Your obedient servant, GEORGE B. HALSTED, A.A.G., U.S. Volunteer army. "The Union must and shall be preserved." A copy of the "Declaration" was found, and at the appointed time I set out on horseback with Major HALSTED, accompanied by no one but his orderly. Leaving our horses tied in the woods, at some little distance from the battery, we threaded our way cautiously among the brushwood until we got past the exposed portion of the road, and passing behind the cotton bales which screened us from the enemy's bullets, we soon found ourselves standing within HOLCOMB's famous and formidable battery. The Captain was in his tent, trying to get a little repose, for the midday sun was almost intolerable; and both parties seem instinctively to come to a truce about noon, when the beat is fiercest. After partaking of a little lemonade, and drinking to the toast, "May this be the most unhappy Fourth of July ever seen in the United States" Capt. HOLCOMN collected his men, an Major HALSTED, standing in the midst of that noble group. -- facing the enemy, but three hundred yards from us -- addressed them as follows: "FELLOW-CITIZEN -- FELLOW-SOLIDERS: Are we not proud of these tittles? A citizen of this great Republic may boast, as in the pa[???]y days of Rome it was the proudest boast of one of her sons, I am a Roman citizen." Two years since I had the honor of reading the Declaration of independence in presence of that patriot. Admiral STRINGHAM, his officers and crew, on the deck of the United States ship Minnesota, then at anchor in Hampton Roads, Va., where traitors claimed jurisdiction, but despite them, that glorious flag -- the Stars and Stripes -- waved as defiantly these as on this battery. I consider the incident of being invited to read the Declaration of Independence here to-day, in Louisiana, within easy musket-range of traitor breast works, no less flattering to myself and the gallant men before me. I was told, on the occasion above alluded to, by old officers present, that it was the first time they had heard "The Declaration" read on the deck of a United States ship, I think we may take it for granted that the pleasant celebration in which we are now uniting never had its parallel -- at least under such circumstances. God grant it may be the last! I am proud to be the humble instrument of thus recalling the glorious past, the noble patriots of 76, and hope we may all so live and act in this hour of our country's trial, that our names may be classed (if far below in glory) with that baud of worthies. While this, we trust, is our position, fellow soldiers, for others -- with shame be it said -- there are parallels of depravity in a class of men who endeavor to embarrass the Government we love, in its struggle with traitors. I mean Copperheads of to-day -- worthy compeers of Tories of the Revolution. Let us, fellow-soldiers, try to do our duty despite all opposition. Let us show that patriots of 63, like those of 76, can cope with their enemy in arms and their Copperhead allies in council. I knew well I do not talk to deaf ears or cold hearts in "Holcomb's battery." "Like Commander, like Men" is encomium enough for me to speak. I proceed to the pleasing task to which you nave invited me, with the single request that you will examine upon what grave and oft-repeated injuries and neglect our revolutionary fathers rebelled. It will excite no wonder. Then recall, if you can, any wrongs of omission or commission by the Federal Government, warranting the traitors whom we are righting, in their rebellion against and efforts to destroy that Government. I have been unable to find any cause for this rebellion, and view as sacrilegious the efforts which traitors, their alders, sympathizers, and abettors, make to enforce a parallel, by saving: "The Patriots of the Revolution Were rebels, we are no more." True, they were called rebels, but for good and sufficient cause, while it is equally true that these are traitors without cause, but solely to carry out the darling wish of their hearts to establish in this nineteenth century, on this Continent, an aristocratic Government, having for its chief corner-stone Slavery. Our forefathers would have indignantly scouted any such idea in their day, we but do our duty to them and to ourselves, in resisting this effort in our time. It never can, it never shall be done. 'The Union must and shall be preserved.' Slavery must die, for it is dangerous to that Union." Major HALSTED then read in a loud and distinct voice, the Declaration of Independence, amid the deepest interest of his stalwart auditors, some grouped around him, and some leaning against their cannons. At the conclusion, Capt. HOLCOMB thanked the Major for his presence in a few pertinent words, and then said that the best echo we could hear for the sentiments expressed, was from the voice of his can non. The word was scarcely uttered, when one piece thundered forth its approbation, then another, and another, in rapid succession, until the national salute of thirty-four was complete. The enemy, having now fairly roused up from their midday siesta, begun to retaliate, and the whistling bullets came flying over and about us with a rapidity that would have been very unpleasant but for the five or six feet thickness of cotton bales behind which we were located. It reminded one of a hornet's nest, into which some unwary schoolboy had poked his stick, so thickly were they buzzing about. The Major waited, at my especial request, unti-the gentleman seemed cooled down a little, before we again ventured to run the gauntlet in reaching our horses, which we did in perfect safety -- Capt. HOLCOMB accompanying us that far. Those are brave fellows -- perpetually undergoing privations and dangers that we civilians can only now and then glance at -- whom your Northern Copperheads speak of as engaged in an inglorious work, little short of murder -- men who are insulted by being told that their brave comrades have died uselessly by their sides, I tell you many of your Northern politicians terribly mistake the feelings of our armies, if they think the latter can listen coolly to such atrocious things. There was not one man of that crowd yesterday, but who, on hearing such scandalous principles uttered, would long to sieze the speaker by the throat and strangle him on the spot. In the afternoon of the 4th we had the most severe storm of rain, accompanied by

thunder and lightning, which we have yet encountered here, and which lasted nearly through the night. It did much to mar, if not entirely break up, any patriotic demonstrations that might have been on the tapis. Just before it began I heard, for the very first time out here, the strains of martial music. As they came sweetly floating through the woods, the effect was so thrilling and refreshing, that I really wondered that music is not more considered for its cheering effect upon our men. We did two very silly things -- in the estimation of most sensible officers, both of the army and navy, with whom I have conversed -- first, when we curtailed the bands in our army, and second, when we cut off the sailor's grog. There were many real abuses, both in army and navy, to be attended to before either of those fictitious ones I believe the intention of this band was to have regaled us at headquarters, in the evening, with music; but the very heavy storm put an effectual danger upon the proceeding. I have the pleasure in adding to the list of names already sent you the following, who have joined the glorious band -- all from the second Louisiana regiment (wh[???]e) Corp. Jacob stall, Co. H. Francis McGahey. Co I. Patrick Garrity, Co. H. Edwin Rice, Co I. Louis[???]s, Co. H James E. Marriner. Co. I. John E[???]ridge, Co. H. Thomas Blakeby, Co. I. John E. Philips, Co. H. Besides these, I now forward a complete " roster" of the first and second battalions; showing the names of all the officers engaged in this noble undertaking, the number of men supplied by each regiment, &c. This list will prove valuable, not only to the friends of these heroes, but for future reference to the scroll of honor. With Col. BIRGE and Staff, you will see that the number required is already complete. came in to-day, and gave us more important intelligence than perhaps any who preceded him. He is a very intelligent fellow -- formerly a printer of Dubuque, [???]own -- who was forced, as usual, into the rebel army, some three months ago. I am not at liberty to tell what he said, beyond the fact that it is to our advantage and the enemy's discomfiture. As his testimony has beta carefully received at headquarters, I have no doubt that Gen. BANKS will see how to turn it to the best account. Among other things, the deserter told us that we should very soon hear of a whole company of the Third Arkansas deserting in a body. Yesterday the enemy vote a march upon us, by countermining an intrenchment we were making upon them at our right, and blowing up our works, but for [???]y with no damage to any one. But this is a more little, easily repaired and comes as nothing in a siege to which we can apply fifty pairs of black arms to their one.

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