TITLE: The war of the rebellion: a compilation of the official records of the Union and Confederate armies. / Series 1 - Volume 26 (Part I) AUTHOR: United States. War Dept., John Sheldon Moody, Calvin Duvall Cowles, Frederick Caryton Ainsworth, Robert N. Scott, Henry Martyn Lazelle, George Breckenridge Davis, Leslie J. Perry, Joseph William Kirkley PUBLISHER: Govt. Print. Off., Washington, 1889 Page A Production Note Cornell University Library produced this volume to preserve the informational content of the deteriorated original. The best available copy of the original has been used to create this digital copy. It was scanned bitonally at 600 dots per inch resolution and compressed prior to storage using ITU Group 4 compression. Conversion of this material to digital files was supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Digital file copyright by Cornell University Library 1995. This volume has been scanned as part of The Making of America Project, a cooperative endeavor undertaken to preserve and enhance access to historical material from the nineteenth century. Page B Title Page Page R001 THE WAR OF THE REBELLION: A COMPILATION OF THE OFFICIAL T~ECOIRDS OF THE UNION AND CONFEDERATE ARMIES. PREPARED, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR, BY The late Lieut. Col. ROBERT N. SCOTT, Third U. S. Artillery PURSUANT TO ACTS OF CONGRESS. SERIES IVOLUME XXVIIN TWO PARTS. PART I. REPORTS UNION AND CONFEDERATE. CORRESPONDENCE . . UNION. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1889. v Page R002 .1/2177 ~C7777TTh LK. A Page R003 PREFACE. By an act approved June 23, 1874, Congress made an appropriation to enable the Secretary of War to begin the publication of the Official Records of the War Qf the Rebellion, both of the Union and Confed-. crate ~ and directed him to have copied for the Public Printer all reports, letters, telegrams, and general orders not heretofore copied or printed, and properly arranged in chronological order. Appropriations for continuing such preparation have been made from time to time, and the act approved June 16, 1880, has provided for the printing and binding, under direction of the Secretary of War, of 10,000 copies of a compilation of the Official Records (Union and Con- federate) of the War of the Rebellion, so far as the same may be ready for publication, during the fiscal year; and that of said number, 7,000 copies shall be for the use of the House of Representatives, 2,000 copies for the use of the Senate, and 1,000 copies for the use of the Executive Departments. * This compilation will be the first general publication of the military records of the war, and will embrace all official documents that can be obtained by the compiler, and that appear to be of any historical value. ~ Volumes I to V distributed under act approved June 16, 1880. The act approved August 7, 1882, provides that The volumes of the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion shailbe distributed as follows: One thousand copies to the Executive Departments, as now provided by law. One thousand copies for distribution by the Secretary of War among officers of the Army and contributors to the work. Eight thousand three hundred copies shall be sent by the Secretary of War to such libraries, organizations, and individuals as may be desi~,nated by the Senators, Representatives, and Delegates of the Forty- seventh Congress. Each Senator shall designate not exceeding twenty-six, and each Representative and Dele~ te not exceeding twenty-one of such addresses, and the ~volumes shall be sent thereto from time to time as they are published, until the pub- lication is ce~mp1eted. Senators, Representatives, and Delegates shall inform the Secretary of War in each case how many volumes of those heretofore published they Ihave forwarded to such addresses. The remaining copies of the eleven thousand to be published, and all sets that may not be ordered to be distributed as provided herein, shall be sold by the Secretary of War for cost of publication with ten per cent. added thereto, and the proceeds of such sale shall be covered into the Treasury. if two or more sets of said volumes are ordered to the same address the Secretary of War shall inform the Senators, Representatives, or Delegates, who have designated the same, who thereupon may designate other libraries, organizations, or individuals. The Secretary of War shall report to the first session of the Forty-eighth Oongress what volumes of the series heretofore publisbsd have not been furnished to such libraries, organizations, and individuals. lie shall also inform distributees at whose instance the volumes are sent. Page R004 iv PREFACE. The pnblication will present the records in the following order of arrangement: The 1st Series will embrace the formal reports, both Union and Con- federate, of the first seizures of United States property in the Southern States, and of all military operations in the field, with the correspond- ence, orders, and returns relating specially thereto, and, as proposed is to be accompanied by an Atlas. In this series the reports will be arranged according to the campaigns and several theaters of operations (iu the chronological order of the events), and the Union reports of any event will, as a rule, be imme.. diately followed by the Confederate accounts. The correspondence, & c., not embraced iu the reports~ proper will follow (first Union and next Confederate) in chronological order. The 2d Series will contain the correspondence, orders, reports, and returns, Union and Confederate, relating to prisoners of war, and (so far as the military authorities were concerned) to State or political prisoners. ~ 3d Series will contain the correspondence, orders, reports,and returns of the Union authorities (embracing their correspondence with the Confederate officials) not relating specially to the subjects of the first and second series. It will set forth the annual and special reports of the Secretary of War, of the General.in-Chief, and of the chiefs of the several staff corps and departments; the calls for troops, and the correspondence between the national and the several State authorities. The 4th Series will exhibit the correspondence, orders, reports, and. returns of the Confederate authorities, similar to that indicated for the Union officials, as of the third series, but excluding the correspondence between the Union and Confederate authorities given in that series. ROBERT N. SCOTT, Major Third Art., and Bvt. Licut. Gol. WAR DEPARTT~IENT, August 23, 1880. Approved: ALEX. RAMSEY, & eretary of War Table of Contents Page R005 CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXXVIII. Pace. Operations in West FI~rida, Southern Alabama, Southern Mississippi, Louis- iana (excluding those connected with the siege of Vicksburg), Texas, and New Mexico. May 14December 31, 1S63 (v Page R006 Page A001 THE WAR OF THE REBELLION: A COMPILATION OF THE OFFICIAL IIRECO1RD~ OF THE UNION AND CONFEDERATE ARMIES. ADDITIONS ANi) CORRECTIONS TO SERIES IVOLUME XXVI. (To he illserte(l in the volijine. For explanation see General Index vohirne, Serial ~o. 130, page XXVIII.) PUBLISHEl) LJNDEIi TilE 1)IRECTION OF The Hon. ELIHU ROOT, Secretary of War, BY BRIG. GEN. FRED C. AINSWORTII, CHIEF OF THE REcoRD AND PENSION OFFICE, WAR DEPARTMENT, ANI) MR. JO8EPII W. KiIRKLEY. 1~1r. JOHN S. 1!IOODEV, Indexer. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING O~FIOE. 1902 Additions and Corrections Page A002 2 ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS. TEXT. PART i. Page 3. For 1620, 1863, read 14-20, 5863, and in same line for Expedition read Expeditions. Insert the following: Oct. 28, 1863Mutiny of Vidal. Page 222. Address, for H. T. Wade, Jr., read H. F Wade, Jr. Pages 265, 267, 269, 271. Headline, for Tribodeaux read Thibodeaux. Page 633. Third Brigade, after 175th New York, erase Cot. Michael K Bryan. Page 634. Banks to Gardner, second line, insert * after zith instant and add foot- note, * See Series II, Vol. 6, p. 504. Page 874. In note, for 1884 read 1864. Page 8.96. Under Port Hudson, La., for Got. Loreuzo D. Sargent read Lient. Got. Loreuzo .9. Sargent. Page 900. Third Brigade, for Col. Abraham Bassford read Ma]. Abraham Bass- ford. Page 908. Eighth line, bottom, for Ef/Ik Infantry, California Volunteers, read Fifth U. S. Infantry. Pages 9331039. Strike out foot-note No circumstantial reports on file, wherever it occurs. Page 940. For Banks, Nathaniel F, read Banks, Nathaniel B PART 2. Page 127. First line, first word, for vive read vide. Page 130. Maury to Cooper, third line, for First Confederate Battalion read Battalion, First Confederate. INDEX. Insert all words and figures in italics and strike out all in [brackets]. An asterisk (*) following a correction indicates that Additions and corrections to the text should be consulted. References are to parts of volume. Part. A. 0. Brown, Steamer, 328 ...... . .. Adams, J. Q. [William] 2 Alabama Troops. cavalrycompanies: [Amos, 39] 2 Allen, Henry W. Correspondence with WarDept., C. 5., 173... 2 [For correspondence, see Jefferson Davis]. 2 Antelope, Schooner [Steamer] Arkansas Troops (C.). InfantryBattalions: Jones, B., 1st [[8th]] 2 Atcbafalaya River, La Bagley [Bagaly], Steamer Bell, J. H., C. S. S., 298, 336 [Belle, c. S. S., 298, 336] 2 Bell, Jesse M. [Lieutenant] 2 Bellot, De Meeter [Mermes] & Co 2 Benavides, Cristoval [Christobal] 1,2 Bernes [Barnes], George 2 Berwick, Oscar D. [0.] Bickham,M. [A.C.] ........ Bist,ie [Bisbee], D. T 2 Block, David [1 2 Part. Bonaparte, Charles L. N., 43, 41 18,3~s 2 ]3orgne, Lake, La. Affair on, Nov. 22, 1863,3 Boyce, Henry [Judge] 2 Brott, GeorgeF. [ .] Brown, A. G., Steamer, 328 [Brown, Steamer, 328] Brown, J. M., Steamer, 642 [Browi~, I. M., Steamer, 642] Brown, R. B., 74 [Brown, R. XV., 741] Bryan, Michael K., [633]* Burk, B. A. [Burke, E.] 2 Cahawba [cahawba], U. S. S., [~j8] Campbell, J. [ ] 2 Carmichael, A. [Major] 2 Carter, haley AL [Lieutenant-Colonel] 2 Carter, J. C. [Major] 2 Cayuga, U. S. S., 298 Clifton, USS. [C.S.S.] 2 Cole, George H. T. [Captain] Comstock, Joseph J., Jr Confederate Troops. Infantry[Battalions: ist, 130]* 2 InfantryRegiments: ist, 130* Page A003 ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS. Part. Cross, Abraham [Lieutenant] 2 Davis, Jefferson. Correspondence with War Department, C. S., [i7~] 2 De Forrest, Cyrus H Be Walt, K. B. [Dewalt, Major] 2 Edey, P. F. [Eddy, Captain] Eisemann, John, 6~ [46J Ellet, Gharles Rivers [Co.onel] Elliott, Thomas I. U.] Ennis & Co., 263 [268] 2 Eugenie, U. S. S. [Steamer] Flanagin [Flanigan], Harris 2 Florida Troops. CavalryCompanies. Amos,39 2 Florilda, Steamer, ~o8; Florida, C. S Steamer, [308] F/crude [Florida], Steamer 2 Frank Webb, C.S.S., 10,552 Fusilier, Alfred A Garcia, Guadaloupe [Geucral] Garcia, Guadaloupe [Garza, General] 2 Gladiator, Ship [Steamer] 2 Goodyear, Caroline, Schooner [Steamer] .... 2 Graham, George W. [Commodore] Grosvenor, William M. [(Captain)], 895 [Gros. venor, William M. (Colonel), 895] Gulf, Department of the (C.). Deszgnation changed to District, ~o 2 Gulf, District of the. Des~gnated Department of the Gulf ~o 2 [Mohile and its defenses designated as, 40] 2 Reorganized, April 6, 1864, 40 2 Gunhoat No. 2. See U. S. S. Marmora [567] . Hale, James, Steamer Haller, Paul [ ] 2 Hirshhurger, L. [S.] C 2 Holland, Gustavus [Dr.] House, Thomas W. [ ] 2 Hyllested, Waldemar [William] 2 Ilsley, Edwin [Edward] Indiana Troops. Artillery, HeavyRegiments: 1st, 75, 531, 894, 896 [1st (Batteries), A, 911; B, 894,911; 912; G, 894; H, 9II~ 1,531; K,75, 894; J~, 896, 911; M, 894] J. H. Bell, C. 5. 5., 298, 336 2 J. M. Brown, Steamer, 642 [1. M. Brown, Steamer, 642] Jackson,Joseph (ist Cal. Cay.), 24 Jackson, Joseph (73d U.S. C. T.), [24] Kyle, W. J. Mentioned, 573 [Kyle, General, 573] 2 La Fuente. Juan Antonio de [De J,a Fuente, Juan Antonio] 2 La Tisiphone, H. L M. S. [Corvette] LHuys, Dronyn de [Huys, Dronyn de 1].... I,ockett, H. E. Correspondence with Waldemar [William] Hyilested 2 Louisiana, [Western,] District of 2 McCulloch [McCollongh] ,Joseph M Maddux [Maddox], John W Marmora, U. 5. 5., 567; Gunhoat No. 2, [567] Memminger, Christopher [Charles] ~ 2 Part. Mississippi and E. Louisiana, 3d Dist., Dept. of(C.). Organization, strength, etc., of troops, 98 2 Montgomery, William W., 68 [Montgomery, William M., 68] 2 Mullins [Mullens], M Mutiny. Camp Hubbard, Thibodeaux, La., Aug. 29- 30, 1863, 262s 73 I Galveston, Tex., Aug. 1013, 1863, 241248... Jackson, Fort, La., Dec. 9, 1863, 456479 . ... I Terrells Texas Cavalry, Sept. ii, 1863, 2... I Vidal, A drianJ., Oct. 28, 1863,447452 Mutiny. Galveston, Tex., Aug. Jo, 1863, 170, 171 2 Terrells Texas Cavalry, 237, 238, 278, s8o 2 Vidal, Adrian J., 397 2 N. W. Thomas, Steamer, 296, 299, 300 I Natchez, Miss. Expedition: Red River, La Oct 14 20 [1620], 1863... Neal, Arthur [Sailing master] Neal,Arthnr [ ] 2 Newbury [Newherry] S S New Ironsides U .8 5 i8o 2 New National Steamer Oldham, Williamson [William] S 2 Peebles [Peeples] Richard Rogers 2 Pierce, C~harlesJ [ ] 2 Planet, Steamboat [Schooner] Pocahontas, U. 5.5., 89; Pocahontas, Steamer, [89] Pringle, J. S., Steamer Ramsay, Francis [Frank] M Red River, La. Expeditions [Expedition], etc., Oct. 1420 [1620], 1863 I Rio Grande Expedition, etc., Oct. 27-Dec. 2, 1863. Reports of Taylor, Richard (33d Tex. Uav.) Rogers, L. M. [Major] 2 Sampson, Henry [ ] 2 Schmitt [Schmidt], Louis Shipley, Samuel D., 207, 209; Shipley, Alex- ander N., Mentioned, [207, 209] Smith, Joseph, 612,827, 901 [Smith, J. (Major), 612,827,901] Stone, Charles P. Relieved from command of troops at New Orleans, 832 I Taggart, Samuel L Taylor, Richard (Mal. Gen.). Mentioned, [433, 434, 440443] . . Reports of [Rio Grande Expedition and operations on the coast of Texas, Oct. 27Dec. 2, 1863, 443] Taylor, Richard (33d Tex. Cay.). Mentioned, 433, 434, 440-443 I Report of Rio Grande Expedition, etc., Oct. 27Dec. 2, i863, 443 I Tennessee Troops (C.). Artillery, HeavyRegiments: 1st (Batteries), G (Fisher) i, ~ Artillery, LightRegiments: 1st (Batteries), B (Rock fity) i, 2 Page A004 ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS. Part. Thusas Bayou, La. Skirmish at, Aug. so, 1863,2 Terrazas, Luis [Governor] Texas. [Adjutant and Inspector Generals Office, State of. Correspondence with John B. Magruder, 170] 2 Texas Troops (C.). Artillery, HeavyBatteries: Howes, j6g,g6~ 2 Artillery, HeavyRegiments: ist, s8z 2 CavalryRegiments: sdPartisau [6th] 1 2 InfantryRegiments: isth, 4~22 2 Thompson, A.A. [H.] 2 Throckmorton, James tV [Major] 2 Tucker, Phih~5 C. [Major] 2 Part. Uraga, Josi L. [General] Vau Deubergh [Vandenhurgh], Rohert S.... Van Tuyi [Puyl], Benjamin T Vidal, AdrianJ. [I.] fidaurri [Vidauri], Santiago Virginia, C. S. S.( U. S. Frig-aie Merrirnac), 891 Walker, James [J. W.] 2 Walihersdorff [Waltersdorff], A 2 War Department, C. S. Correspondence with Aileu,H. W.,z75 Davis, Jefferson, [73] [Western Louisiana, District of. See Louisiana, Western, District of] Weston, James M. [Captain] Williams, William H., 895 [Williams, Fred- erick A., 895] Wright, A. U. [W.] 2 2 2 2 I 2 Special Index Page R007 CONTENTS OF PLECEDING VOLUMES. VOLUME I. CHAPTER I. Page. CHAPTER V. Page. Operations in Charleston Harbor, South The secession of North Carolina. Janu Carolina. December 20, 1860~-April 14, uary 9May 20, 1861 474-488 1861 1-317 CHAPTER VI. CHAPTER II. The secession of Louisiana. January 10- The secession of Georgia. January 326, February 19, 1861 489501 1861.~.. 318-325 CHAPTER VII. CHAPTER III. Operations in Texas and I~ew Mexico. The secession ofAlabamnand Mississippi. February 1June 11, 1861 502636 January 4-20, 1861 326-330 CHAPTER VIII. CHAPTER IV. Operations in Arkansas, the Indian Tern. Operationsin Florida. Januaryo-Augnst tory, and Missouri. February 7May 9, 31, 1861 331473 1861 637691 VOLIJ7flE II. CHAPTER IX. Page. Operations in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. April 16-July 31,1861.. 1-1012 VOLUME III. CHAPTER X. Page. Operations in Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Indian Territory. May 10November 19, 1861.. 1-749 VOLUME IV. CHAPTER XL Page. . CHAPTER XIII. Page. Operations in Texas, New Mexico, and Operations in North Carolina and South. Arizona. June 11, 1861February 1, 1862. 1174 eastern Virginia. August 1, 1861Jano- CHAPTER XII. any 11, 1862 566-721 Operations in Kentucky and Tennessee. July 1November 19, 1861 175565 VOLUME V. CHAPTER XIV. Page. Operations in Maryland, Northern Virginia, and West Virginia. August 1, 1861March 17, 1862. 11106 VOLUME VI. CHAPTER XV. Page. CHAPTER XVI. Page. Operations on the coasts of SouthCarolina, Operations in West Florida, Southern Al Georgia, and Middle and East Florida. abama, Southern Mississippi, and Lou- August 21, 1861April 11, 1862 1435 isiana. September 1, 1861May 12, 1862. 436-894 VOLUME VII. CHAPTER XVII. Page. Operations in I~entucky, Tennessee, N. Alabana, and S. W. Vir~inia. ov. io, 1861Mar. 4 1862. 1946 (vii Page R008 VIII OONTE~T$ OP PJZEOEI)ING VOLUMES. VOLUME VIII. CHAPTER XVIII. Page. Operations in Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Indian Territory. Nov. 1!), 1861April 10, 1862. 1834 VOLUME IX. CHAPTER XIX. Page. CHAPTER XXL Page. OperationsinSoutheastern Virginia. Jan- Operations in Texas, New Mexico, and nary 11March 17, 1862 171 Arizona. February 1September 20, 1862 481730 CHAPTER XX. Operations in North Carolina. January 11August 20, 1862 72480 VOLUME XIN TWO PARTS. CHAPTER XXII. Operations in Kentucky, Tennessee, North Mississippi, North Alabama, and Southwest Virginia. March 4-June 10, 1862. Page. Part IReports 1927 Part IlCorrespondence, etc 1642 VOLUME XIIN THREE PARTS. CHAPTER XXIII. The Peninsular Campaign, Virginia. March 17September 2,1862. Page. Part IReports, March 17June 24 11077 Part ItReports, Tune 25September 2 .... 1994 Part IllCorrespondence, etc . .. 1691 VOLUME XIIIN THREE PARTS. CHAPTER XXIV. Operations in Northern Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland. March 17September 2, 1862. Page. Part IReports, March 17June 25 1818 Part IlReports, June 21September 2 1-820 Part IllCorrespondence, etc 1966 VOLUJ~ E XIII. CHAPTER XXV. Page. Operations in Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, the Indian Territory, and the Department of the Northwest, Aptil 1e1~ovember 20, 1862 1981 VOLUME XIV. CHAPTER XXVI. Page. Operations on the coasts of South Carolina, Georgia, and Middle and East Florida. April 12, 1882June 11 1863 11025 VOLUME XV. CHAPTER XXVII. Operations in West Florida, Southern Alabama, Southern Mississippi (embracing all operations against Vieksbnrg, ay 18-July 27, 1862), and Louisiana, May 12, 1862May 14, 1881; and op r- ations in Te& as,. New Mexico, and Arizona, September 20, 1862May 14, 1863 1-113 Page R009 CONTENTS OP PRECEDING VOLUMES. Ix VOLUME XVIix TWO PARTS. ChAPTER XXVIIL Operations in Kentucky, Middle and East Tennessee, North Alabama, and Southwest Virginia. June 10October 31, 1802. Page. Part IReports 11168 Part IlCorrespondence, etc 1lot,, VOLUME XVIIIN TWO PARTS. CHAPTER XXIX. Operations in West Tennessee and Northern Mississippi. June 10, 1802January 20, 1803. Page. Part WReporta 1-837 k~art lICorrespondence, etc -- - 1916 VOLUME XVIII. CHAPTER XXX. Pa e. Operatinna in North Carolina and Southeastern Virginia. August 20, 1862June 3, 1863 - 11104 VOLUME XIXIN TWO PARTS. CHAPTER XXXL Operations in Northern Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. September 3-Novem ber 14, 1862. Pam Part 1Reports, September 120 11108 Part lIReports, September 20November 1 ~ CoIrespeudex3c~, C~ C., Septeutber 3Novem- ber1~ 1739 VOLUME XXIN TWO PARTS. CHAPTER XXXII. Operations in Kentucky Middle and East Tennessee, North Alabama, and Southwest Virginia. Eo. vember 1, 1862January 30, 1881. Page. Part IReports 1-997 Part IlCorrespondence, etc 1510 VOLUME XXI. CHAPTER XXX1IL Page. Operations in Northern Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. November 15, 1862January 25, 1863 - 11152 VOLUME XXIIIN TWO PARTS. CHAPTER XXXIV. Operations in Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, the Indian Territory, and the Department of the NTorth. west. November 20, 1882Decexuber 31, 1801. Pam Part IReports 1926 Part lICorrespondence, etc . ~116 Page R010 X CONTENTS OF PRECEDING VOLUMES. VOLUME XXIIIILN TWO PARTS. CHAPTER XXXV. Operations in Kentucky, Middle and East Tennessee, North Alabama, and Southwest Virginia. Jan uary 21August 10, 1863. Page. Part IReports. 1-858 Part INCorrespondence, etc 1980 VOLUME XXIVIN THREE PARTS. CHAPTER XXXVL Operations in Mississippi and West Tennessee, including those in Arkansas and Louisiana connected with the Siege of Vicksburg. January 20August 10, 1863. Page. Part IReports, January 20May 15, including the General Reports for whole period, January 20August 10 1787 Part lIReports, May 16August 10 1-699 Part IllCorrespondence, etc 11070 VOLUME XXVJN TWO PARTS. CHAPTER XXXVII. Operations in Northern Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. January 26-Jone 3, 1863. Page. Part IReports . 111 19 Part lICorrespondence, etc. :86 Page R011 C.4 0 p p ~: ~: ~ ~ ~ ~ Sunday. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Monday. ~: ~ ~: ~ ~ ~ Tuesday. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ i~: Wednesday. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Thursday. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Friday. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Saturday. o ~. 0 o 0 0 0 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Sunday. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Monday. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~: Thesday. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Wednesday. ~ ~ ~ ~: ~ ~ Thursday. ~ ~ ~ ~: ~ ~ Friday. Saturday Page R012 Page 1 CHAPTER XXXVIII, OPERATIONS IN WEST FLORIDA, SOUTHERN ALA BAMA, SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI, LOUJSIANA,* TEXAS, AND NEW MEXICO. Nay 14December 31, 1863. PART I. REPORTS Union and Confederate. 2ORRESPONDENCE, ETC - - Union. S1JMMARY OlE TIlE PIRINCIPAL EVENTS.I 14, 1863.The army of General Banks en route from Alexandria for opera~ tions against Port Hudson, La. Scouts from Merritts Plantation, on the Clinton road, La. Skirmish at Boyces Bridge, Cotile Bayou, La. 16, 1863.Skirmish at Tickfaw Bridge, La. 17, 1863.Operations on west side of the Mississippi River, near Port Hud- son, La. 18, 1863.Affair near Cheneyville, La. 18-19, 1863.Operations about Merritts Plantation: and on the Bayou Sara road, La. 20, 1863.Skirmish near Cheneyville, La. 2126, 1863.Operations on the Teche road, between Barres Landiug and Berwick, La. 21July 8, 1863.Siege of Port Hudson, La. 22, 1863.Steamer Louisiana Belle attacked near Barres Lauding, Bayou Teche, La. Skirmish at Bayou Conrtableau, La. 25, 1863.Skirmish at Ceutreville, La. 27, 1863. Skirmish near Lake Providence, La. (operations against Vicks- bur~). 30, 1863.Affair at Poiut Isabel, Tex. June 1, 1863.Skirmish at Berwick, La. 3,1863.Engagement near Simsport, La. (operations a~ ainst Vicksbnrg)~ 4, 1863.Affair at Lake Saint Joseph, La. (operations against Vicksbnrg). Skirmish at the Atchafalaya, La. 6, 1863.Skirmish near Richmond, La. (operations against Vicksburg). * For reports of those vents in Louisiana immediately connected with operations against Vicksbnrg, see Series I, Vol. XXIV, Parts I and 11. I Of sonie of the minor conflicts noted in this Summary, no circumstantial reports are on file. 1 1~ RYOL X2~YI, PT. I Page 2 2 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. June 7, 1863.Attack on Millikens Bend and Youngs Point, La. (operations against Yicksburg). 7July 13, 1863.Operatidus in Louisiana, west of the Mississippi River. 9, 1863.Action near Lake Providence, La. (operations against Yicksbnrg). 15, 1863.Action near Richmond, La. (operations against Vicksburg). 16, 1863.Skirmish on the Jornada del Muerto, N. Mex. 20, 1863.Reconnaissance from Youngs Point to Richmond, La. (operations against Yicksburg). 24, 1863.Skirmishes at Mound Plantation and near Lake Providence, La. (operations against Vicksburg). 29, 1863.Skirmish at Mound Plantation, La. (operations against Vicks- burg). 30, 1863.Attack on Goodrichs Landing, La. (operations against Vicks- burg). July 4, 1863.Skirmish with Indians near Fort Craig, N. Mex. 7Aug. 19, 1863.Operations against Navajo Indians in New Mexico. 10, 1863.Skirmish with Indians at Cooks Cation, N. Mex. 18, 1863.Skirmish with Indians on the Rio Hondo, N. Mex. Skirmish at Des Allemands, La. 19, 1863.Skirmish with Indians on the Rio do las Animas, N. Men, 2~2, 1863.Br shear City, La., reoccupied by Union forces. 24, 1863.Skirmish with Indians at Cooks Cation, N. Mex. 29, 1~63.Skirmish with Indians at Conchas Springs, N. Men. Aug. 3, 1863.Skirmish at Jackson, La. 7, 1863.The Thirteenth Army Corps assigned (from the Department of the Tennessee) to Department of the Gulf. Maj. Gen. Cadwallader C. Washburn, U. S. Army, temporarily in command of the Thirteenth Army Corps. 10, 1863.Skirmish at Bayou Tensas, La. 1013, 1863.Mutiny at Galveston, Tex. 10726, 1863.The Thirteenth Army Corps transferred from Vieksburg and Natchez, Miss., to Carroilton, La. 18, 1863. Skirmish with Indians at Pueblo Colorado, N. Mex. 20, 1863.Maj. Gen. William B. Franklin, U. S. Army, assumes command of the Nineteenth A my Corps. 20Sept. 2, 1863.Expedition from Vicksburg, Miss., to Monroe, La., includ- ing skirmishes (24th) at Bayou Macon and at Floyd. 20Dec. 16, 1863.Operations against Navajo Indians in Nex Mexico. 29-30, 1863.Mutiny at Camp Hubbard, Thihodeaux, La. Sept. 1 7, 1863.Expedition from Natchez, Miss., to Harrisonburg, La., including skirmishes (2d) at Trinity and (4th) near Harrisonhurg, and capture of Fort Beauregard. 2, 1863.Affair with Zapatas banditti, near Mier, Mexico. 411, 1863.The Sabine Pass (Texas) Expedition. 7,1863.Skirmish at Morgans Ferry, on the Atchafalaya, La. ~ 9, 1863.Skirmishes on the Atchafalaya, La. 11, 1863.Mntiny in Terrells Texas Cavalry. 12, 1863.Skirmish at Stirlings Plantation, near Morgauza, La. 13Oct. 2, 1863.Scouting near Lake Poncharirain, La. 14, 1863.Attack on Vidalia, La. 15, 1863.Maj. Gen. E. 0. C Ord U S. Army, resumes command of the Thirteenth Army Corps. 15Oct 5, 1863.Scout from Fort Wingate to Ojo Redondo (Jacobs Well), N. Mex. 19, 1863. Skirmish oil the Greenwell Springs road, near Baton Rouge, La. 20, 1863.Skirmish at Morgans Ferry, on the Atchafalayn? La, 23, 1863Affair opposite Donaldsonville, L~ Page 3 CHAr. XXXYIII.j GENERAL REPORTS. 3 Sept. 2429, 1863.Expeditions from Carroliton and Baton Rouge to New River and to the Amite River, La. 25, 1863.Operations in the vicinity of Batoii Rouge, La. 2729, 1863.Expedition from Goodrichs Landing to Bayou Macon, La 29, 1863.Action at Stirlings Plantation, on the Fordoche, La. Oct. 3Nov. 30, 1863.Operations in the Tecic Country, La. 5, 1863-Skirmish on the Grecuwell Springs road, La. 12. 1863.Attack on blockade-runner under the walls of Port Morgan, Ala.~ 1620, 1863.Expedition from Natchez, Miss., to Red River, La. 20, 1863.Maj. Gen. Cadwallader C. Washburn, U. S. Army, assumes cOin- mand of the Thirteenth Aruiy Corps. 26, 1863.Maj. Gen. Napoleon J. T. Dana, U. S. Army, assumes command of the Thirteenth Army Corps. 27Dec. 2, 1863.The Rio Graude e pedition, and operations on the coast of Texas. Nov. , 1863.Skirmish with Indians on the Gila, N. Mex. 8, 1863.Skirmish at Bayen Tunica, or Tunica Bend, La. 9, 1863.Skirmish near Indian Bayou, La. Skirmish near Bayou ~ara, La. 16, 1863.Expedition from Vidalia to Trinity, La. 17, 1863.Skirmish at Bay Saint Louis, Miss. 1821, 1863.Operations against United States gunboats and transports near Hog Point, Mississippi River. 22, 1863.Affair on Lake Borgne, La. 30, 1863.Skirmish near Port Hudson, La. Dec. 3, 1863.Affair at Saint Martinsyille, La. 9, 1863.Mutiny at Fort Jackson, L 1019, 1863.Descent upon Confederate Salt-Works in Choc.tawhatchie Bay.t 29, Th63.Skirmish on Matagorda Peninsula, Tex. GENERAL REPORTS. No. 1.Maj. Gen. Henry W. Halleck, General-in-Chief, U. S. Army, of operations in the Departments of the Gulf and of New Mexico, December 16, 1862 November 10, 1863. No. 2.Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks, U. S. Army, of operations in the Department of the Gnlf, December 16, 1862-December 31, 1863. No. 3.Synopsis of operations in the Department of New Mexico, May 16December 28, 1863. No. 1. Report of Maj. Gen. Henry W. Hctlleck, General-in Chief, U. S. Army, of operations in the Departments of the Onif and of New Mexico, De- cember 16, 1862November 10, 1863. HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, Washington, D. C., Tovembcr 115, 1863. SIR: In compliance with your orders, I submit the following summary of military operations since my last annual report: * * * * * * DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF. Major-General Banks took command of the 1)epartment of the Gulf on the 16th of December. Almost immediately on assuming command, * The United States gunboat Kanawba, Lient. Commander W. K. Mayo, and the tender Engenie, Lieut. H. W. Miiler, engaged. Sec Annual Report of the Secretary of the Navy, December 5, 1h64. For report of Acting Ensign E Iwin Crissey, U. S. Navy, see Annual Report of th~ ~t~ry of ti~ Nm~vy, Decetober 5, 1S64 Page 4 4 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. he ordered a detachment of troops to Galveston, Tex., to occupy that place, under the protection of our gunboats. Colonel [Isaac S.] Burrell, with three companies of the Forty-second Massachusetts Volunteers, the advance of the expedition, arrived at that place on the evening of the 24th of December. On consultation with the commander of the blockading force, he landed his mcii upon the wharf and took possession of the city. On the 1st of January, before the arrival of the remainder of our forces, the rebels made an attack by land with artillery and infantry, and by water with three powerful rams. Colonel Burrells command of 260 men were nearly all killed and taken prisoners, the Harriet Lane captured, and the flag-ship Westfield was blown up by her commander to prevent her falling into the hands of the enemy. The rebels also captured the coal transports and a schooner. The commanders of the Harriet Lane and the Westfield and a number of other naval officers and men were killed. The remainder of the expedition did not leave New Orleans till December 31, and arrived off Galveston on the 2d of January, the day after our forces there had been captured and destroyed by the enemy. Fortunately they did not attempt to land, and returned to New Orleans in safety. It is proper to remark that this expedition was not contemplated or provided for in General Banks instructions. On the 11th of January, General Weitzel, with a force of infantry and artillery, aided by the gunboats nuder Lieutenant-Commander Bu- chanan, crossed Berwick Bay, and attacked the rebel gunboat Cotton in the Bayou Teche. This gunboat, being disabled by the fire of our naval and land forces, was burned by the rebels. The loss of General Weitzels command in this expedition was 6 killed and 27 wounded. A number were killed and wounded on our gunboats, and among the former Lieutenant-Commander Buchanan. On learning the capture of the Queen of the West by the rebels above Port Hudson, and their movements in IRed 1~iver and the Teche, Admi- ral Farragut determined to run past the enemys batteries, while the forces at Baton liouge made a demonstration on the land 5i(le of Port Hudson. The demonstration was made, and, March 14, Admiral Farra- gut succeeded in passing the batteries with the Hartford and Albatross. The Monongaheh and Richmond fell back, and the Mississippi gPounded, and was blowii up by her commander. Had our land forces invested Port Hudson at this time, it could have-been easily reduced, as its gar- rison was weak. This would have opened communication by the Mis- sissippi River with General Grant at Vicksbur~,. But the strength of the place was not then known, aiid General Banks resumed his opera- tions by the Teche and Atchafalaya. In the latter part of March, Colonel [Thomas S.] Clark was sent with a small force np to Ponchatoula, and destroyed the raiThOa(l brid~e at that place. He captured a rebel officer and 4 privates, and three schoon- ers loaded with cotton. His loss was 6 wounded. At the same time General [F. S.] Nickerson was sent to the Amite River to destroy the Jackson Railroad. He proceeded as far as Camp Moore, captured 43 prisoners, a considerable amount of cotton, and destroyed valuable rebel manufactories. In his operations up the Teche and Atchafalaya, General Banks en- countered the enemy, und r Sibley, Taylor, and Mouton, at several points, and (lefeated them in every engagement. Butte-a-la-Rose was captured, with a garrison and two heavy guns, by the gunboats nuder Lient. Commander Cooke, of the navy. General Banks reached Alex- ~ndria on the 8th of May, t e en my ~etreating toward ~lireveport an Page 5 GENE19~AL REP01~TS. 5 into Texas. In this expedition, General Banks reports the capture of 2,0t)0 prisoners, 22 pieces of artillery, 2 transports, and a large amount of public property. We destroyed 3 gunboats and 8 transports. Our own loss in the different engagements with the enemy was very slight, numbers not given. General Banks now returned to the Mississippi River, crossed his army to Bayou Sara, where he formed a junction May 23 with General Angurs forces, from Baton Rouge. The latter had an engagement with the enemy on Port Hudson Plains on the 22d, in which he lost 19 killed and 80 wounded. Port Hudson was immediately invested. While awaiting the slow operations of a siege, General Banks made two un- successful assaults. Finally, on the 8th of July, the place uncondition- ally surrendered. We captured 6,233 prisoners, 51 pieces of artillery, 2 steamers, 4,400 pounds of c~ anon powder, 5,000 small-arms, 150,000 rounds of ammunition, & c. Our loss from the 23d to 30th May, includ- ing the assault of the 27th, as reported, was about 1,000. Being re-enforced from General Grants army on the termination of the Mississippi camp igu, General Banks sent an expedition under General Franklin to occupy the mouth of the Sabine River, in Texas. It reached the entrance to the harbor on the 8th of September, and the gunboats engaged the enemys batteries; but two of them, the Clifton aud Sachem, being disabled and forced to surrender, the others re- treated, and the whole expedition returned to Brashear City. The officers and crew of the gunboats, and about 90 sharpshooters who were on board, were captured, and our loss in killed and wounded was about 30. After a long delay at Brashear City, the army moved for- ward by Franklin and Vermilliofiville, and, at last account, occupied Opel ousas. * * * * * * DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO. The trOOl)5 in this department have been principally employed during the past year on the Indian frontier, and in opening and in guarding roads to the newly discovered gold mines in Arizona. The fabulous richness of these mines has attracted large numbers of miners and traders from California and Mexico, and this hitherto barren Ter- ritory will soon become a wealthy an(l populous State. * * * * * * * All of which is respectfully submitted. H. W. HALLECK General-in- Chief. Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War. No. 2. Report of Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks, U. S. Army, of operations in the Department of the Gu~f, December 16, 1862December 31, 1863*. NEW YORK, April 6, 1865. Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.: SIR: I have the honor to transmit a report of the military operations of my command in the Department of the Gulf in 1862, 1863, and 1864. - ~ See also siege of Port Hudson, p. 43, the Sabine Pass Expedition, p. 286, and the I~io Grande Expedition, & c., p. 396 Page 6 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIIL It is prepared by directioll of the Ndjutant~General. Being absent from the records, I have been unable to state as fully and as much in detail as could be desired the history of the different campaigns. After the campaign of Port Hudson, the troops were engaged imme- diately and continuously, and the officers were, for that reason, unable to make detailed reports of the operations of their respective com- mands. I have been unable, therefore, t~ name the officers who deserve the consideration and favor of the Government for distinguished services, of whom there are many, and I shall ask leave to submit an additional report upon that subject. The details of the Port Hudson campaign are drawn from such pub. lications and dispatches of the time as have been within my reach. Any error that may occur will be corrected at the earliest possible moment. With much respect, your obedient servant, N. P. BANKS, iiifajor- General, Commanding. Nnw YORK, April Q 1865. Sin: The military objects contemplated by the orders which I received upon assuming command of the Department of the Gulf, dated Novem- 1 icr 8, 1862, were: The freedom of the Mississippi; an expedition to Jackson and Marion after the fall of Yicksburg and Port Hudson; and the occupation of the Red River country as a protection for Louisiana and Arkansas and a basis of future operations against Texas. I assumed command of the department December 16, 1862. The 18th of December, Brig. Gen. (Duvier Grover, with 10,000 men, was ordered to take possession of Baton Rouge, then held by the enemy. This was the first step toward the reduction of Port Hudson. The Island of Galveston, Tex., had been captured in October, and was then occupied or held by the navy. Information had been received, 1)revions to my arrival in New Orleans, of a contemplated attack for the recovery of that position by the enemy. Upon consultation with Rear- Admiral I). G. Farragut and Major~Genera1 Butler, both of whom recom~ mended the measure, the Forty-second Massachnsetts Volunteers, Colo- nel Buriell commanding, was sent to occupy the island, in support of he navy. Brig. Gen. N. J. Hamilton, who had been commissioned as Military Governor of Texas, and who accompanied my expedition to New Orleans, with a large staff, also pressed my occupation of Texas with the greatest earnestness, and it was in deference, in a great de- gree, to his most strongly expressed wishes, that the expedition was undertaken, though it was fully justified by the information which had been received of a proposed attack by the enemy, as well as by the ad- vice of the naval and military authorities of the department. Three companies of this regiment, under corn muand of Coloucl Burrell, arrived at Galveston Island on December 27, 1862, and, by the advice of the naval officers, landed on the 28th. On the morning of January 1, 1863, they were attacked by about 5,000 of the enemy, who gained possession of the island by a bridge from the mainland, which had been left unimpaired during the entire occupation of the island by our forces. The iiaval forces were attacked at time same time by the cotton-clad gunboats of the enemy, which resulted in the capture of our land force, numbering 260 men, including their officers; the steamer Harriet Lane, two coal transports, and a schooner, and th Page 7 CHA?. XXXVIILl GENERAL REPORTS. steamer Westfield was blown up by its commanding bfficer. The losses in killed and wounded were but slight. The balance of the regiment did not arrive at Galveston Island until January 2, the day after the attack. Upon the discovery of the condition of affairs by the capture of one of the rebel pilots, they returned to New Orleans. This attack upon our forces had been in contemplation for a long time. It succeeded solely because the bridge connecting the island with the mainland had been left in possession of the enemy. Had the troops sent for its occupation arrived a day or two earlier, or in sufficient time to have destroyed the bridge, the attack would have beeu defeated. The possession of this island and its military occupation would have been of great importance to the Government in all operations in that part of the country. It would have held a large force of rebel troops in the vicinity of Houston, emiabled us to penetrate, the territory of Texas at any time, or to concentrate our forces on the Mississippi, and rendered unnecessary the expedition of 1864 for the re-establishment of the flag in Texas. Colonel Burrell and his men remained in captivity more than a year, an(l, after much suffering, were exchanged in the spring of 1864. It is true, as stated by Major-General Halleck in his report of No- vember 15, 186~5, as General-in-Chief of the Army, that this expedition was not contemplated or provided for in General Banks instructions. But, having undoubted information of an immediate attack by the en- emy, and of the purpose entertaine(l by General Butler to re-enforce the navy by a detachment of land troops, as well as the (lirect approval of this purpose by Admiral Fari-agut, as commander of the naval forces in the Gulf it would have been inexcusable, if not criminal, had I declined to umaintain the occupation of so important a position, when so sliglmt a force was required, upon the ground timat it was not contemplated or provided for in my instructions. I regarded the loss of Galveston in its consequences, though not in the incidents imumediately attending its capture, as the most untortiruate affair that occurred in the department during my command. Galveston, as a military position, was second in importance only to New Orleans or Mobile. Time defensive positions of the enemy in the department were Port Hudson, on tIme Mississippi, which was strongly fortified, and held by a force of not less than 18,000 men; on the Atchafalaya the water coin- mnnifications toward Red River were defended by strong works at Butte ct-la-Rose, and on Bayou Teche by strong land fortifications near Pattersonville, called Fort Bisland, extendiub from Grand Lake on the right to impassable swamps on the left of the Bayou Te.che. Butte ~- la-Pose was defended by the gunboats of the enemy aiid a garrison of 300 to 500 men, and Fort Bislamid, on the Teche, 1)y a force of 12,000 to 15,000 men, distributed from Berwick Bay to Alexandria and Grand Ecore, on Red River. These positions covered every line of communi- cation to the Red River country arid the Upper Mississippi. The first object was to reduce the works at Port Hudson. This could be done by an attack directly upon the fortifications, or by getting pos- session of the Red River, for the purpose of cutting off supplies re- ceived by the garrison from that country. My command, upon my arrival at New Orleans, with the troops that accompanied me, was less than 30,000. There were fifty-six regiments, of which twenty-two regiments were enlisted for nine months only, the terms of service of a part expiring in May, a part in July, and all in August. None of the regiments or men had seen service, and few had even handled a musket. Page 8 8 w. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA~, TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. The military positions held by our forces extended from the Floridas to Western Texas, on the Gulf, and upon the Mississippi from its mouth to Port Eludson. Key West, Pensacola, and Ship Island, on the Gulf, were strongly garrisoned, and threatened constantly with attack by the enemy. Forts Jackson and Saint Philip, and English Bend, on the lower river; New Orleans, Bonnet Carr6, Donaldsouville, Plaquemine, and Baton Rouge, on the upper river; and Forts Pike arid Macorub, on Lake Pontchartrain, leading to the Gulf and Berwick Bay, were open to the incursions of the enemy, and, necessarily, strongly held by our forces. None of these could be evacuated, except the town of Pensa- cola, leaving a garrison in the permanent works at the navy-yard. All these positions were constantly threatened by an active and powerful enemy, who could concentrate at any point he pleased. That at Gal- veston had been captured by a force of not less than 24 men to 1. It was deemed inexpedient, with but slight knowledge of the condition of affairs, in the absence of any absolute necessity, to greatly weaken or expose any I)osition then in our possession. After garrisoning these numerous posts, the stronbest force I could command for permanent offensive operations against Port hudson did not exceed 12,000 or 14,000. it was impossible to attack so strong a position, garrisoned by a force so much larger, with any chance of success. Attention was, therefore, turned west of the Mississippi to the Atchafalaya and Tec~he, with a view of getting command of these waters, by which our gunboats could reach Red River, and communi- cate with the forces, naval and military, at Vicksburg, and cut off the supplies of the enemy wesl~ of the Mississippi. The first effort to ac- cornplish this was made in an unsuccessful endeavor to open the Bayou Plaquemine, which communicated with the Atchafalaya near Butte-i. la-Rose. The command of Brigadier General Weitzel, on Berwick Bay, had been increased the first and second weeks in January to 4,500 men, with a view to operations upon the Teche, for tbe purpose of destroying the works and dispersing the forces Qf the enemy on that bayou. On January 11, he made a successful invasion of the Teche country, repulsed the forces of the enemy, and destroyed the gunboat Cotton. This relieved Berwick Bay from the danger of an attack by the enemy~s most formidable gunboat, in case our forces, naval and military, moved up the Atchafalaya toward Butte-a-la-Rose. An attempt was then made to get possession of Butte-a-la-Rose, by combining the com- mand of Weitzel, moving up the Atchafalaya, with that of General Emory, moving from the Mississippi by Bayou Plaquemine, their forces joining near Butte-a-la-Rose. This attempt failed on account of the complete stoppage of Bayou Plaquemine by three years accumulation of drift-logs and snags, filling the bayou from the bed of the stream, and rendering it impenetrable to our boats, and requiring the labor of mouths to open it fQr naviga- tion. The troops were engaged in this work the most of the month of February. During these operations on Bayou Plaquemine and the Atchafalaya, news was received of the capture by the eneuiy of the steamers Queen of the West and De Soto, which had ruin past the batteries at Vicks- burg. This event was deemed of sufficient importance by Admiral Farragut to demand the occupation of the Mississippi between Port Hudson and Yicksburg, by running the batteries 011 the river at Port Hudson, in order to destroy these boats and cut off the enemys com- munication by the Red River with Yicksburg and Port Hudson, thu Page 9 CHAP. X~XVIIJ.] ~ENEIIAL 1~EPORTS. accomplishing, by a swifter course, the object of our campaign west of the river. The army was called upon to make a demonstration against the forti- fications at Port Hudson, while the fleet should run the batteries upon the river, All the disposable force of the department was moved to Baton iRonge for this purpose early in March. On March 13, the troops moved out to the rear of Port llndson, about 12,000 strong. The pickets of the enemy were encountered near Baton Rouge, and a considerable force in the vicinity of Port Hudson, which was quickly driven in. The army reached the rear of the works on the night of the 14th, and made a demonstration as for an attack on the works the next morning. The arrangement between the admiral and myself was that the pas- sage of the batteries by the navy should be attempted in the gray of the morning, the army making a simultaneous attack on the fortifica- tions in the rear; but affairs appearing to be more favorable to the fleet than was anticipated, the object was accomplished in the evening and during the night of the 14th. Naval history scarcely presents a more brilliant act than the passage of these formidable batteries. The army returned to Baton Rouge the next day, the object of the expedition having been announced in general orders as completely accomplished. Our loss in this affair was very slight, the enemy not resisting us with any determination until we were in the vicinity of their outer works. Col. John S. Clark, of my staff; received a wound while closely reconnoitering the position of the enemy, which disabled him from further participation in the campaign. Pendiho these general movements, a force, under command of Col. Thomas S. Clark, of the Sixth Michigan Volunteers, was sent out from New Orleans to destroy the brid~e at Pon~hatoula, and a small force, under Col. F. S. Nickerson, of the Fourteenth Maine Volunteers, to de- stroy the enemys communication by the Jackson Railroad and the bridges on the Amite River. Both these objects were successfully ac- complished. Endeavors were made at this time to collect at Baton Rouge a suffi- cient force to justify an attack upon Port Hudson, either by assault or siege; but the utmost force that could be collected for this purpose did not exceed 12,000 or 14,000 men. To withdraw the force of Weitzel from Berwick Bay would open the La Fourche to the enemy, who had 10,000 or 15,000 men upon the Teche, and the withdrawal of the forces from New Orleans would expose that city to the assault of the enemy from every l)oint. The strength of the enemy at Port Hudson was then believed to be from 18,000 to 20,000. It is now known with absolute certainty that the garrison on the night of March 14 was not less than 16,000 effective troops. The statement of the General-in-Chief of the Army, in his report of November 15, 1863, that, had our forces invested Port Hudson at this time it could have been easily reduced, as its garrison was weak, was without any just foundation. Information received from Brig. Gen. W. N. R. Beall, one of the officers in command of Port Hudson at this time, as well as from other officers, justifies this opinion. It was inad- visable, therefore, to make an attack upon Port Hudson, either by as- sault or siege, with any expectation of a successful issue. Operations, therefore, on the waters west of the Mississippi were immediately re- sumed. While at Baton Rouge, an attempt was made to force a passage to the upper river, across a point of land opposite to Port Hudson. This was successfully accomplished after some days, but without esta Page 10 ib W. flt, & ALL, S. ldss;, LA., ni.1 t ft. tciuar. nrVIIt Robing communication with the admiral, who had moved to the Red Riven In one of these expeditions the chief signal officer and a party of his men were taken prisoners opposite Port Hudson. Orders were given on March 25 to take up the line of march to Bra- shear City. The rebeisteamers Queen of the West and Webbwere re- ported at Butte-A-la-Bose, on the Atchafalaya, and it was understood thst the enemy, supposing my command to be fixed at Port Hudson, threatened t6 move at once upon the La Fourche and New Orleans. Weitsel reached Brashear City on April 8, and Grover and Emory on the 9th and 10th. They commenced crossing Berwick Bay oh the 9th. It was a very slot process, on accountof the want of transportation, but Weitiel and Emory succeeded in crossing by dark on the 10th theIr transportation and sup liesbeing sentoverthesamenlghtandthe/oflow- jug morning. General Groverarrivedon the 10th, in the evening, and his command was immediately put on board the transports of mycommand, and sent up the Atchafalaya and Grand Lake, to turn the enemysposl. tion, landing his force at Indian Bend, above Fort Bisliind. It was estimatedthat his movement and landing would require about twelve hours, but the difficulties of navigating unknown rivers made his voyige longer than was anticipated. His boats could not come within 1* miles of the shorn on account of shoal water, and he was obliged to use fiat- boMs to land his men aud artillery. After Grovers departure, we ad- vanced directly upon Franklin, a distance of 20 miles, encountering small bodiesof the enemy during the mkrch. On the 18th, we had advanced within 400 lards of his works, on both sides of the Bayou Teche, driving him to his fortifications and, destroy- ing the gunboat Diana, which he had captured from, us a short time before. This battle lasted the whole day. We captuted many prison- ers. Our troops were ready for an assault upon the works in the even- ing, but it not being cettain that Grover had reached the position as- signed him for the purpose of intercepting the retreat of the enemy, it was deferred until the morning of the 14th. During the night, the enemy, learning of Grovers successful landing, sent a large part of hip force to attack him at Irish Bend. The fight was very severe. The enemy was defeated, but Grover was unable to get into such position as to cut off his retreat Early on the following morning1 the balance of the enemys forces evacuated Fort Bisland whieh was immediately oocupied by our troops,. and we pursued the enemy with great vigor, capturing many prisoners. The enemy forces in this affair were commanded by Generals Taylor, Sibley, an d Mouton. They retreated toward Opelousas making astrong resistance at Vermilion Bayou, from which position tLey were quickly driven. The gunboats in the meantliqe had encountered the steamer Queen of the West on Grand Lake, destroying her, and capturing her officers and crew. We reached Opelousas April 20, the enemy retreating towakd Alex- andria in disorder, and destroying the bridges in his flight. The same day the gunboats, under command of Lieut. Commander P. Cooke, aspisted by four companies of infantry, captured the works at Butte-A- la-Bose, which contained two heavy guns and a large quantity of am- munition, and was garrisoned by a force *f 80 me; all of whom were captured. These works constituted the key of the Atehafalay% and, being In our possession, opened the way to Bed River. On. ~Iay 2, we establlahedcommuuication with Admiral Farrag~t, at. the mouth of Bed Biter, through the Atehafalaya, by the gunboat Aul Page 11 CHAP. XXXVIII.] GENERAL REPORTS. zona, Captain Upton commanding, accompanied by Capt. R. T. Dunham, of my staff. On May 5, our headquarters at Opelousas were broken up, and the troops moved for Alexandria, a distance of from 90 to 10() miles, making this march in three days and four hours. Moving rapidly to the rear of Fort 1)e Russy, a strong work on Red River, we compelled the immedi- ate evacuation of that post. by the enemy, and enabled the fleet of gun- boats. under Admiral Porter, to pass np to Alexandria without firing a gun. The army reached Alexandria May 9, in the evening, the navy having reached there the morning of the same day. The enemy con- tinned his retreat in the direction of Shreveport. In order to completely disperse the forces of the enemy, a force under Generals Weitzel and Dwight pursued him nearly to Grand Ecore, so thoroughly dispersing him that he was unable to reorganize a respect- able force until July, more than five weeks after we had completed the investment of Port Hudson. During these operations on the Teche we captured over 2,000 pris- oners and twenty-two guns; destroyed three gunboats and eight steam- ers; captured large quantities of small-arms, ammunition, mails, and other public property, and the steamers Ellen and Cornie, which were of great service to us in the campaign. A letter from General Taylor, commanding at Fort Bislaud, was cal)tn red with an officer of the Queen of the West, which informed ns that the enemy had contemplated an attack upon our forces at Brashear City, April 12, the day before the assanit was made by us upon Fort Bisland, and a subsequent dispatch from Governor Moore to General Taylor was intercepted by General Dwight, in which Taylor was di- rected, in case he was pursued beyond Alexandria, to fall back into Texas with such of his forecs as he could keep together. The purpose of the enemy in retreating up the Teche was to draw oft toward Texas, on our left flank, for the purpose of cutting off our supplies by the Teche. But the capture of Butte-& la~Rose enabled us to open a new line of communication through the Atchafalaya and Courtablean direct to Washington and Barres Landing, within 6 miles of Opelousas; and upon reaching Alexandria we were enabled to establish a third line of communication by the Atchafalaya and Red Rivers. These were inte- nor waters, wholly inaccessible to the eneumy, and made perfectly safe lines of communication during our occupation of that country. While at Brashear City, I had received a dispatch from Admiral Far- ragut, by Mr. Gabaudan, his secretary, informing inc that General Grant would send 20,000 men by May 1 through the Tensas, Black, and Red Rivers, for the l)UVl)O5~ of uniting with us in the reduction of Port Hudson. It was felt that this re-enforcement was necessary, and would secure the speedy reduction of that position. On reaching Alexandria, I received two dispatches from General Grant, one dated April 23, stating th~ t he could spare us a re-en forcemnent of 20,000 men, if we could supply them, and the other, dated May 5, pro- posing to send one army corps to Bayou Sara by May 25, and asking that I should then send all the troops I could spare to Yicksburg after the reduction of Port Hudson. To both of these plans I consented, and answered that we could supply them from New Orleans, and that this force would insure the capture of Port Hudson- but I was afterward informed by a dispatch, (lated Auburn, May 10, which II received May 12, that he had crossed the Mississippi, landing his forces at Grand Gulf, and was then in close pursuit of the enemy, under such circumstances that he could not re i Page 12 12 W.FLA., S,ALA., S. ISS., LA., ~ N. MEX. tCHAP. XXXVItL trace his steps nor send me the forces he had contemplated, and request- ing me to join his command at Yicksbnrg. This change in his plans was acanse of serious embarrassmen~. There were three conrses opeti to my command: First, to pursue the enemy to Shreveport, which wonid be without public advantage, as his army had been captnred or completely rputed; secondly, to join General Grant at Vicksburg; and, thirdly, to invest Port Hudson with such forces as I had at my command. It was iInl)Ossible for me to move my forces to General Grant at Yicksburg for want of sufficient water transportation. I had barely steamers enough to put my troops across Berwick Bay and the At- chafalaya, and on the morning after the passage of the bay, when our forces had turned the enemy~5 position, and the troops under Emory and Weitzel had advanced directly upon his works, there was not a single boat of any kind left with which I could communicate with Brashear City across the bay. It seemed impossible for me at that time to transport any portion of my troops and artillery to General Grant without leaving my trains and 6,000 fugitive negroes, who had come within our lines, to the chances of capture by the enemy. Besides, it was ~erfect]y clear that, in the event of the movement of my forces to Vicksburg, unless that post should immediately fall, the rebel garrison at Port Hudson, then 16,000 to 18,000 strong, would prevent our com- munication with New Orleans, and, in the event of any disaster by which we should be detained at Vicksburg, would hold that city at its mercy. The force west of the Mississippi, which I had (lispersed, would reorganize by re-enforcements from Texas, and move directly upon the La Fourche and AlgierM, opposite New Orleans, both of which were nearly defenseless. This was so apparent to my mind that I felt that a compliance with the request of General Grant would resnlt in the loss of my trains, the recapture of the negroes who were following the army, and the probable loss of New Orleans. This conclusion was justified by the subsequent invasion and occupatiofi of the west bank of the river, and a most desperate attack by the Louisiana and Texas forces, 12,000 strong, on the works at Donaldsonville, June 28. I therefore con- cluded to move immediately against Port Hudson, and to take my chances for the reduction of that post. To avoid mistake, I directed Brig. Gen. William Dwight to rel)ort our condition to General Grant in person and solicit his counsel. General Dwight returned with the advice that I attack Port Hudson without delay, and that he would give me 5,000 men, but that I should not wait for them. My command moved from Alexandria on May 14 and 15, a portion going down the river, and the remainder marching by land to Simsport, crossing the Atchafalaya at that point with great difficulty, by means of our transports and the steamers we had captured, and from thence moved down the right bank of the Mississippi to Bayou Sara, crossing the Mississippi at that point on the night of the 23d, and moving directly upon the enemys works at Port Hudson, a distance of 15 miles, ou May 24. Maj. Gen. C. C. Augur, commanding the forces at Baton I~ouge, about 3,500 men, had been directed to effect a junction with our forces in the rear of Port Hudson. He encountered the enemy at Plains Store, abont 4 miles from Port Hudson, repulsing him with a loss of 150 killed, wounded, and prisoners, and effected a junction with the rest of our forces on the 25th - Our right wing, nuder Generals Weitzel, Grover, and Dwight, wh Page 13 CHAP. XXXVIII.] GENERAL PEPORTS. 13 succeeded General Emory, encountered the enemy outside of his works on the afternoon of the 24th, and, after a very sharp fight, drove him to his outer line of intrenchments. On the 25th, the junction of all the forces having been completed, the works of the enemy were invested. Preparations were immediately made for an assault. Rumors had been eL culated for several days pre- vious that the enemy had abandoned the position, and it was impossi- ble to obtaiu definite information of his strength. It was generally supposed, however, that the force had been greatly diminished, and that an assault would result in its capture. A very thorough preparation was made on the 25th and 26th, and on May 27 a desperate attack upon the works was made, Generals Weitzel, Grover, and Dwight commanding oi~r right, General Augur the center, and General T. W. Sherman the left. The plan of attack c )utemplated simultaneous movements on the right and left of our lines. The attack upon the ri~ht commenced with vigor early in the morning. Had the movement upon the left been executed at the same time, it is possible the assault might have been successful. But the garrison was much stronger th n had been represented, and the enemy was found able to defend his works at all points. The conduct of the troops was admirable, and most important ad- vantages were gained, which contributed to the success of all subse- quent movements. At one time our advance had reached the interior line of the enemy, but were nuable to hold their position. Nothing but the assault would have satisfied the troops of the presence or strength of the enemy and his works. Our loss in this engagement was 293 killed and 1,549 wounded. We were unable to estimate with accuracy the loss of the enemy, but it was very severe. In one regiment, the Fifteenth Arkansas, out of 292 officers and men, the loss sustained during the siege, according to a history of the defense by a rebel officer, was 132, of whom 76 fell oii May 27. The force of the enemy within the fortifications numbered from 7,000 to 8,000, with 2,500 cavalry in our rear at Clinton, and a small force on the west side of the river, coin manding a point opposite the enemys batteries, making altogether between 10,000 and 11,000 men engaged in the defense of the position, inside and outside the works. The operations in the Teche country, with the losses sustained in battle and sickness occasioned by rapid and exhausting marches, had reduced my effective force to less than 13,000, including Augurs com- mand. Of these, twenty regiments were nine-months men, whose terLns began to expire in May, and all expired in Au~ust. This was not aiin adequate force for the capture of the place. There ought not to have been less than 3 to 1 for this purpose. The force that we had antici- pated receiving from General Grant, promised in the several coin mu- nications to which I have referred, wQuld have enabled us, on the 27th, beyond any question, to have completed the capture of the works aHd garrison, when we could have immediately moved to Vicksburg to aid him in his attack on that l)lace, without exposing New Oileans or any other post on the Lower Mississippi to capture by the enemy. On the night of the 27th, the army rested wi~thin rifle-shot of the enemy~s works, and commenced the construction of works of defense. The enemys interior line extended from 4 to 5 miles, from river to river. The line occupied by us necessarily covered from 7 to 8 miles. Our greater length of line made the enen~y equal, if not superior, in numbers in any attack that could be made by us upon them Page 14 14 W.FLA., S.ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVITL From the night of May 27 until June 14, we occupied this line. An- other partially successful assault was then made. An incessant an(i harassing fire was kept up upon the enemy night and day, leaving him without rest or sleep. On June 10, a heavy artillery fire was kept up, and at 3. oclock on the morning of the 11th we ende vored to get within att4cking distance of the works, in order to avoid the terrible losses incurred in moving over the ground in front of the works; but the enemy discovered the movement before daybreak. A portion of the troops worked their wa v through the abatis to the lines bn eral prisoners. , t were repulsed with the loss of sev- On June 14, a second general assault was made at (layhight. A column of a division was posted on the left, under General Dwight, with the intention of getting an entrance to the works by passing a ravine, while the main attack on the right was made by the counnands of Grover and Weitzel. Neither column was successful in fully gaining its object, but our lines were advanced from a distance of 300 yaids to distances of from 50 to 200 yards from the enemys line of fortifications, where the troops intrenched themselves and commenced the construc- tion of new batteries. On the left, an eminence was gained which coin- manded a strong point held by the enemy, called the citadel~. and which, later, enabled us to get possession of a point of the same bluff upon which the citadel was constructe(l, within 10 yards of the enemys lines. This days work was of great llnl)ortance; but it was now felt that our force was unequal to the task of carrying the works by assault, and the slower, but more certain, operations of the siege were commenced. The fighting had been incessant night and day for a l)eriod of twenty- one days and nights, giving the enemy neither rest nor sleep. I)nring these operations the nine-months men, whose terms had exl)ire(l or were about to expire, were dissatisfied with their situation, and unwill- ing to enter upon duty involving danger. Great embarrassment and trouble was caused by the conduct of some of these troops, one reoi~ ment, the Fourth Massachusetts, bein~ in open mutiny. The siege operations were pursued with the greatest vigor. On the right, we had completed our sal)s up to the very line of the enemys fortifications. On the left, a mine hmd been prepared for a charge of 30 barrels of powder, in such position as would have made the destruction of the citadel inevitable. Communication had been regular with General Grant at Yicksburg durii~ the progress of the siege, and on July 6 we received information of the surrender of that post. Maj. Gen. Frank. Gardner, iii command of the post, asked for an official statement of the report of the capture of Vicksburg, which had been circulated throughout his command, and I sent him a copy of that portion of the official dispatch of G6neral Grant relating to the surrender of Yicksburg, and received on the night of July 6 a request that there might be a cessation of hostilities, with a view to an agreement of terms of a surrender. This was declined. He then made known officially his determination to surrender the l)05t and garrison. A conference was appointed to agree upon the terms, which resulted in the unconditional surrender of the works and garrison, which was formally executed on July 8, and our troops entered and took possession of the works on the morning of the 9th. General Gardner, in commending the gallantry of his men for their unwearied labors in the defense, which all our troops readily acknowl- edged, stated emphatically, as if he desired to be understood, that his surrender was not on account of the fall of Yicksbnrg or the want o Page 15 GENERAL REPORTS. 16 CHAP. XXXVIII.] ammunition or provisions, but from the exhaustion of his men, who had been without rest for more than six weeks, and who could not resist another attack. Though they might have held out a day or two longer, the attempt would have been at the expense of a useless effusion of. blood. During the investment and siege of Port Hudson, the enemy west of the Mississippi had been concentrating, and omi June 18 one regiment of infantry and two of cavalry, under command of Colonel [J. P.] Major, captured and burned two of our small steamers at Plaquemine, taking 68 prisoners, mostly convalescents of the Twenty-eighth Maine Volunteers. The same force then passed down the river and Bayou La Fourche, avoiding Donaldsonville, and attacked our forces on the 20th at La Fourche Crossing, on the Opelousas Railway, cutting off communication between Brashear City and New Orleans. They were, however, finally repulsed, but renewed their attack on the 9lst, which resulted in their again being repulsed, leaving 53 of their dead upon the field and 16 prisoners in our hands. Our loss was 8 killed and 16 wounded.* Re- enforcements were sent from New Orleans, but the enemy did not renew the attack. Our forces were under command of Lient. Col. Albert Stick- ney, Forty-seventh Massachusetts Volunteers. Subsequently they fell back to Algiers. Orders had beemi sent to Brashear City to remove all stores, and hold the position, with the aid of the gunboats, to the last; but the enemy succeeded in crossing Grand Lake by means of rafts, and surprised and captured the garrison June 22 [23], consisting of about 300 men, two 30-pounder Parrott guns, and six 24-pounders. The enemy, greatly iii- creased iu numbers, then attacked the works at Donaldsonville, on the Mississippi, which were defended by a garrison of 225 men, including couvalescents, commanded by Maj. J. D. Bullen, Twenty-eighth Maine Volunteers. Time attack was made at 4.30 in the morning of June 28, and lasted until daylight. The garrison made a splendid defen~se, kill- ing and wounding more than their own number, and capturing as many officers and nearly as many men as their garrison numbered. The en- emys troops were under command of General [Thomas] Green, of Texas, and consisted of the Louisiana troops, under General Taylor, and 5,000 Texas cavalry, making a force of 9,000 to 12,000 in all, in that vicinity. The troops engaged in these operations left but 400 men in New Orleans. The vigor aiid strength of the enemy in these several attacks show that, with the aid of the garrison at Port Hudson, New Orleans could not have been defended had my comnmaiid been involved in the operations against Yicksburg. Upon the surrender of Port Hudson, it was found that the enemy ha(l established batteries below on the river, cutting oft~ our communication with New Orleans, making it necessary to send a large force to dislodge them. The troops, exhausted by the labors of the long campai~n, in- cluding nine-months men and the regiment of colored troops, which h;ui been organized during the campaign from the negroes of the country, did not number 10,000 effective men. It was impossible to drive the enemy from the river below, and leave troops enough at Port Hudson lo maintain the position and guard between 6,000 and 7,000 prisoner 8. For these reasons, the privates were paroled and the officers sent to New Orleans. On July 9, seven transports, containing all my available force, were sent below against the enemy in the vicinity of IDonaldsonville. The * J3p~ see report of 2llAeutermant-Colonel Stickney, p 192 Page 16 16 w. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. country was speedily freed from his presence, and Brashear City was recaptured July 22. During the siege, the colored troops held the extreme right of our line on the river, and shared in all the dangers of May 27 and of June 14, sustaining, besides, several desperate sorties of the enemy, particularly directed against them, with bravery and success. The new regiments of General Ullmanns brigade, which had been raised during the cam- paign, also shared the labors of the siege and the honors of the final victory. Col. B. H. Grierson, commanding the Sixth and Seventh Regiments of Illinois Cavalry, arrived at Baton Rouge in April, from La Grange, Tenn., and joined ns with his force at Port Hudson, covering our rear during the siege and rendering most important services. His officers and men were constantly on duty, regardless of toil and danger. They covered our foraging parties, dispersed the cavalry forces of the enemy, which they concentrated, and contributed in a great degree to the reduc- tion of the post. Our deficiency in cavalry made his assistance of the ntmost importance. With the exception of this command, much re- duced by long journeys, our mounted force consisted chiefly of infantry mounted on the horses of the country, collected during the campaign. The co-operation of the fleet under Rear-Admiral Farragut, on the waters west of the Mississippi, as well as at Port Hudson, was harmo- nious and effective, and contributed greatly to the success of our arms. A battery of heavy guns was established in the rear of the works by one of the officers of the navy, the fire of which was most constant and effective. The signal corps, under command of Captain [W. W.] Rowley, and subsequently under Captain [W. B.] Roe, and the telegraphic corps, nuder Captain Bulkley, rendered every assistance possible to the~e branches of the service. By means of signals and telegraphs, a Perfect communication was maintained at all times, night and day, betw~en the ~1eet and the army and with the different portions of the army. The rebels admitted, after the close of the siege, that they had lost in killed and wounded during the siege 610 men; but they under- rated the number of prisoners and guns they surrendered, and their loss in killed and wounded was larger than was admitted by them. It rould not have been less than 800 or 1,000 men. Five hundred were found in the hospitals. The wounds were mostly in the head, from the lire of sharpshooters, and very severe. A small portion of the troops composing the garrison at Port Hudson were ordered to Yicksburg, to strengthen the command of General Pemberton, subsequent to the attack in March. This gave rise to the report that the place had been evacuated, and it was only after the unsuccessful assaults of May 27 and June 14 that the strength of the fortifications and garris& n was appreciated, and all parties were satis- fied that our force was insufficient to effi~ct the capture by assault. The uncertainty as to the movenients of Johnstons command, which was known to be in the rear of Vicksburg, and the constant expectation that some part of his force would attack us in the rear, made it neces- sary that every consideration should be disregarded which involved the loss of time in our operations, and the general systematic attacks upoi~ the works of the enemy were executed at the earliest possible moment after the necessary preparations had been made. The siege lasted forty-five days, of which twenty-one days was inces- sant and constant fighting. it was conducted constantly with a view to the capture of the garrison as well as the eduction of the post Page 17 CHAP. XXXVIII] GENERAL REPORTS. 17 When the proposition of General Gardner to suspend hostilities with a view to consider terms of surrender was received, there were 6,408 officers and men on duty within the lines; 2,500 in the rear of the besieging forces and on the west bank of the river, opposite Port Hud- son, and 12,000 men, under Generals Green and Taylor, between Port Hudson and Donaldsonville, who had, by establishing their batteries on the west bank of the river, eft~ctua1ly cut off our communication with New Orleans, making 21,000 men actively engaged in raising the siege at the time of its surrender. The besieging force was reduced to less than 10,000 men, of which more than half were enlisted for nine months service, and a few regi- ments of colored troops organized since the campaign opened from the material gathered from the country. The position assailed was, from the natural defenses of the country, as well as from the character of the works constructed, believed by the enemy to be impregnable. The besieging army, to reach the position, had marched more than 500 miles, through a country where no single line of supplies could be maintained, against a force fully equal in numbers, fighting only in intrenebmeuts, and gathering material for re-enforcing its regiments in the country through which it passed. There are but few sieges in the history of war in which the disparity of forces has been more marked, the diffi- culties to be encountered more numerous, the victory more decided, or the results more important. Every officer and man who discharged his duty in that campaign, whether living or dead, will leave an honored name to his descendants, and receive hereafter, if not now, the grateful and well-merited applause of his country. The results of the surrender of Vicksburg and Port Hudson were the permanent separation of the rebel States east and west, and the free navigation of the Mississippi, thus opening commu- nication between the Northern and Southern States occupied by our forces, and an outlet for the products of the Upper Mississippi Valley to the markets of the world. The two armies that had fought each other with such resolute deter- mination fraternized on the day of the surrender without manifestations of hostility or hatred. A common valor had given birth to a feeling of mutual respect. Brig. Gen. T. W. Sherman was seriously wounded in the assault of May 27, and Brigadier-General Paine on June 14. Among those killed during the siege were Colonel Bean, of the Fourth Wisconsin; Colonel Holcomb, of the First Louisiana; Col. TX S Cowles, of the One hundred and twenty-eighth New York; Lieutenant-Colonel Rodman, of the Thirty-eighth Massachusetts; Lieutenant-Colonel Lull, of the Eighth New Hampshire; Colonel Smith, of the One nundred and sixty-fifth New York Zonaves; Colonel Chapin, of the One hundred and sixteenth New York; Major Haffkille and Captain Luce, of the Engineers; Lieutenant Wrotnowski, and many other gallant officers whose names, in the ab- sence of official records, it is not in my power to give, who gave their lives to the cause of liberty and their country. In this campaign we captured 10,584 prisoners~ as follows: Paroled men at Port Hudson, exclusive of the sick and wounded, 5,953offi- cers, 455; captured by Grierson at Jackson, 150; First [Arkansas Bat- talionj and Fifteenth Arkansas 2aptured May 27, lOt; on board steamers in Thompsons Creek, 25; deserters, 250; sick and wounded, 1,000; cap- tured at Donaldsonville, June 28, 150; captured west of the Mississippi, 2,500; in all, a number fully equal to the force to which the garrison sur- rendered. We also captured 73 guns, 4,500 pounds of powder, 150,000 2 R RYOL XXVI, PT Page 18 18 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. rounds of ammunition, 6,000 small-arms, 4 steamers, 20,000 head of horses, cattle, and mules, 10,000 bales of cotton, and destroyed the enemys salt-works at New Iberia, 3 gunboats, and 8 steam transports. The cattle, horses, mules, cotton, and other products of the country were sent to New Orleans, tarn ed over to the quartermaster, and, ex- cept such as could be used by the army in kind, were applied to the support of the Government. Augnst 5, a dispatch was received and published, from the General. in-Chief of the Army, congratulating the troops on the crowning suc- cess of the campaign, for whom was reserved the honor of striking the last blow for the freedom of the Mississippi River, and announcing that the country, and especially the great West, would ever remember with gratitude their services.* [THE TEXAS EXPEDITION.t] After the surrender of Port Hudson, I joined with General Grant in recommending an immediate movement against the city of Mobile. My views upon the qnestion were expressed in several dispatches in July and August. With such aid as General Grant had offhred and subse- quently gave me, a speedy capture of that city seemed to be reasonably certain. On the 15th of August, 1863, I was informed by a dispatch, dated the 6th of that month, that there were important reasons why our flag should be established in Texas with the least possible delay, and instructing me that the movement should be made as speedily as possible, either by sea or land. I was informed by a dispatch dated the 12th of August, and which I received on the 27th of August, that the importance of the operations proposed by me in a previous dispatch against the city of Mobile was fully appreciated, but there were reasons other than military why those directed in Texas should be nndertaken first; that on this matter there was no choice, and that the views of the Govern- ment must be carried out. I was advised in a dispatch, dated the 10th of August, that the restoration of the flag to some one point in Texas could be best effected by the combined naval and military movements upon iRed River to Alexandria, Natchitoches, or Shreveport, and the occupation of Northern Texas. This line wc s recommended as superior for military operations to the occupation of Galveston or Indianola, but the final selection was left to my judgment. The difficulties attending a movement in the direction of Shreveport a route which had been thorouohly explored in the spring campaign of 1863satisfied me that it was in]practicable, if not impossible, for the purposes entertained by the Government. The selection of the line of operations having been submitted to me, I made immediate preparations for a movement by the coast against Houston, selecting the position occupied by the enemy on the Sabine as the point of attack. This point was nearest to my base of supplies. It was immediately connected by the Gulf with Berwick Bay, of which we had full possession, and by the river, and also by railway from the bay, with New Orleans. If suddenly occupied, I regarded it certain, as the enemys forces were then disposed, that we could concentrate and move upon Houston by land with 15,000 to 17,000 men before it would be possible for the enemy to collect his forces for its defense. The occupation of Houston would * See General Orders, No. 57, Headquarters Department of the Gulf; August 5, 1563, p.671. t See letter of transmittal, p. 5 Page 19 CHAP. XXXVIII.] GENERAL REPORTS. 19 place in our hands the control of all the railway communications of Texas; give us command of the most populous and productive part of the State; enable ns to move at any moment into the interior in any direction, or to fall back upon the Island of Galveston, which could be maintained with a very small force, holding the enemy upon the coast of Texas, and leaving the Army of the Gulf free to move upon Mobile, in accordance with my original plan or whenever it should berequired. The expedition s~ iled from New Orleans on the 5th (lay of September. Its organization and command had been intrusted to Maj. Gen. W. B. Franklin. The gunboats assigned to the expe(litiOn by Admiral Far- ragut were under command of Captain Crocker, a skillful and brave officer. He was thoroughly acquainted with the waters of the Sabine Pass, having been statione(l there for many months, and was anxious to participate in the expedition. The forces were orgamzed for opera- tions upon land. The gunboats were intended to assist and cover their debarkation and movements upon the coast. At various l)oints, between the Sabine and Galveston, a landing was practicable and safe. Unless the weather or the forces of the enemy should intervene, nothing could prevent a successfufdebarkatiofl of troops at some point upon the coast. General Franklins instructions were verbal and written, He was directed to land his troops 10 or 12 miles below Sabine Pass, or at some other point on the coast below, and proceed by a rapid movement against the fortifications constructed for the defense of the Pass, unless time naval officers should find, upon reconnaissance, that the works were unoccupied, or that they were able to take them without delay. Noth- ing was wanting to secure the success of the expedition. The troops were in good condition, the weather fine, the sea smooth, and the enenmy without suspicion of the movement. Instead, however, of moving below the Pass and effecting a landing of the troops, General Franklin states in his report that it was determined that Capt in Crocker should enter the Pass and make an attack directly upon the works. The gunboats (originally lightly constructed merchant vessels) were unable to make any impression upon the works. They soon run aground mu the shallow water and narrow channel of the Pass, under the gumis of the fort, and were compelled to surrender. The enemys position was occupied ammd defended by less than 100 itien. The troops nuder General Franklin made an unsuccessful, and, as it appeared afterward, a feeble effort to land within the bay, after the loss of two gunboats, an(l returned to New Orleans without attempting a landing below upon the coast in rear of the works. Had a landing been effected, even after the loss of the boats, in accordance with the origin~ 1 plan, the success of the movement would have been complete, but as it regarded the occupation of Sabine Pass and operations against Houston and Galveston, the enemny had at this timne all his forces in that quarter, and less than 100 men on the Sabine. The failure of this expedition having notified the enemy of our pur- poses, it was impracticable to repeat the attempt at that point. The instructions of the Government being imperative, I then endeavored, without delay, to carry out my instructions by a movement toward Alex- andria and Shreveport, or, if possible, across the southern part of Louis- iana to Nibletts Bluff. The attack upon Sabine Pass was made on the 8th of September. The fleet returned on the 11th; on the 13th, orders were given for the overland movement. The troops xvere rapidly trans- ferred to the Teche Bayou, and organized for this expedition, but it was soon found impracticable, if not impossible, to enter Texas in that direc- tion. The country between the Teche and the Sabine was without sup- plies of any kind, and entirely without water, and the march across tha Page 20 20 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. country of 300 miles with wagon transportation alone, where we were certain to meet the enemy in full force, was necessarily abandoned. A movement in the direction of Alexandria and Shreveport was equally impracticable. The route lay over a country utterly destitute of sup- plies, which had been repeated]y overrun by the two armies, aimd which involved a march of 500 miles from New Orleans and nearly 400 miles from Berwick Bay, with wagon transportation only, in a country with- out water, forage, or supplies, mostly upon a single road, very thickly wooded, and occupied by a thoroughly hostile l)opulation. Being satisfied that it was impossible to execute the orders of the Government by this route for these reasons, which were stated in my several dispatches, I decided, as the only alternative left me for the ex- ecution of the orders of the Government, to attempt the occupation of the Rio Grande, which I had suggested on the 13th September as an alternative if the land route was found impracticable. Leaving the troops opposite Berwick Bay upon the land route into Texas, I organ- ized a small expedition, the troops being placed under command of Maj. Gen. N. J. T. Dana, and sailed on the 26th of October, 1863 ,for the Rio Grande. A landing was effected at Brazos Santiago, which was occupied by the enemys cavalry and artillery, the 2d day of November. The enemy was driven from his position the next day, and the troops ordered forward to Browusyille, :30 miles from the mouth of the river. Colonel Dye, of the Ninety-fourth Illinois Volunteers, commanding the advance, occupied Brownsville on the 6th day of November, where, a few hours after his arrival, I made my headquarters. Major-General Dana was left in command of this post. As soon as it was possible to provide for the garrison and obtain transpor~ation for the navigation of the river, which occupied four or five days, I moved, with all the troops which could be spared from that point, for the purpose of occupying the passes on the coast between the Rio Grande and Galveston, intend- ing to complete my original plan by the occupation of Galveston from the coast below instead of above. Point Isabel was occupied on the 8th [6th] of November. By the aid of steamers, obtained on the Rio Graude with the consent of the Mexican Government, we were enabled to trans- port troops to Mustang Island. The troops were under the command of Brig. Gen. T. E. G. Ransom, who carried the enemys works com- manding Aransas Pass, after a gallant assault, capturing 100 prisoners and the artillery with which the place was defended. The troops in- stantly moved upon Pass Cavallo, commanding the entrance to Mata- gorda Bay, and which was also defended by strong and extensive forti- fications and a force of 2,00~i) men, artillery, cavalry, and infantry, who could be re-enforced in any emergency from Houston and Galveston. The troops were under command of Maj. Gen. C. C. Washburn, then commanding the Thirteenth Corps. Fort Esperauza was invested, and, after a most gallant action, the enemy blew up his magazine, partially dismantled his defenses, and evacuated the position, the major part of his men escaping to the main- land by the peninsula near the mouth of the Brazos. The occupation of Brownsville, Brazos Santiago, the capture of the works and garrison at Aransas Pass, and the defeat of the enemy and the capture of his works at Fort Esperauza by our troops, left nothing on the coast in his possession but the works at the month of Brazos River and on the Island of Galveston, which were formidable, and de- fended by all the forces of the enemy in Texas. The command of Gen- eral Magruder had been withdrawn from different l)arts ot the State and concentrated on the coast between Houston, Galveston, and In Page 21 CHAP. XXXVTTI.] GENERAL REPORTh. dianola, in consequence of our movement against the works at Sabine Pass, the occupation of the Rio Grande, and the capture of the works con structed for the defense of Arausas Pa8s and Pass Cavallo, on the Texas c ast. To carry the works at the mouth of Brazos River, it was n ecessary to move inland and to attack the enemy in the rear, in which xv e necessarily encountered the entire strength of the rebel forces, then greatly superior in number to ours. Preparations were made for more extended operations on the main- land from Indianola at Nlatagorda Bay or on the peninsula connecting with the mainland at Brazos River, and notice given to the War 1)e- partment of the plan of operations, with the request for an increase of the forces for extended operations in Texas, if it was found expedient. The troops on the Teche, under command of Major-General Franklin, would have been transferred to the coast in such force as to make cer- taiii the occupation of Houston or Galveston. From this point I in- tended to withdraw my troops to the Island of Galveston, which colil(l have been held with perfect security by less than 1,000 men, which would have left me free to resume my operations, suggested in August and September, against Mobile. The Rio Grande and the Island of Galveston could ha ~e been held with 2,000 or 3,000 men. This would have cut off the contraband P ade of the enemy at Matamoras an(l on the Texas coast. The forces occupying the Island of Galveston coul(l have been strengthened by sea at any moment from Berwick Bay, con- necting with New Orleans by railway, or with New Orleans by the river, compelling the enemy to maintain an army near Houston. and preventing his concentrating his forces for the invasion of Louisiana, Arkansas, or Missouri. Th~ occupation of the Rio Grande, Galveston, and Mobile would have led to the capture or destruction of all the ~n~my~5 river an(l sea te us- portation on the Gulf coast, and left the west gi If blockading sq tad- ron, numbering one hundred and fifty vessels all(I mounting four hun- dred and fifty guns, free to pursue the pirates that infested our coast and preyed upon ~ur commerce. The army would have been at liberty to operate on the Mississippi or to co-operate with the Army of the Tennessee, by the Alabama Liver and Montgomery, in the campaign against Atlanta. These general x-iews are substantially exl)reSsCd in my dispatches of the 12th and 30th December, 1863. If successfully accomplished, it would have enabled the Government to concentrate the entire forces of the Department of the Gulf as occa- sion should require, at any point on the river or coast against an enemy without water transportation or other means of operation than by heavy land marches, or to move by land into the rebel States east or west of the Mississippi. The winter months offered a favorable opportnnity for such enterprise. I remain, your obedient servant, N. ~. BANKS, Major- General of Volunteers. The SECRETARY OF WAR, Washington, D. C. ADDENDA. GENERAL ORDERS, HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF TIlE GULF, No. 25. New Orleans, February iP, 18G1. I. The following-named regiments and batteries of the Nineteenth Army Corps will immediately have inscribed upon their colors th Page 22 22 W.FLA., ~.ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CuAP. ~XXVtII. names of the several actions set opposite their names, wherein they have borne a distinguished part, as follows: l2tli Maine Volunteers, Irish Bend, Port Hudson. 14th Maine Volunteers, Baton Rouge, Port Hudson. 8th Vermont Volunteers, Cotton, Bisland, Port Hudson. 26th Massachusetts Volunteers, La Fourche. 30th Massachusetts Volunteers, Baton Rouge, Plains Store, Port Hudson, Coxs Plantation. 31st Massachnsetts Volunteers, Bisland, Port Hndson. 38th Massachusetts Volunteers, Bisland, Port Hudson. 12th Connecticut Volunteers, Georgia Landing, Cotton, Bisland, Port Hudson. 13th Connecticut Volunteers, Georgia Landing, Irish Bend, Port Hudson. 75th New York Volunteers, Cotton, Bisland, Port Hudson. 90th New York Volunteers, Port Hudson. 91st New York Volunteers, Port Hudson. 110th New York Volunteers, Bisland. 114th New York Volunteers, Bisland, Port Hudson. 116th New York Volunteers, Plains Store, Port Hudson, Coxs Plantation. 128th New York Volunteers, Port Hudson. 131st New York Volunteers, Port Hudson. 133d New York Volunteers, Bisland, Port Hudson. 156th New York Volunteers, Bisland, Port Hudson. 159th New York Volunteers, Irish Bend, Port Hudson. 160th New York Volunteers, Cotton, Bisland, Port Hudson. 161st New York Volunteers, Plains Store, Port Hudson, Coxs Plantation. 162d New York Volunteers, Bisland, Port Hudson. 165th New York Volunteers, Port Hudson. 173d New York Volunteers, Port Hudson. 174th New York Volunteers, Plains Store, Port Hudson, Cons Plantation. 175th New York Volunteers, Bisland, Port lludson.. 176th New York Volunteers, La Fourche. 1st Louisiana Volunteers, Port Hudson. 2d Louisiana Volunteers, Plains Store, Port Hudson, Cons Plantation. 1st New Hampshire Cavalry, Georgia Landing, Bisland, Port Hudson. 3d Massachusetts Cavalry, Company L, Georgia Landing, Port Hudson. 4th Wisconsin Cavalry, Bisland, Clinton, Port Hudson. 1st Louisiana Cavalry, Companies A, B, C, Georgia Laading, Cotton, Port Hudson. 6th Michigan Artillery, Baton Rouge, Cotton, Port hudson. 1st Indiana Heavy Artillery, Baton Rouge, Cotton. Bislaud, Port Hudson. Battery A, 1st U. S. Artillery, Cotton, Bislaud, Port Hudson. Battery F, 1st U. S. Artillery, Bisland, Port Hudson. Battery L, 1st U. S. Artillery, Port Hudson. Battery C, 2d U. S. Artillery, Irish Bend, Port Hudson. Batter~r G. 5th U. S. Artillery, Port Hudson. 1st Maine Battery, Georgia Landing, Cotton, Bisland, Port Hudson, Cons Planta- tion. 1st Vermont Battery, Port Hudson. 2d Vermont Battery, Plains Store, Port Hudson. 2d Massachusetts Battery, B ton Rouge, Port Hulson. 4th Massachusetts Battery, Baton Rouge, Cotton, Port Hudson. 6th Massachusetts Battery, Baton Rouge, Guorgia Landing, Cotton, Bisland, Port Hudson. 13th. Massachusetts Battery, Port Hudson. 18th New York Battery, Bisland, Port Hudson. 21st New York Battery, Port Hudson. 25th New York Battery. La Fourche. II. The following are the dates at which the above named actions took place: Baton Rouge, August 5, 18~2. Georgia Landing, October 27, 1862. Cotton, January 14, 1863. Bisland, April 12 and 13, 1863. Irish Bend, April 14, 1863. Plains Store, May 21, 1863. The Eighth New Hampshire Page 23 CHAP. XXXVIII.] (4EI~ERAL ktPORT~. Clinton, June 3, 1863. La Fourche, June 21, 1863. Port Hudson: Invested, May 24, 1863; assaulted, May 27 and June 14, 1863; surrendered, July 7, 1863. Coxs Plantation, July 13, 1863. By command of Major-General Banks: RICHARD B. IRWIN, As8istant Adjutant- General. No. 3. ~ynopsis of operations in the Department of New Mexico, May 16 December 28, 1863. GENERAL ORDERS, ~ ilD QES. DEPARTMENT OF NEW MExIco, No. 3. & inta IY, N. ]Iifex., February 24, 1864. The following notices of combats with hostile Indians in New Mex- ico, and synopsis of Indian depredations, as well as operations gener- ally against them, during the year 1863, are published for the intorma- tion of all concerned. Perhaps not over one scout in four which was made against the Indians during that period was at all successful, but no notice is made except of scouts which had results for or against us. This fact is stated to convey a better idea of the labor of the troops :* * * * * * * May 16.On the i~ight of the 15th the Navajoes stole from Jemez 6 head of horses. May .Charles T. Hayden, citizen, reports that the Indians at. tacked his train near the line of Chihuahua. They were defeated, with a loss of 11 killed, including the renowned Copinggan; 3 horses were captured in this fight. May .Capt. T. T. Tidball, Fifth Infantry, California Volunteers, with 25 of his company and a small party of citizens, attacked a ran- cheria in Cajon de Arivaypa, killing over 50 Indians, wounding as many more, taking 10 prisoners, and capturing 60 head of stock, with the loss of only 1 man, Thomas MeClelland. The party marched five days without lighting a fire, maintaining silence, hiding by day and traveling by night, over a country hitherto untrod by white men. June .Maj. Joseph Smith, commanding Fort Stanton, reports that the Indians attacked the expressmen on the 21st of June, near the Gallinas, and compelled them to abandon their mules and express matter, and take to the mountains. The mules and express lost. June 24.Major Morrison repoits an attack on Lieutenant Bargie and escort, on the Jornada,in which Lieutenant Bargie, while fighting gallantly, was killed. The conduct of Sergeants Piha and Urlibarra, and the two prisoners they had in charge, is highly praised. June 26.Major Morrison reports further in regard to the fight on the Jornada that Private Lucero, First New Mexico Volunteers, was killed. June 20.Capt. A. H. Pfeiffer, wife, and 2 servant girls, with escort of 6 men of the First New Mexico Volunteers, were attacked by a For portion of order here omitted, see Series I, Vol. XV, pp. 227231. 5 Page 24 24 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., T~X., N. MEX. [CHAI~. XXXVIiI. party of Apache Indians, numbering 15 or 20, at a hot spring near Fort MciRae. The captain was bathing at the time, when the Indians made a rush upon the party, killing two men, Privates N. Quintana and Mestas. Captain Pfeiffer was wounded in his side by an arrow, and Private Dolores received two shots in his right arm and hand. A citizen named Betts, who was with Captain Pfeiffer, was also wounded. The remainder of l)arty~ except the women, succeeded in reaching Fort McRae unharmed, and reported facts to Major Morrison, commnandiit~ post. He immediately started in pnrsuit with 20 mounted men, hat did not succeed in overtaking the Indians. Mrs. Pfeilkr and the serv- ant girls were found in the trail, badly wounded. Mrs. Pfciffer and one of the servants have since~died; the other doing well. Loss in this affair, 2 privates killed, 2 women mortally wounded, 1 officer, 1 private, 1 woman, and a citizen wounded; 7 horses and 2 mules taken by the indians. Indian loss unknown. June 27.Maj. Joseph Smith, commanding Fort Stanton. reports the loss of part of his herd of horses and mules, stolen by Indians. An in- fantry company sent in pursuit. June 28.Lient. W. H. fligdon, Fifth infantry, Califiwnia Volun- teers, reports that on his way from Fort Stanton to Santa F~, near Gallinas Springs, he found the bodies of Privates N. Quintana, of Coni- pany A, First New Mexico Volunteers, and John Ilinkley, of Company A, Fifth California Volunteers, who had been murdered by the Indians. The Indians had evidently wounded Private Quintana, tied him to stake, and burned him. Sonie legal-tender notes and several letters were found near the body of Iliuckley. July 2.Lieutenant-Colonel Chaves reports that Capt. Rafael Chacon, First New Mexico Volunteers, with 22 men, was sent in pursuit of a band of Indians who had stolen some horses and oxen from Fort Win. gate. The oxen were recaptured near the post. The troops followed the trail of the Indians for three days, and finally overtook them, when a sharp fight ensued. The Indians fought with great bravery, but were finally driven from their cover, an(l fled. The conduct of Sergeant Antonio Jos6 Trezquez in this affair is highly spoken of by Captain Chacon. Indian loss unknown; troops, I private wounded. July 4.Capt. N. J. Pishon reports that, with 27 men of his company, ID, First Cavalry, California Volunteers, he pursued a party of 8 Indians who had driven off 104 Government mules from Fort Craig, overtook them a few miles front the post, and killed 4 Indians and recovered all the mules. Capt. Julius L. Barbey, who accompanied the command, was shot through the wrist by an arrow. Privates Jackson and Ban- croft were also slightly wounded. July I~.Capt. A. H. French, First Cavalry, California Volunteers, with 27 men of his company, attacked and routed, n ear Fort Thorne, a band of Apache Indians, supposed to number 60 warriors. Indian loss, 10 killed and 4 horses captured. Sergeant Walsh and Farrier Burns were wounded. July 11.Sergeant E. W. Hoyt, of Company D, First Ififantry, Cal. ifornia Volunteers, with 3 men of Company B an(I 3 men of Company D, First Infantry, California Volunteers, having iu charge 4 wagons en~ route to Las Cruces, was attacked by Indians in Cooks Pass, and forced to abandon 3 wagons and 19 mules, and h ad 4 men slightly wounded. Four Indians are known to have been killed and a number wounded. Sergeant Hoyt acted with the greatest coolness in this affair. July 19.Lieut. Juan Marques, First New Mexico Volunteers, whil Page 25 25 CHAP. XXXVIII.] GENERAL REPORTS. * returning from Horse Head crossing of the Pecos with 15 men of Com- pany A, First New Mexico Volunteers, was attacked at the Rio Hondo by about 50 Indians while in camp at that point. The Indians gained possession of the camp, but were finally driven across the river, carry- ing with them their wounded. They soon after recros sed the river, and charged on the herd, but were again driven back with lo ss. In this charge Private Josd Chaves was killed. For several hours the fight was continued. The Indian force rapidly increased, and at last numbered some 200. The ammunition gave out, and the soldiers were ordered to break their rifles and make their escape, which they did. Lieutenant Marques reports the conduct of the following-named men as worthy of mention: Corporals [Blassi Brigaloa, and Jos6 Y. Gonzales, and Pii- yates Santiago Torres, G. Romero, Antonio Archuleta, Jos6 D. Tres quez, and Jesus Lopez. All the Public animals, including 10 mules, were lost in this affair. Indian loss, 6 killed. July 22.Capt~ F. P. Abreii, First New Mexico Volunteers, and Capt. Emil Fritz, First Cavalry, California Volunteers, with a detachment of New Mexico and California volunteers, left Fort Stanton for the Rio Pecos, to overtake and chastise the Indians who had attacked Lieuten- ant Marques. After following the indians for 45 miles, Captain Fritz came upon their camp, and captured 2 horses, 6 mules, and all the plunder of the camp. The Indians made their escape. July 30.Lient. W. H. Higdon reports that on the 30th of July, en route from Fort Union to Fort Stanton, he saw about 75 Indians driving a large herd of sheep, judged to number 20,000. Believing his party too small to attack so large a band of Indians, they were allowed to l)a~5S unmolested. July 24.Lieut. John Lambert, Fifth Infantry, California Volunteers, reports that the Indians attacked a detachment under his ~ hi Cooks Cafion. At the first fire, Sergeant Han ce, of Company H, Fifth Infantry, was wounded in his shoulder and hand; soon after, Private Queen, of Company F, was mortally wounded. Two wagons were abandoned to the Indians, also 12 mules. Private Queen died before the fight ended. July 19.Lieutenant-Colonel McMullens ambulance was attacked l~y Indians near Paraje, and Asst. Surg. E. L. Watson, First Infantry,, Cal- ifornia Volunteers, and Private Johnson, Company G, First Infantry, California Volunteers, were killed. The escort killed two Indians and wounded others. Colonel McMullens horse was captured by the lii- dians. Our loss, I commissioned officer and 1 private killed; 1 horse lost. Indian loss, 3 killed and wounded. August 4.Lient. B. Stevens, First New Mexico Volunteers, reports that, when returning from Cuvero to Fort Wingate, he caine upon a party of Navajo Indians, 7 men and 2 boys; took them prisoners, and placed them in the guard-house at Fort Wingate. August 6.M. Steck, superintendent of Indian affairs, reports 1 hat a portion of the Utahs, Mohuaches, and Tabahuaches had killed 9 Nava- j oes and captured 22 horses. August 6.Capt. E. H. Bergmann reports that a party of Compaiiy I, First INew Mexico Volunteers, in charge of a herd of beef-cattle, were attacked by a body of Navajoes on the 22d of July, near Conchas Springs. The party consisted of Sergt. Jos6 Lucero and Privates Juan F. Ortiz and Jos6 Banneras, who fought the Indians from 11 a. m. until after sundown, killing and wounding several of them. The Indians succeeded in killing Sergeant Lucero and Private Ortiz. Private Ban- neras, being severely wounded by eight arrow shots, gathered up th Page 26 26 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. muskets and pistols of his dead comrades and threw them into the springs. The Jndians fractured his skull with rocks and left him for (lead, but he recovered toward morning and made his way to Chaperito. The Indians drove off the cattle. (Number not stated.) Captain Bergmann, learning that the Indians had driven off 10,000 sheep, mounted 30 men, and endeavored to intercept them at the cro~s~ ing of the Pecos. Corporal Martinez came close to their rear, and suc- ceeded in killing 2 and wounding several. The corporal destroyed their camp utensils and captured 3 beeves. August 11.M. Steck, superintendent Indian affairs, reports that the Utahs have~ during the last ten days, killed 30 Navajoes, and captured and brought in 60 children of both sexes, and captured 30 horses and 2,000 sheep. On the 11th instant, 4 llTtahs caine in with three scalps and 6 captives, Total, 33 killed, 66 captured, and 30 horses and 2,000 sheep taken. A ugust 19.Col. Christopher Carson reports that he left camp near Cafton Bonita, August 5, 1863, on a scout for thirty days. On the first day out, sent Sergeant Roinero with 15 men after 2 Indians seen in the vicinity; he captured one of their horses~ the Indians made their escape. On the night of the 4th instant, Captain Pfeiffer captured 11 women and children, besides a woman and child, the former of whom was killed in attempting to escape and the latter accidentally. Captain Pfeiffers J)arty also cal)tured two other children, 100 sheep and goats, and 1 horse. The Utes captured in the same vicinity 18 horses and 2 mules, and killed 1 Indian. Captain Pfeiffer wounded an Indian, but he escaped. On the 16th, a party who were sent for some pack-saddles brought in 1 Indian woman. At this camp the brave Major Cummings, First New Mexico Volunteers, was shot through the abdomen by a concealed In- diati and died instantly. One of the parties sent out from this camp caj)tured an Indian woman. Total Indians killed, 3; captured, 15~ won aded, 1; 20 horses, 2 mules, and 100 sheep and goats captured. Troops, 1 commissioned officer killed. August 19.Capt. Henry A. Greene, First Infantry, California Volun- teers, having received information that a party of Indians with a large herd of sheep had crossed the Rio Grande on the morning of the 8th in~tant, mounted 20 men, and started in pursuit, and, after following their trail for nearly 200 miles, came upon them, and opened fire. The Indians lied, and the command recovered 1 600 to 1 80 them. to Fort Craig. , , 0 sheep, and drove August 24.Capt. W. Craig reports that a party of 16 Indians at. tacked his herders near Fort Union an mules. 27.Capt. d drove off 18 Government August V. ~resher, First Infantry, California Volunteers, reports the horses and mules at Fort West were stampeded by Indians; animals not recovered; Indians not pursued; 26 mules and 1 horse lost. August 29.Capt. Henry A. Greene, First Infantry, California Vol- unteers, reports that the Indians attacked the mail stage on the Jor- nada, near the Point of Rocks, and captured 7 mules. As soon as the information was received, 15 mounted men were sent in pursuit, and 9 men detailed to escort the stage through. The mounted party, on com- ing in view of the Rio Grande, saw 3 Indians on the bank; the balance of the band were back in the brush; the 3 Indians were fired upon; one of them fell, but recovered again. A part of the command, under Lieu~ tenant Fountain, charged across the river; the Indians ran and con- cealed themselves. Tha party then dismounted, and commenced t Page 27 CHAP. XXXVIII.] GENERAL REPORTS. 27 skirmish through the bushes. While on this duty, Private George S. IDickey was mortally wounded by the only shot fired by the Indians during the affair. ~ickey saw an lindian jump into the river, and shot him; the Jndian turned after being shot, and gave Dickey the wound which caused his death. Indian loss, 1 killed; 3 wounded. Our loss, 1 private killed. August .Col. Christopher Carson, with his command, left Pueblo, Cob., on the 20th day of August, for Cafion de Chelly with the main force, secreting 25 men, under Captain Pfeiffer,in the cailon, to watch for Indians. Soon after, 2 Indians were seen approaching the cafion, and were fired upon, and, although badly wounded, succeeded in getting away. On the same day the advance guard pursued and killed an In- dian. On the 31st the command returned to Fort Canby. Indian loss: 1 killed, 2 wounded. August 27.Two Navajo Indians, prisoners, attempted to escape from the guard-house at Fort Defiance; one was killed by the guard and the other mortally wounded. One killed, 1 wounded. August 31.Lieutenant-Colonel Chaves, corn manding Fort Wingate, reports that a large party of Navajoes attacked the escort to the wood wagons about 5 miles from the post, wounding Private Luciano Pals and driving off 12 mules. The Indians were pursued but not overtaken. Our loss: 1 man wounded, 12 mules taken. August 23.Capt. R. Chacon, FirstCavalry, New Mexico Volunteers, left Fort Wingate with 40 enlisted men, on a scout after Indians. On the 27th, when neflr the Salt Lakes, the party espied a band of Nava- joes, and succee(led in killing 2 and caj)tnring 8. On the same day, one of the Indians, in attempting to escape, was killed by the soldier who had him charge. On the 28th, the party attacked 150 Indians, who fled in all directions. The party here captnre(l 7 children and recovered a captive Mexican boy named Agapito Apodaca; killed 3 Indians and captured 11,500 head o.f sheep and goats, 17 he ad of horses, mules, bur- ros, and colts. On this scout there were 6 Indians killed, 14 captured, 1 Mexican boy rescued, 1,500 head of sheep, 17 horses, mules, burros, and colts captured. August 27.Capt. T. T. Tidball, Fifth Infantry, California Volunteers, commanding Fort Bowie, reports that the Apache Indians ran off 6 horses and I mule from that l)ost. September 8.Capt. Joseph P. llar~ rave, First Infantry, California Volunteers, reports that he left Fort Win gate on the 22d of August, on an expedition against the Kavajoes. On the 26th August he saw 40 Indians on the Little Colorado; charged on them, but they fled before the troops got within gunshot of them. At this place captured 500 head of sheep. On the 30th of August the mules belonging to com- mand (number nnknown) were driven off by Indians. A party of mOuflte(l men were sent in pursuit, but failed to overtake them. September 5.M. Steck, superintendent of Indian affairs, reports that a party of Utahs have killed 9 Navajoes and captured 40 ehildren, and that the Pueblo Indians have killed a Navajo warrior, and that the Governor of Jemez had killed 1 Navajo. Indian loss: 11 killed, 40 captured. September 5.Capt. J. II. Whitlock, Fifth Infantry, California Volun- teers, reports that he found an Indian camp, surprised it, and captured 2 mules, 1 Sharps carbine, 1 United States blanket, and 1,000 pounds of mnescal. Burned the camp, including all that pertained to it. (in the 8th of September, found Indians in force, and had a spirited figh Page 28 28 W. ETA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVTIt with them for fifteen minutes. One man and the guide severely wounded, and 1 horse killed. indian loss unknown. Our loss: 1 soldier and it citizen wounded and 1 horse killed. September 8.The indians made an attack on Puertecitode las Salinas. Three Mexicans who went in pusnit of them were killed. September 26.Capt. Henry A. Greene, the indefatigable, command- ing Fort McRae, learning that a band of Indians with 10 head of stock had crossed the Rio Grande near the Rio de los Allainosa, and~ that Corporal Argust with 3 men had gone in pursuit, immediately mounted 8 men, and started for the town of Allamosa. Arriving at this point, 18 mounted Mexicans joined his ~)arty. The whole party then traveled to Canada Paloinas Crossing. At this point the stock was found, having been abandoned by the Indians. Corporal Arhust, and Privates Daniel D. Tompkins, Alouzo C. Mullen, and William Lockh art, are highly praised by Captain Greene for their zeal and energy on this occasion. September 27.Lient. P. A. J. Russell, First Infan try, California Vol- unteers, with 4 mounted men and a party of Pueblo Indians, started from Valles Grande on the trail of a band of Navajoes, who had stolen a lot of stock from the Pueblos. The trail was folloWed into the town of Jemez, where the party recaptured 125 head of sheep an(l 2 horses; killed 8 Navajoes, and took 20 women and children prisoners. September 28.Baltasar Mom~ta~o, citizen, reports the result of a cam- paign against the Navajoes as follows: Two Indians killed, 5 wounded, 11 or 12 animals captured, 2 horses and 1 mule lost. October 5.Colonel Carson reports that on the 22~ of September his command pursued a party of Indians, but owing to the broken-down coli- dition of his animals they only succeeded in ca~)turing i. On the 2d (lay of October, discovered a small Indian village which had just been aban- doned; this was destroyed; 19 animals captured, 7 of winch got away. Three men left camp to hunt up the animals which had esc ped; they did not return until after the command had r~urned to Fort C8nby; they state that they were attacked by a party of Indians when wit liii 5 miles of the post, 1 of whom they killed. One of the men, named Artin, was severely wounded, and the Indians captured his mnle. On t~ e 3d day of October, Lieutenant Postle discovered an Indian, l)ursned him, and wounded him in three places; the lieutenant was slightly wounded by the Indians. Indian loss, 1 killed, 1 wounded, and 1 captured; 12 animals captured. Our loss, I officer and 1 private wounded, and 1 mule lost. October 5.Ramon Luna, agent for the Pueblo Indians, reports that the Pueblos, in a recent campaign against the Navajoes, killed ~2 of them, captured 51 prisoners, 1,200 sheep, and 40 mules; some of the mules had the U. S. brand. October 6.Maj. Edward B. Willis, First Infantry, California olun- teers, left Fort Wingate on the 15th day of September, on an expedition against the Indians, with 40 men each of Company, H, First Infantry, California Volunteers, and Company F, First New Mexico Volunteers. At the Cienega Amarilla the command captured 1 horse and I mule; at Jacobs Well found a few Indians, and captured 2 of them. At this point found and destroyed several fields of pumpkins and watermelo:is~ The command then returned to Fort Wingate. Major Willis, in his report, says: I cannot speak in too high terms of the officers and men of this command; no men could be more anxious to do their duty, or more cheerfully incur the hardships of a campaign; after a march of 25 Qr30 miles, the whole command would cheerfully volunteer and marc Page 29 CHAP. XXXYIII.i GENERAL REPORTS. 29 the whole night on the slightest prospect of doing any service. Two Thdians, 1 horse and I mule captured. October 13..-Two wagons which had been sent abon t a mile from Fort Canby for wood, iu charge of a non-commissioned officer and 5 men, were atta~ked by the Indians. The escort and the teamsters rau at the first fire, leaving the wagons and teams in possession of the Indians; 10 mules were lost, 2 mules and the wagons were left. One of the sol- diers, in his hurry to escape, left his musket at the wagons; the Indians carried it off. October 15.The train of Miguel Romero, hay contractor, was at- tacked by Indians while on its way from hay camp to Fort Canby; the non-commissioned officer in charge of the escort was wounded, and 1 teamster severely wounded. The Indians drove off 5 mules and 1 pony. October 16.Lient. Thomas Henderson, First Cavali~y, Yew Mexico Volunteers, reports that while en route from Fort Stanton to Santa F~, he met 3 Indians with a lot of mules near the Buffalo Spring. The In- dians, on being discovered, abandoned 19 mules and escaped. October 18.Lieutenant iDowlin, First Cavalry. New Mexico Volun- teers, reports that a party under his command killed 2 Indians near the~ Laguna Negra. October 22.Capt. Rafael Chacon with his company pursued a band of Indians, who had run off stock near Fort Wingate, and captured from them 2 mules and 2 horses. October 25.Lieut. Charles II. Fitch, on an Indian scout, captured 2 horses and 1 mule. October 21.Lient. Nicholas llodt, First New Mexico Volunteers, with 40 men, left Fort Canby October 21, on a scout against the In- dians. On the 22d, saw a party of Indians, who succeeded in escaping to the mountains; near Cafiada, Cob., the command captured 1 woman. October 31.Lient. E. E. Latimer, First Cavalry~ California X%lun- teers, left Fort Union with a detachment of 9 men for Fort Sumiier, having in charge 21 Indian prisoners. On the night of November 4, while encamped at the mouth of ~allinas River, 16 of the Indians suc- ceeded in making their escape. They were pursued but not recaptured. November 9.A party of Mexicans passed through Fort Wingate on the 1st instant in pursuit of Indians; at the Sierra Negra the party had a fight xvith a band of Navajoes; killed 5 and took 16 prisoners. About 2 leagues from Sierra, the party had another fight with the In- iilians; killed 2 and tok 2 prisoners. At the Sierra de 2husea had a skirmish with the Indians, and captured 24 prisoners, 20 horses and mules, aimd 25 sheep and goats. Indian loss: Killed, 7; prisoners, 42; 20 horses amid mules, and 25 sheep and goats captured. At Carriso Springs the party came upon a band of Indians, number- ing from 200 to 300, ith several thousand head of stock. The captain of the party being fearful of losing his prisoners, allowed this band to l)~55 unmolested. November 4.Capt. A. L. Anderson reports that while in camp on the Gila River, near the Pinal Mount~ ins, the Indians crept to within iange of his picket line, and discharged several volleys of arrows at the animals, sentinels, and the men sleeping near. Four horses were so badly wounded that it became necessary to kill them. A squad of men was left concealed in the camp, and, after the column had marched, they succeeded in killing one of a party of Indians who approached them. Indian loss, 1 killed. Our loss, 4 horses killed Page 30 30 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. LC11AP. XXXVIII. November 5.Capt. Henry A. Greene, commanding Fort MciRae, re- ports that a band of Indians crossed the Rio Grande near the Rio Phi- mas, with several hundred sheep, on the 4th of November. As soon as the information was received at Fort Mcliae, Captain Greene mounted 7 men, and started for the point it was reported the Indians had crossed. Arriving there, he found that the men at the vedette station had already started in pursuit. Captain Greene took up the trail, and, oii the 5th instant, overtook the men from the station. After traveling with them for 150 miles, Captain Greene returned to Fort MeRne, leaving Sergeant I-~hodes and Corporal Argust to follow the trail. On the 12th Novenit- ber, Sergeant Rhodes returned, and reported that he overtook the In- dians about 225 miles from the Rio Grande, and, after a sharp skirmish, routed them, and recovered 170 sheep. Private Atkinson was wounded by an arrow in this affair. The sergeant and the men who were with him are highly commended by Captain Greene. Indian loss, 1 killed and 4 wounded. Captain Greene states that the Indians could not have crossed the river with the sheep within 2 miles of Lieutenant Whitteni ores camp had that offi& er used proper vigilance. Our loss, 1 private wounded. November 5.Lient. Nicholas llodt, First Cavalry, New Mexico Vol- nnteers, left Fort Canby October 27, on a scout after Indians. Result of this scout, 4 Government mules worn out and shot. November .E. Montoya, brigadier-general, New Mexico Militia, reports that Captain Tafolla overtook a party of Indians near the Sierra del Datil, and took from them 26 head of cattle, 4 burros, and 3 horses. November .E. Montoya reports that his party attacked a band of Indians at the Three Brothers, and recovered 49 head of cattleno Indians killed. November 15.Colonel Carson, with his command, left Fort Canby for the country west of the Oribi villages, for the purpose of chastising the Navajo Indians inhabiting that region. On the 16th, a detachment under Scrgt. Andres Herrera overtook a small party of Indians, 2 of whom were killed and 2 wounded; 50 slicep and 1 horse were captured. Colonel Carson speaks in high terms of the zeal and energy displayed by Sergeant ilerrera. On the 25th, the command captured 1 boy and 7 horses, and destroyed an encampment; on the same day captured 1 woman and 1 child, and about 500 head of sheep and goats, 70 horses, an(l destroyed an Indian village. On the 3d of December, surprised an Indian encampment, cap- turing 1 horse aud 4 oxen. The Indians escaped. Indian loss, 2 killed, 2 wonnded, 3 captured; 550 sheep and goats, 9 horses, and 4 oxen captured. November 27.Roman A. Baca reports that he left Cebolletta with a party of 116 mounted Mexicans, and traveled in a northwesterly direc- tion for six days; when about 50 miles from Chusca, on the sixth day out, the party encountered about 200 Indians; killed 6, and took 3 prisoners, who are now in the custody of Lieutenant Stevens. The party also captured 3 Jpdian ponies. November 30.L. M. Baca, judge of probate, reports that on the night of the 27th November, 3 miles from La Joya, the people at that place captured from 61 Navajoes 1,907 head of sheep. November 30.Lient. J. Laughlin, while en route from Fort Wingate to Los Pinos, on the night of November 30, surprised a party of 6 or 7 Indians at the Rio Puerco; the Indians lied, leaving 70 head of cattle, which were taken to Los Pinos and turned over to the owner Page 31 CHAP. XXXVIII.] GENERAL REPORTS. 31 On the 4th of November, 10 head of cattle belonging to the command at Valles Grande were driven off by the Indians. On the 9th day of November, Jos6 Jgnacio Valencia, in charge of a herd of sheep, had a fi~ht with the Indians at Ca~oncitas of the Con- chas; 1 Indian was killed. December 1.Capt. Henry A. Greene, First Infantry, California Vol- nnteers, receiving information that a band of Indians had crossed the Jornada with 200 sheep, took 7 men of his company and started on their trail. The party overtook the sheep on the summit of the Sierra Ca- ballo, on the east side of the Rio Grande. The sheep were taken to Fort McRae. December 16.Maj. Henry D. Wallen, Seventh U. S. Infantry, corn- manding Fort Sumner, reports that on the morning of the 16th instant Mr. Labadie and Rev. Mr. Fialon reported to him that a large nnmber of Indians, with an immense herd of sheep, were at the Carretas. The officers and men of Company ID, Fifth, and Company C, Seventh Infantry, were awakened and prepai~ed to take the field, with two days rations. A lieutenant with 8 mounted men of 4Doinpany B, Sec- ond Cavalry, California Volunteers, was also got in readiness; Mr. La- bad ie, Mr. Fialon, and 30 Apache Indians also started in pursuit. The party left the post at 5.30 a. m. for the Carretas. The monnted men and Indian agent with the Indians outstripped the party on foot, an(l took up the Navajo trail on the west hank of the Pecos River. At 35 miles northwest from Fort Sumner, they overtook the Navajoes, in number about 130, 10 mounted and 20 armed with rifles. A severe contest ensued, in which the Navajoes lost 12 killed and left on the field, and a number killed and wounded who were carried off; 1 prisoner taken, all the sheep recovered, amounting to 5,259; 13 burros, 4 rifles, .1 horse, their provisions, blankets, 150 pairs of moccasins, and nearly all the effects taken from Mr. Labadies train. Major Wallen calls the attention of the general commanding to the gallant conduct of Mr. Labadie, Privates Loder and Osier, of Company TB, Second Cavalry, California Volunteers, Ojo Blanco and Cadetta, the chiefs of Apaches; Alazan, an Apache, who was badly wounded, and the Apaches generally, who rendered signal service. Lieutenant Newbold with 3 men pursued the flying Navajoes 3 miles beyond the scene of action, but, owing- to the exhausted condition of his animals, was obliged to desist from farther pursuit. The Navajoes, just before reaching the Pecos, were alarmed by some pistol-shots discharged from a wagon train, and abandoned 4,630 sheep, which were secured by the Mexicans attached to the train. Lieutenant McDermott, with 10 mounted men and 6 Apaches, was sent to collect the herd and bring it to the post. Before reaching the camp, Alazan, the Apache named above, died. December 16.Thirty-five Navajo Indians were sent to Fort Sumner this day; this party gave themselves up at Fort Wingate as prisoners of war. December 20.First Lient. ID. Montoya, First Cavalry, New Mexico Volunteers, in accordance with instructions received from Colonel Car- son, left Fort Canby in pursuit of a party of Navajo Indians. On the second day out, marched through a heavy snow-storm. On the third day, came upon an indian encampment, attacked it, and succeeded in killing 1 Indian and capturing 13 women and children, besides a lot of Navajo blankets, moccasins, & c. Near the Pueblo Colorado the com- mand pursued 2 Indians (man and woman), and wounded the Indian and captured the woman Page 32 32. W.FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. Lieutenant Montoya recommends to the notice of the colonel com- manding the good conduct and soldierly bearing of First Lient. C. M. Hubbell and First Sergt. Antonio Nava, of Company C, First Cavalry, New Mexico Volunteers, who were severely wounded in the last aiThir. Corporal Marquez, of Company C, was particularly conspicuous on this scout; he was also wounded. Sergt. Jos6 N. Ortiz was also very active in pursuing and engagitig the Indians. D~cember 7.Lient. Benj. Stevens reports that he saw 3 Mexicans near Cebolletta, having 3 Indian captives in their possession. The whole party were taken l)risoners by him. The Mexicans soon after made their escape. The captives were sent to Fort Sumner. December 22.Capt. John Thompson, First Cavalry, New Mexico Vol- unteers, left Fort Cauby with 100 meu on a scout after Indians. On the 26th, at Mesa Ia Baca, sent out Sergeant Romero with 30 men, who caine upon a party of Indians; killed 1 and captured 12. On the same day, a party under Sergeant Dorsette discovered 2 Indians; wounded 1 and captured the other. Juilian loss: 1 killed, 13 captives, and 1 wounded. On the 6th of December the Navajoes ran off some cows from the Pueblo Santa Ana. The Indians of the pueblo went in pursuit, recov- ered their stock, and killed 2 Navajoes. On the 11th of December, Josd Ma. Martin, with a party of Mexicans, went in pursuit of Navajoes who had been stealing stock. The stock was recovered and 2 Indians killed. On the 28th December, the people of San Miguel amid Pueblo over- took and surprised a party of Indians, and recovered a lot of cattle and took the arms of the Indians. The zeal and energy shown by the officers and soldiers, and the forti- tude with which they have encountered hunger, thirst, fatigue, and ex- posure in their pursuit of hostile Indians within this department during the past year, are deserving of the highest admiration. Not less is this due to those parties who were so unfortunate as not to overtake the Indians than to those who caine up with them. All toiled and suffered. alike. The gallantry which every one has shown when there was an opportunity to close with the enemy proves that that virtue among Ihe troops in New Mexico is common to all. The alacrity with which citizens of New Mexico have taken the field to pursue and encounter the Indians is worthy of all praise. Many of them have been conspicuous for their courage; and all have shown a settled determination to assist the military in their efforts to rid the country of the fierce and brutal robbers and murderers who for nearly two centuries have brought poverty to its inhabitants and mourning and desolationto nearly every hearth throughout the Territory. The department commnnnder congratulates the troops and the peol)le on the auspicious opening of the year 18G1. For one hundred aimd eighty years the Navajo Indians have ravaged New Mexico; but it is confidently expected that the year 1S64 will witness the end of hostil- ities with that tribe. Then New Mexico will take a stride toward that great prosperity which has lain within her grasp,, but which hitherto she has not been permitted to enjoy. By command of Brigadier-General Carleton: BEN. C. CTJTLEIR, Assistant Adjutant- General Page 33 CHAP. XXXVIII.] GENERAL REPORTS. RECAPITULATION. Taken from Indians. Taken by Indians. Citi Indians. 1~~i~~Euhisted ZCIIS. officers. men. Mouth. ~Js ,~ . ,~ ,~ Q ,,~ u ~ ~ -~ ~ .2 ~ ~ -~ ~ n -~ o n ~ o o ~n 1863. January January . January January January 34 January 3 February 4, 000 February. . -. 2, 000 2, 000 February 25 6, 000 March 310 MaLch March 2,300 2,300 March April 70 May May 12 May 7 May 6 May 3. May 50 June 2 June June 7 2.... June July July . .104 104 July 4 July 19 July 10 July 1 July 2 6 July 12 August August 22 August 3 ... 10,000 August 2, 000 30 August.. 100 20 2 August 1, 800 ... August 18 .... . .. . August 1 26 August 7 August August August 12 August 1,100 17 . August 6 1 September.... 500 . September September . . -. September . September 10 September . ~.. 125 2 September . October1.. ... October 1, 200 . ... 40 October 1 1 . . -. October 10 . -. October 1 5 October16 19 .... . October October ~ 2 . ... . October 2 1 .... ... October 89 October ~November 25 20 . . .. . . November . November.... 170 November 3 26 4 November 42 November 550 9 4 November 3 November .... 1, 907 3 R RVOL XXVI, PT I 7.... 1.... 2.... I.... 22 1 3.... 1 248 1 100 . 2015 1 1 9 11 1 . 3 15 11 28 3 1 11 50 50 10 1 .1 12 2 1.... 10 4. 6 1 2 1 1 9 1 9 2 33....66 2 3 1 15 1 1 3 1 1 2 K 1 6....14. 11 .... 40 0 20 . 2 5 1 1 1 1.... 22 51 2. 2 1 7....42. 1 1 4..... 2 2 3 6.... 3 1 1 1 2 2 4 1 1 1 1 1 3 Page 34 34 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIJL RECAPITULATIONContinued. Taken by Indians. Citi- Indians. Commis- Enlisted Taken from Indians. zens. sioned officers, men. a a -a a ~ n n a a a ~ p a 0 ~ 0 ca 1863. November - - -. - -. 70 November - - -. November December..... 200 December- - - 2 December 9,889 1 13 12 .... 1 December 2 December December 1 1 13 December 1 1 14 2 24,266 152 212 215 17 24,389 21 205402 16 4301 87 703 3 4 14 21 Official: CYRUS DE FORREST, Aide-de-Camp. NAY 14, 1863.Scouts from Merritts Plantation, on the Clinton road, La. Reports of Col. Nathan A. M. Dudley, Thirtieth Massachusetts Infantry, commanding Third Brigade; First Division, Nineteenth Army Corps. CAf1~w ON MERRITTS PLANTATION, May 14, 1863. SIR: Colonel Grierson, with his command, has just returned from a scout on the CJinton road. He left camp with about 350 men, taking two of his small pieces with him. Crossing the road leading from Alex- anders plantation to the Clinton Plank road, near Whites Bayou, passed Colonel Messers Camp, en route to Clinton, until reaching a point about l~ miles west of iR~d Wood Creek, when his advance came upon the pickets of the enemy. He drove them back into the rifle-pits which they had constructed on the west side of Red Wood 1~ridge. Here they made considerable of a stand, firing with rifles. As no infantry tracks were discovered after crossing, Colonel Grierson is of the opinion that the rifle-pits were occupied by dismounted cavalry. He fired several shots from his light guns, which soon [drove] them out. After crossing the bridge, four companies, two mounted and two dismounted, proceeded on about 1 mile, at which point the advance party met fully an equal force of cavalry to his own. At this place they discovered on the road the tracks of what was supposcd to be four pieces of artillery. This supposi- tion was strengthened by information gained on the road. One com- pany of infantry was down on the road as a support to the rebel picket last night. Colonel Grierson goes to town this evening. He expressed a great desire to take his command with him. I trust the commanding officer will not reduce the force under my command. I have to guard th~ Springfield Landing, Bayou Sara, and Clinton roads, and I do not think I have a man to spare Page 35 CHAP. XXXVHI. I SKIRMISH AT BOYCES BRIDGE, LA. 35 The Illinois troops can recruit here better, in my opinion, than at Baton Rouge. I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, N. A. M. DUDLEY, Colonel and Acting Brigadier- General, Commanding. Capt. [GEORGE B.] IIALSTED, Assistant Adjutant- General. CAMP ON MERRITTS PLANTATION, May 14, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report the return of the two other scouts sent out, which I referred to in my communication of this morning. Captain Godfrey, with his company of Louisiana cavalry, made the junc- tion at the Plains with Capt. J. D. Angeley, Company C, Sixth Illinois Cavalry, at the time appointed, and succeeded, after a short skirmish, in which the enemy lost 2 killed and 5 wounded, in capturing 16 pris- oners, 30 guns, and 20 horses. Lieutenant Morse, First Louisiana Cavalry, and Lieutenant , of the Seventh Illinois Cavalry, accompanied these parties, and are complimented by Captain Godfrey and Lieutenant Angeley. I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, N. A. M. DUDLEY, Colonel and Acting Brigadier-General, Commanding. Captain IIALSTED, Aqsistant Adjutant-General. MAY 14, 1863.Skirmish at Boyces Bridge, Cotile Bayou, La. REPOIRTS. No. 1.Brig. Gen. Godfrey Weitzel, U. S. Army. No. 2.Col. Sidney A. Bean, Fourth Wisconsin Infantry. No. 1. Report of Brig. Gen. Godfrey Weitzcl, U. S. Army. HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES FORCES, Murdocks Plantation,* May 19 [18], 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report that I arrived here with my whole command at 10.30 a. m. to-day. I left Alexandria yesterday morning at 4 oclock. The gunboats remained until 12. My rear guard has up to this time seen or heard nothing of an enemy. I await further orders here. On last Thursday, while in command at Alexandria, I received in- formation that the enemy to the number of 200 or 300 had returned to Cotile Bayou, and were constructing breastworks of cotton at Judge Boyces bridge. I sent two companies of cavalry to reconnoiter their * At junction of the Haffpower and Bayou Bocuf Page 36 36 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. position. This reconnaissance attacked the enemy, and found him to number about 1,000 dismounted cavalry, with several pieces of light artillery. Our force, upon tailing back, was pursued by the enemy a short distance. As soon as they were out of range of their breast- works, our forces turned upon them, charged them, and drove them pell-mell back behind their breastworks. Our loss, 1 man wounded and several horses killed. Three dead bodies of the enemy were found in the field and buried. It is known that their loss was much greater. On the following day I sent the whole cavalry force, with one piece of Nims~ battery, and about 200 of the Seventy-fifth New York, on the gunboat Switzerland, to attack the enemy. As soon as this force appeared in sight, the enemy fled in three direc- tions, closely pursued by our cavalry. His main body then took posi. tion behind Cane River, and up to the time of our departure only a few of his pickets had ventured down to Cotile Bayou. The breastworks of the enemy were found to consist of two strong parallel lines of cotton bales about 200 yards apart. We captured 6 prisoners belonging to Colonel [W. P.] Lanes Texas regiment, which left Texas tw~ weeks ago yesterday. On the same day that this affair oc- curred, but a little earlier in the day, Sergeant Mallory and 9 men of Perkins cavalry were in the pine woods after horses; in a short time they found themselves surrounded by a large force of the enemy. They seized every negro they met as a guide; in this way they gave the enemy the slip, and brought with them into camp 15 negro guides, each mounted upon a fine horse. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, G. WEITZEL, Brigadier. General, U. S. Volunteers. Licut. Col. RICHARD B. InwIx, Assistant Adjutant.General, Department of the Gulf. No. 2. Report of Gol. Sidney A. Bean, Fourth Wisconsin Infantry. [Printed in Series I, Vol. XV, p. 346.] MAY 17, 1863.Operations on west side of the Mississippi River, near Port Hudson, La. Report of Lient. Gol. AL B. Locke, First Alabama Infantry. MAY 18, 1863. CAPTAIN: Yesterday at 1 oclock I received an order through Lieu- tenant-Colonel [M. J.j Smith, chief of heavy artillery, from the major- general commanding, directing that I prevent the enemy above from communicating with the fleet below. I immediately ordered Companies C, ID, and E, of my regiment, numbering, respectively, 25, 45, and 48 men, to proceed across the river. My means of transportation bein Page 37 CHAP. XXXVIII.] OPERATIONS NEAR PORT HUDSON, LA. 37 so limited, I conild oniy send about 25 men over at a time in the skiffs; consequently, I directed Captain [J. T.] Stubbs, commanding Company C, to proceed across iii the first boat, and take position at the jnnctioii of the State with the False River levee, and, if the enemy should land before I could reach him, to defend that point as long as it was prac- ticable. Immediately after arriving at his position, he very unexpectedly ob- served a cavalry force of the enemy at the dike, the point where the road crosses False River, running to Waterloo, variously estimated from 100 to 250. So soon as the enemy observed him, he divided his force, and attacked him in front; dismounted and deployed the other party to right, for the purpose of flanking Stubbs and cuttin,g off his retreat. This movement on the l)art of the enemy caused Captain Stubbs to fall back behind the river levee running east. He then held the enemy in check until nearly surrounded; was forced to fall back again to the levee running from the main river levee to the wood-pile below the Hermitage. Just at this time I arrived with about 15 men, and held the enemy in check, the firing soon ceasing. During the time Captain Stubbs was falling back, he kept up a brisk skirmish with the enemy, contesting every inch of ground. The force I had over here being so small, and the enemy being so strongly posted, I deemed it imprndent to attack him until the balance of my troops arrived. Accordingly, so soon as all came up (which was about 4.30 oclock), I advanced; but my pickets informed me the enemys pickets had just retired. I pushed on to the dike, and was there informed by citizens that the main body of the enemy had been gone about one hour, driving with them all the cattle belonging to the Government and many belonging to private individuals, besides capturing Lieutenant [D. M. C.] Hughes and about 20 or 25 men of his command; also Captain [William H.] Pruett, Lieutenant [A. F.] Cr~ mes, and 3 men of my regiment, who were posted over here to fire the wood in case the enemys ships should attempt to pass at night; those latter were fishing at the dike at the time the enemy came upon them. I then decided to pursue the enemy and endeavor to recaliture the cattle, and proceeded about 2 miles, but was informed by citizens that it was impossible to overtake him, and almost impracticable to travel on foot over the road lie wenta very dim road iroin the dike to Winters place, near the fleet below. I returned to the dike, and shall nse every effort to prevent a repetition of such an affair, as well as to prevent any communication between the two fleets. The only casualty in my command was 1 man in Captain ~ company slightly wounded. The enemys loss is unknown, except ~ltat 1 man and 2 horses are known to have been killed. The enemy informed the citizens that lie would return to-day to get the sheep left, and a courier has just arrived, informing me that 600 cay- airy, landed and encamped at Morganza last night, would come in this direction to-day. I have but about 120 men, and would respectfully suggest that the two 9ompanies of my regiment (Companies H and F) who have been assigned to policing the river be sent over to me, with the exception of a sufficient detail to man time boat, kept on duty all the while. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, M. B. LOCKE, Lieutenant- Colonel, Commanding. Capt. T. F. WILLSON, Assistant Adjutant- General Page 38 w. FLA., S. ALA~, S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. Mt1~. [CHAP. kXXVIfi. MAY 18, 1863.Affair near Cheneyville, La. Report of Brig. Gem. Godfrey Weitzel, U. S. Army. HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES FORCES, ]Jiurdoeks Plantation, May 19, 1863. SIR: Since my dispatch of yesterday,* the enemys cavalry has ap- peared. Lanes Texas rebimeut was encamped at Lloyds bridge (13 miles above here) last night. Their pickets extended below Cheney- ville. I attacked the outpost with two companies of my cavalry last night, and drove the whole in on the main body, capturing 2 prison- ers. A deserter also came in. Prisoners and deserters also say that the cavalry force is all following. Orders were sent back to bring all their troops back to Alexandria on their transports. Would it not be well to send some gunboats up the river to stop this ~ Would it also not be well to keep a watch at Moreauville to prevent any cavalry mak- ing a raid along the Mail load ~ I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, (1. WELTZEL, Brigadier- General, U. S. Volunteers, Commanding. Lieut. Col. RICHARD B. IRWIN, Assistant Adjutant- General, Department of the Gu~f MAY 1819, 1863.Operations about Merritts Plantation, and on the Bayou Sara road, La. Reports of Col. Nathan A. M. Dudley, Thirtieth Massachusetts infantry, commanding Third Brigade, First Division, Nineteenth Army Corps. CAMP ON MERRITTS PLANTATION, LA., May 19, 1863. CAPTAIN: I am in receipt of your commun icaition dated 10 oclock last night, which did not reach me till 8 oclock this morning. The enemy last night made an attack on my cavalry l)ickets, driving them in within half a mile of my main camp; at the same time an attempt was mndeto get in on my rear with an infantry force, each of which failed. The force in front was large. They attempted at three or four different points, but found each picketed. From information gained from parties that came inthis morning, and the experience of last night, I think it expedient, in the absence of the major-general commanding, that llolcombs bat- tery and at least one regiment of infantry, two, if possible, should be added to my present immediate force. They had better start at once, iu order to reach me in time to be poste(l across the bayou on my left toward the Springfield Landing road before dark. Let them march with only rubber blankets and two days uncooked rations. Camp kettles can be brought out in wagons. I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, K. A. M. DUDLEY, Colonel and Acting Brigadier- General, Commanding. Captain IIALSTED, Assistant Adjutant- General. *Seen9 Page 39 cHAP. ~XX~ItL] SKIfiMISIT NEAR C11E~EYYILLE, LA. 39 BIvouAc ON BAYOU SARA ROAD, May 19, 1863830 p. m. SIR: This afternoon I made a reconnaissance iii full force 7~ miles to the front, beyond the Plains Store; sending a cavalry force to insure the safety of my left flank round by the Springfield and Port Hudson roads, which made a junction with my main force at the north end of the Plains. We found the enemys pickets strongly posted on both roads, bat they retreated as we advanced. I threw niy Sawyer guns to the front, sup- ported by the Thirtieth Massachusetts infantry and 400 cavalry, to a point within 2 miles of the works of the enemy, and fired a dozen shells into them; waited some two hours, but could not tempt them into a brush. The men enjoyed the scout much. They begged to be allowed to go ahead and draw the fire of the enemys guns. ihave never seen more reliable enthusiasm exhibited. The result of this scout will guarantee a quiet nights rest to the troops, at any rate. Gardners I)ickets have been very impudent for the last three days. Hoping soon to see the general with a good force come np the road, I remain, truly, your obedient servant, - [K. A. M. DUDLEY,] Golonel, and Acting Brigadier- General. Captain IIALSTED, A8sistan~t Adjutant- G~neral. MAY 20, 1863.Skirmish near Cheneyvile, La. Report of Brig. Gen. Godfrey Weitzel, U. S. Army. HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES FoRcEs, Murdocics Plantation, La.~ May 20, 18633.i5 p. m, SIR: I have the honor to report that this morning the enemy attacked my pickets. Colonel Bean, in command of the advance guard, repulsed the enemy, and l)ursued him with his whole force, consisting of the cav- alry, mounted infantry, and Twelfth Connecticut Volunteers. Captain Barrett, with 17 non.commissioned officers aud privates of his company, was in the advance. When within about 1~ miles of Cheneyville, Major Robinson, in command of the rest Qf his cavalry, halted the column. Captain Barrett, rather too daringly, still continued to advance, and, after passing a sugar-house, a force of about 150 rebel cavalry jumped out, and cut him off from the rest of the command. Captain Barrett moved before them, intending to cross the Cheneyville Bridge and come down on the west bank of the bayou; but when lie arrived at the bridge, he found it held by a force of 600 of the enemy. He was then compelled to surrender. One or two of his non-commissioned officers escaped. Ser- geant Haley was killed. The rest were taken prisoners. The enemy lost 2 killed, 2 wounded, and 2 taken prisoners. The prisoners are of [E.] Wailers battalion, Texas cavalry. They left Natchitoches on Tues- day; came through the pine wood, not passing near Alexandria. They say the force immediately in my front is Lanes regiment, Wailers bat- talion, about 200 of Sibleys brigade, and a battery of artillery, and that the rest of their force is moving down. I am, sir~ very respectfully, your most obedient servant, G. WEITZEL, Brigadier- General, Commanding U. S. Forces. Lient. Col. RICHARD B. IRWIN, Assistant Adjutant- General Page 40 40 W.FLA., s. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVflI. May 2126, 1863Operations on the Teche road, between Barres Landing and Berwick, La. Report of Vol. Joseph ~. Morgan, Ninetieth New York Infantry, com- manding Provisional Brigade. BRASHEAR CITY, LA., May 28, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report for the information of the major-gen- eral commanding Department of the Gulf, that, in compliance with his orders, I embarked my regiment on board of transports at this I)lace and proceeded to Barres Landing, La., where I reported to Colonel Chickering, commanding forces at that post. By his orders, the infantry and artillery, then at that post, were provisionally brigaded, and placed under my command for the purpose of convoying a train of contrabands and army stores to Brashear City. In accordance to his orders, the convoy took up the line of march on the morning of May 21 instant, in the following order: The Forty-first Massachusetts Volunteers in advance, supported by one piece of Nims bakery, and one regiment of infantry, via the Teche road. The first days march we made 2.i miles, and averaged for the three succeeding days 18 miles. Nothing of importance transpired until the evening of the 23d May, when a priv*te, named Loomis, of the Ninetieth New York Volunteers, was reported to be shot by a planter named Wilcoxen, the circumstances of which are substantially as follows: The quartermaster of the regiment had gone to the plantation for the purpose of obtaining sugar sufficient for the nseof the men that evening. Loomis was engaged in loading the sugar into the wagon when he was shot by Wilcoxen, who immediately made his escape across the bayou. Upon obtaining information of these facts, and in accordance with a recommendation of a board of commission appointed to investigate the matter, I ordered a detachment.of mounted infantry to the place, to arrest all persons found thereon, in compliance with which they arrested the wife of Wilcoxen, whom I have brought to this place, and hold as a hostage until Wilcoxen delivers himself np, or she be released by order of the major-general commanding. Secreted upon her person was found a loaded revolver, and in the house several fire-arms, which were brought away, and have been tnrned in to the proper authorities. Apprehending, from information received, that I shonid be attacked at the bridge across the Teche at Saint Martins, I ordered an additional regiment up to support Colonel Chickering and prevent the burning of the bridge, which I. had been informed was the intention of a band of guerrillas, known to IJe in the vicinity, nnder Colonel f V. A.] Fourner. However, everything passed oft quietly until the evening of Monday, 25th instant. The train had encamped some 5 or 6 miles below Frank. lin, when word was sent to me that the rear guard, under command of Lieutenant Wood, of the One hundred and tenth New York Volun- teers, had been attacked by guerrillas near Franklin. I immediately proceeded to the ground, and found the report correct; and, I regret to say, found Lieutenant Wood mortally, and several of the men slightly, wounded. I ordered the infantry up, together with one piece of Nims battery. The infantry quickly deployed in fighting order. The guer- rillas also deployed in line as skirmishers, but could not stand our ad- vance, and took shelter in an old sugar-house near by. I then ordered Lieutenant Snow, of the b~ttery, to shell them out, which was done. I have since learned they lost 4 in killed, we taking also 1 prisoner. Previous to the attack, several officers of the One hundred and sev- enty-fifth New York Volunteers had gone back to Franklin to visit some friends there, and have not yet reported. I is supposed they were take Page 41 CIrAP. XXX~IIL] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. 41. prisoners by Fournet. Feeling myself not justified in hazarding the safety of the immense train in my charge by attempting any further movement against this band of guerrillas in the night, I ordered a night march of the entire command, and arrived to within 11 miles of Berwick at 4 oclock a. in. of the 26th instant, where I made a halt, having marched 40 miles in twenty-two hours. I cannot give too much praise to both officers and men of my com- mand for their conduct upon all occasions; and am l)roud to say that no instance has come to niy knowledge of any outrage upon the prop. erty or person of kny of the inhabitants upon the line of march. No property has been taken other than that required for the use of the troops and animals. From the best information I can obtain, I have computed the number of contrabands in the train at 5,000; horses and mules at 2,000; cattle, 1,500. The train extended some 8 miles in length, all of which I am pleased to say have been safely transferred across the bay to this idace. 1 regret to inform you that Lieutenant Wood, of the One hundred and seventy-fifth [One hundred and tenth] New York Volunteers, wounded by guerrillas at Franklin, has since died of his wounds; also that Pri- vate Lawson, of the Nifletieth New York Volunteers, was accidentally shot dead during the mar~h. Private Loomis, of the Ninetieth New York Volunteers, shot by Wilcoxen, is still living, but no hopes are en- tertained of his recovery. Lieutenant Curtis, of the One hundred and seventy-fifth New York Volunteers, and Corporal Brewer, of the One hundred and sixty-second New York Volunteers, went back to Frank- lin upon a reconnaissance, and have not since been heard from. Trusting the above will meet with the approval of the major-general commanding, I have the honor to be, sir, most i-espectfully, your obe dient servant, - ~~. S. MORGAN, Col. Ninetieth New York Vols., Comdg. Provisional Brigade. Lient. Col. RICHARD B. IRWIN, A. A. G., 19th Army C9rps. MAY 21July 8, 1863.-Siege of Port Hudson, La. SIT MIIMZARY QIF TILE PI?JNCIPAL IEVIEIN TS. May 21, 1863.Action at Plains Store. 23, 1863.Skirmishes on the Springfield and Plains Store roads. 25, 1863.Capture of the Confederate steamers Starlight and Red Chief. Skirmish at Thompsons Creek. 27, 1863.First assault. June 3 8,1863.Expedition to Clinton. 11, 1863.Capture of Confederate ontposts. 14, 1863Second assault. 16, 1863.Raid on the Union lines. 26, 1863.Capture of Union outposts. July 2,1863.Affair at Springfield Landi4g. 8, 1863.Surrender of Fort Hudson. I4IEILPO1R~TS .~ No. 1.Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks, U. S. Army, commanding Department of the Gult No. 2.Returns of Casualiies in the Union forces. See also General Hallecks report, p. 3 Page 42 42 w. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. tCHAP. XX~ViIi No. 3.Lient. Col. Richard B. Irwin, Assistant Adjutant-General, U. S. Army, of affair at Springfield Landing. No. 4.Capt. John C. Paifrey, U. S. Corps of Engineers, of operations July 56. No. 5.Capt. William B. Roe, Sixteenth Michigan Infantry, Chief Signal Officer, of operations April 9July 8. No. 6.Lieut. John C. Ahhott, Thirteenth Connecticut Infantry, Acting Signal Officer, of operations .June 2July 25. No. 7.Lient. Milton Benner, Second Pennsyivania Heavy Artillery, Acting Signal Officer, of operations May 23June 5. No. 8.Lient. John W. Dana, Twelfth Maine Infantry, Acting Signal Officer, of operations June 29July 3. No. 9.Licut. SteDhen M. Eaton, Twelfth Maine Infantry, Acting Signal Officer, of operations March 1:3July 11. No. 10.Lient. Thomas S. Hall, Twenty-eighth Maine Infantry, Acting Signal Officer, of operations April 10July 16. No. 11.Lient. Joseph L. Hallett, Thirty-first Massachusetts Infantry, Acting Signal Officer, of operations May 12July 9. No. 12.Lient. George R. herbert, Ouc hundred and fifty-ninth New York Infantry, Acting Si nal Officer, of operations May 27June 13. No. 13.Lieut. Amos M. Jackson, Twenty-fourth Maine Infantry, Acting Signal Officer, of operatjons May 18June 15. No. 14.Lient. John F. Jeucks, Twenty-sixth Connecticut Infantry, Acting Signal Officer, of operations May 22June 19. No. 15.Lient. James H. Rundlett, Fiftieth Massachusetts Infantry, Acting Signal Officer, of operations May 24July 7. No. 16.Lient. E. H. Russell, Ninth Pennsylvania Reserves, Acting Signal Officer, of operations May 24July 11. No. 17.Col. N. A. M. Dudley, Thirty-first Massachusetts Infantry, commanding Third Brigade, First Division, Nineteenth Army Corps, of action at Plains Store. No. 15.Col. Thomas S. Clark, Sixth Michigan Infantry, commanding First Brigade, Second Division, of the assault June 14. No. 19.Col. Thomas G. Kingsley, Twenty-sixth Connecticut Infantry, of the first - assault. No. 20.Lient. Col. Joseph Selden, Twenty-sixth Connecticut Infantry, of the first assault. No. 21.Capt. Francis S. Keese, One hundred and twenty-eighth New York Infantry, of the first assault. No. 22.Lieut. Col. Justus W. Blanchard, One hundred and sixty-second New York Infantry, of affair at Springfield Lauding. No. 23.Brig. Gen. Halbert E. Paine, U. S. Army, commanding Third Division, of the expedition to Clinton. No. 24.Maj. James P. Richardson, Thirty-eighth Massachusetts Infantry, Third Bri- gade, of operations May 22July 12. No. 25.Capt. Apollos Comstock, Thirteenth Connecticut Infantry, Third Brigade, Fourth Division, of the assault June 14. No. 26.Brig. Gen. Godfrey Weitzel, U. S. Army, commanding Provisional Division, of operations June 711. No. 27.Lient. Col. Frank H. Peck, Twelfth Connecticut Infantry,, of the assault May 27. No. 25.Col. Benjamin H. Grierson, Sixth Illinois Cavalry, commanding Cavalry Bri- gade, of operations June 37. No. 29.Col. Edward Prince, Seventh Illinois Cavalry, of the capture of the Con- federate steamers Starlight and Red Chief. No. 30.Lient. Col. Augustus W. Corhiss, Second Rhode Island Cavalry, of affair at Springfield Landing. Page 43 Ca~r. XXXIVIII.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. 43 No. 31.Lieut. Commander Edward Terry, U. S. Navy, commanding Naval Battery, of operations May 30July 8. No. 32.Statement of Confederate organizations paroled at Port Hudson. No. 33.Capt. C. M. Jackson, Acting Assistant Inspector-General, C. S. Army, of the surrender of Port Hudson. No. 34.Returns of Casnalties in the Confederate forces (incomplete). No. 35.Capt. Louis J. Girard, C. S. Army, Chief of Ordnance, Third Military Dis- trict. No. 36.Brio Gen. W. N. R. Beall, C. S. Army, commanding brigade. No. 37.Capt. John R. Fellows~ Assistant Inspector-Gener d,~C. S. A~my, of skirmish at Thompsons Creek and assault on the works at Port Hndson No. 38.Col. David Provence, Sixteenth Arkansas Infautry, of the capture of Union outposts, and casualties to July 8. No. 39.Col. 0. P. Lyles, Twenty-third Arkansas Infantry, of operations May 31 July 3. No. 40.Lient. Col. P. F. De Gournay, Twelfth Louisiana Artillery Battalion, of operations May 24July 2. No. 41.Col. I. G. W. Steedman, First Alabama Infantry, of operations May 25July 7. No. 42.Col. W. B. Shelby, Thirty-ninth Mississippi Infantry, of operations June 3. No. 43.Maj. Thomas H. Johnston, First Mississippi Infantry, of operations July 23. No. 44.Lieut. E. A. Toledano, Watson (Louisiana) Battery, of operations May 24. No. 45.Lieut. Col. J. H. Wingfield, Ninth Louisiana Battalion Partisan Rangers. No. 46.Col. W. R. Miles, Louisiana Legion, of operations May 21July 7. No. 47.Lieut. Col. Frederick B. Brand, Miles (Louisiana) Legion, of operations Jnne 2427. No. 48.Col. John L. Logan, Eleventh Arkansas Infantry, of operations May 21 July 8. No. 1. Reports of ]Ifaj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Bank?, U. S. Army, commanding Department of the Gulf.# IIDQRS. DEPT. OF THE GULF, NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS, Before Port llndson, La., May 30, 1863. GENERAL: Leaving Simsport, on the Atchafalaya, where my com- mand was at the date of niy last dispatch, I landed at Bayou Sara at 2 ok4ock on the morning of the 21st. A portion of the infantry was transported by steamer, and the balance of the infantry, artillery, cavalry, and wagon train moving down on the west bank of the riVer, and from this to Bayou Sara. On the 23d~a junction was effected with the advance of Major-Gen- eral Augur aod Brigadier-General Sherman, our line occupying the Bayou Sara road, at a distance of 5 miles from Port Hudson. Major- General Augur had an encounter with a portion of the enemy on the Bayou Sara road, in the direction of Baton Rouge, which resulted in the repulse of the enemy with heavy loss. On the 25th, the enemy was compelled to abandon his first line of works. General Weitzels brigade, which had covered our rear in the march from Alexandria, joined us on the 26th, and on the morning of the 27th a general assault was made upon the fortifications. The artillery opened fire between Sand 6 oclock,which was continued with animation during the day. At 10 oclock a. in. Weitzels brigade, with the division of General See also General Reports, p. 5 Page 44 44 W.FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. jCHAP. ~xxvItr. Grover, reduced to about two brigades, and the division of General Emory, temporarily reduced by detachments to about a brigade, uiider command of Colonel Paine, with two regiments of negro troops, made an assault upon the right of the enemys works, crossing Sandy Creek and driving him through the wood into his fortifications. The fight lasted on this line until 4 oclock, and was very severely contested. On the left, the infantry did not come up until later in the day, but at 2 oclock an assault was opened upon the works on the center and left of center by the divisions under Major-General Augur and Brigadier- General Sherman.. The enemy was driven into his works, and our troops moved up to the fortifications, holding the opposite sides of the parapet with the enemy. On the right, our troops still occupy this position. On the left, after dark, the main body, being exposed to a flank fire, withdrew to a belt of wood, the skirmishers remaining close upon the fortifications. The works are defended by a garrison much larger than generally represented. There appears to be no want of ammunition or provis- ions on the part of the enemy. The fortifications are very strong, and surrounded by a most intricate tract of country, diversified by ravines, woods, plains, and cliffs, which it is almost impossible to comprehend without careful and extended reconnaissances. Six regiments, an (icr command of Colonel Chickering, were detailed at Alexandria to guard the train from that point and from Opelousas. These troops will be here to-morrow, arid strengthen our force sonic 3,000 men. My effective force on the day of the assault was about 13,000; that of the enemy, within the works, ten regiments, of between 500 and 600 eachin all, about 8,000 menwith mounted infantry out- side the works in our rear (2,200), consisting of the Ninth and Eleventh Regiments of Arkansas troops. In the assault of the 27th, the behavior of the officers and men was most gallant, and left nothing to be desired. Our limited acquaintance with the ground and the character of the works, which were almost hidden from our observation until the moment of approach, alone pre- vented the capture of the post. We occupy the enemy night and day with harassing attacks of in- fantry and artillery, giving him no rest or sleep. Numerous prisoners and deserters, who are captured or come in, report that the men are dispirited and depressed. We wait only the arrival of our trooi2s and the completion of more perfect reconnaissances to renew our assault, an~l have strong hopes that it will be successful. INo time will be lost. To avoid possible failure in carrying this important post, I have noti- fied General Grant by one of his staff officers, who was present on the day after the assault, of the details of our position an~1 onr strehgth, and haVe asked him, if it be possiblc, to send us 5,000 or 10,000 men, with whose aid we could accomplish its reduction in a singlc day. I understand the pressing circumstances of his position, but hope that he may be able to assist us in this emergency. ~X c want only men. With the reduction of Port Hudson we can join him without delay with at least 15,000 men and a finely appoimited siege train of artillery, which he greatly needs. We shall not, however, delay our operations or post- pone effective movements for the reduction of the post on account of this application to him for aid. On the extreme right of our line I posted the First and Third Regi- ments of negro troops. The First Regiment of Louisiana Engineers, composed exclusively of colored men, excepting the officers, was also engaged in the operations of the day. The position occupied by thes Page 45 CHAP. XXXVIII.] SIEGE OF PORT hUDSON, LA. 45 troops was one of importance, and called for the utmost steadiness and bravery in those to whom it was confided. It gives me pleasure to re- port that they answered every expectation. In many respects their conduct was heroic. No troops could be more determined or more dar- ing. They made during the day three charges upon the batteries of the enemy, suffering very heavy losses and holding their position at nightfall with the other troops on the right of our line. The highest commendation is bestowed upor them by all the officers in command on the right. Whatever doubt may have existed heretofore as to the efficiency of organizations of this character, the history of this day proves conclusively to those who were in condition to observe the con- duct of these regiments that the Government will find in this class of troops effective supporters and defenders. The severe test to which they were subjected, and the determined manner in which they encoun- tered the enemy, leaves upon my mind no doubt of their ultimate suc- cess. They require only good officers, commands of limited numbers, and careful discipline, to make them excellent soldiers. Our losses from the 23d to this date, in killed, wounded, and missing, are nearly 1,000, including, I deeply regret to say, some of the ablest officers of the corps. I am unable yet to repeat them in detail. I have the honor to be, with much respect, your obedient servant, N. P. BANKS, Major- General, Commanding. Major-General IIALLEcK, Gommander-in- Chief, U. S. Army, Washington, D. C. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, Before Port Hudson, June 14:~ 1863. GENERAL: I have the honor to inform you that, having silenced all the enemys artillery, completely invested the place ,and established my batteries within 350 yards, I yesterday opened a vigorous cannonade for an hour, and at its expiration made a formal demand on General Gardner for the surrender of the garrison, He replied that his duty required him to defend the place, and therefore he declined to surren- der. Accordingly the necessary arran~ements were made to assault the works at daylight this morning, after a cannonade and bombard- ment lasting during the night, renewed with vigor just previous to the attack. The attack was in three columns. One, of a division .under Brigadier-General Dwight, was intended to gain entrance to the enemys works on the extreme left; a feigned attack was to be made with vigor by Major-General Augur in the center, and the main attack was to be made by the right wing, under Brigadier-General Grover. Neither col- umn Was successful in gaining the work, bnt our troops gained advanced positions within from 50 to 200 yards from the works. These we shall hold and intrench to-night. The enemy made several attempts to open with artillery, but was almost ilnmediatelST silenced. I believe our losses are not heavy except in officers. I regret to say that that gal- lant officer, Brig. Gen. ilalbert E. Paine, fell, severely but it is thought not dangerously wounded, while leading the Third Division to the at- tack. I am still confident of success. Very respectfully, your most obedient servant, N. P. BANKS, Major- General, Commanding. Major-General HALLECK, General-in- Chief, U. S. Army Page 46 46 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. IIDQRS. DEPT. OF THE GULF, NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS, Before Port Hudson, La., June 29, 1863. GENERAL: Affairs here are progressing steadily to a favorable con- clusion. The battery erected on our extreme left, at about 300 yards of the citadel, breached the parapet of the citadel, drove the enemy out of a troublesome rifle-pit, and destroyed a gallery, which is believed to have been a part of a mine. Under cover of its fire, oar approach on the extreme left has been pushed up to the citadel, and General Dwight makes an attempt to enter it to-night. The sap on General Grovers front has been pushed to within 13 feet of the ditch in the re-entrant of the priest.cap. The sap-roller rolled into the ditch last night. An lUte storming party has been organized, made up of about 850 volunteers from the whole force, under the command of Col. II. W. Birge, Thirteenth Connecticut, who has been eligaged some days in l)reparing the column for its work. The number of deserters increases steadily. There have been 30 to-day. The beef-cattle of the garrison have all been killed, either for food or by our fire, and the salt meat has all been eaten. The men who deserted to-day after dinner have had no meat, and were told they would get no more, and that mule meat was to be issued hereafter. I have seen a copy of the Port Hudson Herald of the 28th, containing the news of the arrival at that place of an officer from General Joe Johnston with dispatches. General Gardner publishes a general order, of date the 27th, assuring the garrison that General Johnston will soon relieve Vicksburg, and then send reenforcements here, and declaring his purpose to defend the place to the last extremity. On the 18th instant a force of the enemy (stated by some of our pris- oners who were released on parole to be one regiment of infantry, two of cavalry, and a battery of artillery, under the command of Col. James P. Major, formerly of our service) captured and burned the steamers Anglo American and Sykes at Plaquemine, taking 68 prisoners, of whom 5 were citizens. The prisoners consisted mainly of some convalescents belonging to the Twenty-eighth Maine. The same force then passed down the river and Bayou La Fourche, and, avoiding Donaldsonville, ~ruck the Opelousas Railway at Terre Bonne Station on the 20th instant, cutting off communication between Brashear City and New Orleans. The same day they attacked and were repulsed by our forces at La Fourche Crossing, consisting of the One hundred and seventy-sixth New York and Twenty-third Connecticut, lacking two companies, which had been concentrate(l to meet the attack, under the command of Lient. Col. Albert Stickney, Forty-seventh Massachusetts. The attack was renewed on the afternoon of the 21st, and again re- pulsed in a manner very creditable to the troops engaged and to their commander. With less than 1,000 men, he drove back the greatly su- perior force of the enemy, who retired, leaving 53 of his dead on the field and 16 prisoners in our hands. Our loss was 8 killed and 10 wounded. The Twenty-sixth Massachusetts and Ninth Connecticut were sent down from New Orleans in a special train that night. and the Fifteenth Maine, which had opportunely arrh~ed from Pensacola, followed the next morning. No further attack was made. The steamer Saint Marys, sent round from New Orleans, with orders from General Emory to the troops at Brashear to hold out to the last, met at Southwest Pass the gunboat ilollyhock, returning from Berwick Bay, with the unpleasant news that the enemy, having cros~,cd th Page 47 CHAP. XXXVIII.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. lake on rafts in considerable force, succeeded, on the 22d instant, in surprising and capturing the small garrison of Brashearaithough as fully warned of their danger as any orders could warn themtaking at the same time about 300 prisoners, two 30-ponuder Parrott and six 24- ponnder guns, a small train of cars, and everything else at the place. Early yesterday morning Donaldsonville, garrisoned by but 225 men, including convalescents, under the command of Maj. J. ID. Bullen, Twenty-eighth Maine, was attacked by a large force of the enemy, under the command of Brig. Gen. Thomas Green, of Texas. The attack began at 1.30 a. in., and lasted till daylight. The defense was most gallant. The brave garrison defended their interior line with desperation, and finally repulsed the enemy with great slaughter, killing and wounding more than their own number, and taking prisoners twice as many officers and nearly as many men as they had. The enemy retreated some 5 miles, and General Green sent in a flag asking permission to bury his dead, singularly enough accompanied by an apology for his failurethat he was unfortunate in not getting his men into the skirmish, owing to the rashness of his commanders. I sent down Brigadier General last night with the First Loui- siana Volunteers and two sections of Clossons battery, and General Emory sent up two companies from New Orleans. The gunboats Winona, Princess Royal, and Monongahela rendered great assistance in the defense of Donaldsonville, and they have since been joined by the Genesee. Our forces on the railway have fallen back upon Algiers. The forces of the enemy now occupying the La Fourche and operating upon our communications consist of all the troops in Western Louisiana, under Major-General Taylor, and about 5,000 cavalry, sent by Magruder from Texas. Their whole force is from 9,000 to 12,000. The fall of Port Hudson will enable us to settle that affair very speedily. The dispositions of Brigadier-General Emory were well made and with the greatest promptitude, and our only misfortune at Brashear is due entirely to the carelessness and disobedience of subordinates. In these operations but 400 soldiers could be left in New Orleans to protect the depots of this army and all our vital interests in a large city occupied ~y a population essentially hostile, and liable, from its position, to sudden attacks from several quarters. The consequences that would have followed the movement of the enemy upon the La Fourche, had my command moved to Vicksburg, leaving Port llndson and its garj~ison in my rear, are obviousNew Orleans would have fallen. A few more days must decide the fate of this place. I regard its fall as certain. Our losses in the attack were as follows: a - ~ Officers and men. - ~i2 H 8 ~i -~ 0 May 27: Officers 15 90 2 107 Men 278 1,455 155 1,888 Total 293 1,545 157 1,995 June 14: Officers 21 72 6 99 Men 182 1,245 180 1,607 Total - - 203 1,401 188 1,805 4 Page 48 48 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIIL The discrepancy between the totals consists of 13 killed and 84 wounded aiid ~missing; total 99 reported in one instance without distin. guishing between officers and men. Many who were at first reported missing are now known to have been killed. I have the honor to be, general, your most obedient servant, N. P. BANKS, Major- General, Commanding. Maj. Gen. II. W. IIALLECK, General-in- Chief, Washington, D. C. HDQRS. DEPT. OI~ THE GULF, NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS, Before Port Hudson, La., July 6, 1863. GENERAL: Since my dispatch of the 29th ultimo was written, the siege has been progressing rather slowly, indeed, but with aU the ra- pidity attainable nnder the circumstances. Our approaches are pushed up to the ditch at the citadel on our extreme left, and in front of the right priest-cap, where the assault of the 14th was made. On the morning of the 4th, when the right sap was within 10 feet of the ditch, the enemy sprung a small mine, and extended the approach into the ditch. Both on the right and left we are now engaged in pushing mines to blow up the parapet, and the enemy is clearly coun- ter-mining. The column of stormers is fully organized and ready. A few days more must decide this operation, and, I have no doubt, in our favor. By the arrival of Col. Kilby Smith yesterday, with dispatches from General Grant, I have news from the forces before Yicksburg to June ~30. Affairs there are evidently in much the same condition as here. Colonel Smith was particularly struck with and remarked upon the coincidence. The most important piece of intelligence brought by the colonel is of the inactivity of Johnstons army, and of his apparent inability to raise the siege. From the reports of General Emory, dated the 3d and 4th instant, copies of which and my replies I have the honor to inclose, you will see that the enemy has thrown more force into the La Fourche, and is actively engaged in annoying our communications and menacing NeW Orleans. I have urgently requested Admiral Farragut to patrol the river, so as to prevent the success of any attempt of the enemy to cross the river, either in force or by detacjiments, and partially, at least, to frustrate the attempt to cut off communication with the city. I inclose a copy of my note to the admiral. As matters stand, the enemy will do us some harm in the La Fourche and cause us considerable annoyance on the river; but I consider it certain that Port Hudson will fall before New Orleans is seriously endangered, and that the close of this operation will enable us to make short work of the other; but I cannot refrain from reflecting what would have been the condition of affairs had this command, lcaving the hostile garrison of Port Hudson in our rear, marched to Yicksbnrg, where General Grant has already, as he states, a very large forcemuch more than can be used in the investment of the rebel works. When General Emory concentrated his little command at La Fourche Crossing, to repel the enemy~s advance there, there were just 400 soldiers in and around New Orleans. I think General Emory overestimates the force in the La Fourche when he puts it at 13,000, and belihve that the whole force of the enemy there consists of Taylors army, of about 4,000 men Page 49 CHAP. Xxxviii.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. 49 which we defeated on the Teche, and a re-enforcement of from 3,000 to 5,000 cavalry or mounted infantry from Texas. The infantry garrison of Port Hudson and the cavalry force which is hovering on our rear numbered, united, when we arrived here, at least 7,000. Against a combined attack of these forces on both sides of the river, New Orleans could not have been defended. I shall request General Grant to send me at least thousand men as soon as he can possibly spare them, in order that we may secure what we shall so hardly have gained. I am confident, general, of a speedy and favorable result. Yery respectfully, your most obedient servant, N. P. BANKS, MQjor. General, Commanding. Maj. Gen. II. W. HALLECK, General-in- Chief, Washington, D. C. [Inclosure No. 1.] HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE T~NNESSEE, Near Vieksburg, Miss., June 30, 1863. Maj. Gen. N. P. BANKS, Commanding Department of the Gulf: GENERAL: Feeling a great anxiety to learn the situation at Port Hudson, I send Cob Kilby Smith to communicate with you. Colonel Smith has been here during the entire siege of Yicksburg, and can in- form you fully of the position of affairs at this place. I confidently ex- pected that Yicksburg would have been in our possession before this, leaving me able to send you any force that might be required against Port Hudson. I have a very large forcemuch more than can be used in the iiivestuient of the rebel works.bnt Johnston still hovers east of Black River. Whether he will attack or not, I look upon now as doubt- ful. No doubt he would, however, if I should weaken my force to any extent. I have sent into Louisiana to learn the movements of Kirby Smith, bul, as yet, hear nothing definite. Should it be my good fortune, general, to get into Vicksburg while you are still investing Port Hudson, I will commence immediately ship- ping troops to you, and will send such number as you may indicate as being necessary. The troops of this command are in excellent health and spirits. There is not the slightest indication of despondency among either officers or men. Hoping to hear favorable news from your field of operations by the return of Colonel Smith, I remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, ~-. S. GRANT, Major- General. [Inclosure No. 2.] HEADQUARTERS DEFENSES OF Ni~w ORLEANS, New Orleans, La., July 3, 1863. Major-General BANKS, Commanding Nineteenth Army Corps: GENERAL: The time has come when I think it imperatively necessary that you send me re-enforcements. The enemy are in force at Des Alle- mands Bayou, on the Vacherie road, and at Whitehall Saw-mill. The Iberville has been fired into and disabled, and is now coming down in tow of the Sallie Robinson. I do nQt think you have one i~o~e~t tQ 4 R RYOL XXVI, PT Page 50 50 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXYIII lose in sending re-enforcements. Transports will have to be convoyed by gunboats. The enemy have sent a flag of truce from Des Alle- mands Bayou, saying they have 1,200 prisoners they wish to deliver. ~There they came from I do not know. They have already sent in 50 by the way of the fort at Donaldsouville. These men have used such seditious language that the commanding officer at the United States barracks has been obliged to put them in confinement. The navy is all above, except the Pensacola and Portsmouth, and the New London, which is about being completed and sent to Texas. Just as I finished the above, the Zephyr, with my aide-de-camp, Lieu- tenant French, returning from Donaldsonville, where I was compelled to send re-enforcements, has also been fired into, receiving two solid shots. As I before informed you, the attempt to raise a force here is a failure. The enemys plan is to cut your communications, and then march on this city. Very respectfully, your most obedient servant, W. II. EMORY, Brigadier. general, Commanding. [Inclosure No. 3.J IIDQRS. DEPT. OF THE GULF, NINETEENTH ARMY Coups, Before Port Hudson, La., July 5,1863. Brig. Gen. W. II. EMoRY, Uorndg. Defenses of New Orleans, La.: GE~EuAL: Your dispatch of July 3, I received by the hand of Cap- tain Porter last evening at 5 oclock. It is impossible for me to seiid to you re-enforcements in such numbers as to change the condition of affairs in New Orleans. I do not think, however, that the city is in peril. Some inconveniences and annoyances must necessarily ensue from the operations of the enemy while the bulk of our forces are en- gaged at this point. We shall however, be released in a few days. The navy must patrol the river, and prevent, as far as possible, the formation of any position which shall imperil our communication with the city; but it is not possible to prevent a chance shot being fired into our boats occasionally. This occurred constantly on the river while our troops were in New Orleans in force, and cannot be prevente(l, ex- cept by such operations as will result in expelling the enemy altogether from the country bordering upon the river. I am confident that this will be effected in a few days. The prisoners referred to in your letter are doubtless the garrison and convalescents captured at Brashear City. This was a most dis- creditable affair to the officers in command. It would have been im- possible, with any watchfulness whatever, for the enemy to have pre- pared his rafts and crossed the waters above that city without such notice as to have enabled them to escape. They had a railroad at their command and transports and gunboats on the water. The seditious language said to have been used by the prisoners 1 do not understand. Affairs here are progressing favorably, but slowly, and in a few days will result in a successful issue. The behavior of Major Bullen and the troops under his command at Donaldsonville was most creditable, and has greatly encouraged the spirit of the army. It is a compensa- tion for the disgrace that rests upon Brashear. I will communicate with you again to-morrow. J have the honor to be, with much respect, your obedient servant, N. P. BANKS, Ma~jor-Ueneral, Commandin~ Page 51 CHAr. XXXVIII.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. [Inclosure No. 4.1 HEADQUARTERS DEFENSES OF NEW ORLEANS, New Orleans, La., July 4, 1863. Major-General BANKS, Commanding Nineteenth Army Corps: GENERAL: The paroled prisoners have come in, and my information is as nearly positive as hnman testimony can make it that the enemy are 13,000 strong, and they are fortifying the whole country as they march from Brashear to this place, and are steadily advancing. I respectfnlly snggest that, nnless Port llndson be already taken, you can only save this city by sending me re-enforcements immediately and at any cost. It is a choice between Port Hudson and New Orleans. The attempt to raise troops here is futile. There are at least 10,000 fighting men in this city (citizens), and I do not doubt, from what I see, that these men will, at the first approw~h of the enemy within view of the city, be against ns to a man. I have the honor to be, & c., W. H. EMORY, Brigadier-General, Commanding. [Inclosure No. 5.] IIDQRS. DEPT. OF THE GULF, NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS, Before Port Hudson, La., July ~, 1863. Brig. Gen. W. II. EMORY Commanding Defenses of New Orleans, La.: GENERAL: The commanding general has this moment received your dispatch of the 4th instant, by the hands of First Lieutenant Woodrow, Seventeenth Infantry, acting aide-de-camp. The general directs me to say that operations here can last but two or three days longer at the outside, and then the whole command will be available to drive back the enemy, who is now annoying our communications and threatening New Orleans. We are to-day effecting the passage of the ditch in front of the right priest-cap. When this operation is decided, the command- ing geueral will re-enforce you with the utmost promptitude, and with a large. force; but he regards New Orleans as safe, if the navy does its duty in preventing the passage of the river. The general deems your force, though obviously too small, large enough to hold the works on the right bank of the river and to keep New Orleans quiet. Much, in his opinion, very much, will depend upon the management of affairs in the city quietly and with a firm hand. The people of New Orleans understand, or ought to understand, well that their conduct upon this occasion will be the measure of their treat. ment hereafter by the military authorities of the United States. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, RICHARD B. IRWIN, Assistant Adjutant-General. [Inclosure No. 6.] IIDQRS. DEPT. OF THE GULF, NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS, Before Port Hudson, La., July 5, 1863. ~Rear-Admiral D. G. FARRAGUT, Commanding, ct~e.: Your letter of July 2 I received at 5 oclock last evening. It had been delayed by some mischance upon its way hither. A subsequen1~ 5 Page 52 52 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXYIIL letter, relating to the same subject, was received and has been au- swer ed. The result at Donaldsonville was very gratifying, and I feel greatly indebted to the officers of the navy for the assistance they gave and the distinguished part they played in this most creditable affair. General Emory writes me, July 3, that the rebels have fired upon our transports from a point some few miles below Donaldson ville. They have disabled the Iberville, which was towed back to New Orleans, and put some shots through one or two other vessels. I desire you, if pos- sible, to patrol the river with the gunboats, so that our communication may be kept open for a few days longer. This is very important. Gen- eral Emory is niuch alarmed for the safety of New Orleans, but I cannot think the city in any danger. It is impossible for me just now to send him the re-enforcements he requires, but, although their movements will occasion some inconvenience, I am quite satisfied that there is no imminent peril. We have no news from Grant. Affairs in the north are becoming interesting. We are progressing favorably, but not as rapidly as I could wish, with our movements here. Three or four days more will bring our affairs to a successful issue. I shall be delighted to see you again. I have the honor to be, with much respect, your obedient servant, N. P. BANKS, Major- General, Commanding. HDQEs. DEPT. OF THE GULF, NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS, Before Port Hudson, La., July 8, 1863. GENERAL: I have the honor to report that the garrison of Port Hudson surrendered this afternoon upon the terms stated iu the ac- companying copy of the articles of capitulationterms which, you will perceive, are those of an unconditional surrender. We shall take formal possession at 7 oclock to-morrow morning. I inclose a copy of the correspondence preliminary to the surrender. Very respectfully, your most obedient servant N. P. BANKS, Major. General, commanding. Maj. Gen. II. W. HALLECIC, General in-Chief, Washington, D. C. [Inciosure No. 1.] HEADQUARTERS, Port Hudson, La., July 7,1863. Maj. Gen. N. P. BANKS, Gomdg. U. S. Forces, near Port lludson, La.: GENERAL: Having received information from your troops that Vicks- burg has been surrendered, I make this communication to ask you to give me the official assurance whether this is true or not; and, if true, I ask for a cessation of hostilities, with a view to consider terms for surrendering this position. I remain, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, FRANK. GARDNER, N~0or General, Commanding C. S. Foree8 Page 53 SIEGE OV PORT HUDSON, LA. [Inclosure Uo. 2.] IIDQRS. DEPT. OF THE GULF, NINETE ~NTH ARMY CORPS, Before Port Hudson, La., July 8, 18631.15 a. m. Maj. Gem FRANK. GARDNERq son, La.: Gomdg. C. S. Forces, Port Bind GENERAL: In reply to your communication, dated the 7th instant, by flag of truce, received a few moments since, I have the honor to in- form you that I received yesterday morning, July 7, at 10.45 oclock, by the gunboat General Price, an official dispatch from Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, U. S. Army, whereof the following is a true extract: HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF TITE TENNESSEE, Near Vicksburg, Miss., July 4, 1863. Maj. Gen. N. P. BANIrS, Comdg. Department of the Gulf: GENERAL: The garrison of Vicksburg surrendered tbis morning. Number of prisoners, as given by the officers, is 27,000; field artillery, one hundred and twenty- eight pieces, and a large number of siege gunsprobably not less tban eighty. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, U. S. GRANT, Major- General. I regret to say that, under present circumstances, I cannot consist- ently with my duty consent to a cessation of hostilities for the purpose you indicate. Very respectfully, your most obedient servant, N. P. BANKS, Major- General, Commanding. [Inclosure No. 3.] HEADQUARTERS, Port Hudson, La., July 8, 1863. Maj. Gen. N. P. BANKs, Comd~*. U. S. Forces, near Port Hudson, La.: GENERAL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of this date, giving a copy of an official communication from Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant, U. S. Army, announcing the surrender of the garrison of Vicksburg. Having defended this position as long as I deem my duty requires, I am willing to surrender to you, and will appoint a commission of three officers to meet a similar comniission appointed by yourself at 9 oclock this morning, for the purpose of agreeing upon and drawinb up the terms of surrender; and for that purpose I ask for a cessation of hostilities. Will you please designate a point outside of my breast- works where the meeting shall be held for this purpose ~ I am, general, very respectfully~ your obedient servant, FRANK. GARDNER, Major- Gener 1, Commanding C. S. Forces. [Inclosnre No. 4.] HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES FORCES, Before Port Hudson, La., July 8, 18634.30 a. m. Maj. Gen. FRANK. GARDNER, Comdg. C. S. Force3, Port Hudson, La.: GENERAL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your com- runnication of this date, statin~ that you are willing to surrender the garrison under your command to the forces un(ler my command, and that you will appoint a commission of threE officers to meet a similar commission appointed by me at 9 oclock this morning, for the purpose of agreeing upon and drawing up the terms of the surrender Page 54 M w. FLA., S. ALA., ~. MISS., LA., TEN., N. MEX. KHAP. XXXVIII In reply, I have the honor to state that I have designated Brig. Gen~ Charles P. Stone, Col. Henry W. Birge, and Lieut. Col. Richard B. Irwin as the officers to meet the commission appointed by you. They will meet your officers at the hour designated, at a point near where the flag of truce was received this morning. I will direct that active hostilities shall entirely cease on my part until further notice, for the purpose stated. Very respectfully, your most obedient servant, N. P. BANKS, Major. Ueneral, Commanding. [Inclosuro No. 5.1 Articles of capitulation propased between the commissioners on the part of the garrison of Port Hudson, La., and the for ces of the United States before said place, July 8, 1863. ARTICLE I. Maj. Gen. F. Gardner surrenders to the United States forces under Major-General Banks the place of Port Hudson and its dependencies, with its garrison, armament, munitions, public funds, and material of war, in the condition, as nearly as may be, in which they were at the hour of cessation of hostilities, viz, 6 a. in., July 8, 1863. ART. II. The surrender stipulated in Article I is qualified by no con- dition, save that the officers and enlisted men composing the garrison shall receive the treatment due to prisoners of war, according to the usages of civilized warfare. ART. III. All private property of officers and enlisted men shall be respected and left to their respective owners. ART. IV. The position of Port Hudson shall be occupied to-morrow at 7 a. m. by the forces of the United States, and its garrison received as plisoners of war by such general officer of the United States service as may be designated by Major-General Banks, with the ordinary for- malities of rendition. The Confederate troops will be drawn up in line, officers in their positions, the right of the line resting on the edge of the prairie south of the railroad depot, the left extending in the direction of the village of Port Hudson. The arms and colors will be piled con- veniently, and will be received by the officers of the United States. ART. V. The sick and wounded of the garrison will be cared for by the authorities of the United States, assisted, if desired by either party, by the medical officers of the garrison. CHAS. P. STONE, Brigadier- General. W. B. MILES, Colonel, Comdg. Right T~Ting of the Army, Port Hudson, La. WM. DWIGHT, Brigadier- General. I. G. W. STEEDMAN, Colonel, Commanding Left Wing. HENRY W. BIRGE, Colonel, Commanding Third Brigade, Grovers Division. MARSHALL J. SMITH, Lieutenant- Colonel, and Chief of Heavy Artillery. Approved: FRANK. GARDNER, Major- General. N. P. BANKS, Major- General, Commanding Page 55 CHAP. XXXVIII.] 55 ~WGE OF POR~I~ HUDSON, LA. IIDQRS. DEPT. OF THE GULF, NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS, Port Hudson, La., July 10, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that with the post there fell into our hands over 5,500 prisoners, iiieluding 1 major-general and 1 brigadier.general, 20 pieces of heavy artillery, 5 complete batteries, numbering 31 pieces of field artillery, a good supply ot projectiles for light and heavy guns, 44,000 pounds of cannon powder, 5,000 stand of small-arms, 150,000 rounds of small-arms ammunition, besides a small amount of stores of various kinds. We captured also two steamers, one of which is very valuable, and will be of great service at this time. Upon the surrender, I found it necessary to move at once every avail- able man to Donaldsonville, to dislodge the enemy, who had tempo- rarily obstructed our communication with New Orleans, and to dhve his forces from the La Fourche district, where he was in considerable numbers. My transportation was wholly insufficient for its duty, and our supplies limited. I was also compelled to garrison this post for the present by the nine-months regiments, most of which are of opinion that their term of service has already expired, and the colored regiments. It became thus very difficult to remove, to supply, or to guard my pris- oners. I decided, therefore, after the post bad surrendered uncondi- tionally, to release the non-commissioned officers and privates upon their parole. These paroles will be taken with more than the usual formal- ities. The consolidated list will be signed by the men themselves, by Major-General Gardner, and by the officer who receives the parole, and each maw will be furnished with a duplicate parole signed by himself, his regimental commander, and the paroling officer. The men will then march out and disperse to their several homes. The officers will be kept in confinement until further orders. Trusting that my course in this matter will be approved by you and by the Department, I have the b~onor to be, general, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, N. P. BANKS, Major-General, Commanding. Maj. Gen. II. W. IIALLEUK, General-in- Chief, Washington, D. C. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, New Orleans, La., August 17, 1863. SIR: I beg leave to inclose a copy o~ a dispatch, which I had the honor of addressing to you on the 10th ultimo, relative to the parole of the Confederate prisoners surrendered lo me at Port Hudson. In further explanation of the manner in which these mcii were pQroled, I have also the honor to inclose a copy of the form used.* Each man signed in presence of his officers duplicate paroles in this form. Major- General Gardner approved in duplicate the rolls so signed for each regiment, company, and detachment. The United States provost-mar- shal signed them in duplicate as paroling officer. One copy of these consolidated paroles was retained by the paroling officer, and is now on file at these headquarters; one copy was delivered to Major. General Gardner, according to previous agreement entered into at his own re- quest, in order that, to quote his own reason, he niight forward them to ~ Form omitted Page 56 56 W.PLA., S .ALA., S. MISS., LA., rEX., N. M~X. ICHAP. XXX~JIL the War Department of the Confederate States. In addition to this, each man signed an individual parole, which was retained by himself, having the same caption as the consolidated rolls, varying only in the substitution of the singular for the plural. These individual paroles were signed, first, by the prisoner; secondly, by the regimental or battery commander; thirdly, by the United States provost-marshal as paroling officer. They were made out and given to the prisoners at the request of Major-General Gardner, who assigned as a reason for this request that the meu themselves were anxious to have them, in order, as he said, that the conscript officers might not pick them np and send them to duty. These forms having been gone through with, the men were marched beyond our lines iu organized bodies, uii der charge of their own non- commissioned officers, iu pursuance of orders issued to them in circular form by Major-General Gardner, and were discharged from their im- l)r1Sonn1~nt at points which had been mutually agreed upon between General Gardner and myself. From that time they were to be governed by the circular orders from General Gardner, above referred to, embrac- Pig in their provisious all the usual arrangements for subsist ~ce and transportation. It is important to observe iu this connectiomi that the commissioners al)Pointed by Major-General Gardner to dr.aw up the articles of capitu- lation urged so strongly the paroling of the garrison that our commis- sioners submitted the point to me for instructions. I (lirected them to decline enterimig into conditions, and to state to the enemss commis- sioners that 1 would give my reply on that J)oiut after the surrender. rfhis was done. Jmmne(liately after the formal surrender, I informed General Gardner personally that I had concluded to agree to his proposition, and release his men on parole. It is certain that Major-General Gardner, the com- mander of the opposing army, considered that he was acting for and binding his Government according to the terms of the cartel. I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, N. P. BANKS, M0or- General, Commanding. Maj. Gen. II. W. IIALLECK, General-in- Chief, Washington, D. C. ADDENDA. GENERAL ORDERS, ~ IIDQRS. DEPT. OF THE GULF, 19TH A. C., No. 49. Before Port Hudson, June 15, 1863. The commanding general congratulates the troops before Port Hud- son upon the steady advance made upon the enemys works, and is con- fident of an immediate and triumphant issue of the contest. We are at all points upon the threshold of his fortifications. One more advance and they are ours! For the last duty that victory imposes, the commanding general sum- mons the bold men of the corps to the organization of a storming col- nmn of 1,000 men, to vindicate the flag of the Union and the mem- ory of its defenders who have fallen! Let them come forward! Officers who lead the column of victory in this last assault may be assured of the just recognition of their services by promotion, and every officer and soldier who shares its perils and its glory shall receive Page 57 ChAP. XXXVIII.) SIEGt OF PORT HUDSON, LA. medal fit to commemorate the first grand success of the campaign of 1S63 for the freedom of the Mississippi. His name will be placed in general orders upon the Roll of Honor. Division commanders will at once report the names of the officers and men who may volunteer for this service, in order that the organization of the column may be complel ed without delay. By command of Major.General Banks: iRJCIID B. IRWIN, Assistant Adjutant- General. Officers and men who volunteered for storming party at Port Hudson, La., under Ge,,eral Orders, No. 49, Headquarters Department of the Gulf, June 15, 1863. STAFF. Capt. Duncan S. Walker, assistant adjutant-general. Limit. Edmund H. Russell, Ninth Pennsylvania Reserves, acting signal officer, TWELFTH coNNEIDTICUT. Capt. Lester E. Braley, Co. G. Lieut. A. Dwight McCall, Co. G. Lient. George A. Harmount (adjutant). Private Charles J. Constantine, Co. A. Sergt. John Mullen, Co. B. Private Charles Dnboise, Co. B. Corporal John Moore, Co. C. Private George T. Dickson, Co. C. Private Willoughby hull, Co. C. Private William Putnam. Co. C. Private Christopher Spies, Co. C. Private George XV. Watkins, Co. C. Private John P. Woodward, Co. C. Sergt. Alexander Cohn, Co. D. Private George Kohier, Co. D. Private Reuben Miles, Co. D. Private Frederick C. Payne, Co. D. Private William P. Smith,Co. E. Sergt. Charles E. MeGlaflin, Co. G. Sergt. Andrew H. Davison, Co. G. Corpi. John T. Gordon, Co. G. Private Oliver C. Andrews, Co. G. Private James Dunn, Co. G. Private Patrick Fitzpatrick, Co. G. Private Patrick Franey, Co. G. Sergt. John W. Phelps, Co. H. Corpi. Joseph W. Carter, Co. H. Corpl. Charles E. Sherman, Co. H. Private Edwin Converse, Co. H. Private Warren Gamnmons, Co. H. Private William Lenning, Co. H. Private Melvin Nichols, Co. H. THIRTEE4TH CO~KEcT1CUT. Capt. Apollos Comstock (commanding regiment). Capt. Charles D. Bliun, Co. C. Capt. Homer B. Sprague, Co. H. Capt. Dennison H. Finley, Co. G. Capt. Charles J. Fuller, Co. D. Lieut. Perry Averill, Co. B. Lient. Frank Wells, Co. I. Lient. Charles E. Tibbets, Co. A. Lieut. William F. Norman, Co. K. Lieut. Charles Daniels, Co. K. Lieut. Charles H. Beaton, Co. E. Lient. John C. Kinney, Co. A. Lient. Louis Meisner, Co. I. Lieut. Newton W. Perkins, Co. C. Corpi. Francis J. Wolff, Co. A. Corpl. Christopher Fagan, Co. A. Corpi. Andrew Black, Co. A. Private William Bishop, C.). A. Private Walter Egan, Co. A. Private John Fagan, Co. A. Private Francis J. Gaftnay, Co. A. Private Edward Lantry, Co. A. Private John Magnire, Co. A. Private Henry Morton, Co. A. Private Loren D. Penfield, Co. A. Sergt. Gcorg~ E. Fancher, Co. B. Sergt. George hE Pratt, Co. B. Sergt. Alonzo Wheeler, Co. B. Corpi. Francis E. Weed, Co. B. Corpi. Roswell Taylor, Co. B. Corpi. Isaac W. Bishop, Co. B. Private George M. Balling, Co. B. Private John J. Brown, Co. B. Private William E. Casey, Co. B. Private Baithazar Emmerich, Co. B. Private Peter Geutien, Co. B. Private Dennis Hegany, Co. B. Private William W. Jones, Co. B. Private John Klein, Co. B. Private Benjamin L. Mend, Co. B. Private John Mobren, Co. B. Private Charles Nichols, Co. B. Private Victor Pinsaid, Co. B. Private George Pri ndle, Co. B. Private Moraut J. Robertson, Co. B. Private Sidney B. Ruggles, Co. B. Private Louis Schmeidt, Co. B. Private Frederick L. Sturgis, Co. B. Sergt. John N. Lyman, Co. C. Sergr. John Maddox, Co. C. Private Chanucey Griffin, Co. C. Private Joseph II. Pratt, Co. C. Private Mortimer H. Scott, Co. C. 5 Page 58 58 w. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS, LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVt~t Private Joseph Taylor, Co. C. Private Daniel Thompson, Co. C. Corpi. Edward Alton, Co. D. Private John Dillon, Ce. D. Private John Fee, Co. D. Private Jos. A. Gardner, Co. D. Sergt. Nicholas Schue, Co. E. Sergt. Richard Croley, Co. E. Corpi. Robert C. Barry, Co. E. Corpl. Leonard L. Dugal, Co. E. Private Jacob Brown, Co. E. Private Frederick Hanns, Co. E. Private George W.~Howland, Co. E. Private Michael Murphy, Co. E. Private Charles F. Oedekoven, Co. E. Private F. F. F. Pfieffer, Co. E. Private Andrew Reagan, Co. E. Private Frederick Schuh, Co. H. Private August Wilson, Co. E. Private James Cosgrove, Co. F. Private Patrick Leach, Co. F. Private Henry E. Phinney, Co. F. Sergt. Charles B. Hutchings, Co. G. Sergt. John W. Bradley, Co. G. Sergt.. Francis Huxford, Co. G. Corpi. Moses Gay, Co. G. Corpl. Louis Feotish, Co. G. Corpi. Edmund Bogue, Co. G. Private Timothy Allen, Co. G. Private George I. Austin, Co. G. Private John Brand, Co. G. Private Octave Ceressolle, Qo. G. Private Charles Culver, Co. G. Private James Gay, Co. G. Private Albert Hopkins, Co. G. Private John Hunt, Co. G. Private Henry A. Hurlbnrt, Co. G. Private Asahel Ingraham, Co. G. Private Jeremy 1. Jordan, Co. G. Private Michael Kearney, Co. G. Private Joseph Kemple, Co. G. Private William M. Maynard, Co. G. Private John McKeon, Co. G. Private Daniel Moore, Co. G. Private Timothy OConnell, Co. G. Private Henry Robinson, Co. G. Private Anton Schlosser, Co. G. Privaie Martin J. Shaden, Co. G. Private Ma.rtin Sheer, Co. G. Private Charles Sidders, Co. G. Private John Snarman, Co. G. Private Sebree W. Tinker, Co. G. Sergt. William H. Huntley, Co. H. Sergt. Dennis Doyle, Co. lii. Sergt. Herman W. Bailey, Co. H. Private Philo Andrews, Co. H. Private Niram Blackman, Co. II. Private John Blake, Co. II. Private Frank Patterson, Co. H. Private George H. Twitchell, Co. H. Sergt. Abner N. Sterry, Co. I. Sergt. Samuel Taylor, Co. I. Sergt. E. Sauter Co. I. Private MichaelBurke, Co. I. Private James Ii~illon, Co. I. Private Thomas McGee, Co. I. Sergt. Miles J. Beecher, Co. K. Sergt. George A. Winslow, Co. K. Sergt. Charles E. Humphrey, Co. K. Corpl. Herman Saunders, Co. K. Corpl. Herbert C. Baldwin, Co. K. Corpl. John Nugent, Co. K. Corpl. Robert Hollinger, Co. K. Private John Bennett, Co. K. Private Benjamin E. Benson, Co. K. Private Frank C. Bristol, Co. K. Private William Call; Co. K. Private George Clancy, Co. K. Private William J. Cojer, Co. K. Private Thomas Duffy, Co. K. Private Edward Ellis6n, Co. K. Private Thomas Griffin, Co. K. Private Patrick Mahoney, Co. K. Private Thomas Morris, Co. K. Private Richard ODonnell, Co. K. Private George C. Russell, Co. K. Private Bernard Stanford, Co. K. Private John Storey, Co. K. Private Bartley Tiernon, Co. K. TWENTY-FIFTH CONNECTICUT. Lient. Henry C. Ward (adju~tant). Lieut. Henry H. Goodell, Co. F. Capt. J. R. Parsons, Co. I. Lient. C. A. Tracy, Co. I. Sergt. Michael H. Dunn Co. I. Sergt. James York, Co. ~. Sergt. George McGraw, Co. I. Corpl. Henry Carle, Co. I. Corpl. John Emperor, Co. I. Corpl. Jos. A. Scovel], Co. I. Corpi. John Lower, Co. I. Private Charles Baker, Co. I. Private Richard Balshaw, Co. I. Private Patrick Brennan, Co. I. Capt. William Smith, Co. H. Private Lewis Diemert, Co. A. Sergt. Maj. Charles F. Ulrich. Private Samuel Schlesinger, Co. F. FIRST LOUISIANA. Private Jos. Briggs, Co. I. Private Leonard Demarquis, Co. I. Private John Fahy, Co. I. Private John Hunt. Co. I. Private Henry Kathra, Co. I. Private Alex. Kiah, Co. I. Private James Manahan, Co. I. Private John Reas, Co. I. Private Joseph Reaman, Co. I. Private Jerry Rourke, Co. I. Private James Smith, Co. I. SECOND LOUISIANA. Private Henry Mayo, Co. A. Private Frederick A. Nurmon, Co. Page 59 SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. Sergt. Albert Sadusky, Co. B. Corpi. John Hoffman, Co. B. Private James Clinton, Co. B. Private Michael Dunn, Co. B. Private Barney MeClosky, Co. B. Private William Rocher, Co. B. Private James Sullivan, Co. B. Sergt. Andrew Harrigon, Co. C. Private James Donovan, Co. C. Private John Fry, Co. C. Private Daniel Theale, Co. C. Private William Wilkie, Co. C. Private Leon Paul, Co. D. Private Joseph Dupuy, Co. F. Private William Gallagher, Co. F. Private George Tyler, Co. F. Private Eugene Gallagher, Co. G. Sergt. Theodore Lederick, Co. H. Sergt. Benjamin C. Rollins, Co. H. Corpl. Jacob Stall, Co. H. Private John Brennan, Co. H. Private Patrick Devine, Co. H. Private John Eklridge, Co. H. Private Patrick Garrity, Co. H. Private Louis Harrell, Co. H. Private John Hayes, Co. H. Private Louis Icks, Co. H. Private John Lane, Co. H. Private Thomas R. Blakely, Co. I. Private Louis L. Drey, Co. I. Private James Mariner, Co. 1. Private Francis McGahay, Co. I. Private Edwin Rice, Co. I. Corpl. Otto Fouche, Co. K. Private Henry Gordon, Co. K. Private George Seymore, Co. K. Private Paul E. Troselair, Co. K. FIRST LOUISIANA NATIVE GUARDS.~ Sergt. Joseph Frick, Co. C. Sergt. Charles Dugu6, Co. C. Sergt. Ernest Legross, Co. C. Corpi. Arthur Mey6, Co. C. Private CAmile Cazainier, Co. C. Private Yalcour Brown, Co. C. Private Edmond Champanel, Co. C. Private Eugene Degruy, Co. C. Private Clement Galice, Co. C. Private Louis Lacrale, Co. C. Private Pierre Martiel, Co. C. Private Joseph Moushaud, Co. C. Private Armand Roche, Co. C. Private Francois Severin, Co. C. Private Henry Smith, Co. C. Private J. Baptiste Smith, Co. C. Private Martin White, Co. C. Private Robert 1otsum, Co. G. Private Joseph Lewis, Co. G. Corpl. Jules Frits, Co. H. Private Jacques Anguste, Co. H. Private Henry Bradford, Co. H. Private Joseph Carter, Co. H. Private Isidore Charles, Co. H. Private Emile Chatard, Co. H. Privat~~ Frederick Derinsbourg, Co. H. Private Francis Fernandez, Co. H. Private Arthur Guyot, Co. H. Private Samuel Hall, Co. H. Private John Howard, Co. H. Private Joseph Jackson, Co. H. Private Richard John, Co. H. Private Joe Joseph, Co. H. Private Augnste Lee, Co. H. Private Henry Lee, Co. H. Private Oscar Pointoisean, Co. H. Private Joseph Patterson, Sr., Co. H. Private Joseph PattersQn, jr., Co. H. Private Perry Randolph, Co. H. Private James Richards, Co. H. Private Benjamin String, Co. H. Private Ralemy Walse, Co. H. Sergt. John J. Cage, Co. I. Sergt. John W. Berweeks, Co. I Corpl. Thomas Alexander, Co. I. Private Charles Branson, Co. I. Private Alexander Jones, Co. I. Private William McDowell, Co. I. Private Collin Page, Co. I. Private Thomas Redwood, Co. I. Private William Wood, Co. 1. Private George Burke, Co. K. Private Ed. Madison, Co. K. Private Charles Smith, Co. K. THIRD LOUISIANA NATIVE GUARDS.t Private Abram Frost, Co. A Private Henry Marshel, Co. A. Sergt. Wade Hambleton, Co. C. Corpl. Massalla Lofra, Co. C. Corpi. William Mack, Co. C. Corpi. E. Thominick, Co. C. Private Daniel Anderson, Co. C. Private Bracton, Co. C. Private William Dallis, Co. C. Private Jack Dorson, Co. C. Private William Finick, Co. C. Private Solomon Fleming, Co. C. Private William Green, Co. C. Private George Joseph, Co. C. Private Victor Lewis, Co. C. Private Saunders, Co. C. Private Taylor, Co. C. Private White, ~ Co. C. Sergt. Thomas Jefferson, Co. E. Private W. Henry, Co. E. Private Benjamin Johnson, Co. E. Private Joseph Miller, Co.~E. * The whole regiment expressed their willingness to go, but, suposing you did not want them all, I have selected from the volunteers named picked men who are ready any moment you may call upon them.Lieui. Got. V. J. Bas8ett to Got. J. A. Nelson, June 18, 186.3, transmitting above list. t Capt. Charles W. Blake, commanding regiment, reported that the whole regiment expressed their willingness to go, but that those above named had been selected. 4 Richard, or Hiuson; both in Co. C. ~ George, or Thomas.; both in Co. C, CUAP. XXXVHI.I 5 Page 60 60 XV. PLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII Privi~te Thomas Simmons, Co. E. Private J. W. Thomas, Co. E. Private Edward Brown, Co. H. Private Isaac Gillis, Co. H. Private Johnson, Co. H. Private Silas huff, Co. H. Private Lewis Paulin, Co. H. Private John Ross, Co. H. Private J. Smith, * Co.hI. Private Silas Dicton, Co. I. Private Loudon McDaniel, Co. I. Private John Taller, Co. I. Private Isaac Twiggs, Co. 1. Private George Washington, Co. I Private Wilhiams,t Co. I. TWELFTH MAINE. Capt John F. Appleton, Co. H. Lient. Daniel M. Phillips, Co.. H. Lient. Marcellus L. Stearns, Co. E. Private John Cooper, Co. A. Private Isaac R. Douglass, Co. A. Private Almon L. Gilpatrick, Co. A. Private John Weller. Co. A. Sergt. Seymour A. Farrington, Co. E. Corpl. Henry S. Berry, Co. E. Private Edgar G. Adams, Co. E. Private Oliver D. Jewett, Co. E. Private Nathan W. Kendall, Co. E. Private James Powers, Co. E. Ser~t. Wil1i~ in M. Berry, Co. H. Private James W. Smith, Co. I. THIRTEENTH MAINE. Lient. Joseph B. Corson. FOURTEENTH MAINE. Lient. Col. Charles S. Bickmore. Maj. Albion K. Bolan. Sergt. Maj. Charles W. Thing. Capt. George Blodgett, Co. K. Lient. John K. Laing, Co. F. Lient. I. Frank Hobbs, Co. G. Lient. Warren T. Crowell, Co. K. Lient. Merrdl H. Adams, Co. B. Lient. William H. Gardiner, Co. G. Lient. Charles E. Blackwell, Co. I. Sergt. Jos. F. Clement, Co. A. Sergt. George C. Hagerty, Co. A. Corpi. William C. Townsend, Co. A. Corpl. Otis G. Crockett, Co. A. Corpl. Alva Emerson, Co. A. Private Peter Beanman, Co. A. Private Wilson Bowden, Co. A. Private Richard J. Colby, Co. A. Private Seth P. Colby, Co. A. Private Peter Misher, Co. A. Private Irvin Morse, Co. A. Private Edwin Ordway, Co. A. Private Albert Webster, Co. A. Sergt. John Dougherty, Co. B. Sergt. James Shehan, Co. B. Private Benjamin Douglass. jr., Co. B. Private James Elders, Co. B. Private George N. Larrabee, Co. B. Private John Dailey, Co. C. Private Simon Beattie, Co. E. Sergt. Jos. W. Grant, Co. F. Corpi. William F. Jenkins, Co. F. Private Edward Bethum, Co. F. Private William E. Merryfield, Co. F. Private Horace Sawyer, Co. F. Sergt. 4rchelans Fuller, Co. G. Corpl. Edward Bradford, Co. G. Private Samuel Connelly, Co. G. Private Ezra A. Merrill, Co. (1. Ser~t Calvin S. Gordon, Co., H. Corpi. Louis C. Gordon, Co. H. Private John Cnnningham, Co. H. Sergt. C. Pembroke Carter, Co. I. Sergt. Samuel T. Logan Co. I. Sergt. John S. Smith, Co. I. Corpi. John Hayes) Co. I. Private William R. Hawkins, Co. I. Private Jos. Preble, Co. I. Private Albert B. Meservey, Co. I. Private Benjamin F. Roleson, Co. I. Ser,t. William Muller, Co. K. Sergt. Alex. Wilson, Co. K. Sergt. Bazel Hogne, Co. K. Corpl. John Moore, Co. K. Corpl. William Darby, Co. K. Privae Daniel Conners, Co. K. Private George Waterhouse, Co. K. Private Julius Wendlandt, Co. K. Private Charles Wilkerson, Co. K. Private Elliott Witham Co K TWENTY-FIRST MAINE. Capt. James L. Hunt, Co. C. Capt. Samuel W. Clarke, Co. H. Private J. Mink, Co. A. Private Otis Sprague, Co. A. Private Sewell Sprague, Co. A. Private Joel Richardson, Co. B. Private Andrew P. Watson, Co. B. Private John H. Brown, Co. C. Privabe John E. Heath, Co. C. Private Charles T. Lord, Co. C. Private George F. Stacey, Co. C. Private William N. Tibbetts, Co. C. Corpl. Galen A. Chapman, Co. D. Corpi. Alouzo L. Farrow, Co. D. Private David 0. Priest, Co. D. Private Charles S. Crowell, Co. D. Private David B. Cole, Co. E. Private Melville Merrill, Co. E. * Jacob, or James; both in company. t David, Esan, Isaac, Samuel, Henry, or Johnson; all in Company I Page 61 CHAP. XXXVIII.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. Private William Douglass, Co. F. Private Gustavus Hiscock, Co. F. Corpi. Minot D. Hewett, Co. G. Private Leander Woodcock, Co. G. Private Frederic Goud, Co. H. Private Thomas Wyman, Co. H. Private John B. Morrill, Co. I. Private James S. Jewell, Co. K. Private Frank S. Wate, Co. K~ TWENTY- SECOND MAINE. Capt. Isaac W. Case, Co. H. Capt. Henry L. Wood, Co. E. Lieut. George E. Brown, Co. A. Private Van Buren Cane, Co. B. Private Daniel McPhetres, Co. B. Sergt. Samuel S. Mason, Co. F. Private Timothy N. Erwin, Co. G. Private Amaziali W. Webb, Co. K. TWENTY-FOURTH MAINE. Sergt. George E. Taylor, Co. H. Private James Hughes, Co. H. TWENTY-EIGHTH MAINE. Private James N. Morang, Co. E. THIRD MASSACHUSETTS CAVALRY. Col. Thomas E. Chickering. Capt. Francis E. Boyd, Co. H. Lient. William T. Hodges, Co. C. Lieut. Henry S. Adams (adjutant). Lieut. David P. Muzzey, Co. G. Lient. Charles W. C. Rhoads, Co. H. Sergt. Maj. William S. Stevens. Private Ferdinand Rolle, Co. A. Sergt. Nathan G. Smith, Co. C. Sergt. Horace P. Flint, Co. C. Private Joseph Elliott, Co. C. Private Edward Johnson, Co. C. Corpl. Patrick Dunlay, Co. G. Private Simon Daly, Co. G. Private Peter Donahue, Co. G. Private James Gallagher, Co. G. Sergt. William Wildman, Co. H. Sergt. John Kelly, Co. H. Corpi. William S. Caldwell, Co. H. Corpi. Randall F. Hunuewell, Co. H. Corpi. William P. Pethie, Co. H. Corpi. Charles Miller, Co. H. Corpi. William R. Davis, Co. H. Private Edwin T. Ehrlacher, Co. H. Private Gros Granadino, Co. H. Private Eli Hawkins, Co. H. Private Patrick J. Monks, Co. H. Private John Veliscross, Co. H. Private George Wilson, Co. H. THIRTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS BATTERY. Private John V. Warner. TWENTY- SIXTH MASSACHUSETTS. Lieut. Seth Bonney, Co. F. ThIRTIETH MASSACI-IUSEITS. Capt. Edward A. Fiske, Co. D. Lient. Thomas B. Johnston, Co. H. Lient. Nathaniel K. Reed, Co. C. Lient. Ferdinand C. Poree, Co. C. Sergt. W. H. H. Richards, Co. B. Corpl. George B. Coy, Co. B. Corpl. Thomas Courtney, Co. B. Private James M. Brown, Co. B. Private Andrew Cole, Co. B. Private George Towey, Co. B. Private Martin Hassett, Co. B. Sergt. Luther H. Marshall, Co. C. Private William McCutcheon, Co. C. Private Charles B. Richardson, Co. C. Private George Sutherland, Co. C. Sergt. George H. Monle, Co. D. ~ergt. John E. Ring~ Co. D, Corpi. Charles D. Moore, Co. D. Private James Boyce, Co. D. Private William Kenny, Co. D. Private Horace F. Davis, Co. E. Sergt. Murty Quinlan, Co. F. Corpl. Michael Mealey, Co. F. Sergt. John Leary, Co. G. Sergt. Willard A. Hussey, Co. H. Private John Battles, Co.- H. Private John Higgins, Co. H. Private Paul Jesemaughn, Co. H. Private William F. Cavanagh, Co. H. Private John Weleh~ Co. H. Private John Wilson, Co. II. Sergt. Samuel, Ryan, Co. I. Sergt. Tl4o~irns 4. Warren, Co. F. 61 Private Cesar Du Bois Page 62 62 w. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. ICHAP. XXXVIII. THIRTY-FIRST MASSACHUSETTS. Capt. Edward P. bluster, Co. A. Capt. Samuel D. Hovey, Co. K. Lieut. Luther C. Howell (adjutant). Lieut. James M. Stewart, Co. A. Private Chester Bevens, Co. A. Private Patrick Carnes, Co. A. Private Frank Fitch, Co. A. Private William Thorington, Co. A. Private Peter Valun, Co. A. Private Ethan H. Cowles, Co. B. Private William J. Coleman, Co. K. Private Maurice Lee, Co. K. THIRTY-EIGHTH MASSACHUSETTS. Lieut. Frank N. Scott, Co. B. FORTY-EIGHTH MASSACHUSETTS. Private Michael Roach, Co. G. FORTY-NINTH MASSACHUSETTS. Lient. Edson T. Dresser, Co. F. Private James W. Bassett, Co. A. Private William E. Clark, Co. A. Private Willard L. Watkins, Co. A. Private George Dowley, Co. B. Private Henry E. Griffin, Co. B. Private Conrad Hems, Co. B. Corpi. Thomas H. Hughes, Co. D. Private Peter Come, Co. D. Private Edwin N. Hnbbard, Co. D. Private Franklin Allen, Co. H. Private George Knickerbocker, Co. H. Corpl. John Kelley, Co. I. Private Zera Barnum, Co I. Private Philander B. Chadwick, Co. K. Private Thomas Maloney, Co. K. Private Albert F. Thompson, Co. K. FIFTIETH MASSAChUSETTS. Private James Miller, Co. B. Corpi. E. S. Tubbs, Co. G. FIFTY-THIRD MASSACHUSETTS. Private Peter T. Downs, Co. G. Private Peter Dyer, Co. H. SIXTH MICHIGAN. Private Robert Atwood, Co. A. Private Johu H. Cowles, Co. A. Private James E. Root Sergt. Lester Fox, Co. C. Sergt. Albert B. Chapman, Co. C. Corpi. William A. Porter, Co. C. Private Walter B. Hunter, Co. C. Private Joseph W. Rolph, Co. C. Corpl. Charles St. John, Co. D. Private Peter Dorr, Co. D. Private Tobias Porter, Co. D. Sergt. Frederick Buck, Co.E. Sergt. William L. Leinrie, Co. E. Corpl. Harry S. Howard, Co. E. Corpl. William Kelly, Co. E. Corpl. Henry Rhodes, Co. E. Private John Austin, Co. E. Private DanieL Fero, Co. E. Private William Hogue, Co. E. Private James R. Johnson, Co. E. Private Augustus Jones, Co. E. Private William I~apsher, Co. E. Private Jacob Urwiler, Co. B. Private Alfred E. Da~y, Co. F. Private George W. Sparling, Co. F. Sergt. George H. Hatris, Co. G. Corpi. Peter A. Martin, Co. G. Corpl. Francis M. Hurd, Co. G. Private George W. Dailey, Co. G. Private Freeman Hadden, Co. G. Private John W. McBride, Co. G. Private Robert Payne, Co. G. Private Charles B. Pluinmer, Co. G. Private Enoch T. Simpson, Co. G. Private Osborn Sweeney, Co. G. Private Theodore ~2V ced, Co. G. Sergt, A. C. Whiteomb, Co. H. Private Henry B. Dow, Co. H. Private George A. Benet, Co. I. Corpi. Levi. A. Logan, Co. K. Corpi. John H. Wisner, Co. K. Private Simon P. Boyce, Co. K. Private David H. Servis, Co. K. Private Francis B. Todd, Co. K, EIGHTH NEW hAMPSHIRE. Capt. Jos. J. Ladd, Co. D. J~ieut. Dana W. King, Co. A. Private John Riney, Co. ~ Page 63 Ciai~. XXXVIII.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. SIXTEENTH NEW HAMPSHIRE. Capt. John L. Rice, Co. H. Lieut.~Edgar E. Adams, Co. F. Lieut. Edward J. ODonnell, Co. C. Corpi. Daniel C. Dacey, Co. A. Private Edward J. Wiley, Co. B. Corpl. Clinton Bohannon, Co. C. Private Asa Burgess, Co. C. Corpi. William A. Rand, C o.K. Private Rufus L. Jones, Co. K. SEVENTY-FIFTH NEW YORK. Private Edson V. R. Blakemari, Co. B. Private Levi Coppernoll, Co. B. Capt. Honore De La Paturelle, Co. E. Sergt. Henry M. Crydenwise, Co. A. Corpi. John Neill, Co. F. Private Martin McNamara, Co. F. Private John McCormick, Co. F. Private James Proctor, Co. F. Private Lenox Kent, Co. B. Private Martin Norton, Co. I. NINETIETH NEW YORK. Private George Wilson, Co. G. Private Christopher Autenreith, Co. K. Private John Heron, Co. K. Private Amos Maker, Co. K. Private Nelson Root, Co. K. NINETY-FIRST NEW YORK. Private Samuel Webster, Co. A. Sergt. James A. Shattuck, Co. B. Private James T. MeCollurn, Co. B. Sergt. Edward R. Cone, Co. C. Corpi. Platt F. Vincent, Co. C. Private Edwin De Frate, Co. C. Corpi. Charles E. Bowles, Co. E. Private Jos. C. Wallace, Co. E. ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTEENTH NEW YORK. Corpl. Frank Bentley, Co. A. Private Isaac Colvin, Co. A. Private Andrew Cook, Co. A. Private Daniel Covensparrow, Co. A. Private Philip Linebits, Co. A. Private Jacob Bergtold, Co. B. Private Sylvester Glass, Co. B. Corpi. George W Hammond, C6. C. Private Henry D. Daniel, Co. C. Private Charles Fisher, Co. C. Private Frederick Hilderbrand, Co. C. Private Christian Grawi, Co. D. Private William W. McCnmber, Co. D. Private Cornelius Fitzpatrick, Co. E. Private James Gallagher, Co. E. Private Theodore Hansell, Co. E. Private Thomas Maloney, Co. E. Private Henry C. Miller, Co. E. Private Frederick Webber, Co. E. Corpi. Joshua D. Baker, Co. F. Private Jacob Demerly, Co. F. Private Frederick Jost, Co. G. Private William Martin, Co. G. Private Samuel Whitmore, Co. G. Private Jacob Tschole, Co. H. Private Jacob Znmstein, Co. H. Private Philip Mary, Co. I. Corpl. Albert D. Prescot, Co. K. Private Nicholas Fedick, Co. K. ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-EIGHTH NEW YORK. Capt. Francis S. Keese, Co. C. Sergt. Theo. W. Kraffv, Co. A. Sergt. Freeman Skinner, Co. A. Corpl. Milo P. Moore, Co. A. Private Jos. M. Downing, Co. A. Private John N. Hague, Co. A. Private James Mosherman, Co. A. Private Jos. C. Mosher, Co. A. Private Freeman Ostrander, Co. A. Sergt. Charles W. McKown, Co. C. Sergt. Henry A. Brundage, Co. C. Sergt. John H. Hagar, Co. C. Corpl. Clement R. Dean, Co. C. Corpl. David H. Haunaburgb, Co. C. Corpl. Elijah D. Morgan, Co. C. Corpi, George F. Simmons, Co. C. Private Albert Cole, Co. C. Private George Cronk, Co. C. Private Edward Delamater, Co. C. Private Albert P. Felts, Co. C. Private Charles Murch, Co. C. Private Daniel Neenan, Co. C. Private George A. Norcntt, Co. C. Private John R. Schriver, Co. C. Private John L. Delamater, Co. D. Private William Platto, Co. D. Private Charles P. Wilson Co. D. Corpi. Charles Brower, Co. F. Private Charles F. Appleby, Co. I. Private Stephen H. Moore, Co. I. Corpl. Sylvester Brewer, Co. K. T~rivate Thowas Nice, Co, K, 6 Page 64 64 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N~ MEX. [CuAP. XXXYIIL ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FIRST NEW YORK. Lient, Eugene H. Pales, Co. C. Lieut. Eugene A. Hincliman, Co. H. Lient. James OConnor, Co. F. Lient. Louis F. Ellis, Co. I. Lieut. James E. McBeth, Co. K. Private William Burns, Co. B. Private Charles Cameron, Co. B. Private Nicholas Hansler, Co. B. Private George E. Stanford, Co. B. Sergt. Robert W. Reid, Co. C. Corpl. Jonas Cheshire, Co. C. Corpl. Edward Northrup, Co. C. Corpi. Isaac Ogden, Co. C. Private Henry Ayres, Co. C. Private Richard M. Edwards, Co. C. Private Theodore Kelley, Co. C. Private Charles W. Weeks, Co. C. Private Jacob Hohn, Co. I. Private Ferdinand Nesch, Co. I. ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-THIRD NEW YORK. Capt. James K. Fuller, Co. C. Lient. Richard W. Buttle, Co. D. Lieut. Henry OConnor, Co. I. Private Nicolas Pitt, Co. B. Private Nelson Beane, Co. C. Private Patrick Boyne, Co. C. Private Joseph Finn, Co. C. Private Peter Hudson, Co. C. Private James G. Kelly, Co. C. Corpi. John Eisemann, Co. D. Private Patrick Callanan, Co. E. Private Cyrus Tooker, Co. F. Sergt. George Giehi, Co. G. Private Jos. J. Burke, Co. G. Private George Schielfer, Co. G. Private James Brennan, Co.1. Private John H. Dawson, Co. I. Private John H. Gale, Co.1. Sergt. George Hamel, Co. K. Corpi. William Stratton, Co. K. Private Patrick Costello, Co. K. Private Henry Hodinger, Co. K. Private Philip Ready, Co. K. ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SIXTH NEW YORK. Private Philip Lewis, Co. B. Sergt. John D. Fink, Co. F. Sergt. Charles B. Western, Co. K. Sergt. Henry Abbott, Co. K. Corpi. Ivan Netterberg, Co. K. Corpi. Isaac W. Fullager, Co. K. Private Charles Gay, Co. K. Private August Leonhardt. Co. K. Private Neil Neilson, Co. K. Private Samuel Ouderkirk, Co. K. Private Charles Stump, Co. K. Private Jos. von Matt, Co. K. ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-NINTH NEW YORK. Capt. Robert McD. Hart, Co. F. Liiut. Alfred Greenleaf, jr., Co. B. Lient. Duncan Richmond, Co. H. Private George W. Hatfield, Co. B. Private Amos Hark, Co. B. Private Hugh MeKeuny, Co. B. I~rivate John Taylor, Co. B. Sergt. Michael Hogan, Co. C. Private Christian Schuack, Co. C. Sergt. James T. Perkins, Co. E. Private John Thorp, Co. E. Sergt. Gilbert S. Gullen, Co. F. Private Bartholomew Toser, Co. F. Private James Brazier, 2d, Co. I. Private George W. Schofield, Co. I. ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTIETH NEW YORK. Lieut. Col. John B. Van Petten. Asst. Surg. David H. Armstrong. Lieut. William J. Van D~nseu, Co. A. Lieut. Robert R. Seeley, Co. I. Private Oscar Curtis, Co. B. Private A. C. Hammer, Co. C. Private Jos. S. Insley, Co. C. Private HeHry F. McIntyre, Co. C. Private George Matthies, Co. C. Private John OLahey, Co. E. Private Michael Hill, Co. E. Private John Long, Co. B. Sergt. B. F. Maxson, Co. G. Sergt. Elon P. Spink, Co. G. Sergt. Samuel Kriegelstein, Co. G. Sergt. Jacob McI)owell, Co. K. Sergt. Michael Hewett, Co. K. Private Arthur Clarkson, Co. K. Private Lewis Kraher, Co. K. Private John M. Raince, Co. K. ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIRST NEW YORK. Maj. Charles Strawn. Lient. William B. Kinsey (adjutant). Capt. Benjamin T. Van Tuyl, Co. A. Corpl, ~h~rk Ev~ns, Co. A, Private William Jolley, Co. A. Private Cornelius Osterhont, Co .A, Private James Anderson, Co. B, Sergt. Lewis E. FitCh, Co. C Page 65 SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. Corpl. Mahion M. Murcur, Co. C. Private Edgar L. De Witt, Co. C. Private Henry W. Mead, Co. C. Private George Oliver, Co. C. Private Charles Spaulding, Co. C. Sergt. Dennis Lacy, Co. D. Sergt. Bradford Sanford, Co. D. Private James E. Borden, Co. D. Private Luman Philley, Co. D. Private Thomas A. Sawyer, Co. D. Private John Van Donsen, Co. D. Private Madison M. Collier, Co. E. Sergt. Baskin Freeman, Co. F. Private Charles Robinson, Co. F. Sergt. DeWitt C. Amey, Co. H. Corpi. Samuel Robinson, Co. H. Private John F. Young, Co. H. Sergt. Silas E. Warren, Co. K. Private Charles A,Herrick, Co. K. ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-SECOND NEW YORK. Capt. William P. Huxford, Co. G. Lient. John H. Van Wyck, Co. G. Lient. William Kennedy, Co. E. Sergt. John McCormick, Co. A. Private Thomas Barry, Co. A. Sergt. John E. Burke, Co~ B. Sergt. Henry Landt, Co. C. Sergt. Frederick Schellhaas, Co. C. Private Anton Bleistein, Co. C. Private William F. Elsele, Co. C. Private John Engel, Co. C. Private Alex. Herrmau, Co. C. PrivateLeo Kalt, Co. C. Private Conrad Siegle, Co. C. Sergt. Theodore Churchill, Co. D. Corpi. Thomas McConnell, Co. D. Sergt. James Stack, Co. E. Sergt. George W. Keiley, Co. E. Corpl. John McLaughlin, Co. E. Corpl. George W. Waite, Co. E. Corpi. James Ball, Cn. E. Private Thomas Clarey, Co. E. Private Peter Corbett, Co. E. Private Thomas Duff, Co. E. Privato Daniel W. Dunn, Co. E. Private Patrick Ginety, Co. E. Private Daniel Grey, Co. E. Private Lawrence Halley, Co. E. Private Geor~e Larmore, Co. E. Private James McCall, Co. E. Private Patrick Sweeny, Co. E. Corpl. Gustave Normann, Co. F. Private John G. Thalmaun, Co. F. Sergt. George W. Gibson, Co. G. Sergt. Edmund Nourse, Co. G. Private William Ferguson, Co. G. Private William Keating, Co. G. Corpl. Edward Murphy, Co. I. Private Joseph Martines, Co. I. Private Maxamillian Miller, Co. I. Private James Brady, Co. K. Private Peter Cherry, Co. K. Private Eugene Deitrich, Co. K. Private John Frazer, Co. K. Private Jos. Gitey, Co. K. Private Flemmiag Knipe, Co. K. Private John McDonald, Co. K. Private Lewis Young, Co. K. ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIFTH NEW YORK. Capt. Felix Agnus, Co. A. Capt. Henry C. Inwood, Co. E. Lient. Gustavus F. Linguist, Co. C. Sergt. Walter T. Hall, Co. A. Sergt. William T. Sinclair, Co. A. Sergt. John Fleming, Co. A. Sergt. John W. Dickins, Co. A. Corpl. Richard Baker, Co. A. Corpl. Josiah C. Dixou, Co. A. Corpi. George E. Armstrong, Co. A. Private James B. Barker, Co. A. Private Peter S. Beancamp, Co. A. Private Samuel Davis, Co. A. Private Gustav iDruckhammer, Co. A. Private David Lewis, Co. A. Private George McKinney, C~. A. Private George A. Metzel, Co. A. Private Elias H. Tucker, Co. A. Private John H. Valk, Co. A. Private Edward Vass, Co. A. Private Patrick H. Matthews, Co. B. Private John Cassidy, Co. C. Private Robert Hobbey, Co. C. Private Laurentz Lange, Co. C. Private John Laughtman, Co. C. Corpl. James F. Campbell, Co. D. Private Thomas Beicher, Co. E. Private John Feighery, Co. E. Private Stephen Gillen, Co. E. Private Edwin A. Shaw, Co. E. Private William Vero, Co. E. ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-THIRD NEW YORK. Private Alex. Hendrickson, Co. C., ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-FOURTH NEW YORK. Lient. Edward Marreuer, Co. I. Lient. Latham A. Fish, Co. E. Lieut. Eugene S. Eunson, Co. C. Lient. Charles Emerson, Co. I. 5 R HVOL XXVI, PT I Sergt. Morris Lancaster, Co. A. Corpl. Louis Hageman, Co. A. Private William Cooper, Co. A, Private Jolm Cullen, Co. A~ CaAr. XXXVIII.] 6 Page 66 66 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. Private John Maloney, Co. A. Corpl. George Anderson, Co. B. Sergt. John Gray, Co. C. Private John G. Kulifuss, Co. C. Private Ernst Schmidt, Co. C. Sergt. John Kenney, Co. E. Corpi. Joseph H. Murphy, Co. E. Private Thomas Williams, Co. E. Private Thomas Fletcher, Co. G. Private Henry D. Lasher, Co. G. Private Charles N. Thompson, Co. G. Sergt. Charles Gardner, Co. H. Private Thomas Carroll, Co. H. Private William Johnson, Co. H. Private Henry Jones, Co. H. Private Cornelius Mohoney, Co. H. Private Joseph Messmer, Co. I. Private Henry Pooler, Co. I. Private Richard Schottler, Co. I. Sergt. Charles Draner, Co. K. Private Frederick Bandka, Co. K. Private William Heiurichs, Co. K. Private Edward Kuhlmann, Co. K. Private Julius Ladiges, Co. K. Private Frederick Nilsen, Co. K. p ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-FIFTH NEW YORK. Lient. Seigmund SternI~erg, Co. I. Sergt. Maj. Abraham Loeb. Private Frank Markham, Co. A. Corpl. Timothy Allen, Co. B Private Otto Dornback, Co. C. Private Richard OGorman, Co. C. Private Patrick Mannering, Co. D. Sergt. William OCallaghan, Co. E. Sergt. James Hillis, Co. E. Private John O~Conner, Co. E. Corpi. Philip Daub, Co. K. ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-SEVENTH NEW YORK. Sergt. John D. Brooks, Co. A. CorpL Percy B. S. Cole, Co. A. Private Seymour D. Carpenter, Co. A. Private John J. Gallup, Co. A. Private Thomas J. Garvey. Private William Heinstreet, Co. A. Private John Housen, Co. A. Private Barney Lavary, Co. A. Private Richard C. Main, Co. A. Private Adam Milliman, Co. A. Private Henry von Lehman, Co. A. Corpi. George A. McCormick, Co. B. Private Eben Halley, Co. B. Private David N. Kirk, Co. B. Private Charles M. Smith, Co. B. Private Samuel H. Stevens, jr., Co. B. Private John Gorruan, Co. C. Private Moses De Coster, Co. D. Private Charles W. Lape, Co. E. Corpl. Alonzo G. Ludden, Co. G. Private S. W. Meisden, Co. G. Private Elias Nashold, Co. G. Private Jeddiah Tompkins, Co. G. Private Russell W. Cooneys, Co. H. Private George Merinus, Co. I. EIGHTH VERMONT. Sergt. Byron J. Hurlburt, Co. P. Corpl. Edward Saltus, Co. F. Private George N. Fanenf Co. F. Private David Larock,jr., Co. F. Private Abner Niles, Co. F. Corpl. Abner N. Flint, Co. G. Private Seymour N. Coles, Co. G. Private Lyman P. Luce, Co. G. Private Andrew B. Morgan, Co. H. Private Patrick Bolan, Co. I. FOURTH WISCONSIN. Private Patrick Pigeon, Co. A. I. PUBLIC RESOLUTION No. 7. RESOLUTION expressive of the thanks of Congress to Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Eanks, and the officers and soldiers under his command at Port Hudson. Resolved by the Senate. and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That the thanks of Congress are hereby tendered to Ma,j. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks, and the officers and soldiers nnder his command, for the skill, courage, and endurance which compelled the surrender of Port }Indson, and thus removed the last obstruction to the free navigation of the Mississippi River. Approved January 28, 1864 Page 67 CHAP. XXXVIII.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. No. 2. Returns of Casualties in the Union forces. [Compiled from nominal lists, returns, & c.] AT PLAINS STORE, LA., MAY 21, 1863. Killed. Wounded. Captured or missing. Command. -u -u ~ ii~ -4~ ~ ~ bfl I-. ii ~n n ii ,, ~, u ii --~ o ~ .~ ~ ,~ ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ -51 2d Louisiana 2 11 1 14 30th Massachusetts 1 3 4 48th Massachusetts 2 - - -. 7 11 20 49th Massachusetts 1 4 1 6 116th New York* 11 1 43 1 56 Total - 15 3 68 14 100 AT PORT RUPSON, LA., MAY 23-JULY 8,1863. NINETEENTH. ARMY CORPS. Maj. Gen. NATHANIEL P. BANKS. FIRST DIVISION. Maj. Gen. CHRISTOPHER C. AUGUR. First Brigade. (I) Col. EDWARD P. CHAPIN.t (2) Col. CHARLRS J. PAINE. 2d Louisiana 21st Maine . 48th Massachusetts 49th Massachusetts 116th New York.. 1 1 1 2 Total First Brigade - o Second Brigade. Brig. Gen. GODFREY WEITZEL4 Staff 12th Connecticut. 75th New York 114th New York 160th New York 8th Vermont - Total Second Brigade . Third Brigade. Col. NATHAN A. M. DUDLEY. 30th Massachusetts 50th Massachusetts 161st New York 174th New York Total Third Brigade 32 14 8 17 18 89 5 3 7 10 4 29 103 60 46 73 101 383 1 1 4 9 1 5 19 144 88 62 102 130 526 1 1 18 5 78....... 101 10 4 88 1 4 107 1 10 4 56 2 73 2 4 35 41 1 24 4 128 9 166 3 64 21 385 1 15 489 1 18 19 1 4 5 - 3 14 - .. - 17 2 9 3 14 5 2 45 3 55 * Lient. Charles Borusky, One hundred and sixteenth New York, died of wounds received in this action. t Killed May 27. t Weit~e1. also appears as commanding the right wing, the Fourth Division, and as general of the trenches, & c., and CoL Stephen Thowiao is reported on same records as commanding the brigade. 43 Page 68 68 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. AT PORT HUDSON, LA., MAY 23-JULY 8, 1863Continued. Killed. Wounded. Captured or missing. a a a Command. 8 8 8 ~ a ~ a ~ a a ~ a ~ a ~ a a -~ a ~ -~ ~ ,~ ~ 0 ~l 0 0 ~ Artillery. 1st Indiana Heavy 1st Maine Battery 6th Massachn9etts Battery 18th New York Battery 1st United States, Battery A 5th United States, Battery G Total artillery Unattached. 1st Louisiana Engineers, Corps dAfrique~ 1st Louisiana Native Guards 3d Louisiana Native Guards 1st Louisiana Cavalry 2d Rhode Island Cavalry Total unattached ..... Total First Division SECOND DIVISION. Brig. Gen. THOMAS W. SHERMAN.* Staff First Brigade. (1) Brig. Gen. NEAL IDOW.t (2) Col. DAvID S. COWLES. (3) Col. THOMAS S. CLARK. Staff 26th Connecticut 6th Michigan 15th New Hampshire 128th New York 162d New York Total First Brigade - Third Brigade. Brig. Gen. FRANK S. NICKERSON. 14th Maine - 24th Maine 28th Maine 165th New York 175th New York 177th New York Total Third Brigade Artillery. 1st Vermont Battery Total Second Division 1 2 1 4 4 1 3 2 10 7 32 9 5 53 1 1 2 3 1 1 5 10 19 1 3 12 2 47 26 92 37 6 5 166 1- 1 7 10 19 2 19 2 42 S II 22 20 1 3 19 4 69 53 129 51 30 8 271 12 221 59 1,026 3 89 1,410 2 2 1 2 1 14 19 17 21 5 76 1 9 5 3 3 3 24 151 124 07 47 474 1 1 1 2 5 3 11 I 176 149 77 129 59 591 5 5 23 33 13 13 3 1 5. 12 1 15 7 80 3 106 1 5 5 38 2 51 1 3 2 17 23 .3 31 20 179 5 238 1 6 7 8 108 46 659~ 1 16 838 * Wounded May 27, and was succeeded by Brig. Gen. George L. Andrews, chief of staff. Brig. Gen. Frank S. Nickerson assumed command May AS, and Brig. Gen~ William Dwight May 30. t Wounded May 27. t Killed May 27 Page 69 CHAP. XXXVIII.] SIEGE OP PORT HUDSON, LA. AT PORT HUDSON, LA., MAY 23-JULY 8, 1863Continued. Killed. Wounded. Captured or missing. Command. a a a S S S .~ . a ~ -~ a a a ,, ~ ~~ ;., -4~ H a a ~ a ..~ a a bD ~ .5 ll ~S ~ 5 bC r~ 0 ~ THIRD DIVISION. (1) Brig. Gen. ITALBERT B. PAINE.* (2) Col. HAwKNS F~ARINO, Jr. Staff First Briqade. (1) Col. TIMOTHY INGRAHAM. (2) Col. SAMUEL P. FERRIS. 28th Connecticut 4th Massachusetts . .. 110th New York Total First Brigade Seeend Brigade. (I) Col. HAWKES FEARING, Jr. (2) Maj. JOHN H. ALLCOT. 8th New Hampshire 133d New York 173d New York 4th Wiscoasinf Total Second Brigade Third Brigade. Col. OLIVER P. GoODING. 31st Massachusetts 38th Massachusetts 53d Massachusetts 156th New York Total Third-Brigade Artillery. 4th Massachusetts Battery. - . 1st United States, Battery F 2d Vermont Battery Total artillery Total Third Division FOURTH DIVISION. Brig. Gen. CUVIER GROVER. First Brigade. 1 2 1 1 S 7 4 43 57 21 1 10 9 1 3 2 4 16 6 121 1 19 167 4 26 7 191 2 28 258 1 22 5 85 2 115 2 ii 6 72 1 92~ 3 46 9 108 1 52 219 10 105 27 456 3 83 684 2 2 13 13 15 3 47 85 92 25 2 5 7 2 4 44 16 249 8 321 2 2 1. 2 3 2. 2 1 4...... 2 7 18 166 50 830 4 112 1, 180 Col. JOSEPH S. MORGAN. 1st Louisiana 1 30 22d Maine 4 90th New York 7 91st NewYork 2 19 131st New York 1 20 Total First Brigade Wounded June 14. t Includes losses at Clinton, June 3. 66 17 42 112 86 1 2 3 2 1 8 2 4 80 16 343 3 24 470 69 1 62 68 37 3 5 62 108 121 30 3 5 8 8 123 29 50 149 11 Page 70 70 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP XXXVIII. AT PORT HUDSON, LA., MAY 23-JULY 8, 1863Continued. Killed. Wounded. Captured or misatug. Command. a a a 8 8 8 .~ 0 . a ~ a ~ a a ~, a ,,~ a ,~ -~ ~ o . a .~ ,~ a 18 8 18 8 18 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ Second Brigade. Col. WILLIAM K. KIMBALL. 24th Connecticut 12th Maine 52d Massachusetts . Total Second Brigade Third Brigade. Col. HENRY W. BIRcH. 13th Connecticut 25th Connecticut 26th Maine 159th New York Total Third Brigade. Artillery. 2d Massachusetts Battery ~.. . 1st United States, Battery L 2d United States, Battery C - Total artillery Total Fourth Division CAVALRY. Col. BENJAMIN H. GRIERSON. 6thullinois ~. 7th Illinois 1st Louisiana 3d Massachusetts 14th New York Total cavalry * - .. CORPS DAFRIQUE. 6th Infantry 7th Infantry 8th Infantry 9th Infantry 10th Infantry 14 10 8 6 2 2 46 57 1 12 2 66 70 24 32 10 115 3 160 1 6 3 20 1 31 5 4 35 2 46 5 1 11 5 22 17 1 53 2 73 1 33 9 119 10 172 2 3 2 1 5 3 5 145 35 582 3 40 810 1 6 1 5 13 4 4 5 16 19 40 1 1 5 2 9 2 6 20 28 1 9 ..... 37 1 46 94 1 1 2 2 3 5 5 1 5 1 12 2 2 1 4 2 3 10 5 2 1 8 TotalCorps dAfrique 1 14 1 ]1 4 Total Nineteenth Army Corps 45 663 191 3, 145 12 307 31 4, 363 OFFICERS KILLED. - CONNECTICUT. Lient. Joseph Strickland, 13th Infantry. Capt. David D. Hoag, 28th Infantry. Capt. John L. Stanton, 26th Infantry. Lieut. Charles Durand, 28th Infantry. LOUISIANA. Col. Richard E. Holcomh, 1st Infantry. Lient. John H. Crowder, 1st Native Lieut. J. B. Butler, 1st Engineers, Corps Guards. d Afrigne. Maj. Adam Haffkille, 3d Native Guards. Capt. AndrewCailloux, 1st Native Guards. ~ These losses occurred mainly at Clinton, June 3 and 4 Page 71 Cwir. XXXVIII.J 71 SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. MAINE. Limit. Aaron W. Wallace, 21st Infantry. MAS8ACHUSETTS. Lient. Solon A. Perkins, 3d Cavalry (at Lient. Col. James OBrien, 48th Infantry. Clinton, La.). Lieut. CoI Burton D. Deming, 49th In- Capt. William H. Bartlett, 4th Infantry. fantry. Lient. Col. William L. Rodman, 38th In- Capt. George H. Bailey, 53d Infantry. fantry. Lient. Alfred B. Glover, 53d Infantry. Lient. Frederick Holmes, 38th Infantry. MICHIGAN. Lient. Frederick J. Clark, 6th Infantry. NEW HAMPSHIRE. Lient. Col. Oliver W. Lull, 8th Infantry. Lient. Luther T. Hosley, 8th Infantry. Lieut. George W. Thompson, 8th Infantry. Lient. Joseph Wallis, 8th Infantry. NEW YORK. Capt. Henry S. Elulbert, 91st Infantry. Lieut. Benjamin F. Denton, 133d Infantry. Lieut. Sylvester B. Shepard, 91st Infantry. Maj. James H. Bogart, 162d Infantry. Limit. Yalorus Randall, 110th Infantry. Lient. Charles R. Carville, 165th Infantry. Capt. Charles E. Tucker, 114th Infantry. Capt. Henry Cochen, 173d Infantry. Col. Edward P. Chapin, 116th Infantry. Lient. Morgan Shea, 173d Infantry. Lient. Timothy J. Linahan, 116th In. Col. Michael K. Bryan, 175th Infantry. fantry. Lient. James Williamson, 177th Infantry. Col. David S. Cowles, 128th Infantry. Lieut. Charles L. Van Slyck, ~128th In- fantry. Lient. Nathan 0. Benjamin, 131st In- fantry. VERMONT. Lieut. Stephen F. Spalding, 8th Infantry. WISCONSIN. Col. Sidney A. Bean, 4th Infantry. Lient. Gustavns Wintermeyer, 4th In- Lieut. Edward A. Clapp, 4th Infantry. fantry. UNITED STATES VOLUNTEERS. Capt. John B. Hubbard, assistant adju- Lient. Benjamin Wadsworth, 10th In tant-general. fantry, Corps dAfrique. OFFICERS MORTALLY WOUNDED. CONNECTICUT. Capt. Jedediah Randall, 26th Infantry. j Lient. Harvey F. Jacobs, 26th Infantry. Lieut. M~rtin R. Kenyon, 26th Infantry. LOUISIANA. Lient. Martin V. B. Hill, 1st Infantry. f Lieut. Jan~es E. Coburn,2d lufantry. Lient. Joseph K. Moulton, 2d Infantry. MAINE. Lient. John C. Fulton, 14th Infantry. Capt. Henry Crosby, 22d Infantry. Lient. Charles L. Stevens, 14th Infantry. MASSACHUSRTTS. Lient. James McGinniss, 48th Infantry. Capt. Jerome K. Taft, 53d Infantry. Lient. Isaac E. Judd, 49th Infantry. Lient. Josiah H. Vose, 53d Infantry. Capt. George S. Bliss, 52d Infantry Page 72 72 w. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. NEW YORK. Maj. GeorgeW. Stackhouse, 91st Infantry. Lieut. John Neville, 162d Infantry. Col. Elisha B. Smith, 114th Infantry. Lient. Col. Abel Smith, jr., 165th Infantry. Lient. David Jones, 116th Infantry. Maj. A. Power Galiway, 173d Infantry. Lieut. Col. Thomas Fowler, 156th In- Lient. Samuel H. Pod~er, 1734 Infantry. fantry. Capt. Harmon N. Merriman, 177th In- Lient. Stephen C. Oakley, 162d Infantry. fantry. WISCONSIN. Capt. Levi R. Blake, 4th Infantry. Lient. Daniel B. Maxson, 4th Infantry (at Clinton, La.). No. 3. Report of Lieut. Gol. Richard B. Irwin, Assistant Adjutant- General, U. S. Army, of affair at Springfield Landing. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, Before Port Hudson, July 3, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report that, in compliance With instructions, I visited Springfield Landing early this morning for the purpose of making an investigation of the circumstances attending the affair at that place of yesterday morning. I inclose a sketch,* rude but pretty ac- curate, of the locality. As the result of my inquiries, I respectfully re- port that, as nearly as can be ascertained, the enemys cavalry, in som e force, having surprised the picket of the One hundred and sixty-second New York, stationed on the old Springfield Landing road, made a dash at the Landing by that road, at half past 8 or 9 oclock yesterday morn- ing; that he approached to Within 150 yards of the road and to Within about 30 yards of the negroes before any alarm was given; that from that distance he charged upon the squad of 30 armed negroes who were guarding some quartermasters stores belonging to Ullmanns brigade; that these colored troops, being thus taken completely by surprise, and being in their tents, rushed to the adjoining woods; that the enemy, setting fire, by means of turpentine, to the quartermasters stores, divided into at least three parties, sending, first, 50 men straight down the road to the Landing; second, another force of about 50 men among the negro huts in the rear of the young cottonwood grove on the right of the road; and third, a force, said to be about 100 men, np the road toward the hill. The first detachment dashed down the road toward the river, turned sharp to the right, along the trail which keeps the edge of the young cottonwood, and made toward the ordnance depot, the quartermasters office, provost-marshals office, and sutlers shop. The officers and employ6s in that neighborhood rushed on board the Suffolk, which put out into the stream, and steamed up to the head of Profits Island. The provost-guard, consisting of 32 men, commanded by Capt. A. J. Hersey, Sixteenth New Hampshire, made light from behind the levee, and drove the enemy off, killing 3, including a captain, and wounding 5 of their nnmber. Captain ilerseys loss was 3 wounded, 3 prisoners, and 1 missing. The second force did no harm beyond terrifying the negroes. It was joined by the first detachment passing through the young cottonwood grove by the trail in rear of the provost-marshals * Not found Page 73 SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. 73 CHAP. XXXVIII.] office. The post commissary, Lieutenant Darling, hastily arranging a few boxes and barrels in form of a breastwork, and rallying some men, open~d fire npon the enemys rear and flank. By this time the One hundred and sixty-second New York, Lient. Col. J. W. Blanchard com- manding, had got under arms, and moved at double-quick through the trail from the commissary stores to the elbow of the levee. On arriving at the levee, the two detachments of the enemy above named, united as described, being at X [on sketch], the regiment was rapidly thrown for- ward into line, and opened fire upon them. They immediately retreated in some confusion toward old Springfield Landing. Lieutenant-Colonel Blanchard followed them as far as the point of woods, and then, replac- ing his captured picket, returned, and formed line behind the levee, his left resting on the road, and thus remained until evening. In this affair we lost 1 severely and 1 slightly wounded. The third detachment went up the road to.the hill, and took prisoners (afterward paroling) 4 of the picket at that place watching the ap- proach from above. Two others of that picket are missing, and the re- maining 9 escaped and came safely into camp. Where this detachment met the Second Rhode Island Cavalry, and what happened then, I can- not yet learn. By 11 oclock all was quiet. Our losses were, in all, 5 wounded, 12 prisoners, and 3 missing, and a full supply of clothing, camp and garrison equipage for nearly 1,000 men burned. A negro is supposed to have been drowned. Two plantation wagons were broken, and a number of mules got loose in the stampede of teamsters. Colo- nel Blanchard furnished the following pickets: 5 men by day and 15 at night, under an officer, near the old house on the old Springfield Land- ing road; 15 men on top of the hill by day, 25 at night, wat.ching the approach from above; 3 mounted men at night at old Springfield Landing. I attribute the surprise entirely to the negligence of the picket in allowing itself to be taken without a shot by an enemy who could not approach within 100 yards without being in sight. The pickets were, in my opinion, well posted. With any show of fidelity on their part, the surprise must have failed. The regimental commander visited them at 11 p. m. and 4 a. m. the night before, and says they were atten- tive; certainly I found them so to-day. I directed Lieutenant-Colonel Blanchard to post a picket of 5 men near the old house, and a reserve of 10 men about 100 yards this side, at a slight bend in the road, and to connect them by two vedettes as well as by patrols. Two colored sentinels, very wide awake, are posted in the middle of the field, about 200 yards from the main road. While I was at the Landing this after- noon, at about 1.30, the contrabands, seeing Lieutenant Sayles with 20 men coming from the same direction as yesterdays raiders, raising a wild cry of Rebels! The rebs is comm! rushed in a frantic, terror- stricken mass of men, women, and children, with loud cries, toward the river. At the bluff they were stopped by the bayonets of the Sixteenth New Hampshire, which formed with great promptitude behind the levee. The One hundred and sixty-second New York got under arms at once, came up at double-quick, and in about five minutes was in line at the road, but by this time the alarm was over. Two negroes rushed into the river and were drowned. This affords a pretty fair idea, I think, of the alarm of yesterday. I respectfully recommend 1. That the ammunition boat Suffolk be anchored in the stream, either above or below the chute. 2. That all the officers north of the main road be removed to the south side, where they will not be cut off from the troops, as they wer Page 74 74 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. (CHAP. XXXVIII. yesterday by the enemy and to-day by an impenetrable Crowd of con- trabands. 3. That all the able-bodied contrabands at Springfield Landing, needed for work there, be enrolled, organized, and kept for that pur- pose; that all such who are not needed for work there be turned over to Colonel lodge for work on the approaches; and that all non-effect- ive men and all the women and children be sent immediately to New Orleans. 4. That the cottonwood grove be cleared at once and entirely of all negroes, and policed. 5. That the camp of the One hundred and sixty-second New York be then moved to the levee, and that the regiment there encamp in line of battle, arms stacked, left resting on the main road. The sentinels of the police guard are then in plain sight of the reserves of the outposts. 6. If the contrabands cannot be sent to New Qrleans at once, I sug- gest that they be moved to Profits Island at once, for I am satisfied that no military post can exist in the constant fear of such a tumult as I witnessed to-day. 7. That the 50 men of the One hundred and sixty-second New York, whom General Dwight has detached to picket the road leading from his commissary store to the Plains, be immediately relieved, and re- turned to their regiment. I shall make the conduct of the Second Rhode Island Cavalry the subject of a special investigation to-morrow. Very respectfully, your most obedient servant, RICHD B. IRWIN, Assistant Adjutant-General. Maj. Gen. N. P. BANKS, Commanding Department of the Gulf. No.4. Reports of Capt. John C. Paifrey, U. S. Corps of Engineers, of opera tions July 56. BEFORE PORT HUDSON, July 6, 1863. COLONEL: I have the honor to submit the following report of the work in the trenches yesterday: The work in front of Captain Bainbridges battery advanced about 20 yards. The parallel before priest-cap was extended to the left about 11 yards. The zigzag was filled with sand-bags, to protect the work on a shaft. The heavy rain of the night prevented much work. The shaft to run obliquely nnder enemy~s salient was commenced. This was directed, instead of a vertical shaft with enveloping galleries, as shorter though more dangerous. The embrasure for Parrott guns in parallel not finished, and pro- gressing slowly. Left cavalier finished and occupied. Right one nearly finished, and injured constantly by eflemy~5 24-pounder gun. To-morrow morning the following working parties should report as follows, at 6 a. in.: One hundred men in rear of Captain Bainbridges battery, tc work on approach in front of that position Page 75 CHAP. XXXVIII.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. 75 Three hundred men at Captain Coxs battery, to work on main ap- proach of General Grover. One hundred men at navy battery, to finish covered approach to Captain Macks battery. Two hundred men to Colonel Johnson, at his camp near Slaughter~s house. These men may be either white or black. Respectfully, JOHN C. PALFIREY, Captain of Engineer8. Liout. Col. RICHARD B. IRWIN, As8istant Adjutant- General. BEFORE PORT HUDSON, July 7, 1863. COLONEL: I have the honor to submit the following report of the work done in the trenches yesterday: The sap in front of Captain Baiubridges battery was advanced about 42 feet. The parallel of General Grovers main approach was extended to the left about 65 feet. This was attempted at evening by a flying sap, and some difficulty was experienced in making the workmen stay in so very dangerous a situation. No work was done in the zigzag approach. The shaft toward the salient of priest-cap was carried about 27 feet in. A new approach was started from the parallel toward the south salient of priest-cap. The cavaliers were finished, except plank steps for the marksmen to stand on, the timber for which was received. The em- brasure for gun on left of cavalier was completed, and gun was to go in last night. To-morrow it is proposed to continue approach in front of Captain Bainbridges battery; to continue parallel to the left, and boyaux toward south salient of priest-cap, and shaft toward enemys salient; to put steps in cavaliers, and cornplete, as far as possible, steps and loopholes in parallel; to clear out and widen approach to Captain Macks battery, and start an approach from there to lead into our par- allel near priest-cap; to make a parallel in front of Colonel Johnsons approach. For this the following working parties should report at 6 a. m. on the 8th, as follows: One hundred men in rear of Captain Bainbridges battery. Three hundred men at Captain Coxs battery. Two hundred men at the navy battery. Two hundred men at headquarters of Colonel Johnson, Twenty-llrst Maine Volunteers. Ialso respectfully request that 500 colored troops may make 2,000 fascines, and collect them at the material depot near Captain Coxs old battery. Respectfully submitted. JOHN C. PALFREY, Captain of Engineer8. Lieut. Col. RICHARD B. IRWIN, Assistant Adjutant- General Page 76 76 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. No. 5. Report of Capt. William B. Roe, Sixteenth Michigan Infantry, Chief Signal Oflicer, of operations April 9July 8. NEW ORLEANS, LA., August 20, 1863. COLONEL: I have the honor to submit the following report, accom- panied by the individual reports of each acting signal officer, of the operations of the signal detachment serving with the army in this do. partment, from April 9, 1863, to the time of the surrender of Port Hud- son to the United States forces under Major.General Banks, July 8, 1863: A~s Captain Rowley (who was iu command of the corps until April 29) did not make a report of the operations of the corps in the Teche cam- paign, I will submit the report of the detachment under my charge at Baton Rouge during the time that Captain Rowley and party were oper- ating with the army on the Teche; also the official reports of each officer in his detachment, which will show the amount of duty performed by the corps, and by each officer, during the whole campaign. On the 8th of April, I received orders from General Augur, command- ing at Baton Rouge, to report to Captaiu Alden, ot the U. S. S. Rich- mond, for temporary duty. Accordingly, on the 9th, I proceeded with a party, consisting of Liout. George R. Herbert, of the signal corps, and Lieutenants Tenney and Deaii, of the Thirtieth Massachusetts Volun- teers, to the point opposite Port Hudson, and, with the help of a party from the U. S. S. Genesee, we succeeded by the nse of small boats (as the country was flooded by a crevasse) to so far penetrate the swamp as to convince ourselves that we could communicate with the admiral, was to be down on the 15th, by means of boats, if signals should fail. In the meantime the masts of the Richmond were raised to such a height that, on the 15th, we were able to signal over the trees with the admirals ship above the batteries of Port Hudson. We also sent a party across the point with mail, dispatches, & c. (See Captain Aldens report, a copy of which is inclosed; * also reports of Licut. S. M. Eaton, who was on duty on the Hartford, and Lieut. John C. Abbott, who was on duty on the Richmond.) Much valuable information was trans. mitted by signals between the two ships, which it would have been almost impossible to have obtained in any other way. From the 15th of April until the fall of Port Hudson, constant com- munication was held between the two ships by signals. On the 29th of April, Capt. William W. Rowleys term of service hav- ing expired, I was placed in command cf the corps by special orders from headquarters Department of the Gulf, and immediately entered upon the discharge of my duties. Lient. Joseph L. Hallett was placed in charge of the detachment at Baton Rouge, which consisted of 6 offi- cers, one of whom was in charge of the signal telegraph train. On the 19th of May, in obedience to orders from Major-General Banks, I accompanied him to the headquarters of the army, then at Simsport, La., and ordered the remainder of the party to proceed by first train to same point. Immediately on my arrival, May 21, I received orders from yourself to place an officer on the U. S. S. Hartford. Accordingly, Lient. Ros * Not found Page 77 CHAP. XXXVIII.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. 77 well C. Harris was sent on board, and Lient. Thomas S. Hall reported for duty to General Grover, who was then on the move toward Bayou Sara. On the morning of the 23d, headquarters moved to Bayou Sara, and on 24th received orders from yourself to place an efficient officer on board the Hartford, in place of Lient. IR. C. Harris (who was unable to work the station, it being so elevated), in obedience to which Lient. S. M. Eaton was ordered to her. The same day, Lieut. Thomas S. Hall was relieved from duty with General Grover, and Lients. John C. Abbott and B. C. Harris were ordered on duty with him. I found that com- munication with the Hartford, Richmond, and thence to General Augur, could be obtained by establishing ~ station at Bayou Sara. Accord. ingly, Lieutenant Hall was placed upon the Episcopal church, and communication was established. Lieutenant Hallett and his party were at this time with General Augur in the rear of Port Hudson, and had communication from Springfield Landing to the Richmond by signals, and from same point to General Augurs headquarters by means of signal telegraph train. May 23, headquarters moved to a point near Port Hudson, and on the 24th I had verbal communication with Lieutenant Hallett, who was with General Augur. On the 26th, Lients. E. H. Russell and John W. Dana were ordered to report to General Weitzel for duty, and my attention was directed to establishing stations, so as to have communication between the differ- ent headquartersa task which I found to be very difficult, as the country was very thickly wooded, and our lines were not far enough advanced to warrant me in establishing stations very near the bat- teries. Consequently the corps did not prove of much service during the first assault; still, the officers acted as aides to the different generals with whom they were attached, and communication was held with the fleet above and below the batteries by means of signal telegraph train to Springfield Landing, and thence by signals to the fleet. May 30, communication was opened with the Richmond from the tree-tops on the right and left of our lines. On the 31st, I ordered Lient. John C. Abbott to the Richmond, to assist Lieut. A. M. Jackson, there being four stations to communicate with from that ship. At this time communication was established from the commanding generals headquarters direct to the Richmond, Hartford, and Spring- field Landing, it being so arranged that the stations were at or near - the headquarters of Generals Grover and Dwight. Many official messages were sent from the headquarters to the Rich- mond and Hartford. (Please see reports of Lieutenants Eaton, Abbott, and Jackson.) On the day of the second assault, signal communication was held be- tween the headquarters of Major-General Banks in the center, and Gen- eral Dwight on the left of our line, by which the commanding general could be informed at any time of the progress of General Dwight. (For a copy of messages, see reports of Lieutenants Hall and Rundlett.) The line from the generals headquarters to the ships was kept in working order until Port Hudson surrendered. On the 29th of June, Lieutenant Dana was ordered to the left, to com- municate with Lieutenant Eaton (whose station was in a barn, from which could be seen most of the enemys guns on the river front), for the purpose of directing the shots from our guns on the left upon -those of the enemy. (Please see report of Lieutenant Dana on directing shots.) The signal telegraph train proved of great service, and from May 28 t Page 78 78 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [0w4r. xxxvia the time that I was ordered to deliver the wire to Captain Bulkley, June 5, two hundred and fifty-five official messages were sent, many of which were sent from Springfield Landing to the fleet by Lieutenant Jencks, signal officer at that point. The country being so level and thickly wooded, it was almost impossible to establish stations; still, in our main line there were ten stations, eight of which were in tree-tops or on masts of vessels. Three stations of observation, which were also in tree-tops, and three stations which are not described, were likewise built in trees, and were abandoned for the reason of their being in range of the enemys sharpshooters. In fact, all the main stations were within range of the enemys guns. Some officers were driven from their sta- tions, but in every case returned again as soon as the firing was over. - All the officers and men in the detachment have shown a willingness to comply in every particular with the orders given them, and, in many instances, have shown a determination to do all in their power to pro- mote the efficiency of the corps. I inclose the reports of each officer, also a map sho~ving the stations, the dotted lines showing over which points the signals were worked.* My desire and determination is to have the corps in this department as good as any in the service, and know if we have the countenance and confidence of the commanding generals we shall be of great serv- ice in the army and to the country. I have the honor to be, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. B. ROE, Captain, and Chief of Signal ~Jorps, D~~artment of the Gulf. Lient. Col. RICHARD B. IRWIN, Assistant Adjutant- General, Department of the Gulf. No. 6. Report of Lient. John C. Abbott, Thirteenth Connecticut Infantry, Acting Signal Officer, of operations June 2July 215. NEW ORLEANS, LA., July 27, 1863. Slit: In obedience to Captain Roes orders, I proceeded to the signal station on the U.S. S. Richmond,where I have been in communication with four stations, viz: Lteutenant Eatons, on the Hartford; Lieutenant Russells, on the right of the line of our army; Lieutenant Halls, on the left; and Lieutenant Jencks, at Springfield Landing. The following is a correct transcript of messages sent and received by me from June 2, 1863, to July 25, 1863, inclusive: U. S. S. HARTFORD, June 2. Commodore PALMER: Send prisoners, and tell Colonel Benedict to send contrabands and mules. FARRAGUT, Admiral. JuNE 4. Admiral FARRAGUT: The enemy number their water batteries 1, 2 fro in up the river down. The main magazine is behind Battery No. 6, and about %0 to 500 yards back from the river. BANKS, General. Map omitted Page 79 CHAr. XXXVIII.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. 79 JUNE 5. Captain ALDEN: I desire you to fire one of your riJle pieces upon the rebel pivot gun. GROVER, General. One message omitted here by mistake. JUNE 6. Admiral FARRAGUT: The shelling of the mortar-boats on Thursday night was reported to have seriously inconvenienced the enemy. Beef-cattle killed, and wounded many, and rendered a regimental camp untenable. The bulk of the shot passed a little to the left and be- yond the main magazine. The sleep of half of the garrison was prevented. BANKS, General. JUNE 6. General BANKS: I have him under my control. The minute he opens, I silence him. FARRAGIJT, Admiral. JUNE 6. Admiral FARRAGUT: Your note of yesterday received. The sextant has arrived; it will be taken care of and returned safely. Much obliged with your offer in regard to the boats in Bayou Sara. We heard of their safety yesterday, but would like particulars. Thanks for the hand-grenades. BANKS, General. JUNE 9. General BANKS: Hammering and building is reported at the mouth of Thompsons Creek. Can you account for it? FARRAGUT, Admiral. JUNE 9. Admiral FARRAGUT: We have men near by the creek, and will report to you. All going well. BANKS, General. SPRINGFIELD LANDING, June 9. Admiral FARRAGUT: Colonel Prince has been to-day to the mouth of Thompsons Creek, on the east bank, and reports neither bearing nor seeing anything of the enemy in that neighbor- hood. Our picket line is complete to the captured steamboats, whence it is extended by frequent patrols beyond the steamboats to the river. The crossing of Thompsons Creek is reported impracticable. We burned the enemys store-house this afternoon. BANKS, General. JUNE 9. Admiral FARRAGUT: Opened fire at 11 a. m. from the heavy guns and mortars, and fired slowly during the day, with good range and excellent effect, driving the enemy away from the para- pet. Our fire was, except in one or two cases, unanswered. The navy guns were admirably served. Please keep up your mortar fire during the whole of the night. We shall fire slowly all night. We will send you a report of the operations at the mouth of Thompsons Creek this evening. BANKS, General Page 80 80 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXYIIL Admiral FARRAGUT: JUNE 10. Please send to Springfield Landing 500 blank cartridges, 50 shrapnel, 500 shell, aud 50 solid shot for the 9-inch navy guns. Please let me know when they will be there. BANKS, General. General BANKS: JUNE 10. The ammunition you asked for will be at Springfield Landing at 5 p. m. ALDEN, Captain. JUNE 12. Admiral FARRAGrJT: Your letter is received; will send an answer about charges desired for the navy guns. BANKS, General. JUNE 12. General BANKS: Your request will be attended to. FAIIRAGUT, Admiral. JUNE 13. Admiral FARKAGUT: Please send an order to the company of sharpshooters from the Arizona, said to be ashore at Saint Francisville, to join their regiment at once. BANKS, General. JUNE 13. General BANKS: Commodore Palmer sent me word, and I sent it to you, that the sharpshooters of the Arizona had joined their regiment some time before the Arizona went up the river to Natchez, but will send over by the first opportunity. FARRAGUT, Admiral. SPRINGFIELD LANDING, June 13. Admiral FAIIRAGUT: Dispatches to General Grant delivered in person. Chief engineer asks, Can you give Captain Baker four 30-pounder Parrott guns, and what kind of carriages? J. T. BARKER, Captain and Engineer. JUNE 13. Capt. J. T. BARKER, Engineer: The admiral has no 30-pounder Parrott guns here. It is understood there is a large number belonging to the army at New Orleans in store. T. A. JENKINS, Captain, and Chief of Staff. JUNE 13. Admiral FAREAGUT: Colonel informs me that you told him that you bad received orders not to fire; if so, it must be a great mistake in some of my dispatches. Please continue the fire of your mortars all night. We shall fire all night, also. BANKS, General. JUNE 13. Admiral FARRAGUT: Please send as many shrapnel as you can spare for the 9-inch navy guns. Gen- eral Gardner answers that his duty requires him to defend the place, and he declines to surrender. BANKS, General Page 81 CHAr. XXXVIII.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. General BANKS: Ammunition for the naval battery just received, and will be sent this a. m. to Springlield Lauding. T. A. JENKINS, Captain, and Chief of Staff. JuNE 14. Admiral FARRAGUT: Getting very short of ammunition. Please send us as much Dahigren ammuni- tion as you can spare, to the extent of 800 rounds, chiefly shell and shrapnel. Can you spare any 520.pounder Parrott ammunition ~ BANKS, General. SPRINGFIELD LANDING, June 1~i. Lieutenant SdHLEY: Send me as many 5-second fuses as you can possibly spare to Springfield Landing, care of General Arnold, chief of artillery. E. TERRY. JuNE 15. General BANKS: Sir: From information received, I think an attack will be soon made upon my forces by a large force of cavalry. If the enemy does not attack me to-day, I shall move my force to the lower fleet, for the purpose of getting a safe position and near supplies. C. H. SAGE, Colonel, Commanding. JUNE 15. General BANKS: I can deliver in New Orleans one thousand 30-pounder Partott shot or shell, and six hundred 20-pounder Parrott shot or shell. If wanted, telegraph to Commodore Morris for it to be sent in an rmy transport. FARRAGUT, Admiral. SPRINGFIELD LANDING, June 17. Admiral FARRAGUT: Can you send me two surgeons, as wounded are coining in very fast, and I am short-handed. J. C. FISHER, Medical Director, JUNE 17. J. C. FIsnER, Medical Director: I have but one surgeon. FARRAGIJT, Admiral. U. S. GUNBOAT WINONA, Donaldsonville, June 18. Admiral FARRAGUT: SIR: The enemy is in force uear Plaquerninecavalry, infantry, and artillery. The force that made this mornings raid numbered 300. It seems they intended attacking this place. I at once proceeded here as quickly as possible. The commanding officer expects an attack. With the assistance of a gunboat, the fort can be held, iTl my opinion, against any force the rebels can bring. A. W. WEAVER, Lieutenant-Commander. 6 ii HVOL XXVI, PT I 8 Page 82 82 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIIL JUNE 20. Commodore PALMER: The admiral has sent a pilot for one of your vessels. Shall I send him over? We liave a few letters for your fleet. All quiet here and below. JAMES ALDEN,. Captain. Admiral FARRAGUT: Please open fire with your mortars only at 11 p. in., and cease firing at exactly 10 a. in. Throw your shell as nearly as possible in the center of the works. BANKS, General. JUNE 28. General BANKS: I sent the Genesee, a powerful gunboat, at daylight this morning to I)onaldson- vill~, with Lieutenant Harwood on board. ALDEN, Captain. JUNE 28. Captain ALDEN: The commanding general requests that you spare your tug to take ammunitiog from Springfield Landing to Donaldsonville. Please answer. RICHl) B. IRWIN, Assistant Adjutant-General. General BANKS: About 6,000 contrabands here. Please send a steamer for them. Have ceased firing on account of troops being in direct line of fire. JAMES ALDEN, Captain. JULY 7. Colonel IRWIN: The Hebe will be at Essexs berth at sunset. Admiral gone down the river. I follow at once on Saint Marys. C. EMERSON, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. JULY 8. Admiral FARRAGUT: Bands will pla, and we shall fire a salute of one hundred guns from right to left at noon; will be glad to have you participate. N. P. BANKS. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN C. ABBOTT, Second Lieut. Thirteenth Conn. Vols., Acting Signal Officer. Lient. GEORGE R. HERBERT, Acting Adjutant, Signal Corps. No. 7. Report of Lieut. Milton Benner, Second Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, Acting Signal Officer, of operations May 23June 5. HDQRS. SIGNAL TELEGRAPH TIIAIN, DEPT. OF THE GULF, Springfield Landing, June 10, 11863. Sm: I have the honor to submit the following report of operations of the signal telegraph train from May 23 to June 5, inclusive: On the 23d ultiino, in accordance with instructions from Major-General Augur, the wire was run out on the Springfield road from Springfiel Page 83 CHAP. XXXVIII.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. 83 Lauding (our depot for supplies) to a point on that road where it con- nects with the Bayou Sara road, and about 1 mile from Placion Church, near Barnes Cross-Roads. Communications from the telegraph sta- tion near the Cross-Roads were conveyed to their destinations by order- lies detailed for that purpose by General Augur. The line was in good working order until June 5, when I was directed by the chief signal officer to turn my wire over to Captain Bulkley, of the United States Military Telegraph, for temporary nse, and the same to be worked by his instruments. Up to the time of writing, the wire remains in his pos- session. I inclose copies of a few messages only, as it would require too much space and time to give you complete files of all transmitted. The fol- lowing shows the operations for each day so long as the wire was worked by my instruments: May 23: Number of messages 10 Number of words 370 Average number of words... 37 May 24: Number of messages 14 Number of words 461 Average number of words 33 May 25: Number of messages 18 Number of words 580 Average number of words 32 May 26: Number of messages 6 Number of words - - - 136 Average number of words - 22 May 27: Number of messages 12 Number of words 421 Average number of words 35 May 2~: Number of messages 20 Number of words 813 Average number of words. - . - 40 May 29: Number of messages 18 Number of words 700 Average number of words 39 May 30: Number of messages 28 Number of words - 1,124 Average number of words 44 May 31: Number of messages 15 Number of words 505 Average number of words $3 June 1: Number of messages 14 Number of words 382 Average number of words 27 June 2: Number of messages 22 - Number of words 612 Average number of words - 27 June 3: Number of messages - - 27 Number of words 591 Average number of words 21 June 4: Number of messages 30 Number of words - - - 702 Average number of words 2 Page 84 84 w. FLA., s. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIIL June 5: Number of messages 11 Number of words - - - 425 Aveiage nn~ber of words RECAPITULATION. Number of messages 245 Number of words 7,822 Average number of words 31 Respectfully submitted. Your obedient servant, MILTON BENNEB, Acting Signal Officer. [Inclosures.] HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES FORCES, Near Port Hudson, May 23, 1863. To Signal Officer in command of Signal Telegraph, near Placion Church: SIR: The following good news has just been received from Colonel Grierson: We are half a mile ortli of the railroad. Have met General Grover with his divis- ion. General Banks is 3 miles back. News from General Grant is glorious. He cut Johnstons forces to pieces, capturing sixly-one pieces of artillery. He has Yicksburg hemmed ia so they cannot u~e their siege guns. C. C. AUGUR, Major- General, Commanding. Send the above dispatch to the fleet. U. B. IIALSTED, Assistant Adjutant- General. HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, Plains Store, May 24, 18636 p. m. Captain ALDEN, Commanding the Richmond: General Banks is up with his forces, and we close in around the fort this morning, ud will probably open upon them in the course of the day. The general wishes me to say that he will keep the admiral informed of the progress of affairs. C. C. AUGUR, Major- General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, Rileys, before Port Hudson, ]Iliay 26, 1863Noon. Rear-Admiral FARRAGUT, U. S. Navy, Flagship Hartford: ADMIRAL: The commanding general is at the front. I will forward your dispatch to hini 1mw ediately; meanwhile, I take the liberty of stating our position early this morning: Sherman on the left, in ad- vance of the enemys first line of rifle-pits, having his pickets at the front edge of a skirt of woods, separated from the enemys main line of works by an open plain. His position is in front of the school-house. Augur next, on the ron Is from the Plains to Port Hudson, and well advanced. Grover on the Jackson Railroad, holding the front edge o Page 85 CHAP. XXXVIII.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. a wood which is within from 200 to 400 yards of the apparent center of the works, andiu plain sight and easy range of them. Weitzel, with his own brigade, Dwights, and Paines (Emorys division), reduced to about a brigade, on the right, near where the Telegraph road from Port Hud- son to Bayou Sara crosses Big Sandy Creek. This morning everybody except Grover has closed up, and Grover cannot close up without taking the works in front of him. Thus the place is completely invested. I understand that the com- manding geuera1~s intention is to make the decisive attack to-morrow morning, but upon this point I do not speak officially or decidedly, as everything, of course, depends upon circumstances, which an hour might totally change. I have the honor to be, sir, with great respect, your most obedient servant, RJCIID B. IRWIN, Assistant Adjutant- General. No. 8. Report of Lieut. John W. Dana, Twelfth Maine Infantry, Acting Signal Officer, of operations June 29July 3. NEW ORLEANS, LA., J ly 27, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report that on the 29th of June, 1863, I was ordered to open communication with the mortar battery on the left of our line at Port Hudson with Lieutenant Eaton. whose station was in a barn on the opposite side of the river, from which he could see the enemys river [batteries], with the aim of directing fire of our guns and mortars upon enemys batteries. The following is a correct transcript of messages sent and received by me while there: JuSE 29, 1563. Sent. How shall the mortars fire to hit the gun on wheels behind the citadel? How many yards is it I Received. Three hundred and fifty. The gun is not there. Sent. Where is it I Received. Eight hundred [yards] on the verge of the bank. Sent. Is it a rifled gun, about 1.28-pounder ? Received. Yes. Sent. Eight hundred yards from here ? Received. Yes. Sent. Watch a shot fired at it from here. How was that ? Received. Try it again at 500 yards. Received. Neither shell exploded. F. L. L. Sent. Did they fall in the river I Received. No. F. L. L. Sent. Watch now. Received. Splendid range; fire 100 yards short of last shot; that did not explode; could not see where it fell. Sent. Will try it again; keep watch. Received. That fell 150 yards short; range good. Sent. Was not fired at it; watch now. Did you see that ? Received. No, did not; can seldom see them unless they burst. Sent. Will cease firing for the present. Can you see the rebs in the citadel I Received. No; but scores of them on this side. Sent. Direct fire at them. Orders are to cease firing for the present. Received. Will they permit you to direct fire of one of the Farrotts ? Sent. They only bear on the citadel, and all firing has ceased. 8 Page 86 86 XV. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVITL During this day we were directing the fire of the mortars. On July 1, we were again at the same station, and the following are the messages received and sent: Sent. Can you see the gun that is firingnow? Received. The rebels from opposite rue are firing. Sent. Are they together? Received. No; one is 600 yards, the next 1,000 yards, and the next 1,200 yards from your battery. Sent. On the river bank? Received. Yes, within 50 yards of it. Sent. How was that shell from here ? Received. Dont know. Can direct fire of yonr guns, if you are ready. Sent. Ready now; firing at second gun; watch now. Received. Your last shot was very good; a little to the right. Sent. How was that? Received. F. L. L. and 100 yards short. Sent. Have rebel shell done any damare to ou Received. Cant say. ~ r battery on right bank? Sent. Send a man to find [outi, if not too dangerous. Watch fire of these mor- tars particularly. How was that? Received. Did not explode? Sent. How far to gun nearest citadel ? Received. Six hundred yards. Sent. Chart says 85 yards from here. Received. 0. K. Sent. Will fire at it. Received. Fell 200 yards short; range good. Received. The fifth gnu in our battery hit the lower rebel piece last shoL Tell them to F. L. L. and a hair lower. Just lit it a am. Sent. See last shot? g Received. It was 10 feet to the left. Sent. I mean the mortar shot. Received. Strnck in the citadel, 200 yards short. Sent. How is this one? Received. One hundred nnd fifty yards short. Received. One Parrott on this bank is disabled. Sent. How? Received. Hit by a shot. Sent. Yes, but how badly disabled, and hit in what part? Received. The carriage was hit underneath. No great damage done. Last shot was 100 yards too short. Sent. General Stone wants to know if any damage has been done to rebel guns. Received. Our fifth gun has hit the breastwork of the big rifle four times. Its fire is splendid. Can dismount it soon. No other damage done. Sent. You say your fifth gun ? Received. Yes, from the left. Sent. Is the carriage of our Parrott gun too much disabled to be immediately repaired? Received. The sixth gun has just made a glorious shot. I think not; believe they are working on it; am not sure. Let the sixth gun fire 16 feet more to the left. Sent. How now about the fifib and sixth guns? Received. No. 6 gnu is the bully boy. Sent. Can you give it any direction to make it any more bully? Received. Last shot was a little to the right. Received. Fire sixth immediately. Rebs are fixing rifle; sixth can stop them. Sent. Report immediately any damage done to our guns. Sent. Have ceased firing until rebs open again. Did fifth and sixth have good aims? Received. Yes, they have knocked half the earthworks over before the rifle. Sent. Can they now hit it with same aim? Received. Yes. Sent. Will fire at rifle. Now report every shot. Received. S. S. E. I mean from guns just fired. I must know what guns are to fire. Sent. Only one in this battery. Cannot see your signals at all because of smoke and darkness. Now can see. Received. Do you know which gun is firing? Is it fifth or sixth. Sent. Neither; tis a navy Dahlgren, which I want you to direct the fire of. Received. 0. K Page 87 CHAP. XXXVIII.) 87 SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. SAME STATION, JULY 2, 1863. Received. No. 1 fires a shade too low. Sent. Report everything important in regard to battery on right bank. Received. Whatever I know. Lieutenant SLACK: Please ask Captain Closson to send me to.day twenty boxes spherical case and twenty boxes shells. BRADLEY, Lieutenant. Received. Big rifle is just disabled by our Parrott. Sent. How badly; any need of big battery firing at it any more? Received. The gun has pitched forward. Sent. We are firing at gun in ravine behind the citadel. How was that? Received. I cant see any mounted within 1,000 yards of citadel. How was that? Received. One thousand yards. I should like to direct the fire of guns No. 9 or 10. Received. The last mortar shell fell 70 yards from the disabled ~, un. Two fine guns lowest down on the river bank are firing at our Parrotts. Sent. You can direct the fire of No. 9; tis a 24-pounder siege gun. Will wait for your report after each shot. Did you see last shot? Lieutenant BRADLEY: Cease firing for the present, and withdraw your section from the bank. RTCHARD ARNOLD, Brigadier-General. Received. Last shot was 10 yards to the right. Sent. How was last shot from howitzer? Received. The last shot but one was 10 yards to the right. The last shot of all was sp)endid; only 3 feet to the right. Received. Good shot; F. L. L. Received. Y. L. L. That shot struck the breastwork 8 feet to the right of the gun, F. L. L., and a little lower. Sent. And the last? Received. Had good rauge, but was 100 yards short. Received. That burst short. Received. The last shot was 10 yards to the right. This shot was capital; afrac- tion high. Received. Last shot was 10 yards to right. Sent. Cannot get it any farther to the left. Where is the seconi rebel gun; cant it fire at that? How was the last shot? Received. A little too high. Received. The lower gun is 45 yards from river; the second gun is a little farther np and 400 yards from him; last shot a little too high. Sent. Are we firing at lower or second gun l Received. The howitzer is firing at the second gun, the other to your right of both. The howitzers shells go 2 feet over the gun every time. Received. Last shot was too high; little too high again. Received. Cant they or wont they depress that gun l Sent. Wont, I guess; was that any better, and that ? Received. Both, and forever too high. Sent. Cease signaling. Received. Cease signaling. On the 3d, I was again at the battery, but no firing was done during the day. Did not go again. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN W. DANA, Second Lieutenant, and Acting Signal Officer. Lient. GEORGE R. HERBERT, Adjutant Signal Corps, Department of the Gulf Page 88 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., ~. MEX. (C~IAr. xxxvm. No. 9. Report of Lieut. Stephen M. Eaton, Twelfth Maine Infantry, Acting Signal Officer, of operations March 13July 11. NEW ORLEANS, LA., July 15, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of signal duty performed by me while on and attached to-the U. S. S. Hartford, on the Mississippi River, between Port Hudson and Yicksburg, from March 13 to July 11, 1863: In compliance with Special Orders, No. 24, Headquarters Signal Corps, Baton Rouge, La., March 13, 1863, I reported for duty the same day, with Lieutenants Jeneks and Abbott, and with our respective par- ties, to Admiral Farragut, on flagship Hartford. In furtherance of orders on the subsequent day, Lieutenant Jencks and party were transferred to the iron-clad Essex, and Lieutenant Abbott and party to U. S. S. i{ichmond. At 9 p. m. of Saturday, March 14, the fleet, in line of battle, by pairs, and lashed together, advanced to run the gauntlet of the Port Hudson batteries. After a gallant and stubborn fight, the Hartford and her consort, the Albatross, succeeded, and caine to anchor at midiiight above the forti- fications, and well out of range. My efforts the next morning to communicate with the unsuccessful vessels below from the mast-head were to no purpose. The intervening woods were too high, and the admiral declined my proposal to cross the Point. At 10 a. m. we sailed for Red River and Yicksburg. Had a sharp engagement at Grand Gulf ou the 19th, and five separate engagements with the Warrenton batteries, from March 20 to larch 30. During these ten days, I exchanged signals repeatedly with certain of Admiral Porters officers. On the 15th of April, the Hartford steamed down within view of Port Hudson, and anchored. I immediately opened communication with the Richmond, distant, by the river, 10 miles; in an air-line, 6 miles. Here signal station had been raised to a height of 160 feet. My station was 135 feet high. The following is a correct transcript of the messages sent and received, then and afterward, by me: U. S. S. HARTFORD, April 15, 186311 a. m. All well. Gabaudan arrived safely at Baton Rouge, missing the upper fleet. Queeu of the West was captured in Grand Lake April 14. Captain [E. W.] Fuller and crew prisoners at Berwick Bay. The enemy evacuated his works at Centreville last night, but will probably be captured, as he is between Emory and Grover. Leaving his guns and ammunition. T. W. SHERMAN, Brigadier-General. Can send a party to you across the Point in skiffs, coming out at lower mouth of False Run. JAMES ALDEN. Sent. Who are you, and what ship? Abbott. The Richmond. Captain ALDEN: I want my secretary and dispatches if they can be sent me safely. I wish to re. turn to Red River to-morrow morning. Answer. FARRAGUT, Admiral Page 89 Owir. XXXVIII.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. 89 Gabaudan starts immediately with a party. Send a boat to meet them at lower mouth False River, to dike, half a mile up the river. ALDEN, Cojptain. How is Captain McKinstry? Is Cummings dead? We are all well, but want the news. FARRAGUT, Admiral. Cummings died on the 17th. The captain is doing well. Drop down half a mile, and wait half an hour. ALDEN. Sent. Steam ahead 300 or 400 yards, and watch my flag. Received. Cease signaling. Sent. Cease signaling. 4 P. M. Received. Have yoa sent your boat? It is time the party had arrived. Sent. The boats are here. Cease signaling. Received. Has the party arrived? Yes. The officers return to-morrow morning. Send the mail early in the morning. Cease signaling. FARRAGUT, Admiral. Received. All right. Cease signaling. APRIL 16a. m. Captain ALDEN: The mail has gone over. Has it arrived? I will return here on Thursday. D. G. F. The mail has arrived. Shall we send you ships letters? We have many official letters for the admiral. ALDEN. Send the letters, but not papers, at once. D. G. F. Three or four river steamers are seen almost daily at Port Hudson, bringing stores. They are probably now in Thompsons Creek. J. A. The party with letters has started. We bear firing below, and are going down. Cease signaling. J. A. Sent. Cease signaling. APRIL 20. Admiral FARRAGUT: We marched on Opelousas at 6 a. m. Can be in Alexandria the last week of the month. Can gunboats meet me there? Have burned three gunboats and many trans- ports. Captured 2,000 prisoners with best officers of army and navy, and am still pursuing. When will Grant be down? BANKS, General. Any news from the north? FARRAGUT, Admiral. Received. Attack made on Charleston the 7th instant. Nothing reliable since. Rebels look glum. Fox, in a letter to Smith, says: We feel no regret at the attempt, for the nuilinching qualities displayed make us forget Galveston. Captain ALDEN: Can you send my mail? FARRAGU1. We have no letters of importance. Hear you have five more gunboats. ALDEN. Sent. Did Swaun return safely? Yes. Circassian reports all well on the coast of Texas. The Brooklyn will go to Ship Island to repair. Pocahontas boilers are worn out. Shall I order a survey, and, if condemned, shall I order her north? I have ordered the court of inquiry, a Page 90 90 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIIL Pensacola, on Commodore Hitchcock, about the Floridas escape. I have ordered him north with the Susquehanna as soon as his court is over, as ordered by the Secretary of the Navy. HENRY W. MORRIS, Commodore. General BANKS: Glad to~ learn your successes. Unless gunboats come from Vicksburg, I have none that could pass Fort De Russy, at Gordons Landing. I can bear nothing from Grant until the five boats below Vicksburg arrive. Port Hudson on half rations. Troops discontented. Enemy sent to Arkansas for troops for Taylor. Nothing to impede communication with me in the Atchafalaya. IX G. FARRAGUT, Admiral. Sent. Cease signaling. Received. Cease signaling. APRIL 248 a. m. Captain ALDEN: As you have the guides, send one immediately. I will have a force at the Landing. My letters will explain everything. Will send immediately. JAMES ALDEN. I have 15 or 20 contrabands I must send over. No place for them. Can I do it safely? D. G. ~. If you have skiffs to send with them, you can. J. A. Tell Mr. Schley to send my valise and few shirts. GABAUDAN. Our party has started. JAMES ALDEN. GABAUDAN: Did you get your message in time? Love to Watson and Kimberly. SCHLEY. Have you all the dispatches now ~ EATON. Received. All right. Have you been re-enforced by gunboats; and bow many have passed Yicksburg? Captain ALDEN: Glad the Department approves our conduct. Efforts cannot always command success. D. G. FA1~RAGUT. When shall I look for you again? ALDEN. I hope to be down again on Saturday, the 2d. D. G. F. Are you 23? EATON. Received. Yea. Sent. Any other officer with you? Jieceived. No; I called you a long time last night. Did you not see me? Sent. All the time; but the admiral objected to my answering. Danger of fire. Let us know when Swann arrives. Until the~n cease signaling. D.G.F. What firing took you down river last Thursday? D. G. F Page 91 CHAP. XXXVIII.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. Practiced with the heavy guns at Baton Rouge. J. A. Sent. Swann is here. 0. K. Let us know when they return. ALDEN. Sent. They have just started. Received. My station is very shaky. I wish you always to give it time to get still before you answer. The flagman and myself occupy the same box (23). Sent. 0. K. ADMIRAL: When do yon go up? ALDEN. Immediately. D. G. F. Sent. Cease signaling. Received. C. S. U. S. S. HARTFORD, 0 posite Mouth of Red River, May 4i a. m. Soon after midnight of May 4 an alarm beat to quarters. A large fleet was dis- covered descending the Mississippi. We exchanged messages. PORTER, Admiral. IRON-CLAD BENTON. My compliments. FARRAGUT, Admiral. I will be on board immediately. PORTER. NEAR PORT HUDSON, May 512.30 p. m. Captain ALDEN: Did Swann get over safely~ I am in communication with Banks and Grant. Porter arrived Sunday night with four iron-dads, and is now up Red River. FARRAGUT, Admiral. Swaun is here. Large lot of corn at lower mouth of False River. Two regiments of Illinois cavalry, from Tennessee, reached Baton Rouge on the 2d. Left the 27th. They came down the Jackson and New Orleans Railroad, destroying much of it; all the bridges, cars, and locomotives. Heard heavy firing on the 29th at Grand Gulf. Lost I man killed, 5 wounded. Now is the time to take Port Hudson. A. Sent. Are you Abbott? Received. No. Jackson. Captain ALDEN: I hope to be at New Orleans last of the week. Order up the mortar-boats, the Essex, and Genesee. Shell Port Hudson every night at a different hour, for an hour or two, until the Hartford passes down. FARRAGUT. We will not communicate across the Point. Too much risk. FARRAGUT. MeDermot killed at Sabine Pass, on shore at the light-house. Boats crew taken. Read escaped with his boats crew, himself wounded. Tell Porter that there are three steamboats up Thompsons greek. J. A. ScHLEY: Please send my coat and valise to Van. GABAUDAN. Sent. Cease signaling. Received. Cease signaling. 9 Page 92 92 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. MAY 66.30 a. in. Captain ALDEN: Cannot say when the Hartford will return, but not until to pass below Port Hndson. FARRAGUT. Sent. Porter has captured Grand Gulf, Took nine big guns. Grant is behind Grand Gulfwith 30,000 men. Has captured 500 prisoners and one battery. Hopes to bag all Received. Very windy. Be brief. Sent. We are off. Cease signaling. Received. Cease signaling. On the 8th of May, Admiral Farragut and staff went to New Orleans by way of the Atchafalaya. I accompanied him. Reported for duty again to General Banks at hi~ headquarters at Bayou Sara about mid- night, May 23, 1863. Immediately ordered to the Hartford. U. S. S. HARTFORD, Near Port Hudson, May 24b. 30 a. m. Admiral PARRAGIJT: I have nothing froni General Banks since yesterday morning, when lie had joined Augur at Newport. PALMER, Commodore. We are in communication with him, an they now invest Port Hudson. Wait for a reply from the admiral. Do not send a message till I answer your cal]. JACKSON. Sent. I am Eaton. Was signaling to Hall at Bayou S~ ra. Ho can see you. Cant you see him I Look a little to the left of me. Where is the admiral U U. S. S. MONONGAHELA. Commodore PALMER: Hold on and watch events, and be ready to take advantage of them. D. G. FARRAGUT. Admiral FARRAGUT: I have now in the Mississippi Ihe Albatross, Arizona, an4 Sachem, the two latter at Bayou Sara. I have the Estrella on the Atchafalaya. The Pitrsbnrg I sent yes- terday to report to Captain Walker, to assist in blockade of Red River. General Grant has been everywhere successful. We hope Vicksbnrg by this time has fallen. I have received about 120 tons of coal for all of us. Hope to get 100 more from the army. I h~ ye sent over an officer with a communication for you. J. S. PALMER, Commodore. Commodore PALMER: To fire from above on the batteries would injure our troops more than the enemy, perhaps. ALDEN, Captain. Received. I cannot see to read, but will send you a message. General Banks troops are on the Point. Augur is a mile from the forts, and the rest near. Sent. Cease signaling. (In communication with Bayou Sara station.) MAY 257.30 a. m. Sent. Where is General Weitzel U Received. He has just passed here. Sent. How long since U Received. About two hours ago. Weitzels brigade is here. He passed to the front himself with one aide at 6 this moruiuo~ Sent. Who are you U Received. Dana. Tis very smoky; use large flag. I leave soon with Weitzels brigade. Hall remains here. Sent. Would I were with thee! The guns of the army seem to be shelling Port Hudson. Received. Too hard on eyes. Cease signaling. Sent. Cease signaling Page 93 CHAP. XXXYIII.] 93 SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. (In communication with U. S. S. Richmond.) Admiral FARRAGUT: General Banks requests me to shell the west side df Thompsons Creek at midnight, to prevent any attempt of the enemy to escape over that side. You can understand the firing. PALMER, Commodore. Sent. Cease signaling. Received. Cease signaling. MAY 266.30 a. m. Any news from the army ~ PALMER, Commodore. Received. Shall leave Port Hudson soon. Closely invested. Paine on the north, then Grover, then Augur, and Sheiman on the south. Will assault when practicable. Every one confident of success (2314). Sent. Lieutenant Watson starts fbr your side at 9 a. m. Let General Banks know there is signal communication between us. Cease signaling. Received. Cease signaling. (In communication with Bayou Sara station.) 9.35 A. M. Received. It is impossible to c~Ill up Jackson. Sent. I signaled with him this morning and called your attention. Is Stephens with you ~ Received. He is. Sent. Keep good watch of me. Received. Can see you better in the foretop. (In communication with U. S. S. Richmond.) 3.05 x. M. Admiral FAREAGUT: Griersons cavalry have captured the two steamers in Thompsons Creek. PALMER. Sent. Cant you read well. Received. Tis very windy, and shakes us. General BANKS: A lieutenant of Griersons cavalry is here, and says the eneumy cannot escape across Thompsons Creek and between Fancy Point and the river. They must take the Bayou Sara road, if they escape at all. Should you wish me to fire again at night in the direction indicated in your note, throw up a rocket half an hour before I am to begin. Send me the news. PALMER, Commodore. MAY 276.15 a. m. Commodore PALMER: The light artillery opens at daylight, the heavy at 6 a. m. Port Hudson will be ours to-day. The ships will cease firm,, when the artillery ceases. BANKS, General. Sent. Cannot read when in motion. Cease signaling. Received. Cease signaling. 12.15 i. M. Commodore PALMER: All is going well with the army. They push the rebels hard on the right. Do not fire again. ALDEN, Captain~. Sent. Do you see this tree l Received. Yes. Sent. Well, you are at times hidden behind it. Look often when you signal. Received. I will. Cease signaling. Sent. S.C Page 94 94 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIIL (In communication with Bayou Sara station.) MAY 287.50 A. M. Sent. Has Rich returned from New Orleans ?, Received. He has not been here. Sent. Let Commodore Palmer know when any gunboat arrives from the Atcha- falaya. Received. I will do so. Sent Any news from Grant or from our army ? Received I heard yesterday that Captain Hubbard was killed. Sent. Any more news? Work faster. Received. We get none. Cease signaling. (In communication with U. S. S. Richmond.) 8.40 A. M. Sent. The commodore is hungering and thirsting for news. Keep him posted. Received An assault was made yesterday. Generals Sherman and Dow wounded. The lower batteries opened on the bummers this morning, but were silenced. Sent Was the army loss heavy ? Received. I know no more. Cease signalin~. (In communication with Bayou Sara station.) 6.30 P. M. The Sachem or the Arizona will take position opposite Bayou Sara to-night, near the right bank, and shell the enemy it he appears, which will be a signal to us. Kirby Smith is said to be marching down on that side. Report any alarm imme- diately to us. PALMER, Commodore. MAY 297.10 A. M. Sent. What had you to send last night ? Received. iNothiug. They reported you calling. Our loss the day before yester- day was heavy. They were burying the dead yesterday. Cease signaling. Sent. General Grant will have Yicksburg with in a week. 3.28 r. M. Did the Arizona go up the river last night? What gunboats are now at Bayou Sara? PALMER, Commodore. Received. The Arizona is just starting. The Sachem is here. Sent. Any news? Received. None. Both of my men are sick. I am doing my own flagging. Sent. You flag first rate. Tias Rich come yet ? Received. No. I expect to leave here to-morrow. Cease signaling. Sent. Cease signaling. (In communication with U. S. S. Hartford.) MAY 3010.52 A. M. Sent. Are you working with another? Received. Yes; with Russell, near Thompsons Creek. Sent. Done with him ? Received. Yes. Sent. Had got ready to land on the point opposite Port Hudson and open commu- nication with Russell. 1ell him to look for me at 4 p.m. If advisable, the Hartford may drop down enough to see him. No news for the commodore? Cease signaling. Received. No. Cease signaling. (In communication with U. S. S. Richmond.) MAY 3110.50 A. M. RoE or DANA: I was on the point opposite Port Hudson yesterday afternoon. Tell General Banks orWeitzel that I wish to repeat may trip and bring my notes to-night, for examina- tion. A battery of Parrotts there would 1)0 a thorn in their side. Roads good; levee high; range short. Answer. EATON Page 95 CHAr. Xxxviii.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. JuNE 13 p. m. General BANKS: An orderly, with dispatches for the Hartford, reached Bayou Sara last night. Not waiting for transportation, he started down by land, and has not yet arrived. EATON, Lieutenant. JUnE 21 p. m. Commodore PALMER: Send prisoners, and tell Colonel Benedict to send contrabands and mules. D. G. FAR RAGUT. Sent. What of the fight this morning I Received. Trees are in the way. Cease signaling. Sent. Cease signaling. The Mississippi, which for a fortnight had been falling rapidly, had now subsided 20 feet. Signal communication with the Richmond was intercepted. To restore it, I began cutting a track through a dense and heavy growth of timber 4 miles deep. On the 19th of Jnne I opened communication with a new station inland, about 6 miles distant, directly in the rear of Port Hndson, and on a line toward General Banks headquarters. Sent. Anything official U Received. No. Use white flag. Can you see my flag well i Sent. I have no other flag. Till 5 p. in., cease signaling. The new station being visible to both the Hartford and Richmond, communication between ns was again resumed. (In communication, by repeating, with the U. S. S. Hartford.) JUNE 2011.20 a. m. Commodore PALMER: The admiral has sent a pilot for one of your vessels. Shall I send him over? We have a few letters for your fleet. All quiet here and below. ALDEN, Captain, Senior Officer pre8ent. General BANKS: Commodore Palmer is about to send a gunboat to Vicksbnrg. Has the general any commands? EATON. (In communication with U. S. S. Richmond.) Capt3ain ALDEN: Send me pilot and letters. PALMER, Conunodore. (In communication with General Banks headquarters.) Commodore PALMER: The general only wishes you to send word to General Grant that he is confident of success. RICHD B. IRWIN, As8istant Adjutant- General. JUNE 2111 a. m. Anything from Vicksbnrg? DANA. I~o. Tis rumored on shore that its taken. EATON. 9 Page 96 96 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [Cair. XXXVIII. Juxn 258.50 a. in. Two orderlies with dispatehes from Commodore Palmer are said to have been cap- tured last night at Bayou Sara. Ask Colonel Irwin if it is so. EATON. Can you get over the Point at 11 a. DANA. Sent. On what part of it I Received. Little this side, to find a lookout to direct the fire of our batteries. Sent. Ill go, but tis a fools errand. OPPOSITE POET HUDSON, June 298 a. m. Wait a moment. Am waiting for orders. DANA. Sent. From whom? Received. General DwighL Move a little to the left. How shall the mortars fire to hit the gnu on wheels behind the citadel? How many yards is it? Sent. Three hundred and fifty. The gun is not there. Received. Where is it? Sent. Fire 800 yards on the verge of the bank. No; fire 600 yards. Received. Is it a rifled gunabout 62-pounder? Sent. Yes. Received. Six hundred yards from here? Sent. Yes. Received. Watch a shot fired at it from the mortar. How was that? Sent. Try it at 500 yards. Neither shell exploded. Fire little to left. Sent. Splendid range. Fire 100 yards short of ]ast shot. Sent. That did not explode. Could not see where it fell. Received. Will try it again; keep watch. Sent. That fell 100 yards short. Range good. Received. Did you see that? Sent. No; did not explode. Can only see the shells when they burst. Received. Will cease firing for the present. Can you see the rebs or the citadel? Sent. Not in the citadel, but scores of them on this side of it. Received. Direct our fire at them. Sent. All right. Orders have come to cease firing nutil further orders. Is it best to remain? The captain commanding the battery will not profit by our instructions. Must see some one higher in authority. DANA. Sent. Will they permit you to direct the fire of one of the Parrotts? Received. They only bear on the citadel, and all firing has ceased. Shall we go home? Sent. If you can do nothing with those important artillerists, we will vamose. Received. I can do nothing. Will send you word if you are to come. Cease signaling. JUNE 303 p. in. Captain ROE: It is necessary for Main to leave the Hartford. What are your orders? EATON. JULY 18 a. m. EATON: Go to your lower station [as soon] as possible. Will be in the same position opposite. DANA. OPPOSITE PORT HUDSON, J ly 111 a. in. Received. Can you see that gun that is firing now? Sent. Rebel guns opposite me are firino Received. Are they together? Sent. No. One is 600, the next 1,000. and the next 1,100 yards from your battery. Received. On the river bank? Sent. Yes, within 50 yards of it Page 97 CHAP. XXXYJIL1 SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. 97 Received. How was that shell from her? Sent. Dont know. I can direct one of your guns, if you are ready.~~ Received. Ready now. Firing at second gun. Watch. Sent. Your last gun made a good shot. Little too far to the right. Received. Watch our mortar. How was that ? Sent. Fire little to left and 100 yards short. Received. Have rebel shells done any damage to our hattery on right hank of the river? Sent. Cant say. Received. Send a man to find out, if not too dangerous. Watch fire of these mor- tars particularly. Received. How was that? Sent. Did not explode; fire again. Received. How far is that gun next to citadel ? Sent. Six hundred yards. Received. Chart says 85 yards from church. Will fire at it. Sent. Good range. Fell 200 yards short. Received. 0. K. Who are the navy chaps with you? Sent. Dr. King awl three others. Fifth gun in our battery hit the lower rebel gun last shot. Tell theni to F. L. L. and a hair lower. Have just hit it again. Received. See last shot? Sent. Twas 10 feet to the left. Received. I mean the mortar shell. Sent. Struck in the citadel 200 yards short. Received. How is this? Sent. One hundred and fifty yards short. Sent. One Parrott on this bank is disabled. Received. How? Sent. Hit by rebel shells. Received. Yes, but how badly disabled, and hit in what point? Sent. The carriage was hit underneath. No great damage. Last shot 1,000 yards short. Received. General Stone wants to know if.any damane has been done to t.he rebel guns. Sent. Our fifth gun has hit the breastwork of the big rifle four times. Its fire is splendid. Can dismount it soon. No other damage. Received. You say our fifth gnu? Sent. Yes, from the left. Sent. Our sixth gun just made a glorious shot. Received. Is the carriage of our Parrott too much disabled to be immediately re- paired? Sent. Think not. Believe they are at work on it. Let the sixth gun fire 10 feet more to the left. Received. How now about the fifth and sixth guns? Sent. The sixth gun is the bully boy. Received. Can you give it any directions to make it more bully? Sent. Last shot was little to the right. Received. Fearfully hot here. Several men sunstruck. Bullets whiz like fun. Have ceased firing for awhile, the guns are so hot. Will profit by your directions afterward. Sent. The rebels are firing that rifle. No. 6 can stop them. Received. Tell Charles to be more careful about his motions. Report iinmedi- ately any damage to our gnus. How is No. 6 now? Have just ceased firing until rebels open again.. Did fifth and sixth have good aims. Sent. Yes; they have knocked half the earthworks over before that big rifle. Received. Can they now hit it with same aim? Sent. Yes. Received. Will fire at rifle now; report any shot. Sent. I must know which guns are to fire. Received. Only one in this battery. Sent. Is it fifth or sixth? Received. Neither; it is a navy Dahlgren which I want you to direct the fire of. Received. Be there again to-morrow morning at 6 a. m. Cannot see. C. S. OPPoSITE Pony HuDsoN, July 2.6 a. m. Received. Are you ready? Sent. No. One gun fires a shade. too low. Received. Report everything important in regard ~o batteries on right ~ 7RRYOLXXYI,PT Page 98 98 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N, MEX. [C-uAr. XXXVIIL Lieutenant SLACK, Mortar Battery: Please ask Captain Closson to send inc to-day twenty boxes of spherical case and twenty boxes shells. BRADLEY, Lieutenant. Received. Re~~ort shells from mortar. Sent. Big rifle is just disabled by our Parrott. Received. How badly? Is any gun of big battery firing at it now? Sent. The gnu has pitched forward. No. Received. We are firing at the gun in ravine behind the citadel. How was that? Sent. Cant see any gun mounted within 1,000 yards of the citadel. Should like to direct fire of No. 9 or 10; is it possible? Last mortar shell fell 70 yards short of the disabled rifle. Received. What do you propose to fire at with No. 9 or 10? Sent. Two fine guns, the lowest on river bank, and now firing at our Parrotts. Received. You can direct the fire of No. 9 or a 24-pounder. Will wait for your report after each shot. What was last shot? Sent. Forty yards to the right. That shell burst little short. Range first rate. Lieutenant BRADLEY: Cease firing for the present, and withdraw your section from the bank. RICHARD ARNOLD, Brigadier-General. Sent. Last shot but one was 50 yards to the right; last shot was splendid, only 3 yards to right. F. L. L. Cease signaling. Sent. F. L. L. Received. 11(1w was last ~hot from howitzer? Sent. That shot touched the breastwork 8 feet to the right of the gun. F. L. L. and little lower. Received. And the last? Sent. Had good range, but was 100 yards short. Sent. That hurst short. Sent. Last shot was 100 yards to the right. This shot was capital; a fraction high. Last shot was 50 yards to the right. Received. It cant get any farther to the left. Where is the second rebel gun ~ Sent. The lowest gnu is 75 yards from the river; second gun is a little farther up, and 40 yards from the river. Received. How was that? Sent. Little too high. Last shOt little too high. Received. Are we firing at the lower or second gun? Sent. Howitzer is firing at second gun; the others fire to your right of both 5. 0. E. very little. Sent. Howitzers shell goes 6 feet over the gun every shot; last shot was too high; little too high again. Cant they, or wont they, depress that gun? Received. Wont, I guess. Received. Was that shot any better, and that? Sent. Both and forever too high. Received. We will vamose now. Come again to-morrow. Sent. Nine a. m. will do, will it not? Received. Yes; cease signaling. OPPOSITE PORT HUDSON, July 39 a. m. The record of this days work is so long and monotonous that I omit it. One day is almost literally the counterpart of another. The firing of our heavy batteries yesterday, under the guidance of our signals, was accurate and destructive. (In communication with General Banks headquarters.) JULY 711 a. m. General BANKs: I am detaining the General Price here to take Colonel Smith back to Vicksburg. If he intends returning, pray send him at once. PALMER, %Jommodore Page 99 CHAP. XXXVIII.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. 99 Commodore PALMER: General Banks is writing dispatches to General Grant, which I will send in a few moments. Colonel Smith remains here. RICHD B. IRWIN, As8istant Adjntant-General. JULY Sp. m. Commodore PALMER, Hartford: Port Hudson has surrendered, and will be formally turned over to us at 7 oclock to-morrow morning. Please keep a bright lookout to-night. N. P. BANKS, Major- General. (In communication with U. S. S. Richmond.) 10.20 A. M. Commodore PALMER: Please send my clerk immediately. Let him stop at Colonel Sayres, and ask him how many teams he can send me. Have him bring a horse for me. W. F. MEREDITH. Mr. MEREDITH: You can let your stores remain if they are in safety. I shall probably be down this afternoon. Port Hudson surrenders to-day. I send your clerk over. J. S. PALMER, Commodore. (In communication with General Banks headquarters.) General BANKS: We are short of coal here, and the transports have had steam up all day. Coal is scarce. Shall I let the tire go down? J. S. PALMER, Commodore. 12 M. Commodore JAMES S. PALMER, Hartford: You have authority to pass down by Port Hudson whenever you please. Please order our transports to go to Point Pleasant Landing to-night. The general requests you to keep one gunboat above to watch the place and the river to-night, and to place one at his disposal to take dispatches to Vicksburg. RICHD B. IRWIN, Assistant Adjutant- General. To seal Red River, thereby cutting off the supplies of both Port Hudson and Vicksburg, the Hartford came to anchor at its mouth April 1, 1863. An attack at night with a fleet of rams and gunboats was angrily threatened by the enemy for six weeks. With my flagman, J volun- teered to ascend the river several miles each night in a skiff, thoroughly equipped with rockets, to announce his approach. We served upon this nocturnal picket, relieved at times by the regular officers and men of the flagship, nntil the arrival of Admiral Porters iron-dads, after the reduction of Grand Gulf. I have the honor to add that to the performance of this and our more legitimate signal duty Admirar Farragut awarded official mention and approval in hi~ communications to th~ Secretary of the INavy. My flagmen were Charles P. Eaton and Orville S. Sanborn. They were in eight sharp engagements while on the Hartford. They stood at their posts at a time when veteran sailors crouched and crawled and hid. Each of them, during the sickness of the other, has divided the day with myself, and stood single, unrelieved watches of twelve con- secutive hours. Both were intrusted by Commodore Palmer with im- portant errands, and Eaton was selected to carry the original dispatche Page 100 100 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXX~IIL from General Grant to General Banks announcing the surrender of Vicksburg. They are brave, intelligent, and trusty men. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, S. M. EATON, First Lieutenant Twe~fth Maine, Acting AS~ignal Officer. Licut. GEORGE IL HERBERT, Adjutant, & gnat Corps, Department of the Gu~fi No. 10. Report of Lieut. Thomas ~. Hall, Twenty eighth Maine Infantry, Acting & gnal Officer, of operations April 10July 16. PORT HUDSON) LA., July 16, 1863. SIR: In obedience to orders, I have the honor to report the following transcript of messages sent and received by me from April 10 tQ July- 16, inclusive: JUNE 44 p. m. Admiral FARRAGUT: The enemy number their batteries 1, 2, & c., from up river down. The magazine is behind battery No. 6, and from 300 to 500 yards back from the river. N. P. BANKS, Major- General, Commanding. JUNE 54.15 p. m. Admiral FARRAGUT: SIR: General Emory reports that he sent the Cornie to Bayou Sara, and that she found the three steamers there safe. Please inform Commodore Palmer. N. P. BANKS, Major- General, Commanding. JUNE 62.30 p. m. Admiral FARRAGUT: The shelling by the mortar-boats on Thursday night is reported to have seriously inconveuieuced the enemy. Beef-cattle killed, several wounded, and a regimental camp rendered nutenable. The bulk of the early fire passed a little to the left of & nd beyond the magazine. The sleep of half the garrison was prevented. N. P. BANKS, Major. General, Commanding. JUNE-62.30 p. m. General BANKS: I have him under my controL The minute he opens, I silence him. I am glad to know I hurt him. FARRAGUT, Admiral. JUNE 64 p.m. Admiral FARRAGUT: Your note of yesterday received. The sextant has arrived. It will be taken care of and returned safely. Am much obliged with your offer in regard to the boats in Bayou Sara. We heard of their safety yesterday, but would like particulais. Thanks for the hand-grenades. N. P. flANKS, Major- General, Commanding. JUNE 710.30 a. m. General BANKS: Hammering and building is reported at the mouth of Thompsons Creek. Can, you account for it? PARRAGUT, Admirc& i Page 101 CHAP. XXXVIILI SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. 101 JUNE 72.30 p. m. Admiral FARKAGUT: We have men near by the creek, and will report to you. All going well. N. P. BANKS, Major-General, Commanding. JUNE 96 p. m. Admiral FARRAGUT: Opened fire at 11 a. m. from the heavy guns and mortars, and fired slowly during the day with good range and excellent effect, driving the enemy away from the parapet. Our tire was, except in one or two instances, unanswered. The navy guns were admirably served. Please keep up your mortar fire during the whole of the night. We shall fire slowly all night. N. P. BANKS, Major-General, Commanding. JUNE 96.30 p. m. Admiral FARRAGUT: Will send you a report of the operations at the mouth of Thompsons Creek this evening. N. P. BANKS, Major- General, Commanding. JUNE 101.30 p. m. Admiral FARRAGUT: Pease send to Springfield Landing 500 blank cartridges, 250 shrapnel, and 50 solid shot for the 9-inch navy guns. Please let me know when they will be there. N. P. BANKS, Major- General, Commanding. JUNE 103.15 p. m. General BANKS: The ammunition you asked for will be at Springfield Landing at 5 p. m. ALDEN, Captain. Admiral FARRAGUT: Your letter received; will send an answer about charges for navy guns. N. P. BANKS, Major- General, Commanding. JUNE 125 a. III. General BANKS: Your request will be attended to FARRAGUT, Admiral. JUNE 139 a. m. General BANKS: Commodore Palmer sent me word, and I send it to you, that the sharpshooters of the Arizona had joined their regiment some time before the Arizona went up the river to Natchez; but I will send by the first opportunity. FARRAGUT, Admiral. JUNE 135 p. m. Admiral PARRAGUT: Please send as many shrapnel as you can spare for the 9-inch guns. General Gardner answers that his duty requires him to defend the place, and therefore he de- clines to surrender. N. P. BANKS, Major- General, Commanding. JuNE 147 a. m. General DWIGHT: Send me a report every half hour, or oftener, if you can. N. P. BANKS, Major-General, Commanding Page 102 102 w. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., mx., N. MEX. LOHAP. XXXY~. JuNE 147.30 a. m. General BANKS: Our skirmishers and sharpshooters are within 30 rods of the parapet. A ravine between them and the parapet, full of fallen timber, raked by artillery on my right and left. DWIGHT, General. JUNE 148 a. m. General BANKS: I cannot advance farther until the skirmishers silence the field batteries. DWIGHT, General. JUNE 149 a. m. General BANKS: Our artillery is trying to silence that of the enemy. Oar infantry is very quiet. Nothing of importance. DWIGHT, General. JUNE 149.13 a. m. General BANKS: General Dwight is preparing to renew the attack; should prefer to do so at same time with General Grover. When can Grover do so? G. A. FISKE, JR., Aide-de-Cansjp. JUNE 141 p. m. Colonel IRWIN, Assistant Adjuta t-General: All quiet but sharpshooting. As the First and Second Brigades cannot retire, General Dwight cannot assault again at present. Shall throw np rifle-pits after dark. G. A. FISKE, JR., Lieutenant, and Aide-de.Camp. JUNE 146.30 p. m. Admiral FARRAGUT: Getting very short of ammunition. Please send ns much Dahlgren ammunition as you can spare, to the extent of 800 rounds, chiefly shell and shrapnel. Can you spare any 20-pounder Parrott ammunition? N. P. BANKS, Major-General, Commanding. JUNE 264 p. m. Captain HALSTED, Assistant Adjetant- General: I would respectfully request that Lieutenant-Colonel Bickmore, of the Fourteenth Maine Volunteers, he relieved from the storming party, in order to take command of his regiment, Colonel Porter, of the same, being under arrest. DWIGHT, General. JUNE 27S a. m. General BANKS: The rebels opened sharply with 10-inch shell and rifle shells during the fog this morning; did no damage. I caused four guns to be turned on them, and they have ceased firing. The citadel has gone in. The second Dahlgren has been mounted, and will be at work in half an hour. CHAS. P. STONE, Brigadier-General. JULY 11 [?]7.30 a. m. General BANKS: I have ceased firing on account of the troops being in range of my shelling. ALDEN, Cartain Page 103 Caii~. XXXVIII.] SIEGB OF PORT HUDSON, LA. 103 JULY 11 r?iI7.30 a. m. The RICHMOND: What boats came down, and what news did they bring? IRWIN, Colone7, A8sistant Adjutant- GeneraZ. The Sachem brought disp~tches for the admiral. No news. JOHN C. ABBOTT, Lieutenant. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, THOMAS S. HALL, First Lieut. 28th Maine Volunteers, Acting Signal Officer. Lient. GEORGE H. HERBERT, Adjutant, Signal Corps, Department of the Gulf. No. 11. Report of Lieut. Joseph L. Jliallett, Thirty-first ]Ifassachusetts Infantry, Acting Signal Officer, of operations May 12July 9. HEADQUARTERS SIGNAL CORPS, Port Hudson, La., July 10, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report that~* * * * * * * * May 10, I received Special Orders, No. 3, dated New Orleans, April 30, directing me to proceed at once to Baton Rouge, and take charge of the detachment of the signal party at that place. May 12,1 obtained transportation at Alexandria on the steamer Union, and left the same day for Brashear City, via Red River, Atchafalaya, and Grand Lake, thence to New Orleans by the Opelousas Railroad. At New Orleans I embarked with my party on the steamer Nassau, and arrived at Baton Rouge on Sunday, the 17th. I immediately reported to Maj. Gen. C. C. Augur, commanding United States forces at Baton Rouge. Agreeably to verbal orders from Maj. Gen. C. C. Augur, I made a reconnaissance with a detachment of the Seventh Illinois Cavalry on the 20th to Springfield Landing, for the purpose of opening communica~ tion with the fleet below Port Hudson and the army encamped in rear of the rebel batteries on the Bayou Sara road. Finding it impracticable to signalize direct from General Augurs headquarters to the fleet on account of the forest of lofty trees, I ordered First Lient. John F. Jencks to establish a signal station at Springfield Landing, to commnnicate with Second Licut. A. M. Jackson, acting signal officer on the U. S. S. Richmond, and Second Lient. John N. Main, acting signal officer on the iron.clad Essex. I also gave orders to First Lieut. Milton Benner, in charge of the signal telegraph train, to lay the wire of his train from Lieutenant Jencks station to the junction of the Springfield and Port Hudson roads. - The distance from Springfield Landing to the fleet is 3 miles; from Springfield Landing to the junction of the Springfield and Port Hudson roads, 4~ miles. The station at Springfield Landing was established on the 21st of May. The telegraph was completed to the junction of the Springfield and Port Hudson roads on the. evening of the 22d, and communicatiou opened with the fleet on the morning of the 23d. * Portion here omitted relates to operations, April 9May 14, in West Louisiana, and is printed in Series I, Yol.XV, p. 363 Page 104 104 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LK, TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIIL The reports of Lieutenants Benner and Jencks will show that these stations have been of good service in keeping the army and navy in- structed in each others movements during the siege of Port Hudson, and have transmitted a large number of official messages. First Lieut. Thomas S. Hall was relieved from duty on the gunboat, and reported to me at General Augurs headquarters on the 31st of May. Lieutenant Harris reported to me, by order of Capt. W. B. Roe, on the 21st of June. Signal stations were established on the left of our line, 5 miles above Springfield Landing, to communicate with the fleet above and below Port Hudson; also with the left wing, commanded by Brigadier-Ceneral Dwight; the right, by Brigadier-General Grover; the center, by Major. General Augur; and with Major-General Banks headquarters, 2 miles in rear of the center. Communication was established through these stations from Major-General Baiiks headquarters to Springfield Land- ing. Lieutenants [II. C.j I)ane and Main were in charge of C station; Lieutenant Hall, D station, both stations on the left; Licut. James 11. Rundlett, E station, on the right; Lieutenant Harris, F station, on the center; and Lient. John W. Dana, A station, at Major-General Banks headquarters. Owing to heavy woods and the peculiar position of the enemys works in and around Port Hudson, we were obliged to build stations in tall trees, within easy range of the rebel batteries. The enemy frequently opened on the stations with solid shot and shell, which was a source of some annoyance when sending and receiv- ing messages. E station was shelled on the 5th of June, and the officer in charge obliged to leave it for the time being. He returned to his post after the enemy had ceased firing, and, on the 6th, built another station near the first, but less exposed to the enemy. On the 14th of June, in compliance with verW 1 orders from Capt. William B. Roe, I reported forsignaldutyto Brigadier-General Dwight. A station for signaling with the right and center was built in a pomn~ of woods on the left, near General Dwights headquarters. We were about to open communication, when our L)OsitiOn was discovered by the enemy, and the statIon was shelled by his artillery. It being so near the rebel breastworks, and the firing so rapid and close, we were obliged to fall back to D station. The enemy attempted to shell this station, but the range was very poor. Communication was kept open from this point during the day. Stations C, D, and E, overlooking the fort, have been of great benefit in discovering the movements and position of the enemy, and directing the fire of our artillery. I am happy to report that the officers and enlisted men deserve credit for faithfulness in the discharge of their duties, and that no cas- ualties have occurred to any of the party. Communication was kept open with the fleet above and below Port Hudsou and Springfield Landing, to and from Major-General Banks headquarters, until the surrender of Port Hudson. In conformity with orders from Capt. William B. Roe, of the 9th of July, the officers were relieved from their stations, and reported tQ him at headquarters of the signal corps, Port Hudson, La. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOS. L. IIALLT3TT, First Lieutenant Thirty-first iTfass. Vols., Acting iS~ignal Officer. Lient. GEORGE 11. HERBERT, Acting Adjutant, ASignal Corps, Department of the Gulf Page 105 CHAr. XXXVIII.J SIEGE OP PORT HUDSON, LA. 105 No. 12. Report of Lieut. George 1?. Herbert, One hundred and fifty-ninth New York Infantry, Acting AS1ignal Officer, of operations ]Iliay 27June 13. NEW ORLEANS, LA., July 28, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to transmit the following report of official messages sent and received by me during the recent campaign at Port Hudson and vicinity. The messages were all sent from General Banks headquarters. On the 27th of May, Lieutenant llallett and myself proceeded to open com- munication with the gunboat Richmond, lying below Port Hudson, which was accomplished, but did not send or receive any official mes- sages. For several days I assisted in building stations, and on the 1st of Jnne communication was opened all along the line, consisting of six stations. JUNE 4. Admiral PARRAGUT: The enemy number their water batteries 1, 2, & c., from up river down. The magazine is behind battery No. 6, and about 300 to 500 yards back from the river. N. P. BANKS. General BANKS: I have him under my control. The minute he opens, I silence him. D. G. FARRAGUT. JUNE 5. Admiral FARRAGUT: General Emory reports that he sent the Cornie to Bayou Sara, and that she found the three steamers there safe. Please inform Commodore Palmer. N. P. BANKS. JUNE 6. Admiral FARRAGUT: The shelling by the mortar-boats on Thursday night is reported to have seriously inconvenienced the enemy. Beef-cattle killed, several men wounded, and a regi- mental camp rendered untenable. The bulk of the early fire passed a little to the left of and beyond the main magazine. The sleep of half the garrison was prevented. N. P. BANKS, Major- General, Commanding. JUNE 6. Admiral FARRAGUT: Your note of yesterday received. The sextant has arrived. It will be taken care of, and returned safely. Am much obliged for your offer with regard to the boats in Bayou Sara. We heard of their safety yesterday, but would like particulars. Thanks for hand-grenades. N. P. BANKS, Major-General, CoAzmanding. JUNE 9. Admiral FARRAGUT: Ope~ied fire at 11 a. m. from the heavy guns and mortars, and fired slowly during the day, with good ranges and excellent effect,. driving the enemy away from the parapet. Our fire was, except in one or two instances, unanswered. The navy guns were admirably served. Please keep up your mortar fire during the whole of the night. We shall fire slowly all night. Will send you report of the operations at the mouth of Thompsons Creek this evening. N. P. BANKS, Major-General, Co manding Page 106 106 W. FLA., S. ALA.~ S. MISS., LA., TRX., l~T. MEX. [Oa~r. XXXVIII. JUNE 10. Admiral PARRAGUT: Please send to Springfield Landing 500 blank cartridges, 250 shell, and 50 solid shot for the 9-inch navy guns. Please let me know when they will be there. N. P. BANKS, Major- General, Commanding. JUNE 10. General BANKS: The ammunition you asked for will be at Springfield Landing at 5 p. m. ALDEN, Captain. JUNE 11. Captain ALDEN: Your letter received. The generals request was for 200 shrapnel; you mention 50 only. We need them very much. RICIID B. IRWIN, A8szs~nt A ajun,~nt- General. JUNE 11. Admiral FARRAGUT: Your letter received. Will send an answer about charges of powder Thr navy guns~ N. P. BANKS, Major- General, Commanding. JUNE 13. Admiral FA~RAGUT: Please send as much shrapnel as you can spare for the 9-inch navy guns. Gen- eral Gardner answers that his duty requires him to defend the place, and therefore he declines to surrender. N. P. BANKS, Major- General, Commanding. JUNE 13. General BANKS: Your request will be attended to. FARRAGUT, Admiral. JUNE 13. Admiral FARRAGUT: Please send an order te the company of sharpshooters from the Arizona, said to be ashore at Saint Francisville, to rejoin its regiment at once. N. P. BANKS, Major- General, Commanding. JUNE 13. General BANKS: Commodore Palmer sent me word, and I send it to you, that the sharpshooters of the Arizona had joined their regiment some time before the Arizona went up the river to Natchez ; but I will send by the first opportunity. P. G. FARRAGUT, Admiral. Having been ordered to New Orleans on account of sickness, the above is all the report I have to make. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO. H. HERBERT, Second Licut. 159th New York Regiment, Acting Signal Officer. Capt. WILLIAM B. ROE, Chief Signal Officer, D~partment of the Gu~ Page 107 CHAP. XXXVIII.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. No. 13. Report of Lieut. Amos M. Jackson, Twenty-fourth Maine Infantry, Act- ing Signal Officer, of operations May 18June 15. NEW ORLEANS, LA., June 27, 1863. Sin: I have the honor to submit the following report of duties per- formed by me as signal officer on board the U. S. S. IRrchmond from May 18, 1863, to June 15, 1863, the report from May 1 to May 18 having been submitted to Lieutenant Jeucks, then in command of the signal party at Baton Rouge, La. The following is a correct copy of the messages sent and received by me within the time mentioned above: MAY 18. Captain ALDEN: Shall I use the mortars to-night? FROM THE ESSEX. Captain CALDWELL: Yes. ALDEN, Captain. Captain CALDWELL: When do you open? JAMES ALDEN, Captain. Captain ALDEN: At 12. CALD WELL, Captain. MAY 19. Captain ALDEN: Sharp artillery firing heard in the rear of Port Hudson and abreast of us; about thirty shots in each place. From good authority. CALD WELL, Captain. Captain ALDEN: Firing continued very heavy, with musketry at intervals. Lieutenant MAIN: Report on board the ship immediately with man and kit. MAY W. CALDWELL, Captain. MAY 22. JAMES ALDEN, Captain. Captain ALDEN: Colonel Grierson is one-half mile north of the railroad; has met General Grover with his division. General Banks is 3 miles back. News from Grant good; he cut Johnstons forces to pieces at Jackson, capturing sixty-one gnus; he has Vicksburg so hemmed in they cannot use their siege guns. - C. C. AUGUR. MAY 24. Admiral FARRAGIJT: I have nothing from Banks since yesterday morning. PALMER, Commodore. 10 Page 108 108 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIIL MAY 24. Commodore PALMER: Hold on and watch events, and be ready to take advantage of them. D; G. FARRAGUT, Admiral. MAY 24. Commodore PALMER: To fire on the batteries from above would injure our troops more than the enemy, perhaps. JAMES ALDEN, Captain. MAY 24. Admiral FARRAGUT: I have now in the Mississippi the Aibratross, the Arizona, and the Sachem, the latter at Bayou Sara; I have the Estrella in the Atchafalayn; the Pittsburg was to report to Captain Walker yesterday, to assist him. PALMER, Commodore. MAY 24. Commodore PALMER: Banks has forces on the Point. Augur is within 1 mile of the forts. The rest are near. JAMES ALDEN, Captain. U. S. S. HARTFORD Allay 24: General Grant has been every way successful. 1 hope Vieksburg by this time is ours. I have sent an officer over with dispatches for you. Any news from the army? PALMER, Commodore. MAY 24. Admiral FARRAGUT: General Banks requests me to shell the west side of Thompsons Creek at mid- night, to prevent any attempt of the nuciny to escape on that side. You will under- stand the firing. PALMER, Commodore. MAY 24. Admiral FARRAGUT: I have received a dispatch from Colouel Chandler, quartermaster, Brashear, re- questing me to ask you what disposition is to be made of the coal towed around by the Anglo-American. He says they cannot get in. He has no boats to send for them, and asks if they had not better come back. Please let me know. A. N. SHIPLEY, Assistant Qitartermaster. MAY 26. Admiral FARRAGUT: Griersons cavalry captured the two steamers on Thompsons Creek. PALMER, Commodore. MAY 26. General BANKS: A lieutenant of Griersons cavalry is here, and says the enemy cannot escape be- tweeti Fancy Point and the river. They niust take the Bayou Sara road if they escape at all. Should you want me to fire in the direction indicated in your note, send up a rocket half an hour before I am to begin. PALMER, Commodore Page 109 CHAP. XXXVIII.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. MAY 27. Commodore PALMER: The light artillery will open at daylight. The heavy guns at 6 p. m. Port Hud- son will he ours to-day. The ships will cease firing when the artillery ceases. BANKS, General. MAY 27. Commodore PALMER: All is going well with the army; they push the rebels hard on the right. Do not fire again. ALDEN, Captain. MAY 30. Admiral FARRAGUT: The shells fired from the mortar fleet at the batteries at 1 oclock this morning fell on the right of our lines; five-eighths of a mile to west,with same range, and you will hit the enemys forts, or 100 yards to left, and you will hit their rifle-pits. G. WEJTZEL, General. MAY 30. Admiral FARRAGTJT: General Weitzel says continue the firing as we direct. STATION AT THOMPSONS CRICEK, May 31. Capt. WILLIAM B. ROE: I was on the point opposite Port Hudson yesterday I m. Teil General Banks or General Weitzel I would like to repeat my trip, and bring my notes for examination to-night. A battery of Parrott guns would be a thorn in their side. Roads good, levee high, range short. S. M. EATON, Lieutenant. MAY 31. Admiral FARRAGUT: Let the mortars fire on that gun which shot at ns last night. WEITZEL, General. JUNE 1. General BANKS: An orderly reached Bayou Sara last night with dispatches for the hartford, Not1 waiting transportation, he started by land, and has not yet arrived. S. M. EATON, Lieutenant. JUNE 2. Admiral FARRAGUT: If possible, I will send the Parrott gnus lo your side. It offers a good position. We are getting iu position for a vigorons attack, and are confident of success. We are getting the large guns np to-day. I will keep you well informed, and am sorry so few messages reach you. N. P. BANKS, General, JUNE 2. General BANKS: Your telegrams about Parrott gnns for the Point received. Do not think it safe. Have written fully. D. G. FARRAGUT, Admiral. JULY [JUNE] 2. Admiral FARRAGUT: The steamer Crescent is here. She will return in the morning to Yew Orleans. JOHN WATTERS. 10 Page 110 110 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CuAl. XXXVIII. JUNE 2. Admiral FARRAGUT: I beg you to bring the mortars to bear while daylight lasts-~-to bear on a circle of 200 yards in diameter, a circle about 800 yards south of the church. Let the shell fall near this point and it will destroy their magazine. It is just in rear of the first clump of trees between the tower and your position. N. P. BANKS, General. JUNE 9. Admiral FARRAGUT: We opened fire at 11 a. m. from heavy guns and mortars. Fired slowly during the day, with good range and excellent effect, driving the enemy away from the parapet. Our fire was, except in one or two instances, unanswered. Please keep up your mortar fire during the whole of this night. We shall fire slowly all night. ~. P. BANKS, General. JUNE 9. Admiral FARRAGUT: I will send you a report of the operations at the mouth of Thompsons Creek this evening. BANKS, General. JUNE 9. Admiral FARRAGU1~. The range of your guns is too great to-night. Some of the shells explode be- tween the enemys works and General Grovers front. N. P. BANKS, General. JUNE 10. Admiral FARRAGUT: Does the Arizona need the company of sharpshooters which we put on board? They were set ashore at Saint Francisville. Steamer arrived from~ the north, date to the 24th. No news. Gold, 144. Twenty rebels ran out to sea by Pass ~ lOutre. BANKS, General. JUNE 10. General BANKS: Sharpshooters not needed on the Arizona. News from General Grant, to the 27th, good. Rebels gone to sea is another Fox case. Captain and crew of the Fox arrived in New Orleans, and should be arrested. D. G. FARRAGUT, Admiral. JUNE 10. Admiral FARRAGUT: You can have as much ice as you can stow by sending for it. The ice vessel has to be lightened to be got out of this place for Baton Rouge. JOHN WATTERS. JUNE 10. Admiral FARRAGUT: Please send the sharpshooters not required on the Arizona to these headquarters. Orders have been sent to General Bowen, at New Orleans, to arrest captain and crew of the Fox. N. P. BANKS, General. JUNE 10. Admiral FARRAGUT: Colonel Prince reports no raft built at the mouth of Thompsons Creek, or any indications of the escape of the enemy; the east side is very swampy, and can be traveled only on foot. A reconnoitering party was sent down the east bank of Thompsons Creek as far as Sandy Creek, which is 340 yards from the mouth o Page 111 CHAP. XXXVIII.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA 111 TJiiompsons Creek. Colonel Prince saw our camp at Fausse Point, and the command- ing officer there could observe everything transpiring at the mouth of Thompsons Creek. Please ask him to do so. N. P. BANKS. JUNE 11. Admiral FARRAGUT: The captain and engineer of the Fox have been arrested, and the engineer dis- charged on $10,000 bail, at the request of his friend, Hon. Mr. Flanders. N. P. BANKS, General. SPRINGFIELD STATION, June 12. One hundred and seventy contrabands and paroled prisoners and some army horses await transportation at Springfield. D. G. FARRAGUT. JUNE 12. Admiral FARRAGUT: The enemys commissary stores have been removed to point near the railroad land- ing. Cannot the guns and the mortars of the fleet be brought to bear on it? CHAS. P. STONE, Brigadier-General. REMARKS. May 22.At 11 a. m. the Hartford appeared across the point opposite Port Hudson, and the signal officer on board of her called me. I answered him, requesting him to wait, as I was not ready. He con- tinued to call me, not recognizing my answer. I answered repeatedly, withont a reply from him. First, having left the glass a few moments to arrange something about my station, on returning I found him sending a message, of which, of course, I got very little. I then waited to have the sails furled, as they shook my station badly, before calling for a repeat. I then found him calling me, and answered again and again, but could get no recognition. At 2 p. m. Captain Alden moved the ship ahead, to give a better view if possible. While under way, the opposite station called. I answered, requesting him to wait until we were at anchor, but he attempted to send a message, which I could not read while in motion. Soon after we came to anchor it began to rain, which obstructed the view till dark. I called with torches in the even- ing, but received no reply. May 22.The station at Springfiehj Landing was established, with which Lieutenant Main communicated while on board the Richmond. He being ordered off May 29, I took charge of both stations. May 30.Another station opened communication with ns near the month of Thompsons Creek. Having these thre& stations to watch, it sometimes occurred that more than one called at the same time, which caused embarrassment and delay. June 2.I opened commnnication with a station in the woods on the left of our line. Lieutenant Abbott arrived, and from that date took charge of the station communicating with the Hartford, and Lieutenant Halls station, communicating with Springfield Landing and Thomp- sons Creek. The latter station was abandoned; date not known. I discovered it accidentally, after watching neealessly for several days, and calhng without reply. dune 15.I was obliged to leave my station on account of illness. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. M. JACKSON, 2d Lient. Twentyfourth Maine Vols., and Actg. ASignat Officer. TAcut. GEORGE H. HERBERT, Adjutant of Signal Corps Page 112 112 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII No. 14. Report of Lieut. John F. Jencics, Twenty-sixth Connecticut Infantry, Acting ~S1ignal Officer, of operations ~ty 22June 19. NEW ORLEANS, LA August 10,1863. SIR: I have the honor to report that, in obedience to orders received from Lieut. J. L. Hallett, acting signal officer, dated May 22, 1863, I proceeded to Springfield Landing with men, horses, and signal equip- ments, and established a station communicating with Lient. A. M. Jack- son, acting signal officer, whose station was on the U. S. steam sloop of war Richmond, and with Lient. Milton Benner, commanding signal tele- graph train. Accompanying this paper please find a copy of the mes- sages sent and received by me while in charge of the station. On account of sickness, on the 25th of June I received orders from Capt. William B. Roe to rep6rt at Baton Rouge, which order was cpm- plied with immediately. On the 13th of July, by orders received from Lieut. J. L. llallett, acting signal officer, I proceeded to Port llndson and relieved Licut. Thomas S. Hall, whose station was in communication with Lient. John C. Abbott, on the U. S. steam sloop of war Richmond. The weather being bad, 110 official messages were sent or received while I was in charge of the sta- tion. On the 19th of July, 1 received orders from Lient. J. L. Hallett, at bonaldsonville, La. I proceeded the same date by steamboat North America, and reported according to orders. On the 20th of July, I re. ceived orders from Lient. E. H. Russell to take charge of the party then in his charge, as he had orders to report to New Orleans. The time that I was there, no stations were established. On the 29th of July, by orders from General Grover, then in command of the troops in Donaldsonville, I reported by telegraph to the chief of signal corps for orders, bnt not receiving any, on the 3d day of August Ii proceeded to Baton Rouge. On the 5th of August, by orders from Lieut. J. L. Hallett, I was ordered to report with horses and equipments to Capt. William B. Roe, at New Orleans, as soon as transportation could be pro- cured, which was done on the 8th of August, arriving there on the 9th. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN F. JFI~NCKS, First Lieut. Twenty sixth Conn. Vols., and Act Signal Officer. Lieut. GEORGE R.~ HERBERT, A~jutant, Si gnat Corps, Department of the Gulf. Messages referred to in foregoing report. MAY 22, 1863. General BANKS: A force of cavalry will lea~e at daylight for Bayou Sara, May 23. C. C. AUGUR, Major- General. Capt. JAMES ALDEN: Colonel Grierson is one-half mile north of the railroad. Tic has met General Grover with his division. General Banks is 3 miles back. The news from Grant is good. He has cut Johnstons forces to pieces at Jackson, capturing sixty-one pieces of artil- lery. He has Vickshurg hemmed in so they cannot use their Siege guns. C. C. AUGUR, 71Iajor- General Page 113 CHAP. X~XVTJL] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. 113 MAY 23, 1863. Major-General AUGUR: The admiral has arrived, and would like to know the condition of things and how he can serve you. JAMES ALDEN, Captain, U. S. Navy. Capt. JAMES ALDEN: General Banks is up with his forces, and we close in around them this morning; will probably open fire upon them in the course of the day. The general wishes me to say that he will keep the admiral informed of the progress of affairs. C. C. AUGUR, Major-General. MAY 24, 1863. Admiral FARRAGUT: General Banks wishes to inform you that our forces are in possession of the point opposite Pbrt Hudson. Our troops are somewhat above, and retired, but they com- mand the point. They captured a signal officer and 6 men last night. I am a mile from the fortifications. Grover is on his way to the same. Sherman is close at hand. C. C. AUGUR, Major- General. MAY 24, 1863. Admiral FARRAGUT: I have received a dispatch from Colonel Chandler, assistant quartermaster at Bra- shear City, requesting me tQ ask you what disposition is to be made of the coal towed around by the Anglo-American. He says they cannot get in. He has no boats to send for them, and asks if they had not better return. A. N. SHIPLEY, Ass~stant Qnarterrna8ter. Capt. JAMES ALDEN: Can the tug take rue to Baton Rouge and return, on important business ~ JOHN H. RAUCH, Medical Director. J. H. RAUCH, Medical Director: Yes; will send her down soon, JAMES ALDEN, Captai , U. S. Navy. JUNE 4, 1863. Admiral FARRAGUT: I beg of you to bring youi mortars to bear immediately while daylight lasts your mortars to bear upon a circle of 200 yards diameter, the circle about 800 yards south of the church. Let the mortar shell fall in a circle of 200 yards in that vicinity. One shell near this point will destroy the magazine. It is just in rear of first clump of trees looking up toward the town from your position. N. ~. BANKS, Major- General. Admiral FARRAGUT: Colonel Prince has been to-day to the mouth of Thompsons Creek, on the east hank, and reports neither seeing nor hearing anything of the enemy in the neighbor- hood. Our picket line is complete to the captured steamboats, whence it is extended by frequent patrols beyond the steamboats to the river. The crossing of Thompsons Creek is reported impracticable. We buTned the enemys store-house this afternoon. IN. P. BANKS, Major- General, Commanding. JUNE 9, 1863. Admiral FARRAGUT: The range of your guns is rather too great to-night, ~o~ie of the shells exploding between the enemys works and General Qrovers frou t. P. BANKS, gap r-Genera4 8 u R.YOL XXVI, PT Page 114 114 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXIYIII. JUNE 10, 1863. Admiral FARRAGUT: Does the Arizona need the company of sharpshooters which we put on her? They have been set ashore at Saint Francisville. Steamer Locust Point is in from the north; dates to the 24th. No news. Gold, 144. Tow-boat Boston captured at Pass ~ 1Outre last [night] by 20 rebels, and run out to sea. N. P. BANKS, Major- G eneral, Commanding. Major-General BANKS: The sharpshooters are not needed on the Arizona. News from Grant, to the 27th, good. Rebels gone to sea is another Fox case. Captain and crew of the Fox have arrived in New Orleans, and should be arrested. D. G. FARRAGUT, Admiral. Admiral FARRAGUT: You can have as much ice as you can store by sending for it. The ice vessel has got to be lightened to be sent out of this place to Baton Rouge JOHN WATTERS, Lientena t- Commander. Admiral FARRAGUT: Please send the sharpshooters not needed on the Arizona to these headquarters. Orders have been sent to General Bowen, at New Orleans, to arrest the captain and crew of the Fox. N. P. BANKS, Major- General, Commanding. Admiral FARRAGUT: Colonel Prince reports no raft being built at the mouth of Thompsons Creek, and no indications there of any effort on the part of the enemy to escape. The ground on the west side is very swampy and can only be traversed by men on foot. A recon~ noitering party, sent down the east bank, went as far as the mouth of Sandy Creek, which is about 340 yards above the mouth of Thompsons Creek, but met no pickets. Colonel Prince saw our camp at Fausse Point, and thinks the commanding officer there woiild be able to observe everything transpiring at the mouth of Thompsons Creek. Please ask him to do so. N. P. BANKS, Major- General, Commanding. W. S. Scnr~y, Executive Officer of the Richmond: Send as many 5-second fuses as you can possibly spare to Springfield Landing, in care of Colonel Arnold, chief of artillery. E. TERRY. JUNE 11. Admiral FARRAGUT: Captain and engineer of the Fox have been arrested, and one discharged on $10,000 bail, at the request of his relative, the Hon. Mr. Flanders. N. P. BANKS, Major- General, Commanding. JUNE 10. Admiral FARRAGUT: Colonel Benedict informs me that you had orders not to fire. It must have been a great mistake in some of my dispatches. Please continue the fire of your mortars the whole night. We shall fire, also. N. P. BANKS, Major- General, Commanding. Admiral FARRAGUT: The enemys comaroissary store has been removed to the bank of the river near the railroad 1an4in~. Cannot the gnr~ ~jnd mortars of the fleet be brought to bear Jipon CLIAS. P. STONE, BrigadierT~.eneral Page 115 CHAP. XXXVIII.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. 115 Admiral FARRM3UT: Dispatches to General Banks delivered in person. Chief engineer asks, Can you give him four 30-pounder Parrott guns, and on what kind of carriages? J. S. BAKER, Captain and Engineer. J. S. BAKER, Engineer: The admiral has no 30-pounder Parrott gnus here. It is understood a large niim- ber belonging to the army are at New Orleans, in store. T. A. JENKINS, Captain, and Chief of Staff. JUNE 13, 1863. General BANKS Ammunition for the naval battery just received, and will be sent to Springfield Landing this a. m. T. A. JENKINS, Captain, and Chief of Staff. JUNE 14, 1863. Admiral FARRAGUT: The telegraph operator here was ordered to the front this morning. We have n& communication with General Banks headquarters. Officers coming in report Weitzel inside the enemys works. The. front was defeated in an assault. This is what I can learn here at Springfield Landing. JOHN WATTERS, Lieutenant- Commander. JUNE 15, 1863. Commanding Officer of the Lower Fleet: From information received, I think an attack will be made upon my force by a large force of cavalry. If the enemy does not attack me to-day, I shall move my force to the lower fleet, for the purpose of getting a safe position and near supplies. C. H. SAGE, Colonel, Commanding. Send this to General Banks. D. G. FARRAGUT. Admiral. JUNE 15, 1863. Major-General BANKS: I can deliver in New Orleans 1,000 30-pounder Parrott shot or shell, and 600 20-pounder Parrott shot or shelL if wanted, telegraph to Commodore Morris for it to be sent in any army transport. D G. FARRAGIIT, Admiral. JUNE 17, 1863. Admiral FARRAGUT: Can you send me two surgeons, as the wounded are coming in very fast and I am short-handed l J. C. FISHER, Medical Director. JAMES C. FISHER, Medical Director: I have but one surgeon. D. G. FARRAGUT, Admiral. U. S. GUNBOAT WINONA, Springfield Landing, June 19, 1863. Admiral FARRAGUT: Sin: The enemy is in force near Plaqueminecavalry, infantry, and artillery. The force that made this mornings raid numbered 300. It seems they intended at- tacking this place. I at once proceeded here as quick as possible. The commandin Page 116 116 w. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIIL officer expects an attack. With the assistance of a gunboat the fort can be held, in my opinion, against any force the rebels can bring. A. W. WEAVER, Lieutenant-Commander, U. S. Navy. This is respectfully submitted by JOHN F. JENOKS, First Lieut. 26th Coun. Vols., and Acting Signal Officer. Lieut. GEORGE B. HERBERT, Adjutant, Signal Corps, Department of the Gulf. No. 15. Report of Lient. James II. Rundlett, Fiftieth Massachusetts Infantry, Acting Signal Officer, of operations May 24July 7. NEW ORLEANS, LA., July 27, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report to you the following signal duty as having been performed by me since the 24th of May, 1863: May 24, I was ordered by Lieutenant Hallett, commanding detach- ment at Baton Rouge, to report to Springfield Landing without delay. I proceeded from there to the headquarters of General Augur, and was then ordered by Lieutenant Hallett to report to Acting Brigadier- General Dudleys headquarters for duty. June 1, having opened communication with the headquarters of General Augur, sent the following messages: JUNE 1. General AUGUR: Please ask Captain Holcomb the range of the three last spherical case shots I fired after I received his message. DUDLEY, Colonel. JUNE 1. Colonel DUDLEY: I did not see them. HOtCOMB, Captain. Was now ordered by Lieutenant Hallett to build a statiou on Grif- fiths plantation, on a line of communication between the headquarters of General Banks and the U. S. sloop of war Richmond. JUNE 4. Admiral FARRAGUT: The enemy nnmber their water batteries 1, 2, & c., from np-river down. The magazine is behind battery No. 6, 500 yards back from the river. N. P. I3ANKS. JUNE 6. General BANKS: I have got the enemy under my control. The minute he opens, I silence him. I am glad I hurt him. D. G FARRAGUT. JUNE 9. General BANKS: Hammering and building is reported at the mouth of Thompsons Creek. Can you account for it? D. G4 FARRAGUT Page 117 CHAP. XXXVIII.) - StEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA~ 117 JUNE 10. Admiral FARRAGUT: Please send to Springfield Landing 500 blank cartridges, 250 shrapnel, 200 shell, and 50 solid shot for the 9-inch navy guns. Please let me know when they will be there. N. P. BANKS, Major-General. JUNE 10. General BANKS: The ammunition you asked for will be at Springfield Landing at 5 p. m. ALDEN, Captain. JUNE 11. Admiral PARRAGTJT: Your letter received. Will send answer about charges of powder desired for navy guns. N. P. BANKS, Major-General, Commanding. JUNE 11. Captain ALDEN: Your letter received. The generals request was for 200 shrapnel. You men- tioned 50 only. We need them very much. RICHD B. IRWIN, Assi8tant Adjutant-General. JUNE 13. Admiral FARRAGUT: Please send an order to the company of sharpshooters from the Arizona, said to be ashore at Saint Francisville, to rejoin their regiment at once. RICHD B. IRWIN, Assistant Adjutant- General. JUNE 13. General BANKS: Commodore Palmer sent me word, and I send it to you, that the sharpshooters of the Arizona had joined their regiment some time before the Arizona went up the river to Natchez; but I will send by the first opportunity. FARRAGUT, Admiral. JUNE 13. Admiral FARRAGUT: Please send us as much shrapnel as you can spare for the 9-inch navy guns. General Gardner answers that his duty requires him to defend the place, and there- fore he refuses to surrender. N. P. BANKS, Major-General, Commanding. JUNE 13. Admiral FARRAGUT: Please commence firing, with mortars only, at 11 p. in., and cease exactly at 2 a. m. Throw your shell as nearly as possible in the center of the works. N. P. BANKS. JUNE 14. General BANKS: Our artillery are trying to silence that of the enemy. Infantry very quiet. Noth- ing of importance. DWIGHT, General. JUNE 14. General BANKS: General Dwight is preparing to renew the attack; should prefer to do so at the same time with General Grover. When will General Grover do so? FISKE, Lieutenant, Aide-de-Camp Page 118 118 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX [Cm~r. XXXVIIL JUNE 14. General DWIGHT: General Grovers column is reported ready, and will move forward at once to the assault. By order of Major-General Banks: RICHD B. IRWIN, Assistant Adjutant- General. JUNE 14. General BANKS: Our skirmishers and sharpshooters are within 20 rods of the parapet; a ravine between them and the parapet is full of fallen timber, and raked by artillery on my right and left. DWIGHT, General. JUNE 14. General DWIGHT: Grover seems to he attacking now. RICHD B. IRWIN, A8sistant Adjutant-General. JUNE 14. General BANKS: General Dwight cannot advance farther until the skirmishers silence the field batteries. DWWHT, General. JUNE 14. General BANKS: The Parrotts have made them haul back from their guns; none now in sight of them. CHAS. P. STONE, Brigadier-General. JUNE 14. Colonel IRWIN: All quiet but sharpshooting. As the First and Second Brigades cannot retire, General Dwight cannot assault again at present. Shall throw up rifle-pits at dark. FiSKE, Lieutenant, Aide-de-Camp. JUNE 20. Commodore PALMER: General Banks wishes to say to General Grant that he has perfect confidence of success. RICHD B. IRWIN, Assistant Adjutant-General. JUNE 20. General BANKS: I hear that Yicksburg has fallen, and that 20,000 fresh troops are in the rear. Is it true I ALDEN, Captain. JUNE 26. Captain ALDEN: It is a rumor, and can be traced to no reliable source. RICHD B. IRWIN, Assistant Adjutant-General. JUNE 29. Captain ALDEN: The commanding general requests you to spare yourtng, if possible, to take am- munition from Springfield Landing to Donaldsonvile. Please answer. RICHD B. IRWIN, Assistant Adjutant-General Page 119 CHAP. XXXVIII.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. 119 JUNE 29. RICHARD B. IRWIN: Yes. ALDEN, Captain. JULY 1. General BARKs: About6,OOO contrabands here; please send a boat to take them. ALDEN, Captain. JULY 7. Admiral FARRAGIJT: Bands will play, and we shall fire salute of one hundred guns from right and left at noon. I shall be glad if you will participate with us. N. P. BANKS, Major. General, Commanding. JULY 7. General BANKS: I am detaining the General Price to take Colonel Smith back to Yicksburg. If he intends returning, pray send him at once. PALMER, Commodore. JULY 7. Commodore PALMER: General Banks is writing dispatches to General Grant. I will send them in a few minutes. Colonel Smith remains. RTCIID B. IRWIN, Assistant Adjutant-General. JULY 7. Commodore PALMER: Your officer has arrived. Have you dispatches yet? RICHD B. IRWIN, Assistant Adjutant-General. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES II. IRUNDLETT, Second Lieut. Co. K, P~ftieth Mass. Vols., and Actg. Signal Officer. Lieut. GEORGE B. HERBERT, Adjutant of Signal Corps. No. 16. Report of Licut. B. H. Russell, Ninth Pennsylvania Reserves, Acting Signal Officer, of operations May 24July 11. NEW ORLEANS, LA., July 27, 1803. SIR: I have the honor to present the following report of signal duty performed by me at the siege of Port Hudson, La., beginning on the 24th of May, 1863, and ending on the 11th of July, 1863: On the 24th of May, 1863, 1 reported for duty to Capt. William 33. Roe, acting chief signal officer at headquarters Department of the Gulf; above Port Hudson, La. I was directed to report on the 26th of May to Brig. (len. C-. Weitzel, commanding a division of the right wing of our forces before Port Hudson Page 120 120 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., ~. MEX. [CHAP. XXX~Ill. On the morning of the 27th of May, T reported again to Brigadier- General Weitzel, shortly after the commencement of the assault made by our right wing. As the country was so densely wooded as to render signaling impracticable, I made myself useful whenever I could as acting aide? On the 28th and 29th of May, no communication was maintained by signals. On the 30th of May I opened communication with the U. S. sloop of war Richmond (then lying below Port Hudson) from the top of a tree on the extreme right of our line. Second Licut. A. M. Jackson, acting signal officer, was at that time in charge of the station on the Richmond. The distances between the stations were from 3 to 5 miles. The following official messages were sent and received between the 30th of May and th~ 6th of Jnne, when the station was discontinued, as unijecessary, by the general commanding the right wing: Admiral FARRAGUT: Let the mortars now fire on the gon which shot at us last night. WEITZEL, General. Brigadier-General WEITZEL: The mortars cannot reach the gun. FARRAGUT, Admiral. 11 A. M. General BANKS: An orderly reached Bayou Sara last night with dispatches for the Hartford, Not waiting for transportation, he went by land, and has not yet arrived. FARRAGuT~ Admiral. The above are all the official messages which appear upon my de- fective minutes of the work done npon this station. No signaling was required upon the right wing after the statioi was discontinued. Second Lieut. John W. Dana and Second Lient. R. C. Harris assisted me in the duties of the station. i; subjoin a rongh sketch* of the country across which we cominuni- cated. On the 8th of July, Port Hudson surrendered to our troops. On the 11th of July, in obedience to orders, I reported to Brigadier-General Grover for duty, and proceeded with him to iDonaldsonville. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, E. H. RUSSELL, First Lient. Ninth Pa. Reserve Corps, and Acting iS1ignat Officer. Lieut. GEORGE R. HERBERT, Adjutant of AS~ignal Corps, Department of the Gulf. No. 17. Report of Col. N. A. M. Dudley, Thirty first ][fassachusetts infantry, commanding Third Brigade, First Division, Nineteenth Army Gorps, of action at Plains & ore. CAi~w AT THE PLAINS STORE, May 23, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report that in compliance with General Orders, No. 1, dated headquarters United States forces, camp on Mer- Sketch omitted Page 121 CHAP. XI~VIILl SIEGE OF PORT HIJDSON, LA. ritts plantation, May 20, 1863, the following forces under my command left camp at 6 a. m. of the 21st: Third Brigade, First Division, consisting of Thirtieth Massachusetts Volunteers, Lieut. Col. W. W. Bullock Second Louisiana Volunteers, Col. C. J. Paine; One hundred and sixty-first New York Volunteers, Col. G. T. Harrower; One hundred and seventy-fourth New York Volunteers, Lieut. Col. B. F. Gott, accompanied by Captain Godfreys squadron of cavalry, four pieces of light artillery, Battery G, Fifth U. S. Artillery, Lieutenant IRawles, and one section of the Eighteenth New York Bat- tery, under Sergt. D. W. McConnell, proceeded up the Bayou Sara road to the opening of the first plain, when the advance came upon a con- siderable picket force of the enemys, which was dispersed by Godfreys cavalry. The column continued its march until near the clearing on the west side of the plains, about three-fourths of a mile from the Plains Store, when a brisk skirmish was opened by Captain Fiskes and Lieu- tenant ~ companies of the Thirtieth Massachusetts Volunteers, which were thrown out onto the edge of the ~i oods in front of the enemys battery position. One section of Light Battery G was placed in position on the Bayou Sara road, which engaged the rebel battery for fully half an hour under a heavy fire, but failed to silence it; another section of the same battery and the section of the Eighteenth New York were brought up, and even this increased fire did not succeed in permanently silenc-~ ing the fire nf the enemy. The section of the Eighteenth New York, by direction of Major- General Augur, was withdrawn, and replaced by four pieces of the Second Vermont Battery, Captain Holcomb. The pieces of Lienten. ant Ilawles were moved to the right, and llolcombs sections took the position on the left of the road, the latter supported by the One hundred and seventy-fourth New York, and the right pieces supported by four companies of the Thirtieth Massachusetts. The Second Loui- siana Volunteers, supported by the One hundred and sixtyfirst New York Volunteers, moved through the woods on the right, with a view of getting on the of the enemys battery, which they succeeded in doing. The skirmish fire of these regiments, with the three compa- nies of the Thirtieth Massachusetts Volunteers, rendered good service and materially contributed toward driving the enemy from their po~i- tion. Previous to this latter disposition, Captain Ferris company had been sent over on the right flank of the column, where it engaged the enemys skirmishers, having 1 lieutenant and 1 man wounded. This company took several prisoners, and completely cleared the woods at this point. The concentrated fire of this force drove the enemy from their position. At this juncture, my command was immediately ordered to move to the front and take position near the Plains Store. One sec- tion of Light Battery G, under command of Lieutenant Beck, was placed on the Port Hudson road, the other on the Bayou Sara road, where it remained until the renewed attack in the afternoon on the right flank, when I was ordered to support Holcombs battery, which had been put in position on Bayou Sara road, about 250 yards to the front of the junc- tion of the Port Hudson road. This was gallantly done by Lieutenant- Colonel Gotts regiment, One hundred and seventy-fourth New York Volunteers. At the same time this heavy firing was going on in front of the One hundred and seventy-fourth, I was ordered to send up the Port Hudson road a section of artillery. Lieuteiiant Beck responded promptly to this call, and held his position until abandoned by his sup- port. Having had two swing horses and drivers killed, he was corn- pelled to retire, leaving one piece for a short time behind, when the men of the reserve pieces joined their comrades, and succeeded in bringing i5~ Page 122 122 W. FLA., s. ALA., S. MISS., IA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. IXIVIIL off the piece. iolcombs battery having whipped the enemy in front, the several corps took up their positions assigned them for the night on the field from which they had driven the enemy. The following is the amount and character of ammunition expended by the three sections of artillery attached to my brigade: 45 rounds solid shot, 22 rounds spherical case, 58 rounds shell, 8 rounds canister. It would be useless to attempt to bestow any ~special compliment on any individual of my immediate command for their conduct during the engagement; all seemed to vie with each other in carrying out promptly and to the letter any order given. Lient. Col. Charles Everett, Second Louisiana, and First Lieutenant Norcross, Thirtieth Massachusetts, wei-e severely wounded while gallantly engaging the enemys skirmish- ers in front. I am specially indebted to the members of my staff, Cap. tains Speed and Whittier, Lieutenants Dean, Skinner, and Loring, for their prompt and efficient services in transmitting orders from point to point, frequently nnder a heavy cross-fire of canister and shell. An. nexed is a list of killed, wounded, and missing of this brigade and the corps attached.* I am, sir, your obedient servant, [N. A. N. DUDLEY,] Colonel, and Acting Brigadier.Generat. Capt. G. B. IIALSTED, Assistant Adjutant-General. No. 18. Report of Col. Thomas S. Clark, Si~rth Michigan Infantry, commanding First Brigade, of the assault June 14. BEFORE PORT HUDSON, LA., June 16, 1863. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to transmit the following report of the casualties, & c., of this command during the engagement of the 14th instant: Agreeably to orders received from the general commanding the di- vision, I ordered the Sixth Michigan Volunteers and Fourteenth Maine Volunteers to the extreme left, for the purpose of storming the enemys works on the river, which I afterward found they could not accomplish, owing to the nature of the ground. Returning to the Mount Pleasant road, I deployed my skirmishers, supporting them by the One hundred and twenty-eighth New York Volunteers, Colonel Smith commanding. They were immediately fol. lowed by the Fifteenth New Hampshire Volunteers and Twentysixth Connecticut Volunteers, whom I brought forward in column of com- panies on the main road; but I was compelled to deploy them, as the en- emy were pouring into us a well-directed fire of shot and shell. As the field would not permit of their being deployed but for a short distance, I was again obliged to form them into columns by companies. I mention this latter circumstance more particularly, as the several movements ordered were executed with alacrity and with a coolness and precision which is deserving of special praise. In the interim, the skirmishers, under the immediate command of Captain Wilkinson, of the One hun- dred and twenty-eighth New York Volunteers, were steadily advancing toward the enemys works, but were unable to go nearer than 300 yards of the parapet. The main column came up iu good order until they arrived at a deep ravine, which had been rendered almost impassable by felled trees and * See revised statement, p. 67 Page 123 123 CHAP. x~rviitj SIEGE Ot PORT 1IUt~SOf, LA~ a dense growth of chaparral. The enemy had also planted a battery, which kept up a raking and destructive fire upon our forces while they were endeavoring to cross it. Here I found it necessary that the men should be cautioned that they must use every means in their power to go forward under such cover as the bushes and. trees in the vicinity afforded. The enemys sharp- shooters had thrown bags of sand on the parapet, placed in such man- ner as to permit of their picking off our men without exposing them- selves. After communicating with and learning the wishes of the general commanding, I fell back, and ~established the headquarters about 350 yards from the enemys parapet, which enabled me to watch their move- ments as well as to direct those of the skirmishers and advanced parties. Owing to ~he advanced position of the brigade, I did not deem it advisable to draw them off before dark, as by so doing it would have occasioned a useless loss of life without any important advantage ac- cruing from it. About 7 oclock in the evening I drew off my men, together with the dead and wounded, without farther loss, leaving the sharpshooters and skirmishers to hold the ground from which we had driven the enemy in the earlier part of the day. Both officers and men conducted themselves in a manner worthy of American soldiers. The nine-months troops have demonstrated by their gallant conduct that they can be relied on in any emergency. The Fourteenth Maine Volunteers were not in the engagement. Our loss in killed, wounded, and missing is not heavy, considering the ad- vantages .possessed by the enemy, and the number of the natural and artificial obstacles which our forces had to surmount. I append a list of the number of the killed, wounded, and missing; the missing, since heard of, were killed, and couhi not be found at the time. - Command. a H 6th Michigan 8 15th New Hampshire 25 128th New York. - - 1 20 26th Connecticut 61 14th Maine 1 Total 1 115 Respectfully submitted. TIDIOS. S. CLARK, Golonel, Commanding First Brigade, & cond Divi8ion. Capt. WIcKnAi~i HoFFMMi, Assistant Adjutant-General. No. 19. Report of Cot. flihomas (L Kingsley, Twenty-sixth Connecticut Infantry, of the first assault. Co~yALE5CET~T HOSPITAL, Baton Rouge, La., June 3, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to make to you the following report of the killed, wounded, and missing of the Twenty-sixth Regiment Connecticut 8 7 32 21 73 I 19 13 Page 124 124 W. PtA., S. ALA~ S. MISS., LA., Tk~., ~. M~x. fOHAP. XXXVIII. Volunteers at the battle near Port Hudson, on Wednesday the 27th day of May, 1863: The regiment is in General Dows brigade and in the Second Division, commanded by General Sherman. We were ordered to make an assault upon the works, and to do it in four lines. The first line was formed by the Sixth Michigan; second, Fifteenth New Hampshire; third, Twenty- sixth Connecticut; fourth, One hundred and twenty-eighth New York. In advancing in line of battle, we encountered three high parallel fences, and, iii getting over them, much confusion ensued, and before we could get into line the enemy opened on us with sheTh. shot, grape, and can- ister, mowing our mefl down by scores. As our men advanced, the ranks were thinned, until, after one hours fighting, our men were com- pelled to seek shelter behind stumps, logs, & c. Generals Sherman and Dow were both wounded and carried from the field. The Twenty-sixth brought off the wounded and did not leave the field until past 8 p. m. This is the first time the regiment has been under the enemys fire, and permit me to say that, with the exception of two or three, they did honor to themselves and credit to their State. I am in the hospital, badly wounded (not fatally), and have not the opportunity of giving so full a statement of the nature of the wounds as I should like. IL think the lieutenant-colonel may make a report also. I am, most respectfully, your obedient servant, T. G. KINGSLEY, Golonel Twenty sixth Regiment Connecticut Volunteers. ADJUTANT-GENERAL, UNITED STATES. No. 20. Report of Lieut. Col1 Joseph ASelden, Twenty-sixth Connecticut Infantry, of the first assault. IN THE FIELD, NEAR PORT HUDSON, ][fay 31, 1863. GENERAL: I inclose a list of killed, wounded, and missing in this regiment, resulting from our participation in the attack on Port Hudson, on the afternoon of May 27, 1863.* The attempt was made to take the rebel batteries and intrenchments by storm. Our regiment was formed in line of battle with the Sixth Michigan and One hundred and twenty-eighth New York Regiments in front of us, and the Fifteenth New Hampshire in our rear. The bri- ga(le was ordered forward on the double-quick. Four fences intervened between us and the intrenchments, which greatly impeded our advance. In passing these fences, the different regiments were thrown into confu- sion and became somewhat mixed up. On entering the field, a perfect shower of grape, shot, and canister met us, severely wounding Generals Sherman and Dow, and cutting down officers and men by scores. Still, we advanced, and for more than two hours held the ground, and when obliged to fall back, it was not in disorder. I rallied our men, and formed the regiment near the entrance of the field, and we held the ground occupied by our brigade daring the day. This being the first time the regiment had been under fires I must be permitted to say that Embodied in revised statement, p 68 Page 125 CIlIA?. XXXVIII.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. 125 they conducted themselves with great gallantry and bravery, for the truth of which assertion I have but to point to the record inclosed. Very respectfully, your most obedient servant, JOSEPH SI~LDEN, Lieutenant- Colonel, Commanding Twenty-sixth Connecticut Vols. General J. D. WILLIAMS, Adjutant- General, Hartford, Conn. No. 21. Report of Capt. Francis S. Keese, One hundred and twenty-eighth New York Infantry, of the first assault. BEFORE PORT HUDSON, May 31, 1803. SIR: I have the honor to transmit the following report of the part taken by this regiment in the battle of Wednesday, May 27: During the early part of the day, Companies 11,1, and G, under my im- mediate command, were stationed o~ the Port Hudson road, deployed as skirmishers and sharpshooters. At 1.30 p. m. moved to the position oc cupied by the Vermont battery, in line of woods facing the rebel earth- works. From there we moved forward, and formed line of battle with the remainder of the regiment, under command of Col. D S. Cowles. We moved to the charge about 2.10 p. in., the One hundred and twenty-eighth being the rear regiment of the brigade. The whole regiment, except Com- panies A and C, were in the fight. These two companies were deployed on the right as sharpshooters. Several fences broke the line of battle at the time of the charge, throwing the troops into considerable confu- sion and disorder. A deep gully upon the right of the road also operated disadvantageously. Col. D. S. Cowles boldly led forward his regiment in face of a galling fire, and after Generals Sherman, yoprself, and Clark, of the Sixth Michigan Volunteers, were wounded, the command of the brigade devolved upon him. He was mortally wounded while rally- ing his men, and died upon the field of battle. Throughout the entire engagement he displayed signal coolness and courage, and showed him- self every inch a soldier. After his death, the command of the regiment devolved upon myself, I being the senior officer upon the field. All the men of this command fought nobly, and boldly advanced to the charge in spite of the great disadvantages under which they labored. The offi- cers performed their duty boldly, and were to be seen in front of their men, cheering them on. Where all the officers performed theirduty so well, it would be invidious to distinguish. The regiment retreated about 4.30 p. in., but afterward many agaiu advanced to the front, and, from behind stumps and logs, kept up an incessant fire upon any of the enemy who showed themselves above the parapet. Capt. Arthur De Wint, Company F, was wounded in the arm while in charge of the advance guard or storming party. Lieut. Charles L. Van Slyck, Company E, was killed during the early part of the en- gagement, while nobly cheering on his men. The bodies of many of our dead were found within a short distance of the rebel earthworks, while none retreated until the command was given to that effect. I am sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, FRANCIS S. KEESE, Captain, Corndg. 128th New York Volunteevs. Brig. Gen. NEAL Dow, t2oindg. First Brig., Second Div., Nineteenth Army fJorps. Page 126 126 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS,, LA., TEX., N. MEX. tOnAP. XXXVIII No. 22. Report of Lient. Col. Justus W. Blanchard, One hundred and sicety. second New York infantry, of affair at Springfield Landing. SPRINGFIELD LANDING, LA., July 2, 1863. GENERAL: I beg leave to inform you the rebels made an attack on the post at about 8.30 a in., about 150 to 200 strong. The attack was very vigorous on some negro troops, who retreated, all owing the rebels to set fire to the commissary stores, which were mostly destroyed. I brought my regiment to the scene of action, and drove them back in double-quick. They were again repulsed on our right and ou our left, losing 3 or 4 killed, a number wounded, and 2 prisoners. We have 2 of my regiment and 3 of the negro regiment wounded, 1 negro killed. All is now quiet. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. W. BLANCHARD, Gommanding 162d New York Vols. and this Post. Brigadier-General DWIGHT. P. S.I fear a portion of our pickats have been taken prisoners. [Thdorsernent.] JULY 2, 1863. Respectfully forwarded. Our troops did not behave well. The offi- cers refused to volunteer to bring a dispatch to the headquarters of the commanding general. WILLIAM DWIGHT, Brigadier- General, Commanding. No. 23. Report of Brig. Gen. Bialbert B. Paine, U. S. Army, commanding Third Division, of the expedition to Clinton. PORT HUDSON, LA., June 9, 1863. COLONEL: The troops placed under my command for the expedition to Clinton marched at 4 a. m. on Friday last, and encamped that night at the Redwood Bayou Bridge. The excessive heat prostrated a large number of officers and men, who were sent back to headquarters in the evening. On Saturday morning we marched to the Comite Bridge, encamped there during the day, and at midnight marched toward Clin- ton. The cavalry entered the town at daylight Sunday morning, the infantry being about 3 miles iu the rear. The enemy had moved their stores dnring the three preceding days., and the last of their troops had left on Saturday. Colonel Grierson burned the cotton-mill, railroad depot, and railroad bridge. The information obtained as to the number, character, and des- tination of these troops was very conflicting. Your own estimate (1,500 to 2,000) is probably correct. Most of them are mounted. They appear to have four pieces of. indiWer~t artillery, and will, II ti4n1~, ~ presen Page 127 CHAP. XXXVIII.1 SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. 127 rendezvous at or near Liberty, Miss. In my opinion, Colonel Grierson would have routed them on Wednesday last bat for their immense ad- vantage of position. The whites and blacks gave us various reports as to their objects.- that they designed to attack Baton Rouge simultaneously with our at- tack on Port Hudson; that they intended a raid on our train near Springfield Landing; that they expected to get in the rear of my com- mand; that they contemplated a junction with General Kirby Smith, who was said to be crossing the river at Natchez, with a view to relieve Port Hudson; that they were fortifying Whiteside; that the force was collected for General Johnston, to be used in an attack upon the Army of the Gulf, New Orleans, & c. Some of the inhabitants seemed altogether despondent; others ex- hibited in their demeanor, as well as language, great confidence that their army would fall upon us before the capture of Port Hudson. We marched back to the Comite River~ on Sunday morning, encamped there during the day, marched in the evening to Redwood Bayon, where we encamped during the night, and on Monday morning (the 8th instant) returned to Port Hudson. No casualties occurred except such as resulted from the intense heat. Most respectfully, your obedient servant, HALBERT E. PAINE, Brigadier- General. Lieut. Col. RICHARD B. IRWIN, Assistant Adjutant- General. ADDENDA. SPECIAL ORDERS, ~ IIDQRS. DEPT. OF GULF, 19TH ARMY CORPS, No. 131. f Before Port Hudson, June 4, 1863. I. Brigadier-General Grover, commanding the right wing, will imme- diately detail one brigade of infantry, 2,O~JO strong, and two sections of Napoleon guns, under the command of Brig. Gen. ilalbert E. Paine, for special service. Brigadier-General Paine will at once report in per- son at these headquarters for instructions. The men will take three days rations in their haversacks. * * * * * * By command of Major-General Banks. [RICIID B. IRWIN,] Assistant Adjutant- General. HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE GULF, 19TH ARMY CoRPS, Before Port Hudson, June 5, 1863. Brig. Gen. II. E. PAINE, Commanding Expedition; GENERAL: The commanding general directs me to communicate the following instructions for your guidance: The force under your command consists of a full brigade and two sections of artillery from your own division, and all of Colonel Grier- sons cavalry brigade, including a section of Nims battery, excepting the necessary detachments for picket duty. The object of your expe- dition is to attack and disperse the force of the enemy, supposed to be from 1,500 to 2,000 strong, which has been collected at Clinton. The details of this operation are left to your discretion, with the singl Page 128 128 w. FLA., s. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP XXXVIIL direction that it is essential that the object shall be accomplished as speedily and as thoroughly as possible. If practicable, a part of the cavalry may be sent, after your main purpose is accomplished, to break up the rendezvous of the enemy near Woodville. Having executed the foregoing instructions, you will rejoin this com- mand without delay. Please report frequently. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, RJCIID B. IRWIN, Assistant Adjutant- General. No. 24. Report of 31(0. James P. Richardson, Thirty-eighth Massachusetts in fantry, Third Brigade, of operations May 22July 12. BATON ROUGE, LA., July 14, 1863. SIR: In regard to the operations of the Thirty-eighth Regiment Mas - sachusetts Volunteers before Port Hudson, I have the honor to report that the regiment landed with the rest of the army at Bayou Sara on the 22d May last, and marched for Port Hudson on the same day, where they arrived in the evening of the 23d, and rested in order of battle near a sugar-house. On the 24th, it moved forward about three- quarters of a mile, and reste(l for the night. On the 25th, the regiment was ordered to Thompsons Creek, to support the Eighteenth New York Battery. During the day we had a slight skirmish with the enemy, in which we lost 2 killed and 1 wounded. We remained in support of the battery until the 27th, when we were ordered to report to General Paine. The enemy was attacked and driven back throngh the woods into his works, and an assault ordered. We went forward in column of com- panies very near to the works, but in consequence of the severe fire of the enemy, sheltered behind his works, it was found to be impracticable to enter, and the regiment soublit such shelter as the ground afforded until night, when it was withdrawn. During the day, Lieutenant-Colo- nel Rodman, who was in command of the regiment, was shot through the heart and instantly killed. The loss of the regiment during the day, in addition to the above, was 3 killed and 12 wounded. In the evening of the same day, the regiment went on picket duty at the front, where it remained for three days constantly nuder the fire of the enemy. On the 28th, 1 corporal was wounded in the arm. On the 30th, I joined the regiment and reported for duty, having been absent sick since the regiment left Opelonsas on the 5th May. The regiment had just been relieved from picket duty. At night we went on Picket again, where we remained until the 4th of June. During that time we had 1 killed and 1 wounded. On the 4th of June, we were moved in the rear of Battery F, where we remained until the next morning, when we were ordered to march under General Paine. We started at 4 a. m. toward Clinton, and marched till about 11.30 oclock, and halted at a sugar-house for two hours. On starting again, the heat was so intense that several men were sunstruck, and another halt was made in the woods until 0 p. iii. In the evening we marched till about 10 oclock, and rested in the woods. On the morning of the 6th, at 6 oclock, we started and max~1~ied to Page 129 CHAP. XXXVIII.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. 129 Comite River. and rested until midnight, when we marched ~or Clinton, arriving near that place about 4.30 a. m. It being ascertained that the enemy had fled, we returned to Comite River, and rested until 6 a. in., when we marched till 9 p. in., and rested near Redwood Bayou. On the morning of the 8th we marched at 4 oclock, and arrived in camp before Port lludson at 10 a. in. We rested till evening, then marched about 2 miles, and went into camp. On the 13th of June, we formed with the rest of the Third Division in order of battle for an assault upon the enemys works. The next morn; jug, on the 14th, au daylight, our regiment was deployed as skirmishers, and, under the lead of General Paine, went for~vard on the double-quick, nnder a very severe fire from the enemy. We reached the ditch and some of the men crossed it; one got inside the works and was taken prisoner. We took position where we could beat away the enemy and compel him to keep concealed behind his works, and waite(l for the storm- ing column, which was to follow us, but the column did not come, and we remained under the works all day, subjected to a broiling sun. At night we were ordered back to our camp. Our loss in this affair was, commissioned officers, 1 killed and 5 wounded; enlisted men, 7 killed and 77 wounded, and 2 missing. On the 19th, the regiment was again sent to the front, to support Bat- tery F, where it remained until the surrender of Port Hudson on the 8th of July, during which time 2 men were wounded. Upon the surrender of the enemy, we were designated as one of the regiments to take possession of the fort. At 4 p. m. we marched for that purpose to the left, near the headquarters of General Augur, where we were ordered to wait until morning. At 12.30 oclock we received orders to march immediately for Plains Store, which we did, arriving there at a little before daylight on the morning of the 9th. Remained there until the 11th, when we marched at 5.30 p. in., in charge of a train of artillery and baggage, for Baton Rouge, where we arrived early on the morning of 12th July. All of which is respectfully submitted. J. P. RICHARDSON, Major, Comdg. Thirty-eighth Massachusetts Volunteers. Col. 0. P. GOOBINa-, Comdg. Third Brig., Third Div., Nineteenth Army Corps. No. 25. Report of Capt. Apollos Gomsto6h, Thirteenth Connecticut Infantry, Third Brigade, Fourth Division, of the assault June 14. BEFORE PORT HUDSON, June 14, 1863. GENERAL: I have the honor to report the action taken by the Thir- teenth Connecticut Volunteers in the engagement of the 14th instant, before Port Hudson, as follows: As per order, we moved from our position in rear of Durycas bat- tery at 2.30 a. in. to the Jackson road, and rested near the bridge, ou the right of said road (going toward Port Hudson), in rear of the rifle- pits, where the remaining regiments of the brigade joined us. At day- 1i~ht we were ordered forward, ai4 move~4 to the ph~tt~au beyomid th~ ~ I~YQ~ ~YJ, IT Page 130 130 w. FLA., s. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIJL rifle-pits, and rested on left of the road, in rear of First Brigade. At 7 a. m. we were ordered to support the First Brigade as they moved on the enemys works. The Thirteenth held the right of our brigade, and, following by the flank along the ravine, close in rear of the First, the regiment filed into lin.e, the right forming under cover of a ridge of ground, about 100 yards from the enemys works. As there was not room enough to form the whole regiment in line there, I ordered Lieu- tenant Gardner, acting adjutant, to take the five left companies, pass through a ravine, and form in line under cover of another ridge, on the left of the ravine and nearly parallel with the right. Soon after, Lieu- tenant Gardner was wounded, as also Captain Grosvenor, Company I. Still, the left moved steadily to the position referred to. At this point Colonel llolcomb, commanding First Brigade, fell, while leading his command to the charge, and his right gave way. I ordered my right to advance to their support, which they did under a very heavy fire from the enemys works. Lientenant Strickland, commanding Coin. pany F, fell here, killed instantly. Still they maintained the position nobly. At this time I ordered the regiment to file around the left of this position, and move forward through a ravine to a height which overlooked the enemys works, and not more than 20 or 30 yards from them. As this was the nearest point I could reach without a direct assault of the enemys works, which we had no instructions to do, I concluded to maintain that position and await orders. A regular de- tail of sharpshooters was kept at work on the brow of the height till snnset, when a strong picket was ordered to occupy it, which we did till about 10 p. in., when we were relieved, and ordered to our old posi. tion which we left on the morning of the action. - We lost 22 killed and wounded, which I have reported, with name, rank, and company in full. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. COMSTOCK, Captain, Commanding Thirteenth Connecticut Volunteers. HORACE J. MORSE, Adjutant-General, ,State of Connecticut. No. 26. Reports of Brig. Gems. Godfrey Weitzel, U. S. Army, commanding Pro visional Division, of operations June 711. HEADQIJiRTERS FOURTH DIVISION, Before Port Hudson, La., June 8, 18635.30 a. m. SIR: In compliance with instructions, I have the honor to report that nothing of importance has occurred in the Second Brigade, First Divi- sion, since last report. The First Brigade, Fourth Division, reports~incessant mnsketry firing all night, particularly at the mortar battery, where the soldiers were at work felling trees. The enemy was very attentive. Several shells also passed over and near the battery; also over brigade headquarters; 1 man wounded. Owing to a report which reached brigade headquarters about 8 oclock last evening, that the enemy was moving, and that some of the pickets could hear distinctly the words, Hurry up, & c., the picket Page 131 CHAr. XXXVIII.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. 131 were doubled and every precaution used which could guard against a surprise. The enemy appeared by the sound to be moving guns from the rear to the neighborhood of his rifle-pits, and the noise of a mill could be heard all night. The Second Brigade, Fourth Division, re- ports one regiment on duty with Brigadier-General Paine, two regi- ments iu reserve near the cross-roads, with the exception of 100 men detailed from these two regiments for fatigue duty at the mortar battery. By command of Brigadier-General Weitzel: E. E. GRAVES, First Lieutenant, and Acting Assistant Adjutant- General. Brigadier-General GROVER, Commanding Right Wing. HEADQUARTERS FOURTH DIVISION, - Before Port Hudson, La., June 11, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report the Second Brigade, First Division as follows: That at 12 midnight a line of skirmishers, consisting of seventeen companies, extending from right to left at intervals of about 2 yards, each to advance out of cover upon the position of the enemy, with orders to fire rapidly and feel it thoroughly, moved out from half to two-thirds the distance toward the parapet of the works in front, but found the fire of the enemy so hot that they were compelled to lie down for protection while receiving it. The Twelfth Connecticut skir- mishers, under Captain Clark, seized the cover of a ravine and moved close in upon the enemy, firing rapidly, as ordered, until Captain Clark and Captain Granniss and a number of men were wounded. Captain Roche, with his company, received the fire in his front, and then led his company up on to the parapet, when he was shot in the heel from within, and his followers all shot down. There being no advance on our immediate left, this regiment and the Seventy-fifth New York were exposed to a raking fire, and the same was the case on our right, where our line was a long way advanced be- yond any other. There being no fair prospect of taking the enemys works without an advance of reserves, I ordered the troops to remain as they were until, as daylight came, it became necessary to withdraw them to save them. The force opposed to us is not heavy, but thor- oughly posted, but it is the opinion of all the officers of the skirmishers that it can be driven out by an advance of our whole force, though with considerable loss. I regret to add that the loss in killed and wounded is large, as fol- lows: Killed~ 2; wounded, 41; missing, 6; aggregate, 49. Among the wounded, besides the captains mentioned before, is Lieu- tenant-Colonel Peck, slightly wounded in hand by splinter from a shell which exploded over brigade headquarters. This was from the only cannon fired at us, and came from the battery directly in front of the mortar battery. The First Brigade, Fourth Division, report as follows: The brigade commenced the advance against Port Hudson at 12 midnight. The One hundred and thirty-first New York advanced half the dis- tance between the position occupied yesterday and the enemys worl~s, which they now hold Page 132 132 xv FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIIL No fail report has been received of casualties; so far, report 4 wounded. The Twenty-second Maine advanced under a heavy fire through the ravine, but, owing to the obstructions and heavy fire from the enemys breastworks, could not maintain their po~ition, and were ordered to fall back, leaving two companies in the ravine, and cannot ascertain their whereabouts as yet. The companies that succeeded in retiring were ordered to support the Ninety-first New York, which was at daylight holding an exposed position within 75 yards of the enemys breast- works. They have since retired, and are now occupying their old posi- tion. They report 8 wounded, certain; not able yet to make a full report. The Twenty-second Maine report 6 officers and 53 privates missing. The Second Brigade, Fourth Division, in reserve near the cross-roads. By command of Brigadier-General Weitzel: E. E. GRAVES, Captain, and Acting Assistant Adjutant- General. Capt. J. HIEBARD, Jr., Assistant Adjutant- General, Right Wing. No. 27. Report of Lieut. Col. Frank II. Peck, Twelfth Connecticut Infantry, of the assault ]tliay 27. IN THE FIELD NEAR DONALDSONVJLLE, July 10, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of this regiment since the 25th day of May, 1863, on which day we arrived in rear of the belt of woods, a mile or near in depth, which encircles the fortifications of Port Hudson: At 5 oclock on the morning of the 27th, our brigade advanced in line through the woods, driving in the enemys skirmishers, and reaching the clearing in front shortly after 6. We were received, as we emerged, with volleys from artillery and infantry. I received orders from General Dwight, temporarily in command of our brigade, to advance to the front and left, and silence the artillery, which was firing grape and can- ister into our lines. We moved by the flank, under a heavy fire, past four pieces, and took up a suitable position. Three companies were sent forward as skirmishers, and soon came upon the skirmishers of the enemy, whom they drove before them. A detachment was sent from inside the works, which attempted to turn our flank. Our left being entirely unsupported, I sent one company, which suc- ceeded by sharp fighting in repelling the attack. The entire regiment was finally engaged, and by noon had succeeded in driving the enemy inside the parapet, and in a short time afterward had silenced four pieces of artillery, two of which, being field pieces, were withdrawn, the other two (mounted en barbette), the two wings of the regiment relieved each other in guarding till late in the day. Our line did not halt until it reached the parapet, and at one time the extreme right had succeeded in scaling the work, but, for want of harmonious support of other corps, w~o ~ompellec1 to rest s~tisfled with holding th~ po~t~oit1 The da Page 133 CRAP. XXXVIII.J SIEGE OF POET HUDSON, LA. 133 closed with an armistice, when we were relieved by another regiment, and rejoined our brigade upon the right of the center. From this time until June 10 the regiment was on duty day and night as sharp- shooters, behind hastily constructed works of logs and earth, and within about 150 yards of the enemys breastworks. On the night of June 10, four companies were ordered to be thrown forward as skirmishers, to form part of a continuous line around the works, with the design of com- pelling the enemy to disclose the position of his artillery. Orders were also giveu by the brigade commanders to scale and occupy the works, if possible. Companies A, B, F, and K were sent out and advanced, at the signal arranged, through a deep intervening ravine, obstructed by fallen trees and underbrush. They received a volley from the enemy as they came up, but pressed on to the base of the parapet. The regiment on our right and left failed fo support us, thus giving the enemy an opportunity to concentrate their troops against us with terrible effect. Company G was afterward ordered forward to cover the withdrawal of our men. Skirmishing was continued until daylight, when they were recalled, bringing in most of the killed and wounded. The casualties of this night were greater in proportion to the number engaged than in any other single engagement during the entire siege. The gallantry of the officers and men cannot be too highly praised. They received con- spicuous mention from our division commander. On the 14th of June, a general attack was made upon the entire front of the fortifications. For the sake of secrecy, the position selected for the assault had not been announced. At 1 a. m. we received orders to move. A guide was sent from headquarters to conduct us to our position in the line. He was joined afterward by a staff officer, through whose unfortunate ignorance we were led three times the necessary dis- tance through the woods, and at one time were rendered most anxious. He was shortly joined by a third, and with their combined aid reached the point selected before daylight. We advanced immediately to the front through a covered way, passing in our way the Ninety-first New York,with hand-grenades, and the Twenty-fourth Connecticut, with sacks of cotton, and deployed as skirmishers to the left, the Seventy-fifth iNew York being deployedupon our right. The line was advanced cautiously, the men availing themselves of the irregularities of the ground for cover until our right rested upon the line of a ridge no more than 50 yards from the priest-cap. At other points the line advanced even nearer., A sharp fire was kept up on both sides until noon, when the original plan of operations was abandoned. The regiment was withdrawn after dark in perfect order, and returned to its former position. Lient. Theo- dore Clark, of Company F, deserves mention for conspicuous courage during this engagement. The regiment from this time until the final surrender was engaged as before. On the night of the 8th of July, for the first time since we advanced to the front, we were permitted to sleep without an uninterrupted accompaniment of artillery and musketry. On the 9th, with martial music and flying colors, we marched into Port Hudson. That evening we took transports, and arrived at this place on the 10th. I inclose a list of casualties.* I am, sir, your obedient servant, FRANK H. PECK, Lieutenant- Colonel, Commanding Regiment. Brig. Gen. HORACE J. MORSE, Adjutant-Ceneral [State of Conneetieut.1 Embodied in revised statement, p. 67 Page 134 184 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. xxxvm. No. 28. Reports of Cot. Benjamin II. Grierson, Sixth Illinois Cavalry, command ing Cavalry Brigade, of operations June 37. HEADQUARTERS FIRST CAVALRY BRIGADE, June 2, 1863. COLrnNEL: I am informed that there are a number of Sharps car- bines in New Orleans. About half of my command are armed with the Union and Smiths carbines, the ammunition for which we are unable to obtain. I would respectfully ask, if there are any of the Sharps carbines in New Orleans, that about 500 be ordered to be sent here im- mediately, that I may turn over the Union and Smiths, and thus the more effectively arm my command. The following detachments have reported to me and are now under my orders: 300 men of the Fourth Wisconsin Mounted Infantry; 150 men of the Forty-first Massachnsetts Mounted Infantry; three compa- nies of the Fourteenth New York Cavalry; two companies of the Sec. ond Massachusetts Cavalry; one company of the First Louisiana Cav- alry; one section Nims battery. I would respectfully report to the general commanding that I shall move at daylight to-morrow morning, June 3, with all the effective force of the Sixth and Seventh Illinois Cavalry, Second Massachusetts Cav- alry, Fourth Wisconsin Mounted Infantry, the section of Nims and my own light batteries, leaving the Fourteenth New York and First Loui- siana Cavalry alid Forty-first Massachusetts Mounted Infantry to picket the roads in our absence. Respectfully, your obedient servant, B. H. GIRIERSON Colonel, Commanding Brigade. Lient. Col. RICHARD B. IRWIN, Assistant Adjutant- General. HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY, Eight miles west of Clinton, June 3, 1863. GENERAL: I have just received a report that [J. L.] Logan was 4 miles from Plains Store, on the Clinton road, this morning before break- fast, and was said to be going toward Port Hudson. He left his camp near Clinton at midnight last night. I shall push on to Clinton and endeavor to destroy his camp, and should the information prove true, I will immediately proceed toward Plains Store and fall in his rear. I send you the negro boy who gave me the information, and you can get it from him as I received it. Respectfully, your obedient servant, B. H. GRIERSON Colonel, Commanding Brigade. Major-General BANKS. BEFORE PORT HUDSON, June 12, 1863. COLONEL: 1 have the honor to report that, in obedience to instruc- tions from the major-general commanding, I started at 5 oclock o Page 135 CHAP. XXXVIII.] 135 SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. the morning of June 3 with my command, composed of the Sixth and Seventh Illinois Cavalry, the Second Massachusetts, two companies First Louisiana, also two companies Fourth Wisconsin Mounted In- fantry, and one section of Kims battery, in all about 1,200 strong. Taking the Jackson road, we proceeded without interruption to within 3 miles of Jackson, where I detached Captain Godfrey, with 200 men of the Massachusetts and Louisiana cavalry, to go by way of Jackson, while with the main column I proceeded on the direct road to Clinton. Captain Godfrey dashed into Jackson, captured and paroled a number of prisoners, convalescents and stragglers; thence, taking the Clinton road, rejoined the column 2 miles from Jackson. Proceeding on, we en- countered and drove in their pickets 6 miles from Clinton, capturing 1 man and 4 horses. We did not again encounter the enemy until we ar- rived at the Comite River, 1 mile from Clinton, where the advance gaard were fired upon from ambush. Pushing across the bridge over this stream, and two following ones, we arrived at a small plain, where we encountered a considerable force of the enemy ambushed on either side of the road. I immediately dismounted the whole of the Seventh illi- nois Cavalry, which was in advance, deployed them as skirmishers, and drove the enemy to Pretty Creek, where their whole force was posted in a strong position. I immediately dismounted the Fourth Wisconsin, and deployed them, with the Seventh Illinois, along the bank of Pretty Creek, and brought up a section of the 2-pounder guns and a section of Nims battery, which I placed in position on the right and left of the road in the plain. One battalion of the Seventh Illinois had already been posted on our right flank across the railroad, and II now posted the two companies of the Second Massachusetts Cavalry, commanded by Lieutenant Perkins, to guard our left flank. It soon became evident that the enemy in our front far outnumbered us, besides having a strong position, while we, in addition to the disparity of numbers, were posted in a dense swamp, to and from which we had access to the open country in our rear only through a narrow defile leading across five narrow bridges. A portion of the Seventh Illinois Cavalry, who were in the front, were armed with the Smith carbine, the ammunition for which we had been unable to obtain in this department, and their ammunition becoming exhausted, they were obliged to fall back. I immediately sent Captains Godfrey and Yeaton with the two companies of the First Louisiana Cav- alry to take their place. The troops in the front held their ground, anSI pressed the enemy nobly against a great disadvantage both in numbers and position. It soon became evident that the enemy was throwing a portion of his forces to the right and left, probably with a view of turning our flanks. Observing this, I br6ught up the Sixth Illinois Cavalry, which had composed the rear guard during the march, and, dismounting, posted them to the right and left as a still further guard to our flanks. It soon became evident that the enemys numbers and position were too strong for us to carry, and, our ammunition becoming scarce, I decided to fall back. Acting upon this design, I ordered the section of Nims battery, which had been brought up, but, owing to the lowness of the ground, could obtain no advantageous position, to fall back to the brow of a hill nearly a mile in our rear, and there come into battery until further orders. I then withdrew the Fourth Wisconsin and First Louisiana, and such of the Seventh Illinois as still remained in the front, they tearing up a bridge as they returned, and posted the Second Massachu- setts and First Louisiana in a bayou on the right and left of the road Page 136 136 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. to hold the enemy in cheek until the infantry could mount their horses and withdraw from the swamp, after which they were ordered to fall back, mount, and retreat. In the meantime I had one battalion of the Sixth Illinois Cavalry and two guns of our little battery organized to bring up the rear. The section of Kims battery, most of the Seventh Illinois, the Fourth Wisconsin, the Second Massachusetts, and Yeatons company of Louisiana cavalry had all withdrawn and gained a good position on the high ground in our rear, when the enemy with a yell charged in solid masses upon our front and left flank. Captain Godfreys com- pany, from some unknown cause, had not obeyed the order to fall back and monnt after the infantry had withdrawn, and, when the enemy charged, they found him still dismounted; and his horses having gone to the rear, he took to the bushes and along the railroad, where the enemy, coming in upon his left, cut off a number of his men. The 2-pounder battery poured canister into the column advancing on our front witi telling effect, until those on our left had come within 50 yards of the guns, when they were limbered to the rear, and the battalion of the Sixth Illinois falling in between them and the enemy, beat back the advancing host, and retreated slowly and in good order from the narrow defile. Having crossed the last bridge, they filed to the right and left of the road, and, forming in the edge of the timber, awaited the approach of the enemy until they had advanced within easy range, when they poured volley after volley into them, repulsing them with t~onsiderable loss. Under cover of the consternation created in the ranks of the enemy, this battalion fell back to the brow of the hill, where the light battery and a line of battle had already been formed. The enemy. recovering from his repulse, again advanced to the bridge, recrossed, but was met by volley after volley of canister from our little guns and from the line formed on either side of the road to support them. Being again repulsed, and this time with fearful loss, they did not deem it prudent to follow us farther, and my command being by this time almost destitute of ammunition, I withdrew and re- turned to camp, arriving about 12 m. Our loss in this engagement was 8 killed, 28 wounded, and 15 miss- ing; that of the enemy between 20 and 30 killed, over 60 wounded, and about 20 taken prisoners. The officers and men all acted with the utmost coolness and bravery. Among the slain was the lamented Lieutenant Perkins, a brave and gallant young officer, commanding a squadron of the Second Massa- chusetts Cavalry. The action lasted between three and four hours, and we succeeded in bringing off all but 3 of our dead and 7 wounded. On the morning of the 5th, we again started for Clinton, in connec- tion with a brigade of infantry and a battery of artillery, under Gen- eral II. E. Paine, taking a road leading from the Bayou Sara and Baton Rouge road to the Clinton Plank road at Olive Branch, We en- camped on the night of the 5th at Redwood Creek. On the 6th, made an easy march to the Comite River, 9 miles from Clinton, where we halted until 12 in., when we again marched, reaching Clinton at early daylight on the morning of the 7th. The enemy had pickets at Olive Branch and again at the Comite, but fired and fled upon our approach. Arriving at Clinton, we found that the enemy, hearing of our ap- proach, had left the day before, taking the Jackson road until within 2 miles of Jackson, when they moved off toward Liberty. We found i Page 137 Ca& r. XXXVIII.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. 137 the town two hospitals, containing 7 of our own men wounded and about 20 sick and wounded of the enemy. All their sick and wouiided which could be moved, to the number of several hundred, were sent to Osyka the day before. We paroled about 30 prisoners, destroyed the railroad depot, machine- shops, a locomotive, woolen and cartridge manufactories, a large quan- tity of ammunition, several hundred hides, and much other Government property which in their haste the enemy failed to take away. We also destroyed all the bridges on the road leading toward Jackson, over the Comite River and the numerous small streams and bayous in the vi- cinity. Having accomplished as nearly as possible the object of the expedition, we returned to the Comite River, where we rested until 5 p. in., and from thence returned to camp, arriving about 9 p. in. I would also report that since the arrival of my command in this de- partment, we have been operating in the vicinity of Baton Rouge and before Port Hudson, under Major-General Augur. We succeeded iu cutting the railroad and telegraph between Port Hudson and Clinton, and the command took an active part in the engagement at Plains Store on the 21st of May, and in the numerous other skirmishes in which the forces have been engaged. Since the arrival of Major-General Banks and the investment of Port Hudson, besides the engagements herein reported, we have been employed under his immediate command in picketing and patrolling the approaches in the rear of our army. Our loss since entering the Department of the Gulf has been small in men but heavy in animals, having had in the two Illinois regiments between 75 and 100 horses killed and badly wounded. Most respectfully, your obedient servant, B. H. GRIERSOIN, Colonel, Commanding Brigade. Lient. Col. RICHARD B. IRWIN, Assistant Adjutant- General, Department of the Gulf. HDQRS. CAVALRY DIVISION, SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS, ]Jlemphis, Teun., & ptember 1, 1863. COLONEL: I have the honor herewith to inclose copy of the official report of the expedition which, under my command, marched from La Grange, Tenn., April 17, to Baton Rouge, La.,* where we arrived May 2,1863. The original report was sent from Baton Rouge, La., to General Grant, at his request. I would further report that, in pursuance of in- structions from Maj. Gen. C. C. Augur, we left Baton Rouge on the 12th of May, and proceeded toward Port Hudson, with the order to endeavor to destroy the railroad and telegraph between that point and Clinton, La. This we succeeded in accomplishing at a point within 5 miles of the stronghold of the enemy. After this the command lay in front of Port Hudson, and was engaged in reconnaissances to ascertain the strength and position of the enemys works until the 21st of May, when we were engaged, in connection with Major-General Augur~s division, in a battle with the enemy at Plains Store. The cavalry took an active part in this engagement, which lasted several hours, part of the time being dismounted to support batteries. Our loss was only 1 man slightly wounded, 1 taken prisoner, and over 20 horses killed. On the * See Series I, Vol. XXIV, Part I, p. 521 Page 138 138 W. FLA., S. ALK, S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIIT. 23d, by order of Ma.jor-General Augur, we proceeded toward Bayou Sara, and formed a junction with Major-General Banks, who had landed at that point the day before. A complete investment of Port Hudson was immediately accomplished, and my command was employed under the immediate direction of General Banks in picketing and patrolling the approaches to Port Hudson, in the rear of our army. On the 3d of June, I was sent with my command and an additional force of about 500 men to endeavor to dislodge a body of the enemy, about 2,500 strong, which, under Colonel Logan, had taken position at Clinton, La., about 25 miles distant. I started at daylight in the morning, and reached Clinton about 3p. m. Driving in the enemys pickets, we engaged them, though far outnumbering us, for four hours, until our ammunition becoming exhausted, we were obliged to withdraw, which we did in good order, and returned to camp, where we arrived about midnight. Our loss in this engagement was 8 killed, 28 wounded, and 15 missing. On the 5th, we again started for Clinton, in connection with a brigade of infantry and battery of artillery, arriving at daylight on the morning of the 7th. We found that the enemy, hearing of our approach, had left the day before. We ascertained that the losses of the enemy in the engagement of the 3d have been much heavier than our own, amount- ing in the aggregate to upward of 100. On the 16th instant [ultimo] I received and accepted my appointment as brigadier-general of volunteers. Port Hudson having surrendered on the 8th of July, in accordance with Special Orders, No. 174, headquarters Department of the Gulf copy o.f which is herewith inclosed, marked A,* I leftthat place on the 18th instant, and arrived at Vicksburg on the evening of the 19th. Having reported to Major-General Grant, in pursuance of Special Or- ders, No. 195, headquarters Department of the Tennessee, copy of which is herewith inclosed, marked B,t we left that place on the 20th, and arrived in Memphis on the evening of the 23d, where I reported with my command to Maj. Gen. S. A. Hurlbut. All of which is respectfully submitted. B. II. GIRIERSON, Brigadier- General of Volunteers. Lieut. Col. HENRY BINMORE, Assistant Adjutant. General. No. 29. Reports of Col. Edward Prince, Seventh illinois Cavalry, of the capture of the 6onfederate steamers Starlight and Red Chief STEAMER STARLIGHT, May 25, 1863. SIR: I have taken possession of the only two steamboats on the creek, and shall hold them without further orders until they are de- stroyed by myself or the enemy. I will undertake to keep the enemy from crossing Thompsons Creek with the force at my disposal. Respectfully, EDWARD PRINCE, Lieutenant WOoDWARD, tJolonel, Commanding Expedition. Assistant Adjutant- General, First Brigade, Cavalry Division. ~See p. 645 t Omitted Page 139 CI~Ar. XXXVIfl.] 139 SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. BEFORE PORT HUDSON, May 30, 1863. SIR I report through you to the colonel commanding brigade that, in pursuance of his orders, I reported on the 25th May to Colonel Paine, and was assigned to the duty of capturing the steamboats lying under the guns of Port Hudson, on Thompsons Creek, which I effected by a surprise, with 200 men of my own regiment and two companies of infantry of the Thirty-first Massachusetts, and the left section of the First Maine Battery. I took the liberty of disobeying the instructions of the department commander as to the destruction of the boats, as I found that I could place them where a light guard0 would be sufficient, and also found that in case of necessity they could be very easily run out into the Mississippi River and up to the upper fleet. For this I received the unqualified approval of the commanding general. In pursuance of orders, I turned over the steamboats to an infantry guard, with about 25 prisoners of war. The names of the steamboats are Starlight and Red Chief; both in perfect running order, and worth about. $75,000. Respectfully, EDWARD PRINCE, Colonel, Seventh Illinois Regiment Cavalry. Lieutenant WOODWARTh Assistant Adjutant- General, First Brigade, Cavalry Division. No. 30. Report of Lient. Col. Augustus W. Corliss, Second Rhode Island Cav alry, of affair at Springfield Landing. BEFORE PORT HUDSON, LA., July 2, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report that, in obedience to an order received from you this morning at 2 a. in., I marched with 88 men to report to - General Dwight. I arrived at his headcjuarters at about 4 a. in., and was met by an officer, who said he was about to start to meet me. He informed me that the mail of the division had been captured by a party of rebel cavalry; that Captain Godfrey, of the Louisiana cavalry, knew where they were, and would join me, and aid in cutting them off and capturing them. We met Captain Godfrey, with abofft 15 men, near the Springfield road. He informed the staff officer that the mail had not been captured, but there was a body of rebel cavalry near the church on the Baton Rouge road. The staff officer ordered me to proceed to Springfield Landing, and then to scout the roads east as far as the main road to Baton Rouge. 1 arrived at Springfield Landing at about 7.30 oclock, and found every- thing quiet. I started on my return at about 8 oclock, and had pro- ceeded about 1~ miles, when a messenger came to me, and informed me that the rebel cavalry were at the Landing. I at once ordered an officer to proceed down the road rapidly and .gain what information possible; at the same time turned the head of my column about, and started to return. At this time we received a scatterIng volley from the enemy. I replied, and, I am quite sure, with effect. I ordered m Page 140 140 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. men into column of fours, and charged on the enemy. They fell back on their main body, and then the whole force fired at us and charged. They greatly outnumbered us, and we fell back, driving the train on the road back toward Port Hudson. The dust in the road was so thick that we could not distinguish friend from foe. They followed us for some distance, firing rapidly. When about 3 miles from the Landing, Captain Beach came to the rear, and informed me that the enemy was in our front. I ordered a charge through them, but found they had fled. At this time I saw on my right, about 300 yards from the road, a line of about 400 dismounted rebels advancing, with skirmishers deployed toward the road. They did not fire at me, probably supposing us to be their own men. After passing them, we saw nothing more of the enemy. At the time of the first attack, I sent a messenger to your headquar- ters, and in a few moments sent two more. As we were turning to go back to the Landing, I saw 2 officers in a buggy, one of whom I am in- formed was Major-General Augur. He told inc to save the train, and then drove rapidly away in the direction of Port Hudson. I have missing now 2 lieutenants, prisoners; 4 enlisted men; 1 en- listed man killed, and 6 enlisted men wounded. I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, A. W. COIRLISS, Lient. Gol., Comdg. Second Regiment Rhode Island Cavalry. Maj. Gen. N. P. BANKS. No. 31. Report of Lient. Commander Edward Terry, U. S. Navy, commanding Naval Battery, of operations May 30July 8. U HASTINGS-ON-THE-HUDSON, September 5, 1863. SIR: I have the honor herewith to inclose the report of Lieutenant- Commander Terry, and the testimonials given that officer and Ensigns Shepard and Swaun, for the energy, zeal, and skill displayed at the naval battery at the siege of Port Hudson by the army and navy, which I hope will be placed upon record for their future benefit. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, D. (1. FAIIBAGUT, Rear-Admiral. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. [Inclosure.] Letter of Capt. T. A. Jenkins. U. S. S. RICHMOND, New Orleans, July 30, 1863. ADMIRAL: I transmit herewith the report of Lieutenant-Commander Terry, and two letters from the officer of the army charged with the artillery employed in reduction of Port Hudson. Lieutenant-Commander Terry and the officers and men under his command at the naval batteries before Port Hudson received from th Page 141 CHAP. XXXVIII.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA, 141 army the highest commendations, and it affords me great pleasnre to place in your hands a detailed report setting forth the important serv- ices rendered on shore by the navy during the siege of that strong- hold of the enemy. I am, very respectfully, THORNTON A. JENKINS, Captain. Rear-Admiral D. G. FARRAGUT, Commanding West Gulf Blockading Squadron. [Sub-InclosUre No. 1.] Report of Lieut. Commander Edward Terry. U. S. S. RiCHMOND, Below Port Hudson, July 10, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to snbmit the following report of the opera- tions of the naval battery under my command in position before Port Hudson: On the 30th May, in obedience to an order from the admiral, I pro- ceeded on shore, to report to General Banks as the commanding officer of the battery of 9-inch guns. The latter referred me to Brigadier- General Arnold, chief of artillery, from whom I learned that the guns were at Springfield Landing. After several days delay, owing to want of transportation, they were brought to a position near the battery. On June 4, Acting Ensign iR. P. Swaun, Masters Mates Cox and Bourne, and three guns crews (51 men) from the Richmond, and Ensign E. M. Shepard, with one guns crew of 17 men from the Essex, landed and encamped one-half mile in the rear of the battery. June 5, shifted camp to ravine 500 yards in the rear of battery. From that date until June 9 engaged in slinging, transporting, and mounting gnus and stowing magazine. Considerable delay on account of platforms not being furnished. June 9, 11 a. in., unmasked the battery, which was 748 yards from the enemys works, and opened fire upon the latter. Sharp musketry fire from the enemy. Continued firing all day at inter- vals of two and one-half minutes, and all night at intervals of five minutes. June 10, firing all day; dismounted one of the enemys guns. Enemys sharpshooters somewhat troublesome. On the 12th instant, set fire to some of the buildings within their lines; firing slowly all night and rapidly at daylight. On the 13th, firing all night at intervals of ten minutes. At 11 a. in., artillery opened all along their lines, firing rapidly for one hour. At meridian, General Grover demanded the surrender of the place. A refusal was the reply. At 5 p. in., dismounted a light gun. On the 14th instant, at 2 a. in., opened a heavy artillery fire all along the line, after which an unsuccessful attack was made by the infantry; disabled a light gun. On the 15th and 16th, firing slowly; 17th, no firing; flag of truce. On the 18th, firing briskly all day. Removed one gun to a battery on the left; sent Mr. Swaun to take charge of it, Mr. Bourne accompanying him. Occa- sional gun fired from the battery on the right, but with no rapid or continued firing subsequent to that date. On the 25th, the battery on the left opened fire on the enemys works. About 3.30 p. m. John Williams, third, seaman, was mortally wounded, and John MeNalley and William Kelcher slightly. On the 27th, another 9-inch gun was removed from the right battery to the left. At 5 p. in. William Kel- cher, stationed in the left battery, was severely wounded. On the 28th, a4 10 a. in,, the battery o~ the left opened fire; the re~e1s replied wit Page 142 142 w. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. two heavy gnns. On the 29th, firing slowly all day, the enemy reply- ing With two heavy guns. June 30, July 1, 2, and 3, firing at long in- tervals. On the 2d, I received orders from Captain Alden to return on board, to take charge of the ship, the latter going north on a leave of absence. On the evening of the 2d, turned over the command of the battery on the left to Mr. Swann, and the battery on the right to Mr. Shepard. The two guns transferred to the left were placed in a seventeen-gun battery, 340 yards from the enemys works, commanded by an officer of the Regular United States Artillery, but, at Captain Aldens request, I still maintained a supervision over all the guns manned by seamen, visiting the battery on the left every day. The battery on the right was on the right of the center (General Augurs command). The officers rendered me every assistance in their power, especially Messrs. Shepard and Swan~, the latter displaying the same zeal, energy, and fearlessness which have characterized his con- dnct in every action on board this vessel. I would also recommend to yonr favorable notice Acting Masters Mate Edmund L. Bourne, who, although but a short time on board of a man-of-war, rendered most valuable assistance in mounting guns, and afterward in directing their fire. Mr. Swaun, with whom he was associated on the left, speaks of his services as invaluable. The men, as a body, with very few exceptions, which were sent on board the ship, behaved in the most creditable manner, working on two or three occasions all day and night without a murmur, although some of the work which we were obliged to do we expected would be com- pleted before our arrival. One of the gun carriages in the battery on the left was struck on the breast and forward axle-tree fourteen times by musket:balls, showing the accuracy of the enemys fire. Mr. Swann reports that subsequent to the 2d of July there was no firing of consequence. I am, very respectfully, yonr obedient servant EDWARD TERRY, Lieutenant- Commander, U. S. Navy. Capt. THORNTON A. JENKINS, Commanding Richmond. [Sub-Inclosure No. 2.] OFFICE CHIEF OF ARTILLERY, NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS, Port Hudson, July 10, 1863. The Officer Commanding Naval Forces below Port Hudson: SIR: Upon the return to you for duty of the detachment from the naval force which has assisted in the reduction of Port Hudson, I am requested by Brigadier-General Arnold, chief of artillery, to express to you his thanks, and to acknowledge the service rendered by the naval battery commanded by Lieutenant-Commander Terry and Ensigns Shepard and Swaumi. Their duties were discharged with the most dis- tinguished zeal and skill, and they have gained a right to the thanks of the army. The commanding general will be most happy to convey, through you, to those officers these expressions, and the chief of artil- lery takes pleasure in acknowledging his obligations. By order of BrigadierGeneral Arnold,chief of artillery: I have the honor, sir, to be, very respectfully, Sd S. NEWBURY As8istant chief of Artillery Page 143 CRAP. XXXYIII.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. 143 [Sub-Inclosure No. 3.] OFFICE CHIEF OF ARTILLERY, NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS, Port Hudson, July 10, 1863. R. P. SWANN, Acting Master, U. S. Navy: SIR: I am directed by the brigadier-general, chief of artillery of this army, to express to you his thanks for the eminent services of yourself and command during the siege of Port Hudson. It was your fortune to occupy for many days the most prominent position among the batteries, and the skill and efficiency with which your guns were served merits and receives, through the officers, the thanks of the army. Nothing more than the naval battery, and none of the guns of that battery more than your own, has contribnted to the successful termina- tion. From the time that you assumed command of the naval forces on shore to this day, your promptitude, zeal, and value has been marked. Your fire has been most effective, and the conduct of your whole com- mand beyond praise. By order of Brigadier-General Arnold, chief of artillery: I have the honor, sir, to be, very respectfully, S. S. NEWBURY, Assistant Chief of Artillery. No. 32. statement of Confederate organizations paroled at Port fludson.* 1st Alabama, CoL I. G. W. Steedman. Miles (Louisiana) Legion, Col. W. R. 49th Alabama, Maj. T. A. Street I Miles. Maury (Tennessee) Artillery.t Boon~~ (Louisiana) battery, Capt. S. M. 1st [8th] Arkansas Battalion, Lient. Col. Thomas. B. Jones. Watson (Louisiana) battery, Lient. E. A. 10th Arkansas, Maj. C. M. Cargile. Toledano. 11th and 17th Arkansas (detachment). 1st Mississippi, Lient. Col. A. S. Hamil- 12th Arkansas, Col. T. J. Reid, jr. ton. 14th Arkansas, Lient. Col. Pleasant 39th Mississippi, Col. W. B. Shelby. Fowler. Claiborne (Mississippi) Light Infantry, 15th Arkansas, Col. Ben. W. Johnson. Capt. A. J. Lewis. 16th Arkansas, Col. David Provence. 1st Mississippi Light Artillery (three 18th Arkansas, Lient. Col. W. N. Parish. batteries).t 23d Arkansas, Col. 0. P. Lyles. Englishs (Mississippi) battery, Lient. P. 4th Louisiana (detachment), Capt. Chas. J. Noland. T. Whitman Seven Stars (Mississippi) Artillery, Lient. 9th Louisiana Battn (Infantry), Capt. F. (I. W. Coleman. T. B. R. Chinn. 1st Tennessue Heavy Artillery,t Company 9th Louisiana Battalion (Partisan Ran- G, Capt. James A. Fisher. gers), Ma]. J. Do Baun. 1st Tennessee Light Artillery,t Company 12th Louisiana Heavy Artillery Battalion, B, Lieut. Oswald Tilghman. Lient. Col. P. F. De Gournay. Improvised Tennessee Battalion,i~ Capt. 30th Louisiana (detachment), Capt. T. K. S. A. Whiteside. Porter. * As shown by the parole rolls. t Attached to De Gournays Twelfth Louisiana Heavy Artillery Battalion. ~ Abbays, Bradfords, and Herods. Remainder of regiment surrendered at Vieks- burg. ~ Composed of details from the Forty-first, Forty-second, Forty-eighth, Forty-ninth, Fifty-third, and Fifty-fifth Tennessee Regiments Page 144 144 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. No. 33. Report of Capt. C. ill. Jackson, Acting Assistant Inspector. General, C. S. Army, of the surrender of Port Hudson. JULY 9, 1863. Port Hudson surrendered yesterday at 6 a. m. Our provisions were exhausted, and it was impossible for us to cut our way out, on accouut of the proximity of the enemys works. Our casualties during the siege are 200 killed and between 300 and 400 wounded. About 200 men have died from sickness. At the time of surrender, there were only 2,500 men for duty. I came out through the enemys lines about an hour after the surrender, and tried to ascer- tain the strength of General Banks army, but did not succeed~ my own observation, I am led to believe his force to be 25,000 or 30,000 men. C. M. JACKSON, Acting Asst. Insp. Gen. to Maj. Gen. Frank. Gardner. General JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON. No. 34. Returns of Casualties in the Confederate forces (incompletej. AT PLAINS STORE. Q Officers and men. c Commissioned officers 4 3 7 Non-~~ommissioned officers 4 4 Privates 8 29 37 Total 12 36 48 OFFICERS KILLEDLients. Irvin Pierce and H. I. Gorman, First Mississippi Artillery; Lients. M. G. Crawford and G. J. Wilson, Miles Legion. SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON. Officers and men. I~ ~ ~ Commissioned officers ... . - - 15 48 63 Non-commissioned officers 27 49 76 Privates 134 350 484 Total 176 447 623 OFFICERS KILLEThLient. William Hemingway, Twelfth Arkansas Infantry; Capt. Q. T. Stokely, and Lients. W. H. Harrison and P. H. Pruett, Tenth Arkansas Infantry; Lient. E. M. Spain, Six. teerrth Arkansas Infantry; Lient. J. B. Edrington, First Mississippi Artillery; Lient. Thomas Frank, First Alabama Infantry; Lient. T. M. Bond, Ninth Lonisiana Battalion (Partisan Rangers); Lient. Thomas B. Cooke. First Tennessee Artillery. (List incomplete.) Number died i~i hospital ave inchwled in the body of the report among the wounded, J. B. BARNETT, Chief Surg~n flhir4 .Vi~tri~t Page 145 CHAP. XXXVIII.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. 145 No. 35. Report of Capt. Louis J. Girard, C. S. Army, Chief of Ordnance, Third Military District. RICHMOND, VA., January 24, 1864. GENERAL: Inclosed please find report of Ordnance Department that I have not been able to give you at New Orleans, nor to send you from New York, as requested, bnt hope that it may reach you at once on your arrival, as I leave it at War Department, thinking that the best disposition to make of it nuder the circumstances. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, LOUIS J. GIRARD, Captain, and Chief of Ordnance. [Major-General GARDNER.] RICHMOND, VA., January 24, 1864. SIR: In accordance with your order, dated May 20, 1863, I manu- factured a siege carriage for the 12-pounder rifled cannon which we had from gunboat on Amite River, and placed it on the breastworks. On the 21st, we removed two 24-pounder smooth-bores from the river defenses to the breastworks. On the 22d, we removed two 24-pounder rifled pieces, taking them from barbette carriage on siege carriage. On the 26th, three of these guns were dismounted by the fire of the enemy. On the same night the damage done to the carriages was re- paired and the guns remounted. On the 27th, one 24-pounder smooth-bore was entirely disabled and two others dismounted. The damage done was repaired during the night and the guns remounted during the next day. I then commenced to manufacture a siege carriage for a 32-pounder navy gun, which carriage was completed in two days and the gun in position. On the same day I removed one more 24-pounder from the river to the rear. These guns during the siege were dismounted and remounted twenty-one times. Having made so much alteration in our river defenses, 1 removed the 30-pounder Parrott from Battery 2 to Battery 11; the 32-pounder rifle from Battery 3 to Battery 11; one 42-pounder from Battery 3 to Battery 1, and took the 8-inch howitzer from the low battery on the bluff; placing it on a pivot carriage, so as to be enabled to operate with it on land as well as on river defenses. At the same time the 10-inch columbiad was dismounted, with carriage chassis, truck-wheel, and axle-tree broken. Remained a week to repair it. On June 14, three of our .guns were dismounted. At the request of Col. B. [W.] Johnson, Fifteenth Arkansas, I fixed some 13-inch mortar shell outside the fortification, to be burst at the approach of the enemy. A few days after, we placed some fourteen others outside our fortifica- tions at different places, arming the men with hand-grenades. On June 20, I found the ammunition would be short, having shot away most all of our shells for heavy artillery. Some men were detailed to pass through the different encampments picking up bullets, cannon shell of all sizes, and mortar shell for 8 and 10 inch. The bullets were melted and remolded, and from 4,000 to 5,000 Enfield cartridges were daily maunfactured, which kept the men supplied with ammunition. The artillery ammunition was refixed and used by our artillery, the smaller size shell being fixed for hand-grenades, and the shell of large 10 R RYOL XXYI, PT Page 146 146 w. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. caliber, which we could not use with our ordnance, were fixed to roll down upon the enemy~s works. On July 1, as the enemy was mining our works, I was requested by the chief engineer to direct the counter-mine. I fixed and placed my mining battery, and the counter-mine was successfully blown up on the morning of July 4. The ammunition for artillery was of inferior manu- facture, many of the 8 and 10 inch shell being cast so that the hollow was too small to contain the bursting charge. The fuses were fixed so that the most of the 10-second and 14-second ourst at the muzzle of the gun, the friction-primers being entirely unserviceable. At the surrender, besides the arms used by the men, there were 600 flint-lock muskets, unserviceable without repairs; 30,000 Enfield cart- ridges manufactured during the siege; 30 pieces light artillery, with 2,500 rounds, mostly solid shot; 10,000 pounds of powder, including the lot directed to Lieutenant-General [E. K.] Sibith, of the Trans-Mississippi Department; 12 heavy ordnance, with 100 solid shot to the gun. All of which is most respectfully submitted. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, LOUIS J. GIIIARD, Captain, and Chief of Ordnance, Port Hudson, La. Maj. Gen. FRANK. GARDNER, (ommanding, Port Hudson, La. No. 36. Reports of Brig. 6Zen. W. JV. R. Beau, C. S. Army, commanding Brigade. PORT HUDSON, LA., June 8, 1863. SIR: I have just received your communication containing instructions from the major-general commanding that I shall send 80 men from my line to relieve the Ninth Louisiana Battalion [Partisan Rangers], on Colonel Miles line; that this battalion cannot be trusted on outpost or picket duty; that they are deserting, & c., and that I must put them where they can be watched and shot down in case they desert. I would respectfully call the attention of the major-general command- ing to the following facts: With my brigade I was assigned a certain portion of the breastworks to defend. Since the enemy have appeared in our front, more than one-third of my best troops have been taken from me and moved to the left, where they now are, under the command of a junior officer. This I did not object to, as the interests of the service seemed to require such an assignment; but.now that 80 men on the right are found who are worse than no men at all, I do object to having men taken from my line, which is so thinly guarded that I am constantly fearing that the enemy may storm the works, and 80 soldiers that can- not be trusted put in their stead. I do not think that is doing me jus- tice, and if I am to take the 80 men from the line, cannot.say that the chance to hold it against the enemy is even a good one. I have no place to assign these 80 men where they can be watched and fired upon should they attempt to desert, and the only place where this can be done is the guard-house, and I would recommend that they be sent there for safe- keeping. I cannot guard them on my line. I had far rather not have them than to have them. I ask that 80 men from the left be sent to take the place of these men. If the major-general will only pass along m Page 147 CHAP. XXXVIII.] 147 SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. line, lie will see how few men I have to guard a long and important front. Every day that I pass along it, my apprehensions are greatly increased. I am, respectfully, W. N. R. BEALL, Brigadier- General. Lieut. J. S. LAMER, Acting Assistant Adjutant- General. IIDQRS. BEALLS BRIG., Jackson Road, June 14, 1863. GENERAL: The men have repulsed several charges on this line. The First Mississippi is scarce of caps; can you send me any ~ I am trying to get them from the regiments on the right. Our loss thus far small; that of the enemy large. Most of our guns (artillery) are disabled on this line. Fire of artillery from enemy very severe. Respectfully, W. N. R. BEALL, Brigadier- General. [Major-General GARDNER.] IIDQRS. BEALLS BRIG., Port Hudson, La., J~tne 14, 1863. MAJOR: The loss of the First Mississippi Regiment in to-days en- gagement is very severe18 killed and about 14 wounded. The com- mand is much reduced. Cannot the 100 men ordered to Colonel [B. W.] Johnson for dnty be returned to the regiment~ Very respectfully, W. N. R. BEALL, Brigadier- General. Maj. T. F. WILLSON, Assistant Adjutant- General, Third Military District. [Inelosure.] Report of Ca8ualties in BeaUs brigade up to June 1, 1S63.~ Command. n o a 1st Alabama, Company K 2 2 4 49th Alabama 3 18 11 32 10th Arkansas 14 20 49 83 12th Arkansas 3 11 14 15th Arkansas 12 39 30 81 16th Arkan8as 2 3 5 23d Arkansas 7 28 5 40 1st Arkansas Battalion . 1 1 2 12th Lonisiana Artillery Battalion, Company ID 6 6 Watson (Lonisiana) Battery 2 10 12 1st Mississippi 5 13 1 19 39th Mississippi--.. 2 4 6 1st Mississippi Light Artillery Battalion 11 33 44 1st Tennessee Artillery Battalion, company B. 2 2 4 1st Tennessee Artillery Battalion, Company G 2 4 6 Total 68 194 96 358 Respectfnlly submitted. W. N. R. BEALL, Brigadier- General. [Major-General GARDNER.J 5T11880 VLteUaltie6 are probably incinded in Snr~. J. IR, ~rnetts ret~r~ Page 148 148 w. FLA., S. ALA., S. MLSS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [Cw4r. XXXVIIL HEADQUARTERS BEALLS BRIGADE, Port Hudson, La., June 17, 1863. GENERAL: The dead, 160, and 1 wounded man have been delivered. There are signs of many having been buried by the enemy. General Paine was wonnded in three placesin the leg, side, and shoulderand lay all the day of the fight near our breastworks; he will lose a leg. There are hundreds of guns near the breastworks, also any nfitmber of hand-grenades. I am, general, respectfully, & c., W. N. R. BEALL, Major.General GARDNER, Brigadier. General.. Commanding. HEADQUARTERS BEALLS BRIGADE, [Port Hudson,] July 7, 1863. GENERAL: The works of the enemy opposite the First Mississippi are very strong and extensive, and enable him to throw a force in our ditch without onr being able to use sharpshooters on them. These facts will, I think, en able him to throw a force of men inside of onr works withont our being able to drive him back, unless heavy re- enforcements are brought from other points of the line. To do this will be to leave said points unguarded, and to permit the enemy to come over there also. There is more discontent among the men within the last few days than I have discovered before, and I very much fear that the officers are at the bottom of it. If you have any directions to give me in reference to use of the troops in case the enemy get over the works, I should like to have them~ as I do not think that his attack will be delayed much longer, as his works are very formidable, and, to appearances, nearly completed. But one company of the Tenth Arkansas has reportedthe others refuse, so I am told. I am, general, very respectfully, & c., W. N. II. BEALL, Major.General GARDNER. Brigadier-General. No. 37. Reports of Capt. John R. Fellows, Assistant Inspector. General, C. S. Army, of skirmish at Thompsons Creek, and assault on the works at Port Hudson. HEADQUARTERS BEALLS BRIGADE, ]Jiliay 25, 1863. GENERAL: I have the honor to state that this afternoon a body of cavalry of the enemy appeared in the open field to the left of Troths Mills, and were fired upon by the guns on Colonel [W. IR.] Miles line. The shots evidently did execution, and caused a very rapid retreat of the enemy. About an hour after they disappeared, a small party, bear- ing a white flag, came in the lower part of the field. Colonel Miles sent ~ flag to iueet them, but before it had advanced far, the Federals an Page 149 CHAP. XxixviiI.J ~IEGfl OF PORT HUDSON, LA. 149 flag fell back in the woods, bearing with them what we are well con- vinced was dead or wounded. All of our officers and men witnessed the base expedient thus resorted to to remove their wounded and killed from the field of their cowardly flight under a flag of truce. I am general, very respectfully, JNO. JEt. FELLOWS, Captain, and Assistant Inspector- General. Brigadier-General [W. N. H.] BEALL. [JUNE] , 1863. GENERAL: Enemy have advanced three times on the works, and have been repulsed with loss. We shot down their flag in the last at- tack, and it has not since been raised. They are forming a fourth line. Have no fear as to matters here. We are perfectly able to maintain our line without further help. My horse has run off; can you send me another ~ Two men killed and I wounded here, all in the artillery. Respectfully, ~ H. FELLOWS, Captain, and Assistant Inspector- General. [Brigadier-General BEALL.] No. 38. Reports of Cot. David Provence, Sixteenth Arkansas Infantry, of the capture of Union outposts, and casualties to July 8. JUNE 27, 1863. GENERAL: Yesterday morning works of the enemy were discovered about 200 yards to my front, and some 300 in advance of any of the neighboring works of the enemy. I was unable to comprehend the de- sign of these works. I therefore directed Lieutenant-Colonel [J. MJ Pittman to send out a brave and cautious man to examine them. Ac- cordingly, Private Mieres was sent out, who passed beyond the works to the right of them, so that he could get a view of them from the en- emys~side. He reported the works connected with the woods by a deep ravine, and that they were occupied by some 15 or 20 men. A short time before nightfall, Colonel Pittman sent out Sergt. J. W. Parker, the result of whose reconnaissance was substantially the same as that of Private Mieres. Feeling that I would not be able to post our pickets without the loss of life, or else discontinue pickets altogether, I de- termined to take the works and destroy them. I directed Colonel Pittman to call for 30 volunteers from the Sixteenth Arkansas for the execution of this order, .and place them under a proper officer. Many of the men and large numbers of the officers volunteered. The accompanying is a list of those finally chosen and allowed to go,* to which list, if proper, I might add the names of several commissioned officers. The whole were placed under the command of Lient. A. S. Mc- Kennon. At nightfall they were placed outside of our works, at a point south and west of the enemys works. At the same time a number of our men, at a point considerably to the left of Lieutenant MeKennon, were directed to make a noise and engage the enemy at the battery in *Not found Page 150 150 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. conversation, with the view of directing attention from the point of ap- proach. This was done, and a lively and noisy conversation ensued. While this was going on, Lieutenant MeKennon approached to within about 30 yards of the enemys works, when he gave the order to charge. In an instant the work was in our possession. The enemy fired but once, and then at a great elevation. After the works were in our pos- session, the men, with the assistance of others from the regiment, tore down the works and scattered the sand-bags, bringing many of them into camp. Besides destroying the works, 7 prisoners were taken, and several were killed and wounded. We had only 1 man hurt, who was knocked down by one of the enemy as he was leaping into the works. Some 12 or 14 guns were also brought in. We finally posted our pickets, and were only annoyed during the night by occasional volleys fired from the woods. Respectfully, & c., D. PROVENCE, [Brigadier-General BEALL.] Colonel, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS LEFT WING, BEALLS BRIGADE, July 8, 1863. CAPTAIN: The following is a report of the casualties of this command: First Mississippi Regiment, Major [Thomas II.] Johnston commanding, Private W. I). Striclan, Company F, killed; Forty-ninth Alabama, Major [T. A.] Street commanding, Private James Terrel, Company A. wounded slightly; first section Watson Battery, Lieutenant [J. E.] Nor~s commanding, none. Recapitulationkilled, 3; wounded, 3. Respectfully submitted. D. PROVENCE, Capt. BEALL HEMPSTEAD, Colonel, Commanding. Assistant Adjutant- Genera 1. No. 39. Reports of Col. 0. P. Lyles, Tuenty-third Arkansas Infantry, of opera tions ]Jiliay 31July 3. PORT HUDSON, LA., May 31, 1863. MAJOR: The enemy has dismounted our large gun and wounded 5 men. I think by getting a new wheel . The shots thrown upon the enemys intrenchments with our gun before it was dismounted did good work. 0. P. LYLES, [Maj. T. F. WJLLSON, Colonel, Commanding Right Wing. Assistant Adjutant- General.] PORT HUDSON, LA., June 30, 1863. MAJOR: On yesterday I succeeded in burning the cotton of the en- emy that he was rolling before him. He approached within a fe Page 151 CHAP. XXXVIII.] SIEGE 01? PORT HUDSON, LA. 151 yards of the works, when Captain Lindsey, of the Twelfth Arkansas, threw brands of fire on him, and destroyed his cotton. Early in the night last night, the enemy approached, and attempted a sort of feeble charge, throwing a few hand-grenades into my trenches, bnt did no harm. I repulsed him and drove him off, killing a considerable num- ber of his men. I am sure he was quite demoralizedso much so that his sharpshooters fell entirely back out of range. Later in the night his sharpshooters returned, and killed and wounded several of my men (new men of my regiment, Twenty-third Arkansas, who were not ac- quainted with the place). He is now rolling before him a hogshead filled with sticks. I must arrest his progress before 3 p. in., or he will throw his hand-grenades into my trenches again. I am certain I can stop him. I now have Major [E. L.] Black, with 125 men of Twenty- third Arkansas, on the extreme right. Colonel [W. N.] Parish, with think I conld have held the place even without this re-enforcement, and feel sanguine that I can with it. I will hold it. I am, major, very respectfully, & c., 0. P. LYLES, Colonel, Commanding Right Wing. Maj. T. F. WILLSON, Assistant Adjutant-General. JuNE 30, 1863. MAJOR: It is the Twenty-third Arkansas that I want. The Eight- eenth Arkansas has gone to General Beall. The little fight, think, has pretty well blown over, though he is still making demonstrations. He got in my trenches and got 1 officer. I whipped him (the enemy) out again, killing some. Watch on General Bealls line; I think they intend something there. 0. P. LYLES, Colonel, Commanding Right Wing. [Maj. T. F. WILLSON, Assistant Adjutant-General.] a PORT HUDSON, June 30, 1863. MAJOR: I said to you that the enemy charged me on the extreme right. So he did, and a few of his men got into my trenches. I killed 6 in my trenches, and as to the number outside killed and wounded, I do not know, but his loss must be considerable. It was rather a small business, as usual (I mean his charge). He took 1 captain and 3 of my men out of my trenches, and killed 1, making my loss 5 in the aggregate. I repulsed him very handsomely, and all is now quiet. I can repulse him every time, and will do it. During the skirmish, I discovered he was marching a large force toward General Bealls line, and hence the suggestion to watch in that direction. The Twenty-third Arkansas has not got here yet, but it will, no doubt, soon be here. I sent the Eighteenth Arkansas off long before night. I am,. major, very respectfully, & c., 0. ~. LYLES, Colonel, Commanding Right Wing. Maj. T. F. WILLSON, Assistant Adjutant- General. Page 152 152 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIIL PORT HUDSON, LA., July 1, 1863. MAJOR: I am unable as yet to check the enemy in his march with his trenches. I am of opinion that he will reach my trenches to-night. He has shelled my troops at the extreme right very much to-day, with the view, I think, of trying to demoralh?~e them, so as to storm my rifle.pit to-night. He has almost ruined my rifle-pit with his artillery. I am wide awake. Respectfully, & c., 0. P. LYLES, Colonel, Commanding Right Wing. [Maj. T. F. WILLsoN, Assistant Adjutant- General.] PORT HUDSON, LA., July 3, 1863. MAJOR: All is well down here in the Devils Elbow. Last night was unusually quiet. The enemy keeps coming with his trench. I think he is filing a little to the right. I am ready for him; let him come. I can whip him in four minutes if he shows himself. I do not think his trench will do him any good. I can hold the point, and intend to do it. This little report is made simply to inform you that I am still in life and spirits. I am, major, very respectfully, & c., 0. P. LYLES, Colonel, Commanding Right Wing. Maj. T. F. WILLSON, Assistant Adjutant-General. P. S.We throw our hand-grenades on him, & c. No. 40. Reports of Lient. Col. P. P. De Gournay, Twelfth Louisiana Artillery Battalion, of operations May 24July 2. HEADQUARTERS LEFT WING, HEAVY BATTERIES, Port hudson, May 24. 1863. COLONEL: During the two hours and a half bombardment by the en- emys mortar and gunboats, the batteries of this command fired twenty- four shots with little effect, being at very long range. One of the shots from Captain [W. B.] Seawells battery struck the Monongahela in the bow. Our batteries were struck many times, but with no damage. The gun-carriage at Battery 10 was slightly injured, but not enough to dis- able it. I have to deplore the following casualties among the men armed as infantry at the breastworks on the extreme right, viz: Killed, Corporal [William] Zeugle and Private [Adolph] Hildman, of Company A, Twelfth Louisiana Battalion; Private [John] Haindel, Company E, Twelfth Louisiana Battalion. Wounded, Private [John] Fink, Company A, Twelfth Louisiana Battalion. I am, colonel, respectfully, your obedient servant, P. F. DE GOUJINAY, Lieutenant- Colonel, Commanding. Lient. Col. N. 3. SMITH, Chief of Heavy Artillery Page 153 CHAP. XXXVIII.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. 153 HEADQUARTERS LEFT WING, HEAVY BATTERIES, Port Jfludson, May 24, 1863. MAJOR: I have to report the following casualties among the men of my command armed as infantry, and stationed at the breastworks on the extreme right: Killed, Corporal [William] Zengle and Private [Adolph] Hildman, of Company A, and Private [John] Haindel, of Com- pany E, Twelfth Louisiana Battalion. Wounded, Private [John] Fink, Company A, Twelfth Louisiana Battalion. These casualties resulted from a single bomb-shell. The gnu carriage at Battery No. 10 was slightly injured, but not disabled. I have no other damages to report, although the batteries were struck quite often by fragments of bomb and rifle shells. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, P. F. DE GOURNAY, Lieutenant4jolonel, Commanding Left Wing, Heavy Batteries. Maj. T. F. WILLSON, Assistant Adjutant- General. HEADQUARTERS LI~FT WING, HEAVY BATTERIES, Port Hudson, ]Iliay 29, 1863. COLONEL; I had the Parrott gun and the rifled 24-pounder trailed and pointed yesterday, and bearings marked, so that they could be directed at the mortar-boats during the night. At 11.30 the mortars commenced bombarding, when our guns replied, firing at the flash, deliberately and slowly. We fired in all nineteen shots, and this morning the mortar fleet is below the Point, having fallen back during the darkness that preceded daybreak. I owe this re~nlt in great part to the excellent management of Lieutenant [L. A.] Schirmer, whom I had placed in charge of the Parrott gun. During the fight the bursting of a bomb- shell in the rear of the battery wounded 3 men of Company D, Twelfth Louisiana Battalion; 1 seriously. No damage to the works. - I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, P. F. DE GOURNAY, Lieutenant- Colonel, Commanding Left Wing, Heavy Batteries. Lient. Col. M. J. SMITH, Chief of Heavy Artillery. HEADQUARTERS LEFT WING, HEAVY ARTILLERY, Port Hudson, June 5, 1863. MAJOR: During the furious bombardment by the enemys mortar- boats this afternoon, a shell struck the gun (32-pounder rifled) at Bat- tery No. 10, breaking the screw. The damage is easily repaired, and the gun can be used to-night. Another shell fell in the camp near Battery No. 9, killing 1 man instantly. The mortar-boats have moved to-day nearer the Point, probably on account of the river falling steadily. They are not much nearer to us, but in better view. For several days they have been using occasionally extra charges of powder, by which they have attained greater range, and thrown shells beyond Battery No.6. I will take advantage of their new position, and attack the Page 154 154 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXYIII. to-morrow with the Parrott gun (30-pounder) and the rifled 24-pounder and 32-pounder. I am, major, respectfully, your obedient servant, P. F. DE GOUIRNAY, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Left Wing, ileavy Batteries. Maj. T. F. WILLSON, Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS LEFT WING, HEAVY BATTERIES, Port Hudson, June 10, 1863. COLONEL: The communication to General Gardner from several offi- cers of the right wing, land defenses, asking that more heavy guns should be placed on that wing, is before me, and I have the honor to submit my opinion, as requested by you. As regards the 8-inch shell gnu, the only one from my command alluded to, I cannot see the prac- ticability of its removal to the lines. It is a barbette gun, and a bat- tery would have to be constructed, which would involve delay and labor; it would, besides, deprive the river defenses of one of the few effective guns they have with which to contend against the superior armament of the fleet. If this gun were placed in Battery No. 8, on a columbiad pivot car- riage, as agreed lately, it might be brought to bear on the enemys land batteries, while still retaining its position on the river. Such is the case with the 30-pounder Parrott and rifled 24-pounder, which commands both the river and land. These two guns will sup- port any battery on the right wing whenever, by previous understand- ing, it wishes to open. By so doing, they will probably attract the fire of the fleet, but such a consideration can have no weight. If we calcu- late the number of guns of the enemy, and bow to their superiority, we are lost. We have to fight them when and as we can, and trust to God and our own fortitude for the result. There is nothing to warrant the opinion that with two heavy guns on the line we can silence all their batteries, and, in my opinion, the removal of the 8-inch shell gun would give certain prejudice and barely probable benefit. These remarks are my candid opinion, but should the general order any of the guns of my command to be moved to other positions, he may rest assured that we will fight them as long as they will stand. Should he wish the 24-pounder and 30-pounder Parrott to open to- morrow on the enemys batteries, I will have it done. We could effect nothing at night with these guns, as the enemys batteries are con- cealed from view, and we must be guided by the smoke of their guns. I am, colonel, respectfully, P. F. DE GOURNAY, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Left Wing, Heavy Batteries. Lient. CoL M. J. SMITH, Chief of Heavy Artillery. HEADQUARTERS LEFT WING, HEAWY BATTERIES, Port Hudson, June 11, 1863. COLONEL: During the firing from the ships this morning, the 24- pounder rifled gun at Battery 11 was struck by a shell near the vent Page 155 CHAP. XXXVIII.) SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. 155 and a small piece of metal broken off. No serions damage, however, and the gun can be worked with safety. Yours, respectfully, P. F. DE GOURNAY, Lieutenant- Colonel, Commanding Left Wing, Heavy Batteries. Lient. Col. M. J. SMITh, Chief of Heavy Artillery. HEADQUARTERS LEFT WING, HEAVY BATTERIES, Port Hudson, June 12, 1863. COLONEL: The 30-pounder Parrott gun was disabled about an hour ago by a solid shot from a land battery, nearly opposite, that had just opened for the first time. The shot struck the gun near the muzzle, cutting off a piece and splitting the gun. Two other successive shots broke the axle and a wheel, making the piece a complete wreck. The piece was just being placed in position to fire, and was not yet in battery when struck. Sharpshooters now line the hill opposite, and keep up a steady fire when our men show themselves. Amid this sad disaster, I have the consolation to report that none of my cannoneers were hurt. Respectfully, your obedient servant, P. F. DE GOURNAY, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Left Wing, Heavy Batteries. Lient. Col. M. J. SMITH, Chief of Heavy Artillery. HEADQUARTERS LEFT WING, HEAVY BATTERIES, Port Hudson, June 26, 1863. MAJOR: The enemy opened fire from their land batteries ~nd the fleet (including mortar-boats) at 3.45 oclock this afternoou, to which the guns on this wing replied, and soon brought on a spirited artillery fight. The nztortar-boats ceased firing after two hours and a half, the gun- boats four hours. No damage was done to our guns and no man hurt at the batteries. The works at Battery No. 11 were badly torn up by the enemys fire, which seemed to be, in great part, concentrated on that point. So terrific was the fire at-that battery, that it was found impos- sible to man the siege 24-pounder rifled gun without an almost certainty that it would be dismounted. The guns engaged on the extreme left were the rifled 32-pounder, which fired fourteen shots; the 8-inch shell gun, which fired six shells with excellent effect on the enemys princi- pal works, after which it unfortunately got disabled by the accidental giving way of the elevating screwthe damage is now being repaired; the rifled 24-pounder bhrbette, which fired 27 Reid shots at the mortar- boats, many shots taking effect on the boats and also on the Essex. From the center, the 10-inch and 8-inch columbiads of this command were also engaged, first with the fleet, and subsequently, with much bet. ter effect, firing on the enemy~s works. I cannot yet report the number of shots fired from these two guns. I beg leave to make most honorable mention of Lieut. L. A. Schirmer, of my command, for an act of heroic bravery. The flag of [W. R.] Miles Legion was hoisted on the extreme left (Battery 11), and was shot down. Lieutenant Schirmer seized it, fixed it to a light pole, and, jumping on the parapet, planted the flag-staff amid a shower of bullets. Again and again the flag was shot down, and each time the gallant lieu- tenant raised it, waved it defiantly, and planted it firmly, regardless o Page 156 150 W. FLA., 8. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. the volleys of the enemys sharpshooters. He escaped unhurt after re- peating thrice this gallant feat, that called forth the enthusiastic cheers of the brave men who lined our works. There is still occasional firing, and it is probable that the attack will be renewed to-night, preparatory to an attempt to charg~ the works in the morning. The men are in excellent spirits and will do all their duty. I am, major, respectfully, your obedient servant, P. F. DE GOURNAY, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Left Wing, Heavy Batteries. Maj. T. F. WILLSON, Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS LEFT WING, HEAVY BATTERIES, Port Hudson, La., July 2, 1863. MAJOR: Capt. Felix Le Bisque, Company B, Twelfth Louisiana Bat. talion, died yesterday in the general hospital, after a protracted illness. My batteries were again engaged to-day with the enemys guns re- cently placed on the opposite side of the river. The 32-pounder rifled gun at Battery No.10 was dismounted by a shot cutting down the cheeks. The gun is not injured. Captain [W. N.] Coffin, commanding, was slightly wounded. We are unable to say what damage was inflicted on the enemy. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, P. F. DE (JOURNAY, Lieutenant- Colonel, Commanding Left Wing, Heavy Batteries. Maj. T. F. WILLSON, Assistant Adjutant.General. No. 41. Reports of Col. I. G. W. Steedman, First Alabama Infantry, of opera tions May 25July 7. HEADQUARTERS LEFT WING, Port Hudson, La., May 26, 1863. MAJOR: I have the honor to report the following casualties of my command in yesterdays engagement, viz: command. 0 -~ -~ ____________________ H 1st Mississippi. 4 4 8 istAlabama 2 8 1 11 15th Arkansas . 2 5 1 8 Wingfields cavalry. - 1 1 2 Captain [A. J.] Lewis company* 1 1 Captain [R. T.] Englishs company 1 1 Watson Batteryf 2 . 2 39th Mississippi 4 1 5 Total - 5 25 8 38 * Four horses killed. I Three horses wounded. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, I. G. W. STEEDMAN, - Colonel, Commanding Left Wing, Maj. T. F. WILLSON, Assistant Adjutant.General Page 157 CHAP. XXXVIII.] 157 SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. [HEADQUARTERS LEFT WING], 12 oclock. All seems to have quieted in my front. I can learn of no mischief done our men or works. Enemy either made an attempt to charge Lieu- tenant-Colonel [M. B.] Lockes front (in corner of bull-pen), or made a bold effort to push forward his lines. Whatever his intention, he has been defeated, and gained nothing. Can hear his wounded groaning along our lines. I feel comparatively easy as to balance of night. The enemy has a battery 400 yards in front of slaughter-pen. He fired only two guns (small, I think). The enemy is evidently extending his lines toward our left. Has been cutting timber there. Also reported cut- ting in front of Lieutenant-Colonel Locke. Have ordered artillery on Commissary Hill to fire shell slowly among them if it prove true. I doubt the correctness of the report. Have well guarded the space between my left and Colonel [W. B.] Shelbys right. Respectfully, I. G. W. STEEDMAN, Colonel First Regiment Alabama Volunteers. Major [T. F.] WILLSON, Assistant Adjutant- General. HEADQUARTERS LEFT WING, June 10, 1863. SIR: Two companies of my regiment, Captains [J. F.] Whitfield and ~James D.] Meadows, are in charge of siege guns on various parts of the field works. I think fither company sufficient for the purpose. Please inquire, and, if possible, order one of the companies to report to Major Knox, near Commissary Hill, to-night at dark. We are in great need of them. The troops on my line are promiscuously mixed. I am satisfied this will not do. I want a battalion or regiment in charge of each portion of the lines, and its officers responsible for its safety, defense, & c. By giving me Colonel Lyles regiment, Twenty-third Arkansas, and Four- teenth in place of Eighteenth Arkansas, Lieutenant-Colonel Parish, I can arrange this to my satisfaction. - This changing of troops will not do. The men will not work on lines which they are not compelled to remain in. I am maturing arrange- ments to send scouts out to-night. I will present my plan by night. Am selecting my men. Think I can arrange it. Respectfully, I. G. W. STEEDMAN. Major WILLSON, - Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS LEFT WING, June 11, 1863Sun-up. I supposed, until daylight this morning, that the firing in my front was simply from a weak line of sharpshooters,who took up the fire be- cause the firing was going on on the right, but I learn now that the en- emy attempted an advance in my whole front, extending one-quarter to a mile left of Slaughter house. At daylight we found the enemy had ac- tually pushed into our lines, and were sheltering themselves from rain i Page 158 158 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. the Slaughter house. As soon as discovered, our troops attacked them, capturing a lieutenant and scattering the whole party back into the abatis, where they are now sheltering in the abatis. I have sent two companies of the best men in the Thirty-ninth Mississippi to effectually drive them out. My only uneasiness is from an unreliable regiment which occupies the threatened point. They are within 300 yards of a battery of six guns and two mortars. It is impossible to remove them to-day. I can only re-enforce as necessity demands. The reference to the regiment is an official secret. It is the Tenth Arkansas. I have had to conciliate them. We cannot do otherwise now. My great troubles resulted from this cause. I was luckily in the trenches occu- pied by them during all the night fight. I have not been able to close my eyes during the night. I am well this morning. Colonel [W. B.] Shelbys left is quiet and has been all night. I have no report from the right of my line since dark last night. No casualties reported. It is of vital importance that the 32-pounder be mounted as early as possible. The enemy, I think, will attempt an advance, if at all, nuder cover of this heavy battery opposite slaughter-pen. The trouble in the Tenth Arkansas prevented my getting all my regiments in permanent positions as I wanted. I am compelled to wait until night agafn, and then be governed by circumstances. Remember the secret as to this regiment. If this matter is stirred or talked, I fear we will have a mutinous regiment, but with caution 1 think I can assuage them until they are all right. Will send the prisoners soon. Respectfully, I. C-. W. STEEDMAN, Major [T. F.] WILLSoN, Colonel, Commanding Left Wing. Assistant Adjutant. General. HEADQUARTERS L1~FT WING Port Hudson, June 11, [1863.] MAJOR: From all appearances the enemy are preparing for demon- stration in my front, and more particularly in front of the slaughter.pen. I have made all my dispositions, and am ready to use at best advantage the force at my disposal. If the attack is made at the point I most suspect, Colonel Shelbys troops will be principally engaged, assisted by the left wing of the Eighteenth Arkansas, posted round about the battery at Bennetts house. I have but one piece of artillery in such position that it can be used, and this open and exposed to the fire of the enemys heavy battery. The enemys battery now consists of four mortars and not less than six ~guns. The remaining two pieces of artillery iii our battery at Bennetts can be used if the attack extends into the bull-pen. Our men seem to be vigilant, and in as good moral condition as the mud and slop and surrounding circumstances will admit. A few shells fired from now till morning by Colonel Smith at the enemys battery would be of great assistance in case of an attack. I would suggest the importance of this. Respectfully, yours, I. C-. W. STEEDMAN, Major WILLSoN, Colonel, Commanding Left Wing. Assistant Adjutant-General Page 159 CHAP. XXXVIII.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. 159 [First indorsement.] Referred to Colone~ Smith, who will fire hourly at the enemys bat- tery, and change the range to the left a little. Respectfully, FRANK. GARDNER, Major- General. [Second indorsement. I GENERAL: I shall commence firing, though I think it will have the effect of causing the enemys guns to get our range and position, and stir them out sooner than they intended to start. i[ have been on the watch to get the first intimation of a general attack froni the enemy, and should have opened as I deemed best. The firing of these guns, unless a general attack, I do not approve of, as the concentration of the enemys fire from all directions upon this center will do our guns far more liarm than we can possibly do the enemy. Respectfully, MARSHALL J. SMITH, Chief of Jilleavy Artillery. HEADQUARTERS LEFT WING, June 11, 1863. SIR: Please say to the general that I found the Tenth Arkansas on the lines yesterday when I took the command of this line. They had re- lieved the Twelfth Arkansas the night before. This plan of changing troops, except from necessity, is ruinous. I shall dispose of the regi- ments on this line to the best of my discretion, and keep them there. I gave such orders as I thought proper to effect this end last night, and all was moving smoothly until the Tenth Arkansas hesitated in its obedience to my order, and delayed the movement until the fight opened, so the whole movement was defeated. It is not the men of the regi- ment who are troublesomethey have no officers. I feel no doubt, though, in reconciling everything to-day. Say to the general that I feel remarkably well this morning, and feel no uneasiness as to my health. Please give me a summary of information gained from the captured lieutenant, especially all relating to my position here and the character of the movement, last night. My scouts left promptly after dark last night, and I think got out safely. Respectfully, ~. G. ~. STEEDMAN, Colonel, 6om~rnanding Left Wing. Lieutenant [A.] DUPR~, Aide-de-Camp. P. S.I have just learned that we have driven the enemy back to his old position of yesterday. At daylight, about one company of the enemy was discovered 100 yards in front of our siege guns. We gave them a double charge of grape and canister. The whole company threw down their arms and fled in the utmost confusion. I think we can get the guns to-day. IIEADQUARyERS LEFT WING, Port lludson, La., June 15, 1863. MAJOR: From concurrent testimony of officers on all parts of my line, I am sati~fied that there was an extensive movement of wagon Page 160 160 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. and artillery, and perhaps a large body of troops, from some point on my right out on the Jackson road. About 1 or 2 oclock they apparently either halted or went out of hearing, as they could not be distinctly heard afterward. There was in my immediate front and on the ene- mys line no change that we are aware of. I am inclined to think that if this line is attacked at all, the principal effort will be made on the extreme left, across the bridge. Two pieces of artillery were stationed there yesterday afteruoou across the creek, and sharpshooters have appeared all around that position; at least two white regiments have been seen maneuvering about the bridge. I would urge the importance of having all our heavy guns ready to assist in meeting any demonstration there. Those gaus, if properly served, will be equal to any number of troops that can be brought to bear upon that point. I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, I. G. W. STEEDMAN, Major WTLLSoN, Colonel, Commanding Left Wing. Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS LEFT WING, June 20, 1863. MAJOR: After heavy skirmishing this evening, the enemy ordered a charge upon our works on the hill in front of Colonel [W. B.J Shelby, but failed to charge. Colonel Shelby reports no loss. Loss of the enemy unknown. Fearing an assault in the morning, I have ordered Lieutenant [J. P.] Caidwell, with a 6-pounder brass piece, to move to-night from the arsenal, and report to Colonel Shelby on the left, and at the same time ordered Colonel Shelby to prepare a pit iu readiness for the gun. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, L G. W. STEEDMAN, Maj. T. F. WILLSON, Commanding Left Wing. Assistant Adjutant- General. HEADQUARTERS LEFT WING, June 25, 1863. MAJOR: All quiet on this line except occasional sharpshodtiug. The enemy are working at no point except in front of Colonel [B. W.j John- son, extending his rifle-pits to within 150 yards. About 12 oclock to-day a shell from the enemy exploded an ammu- nition chest in the limber at a gun between ColGuel Johnsons camp and the mill. The gun was masked. The shot must have been a stray one, or the position of the gun must have been given by deserters. I have made inquiries on all Varts of my line to-day concerning the bring that was heard last night. All agreed that there was considerable firing from 10 oclock till dayligb..t. Some artillery officers say there seemed to be as many as two batteries firing. Some difference of opinion as to the direction of the firing; some say that it was up the river; the majority say that it was in the direction of Jackson, La. I have som Page 161 CHAP. XXXVIII.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. 161 reports that the same firing has been heard to-day. This firing has awakened new hopes among the troops. I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, I. G. W. STEEDMAK, Colonel, Commanding Left Wing. Maj. T. F. WILLSON, Assistant Adjutant- General. HEADQUARTERS LEFT WING, June 29, 1863. MAJOR: The troops on the left wing are posted at the works in the following order, from right to left: Colonel Johnsons Fifteenth Arkan- sas, and Captain ~M. C.] Peels company, Eighteenth Arkansas; one brass 12-pounder howitzer, Captain [A. J.] ilerod; two Blakely guns, two 6-pounders, First Lieutenant [E. B.] Thompson commanding; First Alabama, Major KnQX commanding; Eighteenth Arkansas, Lieuten- ant Colonel Parish commanding; Tenth Arkansas, Lientenant~Colonel [E. L.] Vaughan commanding; one 24-pounder siege gun (rifle); one 12-ponnder howitzer and one 6-ponnder gun, Lieutenant Toledano commanding; Thirty-ninth Mississippi, Colonel Shelby commanding; Wingfield Battalion, Major Dc Baun. At different points in Colonel Shelbys line are two 6-ponnder guns, Captain ilerod; one 6-ponnder gun, Watson Battery, Lieutenant Caidwell commanding; one 6-pounder gun of Lieutenant Browns ordnance department. Accompanying find rough draught, giving the relative position of troops, batteries, & c.~ I am, sir, very respectfully, ~. G. W. STE EDMAN, Colonel, Commanding Left Wing. Major WILLSON, Assistant Adjutant- General. HEADQUARTERS LEFT WING, June 29, 1863. MAJOR: I am greatly mortified and disappointed to report that about half of the Eighteenth Arkansas Regiment, 50 men, have refused to. move to the right, as ordered, saying they have worked hard to for- tify their present position, & c. The lientenaut-colonel commanding is willing to go with the willing ones. I have repeated the order, and di- rected him to leave those who are so lost to dnty and State pride under command of a suitable officer, and proceed with the balance immediately, and report to Colonel Lyles. I have a hope that all may consent to go upon mature reflection. If you can say to them that they only go tem- porarily, and will be sent back as soon as the emergency is over, I think all will go. Reply soon. I am, respectfully, & c., ~. STEEDMAN, (~olonel, Commanding Lft Wing. Major WILLSON, - Assistant Adjutant- General. _________ ~ sketch. omitted. 11 R RYOL XXVI, PT Page 162 162 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. HEADQUARTERS LEFT WING, June 30, 1863. MAJOR: About 80 men of the Eighteenth Arkansas are still in the trenches on this line. I have ordered them to move at once to the right, and join their regiment. They are under command of a lieutenant. I have sent the order by Captain [W. F.] Owen (the best officer in the regi- ment). I have ordered that a complete list of those who disobey the order be sent in immediately. I think, and sincerely hope, that they may go. But, major, assure the general that, if they continue in this disobedience, our safety demands an immediate trial and execution of the most guilty parties. To hesitate will be to imperil the whole army; this spirit is spreading, and, unless arrested, will lose Port Hudson to ns on the first vigorous attack of the enemy. When the regiment reached their position designated in the order last night, they could find no one to report to2 and remained there for three hours withont a position. Your communication of last night (saying that this regiment should be returned as soon as the emergency passed) was forwarded to them. Your communication of this morning says the change must be perma- nent, and cooks must be moved, & c. I fear the results. I have given the order to move cooks, & c. I would suggest that if there is any safe position in which the regiment could be held in reserve, where they could be comfortable, & c., it in ight prevent trouble. I learn that there is serious prejudice in the Eighteenth against Colonel Lyles. Perhaps an intimation to the colonel to be cautious in his orders to them might avoid difficulties. But, major, some Arkansas soldier will have to be shot by court-martial before they are convinced that they have to obey orders irrespective of their own feelings. I have lost conftdence in their reliability in emergencies. They are under no discipline. In case any of those men refuse to go this morning, I will forward the list of names at once, and ask that a general court-martial be called immediately. I am, captain, very respectfully, & c., I. G. W. STEEDMAK, Colonel, (Jonnnanding Left Wing. Major WJLLSON, Assistant Adjutant. Ceneral. P. S.What damage and loss on the right yesterday and last night, and how do matters stand down there ~ HEADQUARTERS LEFT WING, July 3, 1863. MAJO!~ The enemy opened a new gun upon our battery at Bennetts house this afternoon. The gun is located in the edge of the bull-pen, about 250 or 300 yards from our battery. It fired a number of shots at our siege gun. Our gun opened, and at the third fire silenced the enemys gun. We cannot say whether it was dismounted or simply ceased firing. The sharpshooting was directed mainly on the batteries, and caused by the artillery fire. Unless we can silence the gun, it will annoy us very seriously, and cripple the battery in an assault. I visited Colonel [B. W.] Johnsons camp last night. The enemy have run a zigzag ditch to within 75 yards of his parapet. I see no way o Page 163 CHAr. XXXVIII.] SIEGE OF PORT hUDSON, LA. 163 ~stopping it unless by a sortie up one of the ravines, under cover of darkness. All quiet elsewhere. I am, respectfully, I. U. W. STEEDMAN, Colonel, Commanding Left Wing. Major [T. F.] WILESON, Assistant Adjutant- General. HEADQUARTERS LEFT WING, July 7, 1863. MAJOR: In accordance with instructions from headquarters this morn- ing, I have arrested Lieutenant-Colonel Vaughan, Tenth Arkansas, and placed Captain [S. M.] Shelton, senior officer, in command. I cau hear no bad effect resulting from rumors of to-day. I have tried to guard against it as much as possible. I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, I. U. W. STEEDMAN, Major WILLSON, Golonel, Commanding. Assistant Adjutant- General. Abstract from muster-roll of First Alabama Volunteers, Col. I. G. W. Steedman, April 20Kovember 30, 1863. The enemy commenced investing Port Hudson on May 19. The First Alabama Regiment was immediately withdrawn from the west side of the river after a slight skirmish with the enemys cavalry, in which we drove them off without loss on our side. On May 21, the regiment was ordered about three-quartets of a mile in front of northern deCenses of Port Hudson. With occasional assist- aiice from the Tenth Arkansas and Fifteenth Arkansas, the regiment held [General Godfrey] Weitzels division, United States Army, in check for six days. On the morning of May 27, we were forced back to the line of defense. On the night before, the line of defense being only partially fortified north of Port Hudson, the regiment had rolled logs and piled rails, thus making a sort of breastwork. This work was assaulted with great force by the enemy on the morning of May 27. The enemy acted with gallantry, but were repulsed with great slaughter. At the time of this assault the acting quartermaster, adjutant, and sergeant-major were on duty with Colonel [I. U. W.] Steedman, commanding left wing defenses; Colonel [M. B.j Locke commanded Tenth Arkansas and battalion First Mississippi; Major [Samuel L.j Knox commanded First Alabama, two companies provost-guards, and a sectiou from each of two batteries of artillery; the assistant surgeon, ordnance sergeant, and commissary sergeant on duty with Major Knox; the surgeon in charge of hospital, and the acting commissary of subsistence at campby order of General Gardner. The fine discipline and bonyant spirits of the regiment were con- spicuous during the entire siege. In their exposed position they were assaulted incessantly, almost day and night, but never successfully Page 164 164 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. No. 42. Report of Cot. W. B. Shelby, Thirty-ninth Mississippi Infantry, of operations June 8. HEADQUARTERS LEFT WING, June 8, 1863. MAJOR: Some day or two since I was ordered by the major-general commanding to send back from the Twelfth Arkansas Regiment, which occupied a position in the trenches on my right, 1 field officer and 110 men, leaving me 100 men of that command. Since that time this number has dwindled.down to not exceeding 40 men. This force is too small to occupy the position, and I respectfully request that, if possible, they may be re-enforced. I take the liberty of submitting to the major-general commanding the propriety of mounting a single piece in the point of woods near the house occupied by Major Bennett, with a view of driving the mortars from the position they now have on my front. The shelling from the mor- tars was so heavy this morning as to compel Lieutenant [E. A.] Tole- dano and men to temporarily abandon his pieces, and the men near the slaughter-pen are subjected to a very heavy fire from them. Something ought to be done, if possible, to draw the enemy from this position. My pickets report the enemy as fortifying on this side of the creek, near the bridge. I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. B. SHELBY, Colonel, Commanding Left Wing. Maj. T. F. WILLSON, Assistant Adjutant- General. No. 43. Report of ]J~Eaj. Thomas fi. Johnston, First Mississippi Inf4ntry, of operations July 23. JULY 3, 1863. From indications all day yesterday, last night, and this morning, the enemy must be massing a heavy force at some point on our right. There seems to be a movement of infantry, cavalry, artillery, ambulances, and wagons. I am not prepared to say whether this force; or any part of it, has been taken from my front, or whether they are re-enforcing from elsewhere. The enemy are still actively engaged in pushing forward their works in my vicinity. Had a serious accident from the hand-grenades last night2 men mortally wounded (1 since dead) by the explosion acci- dentally of some of the grenades. Respectfully, THOS. II. JOHNSTON, Major First Mississippi Regiment, Uommanding. Lieutenant-Colonel f~A~ S.] HAMILTON, Commanding Left, Bealls Brigade. [Indorsemonti Respectfully referred to Major-General Gardner. The hand-grenades which were fired were fired by being ignited by a person who had lighte Page 165 CHAP. XXXVIII.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. 165 the fuse of a hand-grenade, and was about throwing it at the enemy. 1 (10 not think that the movement of troops in different directions is other than the ordinary reliefs passing back and forth. WM. N. Th BEALL, Brigadier- General. No. 44. Report of Lieut. B. A. Toledano, Watson (Louisiana) Battery, of opera tions May 24. MAY 24, 1863. I have the honor to make the following report of operations during the day: One section (two guns), commanded by Lieutenant [J. p~1 Caldwell, has been stationed during the day in the woods north of Wiugfields cavalry camp; has not been in action during the day. One section (two guns), commanded by Lieutenant [J. E.] Nor~s, at the left of the breastworks, has been in action twice dnring the day, once to silence a battery of the enemy in the point of woods adjoining, and once to dis- lodge the enemys sharpshootersboth objects fully accomplished. This section has fired in all 60 rounds of spherical case and 5 of solid shot. A. third section of two guns, commanded by Serg. Maj. II. L. Nichols, stationed near the railroad, on the fortification, has not been in action at all during the day. No casualties of any kind have oc- curred in the battery during the day. E. A. TOLEDANO, Lieutenant, Commanding. Captain [BE~~L] IIE~PSTEAD, Asssstant A~jutant- General. No. 45. Reports of Lieut. Col. J. H. Wingfteld, Ninth Louisiana Battalion Par tisan Rangers. PORT llu~SoN, May 24, 1863. MAJOR: I herewith furnish a report of the operations of my command during Saturday, May 23. The report is as full as the circumstances of the moment will permit me to make. I hope it will be satisfactory to the major-general commanding. I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. II. WING-FIELD, Lieutenant- Colonel, Commanding. MAJOR: Early yesterday morning I informed the major-general com- manding that the enemy had left their encampment at the ford on Thompsons Creek, and were advancing in the direction of Mrs. New- ports. I immediately ordered~ a picket of 10 men, nuder Lieutenant [A. C.] Bickham, of Company K, to the gate at Captain Chambers plantation, on the Bayou Sara road. At about 12 oclock I received intelligence that the enemys cavalry had driven my picket, and that they had fallen back to the gin-hous Page 166 166 w. FLA., s. ALA., S. MISS., LA, TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. on Mr. Flowers plantation, which fact I dispatched to the major-general commanding. ilaIf an hour later, I received information that the ene- mys cavalry, some 50 to 100 strong, had made its appearance in the upper field of Nevilles plantation, and were in the house now o~cupied by Mr. Aburger. Upon receiving this intelligence, I immediately or- dered Capt. 0. P. Amacker, of Company E, and Lient. J B. Dunn, of Company D, with 50 men, to Nevilles field; also Captain [William] Turner, of Company K, and Captain [E. .S.] Morgan, of Company G, with detachments from Companies B and F, and [B. A.] Scotts, respect- ively commanded by Lieutenants [B. B] Starnes, [J.] Barnett, and [M.] McQueen, above Mrs. Liustons field, near Captain Chambers gate, where the enemy was reported to be. Immediately thereafter Colonel [I. G. W.] Steedman arrived at my encampment with a battalion of the First Alabama Volunteers and a section of Watson Artillery. The First Alabama, now under Lieutenant-Colonel [M. B.] Locke, de- ployed itself as skirmishers in the woods in front of the left wing of the breastworks leading into Kevilles field. I sent Captain [G. W.j Lewis, of Company C, and his men as flankers to the right wing of this bat- talion, the left wing being protected by Captain Turner, in the ad- vance. This disposition of my battalion protected the left and right of Colonel Steedmans forcesthe left and advance commanded by Cap- tain Turner, and the right and its advance under Captain Amacker. Captain Turner reports that, upon his arrival at the position assigned him, he found the enemys cavalry, estimated from 1,000 to 1,200 strong, drawn up in line of battle in Mrs. ilustons field. On their discovering his position, the enemy fired upon him, he answering with considerable effect, causing the enemy to fall back out of range. The enemy, having reformed, charged Captain Turner three times, but were repulsed each time, after which they withdrew from Mrs. Hustons field in the direc- tion of the Bayou Sara road, Captain Turner itaining his position until this morning, when he was ordered to withdraw. Captain Turner had no loss. Captain Amacker reports having met the enemy in Kevilles field. He skirmished with them some time, driving them from Mr. Aburgers house and then across the field into the woods bordering on the Jackson road. Agpiu was the enemy driven from the woods, Captain Amacker occupying the position, and placing a l)icket in a commanding position at the edge of the woods. flaying accomplished the desired object, he withdrew his force. It is impossible to state the enemys loss. Several horses were killed, and the saddles and other l)araphernalia were recov- ered from them. Captain Lewis with his company, acting as flankers, remained at their post during the entire day. During the whole day I suffered no loss, excepting 1 man of Company B, who was thrown from his horse while charging the enemy and had his arm badly sprained. The enemy must have suffered considerably, though I cannot estimate their loss. It is with pleasure that I must make special mention of the gallant conduct of Captains Turner, Amacker and Morgan in the manner in which they carried out the instructions given them and the promptness with which they kept me informed of the movements of the enemy. It is also gratifying to me to be able to report that both officers and men engaged behaved with the utmost coolness and bravery, and, by their conduct, drove ten times their number. The operations of my pickets on the Springfield road and on the Plains Store road deserve being mentioned, as the enemy during the day at- tempted to drive them back Page 167 CHAP. XXXVIILI SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. 167 Major James De Baun and Captain J. J. Slocum, of Company A, were ordered by me to inspect the various posts, and they report that Lientenant [T. N.] Bond, in command at Springfield, had two or three skirmishes during the day, in which the enemy were each time repnlsed; that Lientenant [E.1 MeCain, at Plains Store, had also several skir- mishes with the advance of the enemy, repulsing them, and retaining his position. Very respectfully submitted. [J. II. WJNGFJELD, Lieutenant- Colonel, Commanding.] Maj. T. F. WJLLSON, Assistant Adjutant. General. ADDENDA. GENERAL ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS, No. 41. Port ffudson, La., May 23, 1863. It is with much pleasure the major-general commanding announces to the troops a successful skirmish of Colonel Wingfield~s Partisan Rangers with the whole force of the enemys cavalry, in which the enemy were several times repulsed, and finally driven back with con- siderable loss. These examples of heroic conduct are cheering to us all, and will convince the enemy that we are determined to defend this post to the last. By command of Maj. Gen. Frank. Gardner: T. FRIEND WILLSUN, A ssistant Adjutant- General. MAY 25, 1863. GENERAL: The enemy again drove back my pickets stationed at Sandy Creek, where the telegraph wires are placed. Lieutenant [C. C.] Harris, of Company G, commanded that post. The ground is very open on this side of the creek, and the men necessarily much exposed. They have not yet crossed the creek. I am skirmishing with them now. I regret to inform you that First Lieutenant Harris Was killed, and in consequence of the open country at the ford, it was impossible to remove his body, the enemy being ambushed across the river, the timber being such as to enable them to do so. I would be much pleased, general, to recover the body of Lieutenant Harris, if possible. 1 am, general, your obedient servant, J. H. WINGFIELD, Lieut. Col., Comdg. Ninth Louisiana Battalion Partisan Rangers. Major-General GARDNER. No. 46. Reports of Cot. W. R. Mites, Louisiana Legion, of operations May 21 July 7. HEADQUARTERS MILES LEGION, Port Hudson, May 22, 1863. MAJOR: With 400 ipfantry and a battery of my command, I moved out yesterday on the Plains road, in obedience to orders. Abont 2 Page 168 168 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXvIII. miles from this place my skirmishers fell in with an advance party of the enemy, fired on them, emptied three saddles, and drove the rest rapidly back. A short distance beyond, his cavalry were seen drawn up in considerable force. Our artillery opened a well-directed fire, and the cavalry retreated rapidly. We advanced, firing shell and shrap- nel at intervals, until near Plains Store, where my skirmishers found the enemys infantry with some artillery, and had a sharp contest with them. The line was quickly formed and ordered to advance. It move(l forward steadily, and was soon engaged in close and deadly conflict. The contest raged with great fury for nearly an hour, when I discov- ered we were overpowered by greatly superior numbers, and my line was being pressed back. I at once ordered a section of Captain [li. M.] Boones battery to advance lip the Plains Store road, to a point where it could deliver a raking fire on the enemys right flank. The order was promptly obeyed, and the fire was so effective as to cornpletely check his movements, enabling me to withdraw the command at leisure and in good order, bringing off 23 of my wounded, this being all I could furnish transportation for. In this affair both infantry and artillery behaved with great coolness and courage, and deserve much praise for their soldierly bearing. I have no means of knowing the exact number of the enemy we en- countered. It was quite large, howevei-, and very much exceeded our own, the prisoners captured by us stating it to consist of fifteen re i- ments of infantry, besides artillery and a large cavalry force. g Our loss in killed, wounded, and missing is 89. It is impossible to state with accuracy the number of killed and wounded. I only know of 8 killed and 23 wounded. The enemy, however, report having buried 40 of our dead, and say they are in possession of a number of our wounded. I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. II. MILES, Maj. T. F. WJLLSON, Colonel, Commanding Legion. Assistant Adjutant- General. ON THE FIELD, May 24, 1863. I beg leave to report that no attack or menace has b~eu made on m line to-day. The shelling from guns and mortars, however, has y been extraordinarily fnrious, and I regret to say that 3 men have been killed and 3 others slightly wounded by them. The casualties occnrred in Maj. Anderson Merchants battalion. I am, general, very respectfully, W. R. MILES, Maj. T. F. WILLSON, Colonel, Commanding. Assistant Adjutant- General. ON THE FIELD, iJfay 25, 1863. I beg leave to report that, at an interval of about two hours, two ad- vances have been made on our lines to-daythe first by infantry and cavalry, and the second by cavalry aloneboth times in considerabl Page 169 UFIAP. XXXVIII.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. 169 force, and both times were driven back hurriedly, the latter time in great confusion and in full run. A short time after the second repulse, a flag of truce was observed near the place from which the euemy was driven. I sent Captain [H. M.] Hewitt and Lieutenant [B. W.] Clark to meet it. Before they reached the ground, the flag moved off. They could plainly see litters, bearing oft~ either wounded or dead. It occurs to me that this is a plain violation of the white flag. I dared not fire upon it, and yet it may have been made use of to carry off wounded who otherwise would have become our prisoners. If it can be used for one illicit purpose it may be for another, and its sanctity will be destroyed; I therefore beg leave to call Major-General Gardners atention to it. I am, ma very respectfully, W. iR. MILES, Colonel, Commanding, & c. Maj. T. F. WILLsoN, Assistant Adjutant. General. ON TIlE FIELD, May 27, 1863. About half an hour by sun this morning the enemy opened an infernal fire on our lines. With occasional lulls, the cannonade continued until about~ p. in., when I learned the enemy had formed in line of battle, and was advancing on General Bealls center and left. Without waiting for official notification, I at once pushed forward to his support every man I could spare. My men had barely got their position when the enemy opened fire, advancing with infantry and artillery. He was repulsed three several times, and has now retired. I am holding the field, General Bealls forces having gone to the left. What the enemys loss is it is impossible to say. Subordinate commanders not having handed in their reports, it is impossible to give an accurate list of cas- ualties. I will supply the omission hereafter. Respectfully, & c., W. 11. MILES, Colonel, d~c. Maj. T. F. WILLSoN, Assistant Adjutant- General. ON THE FIELD, Ma~ 28, 1863. The enemy opened his accustomed cannonade at an early hour this morning, the mortar fleet and gunboats below chiming in, and for some time shell and solid shot fell thick along the line. Between 10 and 11 oclock I received notice that Major-General Banks had asked for a truce, to allow him the opportunity to bury his dead and care for his wounded, who covered the ground where the fights occurred yesterday. The various precautionary orders connected therewith were received, promptly communicated, and vigilantly enforced. I observed no dispo- sition on the part of the enemy to violate the truce during the day. Ten prisoners were taken by my men and sent to headquarters this morning. Lieutenant [W. W.] Carloss, thought to have been mortally wounded yester(lay evening, is improving, and will, I think, recover. Th Page 170 170 w. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. wounds received by others are slight, with one exception. We had none killed. I am, respectfully, & c., your obedient servant, W. R. MILES, Colonel, & c. Maj. T. F. WIELSON, Assistant Adjutant. General. ON THE FIELD, May 30, 1863. During last night the fleet shelled us without intermission, but without result. We have only been fired at during the day by a few skirmishers. No one hit. It is the first day of calm since the 24th. I am very respectfully, & c., W. IR. MILES, Maj. T. F. WILLSON, Colonel, & c. Assistant Adjutant. General. ON THE FIELD, May 31, 1863. This morning the enemys sharpshooters, deployed in front of a part of my lines under cover, opened an irregular fire, which has been kept up all day. The cannonade, directed at my redans and an attempted enfilade of the works, has been quite vigorous at times, never entirely ceasing. About 4 oclock this evening, the fleet below commenced shelling furiously, and kept it up two hours and a half. Last night the fleet shelled us from 11 oclock until sun-up this morn- ing; all this resulting in wounding 1 man. I have sent 200 men to relieve that number of Colonel [I. G. W.] Steedmans men, on the left. Since their arrival there this evening, I learn 2 of them have been wounded severely. I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. II. MILES, Maj. T. F. WILLSON, Colonel, & c. Assistant Adjutant- General. ON THE FIELD, June 1, 1863. The fleet indulged in its customary shelling list night, and at inter- vals to-day. The enemys batteries for the last twenty-four hours have been steadily playing on our front, attempting at times to enfilade the works. No serious result. Sharpshooters, as usual, have been plying their vocation on both sides. So far as can be learned, no immediate attempt will be made to carry the works by assault, the enemy not having recovered from the effects of his last attempt upon us. W. 111. MILES, Colonel, cte. Maj. T. F. WJLLSON, Assistant Adjutant- General Page 171 CHAP. XXXVIII.] 8IEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. 171 ON TIlE FIELD, June 3, 1863. Just after writi~ g my report of yesterday, 2 men of the legion were wounded here by the enemy~s sharpshooters. I have learned that the detachment of the legioll holding Colonel Steedmans position has had 1 man killed to-day and 5 wounded. The fleet last night shelled us slowly, without inflicting any injury; and the batteries, though playing on us all day, have not injured a man or affected the works. The enemy is at work in front of the outer works in Gibbons field. It is impossible to tell precisely what he is doing; most probably digging rifle-pits and preparing a place for his artillery. I am, major, very respectfully, & c., W. iR. MILES, Colonel, & e. Maj. T. F. WILLsoN, Assistant Adjutant- General. ON THE FIELD, June 6, 1863. The batteries aud fleet for some two hours this forenoon gave us a very heavy fire. The battery heretofore stationed at the mouth of Troths lane moved off this evening in the direction of the river below; and the battery near Hunts house, with eight wagon-loads of stores, moved off also about the same hour and in the same direction. Unless these move- ments are a ruse, it is evident the enemy is moving off a large portion, if not all, of his forces. I have no casualties to report for the day. I am, ma very respectfully, & c., W. R. MILES, Colonel, ct~e. Maj. T. F. WILLSON, Assistant Adjutant- General. ON THE FIELD, June 7, 1863. Early this morning a large body of infantry marched from the river at Troths, through th& lane out toward the works. [li. M.] Boones battery fired several shots at the column as it passed, and a number of them were seen to fall. They double-quicked out of range, and got under cover. During the day the enemy has been discovered working steadily in the edge of the woods nearly midway between where his batteries that were taken off yesterday evening were formerly posted. It looks as if he is preparing a place for a large battery. Late this evening several companies of troops have been seen passing from the woods toward Troths. They were fired upon by Lieutenant [H. W.] Coleman, and made to pass by in haste and some confusion. I will send out a scout be- tween midnight and day to examine the woods between my right and Troths, for the purpose of learnimig the enemys numbers there, and what he is doing. The fleet shelled us last night, and a battery back of Slaughters late residence, in front of General Bealls lines, has been firing on us through the day. Ko casualty Page 172 172 W.FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. (CHAP. xxxviii. The batteries near Hunts house and the mouth of Troths lane that were removed yesterday evening have not yet reappeared. No artillery visible in front of my lines. I aizn, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. R. MILES, Maj. T. F. WILLSON, Colonel, & c. Assistant Adjutant- General. ON THE FIELD, June 8, 1863. Late yesterday evening, after writing my report, I had 1 man killed by the enemys sharpshooters. Between 1 and 2 oclock this morning, the enemy in force made an advance on my left and center. He was handsomely repulsed, and did not renew the attack. During the night, two pieces of artillery were placed in position near Hunts house, and have saluted us several times since. My scouts, sent oat in the woods between the Troth road and the river, report a strong force of the enemy there, and say they are engaged in digging rifle-pits and throwing np earthworks. Should you desire to send any one outside the lines for information, the two young men who acted for me, I think, would suc- cessfully accomplish the mission. The fleet shelled us, as usual, during the night. I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. B. MILES, Colonel, & c. Maj. T. F. WILLSON, Assistant Adjutant. General. ON THE FIELD, June 9, 1863. The enemy has brought back his Parrott and Whitworth guns to my front, and, in addition, has planted two light 8-inch mortars and one 8-inch gun, with all of which he has been delivering an energetic fire since about 11 oclock this morning, wouud~ing 1 man severely. It seems a miracle that we have escaped thus, for the 8-inch gun has an enfilading fire along several hundred yards of my left. This gun is placed in the point of woods between Hunts and Slaugh- ters, and is beyond the range of my small pieces. I sent word to that effect to Brigadier-General Beall, and requested him to order some of his guns opposite to open on it, in the hope of either silencing it or deranging its fire. For some good reason, doubtless, nothing of the sort has been done. I beg leave respectfully to suggest that it is of very great importance to pay some attention to this big gun, as it is by all means the ugliest acquaintance we have yet made. The shelling by the fleet last night was not very severe. I am, major, very re& pectfuily, your obedient servant, W. II. MILES, Colonel, f~o. Maj. T. F. WILLSON, Assistant Adjutant- General Page 173 CHAP. XXXVIII.] SILGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. 173 ON THE FIELD, June 10, 1863. The mortars of the fleet, the mortars of the land batteries, the Parrott and Whitworth guns, opened on us at dusk yesterday evening, and kept up a furious fire through the night. The practice was good and the scenic effect splendid. At 2 oclock this morning the 8-inch shell gun joined in, and deliv~ed her raking fire along my entire left. Three men were wounded severely during the night. Lieutenant-Colonel [14. J.] Smiths fire was without effi~ct on these pieces, his range being short and his aim inaccurate. Lieutenant-Colonel Smiths guns can only do good by moving one or more of them out to the line. It is for you to determine whether it is politic and practicable to place in positiou on the outer line his 8-inch gun and 42-pounder. They might silence the enemys heavy batteries. They are of no value, except for river de- fense, where they now are. During the entire day the enemy have been shelling my lines. The men, I am proud to say, bear it like heroes, and I think will make oood the defense against any assault. I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. 11. MILES, Colonel, & e. Maj. T. F. WILLsoN, Assistant Adjutant- General. ON THE FIELD, June 11, 1863. Th addition to the casualties mentioned in my report of yesterday, I have to add four more who were not reported to me until after my report was sent in. None of the wounds serious, however. Last night, on my extreme right, where Lieutenant-Colonel [Fred. B.1 Brand com- mands, my picket was surprised, Lieutenant [J. A.] Taylor, in command of it, seriously wounded, 9 privates and 2 non-commissioned officers captured. To-day, Capt. II. 14. Boone (Boones battery), while at his post direct- ing his guns, was seriously wounded in the thigh. One other man has been wounded to-day. The enemy has opened some additional guns on me to-day, placed in a new position between Troths road and the river. lie has kept up a tremendous fire during the day from all his guns and mortars, and the small number of casualties would seem to indicate that a special Prov- idence is protecting us. I am, major, very respectfully, your obe(lient servant W. 1-1. MILES, Colonel, & c. Maj. T. F. WILLsoN, Assistant Adjutant- General. ON THE FIELD. June 12, 1863. Last night the guns and mortars fronl the fleet, as well as the guns and mortars from the numerous batteries on shore, kept up a brisk fire upon us, resulting in no loss of life, or wound, even. During the da Page 174 174 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA.,. TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. their fire has slackened considerably I would fain hope tapering to its final end. Neither of the 24-pounder guns are yet mounted on my lines, and if no more attentiou shall be given in directing the labor of the large nightly details I am called on to furnish than has been bestowed here- tofore, it is a mere matter of conjecture when they will be put in posi. tion. No casualties reported during the day. The 30-pounder Parrott gun at the extreme right has been dismounted to-day by the enemys land batteries. I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. 11. MILES, Maj. T. F. WILLSON, Colonel, & c. Assistant Adjutant- General. ON THE FIELD, June 13, 1863. Very early this morning we were quite severely cannonaded. Later on in~ the forenoon the most tremendous affair of the siege came off. From the fleet in the river and from every gun in position on shore came the quick flash and angry roar of threatening annihilation. The air grew thick with smoke and hoarse with sound. After some hours spent in this manner, it became apparent the enemy was making prepara- tions for a charge. General Bealls line being most threatened, I sent one battalion to his snpport, keeping the balance of my force in position to repel an attack should one be made on my own line, or move to the further support of General Beall. No attack was made on me; and,-after trying several times to bring their lines to the assault, the enemy beat a hasty retreat. Nothing but a few of his sharpshooters approached the breastworks, and the neighborhood soon grew too hot for them. How many of them were killed and wounded I do not know. Of the battal- ion sent by me to General Bealls support, 2 men were sevemely wounded. Besides these, I have lost on my lines to-day 1 man killed and 1 wounded. Yesterday, on the extreme right, where Lieutenant-Colonel [Fred. B.] Brand commands, there were of the pickets 1 man killed~ 1 wounded, and 5 captured. I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. li. MILES, Maj. T. F. WILLsoN, . Colonel, & c. Assistant Adjutant- General. ON THE FIELD, June 14, 1863. About 4 a. m. the enemy opene(l a terrible fire from all his guns along the line, from the extreme right to the extreme left. It was kept up till 8 oclock, varying in intensity, but always severe. At an early hour I could distinguish the rattle of small-arms to ward the left, and for a time thought no demonstration was intended against my position, bu twas soon undeceived. In regular line of battle, the enemy attempted an ad- vance through the open field upon my left. A few shots from the artil- lery and a few rounds from the infantry caused him to fall back. lI Page 175 CHAP. XXXVIII.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. 175 then moved toward the woods on his left, where, being joined by addi- tional forces, he attempted to carry the advanced work near the Troth road. He was allowed to pass one regiment unmolested down the hill into the ravine at the base of the work. Thinking no opposition was meant, perhaps, he started a second regiment down the same road, which was also allowed to make its march unmolested about half. way down the hill, when, at the same moment, the advancing tegiment was opened upon by a section of [R. M.] Boones battery and the sta- tionary one by the infantry. Stupefied and bewildered, these regiments scarcely attempted to reply, but broke in confusion, and in disorder hurried from thq conflict. Though his infantry amounted to many reg- iments, these two were all that came within the range of our pieces. The casualties of the day are 4 killed and 11 wounded. Failing in his general attack of the morning, the enemy has distrib- uted a large number of sharpshooters all along the line, who, throughout the day, have been unwearying in their work. I regret to add that Lieu- tenant [B. W.] Clark, of my staff, discovered last night a considerable space of the breastwork next to my left not only without men to resist an attack, but even without a guard or picket. I sent one company to guard the work during the night. I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. H. MILES, Colonel, & c. Maj. T. F. WILLSON, A8sistant Adjutant- General. ON THE FIELD, June 15, 1863. The fleet shelled us last night. The land batteries have fired on us at intervals throughout the day, and the sharpshooters have been more than ordinarily energetic, productive of no casualty, however. Opposite my extreme right, the enemy is busily engaged in throwing up a new chain of rifle-pits, which we are unable to prevent. I am, major x cry, respectfully, your obedient servamit, W. H. MILES, Colonel, & c. Maj. T. F. WILLsoN, Assi8tant Adjutant- General. ON THE FIELD, June 16, 1863. The fleet last night shelled us at~ its accustomed time and in about the usual quantity. TPe batteries to-day have been active, but not extremely vigorous. The sharpshooters, particularly on the extreme right, have displayed more pnergy and perseverance than on any day heretofore. The casualties of the day are 1 killed and 3 wounded. No evidence of any extraordinary demonstration by the enemy. I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. H. MILES, Colonel, & e. ~Wlaj. ~ih F. WILLSON, As8istant Adjutant- General Page 176 176 w. FLA, s. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. ON THE FIELD, June 17, 1863. The ordinary shelling of the fleet last night was productive of nothing except its noise. There has been but little firing from the land batteries to-day, resulting in severely wounding 1 man. The sharpshooters on parts of my line have been very active, but have hit no one to-day. The works on the hill opposite to my right are progressing rapidly. I have no means of stopping them. I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. II. MILES, Golonel, J~c. Maj. T. F. WILL5ON, Assi8tant Adjutant- General. HEADQUARTERS RIGHT WING, June 24, 1863. The fleet was again quiet last night. The land batteries have fired at intervals during the day. Sharpshooting as usual, resulting in the kill- ing of 1 man. The enemys works on my right continue to progress rap- idly toward completion. They threw up a parallel and traverse last night, the parallel distant about 150 yards from the brow of the hill upon which Battery Ko. 11 is placed. The enemys fatigue parties have been driven from their work several times during the day by shells thrown from Captain [S. M.] Thomas pieces in the outer work on the Troth road. He has instructions to fire at distant intervals during the night, to prevent any further work, if possible. I am, major, respectfully, & c. - W. B. MILES, Colonel, fx, Maj. T. F. ~ILLSON, As8istant A djutartt- General. ON THE FIELD, July 6, 1863. So far as I can discover, the enemy has made no material progress 011 the right. His ditch seems to be taking a different direction. The heavy guns of his batteries on both sides of the river, during l)arts of the day, have been served with much activity, while his sharpshooters in swarms have hailed their bullets on our lines. I have to report 1 lieutenant (Ninth Louisiana Battalion Partisan IRaugeLs) killed and 1 lieutenant (Twenty-third Arkansas) seriously wounded by them. Your order of to-day, directing me to retire the whole of Major [Andersonj Merchants command, has been obeyed, as well as that other order di- recting me to make a permanent detail of 9 men from my command, to report for duty to the provost-marshal. In obeying these orders, how- ever, I beg leave most respectfully to say that I think the public interest is greatly jeopardized thereby. Of the 125 men of Major Merchants command originally ~iven to me, thelt st is now taken away, and I am required to send away 9 men in addition. This leaves inc with less than 400 muskets to defend over 1~ miles of breastworks. I have at least one-third of the entire line, and less than one-sixth of the fighting force to def~nd it with. Besides, when the center and left were in danger in Page 177 CHAP. XXXVIII.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. 177 the early part of the siege, the labor and blood of my command were freely contributed to sustain them. Now that the right is sorely pressed, and more vigorously menaced than any other l)art of the lines, I hardly think it just to me, or right in view of the public interest, to reduce my men to so low an ebb. Let me be understood: 1 will hold my line as long as a man stands up; but in justice to the men, who are worked and fought without rest day or night, I earnestly request that enough be left with me to give them an occasional respite of a day. I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. IL MILES, Colonel, & c, Maj. T. F. WILLSON, Assistant Adjutant- General. ON THE FIELD, July 7, 1863. Sharpshooting, though less active to.day than yesterday, has been quite brisk. One man of the legion killed. The cannonading has been irregular; at no time very severe, and prodnctive of no result. The enemy still works with the spade in close proximity to my rifle-pits, but it is impossible to fathom his designs. His tower grows and his ditch lengthens, one day in one direction, another day in another. This morning all his land batteries fired a salule, and followed it immediately with shotted guns, accompanied by vociferous yelling. Later in the day the fleet fired a salute also. What is meant we do not know. Some of them hallooed over, saying that Yicksbnrg had fallen on the 4th instant. My own impression is that some fictItious good news has been given to his troops in order to raise their spirits; perhaps with a view of stimu- lating them to a charge in the niorning. We will be prepared for them should they (10 50. I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. ZR. MILES, Colonel, d~c. Maj. T. F. WILLSON, Assistant Adjutant- General. No. 47. Reports of Licut. Col. Frederick B. Brandq ilfiles (Louisiana) Legion, of operations June 24~7. HEADQUARTERS RIGHT WING, June 25, 1863. SIR: I assumed command of right wing last night, as per order through Captain [ZR. IVI.] Hewitt. I left Major [J. T.] Coleman in coiti- mand of my right. Lieutenant [Janies] Freret, of Engineer Corps, coni- menced a ditch in front of Battery 11, to plate sharpshooters in, but did not finish it. The enemy advanced about 10 yards last night with their trench. I keep up an occasional fire from Captain [S. M.] Thomas guns. I discovered that they had a bale of cotton, which they advanced as IC- quired; but watching the moment that they moved the bale, I gave 12 R RVOL XXVI, PT Page 178 178 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXvIII. them a volley of musketry which drove them in altogether. To-night I shall keep up the shooting as during the last night and to-day. I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, FREDK B. BRAND, Lieutenant- Colonel, Commanding Right Wing. Maj. T. F. WILLSON, Assistant Adjutant- General. P. 5.All quiet along my line. HEADQUARTERS IRIGHT WING, June 26, 1863. SIR: I have to report that I prevented the work of the enemy last night. He has now four bales to work behind, but has made very little progress. The sharpshooters have beeu very active on my right. At 3 p. m. the fleet opened, and at the same time four field pieces and one or two mortars from the large breastworks. I have not yet received my reports from the different commanders as to casualties, but so soon as they come in, I will make a full report. All quiet on my left. I have sent a working party down to the right to repair damages, if any. I fear that I shall have to report the loss of many a brave man. I remain, major, your most obedient servant, FREDK B. BRAND, Lieutenant- Colonel, 6ommanding Right Wing. Maj. T. F. WILLsoN, Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS RIGHT WING, June 26, 1863. SIR: I have to report that the enemy have torn up my breastwork a great deal. They are throwing at intervals 8 and 10 pounder mortar shells into Battery 11. My casualties are Captain [C. R.i Purdy (Fourth Louisiana), 1 private ([Calvit] Roberts battery), and 3 privates (Miles Legion) killed, and but 110 wounded. Colonel [M. J.] Smith assisted me very much by throwing shell into the enemys works. 1 have three companies in Battery 11 armed with muskets, which I think is enough, but have only a few back cartridges. All my officers and men behaved well. Major [J. T.] Coleman is in good spirits and a very hot place. I feel certain that I will hold out. I remain, your most obedient servant, FREDK B. BRAND, Lieutenant- C~olonel, Commanding Right Wing. Maj. T. F. WILLSON, Assistant Adjutant- General. HEADQIJARTERS RIGHT WING, June 27, 11863. SIR: I have to report that the batteries in my front have been keep- ing up a very sharp fire all along my right, injnring my breastworks Page 179 CHAP. Xxxviii.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. 179 great deal. My sharpshooters are at work with effect. My casualties are 2 killed and 2 wounded. I have ordered the four companies of my left wing under charge of Major [J. T.] Coleman. I have but a very small reserve on the right, but will hold every man ready to move. I remain, sir, your most obedient servant, & c., FREDK B. BJI~AND, Lieutenant-Colonel, (iornmanding Right Wing. Maj. T. F. WILLSON, Assistant Adjutant- General. P. 5.Since writing the above report, I have the honor to report that Captain [C. W.] Cushman Thirtieth Louisiana, and Lieutenant [J. D.] Conn, Fourth Louisiana, have come forward with their companies, amounting to about 45 men, all volunteers, to act as the reserve or anything else. No. 48. Reports of Col. John L. Logan, Eleventh Arkansas Infantry, of opera tions iIIay 21July 8. NEAR MRS. NIJTTENELLS, BAYou SARA ROAD, iVilay 21, 18638 p. m. GENERAL: I am in enemys rear with 300 cdvalry and mounted men, and 300 infantry. General Augurs division has all passed up. I would strike him, but my force is too weak. I have no information from Plains Store excepting that the enemy occupy the place. My dis- patch from Colonel [F. P.] Powers was received too late to strike the enemy on his right flank; besides, they came in too great numbers for Colonel Powers, and forced him back to the railroad before I could get here. II shall keep on his right flank, and strike as opportunity offers. In a little skirmish this evening, I captured 2 prisoners, [who in- formed] me that Augurs entire division has passed up, including two brigades of infantry, four batteries, and about 700 or 800 cavalry, com- manded by Grierson. I think for the present I had better move the most of my force to Clinton. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JNO. L. LOGAN. Major-General GARDNER. HEADQUARTERS, Olive Branch, May 22, 1863. GENERAL: I find that the small pieces of artillery are not of much service; besides, I have no ammunition for them. I must have more ammunition for the pieces I have (8-pounder smooth-bore and 12-pounder howitzers), and I really think that I ought to have Roberts entire bat- tery. The enemy have a great deal of artillery, and, unless I have a sufficiency to cope with them, I cannot accomplish much. I am de- termined to annoy the enemy and hurt him at every favorable point and opportunity, on his flanks and in his rear. JI am concentrating my force, as much so as I can, leaving for the present, on the Plank road and the roads toward the Comite, a small picket to watch the move- ments of the enemy. I send Quartermaster-Sergeant Mack with thi Page 180 180 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA~, TEX., N. MEX, [CHAP. XXXVIII. dispatch, who will take charge of anything you desire to send to me, and bring it to my command to-night. All quiet on Plank road; think most of the force has crossed to the Bayou Sara road. Enemy still reported at Plains Store; am going to see. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JNO. L. LOGAN, Colonel, Commanding. Major-General GARDNER. HEADQUARTERS, Clinton, La., May 29, 1863. GENERAL: Your dispatches, per courier, for General Frank. Gardner, were brought to my headquarters on 25th instant. Every eftort has been made to get them through, but without success. The dispatches ordering the evacuation of Port Hudson * were also received by me and sent through. Major-General Gardner was then completely invested, and to have attempted to cut his way through the lines of the enemy, 20,000 strong, well posted, with a large cavalry force at hand, would have been attendud with very great loss; besides, I doubt his being able to get through at all. If he had, the line of retreat would have beau so long we must have suffered greatly before we could have reached Jackson. I have had no communication from General Gardner- since the 24th. On that night he intended to come out,if possible, and ordered me to place my forces so as to assist him, which I did. I think he found it impossible to cut his way through, and has, perhaps, concluded to re- main to defend the place as long as he can, hoping to be relieved by re-enforcements. I am at this place with a small command of cavalry and mounted infantry, 1,200 men, doing all I can to aid General Gard- ner by dashing upon the enemys lines, destroying his wagon train, & c., drawing the enemys troops from Port Hudson. I cannot do a great deal, but am determined to do all that can be done with the means at my command. I have so far prevented the enemys making raids into the country. Can we get re-enforcements ~ To relieve General Gard- ner is certainly very important; besides, I think it of very great im- portance to hold our position at Port Hudson as well as the New Orleans Jackson and Great Northern Railroad. The country along the Mississippi River and east of it for 50 miles is a very wealthy one; there is a large amount of stock in it, and the people are doing everything they can for our causeraising large crops of corn and potatoes for the army. A re-enforcement of 8,000 or 10,000 men, thrown in Banks rear, will drive him from Port lludsou in five days. I am informed that Lieut. Gen. E. K. Smith is now at or near the mouth of Red River with 10,000 men. If he would come down and cross at Port Hudson, under cover of our guns, Port Hudson would be relieved at once. Dispatches sent via Natchez, Miss., would reach Lieutenant-General Smith. Pardon me for making these suggestions.t I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JNO. L. LOGAN, 61olonel Eleventh Arkansas, ~Jomdg. Outposts, Port Hudson. [General JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON.] See order, May 19, Part II, p. 9. I See Taylor to Logan, Jime 15, Part H, p. 53 Page 181 CHAP. XXXYIII.] SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON, LA. 181 CLINTON, LA., June 3, 1863. VIA OSYKA, June 6. GENERAL: The enemy attacked us this evening at 2 oclock, 2,000 strong. After an engagement of three hours, we repulsed them and drove them from the field. Our loss, 20 killed and wounded. Enemys loss, 20 killed, 50 wounded, and 40 prisoners. No further news from General Gardner. JNO. L. LOGAN, Colonel, Commanding. General JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON. HEADQUARTERS, Ten Miles north of Clinton, June 7, 1863. GENERAL: The enemy is moving a column of cavalry, infantry, and artillery, 4,000 strong, upon Clinton. I have met his cavalry and whipped it, but, of course, will have to retire before a heavy column of infantry and artillery~ I will range around through the country, and, when an opportunity offers, strike his cavalry. Banks has lost very heavily at Port Hudson, but seems determined to take the place. He has dug rifle-pits and made breastworks of cotton along our entire line of works. I have annoyed him a great deal with my little force inhis rear, and he seems very uneasy for fear a heavy force will be thrown in his rear. He has already burned the Manchac Bridge, that he rebuilt, for fear of being flanked. As I have already stated, a small re-enforcement sent here will not only raise the siege of Port Hudson, but drive th~e enemy from the country, and, I believe, from Baton Rouge. Ten thousand men, I am confident, could accomplish all this. I hope you will pardon me for urging this matter, but the relief of General Gardner, and the impor- tance of holding Port Hudson and protecting a large section of the finest country that we have in the Confederacy, leaving out the impor. tance of the position as regards future movements upon New Orleans, compels me to ask for these re-enforcements. The l)eople in this country are doing all they can for the support of our armyraising large crops of corn and potatoes. The re-enforcements I ask for can be subsisted entirely upon this country for thirty days, at least. There is a large amount of stock in the way of beef-cattle, mules, and horses, that xx~ll fall in the hands of the enemy if we leave here. Please let me hear from you, as soon as possible, by telegraph to Osyka. Should the enemy occupy Clinton and Jackson. it will be useless for me to remain longer, as I can be of no service to General Gardner.* I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, INO. L. LOGAN, C~olonel, Commanding Brigade of Cavalry and Mounted Infantry. General JOSEPH E. JOJINSTON. CAMP NEAR CLINTON, June 16, 1863. I made a dash upon the enemys lines yesterday morning at daylight. Captured two of his camps, took 100 prisoners, including 1 major, 2 See Johnston to Logan, June S and 9, Pait II, p. 40 Page 182 182 W FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. rOHAP. XXXVIIL captains, and 3 lieutenants, many wagons, teams, salt, arms, and iie- groes. My loss nothing. Enemys loss in killed and wounded 10 to 15. Colonel Logan has arrived and will take command. J~O. L. LOGAN, Colonel, d~c. Col. B. S. EWELL, Assistant Adjutant.General. CAMP NEAR CLINTON, July 1, 1863. A party of my scouts down near Port Hudson captured Brig. Gen. Neal Dow, Federal Army, last night at 9 oclock. He will be forwarded to your headquarters at once. JNO. L. LOGAN, Colonel. Col. B. S. EWELL, Assistant Adjutant.General. JACKSON, July 3, VIA MONTGOMERY, [July] 6, 1863. (Received at Richmond, July 9.) Following dispatch just, received: General JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON: On morning of 2d, at daylight, I surprised and captured Springfield Landing, the enemys depot for landing supplies, 7 miles below Port Hudson, 6 miles in their lines. Burned their commissary and quartermasters stores, destroyed 100 wagons, killed and wounded 140, captured 35 prisoners, paroling 22 of them. My loss, 4 killed and 10 wounded; and engaged brigade of the enemy, and held him in check until the work was done, and then retired. JNO. L. LOGAN, Colonel, Commanding, 4~c. T. B. LAMAR, Assistant Adjutant- General. General S. COOPER. HEADQUARTERS NEAR JACKSON, LA., July 8, LSO3. COLONEL: Inclosed please find a communication from Brigadier. General Green, commanding cavalry brigade, & c., west of the Missis- sippi River, which I forward at once for your informatioi~. The young man statesto me that General Taylor has two brigades of infantry, two of cavalry, and a sufficient amount of artillery, including some 12-pounder Parrotts, and that they were mounting two 24-pounder smooth-bore pieces; that transports could not pass their batteries, but that gun. boats continue to pass by, running near the east shore of the river. 1 have answered the communication, and urged General Green to hold his present position and cut off enemys supplies, and at the same time open communication with General Gardner, and provision the garrison at Port Hudson by swimming beeves across the river. I hope from this statement you will understand the position, & c. Being on the move, I write in great haste. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JINO. L. LOGAN, Colonel, Commanding Brigade. Col. B. S. EWELL, Assistant Adjutant- General Page 183 183 CnAF. XXXvIILI ATTACK ON STEAMER LOUISIANA BELLE. I Inciosuro.] llEAnQuAI~TE118 FIEST TEXM CAYALT~Y BRIcfADE, Assumption Church, on La Fourche, July 5, 1863. To any Confederate Officer commanding on the east of the Mississippi. I send my young volunteer aide-de-catnp, Leander MeAnelly, of the Fifth Texas Cavalry, to communicate with any Confederate force on the east of the Mississippi. We have a sufficient force on this side, of cavalry, infantry, and artil- lery, to hold it against any force the Yankees can bring against us. If a force on the east, below Donaldsonville, could hold their own on the river, we can stop the snpplies to Banks army, and force him to raise the siege of Port Hudson. We will, I am confident, be able to whip his army in the open field should he move on this side. McAnelly will give you full details. THOMAS GREEN, Brigadier- General, Commanding First Cavalry Brigade. MAY 22, 1863.Steamer Louisiana Belle attacked near Barres Landing, Bayou Teclie, La. Report of Capt. George AS. Merrill, Fourth Massachusetts infantry. BRASHEAiR CITY, May 23, 1863. COLONEL: II have the honor to submit the following report concern- ing the recent guerrilla attack upon a detachment of this regiment: On Wednesday, the 20th instant, by orders from headquarters, I was directed to report with 50 members of my company (B) to Colonel Chandler, assistant qnartermaster, on board steamer Louisiana Belle. My subsequent orders from Colonel Chandler were to proceed with the steamer, principally as a guard against guerrilla attacks while taking freight. We reached Washington about sunset on the 21st, and, after stationing a guard, commenced loading with cotton. Our forces had been entirely withdrawn from the town, and the inhabitants, in our limited intercourse, received us with evident lack of friendship. At 10 p. in., from reports bi~ought in by some of my guards of suspicious movements, and after a pensonal investigation, I became fearful of a night attack by a band of guerrillas, and thereupon doubled the number of my sentries, and adopted other extra precautions to guard against the apprehended surprise. The nibht passed quietly, our freight being stow& d by midnight. At 6 a. m. on the 22d we started down the bayou. When about 1 mile above Barres Landing, I observed 3 horsemen some distance in advance (on the left bank, coming down), leisurely riding aloug the road. They were well mounted, and carried arms, blankets, and can teens. No sooner did the steamer come within their sight than they put spurs to their horses and ~,alloped ont of our view, in the direction of Barres Landing. While passing this point, a citizen came toward the bank and warned ns against a band of guerrillas, who, he stated, were located just below. I immediately ordered my men to put on their full equipments, and hold themselves in readiness to repel any attack should we be molested. A mile and a qnarter, I judge, from the Land- ing had been passed without indications of any foe, and my men, with- out, however, removing equipments or pntting aside arms, were on th Page 184 184 w. PLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CuA1~. Xxxviii. upper deck eating breakfast, when, at a sharp turn in the bayou, where the stream is quite narrow, we were greeted with a murderous volley from the dense woods on the left bank. Uaptain Alexander, in com- mand of the steamer, who was on the hurricane deck, fell, mortally wounded by this fire; one of the pilots, two ot the deck-hands, and ten of my own men were also wounded. The shots of the enemy, who were fully concealed, seem to have been directed principally at the pilot- house, which was completely riddled by ball and buck-shot, and which diversion of fire alone prevented a much greater sacrifice among those on board. The principal pilot; who was unharmed, escaped to the en- gine-room below. The boat, now manageless, ran forcibly upon, and the bows became entangled in, a fallen tree on the left bank, while the stern, forced round by the strong cnrrent, caught upon the opposite bank, the wheel becoming wedged into the branches of an overhanging tree. Upon these apparent evidences of the success of their attack, the guerrillas sent up loud shouts of triumph, and called upon us to surrender. The position of the boat was such that it was impossible to land our force and clear the woods, even had that course been advisa- ble, under the severe fire we must have sustained from the ambushed band. Immediately ordering my men behind such shelter as the boat afforded, we briskly returned the fire of our foes, who were fully concealed by the foliage, and succeeded in so far driving them back and silencing their volleys as to enable us to force the bow of the boat into the stream, and extricate ourselves from the position. Meanwhile the pilot had ar- ranged a temporary steering apparatus below, by which we succeeded in moving very slowly down the bayou. The guerrilla band followed, or rather kept in advance of us, each turn of the bayou or stoppage of the steamer (which, owing to the insufficient facilities for pilotage and steer- age, caught occasionally against either bank) being made the occasion for a fresh volley from their pieces. We kept up a smart fire into the woods in advance and beside us, and had the satisfaction of seeing the fire of our foes lessen and grow weaker with each successive volley, while a number who ventured into sight were made to bite the dust before the rifle-shots of my men. Just after extricating the steamer from its first position of danger, we were fired upon from the doorway of a house c~.n the opposite (right) bank, where a white flag was flying, and which house, I am informed, had been guarded by a detail from the Forty-frst Massachusetts while that regiment was stationed at the Landing. From the time of the first attack, 8.15 a. in., during an hour and a half we were pursued and continually fired upon by this cowardly band, until, at the distance of some 5 miles froni the point of their first ambush, the overfiowage of water impeding their progress, the pilot was able to resume in safety his customary position, and the miscreants gave us no further annoyance. The master of the steamer lived nearly four hours from the time of receiving his wounds; one in the head and the other, most severe, in his side. Of the men under my command, 10 were wounded, 2 dan- gerously in the back; I dangerously in the neck, back, arm, leg, and foot; 1 seriously in both legs; the others in less degree. Much credit is due to the pilot for his successful efforts in managing the boat after the pilot-house became untenable. Of my own men, I may say they behaved with all the coolness and courage I could have desired, freely braving danger, and risking personal exposure whenever it would lend to the discomfiture of our opponents. The attackin Page 185 CHAP. XXXVIII.] SKIRMISH AT BERWICK, LA. 1.85 party, I judge, numbered some 30; so far as seen were mainly in ciii- zeus dress, and, from all the attendant circumstances, were, I am well satisfied, principally or wholly citizens of Washington. With much respect, colonel, your obedient servant, GEO. S. MEI~RILL, Captain Company B, Fourth Massachusetts. Licut. Col. E. T. COLBY, Ciommanding Fourth Massachusetts Regiment. MAY 30, 1863.Affair at Point Isabel, Tex. Report of Cot. James Duff, Thirty-third Texas Cavalry. HEADQUARTERS LINE OF THE RIO 0-RANDE, Fort Broun, May 31, 1863. Siu: I have the honor to report for the information of the general commanding [H. P. Bee], that on yesterday morning about 6 oclock onr launches, each carrying one gun and 35 to 40 men, from the U. S. frigate Brooklyn, effected a landing at Point Isabel. On discovering ~he approach of the boats, Lieutenant [J. B.] Ammons, of the Thirty- third Texas Cavalry, in Command ol a small detachment of 11 men at the Point, burned the schooner Eager, lying at the wharf loaded with tmerchandise, and retired a short distance. The Yankees fired a few rounds at our troops without any effect, and, taking possession of a small schooner which has for some time been in charge of the custom- house officers, re-embarked and left. In their haste to get off, they ran the stolen schooner aground and set her on fire. Lieutenant Ammons approached the boats sufficiently close to get a shot at the party; with what success he is unable to report. I regret that the detachment of my command at Point Isabel was so small and so badly armed as to entirely preclude an engagement with the enemy, and I would earnestly ask that steps be taken to more thoroughly arm my regiment. I ant placed in a position where the services of every maii in my command are required,and it is absolutely necessary that the means be placed at my disposal to render theni efficient. I have the honor to be, colonel, your obedient servant, JAMES DUFF, Colonel Thirly-third Regiment Texas Cavalry, Commanding. Lient. E. li. TARVER, Aide-de-Camp. JUNE 1, 1863.Skirmish at Berwick, La. Reports qf Brig. Cen. William if. Emory, U. S. Army, commanding Defenses of New Orleans. IIDQRS. DEFENSES OF NEW ORLEANS, June 1, 1863. The following telegram hasjust been received from the quartermaster at Brashear City: GENERAL: The advanced guard of [Aifredi Mouton attacked our guards at Ber- wick at 10 oclock. Re- cuforcements were sent at once across the bay, and, after a few rounds from the 12-pounder howitzers in our possession, the rebels left Page 186 i8~ w. PLA., S. ALA., ~. MISS., LA., 1~EX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVJXt. We expect to be troubled for some time to come, as our force here is quite light. Mouton is reported as being 2,000 strong. This place will be defended to the last. The negro troops will be sent this p. m. I have the honor to be, with much respect, your obedient servant, THOS. S. DENNETT, Captain, and Assistant Quartermaster. I have ordered all our sick brought this side, and have telegraphed to Colonel Holmes to know the exact state of the case, and why he does not telegraph himself. W. H. EMORY, - Brigadier- General, Commanding. Lieutenant-Colonel IRWIN. HEADQUARTERS DEFENSES OF NEW ORLEANS, New Orleans, June 1, 1863. I have just received this further report from commanding officer at Brashear City: A force of guerrillas, about 200, at Berwick, attacked us this forenoon, and were driven back. We are all moving our hospital as fast as possible. We expect an at- tack on the road at Bayou Buuf to-night. Shall take all measures to repel the foe. C. W. WORDIN, Lieutenant- Colonel, Commanding. W. H. EMORY, Brigadier-General, Commanding. Lieutenant.Colonel IRWIN. JUNE 7JULY 13, 1863.Operations in Louisiana, west of the Mississippi. SUMNIIAIRY 0111 TIlE PRINCIPAL EVENTS. June 16, 1863.Demonstration on Waterloo. 18, 1863.Skirmish at Plaquemine. 19, 1863.Raid on Bayou Goula. 20, 1863.Capture of Thibodeaux. 2021, 1863.Engagement at La Fourche Crossing. 21, 1863.Skirmish at Brashear City. 23, 1863.Capture of Brashear City.t 24, 1863.Skirmish at Chacahoula Station. Capture of Union forces at Bayou Biuuf Crossing. 28, 1863.Attack on Donaldsonvilic. July 710, 1863.Attacks on Union gunboats and transports on the Mississippi. 1213, 1863.Engagement on the La Fourche (Coxs Plantation, etc.), near Donaldsonville. R~EP01RTS.* No. 1.Brig. Gen. William H. Emory, U. S. Army, commanding Defenses of New Orleans, of operations June 728. No. 2.Capt. Albert Stearns, One hundred and thirty-first New York Infantr~r, Pro- vost-Marshal, of skirmish at Plaquemine. No. 3.Lient. Col. Albert Stickney, Forty-seyenth Massachusetts Infantry, of en- gagement at La Fourche Crossing. See also General Reports, pp. 334, and Banks reports of June 29 and July 6, IP~ 46, 48. I See reports of Col. John A. Keith, Appendix, p. 911 Page 187 CHAP. XXXVIII.1 OPERATIONS IN LA., WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 187 No. 4.Capt. John A. Grow, Twenty-fifth New York Battery, of operations Jnne 2025, incinding engagement at La Fourche Crossing. No. 5.Lient. Col. Richard Fitz Gibbons, Ninth Connecticut Infantry, of skirmish at Chacahoula Station. No. 6.Maj. Henry M. Porter, Seventh Vermont Infantry, of attack on Donaldson- yule. No. 7.Lieut. Charles Emerson, On& hnndred and seventy-fourth New York In- fantry, Acting Assistapt Adjutant-General, of attack on the steamboat Saint Marys, July 8. No. 8.Brig. Gen. Cuvier Grover, U. S. Army, of-the engagement on the La Fourche (Coxs Plantation, etc.), near Donaldsonville. No~ 9.Col. Nathan A. M. Dudley, Thirtieth Massachusetts Infantry, commanding Brigade, of engagement on the La Fourche, near Donaldsonville. No. 10.Maj. Gen. Richard Taylor, C. S. Army, commanding District of Western Louisiana, of operations June 23July 13. No. 11.Brig. Gen. Alfred Mouton, C. S. Army, of operations June 22Jnly 4. No. 12.Col. James P. Major, C. S. Army, commanding Cavalry Brigade, of operations June 1024. No. 13.Capt. T. A. Faries, Louisiana Battery, of attacks on gunboats and trans- ports on the Mississippi River, July 710, and operations near Donaldson- vifle, July 1213. No. 14.Maj. Sherod Hunter, Baylors (Texas) Cavalry, commanding Mosquito Fleet, of the capture of Brashear City. No. 15.Brig. Gen. Thomas Green, C. S. Army, commanding Cavalry Bri~ade, of operations June 22July 13. No. 1. Reports of Brig. Gen. William H. Emory, U. S. Army, commanding Defenses of New Orleans, of operations June 728. HEADQUARTERS DEFENSES OF NEW ORLEANS, June 23, 1863. COLONEL: The fight at La Fourche Crossing the afternoon of the 21st was a most creditable thing to our troops and to Colonel Stick- ney, who commanded them. With less than 1,000 men, he was attacked by Colonel Majors whole. force, four regiments of Texans, and artillery. He repulsed them, leaving 53 of the enemys dead upon the field, and 16 prisoners. His wounded he carried off, and we have no means of knowing. Our loss was 8 killed and 16 wounded. Colonel Cahill, with the re-enforcements, is now looking after the enemy. All of enemys men are mounted, and it is difficult, if not impossible, to catch them without cavalry. Colonel Cahill reports continuous and heavy firing both in th~ direction of Donaldsonville and Brashear. It cannot be both; it must be Brashear City. The enemys forces are -all composed of troops fresh from Texas. They report this as the advance of Magruders army. Doubtful; but, as they passed so near you, it would be, well to send over some cavalry to ascertain if this be so. The enemy captured a parcel of sick in Thibodeaux, whose presence there was utterly unknown to me. By whom left there, or by what authority, I have no knowledge. ~. H. EMORY, Brigadier- General, Commanding. Lieutenant-Colonel IRWIN, Assistant Adjutant- General Page 188 188 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., PFX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. HEADQUARTERS DEFENSES OF NEW ORLEANS, June 29, 1863. GENERAL: Our victory at Don aldsonville was a brilliant afh~ir; 100 of tlfe enemy killed; wounded not known; prisoners, 120, including 1 lieutenant-colonel, 2 majors, 3 captains, and 5 lieutenants. W. H. EMORY, Major General BANKS. Brigadier. General, Gommanding. HEADQUARTERS DEFENSES OF NEW ORLEANS, June 30, 1863. COLONEL: The telegrams sent to headquarters have faithfully repre- sente(l to son every movement made by oar troops in the defense of the Opelousas Railway, Brashear City, and Donaldsonville. But it may be proper for me to give a conneeted history of events. Brashear City was not iu the list of what was turned over to me as the Defenses of New Orleans, but the critical conditiou of affairs there, and the inexperience of the officer in command, compelled me to assume control. On the 1st of June, J ordered Berwick City to be evacuated. On the 7th, learning the troops at Brashear were in great disorder, especially the convalescents, and that the place was threatened by the enemy and the lieutenant-colonel there in command having requested to be relieved, I sent Lieutenant-Colonel Stickney, Forty-seventh Massa- chusetts, the only officer available, to assume command. I also applied to Commodore Morris for a gunboat to be sent there, with which re- quest he complied, at great inconvenience to the naval service. Stickney at once commenced to put affairs in a proper condition, drove the enemys pickets from the opposite bank of the river, and as- certained the enemy to be in considerable force. On the 10th, after consulting with the general commanding, I ordered Fort Ch~ne to be abandoned, as we had not force enough to hold it On the 17th, I warned Colonel Stickney that the enemy were plan- ning a raid down the La Fourche, arid on the 18th directed him to de- stroy every boat and scow he could find. I also re-enforced Donaldson- yule, ordered it to be held to the last extremity, and asked Commodore Morris to send a gunboat there, which was done. On the 20th, learning the enemy were moving down the La Fourche in some strength, I directed Colonel Stickney, after guarding well his communications with Brashear, especially Bayou Bo~nf, to proceed with all his available force to La Fourche Crossing. I also detached Colonel Cahill from this city to proceed to the support of Colonel Stickney with all the troops he could collect, leaving in this city only 250 men under Lieutenant-Colonel Stedman, Forty-second Massachusetts. A part of Colonel Cahills command, the Twenty-sixth Massachusetts, under Lieu- tenant-Colonel Sawtell, united with Stickney that day, b-at before they had all got together, with a force of not more than 600 men, they re- pulsed very superior forces of the enemy, inflicting considerable loss, and in a manner which reflects the highest credit upon Lieutenant-Colo- nel Stickney and the men under his command. The enemy withdrew, it was believed, in the direction of Brashear; intending to attack that place. Colonel Cahill, with his reserve, was immediately ordered forward to fall upon their rear. To overtake themn was difficult, if not impossible, we having scarcely a squadron of cavalry and they at least three regiments of cavalry and twelve pieces of light artillery, and having also burned the bridge over the Chacahoula, fro Page 189 CHAP. XXXVIII.] OPERATIONS IN LA., WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 189 which place, however, they were immediately driven, and a party sent, under Colonel Colburn, railway superintendent, with men and material, to repair the bridge. I had previously sent round the Saint Marys, with orders to the commanding officer at Brashear to hold out to the last extremity, and that I would soon send him assistance. On the 22d, the Fifteenth Maine arrived very opportupely from Pen- sacola. I sent it immediately to the support of Colonel Cahill, moving toward Brashear. On the 23d, I had the honor to receive a telegram from General Banks, directing me not to risk too much for Brashear; to have the gunboat take off the men and guns, and evacuate the place if I could not hold it. On the same day I had already ordered the railway to be repaired, and that Colonel Cahill should l)nsh on toward Brashear as the only means of its relief. At this time I had no idea of any other force attacking Brashear than that just epulsed from La Fourche. On the 24th, I reiterated my order not to retire from La Fourche, but to press on to Brashear, repairing the railway. Soon after, I received the following telegrams from Colonel Cahill: LA FouRduE, June 24, 1863. Major Morgan, at Thibodeaux, reports 7,000 of the enemy moving down the Bayou La Fourche. CAHILL, Colonel, Commanding. LA Founciu~, June 24, 1863. The enemy is advancing on both sides the Bayou La Fourche in large force, 4 miles above. My trains have not yet arrived. CAHILL, Colonel, Commanding. At the same time that I received these two telegrams, the Saint Marys returned from Brashear with the sad intelligence of the fall of that place, and that it was taken by a force brought from the opposite side of the river. Accounts received before this satisfied me that the force which had previously been threatening Brashear amounted to about 5,000 men, whom I naturally supposed the same force which had made the raid through the La Fonrche country. But prisoners cap- tured by Lieutenant-Colonel Stickney disclosed the fact that the troops which attacked him at the crossing were an altogether independent force. It came direct from Texas, was commanded by Colonel Major, con- sisted of five regiments and twelve pieces of artillery, crossing the Atch- afalaya opposite Port fludson, drove in your pickets, and came down across the Plaquemine at Indian Village. Besides Majors troops, Taylor has been re-enforced by the brigades of [J. WJ Speight and Spade [s?], and I estimated their united forces at from U,000 to 12,000 men. The whole of my force now assembled a7monnted to but 1,600 men. Under these circumstances, I considered any attempt to recover Brashear hopeless, and withdrew my small force to this city. I send you copies of the reports made by such officers as escaped from Brashear City. The works at that place were nothing but water bat- teries, open behind, and the place was taken bya party laiiding from Flat Lake and attacking in the rear. It appears the gunboat was too frail in its structure to be of any service, and I am sorry to say it also appears that the 400 convalescents whom I had ordered to be left there, with in- structions that they should be armed amid organized for the defense of the place, were neither armed nor organized, and did little or nothing for its defense Page 190 190 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS,, LA., TEX., N. MEX. [ChAr. XXXVIII. Two companies, however, sent there by your order, belonging to the Twenty-third Connecticut, and also the battery of the Twenty-first In- diana, fought bravely. In this connection, I turn with pleasure to the occurrences which took place immediately after at Donaldsonviile. On the 27th, I received notice that Donaldsonville was threatened. I ordered the place to be held at every cost, sent up re-enforcements under Major Clark, and communi- cated the information to Admiral Farraguit, who sent up an additional gunboat; both arrived in time. At half past 1 on the morning of the 28th, the enemy made a furious assault upon the little fort, and contin- ued the attack till daybreak, when they were finally repulsed, losing 100 killed, 120 prisoners, including several officers of rank, and many wounded, of which we have no account. Too much praise cannot be given to Major Ballen and his command, as well as to the officers and men who manned the gunboats that participated in repelling the attack. Our loss was only 16 killed and wounded. I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, W. II. EMORY, Brigadier- General, Commanding. Lieutenant-Colonel IRWIN, Assistant Adjutant- General. HEADQUARTERS DEFENSES OF NEW ORLEANS, July 21, 1863. Sin: I inclose you herewith the report of Lieutenant-Colonel Stick- ney* of the action at La Feurche on June 23 [20 and 21], which should have accompanied my report of June 30,. but, although dated July 1, it only reached me yesterday morning. This affair was very creditable to Colonel Stickney and the troops engaged, and I take great pleasure in forwarding his report. I regret that the murder of Major Bullen, a few days after the brilliant defense at Doualdsonville, and before he made his report, has been the reason why no detailed account of that affair has been sent. About the time of his murder, re-enforcements came from above, and a report from the next in command may have gone throngh Lieutenant-Colonel Hadlock, who commanded those re-enforcements. If so, it was irregular, and I request, if there is no objection, that I may be furnished with a copy of said report, as much dissatisfactionno doubt unfoundedexists with those engaged in the defense with what is understood to be, from some source or another, the official report of the affair. I refer more particu- larly to the complaints made by the officers of the navy, who had three gunboats in the fight, and whose presence undoubtedly aided materi- ally, if they did not absolutely prevent the capture of the place. I am, very respectfnLly, your obedient servant, W. II. EMORY, Brigadier- General. Licut. Col. RICHARD B. IRWIN, Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS DEFENSES OF NEW ORLEANS, J~tty 23, 1863. COLONEL: Owing to the death of Major Bullen, I received no report of the defense of the fort at Doualdsonville, and the only report of that * See p. 192 Page 191 CHAP. XXXVIJL] OPERATIONS IN LA., WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 191 battle which has been received by me is from Maj. II. M. Porter, which has been this day received, and which I herewith inclose.* Ii am sorry the report is not more in detail, that I might signalize the officers and men of both the army and navy I who took part in this heroic and brilliant defense. The men were composed of two reduced companies of the Twenty-eighth Maine, and a party of convalescents from various regiments, hastily drawn together in this city and sent up by me to meet the emergency. In addition to the Princess Royal, commanded by Captain Woolsey, and the Winona, commanded by Captain Weaver, justly mentioned by Major Porter as having distinguished themselves in the action, I beg the privilege of mentioning Captain Waters, of the Kineo, and the offi- cers and crew of that ship, who rendered me the greatest assistance in enabling me to place the proper ammunition in that fort, and instruct- ing the men, all of whom were infantry, totally unpracticed in artillery, in the use of the guns. These 180 men, with the three gunboats, repelled an assault of the enemy, numbering 5,000, capturing 130 prisoners, including 1 lienten- ant-colonel, 1 major, 2 captains, apd 5 lieutenants, all of whom were delivered to me in this city, and killing and wounding at what is esti- mated at 350 of the enemy, among them Colonel [Joseph] Phillips and several other officers known to be of high rank. By this repulse, com- bined with that at La Fourche, under Colonel Stickney, the enemy were checked in their movement upon this city and the attempt to cut com- munication between General Banks and his supplies. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. II. EMORY, Brigadier- General, Commanding. Lieutenant-Colonel IRWIN, Assistant Ad~imttant- General. (Copy to Admiral Farragut.) No. 2. Report of Capt. Albert Stearns, One hundred and thirty-first New York Infantry, Provost-Marshal, of skirmish at Plaquemine. NEW ORLEANS, LA., June 19, 1863. GENERAL: I have to inform you that the town of Plaquemine was attacked about 6.30 a. m. on the 18th instant by about 300 Confederate cavalry. They succeeded in capturing Lieutenant Witham and 22 men of the Twenty-eighth Regiment Maine Volunteers, whose names are annexed4 I and 13 of my men succeeded in making our escape. Upon the approach of the cavalry, they were fired upon by my men, killing 1 man, and, as I have since learned, wounding 2 others, but their force was such that further resistance was useless, and the place was sur- rendered to them. Upon gaining possession of the town, they immedi- ately proceeded to Bayou Plaquemine, where the steamboat Lasykes was aground, fired npon and wounded 1 man who was on board, and then set her on fire. They also captured the officers and crew of the steamboat Anglo-American, wounding 1 of her men, and then set her * See P. 202. 1 See Emory to Parragut, July 21, P. 650. t Names omitted Page 192 192 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. on fire; both vessels were a total loss. I think a small steamboat, called the Belfast, was also captured, as she went down the Bayou Plaquemine the previous evening to get a load of molasses, about 4 miles from the river. The boat belonged to Edward Pileher. of New Orleans. They also burned about 80 bales of cotton that were ready for shipment. At about 9.15 a. m. the gunboat Winona, commanded by Captain [Aaron W.j Weaver, came down from Baton Rouge, and having heard, when 5 miles above, of the captnre of the town, immediately commenced to throw shell, upon which the main body of the enemy left. I then made my way to the levee; hailed Captaiu Weaver, and procured a boat to take me and the 13 men on board. We also had the 2 wounded men placed on board the La Fourche, and sent along with my dispatches to Baton Rouge. At about 11 a. m. we learned that a portion of the cavalry had re- tnrned. Captain Weaver immediately threw shell into that portion of the town where they were supposed to be. After about 90 rounds had been fired, 1 went on shore with my men, assisted by a squad from the boat, and marched through the town without finding any of the enemy, but we learned that they were in considerable force abont 4 miles back, and under the command of Col. C. D; [Joseph] Phillips. A man named A. G-rass was arrested for having guided the enemy into and abont the town. He admitted to me that he had done so, but says that he was compelled by threats to show them around the place. He lives near Jndiau Village, and has never taken the oath of allegiance. I left him in charge of Captain Weaver. Upon retnrning to the boat, Captain Weaver proceeded to Donaldsonville, to warn them of danger and to assist in case of attack; also, to leave the men who had escaped with me. I am inclined to think that there is a force of from 5,000 to 8,000 men between Plaqnemine and Simsport; also, that they have several can- non. It was generally believed, from remarks dropped by Confederate officers, that General Green was approaching with a brigade to occupy the town or to operate against iDonaldsonville. We lost about 35 Enfield rifles and a very small amount of commis- sary stores. I remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, ALBERT STEARNS,. Captain, Provost-Miarshal, iberville Parish. Brig. Gen. JAMES BOWEN, Provost-Marshal- General, Department of the Gulf 9 No. 3. Report of Lient. Col. Albert Stickney, Forty-seventh Massachusetts In fantry, of engagement at La Fourehe Crossing. CONGO SQUAnE, July 9, 1863. COLONEL: I have the honor to report that, in accordance with Spe- cial Orders, No. 16, from your headquarters, I proceeded to Brashear City on June 7 last, and assnmed command ~f the forces there. I found things in a very disorganized condition, and immediately pro- ceeded to put the place iu the best state for defense that I could, an Page 193 CHAP. XXXVIH.J OPERA~2IONS IN LA., WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 193 to obtain all possible intelligence of the force and designs of the enemy in that vicinity. I reported to you from time to time the operations at that post, and at the same time made what preparations were in my power for defending any other threatened points on the line of the Opelousas Railroad. On the morning of June 20, at about 4 oclock, I received a telegram from you, informing me that the enemy were advancing in force on La Fourche Crossing, and ordering me to send re-enforcements to that point. Judging that there was no danger of any attack at Brashear City, for a day or two, at least, and thinking that affairs at La Fourche required my preseiice there, I left Major Anthony, Second Rhode Island Cav- alry, in command of Brashear City, and went to La Fourche Crossing immediately, with such forces as I could spare from Brashear, intend- ing to return as soon as possible to my former station. I reached La Fonrche about 6 a. in., with 75 men of the Twenty-third Connecticut Volunteers and 115 men of the One hundred and seventy- sixth New York Regiment, 46 men of the Forty~second Massachusetts, and two pieces of artillery, one 6-pounder gun and one 12-pounder how- itzer. I had ordered Captain Blober, with his company of First Louisi- ana Cavalry, on the (lay previous to scout the country as far certainly as Napoleonville, and farther, if possible with safety, and to send imme- diately any intelligence of the citemy he might obtain. He went only a mile or two beyond Labadieville, and returned with no intelligence whatever of any force oii the Bayou La Fonrehe. He also reported that gentlemen from Napoleouville gave no information of any force in that direction. After my arrixral at La Fourche, I sent out Captain Blober and his command again to scout the country above Thibodeaux. They returned on the afternoon of the 20th, reporting that they had been olosely pursued by the enemy, and bad lost 2 of their men. The force of the enemy advanced very rapidly on Thibodeaux that day, being almost entirely composed of mounted men and artillery, and captured nearly all the infantry stationed there and iu the vicinity on the plau- tations amounting to about 100 inca. They were 47 men of the Twelfth Maine, with 2 lieutenants, convalescents, whom I had sent from Brash- ear City; 40 others, couvalescents, from Brashear; about 10 men of Company D, One hundred and seventy-sixth New York Regiment, and a very few men who had been stationed as guards on plantations. Captain Blobers company was mostly composed of new recruits, and, in consequence, undrilled and undisciplined. Had their scouting been properly done, there was no necessity whatever of the infantry force at Thibodeaux being captured. They had only to retreat this side of the bridge over Bayou La Fourche, and then march down under cover of the levee. The enemy rested two or three hours in Thibodeaux belore coming down to La Fourche Crossing, and the infantry once reaching the bridge could have defended themselves against merely their ad- vance guard. On the afternoon of Saturday, I received an order to send back two companies to Brashear, but, as the enemy were then advancing down the bayou to the crossing, I did not dare at that moment to weaken my force by sending them away. I sent a train back to Terre Bonne to bring down to La Fourche the company and one piece of artillery there stationed. The enemy succeeded in capturing 1 commissioned officer of the company at Terre Boune, the others of the company escaping on the train and arriving safely at La Fourche. Immediately afterward the railroad and telegraph were cut at Terre 1~onne, and, the place ocen- pied by cavalry. 13 11 I1Y014 XXYI, PT Page 194 194 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVJ1J. S About 5 oclock in the afternoon my pickets were driven in, and the cavalry of the enemy imniediately afterward appeared in our front. I do not know how large their force was at that time, but judge it to have been under 100. Our position was as follows: The levee of the Bayou La Fourche is about 12 feet high; the railroad crosses the bayou over the top of the levee, nearly in a direction perpendicular to that of the bayou, and is about 12 feet above the level of the surrounding country. For 5 or 6 miles to the east of La Fourche Crossing a carriage-road runs up and down the bayou on both sides, close to the levee, passing under the rail- road on both sides of the bayou. We were on the east side of the bayou andnorth of the railroad, our front being parallel with the railroad, extending about 150 yards from the levee, and being about 200 yards from the railroad. From the right of our front, I had a line of defense running perpendicular to and resting upon the railroad. I was obliged to have~my front farther from the railroad than it otherwise would have been, on account of trees standing which could not be cut down. The country around was level, affording full play for the artillery, and was covered with tall grass, which I subsequently had cut down, as it concealed, in a measure, movements in our front. A short- time before our pickets were driven in, I had ordered a de- tachment of about 50 men, of the TWenty-third Con necticut Volunteers, under command of Major Miller, to lie down in the tall grass on both sides of the road along the levee, about 450 yards in advance of our main line. After the first fire of the enemy, I found Major Miller some distance to the rear of his command, crouching in the high weeds on the levee. I ordered him under arrest, and put in command of this detachment the next senior officer, who faithfully executed my order. The remainder of the infantry was drawn up in line alopg our fr6nt and the extreme left of our right flank, with the exception of a company of convalescents, under Captain Fletcher, Twenty-sixth Maine, who were at the railroad bridge. Captain Blobers cavalry was posted so as to guard against the turning of our right flank. The artillery was posted as follows: A 12-pounder gun on the railroad, at the point where it crosses the left bank of the bayou; two 12-pounder howitzers and one 6-pounder gun on our front, one of the howitzers being placed on the extreme right, so that its fire could be directed to the front or right flank. After the cavalry of the enemy drove in our pickets, they continued to advance until fired upon by the detachment of the Twenty-third Con- necticut Volunteers. A few volleys were exchanged without loss on our side, when our men fell back, and took position on the right flank. As the enemy were no w in easy range, we opeued upon them with shell and solid shot, the 12-pounder gun on the bridge doiffg the most exe- cution. They stopped, seemingly surprised to find such preparations for their reception, and in a few minutes retired toward Thibodeaux, carryiug with them the few that were killed or wounded by our fire. Soon after the disappearance of the enemy, I sent a flag of truce to obtain permission to move our hospital stores and sick from the hospital,. which was in front of our lines and exposed to our fire. The flag of truce went 2~ miles toward Thibodeaux before meeting the pickets of the enemy, who refused to comply with my request. I, however, suc- ceeded in moving safely all the contents of the hospital to our rear, and just after dark burned the building, lest it should interfere with the effectiveness of our fire, and that, at the same time, the light might enable me to perceive the movements of the enemy. For the same re Page 195 CHAP. XXXVIII.] OPERATIONS IN LA., WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 195 E son I had a building fired on the other side of the bayou, anticipating that the Confederates might come down on that side and attempt to cross the railroad bridge. lip to this time, Saturday evening, June 20, our forces amounted to about 502 men, as follows: 195 of the Twenty-third Connecticut; 154 of the One hundred and seventy-sixth New York 46 of the Forty- second Massachusetts; 37 of the Twenty-sixth Maine; 50 men in Cap- tain Blobers cavalry, and about 20 artillerists, mostly of the Twenty- first Indiana. The men were kept under arms, at their several posts, ready to repel an attack at any moment. Pickets were thrown out on the front to a distance of about 400 yards, and squads of cavalry scouted on our right and rear. About 11 p. m. of the 20th, Lieutenant-Colonel Sawtell, of the Twenty- sixth Massachusetts, arrived with five companies (306 men). As he was the senior officer, I offered him the command, which he refused. I then ordered his regiment into line on the front, to relieve the men posted there. During that night no demonstrations were made by the enemy. On the following morning, Captain Grow, of the Twenty-fifth New York Battery, reached La Fourche Crossing, with one section of his battery, about 30 men, one gnu of which- I ordered into position on the extreme left of our front on the Bayou road, and th~ other within our lines so that it could be moved to our front or right flank as occasion should require. We had begun throwing up slight earthworks, but they were at no point over 2 feet in height, and extended only a few yards in either direction from the angle formed by our two fronts. At different times during the morning reconnoitering cavalry of the enemy appeared in our front and at some distance on the right, but only came within fire of our outposts. A little after noon, a heavy rain commenced and continued until about 6.30 p. in., thoroughly drenching the men, who were in line a greater part of the time. This was necessary, as I could not depend upon their falling into position with sufficient alacrity at the least warning. About 4p. in. the infantry and cavalry of the enemy, about 150 strong, engaged our outposts and pickets, but made no attempt to advance on our main force. An intermittentiirc was kept up for an hour and a half, when the enemy retired, and our pickets again resumed their places. At 6.30 p. m. the Confederates again came in view, and this time in large force. Our position was much the same as on the previous night, except that two companies of the Twenty-sixth Massachusetts were on our front, two on our right flank, and the remaining one protecting the field piece on the bridge. The artillery was all posted as before de- scribed. The enemy advanced rapidly, and soon compelled the pickets to fall back on the main line, which they reached in rather a straggling condition at our left wing. Just about dusk the enemy opened upon us with one field piece (which appeared to be a 12-pounder howitzer), throwing shell and solid shot, when I ordered the reserve piece of the Twenty-fifth New York Battery to take such a position on the right as would enable them to reply to this piece. The howitzer of the enemy soon ceased firing, whether com- pelled by the shots of our piece or the bad quality of their ammunition I am unable to say. Prisoners subsequently stated that they had other guns in position, which the rain prevented their using. All this time our artillery had been constantly firing, using shell for the most part; but the infantry did not, as yet, reply to the straggling bullets whic Page 196 196 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. came from the enemy. The moisture of the atmosphere held the smoke of the cannon so close to the ground that it was almost impossible to ascertain the distance or numbers of the enemy, or on what ponit he would mass his force. At about 7 p. m. their loud shouts indicated that they were charging in our front. I immediately ordered the infantry to fire by rank and the artillery to use canister. Having no canister for the 6-pounder gun, we used in it packages of musket ammunition. Notwithstanding a most rapid but accurate fire on our part, the enemy, who had dismounted before charging, advanced boldly up to our lines, firing continually as they came. Our infantry became nervous, and no longer fired by rank, but at will. At the same time a strong attempt was made to turn our right flank. This was prevented (though at one time they seemed on the point of success) by the enfilading fire of our reserve piece and the speedy rally of the men there posted. The attack of the enemy was principally directed against our guns, and the cannoneers of two pieces became panic-stricken and fled. These were the guns of the Twentyfifth New York Battery, on the Bayou road, and the 12-pounder howitzer at the angle of our front and right flank. The contest over these pIeces was hand4o-hand. The enemy were driven off at the point of the bayonet. At length, at about 8 p. in., the Confederates, growing weary of a fight so unequal in its results, hastily retreated toward Thibodeaux, leaving a great number of their dead and wounded near our lines. Our actual force during the fight amounted to 838 men, of whom only about 600 were engaged, the remainder being posted as a guard to the field piece on the bridge and to protect our right. This was neces- sary,- because the darkness rendered it impossible to see the enemys movements, and few of the troops were steady enough to trust them to make any rapid movement in the excitement of action. The actual force of the enemy engaged in the charge on our lines I estimate at about 600 men. Our loss was as follows a -n Command. 23d Connecticut 2 16 18 26th Massachusetts - . 3 10 13 176th New York 2 12 14 42d Massachusetts . __1_r ~ Total 8 41 49 The enemy were engaged during the night in carrying away their killed and wounded who were outside of our lines, and the following morning 53 of their dead were counted inside of our pickets. When we entered Thibodeaux, Tuesday morning, nearly 60 wounded were found in the hospitals, from which I conclude that their loss in killed and wounded must have been 300, taking 50 as the number of their killed, and reckoning the ratio of killed to wounded as 1 to 4. The men who charged upon our lines belonged mostly to the Second Texas Mounted Rangers, Colonel [Charles L.] Pyron, claimed to be the oldest regiment in the Confederate service, and that they had never before been beaten in action. Their wounded in our hands thought that our troops must be Regulars, so steadily did they stand at thei Page 197 CHAP. XXXVIII.] OPERATIONS IN LA., WEST OF TIlE MISSISSIPPI. 197 posts. But I regret to say that the train in waiting on the track left at the commencement of the fight without orders, carrying away some cowardly soldiers, and that during the battle some few left theiy ranks and songht shelter near and behind fhe railroad. Had the enemy bronght up his reserve, which was in line at no great distance, at the time the cannoneers deserted their guns, or had he made his attack on the right flank with equal force and with the same per- sistent energy as was displayed upon our front, perhaps the result might have been different, although our troops, for the most part, stood man- fully nuder so close a fire. Oar men remained in line under arms the whole night, but there was no further attack. The next morning a flag of truce caine in, requesting permission to bury their dead and carry away their wounded. This was granted, on condition that all the wounded men outside the camp lines should be paroled; that none of their drivers should come within our outposts, and that all wounded should be retained who were within our camp. As they agreed to these conditions, our drivers were engaged with the ambulances of the enemy during the morning in carrying to Thibodeaux the dead and wounded. About 11 a. m. Colonel Cahill arrived with the Ninth Connecticut Volunteers, a detachment of the Twenty-sixth Massachusetts, and the other section of the New York Battery, and took command of the forces at La Fourche. Major Morgan, commanding the One hundred and seventy-sixth New York Regiment, through the action encouraged his men, and to him is due, iii a great degree, the fine conduct that they showed. Captain Jenkins, commanding the Twenty-third Connecticut, displayed the greatest bravery and coolness. A Confederate officer seized him b~r the throat, demanding a surrender. The assault was im- mediately returned in precisely the same manner, when one of Captain Jenkins men bayoneted the Confederate. Lieutenant Starr, of the Twenty-third Connecticut, was the only coin- missioned officer injured in the action. He was wounded in the thigh, and afterward died in consequence of amputation and ensuing weakness. .1 desire particularly to mention Sergt. John Allyn, Company A, Forty-seventh Massachusetts Regiment, who has been with me since I was ordered to Brashear City, and has at all times rendered the most valuable service, going on dangerous scouts, once inside the enemys lines, and showing at all times the greatest courage and remarkably sound judgment. His thorough knowledge of the country and habit of reporting facts only were of the greatest assistance to me. Very respectfully, ALBERT STICKNEY, Lieutenant- Colonel, Gommanding Forces at La Ifourche. Lient. Col. W. D. SMITh, Acting Assistant Adjutant- Ceneral. No. 4. Report of Capt. John A. Grow, Twenty-fifth New York Battery, of opera tions June 2025, including engagement at La Fourche Crossing. METARIE RACE COURSE, July 5, 1863. SIR: An indisposition has l)revented me from sending you an account of the movements of my battery siuce the 20th ultimo at an earlie Page 198 19$ W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. period; but trusting even at this late day that it may not be without interest to you, 1 send you the inclosed statement. There may be much in it which you may desire to remedy. On the 20th day of June I receiVed orders to proceed at once to La Fourche Crossing. The order having been received at about 4 p. in., my battery, with all the baggage, was taken across the river and Put on board the cars by 1 a. in. (night); the train left at 4 a. in. On reaching Boutte Station, I found Colonel Cahill stationed at that place with his regiment, He ordered me to leave one section of my battery with him, and to proceed myself with the other section to the La Fourche Crossing. I reached that place abont 10 a. m. of the 21st. My battery was soon unloaded and the pieces parked. I reported to Lieutenant-Colonel Stickney. He ordered out one of my pieces to shell a sugar-house, which I did most successfully, the distance being only about 1,700 yards; the shells, however, from some cause, refused to explode. At 6.30 p. m. the scouts came in, announcing the rebels coming down in force. In about 10 minutes my section was ready to move. While giving my attention to something else for a few minutes, Lieutenant-Colonel Stickney ordered oft one of my pieces to take position on the left, in the Bayou road, to corn~n~nce firing canister before any enemy could be seen. The position which he assigned was given before I had the least knowledge of its whereaboutsit was only by the fiiing of the piece that I could discover its position. I iwmedia.tely rode to it, and found it stationed in the above road, about 2 rods in advance of our line of battle, in a most exposed position, and without any adequate support, and the piece was firing canister without stint. By this time, however, the enemy had formed in line of battle, and were rapidly advancing. The rebels now opened on us with a howitzer, with shell and solid shot, but at too great a distance to seriously aff~ect us any further than to frighten our infantry. The other piece having been left for me to use as I should see proper, during the progress of the battle, as soon as the enemy opened on us with shell, I rode over to our right, and ordered my reserved piece into position to the rear of our front, and to the right of our right flank, and opene(l on the enemys piece with fuse shell at 1,600 yards, very fortunately getting the range of the piece the first fire. The enemys gun was silenced with the third shell. At this time the rebels were charging on our lines and were making a strong effort to turn our right flank. My piece being in position to enfilade their lines of attack on our flank, I ordered my piece to opeii on them with can- ister. The first fire was most disastrous and deadly on their ranks. A mong the number who fell at our first discharge of canister was a rebel colonel and his horse. After ten or twelve discharges of canister, the rebels fell back to the front, and finally made a hasty retreat, a large majority creeping off from the field on their hands and knees,so destructive was our fire. As soon as we had ceased firing, I learned that, on the last charge of the rebels, the support of my left piece ha& fled, and that my sergeant gave the order to limber to the rear, when the horses became unman- ageable, and ran away and left the piece. The sergeant was evidently frightened badlythat piece, if properly managed, could have been made the most effective piece in the field. The Bayou road was scarcely 14 feet wide, with a levee 10 feet high on the left, and a ditch on the right, grown up with a thick growth of bushes on either side. The piece controlled the road. After clearing the road of the enemy, the piece could have been turned so as to have raked the whole assaultin Page 199 CHAP. Xx~VIitl~ OPtiRATIONS IN LA., WESI OP ~HE ~UsSIsSWPI. 199 line of the enemy on our front. The sergeant allowed that golden op- portunity to slip, and left his piece in the road. The moment the fact came to my knowledge, in order to mortify the sergeant of that piece, I sent my sergeant with his limber and brought it off. The men at my piece behaved most gallantlyso much so, I have mentioned them in my report to Colonel Cahill. General, you may recollect, when last up to Apollo stables, that I had a deserter in confinement awaiting trial, and that on my desiring to withdraw the charges and try him again, you ordered him brought out and talked to him. General Emory shortly afterward ordered his re- lease. He acted as No. 5 at the piece under my charge, and fully re- deemed himself. The action lasted an hour and a quarter. For some reason or other, the enemy was not pursaed by our cavalry. We had a company of cavalry of about 80 in number. We lost, I believe, 9 killed and 30 wounded; the enemy lost about 70 killed and over 200 wounded. The force on our side engaged did not exceed 460, but that of the rebels exceeded 800. At 12 p. in. that night I saw Colonel Stickney, and advised him to retreat to Boutte Station, as the rebels had within 5 miles not less than 2,000 effective men, and, without any re-enforcements, he must evidently overcome us. I forgot to mention that we had one 18-pounder brass piece, called the Saint Marys gun, two 12-pounder howitzers, and one 6-pounder brass piece, all in position, which were well managed during that fight. The next forenoon was occupied with a flag of truce, which the enemy sent up asking the privilege of burying his dead. While this was pending, Colonel Cahill arrived with his forces. We were then about 11,100 strong, and, through the strength of our .position, we could effectually defend our position against 2,000 rebels. The arrival of Colonel Cahill was distinctly seen by the rebels, and that night they commenced to retreat. On the next morning we made a forced reconnaissance to Thibodeaux, and found that all the rebels had left the country~ (in Monday afternoon, -the 22d, the Fifteenth Maine regiment arrived, making us at least 1,700 strong. On this reconnaissance was this re~iinent, with 140 men of the One hundred and seventy-sixth New York, and my battery. Finding no enemy, all returned but the One hundred~ and seventy-sixth New York, who were left in possession of the town. With the forces which we had, we could successfully resist an attacking force of the enemy of 3,000. On the 24th, in the afternoon, negroes and white men came flying into camp, reporting that the rebels were advancing, 3,000 strong, with eleven pieces of artillery, and that they were within 5 miles of Thibo- deaux. The next report that caine was that the rebs, finding that the One hundred and seventy-sixth New York, with a section of my battery, were holding the bridge at Thibodeaux, had changed their course, and were advancing on the other side of the Bayou La Foarche. At this juncture I received orders to take my caissons off the field and to load them up. Not knowing whether this meant an advance or a retreat, I went to one of the colonels aides, and told him that it was necessary for me to know, in order to determine what to take with me. I was told to take everything. Colonel Cahill had telegraphed for cars,, and they were hourly expected, and should have been all at the depot at 6 p. m. Matters began to look ominous. There was one locomotive here, but the colonel sent that off a distance of about 5 miles with a company of the Twenty-third Connecticut to guard the railroad track; that, with the other trains failing to arrfve, created a perfect panic Page 200 200 w. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. tCHAP. XXXVIII. At 8 p. rn. no trains arrived. The telegraph is in full operation. Major Morgan, of the One hundred and seveuty.sixth New York, is ordered to burn the Thibodeaux Bridge, and to retreat to La Fourche Crossing. General Emory orders that if we do not have time to get everything off, to destroy rather than leave it. I had crossed my caissons, forge, and battery wagons, and about 15 of my horses. Colonel Cahill ordered all of my horses that were not loaded up, t~ retreat to liacel and Station, via the Bayou road. The panic in- creased the colonel was anxious for my batter~V. I told him I could manage that well enough, because, if we were too hard pressed, I could retreat to liaceland Station. He ordered me to retreat at once. I or- dered out of the field my two pieces, my own horses being loaded in the cars. I occupied a seat on one of the limber chests, and proceeded with the pieces to the station, where I arrived about two hours before Colonel Cahjll, who, it seems, had set out on foot at the time I left, leav- ing his aides to manage the retreat. Up to this time not a soul of our own forces had seenor heard of an enemy. On our arrival at the sta- tion, I found that all the trains had gone forward to La Fourche Cross. ing, which, by the railroad, is 94 miles distant and 12 by the Bayou road. At 7 a. m. of the 25th, the trains began to arrive with the sol- diers, stores, and baggage from the Crossing. At the time I left, the railroad bridge had been fired and had just commenced to burn. Up to the time the trains left, no enemy had been seen. What I deplore more than all else is the destruction of the brass pieces; the 18-pounder and the 12-pounder howitzers were spiked and thrown into the bayou, and the 6-pounder had its trunnions knocked off, and was spiked and its carriage burned. At about 10 p. m. of the 24th, the colonels aides seemed to be pos- sessed with the besom of destruction. My horses that were in the cars were turned out loose, and my harness and saddles were thrown pro- mis6uously on the platform, and every infantry officer was making a grab for a sa(ldle and a horse. I had, fortunately, left force enough to look after my property, who made a timely discovery enough to take care of it before it was lost. My private horses had been appropriated, and it was with difficulty that my sergeant could make the possessors give them up. The horses were gathered up, harnessed and saddled, and sent by the Bayou road to the station. Before Major Morgan fell back from Thibodeaux, Lieutenant Southworth sent up to the depot one of his pieces and his two caIssons; as soon as they arrived, the colonels aides ordered all the ammunition in the chests to be thrown into the ba.you, amounting to 350 rounds, and personally carried out the order, and then ordered the piece, with the two caissons in that condition, to proceed by the Bayou road to the station, without a round of ammuni- tion to defend itself. My battery was ordered to this place, where I have been ever since: my horses stand hitched to their pieces; the men sleep by them every night. I inclose you a rough draught of the field of action.* I find that it is quite a detriment to have fine battery horses. I have to exercise the utmost vigilance to keep them from being stolen. The whole brigade seem to be of the opinion that I can furnish all of the officers with saddle-horses and saddles. I am even ordered to furnish adjutants and officers of the day with horses to ride. It has become a source of annoyance to me; perhaps it is all right. If I venture my own views, general, with reference to our ~ *Not found Page 201 CHAP. XXXVIII.) OPER,ATIONS IN LA., WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 201 I trust you will not consider it amiss or an act of insubordination, as I should express it to no one else. In the first place, there was no necessity of a retreat, because we were strong enough to hold our position. In the second place, if the reports were true ivith respect to the ad- vance of the enemy, my battery should have been retained until the last, as a matter of safety. The situation of the depot was such that my battery could have defended it against all the force that the rebels could bring to beav a~,ainst it, and all the guns and stores could have been loaded up and sent off; when my battery, and the cavalry as an escort, could have retreated on the Bayou roa(l to the station. Two thousand men, with one battery, can niareli back to La Fourche Crossing and never fight a battle, and, with the aid of a good gunboat, retake Brashear City. I am satisfied that the enemy are not ~,OOO strong. I have not written this in a spirit of criticism, for 1 do not feel that I am competent to do that. But, general, you will always find the Twenty-fifth Battery prompt to do its duty, and ever rendering a good accoun t of itself, while I am in command. I am, general, your most obedient servant, JOIIN A. GROW, Captain, Comdg. Twenty-fifth Battery New York Vols. Brig. Gen. RICHARD ARNOLD, Chief of Artillery. No. 5. Report of Lieut. C~ol. Richard Fitz Gibbons, Ninth Connecticut Infantry, of skirmish at Chaccihoula & ation. NEW ORLEANS, LA., June 27, 1863. GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report of the movements of Companies C, E, G, I, and K, of the Ninth Regiment of Connecticut Volunteers, ordered to guard a train while repairing the track on the New Orleans, Opelousas and Great Western Railroad: Left La Fourche Crossing at 8 a. rn. on the 24th June, 1863. Arrived at Terre Bonne Station, distance, 4 miles; detached Compaiiy I, Capt. Elliot 1W. Curtis commanding, to watch the cross-roads leading into the place; repaired the track 1 mile beyond the last-named station; then proceeded toward Chacahoula Station; arrived at a point within 1 mile of the station, where we found a bridge burning; commenced re- building~this bridge. Between this bridge and the station was a very heavy swamp, both sides of the track, thickly wooded. I immediately sent out Captain Wright, C~mpany G, to skirmish up toward the station, together with Lieutenant Payne, Company C, Lieu- tenant MeKeon, Company E, and Lieutenant Fitz Gibbons, with a suffi- cient force to support him. On arriving within sight of the station, a very sharp fire was opened upon our forces, which was briskly returned. I then ordered up Company C, Capt. John G. ilealy, and also Company E, Capt. Terrance Sheridan; Company K, Capt. Thomas ilealy, and part of Company G, was kept in reserve. My forces being obliged to confine their operations to the railroad track~ the enemy being poste Page 202 2O~ W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., ItX., N. MEX. [CnAr. kxxViIi. in considerable force in an open country in , nnder cover of some small buildings and fences, I considered it prudent to return after engaging him one hour; I also heard the gun fired from La Fourche Crossing as a signal to return. Sergt. Peter Donnelly and Private Charles Reynolds, of Company C, were taken prisoners of war, and on the 26th of Jnne, 1863, were paroled at La Fourche Crossing, La. Our loss was 3 wounded. * * * * * * * We arrived at Raceland at daylight next morning, where we halted until the afternoon of the 25th instant, when we were ordered to take a train of cars for Algiers, and the same night reached Lafayette Square, our former quarters, where we now are. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, RICHARD FITZ GIBBONS, Lieut. Col., Comdg. Ninth Regiment Connecticut Volunteers. HORACE J. MORSE, Adjutant- General, A3tate of Connecticut. No. 6. Reports of Maj. Henry 2W. Porter, & venth Vermont Infantry, of attack on Donaldsonville. DONALDSONVILLE, June 28, 1863. GENERAL: The enemy attacked us at 1.30 oclock this morning, and fought until daylight. We expect another attack, and need 400 or 500 more men very much. We have taken 120 l)risoners, some of them officers. One colonel, 1 major, and 1 lieutenant were known to be killed. Our loss, 5 or 6 killed and a few wounded. Princess Royal, Kineo, and Winona are here. I think we can hold the place, but we need more men. Our troops fought splendidly. Your obedient servant, II. M. PORTER, Major, and Provost-Marshal, Commanding Post. General EMORY. OFFICE OF PROVOST-MARSHAL, Donaldsonville, July 1, 1863. GENERAL: I take the liberty to respectfully submit to you a few facts in regard to the brilliant, victory achieved by the army and navy at this place on the morning of the 28th of June. About 4.30 p. m. of the 27th, General Green, commanding the rebel forces, sent a message, under a flag of truce, to Major [Joseph D.] Bullen, Twenty-eighth Maine Regiment, commandant of the post, requesting permission to notify the women and children within 3 miles of the fort to remove, or that Major Bullen should so notify them. Major Bullen replied that he would have the women and children removed. I immediately sent both telegrams and couriers up and down the river for more gunboats, the Princess Royal only being here. At 1.30 oclock on the morning of the 28th, the enemy, about 5,000 strong, attacked both the fort and the gunboat with infantry and a Page 203 CHAP. XXXVIII.] OPERATIONS IN LA., WEST OP THE MISsISSIPPI. 203 tillery, and continued fighting until 4.30 a. in They fought with great desperation, but were nobly driven back by the combined efforts of the garrison and the gunboats. The great number of rebel dead and dying revealed by themorning light, lying on the very banquette of the fort, showed very plainly how hot and warmly contested had been the fight on shore, and the many dead and wounded at a distance proved how effective had been the services of the large gnus upon land and water. There were but 180 men in the fort, and this was the first engage- ment for most of them. Nobly did both officers and men acquit them- selves. This was also the first eng4ement of the Princess Royal, com- manded by Captain [M. B.] Woolsey, and with great coolness and dtwing did both officers and men perform their duties. The Winona, commanded by Captain [A. W.] Weaver, came to our aid at 3.30 a. in., and gallantly did she assist in bringing to a successful issue this closely contested battle. Our loss on shore: Killed, 1 lieutenant,* 1 sergeant, and 6 privates; wounded, 2 lieutenants, 3 sergeants, 2 corporals, and 6 privates. On the Princess Royal, 1 killed and 2 wounded. Enemys loss probably 350 killed and wounded; 1 colonel, 1 major, an(l.2 lieutenants known to be killed, and 4 lieutenants wounded. One hundred and thirty prisoners were taken; among them were 1 lieu- tenant-colonel, 1 major, 2 captains, and 5 lieutenants. Hoping and believing that if the rebels attack us again they will meet with an equally warm reception, I am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant, II. M. PORTER, Major, and Provost-Marshat~ Brig. Gen. W. II. EMoRY, Commanding, New Orleans. No. 7. Report of Lient. Charles iNnerson, One hundred and seventy-fourth New York Infantry, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, of attack on the steamboat Saint Marys, July 8. NEW ORLEANS, July 8, 1863. Sin: I have the honor to report my arrival here this morning, and the delivery of the dispatches to General Emory and Colonel Holabird. General Emory said that he wished to send a dispatch to General Banks by me, and this I am expecting. Also, for your information, I have the hon6r to report that the steamer Saint Marys was fired upon by artil- lery at three places on her way down this a. m. First, about 8 miles below IDonaldsonville. Here by about four light pieces, say 12-pounders; the gunboats accompanied her by this battery. Second, at College Point. Here, so far as I could judge, by only a single piece (light), but also at this point she was exposed to quite a severe fire of riflemen. Third, at Fifty-five Mile Point. Here I should think that from four to six pieces bore upon her, mostly rifled (though all light pieces, none * Lieut. Isaac Murch, Twenty-eighth Maine Page 204 204 w. FLA., s. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX, [CHAP. XXXTVIII. heavier than 3-inch or 12-pounder). Here she was struck five times, a conical shell and a spherical case shot bursting in her, with no damage to life or any of consequence to the ship. Very respectfully, your most obedient servant, C. EMERSON, Second Lieut. 174th New York Infantry, and Aetg. Asst. Adjt. Gen. Colonel IRWIN, Assistant Adjutant- General. No. 8. Report of Brig. Gen. Cuvier Grover, U~ S. Army, of engagement on the La Fourehe ((loxs Plantation, c.), near Donaldsonville. HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES FORCES Donaldsonville, La., Jnly 14, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report that yesterday, in the afternoon, the enemy attacked General Weitzels advance guard, consisting of Dud- leys brigade, supported by one other brigade, and (Irove them back nearly a mile, capturing two 6-pounder rifled pieces, with two limbers and 7 rounds of ammunition. The enemy supposed to be about 800 strong, with three or four pieces of artillery. Weitzels loss about 120; from 30 to 40 killed. A simultaneous attack was made upon the advance guard of my division, oii the opposide side of the bayou, consisting of my First Brigade, commanded by Colonel [Joseph S.] Morgan, by a force of not over 400. Colonel Morgan fell back without cause, losing 30 or 40 pickets captured, 4 or 5 killed, and 15 or 20 wounded. Colonel Morgan behaved badly, and I shall cause an investigation into his conduct. I should have reported this last night, but I was unable to get the full particulars till it was too late. The gunboats had not left New Orleans yesterday. The admiral promised to send the Sachein last night or this morning to Brashear City, and the Arizona as soon as she arrived from above. There ought to be more boats than that sent around. There should be four or five at least. Six 20-pounders will be enough, I think. Everything is quiet this morning. Enemys loss in the affair of yes- terday not known. Could not have beeu great. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, C. GROVER, Brigadier- General, Commanding. Lieut. Col. RICHARD B. IRWIN, Assistant Adjutant- General, Nineteenth Army Corps. P. S.Since writing the abovc, I have gained such other information as l)racticable. I think that the unnecessary and unauthorized falling back of Colonel Morgan was the cause of the loss of the two pieces on the other side of the bayou, though it is by no means certain. The enemys loss was probably about equal to ours. An officer, under a flag of truce to collect killed and wounded, would not state their loss, but said it was less than ours. I think more gunboats should be sent to Brashear City, and that if more cannot be sent now, the Sachemn should be detained till at least four are ready to move Page 205 CHAP. XXXVIII.] OPERATIONS IN LA., WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 205 ADDENDA. Return of Casualties in the Union forces engaged on the Bayon La Ifourche (Coxs Planta tion), near Donaidsonville, 4a., July 13, 1~63. [Compiled from nominal list of casualties, returns, & c] Killed. Wounded. Captured or missing. CS CS CS CS Command. 8 S 5 -~ - - CC CS CS CS CS CS CS CS CS CS CS CS CS CS Q CS CS - 5 ~ -~ II 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 1st Louisiana 3 14 13 30 2d Louisiana 7 21 . 9 37 30th Masssachusetts 8 2 37 1 48 48th Massachusetts 1 9 2 21 33 49th Massachusetts 1 1 6 14 22 90t.hINew York 2 1 20 48 71 ilOtliNewYork 1 5 ...-. 18 20 44 l3lst.NewYork 2 10 1 42 55 ]OlstNewYork 7 1 38 7 53 l74thNew York 1 17 1 28 7 54 1st Maine Battery 1 1 14 1 17 6th Massachusetts Battery - I 1 1 Total 2~ 54 7 216 183 465 OFFICERS KILLEDCapt. David W. Tuttle, One hundred and sixteenth New York; Liout. Do Van Postley, One hundred and seventy-fourth New York. GENERAL ORDERS, ~ HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, No. 67. f New Orleans, September 10, 1863. I. Before a general conit-martial convened at New Orleans, La., pursuant to Special Orders, No. 184, current series, from these head- quarters, and of which Brig. Gen. William Vandever is president, was arraigned and tried Col. Joseph S. Morgan, Ninetieth Regiment New York Volunteers. CHARG-E lST.MisbehaVior before the enemy. Specification lst.In this, that he, Col. Joseph S. Morgan, Nilletieth Regiment New York Volunteers, while in command of the First Bri- gade, Fourth Division, Nineteenth Corps, in face of the enemy, having been placed in position on a(lvance guard by his snperior officer, Col. II. W. Birge, temporarily commanding the Fourth Division, and having been ordered by his said superior offlci~r to hold that position, did, with- out just canse, fail to oh ey said order, and did shamefully abandon his post or position, thereby exposing the advance guard on the other side of the Bayou La Fourche to a destructive cross-lire from the ground lie was ordered to cover. This on the Bayou La Fonrehe near Donald- sonville La., on or about the 13th (lay of July, 1863. Specification 2d.Jn this, that he, Col. Joseph S. Morgan, Ninetieth Regiment New York Volunteers, while in commaud of the First Brigade, Fourth Division, Nineteenth Corps, in face of the enemy, when un- necessarily abandoning a position which he was ordered by his superior officer to hold, and ground he was ordered to cover, did neglect and fail to call in his skirmishers, thereby shamefully abandoning them to capture by the enemy. This on the Bayou La Fourche, near Donald- sonville, La., on or abot~t the 13th day of July, 1863 Page 206 206 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. ICHAP, XXXVIII. CHARGE 2D.Drnnkenness on duty. AS~pec~Jication.Jn this, that he, Col. Joseph S. Morgan, Ninetieth Regi- ment New York Volunteers while in command of the First Brigade, Fourth Division, Nineteenth Corps, in face of the enemy, did become so drunk as to be utterly unfit for duty, thereby exposing his command to disaster, and disgracing his position before his whole command. This on Bayou La Fourche, near Donaldsonville, La., on or about the 13th day of July, 1863. To all of which charges and specifications the accused pleaded Not guilty. The court, after mature deliberation on the evidence adduced, finds the accused as follows: Of the 1st specification of 1ST CHARGE, Guilty, except as to the words his superior officer, in the fifth line ; also the word ~ in the seventh line; also the word superior, in the eighth line. Of the 2d specification of 1ST CHARGE, Not guilty. Of the 1ST CHARGE, Guilty. Of the specification of the 2n CHARGE, Guilty. Of the 2D CHARGE, Guilty. And does therefore sentence him, Col. Joseph S. Morgan, Ninetieth Regiment New York Volunteers, to be cashiered, and utterly disquali- 4led from holding any office or employment under the Government of the United States. * * * * * * VII. The major-general commanding disapproves of the proceed- ings, findings, and sentence in the case of Col. Joseph S. Morgan, Nine- tieth Regiment New York Volunteers, the evidence appearing too con- flicting and unsatisfactory. The execution of the sentence is suspended until the pleasure of the President can be knowa. * * * * * * * By command of Major-General Banks: G. NORMAN LIEBETI, Acting Assistant Adjutant- 4~eneral. WAR DEPARTMENT, JTJDGE.ADVOCATE-GENERALS OFFICE, Washington, D. 0., June 20, 1885. Lient. Col. R. N. SCOTT, In Charge Publication Office War Records, 1& i165: COLONEL: In reply to yours of to-day, I have the honor to inform you that itappears from the proceedings in the case of Col. Joseph S. Morgan, Ninetieth New York Infantry, that the record was returned by this office to Major-General Banks, the reviewing officer, October 10, 1863, with instructions that, as the proceedings, findings, and sentence had been disapproved, no sentence remained for the action of the Presi- dent. The proceedings against the accused were therefore terminated, and he should be released. General Banks thereupon, on October 26, 1863, ordered the accused to be released and returned to duty. Very respectfully, G. NORMAN LIEBER, Acting Judge-Advocate-General Page 207 CHAP. XXXVIII.] OPERATIONS IN LA., WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 207 No.9. Report of Cot. Nathan A. 1111. Dudley, Thirtieth Massachusetts Infantry, commanding Brigade, of engagement on the La Fourche, near Donald- sonville. BIVOUAC NEAR DoNALDSoNVILLE, LA., July 15, 1863. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of the re- connaissance made by the Third Brigade, on the 12th and 13th instant, by order of Brigadier-General Weitzel, commanding division: Besides my own brigade, which consisted of the Thirtieth Massachu- setts Volunteers, One hundred and sixty-first and One hundred and seventy-fourth New York Volunteers, there were temporarily assigned me two sections of the Sixth Massachusetts Battery, First Lieutenant Phelps commanding, and Captain Barretts company of cavalry. At 3 p. m. on the 12th instant, I sent in advance, down the right side of Bayou La Fourche, a small force of cavalry, followed by four com- panies of infantry, under Captain Shipley, Thirtieth Massachusetts Volunteers, the balance of the force following in order by the flank, with cavalry scouts constantly out on my right. Previous to starting, I had an interview with Colonel and Acting Bri- gadier-General Morgan, commanding brigade, Emorys division, who stated that he was ordered to follow down the opposite side of the bayou with his brigade. We arranged signal flags, to be used in case of necessity, before separating. The advance skirmishers had not proceeded more than 1 mile before the enemy opened a brisk fire upon them, driving in the cavalry to the infantry support. The enemys pickets being well supported by a dis- mounted force, in full view, I ordered Lieutenant Phelps to bring up one of his pieces, and, after four or five shots, they fell back, keeping np a fite from both sides of the bayou as we advanced. When about 1 mile from Kocks plantation, I halted till Colonel Morgan came up on the opposite side, when the two columns moved forward nearly aJreast up to Kocks residence, when I made the following disposition of my forces: One section of Phelps battery I placed on the road fronting down the bayou, supported on the left by two companies of infantry, on the right by the One hundred and seventy-fourth and One hundred and sixty -first New York Volunteers, the latter under Colonel Harrower and the former in command of Major Keating. These two regiments were in line of battle, the right of the One hundred and sixty-first ex- tending down a broad lane, with a clear field in front about 100 yards wide. Three-fourths of a mile to the right I posted two companies from the One hundred and sixty-first, to prevent a surprise on that flank. With strong pickets on the roads running down the bayou, and at, right angles to it, with mounted vedettes in front, I felt certain of no sur- prise. The Thirtieth Massachusetts Volunteers were posted as a reserve near Kocks house, in line of battle, with the exception of two companies, which were stationed with pickets out on the flanks, at the junction of a plantation roa4 and the Bayou road, with the remaining section of Phelps battery. By this disposition, I had command of both roads run- ning to the right; protection to my rear and front, with Colonel Mor- gans command on the left. This was my arrangement of the force for the night of the 12th. About 6 oclock in the evening, the enemy opened a brisk skirmish in front, and exchanged a few shots with our artillery Page 208 208 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. Expecting an attack at daylight on the morning of the 13th, I had my whole force nuder arms at 8 a. in. About 4.30 oclock they advanced in considerable force, compelling my pickets to retire a short distance. I immediately re-enforced them, and ordered the section in rear to the front, placing it in advance of the position occnpied by the One hum dred and seventy-fourth New York Volunteers during the night. The section in the road was throwii forward, and placed in an angle of the levee, supported by the One hundred and seventy- fourth Regiment. Finding that the enemy were trying to flunk me on the right; that they had considerable force on the leit of the bayou; that they had thrown several hundred sharpshooters into the tall cornfields immedi- ately in front, and by their rapid firing they developed a superior force of artillery, I deemed it prudent to request of the commanding gen- eral re-enforcements, which verypromptly brought up Colonel Paines brigade, and First Maine Battery, under command of First Lieutenant Haley. Withdrawing the section of Sixth Massachusetts Battery, I re- placed it by the rifles of the First Maine, transferring the former to a position alongside of the other section of the same battery to the right. The lire from the enemy at this time had partially slackened, and I directed Lieutenant Haley to advance a second section about 300 yards to another angle in the levee. This effectually silenced the enemys fire fo~ over two hours and a half. Colonel Paines infantry was np to this time held in reserve some distance in the rear. During the forenoon. I had communications with Colonel Morgan, who assured me that one of his regiments occupied the first sugar-house on his front; that his pickets were half-way between it and another sugar-house nearly half a mile nearer the enemys pickets. About 1.30 p. m. the enemy commenced a rapid cannonade at several points, followed up almost instantly by a warm musketry fire from corn- fields in the front, down the Bayou road, and from the left side of the bayou, from behind the levee. Lieutenant Haley nobly fought his two a(Ivanc4~d pieces until ordered. to retire, which movement he success- fully executed under a cross-fire from three different points. The other section was not so fortunate; only one piece was brought off, notwith- standing every effort was made on the part of the supports to save it, as the casualties in a space of 20 yards around the piece give sufficient proof; 16 dead belonging to the Thirtieth Massachusetts and the One hundred and seventy-fourth New York Volunteers, and some 20 wounded, with 8 horses killed, were found in the evening by our flag of truce. Most gallantly did Major Keating, of the One hundred and seventy- fourth New York, and his two companies, aided by Captain Fiske, of the Thirtieth Massachusetts, and his company, vainly strive to retrieve this gun. The fire that caused this sacrifice came principally from the south side of the bayou, and nearly opposite the battery, where it was ex- pected our own troops were stationed. At this crisis, I moved Colonel Harrowers regiment, the One hundred and sixty-first New York Vol. unteers, to the front, in order to cover the withdrawal of the three pieces of the Sixth Massachusetts Battery, which I ordered to be taken to the reat l)y detail. This regiment I specially watched, as it covered my rear in falling back to take up a new position, which I had decided to do. I would like to refer specially to the cool and determined manner in - which this regiment, under its brave colonel, retraced its steps, but where all behaved so admirably, I cannot for fear of injustice particu- larize. Previous to making these preparations to fall back on a line just ir Page 209 CHAP. XXXVIII.] OPERATIONS IN LA., WEST O1~ THE MISSISSIPPI. 209 rear of Kocks plantation, where I felt certain I could hold my position against any force the enemy had, I directed Colonel Paine to place his whole brigade in line of battle on the Plantation road, which runs at right angles with the bayou at this point, with instructions to hold this line ~vhile the force in front fell back and formed in his rear. rfhese dispositions were all made before a single regiment or company except- ing those belonging to the pickets moved to the rear. This was the state of affairs when the general commanding the divis- ion arrived on the field and ordered the whole force to gradually fall back on this point, whiclr order was executed without any panic or excitement on the part of the troops that were under my observation. Had I had any means of protecting my left flank, I feel confident that onr loss would have been very much less, and the service would not have to monrn the loss of so many of its gallant soldiers. Among this iiumber was Second Lient, Dc Van Postley, One hundred and seventy- fourth New York Volunteers, who was killed while endeavoring, with Lieutenant Haley, Captains Shipley, Fiske, and Lieutenant Barker, of the Thirtieth Massachusetts, with Captain Van Denbergh, of the One - hundred and seventy-fourth New York and others, to save one of the First Maine Battery pieces. I am unable to account for the loss of the Napoleon gun belonging to the Sixth Massachusetts Battery. It was reported disabled early in the morning, and I (lirected it to be sent to the rear for repairs. It was takeim I mile to the rear of our advance, nearly remounted, and, notwithstanding the artificers had fully one hour to withdraw it, they failed to do so. Captain Barrett, of the Louisiana Cavalry, with his company, was efficient and prompt in giving me information constantly of the change of position of the rebels. Captains Speed and Whittier, with Lieutenants Dean and Loring, of my staff, each rendered most valuable service during the day in the transmittal of orders and obtaining information of the movements of the enemy. I have made this report more full than may seem necessary, but I was anxious, under the circumstances, that the general comnianding might know the exact disposition made of the forces assigned to my command. I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, N. A. M. DUDLEY, Colonel, and Acting Brigadier- General, Co~nmanding Brigade, d4 Capt. W. W. CARRUTII, Assistant Adjutant- General. No. 10. Reports of Maj. Gen. Richard Taylor, (3. S. Army, commanding District of Western Louisiana, of operations June 23July 13. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT TRANS-MIsSISSIPPI, Shreveport, La., June 29, 1863. GENERAL I have the honor to inclose herewith Major-General Tay- lors report of his operations in Lower Louisiana. It having been found impracticable to do anything toward the relief of Port Hudson by oper- 14 IL R~OL XXV PT Page 210 210 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. atious opposite, General Taylor has, pursuant to the plau of ol)erations, made a demonstration east of the La Fourche and on the Lower Mis~is- sippi, with the hopes that his operations may induce or conipel General Banks to raise the siege of Port Hudson. I remain, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, E. KIRBY SMITH, Lieutenant- General, Commanding. General S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General, 0. ~. Army, Richmond, Va. [IndorsemeuL] EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Richmond, Va., July 21, 1863. Captain [R. G. H.~ KEAN: Please submit this letter at once to the honorable Secretary. The President requests his immediate attention. As the messenger to General E. K. Smith leaves this afternoon, any action to be taken at the War Department must be prompt. Very respectfully, BURTON N. HARRISON, Private Secretary. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WESTERN LOUISIANA, Brashear City, June 23, 1863. GENERAL: I have the honor to inform you that we stormed the posi- tion of the enemy this morning. We crossed Berwick Bay in skiffs, stormed the forts, drove off the enemy~5 gunboats, and captured over 1,000 prisoners, ten heavy guns (among them the siege piece I was forced to abandon in my retreat in April), two trains of cars, with engines com- plete, large numbers of small-arms, ordnance, & c., and thousands of dollars in stores. I received a dispatch from Colonel [~J. P.J Major last evening. He had reached Thibodeaux on the 21st, having carried all before him.. 1 determined to act at once to secure co-operation with him. Our loss is small, as the forts were stormed with the bayonet, the men being forbidden to load. I a.m using every exertion to forward on Vhe troops to form a junction with Major. Respectfully, your obedient servant, R. TAYLOR, - Major- General. Brigadier-General fW. R.j Boc~GS, Chief of Staff. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WESTERN LOUISIANA, Brashear, June 24, 1863. GENERAL: This morning at dawn we formed a junction with Colonel Major at the Thinuf, 7 miles from this, capturing all between us. Colonel Major lost 31 killed and 18 wounded. He captured 500 prisoners, 2,000 negroes, 1,000 horses and mules, burned three large sea steamers in the Mississippi, and took four fine heavy guns. He has distinguished himself above praise, and I desire him to receive his promotion. He has most richly earned it. The quantity of quartermasters and commissary and ov1wT~nQe store Page 211 CHAP. XXXVIII.] OPERATIONS IN LA., WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 211 captured at this place exceeds belief. I have taken steps to secure everything, and shall transfer all surplus by the Teche to New Iberia. The enemy have fortified this bay so well that I trust a few days will make it secure t6us. I push on to the La Fourche this evening. Respectfully, your obedient servant, R. TAYLOR, ]Iiliajor- General. Brigadier-General BoGGs, Chief of Staff. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WESTERN LOUISIANA, Alexandria, Juno 27, 1863. GENERAL: I left Brashear City late on Wednesday night (24th in- stant), having made all the dispositions which were practicable, and arrived here a few hours ago. The receipt of the communication from General [C. Le Doux] Elgee, volunteer aide-de-camp of my staff (a copy of which was forwarded to you), conveying the views and messages from General Johi~ston, induced me to hasten to this point, for the purpose of making such arrangements as are called for by the information con tamed in that communication. I have also received a report from Major& eneral [J. G.] Walker, in which he states that the unhealthiness of the locality in which his division has been operating has produced much sickness among fiis troops, which is daily increasing, and the effective men of the command are greatly reduced in number. Should the fall of Vicksburg occur, as predicted by General Johnston, Port Hudson mi st, of course, speedily follow, and thus a junction between the troops in the Washita and Upper Mississippi Valleys and those in the La Fourche would be at- tended with great difficulty. It is true that the fall of those places might endanger the command in the La Fourche, but deeming it of gfeat im- portance that the forces in my command should be conceiitrated, and believing that results of great interest can be accomplished by such concentration, I have ordered Major-General Walkers division to pr6- ceed immediately to Berwick Bay; thence I shall s~ud it into the La Fourche country.. Before the lieutenant-general commanding called my attention to the views of the War Department, and communicated his own relative to operating upon the enemy~s line of communication above Vicksburg, I had determined upon the same plan. The reasons herein stated have, of course, rendered the change of the disposition of troops necessary. I feel confident that if Vicksburg should not fall shortly, the operations of our forces on the Mississippi coast between Baton Rouge and New Orleans will relieve Port Hudson. I had hoped that the communication from General Johnston, through General Elgee, would have induced the lieutenant-general commanding to visit this point, as a personal inter- view would be of great importance. I shall leave on to-morrow for Berwick Bay. The property captured is much greater in quantity and value than I at first reported. Over 5,000 new Eufield and Buruside rifles were taken, with a very large supply of ammunition therefor. Several 30- pounder Parrott guns, on siege carriages, were captured among the heavy pieces. The supply of animunition for field pieces which was captured is not large, and I would respectfully inform you that a much larger supply is needed than is now on hand. The value of commissary and qu~rterm~ster5 stores (including shoes and clothing) exceeds i Page 212 212 XV FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. value, at cost prices, $2,000,000, as estimated by the quartermasters aud commissaries whom I placed in charge of them. With the small-arms alluded to,if the lieutenant-general commanding (leems the two regi- ments of [J. W.~ Speights brigade, which were detained in Shreveport, in fit condition to be put in the field, I could arm them with these rifles and equip them completely. 1 would particularly like to have [A. M.J Alexanders regiment put in the field with Colonel Speight. I shall not accumulate stores at this point, bat shall make the line from Vermillionville to iNibletts Bluff the base of operations in the lower portion of the State, so that if disasters at Vicksburg and Port Hudson should occur, I could retreat along that line into Texas. I would respectfully suggest that fortifications should be constructed at some eligible point a short distance below Shreveport, on Red River. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. TAYLOR, Major. General, Cornmandinq. Brig. Gen. W. R. BoGGS, Chief of Staff. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE TRAN~-MISSISSWPI, Shreveport, La., July 16, 1863. GENERAL: I have the honor to transmit herewith a report made by Major-General Taylor of his recent operations. Upon the receipt of this report, I wrote to General Taylor (on the 12th instant)* as follows: * * * * * * The fall of Yicksburg, which now seems to be a certainty, has important bearing on your movements. Could we retain possession of the Mississippi. the occupation of New Orleans should be hazarded at all risks. The loss of Vicksbnrg entails the loss of Port Hudson and the Mississippi. Any occupation of New Orleans can now only be temporary. You inflict a severe blow upon the enemy by destroying the stores collected there, but to throw yourself into the city in the hopes of hohling it would be placing your command in a cul-de-sac, from which there could be 1]o extrication. I yesterday inclosed. you a copy of instructions to General [J. G.] Walker. I do not think any serious occupation of Louisiana will be attempted by the enemy this sum- mer. Monroe and Alexandria may be the objective points of their campaign; still, you should endeavor to make such disposition of your command as will defend the upper valley of Red River; its occupation in force by the enemy loses us its supplies, and endanHers the wheat-growing region of Texas. It cuts the department in two, and rendersthe concentration ofthc troops from Arkansas difficult, ifnot impracticable, * * * * * $ * With much respect, I am, general, your most obedient servant, E. KIRBY SMITH, Lieutenant- General. General S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General, C. S. Army. [Inclosure. 1 HEADQLTARTERS DISTRICT OF WESTERN LOUISIANA, Brashear, July 4, 1863. GENERAL: I have the honor to report my arrival at this point from the front, having returned for the day to inspect the progress of our defenses. Two heavy guns have been placed in position in each of the forts commanding the entrances into the bay. An additional gun at ~ach fort will be in readiness to-night. These forts are . Berwick and ~h~ne, constructed by Maj. Gen. M. L. Smith, and abandoned after *S~e Smith to Taylor. July 12, l~63, Part II, ~. 109 Page 213 CHAP. X~VIIL1 OPEfiATIONS INLA., WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 213 the fall of New Orleans. I purpose making the place as strong as the means at my disposal will permit, as the bay is the key to this whole section. Tne railroad has been repaired, and the first train passed to Thibodeaux to~day. The telegraph will soon be in operation from Bayou des Allemands to New Iberia, and I hope to find wire to extend the line to Alexandria. The events since my last report are as follows: On the 24th ultimo, we drove the enemy from Itaceland Station so rapidly that he abandoned four field pieces, one of them being the 12- pounder gun left disabled at Bisland on April 13 last. On the 28th, the advance on the railroad reached Bayou des Alle. mands, where the enemy abandoned another field piece. On the 1st instant, we held Boutt~ Station, 20 miles from New Or- leans. I am now pushing for the Barataria Canal, behind which the enemy have been routed. Defensive works were erected along this canal before the fall of New Orleans, and I shall make a close recon- naissance in person before I attack in front. A boat expedition through Lake Washa can turn these works, and I shall probably adopt this route if I decide to strike at the city. Brigadier-General Green, with his own and rjames P.] Majors brigades, pushed up the La Fourche to- ward Donaldsonville, the vicinity of which point they reached on the 26th ultimo. General Green dispatched thence to General Mouton, at Thibodeaux, that an examination of the enemys fort induced him to withhold an attack, as he could plant his guns on the river below Don- aldsonville, to interrupt the enemys transports. He represented the fort in the angle between the river and bayou mounting five guns, manned by 300 or 400 men, surrounded by a 16-foot ditch, with stock- ades running to the bayou and river. Five gunboats lying near. Gen- eral Mouton approved of General Greens course in declining to attack, as appears from his indorsement on the report. This reached me en route from Franklin. On arriving here, however, I learned Green had made the attack on the morning of the 28th, and been repulsed with severe loss. At Thibodeaux, General Mouton informed me our loss had been 276 officers and men. In the absence of official report fronk Gen- eral Green, General Mouton cannot account for the change of purpose shown in attacking-. Our men seem to have acted with the most heroic daring. They stormed the work, overthrew the garrison, and captured the guns, when the fleet in the river opened on both parties and forced us to retire, with the above very heavy loss. In forwarding the report of General Green I will show all the facts, more especially as I. will be near the scene to- morrow. Meanwhile a column has been pushed down the river below Saint Charles Court-House, some 20 miles from New Orleans, finding no enemy. Colonel Major is on the river, 10 miles from Don aldsonville, with six rifled guns, and expects to prevent transports, at least, from passing. One of my scouts has returned from the city with journals up to the 1st. The city is greatly excited. Enemy have worked night and day to remove negroes and stores from Algiers to the other side. A steamer for New York was stopped, all her passengers put ashore, and she was sent to Pensacola to bring the garrison to New Orleans. She returned with about 600 men. I hope to hear this evening on my return to Thibodeaux more news from the city. I may succeed in establishing important relations there, so as to justify a coitp. A party ha~ been sent over the Tiver to cat the telegraph from Baton J~ouge and gather intelligence. Another party for the same purp~s~ has been sent to Plaquemine, on this side. Banks army is undoubtedly much reduce Page 214 214 w. FLA., s. ALA., S. MISS., LA., ~PEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. by casualties and sickness, and. I have no doubt, disheartened. As rapidly as space can be overcome, everything is pressed to the front The necessity of garrisoning the bay and holding the hue from it to iDonaldsonville (80 miles), as well as the railroad and the ciit-offs lead- ing from the La Fourche to the river above and below, consumes much of my little army. I have so far succeeded in my purposes. The enemy have been driven from the La Fourche region, with the exception of the ground on which the fort at Donaldsonville stands. Berwick Bay, the key to the Attakapas, is in our hands, and we have a powerful artillery on the river between Banks and his baseNew Orleans. We have paroled over 2,000 non-commissioned officers and privates, and recaptured most of the stolen property carried off in the late raid. If any opportunity, however slight, offers, I will throw myself into New Orleans, and make every effort to hold it, leaving my communications to take care of them- selves. I trust the lieutenant-general commanding will not feel disap- pointed at these results. At all events, I havensed every exertion to relieve Port Hudson, and shall continue to the last. The copy of a communication from General Johnston to the lieuten- ant-general cqmmanding, of the 26th ultimo, forwarded by Lieutenant and Aide-de-Camp [E.] Cunningham, reached me this morning. I feel pained at the contents. The first communication of General Johnston, of which I received a copy, stated that he had a force with which he hoped to relieve Vicksburg, but that he could not separate his troops to relieve Port hudson, and desired the attention of the lieutenant- general commanding to the latter point. The next communical ion from General Johnston was through one of my staff. General [C. Le Doux] Elgee, a copy of which was sent to department headquarters. General Johnston had no suggestions to make, but seemed to approve the instruc- Lions I had left for the guidance of the troops opposite Vicksburg. In the late communication a tone of complaint seems to prevail that noth- ing has been accomplished on this side of the river. The troops oppo- site Vicksburg never numbered 4,000 effective, although 8,000 is assumed to be the number in this communication. lt is to be presumed that the difficulty of communication prevents us from hearing what efforts the army under General Johnston has made to r& ieve Vicksburg. As this army is some 25,000 or 30,000 strong, and has no Mississippi River to cross, I certainly accord most heartily with the suggestion that the lieutenant-general in person should take the field. In the present crit- ical state of the campaign, his presence would be of great utility. I beg leave to add, with great res~pect, that if all the forces in Arkan- sas were thrown upon Helena, and firmly established there, with ade- quate artillery, more could be done to relieve Vicksburg than by any other move on this side of the ilver. Respectfully, your obedient servant, R. TAYLOR, Brigadier.General Boc~s, ]Jliajor. General, Commanding. Chief of AStaff. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WESTERN LOUISIANA, La Fourche, July 13, 1863. GENEUAL: I have the honor to announce a brilliant success gained by a portion of my forces under tho coinuian4 of Brigadier-General. [Thomas] Green, over [Generals Godfrey] Weitzel and [William] Dwight Page 215 CIIAr. XXX7IIT.1 OPI~RAT1ONS IN LA., W1~ST OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 21~ The enemy, over 4,000 strong, advanced to-day 0 miles from I)onald- sonville, where he was met by General Green,, with his own, and a part of [James P.] Majors brigade (in all 1,200 men), arid driven from the field, with a loss of 500 in killed and wounded, so me 300 prisoners, three pieces of artillery, many small-arms, and the flag of a New York regi- ment. The gallant and noble Green, dismounting from his horse, placed himself at the head of his old regiment, captured the enemys guns, and drove his forces into the fort and under the guns of the fleet. In the generalship and daring of the commander, and in the devotion of the troops, this action will compare favorably with any I have witnessed dnring the war. Respectfully, your obedient servant, R. TAYLOR, Major- General. Brig. Gen. W. R. BoGGS, Chief of Staff. No. 11. Report of Brig. Con. Alfred Mouton, C. S. Array, of operations June 2July 4. HEADQUARTERS FORCES SOUTH OF RED RIVER; Thibodeaux, La., July 4, 1863. MAJOR: In obedience to instructions from Maj. Gen. H. Taylor, com- manding District of Western Louisiana, on June 22, after surmounting difficulties amounting to almost impossibilities, I succeeded in collecting some thirty-seven skiffs and other row-boats near the mouth of theTeche, with a view to co-operate from the west side of the Atchafalaya with Colonel ~ajor~s command, then on the La Fourche. An expedition, numbering 325 gallant volunteers from the different regiments under my command, under the gallant Maj. Sherod Hunter, of [George WJ Baylor~s regiment, started at 6 p. in. to turn the enemys stronghold at Brashear City. General Thomas Green, with the Fifth Texas Mounted Volunteers, the Second Louisiana Cavalry, [Ej Wallers Texas Battal- ion, and the Yalverde and [W. H.] Nichols batteries, advanced under cover of night to opposite the enemys camp. The Seventh Texas, Lieu- tenant-Colonel [P. T.] Herbert commanding; the Fourth Texas, Lieu- tenant-Colonel [G. J.] Hampton, and Baylors re~,iment were thrown across the Atchafalaya to Gibbons Island during the night. General Green was to attract the enemnys attention and fire, while the troops on Gibbons Island were to be thrown across to the support of Major Hunter as soon as the boats returned from the latters landing point, in rear of the enerny~s position. Everything remained quiet, and the enemy were aware of our pur- pose only when aw~kened by the shots from the Yalverde Battery. The enemys whole attention was drawn to General Greens position, the land batteries concentrating their fire upon him, while their gunboats shame- fully retreated in the begimining of the action. At about 6.30 a. in. of the 23d, the shouts from Hunters party were heard in the rear of the railroad depot. Our gallant men charged the enemys guns one after the other, anti, when theyarrived near the main fort (Buchanan), the garrison surrendered without a struggle. The enemy surrendered a force of over 1,200 men, strongly posted and in Page 216 216 w. FLA., S. ALA., S. MJ~S., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIIt. trenched, and eleven heavy guns (all protected by a gunboat), to a force of 320 men. Our loss was 2 killed and 18 wounded. The amount of quartermasters, commissary, and ordnance stores is very large. Our troops crossed the bay as rapidly as possible, but were delayed on account of want of transportation. Nothing larger than skiffs could be had. As rapidly as possible, General Green was ordered to the Bayous Ramos and Bmeuf, to capture those of the enemy who had escaped, and also l)revent them from burning the bridges, locomotives, and cars. Unfortunately they had already destroyed the railroad and wagon bridge over the Ramos and had retired to the Becuf. Our troops pushed on, and at daylight of the 24th the enemy surren- dered to a scouting party under the command of General Greens daring scout [Leander] McAnelly. The force consisted of 435 officers and men, three siege guns, and a 12-pounder gun. At this point General Greens and Colonel Majors commands connected. Their troops were pushed for. ward to Thibodeaux and La Fourche Railroad crossing, capturing 25 Federal sick and wounded and four pieces of light artillery. On the 27th, the troops marched to iDonaldsonville. On the 28th, at 1 a. in., the fort (Butler) was attacked, and at day. light, after the most desperate struggle, we were repulsed with 260 cas- ualties. Too much cannot be said of the gallantry and devotion of the brave men who stormed this stronghold. Colonel [Joseph] Phillips, Lieutenant-Colonel [D. W.] Shannon, and Major [Alouzo] iRidley are among the missing. They fell in a desperate hand-to-hand fight, but I hope they are only wounded. As one of the main objects of this campaign was to take possession of the Mississippi, 1 immediately threw, by roads passing through plan- tations, troops on the river bank. I have the honor to report that on the 3d instant the Federal trans- port Iberville was badly crippled by Colonel [W. P.] ilardemans regi- ment and the rifled section of [0. J.] Semmes battery. To-day one section attacked the flag-ship Monongahela. The work is going on bravely. While General Green and Colonel Major were marching upon Don- aldsonville, Major [II. H.] Boone, with Wallers battalion and [C. L.] Pyrons regiment, pushed on to Raceland, and thence to the Des Alle- mands, at which latter place the enemy had abandoned a piece of ar- tillery and burned the railroad bridge. Major Boone, with his usual energy, swam some of his horses, and pushed on, driving the enemy from Boutte Stati9n; but his force being small, he had to return to the Des Allemands. This, ma covers the whole field of operations on the west side of the bay. The other part of the operations, under the accomplished and gallant soldier, Colonel Major, will be found in his inclosed report. The conduct of General Green, Colonel Major, Major Hunter, and the officers and men under them, is beyond all praise, and deserves the thanks of the country. I beg leave to tender my thanks to the officers of my staff ~or their energy and faithful performance of the arduous duties imposed upon them: Maj. Louis Bush, assistant adjutant-general; Lieut. A. J. Watt, aide-de-camp; Capt. A. Schreiber, ordnance officer; Maj. 11. W. San- ders, assistapt quartermaster, and Capt. II. T. Squires, chief of artillery, who were with me all the time Page 217 CHAP. XxXVIII.1 OPI~RATIONS IN LA., W~T OF ~PHE ~nssissw~i. 217 I will again in this report particularly mention Private Alfred Fusilier, to whose indomitable energy and devotion to duty I owe mostly the successful collecting of boats for Major Hunters expedition. Accompanying this report please find those of General Green, Colonel Major, and Major Hunter. I am, major, very respectfully, yonr obedient servant, ALFR. MOUTON, Brigadier- General, Commanding. Maj. E. SURGET, Assistant Adjutant- General, District of Western Louisiana. (Indorsement.l HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WESTERN LOUISIANA, Thibodeaux, July 6, 1863. The zeal, energy, and ardor manifested by Brigadier-General Mouton, commanding forces south Red iRiv~er, merit the highest praise. The conduct of Brigadier-General Green fully justified the high ex- pectations which I had formed, based upon the previous services of this officer in the field under my own observation. IL TAYLOR, Major- General, Commanding. No. 12. Report of Col. James P. Major, C. & Army, commanding Cavalry Bri gade, of operations June 1024. HEADQUARTERS SECOND CAVALRY BRIG-ADE, - Near Napoleonville, June 30, 1863. MAJOR: I have the honor to suI)mit the following report of the oper- ations of my brigade since June 10: Pursuant to orders received from your headquarters, (lated 8th in- stant, I left Washington on the 10th, and arrived at Morgans Ferry, on the Atchafalaya, on the 11th. I was detained there one day in making preparations to cross the river, the entire command, owing to conflict- ing orders, not arriving until 14th, and on the 15th J,moved for Her- mitage; arrived within 5 miles the same night; found the bridge burned across Bayou Sara; halted until daylight; then moved on Waterloo, 4 miles above Hermitage. The enemy were re-enforced from Banks army at Port Hudson. I made demonstrations of an attack during the day. At night drove in the enemy~s pickets, and under cover of darkness withdrew my force, leaving a strong picket force in the rear, and moved for Grosset~te [Bayou]. On 17th, went down Grossetbte [Bayou] to IRosedale; fed horses and men. At dark started for Indian Village; arrived at 2 a. in. on 18th; crossed [Joseph] Phillips~ regiment, who made a dash into Plaquemine, taking 87 prisoners, burning 3 fine steamers, 2 steam fiats, 100 bales of cotton, and capturing a large quantity of commissary stores. There were no facilities for crossing Bayou Plaquemine; it took until 5 p. m. to cross entire brigade. At 6 p. m. started down Mississippi River, and at daylight on 19th arrived at Bayou Goula. In marching down the bank of the river, three large ghnboats passed the column, but did not discover us. As a Page 218 218 w. PLA., ~. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TIEX., N. MEX. (CHAP. XX~YIIJ. attack on them would have given our locality, which I was anxious to conceal. I allowed them to pass unmolested. At Bayou Goula took commissary and quarterma5ter~s stores; de- stroyed Federal plantations; recaptured over 1,000 negroes, stolen by Banks from planters living in Saint Landry and Rapides Parishes; found them starving and in great destitution; kept the men, and left women and children. Heard that a Federal force was intrenched in strong works at Donaldsonville, and conceiving that if I took the place it would be at a great sacrifice of life, and unable to hold it against the gunboats, and believing I could operate to better advantage on the river below in cutting off Banks supplies from New Orleans, I made a feint on the fort, and at dark sent a portion of Lanes and Phillips regiments, nuder Colonel [W. P.] Lane, through the swamp direct to Thibodeaux, with instructions to take the place, possession of the railroad, and cut the telegraph wires. At midnight I withdrew the remaining force, and moved for Thibo- deanx; found tliat the Cut-off~ road had been blockaded by Federals, and pronounced entirely impracticable for artillery. Sent a party of negroes with a guard, under Lientenant [J. A. A.] West, of [0. J.] Semmes battery, to open it, and by 10 oclock on the 20th passed my entire column through. I moved on to the La Fourche, striking it 6 miles below Donaldsonville. Here made another feint on the fort; and at night moved down the La Fourche. At Paincourtville received a dis- patch from Colonel Lane, stating he had captured the town, taking 140 prisoners and a large amouiit of stores, also a small force at Terre Bonne Station, and that there was a force in strong position, with artillery, at La Fourche Crossing. I pushed on, and arrived at Thibo- deaux at 3.30 a. m. on the 21st. Pickets reported reenforcements from New Orleans during the night, and at suu-up reported the enemy ad- vancing. I posted Pyrons regiment, Wests battery, and two-squad- rons cavalry on the east bank La Fourche, and moved them down toward the railroad bridge. Lane, [B. W.] Stone, and Phillips were posted at Terre Bonne Station, and they were moved forward to La Fourche Crossing. The. enemy fell back, and my pursuit was checked by one of the heaviest rains I ever saw fall. It rained until 5 p. in., and having only 30 rounds of ammunition to the man when I started, and not over 100 cartridge-boxes in the entire command, my ammuni- tion was nearly all ruined, and I found myseif with an enemy in front, rear, and on the flank, with only 3 rounds of ammunition to the man. I directed Pyron, as soon a~ it stopped raining, to strengthen his picket and feel the enemy, find his position, and test his strength, giving him some discretion in the matter. He advanced his picket, driving the enemy into his stronghold, and then charged his works, taking 4 guns, and causing a great many of the Federals to surrender. But night had come on; it was very dark, the ammunition nearly all gone, and just at that moment a train with about 300 fresh men arrived from New Or- leans, and Pyron was forced to retire from a position won by a daring assault, unequaled, I think, in this war. Had I known his intention to assault the works, I could have sent him such re-enforcements as would have insured success. Pyrons strength in the attack was 206. The enemys force, reported by themselves, was over 1,000. The next day (22d) it rained again, and finding it impossible to dry my ammunition, and not hearing anything from our forces at Berwick Bay; knowing that I had only one avenue by which to connect with General Greens brigade, and that the enemy were intrenched on the route at Bayou Bocuf and at Brashear City; that their forces at thos Page 219 CHAP. XXXVIIJ.1 OPERATIONS IN LA., WEST OF TIlE MI~SISstPPi. 219 points were greater than mine, besides the advantage of position, and, in consequence, I would be compelled to cut my way to Berwick Bay, unless General Green cut toward me, I therefore refrained from at- tacking with my whole force the enemy at La Fourche Crossing, although I could certainly have demolished him, and the temptation was great to revenge the death of those gallant men who fell in Pyrons assault. I then gave the order to march on Brashear City. The move- ment began at nightfall. Making demonstrations of a night attack, and opening a heavy fire on their position with my artillery, I withdrew my force, and commenced marching at 9 p. in., moving all night. I arrived at Chacahoula Station just before dawn on the 23d, and at the same instant heard with no little pleasure the cannonade at Bra- shear. I rested my command two hours, fee~iing the horses and men, and arrived at Bayou B~nf at 4.20 p. in., having driven in the pickets of the enemy for 6 miles. I at once took possession of the east bank (the enemy being intrenched on the opposite bank), made a reconnais- sance of his position, and began ciossing at 2 a. m. on the 24th. At daylight had Lane and Stone entirely surrounding the fort, while Phillips, Pyron, and the artillery were posted in front on the eastern bank. Just as I had arranged to open from my batteries, I discovered a white flag flying from a lar~ge house near the crossing, and, on sending to inquire the reason, was surprised to learn that the fort had surrendered to General Mouton, whose advance was 5 miles off on Bayou iRamos, a scouting party nuder General Greens intrepid scout, [Leander] MeAn- elly, being the only force of their command near, and to him the flags were delivered. The colonel (Federal), however, on my asking to what force he had surrendered, said to mine, supposing it to be a portion of Moutons, who had made a previous demand for surrender, and, sCeing McAnelly, had sent to him a white flag. I mention this merely to show that, although the flags were delivered to others, the surrender was iu fact to my force, and the gahlaiit General Green waived the honor of the capture to me. The prisoners here captured were 275; four guns, ammunition, small- arms, commissary and quartermasters stores, and about 3,000 negroes. Too much praise cannot be awarded to the gallamit band who comprise the Second Cavalry Brigade, who, without murmur shared iu the trials and hardships incident to so extended and rapid a march through country occupied by the enemy, passing many sleepless nights and fasting days, subsisting through the entire march on one ration per day, and averag- ing but three hours of rest in every twenty-four. To the citizens on the route I have to acknowledge many favors, who generously furnished the infantry with transportation until I mounted them upon animals captured from the plantations cultivated by the Federal authorities. This command, composed of infantry, artillery, and cavalry, marched 176 miles in four days, an average of 44 miles per day. It moved in an orderly manner, never depredating on private property, and bore the hardships without a murmur. It is, however, with sorrow that I have to report the death of the noble men who fell in the charge under the gallant Colonel [C. L.] Pyron, at La Fourehe, and under Colonel Phillips at Plaquemine, of which casualties I will make a detailed report. To the members of my staff, Captains [Henry F.] Wade, jr., and [II. H.] ~acharie, I am indebted for a hearty co-operation throughout the trip; d150 to Lieutenant [J. A. A.] West, for his efficiency in his department. The services of Captain IRatliffe, volunteer aide, were invaluable, owing to his thorough knowledge of the country and indefatigablQ exertions Page 220 220 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIli. Volunteer Aides Major McGoffin and Captain Duzenberry also rendered me great service. JAS. P. MAJOR, Colonel, Commanding A3econd Cavalry Brigade. Maj. Louis BUSH, Assistant Adjutant-General. [Indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WESTERN LOUISIANA, Thibodeaux, July 6, 1863. The conduct of Colonel Major during the service herein mentioned has been above all praise. He has shown energy, industry, and capacity which render him fit for any command, and I respectfully recommend and request that his comufand as colonel commanding brigade maybe made permanent, as I am sure the interests of the service and the country will be promoted by his promotion. B. TAYLOR, Major- General, C1ommanding. No. 13. Reports of Capt. T. A. Panes, Louisiana Battery, of attacks on gunboats and transports on the Mississippi 1?iver, July 710, and operations near Donaldsonville, July 1213. IN THE FIELD, ASSUMPTION PARISH, LK., Allemand Plantation, July 10, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to. report that the rifle section of this battery, two 3-inch Parrott gnus, under First Lient. B. F. Winchester, took. position at Battery No. 1, on Gaudets plantation r Mississippi River, Saint James Parish, about 12 ight bank of the iniles below Donald- sonville, where embrasures were cut through the levee (some 12 feet high) on the morning of the 7th instant, at 2 a in.; and at 9 a. m. en- gaged a sioop of war, said to be the Genesee, and one gunboat conv~oy- ing n small steam tug, bound up. This section fired five time-fuse shell and eight solid shot with effect, as I learned through parties from Don- aldsonville subsequently that a captain, second lieutenant, and 7 men were killed or wounded. At 3 a. m. on the morning of the 8th of July instant, the rifle section fired two solid shot and three shell at two gunboats convoying a trans- port going down the river, making four hits. Same day, at 5 a. in., fired seven shell (time-fuse) and ten solid shot at two gunboats, bound up, making fifteen hits. The Mississippi River at this point is about 2,000 yards wide. On July 9, constructed platforms and cut embrasures at intervals ~of 100 to 150 feet for two 6-pounder bronze smooth-bore guns, two 12-pounder bronze field howitzers of this battery, and one heavy 12- pounder bronze field gun of [F. 0.] Cornays (Louisiana) battery, the last under Lieutenant [0. II.] Jones. At 8.30 p. in., the night being dark and misty on the river, with occa- sional lightning, causing objects on the water to appear obscure, opened with the seven pieces on a fleet of nine vessels, composed of gunboats and transports, including the iron-clad Essex and a sloop of war; to cover the passage of transports, a gunboat was apparently lashed on each side of a transport, which last were evidently well loaded with men and material, bound down. All the vessels on the right of thei Page 221 CHAP. XXXVIII.] OPERATIONS IN LA., WEST OP THE MISSISSIPPI. 221 column approached my position with shotted guns, as they all instantly answered my fire by a broadside from their whole line, all of which passed over us. The two 3-inch rifles fired eight time-fuse shell and six solid shot. The heavy firing from this fleet of vessels (many of them armed with 8, 11, and 15 inch guns) prevented the effect of the shots from the rifle section being accurately observed. Most of them, however, were hits. The 12-pounder field gun, under Lieutenant Jones, fired six spher1cal case and four solid shot, making seven hits, and, by the sound, doing considerable damage to the vessels of the enemy. The 12-pounder howitzer section, under Second Lient. 0. Gaudet, fired eight shell, five of which took effect. The section of 6-pounder bronze smooth-bore guns, under Lieut. S. IR. Garrett, fired fourteen solid shot, making fourteen hits. On the morning of July 10, at 1.30 a. in., the seven guns at Battery No. 1 opened on the U. S. gunooat New London, bound down. The rifle section under First Lient. B. F. Winchester fired ten shell and fourteen solid shot, he having run his guns out over the levee on to the batture, enabling the cannoneers to fire more rapidly and longer at the same object. Most of these shot struck this vessel, one of them cutting her steam pipe or cylinder, when a rocket was sent up from her, which proved to be a signal for assistance. Lieutenant Jones 12-pounder field gun fired three spherical case and two solid shot, making two hits. The 12-pounder howitzer section under Lieut. 0. Gaudet fired one shell, which took effect. The 6-pounder section, under Licut. S. P. Garrett, fired two solid shot, one of which struck her. The cavalry pickets above had neglected to notify me of her approach. The sky was so overcast with clouds it was difficult to make out float- ing objects. The new moon, which had been obscured most of the night, shed a feeble light, when, about the time stateu, the cannoneers who were on guard at the pieces reported this vessel almost abreast of my position. This will account for so few shots being fired by the five smooth- bore pieces, all of which were posted above the rifle section. The New London proved to be a bark-rigged vessel, carrying a heavy rifled gun amidships amid two 20 pounder Parrott rifles, one on her bow and the other in her stern. She replied but feebly to our gnus. It was subsequently ascertained that she was acting as a dispatch boat for the army, carrying impoltant informalon from Vicksburg or Port Hudson to New Orleans. As soon as she was disabled, one or more boats were lowered, and she was towed or drifted into the left bank of the river, nearly 2 miles below this battery. At this time, information was re- ceived by Lieutenant-Colonel [Isham] Chisum, commanding the scouts, and my only support, several companies of B. W. Stones Texas Cav- alry, that the enemy was landing a force just above my position (which proved to be false). I was ordered to retire to the heavy timbered woods, over 4 miles in my rear, and back of the cane fields on the river, where the Cut-off or Vacherie road entered the swamp. While the teams were being fed in this road, I received orders to return to my position at Battery No. 1. But for this false report of the enemy being on my flank, which occasioned the loss of over five hours of most valu- able time, I am satisfied this vessel could have been destroyed and lost to the enemy. At 9.30 a. m. the seven guns were again in position at the levee. The New London was seen tied up to the bank, at Godherrys plantation, o Page 222 222 w. FI~A., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. the opposite bank, some distance below Battery No.1. I immediately ordered embrasures to be cut for the two rifled pieces and the heavy 12-. pounder bearing directly ou her broadside. Before half of this work could be done, the Genesee sloop of war aid iron.clad Essex appeared, coming from below. The Genesee covered the New London with her larger hull, and she was soon after lashed to her for the purpose of towing away. Meanwhile the Essex, to cover these preparations, approached my position, and, when nearly opposite, opened on us with 11 and 15 inch guns, firing slowly, either to draw my fire, or bt~cause it was so- evident her heavy projectiles had very little effect on a 12-foot Missis- sippi River leveethe best of earthworks. The sloop and gunboats being out of range of most of my guns, I considered it useless to waste my light projectiles on the iron sides of the Essex, which may be regarded as fortunate, as I received orders soon after she commenced firing to retire in the direction of Assumption Church, on Bayou La Fourche, as speedily as possible, as our flank was now really threatened by a strong force on the River roan, coining from IDonaldsonville (where General Weitzel had arrived with one or more Federal brigades from Port find- son). iNot receiving any reply to her fire ~he Essex retired slowly, firing at long intervals, until she r~joined the Genesee and iNew London below, where the three vessels were lashed together and steamed down the river. I then limbered up, and retired to the Cut-off road leading to As- sumption Church, be fore referred to, and reached this place, 4 miles above the church, at 4 p. m. to-day, with the six pieces of my battery, Lieutenant Jones, with his 12-pounder, having re~joined Cornays bat- tery, with General Moutons infantry, below the church. Lieutenant [Henry] Angel, commanding a section of Captain [Thomas] Gonzales (Texas) battery, which was in position at Battery No. 1 on the 7th and 8th instant, above the rifle section, after the firing on the 8th of July, in which it participated, was withdrawn, and ordered to report to Brig. Gen. T. Green, commanding Texas Cavalry Brigade, on the left or west bank of Bayou La Fourche. I received no report of the shots fired by this section. I have no casualties to report. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, T. A. FAIIIES, Capt. II. T. WADE, Jr., Captain, Commanding Battery. Chief of Artillery, Majors Brigade, Texas Cavalry. IN THE FIELD, BAYOU LA FOURCUE, LA., Near Assumption Chureh, July 14, 1803. SIR: I have the honor to report that on Sunday night, the 12th in- stant, the rifle section of this battery, under First Lient. B. F. Win- chester, moved forward up the Bayou road, and at 8.30 oclock that night reached Kocks lower plantation, and reported to Colonel Lane, commanding the force of Texas cavalry in front, on the east bank of the bayou. At 4.30 a~ m. on Monday, the 13th of July instant, moved forward toward Doiialdsonville, and at 5 a. m. opened with shell on the enemys skirmishers in a grove and thicket at Wilsons, driving them out; again advanced with the cavalry, and, shelling Hewitts sugar-house. drove the enemy from that shelter. This section was here under a very severe fire from four pieces of the enemy ou the west or right bank of Bayou La Fourche. The Confederate line on that side of the bayou bad not ~4vanced as rapidly as ulr line on the ~a~t bank, which sub Page 223 CHAP. XXXVIII] OPERATIONS IN LA., WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 223 jected this section and its support of dismounted cavalry to a fire on their flank from infantry and four field howitzers of the enemy, who ~rere protected by the levee on the opposite bank. This continued until about 9 a. in.. when Lieutenant Garrett, with his section of 6-pounder smooth-bore guns, took position to the right of the road, just below Kocks upper sugar-house, then occupied by the enemys in- fantry. A rapid fire with solid shot and spherical case from the two 6-pounders caused them to abandon this shelter hastily. This section then returned to the Bayou road, and in front of Hewitts plantation was fired on from the dpposite bank of the bayou. Lient. S. IR. Garrett immediately returned the fire, and drove this force from the shelter of the levee on the right bank. At 10 a. in. the left section, two 12-pounder ileld howitzers, under Lient, 0. Gaudet, was moved forward, relieving Lieutenant Garrett, the Bayou road being the only way of advancing, a1id only two pieces could occupy it at the same time in battery. The howitzers were -en- gaged with the enemys skirmishers on both banks of the bayou and their artillery on the left bank from 11 a. m. up to~ 3 p. in., firing and moving forward by hand for long distances, the road be tween the levee and fences making it impracticable to limber up promptly. Defective friction primers prevented the pieces of the right and left sections from firing with their accustomed rapidity. About 3.30 p. m. we passed the abandoned camp of the Kentucky (Federal) 1~egiment. A short distance above, halted for some time, the euem y on both sides of the Bayou La Fourche having been driven to the Mississippi River, under the guns of several gunboats and Fort Butler, on the west bank of the bayou. About 5 p. m. received orders to retire, and moved down the bayou to Assumption Church, where the guns were parked for the night. The conduct of the officers and men of the three sections was most creditable. The rifle section fired seventy-five time-fuse shell and one solid shot. Casualties, 1 man slightly wounded. The howitzer section fired twenty-eight shell and spherical case. Casualties, 1 man slightly wounded. The center section fired fifty-three spherical case and ten solid shot. No casualties. One horse killed. Total casualties, 2 men slightly wounded. J am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, T. A. FARJES, Captain, Commanding Battery. Capt. II. F. WADE, Jr., Chief of Artillery, Majors Brigade, Texas Cavalry. No. 14. Report of Mic~j. Sherod Hunter, Bayior~s (Texas) fJavalry, commanding Mosquito Fleet, of the capture af Brashear Ltity. BRASITEAR CITY, June 26, 1S63. GENERAL: I have the honor to report to you the result of the expe- dition placed under my command by your order June 20. In obedience to your order, I embarked my command, 325 strong, on the evening of June22, at the mouth of Bayou Teche, in forty-eight skiffs and flats, collected for that purpose. Proceeding up the Atchafalaya into Grand Lake, I halted, and muffled oars and again struck, and, after a ~steady pull of about eight hours, ~eache4 th~ ~horo in tho real o Page 224 224 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIIL Brashear City. Here, owing to the swampy nature of the country, we were delayed some time in finding a landing place; but at length sue- cee(led and about sutirise commenced to disembark my troops, the men wading out in water from 2 to 3 feet deep to the shore, shoving their boats into deep water as they left them. Thus cutting off all means of retreat, we could only fight and win. We were again delayed here a short time in finding a road, but succeeded at length in finding a trail that l~d us by a circuitous route through a palmetto swamp, some 2 miles across, through which 1 could only move ii~ single tile. About 5.30 we reached open ground in the rear of and in full view of Brashear City, about 800 yards distant. I here halted the command, and, after resting a few minutes, again moved on, under cover of a skirt of timber, until within 400 yards of time enemys position, where I formed my men in order of battle. Finding myself discovered by the enemy, I determined to charge at once, and, dividing may command into two col- umns, ordered the left (composed of Captains [J. P.] Clough, of [Thomas] Greens regiment [Fifth Texas Cavalry]; [W. A.] McDade, of WaIlers battalion; [J. T.] ilamilton, of [L. C.] Rountrees battalion, and [J.D.] Blair, of Second Louisiana Cavalry) to charbe the fort and camp below and to the left of the depot, and the right (composed of Captains [James H.] Price, [D. C.] Carrington, and [R. P.] Boyce, all of [U~ W.] Baylors Texas cavalry) to charge the fort and the sugar-house above and on the right of the depot; both columns to concentrate at the railroad build- ings, at which point the enemy were posted in force and under good cover, each column having nearly the same distance to move, and would arrive simultaneously at the point of concentration. Everything being in readiness, the command was given, and the troops moved on with a yell. Being in full view, we were subjected to a heavy fire from the forts above and below, the gun at the sugar-house, and gunboats below town, but, owing to the rapidity of our movements, it had but little effect. The fo:ts made but a feeble resistance, and each column pressed on to the point of concentration, carrying everything before theta. At the depot the fighting was severe, but of short duration, the enemy surren- dering the town. My loss is 3 killed and 18 wounded; that of the enemy, 46 killed, 40 wounded, and about 11,300 prisoners. We have captured eleven 24 and 32 pounder siege guns; 2,500 stand of small-arms (Enfield and Burn- side rifles), and immense quantities of quartermasters, commissary, and ordnance stores, some 2,000 negroes, and between 200 amid 300 wagons and tents. I cannot speak too highly of the gallantry and good conduct of the 6fficers and men under mny command. All did their whole dhty, and deserve alike equal credit from our country for our glorious and signal victory. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, SHEROD HUNTER, Major, Baylors (Texas) Cavalry, Commanding Mosquito Fleet. Brig. Gen. ALFR1~D MOUTON, Commanding #~outh Red River. [Indorsement. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WESTERN LOUISIANA, Thibodeaux, July 6, 1863. I would respectfully call the attention of the lieutenant-general corn- inanding to the gallantry and nieritorious services of Major Hum4te~ ~n Page 225 CHAP. XXXVIII.] OPERATIONS IN LA., WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 225 the officers commanding the detachments which composed l~is expedi- tion, and earnestly suggest that they may be brought to the notice of the Government. H. TAYLOR, Malor- General, Commanding. No. 15. Reports of Brig. Gen. Thomas Green, C. S. Army, commanding Cav alry Brigade, of operations June 22July 13. HEADQUARTERS FIRST CAVALRY BRIc~ADE, Near Panco, on the La Fourehe, June 30, 1863. GENERAL: Early in this month I was ordered by you to the Lower Teche, for the purpose of reconnoitering the enemy at Brashear, and to collect together and fit up light boats preparatory to making a descent upon the enemy, if practicable. While engaged in the execution of these orders, you caine down and assumed command, ordering me to advance toward tbe bay. On the night of the 22d instant, in accordance with orders, I moved to Cochrans sugar-house, 2 miles distant from the bay, with the Fifth Texas, Second Louisiana Cavalry, and Wailers battalion, and the Yal- verde and a section of Nichols batteries, leaving our horses at that place. I advanced the troops above mentioned on foot before daylight to the village of Berwick, opposite the enemys encampment. At the dawn .f day, finding the enemy quiet and asleep, I opened fire upon him from the Yalverde Battery. The first shot exploded in the center of his encampment, causing the greatest confusion, the distance being only about 900 yards. We fired about 40 or 50 shots from our battery into the enemy before he replied to us at all. The first shot from the enemy was fired on ns from his gunboat, which was at anchor in the bay a short distance below our position. After daylight the gunboat advanced toward us as if to contest with our battery the position we occupied on the ~ edge, but a few well-directed shots from the Yal- verde Battery drove the boat 1 mile below, where she opened on us with her heavy guns. About the same time several batteries from the opposite shore opeiied on us. The shot of the enemy was so well directed that we found it necessary several times to shift the position of our guns and caissons. The heavy gun on shore which first opened fire on us from the principal fort above Brashear,with the garrison of that fort,was brought down nearly opposite my position, and Qpened fire on me. With the running of the gunboat, and drawing out this heavy gun and most of the garrison from Fort Buchanan, left the waters above free to the approach of Major [Sherod] Hunters command in our little flotilla to Tiger Island. Major Hunter, who had moved under your orders from the month of the Teche during the night of the 22d on board our Mosquito Fleet, landed, unperceived and unsuspected by the enemy, above their defenses, and, making his way through the swamp, about 7 oclock on the morning of the 23d attacked the enemy in his rear while I was occupying him in front, completely surprising and routing him. The enemy surrendered their deferjses and the town of Brashear to Major Hunter about 7.30 oclock on the morning of the 23d. Major Hunters command consisted of about 300 men from Baylor~s, the Fifth Texas, and Wallers battalion, and second Louisiana Cavalry (picked 15 i~ HVOL XXVI~ PT Page 226 226 w. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIIL men). After crossing a part of the troops, I was ordered to pursue the enemy tothe Bc~uf. During the evening of the same day, I had quite an animated skirmish with him at the Ramos, where he had burned both the railroad and public bridges, and was well fortified on the east bank; but, finding that I had flanked him with a part of my command on the east side of the Bo~uf, he hastily retreated. I threw a small detachment over the Ramos on the night of the 23d, and moved them as close as possible to the enemy on the Ba~uf. Colonel Major~5 command being behind the enemy, and it being difficult for him to escape, about 400 strong surrendered to ns about daylight on the morning of the 24th. Our troops during the three days campaign did their duty with great alacrity, and behaved with gallantry on all occasions. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, TilOMAS GREEN, Brigadier-General, Commanding First Cavalry Brigade. Brigadier-General MOUTON, Commanding, cte. FORD AND DAVENPORT PLANTATFON, saturday, June 27, 1863. Sin: I have been all the morning collecting together all the informa. tion relative to the situation and strength of the defenses of Donaldson. yule. After traveling all night, we arrived here at sunrise this morning, 8 or 9 miles from Donaldsouville. I learn from citizens that the fort con- tains from 300 to 500 Yankees, and that there are five gunboats there now. The approach to the fort is through an open plain 900 yards and the ditch around it is 16 feet wide and 12 feet deep, making it impos- sible to scale, except by having strong plank or suitable ladders. I have had a full consultation (which, by the by, is not the best thing to be governed by). They think that an attempt to storm will be attended with great loss and no adequate benefit, even if successful; and this is my opinion. The object of the expeditionbeing to annoy and take, if possible, the enemys transportscan be better and more safely done by taking a position below Donaldsonville. I am making a bridge of sugar-coolers at this camp to cross one regiment, intending to swim the horses. I will push that regiment close upon Donaldsonville, throwing pickets up on the river. I am about sending another regiment down on this side near fhe fort, throwing pickets above, where the river can be seen. My pickets above and below will be able to see what number of gunboats there are at the fort, and I propose to fix the bridge during the day so that I can get artillery on the Mississippi. With one rifle section I can make the transpor~ coming up retreat. Come down and take command. I want you badly, as I do not know fully what your views are, and would not like to take any steps in con- flict with them. Until I came down here, I had no idea of the position, strength, or feasibility of taking the fort, or the value when taken. I think now the fort can be rendered nugatory by taking a position below it. Adopting the latter view will induce the Yankees very probably to abandon the fort or come out and fight us. Come down as soon as you can. Yours, [TIIOMAS} GREEN. General MouToN Page 227 CHAP. XXXVIII.] OPERATIONS IN LA., WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 227 [Indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WESTERN LOUISIANA, Ihibodeaux, July 6, 1863. Respectfully forwarded. The reply of Brigadier-General Mouton, ap- proving the views of General Green as to turning the fort, was not re- ceived by the latter officer until the attack had been made. R. TAYLOR, Major- General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS FIRST CAVALRY BRIGADE, Camp on La Fourehe, near Paincourtville, July 3, 1863. MAJOR: Ju accordance with the order of General Mouton, command- ing, of the 26th ultimo, dated at Thibodeaux, commanding me to take possession of the Federal fort at IDonaldsonville, I took up the line of march from Thibodeaux about 8 oclock at night, with [W. P.] Harde- mans, [D. W.] ~ and [P. T.J Herberts regiments, of my bri- gade, and [W. P.] Lanes, [B. W.] Stones, and[Joseph] Phillips regi- ments, of Colonel [James P.] Majors brigade, and [0. Jj Semmes bat- tery. After marching the entire night, I encamped within 9 miles of the fort about snnrise the next morning. During the 27th, I rested our jaded troops and horses, getting all the information which could be procared in relation to the situation of the fort, its force, defenses, & c. I placed a pontoon bridge across the La Fourche, made of sugar-coolers, and crossed over Stones regiment to the east of the bayou, and ordered him to advance toward Donaldsonville on thnt bank, and attract the attention of the enemy, and, if possible, to attack hint on that side. With the balanc~~ of the command, I advanced during the night of the 27th to within 1~ miles of the fort, where I dis- mounted the command. Having determined on the plan of attack, I called the officers commanding regiments together, and explained to them specificaily the position each on~ was to occi~y in the assault. Major Shannon, of the Fifth Texas Mounted Yolanteers, was to per- form a circuit around the fort, reach the Mississippi 1 mile above, and advance down the levee to the stockade of upright timbers set in the ground between the levee and the waters edge, and there make an en- trance. Colonel ilardeman, with the Fourth Texas Mounted Volunteers, was to move up the Bayou road along the levee of the La Fourche, and as soon as he heard the fire opened by Shannon, or a fire opened by the enemy, to assault the fort at the waters edge, along the stockade, ~tnd simultaneously with Shannon to make an entrance through the stockade, and with Shannon assault the garrison within, hand to hand. Both Shannon and Hardeman were charged that they were expected to take the fort, while Phillips, Lane, and Herbert, with their regiments, were to envelop the works, moving np around them to the brink of the ditch, shooting down the cannoneers and their supporters from the ramparts at a distance ofonly 16 or 18 feet. After a full explanation to the commanding officers of regiments of the plan of attack, and furnishing Shannon and Hardeman with guides, and the head of the column of the three regiments which were to envelop the fort, I moved Shannon and- Hardeman forward. Waiting a short time for lvi ajor Shannon to perform the circuit around the fort to the Mississippi above, I moved the column which was to envelup the ditch, with Colonel Major at the head. Before this column had advanced to the place in- tended for it preparatory to the assault, Major Shannon, of the Fift Page 228 228 w. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA,, TEX., N. MEX. (CHAP. XXXVIII. Texas, encountered the pickets of the enemy, and a fire from above was opened upon him by the artillery of the fort and from the two gunboats in the river. He advanced down the levee of the Mississippi next to the waters edge to the stpckade (of upright timbers) behind the levee, driving the enemy from the stockade and firing upon them throngh their own port-holes. He pushed a portion of his men over their works, the men helping each other over; the balance of his men moved aronnd the stockade through the water, which was shallow, into the fort. Hearing- the small-arms of Major Shannon amid the roar of artillery, I ordered an advance of the whole line. Colonel Phillips, at the head of the column nnder Colonel Major, made a circuit of the fort, and, with most of his men and officers, made an entrance into the fort with Shannon, of the Fifth. Colonel Herbert, with the Seventh, enveloped the ditch as di- rected. The fight was desperately contested on every part of the ground. Colonel Hardeman, with the Fourth Texas, being unable to control his guide, was delayed in his attack on the stockade on the La Fourche side until nearly daylight, but his casualties show with what determined courage that veteran regiment stood its ground after it came into action. By some mistake, Colonel Lanes regiment- did not get into action; he was waiting for and expecting a guide, while I supposed a~d was in- formed that he was at the head of the column under Colonel Major. There is no blame attached to Colonel Lane for the mistake. The attack on the fort was made at 2 a. in., being before daylight, for the purpose of preventing the gunboats from seeing our advance. The columns of attack of Shannon above audHardeman below were expected to move along under the levee, sheltered from the artillery and musketry of the fort, until they reached the stockade, the weeds on the margin of the water, as I was informed, preventing a full view of them by th~ gun- boats. Shannon succeeded in making the entrance with little or no loss, and he and Colonel Phillips (entering on the same side) would doubtless have succeeded in capturing the works had it not been for the existence of a ditch fronting and inside the levee, 6f which 1 had~ no knowledge or information. All my guides (and some of them resided within 2 miles of the fort) assured me that when we got through the stockade, between the levee and the river, we had an open way into the fort without im- pediment other than the bayonets of the enemy. We were not repulsed and never would have been until we found, after getting into the stock- ade, there was yet a ditch to cross, running in front of and parallel with the river, and no means whatever on hand to cross it. At this ditch a most desperate fight ensued between the commands of Shannon and Phillips and the enemy. Our men here used brick-bats upon the heads of the enemy, who returned the same. Captain [Ira G.] Killough and Lieutenant [XV. S.] Land, and other officers and men, were wounded on their heads with bricks thrown by the enemy, which had first been thrown by our men. There never was more desperate courage displayed than was shown by our men engaged in this assault. The enemy have - been shown an example of desperate courage, which wifl not be without its effect. But for the false information in relation to that part of the fort fronting the river, it would most certainly have fallen into our hands. Had we known of the existence of this ditch, we would have been pre- pared to have crossed it. We fought from 2 a. m. until daylight without intermission, and our dead and wounded show the desperation of the assault. The garrison contained between 500 and 600 Federals. Our a~s~Qlting party engaged was about 800 strong Page 229 CHAP. XXXVIII.] OPERATIONS TN LA., WEST OF TIlE MISSISSIPPI. 229 At daylight I sent in a flag of truce, asking permission to pick up our wounded and bury our dead, which was refused, as I expected. My object in sending a flag so early was to get away a great number of our meu who had found a little shelter near the enemys works, and who would have been inevitably taken prisoners. I must have saved 100 men by instructing my flag of truce officer as he approached the fort to order our troops still there away. We mourn the fall of many of our bravest and best officers and men. Among the former are Major Shannon, Captain [D. H.] Ragsdale, Lieu- tenants [James A.] Darby and [James F.] Cole, of the Fifth; Major [Alonzo] iRidley, ~of Phillips regiment, and Lieutenant [N. D.] Cart. wright, of the Fourth, and others. The fort was much stronger than it was represented to be, or than we expected to find it. Had it fallen into our hands, I am satisfied, with a little work on it, we would have held it against all the gunboats below Port Hudson. Its capture and occupation would doubtless have caused great uneasiness and inconvenience to the Federal army besieg- ing that fortress. In this view, much risk was justified in its attempted capture. I cannot say too much in commendation of the officers and men who were engaged in this assault. Colonel Major, commanding the Second Cavalry Brigade, led the head of the column enveloping the fort, car- rying his men to the ditch amid a storm of shot and shell in the most dauntless manner, where he was himself wounded. Jhe conduct of the lamented Shannon and his officers, Colonel Phil- lips and his officers, and Colonel Herbert and his officers, and, in fact, all the officers whose conduct came under my observation, is above all praise. My own staff came fully up to my expectations. Capt. C. B. Shep- pard, my aide-dc-camp, and my volunteer aides, W. G. Wilkins and Leander MeAnelly, rendered me good service, and behaved themselves, as they had on many former occasions done, with coolness and courage. I herewith submit a list of casualties. Full reports, showing the killed wounded and missing, are inclosed. Respectfully submitted. THOMAS GREEN, Brigadier- General, Commanding. Maj. LOUIS Busn, Assistant Adjutant- General, Thi~bodeaux. [Indorsementi HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WESTERN LOUISIANA, Thibodeaux, July 6, 1863. Respectfully forwarded. Personal observation satisfies me that if the guide of [W. P.] Hardemans regiment had not failed to conduct it to the fort, its capture would have been accomplished. No engagement during this war has illustrated more signally the desperate valor of Confederate troops than the attack on this position. Although the attack may have been in some respects an unwise one, I am not disposed to attach the slightest censure to so gallant a soldier as General Green, whose disposition it is to attack the enemy wherever he finds him. R. TAYLOR, Major- General, Commanding Page 230 230 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. Deport of Casualties in the First and Second Cavalry Brigades. a a n Command. H 4th Texas Cavalry 2 23 3 28 5th Texas Cavalry 12 38 49 99 7th Texas Cavalry 6 35 34 75 Phillips regiment 19 18 21 58 Stones regiment 1 1 Lanes regiment Total 40 114 107 261 THOMAS GREEN, Brigadier- General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS GREENS BRIGADE, Assumption Church, on La Fourche July 14, 1863. MAJOR: After the assault on Fort Butler of the 28th ultimo, three regiments of my brigadethe Fourth, Fifth, and Seventh Texas Cav- alrywere occupied in watching the movements of the enemy at-Don. aldsonville, while the cavalry brigade of Colonel [James P.] Major was ordered to the Mississippi River, between the Yacherie road, leading from Thibodeaux, and the Bartean road, leading from Assumption Church, a distance of abont 20 miles, on the banks of the Mississippi. batteries were sent to the river with Colonel Major, numbering in guns about eighteen or twenty, which kept up an almost continuous fire on the enemys gunboats and transports by day and by night from the levee of the river. Several of the enemys boats were crippled some badly. This interruption of the navigation of the river caused great uneasiness on the part of the enemy, and on July 11 at least ten transports came down front Port Hudson to IDonaldsonvifle, crowded with troops. - On the 12th, several other boats came down with troops. In view of this threatened advance in force on us by the enemy, I ordered Colonel ~ajors brigade and artillery to withdraw from the river to the La Fourche, for the purpose of concentrating on each side of the bayou as near as possible to the enemy, which order met with your approbation. Majors brigade, consisting of [W. P.] Lanes, ~B. W.] Stones, [George W.] Baylors, and [Joseph] Phillips, regiments, not over 800 effective men present, with two sections of [T. A.] Faries battery, were placed on the right ascending bank of La Fourche, and three regiments of my brigade ([W. P.] Hardemans, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel [G. J. 1 Hampton; [A. P.] Bagbys, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel [P. T.] Herbert, and [H. A.] MePhaills, being the Fourth, Fifth, and Seventh Texas Cavalry, one section of [Thomas] Gonzales battery, nuder Lieu- tenant [Henry] Angel, not over 750 effective men) were posted on the left ascending bank, opposite the brigade of Colonel Major. There had been warm skirmishing for several days near IDonaldsonville between our troops on the Upper La Foi~irche and the enemy on both sides of the bayou. On the morning of July 13, the enemy advanced down the bayou on both sides toward Thibodeaux in large numbers, their principal force being on the right descending bank. About 9 oclock in the morning Page 231 CHAP. XXXVIIL] OPERATIONS IN LA., WEST OP THE MISSISSIPPI. 231 the enemy pressed us with artillery and an unusually large force of skirmishers, and, not being able to ascertain his precise strength with skirmishers on account of the large cornfields crossing the whole val- ley, I concluded to feel him a little more heavily, and, if a favorable opportunity offered, to make an assault on his advancing columns. Accordingly, after checking the enemys advance by heavily re-enforc- ing our skirmishers, I made dispositions for an attack. Calling Colonel Lane, who commanded Majors brigade, from the other side of the bayou, I gave him the necessary instructions for his operations on that side. Immediately after the return of Colonel Lane to his command, I commenced the attack on the left ascending bank of the bayou, and soon found the enemy deployed entirely from the La Fourche to the swamp across the broad valley. Not having troops enough on the left ascending bank to front the entire line of the enemy, I attacked his two wings with the largest part of my force. Captain [II. A.] McPhaill, with a par~ o the Fifth and a small detachment of the Seventh, moved upon the bayou, attacking the enemys artillery and carrying it in gal. lant style, killing most of his gunners and terribly cutting to pieces his infantry supporters. At the same time, Colonel Hampton, with the Fourth Texas, was charging gallantly the enemys right wing and turn- ing it, while Colonel Herbert, through the fields, with the Seventh Regi- ment and a part of the Fifth, was driving in their center in splendid style. The enemy frequently rallied in the ditches across the fields, but one of their flanks or the other was invariably turned by us at every stand they made, and a fire poured down the ditches, while Col- onel Herbert, with his command, moved upon them in front, and thus we drove them for about 4 miles and aktmost to the walls of the fort. Each stand they attempted to make was more feeble than the preced- ing. The ground over which we fought was strewed with the dead and wounded of the enemy, while our loss was very inconsiderable. There were over 500 of the enemy killed and wounded, of whom 200 were left dead on the field, and about 250 prisoners. We captured a large num- ber of the most improved small-arms, principally Enfleld rifles. We captured also three pieces of artillery, one of which was a very superior rifled gun, besides ammunition, provisions, tents, and wagons, teams, and much other camp equipage. In this battle the prisoners represented that we fought the brigades of Generals Weitzel and Dwight on the right descending bank of the La Fourche, and a part of the command of General [Cuvier] Grover on the other side. The whole of this battle was a succession of charges, and I have never before witnessed such determined valor as was dis- played by our troops. They frequentl5 charged upon the enemy in line of ba~le, an~l delivered their fire upon them at 25 paces, with the cool- ness of veterans. The victory on our part was a signal one, and the rout of the enemy complete. Where gallantry displayed by our officers and men was so universal, I cannot make distinctions. The regiments under the command of Colonel Lane, on the opposite side of the bayou, behaved with gal- lantry. That portion of Colonel Lanes own regiment which was dis- mounted moved up the bayou along the levee, and gallantly co-operated with our troops on the left descending bank. In this action the enemy were so roughly handled that they attempted no further movements from IDonaldsonville during our stay on the La Fourche. Our loss did not exceed 3 killed and ~0 wounded, 6 mortally, while that of the enemy in killed, wounded, and prisoners was little less thau 1,000. This great disparity of loss is most wonderful, and can only b Page 232 232 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CaAr. XXXvUL accounted for on the ground of the enemys panic in our first impetu- ous charge, which was kept up during the action, giving them little time to rally and to collect together their broken forces. I remained in the vicinity of the enemy for two (lays after the battle of the 13th, and until ordered to move toward the bay, during which time the enemy remained quietly in and around the fort, making no demonstrations toward us whatever, and not even following us with their pickets. This victory completely paralyzed the enemy in our rear, and enabled us to move from the La Fourche after the fall of Yicksburg and Port Hudson without molestation. Respectfully submitted. THOMAS GREEN, Brigadier- General, Gommanding. Maj. Louis BIJSH, Assistant Adjutant. General, Yermillionville. [Indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WESTERN LOUISIANA, Alexandria, August 9, 1863. Respectfully forwarded. In a previous report I took occasion to ex- press my high appreciation of the conduct of Brigadier-General Green and his command in this action. R. TAYLOR, Major. General. JULY 7AUGUST 19, l863.Operations against Navajo Indians in New Mexico. Reports of Gol. Christopher Carsou, First New Mexico Cavalry, com manding expedition. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO, Santa P6, N. ]Jifex., September 5, 1863. GENERAL: I have the honor to inclose for the information of the War Department copies of the following enumerated communications relating to operations against the Navajo Indians in this department: I. Letter from Col. Christopher Carson, First New Mexico Volunteers, commanding Navajo expedition, dated Camp at Pueblo Colorado, N. Mex., July 24, 1863, to these headquarters. II. Letter from Colonel Carson, commanding Navajo expedition, dated Camp at Pueblo Colorado, N. Mex., July 24, 1863, to these head- quarters. III. Letter from myself to Colonel Carson, commanding expedition against the Navajoes, dated Augii st 18, 1863. JV~ Letter from Colonel Carson, commanding Navajo expedition, dated Camp at Pueblo Colorado, N. Mex., August 19, 1863. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMKS II. CARLETON, Brigadier-General, Commanding. Brig. Gen. LORENZO THOMAS, Adjutant-General qf the Army, Washington, D. C Page 233 CHAP. XXXVIII.] OPERATIONS AGAINST NAVAJO INDIANS, N. MEX. 233 [Inclosures.] I. HEADQUARTERS NAVAJO EXPEDITION, Camp at Pueblo Colorado, 1V. Niece., July 24, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report that in obe~lience to General Orders, No. 15, current series, Headquarters iDepartment of New Mexico, I left camp near Los Lunas, N. M cx., July 7,1863, en route to Pueblo Colorado, N. Mex., with Companies ID, K, L, and M, First New Mexico Volunteers, the only companies of the expedition which had arrived at the place of rendezvous up to that time. I arrived at Fort Wingate on the 10th instant, where I remained three days receiving supplies and some necessary articles of outfit for my command. Having ascertained that there were two trains with supplies for my command shortly to arrive at this post, I directed that Companies B and C, First New Mexico Volunteers, should remain at the post until their arrival, to escort them to the depot. They have not yet joined. Left Fort Wingate on the 14th, and arrived at Ojo.del-Oso on the night of the 16th. Owing to a scarcity of water on the route, my animals suffered a good deal, and many of the mules were completely broken down and nuable to travel. I therefore concluded to give them a rest, and remained in camp on the 17th, 18th, and until 2.30 p. m. on the 19th instant. There were two small fields of wheat near to the camp, which I had fed to the animals. On the 17th, I found some wheat at a spring about 2 miles west of camp, which I sent for. The wheat found at the camp and at the west spring amounted to about 40,000 pounds, and,with the grass, which at this place was abundant and of good quality, put my animals in good condition. I wasjoined at this place on the 19th by Captain [Asa B.] Carey, chief qu~artermaster and Lieutenant Cook, chief corn missary, with a supply train, escorted by Captain Senas conipany, C, First New Mexico Volun- teers, but as his animals also needed rest, I left him behind for this pur- pose. I arrive& with my command at Fort Defiance on the 20th instant, where I found a large quantity of wheat, say 100,000 pounds, which was also fed to the public animals. The Utah Indians had preceded us on this days march; killed 1 man (Navajo), and captured 20 sheep. Shortly after encamping, I was joined by 19 Ute warriors, who had ~been operating against, the Navajoes on their own account. They report having met a party of Utes returning to. their country, having 11 cap- tives, and children~ and that there are two other parties now in women this country; they themselves saw no Navajoes. I have hired 5 of this party as spies. I remained at Fort Defiance on the 21st. On the 22d I left for this place with the board appointed to select. a site for Fort Canby, taking with me the field and staff and 70 men of the command, and the Ute Indians. About one-third the distance from Defiance, I left the command and pushed on with the Utes. When about 9 miles from this point, and on the Rio de Pueblo Colorado, we came on a small party of Navajoes, and killed 3 men. From aPah.Ute woman captured, I ascertained that a strong party of Navajoes, with a large herd of sheep, cattle, and horses, were at a pond of water about 35 miles west of here, and wi.ild remain there all night. I immediately determined to pursue them with the command as soon as possible after its arrival. It reached here about 5 p. in., and at 7.30 p. m. I started. At 5 oclock next morning, 23d, I arrived at the water only to find that the Navajoes with their stock had left the previous evening. I followed their trail for two hours, and until many of the horses had given out, and onl Page 234 234 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVTIL returned on my own conviction, supported by the superior knowledge of Kan-a-at-sa, that it would be impossible to overtake them without having to travel some 90 miles without water, and this my horses could not do. On my return route, the Ute Indians killed 8 Navajoes, making a total of 12 killed since my arrival in this country. I arrived at this place with the party yesterday evening at 5 oclock, having been nearly thirty-six hours continuously in the saddle. The remainder of the command left behind at Fort Defiance arrived here yesterday at 4 oclock in the afternoon, also Captain Carey and Lieu- tenant Cook. I would respectfully call the attention of the general commanding the department to the valuable services rendered by the Ute Indians, and earnestly request that I may be authorized to send an officer to their country to employ at least 30 more Utes as spies for the expedition. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, C. CARSON, Colonel First New iJiliexico Vols., Comdg. Navajo Expedition. ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Headquarters Department of New Mexico, Santa P6, N. ]Ifex II. CAMP AT PUEBLO COLORADO, N. MEx., July24, 186& DEAR GENERAL: I send by Captain Cutler the official report of the operations of my command since leaving Los Lunas, but in it have made no mention of the women and children captured by the Utes (4 women and 17 children). It is expected by the Utes, and has, I believe, been customary, to allow them to keep the women and children and the prop. erty captured by them for their own use and benefit, and as there is no other way to sufficiently recompense these Indians for their invaluable services, and as a means of insuring their continued zeal and activity, I ask it as a favor that they may be permitted to retain all that they may capture. I make this request the more readily as I am satisfied that the future of the captives disposed of in this manner would be much better than if sent even to the Bosque IRedondo. As a general thing, the Utes dispose of their captives to Mexican families, where they are fed and taken care of, and thus cease to require any further attention on the part of the Government. Besides this, their being distributed as servants through the Territory causes them to lose that collectiveness of interest as a tribe which they will retain if kept together at any one place. Will you please let me know your views on this matter as soon as possible, that I may govern my conduct accordingly ~ The Utes more than come up to the expectations I had formed of their efficiency as spies, nor can any small straggling parties of Navajoes hope to escape them. I trust you will grant me permission to send Captain Pfeiffer to their villages to employ some more of them. 4 am very badly off for guides, and intend to employ some Zufli Indians as such in a few days, when I shall visit their village. The Kavajoes have planted a large quantity of grain this year. Their wheat is as good as I have ever seen. Corn is rather backward, and not so plentiful Page 235 CHAP. XXXVIII;] OPERATIONS AGAINST NAVAJO INDIANS, N. MEX. 235 I have directed Major Cummings to send out a party to-morrow to bring in all the grain on this creek, which will amoant to over 75,000 pounds of wheat and a large amount of corn. The latter, when dried, will answer for fodder for the animals in the winter. I would have per- mitted all the grain in this vicinity to have ripened, but that it is hoped you will change the location of the depot, there being neither grass, timber, nor anything like a sufficiency of water any place in this neigh- borhood for this purpose. I forwarded with Captain Cutler the resignations of Chaplain Tala- drid and Captain McCabe and request that you will accept them, as well as all others which I may forward you, as I do not wish to have any officer in my command who is not contented or willing to put up with as mnch inconvenience and privations for the success of the expe- dition as I undergo myself. I respectfully urge that, in the eveift of your accepting the resignation of Captain McCabe, Lieutenant Brady be promoted to the vacant captaincy. Respectfully, yours, C. CARSON, Colonel First New Mexico Volunteers. ~ Brig. Gen. JAMES II. CARLETON, Commanding Department of New Mexico, Santa F~ III. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO, Santa F~, N. ]Jfex, August 18, 1863. COLONEL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th u1ti~~o,in relation to the disposition to be made of captured Navajo women and children, and to say in reply that all prisoners which are captured by the.troops or employ~s of your com- mand will be sent to Santa Fd by the first practicable opportunity after they are, from time to time, brought in as prisoners. There must be no exception to this rule. Here the superintendent of Indian affairs and myself will make such dispositions as to their future care and des- tination as may seem most humane and proper. All horses, mules, or other stock which the troops or employ6s under your command may capture belong to the United States, and will be reported to depart- ment headquarters. The horses and mules will be turned over to your chief quartermaster, who will have them carefully branded U. S -, and used in the public service. These he will account for on his prop- erty returns. But to stimulate the zeal of th~ troops and ernploy& ~s who have captured horses and mules from the Navajoes, or who may here- after make such captures from those Indians, a bonus of $20 apiece will be paid to their captors as prize-money on the delivery to the chief quartermaster of every sound, serviceable horse or mule. These wilibe accounted for as purchased. All sheep captured will be turned over to the chief commissary of your expedition. These will be taken up on the returns of provisions; will be properly marked; will be killed, from time to time, and issued as fresh meat to the troops and employ6s. The chief commissary is authorized to pay the captors of snch sheep $1 per head as prize-money, and as an encouragement to reuewed exertions. Every lot captured will at once be reported to department headquarters. The sheep paid for as here set forth will be taken up as purchased Page 236 236 W. PLA., S. ALA., S. MIST, LA., TEX., N. MEX, (CHAP. XXXVIII. All other property captured from the Indians will be reported, when orders will be given as to what disposition shall be made of it. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES II. CARLETON, Brigadier- General, Commanding. Col. CHRISTOPHER CARSON, Comdg. Expedition aaainst the Navajoes% Port Canby, N. Mex. Iv-. HEADQUARTERS NAVAJO EXPEDITION, Camp at Pueblo Colorado, N. Mex., August 19, 1863. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that on the 5th instant I left my camp, 7 miles south of Caiion Bonito, with Companies B and H, First New Mexico Volunteers, dismounted, and D, G, K, andM, mounted (total strength, twelve companies, and 4 field and staff officers, and 333 enlisted men), on a scout for thirty days. Companies G and II arrived at Defiance on the 2d instant with their horses in very poor condition. Those of Captain Pfeiffers company (II) were so broken down that I was reluctantly obliged to dismount his men, and leave his horses at Defiance to recruit. All of my animals showed plainly the want of grain, none of which they have had since leaving the Rio Grande, excepting such as was found growingthe property of the Navajoes. After leaving camp, I took a direction south, toward Zuili, intending to visit that village, procure some guides, thence to scour the country to the Moqui and Oribi villages, and return by the Cafion de Chelly. When al~ont two hours from camp, we found and destroyed about 70 acres of corn. Three hours afterward encamped in wheat and corn fields. The wheat, about 15 acres, was fed to the animals, and the corn, about 50 acres, was destroyed. Sent Sergeant iRomero, of Corn panyD, with 15 men after 2 Indians seen in this vicinity, Jile captured one of their horses. Distances between camps, about 15 miles. On the night of the 4th instant, I detached Captain Pfeiffer, with Lieutenant Fitch, with 100 enlisted men ,25 of whom were mounted, and the IJte Indians, to examine the country to the right and left of the line of march. On the 6th, after traveling about 17 miles, I found part of his detail encaipped, having in charge 11 women and children, 5 of whom were taken by Captain Pfeiffers detail, besides a woman and child, the former of whom was killed in attempting to escape, and the latter accidentally, and 100 head of sheep and goats. When I arrived, Cap. tam Pfeiffer, with the balance of his party, were out scouting. He re- turned about 12 oclock at night with 2 children and 1 horse, captured. About an hour before reaching camp, found and (lestroyed 5 acres of corn. Next morning I sent to Fort Defiance, with an escort of 10 men, the 7 prisoners captured by Captain Pfeiffer, with directions to the com- manding officer to forward theni by the first convenient opportunity to Fort Wingate, and to request the commanding officer of that post to forward them to Los Pinos. Continued the direction toward Zuili on the 7th, until, within about 15 miles from the village, we captured 5 Moqni Indians, who, when questioned, stated that there were Navajoes with large herds in th Page 237 CHAP. XXXVIII.] OPERATIONS AGAINST NAVAJO INDIANS, N. MEX. 237 vicinity of their villages. I immediately changed the direction west for Moqni, and, after traveling some distance, encamped in a rain-storm. On the 8th instant it commenced raining before we left camp, and con- tinued steadily until 2p. in.; at 1 p. in. we encamped. Distance traveled, about 18 miles. Shortly after leaving camp on the 9th, destroyed about 12 acres6of corn, marched about 15 miles, and encamped. At 5 p. m. I left this camp with Companies D, G, and K, 75 men of Companies II and M, dismounted, and 30 niounted men of Company M, and the Utes. Took but 1 pack animal to each company, and three days cooked rations for the men; the remainder of the pack animals were left with Captain Everetts company, to follow up next day. Marched all night, and ar- rived at 10 a. in. next morning at a cailon a little west of Moqui. Here the Utes took 2 women and 3 children prisoners, and Captain Berney~s company (D) captured 25 head of horses; there were also captured 100 sheep and goats. While Captain Berney was after the horse herd, Cap- tain Pfeiffer, with 30 cavalry, pursued and captured 1,000 head of sheep and goats; some of the Utes captured in the same vicinity 18 horses and 2 mules, and killed 1 Indian. Captain Pfeiffer severely wounded an Indian, but he contrived to secrete himself in the rocks. The Utes here left the command to return to their homes, ostensibly because they could not get the herds captured by Captains Berney and Pfeiffer, as they stated that it was the understanding with the general that they were to receive all the stock captured during the campaign. The real cause, however, was the fact that they had now sufficient stock and captures. - Marched about 3 miles farther west to spring in canon, and encamped on table-land above; horses very much broken down. At retreat, Lieutenant Hubbell and a private of Company M are missing. Some Moqui Indians report the death of the Indian wounded by Cap- tain Pfeiffer, and say that he was not only one of the most powerful, bnt the worst chief of the nation. I intended to remain at this camp on the 11th, but as Lieutenant Hubbell and the private had not yet come in, I made a detail of 50 men to accompany me in scaich of him. Jnst as I had the detail ready to start, an Oribi Indian brought me word that a party of Kavajoes, with large herds, had passed their village, 12 miles distant, just as he left with the information. [ increased the detail to 100 men, nuder Captain Thompson, who volunteered to accompany me, and followed in pursuit. I continued it a distance of 25 miles without overtaking them, when night came on; I could no longer keep the trail. I then encamped, and it being useless to continue the pursuit, returned next day. During my absence, and while Major Morrison was in com- mand, 7 public mules strayed from the camp and were taken by the Kavajoes. On inquiry, I found that Major Morrison is blameless. The pack train arrived shortly after my departure from camp, as did also Lieutenant Hubbell and the soldier, the mules nearly broken down for want of water. On my return, I directed the command, excepting that portion which was with me, to proceed immediately to some springs, reported by the Indians as but a short distance off, the water at this camp having become insufficient. Next morning I proceeded to join them, and found them encamped in a c~i~1on about 12 miles west of Moqui, where there was an abundance of good water and grass; fed to animals about an acre of corn found here. I laid over on the 14th to recruit my animals. - At about 2 a. mu. on the morning of the 15th, the camp was aroused by the whooping of a party of Navajoes, who made an unsuc- cessful attempt to drive off our herd. They retired after a few volleys from our pickets. Owing to the darkness, it is not known whether any of them were injured by our fire. After leaving this camp4ook north Page 238 238 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. east direction, so as to strike this stream some distance south of the Pueblo Colorado. While en route on the 16th, destroyed about 50 acres of corn; several of my animals gave out and were shot. l7th.Sent a party this morning to bring in some pack-mules which were left behind yesterday. They returned this evening with the packs, and 1 woman captured. This forenoon I arrived at this camp, rendered memorable by the death of the brave and lamented Maj. Joseph Cummings, who fell, shot through the abdomen by a concealed Indian. At the time of his death he was almost alone, having with him an unarmed citizen, and, having left the command some time previous, contrary to my positive instruc. tions, his death is the result of his rash bravery. I sent hi~ body to Defiance this morning. I sent, at dark yesterday evening (dismounted), two parties of 40 men each, to examine the country in the vicinity. Before leaving the valley, one of the parties captured a woman, who was sent into camp. This 1110 seen any Indians. ruing the parties returned without having Captain Dens captured 5 horses yesterday. To-day I have sent to Defiance to recruit all the animals unable to travel, retaining only about 60. From all I could learn from the Moqui Indians, and the captives taken, the majority of the Navajoes, with their herds, are at the Little iRed River, and this is confirmed by my own observation. My next scout will probably be in that direction, and will, I trust, be more successful. I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant. C. CARSON, Capt. BENJ. C. CUTLER, Colonel, Commanding Asst. Adjt. Gen., Hdqrs. Dept. of New Mexico, Santa P6. AUGUST 3, 1863.----Skirmish at Jackson, La. Th~EPOL~/IFS. No. 1.Brig. Gen. George L. Andrews, U. S. Army, commanding at Port Hudson No. 2.Col. John L. Logan, Eleventh Arkansas Infantry. No. 1. Report of Brig. Gen. George L. Andrews, liT. S. Army, commanding at Port Hudson. HEADQUARTERS, Port Hudson, August 6, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report that on the 2d instant I sent Lient. M. Hanham, Sixth New York Volunteers, with a detachment of 250 infantry (colored), 50 cavalry (Third Massachuaetts), and one section of the Second Vermont Battery, to Jackson, La., to collect negroes for the Twelfth Regiment Infantry, Corps dAfrique. Lieutenant ilanham was directed to keep his scouts and spies well our from the town, to get timely notice of the approach of the enemy in force, and to keep up frequent communication with this post. He collected 50 negroes on Monday. Nothing unusual occurred until about 3 p. m. Monday (August 3), when some rumors were heard of th Page 239 CHAP. XXXYIIL] SKIRMISH AT JACKSON, LA. advance of Logans force. The troops were at once drawn up to receive them, but the accounts were so vague that Lieutenant ilanham decided before withdrawing to send out additional scouts to learn the true state of the case. Unfortunately several of these scouts were captured, in some in- stances, it is reported, through the aid of so-called citizens, aud others were cut off and unable to return to the town. The attack commenced on the part of Logans force at about 5 p. in., with little warning from the scouts, but the detachment was prepared, and seems to have received the attack with commendable steadiness, for the most part. A detachment from the Sixth Regiment Infantry, Corps dAfrique, under Lieutenant Royce, is especially mentioned for steadiness and good conduct. The artillery and cavalry also rendered excellent service. After a conflict of some length, finding the enemy in greatly superior numbers, the detachment retreated with n6 great loss at first, and would probably have brought off its artillery but for the accident of having a guide shot at a critical moment, which caused the route intended to have been followed to be lost and a i~ew one to be taken, through which it was impracticable to bring artillery. The enemys force,, according to the report of prisoners, was about 800. It is supposed, however, to have been considerably greater. The detachment returned to this post at about midnight. Lieutenant ilanham is reported to have behaved most gallantly, and was slightly wounded. The enemy acknowledge a loss in killed and wounded of about 40. We took 6 prisoners, including 1 lieutenant. Our loss, which will probably be somewhat diminished by the arrival of stragglers, now stands as follows. The proportion of killed and wounded of the number is not kno~vn: 2 ~ Command. ~ .,-.~ a e 0 r~ H 3d Massachusetts Cavalry 14 14 2d vermont Battery 1 14 15 1st Regiment Infantry, Corps dAfriqne 1 21 22 3d Regiment Infantry, Corps dAfrique 11 11 6th Regiment Infantry, Corps dAfrique 3 13 16 Total 5 73 78 Wounded. Two guns, two caissons, and 16 horses belonging to Second Vermont Battery. Six wagons and 24 mules from the quartermasteis department. The information here was that Logan was above Natchez with his force and, from the accounts of the prisoners, it appears that he ac- tually left that neighborhood only two days before this affair. He had just arrived within 4 miles of Woodvilie, to which place he was probably led by the report of a raid made a few days ago by some of General Grants forces, who burned the factory at that place, and was on his way back toward Natchez, and intending, it was supposed, to go nearly to Jackson, Miss., when he received intelligence that our forces were in Jackson, La., and at once marched on that place. Considering the advantages given by fortune to the rebel forces on this occasion, their success appears to me not very remarkable. 23 Page 240 240 w. FLA., s. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIIL It is reported that 1 or 2 of the colored soldiers who fell into the hands of the rebels have been hung, ant it is certain that some of the prisoners were severely beaten. The rebels have reftised to give any inlormation concerning the officers or men of the colored troops who are in their hands. I have ~nt two flags of truce to the enemy at Jackson, one to inquire about our wounded and one to demand explanations from General [Colonel] Logan with regard to the treatment of colored soldiers when prisoners of war. To the latter I have received no reply yet, General [Colonel] Logan having left Jackson with nearly all his force, leaving only a small cay. airy force in the town. I learn that our wounded belonging to the white troops are well cared for, but fear such is not the case with colored troops. The rebels hold an assistant surgeon of one of the colored regiments, and refuse to give any account of him. I have accordingly confined all the rebel surgeons at this post, and, while awaiting General [Colonel] Logans answer to my demand for an explanation concerning his treatment of colored soldiers of this command, I have confined the rebel prisoners now at this post. Respectfully, your obedien4~ servant, GEG. L. ANDREWS, Brigadier- General Folunteers, Commanding. Lientenant-Colonel Inwiw, Assistant Adjutant- General. No. 2. R~port of Col. John L. Logan, Eleventh Arkansas Infantry. NEAR JACKSON, LA., August 4, 1863. GENERAL: I met the enemy at Jackson, La., yesterday evening, whipping him handsomely, driving him from the town, capturing two Parrott guns, horses, ten wagons with commissary stores killing, wounding, and capturing not less than 100 Yankees and a large num- ber of negroes in arms. The enemy fled in the greatest confusion, leav. ing his dead and wounded behind him. It was a complete rout. His force was abont 600 infantry (mixed colors), 150 cavalry, and two pieces of artillery. My force not so largeabout 500. Our loss in killed and wounded 12. Your dispatch of the 28th uftimno just received an will be carried out. , d the instructions I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JNO. L. LOGAN, Colonel, Commanding Cavalry. Lieutenant-General HARDEE, Commanding Army of the West. P. S.What disposition shall I make of negroes captured in arms ~i Port Hudson is garrisoned by 7,000 Yankee troops and armed negroes. The troops that came down the river some time since went up ]3lack River on transports Page 241 CHAP. XXXVIII.] 241 MUTINY AT GALVESTON, TEX. AUGUST 1013, 1863.Mutiny at Galveston, Tex. i~EIPORTS. No. 1.Lieut. Col. E. F. Gray, Third Texas Infantry. No. 2.Col. X. B. Debray, Twenty-sixth Texas Cavalry, commanding Second Bri- gade, Second Division. No. 3.Col. P. N. Luckett, Third Texas Infantry, commanding First Brigade, Second Division. No. 4.General Orders, No. 139, Headquarters District of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. No. 1. Report of Licut. Gol. F. F. Gray, Third Texas Infantry. GALVESTON, August 4, 1863. Sin: f would respectfully and earnestly call the attention of the gen- eral commanding to the character of the provisions being issued to the troops of this regiment, and, I presume, to all at this post. The only issue now given consists of beef, molasses, and corn-meal. The latter, even when good, is exceedingly heating iii its effects on the blood, and when, added to this, it is sonr, dirty, weevel-eaten, and filled with ants and worms, and not bolted (and the troops without the means of sifting it themselves), it becomes wholly superifuons to add that it is exceedingly unwholesome. The daily increasing number on the sick reports fully demonstrates by the character of the diseases that the food is one if not the chief cause producing it. Were this character of food, or even worse, the only kind which could be procured by the commissary department, I have no hesitation in saying the troops, actuated by true patriotism, would not complain. But, sir, when such is not the case, and it is a fact well known among the troops that large supplies of good and wholesome flour are in depot at Columbus and Harrisburg, I cannot but consider their murmurs in some measure just and not without reason, for I feel satisfied that wholesome food can be obtained with but litth~ exertion. It is with regret that I feel myself forced into the position of a com- plainant, but I deem it one of the first duties of a commander to watch with zealous care the welfare of those under his command, and I could not feel that I had discharged my duty to them should I fail to make these representations, which I believe it only necessary to do to have them corrected. Accompanying this communicatioli I send a sample of the corn-meal issued to this regiment. A casual examination will satisfy you of its unwholesomeness. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, B. F. GRAY, Lieuten~ant-Colonet Third Texas Infantry, Gomdg. Regiment. Lient. 11. M. FnANKLIN, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Second Brig., Second Div., Galveston, Tex. 16 n nVOL XXVI, PT Page 242 242 w. FLA., s. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIIL No. 2. Reports of Cot. X. B. Debray, Twenty-sixth Texas Cavalry, commanding & cond Brigade, & cond Division. GALVESTON, August 11, 1863. Sin: It is my painful duty to report to the brigadier.general Com- manding the sub-district the fact that the Third Regiment of Texas Infantry yesterday afternoon refused to drill and to obey the orders of their officers, evincing tumultuous and riotous evidences of insubordina- tion. The fact was reported to me by Major [J. II.] Kampmann, their commanding officer, who stated that he had used every effort to quell the disturbance and induce the men to return to their duty. I was at the time at the drill-ground of my regiment, superintending their drill, but feeling that it was all-important to crush this movement in the most summary manner, I ordered my regiment to their quarters to procure ammunition, directing ~hein to rendezvous on Broadway, where also I had ordered Captain [0. G.] Jones to bring his light battery. Colonel [II. M.] Elmore had received instructions to get his three com- panies under arms and proceed to a point assigned him. At about the usual hour the Third Regiment repaired to the parade ground (the court.house square) for dress-parade. As the parade was about concluding, I advanced at the head of my column and appeared on the parade, the cavalry being stationed with loaded carbines on either flank, while the artillery, supported by Elmores companies, ad- vanced, took position immediately in the front, unlimbered, and loaded with canister. I then advanced to the front of the regiment, and ad- dressed a few words to these misguided men, assuring them that mili- tary discipline must be observed and respected, no matter at what cost of life, and that I was there determined and able so to preserve it. I then ordered, Stack arms, which they did, though somewhat slowly; and after having marched them from their muskets, over which I placed a guard, and have since turned in to the post ordnance officer, directed Major Kampmann to march them to their quarters, placing a sufficient guard around the premises, and to allow no man to leave his said quar- ters under any pretext. These orders were promptly carried out, and I am happy to be able to state that the men behaved in a quiet and orderly manner during the night. This morning the regiment drilled without arms the two hours which they had formerly done, but which I had of late discontinued, at the special request of the officers of this regiment, owing to the heat at that time of day, and comported themselves with order and propriety. I still keep them within their quarters, when not on drill, except the daily guard, which I am compelled still to make from this regiment, having no other to call upon; these latter mount guards without arms and receive the arms of the old guard at the guard-house, and in turn, next morning, turn over the arms to the detail relieving them. The causes of this movement I am not yet able positively to state; - but I have ordered a board of inquiry, which will be held without delay, and thoroughly investigate the whole matter, and endeavor to ascertain, if possible, the ringleaders. The movement was general, with the ex- ception of one company (Company C), but I am convinced was brought about, as is always the case, by a few men having influence with the mass, and there are doubtless many who already regret the part they have taken. I am informed that this is not the first time this regiment has behaved in this way when they wished to gain a point, and that o Page 243 CHAP. XXXYIII.] MUTINY AT GALVESTON, TEX. 243 such previous occasion or occasions it has ended by a compromise be- tween the officers and men, a course which, of course, I would never consent to adopt. The rest of the garrison behaved well on the occasion, obeying all my orders with alacrity, and would, 1 feel sure, had the painful necessity occurred, have used their weapons with fearful accuracy and determi- nation upon this self-willed, rebellious body of men. I did not send word for [Joseph J.] Cooks regiment, from the fact that they were at their drill-ground in the city, without ammunition, and it would have occupied far too much time to send them out to the various forts for their cartridges, and await their return. So soon as the court of inquiry have examined into this painful busi ness, and made their report, I will forward a copy thereof to the bri- gadier-general commanding division. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, X. B. DEBRAY, Colonel, and Acting Brigadier- General. Capt. A. N. MILLS, Assistant Adjutant- General, Houston. GALVESTON, August 1~, 1863. SIR: I write hastily, through Dr. Holland, to state that the garrison of Galveston is in a most deplorable state of discipline. The day before yesterday Lucketts regiment refused to drill. I disarmed them. Yes- terday Cooks regiment refused to leave the batteries which they now hold. To attack them, I have but 150 men in Elmores regiment, these even of doubtful disposition, and my regiment, armed with indifferent musketoons. They are, however, steady, and I am at every moment apprehending a collision between the men of Cooks regiment and them. Threats have been uttered. I have no force to guard the ordnance armory, where the guns of Lucketts regiment have been deposited. The sappers and miners, I am just informed, refuse to work, claiming six months pay due. The alleged cause is the want of bread, the cornmeal now issued to the men being old and weevil-eaten, and indeed of inferior and detesta- ble quality. No flour on hand to be issued. The true cause, I believe, I can trace to seeds of discontent spread by bad citizens, the exciting speeches lately made here by political aspirants, and the talk of paroled prisoners from Yicksburg, who are, indeed, very demoralized and dis- satisfied. Brigadier-General Luckett arrived here yesterday; he has to-day issued an order promising good rations, and suspending drill until fur- ther orders. I wish the compromise may bring matters to a better standing, although I doubt it, and, if so, it will be only for a few days. The arrival of [N. C.] Goulds regiment and [W. H.] Griffins battalion here would only add fuel to the conflagration. My position here is difficult, having to depend exclusively upon my regiment, about 300 men, who, as I have stated above, are obnoxious to the balance of the garrison. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, X. B. DEBRAY, Golonel, and Acting Brigadier- General. Capt. EDMUND P. TURNER, Assistant Adjntant- General Page 244 244 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, SECOND DIVISION Galveston, August 12,1863. Sin: In pursuance of iiiy promise to inform you from day to day of the existing state of affairs in the garrison since the late disturbance, I have the honor to report that I have diligently endeavored to ascer- tain the cause of the mutinous feeling among the men, and, so far as I can learn, it is principally owing to the bad quality of the food issued to them. This, the original cause, has, I doubt not, been seized upon by some few designing men, who are using it in order to suit their own bad purposes, and will, I fear, unless checked in one way or another, end in open and general revolt. I had endeavored some time since to remedy this evil with respect to the bad quality of flour and meal, but without success, each new supply arriving being worse than the last. As to the actual condition of the flour and. meal sent to this garrison, there can be but one opin- ion; it is very bad, and utterly unfit to be issued; the flour is sour, and the meal sour and absolutely filled with weevils and worms. I regret to be compelled to state that mutiny was yesterday pretty generally developed in Cooks regiment, although more of a negative than demonstrative character, of the light artillery. Jones battery, I am informed, are inclined to sympathize with the malcontents. Elmore~ regiment continues to perform their duty as usual, but, from information that I have received, I cannot with any certainty count upon them in case of a collision. The cavalry, from all that I can gather from their officers and from personal observation, are loyal, and will stand by their officers and colors to the last extremity. Brigadier- General Luckett, arriving last evening, has assumed coin- mand, ~ and it is, therefore, at present, out of my province to make further report. I have the honor to remain very respectfully, your obedient servant, X. B. DEBRAY, Colonel, and Acting BrigadierGeneral. Capt. A. N. MILLS, Assistant Adjutant- General, houston. [Indorsement.] Respectfully forwarded for the information of the commanding gen- eral. Inclosure marked No. 1 also forwarded. P. N. LUCKETT, Acting Brigadier-General. [Inelosure No. 1.] GALVESTON, August 12, 1863. Capt. A. N. MILLS, Assistant Adjutant- General: In the communication sent to-day by General Debray, General Luck- ett wishes the words has assumed command, ~ erased before it is forwarded to General Magruder. WM. K. FOSTER, Gaptain, and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. See Inclosure No. 1, following Page 245 CHAP. XXXVIII.j MUTINY AT GALVESTON, TEX. 245 No. 3. Report of Cot. P. N. Luckett, Third Texas Infantry, commanding First Brigade, Second Division. GALVESTON, August 13, 1863. SIR: On the morning of the 11th instant 1 learned through a tele- grain from Galveston that a mutiny had broken out at that place the evening before, and that the Third Regiment of Infantry had been dis- armed. I immediately proceeded in person by that mornings train to Galveston, and found, upon consultation with the officers, that great discontent and dissatisfaction pervaded~almost the entire garrison, and that the afternoon before, the 11th instant, the Third Regiment of In- fantry had, at the usual hour for drilling, refused to turn out for that purpose. The officers used every effort to induce them to do so, but without effect, as the men replied they were willing to do all their gar- rison and other duties, but were too weak to drill four hours a day, & c. This state of things was promptly reported to Brigadier-General Debray, who caused the regiment to be surrounded by Debrays regi- ment of cavalry, Elmores regiment of infantry, and two light batteries at the evening or dress parade. These dispositions being made, the men were ordered to stack their arms, which they did promptly and without a word, and were marched to their quarters, and were guarded in them by Company D, Third Regiment of Infantry, Captain [J. B.] Hicks, whose men had turned out to drill. The afternoon of that day, the 11th instant, it was stated that Cooks regiment of artillery would also refuse to drill, and at the usual hour Brigadier-General Pebray visited the batteries, and found all but two of the companies at their posts, but that Company C, at Fort Ma- gruder, were in a state of mutiny and refused to drill, as also Company , at Fort Bankhead. The burden of the complaints made ~by the men was the character of the rations issued by the commissary department, these consisting of corn-meal, molasses, and fresh beef; the ~two first represented to be sour, dirty, and unwholesome. Some of the men also complained and wished for furloughs, stating they had not been permitted to visit their families, though they had been in the service for nearly two years. The opinion of a large ma- jority of the officers being given that there was really no disloyal senti- ment amongst the men, and also that three-fourths of the daily guard was detailed from the Third Regiment of Infantry, as usual, Briga- dier-General iDebray reporting that this was the case because he could not perform the garrison duty without them; and Lieutenant-Colonel Gray feeling well satisfied that the Third Regiment could be relied upon, I directed Brigadier-General iDebray to issue an order for their arms to be restored to them. I also issued an order suspending further drills until a better class of provisions could be obtained, and have caused a board of officers to be appointed to ascertain the extent of the disaffection and the causes. Until that board has made its report, I can give no more positive statement of the afihir than a mere expres- sion of opinion, based upon the verbal statements of the officers, to the effect that it was only intended as an expression of dissatisfaction at the quality of their food, and the amount of duty required of them dur- ing the extreme hot weather, a-nd was not prompted by any disloyalty to our cause, but that they took this course to bring their complaint Page 246 24C W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEN., N. MEN. [CHAP. XXXVIII. forward, thinking that thereby they would insure more prompt atten- tion. They all seem sensible that they adopted an improper mode of ex- pressing their grievances, and many are thoroughly ashamed. I must, injustice to Brigadier-General iDebray, state that his course was prompt and efficient, and I fully indorse his action, as I feel he could not have done less under the circumstances as they were presented to him. At the time General Debray disarmed the regiment, he was not aware of the extent of the dissatisfaction, which fact has had great influence ou my course of action, a full report of which will be forwarded when I receive the reports of a board I have ordered. Brigadier-General [W. R] Scurry arrived here this evening. At pres- ent I see no cause of alarm. I have the honor to be, your obedient servant p~ rs. UCKETT, Acting Brigadier- General, First Brigade, Second Division. Capt. EDMUND P. TURNER Assistant Adjutant-General. No. 4. General Orders, No. 139, Headquarters District of Texas, New Mevico and Arizona. GENERAL ORDERS, ~ HDQRS. P1ST. TEX., N. MEN., AND ARJZ., No. 139. Galveston, August 24, 1863. The commanding general received with feelings of deep mortification the intelligence of the mutinous and insubordinate conduct of a portion of the troops guarding the city and island of Galveston. He could hardly believe that the gallant men who so nobly supported him on the 1st of January, and shed so bright a halo of glory around our holy cause, could, within a few months, be so unmindful of their high obli~ gations and ~o unjust to themselves and the fair fame of their regiments as to exhibit a spirit of insubordination from such petty motives as dis- satisfaction with their rations and indisposition to drill or a desire for furloughs. The devoted soldiers of Texas, who have illustrated every battle-field in Virginia, Tennessee, Mississippi, and New Mexico by their heroism; who have lived for weeks on insufficient and uncooked food- who have borne with scanty clothing the snows and frosts of a rigorous climate, to which they had not been accustomed, without a murmur; who, leaving this State as cavalry, have drilled with little intermission from morning till night to perfect themselves as infantry; who have sacrificed every private preference to insure success against the conimon enemy, will hear with incredulity, and then believe with anguish, the tale which reflects such dishonor and disgrace upon their comrades left behind to defend their beloved State, their aged parents, their faithful wives and helpless children. The major-general commanding, while condemning, will be just to his troops, and takes great pleasure in making it known that, while some few of them have been misled by bad and thoughtless men, no trace of disaffection or disloyalty has made its appearance amon Page 247 247 CHAr. XXXVIII.] MUTINY AT GALVESTON, TEX. them; they have been ready to meet the enemy at any moment, an,d to welcome him with bloody hands to hospitable graves. Instead of taking the necessary means to inform the commanding general of the canses of their discontent, which, when properly presented, he would have promptly remedied, some few of the garrison of Gal- veston indicated a disposition to take the matter into their own hands. This the commanding general cannot too strongly condemn, nor can lie too fully indorse the course pursued by Acting Brigadier-General De- bray to reduce the insuboxdinate to obedience, whilst he is far from casting any censure on the course pursu~d by other officers in affairs which soon became so deplorably complicated. Indeed, the loyalty and devotion of the officers in their trying positions, with one or two excep- tions (now the subjects oC investigation), assure the commanding gen- eral that we will triumph over the domestic enemies of the country, if there be any, as we have done over those who have invaded our soil. The very steps taken by those who originated or participated in this insubordination are calculated to defeat the object they had in view, for the commanding general will never yield to force even that which his sense of justice and propriety would have dictated. At the moment when this spirit exhibited itself, but before he had the least suspicion of dissatisfaction, the commanding general was perfecting a plan, to be laid before the lieutenant-general commanding the department, by which he hoped to obtain, by means of cotton, the full ration of coffee for all the troops on this side of the Mississippi, and to improve the ration in other respects. Whether the lieutenant-general commanding will allow it under pres. ent circumstances is a matter of doubt. At all events the commanding general annonnces to the army under his command that the most per- fect obedience of all orders will be exacted from the troops, both officers and men, ou the one hand, whilst every attention will be paid to their comfort, their health, and rights, under the regulations, on the other hand. Drills will be resumed at once, under such regulations as Brigadier- General Debray may direct. The enemy not developing his plans immediately after the fall of Yicksburg, no furloughs could with propriety be granted. Judging from movements made within the last few days by the enemy, the com- manding general is of opinion that furloughs to alimited extent, and regulated by orders, can now be granted with comparative safety. These orders and regulations will be published within a few days, and the commanding general expects those who have for a moment forgot- teu their duties to the country and themselves to prove by their future condnct that they are still worthy of the confidence of their officers, of the conntry~ and of their more faithful comrades. In conclusion, the commanding general cannot too highly express his appreciation of the steadiness, patriotism, and fidelity exhibited during the late excitement by Debrays gallant regiment, by [W. G.] Moseleys light artillery, by the greater portion of the companies commanded by Captains Jones. and [George R.] Dashiell, and the companies of El- mores regiment remaining on the island, and by a portion of Cooks heavy artillery, and a small portion of the Third Texas Infantry. The eonntry has cause to thank them, their commanding general thanks them in orders, and, above all, when they look back in after years to the events of this glorious struggle~for liberty and independence, they will feel a just pride in having performed all their duties as faithful patriot soldiers, who were willing not only to shed their blood in th Page 248 248 W. FLA., S. ALA., S~ MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP XXXVIIt service of their country, but to endure every hardship and discomfort without a murmur for her sake. By command of J. Bankhead Magruder, major-general, commanding. W. T. CARRJNC-TON,, Lieutenant, and Acting A8sistant Adjutant- General. Commanding officers of regiments, battalions, or separate companies will have this order read to their commands and filed in the adj Utants office. No newspaper will ppblish. By command of J. Bankhead Magruder, major-general, commanding. W. T. CAItRTNGTON, Lieutenant, and Acting As8istant Adjutant- General. AUGUST 20SEPTEMBER 2, 1863.Expedition from Vicksburg, Miss., to Monroe, La., including skirmishes (24th) at Bayou Macon and at Floyd. Report of Brig. Gen. John D. Stevenson, U. S. Army, commanding Expe dition. flDQRS. THIRD DIVISION, SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Vicksburg, Miss., September 3, 1863. GENERAL: In pursuance of your written instructions of date August 20, 1863, I assumed command of the expedition designated by you as the Louisiana Expedition, consisting of the Third Division, Seventeenth Army Corps; Third Brigade, Sixth Division, Seventeenth Army Corps; Boltons and Sparrestroms batteries; the howitzer section of the Eighth Mk~higan Battery, and Major Osbands battalion of cavalry. On the 20th of August, the entire command was embarked on steam. boats, and transported to Goodrichs Landing, Carroll Parish, La., where it was debarked on the morning of the 21st of August. Resting until 4 a. m. of the 22d, we commenced the march in direction of Monroe, La. Pushing the command forward with all rapidity, we arrived at Monroe on the 27th instant. In the course of the march we first encountered the pickets of the enemy on the Bayou Tensas, they retiring before ou~ cavalry advance. At Bayou Macon, some show of a stand was made, but, being soon driven from their position by the command of Major Osband, the ford of the bayou was taken possession of~, and held until the advance of the infantry column reached the ford. I then directed Major Osband to push forward with his command to the town of Floyd, which he did with great promptness with a part of his command. Find- ing the place occnpied by rebel cavalry, he charged into the town, and, after a sharp skirmish, drove the enemy from the place, with the loss to them of a number of prisoners, and to his command of 1 enlisted man severely wounded. In the meantime, a portion of his command, being detached for that purpose, surprised the camp of a company of rebel cavalry south of the ford, destroying the camp, capturing 7 prisoners, the tents, and transportation of the force. The march from Floyd to Monroe was uninterrupted, with the exception of frequent feints of de- fense on the part of the enemy, they invariably fleeing on the approach of the command. The military results of the expedition were the break- ing up of the several camps at Floyd, Delhi, Monticello, Oak Ridge, and Monroe, and the precipitate flight of the enemy beyond the Washita River, in the direction of Shreveport. From the best information o Page 249 CakY. ~XVTTL) EXPEDITION FROM VIcRSEuRG, MISS. 24~ the force of the enemy, when aggregated, the whole being under the command of Brig. Gen. P. 0. ll6bert, I estimate their nominal strength at 4,000 men, all cavalry, with two pieces of artillery. I do not think the effective force exceeded 1 000 many of the men being unfit for duty on account of sickness. At & ak Ridge, and also at Monroe, we found a number of hospitals established, all of them crowded with sick. In the town of Monroe, the enemy abandoned a small amount of commis- sary stores and forage. I found the inhabitants well disposed, and many expressions of saf,isfaction at the occupancy 0f the place by the Federal Army. The evidences of residuary loyalty were marked, and, in my judgment, only require the certainty of the establishment of Fed- eral authority to assume the form of open declaration of attachment to the Federal Government, with demonstrative acts of loyalty for its maintenance. I found two small earthworks thrown up by the enemy on the west bank of the Washita, immediately opposite the town; they were not occupied. Three miles west of these works about 5,000 bales of Con- federate cotton had been collected and stored. This the enemy burned as they retired. I found the country in a high state of cultivation, with immense crops of corn and cotton maturing, and vast numbers of cattle fattening in the cane-brakes and swamps. I have no doubt but that forage and beef could be secured from this country in sufficient quanti. ties to supply the department for the ensuing winter. The cotton crops of the past two years. are ginned and baled on the plantations. So far as I could learn, no cotton has been burned west of Bayou Macon. I think I do not overestimate the cotton in this region that could be taken possession of by the Government in fixing the amount at 50,000 bales. The railroad, known as the Vicksburg and Shreveport Railroad, is not operated beyond Monroe. The rolling-stock is limitedfive engines and about fifty freight and two or three passenger cars. The road is in run- ning order to Delhi. Some small portion of the machinery of each en- gine was removed, to prevent the use of the road, but could easily be supplied. I did not consider the destruction of road or rolling-stock a military necessity, it being of no value for military purposes to the enemy. I therefore left them undisturbed. I remained at Monroe one day and night, and, having fully accom- plished the objects of the expedition, as expressed in your letter of instruction, commenced my return march on the 28th ultimo, reaching the Mississippi River on the morning of the 2d instant. Embarking the entire command on boats provided for that purpose, have returned the entire command to their respective commands at this post. The distance accomplished by the command was 152 miles marching, and about the same distance on boats. The endurance and spirit of the command during the entire expedition were of the highest order. It affords me much pleasure to bring to your special notice the fact that the march throughout the entire distance was marked by comparatively no acts of vandalism or plunder, the whole command treating all the inhabitants with the utmost forbearance and consideration, giving them no cause of complaint. To all the officers of the command I am indebted for the promptness and efficiency with which they discharged their several duties, and to it attribute the success of the expedition. Respectfully, JOHN D. STEVENSON, Brigadier- General, Commanding. Maj. Gen. J. B. McPmultsoN, Commanding Seventeenth Army Corps Page 250 250 w. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., iEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. AUGUST 20DECEMBER 16. 1863.Operations against Navajo Indians in New Mexico. :REIPORTS. No. 1.Col. Christopher Carson, First New Mexico Cavalry. No. 2.Capt. Rafael Chacon, First New Mexico Cavalry. No. 3.Capt. Joseph P. Hargrave, First California Infantry. N~. 4.Maj. Henry D~ Wallen, Seventh U. S. Infantry. No. 1. Reports of Col. Christopher Carson, First New 1lliexico Cavalry. HEADQUARTERS NAVAJO EXPEDITION, Fort Canby, N. JIliex., August 31, 1863. CAPTAIN, I have the honor to report, for information of the general commanding, that, on the morning of the 20th instant, the command left Pueblo Colorado to make an examination of the country north of that place, including the neighborhood of the Cation de Chelly. About 5 miles from camp found and destroyed about 10 acres of good corn; at the night camp, some 10 miles farther, found a patch of corn, which was fed to the animals. On the 21st instant, returned on the route of t~he previous day, about 2 miles, to the Cation Cito de los Trigos, which I had explored the night previous. This cation runs to northeast and southwest, with a small stream of clear water running through it; its sides are nearly perpen- dicular, averaging 150 feet high; its width about 300 feet; it is about 3 miles in length; found large quantities of pumpkins and beans, the lat- ter quite ripe, and about 50 acres of corn. Left this cation about 4 oclock p. in., and returned to the camp of the 20th, taking with me packed on the animals all the grain not previously consumed by them or destroyed by the command. When leaving the cation, I secreted 25 men, under Captain Pfeiffer, in two parties, believing that the Indians who owned this farm would return as soon as the troops had left. In this I was not disappointed, as but a short time elapsed before 2 Indians came to the fields. They were allowed to pass the first party, but, before get- ting in range of the second party, it fired on them. They were now between the two parties, when a chase ensued, and, although badly wounded, I am sorry to say the Indians escaped. While en route on the 22d, discovered the bodies of 2jndians killed by a party of Utes some short time since. About 10 oclock a. in., the command arrived at a large bottom, containing not less than 100 acres of as fine corn as I have ever seen. Here I determined to encamp, that I might have it destroyed. Just as the advance guard reached the cornfield, they discovered a Navajo, whom they pursued and killed. He slightly wounded 1 horse, with an arrow, in the neck. Lieutenant Fitch was in charge of the guard. At 8 a. m. on the 23d, arrived at the west opening of Cation de Chelly, but could find no water; about 112 miles farther found abundance of running water and good grass, and encamped. I made a careful exami- nation of the country on this days march, particularly in the imme- diate neighborhood of Cation de Chelly, and am satisfied that there are very few Indians in the cation, and these of the very poorest. They have no stock, and were depending entirely for subsistence on the corn destroyed by my command on the previous day, the loss of which wil Page 251 CHAP. XXXVIH4 OPERATIONS AGAINST NAVAJO INDIANS, N. MEX. 251 cause actual starvation, and oblige them either to come in and accept emigration to the Bosque Redondo, or to fly south to Red River to join the wealthy bands now there. I am inclined to think they will adopt the first of these conrses. On the 24th, 1 encamped on a bottom of very fine grass, which my animals were very much in need of. My guide informed m~ that Gen- eral Canby encamped here with his command for several days when on his campaign of 1860, at which time the Indians were very numerous and bold, coming in sight of the troops in large numbers on the high mesas to the left of the ronte. Now there is not one to be seen, nor has there been any in this vicinity for a long time. On the 25th, changed the direction of the line of march to northeast; we had heretofore been traveling due north; marched 15 miles; good grass and water. On the 26th, traveled about 12 miles in southeast direction over a fine stock-raising country. On the 27th, about 12 miles from the camp of the previous evening, crossed the stream that runs through the eastern opening of the Cafion de Chelly; encamped on a branch of this stream 4 miles farther on. I am of the opinion that in a very short time both these streams could be turned off, were it necessary to do so, and thus compel any Indians who might take refnge in that stronghold~to abandon it for want of water; general direction of this days march east-southeast. August 28, left camp at 6 a. in.; marched about 12 miles to camp; direction southeast. On the 29th, left camp at 6a.m.; when about 7 miles out, I sent a detachment, composed of Companies D and H, to a wheat field 5 miles east of the line of march, where they killed an Indian; marched 3 miles farther and encamped; sent at night two detachments, one under Cap- tain Everett toward Caflon de Chelly, and one under Lieutenant Dowlin to examine mountains east of the days route; both parties returned next day. The party under Lieutenant Dowlin discovered 1 Indian mounted, buI~ owing to the excitability of 3 of the men, he discovered the party in time to effect his escape; his horse was captured, having a wound in his back, caused by a ball passing through the saddle, and which, I think, must have injured the rider. Captain Everett saw no Indians or signs. On the 31st, I arrived at this post. On the 8th instant, an employd of the quartermasters department at this post, named lloffsletter, captured and brought into post an In- dian, who stated that he came in to have a talk with his white brethren; his statement not being believed by the post con~mander, he was con- fined. While attempting to escape on the night of the 12th instant, he was killed. I respectfully call the attention of the general commanding to Major Blakeneys report of the killing of 1 Indian and the capture of 3 others, 2 of whom escaped. From all I can learn, these Indians came in with a flag of truce, and I cannot but regret that they were not better re- ceived (when received at all), and kept until my arrival. The Indian who was here on my arrival is about seventy years of age, and is called Little Foot. I have examined him, and he states that he came from the salinas southwest of Zulu to Chusco, where his people live, and that he came here to make arrangements to comply on the part of his peo- ple with the wishes of the general commanding, and that his people were destitute, and were ready to go to the Bosque Redondo, or any- where else the general was disposed to send them. I believe him t Page 252 252 W.E~LA., s. ALA., S. MISS., LA,, TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. have spoken in good faith, and have set him at liberty, giving him twelve days to return with his people, at which time he promises to be here. In summing up the results of the last months scout, I congratulate myself on having gained one very important point, viz, a knowledge of where the Navajoes have fled with their stock, and where I am certain to find them. I have also gained an accurate knowledge of a great portion of the country, which will be of incalculable benefit in our future operations. I have ascertained that a large party of Navajoes are on Salt River, near the San Francisco Mountains, among the Apaches, and within easy striking distance of Pima villages. I would respectfully suggest that a force operating against them from that point would greatly facilitate the entire subjugation of the Navajo nation. I am about to send the command just returned to the camp 7 miles south of this post, where they will remain a few days to recruit their animals and refit, previous to proceeding to Red River. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, C. CARSON Colonel First New Mexico Volunteers, Commanding. Capt. BENJ. C. CUTLER, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Hdqrs. Dept. of New Mexico, Santa Fl, N. ]Ifex. HEADQUARTERS NAVAJO EXPEDITION, Fort Canby, N Mex., October 5, 1863. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report, for the information of the gen- eral commanding, my arrival at this post to-day, off a scout of twenty- seven days. On the 9th ultimo, I left camp at the Cienega Amarilla, 7 miles south of this post, with Companies D, G, H, K, L, and M uni 10 officers and 395 enlisted men and 192 horses. nbering On the 11th, I arrived at Zulu, where I met Surveyor-General Clark and escort returning from the newly discovered mines. From Captain Pishon, First Cavalry, California Volunteers, who was in command of the escort, I learned that he had seen no fresh trails of Navaj oes on the Little Colorado; but nevertheless I determined to examine that section of country, with a view to future operations, an~l hoping that by proceeding some distance below, where the road leaves the river, I might surprise some party, who, calculating upon the fact that no pre- vious expedition had penetrated that portion of the country, would be there with their herds in fancied security. The Governor of Zufli furnished 3 men as guides to the river, and I was accompanied by about 20 others, who desired thus to show their friendship to the whites and their enmity to the Navajoes. That they are not on friendly terms with the Navajoes, and are desirous to aid us in every possible manner, I am fully satisfied, not alone from their professions, but from having seen the dead bodies of some Navajoes whom they had recently killed in an engagement, and from other facts which have come under my observation. They I~ave a considerable quantity of corn, which they are willing to sell to the Government, and my chief quartermaster is making the necessary arrangements for its purchase. I encamped 4 miles southwest of their village, and remained in camp until 4 p. m~ next day, when I started, traveling all night, and arriving at next water (Jacobs Well), 35 miles from Zului, about 3 a. m. om the 13th Page 253 ChAr. XXXVIII.] OPERATIONS AGAINST NAVAJO INDIANS, N. MEX. 253 The grass in this vicinity was not good, and in the afternoon I moved to a spring 9 miles farther. Before leaving camp, I sent some in- fantry with the Zufii Indians to examine the mountains south and east of our route. From these springs the road to the Little Colorado leads for 30 miles over the finest grass country I have ever seen; but there is no permanent water. Encamped about 7 p. m. on the edge of an arroyo, where we found some water-holes; little water and very muddy. Moved camp next day 2 miles to some more holes of same description. Here I left the packs and infantry, under Capt. F. McCabe, directing him to proceed to the river next day, it being. but 15 miles distant, while I proceeded with the mounted men of my command to examine the country north- west of our line of march. I left camp at sundown, under the guid- ance of an enlisted man of Company M, who professed knowing the country. About 10 p. m. found my guide ignorant of our whereabouts, and encamped. About 4p. m. next day, found some very muddy rain- water, and encamped; about 40 miles since previous evening. I saw no indications of Indians. On the 17th, joined the pack train on the river, having marched about 35 miles. Learned from Captain McCabe th~t the Zufli Indians had returned to the village, having taken about 50 head of sheep and goats from the Navajoes. The 3 guides returned with them. On the 22d, some fresh signs reported by my spies. I sent forward in the evening Captains Pfeiffer and Deus and Lieutenants llodt, Hubbell, and Postle, with 126 enlisted men, with directions to march all night, so as to get to the Rapids near daylight. I myself fAlowed up next morning with the remainder of the command. On the 24th, was joined by Captain Pfeiffers party. At the Rapids they saw and pursued 7 Kavajoes with about 15 horses; but, ewing to the broken- down condition of our horses, the Indians escaped. They captured 1 child. I examined the river thoroughly a distance of 85 miles from where the Califoi~nia road first strikes it, and am satisfied that no In- dians have been on the river within this distance since last spring, ex- cepting this party of 7 seen by Captain Pfeiffer. On the 25th, com- menced our return march on the river. On the 27th, I selected the best of the animals (horses and mules), and, with 7 officers and 148 enlisted men, determined to explore the country from the Colorado north to Fort Can.by. The remainder of the command, under Capt. J. Thompson, I directed to return to the post by easy marches on the rotite we came. Marched 15 miles up the river, and encamped until 6.30 p. in., when we left the river. On the 30th, about 60 miles from the river, we arrived at our fourth camp of the previous scout, when en route for Moqui. At quarter to 7 a. in., on the 2d instant, halted in a small caflon to breakfast, and to rest and water the animals. Saw fresh Indian signs, and had the country in the vicinity examined discovered a small village, which had just been abandoned. This I had destroyed. We found in it 6 sad4les and bridles, 1 rifle, some blankets and other property, which we destroyed. The parties I sent out captured 19 animals, part of which were wild mares; 7 of the latter got away, and, with my broken.down animals, I was unable to recover them. No Indians were discovered. Three men left the camp, without my knowledge, to hunt up the mules. They did not again join the command until its arrival at this post, where they arrived yesterday evening. They were attacked by a party of Indians when within 5 miles of this post, One of whom they killed. One of the men named Artin, a private of Company G, being a littl Page 254 254 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIIL in advance, was very severely wounded, tho~igh it is expected he will recover. The Indians captured his mule. On the 3d of October, I arrived at the J~ira, about 8 miles south of the Pueblo Colorado. Lieutenant Postle here discovered an Indian, whom he pursaed with 6 men. Being in advance of his party, he over- took the Indian, whom he wounded in three places, when he was him- self slightly wounded by the Indian. Captain Thompsons command has not yet arrived, but is expected on the 7th instant. This scout, I am sorry to say, was a failure as regards any positive injury inflicted on the Kavajoes; but the fatigues and hardships under- gone by my command are fully compensated for by increased knowledge of the country, and of the haunts of the Navajoes with their stock. I would respectfully call the attention of the general commanding to the fact that since leaving the river the animals of my command have had but five days rations of corn; that since that time they have been almost constantly in the field, and operating in a country where grass has only been found at long intervals, and where the supply of water is pncertain and too irregular for marching columns. The only excep- tion to this has been while east of Caiion de Chelly and on the Little Colorado; and that at no time since their arrival in this country have they been in an efficient condition for field service. The result of all this is, that I cannot again this winter take the field with a mounted force; and as I believe the animals to be too poor to stand the rigors of a winter at this place, I respectfully suggest the economy of having them wintered on the Rio Grande. I am now about to operate in de- tached parties on foot, which plan of campaign I shall continue during the winter. One party of 75 men will leave this post to-morrow morn- ing. Little Foot did not come in as prom4sed, and I shall send a party immediately to hunt him up at Chusco. I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, C. CARSON, Colonel First New Mexico Cavalry, Commanding Expedition. Capt. BENJ. C. CT3TLER. Asst. AdjI. Gem, Hdqrs. Dept. of New Mexico, Santa P6, N. Mex. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO Santa P6, N. Alex., December 20, 1863. Brig. Gen. LORENZO THOMAS, Adjutant-General, U. S. Army, Washington, D. C.% GENERAL: Inclosed herewith please find the official report of Colonel Carsons last scout after the Navajo Indians. I beg to call the atten- tion of the War Department to what he says of the destitute condition of that peaceable and gentle tribe of Indians known as the Moquis. A copy of a private letter from Maj. Henry IA. Wallen, U. S. Army, commanding at Fort Sumner~ N. Mex., will be found inclosed herewith.* It gives an interesting acconut of the feelings, condition, aud prospects of the Apache and Navajo Indians gathered together at that point. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES H. CARLETON, Brigadier- General, Commanding. - * See letter of December ii, 1S63, p. 844 Page 255 CHAP. XXXVIII.] OPERATIONS AGAINST NAVAJO INDIANS, N. MEX. 255 II~ADQUARTERS NAVAJO EXPEDITION, Fort Canby, N. ]Jiiex., December 6, 1863. CAPTAIN: 1 have the honor to report, for the information of the department commander, that on the 15th ultimo I left this post with Companies C, D, G, II, and L, First Cavalry, New Mexico Volun- teers, dismounted, for the purpose of exploring the country west of the Oribi villages, and, if possible, to chastise the Navajoes inhabiting that region. On the 16th, I detached 30 men, with Sergt. Andreas ilerrera, of Com- pany C, First Cavalry, New Mexico Volunteers, on a fresh trail which intersected our route. The sergeant followed the trail for about 20 miles, when he overtook a small party of Navajoes, 2 of whom he killed, wounded 2, and captured 50 head of sheep and 1 horse. En route the party came on a village lately deserted, which they destroyed. The energy and zeal displayed by the sergeant and his party on tkis occa- sion merit my warmest approbation. On the 21st, arrived at the Moqni village. I found on my arrival that the inhabitants of all the villages, except the Oribi, had a misunder- standing with the Navajoes, owing to some injustice perpetrated by the latter. I took advai4age~ of this feeling, and succeeded in obtaining representatives from all the villages, Oribi excepted, to accompany me on the war-path. My object in insisting npon parties of these people accompanying me was simply to involve them so far that they could not retractto bind them to us, and place them in antagonism to the Navajoes. They were of some service, and manifested a great desire to aid in every respect. While on this subject, I would respectfully repre- sent that these people, numbering some 4,000 sonls, are in a most deplor- able condition, from the fact that the country for several miles around their villages is quite barren and is entirely ~1estitute of vegetation. They have no water for purposes of irrigation, and their only depend- ence for subsistence is on ~the little corn, they raise when the weather is propitious, which is not always the case in this latitude. They are a peaceable people; have never robbed nor murdered the people of New Mexico, and are in every way worthy of the fostering care of the Government. Of the bounty so unsparingly bestowed by it on the other Pueblo Indians, aye, even on marauding bands, they have never tasted, and I earnestly recommend that the attention of the Indian Bu- reau be called to this matter. I understand that a couple of years annuities for the Navajoes, not distributed, are in the possession of the superintendent of Indian affairs at Santa F6, and I consider that, if sucl~ an arrangement would be legal, these goods would be well bestowed on these people. Before my arrival at Oribi, I was credibly informed that the people of that village had formed an alliance with the Navajoes, and on reach- ing there I caused their governor and another of their principal men to be bound, and took them with me as prisoners. The first days~ march from their village I unbound them, and during the time they were with me they conducted themselves well. From the Oribi village I marched my command 65 miles, with but one halt of two hours, and at 2 a. m. on the 24th I arrived at a running stream, a tributary of the Little Colorado. Next day my command captured 1 boy and 7 horses and destroyed an encampment. The mounted party, while out scout- ing that day, had 2 horses give out, and when the riders were return- ing to camp they passed 3 concealed Indians, one of whom fired off his rifle in the air and then rode toward them. On his approach, the soldiers were going to shoot him, but owing to his ge~ticulatin Page 256 256 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. they allowed him to draw nigh. He had 2 rjfles on his saddle, both of which the soldiers took, after which they allowed him to depart as he came. One of the rifles was recognized by the Moquis as belonging to Manuelita, a chief of great influence. It is more than probable that the Indian, whoever he was, desired to have an interview with me, but was deterred by the hostile attitude of the soldiers. On the 25th, we captured 1 woman and child, about 500 head of sheep and goats, and 70 head of hoi-ses, and destroyed another In- dian encampment. There were 5 Indians with this herd, but on our approach they fled. About 3 miles from their encampment the spies gave us the information. The mounted party and a few of the officers immediately rode forward. Captain McCabe, Lieutenant Dowlin, Mr. J. C. Edgar, myself, and Lieutenants Murphy and Montoya, with those of the mounted party, were the first to arrive at the herd, but only in time to see the Indians climbing the very steep side of the caiion of the Little Colorado, where their herd was, and ont of our reach. The con- duct of the above-named gentlemen on this occasion is worthy of com- mendation. Had our horses been in a fit condition, there is no doubt but that we would have been enabled to overhaul these Indians, bu tthey were unable to travel sufficiently quick, owing to the fact that they had been the three days previous without sufficient rest, and with but little grass. I encamped on the table-lands of the river; and that night sent out spies, who, on their return, informed me that the Kavajoes were in the vicinity. At daylight next morning I sent out two parties of 50 men each, under the command of Captains PfeilThr and McCabe to ex- amine the localities indicated by the spies as occdpied by the Navajoes. The parties returned to camp late at night without having found any Indians, although they fonnd every indication of where they had recently been; in some ~daces the fires were still burning. From this place to where the Navajoes went is three days march, without water, as I am informed by a Mexican boy taken captive some time since by the Navajoes and recaptured by Captain McCabe. This my animals could not stand, and I was reluctantly obliged to let them go unmo- lested. Our camp of this day is about 25 miles northwest of the San Francisco Mountains. On my return to Moqui, I took a different route from the one I came, but on neither route is water to be found for a distance of at least 50 miles. While en route on the morning of the 3d instant, I descried at a distance the smoke of an Indian encampment. I took with me the mounted party and,50 infantry, with the hope of being able to surprise them. After a rapid march of about 8 miles, we came to the valley, at the opposite side of which were the Indians, but being obliged to de- scend a steep hill in view of the Indians (of whom there were 5), they managed to escape. They left behind them their shields, clothing, & c., and we captured 1 horse and 4 oxep. I arrived yesterday at this post, and as soon as the animals are suf- Iiciently rested, I shall send a command to examine the Caiion de Chelly, and the smaller caflon which intersects it. Were I not of the opinion that but few, if any, Navajoes are in the caiion, I should have paid it a visit long since, but of that I convinced myself while in that vicinity in September To the Zuiii Indians, whom I employed as spies, I am greatly indebted for the zeal and ability displayed by them, particularly their governors, Mariano and Salvadore, the latter of whom acted as my interpreter with the other Indians. The boy who was taken by us on the 24th ultimo I allowed to go off, that he might communicate to the Navajoes the intentions of the ge Page 257 CHAr. XXXVIII.] OPERATIONS AGAINST NAVAJO INDIANS, N. MEX. 257 eral commanding in regard to them, of which I took particular pains to inform him. It is quite possible that, owing to the extended operations of our armies elsewhere, those of my command may be overlooked, but I will venture to assert that no troops of the United States have ever before been called upon to endure as many hardships as did the men of my command on this scout, and I am proud to say that all was borne with the ntmost cheerfulness, both of officers and men. Inclosed I have the honor to transmit a report of Maj. F. P. Abreli, commanding at this post, and reports of other officers of his command.* I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, C. CARSON, Colonel First Cavalry, New Mexico Vols., Comdg. Expedition. Capt. BENJ. C. CUTLER, Asst. Adjt. Gen.,~ Hdqrs., Dept. of New Mexico, & tnta F~, N. lIlex. No. 2. Report of Capt. Rafael Chacon, First New ]Jiliexico Cavalry. FORT WINGATE, N. MEX. SIR: In conformity with Orders, No. 72, from these headquarters, I started for the Navajo country on the 23d of August last, with 40 en- listed men, and Second Lient. Martin Quintana, of my company. August 23.Went to Cebolletta, and encamped for the night; wood, water, and grass in abundance; distance, 18 miles. August 24.From this point I started about 1 oclock in the morning in a southwesterly direction, and stopped to rest at an arroyo, which was full of rain-water; distance, 18 miles. I left this point and camped for the night in the Llano de los Beteados, same general direction; abundance of rain-water in holes, also of grass, but no wood; total dis- tance traveled to-day, 35 miles. As yet no fresh sign of Indians. August 25.Left this place during the night, still keeping the same direction, and traveled for about 12 miles, and found a lagoon of water, and rested. In the afternoon I left this place, and reached the IRito Quemado, where I encamped for the night, with abundance of water, grass, and wood~ total distance traveled, 33 miles. No Indians seen. August 26.Left the Itito Quemado during the night, pursuing the same general direction, and, after traveling about 15 miles, arrived at La Cahada de Josd Largo, where I rested for three or four hours. From this point 1 returned to the Rito Quemado in a northwesterly direction, and encamPed in the valley of the Quemado, without water; abundance of grass and wood; distance traveled, 34 miles. August 27.From this point I left during the night and traveled in a westerly direction, and stopped to rest at the Salt Lakes of Zniii (salinas), and rested for a few hours in order to water the horses and mules. After my animals were somewhat refreshed, I left this place, and soon as we got on the high ground we espied some Navajoes, whom we immediately pursued, and we succeeded in killing 2 and capturing 1 full-grown In- dian, 2 grown women, and 5 small children. The man (Indian) informed me that on the head of the Colorado Chiquito there were over 2,500 Navajo Indians trading with the Coyote Apaches, and that he was on *Not found. 17 U UVOL XXVI, PT Page 258 258 w. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. his way from Jemes with powder and lead, for the purpose of trading with the INavajoes. He also informed me that the Kavajoes residing in Jemes are continnally trading powder and lead with these Indians (the warlike); he himself had in his possession a very fine rifle, and an abundance of powder and lead. IDnring the night of the same day, I dispatched a sergeant, with 15 men, in order to att~k some Navajo huts which the captive Indian promised to show to us. Upon arriving at the place, they discovered that the Indians had all fled; the captive also attempted to escape, but did not succeed, as he was killed by one of the soldiers who had him in charge. On this day I traveled iu various directions, and at night I encamped at a lagoon full of rain-water, about 18 miles south of the Salt Lakes; there was also an abundance of grass and wood. Total distance traveled, about 26 miles. August 28.I left this place about 3 oclock in the morning toward Cienega Amarilla, nearly due west. At this point 1 found a great many Indians, but they got sight of us and fled. They traveled all day in au easterly direction, and during the night took a westerly direction, mak- ing a sort of triangle. I remained all day at the Cienega Amarilla, and kept my spies out, in order that they might see the direction of the dust. IDitring the night I left this place, and, after traveling about four hours, arrived within 2 miles of where the Indians were. Attacked at day- break but although they exceeded the number of 150, they immediately fled in all directions. We here captured 7 children, and recovered a captive Mexican boy named Agapito Apodaca from Ticolote; also 1,500 head of sheep and goats, 17 head of horses, mules, burros, and colts. We killed 2 men and 1 squaw during the skirmish, and I ordered all their equipage which we captured to be burned. There were some old guns and pistols which were captured, which were also burned, as they were not worth the trouble to pack them. At this place there is, no water. August 29.From this place I took a southeasterly direction, in order to strike the Colorado Chiquito as soon as possible, as my animals were sadly in want of water; arrived at the Colorado Chiquito, I met Captain llargrave, First Infantry, California Volunteers, with his company; we camped together at this place, distant from the Cienega Amarilla about 25 miles. During the night, I sent off 20 mounted men up the river, in order to see if they could discover anything of Indians; they returned the next day, and reported nothing in sight except the tracks. August 30.From this place we traveled down the river, in order to strike the Zuili road. On our return to the fort, we encamped on the river that night, 8 miles distant from our last camp. August 31, September 1 and 2.During these three days made about 67 miles, and camped at Peihas Negras, about 4 miles east of Znfii an tam llargrave camped at Zufli; abundance of wood, water, d Cap- and grass. Septensber 3.From last camp I marched to the Pescado Spring and encamped; distance about 112 miles. Captain llargrave, who had over- taken me and passed me in the morning before I left camp, had his mules driven off by the Indians. Immediately upon my arrival, I sent off 10 men (mounted) in pursuit, but they returned on the next day, reporting that they had not been able to overtake the mules, as they had been divided into bands, and also as a large part of their horses gave out entirely. It is my opinion that the Znilii Indians had a hand in this robbery, and my opinion is further strengthened by what Jesus Alriso says about the matter, viz, that when he and the soldiers were on the trail in~ pursuit, a lot of Zufii Indians who were pretending to be gui Page 259 CHAP. XXXVIII.] OPERATIONS AGAINST NAVAJO INDIANS, N. MEX. 259 ing them, would run across the trail, and also in different directions excepting the one in which the trail went, thereby apparently trying to mislead themat any rate to delay them nutil night would come on and our men then would not be able to follow the trail on account of the darkness; and it is also more than probable that even if Navajoes did steal them, they were in their town (at the Pescado) with the Zuflis when Captain Hargraves company arrived. & jptember 4, 5, 6, and 7.Traveled by the old Zuihi road toward the fort, and arrived without any further difficulty, excepting that during the 6th I missed one of my men, and, after inquiring about him, I learned that he had not been seen since the night before, while we were on the march. I seat back 4 men from the Aqua Fria in search of him, but they were unable to find him. He since arrived at the post, and ap- pears to be somewhat out of his head. He reports that this. side of In- scription Rock he was pursued by a large number of Indians, and when he discovered they were gaining on him, he threw himself off his horse, and hid himself among the rocks, and in this way he escaped. During my entire trip none of my men were either wounded or sick, and I am happy to say that of the property Ii took with me I have lost but 1 horse. The total number of Indians killed is 6 men and 2 women; captured 14 captives, large and small, and res cue(L 1 Mexican captive; also 1,500 head of sheep and goats and 17 head of horses, mules, burros, and colts. Respectfully submitted. RAFAEL CHACON, Captain First New Mexico Volunteers. Lient. Col. J. F. CHAVES, First New Mexico Vols., Comdg. Officer, Fort Wingate, N. Mex. No. 3. Report of Capt. Joseph P. iliaryrave, First California infantry. FORT WINO-ATE, IN. MEX., September 8, 1803. Sin: I have the honor to report that, pursuant to Orders, No. 72, cur- rent series, from headquarters Fort Wingate, dated August 21~ 1863, I left this post on the 22d ultimo with 44 men of my company (C), First Infantry, California Volunteers, on our expedition against the Navajoes. According to instructions, I proceeded to the Zuili villages with wagons; reached that place on the 25th, a distance of 75 miles. At ZuSi, I left the wagons, extra animals, and stores in charge of a guard, consisting of Sergeant Boone and 3 men, and started the next morning, 26th instant, with pack-mules for the Little Colorado, going via the Ojo Venado; reached the river on the 28th, the distance being about 65 miles. The next morning started up the river, keeping well into the hills to avoid being seen. - Having gone about 10 miles, saw a party of Indians on the river, perhaps 40 in number. We approached cautiously and unobserved to within about 2,000 yards, and seeing that, froni the nature of the ground, it was impossible to get closer without coining in plain view, we made a run for them, but as they had not unsaddled their horses, they mounted and got off before we got within gunshot of them. We pursued them several miles, but to no purpose; they, being well mounted, soon left us in the distance. We then scoured the country for several miles around, and captured about 500 head of sheep; saw a few Indians, but failed to get withi Page 260 - 260 w. FLA., s. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAr. XXXVIII shooting tlistance. In the afternoon met and joined Capt. R. Chacon, First New Mexico Volunteers, w horn I deem the proper person to report the further proceedings of the expedition. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. P. IIARGRAVE, Captain First Infantry, California Volunteers. [Lieut. Col. J. F. CHAVES,] Commanding Officer, Fort Wingate, N. ]Jliex. No. 4. Report of Maj. Henry D. Wallen, Seventh U. S. infantry. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO, Santa P6, N. iJiex.. December 23, 1863. GENERAL: Please find inclosed herewith a report of M aj. Henry D. Wallen, Seventh U. S. Infajiitry, commanding Fort Sumner, N. Mex., of a fight which took place within 35 miles of that post between parties sent out from the post and 130 Navajo Indians. The result was, 12 Navajoes were left dead upon the field, and 1 was taken prisoner. Many were doubtless wounded, but these were borne away. Our people recaptured 9,889 sheep and a good deal of other property. I beg to call your attention to the conduct of Lieutenant Newbold, Fifth U. S. Infantry, who led the handful of cavalry; and also to the conduct of Mr. Lorenzo Labadie, Indian agent, and to the gallant cl~ap- lain of Fort Sumner, the Rev. Mr. Fialon. These two gentlemen, at the head of 30 Mescalero Apache Indians from the reservation at Fort Sum- ner (Apaches who one year ago were our mortal enemies), did most all the work, as they were fortunate in being the first to encounter the NaVajoes. Captain Bristol and Lieutenant McDermott, Fifth U. S. Infantry, at the head of their companies, manifested the utmost zeal and alacrity on this occasion, but were unable to get up in time to participate in the affair. It was a handsome little battle on the open plains. The Apache chiefs, Cadette and Blanco, were very distinbuished. One of their braves, named Alazan, was mortally wounded. I b~g to have authority to issue a suit of clothes to each of these 30 Apaches who took part in this fight. The Government should give them some token of its appreciation of such fidelity and gallantry. They volunteered for the service, and fought without the hope of reward. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES H. CARLETON, Brig. Gen. LoRENZo THOMAS, Brigadier. General, Commanding. Adjutant. General, U. S. Army, Washington, D. C. HEADQUARTERS, Fort Sumner, N. ]tTex., December 18, 1863. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report to the general commanding the department that about 4 oclock on the morning of the 16th instant, Mr. Labadie, Indian agent, and the Rev. Mr. Fialon, chaplain of the post, reported to me that a large number of Navajo Indians, with an im- mense herd of sheep, were at the Carretas. I immediately had the offi- cers of Company D, Fifth, and Company C, Seventh Infantry, awakened, and their companies prepared to take the field, with two days ration Page 261 CHAP. xxxviii.) OPERATIONS AGAINST ~!AVAJO INDIANS, N. MEX. 261. in haversacks. Lieutenant Latimer, with 8 mounted men of Company B, Second Cavalry, California Yolunte.ers (all the cavalry at the post), was also got in readiness. Mr. Labadie, Mr. Fialon, and about 30 Apache Indians also started in pursuit. The companies left the post at 5.30 a. in., for the Carretas. The mounted party and the Indian agent, with his Indians, outstripped the party on foot, having taken up the Navajo trail on the west bank of the Pecos River, and about 10 miles from the post. At a distance of 35 miles in a direct line, a little north of west from Fort Sumner, they overtook the Navajoes, in number about 130, 10 mounted aiid 20 armed with rifles, and 5,259 sheep. A severe contest ensued, in which the Kavajoes lost 12 killed and left on the field ,and, a number killed and wounded who were carried off, 1 pris- oner taken, all the sheep recovered, amounting to 5,259, 13 burros, 4 rifles, 1 horse, their provisions, blankets, moccasins (150 pairs), and pretty much all the elThcts taken from Mr. Labadies train en route to this place. I beg respectfully to call the attention of the commanding general to the gallant conduct of Mr. Labadie, Privates Loder and Osier, of Company B, Second Cavalry, California Volunteers, Ojo Blanco, and Ca- dette, the chiefs of the two bands of Apaches on the reservation, Alazan, an Apache, who was badly wounded, and the Apaches generally, who rendered signal service. Lieutenant Newbold, with 3 men, pursued the flying Navajoes for 3 miles beyond the scene of action, but from the great number of the enemy and the exhausted condition of his horses, was obliged to desist from farther pursuit. us zeal on this occasion was highly commend- able. The infantry, under command of Captain Bristol and Lieutenant Mc- Dermott, Fifth Infantry, marched rapidly in heavy sand and snow about 24 miles, when word was sent to Captain Bristol from the front that farther pursuit by the infantry would be unnecessary, when he returned to the fort. I am under obligations to the chaplain, Rev. Mr. Fialon, for riding back alone in the night from the battle-ground in order to secure con- veyance for the wounded Apache. At daylight on the 17th, the surgeon with an ambulance was dispatched to bring in the wounded man; but before reaching the camp the Indian had died. The Kavajoes, just before reaching the Pecos, were alarmed by some pistol-shots discharged from a wagon train that left the post that morn- ing, and abandoned 4,630 sheep, which were secured by the Mexicans attached to the train. On the morning of the 17th, I dispatched Lieutenant McDermott, with 10 mounted men and 6 Apaches, to collect the herd and bring it to the post, that the sheep may be properly distributed; and I await instructions from the commanding general with regard to the distrihu. tion of both herds of sheep, 9,889 in all. IDelgadito, the chief of the peace party of Kavajoes now at the post, called on me this morning, and expressed his pleasure that the La- drones (as he termed them) had been chastised, and begged that I would permit him on the next occasion to join the scouting party with some of his men. I am, captain, very re~pectfully, your obedient servant, II. D. WALLEN, ~iJiajor Seve~nth U., S. Infantry, Gommanding. Capt. Br~j. C. CUTLER, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Dept. of New Mexico, Santa P~, N. ]lThx Page 262 262 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., mx., N. MEX. [OHAP. XXXVIII. AUGUST 2930, 1863.Mutiny at Camp hubbard, Thibodeaux, La. Proeee~ings of a lliliilitary Commission, and Correspondence. PROCEEDINGS OF A MILITARY COMMISSION ASSEMBLED AT THIBO- DEAUX, LA., SEPTEMBER 5, 1863, BY VIRTUE OF THE FOLLOWING ORDERS: GENERAL ORDERS, ~ IIDQRS. DEFENSES OF. NEW ORLEANS, No. 46. New Orleans, La., Sept ember 4, 1863. A military commission, consisting of Co 1. IE. L. Molineux, One hun- dred and fifty-ninth New York Volunteers, Lieut. Col. Charles A. Burt, One hundred and fifty-ninth New York Volunteers, Lieut. aol. J. Tar- bell, Ninety-first New York Volunteers, iMiaj. W. M. Rexford, One hun- dred and thirty.first New York Vo]unteers, and Capt. George H. Whea- ton, One hundred and thirty-first New York Volunteers, is appointed to meet at Camp Hubbard, to in qnire into the cause of the mutiny, its course and suppression, in the First Louisiana Cavalry. This investigation will be prompt, and sit without regard to~ day or hour. By command of Col. E. G. Beckwith, con~manding Defenses of New Orleans: W. D. SMITH, Lieutenant- Colonel, and- Aeting Assistant Adjutant- General. THIBODEAUX, LA., September 5, 1863. The court met pursuant to the above order at Thibodeaux, La., Sat- urday, September 5, 1863, and after being duly sworn (the members by the recorder and the recorder by the president), proceeded to the ex- amination of witnesses. Lieut. Col. HARAI ROBINSON, being duly sworn, deposes and says: My name is Ilarai Robinson. I am lieutenant-colonel of the First Louisiana Cav- alry. I was charged with the execution of Special Orders, 209, Paragraph VIII, Department of the Gulf (a copy of which is hereunto annexed, marked A). I was delayed in the execution of the order by having to send to Donaldsonville for the strag- glers and Government property, an~d to allow the officers of the late Second Rhode Island Cavalry necessary time to make out descriptive lists of the men and inventories Qf public property. They informed me none wished to remain; none wished to apply for commissions in the First Louisiana Cavalry. They did not hesitate in telling me that in their opinion I should never be able to do anything with their men. They further said to me that, as they understood Special Orders, 209, Paragraph VIII, Department of the Gulf; they themselves were already discharged the service. In reply to which I intimated to them that certainly no certificates of honorable dis- charge would he given them if they permitted the men that they had there present to desert before they were consolidated, or failed scrupulously to turn over to the regimental quartermaster of the First Louisiana Cavalry all public property. The officers of the Second Rhode Island Cavalry had Thil control of their men up to August 29, when they informed me that all their papers were ready. On this day, at 4 p. in., the First Louisiana Cavalry assembledfor dress-parade. The officers of the Second Rhode Island Cavalrywere instructed to form their line in front of and facing the First Louisiana Cavalry, 40 yards distant. Special Orders, 209, Para~raph VIII, Department of the Gulf, was then for the first time read by the adjutant to the First Louisiana Cavalry, the First Louisiana Cavalry being at ordered arms. I turned with my staff to the Second Rhode Island Cavalry, the commamihng officer of which had to receive a peremptory order before the men or the officers were brought to a salute. The adjutant of the First Louisiana Cavalry was then instructed by me to read to theni Special Orders, 209, Paragraph VIII, Dc- partment of the Gulf. Instantaneously, and as if by accord, a tumultuous and general No, no, was uttered from one end of the line to the other. I thou assumed command of them in person, ordered sabers to be presented. After hesitating and wavering, they eiecuted the order. Saberswere then ordered to be carried and returned. Men ordere Page 263 CHAP. XXXVIII.] MUTINY AT THIBODEAIJX, LA. to dismount, and form ranks as preparatory to fighting on foot. A detachment of the First Louisiana Cavalry was then sent to relieve the horse-holders and to take the horses from the ground. In order to divide the h~te Second Rhode Island Cavalry into five different sqnads, five non-commissioned officers from each company were placed at intervals of 10 paces from each other, on a line at right angles with right company guides. The roll was called by the first sergeants; the men were placed as directed on the left of the non-commissioned officers, in which manner they were marched off, and formed on the left of the different companies of the First Louisiana Cavalry. Orders were given by me to each of the officers of the First Louisiana Cavalry after the parade was dis- missed that the men should not leave the camp of the companies to which they had been assigned. On the following morning (August 30, 1863), Lieut. Thomas Maher, regimental com- missary and cting regimental quartermaster, who was charged with .the reception of the property from the Second Rhode Island Cavalry, informed me that it was un- possible for him to proceed with the work, as horses, after he had received them, were being cast loose from the picket rope by the enlisted men of the late Second Rhode Island Cavalry, who were also carrying off other public property. To investigate the matter, I went myself to the camp of the late Second Rhode Isl- and Cavalry, and found, as near as I could judge, all the enlist d men who had been assigned to the First Louisiana Cavalry the evening previous assembled in groups, sitting on the ground in the center of the camp. I rode up to them, and quietly ordered them to take up their packs and join their respective companies. Not a man offered to obey the order. Two of them arose, and used the following language, or words to this effect: Colonel, we have made up our minds that, as we enlisted in the Second Rhode Island Cavalry, we will, by God, serve in no other. We will not ~,o. Do as you like; but, by God, we wont serve. A murmur of assent ran through the crowd, but not a man moved. I immediately ordered out the First Louisiana Cavalry, one company mounted, three on foot. The mounted company was ordered to encircle the camp, and the three on foot to form a line faciug the mutineers. I then rode up to the inutineers, taking with me a German iuterpreter, who, after I had addressed them myself in English, Spanish, and French, and ordering them to join the companies to which they had been assigned, communicated the same order to them in German. Not a man of the mutineers stirred. I then told them emphatically that if they did not rise up and form line, I should order them to be fired oa. They then arose, and I picked out the two ringleaders, one of whom had nsed mutinous and seditious language the evening previous at the consolidation. Some decisive action was necessary. Some of the late Rhode Islanders had deserted the same morning. Their character was notorious for lawlessness and want of discipline. Nearly three of the companies present of the First Louisiana Cavalry were recruits who had not been a month in camp. I knew that no guard could hold these Rhode Islanders in camp~ Imprison- ment they did not fear. It was reported to me that they courted being sent to some place of confinement in a body, and I was certain that nothing but fear would pre- vent them from turnin~, Into a band of marauders, which would completely demoral- ize the First Louisiana Cavalry, cause the orders of the department to fall to the ground, and make military law and discipline a farce. I chose severe and instanta- neous measures. I ordered two companies of the First Louisiana Cavalry, on foot, to form. line on the wings and at right angles with the line of mutineers. I wrote the following penciled order in the saddle, appointing Adjt. E. Hall provost-marshal, and placed the third company at his disposal: First Lieutenant Hall, adjutant of the First Louisiana Cavalry, is hereby ap- pointed provost-marshal of the day, a d is charged as such with the execution of Private Richard Murphy, Boston alias Richard Smith, and of Private Frederick Free- man, alias William Da~vis, mutineersa military necessity. HARAI ROBINSON, Lieutenant- Colonel, Commanding First Lo isiana Cavalry. In accordance with this order, and within half an hour of the calling out of the First Louisiana Cavalry to suppress the mutiny, the two ringleaders, Privates Richard Murphy, alias Dick Smith, and Frederick Freeman, alias William Davis, were shot to death in front of the whole command. By the JUDGE-ADVOCATE: Question. Were the 2 men who were shot the men who used the mutinous language ~ Answer. They were. The smaller of the two having also used seditious language the evening previous. 26 Page 264 264 w. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. (CHAP. XXXVIII. Question. Did you hear the seditious language used the evening pre- vious to the execution, or was it reported to you ~ Answer. I heard it. It was addressed to me personally Question. What was the purport of it ~ Answer. We have been cheated into this. had we known it, we woub4 no t have been here. Th3 attitnde, at the same time, being insolent and defiant. Question. Have you a copy of Special Orders, 209, Headquarters Department of the Gulf ~ Answer. I have. Colonel iRobinson here produced the order, a copy of which is ap. pended hereto. Question. State more definitely in regard to the execution. How were they shot, by whom, & c. ~ Answer. The mutineers and two companies of the First Louisiana Cavalry, on foot, formed three sides of a square, the mutineers forming the base. On a line i)erpen- dicular with the center of the base, and some 20 feet beyond the wings, Company F, First Louisiana Cavalry, at the time composed of about 20 men, was divided into two platoons, one commanded by Lientenant Masicot, the other by the orderly ser- geant. The men to be executed were severally placed at 10 paces in front of the center of each platoon. The adjntant of the regiment charged with their execution had them blindfolded, took their two names and last requests, and offered them time to pray; after all of which, at a signal from him, each platoon fired successively. By the COURT: Question. Has that part of the First Louisiana Cavalry which was formerly the Second Rhode island Cavalry, since the execution of two of its members, shown any disposition to mutiny ~ Answer. None in the least. Question. Have they since that time obeyed all orders and shown a disposition to conduct themselves as good soldiers ~ Answer. They have, in every sense; vying with their new associates in the faith- fiil performance of their duty and neatness of personal appearance. Question. During the l)articulars of the arrest and execution of the two men described by you, were you present all the while, and was the arrest and execution in obedience to your order and (lirection l Answer. I was present all the while, and everything that was done was in obedi- ence to my orders. Question. What was the personal hppearance, condition of the arms, & c., of the Second IThode Island Cavalry at the time of the consolida- tion ~ Answer. Appearance bad. Condition of the arms such that they cannot be nsed. They appear not to have been cleaned since issued. Capt. FRANCIS M. IVES, First Louisiana Cavalry, being duly sworn, deposes and says: My name is Francis M. Ives. I am a captain in the First Louisiana Cavalry. On the afternoon of the 29th of August, 1863, the regi tent (Second Rhode Island Cavalry) was formed for consolidation with the First Louisiana Ctvalry. The Speci. 1 Orders, 209, Paragraph VIII, was read to them. After the adjutant was through reading, the regiment in a body culled out No! The men were dismounted and assigned to the various companies of the First Louisiana Cavalry, and were marched to the quar- ters of the First Louisiana Cavalry. After having taken their names, they were dis- missed in order to get their clothing, and ordered to report immediately back, which they failed to do. On the niorniug of the 30th, Colonel Robinson ordered each com- pany commander of the First Louisiana Cavalry to send a guard and bring up the me Page 265 CHAP. xxx~rIIIi 265 MErTINY AT TRIflODEAtrX, LA. assigned to them from the Second Rhode Island Cavalry. Before any of the guard reached the Rhode Island camp, Colonel Robinson went there and ordered the men to the camp of the First Louisiana Cavalry. They refused to obey in a body. The cob onel recalled the guard of the First Louisiana Cavalry, and ordered all the compa nies to fall in under arms, stating to me at the same time that the Second Rhode Island Cavalry were in mutiny. One company was mounted. He marched us to the camp of the Second Rhode Isl- and Cavalry, and formed us in front and on both flanks ot their camp. The colonel then told them that those men who wished to obey the order should rise and form line in the center, and that in case they refused he would have tbem shot where they stood. He repeated this in English, French, and Spanish, so that all could understand. Most all of them came. He thea directed the adjutant to march them out and form them in line facin~ from our camp, with one company of the First Louisiana on each flank. Company F, of our regiment, was then detailed for the execution of two of the mutineers. The adjutant was appointed provost-marshal by the colonel, for the carrying out of the order for the execution. The men were then executed. The men of the Second Rhode Island Cavalry were then called out by name, and ordered to report to the company to wnich they had been assigned the previous evening, which they did, and have been doing duty with said companies since. By the COURT: Question. Did you hear any insubordinate language from any of the men of the Second Rhode Island Cavalry during the act of consolidation on the 29th or during the proceedings of the 30th of August? If so, state what. Answer. I did. They said they were willing to serve in the First or Third Rhode Island Cavalry, but they would be damned if they would do any duty in the First Louisiana Cavalry, under Colonel Robinson. That they would endure any punish- ment imposed upon them, but would not serve. This on the 29th of August. Question. Do you know of any other facts than what you have here stated to the court as to the origin of the mutiny in the Second Rhode Island Cavalry? Answer. The consolidation of the two regiments is the only cause I know of. Question. Did you hear any mutinous language on the 29th from either of the men who were executed? Answer. I did not know either of the men by sight or name; therefore could not say. By the JUDGE-ADVOCATE: Question. When the colonel ordered the men to their companies, and most of them went, were the two who were executed of their number? Answer. I do not know, but I think not. Lient. EDWARD B. HALL, adjutant First Louisiana Cavalry, being duly sworn, deposes and says: My name is Edward B. Hall. I am the adjutant of the First Louisiana Cavalry. By the JUDGE.ADYoCATE: Question. Was there a mutiny among certain enlisted men belonging to the Second Rhode Island Cavalry when consolidated with the First Louisiana Cavalry? Answer. There was. Question. Was it general? Answer. It appeared to be. Question. What, in your opinion, led to the mutiny? Answer. It was a dislike on the part of the enlisted men to the consolidation with the First Louisiana Cavalry. Question.. What caused this dislike Page 266 266 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX, [CHAP. XXXVIII. Answer. I know of no cause. Nothing special. Question. What acts of mutiny took place ~ Answer. On the afternoon of the 29th of August, after I had read the order for the consolidation, there was a universal No! no! running downtheline. Onthemorning of the 30th, they left the companies to which they had been assigned, and gathered to- gether in a group by themselves in their former camp. As I was coming out ofmy tent, I met Colonel Robinson. He said he wished me to accompany him, as he anticipated trouble with the Rhode Island men. I accompanied him to their camp. I rode with him to where they were assembled. He warned ihem that if any man refused to obey his order he would do it at his peril, as he should inflict summary punishment npon them. Be ordered them to form in line; bnt a few obeyed, the remainder re- mained where they were, sitting or lying on the ground. Question. 112\Tas there any mutinous language used at this time~ Answer. I beard three or four of them talking with their associates, hut could not distinguish what they said, but sheuld judge from their actions that they were urg- ing them to mutiny. Colonel Robinson called one of the men up to hini, aud said: You are the spokesman for these men this morning, and are urging them to mutiny. Do you refuse to obey my orderl The man replied, Not more than the rest do. Colonel Robinson then ordered me to turn bun over to the guard. Question. Was Special Orders, 209, Paragraph VIlT, read to the men so that all could understand it ~ Answer. I think every man understood it. Question. Were the orders of Colonel Robinson given in a cool, sol- dierly manner? Answer. They were. Question. How long a time elapsed from the commencement of the mutiny on the 30th until it was quelled? Answer. From what I saw of it, I should say not over half an hour. Question. What quelled it? Answer. Shooting two of the ringleaders on the spot. Question. Did the men, after the execution of these two return to the companies to which they were assigned, and have they since that time obeyed all orders promptly and without murmur? Answer. They have. Question. Did you hear either or both of the men who were executed refuse to obey orders? Answer. I did. On the 29th, one of them said he would do no duty in a Louisiana regiment, hed be damned if he would, and other expressions of a similar nature. The other was the man spoken of as spokesman on the 30th. Whereupon the court adjourned to meet on Sunday, the 6th instant, at8a. m. SUNDAY, September 6, 1863. The court met purs~iant to adjournment, all present, and continued the examination of witnesses. JULES A. MASICoT, second lieutenant Company F, First Louisiana Cavalry, being duly sworn, d.eposes and says: My name is Jules Masicot. I am second lieutenant of Company F, First Louisiana Cavalry. By the JUDGE-ADVOCATE: Question. Were you present at the camp of the First Louisiana Cay- airy on the 29th and 30th August, 1863? Answer. I was Page 267 CHAr. XXXVIII.J MUTINY AT tRII3ODl~AUX, LA. Question. Was Special Orders, 209, Paragraph VIII, read to the First Louisiana Cavalry and to the Second Rhode Island Cavalry? If so, by whom, and was it read so that the men of both regiments could hear and understand it? Answer. It was read by Adjutant Hall, and in such a ma~nner that all could hear and understand it. Question. Was there any mutinous language used by the Second Rhode Island Cavalry during or immediately after the reading of the order? If so, state what. Answer. There was. The men in a body answered, No, no! Rhode Island for- ever! Question. Were there any acts of mutiny in the Second Rhode Island Cavalry on the morning of the 30th? If so, what were they? Answer. There was. Colonel Robinson ordered the men of the Second Rhode Island to fall in the rear of our column, threatening at the same time, if they disobeyed, he would shoot them on the spot. All obeyed with the exception of two. Question. Were Colonel Robinsons orders given in a cool, soldierly manner? Answer. They were. Qnestion. What was done after the Second Rhode Island fell in, with the exception of the two spoken of? Answer. The colonel ordered the adjutant to take the Second Rhode Island and form them in line facing from our camp, and two companies of the First Louisiana Cavalry on each dank of them, so as to form three sides of a square. I was ordered then to march my company below the square. The two men who had not fallen in were then brought forward, and executed by my company, by order of Colonel Robinson. CHARLES WALTON, private First Louisiana Cavalry, being duly sworn, deposes and says: My name is Charles Walton. I am a private in the First Louisiana Cavalry. By the JUDGE-ADVOCATE: Questiou. Were you present with your regiment at the time the order of consolidation was read to the First Louisiana and Second Rhode Island Cavalry? Answer. I was. Question. Did you hear any mutinous language used by the Second Rhode Island Cavalry during or immediately after the reading of the order? If so, what? Answer. Yes. A general shout of No ! along the line. Question. Do you know of any acts of mutiny in the Second Rhode Island on the following morning? Answer. No. I was on duty. Two prisoners were turned over to the guard by the colonel. SIDNEY E. IRVING, sergeant-major First Louisiana Cavalry, being duly sworn, deposes and says: My name is Sidney E. lrving. I am the sergeant-major of the First Louisiana Cavalry. By the JUDGE-ADVOCATE: Question. Were you present at the time the order of consolidation was read to the First Louisiana and the Second Rhode Island Cavalry? 267 Page 268 268 w. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., ~. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIIL If so, was it read so that the men of both commands could hear and understand it? Answer. I was present at the time. It could be heard distinctly. Question. What was your position at that time? Answer. Sergeant, acting as lieutenant, commanding a company in Second Rhode Island Cavalry. Question. Did you hear any mutinous language used by the men of the Second Rhode Island Cavalry during or immediately after the read- ing of the order? If so, state what. Answer. I did. I heard several of the men say they would not do any duty in the First Louisiana Cavalry. They would go to Ship Island, or submit to any punish- ment rather than serve their term of enlistment in the Louisiana Cavalry. Question. Did the officers of the First Louisiana Cavalry do all in their power on the evening of the 29th to suppress the mutiny and get the men to submit peacefully and go to the companies to which they had been assigned? Answer. They did. Question. Were you present during the proceedings of the following morning? Answer. I was. Question. State what took place. Answer. A majority, nearly all of the Rhode Island men, were in their camp, sit- ting on the ground. The lieutenant-colonel of the First Louisiana Cavalry sent a cavalry guard of his regiment and surronnded them. He then marched the balance of his men on foot, forming line fronting the Rhode Island men. He rode up to the Rhode Island men, and told them in three different languages that all those who wished to obey orders and do their duty as soldiers must fall in line. A majority of the men fell in line. I was ordered away by Colonel Robinson to look up some men. I was absent some three minutes. When I returned, they had all fallen in, with the exception of 3 men, one of whom he ordered to fall in, which order was obeyed. Both regiments were then formed in three sides of a square. The two men were placed in the square under guard, their arms tied behind them, a handkerchief wes tied over their eyes; they were placed a short distance in front of the guard. Tbe adjutant then spoke with each man some little time, He then motioned, and the guard fired, and the men were shot successively. The court having heard and examined the evidence, which is above written, after mature deliberation thereon, make the following findings, to wit: I. The origin of the mutiny in the Second Rhode Island Cavalry was the reading of the order of consolidation with the First Louisiana Cav- alry, on the 29th day of August, 1863. Ii. The course of said mutiny was from the reading of Special Or- ders, No. 209, Paragraph VIII, Headquarters Department of the Gulf consolidating the Second Rhode Island Cavalry with the First Louis- iana Cavalry, on the 29th day of August, 1863, to the time of the arrest and execution of the two men of the Second Rhode Island Cavalry on the 30th day of August, 1863. III. The suppression of the mutiny was in the prompt and efficient manner inwhich the ringleaders were executed by order of Licut. Col. II. Robinson, First Louisiana Cavalry. EDWARD L. MOLINEUX, Colonel and Presiding Officer. GEO. H. WHEATON, Captain and Recorder Page 269 CHAP. XXXVIII.] MUTINY AT TRIBODEAUX, LA. 269 [Indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, New Orleans, October 23, 1863. It is probable that order could have been maintained in the regi- ment without the application of capital punishment to the two men ex- ecuted; but the conduct of the Second Rhode Island Cavalry was such that it is impossible to say how soon the mutiny would have been repeated. Severe measures were required with them. The commanding general regrets the necessity for the execution, but is unable, with his knowl- edge of the facts, to say. that it was not justifiable in consideration of all the circumstances of the case.* N. P. BANKS, Major- General, Commanding. APPENDIX A. WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERALS OFFICE, Washington, & ptember 4, 1863. Major-General BANKS, Gommanding Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, La.: GENERAL: I have the honor to inclose you herewith a copy of Spe- cial Orders, 209, Headquarters Department of the Gulf, transferring the enlisted men of the Second Rhode Island Cavalry to the First Louisiana Cavalry, and mustering out of service the commissioned officers of the regiment. I am directed by the Secretary of War to request an early report as to the authority upon which said order was based. I am, general, & c., THOMAS M. VINCENT, Assistant A djut ant- General. [Inclosure.] SPECIAL ORDERS, IIDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF TUE GULF, No. 209. New Orleans, August 24, 1863. * * * * * * * VIII. The enlisted men of the Second Rhode Island Cavalry are transferred to the First Louisiana Cavalry, and will be assigned to com- panies by the commanding officer of the latter regiment. The officers of the Second Rhode Island Cavalry are hereby mustered out of the service. Such of them as desire to remain in the service may, upon proving themselves fitted for and deserving of commissions in the First Louisiana Cavalry, before a board to be appointed by its regi- mental commander, be appointed to fill vacancies. Lieutenant-Colonel Robinson, First Louisiana Cavalry, is charged with the execution of this order. By command of Major-General Banks: G. NORMAN LIEBER, Acting Assistant Adjutant- General. * The findings of the court and indorsement of the commanding general were published in Special Orders, No. 26% headquarters Department of the-Gulf, October 24, 1863 Page 270 270 W. FLA, S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAr. XX~7VIII. STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Providence ~ E. M. STANTON, Seiiternber 4 1863 Secretary of War: SIR: I have the honor to inform you that I received this a. m. an extract from Special Orders, No. 209, Paragraph VIII, Headquarters Department of the Gulf, dated August 24, 1863. By this order The enlisted men of the Second Rhode Island Cavalry are transferred to the First Louisiana Cavalry, and will be assigned to companies by the commanding officer of the latter regiment. The officers of the Second Rhode Island Cavalry are hereby mustered out of the service. This order cannot do otherwise than conflict with our ideas of right and justice. These officers so summarily mustered out were commissioned by the Governor of Rhode Island, and, even should they be re-appointed, they would lose rank by date of commission, while the men who enlisted in a Rhode Island regiment lose all their identity with their native State, and are coolly thrust into a new organization, and assigned to com- panies by its commanding officer. I do, therefore, in justice to the Rhode Island irien enlisted in that regiment, and to the regiments now being raised here, most respectfully but urgently request that the order in question be revoked by your De- partment, and the Second Rhode Island Cavalry be allowed to maintain its name and organization. I am, sir, your most obedient servant, JAMES Y. SMITH, Governor of Rhode Island. - WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERALS OFFICE, Washington, September 6, 1863. GOVERNOR OF RHODE ISLAND, Providence, B. I.: SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 4th instant, in. relation to the action of Major-General Banks, dis- banding the Second Rhode Island Cavalry. In reply, I am directed by the Secretary of War to inform you that the matter has already been brought to the notice of this Department, and to inclose you copy of letter to General Banks on the subject. I am, sir, & c., THOMAS M. VINCENT, Assistant Adjutant- General. STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Providence, November 7, 1863. Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War, Wa8hiflgton, D. C.: SIR: On the 4th of September last I wrote you, requesting the im- mediate disapproval by your Department of the order of Major-General Banks, by which our Second Cavalry was consolidated and the officers mustered out of service. Your reply wa~ a copy of a letter requestin Page 271 CHAP. XXXVIILJ MUTINY AT TRIBODEAUX. LA. 271 General Banks to state by whose authority he issued the order in ques- tion, and that is the last we have heard of it. Now this is a matter, sir, which cannot be lightly dropped and thought no more of. The order was an act of injustice to the men and an injus- tice to Rhode Island, and should be immediately revoked, or your Dc- partmelit should take the matter in hand and have tho men of the Sec- ond Cavalry transferred by special order to our First Cavalry, which is in need of those very men that are now disgraced by being torn from their own organization and placed in one which is in every way distaste- ful to them. Yet these men are volunteers. I will ask your own judg- ment; should they be treated so ~ iDo not drafted men even receive better treatmend I have understood, 9fficially, that two men of the Second Cavalry were shot by order of Colonel Robinson, of the Louisiana cavalry, for simply remonstrating against the order of consolidation. I feel it my duty to inform you, sir, that our people consider the order in question of much injury to the service, and an outrage to Rhode Island. What assurances can we give officers or recruits from this State that they will be protected in their rights if they are to be so summarily dealt with, without even a show of justice ~ In conclusion, allow me to say that the order issued by Major-General Banks was in direct opposition to a protest from this department, to which he paid no attention otherwise than by sending a copy of the said order. An early reply will be considered a favor. I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, JAMES Y. SMITH, Governor of Rhode island, [Indorseinent.] NOVEMBER 16, 1863. General Banks report, inclosed, shows the necessity of his order, and I think it should be allowed to stand, at least for the present. H. W. HALLECK, General-in Ghief WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERALS OFFICE, Washington, JWovernber 17, 1863. GOVERNOR OF RHODE ISLAND, Providence, P. L: Sin: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th instant, in relation to the consolidation of the Second Rhode Island Cavalfy by Maj. Gen. N. P. Banks, commanding Department of the Gulf. In reply, I am directed to inclose herewith a copy of the report of the general, made in answer to the orders of this Department, and to invite the attention of Your Excellency to the remarks of the General- in-Chief indorsed thereon. I am, sir, & c., THOMAS M. VINCENT, Assistant A djutant- General Page 272 272 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. xxxvm. [Tnclosure. I HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, New Orleans., October 16, 1863. THOMAS M. VINCENT, Assistant Adjutant- General, Washington, P. 0.: SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, making inquiries concerning the consolidation of the Rhode Island with the New York Cavalry, and asking my authority for the order. I had no authority for this act whatever, except such as the neces- sity of my situation gave me. The Rhode Island cavalry was enlisted from INew York chiefly, and had very good officers and some good men; but the organization was mostly composed of men entirely beyond con- trol. Their depredations and robberies were frightful. One or two men on the march to Alexandria were shot for offenses of this character. They were wholly worthless as soldiers. When we reached Port Hud- son, and they were deprived of the power of depredation by the circum- scribed limits occupied, they gave us still greater trouble by the erro- neous reports made in regard to the movements of the enemy. Our camp was continually in a disturbed and disordered condition from the false representations made by these men. We submitted to it as long as it could be endured, and changed it only when the safety of my com- mand required it. The officers of the regiment, who are Rhbde Island men, acknowledged their inability to control their men, and resigned their commissions on that account. Some correspondence had taken place with the Governor of Rhode Island in regard to their consolida- tion, which had been talked of long before, but it was not effected until it was represented by the officers from Rhode Island that it would not be objected to by the Governor of that State. Upon the resignation of the officers, with this representation, and under the exigency which I have described, the remnant of the regiment, consisting of only 100 or 200 men, was consolidated with a New York regiment for the purpose of bringing it into some discipline and protecting us against, first, their depredations a occasioned. , nd, secondly, against the panics that their reports 1 have the honor to be, with much respect, your obedient servant, N. P. BANKS, Major- General, Commanding. [Indorsement.] WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERALS OFFICE, October 28, 1863. Respectfully submitted to the General-in-Chief. It is recommended that no further action be taken in this matter until a copy of General Banks letter is forwarded to the Governor of Rhode Island. E. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant- General. WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERALS OFFICE 1863. Major-General BANKS, Washington, D. 0., December 5, Commanding Department of the Gulf, ~New Orleans, La.: GENERAL: I have the honor to inform you that the action, by Special Orders, No. 209, current series, from your headquarters, in transferrin Page 273 CHAP. XXXYIII.l EXPEDITION FROM NATCHEZ, MISS. 273 the enlisted men of the Second Rhode Jsland Cavalry to another or- ganization, has been approved by the General-in-Chief. A copy of your report giving reasons for the transfer, with the General-in-Chiefs in- dorsement thereon, was forwarded to the Governor of Rhode Island. Since its receipt, the Governor has requested by letter (copy herewith)* that the enlisted men of the Second may be transferred to the Third Cavalry upon its ariAval in your department. For th3 reasons given by His Excellency, I am directed to request that the change may be made by a special order, to be issued from your headquarters. The Governor has been notified as to the action. The Third Cavalry will start for your department at an early day. I have the honor, & c., THOMAS M. VINCENT, Assistant Adjutant-General. SEPTEMBER 17, 1863.Expedition from ~latchez, Miss., to Harrison- burg, La., including skirmishes (2d) at Trinity and (4th) near Harrison- burg, and capture of Fort Beauregard. J5?~EPORTS. No. 1.Brig. Gen. Marcellus M. Crocker, U. S. Army, commanding Expedition. No. 2Col. Cyrus Hall, Fourteenth Illinois Infantry, commanding Brigade. No. 3.Brig. Gen. Walter Q. Gresham, U. S. Army, commanding Brigade. No. 4.Col. A. G. Malloy, Seventeenth Wisconsin Infantry (Mounted). No. 5.Col. Horace Randa], Twenty-eighth Texas Cavalry, commanding Brigade. No. 6.Lient. Col. George W. Logan, Chahuette (Louisiana) Regiment. No. 1. Report of Brig. Gen. Marcellus 111. C~ocker, U. S. Army, commanding Expedition. HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES FORCES, District of Natchez, Miss., September 10, 1803. COLONEL: Of the expedition to Harrisonburg, I have the honor to report as follows: The expedition consisted of the following troops: The Second Bri- gade, Fourth Division, Col. C. Hall, Fourteenth Illinois, commanding; the Third Brigade, Fourth Division, General W. Q. Gresham com- manding; Company F, Second Illinois Artillery, and the Fifteenth Ohio Battery, with the Seventeenth Wisconsin Infantry (mounted), commanded by Colonel Malloy. On the 1st instant, the Seventeenth Wisconsin crossed the river at this place at daylight, with orders to proceed without delay to Trinity; the Third Briga4e crossed with the Fifteenth Ohio Battery, and moved toward Trinity about 6 miles; the Second Brigade, with Company F, Second Illinois Artillery, crossed, and encamped on the bank opposite Natchez On the 24 instant, General Gresham moved with his command within 3~ miles of Trinity. Colonel Hall moved to and across Cross Bayou, 16 miles from Natchez. In the meantime Colonel Malloy had nioved to Trinity, as directed, and, after a slight skirmish with the ~ Omitted. 18 it itVOL XXVI, PT Page 274 274 w. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [Crnu~. XXXFIII. enemy, had captured a small steamer, the Rinaldo, but had, for reasons best known to himself, burned the boat, and fallen back to General Gresham. Upon the advance of General Gresham toward Trinity, lie again moved toward the town, and early on the morning of the 3d in- stant he crossed the river with a portion of his regiment in flats, and took possession of the place. The Black River at Trinity was found to be aboat 800 feet wide; we crossed by making flats of the pontoons. First, the regiment of mounted infantry; then General Greshams command, then Colonel Halls command. The mounted infantry was then ordered to move to the junction of the Alexandria and Trinity roads; General Gresliam to move as near that point as he could. The day having been entirely consumed in crossing, Colonel Hall encamped about 1 mile from Trinity. When I found that it was impossible to lay the pontoon at Trinity, I ordered the troops to take two days rations in haversacks, and that transportation sufficient only to carry the ammunition should cross, and left two regiments of Colonel Halls command to guard the crossing and the train left there. On the morning of the 4th, Goneral Gresham, with part of the regi- ment of mounted infantry and his brigade, started in the direction of Harrisonbnrg, but receiving reports from that portion of the mounted men sent out on the Alexandria road that the enemy was appro aching from that direction in large force, the brigade was halted and formed in line of battle, this causing a delay of several hours. On coming up to the Third Brigade, accompanied by Colonel Hall, after a little time spent in reconnoitering, I ordered the whole command to move to Harrisonburg, where we arrived between 10 and 11 a. m. The fort (Beauregard) and the town had been evacuated that morning. The enemy had burned all his commissary stores, and the fire was burn. ing in all the casemates and over the magazines, and a very large amount of ammunition had been destroyed. They had left eight gnus in the works, four 32-pounders, and four 0-pounder brass pieces. The 32-pounders we spiked and disabled as much as possible, andleft them in the burning casemates. One of the 6-pounder brass guns was in a casemate that had been fired and caved in so that it could not be gotten out; another was in a detached work, so that it could not be gotten out without great labor, which we had not the tools to perform. Both these pieces were rendered useless. The two remaining pieces Lieutenant Gilman, of Colonel Halls staff, placed upon a fiat, and succeeded in boating to Trinity, from which place we brought them safely in. They had also burned a large q nan- tity of small-arms. We completed the work of destruction on the fort as well as possible, and destroyed a large quantity of ammunition stored in the jail and court-house; also some corn and provisions stored in the town; and at 4 p. m. started back toward Trinity, Colonel Hall in ad- vance. Before leaving, I sent Colonel Malloy out on the Yatchitoches road, where he destroyed a grist-mill that had been used in grinding meal for the fort, with a quantity of commissary stores that had been removed from the town. He also burned 57 bales of cotton, marked C. S.A. On the 5th instant, the whole command recrossed the Black at Trinity. On the 7th, the command recrossed the Mississippi at Natchez w~ anything of interest occurring on the march. On the expedition we captured 20 prisoners of war, who are now here confined, besides a number of suspicious persons, thQ ui~o~at of who Page 275 275 CUAP. XXXVIII.] - EXPEDITION FROM NATCHEZ, MISS. have been released. I send herewith reports of the brigade com- manders; also sketch of the fort, made by Captain Cadle, of my staff.* The conduct of the troops on the march was generally excellent, and they returned in good health and spirits. Fort Beauregard and the post at llarrisonburg were commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Logan, and garrisoned by an irregular force of con- scriptsartillery, cavalry, and infantryof from 150 to 500. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, M. M. CROCKER, Brigadier- General, Commanding. Lient. Col. WILLIAM T. CLARK, A. A. U., Seventeenth Army Corps. No. 2. Report of Cot. Elyrus Hall, Fourteenth Illinois Infantry, commanding Brigade. UDQRS. SECOND BRIe-., FOURTH DIV., 17TH ARMY CORPS, Near Natehez, Miss., September 7, 1863. CAPTAIN: In compliance with an order from division headquarters, dated September 7, 1863, I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by my command (consisting of the Fourteenth, Fifteenth, Forty -sixth, and Seventy-sixth Regiments Illinois Infantry, and Captain Powells company (F), Second Regiment Illinois Artillery, the battery belonging to General Ramsoms command, but detached for the expedition) in the late expedition to llarrisonbnrg, La.: I received orders on the morning of the 1st instant to cross the river (Mississippi) with my command, which orders were complied with, and I encamped upon the west bank of the river, near Vidalia, for the night. I started on the morning of the 2d instant, at daylight, on the road leading to Trinity, the Third Brigade being in advance of my command. I reached the ferry at Cross Bayou about 5 p. in., and by 9 oclock had succeeded in crossing my entire command to the west side, at which time and place I went into camp. On the next day (3d instant) I started for Trinity; reached the river (Black) at Ii a. m. At 3.20 p. m. I received orders from Brigadier- General Crocker to cross the river with my two largest regiments and Powells battery, leaving the remaining portion of my command on the east side of the river; at 4.45 p. m. the detachment was in motion, and, passing through the town, marched to a point about 1 mile west of the town, where I encamped. On the succeeding morning (4th instant) I started at daylight, taking the Alexandria road. I reached the junction of the llarrisonburg road at 8.30 a. in., where I found the Third Brigade, under command of Brig. Gen. W. Q. Gresham, in line of battle. I was then ordered by Briga- dier-General Crocker to take position on the left of the Third Brigade, which I did, and remained in that position until ordered by General Crocker to take up the line of march and follow the Third Brigade in the direction of llarrisonburg. This I did, reaching llarrisonburg between the hours of 12 and 1 p. in., at which place we remained, until ordered to return at 4 p. m. to the Junction, where I encamped. Early next morning (5th instant) I started, and, reaching Trinity, crossed Black River, and was resting in camp at 10.30 a. in. Here I * Sketeli not found Page 276 276 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII was rejoined by the two regiments of my command which had been left to guard the pontoons and the crossing. At 1 p. m. I was again on the road, marching that afternoon to Cross Bayou, and ferrying over by 9 p. m. At that time I vent iiito camp, remaining until morning (6th in- stant), when I again moved eastward, reaching the river (Mississippi), the infantry crossing and moving out to the camps before dark, the baggage following as fast as the limited transportation would permit. The command had thus made a march of 88 miles in five days, without loss of life or limb. Two of the brass guns captured at llarrisonbnrg were bronght in through the exertions of Captain (then Lieutenant) Gilman, of the Fifteenth Illinois Infantry, acting provost-marshal of this brigade, for which he is deserving much credit. The health of the command was excellent, and the men in good spirits and elated by the success of the expedition. The report of the number and names of officers and men remaining in camp, and the cause of their so doing, will be transmitted as soon as reports can be had of regimental commanders. I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, CYRUS HALL, Golonel, Commanding Brigade. Capt. W. II. F. RANDALL, Asst. Adjt. Gem., Fourth Div., Seventeenth Army Corps. No. 3. Report of Brig. Gen. Walter Q. Gresham, U. S. Army, commanding Brigade. IIDQRS. THuD BRIO., FOURTH Div., 17TH ARMY Con~s, - Natchez, Miss., September 7, 1863. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to snbmit the following report of the part taken by my command, consisting of the Twelfth Wisconsin, Col. George E. Bryant; Fifty-third Indiana, Licut. Col. William Jones- T eighth Illinois, Lieut. Col. Richard Ritter; Thirty-second - Illinois, Maj. George II. English, and Spears (Fifteenth Ohio) battery, Lie utenant Burdick, in the expedition to llarrisonburg, La.: On Tuesday, the 1st instant, in pursuance of orders from Brigadier- General Crocker, I crossed the Mississippi River with my command, and moved out on the Trinity road to Lake Concordia, and bivouacked for the night. At daylight on the morning of the 2d instant, my command was on the march on the Trinity road, and at 9.30 a. m. I arrived at Cross Bayou, and commenced ferrying by means of a small fiat. At 10 a. m. Colonel ]VIIalloy, of the Seventeenth Wisconsin Mounted Infantry, ar- rived at the bayou, and reported that he had left Black River, opposite Trinity, at 5 a. m. that morning, in consequence of having skirmished with the enemy, and expended all, or nearly all, of his ammunition. At 3 p. m. my entire command was on the west side of the bayou, includ- ing the transportation of the Seventeenth Wisconsin and the pontoon train, which had been placed in my charge by General Crocker. At 3.20 p. m. J resumed the march (Colonel Malloy having gone in advance), and halted at sunset within 3 miles of Trinity, having marched 23 miles Page 277 CHAP. ~~~IIIJ 1~XPEDITI0N FI~OM NATCHEZ, MISS. 277 At 5.35 a. m. of the 3d instant my command was moving, and at 6.30 a. m. it was at Black River, opposite Trinity. By 10 a in. Captain had three pontoon boats in readiness, and I crossed my command, leav- ing all my transpo~tation on the east side of the river, excepting one ambulance and one ammunition wagon to each regiment. Hi~re I re- ceived orders from General Crocker to press on to llarrisonburg by the left-hand road. Leaving Trinity at 3.50 p. in., i marched until 7.40 p. in., and halted 9 miles north of Trinity and 2 miles sonth of the junction of the Trinity and Alexandria roads. I received a message at 11 p. m. from Colonel Malloy, stating that he was at the junction with his command, and that the enemy, from 2,000 to 4,000 strong, was approaching from the west on the Alexandria road. Upon the receipt of this intelligence, I sent an order to Colonel Malloy to send four companies of his com- mand out on the Alexandria road, with instructions to obtain inforina- tion of the strength and whereabouts of the enemy, if he should be found; and I moved with my command over a difficult road to the junction, where I arrived at 3 a. m. on the 4th instant, and formed in line of batUe across the Alexandria road. I remained in this position until 6.20 a. in., and not hearing from the reconnoitering party, I deter- mined to leave Colonel Malloy to look to the rear, and move on to Har. risouburg. When within 3 or 3~ miles of Harrisonburg, I was over- taken by a courier from Colonel Malloy, with information that he, Mal- by, had encountered the enemy, 4,000 strong, on the Alexandria road, 5 miles from the junction, and that he was skirmishing with him and gradually falling back. I immediately countermarched my command, and arrived at the junction at 7.45 a. in., and formed in line of battle as before. About this time General Crocker arrived, and I reported to him what had transpired. About 8.30 a. m. Colonel Hall arrived with the Second Brigade, and formed on my left. I remained in this position until I received orders from General Crocker to resume the march in the direction of Harri- sonburg, at which place I arrived at 11.40 a. ni., and rested until 5 p. in., wheu.I received orders from General Crocker to return to Natchez by the same route, following the Second Brigade. About dark I halted at a point 2 miles west of Harrisonburg, and rested until 5 a. m. next morning, the 5th instant, and resumed the march, arriving at Trinity at 11.30 a. in., when I received orders from General Crocker to cross the river, and remain on the opposite side until the mounted infantry ar- rived and the pontoons were ready to be taken up, which I did. After crossing Black River, I marched 4 miles, and halted at 6 p. m. on the Ten sas River. At an early hour on the morning of the 6th instant, my command was on the march, and at 6.30 p. m. I halted near Yidalia. Have marched 94 miles in less than five days. On the morning of the 7th instant, I recrossed the Mississippi, and returned to my old camp. Considering the excessive heat and the obstacles encountered in cross- ing rivers and bayous, the expedition is remarkable for the length of time in which it was made. It affords me pleasure to be able to say that, although the march was fatiguing and arduous, the men endured it with a fortitude and patience characteristic of good soldiers. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W~ Q. GRESHAM, Brigadier- General. Capt. W. H. F. RANDALL, As8t. Adjt. Gen., Fourth Div., Seventeenth Army Gorps Page 278 278 W. PLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CnAP. XXXiTIIt No. 4. Report of Cot. A. G. JJIalloy, Seventeenth Wisconsin Infantry (Mounted). HEADQUARTERS WISCONSIN MOUNTED INFANTRY, September 9, 1863. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by niy command in the late expedition to Harrisonburg, La.: On the morning of the 1st instant, pursuant to orders, I crossed the Mississippi River at this point with my command, and moved forward to Trinity, capturing on the way two of the enemys ontposts. The prisoners informed me that a re-enforcement of 2,000 men were ad- vancing to the relief of Harrisonburg. I arrived at Trinity at 8 p. in., and bivonacked on the east side of Black River. About 10 oclock the Confederate steamer Rinaldo appeared in sight coming down the river, and tied up on the Trinity side. I at once sent three companies, Captain Apker commanding, to intercept the steamer in case she should attempt to escape, and at the same time dispatched a party of 20 men, Captain Crane commanding, 6 miles up Bayou Tensas, to procure a flat- boat with which to cross the river. About 11 p. in. the enemy became aware of our presence through their pickets on this side of the river. On the alarm being given, the steamer at once loosed from the shore, and attempted to escape up the river. Not observing the orders of Captain Apker to round to, he poured into her two well-directed voileys, when the captain ran her ashore on the opposite side, and abandoned her with his crew. Abont 12 p. in. Captain Crane and party returned with the flat-boat for which they had been dispatched, and at once crossed the river in the face of the enemys fire, seized the steamer, and drove the enemy, who were for the most part concealed, back through the town, Captain Crane sustaining a loss of 4 men wounded, 1 mortally. I then had the steamer brought across the river, and discovered that her steanv pipe had been pierced in a number of places by our balls. Ilavin g been engaged in constant skirmishing during the entire night, expen(ling over 3,000 rounds of ammunition, and not knowing on what road their re-enforcemeuts were advancing, I deemed it prudent to open com- munication with the coin in and in g geii eral. Itherefore burned the steamer and returned to Cross Bayon. After re- plenishing my ammunition, I at once moved back to my former bivonac opposite Trinity. At daylight on the morning of the 3d. lobserved annm- ber of people on the opposite side of the river, and ordered them to send across a skifL They not complying with my commund, 2 men of my regimen t,Corporal Brunson and Private Thomas Healey, of Company F, volunteered to swim the river and procure a skiff. This they did success- fully, though fired upon by the concealed enemy, but a few well-directed volleys by a company which I had stationed on this side of the river soon cleared the opposite shore. I then crossed my entire command. About 2 p. in., by order of the general commanding, moved forward to- ward llarrisonburg, soon meeting the enemy, and having a running fig-ht with them for 9 miles, with the loss of 1 man from my command. Night coming on, I was obliged to desist. Bivouacked at the junction of the Trinity and Alexandria roa(ls. At this place. capturing a courier, I learned that a force of betweeii 3,000 and 4,000 mn, a I)ortiou of [J. U.] ~ division, were advancing on the Alexandria road, 8 miles from my place of bivouac. Believing the information to be reliable, I imme- diately sent a dispatch to General Gresham, who arrived with his coin- inand. At 2 a. m. the general ordered me to send three otiny companie Page 279 CHAP. kxxvi.] EXPEDITION FROM NATCIIEZ, ~ii~~. out on the Alexandria road to reconnoiter and feel the enemy. The companies were sent out nuder the command of Maj. D. D. Scott. On advancing about 4 miles, they became engaged with the enemy, driving them 1~ miles through their main camp, which was known by the large number of fires, amounting to fifty or more. At this moment I came up with the balance of the regiment, and ordered two companies to advance as skirmishers. After marching 1 mile or more, passing through their deserted camp, and finding no enemy, I recalled the skirmishers, and marched toward llarrisonbnrg, joining the general commanding on his entrance into the town. At 3 p. m. I received orders to destroy a mill and commissary stores, on the Natchitoches road. Arriving at the place where the stores were snpposed to be, I found S Confederate sob diers, whom Icaptured, but no stores. After destroying the mill and 57 bales of Confeder.~ te cotton, I returned to Natchez, arriving here the evening of the 7th. I feel under special obligations to Major Scott, Captains Crane, Apker, Beaupre, and Lient. Dela Hunt, for their promptness and ready obedi- ence and gallantry in. the execution of orders. I would also mention, as deserving of notice, my 2 guides, Messrs. Dougherty and Norris, for their assistance during the expedition. .1 captured in all about 25 prisoners. iRepeetfully, your obedient servant, A. 6-. MALLOY, Gotonel, comag. Seventeenth Wisconsin Mounted Infantry. Capt. W. II. F. RANDALL, Assi. Adjt. Gen., Fourth Div., Seventeenth Army Corps. No. 5. Rejports of Cot. Horace Randal, Twenty-eighth Texas Cavalry, command ing Brigade. HEADQUARTERS RANDALS I3RI~ADE, Sulphur Springs, La., September 5, 1863-~--9.4O a. m~ MAJOR: I have the honor to report that the enemy, near 5,000 strong, met me yesterday morning at the break of day 12 miles this side of Fort Beauregard, thus cutting off the possibility of a junction with the forces at the fort under Lieutenant-Colonel [George W.] Logan. I drove in his pickets, and withdrew my command, having deceived the enemy. My retreat was followed up to the junction of the upper and lower Alexan- dria roads. I have heard of no farther advance on either road in the direction of Alexandria. Lieutenant-Colonel Logan abandoned the fort between 2 and 3 ~ yesterday morning, retiring by Centreville and NatchitOches road. He saved four pieces of artillery. He is now near Little IRiver, at Gill- mores Ferry, where he will cross to-day. I retired by the Alexandria road for two reasonsto protect Colonel Logan, and to prevent a flank movement upon my rear. If it is designed that I should retire to Alexandria, I have rations; otherwise I will for- ward my trains. Colonel Logan will join me to-morrow. I will continue my march toward Alexandria, crossing the river to-day, unless other- wise ordered. I have sent out scouts to ascertain the position of the enemy on the roads leading from this place to the Washita River. Three different persons have seen the enemys camp near Trinity, an Page 280 280 W. PLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., ~UEX., N. MEX. tCnAP. ~X~tt all report them 16,000 strong. I will learn everything I can, and have reports made without delay. I will make a full report so soon as I reach my desk and have time. Respectfully, your obedient servant, HORACE RANDAL, Colonel, Commanding Brigade. Major [E.] SURGET, Assistant Adjutant- General. HEADQUARTERS RANDALS BRIGADE, Camp on Little River, La., & ptember 6, 1863. MAJOR: In obedience to Special Orders, No. 223, district headquar- ters, I left the vicinity of Alexandria on the morning of the 1st instant; crossed Little River on the 2d, and on the 3d marched to Brushy Bridge, 10 miles west of Harrisonburg, where the command slept on their arms until 4 oclock on the morning of the 4th instant. The enemy having driven in Lieutenant-Colonel [G. W.] Logans pick- ets on the evening of the 3d, and occupied the approaches to Harrison- burg, thus rendering a night march in the face of an enemy whose strength greatly outnumbered mine hazardous in the extreme, the total absence of cavalry left me no other alternative than to rest until light. In the meantime Colonel Logans confidential scout came to me from Colonel Logan, informing me that he could not hold the fort until morn- ing; that 1,100 men would be of no assistance to him in resisting the enemy, and that it would be useless for me to attempt to reach him if I had not more than 1,100 muskets, and that he would evacuate the fort some time during the night. His scout further stated that the enemys strength was between 10,000 and 15,000, composed of artillery, infantry, and cavalry. On the 3d, the enemy advanced on the Alexandria road, and formed line of battle east of the Brushy Bridge, in a strong position, behind open fields exposed to the fire of his artillery, with the approaches to his position strongly ambuscaded. My advanced pickets on the night of the 3d were within 400 yards of the enemys lines, and the opposing forces passed the night within 800 yards of each other, the enemy out- numbering me five to one, with the additional advantage of artillery and cavalry. At 4.30 oclock on the 4th, my pickets received the first fire from the enemys advance. Captain Flynns battalion of sharpshooters were thrown forward, and drove in the enemy~s skirmishers. Wishing to evade a battle, I formed on his right, forcing him to change his front. In the meantime I had occupied the hills immediately in my rear, giving me the advantage in position where I wished to receive the at- tack, which the enemy declined, preferring to face me through his am- buscade. The object of the expedition having failed, the superior strength of the enemy and the remoteness of any assistance, and the facility with which the enemy could gain my rear, induced me to retire to the line of Little River, where I am now encamped. I have compared all the reports as to the enemys strength and com- position, and conclude as follows: Eight pieces of artillery, 400 cavalry, and 15,000 infantry west of the Washita, and one brigade of infantry east of that stream. Their cavalry (200 strong) are reported by a citizen 7 miles west of Harrisonburg, on the Alexandria road. There seem~ to be no intention to advance in the direction of Alexandria as yet Page 281 IThAF. XXZvIII.I tXPEDI~ION PROM NA~CllEZ, MISS. 281 Loss of the enemy in the skirmish, 3 killed wounded, not known. None of my men were injured. The cavalry force that I have should be increased, as it is not strong enough to perform the required duties; besides, a force of cavalry could inflict serious injury upon the enemy and keep him within narrow limits. I will remain in this vicinity until further orders. Lieutenant-Colonel Logan is now on the Alexandria road leading to Gilimores Ferry, on Little River. I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, HORACE RANDAL, Colonel, Commanding Brigade. Major [E.] SURO-ET, Assistant Adjutant- General. [Indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WESTERN LOUIsIANA, Alexandria, La., September , 1863. Respectfully forwarded. A brigade of infantry with a battery has been sent forward this morning to re-enforce Colonel Randal. Majors brigade will reach this [place] to-night, and will immediately push on to the point. I hope to receive some reliable information to-day. R. TAYLOR, Major- General, Commanding. No. 6. Reports of Lieut. Col. George lIT. Logan, Chalmette (Louisiana) Regiment. GILLMORES FERRY, LITTLE RIVER, September 5, 186311 a. m. MAJOR: I evacuated Fort Beauregard at 3 a. m. yesterday and de- stroyed the works. Find it impossible for General [Colonel Horace] Randal to re-enforce me, and, in accordance with his advice, I have been endeavoring to form a junction with him, but have been unable to do so, so far. I hope to join him to-morrow on the Alexandria road, 16 miles from Alexandria. Having only 40 effective men in garrison, I have only been able to save all our wagons, horses, and mules, and four of my best pieces of artillery (three 3-inch rifles and one 12-pounder howitzer). All day on the 3d instant our cavalry engaged the advance guard of the enemy on the Hawthorn road, with a view to check his progress and prevent his intercepting the forces of General [Colonel] Randal, then advancing to our relief, but they were not successful. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO. WM. LOGAN, Lieutenant- (lolonel, Comm4nding. Maj. E. SUR~ET, Assistant A~jntant- General, Alexandria, La. NATOIIITOOHES ROAD, 40 MILES FROM ALEXANDRIA, Rapides Parish, La., September 6, 1863. CAPTAIN: I wrote you last on the 2d instant by Captain Purvis. On the 3d, before day, the Yankees in very heavy force crossed the rive Page 282 282 W. FLA., S. ALA., 8. MISS., LA., ~EX., ~. MEX. [CHAP. XXX~IIL at Trinity, and engaged all of the cavalry, some 80 in number, which I had taken away from the Tensas River lines and kept ready for the par- pose of disputing their advance. They fell back slowly before the over- whelming force of the enemy advancing by the Upper Trinity, or other- wise called the Hawthorn road. Colonel [Horacej Randal (with his brigade to re-enforce me and take command, as per order sent me by General Taylor) had been commu- nicating with me for several days; reached the Brushy Bridge, 10 miles from the fort, on the evenihg of the 3d instant; had advised me if I discovered that the Abolitionists were in heavy force to save what guns I could and form a junction with him, he being destitute of cavalry and artillery and needing them. The enemy are probably 15,000 strong, and have been following him up to last accounts, when he was encamped within 5 miles of them. I could not feel assured of the very heavy force of the enemy until the afternoon of the 3d, at dark. They had steadily but slowly succeeded in driving in my cavalry, not only to the junction of the Hawthorn road with the Alexandria and llarrisonburg road, at a point halfway between ns and our re-enforcements on the road, thus cutting off communication between Colonel Bandal and my- self, but pressed on nearly 2 miles nearer to the fort. From desertion and sickness, having only about 40 men in garrison fit for duty, and they being much disheartened under the strain, I called a council of all the commissioned officers of the fort, and, in accordance with their unanimous advice, given in secret council on the 3d, I deter- mined to evacuate, save as many of the guns as possible, and, by rapid march, attempt a junction with Colonel Randal, as suggested by him the previous day. Having had the horses for all except four pieces of artillery sent off some 20 miles to a place of security on the Natchi- toches road the previous day, where I expected and intended to stand a siege, and having too few men to lift the 30-pounder Parrott rifle out of position into a wagon which I had kept prepared for it, I was unable to save anything more than all the Government horses, mules, and wagons, and the 3-inch rifled guns and 1 howitzer (12-pounder). I was obliged to move at night, as it was necessary to pass within 2~ miles of the enemy, in force, and without a moments delay. After determining my course, I commenced the evacuation at 1 a. m~ on the 4th, passed within short distances of the enemy several times with impunity, and have ever since been trying to reach Colonel Ran- dal, with whom I have been in daily communication. He engaged them on the morning of the 4th with his skirmishers. I have crossed the Little River at Gillmores Ferry, having traveled 26 miles on the 4th to Centreville, 24 miles yesterday, and 8 this morning since daylight to this hour (9.30 a. in.), when I halted the rear guard for the purpose of writing this letter, which heretofore I have been unable to do. I now fear, fi~om what I can hear of the road, that I will be una- ble to overtake Colonel IRaudal until he reaches Alexandria, as I will have to travel some 98 miles, while he has had the direct road of 60 miles, only 50 of which he had to make. My last accounts of the enemy were that they were in great force some 10 or 11 miles from Fort Beauregard, on the Alexandria road, and supposed to be still pursning Colonel IRandal and advancing upon Alexandria in forceiS, 000 or 16,000 strong. I am continuing this route by order of Colonel IRandal, and hope to be not much behind him in reaching Alexandria. I expect to encamp to-night within 20 miles of Alexandria, on the road from that place to Winfleld. I neglected to state previously that I remained with Lieutenant Page 283 APFAfl~ NEAR MIER, MEXICO. CHAl. X~XVflI.J 2$3 Moore, Parker, Nichols, and a few others, at the fort until 4.15 a. m. on the 4th instant, when I superintended personally the destruction of the casemates, commissary, guns, & c., by fire and explosion. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEG. WM. LOGAN, Lieutenant- Colonel, Comdg. Garrison, Fort Beauregard. Capt. ISAAC N. DENNIS, Assistant Inspector General, Vienna, La. P. S.I dispatch this by Private Isaac Ross, of Captain McCalls cavalry company, who will give you more news of our condition, & c. [Indorsementi HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OP WESTERN LOUISIANA, Alexandria, September 10, 1863. Respectfully forwarded. Lieutenant-Colonel Logan, having reached this point, was ordered to send in his report direct. It has not passed through Brigadier-General H~bert, and I am therefore not yet aware what orders were issued by that officer. The fact of the horses having been sent from the fort in anticipation of a siege appears to have been the cause of so little public property being saved. All the heavy guns and one brass field piece have been left in the fort by the enemy, also caissons and other property, to secure and bring off which steps are now being taken. Having no duty to assign Colonel Logan to, I have ordered him to report to the lieutenant-general commanding. R. TAYLOR, Major- General, Commanding. SEPTEMBER 2, 1883.Affair with Zapatas Banditti near Mier, Meiico. REPORTS. No. 1.Maj. Gen. John B. Magruder, C. S. Army, commanding District of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. No. 2.Brig. Gen. Hamilton P. Bee, C. S. Army, commanding First Division, ~Army of Texas. No. 3.Maj. Santos Benavides, Thirty-third Texas Cavalry. No. .1. Report of Maj. Gen. John B. Magruder, C. S. Army, commanding District of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF TEXAS, & C., Sabine Pass, September 29, 1863. GENERAL: I have the honor herewith to transmit, for the informa- tionof the lieutenant-general commanding, a copy of the communication from Brigadier-General Bee, inclosing the official report of Maj. Santos Benavides, of the Thirty-third Texas Cavalry, of his engagement and defeat of the Zapata banditti. This band of depredators has long been a source of annoyance and danger on the Rio Grande frontier, and th Page 284 284 brilliant achievement of the forces under Major Benavides is deserving of the highest commendation. I am, general, very respectfully, & c. J. BANKIIEAD MAGRUDER, Brig. Gen. ~. R. IBoGGS, ]ifajor-6reneral, commanding. Chief of Staff. No. 2. Report of Brig. Gen. Hamilton P. Bee, C. & Arniy, commanding First Division, Ar~ny of Texas. HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, ARMY OF TEXAS, Fort Brown, Tex., September 11, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to inclose a copy of the official report of Maj. Santos Benavides, Thirty-third Cavalry, of his engagement with a party of robbers in Mexico, headed by the notorions outlaw Zapata, from which it will be seen that we shall be no more troubled with this emissary of the Lincoln Government, who has for so long disturbed the peace of this frontier, and at one time actually crossed the Rio Grande into Texas with the flag of the United States. I especially recommend Major Benavides for his untiring energy and patriotism, and would re- spectfully suggest that the general commanding recognize officially the distinguished services of Major Benavides, and the firm, unyielding support which the companies of Laredo, commanded by Captains Re- fugio and Christobal Benavides (all Mexicans), have ever given to our cause. Should E. J. Davis ever invade the Rio Grande with his regiment of refugees and outlaws, he will miss his friendZv(pata, who had the power to do us great injury. I have great hopes that there will be no more tronble on this line, and congratulate myself that this final blow has been struck on the eve of my leaving the Rio Grande, and was the legitimate result of my labors here, which gave the right of our troops to cross into Mexico for just such purposes. With great respect, your obedient servant, HP. BEE, Brigadier- General, Provisional Army. Capt. EDMUND P. TURNER, Assistant Adjutant- General, Houston. No. 3. Report of Maj. Santos Benavides, Thirty-third Texas Cavalry. HEADQUARTERS LINE OF THE RIO GRANDE Carrizo, Tex., September 3, 1863. SIR: I respectfully submit the following report: On the evening of the 1st instant, I received an official communication from the first alcalde of Guerrero, stating that a detachment of troops from that town had been attacked and routed by a party of outlaws Page 285 CHAP. XXXVIII.] THE SABINE PASS EXPEDITION. 285 under lead of Zapata. I at once set out from this post with a part of Capt. C. Beilavides company (II), and went to Clarefio, and there took a part of Captain [Thomas] ltabbs company (D), and crossed the Rio Grande, and went to the point where the Guerrero soldiers and banditti had their skirmish, and, finding nobody there, took the trail of Zapatas party, and followed it to within a short distance of Mier, when, about 9 oclock of the 2d instant, I found the camp of the banditti. I directed the non-commissioned officers of Company II to select the leaders of the banditti, all of whom were known to them, and without delay attack the scoundrels. After a short fight they were all dispersed, and on account of the fhickness of the chaparral, and our want of knowledge of the country, many escaped. We found dead of the enemy 10, among whom were all the officers, viz, Octaviano Zapata, who claimed the rank of colonel; Monico Salinas, captain; Manuel Villareal and Guillermo Yifio, lieutenants. The bal- ance were unknown to us. We fortunately suffered no casualties, which was remarkable, for the camp was in the bottom of a ravine, which our men were obliged to enter in single file, nuder a sharp fire from the thieves. My force consisted of 3 lieutenants and 39 men from Company II, and 2 lieutenants and 35 men from Company ID. The officers and men without exception showed great gallantry. Lieutenant [R. F.] Haskins, of Company ID, especially distinguished himself. Corpl. INatividad ilererra, of Company II, deserves especial mention for his courage and gallantry, for that after his carbine was discharged, finding that there was danger of the escape of Zapata be- fore he could reload; attacked him, and gave him his death-blow with the butt of his gun, although Zapata had a loaded pistol and was firing at the corporal all the time. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, SANTOS BENAVIDES, Major Thirty-third Texas Cavalry, Commanding. Lieut. Col. WILLIAM 0. YAGER, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, C. ~. Provisional Army. SEPTEMBER 411, 1863.The Sabine Pass (Texas) Expedition. REPO:RTS.* No. 1.Maj. (ten. Nathaniel P. Banks, U. S. Army, commanding Department of the Gulf. No. 2.Capt. William B. Roe, Chief Signal Officer, Department of the Gulf. No. 3.Maj. Gen. William B. Franklin, U. S. Army, commanding Expedition. No. 4.Brig. Gen. Godfrey Weitzel, U. S. Army, commanding First Division, Nine teenth Army Corps, with Itinerary of he Division i~or September, 1863. No. 5.Itinerary of the First Brigade, Third Division, Nineteenth Army Corps, Brig. Gen. Frank S. Nickerson, U. S. Army, commandhg, for September, 1863. No. 6.Acting Volunteer Lieut. Frederick Crocker, U. S. Navy. No. 7.Maj. Gen. John B. Magrnder, C. S. Army, commanding District of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, with congratulatory orders and proclamation. No. 8.Col. Leon Smith, C. S. Army, commanding Marine Department, Texas. * For reports of Commodore Henry H. Bell, Lient. Commander William H. Dana, and Acting Masters Charles W. Lamson and Howard Tibbetts, U. S. Navy, see Annual Report of the Secretary of the Navy, December 7, 1863 Page 286 286 w. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. No. 9.Capt. F. H. Odium, Cooks (Texas) artillery. No. 1O.Lieut. R. W. Dowling, Company F, Cooks (Texas) artillery. No. 11,Thanks of the Confedeinte Congress to Captain Odium, Lieutenant Dowling, and the men under their command. No. 1. Reports of ]Jutaj. Gem. Nathaniel P. Banks, U. S. Army, commanding De partment of the Gulf.* NEW ORLEANS, Septep~ber 5, 1863. GENERAL: I have the honor to report that Major-General Franklin has sailed on the expedition to Sabine Pass, Tex. Owing to the limited means of transportation at my disposal in this department, especially of steamers capable of navigating the Gulf of Mexico, the start has been delayed much beyond the time I had hoped and expected, but I believe rumor has been kept entirely at fault, and that the blow will ifall on the enemy in a quarter unexpected by them. Using all our transportation, it has been impossible to send in the first line more than about 5,000 infantry, with three field batteries and two heavy Parrott batteries. Such of the navy gunboats as can enter the Pass were assembled in Berwick Bay, and telegraphic communica- tion having now been established between the Southwest Pass of the Mississippi and Berwick Bay, the sailing of the transports from the one point and the gunboats from the other was made with such interval as to bring the two at the same time, or nearly the same, off Sabine Pass. As an exposition of the intended operations, I inclose a copy of my instructions to Major-General Franklin. As soon as the first line shall have disembarked, all the transports of light draught will come to Ber- wick Bay, whither I have ordered the First Division of the Thirteenth Army Corps to be ready for embarkation. Three-fourths of that divis. ion are already at a point a few miles distant from Brashear City. The transports of heavier draught will return to this place, where troops of the Thirteenth Army Corps will be ready to embark. The day before yesterday, information was sent me by the naval officer in command near Morgans Bend, on the Mississippi River, that the rebels were establishing there four field bat1~eries to annoy our trans- ports. I have dispatched the Second Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, to that quarter, directing the commander (General Herron) to co~operate with the gunboat, and to capture or destroy the rebel force in that vicin- ity, which, by various accounts, numbers from 900 to 1,500 men of the three arms. General ilerron will be able to accomplish this object and return in time to take part in the Texas expedition, and will doubtless have re- turned before transportation will be ready for him. I have reliable information to-day from Galveston (August 14), which gives the force of Magruder at that point as 2,300 men, in a very de- moralized condition. The refugee is highly intelligent, and states that our attack on Texas ~ expected in the direction of Vermillionville, La., and Nibletts Bluff. Very respectfully, I am, general, yonr obedient servant, N. P. BANKS, Maj. Gen. II. ~. HALLECK, Major-General, Gommanding. Gommanding U. S. Army, Washington, D. C. See also General Reports, pp. 15-21 Page 287 CUAr. XXXVIII.] THE SABINE PASS EXPEDITION. 287 [Inolosure.] HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE GULF, 19TH ARMY CORPS, New Orleans, August 31, 1863. Maj. Gen. WILLIAM B. FRANKLIN, Commanding Nineteenth Army Corps: GENERAL: You are hereby assigned to the following duty: 1. You will please embark the First Brigade, First Division, and the Third Division, Nineteenth Army Corps, with the artillery which has been assigned to the First and Third Divisions, and that portion of the First Indiana Heavy Artillery, temporarily assigned to your command, at Baton Rouge. You will embark the Reserve Brigade, Nineteenth Army Corps, which has been ordered to report to you at Algiers, and the Texas cavalry, and a battalion of the First Engineer Regiment, at this place. On account of the limited means of transportation available at this time, you will not be able to embark the whole of the artillery of the division named, but the remainder, with wagons, camp equipage, & c., will be sent to you as soon as possible. 2. As soon as the embarkation shall have been effected, you will as- semble all the transports at some convenient point on the river below this city, and will there have a personal conference with the commodore commanding the West Gulf Squadron, and with Acting Volunteer Lieu. tenant Crocker, U. S. Navy, who, it is understood, will command the co-operating naval force. You will arrange with them the detail of your contemplated move- ments, it being well understood that the gunboats will immediately precede the transports and cover the landing of the troops; but at the same time you will please bear constantly in mind the fact that there are important reasons, in addition to those of a purely military char- acter, for the immediate occupation of some important point in the State of Texas where the Government of the United States can permanently maintain its flag. A landing, if found impracticable at the point now contemplated, should be attempted at any place in the vicinity where it may be found practicable to attain the desired result. 3. After coming to a complete understanding with the naval com. nianders, you will proceed to Sabine Pass, Tex., and if youflnd that the navy has succeeded in making the landing feasible, you will disem- bark your whole force as speedily as possible, occupy the strongest posi- tion to be found, and immediately commence strengthening it by means of your engineer force. 4. After making your landing, you will make a careful examination of the country in your front, and if you can safely proceed as far as the railroad from Houston to Beaumont, you will seize and hold some point on that line. Beanmont is probably the preferable point, but the exact position [is left] to your own judgment and professional skill after your arrival on the line. 5. After seizing such point on the railroad, you will make reconnais- sauces in the direction of Houston, so as to learn the position and force of the enemy, but you are not expected, with the force you take with you, to occupy any point farther west than the one selected by you on the railroad, nuless you find that no enemy appears in force. 6. You will communicate with me as fully and as frequently as possi- ble, giving all the information necessary to guide me in determining th Page 288 288 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CuAP. XXXVIIL amount and character of the force to be added to your command for further operations, which will be immediately forwarded. Very respectfully, I am, general, your most obedient servant, N. P. BANKS, Major- & ~eneral. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, New Orleans, AS1epternber 13, 1863. GENERAL: It is with regret that I am obliged to report that the effort to efkct a landing at Sabine Pass was without success. The immediate cause of the failure was the misapprehension of the naval authorities of the real strength of the enemys position, and the insufficient naval force with which the attempt was made. It represented, however, the entire naval power that the department affords for an enterprise of this character. No vessel drawing over 6 feet of water can pass the bar at the month of the Sabine. This reduced the number of boats able to enter to four, the Clifton, Sachem, Arizona, and Granite City. These were all old boats of decayed frames and weak machinery, constantly out of repair, even when engaged in the ordinary service of the river. The naval authorities most familiar with the Sabine, which has been constantly nuder blockade, believed that this force would be sufficient. They supposed the battery at the Pass to mount but two guns, and were perfectly confident of being able, if the enemy was not so far ap- prised of our movements as to be able to concentrate their forces, to silence the guns without delay. It proved, however, that the battery mounted six heavy guns, three of which are believed to be 9-inch, one a 7 or 8 inch rifle,and the others to be mounted on siege carriages. To these were added a light battery and two gunboats. The army, of course, relied confidently on the information furnished by the officers familiar with the ground. It would have been wiser to have tested the strength of the enemys position, as might easily have been done by the gunboats stationed at that point forcing their fire, but the desire to avoid arousing suspicion of our movement, the pressure of the Government for prompt action, and the entire confidence of the naval authorities in their information, led to the course adopted. The attack would have been successful as it was had the boats been adapted to the waters in which they engaged. The action opened on Tuesday, the 8th instant, at3p. in., and lasted about one hour. The Clifton and Arwtona were early grounded, and the Sachem disabled by a chance shot, before the Granite City reached the scene of action, and the Clifton and Sachem, being under the guns of the fort, were obliged to surrender. The Arizona and Granite City, with all the transports and troops inside the bar, got oft during the evening. The Clifton is represented to have made a most gallant fight. Gen- eral Weitzel, with 500 men on board the transport General Banks, was following close upon the Clifton when she commenced the attack, with an intention to land at Old Battery Point, about half a mile below the fort, and suppress the fire of the enemys gunners. This would have been accomplished had not the Clifton grounded exactly between him and the point selected for the landing, and the attempt was abandoned only when the Clifton and Sachein had surrendered, and the Arizona was seen to be aground and helpless. Being deprived of all aid of the gunboats, the troops [transports] fell back to a position outside the bar Page 289 CHAP. XXXVIII.] THE SABINE PASS EXPEDITION. 289 Our loss is limited to the two gunboats, the officers and crew, and about 90 men, who were on board the boats as sharpshooters; these were captured. The killed and wounded, it is believed, wilt not exceed 30. The troops and remaining gunboats returned to Berwick Bay and New Orleans on the rith instant. In all respects the co-operation of the naval authorities has been hearty and efficient. Fully comprehending the purposes of the Gov~ eminent, they entered upon the expedition with great spirit. Commo- dore Bell gave all the assistance in his power, and Captain Crocker, hf the Clifton, now a prisoner, deserves especial mention for his conspic- uous gallantry. Were it not for the very serious and lamentable deficiency of light- draught boats in this department, to which I have so often called the at- tention of the Government, I should consider the loss of the two boats as unimportant, except as to their armament. That of the Clifton was important. The boats were unreliable for any service, on account of their decay and weakness both of hull and machinery. It gives me great pleasure to say that both in the preparation and conduct of the expedition, General Franklin, his officers, and men exhibited the best spiriu, and satisfied every expectation that could reasonably have been required of them. The failure is to be attributed solely to the misfortune attending the gunboats, and the impossibility of managing them in the shoal waters of the Sabine. Had it not been for this incurable unfitness for the work in hand, the gallant spirit ex- hibited by both navy and army would have insured the entire success of the enterprise. It would have placed our army between Taylor, Magruder, and Kirby Smith, and given us with certainty the immediate control of Texas. I have the honor to inclose Pill reports by Generals Franklin and Weitzel, which will give in detail the operations of the army and navy, and embrace some precedent neglect on the part of the advance naval boats to which I have not adverted. The only incident of serious mo- ment, tending to disclose to the enemy our plans, that occurred, was the desertion of an engineer while the gunboats were at Berwick Bay. This is believed to have been the only advance information they obtained. Immediately upon the receipt of information of the failure at Sabine, and before the return of the troops, I commenced preparations for an overland movement from Brashear City via Vermilliouville and Nib- Ietts BlufL Had we the requisite naval force or transportation, I would renew the attempt on the Sabine, or strike at the Rio Grande. But we have neither. It is impossible to move up the Red River at this season, except by most tedious marches, on account of the low stage of water. The en- trance to the Atchafalaya is now covered by a dry sand-bar, which extends entirely across the bed of the river. I have constantly borne in mind your suggestion as to a movement from Alexandria or Shreveport, but the low stage of the water makes it impracticable at this season. The march to the Sabine will be difficult, but the men are full of energy and can accomplish it. It will enable us to disperse or destroy the enemy, leaving nothing in our rear but guerrillas to harass or threaten our position on the river. If successful, we shall establish communication with the coast at Cal- casicu, the Sabine, and Galveston, dispersing or destroying as wp move, 19 R RVOL XXVI, PT I Page 290 290 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. with the aid of the blockading vessels or transports and gunboats, the army of the enemy. I have received your dispatch, notifying me that re-enforcements from the north are impossible at present. Appreciating fully the pressure upon the Government at this time, I cheerfully yield, of course, to the necessity which governs the action, but I earnestly urge you to give us all the aid possible from General Grants army. I repeat in this dis. patch, what I have urged in former dispatches in aid of this application, that I shall not lock up large forces in unimportant or non-effective positions. I can return to him the whole of his force, if necessary, as soon as the expedition is over, and still maintain my department. I have now in arms 12,000 blacks. I hope to increase the force to 25,000 or 30,000 at once. I think I can promise Without failure from 2,000 to 5,000 white troops, raised in this department, but though avail- able for its defense by and by, they cannot serve us now. If we can add from 30,000 to 40,000 troops to the effective force of the army from this department alone, I think we present a very just and strong claim to the temporary assistance we ask at your hands and this I believe. To succeed in this, however, we require some assistance in the work we have in hand. Solicitous that my action in all these iml)ortant affairs may meet the approval of the Government, I remain, general, with considerations of high respect, yours, & c., N. P. BANKS, Major. General, Commanding. Major.General HALLECK, Commander-in. Chief, U. S. Army. IIEADQUAR~UERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, New Orleans, October 22, 1863. SIR: Dispatches from the General.in-Chief impress me with the belief that my plan of action in the movement to the Sabine Pass is not per. feetly understood by the Government. It was not intended for the oc- cupation of Sabine City, nor was it, indeed, the purpose to land at that point except it could be done without serious resistance. The landing contemplated and referred to in the orders given to General Franklin, as an alternative for that of Sabine Pass, was upon the coast, 10 or 12 miles below. Had the landing been accomplished either at the Pass or below, a movement would have been immediately made for Beau- mont from the Pass, or for Liberty if the landing had been made below, and thence directly to Houston, where fortifications would have been throwii up, and our line of communication and supplies immediately established at the mouth of the Brazos River, west of Houston, until we could have gained possession of Galveston Island and City. I should have had in ten days from the landing 20,000 men at Houston, where, strongly fortified, they could have resisted the attack of any force that it was possible to concentrate at that time. Houston would have been nearly in the center of the forces in and about Louisiana and Texas, commanding all the principal communications, and would have given us ultimately the possession of the State. The inclosed sketch illustrates the intended routes. The movement to the Sabine was made upon the reports furnished by the naval officers, who were perfectly confident of their success in being able to destroy the enemys guns. The grounding of two boats, aud tbc withdrawal of the other two boats, can~ed the failure to effect a lauding and the return of the army. In my judgment, the arm Page 291 H z Ci2 Page 292 292 w. FLAP, S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. xxxvm. should not have r.eturned, but should have continued to the point in- dicated for landing upon the coast, as contemplated in the instructions. This would have been done but for the withdrawal of the two boats that were free after the loss of the Sachem and the Clifton. The expe. dition sailed from the Mississippi on the 4th of September, and returned to the Mississippi on September 11. It was impossible to repeat the attempt, the failure having given notice to the enemy of our purposes, and enabled him to concentrate his forces against us. I therefore di- rected the movement of the troops across Berwick Bay, with a view to an overland movement into Texas. The deficiency of transportation, the removal of the numerous obstructions to the navigation of the Teche, and the difficulty of obtaining supplies, made it impracticable for us to reach Opelousas until this date. We are now in position for a movement westward into Texas and north- ward to Northeastern Texas, by the way of Shreveport. The resources of the whole of this country are completely and thoroughly destroyed by the enemy. To the Sabine, we have a march from Opelousas and Vermil- lionville of between 100 and 200 miles, without water, without supplies, and without other transportation than by wagons. At Nibletts Bluff on the Sabine, we shall encounter all the possible force of the enemy in the State of Texas, and a powerfnl enemy hanging upon our rear through. out the whole march, which is now waiting for us between Alexandria and Opelousas. From the Sabine to Houston is 100 miles, making alto- gether a march of from 250 to 300 miles. By the way of Alexandria and Shreveport to Marshall, which is the nearest point on the other route, we have a march of from 350 to 400 miles in that direction, with- out other communication than by wagon train, and through a country utterly depleted of all its material resources. Either of these routes present almost insuperable difficulties. It is not good policy to fight an absent enemy in a desert country, if it can be avoided. While the army is preparing itself for one or the other of these move- ments5 I propos~ to attempt a lodgment upon some point on the coast from the mouth of the Mississippi to the Rio (irande. The gunboat Tennessee was dispatched by Commodore Bell for this purpose on the 29th. A careful and intelligent engineer, Captain Baker, accompanied the expe- dition. The Tennessee returned to New Orleans on the 10th instant. The report was most favorable for operations upon the Gulf coast, and the difficulties, although great, much less than those presented upon either of the land routes, by the way of Nibletts Bluff to Houston, or to Alexandria, Shreveport, and Marshall, and, if it is successful, the results must be far more important than could be obtained by getting possession of the town of Marshall In Northeastern Texas. I have there- fore determined to make an expedition for the purpose of landing be- tween Sabine and the Rio Grande, most probably at the latter point. The expedition will sail to-morrow morning (23d) at 9 oclock. The troops, about 3,500 in number, are under the command of Major-General Dana. I accompany the expedition myself and am confident of its success. The earliest possible communication will be made to you of its results. This expedition will produce exactly the same results as that by the Sabine Pass; it is only reversing the order of procedure, beginning at the Rio Grande and moving eastward, instead of at the Sabine, moving westward. I have the honor to be, with much respect, your obedient servant, - - N. P. BANKS, Major- 4~enerat, Commanding. The PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, Washington, P. 0 Page 293 CHAP. XXXVIfl.1 THE SABINE PASS EXPEDITION. 293 No. 2. Report of Capt. William B. Roe, Chief Signal Officer, Department of the G~4f NEW ORLEKNS, LA., February 2, 1864. Sin: I have the honor to surmit the following report of duty per- formed by the signal corps in the department during the Sabine Pass expedition: September 1, 1863.I received orders from General Banks to report with my whole force to Maj. Gen. William B. Franklin, commanding Nineteenth Army Corps, for duty. On the above date I reported to General Franklin, and received orders to place officers on the following vessels: Lieut. S. M. Eaton, with General Weitzel, on Belvidere; Lieut. Thomas S. Seabury, with General Emory, on Crescent. Lient. John W. Dana was placed on board the U. S. gunboat Clifton, and Lient. Henry C. Dane on the U. S. gunboat Sachem. I accompanied General Franklin on the steamer Suffolk. The expedition left New Orleans on the evening of September 4, and arrived at the mouth of Southwest Pass early the next morning. After organizing the expedition, we set sail for Sabine Pass, Tex. Arrived at our destination at 11 a. in., September 7. None of the gunboats or transports that preceded us were in sight until about 6 p. in., when the entire fleet, convoyed by the gunboats, were in view. No signal com- munication was held between the Snifolk and transports during the voyage out: still, the officers with Generals Weitzel and Emory ren- dered much valuable service during the voyage. September 8, 3.30 p. m.The gunboats atacked the fort at Sabine Pass. Lieutenants Dane and Dana were subjected to very severe fire from the enemys works, they having occupied a very exposed position, to enable them to communicate with each other and also with General Franklin. During the engagement, constant communication by signals was held between the two gunboats Sachem and Clifton, and also between General Franklins headquarters and the gunboats. During the thick- est of the engagement, the signal flags were distinctly seen transmit- ting orders between the fated gunboats. At 4 p. m. the gunboats were compelled to surrender, and the 2 officers and 4 enlisted men were taken prisoners, together with the en- tire crews of the vessels. immediately upon their surrender, orders were sent by signals to the different generals to get under way and move to the mouth of the Mississippi River, and await orders. General Franklin arrived at the mouth of the river on the morning of September 11. Orders were signaled to Generals Weitzel and Em- ory to encamp their troops at Algiers, where we arrived at 11 p. in., September 11. My station on the Suffolk kept me so busy that I found it impossible to keep a correct copy of the messages sent and received. However, during the time over 100 official messages were sent and received. Lient. Thomas S. Seabury is entitled to much credit for the faithful manner in which he performed his duty; also by staying on board the steamer Crescent, when others abandoned her, and greatly assisting in getting her off the bar: Lieutenant Eaton also performed his duties with great promptitude Page 294 294 xv. FLA., S. ALA, S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVITt The brave and gallant conduct of Lieutenants iDane and iDana can hardly be overestimated. Never have I seen signal officers subjected to as hot a lire as were they, and in no case were they found absent from their post of duty. I respectfally recommend that they each receive battle-flags, with appropriate inscriptions thereon, as a partial reward for their gallant conduct at Sabine Pass on the 8th of Septem- ber, 1863. I bave the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. B. IRGE, Captain, and Chief of Signal Corps, Department of the Gulf. Maj. G. B. DRAKE, Assistant Adjutant-General, Department of the Gulf. No. 3. Reports of IThj. Gen. William B. Franklin, U. S. Army, commanding Expedition. HEADQUARTERS NINETEENTH ARixEY CORPS, On board the Steamship Suffolk, September 11, 1863. GENERAL: I have the honor to report that, in obedience to your orders of the instant, [31st ultimo,]~ I embarked the troops of my command at the points indicated. On Friday, [September 4,] at 5 p. in., Brigadier-General Weitzel started from New Orleans with about 1,000 infantry, one battery of 30- pounder Parrott guns, and one of 20-pounder, of First Indiana Artil- lery, in the steamers Belvidere, Banks, Landis, and Saint Charles. The remainder of the force, with few exceptions, embarked during Friday night, and arrived at the mouth of the river during all of Saturday. General Weitzels instructions weite to proceed as far as off Berwick Bay, in company with the gunboat Arizona, when he was to be joined by Lleutenant.Commander Crocker, U. S. Navy, with the gunboats Clifton and Sachem; thence they were to proceed in company to Sabine Pass, off which they expected to arrive during Sunday night. On Monday morning, at daylight, they were to enter the mouth of Sabine River. The gunboats were to engage and silence the rebel battery, and General Weitzels troops were to co-operate, and were to hold a position on shore until the arrival of the other troops. Unfortunately the gunboat Granite City, which had been dispatched to the Pass several days before to carry Captain Crockers pilot, who was well ac- quainted with the channel of the Pass, and who wa~ to place a light to enable him to run in at daylight, did not arrive at the Pass until Mon- day afternoon; also, on Sunday night there were no blockaders off the Pass. The consequence was, that Captain Crocker missed Sabine Pass on Sunday night; imagined that he had run past it; ran back, and at daylight on Monday morning was off Calcasien Pass, the next opening to the eastward, instead of being ready to run into Sabine Pass. On Monday morning, about 11 oclock, I arriv.ed off Sabine Pass at the head of the fleet of transports, crossed the bar, and was about to run in, when, seeing nothing to indicate the presence of our people, I recrossed the bar. It was not until late in the afternoon that I ascer * See inelosure to Banks report of September 5, p. 287 Page 295 CHAP. X~XVIJt.J TILE SABINE PASS t~XPEDL1I0N. 29o tamed definitely that nothing had yet been done. I then learned that Captain Crocker now intended to make the attack on Tuesday morning. and that he had dispatched a gunboat to warn me to keep back, in order that the enemy might not see the transport fleet, bnt the gunboat only stopped some of the rear vessels of the fleet, missing the leadin g ves- sels entirely. By this series of misfortunes, the attack, which was intended to be a surprise, became an open one, the enemy having had two nights warning that a fleet was off the harbor, and, during Monday, a full view of most of the vessels composing it; besides, twenty-four hours of valuable time and good weather were uselessly oonsumed. After consultation with Captain Crocker on Monday night, it was de- termined that the Clifton -should go into the harbor at daylight, and make a reconnaissance, and that further operations should be deter- mined by the report received from Captain Crocker. He went in, made his reconnaissance, and signaled for the other ves- sels to come in. 12. therefore sent all of the transports which it was supposed could cross the bar, and found the greatest difficnlty in getting over any vessels drawing more than 6 feet. About 10 oclock, 700 in- fantry, one battery of field artillery, and eight heavy guns were inside of the bar, and a transport, with 700 infantry, was hopelessly aground. A tug drawing 6 feet was sent to her assistance, but had to return, not being able to reach her. In company with General Weitzel and Captain Crocker, I made a re- connaissance of the Texas shore; small boats grounded in mud about 125 feet from the shore. The shore itself is a soft marsh, and parallel to it, and about 50 feet inside of it, is a narrow strip of sand, on which is a road. This road strikes the water and high ground about one-half mile below the fort, at which point there is an old fort. Sailors wading sank into the mud above their knees; soldiers loaded with muskets and rations would have sunk to their middle. The fort completely commands the road and the channels of the entrance, and contains six guns, three of which are, in my opinion, 9-inch guns, one a 7 or 8 inch rifled gun, and two others on siege car- riages. The channel divides about 1,000 yards below the fort, and the two channels unite at a short distance above it. As there were four gunboats available for the attack, the following plan was adopted in conj unction with Captain Crocker: Three of the gunboats were to move up the channel to the point of separation ; there two of them, the Sachein and the Arizona, were to take the channel to the right, and were to pass the fort by that channel, drawing its fire. The Clifton was to take the left-hand channel, moving slowly up, and, when about half a mile distant, was to go at full speed, within grape and can- ister range, and engage the fort at close quarters. General Weitzel was to keep near the Clifton with a boat containing 500 infantry, who were to land as soon as the Clifton began to go at full speed at the old fort; from there they were to advance upon the fort as skirmishers, endeavor- ing to drive the enemy from his guns, while the Clifton engaged the fort at close qnarters. The fourth gunboat, the Granite City, was to sup- port this movement. While the arrangements necessary to carry out this plan were bei~iig made, the troops that were in the transport aground on the bar were brought in, to be in readiness to assist General Weitzels movement in case of necessity Page 296 296 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVITL & w2e~tOOOYd& pi inch-. Ok~ Fort. GUN BOATS. AGranite City. B. Sachem. CArizona. D.Clifton. TRANSPORTS. 1.Suffolk. Head Quarters. 2.St. Charles. 3.Landis. 4.Exact. 5.Laurel Hill. G.Tho~nas. 7.Gen. Banks. *~Position at commencement of engagement, 3.30 P. H. 4f.o Position at close of engagement, 5.10 P. 1ff. BATTLE OF SABINE PASS, September 8, 1863. From a Tracing by G. D. ELLIOT, Asst. Engr. Deportment of the Gulf Page 297 CHAP. XXXVIII.] tH1~ SABINE PASS BXPEDITION. 297 The movement of the gunboats commenced at 3 oclock, and progressed according to the plan for about thirty minutes, when the fort opened on the Sachem and Arizona, and in a few minutes put a shot through the boilers of the Sachem, killing and wounding many of her officers and men. She soon afterward hoisted a white flag. The Arizona was dur- ing part of this time aground. The Clifton steamed slowly up her channel, firing slowly, and finally lay with her broadside toward the fort, engaged at close quarters. A shot went throngh her steam-pipe shortly afterward, dbsabling her, but she fought gallantly for ten minutes more, when she, too, surren- dered. As soon as she hoisted the white flag, the Arizona and Granite City steamed over, the bar; the Arizona grounded, but got off during the night.. General Weitzels report, herewith inclosed, shows why that part of the engagement assigned to him could not be carried out. After the engagement, my sitnation was as follows: I was in the mouth of the Sabine Pass with seven transports. These contained 1,200 infantry, which could be landed; twelve guns and fifty wagons, which could not be landed. The enemy had a heavy battery of six gnns, two gunboats, and a field battery within 6 miles, and was being rapidly re-enforced. We had nothing to protect ns, except the fire from the guns on our transports, which would have been of little use against the enemy~5 gunboats. The enemys battery commanded the whole lauding, and he could, with his battery and gunboats, have destroyed us at any time. The remainder of my force was outside the bar in vessels, all of which had to be lightened, and at least three days would have been reqnired to land it. The stock of fresh water was nearly exhausted, and the animals were already on short allowance of water; the men were living on nncooked rations, and there was no fuel on shore~ for cooking. No fresh water could be obtained unless the fort was in our posses- sion, and the day~s experience had taught me that no attack which III could make with the troops which I had been able to get across the bar conld possibly succeed. It would have been absurd to have at- tempted to have passed the fort with the troops already inside of the bar, there being but one means of access to Sabine City, and this coin- manded for 1~ miles by six heavy guns and whatever fieki artillery the enemy might have. There was no time to send to New Orleans to get instructions, and I therefore concluded to recross the bar and return to the mouth of the Mississippi. I arrived at the mouth of the Mississippi this morning, having left Sabine Pass on the 9th instant, and believe there have been no losses except those reported by General Weitzel, and 200,000 rations thrown overboard from the Crescent (the grounded transport), to get her off the bar, where she would have been taken by the enemy, and 200 mules thrown overboard from the Laurel Hill, a steamer which had lost her smoke-stacks on account of the heavy sea. The loss of the mules will be investigated, as they were thrown overboard without orders from any responsible officer. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. B. FRANKLIN, Major-General, Gommanding. Maj. Gen. N. P. BMqKS, Gomrnandint~ Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, La Page 298 298 w. PLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIIt HEADQUARTERS NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS, Algiers, La., & ptember 14, 1863. GENERAL: I omitted to state in my report of the late expedition to Sabine Pass that on Monday, the 7th instant, I was boarded by an officerfrom the gunboat Caynga, who informed me that his vessel was on a crnise4n that part of the Gnlf. He also informed me that he had been off the Pass near daybreak of that morning. His vessel accompanied its during the remainder of the voyage to the Pass, and staid near us nntil we left. Commodore Bell noticed this omission in my report, and asked me to make this correction, which I do with pleasnre. Another omission is, I should have mentioned that a field battery of the enemy fired into Captain Crockers vessel, the Clifton, while she was engaged with the fort. I learned this from General Weitzel after the report was written. I shall be glad if a copy of this letter be furnished to Commodore Bell. Very respectfully, yours, W. B. FRANKLIN, Major- General, Commanding Nineteenth Corps. Maj. Gen. N. P. BANKS, Commanding Department of the Gu~f, New Orleans, La. No. 4. Report of Brig. Gen. Godfrey Weitzel, U. S. Army, commanding First Division, Nineteenth Army Corps, with itinerary of the Division for September, 1863. ON BOARD STEAMER SUFFOLK, September 11, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report the following as the part my com- mand took in the expedition to Sabine Pass: I left New Orleans at 7 p. m. on the 4th instant, on the steamer Bel. videre, and made the Southwest Pass at 11 a. m. on the 5th instant, accompanied by the steamers General Banks, Saint Charles, and I. C. Landis, nnde~ convoy of the U. S. gunboat Arizona. At 7 a. m. on the 6th instant, was joined off Berwick Bay by the U. S. gunboats Clifton and Sachem, and, after furnishing the three boats with the sharpshooters they requested, we sailed for iSabine Pass at 3.30 a. m. on the 7th instant. I was informed that Captain Crocker, of the U. S. gunboat Clifton, had discovered that we were westward of Sabine Pass, and had ordered the boats to turn back. At abont 7 a. m. Captain Crocker came aboard of my vessel, and re- ported to me that he had been mistaken, and that we were off Calcasien River, abont 30 miles to the eastward of Sabine Pass. After consultation, we concluded it would be best to try and stop the rest of the expedition at the point we were, and then attempt to dash. on the enemys works on the next morning. We were nnsuccessful in this, as the general commanding the corps had passed us. Two of my transports, the General Banks and Saint Charles, were disabled, and required some time for repairs; as soon as these repairs were made, a Page 299 CHAP. XXXVITI.1 THE SABINE PASS EXPEDITION. 299 about 5 p. in., we started for the Pass, and reported to the general com- manding at about 9 p. m. IL was ordered ou the next morning to put the troops from the Belvi- dere on the Thomas, and follow the gunboats over the bar. I did this, after a reconnaissance of the landing and the enemys works and posi- tion had been made, and after consultation with Captain Crocker, com- manding the Clifton and the gunboat fleet. I was ordered to place 500 men on the transport General Banks, to follow up the rear gunboat as soon as the attack was commenced, and to land the m~n at the Old Battery Point, with orders to advance on the euemy~s works, and keep dbown the fire of the enemys gunners while the gunboats were engaged. At 3.45 p. m. the gunboats advanced to the attack; I followed, ac- cording to orders, the last gunboat, the Granite City. Before the Granite City came near to the position assigned her, to cover my land- ing, the Sachem had been disabled, the Clifton was aground, and, un- fortunately, in exact range of my proposed poiLit of landing. I had just given orders to attempt the landing, nevertheless, when I saw the colors of the Clifton had been struck and the white flag raised on the Sachem, and saw that the Arizona was aground. A few moments afterward I was ordered to retire, and then again to go outside- and anchor in rear of the Crescent. Later in the night I received orders to go with my vessels, with the troops arranged as they had been, to the Southwest Pass, Mississippi River, which I did after considerable de- lay in towing the Laurel Hill (disabled), and arrived at that point at about 7 a. m. this day. There were 2 officers and 75 men of the Seventy-fifth New York Vol- unteers on the Clifton as sharpshooters. Six of them escaped. On the Sachein there were 1 officei~ and 25 men from the One hundred and sixty-first New York Volunteers. How many were killed and wounded I do not know. My total loss is, therefore, 3 officers and 94 men. 1 am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, G. WEITZEL, Brig. Gen., Gomdg. First Division, Nineteenth Army Corps. Capt. WICKnAM HoFF1vIAN, Assistant Adjutant- General, Nineteenth Army Corps. Itinerary of the First Division, Nineteenth Army Corps, for September, 1863.* September 1.Brig. Gen. G. Weitzel assumed command at Baton Rouge, La. September 2.The First Brigade moved from Baton Rouge by steamers to New Orleans. September 4.The First and Third Brigades, and Company A, First Artillery, embarked on transports, and sailed at 5 p. m. September 5.At 6 a m. arrived at Southwest Pass. Sailed at 9 a. in., steering westward, under convoy of gunboat Arizona. September 6.At 6 a. m. arrived off Berwick Bay; joined by gunboats Clifton and Sachem; 1 officer and 25 sharpshooters on Sachem, and 2 officers and 75 sharpshooters on Clifton, and steamed westward. * From Record of Events, on division return Page 300 ~OO W. FLA., S. ALA, S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. tCHAP. XXXVIII. September 7.Convoy having missed the entrance to Sabine Pass, during the early morning the squadron returned to Lake Calcasieu, and anchored at 10 a. in., joined by Brigadier-General Emorys fleet. Steamed for Sabine Pass at 4 p. in.; arrived at 9 p. m. September 8.At 7 a. in. arrived at Sabine Pass. Transferred the Seventy-fifth New York Volunteers from steamer Belvidere to river steamer Thomas. At 8 a. in. steamed for bar. During the day a selected party was placed on board the steamboat Banks, to attempt a landing. At 3 p. m. the gunboats opened fire upon the rebel~battery. The Sachem having been exploded and Clifton grounded, it was found im- possible to land troops. At 6 p. in. troops returned to transports. Or- dered to proceed to Southwest Pass. At 9 a. in. en route for Southwest Pass. September 11.At 6 a. m. arrived at the mouth of Mississippi River, and anchored at the head of the passes. At 3 p. m. sailed for New Orleans. September 12.Arrived at New Orleans troops ordered into camp at Algiers. September 15.The Third Brigade proceeded by rail to Brashear City. September 16.The First Brigade and Battery L proceeded by rail to Brashear City. September 17.Crossed Berwick Bay, and encamped at Berwick City. September 20.Moved to Washington Smiths plantation, and en- camped, joined by the First Maine Battery. September 2$3.At 4 a. in. moved to Tarletons plantation: marched 10 miles, and encamped at 10 a. m. September 28.Two regiments and Battery L, First Artillery, under command of Colonel Love, moved to head of Bayou Lallie road, to sup- port cavalry reconnaissance. September 29.Colonel Loves command returned to camp at Tarle- tons. September 30.In camp at Tarletons plantation. No. 5. Itinerary of the First Brigade, Third Division, Nineteenth Army t2orps, Brig. Gen. Frank S. Nickerson, U. S. Army, commanding, for Sep- tember, 1863.* September 2.This brigade left Baton Rouge, La., on transports Poca- hontas, Belvidere, and North America. The last-named vessel being condemned as unseaworthy, the One hundred and tenth and One hun- dred and sixty-second New York Volunteers and Fourteenth Maine Regiments were ti-ansferred to the Robert C. Winthrop, at New Orleans, and the brigade, under command of Brigadier-General Nickerson, con- stituted part of the expedition to Sabine Pass which sailed from New Orleans on September 4. September 12.It returned to Algiers, La. September 17.It proceeded, under command of Brig. Gen. J. W. MeMillan, by the Opelousas Railroad, to Brashear City. September 18.It marched to its present camp, Bisland. * From Record of FArents, on brigade return Page 301 CHAP. XXXVIII.] THE SABINE PASS EXPEDITION. 301 No.6. Report of Acting Volunteer Lieut. Frederick Grocker, U. S. Navy.* HousToN, TEX., September 12, 1863. SIR: ~IBy permission of the provost-marshal-general of Texas, I have the honor to make a concise report concerning the capture of the Clif- ton and Sachem, and the failure of our attack on the fort at Sabine, passing the failure of the Granite City to anchor off the bar and show the concerted signal, whereby we lost the advantage of surprise, and other failures. On the night of the 7th instant, the whole fleet anchored off the bar, and ~it daylight the next morning I crossed the bar in the Clifton to reconnoiter. I found a cotton-clad gunboat, and a very strong looking battery situated where I expected to find it, and, after attempting to draw their fire without success, fell back, and signalized for the whole fleet to cross the bar, which was done. I then went on board General Franklins ship to arrange for the attack, which was finally decided as follows: While the Clifton was shelling the battery with short-fuse shells, the Sachem and Arizona were to advance up the Louisiana channel, and thus compel the enemy to change the training of his guns, when the Clifton was to advance rapidly up the Texas channel, and endeavor to obtain a position near enough to the battery to enable the sh~rpshooters to pick off the enemys gunners. The Granite City was to start with the Clifton, and, following her up the Texas channel, take np a position just above the Old Battery, and cover the landing of troops at that place from the transport General Banks, which troops were to advance rapidly up the bank toward the enemy, and support the Clifton, should she, as was expected, ground near the battery. It was 4 oclock in the afternoon before General Franklin was ready to co-operate, by which time the smoke~ of several steamers was dis- covered coming down the lake. The arrangements of the army being at last completed, the Clifton took up her position in the Texas channel, and began to shell the enemy. The Sachem started up the Louisiana channel, followed by the Arizona, and, after grounding slightly, entered the channel fairly, and joined in the action as they moved up. The Granite City and the General Banks, with their anchors up, lay ready to follow. At the second discharge from the enemys guns, the Clifton, with a full head of steam, steamed rapidly up the Texas channel toward the battery. When the Clifton was about half-way np to the battery, I noticed with great surprise that the Granite City and the General Banks were still lying, drifting across the tide, making no attempt to follow. At the same time a shot. from the enemy struck the Sachems boiler, disabling her instantly and silencing her fire; but, depending upon the support of all the others, the Clifton kept on her course. In a short time, however, her wheel rope was shot away, and she grounded sooner than was expected, and in such a position that only three of her guns could bear on the battery; and withthree we kept up the fight, making every effort to get the vessel afloat; but before we succeeded, a shot passed through her boiler and machinery, disabling her completely. Until this time every man stood to his post, and the fight was pro * Found in the flea of the Diatriot of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona Page 302 302 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXX~IH. gressing favorably; but the steam drove all the sharpshooters off the upper deck. Many, thinking the vessel was about to blow up, jumped overboard. At the same time the enemy got our range, and their fire begau to tell severely. The vessel twice caught fire, and the men were falling fast. My executive officer (Acting Master Robert Rhodes) fell, mortally wounded. Two other officers received wounds, and the men noticing that no support was near, many of them became unsteady. Enough of them remained, however, to keep up a very effectual fire, which was being done with the faint hope that we night yet be sup- ported, when I was met by two of my officers, and informed by one of theni that he had bauled dowii the flag, and that we could not fight any more. With great indignation, I ordered it hoisted again, and all to stand to their guns; but the example had become contagious; with few exceptions, the men had left their guns aiid were taking to the water. At the same time a shot from the enemy disabled one of my three guns, and the lock of another broke th it with a hammer. ~, e remnant of the crew firing Under these circumstalices, and seeing that the Arizona failed to push on; the Granite City and General Banks to make the slightest attempt to support .me; the enemys fire becoming more and more deadly; de- serted by all but a few brilliant exceptions, I deemed it my duty to stop the slaughter by showing the white flag, which was done, and we fell into the hands of the enemy. While the fight was thus progressing, the commander of the Sachem sent to the Arizona an order to advance and take him in tow; but it was not obeyed. The Arizona lay astern nearly silent until the termi- nation of the fight, when she turned and fled. The conduct of the commanders of the Arizona and Granite City, or of my officer who hauled down the flag, 1 am not now called upon to characterize; nor that of General Franklin in failing so utterly to Co. operate; but I trust my Government will soon place me in a Position to ask an inquiry into the facts. I cannot conclude without bearing testimony to the gallant manner in which the commanding officer of the Sachem carried out, so far as he could, his part of the programme. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, FREDERICK CROCKER, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Commanding B pedition. Commodore II. II. BELL, (Jomdg. West Gulf Squadron, off New Orleans, La. Reports of Maj. Gen. John B. Magruder, 0. S. Army, commanding District of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, with congratulatory orders and proclamation. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF TEXAS, & U., Houston, September 9, 1863. SIR: I beg leave to state that on yesterday mornin~ about 6 oclock the enemy appeared off Sabine Pass with a force of twenty-seven ves- sels. Some of them approached, coming inside the bar, and commenced shelling the fort Page 303 CHAP. XXXVIII.] THE SABINE PASS EXPEDITION. 303 The necessity for additional forces on the northern frontier, connected with the fact that severaPeompanies of [W. II.] Griffins battalion, which was stationed on the Sabine Pass, were becoming restless under the dep- redations reported to have been committed by the Indians and others in the section of country in which these companies were raised, induced me to order them to Millican, and hold at that point four companies of this battalion, lei~ving a force of 200 men to man the fort at the Pass. The enemy has, perhaps, compelled them to retire and occupy the fort. This, however, if it has occurred, could not have been prevented by these four companies remaining at Sabine Pass, inasmuch as the whole ot the force at that place could not have stood against so large a force of the enemy. I have the honor to state that Ii have ordered all the troops which have arrived at Millican, under my orders, to Beau- mont and Orange, to prevent the enemy, if possible, from ascending the Sabine River, or from occupying the important position of Beaumont, and thus securing the railroad. The troops ordered to Sabine and vicinity are as follows: The Third Regtment Texas Infantry, Goulds regiment, four companies of ~~jffifl~5 battalion, Jones company of light artillery, and a battalion of light artillery, consisting of Captains Nichols and Gonzales batteries. Besides the 200 mu~n already there, there are four companies of Elmores regiment in the vicinity of the Pass. The only other regiment at my disposal, Colonel Buchels, has been ordered by me to Beaumont. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. BANKHEAD MAGRUDER, ]lThjor- Genera~1, Commanding. Brig. (}en. W. R. BoGGs, Chief of & aff. BEAUMONT, September 10, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to announce a second brilliant victory over the enemys fleet, gained at Sabine Pass on the evening of the 8th instant, resulting in the capture of two fine gunboats, the Clifton and the Sachem, with a full supply of ordnance stores, eighteen heavy guns, 200 prisoners, among them Commander Frederick Crocker, commanding the expedition, the loss of the enemy being over 50 killed and wounded, while on our side not a man was hurt. This gallant achievement was won by the little garrison at Fort Grigsby (44 men), commanded by Lieut. B. W. Dowhing, supported by a small force, the whole under command of Capt. F. II. OdIum. Though attacked by five of the enemys gunboats, the little fort, mounting but three guns of small caliber, maintained its fire until the two gunboats mentioned were forced to surrender, while the other fled over the bar (one of them being badly crippled), to join the discomfited fleet of twenty- two more vessels which witnessed the contest. This victory, even in the face of a formidable expedition which still threatens the coast, is announced with the more satisfaction from the fact that the two vessels captured were among those which disgracefully fled under a flag of truce from the scene of triumph of Texan valor at Galveston in January last. J. BANKHEAD MAGRUDER, Maj. Cen., Comdg. Dist. of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, Brig. Gem LW.) B. Bo~Gs, Chief of Staff Page 304 304 XV. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF TEXAS, & C., Beaumont, Tax., & ytember 10, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to state that the enemy has withdrawn and disappeared from Sabine Pass. It is supposed that the expedition, estimated at 15,000 men, com- manded, as it is represented by the Federal prisoners, by Major-Gen- eral Franklin in person, has gone up the Calcasieu. If this be true, he can apprqach to nithin 20 miles of Nibletts Bluff; and thus take posses- sion of the place. I can, I hope, fortify against him on the Texas side, at the mouth of the Sabine, but cannot do 59 on the Louisiana side. Should the enemy s-ucceed in getting possession of Nibletts Bluff, ~rhich I shall do my best to prevent, the army of General Taylor will, in my opinion, be extricated with difficulty. In view of this, and of the defense both of Louisiana and Texas, I beg that Lieutenant-General Smith will order Major-General Taylor to assemble his forces atNib- letts Bluff. I shall send a courier direct to General Mouton, and re- quest that he move his command as rapidly as possible to Nibletts Bluff. If these troops .are concentrated at that pointq with such assistance as I may be able to give, after diverting the 2,000 State cavalry from Bon- ham, at which point I had ordered them to assemble, I hope we may be able to crush the enemy; but, in my opinion, unless such steps are taken, he will invade Texas from Louisiana, and, reaching the heart of the State, get possession of Houston, which will necessitate the fall of Galveston. I have the honor to state that I received last night letters from Mrs. General Bankhead, inclosing letters from Brigadier-General [S. P.] Bankhead, stating that he had united with Brigadier-Generals [William] Steele and [D. H.] Cooper, and though in search of the enemy, none could be found. In consideration of these facts, I hope the lieutenant-general comm~anding will see fit to direct Major-General Taylor to move his forces and place them as indicated above. The depots of supplies from Vermillionville to Nibletts Bluff have been established in accordance with Major-General Taylors request, and thus the movements may be easily effected. The fort at the mouth of the Pass was defended by only 40 men. Lieu- tenant Dowling, of Cooks regiment of artillery, commanded the fort, and Captain Odlum, of the same company, commanded the post. This small force, in the presence of a fleet of 15,000 of the enemy, drove off one gunboat, captured two others, thirteen pieces of cannon, and 340 prisoners, who are now here. This seems to me to be the most extraordinary feat of the war, and I beg that the lieutenant-general commanding will potice the conduct of Captain Odlum, Lieutenant Dowling commanding, and men of the Davis Guards. Commodore Leon Smith and Capt. W. S. Good, of the ordnance de- partment, arrived at the fort during the engagement, passing through the enemys fire to reach it. Both deserve great credit for their gal- lantry. Commodore Leon Smith, seizing the flag, stood with it upon the ram- parts, and stimulated the men by his example and words. I cannot too highly commend this sensible, heroic, and useful officer to the commander-in-chief, nor speak too highly of the services of Cap- tain Good, who not only manufactures projectiles and ammunition of all kinds, but also is casting excellent brass cannon. This district could do little or nothing without him Page 305 305 CMAr. XXXVIII.] THE SABINE PASS EXPEDITION. He declines to appear before the board of examiners for the ord- nance [servicej, and I beg the lieutenant-general to recommend his appointment as major or captain of ordnance, without an examinatiOnq as has been done in some cases in the armies east of the Mississippi. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. BAINKIIEAD MAGRUDER, Major- General, Commanding. Brig. Gen. W. B. BOGGS, Chief of Staff IIDQRS. P1ST. OF TEXAS, NEW MEXICO, AND ARIZONA, Sabine Pass, September 27, 1863 GENERAL: I have the honor hePewitli to transmit my official report of the recent brilliant engagement at this place, resulting in the cap- ture of the enemys gunboats Sachem and Clifton, accompanied by the flags of the captured vessels. This remarkable victory, in the face of 15,000 of the enemys land forces and several oth~r gunboats, enti- tles the gallant little garrison to the favorable consideration of the IDe- partment, and will I trust, be promptly noticed and rewarded by the honorable Secretary of War. We are menaced with another attack, and tliongh the force at my disposal is very small, I trust I shall be able to follow up the success which has hitherto attended our arms on the Texas coast. I also inclose copies of my orders in relation to the victory. The report I had previously made to Lieutenant.General [E. Kirby~ Smith. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. BANKHEAD MAGRUDER, Major- General, Commanding District. General S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va. IIDQRS. DIST. OF TEXAS, NEW MEXICO, AND ARIZONA,. Sabine Pass, Tex., September 27, 1863. GENERAL: A fleet of twenty-two steam transports, largest size, with five war steamers, attempted to pass into this river on the 8th instant. The nnmber of troops is estimated by the coolest men and stated by prisoners to be 15,000 picked men, mostly of Grants army. The trans- ports could not pass unless the war steamers reduced our fort of six 32-pouuder guns. Lieutenant [R. W.f Dowl~ng, in immediate command of the fort, di- rected his men not to return the fire of the enemy, as our guns were of short range. The enemy at length approached with his war steamers, four in num- ber, backed by the whole fleet of transports, to a point well within our range, when Lieutenant Dowling, of the Davis Guards, opened upon the advanced ships of war, and in some thirty-five minutes two surren- dered, with over 300 prisoners, and another left in a crippled condition. The fleet then backed out and sailed east. This seems to me to be the most extraordinary feat of the war, and I beg that the Department will notice the conduct of Captain [F. ILJ Odlum, Lientenant Dowling, commanding, and the men of the Davis Guards. 20 R RVOL XXVI, PT Page 306 306 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. Commodore Leon Smith and Capt. W. S. Good, of tile ordnance de- partment, arrived at the fort during the engagement, passing through the enemys fire to reach it. Both deserve great credit for their gal. lantry. Commodore Smith, seizing the flag, stood with it upon the ramparts, and stimulated the men by his example and words. I cannot too highly commend this sensible, heroic, and useful officer to the com- mander-in-chief; nor speak too highly of the services of Captain Good, who not only manufactures projectiles and ammunition of all kinds but also is casting excellent brass cannon. This district could do little or nothing without him. 1 arrived the day after at Beaumont, a strategic point, with a portion of the troops from the interior, and have since concentrated 2,500 men here, and greatly strengthened the works at this place. I expect their return soon with iron-dads, and hope to be prepared to meet them suc- sessfully. Had they got in, they would have proceeded at once to Nibletts Bluff, cut us off from Major-General Taylor, and probably ad- vanced on Houston. Now it will be more difficult. The prisoners all stated that they were bound for Houston, and will yet get there. I trust, however, my dispositions of the available forces under my com- mand will thwart them, although very small in number. I am, genera], very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. BANKilEAD MAGIIUDEB, Major- General, Commanding. General S. COoPER, Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va. [Inclosure.] GENERAL ORDERS DQRS; DIST. OF TEX. N. MEX AND ARIz. No. 15 Houston, fLex., & pternber 9, 1863. I. The major-general commanding has the satisfaction of announcing to the army a brilliant victory won by the little garrison of Sabine Pass against the fleet of the enemy. Attacked by five gunboats, the fort, mounting but three guns of small caliber, and manned by the Davis Guards, Lient. B. W. Bowling, assisted by Lieutenant [N. H.] Smith, of the Engineers, supported by about 200 men, the whole under command of Capt. F. H. Odlum, steadily resisted their fire, and at last forced the surrender of the, two gunboats, Clifton and Sachem, badly crippling another, which, with the others, escaped over the bar. The result of this gallant achievement is the capture of two fine gunboats, fifteen heavy gulls, over 200 prisoners, among them the commodore of the fleet, and over 50 of the enemy killed and wounded, while not a man was lost on our side or a gun injured. II. The enemys fleet, with his land forces, is still off the coast, no doubt intending a landing at the first favorable moment. He may en- deavor to retrieve his losses at Sabine by an attack upon the works at other points on the coast. Should this be the case, the major-general commanding confidently expects to receive from his troops at these points as cheering a report as that which he now communicates to the army from the defenders of the Sabine. III. The result of the engagement had with the enemys fleet on the coast of Texas proves that true pluck and resolution are qualities which make up for disparity of metal and numbers, and that no position de- fended with determination can be carried by the enemys gunboats ~Uone. Should any of the forts on the coast or the forces on land b Page 307 CHAP. XXXVIII.] THE SABINE PASS EXPEDITION. 307 attacked, the troops need but remember the success of their comrades at Sabine, emulate their courage and skill, and victory will be the re- suit. By command of Nlaj. Gen. J. Bankhead Magruder: EDMUND P. TURNER, A ssistant Adjutant- General. IIDQRS. DIST. OF TEX., N. MEX., AND ARIZONA, Beaumont, & pternber 10, 1863. To the Mien of Texas: FELLOW-CITIZENS: Almighty God in His divine mercy has given us another signal victory over our enemies. A handful of determined men, in the face of 15,000 of the enemys troops and a powerful fleet of gun- boats have for the present defeated their landing, capturing two and crippling two others of the gunboats, with eighteen pieces of artillery and over 300 prisoners. Fellow-citizens, I need your assistance. Form yourselves into com- panies, and assemble at Beaumont with your arms as rapidly as pos~i- ble. Those passing through Houston will be furnished rra~usportation, ammunition, and rations, by reporting to Lieut. Col. J. D. McAdoo, assistant adjutant-general State troops. The enemy will r~turn to the attack upon the works at Sabine Pass, and threatens vengeance for his defeat. Let us meet him like men resolved to conquer or die. Men of Texas, I know I do not call upon-you in vain. Shall it be said that your State was invaded and you hastened not to the aid of your brethren in the field l Let the mothers, wives, and daughters of Texas, remembering the outrages and tyranny their sisters of the South have met at the hands of the foe, urge every man to do his duty and tarry no longer from the field. The gray-haired sires and women of Texas have the courage to defend their homes from local danger if the able- bodied men will march to meet the enemy and contest every inch of ground which leads to plantations and homes to be desolated by his vandal hand. Business men and planters, the time has come for you ~o turn aside from your daily pursuits and rally to the defense of your country. Wait not until the enemy has wrested from you the fruits of years of toil, or ravaged the fields upon which you rely for a sustenance. Old Texans, men of the days of 36, men of the Republic, you have grasped the rifle and trusty knife before at the call of danger. Come now, and the men who love you for your deeds of valor, the youths who would emulate your example, will follow you. Many of your com- rades are in the ranks. Form with them a wall of fire and steel against which the foe shall press in vain. J. BANKIIEAD MAGRUDER, Major-General, Comdg. Dist. of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. No. 8. Report of Cot. Leon ASmith, C. S. Army, commanding Marine Department, Texas. SABINE PASS, September 8, 1863. SIR; After telegraphing the major-general this morning before leav- ing Beaumont, I took a horse, and proceeded with all haste to Sabine Page 308 308 w FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. from which direction I could distinctly hear a heavy firing. At 3. p. in. I arrived at the Sabine Pass, and found the enemy off and inside the bar, with nineteen gunboats and steamships and three sloops of war, carrying, as well as I can judge, about 15,000 men. After learning the state of affairs, I proceeded with Captains [F. H.] Odium and [W. S.] Good to the fort, where I found Lieutenants [R. W.] Dowling and N. H. Smith, with 42 men, defending the fort. During the day until 3 p. m. our guns were not opened on the enemy, as the range was too distant, the officers coolly holding their fire until the enemy had approached near enough to reach them; but the enemy arriving within good range, our batteries were opened, and gallantly replied to a galling and most terrific fire from the enemy. As I entered the fort, the gunboats Clifton, Arizona, Sachem, and Granite City, and several others came boldly up to within 1,000 yards, and opened their batteries, which were gallantly and effectively replied to by the Davis Guards, commanded by Captaiu Odluin and Lieutenant Dowling. For one hour and a half a most terrific bombardment of grape, canister, and shell was directed upon our devoted, heroic little band within the fort. The shot struck in every direction, but, thanks be to God, not one of that noble Davis Guards was hurt. Too much credit cannot be rendered Captain Odliim and his gallant lieutenant (Dowling), who displayed the utmost heroism in the die. charge of the duty assigned himthe defense of the fort. The Davis Guards, one and all, God bless them. The honor of the country was in their hands, and they nobly sustained it. Every man stood at his post, notwithstanding the murderous fire that was poured upon us from every direction. In consequence of the small number of officers, Lieut. N.H. Smith, of the Engineer Corps, was placed in command of two 32-pounders, and displayed the utmost gallantry and ability in the discharge of that duty. I would also mention the conduct of Captain [R. V.] Cook and 30 men, of Company D, Griffins battalion; Lieutenant [Joseph A.] Chasten, of Company F, and his men (Griffins battalion), both of whom rushed immediately to the scene of danger, to participate in this gallant affair. Lieutenant [Joseph 0.] Cassidy and men of Company B, [A. W.] Spaights battalion, also behaved like soldiers of Texasgallantly and noblytheir position being on board the steam gunboat Uncle Ben, which boat run down to the Sachem and brought her into port. I would also recommend the gallant conduct of Lieutenant [N. H.] Smith, of Company B, Spaights battalion~ 1 Harris, of Captain [Andrew] Dalys also Lieutenant [Charles company, his command acting as scouts and couriers. I would also mention the energy displayed by Lieutenant-Colonel (L. A.] Abercr6mbie, of [H. A.] Elmores regiment, stationed at Orange and Nibletts Bluff, in conjunction with Capt. L. C. Irwin, of the Marine Department; Capt. John Payne, commanding gunboats on Sabine River; Capt. G. Hall, commanding gunboat Uncle Ben, in hastening forward re~enforcements from Orange and Nibletts Bluff, and coming themselves to participate in the defense of this post; also to Capt. John Price, of the steamer Florilda, and his officers, who assisted in placing the re- enforcements at disposal in time to effectually intimidate the enemy from further attack. The result of this battle, which lasted from 3.30 till 5 p. in., is the capturing the steamer Clifton, carrying eight guns, and the gunboat Sachem, carrying five guns, our prisoners numbering nearly 400, and the driving off outside the bar most of the enemys fleet in a crippled condition, comprising twenty sail in all Page 309 4 CHAP. XXXVIII.] THE SABINE PASS EXPEDITION. To-night we expect an attack, and we have distributed onr little band in various quarters ready for the onset. I have the gunboat Sachem alongside the wharf, and am taking off her guns. I shall go to the Clifton in half an hour, and as she is hard aground, I will endeavor to save her guns, and will, at high tide in the morning, try and get her into the dock. Killed and wounded of the 42 men, praises be to God, none on our side. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, LEON SMITH, Commandinf Marine Department, Texas. Capt. EDMUND P. TURNER., Assistant Adjutant- General. No. 9. Reports of Capt. F. IL Odium, Cooks (Texas) Artillery. HEADQUARTERS, Sabine Pass, September 87.30 a. m. SIR: I have the honor to report that the enemy opened fire this morn- ing at 6.30 oclockfrom one of their steamers, and withdrew at 7.30 oclock, after firing twenty-six shell. One shot struck the parapet, but did no niaterial damage. One shell struck within the works, but no one hurt. The shell is believed to be anll-inch shell. Their shots are all good, but doing no damage. I issued orders to Lieutenant [R. W.j Dowling, commanding Fort Griffin, to reserve his fire until the steamers were within range, and then to aim at their wheel-houses, so as to crippl& them, which I believe will answer very well. Lieutenant Dowling is carrying out my orders strictly. The gunboat Uncle Ben will act ac- cording to circumstances. I have only three companies to keep the enemy at bay. I am under the impression they will try to take us by sea and land. There are six steamers within the bar, apparently hold- ing a consultation. If possible, I hope the commanding general will send troops here at once. I am determined to hold the Pass, if possib.le. There are twenty-one vessels outside the bar. Yours, very respectfully, F. II. ODLUM, Captain Cooks Artillery, Commanding Sabine Pass. Capt. A. N. MILLS, Assistant Adjutant- General. HEADQUARTERS, Sabine Pass, Tex., September 9, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report that on the 8th instant our fight com- menced just below the old fort, at 6.30 a. in., by the enemys steamer Clifton opening fire on us, giving us about twenty-six shot and shell, all within range, and most of them falling close to the fort, one shell exploding within the fort, and one striking the parapet on the south angle without doing material damage. They withdrew at 7.30 a. in., without receiving any reply from us. At 11 oclock, ordered the gunboat [Uncle] Ben to steam down near the fort, for the purpose of making a feint, and showing the enemy she 80 Page 310 ~3 10 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., ~EX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. was all right. They honored her with three shots, which all passed over and clear of us, after which all remained quiet until about 3 p. in., when eight of the enemy~s boats commenced moving up the Pass, four or five of the foremost firing constantly on the fort with shot and shell, grape and canister, hailing theni in and all around the fort. We retained our fire at the fort until the first three of them got within close and easy range, when we opened on them fast and heavy, and waked them up with astonishment, as they afterward said, for they had taken our guns for wooden imitations from our holding fire so long. About the fifth shot took good effect in the boiler of the Sachem, the foremost of the fleet, blowing her up and silencing her. Next, and very soon after, the Clifton was served in the same way, and also silenced, and in the mean- time the third was being badly peppered and crippled, and began fall- ing back, when the balance of the ascending fleet took warning and fright, and all got back to the bar. The first two, hoisting a white flag, surrendered unconditionally. We captured two steamers, carrying thirteen guns, of which the Sachem had fiveone a 30-pounder rifled Parrott, an excellent gun in fine order, and four 32-pounders. The Sachem is a propeller. The Clifton, a regular steamship, carried eight guns, of which two are rifled 32.pounder Parrotts, two 9 inch Dahlgrens, and four 32-pounder smooth-bores, all in good order. Besides these we captured a quantity of small-arms of different kinds, together with a large lot of ammuni- tion and naval stores of various descriptions, and also a good store of provisions and medicines. Neither of the vessels are materially damaged, and can be easily repaired, and each is worth over $500,000 apiece. We have them both safe and anchored at the Pass. The crews on both vessels number about 180, of whom about 18 were killed, several wounded, and the balance prisoners. Our loss was, strictly and positively, nobody hurt. Not a single man received even a scratch, and the fort but very slightly injured, and tke contents entirely uninjured. On the whole, it is a glorious and honorable little affair, considering the very small handful of men then at the post and the powerful and formidable appearance of the enemy. The men are in high spirits, and elated with the result, and eager for another attack. It does really seem that Providence has kindly favored us in this affair. I dont think it amiss here to add that the glory and honor, with the sanctiQn of God, in this little victory is ascribed not only by me, but by all that witnessed it, entirely and exclusively to the Davis Guards, in command of First Lient. Ti. W. Dowling, commanding the battery, as- sisted by Lieutenant [N. II.] Smith, of the engineering department, who volunteered his services on the occasion, the conipany being short of commissioned officers. They all acted nobly and bravely, and acquitted themselves with honor. Captains [It. V.] Cooks and [Charlesi Bickleys companies, of Griffins battalion, arrived just~ in time to assist in bringing in the vessels and prisoners. The three companies of Elmores regiment, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel [L. A.] Abereronibie, unfortunately did not arrive in time to participate in the engagement. I have the honor to be yonr most obedient servant F. H. ODLUM, Gaptain, cooks Artillery, Gommanding & tbine Pass. Capt. A. N. MILLS, A88istam~t Ad4uto~nt. aeneral Page 311 CHAP. XXXVIIL] 1~Il~ SABINE PASS tX~EDITION. 311 Xo~ 10. Report of Lient. R. W. Dowling, Company F, Cooks (Texas) Artillery. FORT GRIFFIN, Sabine Pass, September 9, 1863. CAPTAIN: On Monday morning, about 2 oclock, the sentinel informed me the enemy were signaling, and, fearing an attack, I ordered all the guns at the fort manned, and remained in that position until daylight, at which time there were two steamers evidently sounding for the chan- nel on the bar; a large frigate outside. They remained all day at work, but during the evening were re-enforced to the number of twenty-two vessels of different classes. On the morning of the 8th, the U. S. gunboat Clifton anchored op- posite the light-house, and fired twenty-six shell at the fort, most of which passed a little over or fell short; all, however, in excellent range, one shell being landed on the works and another striking the south angle of the fort, without doing any material damage. The firing corn- menced at 6.30 oclock and finished at 7.30 oclock by the gunboat haul- ing off. During this time we had not replied by a single shot. All was then quiet until 11 oclock, at which time the gunboat Uncle Ben steamed down near the fort. The U. S. gunboat Sachem opened on her with a 30-pounder Parrott gun. She fired three shots, but without effect, the shots all passitig over the fort and missing the Ben. The whole fleet then drew off, and remained out of range until 3.40 oclock, when the Sachem and Arizona steamed into line up the Louisiana channel, the Clifton and one boat, name unknown, remaining at the junction of the two channels. I allowed the two former boats to approach within 1,200 yards, when I opened fire with the whole of my battery on the foremost boat (the Sachem), which, after the third or fourth round, hoisted the white flag, one of the shots passing through her steamdruin. The Clif ton in the meantime had attempted to pass up through Texas channel, but receiving a shot which carried away her tiller rope, she became un- manageable, and grounded about 500 yards below the fort, which en- abled me to concentrate all my guns on her, which were six in number two 32-pounder smooth.bores; two 24-pounder smooth-bores; two 32- pounder howitzers. She withstood our fire some twenty-five or thirty- five minutes, when she also hoisted a white flag. During the time she was aground, she used grape, and her sharpshooters poured an incessant shower of Minie balls into the works. The fight lasted from the time I fired the first gun until the boats surrendered; that was about three- quarters of an hour. I immediately boarded the captured Clifton, and proceeded to inspect her magazines, accompanied by one of the ships officers, and discovered it safe and well stocked with ordnance stores. I did not visit the magazine of the Sachem, in consequence of not having any small boats to board her with. The C. S. gunboat Uncle Ben steamed down to the Sachem and towed her into the wharf. iler maga- zine was destroyed by the enemy flooding it. During the engagement I was nobly and gallantly assisted by Lient. N. El. Smith, of the Engineer Corps, who, by his coolness and bravery, won the respect and admiration of the whole command. This officer deserves well of his country. To Asst. Surg. George II. Bailey I am under many obligations, who, having nothing to (10 ~U his own line, nobly pulled off his coat, and assisted in administering Magruder pills to the enemy, and behaved with great coolness. During the engagement the works were visited by Capt. F. II. Odlum, commanding post; Maj. ~Col.] Leon Smith, commanding Marine Depart- ment of Texas Page 312 312 w. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., , TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIIL Capt. W. S. Good, ordnance officer, Dr. Murray, acting assistant sur- geon, behaved witk great coolness and gallantry, and by them I was en- abled to send for re-enforcements, as the men were becoming exhausted by the rapidity of our fire; but before they could accomplish their mis- sion, the enemy surrendered. Thus it will be seen we captured with 47 men two gunboats mount- ing thirteen guns of the heaviest caliber, and about 350 prisoners. All my men behaved like heroes; not a man flinched from his post. Our motto was victory or death. I beg leave to make particular mention of Private Michael MeKernan, who, from his well-known capacity as a gunner, I assigned as gunner to one of the guns, and nobly did he do his duty. It was his shot struck the Sachem in her steam-drum. Too much praise cannot be awarded to Maj. [Col.] Leon Smith for his activity and energy in saving and bringing the vessels into port. I have the honor, captain, to remain, with great respect, your most obedient servant, li. W. DOWLING, First l3ieut., Comdg. Co. F, Cooks Art., Port Griffin, Sabine Pass. Capt. F. II. ODLUM, Commanding Post. No. 11. Thanks of the confederate Congress to Captain Odlarn, Lieutenant Dow hug, and the men under their command. Resolved, That the thanks of Congress are eminently due, and are hereby cordially given, to Captain Odium, Lient. iRichard W. Dowling, and the 41 men composing the Davis Guards, under their command, for their daring, gallant, and successful defense of Sabine Pass, Tex., against the attack made by the enemy on the 8th of September last, with a fleet of five gunboats and twenty.two steam transports, carrying a land force of 15,000 men. Resolved, That this defense, resulting, under the Providence of God, in the defeat of the enemy, the capture of two gunboats, with more than 300 prisoners, including the commander of the fleet; the crippling of a third gunboat, the dispersion of the transports, and preventing the in- vasion of Texas, constitutes, in the opiniou of Congress, one of the most brilliant and heroic achievements in the history of this war, and entitles the Davis Guards to the gratitude and admiration of their country. Resolved, That the President be requested to communicate the fore- going resolutions to Captain Odium, Lieutenant Dowling, and the men under their command. Approved February 8, 1864. SEPTEMBER 7, 1863.Skirmish at Morgans Ferry, on the Atchafalaya, La. Report of ][Iaj. Gen. Francis J. Ilierron, U. S. Army. HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, THIRTEENTH A~Ri~ CoRPS, Morgans Bend, September 8, 1863. GEt~ERAL: I arrived below this place night before last, but could not learn anything definite from the commander of the Neosho. By reco Page 313 CHAP. XXXVIII.] SCOUTING NEAR LAKE PONtCHARTRAIN. ~3i3 noitering yesterday with the cavalry, the main body of the enemy was discovered to be at Morgan~s Ferry, on the Atchafalaya, 3,000 strong, nuder Brigadier-General Green. II sent out a portion of one brigade, under Colonel Day, to look after the party hovering about this place. He skirmished with them during the entire afternoon, driving them back toward the main body. His loss is 6 wounded~ that of the enemy 2 killed, 10 or 12 wounded, and about the same number prisoners in our hands. The enemy has possession of all the roads leading back from the river, and it is impossible to get around them without marching 55 or 60 miles. I leave at daylight with the balance of my command to join Colonel Day, and will attack Green at once. He shows fight, and says he will ~meet us at Morgans Ferry, and I propose to accommodate him. Small bodies of the enemy are constantly hovering near us on the south, firing on our pickets, & c. I communicated yesterday with Captain IRamsay, commanding gun- boat lying off the mouth of Red River. He says the enemy have two transports in use on the Atchafalaya, and that mounted parties of Greens command are moving through the country south of Red River. On the east side of the river 4,000 cavalry, nuder Logan, Posey [Powers nfl, and [John S.] Scott, are annoying the planters and firing upon boats. They range from Port Hudson to Fort Adams. Among the captures yesterday is one John A. Stevenson, of New Or- leans, who is an agent of the Confederate Government, buying cotton as basis for their loan. He had considerable Confederate money and drafts, and printed contracts for a large amount of cotton. I cannot learn that the enemy have over eight pieces of artillery. Will report further to-night. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, F. J. HERRON, ~lliajor. General, Commanding. Brig. Gen. CHARLES P. SToNE, Chief of Staff. SEPTEMBER 13OCTOBER 2, 1863.Scouting near Lake Pontchartrain, La. Report of Lieut. C. Jill. Allen, Second Arkan8as Cavalry. CAMP NEAR RAYMOND, Miss., October 9, 1863. SIR: In obedience to orders from Col. F. Dumouteil, commanding brigade in your absence, I left camp on the morning of September 13 with a squad of 6 men, for the purpose of scouting in that portion of Louisiana bordering on Lake Pontchartrain, and extending from there to the Mississippi, (Saint Tammany, Livingston, and Ascension Parishes). On the morning of the sixth day from camp, I crossed the Amite River at Scrivers Ferry by swimming, and proceeded to the Mississippi River, where I encountered 9 of the enemys scouts and vedettes, ~whom I captured, together with their arms, accouterments, and 4 led horses. They reported to me that their camp consisted of about 40 men from the Fourteenth New York Cavalry, and was located opposite Donaldson- ville. Dispatching a guard of 5 men with the prisoners, with orders to drop back to the Amite Swamp, I, with 1 man, proceeded down the river souie S miles. I found the crops in 4lue condition, particularly the cane, Page 314 ~14 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA~, TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. xxxviii. which our enemies are rapidly making preparations to grind, almost every plantation being occupied and farmed by Federal authority. I also found the stock of mules and horses quite heavy on all the places. Finding that I could procure no more information that would be valua- ble to our cause, I returned, and recrossed the Amite River. From there I proceeded to Madisonville, Saint Tammany Parish. From citizens whom I met on my route to that place I learned that a general system of contraband trade was being carried on with the enemy in cotton, cattle, & c., which was fast demoralizing the people in that section, and from farther information received I judge there must be at least 1,200 or 1,500 conscripts and deserters secreted in the three parishes above named. An occupation of that country for a short period by a small body of efficient cavalry would, I am certain, soon compel a great por- tion of such men to return to their duty, and if the death penalty were enforced in some of the most flagrant cases of spoliators and depreci- ators of our currency, it would have the most salutary effect. From Madisonville I commenced my return to camp, where I arrived on the 2d instant. I would respectfully suggest that, in my opinion, a squadron or battalion of cavalry could now deal the enemy an effective blow by a rapid dash on the coasts burning the sugar-mills, outhouses, & c., on the plantations occupied by them. A great many fine horses and mules could also be secured, with clothing, blankets, provisions, & c. A good crossing can be effected at the French Settlement, there being one or two good flats there. I learmi from reliable information that the enemy had completed the bridge over South Pass Manchac, and were working a large force of laborers on this side, repairing the road. Their ob~ject, no doubt, will be to complete the road as high up as Ponchatoula or Tickfaw Sta. tions, which at once would place theni in position to drain that whole country of cotton, cattle, & c. A small body of men could at any time cross Lake Maurepas, and destroy railroad track, and train, which is now making daily trips to Pass Manchac from New Orleans. Very respectfully, C. M. ALLEN, Lieutenant Company C, Second Arkansas Cavalry. Col. JOHN L. LOGAN, Comdg. Briqade Cavalry and Mounted Infantry. SEPTEA~BER 14, 1 863.Attack on Vidalia, La. Report of Brig. Cen. ]liliarcellus M. (Jrocker, U. S. Army. HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES FORCES, Natchez, Miss., September 15, 1863. COLONEL: I have the honor to report that, on the morning of the 14th instant, a force of rebel cavalry, numnbering from 150 to 200, made an attack upon our forces stationed at Vidalia, opposite this city. There were stationed there at the time a small detachment of Colonel Farrars regiment of negroes, partially armed with shotguns, and about 40 men of the Thirtieth Missouri Infantry, besides the company of pon toniers unde~ baptain Lochbihler. The enemy cut their way through the negro pickets, and appeared, almost without warning, in the camp of the pon. toniers, and commenced cutting loose the mules, shooting the muen, and pillaging the tents. Their firing gave notice to Colonel Farrar, of th Page 315 CHAP. XXXVIII.l SCOUT i~1lOM FOItT WINGATE, N. MEX. ~15 Thirtieth Missouri, who at once advanced with his 40 men, and gallantly attacked the rebels, driving them from the very start, so that they had no time to drive off the mules or do any damage to the pontoon train. General Gresham, commanding the post, sent over as fast as possible, with very limited means of transportation, the Ninety-fifth Illinois In- fantry, the First Kansas, and the Seventeenth Wisconsin Mounted Infantry, and afterward the Eleventh illinois Infantry. The Seventeenth Wisconsin and the First Kansas were sent in pur- suit of and moved against the enemy, who were retiring, with occasional skirmishing, across Cross Bayou, 16 miles in the direction of Trinity, where they came upon the main body of the enemy, about 800 strong. This force, I am informed this morning (the 15th instant), is recrossing the Black River at Trinity. The mounted infantry has been ordered to return, as they are con- sidered entirely insufficient for any successful pursuit, as they are badly mounted and badly armed, and of very little use for any pnrpose what- ever. The force of the enemy is estimated at about 800, all cavalry. They are direct from Alexandria. Their object seemed to have been to cap- ture the negroes recruited for Colonel Farrars regiment, and to destroy th e pontoon train. The negroes, however, had all been transferred to this side of the river, except those doing picket duty, and the pontoon train was awaiting transportation. Colonel Farrar with the few men under him, attacked the enemy so vigorously that he had not time to accomplish his object, but was in full retreat twenty minutes after his first appearance. I regret to say that 2 men of the pontoniers were killed, 2 were wounded, and 4 are missing. Captain Lochbihler, commanding pon- toniers, was so severely wounded that his right arm had to be ampu- tated. One of our men was also killed in the pursuit. The extent of the damage done the enemy is not known. One of their liehtenants and several men were killed in the first attack and left in our hands. We also captured 9 horses and several prisoners. Great praise is due Colonel Farrar for the promptness, coolness, and courage with which he attacked the enemy with his small number of men. As the various detachments sent out have not yet returned, I - am unable to send you an accurate statement of the casualties, but think I have stated the most of them. I will send a full report as soon as I receive the necessary information. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, M. M. CROCKEB, Brigadier- General, Commanding, & c. Lieut. Col. W. T. CLARK, Assistant Adjutant- General, & venteenth Army Corps. SEPTEMBER 15OCTOBER 5, 1863.Scout from Fort Wingate to Ojo Redondo (Jacobs Well), N. Mex. Report of Maj. Edward B. Willis, First Galifornia Infantry. FORT WINGATE, N Mnx., October 6, 1863. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that, in accordance with orders received from Lieutenant-Colonel Chaves, I left this post on Tuesday Page 316 3113 w. PLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. CHAP. XXXVIII. the 15th ultimo, with 40 men each of Companies II, First Infantry, Cali- fornia Volunteers, and F, First New Mexico Volunteers, for an expe- dition against the Navajo Indians. I proceeded from this post direct to a rancheria in the vicinity of the Sierra Datil, about 100 miles from here; but on my arrival at that point found it had been attacked two days before by a party of about 300 Pueblo Indians, who had killed the chief, Barboncito, with 16 others, and captured 44 squaws and children, and about 1,000 head of sheep, losing themselves 2 men. This had scattered the Navajoes from this vicinity. While I was here, the Indians passed close by me, with 200 or 300 head of horses and a large qnantity of sheep; but, having no mounted men, I was un- able to overtake them. They passed north, and I was informed were going to the Sierra Chnsca. I then proceeded about 50 miles south to the Cienega Amarilla. In this vicinity there were signs of having been large lots of stock, princi- pally horses, but they were driven off on onr arrival, and we were not able to overtake them. We succeeded in taking 1 horse and 1 mule at this place. After searching this country thoroughly, I marched, in accordance with my orders, to the Little Colorado River, which stream I reached at the point of its issue from the Sierra Blanca. I proceeded down the river, examining the country for about 40 miles, everything in that vicinity showing that the Indians had left there. I directed the com- mand by way of the Venado Spring to the Ojo Redondo, or Jacobs Well, on Beales wagon-road to California. At this point I found few Indians, capturing 2. I also found large fields of corn, watermelons, and pumpkins, which I destroyed; also a large rancheria, which was burned by us. From this place I returned to Fort Wingate, having been absent twenty-one days, and traveling with infantry companies very nearly 400 miles. I cannot speak in too high terms of the officers and men of this com- mand. No men could be more anxious to do their duty, or more cheer- fully incur the hardships of a campaign. After a march of 25 to 30 miles, the whole command would cheerfully volunteer and march the whole night on the slightest prospect of doing any service. In passing Zufii, I foand those Jndians had declared war against the Navajoes, and at the time I was there were having a war-dance over some scalps taken by them. Their chiefs requested from me that, in case of the Government making a peace with the Navajoes, they should be informed of it a ~ ting them until this happened. , s they intended to continue fiot It is the opinion of all who have facilities for gaining information that I have conversed with that the Navajo tribe have been more severely punished this summer than ever before. They have been closely hunted in almost every direction by the troops, and of late by the Zulu, Apache, and Pueblo Indians. In the large scope of country over which I have traveled during the past month, every evidence tends to show that in that section they have no longer permanent abiding places, but are fleeing from one part to another, in a continual state of fear. I am, captain, respectfully, your obedient servant, EDWARD B. WILLIS, Major First Infantry, California Volunteers, Comdg. Post. Capt. BENJ. C. CUTLER, Asst, Adjt. Gen., Dept. of New Mexico, A3anta F~ N. Alex Page 317 Cm~r. XXXVIII.] EXPEDITION TO NEW RIVER, LA., ETC. 317 SEPTEMBER 23, 1863.Affair opposite Donaldsonvile, La. Report of Lieut. Col. W. D. Smith, Aide-de- Camp. NEW ORLEANS, September 23, 186310.30 p. m. I have the honor to leave copy of telegram just received: DONALDSONVILLE, VIA BONNET CARRfi, September 23. Lient. Col. W. D. SMITH: The rebel cavalry, 200 or 300 strong, made a descent on Captain Metcalfs company, Fourteenth New York Cavalry, last night at 1 oclock, opposite this place. They were completely surprised. Captain Metcalf and about 10 men, and also Mr. Allen, the telegraph operator, were taken prisoners. Do not know how many were taken up the river on telegraph line. Will write you particulars as soon as I get them. Have saved all the papers and instrument belonging to telegraph office. W. 0. FISKE, Colonel, Commanding. We also have information at headquarters Defenses of New Orleans that about 1,500 mounted men are in that region. This having to be sent to Bonnet Carrd before telegraphing here, accounts for the late hour of receipt. I know of nothing I can do this evening, but if you wish to see me any time to-night, your servant will find me at 19 Ram- part street, this side of canal. Your obedient servant, ~. D. SMITH, Lieutenant- Colonel. GENERAL STONE. SEPTEMBER 2429, 1863.Expeditions from Carroliton and Baton Rouge to New River and to the Amite River, La. REPORTS. No. 1.Brig. Gen. Stephen G. Burbridge, U. S. Army, commanding Fourth Division Thirteenth Army Corps. No. 2.Itinerary of the First Brigade, Fourth Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, for September, 1863. No. 3.Col. Oliver P. Gooding, Thirty-first Massachusetts Infantry, commanding at Baton Rouge, La. No. 1. Report of Brig. Gen. Stephen C. Burbridge, U. S Arm~i, commanding Fourth Division, Thirteenth Army Corps. CARROLLTON, LA., September 30, 1863. COLONEL: In pursuance to instructions from corps headquarters, ask- ing for a report of my recent operations against the enemy on New River and the country on the Amite, I respectfully snbmlt as follows: On the evening of the 24th instant, I was directed by Major-General Ord to proceed up the Mississippi River with 1,500 infantry, one battery of light artillery, and the Sixteenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer In- fantry, mounted, to a point near Donaldsonville, and debark on the left bank of the river, destroy, capture, or break np the enemy under Logan, as well as force the evacuation of all the space between the Mississippi River and Lakes Maurepas and Pontchartrain Page 318 318 w. ELK, S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. In obedience to these instructions, I directed Colonel Owen, com- manding First Brigade, Fourth Division, to prepare his command for the expedition, and at 8 oclock the expedition was ready for embarking~ In consequence of the boats detailed for transporting the troops not ar riving promptly, much delay was occasioned. At 8.35 , I received a dispatch from General Stone saying that all the boats were on the way, but at 12 oclock only three had arrived. Supposing that the other boat would soon report, I embarked with the Eighty-third Ohio, and pushed forward to have all arranged at Donaldsonvillc by the time the remainder of the forces should arrive. Colonel Owen was left in com- mand, with instructions to follow on as rapidly as possible. - I arrived at iDonaldsonville at 7 a in., September 25, and delivered orders to Captain Carnahan for additional cavalry force. The captain immediately reported with about 120 men, but as the Glasgow did not arrive at Carroliton until about 4 a. m. on the 25th, Colonel Owen was not able to join me with the remaining forces until 4 p. m. As soon as he arrived, I debarked the infantry and artillery at a point about 4 miles below Donaldsonville, called Mannings, and proceeded into the interior about 10 niiles, to New River, and encamped for the night at a point called Lannaries. The cavalry and mounted infantry was put in charge of Colonel Lucas, Sixteenth Indiana, and directed to debark about 9 miles above Donald- sonville, proceed by way of Dutch Store, cross Bayou Manchac at ~Hamptons Ferry, thence to the Amite, cross at Bennetts Ferry, and join me at Galveston, by approaching it from the rear. Upon learning from reliable scouts and citizens that there was no enemy in that vicinity, and that the party of the enemy who had recently visited the neighbor- hood of Donaldsonville had passed thirty-six hours in my advance, I did not deem it necessary to move the infantry and artillery farther into the interior. So, on the morning of the 26th, I sent forward all the mounted force at my eommand to meet Colonel Lucas at Galveston, and deliver him instructions to proceed to Civiques, 5 miles below, on the Amite, destroy that bridge, and rejoin inc at my camp on New River. Colonel Lucas followed his instructions with promptness and zeal, and met the mounted force sent forward at Galveston. He was not able to cross the Amite at Galveston, and was compelled to proceed to Civiques, on the east side of the river. At 10 p. in. I received a dispatch from him, saying that there was no enemy heard of or seen in that country; that the bridge has been destroyed; that he could not cross there and that he would return by way of Bennetts Ferry, and rejoin me as soon as possible. Upon receiving this dispatch, I at once directed the infantry and artil- lery to return to the Mississippi at Mannings, and sent forward couriers ordering the transports to meet me there. At 6 a. in. on the 27th, all the infantry and artillery had arrived safely back on the Mississippi. About 10 a. in., 27th, I dispatched to General Stone, chief of staff, asking for instructions, aiid was directed to return. Thereupon I immediately embarked with the Eighty-third Ohio, and returned, leaving Colonel Owen to bring back the remaining forces as soon as Colonel Lucas rejoined him. I arrived at my head- quarters, Carroliton, at 10 p. in. At 1 a. in. Colonel Lucas arrived at Mannings, much exhausted, having marched 150 miles. The cavalry forces from Donaldsonville were sent back to their place of encampment at Donaldsonville, and at 4 p. in. Colonel Owen reported at Carrollton with the remainder of the expedition Page 319 CHAP. XXXVIII.] EXPEDITION TO NEW RIVER, LA., ETC. 319 The oi~y enemy heard of in that country was the party of about 80, who had visited the vicinity of iDonaldsonville. Citizens reported a camp of 300 or 400 on the Ponchatoula River. We found the roads passable; citizens disposed to be peaceable, and thriftless. Many pa- roled prisoners from Yicksburg and others who had abandoned the rebel service were met. Some horses and mules were impressed, but mostly to supply the places of those broken down by heavy marching. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, S. G. BIJRBRJDGE, Brigadier- General, Commanding Expedition. Col. WALTER B. SCATES, Assistant Adjutant- General, Thirteenth Army Corps. No. 2. itinerary of the First Brigade, Fourth Division. Thirteenth Army Corps, for Septemb~r, 1863. * September 1.Colonel Lucas, in command of the First Brigade, Fourth (late Tenth) Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, recently arrived from Vicksburg, and is noW encamped at Carrollton, La., continuing a regular system of drill, especially in the bayonet exercise. General Lawler has been commanding the division since General Smiths as- signment to duty at Columbus, Ky. September 7.Colonel Owen, having recovered from illness, reports for duty, and resumes command of the brigade. September 11.The brigade quartermaster, Captain Friedley, resumes his duties, having been absent on leave. September 18.The Sixteenth Indiana Volunteers permanently de- tached from the brigade, to act as mounted infantry. September 20.General Burbridge assumes command of the division. September 24.The First U. S. infantry attached to the brigade for the purpose of making its reports and drawing supplies, but remains on duty at corps headquarters. The brigade ordered on an expedition to Ascension Parish, La. Embarked on steamers Meteor, Kennett, Empress, and Glasgow. September 25.About 2 p. m. landed nearly opposite lDonaldsonville. The brigade marched to New River, about 10 miles. September 26.On New River until evening, the cavalry being sent forward. The rebels having dispersed, the infantry and artillery of the brigade marched during the night to the east bank of the Mississippi, opposite Donaldsonville, La. September 27.Embarked, awaiting the cavalry of the expedition, viz, the Fourth Illinois and Sixteenth Indiana. September 28.Our boat conveyed the Fourth Illinois Cavalry to Donaldsonville, and took the Sixteenth Indiana, with infantry and artillery, to Carrollton Landing. Here an order was met for the artil- lery to remain on board, be conveyed to Algiers, La., and thence by railroad to Brashear City, La., which was carried out. The infantry regiments of the brigade, at the date of this return, [September 30,] remain in camp near Carrollton La Orleans. , ., 4 miles from the city of New Prom brigade returns Page 320 320 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. No. 3. Report of Col. Oliver P. Gooding, Thirty-first Mctssachusetts Infantry, commanding at Baton Rouge, La. BATON IROUGE, September 29, 1863. GENERAL: Lieutenant Earl, of the Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry, in command of a squad of 40 men, marched last night as far as th~ Amite, and returned this morning with 14 prisoners, with their horses, arms, and equipments. Among them were two notorious guerrilla chiefs, one known as Colonel Hunter and the other as Captain Penny. Maj or-General Herron brings the news that Logan is at Morganza Bend, on this side of the river, about 7 miles below Morgauza, with from 2,000 to3, 000 men and four pieces of artillery. General Herron will arrive in New Orleans to-day. It is presumed that Logans force have all been ordered to Liberty, Miss. - 0. P. GOODING, Colonel, Commanding. Brig. Gen. CHARLES P. STONE, Chief of StatJ New Orleans. SEPTEMBER 29, 1863.Action at Stirlings Plantation, on the For. doche, La. ThEPOIRTS. No. 1.Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks, U. S. Army, commanding Department of the Gulf, including skirmish on the Teche, October 3. No. 2Maj. Gen. N. J. T. Dana, U. 5, Army, commanding Second Division, Thir- teenth Army Corps. No. 3.Maj. John Bruce, Nineteenth Iowa Infantry. No. 4.Abstracts from Rezord of Events on the several returns of the Second Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, for September, 1863. No. 5.Brig. Gen. Alfred Mouton, C. S. Army, commanding Sub-District Southwestern Louisiana. No. 6.Brig. Gen. Thomas Green, C. S. Army. No. 1. Report of ilitaj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks, U. S. Army, commanding De partment of the Gulf, including skirmish on the Teche, October 3. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, New Orleans, October 4,1863. GENERAL: I have the honor to inclose to you a report of Captain Palfrey,* in charge of the works at Fort Jackson, showing their prog- ress. The guns have arrived, and the workmen are busily engaged in con- structing platforms for them, whIch will soon be ready. ~ Omitted Page 321 CHAr. XXXVIII.] ACLON AT STIL~LIN ~ PLANTATION, LA. 321 General ilerrons division at Morgauza suffered the loss of about. 400 men, captured the early part of this week. The enemys force con- sisted of two brigades, under the command of General Green. The troops were much advanced and made a most gallant defense, but were overpowered by numbers. The enemy sent in a flag of truce, with a request for permission to bury their dead. Their loss was considerable in killed and wounded, and we have some prisoners, among others the colonel of one of the regiments. A skirmish took pla~e yesterday between the advanced cavalry on the line of the Teche, under Colonel Davis,. and a bout 200 of the enemys cavalry. The enemy was quickly repulsed, losing one gun, which was captured by us, and the loss of the officer in charge of the gun, who was killed. We suffered no loss. Our whole force is now moving upon New Iberia. I have suffered much anxiety on account of the dilatory movements of the troops, but it has been impossible to hasteu them. In my next dispatch, I trust to give you more favorable information. N. P. BANKS, Major- General, Commanding. Maj. Gen. II. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief, U. S. Army, Washington, D. 0. No. 2. Reports of Maj. Gen. N. J. T. Dana, U. S. Army, commanding Second Division, Thirteenth Army Corps. IVIORGANZA, LA., Septe~nber 29, 18638 p. m. SIR: The advanced force stationed at Bayou Fordoche was attacked about noon to-day on all sides simultaneously by General Green, with probably three brigades. The cavalry escaped, but the Nineteenth Iowa and Twenty-sixth Indiana, amounting to about 500 men, with two guns, were captured. They are reported to have made a gallant defense and to have suffered greatly. I have taken some prisoners, including a colonel. N. J. T. DANA, Ma~ior- General. Brig. Gen. CHARLES P. STONE, Chief of Staff. 4 IIDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Morgan~a, La., September 30, 1863. COLONEL: I have the honor to report that 1 assumed command of the detachment here ~t noon on the 28th. instant, Major-General ilerron leaving at that time. The troops were stationed at this point on the river, with an advanced detachment 7 miles out on the direct road to the Atchafalaya River, being the nearest place where water could be obtained. This detachment was composed of a part of the Nineteenth- 21 I~ i~---voi~ xxvi, PT Page 322 322 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. Iowa Infantry, commanded by Captain Adams, 320 m~n; a part of the Twenty-sixth Indiana Infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel Rose, 346 men; one section of Battery E, First Missouri Light Artillery, Second Lient. E. S. Rowland, 28 men; detachments of Sixth Missouri, Second and Thirty- sixth Illinois Cavalry, under Major Montgomery, 160 men. The whole being under command of Lient. Col. J. B. Leake, Twentieth Iowa In- fantry. Lieutenant-Colonel Leakes instructions from Major-General ilerron were to keep the country well reconnoitered; to keep his cavalry con- stantly out; to push daily reconnaissances toward the Atchafalaya, where a considerable force of the enemy were posted, and frequently to push his advances up to the river, and annoy the enemys pickets and drive them in. The morning after I assumed command (yesterday), I dispatched a courier with an escort to Lieutenant-Coloiiel Leake, with orders, & c.; two wagons loaded with knapsacks belonging to his com- mand were sent out with a small infantry guard. The weather had been stormy during the preceding afternoon and night, and the rain was still drenching and the road bad. Soon after noon, a messenger came back from the wagons, with information that the road was in possession of a strong force of the rebels, about half- way to Lieutenant-Colonel Leakes camp; that the guard had skirmished with them, and had held their ground, but that heavy infantry firing was heard on the road in their front, supposed to be Lieutenant-Colonel Leake clearing the road. I immediately ordered Colonel Black, Thirty- seventh Illinois Infantry, to march with his regiment to open the com- munication, and to assume command of his own and Lieutenant-Colonel Leakes troops, and be governed by circumstances, pursuing the enemy and punishing him as much as possible. The road was bad and heavy for marching, and the rain was drench- ing, and when Colonel Black had proceeded 3 miles, he met Major Mont- gomery with his cavalry detachment, and from him and stragglers he learned that the enemy had attacked Lieutenant-Colonel Leakes com- mand on all sides at once; had surprised him by coming through the cane and corn fields of the country, as well as by the road, and by first opeliltig the attack in the rear, and being dressed in United States uni- forms. Major Montgomerys command checked the enemy, and escaped with the loss of 5 men missing, and brought off 6 prisoners; but as the enemy was pushed in between his force and the infantry, he failed to effect a junction, but supposed the infantry force had been captured. Colonel Black took a strong position in line of battle, and remained there till after dark, when, at 7 oclock, an officer bearing a flag of truce from the enemy made his appearance with the following dispatch: BAYOU FORDOOHE, Major-General HERRON, September 29, 1863. Or Commander of Forces at Morgauza: GENERAL: I send to you a flag of truce by Captain Breaux, the object of which he will explain. Considering it an act of humanity, the brigadier-general commanding has instructed me to send you this message: That you have many wounded and dead, which he cannot bury or care for, and, if it meets with your approval, hostilities will be suspended for twenty-four hours, to allow you to ta1~e care of the wounded and dead. The general also instructs me to say that he has left your surgeons and steward to attend on them. By order of Brig. Gen. Thomas Green: Very respectfully, W. B. RATLIFF, Cartain, Commanding Po8t Page 323 CHAP. XXXVIII.] ACTION AT STIRLINGS .PLANTATJON, LA. 3~3 To which the following reply was made: MORGANZA, LA., September 29, 18637.30 p. m. Capt. W. B. RATLIFF, Commanding, Po8t at Bayou iordocke: YoHr dispatch and flag of truce, addressed to Major-General Herron,is this moment received, and I am instructed by Major-General Dana, who now commands the United States forces here, to reply that, for the reasons stated, he accepts the proposition of Brigadier-General Green for a suspension of hostilities for twenty-four hours, the time to commence at daylight to-morrow morning, and he will immediately send out some surgeons and medical supplies, with such vehicles as can be procured to bring in the wounded, and will also send out a burial party at daylight. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. HYDE CLARK, Assistant Adjutant- General. From the information gathered, it now appears that rebel Brigadier- General Green with his own and Colonel Majors brigade of cavalry (dis- mounted), and with General Moutons and Colonel Speights brigade of- infantry (four brigades in all of foot), with about 350 cavalry~ and cer- tainly one (Semites) and probably two batteries of artillery, crossed the Atchafalaya at Morgauza Ferry during the afternoon aud night of the 28th. Their effective force is variously stated at from 3,500 to 7,000 men, and from six to twelve guns. They took different roads and by- paths, and at about 1 p. m. yesterday attacked our advance on all sides, and, after a gallant resistance, finally overpowered and broke it up, and captured most of the infantry force and the section of artillery with it. In fairness to Lieutenant-Colonel Leake, who is wounded and a pris- oner in the hands of the rebels, I refraiu from j)assing judgment on him in the harsh terms in which this surprise would appear to make it my duty to do. Bearing heretofore a high reputation as an officer and a gentleman, and selected by a discriminating commander from a knowl- edge of his qualities to fulfill his delicate task, it is to be sincerely hoped that an investigation will, ou his return, place him in a satisfactory light. Of one thing I feel surethat, after being surprised, they fought as officers and men gallantly, and even after all hope was gone they broke into squads, and endeavored singly to make their escape, in which many succeeded. They sustained the high reputation of veteran sol- diers. We have captured 1 lieutenant-colonel and 9 prisoners. Our loss is, commissioned officers, 2 killed and 4 wounded; enlisted men, 12 killed and 29 wounded; total. 47* It is impossible to obtain a correct statement of the number taken prisoners, as stragglers are coming in every hour, and having laid out all night in the rain and without food since yesterday morning, they scatter themselves among the camps for food and rest, and do not re- port. At present there are about 500 men and officers missing. This will, however, in my opinion, be much diminished by stragglers coming in, and as others who are already in report themselves. A correct list of killed and wounded accompanies this rej~ort, and a list of prisoners will be sent as soon as possible. Very respectfully, K. J. T. DANA, ]Jliajor- Generat. Lient. Col. WALTER B. SCATES, Assistant Adjutant- General, Thirteenth Army Corps. But see reyised stntc,inent, p. 3~5 Page 324 324 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAr. XXXVIII.. IIDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS, ]Jliorganza, October 2, 1863. COLONEL: I reported to you in my dispatch of the 29th ultimo the particulars of the affair at Bayou Fordoche, where a detachment com- posed of portions of the Nineteenth Iowa and Twenty-sixth Indiana Voludteer Infantry and a section of artillery were surprised and cut up by four brigades of the enemy. The suspension of hostilities, which, at the solicitation of the rebel commander, I consented to, to enable me to bring in my wounded, ex- pired at daylight yesterday morning. The night of the 29th and the day of the 30th were spent in bringing in our dead and wounded. The former were buried here yesterday, and the latter will be sent to New Orleans by the fii~st boat. At daylight yesterday morning I sent out the cavalry force, sup- ported by the Thirty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, all under coin- mand of Colonel Black, of that regiment, with orders to push a recon- naissance as much beyond the battle-field as prudence would allow, to push back the pickets of the enemy, to gather whatever informs- tion he could, and to make efforts to capture some prisoners, and bring in any public property which the enemy might have been unable to carry off. The work was well done, and it is believed, though not positively as- certained, that the enemys force has recrossed the Atchafalaya, with the exception of about 400 or 500 men. At a distance of 3 miles from here, the detachment was met by a flag, with a demand for a suspension of hostilities, to enable the rebel com- mander to care for his wounded. Thislrefused,andthereconnaissancewas pushed forward between 8 and 9 miles, some distance beyond the battle-field. Nineteen rebels badly wounded were found in a building near the field. One of our cais- sons was found destroyed by all the spokes being cut, but we brought in a limber and some muskets and ammunition. The detachment in returning was located, by my order, 2~ miles from here, with the cavalry half a mile in the front. The recent rain has supplied water. In the afternoon yesterday I sent ollt an officer of my staff with about 20 mounted men td reconnoiter the road from here to New Texas Land- ing, and the direct road from there to Bayou La Tenache. He found the enemys pickets about 3~ miles out that road, about 5 miles from here. I have directed a portion of the cavalry to drive them back to-day and ascertain if there is anything behind them: My effective cavalry force is reduced to less than 100, and the country here is so (liffleult to patrol and affords so much cover that it would require five times that nurn- her to keep it properly reconnoitered, considering the perfect knowledge our enemy has of it. I am satisfied that the enemy met with severe punishment in the affair of Fordoche. His loss was not less than 30 killed and 70 wounded, and some of the rebels at the field hospital placed the number as high as 50 killed and 80 wounded. Respectfully, your obedient servant, N. 3. T. DANA, Major- General, Gom~man4ing. ]IAent. Col. WALTER B. SCATES, Assistant Adjutant- General, Thirteenth Army Corps Page 325 CHAP. XXXVIII.] ACTION AT STIRLINGS PLANTATION, LA. ~325 Return of Casualties in the ?iJnion forces engaged at Stirlings Plantation, on Bayou For doche, near JVforganza, La., September 29, 1863. [Compiled from nominal hit of casualties, returns, & c.] Killed. Wounded. Captured or missing. 8 8 a a Command. S S ~ ci ~ll nan,, a ,,, ~ is 0 ~ 0 F~ 0 ~ -~ 26th Indiana 3 1 15 9 209 237 lOthlowa 2 8 3 20 11 199 243 20th Iowa (commander of forces engaged only) 1 . 1 2d Illinois Cavalry 2 2 4 6th Missouri Cavalry 5 5 1st Missouri Light Artillery, Battery E 3 1 3 18 25 Total 2 14 5 40 21 433 515 NOTE.Lieuts. Silas Kent and John W. Roberts, Nineteenth Iowa, killed, and Capt. Andrew M. Taylor, Nineteenth Iowa, mortally wounded. No. 3. Report of Miaj. John Bruce, Nineteenth Iowa infantry., IIDQRS. NINETEENTH IOWA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, Brownsville, fLex., October 15, 1863. GENERAL: I have the honor to submit to you a report of the part taken by my regiment in the engagement at Stirlings farm, fought on the 29th of September, 1863, in Point Coupie Parish, Louisiana. On the 5th day of September, the Second Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, commanded by Major-General Herron, of which command the Nineteenth Iowa formed a part, embarked on board transports, and proceeded up the river to disperse a force under General Taylor, which was then on the west side, below the mouth of Red River, seriously threatening the navigation of the Mississippi: On the 8th day of Sep- tember, the division was halted near Morganza, La.; landed, and pro- ceeded to the interior; met the enemys pickets about 2 miles from the river, drove them in, and drove the rebels back 10 miles across the Atchafalaya. I was left with my regiment and two pieces of artillery to protect the transports at the river. The division returned to the transports on the 11th. On the 12th, the Nineteenth Iowa, Twenty-sixth Indiana, and two pieces of artillery, the whole under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Leake, of the Twentieth Iowa, were ordered out to feel the enemy. We met the enemys pickets of a mile from the river, drove them in, and soon found the enemy in considerable force. We skirmished with them, and drove theiu back across the Atchafalaya. We then fell back to Stirlings farm, 7 miles in the interior from where the transports lay. From this point our advance and pickets skirmished almost daily with the advance of the enemy. On the 29th, the enemy, having received re-enforcements, tnrned our right, and attacked us in the rear, cutting off our retreat. He at the same time attacked us ou the front. My regiment was first called int Page 326 ~26 w. PtA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. action, met the enemy boldly, and, at short range, delivered a deadly volley, which compelled him to fall back. He, however, rallied again in overwhelming force, and, after a firm and desperate struggle, in which we were well supported by the Twenty-sixth Indiana, we were com- ~letely overpowered and compelled to surrender; many of our men, however, refusing to give up until the gnus were taken from their hands by the rebels. The rebels were commanded by General Green in per- son, and consisted of three brigadesin all, a force of 5,000 men. Our entire force there was about 500 men. My regiment had only about 264k men in the action, niany having been left sick in convalescent camps at Carrollton, La. They were not on the expedition. The fight was short but deadly, considering the numbers engaged, the cane and high weeds concealing the lines until they approached within pistol-shot. Many of our men escaped, and came straggling into camp for two days afterward. In the action we had 2 officers and 8 enlisted men killed; wounded, 1 officer (since dead) and 16 enlisted men, and 11 officers and 203 en- listed men taken prisoners.* The loss in the Twenty-sixth Indiana was not so much as ours. The enemys loss was 50 killed in the field and many more wounded. Great credit is due to the officers and men of my regiment, who fought bravely and desperately against fearful odds. The rebel officers acknowledged it was to them a dearly bought victory, and were much chagrined at finding so small a capture after so vigorous a resistance. I was not in the engagement, having been ordered to New Orleans a few days prior. The regiment was at the time commanded by the senior captain, William Adams, Company E, who was taken prisoner. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN BRUCE, Major, Commanding Nineteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. Adjt. Gen. N. B. BAKER, Davenport, Iowa. No. 4. Abstracts from Record of Events on the several returns of the Second Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, for September, Th63. DIVISION RETURN. September 1.Division in camp at Carrollton, La., and there remained until September 4~ when it was reviewed by Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant, and ordered to be prepared to march immediately. September 5.Embarked on transports, leaving the Thirty-eighth Iowa Infantry and all the sick, convalescents, and sufficient men to guard the camp and property, behind. It moved without tents, knapsacks, or woolen blankets, and sailed up the river, arriving at Morgans Bend on the 7th instant. A detachment of cavalry (about 200), under Major Montgomery, accompanied the expedition. September 8.In the morning, the cavalry and Second Brigade were ordered out on a reconnaissance toward the Atchafalaya River, under * But see revised statement, p. 325 Page 327 C~. XXXVIII.] ACTION AT STIRLINGS PLANTATION, LA, 327 command of Colonel Day, who met the enemys pickets, and afterward found the enemy in some force, and, after some light skirmishing, drove them across the Atchafalaya River, and fell back 3 miles until morning. September 9.The First Brigade, under Major. General ilerron, started out and joined Colonel Day, wheu Major.General ilerron proceeded in force to the Atchafalaya to reconnoiter; arrived about 4 p. in., and immediately began skirmishing with the enemy. Having ascertained position, & c., and orders being not to bring on an engagement, retired to the Mississippi. Marched 30 miles. Lost 1 killed, and 1 officer and 2 men wounded. September 12.The cavalry force was ordered to the front to keep a close watch on the enemy, and the Nineteenth Xowa, Twenty-sixth In- diana, and a section of Battery E, First Missouri Light Artillery, were sent out some 7 miles in front, to strongly picket the country and sup- port the cavalry, all commanded by Lient. Col. 5. B. Leake, Twentieth Iowa, where all remained, as ordered by department headquarters, watching and harassing the enemy. The rest of the division present on the expedition lay on the levee of the ]Vflssissippi, without tents, blankets, or change of clothing, with nothing transpiring of importance, until the 28th instant, when, Major.General Iferron having received a leave of absence, Major-General Dana was assigned to the command of the division. September 29.In the morning, the enemy, having crossed the river in force, snrrounded Colonel ~ command, and, after a desperate en- gagement, captured the largest portion of his men, with the section of artillery. Our loss is: Commissioned officers killed, 2; wounded, 4. Enlisted men killed, 11; wounded, 30; missing, about 350. It is impos- sible to obtain correct reports of the missing, as parts of each regiment are in Carrollton, and all regimental and company books are there.* September 30.Division still at Morgans Bend. RETURN OF THE FIRST BRIGADE~ COL. WILLIAM ME. DYE COMMANDING. September 1.Brigade yet encamped at Carrollton, La., but in readi- ness to move on short notice. September 5.Orders received to embark immediately, in the lightest possible marching order, leaving all baggage and transportation. The Thirty-eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, being unfit for active field serv- ice, was ordered into convalescent camp at Carroilton. Left Carroliton at 3.30 p. in., and arrived at Port Hudson, La., at 8 a. m. on the 6th. Remained here until about midnight, and went from thence to McCol- lums Landing. September 10.Brigade moved out to Atchafalaya River, 12 miles. Remained there until 3 a. in. of th9 11th, and arrived at Morganza at 3 p. in., the transports having moved up during the night to this place. September 12.At 4p. in. troops embarked and the transports dropped down to McCollums Landing. September 14.Lient. Col. 5. B. Leake Was placed in command of a detachment from the division, comprising the Twenty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, one section of Battery E, detachment of mounted infantry from Twentieth and Thirty-fourth Iowa and Thirty-seventh illinois, of the First Brigade, and ordered to proceed to the vicinity of Atchafalaya Bayou, to watch the movements of the enemy, the balance of the brigade remaining at McColIums Landing until the 20th; then * But see revised statement, p 325 Page 328 328 w. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. ~Cu~r. XX~VIIL embarked and moved up to Morgauza; there disembarked and bivon- acked on the banks of the river. September 27.Steamer Brown arrived with the baggage of the com- mand. Health of the troops generally good. RETURN OF THE SECOND BRIGADE, COL. H. M. DAY COMMANDING. September 1.Brigade ill camp at Carroilton, near New Orleans, La. September 4.Corps reviewed by Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant. September 6.Brigade embarked for up the Mississippi, by order of Major-General ilerron, arriving at MoCollums Landing, near Port Hudson, La. September 8.The Ninety-first and Ninety-fourth Illinois, and Twen- tieth Wisconsin Infantry, Battery B, First Missouri Artillery, wa& or- dered out on a reconnaissance by General ilerron toward Atchafalaya River, under command of Colonel Day. When the command arrived at the wood, about 10 miles out, skirmishing commenced between Major Montgomerys cavalry (which formed part of the expedition) and the enemy, with cavalry, artillery, and infantry, back and across the river, some 5 miles in all. At 9 oclock the force arrived at the river, when, a few shells being thrown across; the enemy replied quite sharply. Seeing the enemy posted on the other side of the river, which was unfordable, after a short artillery practice the command was with- drawn, to await orders and the advantage of daylight. September 9.Colonel Day was joined by the First Brigade. Major- General Herron arriving, assumed command of forces. Capt. Joseph A. James, Company B, Ninety-first Illinois, was slightly wounded by a piece of shell; also several men. One corporal killed on picket. September 10.Forces marched back to McCollums Landing. September 12.The Nineteenth Iowa wasordered out in the advance, 7 or 8 miles) where it is now. September 20.The division moved to Morganza, La., 3 miles above McCollums Landing, and went into camp. September 26.Colonel Bertram, with 100 men of the Twentieth Wis. consin infantry, went in search of guerrillas up the river, on board tin- clad No. 8, and captured 2 prisoners, a safe, with about $4,800 Confed- erate States money, and a few shotguns and muskets. September 29.The Nineteenth Iowa and Twenty-sixth Indiana, of the First Brigade, were attacked by General Greens forces, C. S. Army, and nearly all captured, with a heavy loss in officers and men. There are at Carrollton some 10 officers and 350 men. Owing to the absence of the officers of the regiment, no correct report can ~e made. September 30.All the remainder of the brigade in camp at Mior- ganza, La. No. 5. Report of Brig. 6Zen. Alfred Moidon, C. S. Army, commanding Sub District Southwestern Louisiana. HDQRS. SUB-DISTRICT SOUTHWESTERN LOUISIANA, O~elousas, October 4,1863. MAJOR: Conceiving it probable that a favorable opportunity would offer on General Greens front to surprise and attack the enemy, on th Page 329 OHAP. XXXYIIL) ACTION AT STIRLINGS PLANTATION, LA. 329 19th nltimo, and on several occasions suhsequently, I instructed General Green to make every preparation for such a movement. Accordingly, the proper steps were taken, and the requisite re-enforcements having been sent to General Green, the final order to attack was given on Sep- tember 25. These orders were carried out with marked ability and ac- tivity, and I now have the honor of submitting the reports of the various commands engaged, which establish a complete success, and the cap- ture of a large number of prisoners. To Brigadier-General Green and the officers and men under~ his com- mand too much prahie cannot be awarded. I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, ALFR. MOUTON, Brigadier- General, Commanding. Maj. WILLIAM M. LEVY, Assistant Adjutant and inspector General. [Indorsementi HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WESTERN LOUISIANA, ]Jilioundville, October 6, 1863. Respectfully forwarded. The conduct of ~Lieutenant-Colonel [J. E.] Harrison, commanding Speights brigade, and the gallant Major [H. H.] Boone, severely wounded in the engagement, is especially deserving of mention. The recognition of Major Boones gallantry by the Govern- ment would be of service to the troops. General Green has fully met the expectations formed from his previous services. R. TAYLOR, I Major-General. No.6. Report of Brig. Gen. Thomas Green, C~ ~. Army. HEADQUARTERS FORCES ON ATCHAFALAVA, Camp McBride, La., October 2, 1863. MAJOR: I have the honor herewith to tender a full report of the action on September 29 at the Fordoche Bridge and Mrs. Stirlings place, on the Fordoche, 6 miles from Morganza. At midnight on September 26, a commnnication was addressed to Colonel [J. P.] Major, commanding Majors brigade (encamped on Big Cane), to send one of his best regiments to Lyons Ferry, on the Atcha- falaya, on the following day (the 27th), and to cross at that ferry and march to Livonia by the night of the 28th, and on the morning of the 29th to move up to the Fordoche, near the bridge on the Morgauza State road. This order was promptly complied with, Colonel Major sending Phillips regiment, commanded by Major [George M.] Frazer, of the Arizona battalion. On the 27th, the necessary orders were issued to the several commands to make preparations on the 28th for an advance upon the enemy. The means of crossing the Atchafalaya consisted at this time of two small ferry.tlats, carrying together 18 horses or 80 footmew The crossing commenced at 3 p. m. on the 28th, Wailers and Roan- trees battalions leading with their horses, followed by Semmes battery, all of which were successfully crossed before dark. Speights and Mou- tons brigades of infantry were next in order, the Fourth, Fifth, an Page 330 330 IV. PLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX, N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII. Seventh Regiments Texas Mounted Volunteers (dismounted) crossing last. All were safely landed on the east bank of the Atchafalaya about 1 a. m. on the 29th. The rain commenced falling at dark on the evening of the 28th, andeontinued with only temporary cessation until the night of the 30th. At daylight on the morning of the 29th, the troops were ready for the march. Colonel Henry Gray, commanding Moutons brigade, was or- dered to take up his line of march (Speight~ brigade having been added to his command, together with 15 mounted men from Wallers battalion, under command of Lieutenant [R. N.] Weisiger) by a trail through the swamp, which intersected the Morganza State road some 4 miles from that place, and between the enemys forces at Morganza and their ad- vance at Mrs. Stirlings and the Fordoche Bridge. Colonel Gray was ordered to attack the enemys advance at once on reaching the intersec- tion of road, which he did by ordering Speights brigade, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel [J. E.] Harrison, to the attack (see accompanying reports*). The balance of the troops, consisting of Wallers and Roun- trees battalions of cavalry, Semmes battery, the Fourth, Fifth, and Seventh Regiments Texas Mounted Volunteers (dismounted), took up their line of march by the main State road to Fordoche Bridge, which point was reached about 11 oclock. An advance of cavalry was sent forward to the bridge, and were fired upon by the enemys pickets at that place. Skirmishing continued here for half an hour, when the firing was heard from the rear at Mrs. Stirlings. With one section of the battery, under command of Lieutenant [J. A. A.] West, and the Fourth and Fifth Regiments, I deployed through a plowed field, and opened with the artillery upon the quarters nt Mr. Catletts, where a portion of the eliemys cavalry were stationed, and at the same time ordered Major [H. H.] Boone, with the two sections of battery and the Seventh Regi- ment, to move rapidly down the road to the bridge, all of which was done, the dismounted men of the Fourth and Fifth moving at a double- quick across the plowed field to the quarters, but the enemys advance of cavalry had fallen back to their headquarters, 1 mile farther on, at a Mr. Norwoods house. The sections of artillery united at the bridge, and the whole command proceeded with great rapidity toward the house. Majors Boone and Rountree made a dashing charge upon the enemys cavalry, drawn up in line of battle near the house, and scat- tered them with such effect that they were not seen afterward, having retreated through a lane and turn rows to a road leading around the rear of plantations, which was unknown to me. During these transactions, the firing from the rear had continued with slight interruption, and Major Boone was ordered to take his own com- mand and Rountrees battalion and charge the enemy at Mrs. Stirlings, which he did most gallantly, charging the enemys battery and receiv- ing two severe wounds. This charge closed the fight, the enemy sur- rendering in detachments as they retreated and were overtaken by our troops. The result of the victory consists of 433 non-commissioned officers and privates and 29 officers prisoners, two 10-pounder Parrott guns in fine order, with caissons complete, 2 new ambulances and 1 hospital wagon, newt filled with medical stores, and 2 stand of regimental colors belonging to the Nineteenth Iowa and Twenty-sixth Indiana Volun- teers. Many small-arms and accouterments were saved, and every man with an inferior weapon was supplied with a good and efficient one. * Not found Page 331 CHAP. XXXVIII.] ACTION AT STIRLINGS PLANTATION, LA. 331 Maj. W. L. IRobards, chief of ordnance, was with me on the field and doing all to secure the fruits of the victory that could be done. The wounded were sent rapidly to the rear, under the direction of Chief Surg. George Cupples, who had made every preparation, and by his active supervision saved the lives and conduced greatly to the com- fort of the wounded. Too much praise cannot be awarded to him for his efficiency. After burying the dead, the line of march was taken up for Morgans Ferry, Colonel [Henry] Gray, with Moutons brigade, having been called in, and Phillips regiment of cavalry sent forward toward Morganza to repulse and check the enemy should they attempt to advance. The artillery reached the bank of the Atchafalaya at 7 p. in., and commenced crossing. Owing to the state of the banks, and that only one ferry-fiat could be used, it was nearly daylight before their crossing was completed. Many of the infantry and dismounted men fell by the roadside, com- pletely exhausted; but all were safely crossed the morning of the 30th. A small steamboat having arrived, was used in crossifig the infantry. I cannot award too much praise to the troops under my command for their rapid movements under the discouraging effects of a heavy rain and roads knee-deep in mud,and theirwillingness and enthusiasm to attack the enemy. Col. Henry Gray, with his command, proceeded to the point desig- nated in his orders with all the speed possible, having to pass through the swamp by a trail which was pointed out to him ly Lieutenant [E. A.] Carmouche and Private Newsome, whose services were invaluable as guides. Colonel Gray was also accompanied by General [J. L.] Lewis as volunteer aide, rendering him efficient service. To Lieutenant-Colonel [J. E.] Harrison, commanding Speights bri- gade, and Colonels [J. W.] Speight and [F. II.] Clack and Major [John W.] Daniel, who led their commands most gallantly to the attack, all honor is due; and to the officers of their several commands, who dis- played great coolness in the action. Many of their men had never been under fire before, but moved like veterans up to the enemy under a heavy fire, and succeeded in driving them from house to house up to the levee, when Major [H. II.] Boones charge was made. The heavy loss sustained by Speights brigade shows the desperate nature of the conflict, and it is not out of place to mention here, even where all distinguished themselves, the gallant bearing and activity of Lieutenant [John B.] Jones, assistant adjutant-general of Speights bri- gade. The charges made by Majors Boone and [L. C.] Rountree stand forth to be recorded in the annals of history. The lamented Lieut. W. F. Spivey, of Company I, Bountrees battalion, was killed in the charge. We deplore his loss, he being one of the most energetic officers in the brigade, and of tried courage and discretion. Col. A. P. Bagby, of the Seventh Texas Mounted Volunteers, in com- mand of Greens brigade, brought his men most handsomely to the charge, and kept them in hand ready for any emergency, and by his activity rendered most efficient service. Col. J. P. Majors command, consisting of two regiments and the Peli- can Battery, were stationed on the west bank of the Atchafalaya, to protect the crossing and act as a reserve in case of necessity. Colonel Major accompanied and gave great assistance to me, acting in his usual gallant style, and to his staff officers IL am indebted for prompt action when called upon Page 332 332 w. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAr. XXXVIIL My own personal staff, Lieutenant [E. H.] Wells, acting assistant adju- taut-general; Captain [C. B.] Sheppard, aide.de.camp; Captains Cal. vitt and [Leander] McAnelly, volunteer aides-de.camp, were active and efficient and rendered me excellent service. The gallant dead have proven their devotion to our cause, and the wounded in their silent sufferings have shown that fortitude which a good cause alone could have endued them with. Notwithstanding the severe march, the troops are ready and anxious to again meet the invader npon our soil. Below I respectfully submit a statement of the losses sustained in the action. I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, THOMAS GREEN, Maj. Louis BUSH, Brigadier-General, Commanding. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Sub.Distriet- Southwestern Louisiana. [Inclosure.] Killed. Wounded. Missing. Command. ~i ,i a a . a . a . a a ~ a a a ~ a ___ 0 ~ 5peiglits brigade 3 20 5 69 7 104 Moutons brigade 1 1 6 3 ii Wailers battalion 1 1 - . 2 Ronntrees battalion . 1 1 2 4 Total 4 221 7 78 10 121 I I OCTOBER 3NOVEMBER 30, l863.Operations in the Teche Country, La. SUMMARy 0)3 TIlE PRINCIPAL EVENTS. Oct. 3, 1863.The Union forces, under command of Maj. Gen. William B. Frank- lin, advance from Berwick Bay and New Iberia. 4, 1563.Affair at Nelsons Bridge, near New Iberia. 910, 1863.Skirmishes at Vermillion Bayou. 1415, l863.Skirmishes at Carrion Crow Bayou. 16, 1863.Skirmish at Grand Cotean. 18, l863.Skirmish at Carrion Crow Bayou. 19, 1863.Skirmish at Grand Coteau. 21, 1863.Skirmishes at Opelousas and Barres Landing.. Occupation of Opelousas by the Union forces. 24, l863.Skirmish at Washington. 30, 1863.Affair near Opelousas. 31, 1863.Skirmish at Washington. Nov. 117, 1863.The Union forces retire from Opelousas to New Iberia. 2, 1863.Skirmish at Bayou Bourbean. 3, l863.Engagement at Bayou Bourbean, near Grand Cotean. Skirmish at Carrion Crow Bayou. 5, l563.Skirmish at Vermillionville. S,1863.Skirmish at Vermillionville Page 333 CHAP. XXXVIII.] OPERATIONS IN THE TECHE COUNTRY, LA. 333 S No~~r. 11, 1863.Skirmishes at Carrion Crow and Vermillion Bayous. 12, 1863.Operations about Saint Martinsville. 18, 1863.Skirmish at Carrion Crow Bayou. 20, 1863.Skirmish at Camp Pratt. 23, 1863.Affair at Bayou Portage, Grand Lake. 25, 1863.Affair at Camp Pratt. Skirmish near Vermillion Bayou. 30, 1863.Skirmish at Vermillion Bayou. RZEPOI~TS. No. 1.Organization of the troops under the immediate command of Maj. Gen. William B. Franklin, U. S. Army, operating in the Teche Country, La., October 31, 1863. No. 2.Maj. Gen. William B. Franklin, U. S. Army, commanding forces in the field. No. 3.Capt. William A. Pigman, Forty.sixth Indiana Infantry, Chief Signal Officer. No. 4.Maj. Gen. E. 0. C. Ord, U. S. Army, commanding Thirteenth Army Corps, of engagement at Bayou Bourbean. No. 5.Maj. Gen. Cadwallader C. Washburn, U. S. Army, commanding detachment Thirteenth Army Corps, of operations October 23November 3, including engagement at Bayou Bourbean. No. 6.Brig. Gen. Stephen G. Burbridge, U. S. Army, commanding Fourth Division, of engagement at Bayou Bonrbeau, and operations (November 12) about Saint Martinsville. No. 7.Col. Joshua J. Guppey, Twenty-third Wisconsin Infantry, First Brigade, of engagement at Bayou Bourbeau. No. 8.Abstracts from Record of Events on the several returns of the Thirteenth Army Corps, for October and November. No. 9.Col. Lewis Benedict, One hundred and sixty-second New York Infantry, commanding First Brigade, Third Division, Nineteenth Army Corps, of skirmishes November 11. No. 10.Itinerary of the Nineteenth Army Corps, October 1November 18. No. 11.Brig. Gen. Albert L. Lee, U. S. Army, commanding Cavalry Division, De- partment of the Gulf, of skirmish at Camp Pratt and affair at Bayou Portage. No. 12.Lient. William Marland, Second Massachusetts Battery, of engagement at Bayou Bourbean. No. 13.Col. John G. Fonda, One hundred and eighteenth Illinois Infantry, (Mounted), commanding Cavalry Brigade, of engagement at Bayou Bour- beau, and skirmishes November 11. No. 14.Lient. Col. Harai Robinson, First Louisiana Cavalry, of engagement at Bayou Bourbeau. No. 15.Col. Thomas J. Lucas, Sixteenth Indiana Infantry, commanding Cavalry Brigade, of affair at Bayou Portage. No. 16.Col. Charles J. Paine, Second Louisiana Infantry, commanding Cavalry Bri- gade, of affair at Bayou Portage. No. 17.Abstracts from Record of Events on the several returns of the Cavalry Division, for October and November. No. 18.Daily Memoranda for Adjutant-Generals Office, Department of the Gulg October 914. No. 19.Lient. Gem. B. Kirby Smith, C. S. Army, commanding Trans-Mississippi. Department. No, 20.Maj. Gem. Richard Taylor, C. S. Army, commanding District o~ Westerx~ Louisiana Page 334 334 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP XXXYITh No. 21.Brig. Gen. Alfred Mouton, C. S. Army, commanding Sub-District of South- western Lousiana, of affair at Nelsons Bridge, & c. No. 22.Brig. Gen. Thomas Green, C. S. Army, commanding Cavalry Division, of engagement at Bayou Bourbean. No.1. Organization of the troops under the immediate command of Maj. Gen. William B. Franklin, U. ~. Army, operating in the Teche Oountry, La., October 31, 1863.* THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS. (Detachment.) Maj. Gen. CADWALLADER C. WASHBURN.* FIRST DIVISION.t Brig. Gen. MICHAEL K. LAWLER. Fir8t Brigade. Second B,~igade., Col. HENRY D. WASHBURN. Col. CHARLES L. HARRIS. 33d Illinois, Col. Charles E. Lippincott. 21st Iowa, Lieut. Col. Salue G. Van 99th Illinois, Col. George W. K. Bailey. Anda. 8th Indiana, Lieut. Col. Charles S. Par- 22d Iowa, Maj. Ephraim G. White. rish. 23d Iowa, Col. Samuel L. qlasgow. 18th Indiana, Lient. Col. William 5. 11th Wisconsin, Maj. Jesse S. Miller. Charles. Third Brigade. Col. LIONEL A. SHELDON. 49th Indiana, Col. James Keigwin. 69th Indiana, Lient. Col. Oran Perry. 7th Kentucky, Lieut. Col. John Lucas. 22d Kentucky, Lient. Col. George W. Monroe. 16th Ohio, Maj. Milton Mills. 42d Ohio, Maj. William H. Williams. 120th Ohio, Maj. Willard Slocum. Artillery4 2d Illinois, Battery A, Licut. Herman Borris. 1st Indiana Battery, Lieut. Lawrence Jacoby. 7th Michigan Battery, Lient. George L. Stiliman. 1st Wisconsin Battery, Lient. Daniel Webster. * On October 20, Major-General Washburn, owing to the illness of Maj. Gen. E. 0. C. Ord, assumed command of the Thirteenth Army Corps; and on or about same date Major-General Franklin must have assumed command of the combined forces. On October 26, Maj. Gen. N. J. T. Dana assumed command of the Thirteenth Army Corps, but Washburn continued in command of that portion above indicated. t Lawler assigned to command October 19. Colonel Washburn succeeded Col. David Shunk in command of First Brigade October 12. The Third and Fourth Brigades consolidated September 23, tinder Lawlers command, and Sheldon suc- ceeded him as brigade commander October 19. The division near New Iberia. ~ According to corps return, both the Illinois and Michigan batteries were left at Carrollton Page 335 CHAr. XXXVIII.] OPERATIONS IN THE TECHE COUNTRY, LA. 335 THIRD DIVISION.* Brig. Gen. GEORGE F. MCGINNIS. Firet Brigade. Second Brigade. Brig. Gen. ROBERT A. CAMERON. Col. JAMES R. SLACK. 11th Indiana, Col. Daniel Macauley. 47th Indiana, Liout. Col. John A. Mc- 24th Indiana, Col. William T. Spicely. Laughlin. 34th Indiana, Lient. Col. Robert B. Jones. 24th Iowa, Licut. Col. John Q. Wilds. 46th Indiana,Col. Thomas H. Bringhurst. 28th Iowa, Col. John Connell. 29th Wisconsin, Licut. Col. William A. 56th Ohio, Col. William H. Raynor. Greene. Artiflery.t 2d Illinois, Battery E, Lient. Bmil Steger, 1st Missouri, Battery A, Lieut. Charles M. Callahan. 2d Ohio Battery, Lient. William H. Harper. 16th Ohio Battery, Capt. Russell P. Twist. FOURTH DIVISION.t Brig. Gen. STEPHEN G. BURBRIDGE.~S First Brigade. Second Brigade. Col. RICHARD OWEN. Col. WILLIAM J. LANDRAM. 60th Indiana, Capt. Augustus Goelzer. 77th Illinois, Col. David P. Grier. 67th Indiana, Lient. Col. Theodore E. 97th Illinois, Lieut. Col. Lewis D. Mar~ Buehler. tin. 83d Ohio, Col. Frederick W. Moore. 130th Illinois, Maj. John B. Reid. 96th Ohio, Lient. Col. Albert H. Brown. 19th Kentucky, Lieut. Col. John Cowan. 23d Wisconsin, Col. Joshua J. Guppey. 48th Ohio, Capt. Joseph W. Lindsey. Artillery. Chicago Mercantile Battery, Capt. P. H. White. 17th Ohio Battery, Capt. Charles S. Rice. NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS.II Maj. Gen. WILLIAM B. FRANKLIN. Escort. 14th New York Cavalry, Company B, Capt. J. B. Ayres. FIRST DIVISION. Brig. Gen. GODFREY WEITZEL. First Brigade. Third Brigade. Col. GEORGE M. LOVE. Col. ROBERT B. MERRITT. ~30th Massachusetts, Lient. Col. William 12th Connecticut, Lient. Col. Frank H. W. Bullock. Peck. 116th New York, Maj. John M. Sizer. 75th New York, Capt. Henry B. Fitch. 161st New York, Lieut. Col. William B. 114th New York, Col. Samuel R. Per Lee. Kinsey. 160th New York, Lient. Col. John B. Van 174th New York, Lieut. William L. Wat- Petten. kins. 8th Vermont, Maj. Henry F. Dutton. * McGinnis assigned to command of the division September 13, and Cameron as- signed to First Brigade October 5. The division at Opeloums. t According to corps monthly return. The division return accounts only for the Missouri battery, and on September 9, by corps orders, the other batteries were or- dered to the convalescent camp at New Orleans, and on September 29 they were reported as at Carrollton. The Second Ohio was at Greenville and the Sixteenth Ohio at Carrollton, October 31. ~ At Barres Lauding and Franklin; the Ninety-seventh an(1 One hundred and thirtieth Illinois detached at New Iberia, nuder command of Col. Nathaniel Niles. ~S Assigned to command of the division September 18, vice Lawler, transferred to First Division. II Headquarters at Opelonsas. The Fourth Division in the Defenses of New Orleans and La Fourche District. About Opelonsas and New Iberia; the S~cond Brigade (Col. 0. P. Gooding corn planding) at Baton Rouge; Battery A, First IJ. 5, Artiller~r, at New Orle~p~ Page 336 336 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIIL Artillery. 1st Maine Battery, Capt. Albert W. Bradbury. 6th Massachusetts Battery, Lient. Edw. K. RusselL THIRD DIVISION.* Brig. Gen. CUVIER GROVER. First Brigade. Col. LEWIS BENEDICT. 110th New York, Col. Clinton H. Sage. 162d New York, Col. Lewis Benedict. 165th New York (six companies), Lieut. Col. Gouvernear Carr. 173d New York, Col. Lewis M. Peck. Second Brigade. Brig. Gen. JAMES W. McMu~L~s. 14th Maine, Col. Thomas W. Porter. 26th Massachusetts, Col. Alpha B. Farr. 8th New Hampshire, Lieut. Col. George A. Flanders. 133d New York,. Col. Leonard D. H. Currie. Artillery. 4th Massachusetts Battery, Capt. George G. Trull. 1st United States, Battery F, Lieut. Hardman P. Norris. ARTILLERY RESERVE. Capt. HENRY W. CLossoN. 25th New York Battery, Capt. John A. Grow. 1st United States, Battery L, Capt. Henry W Closson. CAVALlY DIYISION.t Brig. Gen. ALBERT L. LEE. First Brigade. Col. JOHN G. FONDA. 118th Illinois,t Capt. Arthur W. Marsh. 1st Louisiana (nine companies), Lieut. Col. Harai Robinson. 6th Missouri (seven companies), Maj. Bacon Montgomery. 14th New York (six companies), Lient. Col, John, W. Cropsey. Second Brigade. Col. JOHN J. MUDD. 2d Illinois (seven companies), Lient. Co]. Daniel B. Bush, jr. 3d Illinois (five companies), Capt. Robert H. Carnahan. 15th Illinois, Company F, Capt. Joseph Adams. 36th Illinois, Company A, Capt. George A. Willis. 1st Indiana, Company C, Capt. James L. Carey. 4th Indiana, Company C, Capt. Andrew P. Gallagher. Not lrigaded. 87th Illinois,t Lieut. CoL John M. Crebs. 16th Indiana,t Col. Thomas J. Lucas. 2d Louisiana4 Col. Charles J. Paine. 2d Massachusetts Battery, Capt. Ormand F. Nirns. *At Opelousas and Vermillion Bayou. McMillan relieved Brig. Gen. W. H. Emory (going on sick leave), September 17, in command of the division, and was relieved by Brigadier-General Grover, October 6. tOrganized September 14, under command of Brigadier-General Lee. The Third Massachusetts at Port Hudson, the First Texas pn the Texas ~xpedition, and the Fourth Wisconsin at BatoI4 Rouge, ~ Infai~try mounted Page 337 CHAP, XXXVIII.] OPERATIONS IN THE TECHE COUNTRY, LA. No. 2. Reports of 337 Ma). Gen. William B. Franklin, U. S. Army, eommandinq forces i the field. HEADQUARTERS NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS, Carrion Crow Bayou, Octol~er 11, 1863. GENERAL: My advance arrived here about 11 a. in., the enemy fall- ing back before them. There is no doubt that the rebel Generals Mouton, Major, and Green passed here yesterday, bound north. Their object must have beeu to get information from their spies, or to select a place to fight. They left this honse early this morning. Yesterday five or six guns (bronze) passed north~ two of them were left here to defend the passage of the bayou, but they were taken away this morning. We fired eight shots, and the force that was here imme- diately left. I encamp the command beyond the bayou. The stream is wooded, but the water is only in pools. I cannot tell before to-morrow whether it will be sufficient; I think it will be. I anticipate no danger here. Very respectfully, yours, XV. B. FRANKLIN, Major- General, Gommanding Nineteenth rJorps. Brig. Gen. CHARLES P. STONE, Chief of Staff. P. 5.The force of the artillery was all mounted, probably 1,000 men. IIEADQUARTER~S NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS, Carrion Crow Bayou, October 12, 18639 a. m. GENERAL: I sent a message by signal to you h if an hour since, stating that there was nothing new during the night, excepting a little picket firing, and that reconnaissance will be made in front and on the flanks as far as possible. Scouts will also be sent out for information. General W itzei informs me that he has reliable information that the enemy~5 force in our front does not exceed 10,000 men, consisting of Walkers division, Greens, Majors, and Moutons brigades. I do not know his informant. Very respectfully, yours, W. B. FRANKLIN, Major- General, Commanding Nineteenth Corps. Brig. Gen. CHARLES P. STONE, Chief of St if, Department of the Gulf. HEADQUARTERS ININETEENTH ARMY CORPS Carrion Crow Bayou, October 12, 18639.15 a. m. GENERAL: The short-handedness of some of the field batteries in this corps can be corrected in some degree by the substitution of negro drivers for the drivers of battery wagons and forges and afterward of caissons. I therefore respectfully request authority to make these changes as they may become necessary, and that I may have authority 22 R RVOL XXVI, PT Page 338 338 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXXVIII; to direct the quartermasters to pay the teamsters the ordinary wages of negro teamsters, with the regulation issues of provisions and clothing, whatever they may be. It may, perhaps, be preferable to have men detailed from negro regi- ments for this service, but they do not seem to be available at present, and it is now that they are required. Very respectfully, yours, W. ft FRANKLIN, Major- General, Commanding Nineteenth Army Corps. Brig. Gen. CHARLES P. STONE, Chief of staff. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, Vermillion Bayou, October 14, 1863. GENERAL: I have the honor to forward the following dispatch just received from Major-General Franklin: HEADQUARTERS NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS, October 14, 186:3fl p. m. I have received General Banks order detaching Colonel Davis regiment, and have issued it. He will obey it as soon as his pickets can be withdrawn. I do not think that I need another division of infantry, but this is an uncomfortable place, as the enemy is continually trying to find a weak point in our lines with his cavalry. Cav- alry is what we need here. I hear of a rebel camp some 8 miles to the rear and right, near Vermillion Bayou. I do not consider the information reliable, but as General Ord is sending out that way, it may be well to ascertain. Respectfully, yours, W. B. FRANKLIN, Major-General, Nineteenth Array Corp8. I send the above for your information. Copy sent to Major-General Ord. Very respectfully, your obedient, servant, [J. SCIIUYLER CROSBY,] Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. lVIaj. Gen. N. P. BANKS. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, Vermillion Bayou, October 15, 1863. GENERAL: I have just received the following dispatch from Major- General Franklin by signal telegraph: The enemy has fallen back from his position. I shall hold it if the other division is sent up. Very respectfully, yonr obedient servant, [J. SCHUYLER CROSBY,] Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. Maj. Gen. N. P. BANKS. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, Neu Orleans, October 17, 1863. GENERAL: The following dispatch is just received from the front: VERMILLIONVILLE, October 16, [1863~3.40 p. m. The enemy made an attack on our pickets this morning about 10 oclock, but with- out any result. We may expect such attacks as long as we stay here. My casualties: None killed, 6 wounded. I understand that Generals Mouton, Green, and Colone Page 339 CHAr. XXXVIII.] OPERATIONS IN THE TECHE COUNTRY, LA. 339 Major were all here. Colonel Davis estimated enemys force at 2,500. There were three generals, and I think 1,000 would be nearer the estimate. The enemys casual- ties were the same as onrs. The theory of the attack, I think, is that they thought we were a rear guard protecting a movement to the westward, and thought they could easily beat us, and probably take us. As soon as they saw infantry, they left, and our artillery helped to send them off. I have a pretty strong but very extensive position, reaching to 3 miles beyond the bayou. ~. B. FRANKLIN, Major- General, Commanding Nineteenth Army Corp8. This is the latest report we have, being received at 4 oclock this morning, the 17th. I remain, with much respect, your obedient servant, N. P. BANKS, Major. General, Commanding. Maj. Gen. II. W. HALLECK, General.in.Chief, U. & Army, Washington, D. C. CARRION CROW BAYOU, October 17, 1863. GENERAL: General Ord was yesterday too ill to attend to duty. The order of the commanding general, issued just before he left for New Orleans, seemed to be based upon the feasibility of opening water com- munication with Barres Landing. Is it his intention that we shall move before that is determined ~ Colonel Chandler telegraphs me that General Washburn will be ready to move in two days. My train, I understand, is on its way from New Iberia; may be here to-morrow. Enemy very pertinacious and annoying. Mouton, Green, and Major were with the attack on Wednesday. Very respectfully, W. B. FRANKLIN, Major-General, Commanding Nineteenth Army Corps. Brig. Gen. CHARLES P. STONE, Chief of ~S~taff, New Orleans. HEADQUARTERS NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS, October 20, 186310 a. m. GENERAL: My dispatch of yesterday should read, New Iberia is to be held and Barres Landing. My dispatch of this morning will ex- plain that I am taking means to get hold of Barres Landing, if possible, before the Red Chief arrives. W. B. FRANKLIN, Major- General, Commanding Nineteenth Army Corps. Brig. Gen. CHARLES P. STONE, Chief of & aff, New Orleans. OPELOUSAS, October 21, 186312 m. GENERAL: The head of my column lias arrived here. The enemy made a stand about 3 miles out. They had nine regiments of cavalry, two bai~talions of infantry, and three or four guns, A little shellin Page 340 340 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAr. XXXVIII. drove them away. I leave at once for Barres Landing, and shall en- camp near there to-night with the infantry. Part of the cavalry will go there to-night. Respectfully, W. B. FRANKLIN, Jifajor- General, Commanding Nineteenth Army Corps. Brig. Gen. CHARLES P. STONE, Chief of Staff, New Orleans HEADQUARTERS TRooPS IN THE FIELD, Bayou Barricroquant, October 23, 186312 m. GENERAL: I have already announced to the commanding general my arrival at this place. My troops hold Opelousas and Barres Landing. On account of a violent storm now raging, movements must be de- layed some time, and I shall act according to my best judgment. I cannot say in this dispatch what I intend to do. Shall be very glad to get definite instructions. Forage is very scarce here and higher up. There seems to be no cha