TITLE: The war of the rebellion: a compilation of the official records of the Union and Confederate armies. / Series 1 - Volume 34 (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, 1891 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 .4 Title Page Page R001 THE WAR OF THE REBELLION: A COMPILATION OF THE OFFICIAL BECOiRDS OF THE UNION AND CONFEDERATE ARMIES. PREPARED BY The late Lieut. Col. ROBERT N. SCOTT, Third U. S. Artillery. PUBLISHED UNJ)ER THE DIRECTION OF The Hon. REDFIELD PROCTOR, Secretary of War, BY MAJ. GEORGE B. DAVIS, U. S. A., MR. LESLIE J. PERRY, MR. JOSEPH W. KIRKLEY, Board of Publication. SERIES IVOLUME XXXIV----IN FOUR PARTS. PART IREPORTS. ~ WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1891. Page R002 (F ~~N ELL ~IJ / Additions and Corrections Page A001 THE WAR OF THE REBELLION: A COMPILATION 01 THE OFFICIAL RECORDS OF THE UNION AND CONFEDERATE ARMIES. ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS TO SERIES I VOLUME XXXIV. (To be inserted in he volnime. For explanation see G-er~eral Index volnine, Serial INo. 130, paRe XXV4II.) PUBLISHED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF The Hon. ELIHU ROOT, Secretary of War, BY BRIC. GEN. FRED C. ALNSWORTh, CHIEF OF THE RECORD AN!) PENSION O~ic~, WAR DEPARTMENT, ANI) MR. JOSEPH W. KIRKLEY. Mr. JOHN S. MOODEY, Indexer. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1902 Page A002 2 ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS. TEXT. PART r. Page i. Second line, t foot-note, erase the words All such are designated in the Index. Page 2. Feb. lo, 1864Skirmish at Pocahontas, Mo., for Mo. read Ark. Pages 2, 101. Jan. 23, 1864.Affair at Cowskin Bottom, Newton County, Mo., for Newton Gounty, Mo., read I;id. Ter. Pages 5, ~ April 2224, 1564.Expcdition from Jacksonport to Augusta, Ark., and skirmish near Jacksonport, insert (21th) after Jacksonport. Page 6. Eleventh line, top, for Indian Territory read District of Indian Terri- tory. Pages 7, 967. June 35, 1864.Scout froni Sedalia to the Blackwater River, Mo., for River read Greek. Page 19. Sixth line, top, after soth insert [9th]. Page 277. Sixteenth line, top, insert * after lines and add foot-note, * McNeil was not killed. Page 482. Date line, for 28 read 21. Add to foot-note the following, Series I, Vol. ~u, Part I, ~. 102. Page 899. Teeds report, first line, for Golonel 91. read Golonel: We had aflght, etc. Page Ioo5. Ninth line, top, for were read where. Page 1030. Twenty-first line, top, for Gor~nan read Garmon. Page io66. Eleventh and twelfth lines, bottom, strike out ist Regiment, Trans- Mississippi Department. Pages 1071I i56. Erase foot-note No circumstantial reports on file, wherever it occurs. PART 2. Page 3. Second foot-note, for June 30, s86~,, read May 22, z86~, and add at end, and from May 23 to June 30, z86~, see Part ~i. Page 152. Stilwell to Hardin and Stilwell to Sanborn, addresses, for Gainp Wild read Gamp Weld. Page 201. Artillery, Third Division, for Capt. Sillman 0. Fish read Capt. Stillman 0. Fish. Page 290. Curtis to Greene, insert * after date and add foot-note, ~ Date uncertain. Seep. 298. Page 298. Curtis to Greene, insert * after date and add foot-note, * Date uncertain. .~ ,~ Seep. 290. Page 334. Cooke to Stone, date, for s6 read zj. Page 486. ForJ. B. Bullene read T. B. Bullene. Page 539. For Win. A. Phillipps, signature, read Win. A. Phillips. Page 575. Twenty-seventh line, top, for H. C Warmouth read H. C. Warmoth. Page 614. General Orders, No. i, heading, for Burns read Byrnes. Page 728. Kilpatrick et al. to Steele, first line, for Tell read Yell. Page 785. For Licut. (o1. J. W. Fuller, address, read Licut. (~ol. I. W. Fuller. Page 866. Erase foot-note and insert For letter of Vick, sed~Jeries 1, Vol. 53, p. 925. Letter of il/onIon not found. Page 904. Magruder to Bee, first line, for 2,000 read 20,000. Page 965. Monell to Taylor, address, for District West of Louisiana read District of Wes2 Louisiana.. Page 1095. In lieu of * foot-note read See March 23, Series I, Vol. 53, ~b. 975. Page i iS. Twenty-first and twenty-second lines, bottom, strike out ist Regiment, Trans-ilfississippi Department Page A003 ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS. 3 PART 3. Page 565. Pope to Halleck, first line, insert * after order au(1 add foot-note. See Series I, Vol. ~p, Par! 3, p. 525. Page 733. Newton to Churchill, date line, for 5 rea(l 55. Page 743. Hildebrand to Cooper, insert after is! Greek, 2d an(I gd cherokee Reg- imen/s and add foot-note, * 15/, 2d, and ?d Home Guards (Union). Page SoS. Erase foot-note and insert See Series I, Vol. ~ p. 984. PART 4. Page 317. Fourteenth line, top, for 0. /3. Toll read C. /3. Tolle. Page 538. Twenty-ninth line, hottoni, for z5/h read so/h. Page 539. For Samuel 11/. U7es/, signature, read Samuel 11/. Wir!. Page 6o4. For Hon. New/on Edwards, address, read Hon. New/on Edmunds. Page 645. Erase foot-note and insert Probably Ac! of May 27, 1864, for which see Series I, Vol. 5~, ~b. 994. Page 6S~. Erase foot-note and insert See Series I, Vol. 5~, p. 998. Page 774. Insert * after Missouri Troops ((Jizion) and add foot-note * The eleven regimen/s of Provisional Enrolled A/i/i/ia, organized under Ike an/horily of Ihe Governor of Missouri, daleel February 3, s86,~, were designa/ed Ike is!, 3d, 3d, etc., lo Ike is/h. All olker organiza/ions (excepl companies), herein indexed as Provisional Enrolled A/i/i/ia should be Enrc led Missouri A/i/i/ia, Ike reference being lo companies of Ihe several regimen/s of Enrolled Missouri A/i/i/ia, organized under Ike provisions of General Orders, No. 107, .Depar/men/ of /he Missouri, da/ed June 28, 1864, and prin/ed in Series I, Volume ~ Par/ 1V p. ~8s. INDEX. Insert all words and figures in italics and strike out all in [brackets]. An asterisk (*) followiug a correction indicates that Additiuus aud Correctious to the text should he cousulted. References are to parts of volume. Part. Adair, William A 2 Adams, B.J., U. S. S Alleu, Heury W., 86j [Allen, H., 863] 2 Alvarez, Juan. [Jos6 Jurto] 2 Alvarez, Juan [Jos6 Justo] 4 Arkansas Troops (C.). CavalryRegimeuts: Monroes [st ~rrai1s-Mississippi Depart meut] 1 2 InfautryRegimeuts: 39th (Rogaii) 2 Arthur, William fT.] 2 Aslici-aft, Uranville [Ashreuft, 3 Atoeha, A. A. [ 1 2 B. J. Adams, U. S. S. See Adams, It. J., Us.s I Babh, David 1G. [lieutenant] 3 Babcock, Willoughhy, ~ [Baheoek, Colonel, Balerlo, feet/to [Captain] 2 Bales [Balls], Allen D Ballinger, pr-. ~. [ i 3 Banks, Nathaniel P. Correspondence with Barrett, Theodore [Thomas] H 2 Part. Barrett, Theodore H. Correspondence wi/li Nathaniel P. Banks, 222 [Barrett, Thomas H. Correspondence with Nathaniel P. Banks, 222] Barry, James B. [Colonel] [nattl~ Cn~en A., 121] Battle [Battles], II. 3. G Beach, Melaucthoii S Beale [Beall], T. F Bee, Hamilton P. Correspondence with Hawkins,J B. [Colonel] Beekman [Beckman], Edward Benter, Francis [Captain] Billings Andrew W. [lieutenant] Billings, Andrew W. Mentioned, 221 [Billings, T,ieutellallt, 224] Birney, William, ~o, ~z; Birney, David II., [so, 51] Blackwater Greek [River], Mo Blain [Blair], James A Blanco, 6)10, 69, 70 [030 Blanco, 69, 70] Bulb, John F Bonnie, W. F [F.] 2 2 3 3 4 4 2 4 2 Page A004 ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS. Part. Boyd, Edward D Prackman [Brockman], Albert 4 Bradford, Henry F. [James] 3 Breitenbaugh, Samuel [ I 3 Brent, J. L. [T.] 2 Brown, Eghert B. Correspondence with Breitenhangh, Samuel [ ] 3 Brnslk, Gharles A. [Captain] 2 Buehler, Theodore F. [Charles I-I.] Burbridge, Jo/in Q. [ ] 4 Bureb, Milton. Reports of Cowskin Bottom, fad. Te, [Newton County, Mo.] Burge, A. [- I 4 Bark, Ed. A. [Burke, Edward A.] 2 Bnrk, Ed. [Edward] A - 4 [Cameron, Charles P., 273] Caroline Goodyear, Schooner [Steamer] 2 Carr, John F., Steamer I, 2, 4 Casteel, Thomas G. [lieutenant] 2 Cliaves, J. Francisco [Chavez, Coloncl] 2 Chaves,J. [T.] Francisco 3 Cheek, Mark R., Steamer i, 2 Cheko/e [Chicote]. Samuel 3, 4 Choutean, Henry, Steamer i, 2, 3,4 Chontean, P. [ ] 3 Clayton, Powell. Correspondence with Carr, Eugene A., 654 [s54] Cobb, Seymour F. [M.] Golher/, Winches/er [Winchester, Colbert] ... Colley, Pa//en [Patton] Congress, U. S. Correspondence wi/h War Depar/men/, U. .5., 650 Cowskin Bottom, fad. Te,-. [Newton Cowity, Mo.] Daly [Daily], Ambrose Dance,J. H. [ 1 DeBow,J.D.B. [ ] Denison, Genige S. [Dennison, ] Dioux, i,ouis, 70 [69] Doblado, Manuel [Emanuel] Dodge, Schooner [Revenue Cutter] .... Duff lames (2d Ark. Gay.), i6i, 162, s~8 Duff, James (38d Tex. Gay.). Mentioned, [i6i, 162, i7S] Dwight, Charles C., ~ [Dwight, Colonel, 654] Dwight, James F. Mentioned, 231 [Dwight, Major, 231] Dyer, Clarence [Charles] H Fdmnnds [Edmonds], Newton Fdmands [Edwards], Newton Ensign, Fdgar [Edward] T Farnam [Farnan], Captain Fawn, U. S. S. Mentioned, io~sso~g; Gunboat No 30, [10511053] Fay/h [Forsyth], Willian~H Fessenden. [Fassendon], Francis Part. Fisk, Clinton B. Correspondence with P,ackman [Brockman]. Albert 4 Colley, Pa//cit [Patton] 4 Reynolds, W. J. [S.] 4 Vo/aw [Voten], Alfred C 4 Fletcher, Thomas C. [Colonel] . 2 Folsom, Simpson N. [W.] Frishie [Frisbee], Henry N 2 Fry, Thomas XV., [jr.] 4 Gallagher, Geoge A. [W. M.] 2 Gallaher [Gallagher], William Gaty, Sani, Steamer 4 Gerry, F/bridge [ ] I Gifford [Giffords], Bedford W Gillette, Lee P. [Captain] 4 Goodyear, Caroline, Schooner [Steamer] 2 Gnion, Jailles f-V 2 (;llllboat No. 13 See U. S. S. Mani/on [3S2, 989] Gunboat No. 15. See C. S. S. Jias/ings [g~s] 4 Gunboat No, 30. See C. S. .5. I9iw,i [~o~i 1053] Gunboat No. g~(?) [36]. See C. S. S Naniui- keag [10511053] I Gunboat No. 37. See C. S. S Nonmkeag [7] 2 Gunboat No. 53. See C. S. S. Atiiad [1014, 1015] Halejames, Steamer 2 3 Hancock, John [Judge] 4 Has/ings, C. 5. 5., 335, GlInboat No. 15, [~~s] 4 3 Hawkins, James P. [Colonel] 2 4 Herring [Ilennig], Bright W 4 Ileyliger, Louis [V.] 2 Holcomh ]Halcomb], Pythagoras F 2 2 Holland, Colley [Colly] B 1, 2, 3, 4 holland, Gas/awis [ ] 3 I Holtzelaw, C D. [Captain], 88s[Holtsiclves [?], 882] 2 iloltzclaw, C. I). [ ] 2 Holtzclaw, C. D. [Captaill] 4 2 I-loOper, BelIjaIllill S I I Hopkins, Jennic [Ginnie], Steamer 3 4 I. C Landis, 5/eamer, 426 4 2 Indian Territory. 2 [l~ux~, Samuel B., resunles comlualld of, May9,1864,6]* I 2 Indian lerri/ory, Dis/ric/ of (C.). Maxey, S. P., resames command, 6* 4 IlIdiall lroops (C.). [CherokeeRegilllelIts 2d, 3d, 743]* 3 3 [CreekReginlellts: ist, 743]* 3 2 hlIdiall Troops (U.). 2 InfantryRegimelits: 4 fst Home Guards, 743* 3 4 2d Home Gnar4s, 743* 3 m 3d Honle Guard., 741* 3 Jeans, Peal G. [Beall] Jelinie Rogers [Rodgers], Steamer 2 John F Cart~, S/canter, ~9, 88,~ 2 John F Cart, S/canter, 102, 104 2 2 John F Carr, S/coiner 686 4 Page A005 ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS. Part. Johnson, Middle/on T. [M.] 2 Jones, A. D., 857 [Jones, 857] Joseph Peirce, Steamer, 266 4 Keeler [Keller], Julius A 4 Ke/cham [Kitcham] Theodore 2 King, A us/in A., ir., ~ King, Austin A., [Mentioned, 59] 2 Kingsbury, Ezra W., 1009 [Kingsbury, Ira XV., 10o9] Kitchen, Solomon G., 43 [Ketchum [Kitchen Solomon G.], 43, 52] 3 Lamb, William, 128 [Lamb, lieutenant, 128]. 1 Landram, William J., 62, 78 [bandram, Robert A., 62, 78] 4 Larmour, R. B. [ ] Lewis, Benjamin W. Mentioned, 447 [Lewis, , 447] 4 [bewis, David M., 1026] Livingston, Robert R. Correspondence with Rogers, Jo/ia [Gunboat No. 37, gommand ing Officer of] 2 Livonia, La. Skirmish near, May 31, 1864 I Lobdell, James L 2 Loering [Loring], S 4 Lolinjo [Longino] Louisiana, [West,] District of 2 Louisiana, District of [West Louisiana, Dis- trict of] 3 Loveuskiold, Charles [Colonel] Lubbock, H. S. [L.] 2 Luckey,J. M. [Captain] 4 McCook, Edward M. [Alexander McD.]. ... McDowell, James L 4 McIntosh, Daniel [David] N 2,3 McKean, Thomas J. Correspondence with Keeler [Keller], Julius A 4 MeKinney, Thomas F. [Judge] 2 McPherson, James B., 197 [McPherson, Edward, 197] McRae, ColinJ. [ ] 4 Maui/on, U. S. S., 382, 989; Gunboat No. 13, [382, 989] Mason, John W., 140 [141] 4 Maxey, Samuel B. Resumes command of the District of Indian Territory, etc -. Means, Austin W Mejia, Tomas [General] 2, 3 Mu/saps, Jessee [Millsap, Jesse] i Milor, Uharles [ I 3 Misenheimer, Munson A., 70 [69] Missouri Troops (U.). See Text, Additions and Corrections, p.774 4 Mi/chel [Mitchell], C. E., 6o6 [Mitchell, Charles, 6o6] Mitchell, William S. [G.] Moer, Samuel H. [Moore, John H.] 3 Morgauza, La. Skirmishes near. June 4 [May30], 1864 Mosby, John S. [H.] Murrah [Murray], Pendleton i Part. Naiad, U. 5. 5., 1014, zo1~ Gunboat No. 53, [1014, Ioi5] Naumkeag, U. 5. 5., 1051-1053, Gunboat No. 37(8) [10511053] Naumkeag, U. 5. 5., 775; Gunboat No. 37, [77s] 2 Noland, George W. [Lieu~enau1j 4 Northwestern Arkansas. Operations in, etc. Reports of Holland, Golley [Colly] B Ogden, Fred. [Frank] N Oil Trough Bottom, Ark. Skirmish (March 24th) at Oldham, Williamson [William] S... 3 Ol/mauns [Oltman], J. G 2,3 Pace, William B. Mentioned, 636 [633] 4 Palmer, Innis N. [John M.] Patterson, SamuelJ 4 Peebles [Peeples], Richard Rogers 3 Peirce, Joseph, Steamer 4 Pesqueira, Ignacio [Pesquiera, Governor] 2 Phul, Francis von, 812 [Von Phul, Francis, 812] Pocahontas, Ark. [Mo.] Poe, Benjamin F. Mentioned, 573 [Poe, Sergeant, 573] 4 Presidio del Norte, Mex. [N. Mex.] Price, Sterling. Correspondence with Thornton, John C. C 2 Quarles [Dualls], T. A 3 Quayle, William [Major] 2 Quinhy [Quimby], Ira 4 Ramsay, Francis [Frank] M 3 Ratliff, W. B., 963, 965 [Rateliffe, Captain, 963, 965] Ratliff William B. [Rateliffe, Captain] 3 Raymond, James, Steamer 3 Reid, Charles C. Correspondence with (harles [ ] Milor 3 Reid,W.A.[ ] 4 Reynolds, W.J. [S.] 4 Reynolds, W.J. [T.] et al 2 Riordan, Edward, 968 [Riordan, Major, 968].. 2 Roherts, Samuel F., 940, 1039, Roberts, ~8ai~uel 5., ~ 1039] Rogers [Rodgers], Jennie, Steamer 2 Rogers, John [Gunboat No. 37, Commanding Officer of] 2 Rosecrans, William S. Correspondence with Reynolds, W.J. [T.] 2 Thomas, James S. [L.] 3 Ross, Charles, 70 [69] Rozose [Rouse], Albert 2 Rundlet [Rundlett]~aylor P. [T.] 4 Russell, Powell [ ] Saint Paul Pioneer, Editors of 2 Saint Panl Press, Editors of 2 Sanborn, John B. Correspondence with Holland, fiollev [Colly] B 2 [Sargent, Lieutenant. Correspondence with Frederick Steele,519]. 2 Page A006 ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS. Part. Sargent, Charles S. Correspondence wi/k Frederick Steele, .1.... Scknable, John A. [Schuabel, J. A.] Scott, Jesse F Sedalia, Mo. Scout from. See Blackwater Creek [River], Mo Sheeks, George [Lieutenant] Shore Joka [Dr.] Snead, Thomas L. [T.] Sowell, John H Sproat [Sprout], Edgart Steele, 0., 656 [655] Steele, William T. [F.], 6og [Steele, W. T., 605] Stepkens [Stevens], Spencer S Stevenson, Joke A. [Captain], 871, 872, 955 [Stevenson, , 871, 872, 955] Stone, W. M. [Major] Stone,kam [Stoneman], T Sutton, Robert [ ] Taher, Ira I. [J.] Taylor, Benjamin F. [L.] Thayer, Clarence C. [ ] Thomas, James S. [L.] Thomas, W. H. H. [A.] Thompson, M. Jeff Thornton,Jokn C. Calhoun Thornton, John C. Calkonn Thornton, John C. Calhoun Thornton, John C. Cklkonn, ~ [Thornton, Coon, 349] 2 3 2 4 2 4 2 3 3 4 4 3 3 4 2 3 4 Part. Todd, George W., ~i6, .119 [Todd, , 416, 419] 3 Todd, George W., 6~ [Todd, , 6s] 4 Towner, Horatio N. [Lieutenant] 1,3 Trarnel [Trammel], 1-larrison I Tredway [Treadway], Joseph D I Tredway, Joseph 1). [E.] 2 Vansickle [Vansickler], Abram B 3 Vidanrri [Vidauri], Santiago 2, 3,4 Votaw [Voten], Alfred C 4 Wagner, A. J. [J. A.] 4 Walker, WilliamJ. [A.] 2 Walsk [Welsh], Edward 4 Walton, Thomas H I Ware, James A., 917 [946] 2 Warren, M. [Warner, ] 3 Washburn, Peter T. [F.] White, George W. [Colonel] 2 Whybark, Levi E. Mentioned, 204 [Waybark, Levi E., 204] 2 Wilkenson [Wilkinson], James W 2 Wilson, James H. (Brig. Gee.), [81] 2 Wilson James H. (sstArk. Cav.),8i 2 Wood James (1st Ba/tn. Mo. Can.) [Lieuten- ant] I Wood, James (91k Mo.) Wood, Robert C., 843 [Wood, Major, 843] .... Woolsey, King S I, 3 Worford, A. [ ] 4 Wright, Asa U. [V.] 4 1~ Page A007 A 4 Page A008 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 Offi- cial Records of the War of the Rebellion, both of the Union and Con- federate Armies, and directed him to have copied for the Public Printer all reports, letters, telegrams, and general orders not hereto- fore 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 Confederate) 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 Repre- sentatives, 2,000 copies for the use of the Senate, and 1,000 copies for the use of the Exe~utive Departments. * * 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 shall be distri- buted as follows: One thousand copies to the Executive Departments, as now pro- vided 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, organiza- tions, and individuals as may be designated by the Senators, Representatives, and Delegates of the Forty-seventh Congress. Eacl1ASe~ator shall designate not exceed- ing twenty-six, and each Representative and Delegate not exceeding twenty-one of such addresses, and the volumes shall be sent thereto from time to time as they are published, until the publication is completed. Senators, Representatives, and Dele- gates shall inform the Secretary of War in each case how many volumes of those heretofore published they have 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 procee~ 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 Congress what volumes of the series heretofore published have not been furnished to such libraries, organizations, and individuals. He shall also inform distributees at whose instance the volumes are sent. II Page R004 TV PREFACE. 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. The publication 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 South- em States, and of all military operations in the field, with the corre- spondence, 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 cam- paigns and several theaters of operations (in the chronological order of the events), and the Union reports of any event will, as a rule, be immediately followed by the Confederate accounts. The correspond- ence, & c., not embraced in 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. The 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 corre- spondence between the Union and~Co~ifederate authorities given in that series. ROBERT N. SCOTT, Major Third Art., and Bvt. Lieut. Cot. WAR DEPARTMENT, An gust 23, 1880. Approved: ALEX. RAMSEY, ~ Secretary of War Table of Contents Page R005 CONTENTS. CHAPTER XLVI. Operations in Louisiana and the Trans-Mississippi States and Territories. Page. January 1June 30, 1804 11058 (v Page R006 Special Index Page R007 CONTENTS OF PRECEDING VOLUMES. VOLUME I. CHAPTER I Page. Operations in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. December 20, 1860April 14, 1861 1317 CHAPTER II. The secession of Georgia. January 3-26, 1861 318325 CHAPTER III. The secession of Alabama and Mississippi. January 4-20,1861 326-330 CHAPTER IV. Operations in Florida. January 6-August 31,1861 331473 CHAPTER V Page. The secession of North Carolina. Janu ary 9-May 20, 1861 474-488 CHAPTER VI. The secession of Louisiana. January 10- February 19, 1861 489-501 CHAPTER VII. Operations in Texas and New Mexico. February 1June 11, 1861 502-636 CHAPTER VIII. Operations in Arkansas, the Indian Terri- tory, and Missouri. February 7-May 9, 1861 637691 VOLUME II. CHAPTER IX. Page Operations in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. April 16-July 31,1861.... 11012 VOLUME III. CHAPTER X. Page. Operations in Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Indian Territory. May 10-November 19,1861. .. 1-749 VOLUME IV. CHAPTER XI. J2age. 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, 1861Janji CHAPTER XII. ary 11, 1862 566721 Operations in Kentucky and Tennessee. July 1-November 19, 1861 175565 VOLUME V. CHAPTER XIV. Page. Operations in Maryland, Northern Virginia, and West Virginia. August 1,1861March 17,1862 - - 1-1106 VOLUME VI: CHAPTER XV. Operations on the coasts of South Carolina, Georgia, and Middle and East Florida. August 21,1861April 11, 1862 Page. CHAPT*R XVI. Page. Operations in West Fbi-ida, Southern Al- abama, Southern Mississippi, and Lou 1435 isian~ - September 1, 1861May 12, 1862. 436894 VOL1TM7E VII CHAPTER XVII. Page. Operations in Kentucky, Tennessee, N. Alabama, and S. W. Virginia. Nov. 19,1861-Mar. 4, 1862.. 1-946 (VII Page R008 VIII CONTENTS OF PRECEDING VOLUMES. VOLUME VIII. CHAPTER XVIII. Page. Operations in Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Indian Territory. Nov. 19, 1861-April 10, 1862. 1-884 VOLUME IX. CHAPTER XIX Page. CHAPTER XXI. Page. Operations in Southeastern Virginia. Jan- Operations in Texas, New Mexico, and uary 11March 17, 1862 ~ Arizona. February 1-September 20, CHAPTER xx. P962 481-730 Operations in North Carolina. January 11-August 20,1862... ~2-4S0 VOLUME X-IN TWO PARTS. CHAPTER XXII. Operations in Kentucky, Tennessee, North Mississippi, North Alabama, and Southwest Virginia. March 4-June 10, 1862, Page. Part IReports 1-927 Part ItCorrespondence, etc 1642 VOLITME XIIN THREE PARTS. CHAPTER XXIII. The Peninsular Campaign, Virginia. March 17-September 2, 1862. Page. Part IReports, March 17-June 24 1-1077 Part IlReports, June 25-September 2 1-994 Part lItCorrespondence, etc 1-691 ~TOLUME XIIIN THREE PARTS. CHAPTER XXIV. Operations in Northern Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland. March 17-September 2, 1862. Page. Part IReports, March 17-June 25 1-818 Part ItReports, June 26-September 2 1-820 Part IllCorrespondence, etc 1-966 VOLUME XIII. CHAPTER~XV. Page. Operations in Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, the Indian Territory, and the Department of the Northwest. April 10November 20, 1862 1-981 VOLUME XIV. CHAPTER XXVI. Page. Operations on the coasts of South Carolina, Georgia, and Middle and East Florida. April 12, 1862June 11, 1863 11025 VOLUME XV. CHAPTER XXVII. Page. Operations in West Florida, Southern Alabama, Southern Mississippi (embracing all operations against Vicksburg, May 18-July 27, 1862), and Louisiana, May 12,1862-May 14, 1863; and oper ations in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. September 20, 1862-May 14, 1863 1-113 Page R009 CONTENTS OF PRECEDING VOLUMES. IX VOLUME XVIIN TWO PARTS. - CHAPTER XXVIII. Operations in Kentucky, Middle and East Tennessee, North Alabama, and Southwest Virginia. June 10October 31, 1862. Page. Part IReports 1-1168 Part Il-Correspondence, etc .. 11017 VOLUME XVIJIN TWO PARTS. CHAPTER XXIX. Operations in West Tennessee and Northern Mississippi. June 10, 1862-January 20, 1863. Page. Part IReports 1-807 Part ItCorrespondence, etc 1-916 VOLUME XVIII. CHAPTER XXX. Page. Operations in North Carolina and Southeastern Virginia. August 20, 1862-June 3, 1863 1-1104 VOLUME XIXIN TWO PARTS. CHAPTER XXXI. Operations in Northern Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. September 3-Novem ber 14. 1862. Page. Part IReports, September 3-20 1-1108 Part IlReports, September 20-November 14; Correspondence, etc., September 3-Novem- ber 14 1739 VOLUME XXIN TWO PARTS. CHAPTER XXXII. Operations in Ker~tucky, Middle and East Tennessee, North Alabama, and Southwest Virginia. No vember 1,1862January 20, 1863. Page. Part IReports 1-997 Part IlCorrespondence, etc 1516 VOLUME XXI. CHAPTER XXXIII. Page. Operations in Northern Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. November 15, 1862January 25,1863 11152 VOLUME XXIIIN TWO PAR~. CHAPTER XXXIV. Operations in Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, the Indian Territory, and the Department of the Northwest. November 20, 1862December 31,1863. Page. Part IReports .... Part IlCorrespondence, etc 1-116 Page R010 X CONTENTS OF PRECEDING VOLUMES. VOLUME XXIIJIN TWO PARTS. CHAPTER XXXV. Operations in Kentucky, Middle and East Tennessee, North Alabama, and Southwest Virginia. Jan uary 21August 10, 1863 Page. Part IReports .. .... 1858 Part lICorrespondence, etc ... 1-986 VOLUME XXIVIN THREE PARTS. CHAPTER XXXVI. Operations in Mississippi and West Tennessee, including those in Arkansas and Louisiana connected with the Siege of Vickshurg. January 20-August 10, 1863. Page. Part IReports, January 20-May 15, including the General Reports for whole period, January 20-August 10 787 Part lIReports, May 16-August 10 1-699 1-1070 Part IllCorrespondence, etc VOLUME XXVIN TWO PARTS. CHAPTER XXXVII. Operations in Northern Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. January 26-June 1, 1863 Page. Part I Reports 1-1119 Part IlCorrespondence, etc 1-862 VOLUME XXVJIN TWO PARTS. CHAPTER XXXVIII. Operations in West Florida, Southern Alabama, Southern Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and New Mexico. May 14December 31, 1863 Page. Part IReports, Union Correspondence, etc 1-920 Part IlConfederate Correspondence, etc 1-581 VOLUME XXVIIIN THREE PARTS. CHAPTER XXXIX. Operations in North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Department of the East. June 3August 3,1863. Page. Part IReports 1-1059 Part lIReports Part IllCorrespondence, etc 1-1092 VOLUME XXVIIIIN TWO PARTS. CHAPTER XL. Operations on the coasts of South Carolina and Georgia, and in Middle and East Florida. June 12- December 31, 1863 Page. P~uut IReports 1755 Part IlCorrespondence, etc 4-609 VOLITME XXIXIN TWO~PARTS. CHAPTER XLI. Operations in North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia. Maryland, and Pennsylvania. August 4-De. cember 31, 1863. Page. Part IReports 1-1018 Part IlCorrespondence, etc ., 1-93 Page R011 CONTENTS OF PRECEDING VOLUMES. XI VOLUME XXXIN FOUR PARTS. CHAPTER XLII. Operations in Kentucky, Southwest Virginia, Tennessee, Mississippi, North Alabama, and North Georgia. August 11-October 19, 1863. Page. Part IReports .~ 1-1071 Part IlReports 1-821 Part IllUnion Correspondence, etc 1-1017 Part tVUnion and Confederate Correspondence, etc 1-768 VOLUME XXXIIN THREE PARTS. CHAPTER XLIII. Operations in Kentucky, Southwest Virginia, Tennessee, Mississippi, North Alabama, and North Georgia. October 20-December 31,1863. Page. Part IReports and Union Correspondence 1-852 Part IlReports 1-782 Part IllUnion and Confederate Correspondence, etc 1-893 VOLUME XXXIIIN THREE PARTS. CHAPTER XLIV. Operations in Kentucky, Southwest Virginia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, and North Georgia. January 1-April 30,1864. Page. Part IReports 1-703 Part IlUnion and Confederate Correspondence, etc 1-833 Part IllUnion and Confederate Correspondence, etc 1-879 VOLUME XXXIII. CHAPTER XLV. Page. Operations in North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Jan uary 1April 30, 1864 1133 Page R012 C-I CD p 1 p ITJ CD C-4 p Sunday. ~ ~ ~-~: ~ ~~c~k ~ Monday. ~ ~ ~ ~ Tuesday. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Wednesday. ~ ~ ~ ~ Thursday. ~ ~ Friday. ~ ~ Saturday. o ~ ~ Sunday. ~ Monday. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~v Tuesday. ~ ~ ~ Wednesday. 4~. c~ ~ -~p ~ ~ ~. QI C~ Thursday. Friday. Saturday. 0 Page 1 CHAPTER XLVI. OPERATIONS IN LOUiSIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSIS SIPPI STATES AND TERRITORIES: January 1-June 30, 1864. PART I. SUMIMIAIRY OF TIlE PRINCIPAL IEVENTS.t Jan. 1, 1864.The Department of Kansas re-established.t 130, l864.Operations in Northeastern Arkansas, including skirmishes at Lunenburg, Sylamore, and on Sylamore Creek. 3, 1864.Maj. Gen. Francis J. Herron, U. S. Army, assumes command of the U. S. forces on the Rio Grande, Tex. 5, 1864.Skirmish on the Pecos River, near Fort Sumner, N. Mex. 6, 1864.The Department of Arkansas and Seventh Army Corps consti- tuted. Maj. Gen. Joseph J. Reynolds, U. S. Army, assumes command of the Defenses of New Orleans. 6-21, l864.Expedition against the Navajo Indians. 7,1864.Skirmish at Martins Creek, Ark. 8 9, l864.-Bombardment of Confederate woAis at the mouth of Caney Bayou, Tex. 10, 1864.Skirmish at Kings River, Ark. 1213, 1864.Affair at Matamoras, Mexico. 1314, l864.Scout from Pine Bluff to Monticello, Ark. 14, 1864.Skirmish in Bollinger County, Mo. 13-17. l864.Scouts in Jackson County, Mo. 16, 1864.Maj. Gen. Samuel R. Curtis, U. S. Army, assumes command of the Department of Kansas. * Including Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Indian Territory, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Texas, and the Department of the Northwest, embrac- ing Dakota, Iowa, Minneso~, and Wisconsin. t Of some of the minor conflicts noted in this Summary, no circumstantial reports are on file. All such are designated in the Index. ~ It had been merged into the Department of the Missouri, September 19, 1862. 1 R RVOL XXXIV, PT I (1 Page 2 LOUISIANA AND TILE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. 2 Jan. 16Feb. 15, 1864.Operations in Northwestern Arkansas. 17, 1864.Skirmish at Lewisburg, Ark. 1719, 1864.Scouts from Brownsville, Ark. 19, 1864.Skirmish at Branchville, Ark. 2125, 1864.Reconnaissance on Matagorda Peninsula, Tex. Scout from Waldron to Bakers Springs, Ark., au(l skirmish. 23 1864.Affair at Cowskin Bottom, Newton County, Mo. 2327, 1864.Scout from Patterson, Mo., to Cherokee Bay, Ark. 25, 1864.Skirmishes on the Little Missouri River and at Sulphur Springs, Ark. 26, 1864.Affair in the San Andres Mountains, N. Mex. Skirmish at Caddo Gap, Ark. 28, 1864.Skirmish at Dallas, Ark. 29Feb. 23, 1864.Expedition from Vicksburg, Miss., to Waterproof, La., and skirmishes.* 30, 1864.Maj. Gen. William S. Rosecrans, U. S. Army, supersedes Maj. Gen. John M. Schofield in command of the Department of the Missouri. Maj. Gen. Frederick Steele, U. S. Army, assumes command of the Seventh Army Corps and Department of Arkansas. 30Feb. 3, 1864.Expedition from Batesville to near Searcy Landing, Ark. Feb. 1, 1864.Skirmish at Waidron, Ark. 1 3, 1864.Expedition from Madisonville to Franklinton, La., and vi- cinity. 124, 1864.Operations in the Indian Territory. 1Mar. 1, 1864.Scouts from Rolla, Mo. 1Mar. 7, 1864.Operations in New Mexico and Arizona. 2, 1864.Skirmish on Halcolm Island, Mo. 3 6, 1864.Expedition from Brashear City, La. 4, 1864.Skirmish at Columbia, La. Skirmish at Hot Springs~ Ark. Skirmish at Mountain Fork, Ark. Skirmish at Rolling Prairie, Ark. 4 8, 1864.Expedition from helena up White River, Ark. 5 1864.Skirmish near Cape Girardem, Mo. 517, 186-4.Scout from Houston, Mo., into Arkansas, with skirmishes. 610, 1864.~cout in the Sni Hills, Mo. 7, 1864.Affair at the mouth of G~aney Bayou, Tex. Skirmish at Vidalia, La. 8, 1864.Skirmish at Donaldsonville, La. 9, 1864.Skirmish at Morgans Mill, Spring River, Ark. Skirmish at Tomahawk Gap, Ark. Skirmish at New River, La. Skirmish in White County, Ark. 10, 1864.Skirmish at Pocahontas, Mo. Skirmish at Lake Village, Ark. ~ 11, 1864.Descent upon Lamar, Tex. Skirmishes near Madisonville, La. 12, 1864.Affair near the California House, Mo. Skirmish at Macon, Mo. Skirmish at Caddo Gap, Ark. * For report see Vol. XXXII, Part I, p. 157 Page 3 CHAP. XLVI.1 SIT MMA Ily OF THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS. 3 Feb. 1220, l864.Expedition from Batesville, Ark., after Freemans command. 1314, l864.Expedition from Helena up the Saint Francis River, Ark. 14, 1864.Skirmish at Ross Landing, Ark. Skirmish at Scotts Farm, Washita Cove, Ark. 15, 1864.Skirmish at Saline River, Ark. Affair near Charleston, Mo. 16, 1864.Skirmish at Indian Bay, Ark. Skirmish at Caddo Gap, Ark. 17, 1864.Skirmish at Blacks Mill, Ark. Skirmish at Horse Head Creek, Ark. 18,1864.Affair near headwaters of tim Piney, Mo. 19, 1864.Skirmish at Grossetete, La. Skirmish near Independence, Mo. Capture of wagon train at Waughs farm, near Batesville, Ark. 2026, l864.Expedition from Helena up White River, Ark. 22, 1864.Skirmish at Luna Landing, Ark. Skirmish at Lexington, Mo. Affair near Indianola, Tex. 2224, l864.Operations about Warrensburg, Mo. 23,1864. Maj. Gen. John A. McClernand, U. S. Army, resumes command of the Thirteenth Army Corps. 23Mar. 9, l864.Scout from Springfield, Mo., into Northern Arkansas, and skirmishes near Buffalo City (March 1) and at Bennetts Bayou (March 2). 2429, 1864.Scout from Camp Mimbres, N. Mex. 27, 1864.Affair near Poplar Bluff, Mo. Skirmish at Pinos Altos, Ariz. 29Mar. 13, 1864.Expedition from Rolla, Mo., to Batesville, Ark. Mar. 1. 1864.Skirmish at Cedar Glade, Ark. 1 4, l864.Operations on the Onachita River, La., including actions at Trinity and Harrisouburg. 3, 1864.Skirmishes at Jackson and near Baton Rouge, La. 6. 1864.Skirmish at Flint Creek, Ark. 8, 1864.Skirmish near Baton Rouge, La. Skirmish at Cypress Creek, La. 1012. 1864.Expedition from Bates cille to Wild Ilaws, Strawberry Creek, & c., Ark. 10May 22, 1864iThe Red River (Louisiana) C~npaign. 13, 1864.Skirmish at Carrollton, Ark. Skirmish at Los Patricios, Tex. 1326. i864.Scouts from Yellville to Buffalo River, Ark. 14,1864.Skirmish at Hopefleld, Ark. 15,1864.Skirmish at Clarendon, Ark. 1521, l864.Scout from Batesville to West Point, Grand Glaize, Searcy Land- ing,& c., Ark. 16, 1864.Maj. Gen. Sterling Price, C. S. Army, superse~es Lieut. Gen. The- ophilus H. Holmes in command of the District of Arkansas. Skirmish at Santa Rosa, Tex. 1625, l864.Scout froni Pilot Knob, Mo., to the Arkansas line, and skir- misiws. 17. 1864.Affair at Corpus Christi, Tex. i7--A~r. 1, l864.Scout from Lebanon, Mo., into Northern Arkansas, and skirmishes Page 4 4 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. Mar. 18.1864.Affair on Spring Creek, Ark. Skirmish at Monticello, Ark. 19, 1864.Attack on Laredo, Tex. 1922, 1864.Scout from Lexington, Mo. 19Apr. 4,1864.Expedition from Rolling Prairie to Batesville, Ark., with skirmishes. 20,1864.Skirmish at Arkadelphia, Ark. Skirmish at Roseville Creek, Ark. 2030,1864.Scouts in Jackson and La Fayette Counties, Mo., with skirmishes. 21,1864.Affair at Velasco, Tex. 22,1864.Brig. Gen. Nathan Kimball, U. S. Army, assigned to command in Department of Arkansas, north of the Arkansas River, during absence in the field of Major-General Steele. Affair at Corpus Christi, Tex. 23May 3,1864.The Camden (Arkansas) Expedition. 24, 1864.Skirmish near Goodrichs Landing, La. 24 and 27, 1864.Skirmish (24th) at Oil Trough Bottom and skirmish (27th) near Cross-Roads, Ark. 2431, 1864.Expedition from Batesville to Coon Creek, Devils Fork of Red River, & c., and skirmish (27th) near Cross-Roads, Ark. 25,1864.Skirmish at Dover, Ark. Skirmish near White River, Ark. Skirmish in Van Buren County, Ark. The Districts of Baton Rouge and La Fourche attached to the Defenses of New Orleans. 2526,1864.Scout from Batesville to Fairview, Ark. 26,1864.Skirmish near Quitman, Ark. 27,1864.Affair in Deepwater Township, Mo. 2731, 1864.Scout from Little Rock to Benton, Ark. 28, 1864.Skirmish at Danville, Ark. 29, 1864.Skirmish at Roseville, Ark. 29Apr. 1, 1864.Scouts from Bellefonte, Ark. 30, 1864.Affair near Greenton, Mo. Apr. 1, 1864.Action at Fitzhughs Woods, near Augusta, Ark. Affair near Bloomfield, Mo. 110, 1864.The Pearl River (Louisiana) Expedition. 2, 1864.Skirmish at Grossetete Bayou, La. 3, 1864.Affair near Clarksville, Ark. Skirmish near Fort Gib~on4nd. T. 4,1864.Skirmish at Cliarlestown, Ark. 4 5, 1864.Skirmishes at Roseville, Ark. 5, 1864.Skirmish at Whiteleys Mills, Ark. 5 9,1864.Expedition from New Madrid, ~Io.,and skirmishes in the swamps of Little River, near Osceola, and on Pemiscot Bayou. 6,1864.Affair at Prairie Du Rocher, Ill. Skirmish at Piney Mountain, Ark. 6 7,1864.Skirmishes on the Arkansas River and near Prairie Grove, Ark. 7,1864.Skirmish at Rhens Mills, Ark. Skirmishes near Port Hudson, La. Skirmish at the foot of the Sierra Bonita, N. Mex. 823,1864.Expedition from Denver, Cob., to the Republican River, Kans Page 5 CHAP. XLVI.] SUMMARY OF TIlE PRINCIPAL EVENTS. 5 Apr. 11, 1864Affair in Chariton County, Mo. Skirmish at Richiand Creek, Ark, 12,1864.Skirmish at Van Buren, Ark. Skirmish at Fort Bisland, La. Skirmish near Fremonts Orchard, Cob. 12-13,1864.Expedition up Matagorda Bay, Tex. 13, 1864.Skirmish at Indian Bay, Ark. Skirmish on Spring River, near Smithville, Ark. 1314, 1864.Skirmishes at and near Richiand Creek, Ark. 1418, 1864.Expedition from Camp Sanborn, Cob., to Beaver Creek, Kans. 15, 1864.Skirmish at Spencers Ranch, near Presidio del Norte, N. Mex. Skirmish at Roseville, Ark. Skirmish near Baton Rouge, La. 1520, 1864.Operations in the Indian Territory. 16, 1864.Affair on the Osage Branch of Kings River, Ark. 17, 1864.Skirmish in Limestone Valley, Ark. 18, 1864.Affair at Hunnewell, Mo. 19, 1864.Skirmish on Kings River, Ark. 1920, 1864.Skirmishes near Charleston. Mo. 20, 1864.Attack on Jacksonport, Ark. Skirmish at Waterproof, La. 21, 1864.Affair at Cotton Plant, Cache River, Ark. 22, 1864.Affair near Cotton Plant, Ark. 2224, 1864.Expedition from Jacksonport to Augusta, Ark., and skirmish near Jacksonport. 23, 1864.Skirmish at Independence, Mo. 24, 1864.Skirmish at Pineville, La. 26, 1864.Skirmish at Berwick, La. Skirmish near Little Rock, Ark. Skirmish in Wayne County, Mo. 27, 1864.Skirmish at Dayton, Mc. 2830, 1864.Skirmishes in Johnson County. Mo. 28May 7, 1864.Scout from Springfield, Mo., toward Fayettevihle, Ark. 29, 1864.The Districts of West Florida and of Key West and Tortugas attached to the Defenses of New Orleans. Skirmish in the Sni Hills, Mo. May 1, 1864.Skirmish at Ashton, La. Skirmish at Ashwood Landing, La. Skirmish at Clinton, La. Affair at Berwick, La. Skirmish at Lees Creek. Ark. Skirmish at Pine Bluff, Ark. 2, 1864.Brig. Gen. William II. Emory, U. S. Army, supersedes Maj. Gen. William B. Franklin in command of the Nineteenth Army Corps. Affair on Bee Creek, Mo. 3, 1864.Skirmish between Bayous Redwood and Olive Branch, near Baton Rouge, La. Skirmish at Cedar Bluffs, Cob. 3 and 5, 1864.Skirmishes near mouth of Richland Creek, Ark. 4, 1864.Skirmish at Ashwood Landing, La. Skirmish in Doubtful Cafion, N. Mex Page 6 LOUISIANA AND TILE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. May 5 9,1864.Scout in Craighead and Lawrence C]ounties, Mo. 6, 1864.Raid on Napoleonville, La. Scout from I3loomfield, Mo. 610, 1864.Operations in Calcasieu Pass, La. 611, 1864.Scout from Patterson, Mo., and skirmish (8th) at Cherokee Bay, Ark. 7, 1864.The Military Division of West Mississippi constituted, under command of Maj. Geri. Edward 14. S. Canby, U. S. Army. 8, 1864.Skirmish near Maysville, Ark. 9 1864 Brio. Gen. Samuel B. Maxey, C. S. Army, resumes command of the Indian Territory. Skirmish at Eudora Church, Ark. 910. 1864.Scout from American Ranch to Cedar Bluffs, Cob. 9June 8. 1864.The Gila (Arizona) Expedition. 10, 1861-Skirmish at Dardanelle, Ark. 1025, 1864.Scout from Pilot Knob, Mo., to Gainesville, Ark. 11, 1864.Maj. Gen. Edward R. S. Canby, U. S. Army, assumes command of the Military Division of West Mississippi. 12, 186-t.Skirmish at Smiths Station, Nebr. 18, 1864.Skirmish at Spavinaw, Ark. Skirmish near Cuba, Mo. 1881, 1864.Shelbys operations north of the Arkansas River. 15, 1864.Attack on Mount Pleasant Landing, La., and pursuit of the Con- federates. 16, 1864.Action at Bio Bushes, near Smoky Thu, Kans. Skirmish near Drywood Creek, Mo. Affair at Spirit Lake, Miun. 1625, 1864.Expedition from Patterson to Bloomufield and Pilot Knob, Mo. 1722 1864 Scout in Northern Arkansas. 18, 1864.Skirmish at Clarksville, Ark. Affair near Searcy, Ark. 1828, 1864.Scouts near Neosho and Carthage, Mo. 19, 1864.Skirmish at Fayetteville, Ark. 20, 1864.Skirmish at Stony Point, Ark. Skirmish at Lamar, Mo. 21, 1864.Affair on the Blue River, Mo. Skirmish at Pine Bluff. Ark. 22, 1864.Capture and recapture of the Stingaree, off Br~ zos, Tex. Affair near Devalls Bluff, Ark. 2825, 1864.Scout from Warrensbnrg, Mo. 24, 1864.Skirmish near Little Rock. Ark. Skirmish near Morganza, La. 24June 4, 1864.Greenes operations on the west bank of the Mississippi River. 26, 1864.Affair on Lanes Prairie, Manes County, Mo. 27, 1864.The Department of the Missouri ~nbrnced in Military Division of West Mississippi. Skirmish near Shanghai, Mo. 28, 1864.Destruction of Lamar, Mo. Skirmish at Pleasant Hill, Mo. Skirmish at Warreusbung, Mo Page 7 CHAP. XLVI.] SUMMARY OF THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS. 7 May 28, 1864Skirmish near Little Rock, Ark. Skirmish at Washington, Ark. Attack on Pest House, opposite Port Hudson, La. 29, 1864.Skirmish on Bayou Fordoche Road, La. Capture of wagon train at Salem, Ark. 3081, 1864.Skirmishes on Mill and Honey Creeks, Mo. 80June 5, 1864.Expedition from Morganza to the Atchafalaya, La., and skirmishes near Livonia and Morganza. June 1, 186-1.Skirmish near Arnoldsville and raid on New Market, Mo. 3. 1864.Skirmish at Searcy, Ark. Skirmish near Neosho, Mo. 8 5, 1864.Scout from Sedalia to the Bla6kwater River, Mo. 4,1864.Affair at Hudsons Crossing, Neosho River, md. Ter. 417, 1864.Scouts from Huntersville and Clinton, Ark. 5, 1864.Skirmish at Worthingtons Landing, Ark. 5 9, l864.Scout from Warrensburg to the North Blackwater River, Mo. 5-12, 1864.Scout from Forsyth through Ozark and Douglas Counties, Mo. 6, l864.Engagement at Old River Lake, or Lake Chicot, Ark. Skirmish at Bealers Ferry, Little Red River, Ark. 7, 1864.Skirmish at Sunnyside Landing, Ark. Affair at Sikeston, Mo. Raid on New Frankfort, Mo. 8, l864.Engageiuent at Simsport, La. 819, 1864.Scout on the Osage and in its vicinity. 9,1864.Affair near Breckinridge, Mo. 914, 1864.Scout from Cassville, Mo., to Cross hollow, Ark. 10, 1864.Maj. Gen. John G. Walker, C. S. Asmy, assigned to command of the District of West Louisiana, vice Maj. Gen. Richard Taylor, relieved. Affair near Saint Jamne~, Mo. Skirmish at Lewisburg, Ark. 1015, 1864.Scout from Sedalia to Renicks Farm, Mo. 1023, 1864.Operations in the District of Central Missouri. 11, 1864.The Thirteenth Army Corps discontinued. Skirmish at Ridgeley, Mo. 12, 1864.Affair at Montevallo, Mo. Raid on Calhoun, Mo. Skirmish near Kingsville, Mo. 1316, 1864.Scout from Fort Leavenworth, Kans., to WestoP, Mo. 14, 1864.Raid on Melville, Mo. Skirmish near Lexington, Mo. 1416, l864.Scouts from Pleasant I-Jill, Mo. 15, 1864.Skirmish near White Hare, Mo. Union evacuation of Pass Cavallo, Tex. 1516, l864.Capture of the steamer J. R. Williams, A~kansas River, and skirmish at San Bois Creek, md. Ter. 1517, 1864.Attack on Union gun-boats at Ratliffs (15th), Como (15th and 16th), and Magnolia Landings (16th), and skirmish (17th) at Newport Cross-Roads, La Page 8 8 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. June 16, 1864.Maj. Gen. Joseph J. Reynolds, U. S. Army, assigned to com- mand of the forces being Assembled at Morganza, La., to operate against Mobile, Ala. Skirmish at West Point, Ark. Affair on Big North Fork Creek, near Preston, Mo. 1617, 1864.Expedition from Fort Leavenworth, Kans., to Farley, & c., Mo. 1620, 1864.Expedition from Kansas into Missouri. 17, 1864.Skirmish near Columbia, Mo. Skirmish on the Monticello Road, near Pine Bluff, Ark. 18, 1864.Brig. Gen. Thomas W. Sherman, U. S. Army, assumes coin- inand of the Defenses of New Orleans. 1819, 1864.Descent on Laclede, Mo., and pursuit of tbe raiders. 1820, 1864.Scout from Kansas City, Mo. 19,1864.Affair at Bayou Grossetete, La. Affair~at Eagle Pass, Tex. Skirmish at Hahns Farm, near Waldron, Ark. Skirmish at Iron Bridge, Ind. T. 19-25, 1864.Scout from Mount Vernon, Mo. 2023, 1864.Scouts from Lewisburg, Ark. 2024, 1864.Scout from Cassville, Mo., to Cross Hollow, Ark. 2029, 1864.Operations on the White River, Ark. 24, 1864.Affair near Fayetteville, Ark. 25, 1864.Skirmish at Rancho Las Rinas, Tex. Affair at Point Pleasant, La. 26, 1864.Affair near the Sedalia and Marshall Road, Mo. 2728, 1864.Affairs near Dunksburg, Mo. 2729, 1864.Scout from Brownsville, Ark. 29, 1864.Skirmish at Meffieton Lodge, Ark. Skirmish at Davis Bend, La. GE N ERAL REPORT. Report of Lient. Gen. U. S. Grant, U. S. Army, commanding Armies of the United States, of operations March, 1864May, 1865. HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES, Washington, D. C., Jnly 22, 1865. SIR: I have the honor to submit th~ following report of the opera- tions of the armies of the United States from t~e date of my appoint- ment to command the same: From an early period in the rebellion I[ had been imprysed with the idea that active and continnons opetations of all the troops that conld be brought into the field, regardless of season and weather, were necessary to a speedy termination of the war. The resources of the enemy and his numerical sfrength were far inferior to onrs; bnt as an offset to this, we had a vast territory, with a popnlatmon hostile to the Government, to garrison, and long lines of river and railroad commnnications to protect, to enable ns to supply the oper- ating armies. The armies iii the East and West acted independently and withont concert, like a balky team, no two ever pulling together, enabling the enemy to nse to great advantage his interior lines of communi- cation for transporting troops from east to west. re-enforcing th Page 9 XLVI.] GENERAL REPORT. 9 army most vigorously pressed, and to furlough large numbers, dur- ing seasons of inactivity on our part, to go to their homes and do the work of producing for the support of their armies. It was a question whether our numerical strength and resources were not more than balanced by these disadvantages and the enemys superior position. From the first, I was firm in the conviction that no peace could be had that would be stable and conducive to the happiness of the people, both North and South, until the military power of the rebel- lion was entirely broken. I therefore determined, fir~t, to use the greatest number of troops practicable against the armed force of the enemy, preventing him from using the same force at different seasons against first one and then another of our armies, and the possibility of repose for refitting and producing necessary supplies for carrying on resistance; second, to hammer continuousl a ainst the armed force of the enemy and his resources, until by mere attri- tion, if in no other way, there should be nothing left to him but an equal submission with the loyal section of our common country to the constitution and laws of the land. These views have been kept constantly in mind, and orders given and campaigns made to carry them out. Whether they might have been better in conception and execution is for the people, who mourn the loss of friends fallen and who have to pay the pecuniary cost, to say. All I can sa is that what I have done has been done conscientiously, to the best of my ability, and in what I conceived to be for the best interests of the whole country. At the date when this report begins the situation of the contend- ing forces was about as follows: The Mississippi River was strongly garrisoned by Fe4eral troops from Saint Louis, Mo., to its mouth. The line of the Arkansas was also held, thus giving us armed posses- sion of all west of the Mississippi, north of that stream. A few points in Southern Louisiana, not remote from the river, were held by us, together with a small garrison at and near the mouth of the Rio Grande. All the balance of the vast territory of Arkansas, Louisiaiia, and Texas was in the almost undisputed possession of the enemy, with an army of probably not less than S0,000 effective men that could have been brought into the field had there been suffi- cient opposition to have brought them out. The let-alone policy had demoralized this force, so that probably but little more than one-half of it was ever present in garrison at any one 4ime. But the one-half, or 40,000 men, with the bands of guerrillas scattered through Mis- souri, Arkansas, and along the Mississippi River, and time disloyal character of much of the population, compelled the use of a large mmumber of troops to keep navigation open on the river and to pro- tect the loyal people to the west of it. To the east of the Mississippi we held substantially with the line of the Tennessee and Hoiston Rivers, running eastward to include nearly all of the State of Ten- nessee. South of Chattanooga a small foothold had b~en obtained in Georgia, sufficient to protect East Tennessee from incursions from the enemys force at Dalton, Ga. West Virginia was substantially within our lines. Virginia, with the exception of tIme iiorthern bor- der, the Potomac R~er, a small area about the mouth of James River covered by the troops at Norfolk and Fort Mommroe, and the territory covered by the Army of the Potomac lyimig along the Rap- idan, was in the possession of the enemy. Along the sea-coast foot Page 10 [CHAP. XLVI. 10 LOUISIANA ANT) THE TRANS-MLSSISSIPPJ. holds had been obtained at PlymoutTh Washington, and New Berne, in North Carolina; IBeaufort, Folly, and Morris Islands, Hilton Head, Fort Pulaski, and Port Royal, in South Carolina; Fernandina and Saint Augustine, in Florida. Key West and Pensacola were also in our possession, while all the important ports were blockaded by the Navy. The accompanying map, * a copy of which was sent to Gen- eral Sherman and other commanders in March, 1864, shows by red lines the territory occupied by us at the beginning of the rebellion and at the opening of the campaign of 1864, while those in blue are the lines which it was proposed to occupy Behind the Union lines there were many bands of guerrillas and a large population disloyal to the Government, making it necessary to guard every foot of road or river used in supplying our armies. In the South a reign of military despotism prevailed, which made every man and boy capable of bearing arms a soldier, and those who could not bear arms in the field acted as provosts for collecting deserters and returning them. This enabled the enemy to bring almost his entire strength into the field. The enemy had concentrated the bulk of his forces east of time Mississippi into two armies, commanded by Gemmerals R. E. Lee and J. E. Johnston, his ablest and best generals. The army commanded by Lee occupied the south bank of the Rapidan, extending from Mine Ruim westward, strongly intrenched, coverimig and defending Richimnond, the rebel capital, against the Aifmy of the Potomac. The army under Johnston occupied a strongly intrenched position at Daltomi, Ga., covering and defending Atlanta, Ga., a place of great importance as a railroad center, against the armies under Maj. Gemi. W. T. Sherman. In addition to these armies, he had a large cavalry force nuder Forrest in Northeast Mississippi; a considerable force, of all arnis, in the Shenandoah Valley and in the western part of Vim- ginia and extreme eastern part of Tennessee, and also confromitmug our sea-coast garrisons and holding blockaded ports where we had no foothold upon land. These two armies, and the cities covered and defended by them, were the main objective points of the cam- paign. Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman, who was appoimmted to the command of thme Military Division of the Mississippi, embracing all the armies amid t.erritory east of the Mississippi River to the Allegimanies, amid the Departumemit of Arkamisas, west of the Mississippi, had the im- immediate conimnand of the armies operaAng agaimist Joinmston. Maj. Gen. George G. Meade had the immediate commnaimd of the Army of the Potomac. from where I exercised general supervisiomi of tIme movements of all our armies. Gemmeral Sherman was instrnctedt to move against Johnstons army, to break it up, and to go into the interior of the enemys country as far as he could, inflicting all ~he damage he could upon their war resources; if the enemy in his front showed signs of joining Lee, to follow him up to the full extemmt of his ability, while I would prevent the concentration of Lee upon him iNt was in the power of tIme Army of the Potomac to do so. More specific written instruc- tions were not given, for the reason that I had talked over with hini the h)lans of the campaign, and was satisfied that he understood theni and wou~1d execute them to the fullest extent possible.________ * To appear in Atlas. See also explanatory foot-miote, Vol. XXXII, Part III, p. 261. ~ See Vol. XXXII, Part III, p. 245 Page 11 CHAP. XLVI.] GENERAL REPORT. 11 Maj. Gen. N. P. Banks, then on an expedition up Red River against Shreveport, La. (which had been organized previous to my appointment to command), was notified by me on the 15th of March of the importance it was that Shreveport should be taken at the earliest possible day, and that if he found that the taking of it would occupy from ten to fifteen days more time than General Slier- man had given his troops to be absent from their command, be would send them back at the time specified by General Sherman, even if it led to the abandonment of the main object of the Red River expedition, for this force was necessary to movements east of the Mississippi; that should his expedition prove successful, he would hold Shreveport and the Red River with such force as lie might (Icemn necessary, and return the balance of his troops to the neighborhoo(l of New Orleans, commencim~ no move for the further acquisition of territory unless it was to make that then held by him more easily held; that it might be a part of the spring campaign to move against Mobile; that it certainly would be if troops enough could i)e obtained to make it without embarrassing other movements that New Orleans would be the point of departure for such an expe- ditien also, that I had directed General Steele to make a real move from Arkansas, as suggested by hini (General Banks), instead of a demonstration, as Steele thought advisable. On the 81st of March, in addition to the foregoing notiticatiomi aml(1 (hirections, he was instructed as follows Maj. Gen. N. P. BANKS: First. If successful in your expedition against Shreveport, that you turn over the defense of the Red River to General Steele and the navy. Second. That you abandon Texas entirely, with the exception of your bold upon the Rio Grande. This can be held with 4,000 men, if they will turn their attention immediately to fortifying their positions. At least one-half of the force required for this service might be taken from the colored troops. Third. By properly fortifying on the Mississippi River, the force to gnard it from Port hudson to New Orleans can be reduced to 10,000 men, if not to a less number. Six thousand more would then hold all the rest of the territory nec~ssary to hold until active operations can again be resumed xvest of the river. According to your last returns, this would give you a force of over 30,000 effective men with which to move against Mobile. To this I expect to add 5,000 men from Missouri. If, however, von think the force here stated too small to hold the territory regarded as necessary to hold possession of, I would say concentrate at least 25,000 men of your present command for operations a.gainst Mobile. With these, and such additions as I can give you from elsewhere, lose no time in making a demonstration, to be followed l)y an attack upon Mobile. Two or more iron-dads will be ordered to report to Admiral Farragut. This gives him a strong nai~al ~eet with which to co-operate. You can make your own arrangements with the admiral for his co-operation, and select your own line of approach. My own idea of the matter is that Pascagonla should be your base; but, from your long service in the Gulf Department, you will know best about the matter. It is intended that your movements shall be co-operative with movements elsewhere, and you cannot now start too soon. All I would now add is that you commence the concentration of your forces at once. Preserve a profound secrecy of what you intend doing, and start at the earliest possible moment. U. S. GRANT, L~eutenant-General. Major-General Meade was instrncted* that Lees army would be his objective point; that wherever Lee went he would go also. For im is movement two .plans presented themselves: One to cross the Rapidan below Le~, moving by his right flank; the other above, moving by his left. Each presented advantages over the other, * See Vol. XXXIII, p. 827 Page 12 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISS1PPI. [CHAP. XLVI. with corresponding objectioi~s. By Crossing above, Lee would be Cut off from all chance of ignoring Richmond or going north on a raid. But if we took this route all we did would have to be done while the rations we started with held out; besides, it separated us from Butler, so that he could not be directed how to co-operate. If we took the other route, Brandy Station could be used as a base of supplies until another was secured on the York or James Rivers. Of these, however, it was decided to take the lower route. The following letter of instruction was addressed to Maj. Gen. B. F. Butler: FORT MONROE, VA., April 2, 1864. Maj. Gen. B. F. BUTLER: GENERAL: In the spring campaign, which it is desirable shall commence at as early a day as practicable, it is proposed to have co-operative action of all the armies in the field, as far as this object can be accomplished. It will not be possible to unite our armies into two or three large ones to act as so many units, owing to the absolute necessity of holding on to the territory already taken from the enemy. But, generally speaking, concentration can be practically effected by armies moving to the interior of the enemys country from the territory they have to guard. By such movement they interpose themselves between the enemy and the country to be guarded, thereby reducing the number necessary to guard important points, or at least occupy the attention of a part of the enemys force, if no greater object is gained. Lees army and Richmond being the greater objects toward which our attention must be directed in the next campaign, it is desirable to unite all the force we can against them. The necessity of covering Washington with the Army of the Potomac, and of covering your department with your army, makes it impossible to unite these forces at the beginning of any move. I propose, therefore, what comes nearest this of anything that seems practicable: The Army of the Potomac will act from its present base, Lees army being the objective point. You will collect all the forces from your command that can be spared from garrison dutyI should say not less than 20,000 effective mento operate on the south side of James River, Richmond being your objective point. To the force you already have will be added about 10,000 men from South Carolina, under Major-General Gillmore, who will command them in person. Maj. Gen. XV. F. Smith is ordered to report to you, to command the troops sent into the field from your own department. General Gillmore will be ordered to report to you at Fortress Monroe, with all the troops on transports, by the 18th instant, or as soon thereafter as practicable. Should you not receive notice by that time to move, you will make such disposition of them and your other forces as you may deem best calculated to deceive the enemy as to the real move to be made. When you are notified to move, take City Point with as much force as possible. Fortify, or rather intrench, at once, and concentrate all your troops for the field there as rapidly as you can. From City Point directions cannot be given at this time for your further movements. The fact that has already been statedthat is, that Richmond is to be your object- ive point and that there is to be co-operation between your force and the Army of the Potomacmust be your guide. This indicates the necessity of your holding close to the south bank of the James River as you advance. Then, should the enemy be forced into his intrenchments in Richmond, the Army of the Potomac would follow, and by means of transports the two armies would become a unit. All the minor details of your advance are left entirely to your direction. If, however, you think it practicable to use your cavalry south of you so as to cut the railroad about Hicksford about the time of the general advance, it would be of immense advantage. You will please forward for my information, at the ~arliest practicable day, all orders, details, and instructions you may give for the execution of this order. U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General. On the 16th these instructions were substantially reiterated. * On the 19th [l8thtl, in order to secure full co-operation between his army * See Vol. XXXIII, p. 885. tS~e Vol. XXXIII, p. 904 Page 13 CHAP. XLVI.] GENERAL REPORT. 13 and that of General Meade, he was informed that I expected him to move from Fort Monroe the same day that General Meade moved from Culpeper. The exact time I was to telegraph him as soon .4- as i~ was fixed, and that it would not be earlier than the 27th of April; that it was my intention to fight Lee between Culpeper and Richmond if he wou Id stand. Should he, however, fall back into Richmond, I would follow up and make a jnnction with his (Gen- eral Butlers) army on the James River; that, could I be certain he would be able to invest Richmond on the south side so as to have his left resting on the James above the city, I would form the junction there; that circumstances might make this course advisable anyhow; that he should use every exertion to secure footing as far up the south side of the river as lie could, and as soon as possible after the receipt of orders to move; that if he could not carry the city, he should at least detain as large a force there as possible. In co-oper- ation with the main movements against Lee and Johnston I was desirous of using all other troops necessarily kept in departments remote from the fields of immediate operations, and also those kept in the background for the protection of our extended lines between the loyal States and the armies operating against them. A very considerable force, under command of Major-General Sigel, was so held for the protection of West Virginia and the fron- tiers of Maryland and Pennsylvania. While these troops could not be withdrawn to distant fields without exposing the North to inva- sion by comparatively small bodies of Hi e enemy, they could act directly to their front and give better protection than if lying idle in garrison. By such movement they would either compel the enemy to detach largely for the protection of his supplies an dl ines of com- munication or he would lose them. General Sigel was therefore directed to organize all his available force into two expeditions, to move from Beverly and Charles- ton, under command of Generals Ord and Crook, against the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad. Subsequently, General Ord having been relieved at his own request, General Sigel was in- structed, at his own suggestion, to give up the expedition by Beverly and to form two columns, one under General Crook, on the Kana- wha, numbering about 10,000 men, and one on the Shenandoah, nunibering about 7,000 men. The one on the Shenaiidoah to assem- ble between Curuberland and the Shellandoali and the infantry and artillery advanced to Cedar Creek, with sucI~i cavalry as could be made available at the moment, to threaten the enemy in the Shenan- doah Valley, and advance as far as possible; while General Crook would take possession of Lewisbnrg with part of his force and move down the Tennessee railroad, doing as much damage as he could, destroying the New River bridge and the salt-works at Saltville, Va. * Owing to the weather and bad condition of the roads operations were delayed until the 1st of May, when, everything being in readi- ness and the roads favorable, orders were given for a~general move- ment of all the armies not later thaii the 4th of May. My first object being to break the military ower of the rebellion and capture the n enemy s important stronghofd s, made me desirous that General But- ler should succeed in his movement against Richmond, as that would tend more than anything else, unless it were the capture of Lees army, to accomplish this desired result in the East. If hc failed, it *See Vol. XXXIII, pp. 874, 901, and 911 Page 14 [CHAP XLVI. 14 LOUISIANA AND THE TE AN5-MISSISSIPPL was my determination~ by hard fighting, either to compel Lee to re- treat or to so cripple him that he could not detach a large force to go north and still retain enough for the defense of Richmond. It was well un(Ierstood by both Generals Butler and Meade before starting on the campaign that it was my intention to put both their armies south of the James River in case of failure to destroy Lee without it. Before giving General Butler his instructions, I visited him at Fort Monroe, and in conversation pointed out the apparent importance of getting possession of Petersburg and destroying railroad communica- tion as far south as possible. Believing, however, in the practica- bility of capturing Richmond unless it was re-enforced, I made that the objective point of bis operations. As the Army of the Potomac was t~o move simultaneously with him, Lee could not detach from his army with safety, and the enemy did not have troops elsewhere to bring to the defense of the city in time to meet a rapid movement from the north of James River. I may here state that, commanding all the armies as I did, I tried, as far as possible, to leave General Meade in independent command of the Army of the Potomac. My instructions for tbat army were all through him, and were general in their nature, leaving all the details and the execution to him. The campaigns that followed proved him to be the right man in the right place. His command- nig always in the presence of an officer superior to him in raiik has drawn from hhn much of that public attention that his zeal and ability entitle him to, and which lie would otherwise have received. The movement of the Army of the Potomac commenced early on the morning of the 4th of May, under the imme(hiate direction aiid orders of Major-General Meade, pursuant to instructions. Before ~iiglit the whole army was across the Rapidan (the Fifth and Sixth Corps crossing at Germanna Ford, and the Second Corps at United States [Elys] Ford, the cavalry, under Major-General Sheridan, moving in advance), with the greater part of its traiiis, numbering about 4,000 wagons, meetiiig with but slight opposition. The average (listance traveled by the troops that day was about 12 miles. This I regar(ied as a great success, amid it removed from my mimid the in )st serious apprehiemisions I had entem tamed, that of crossin (~ the river in the face of an active, large, well-appointed, and ably com- niall(hCd army, and how so large a train was to be carried through a hostile coumitry and protected. Early omi the 5th, AKhe advance corps (the Fifth, Maj. Gen. G. K. Warren commanding) muet and emigaged the enemy outside bis immtrenchments near Mine Run. Tbe battle raged furiously all day, the whole army being brought imito the fight as fast as the corps could be got upon the field, which, considering the density of the forest and narrowness of the roads, was done with commendable promptness. General Buruside, with the Ninth Corps, was, at the time the Army of the Potomac moved, left with the bulk of his corps at the crossing of the Rappahannock River and Alexandrii~ railroad, holding the road back to Bull Run, with imistructions not to move until he received notice that a crossing of the Rapidan was secured, but to move promptly as soon as such notice was received. This crossing he was apprised of on the afternoomi of the 4th. By 6 oclock of the morning of the 6th he was leading his com~ps into action near the Wilderness Tavern, sonic of his troops having mareh~d a distauce of over ~3() miles Page 15 CHAP. XLVI.] (}IENEIRAL I~EPORT. 15 crossing both the Raypahannock and Rap~dan Rivers. Considering that a large proportion (probably two-thirds) of his command was composed of new troops, nnaccnstonied to marches and carrying the acconterments of a soldier, this was a remarkable march. The battle of the Wilderness was renewe(l by its at ~ oclock on the morning of the 6th, and continued with unabated fnry until darkness set in, each army holding substantially the same position that they had on the evening of the ~th. After dark the enemy made a feeble attempt to turn our right flank, capturing several hundred prisoners all(i creating considerable confusioii. But the promptness of General Sedgwick, who was personally present and commanded that part of our hue, soon reformed it and restored order. On the morning of tine 7th reconnaissances showed that the enemy had fallen behind his intrenehed hues, with pickets to the front, covering a part of tIne battle-field. From this it was evident to my mind that the two days fighting had satisfied him of his iiiability to further niaintain the contest in the open fleld~ iiotwithstanding his advantage of posi- tion, and that lie would await an attack behind his works. I there- fore (leterinine(l to push on and put my whole force between hun and Richmond, and orders were at once issued for a movement lw his right flank. On the night of the dli the march was com- unenced toward Spotsylvania Court-House, the Fifth Corps moving on the most (hirect road. But the enemy having become apprised of our movement, aiud having the shunter line, was enabled to reach there first. On the 8th, General Warren met a force of the enenuy which had been sent out to oppose and delay his advance, to gain thue to fortify the line takeim up at Spotsylvania. This force was steadily driven back on the main force, within the recently con- structed works, after considerable fighting, resulting in severe loss to both sides. On the morning of the 9th, General Sheridan started on a raid against the enemys lines of communication with Rich- nuond. The 9th, 10th, and 11th were spent in maneuvering and fighting, without decisive results. Among the killed oiu the 9th was that able and distinguished soldier, Maj. Gen. John Sedgwick. eoinuuiauidino~ the Sixth Army Corps. Maj. Gen. H. G. Wnight sue- cee(hed him in cominauud. Early on the morning of the I 2th a gen- eral attack was ma(ie ouu the enenuy in position. The Second Corps, Major-General Hancock commanding, carried a salient of his line, capturnig most of Johnsons divisioun of Ewells corps aul(l twenty pieces of artillery. IBuit the resistance wns~o obstinate that the ad- vauutage gained did not prove decisive. The 18th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, and 18th were consumed in maneuvering and awaiting the arrival of re-enforcemnents from Washington. Deeming it imprac- tical)le to make any further attack upon the enemy at Spotsyl- vania Court-House, orders were issued on the 18th with a view to a movement to the North Anmia, to commence at 12 oclock on the night of the I 9th. Late in time afternoon of the 19th Eweils corps came out of its works oiu our extreme right flank~but the attack was pronupthy repulsed withi heavy loss. This delayed time move- ment to the North Anna until the muiglut of time 21st, when it was commenced. But the eneniy, again having time shorter line and being in possessiomi of time maui roads, was emmabied to reach the North Aumma in advance of us, and took position behind it. Time Fifth Corps reached tiTh North Anna on time afterumooni of the 23d, clesehy followed by the Sixth Corps. The Second and Ninth Corps got up abolut time ~amc time, the Second holding the railroad bridg Page 16 16 LOUiSIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. ~CHAP. XLVI. and the Ninth lying between that and Jericho Ford. General War- ren effected a crossing the same afternoon, and got a position with- out much opposition. Sooii after getting into position he was vio- lently attacked, but repulsed the enemy with great slaughter. On the 25th, General Sheridan rejoined the Army of the Potomac from the raid on which he started from Spotsylvauia, haying destroyed the depots at Beaver Dam and Ashland Stations, four trains of cars, large supplies of rations, and many miles of railroad track; recapt- ured about 400 of our men on their way to Richmond as prisoners of war; met and defeated the enemys cavalry at Yellow Tavern; car- ried the first line of works around Richmond (but finding the second line too strong to be carried by assault), recrossed to the north bank of the Chickahominy at Meadow Bridge, under heavy fire, and moved by a detour to Haxalls Landing, on the James River, where he communicated with General Butler. This raid had the effect of drawing off the whole of the enemys cavalry force, making it com- paratively easy to guard our trains. General Butler moved his main force up the James River, in pur- suance of instructions, on the 4th of May, General Gillmore having joined him with the Tenth Corps. At the same time he sent a force of 1,800 cavalry, by way of West Point, to form a junction with him wherever he might get a foothold, and a force of 3,000 cavalry, under General Kautz, from Suffolk, to operate against the roads south of Petersburg and Richmond. On the 5th, he occupied, with- out opposition, both City Point and Bermuda Hundred, his move- ment being a complete surprise. On the 6th, he was in position with his main army and commenced intrenching. On the 7th, he made a reconnaissance against the Petersburg and Richmond Railroad, de- stroying a portion of it after some fighting. On the 9th, he tele- grapheas follows. HEADQUARTERS, Near Bermuda Landing, May 9, 1864. Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War: Our operations may be summed up in a few words. With 1,700 cavalry we have advanced up the Peninsula, forced the Chickahominy, and have safely brought them to our present position. These were colored cavalry, and are now holdingour advance pickets toward Richmond. General Kautz, with 3,000 cavalry from Suffolk, on the same day with our move- ment up James River, forced the Blackwa~er~urned the railroad bridge at Stony Creek, below Petersburg, cutting in two Beauregards force at that point. We have landed here, intrenched ourselves, destroyed many miles of railroad, and got a position which, with proper supplies, we can hold out against the whole of Lees army. I have ordered up the supplies. Beauregard with a large portion of his force was left south by the cutting of the railroads by Kautz. That portion which ~reached Petersburg under Hill I have whipped to-day, killing and wounding many and taking many prisoners, after a, severe and well-contested fight. General Grant will not be troubled with any further re-enforcements to Lee from Beauregards force. BENJ. F. BUTLER, Major-General. On the evenjng of the 13th and morning of the 14th, he carried a portiQIl of the enemys first line of defenses at Drewrys Bluff, or Fort Darling, with small loss. The time thus consumed from the 6th lost to us the benefit of the surprise and capture of Richmond and Petersburg, enabling, as it did, Beauregard to collect his loos Page 17 CHAP. XLVI.] GENERAL REPORT. 17 forces in North and South Carolina, and bring them to the defense of those places. On the 16th, the enemy attacked General Butler in his position in front of Drewrys Bluff. He was forced back, or drew back, into his intrenchments between the forks of the James and Appornattox Rivers, the enemy intrenching strongly in his front, thus covering his railroads, the city, and all that was valuable to him. His army, therefore, though in a position of great security, was as completely shut off from further operations directly against Richmond as if it had been in a bottle strongly corked. It required but a comparatively small force of the enemy to hold it there. On the 12th, General Kaufz with his cavalry was started on a raid against the Danville railroad, which he struck at Coalfield, Powhatan, and Chula Stations, destroying them, the railroad track, two freight trains, and one locomotive, together with large quantities of com- missary and other stores; thence crossing to the South Side road, struck it at Wilsons, Wellsville, and Blacks and Whites Stations, destroying the road and station-houses; thence he proceeded to City Point, which he reached on the 18th. On the 19th of April, and prior to the movement of General Butler, the enemy, with a land force under General Hoke and an iron-clad ram, attacked Plymouth, N. C., commanded by General H. W. Wessells, and our gun-boats there, and after severe fighting the place was carried by assault, and the entire garrison and armament captured. The gun-boat South- field was sunk and the Miami disabled. * The army sent to operatQ against Richmond having hermetically sealed itself up at Bermuda Hundred, the enemy was enabled to bring the most, if not all, the re-enforcements brought from the south by Beauregard against the Army of the Potomac. Iii addition to this re-enforcement, a very considerable one, probably not less than 15,000 men, was obtained by calling in the scattered troops under Breckinridge from the western part of Virginia. The position at Bermuda Hundred was as easy to defend as it was difficult to operate from against the enemy. I determined, therefore, to bring from it all available forces, leaving enough only to secure what had been gained, and accordingly, on the 22d, I directed that they be sent for- ward, under command of Maj. Gen. W. F. Smith, to join the Army of the Potomac. On the 24th of May, the Ninth Army Corps, com- manded by Maj. Gen. A. E. Buruside, was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and from this time forward constituted a portion of Major-General Meades command. Finding the enemys position on the North Anna stronger than either of his previous ones, I withdrew on the night of the 26th to the north bank of the North Anna, and moved via Itanovertown to turn the enemys position by his right. Generals Torbert and Mer- ritts divisions of cavalry, under Sheridan, and the Sixth Corps led the advance; crossed the Pamunkey River at Hanovertown after considerable fighting, and on the 28th the two divisions of cavalry had a severe but successful engagement with the e~emy at Haws Shop. On the 29th and 30th, we advanced, with heavy skirmishing, to the Hanover Court-House and Cold Harbor road, and developed the enemys position north of the Chickahominy. Late on the even- ing of the last day the enemy came out and attacked our left, but was repulsed with very considerable loss. An attack was immedi- ately ordered by General Meade along his whole line, which resulted * See Vol. XXXJJJ, p. 278. 2 R RVOL XXXIV, PT Page 18 [CHAP. XLVI. 18 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. in driving the enemy from a part of his intrenched skirmish line. On the 31st, General Wilsons division of cavalry destroyed the rail- road bridges over the Sonth Anna River, after defeating the enemys cavalry. General Sheridan, on the same day, reached Cold Harbor, and held it nntil relieved by the Sixth Corps and General Smiths command, which had jnst arrived, via White Honse, from General Bntlers army. On the 1st day of Jnne an attack was made at tip. m. by the Sixth Corps and the troops nnder General Smith, the other corps being held in readiness to advance on the receipt of orders. This resnlted in onr carrying and holding the enemys first line of works in front of the right of the Sixth Corps and in front of General Smith. Dnring the attack the enemy made repeated assanlts on each of the corps not engaged in the main attack, bnt were repnlsed with heavy loss in every instance. That night he made several assaults to regain what he had lost in the day, but failed. The 2d was spent in getting troops into position for an attack on the 3d. On the 3d of June we again assaulted the enemys works in the hope of driving him from his position. In this attempt our loss was heavy, while that of the enemy, I have reason to believe, was comparatively light. It was the only general attack made from the Rapidan to the James which did not inflict upon the enemy losses to compensate for onr own losses. I would not be understood as saying that all previous attacks resulted in victories to our arms, or accomplished as mnch as I had hoped from them, but they inflicted upon the enemy severe losses, which tended in the end to th6 complete overthrow of the rebellion. From the proximity of the enemy to his defenses around Rich- mond it was impossible by any flank movement to interpose between him and the city. I was still in a condition to either move by his left flank and invest Richmond from the north side or continue my moye by his right flank to the south side of the James. While the former might have been better as a covering for Washington, yet a full sur- vey of all the ground satisfied me that it would be impracticable to hold a line north and east of Richmond that woul4 protect the Fred- ericksburg railroada long, vulnerable line which would exhaust much of our strength to guard, and that would have to be protected to supply the army, and would leave open to the enemy all his lines of communication on the south side of the James. My idea, from the start, had been to beat Lees army north of Richmond it possi- ble; then, after destroying his 1iaie~ of communication north of the James River, to transfer the army to the south side and besiege Lee in Richmond or follow him south if he should retreat. After the battle of the Wilderness it was evident that the enemy deemed it of the first importance to run no risks with the army he then had. He acted purely on the defensive behind breast-works, or feebly on the offensive immediately in front of them, and where in case of re- pulse he could easily retire behind them. Without a greater sacri- fice of life than I was willing to make, all could not be ~ccomplished that I had designed north of Richmond. ~therefore determined to continue to hold substantially the ground we then occupied, taking advantage of an y favorable circumstances that might present themselves untilthecavalry couldbe sent to Charlottesville and Gor- donsville to effectually break up the railroad connection between Richmond and the Shenandoah Valley and Lynchburg; and when the cavalry got well off to move the army to the south side of the James River, by the enemys right flank, where I felt I could cut off all his sources of supply except by the canal Page 19 CHAP. XLVI.] GENERAL REPORT. 19 On the 7th, two divisions of cavalry, under General Sheridan, got off on the expedition against the Virginia Central Railroad, with in- structions to Hunter, whom I hoped he would meet near Charlottes- ville, to join his forces to Sheridans, and after the work laid out for them was thoronghly done to join the Army of the Potomac by the route laid down in Sheridans instrnctions. On the 10th of June General Butler sent a force of infantry nuder General Giilmore, and of cavalry under General Kautz, to capture Petersburg if possible, and destroy the railroad and common bridges across the Appomat- tox. The cavalry carried the works on the south side, and pene- trated well in toward the town, but were forced to retire. Gen- eral Gillmore, finding the works which he approached very strong, and deeming an assault impracticable, returned to Bermuda Hundred without attempting one. Attaching great importance to the possession of Petersburg, I sent back to Bermuda Hundred and City Point General Smiths command by water, via the White House, to reach there in advance of the Army of the Potomac. This was for the express purpose of securing Petersburg before the enemy, becoming aware of our intention, could re-enforce the place. The movement from Cold Harbor commenced after dark On the evening of the 12th; one division of cavalry, under General Wilson, and the Fifth Corps crossed the Chickahominy at Long Bridge, and moved out to White Oak Swamp, to cover the crossings of the other corps. The advance corps reached James River, at Wilcoxs Land- ing and Charles City Court-House, on the night of the 13th. During three long years the Armies of the Potomac and Northern Virginia had been confronting each other. In that time they had fought more desperate battles than it probably ever before fell to the lot of two armies to fight, without materially changing the vant- age ground of either. The Southern press and people, with more shrewdness than was displayed in the North, finding that they had failed to capture Washington and march on to New York, as they had boasted they would do, assumed that they only defended their capital and Southern territory. Hence, Antietam, Gettysburg, and all other battles that had been fought were by them set down as failures on our part and victories for them. Their army believed this. It produced a morale which could only be overcome by des- perate and continuous hard fighting. The battles of the Wilder- ness, Spotsylvania, North Anna, and Cold Harbor, bloody and terrible as they were on our side, were ew~nv more damaging to the enemy, and so crippled him as to make him wary ever after of tak- ing the offensive. His losses in men were probably not so great, owing to the fact that we were, save in the Wilderness, almost in- variably the attacking party, and when he did attack it was in the open field. The details of these battles, which for endurance and bravery on the part of the soldiery have rarely been surpassed, are given in the report of Major-General Meade, and the subordinate reports accompanying it. * Duri~ng the campaign of ~rty-three days, from the Rapidan to James River, the army had to b supplied from an ever-shifting base by wagons, over narrow roads, through a densely wooded country, with a lack of wharves at each new base from which to conveniently discharge vessels. Too much credit cannot, therefore, be awarded to the quartermaster and commissary departments for the zeal and efficiency displayed by them. Under * To appear in Vol. XXXVI Page 20 20 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLvI. the general supervision of the chief quartermaster, Brig. Gen. R. Ingalls, the trains were made to occupy a 1 the available roads between the army and our water base, and but little difficulty was experi- enced in protecting them. The movement in the Kanawha and Shenandoah Valleys, under General Sigel, commenced on the 1st of May. General Crook, who had the immediate command of the Kanawha expedition, divided his forces into two columns, giving one, compose dof cavalry, to General Averell. They crossed the mountains by separate routes. Averell struck the Tennessee and Virginia Railroad, near Wytheville, on the 10th, and proceeding to New River and Christiansburg, destroyed the road, several important bridges and depots, including New River bridge, forming a junction with Crook at Union on the 15th. Gen- eral Sigel moved up the Shenandoah Valley, met the enemy at New Market on the 15th, and after a severe engagement was defeated with heavy loss, and retired behind Cedar Creek. Not regarding the operations of General Sigel as satisfactory, I asked his removal from command, and Major-General Hunter was appointed to super- sede him. His instructions were embraced in the following dis- patches to Maj. Gen. H. W. Halleck, Chief of Staff of the Army: NEAR SPOT5YLVANIA COURT-HOUSE, VA., May 20,1864. Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK: - * * * * * * * The enemy are evidently relying for supplies greatly on such as are brought over the branch road running through Staunton. On the whole, therefore, I think it would be better for General Hunter to move in that direction; reach Staunton and Gordons- ville or Charlottesville, if he does not meet too much opposition. If he can hold at bay a force equal to his own, he will be doing good service. * * * * * * * U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General. JERICHO FORD, VA., May 25, 1864. Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK: If Hunter can possibly get to Charlottesville and Lynchburg, he should do so, living on the country. The railroads and canal should be destroyed beyond possi- bility of repairs for weeks. Completing this, he could find his way back to his original base, or from about Gordonsville join this army. U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General. General Hunter immediately t~ok up the offensive, and moving up the Shenandoah Valley, met the enemy on the 5th of June at Piedmont, and after a battle of ten hours i-outed and defeated him, capturing on the field of battle 1,500 men, 3 pieces of artillery, and 300 stand of small-arms. On the 8th of the same month he formed a junction with Crook and Averell at Staunton, from which place he moved direct on Lynchburg, via Lexington, which place he reached and invested on the 16th day of June. Up to this time he was very successful, and but for the difficulty of tal~ng with him sufficient ordnance stores over so long a march through a hostile country he would no doubt have captured that (to the enemy) important point. The destruction of the enemys supplies and manufactories was very great. To n~et this movement under General Hunter, General Lee sent a force, perhaps equal to a corps, a part of which reached Lynchburg a short time before Hunter. After some skirmishing on the 17th and 18th, General Hunter, owing to a want of ammunition t Page 21 Ca& ~. XLVI.] GENERAL REPORT. 21 give battle, retired from before the place. Unfortunately, this want of ammunition left him no choice of route for his return but by way of Kanawha. This lost to us the use of his troops for several weeks from the defense of the north. Had General Hunter moved by way of Charlottesville, instead of Lexington, as his instructions contem- plated,Jie would have been in a position to have covere& th& Shenan- doah Valley against the enemy, should the force he met have seemed to endanger it. If it did not, he would have been within easy dis- tance of the James River Canal, on the main line of communication between Lynchburg and the force sent for its defense. I have never taken exception to the operations of General Hunter, and I am not now disposed to find fault with him, for I have no doubt he acted within what he conceived to be the spirit of his instructions and the interests of the service. The promptitude of his movements and his gallantry should entitle him to the commendation of his country. * To return to the Army of the Potomac: The Second Corps com- menced crossing the James River on the morning of the 14th by ferry-boats at Wilcoxs Landing. The laying of the pontoon bridge was completed about midnight of the 14th, and the crossing of the balance of the army was rapidly pushed forward by both bridge and ferry. After the crossing had commenced, I proceeded by a steamer to Bermuda Hundred to give the necessary orders for the immediate capture of Petersburg. The instructions to General But- ler were verbal, and were for him to send General Smith imme- diately, that night, with all the troops he could give him without sacrificing the position he then held. I told him that I would return at once to the Army of the Potomac, hasten its crossing, and throw it forward to Petersburg by divisions as rapidly as it could be done; that we could re-enforce our armies more rapidly there than the en- emy could bring troops against us. General Smith got off as directed, and confronted the enemys pickets near Petersburg before daylight next morning, but, for some reason that I have never been able to satisfactorily understand, did not get ready to assault his main lines until near sundown. Then, with a part of his command only, he made the assault, and carried the lines northeast of Petersburg from the Appomattox River, for a distance of over 2~ miles, capturing fifteen pieces of artillery and 300 prisoners. This was about 7 p. m. Between the line thus captured and Petersburg there Were no other works, and there was no evidence that th~ eiiemy had re-enforced Petersburg with a single brigade from any source. The night was clear, the moon shining brightly, and favorable to further opera- tions. General Hancock, with two divisions of the Second Corps, reached General Smith just after dark, and offered the service of these troops as he (Smith) might wish, waiving rank to the named commander, who he naturally supposed knew best the position of affairs and what to do with the troops. But instead of taking these troops, and pushing at once into Petersburg, he req~ested General Hancock to relieve a part of his line in the captured works, which was done before midnight. By the time I arrived the next morning the enemy was in force. An attack was ordered to be made at 6 oclock that evening by the troops under Smith and the Second and Ninth Corps. It required until that time for the Ninth Corps to get up and into position. The attack was made as ordered, and the fighting * Subordinate reports of Sigels and Hunters operations will appear in Vol. XXXVII Page 22 22 LOtTISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. continued with but little intermission until 6 oclock the next morn- ing and resulted in our carrying the advance and some of the main works of the enemy to the right (our left) of those previously captured by General Smith, several pieces of artillery, and over 400 prisoners. The Fifth Corps having got up, the attacks were renewed and per- sisted in with great vigor on the 17th and 18th, but only resulted in forcing the enemy to an interior line, from which he could not be dis- lodged. The advantages in position gained by us were very great. The army then proceeded to envelop Petersburg toward the South Side Railroad, as far as possible, without attacking fortifications. On the 16th the enemy, to re-enforce Petersburg, withdrew from a part of his intrenchment in front of Bermuda Hundred, expecting, no doubt, to get troops from north of the James to take the place of those withdrawn before we could discover it. General Butler, taking advantage of this, at once moved a force on the railroad between Petersburg and Richmond. As soon as I was apprised of the ad- vantage thus gained, to retain it I ordered two divisions of the Sixth Corps, General Wright commanding, that were embarking at Wil- coxs Landing, under orders for City Point, to report to General But- ler, at Bermuda Hundred, of which General Butler was notified, and the importance of holding a position in advance of his present line urged upon him. About 2 oclock in the afternoon General Butler was forced back to the line the enemy had withdrawn from in the morning. General Wright, with his two divisions, joined General Butler on the forenoon of the 17th, the latter still holding with a strong picket-line the enemys works. But instead of puttin~ these divisions into the enemys works to hold them, lie permitted them to halt and rest some distance in the rear of his own line. Between 4 and 5 oclock in the afternoon the enemy attacked and drove in his pickets and reoccupied his old line. On the night of the 20th and morning of the 21st, a lodgment. was effected by General Butler, with one bri- gade of infantry, on the north bank of the James, at Deep Bottom, and connected by pontoon bridge with Bermuda Hundred. On the 19th, General Sheridan, on his return from his expedition against the Virginia Central Railroad, arrived at the White House just as the er~emys cavalry was about to attack it, and compelled it to retire. The result of this expedition was, that General Sheridan met the enemy s cavalry near Ti~e~4lian Station on the morning of the 11th of June, whom he attacked and, after an obstinate contest, drove from the field in complete rout. He left his dead and nearly all his wounded in our hands, and about 400 prisoners and several hundred horses. On the 12th, he destroyed the railroad from Tre- vihian Station to Louisa Court-House. This occupied nutil 3 p. in., when he advanced in the direction of Gordousville. He found the enemy re-enforced by infantry, .behiud well-constructed rifle-pits, about 5 miles from the latter place, and too strong to successfully assault. On the extreme right, however, hm~ reserve brigade carried the enemys works twice, and was twice driven therefrom by infan- try. Night closed the contest. Not having sufficient ammunition to continue the engagement, and his animals being without forage (the country furnishing but inferior grazing), and hearing nothing from General Hunter, he withdrew his command to the north side of the North Anna, and commenced his return march, reaching White House at the time before stated. After breaking up the depot at that place he moved to the James River, which he reache Page 23 Ci~ip. XLVI.] GENERAL REPORT. 23 safely after heavy fighting. He commenced crossing on the 25th, near Fort Powhatan, withont further molestation, and rejoined the Army of the Potomac. On the 22d, General Wilson, with his own division of cavalry, of the Army of the Potomac, and General Kautzs division of cavalry, of the Army of the James, moved against the enemys railroads south of Richmond. Striking the Weldon Railroad aP Reams Sta- tion, destroying the depot and several miles of the road and the South Side road about 15 miles from Petersburg, to near Nottoway Station, where he met and defeated a force of the enemys cavalry, he reached Burkeville Station on the afternoon of the 23d, and from there destroyed the Danville railroad to Roanoke bridge, a distance of 25 miles, where he found the enemy in force, and in a position from which he could not dislodge him. He then commenced his re- turn march, and on the 28th met the enemys cavalry in force at the Weldon railroad crossing of Stony Creek, where he had a severe but not decisive engagement. Thence he made a detour from his left, with a view of reaching Reams Station, supposing it to be in our possession. At this place he was met by the enemys cavalry, supported by infantry, and forced to retire, with the loss of his artillery and trains. In this last encounter General Kautz with a part of his command, became separated and made his way into our lines. General Wilson, with the remainder of his force, succeeded in crossing the Nottoway River and coming in safely on our left and rear. The damage to the enemy in this expedition more than com- pensated for the losses we sustained. It severed all connection by railroad with Richmond for several weeks. With a view of cutting the enemys railroad from near Richmond to the Anna Rivers and making him wary of the situation of his army in the Shenandoah, and, in the event of failure in this, to take advantage of his necessary withdrawal of troops from Peters- burg to explode a mine that had been prepared in front of the Ninth Corps and assault the enemys lines at that place, on the night of the 26th of July the Second Corps and two divisions of the Cavalry Corps and Kautzs cavalry were crossed to the north bank of the James River and joined the force General Butler had there. On the 27th, the enemy was driven from his intrenched position, with the loss of four pieces of artillery. On the 28th, our lines were ex- tended from Deep Bottom to New Market road, but in getting this position were attacked by the enemy in ~e~vy force. The fighting lasted for several hours, resulting in considerable loss to both ~ides. The first object of this move having failed, by reason of the very large force thrown there by the enemy, I determined to take ad- vantage of the diversio& made, by assaulting Petersburg before he could get his force back there. One division of the Second Corps was withdrawn on the night of the 28th, and moved during the night to the rear of the Eighteenth Corps, to relieve that corps in the line, that it might be foot-loose in the assault t~be made. The other two divisions of the Second Corps and Sheridans cavalry were crossed over on the night of the 29th and moved in front of Petersburg. On the morning of the 30th, between 4 and 5 oclock, the mine was sprung,..blowing up a battery and most of a regiment, and the advance of the assaulting column, formed of the Ninth Corps, immediately took possession of the crater made by the ex- plosion, and the line for some distance to the right and left of it Page 24 24 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. and a detached line in front of it, but for some cause failed to ad- vance promptly to the ridge beyond. Had they done this, I have every reason to believe that Petersburg would have fallen. Other troops were immediately pushed forward, but the time consumed in getting them up enabled the enemy to rally from his surprise (which had been complete) and get forces to this point for its defense. The captured line thus held being untenable and of no advantage to us, the troops were withdrawn, but not without heavy loss. Th us ter- minated in disaster what promised to be the most successful assault of the campaign. * Immediately upon the enemys ascertaining that General Hunter was retreating from Lynchburg by way of the Kanawha River, thus laying the Sheuandoah Valley open for raids into Maryland and Pennsylvania, he returned northward, arid moved down that valley. As soon as this movement of the enemy was ascertained, General Hunter, who had reached the Kanawha River, was directed to move his troops without delay, by river and railroad, to Harpers Ferry; but owing to the difficulty of navigation by reason of low water and breaks in the railroad, great delay was experienced in getting there. It became necessary, therefore, to find other troops to check this movement of the enemy. For this purpose the Sixth Corps was taken from the armies operating against Richmond, to which was added the Nineteenth Corps, then, fortunately, beginning to arrive in Hampton Roads from the Gulf Department, under orders issued immediately after the ascertainment of the result of the Red River expedition. The garrisons of Baltimore and Washington were at this time made up of heavy artillery regiments, hundred-day men, and de- tachments from the Invalid Corps. One division, under command of General Ricketts, of the Sixth Corps, was sent to Baltimore, and the remaining two divisions of the Sixth Corps, under General Wright, were subsequently sent to Washington. On the 3d of July the enemy approached Martinsburg; General Sigel, who was in command of our forces there, retreated across the Potomac at Shepherdstown, and General Weber, commanding at Harpers Ferry, crossed the river a~d occupied Maryland Heights. On the 6th, the enemy occupied Hagerstown, moving a strong column to- ward Frederick City. General Wallace, with Ricketts division and his own command, the latter mostly new and undisciplined troops, pushed out from Baltimore with~ g~at promptness and met the enemy in force on the Monocacy, near the crossing of the railroad bridge. His force was not sufficient to insure success, but he fought the enemy n6vertheless, and although it resulted in a defeat to our arms, yet it detained the enemy and thereby served to enable Gen- eral Wright to reach Washington with two divisions of the Sixth Corps, and the advance of the Nineteenth Corps before him. From Monocacy the enemy moved on Washington, his cavalry advance reaching Rockville on the evening of the lQth. On the 12th, a re- connaissance was thrown out in front of Foi~ Stevens, to ascertain the enemys position and force. A severe skirmish ensued, in which we lost about 280 in killed and wounded. The enemys loss was probably grea4er. He commenced retreating during the night. Learning the exact condition of affairs at Washington, I requested * Subordinate reports of operations against Petersburg and Richmond from June 13 to July 31, 1864, will appear in Vol. XL Page 25 CHAP. XLVI.J GENERAL REPORT. 25 by telegraph, at 11.4~i p. m. on the 12th, the assignment of Maj. Gen. IL G. Wright to the command of all the troops that could be made available to operate in the field against the enemy, and directed that he should get outside of the trenches with all the force he could, and push Early to the last moment. General Wright com- menced the pursuit on the 13th. On the 18th, the enemy was over- taken at Snickers Ferry, on the Shenandoah, when a sharp skirmish occurred; and on the 20th, General Averell encountered and defeated a portion of the rebel army at Winchester, capturing four pieces of artillery and several hundred prisoners. Learning that Early was retreating south toward Lynchburg or Richmond, I directed that the Sixth and Nineteenth Corps be got back to the armies operating against Richmond, so that they might be used in a movement against Lee before the return of the troops sent by him into the valley, and that Hunter should remain in the Shenandoah Valley, keeping be- tween any force of the enemy and Washington, acting on the defensive as much as possible. I felt that if the enemy had any~ notion of returning the fact would be developed before the, Sixth and Nineteenth Corps could leave Washington. Subsequently the Nineteenth Corps was excepted from the order to return to the James. About the 25th, it became evident that the enemy was again ad- vancing upon Maryland and Pennsylvania, and the Sixth Corps, then at Washington, was ordered back to the vicinity of Harpers Ferry. The rebel force moved down the valley, and sent a raiding party into Pennsylvania, which, on the 30th, burned Chamb~rsburg and then retreated, pursued by our cavalry, toward Cumberland. They were met and defeated by General Kelley, and with diminished numbers escaped into the mountains of West Virginia. From the time of the first raid the telegraph wires were frequently down be- tween Washington and City Point, making it necessary to transmit messages a part of the way by boat. It took from twenty-four to thirtysix hours to get dispatches through and return answers back, so that often orders would be given, and then information would be received showing a different state of facts from those on which they were based, causing a confusion and apparent contradiction of orders that must have considerably embarrassed those who had to execute them, and rendered operations agai~st the enemy less effective than they otherwise would have been. To remedy this evil, it was evi- dent to my mind that some person should have the supreme command of all the forces in the Departments of We~ Virginia, Washington, Susquehanna, and the Middle Dep~rtment, and I so recommended. On the 2d of August I ordered General Sheridan to report in per- son to Major-General Halleck, Chief of Staff, at Washington, with a view to his assignment to the command of all the forces against Early. At this time the enemy was concentrated in the neighbor- hood of Winchester, while our forces, under General Hunter, were concentrated on the Mono cacy, at the crossing of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, leaving open to the enemy Westex~i Maryland and Southern Pennsylvania. From where I was, I hesitated to give posi- tive orders for the movement of our forces at Monocacy, lest by so (loing I should expose Washington. * Therefore, on the 4th, I left City Point to visit Hunters command, and determine for myself * Subordinate reports of operations in the Shenandoah Valley and Maryland up to August 3, 1864, will appear in Vol. XXXVII Page 26 [CHAP. XLVI. 26 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. what was best to be done. On arrival there, and after consultation with General Hunter, I issued to him the following instructions: MONOCACY BRIDGE, MD., August 5, 15645 p. m. Maj. Gen. D. HUNTER: GENERAL: Concentrate all your available force without delay in the vicinity of Harpers Ferry, leaving only such railroad guards and garrisons for public property as may be necessary. Use, in this concentration, the railroad, if by so doing time can be saved. From Harpers Ferry, if it is found that the enemy has moved north of the Potomac in large force, push north, following him and attacking him wher- ever found; follow him if driven south of the Potomac as long as it is safe to do so. If it is ascertained that the enemy has but a small force north of the Potomac, then push south with the main force, detaching under a competent commander a suffi- cient force to look after the raiders, and drive them to their homes. In detaching such a force, the brigade of cavalry now en route from Washington, via Rockville, may be taken into account. There are now on the way to join you three other brigades of the best of cavalry, numbering at least 5,000 men and horses. Tbese will be instructed, in the absence of further orders, to join you by the south side of the Potomac. One brigade will probably start to-morrow. In pushing up the Shenandoah Valley, where it is ex- pected you will have to go first or last, it is desirable that nothing should be left to invite the enemy to return. Take all provisions, forage, and stock wanted for the use of your command; such as cannot be consumed destroy. It is not desirable that the buildings should be destroyed; they should rather be protected, but the people should be informed that so long as an army can subsist among them recur- rences of these raids must be expected, and we are determined to stop them at all hazards. Bear in mind the object is to drive the enemy south, and to do this you want to keep him always in sight. Be guided in your course by the course he takes. Make your own arrangements for supplies of all kinds, giving regular vouchers for such as will be taken from loyal citizens in the country through which you march. U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General. The troops were immediately put in motion, and the advance reached Hailtown that night. General Hunter having, in onr conversation, expressed a willing- ness to be relieved from command, II telegraphed to have General Sheridan, then at Washington, sent to Harpers Ferry by the morn- ing train, with orders to take general command of all the troops in the field, and to call on General Hunter at Monocacy, who would turn over to him my letter of instructions. I remained at Monocacy until General Sheridan arrived, on the morning of the 6th, and after a conference with him in relation to military affairs in that vicinity, I returned to City Point by way of W~hingtou. On the 7th of Au- gust the Middle Department and the Departments of West Virginia, Washington, and Susquehanna were constituted into the Middle Military Division, and Major-General Sheridan was assigned to tem- porary command of the same. Two divisions of cavalry, commanded by Generals Torbert and Wilson, were sent to Sheridan from the Army of the Potomac. The first reached him at Harpers Ferry about the 11th of August. His operations during the month of Au- gust and the fore part of September were bc{h of an offensive and defensive character, resulting in many severe skirmishes, principally by the cavalry, in which we were generally successful, but no gen- eral engagement took place. The two armies lay in such a position the enemy on the west bank of Opequon Creek, covering Winches- ter, and our forces in front of Berryvillethat either could bring on a battle at any time. Defeat to us would lay open to the enemy the States of Maryland and Pennsylvania for long distances befor Page 27 CHAP. XLVII GENERAL REPORT. 27 another army could be interposed to check him. Under these cir cumstances I hesitated about allowing the initiative to be taken. Finally, the use of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and the Chesa- peake and Ohio Canal, which were both obstructed by the enemy, became so indispensably necessary to us, and the importance of re- lieving Pennsylvania and Maryland from continuously Uireatened invasion so great, that II determined the risk should bte taken. But fearing to telegraph the order for an attack without knowing more than I did of General Sheridans feelings as to what would be the probable result, I left City Point on the 15th of September to visit him at his headquarters, to decide, after conference with him, what should be done. I met him at Charlestown, and he pointed out so distinctly Wow each army lay, what he could do the moment he was authorized, and expressed such confidence of success that I saw there were but two words of instruction necessaryGo in! For the con- venience of forage the teams for supplying the army were kept at Harpers Ferry. I asked him if he could get out his teams and sup- plies in time to make an attack on the ensuing Tuesday morning. His reply was that he could before daylight on Monday. He was off promptly to time, and I may here add that the result was such that I have never since deemed it necessary to visit General Sheridan before giving him orders. Early on the morning of the 19th, Gen- eral Sheridan attacked General Early at the crossing on the Opequon Creek, and after a most sanguinary and bloody battle, lasting until 5 oclock in the evening, defeated him with heavy loss, carrying his entire position from Opequon Creek to Winchester, capturing several thousand prisoners and five pieces of artillery. The enemy rallied and made a stand in a strong position at Fishers Hill, where he was attacked and again defeated with heavy loss on the 20th [22d]. Sheridan pursued him with great energy through Harrisonburg, Staunton, and the gaps of the Blue Ridge. After stripping the upper valley of most of the supplies and provisions for the rebel army, he returned to Strasburg and took position on the north side of Cedar Creek. Having received considerable re-enforcements, General Early again returned to the valley, and on the 9th of October his cavalry encoun- tered ours near Strasburg, where the rebels were defeated with the loss of eleven pieces of artillery and 350 prisoners. On the night of the 18th, the enemy crossed the mountains wh4h separate the branches of the Shenandoah, forded the North Fork, and early on the morning of the 19th, under cover of the darkness and the fog, surprised and turned our left flank, capturing the batteries which enfiladed our whole line. Our troops fell back with heavy loss and in much con- fusion, but were finally rallied between Middletown and Newtown. At this juncture General Sheridan, who was at Winchester when the battle commenced, arrived on the field, arranged his lines just in time to repulse a heavy attack of the enemy, and immediately assuming the offensive, he attacked in turn with ~reat vigor. The enemy was defeated with great slaughter and the loss of most of his artillery and trains and the trophies he had captured in the morning. The wreck of his army escaped during the night and fled in the direction of Staun~~n and Lynchburg. Pursuit was made to Mount Jackson. Thus ended this, the enemys last attempt to invade the North via the Shenandoah Valley. I was now enabled to return the Sixth Corps to the Army of the Potomac, and to send one division from Sheridans army to the Army of the James, and another t Page 28 28 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [cHAP. XLVI. Savannah, Ga., to hold Shermans new acquisitions on the sea-coast, and thus enable him to move without detaching from his force for that purpose.* Reports from various sources led me to believe that the enemy haddetached three divisions from Petersburg to re-enforce Early in the Shenandoah Valley. I therefore sent the Secon~d Corps and Greggs division of cavalry, of the Army of the Potomac, and a force of General Butlers army, on the night of the 13th of August, to threaten Richmond from the north side of the James, to prevent him from sending troops away, and, if possible, to draw back those sent. In this move we captured six pieces of artillery and several hundred prisoners, detained troops that were under marching orders, and ascertained that but one division (Kershaws) of the three re- puted detached had gone. The enemy having withdrawn heavily from Petersburg to resist this movement, the Fifth Corps, General Warren commanding, was moved out on the 18th and took possession of the Weldon railroad. During the day he had considerable fight- ing. To regain possession of the road, the enemy made repeated and desperate assaults, but was each time repulsed with great loss. On the night of the 20th, the troops on the north side of the James were withdrawn, and Hancock and Gregg returned to the front of Peters- burg. On the 25th the Second Corps and Greggs division of cav- alry, while at Reams Station destroying the railroad, were attacked, and after desperate fighting a p art of our line gave way and five pieces of artillery fell into the hands of the enemy. By the 12th of Sep- tember~ a branch railroad Was completed from the City Point and Petersburg Railroad to the Weldon railroad, enabling us to supply without difficulty, in all weather, the army in front of Petersburg. The extension of our lines across the Weldon railroad compelled the enemy to so extend his that it seemed he could have but few troops north of the James for the defense of Richmond. On the night of the 28th, the Tenth Corps, Major-General Birney, and the Eighteenth Corps, Major-General Ord commanding, of General Butlers army, were crossed to the north side of the James, and advanced on the morning of the 29th, carrying the very strong fortifications and intrenchments below Chaffins Farm, known as Fort Harrison, capturing fifteen pieces of artillery and the New Market road and intrenchments. This success was followed up by a gallant assault upon Fort Gilmer, immediately in front of the Chaffins Farm fortifications, in which i~e were repulsed with heavy loss. Kautzs cavalry was pushed forward on the road to the right of this, supported by infantry, and reached the enemys inner line, but was unable to get farther. The position captured from the enemy was so threatening to Richmond that I determined to hold it. The enemy made several desperate attempts to dislodge us, all of which were unsuccessful, and for which he paid dearly. On the morning of the 30th, General Meade sent out a reconnaissance, with a view found ~ffici to attacking the enemys line if it was ently weakened by withdrawal of troops to the north side. In this reconnaissance we captured and held the enemys works near Poplar Spring Church. In the afternoon troops moving to get to the left of the point gained were attacked by the enemy in heavy force and compelled to fall back until supported by the forces holding the captured works. Our * Subordinate reports of operations in the Shenandoah Valley from August 4 to December 31, 1864, will appear in Vol. XLIII Page 29 CHAP. XLVI.] GENERAL REPORT. 29 cavalry, under Gregg, was also attacked, but repulsed the enemy with great loss. On the 7th of October the enemy attacked Kautzs cavalry north of the James and drove it back with heavy loss in killed, wounded, and prisoners, and the loss of all the artillery eight or nine pieces. This he followed up by an attack on our in- trenched infantry line, but was repulsed with severe slaughter. On the 13th, a reconnaissance was sent out by General Bntl~er with a view to drive the enemy from some new works lie was constructing, which resulted in very heavy loss to us. On the 27th, the Army of the Potomac, leaving only sufficient men to hold its fortified line, moved by the enemys right flank. The Second Corps, followed by two divisions of the Fifth Corps, with the cavalry in advance and covering our left flaiik, forced a passage of Hatchers Run, and moved up the south side of it toward the South Side Railroad, until the Second Corps and part of the cavalry reached the Boydton plank road, where it crosses Hatchers Run. At this point we were 6 miles distant from the South Side Railroad, which I had hoped by this movement to reach and hold. But find- ing that we ha no reached the end of the enemys fortifications, and no place presenting itself for a successful assault by which he might be doubled up and shortened, I determined to withdraw to within our fortified lines. Orders were given accordingly. Imme- diately upon receiving a report that General Warren had connected with General Hancock I returned to my headquarters. Soon after I left the enemy moved out across Hatchers Run, in the gap between Generals Hancock and Warren, which was not closed as reported, and made a desperate attack on General Hancocks right and rear. General Hancock immediately faced his corps to meet it, and after a bloody combat drove the enemy within his works, and withdrew that night to his old position. In support of this movement General Butler made a demonstration on the north side of the James, and attacked the en eniy on the Williamsburg road and also on the York River Railroad. In the former he was unsuccessful; in the latter he succeeded in carrying a work which was afterward abandoned, and his forces withdrawn to their former positions. From this time forward the operations in front of Petersburg and Richmond, until the spring campaign of 186~, were confined to the defense and extension of our lines and to offensive movements for crippling the enemys lines of communication and to prevent his de- taching any considerable force to send souTh. * By the 7th of Feb- ruary our lines were exteiided to Hatchers Run, and the Weldon railroad had been destroyed to Hicksford. General Shernian moved from Chattanooga on the 6th of May, with the Armies of the Cumberland, Tennessee, and Ohio, com- manded, respectively, by Generals Thomas, McPherson, and Scho- field, upon Johnstons army at Dalton; but finding the enemys posi- tions at Buzzard Roost, covering Dalton, too strong to be assaulted, General McPherson was sent through Snake [CreeI~ Gap lo turn it, while Generals Thomas and Schofield threatened it in front and on the north. This movement was successful. Johnston, finding his retreat likely to be cut off, fell back to his fortified position at Resaca, where he was attacked on the afternoon of May 1& A heavy battle ensued. During the night the enemy retreated south. Late on the * Subordinate reports of operations against Petersburg and Richmond from Au- gust 1 to December 31, 1864, wiLl appear in Vol. XLII Page 30 30 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSJPPJ~ F#JHAP. XLVF. 17th, his rear guard was overtaken near Adairsville, and heavy skir- mishing followed. The next morning, however, he had again dis- appeared. He was vigorously pursued and was overtaken at Cass- yule on the 19th, but, during the ensuing night, retreated across the Etowah. While these operations were going on, General Jefferson C. Davis division of Thomas army was sent to Rome, capturing it with its forts and artillery and its valuable mills and foundries. General Sherman having given his army a few days rest at this point, again put ,it in motion on the 23d for Dallas, with a view of turning the~ difficult pass at Allatoona. On the afternoon of the 25th, the advance, under General Hooker, had a severe battle with the enemy, driving him back to New Hope Church, near Dallas. Several sharp encounters occurred at this point. The most impor- tant was on the 28th, when the enemy assaulted General McPherson at Dallas, but received a terrible and bloody repulse. On the 4th of June Johnston abandoned his intrenched position at New Hope Church and retreated to the strong positions of Ken- esaw, Pine, and Lost Mountains. He was forced to yield the two last-named places and concentrate his army on Kenesaw, where, on the 27th, Generals Thomas and McPherson made a determined but unsuccessful assault. On the night of the 2d of July Sherman commenced moving his army by the right flank, and on the morning of the 3d found that the enemy, in consequence of this movement, had abandoned Kenesaw and retreated across the Chattahoochee. General Sherman remained on the Chattahoochee to give his men rest and get up stores until the 17th of July, when he resumed his operations, crossed the Chattahoochee, destroyed a large portion of the railroad to Augusta, and drove the enemy back to Atlanta. At this place General Hood succeeded General Johnston in command of the rebel army, and, assuming the offensive-defensive policy, made several severe attacks upon Sherman in the vicinity of Atlanta, the most desperate and determined of which was on the 22d of July. About 1 p. m. of this day the brave, accomplished, and noble-hearted McPherson was killed. General Logai succeeded him, and com- manded the Army of the Tennessee through this desperate battle, and until he was superseded by Major-General Howard, on the 26th, with the same success and ability that had characterized him in the command of a corps or division. In all these attacks the enemy was repulsed with great less. Finding it impossible to en- tirely invest the place, General Sl~ri~an, after securing his line of communications across the Chattahoochee, moved his main force round by the enemys left flank upon the Montgomery and Macon roads, to draw the enemy from his fortifications. In this he suc- ceeded, and, after defeating the enemy near Rough and Ready, Jones- borough, and Lovejoys, forcing him to retreat to the south, on the 2d of September occupied Atlanta, the objective point of his cam- paign. About the time of this -move the rebel cavalry, under Wheeler, attempted to cut his communicatio s in the rear, but was repulsed at Dalton and driven into East en essee, whence it pro- ceeded west to McMinnville, Murfreesborough, and Franklin, and was finally driven south of the Tennessee. The damage done by this raid was repaired in a few days. During the partial investment of Atlanta, General Rousseau joined General Sherman with a force of cavalry from Decatur, having made a successful raid upon the Atlanta and Montgomery Railroad and its branches near Opelika Page 31 CHAP. XLVI.] GENERAL REPORT. 31 Cavalry raids were also made by Generals McCook, Garrard, and Stoneman to cut the remaining railroad communication with Atlanta. The first two were successful; the latter disastrous. General Shermans movement from Chattanooga to Atlanta was prompt, skillful, and brilliant. The history of his flank movements and battles during that memorable campaign will ever be read with an interest unsurpassed by anything in history. His oWn report, and those of his subordinate commanders accompanying it, give the details of that most successful campaign. * He was dependent for the supply of his armies upon a single-track railroad from Nashville to the point where he was operating. This passed the entire dis- tance through a hostile country, and every foot of it had to be pro- tected by troops. The cavalry force of the enemy under Forrest, in Northern Mississippi, was evidently waiting for Sherman to advance far enough into the mountains of Georgia to make a retreat dis- astrous, to get upon this line and destroy it beyond the possibility of further use. To guard against this danger Sherman left what he sup- posed to be a sufficient force to operate against Forrest in West Ten- nessee. He directed General Washburn, who commanded there, to send Brig. Gen. S.TX Sturgis, in command of this force, to attack him. On the morning of the 10th of June General Sturgis met the enemy near Guntown, Miss., was badly beaten, and driven back in utter rout and confusion to Memphis, a distance of about 100 miles, hotly pursued by the enemy. By this, however, the enemy was defeated in his designs upon Shermans line of communications. The per- sistency with which he followed up this success exhausted him, and made a season for rest and repairs necessary. In the mean time Maj. Gen. A. J. Smith, with the troops of the Army of the Tennes- see that had been sent by General Sherman to General Banks, arrived at Memphis on their return from Red River, where they had done most excellent service. He was directed by General ..Sherman to immediately take the offensive against ForresL This he did with the promptness amid effect which has characterized his whole mili- tary career. On the 14th of July he met the enemy at Tupelo, Miss., and whipped him badly. The fighting continued through three days. Our loss was small compared with that of the enemy. Having accomplished the object of his expedition, General Smith returned to Memphis. I During the months of March and April this same force under Forrest annoyed us considerably. On the 24th of March it captured Union City, Ky., and its garri~oi~, and on the 24th [25th] attacked Paducah, commanded by Col. S. G. Hicks, Fortieth Illinois Volunteers. Colonel Hicks having but a small force, withdrew to the forts near the river, from where he repulsed the enemy and drove him from the place. On the 13th of April, part of this force, under the rebel General Buford, summoned the garrison of Columbus, Ky., to surrender, but received for reply from Colonel Lawrence, Thirty-fourth New Jersey Volunteers, that, being placed there by his Government with adequate force to hold his ~ost and repel all enemies from it, surrender was out of the question. On the morn- ing of the same day~ Forrest attacked Fort Pillow, Tenn., garrisoned by a detachment of Tennessee cavalry and the First Regiment Ala- bama Colored Troops, commanded by Major Booth. The garrison fought bravely untfl about 3 oclock in the afternoon, when the * Subordinate reports of the Atlanta campaign will appear in Vol. XXXVIII. t Subordinate reports of Sturgis and A. J. Smiths expeditions will appear in Vol. XXXIX. ~A mistake. Forrest attacked Fort Pillow on April 12 Page 32 32 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. enemy carried the works by assault, and, after our men threw down their arms, proceeded to an inhuman and merciless massacre of the garrison. On the 14th, General Buford, having failed at Columbus, appeared before Paducah, but was again driven off. Guerrillas and raiders, seemingly emboldened by Forrests opera- tions, were also very active in Kentucky. The most noted of these was Morgan. With a force of from 2,000 to 3,000 Cavalry he entered the State through Pound Gap in the latter part of May. On the 11th of June he attacked and captured Cynthiana, with its entire garrison. On the 12th, he was overtaken by General Burbridge and completely routed with heavy loss, and was finally driven out of the State. This notorious guerrilla was afterward surprised and killed near Greene- ville, Teun., and his command captured and dispersed by General Gillem. t In the absence of official reports of the commencement of the Red River expedition, except so far as relates to the movements of the troops sent by General Sherman under A. J. Smith, 1 am unable to give the date of its starting. The troops under General Smith, com- prising two divisions of the Sixteenth and a d~tachment of the Seven- teenth Army Corps, left Yicksburg on the 10th of March and reached the designated point on Red River one day earlier than that appointed by General Banks. The rebel forces at Fort De Russy, thinking to defeat him, left the fort on the 14th to give him battle in the open field; but, while occupying the enemy with skirmishing and demon- strations, Smith pushed forward to Fort De Russy, which had been left with a weak garrison, and captured it, with its garrison, about 350 men, eleven pieces of artillery, and many small-arms. Our loss was but slight. On the 15th he pushed forward to Alexandria, which place he reached on the 18th. On the 21st, he had an engage- ment with the enemy at Hendersons Hill, in which he defeated him, capturing 210 prisoners and four pieces of artillery. On the 28th, he again attacked and defeated the enemy under the rebel General Tay- lor at Cane River. ~ By the 26th, General Banks had assembled his whole army at Alexandria and pushed forward to Grand Ecore. On the morning of April 6, he moved from Grand Ecore. On the after- noon of the 7th, his advance engaged the enemy near Pleasant Hill and drove him from the field. On the same afternoon the enemy made a stand 8 miles beyond Pleasant Hill, but was again compelled to retreat. On the 8th, at Sabine Cross-Roads and Peach H ill, the enemy attacked and defeated his a& va~ice, capturing nineteen pieces of artillery and an imniense amount of transportation and stores. During the night General Banks fell back to Pleasant Hill, where another battle was fought on the 9th, and the enemy repulsed with great loss. During the night General Banks continued his retrograde movement to Grand Ecore, and thence to Alexandria, which he reached on the 27th of April. Here a serious difficulty arose in getting Admiral Porters fleet, which accompanied the expedition, over the rapids, the water having fallen so much sin~e they passed up as to prevent their return. At the suggestion of Colonel (now Brigadier- General) Bailey, and under his superintendence, wing-dams were constructed, by which the channel was contracted so that the fleet passed down tlae rapids in safety._____________________________ * For subordinate reports of Forrests expedition into West Tennessee and Ken- tucky, see Vol. XXXII, Part I, p. 501. f For subordinate reports of operations in Kentucky and East Tennessee, see Vol. XXXIX. ~ A mistake. A. J. Smiths command reached Cotile Landing March 28 Page 33 CHAP. XLVI.1 GENERAL REPORT. 33 The army evacuated Alexandria on the 14th of May, after con- siderable skirmishing with the enemys advance, and reached Mor- ganza and Point Conp~e near the end of the month. The disastrous termination of this expedition, and the lateness of the season, ren- dered impracticable the carrying out of my plans of a movement in force sufficient to insure the capture of Mobile. - On the 23d of March Major-General Steele left Lit& le Rock with the Seventh Army Corps to co-operate with General Banks expedi- tion on Red River, and reached Arkadelphia~ on the 28th. On the 16th of April, after driving the enemy before him, he was joined near Elkins Ferry. in Onachita County, by General Thayer, who had marched from Fort Smith. After several severe skirmishes, in which the enemy was defeated, General Steele reached Camden, which he occupied about the middle of April. On learning the defeat and consequent retreat of General Banks on Red River and the loss of one of his own trains at Marks Mills, in Dallas County, General Steele determined to fall back to the Arkansas River. He left Camden on the 26th of April aiid reached Little Rock on the 2d of May. On the 30th of April the enemy attacked him while cross- ing Saline River at Jenkins Ferry, but was repulsed with considera- ble loss. Our loss was abont 600 in killed, wounded, and prisoiiers. Major-General Canby, who had been assigned to the command of the Military Division of West Mississippi, was therefore directed to send the Nineteenth Army Corps to join the armies operating against Richmond, and to limit the remainder of his command to such oper- ations as might be necessary to hold the positions and lines of com- munications he theii occupied. Before starting General A. J. Smiths troops back to Sherman, General Canby seiit a part of it to disperse a force of the enemy that was collecting near the Mississippi River. General Smith met and defeated this force near Lake Chicot on the 5th of June. Our loss was about 40 killed and 70 wounded. In the latter part of July General Canby sent Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger, with such forces as he could collect, to co-operate with Admiral Farragut against the defenses of Mobile Bay. On the 8th of August Fort Gaines surrendered to the combined naval and land forces. Fort Powell was blown up and abandoned. On the 9th, Fort Morgan was invested, and after a severe bombardment sur- rendered on the 23d. The total captures amounted to 1,464 prisoners and 104 pieces of artillery. * About the last of August, it being reporte~l that the rebel General Price, with a force of about 10,000 men, had reached Jacksonport, on his way to iiivade Missouri, Geiieral A. J. Smiths command, then en route from Memphis to join Sherman, was ordered to Missouri. A cavalry force was also, at the same time, sent from Memphis, under command of Colonel Winslow. This made General Rosecrans forces superior to those of Price, and no aoubt was entertained he would be able to check Price and drive him back, while the forces under General Steele, in Arkansas, would cut off h~s retreat. On the 26th day of September Price attacked Pilot Knob and forced the garrison to retreat, and thence moved north to the Missouri River, and continued up that river toward Kansas. General Curtis, com- manding Department.uf Kansas, immediately collected such forces as he could to repel his invasion of Kansas, while General Rose- crans cavalry was operating in his rear. The enemy was brought * Subordinate reports of operations against Mobile will appear in Vol. XXXIX. 3 R RVOL XXXIV, PT Page 34 34 LOUISIANA AND TILE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. ~CIIAP. XLVI. to battle on the ~ig Blue and defeated, with the loss of nearly all his artillery and trains and a large number of prisoners. He made a precipitate retreat to Northern Arkansas. The impunity with which Price was enabled to roam over the State of Missouri for a long time, and the incalculable mischief done by him, shows to how little purpose a superior force may be used. There is, no reason why General Rosecrans should not have concentrat~d his forces and beaten and driven Price before the latter reached Pilot Knob. * September 20, the enemys cavalry under Forrest crossed the Ten- nessee near Waterloo, Ala., and on the 23d attacked the garrison at Athens, consisting of 600 men, which capitulated on the 24th. Soon after the surrender two regiments of re-enforcements arrived, and after a severe fight were compelled to surrender. Forrest destroyed the railroad westward, captured the garrison at Sulphur Branch trestle, skirmished with the garrison at Pulaski on the 27th, and on the same day cut the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad near Tul- lahoma and Decherd. On the morning of the 30th, one column of Forrests command, under Buford, appeared before Huntsville, and summoned the surrender of the garrison. Receiving an answer in the negative, he remained in the vicinity of the place until next morning, when he again summoned its surrender, and received the same reply as on the night before. He withdrew in the direction of Athens, which place had been regarrisoned, and attacked it on the afternoon of the 1st of October, but without success. On the morn lug of the 2d, he renewed his attaQk, but was handsomely repulsed Another column under Forrest appeared before Columbia on the morning of the I st, but did not make an attack. On the morning of the 3d, he moved toward Mount Pleasant. While these operations were going on every exertion was made by General Thomas to de- stroy the f6rces under Forrest before he could recross the Tennessee, bnt was unable to prevent his escape to Corinth, Miss. In Septem- ber an expedition under General Burbridge was sent to destroy the salt-works at Saltville, Va. He met the enemy on the 2d of October, about 3j miles from Saltville, and drove him into his strongly in- trenched position around the salt-works, from which he was unable to dislodge him. During the night he withdrew his command and returned to Kentucky. t General Sherman, immediately after the fall of Atlanta, put his armies in camp in and about the~pl~ce, and made all preparations for refitting and supplying them for future service. The great length of road from Atlanta to the Cumberland River, however, which had to be guarded, allowed the troops but little rest. During this time Jeff~ Davis made a speech in Macon, Ga., which was reported in the papers of the South, and soon became known to the whole country, disclosing the plans of the enemy, thus en- abling General Sherman to fully n~eet them. He exhibited the weak- ness of supposing that an army that had been beaten and fearfully decimated in a vain attempt at the defensi~ could successfully un- dertake the offensive against the army that had so often defeated it. In execution of this plan, Hood, with his army, was soon reported to the southwest of Atlanta. Moving far to Shermans right, he succeeded in%eaching the railroad about Big Shanty, and moved north on it. * Subordinate reports of operations in Missouri will appear in Vol. XLI. f Subordinate reports of operations in Alabama and Tennessee will appear in VQl. XXXIX Page 35 CUAP. XLVI.] GENERAL REPORT. 35 General Sherman, leaving a force to hold Atlanta, with the re- mainder of his army fell npon him and drove him to Gadsden, Ala. Seeing the constant annoyance he would have with the roads to his rear if we attempted to hold Atlanta, General Sherman proposedi the abandonment and destruction of that place, with all thQ railroads leading to it, and telegraphed me as follows: CENTREVILLE, GA., October 10, 1864noon. Lieutenant-General GRANT: Dispatch about Wilson just received. Hood is now crossing Coosa River, 12 miles below Rome, bound west. If he passes over the Mobile and Ohio road, had I not better execute the plan of my letter sent by Colonel Porter, and leave General Thomas, with the troops now in Tennessee, to defend the State? He will have an ample force when the re-enforcements ordered reach Nashville. W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General. For a full understanding of the plan referred to in this dispatch, I quote from the letter sent by Colonel Porter: I will therefore give my opinion that your army and Canbys should be re-enforced to the maximum; that, after you get Wilmington, you strike for Savannah and the river; that Canby he instructed to hold the Mississippi River, and send a force to get Columbus, Ga., either by the way of the Alabama or Appalachicola, and that I keep Hood employed and put my army in final order for a march on Augusta, Columbia, and Charleston, to be ready as soon as Wilmington is sealed as to commerce and the city of Savannah is in our possession. This was in reply to a letter of mine of date September~ 12, in answer to a dispatch of his containing substantially the same propo- sition, and in which I informed him of a proposed movement against Wilmington, and of the situation in Virginia, & c. CITY POINT, VA., October 11, 186411 a. in. Maj. Gen. W. T. SHERMAN: Your dispatch of October 10 received. Does it not look as if Hood was going to attempt the invasion of Middle Tennessee, using the Mobile and Ohio and Memphis and Charleston roads to supply his base on the Tennessee River, about Florence or Decatur? If he does this he ought to be met and prevented from getting north of the Tennessee River. If you were to cut loose, I do not believe you would meet Hoods army, but would be bushwhacked by all the old men, little boys, and such railroad guards as are still left at home. Hood would probably strike for Nashville, thinking that by going north he could inflict greater damage upon us than we could upon the rebels by going south. If there is any ~ getting at 1~oods army I would prefer that; but I must trust to your own judgment. I find I shall not be able to send a force from here to act with you on Savannah. Your movements, therefore, will be independent of mine, at least until the fall of Richmond takes place. I am afraid Thomas, with such lines of road as he has to protect, could not prevent Hood from going north. With Wilson turned loose with all your cavalry, you will find the rebels put much more on the defensive than heretofore. U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General. KINGSTON, GA., Oetober ~, 186411 a. m. Lieutenant44eneral GRANT: Hood moved his army from Palmetto Station across by Dallas and Cedartown, and is now on the Coosa River, south of Rome. He threw one corps on my road at Acworth, and I was forced to follow. I hold Atlanta with the Twentieth Corps, and have strong detachments along my line. This reduces my active force to a comparatively small army. We cannot remain here on the defensive. With the 25,000 men, and the bold cavalry he has, he can constantly break my roads. I would infinitely prefer to make a wreck of the road and of the country from Chat- tanooga to Atlanta, including the latter city, send back all my wounded and worth- less, and, with my effective army, move through Georgia, smashing things to the sea. Hood may turn into Tennessee and Kentucky, but I believe he will be force Page 36 36 LOUISIANA AND TIlE TRAN5-MISSISSIPI~I. [CHAP. XLVI. to follow me. Instead of my being on the defensive, I would be on the offensive; instead of guessing at what he means to do, he would have to guess at my plans. The difference in war is full 2~i per cent. I can make Savannah, Charleston, or the mouth of the Chattahoochee. Answer quick, as I know we will not have the tele- graph long. W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General. CITY PoINT, VA., October 11, 186411.30 p. m. Maj. Gen. W. T. SHERMAN: Your dispatch of to-day received. If you are satisfied the trip to the sea-coast can be made, holding the line of the Tennessee River firmly, you may make it, destroying all the railroad south of Dalton or Chattanooga, as you think best. U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General. It was the original design to hold Atlanta, and by getting through to the coast, with a garrison left on the southern railroads leading east and west throngh Georgia, to effectually sever the East from the West; in other words, cut the would-be Confederacy in two again, as it had been cut once by our gaining possession of the Mississippi River. General Shermans plan virtually effected this object. Gen- eral Sherman commenced at once his preparations for his proposed movement, keeping his army in position in the mean time to watch Hood. Becoming satisfied that Hood had moved westward from Gadsden across Sand Mountain, General Sherman sent the Fourth Corps, Major-General Stanley commanding, and the Twenty-third Corps, Major-General Schofield commanding, back to Chattanooga to report to Major-General Thomas, at Nashville, whom he had placed in command of all the troops of his military division save the four army corps and cavalry division he designed to move with through Georgia. With the troops thus left at his disposal, there was little doubt that General Thomas could hold the line of the Tennessee, or in the event Hood should force it, would be able to concentrate and beat him in battle. It was therefore readily con- sented to that Sherman should start for the sea-Qoast. Having concentrated his troops at Atlanta by the 14th of November, he com- menced his march, threatening both Augusta and Macon. His coming-out point could not be definitely fixed. Having to gather his subsistence as he marched through the country, it was not impos- sible that a force inferior to his ownvmight compel him to head for such point as he could reach, instead of such as he might prefer. The blindness of the enemy, however, in ignoring his movement, and sending Hoods army, the only considerable force he had west of Richmond and east of the Mississippi River, northward on an offensive campaign, left the whole country open and Shermans route to his own choice. How that campaign was conducted, how little opposition was met with, th& condition of the country through which the armies passed, the capture of Fort McAllister, on the Savannah River, and the occupation of a annah on the 21st of December, are all clearly set forth in General Sherman s admirable report. * Soon after ~-eneral Sherman commenced his march from Atlanta, two expeditions, one from Baton Rouge, La., and one from Vicks- burg, Miss., were started by General Canby to cut the enemys lilies of communication with Mobile and detain troops in that field. Gen * Subordinate reports of the Savannah campaign will appear in Vol. XLIV Page 37 CHAP. XLVI.] GENERAL REPORT. 3,7 eral Foster, commanding Department of the South, also sent an ex- pedition, via Broad River, to destroy the railroad between Charles- ton and Savannah. The expedition from Vicksburg, under command of Bvt. Brig. Gen. E. D. Osband (colonel Third U. S. Colored Cav- alry), captured, on the 27th of November, and destroyed the Missis- sippi Central Railroad bridge and trestle-work over Big Black River, near Canton, 30 miles of the road, and two locomotives; besides large amounts of stores. The expedition from Baton Rouge was without favorable resnlts. The expedition from the Department of the South, under the immediate command of Brig. Gen. John P. Hatch, consist- ing of about 5,000 men of all arms, including a brigade from the Navy, proceeded up Broad River and embarked at Boyds Neck on the 29th of November, from where it moved to strike the railroad at Grahamsville. At Honey Hill, about 3 miles from Grahamsville, the enemy was found and attacked in a strongly fortified position, which resulted, after severe fighting, in our repulse with a loss of 746 in killed, wounded, and missing. During the night General Hatch withdrew. On the 6th of December General Foster obtained a position covering the Charleston and Savannah Railroad, between the Coosawhatchie and Tulifinny Rivers. Hood, instead of following Sherman, continued his move northward, which seemed to me to be leading to his certain doom. At all events, had I had the power to command both armies, I should not have changed the orders under which he seemed to be acting. On the 26th of October the advance of Hoods army attacked the garrison at Decatur, Ala., but failing to carry the place, withdrew toward Courtland, and succeeded, in the face of our cavalry, in effecting a lodgment on the north side of the Tennessee River, near Florence. On the 28th, Forrest reached the Tennessee, at Fort Heiman, and captured a gun-boat and three transports. On the 2d of November he planted batteries above and below Johusonville, on the opposite side of the river, isolating three gun-boats and eight transports. On the 4th the enemy opened his batteries upon the place, and was replied to from the gun-boats and the garrison. The gun-boats becoming disabled were set on fire, as also were the transports, to prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy. About $1,500,000 worth of stores and property on the levee and in store-houses was consumed by fire. On the 5th, the en- emy disappeared and crossed to the north side of the Tennessee River, above Johusonville, moving toward Clifton, and subsequently joined Hood. On the night of the 5th, t~~eral Schofield, with the advance of the Twenty-third Corps, reached Johusonville, but fiuid- ing the enemy gone, was ordered to Pulaski, and put in command of all the troops there, with instructions to watch the movements of Hood and retard his advance, but not to risk a general engagement until the arrival of General A. J. Smiths command from Missouri, and until General Wilson could get his cavalry remounted. On the 19th, General Hood continued his advance. General Thomas, retarding him as much as possible, fell b~k toward Nash- ville for the purpose of concentrating his command and gaining time for the arrival of re-enforcements. The enemy coming up with our main force, commanded by General Schofield, at Frankli~~ on the 30th, assaulted our ~orks repeatedly during the afternoon until late at night, but were in every instance repulsed. His loss in this battle was 1,750 killed, 702 prisoners, and 3,800 wounded. Among his losses were 6 general officers killed, 6 wounded, and 1 captured. Our entire loss was 2,300. This was the first serious opposition th Page 38 38 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. enemy met with, and I am satisfied was the fatal blow to all his expectations. During the night General Schofield fell back toward Nashville. This left the field to the enemynot lost by battle, bnt voluntarily abandonedso that General Thomas whole force might be brought together. The enemy followed up and commenced the establishment of his line in front of Nashville on the 2d of Decem- ber. As soon as it was ascertained that Hood was crossing the Ten- nessee River, and that Price was going out of Missouri, General Rosecrans was ordered to send to General Thomas the troops of Gen- eral A. J. Smiths command and such other troops as he could spare. The advance of this re-enforcement reached Nashville on the 30th of November. On the morning of the 15th of December General Thomas attacked Hood in position, and, in a battle lasting two days, defeated and drove him from the field in the utmost confusion, leav- ing in our hands most of his artillery and many thousand prisoners, including 4 general officers. Before the battle of Nashville I grew very impatient over, as it appeared to me, the unnecessary delay. This impatience w~s increased upon learning that the enemy had sent a force of cavalry across the Cumberland into Kentucky. I feared Hood would cross his whole army and give us great trouble there. After urging upon General Thomas the necessity of immediately assuming the offensive, I started west to superintend matters there in person. Reaching Washington City, I received General Thomas dispatch announcing his attack upon the enemy, and the result as far as the battle had progressed. I was delighted. All fears and apprehensions were dispe led. I am not yet satisfied but that General Thomas, immediately upon the appearance of Hood before Nashville, and before he had time to fortify, should have moved out with his whole force and given him battle, instead of waiting to remount his cavalry, which delayed him until the inclemency of the weather made it impracticable to attack earlier than he did. But his final defeat of Hood was so com- plete that it will be accepted as a vindication of that distinguished officers judgment. After Hoods defeat at Nashville he retreated, closely pursued by cavalry and infantry, to the Tennessee River, being forced to abandon many pieces of artillery and most of his transportation. On the 28th of December our advance forces ascertained that he had made good his escape to the south side of the river. About this time, the rains having set in heavily in Tennessee ~ North Alabama, making it difficult to move army transportation and artillery, General Thomas stopped the pursuit by his main force at the Tennessee River. A small force of cavalry, under Col. W. J. Palmer, Fifteenth Pennsyl- vania Volunteers, continued to follow Hood for some distance, capt- uring considerable transportation and the enemys pontoon bridge. The details of these operations will be found clearly set forth in General Thomas report.* A cavalry expedition, under Brevet Maj~-General Grierson, started from Memphis on the 21st of December. On the 25th, he surprised and captured Forrests dismounted camp at Verona, Miss., on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, destroyed the railroad. sixteen cars loaded with wagons and pontoons for Hoods army, 4,000 new English carbines, and large amounts of public stores. On the morning of the 28th, he attacked and captured a force of the enemy at Egypt, * Subordinate reports of the Nashville campaign will appear in Vol. XLV Page 39 CifAP. XLVI.] ~4ENE1~AL R F~P0RT. 39 and destroyed a train of fourteen cars; thence, turning to the south- west, he struck the Mississippi Central Railroad at Winona, de- stroyed the factories and large amounts of stores at Bankston, and the machine-shops and public property at Grenada, arriving at Yicksburg January 5. During these operations in Middle Tennes- see, the enemy, with a force under General Breckinridge, entered East Tennessee. On the 13th of November he attacked General Gillem near Morristown, capturing his artillery and several hundred prisoners. Gillem, with what was left of his command, retreated to Knoxville. Following up his success, Breckinridge moved to near Knoxville, but withdrew on the 18th, followed by General Ammen. Under the directions of General Thomas, General Stoneman concen- trated the commands of Generals Burbridge and Gillem near Beans Station, to operate against Breckinridge and destroy or drive him into Virginia, destroy the salt-works at Saltville and the railroad into Virginia as far as he could go without endangering his coin- mand. On the 12th of December he commenced his movement, capt- uring and dispersing the enemys forces wherever he met them. On the 16th, he struck the enemy under Vaughn at Marion, com- pletely routing and pursuing him to Wytheville, capturing all his artillery, trains, and 198 prisoners, and destroyed Wytheville with its stores and supplies and the extensive lead-works near there. Returning to Marion, he met a force under Breckinridge, consisting, among other troops, of the garrison of Saltville that had started in pursuit. He at once made arrangements to attack it the next morn- ing, but morning found Breckinridge gone. He then moved directly to Saltville, and destroyed the extensive salt-works at that place, a large amount of stores, and captured eight pieces of artillery. Hav- ing thus successfully executed his instructions, he returned General Burbridge to Lexington and General Gillem to Knoxville. ~ Wilmington, N. C., was the most iniportant sea-coast port left to the enemy through which to get supplies from abroad and send cotton and other products out by blockade-runners, besides being a place of great strategic value. The navy had been making strenuous exer- tions to seal the harbor of Wilmington, but with only partial effect. The nature of the outlet of Cape Fear River was such that it required watching for so great a distance that, with6ut possession of the land north of New Inlet or Fort Fishier, it was impossible for the navy to entirely close the harbor against the entrance of blockade-runners. To secure the possession of this land req~ir~d the co-operation of a land force, which I agreed to furnish. Immediately commenced the assemblage in Hampton Roads, under Admiral D. D. Porter, of the most formidable armada ever collected for concentration upon one given point. This necessarily attracted the attention of the enemy, as well as that of the loyal North, and through the imprudence of the public press, and very likely of officers of both branches of service, the exact object of the expedition became a subject of common dis- cussion in the newspapers both North and South. ~he enemy, thus warn~d, prepared to meet it. This caused a postponement of the ex- pedition until the latter part of November, when, being again called upon by Hon. G. V. Fox, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, I agreed to furnish the men required at once, and weiit myself, in company with Major-General I~utler, to Hampton Roads, where we had a con- * Subordinate reports of operations in East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia will appear in Vol. XLV Page 40 [CHAP. XLVI. 40 LOUISIANA AND THE ThANS-MISSISSIPPI. ference with Admiral Porter as to the force required and the time of starting. A force of 6,500 men was regarded as sufficient. The time of starting was not definitely arranged, but it was thought all would be ready by the 6th of December, if not before. Learning on the 30th of November that Bragg had gone to Georgia, taking with him most of the forces about Wilmington, I deemed it of the utniost im- portance that the expedition should reach its destination before the return of Bragg, and directed General Butler to make all arrange- ments for the departure of Major-General Weitzel, who had been designated to command the land forces, so that the navy might not be detained one moment. On the 6th of December the following instructions were given: CITY POINT, VA., December 6,1564. Maj. Gen. B. F. BUTLER: GENERAL: The first object of the expedition under General Weitzel is to close to the enemy the port of Wilmington. If successful in this, the second will be to capture Wilmington itself. There are reasonable grounds to hope for success if ad- vantage can be taken of the absence of the greater part of the enemys forces now looking after Sherman in Georgia. The directions you have given for the numbers and equipment of the expedition are all rigbt, except in the unimportant matter of where they embark and the amount of intrenching tools to be taken. The object of the expedition will be gained by effecting a landing on the mainland be- tween Cape Fear River and the Atlantic, north of the north entrance to the river. Should such landing be effected while the enemy still holds Fort Fisher and the bat- teries guarding the entrance to the river, then the troops should intrench themselves, and, by co-operating with the navy, effect the reduction and capture of those places. These in our hands, the navy could enter the harbor, and the port of Wilmington would be sealed. Should Fort Fisher and the point of land on which it is built fall into the hands of our troops immediately on landing, then it will be worth the attempt to capture Wilmington by a forced march and surprise. If time is consumed in gaining the first object of the expedition, the second will become a matter of after consideration. The details for execution are intrusted to you and the officer immediately in com- mand of the troops. Should the troops under General Weitzel fail to effect a landing at or near Fort Fisher, they will be returned to the armies operating against Richmond without delay. U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-Gcru3r(tl. General Butler commanding the army from which the troops were taken for this enterprise, and the territory within which they were to operate, military courtesy required that all orders and instructions shou]d~ go through him. They were so sent; but General Weitzel has since officially informed me that h~ never received the foregoimg instructions, nor was he aware of their existence until he read Gen- eral Butlers published official report of the Fort Fisher failure, with my indorsement and papers accompanying it. I had no idea of Gen- eral Butlers accompanying the expedition until the evening before it got off from Bermuda Hundred, and then did not dream but that General Weitzel had received all the instructions and would be in command. I rather formed the idea that General Butler was actu- ated by a desire to witness the effect of the e~losion of the powder- boat. The expedition was detained several days at Hampton Roads awaiting the loading of the powder-boat. The importance of getting the Wilmington expedition off without any delay, with or without the powder-boat, had been urged upon General Butler, and he ad- vised to so notify Admiral Porter. The expedition finally got off on the 13th of December, and arrived at the place of rendezvous (off New Inlet, near Fort Fisher) on the evening of the 15th. Admira Page 41 CHAP. XLVI.] GENERAL REPORT. 41 Porter arrived on the evening of the 18th, having put in at Beaufort to get ammunition for the monitors. The sea becoming rough, mak- ing it difficult to land troops, and the supply of water and coal being about exhausted, the transport fleet put back to Beaufort to replen- ish; this, with the state of the weather, delayed the return to the place of rendezvous until the 24th. The powder-boat was exploded on the morning of the 24th before the return of General I~utler from Beaufort, but it would seem from the notice taken of it in the Southern newspapers that the enemy were never enlightened as to the object of the explosion until they were informed by the North- ern press. On the 25th, a landing was effected without opposition, and a reconnaissance, under Brevet Brigadier-General Curtis, pushed up toward the fort. But before receiving a full report of the result of this reconnaissance, General Butler, in direct violation of the in- structions given, ordered the re-embarkation of the troops, and the return of the expedition. The re-embarkation was accomplished by the morning of the 27th. On the return of the expedition, officers and menamong thefn Bvt. Maj. Gen. (then Brevet Brigadier-General) N. M. Curtis, First Lieut. G. W. Ross, Regiment Vermont Volun- teers [One hundred and seventeenth New York], First Lieut. Will- iam H. Walling, and Second Lieut. George Simpson, One hundred and forty-second New York Volunteersvoluntarily reported to me that when rec ailed they were nearly into the fort, and, in their opinion, it could have been taken without much loss. ~ Soon after the return of the expedition, I received a dispatch from the Secretary of the Navy and a letter from Admiral Porter, in- forming me that the fleet was still off Fort Fisher, and expressing the conviction that, under a proper leader, the place could be taken. The natural supposition with me was that, when the troops aban- doned the expedition, the navy would do so also. Finding it had not, however, I answered on the 30th of December, advising Ad- miral Porter to hold on, and that I would send a force and make another attempt to take the place. This time I selected Bvt. Maj. Gen. (now Major-General) A. H. Terry to command the expedition. The troops composing it consisted of the same that composed the former, with the addition of a small brigade, numbering about 1,500, and a small siege train. The latter it was never found necessary to land. I communicated direct to the commander of the expedition the following instructions : CITY POINT, VA., January 3,1865. Bvt. Maj. Gen. A. H. TERRY: GENERAL: The expedition intrusted to your command has been fitted out to re- new the attempt to capture Fort Fisher, N. C., and Wilmington ultimately, if the fort falla. You will, then, proceed with as little delay as possible to the naval fleet lying off Cape Fear River, and report the arrival of yourself and command to Ad- miral D. D. Porter, commanding North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. It is exceedingly desirable that the most con4lete understanding should exist between yourself and the naval commander. I suggest. there~re, that you consult with Admiral Porter freely. and get from him the part to be performed by each branch of the public service, so that there maybe unity of action. It would be well to have the whole programme laid down in writing. I have served with Admiral Porter, and know that you can rely on his judgment and his nerve to undertake what he proposes. I would, therefore, defer to him as much as is consistent with your own responsibilities. The first object to be attained is to get a firm position on the spit of land on which Fort Fisher is built, from which you can operate against that fort. You want to look to the practicability of receiving your supplies, and * Subordinate reports of Butlers expedition will appear in Vol. XLII Page 42 LOUISIANA AND TH~ T1~ANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLYL to defending yourself against superior forces sent against you by any of the avenues left open to the enemy. If such a position can be obtained, the siege of Fort Fisher will not be abandoned until its reduction is accomplished or another plan of cam- paign is ordered from these headquarters. My own views are that, if you effect a landing, the navy ought to run a portion of their fleet into Cape Fear River, while the balance of it operates on the outside. Land forces cannot invest Fort Fisher, or cut it off from supplies or re-enforcements, while the river is in possession of the enemy. A siege train will be loaded on vessels and sent to Fort Monroe, in readiness to be sent to you if required. All other supplies can be drawn from Beaufort as you need them. Keep the fleet of vessels with you until your position is assured. When you find they can be spared, order them back, or such of them as you can spare, to Fort Monroe, to report for orders. In case of failure to effect a landing, bring your command back to Beaufort, and report to these headquarters for further instruc- tions. You will not debark at Beaufort until so directed. General Sheridan has been ordered to send a division of troops to Baltimore and place them on sea-going vessels. These troops will be brought to Fort Monroe and kept there on the vessels until you are heard from. Should you require them they will be sent to you. U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General. Lient. Col. C. B. Comstock, aideAe-camp (now brevet brigadier- general), who accompanied the former expedition, was assigned in orders as chief engineer to this. It will be seen that these instrnc- tions did not differ materially from those given for the first expedi- tion, and that in neither instance was there an order to assault Fort Fisher. This was a matter left entirely to the discretion of the com- manding officer. The expedition sailed from Fort Monroe on the morning of the 6th, arriving on the rendezvous, off Beanfort, on the 8th, where, owing to the difficulties of the weather, it lay until the morning of the 12th, when it got nnder way and reached its destina- tion that evening. Under cover of the fleet the disembarkation of the troops commenced on the morning of the 13th, and by 3p. m. was completed without loss. On the 14th, a reconnaissance was pushed to within 500 yards of Fort Fisher, and a small advance work taken possession of and turned into a defensive line against any attempt that might be made from the fort. This reconnaissance disclosed the fact that the front of the work had been seriously in- jured by the navy fire: In the afternoon of the 15th, the fort was assaulted, and after most desperate fighting was captured with its entire garrison and armament. Thus was secured, by the combined efforts of the navy and army, one of the most important successes of the war. Our loss was, killed, 1~0 ~wounded, 536. On the 16th and 17th, the enemy abandoned and blew up Fort Caswell and the works on Smiths Island, which were immediately occupied by us. This gave us entire control of the mouth of the Cape Fear River. * At my request, Maj. Gen. B. F. Butler was relieved, and Maj. Gen. E. 0. C. Ord assigned to the command of the Department of Vir- ginia and North Carolina. The defense of the line of the Tennessee no longer requiring the force which had beaten and nearly destroyed the only army threatening it, I determined to find other fields of operation~or General Thomas surplus troopsfields from which they would co-operate with other movements. General Thomas was therefore directed to collect all troops not essential to hold his communications at Eastport, in readiness for oraers. On the 7th of January General Thomas was directed, if he was assured of the departure of Hood south from * Subordinate reports of Terrys expedition will appear in Vol. XLVI Page 43 CHAP. XLVI.] GENERAL REPOEP. 43 Corinth, to send General Schofield with his corps East with as little delay as possible. This direction was promptly complied with, and the advance of the corps reached Washington on the 23d of the same month, whence it was sent to Fort Fisher and New Berne. On the 26th, he was directed to send General A. J. Smiths command and a division of cavalry to report to General Canby. By the 7th of Feb- ruary the whole force was en ronte for its destination. The State of North Carolina was constituted into a military de- partment, and General Schofield assigned to command, and placed under the orders of Major-General Sherman. The following instruc- tions were given him: CITY POINT, VA., January 31, 1865. Maj. Gen. J. M. SCHOFIELD: GENERAL: * * * Your movements are intended as co-operative with Sher- mans through the States of South and North Carolina. The first point to be attained is to secure Wilmington. Goldsborough will then be your objective point, moving either from Wilmington or New Berne, or both, as you deem best. Should you not be able to reach Goldsborough, you will advance on the line or lines of railway con- necting that place with the sea-coast, as near to it as you can, building the road behind you. The enterprise under you has two Objects: the first is, to give General Sherman material aid, if needed, in his march north; the second, to open a base of supplies for him on his line of march. As soon, therefore, as you can determine which of the two points, Wilmington or New Berne, you can best u~e for throwing supplies from to the interior, you will commence the accumulation of twenty days rations and forage for 60,000 men and 20,000 animals. You will get of these as many as you can house and protect to such poiiit in the interior as you may be able to occupy. I believe General Palmer has received some instructions direct from General Sherman on the subject of securing supplies for his army. You can learn what steps he has taken, and be governed in your requisitions accordingly. A supply of ordnance stores will also be necessary. Make all requisitions upon the chiefs of their respective departments in the field with me at City Point. Communicate with me by every opportunity, and, should you deem it necessary at any time, send a special boat to Fort Monroe, from which point you can communicate by telegraph. The supplies referred to in these instructions are exclusive of those required for your own command. The movements of the enemy may justify, or even make it your imperative duty to cut loose from your base and strike for the interior to aid Sherman. In such case you will act on your own judgment, without waiting for instructions. You will report, however, what you purpose doing. The details for carrying out these instructions are necessarily left to you. I would urge, however, if I did not know that you are already fully alive to the importance of it, pronipt action. Sherman umay be looked for in the neighborhood of Goldsborough any time from the 22d to the 28th of February; this limits your time very materially. If rolling-stock is not secured in the capture of Wilmington, it can be supplied from Washington. A large force of railroad memrha~e already been sent to Beau- fort, and other mechanics will go to Fort Fisher in a day or two: On this point I have informed you by telegraph. U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General. Previous to giving these instructions I had visited Fort Fisher, accompanied by General Schofield, for the purpose of seeing for myself the condition of things, and personally conferring with Gen- eral Terry and Admiral Porter as to what was best ~o be done. Antlclpatlng the arrival of General Sherman at Savannahhis army entirely foot-loose, Hood being then before Nashville, Tenn., the Southern railroads destroyed, so that it would take several months to re-establish a through line from west to east. and regard- ing the capture of tees army as the most important operation toward closing the rebellionI sent orders to General Sherman, on the 6th of December, that after establishing a base on the sea-coast, with necessary garrison to include all his artillery and cavalry, t Page 44 [CHAP. XLVI. 44 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. come by water to City Point with the balance of his command. On the 18th of December, having received information of the defeat and utter rout of Hoods army by General Thomas, and that, owing to the great difficulty of procuring ocean transportation, it would take over two months to transport Shermans army, and doubting whether he might not contribute as much toward the desired result by oper- ating from where he was, I wrote to him to that effect and asked him for his views as to what would be best to do. A few days after this I received a communication from General Sherman, of date 16th December, acknowledging the receipt of my order of the 6th, and informing me of his preparations to carry it into effect as soon as he could get transportation; also, that he had expected, upon reducing Savannah, instantly to march to Columbia, S. C., thence to Raleigh, and thence to report to me; but that this would consume about six weeks time after the fall of Savannah, whereas by sea he could probably reach me by the middle of January. The confidence he manifested in this letter of being able to march up and join me pleased me, and, wi~thout waiting for a reply to my letter of the 18th, I directed him, on the 28th of December, to make preparations to start, as he proposed, without delay, to break up the railroads in North and South Carolina and join the armies operating against Richmond as soon as he could. On the 21st of January I informed General Sherman that I had ordered the Twenty-third Corps, Major-General Schofield command- ing, East; that it numbered about 21,000 men; that we had at Fort Fisher about 8,000 men, at New Berne about 4,000; that if Wilming- ton was captured, General Schofield would go there; if not, he would be sent to New Berne; that, in either event, all the surplus force at both points would move to the interior toward Goldsborough, in co- operation with his move~ment; that from either point railroad com- inunication could be run out; and that all these troops would be subject to his orders as he came into communication with them. In obedience to his instructions, General Schofield proceeded to reduce Wilmington, N. C., in co-operation with the navy under Admiral Porter, moving his forces up both sides of the Cape Fear River. Fort Anderson, the enemys main defense on the west bank of the river, was occupied on the morning of the 19th, the enemy having evacuated it after our appearance before it. After fighting on the 20th and 21st, our troops entered Wilmington on the morning of the 22d, the enemy having retreat~tl toward Goldsborough during the night. Pr~parations were at once made for a movement on Goldsborough in two columnsone from Wilmington, and the other from New Berneand to repair the railroads leading there from each place, as well as to supply General Sherman by Cape Fear River, toward Fayetteville, if it became necessary. The column from New Berne was attacked on the 8th of March at Wises Forks, and driven back with the loss of several hundred prisoners. On the 11th, the enemy renewed his attack upon our intrern4ied position, but was repulsed with severe loss, and fell back during the night. On the 14th, the Neuse River was crossed and Kinston occupied, and on the 21st, Goldsborough was entered. The column from Wilmington reached Coxs I~ridge, on the Neuse River, 10 miles above Goldsbor- ough, on the 22d. By the 1st of February General Shermans whole army was in motion from Savannah. He captured Columbia, S. C., on the 17th; thence moved on Goldsborough, N. C., via Fayetteville, reaching th Page 45 CHAP. XLVI.] GENERAL REPORT. 45 latter place on the 12th of March, opening up communication with General Schofield by way of Cape Fear River. On the 15th, he resumed his march on Goldsborough. He met a force of the enemy at Averysborough, and after a severe fight defeated and compelled it to retreat. Our loss in the engagement was about 600; the enemys loss was much greater. On the 18th, the combined forces of the enemy, under Joe Johnston, attacked his advance at Bentonville, capturing three guns and driving it back upon the main body. General Slocum, who was in the advance, ascertaining that the whole of Johnstons army was in the front, arranged his troops on the defensive, intrenched himself, and awaited re-enforcements, which were pushed forward. On the night of the 21st, the enemy retreated to Smithfield, leaving his dead and wounded in our hands. From there Sherman continued to Goldsborough, which place had been occupied by General Schofield on the 21st, crossing the Neuse River 10 miles above there, at Coxs Bridge, where General Terry had got possession and thrown a pontoon bridge, on the 22d, thus forming a junction with the columns from New Berne and Wil- mington. Among the important fruits of this campaign was the fall of Charleston, S. C. It was evacuated by the enemy on the night of the 17th of February, and occupied by our forces on the lSth.* On the morning of the 31st of January General Thomas was directed to send a cavalry expedition under General Stoneman from East Tennessee, to penetrate South Carolina well down toward Columbia, to destroy the railroads and military resources of the country, and return, if he was able, to East Tennessee, by way of Salisbury, N. C., releasing our prisoners there, if possible. Of the feasibility of this latter, however, General Stoneman was to judge. Shermans movements, I had no doubt, would attract the attention of all the force the enemy could collect and facilitate the execution of this. General Stoneman was so late in making his start on. this expedition, and Sherman having passed out of the State of South Carolina, on the 27th of February I directed General Thomas to change his course, and ordered him to repeat his raid of last fall, destroying the railroad toward Lynchburg as far as he could. This would keep him between our garrisons in East Te~inessee and the enemy. I regarded it not impossible that in the event of the enemy being driven from Richmond he might,~faJJ back to Lynchburg and attempt a raid north through East Tennessee. On the 14th of Feb- ruary the following communication was sent to General Thomas: CITY POINT, VA., February 14, 1865. Maj. Gen. G. H. THOMAS: General Canby is preparing a movement from Mobile Bay against Mobile and the interior of Alabama. His force willeonsist of about 20,000 men, besides A. J. Smiths command. The cavalry you have sent to Canby will be debarked at Vicksburg. It, with the available cavalry already in that sectidn, will move from there eastward, in co-operation. Hoods army has been terribly reduced the severe punish- ment you gave it in Tennessee, by desertion consequent upon their defeat, and now by the withdrawal of many of them to oppose Sherman. (I take it a large portion of the infantry has been so withdrawn. It is so asserted in the Richmond papers, and a member of the rebel Congress said a few days since in a speech that one-half of it had been brought to South Carolina to oppose Sherman.) This being true, or even if it is not true, Canbys movement will attract all the attention of the enemy, and leave the advance from your stand-point easy. I think it advisable, therefore, that you prepare as much of a cavalry force as you can spare, and hold it in readiness to go south. The object would be three-fold: First, to attract as much * Subordinate reports of the campaign of the Carolinas will appear in Vol. XLVII Page 46 46 LOUISIANA AND TILE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. of the enemys force as possible to insure success to Canby; second, to destroy the enemys lines of communication and military resources; third, to destroy or capture their forces brought into the field. Tuscaloosa and Selma would probably be the points to direct the expedition against. This, however, would not be so important as the mere fact of penetrating deep into Alabama. Discretion should be left to the officer commanding the expedition to go where, according to the information he may receive, he will best secure the objects named above. Now that your force has been so much depleted, I do not know~what number of men you can put into the field. If not more than 5,000 men, however, all cavalry, I think it will be sufficient. It is not desirable that you should start this expedition until the one leaving Vicksburg has been three or four days out, or even a week. I do not know when it will start, but will inform you by telegraph as soon as I learn. If you should hear through other sources before hearing from me, you can act on the information received. To insure success, your cavalry should go with as little wagon train as possible, relying upon the country for supplies. I would also reduce the nuiuber of guns to a battery, or the number of batteries, and put the extra teams to the guns taken. No guns or caissons should be taken with less than eight horses. Please inform me by telegraph, on receipt of this, what force you think you will be able to send under these directions. U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General. On the 15th, he was directed to start the expedition as soon after the 20th as he could get it off. I deemed it of the utmost importance, before a general movement of the armies operating against Richmond. that all communication with the city north of James River should be cut off. The enemy having withdrawn the bulk of his force from the Shenandoah Valley and sent it south, or replaced troops sent from Richmond, and desiring to re-enforce Sherman, if practicable, whose cavalry was greatly inferior in numbers to that of the enemy, I determined to make a move from the Shenandoah, which, if suc cessful, would accomplish the first, at least, and possibly the latter Of these objects. I therefore telegraphed General Sheridan as follows: CITY POINT, VA., February 20, 18651 p. m. Maj. Gen. P. H. SHERIDAN: GENERAL: As soon as it is possible to travel I think you will have no difficulty about reaching Lynchburg with a cavalry force alone. From there you could destroy the railroad and canal in every direction, so as to be of no~further use to the rebellion. Sufficient cavalry should be left behind to look after Mosbys gung. From Lynch- burg, if information you might get there would justify it, you could strike south, heading the streams in Virginia to the westward of Danville, and push on and join General Sherman. This additional raid, with one now about starting from East Tennessee under Stoneman, numbering 4,000 or 5,000 cavalry, one from Vicksburg, numbering 7,000 or 8,000 cavalry, one front E~stport, Miss., 10,000 cavalry, Canby from Mobile Bay, with about 38,000 mixed troops, these three latter pushing for Tuscaloosa, Selma, and Montgomery, and Sherman with a large army eating out the vitals of South Carolina, is all that will be wanted to leave nothing for the rebellion to stand upon. I would advise you to overcome great obstacles to accomplish this. Charleston was evacuated on Tuesday last. U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General. On the 25th, I received a dispatch fiom General Sheridan, inquiring where Sherman was aiming for, and if I coul~ give him definite in- formation as to the points he might be expected to move on this side of Charlotte, N. C. In answer the following telegram was sent him: CITY POINT, VA., February 25, 1865. Maj. Gen. P. H. SHERIDAN~ GENERAL: Shermans movements will depend on the amount of opposition he meets with from the enemy. If strongly opposed, he may possibly have to fall back to Georgetown, S. C., and fit out for a new start. I think, however, all danger for the necessity of going to that point has passed. I believe he has passed Charlotte. He may take Fayetteville on hie way to Goldsborough. If you reach Lynchburg Page 47 CHAP. XLVI.] GENERAL REPORT. 4~T you will have to be guided in your after movements by the information you obtain. Before you could possibly reach Sherman, I think you would find him moving from Goldsborough toward Raleigh, or engaging the enemy strongly posted at one or the other of these places, with railroad communications opened from his army to Wilmington or New Berne. U. S. GRANT, Lieutena~nt~General. General Sheridan moved from Winchester on the 27th of February, with two divisions of cavalry, numbering about 5,000 each. On the 1st of March he secured the bridge, which the enemy attempted to destroy, across the Middle Fork of the Shenandoah, atM ount Crawford, and entered Staunton on the 2d, the enemy having retreated on Waynesborough. Thence he pushed on to Waynesborough, where he found the enemy in force in an intrenched position, under General Early. Without stopping to make a reconnaissance, an immediate attack was made, the position was carried, and 1,600 prisoners, ii pieces of artillery, with horses and caissons complete, 200 wagons and teams loaded with subsistence, and 17 battle-flags were captured. The prisoners, under an escort of 1,500 men, were sent back to Winchester. Thence he marched on Charlottesville, destroying effectually the railroad and bridges as he went, which place lie reached on the 3d. Here lie remained two days, destroying the railroad toward Richmond and Lynchburg, including the large iron bridges over the North and South Forks of the Rivanna River, and awaiting the arrival of his trains. This necessary delay caused him to abandon the idea of capturing Lynchburg. On the morning of time 6th, dividing his force into two columns, he sent one to Scotts- yule, whence it marched up the James River Canal to New Market, destroying every lock, and in many places the bank of the canal. From here a force was pushed out from this column to Duguidsville, to obtain possession of the bridge across the James River at that place, but failed. The enemy burned it on our approach. The enemy also burned the bridge across the river at Hardwicksville. The other column moved down the railroad toward Lynchburg, destroying it as far as Amherst Court-House, 16 miles from Lynchburg; thence across the country, uniting with the column at New Market. The river being very high, his pontoons would not reach across it; and the enemy having destroyed the bridges by which he had hoped to cross the river and get on the South Side Railroad about Farmville, and destroy it to Appomattox Court-T~oi~e, the only thing left for him was to return to Winchester or strike a base at the White House. Fortunately, he chose the latter. From New Market he took up his line of march, following the cammal toward Richmond, destroying every lock upon it and cutting the banks wherever practicable, to a point 8 miles east of Goochland, concentrating the whole force at Columbia on the 10th. Here he rested one day, and sent through by scouts information of his whereabouts and purposes, and a request for supplies to meet him at White House, which reached me on the night of the 12th. An infantry force was immediately sent to get possession of White House, and supplies were forwarded. Moving from Columbia in a direction to threaten Richmond to near Ashland Station, he crossed the Annas, and after having destroyed all the bridges and many ~iniles of the railroad, proceeded down the north bank of the Pamunkey to White House, which place he reached on the l9th.* * $uborclinate reports of ~lmeridans expedition will appear in Vol. XLVI Page 48 48 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XINI. Previous to this the following communication was sent to General Thomas: CITY POINT, VA., March 7, 15659.30 a. m. Maj. Gen. G. H. THOMAS: GENERAL: I think it will be advisable now for you to repair the railroad in East Tennessee, and throw a good force up to Bulls Gap and fortify there. Supplies at Knoxville could always be got forward as required. With Bulls Gap fortified, you can occupy as outposts about all of East Tennessee, and be prepared, if it should be required of you in the spring, to make a campaign toward Lynchburg or into North Carolina. I do not think Stoneman should break the road until he gets into Virginia, unless it should be to cut off rolling-stock that may be caught west of that. U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General. Thus it will be seen that in March, 1865, General Canby was moving an adequate force against Mobile and the army defending it under General Dick Taylor; Thomas was pushing ont two large and well- appointed cavalry expeditionsone from Middle Tennessee, under B~evet Major-General Wilson, against the enemys vital points in Alabama; the other from East Tennessee, under Major-General Stoneman, toward Lynchburgand assembling the remainder of his available forces preparatory to offensive operations from East Ten- nessee~ General Sheridans cavalry was at White House; the Armies of the Potomac and James were confronting the enemy under Lee in his defenses of Richmond and Petersburg; General Sherman with his armies, re-enforced by that of General Schofield, was at Goldsborough; General Pope was making preparations for a spring campaign against the enemy under Kirby Smith and Price, west of the Mississippi, and General Hancock was concentrating a force in the vicinity of Winchester, Va., to guard against invasion or to operate offensively, as might prove necessary. After the long march by General Sheridans cavalry over winter roads, it was necessary to rest and refit at White House. At this time the greatest source of uneasiness to me was the fear that the enemy would leave his strong lines about Petersburg and Richmond for the purpose of uniting with Johnston, before he was driven front them by battle or I was prepared to make an effectual pursuit. On the 24th of March General Sheridan moved from White House, crossed the James River at Jones Landing, and formed a junction with the Army of the Potomac in front of Petersburg on the 27th. During this move General Ord ~enr f6ces to cover the crossings of the Chickahominy. On the 24th of March the following instructions for a general movement Qf the armies operating against Richmond were issued: CITY POINT, VA., March 24, 1865. Major-Generals MEADE, ORD, and SHERIDAN: GENERAL: On the 29th instant the armies operating against Richmond will be moved by our left, for the double purpose of turning the enemy out of his present position around Petersburg and to insure the success of%he cavalry under General Sheridan, which will start at the same time, in its efforts to reach and destroy the South Side and Danville Railroads. Two corps of the Army of the Potomac will be moved at first in two columns, taking the two roads crossing Hatchers Run nearest where the present line held by us strikes that stream. both moving toward Din- widdie Court-Hous~. The cavalry under General Sheridan, joined by the division now under General Davies, will move at the same time by the Weldon road and the Jerusalem plank road, turning west from the latter before crossing the Nottoway, and west with the whole column before reaching Stony Creek~ General Sheridan will thee mov Page 49 CHAP. XLVI.] GENERAL REPORT. 49 independently, under other instructions which will be given him. All dismounted cavalry belonging to the Army of the Potomac, and the dismounted cavalry from the Middle Military Division not required for guarding property belonging to their arm of service, will report to Brigadier-General Benham, to be added to the defenses of City Point. Major-General Parke will be left in command of all the army left for holding the lines about Petersburg and City Point, subject, of course, to orders from the commander of the Army of the Potomac. The Ninth Army Corps will be left intact to hold the present line of works so long as tile whole line now occupied by us is held. If, however, the troops to the left of the Ninth Corps are withdrawn, then the left of the corps may be thrown back so as to occupy the position held by the army prior to the capture of the Weldon road. All troops to the left of the Ninth Corps will be held in readiness to move at the shortest notice by such route as may be designated when the order is given. General Ord will detach three divisions, two white and one colored, or so much of them as he can, and hold his present lines and march for the present left of the Army of the Potomac. In the absence of further orders, or until further orders are given, the white divisions will follow the left column of the Army of the Potomac, and the colored division the right column. During the movement Major- General Weitzel will be left in command of all the forces remaining behind from the Army of the James. The movement of troops from the Army of the James will commence on the ni0ht of the 27th instant. General Ord will leave behind the miminum number of cavalry necessary for picket duty, in the absence of the main army. A cavalry expedition from General Ords command will also be started from Suffolk, to leave there on Saturday, the I st of April, under Colonel Sumner, for the purpose of cutting the railroad about Hicksford. This, if accomplished. will have to be a surprise, and therefore from 300 to ~00 men will be sufficient. They should, however, be sup- ported by all the infantry that can be spared from Norfolk and Portsmouth, as far out as to where the cavalry crosses the Blackwater. The crossing should probably be at Uniten Should Colonel Sumner succeed in reachin~ the Weldon road he will be 4~structed to do all the damage possible to the triangle of roads between Hicksford, on, and Gaston. The railroad bridge at Weldon being fitted up for the passage of carriages, it might be practicable to destroy any accumulation of supplies the enemy may have collected south of the Roanoke. All the troops will move with four days rations in haversacks and eight days in wagons. To avoid as much haul- ing as possible, and to give the Army of the James the same number of days supply with the Army of the Potomac, General Ord will direct his commissary and quar- termaster to have sufficient supplies delivered at the terminus of the road to fill up in passing. Sixty rounds of ammunition per man will be taken in wagons, and as nrnch grain as ~he transportation on hand will carry, after taking the specified amount of other supplies. The densely wooded country in which the army has to operate making the use of much artillery impracticable, the amount taken with the army will be reduced to six or commanders. eight guns to each division, at the option of the army All necessary preparations for carrying these directions into operation may be commenced at once. The reserves of the Ninth Corps should he massed as much as possible: While I would not now order an unconditional attack on the enemys line by them, they should be ready, and should make the attack if the enemy weaken his line in their front, without waiting f~ o~ders. In case they carry the line, theii the whole of the Ninth Corps could follow up, so as to join or co-operate with the balance of the army. To prepare for this the Ninth Corps will have rations issued to them, same as the balance of the army. General Weitzel will keep vigilant watch upon his front, and if found at all practicable to break through at any point, he will do so. A success north of the James should be followed up with ~reat promptness. An attack will not be feasible unless it is found that the enemy has detached largely. In that case it may be regarded as evident that the enemy are relying upon their local reserves, principally, for the defense of Richmond. Pieparatmons may be made for abandoning all the line north Qf the James, except inclosed worksonly to be abandoned, however, after a break~s made in the lines of the enemy. By these instructions a large part of the armies operating against Richmond is left behind. The enemy, knowing this, may, as an only chance, strip their lines to the merest skeleton, in the hope of advantage not being taken of it, while they hurl everythin~, against the moving column, and return. It cannot be impressed too strongly upon commanders of troops left in the trenches not to allow this to occur without taking advantage of it. The very fact of the enemy coming out to attack, if he does so, might be regarded as almost conclusive evidence of such a weakening 4 R RVOL XXXIV, PT Page 50 50 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSJSS[I~PJ. [CHAP. XLVI. of his lines. I would have it particularly enjoined upon corps commanders that, in case of an attack from the enemy, those not attacked are not to wait for orders from the commanding officer of the army to which they belong, but that they will move promptly, and notify the commander of their action. I would also enjoin the same action on the part of division commanders when other parts of their corps are engaged. In like manner, I would urge the importance of following up a repulse of the enemy. ~. ~. ~ Lieutenant-General. Early on the morning of the 25th, the enemy assanited our lines in front of the Ninth Corps (which held from the Appomattox River toward our left) and carried Fort Stedman and a part of the line to the right and left of it, established themselves, and turned the guns of the fort against us; but our troops on either flank held their ground until the reserves were brought up, when the enemy was driven back with a heavy loss in killed and woui~ded and 1,900 prisoners. Our loss was 68 killed, 337 wounded, and 506 missing. General Meade at once ordered the other corps to advance and feel the enemy in their respective fronts. Pushing forward, they capt- ured and held the enemys strongly intrenched picket-line in front of the Second and Sixth Corps, and 834 prisoners. The enemy made desperate attempts to retake this line, but without success. Our loss in front of these was 52 killed, 864 wounded, and 207 missing. The enemys loss in killed and wounded was far o~reater. General Sherman having got his troops aff quietly in camp about Goldsborough and his preparations for furnishing sup p lies to them perfected, visited me at City Point on the 27th of arc , and stated that he would be ready to move, as he had previously written me, by the 10th of April, fully eqnipped and rationed for twenty days, if it should become necessary to bring his command to bear against Lees army, in co-operation with our forces in front of Richmond and Petersburg. General Sherman proposed in this movement to threaten Raleigh, and then, by turning suddenly to the right, reach the Roanoke at Gaston or thereabouts, whence he couhl move on to the Richmond and Danville Railroad, striking it in the vicinity of Burkeville, or join the armies operating against Richmond, as might be deemed best. This plan he was directed to carry into execution, if he received no further directions in the mean time. I explained to him the movement I had ordered to conimence on the 29th of March; that if it should not prove as entirely successful as I hoped, I would cut the cavalry roo~e to destroy the Danville and Soufh Side Railroads, and thus deprive the enemy of further sup- plies, and also prevent the rapid concentration of Lees and John- stons armies. I had spent days of anxiety lest each morning should bring the report that the enemy had retreated the night before. I was firmly convinced that Shermans crossing the Roanoke would be the signal for Lee to leave. With Johnston and him combined, a long, tedious, and expensive campaign, consuming most o~the summer, might be- come necessary. By moving out I would put the army in better condition for pursuit, and would at least, by the destruction of the Danville road, retard the concentration of the two armies of Lee and Johnston and cause the enemy to abandon much material that he might otherwise save. I therefore determined not to delay the move- ment ordered. On the night of the 27th, Major-General Ord, with two divisions of the Twenty-fourth Corps, Major-General Gibbon commanding, and one division of the Twenty-fifth Corps, Brigadier Page 51 CHAP. XLVLI GENERAL REPORT. 51 General Birney commanding, and Mackenzies cavalry, took up his line of march in pursuance of the foregoing instructions, and reached the position assigned him near Hatchers Run on the morn- ing of the 29th. On the 28th, the following instructions were given to General Sheridan: CITY POINT, VA., ,ZJIar~h 28, 1865. Maj. Gen. P. H. SHERIDAN: GENERAL: The Fifth Army Corps will move by the Vaughn road at 8 a. m. to- morrow morning. The Second moves at about 9 a. in., having but about 3 miles to march to reach the point designated for it to take on the right of the Fifth Corps, after the latter reaching Dinwiddie Court-House. Move your cavalry at as early an hour as you can, and without being confined to any particular road or roads. You may go out by the nearest roads in rear of the Fifth or s, pass by its left, and, passing near to or through Dinwiddie, reach the right and rear of the enemy as soon as you can. It is not the intention to attack the enemy in his intrenched position, but to force him out, if possible. Should he come out and attack us, or get himself where he can be attacked, move in with your entire force in your own way, and with the full reliance that the army will engage or follow, as circumstances will dictate. I shall be on the field, and will probably be able to communicate with you. Should I not do so, and you find that the enemy keeps within his main intrenched line, you may cut loose and push for the Danville road. If you find it practicable, I would like you to cross the South Side road, between Petersburg and Burkeville, and desfroy it to some extent. I would not advise much detention, however, until you reach the Danville road, which I would like you to strike as near to the Appo- mattox as possible. Make your destruction on that road as complete as possible. You can then pass on to the South Side road, west of Burkeville, and destroy that in like manner. After having accomplished the destruction of the two railroads, which are now the only avenues of supply to Lees army, you may return to this army, selecting your road further south, or you may go on into North Carolina and join General Sherman. Should you select the latter course, get the information to me as early as possible, so that I may send orders to meet you at Goldsborough. U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General. On the morning of the 29th, the movement commenced. At night the cavalry was at Dinwiddie Court-House, and the left of our infan- try line extended to the Quaker road, near its intersection with the Boydton plank road. The position of the troops, from left to right, was as follows: Sheridan, Warren, Humphreys, Ord, Wright, Parke. Everything looked favorable to the defeat of the enemy and the capture of Petersburg and Richmond, if the proper effort was made. I therefore addressed the following communication to Gen- eral Sheridan, having previously informed him verbally not to cut loose for the raid contemplated in his or~ef~ until he received notice from me to do so: GRAVELLY CREEK, March 29, 1865. Maj. Gen. P. H. SHERIDAN: GENERAL: Our line is now unbroken from the Appomattox to Dinwiddie. We are all ready, however, to give up all, from the Jerusalem plank road to Hatchers Run, whenever the forces can be used advantageously. After getting into line south of Hatchers we pushed forward to find the enemys position. General Griffin was attacked near where the Quaker road intersects the Boydton road, but repulsed it easily, capturing about 100 men. Humphreys reached Da~eys Mills, and was pushing on when last heard from. I now feel like ending the matter, if it is possible to do so, before going back. I do not want you, therefore, to cut loose and go after the enemys roads at present. In the morning push around the enemy, if you can, and get on to his right rear. The movements of the ~j1emys cavalry may, of course, modify your action. We will act all together as one army here until it is seen what can be done with the enemy. The signal officer at Cobbs Hill reported, at 11.80 a. in., that a cavalry column had passed that point from Richmond toward Petersburg, taking forty minutes to pass. U. S. GRANT, Lieuter~a nt-General Page 52 [CHAP. XLVI. 52 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. From the night of the 29th to the morning of the 31st, the rain fell in snch torrents as to make it impossible to move a wheeled vehicle, except as corduroy roads were laid in front of them. During the 30th, Sheridan advanced from Dinwiddie Court-House toward Five Forks, where he found the enemy in force. General Warren ad- vanced and extended his line across the Boydton plank road to near the White Oak road, with a view of getting across the latter; but find- ing the enemy strong in his front and extending beyond his left, was directed to hold on where he was and fortify. General Humphreys drove the enemy from his front into his main line on the Hatcher, near Burgess Mills. Generals Ord, Wright, and Parke made exam- inations in their fronts to determine the feasibility of an assault on the enemys lines. The two latter reported favorably. The enemy confronting us, as he did, at every point from Richmond to our ex- treme left, I conceived his lines must be weakly held, and could be penetrated if my estimate of his forces was correct. I determined, therefore, to extend our line no farther, but to re-enforce General Sheridan with a corps of infantry, and thus enable him to cut loose and turn the enemys right flank, and with the other corps assault the enemys lines. The result of the offensive effort of the enemy the week before, when he assaulted Fort Stedman, particularly favored this. The enemys intrenched picket-line captured by us at that time threw the lines occupied by the belligerents so close together at some points that it was but a moments run from one to the other. Preparations were at once made to relieve Geiieral Hum- phreys corps to report to General Sheridan, but the condition of the roads prevented immediate movement. On the morning of the 31st General Warren reported favorably to getting possession of the White Oak road, and was directed to do so. To accomplish this, he moved with one divisioii, instead of his whole corps, which was at- tacked by the enemy in superior force and driven back on the Sec- ond Division before it had time to form, and it, in turn, forced back upon the Third Division, when the enemy was checked. A division of the Second Corps was immediately sent to his support, the enemy driven back with heavy loss, and possession of the White Oak road gained. Sheridan advanced, and with a portion of his cavalry got possession of the Five Forks, but the enemy, after the affair with the Fifth Corps, re-enforced the rebel cavalry defending that point with infantry, and forced him back toward Dinwiddie Court-House. Here General Sheri~ai~ displayed great generalship. Instead of retreating with his whole cominaiid on the main army, to tell the story of superior forces encountered, he deployed his cavalry on foot, leaving only mounted men enough to take charge of the horses. This compelled the enemy to deploy over a vast extent of wooded and broken country, and made his progress slow. At this juncture he dispatched to me what had taken place, and that he was dropping back slowly on Dinwiddie Court-House. General Mac- kenzies cavalry and one division of the FiNi Corps were immedi- ately ordered to his assistaiice. Soon~ after, receiving a report from General Meade that Humphreys could hold our position on the Boyd- ton road, and that the other two divisions of the Fifth Corps could go to Sheridan~ they were so ordered at once. Thus the operations of the day necessitated the sending of Warren, because of his accessi- bility, instead of Humphreys, as was intended, and precipitated in- tended movements Page 53 CHAP. XLVI.] GENERAL REPORT. 53 On the morning of the 1st of April, General Sheridan, re-enforced by General Warren, drove the enemy back on Five Forks, where, late in the evening, he assanlted and carried his strongly fortified position, captnring all his artillery and between 5,000 and 6,000 prisoners. Abont the close of this battle Bvt. Maj. Gen. Charles Griffin relieved Major-General Warren in command of the Fifth Corps. The report of this reached me after nightfall. Some ap- prehensions filled my mind lest the enemy might desert his lines dnring the night, and by falling npon General Sheridan before as- sistance conid reach him, drive him from his position and open the way for retreat. To gnard against this, General Miles division of Hnmphreys corps was sent to re-enforce him, and a bombard- ment was commenced and kept np nntil 4 oclock in the morning (April 2), when an assanlt was ordered on the enemys lines. Gen- eral Wright penetrated the lines with his whole corps, sweeping everything before him ajid to his left toward Hatchers Run, captnr- ing many gnns and several thonsand prisoners. He was closely fol- lowed by two divisions of General Ords command, until he met the other division of General Ords that had sncceeded in forcing the enemys lines near Hatchers Rnn. Generals Wright and Ord imme- diately swnng to the right, and closed all of the enemy on that side of them in Petersburg, while General Hnmphreys pnshed forward with two divisions and joined General Wright on the left. General Parke sncceeded in carrying the enemys main line, capturing guns and prisoners, bnt was unable to carry his inner line. General Sheridan, being advised of the condition of affairs, retnrned General Miles to his proper command. On reaching the enemyslines iinme- diately snrrounding Petersburg, a portion of General Gibbons corps, by a most gallant charge, captnred two strong inclosed works, the most salient and commanding south of Petersburg, thus materially shortening the line of investment necessary for taking in the city. The enemy south of Hatchers Rnn retreated westward to Suther- lands Station, where they were overtaken by Miles division. A severe engagement ensued and lasted until both his right and left flanks were threatened by the approach of General Sheridan, who was moving from Fords Station toward Petersburg, and a divis- ion sent by General Meade from the front of Petersburg, when he broke in the utmost confusion, leaving in our hands his guns and many prisoners. This force retreated h~y ~e main road along the Appomattox River. During the night of the 2d, the enemy evacuated Petersburg and Richmond, and retreated toward Danville. On the morning of the 3d, pursuit was commenced. General Sheridan pushed for the Danville road, keeping near the Appomattox, fol- lowed by General Meade with the Second and Sixth Corps, while General Ord moved for Burkeville along the South Side road; the Ninth Corps stretched along that road behind him. On the 4th, Gen- eral Sheridan struck the Danville road near Jetersville, where he learned that Lee was at Amelia Court-House. H~immediately in- trenched himself and awaited the arrival of General Meade, who reached there the next day. General Ord reached Burkeville on the evening of the 5th. On the morning of the 5th, I addressed Major-General Sherman the following communication: WILSONS STATION, April 5, 1865. Maj. Gen. W. T. SHERMAN: GENERAL: All indications now are that Lee will attempt to reach Danville with the remnant of his force. Sheridan, who was up with him last night, reports al Page 54 54 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. that is left, horse, foot, and dragoons, at 20,000, much demoralized. We hope to reduce this number one-half. I shall push on to Burkeville, and if a stand is made at Danville, will in a very few days go there. If you can possibly do so, push on from where you are, and let us see if we cannot finish the job with Lees ~nd Johnstons armies. Whether it will be better for you to strike for Greensborough or nearer to Danville, you will be better able to judge when you receive this. Rebel armies now are the only strategic points to strike at. U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General. On the morning of the 6th, it was found that General Lee was moving west of Jetersville toward Danville. General Sheridan moved with his cavalry (the Fifth Corps having been returned to General Meade on his reaching Jetersville) to strike his flank, fol- lowed by the Sixth Corps, while the Second and Fifth Corps pressed hard after, forcing him to abandon several hundred wagons and sev- eral pieces of artillery. General Ord advanced from Burkeville to- ward Farmville, sending two regiments of infantry and a squadron of cavalry, under Bvt. Brig. Gen. Theodore Read, to reach and de- stroy the bridges. This advance met the head of Lees column near Farmville, which it heroically attacked and detained until General Read was killed and his small force over~owered, This caused a delay in the enemys movements, and ena led General Ord to get well up with the remainder of his force, on meeting which the en- emy immediately intrenched himself. In the afternoon General Sheridan struck the enemy south of Sailors Creek, captured 16 pieces of artillery, and about 400 wagons, and detained him until the Sixth Corps got up, when a general attack of infantry and cavalry was made, which resulted in the capture of 6,000 or 7,000 prisoners, among whom were many general officers. The movements of the Second Corps and General Ords command contributed greatly to the days success. On the morning of the 7th, the. pursuit was renew ed, the cavalry, except one division, and the Fifth Corps moving by Prince Edward Court-House; the Sixth Corps, General Ords command, and one division of cavalry, on Fariuville, and the Second Corps by the High Bridge road. It was soon found that the enemy had crossed to the north side of the Appomattox; but so close was the pursuit that the Second Corps got possession of the common bridge at High Bridge before the enemy could destroy it, and immediately crossed over. The Sixth Corps and a division of cavalry crossed at Farm- ville to its support. Feeling now that General Lees chance of escape was utterly hope- less, I addressed him the following conimunication from Farmvil I e: APRIL 7, 18~5. General R. E. LEE: GENERAL: The result of the last week must convince you of the hopelessness of further resistance on the part of the Army of Northern Virginia in this struggle. I feel that it is so, and regard it as my duty.to shift from myself the responsibility of any further effusion of blood by asking of you the surrender of that portion of the C. S. army known as the Army of Northern Virgint~. U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General. Early on the morning of the 8th. before leaving, I received, at Farmville, the following: APRIL 7, 1865. Lent. Gen. U. S. GRANT: GENERAL: I have received your note of this date. Though not entertaining the opinion you express on the hopelessness of further resistance on the part of th Page 55 CHAP. XLVI.] GENERAL REPORT. 55 Army of Northern Virginia, I reciprocate your desire to avoid useless effusion of blood, and therefore, before considering your proposition, ask the terms you will offer on condition of its surrender. R. E. LEE, General. To this I immediately replied: APRIL 8, 1865. General R. E. LEE: GENERAL: Your note of last evening, in reply to mine of same date, asking the condition on which I will accept the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, is just received. In reply I would say that, peace being my great desire, there is but one condition I would insist upon, namely, that the men and officers surrendered shall be disqualified for taking up arms again against the Government of the United States until properly exchanged. I will meet you, or will designate officers to meet any officers you may name for the same purpose, at any point agreeable to you, for the purpose of arranging definitely th~ terms upon which the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia will be received. U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General. Early on the morning of the 8th, the pursuit was resumed. Gem~ eral Meade followed north of the Appomattox, and General Sheridan, with all the cavalry, pushed straight for Appomattox Station, fol- lowed by General Ords command and the Fif or s. During the day General Meades advance had considerable fighting with the enemys rear guard, but was unable to bring on a general engage- ment. Late in the evening General Sheridan struck the railroad at Appomattox Station, drove the enemy from there, and captured twenty-five pieces of artillery, a hospital train, and four trains of cars loaded with supplies for Lees army. During this day I accom- panied General Meades column, and about midnight received the following communication from General Lee: APRIL 8,1865. Lieut. Gen. U. S. GRANT: GENERAL: I received at a late hour your note of to-day. In mine of yesterday I did not intend to propose the surrender of ~he Army of Northern Virginia, but to ask the terms of your proposition. To be frank, I do not think the eniergency has arisen to call for the surrender of this army, but as the restoration of peace should be the sole object of all, I desired to know whether your proposals would lead to that end. I cannot, therefore, meet you with a view to surrender the Army of Northern Virginia, but as far as your proposal may affect the C. S. forces under my command, and tend to the restoration of peace, I should be pleased to meet you at 10 a. in., to-morrow, on the old stage road to Richmond, between the picket-lines of the two armies. ~ R. K LEE, General. Early on the morning of the 9th, I returned him an answer as follows, and immediately started to join the column south of the Appomattox: APRIL 9, 1865. General R. E. LEE: GENERAL. Your note of yesterday is received. I have no~uthority to treat on the subject of peace; the meeting proposed for 10 a. m. to-day could lead to no good. I will state, however, general, that I am equally anxious for peace with yourself, and the whole North entertains the same feeling. The terms upon which peace can be had are well understood. By the South laying down their arms they will hasten that most desirable event save thousands of human lives, and hundreds of millions of property not yet destroyed. Seriously hoping that all our difficulties may be set. tled without the loss of another life, I subscribe myself, & c., U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General Page 56 56 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. On the morning of the 9th, General Ords command and the Fifth Corps reached Appomattox Station jnst as the enemy was luaking a desperate effort to break through onr cavalry. The infantry was at once thrown in. Soon after a white flag was received, reqnesting a suspension of hostilities pending negotiations for a surrender. Be- fore reaching General Sheridans headquarters I received the follow- ing from General Lee: APRIL 9, 1865. Lieut. Gen. U. S. GRANT: GENERAL: I received your note of this morning on the picket-line, whither I had come to meet you and ascertain definitely what terms were embraced in your pro- posal of yesterday with reference to the surrender of this army. I now ask an in- terview in accordance with the offer contained in your letter of yesterday for that purpose. R. E. LEE, General. The interview was held at Appomattox Court-House, the result oi~ which is set forth in the following correspondence: APPOMATTOX COURT-HOUSE, VA., April 9, 1865. General R. E. LEE: GENERAL: In accordance with the substance of my letter to you of the 8th instant I propose to receive the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia on the follow- ing terms, to wit: Rolls of all the officers and men to be made in duplicate, one copy to be given to an officer to be designated by me, the other to be retained by such officer or officers as you may designate. The officers to give their individual paroles. not to take up arms against the Government of the United States until properly ex- changed; and each company or regimental commander sign a like parole for the~ men of their commands. The arms, artillery, and public property to be parked and. stacked, and turned over to the officers appointed by me to receive them. This will not embrace-the side-arms of the officers nor their private horses or baggage. This done, each officer and man will be allowed to return to his home, not to be disturbed by U. S. authority so long as they observe their paroles and the laws in force where they may reside. U. S. GRANT. Lieutenant-General. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, April 9, 1865. Lieut. Gen. U. S. GRANT: GENERAL: I received your letter of this date containing the terms of surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia as proposed by you.. As they are substantially the same as those expressed in your letter of the 8th instant, they are accepted. I. will proceed to designate the proper officers to carry the stipulations into effect. R. E. LEE, General. The command of Major-General Gibbon, the Fifth Army Corps, under Griffin, and Mackenzies cavalry, were designated to remain at Appomattox Court-House until the paroling of the surrendered army was completed, and to take charge of the public property. The re- mainder of the army immediately returned to the vicinity of Burke- ville. General Lees great influence throughout the whole South caused his example to be followed, and to-day the result is that the armies lately under his leadership are at their~iomes, desiring peace and quiet, and their arms are in the hands of mr ordnance officers. * On the receipt of my letter of the 5th, General Sherman moved directly against Joe Johnston, who retreated rapidly on and through Raleigh, whicb~place General Sherman occupied on the morning of the 13th. The day preceding news of the surrender of General Lee * Subordinate reports of the final operations against Lees army will appear in Vol. XLVI Page 57 CHAP. XLVI.] GENERAL REPOT9~T. 57 reached him at Smithfield. On the 14th, a correspondence was opened between General Sherman and General Johnston, which resulted on the 18th in an agreement for a suspension of hostilities and a mem- oranduin tr basis for peace, subject to the approval of the President. This agreement was disapproved by the President on the 21st, which disapproval, together with your instructions, was communicated to General Sherman by me in person, on the morning of the 24th, at Raleigh, N. C., in obedience to your orders. Notice was at once given by him to General Johnston for the termination of the truce that had been entered into. On the 25th, another meeting between them was agreed upon, to take place on the 26th, which terminated in the surrender and disbaudmuemit of Johnstons army upon substan- fially time same terms as were given to General Lee. ~ The expedition under Genei~al Stoneman from East Tennessee got off on the 20th of March, moving by way of Boone, N. C., and struck the railroad at Wytheville, Chambersburg, and IRig Lick. The force striking it at Big Lick pushed on to within a few miles of Lynch- burg, destroyimmg the important bridges, while with the main force he effectually destroyed it between New River and Big Lick, and then turned for Greensborough, on the North Carolina railroad, struck that road, and destroyed the bridges between Danville and Greensborommgh and between Greensborough and the Yadkin, to- gether with the depots of supplies along it, and captured 400 pris- omiers. At Salmsbury he attacked and defeated a force of the enemy under General Gardner, capturing 14 pieces of artillery and 1, :364 prisoners, and destroyed large amounts of army stores. At this p lace he destroyed 15 muiles of railroad and the bridges to~ward Char- lotte. Tbence he moved to Slatersville. t General Canby, who had been directed in January to make prepa- ratiomis for a movement from Mobile Bay against Mobile and the interior of Alabama, commenced his movement on the 20th of March. The Sixteenth Corps, Maj. Gen. A. J. Smith comumanding, moved from Fort Gaimies by water to Fish River; the Thirteenth Corps, under Maj. Gem Gordon Granger, moved from Fort Morgan and joined time Sixteenth Corps on Fish River, both moving thence on Spanish Fort and investing it on the 27th; while Major-General Steeles com- mand moved from Pemisacola, cut the railroad leadimig fromn Tensas to Montgomery, effected a junctiomi with them, and partially invested Fort Blakely. After a severe bombardmem~t of Spanish Fort, a part of its line was carried omi the 8th of Apfilf During the night the enemy evacuated the fort. Fort Blakely was carried by assault on time 9th, and many prisoners captured; our loss was considerable. These successes practically opened to us the Alabama River, and enabled us to approach Mobile from the north. On the night of the 11th, the city was evacuated, and was taken possession of by our forces on the morning of the 12th. t The expedition under comumnand of Brevet Major-General Wilson, consisting of 12,500 monuted men, was delayed by rains until March 22, when mt moved from Chickasaw, Ala. On the 1st of April Gen- eral Wilson encountered the enemy in force under Forrest near Ebe- nezer Church, drove himu in confusion, captured 300 prisoners and 3 guns, and destroyel the Central bridge over the Cahawba River. * Subordinate reports of the final operations against Johnstons army will appear in Vol. XLVII. j Subordinate reports of Stonemans expedition and Canbys operations against Mobile will appear in Vol. XLIX Page 58 58 LOUISIANA AND TIlE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CIIAP. XLVI. On the 2d, he attacked and captured the fortified city of Selma, de- fended by Forrest with 7,000 men aud thirty-two guns, destroyed the arsenal, armory, naval foundry, machine -slio ps, vast quantities of stores, and captured 3,000 prisoners. On the 4th, he captured and de- stroyed Tuscaloosa. On the 10th, he crossed the Alabama River, and after sending information of his operations to General Canby marched on Montgomery, which place he occupied on the 14th, the enemy hav- ing abandoned it. At this place many stores and five steam-boats fell into our hands. Thence a force marched direct ou Columbus, and another on West Point, both of which places were assaulted and capt- ured on the 16th. At the former place we got 1,~00 prisoners and 52 field guns, destroyed 2 gun-boats, the navy-yard, foundries, arsenal, many factories, and much other public property. At the latter place we got 300 prisoners, 4 guns, and destroyed 19 locomotives and 300 cars. On the 20th, be took possession of Macon, Ga., with 60 field guns, 1:200 militia, and 5 generals, surrendered by Gen- eral Howell Cobb. General Wilson hearing that Jeff. Davis was trying to make his escape, sent forces in pursuit, and succeeded in capturing him on the morning of May 11. On the 4th day of May, General Dick Taylor surrendered to General Canby all the remain- ing rebel forces east of the Mississippi. * A force sufficient to insure an easy triumph over the enemy unde~ Kirby Smith, west of the Mississippi, was immediately put in motion for Texas, and Major- General Sheridan designated for its immediate command; but on the 26th day of May, and before they reached their destination, Gen- eral Kirby Smith surrendered his entire conimand to Major-General Canby. This surrender did not take place, however, until after the capture of ~the rebel President and Vice-President, and the bad faith was exhibited of first disbanding most of his army and per- mnitting an indiscriminate plunder of public property. Owing to the report that man y of those lately in arms against the Government had taken refuge upon the soil of Mexico, carrying with them arms rightfully belonging to the United States, which had been surrendered to us by agreement (among them some of the leaders who had surrendered in person), and the disturbed condition of affairs on the Rio Grande, the orders for troops to proceed to Texas were not changed. rrhere have been severe combats, raids, expeditions, and move- inents to defeat the designs and purposes of the enemy, most of them reflecting great credit on oitr ~rms, and which contributed greatly to our final triumphs, that I huve not mentioned. Many of these will be found clearly set forth in the reports herewith sub- mitted; some in the telegrams and brief dispatches announcing them, and others, I regret to say, have not as yet been officially re- ported. For information touching our Indian difficulties, I would respectfully refer to the reports of the commamiders of departments in which they have occurred. It has been my fortune to see the armies of .j~ot1i the West and the East fight battles, and from what I have se~n I know there is no difference in their fighting qualities. All that it was possible for men to do in battle they have done. The Western armies commenced their battles in~the Mississippi Valley, and received the final surren- der of the remnant of the principal army oppOSC(l to them in North Carolina. The armies of the East commenced their battles on the river from which the Army of the Potomac derived its name, and * Subordinate reports of Wilsons expedition will appear in Vol. XLIX Page 59 CHAP. XLVI.] OPERATIONS IN NORTHEASTERN ARKANSAS. 59 received the final surrender of their old antagonist at Appomattox Court-House, Va. The splendid achievements of each have nation- alized our victories, removed all sectional jealousies (of which we have iinfortnnately experienced too much), and the cause of crimi- nation and recrimination that might have followed had either sec- tion failed in its duty. All have a proud record, and all sections can well congratulate themselves and each other for having done their full share in restoring the supremacy of law over every foot of territory belonging to the United States. Let them hope for perpetual peace and harmony with that enemy, whose manhood, however mistaken the cause, drew forth such herculean deeds of valor. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, IT. S. GRANT, Lieutenant- General. Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War. JANUARY 130, 1864.Operations in Northeastern Arkansas, including skirmishes at Lunenburg, Sylamore, and on Sylamore Creek. REPORTS. No, 1.CoI. Robert R. Livingston, First Nebraska Cavalry, commanding District of Northeastern Arkansas. No. 2.Lieut. Col. William Baumer, First Nebraska Cavalry, of scout from Bates- ville, January 23-80. No. 3.Capt. Samuel E. Turner, Sixth Missouri State Militia Cavalry, of skirmish on Sylamore Creek, and including operations January 16-February 6. No. 1. Reports of Gol. Robert R. Livingston, First Nebraska Cavalry, com manding District of Northeastern Arkansas. HDQRS. DISTRICT OF NORTHEASTERN ARKANSAS, Batesrille, Ark., January 26, 1864. COLONEL: I have the honor to reporJ~ t~iat since my last letter, under date December 31, 1863, I have kept the enemy constantly harassed. So effectually has this been done so far, that not one of my pickets or foraging parties has been disturbed since my arrival here. Numerous scouting parties have been sent out in every direc- tion, wherever the enemy was reported to be, and we have invariably succeeded in demoralizing them. Lieutenant-Colonel Baumers expedition after Freeman, which I mentioned in mine of December 31, 1863, was a failure by reason of the extraordinary cold weather, some 60 nien of hi~ command hav- ing been more or less frost-bitten, and all of them so numbed by the cold while riding that they could not use their arms. He wisely returned, and I refer you to hisreport, * herewith transmitted, for other particulars. On the 13th instant I sent an expedition out under Captain Majors, which captured a very interesting mail from Saint Louis to the Con- federates under General Price. The letters therein will convict * Not found Page 60 [CHAP. XLVI. 60 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. several influential parties in Saint Louis. These letters are in the hands of District Provost-Marshal Allen, who will forward them to Colonel Broadhead, provost-marshal-general of the departmellt, for his action. On the 15th, I sent Lieutenant Harris out with a small reconnoiter- ing party, ostensibly to procure beef-cattle, but in reality to obtain information of the enemys movements under McRae, who was reported at Jacksonport. He was so far successful as to get the cattle and also valuable news of the enemy, as per his report,* for- warded herewith. I at once organized an expedition, under Captains Turner and Majors, of my regiment, the result of which is contained in his report. * I regret most sincerely the unfortunate circum- stances attending the captains scout. To have lost such men as lie had captured was virtually losing the whole fruit of his labors, but I beg to say that if they stay within 100 miles of me II will have them again, dead or alive. On the 19th, learning that a force of Freemans commaiid were feeling their way toward me, I immediately sent a small party, under Captain Baxter, Fourth Arkansas Infantry, who charged 200 of the enemy at Lunenburg. 30 miles from here, and drove them, killing and wounding several. I inclose his report,* to which I refer you for particulars. The man reported missing in Captain Baxters report was killed while gallantly refusing to surrender to superior numbers. He killed his man before being disabled. Fearing that the steamer Pocahontas, expected here by the 20th instant, might be detained and attacked by guerrillas from west side of White River, I dispatched Captain Castle, Eleventh Missouri Cavalry, ~ with 75 men, to scour the country in the neighborhood of the Grand Glaize. He succeeded in dispersing a band of them, capturing Col. Jim Rutherford and Lieutenant Stone. His report, * sent herewith, gives all the particulars. Thus, within the last twenty days, six expeditions have been sent out, besides numerous minor ones with forage parties. The effect of these movements is of the very best character, and the people see that, while I forgive those who surrender under the proclamation, I at the same time hunt down and destroy all who will not. I cannot convey in words the dread that armed rebels have of my command. We never stop to count nnmbers, but rush right into them and invariably rout them. If I had 500 more, cavalry here I would be able to do the work assigned me far more effectually than at ~re~ent. My horses have to be watched very carefully, for this heavy duty will soon break them down, and I frequently have to reduce the force at the post here to 100 men, and on one occasion it was less than that but as the tents stand the encampments deceive the enemy, and the impression abroad is that there are many more Federals here than there really are. Recruiting goes on very slowly ; hope it will increase soon. I do not ask for troops, but as I am right among the enemy I could nse them to greater advantage than where they are at many stations in Mis- souri. I feel certain that with a sufficiency of men, so as to move on the enemys encampments from different directions, I would cap- ture and destroy all there is of them in Northern Arkansas in two months. The enemy do not seem desirous of engaging us, and from their untiring efforts at conscripting the men in the country and arresting *Sce Part II, pp. 105, 140. tOn the 18th Page 61 CHAP. XLVI.] OPERATIONS IN NORThEASTERN ARKANSAS. 61 deserters from Prices army, I am satisfied that General Price either fears an attack from General Steele or he meditates one. The whole object of the Confederate officers seems to be to get to Prices army with their commands. My belief is that the numerous guerrilla bands who have consorted with Freeman and McRae since the publication of my proclama- tion, which they did to save their lives, will most refuse to go, and I shall have them left to fight after I drive the rest out. Rumors are rife that Marmaduke is coming up north of the Little Red River to help these conscripts through to Prices army. There are 300 men reported 40 miles from here, on the Searcy and Grand Glaize road, under McRae. I will attack them from three points next Thursday, and direct the officer in charge to telegraph the result to you. Lieutenant-Colonel Baumer is now out with 200 men, trying to capture Freemans forces. Will send dispatch as soon as I hear trom him. I have 95,000 rations at the mouth of Black River, but the roads are impassable and river too low to boat them up. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. R. LIVINGSTON, Lieut. Cot. ~. D. GREENE, Colonel, Commanding District. Asst. Acljt. Gem., Dept. of the ~lfissonrm. BATESVILLE, ARK., January 30, 1864. I have just heard from an expedition sent out under Lieutenant-Col- onel Baumer against Freemans command. We killed 30, wounded a large number, captured 60 men, and a large number of horses. Cas- ualties on our side, 1 sergeant wounded slightly. The command of rebels was completely broken up and routed. Col. Miscal Johnston amid Captain Mason, C. S. Army (a nephew of Senator Mason), sur- rendered under my proclamation yesterday. R. R. LIVINGSTON Cot. ~. D. GREENE, Colonel, Commanding District. Assistant Adjutant- General. HDQRS. DISTRICT OF NORTHEASTERN ARKANSAS, Batesrille, January 30, 1864. LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to report, for the information of Major-General Steele, that I have made two very successful attacks on the enemy in this neighborhood, one at Jacksonport and the other at SyJamore. At the first-named place we captured about 60 pris- ()Iiers, killiAg 16, and wounding a large number, without casualties on our side. At Sylamore we captured 40 men, 6~ horses, a large mmumuber of arms, killimig 12, amid woundimig many, with the wound- ing of I of our sergeamit s only. The attack on Jacksonport was made on the 19th, that at Sylanmoi~e on the 26th instant. There ought to be a force at Searc~y, Ark. The conscript officers are untiring in their efforts to procure men. The enemy avoid engaging us, all(l seek only to get through the country to join Price, who either muedi- tates an attack On Little Rock or fears one on his own forces. This I infer from the great energy displayed in his endeavors to increas Page 62 62 LOUISIANA AND TILE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. his forces by conscription. My force is small, but of the right mate- rial. We never stop to count numbers, but always close on the enemy at the charge and invariably rout them. Col. Miscal John- ston surrendered himself to me a few days ago. My proclamation is having a salutary effect on the inhabitants. My orders to all scouting parties are to shoot every rebel found in Federal uniform, an dto destroy all bushwhackers wherever found. Captain Dunscomb, Third Arkansas Cavalry, will give you further news of the enemy. They are numerous, but not concentrated at any one place .Ih ave kept theum apart by rapid movements, amid they are terrified at the appearance of any parties of my command in this district. I should be pleased to co-operate with any detach- ments sent up t6 this neighborhood from Little Rock, and believe that frequently penetrating the country between us will render their proposed emigration to Price impossible. I am, lieutenant, very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. R. LIVINGSTON, Colonel First Nebraska Cavalry, Corndg. District. Lieutenant SOKALSKI, Acting Assistant Adjutant- General. ADDENDA. Abstract fro2n Record of Events on return of the District of North eastern Arkansas for January, 1864. January 2.The mail was sent to Little Rock, Ark., under charge of Lieutenant Thompson, acting assistant quartermaster, with an escort of 1 sergeant and 10 privates of the First Nebraska Cavalry. Lieutenant Thompson returned with the steamer Pocahontas, loaded with commissary ammd quartermasters stores. The boat, not able to run up to Batesville on account of low water, discharged her freight at Jacksonport and Magnes Landing, Ark. Four squadrons First Nebraska Cavalry, under command of Captain Curran, detached to Jacksonport since January 17, in order to guard above stores. The boat Pocahontas returned to Devalls Bluff. January 12.Three men of the First Nebraska Cavalry and 1 scout belonging to this command, captured by Major Freemans forces on December 31, 1863, came in under a flag of truce in charge of Captain Grace, C. S. Arumy. January 13.Captain Majors, with a detachment of 150 men, was sent out on a scout to attack an encampment of guerrillas about 28 miles from this place. The detachment returned the 14th instant with 6 prisoners and a captured rebel mail. Official report for- warded to headquarters Department of the Missouri, January 26. January 17.First Battalion First Nebraska Cavalry, under com- mand of Captain Majors, was ordered on a scout to Ja~ksonport to attack General McRaes forces. On the evening of the same day a detadhmnent of Eleventh Missouri Cavalry, ~u charge of Captain Kauffman was sent out to re-enforce Captain Majors. Official report forwarded to headquarters Departnient of the Missouri, January 26. January 18.Captain Castle, Eleventh Missouri Cavalry, with a detachment~of same regiment, was ordered to march to Grand Glaize for the purpose of protecting the steamer Pocahontas coming ill) from Devalls Bluff. January 23. Lieutenant-Colonel Baumer, with Second Battalion First Nebraska Cavalry, and the above-named detachment, Sixt Page 63 CHAP. XLVI.] OPERATIONS IN NORTHEASTERN ARKANSAS. 63 Missouri State Militia Cavalry, left this post in order to attack and destroy all rebel encampments north and west of Batesville. Ordered to move via Hookram, Lunenbnrg, Sylamore, and Big North Fork. Returned January 30. Copy of Lieutenant-Colonel Baumers offi- cial report forwarded by the same mail as this report. January 27.Lieutenant-Colonel Stephens reported at this post with a detach ment of 29 men, First Nebraska Cavalry, and 32 men, Eleventh Missouri Cavalry. Copy of Lieutenant-Colonel Stephens report in regard to his niarch from Rolla, Mo., to Batesville for- warded to headquarters Department of the Missouri, January 30.* Jctuuary 30.Captain Kauffman, with 75 men, and Captain Castle. with 50 men, Eleventh Missouri Cavalry, ordered on a scout to Graiid Glaize and Searcy, Ark.; not returned yet. Captain Dunscomb left the same day with his detachment for Little Rock, Ark., carrying the mail from this post. No. 2. Report of Lient. Cot. William Baumer, First Nebraska Cavalry, of scout from BatesriUe, January 2330. HEADQUARTERS FIRST NEBRASKA CAVALRY, Batesrille, Ark., February 1, 1864. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit to you the report of an expe- dition sent out January 23, 1864, from Batesville, Ark., under the following orders received from district headquarters, viz: HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTHEASTERN ARKANSAS, Col. WILLIAM BAUMER, Batesrille, Ark., January 23, 1864. C~omincoiding Expedition to Northwest: COLONEL: You will proceed immediately and attack every rebel encampment you find north and west of this point. Move via Hookram, Lunenburg, Sylamore, and Big North Fork. Should you find Freemans command at any one of these points you need go no farther. Shoot every rebel soldier you find in Federal uni- form, and destroy all armed bushwhackers. Endeavor to reach White River Mon- day morning so as to co-operate with the forces I send up to Sylamore. On North Fork of Sylamore you will find and destroy a powder-mill operating there. Should the town be occupied by guerrillas, and should they fire on your men, burn them out. Treat the inhahitants of the country with,, k~dness and give receipts for all necessaries you have to take; and above all, prevent your men from pillaging or straggling. Instruct your men to spare no bushwhackers. Do not divide your force into fractional parts, but keep them in good order, as you are liable to attack at any moment. Federal troops are ordered into Searcy and Newton Counties by General Sanborn, which you may perhaps meet. I have placed the detachment of Sixth Regiment Missouri State Militia Cavalry under your command. As soon as you get them past Freeman you will permit them to go either to Yellville or Leb- anon, as the captain commanding deems best. The object of this expedition is to capture or destroy Freemans camp, and I rely on your good judgment to accom- plish it. Rapidity of movement is essential to your success, and b~ especially careful to guard all the prisoners you take. When they are encamped in a house sentinels should be placed inside as well as out, with orders to make them lie down at night, and shoot them if they rise without obtaining permission. Wishing you success, I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. R. LIVINGSTON, Colonel, Commanding. The command, consisting of Companies H, B, D, I, and a com- bined company of men from the First Battalion First Nebraska Cay- ~lry~ numbering in all 192 men and 10 officers, with an additional * See Part II, p. 176 Page 64 64 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIi~PI. [ChAP. XLVI. detachment from the Sixth Missouri State Militia, comprising 95 men, under command of Captain Tnrner, * and 5 guides, making a force of 303 men, started from Batesville at 9 a. m. on the 23d day of Jannary, 1864, and took vip the line of march on the road leading northeast to HoQkram. The command marched in the following order: First, the scouts and 25 picked men and horses as patrols and advance guard; fifty paces in rear of them the reserve of the ad- vance guard, in number 40 men. The main column of four com- panies First Nebraska Cavalry and the Sixth Missouri State Militia in rear followed, with distance of 150 paces from the reserve of the advance guard. At Curia Post-Office, 13 miles distant from Batesville, the advance guard saw a number of horses tied near a house in the woods. They charged and surrounded the building, which was then occupied by menibers of a Masonic lodge. Most of the members had taken the oath of allegiance and some of theni were personally known to me as loyal citizens, and the command did not further interfere with their meeting. The march was continued in the same order except that Company I was detailed as rear guard. At 4 p. m. the com- mand halted, the horses were fed, and the men cooked their rations, when the march was resumed at 5.30 o~ciock and continued until 7.30 p. m. When the column was within l~ miles from Evening Shade, or Hookram, I sent the advance and reserve on a by-road to take post in rear of the town, and after the position was taken the corn- mand dashed into town, one party taking the left the other the right hand road, and so completely surrounded the town and every house and searched after a party of rebels which were reported to have been in th~ place the preceding day. All the information I obtained there was that a fellow called Captain Adams had about 75 men in company with him, and had before encamped on a hill near Brushy Creek, about 6 miles northeast from the place. The commamid started in that direction and was halted 2 miles from town (marching in all 27 miles that day) to give the horses rest and forage. At 12 mid- imight two commipanies were sent to the camp-ground of the rebels, 4 miles distant, and returned at 5 a. m. January 24. They found the camp abandoned, the rebels having heft it the day before and marched toward the Salem road. At 6 a. mu. the command moved in the same order as before, with advance flankers and rear guard toward Frank- lin Post-Office, on the Salem and Batesville road. The flankers met 2 arnied rebels, who ran off. They ~ve~e pursued, and 1 of them was mortally wounded, and upon being questioned stated that Freeman was collecting a force near Lunenburg to attack Batesville, and had already assembled a force of 800 men. At Franklin Post-Office I learned that Captain Adams had taken the military route toward Yehlvihhe the day before; and also that Colonel Freeman was concentrating his bands for a raid into Bates- viihe, which induced me to hunt up the rebel force under his coin- mand. At 1 p. in., the comumand halted for one hmo~r to feed horses, amid thien marched to Lnmiemmburg, arriving there at 5 P. mm, havimig niarchied that day 28 miles. During the (hay some prisoners had been takemi for ynmnuing off in the woods ali(l miot giving an account of their actions amid homes. The column starte(l next morning at S a. m. toward Mount Olive, on White River. Two companies were * See Turners report, p. 67 Page 65 CHAP. XLVI.] OPERATIONS IN NORTHEASTERN ARKANSAS. 65 sent through the hills south of the maui road. Three armed guer- rillas were killed, and about 10 prisoners taken. At 1 p. in., the whole command forded White River to attack the rebel force then at Sylamore, 7 miles distant from Mount Olive. The advance guard charged into Sylamore, driving the rebels out, who fired into our forces from very steep and high hills. Three companies dismounted and advanced as skirmishers, killing and wounding several rebels and driving them from the hills. In the first attack Sergeant Mil- len, Company G, First Nebraska Cavalry, was shot in the upper part of the right leg and placed in a house, where he was left. The whole command again mounted and pursued the flying rebels for about 5 miles. I then moved forward toward Riggsville to meet the com- mand of the Eleventh Missouri Cavalry, expected to co-operate with the force under my command, and encamped about 9 miles south of Syhamore, where forage was obtained for the animals. The distance marched that day was 30 miles, over a very rocky and hilly road. At 3 a. in., January 26, I started the whole force back to Syhamore, expecting that the rebels had gathered there again. I sent skir- mishers on foot over the hills, and found that the rebels had not come in. From some information received I learned that Freeman had his whole force encamped near a mill omi North Syhamore River, and sent Conipanies D and I, under command of Captain Potts, as a reconnoitering party to tIme mill. They were fired upomi several times from the hills when passing, but without receiviiig any harm. Freeman was encamped there before, but had moved his camp to a mill on the Middle Sylaniore, about 14 miles from thie month of the creek and town of Sylamore. The two companies fed their horses and took their breakfast at the mill and returned to the command at 12 in., bringing some prisoners with them and reporting thiat the mill had Caught fire and was burned down. The remainder of the command had in the mean time rested in town. During thie absence of the reconnoitering party some bandits were seen on the top of the hills observing our immovements. Some men of the First Nebraska amid some of the Sixth Missouri State Militia asked permission to ascend the hills, which I granted, ordering them, however, to remain withiii hearing distance of the bugles. They came back with 2 captured U. S. horses and saddles, amid a cavalry uniform taken from one of the men who had worn it. There were 4 (lead bodies left on the hill; on one of them was found a recruiting commission as Captamn Evans, given by Colonel Fr~en~n. None of our men were hurt. At 1.30 p. in., after I had sent the wounded sergeant in a fiat-boat down the river, escorted b~ 3 citizens taken as prisoners, the command moved out to the Bnrrowsville amid Batesville road to attack Freemans camp early time next morning. Marched 13 miles and camped imear the Blue Mountains (having marched that day a distance of 32 umiles), and were then only 6 miles distant from the rebel camp. There was a rumor in the neighborhood that Freeman had over 1,000 men, and would attack us during t~e night. The whole command was formed in order of battle on a favorable ground for a cavalry fight. The pickets were carefully posted, and every mnamm rested on his arms to be ready at a moments warning. Nothing occurred that night amid the column moved at 5.30 oclock, January 27. After advancing nearly 6 miles the advance guard came upon a rebel picket of 10 men, of whom 7 were captured and 2 killed; 5 R RYOL XXXIV, PT Page 66 [CHAP. XLVI. 66 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS~MJ5SlSSIPPJ. 1 man alone escaped. The command was rapidly brought up, and went the nearest route to Freemans camp, north of Rohrers Mill, on Middle Sylamore Creek. Several shots were fired from there at our advance and the whole force dashed into the camp, but the rebels had slipped out on a by-road, and were hiding themselves. From infor- mation obtained and judging by the tracks I ascertained that Free- mans train and a portion of his forces had moved novthward along the creek. I sent the advance guard and one squadron in charge of Captain Ribble in pursuit of them, and collected the remainder of my force, placing the prisoners and led horses in the center of the column, and followed the advance guard. The train was overtaken, the wagons containing camp equipage and officers clothing were de- stroyed by fire, 12 mules and a number of horses were captured, 8 men were killed (among them a Captain Franks, who had a recruit- ing commission with him); also 7 men were taken prisoners. I learned that Freeman intended to encamp on Big Flat and had his wagons directed to that point. III therefore hastened to that place before the rebels could get possession, and obtained all the forage, reaching Big Flat at 3 p. in., having marched 25 miles. Both horses and men were very much exhausted, and it was necessary to halt for two hours. rfwo squadrons were then sent out into the hills toward the Burrowsville road to reconnoiter and ascertain the enemys whereabouts. In this they were unsuccessful. At 2 oclock on the morning of the 28th, I started my forces back over the hill road and found that the enemyhad been trying to pass our camp in the night, but failing in this had returned. I followed his tracks to Coopers Mill, where I heard that Freeman had retreated to the town of Syla- more. A party of 25 men was sent out to the old encampment of Freeman at Rohrers Mill. They had found no rebels, and that Rolirers Mill was burned and destroyed. The command of the Sixth Missouri State Militia, under Captain Turner, there took the road toward Burrowsville, where a portion of the Eighth Missouri State Militia were reported to have been. I rec- ominended that Captain Turirnr, after joining the Eighth Missouri State Militia, should march toward North Fork of White River to in- tercept Freeman. I continued the march with the remainder of my command, with prisoners and captured horses, toward Sylamore, sending two squadrons into that place to ascertain if the enemy had possession of it. All I could learn was that Freemami had probably crossed the river at Mount Olive~, moving to the North Fork of White River. After marching 33 miles my command encamped 5 miles south of Sylamore. At 4 a. in., January 29, a detachment of two squadrons was sent to a place called Round Bottom. The re- mainder of the command continued on time Batesville road to Hinkles farm, and from there to South Rocky Bayou, where the two squad- rons from Round Bottom joined them. Some guerrillas and bandits were seen upon the hills; 2 of them were killed and several wounded. A number of horses were captured on the save occasion. The com- bined forces then marched to White River and forded it at the mouth of Rocky Bayou, encamping upon the plantation of the rebel Colonel Black. Time distance marched that day was 20 miles. On the morning ~f the 30th, at 2.30 & clock, the command started and marched down the river to Walls Ferry and there took the main road toward Batesvihle, arriving there at 2 p. in., after niarching 25 miles. The main object of the expedition was not accomplished, o Page 67 Gun. XLVLJ OPERATIONS IN NOEIflASflfl ARKANSAs. 67 account of the cowardice of the enemy, who would never make a stand for a fight, and fled whenever they heard of our approach. They would have been annihilated if my force could have come upon them, but the formation of the hills and mountains and their thorough acquaintance with them gave them a great advantage and enabled ~em to avoid us and escape. I learned that Freeman had 380 men fully armed and equipped, and 60 men iitdiferently armed. The loss on our side on the expedition was 1 man (Sergeant Millen, Company G, First Nebruiska Cavalry.) wounded, and 1 horse shot through the neck. Five horses became completely exhausted, and had tobeshot. The rebel loss is 25 men killed andanumber wounded; 36 prisoners were brought into Batesvilie, and 4 others were paroled to report at district headquarters. The rebel transpor- tation train was captured and 4estroyed. The papers of Freemans quartermaster and the colonels commission were taken, and 12 good mules and about 60 horses were taken and brought with the com- mand to Batesville. The weather was very fine, the roads in good condition, and the men in the best of spirits. In the eight days of our absence from Batesville the command traveled 236 miles, averag- ing nearly 30 miles per day. The officers and men both of the First Nebraska and Sixth Mis- souri State Militia behaved very well and every order was obeyed promptly. Annexed to this report is a sketch * of that portion of the count over which my command traveled, and will show how often the col- umn changed the direction of its march in vain endeavors to bring on an engagement with the enemy. I remain, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. BAUMER, Lieutenant-Colonel First Nebraska Cavalry. Capt H. C. FILLnRowN, duet. A4jt. (len., District Northeastern Arkansas. No. & Resort of C7t. Samuel E. Thrner, Sb,tk Missouri Skate Militia aval , o skvrintsh on Sylamore Creek, and including open- hone January 16-February 6. HDQRs. Cox~nry D, SIXTH Mo. STAn Mmna CAY., 8pre~n~1eld, Mo., February 6, 1864. Sm: I have the honor to make the following report: Pursuant to Special Orders, No. 13, headquarters District of Southwest Missouri, dated January 15, 1864, I proceeded, in command bI 92 men of the Sixth Cavalry Regiment Missouri State Militia to take a dispatch to Batesville, Ark., and marched from Springfield January 16, via Ozark, Beaver Creek, Bratons Store, north of White River, and Springfield Creek, t. Batesville, Ark, distance 191 miles, where we fl{ot found. Page 68 [CHAP. XLVI. 68 lOUISIANA AND THE TI{ANS-MISSISSIPPI. arrived January 21, having captured on our way down 2 captains, 1 third lieutenant, and 5 men belonging to the Confederate Army, with 17 stands of arms, 13 horses and mules; also a small rebel mail, and a large amount of Confederate postage stamps at a post-office near Lick Creek, Ark. January 23, I was joined by 200 men of the First Regiment Ne- braska Cavalry, commanded by Lieiit. Col. W. Baumer, and marched from Batesville, Ark., via Hookram, north and west, via Wild Haws and Richiand, to Sylamore Creek, and attacked a rebel force said to number at least 300 men, commanded by Colonel Freeman, camped on Sylamore Creek. We skirmished with his retreating command for 8 miles, capturing all his transportation, consisting of three wag- ons and 10 mules, and all his camp and garrison equipage. his own private trunk containing his commission, private letters, official doc- uments, and important [papers], consisting of orders; also $5,000 in Confederate money, 49 men, about 70 stand of arms, 1,000 head of horses and mules; killed and wounded 20 or 25 men, making in all captured a total of 57 prisoners, 8 of whom were officers; about 90 stand of arms, 125 horses and mules, completely destroying the enemys entire camp, and scattering his demoralized force in every direction through the mountains. Our loss was 1 man severely wounded. January 28, left Lieutenant-Colonel Baumer and command near the head of Sylamore Creek, he returning to Batesville, Ark., with the prisoners and captured property. I moved in a northwest (lirec- tion 35 miles and joined Captain Human, commandiiig detacbment of 175 men of the Eighth Cavalry Regiment Missouri State Militia at Burrowsville, Searcy County, Ark., sending scouts in every direc- tion. We had continued skirmishing several days with the scattered forces of the enemy and numerous bands of guerrillas, often num- bering 125 men. February 2, left Captain Humans command in the northern part of Searcy County, Ark. He turned over to me3 prisoners of war that he had captured in Taney and Searcy Counties, Ark., 2 of whom were officers. I proceeded on the road to Springfield, Mo., intending to ford White River, opposite Forsyth, but could not, on account of recent late rains, which had raised the river almost to the top of its banks. At daylight February 4, we commenced to cross the river in two small canoes, forcing the horses to swim, being led by the side of the canoes. The whole command ~cro~sed in this manner in safety by sunset, being often annoyed during the day by 25 or 30 bush- whackers that fired upon us, whenever an opportunity offered, from a very high bluff commanding the river. But I succeeded, however, in capturing 3 of them, armed and mounted, probably wounding several others durimig the day. We arrived at Springfield, Mo., Feb- ruary (3, 1864, having been gone twenty-three days and marched 500 miles. In parts of Taney and Searcy Counties aud on the White River forage is quite plenty. In many other sections it is very scarce. There is but very little forage within 30 miles south of Springfield. I am, sir, very respectfully, & c., SAMUEL E. TURNER, Captain Company D, Sixth Cur. Regt. Mo. State Militia. Brigadier-General SANBORN, Commanding District of Southwest Missouri Page 69 O~IA?. XLVI.] SKIRMISH ON THE PECOS RIVER, N. MEX. 39 JANUARY 5, 1864.Skjrmish on the Pecos River, near Fort Sumner, N. Mex. Report of lila]. Henry D. Wallen, Seventh U. S. Infantry. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO, Santa F~, N~ Mix., January lii, 1864. Brig. Gen. LORENZO THOMAS, Adjutant-General U. S. Army, Washington, D. 0.: GENERAL: I have the honor to inclose the official report of a sharp little action with the Navajo Indians, near Fort Sumner, N. Mex., on the Pecos River. You will see that great credit is due to Lieut. Charles Newbold, Fifth U. S. Infaiitry, to Mr. Labadie, Indian agent, to Ojo Blanco, an Apache chief, and to several citizens and soldiers named in Major Wallens report. The extreme severity of the weather doubtless was the reason why it happened that any of the Navajoes escaped. Lieutenant Newbolds name is respectfully sub- mitted for favorable consideration by the War Department. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES H. CARLETON, Brigadier- General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS, Fort Sumner, N. Mew., January 6, 1864. CAPTAIN: I have again the honor of reporting to the general com- manding the department a successful scout made from this post against the Navajo Indians. Yesterday morning at 11 oclock, Ojo Blanco, one of the Apache chiefs, reported to me that the Navajoes had run off the Apache herd about 4 miles in a southerly direction from the post. I numediately started Lieutenant Newbold, Fifth U. S. Infantry, with 10 mounted men of Company B, Second Cav- alry, California Volunteers, and Company D, Fifth U. S. Infantry (all the men that could be mounted at the post), Mr. Labadie, the Indian agent, Mr. Carillo, Mr. Whittemore, and about 25 Apaches in pursuit. I also ordered Captain Calloway with his company (I, First Infantry, California Volunteers), with two days rations, to follow the trail of the mounted party. Lieutenant Ngwbold encountered over 100 Nava]oes, mounted and on foot, about 12 miles in a southeasterly direction from the post, and about 2 miles from the river. A sharp skirmish ensued, in which 9 Navajoes were left dead on the field. The Navajoes then broke into two parties and fled, briskly pursued by Lieutenant Newbold and Mr. Labadie, and a running fight was kept up with both parties for about 10 miles. Mr. Labadie and Mr. Carillo, with Privates Porter, McGrew, and Os~er, of Company B, Second Cavalry, California Volunteers, and about 15 Apaches, pursue(l one party, Privates Porter and McGrew, with 8 Apache~, keeping up the pursuit to the point where the Navajoes again crossed the Pecos, about 35 miles from the post. Of this party of Navajoes only 18 es- caped. These men did well. Lieutenant Newbold, with Sergeant Welch, Corporal Fly~rn, and Private Fitzgeraldine, Company D, Fifth U. S. Infantry, Private Reilly, Company C, Seventh U. S. Infantry Page 70 [CHAP. XLVI. 70 LOUISIANA AND TIlE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. aud Privates Misenheimer, Ross, and Dioux, Company B, Second Cavalry, California Volunteers, Ojo Blanco, and two other Apaches, pursued the other party, 36 in number, until iiear dark. Of this party 17 escaped. You will thus see that only 35 Navajoes escaped, and some of these were wounded. Forty are reported to me by Lieutenant Newbold to have been left dead on the fiel4. From the nature of the ground, bottom land with high grass, it was impossi- ble for him to find the balance, who were doubtless killed or badly wounded to the number of at least 25. At 4 p. in., it being intensely cold (so much so as to severely freeze the hands of Mr. Labadie, and the hands, feet, and ears of several others), the horses and mules of the soldiers being very tired, and a great deal of ammunition hav- ing been expended, and night drawing near, it was deemed advisable by Lieutenant Newbold, commanding the party, to return to the post, which course met with my entire approbation. The cold was so ex- tremne during the entire day that it was with great difficulty the men could load and fire their pieces. Had the weather been milder, it is my belief that all the Navajoes would have been killed. This is the same party whipped by nearly the same command on the 16th ultimo. They have lost in this latter fight 65 men killed or severely wounded. The balance of their blankets, and about 50 head of horses and mules recovered, all belonging to the Apaches, except 2 Govern- ment mules and 6 of Mr. La Rues. Captain Calloway with his company left here with alacrity at the double-quick, and did bis best to reach the scene of action in time, but in my judgment it is impossible for infantry to accomplish any- thing against these sudden I~aids. I would respectfully request that, if compatible with the interests of the service, an additional com- pany of cavalry may be stationed at the post, as this seems to be the great thoroughfare for tIme Navajoes in their marauding expeditions. I would add that some of the friendly Navajoes started in pursuit on foot, but could not keep near the horsemen. They all returned to the post, in nowise discomposed by the drubbing which their thiev- ing brethren had received. In this scont we lost none kifled and but 2 Apaches slightly wounded. Lieutenant Newbold, before at- tacking the Iiidians the second time, told them through the inter- preter that they were in our power, and that if they would surrender he would take them to their friends at the fort. This offer they con- temuptuously i-ejected. I beg to call the attention of the comman(hing general to the gal- lamit and handsome manner in which Lieutenant Newbold, Fifth U. S. Infamitry, managed this very successful engagement. Such con- duct deserves well of the Government. Mr. Labadie, Indian agent, was particmmlamly distinguished; also Mr. Carillo, Mr. Whittemore, Ojo Blanco, and the Apaches generally who were engaged, and all the soldiers of Lieutenant Newbolds command, 11 in imumber, and who have already been mentioned by name. They were cool and obeyed orders, and did their duty imi a highly credita~e manner. Where all behaved so well it would be invidious to particularize. I am, captain, very respectfully, your obeK[ient servant, H. D. WALLEN, Major Seventh U. S. Infantry, Commanding. Capt. BENJAMIN C. CUTLER, Asst. Adjt. Gen. Deparirnecut of New .Miexico Page 71 CHAP. XLVI.] I3~XPEDITION AGAINST TJI1~ XXVA.1O INDIANS. 71 JANUARY 621, 1864.Expedition against the Navajo Indians. IREPORTS. No. 1.Brig. Gen. James H. Carleton, U. S. Army, commanding Department of New Mexico. No. 2.Col. Christopher Carson, First New Mexico Cavalry. No. 8.Capt. Albert Ii. Pfeiffer, First New Mexico Cavalry. No. 4.Capt. Asa B. Carey, Thirteenth U. S. Infantry. No. 1. Report of Brig. Gem. James H Carleton, U. S. Army, commanding Department of New llfexico. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO, Las Graces, N. Alex., February 7, 1864. GENERAL I have the honor herewith to inclose a copy of the re- port of Col. Christopher Carson, commanding the expedition against the Navajo Indians, of his success in marching a command through the Caiion de Chelle, the great stronghold of that tribe, and of the killing of 23 of the warriors and the capture of a large number of prisoners. These prisoners are now en route to the Bosque Redondo. This report is acconipanied by reports of Capt. Asa B. Carey, U. S. Army, marked B and C, and of Capt. Albert H. Pfeiffer, of the First Cavalry, New Mexico Volunteers. I also inclose a copy of a letter from Colonel Carson, written subsequeiit to his return to Fort Canby. It will be seen by these papers that the operatioiis of the troops during the severely cold weather has been of the most praiseworthy character, and been crowned with unparalleled success. This is the first time any troops, whether when the country beloiiged to Mexico or since we acquired it, have been able to pass through the Cafion de Chelle, which, for its great depth, its length, its perpendicular walls, and its labyrinthian character, has been regarded by eminent geolo- gists as the most reniarkable of any fissure (for such it is held to be) upon the face of the globe. It has been the great forti ess of the tribe since time out of mind. To this point they fled when pressed by our troops. Colonel Washington, Colonel Sumner, ali(i many other corn- manders have made an attempt to go thyo~moh it, but had to retrace their steps. It was i~eserved for Colonel ~arsou to be the first to succeed, and I respectfully request the Government will favorably notice that officer and give him a substantial reward for this crown- ing act in a long life spent in various capacities in the service of his country in fighting the savages among the fastuesses of the Rocky Momitains. Capt. Asa B. Carey, of the Thirteenth U. S. Infantry, the chief quartermaster of the expedition against the Navajoes, volunteered for this march, and, as usual with this gallant and~nergetic officer, was particularly iiistinguished. I hope the Government will reward him with the compliment of a brevet. He is entitled to a brevet for his gallantry in assisting the intrepi(l Capt. William H. Lewis, Fifth U. S. Infantry, who~urned the Texan train in Apache CaiThn on the 28th of March, 1862, and he richly (leserves that, ali(l also a brevet for his distinguished services in the operations against the Navajoes. I am sure the Government will iiot be unmindful of the labors of these officers and the brave soldiers who followed them, eveim thoug Page 72 72 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. the field of their operations is far removed from the more important and brilliant events of the great war. Sergt. Andreas Herrera, of Company C, First Cavalry, New Mexico Volunteers, it will be seen, has again distinguished himself, and it affords me great pleasure to call attention to his name. I believe this will be the last Navajo war. The persistent efforts which have been and will continue to be made can hardly fail to bring in the whole tribe before the year ends. I beg respectfully to call the serious attention of the Government to the destitute condition of the captives, and beg for authority to provide clothing for the women and children. Every preparation will be made to plant large crops for their subsistence at the Bosque Redondo the coming spring. Whether the Indian Department will do anything for these Indians or not, you will know, bnt whatever is to be done should be done at once. At all events, as I before wrote to you, we can feed them cheaper than we can fight them. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES H. CARLETON, Brigadier- General, Commanding. Brig. Gen. LORENZO THOMAS, Adjutant-General U. S. Army. No. 2. Reports of Cot. Christopher Carson, First New Mexico Cavalry. HEADQUARTERS NAVAJO EXPEDITION, Fort Canby, N. Mex., January 23, t864. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report, for the information of the general commanding, that on the 6th instant I left this post on an expedition to the Cai~on de Chelle, with commissioned officers, 14, and enlisted men, 375. Owing to the depth of the snow on the mountain which divides the valleys of this section with those of the Pneblo Colorado, it took my command three days to reach that place, a distance heretofore accomplished in one day. While en route on the 8th, my escort killed 1 warrior. On my arrival at the Pueblo Colorado, I was joined by the ox train and its escort, under Maj. Jos~ D. Sena, which I had sent fQrward on the 3d, with the ex- pectation that he would have had time to recuperate his animals before the arrival of my command. In this I was disappointed, as it took his command five days to make 25 miles. and with a loss of 27 oxen. This made it necessary for me to lighten the loads and leave one wagon to enable me to accomplish my object, which I did, leaving behind ten days rations for my command and 25 men as a guard. On the 12th, I arrived at the west opening of the Caiion de Chelle. In the morning I made a detour to the right of the line of march, with my staff and escort, and struck t~e cai~on about 6 miles from the mouth. Wishing to reconnoiter a little previous to com- mencing operations, I proceeded up the caiThn on the south side some 4 or 5 miles farther, but could find no possible means for descend- ing to the botfom of the cai~ou, the heighth of the sides averaging about 1,000 feet and nearly perpendicular. I saw several Indians on the opposite or north side of the canon, but out of range of our small- arms Page 73 CHAP. XLVI.] EXPEDITION AGAINST TIlE NAVAJO INDIANS. 73 Shortly after my return to camp Sergt. Andreas Herrera, of Com- pany C, whom I sent out with ~O men the previous night, returned, bringing in 2 women and 2 children prisoners, and 130 sheep and goats, and having killed 11 Indians. As I expected, at daylight he discovered a fresh trail, and following it rapidly he overtook the Indians as they were about to enter the cai%n, when he immediately attacked them, with the result as above stated. This is the second occasion which I have had to record my sense of the energy and ability displayed by the sergeant in the successful carrying out of my orders, and I respectfully recommend him to the favorable notice of the general commanding. On the morning of the 13th, I sent out two commands to operate on each side of the ca?ion, with three days rations in haversacks. The first, consisting of Companies B and G, First Cavalry, New Mexico Volunteers, under command of Capt. A. B. Carey, Thirteenth U. S. Infantry, on the south, and the second, composed of Companies C and D, under command of Capt. Joseph Berney, First Cavalry, New Mexico Volunteers, on the north side. I accompanied the former party, being very anxious about the safety of Captain Pfeiffers command, whom I had sent from Fort Canby to operate from the east opening, and wishing to gain a knowledge of the topography of the caiion with a view to operations within it. This day I discovered the place where Sergeant Herrera had the fight the day previous. Found 11 dead bodies and 5 wounded (2 mortally). The other 3, though badly wounded, owing to the skill and care be- stowed upon them by Dr. Shout, will no doubt recover. On the 14th, the command continued its march to a point whence the view up the canon was unobstructed to near its eastern outlet, and being unable to discover any signs of Captain Pfeiffers command, or any fresh sign of Indians, and there being no grass for the animals of my escort, I determined to return. I also satisfied myself of the feasi- bility of flanking the south side of the cafton from west to east with- out much trouble, there being no intersecting canons of any extent. On my return to the main camp on the evehing of this day I found, to my great surprise and satisfaction, Captain Pfeiffer and his party in camp, having accomplished an undertaking never before accoin- phished in war timethat of passing through the Canon (IC Chelle from east to west, and this without having had a single casualty in his command. He killed 3 Indians (2 men) and brought in 19 pris- oners, women and children. He found 2 bodies of Indians frozen to death in the cafion. I respectfully incl~s~ his report (marked A), which is very interesting. While en route on my return to camp I was joined by 3 Indians with a flag of truce, requesting permission to come in with their people and submit. I told them through my interpreter that they and their people might come unmolested to my camp up to 10 a. m. next day, but after that time, if they did not come, my soldiers would hunt them up and the work of destruc- tion recommence. Accordingly, next morning, before the time ap- pointed, 60 Indians arrived. They had made known to theni the intentions of the Government in regard to them, anct expresse(l their willingness to emigrate to the Bosque Redondo. They (heclare that owing to the operations of my command they are in a complete state of starvation, and that many of their women and children have already died from this cause. They also state that they would have come in long since, but that they believed that it was a war of exter- mination, and that they were agreeably surprised and (lehighted to learn the contrary from an old captive whom I had sent back t Page 74 74 LOUISIANA AND TJ119~ ThANS-MISS1SSlPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. them for this purpose. II issued them some meat, and as they asked permission to return to their hauuts aud collect the remainder of their people, I directed them to meet me at this post in ten days. They have all arrived here according to promise, many of them with others joining and traveling in with Captain Careys command. This command of 75 men I conferred upon Captain Carey at his own request, he being desirous of passing through this stupendous canon. I sent the party to return through the caflon from west to east, that all the peach orchards, of which there were many, might be destroyed, as well as the dwellings of the Indians. I sent a competent person with the command to make some sketches of the cai~on, which, with a written description of it by Captain Carey in the shape of a report (marked B), I respectfully inclose. This evening (15th) Captain Berney returned with his command, having accomplished the object of his scout with his usual energy and ability. His party surprised and killed 2 Indians and captured 4. Having now accomplished all that was possible in this vicinity I determined to return to Fort Canby for the purpose of being present to receive the Indians as they arrived and to take measures to send out expeditions in other directions, as I feel certain that now is the time to prosecute the campaign with vigor and effect the speedy removal of all the Indians north and west of Little Red River. On my first return to camp I was visited by 4 warriors, who stated that they came from the vicinity of Juanico Mountains; that they had great fears of being killed on approaching our camp, but that their neces- sities overcame their fears. They say that many rich Indians would come in, but were afraid. He who appeared to be the most intelli- gent I furnished with provisions as evidence of having been in my camp, arid he willingly agreed to go to these Indians and assure theni of the protection of the troops, providing they came in with the bona-fide intention of emigrating. At this camp I left the cap- tives with three companies and the ox train, under Major Sena, and pushed ahead myself with two companies and the mule train. I directed Major Sena to remain four whole days at the Pueblo Colo- rado to recuperate his animals. He has not yet arrived. I arrived at this post on the 21st instant, after air absence of sixteen days. I found on my arrival about 110 Indians, who accompanied Captain Careys command. Since then several parties have arrived, until the number now drawing ratio]is is 170. This (loes not include small children. I have been anxiously ~Iodi4rig for a train which should have arrived here two days since. Should it not arrive by Tuesday I shall send these Indians by transportation from the post. In summing up the immediate results of my operations on this expedition, I find the following: Killed, 23; prisoners, 34; volun- tarily surrendered, 200 souls; captured, 200 head of sheep. In addi- tion, we have thoroughly explored their heretofore unknown strong- hold, and Caiion de Chelle has ceased to be a mystery. But it is to the ulterior effects of the expedition that ~I look for tire greatest results. We have shown the Indians that in no place, however formidable or inaccessible in their opinion, are they safe from the pursuit of the troops of this~comnmand, an(l have convinced a large portion of tho~mn that the struggle on their part is a hopeless one. A~Te have also (hemonstrated that the intentions of the Government toward them are eminemitly lumnime, :imi(l dictated by an earimest desire to promote their welfare ; tliat the principle is riot to destroy, but to save them, if they are disposed to be saved. When all this i Page 75 01w?. XLVI.] EXPEDITION AGAINST THE NAVAJO INDIANS. 75 understood by the Navajoes generally, as it soon will be, and when they become convinced that destruction will follow on resistance, they will gladly avail themselves of the opportunities afforded them of peace and plenty nuder the fostering care of the Government, as do all those now with whom I have had any means of communicating. They are arriving almost hourly, and will, I believe, continue to arrive until the last Indian in this section of the country is en route to the Bosque IRedondo. The benefits to the Government and the Territory of this wise policy introduced by the general commanding with regard to those Indians cannot be too highly estimated. It has been repeatedly demonstrated that any treaties heretofore made with those people, so long as they were permitted to remain in their country, were entirely disregarded so soon as the force applied to them was removed, and both by inclination and from want they recommnenced to murder and rob the citizens. The policy of placing them on reservations changes all this. The force will still bear upon them, but without oppressimig them, and their wants will be supplied until such time as by their industry they are able to sup- ply themselves. In the accompaimying communication from Capt. A. B. Carey, chief quartermaster, marked C, you will perceive that Sergt. J. Martin Bird, of Company K, of niy regiment, has had a fight with a party of Navajoes at Ojo del Oso, in which he was successful. The conduct of the sergeant is deserving of praise. To the officers and men of my command I return my thanks for the zealous and efficient manner in which they have seconded my efforts on this as well as on all former occasions. To Capt. A. B. Carey, my chief quartermaster, I am greatly indebted, not only for the able and efficient manner displayed by him iim the manage- ment of his department, but for valuable assistance on other occa- sions; as also to my chief commissary, Lient. F. Cook, Fifth U. S. Infantry. I am especially indebted to the zeal and intelligence of my acting assistant adjutant-general, Lieut. Lawrence G. Murphy, First Cavalry. New Mexico Volunteers, amid I particularly recom- mend hini to the notice of the general coiumandin~ as a most efficient and energetic officer. My thanks are also due to Surg. A. F. Peck and Asst Suro. duties. ~. J. H. Shout for their untiring attention to their I am, captain, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, C. CARSON, Colonel First Cavalry, New ]iLexwo Vols., Cowdg. Capt. BENJAMIN C. CUTLER, Asst. Adjt. Gem., Department of New Mexico. HEADQUARTERS NAVAJO EXPEDITION, Fort Ganby, N. Alex., Janu#ry [23], 1864. SIR: I have the honor to report the arrival, late this evening, of Major Senas command. He brought with him 344 Navajoes, in- cluding the 34 prisoners referred to in my report of this date. Cabara Blanco, a cUief, and one of this party, assures me that Navajoes from various points, to the number of over 11,000, are en route to this post to emigrate. I have now over ~00 Navajoes at this post, but shall have them en route to Santa F6 in two days a Page 76 76 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. farthest. I do not think I am prematnre in congratulating the gen- eral commanding on the speedy and successful result of his meas- ures to restore permanent peace and security to the people of New Mexico. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, C. CARSON, Colonel First Cavalry, New Mexico Vols., Comdg. ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Headquarters Department of New Mexico. No. 3. Report of C~apt. Albert H. Pfeiffer, First New Mexico Cavalry. FORT CANBY, N. MEX., January 20, 1864. SIR: In pursuance to General Orders, No. 29, headquarters Navajo expedition, dated January 2, 1864, I left Fort Canby, N. Mex., on the morning of the 6th instant, with Company H and 33 men of Company E, First Cavalry. New Mexico Volunteers, en route for the east opening of Canon de Chelle. On the first day I marched to the wheat fields, but saw nothing unusual or of importance; distance traveled, 9 miles. On the 7th instant marched to the second hay camp, a distance of 16 miles. During the journey I saw a few Indian tracks, and sent Lient. C. P. Ortiz with a party of men to reconnoiter, and see if he could dis- cover any Indians or overtake them if discovered. Snow about 6 inches deep, and hard marching for the men (having had to pack their blankets and overcoats from the time they started until they met the main body of the expedition), which they endured with heroic resolution. On the 8th, I marched about 10 miles, to a creek near the Cienego Juanico. As we approached the mountain range the snow became deeper and the marching more irksome and fatigu- ing. On the 9th, with the snow very deep. I traveled about 10 miles. On the 11th, marched about ii miles, to the east entrance of Caflon de Chelle, where we encamped. I~uring the trip, on account of the deep snow, which increased in volume as we journeyed along, and which had fallen to the depth of 1~8 ilflches or 2 feet deep, I lost the trails several times, which somewhat impeded the march. Having observed a smoke in the distance I dispatched Sergeant Trujillo, of Company H, with 15 men, to discover, if possible, the locality from which the smoke arose. He returned and brought back with him 8 Indian prisoners (women and children) in aii almost famishing con- dition. It beiiig severely cold two of my men had their feet frozen. On the 11th, I divided my command into three parties, with an advance guard of 15 men, with picks and ~hove1s, as pioneer sap- pers and miners, the main body and my ar~imals being in the rear guard. To each party I assigned a lieuteuaiit (Lieutenants Hub- bell, Ortiz, aiid Laughlin), with instructions to keep as closely con- nected as po~sible. and to move as one body, my presence being required at the most dangerous points, where I could move free and observe the stratagems of the concealed foe. My travel through the ca~oim, for the first 12 miles, was accomplished on the ice of the bed of the stream which courses through it. During the passage of th Page 77 cHAP. XLVI.] EXPEDITION AGAINST THE NAVAJO INDIANS. cafThn I observed plenty of oak, cotton-wood, and scrnb-oak, which grew on both sides on the monntains declivity, the hillsides at the entrance and for the first 12 miles jutting down almost perpen- dicular to the level of the cThon, which was very narrow and con- fined to the channel of the creek. The advance party on that day, under Lieutenant Laughlin, who volunteered to take precedence, caught 4 prisoners. Lieut. C. M. Hnbbell, who was in charge of the rear, had a great deal of trouble in proceeding with the pack trains, as the mules frequently broke through the ice and tumbled down with their loads. All the Indian prisoners taken thus far were half- starved and naked. The cai~on has no road except the bottom of the creek. We traveled mostly on the ice, our animals breaking through every few minutes, and one mule split completely open un- der the exhausting fatigue of the march. On the 12th instant trav- eled about 8 miles; had several skirmishes with the enemy. Indians on both sides of the cafton whooping, yelling, and cursing, firing shots and throwing rocks down upon my command. Killed 2 buck Indians in the encounter and 1 squaw, who obstinately persisted in hurling rocks and pieces of wood at the soldiers. Six prisoners were captured on this occasion. Lieutenant Hubbell followed up some Indians in a tributary caiThn, but could not overtake theni on account of the steepness of the hillsides, where nothing save an Indian or a mountain goat could make tbeir way. I encamped that evening in a secure place, where plenty of wood was to be obtainedthe remains of old Indian lodges. Here I saw several castles or villages, one of which I named Castle Carey, in honor of Capt. A. B. Carey, chief quartermaster of the expedition, which was located high up among the rocks, solidly built, and remarkable for its substantial and beautiful masonry, and denoting taste on the part of the rude barbarians, where most probably some of the chiefs of the tribe re- sided in summer, the village being inaccessible to .the foot-prints of the white man; aiid near to it in the cafion was a large orchard of peach trees, but on account of the fighting and the necessity of being on the constant lookout I was unable to destroy them. From this poim4 westward the cafion widens, the rocky precipice being about~ 1,200 or 1,500 feet high. At some places it spreads out like a beau- tiful savanna, where the corn-fields of the savages are laid out with farmer-like taste, and supplied with acequias for irrigation. At other places the cafton is confined to a narrow compass in a zigzag, meandering course, with high projecting r~zcks and houses built thereon, perforated with caverns and mountain fastnesses 300 or 400 feet above the ground as hiding places. Here the Navajoes sought refuge when pursued by the invading force, whether of neighboring tribes or the arms of the Government, and here they were enabled to jump about on the ledges of the rocks like mountain cats, balloo- ing at me, swearing and cursing and threatening vengeance on my command in every variety of Spanish they were capable of master- ing. A couple of shots from my soldiers with their tri~sty rifles caused the red-skins to disperse instantly, and gave me ~ safe passage through this celebrated Gibraltar~ of Navajodom. At the place where I encamped the curl of the smoke from my fires ascended to where a large body of Indians were resting over my head, but the height was so great that the Indians did not look larger than crows, and as we were too far apart to injure each other no damage was done, except with the tongue, the articulation of which was scarcely audible Page 78 LOUISIANA AND TILE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. On the 13th, traveled about itt) miles, making 30 miles in alltbe whole length of the cai~on, more or lessaccording to my estimate of distances. As I proceeded west the canon became more gently slo~)ing and spreading out wider, but mostly overflowed by the river, which runs in a westerly direction and rises and sinks every few alternate miles until it disappears in the bosom of the earth. At the mouth of the west opening I met Maj. Jos6 D. Sena, in command of the forces under Colonel Carson as an advance scout, to whom I reported. Next day, the 14th instant, during the temporary ab- sence of the major. 3 Indians (2 men and 1 woman) under a flag of truceDrapean Blanc, Drapeau Lous, Tachearrived and saluted me. I received them kindly, friendly, and frankly, and treated them accordingly until Major Sena arrived, to whom 1 turned tbem over with the flag. Colonel Carson arrived the same day, and my mission was ended. Prisoners captured, 19. In conclusion, I have to observe that my thanks are due to Lieu- tenants Hubbell, Ortiz, and Laughlin, and the men of my comlnand, who obeyed orders with alacrity, for the signal aid they rendered me on the trying occasion, they having all determined to perish or force their way through this strong defile, which they gallantly accom- plished without loss of life or limb. I am, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, A. H. PFEIFFER, Captain, First Cavalry, New ])Iexico Volunteers. Lient. LAWRENCE G. MURPHY, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Navajo E~pedition. No. 4. Reports of Capt. Asa B. Carey, Thirteenth U. S. Infantry. FORT CANBY, N. MEX., January 21, 1864. SIR: I have the honor to report that, in compliance with o~ders received from the colonel commanding Navajo expedition, on the 16th instant I left the west opening of Cai~on do Chelle in com- maud of Capt. A. H. Pfeiffers company (H, First Cavalry, New Mexico Volunteers), and detachments attached, on scouts against the Navajo Indians. I marched up t~ie main Ca~omm do Chelly a dis- tance of 4 miles, to a point where the cai~on branched, the north branch running about five degrees north of east, the south branch nearly due east. As I was totally unacquainted with the country, I was undecided which of the cai~ons to follow, but on consu~lting Captain Pfeiffer I found that the north branch was his route from the east end. A knowledge of this almost unknown stronghold of the ~ avaj oes being a valuable acquisition for future operations, I decided to travel the south branch. After marching up the canon for 2 miles, several Indians were discovered ~n the north side, on the cliffs almost immediately above us, and beyond rifle-shot. I halted for the purpose of ascertaining if the side of the cai~on could be asceucled. but~fouml it impossible. In the mean time the number of Indiamis on the rocks above us increased, amid by sigmis and gestures indicated that they desired to come to me. I had with me a Na- vajo Indian, and through him I communicated to them that if they desired to come to me they could do so, when I would make know Page 79 CHAP. XLVI.] EXPEDITION AGAINST THE NAVAJO INDIANS. 79 to them the intentions of the department commander concerning them. They then told me they would come into the cafton at a point higher up. I resumed my niarch, and at 4 p. in. encamped in a wide bottom, each side of the canon being bont 800 yards from my camp, and the estimated height of the sides 1,000 feet. The dis- tance marched this day I estimated at 18 miles, and over a good trail. The Indians in the mean time had followed my line of march, and soon came into camp in large numbers, and were disposed of in snch manner as to prevent injury to my command should they prove treacherous. That night I counted 150 full-grown Indians in my canip, besides many children. I informed them of the humane inten- tions of the department commander concerning them, and that a full and complete submission to his wishes was required, and that under no other circumstances would they be treated with, except as enemies to be fought. They then said they surrendered them- selves to me, and would be governed by any directions I might give them, and would accompany me wherever I desired, but many wished to return to their homes in the mountains to collect and bring in their families. I gave all who desired to leave free permis. siomi to do so, stating to them that within ten days they must report themselves with their families at Fort Canby. They seemed well h)leased, and many left stating that within the time indicated they would comply with my directions. On the morilimig of the 17th instant I resunied my march and marched about 2 miles in the cafton, when I comnienced the ascent to gain the table-laud on the south side of the canon by the only practicable trail leading out of this branch. The trail was very difficult, and found it necessary to un- h)ack my mules in order to enable them to go up the trail, the men carrying the loads. After leaving the east opening of the canon, I marched in a direct line for this post over a broken country cov- ered with pimie and pifiomi, very little grass, and no water. Snow from 6 to 8 inches deep, making it hard marching for the men. En- camped at 4.80 p. mm in a large, open bottom; very good grass, but no wat& r. The distance traveled about 20 miles. On the 15th instamut I resumed my march, and at 8 p. m. arrived at this post. My route the first 10 miles was through pine forest, the smiow from 1 foot to 18 inches deep, and covered with a broken crust not sufficiently hard to bear up the weight of a man, which made the marching exceed- ingly hard. No water on the line of mamh until I arrived at a point known as Ewells hay camp, about 10 miles from the ost where grass and water are abundant. I have the honor to state that I brought into this post 105 full-grown Navajo Imidian prisoners, besides some childremi, and simuce niy arrival they have been comimig in in parties of from 8 to 10, following up my line of march. In marchimig through this cafion, celebrated for its length and depth and for being an almost impregnable strong- hold of the Navajoes, I made such observations as my hiniited time and duties would permit. The main caflon commen es on the west of the Pueblo Colorado Mountains, and runs almost due east, with one short side canon on the south and two on the north. The aver- age width of this I estimated at about 800 yards, and no permanent water within 2~ miles~of its mouth, and no land which has ever been cultivated. At the point where the main cafton branches the streams of the north and south cafions unite, and seem to be permanent. I was inforraQd by all the Indians I questioned that the south branc Page 80 (DRAP. XLVI. 80 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. is the main canon, and from the point where the north and south branches separate to the only practicable point of exit I estimated at 22 miles. From the point where the north and south caftons branch the average width of the sonth cafton was abont 600 yards, though at some points it is not more than 50 yards in width, and the esti- mated height of the sides from 1,000 to 1,500 feet of perpendicular, and in many cases overhanging, rocks. The number of side caflons on the south are three and on the north five, which do not, as far as I could observe, extend more than about 1,000 yards on the south, bnt the north branches are much longer. At points in this branch of the cafion where it widens I saw signs of extensive culti- vation of both wheat and corn. The water appears to be permanent, and from the signs which I observed in spring time a large amount of water must flow through this cafion. The only timber growing in this branch is cotton-wood and box-elder. This cafion is practi- cable for wagons to the point where the trail commences, a distance of about 22 miles from the west end. I have the honor to inclose here- with views* of the east end and west openings, and a view* at my camp, 18 miles from the west opening, executed by Sergeant Van Reen, of Company C, First Cavalry, New Mexico Voluiiteers. To the officers and men of the command are dne my thanks for the manner in which they performed their duties while under my orders. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. B. CAREY, Captain, Thirteenth infantry, Commanding Scouts. Lient. L. G. MURPHY, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Navajo Expedition. OFFICE ACTG. ASST. Q. M. NAVAJO EXPEDITION, Fort Canby, N. Mex., January 22, 1864. SIR: I have the honor to report that on the 17th instant the party at the express station at Ojo del Oso, under charge of Sergt. J. Martin Bird, Company K, First Cavalry, New Mexico Volunteers, attacked and dispersed 21 Navajo Indians, and captured (;of the party. The 6 prisoners were tnrned over to Lieutenant Bisho~p, who passed the station shortly after the capture, to be taken to Fort Wingate. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. B. CAREY, Captain, Thirteenth Infantr4, Actg. Asst. Quartermaster. First Lient. L. G. MURPHY First Cay., New Mexico Vols., Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen. JANUARY 89, 1864.~~~Eombardmeflt of Confederate works at the mouth of Caney Bayou, Tex. Report of Cot. A. Buchel, First Texas Cav~tdry, commanding Sec ond Brigade, Second Division. HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, SECOND DIVISION, Camp near P. McNeils Farm, January 10, 1864. SIR: I have the honor to report that on the 8th instant, at about 11 oclock, a Federal gun-boat commenced shelling our works at the * Not found Page 81 CHAP. XLVI.j AFFAIR AT MATAMORAS, MEXICO. 81 mouth of Caney, which she continued at intervals all day. At her first fire 1 man of Company IE, First Texas Cavalry, was ki]led. In the afternoon a transport was reported to be close in shore about 6 miles below the works, and the brigade was immediately sent to within supporting distance, where they remained all night. About noon on the 9th, the transport having left early in the morning in the direction of Decrows Point, the brigade returned to camp. The gun-boat, which lay at anchor off the works all night, commenced shelling them again on the morning of the 9th, firing during the day about 40 rounds. No casualties, except that previously mentioned, have thus far occurred. The work during the shelling has to be discontinued, but is immediately resumed whenever the gun-boat moves off, which she frequently does. About 10 a. m. on the 9th, a large transport, said to be loaded with troops, passed down in the direction of Decrows Point about 4 p. in.; another gun-boat came to anchor near the one previously mentioned off the works, and I or- dered Colonel Likens with five companies of his regiment to within supporting distance, where they remained all ni~ht. One of the gun-boats having left during the night, Colonel Likens has been ordered to return to camp with his command this morning. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. BUCHEL, Capt. L. G. ALDRICH, Colonel, Commanding. Asst. Adjt. Gem., Eastern Sab-division. JANUARY 1213, 1864Affair at Matainoras, Mexico. Report of ]Ifaj. Gen. Francis J. Herron, U. S. Army, commandin forces on the Rio Grande. HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES ON THE iRio GRANDE, Brownsville, Tex., January 1~, 1864. GENERAL: I have the honor to make the following report of cir- cumstances that transpired here on the night of the 12th instant: About 8 oclock in the evening we were startled by rapid cannon- ading and musketry firing evidently going on in the streets of Mata- moras, just across the Rio Grande, which c~~tinued without cessa- tion, and spreading over the greater portion of the town until 10 oclock. At this hour I received the following communication from Mr. L. Pierce, jr., U. S. consul at Matainoras: UNITED STATES CONSULATE, Maj. Gen. F. ~. HERRON, Jlatamoras, ]Iiexieo, January 12, 186410 p. m. Gommanding U. S. Forces, Brownsville, Tex.: GENERAL: A battle is now raging in the streets of this city between the forces of Governor Manuel Ruiz and Col. Juan N. Cortina. My person ~nd family are in great danger, as the road between here and the ferry is said to be infested with robbers. I have also about $1,000,000 in specie and a large amount of other valua- ble property under my charge in the consulate, and from the well-known character of Cortina and his followers, I fear the city will be plundered. I therefore ear- nestly request that you wilt send a sufficent force to protect myself and property and to transport the money within the limits of the United States at the earliest possible moment. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, L. PIERCE, JR., U. S. Consul. 6 R BVOL XXXIV, PT Page 82 82 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. Within a very few moments the following from Governor Manuel Riiiz was handed me: MATAMORAS, January 12, 1864lOp. m. Maj. Gen. F. J. HERRON: Sin: The forces commanded by Colonel Cortina have attacked my positions in this place. As this town is very extensive, I cannot protect all, nor guarantee the U. S. consulate and the large property of American citizens of different nations living in this town. For this reason I shall endeavor to repulse the enemy and ask you the favor to send some troops over to guard and protect the said property, which it is impossible for me to protect. I ask you, general, to take this application of mine in high consideration and to admit my profound respects. Your obedient servant, MANUEL RUIZ, Governor of Tamaulipas. T had, immediately after the firing commenced, (lispatched an offi- cer (Colonel Black, Thirt~-seveuth Illinois Infantry) to the U. S. consulate, with instructions to inform me at once of the Colidition of affairs, and hearing from him also that the road was infested with robbers who were taking advantage of the fighting to rob and mur- der, and that the family of the Consul Could not get away without a guard, and the legal governor, recognized by President Juarez, hav- ing informed me officially that he Could not protect him, I deemed it not inconsistent with my instructions to send a small force into the city of Matamoras for the purpose of removing the family of Mr. Pierce and the specie to this si(le of the river. I therefore ordered Col. Henry Bertram, Twentieth Wisconsin Infantry, to seu(I 40 men to take charge of the ferry, to put one regiment under arms, and to call at my headquarters for further orders. Upon reporting, I instructed him to take four companies of his regiment across the river and pro- ceed to the U. S. consulate and there make proper disposition of his force to protect the U. S. consul and his property and to remove them at the earliest possible time to this side of the river, instructing him at the same time in the most positive manner not to interfere in the fight. I then replied to Governor Ruiz as follows: HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES ON THE Rio GRANDE, Brownsville, Tex., January 12, 186410.80 p. m. Governer MANUEL Rumz: Sin: Your note dated Matamoras, 10 oclock p. in., is at hand. Mr. Pierce, the U. S. consul, wrote at 10 oclock urging me to send a force to protect the U. S. consulate, and at his request I dispatched Colonel Bertram with a small force to the consuls house, to protect him in moving,~to~his side of the river. My troops have positive instructions not to interfere with either persons or property, and to take no part in the fight. They will protect the consulate until safely removed. Regretting exceedingly the troubles which surround you, and with the hope that you may soon quiet matters, I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obe- dient servant, F. J. HERRON, Major-General, Commanding. At the same time I wrote to Mr. Pierce, informing him of the in- structions given to Colonel Bertram, and requesting him to prepare for removal at once. I also sent the following notification to Gov- ernor Ruiz, sending a similar one to Colonel Cortina: hEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES ON THE Rio GRANDE, Brownsville, Tex., January 12,186410.80 p. m. Governor MANUEL RUiz: Sin: I have the honor to state that owing to a battle now raging in the streets of Matamoras between your troops and those of Colonel Cortina, arid the danger exist- ing to the person and family of Mr. Pierce, U. S. consul, I have ordered Colonel Ber- train, with four companies of U. S. troops, to proceed to the house of Ni-. Pierce, a Page 83 CHAP. XLV1.] AFFAIR AT MATAMORAS, MEXICO. 83 his ur~ent request, for the sole and only purpose of conveying them within the terri- tory of the United States. The danger from assassins and robbers on the road be- tween here and your city seems imperatively to demand this course, which I take reluctantly, with every assur Mexican territory nor interfere in to you that I shall commit no hostile acts upon city. I have instructed Mr. Pierce any manner with the fight now going on in your to remove as quickly as possible, that I may with- draw the troops. I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant~ F. J. HERRON ]Jhjor- General, (Jononamdin~. Colonel Bertram I)1~oceeded without delay to the other side of the river, marching by the shortest route to the consulate and placing his troops within the yard which is attached to the house, and ~achi arrangements were then made as woul(l prevent any possibility of interference by oui~ men. At 11.30 j). 1171. I received the folloY~ring note from Colonel Bertram UNITED STATES CoNSui~ATE, Maj. Gen. F. ~. HERRON, ]Jlatamoras, January 12, 186411.80 p. m. Oommanding U. S. Forces: GENERAL: I have arrived at the consuls house and assure you he was very happy to see us. I marched in by the shortest route, the firing having stopped as soon as we appeared on the street. The consul thinks Cortin~ has been gaining ground. I await further instructions. Very respectfully, H. BERTRAM, Golonel, Commanding. To which I replied as follows: HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES ON THE ~Rio (iRANDE, Brownsrillc, Te ., January 12, 1864-12 [p.] m. Col. H. BERTRAM: COLONEL: Your note from the consuls is at hand. You will remain in your position, giving the consul sufficient time to remove his family and the valuables in the consulate to this side. Again let me state that you will interfere in no way with the fight, but keep your men at their post for the duty assigned them. Send a good officer with the troops at the ferry, and issue the most l)Ositive orders nro- hibiting straggling from the ranks or interference of any nature whatever with either persons or property. Should a stray shot come near; or even strike one of your men, that will not be considered a sufficient reason for your firing. I have notified both Ruiz and Cortina of your presence in Matamoras and the purpose. Should you see either of the persons named, state fully what your instructions are. Your mission is a delicate one. Be extremely careful. Respectfully, F. J. HERRON. Major-General, Commanding. At 12.30 oclock I received the following from Colonel Bertram: IJNITED STATES CONSULATE, Major-General HERRON. lifatamnoras, January 12 [13], 186412.80 oclock. Commanding U~ S. Forces: GENERAL: I have received your letter. Your instructions~are strictly obeyed, and I have sent the most stringent orders to Lieutenant-Colom~el Laughlin not to allow anything to be done that could be construed into the violation of your orders. Commissions from both the Ruiz aiid Cortina parties have been here to inquire into [the] object of our coming over. I tohi thorn what my instructions were, and both parties went away satistied. The consul Says that lie has about $1 000,00() in specie in his possession, a~l that he cannot possibly remove it or his family until morning. I have not been able to learn positively- which party is galiming. Ruiz still holds the plaza, and I think will hold out until morning. Respectfully, H. BERTRAM. Colonel, (Jo nntamsdin~ Page 84 84 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. The fighting Ceased for an hour after the appearance of my troops, but learning there was to be no interference both parties went at it again, takiirg care, however, to keep some distanbe from the U. S. consulate. Matters continued so until daylight, when I sent a suffi- cient number of wagons to remove the family of Mr. Pierce and property from the consulate. At 7 a. in. of the 13th, they were safely landed on this side and the troops withdrew. The fighting in the morning was carried on bitterly until 12 oclock, when the Ruiz party retreated and were scattered in every direction. The casual- ties on both sides were about 50 killed and 100 wounded. Among the killed was Ex-Governor Alvino Lopez, a prominent Ttuiz man. Governor Ruiz forces numbered 800 men and four pieces of artil- lery, wrhile Cortinas force was 600 men and six pieces of artillery. Considerable damage was done by the artillery, and the town was filled duriug the fight with lawless bands, plundering, & c. Colonel Cortina has already announced himself as governor of Tainaulipas, while Governor Ruiz, General IRohez, and some other prominent officers escaped and crossed to this side, and are now here refugees. Ii have in this report given merely the facts in detail and will not enter into argument in justification of my course. Notified by the legal governor of the State that he could not protect the U. S. con- sulate, and with an appeal from the consul direct for protection for his family and property, I felt that it was unquestionably my duty to furnish a sufficient guard to remove him froni the city, taking at the same time every precaution to prevent collision with either of the factions. I might here state that the English consul remained (lur- ing most of the night at the U. S. consulate under our protection. I inclose as portion of the report letters* from Governor Ruiz and Colonel Cortina, the former claiming to be the governor appointed and recognized by Juarez and complaining that I do not help him, and the latter expressing his approval of the neutrality I observed. In conclusion, I would say that Col. Henry Bertram, of the Twen- tieth Wisconsin Infantry, who commanded the troops that crossed over, performed the delicate mission in an admirable manner, and l)roved himself an officer of more than or(linary judgment. His officers and soldiers are entitled to thanks for their conduct. I have the honor to be, general, with great respect, your obedient servant, F. J. HERRON, Major- General. General CHARLES P. STONE, Chief of Sicif, New Orleans, La. JANUARY 1314, 1864.Scout from Pine Bluff to Monticello, Ark. Report of Col. Powell Clayton, Fifth Kansas Carairy. HEADQUARTERS POST OF PINE BLUFF, Pine BiaJT Ark., January 14, 1864. GENERAL Lieutenant McCarty, with 20 men, has just come in. He went 2 miles beyond Monticello. At Monticello he destroyed * Not found Page 85 Ogip. XLVI.] OPE1~ATIoNs IN NORT11WI~STERN ARKANSAS. 85 2,000 bushels of corn put up for the Confederacy, and captured 1 captain and 5 men. He thinks Parsons is at Warren. The infor- mation received from the prisoners agrees with what I have formerly sent you. * * * * * * * POWELL CLAYTON, Major-General STEELE. Colonel, Commanding. JANUARY 1517, 1864.Scouts in Jackson County, Mo. Report of Col. James McFerran, First Missouri State Militia Cavalry. HDQRS. FIRST CAVALRY, MISSOURI STATE MILITIA, Warrensburg, Mo., January 19, 1864. GENERAL: I have the honor to state that Lieutenant Conch and the troops that went to his assistance have returned. Lieutenant Couch reports that he pursued the rebels until 10 oclock at night of the 16th, and searched all day of the 17th for them. They scattered during the night of the 16th and could not be found on the 12th. It by is reported Lieutenant Couch that Blunts band numbers about 50 men, and that it is rumored there is another band under Todd in the vicinity of Round Prairie, Jackson County, number unknown. Some of our men from Lexington, under Lieutenant Kessiuger, found a camp near Pink Hill, in Jackson County, on the 15th; the camp- fires were burning, but the rebels could not be found. The camp discovered by Lieutenant Couch was in Jackson County, about 3 miles west of the La Fayette County line, nearly west of Chapel Hill. There are no indications of red legs on the western boundary of this sub-district as yet. There is no other news of interest. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES McFERRAN, Colonel First Cay., Mo. State Miilitia, Corndg. Regiment. General E. B. BROWN Co~urna?ding District of Central Missouri. JANUARY 16-FEBRUARY 15, 1864.Operations in Northwestern Ar kansas. SUM M A~Y 0 ~ TIlE PRINCIPAL E VENTS. Jan. 22, 1864. Skirmishes at Clear Creek and Tomahawk. 23, 1864.Affair at Baileys, on Crooked Creek. Skirmish on Rolling Prairie. Skirmishes near Burrowsville. Feb. 5, 1864.Skirmish on Crooked Creek. IREPORTS.* No. 1.Brig. Gen. John ~. Sanborn, U. S. Army, commanding District of South- west Missouri. No. 2.Brig. Gen. Colly B. Holland, Enrolled Missouri Militia. ~ See also Captain Turners report, p. 67 Page 86 (Cm. flU 86 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISS~PL No. t.Capt Charles Galloway, First Arkansas Cavalry (Union). No. tLient. John E. Phelps, Third U. S. Cavalry, commanding Second Arkansas Cavalry (Union). No. 5.Capt. William C. Human, Eighth Missouri State Militia Cavalry. No. 6.Maj. Lyman W. Brown, Eleventh Missouri Cavalry. No~ 7.Abstract from Record of Evenimon returns of the District of Sojitwest Mis- souri for January and February, 18SL No.1. Report of Brig. (len. John B. Samnborn U. S. Army, commanding Di8trict of Southweat Xissouri. HEADQUARTERS DIsTRiCT SouTHnsT Missoum, Springfield, Februqry 19, 186t GENERAL: Although addressing you a line on official business, I shall be rmitted to express my gratification at again rePortmLto and conferring with the general under whom I fought my first ties, and from whom I received the first commendation for the proper conduct in the trying circumstances of hard-contested fields. I inclose herewit the reports of B~ adier-General Holland, Fourth Militia District, and CoL J. E. Phelps, Second Arkansas Cavalry, of their rations in Northwestern Arkansas during the past few weeks. The reports of Ca tain Turner, Sixth Missouri State Militia, and Captain Human, Eighth Missouri State Militia, have already been forwarded, and that of Captain Galloway, of the First Arkansas~ will be forwarded in a few days. Early in January I was advised that from 1 200 to 2,000 Confed- erate soldiers and bushwhackers had thered in Newton, Searcy, hard, and Carroll Counties, Ark., an were contemplating a raid into this State, with a view of capturing our trains & c As soon as possible after obtaining information of tbis kind I ;rde~,ed 200 men of the First Arkansas into Newton County, 200 of the Second Arkansas to the same locality, and 200 of the Eighth Missouri State Militia Cavalry to the same p~Iace, and to march so that they would arrive at Rolling Prairie about the same time. Ca tam Turner was at the same time ordered to Batesville with tches, with instruc- tions to return by way of Sylamore Creek and intercept anyparties moving south, and report to Captain Human in Searcy Count. Captain Human was the first to rd& olf the position occupied by the rebels, and at first they manifested quite a disposition to make a stand and fight, but after the three columns made a junction they made no Nrther stand,and all the northwestern portion of Arkan was thoroughly scouted. After the forces that first moved into this section had passed south, nearly to the southern line of Searcy County, a force of 200 or 800 rebels suddenly made their a pearance near Berryville and made some demonstrations that indicated an intention on their part to move north. I im~ediately sent General Holland with 200 men and a section of artillery to that point. He afterward joined the other troops in the field and continued opera- tions, as will appear from his report The results of all the move- ments, from the best information I can gather, are the captunug of 70 prisoners of war, 200 Confederate soldiers and bushwhackers (many of them notoriously bad characters) killed~ and at least 1,000 of the rebel soldiers, partisan rangers, and guerrillas driven across the Arkansas River Page 87 CHAi~. XLVI.] OPI~T~ATION8 II~ ~ORTHWI~8TITh~ ARRA~5AS. 87 I am now holding with troops belonging to my command posts at Berryville, Rolling Prairie, and Yellville, Ark. and (le~igll sending a force to Bennetts Riveix in Fulton Connty~ very soon, if the same will be perlrntte(i, Fayetteville, Huntsville, and Bentonville being occupied by the First Arkansas Cavalry and battery, of which I to-day have rehnqnished command. It is of the ntmost import~nce to this State, especially this section of it, that that portion of Arkansas lying north of the Boston Monnt- ains shonld be occnpied by troops and kept clear of rebel troops and bands of guerrillas. Izard, Searcy, Newton, aiid Carroll Counties are, and for nearly a year have been, the great rendezvous or base of operations for all bands of guerrillas and murderers that infest this section of the State. Fulton Conuty is also a great place of re~ sort for them. It is therefore of the utmost importance to station troops enough in these counties to drive out all these enemies. The farmers and people in the southern tier of counties in this State would then feel safe and return and cnltivate their farnis. an ob- ject of the first importance. Forage is abundant, too, in these coun- ties iii Arkansas, while in the southern tier of counties of the State there is none; hence it is impossible to statiomi or support any troops in them. It seems, therefore, to be of the first importance to this de- partmneut, or to time people of Missouri, that this department should extend south to the Boston Mountains, which seems the natural line dividing the country and departments, or that there should be a per- fect understanding with General Steele that this country north of Boston Monutains should be so occupied by his troops that no large bands or organizations can be found there. If this should be done, the Second Arkansas Cavalry might be transferred to the Depart- mneimt of Arkamisas, and I could manage this district with the Missouri troops alomme. Time people of this State will not returmi to their farms in the border conmities miless all the connties that I enumerated in Arkansas are occupied by our troops, or at least until a hoiime guard force is formed au(l organized, which can be (bile speedily. I desire to be advised whether I should withdraw all troops belong- big to mny comnmnamid that I am now operating with temporarily in Arkansas. Many of them are enrolled militia, ail(l Missouri State Militia troops. I cami protect the people all(i property of the (li5tmict far better while operating there tlmami at home here, ami(i get forage mmmcli better. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN B. SANBORN, Brigadier- General, Commanding. Maj. Gen. W. S. ROSECRANS, Comm an ding Department of the Jliliissourm. No. 2. Report of Brig. Gen. Golly B. Holland, Enrolled Missouri Militia. SPRINGFIELD, Mo., February 17, 1864. GENERAL: I have The honor to submit tIme following report of my operatiomis and movements against the enemy in time southern por- tion District of Southwest Missouri: In obedience to your orders I left Springfield, Mo., on the 26th ultimo, to assume ~omnnmammd of the forces operating in Northern A Page 88 ~AP. XLV!. 88 LOUISIANA AND TIlE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. kansas. Arrived at Cassville, Mo., on the 27th. Ascertaining at that point that the enemy in force were in the vicinity of Berryville, Ark., I moved forward on the morning of the 28th for that place, with one battalion of the Sixth Missouri State Militia Cavalry, Ma- jor Murphy, and one section of First Missouri Artillery, Lieutenant Stierlin. I purposed making Berryville that night, but finding the roads in a rough and heavy condition, I was obliged to camp about midway, in the vicinity of White River. Reached Berryville on the 29th; found Captain Duff in command with a small force of the Second Arkansas Cavalry. Everything was apparently quiet in that locality, except some little excitement created by small parties of jayhawkers who infest the country bordering on the Osage and Kings Rivers. At Berryville I was detained seven days on account of supplies not reaching me. The train conveying the same from Cassville having arrived at White River, was on account of high water unable to cross. The river was swollen very high by the rains that fell on the 30th and 31st. My supply train arrived on the 5th of February. Leaving at Berryville a force sufficiently strong to repel an attack of any considerable number, and deeming the place amply secure, I pushed forward on the morning of the 6th, with an additional force of 100 of the Second Arkansas, in the direction of Carrollton, Crooked Creek, and Rolling Prairie, having previously heard that some considerable demonstrations were being made in that section by Freeman, Love, and Gunning. I formed a junction with Colonel Phelps, Major [Captain] Galloway, and Captain Human on the 8th at Rolling Prairie. Here I received intelligence that Freeman and Love, with their respective commands, had marched east of Yell- yule, while the forces of McCullough, Nichols, and Gnnniug had separated in small squads and scattered in various directions. Found that Phelps, Galloway, and Human had thoronghly scouted the coun- try on Crooked Creek, Rolling Prairie, Newton County, and as far south as Burrowsville, meeting the enemy often, routing them in every engagement, and killing 70 of their number, meeting only with a trivial loss. It is very evident neither of the rebel forces who have been operating on White River will risk an engagement with anything like an equal number. They are, however, inclined to make sudden dashes, invariably upon inferior numbers; ambush- ing. attacking trains, & c. With Major [Captain] Galloway and Captain Human S commands I moved east to Yellville, where I arrrve4 on the 9th. Discovered on the route numerous small parties of the enemy upon the prominent hills and cliffs that commanded our line of march, perfectly secure, as an attempt to dishodoe them would have proved fruitless as to impor- tant results. I could have brought my artillery into requisition in many instances similar to the above, but should I have doiie so, my hopes of meeting the enemy in force would have been entirely frus- trated. At Yellvilhe I captured some 8 or 10 prisoners, some of theni notorious charact~rs. At that point I remained several days, scouting the country in all directions with considerable success. Information reached me at Yehlville, placing Freeman and Love, with (300 or 800 men, across White River with the design of making a rai(l into Missouri. With the view of ascertaining the correctness of such report, I sent Major [Captain] Galloway and command to Dubuque, on White River; also a scout of the Sixth Missouri State Militia Cavalry, under Lieutenant Finley, to Talbots Ferry, where it was supposed the enemy had crosse Page 89 CliAp. XLVI.) OPERATIONS IN NORTHWESTERN ARKANSAS. 89 the river. Instructions to Lieutenant ~Finle y] were, if finding the ene~~y had crossed the river at Talbot s Ferry, to destroy the boat to prevent them recrossing at that point. Agreeably to said in- structions, Lieutenant Finley proceeded to Talbots Ferry and re- ceived information there (through several sources, I believe) that Freeman and Love with a large force had crossed the river and moved east toward Salem; also of their having expressed a determi- nation to move northward into Missouri early in the spring. Leaving Captain Humans battalion at Yellville, I moved on the 13th to Dubuque, to co-operate with Major [Captain] Galloways com- mand in any demonstrations I would have deemed important to make against the enemy across the river. Upon my arrival at White River, I found the same quite shallow and easily forded at many places. I had designed moving east in pursuit of Freeman, but finding the river in such a condition as to enable him to cross and recross at his pleasure, and thus evade a battle with me, I relinquished all hope of meeting him, and concluded to abandon further operations for the present. I would suggest the propriety of establishing posts (at least temporarily) at Rolling Prairie amid Yellville. Those are favor- able localities, forage, meats, breadstuffs, and good water being abu midaut. I was surprised to fimid such a thoroughly Union sentiment pre- vailing in Carroll, Marion, and Searcy Counties, Ark. A feeling of security, inspired by the presence of Union troops in the country, caused many to come in and acknowledge their faith in and devotion to the old flag. Hundreds of the citizens of Northern Arkansas are loyal at heart, amid are only awaiting an opportunity when they can throw off the yoke of rebel tyranny to which they have so long been subjected, and assumne again the rights, powers, and privileges of good loyal citizens of the United States Government. To encourage them in their desires and laudable purposes, I would iespectfully recommend that troops be stationed at the points suggested until they can organize themselves into home-guard companies, arms arid ammunition furnished them (both of which they are destitute of), when I think there is no doubt they will prove sufficiently vigilant an(l powerful to protect themselves and families from the outrages of guerrillas, outlaws, and jayhawkers. To the officers amid men of the First and Secomud Arkansas Cavalry, Sixth, Eighth, and Eleventh Missouri Cavalry, and Lieuteri ant Stierlin, First Missouri Battery [Battery L, rirst Missouri Artillery], I amn under many obligatiomus, and to whose endurance, bravery, aIi(l faithful execution of duty as officers amid soldiers it is with pleasure I l)ear testimony. I have the honor to be, general, your Obe(hiemmt servant, C. B. HOLLAND, Brigadier- Gene rat, Commanding. Brig. Gen. J. B. SANBORN, Comm ancling District of Southwest Missouri. No. 8. Report of C~apt. Char~les Galloway, First Arkansas Cavalry (Union). COLONEL: On the FAYETTEvILLE, ARK., February 21, 1864. 10th of January I left Fayetteville, in command of 150 men of the First Arkansas Cavalry Volunteers, for the pu Page 90 90 LOUISIANA ANt~ TIlE TIlAN~-MISSISStPPI. tdltAr. XLVI. pose of sconting an(l foraging, proceeding in an easterly direction6 On the 19th, I was re-enfoi~ced by Captain Botchfuhr, of the same regiment, with 35 men, and rations to the last of the month, and ordered to Lebanon, Searcy Connty, there to join a detachment of the Second Arkansas Cavalry and Eighth Cavalry Missonri State Militia, on the 23d Jannary. I marched by Berryville and Carroll- ton, joined the Eighth Cavalry Missonri State Militia on Marshall Prairie, in Searcy Connty, on Friday, 22d Jannary, and was shortly~ joined by a detachment of the Second Arkansas Cavalry. The com- bined force was as follows: First Arkansas Cavalry, 182 men, Capt. Charles Galloway commanding; Eighth Cavalry Missonri State Militia, 150 men, Capt. W. C. Human commanding; Second Arkansas Cavalry, 195 men, Lient. John E. Phelps, U. S. Army, commandiiig, aiid one monutain howitzer, belonging to the First Arkansas Cavalry. I was ascertained to be the ranking officer, and assnmed command of the whole force, which then moved toward Bnrrowsville. Skirmish- ing soon began, and was continned for several miles. On Clear Creek I fonnd the rebels in line, fonr deep, awaiting our entrance into a narrow pass. They were soon ronted and driven in confusion, with the loss of several wonnded. The command then proceeded on to the crossing of Tomahawk, where they were posted on a high bluff that overlooked the road where it passed down a narrow ravine. Their position could not be reached by cavalry. They attacked our advance as it entered the ravine, and conimenced a heavy fire upon the column. I immediately moved the Eighth Missouri State Militia upon the opposite side of the ravine oii a steep hill-side and opened fire upon the rebels, at the same time sending the First Arkaiisas Cavalry, dismounted, in their rear and on their right flank. After considerable firing they mounted their horses aiid retreate(l rapidly. with a loss of 3 killed and a number wounded. Our loss, 2 men slightly wouiided and several horses killed. The command moved on, aiid shortly afterward went into canip. The next day, 23d, moved to Burrowsville, comity seat of Searcy Couiity, skirmishing some and being fired upon from the brush. I took possession of Burrowsville without opposition. On the 25th, Captain Human, with the Eighth Cavalry, Missouri State Militia, proceeded to Clinton, Van Buren County, kilhiiig and capturing a number of prominent rebels. On tIme 26th January I was joined by Company K, Eighth Cavalry, Missouri State Militia, an(i learned that (lispatclles from Ge~wral Sanborn, borne by 25 men of the Eleventh Missouri Cavalry, had been captured and 11 men killed. On the 27th, the First Arkansas Cavalry moved to Bear Creek and scouted there until the 30th January. On the 28th, the Eighth Cay- alry returned from Clinton, and shortly afterward 100 of the Sixth Cavalry, Missouri State Militia, came in from Batesville. They reported haviimg had a fight with Col. Tom. Freemans command, in which they were joined by a portion of the First Nebraska Infantry. Freeman was route(i with a loss of 30 killed, over 50 captured, 100 stami(i of arms, and his traimi, containimig supplies, his trunk, commums- .sion, an(i private papers. On the 27tI~ six companies of the Third Arkansas Cavalry came in from Dover, and reported having found Colonel Witt with 400 men running from our command. and that he was pursued by them across the Arkansas River below Clarksville. On the 29th ultimo Captain Human, with Eighth Cavalry, Missouri State Militia, was ordere Page 91 Oar. ThVLj oPmtAnoffs N IORTHW~flfl AluLtrsAs. 91 back to Marshall Prairie the Third Cavalry moved back to Dover, and Captain Millsap, of ~econd Arkansas Cavalry, proceeded by way of Qave Creek into Newton County, Lieutenant Phelps and myseLf moving on to Richiand, and thence across Buffalo to Marshall Prairie. I remained in that vicinity scoutin the country until the 5th instant, when the command moved to Roflin~ Prairie. .1 n~w took a scout and went on to Crooked Creek, pursuing a fotce of 300 until they scattered in the meantime killing and capturinga number. While on this scout ~Kajor Melton, of the Second Cavalry, was slightly wounded in the arm while killing a rebel captain. On Monday, the 8th instant, I was oined by General Holland, with aforce of 300 and two iecesof artillery. On the 9th instant he ro- ceeded to Yell Me~ the First Arkansas Cavalry and EiI!,~Ah rind, Cavalry, Missouri State ifilitia, on a scout round by Tomahawk. On the morning of the 10th, I was drdered to Dubuque, on White River, and remained in that vicinity scouting the country until the 14th instant, killing 10 of the rebels in various skirmishes. On the 15th, I returned to Yellville, General Holland having in the mean time returned to Springfield with his command. Captain Human was left in command of post by order of General Holland. The same day Major Fitch anived with orders relieving me and ordering me to report to Fayetteville. The result of the scout is aver 100 killed of the rebels, with a loss on our side of 2 killed and 3 wounded. Captain Human and the detachment of the Eighth Cavalry Mis- souri State Militia, under his command deserve great credit, as also Lieutenant Phelps U. S. Army, and the detachment of the Second Arkansas Cavalry under his command, for their soldierly conduct Mid bravery in the field. CHARLES GALLOWAY, Captain Company II, First Arkansas Cavalry, Commanding. Lieut. CoL A. W. BIsHOP, Commanding at Fayetteville. No. 4. Report of Lieut. John E. Phelps, Third U. a Cavalry, commanding Second Arkansas Cavalry (Un.on). HEADQUaTns PosT, Cassville7lITh., February 10, iBOt Gnna: I report that, in obedience with Special Orders, No. 13, from your headquarters, telegraphed January 15,1804, and also our instruction of the 16th, I moved on the 17th from Cassville with Com- panies D and E of my regiment, and arrived at Berryville, Ark, next day, ~oining Companies A, B, and C. The absence of a large portion of ihe mentheremade it necessary for me to remain to the 20th, when I moved don with my force as it was toward Carroll- ton. I left at Berryville all convalescents and suchhhorses as could not stand a long march, with orders for the officers and men who. had not reported yet to follow immediately on my trail as soon as they arrived, and Lieutenant Irwin to remain in command of the station. I hadupreviously dispatched to Captain Cameron to hasten two companies to Berryville, anticipa that the enemy might attempt a movement upon the place. I l~ffed5 miles north of C~llton, and was passed in the evening by Captain Galloways: command, some 180 strong. Mine was then 166. The next day (21st) Page 92 92 LOUISIANA AND THE mANS-MISSISSiPPI. [CHAP. XIS!. I encamped at Rollings farm, 30 miles beyond, on the edge of Roll- ing Prairie. There I was joined by 34 men of Companies A and B, swelling my force to 200. Company C (Lieutenant Orr), sent as flankers, on that day had snrprised at Baileys a guerrilla chief on Crooked Creek and 3 desperadoes of his gang; 2 of these were shot dead, the third left for dead on the spot. Early the morning of the 22d, I joined Captain Human, and Captain Galloway shortly after arrived. Humans pickets had been annoyed all night by the rebels. Command being waived by Captain Human and myself, it necessarily devolved upon Captain Galloway. After consultation, it was decided that the whole force would move at once on the road to Burrows- ville, the Missouri troops leading the advance. About midday a party of some 50 or 60 ~uerrillas was met and dispersed after a short musketry and the firing of the First Arkansas Cavalrys mountain piece. Pursuit followed over a mountainous and rugged country to a place called Tomahawk, well calculated for a stand. The road sinks precipitously from a high hill into a cavity, where a column exposes its front and flanks to any force in front, and runs between high cliffs in a pass too narrow to admit of a successful passage, and where the retreat or advance of a troop once engaged in the gap would be almost impossible against a force that meant to hold the position. A party, ascertained since to amount to some 170 men, held the position and attempted to defend it. They were compelled to yield, with a loss of 2 dead and 4 wounded. No Federals injured. My regiment being placed in front immediately after the engage- ment I retained my position the next day. From all information gathered through the country it was understood that the rebels would make a desperate stand at a place oii Bear Creek called Rock Fence; an obstruction of that description running across the narrow valley. Dispositions were made for any emergency. The position, however, was not defended, and the united forces passed on to Leb- anon. 4 bushwhackers only showing their heads from the summit of the high cliffs and beyond the reach of our arms. From Lebanon we made Burrowsville the same day, four shots only bcing exchanged by the rear of the column and the bushwhackers, 23d January. At Burrowsville no reliable information could be collected, either about the number of the rebels or their whereabouts; whether they had, or were, concentrated or divided or who were their command- ers. News, however, was received of an encounter between bush- whackers and a party of Federals, ~5in number, carrying (lispatches to our forces, and in which this troop was badly cut up. The report proved only too true. The unfortunates belonged to the Eleventh Missouri Volunteers. Detachments were sent in all directions to scour the country. They did it for miles, and nothing was found. Captain Human, on the 25th, at dusk, moved with 150 or 160 men of his original command toward Clinton, 20 miles south-southeast. Captain Galloway and 50 men returned to Lebanon on the 26th. The same day Company K, Eighth Missouri State Militia, arrived without any serious difficulty. Information also was brought of the rebels having collected in our rear and moved upon Berryville. No enemy near us. Witt (rebel.) has crossed the river Arkansas with 300 men; so Major Van Houten, Third Arkansas Cavalry, reports. He has with him 600 men; has seen Witt across the river; has been in Clinton, and scoured the country south of the Boston Mountains. Passing through Burrowsville the Third Arkansas made Wileys Cove, while th Page 93 CHAP. XLVI.] OPERATIONS IN NORTHWESTERN ARKANSAS. 93 First Arkansas Cavalry was making for a more westerly direction. The First Nebraska Cavalry and the Sixth Missonri in the mean time had pressed hard toward the same center. A messenger, sent by Lieutenant-Colonel Banmer to the Eighth Missouri State Militia to guide them to him, bronght intelligence that Freeman, in attempt- ing to make his way to the Arkansas, with some 400 men, had been intercepted and defeated by the Sixth Missouri and First Nebraska, his train captured and destroyed, and his force scattered and thrown across White River, leaving Love (colonel) and abont 200 of those banditti in the hills. This repdrt is confirmed by Captain Human, who had been equally fortnn~te in his reconnaissance, and succeeded in capturing several prisoners, among them some of the niost bitter rebels in that countryofficers of guerrilla bands. Upon representations made by me to Colonel Baumer in a dis- patch, the Eighth Missouri State Militia remained at Berryville, where one company of the Sixth Missouri State Militia reported on the 29th. The whole force moved immediately, the Missouri troops direct to Lebanon; the Arkansas troops, by a detour to southwest, were to form junction aoain with them at the same place the next b day. Dividing forces again to meet at some point on Marshall or Rolling Prairies, the First and Second Arkansas moved on to Rich- land Creek, where Love (captain) had been the night before with 74 men; thence by Point Peter to Cave Creek, through a country excessively rasperous. Here, about the ruins of the saltpeter-works of the Southern Confederacy, I remained in camp one day. I moved then across the Judea Mountains, Big Creek, and Buffalo River, beyond Jasper, on Hudsons Fork, 6 miles, and from there to Ewings farm, in the neighborhood of Bellefonte. The First Arkansas had passed by another road from Richland toward the point of concen- tration. On the 4th of February, from my camp at Ewings, I started with Company C, of my command, re-enforced by few men of other coni- pan ies, to meet Galloways command, or ascertain his whereabouts, and return the next day at the camp of my command on Crooked Creek, where I had ordered it. I returned only on the 7th. In the meami time we had engagements on the prairie (Rolling) with the guerrillas. They are generally from this State and fight desperately. At various places my command alone killed 15 or 20 and wounded several more. In one of those engagements James A. Melton, who accompanied me, was slightly wounded in the left arm. On my return, hearing of General Holland being encamped a few miles below, I repaired to his headquarters. My regiment was divided. Upon my representations, General Holland ordered it to unite at Barbers, north of Rolling Prairie, and protect the emi- grants train against all attempts of guerrillas and escort it through to Missouri. This has been done. The train (upward of 100 wagomis), fired upon on Osage Creek, arrived safe at Berryville on the 13th instant, and from there was properly escor~d to Galena by a company of my regiment. Serviceable property captured by my regiment in this expedition has all been branded, and memorandum taken of it. To facilitate accounts other property will be turned over or accounted fom at Springfield. The importance of the expedition cannot as yet be well defined; the results alone will show it. There is but little doubt that with all the forces enumerated in my report, had time been given to the enemy to concentrate, they would have been ready for any rovin Page 94 94 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSJPT~I. [CHAP. XLVI. expedition on our lines of communication, east or west, and I am inclined to believe upon this State. Our forces were thrown f or- ward at the right monient, and the plans of the enemy foiled. I am, very respectfully, general, your obedient servant, JOHN E. PHELPS, Lieu t.. ~34 U. S. Car., Reel g., Comdg. 2d Arkansas Car. Brigadier-General SANBORN CommcLucl jug District of Southwest ilIissourL No. 5. Report of Capt. William C. Human, Eighth Missouri State Militia C7aralry. HDQRS. FIRST BATT., I~IQHTH Mo. STATE MILITIA, Yellriile, Ark., February 12, 1864. GENERAL: I have the honor to make the following report: In obedience to your orders I marched from Ozark, Mo., on the 18th of January, with all the available men of the First Battalion, Eighth Cavalry, Missouri State Militia. I marched 20 miles to Swan Creek and camped. On the 19th, marched 10 miles south of White River. On the 20th, marched to Bakers Prairie. On the 21st, marched through Bakers and Hussa Prairies to Marshall Prairie. Had sev- eral skirmishes; killed 4 and wounded 2 bushwhackers. The pick- ets were firing during the night. Marched on the 22d up Clear Creek; found about 180 rebels. I formed two of my companies and drove the rebels across the mountains to tbe south side, where they secreted themselves behind the brush and rock until the column came down through the ravine. They I)oured a heavy fire from the top of the mountain down on the main column. I managed to throw skirmisimers on the opposite mountain, and drove them in every direction; killed 4 and wounded 2. Here I lost 2 horses wounded and left; also 2 men were very slightly scratched. Camped in the bottom near the mountain. Marched on the 28d to Lebanon; fed, and marched omito Burrowsville. We were fired on from the tops of several hills, but no damage was done. After hy- ing rested for two days, I learned that there was a force in Clinton. I started about dark, marched 30 miles, amid arrived at Chintomi at 4 oclock on the morning of the 27th, but there was no force in that country. Moved to Red River, vq~ 1~ed River to Denton, and back to Burrowsvihle. On the 81st, marched to Bear Creek, scouted the country; scattered the rebels into small squads. I then moved to Rings Mills, near Marshall Prairie; scouted the country for several days; killed 21 bushiwhackers. Here I lost 1 man and 1 scout killed imi a skirmish withi a lot df bushwhmackers. I then moved to Rolling Prairie; scouted the country; killed 2 bushwhackers. I was then ordered by General Holland to this place. I have captured 82 head of horses. I find plenty of forage, bacon, heat, and corn meal. The horses are barefooted, amid some of the men need clothing very much. I have thie honor to 1)C, general, very resj)ectfilhly, your obe(hievlt servant, W. C. HUMAN, Capt., ~o?wig. First Batt., Eighth Car., Mo. State Militia, Brig. Gen. JOHN B. SANBORN, Commanding District of Southwest Missouri Page 95 Ca~p. XLVI.] OPERATIONS IN NORTHWESTERN ARKANSAS. 95 No. 6. Report of ]tIaj. Lynwn W. Brown, Eleventh llihS8oari Cavalry. HDQRS. DETACHMENT ELEVENTH CAy.. MISSOURI Voi~s., Springfield, Mo., January 80, 1864. GENERAL: The major coninianding detachment Eleventh Cavalry, Missonri Volnnteers, has the honor to report that, in obedience of orders issued by the general commandinr District Southwest Mis- souri, bearing date 21st of January, 1864, Orderly Sergt. Isaac T. Jones, Company B, and 24 men of the Eleventh Cavalry, Missouri Volunteers, were detailed and ordered without delay to carry dis- patches to W. C. Human, cal)taiu commail(liiig First Battalion, Eighth Missouri State Militia, in the field in North Arkansas, with directions to I)roceed by Ozark, Mo.; then procure a guide, and pro- ceed in a southeasterly direction to the command of Captain Human. The detachment on the 23d day of January, 1864, about 12 in., while marching on the route on Rolling Prairie, in Marion County, Ark., was suddenly attacked and charged upon by about 60 rebels or bushwhackers, when a fight ensued, which resulted in the defeat of Sergeant Jones and his command. At the time of the fight several detachments of rebels or bushwhackers, under the command of Cap- tains Green, Holt, and Patten, were iii the immediate vicinity, num- bering about 300 men. Seven meii, including Sergeant Jones, were killed on the ground, and 5 others were takeii prisoners, who, it is supposed, were afterward shot in cold blood. The balance of the detachment escaped, and have safely arrive(l in camp. * The major commanding be~ s leave to say that Sergeant Jones was a brave officer, and that from reliable information the whole of said detachment was engaged, and did their duty faithfully amid nobly and fought bravely. Several of the rebels were killed in the charge. Owing to the overwhelming numbers of the enemy the sergeant and hus comniand tried to escape and avoid a conflict, but were uiiable to do so. The dispatches fell into the hands of the enemy. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, L. W. BROWN, Major, Comdg. Detachment Eleventh Cavalry, Mo. Vols. Brigadier-General SANBORN. No. 7. Abstract from Record of Events on returns of the District of South west Missouri, for January and February, 1864. Jaauary 16.Capt. Samuel E. Turner and 02 men, Sixth Cavalry Missouri State Militia, left Springfield with dispatches for the com- manding officer at Batesville, Ark., and on return was joiiied by a detachment of the First Nebraska Cavalry. Came in contact with the enemy in Izard Couiity, Ark. routed him completely. killing 22, capturing 57 prison~s, about 100 horses, 8 wagons, 100 stand of arms, & c. Report siiice forwarded to (lel)artment headquarters, Capt. W. C. Human, in command of First Battalion, Eighthi Cavalry, Nominal lht (omitted) ~ljow~ 12 killed nd 2 wounded Page 96 96 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. Missouri State Militia, in the field in Northern Arkansas the greater portion of month, yet in the field operating against the enemy, hav- ing frequent skirmishes. Capt. G. W. Mnrphy, with detachments Sixth Cavalry, Missouri State Militia, and Battery L, First Missonri Light Artillery, with two pieces of artillery, 200 men in all, marched from Springfield to Cassville, Mo., on December 30, ultimo; ordered from thence to Ber- ryville, Ark., to operate against the enemy then in that section yet in the field. Companies G and H, Sixth Cavalry, Missouri State Militia, changed station from Carthage, Mo., to Springfield since last return. The district has been very quiet during the month, especially that portion in Missonri. Northern Arkansas has been disturbed by commands under Colonels Love, Freeman, and Hughes, crossing White River at points remote from posts occupied by Fed- eral troops. A force of over 1,000 has made its way as far north as Searcy County, Ark., but has been routed and broken up, then falling back in small squads. Many have been killed and numbers desert- ing, coming within our lines and giving themselves up, declaring themselves heartily tired of the rebellion. February 12.Maj. L. W. Brown, commanding battalion Eleventh Missouri Cavalry, marched from Springfield for Salem, Ark., via iRolla, Mo. February 14.Lient. Col. John E. Phelps, commanding Second Ar- kansas Cavalry, returned to Cassville, Mo., froni Northern Arkansas. Mounted force of the Second Arkansas Cavalry in the field in North- ern Arkansas. February 16.Brig. Gen. C. B. Holland, Enrolled Missouri Militia, returned to Springfield from Northern Arkansas with detachments of the Sixth Cavalry, Missouri State Militia, and Battery L, First Missouri Light Artillery. Capt. W. C. Human, commanding First Battalion, Eighth Cavalry, Missouri State Militia, in the field in Northern Arkansas since last return; seven companies of the Sixth and Seventh Provisional Enrolled Missouri Militia in Northern Ar- kansas. Detachment of Battery L, First Missouri Light Artillery, ordered to Rolla, Mo., from department headquarters. S JANUARY 1719, 1864.ScQut~ from Brownsville, Ark. Report of Lieut. Harrison A. Gleini, Second ]Ifissouri Light Artil lery, Acting Assistant Adjutant- General. HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, CAVALRY DIvISIoN, Brownsville, Ark., January 19, 1864. SIR: The party sent to Searcy has just returned. Colonel Black, with his command, will leave for Little Rock tbis morning. An expedition of the Third Missouri Cavalry, ur~der Lieutenant Hyatt, mortally wounded and captured the guerrilla Capt. Jim Poe and killed his lieutenant, named Garrison; scattered the band of 18 men. McRae is still in that region, but goes about alone. Witt is west of Searcy, and~is said to have 200 or 300 men, partly armed. HARRISON A. GLEIM, Lieutenant and Acting Assistant Adjutant- General. Lient. A. S. MONTGOMERY, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Cavalry Division Page 97 CHAP. XLVI.] SKIRMISH AT BR XNCHVILEE, ARK. 92~ JANUARY 1~, 1864.Skirmish at Brancliville, Ark. I?IEPORTS. No. t.Col. Powell Clayton, Fifth Kansas Cavalry. No. 2.Capt. Benjamin T. Humphrey, Seventh Missouri Cavalry. No. 1. Report of Col. Powell Clayton, Fifth Kansas Gavairy. HEADQUARTERS POST OF PINE BLUFF Pine Bluff, Ar1~., January 24, 1864. GENERAL: I took the cavalry at this postthe Fifth Kansas Cam. airy. the First lindiana Cavalry, the Seventh Missouri Cavalry, numbering in all about 600 men and four pieces of light artillery and started at midnight. January 18, in the direction of Monticello; moved down to Bayou Bartholomew, 12 miles from here, and drove away the enemys pickets; then stopped and fed. About daylight I moved forward, finding every few miles camp-fires, where small par- ties of the enemy had camped the night before. About 5 miles from the bayou the advance commenced skirmishing with the enemys pickets, and some 8 miles farther on I found the enemy in line of battle in thick timber. with their center restiiig on the road. I de- ployed the First Indiana and the Fifth Kansas Cavalry on the right and left of the road, and kept the artillery in the road, and formed the Seventh Missouri Cavalry in rear of the others as a reserve. I fought at this place about one-half an hour, and drove the enemy from his position and pursued him 7 miles, all of which distance he contested very tenaciously. The enemy fell back all of the way in line of battle, and I followed him in a similar manner. The firing for the whole 7 miles was incessant; but as it was timbered country all of the way, and both sides took advantage of the timber, there was, for the amount of firing, comparatively little damnage done to either side. My loss was 2 killed and a number slightly wounded. The different regiments report that they saw of the enemy 16 killed and 9 dangerously wounded. I do not know that this report is cor- rect; but the ground fought over was so extensive that I had no other way of ascertaining. The enemys main camp was at Branchville, from which I com- pletely routed him and drove him about 2 miles beyond, at which l)lace he withdrew and ceased firing. M~ command was now nearly out of ammunition, having already fired over 40 rounds, and knowino 6 I hat the enemy could with little difficulty cross from tIme Saline to time rear of me, I therefore concluded that I would not continue the pursuit ~arther, but return. I fed, then nioved back to Bayou Bar- tholomuew and camped for a short time; but knowing that there was a force on the Saline I thought it was not best to leave so small a garrison at the post very long, so I march~d to Pine Bluff that night, arriving there about midnight. Mr. Duces, a Union man whom the rebels had prisoner at the time of the engagement, reports that we killed Colonel Lawther. The citizens from that vicinity report the same also. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, POWELL CLAYTON, ~Major-General STEELE.] (Jolonel, ~Jornmandina. 7 RRYOL XXXIV. PT Page 98 98 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. LOHAP. XLVI. No. 2. Report of Capt. Benjamin T. Humphrey, Seventh 1Missonri Cav alry. HDQRS. SEVENTH CAVALRY, MISSOURI VOLUNTEERS, Pine Bluff, Ark., January 20, 1864. SIR: In compliance with instructions from the colonel command- ing, I haVe the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the Seventh Cavalry, Missouri Volunteers, iu the engage- ment of January 19, 1864. At the opening of the engagement the regiment was deployed to the right and left of the road and held in reserve in support of the artillery, in which position it remained for some two hours, the en- tire line moving forward. The regiment was then ordered to the front, dismounted, to relieve the skirmishers of the First Indiana and Fifth Kansas ~valry Regiments. The regiment moved forward at donble-qnick, repulsing the enemy wherever found. Our loss in action: Private William Munks, Company B, killed; Private Henry Helwig, Company H, slightly wounded. One horse killed. From the reports of the officers of my command, there were 5 of the enemy killed, and from the signs of blood on the ground where the engage- ment occurred the number of wounded must have been large. We captured from the enemy 1 mule and 1 musket. I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, BENJ. T. HUMPHREY, Capt., Seventh Car., Missouri Vols., Comdg. Regiment. Lient. M. W. BENJAMIN, Post Adjutant, Pine Bluff, Ark. JANUARY 2125, 1864.Reconnaissance on Natagorda Peninsula, Tex. REPOI~TS. No. 1.Maj. Gen. Napoleon J. T. Dana. U, S. Army, commanding U. S. forces in Texas. No. 2.Brig. Gen. Thomas E. G. Ranson U~ S. Army, commanding expedition. No. 1. Report of Ilfaj. Gen. Napoleon J. T. Dana, U. S. Army, comma ml ing U. S. forces in T& ras. HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES, Matagorda Peninsula, January 28, 1864. SIR: The reconnaissance made by my or4er, under direction of Brigadier-General Ransom, who marched from here on the 21st in- stant, was entirely successful. He returned three days ago without loss or accident, except the sad death of Capt. Charles R. March amid the wounding of Private Heald, of the Thirteenth Maine, both by an accidental shot fired by one of the sailors from a gun-boat. The enemy were closely reconnoitered at Caney Creek, 60 miles from ~aere, ~nd discov~1NI in sonic force; his pickets wQ~e driven in, and Page 99 Ow. XLVLJ RECONNATSiANOB tIN MATAGORDA PENINSULAS TEL 99 although none were captured, they were compelled to abandon their horses and hide in some swamps, and their horses were captured. General Ransom saw 3,000 cavalry, 1,000 infantry, and some artil- lery draw up in the n ground iist outside the works, preparing to repel his expected attact One deserter cameinfrom there night before last and reports 30,000 men up there. This is, of course, false Three deserters came into our lines at Indianola last nijht, ha left Matagorda the night before. They report ten regiments and two batteries of field pieces at Caney, and Magruders main force just behiud the San Be~rd, just in rear of the force at Cane!. They report the steam-boats (Yarr, Cora Lucy Gwin, and Lizzie Lake, and the schooners Annie Dale and deorge Buckhart, as above the surf in Matagorcla Bay, and that the surf is impassable, the channel having been filled up. The two first-named steamers are cotton-dads, the other two ply with stores and lies between Caney and Matagorda The two schooners are armed, one with a 12-pounder, the other with a 6-ponder. The armament of the Can has lately been changed, and she now has a 30-ponder Parrott, taken from the gun-boat Westfield. Our reconnaissance up the peninsula was considered so threatening that this was taken from her and mounted in one of the works at Caney, together with another of the same kind, but it has since been returned to her. The Cora has a 24-ponder howitzer. Oh, for some cavalry I If I only had eveh two good regiments of cavalry, I could do good service. ~lieve me, chances are being thrown away, which are seriously to be regretted. Do send me cavalry, as much as you can, but if no more can be had send me two good regiments, and I can use them profitably; well~gkrio~y. Ihope I shall know soon what regiments, if any, are to be withdrawn from here; I dare not stir now, under the information of your last letter. Dont post- pone sending my engineer officer and ordnance officer aizo the quar- master. With much respect, N. J. T. DANA, Licut. Col. W. B. ScATES, Mc& jor-General. Ant. AcijL (den., Thirteenth Army Corps. . .4 No. 2. Report of Brig. (den. Thoma. B. (1. Ransoms U. S. Army; win manding wpedition. RDQits. FOURTH DIvIsIoN, TmaTk.MH Any Cons, Decrows Point, Tn., .Taakmary 25, 186t CAPWN: In obedience to the orders of the general commanding, I marched at noon on the 21st instant, to make a reconnaissance up Matagorda Peninsula, my command consisting of the First Brigade CoL W. J. Landram commanding; one gun of Whites battejy, and 40 men of Fousts and Whites batteries as mounted infantry, Lieu- tenantThroocommand~ng. On the night of the 21st instant, en- at arklins place, having marched 14 miles; marched 25 miles on the 22d, and on going into camp sent forward mountedme Page 100 [CHAP. XLVI. 100 L( UJSIANA A NI) TIlE TRANS-MISSiSSiPPI. to communicate with Lieutenant-Colonel Hesseltine, Thirteenth Maine Infantry, who, with his regiment and boat howitzer from the U. S. steamer Sciota, had landed at noon on the peninsula, about 45 miles from Decrows Point. The entire command continued the march on the 23d. Met rebel pickets at Idlebachs place, 10 miles from Camp No. 2. Pushed forward rapidly, leaving the transporta- tion at Idlebachs under guard. Arrived at Hills ajid Forresters l)laces and found more rebel pickets. Captured 8 horses, the riders escaping on the bay. III balted the infantry and sent forward the mounted men. in charge of Captain Dana, who went up beyond the ilea(l of the peninsula without meetiiig any 0p1)osition. Finding fh;if 1 (0111(1 oam no niore infoimation by land without attacking be rebel works on the Caney River, I went on board the steamer Sciota. and moved lip the coast close in shore, and from the mast- head of the ship I obtained a fine view of the enemys position and strength. His \vorks are not formidable and seem to consist of two or three detached field-works, the one on the coast being the most extensive. They are situated about 4 miles from and front toward the head of the peninsula. The ground in front is a level plain, and excepting a strip three-fourths of a mile wide on the coast is reported marshy. No guns mounted on the works. The rebel troops were plainly distinguished in the opening bordering on the Caney River, and appeared to be in hue preparing for an attack. I estimated the cavalry in sight at 3,000 and infantry at 1,000, and saw one piece of field artillery. Discovering a body of rebel cav- alry moving down toward our forces, I immediately returned to my command. amid having accomplished the object of the reconnais- sance, I withdrew to Idlebachs place and emicainped for the night. On the following day the command moved back to Duffeys place, 26 miles, amid on the 24th, eturned to this post, marching 27 miles. The settlers on the peninsula are generally at home and seem well disposed toward Federal troops. They are poor amid scantily supplied n ilk subsistence. Most of the stock that was formerly so abundant oh the islamid has beeii driven off by rebel troops. We experienced (hlffidiilt~. ~ procuring water, aii(i fom. 15 niiles, between Freemans nd 1d1 bachs place, there is no habitation aiid mio water to be had lw (1lggnig. I u egi et to be oblwed to rel)olt the (leal hi of Capi. Charles H. March, ol flu Thirteenth Maine Iufauitry. who died on the 23d instant of a woiiiid in time head, received from a ~hot fired l)y a sailor of time steamer Sciota, who hiaci landed with Colonel Hesseltines regiment to get a beef. Private Samnel Heald, Conipany C, of the Thirteenth Maiiie limfantry, was womimided iii time neck by the same shot. Captaiim Marchi was buried at Forresters place, 7 miles fr( in the head of time )eiiiuisiiha. Thie coimduct of thie troops was good. Liemit. George Tlmroop, of Mercamitile Battery, and the ofliceis and meim under his command, and Captain Dana, of the staff of the geimeral conimamid- iimg, deserve and receive my thanks for time ef~cient manner in which they discharged the arduous duties assigned them. I have the honor to be, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servamit, T. E. G. RANSOM, Brigadier- General Volunteers. Capt. HUGH G. BROWN, AssI, zldji. Gem., U. A3. Forces. Texas Page 101 Cur. fliVIj AFFAIR AT OOW~KiK BO~~OM, MO. .101 JANUARY 31-35, iSSLSeout from Wabhn to Rakets Spring., Ark., .s n.ua. Abstract rom Record1 Events on retwrn of the District of the Fron- tier Judeon, Sixth Kcnzsas Cavalry, comnmo,nd. ing) for month of January. January 21.Capt. E. A. Barker, with 100 men Second Kansas Cavalry and 40 men Sixth Kansas Cavalry, left Waldron, Ark; marched toward Bakers Springs, Ark., where he surprised Ca tarn Williamsons band of guerrillas, killing Williamson and 5 of his men, wounding 2, and taking 2 lieutenants and 25 men prisoners. On his return captured 1 lieutenant and 1 private. Distance traveled, 172 miles. Prisoners taken, 3 lieutenants and 20 men. Federal loss 1 enlisted man killed and 1 wounded. Lieut. C. J. Williams, Second Kansas Cavalry, also wounded. JANUARY 38, iSetAfair at Conkin Bottom., Intern County~ No. Report of Capt. Milton Burek., Eigldl& Missouri State Militia Cats airy. NEoSHo, Mo., February 1, 1804. Liaumnn,: I have the honor to inform you of a scout I made in the Seneca Nation on the 23d of January. I learned by one of my scouts that there was a squad of rebels in the Seneca Nation, and on the 22d of Jan I started with 30 men of my commandand marched 18 miles through the woods to avoid the rebels getting any information of my a proach; halted until 2 a. in., 23d; en mov to where I supposed I would find the enemy, and about an hour after sunrise Icameu~1oof thematahouse. I had Omen fathead- vance, which I charge of. I made a charge on them, killing 2 of them and wounding several; the balance dispersed in the thick brush in Conkin Bo~m. One of the men we killed was a deserter from the Sixth Kansas Regiment, and was a lieutenant in Stand Waties command. The other man was also one of Stand Waties men, a half-breed. The deserters name was Harden Talifaro. I think there are some 50 bushwhackersin the Seneca Nation, or in that vicinity. They do not stay all together but are in small bands. lam going to make another scoutin tile nation before long, but I cannot take many men with me, for it would not be safe to do so. lam confident I can whip Goof them with 25 of my men. It is a great place for guerrillas to hide in the Conkin Bottom. Since my command has been reduced to one company I will have to be on the alert. I will have scouts out all the time southwest, which will enable me to learn of any approach of the nemy in force. In relation to forage, we are getting full ration of corn and about one-third ration of ha. I think I can obtain forage enough to subsist my company until we can work on the grass. I wish you to call the attention of the commanding general to the large number of citizen that are absent from the border cobnties, and from what I can learn would come back if they had any encouragement to come. It would be a great advantage to the State for the loyal families to come back and repair their arms and raise all the grain they can Page 102 102 WUTSIAWA AWL) TiIiC T1tAtffi4LTSRTRATPPT. WEAr. XLVI. There are some fifty families of Nowtwi and Jasper Counties who are now in Kafisas, near Fort Scott, who would come back if the commanding general would give them some encouragement to come back to their homes. I am, with much respect, your most obedient servant MILTON B U iLok Capt.. Comdg. Detach. EighTh (7a4alrlJ, Mo. State Militia. Lieut. W. D. HUBBARD, Act. Anal. AcUt. Urn., Diet. Soutlnve.,t Mo. JANUARY 3847, 186LSoont from Patterson, No., to Chuck.. hy, Ark. Report of Capt. William T. Leeper, Third Missouri State Militia Cavalry. PATTnsON, Jatnuaryj 27, 1864. Sm: Captain Johns has returned all safe. He has marched near 300 miles; been all over the Cherokee Bay. The captain and the swamp scouts fond no force only Reves and 20 men. He killed 4 of Reves men, and chased Reves for miles, and run him into the riven Ca tam Johns learned that a fight had taken place at Bates- yule, rebels commanded by Colonel Shaver, and that they were badly whipped and Colonel Shaver was killed, and that Jackson it was evacuated by our forces, and that General McRae had ~en possessionof it. Thiswasabolddashfor24men. W. T. LEEflR, Colonel WooDsoN, Commanding Poet Cwnmanding Pose! at Pilot Knob, .it6. JANUARY 96, 186tAtfr in the Ban Anir. Mountain; t Xc. Abse! race! from Record of Events on return of the Department of New Mewito for January, 1864. January 26.Lieut. Thomas A. You , Fifth CaliforniaVolunteer Infantry, with a detachment of 12 nien,left Fort Craig, N. lies.7 in pursuit of a party of Indians who had run off some stock belonging to the post. Xe overtook the Indians in the San Andres Mountains, and was attacked by them during the night. In the morning the lieutenant was compelled to retreat~ owing to the great number of Indians against him. The following is the result of the scout: Four men of the command wounded; Indian loss, 7 killed and several wounded. JffiARY 8O-flflVARY 8, i861.hp.ditIom from Ratesyille to Decoy Landing, Ark. Report of Cap?. Albert,)?. Kauffman, Eleventh Missouri Cavalry. BAnsvmLu, An., February 5,1864. Sm: In accordance with instructions from headquarters District. of Northeastern Arkansas, I left Batesville with a detachment o Page 103 CI!AP. XTNL1 RXPFJ)TTION TO NEAR ~EAIWY LANDING, ARK. 108 lEleventli Missouri Cavalry Volunteers, ~ men, at ii p. in., January :30. Crossing White River at this point, I took the Jacksonport road to MeGuires place; thence sonth along Dnpartee Creek to Grand Glaize. arriving at the Glaize abont sundown the 31st. I remained at the Glaize about two hours, until Capt~ai~~ Castle arrived with a (letachinent of the Eleventh Missouri and Third Arkansas, under Captain Dunscomb, who had left ]3atesville at the same time I did, 1)iit marched by the way of Jacksonport. Captain Castle on his way (lown captured 2 prisoners, one a river pilot, whom he brought with him. Taking command of both detachments, I at once marched for th~ point indicated in your instructions, on Glaize Creek, the supl)osed camp of McRae, with the intention of attacking his camp at (laybreak, but owing to the swollen condition of the streaums and tIme difficulties encountered in crossing the Dupartee, I did not reach his supposed camp until 8 a. in., February 1. I found his camp broken up, and learned lie had left some two days previous, march- ing in the direction of Denmark. His camp did not indicate more than 80 or 40 mneim, amid were said to be Littles company. As Captain Duns- cumub, with detachment of Third Arkansas, was to proceed to Little Rock, I detailed Captain Castle, with detachment of Eleventh Missouri Cavalry, to proceed with him as far as Searcy Landing. With my detachment I moved up to Denmark. where I bivouacked for the imight. The next mornin~ I moved west to the Little Rock road, where I learned that a detachment had passed during the mmight from Batesville. Taking their trail, I moved down the Rock road to within 5 miles of Searcy Landing, where I met time detachment under Captain Castle returning. From him I learned that the troops that 1)receded me were of the First Nebraska and had joined Captain Dunscomb, Third Arkansas, and were sufficient to go through. Whemi about to return with my command I was informed by a citizen, who had returned fromn up the road imi the direction I had comne, that within a muile he saw several men mounted pass off the road. I at once directed Captain Castle to move with a portion of his command, muaking a detour to the left; with the other portion of his command to make a corresponding movement to the right, while with my own detachment I would move slowly up the road. It was not long before Captain Castle, in the timber to the left, came upon 5 of these men, whom he immediately pursued, following them some 3 miles, killing 1 and capturimig 2 o~hej~s. The rest made their escape, their horses being too fresh for our jaded animals. These men belonged to Littles company, the same who had been encamped on Glaize Creek. Being satis~ed that there is no considerable num- ber of rebels within a reasonable distance tlmis side of Red River, I (letermined to return at once to Batesville. I moved with my detachment that evenimug by the Rock road back to Denmark. Captain Castle moved with his detachment around to the right in the direction of Glaize Creek. and arrived at Denmark about the same time with my own. I remained wi~h the command imi Denmark until the following morning (the 3d), and then marched (hireetly to Batesville, where I arrived at about U p. in. of that day. I amu sorry to say that one man of Company L, Eleventh Missouri Cavalry, deserted at~Dupartee bridge, taking with him his horse and arms; while another of the same company lost his horse and arms by letting hini stray off. Two horses were abandoned on the road from exhaustion and were not able to be brought back. One lieutenant of Littles company and 11 prisoners were captured, an Page 104 1U4 LOUISI~XA ANP TUE TI AN~ MISSISSIPPI. LCI!AP. XXVI. several horses, which were turned over by Captain Castle to the pro- vost-marshal. The lieutenant and 2 of the prisoners were captured by Captain Dunscomb, Third Arkansas. Inclosed is a map of the ronte traveled by my command. Casnalties, none. I am, sir, very respectfully, yonr obedient servant, A. 13. KAUFFMAN, Captain., Fici en th ]liiss)nr I Cai airy lolunteers. Captain FILLEBROWN, Asst. A cljt. (1cm, D is] it ci of ATo rth eastern Arka n sos. [ludorsementi HDQRS. DETACHMENT ELEVENTH MISSOURI CAVALRY, Batesrille, February 6, 1864. Respectfully referred to the colonel commanding, with the accom- panying map. * The commanding officer of the Eleventh takes this opportunity to call the attention of the colonel commanding to the admirable conduct of Captains Kauffman and Castle and the officers and men under their command during the march. Very respectfully, JOHN ~. STEPHENS, blent. (Jot. Elerenth Cavalry, ]lfwsouri Volunteers. FEBRUARY 13, 1864.Expedition from Madisonville to Franklinton, La., and vicinity. Report of Brig. Gen. Curler Grover, U. S. Army. HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES, Miidisonr lile, La., February ~, 1864. SIR: I have the honor to report as follows: Ii sent ant a cavalry scout of 120 men, under Captain Grinder, Third Maryland Cavalry, on the 1st instant, with instructions to go as far as Franklinton, La., and to capture, if possible, any small party which they might fimid there, and return by a more westerly route, and scout through the conutry between the Tchefuncta and the Tangipahoa Rivers, for the purpose of picking up any small parties of the enemy which were supposed to be gathering and driving off cattle from that neighbor- hood, and also for the purpose of pi6king up cattle and other amu- muals for our own use. The above-mentioned scouts crossed the Tchefuncta Rix~er at Pend Mills, on the bridge which is not yet de- stroyed, and struck the Franklinton road about 10 miles from the muills. The reconnaissance reached Franklinton about 4 p. in., but found the planking of the bridge taken up for some distance, the people having information of the advance about one-half hour before the arrival. Captain Grinder, hoWever, repaired the bridge suffi- ciently to cross, and occupied the town fo~ about an hour. He learned that there had been a small party of cavalry and 5 officers there; also that the county court was in session upomi his approach to the town, amid that the information which was received at Framik- linton, just previous to the arrival of Captain GrimIer, alone pre- vented the capture of the party and the judges of the court. Before dark Captain Grinder withdrew from the town, and camped abont 2 miles this side of the Bogue Chitto. ___ _____________ Page 105 CHAP. XLVI.j EXPE~JTI0 TO NEA1~ SEAflc~ LA2~VING, A1~K~ 1O Page 106 LOUISIANA A NI) TUE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP XLVI. Tim ncxt day Captain Grimiers cofllnlall(l moved i~o the place of Colonel Edwards, which is wrongly laid down on the map on the east side of the Tchefnncta, it being in fact oii the west side. Nothing of any c6nseqnence occurred during the (lay, but some few cattle were picked up and driven along. Here Captain Grinder was joined by 100 men under Captain IBery, of the same regiment, who was sent out on the morning of the 2d to strike over on the Tangipahoa, an(l follow it up, to watch the crossings as high up as Lamer s place to prevent the escape of any party who might be driven in front of Captain Grinders party. Captaiuu IBery discovered a party of mounted men about 6 miles from here early in the morning. and caused them to be pursued until they abandoned their norses awl took ilit() the swamps, where further pursuit was useless. T his party then followed up the east side of the Tangipahoa to Laniers place, where they discovered 15 more of the enemy belonging to Captain Baddeans company and pursued them into the river. Two of the horses were captured and 5 were shot as they were trying to swim the river. It is not known that any of the enemy were wounded. In the course of the day Lieutenant Moore, Third Maryland Cavalry, with a small party, captured Captain Addison, of the Sixteenth Louisiana Volunteers, who was formerly a conscript officer, but, as his papers show, more lately on recrniting service. This officer was captured at the house of Mr. Kincaid, about 8 miles southeast from Hennens. Omi the 3d both scouts returned without being able to fluid any other parties of the enemy, and without further adventure. Captain Grinders scout brought iii as follows: Eight horses, 8 mules, 3 yoke oxen, 9 shotguns, and 1,000 rounds of buck cartridges, 130 cattle, and 76 sheep. Captain Berys p arty brought in 7 horses, 4 mules, and 26 cattle. The cattle and sheep are very poor, hardly worth driviuug, and the nuost of them were turned outside of the lines as useless. They are, nevertheless, the best the country affords. There is uuo enemy within our reach except small roving parties. The nearest cai~up s I can hear definitely of are at Brandon, Miss.. near Greensburg, La., amid at Whitestown, Miss. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obediemut servant, C. GROVER, Brigadier- General, Commanding. [Ma]. JOHN LEVERING,] Assf. AWl. Gem., Hdgrs. Defen*es of New Orleans, La. FEBRUARY 1-24, 1864.Operations in the Indian Territory. IREPOIE~TS. No. 1.Col. William A. Phillips, Third Indian Home Guard, commanding Indian Brigade. No. 2.Itinerary of the Indian Brigade. No. 3.Maj. Moses B. C. Wright, Second Indian Home ~uard. No. 1. Reporfs of Gol. TYilliant A. Phillips, Third Indian Home Guard, comrflan(l ing Indjan Drigade. LITTLE RIVERTOW, NEAR OLD FORT ARBUCKLE, Creel~ Na/ion, February 16, 1864. SIR: After heavy marchuiuug, day an(I night, I have reached this point, 105 miles froni Fort Gibson, at which point my infantry ami Page 107 CHAP. XLVI.] OPEPATTONS (N TII E INDIAN TERT~ITOPN. 1 07 xvagolis ~inlei 001011(31 XX attics 1014 IThLCIIC(l iitgl(t bUICIC last. With the force I took farthest south (450 mounted men and 1 howitzer) I could, of eourse, not fight the enemy after they had concentrated. They declined sending any parties to fight me, evidently designing to fight me on Red River in force, which was, of course, out of the question. I regret the non-arrival of the force promise(l me from Fort Smith, as I could have then been justified in attempting to (Irive them into Texas before they could complete their organiza- tion. I have, however, fully accomplished all the specific instruc- tions of General McNeil with my present force. I sent a force up the Canadian to the Seminole conutry to sweep north to the Arkansas, crossing and marching to Gibson on the north side; Major Foreman with another up Little River to pursue the same course. I shall send another up North Fork and retnru with my baggage and forage train direct to Gibson. I am getting omit an ox train from the country with wagons to haul to Gibson what corn there is that my command do not use. I hope to be able to get oxen enough to make a commissary train for my comman(l as S00~ as grass grows. We have left behind us copies of the Presidents proclamation in time Indian languages. I learned that General Maxey was present with the Choctaw legislature ten days ago, amid urged them to remain at home and raise crops. There were delegations present from the Choctaw Nation, Creek (rebel portion), Cherokee (rebel portion), Chickasaw, & c. The Choctaws urged a separate confed- eracy, as the rebel Confederacy was unable to protect them. The rebel Creeks were preparing to fly into the Wichita Mountains. General Maxey has got De Morses Twenty-ninth Texas Cavalry, Martins Fifth Texas Partisan Rangers, Bass Twentieth Cavalry, Scanlands and Gilletts battalions cavalry, besides two full batteries of 6 and 12 pounder brass and three howitzers. The two batteries have just been received and include two rifled guns. He has of Indian troops, Colonel Watie, First and Second Cherokee; what is left of the Second Creek Regiment (which amounts to little). There are two Choctaw regiments, if they do not slough off at this time, which is probable, and Colonel Jumpers regiment, which consisted of the Chickasaw and Seminole battalions, but was broken to pieces in the late battle. In addition to this, General Maxey is conscript- ing every man on Red River. As an offset, I am happy to be able to say that all the Canadian Valley and~it~ tributaries are clear of rebels. I shall sweep omit the npper Semimmole coumitry as I return. I shall leave no subsistence for a rebel army, or forage, so that all its supplies mnust conme from Red River in any movememit toward the Arkamisas, the stretch beimig 180 miles. The rebel Indians are entirely disheartened and discouraged. General Maxey urged that they remain to raise a crop, promnisilig to place his force between the Canadian and Fort Gibson, amid that they should be protected. His utter failure to do so will throw -~ (hamper on the efforts he has made to reorganize. It has rained a great deal in the past two days. I expect the niany streams in this country to be filled soon, and, of course, shall recross them to my base before the rise. General Maxey has either to content hinmself with (lefending Northern Texas, in wliiclm case he will lose his Imidian, allies, or recover the prestige which he has lost by our recemit successes in an attack on mis omi the Arkansa Page 108 108 LoUISIANA AINI) TIlE lilA_NS-MlSSISSIPPI, ECLIAP. XLVI. River, which he must do nuder great ditliculties, and which I should much prefer that he would undertake at this season of the year, nunler all circumstances. While I coul(l not accomplish all I would have done had I been supported by Colonel Moonlights corn mand, and able to enter Northern Texas, still the result, in view of the condition and temper of the rebel Indians, is, I think, highly satisfactory, and will mate- rially redoce their power to plant a force of these rebel Indians on the Arkansas River the coining spring. 1 have the honor to remain, very respectfully WM. A. PHILLIPS, ( 1olonel, Corninuraling. Major-General CuRTIs. (Join ma act VI (/ J)epo r/m en 1 of Ka U SO S. hEADQUARTERS I)ISTRICT OF THE FRONTIER, Fort Smith, February 22, 1864. GENERAL: Colonel Phillips, commanding Indian Brigade, r epc)rts to me from Mi(ldle Boggy, Choctaw Nation, on the 14th instant, as follows I have the honor to report a sharp engagement yesterday, in which the enemy were completely route(1, with the loss of 47 killed their wounded not known. The attack was made by my advance under Major Willetts, Fourteenth Kansas. The rebel force was Seminoles, Choctaws, and Texans. Colonel Phillips command belongs to Fort Gibson. JNO. M. THAYER, B ruje (tier Gene rat, (Join man (iifl(J. Major-General STEELE, C1oinnaodiuq L)epartment of A ikun sea. HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., ARMY OF THE FRONTIER, Fort Gibson, Cherokee Nation, February 24, 1864. SIR: I have arrived from the south with my main command and a refugee ox train. I do not hesitate to say that the expedition has been more eminently successful thdn a~ny ever undertaken in the In- dian country. So far as the rebel Creek, Seminole, and Chickasaw Nations are concerned the war us over. They have been destroyed or driven from their country. Those who are not seeking peace are fleeing to Mexico, and the Choctaw Nation is in council. The se- verity of the blow has stricken terror to the enemy. My command reached a point near Red River Valley, 165 miles south-southwest of this place. We marched about 400 miles; killed, as nearly as I can get information, in the different fights and skirmishes, 250 men, and have only 4 wounded, all of whom will recover. Three are missing, but Inay turn up. Among the rebel loss there are 2 majors killed (Cloud and Factor), 2 captains, and 3 lieutenants. I have brought 20 prisoners with me, and sent them to Fort Smith to be exchanged. I had plenty of corn for my cavalry horses and stock. I put up a crib of corn for the Fourteenth [Kansas] above North Fork, and had a party waiting there to conduct them by abundant corn on my trail. I lost three days waiting on them. If they started to join me I canno Page 109 CHAP. XLVI.] OPERATIONS IN TIlE INDIAN TEIWYIORY. 1O~) collcei ye where they went, as there is a plaiu highway to North Fork. The health of my command was excellent on the trip. I started with about six days rations. and men were out nearly a month. We captured a number of hand-mills, and as there are no mills in that country, my men subsisted by grinding corn into meal in the camp at night. So hearty were the men that on the last two days the in- fantry marched, respectively, 24 and 80 miles. After striking and destroying the rebels, I sent the proclamation, and a letter each, to Governor Colbert, of the Chickasaws, Una Mc- Intosh, Colonel Jumper, of the Seminoles, and the Choctaw council, pointing to what had been doile, and notifying them that their day of grace wonhl soon be over. I inclose copies. If the Fourteenth had ~oiue(1, I would have~ entered Northern Texas, and think I could have brought out recruits for a white and colored regiment. General Maxey has two batteries and is niuch my superior in artillery, of which I have little. He has three Texas regiments, besides what is left of the two rebel Cherokee and three rebel Choctaw regiments. The Seminoles, Creeks, and Chickasaws (leclare that they will not fight the Government any more. I have captured antI brought out what will make a good ox train, which I am organizing to start to Fort Scott. In the late expedition I would have entered Fort Washita, which I could have done withont striking a blow, iii a few hours march. The enemy evacuated it on my expected approach, as it is 18 miles from Red River, and there is only one ford, which I could have seized and captured the whole, unless they had been able to whip me. My reasons for not going farther were that I intemided the blow partly for the moral effect on the Indian nations, and wished to attempt nothing in which I might have been required to give back, and thereby revive their hopes. The Fourteenth Kansas, which was to be the backbone of the expedition, was not sent, and my men, after their fighting and skirmishing, were getting very scarce of ammunitmomi, a very small supply of which I had been able to take. I had desired to enter Texas and bring out a regiment of mnoimmitaimi Federals, amid also of negroes, but as the enemy could have concemitrated a force on nine, and as I had not time cavalry for rapid movement, I had to forego it for the time. Very respectfully, your umost obedient servant, WM. A. PHILLIPS, ~ tJotonel, COTfl)iflUHdiflU. Maj. Gemi. S. R. CuRTIs Go nut ancling I)epa rtmn c itt of Ken 808. Linnelosure No. 1.] HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES IN TIlE FIELn, Camp Kagi, Chicicasaw Nation, February 15, 1864. Governor COLBERT, Of the Chickasaw Nation: GOVERNOR: When I passed your house I could not find you. Were you a fugitive from fear, or did you flee as a man who wamits to be an enemy? fliad you come to me frankly you would have found a friend. The Government has not believed that you really desired to fight it, but your comiduct leaves the matter in great doubt and will expose your people. Why (lid you ~cnd for soldiers to kee Page 110 11 U LOUISIANA AND TII F TRANS-MiSSiSSIPPI. Wmr. XLVI. the troops of the United States out of the Chickasaw Nation? Your treaties require you to admit their presence. Are we to understand that you no~v want formally to break these treaties? These ques- tions must be answered, and answered soon. Your power as head man was not given you to gratify your prejudice or pride. You are responsible to your people, and have no right to expose them to ruin when the Government offers them mercy. The President has issued a proclamation in which he offers pardon and peace to those who, even in this moment of its (lestruction, abandon this wicked and unnecessary war. You cannot fail to see the end coming. Are you justified in shutting the eyes of your i)eople to it? The offer now made may never come back to you if neglected. The great Government of the United States will soon crush all the enemies. Let me know if you want to be among tbem. I send you some letters by a prisoner to head men of sonic Indian nations; deliver them; they have a right to know what the United States Government says. Their blood may be upon you if you neglect it. I shall hold you accountable for their safe delivery. I remain, with respect, yours, & c., WM. A. PHILLIPS, Colonel, Commanding U. S. Forces, Indian Territory. ~Inc1osure No. 2.1 HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES IN THE FIELD, Camp Kagi, Chickctsaw Nation, February 15, 1864. To THE COUNCIL OF THE CHOcTAW NATION: I have been told that the head ineii of the Choctaw Nation are in council. I write to the council. I want to say to you who are acting for the Choctaw Nation and people that the President of the United States has issued a proclamation offering peace and mercy. The rebellion is coming to an end, its paper money is worthless, its means destroyed, but little of it left. and that fast going to destruction. I should not write to you, but I know you have been grossly deceived by those rebels, who made this wicked and unnecessary war to over- throw a good Government, a Government nuder which all had their rioht~ and which you know never wronged you.. The President ~ (hoes not wish to destroy you, but everything will be destroyed that stands in the way of peace to the~-gr~at Republic. As your friend and the friend of peace in the Indian Territory, I write to you to think of these things, and to s& e whether your people want to be destroyed in the vain hope of giving aid to a wicked rebellion. There is no possible reason why you should want to rebel against the Government that fed and protected you, and under which you had peace. Peace you will never have again until you come back to its shelter. Do not deceive your people. God will curse and they upbraid you if you do. You have to choose between peace and mercy and destruction. Bad men have d~ceived you and bought you with a little money that never did you any good. It will not be long before destruction comes. I think you understand I am in earnest. Do you want peace? If so, let me know before we come to destroy. Very respectfully, yours, & c.~ WM. A. PHILLIPS, Colonel, Commcnding U. S. Forces in the Yield Page 111 Ciw. XLVI.fl OPERATIuNS iN TIlE INDIAN TERRITORY. 111 [Inclosure No. :3.) HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES IN THE FIELD, Camp Kagi, Chickasaw Nation. February 15, 1861. JOHN JUMPER, Chief of Seminoles: COLONEL: I write to you, not that I have any interest in appealing to you, neither because I admire your courage, which I recognize even amidst the disaster of your late defeat; nor do I refer to your humiliation in the late engagement to taunt you with what your i)ersolial bravery coltl(I not prevent. I write to you because you are time recognized head of a part of the SemiHole Nation, amid in the behalf of those who trust you I al)l)eal to one whom 1 (10 not believe is dead to a just sentimiment. I suppose you know time responsibility of lowem. I do not think you desire to see your people utterly ruined. I believe that you do not wish the little remnant of their children to curse the day when you were their head. I think you amid they kmmow that neither you nor the rebels can overthrow the Government of the United States. I think you ought to kmmow that so causeless a war to overthrow so good a Government is very wicked. I feel sure you have had no cause to rebel against the Government. Let me ask you, do you not see the end comuing, and are you anxious to see your people destroyed in the ruins? Why let these demagogue rebels, who rose in arms against theim~ Government, deceive you? iDo you wish to see the Seminoles perish to cover up and hide their crimes? The President of the United States has once more offered mercy, pardon, and peace. I strike hard, but not because time Government is cruel, but because everything must be destroyed that stands in the way of the glorious American Republic. For your people, then, I tell you to think of these things. The offer is honest; it is liberal, because the Republic is great enough to be generous. If you accept it soon, you may be p reserved; if you do not, you and your people will be blotted out in blood. If you want peace let me know. From your friend and the friend of time Seminoles, WM. A. PHILLIPS, Colonel, Gow-matalitmy U. S. Forces, Indian Territory. No. 2. Itinerary qf the Ltd-ian Brigade. * February 1. -Battalion of imifantry. umider Major Wright, marched to Rheas Mills, 65 miles, to run mills and get forage and bread- stuff. Comumuands from the First Indian Regiment, Colonel Wattles; Third Indian, Major Foreman; battalion Fourteenth Kansas Cay- ahmy, Major Wihletts; section of Kaufmans howitzers, Captain Kaufman, with the commanding officer, marched s~uthward across Arkansas River; reached Hillabee after a march of 75 miles. February 5, 6, 7, and 8.Had skirmishes, in which upward of 50 of time enemy were killed. Rebels fleeing southward in great con- fusion. February 9 and 10.Thmree expeditions as advance columns to Little River, which whole comumand reached on time 11th. Time iTmommi rcturs~. fui~ February, i~64 Page 112 [CHAP. XLVI. 112 LOUISIANA ANI) TILE TRANS-MISSISSiPPI. enemy was broken up into little companies, and had not time to recover. In one affair 30 were killed by Major Willetts command, 10 by Captain Phillips, 9 by Major Foremans, and 6 by Captain Jacobs; 20 prisoners taken. February 12.Marched forward, the re-enforcements of cavalry not arriving. February 13.On Middle Boggy the advance had an engagement, in which 49 rebels were killed in action; left dead on the field. Rebel force completely routed and pursued considerable distance. February 14, 15, 16, and 17.Marched sonthward toward Washita. The rebels fleeing in all directions toward the Wichita Mountains, and sonic to Mexico. Rebel forcc under General Maxey and Gen- eral Cooper fled across Rcd River. Colonel Baylor fled from Red River to Brazos. Ammunition expended, tbe command marched back to Gibson. While (letached mounted forces swept the whole country for 80 miles on each side, the main command proceeded to Council Ground and Gibson. Creek, Seminole, and Chickasaw countries depopulated of their rebel inhabitants. Oxen taken for supply train. The command subsisted itself during the greater part of the expedition on corn taken in the country, ground in hand- mills taken from the enemy. February 29.Got back; mustered and inspected. No. 8. Report of Maj. Moses B. C. Wright, Second Indian Home Guard. HDQRS. DETACH. 1ST BRIG., ARMY OF THE FRONTIER, Fort Gibson, Cherokee Nation, February 27, 1864. LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to report that, in obedience to in- structions from your headquarters, dated Jannary 27, 1864, I pro- ceeded to Cane Hill and Rheas Mills, Ark., arriving there on the 29th, for tine purpose of supplying the command with flour and foraging the stock. I found soon after arriving there that Captain Buchanan with part of his company of guerrillas had crossed the Arkansas from below and was thneii in the mountains near Cane Hill, but was unable to get any definite information of his whereabouts, until on the night of the 8th of Febrnar h~ dashed into the command at Rheas Mills and wounded 2 men. Tine next morning a party was started in pursuit, who, after following them through tine mountains all day, came upon them, when a skirmish ensued, which resulted in killing 3 of the rebels and slightly wounding their captain. After this affair they remained very quiet, concealed in the mountains, until on the night of the 20th instant they caine in near Cane Hill, and stole a Government horse out of the corral. Upon making this discovery, I started Sergt. Henry Scraper, in. command of a party, in pursuit, who, after following them over tfte mountains about 15 miles, overtook them on the side of a steep bluff, where they had halted to rest their stock. Scraper halted and formed his men, when he charged them, completely routing them, killing Captain Buch- anan and 3 of his men, besides capturing their horses, arms, saddles, bridles, blankets, clothing, & c. I captured altogether 8 horses, 3 Eufield rifles, 2 Mississippi rifles, 1 Sharps carbine, and 2 Colt navy ~ y~rs, together with the saddles, bridles, & c., above inentioued Page 113 CDt?. XLVI] SCOUTS FROM ROLLA~ MO. 118 On Thursday, the 25th instant, I received orders to turn over my command to Maj. Charles Willetts, Fourteenth Kansas Cay , and report in person to our headq este after an absence of thirty days. where I wived y rday I have the honor to remain, lieutenant very respectfully, your obedient servant, M. B. C. WRIG~ET, Major Second Indian Regiment, (Jomdg. Detachment. Lieut. WILUAM GALI~anmt, Acig. Ant. Acljt. (Ion., Find Brigade. flflUARY 1KOCH 1, 186tSeiputs from Lila, Xii. Reports of C. L. Woods, D. Cawort Aaron & YaiJ B. B. Moore, and F. L. Aaoxt HEaQuARTRIW DISTRICT OF ROLLA, Mo., February 29, 1864. We left Rolla on the 1st of February, 1864 under orders to report to Ca tam Murphy, commanding post at houston, Mo., and re- porte to Captain Murphy on the 3d instant, received orders from him, and on the 5th instant we started with 30 men, under command of Lieutenant Boyd, of Company K, Sixth Regiment Enrolled Mis- souri Militia, and marched to Eatons, on Jacks Fork; distance from Houston, 22 miles. On the 6th we marched to Gillilands, in Peace Valley; distance, 22 miles. Heard that Lieutenant Carvill, of the Fifth Regiment Missouri State Militia, had gone north on the West Plains and Houston road. 7th.Marched to Widow Thomas place, or Gunter Valle , in Howell County. Learned here that there were several guerrillas in the immediate vicinity, and that a small party of them had on the 6th instant hung a man by the name of Judd nearly to death. We pushed torwar& to the house of Mr. Judd, and learned from him that there were 84 men, under Captain Evans, about 10 miles from Thomasyille, awaiting our approach. We found that we could do but little with twice our numterdf men w om we heard were well mounted and armed. Lieutenant Boyd dispatched our situation to headquarters at Houston. The command encamped at Judds, hav- ing marched 15 miles. 8th.Scouted and fo in hbor- hood; camped at Procks, having marched 10 mIles. 9th.---About 7 oclock Lieutenant Hillerich arrived from Houston with 50 men and onerlece of artillery. We soon formed in order intending to march for Thomasville, h a man came from that pLace and informed us that Captain Evans had found out that we were expecting re-en- forcements and had started before daylight in thelirection of Per-. kins place, on Warm Fork of Spring River. We immediately changed our course,inten~ ,if possible, to fall in with Captain Evans marched 24 miles and camped at Roberts. lOth.Started in good time and marched to the Thomasyille and Batesville road. Had gone about 1 mile when we saw 3 men coming toward us, who seeing us turned and ran. We pursued aid shot one of them; the others escaped. We then continued our march toward Spring River 8 it RVOL xxxiv, PT Page 114 [CHAP. XLVI. 114 LOUJSIANA AND THE ThXN& MISSLSSIPPI. Mills, and about 3 miles farther on we took a man whose name was iBen Carter; bitt he thought us Southern troops. and when the coin- manct came up he recognized some among them and immediately broke and ran, nor could he be made to stop until lie was shot (lown. We camped on Warm Fork, about 1 mile above the head of Spring River. In the evening we took 1~ mcii and went up Two-Mile Creek; saw two men run from a house ; we pursued and killed one of them, but the other escai)ed retiiriie(l to camp, iiavu~g marched to-day 2~ miles. I ith.Last night we were fired into. Time men fell in in good order and 1)iomptly returile(i time fire. Two rounds were fired omi each side, and the hring ceased. In about a half hour they returned and gave us another volley. Our guard, which was detailed for the pur- pose, attacked and drove theum back. They returned in an hour and fired six or seven shots, but our fire was too strong for them and they left. None of our men were hurt. We heard nothing more of the rebels that night. In the morning we started for J anes Creek. Had marched about 3 muiles when we found a house in which were stored two barrels of salt, some guns, and ammunition. We burned the house and every- thing in it, not allowiug ammy contrabamid property to be renmoved at all. We had just reached a safe distamice from the house when we heard a loud report, which we afterwards learned was made by a keg of gunpowder which had been concealed under the floor of the house. We then marched to Janes Creek and camped. Lieutenant Hillerichi took 15 nien and went with us down the creek to recon- noiter. We had marched 1 mile whemi we met a man who said he could take us to the house of the rebel Captain Orchards. We pro- ceeded on our way a half mile farther, when we took another maim. Tbis man gave his name Henery, and he looked somewhat frightened. We asked him if he knew of any troops being in that neighborhood. He said that he did not. We then asked him where Freeman was, to which he replied that he knew miothing of Freeman whatever, om. of any other command. While talking with him a party of nien came in sight. We pursued and killed 2 of them; one of them proved to be William Lamb, a brother-in-law to Freeman and acting quarter- master to Freemans regiment. Henery said to the men who guarded him, as soon as we started in the chase, that we had better be called back, for Freeman was camped less than 2 miles below with a strong force; but the information came too late to s~top us, and in the charge we got scattered, and whien~ all assembled at the starting point omie of the scouts was missing (Woods). Omme of the men reported that he had seen, while passing through the woods, several men well armed and mounted, and this, together with the prisoners statement of Freemans camp, caused our squad to return to camp, thinking that Woods might have gone before them, but when they arrived in camp they found that he had not yet conme in, and he was supposed to be taken in by the rebels. Thecommand was in motion soon and moving in the direction of Freemans canip ~ had marched about 1 utile when Woods came in all right. A council was then held, and it was determined that we should return to our camp, pick our ground, and prepare to act on the defensive in case of an attack, which we looked for that night. Marched that day 20 miles. l2th.During the night we heard nothing of the enemy, and in the morning we were informed that 1ireemnaii was marching to Couchs place, some [0 miles in the direction ot Thomnasvilie. Of course we expected that he was going there to meet and liohit u Page 115 CHAP. XLVJ.J S(~)JTfs FIliM 1{OLLA, Mi). 115 We were on the march in good tiiut, and arrived at Couchs about 1() a. ni., but Freeman was not there, and now we could see wherein Freeman had outgeneraled us, and instead of going to Couchs had gone some place else. We halted here for (hmnner, and then resumed our march. About ~S miles farther on we saw l men niount and run. e pursued and shot both ~f them. They were dressed in Federal urn- rmn. We marched on to Thomasville and camped for the night. hav- ing marched 2~3 miles. i8th.Marched to James Harris, on Turkey Oak, and campe(l ; marched 18 miles. i4th.This day was spent in gathering together families to move north, and in scouting through the neighborhood. l5th.Marched to Eatons, on Jacks Fork: dis- tance, 20 miles. 16th. We left a guard with the teams and came into Houston without making any further discoveries; distance, 22 miles. l2th.Started in search ot some rebels said to be on Possum Creek; found no signs, and caniped at the house of Mr. Coats; marched 20 miles. lSth.Marched down Possum to Joe Harris place. Learned here that the guerrilla Bill Coats had been the night before at a house on Hamilton Creek. We learned that Coats had moved his camp to Big Piney. We went across to Pmney, near James John- ston~s l)lace, and there scattered through time hills, hoping that sonic one of mis might come u poim time canip. We foumid nothing, however, and all camped together at Smuileys Mill; marched 24 miles. l9tlm. We scouted on Piney and Possum, but found nothing; camped at Jos. Gladdons place; distance, 20 miles. 9 .Wth.We marched to No. 1 on Piney; distance. 18 miles. 21st. Marched to camp at Houston with out making any discoveries worthmy of note. 22d.We started in the direction of Waynesvihle; marched to Kivotts; distance, 20 miles. 23d.Went to Waynesvihle and re- ported to Major Fischer; 18 miles. 24th.Started up Roubidoux; niarched to Finleys; 15 miles. 2Sth.Marched up the Roubidoux sonie 20 miles. and for want of forage were obliged to march to Hous- ton, being 40 umiles from Fimmleys farm. 26th.Started for Rolla in the evenimig. and marched 8 miles. 27th.Marched 30 miles and camped. 28th.Arrived in Rolla safe amid sound. 29th.Reported to commandivg officer District of IRohla. C. L. WOODS. D. CAUSORT. AARON S. VAIL, Chief of Scouts. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF ROLLA, Mo., March 2, 1864. Left Rohla omm time 1st of February, 1864, under orders to report to Major Fischer, commanding post at Waymmesvihle. Reported to that officer omm the 2d, and received orders the same day, and in com- pany with 5 men, under comniand of Lientenamit ~tes, of Company E,F ifth Regiment Missouri State Militia, marelmed north of Waynes- v ille sonme 6 miles. Learned here that the guerrillas, whom we were in search of, had gone in a southwest direction. We pursued theni into Texas County,~uear time farm of one Lowe, on the Roubidoux. About sunrise on the second day after we left camup we ran into the cammmp of some 16 or 18 gimerril has. eomnmamm (ie(i by ti e otorions out- law Framik Smith. We chiarged on the eammip aid routed tlmemn eomn pletely ; killed 7 men and captured 7 Itorses, saddles, amid bridles Page 116 116 [CHAP XLVI. LOUISTAA N 1) TIlE Ti~ANS-MISSISS1PPI. together with a quantity of plunder of various kinds. We fohloived the trail of the flying thieves as bug as we could, but they broke for the brush, and it was impossible to follow them mounted. We then scouted in a northeast directiom and on the oth we arrived in camp at Wavu~esvihle, having lost no men or horses. On the morning of the 7th we received orders from Major Fischer to go in search of sonic guerrillas who had fri ed into the stage be- I ween \Vaynesville and the Gasconade. Marched 4 miles on the Springfield read, and then turned northwest and went into Moccasin Bend, on the Gasconade. Found several old camps here, but appar- ently deserted for sonic weeks. We theii marched south, crossed the Springfield road, and shortly afterward we struck the trail of the busliwhackers going south; followed thieni up Roubidoux into Texas County, where they broke up and scattered through the hills, so that we could not possibly follow them. Here we turned and took a northeast course and came to the farm of Judge Bates. Here we learned that there was a man by the name of J. W. Tigg, a man well known as a guerrilla, ~wlio~ was then at his home in that neighbor- hood. We went to the house of Tigg, who broke and ran as we were approaching the house. We pursued him, but he had the advantage of us, being mounted on a horse both fresh and fleet, while our own were completely jaded and worn out. From this place we scouted through the country, generally in the direction of Waynesville, where we arrived on the 12th all right. On the 13th we left camp and marched in a southerly direction. We scouted the country in this (hirection, and returned to camp on the 19th without having made any discoveries worthy of note. Our horses being completely worn out we were obliged to recruit them for a day or two, after which we again started in a northierly direction. We scouted the country in this direction until the 25th, when we returned to camp. We learned that Burt Woods was about 5 miles south of Waynesville with a gang of thieves, number- ing somewhere in the vicinity of 30 or 40. We started in an easterly course until we struck the trail by which we supposed Woods and his gang would pass in the morning. Upon examination, however, we found that the guerrillas had already passed. At once we coin- unenced our march on his track. About 10 a. m. we ran into the party about 2 miles from Mr. Lewis place, on Spring Creek. We charged on theni while they were in the act of making prisoners ot Mr. Lewis and another Union man. The gui~errilhas undertook to give us a fi glut, but we dashed at them with such unearthly yells that they could not stand our approach. They broke for the woods, and we got but 2 men with their horses and rigging. One of the memi killed was supposed to be Burt Woods, the leader of the band. We learned from one of the men before he died that there were about 60 bush- whackers iii that vicinity, some of whom had goume north to Miller Couuity. We then started for camp, where we arrived all right on the evening of the 29th. We would here state that all contraband property taken by us during the past month has been turned over to Major Fischer, coni- manding post at Waynesville. On the 1st of March. we started for Rolla, where ~c arrived on the same evening safe and sound. B. R. MOORE. U. L. hARD. AARON S. VAlL. (I~hief of $cow/s Page 117 CRAP. XLVLJ OPERATIONS nr N Sit ~lRXICO AND ARIZONA. 117 LTndorusmmLJ HusDQuaTns DIsTincT or ROLLA, BoUts, Mo., Mwch 3,1884. Respectfully forwarded, for the information of the department commander. I would here take occasion to remark that th~ detach- inent at Waynesvile, Mo., has siwa s exhibited cr~litable seal in ridding the section of guerrillas and horse thieves, and deserves the praise and confidence of those in authoritg. ~ EPPSTEIN, Lientenard-Coloinel, Commanding District. FEBRUARY 1-lARCH 7, 1864.Opatias is New Kezico sad Adams. REPORTS. No. LCapt. As B. Carey, Thirteenth U. S. Infantry, of operations in New Mexico. No. 2.Capt Francis MeQabe, First New Mexico Cavalry, of operations in New No. S.Maj. Edward B. Willis, First California Infantry, of operations in Arizona. No. 4.Capt. James H. Whitlook, Fifth California Infantry, of operations In Ada No. 1. Reports of CaTt. Asa B. Carey, Thirteenth a a Infantry, of operas tin. in New Afewico. HEADQUaTnS NAvuo EnEmnoN, Fort Catnby iv Mew., February 28, 186t CAFWN: I have the honor to report that on the 26th instant a party of Mexican citizens arrived at this post from an unsuccessful pursuit of a party of Navajo ladrones who had robbed them of some stock. They are from the Rio Arriba, and traversed the country from that place through the Chusco, making a thorough examina- tion of the country at the base of the Juanico range of mountains *bfl(l in the vicinity of El Cation de Chelle, but without discovering but one Indian, whom they killed. I iafQrmed this party that for the present, that so long as the Indians continued coming m for hit- migration in such hr numbers, that active o rations would not be renewed against tCm; that all stock of w~itever description brought in by them is assured to them so long as they remained under my protection, and that all claims must be sent in to the general commanding for adjudication; that any attack made on these people now would in all probability injure those who were coming mm good faith thee~ consequencesof which it would be difficult to estimate. here is no question but whit it would have the effect of stopping the arrivals, thereby protracting the war iii- definitelyand sacrificing the results of the last cam . Th fully coincided with my views and agreed to return. ey Tk being destitute, I furnishe& them ~ovisions for this purpose. Althoiwh citizen cannot blamed, but must on the contrary, be praised for their energy in pursuing so far the ro6bers of their flocks, their hereditary foe, the Navajo, they should at the same time understand that any act of hostility committed against the Navaj Page 118 I 1& IA)t ISIA N A ANi) TIlE TEA NS-NI1SS1SSIPPI. at present may place a barii~er a the way of carryilig out the wise measures now in successful progress of freeing this Territory from the lawless acts of these people. Of course this forbearance has no reference to those who leave this country for purposes of pillage. ]i have now here 2,500 Indians awaiting transportation, besides about 500 already sent from this post since the return of Colonel Carson from the Canon de Chelle. and they are daily arriving. In about two days I expect a train of ten teams, which, with the num- ber of teams I shall be able to send of the depot transportation, will, I think, enable me to send all away who are now here. In the mean time I have them employed bringing in grass as part payment for their food. The moment they cease coming in hostilities will be again resumed with the usual vigor. Having been informed that there was a band of ladrones inhabiting the hills west of Bear Springs, I detached Capt. F. McCabe with 30 men yesterday morn- ing with instructions to break up their rendezvous and punish them. Taking advantage of the temporary cessation of hostilities I have established drills, by which the troops are being much benefited. I am, captain, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, A. B. CAIIEY. Gupta in, Thirteenth Infantry, (Jomm and ing. Capt. BENJAMIN C. CUTLER, Asst. A~jt. Gem. Santa F~. N. Mew. HEADQUARTERS NAVAJO EXPEDITION, Fort Ganby, N. Mew., March 6, 1864. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report, for the information of the general commanding, that on the 4th instant I dispatched from this post en route to Bosqne Redondo 2,103 Navajo Indians. Capt. John Thompson, First Cavalry, New Mexico Volunteers, went in charge of the escort and Indians. The escort consisted of the men re-en- listed as veteran volunteers (3 non-commissioned officers and 22 pri- vates) and 2 non-commissioned officers and 23 I)rivates of Company K, First Cavalry, New Mexico Volnuteers. Captain Thompson has orders that on his arrival at Los Pinos lie will proceed with the In- dians to the Bosque, taking with him as ami escort the veteran volun- teers amid dispatching the men of Carnp~iny K as escort to my trans- i)ortatiomi. which is directed to retmirmi from Los Pinos to this post. The tramisportation furnished was a Government train (Robinsons, late Russells) of eight 10-mule wagomis and twenty 6-mule wagons from this post. Six of these are wagomis which I am directed to return to Fort Union depot; fourteen belong to and are to return to this post from Los Pinos, together with the mules of the six wagons which are to be forwarded to Union. There are now at the mail station, Old Fort Fauntleroy, 33 In- dians, which I directed Captain Thompson t~ take on with him. This will make the total number under his charge 2,138, a larger number than has ever been sent at any one time before with the same amount oL transportation. I have now at this post 400, which will be forwarded as soon as practicable. On the 8th instant I shall start out scouting parties. One I shall send to Chusca Valley and its vicimiity; another to Canon de Chelle, Mesa (le Ia Baca, and Cal- labasas, and to examine the country west of this post. The Indians who left on the 4th instant with Captain Thompson had, mid too Page 119 CHAP. XLYII OPEUATION~ IN NEW 31 ENIC() XNh AI:TZONA. 119 with them, 473 head of horses and :3,000 head of sheep. All seemed contented and desirous of leaving a country where they say they have no rest. Those here now are also desirous of leaving for the Bosque. If all have not come in the scouting parties which will be sent out will, I trust, very soon induce them to do so. The party brought in by Captain McCabe, who was sent from this post on the 27th of last month, are undoubtedly a part of the band which has infested the road between this post and Fort Wingate. I shall take especial pains to see that all this party are (lisposed of. 1 have the honor to inclose herewith a copy of Captain McCabe~s report, which explains itself. Since the 20th of last month 126 Indians have died at this post. making, with those just sent to the Bosque, a reduction of 2,264 Navajoes from the population of this country. This, I am satisfied, is a larger number than could have been subdued and forced to give themselves up had a vigorous war been continued. The truce which I extended to them expired on the first of this month, and Captain McCabe was in the field to convince them of the fact. I shall keel) as many troops in the field as practicable until further orders. As a matter of necessity, I sent nearly all my transportation to the river with the Indians, who had to be fed, and the longer they stayed here the lower they reduced my commissariat. Those here now will be sent to the river within ten days. I have sufficient transporta- tion on hand now to enable me to push the war vigorously in this vicinity. In this country men re-enlisting cannot o~et the benefits of the furlough granted to veteran volunteers in the States. For that reason I directed Captain Thompson to proceed to the Bosque with the veteran volunteers as a reward to them, and to compensate for the furlough which it is impossible to grant them in this country. I trust that my policy and manner of conducting operations against the Navajoes since the departure of Colonel Carson will meet with the approval of the department commander. I mu, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. B. CAREY, Captain, Th I dee nIh in fan try, (lomman dimj. Capt. BENJAMIN C. CUTLER, Assistant Adjutant- General. No. 2. Report of Capt. Francis life Cube, First New Jllierrico Cavalry, qJ operations ut New ilifex io. FORT CANBY, N. MEX., March 4, 1864. SIR: I have the honor to report that I left this host on the 27th ultimo with a command consisting of 3 sergeants, 5 corporals, and 42 privates of Company L, First New Mexico Cavalry, rationed for ten days, pursuant to Post Orders, No. , dated Fort Canby, N. Mex., February 26, 1864. Q~i reporting to Capt. A. B. Carey, commanding officer, I received verbal instructions to proceed to Fort Fauntleroy with my command, and on my arrival to select from among the party at the mail station some man possessing a sufficient knowledge of the country in that vicinity who could conduct me in search of a Page 120 [Cu I~. XLVI. 120 LOIJS1A NA AND TILE TRANs M1SSISSLPII. Indian encampment supposed to be located somewbere in tbat neigh- borhood. Captain Carey likewise a(lvise(l me that the band of Navajoes above referred to were perhaps the same Indians that had made the attack on RusseiPs train, fired on our express riders, and that had so long annoyed our conununications with Fort Wingate and Los Pinos; and he directed nie to march by moonlight in time to reach and surprise their canip by sunrise, when I was to use proper discretion in the matter, and citber receive the band as prisoners in case they should surrender or chastise them to the utmost extent of my ability should they offer resistance. I arrived at Fort Fauntleroy on the 2Otb ultimo, and was informed by Sergt. J. Martimi Bird, commanding detacbmiient at mail station, that his comniand had beeii lately relieved, and that none of the men tlmemi on duty at the statioii knew aiiythiiig about tbe locality of the hostile cam). I was fortunate enough to timid, however, a Navajo captive at time station, who volunteered to conduct inc to the camp and act as guide and interpreter. LeaVing Fort Fauntleroy omi the 1st instant, I marched to a point south of the Rio Puerco, known as the Canon Well. where I arrived at night-fall and encamped. I gave orders to have the command under arms at moonrise, amid accord- ingly, when the moon rose, my party was in motion omi the trail leadin~ to the Indian camp. The path taken by my guide led in a wester~y direction for several miles along the level valley of the Rio Puerco, amid then turned abruptly to the miorth, ascending an elevated ridge covered with a growth of evergreens, such as spruce, cedar, amid pifion, and traversing a country furrowed and broken in every direction, thereby rendering my progress much slower than I had anticipated. I proceeded onward as rapidly as practicable, and at sunrise I reachedap oint from which my guide showed me the smokes of time enemys camp-fires. From this point the only practicable ap- proach was across a plain about a mile in width, and the probability was that my command would be observed by time savages, but as there was no alternative I niarchied forward at double-quick tinme. I had passed over more thami two-thmird~ of tIme distamice when, as 1 had anticipated, the alarm was giveim by 3 Indians, who bad left time camp in search of water. Tile alarm spread so rapidhy that by time tinie time head of my command reached one side of time camp time last savage was retreatimig nuder cover of the forest timber on the other. In their flight the Indians abando~ed.~ahl their canip equipage, cook- ing utensils, and even portions of their clothing. Large quantities of wild potatoes were found in caump, which fornmed their chief article of subsistence, and which they obtaimied iii time mmeighboring plaimi by digging. The surface of the plain had been dug up iii various direc- tiomis by the Imidians in their search for the potatoes~ and presented the appearance of having been rooted by herds of swine. Great numbers were found roasted at the camp-fires, and were eagerly eaten by umy men, who had left camp in light marching order, unencumbered by blankets or haversacks. On entering the can~ I semit my interpreter forward to the crest of a knoll in the vicinity, with instructions to hail the dispersed Navajoes, and tell them that unless they came in amid surrendered themselves I would divide my command amid pursue them immediately, in which case they umeed expect no quarter; but that in case they should surrender I would take them to Fort Canby, where the coummandimig officer would furnish them with umeans to travel to time reservation set apart for the frieimdly Navajoes. After a short parley. time interpreter canine unto camp followed by most o Page 121 CHAP. XLVI.] PEV~XTB)NS t~ NEW MEXICO AN!) ARIZONA. 121 the warriors, who expressed themselves very willing to remove to the reservation; said that they were glad they were informed in tinie, and requested leave to bring in their families, who were dispersed in the neighboring ravines. This I readily granted, and told the war- riors that I would return to my camp at the Puerco, where I should expect to see them at sundown. Soon after I marched back to my camp, and at sundown I had the satisfaction of seeing the entire band (110 Indians in all) at my camp. I started back on the morning of the 3d instant, and reached this post on the afternoon of the 4th instant with 112 Indians, having captured 2 Indians on the road. One of the teamsters of Russells train recognized the Indian who shot Mr. Russell among those that I brought in. I entertain the hope that the removal of these Indians will render the transmission of mails and the passage of small trains a duty of less danger in future. During the scout the bearing and behavior of my men were all that I could expect from good soldiers. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, FRANCIS McCABE, Captain Company L, First (Ia rairy, New ]Jfexico T7ols. Second Lient. JOSEPH LAUGHLIN, Post Ad/n tonI. No. 8. Report of iliaj. Edward B. Willis, First Ccthfornia Infantry, of operations in Arizona. HEADQUARTERS, Fort Whipple, Ariz., February 11, 1864. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that since my last a party of inimiers, under lead of Mr. King Woolsey, followed the tracks of ani- mals stolen froui them, amid overtook the Indians in the Pinal coun- try beyond the Saii Francisco River. They succeeded in killing 24; a party of Maricopas at the same time killed 9. To-morrow muormi- ing I shall start in that direction accompanyiiig Governor Goodwin. We propose to examine the country with a view to the selection of a proper site for a town in the geographical ~emiter of the Territory; also a proper location for the military post. This point, if the country meets our expectations, will undoubtedly be the capital. The commission appointed in General Orders, No. , have not yet selected a site for the post, not having the proper opportunities for examining the country. A party of about 75 miners will accom- pany this expedition, and we propose to afford them all facilities possible in prospecting the country over whicb we pass, and at the same time, if possible, to strike a blow at the India~, having at all times the main objects of the expedition in view. There would be considerable quantities of grain sown in this vicinity this season, but on attempting to procure seed from the Pima villages the rancjieros have been forbidden by the Government agemit, Mr. Allen, from purchasing a single pound. It is too late for them to send to California or New Mexico for seed, and will be a serious drawback upon this l)ortion of Arizona. I am very munch pleased with the agricultural and farming lamids in this section, an Page 122 .122 L()ITISJAIN A ANI) Ill 1 ~Ii~AiNS-MI55ISSJ pJ)J~ CHAP. XLVI. reSl)ectfuhly request that if possible garden seed may be sent to this post as soon as practicable. We have already a small assortment, but need more. Grape cuttings, no doubt, will do extremely well here. The people of this section are very much excited with regard to the Indian disturbances, so niuch so that last week, during a visit to the mines. I noticed men working with arms beside them, aiid it is not considered safe to leave their dwellings without them. Unless immediate steps are taken to quell these Indians it will be of serious detriment to the Territory. I shall do all in my power in this dii~ec- tion, and respectfully request the general commanding to furnish me with his views upon this subject. I am, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, EDWARD B. WILLIS, iVfaj. First infantry, California Loin n teer~, Corn ni an (un q. Capt. BENJAMIN C. CUTLER. Asst. A~J1. Gen., San/a F~, N. 3fex. No. 4. Reports ()j Capt. ~Ja ni es 11. JYh i1locl~, F~flh California Infantry, Of operations in ii ,iZOUa. HEADQUARTERS, C1amp Rio MiinThres, Aiiz., March 1, 1864. COLONEL: I have the honor to inform you that on Wednesday, the 24th [ultimol, I received a communication from Los Pinos Altos, stat- ing that Indians had visited that place on the 13th instant, and that the citizens were in great fear, as the Indians had told them they would return on or about Thursday, the 25th. I at once concluded to try and catch them, if possible; so I left with 21 men on the evening of the 24th instant [ultimo] at S p. in., taking an old and indirect route, determined not to be seen, traveled until 4 a. in. of the 25th, and secreted myself in a caiion until 9 p. in., theii started again and went witliiii about 3 miles of the town, hid agaiii, and sent in a spy. He returned before daylight, saying there were iio Indians there; so I laid over, hid in the thick brush, intending to lie there as long as I could to await for their arrival in town. They came about noon; word came, and I started to the place~t about S p. in., arriving there just at dusk. I made an attack immediately. There were 19 of them, and I killed 13, including the notorious chief Louis, successor to Mangas Colorado, chief of the Gila tribes. In my opinion not one escaped with a whole hide. This chief is the same that killed Private Bay, of Conipany D, First Infantry, California Volunteers, at Fort West, last fall,~ and the same that I had a fight with in Sierra Blanca Mountains in September last. I also captured a Mexican woman from them (whose narrative I append to this report as containing some very useful information) aiid one pony and bows and arrows in abundance. I followed those who escaped the next day about 7 or 8 miles, but could not overtake them. Returned safely to camp on the 29th ~ithont the slightest accident of any kind; not a man hurt. Marijenia Figueira says: My fathers family lived at Banamiehi, a small mining town in Sonora. When I was seven years old the town was attacked by Indians. Myself and sister were taken prisoners and carried off: also a few other children of the town: besides thi Page 123 clAp. xLVIj ~ ~VII~ATJ4 ~N~- I N NEW \I EXICO A ND ARIZONA. 1~3 all the people of the town were killed, including my father and mother. Tbis is my sister, the wife of Julian Aguirre. She was a prisoner five years; I have been a prisoner fifteen years; am twenty-two years old. During the whole time I have been a slave for Louis and his family; have been treated well; have never been married; have no children. Louis and 3 warriors were all of Mangas Colorados tribe that were here; all the others were of the Chiricahua tribe. Louis and all of the warriors belonging to his tribe were killed; he was acting chief of the party. If we had got off well this time Cochise and his tribe would have conme next time. All the Indians that came with this party were living near the mouth of Black River. We came by Fort West; have been eight days coming. The Navajoes are at war with all the other tribes that I know of. They took all our stock left us very poor; very poor indeed. We have no stock except 3 ponies, and 1 of these the soldiers got last night. We have no dried meat; have nothing to live upon ex- cept mescal; have no dried mescal; have a very hard matter to gather enough to (10 from day to day. Can occasionally kill a deer. Have no powder or guns. Our guns are nearly all worn out. We only get a little powder occasionally, when we can kill somebody. The Navajoes got some of our guns. We flave no clothing. We have to live down in the valleys. We cannot live up in the mountains; it is too cold. Ruflon and Victoria get powder and lead from a man named Zuloaga, who lives in Corrahitos, Mexico. Sometimes we get some powder from Rufion. Zuloaga is always on friendly terms with us, even when his Government is at war with us. Rufion and Victoria are both over this way somewhere. I think Rufion and part of his people are in the Florida Mountains or at Lake Guzman to make campaigns a~ ainst Las Cruces and Mimbres River. William Aguirre is a citizen of Pinos Altos, and the captured woman was turned over to him. She desires to live with her sister. I feel it to be my duty to acknowledge valuable service rendered by Mr. William Market, in connection with this report also Mr. Ji~hah Aguirre. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES H. WHITLOCK, Gapt., Fifth infantry, California Volunteers, Commanding. Col. GEORGE W. BOWIE, Comdg. District of A iiZona. Fran kiln, Tex. HEADQUARTERS CAMP M [MBRES, March 7, 18(;4. CAPTAIN: II have the honor to inform the colonel commanding that on the morning of the 3d instant Juan Arroyas (my Mexican guide and scout) reported to me that some Indians had just crossed the road with some cattle about G miles from Tiere, going southward. I thouoht best to look after them a little, so I sent Lieutenant Bur- kett amid 14 enlisted men lnonnte(l on wagon mules to give chase. Lieutenant iBurkett followed them to the Florida Mountains, a dis- tance of about 50 miles, but could not overtake them. He re orts that a very large body of Indians has been encamped there for SOHiC time past, and appears to have left about three or four days ago; that they have had a considerable amount of stock; that stock has h)een driven to that place from every direction, bt~ has all been driven away in the direction of Lake Guzmau. The Indians are very plenty around here nowadays, and if you will nive me a fair show I will catch some more of them, but as it is, I have hardly troops enough to guard my herd and keep them off it. My men come on guard duty every third day and on police once between guards, when all are here; when part are gone on a scout we all have to stand guard. I have had to discharge time duties of sergeant of the guard myself in order to keep the non-commnis8ioned officers from remain Page 124 L?4 (liAr. XLVI. ing on duty forty-eight hours without being relieved. My orderly sergeant is detailed regularly when there is a detachment out. My standing instructions are to strike at them whenever I can, but how can I do anything with so small a garrison and a Gov- ernment herd to look out for? But if Company I comes along in a few days I think of halting them a few days and go after those fel- lows, unless I shall receive orders to the contrary. They are reported as being in such numbers that II do not feel safe with bless than 50 men. II should like very much to know your pleasure in regard to this matter, as it could very probably be obtained in time. I believe I could catch a good number of them, and probably some stock. I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES H. WHITLOCK (Japta itt, Fifth infantry, Cat iforn Ut Vols., Corn ra an ding. Capt. C. A. SMITH, Acig. AnsI. Adjt. (Thu., iIctrt~s Mills, Tex. FEBRUARY 2, 1864.Skirmish on Halcoim Island, Mo. .I-?eport of C(t/)t. l/VillW in Da W50U, Second ilfissoa ri Slate Militia Ca 101171. [BLOOMFIELD, Mo.,] February 4, 1864. COLONEL: Captain Shibley has returned, bringing 8 prisoners, among the number John Bolin. lie killed 7 men and took 13 horses. The party was attacked on Halcolm Island and numbered about 35, principally the Bolin gang. They were on this side foraging. He captured 15 wagons of cornall citizens wagons. The captain reports 400 men to cross at Jones Ferry to-day to march for this place. He destroyed the ferry. All this without the loss of a man on our side. I will send the prisoners to-morrow morning to the Cape with Captain Siuibley. WM. DAWSON (jurlia in, (1oin nwnding. Col. J. B. ROuERs. FEBRUARY 36, 1864Expedition from Brashear City, La. Report of Col. ~\iehoIas JY. Day. One hun(lred and thirty-first New Yoik Infantry. HEA~QUARTERS U. S. FORCES, Brashear City, 1i~., February 6, 1864. SIR: I would respectfully submit to the colonel connuanding the district the following report of the expedition comnianded by me, consisting of 75 infantry amid one section of artillery, on the steamers J. M. Brown ~nd Red Chief, which left here the evening of the 3d instant: We proceeded up Grand Lake into Lac Fausse Pointe. at the ex- treme northern point of which we landed, at Dauterives plantation Page 125 CHAP. XLVI.] EXPEDITION FROM I~IiA~IIEAN CITY, LA. l2~i Saw sonic pickets of the tin my, who ran away as we approached. Found a good landing with 4 feet of Water. and a good road to Saint Martiuville. Discovered ti a( es of a camp that had been occupied lately by a force, perhaps 1 500 ~ti ong. There was a small work runuing across the road about 1 ~00 paces from tile laudino~ with an abatis in front of it. Evem vthumg was deserted. Did not see any- thing of time force said to be on the lake. From there went up Bayou LEumbarras, but saw nothing. Obtained some 3 mules antI 3 horses one was marked U. S. Have turned timeum over to the quarter- master. Returned tinough Lac Fausse Poimite and proceeded up Grand Lake through Lake Chicot, Bayou Chene, Lake Maringoula and Bayou Tensas, into Grand River, and landed at Offutts saw-mill, where we took on some lumber. Sent 2 men in a skiff down Grand River, who returned and reported that they saw some men runnuig down on the banks of the bayou. Went down with tile steamer Red Chief and came to a small bayou, up which I sent Captaimi Evans with a small party. The men we were after took to the woods, excepting omie, who renmained with a flat-boat. He was taken in tow amid brouoht ~ to time steamer. He had omi board his flat 5 or 6 bales of dry-goods, a box of sundries, a lot of curry-combs, 4 or 5 sacks of coffee, 1 bale of rope, flour, pota- toes, 3 bottles of quinine, with other parcels of umedicine, & c., and 830,000 in Confederate mommey, all of which I turned over to time pro- vost-marshal. He had no papers authorizing him to take time goods outside of the limmes, but said the officers at Phaquemine knew of it. He gave his imame as Thormi. I also overhauled 2 Jews, who pro~ (luced passes from provost-marshal to go outside the lines, and whom I then let go. I also took on Grand River, near Offutts mill, i2~- hogshmeads of sugar. A man there claimed it and also clainied to be a Ummion maim, and whom I brought down with me. The sugar I turned over to the post commissary. By all I can learn theme is quite an extensive trade carried on between Plaquemine and Butte ~i la Rose. I also took a Confederate soldier, who claimed to be a deserter; but doubting his story, brought him with me and delivered imim to tbe provost-marshal. From Grand River we returned by way of Whisky Bay and Bayou La Rampe and Grand Lake, pick imug up on the way 2 men, who were rummnimmg tim e lines. All of which is respectfully submitted. Very respectfully, your obediemit servant. NICHOLAS W. DAY, Colonci, Go umanding Post. Capt. WILiaA~T J. DENSLOW. Acting Assistant Adjutant- (icucral. [Indorsernent.] HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES, La Fourchc District, Febm~tary 7, 1864. Respectfully forwarded to department headquarters, aimd particu- lar notice is called to so munch as alludes to smuggling between Pla- quemine and Butte ~ ha Rose. This same information has been received several timer before and forwarded to department head- quarters. EI)WARD L. MOLtNELTX, (b/on Ct, & omraandimg Page 126 LQUISFANA A NT) TIlL TRANS-MJISSISSJPPi. [CHAP. XLVI, FEBRUARY 4-8, 1864.~--Expedition from Helena up White River, Ark. Report of Capt. Charle8 OConnell, Iiijieenlh llliflo18 Cacairy. HELENA, ARE., IiCbIIW/g 7, 1864. SIR. I have the honor to SUbmIt the following report of scout np White River: I embarked on steamer Cheek February 4, 1864, at 8. .0 a. fli., ~ll cominaiid of i0() men Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry, 40 Thud Arkansas, Africaii Descent, Captain Robinson, and 7 men, with one piece of artillery, Lieutenant Hadlock. Left Helena 9 a. in., proceeded toward Friars Point, destroyed one flat-boat; arrived at Friars Point 11 a. in.; found four cotton-boats there. The gun-boat had been ordered to Memphis. In your dispatch to Captain Brown, of gun-boat, you wanted the steamer White ordered to Helena. I took discretionary power to order all of them to report to your headquarters, as I thought that they could be easily captured by the rebels, as they had no gun-boat to protect them. I then proceeded on; arrived Island 63 at 12 ni., delivered dispatches; passed gun-boat Eastport at Island 65, the steamer Rike alongside; arrived at Island 66 at 2.20 p. in. The steamer Emerald with troops stopped to wood; had 110 dispatch for the officer commanding island; arrived at mouth of White River u p. in., reported to Captain Prichett, delivered dispatch, disem- barked cavalry, and remained at the mouth of White River until mornino~ as it was not safe to run up at night. 0, February 5, embarked and moved up White River at 8.30 a. in., no comivoy going up; stopped at 12 in. on west side; took three cords wood arrived at the mouth of Big Creek, 3 miles below Indian Bay, at 5.30 p. in. ; distance down Mississippi, 95 miles; White, 74 miles disembarked cavalry to feed and water; took two cords wood. I got information that Mayos and Davis companies had gone to General McRaes headquarters; embarked and proceeded up Indian Bay at 12.30 a. in.; arrived at Indian Bay Landing 2.30 a. in.; disembarked and left Captain Robinson, Third Arkansas, African Descent, in command of the boat, with orders to remain twenty-four hours at the landing; themi, if he did not get other orders, to report to Helena, Ark. I moved toward Colonel Boyces plantation; captured 5 pris- omiers at houses on the road; arrived at Boyces, 8.30, February 6, 1864; got positive information th t i~[ayos and Davis companies had gomie to McRaes headquarters, to organize into a battalion to return in about ten days. Fed horses amid breakfasted at Boyces; exarnimied his papers and letters. He informed me that lie had one revolver, and had fifteen bales of cotton upstairs hid from the rebels. They had been encamped on his place. I took his revolver, but did not arrest him, as I could not get information that he had been giving aid to the rebels. They took it. He is coming to Helena to report iii a few days. While there I got information that Casteels company was encamped 3~ miles from Boyces. I started immediately for his camp, got within one-half mile of it. Met a negro that had just re- turned from the picket, informing them that we were in the country. I arrested hi~n and made him pilot me to the camp. I found their pickets about I 0 rods from their camp, omi the opi)osite side of a (\1desS 5W{tlfl ~); (0111(1 see th(H1~ Th(iI. about 18, iii line. mounted. We fired at the pic1~et, and then charged for thieni. We could only g Page 127 (~RAP. XLVIJ ExPEI)rrloN UP WHITE RLVEI~, ARK. 12T by files brough the swamI), and m the path the watei and mud xvas 4 feet deep. As soon as we flied the company ran back over the hill, and as soon as the advance got over the swamp they scattered iii all directions. The woods were very thick and very miry. I ordered my men to charge as foragers after them; followed them about 2 miles, scattering them in all directions. I captured 2 prisoners, 4 horses, shot 1 horse, ; guns, and all their camp and garrison equl- page. They had plenty of meat, salt, meal, and corn. 1 burned and (IestrOyed one crib of corn (300 bushels) and all the other stores and equi~)age. My horses were very tired and nearly given out. After the charge I started toward Big Creek. The roads were very bad, amid the creek was swimming. The horses were not fit to swim, and 110 prospects of getting any more prisoners, I returned to the boat after resting awhile; arrived at the boat at 6 p. in., embarked and pro- ceeded to month of Big Creek; found gun-boat with convoy there bound down; staid there till daylight February 7, then proceeded to month of White River; arrived there at 12 in., stopped half an hour, then moved up the Mississippi River for Helena; landed at wood-yard, took five cords of wood; arrived at Helena, Ark., 3 a. in., February 8, 1864. I succeeded in capturimig 7 prisoners, 16 horses, 3 mules, 6 Colt re- volvers, 12 guns destroyed. The followimig are the names. rank, and regiment: Alexander Newman, Casteels company, Bobbins regi- ment; W. P. Erley, Casteels company, Dobbmn s regiment; James South, Twentieth Arkansas Regiment; Nathan Clemiment, Haw- thormis regiment; John M. Barry Texas Legion; J. F. Westbrook, taken with Texas Legiomi soldier in arms; Johii Darr, Elliotts bat- talion of cavalry, He was captured, dressed in our U. S. uniform. He says his comnpamiy is at Cotton Plant, 30 in number, all dressed with U. S. uniform with red star on left breast. They have been (letaclied to this side of the Mississippi River, and crossed about thirty days ago. When I returmie(i to mouth of White River Captain Prichett, U. S. Armuy gun-boat. turned over 1 prisoner to be delivered to you. He says he is a rebel courier, amid he has evidence against him that hie carries news of boats comnimig for the guerrihlas to come and shoot at themn. His name is Dawson Rouse. There are about fifty bales of cotton in Indian Bay settlement, but time cypress slough was so muddy I could [not get] it out at l)resemit. At thie handimig on Indian Bay there are5,O00 bushels of corn, amid thirough tIme settlement within 5 miles of the lamiding thiere are about 25,000 bushels of corn. Our troops have miever been in the settlememit but once before; and that was a year ago last September. The country is well supplied to feed guerrillas, as nearly all are strong secesh. I recruited 6 good soldiers for the battery of African descent. I took some meat for the command, but they would not take Uncle Samns receipt, and I guess the boys got some secesh chickens that had no~ taken time oath to the United States. Very respectfully, your obedient servant. CHAS. OCONNELL, Gaptuin Cornp.~tmy U, 15th [lUlwi8 Gavairy, (Jorady. Scout. Capt. T. C. MEATYARD. Assis/cod A(l}UlUut-Ucue,ui Page 128 1~8 LOUISIAN A~ ANI) THE ThANS-MJSSISSIPPJ. [CHAP. XLVI. FEBRUARY 517, 1864.Scout from Houston, Mo., into Arkansas, with skirmishes. Report of Capt. Richard Murphy, Fifth Missouri State iiJilitia Cav- alry. HEADQUARTERS POST OF HOUSTON, Houston, ]lIo., February 18, 1864. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that the scout sent out from this post on the 5th instant, under command of Lieutenant Boyd, returned yesterday. Lieutenant Boyds report shows that he penetrated several miles into Arkansas, and was at one time within about 3 miles of Colonel Freemans camp, though at the time not aware of his proximity. From information gained, the lieutenant says Freemans whole force may be estimated at from 400 to 500 men, and that they are very poorly armed and sn pplied with ammu- nition. The scout was frequently fired on from the brush while below Thomasville. The lieutenant returned the fire a iiumber of times and in this way killed 7 of the guerrillas, including Colonel Freemans quartermaster, Lieutenant Lamb. He also captured and brought in 3 prisoners, 8 horses, 2 mules, and a few worthless guns. I would respectfully suggest that if a scout of about three com- panies was sent down to Spring River and allowed to remain there for a fortnight, they could effectually break up this band of thieves. Lieutenant Boyd reports that there is plenty of forage for a force of 300 for the period mentioned, and that subsistence can easily be obtained for that number of men. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, RICH ARD MURPHY, Captain, Commanding. Capt. J. LOVELL, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Rolla, Mo. FEBRUARY 6-10, 1864.Scout in the Sni Hills, Mo. Report of Capt. Charles F. Cole atan, Ninth Kansas Cavalry. HEADQUARTERS, Pleasant Hill, Mo., February 11, 1864. CAPTAIN: After hunting bushwhackers faithfully for four days, I returned late last night to this place, with all the troops under my command. I did not meet with as good success as I had hoped to, but did finally succeed in driving them out of the Sni Hills, in which place I think there were about 200 of them. We found them in parties numbering from 10 to 40, but they were so watchful and so wild that we could not get anything but a ru~iniug fight out of them, of which kind we had a good many. We took 2 horses from them, wounded 1. They have all gone east and northeast. I intend to bushwhack tttem when they return. C. F. COLEMAN, Ct tpfu in, Commanding. Capt. i. M. HADLEY, Act. Asst. AdjI. Gen., Dist of ih c Boide Page 129 CHAP. XLVI.] SKIRMISH AT ~IDALIA, LA. 129 FEBRUARY 7,1864,Affair at the mouth of Caney Bayou, Tex. Report of Brig. Gem. Hamilton P. Bee, C. S. Army. HEADQUARTERS ARMY IN THE FIELD, Ewings Plantation, February 7, 1864. SIR: I have the honor to report that the enemy fired sixty-six shots at the fort at the month of Caney with great accuracy, wounding 3 men and :3 horses. The command behaved with great coolness. When an official report is made I will forward a copy for the infor- mation of the niaj or-general commanding. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. P. BEE, Brigadier- General. Brigadier-General SLAUGHTER, Chief of Staff FEBRUARY 7, 1864.Skirmish at Vidalia, La. Report of Lical. Col. Hubert A. life Caleb, Second Mississippi heavy Artillery, African Descent. HDQRS. 2D MISSISSIPPI ARTILLERY, AFRICAN DESCENT Natchez, Jliiss., February 9, 1864. LIEUTENANT I most respectfully submit the following as a correct account of the action of my command, in pursuance to your order of the 7th instant, which was received by m~e at 2.30 p. m. of same date: You xviii get your command in readiness and cross the river by the first boat to Vidalia, La.. and report to Colonel Farrar, who is being pressed by overwhelming numbers of the enemy. Upon receivimug the order, I at once formed a line of every able- bodied mami iii camp, and leaving instructions with the semmior conva- lescent officer to detail a camp guard from the convalescents, I started omi (louble-quick to tIme landing with seven Companies, numbering in all 432 men. To accoumut clearly for the remainder of my command I will call your attention to orders issued by you some time since, detaching one conupany (A), under command o~ Capt. James T. Organ, ~s mounted scouts for time post of Vidalia, and omme battalion (Third) of four companies, under Maj. George D. Reynolds, to take charge of time siege guns in the fortificatiom~s surrounding Camp Mc- Pherson. This latter battalioim being not armed with sumall-arms, I deemed it prudent to let them renmain at Camp McPherson, although botlm officers and nuen begged eagerly for permuission to accompany me. 0mm arriving at tIme landing I was umet by Colommel Kent, who ordered inc to emubark with my commumnamud omi time steamer Diligemut as quickly as possible, which was domme at the double-quick, and at time tap of the bell time hues were uumufastemmeci and we were saihimug to help our comu- rades at Vid~dia. At time lamidiuig On the Louisiana shore there was aim orderly with orders from Colonel Farrar to forui~ umy line of battle iii fromut of time levee amud await furtimer or(lers; this was soon dorme, and soomi aim order caine fromn Colonel Farrar to move out on the Trinity road 150 yards and formum a new line, with omme battalion of three conipammies on the right, under command of Maj. Charles W. Smith, the other of four companies on the left of the road, commanded by myself, to support the section of artillery planted directlyin the road, with an interval between of sufficient space to work the artillery. 9 R RVOL XXXIv, PT Page 130 130 LOUISIANA AND TEE TRANSMIS8ISSJTPL [char, an This being done, I received orders to detach 30 men to occupy and defend the jail bnilding. This I obeyed. About this time heavy skirmishing began on our front, and soon the rebel flag was seen advancing toward our left, from the skirt of woods across the level p~,ad next their main column came plainly in sight Judging from the length of their line and number of flags, theye were in this column two regiments, numbering from 1,200 to 1 500 men in all, marching in line of battle, one regiment a few rods in rear of the other, and distant from us about one-half mile. At this time I was ordered to more my battalion to a high piece of ground to my left oblique, about 300 yards, and join Captain Organ, who had coin- mandof his own an on company of the Seventh Louisiana, my left to rest near his right; the whole command faced to theleft mm. first position. By the time I had reached this point the enemys skirmishers had advanced near enough to become very annoying, and albhouph my men had never before been under fire they came uppromp on the double-quick and formed a line, under a heavy skirmish fire with as much coolness as could veterans of many bat- tles. This checked the advance of their skirmishers, who were now from 75 to 100 paces in front of our line On their main body came in splendid style, carrying their arms at a support, presenting a most formidable front, until within about 150 or 200 yards distant, when I received orders from Colonel Farrar to open fire, which I immediately gave to the men, and they executed it by giving one splendid volley well aimed. This caused the enem~ to falter and lie down. I immediatel! ordered the men to load, whi they did with great coolness, and with one more well-aimed volley the rebel ranks were broken, and their men, panic-stricken, ran away in great confusion. I ordered my men to load and fire by file at the flee mob, and with difficulty prevented them from breaking ranks to follow the enemy, their anxiety being great to do so. I received no orders to advance. I held my position until a late hour at night, when I received orders to fall back to the levee. Thus a force of 300 colored soldiers put to flight, in great confu- sion, four orflve times their number of the chiyairous enemy, with a loss to them of 1 killed, 5 wounded (some mortally), and a num- ber of prisoners. Not a man of my command was hurt. The line officers and men did their whole duty. Capt James T. Organ com- manding two companies, maneuvered them with skill and behaved with janantry. Maj. Charles W. Smith, commanding battalion in reserve informs me that head the line officers of his command were obliged tQ place themselves before their men with drawn words, and threaten sum- mary punishment to the first man who womld attempt to quit the ranks to join their comrades fighting in the front, their eagerness to be aged ~ almost irrepressible. To Surgeons Fe~, Peal, and Mitchell are due the thanks of the officers and men of the regiment for the thpughtfulness in follow- ing with the means he men comfortable. Hoping the action of my command will meet your approval, I have the honor to be, your most obedient servant H. A. MoCALEB Lient. CYoL, Uomdg. Second Mississippi Aridleni. Lieutenant BozxAN, .Actg. Ant. AcIjt. (*en., Clannp McPherson Page 131 CHAP. XLVL] SKIRMISH AT MORGANS MILL, ARK. 131 FEBRUARY 9,1864.Skirmish at Morgans Mill, Spring River, Ark. REPORTS. No. 1.Col. Robert R. Livingston, First Nebraska Cavalry. No. 2.Lieut. Col. John W. Stephens, Eleventh Missouri Cavalry, commanding expedition. No. 1. Report f Cot. Robert R. Livingston, First Nebraska CavaLry. HDQRS. DISTRICT OF NORTHEASTERN ARKANSAS, Batesrille, Ark., February 10, 1864. COLONEL: I have the honor to report that a scouting party of 100 men, consisting of 40 men First Regiment Nebraska Cavalry and 60 men Eleventh Missouri Cavalry, under command of Lieutenant- Colonel Stephens, while hunting a large band of guerrillas, ran into Colonel Freemans regiment of 600 Confederate soldiers. Colonel Stephens had divided his forces, sending Captain Majors, of the First Nebraska, with 40 men of his regiment in one direction and he moving with the remainder toward the enenmy. This imprudent act was committed nuder time imupression that Freeman had only about 100 men, but time colonel was immediately surrounded and fiercely attacked by overwhelming numbers. He charged, running the gauntlet for umearly twemity mimiutes through their forces, losimug 6 men killed amid 8 wounded off their horses, together with 8 cai)tured by reasomi of their horses being shot from under thenm. Colomiel Stephmemis succeeded in cuttimig his way through them, amid estinmates the emmemys loss at 22 killed and maumy wounded. 1mm the mucan time Captain Majors, Imearimig time skirumishm, hastemmed to the scemme, but before reaching Colonel Stephens was also sur- roun(led and attacked. He charged the enemy, kilhimmg 6 and cap- turimug 6 others with their arms, horses, amid equipments, as he rushed through thiem without the loss of a simugle maui or horse. Time eulemys forces comisisted of Colommel Coheunamfs, Colommel Loves, amid Colomiel Freemans regimemits. They were well armed and umounted; apparemitly had abumidamice of ammunition, as a rumimmimig fight was kept up for a distano~ of 8 fhiThs. The enemy are very miunierous around une, and I am constantly at work among them. I anu, however, hampered in my movememits by beimig conupelled to keep a sufficient force at this station to defend the stores we have on hand. I ought to have another battalion of cavalry at the least, though I do not ask for more troops, as I feel amply able to whip the emiemy should they molest me. If, however, I had more mcmi I could scour the country amid rid it of these pestiferous hybri~, who infest the swamps and nioimntains of this district. I am, colommel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. R. LIVINGSTON, Colonet~First Regt. Nebraska Cavalry, Comdg. Dist. Lient. Col. 0. D. GREENE, Assistant Adjutant- General Page 132 ~CHAP. XINI. LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-1dISSISSIPPL A DDENDA.* Febriw ry 2.The steamer Mill Boy was wrecked about 9 miles above Jacksonport; forage and subsistence stores lost; the gun on board was saved. A detachment First Nebraska Cavalry, under Lieutenant Murphy, ordered to Devalls Bluff for another boat, but returned, as the streams were so swollen. Captain Dunscomb, Third Arkansas Cavalry, who left this point January 80 for Little Rock, returned; left this place on the 4th for Little Rock, taking the road on this side of the White River; all ferry-boats destroyed. Gen- eral McRae in possession of the south side of the Red River. February 4.Lieutenant Moore, First Nebraska Cavalry, left Batesville with 58 men for Smithville, Evening Shade, and Hook- ram; returned February 9. February 6.A flag of truce arrived froni Colonel Freeman, in charge of Captain Wolf, rendering up 4 men taken while on picket by Colonel Freemans forces. February 7.Sixty men Eleventh Missouri Cavalry and 8 men Fourth Arkansas Mounted Infantry, under command of Lieutenant- Colonel Stephens, Eleventh Missouri Cavalry, 40 men First Nebraska Cavalry, under command of Captain Majors, same regiment, on a scout toward Smithville; returned on the 10th. February 9.Steamer Dove arrived at this point. Left on the 11th with the mail up to the 10th instant, inclusive; also 98 pris- oners. Four squadrons of First Nebraska Cavalry, detached to Jacksonport for the purpose of guarding commissary and quarter- masters stores since January 18, returned. February 12.Lieutenant-COlOnel Baumer, with 350 men of the First Arkansas Cavalry, left Batesville to attack Freemans com- mand: returned February 20. Same day a flag of truce from Col- onel Freeman arrived, in charge of Lieutenant Wasson, C. S. Army, rendering up Capt. P. B. Rouch, Company L, Eleventh Missouri Cavalry, and 23 enlisted men Eleventh Missouri Cavalry. February 19.A forage train of thirty-five wagons, escorted by 50 men of the Eleventh Missouri Cavalry and 50 men of the Fourth Arkansas Mounted Infantry, under command of Captain Castle, Eleventh Missouri Cavalry, was attacked about 12 miles from Bates- ville by a band under command of Captain Rutherford, C. S. Army. Captain Castle and 2 men killed, 2 wounded, 29 captured, besides a number of teamsters. Immediately upon having received informa- tion 400 men were sent out. Colonel Livingston took command, but the enemy had fled. February 20.A flag of truce from Captain Rutherford, in charge of Captain Monkin, First Arkansas Cavalry, C. S. Army, arrived. Same day another flag of truce, from Colonel Love, commanding scouts, C. S. Army, arrived in charge of Sergeant Cooper. February 25.A scout of 200 men Fourth Arkansas Mounted In- fantry, in charge of Colonel Baxter, was sent out to recapture the mules, & c., captured by Captain Rutherford ~n the 19th instant. February 27.A detachment of 75 men of the First Nebraska Cavalry, under command of Captain Ribble, and 24 men Eleventh Missouri Cav~4ry, under command of Captain Kauffman, were sent out to re-enforce Colonel Baxter. Scout not returned yet. * Itinerary from return of the District of Northeastern Arkansas, for February, 1864 Page 133 CHAP. XLVI.] SKIRMISh AT MORGAN S MILL, ARK. 133 No. 2. Repori of Lie ~d. Gol. John 1V. Stephens, Eleterdh illissonri Cavalry, commanding expedition. FJDQRS. DETACH. ELEVENTH CAy., MISSOURI VOLS., Balesrilie, Ark., February 10, 1864. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that, in obedience to a speciai order issued from the headquarters District of Northeastern Arkan- sas, dated February 7, 1864, I moved the same (lay with a (letach- ment of the Eleventh Missouri Cavalry and First Nebraska Cavalry, consisting of 4 officers and 64 men of the Eleventh Missouri Cavalry~ and Capt. T. J. Majors and 40 men of the First Nebraska Cavalry, together with 8 men of the Fourth Arkansas Infantry, to attack the camp of Colonel Freeman, then supposed to be encamped on the Smuitliville road, about 25 miles from this point. On my arrival at the point designated, I found that the camp had broken up, and that Colonel Freeman had moved with his command northwardly. I then, upon consultation with Captain Majors, (letermilled to follow him. and attack him wherever I might find himn. In accordance with this determination I moved the comnlami(l through Smithville to a poimit on Spring River, known as the Widow Marshalls, where I received the first defimmite information of the whereabouts of the enemys forces, he havimig left that poimit the same (lay and moved up Spring River westwardly to a point knowmi as Morgamis Mill, miear the mouth of Martins Creek. Finding that the mcmi were fatigued, and that my horses were not in a condition to attack his camp that nmght, I halted the command and encamped. Early the next muorning, the command took up its line of marchi up both sides of Spring River, the detachment of the First Nebraska Cavalry, under Captain Majors, moving up the south side of the river to a point known as the farm of the Widow Crawford. With the remaining portion of the command, consisting of the Fourth Arkansas Infantry and Eleventh Missouri Cavalry, I move(l cau- tiously up the north side of the river, crossing at Marshalls Ford, Captain Majors being ordered, in case of an attack either by me upon the enemy, or any attack by them upon me, to cross the river at the nearest point and effect a junction as rapidly as possible. Abomit 7 miles from the point at which I started I encountered the enemys pickets, and immuediately drove them iii. ~My information previous to this time had led me to believe thvt the enemy did not number over 200 effective men, but, as it was afterward ascertained, he had been re-enforced during the night by about 300 men under Lieuten- ant-Colonel Colomnan and Colonel Love, making his entire effective force in the neighborhood of 450 men. As soon as I ascertained this fact I halted my command, consisting in all of 72 officers and mcii, and determined to attack the enemy preVious to his forming his line of batttle. To accomplish this object I ordered~the commamid to take position on a hill which fronted the creek, from which I ex- pected the enemy to debouch; he, however, had anticipated my movements, and had already taken a position on a hill still higher up and immediatel~ in my rear, his front occupying a narrow ridge on both sides of the Salem road, with his flanks exten(hing down the slopimig ravimies omi my right and left. Observing tlmis dispositiomi of the enemy, an(l durimmo my temporary absence in another part of the field, Lientemiant Warrington, my acting adjmitant, actimig nuder pr Page 134 [CHAP. XLVI. 134 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. viously expressed instructions from me, formed the battalion into column of fours by the right, and charged the front of the enemy. Under a heavy fire the column moved to a position in front of the line formed by the enemy, and opened fire with considerable effect. Part of the men were still in the rear, and efforts were made to bring them up. At this juncture I reached the scene of action and as- sumed command. For the space of ten minutes, under a terrific fire from the enemys works, this little band of about 25 men, forming my advance, stood their ground, keeping the enemy at bay, and at one time breaking the center of their front line of battle. This advantage I was unable to improve for want of a force with which to charge the enemy, the men still in the rear not coming up as promptly as I had expected and ordered. In the mean time my flanks were turned, and in order to preveimt my being entirely surrounded I gave the order to retreat to a new position in a dense thicket on th.e opposite side of Martins Creek. Overwhelmcd by numbers, I was forced to abandon this position, aii(l as rapidly as possible and the nature of the ground would per- mit I again retreated in the direction of Captain Majors command, which I supposed, by this time, had reached the mill. In this I was prevented by the enemy, who appeared in force on the hill commanding the mill road. But one chance remained for me to escape from the overwhelming force with which I was contend- ing, and that was to follow an old road, which led up the hills, and take possession of the ridge. I did so immediately, closely pursned by the enemy. Forming my men on the ridge I made a stand and opened fire. This held them in check, but I was again flanked and forced to retreat along the ridge to another point, which gave me a favorable position with ~vhich to retar(i their pursuit. In this maim- ncr, for nearly 8 miles, I kept up a running fight until the enemy ceased pursuing us, amid gave my now exhausted men and horses a chiamice to recover their energies. Still retreating, I crossed the river at Walkers Ford, 12 miles west of the scene ot action, unmo- lested by the enemy, and hearimig nothing of Captain Majors, took up my line of march for Batesville, where I arrived without further loss. For an account of the part taken by Captain Majors iii this action I beg leave to respectfully refer to his report, but must state that but for the gallant charge made by him on tIme enemy, in their rear, and while I was fighting them on fli~hills, I must have inevitably been surrounded and my entire command captured. ~ By tIme truly gallant and efficient manner in which the task assigned hmni was pem - formed, fearlessly charging a largely superior force of the emmemy, who possessed every advantage of position, he demonstrated what has already been shown, that courage and determination will over- come greatly superior numbers. Captain Rouch, of the Eleventh Cavalry, who was, toward the last of the engagement, unfortunately taken prisoner by the enemy by reason of his horse being shot from under him, displayed great coolness, decision, and promptness in obeying all orders given by me. To Lieutenants Warrington and Harris great praise is due for the gallantry and determination displayed by them during the entire fight, always in the front, encouraging the men under their com- mand, and by their personal efforts in retarding the pursuit and in * Majors report Hot found Page 135 CHAP. XLVI.] DESCENT UPON LAMAJ TEX. 135 rallying and forming the men in line on each successive stand made by us, contributed largely to the safety of the remaining portion of my command. My loss, I regret to state, is severe, nearly one-half of the portion of the comnmaiid engaged in the action being killed, wounded, or missinG The following is the recapitniation. as near as could be ascertaiimed from ti]e sources of information left open to me after the fight: Killed, Private Dean, Company F, Eleventh Missouri Vol- unteer Cavalry: wonnded. 4; missing, 23. Of these, 20 are from the Eleventh Missouri Cavalry ali(i 3 from the Fourth Arkansas Infantry. My thanks are (me to the men under my command, with a few cowardly exceptions, for the courage displayed on this occasion. I ani mmnable to state time exact loss of the enemy, but aiim fully sat- isfied that it will amount to aim aggregate of 6~ killed wonuded, aimd missing, iiicludino the prisoners takemi by Captaiim Ma]ors. In conclusion, I would respectfnlly recommend Lient. Johmim A. Warrington to the favorable consideratiomi of time comniandimig officer of the (listrict, in order that he mmiay rec~mve timE promotion due imini for his gallant services during this actici I am, captaiim, very respectfmmiiy, your obedient scrvamit, JOHN W STEPHENS, bleat. Cot. Elerenth (Jar., Comma a (It ug Detachment. Capt. H. C. PILLEBROWN, Assistant Adjm taut- General, Bates L dIe A rk. FEBRUARY 11. 1864.Descent upon Lamar, Tex. Report of Capt. E. P. Upton, Local Defense Company of Refuglo (!oanty. HDQRs. LOCAL DEFENSE COMPANY OF REFuclo Co., Lamar, Iebraary 1 8, 18(34. SIR: In my commnunicatioim of tbe 11th instaimt, l)y special courier, I iimformed yomm of time lammdimmg of time cimeumy at this place in consider- able force. Early on the umorning of the 11th the enemy landed 2~ umeim under 3 officersa captain and A h~utenants (Iowa troops). Tbey took dowim the large warelmomuse In iE aiid removed all they cotild carry of it on board time large SE ou they brought within them. The umeim were timeim turned loose, as it s ems, for indiscrimiimate plunder. They entered almost all lIme houses and took whatever they desired, defeiiseless families suftermo the most. Just before (lark time enenmy hauled out into time ii ~y and anchored. Early imm time morning of time 12th, they returimed taxx mmd time shore in their barges aimd boarded time schooner Lizzie l3acon, winch lies sniuk near the beach. They pumped her out, and alteu ~i mimeffeetmual at- tempt to get im er out timey abandoned liar, l)rocee(he(l to timeir large scow, set sail, aimd at sundown of time 12th were out of sughit. They stood toward the pass of Aransas. By desmom I din ected J. 13. Wells, esq., a member of my company amid m esudeut of Lamar, to enact time qnuet citizeim amid meet tIme emmemny upon thai lamhiuug. He derived froum the 3 officers before umeiutioned tht hoilowino rlflmey told him that all of Corpus Clmristi had coma oven to theum; tha Page 136 186 LOUISIANA AND TIER ~RANS-MISSI58IPPL [Quay. fl,VL they had upon Mustang Island a Texas regiment enlisted in Corpus Christi and? elsewhere on the coast, and that Banks had 25,000 troops with which he intended taking Galveston, butsaid that our heaviest force, ad the one upon which we ma depend, is coming by way of Red Rivera force so large that Texas will be overran in less than three months hence. During the invasion of the enemy on the 11th, a small boat was seen coming from Saint Marys. To my astonishment she stood on and landed on the beach just above the enemy, when the 2 men in her lea ashore and started to run across the prairie.. They were pursued, fired at several times, and captured without in~ury. Mr. WeUs informed me they were a lieutenant of Captain Ho s coin- Hobbs regiment and one T. Beran, whom the lieu- Colonel employed at Saint Marys to bring him to Lamar. The lieutenant is from Bee County name unknown. My scouts from Saint Josephs inform me as follows: Every building of any size on Saint Josephs has been removed to Mustang, where a city seems to be rising. The fortifications are all on Mustang. The enemy only occasionally cross to Saint Josephs in large parties to hunt cattle, & c., which have become very wild from constant shootin~ among them and want of water. Their communication with Saluna is now by water. On Mustang is now a lar force of cavalry, & c. From B k Jack Reef, Saint Marys, ar os Head, and Nine-Mile Point (Live Oak) all is quiet. Among the. recent invaders were several citizens of Corpus Christi; one Anderson (captain) and his sonwere the most conspicu- ous. Certain it is that every movement here was well known to the enemy. I have determined in conseq~uence to~p all communica- tion with Corpus until ordered otherwise, as well as the Wads. * * * * * * 9 I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, E. P. UPTON Captain, Comdg. Local Defense Co., Refugio Coi~mty. CoL Jnans Dun, Comdg. Second Brig., First Div., Victoria, Tao. JflIVAZY 11, lSStSkiSdaheS sear Kadisonvilk La. Report of I,ieut. Henry R Anderson, Third Maryland Cavalry. MADISONvILLE, LA., February 12, 1864. Sni: I have the honor to respectfully submit the following report for your observation: On the morning of the 11th of Fbbruary, at 3 a. in., a detachment of the Third Maryland Cavalry, consis vf Capt. Adolph Bery (the commadingofficer), FirstLieut. Henry?. Anderson, 4sergeats, 3 corporals, and 23 pnvate~, of Squadron C, and Lieutenant Moore, 20 men, ad non-commissioned officers of Squadron D; also Dr. Stevenson, ambulance and driver, ada guide by the name of Bailey; a1~ of which started for the point named inyour instructions tothe commanding officer. The command having reached the pickets on the Ponchatoula road, an advance guard was immediately sent out Page 137 CRAP. XLVI.] SKIRMISHES NEAR MADISONVILLE, LA. 137 consisting of Lieutenant Moore and 12 men of Squadron D. We arrived at Mr. Flemings farm, after traveling a distance of 20 miles, about 8.30 a. ni., without molestation or difficulty. The property was immediately searched, but nothing was found creating suspicion excepting several camp or picket fires on and about the premises. One man, pretending to be a brother-in-law of Mrs. Fleming, was arrested and ci osely questioned. He denied all knowledge of the enemy being there, or of their whereabouts, which proved contra- dictory to the statement of Mrs. Fleming, who acknowledged the presence of rebel soldiers upon the farm. During the examination of the prisoner the report was brought by Corporal Henkel, of Squadron C, to Lieutenant Moore, that a rebel soldier was seen by him standing upon a fence on the edge of the woods about 200 yards distant, in an opposite direction from the house, endeavoring appar- ently to find out the strength of our force. Lieutenant Moore pro- ceeded immediately with his advance guard to capture him, and if possible to discover the vicinity of others. At the same time Lien- tenant Anderson, with a few men, by taking the road to the left, joined in the pursuit. Arriviiig at the river a junction was formed with Lieutenant Moore, after which, and unexpeptedly, we were greeted by a volley of musketry from the other side of the river, Lieutenant Moore at the same time receiving a wound in his back near his right shoulder blade. The depth of the river, the want of crossing, and the impenetrability of the bushes prevented farther pursuit, or any means of discoveriiig the strength or whereabouts of the enemy. We were therefore compelled to fall back on the reserve. A con- sultation was immediately held, Captain Bery deciding to cross the river by some means with his whole force (excepting 10 men who were left at the house of said Fleming, for the protection of Lieu- tenant Moore and Dr. Stevenson), pursue the enemny, and if possible overtake them. The guide, Mr. Bailey, advised Captain Bery to give up his plan of pursuit, on the ground that in all probability the enemy were lying in ambush with numbers superior to our own; that we would encounter an almost interminable swamp, and he (Captain Bery) would thereby only incur a needless slaughter and a disastrous defeat. In consequence thereof Captain Bery gave imp his idea of pursuit, formed his column, and withdrew his force upon the road leading to Mr. Hennens faxm; Lientenamit Moore at the same time being properly cared for and placed in the ambulance, which was sent with a guard to the rear of trie new advance sent out by Captain Bery. Lieutenant Anderson at this time, with I ~ men, formei the rear o~uard After having proceeded about a quarter of a mile several shots were fired from a deserted house upon the roadside, after which Lientenamit Anderson deployed his rear guard as skirmishers in a half-circle, in order to cover the retreat of the main body. Suddenly and unexpectedly we were attacked by a flanking movement which left us but one way of escape. Several volleys, how~ver, were given iii return, both by the skirmishers amid the main body. The next niomemit the enemy came down upon us in a full charge, yelling and whooping. From the best of my amid my muens judgment, I should conclude their number to be from 70 to 100 men. In the mean time the horse of Captain Bery was shot from under him, which left him in the rear of his colummi, and coimsequemmtly, left without a com- mander, time men became panic-stricken at secimig their comimmander down amid in the hands of the enemy, which caused them to brea Page 138 (Oar. nfl 188 lOUISIANA AND THE TRANS4IISSISSIPPL ranks, and especially so when they discovered the guide at the head of the advance in full retreat. They, as a matter of course, fol- lowed hard after. The skirmishers, seeing the main body in full retreat and all efforts on their part to repel the enemyfruitless, be- caine discouraged Mid were compelled to seek safety in retreat. All efforts upon my or my sergeants part to rally the men were of no avail. L endeavored to form the men in line after a retreat of a couple of miles, but the guide objected n the ground that a creek was running close by, the enemy in sight upon our left, and should wehaltin ~llproba flit ina few mom~~wewo~d~cutoff and all means of escape futile. He stated that the only chance we had was in gaining the turnpike road, which we reached in safe . The doctor was forced to leave and abandon his ambulance and contents and seek refuge with the main body in retreat. The men, when spoken to of the manner in which they retreated rephed they would never stand with such a weapon as the carbine they now have. My sergeants state, of their own personal knowledge, two out of every three shots missed fire. They also state the men would only be throw- ing away their lives to no purpose whatever, and without benefit to loss consisted, in Squadron C, of 1 caDtain.1cOrpor~, 1 private, besides 3 horses with equipments, 3 carVines2sabers with accouterments, 2 saber blades, 1 pistol; in Squadron b, 1 lieutenant 2 carbines, t saber blade 1 horse with equipments. Wounded and missing: Squadron cdapt. Ad$ph Bery ~~g; Corpi. John C. Kliuke, wounded and missing; PrivateWilhelm Enge, and missing; Squadron DLieutenant Moore, wounded and miss- big; Squadron GPrivate B. K. Jones (driver), missing; also 1 ambulance, contents, and the 2 horses. All of which is most respectfully submitted as the true result of the scout by you ordered. Very respectfully, yours, HENRY P. ANDERSON First Lieutenant, Commesnding Company C. Maj. BYRON Knw~, Commanding Third Maryland Cavalry. A .4 nUVARY 12, 1864.Affair near the California Ecuis, fl Report of Mc& j. Waldemar Fischer, Fifth Missouri State Militia Cavalry. WAYNEsvILLU, Mo., February 12, 1804. COLONEL: The stagegoing west was attacked this morning, 4 miles west of the California House, escorted by 9 ~pen of the Eighth Cav- alry, Missouri State Militi& h One man of thi Eighth Missouri State Militia was killed; bushwhackers, 20. I have sent as many men after them as I can spare. The Eighth, from the Gasconade, has like- wise sent an escort behind the bushwhackers. W. FISCHER Mc~jor, Commanding ~Poet. Lieutenant-Colonel EPPsTrnN, C~manding District of Rolla Page 139 Oar. XLVL] EXPEDITION AFTER FREEMANS OOflAND. 189 flBIUAIY 12SO, 166LRzp.dition from Ratesyfilo, Ark., after Ire- mans command. Report of Lient. Clot. William Baumer, First Nebraska Cavatrij. HEADQUARTERS FIRST Nniusn CAYAnY. Batesville, Ark., February 2~L, ~864. CAFTAn?: In accordance with verbal instructions received fro Colonel Livingston, First Regiment Nebraska Cavalry, commandin district, I left Bateeville at 7 a. m. on the 12th instant, in search of Colonel Freemans command. Weather was clear and pleasant. Started in a northeasterly direction and traveled 0 miles and then halted to close n~the column. At noon we crossed junction of Mount Olive and ookrain and Mont Olive and Batesvifle roads. Just before reachiuj~ this point met two flags of truce from Free- mans command, bringing in Captain Rouch and 18 privates of the Eleventh Missouri Cavalry, for Eixcilange. At cross-roads de;loyed skirmishers in the hills, and halted for ten minutes to rest the ani- mals; distance to this point, 12 miles. At 1.80 p. m. passed Curia Post-Office, taking Hookram road; distance, 15 miles. At 2p. in. crossed road coming in from northeast; at 3p. m. halted and fed at McCords on the Hookram road, 20 miles from Batesyille. Up to this point we passed no plantations that had either forage or beef- cattle. One mile from MoCords struck headwaters of Spring Creek and followed don its valley to Hookram. Passing through Hook- ram we turned in a westerly direction and pushed on to Wi ow ar- tins, Sf miles distant from H We camped here for the night and had corn and fodder for the animals. Mrs. Love Widow Mar- tins daughter) has two head of beef-cattle (poor) which she is desir- ous of sellm~. Gave receipts for all forage use& One mile east of Widow Martins crossed ~em road. Days march, 28 miles. February 13.Left camp at 0 a. m weather cloudy, wind north- west. Traveled west three-fourths ok a mile through a level bot- tom; crossed tributary of Strawberry, and p roceeding one-fourth of a mile farther, crossed main Strawberry, and passed house of Widow Mosier; saw but little corn here, no fodder, Stead very small cattle. Pushed forward and halted at crossing of Hookram and Batesville and Bateeville and Salem roads to await junction of forces under command of Captains Majors and Potts~ (2pmmand formed juno- tionat & 30a. m. At ioa. in. started on ~em road, having sent two squadrons for forage. After traveling one-fourth of a mile, crossed road running east and west and passed plantation of Mr. Jacks~ no fodder, but little corn, and no cattle fit or u One-half mile Arther same road passed H combs house; no forage or cat- tle. One-half mile fartier passed rowns and changed direction to northwest, taking road to Ash Flat~ crossing at intervals of 1 mile each eight roads 1~ to the northeast/Pursued this route for 8 miles and crossed a small stream at Couchs house No fo~ or cattle. One-fourth mile farther we came to Simpsons ion where we halted (it being noon), fed, and let the men get their din- ners. Sent out parties in different directions to search for informa- tion of the enem. One of the parties returned bringing as a pris- oner Captain A~s a no r. No definite information was obtained. Left ~iml?sons at LOOp. in., and started for Widow Davidsons, on the Yellvzfle and Jackson road, distant 0 miles~ ar- riving there we fond that she had but 30 bushels of corn, anA w Page 140 [CHAP. XLVI. 140 LOUISIANA AND THE ThANS-MISSISSIPPI. then took a northeasterly course for Phillips. Whilst en route to Phillips we captured a Mr. Siniley; lie was riding a mule and had a McClellan saddle and bridle; he stated that lie was going to Lunen- burg to attend to some business before a Masonic lodge. Took him with us as a prisoner. Arrived at Phillips at 7 p. in. and camped; plenty of forage for the animals. Rained (luring the night. Febraury 14.Weather cloudy, with a little raiW; left camp at 6 a. in. and traveled in a northeasterly (lirection for 2 miles, when we crossed a spring branch and l)asse(l the house of a Mr. Wolf, who has a cotton-gui and press. There was no forage at this place and the land did not seem to have been cultivated during tIme l)ast year. Pushing on 1 mile farther on the same course we passed Halls plau- tation. He had no forage, but we saw 5 head of work-cattle. One- half mile farther we came to Smiths farm. There was a large amount of hand cleared, but little of it had been cultivated, and they had only corn enough for bread for the family. There was nO beef-cattle on time place. Took Smith along with us. Pushed on muiles farther over a good road, and then turne(l to the eastward; passed Wriohts house, in which we caught 2 of Freemans men. No forage or cattle. Pursued this course for 1 mile, and then changed direction to the northwest. Struck South Fork of Spring River; followed up the valley for 1 mile, and crossed a creek at Smiths Mill, where we halted for a few moments. Captured 1 of Freemans men at the house. No forage here, but we saw about 20 head of young cattle, poor. At 10.20 moved on down South Fork, passing five plantations with not enough forage On either of them for a sin- gle feed for tIme animals of the command. At the last house saw 7 head of small beef-cattle. Halted at noon at Taylors for five mm utes. No forage there, but got 2 prisoners. Pushed on to Smiths, 9 miles southeast of Salemn, whiere we fed. Whilst thie animals were feeding, sent out a scouting party of 12 men, who returmied with 2 prisommers, said to belong to Freemans command. At 1.30 p. in. moved off in a mmorthwesterly direction, and halted for five minutes at Captain Bryants farm. Found it completely cleaned out, amid then took the direct road for Salem, where we arrived at 6 p. in. and halted. Sent the quartermuaster with an escort to look for forage. At 6.30 moved in a southwest direction to Morris, distant 2~- miles, where we camped for thie night. Got but little forage at this place. During time night it rained quite hard. February 15.Weather cloudy7~vith hiodit fall of rain. Coummamid separated this morning and moved at daylight. Captain Majors, with three squadrons, moved in a westerly direction, with orders to continue on that course for 9 miles, and thiemi, passing thirough Lu- nemmburg, join the main command at Jennimmgs farm, 6 miles from Hookram. The remaimming portion of time comniamid, comprising seven squadrons, moved in a southerly direction, and, after travelimig 2 miles, came to Strawberry Creek, amid passing down thie valley of that stream for 6 umiles, halted at Martimis~ At this poimit we re- mained two hours. Just as we came in sight of the house o men darted out and made for time woods; several of the men gave chase, but did not succeed in overtaking them. Fed at this place and sent two squadrons in different directions in search of beef-cattle, with imistructions to rejoimi the conimnand at Livingstomis farm. 2 miles below our presemit camp. Leaving Martins, we pushed 011 down Strawberry Creek, passing the plantation of Mr. Roberts. No cattle or forage. Moved omi to Livimmgstons, whiere we found one of th Page 141 CHAP. XLVI.] EXPEDITION AFTER FREEMAW S COMMAND. 141 beef details awaiting our arrival; they reported finding neither cattle nor forage. Pushed on to Smiths, one-half mile below, and waited forty minutes for arrival of second beef detail, which came in, mak- ing the same ~ report. They saw and chased 3 mounted men, but did not succeed in overtaking them. The forage detail, which had been sent out under charge of Quartermaster Lowry, also returned and reported having killed 2 bushwhackers, Martin and son, but found no forage. They fired and burned a crib of corn at Martins, as we could not carry it away. From information gathered we knew that this corn had been hidden for the use of a gang that made Martins their headquarters. Pushing on half a mile farther, we passed Smiths farm; large clearing, but little cultivated; some little fodder in a field, but no corn. Passed cross-roads and contin- ued on a southerly course 2 miles farther, and came to another cross- roads. Sent one squadron in chase of a party of mounted men, whose fresh trail was seen leading to the eastward, and during their ab- sence, forty minutes, patrolled the roads in three directions. Squad- ron retnrmle(l; met with no success. Started again in an easterly direction, and after traveling 2 miles crossed the Batesville and Salem road; one-half mile further crossed Strawberry Creek and moved on to Gaults plantation, one-half mile from the creek, where we camped; distance traveled, 21 miles. Found plenty of forage for the animals. Sent off scouting parties in different directions during the night to gather information commeerning the enemy amid learn whereabouts of forage. February 16.Left camup at 7 a. mm, amid traveled in a northeasterly direction for one-half a mile; crossed Strawberry and continued on the same course until we arrived at Salem and Batesville road. Moved down Batesville amid Salem road 1 mile and then struck off to the westward; proceeded 1 muile on this course and halted and fed at Mellmnurrays; remained there two hours and divided the commamid. semiding the prisoners and led horses to Batesville, under escort of detachmnemits of Squadrons A and C of the First Nebraska Cavalry commanded by Lieutenants Griffin and Whitelock. The command [marehedi in a southeast direction 10 miles; passed through Wild Haws and halted for the night at 5 ~ mm on the farm of a Mr. Phelps; foumid plenty of corn and fodder for time horses. February 17.Left camp at 7 a. in., and niarched in an easterly direction; crossed the Salem and Batesville road, and at 8 a. m. halted to feed at Mr. Haliburtons, 5 miles distant from our previous eamup. Command separated at this place; one detachument, composed of Squadrons E, F, amid K, under command of Captain Majors, moved omi a road leading north around Hookramm Squadrons G amid I, immmdei commamid of Captain Weatherwax, [moved] on a road south with imistructiomis to joimi the command at Wests plamitation, (3 miles miortheast of Hookram. The maimi commuamid took time direct road to Hookram, passed through and camped at Wests at 3.30. Captain Majors arrived at 4 p. mu. amid Captaimi Weatherw~ at 4.30 ~ m. Captaimi Weatherwax reported havimig rami upon a squad of jayhawk- ers, numbering 6, who were in the act of plundering the house of a citizen, killed 3 and brought in 3 as prisoners. At dusk Squadrons K and F, in charge o~ Captain Lawler amid Lieutenant Murphy, was sent from this place 10 miles northeast to Ash Flat and Richwoods; they returned at 2 a. m. next morning, bringimig in 2 prisoners be- longing to Freemans command. Squadron H, Lieutenant Moore Page 142 [CHAP XLVI. 14~ LOITISIANA ANT) THE TRANS~MISSJSS1PPL was sent at 6 p. m. 6 milcs in an casterly direction, and returned at midnight.. At 9 p. m. Squadrons A and C returned from Batesville, bringing instructions from district headquarters directing me to move on to Pocahontas. February 18.lu acc.ordai~ce with said instructions, I moved at 9 a. m. in the direction of Smitliville, marched 2 miles and struck Strawberry Creek, which we followed down 4 miles. Halted at 12 ni. at a Mr. Randles farm to feed; captured here W. J. Sanders, a rebel captain of Shavers regiment. Remained here one hour auA resumed the march; passed through Smithville; captured there Sec- ond Lient. Alfred Phillips, Company D, Freemauf s regiment. At 5.80 p. m. halted to feed at Joseph McCtrroll~ 4 miles northeast of Sunithville. Remained here until 10 p. iii., whe~u I moved on in a northeast direction 1:3 miles and halted 0110 hour to rest near the farm of Mr. Lemons. February 19.Resumed the mc rch at 5 a. in. towaid Pocahontas, crossing Spring River and Eleven Points River ; at the latter cross- ing lost 1 man belonging to Company G by drowning. A scout was here sent out, who canue up with the command 4 miles froum where I had halted and reported having ran into a camp supposed to number about 40. They were fired upon and were compelled to retreat to the command. One private of Company C was wounded by a shot in the foot. I immediately proceeded with time Second Battalion to their camp and found it (leserted. No trace of time course they had taken could be fommud. I then returne(l and l)roc(Th(le(l with the command to Pocahmontas, wimere we arrived at 10 a. m. Foun(I but 2 or 3 rebels in time place, and those escaped as we entered. A ferry-boat load was crossing the river. Our advance hre(l upon the boat wOUhi(hug 1 muan. Time party in time boat gained the simore an(1 sought 1)rotectioml behmimul trees amid logs. On the 01)1)osite shore an(l a short distaimce farther dowim time stream a com~)aumy of rebels were posted also behimud trees amm(I logs. A brisk fire of a few mimmutes was kept up betweemi thmemn amid our advance. A number of horses were tied 011 time bamuk within range. They succeeded in getting all away except 4; these my muen shot. Fimidimug thmerewas 110 emmemy on tins 5i(le of the river, that there was no way of crossimmg, and 110 forage tO be had, I (leenmed it imupracticable to pursue them farther, amid at 2 P. ifl. started on time return. I could mmot hear of time whereabouts of Porters com- muamid, amid fromim all informuation I could gatimer do mmot h)elie\Te there has ever beemi ammy such a force imi timat mmeighmborimood. We pushed on 14 miles, and at 6 oclock p. mum. h4ted to feed time aninmals. At this place met your messenger ordering nue to returim to Batesville. Re- maimmed here uummtil 2.30 P. ~., themi moved 011 21 ummiles, amid at 2 a. in., February 20, halted at Johumusomis plammtatioim ; remaimied here uuitil 4. :30 a. mm, wimen I resumed time march. At 8 a. m. halted to feed; remaimued 2 hours, alm(l 1)roceeded to iBatesvi1ie~ where we arrive(l at 3.80 p. mu. Fommmmd forage and beef-cattle very scarce betweemi Poca- imomitas amid thus place. 1mm accordammce witim c~(iers from district head- quarters 2 of the jayhmawkers captured omm time i 8th ummstant were shot OIl time 19th. One Barker, a jayhawker, also was shot in trying to escape. The total less on the part of the enemy was, killed, 8; wounded, 1; captured, 31. Three took the oatim of ailegiamice and were released. Four horses killed and about 50 were brought in within the command. Arms and equipmuments taken were destroyed. Loss on part of our forces during time expedition was, drowned, 1; wounded, 1; horses, 1 Page 143 CRAP. XLVI.] EXPEDITION UP THE SAINT VP \ N IS RI VEil, ARK. 148 disabled and were killed or abandoned. The distance traveled by the main column was 24() miles, distance traveled by detachments from 80 to 100 miles farther. I remain, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. BAUMER, Lieut. Cot. First NebretsAct Cetv.. (Jo indg. Expedition. Capt. H. C. FILLEBROWN, Asst. Adjt. Gem., Dist. of Northeastern Arlreolsas FEBRUARY 1314, 1864.Expedition from Helena up the Saint Francis River, Ark. Report of Capt. Charles Q Cou nell, Fifteenth Illinois (Jarairij. HDQRS. COMPANY G, FIFTEENTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY, Heiena~, Ark., Februeery Th, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of a scout up Saint Francis River, February 14, 1864: I left Helena, Ark., at ii p. in., February 13, 1864, in command of 100 men Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry and 30 men Third Arkansas, Africati Descent. IProceeded up S nut Fi ancis River on steamer Hamilton Bell~ arrived at Slim m~np s Landino ~mt 10 ~. in.; (lisembarked cavalry, and ordered the boat umm+ i command of Captain , to cross to aii island and rein mm autit diyb ht February 14; then 1)10- ceed to Linden, on Saint Fm anus ~ vein and iwait my arrival. I took road leading to the hills; pressed guides The night was very dark and rainy. Arrived at tin, house ot Ma~om Dawson . searched for the major, but did not sneceed mu tiudiug him. I then divided the comnnmaimd; semit Captaimi Wier with his comnpammy with orders to go around by the house of Major Dawsons fat1ier-ii~-ia~v (object, to catch time muajor). I proceeded to John McDaniels; there awaited the arrival of Captaimi Wier and compammy. He arrived at 6 a. mu.; had captured Captaimm Nail in arms away fromii his home before day- hioht; fed horses at McDaniels, them proceeded omi road to Madisomi; arrived there at 11 a. m. Semit Captaimi Wier with Compammy C omin omme road immto Madisomi, while I with the rest of the commmmaud wemit in Oil ammotimer road, iii order to prevemit persomis from leaving towmi. AVe captured 1 soldier. I sent for all maic ~itizens to report at time court-house. I learned from IDr. Pillow that Captain Stewart and 4 ninemm were in town awaitimig mmmy arrival to be captured. I brought them to Helena to obtain their parole. I was in Dr. Pillows house comiversing with him when I heard firimig omin picket-post. Immnediately sent orders to Captain Wier to have his compaiiy mount amid re-enforce the picket. I niouiited my hmors~ and started for the picket-post; saw 2 rebels ruumiimmg thinroughm the woods and pickets fining at them. I chmauged~~ny course amni proceeded on right-hand road leading toward maihroad, with view of heading them off until Captain Wier with mis company could arrive. When opposite themn I ordered thinem to halt. One of them tire(l at me. I fired at the one in advance, while the rear one chian gad his course and went towa~d the railroad. I pursue(h time a(lvammcing one, and after passing tIme rear one, lie turned and followed me, continu- ing to fire at me, I firing at the advancing oiie. At that time some of the men had come upon the right flank of the rear man. H Page 144 [CHAP. XLVI. 144 LOUISIANA AND THE ThANS-MISSISSIPPI. turned and ran over the railroad to the left, pursued by the nmn. I followed the advancing one until he halted and surrendered, entreat- ing me not to shoot again, as he was already wounded. I remained in charge of him until my orderly arrived; then sent him with pris- oner to town. I then proceeded to the left over the railroad in p~I~- suit of the other man. Saw his horse go by without a rider. Skir- niished the woods to find him, as some of the nien reported he had fallen from his horse; did not succeed in finding hini. Returned to town with command, and discovered that I had captured Colonel Josey, Fifteenth Arkansas Infantry, wounded in the right arm. I learned from him that he and his adjutant had crossed the Saint Francis River opposite Madison and run into my pickets, not knowing they were there. On coming to the picket he asked what command he belonged to. Picket told hint the Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry. The colonel answered, I will have to take you in, then ; to which the boy objected, ordering them to surrender. They attempted to draw their revolvers, and the boy fired at them. One then shot at the boy, wounding him in the left breast, upon which the other pickets came up and commenced firing. The rebels then retreated, trying to escape. I could not procure medical aid for the wounded men; pressed a wagon aiid had them conveyed to the boat at Linden. The rebels having received information that I was in the country I deemed it unnecessary to go into their camp; therefore returned to the boat, and immediately started for Helena to procure medical attendance for the wounded. I arrived at Helena at 1 a. in., Feb- ruary 15; distance traveled, 135 miles. I succeeded in capturing 1 colonel, 2 captains, 2 lieutenants, and 5 privates; 5 horses, 3 re- volvers, 1 carbine, and 3 guns destroyed. Name and rank of prisoners: Col. John E. Josey, Fifteenth Arkansas Infantry Regiment; Capt. William Stewart, Greers bat- talion (who remained in Madison to be captured); Capt. R. C. Nall, Company F, Dobbins regiment, was captured in arms away from home before day; First Lieut. William Kehim, Harrisons [Griswolds] battery, Pratts battalion; First Lieut. Philander Littell, General Walkers staff; Private F. A.Weatherby, Company F, Dobbins regi- ment; Private R. F. Hunt, Company A, Dobbins regiment (who re- mained in Madison to be captured); Private J. L. Burnett, Company A, Dobbin s regiment (whio remained to be captured); Private Porter Littell (conscripted by Captain Martin); Private Wilhiani Cole, Groves company, Biffies regimemit (~ notorions guerrilla). Very respectfully, your obedient servant, CHAS. OCONNELL, Capt. Company G, 15th Illinois Car., Comdg. Scout. Capt. T. C. MEATYARD, Assistant Adjutant- General. FEBRUARY 15, 1864.Affair near Charleston, Mo. Report of Capt. James A. Ewing, Second Missouri Stcde Militia Cavalry. CHARLESTON, Mo., February 17, 1864. COLONEL: On the evening of the 15th I learned there was some guerrillas lurking about the country west or soutivwest of town. I Page 145 Cuar. XLYLj AFFAIR flAB OHABLESWN, MO. 145 sent out a detachment of 20 men with 2 guides, and ordered them to take two different roads, hoping that one or the other would come upon them. Corporal Philliber with 10 men surrounded the house wJiere two of the scoundrels lived, named Vernon. Halringsearched the house several times before unsuccessfully they did not much exrt to find them; Sof them got to the house a little before the ot en ad were fired upon by 4guerrillas from the house, Snd E. C. Edwards was killed ad He~P. Bro~n mortally wounded (since died). The rebels then dashed out ad took the brush close by, ad a desperate fight of some minutes took place ad the rebels were repulsed until my men took care of the dead ad wounded; the thought 1 or 2 of the rebels were killed, but the brush was so thick they could not tell certain. One of my men came in for help, ad I sent Lientenat Calvert with 15 men ad 4 or 5 armed citizens imme- diately to their rescue. When he arrived there it was dark.. Ed- wards ad Bronsonwereput ina wagon and brought into town. The remainder then went to watch for the scoundrels when they were fired upon from a ambush, ad CorpL Thomas M Philliber ad a citizen named Hughes severely wounded ad perhaps will die. They were put in a wagon ad the whole party came back, not knowin how much injury was inflicted upon the enemy, it being impossi~le todo anything with them in the brush. I then started yesterday morning with 20 men a a few citizens ad gave the country athoroughscounng,brushad~~ Ifound4horsestied in the thick brush back of ernons house, 2 of them saddled ready to mount I felt sure I would find them there, but didnot I burned the house ad all the buildings on the place, ad to-day have the rebel citizens (their connection) hauling in a lot of corn there was on the place. The wife of one of the scoundrels told my men when they first rode up that there was no one in the house, which I su~ose caused them to be more careless tha they would have been. I veordered her to leave the country; if it was not for the name of the thing, I would shoot her sure, or she murdered those men. I intend to burn every house that I find harbors them, but I think they sleep mostly in the woods. We found a hat all covered with blood near where we found the horses. There are not a great may of these scoundrels here, but they are desperate fellows, ad will fight to the death. Thus three of the best a bravest menixruycompay are sacri- ficed by the hads of thieving scoundrels, who will not come out ad fight openly. I will avenge their death. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servat JUA.EWING~ Captain, Commcnadsng. P. 8.The mail starts out in the morning, the first opportunity I have had tore it,. Henry P. Bronsons fine mare a4J. a Osdols grey mare got loose in the fracas, ad I think have gone to the Cape; if so, please let me know, as he requested hismare senthom& 3. A. EWING. LATn.Boyt horss have come in. I would like to have afew copies of blank oaths of allegiance, as some of the old coons down here have never taken it 3. A. E. 10 a BVOL xxxiv, n Page 146 146 LOUISIANA AND THE TEANSMISSISSIPPI. [GEar. flU maim is, isst..ab h.swam of the P1w, X.~ REPORTS. No. 1.Brig. Gem. John B. Ssnbcrn, U. S. Army, commanding District ci South- west Misson~ No. 2.Cot Joseph 3. Gravely, Eight Missouri State Militia CaVslrj. No. 1. Report of Brig. (len. John B. Sanborn, U S. Anny commanding District qf Southwest Missouri. SPwGrmw, Mo., February 22, 1864. Lieutenant Chitwood, commanding detachment in pursuit of mail robbers, reports that he came upon the camp of the guerrillas near the headwaters of the Piney, and killed 4of the party and wounded 1, and secured several of the articles taken from the stagfijassen- gers. Captain Humans command atYellville has had seve with bushwhaokers, in which 9 bushwhackers have been killed. Colonel Freemans command is on White River, below Jacksonport. Major Gunning is on Calf Creek, in Searcy County, with 75 men, and Ma~or Fitch, First Arkansas Cavalry, pursuing an within one-hall hours ride of him. Colonel Loves command is scattered in the northern part of Fulton County and some in Missouri. JOHN B. SANBORN Major 0. D. Guns. Brigadisr-Genora4 CommanJing. No. 2. Report of Col. Joseph J (katuely Eighth Missouri & ate Militia HDQHS. EIGHTH Ca., Klssoum STATE MIun.a Lebanon, Mo., February 23,1864. Guxna: I have the honor to r~pofl that Lieut. W. T. Chitwood, detailed, b7 order of Capt. John T~ Wilson, to pursue the band of thieves which robbed the sta~~~Irthe 11th instant, has returned and reports that he followed the of the robbers to the headwaters of the Piney. On the route he overtook 2 of the band fired upon them, killed both of them and 1 horse; the horse killed was taken from late stage. Near the head of the North Fork of Piney he fond the camp I the robbers, about 10 in number, killed 2 men, wounded 1. He reports 2 horses captured, 2 killed. Some harness or parts of the harness taken from the sta~e ound in possession of the men killed. One of the hoises captur~ed gs toa mt~w in this county who was robbed some tune tins winter by the guerrillks near the Piney. I have the honor, general, to be, very r~spectfully, your obedient servant, ~. 3. GRAVELY Colonel Eighth Ca-v., Missouri State Militia. Brig. Gen. 3. B. SamoaN, Commanding District Southwest Missouri Page 147 CHAP. XLVI.] CAPTURE OF TRAIN NEAR BATESVILLE ARK. 147 FEBRUARY 19, 1864.Capture of wagon train at Waughs Farm, near Batesville, Ark. Report of Got. Robert R. Livingston, First ATebraska Cavalry, com ma hdil2q D isir jet of Northeastern Arkansas. HDQRS. DISTRICT OF NORTHEASTERN ARKANSAS, Batesrilie February ~1, 1864. LIEUTENANT: There are about 2,000 of the enemy hovering around me, in bands of from 100 to 400 strong each. They are very actIve and harass my foraging trains constantly. On the 19th instant 8~ wagons, escorted by 100 men, were surprised only 12 miles from here and all captured, together with 82 of this command captured, 10 wounded, and 4 killed. Captain Castle, Eleventh Missouri Cavalry, in charge of escort, paid the penalty of his neglect with his life. The whole affair was most disgraceful to our arms, as the enemy was just about our own strength and not as well armed or equipped. We cannot move, no matter how cautions or secret we endeavor to be, without the inhabitants betrayiiig us. The I)iillcil)al messengers are women, just such bitter enemies as Mrs. Neeby arid her eldest daughter, who have been caught in flagrante (lelicto. I have driven Freeman across Black River aii(l over Village Creek to the east, but lie has nioved to the south and will prove very annoy- ing in the swamps east of Black River. My force is small, and I can- not spare the necessary number of men to garrison Jacksonport, be- cause my escorts and working parties with forage trains, having to go 40 and 50 miles for corn, necessarily require to be large, leaving but a small force for the (lefense of the stores at this point. If the major-general comniaudi.ng could spare me sonic troops 50 as to occupy Jacks materially. onport it would facilitate our operations here very The enemy can readily throw in 700 men at Jacksonport, so that for the ordinary purposes of foraging, picket, fatigue, and usual amount of (letached service, aside from all scouting parties amid forces left to defend the place, you can readily see that not less than a regiment would be necessary at that point. When I was sent here it was understood that Jacksonport was occupied, amid that it would be held. - I transmit herewith copies of instructions and order assigning me to this command, together with list of staff officers doing duty with inc. Be pleased to iiotify me whether there shall be a change or if I shall retain these officers, and whether I ani in command of a post or a district. I remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. R. LIVINGSTON~ Golonet First Reyt. Nebraska Gay., Qmdg. District. Lient. G. 0. SOKA~LSKI, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Army of Arkansas, Little Rock Page 148 [CHAP. XLVI. 148 LOliI ISIANA ANI) THE TRANSdXIISSiSFIPPi. FEBRUARY 2026, 1864.Expedition from Helena up White River, Ark. REPORTS. No. 1.i\Iaj. Eagleton Carmichael, Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry, commanding expedi- tion. No. 2.Capt. Ezra King, Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry. No. 1. Report of Mej. Eagleton Carmichael, Fifteenth illinois Cavalry, conuiiaitd ing exp(i(l ii ton. HELENA, ARK., February 26, 1864. CAPTAIN On the 2( )th, after leaving orders with the officers who were to act iii coi~nnctioll wjth me, I embarked on the Cheek aiicl left Helena at 5 p. in. I arrived at the month of White River at 2 oclock. I had the stock taken ashore there and fed. Re-embarked and started up White at (laylight, 21st instant, arriving at the Bay Landing at S ~ m. We then disembarked and went into camp. I seiit out 20 men under Lieutenant Fisher for the pnrpose of visiting some honses where there was likely to be some soldiers. They me- turned without learning or effecting anything. We marched at day- light on the 22d, passed Murrells, taking a westerly (hirectiomi Hi) the bay as far as tIme Widow Jacksons. I learned that a company of rebels camped near Captain Mayos. On arriving there I foumud there was imo enemy in the country iii arms. From thmemice I went to Pointers, and from thmemuce to Palmertomis. Foumud a blacksnmith shop out in the woods and destroyed it. I then proceede(l to Colomiel Boyces; dividimig the force, sending them on differemit roads with orders to meet me at Boyces. I there captured J. A. McMammmuis, alias AndersonPalmerton, l)rivate, Davis company; had 1 horse and saddle; n0 arms. I ordered Colonel Boyce to report to hmeadquarters at Helena. I ~bronghmt from there 1 mule to mount e~mme of my lieutenants whose horse had become lame. I then went to Widow Mayos, learmuing that I could get some information tlrere, but omi arriving I learmued muotlming of importance. I then 1)roceeded to Dr. Hendricks. I there found a wounded soldier belonging to the Omme humudred and twenty-sixth Illinois Imufantry, borrowed a mule of the doctor to moumut him, amid procee(ied to Mr. Lightfoots, and canuped for the mmioht. After leavimi0 Boyc& s captured Lient. B. F. Thomuasomi Davis compamuy; had a horse amid saddle, 2 horse- pistols. Wmlhi un A. Ward, private, Davis company, had a horse and saddle Heum y F. Cook, private, Davis company, ha(l nothing. Left Li~htfoot s at sunrise on the 23d, dividing time commuand, and proceeded b~ duff em emit roads to Buicks Point; from thence by Higgin- bothanis, struking tIme lower Little Rock road at Browns. I cap- tuired Higgunbotli un at his luouse. He is a private of Casteels com- pammy ; hued a luorse, saddle, amid carbimue; a1so~aptuured J. A. Brewer, private Company I, Twemuty-fourthi Texas Infantry, and Joseph IE. Terry, private Company K, Twemity-fourtlm Texas Infamitry. They had nothing. From Browns I sent a detachment to the Rogers and Bonner Settlement. They captured J. H. Rogers, private, Davis comumpammy. They brought in ~3 nunles belomuging to a rebel, omue Willis Macon. I proceeded thence to Simuums plantation in the Skafe Settlement, fed there. amid thence by Humphreys to Tremi- tomi. I thuemi detached Lientenamut Chase with 20 mumemi and the priso Page 149 GEar. ILIL] EXPEDITION UP WHiTE RIVERS ARK. 149 em to go to Helena, with orders for Captain King to join me with his command at Colonel Taylors. I then p rodeeded to that point, and cam for the night. About 11 oclook I heard a volley fired in a northeasterly direction from my camp. I ordered the command to mount and form, but hearin no more firing I supposed the detach- ment which was ordered to be on the road from Wallaoe~s Ferry to Thomas Mill, were in ambush ad had bed at some straggling rebel. who had undertaken to run the runtlet. I ordered my men into 9uarters again. About S t m. e command under Captain King joined me, and reported that the post under Lieutenant Campbell had been surprised, and that the enemy was out of reach for the night. At daylight on the 24th, re marched in the direction of the Thomas Mill post, that we might strike the trail of the rebels. I found that they had left in different directions, in order that their trail might no easily discovered. I, however, found it and fol- lowed them about 25 miles, crossing Big Creek at the mouth of Spring Creek. I then struck the Spring Creek road, and followed on until I ascertained that they were marching very fast, ad that we were not gaining on them. I then concluded it was useless to pursue farther unless I had had rations to ha kept up the pursuit or several days. I returned by the way of the Paradise road to Dr. Landers, where I cam or the night forage being scarce there. I marched at 4 oclock on the mornin of the 25th, and returned to Helena, by the way of La ~ wi ou feedin or breakfast- no a ing, being without rations. On the 24th, I capture& hoach, private of Andersons company; had a horse and saddle and old shotgun, which I destroyed. I arrested Thomason, citizen, who was reported to me as being always ready to carry information whenever our scouts are out; very disloyal. The guard sent in from Trenton with prisoners, under command of Lieutenant Chase, captured II. M. Casteel, private, Casteels company. Had a horse, saddle, and broken shotgnn,which is aban- doned. Ca tan Wier turned over to Lieutenant Chase Maj. C. H. Carlton, Fifteenth Arkansas Infantry, and Ca t. C. L Moore, same regiment each havinthorse and sad Ca tam King turnedover Richard i3rown rim ,Company E, Fifth ississippi Cavalry; he had a horse and saddle. The horses an& aa4dles are all turned over to post quartermaster. Owipg to a number of the men being dismounted at the post that was surprised, I was obliged top~ horses and mules for.them to ride in. I would therefore respectfully request that I may be allowed to return all those to loyal owners. The accompanying reports* of Captains King and Wier will show what wasdvne under their immediate commands. I take great pleas- ure in saying that Captain Wier rendered importan~ service during the expedition. On the post that was surprised there was a gross neglect of duty, ~ The foregoing report is very respectfu1~r Capt. T. C. MnnAn, Attujor, Commanding Eo~pe4iion. Aoaidant Adjutant-General. *Wiers report not found Page 150 [CHAP. XLVI. 150 LOUISIANA AND TIlE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. No. 2. Report of Capt. Ezra I~ing, Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry. HDQRS. COMPANY H, FIFTEENTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY, Helena, Irk., Febrna~y 26, 1864. SIR: In accordance with instructions I received from you I marched from camp at S a. m. on the 21 st of February to Simms farm; there encamped for the night. On the morning of the 22(1 I crossed Big Creek after a tedious time, being delayed by the boat having been destroyed previously. I then riiarched to Wallaces Ferry by the way of Trenton. In coming in sight of Trenton discovered some of the enemy; gave chase and had 1 man thrown from his horse and hurt severely, which caused another delay, which caused me to be behind time on arriving at the ferry. I found Captain Wier an(l the pickets I was so anxious [about] gone. I sent Lrnutenant Camp- bell mid 15 men upon the Thomas Mill road. On the 23d instant Captain Wier caine in from where he had been. I then sent 10 men and a sergeant to re-enforce Lieutenant Campbell, with orders, if there should be danger apprehended, to all fall back to the ferry. About 9.30 p. m. on the 23d, I received orders froni you for me to join you at Colonel Taylors either that night or in the mornino. also for me to turn over my prisoners with (~uard to Lieu- tenant Chase. About 11 oclock that night heard firing in the direc- tion where Lieutenant Campbell was posted. I immediately ordered the command mounted and marched to Thomas Mill; crossing there, learned that the post had been surprised and most of the horses and arms captured. I lost froni my company 4 men prisoners, with I lieutenant; had 1 private wounded, who is now iii camp ; also II enlisted mali from Company L, prisoner, and 2 wounded. I lost, captured by the enemy. 11 Government horses and 6 private horses from my company, and 7 Government horses from detachment of Company L, with all the horse equipments and most of the arms. Learning that the enemy had left with so much the start that I could not reach them that night, owing to the difficulty of following the trail, I proceeded to Colonel Taylors, arriving there at 3 a. m. the 24th instant, and reported to you. Respectfully submitted. EZRA KING, (Japlain, CommandTh g Detachment. Major CARMICHAEL. FEBRUARY 22, 1864.Affair near Indianola, Tex Report of ]Vhij. Gen. Napoleom J. 1. Da4ma, U. S. Army. HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES IN TEXAS, Matagorda Bay, February 23, 1864. SIR: Brigadier-General Warren, commanding at Indianoha, re- ports that 25 mounted infantrymen, who were scouting and driving cattle S miles from his post yesterday, were surrounded and charged upon by well-armed and well-mounted cavalry of the enemy, 5 Page 151 CHAP. XLVI.] OPERATIONS ABOUT WARRENSBURG, MO. 1~)1 strong. The horses of our men were poor scrubs and not trained to fire, and when the men fired a volley at the distance of 50 yards, 14 of them were unhorsed. The enemy immediately closed on them with revolvers, and the 14 were captured, the other 11 escaping. General Warren reports that the affair reflects no credit on the officer in com- maild, and I have notified him that I expect an investigation. Very respectfully, N. J. T. DANA, Major- General. Capt. A. B. SHARPE, Actg. Asst. A(~]t. Gem., 13th Corps, New Orleomsx FEBRUARY 2224, 1864.Operations about Warrensburg, Mo. Reports of Brig. (Jen. Fgbert B. Brown, U. S. Army, commanding D 1st r let of (Jentral ]If~ssomr~. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF CENTRAL MISSOURI, VVarrensbnrg, Alo., February 23, 1864. MAJOR: I have the honor to report that on the 22d instant, at 8 a. in., a small squad of guerrillas was attacked by Lieutenant Ham ilton, Company D, Fourth Cavalry, Missomiiri State Militia, under the command of Col. James Mcferran, in which Lieutemmnt Hamilton was severely but not dangerously wounded; one of the guerrillas was wounded. The enemys force was part of the notorious Captain Blunts band, that numbered about 20 men and were (Irivell out of the brush on the Blackwater, about 12 miles northwest of this post. It is the same band that has been 1 eported as being in Jackson County the past four months. I am, very truly, your obedient servant, E. B. BROWN, Br iga (tie r- Ge e rat Volunteers, Coinnianding. Maj. 0. D. GREENE, Assistant Adjato itt-General. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF CENTRAL MISSOURI, Warrensbnrg, Mo., February 24, 1864. MAJOR: I have the honor to report that a scout of 10 men, under command of Captaimi Burns, First Missouri State Militia Cavalry, waylaid a small party of guerrillas, part of Bhmnts band, that I re- ported on the 23d, and mortally wounded 2 of them; the balance escaped into the Sni Hills. I am, truly, your obedient servamit, K B. BROWN, .Nr iga (11Cr Genera t Volunteers, (JOin in and mg. Maj. 0. D. GREENE, Assistant Adjutant- Gene rat, ASb in t Lou is Page 152 [Czar. XLVL 152 LOUISLAIqA Afl fl flANS-MISSTSSIPPL flBIVAIY S-NiECE % 186tIeout from Springfield, fl, into North- ern Arkauusa ant skirmishes near Butlo City (arch 1) ant at Bennetts hyox (Karoit 2). Report of Capt. EU Hughes, Siath Miwrsni Mate Militia CcvvaWy, commanding erpediion. SplnrenELD, Mo., Mdrcl& 0, 1804. Onna: I have the honor herewith to submit the following official report: In accordance with Special Orders, No. 50, issued from district headquarters Southwest Missouri, on February 23, 1864, I left Springfield Mo, in charge of 111 men, with orders to proceed south into Arkansas. On the 25th of February, 1804, I crossed White River, reaching Yellville on the 20th. In conformity to an order received prior to my departure from Springfield, Mo., I dispatched 80 mento escort refugees desiring to emigrate to ~prin~ field, Mo. Traversing the country situate between Sugar Loaf Prairie and Yellville, Ark., I encountered a band of gaerrillas, killed 2 men, who, as I subsequently ascertained, belonged to Major Gunnings command. I took up line of march from Yellville on the morning of the 28th, halting 30 miles from Yellville and 0 miles below Buffalo City, in vicinity of which I remained three days, scouring the country on both sides of the riven March 1, I sent detachment, Lieutenant Overman, Company H Sixth Missouri State Militia, in command, with orders top~ don river on opposite side, to which my o~eration were confined. I now had oily 40 men left remaining with me. About 10 oclock on morning of 1st, while near or not far from Buffalo City I encountered a band? of guerrillas, killed Lieut. J. B Smith Eighth kissouri Infant ,of C. S Army and a man named Charles 6ain known as a desperado, and regarded with terror by all lo al dtizens Meanwhile Lieutenant Overman was contendnig with a ~nd of Tracys men, not far distant, and succeededinkilbngtof theband and capturingS. Oneof themenkilledwasof thename of Heron ~ the other, a Baptist preacher, whose name I do not know. On morning of March 271 left White River, 8 miles above Calico Rock, crossed mountain to Bennetts Bayou, on North Fork White River, where I came in contact with about 50 gaerrillas with Tracy at their head. They had there murdered a Union man named Ander- son and a negro. On my approach Tacy dispersed his men among the hifls and fired upon my cominan& fro& n behind rocks and trees, but without effect. On the morning of March 3, deployed small detachments of skir- mMhers, thoroughly scoured Bennett s Bayou, killed Frank Russell, a notorious guerrilla from Wright tykM~ and a man of the name of Howard, from Fulton ~Juu2 captured one of Freemans gang. Thence procee4ed thro h Texas and Wright Counties, Mb.,to Sprmgflel , where I ur over to district pro- vost-marshal Southwest Missouri all the prOperty captured during scout, and which consisted of 10 horses ana a number of fire-arms, such as shotguns, rifles, & c. I found forage in abundance during whole of scout. I am, gieral, very respectfully, your obedient servant, ELI HUGHES Captain Company K, Siatl& Cavalry, Missouri Mate Mtiitia. Brig. Gen. J. B. S& non Page 153 ChAP. XLVI.] EXPEDITION TO BATESVILLE, ARK. 153 FEBRUARY 2429, 1864.Scout from Camp Nimbres, N. Kex. Abs/rae/front Record of Events on return of the Department of New Mexico for February, 1864. * February 24.The commanding officer aiid 21 infantry at Camp Mimbres left that post on a scout. February 27.Had a fight with the Indians. Februarq 29.Retni~ned; none of the party iiijiired; kiHed 13 In- dians, including the chief of the Mangas tribe; captured from the Indians a Mexican woman who had been in captivity fifteen years. FEBRUARY 27, 1864.Affair near Poplar Bluff, Mo. Report of Capt. Ab jah Johns, Thirct Missouri State Militia Oar atry. PATTERSON, Februwry 28, 1864. COLONEL: My scout in from below Poplar Bluff. Captured and i)li[1ned rebel train, destroyiiig a great many shotguns and rifles and corn. Killed 2 jayhawkers ; had 1 man sligbtly wounded in finger. JOHNS, Cal. RICHARD G. WOoDSON, Gaptain. Pilot Knob, Mo. FEBRUARY 29-MARCH 13, 1864.Expedition from Rolla, Mo., to Bates ville, Ark. Rport of Col. William D. JYoo(t, ui47leveuth Missouri Uaralry. HDQRS. ELEVENTH CAVALRY, MISSOURI VOLUNTEERS, c1amp Steele, March 15, 1864. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report, for the information of the colonch coin manding the district, that, in obedience to Special Orders No. 40, headquarters Department of the ~Mi~souri, I or(lered Squad- rons A and M to proceed from Saint Louis to Rolla on the morning of the 15th ultiino, per Pacific Railroad, where I and my staff joined them on the 17th, and was joined on the 18th by Squadrons B, C, E, and G, commanded by Maj. L. W. Brown, which had for some time been serving in District of Southwest Missouri. As this detach- ment was in iieed of many supplies, both of ordnance and camp and garrison equipage, I deemed it advisable to remain there a few days till the necessary supplies could be obtained. Me~iwhile I turne(i the occasion to account by putting my command in a more efficient state of discipliiie and drill, and by sending a quantity of forage to Houston. On the afternoon of the 29th ultimo I ordered tents struck and moved 5 miles south of Roila, and campe(l on Little Beaver. On March 1, I moved 13 miles and camped by the side of a fine spring. Roads were bad and teams heavily loaded. On the morn- *Seeaisop 122 Page 154 [any. flU 154 LOUISIAMA Afl THE TEA)TS.XISSISSIPPL big of the 2d, moved out early; weather in., and some little improve- ment on the roads and country; noforage could be obtained; cam2ed at Thomas Reids close to a fine spring having marched 16 miles. On the 3d, reacheA Arthurs Creek marching 16 miles; no forage on the route; country very broken, tarren, and destitute. Remained here one day to enable my quartermaster to repack his wagons, rest his teams, and turn in a quantity of tents which my limited traits- portation would not allow of bringing. Moved eatly on the morn- mg of the 5th; reached Elk River at 2.30 p. m. ad camped, march- ing 20 miles; good water; no forage could be found. 6~~Marched 28 miles to-day; camped on Black Pond, in Howell County; country still very hilly and broken~ no forage. 7th.Marched 16 miles to-day and camped in West ~lains, county seat of Howell County; goodwaterandplentyof fuel, but no foragecouldbefound inthecoun- try~8t~j-MovedBO miles to-day and camped at South Fork of 8pm County, Ark.; roads better~ country less broken g hilly, but presenting an unbroken field of desolation and ruin; houses and fences buried up and inhabitants fled the country; no forage or articles of subsistence could be obtained. 9th.Marched 18 miles to-day. The rain of the afternoon rendered the roads very heavy, and trains were slow in getting up; camped on South Fork of Spring River. As yet no reliable in e nce had been received of the presence of the enemyin the vicinity of my route though I kept out flankers on each side and scoured the country well for several miles; obtained a small, quantity of forage. iOth.Moved 8 irdles to-day and camped close to Stepbens farm, in hard County; here I obtaineJ about 200 bushels of corn, a small quantity of sheaf oats and fodder. In the morning, learning of the existence a n of bushwhackers, I sent Lieutenant Thomas with 20 men of Company K, with instruc- tions if found, to either kill or capture them. Coming up with a of them, em and gave them chase, in the 2, wounding 1, an capturing a fourth; 1 of those killed was a negro desperado known as Wildwood Jack. iith.MarcIw4 8 mi y; sent out scouting and foraging parties, and thoroughly scoured the country on each side oft e road adistanceof SorB miles, but without any particular beneficial results; obtained but little forage and no fefliiite information as to the whereabouts of the enemy. L2th.Marched 15 miles to-day, keeping on the Wild Han road; sent foraging parties out on either side; secured enough for present necessities, though fOult.l no considerable quantities. My camp was now within 7 miles of Batqsvifle. Plenty of water. 18th.-,-Arrived in Batesville at 11.30 a. m. May I add in conclusion that the whole of this march, a distance of over 200 miles, was effected without a material loss, and that, too having forage to transport more than three-fourths the distance. I adhered strictly to the policy of allowing citizens a fair remunera- tion for any article of forage or subsistence taken on the route, and those of douttful loyalty to report here and~,satisfy the authorities before settlement would be rendered. In conclusion, permit me to acknowledge the earnest and hearty ration of both the officers and men of my command in aiding me to carry out all orders and instructions ;all, from the highest to the lowest, did their duty as soldiers should.. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant [WM. D. WOOD,] Colonel, Osmcsnding Regimen Page 155 Oar. XLYLJ OFflATIONS ON OUAOH1TA RIVER, LA. 155 X& NCH 1I, 186tOperatJ.ans cm the Ouchita Dive, La., Including ..U.... at Trinity ant Harriucaburg.* REPORTS. No. 1.Brig. Gee. Camille 3. Polignac, c. & Army, commanding briga4e.. No. 2.Capt Thomas A. Fades, Pelican (Louisiana) Battery. No. 1. Reports of Brig. Get. Camille .L Polignac, a s. Army command ing brigade. HEADQunTERs PoUGNAOs BRIGaE, Harrisonburg, La., March 3, 1864. MA.ToR: I have the honor to report the following facts: On the 1st instant one iron-clad boat and five other boats (semijitu-boats and semi-transports), part of which belong to the Mosquito Fleet, made their apjearance off Beards Point, on Black River, where my lower picket is located, and reached Trinity at 4.30 p. m. Hatg received inteTh nce of their approach, I notified Captain Devoe,of thee dbpartment, left at Trinity by Major Douglas chief engineer, m time for him to secrete the 32-pounders that haA been taken to Trinity by the direction of the latter officer, and which could not be used, as only one was mounted and there was no ammu- nition for them. Ca t. . H. Gillespie, with 50 cavalry, engaged the enemy on the west bank of the Black River all the watup 0 Trinity, the enemy respondinj with a brisk artillery fire. The six boats stopped in front of Trimty and shelled the place and its neigh- borhood. I had disposed my infantry force along thenorth bank of Little River to protect as host I coulA the pontoon bridge, and also in order to detain the enemy, if possible, long enough for the cap- tain of the Ruby (now engaged in getting himber on little River for the engineer corps) to be notified of their a proach by a courier previously sent by me. The boats, however, did not come up Little River, and Lieut. 0. Gaudet, in command of the only section of ar- tillery that I had, opened upon them with two 12-pounder howitzers, which, of course, were ~bl~to check their progress. This officer behaved very well. His section was within400 yards of the iron- clad boat, and stood the unequal contest with a great deal of cool- ness. As soon as the gun-boats had run past Trinity, and thus made ap- parent their intention of attacking Harrisonburg, I moved my in- fantry and artillery back to that p lace that same night, as I had to ferry the Bushly Bayou a navigable stream, where the enemy could easii headmeoff. Itkadrainedontheday previousandtheroad had me eat impassable. Two caissons had k~be left behind. I have since [had them] pulled out and brought to cam. I ordered the cavalry to remain at Trinity. Capt. JoIm G. Randle, by some unaccountable mistake, took his cavalry up little River so ~at the duty of guarding thetown devolved upon Captain Gillespie alone. * The United States vessels engaged were the Conestoga, Cricket, Fort flindman, Lexington, Osage, and Onachita. See report of Lient. Commander Frank S. Dam- say,U~ S. Navy, Annual Report of the Secretary of tAte Navy, December 5,1864 Page 156 158 LOUISIANA AND fl nANs.MISSISSIPPL [On. flYL This young officer behaved throughout with coolness, energy, and judgment, and I take great pleasure in commending him to the officers above me. On the 2d instant at lOL m.,the same boats hove in sight of Har- risonburg. I had p~Iaoed two infantry regiments on the bank of the Ouacbita River, from the mouth of the Bushly Bayou upto the vicin- ity of the town, and one section of artillery (~jounderParrottsUfl5)~ under Ca tainFaries,at a place where it co d do the most effective firing. The other section of the same battery could not participate in the fight for want of its caissons, and also because the horses were so badly used up by the nights march and the bad roads asto be altogether unfit for service. The enemys boats were opened upon by our infantry and artillery at the same time. From the nature of their build the iron-clad was safe against my artille , and the wooden boats were protected from the muske T& te of sheet-iron between two thicknesses of wood on thet%[L. Raving ascertained that there were no guns on the front they moved slowly up, firing as they went as well on the troops on the bank of the river as at the town, in which several houses were riddled with shot, regardless of the lives of the women and children. One of the boats, apparently somewhat damaged by the fire of the artillery, dropped bask below the mouth of the Bushly, aid the balance went up the Ouachit& They returned about one hour afterward and threw some incen- diary matter into a house in town immediately on the bank of the river, which caused that house and the neighboring ones to ignite instantly Fortunately I was able, with considerable exertion, to stop the con- fiapation, which had liked tohave wept over the whole plaoe. After this the boats ran down the river and hi all night 1 mile above Trinity. This morning they are she~ Trinity. I have not yet heard the particulars, and will forward as soon as possible another report. The enemy fired not less than 1,000 rounds out of 24 and 32 ponders and 12-pounder Parrott guns and guns of smaller caliber, a great deal of grape, canister, and spherical case, ad some 8 and 11 inch shells. The troops, as a general rule, behaved welL Colonel Taylor and Lieutenant-Colonel Stone, in command of tho infantry, led their regiments in a manner creditable to themselves. The fire from the boats was very heavy on the banks of the riven Both m sides (Capt. S. Cuculler and Lieut. W. E~gbling), whose coolness I 4lrny duty to report, lost their horses killed widlo the were in the dis- charge of their duty. The casualties are 3 killed and 13 wounded, 8 of which mortail. The enemy had troops on board of their boats firing through loop- holes. As they kept themselves constantly hid their number could not be ascertained. One of their boats was a very large one, which could carry 800 men, but it is believed that their force was not as lar~e. ~ ~regretthatIdidnot aolneve more but, with the means at my disposal, to fight was about all that I could do. I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, POLI~,~. Maj. L. BusH, Assistant Adjutcrn*-0e9wXG1 Page 157 CHAP. XLV.L] OPERATIONS ON OUNCIJITA RIVER, ARK. Th7 HEAI)QUARTERS POLIGNACS BrIGADE Thtrrisoubnrg, La., March 4, 1864. MAJOR One gun-boat is reported agronn(l at the mouth of Little hiver. The other five are just below the mouth of that river. Captain Randle, commamling the cavalry, (lid not rel)ort to me )ullctnallv and I was only notified this morning, and I am movilig two regiments back to Trinity. The road is almost impassable. I cannot niove any artillery over it. My troops are very much worn oat all(l deficient in rations. I will do my best. I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, C. J. POLIGNAC, Br4iadi icr- General, (Jo rnmanding. Maj. L. Busu, A~ ista ut Ac~iaictn1- General. If I ~ l)I~ovided with some illeendiary matter I might try to burn their fleet. The (histalice between Trinity and Harrisonburo and the miserable condition of the road iiiakes it a very heavy (luty Oil me to oppose the enemy at both places. C.J.P. HEADQUARTERS POLIONACS BRIGAT)E, harrison burg, March 4, 1864. SIR : Yesterday morning the gnu-boat fleet made their appearance for the second time at Trinity. One of the boats ran up Little River and destroyed tile pontoon bridge. Capt. Jolni G. Randle, who was then at Trinity in command of the cavalry, did not even atteml)t to prevent it. I have the regret to report that I was very badly assisted by tills officer, who, lulfortunately, was tile senior officer, ainl whom I had naturally placed in command. He did ilot notify me of the movement of the eneniy, and it was only indirectly that I heard this morning that a gun-boat was aground, as I had the honor to inform you. This fact occurred in tile following way: Tile gun-boat No. 18 was badly crippled by tile fire of my artillery on the 2d instant, and had to be towed down to Trinity. As she lay off Little River tile current caught her, and in swiugillg to she ran aground. This took place about mmoon st~rday. The water hlad fallen coiisiderably, and the two 82-pounders wiliell had been rolled into tile water at the mouth of Little River were partly visible above tile surface, as I ani informed by Captaill Gillespie, who was in town with a cavalry picket. The enemy took theul out and put them on board of one of tile boats. During the ilighit til ey dug up anothel of [the] guns which had been bnried on the mound on whuich the fort was building, withi the greater facility, as by burning tile bridge tiley had uilterrupted communicatiomi bet~Je~n botil banks ~f Little River. Tiley also succeeded ~il pulhiilg tile damaged gun-boat from off the sand, aild this morning at daybreak tiley left Trinity. My infamutry coilsequently came too late to be of any service. It is with feelings of deep regret that I have to report the loss of tile guns, but as I am conscious to have done as mulcil as I could under the circumstances, I wQuld respectfully remind, ~i rough you, tile brigadier-general commanding that these gumls were withdrawn from my charge by superior order; that they were taken to Trinit Page 158 158 LOUiSIANA AND THE TRAN& MISSISSIPPL [Quay. an wjthont my advice, and that Iwas so circumstanced as to be without the will show that I had plainly foreseen and adverted to the danger of the situation. The enemy are said to have buried 15 dead on the bank of the Quachita River. Such parts of the wooden boats as were not iron-plated were riddled with shot. I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant 0. 3. POLIGNA6, Maj. L BusH, Brigadier-General, Commanding. Astistant Adjuksni-Genera4 & c. ADDENDA. GENERa ORDnS,) HDQIts. DISmICT WUT LOUISIANA, No.. f Intl& e Field, April 5, 1864. The maor-general commanding desires to ezjpress to Bripdier- General Polignac and the officers and men of Ins brigade Ins high appreciation of the tad soldierlybeariugintheir engagement of the 1st and 2d of March, 1864, with the enemys gun-boats on the Ouachita Riven The dispositions made by General Polignac were excellent and were nobly sustained by his command. The gun-boats were successfully engaged at short iange with musketry and light artillery, and dnven idE with heavy loss, by the enemys on admis- sion. The artillery engaged consisted of two sections of Faries bat- tery, under Captain Farios, whose conduct is highly praised in Gen- end Polignacs report. Our men were entirely wit out cover. By command of Major-General Taylor: EL SURGET, Assistant Adjutant-General. No. 2. Reports of Capt. Thomas A. Faries, Pelican (Louisiana) Battery. IN THE FIELD, run HAmusonullo, LA., Mairok 2, 1864. SIR: I have the honor to report that I took position with the right section of thisbattery (two 3-inch rifled guns), at daylight this morn- ing,onalarge circular Indian mound inanold field about midway between Harrisonburg and Bayou Bushly, which enters the Quachita River on its right bank about 800 yards below the mound. This mound is 200 yards fromthe right bank of theriver. At 10a.m. the iron-clad gun-boat Osage of the enemy turned the point at the junction of the Ouachita and Bayou Busbjly, followed by four tin- dads, armed stern-wheel river steamers, pfttected by a covering of boiler iron, pierced for guns below and for musketry where it cov- ered the cabins, wInch were occupied by Federal infanlrj. I com- menced firing at 10.80 a. in., soon after our infantryon the open river bank below me had opened the fight en time-fused shell and 16 so shot were fired at the Ifour tin-dads where they had halted j~~low myposition, distance 400 yards. Nearly all of the shot and shell from the~o 3-inch rifles took effect in the pilot-house Page 159 Gun. XLVLj OPERAflONS ON OUAOHITA BIVfl~ LA. 159 and upper works of the four tin-dads, all of which lar together in a mass. The damage by my fire was, I believe, considerable, as I could perceive the effect of the greater part of my shot. After a- hausting the ammunition in the limber chests, I retired the section by piece until they had reached the cover of the wcods to the left an& rear. The Indian mound is some 10 feet in hoi~ht. 4. curved ditch was cut through the level surface near the river face of the circle, which was occupied from daylight until the action was well opened by the two companies of infantryunder Captain , who had reported to me at2oclock in the mornin While m position on the mound the tin-dads did not attempt to pass above. Only the iron-clad Osage passed up she being so low in the water (the river being very low) no part of her hull was visi- ble from the mound, her funnel alone indicating her movements. The ground being unfavorable for the protection of my caissons and horses, I had them placed m char of Sergeant-Major Arnauld, some distance in my rear on the Bushly Ferry road1 from which position they had to be retired, as most of the projectiles from the enemys guns passed over my position and exploded at or near the caissons. The enemys vessels were armed with 6 8 and 11 inch guns, 30- pounder Parrott rifles; also 12 and 24 pounAe~uns, from which were thrown during the day an immense quantity of shot shell, spherical case, and grape, their explosive projectiles bursting with considera- ble accuracy toward the latter part of the finn. In a direct fire they were unable to depress their guns sufficiently to do me any dam- age while occupying the mound. My horses and sieces sustained exception being the animal ri den by myself, whicl~w~ killed wiAlelwasinthe act of reporting to General Po- lignac for orders near the bank of the river above the mound. I have no casualties to report I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Captain, 0zm4 Battery, T. A. FABlES, Second Division infantry. Maj. 0. Voons Acig. Ant. siji. (den., Second Brig., Louisiana Infty. IN THE FIELD, NEAR HAnhsonuxe, LA., March 3, 1864. Sm: I have the honor to report that the left section of this bat- tery (two under field howitzers, Lieut. 0. Gaudet commanding), stationed at j~frjj~ La., 12 miles below Harrisonburg, on the rig t bank of the Ouachita River~ near the mouth of Little River, opened on the iron-clad gun-boat of the enemy called the Osage on the after- ncon of March 1, instant, at 5.30 p. in., from the ro3d or street lead ing into the town on the rn bank of the river, firing at 100 yards distance. Fired five she without fuse as solid shot striking the vessel, but glancing upward from her iron casing without effecting any injury or retardjng her proqress. The -boat lied from heavy rifled gunsin her tower, firing shell an grape, but firing over the section, which sustained no injury in guns, men, or horses. The Osage was followed by four tin-clad gun-boats, protected by a cov- ering of boiler iron. These, however, remained below Trinity ou Page 160 [ChAr. XLVI. 160 LOUISIANA AND TILE TRANS~MISSISSIPPI. of range, nntil the iron-clad had passed the front of the town, when one of the tin-dads entered the mouth of the Little River ou his right flank, and opened on the right and rear of the howitzer section with grape and shell, compelling Lieutenant Gaudet to retire. At the same time lie saw clearly that he conld not delay the iron-clad Osage, she having reached his immediate front, and was firing at or over him from ahout 50 yards in a very exposed l)osit~on. Lienten- ant Gaudet, not having heen notified in time of the approach ot the gun-hoats, was unahle to reach the position that had heeii previonsly selected for his guns, which was lower down the river. This section retired, as ordered, on the Harrisonhnrg road, marching all night over a road that had hecome nearly impassahle hy the rains for artillery and other carriages. To enahie him to hring the pieces to this l)hace hy douhhing his teams, the two caissons were left on the road 6 miles in the rear. They have since heen hronght in with mule teams. Lieutenant Gaudet reports the loss of some of the cartridges from his caissons, two axes, and one tarpaulin stolen the night lie was en- gaged in moving his two guns to Harrisonhurg. No casualties to report. I am, very respectfully, your ohedient servant, T. A. FARIES, Captain, Comdg. Battery, Second Division Infantry. Maj. J. C. MONCURE, A sst. Adjt. Gem., Second Brig., Louisiana Infly. IN THE FIELD, NEAR IJARRISoM3uRO, LA., March 5, 1864. SIR: I beg leave to state that Lient. 0. Gaudet, commanding the howitzer section of this battery, recently detached with the in- fantry sent to Trinity, has reported to inc that on the night march from that place lie was ordered by Colonel Speighit, of the [Fifteenth] Regimeiit Texas Infantry, who conunanded the rear guard, to abandoii his two caissons in order to save Ins l)leces, the caissons being left 6 miles below this place oii the road to Trinity without a guard to protect this valuable property; also, that when lie arrived at the ferry on Bushily Bayou, just below Harrisonburg, lie was not allowed to cross his pieces, horses;- oi~ men until all of the infantry and their wagons, including the rear guard of iiifantry, had been ferried over. I beg leave niost respectfully to protest against this very unusual and irregular proceeding, which I believe was (bile without your knowledge or consent. As a rule, under such circumstances artil-~ lery is crossed early and placed in position on the ol)posite bank to cover the crossiiig of troops and trains. This, sir, is written in no spirit of fault-fiuiding, but only to call atte4ion to a very unusual and unmilitary occurrence. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, T. A. FAMES, Captain, Con tmand ing Battery. Brig. Gen. C. J. POLIGNAC, Commanding Second Brigade Infantry Page 161 C~i.& p. XLVI.] EXPEDITION TO WILD HAWS, ETC., ARK. 161 MARCH 3, 1864.Skirmishes at Jackson and near Baton Rouge, La. Abstract from Record of Events on return of the Second Brigade, Cavalry Division, Department of the Gulf, for the month of March, 1864. On the 3d, a small force went to Jackson; had a skirmish at that place; killed 1 rebel and took 1 prisoner, In the afternoon the same party enconntered a superior force, and in charging them lost 3 men prisoners. On the same day Lieutenant-Colonel Logan went to Baton Ronge; had a skirmish; killed 1 rebel and lost 3 men pris- oners. MARCH 1012, 1864.Expedition from Batesville to Wild Haws, Straw berry Creek, & c., Ark. Report of Gapt. Edward Lawler, First Nebraska Cavalry. BATESYILLE, ARK., March 15, 1864. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to make the following report of an expedition made nuder orders dated March 10, 1864: I left Batesyille at 11.30 a. in., and proceeded northwest on the Wild Haws road. Meeting no enemy, I encamped for the night 1 mile south of Wild Haws. The same evening I sent a detachment of 40 men, under command of Captain Potts, to Wild Haws; he returned, reporting no eneniy in the vicinity. Next morning had reveille sounded at 3.30, and marched at daylight as ordered. I proceeded northeast, passing through Wild Haws and from there to Franklin Post-Office, and there, hearing that the enemy with 100 men encamped on Strawberry Creek the night before, I at once pushed on to attack him, arriving at the place reported, and found no enemy, but traces of where his horses had been fed. I made frequent inquiries, and from all I could ascertain he went east of Franklin Post-Office the day before. After scouting the country for some miles in the vicinity, and hearing of Colonel Wood, of the Eleventh Missouri Cavalry, being in th~ i~ighborhood of Wild Haws, and not finding any enemy, I proceeded to join him as directed. En route, hearing of some 20 of the enemy between Col- onel Wood and my detachment, I thought it policy to encamp for the night, in the hope that if the enemy were in Colonel Woods rear I might pick them up early in the morning. March 12, 1864, reveille 3.30 a. in.; joined Colonel Wood about 9 oclock a. in. He not thinking it necessary for me to remain, I pushed on toward White River, as directed. Not finding the enemy in an considerable numbers, I proceeded toward Batesville, where I arri a 9 oclock p.m. Captain, I have the honor to be, your obedient servant EDWD. LAWLER C~aptain, First Nebraska ~1avalry. Capt. H. C. FILLEBROWN, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Dist. of Northeastern Arkansas. 11 R RvoL XXXIv, PT Page 162 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [OHM?. XLVL 162 MARCH 10-MAY 22, 1864.The Red River (Louisiana) Campaign. SIItii\{IMAIRY OF TIIIE IPRINCIPAif-i IEVENTS. Mar. 10, 1864.Detachment from the Army of the Tennessee, under command of Brig. Gen. Andrew J. Smith, U. S. Army, embark at Vicks- burg. 12, 1864.The Union land and naval forces, under command of Brig. Gen. Andrew J. Smith and Rear-Admiral David D. Porter, enter Red River. 14, 1864.Capture of Fort De Russy. 1426, 1864.Advance of the Union forces from Franklin to Alexandria. 15, 1864.Skirmish at Marksville Prairie. U. S. Naval forces arrive at Alexandria. 16, 1864.Union forces occupy Alexandria. 19, 1864.Skirmish at Black Bayou. 20, 1864.Skirmish at Bayou Rapides. 21, 1864.Affair at Hendersons Hill. 23, 1864.Steeles column advances from Little Rock, Ark.* 26, 1864.Skirmish at Campti. 28, 1864.Banks column advances from Alexandria. 2930, 1864.Skirmishes about Monetts Ferry and Cloutierville. 31, 1864.Skirmish at Natchitoches. Apr. 2, 1864.Skirmish at Crumps Hill. 3, 1864-Skirmish at Grand Ecore. 4, 1864.Skirmish at Campti. 5, 1864.Skirmish at Natchitoches. 7, 1864.Skirmish at Wilsons Plantation, near Pleasant Hill. 8, 1864.Skirmish at Bayou De Paul (Carrolls Mill), near Pleasant Hill. Engagement at Sabine Cross-Roads, or battle of Mansfield or Pleasant Grove. 9, 1864.Engagement at Pleasant Hill. 1011, 1864.Union forces retreat to Grand Ecore. 1213, 1864.Engagement at Blairs (or Pleasant Hill) Landing. 14,1864.Skirmish at Bayou Saline. 16, 1864.Skirmish at Grand Ecore. 2021, 1864.Skirmishes about Natchitoches. 21, 1864.Affair at Tunica Bend. 2125, 1864.Banks column retires from Grand Ecore to Alexandria. 22, 1864.Attack on transports4n ~ed River. 2224, 1864.Skirmishes at and near Cloutierville. 23, 1864.Engagei~ent at Monetts Ferry, or Cane River Crossing. 25, 1864.Skirmish at Cotile Landing. 26, 1864.Skirmish at Bayou Rapides Bridge, near McNutt~s Hill. Engagement at Deloach~s Bluff and destruction of the EastporL 2627, 1864.Engagement at junction of the Cane and Red Rivers. 26May 13, 1864.Skirmishes about Alexandria. 29, 1864.-Skirmish at Grand Ecore. May 1. 1864.Capture of the U. S. transport Emma at Davids Ferry, Red River. 1 4, 1864.Skirmishes at Governor Moore~s Plantation. 2, 1864.Brig. Gen. William H. Emory, U. S. Army, supersedes Maj. Gen. William B. Franklin in command of the Nineteenth Army Corps. Skirmish at Wells Plantation. Skirmish at Wilsons Landing. * See the Camden Expedition, March 23May 3, post Page 163 A \ V C~r. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 16S~ May 2 3, 1864Skirmishes at Bayou Pierre. 3, 1864.Capture of the U. S. transport City Belle. 4 5, 1864.Engagement at Davids Ferry, destruction of the U. S. steamer Covington, and capture of the U. S. steamers Signal and. Warner. 5,1864.Engagement at Dunn~ Bayou. Skirmish at Grahams Plantation. Skirmish at Natchitoches. 6, 1864.Skirmish at Boyc& s Plantation. Skirmish at Wells Plantation. 6 7,1864.Skirmishes at Bayou Lajuourie. 7,1864.Skirmish at Bayou Bocuf. 8. 1864.Skirmish at Bayou Robert. 12, 1864.Skirmish at Bayou Lamourie. 13, 1864.Union fleet passes the falls at Alexandria, and Banks column in retreat to the Mississippi River. 14, 1864.Skirmish at Wilsons Landing. 15, 1864.Skirmish at Avoyciles, or Marksville, Prairie. 16. 1864.Engagement at Mansura (Belle Prairie, or Smith~s Plantation). 17. 1864.Action near Moreauville. Skirmish at Yellow Bayou. 1~. 1~64.Engagement at Yellow Bayou (Bayou De Glaize, Norwoods Plantation, or Old Oaks). 19, 1864.The Union forces cross the Atchafalaya. 2122, 1864.The detachment from Army of the Tennessee re-enibarks for Yicksburg, Miss. H~PORTS, ETC.* No. 1.Abstract from returns, and rosters of the U. S. troop~composing the Red River Expedition, Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks, U. S. Army, command- lug. for March 31 and Anril 30. 1864. No. 2.Mnj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks, U. S. Army, commanding expedition and Department of the Gulf. No. 3.Lient. Col. John C. Chandler, U. S. Army, Acting Chief Quartermaster. No. 4.Capt. Frank W. Marston, U. S. Signal Corps, Chief Signal Officer. No. 5.Col. George D. Robinson, Ninety-seventh U. S. Colored Troops, command- ing Engineer Brigade. No. 6.Lient. Col. Un B. Pearsall, Ninety-ninth,~J. .~. Colored Troops. No. 7.Maj. Gen. William B. Franklin, U. S. Army, commanding the Nineteenth and detaehment of the Thirteenth Army Corps, of operations April 625. No. 8.Brig. Gen. Thomas E. C. Ransom. U. S. Army, commanding detachment of the Thirteenth Army Corps, of operations April 68. No. 9.Brig. Gen. Robert A. Cameron, U. S. Army, commanding Third Division and detachment of the Thirteenth Army Corps, of operations April 6 03 No. 19.Brig. Ccii. Michael K. Lawier, U. S. Army, commanding detachment of the Thirteenth Army Corps, of operations May 122. No. 11.Itinerary of the Artillery Brigade, Thirteenth Army Corps, for months of March, April, and May. No. 12.Licut. Henry Roe, Chicago (Illinois) Mercantile Battery, of operations March 15April 8. No. 13.Lient. Charles M.~Callahan, Battery A, First Missouri Light Artillery, of operations March 16April 10. * For naval reports, see Annual Report of the Secretary of the Navy, December 5,1864 Page 164 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. 164 No. 14.Itinerary of the First Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, April 18May 22. No. 15.Maj. Bradford Hancock. Twenty-ninth Wisccnsin Infantry, command- ing First Brigade, Third Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, of operations April 68, and itinerary of the brigade, March 5May 22. No. 16.Col. William H. Raynor, Fifty-sixth Ohio Infantry, commanding Second Brigade, of operations April 65. No. 17.Maj. Edward Wright, Twenty-fourth Iowa Infantry, of engagement at Sabine Cross-Roads. No. 18.Capt. Thomas Dillon, Twenty-eighth Iowa Infantry, of engagement at Sabine Cross-Roads. No. 19.Capt. Maschil Manring, Fifty-sixth Ohio Infantry, of engagement at Sabine Cross-Roads. No. 20.Col. William J. Landram, Nineteenth Kentucky Infantry, commanding Fourth Division, of engagement at Sabine Cross-Roads.. No. 21.Itinerary of the Fourth Division, April 1May 25. No. 22.Maj. John A. Burdett, Seventy-seventh Illinois Infantry, First Brigade, of engagement at Sabine Cross-Roads. No. 23.Maj. Francis A. Sears, Sixty-seventh Indiana Infantry, of engagement at Sahine Cross-Roads. No. 24.Capt. William T. Cummins, Nineteenth Kentucky Infantry, of operations April 611. No. 25.Maj. Joseph E. Greene, Twenty-third Wisconsin Infantry, of engagement at Sabine Cross-Roads. No. 26.Capt. Daniel De Camp, One hundred and thirtieth Illinois Infantry, Second Brigade, of engagement at Sabine Cross-Roads. No. 27.Capt. James R. Lynch, Forty-eighth Ohio Infantry, of engagement at Sabine Cross-Roads. No. 25.Lient. Col. William H. Baldwin, Eighty-third Ohio Infantry, of engage- ment at Sabine Cross-Roads. No. 29.Capt. Joseph Leonard, Ninety-sixth Ohio Infantry, of engagement at Sabine Cross-Roads. No. 30.Maj. Gen. Andrew J. Smith, U. S. Army, commanding detachments of Sixteenth and Seventeenth Army Corps. No. 31.Brig. Gen. Joseph A. Mower, U. S. Army, commanding detachment of Sixteenth Army Corps. No. 32.Col. Lucius F. Hubbard, Fifth Minnesota Infantry, commanding Second Brigade, First Division, of engagement at Pleasant Hill, with itinerary of the brigade, March 1May 24. No. 33.Ma~. John C. Becht, Fifth Minne~ota Infantry. No. 34.Col. Sylvester G. Hill, Thirty-fifth Iowa Infantry, commanding Third Brigade, of affair at Hendersons Hill and engagements at Pleasant Hill and Yellow Bayou, with itinerary of the brigade, March 4May 24. No. 85.Lient. Col. William B. Reeler, Thirty-fifth Iowa Infantry, of affair at Hendersons Hill and engagement at Pleasant Hill. No. 36.Lient. Col. William H. Heath, Thirty-third Missouri Infantry, of affair at Hendersons Hill. No. 37.Maj. George W. Van Beek, Thirty-third Wissouri Infantry, of engage- ments at Pleasant Hill and Yellow Bayou. No. 38.Col. William F. Lynch, Fifty-eighth Illinois Infantry, commanding First Brigade, Third Division, of the capture of Fort De Russy and en- ga~ement at Pleasant Hill, with itinerary of the brigade. March 1 May 20. No. 39.Col. Thomas J. Kinney, One hundred and nineteenth Illinois Infantry, commanding regiment and First Brigade, of the capture of Fort De Russy and engagements at Pleasant Hill and Yellow Bayou Page 165 CEAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 165 No. 40.Maj. Thomas Newlan, Fifty-eighth Illinois Infantry, of engagement at Pleasant Hill. No. 41.Lient. Col. Hervey Craven, Eighty-ninth Indiana Infantry, of skirmish at Bayou Lamourie and engagement at Yellow Bayou. No. 42.Col. William T. Shaw, Fourteenth Iowa Infantry, commanding Second Brigade, of the capture of Fort De Russy and engagements at Pleasant Hill and Yellow Bayou, with itinerary of the brigade, March 10May 24. No. 43.Lieut. Col. Joseph H. Newbold, Fourteenth Iowa Infantry, of the capture of Fort De Russy. No. PCapt. Warren C. Jones, Fourteenth Iowa Infantry, of engagement at Pleasant Hill. No. 45.Capt. Leroy A. Crane, Fourteenth Iowa Infantry, of engagement at Yellow Bayou. No. 46.Col. James I. Gilbert, Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry, of the capture of Fort De Russy and engagements at Pleasant Hill and Yellow Bayou. No. 47.Col. John Scott, Thirty-second Iowa Infantry, of the capture.of Fort De Russy and engagement at Pleasant Hill. No. 48.Maj. Gustavus A. Eberhart, Thirty-second Iowa Infantry, of engagement at Yellow Bayou. No. 49.Maj. Robert W. Fyan, Twenty-fourth Missouri Infantry, of thc~ capture of Fort De Russy and engagements at Pleasant Hill and Yellow Bayou. No. 50.Capt. James M. Cockefair, Third Indiana Battery. No. 51.Lient. Thomas J. Ginn, Third Indiana Battery, of engagement at Yellow Bayou. No. 52.Col. Risdon M. Moore, One hundred and seventeenth Illinois Infantry, commanding Third Brigade, of engagement at Pleasant Hill. No. 53.Maj. Thomas W. Morgan, Forty-ninth Illinois Infantry, of engagement at Pleasant Hill. No. 54.Lieut. Col. Jonathan Merriam, One hundred and seventeenth Illinois Infantry, of engagement at Pleasant Hill. No. 55.Col. Edward Wehler, One hundred and seventy-eighth New York Infan- try, of engagement at Pleasant Hill. No. 56.Brig. Gen. T. Kilby Smith, U. S. Army, commanding Provisional Division, Seventeenth Army Corps. No. 57.Lient. John H. Tiemeyer, Battery M, First Missouri Light Artillery, of operations March 26April 13. No. 58.Lient. Col. Andrew W. Rogers, Eighty-~rs~ Illinois Infantry, Second Brigade, of operations April 713. No. 59.Col. Thomas W. Humphrey, Ninety-fifth Illinois Infantry, of operations March 16April 15. No. 60.Brig. Gen. William H. Emory, U. S. Army, commanding First Division and Nineteenth Army Corps. No. 61.Lieut. Col. Joseph Bailey, Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry, Acting Engineer Officer Nineteenth Army Corps. No. 62.Capt. Henry W. Closson, First U. S. Artillery, Chief of Artillery, Nineteenth Army Corps, of engagement at Monctts Ferry, with itinerary of the Artillery Reserve, March 15May 20. No. 63.Capt. Benjamin Nields, First Delaware Battery. No. 64.Capt. William S. Hinkle, First Indiana Heavy Artillery, of engagement at Blairs LaudiTig. No. 65.Lient. Franck E. taylor, Battery L. First U. S. Artillery. No. 66-Lieut. Edward L. Appleton, Battery L, First U. S. Artillery, of engagement at Pleasant Hill Page 166 16(3 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. No. 67. Capt. George T. Hebard, First Vermont Battery. No. 68.Brig. Gen. James W. McMillan, U. S. Army, commanding Second Brigade and First Division, of engagements at Sabine Cross-Roads, Pleasant Hill, and Monetts Ferry, with itinerary of division, April 130. No. 69.Brig. Gen. William Dwight, U. S. Army, commanding First Brigade, of engagements at Sabine Cross-Roads and Pleasant Hill. No. ~0.Itinerary of the First Brigade, May 122. No. 71.Col. Edwin P. Davis, One hundred and fifty-third New York Infantry, of enga~ements at Sabine Cross-Roads and Pleasant Hill. No. 72.Itinerary of the Second Brigade, March 15May 22. No. 73.Itinerary of the Third Brigade, March 15May 22. No. 74.Col. Francis Fessenden, Thirtieth Maine Infantry, commanding Third Brigade, of engagements at Sabine Cross-Roads and Pleasant Hill. No. 75.Lient. Col. Justus A. Blanchard, One hundred and sixty-second New York Infantry, commanding Third Brigade, of operations April 2125. No. 76.Li~ut. Col. Thomas H. Hubbard, Thirtieth Maine Infantry. No. 77.Brig. Gen. Frank S. Nickerson, U. S. Army, commanding First Brigade, Second Division, of engagement at Davids Ferry, with itinerary of the brigade, April 15May 22. No. 78.Col. William H. Dickey, Eighty-fourth U.S. Colored Troops, commanding First Bri~ade,. First Division, Corps dAfrique, of action near Morean- yule. No. 79.Lient. Col. John C. Chadwick, Ninety-second U. S. Colored Troops, of action near Moreauville. No. 80.Itinerary of the Cavalry Division, Department of the Gulf, March 10 May 26. No. 81.Brig. Gen. Albert L. Lee, U. S. Army, commanding Cavalry Division, of operations April 413. No. 82.Brig. Gen. Richard Arnold, U. S. Army, commanding Cavalry Division, of engagement at Monetts Ferry and skirmish (May 2) at Wilsons Landing. No. 83.Capt. Ormand F. Nims, Second Massachusetts Battery, of engagement at Sabine Cross-Roads. No. 84.Col. Thomas J. Lucas, Sixteenth Indiana Mounted Infantry, commanding First Cavalry Brigade, of affair at Hendersons Hill. No. 85.Capt. Francis H. Whittier, Thirtieth Massachusetts Infantry, Acting As- sistant Quartermaster, Fourth Cavalry Brigade, of wagons lost at Sabine Cross-Roads. No. 86.Capt. Elbert H. Fordham, Thi,j~ty-~lrst Massachusetts Mounted Infantry, of. operations May 1418. No. 87.Col. Oliver P. Gooding, Thirty-first Massachusetts Mounted Infantry, com- manding Fifth Cavalry Brigade, of skirmish at Campti and engage- ment at Monetts Ferry. No. 88.Capt. William Davis, Eighteenth New York Cavalry, of engagement at~ Sabine Cross-Roads. No. 89.Maj. George R. Davis, Third Rhode Island Cavalry, of skirmish at Campti and engagement at Pleasant Hill. No. 90.Lient. Col. Charles H. Parkhurst, Third RhMe Island Cavalry, of voyage from New Orleans to Alexandria. No. 91.Lient. Commander K. Randolph Breese, U. S. Navy, of the capture of the~steamer City Belle. No. 92.Brig. Gen. Daniel Ullmann, U.S. Army, of the capture of steamers on Red River, & c. No. 93.General E. Kirby Smith, C. S. Army, commanding Trans-Mississippi De- partment, including operations February 21June 30 Page 167 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 1 6~ No. 94.Narrative of Lieut. Edward Cunningham, C. S. Army, Aide-de-Camp and Chief of Artillery. No. 93.Maj. Gen. Richard Taylor, C. S. Army, commanding District of West Louisiana. No. 96.Maj. Gen. John G. Walker, C. S. Army, commanding division, of opera- tions March 1219. No. 97.Brig. Gen. Mosby M. Parsons, C. S. Army, commandiun division, of en- gagement at Pleasant Hill. No. 98.Brig. Gen. James C. Tappan, C. S. Army, commanding Churchills divis- ion, of engagement at Pleasant Hill. No. 99.Brig. Gen. Hamilton P. Bee, C. S. Army, commanding Cavalry Division. No. 100.Col. George XV. Baylor, Second Arizona Cavalry, commanding Majors cavalry brigade, of operations April 718. No. 101Brig. Gesi. William Steele, C. S. Army, commanding Cavalry Division, of operations April 22May 18. No. 102.Lieut. Col. Samuel J. Ward. Jeffers~ Missouri Cavalry, of skirmish at Campti. No. 10~.Maj. Thomas A. Faries, C. S. Artillery, Chief of Artillery. Second Infantry Division. of engagements at Mansura and Yellow Bayou. No. 104.Capt. Thomas 0. Benton, Louisiana Artillery, of engagement at Dc- loachs Bluff. No. 103.Brig. Gen. St. John R. Liddell, C. S. Army, commanding Sub-district of North Louisiana, of operations January 26May 22. No. 106-Confederate Roll of Honor. No. 1. Abstract froln returns, and rosters of the U. S. troops composing the Red Bluer Expedition, 3faJ. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks, U. S. Army. cofflhnctnding, for lIla rch 31 and April 30, 1864. RETURN FOR MARCH 31. I Present for a duty. a ,I~ ~. Command. ~~1 a -a __________ l~ General headquarters: Staff and escort 20 47 106 160 Engineer troops 40 681 872 807 Total Thirteenth Army Corps: Third Division Fourth Division Total Thirteenth Army Corps 60 728 978 967 94 2,020 2,275 4,411 8 132 2,527 2,990 5,971 10 6 4,547 5,265 10,384 18 Nineteenth Army Corps: Headquarters 10 10 12 First Division 294 6,193 7, 134 9,733 14 Second Division a 146 3,700 4,477 5,950 18 Artillery Reserve 6 270 280 373 14 Total Nineteenth Army Corns 416 10,163 11,901 16,068 46 CorpsdAfriques 88 1,447 1,745 2,034 Cavalry Division 205 4,448 5,333 I 8,996 12 a Headquar rs and the Second and Third Brigades and hatteries. b First Brigade, First Division Page 168 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. Abstract from returns, and rosters of the U~ S. troops, & e.Continued. RETURN FOR MARCH 31Continued. Present for ~ ~ duty. ~ a ~ u C12 ~ a Command. H ~. ~ H H Q H H ~ 0 ~ ~ -~ p~ Army of the Tennessee (detachment): Headquarters 4 4 4 First Division, Sixteenth Army Corps 103 1,899 2,431 4,351 Third Division, Sixteenth Army Corps 237 4,971 6,151 7,732 10 Provisional Division, Seventeenth Army Corps 73 1,648 2,039 3,838 4 Total Army of the Tennessee 417 8,518 10,625 15,925 it Grand total Red River expedition 1,452 29,851 35,847 54,374 90 RETURN FOR APRIL 30. General headquarters: Staff and escort 20 Engineer troops 38 Total 58 Thirteenth Army Corps: Headquarters a 15 Second Brigade, First Division a 112 Third Division 104 Fourth Division Artillery Brigade 9 Total Thirteenth Army Corps 315 Nineteenth Army Corps: Headquarters First Division Second Division b Artillery Reserve Total Nineteenth Army Corps Corps dAfrique c Cavalry Division d Army of the Tennessee (detachment): Headquarters ~.. . .. .. First Division, Sixteenth Army Corps Third Division, Sixteenth Army Corps Provisional Division, Seventeenth Army Corps Total Army of the Tennessee . . . Grand total Red River expedition 1,584 8 23.5 167 7 417 253 45 657 702 19 2,069 2,045 1,421 352 5,906 5,272 4,119 248 9,639 1,447 5,003 122 171 811 990 I 9339,161 35 43 2,383 4,903 2,333 4,172 1,784 4,584 396 520 18 6,931 14,222 18 8 11 6,392 9,148 14 4,907 6,372 14 295 373 14 11,602 15,904 42 1,745 2,034 6,210 10,462 6 3 3 4 181 3,221 4,101 6,587 191 4,393 5,464 7,498 10 78 1,607 2,052 3,818 4 453 9,221 11,620 17,907 14 31,918 39,041 61,690 o Transferred from Texas to Alexandria, April 18-26. S The First Brigade transferred from Carroliton to Alexandria, April 15-18. c As reported March 11. d Return reports loss of ten pieces of artillery at Sabine Cross.Roads. Battery F, First U. S. Artil- lery (four guns), gained from Second Division, Nineteenth Army C~ps. The Second Brigade at Port Hudson. 168 [CHAP. XLVI Page 169 CHAP. XLVI.] TIlE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. ROSTER FOR MARCH 31. DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF. ENGINEER BRIGADE. Col. GEORGE D. ROBINSON. 3d Engineers, Corps dAfrique, Lieut. Col. George A. Harmount. 5th Engineers, Corps dAfrique, Lieut. Col. Un B. Pearsall. GUARDS, & C. Headquarters troops (Companies A and B), Capt. Richard W. Francis. Escort (Company C), Capt. Frank Sayles. THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS (DETACHMENT). Brig. Gen. THOMAS E. G. RANSOM. THIRD DIVISION. * Brig. Gen. ROBERT A. CAMERON. First Brigade. t Second Brigade. Lieut. Col. AARON M. FLORY. Col. WILLIAM H. RAYNOR. 46th Indiana, Capt. William M. DeHart. 24th Iowa, Maj. Edward Wright. 29th Wisconsin, Maj. Bradford Han- 28th Iowa, Col. John Connell. cock. 56th Ohio, Capt. Maschil Manring. Artillery. 1st Missouri Light, Battery A. Lient. Elisha Cole. Ohio Light, 2d Battery, Lieut. William H. Harper. First Brigade4. Col. FRANK EMERSON. 77th Illinois, Lieut. Col. Lysander R. Webb. 67th Indiana, Lieut. Col. Theodore E. Buehler. 19th Kentucky, Lieut. Col. John Cowan. 23d Wisconsin, Maj. Joseph E. Greene. FOURTH DIVISION. ~ Col. WILLIAM J. LANDRAM. Second Brigade. Ii Col. JOSEPH W. VANCE. 130th Illinois, Maj. John B. Reid. 48th Ohio, Lieut. Col. Joseph W. Lind- sey. 83d Ohio, Lieut. Col. William H. Bald- wln. 96th Ohio, Lieut. Col. Albert II. Brown. Artillery. Indiana Light, 1st Battery, Capt. Martin Klauss. Chicago (Illinois) Mercantile Battery, Lieut. Piuckney S. Cone. * At Natchitoches. General Cameron assumed command Ma~h 3. t The Eleventh. Twenty-fourth, and Thirty-fourth Indiana Regiments absent on veteran furlough. t At Natchitoches and on Cane River. Colonel Landram assigned to command Malch lo. vice Ransom, commanding the detachment. ~ The Sixtieth Indiana~on veteran furlough (non-veterans attached to Sixty- seventh Indiana) and the First United States on duty in New Orleans. The Ninety-seventh Illinois on duty in New Orleans. T Capt. Patrick H. White, of this battery, was chief of artillery d& achment Thir- teenth Army Corps. 16 Page 170 170 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI, NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS.* Maj. Gen. WILLIAM B. FRANKLIN. FIRST DIVISION. Brig. Gen. WILLIAM H. EMORY. First Brigade. t Second Brigade. t Brig. Gen. WILLIAM DWIGHT. Brig. Gen. JAMES W. McMILLAN. 29th Maine, Col. George L. Beal. 13th Maine, Col. Henry Rust, jr. 114th New York, Lieut. Col. Henry B. 15th Maine, Col. Isaac Dyer. Morse, 160th New York, Lieut. Col. John B. 116th New York, Col. George M. Love. Van Petten 153d New York, Col. Edwin P. Davis. 4~th Pennsylvania, Col. Tilghman H. 161st New York, Lieut. Col. William B. Good. Kinsey. Third Brigade. Col. LEWIS BENEDICT. 30th Maine, Col. Francis Fessenden. 162d NexxZ York, Lieut. Col. Justus W. Blanchard. 165th New York, Lieut. Col. Gouverneur Carl. 173d New York, Col. Lewis M. Peck. Artillery. Capt. GEORGE T. HEBARD. New York Light, 25th Battery, Lieut. Irving D. Southworth. 1st United States, Battery L, Lient. Franck E. Taylor. Vermont Light, 1st Battery, Capt. George T. Hebard. SECOND DIVISION. ~ Brig. Gen. CUVIER GROVER. Second Brigade. Ii Third Brigade. Col. EDWARD L. MOLINEUX. Col. JACOB SHARPE. 13th Connecticut, Col. Charles D. Bliun. 38th Massachusetts, Lieut. Col. James 1st Louisiana, Col. William 0. Fiske. P. Richardson. 90th New York (three companies), Maj. 128th New York, Col. James Smith. John C. Smart. 456th New York, Capt. James J. Hoyt. 159th New York, Lieut. Col. Edward L. 175th New York (three compames), Capt. Gaul. Charles McCarthey. Artillery. Capt. GEORGE W. Fox. Massachusetts Light, 7th Battery (G), Capt. Newman W. Storer. New York Light, 26th Battery, Capt. George W. Fox. 1st United States, Battery F, Lieut. Hardman P. Norris. 2d United States, Battery C, Lieut. John I. R~dgers. * Marched from Franklin March 16; arrived at Alexandria March 25; encamped March 31 at Alexandria and on Cane River; the Third Division in Defenses of New Orleans. The Thirtieth Massachusetts on veteran furlough. t The Eighth VermoPt on veteran furlough. ~ The First Brigade at Carroilton. Grover assumed command March 14 The Ninetieth New York (except three companies) in La Fourche District, and One hundred and thirty-first New York at Brashear City Page 171 CHAP. XLV!.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. Cavalry. 3d Maryland, Col. C. Carroll Tevis. ARTILLERY RESERVE. Capt. HENRY W. CLossoN.* Delaware Light, 1st Battery, Capt. Benjamin Nields. 1st Indiana Heavy (two companies), Capt. William S. ilinkle. CORPS DAFRIQUE. FIRST BRIGADE, FIRST DIVISION. Col. WILLIAM H. DICKEY. 1st Infantry (73d U. S. Colored Troops), Maj. Hiram E. Perkins. 3d Infantry (75th U. S. Colored Troops), Col. Henry W. Fuller. 12th Infantry (84th U. S. Colored Troops), Capt. James H. Corrin. 22d Infantry (92d U. S. Colored Troops), Col. Henry N. Frisbic. CAVALRY. Brig. Gen. ALBERT L. LEE. First Brigode. Col. THOMAS J. LUCAS. 16tl~ Indiana Infantry (mounted), Lient. Col. James H. Redheld. 21 Louisiana Infantry (mounted), Maj. Alfred Hodsdon. 6th Missouri.t Capt. Sidney A. Breese. 14th New York, Maj. Abraham Bass- ford. Third Brigade. Col. HARAI ROBINSON. 87th Illinois Infantry (mounted), Lient. Col. John M. Crebs. 1st Louisiana, MajAlgernon S. Badger. Fourth Brigade. Col. NATHAN A. M. DUDL Y. 2(1 Illinois. Maj. Benjamin F. Marsh, jr. 3d Massachusetts, Lient. Col. Lorenzo D. Sargent. 31st Massachusetts Infantry (mounted), Capt. Elbert H. Fordham. 8th New Hampshire Infantry(mounted), Lient. Col. George A. Flanders. Fifth Brigade. Col. OLIVER P. GOODING. 2d New York Veteran, Col. Morgan H. Chrysler. 18th New York, Col. James J. Byrne. 3d Rhode Island (detachment), Maj. George R. Davis. Artillery. Massachusetts Light, 2d Battery (B), Capt. Ormand F. Nims. 5th United States, Battery G, Lient. Jacob B. Rawles. ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE (DETACHMENT). Brig. Gen. ANDREW J. SMITH. FIRST DIVISION, SIXTEENTH ARMY cORPS.t Second Brigade. Third Brigade. Col. LUcIUS F. HUBBARD. Col. SYLVESTER G. HILL. 47th Illinois, Col. John D. McClure. 35th Iowa, Lient. Col. William B. Keeler. 5th Minnesota, Maj. John C. Becht. 33d Missouri, Liet~. Col. WilhiaIn H. 8th Wisconsin, Lieut. Col. John W. Heath. Jefferson. * Chief of corps artillery. f Howitzer hattery, under Capt. Herhert H. Rottaken, attached. ~ The First Bri~ade at Memphis, Tenn.; the Eleventh Missouri, of Second Brigade, and the Eighth and Twelfth Iowa of Third Brigade on veteran furlough: the divis- ion artillery reported as at Memphis and Vickshurg. Brig. Gen. Joseph A. Mower assigned to command of both divisions Sixteenth Army Corps, March 9. 17 Page 172 172 LOUISIANA AND THIRD DIVISION, First Brigade. Col. WILLIAM F. LYNCH. 58th Illinois, Maj. Thomas Newlan. 119th Illinois, Col. Thomas J. Kinney. 89th Indiana, Col. Charles D. Murray. THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. ECHAP. XLVI. SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS. Second Brigade. Col. WILLIAM T. SHAW. 14th Iowa, Lieut. Col. Joseph II. New- bold. 27th Iowa, Col. James I. Gilbert. 32d Iowa, Col. John Scott. 24th Missouri,* Maj. Robert W. Fyan. Third Brigade. Col. RISDON M. MOORE. 49th Illinois, Maj. Thomas W. Morgan. 117th Illinois, Lieut. Col. Jonathan Merriam. 178th New York, Col. Edward Wehier. ARTILLERY. Capt. JAMES M. CocKEFAIR. Indiana Light, 3d Battery, Capt. James M. Cockef air. Indiana Light, 9th Battery, Capt. George R. Brown. PROVISIONAL DIVISION, SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS. Brig. Gen. T. KILBY SMITH. Second Brigade. Col. LYMAN M. WARD. 81st Illinois, Lieut. Col. Andrew W. Rogers. 95th Illinois, Col. Thomas W. Hum- phrey. 14th Wisconsin, Capt. Carlos M. G. Mans- field. First Brigade. Col. JONATHAN B. MOORE. 41st Illinois, Lieut. Col. John H. Nale. 3d Iowa, Li3ut. Col. James Tullis. ~3d Wisconsin, Maj. Horatio H. Virgin. Artillery. 1st Missouri Light, Battery M, Lieut. John H. Tiemeyer. ROSTER FOR APRIL 30. DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF. ENGINEER BRIGADE. Col. GEORGE D. ROBINSON. 97th U. S. Colored Troops, Lieut. Col. George A. ~Iarmount. 99th U. S. Colored Troops, Lieut. Col. Un B. Pearsall. GUARDS, & C. Headquarters Troops (Companies A and B), Capt. Richard W. Francis. Escort (Company C), Capt. Frank Sayles. * Non-veterans of Twenty-first Missouri attached Page 173 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 173 THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS.* Maj. Gen. JOHN A. MCCLERNAND. FIRST DIVISION. Second Brigade.t Brig. Gen. MICHAEL K. LAWLER. 49th Indiana, Col. James Keigwin. 69th Indiana, Lieut. Col. Oran Perry. 34th Iowa, Col. George W. Clark. 22d Kentucky, Col. George W. Monroe. 16th Ohio, Lieut. Col. Philip Kershner. 114th Ohio, Lieut. Col. John H. Kelly. THIRD DIVISION. Brig. Gen. ROBERT A. CAMERON. First Brigade.t Second Brigade. Col. THOMAS H. BRINGHURST. Col. JAMES R. SLACK. 46th Indiana, Capt. Henry Snyder. 47th Indiana, Lieut. Col. John A. Mc- 29th Wisconsin, Col. William A. Green. Laughlin. 24th Iowa, Maj. Edward Wright. 28th Iowa, Lieut. Col. Bartholomew W. Wilson. 56th Ohio, Col. William H. Raynor. FOURTH DIVISION. Col. WILLIAM J. LANDRAM. First Brigade.f~ Second Brigade. Col. FREDERICK W. MOORE. Col. Jon R. PARKER. 77th Illinois, Maj. John A. Burdett. 130th Illinois, Capt. John H. Robinson. 19th Kentucky, Capt. William T. Cum- 67th Indiana, Maj. Francis A. Sears. mins. 48th Ohio, Capt. James R. Lynch. 83d Ohio, Lieut. Col. William H. Bald- 96th Ohio, Lieut. Col. Albert H. Brown. win. 23d Wisconsin, Maj. Joseph E. Greene. ARTILLERY. Maj. ADOLPH SCHWARTZ. Indiana. Light, 1st Battery, Lieut. Lawrence Jacoby. Chicago (Illinois) Mercantile Battery,** Lieut. Henry Roe. 1st Missouri Light, Battery A, Lieut. Elisha Cole. Ohio Light, 2d Battery, Lieut. William II. Harper. Wisconsin Light, 1st Battery, Capt. Jacob T. Foster. UNATTACHED. Independent Company Kentucky Infantry, Capt. William F. Patterson. * Corps headquarters and Second Brigade, First Division, transferred from Texas to Alexandria, La., April 18 to 26. The remainder of the First and all of the Sec- ond Division remained in Texas during the campaign. t The Seventh Kentucky, Forty-second Ohio, and One hundred and twentieth Ohio at Baton Rouge, La. t The Eleventh, Twenty-fourth, and Thirty-fourth Indiana~eported on veteran furlough. ~The Sixtieth Indiana on veteran furlough and First United States on detached service at New Orleans, La. The Ninety-seventh Illinois on provost duty at New Orleans, La., and the Eighty-third Ohio attacl~d to First Brigade. ~ Batteries G, First Michigan Light, and F, First Missouri Light, and the Sixteenth Ohio Battery on Matagorda Island, Tex. Battery A. Second Illinois Light Artillery, and the Seventeenth Ohio Battery at New Orleans. Batteries B and E, First Mis~uri Light, at Brownsville, Tex. Battery E, Second Illinois Light, at Baton Rouge, La. ** Sent to New Orleans after the battle of Sabine Cross-Roads Page 174 LOUISIANA ANI) TIlE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS. Maj. Gen. WILLIAM B. FRANKLIN. FIRST DIVISION. Brig. Gen. WILLIAM H. EMORY. First Brigade.* Col. GEORGE L. BEAL. 29th Maine. Lieut. Col. Charles S. Euler son. 114th New York. Maj. Oscar H. Curtis. 116th New York. Col. Ceorge M. Love. 15:3d New York. Col. Edwin P. Davis. 161st New York. Lient. Col. William B. Kinsey. Second Bcigodc. Brig. Gen. JAMES W. McMILLAN. 13th Maine. Col. Henry Rust. jr. 15th Maine. Col. Isaac Dyer. 160th New York. Lient. Ccl. John Van Petten. 47th Pennsylvania, Col. Tiighnxan Good. Third Brigade. Lient. Col. JUSTUS W, BLANCTIARD. 30th Maine, Lient. Col. Thomas H. Hub- bard. 162d New York, Capt. Samuel Cow- drey. 165th New York, Capt. Henry C. In- wOO(i. 173d New York, Capt. Howard C. Con- radv. ArtiUcry. Capt. BENJAMIN NIELDS. Delawaro Licrht 1st Battery, Blent. Thomas A. Porter. B. New York Light. 25th Battery, Lient. Irving L). Soithworth. H. 1st United States. Battcrv L, Blent. Franck E. Taylor. SECOND DIVISION. Brig. Gen. CUVIER Gnovt:R. 19ff st Ri ~odc. I Brig. Gen FE ~Nn S NIcKERSON. 133d New Xoik Col Leonard D. H. Ctlrl 170th New Xolk. Maj. Charles Lewis. ~ccood Brigodc.1 Bi mo Gen. HENRY W. BIRGE. l9th onliecticut. Col. Charles D. Bliun. Ut Lou lana. Col. William 0. Fiske. 1 9th N cxx York. (Tel. Edward L. Moli- veil. F/f 0 d Brigade. ( ff1 I X~ on SnAnve. 38th M msc InisE ttx. Lient. Col. James P Llf If 11(1 0(1. 125th N xx N ml Licut. Col. James P. Foskm 156th New 7~ 01k C ipt JunE5 1 Hoyt. fiStli New N (frk (three conIlpaills). Capt. ( h flIES Mc( flthEil [I I 11(11/ (apt. (~LoRfd V1 Fox Massachusetts LIht tl~ B~tterv (C), (hpt Nexx mix xvi V1 1-401Er. Nexe I l LI it ~6tl~ B~utterv, (iapt. Georg W. ox. 2d LTuitcd States, Battery C. Licut. John I. Rodgers. The Thirtieth Massachusetts ~n vetelan furlough. 1 Tile Ninth Connecticut and Twelfth Maine on veteran furloub TIm briade transferred from Carroliton to Alexaudria. La., April 1 5 to IS. ~ Tile Ninetieth New York at Donaldsouville and the One hundr d and thirty- hrst Nexe York at Brashear City, La. 174 [CHAP. XLY Page 175 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. THIRD DIVISION. * ARTILLERY RESERVE. Capt. HENRY W. CLOSSON.t 1st Indiana Heavy (two companies), Capt. William S. Hinkle. Vermont Light. 1St Battery. Lient. Edward Rice. CORPS DAFRIQUE. FIRST BRIGADE, FIRST DIVISION. ~ Col. WILLIAM H. DICKEY. 1st Infantry (73d U. S. Colored Troops), Maj. Hiram E. Perkins. 3(1 Infantry (75th U. S. Colored Troops), Col. Henry W. Fnller. 12th Infantry (84th U.S. Colored Troops), Capt. James H. Corrin. 22d Infantry (92d U. S. Colored Troops), Col. Henry N. Frisbie. CAVALRY.~( Eu st Brigade. ~ol THOMAS J. Lucas. 12th Ilhnoi tol Hasbronck Davis. 16th Iiidnn~t Intantry (mounted), Capt. J ime 51 Hildreth. 21 Loni,~ un Infantry (mounted), Col. Chule Vuirett. 6th M~ouii 5I~ij. Bacon Montaomerv. Third Brigade. Lieut. Col. JOHN M. CREBS. 1st Louisiana Maj. Algernon S. Badger. e7t1~ Illinois Infantry (mounted), Maj George W. Land. Brig. Gen. RICHARD ARNOLD.) Foio~th Briga( Col. EDMUND J. DAVIS. 2(1 Illinois, Maj. Benjamin F. Marsh, jr. 3d Massachusetts, Lient. Col. Lorenzo 31st D. Sargent. Massachusetts Infantry (ni ounted), 2(1 Capt. Elbert H. Fordham. New Hampshire, Licut. Col. George A. Flanders. Elf U Brigade. Col. OLIVER P. GOoDING. 2d New York Veteran, Col. Morgan H. Chrysler. 18th New York, Col. James J. Byrne. 3(1 Rhode Island, Lient. Col. Charles H.. Artillery. Massachusetts Light. 2(1 Battery (B), Capt. Ormand F. Nims. 1st t7nited States, Battery F, Lient. William L. Haskin, 5th United States. Battery G, Lieut. Jacob B. Rawles. UNATTACHED. ith Indima Cas iliv Company C C-tpt Andiew P. (iallaoher. 3d Mmx land Lient Col. Byron Knbx Del on ~ of \e~ Oileans. + thief of Aitilici x Nineteenth Arno C oips t \.~ organirco and commanded Maidi 1 1~64 The S ntl Binade at Port Hudson L Genenl Mnold iehe~ ed Brig. Gen ~lbeit L Lee, April 18, 1864, 17 Page 176 176 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE (DETACHMENT). Brig. Gen. ANDREW J. SMITH. FIRST DIVISION ,~ SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS. Second Brigade. Third Bri~ade. Col. LucIus F. HUBBARD. Col. SYLVESTER G. HILL. 47th Illinois, Col. John D McClure. 35th Iowa. Lieut. Col. William B. Keeler. 5th Minnesota, Maj. JohH C. Becht. 33d Missouri, Maj. George W. Van 8th Wisconsin, Lieut. Col. John W. Jef- Beek. ferson. THIRD DIVISION, SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS. First Brigade. Col. WILLIAM F. LYNCH. 55th Illinois, Maj. Thomas Newlan. 119th Illinois, Col. Thomas J. Kinney. 89th Indiana, Col. Charles D. Murray. Second Brigade. Col. WILLIAM T. SHAW. 14th Iowa, Capt. Warren C. Jones. 27th Iowa~ Col. James I. Gilbert. 32d Iowa, Col. John Scott. 24th Missouri, Maj. Robert W. Fyan. Third Brigade. Col. RIsDoN M. MOORE. 49th Illinois, Capt. Jacob E. Gauen. 117th Illinois, Lieut. Col. Jonathan Merriam. 178th New York, Col. Edward Wehler. ARTILLERY. Capt. JAMES M. COCKEFAIR. indiana Light, 3d Battery, Capt. James M. Cockefair. Indiana Light, 9th Battery, Capt. George R. Brown. PROVISIONAL DIVISION, SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS. First Brigade. Col. JONATHAN B. MOORE. 41st Illinois, Lient. Col. John H. Nale. 3d Iowa, Licut. Col. James Tullis. 33d Wisconsin, Maj. Horatio H. Virgin. Brig. Gen. T. KILW SMITH. Second Brigade. Col. LYMAN M. WARD. 81st Illinois, Lient. Col. Andrew W. Rogers. 05th Illinois,~ Col. Thomas W. Humph- rey. 14th Wiscori~in, Capt. Carlos M. G. Mans- field. Artillery. 1st Missouri Light, Battery M, Lieut. John H. Tiemeyer. * The First Brigade on an expedition from Memphis, Tenn.,in pursuit of Forrest; the Eleventh Missouri, of Second Brigade, and the Eighth and Twelfth Iowa, of Third Brigade, on veteran furlough; the artillery reported as at Memphis, Tenn Page 177 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 177 No. 2. Reports of lila]. Gem. Nathaniel P. Banks, U. S. Army, commanding expedition and Department of the Gulf. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, New Orleans, Miarch 18, 1864. SIR: I have the honor to inclose for your information copies of dispatches, * which reached me yesterday morning, announcing the capture of Fort Dc Russy on the 14th, by General A. J. Smiths division, and of Alexandria on the 15th, by the co-operating naval forces. The army in Western Lonisiana, consisting of the First Division of the Nineteenth, the Third and Fourth Divisions of the Thirteenth Corps, and the Cavalry Division, with several regiments of the Corps dAfrique, was to have moved from Franklin on Alex- andria early last week, but its march was interrupted by a severe rain-storm, rendering the roads wholly impassable. The movement was, however, commenced on the . The whole force was in motion beyond New Iberia, and my headquarters were en route to join the expedition when the inclosed dispatches arrived. Leaving General Franklin to continue his march as expeditiously as possible to Alexandria, I shall proceed immediately to that point. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, N. P. BANKS, Major- General, Commanding. Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief, Washington, D. C. [Inclosure.] BATON ROUGE, March 17, 1864. Brig. Gen. C. P. STONE, Chief of Staff: Just received from General A. J. Smith 24 officers, 300 rank and file, prisoners, taken at Fort Dc Russy, Red River. Will send them to New Orleans as soon as possible. P. ST. GEO. COOKE, Brigadier- General, Corimmanding. HEADQUARTERS PORT HUDSON, LA., March 24, 1864. GENERAL: Dispatches from Alexandria, dated the 22d of March, report that a reconnoitering party of about 3,000 infantry and a brigade of cavalry, with two batteries, nuder command of General Mower, of General Smiths forces, pursued the enemy~10 miles, skir- mishing most of the distance, and driving them before them. Gen- eral Mower reported to General Smith at 2 oclock that the enemy was in force in front, with infantry, cavalry, and artillery, and a division was sent forward with two regiments of the cavalry of Gen- eral Lee. Our troops advanced on the Bayou Rapides road toward Natchitoches, about 21 miles from Alexandria, met the enemy in force, turned his flank, captured 4 pieces of artillery, with caissons, * Only one inclosure found. 12 R RVOL XXXIV, PT Page 178 178 LOUISIANA AND TIlE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI, 210 prisoners, and a large number of horses and mules. .Jt is reported that Walker is within 6 miles of the point reached, and Taylor 10 miles. Their force is not known. The weather has been very severerain, hail, and sleet for fovty-eight hours. The river is rising, and has now a depth of 7 feet on the rapids. Col. Horace B. Sargent received a flesh wound in the leg, which is severe but not dangeroizis. No other casualties are reported to our troops. I have the honor to be, with much respect, your obedient servant, N. P. BANKS, J1fajor~ General, Commanding. Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, General~in-C1iief, Washington, D. 0. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, New Orleans, March 25, 1864. GENERAL: In the absence of the commanding general, and by his special direction, I have the honor to forward herewith copies of a dispatch from Brig. Gen. Charles P. Stone, chief of staff, dated Alex- andria, March 23, and of Brig. Gen. A. L. Lees report* of the affair of Hendersons Hill, fought on the 21st instant. Very respectfully, your most obedient servant, RICHD B. IRWIN, Assistant Adjutant- General. Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, Chief of Staff of the Army, Washington, D. C. [Inclosurej ALEXANDRIA, March 23, 18649 p. m. Maj. Gen. N. P. BANKS, Commanding Department of the Gulf, New Orleans: GENERAL: The steamers Luminary and Meteor have arrived, bring- ing 300,000 rations, which will all be discharged to-night. General Franklin has reported from near Holmesville, and would pass Che- neyville to-day. I have advised liini under present circumstances, to turn to the left through the piney woods, and make Hendersons Hill, 2 miles hence on the road to Natchitoches, instead of this point; to send his empty wagons here for supplies, to be forwarded to him on the road. Should he adopt this suggestion, I shall send two bri- gades of cavalry to-morrow to join him on the Cotile. I have direct information to-day that Green left Houston, Tex., on Tuesday of last week to marsh by Jopan [Jasper?] to Natchito- ches; he has probably reached the Sabiue~to-day, and if Franklin moves rapidly I hope he will be able to take the enemy in detail, and whip Taylor before Green gets up, or, if Taylor should succeed in falling back toward Natchitoches, to catch Green by himself and rout him. Should Taylor retreat toward the Sabine, our cavalry can press him severely before he can cross, and capture his trains and artillery. The rebels have not succeeded in building the bridge they intended across the Sabine. Should the enemy succeed in *Not found Page 179 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 179 forming a junction of Greens and Taylors forces and take the Shreveport road, we shall, I find, as already indicated in my pre- vious reports, want forage for most of the road beyond Natchitoches, and I respectfully renew my suggestions that forage be sent here. According to present appearances, Admiral Porter will be able to pass his heavy rams over the rapids in two days from this time, and then it will be safe for the lighter gun-boats and transports to go up the river. Lieutenant-Governor Wells arrived here this morn- lug, and is pleasantly welcomed by the people here. Captain Dudley, the person authorized to raise the Western Louis- iana scouts, has come in. During his passage up, on the flank of Franklins column, he has gathered 60 recruits, making his company 80 strong. This will, I am confident, prove an acquisition to your force. The men know the country and its routes and its resources perfectly, and all enter the service joyfully under the flag of the na- tion. Our men canie in this morning from the expedition of Monday. They marched in proudly enough, bringing in Edgars complete bat- tery of 4 guns, captured 25() prisoners and the battle-flag of the Sec- ond Louisiana (rebel) Cavalry, under that of Lucas brigade. No one would have thought by their light step that our men had marched 61 miles, fought, won, and rested, all in forty-eight hours, and that half that time they had been exposed to a pitiless cold rain and hail storm. But so it was. There are 22 commissioned officers whom I have directed to be sent down the river to-morrow morning on the Luminary. The rank and file will go a few hours later on the Meteor. I deem it most safe to separate the officers and men for the voyage. Lieutenant Sargent, whom I sent to New Iberia last Thursday, to accompany the headquarters train, arrived safely this noon. The train has arrived with the headquarters troops within the lines here. Will be in town to-morrow morning. Lieutenant Sargent reports the troops of Thirteenth and Nineteenth Corps as in fine condition. Dickeys brigade, of the Corps dAfrique, arrived here this morn- ing in good order. Since writing my first page ]i have ascertained that the Luminary has been discharged, but that the Meteor will not be discharged before noon to-morrow. The first will leave at 8 a. in., the second at 1 or ~ p. m. to-morrow. Very respectfully, general, your .obedient servant, CHAS. P. STONE, Brigadier- General, Chief of Staff. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, Alexandria, La., April 2, 1864. GENERAL: I have the honor to acknowledge t~e receipt of your letter of the 15th of March. Our information is that General Steele is moving on Shreveport from Little Rock, and was at the last advices at Camden. We have scouts on the way to him and must have more definite information soon. General Smith, with a column of 10,000 men from the Army of the Mississippi, is with us. Our troops now occupy Natchitoches, and we hope to be in Shreveport by the 10th of April. I do not fear concentration of the enemy at that point. My fear is that they may not be willing to meet us there; i Page 180 150 LOUISIANA ANT) TILE ThANS-MISSISSIPI~I. [CHAP. XLVI. not, and my forces are not weakened to too great an extent, I shall pursue the enemy into the interior of Texas, for the sole purpose of destroying or dispersing his forces, if in my power, keeping in view the necessity of the co-operation of some of my troops east of the Mississippi, and losing no time in the campaign in which I am engaged. Until we reach Shreveport it will be impossible to form any definite plan of operations. The enemy has fortified the Sabine at Burrs Ferry and at Sabine Town during the last two mouths, for the double purpose of preventing the invasion of the State in that direction and covering their retreat. Taylors forces are said to be on that line. This will not divert us from our movement. General Smiths command will return to Yicksburg on the 15th or 17th of this month, under orders from General Grant. The river has been, and is still, very low, which has delayed our operations. The gun- boats were not able to cross the rapids at Alexandria until day before yesterday. Admiral Porter went up to-day. I leave Alexandria for NaPz~hitoches to-night. Your suggestions in regard to the concentration of my command have been duly considered. I do not think that there is any unnec- essary dispersion of troops. I have garrisons on the Rio Grande, at Pass Cavallo, in Texas, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Port Hudson, Pensacola, and Key West; none of them large, considering the im- portance of the positions they occupy. I should be glad to surrender any of these points if, in the judgment of the Government, it can be done with safety. The President has expressed the wish that our ground may be umaintained in Texas. In my belief they are all im- portant. Matagorda Bay commands the entrance to Eastern and Central Texas from the coast; it is of great importance that this place should be held if we should be compelled to operate from the coast. The garrison is not large. It can co-operate with us the moment we enter Texas in our present movement, and hold on the coast a force superior to its own. I inclose a statement of the stvength of each garrison. If you glance at our positions you will see that I am able to draw from each the last man that can be spared from its defense. This is true of every garrison from Brownsville by the way of New Orleans to Port Hudson; Pensacola and Key West, on the Gulf, are the only exceptions. I do not think it possible better to arrange the troops for the operations in which we are ~ng~ged at this time, and if we are not limited as to time or greatly reduced in force I am con~dent of an immediate and successful issue. It will be necessary for the Government to designate which of the posts now held can best be abandoned. One brigade of troops now at Port Hudson is ordered to join this column. The following statement will present to you the strength of the garrisons of all the posts now held: Rio Grande, 3,000; Pass Cavallo, Matagorda Bay, 3,277; Pensacola, 900; Key West, 791; New Or- leans, 1,125; Baton Rouge, 1,565: Plaquemine~ (colored), 620; Port Hudson (colored), 9,409. I have the honor to be, with highest respect, your obedient servant, N. P. BANKS, iiJJc~or- General, commanding. Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK Headquarters of the Army, Washington, D. 0 Page 181 CHAP. XLVI.] TIlE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 181 HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, Grand Ecore, La., April 13, 1864: GENERAL: In obedience to orders received from the Government, I left New Orleans on the 22d of March, and established my head- qnarters at Alexandria on the 25th. The Nineteenth Army Corps and the Third and Fonrth Divisions of the Thirteenth, General Ran- som commanding, encamped at Alexandria on the 26th of March, the whole nnder command of Major-General Franklin. Brig. Gen. A. J. Smith, with a part of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Corps, entered the Red River on the 13th, capturing Fort De Rnssy on the 14th, and moved by the river under convoy of the gun-boats to Alexandria, which was occupied by the naval forces, on the 16th, the cavalry of the Nineteenth Corps, Brig. Gen. A. L. Lee com- manding, arriving on the 19th. The very low stage of the river rendered it impracticable for the larger gun-boats to cross the rapids in ascending the river until the 3d of April,the lighter draught boats having crossed with great difficulty a day or two earlier. A very spirited movement was made against the enemy on Hendersons Hill, by a detachment of the Sixteenth Corps, nuder General Mower, and a detachment of cavalry of the Nineteenth Corps, in which 4 guns and 250 prisoners were taken from the enemy. Col. Horace B. Sar- gent, First Massachusetts Cavalry, was seriously wounded in this brilliant action. The steamers assigned to the Marine Brigade, being unable to cross the rapids, were ordered to return to Vicksburg, at the request of General McPherson. The troops anticipated the movement of the gun-boats, and reached Natchitoches on the 2d of April, General Smiths column by the river, and the Nineteenth and Thirteenth Corps, nuder General Franklin, by rapid marches. The river was steadily falling, and the larger gun-boats were unable to pass Grand Ecore. The troops of Gen- eral A. J. Smiths command, except one division, which was ordered to go by the river, took lip the line of march for Pleasant Hill, 38 miles distant from Grand core where I made my headquarters on the evening of the 7th of April, the cavalry commanded by General Lee being several miles in advance. Very heavy rains during this march niade the single road within our reach almost impassable, and greatly impeded the progress of the trains and troops. The cav- alry, which throughout had constantly ~r~sed the rear ouard of the enemys troops, had several very sharp skirmishes, in all of which we had been successful, although suffering considerable loss. The enemy made his first stand at Wilsons farm, near Pleasant Hill, on the afternoon of the 7th. The fight lasted a couple of hours, when he was driven from the field, with considerable loss in killed, wounded, and prisoners. The next decided stand was at Carrolls Mill, 8 miles beyond Pleasant Hill, where onr advance was stubbornly resisted by a still stronger force with artillery. A brigade of ~ifantry was sent forward to support the cavalry and the enemy retired upon their ad- vance. They were driven steadily during the day to a position within 5 miles of Mansfield. My headquarters ~u the morning of the 8th were at a bayou, 10 miles beyond Pleasant Hill, where the column halted in order that the rear of the column, still impeded by almost impassable roads, might close up. At 10 oclock I rode to the front, where some skir- mishing had occurred, intending to return to my qnarters on the bayou. The forces in the front consisted of the cavalry under Brig Page 182 182 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI~ Gen. A. L. Lee and a detachment of the Thirteenth Corps, under Brig. Gen. T~ E. G. Ransom. Upon reaching the front I found the line of skirmishers already engaged with the enemys cavalry, although but few had yet shown themselves. It soon appeared that our march was likely to be resisted by a stronger force than had yet been en- countered. I instantly sent orders for the rapid advance of the troops to the front, though without notice or anticipation of a gen- eral engagement. The active movements of our skirmishers soon developed a strong line of the enemy in position, extending at some length on the right and left of the line of march in front of the Sabine Cross-Roads. It had been deemed of considerable importance to occupy this position by our forces in order to prevent a concen- tration of the forces of the enemy. General Ransom moved forward to the support of the cavalry, and the skirmishers opened a running lire, which lasted for some hours, though without developing the full strength of the enemys forces or position. At 4 oclock on the 8th, a tremendous fire suddenly opened along the whole of this line on the right and left of the road, when it became manifest that the enemy in full force and in strong position was in our front. The contest lasted for an hour, our troops resisting with remarkable spirit and courage the onsets of the enemy, until, utterly overpowered by numbers, they were compelled to fall back upon the rear of the column. A sharp ravine or gully separated the plain where this engagement had commenced from the belt of almost impenetrable woods through which we had marched. On passing this point it appeared that the entire cavalry train, with its artillery, occupied the road nearly to the line of skirmishers. The fatal consequences of this most incautious advance of trains and artillery were appar- ent upon the breaking of our lines in front of the enemys position. Upon the retreat of the advanced guard the enemy instantaneously enveloped the train of wagons, and it was impossible to withdraw the artillery in consequence of the preoccupation of the ground by the wagons; and the encumbered roads hupeded the movements of troops and caused many prisoners to fall into the hands of the enemy. The disasters of the day are to be attributed to the fatally incau- tious advance of the large cavalry train and the surplus artillery rather than to the strength of the enemy, his unexpected resistance, or the deficient valor of our troops. It is always difficult to ascertain the position of a concealed adversary, dud temporary defeat is to be expected when the front of an advancing column encounters the base of that of the enemy. Every possible exertion was made to rally and reform the forces which had been engaged, but all efforts failed. The loss of prison- ers, artillery, and wagons and the fierce pursuit of a victorious and desperate foe for the moment seemed to paralyze individuals and masses. The troops fell back, for the most part in good order, fight- ing in front of the enemy, the men retaining their arms until toward sunset, when the First Division of the Ninete~iith Corps, Brig. Gen. W. H. Emory commanding, had advanced to our support. Under cover of a line of skirmishers from its First Brigade, the division deployed into It~ne of battle on the crest of a hill, General Dwights brigade on the right, Colonel Benedicts brigade on the left, and Mc- Millans in reserve. The unexpected encounter with this force, while in pursuit of what he thought a routed army, was very desperate. He attacked the line at every point with demoniac energy, but the division presented at every onset an immovable wall of fire; an Page 183 CHiP. XLVI] T1II~ ICED IUVER CAMPAIGN. 183 after a contest maintained with the greatest spirit on both sides for more than an honr and a half, the enemy retired from the field with very heavy loss. The forces of the enemy engaged in this affair were the Lonisiana troops and a part of the Texan and Arkansas forces, the whole being nnder the command of General Taylor and nnmbering abont 15,000. General Monton was killed. On onr side all onr forces were engaged at different periods of the day, excepting General A. J. Smiths commandthe Sixteenth and Seventeenth Corps. We were compelled, anticipating an attack the next morning from the enemy. either to await the advance of General Smiths corps or to fall back to meet him. The want of water, the weakness of the position we held, aiid the nncertainty of General Smith being able to reach the position we occnpied at day-break, led to the adoption of the second conrse. Onr forces silently retired dnring the night, and in the morning took np a position on Pleasant Hill, joining the forces of General Smith, who had halted at Pleasant Hill npon re- ~eiving information of our movement. Pleasant Hill represents a plain abont 1 mile sqnare, the residences of the town being located apon its borders. It has a gentle slope to the west. Snrronnding it were extensive tracts of woodland. General Dwights brigade held the right of the line, with McMillans brigade in reserve. Shaws brigade, of the Sixteenth, npon the left and cerder, and Benedicts brigade, of the Nineteenth, and Lynchs brigade, of the Sixteenth Corps, on the left; Mowers division, of the Sixteenth Corps, in re- serve. Tire enemy began to reconnoiter the new position we had assnmed at ii oclock oh the morning of the 9th, and as early as 1 or 2 oclock opened a sharp fire of skirmishers, which was kept np at intervals dnring the afternoon. The approaches of the enemy were covered by thick woods, bnt it was evident by his manenvers that he was preparing for an attack npon onr left. To protect this, a regiment was placed in the woods, and the troops of the Thirteenth Army Corps, nnder~ General Cameron, were directed to pccupy the road leading from Pleasant Hill to Natchitoches, covering the train which had been ordered to the rear, in order that tire operations of the army might not be encnmbered, and at the same time protecting onr left flank. Skirmishing continned dnring the afternoon, with occasional discharges of artillery. Abont 5 oclock the enemy abandoned all pretension of manenvering and made a most desper- ate attack npon the brigades on the kf center, commanded by Colonels Benedict and Shaw. The line wavered at this point momentarily, bnt, snpported by tire First Vermont Battery, soon re- gain ed its position, and the enemy was repnlsed. Finding the posi- tion so munch stronger than anticipated, or in pnrsnance of other plans, he gradually worked his way to the center and right, where the same desperate attacks were repeated npon our right flank, the whole force of the enemy gradnally concentrating npon onr right. The brigades of McMillan and Dwight repelled every attack, and drove him back with terrible loss. Tire brigad~ commanded by General Dwight Irad been snddenly changed at the commencement of the action, so as to cover the right of our center and a part of the rigirt flamrk, and became in the end the pivot npon which the entire lines changed fronfto meet the altered plans of the enemy. The battle lasted nntil 9 oclock in the evening. The rebels had comrcen- trated their whole strength in fntile efforts to break the line at dif- ferent points. The most severe pressnre occnrred toward the clos Page 184 184 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. of the engagement upon the front occupied by General Dwights brigade. The troops held in reserve moved forward at the critical moment and maintained our position, from which the enemy was driven precipitately and with terrible destruction of life. He fled to the woods upon the right, and was pursued with great energy by the whole of our forces until it was impossible in the darkness to distinguish friend from foe. The losses were great on both sides, but that of the rebels, as we could judge from the appearance of the battle-field, more than double our own. It is impossible at this time to state the exact extent of our losses. Col. Lewis Benedict was killed upon the left, at the close of the struggles, having received in the early part of the engagement a severe wound, against which he bore up until the fatal shot deprived him of life. Many most valuable officers fell in leading their troops. We recaptured 3 pieces of cannon, taken on the day previous, 4 or 5 caissons, a large number of small-arms, and 500 prisoners. The loss of the enemy in officers commanding im- portant positions during the day is said by the prisoners captured to have been very great. The rebel officers and men who have fallen into our hands, as well as officers and men of our own command, represent this struggle as more sanguinary and desperate for the brief period it continued than any engagement in which they have ever participated. The rout of the enemy was complete. At the close of the engagement the victorious party found itself without rations and without water. To clear the field for the fight, the train had been sent to the rear upon the single line of communication through the woods, and could not be brought to the front during the night. There was neither water for man or beast, except such as the now exhausted wells had afforded during the day, for miles around. Previous to the movement of the army from Natchitoches orders had been given to the transport fleet, with a portion of the Sixteenth Corps, under the command of Brig. Gen. Kilby Smith, to move up the river, if it was found practicable,to some point near Springfield Landing with the view of effecting a junction with the army at that point on the river. The surplus ammunition and supplies were on board these transports. lit was impossible to ascertain whether the fleet had been able to reach the point designated. The rapidly falling river and the increased difficulties of navigation made it appear almost certain that it would not be able to attain the point proposed. A squadron of cavalry sent down to the river, accom- panied by Mr. Young, of the engineer corps, who was thoroughly acquainted with the country, reported on the day of the battle that no tidings of the fleet could be obtained on the river, and we were compelled to assume that the increasing difficulties of navigation had prevented it, even if disaster had not occurred from the obstruc- tions which the enemy had placed in the river. These considera- tions, the absolute deprivation of water for man or beast, the ex- haustion of rations. and the failure to effect ~ connection with the fleet on the river, made it necessary for the army, although victorious in the terrible struggle through which it had just passed, to retreat to a point wher~ it would be certain in communicating with the fleet and where it would have an opportunity of reorganization. The shattered condition of the Thirteenth Army Corps and the cavalry made this indispensable. The wounded were gathered from the battle-field, placed in comfortable hospitals, and left under the car Page 185 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 185 of competent surgeons and assistants. The dead remaining upon the field, as far as possible, were buried during the night. The next day medical supplies and provisions, with competent attendants, were sent in for the sustenance of the wounded, and at daybreak the army reluctantly fell back to its position at Grand Ecore, for the purpose of communicating with the fleet and obtaining supplies, to the great disappointment of the troops, who, flushed with success, were eager for another fight. A detachment of cavalry under Mr. Young was sent to communicate with Admiral Porter, to notify him of the movements of the army, which message was delivered. Dis- patches were also sent to him by the river, by the transport Red Chief, giving the same information. Much anxiety was felt for the safety of the fleet when it was known that they had passed up the river, but aJl apprehension was relieved on the evening of the 12th by the receipt of information that the gun-boats and all the trans- ports were safe, although they had been heavily assailed by the en- emy, with musketry and artillery. Before this information was re- ceived, a pontoon bridge had be~n thrown across Red River, with a view of sending up a force to assist the boats in their passage, and later, upon the receipt of further information, two brigades of Gen- eral A. J. Smiths command, with two batteries of artillery and a detachment of cavalry, were sent to their assistance. The safety of the army, as well as the success of the expedition, seemed to justify this movement. Leaving Pleasant Hill, it was 15 miles before any water was found. It would have been impossible for the army, without supplies of water and rations, to have sustained another battle, in the condition in which it was then placed. The troops are in good heart and spirit, and eager for contest. The enemy we encountered numbered from 22,000 to 25,000, embracing all the troops west of the Mississippi, excepting a small force on the Texas coast and a sumall portion of cavalry on the north side of the river. General Kirby Smith is said by the prisoners to have commanded in person on the 9th, and was supported by Price, Green, and the most distinguished generals of the rebel army. General Mouton was killed, and also two officers commanding brigades. No communication has been received from General Steele of later date than the 2d of April, when it is represented he had an engage- ment with a portion of Prices command, which had been repulsed. This is confirmed by the reports of rebel prisoners, who state that General Price (two of whose divisions w~r& at the battle of Pleasant Hill) had a contest with General Steele a week or ten da s before the recent battle, from which they had just returned. y We have captured from the enemy in this campaign 23 guns and 1,500 prisoners, who are now in our possession. The only loss we have sustained, except in killed and wounded, was on the morning of the 8th of April, when the train and batteries of the cavalry were abandoned. Sixteen guns, 2 mountain howitzers, and 125 wagons show the extent of this loss, several of which weiw~ captured this day. An advance will be commenced immediately upon a line differing somewhat from that adopted first and rendering the column less dependent upon a river proverbially as treacherous as the enemies we fight. I have the honor to be, with much respect, your obedient servant, N. P. BANKS, Lieut. Gen. ~. ~. GRANT, Major-General, Gommanding. Gomdg. Ar~nies of the U. S., Washington, D. U Page 186 186 LOUISIANA ANP TIW TRANS-MISSiSSIPPJ. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF TIlE GULF, Grand Ecore, La., Apr~i 18, 1864. GENERAL: I had the honor to transmit to you, at Washington, a report of recent operatioi.is in this department. We have been com~ pelled to act under circumstances of great difficulty, which have materially affected the course of events, but I trust that the results may meet with your approval. An immediate advauc~ will be made upon the objective point of the expeditionShreveport. In my con- versation with General Sherman at New Orleans I stated that I hoped to complete our operations within thirty days after reaching Red River at Fort De Russy or Alexandria, which we should accom- plish by the 15th or 17th of March. I am still of opinion that this would have been accomplished except for the unavoidable delays that have been occasioned by the low stage of water in the Red River, and the very great difficulty of maintaining our communications on that line. My instructions, however, were from Major-General Hal- leck, who directed me to move upon Shreveport, and informed me that Generals Sherman and Steele would co-operate with me in that view. No limitation of time was placed upon the movement, al- though it was expected to be accomplished with the least possible delay. I had the honor to receive from you a communication, to which a reply was forwarded on the 26th of March, by Lieutenant Towner. You instructed me in that communication that if the ex- pedition tould not be accomplished within ten or fifteen days of the time designated by General Sherman, the command of General Smith would be ordered to return to Vicksburg, even should it occasion the abandonment of the chief object of the expedition. The time specified I understand to be the 15th or 17th of the month, and I have hopes that within ten or fifteen days of that time our object will be accom- plished, when General Smith will return. I have the honor to sug- gest, however, that at this time his departure will affect other inter- ests besides that of the possession of Shreveport. A large fleet of gun-boats and transports are in the upper river, which caiinot possi- bly descend below Alexandria on account of the falliiig water. I have in my immediate front an army of 25,000 men, among them some of the best troops of the rebel Government, and commanded by distiugnished and desperate officers. The withdrawal of General Smiths command from my forces at this time places me at their mercy and the army under my command. It will lead to the sacri- fice of the army and the navy, as~we~l. as the abandonment of the expedition. My judgment is against it, and I cannot believe that were the circumstances known to the Government at Washington that it xvould be insisted upon. Admiral Porter agrees with me fully in this view. I need not say that at the earliest moment when it may be done consistent with the safety of the army and navy, I shall ex- ecute the orders in relation to General Smiths return; until then, I hope he may be allowed to co-operate with us. The rebel army on the Red River comprises the whole forces of the Trans-Mississippi Departnient, except a small number on the coast of Texas, under Magruder. If this organized force is destroyed it can never be replaced. I regard that result as certain to be accom- plished if our ~movement is not interrupted. This will enable you to throw all the forces now occupied in the Department of the Gulf, as well as a large portion of those in Arkansas and Missouri, to the support of the armies east of the Mississippi. If this expedition is abandoned without the destruction of the organized forces of th Page 187 Cnix. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 187 enemy now in our front it will leave the Red River in his possession, and enable him constantly to threaten the navigation of the Missis~ sippi. An army of 25,000 men holding possession of the Red River makes the free navigation of the Mississippi a matter of perpetual uncertainty. This ought not to be. Its destruction is a work of certainty, requiring but small force and a short time, and will con- tribute greatly to the success of the cause of the Government if accomplished without unnecessary delay. I await instructions from you upon this point with anxiety, promising that no unnecessary detention of the command of General Smith will be made. I have the honor to be, with much respect, your obedient servant, N. P. BANKS, Major- General, Commanding. Lient. Gen. U. S. GRANT, Commanding U~ S. Army, Washington, D. U. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, Grand Ecore, April 17, 1804(via Cairo, April 28). (Received 4.45 p. in.) I send by mail to-day a dispatch, the substance as follows: The enemy will defend Shreveport to the last extremity. While I threaten it they will abandon all ideas of threatening Arkansas and Missouri. General Steele does not co-operate with me when moving on a different line. ]I request to be re-enforced by General Steele and his co-operat- ing force, and also by troops from Missouri or Kansas, that I may advance immediately upon Shreveport. In this manner I shall defend Arkansas and Missouri, and prevent offensive operations by the enemy in those States, while I shall live upon and exhaust one of their most fertile regions, a region that they must hold or their army must cease to exist. This campaign cannot be abandoned without abandoning the navy and permitting the invasion of Missouri. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, N. P. BANKS, Major- Iieneral, Commanding. Lieutenant-General GRANT, Comdg. A rmies of the U. S., Was4in~ton, D. C. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, Grand Ecore, La., April 17, 18G4. GENERAL: The campaign upon which we have entered has already developed several facts of great importance. First. The enemy regards the possession of Shreveport as a point v~al to the exist- ence of the trans-Mississippi army, and will fight to maintain its possession with all their forces and with great desperation. Second. It has changed their operations from an offensive to a defensive character. It is unq~iestionable that they had intended to make an invasion of Missouri, which they hoped would have disturbed the arrangement of troops east of the Mississippi. By this movemen Page 188 188 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. we have defeated that expectation, and hold their full strength for the defense of their position, relieving entirely Missouri and Arkan- sas. Third. The co-operation of Steele, upon the line on which he is moving, renders us no assistance whatever. We should have but one column and one line, and with his forces there would be no obstacle to our progress. Fourth. The low stage of water in Red River deprives us substantially of the assistance of the gun-boats, leaving us to depend entirely upon the strength of our land forces, with very little aid even of water transportation above the point now occupied. These considerations together show that the campaign is of greater importance than was generally anticipated at its commencement, and also that immediate succ~ss, with ~ concentration of our forces, is within our reach. I have drawn from my department all the men that can be spared, which gives me, at the outside, 20,000 bayonets. The junction of General Steeles forces would give me all the strength I need. Governor Hall, of Missouri, who is here, and who accepts the idea I have presented, tha.t this campaign is a defense of Missouri, represents that there is a large unoccupied force in Missouri and Kansas, from which 10,000 men could be spared with- out detriment to the public service. I earnestly represent the increased importance of this campaign; the impossibility of with- drawing from it without the sacrifice of the navy, in the present state of navigation; the fact that it has changed the operations of the enemy from an offensive to a purely defensive attitude; that it is a protection to Missouri and Arkansas, as well as Louisiana, and the certainty of its immediate and successful termination, as reasons why the forces west of the Mississippi should be concentrated as far as possible upon this line and with this column. If the rebel army under Smith is destroyed no other can be organized, and the defense of these States can be safely left, in a great measure, to the people themselves, the whole of the available force of the Union army being turned, in the course of the season, to the assistance of the troops east of the Mississippi. Unless this army can be destroyed or dispersed it will require all our forces, and more, to protect these States. I regard it of the highest importance, in the changed aspect of affairs, that this con- centration should be made. I inclose herewith a statement of the garrisons in my department, with the numbers of men at each; a~~d suggest that the forces are not too large for the defense of the posts which they hold. The river is steadily falling; is scarcely navigable above this point. But our expedition does not depend upon the river. We oimly want the men necessary to overcome the enemy, who is in full force between us and Steele, moving alternately against one and the other, neither column being in sufficient force to effect his position. If we leave the Red River in possession of the unbroken forces of the enemy it will require constant vigilance and large for~es to protect the navi- gation of the Mississippi or any of the trans-Mississippi States from invasion during the year. I have the honor to be, with much respect, your obedieut servant, N. P. BANKS, Major-General, Commanding. Lieut. Gen. U. S. GRANT, Comdg. Armies of the U. S., Washington, D. C Page 189 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 189 [Inclosure.] HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, Grand Ecore, La., April 17, 1864. Effective aggregate for duty of troops at the several posts and stations in the Department of the Gulf: Rio Grande 3,000 Pass Cavallo 1,227 Pensacola 1,500 Key West 791 New Orleans 750 Baton Rouge 885 Port Hudson 6 809 The above statement is as accurate as the imperfect material at hand will admit of making. GRAND ECORE, LA., April 18, 1864. The rebel arniy of the West, 25,000 strong, is in our front. The withdrawal of my command without the destruction or dispersion of this force will enable them to commence offensive operations in Mis- souri, Arkansas, or Louisiana, or against each of these States suc- cess~vely. It will require the whole force, more than a hundred thousand strong, west of the Mississippi to defend these States against the successive attacks of this force, and it will be difficult to concentrate any considerable force from the army on the Mississippi for operations against Mobile with such an active and powerful enemy in our rear. The destruction or dispersion of this army, the desolation of the country it occupies, and the destruction of the land or water transportation will make it impossible for a reorganization or any movement against the States bordering upon the Mississippi, and enable a strong force of our troops to commence an immediate and ~successful campaign against Mobile. This result is certain to be accomplished within thirty days, if only a portion of Steeles com- mand could operate with me upon this line, independent of the river and of the navy. This campaign is not of my suggestion, but its results are so much more important than I first thought, and so cer- tain to be attained, that I hesitate to withdraw my forces without positive orders, and I send this dispatch b~ t~egraph, knowing that a reply can be telegraphed me in return without delay. Important as the campaign is, I would not embarrass the greater operations of the army in tue East. N. P. BANKS, Lient. Gen. ~. ~. GRANT. Major-General, Gornmanding. ALEXANDRIA, LA., April 30, 1864. My dispatch of the 24th gave you information of the arrival of my command at Natchito~hes on the evening of the 20th instant, and also that an immediate advance upon the objective point of the expe- dition was in contemplation, upon a line differing somewhat from that upon which we had retired, with a view to render my column less dependent upon the river. The rapidly falling river, however Page 190 190 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS~MISSISSIPPJ. [CHAP. XLVI. made it dangerous to undertake the proposed movement. Some of the boats of the fleet were aground, and it was the opinion of the admiral, unequivocally expressed, npon consnltation with him, that it was inexpedient for the army or navy to advance until the rise of the river was assnred. The Eastport, in moving down the river, had. mn aground, and was with great difficulty got afloat. When, from the condition of the river, it became apparent that neither the army nor the fleet could move to Shreveport with any reasonable prospect of a return, I directed that the army should fall back to Alexaiidria. In the mean time the Eastport, one of the most important of the naval vessels, ran aground about 8 miles below Natchitoches. ~o move- ment of the army was made nutil information was received that the Eastport was afloat. Our train was put en route for Alexandria at 4 p. in. on the 21st, and on the morning of the 22d the troops took up the line of march. Information had been received from various sources that considerable bodies of the enemy had been moving froi our front to our rear, for a purpose not definitely ascertained. It was represented that the object was either to attack Alexandria, to ob- struct our return by occupying Monetts Bluff, on Cane River, or to take up a position at the mouth of that stream for the purpose of intercepting the passage of the transports. To prevent the success- ful accomplishment of either of these purposes of the enemy the army made a rapid march from Natchitoches to Mon etts Bluff. The information we had received as to the movements of the enemy were verified. A strong force, variously represented from 5,000 to 7,000, with two batteries of artillery, were found to be in position at Monetts Bluff, and occupying the only road which was accessible to the army in its movements toward Alexandria. This was undoubtedly the force which had contemplated an attack upon Alexandria. On the morning of the 23d, preparations were made to dislodge the enemy from this position. A force of 5,000 men, composed of a division of the Nineteenth Corps, under General Birge, and a divis- ion of the Thirteenth, under General Cameron, the whole being under command of General Birge, crossed Cane River on the right of time enemys position, and by a flank march of several miles reached a hill, the occupation of which rendered Monetts Bluff untenable to the eneniy. The possession of this height was of vital importance to either army. It was heavily wooded, protected by deep ravines, and covered a position~ which, occupied by the enemy, seemed well nigh impregnable. The forces under General Birge assailed this position at 2 oclock on the afternoon of the 23d, and after a very spirited and gallant contest of two hours or more carried the hill and compelled the retreat of the enemy. Our loss in this action in killed and wounded was from 150 to 200. A full list of the killed and wounded will be forwarded as speedily as possible. Among the wounded was Colonel. Fessenden, of the Thirtieth Maine Volunteers, who commanded the assailing brigade. The troops in the front, immediately upon the success of 4he force on the right, occupied the bridge and the bluff commanding the river, where we rested for the night. The wounded were brought in and proper attention paid to the burial of the dead. The troops halted in this position durmThg the night, the trains being sent forward early in the morning. At 2 oclock on the morning of the 24th, six guns were fired by the enemy at our rear. This was apparently a concerted signal to the forces in occupation of the bluff on the 23d, that the enemy in th Page 191 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 191 rear, which had been re-enforced the day previons, was ready for the attack. The force for which the signal was iiitended had retired the day previous, but the guns were answered by General A. J. Smith, commanding the rear guard, who opened a brisk fire at day- break and maintained a very spirited action for several hours, in which the charge of the enemy was gallantly repulsed and his forces driven back with severe loss. The losses on our side were 6 killed and 15 wounded. On the afternoon of the 24th, the column took up its march for Alexandria, undisturbed by the enemy in flank or rear, where it arrived on the 25th and 26th. Our forces were in no disorder, and in nowise dispirited. Had the river been in condition to admit, we might have assumed the advance, but the water had fallen so low that it was impossible for the fleet to go below the rapids at Alexandria. There was no course left for the army but to remain for the protection of the fleet. The fleet above the rapids comprised nine iron-dadsthe strength of the fleet of the upper Mississippiindispensable to maintaining the supremacy of the Government on that river, or to the protection of the mouth against domestic or foreign enemies. It became, there- fore, indispensable that the army should remain at Alexandria for the protection of the fleet. The advanced corps of the enemy mani- fested a determined spirit to concentrate all his forces in this vicinity, either for an attack on Alexandria or to get possession of the river below, for the purpose of cutting off our communications. His force, concentrated for this purpose, numbers from 30,000 to 35,000 men. It is indispensable that all the force of this command should be retained here, and the orders given to General Smith by General Sherman to lejoin his command east of the Mississippi were countermanded. On the 28th, a reconnaissance of the enemy in force caused an ex- pectation of an attack and a general engagement, but the day passed without other conflict than that of sharp skirmishing between the advance cavalry of either army. The movements on both sides of the river below Alexandria indicate his purpose to avoid an attack on this post, and to concentrate below for the purpose of cutting off our communication with the Mississippi. The army is in good spirits and condition, has plenty of supplies for the present, and is perfectly confident of success in any engage- ment that may occur with the enemy. A pontoon bridge has been thrown across the river, for the purpos~ of offensive operations against any detachments of the enemy on the left bank of the river, and the construction of a wing-dam across the river, for the purpose of raising the water so that the gun-boats may be floated below the rapids, has been commenced. The line of defense, the position of the town, and the location of the bridge and the dam, to which refer- ence is herein made, are indicated on the map* inclosed, which will present an accurate view of the position of our arniy at this time. It is necessary only to say that we are confident .~of being able to maintain our position without injury, and are grieved only that it is at present rendered impossible for us to co-operate with any general movements of the armies east of the Mississippi. Maj. Gen. David Hunter arrived on the morning of the 28th. He has delivered to me your dispatch, and communicated to me your views as to the future operations of this force. He has made him- self acquainted with every feature of our situation, and can repre * Not found Page 192 192 LOUISIANA AND TILE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. sent to you truly the necessities which control onr action. It has been deemed advisable that you should be placed in possession of the facts as soon as possible, and he leaves for that purpose this after- noon. Major-General McClernand, with the larger part of the force recently at Matagorda Bay, arrived here on the evening of the 27th. The balance of the force will reach here as soon as the material at Pass Cavallo can be disposed of. I have reduced the garrisons u p on the river to the lowest strength consistent with safety. Nothing has been left undone which would strengthen the force engaged inthe movement upon the Red River. In view of the great efforts made by the enemy to concentrate a force sufficient to destroy this army, and to capture the fleet of gun-boats and transports, it is advisable that our force should be increased by 5,000 or 10,000 men if possible. It will make certain the destruction of the organized army of the enemy west of the Mississippi, the whole of which is here, and will, in that event, enable Tus to move against the enemy east of the Mis- sissippi in such direction as you shall direct. It is nearly certain that the whole of this force wonld have been directed against New Or- leans if we had become inextricably involved in operations east of the Mississippi; or in the event of our remaining at New Orleans, it is certain that the invasion of Arkansas and Missouri by this force would have occurred. Both of these dangers have been avoided by the campaign which we have made, and except for the delay in co- operating with other forces in other parts of the country, I do not know that anything has occurred which should be a cause of serious regret to the Government, except the accidental loss which occurred on the morning of the 8th of April by the incautious advance of our cavalry upon the enemy, in full force, with the unprotected trains and artillery of our advanced guard. Except the loss sustained on this occasion, we have not lost a wagon, or a gun, or any material of the army, and have not suffered unduly in killed and wounded in the several severe conflicts through which we have passed. Our loss in killed, wounded, and captured, including all missing men, is less than 3,500; that of the enemy exceeds 5,000. I inclose copy of dispatch received from Major-General Steele by Captain Dunham, an officer of my staff, which is the first communica- tion I have been able to effect with General Steele since the campaign commenced. You will observe that~hi~ language is nearly identical with my former dispatchthat the line upon which he was moving was too far distant, and rendered impossible the co-operation of the two armies. N. P. BANKS, Major- General, Commanding. Lient. Gen. U. S. GRANT. ALEXANDRIA, May 8, 1864. (Via Memphis 19th and Cairo 21st. Received 12.30 p. in., 21st.) The dam will be completed to-morrow, 9th instant, and the gun- boats relieved; We shall then move immediately for the Mississippi. N. P. BANKS, Major- General, Commanding. Lient. Gen. U. S. GRANT, Washington Page 193 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 193 HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, ON BOARD U.S. STEAMER, AVENGER, Mississippi River, May 21, 1864. (Received 12 in., 27th.) At the date of my dispatches, transmitted by General Hunter, orders had been given for the constrnction of a dam on the Red River above Alexandria, for the relief of the entire fleet of the navy, which was detained above the rapids. The dam was commenced on Mon- day, the 2d of May, and was completed on Sunday, the 8th. This work was constructed under the direction of Lieutenant-Colonel Bailey, of the Fourth Wisconsin Volunteers, to whom it is impos- sible to accord too much praise for the skill and energy with which he pursued this work. The army gave its labor to the completion of the work, night and day, with the greatest spirit and success. Two of the gun-boats came over on Sunday evening, and on Monday morning, at 5 oclock, a portion of the dam gave way~ which reduced the water on the rapids to its original evel. Its reconstruction was immediately commenced, and completed, with additional wing-dams above the rapids, on Thursday, the 12 uh, which raised the water to a sufficient height to allow the boats to pass; and on Thursday evening and Friday morning they all passed over the falls created by the dam in safety. The rapids extend Li length i~ rules, making a gradual descent of 8 feet and some inches, and the fall occasioned by the water passing through an opening made in the dam for their final escape was 5~ feet, making an entire fall of 13~ feet. On the release of the gun-boats the army took up its line of march for Simsport. It encountered the enemy in full force on its march, on a prairie near Mansura, where it occupied a position covering three roads, leading to Cheneyville on the right, to Simsport on the left, [and to Moreauville,] over one of which the army must pass. A sharp em. gagement ensued, lasting about four hours, and chiefly confined to the artillery. Our troops getting possession of the wood in which the enemy was posted drove him back on the road to Moreauville. We pursued him upon the second road to Simsport, where it arrived on the morning of the 17th. The Atchafalaya was bridged by the use of the transport vessels, and the passage of the river was com- pleted. On the evening of the 20th [18th?], General Mowers divis- ion of the Sixteenth Corps, supported by a brigade of cavalry of the Nineteenth Corps, had a sharp engagement on Yellow Bayou with the enemy, in which we captured 180 prisoi~ers. Our loss in killed and wounded was 140. The enemys force was estimated at 8,000. Throughout the entire campaign, except in killed and wounded (in which at Sabine Cross-Roads, Pleasant Hill, Mansura, Yellow Bayou, and other battles our losses have been severe), no prisoners, guns, wagons, or other material of the army have been captured by the enemy, except that abandoned to him in the unexpected engage- ment at Sabine Cross-Roads on the morning of the 8th of April. With the exception of the losses sustained there th~ material of the army is complete. General Canby arrived at Sims~rt on the 18th, amid remained until the passage of the river was completed. The troops will rendezvous at Morgauza, on the Mississippi, a point they reach to-day and to-morrow. N. P. BANKS, Major- General. SECRETARY OF WAR. 13 R RVOL XXXIV, PT Page 194 [CHAP. XLVI. 194 LOUISIANA AND TILE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. NEW YORK, April 6, 1865. Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War, Washington, D. U.: Sin: I have the honor to transmit a report of the military opera- tions of my command in the Department of the Gulf, in 1862, 186~, and 1864. It is prepared by direction of the Adjutant-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 cam- paigns. After the campaign of Port Hudson the troops were en- gaged imniediately and continuously, and the officers were for that reason unable to make detailed reports of the operations of their respective commands. I have been unable, therefore, to name the officers who deserve the consideration and favor of the Government f or 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 publications 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, Major- General, Commanding. Sin: While engaged in earnest efforts to effect the capture of Gal- veston, with a view to those general operations contemplated for the winter campaign, I was informed by a dispatch, received January 23 and dated January 11, that it was proposed that General Steele should advance to Red River if he conld rely upon your (my) co-oper- ation and be certain of receiving supplies on that line, and that the best military opinion of the generals of the West seemed to favor operations. on Red River, provided the stage of the water would enable the gun-boats to co-operate; that this would open a better theater of operations than any other for such troops as General Grant could sj~are during the winter. I was also informed that Major- General Grant and Major-General Steele had been written to, and I was instructed to communicate with them upon this subject. Having made known my plan of operations on the coast, and fully stated at different times the difficulties to be encountered in move- ments by land in the direction of Alexandria and Shreveport, I did not feel at liberty to decline participation in the campaign, which had been pressed upon my attentioii fi?6m the time I was assigned to the command of this department, and which was now supported by the concurrent opinions Qf the general officers in the West, on account of difficulties which might be obviated by personal conference with commanders, or by orders from the General-in-Chief. It was not, however, without well-founded apprehensions of the result of the campaign, and a clear view of the measures (which I suggested) in- dispensable to success, that I entered upon this new campaign. The necessity of a perfect unity of command and of purpose, as well as of constant communication between the forces assigned to this duty, and then separated by hundreds of miles, was too apparent to admit of question. I replied to this dispatch on the 23d of January, stating that with the forces proposed, to wit, General Sherman amid General Steele and my own disposable force, I concurred in the opinion that the Red River was the shortest and best line of defense for Louisiana and. Arkansas, and as a base of operations against Texas, and that wit Page 195 CHAP. XLVI.] TILE RED LUVER CAMPAIGN. 195 my own forces and those of General Steele and the assistance of Gen- eral Sherman the snccess of the movements on that line might be made certain and important, and that I shonld cordially co-operate with them in execnting the orders of the Government. In order that the inherent difficnlties attending the proposed com- bimmed movement, which had been thoronghly tested in the campaign of 18(33 and 1864, and which I had represented with as mnch earnest- ness as seemed to be proper, might be presented in a manner most likely to gain attention, I directed Maj. D. C. Honston, chief engi- neer of the department, who possessed the highest claims to favor- able consideration from professiommal qnalifications and experience, and his acqnaintance with the ronte, to prepare a niemnorial npon operations on Red River, which had been long nnder consideration. This was transmitted to the headqnarters of the Army, amid appeared to have received the attention and approval of the General-in-Chief. It stated with precisiomi the obstacles to be enconntered and the meas- nres necessary to accomplish the object in view. No change wonld be reqnired in this statement if it had been written in review rather. than in anticipation of the campaign. It recommended as a condi- tion indispensable to snccess, first, snch complete preliminary organ- ization as wonld avoid the least delay in onr movements after the camn- paign had opemied; second, that a line of snpply be established from the Mmssmssmppm independent of water-conrses; third, the concentra- tiomi of the forces west of the Mississippi and snch other force as shonld be assigned to this dnty from General Shermans command, in snch a nianne~ as to expel the enemy from Northern Lonisiana and Arkan- sas; fonrth, snch preparation and concert of actiomi among the differ- ent corps employed as to prevent the enemy, by keeping him con- stantly employed, from operating agaimist onr positions or forces elsewhere; and, fifth, that the entire force shonld be placed nnder the coniniand of a single general. Preparations for a long campaign were advised, and the month of May indicated as the point of timne when the occnpation of Shreve- port might be anticipated. Not one of these suggestions, so necessary in conquering the inherent difficulties of the expedition, were carried into execution, nor was it in my power to establish them. The troops under comnmand of General Steele were acting independently of my command, under orders not communicated to me, and at such distance that it was impossible to asc~rtajn his movements or to inforni him of my own, so that we might co-operate with or support each other. The detachment of troops from the command of Major- General Sherman, though operating upon the same line with mny own, were under special orders, having ulterior objects in view, and afforded an earnest but only a partial co-operation in the expedition. The distance which separated the different commands, the impossi- bility of establishing necessary communicatiomis betweemi them, the absence of a general authority to command them, the time that was required for the transmission of orders from Wa~tington, and the miecessity of immediate action on account of the condition of the rivers and operations contemplated for the armies elsewhere ,gave rise to embarrassments in the organization of forces and in the exe- cution of orders whith could not be overcome. In the instructions I received from time Government it was left to my discretion whether or not I would join in this expedition, but I was directed to communicate with General Sherman and General Steele and Admiral Porter upon the subject. I expressed time sati Page 196 196 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. factiou I should ilud in co-operating with them in a movement deemed of so much importance by the Government, to which my own command was uuequal, aud my belief that with the forces desig- nated it would be eutirely successful. Having received from theni similar assurances, both my discretion and my authority, so far as the organization of the expedition was concerned, were at an end. The disposition of the enemys forces at that time, according to the best information that could be obtained, was as follows: Magruder had about 20,000 men of all arms, of which 15,000 were serviceable. The main body covered Galveston and Houston from an anticipated movement from Matagorda Peninsula, still held by our troops. Walkers division, numbering 7,000 men, were upon the Atchafalaya and Red Rivers, from Opelousas to Fort De Russy; Moutons division, between the Black and Washita Rivers, from Red River to Monroe, numbering 6,000 men; while Price, with two heavy divisions of infantry, estimated at 5,000, and a large cavalry force, estimated at from 7,000 to 10,000, held the country from Monroe to Camden and Arkadelphia, confronting Steele. Magruder could spare 10,000 of his force to resist an attack from the east, leaving his fortifications well garrisoned on the coast, while Price could furnish at least an a(lditional 5,000 from the north, making a formidable army of from 25,000 to 30,000 men, equal to any forces that could be brought against them, even with the most perfect unity and co-operation of commands. This estimate ot the strength of the enemy was given in my dispatch of February 2, but was thought, upon information received by the Government, to be exaggerated. The defenses of the enemy consisted of a series of works cover- ing the approaches to Galveston and Houston from the south, the defenses of Galveston Bay, Sabine Pass, and Sabine River, Fort Do Russy, a formidable ~\Tork located 3 miles from Marksville for the de- fense of tIme Red River, and extensive and formidable works at Trin- ity, time junction of the Tensas and Washita at Camden, commanding approaches from the north. To meet these forces of the enemy it was proposed to concentrate, in some general plan of operatiomin s, 15,000 of the troops under command of General Steele, a detach- ment of 10,000 from the command of General Sherman, and a force from 15,000 to 17,000 men from the Army of the Gulf, making an army of 35,000 to 37,000 men of all arms, with such gun-boats as the Navy Departmemmt should order. Qrders were given to my com- mand at once to suspend operations at Galveston, and vigorous preparations were made for the new campaign. Having been charged by the President with duties not immediately connected with military operations, but which were deemed important aimd required my personal attention at New Orleans, the organization of the troops of my command assigned to the expedition was intrnsted to Maj. Gen. W. B. Franklin. The main body of Imis command, consisting of the Nineteenth Corps (except Grovers division at Madisonville, which was to join him) and oneThvmsmon of the TIur- teenth Corps, under General Ransom, were at this time on Berwick Bay, between Berwick City and Franklin, on the Bayou Teche, directly on the line of march for Alexandria and Shreveport. Small garrisons were ~left at Brownsville and Matagorda Bay in Texas (positions which, under instructions from the President and smmbse- quently from Lieutenant-General Grant, were not to be abandomied), at New Orleans, and at Port Hudson, which was threatened by a vigorous and active enemy; smaller garrisons at Baton Rouge an Page 197 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 19Z Donaldsonvilie, on the river, and at Pensacola and Key West, on the coast, constituted the balance of forces under my command. It had been arranged that the troops concentrated at Franklin should move for the Red River on the 7th of March, to meet the forces of General Sherman at Alexandria on the 17th, but for causes stated by General Franklin their march was delayed until the 13th, at which time the advance under General A. L. Lee left Franklin, the whole column followiuo soon after and arriving at Alexandria, the cavalry on the 19th amY the infantry on the 25th. On the 13th of March, 18(34, one division of the Sixteenth Corps, under Brigadier-General Mower, and one division of time Seven- teenth Corps, nuder Brig. Gen. T. Kilby Smith, the whole under command of Brig. Geim. A. J. Smith, landed at Simsport, on the Atchafalaya, and proceeded at once toward Fort De Russy, carrying it by assault at 4.30 p. m. on the afternoon of the 14th. Two hun- dred and sixty prisoners and 10 heavy guns were captured. Our loss was slight. The troops and transports, under General A. J. Smith, and the Marine Brigade, under General Ellet, with the gun- boats, moved to Alexandria, which was occupied without opposition on the 16th of the same month. General Lee, of my command, arrived at Alexandria on the morning of the 19th. The enemy in the mean time continued his retreat through Cheneyville, in the direction of Shreveport. Officers of my staff were at Alexandria on the 19th, and I made my headquarters there on the 24th, the forces under General Frank- lin arriving on the 25th and 26th of March; but as the stage of the water in Red River was too low to admit the passage of the gun- boats or transports over the falls, the troops encamped near Alex- andria, General Smith and his command moving forward 21 miles to Bayou Rapides, above Alexandria. There was but 6 feet of water in the channel, while 7~ was necessary for the second-class and 10 feet for the first-class gun-boats. Time river is narrow, the channel tortuous, changing with every rise, making its mmavigatiou more difficult and dangerous probably than any of the Western rivers, while pilots for the transports were reluctant to enter Government service for this campaign. Time first gnu-boat was unable to cross the rapids until the 26th; others crossed on the 28th, with sonme transports, and others still on time 2d and 3d of April, the passage having been made with difficulty and ~-da~mger, occupyin~ several days. Several gun-boats ammd transports, being unable then to ascend the river, remained at Alexandria or returned to the Mississippi. While at Alexandria Major-General McPherson, con at Vicksbnrg, called for the immediate return of time Marine Brigade a part of General Smiths commandto protect the Mississippi, for which service it had been specially orgammized. The transports of this brigade were umiable to pass above Alexandria; the hospital-boat Woodford had been wrecked on tIme rapids in attemn~ting the passage up. The troops were suffering from small-pox, which pervaded all the transports, and they were reported in condition of partial mutiny. It was not supposed at that time that a depot or garrison at Alexan- dria would be required, and this command, being without available laud or water transp~rtation, was permitted to return to the Missis- sippi, in compliance with the demands of General McPherson. This reduced the strength of the advancing column about 3,000 men. Time condition of the river and the inability of the transports to pass the falls made it necessary to establish a depot of supplies a Page 198 ECHAP. xi~vi. 198 LOUISIANA AND TIlE ThANS-MISSISSIPPI. Alexandria and a line of wagon transportation from the steamers below to those above the falls. This was a departnre from the plan of the campaign, which did not contemplate a post or depot at any point on Red River, and involved the necessity of leaving a division at Alexandria for the pnrpose of protecting the depot, transports, and snpplies. Brig. Gen. C. Grover was placed in command of the post, and his division left for its defense. This rednced the force of the advancing colnmn abont 3,000 men. While at Alexandria, on the 21st instant, a movement was organ- ized against the enemy posted at Hendersons Hill, 25 miles in ad- vance. The expedition consisted of three brigades of General A. J. Smiths command and a brigade of cavalry of the Nineteenth Corps, under command of Colonel Lncas, of the Sixteenth Indiana Volun- teers the whole under command of Brigadier-General Mower, of the Sixteenth Corps. The enemy was snrprised, losing 250 prisoners, 200 horses, and 4 gnns with their caissons. Col. H. B. Sargent, of my staff, was severely wonnded in this action, and disabled from service during the campaign. This affair reflected the highest credit upoli the officers and men engaged. Anticipating by a few days the passage of the gnu-boats, the army marched from Alexandria for Natchitoches, 80 miles distant by land, reaching that point on the 2d avid 3d of April. The enemy continued his retreat, skirmishing sharply with the advanced guard, but offering no serious resistance to our advance. The shortest and only practicable road from Natch- itoches to Shreveport was the stage road through Pleasant Hill and Mansfield (distance 100 miles), through a barren, sandy country, with little water and less forage, the greater portion an unbroken pine forest. A reconnaissance from Natchitoches on the 2d of April, under command f General Lee, discovered the enemy in force at Pleasant Hill 36 miles distant, and established the fact that a portion of Greens command had arrived from Texas, and were then confront- ing us. Prisoners captured from Prices command indicated (what had been feared from the loss of time at Alexandria) a concentration of the entire available force of the enemy, numbering, according to the statements of prisoners and intercepted letters, about 25,000 men, with seventy-six guns. The river was perceptibly falling, and the larger gun-boats were unable to pass Grand Ecore. The troops, under command of General A. J. Smith, had.~ hitherto moved in transports by the river, now marched by land from Natchitoches, with the ex- ception of one division of the Seventeenth Corps, 2,500 men, under Brig. Gen. T. Kilby Smith, which, by order of General A. J. Smith, continued its movements by the river, in company with the fleet, for the protection of the transports. The arrangement of land trans- portation for this portion of the column, the replenishing of supply trains from the transports, and the distribution of rations to the troops were made at this point, but the fleet was unable to ascend the river until the 7th of April. The condition of the ~iver would have jus- tified the suspension of the movement altogether at either point, ex- cept for the anticipation of such a change as to render it navigable. Upon this subject the counsel of the naval officers was implicitly followed. On the 4th of April, Col. 0. P. Goodiug, commanding a brigade of cavalry engaged upon a reconnaissance north of Red River, en- countered Harrisons command, 1,500 strong, in which the enemy was defeated with considerable loss. Our loss was about 40 in killed Page 199 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAICTN. 199 wonnded, and missing. The enemys repulse was decisive. The army was pnt in motion for Shreveport, via Pleasant Hill and Mans- field, April 6. General Lee, with the cavalry division, led the ad- vance, followed by a detachment of two divisions of the Thirteenth Corps, nnder General Ransom; First Division, Nineteenth Corps, nnder General Emory, an(l a brigade of colored troops nnder com- mand of Colonel Dickey, the whole nnder the immediate command of Major-General Franklin. The detachments of the Sixteenth Army Corps, nnder command of Brig. Gen. A. J. Smith, followed on the 7th, and a division of the Seventeenth Army Corps, under Brig. Gen. T. Kilby Smith, accompanying Admiral Porter on the river as a guard for the transports. The fleet was directed to Loggy Bayon, opposite Springfield, where it was expected commnnications wonld be established with the land forces at Sabine Cross-Roads, a distance of 54 miles by land from Grand 1~core, and 100 miles by water. I remained with a portion of my staff to superintend the dep~rtnre of the river and land forces from Grand Ecore until the morning of the 7th and themi rode rapidly forward, reaching the head of tIme column at Pleasant Hill the same evening, where the main body en- camped. General Smiths command was at time rear of the column on the march, but passed the negro brigade on the route to Pleasant Hill. A very heavy rain fell all day on the 7th, which greatly im- peded the movenmeut of the rear of the column, making the road almost impassable for troops, trains, or artillery. The storm did not reach the head of the column. In passing the troops from Natchitoches to Pleasamit Hill I endeavored as much as possible to accelerate their movemnemits. The enemy offered no opposition ~to their march on the 6th. On the 7th, the advance drove a small force to Pleasamit Hill, and from there to Wilsons farm, 3 miles beyond, where a sharp fight occurred with the enemy posted in a very strong positiomi, from which they were driven with serious loss and pursued to Saint Patricks Bayou, near Carrolls Mill, about 9 miles from Pheasant Hill, where our forces bivouacked for the imight. We sus- taimme(i imi this action a loss of 14 men killed, 89 womimided, ammd 9 miss- mining. We captinire(l many prisoners amid time emmemny sustained severe losses in killed amid wounded. During time actiomi General Lee sent to Gemmeral Frankhimi for re-euforcememits, and a brigade of infantry was seinit forward, but the firing having ceased it was withidrawmm. The officers and memi fought with great spiritjn, this affair. At daybreak omi the 8th, General Lee, to whose suppoft a brigade of the Thir- teemithm Corps, nuder Colonel Landram, had beemi sent by my order, advanced upon the emmemny, drove him from his positiomi omi the opposite side of Saint Patricks Bayou, and pursued him to Sabine Cross-Roads, about 8 umiles fromim Mamisfield. Time advance was steady but slow, aud time resistance of the enemy stubborn. He was omily driven from his defensive positiomis on the road by artillery. At mmoon on time 8th, another brigade of time Thirteenth Corps arrived at the cross- roads under Brigadier-General Ransoum to relieve tke First Brigade. The infamitry moved from Pleasant 1-lihl at daybreak on the 8th, the head of time column haltimig at Saint Patricks Bayou in order that the rear might come up. I passed General Franklins headquarters at 10 a. in., giving directions to close up the column as speedily as possible, and rode forward to ascertain the conditiomi of affairs at the front, where I arrived betweemi 1 and 2 oclock. General Ran- som arrived nearly at the same time, with the Second Brigade, Thir- teenth Corps, which was under his command in the action at th Page 200 200 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. cross-roads. I found the troops in line of battle, the skirmishers sharply engaged, the main body of the enemy posted on the crest of a hill in thick woods on both sides of a road leading over the hill to Mansfield on our line of march. It was apparent that the enemy wa~ in much stronger force than at any previous point on the march, and being confirmed in this opinion by General Lee,J sent to Gen- eral Franklin, immediately upon my arrival, a statement of the facts and orders to hurry forward the infantry with all possible dis- patch, directing General Lee at the same time to hold his ground steadily, but not advance until re-enforcements should arrive. Our forces were for a long time stationary. with some skirmishing on the flanks. It soon became apparent that the entire force of the enemy was in our front. Several officers were sent to General Franklin to hurry forward the column. Skir~nishing was incessant during the afternoon. At 4.30 p. m. the enemy made a general attack all along the lines, but with great vigor upon our right flank. It was resisted with resolute determination by our troops, but overpowering num- bers compelled them, after resisting the successive charges of the enemy in front and on the flank, to fall back from their position to the woods in rear of the open field, which they occupied, retreating in good order. The enemy pressed with great vigor upon the flanks, as well as in front, for the purpose of getting to the rear, but were repulsed in this attempt by our cavalry. At the line of woods a new position was assumed, supported by the Third Division of. the Thirteenth Army Corps, under General ~Cameron, which reach~d this point about 5 p. in., and formed in line of battle under the direction of Major-General Franklin, who accoin- panied its advance. The enemy attacked this second line with great impetuosity and overpowering numbers, turning both flanks and advancing heavily upon the center. The assault was resisted with gallantry, but the troops, finding the enemy in the rear, were com- pelled to yield the ground and fall steadily back. The road was badly obstructed by the supply train of the cavalry division, which prevented the retreat of both men and artillery. We lost ten of the guns of Ransoms division in consequence of the position of the train, which prevented their withdrawal. Repeated efforts were made to reform the troops and resist the advance of the enemy, but though their progress was checked, it was without permanent suc- cess. Brig. Gen. W. H. Emory, commanding First Division, Nineteenth Corps, had been early notified of the condition of affairs, and directed to advance as rapidly as possible and form a line of battle in the strongest position he could select, to support the troops in retreat and check the advance of the enemy. The order to advance found him 7 miles to the rear of the first battle-ground. He assumed a p0- sition at Pleasant Grove, about 3 miles from the cross-roads, on the edge of the woods commanding an open field, sloping to the front. The One hundred and sixty-first New York Vblunteers, Lieutenant- Colonel Kinsey commanding, were deployed as skirmishers and ordered to the foot of the hill, upon the crest of which the line was formed to cover the rear of the retreating forces, to check the pursuit of the enemy, ~nd give time for the formation of the troops. General Dwight, commanding First Brigade, formed his troops across the road upon which the enemy was moving, commanding the open field in front. The Third Brigade, Colonel Benedict command- ing, formed to the left, and the Second Brigade, General McMillan Page 201 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 201 in reserve. The line was scarcely formed when the One hundred and sixty-first New York Volunteers were attacked and driven in. The right being threatened, a portion of McMillans brigade formed on the right of General Dwight. The fire of Our troops was reserved until the enemy was at close quarters, when the whole line opened upon them with most destructive volleys of musketry. The action lasted an hour and a half. The enemy was repulsed with very great slaughter. During the fight a determined effort was made to turn our left flank, which was defeated. \Prisoners reported the loss of the enemy in officers and men to be very great. General Mouton was killed in the first onset. Their attack was made with great des- peration, apparently with the idea that the dispersion of our forces at this point would end the campaign, and with the aid of the stead- ily falling river leave the fleet of ti~ansports and gun-boats in their hands or compel their destruction. Nothing could surpass in im- petuosity the assault of the enemy but the inflexible steadiness and valor of our troops. The First Division of the Nineteenth Corps, by its great bravery in this action, saved the army and navy. But for this successful resistance to the attack of the enemy at Pleasant Grove, the renewed attack of the enemy with increased force could not have been successfully resisted at Pleasant Hill on the 9th of April. We occupied both battle-grounds at night. From Pleasant Grove, where this action occurred, to Pleasant Hill was 15 miles. It was certain that the enemy, who was within the reach of re-enforcements, would renew the attack in the morning, and it was wholly uncertain whether the command of General Smith could reach the position we held in season for a second engagement. For this reason the army toward morning fell back to Pleasant Hill, General Emory covering the rear, burying the dead, bringing off the wounded, and all the material of the army. It arrived there at 8.30 on the morning of the 9th, effecting a junction with the forces of General Smith and the colored brigade under Colonel Dickey, which had reached that point the evening previous. Early on the 9th, the troops were prepared for action, the move- ments of the enemy indicating that he was on our rear. A line of battle was formed ~n the following order: First Brigade, Nineteenth Corps, on the right, resting on a ravine; Second Brigade in the center, and Third Brigade on the left. The center was strengthened by a brigade of General Smiths forces, whose main force was held in reserve. The enemy moved toward our right flank. The Second Brigade withdrew from the center to the support of the First Bri- gade. The brigade in support of the center moved up into position, and another of General Smiths brigades was posted to the extreme left position on the hill, in echelon to the rear of the left main line. Light skirmishing occurred during the afternoon. Between 4 and 5 oclock it increased in vigor, and about 5 p. in., when it appeared to have nearly ceased, the enemy drove in our skir.Inishers and at- tacked in force, his first onset being against the lefi~ He advanced in two oblique lines, extending well over toward the right of the Third Brigade, Nineteenth Corps. After a determined resistance this part of the line gave way and went slowly back to the reserves. The First and Second~ Brigades were soon enveloped in front, right, and rear. By skillful movements of General Emory the flanks of the two brigades, now bearing the brunt of the battle, were covered. The enemy pursuedthe brigades, passing the left and center, until he approached the reserves under General Smith, when he was me Page 202 [CHAP. XLVI. 2O~ LOLTISIM~A AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. by a charge led by General Mower and checked. The whole of the reserves were now ordered up, and in tnrn we drove the enemy, con- tinning the pursuit until night compelled us to halt The battle of the 9th was desperate and sanguinary. The defeat of the enemy was Complete, and his loss in officers and men more than double that sustained by our forces. There was nothing in the immediate position or condition of the two armies to prevent a forward movement the next morning, and orders were given to pre- pare for an advance. The train, which had been turned to the rear on the day of the battle, was ordered to reform and advance at day- break. 1 communicated this purpose at the close of the day to General A. J. Smith, who expressed his concurrence therein. But representations subsequently received from General Franklin and all the general officers of the Nineteenth Corps, as to the condition of their respective commands for immediate active operations against the enemy, caused a suspension of this order, and a confer- ence of the general officers was held in the evening, in which it was determined, upon the urgent recommendation of all the general offi- cers above named, and with the acquiescence of General Smith, to retire upon Grand Ecore the following day. The reasons urged for this course by the officers commanding the Nineteenth and Thir- teenth Corps were, first, that the absence of water made it abso- lutely necessary to advance or retire without delay. General Thuorys command had been without rations for two days, and the train, which had been turned to the rear during the battle, could not be put in condition to move forward upon the single road through dense woods, in which it stood, without difficulty and loss of time. It was for the purpose of communicating with the fleet at S~in~~ field Landing from the Sabine Cross-Roads to the river, as wel as to prevent the concentration of the Texan troops with the enemy at Mansfield, that we had pushed for thie early occupation of that point. Considering the difficulty with which the gun-boats passed Alexandria and Grand Ecore, there was every reason to believe that the navigation of the river would be found impracticable. A squad- ron of cavalry, under direction of Mr. Young, who had formerly been employed in the surveys of this country and was now con- nected with the engineer department, which had been sent upon a reconnaissance to the river, returned to Pleasant Hill on the day of the battle with the report that they had not been able to discover the fleet nor learn from the people its passage up the river. (The report of General T. Kilby Smith, commanding the river forces, states that the fleet did not arrive at Loggy Bayou until 2 p. m. on the 10th of April, two days after the battle at Sabine Cross-Roads.) This led to the belief that the low water had prevented the advance of the fleet. The condition of the river, which had been steadily falling since our march from Alexandria, rendered it very doubtful, if the fleet ascended the river, whether it could return from any intermediate point, and probable, if not ce~tain, that if it reached Shreveport it would never escape without a rise of the river, of which all hopes began to fail. The forces designated for this cam- paign iiumbered 42,000 men. Less than half that number was actually avait~ble for service against the enemy during its progress. The distance which separated General Steeles command from the line of our operations (nearly 200 miles) rendered his movements of little moment to us or to the enemy, and reduced the strength o Page 203 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. the fighting column to the extent of his force, which was expected to be from 10,000 to 15,000 men. The depot at Alexandria, made neces- sary by the impracticable navigation, withdrew from our forces 3,000 men under General Grover. The retnrn of the Marine Brigade to the defense of the Mississippi, upon the demand of Major-General McPherson, and which could not pass Alexandria without its steam- ers nor move by land for want of land transportation, made a fur- tlier reduction of 3,000 men. The protection of the fleet of trans- Imorts against the enemy on both sides of the river made it necessary for General A. J. Smith to detach General T. Kilby Smiths division of 2,500 men from the main body for that duty. The army train required a guard of 500 men. These several detachments, which it was impossible to avoid, and the distance of General Steeles com- mand, which it was not in my power to correct, reduced the number of troops that we were able at any point to bring into action from 42,000 men to about 20,000. The losses sustained in the very severe battles of the 7th, 8th, and 9th of April amounted to about 3,969 men, and necessarily reduced our active forces to that extent. The enemy, superior to us in numbers in the outset, by falling back was able to recover from his great losses by means of re-enforce- ments, which were within his reach as he approached his base of operations, while we were growing weaker as we departed from onrs. We had fought the battle at Pleasant Hill with about 15,000 against 22,000 men and won a victory, which for these reasons we were un- able to follow up. Other considerations connected with the actual military condition of affairs afforded additional reasons for the course recommended. Between the commencement of the expedition and the battle of Pleasant Hill a change had occurred in the general command of the army, which caused a modification of my instruc- tions in regard to this expedition. Lieutenant-General Grant, in a dispatch dated the 15th March, which I received on the 27th March, at Alexandria, eight days be- fore we reached Grand Ecore, by special messenger, gave me the following instructions Should you find that the taking of Shreveport will occupy ten or fifteen days more time than General Sherman gave his troops to be absent from their command you will send them back at the time specified in his note of (blank date) March, even if it should lead to the abandonment of the main object of the expedition. Should it prove successful, hold Shreveport and Red River with such force as you deem necessary and return the balance of your tro6p~to the neighborhood of New Orleans. These instructions, I was informed, were given for the purpose of having all parts of the army, or rather all armies, act as much in concert as possib]e, and with a view to a movement in the spring campaign against Mobile, which was certainly to be made if troops enough could be obtaimied without embarrassing other movements; in which event New Orleans would be the point of deX arture for such an expedition. A subsequent dispatch, thougi it id not con- trol, fully justified my action, repeated these general views and stated that the commamiding general would much rather the Red River expedition had never been begun that that you should be de- tained one day beyond the 1st of May in commencing the movement east of the Mississippi. The limitation of time referred to in these dispatches was based upon an opinion which I had verbally expressed to General Sher- man at New Orleans, that General Smith could be spared in thirt Page 204 204 LOUISIANA AND TIlE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. days after we reached Alexandria, but it was predicted upon the ex- pectation that the navigation of the river would be uuobstructed; that we should advauce without delay at Alexaudria, Grand Ecore, or elsewhere ou account of low water, and that the forces of Gen- eral Steele were to co-operate with us effectively at some poiut on Red River, near Natchitoches or Monroe. It was never understood that an expedition that involved on the part of my command a land march of nearly 400 miles into the enemys country, and which termi- nated at a point which we might iiot be able to hold, either on accomit of the strength of the enemy or the difficulties of obtaining supplies, was to be limited to thirty days. The condition of our forces, and the distance and difficulties attending the further advance iiito the enemys country after the battles of the 8th and 9th against an enemy superiOr in numbers to our own, rendered it probable that we could not occupy Shreveport within the time specified, and certain that without a rise in the river the troops necessary to bold it against the enemy would be compelled to evacuate it for want of supplies, and impossible that the expedition should return in any event to New Orleans in time to co-operate in the general movements of the army contemplated for the spring campaigii. It was known at this time that the fleet could not repass the rapids at Alexandria, and it was doubtful, if the fleet reached any point above Grand Ecore, whether it would be able to return. By falling back to Grand Ecore we should be able to ascertain the condition of the fleet, the practica- bility of continuing the movement by the river, reorganize a part of the forces that had been shattered in the battles of the 7th, 8th, and 9th, possibly ascertain the position of General Steele and obtain from him the assistance expected for a new advance north of the river or upon its southern bank, and perhaps obtain definite instruc- tions from the Government as to the course to be pursued. Upon these general considerations, and without reference to the actual condition of the respective armies, at 12 oclock midnight on the 9th I countermanded the order for the return of the train, and directed preparations to be made for the return of the army to Grand Ecore. The dead were buried and the wounded brought in from the field of battle and placed in the most comfortable hospitals that could be provided, and surgeons and supplies furnished for them. A second squadron of cavalry was sent, under direction of Mr. Young, of the engineer departrn~nt, to inform the fleet of our retrograde movement and to direct its return, if it had ascended the river, and on the morning of the 10th the army leisurely returned to Grand Ecore. The wounded were immediately visited by Dr. San- ger, who took with him clothing, rations, medicines, and other sup- plies, and reported them in comfortable condition. The fleet sailed from Grand Ecore on the 7th and reached its destination at Loggy Bayou on the evening of the 10th, one day after the battle at Pleas- ant Hill and two days after the engagement at Sabine Cross-Roads. General T. Kilby Smith received a verbal me& ~age the evening of the 10th, and on the morning of the 11th written orders to retui~n. The transports were in a crippled condition, rudders unshipped and wheels broken. The enemy attacked the fleet on its return near Pleasant Hill Landing ~on the 12th, with a force of 2,500 cavalry, a strong reserve infantry, and a battery of six guns, under General Green, but the troops, protected by cotton bales and bales of hay, with the gun-boats, kept up a deadly fire, and drove the enemy from the river. For two miles the bank was strewn with the wounded and dead Page 205 CHAP. XLVI.] TIlE RET) RIVER CAMPAIGN. 205 Among other rebels officers killed was General Green, who was left dead upon the field. The troops of the transports saw him fall, and claim that his death was the work of their artillery, the gun-boats and transports all firing at the same time. The enemy, under Lid- (lell. who had occupied the north bank of the river with 2,300 meii, attacked the fleet on the 13th, but was driven back with lose. The navigation up and down the river was intricate and difficult, and the steamers were frequently aground. Several of the boats were laden with ammunition and ordnance stores, but the energy of the officers and meii brought off every boat. The only loss in stores was a hundred sacks of oats, thrown overboard for the relief of a steamer aground. They reached Campti on the 14th, with a loss of 1 man killed and 18 wounded, where they met a force from the army sent to their assistance, and reached Grand Ecore on the loth without further obstruction. General T. Kilby Smith, to whose courtesy I am indebted for all the official information I have received of this part of the expedition, mentions with commendation Maj. D. C. Houston, of the engineers, who had in charge the ordnance stores, and Lient. Col. W. S. Abert, officers of my staff, who accompanied him, and also officers and men of his own command and masters of transport steamers. General Sumith, who commanded the land forces and transports, is entitled to the highest commendation for the energy, skill, and success with which he managed this most difficult affair. Lines of defense were established at Grand Ecore the 12th of April, and orders given to attack the enenmy if he approached. A pontoon bridge was thrown across the river during the night. Our pickets were driven in on the 13th, but the enemy appeared, upon a reconnaissance made in force, to have gone below for the ~urpose either of attacking our troops at Alexandria or occupying onetts Bluff, on Cane River. On the same day General Smith crossed the river with two bri- gades, two batteries, and a strong cavalry force, to aid the fleet still above Grand Ecore. Dispatches were sent to General Steele informing him of the condition of affairs, and requesting him to join us at s& ine point on the river. Orders were sent to New Orleans for re-enforcements, and the lieutenant-general commanding the Army was informed of the condition of affairs by telegraph and of fny intention to advance upon Shreveport, if General Steele could come to our assistance, and my determination not to withdraw with- out orders. The fleet returned on the 15th in safety, without loss of vessels or material of war. Admiral Porter, with whom I had a conference on his arrival at Grand Ecore, advised against any further attempt to advance without a rise of the river, and his counsel was followed. The river had been steadily falling. Supplies were brought up to Grand Ecore with very great difficulty. It was found that two of tIme mn-boats could not go below Grand Ecore, and it was now cer- tammi that the fleet could not pass the falls at Alexandria. Lieuten- ant-Commander Selfridge, left in command of the fleet by the admiral, who had gone to Alexandria, addressed to me a dispatch, dated 17th of April, stating that he had been informed the army was to withdraw immediately, and that it would be impossible in that case to get the gun-boats down the river. I informed him at once that the army had no intention of withdrawing from that l)OsitiOn; that I had sent to New Orleans for troops, and by a special mes- senger to General steele, urging his direct co-operation, and tha Page 206 206 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. ~CHAP. XLVI. until it was definitely ascertained that his assistance would fail us, and that my force would be insufficient to advance farther upon this line against the enemy, who appeared to be in full force, J should entertain no thoughit of a retrograde movement, and never if it left the navy in any danger. No such purpose was then entertained, and until I received information in reply to my dispatches it was my purpose td maintain my position. A copy of this letter is appended to this report. The next day Ii received instructions from Lieuteuant-General Grant (to which I have referred) that if my return to New Orleans was delayed one day beyond the 1st of May, when it would be nec- essary for my command to co-operate with other armies in the spring campaign, it would have been better that the expedition had never been attempted. These instructions, with the fact that the river was not likely to rise, the report received by Capt. R. T. Duuham that General Steele could not co-operate with us,*and that the diffi- culty of passing the falls at Alexandria was hourly increasing, if the passage was not even then impossible, led me to change my determination. It was not, however, until the entire fleet was free, transports and gun-boats, and that Admiral Porter, in charge of the IEastport, which had been aground several miles below Grand Ecore for several days, had sent me word by Col. W. S. Abert (whose statement is hereto appended) that she was clear and further protection unnecessary, that orders were given the 21st April to turn the supply trains in the direction of Alexandria. The army moved on the morning of the 22d of April, every vessel having preceded both the marching orders and the movements of the army. Any statement from whatever source that the army con- templated moving from Grand lEcore toward Alexandria against the advice or without the approval of the naval officers in command, or until after the departure of every vessel on the river, is without the slightest color of truth. In my interview with Admiral Porter, on the 15th of April, he expressed the utmost confidence that the river would rise, and gave me no intimation of his leaving Grand Ecore, nor of the proposed withdrawal of his vessels, or of his apprehensions of the retreat of the army. I gave him at that time distinct infor- mation of my plans, which were to advance. This fact was com- municated to Lieutenant-Commander Selfridge, in my letter of the 1~th of April. The admiral exp~es~ed time same confidence in the rise of the river to officers of the armimy, who from long experience in the Red River country were equally confident tlmat it would not rise. The difficulties attending the voyage of the Eastport were incident to the condition of time river, for which the army was iii no wise responsible. I had offered every assistance possible, and did not leave this position while any aid was suggested or required. Colonel Bailey, after consultatiomi with the gemmeral officers of the army, offered to float the Eastporf over the bars by the construction of wing-dams, similar to those afterward built at Alexandria, but the assistamice was declined. No counsel from army officers was regarded in nautical affairs. The army marched from Grand Ecore on the morning of the 22d of April, havIng been detained there by time condition of the navy ten days, to prevent the occupation of Monetts Bluff, on Cane River, a strong position, commanding time only road leading across the river to Alexamidria, or to I)revent the concentration of the enemys forces at that point. If it was in imis possession it becam Page 207 CHAP. XLVI.] TIlE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 207 necessary to accomplish the evacuation without his knowledge, and to prevent his strengthening the natural defenses of the position by the rapidity of our march. The conflagration of a portion of the towii at the hour appointed for marching partially frustrated the first object, but the second was fully accoml)lished. The army marched from Graiid Ecore to Cane River on the 20th [22d?] of April, a distance of 40 miles, and moved upon the position held by the enemy the 28d of April before daybreak. About 8,000 nien and sixteen guns, under command of General Bee, were found in possession of the bluff on the opposite side of the river, who were evidently surprised at the unexpected presence of our army, but ready to dispute our only passage toward Alexandria. At daybreak one division of the Nineteenth and Thirteenth Corps each, the cav- alry commanded by General Arnold, and the artillery commanded by Captain Closson, the whole under command of General W. II. Emory, were ordered forward to the river for the purpose of forcing this position. The pickets of the enemy were encountered on the west side of the river and quickly driven across, but the main posi- tion was found to be too strong to be carried by diredt attack. A reconnoitering party, under Colonel Bailey, Fourth Wisconsin Vol- unteers, sent to ascertain the practicability of crossiiig the river below the ferry toward Red River, on the morning of the 23d re- ported that the river was not fordable below the ferry, and tbat,. owing to the impassable swamps on oiie side and the high bluffs on the other, it would not be possible to cross Cane River at any point below the ferry. If we failed to dislodge the enemy at the ferry the oiily alternative opeii to us was to attempt a crossing to the north side of Red River, an exceedingly difficult and dangerous niovement. At the same time a force, under command of General H. W. Birge, consisting of his own command, the Third Brigade of the First Division, Nineteenth Arniy Corps, Colonel Fessenden commanding, and General Camerons division, Thirteenth Corps, were ordered to cross the river 3 miles above the ferry, and, turning the left flank of the enemy, carry the heights in reverse if possible. Upon the suc- sess of this movement depended the passage of the river by the army. The route traveled by General Birges command was inter- sected by bayous, swamps, and almost impenetrable woods. This force reached its position late in the afternoon. To accomplish the purpose in view it became necessary to ~ar~y two strong positions held by pickets and skirmishers before the enemy was encountered in force on the crest of a hill, commandimig an open field, over which our troops were compelled to cross in making the attack. The Third Brigade [First Division], Nineteenth Corps, Colonel Fessenden com- manding, carried this position, which was defended with vigor, by assault. Its occupation compelled the retreat of the enemy from the bluffs commanding the ferry and ford. Our loss in this most brilliant and successful affair was about 200 killed and wounded. Colonel Fessenden, who led his command with great gallantry, was severely wounded. General Birge, as in all actions in which he has been engaged, de- served and received the highest commendation. Lient. William S. Beebe, of the ordnan% department, aimd Mr. Young, of the engineer department, both volunteers, were conspicuous in the fight. Mr. Young was twice wounded, amid died in New Orleans in July of the injuries received in this battle. Time attack on the rear of the enemys position, covering the line of the encmy~ retreat, failed in consequence of the difficultie Page 208 [CHAP. XLVI. 208 LOUISIANA AND TILE mANS-MISSISSIPPI. encountered in the march and the late hour at which our troops gained their position. The enemy was thus enabled to escape with his artillery by the Fort Jesup road to Texas. The main body of the army had moved from Clontierville at 4.30 a. m. on the 23d to the river. They drove in the enemys pickets 3 miles in advance of the river, and formed a line of battle in front of the enemys position, while General Birge was moving upoh the enemys left flank. The enemy opened with a heavy cannonade from his batteries, which was returned by our artillery with spirit and effect. The fire was continued at intervals during the morning, but the troops were held in reserve for the purpose of forcing the passage of the river at the moment that General Birge commenced his attack on the right. The action lasted till dark, when tbe enemy retreated and the heights were occupied by our forces. General A. J. Smiths command had sharp skirmishing with the advance of the enemy in our rear on the 23d. At 2 oclock on the morning of the 24th, six gnus were fired from the camp of the enemy in the rear. It was interpreted as a signal that they were ready for a combined atfick, but the enemy in front had then been driven from the river and Llie contemplated movement upon our front and rear failed. During the morning of the 23d, an effort had been made by a por- tion of the cavalry under Col. E. J. Davis to turn the right flank of the enemys position by crossing the river below the ferry in the direction of Red River, which proved impracticable on account of impassable swamps. A sharp engagement occurred on the morning of the 24th, between the troops of General T. Kilby Smith and the enemy in the rear, which resulted in the repulse of the latter. Our loss was about 50 in this affair. Had the enemy concentrated his forces and fortified his position at Monetts Bluff we could not have forced him from it, and should have been compelled to accept the chances of crossing Red River above Cane River in the presence of the enemy on both sides of the river. Orders had been sent to General Grover to move with all his force upon Monetts Bluff, in the event of its being occupied by the enemy or our march seriously obstructed, and his troops were in readiness for. this move- ment. The army marched from Monetts Bluff on the afternoon of the 24th of April, and established lines of defense at Alexandria on the 25th and 26th April. In the twenty-four days intervening, between the departure of the army from Alexandria and its return~the battles of Wilsons Farm, Sabine Cross-Roads, Pleasant Grove, Pleasant Hill, Campti, Mo- netts Bluff, and several combats in the neighborhood of Grand Ecore, while we were in occupation of that point, had been fought. In every one of these engagements, except that at Sabine Cross-Roads, we had been successful. The failure to accomplish flue main object of the expedition was due to other considerations than the actual superiority of the enemy in the field. In these operations, in which umy own command had marched by land nea~y 400 miles, the total loss sustained was 3,980 men, of whom 289 were killed, 1,541 wounded, and 2,150 missing. A large portion of the latter were captured and have been since exchanged, but a considerable portion returned to the army durim~g its operations on Red River. No loss of artillery or of trains or any army material whatever was sustained, except that which occurred at Sabine Cross-Roads. We lost there Nims battery and a section of the Missouri Howitzer Battery, 150 wagons, and 800 mules, captured by the enemy on account of the position of flu Page 209 Gm. XLVLJ THE RED RIVER OAMPATGN. 209 train near the field of battle. All the ammunition wagons were saved. The army had captured up to this time from the enemy 23 guns and 1,500 prisoners. His losses in killed, wounded, and pris- oners, officers and men, were much greater than ours. Among the former were some of the most efficient rebel commanders, whose loss can never be made good. Uip to this time no other loss of men or material had been sustained by our army. As soon as the lines of defense were completed preparations were made for the release of the fleet, which was then unable to pass below the falls. From the difficulty which the supply transports had encountered in e falls, it was known at Grand Ecore as early as the 15th of April that the navy could not go below, and the means fo;its release were freely discussed among officers of the army. During the campaign at Port Hudson the steamers Starlight and Red Chief were cap4ured by Griersons (Illinois) cavalry, under com- mand of Colonel Prince, m Thompsons Creek The bed of the creek was nearly dry and the steamers were sunk several feet in the sand. After the cap hire of Port Hudson, Colonel Bailey constructed wing-dams which by raising the water lifted the steamers from the sand and floated them out of the creek into the Mississippi. This incident naturally suggested the same works at Alexandria for the relief of the fleet. A survey was ordered for the purpose of deter- mining what measures could be best undertaken. The engineers of the army had com lete surveys of the falls, captured from the enemy during our occupation of Alexandria in 1863 at the commencement of the Port Hudson cam . It was found, upon examining these charts and upon a the river, that the channel was narrow and crooked, formed in solid rock, and that it would be wholly im- practicable to deepen its bed. It was therefore determined to com- mence the construction of a dam to raise the river to such a height as to enable thevessels to float over the falls. This project was freely discussed b thee eers and officers of the army, and was generally believed to e ~cable. Capt. 3. C. Palfrey, who had made the survey, reported that in Ins judgment it was entirely feasible, and the only question made related to the time that might be required for so great a work. The management of this enterprise was naturally intrusted to Lieut. Col. Jose h Bailey, Fourth Wisconsin Volunteers, who was by profession a civil engineer, familiar with jrcks of that kind common to slackwater navigation upon all the Western rivers, and had suc- cessfully released the steamers from Thompson?s Creek on the Missis- sippi. Colonel Bailey had suggested the practicability of the dam while we were at Grand Ecore, and had offered to release the Eastport when aground below Grand Ecore by the same means, which offer was declined. Material was collected during these preparations, and work commenced upon the dam on ayl. Ileari y the whole army was engaged at different times upon this work. The dam was completed on Sunday, Ma 8, and the gun-boats Osage, Hindman, and two others came overt he rapids about 4 oclock in the afternoon. The water had been raised upon the dam for 1* miles about 7 feet, with a fall below the dam of about ft feet, making in all a fall of about 13 feet above ad below the falls. The pressure of the water at its completion was terrific. I went over the work at 11 oclock on the evening of the 8th, with one of my staff officers, and felt that the pressure of the water was so great thatit could not stand. I rode immediately to the point above where the fleet was anchored to ascer- 14 3 BVOL XXXIV, PT Page 210 210 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. tam if they were ready to follow the four boats that had already passed the rapids. I reached the fleet about 12 midnight. Scarcely a mau or a light was to be seen. It was perfectly apparent that the boats were not in condition to take advantage of the completion of the dam, and feeling that it could not stand another day, I wrote a note to Admiral Porter at 1 oclock on the morning of Urn 9th, which was delivered in person at 2 a. m. by Col. J. G. Wifson, stating my belief as to the condition of the dam and fleet, and asking that meas- ures should be taken to put the boats in condition to move over the rapids at the earliest possible moment in the morning. A little after 5 oclock on the morning of the 9th, I saw a part of the dam swept away. The four boats that had passed the rapids the afternoon before were able to pass below through the opening which the waters had made. Only one of the vessels above the falls, the Lexington, was ready to move when the dam gave way, and that came down after the break and passed the dam safely, with all the vessels that were below the rapids. H~ d the others been ready to move all would have passed the rapids and the dam safely on Mon- day. Until after the dam had been carried away no effort had been made to lessen the draught of the imprisoned vessels, by lightening them of cargo, armament, or plating. Before the second series of dams was completed a portion of the armament and the plating, materially lessening their draught and the depth of water required to float them. was removed. Lient. William S. Beebe, of the Ordnance Department, U. S. Army, superintended the removal of the heavy naval guns from above the rapids to a poimit below time dam by laud, assisted by officers and soldiers of the army. The army immediately commenced the recon- struction of the (lain. Fimiding it impossible to resist the current of the river entirely, the opening made by the flood was only partially closed, and eight or ten wing-dams were constructed on the right and left bank of the river, in accordance with the original plan, turning the current of water directly upon the channel and raising it at the different points sufficiently to allow the vessels to pass. This new work was completed on the 12th of May, and on the afternoon of that day all the boats passed below the rapids to the dam. At 6 oclock in the evening the Mound City amid Carondelet passed the dam. The other boats remained above until the morning of the 18th. The water upon the dam was steadily falling, but at 9 oclock on the 13th all the boats had safely passed. Preparations had been made for the movement of the army the evening after time passage of the boats below the dam on the 12th, and after all were below on the 13th orders were given for the march. The construction of the dam was exclusively the work of the army. But little aid or encouragement was rendered by officers of the navy, except by Lieut. A. R. Langthorne, comnnianding the Mound City, who assisted in setting the cribs, amid was always ready to answer the call of the officers charged with the construction of the work. The soldiers labored sedulously and zealously muiglit amid day, in and omit of the water, from the 1st to the 13th of May, inclusive, when the passage of the boats was completed. Upon my~arrival at Alexandria, on the 25th of April, I found Major-General Hunter with dispatches froni the lieutenant-general commanding the arniies, reaffirming instructions which I had received at Grand lEcore relating to the operations of the arniy elsewhere, and to the necessity of bringing the Shreveport campaign to an en Page 211 CRAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVEP CAMPAIGN. 211 without delay. The only possible means of executing these per- emptory orders had already been taken. General Hunter left on the 30th April, with dispatches to the lieutenant-general, giving a report of the condition of affairs; that the fleet could not pass the rapids; that there was no course for the army but to remain for its protection; that the enemy would concentrate all his forces at that point for the destruction of the army and the fleet, and that it was necessary to concentrate our troops west of the Mississippi at the same point by which the army and navy could be relieved and the forces of the enemy destroyed. Major-General McCleriiand, with the larger part of the forces recently at Matagorda Bay, which had been evacuated by order of Lieutenant-General Grant, dated March 31, arrived at Alexandria on the evening of the 29th of April. Brig. Gen. Fitz Henry Warren, left in command at Matagorda Bay, fol- lowed with the rest of the forces in Texas, except those on the IRio Grande, when the batteries of the enemy on the river near Marks- ville obstructed his passage. Not having sufficient force to dislodge the enemy, lie seized Foift De Russy below the batteries, which he held until the passage of the fleet and army. While engaged in the construction of time dam a dispatch was re- Ceive(i from Major-General Halleck, dated April .30, as follows: Lieutenant-General Grant directs that orders heretofore given be so modified that no troops be withdrawn from operations against Shreveport and on Red River, and that operations there be continued nnder the officer in command until further orders. This dispatch was not received until it was impossible to move either up or dowli the river from Alexamidria. It was, of course, inipracticable to exec ate these in struction~. Until the 4th of May commuumiicat~omi with the Mississippi by the river was unobstructed. Lient. Williamim Simpsomm. of my staff, left by the gun-boat Signal with dispatches for Lieutenant-General Gramit, Admiral Farragut, General Sherman, and General Rosecrans. The gun-boat Covingtomi, havi mig in convoy the transport Warner, ac- compammied the Sigmial. We received news on the morning of the 3thm of the destruction of the gun-boats and the transport. The enemy had established a battery near Marksville, supported by a laro~e imifantry force. Coummunication with the Mississippi was closed from this date. About 400 men of the Fifty-sixth Ohio Vol- unteers were on board tIme Warner. A part of them joined our troops below, and a portion of them pierc~d The lines of the enemy and returned to Alexandria; about 150 were captured. Lieutenant Simpson was captured, but destroyed his dispatches. The City Belle, on her way to Alexandria with 425 men of the One hundred amid twentieth Ohio Volunteers, was captured by the enemy; 200 of the troops escaped. The fleet passed below Alexandria on the 13th of May. The army omi its march from Alexandria did not encounter the enenmy imi force umitil imear the town of Mausura. lie was driven through tIme towmi in tIme evenimig of tIme 14th [?] of May, amid at day- break next mornimig our advance encountered his cavalry on the prairie east of the town. He fell back with steady and sharp skir- mishing across the pmirie to a belt of woods, which he occupied. The enemys position covered three roads (liverging from Mamisura to time Atchafalaya. He manifested a determination here to obsti- nately resist our passage. The engagement, which lasted several hours, was confined chiefly to the artillery until our troops got po Page 212 212 lOUISIANA. AND THE TEANS-X18818& PPL (Oar. XLVL session of the edge of the woods, first upon our left by General Emory, ad subsequently on our right by General Smith, when he was driven from the field, after a sharp ad decisive fight, with con- siderable loss. The 16th [7] of May we reached Simsporb, on the Atchafalayt Being entiraly destitute of any ordinary bridp material for the passage of this river (about 600 yards wide) a bndge was constructed of the steamers, under direction of Lieutenant-Colonel Bailey. This work was not of the same magnitude, but was as important to the army as the dam at Alexandria was to the navy. It bad the merit of being an entirely novel construction, no bridge~of such magnitude havingteen constructed of similar materials. The bridge was coin- pletedatloclockon thelOthof May. .Thewa~ontrain passedin the afternoon, and the troops the next morning, in better spirit and condition, as able and eager to meet the enemy as at any period of the campaign. The command of General A. J. Smith, which cov- ered the rear of the army during the construction of the bridge and the of the army, had a severe engagement with the enemy underPo on the afternoon of the 10th [18th], at Yellow Bayou which lasted several hours. Our loss was about 150 in killed and wounded; that of the enemy muoji greater, besides many prisoners who were taken by our troops. Maj. Gen. E. IL S. Canby arrived at Simsport on the 19th May, and the next day assumed command of the troops as a portion of the forces of the Military Division of the West Mississippi, to the command of which he had been assigned. Rumors were circulated freely throughout the camp at Alexandria that upon the evacuation of the town it would be burned. To prevent this destruction of property part of which belonged to loyal citizens, General Grover, comman& np the post, was instructed to organize a thorough police, andtoprondeforitsoccupationbyanarmedforceuntilthearmy had marched for Simsport. The measures taken were sufficient to prevent a conflagration in the manner in which it had been antici- pated, but on the morning of the evacuation, while the army was in full possession of the town, a fire broke out in a building on the levee, which had been occupied by refugees or soldiers, in such a manner as to make it impossible to prevent a general conflauration.. I saw the fire when it was first discovered. The ammunition and ordnance transports and the depet of ammunition on the levee were within a few yards of the fire. The boats were floated into the river and the ammunition moved from the levee with all possible dispatch. The troo labored with alacrity and r tar suppress the conk- gration, but owing toa high wind and the combustible material of the buildings it was found impossible to limit its progress, and a considerable portion of the town was destroyed. On the 1st of April, two or three darsbefore the army moved from Alexandria to Natchitoches an election of delegates to the consti- tutional convention was helA at Alexandriiby request of citizens of the parish of Rapides. No officer or soldier interfered with or had an~ part whatever in this matter. It was left exclusively tothe loyal citizens of *e place. Three hundred votes were given in this elec- tion, which was a large majority of all the voting population in that parish. Fifteen hundred votes were a fall representation of the people beforethe war. Nearly 500 menfromthisandn~ hboring panshes enlisted in the army as mounted scouts, and rendered C- cient and valuable services during the campaign Page 213 OEo. flU] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 213 Under the general prizelaw the naval authorities upon theirarrival at Alexandria commenced the capture of cotton on both sides of the river, extending their operations from 6 to 10 miles into the interior. Wagon trains were or~amzed, cotton gins put in operation, and the business follow u wi great or he fleet lay at Alexan- dria. Some difficulty occurred wit the marines, who insisted upon their right to pass the lines of the army, which was terminated by the advance of the army and navy to Grand Ecore. I was informed byparbie~ clainnngproperty which had been taken by the naval authorities, to whom I referred them, that, upon apph cation for relief, their property had been released to them he commander of the fleet The army did not enter into competition with the navy in the c~yture of this projerty. In order to remove the products o the country which might, under any circumstances, be used to aid the rebellion against the (*ov- eminent. General Grover, in command of the of exandria, and the quartermaster of that post, upon the departure of the army from Alexandria, were directed to collect such property as should remain there after its departure and transmit it to the quartermaster at New Orleans, who was instructed to turn it over to the officers of the Treasury, to be disposed of according to the orders of the Government and the no Congress. Notipe was also given to the supe agent of the Treasury at New Orleans that no trade would be with that portion of the State until it should be letely and per inanently occupied by the army. No person was ow to accom- pany the army upon this expedition as reporter, or for any other purpose, without a distinct and written declaration that no trade by pnvate parties or for personal purposes would be permitted under any circumstances, and that no property on private account would be transported by public or private vessels to 7New Orleans, but that all property sent to New Orleans would be consigned to the chief q~iar-~ termaster, and by him turned over to the Treasury agent and held subject to such claims and orders as should be roved by. the Government at Washington. Previous tomy departure from New Orleans, the chief quartermaster, Col B olabird, had been in- structed that no pnvileges would be given to any party whatever, under any circumstances to trade in, to dispose of, or to transport pri- vate property; that all tie property that came don from that coun- try, so far as the army was concerned, would be turned over to him, and by him to the proper Treasury officers. -e The same information was given to the Treasury agent No permission was given to any person to accompany the army except upon these express conditions, and then only to such persons whose ptblic positions seemed to be a full guarantee a inst e abuse of the privilege, and whose requests could not be properly refused. They were given to reporters of the public press and to prominent officers of States whose troops were in the field. Upon representations made officers of the Treasury De- .partment at Alexandria that there would be difficu4y in receiving such property except under the Treasury regulations of the 26th of January, 1804, those regulations were officially promulgated for that purpose at Alexandriaand atNew Orleans. These orders were strictly enforced by all officers connected with or representing the arm. There was no permisston whatever given to any person to trade, to dispose of, or transport privats property. No privilege of this kiiid was recognized under any circumstances. Eve do s worth of property that came into the hands of the army during this campaig Page 214 [CHAP. XLVI. 214 L0UI~IANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. was either appropriated to its use in kind by the proper officers of the commissary and quartermasters departments, receipts being given therefor, or transnntted to the chief quartermaster at New Orleans, and by him turned over to the Treasury agents, to be disposed of according to the laws of Congress and the orders of the Government. Where cotton or other property interfered with the transportation of any material of the army, or of refugees, negroes, or troops, upon the evacuation of the country, it was thrown from the boats and abandoned upon the river levee to the enemy. I intend this statement to be as comprehensive upon the subject as language can make it, and to cover all possible methods, direct or indirect, by which officers or citizens, public or private parties, or any persons whatever, could evade or violate these orders on the river or at New Orleans, or appropriate by any means public or private property to private uses or personal advantage, or to deprive time Government or individuals of any property which, by ammy interpre- tation of military orders or public laws, could be considered as belong- ing justly and properly to them. General Grover, commanding tlme post, Col. S. B. Holabird, chief quartermaster at New Orleans, and Hon. B. F. Flanders, supervising special agent Treasnry Depart- ment, will be able to account to the Government for public or private property coming into their hands during this campaign. I was engaged npon the Gulf coast, hoping by the capture of Galveston and Mobile to put my command in readiness for an effective co-operation, by Mobile and time Alabama River, with Gen- eral Sherman, precisely in accordance with the campaign suggested by the lieutenant-general commandimig the armies in his dispatches of the 15th and 31st of March whemi I received instructions to com- municate with the admiral and the general officers commanding time fleet and forces of the upper Mississippi, upon the subject of time campaign against Shreveport. I immediately complied with these orders. They had received similar instructions, and in answer to my communications expressed their readiness and desire to enter upon the campaign. With the forces proposed and the co-operation of time fleet, its success was reasonably certain; under such circumstances I could not decline co-operation with them. I at once, abandoned all other enterprises and gave my whole attention to this service. The first difficulty encountered was in the navigation of the river. Six- teen days delay caused by the inability of the fleet to pass the rapids of Alexandria, and three days delay at Grand Ecore iii waiting the rise of the river, enabled the enemy to concentrate his forces and rendered impossible that celerity of movement by the army which the success of the expedition demanded. Eight days of time delay at Alexandria would have been attributable to the tardy organization and movements of Franklins command, but the fleet was unable to pass the falls until eight days after his arrival at Alexandria. This delay was doubtless owing to the impracticable navigation of the river; but it is not improper to say that the forecast and diligence which are enforced upon all men in the da~4ly affairs of life would have forbidden an attempt to force a fleet of so much importance to the free navigation of the Mississippi to a point from which it could never hope to escape, except upon time theory that the river ought to or might rise. The movement of the navy, in a dispatch of Rear-Admiral D. D. Porter, to which the Secretary of the Navy has given official publi- cation amid sanctiomi, is attributed to time request of Gemmeral Banks Page 215 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 215 who deemed the Co-operation of the gun-boats so essential to suc- Cess that he (Porter) had to run some risks and make unusual exer- tions to get them over the falls. This implies that the respoiisibil- ity of his action rests upon the army; but it is not Consistent with the facts. The Co-operation of the navy was an indispensable Con- dition aiid basis of the expedition. Major-General Halleck informed me, January 11, that behad been assured by the Navy Department that Admiral Porter would be prepared to co-operate with the army in its movements, and the admiral himself informed me, February 26, that lie was prepared to ascend Red River with a large fleet of gun-boats, and to co- operate with the army at any time when the water was high enough. The fleet was as necessary to the campaign as the army. Had it been left to my discretion, I should have reluctantly under- taken, in a campaign requiring bnt eight or ten light-draught gun- boats, to force twenty heavy iron-dads 490 miles upon a river proverbially as treacherous as the rebels who defended it, and which had given notice of its character by steadily falling when, as the admiral reports. all other rivers were booming. There is a better reason for the disregard of the palpable difficulties of navigation than the overzealous counsei of army officers i]1 nautical affairs. In a subsequent dispatch Admiral I orter says that all my ves- sels navigated the river to Grand Ecore with ease, and with some of them I reached Springfield Landing, the place designated for the gun-boats to meet the army. lily part was successfully accomplished; the failure of the army to proceed and the retreat to Grand Ecore left nine almost at the mercy of the eneThy. The records of the campaign do not at all support time reckless and fiery ardor of this statement. The fleet did not reach the place appointed until two full days after the first decisive battle with the enemy. The admiral occupied four days in moving 104 miles on what he calls a rising river, with good water, to the place appointed. General T. Kilby Smith states that the fleet made 20 miles On the 7th, 37 miles on the 8th, 18 miles on the 9th, and 9 miles on the 10th of April; total, 104 miles. The failure of the fleet to move up time river with ordinary expedition, together with the fact that the gun-boats were umible to pass Grand Ecore until the 7th, justified the belief that its advance had been prevented by the low stage of water, and governed the armny ex- clusively in its retrograde movement to Grand Ecore, as it did in every important operation of the campaig~1i. The admirals dispatchL (hoes not mention the fact that, in addition to the mercy of the enemy, he had the support of General T. Kilby Smiths division of 2,300 men, whose umost gallant and honorable part in the preserva- tion of the fleet of gun-boats and transports is not referred to in what the admiral calls this curious affair between (the enemys) infantry amid gun-boats. Imi view of the published dispatches of Admiral Porter, it is proper for mue to say that every position of difficulty in which the army was placed in this campaign was the inimediate and direct consequemice of delay in the operations of the navy. This may have been inevitable and entirely justifiable from the condition of the river. It is not niny province to pass judgment upon its opera- tions, but the fact rem~ains, nevertheless. During mny term of service it has been an invariable rule of con- duct, from which I have never departed, to forbear the expression of opinion or complaint upon the official action of others, but I feel it to be a solemmi duty to say, in this official and formal manner, tha Page 216 216 LOUISIANA AND TIlE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. Admiral Porters published officird statements, rehiting to the Red River campaign. am e ~vt vn manc~. with the truth, of which there are many thousand livino witnesses and do foul injustice to the officers and soldiers of the am m lix mu0 and dead, to whom the Navy De partimment owes exciusix ely tb( pm esem vation and honor of i1.s fleet. Time partial disimiteomatmon ot the sev m d comu1amis{~ss]gne(i to tins expedition was a cause of emb ~mm mssment, though not entirely of failure. Time coummuand ot M m~om G-ciwral Stceie, which. I was mu- forimmed by Major-Genem al Shcrman would be about 15,000 imien, was in fact but 7,000. and operating upon a liin. s~ x m ml h lmn(hm ed miles distant, with purposes amid m-csmmlts entimely uimkuox~ mi to me II~eb- niary 5, I was imiforimmed by Gemmeral Ste h h it ml any adv nice was to be umade it ummist be by time ~Washita and Red Rmvefs and that he might be able to niove his cornm ml by the way ot Pim B1iit1~ to Momiroe for this pmmrpose. This would hi-ix e mmumte(l oum fo~ ces on Red River amid imismired time success of the camupaigmi 1he ~Sth of Feb- immary lie informed nine that lie could not mno~ e 1w the ~x a~ of Monroe, and on the 4th of March, the day before my eommmml \~ is ordered to move, I was immformed by Genem-al Sherinnaim that ln Ii id written to General Steele to push straight to Shreveport. il u cli 5, 1 was infom-med by General Hahieck that lie had mo information of Gemi- em-al Steeles plans further thami that he would lie dii ccli d to facili- tate mmmy operations toward Shreveport. The 10th of Mmr Ii General Steele informed me that the objections to time monte 1 wiSiIC(1 him to take (by time way of Red Rivem-) were strongem- than cx r md that lie would umove within all his available, force (about 7,000) to Washing- tom, auth thiemice to Shreveport. I received imiforumatiomi flue 20th of March, (lated the 5th. of March, from Major-General Halleck, that he had dim-ected General Steele to make a real move, as suggested by you (Banks), instead of a (lemomistratiomin as he (Steele) thought advisable. 1mm April General Halleck unformed me that he had telegraphed Gemmeral Steele to co-operate with yomm (Banks) on Red River within all hiis available forces. April 16, I was iuformned, inmmuder date of the 10th, by Gen- eral Shinerman, that General Steeles emitire force would co-oper te within nine and the navy. Jim May I received informuatioum from General Steele, nuder (late of the 28thm* of April, thuat lie could umot leave Camudemi unless sup- plies were semut to mini, as tiuose~ of thine conmntry were exhausted; that we could not help eachi other operatiung on lines so wide apart ; that hue could not say detimmitehy that lie could joimi me at any ponut omi Red River at any givemi tinne, and, from thie (listauice that separated mis, final I comuld reminder no assistamince to himunami opiminiomi in which I cinntim-ely concumrre(h. I umever received muthom-ity to ~mve orders to Gemmeral Steele. My immstrvmctiomms limiteil inc to communni coti omin with hmumum upomi the subject of thue exhiedition. His or(iers lIE meet Ive(l froum oIlier sources. I have mo dominbt that General Shele did ill mu his power to imisure success but as communmuminuicati~mn with him ~x as mueces- sarily by special messenger, amid occnpic(i fm-em fifteen to tuiremity days at eachin commumuicatiomin, it was imninpossible fom citimem of mis fully to connprehicmn(i flue relative positioinins of time two armun. 01 to asslst or to support each othuem-. Thue colummnuum of Gemueral A. J. Sunithi was a pautialhy independent counmimamuel. Gemicral Shuermuami, iii his dispatch of the I Othi of April, received time I 11th, informed me that the thirty (lays for whiichi he huad leaimed me Genem-al Smiths eomlnami(l wonh(l expire on the 10th *See Steele ~o Banke. April 2~, Part ItI. p. Ai~ Page 217 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMI~ATGN. of April, the day after the battle of Ple~tnt Hill. General Smiths instructions, which lie showed me, i cqnn t d him to confer constantly with Admiral Porter, the approved fileud of the Army of the Ten- iiessee. His or(iers were dated headqniiters Red River expedition, steamer Clara Bell. He never declined co operation with me, nor did be receive orders from me. He ]nade no oth( ial reports of his forces or their operations. He was in nowise responsible for the results of tbe expe(litiOn, and may perhaps be sai(l to have gaine(i as much by its failure as he would from its success. When his thirty days were up he claimed the right at Grand lEcore to return to Vicksbnro~, irre- sl)ective of the condition of the army or the fleet, and (lid not con- sider himself at all responsible for the inevitable consequences of his withdrawal to the army or the navy, nor for that detention which their preservation demanded. That responsibility I was called impomi to assume in written orders. I entertain no (loiibt that his official course ~x as entirely consistent with his orders, an(l I cheerfully ackno~x ledoc the generous and earnest efforts of General Mower, of the Smxt( euth muclGeneral T. Kilby Smith, of the Seventeenth Corps, to intu~e iiito the different corps that unity of spirit which is~as essentud to ~ mtorv as the valor of the soldiers in actual battle. I gladl~ iccoi d to the men of their coirnuands the l1onor of haviiig fought i desperate eneuiy, superior in numbers, with as much gal- lautiy nid success as that which distinguished the troops of niy immediate command. No higher praise than this can be given to any so1(hiers. Alexanders troops iiever fought better. The results of the position of the cavalry train, and the loose order of imiarchi by the leading cohimn of troops nmi(ler Major-General Prankhimi, omi the 8th of April, before the battle of Sabine Cross-Roads, have been stated. A commanding officer is, of course, responsible for all that occurs to hils command, whatever may have been the cause. I do miot shrink fromii that responsibility. But while it was both proper amid miecessary for me to give personal attentiomi to the prompt advance of all the troops and fleet from Grand Ecore omi the morning of the ~th, it was supposed that the niovement of a single column of 1~3,OOO men, muovimig in advance on one road for a distamice of less thmami 50 miles imi such mamimier as to be able to encoumiter the enemy if lie offered resistance, might safely be intrusted to aii officer of the reputation and experience of Major-General Franklin, whose ramik, except in one instance, was superior to that of any officer of the expedition or fo the Departmeiit of the Gulf. I make mio complaint of tIme miavy, but in view of its prolific (lis- l)atchies, homing since published on this camnai gn, I may properly repeat a few facts already stated. The success~ of the expeditiomi (lepemided solely upon celerity of movement. The iiavy delayed tIme advance of tfie aruny at Alexandria sixteen days, an(i at Grand lEcore three (lays. It. occunied four days iii miiovimng from Grand lEcore to Spring- field Landimig, a distamnce of 104 miles, upomi what tIme dispatches call a rmsimng river with good water, where it arrived, two days after time first battle and one day after the decisive battle of the campaign at Pheasamit Hill. It detained tine army temi days at Gramid Ecore amid cighteemi days at Alexandria on its return. These are minot opin- iomns; they are events. To the army they were pregnant and l)loody evemmts. Tine difficulFies of unavigation, the iniperfect concemntratiomi of forces, the incautious marchm of time 8th of Aprih, ait(l time limited time aihotted to tIne expeditioin were time causes of its failure. owe notinimig to time enenny, not eveim our defeat. Could aum Page 218 218 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. one of these difficulties have been avoided the object of the campaign would have been accomplished. But the occupation of Shreveport ceuld not have been maintained. The presence of the enemy would have required such a force for its defense as could not have been supplied by the river, and for which no other arrangement had been made, as suggested in my dispatch of the 30th of March. The only possible method of maintaining this position would~ have been to concentrate at this point a force superior in numbers to the enemy, with sufficient time to pursue him wherever he should move, even if it took us to Galveston, on the Gulf coast. This was suggested as a possible result of the campaign, but it was not embraced within the original plan, and was specially precluded by orders received from the lieutenant-general commanding the armies. I remain, sir, your obedient servant, N. P. BANKS, Jliliajo r- Gc~w vol ~ol unteers. To THE SECRETARY OF WAR. [Inclosure No. 1.] From Major- General Banks to Lieutenant-Commander Seifridge. GRAND EcORE, LA., April P7, 1864. * * * * * * * I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communica- tion of this date. On the 15th, I had an interview with Admiral Porter, in which our position was fully discussed, but did not know that he was to leave this post. In reference to the operations of the army, I can only say at present that we are here under instructions from the Government to move upon Shreveport in co-operation with the forces of General Steele. General Steele failed to co-operate with us, as far as we can learn, and thus far renders us no assistance. I have sent to him by the way of Little Rock and requested him to join us upon the line of the river, where we can move forward in column against the enemy. With the co-operation of his forces our occupation of Shreveport is certain and immediate. It is impossible to say at this time whether we shall receive that co-operation or not. Until it is ascertained dethiitely that this part of the plan of the Government at W sMug- ton will fail us, and that my force is ~sufficieiit to advance farther upon this line against the enemy, who appears to be in full force, I shall entertain no thought of a retrograde movement, certainly not if it leaves the navy in any daiiger. No such purpose is coiitem- plated now. I have sent for all the troops that can be gathered from my own department to move to this point immediately. I have also requested, as I have said, the co-operation of General Steele. * * * In my interview with the admiral lie expressed the utmost con- fidence in the rise of the river, and did not speak upon the sub- ject of the withdrawing either of his vessels o~ the troops. His last suggestion to me was that it would be imprudent for inc to advance uiitil the river should rise. * * * * * * * * A map illustrating the campaign under General Banks, prepared to accompany his report. will appear in the Atlas. Maps of the combats at Fort De Russy, Hen- dersons Hill. Wilsons Farm, Sahine Cross-Roads, Pleasant Grove, Pleasant Hill, Monetts Bluff, and Mansura follow on pp. 224235 Page 219 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 219 [Inclosure No. 2.] Extract of a letter from Col. IY. S. Abert, dated Fort Bunker Hill, D. C., January 24, 1865, to General Banks. P * P * P * * In reply to your Cou1muniCat~on of to-day, asking for my reColleC- tions as to the condition of the navy when our forces retired from Grand lEcore, I hare the honor to state that on the afternoon of April 21 you directed me to report to Admiral Porter (then superin- tending the raising of the Eastport), inform him that the army was ready to move, and if he was prepared would start the same night. I left on the steamer Gillum, and on nearing the point where the Eastport was sunk found she had gone. The Cricket, with Admiral Porter on board, was tied up to the right bank of the river, and she, together with an army transport, were the only steamers in sight. I went on board the Cricket and delivered my message to the admiral. He told me they had been successful in raisino~ the Eastport, and that he had started her down the river. He hoped to get her through safely, but at the same time expressed some doubts about it. I told him that the army would move that evening if he was re (ly. He directed me to inform the general commanding that he had made preparations to protect the transports, and that he was prepared to move. I then returned to Grand Ecore and delivered my message to the general commanding. * * * * * * * W. S. ABERT, Colonel, Commanding. ADDENDA. U. S. Mmss. SQUADRON, FLAG-SHIP BLACK HAWK, Mound City, June 18, 1864. Extracts of Admiral Portefs report to the honorable Secretary of the Navy concerning the building of dam and release of vessels from above tIme falls by Lientemmant-Colonel Bailey: FLAG-SHIP BLACK HAWK, Miouth Red River, JJIlay 16, 1864. Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Nary. Sm: I have the honor to informu you that the vessels lately caught by low water above the falls at Alexandria have been released from the uDpleasant positiomm. The water had fallen so low that I had imo hope or expectation of getting the vessels ont this season, and as the armny had made arrangements to evacuate the country, I saw nothing before mue but the destruction of the best part of the Mississippi Squadron. There seems to have been an especial providence looking out for us in providing a man equal to the emergem~y. Lieutenant- Colonel Bailey, acting engineer of the Nimmeteeuth Army Corps, pro- posed a plan of building a series of dams across the rocks at the falls, and raising the water high enough to let the vessels pass over. This proposition looked hke madness, and the best engineers ridiculed it, but Colonel Bailey was so sanguine of success that I requested Gen- eral Banks to have it done, and he entered heartily in the work. Provisions were short, and forage was almuost out, and the dam wa Page 220 220 LOUISIANA MV) TIER TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [GEAr. flVL. promised to be finished in ten days, or the army would haveto leave us. I was doubtful about the time, but had no doubt about the ultimate success if time would only permit. General Banks placed at the disposal of Colonel Bailey all the force he required, consist- ing of some 3,000 m~n and 200 or 300 wagons. All the neighboring steam mills were torn don for material. Two or three regiments of Maine men were set to work felling frees, and on tlw second day after my arrival in Alexandria from Grand Ecore the work had fairly begun. Trees were faIling with groat rapidity; teams were moving in all directions bringing in brick and stone; quarries were opene& ; fiat-boats were built to bring stone don from above, and eve man seemed to be working with a vigor I have seldom seen equaJed while perha underta~cin ps not one in fifty believed inthe success of the These fals are about a mile in length, filled with rug~ed rocks, over which at the present stage of water it seemed to be impossible to make a channeL The work was commenced by ituining out from the left bank of the river a tree dam, made of the bodies of very lar trees brush, brick, and stone, cross-tied with other heavy tim~er, and strengthened in eve way which ingenuity could devise. This was run out about 300 fee into the river. Four large coal barges were then filled with brick and sunk at the end of it From the right bank of the river cribs ifiled with stone were built out to meet the barges, all of which was successfully accomplished; not- withstanding there was a current running of 9 miles an hour, which threatened to weep ever~hing before it It will take too much timeto enter into the details of this truly wonderful work. Suffice it to say that the dam had nearly reached completion in eight days working time, and the water had risen sufficiently on the upper fails toallowthe Fort Hindman, Osage, and Neosho to get don and be ready to pass the dam. In another day it would have been high enough to enable all the other vessels to pass the upper falls. Unfortunately, on the morning of the 9th instant the pressure of water became so great that it swept away two of the stone barges, which swung in below the dam on one side. * * * * * * * This accident to the dam, instead of disheartening Colonel Bailey, only induced him to renew his exertions after he had seen the suc- cess of getting four vessels thrQugh. The noble-hearted soldiers, seeingtheir labor of the last eight-daqs swept away in a moment cheerfully went to work to repair damages, being confident now that all the gun-boats would be finally brought over. These men had been working for eight days and nights, up to their necks in water, in the broiling sun, cutting trees and wheeling bricks, and nothing but good humor prevailed among them. * * * * V * * The force of the water and current beiiig too great to construct a continuous dam of 600 feet across the river i so short a time, Col- onel Bailey determined to leave a gap of 55 Toot in the dam, and build a series of wiAg-dams on the upper falls. This was accom plished in three dayt time. * * * * t * * Words are inadeq6.ate to express the admiration I feel for the abilities of Lieutenant-Colonel ie. This is without doubt the best engineering feat ~rformed. Under the best circumstances a private company would not have completed this work under on Page 221 CHAP. XLVI.] TILE 1~ED R1VE1~ CAMI~AJCN. year, and to an ordinary 111111(1 the whole thing woul(I have appeared aii utter in1~)oSSibj1ity. Leaving out his ability as an engineer, the credit he has conferre(i upon the country, he has saved to the Union a Valuable fleet, worth nearly $2,000,000 more ; lie has deprived the enemy of a triumph which would have emboldened them to carry on this war a year or two lonoer for the intended departure Qf the army 0 ~ was a hxe(l fact, and there was nothing left for me to do in case that event o~cnrred bnt destroy every part of the vessels, so that the rebels could make nothing of them. The highest honors the Govern- ~ment can bestow upon Colonel Bailey can never repay him for the serx ice he 1 as rendered the country. To G-enci al Banks personally ii am much indebted for the happy manmu i in ~ Mcli lie forwarded this enterprise, giving it his whole attention inoht aiid day, scarcely sleeping while the work was going on, tell(hllio personally to see that all the requirements of Colonel Bailey ~ ci c complied with on the instant. I do not believe there was ever a case w]iere such difficulties were overcome in such a short space o~ fimc aini without any preparation. I beo leave to niention the iiames of some of the persons engaged 011 tlu~ ~x oiL as I think that credit should be given to every man einplo~ d on it. I am uiiab] e to oive the names of all, but siiicerely trnst lb it G-e ieral Banks will do full justice to every officer engaged in the undei taking when lie makes his report. I only regret that time did not enable me to get die iiames of all concerned. The fol- lowing are the names of the most prominent persons: Lieutenant- Colonel Bailey, acting military engineer, Nineteenth Army Corps, in charge of the work; Lieutenant-Colonel Pearsahl, assistant; Col- onel Dwight, acting assistant inspector-general; Lieut. Col. W. B. Kinsey, One hiiiiidred and sixty-first Ne~ York Volunteers; Lien- tenant-Colonel Hubbard, Thirfieth Maine Volunteers; Major $en- tell, provost-marshal, and Lieutenant Williamson, ordnance officer. The following were a portion of the regiments employed: Twenty- ninth Maiiie, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel lEmerson ; One hundred and sixteenth New York, commanded by Col. George M. Love; One hundred aiid sixty-first New York, commanded by Cap- taimi Prentice; One hundred and thirty-third New York, commanded by Colonel Currie. The Engineer regiment and officers of the Thirteenth Army Corps were also employed. I feel thiat I have done but feeble justice to the work or the persons enoaged in it. Beiiio severely indispos~djI feel myself unable to go 0 0 into further ~hetail. I trust some future historian will treat this niatter as it deserves to be treated, because it is a subject in which thie whiohe country should feel an iiiterest, aiid the noble men who succeeded so adniirably in this arduous task should not lose one atom of credit so justly due them. The Mississippi Squadron will never forget die obligations it is under to Lieutenant-Colonel Bailey, acting military eiigiiieer of the Niiieteeiuth Army Corps. * * * * * If this expedition has not beeiu so successful as the country hoped for, it huas exhibited the indomitable sl)irit of Eastern and Western men to overcome obstacles deemed by most people insurmountable. It has presented a new feature in tb.e war, nQthing like which has ever been accomplished before. Very respectfully, yonr obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Rear-Admiral Page 222 222 LOUIsIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washing/on, May 31, 1864. Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, Commanding iViliss issippi Squadron, Ca tro, Iii. SIR: The Department acknow]edoes the receipt of. your interest- ing report of the 16th instant, giving- a detailed and graphic account of the rescue of the Mississippi Squadron from its perilous position above the falls at Alexandria, Red River, and of the aid which you received through the indomitable perseverence and engineering skill of Lieutenant-Colonel Bailey, acting military engineer of the Xine- teenth Army Corps. lit is with no ordinary feelings of pleasure that the Department learns of the safe passage of this valuable squadron, threatened as it was with inevitable capture or destine- tion, and congratulates you and your command that the fleet, Which has borne such a conspicuous part in many of the great events of the war, has been spared to the country for futni e usefulness and renown. You will tender the thanks of the Department to the officers and men of the army for the cheerful aid given you in this great emer- gency, without which the squadron would unavoidably have fallen into the hands of the rebels or been destroyed, While regretting the loss of the steamers Signal and Covington and lamenting for the brave men w]io fell in the engagement with the enemy, the Department takes great pleasure in expressing its admiration of the gallant manner in which those vessels were de- fended, and has reason to believe that the. officers and men did their whole duty nobly and faithfully. Very respectfully, GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, FLAG-SHIP BLACK HAWK. Mound City, June 13, 1864. Maj. Gen. E. R. S. CANBY, Commanding iliil. Div., of West ]JfLiSsissy)pi: GENERAL: I am directed by time hono~rable Secretary of the Navy to convey the thanks of tIme Department to the enterprising and gallant officers and men who so nobly aided the gun-boats to get dowim from above the falls at Alexandria when there was every prospect of their remaining there, owing to low water, and a probability of their being destroyed to prevent their falling into the hands of the rebels. I have already expressed to tIme Department iii my report (a copy of which I herewith inclose*) the high estimuate I placed upon the serv- ices of Lieutenant-Colonel Bailey and his associates, aimd I can add nothing that will convey a stronger expression of feeling for the aid we received through the indomitable perseverance ammd skill of Lieu- tenant-Colonel Bailey, to whom belongs the entire credit of the en- terprise, he hating conceived the idea of buildinb the dam. It is --See p. 219 Page 223 ~AIAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAJGX. 223 the intention of the oflicers connected with the late Red River fleet to present to Lientenant-Colonel Bailey a memento in commemora- tion of the safe passage of the vessels this will be sent to him at a proper time, and I hope he will receive it as a very small testimonial of the high appreciatli ii they have of the service he rendered them and the crews on that occasion. Congratnlating him on his promo- tion, so well deserved, and hoping that the brave officers and men associated with him will appreciate the kind feelings we shall ever entertain for them. I remain, very respectfnlly, yonr obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Rcco-Acimirctl. GENERAL ORDERS, HDQRS. MIL. Div. OF WEST Miss., No. 9. New Orleans, La., June 22, 1864. In communicating the desire of Rear-Admiral Porter to convey to the troops nnder the command of Major-General Banks the thanks of the Navy Department, for the assistance rendered the gun- boats of the Mississippi Squadron during the recent operations on Red River, the commanding general publishes, with great pleasure, the subjoined extract from a dispatch from the Secretary of the Navy to the commander of that squadron. To this lie is authorized to add, oii the part of the admiral and officers and men of his squad- ron, the expression of the kind feeling they will always entertain for the officers mcI men engaged in this work. Although applying specially to a part only of the troops iii the divisioii, the command- ing general considers it proper to niake the aminouncemnent general, believing that all the troops of this command will learn with pleas- ure that their comrades have rendered importaIlt aid to another branch of the service, will appreciate the kind feelings which have been expressed for them, and, like them, will always be ready to co- operate with zeal and energy in whatever tends to advance the interests of a cause in which we can have but one interest and one object. NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington. May 81, 1864. * * * * * It is with no ordinary feelings of pleasure that the Department learns of the safe passage of this valuable squadron, threatened, as it was, with inevitable capture or destruction, and congratulates you and your command that the fleet which has borne such a conspicuous part in niany of the great events of the war has been spared to the country for future usefulness and renown. You will tender the thanks of the Department to the officers and men of the army, for the cheerful aid given you in this great emergency, without which the squadron would unavoidably have fallen into the hands of the rebels or been destroyed. * * * * * * * By command of Maj. Gen. E. R. S. Canby: C. T. CHRISTENSEN, 711 ci~br and Assistant Adjutant- General Page 224 N 0 Cl z z H ~ ~ 0 Q~ CL CL = CL L~I o ~ U2 0 Page 225 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 15 R RVOL XXXIV, PT I 225 8% ~ .A. r r A. I E~ AT HENDERSONS HILL, Marob 21 1864. Second Louisiana Cavafry and Edgars Battery (309 men and officers and 4 guns) surprised and captured, on evening of March 21, 1864, by FederaL~orces under command of Brig. Gen. J. A. Mower, consistinq of 24 Brigade, 1st Division, 16th Gorps, IJolonel hubbard commanding; 3d Brigade, 1st Division, 16th Corps, 6nlonel Hill commanding; Cavalrg Brigade, 19th 6orps, IJolonet Lucas commanding, and 9th Indiana Batterg. Page 226 Q 0 -o z C) Q Page 227 THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. ATTACK oy ADVANCE GUARD OF COLUMN AT SABINE CROSS-ROADS, April 8, 1864, By three 4ZViS~OUg of the rebel army under 2llajor-General Taylor. POSITION No. 1, at 4 p. in. CHAP. XLVI.1 227 From SG~5iiee SCURRy~ Page 228 LOUISIANA AND TILE TRANS-MISSISSJPPJ. E~ [CHAP XLVI. ATTACK ON COLUMN AT SABINE CROSS-ROADS, April 8, 1864. Po~AtiOn No. 2, at 5 p. m. 228 C~ * k Page 229 CHAP. XLVI.] TILE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. NOTEFrom this poiot the eoemy attempted a flank movement on the right, by a night march, to occupy Pleasant 11111 iii tht etar. REPULSE OF THE ENEMY AT PLEASANP~. GROVE, April 8, 1864, BY First Division, 19th Corps, General Eniory commanding Position No. 3, at 6 p. an. 22 Page 230 LOUISIANA AND TIlE TRANS-MISSISSWPI. [CHAP. XLVI. 230 BATTLE 0-F PLEASANT HILL. Position No. 1, 5 p. rn.1 Apt ii 9,1864. Enernt, s atta(1 on ririlit and (enter noth five (heiSiOn Page 231 THE RED RIVER CAMPALGIN. BATTLE OF PLEASANT HILL. s~(o Position No. 2, 5.45 p~m., April 9,1864. Enemy having~Yrolseis the center ad- conceit rapidly over the plain to within pistol shot si the reserves; were met by ~ @1 ci severe infantry and artillery fire, fat- ~J& iow(d by a charyc of the entire force, driviny iheni froiii the field. Ca& ~. XLVI.] 23 Page 232 23~ j~T VT. BA rr~. BATTLE OF PLEASANT HILL. Position No 3, 7 p. in., April 9, 1864. Enemy di-iren fioni the field and puoSUe(i on the left for 2 miles. LOUISIANA AND TILE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI Page 233 Page 234 ~. C OTT. U2 0 ~ z S~~Ci2 C) [1 I III in Ill [p C.) 0 0 C,, 0 0 U) z U) CI) 7) C!) Ci Page 235 z. o C C)3 CCi C12 ~I2 w El Page 236 236 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CITAP. XLVI. No. 3. Report of Licid. Cot. John G. Chandler, U. S. Army, AcUng Chief Quartermaster. NEw ORLEANS, LA., December 26, 1864. SIR: Your letter, dated November 26, 1864, Quar~& ermaster-Gen- erals Office, Washington, D. C., reqniring from iiie a report upon the operations of the quartermasters department in connection with the Red River expedition, and the losses incurred therein, was received by me on the 18th instant. In compliance therewith I have the honor to submit the following: On tue 8th of January, 1864, the movable field force of the Nineteenth Army Corps, the First Division, commanded by Brigadier-General Emory, with a detachment of cavalry and artillery, took post at Franklin, La., for the winter; this after having returned from a feiiit march toward Texas. The command at this place was under Maj. Gen. W. B. Franklin, com- manding Nineteenth Army Corps, to which command I was chief quartermaster, with nO more than general instructions to prepare the command as far as pertained to my branch of the service for active operations when the spring should open. The material of the quartermasters department with this command was put in per- fect condition for any orders or exigencies that could obtain; wagons completely repaired, mules and horses nursed and fatted, harness and repair material liberally supplied and renewed, the troops thoroughly equipped with all necessary articles of clothing, camp and garrison equipage, and, indeed, every preI)aration made by me, under orders from General Franklin, that could be anticipated to place the department in good working order. Just before the command was ordered to march, two divisions of the Thirteenth Army Corps, hastily but quite thoroughly equipped, joined our command for the march. The transportation of the entire comniand at this time numbered 302 teams in the aggregate. On the 15th of March this command left Franklin, La., under orders for Shreveport, and with everything pertaining to the quar- termasters department in condition for long marches, and arrived at Alexandria, on Red River, on the 25th March. During the few months our command had been posted at Franklin, Brig. Gen. A. L. Lee had organized a division of cavalry, or mounted men equipped as cavalry, and mounted infantr~ at New Orleans. To this com- mand was attached two batteries of horse artillery. General Lee, with his command, had preceded us a day or two in our march from Franklin to Alexandria, and on my arrival at the latter place found he had been there several days. With the organization of tile quartermasters department of this command, and its outfit of quartermasters supplies, I had nothing to do, and was in conse- quence irresponsible in every way up to the time of its joining General Franklins command. I will remark, however, that its transportation appeared to be thoroughly~ and well prepared, wagons, harness, and mules having been drawn from the New Orleans depots, new and in good order. Its train consisted of about 250 6-mule teams. Major-General Banks arrived at Alexandria, via Mississippi an~ Red River, from New Or] cans by steamer the 24th March, the day previous to our arrival. The command remained at Alexandria until the 28th March. The interval of three days was occupied in refitting, repairing, resting, issuing fresh supplies of forage amid provisions, & c Page 237 CHAP. XLVI.] THE ICED TUVE~ CAMPAJ(~N. On arrival at Alexandria, besides the fleet of naval ann-boats un- der Rear-Adniiral Porter, was a fleet of some sixteen transports, with a force of about 8,000 men, infantry and artillery, under command of Brig. Gen. A. J. Smith. There were also there several transports with commissary and quartermasters supplies, from the New Orleans depots, from which our command replenished. General Smiths trool)s, transports, and supplies had come from i)oints above the mouth of Red River and had accompanied the gun-boat fleet up Red River. and was organized almost solely with the view of moving by water alone. Time command was scantily l)rovide(l with hand trans- portation or quartermuasters snl)plies, clothing, camp and garrison equipage. Its cj nartermasters department appeared without much system, General Smith attending personally to all the wants of his command; the division quartermasters had been left behind. Gen- eral Smith, although reporting to General Banks, seemed r)rel)ared to muove only omi his transports and with the admiral. Orders were issued to march to Shreveport from Alexandria. The gun-boat fleet and transport fleet, with General Smiths troops, time hospital aimd supply fleet from New Orleaums, amid time commamidimig general and staff left Alexandria for Shreveport, April 3, about seven days after the command of General Franklin marched for the same destinatiomi by land. On our march the cavalry and its trains moved a day in advance of the infantry amid its traimis. Our commamid reached Natclmitochmes, 3 miles, off froum Red River, inland from Grand lEcore, April 2. I had supervision of the infamitry trains and snpplies omily until we arrived at Natchitoches, when the entire hand force, cavalry and infantry, moved under the immediate direction of Gen- eral Franklin. During our stay at Natchitoches General Banks arrived at Grand Ecore. The coummand under General Franklin, with which I moved, left Natchitoches April 6. It consisted of Lees cavalry division, the Third and Fourth Divisions, Thirteenth Army Corps, with one bri- gade of colored troops; its destination Shreveport. The land trans- portation of thus coummand, and moving with it, under my personal control, consisted of about 900 teams, inclusive of the cavalry train, which, however, moved out with it, and generally one days march in advance of the infantry column. On the first days march from Natchitoches everything went on well, with slight skirmishing to our advantage in front. On the second days march, that of th~ 7th April, the order of march was as the day previous, time cavalry and its train in advance, followed by time infantry with its train. The resistance to our prog- ress offered this day by the enemy was greater than that of the day previous, and at night this resistance, with the information received from time front, led to the general belief that we might expect strong opposition to our advance on the morrow. General Banks and staff joined the command about 11 oclock this night from Grand Ecore. On the night of the 7th and morning of time 8th April the cavalry amid its train pushed on in advance, followed, as usual, by the infantry and train, until about 12 m. of the 8th, when the advance met the enemy in strong position at Sabine Cross-Roads. A division of in- fantry was thou hurried forward to re-enforce and hold our position, but both cavalry amid imifamutry met time emmemy with disadvantage and repulse. While these evemits were takimig place most of the cavalry train was halted in the road, in line of march, and well to the front Page 238 [CHAP. XLVI. 238 LOUISIANA XND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. Re-enforcements were urgently demanded from the frortt. These demands were not such as called for response until about 3 p. in., or perhaps a little later. General Franklin had by this tinie made his usual clays march, and ordered his command of infantry into camp, for rest, supper, an(i, perilai)5, for the night, should more favorable reports reach him. Immediately after camping orders had beemi 0-iven re 3orts were received that induced him to order the other division of the Thirteenth Corps to the front, and the First Division of the Nimmeteemitim Corps to march imniediately after takiimg supper. General Banks aiid stati had already proceeded rapidly to time fromit. Soon after the latter-mentioned division of the Thirteenth Arniy Corps had started, General Franklin aimd staff proceeded on to the front. Before our arrival time trOOl)5 already at the front had been eiigaged, were repulsed, and in part had stalmipe(led. As I have be- fore stated, General Lee had his traiim immediately in his rear, aimd in the road. Kiiowing that re-enforcements of infantry and artillery were coining imp, and time road narmow aml skirted with heavy timber and underbrush, would be required for the passage of the cavalry trains, as I had advamiced I directed the teams to leave time road, by hauling to one side. To my surprise, Oii reaching time advammee of this train, I found its qumartermasters turning the teams about iii time road, faced to the rear, amid this by direction of their sul)erior officers, brigade or divisioum comnuamiders. Time certain comifusion boummid to result from thus movemeimt struck nine so forcibly that I immediately comitroverted time orders, on my owmm responsibility, amid directed these quartermasters to mumove timeir teamums omit of time road, amid timose already tuirimed to time rear to remnaiui out of tb e roach, Cii time groumud timey found themselves. Iii time mean timmie time batteries ammd troops weme passimug to time fromit, an(l with but little difficulty. To account for time loss of part of this traiim by capture I imave described its positiomi, as well as my memory serves me. To accoumit for time unusual positioum of time traimi I will further add that General Frammkhin and General Lee botim wamuted the cavalry traimm to nmove in rear of the infantry force, buit both generals disagreed as to time precedence of position whuemi the traimus shuoumid be joimmed. General Lee desired that imis tmain simould precede General Frammklimms infantry train, and time latter- nanued general insisted that the infantry trains should move in rear of the infantry force. Because of this disagreemnemmt no change was made on this day of time emmgagememmt. The most serioums loss of men and material occurred on this day. ~Just before the close of this day, about 3 p. um., the advantage was within the enemy. At 6 oclock time First Division of the Nineteenth Army Corps came into position, and after a spirited fight of half aim imour time enemy was severely checked and retired. Night then came aimd with it orders for the en- tire commimand to nmove to the rear. I at once comimienced the move- ment of all the trains to the rear, mu good order and in advance of the troops. The trains reached Pleasamut Hill about 9 a. in., April 9. The troops on arrival at this place, a little later, were placed imm position to receive the enemy, who were foll~ving closely. At about 10 oclock the comnimmand of General A. J. Smith reached the positmomi from Grand Ecore, from whicim point it imad been ordered up to re- enforce the advance. Orders were issued about the same time to resume the march to the rear to Grand Ecore. After an issne of provisions time trains were put in motiomi. At 3 p. m. the last team had left the ground. Anticipating time attack to commence every moment, the entire force, exceptimig time cavalry, was put in position Page 239 CRAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 239 and at ~ oclock the enemy arrived and a brisk tight continued until S oclock. The enemy, having met with a severe repulse in this en- gagement, retired after night some 6 miles to his rear. Our command left the position about midnight for the rear. My trains reached Grand Ecore in a very fatigued condition about 10 a. m. of the 10th April. The advance of the command arrived soon after, and by noon of the 11th the entire command was encaniped at Grand Ecore. Our transports were also there, from which we replenished our sup- i)lies of provisions and forage. Under the orders of Major-General Banks the command was here 1)laced in a defensive position and remained until April 20, upon which (lay we moved back toward Alexandria. Pevious to marching t lie trains were loaded with suffi- cient provisions amid forage, rel)airs were made, aii(l on the rnornin g the march commenced the conditiou of all matters pertaining to the (lepartulent I supervised was as perfect as it had been omi our advance. The conimamid reached Alexandria, after comitinued fighting froiit amid rear, on the 25th of April. The teams moved imight and day, were never unhitched, but having been well fed, arrived in a fair but fatigued condition. Alexandria was garrisoned by the Secomid Division, Nineteenth Army Corps, and after our arrival this was ath ched to our force, as a part of it aiid to move with it. The town and viciimity, with the entire comiimamid, was then placed in a defemisive positiomi, teumporary earth-works constructed, amid we were delayed there until the 12th of May, awaiting the constructiomi of the dam to pass time gnu-boats over time falls of Red River. 0mm our arrival we found that all time light-draught gumi-boats and time emmtire transport fleet had passed over time falls, amid were lying at Alexandria. The damn having beemi completed, the remaining vessels I)assed over tIme falls on time 11th May iii safety, and orders were very soon received to abandon time positiomi; to leave omi time 12th of May amid resume time march to tIme rear. I shmontd have stated that, a few days after we arrived at Alexamidria, our command was re-emiforced by time arrival of time First Divisiomi of time Timirteenthm Army Corps. Previous to marchimig from Alexamidria all surplus stores, tools, amid lamid tramisportation were embarked omi the tramisports, time teammus reduced iii umniuber amid loaded as light as possible, as conthmued aimumoyamice was expected froni the enemy on our march. Time commi- niand. moving by laud, left Alexandria on the mornimig of the 12th May; time gnu-boat amid transport fleets n~ov~d simultaneously. The re-euforcements to the commammd while at Alexandria, of men amid land tramisportation, added greatly to our mmummibers. Time laud transportation, on leaving Alexandria of the entire force, aniounted to 976 teams, 105 aumbulances, and, includiug cavalry, some 12,000 animals. Time march was made successfully to the mouth of Re(1 River, when Geumeral A. J. Smiths command embarked on his trans- ports for Vicksburg, and the remainder of the forces contiumued the march to the Mississippi River, and reached Morgauza tIme 21st May. Thus emided time campaign known or styled time Red R~ver expedition. The history of time operatiomms of the quarterumasters department is but a history of time movements of the troops, and I have deemed it emmough to set forth time marches and points of supply to give the proper idea of the geuieral management of the department. During time entire campaign time public property of the (lepartment was miourishmed amid no abandoumunemit or useless destruction, so usual oum retreats, occurred under my notice, and no serious losses othier tha Page 240 240 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS1~fISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. the accidents o1 warch, save the caI)tlne at SabiHe Cross-I{oa(Is, are recorded 8gai nsf the expedition. In regard to the river transportation and the management of the transport fleet. being oft I roni the river, I eon]d have no supervision of it. On our advance a depot was estal)hishe(i at Alexandria, with the convict~ou that onr march to Shreveport Wo1Al(l be made success- fnlly, and 110 danger was anticipated of want of suthit4ent depth of water in the river for our boats. Both of these premises failed. At this depot the assistant quartermaster in charge controlled the transports. On the departure from Alexandria and Red River all the public propeity was safely removed with the exception of the hospital steamer Woodford, which had Ii opelessly gronnde(i above the falls. Efforts had been made by the assistant qnartermaster in charge to raise hier, force-pumps and diviiig ap~)aratns sent up from New Or- leans, but all efforts failed, and on our departnre General Banks ordered the steamer and everything on board destroyed, to prevent her being useful in any way to tile enemy. Whmile on this point I will further add that during our stay at Alexandria the rebels below captnred the quartermasters department steamer Johin Warner and the chartered steamer Emma. In connection with the narrative, it will be seen that my position was peculiar on this expedition. Aithoughi the senior officer of the department present, I was not officially annonnced as chief until May 3. The command of General Franklin, to which I had been closely attached during the winter, and which had received my undivided attention, was brought, as far as its quartermaster affairs went, to a state of complete efficiency. The organization of thie department with General Lees cavalry division was made by him at New Or- leans. His outfit was new and in good condition, and his command very fulhy equipped with all quartermasters supplies. His assistant quartermasters were generalhy young, and withiout that experience so necessary for handling trains in the field, especialhy those attached to light cavalry commands. General A. J. Smiths comumand had a very poor organization of its quartermasters department. The general was his own quarter- master, and attended to all details himself. His division quarter- masters hiad been left behind. When these distinct commands first joined a little clashing occurre(l, but ~fter the troops had marched and fought together matters went on more smoothihy. In the per.- forniance of my duties as chief quartermnaster of this command, or- ganized as I have just stated, it was an impossibility to phease or satisfy the demands of suchi a variety of individuahs as I had to tramisact business within. I was obliged, in fact, to await time arrival of accidents and exigencies and then try to overcome thenin, rather than to foresee and prepare umyseif to meet them, as would nuder ordinary circumstances have been my duty. .~ Fortunately, the as- sistant quartermasters, gemierally, within the command were experi- enced, brave, and energetic, and to their joint efforts alone is to be attributed the prompt movement amid good condition of the traimis under their charge. Coumplaints were never made of delay in start- iming, of confusion on the road, of camping improperly, or of any of the tedious nmovements of the traimis by any superior officers con- cerned. The only serious losses, as I have before state(h, snstaine(l by th Page 241 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 241 quartermasters department during the campaign, with the exception of the usual wear and tear and occasional death of animals conse- quent upon arduous marches, were those by capture at Sabine Cross- Roads. These losses were sustained principally by the cavalry division. In this division the assistant quartermasters responsible for property lost their books and papers, and were unable to give accurate lists of losses. I have succeeded, however, in arriving at a close approximation of the most important articles lost, with the ex- ception of the cavalry horses. The following gives very nearly the losses of land transportation: One hundred and seventy-five army wagons, complete; 328 sets wheel harness, 584 sets lead harness, 920 mules, 81 horses, 11 ambulances and sets wheel harness. These teams when captured were variously loaded with commissary, quar- termasters, and medical supplies, with officers and soldiers bag~ gage, and none of the contents were ever recovered. All of which is respectfully submitted. J. G. CHANDLER, Lieutenant- Colonel and Quartermaster, Actg. Chief 9. ilL in the field, Red River Expedition. Maj. Gen. M. C. MEIGS, Quartermaster-General U. S. Army. No. 4. Report of Capt. Frank W. Ahiarston, U. S. Signal Corps, Chief Signal Officer. HDQRs. SIGNAL CoRPs, DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, Ale andria, La., Allay 9, 1864. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to forward, for the information of the Chief Signal Officer U. S. Army, a copy of reports of signal duty performed by officers of this department during the present cam- paign, with a correct transcript of messages sent and received. The services of the officers have been called in requisition whenever the nature of the country and the position of the troops have rendered them practicable. In action and on the march, when not employed in their legitimate duties, they have been zealous in performing such services as the emergency of the occasion demanded. Each and all of them have displayed a degree of personal courage, coolness, and sound judgment that prove them thoroughly reliable under the most trying circumstances. They have all done well, but I would particularly mention the names of Capt. William A. Pigman, acting signal officer, and Lieut. A. B. Jerome, Signal Corps, U. S. Army. The former was severely wounded late in the action of the 8th ultimo, while encouraging the troops at a critical mo~nent. He has received favorable mention in the report of the major-general com- manding the Nineteenth Army Corps. I would respectfully recom- mend this officer for promotion, he having displayed on all occasions great personal bravery, sound judgment, and cheerful obedience to all or ders. Lieutenant Jerome was on duty with Admiral Porter during the operations of the navy above Grand Ecore. While the gun-boats were engaging the enemys guns and cavalry, he directed their fire from an exposed post within short range of the enemys 16 R RVOL XXXIV, PT Page 242 24~ LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. musketry, receiving a slight wound. The enlisted nien of this com- mand have behaved well in every instance, and have my entire confi- dence in their steadiness under fire. Since the retreat of the army to this place a line of signal stations has been established, connecting the headquarters of the department with the outposts and with the gun-boats in the rivev gnarding our flanks. A number of official messages have been transmitted over this line, a copy of which accompanies this report. I neglected to mention that after our forces fell back to Grand Ecore I was called to New Orleans on duty. During my absence the command of the detachment devolved upon Lieutenant Jerome, who conducted the duties of the corps with great credit. There have been 5 officers detailed for temporary service in the corps, and have received orders to report to Captain Eaton, Signal Corps, U. S. Army, for examination. Our communications with New Orleans have been interrupted for some days, and I have received no notice of the re- sult of their examination. During this campaign I have had constant cause for regret that the instrument formerly known as the signal telegraph wa~ no longer in our hands or in operation in the field. Many opportunities arose where its services would have been invaluable. I have laid these facts before the major-general commanding the department, with the request that if the American Telegraph Company did not intend to use the instruments they might be turned over temporarily to the signal corps. The health of this command is good. Captain Eaton and Lieu- tenant Herbert are at present not fit for duty in the field. Captain Butterfield, lately promoted in his regiment, has notified me of his intention to leave the service on the 1st of June. I am in hopes that the officers lately detailed will prove efficient and repair the losses this detachment has recently sustained. I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, FRANK W. MARSTON Captain and Chief Signal Officer, Dept. of the Gnlf. Capt. II. S. TAFFT, Signal Corps, U. S. Army, Washington, D. C. [Inclosure No.1.] HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS, Grand Ecore, La., April 12, 1864. Brigadier-General EMORY, Commanding First Division, Nineteenth Army Corps: GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the signal party serving with your command: On the march from Alexandria, La., the party was ready at all times to render such services as might be required. i~rom the nature of the country no communication could be had by means of signals, yet the officers of the party frequently rendered assistance by carrying orders and by performing other staff duties. At the battl~ of Mansfield, on the 8th instant, also at the battle of Pleasant Hill, on the 9th instant, signaling was impracticable, on account of the demise growth of timber on the battle-ground. Although unable to afford any assistance by this means, the officers of the party eagerly availed themselves of the opportunity to rende Page 243 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 243 aid by carrying orders and by rallying the troops when the lines began to waver or were broken by the overwhelming force of the enemy. During the whole time the command was engaged the party was exposed to the fire of the enemy, but evinced no desire to avoid danger when an opportunity offered to encourage the troops to stand by their colors and resist the advancing foe. During the battle of the 8th instant the men of tkis party showed, by remain- ing exposed to the enemys fire, that they did not lack coijrage to l)erform their duty, even when it required their presence in the niidst of danger. No casualties occurred in the party, and it is at present in an excellent condition, and eager for active service. I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEORGE W. BAILEY, First Lieutenant and Acting Signal Officer, C~wndg. Party. [Inclosure No. 2.] HEADQUARTERS DETACHMENT OF SIGNAL CORPS, Alexandria, La., April 26, 1864. Lieut. A. B. JEROME: SIR: In obedience to Special Orders, No. 1~, headquarters Signal Corps, New Orleans, April 11, 1864, I proceeded with my fiagmen [and] signal equipments to Grand Ecore, La., and reported on the 16th to the chief signal officer, Department of the Gulf. April 20, I received Field Orders, No. 3, and reported on the 21st to General A. J. Smith, commanding Sixteenth and Seventeenth Corps, at Natchitoclies, La. General Smiths command move(l on the 22d, covering the retreat of the army from Grand Ecore. It was harassed by the enemy until it reached Alexandria, on the 2~th, and fought them at Cloutierville and Cane River Crossing. By aid of signal glasses I was enabled, on several occasions, to (liscover iinportaiit movements of the enemy, and reported the same, and acted as aide upon the field, bearing (lispatches to different com- mands. I was relieved from signal duty with the Sixteenth and Seven- teenth Corps on 24th April, and reported to the signal officer at the headquarters of Major-General Banks. ~4iyfiagnien were Sergeant Bailey and Privates Dix and Shoemaker. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. L. HALLETT, First Lieutenant, Signal Corps, U. S. Army. [Inclosure No. 3.1 HDQRS. SIGNAL DETACHMENT, 19TH ARMY CORPS, Alexandria, La., April 26, 1864. Capt. FRANK W. MARSTON, Chief Signal Officer, Department qf the Gulf: CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of my party during the engagement at Cane River Ferry on the 22d [23d] day of April, 1864: I crossed Cane River and opened communication between General Banks headquarters and the point at which General Birges column crossed the river to attack the enemy Page 244 244 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSLPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. flank. This line became unnecessary as soon as the column had passed into the timber some distance, at which time I reported to headquarters for further orders. Lieutenaut Jerome directed me to take a position as near as possible to the enemys line and open com- munication with General Birges left flank. I advanced under cover of the timber to a position, where I opened the desired communica- tion, and then made every effort to ascertain GenerM Birges posi- tion, which I did in a short time and transmitted it 1)y signals. While s~ doing our forces charged. the enemy and drove them from their position. I then pushed forward to the hill from which they had been driven, as it was a fine point from which to communicate with the commanding general. I there found Lieutenants Harris and Higbie, who had established a line and were doing good service. The enemy at this time commenced retreating and onr forces pushed forward to the ferry, after which a line of signal communication was deemed unnecessary. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, FRANK A. IRViN, First Lieutenant and Acting Signal Officer. [Inclosure No. 4.] HEADQUARTERS THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Alexandria, La., April 30, 1864. Capt. FRANK W. MARSTON, Chief Signal Officer, Department of the Gulf: CAPTAIN: I have the honor herewith to report that, in accordance with Special Orders, No. 76, issued from headquarters Nineteenth Army Corps, at Alexandria, La., March 26, 1864, I reported with my detachment to Brigadier-General Ransom, commanding detachment Thirteenth Army Corps. March 28, General Ransoms command heft camp near Alexandria, marching toward Shreveport, passing through and camping near Natchitoches, La., some four days. On the 8th instant, at the battle of Mansfield, Lieutenant Higbie and myself performed general staff duty, the nature of the country being such as to render signaling of but little advantage. Lieuten- ant Higbie rendered very efficient service by going in advance of our line of skirmish, learning the movements and position of the enemy and reporting the same to i~hev general. During the engage- ment his horse was shot from under him. After the battle of Mans- field, General Ransom having been severely wounded, General R. A. Cameron took command of the detachment Thirteenth Army Corps, the army marching back toward Alexandria. On the 9th in- stant, at the battle of Pleasant Hill, we performed general staff duties. On the morning of the 23d instant we left camp at a point some 3 miles southeast of Cloutierville, La., and when within 2 miles of Cane River Crossing our adyance guard disco\rered a battery of the enemy, situated upon a hill on the opposite side of the river. Artil- lery was immediately brought forward, when both sides opened, continuing nea~yly an hour with but little damage to either side. The enemy having the advantage in position, the commanding general directed General Birge, commanding detachment Nineteenth Army Corps, and General Cameron, commanding detachment Thirteenth Army Corps, to cross the river at a point some 3 or 4 miles above th Page 245 CHAP. XLVI.] TIlE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 245 enemys position and charge him on his left flank, which was imme- diately done, General Birge being in advance, snpported by General Cameron. When near the enemy the lines were formed and Gen- eral Birge charged npon and drove him from a most formidable position, with heavy loss on both sides, captnring some 12 or 15 pris- oners. Being with the advance, I immediately opened communication by signals with Lient. A. B. Jerome, at Major-General Banks head- qnarters, abont 3 miles distant, on the opposite side of the river, transmitting a message from General Birge to the commanding gen- eral, announcing the resnlt of the charge, and in return received a complimentary message from the general commanding to General Birge, ordering the pnrsuit of the enemy; after which, assisted by Lientenant Higbie, transmitted and received several important offi- cial messages. In the mean time the enemy made a stand on a hill in front of our station, it being abont one-fourth mile distant, and when staff officers were running their horses to the rear for a position more secure, my flagman, Private Warren W. Palmer, stood at his post like a true and tried soldier, for which he deserves great credit. On the night of the 25th instant we camped within 3 miles of Alexandria. On the 26th, opened a line of signals from General Camerons headquarters to General Banks headquarters; distance 3 miles. 27th, nothing of importance transpired. 28th, transmitted and received several important official messages. 29th and 30th, nothing doing on the line, the troops having moved near the town. I have the honor to be, most respectfully, your obedient servant, W. A. HARRIS, Fir8t Lieut. and Actg. Sig. Officer, Comd~q. Detach. 13th A. C. [Jnclosdre No. 5.] HDQRS. SIGNAL CORPS, DEPT. OF THE GULF, May 1, 1864. Capt. FRANK W. MARSTON, Chief Signal Officer, Department of the Gulf: CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that on the 5th of April I was, by Field Orders, No. 2, Signal Corps headquarters, Depart- ment of the Gulf, ordered to the flag-ship Cricket to report to Admiral Porter, commanding Mississippi Squadron. The expedi- tiomi moved up the river until we reaved [reached] a sunken steamer, which obstructed the channel. In returning we were constantly under fire from guerrillas and occasionally from considerable forces of the enemy. In one of the engagements I was slightly wounded. My men acted with the marines and were furnished with arms, act- ing as sharpshooters, and performned good, service. No opportunity offered for signaling. On many occasions I directed the fire of artil- lery by aid of my glasses. I would respectfully c~ll your atten- tion to the gallant conduct of Privates Snydam and Hammond, who kept up a continued fire upon the enemy whenever occasion offered. I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. B. JEROME, First Lieutenant, Signal Corps, U. S. Army Page 246 24G LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. [Inclosure No. 6.] HDQRS. SIGNAL CORPs, DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, Capt. FRANK W. MARSTON, Alexandria, La., May 1, 1864. Chief Signal Qfficer, Department of the Gulf: CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that (luring your absence the command of the detachment devolved upon me. Nothing of interest transpired until the morning of the 22d of April, when the head- quarters of department moved with the army toward Alexandria, La. General A. J. Smith having the command of the rear guard, I ordered First Lieutenant Hallett to report to him for signal duty. Lieutenant Irvin remained with Major-General Franklin, and Lieu- tenants Harris and Higbie with Brigadier-General Cameron, in com- mand of Thirteenth Army Corps. Lieutenant Benner remained with me at headquarters of the department. Nothing of interest transpired, with the exception of continuous skirmishing in the rear. The nature of the country prevented any communication with Lieutenant Hallett until the advance reached Cane River. The enemy occupied a formidable position upon the hills commanding the crossing. General Camerons forces forded the river some 2 miles above, in order to flank the position. His engineers then com- menced bridging the river, in order to pass over artillery and am- munition. I established a station at once at the bridge, Lieutenant Irvin fording the river in order to ascertain General Birge~s position and keeping communication open with my station at the bridge. Lieutenant Benner was posted in the center, observing the enemy, and performed good service under a heavy fire of artillery. I then moved up with the generals headquarters, and shortly after saw a signal flag upon the hill, and answering it, received the following message: Maj. GEORGE B. DRAKE, Assistant Adjutant-General: General Birges men took the hill about fifteen minutes ago, and are now pressing on. No signs of the enemy now in the front. Our loss is heavy. Colonel Fessenden wounded. C. S. SARGENT, Aide-de-Camp. This was from Lieutenants Harris and Higbie and was the first information of the success of General Birge. Several messages of a complimentary character then passed, with others of importance, copies of which will be found attached to this report. . The move- ments of the column attacking was entirely conducted by this line of signals, and the officers performed their duties un(ier a heavy fire, unsupported, and with marked ability. The enemy did not further molest us, and the country was so densely wooded that signals could not be made until we reached Alexandria, La., on the 2bth ultiino. The enlisted men of the detachment performed their duties effi- ciently throughout the march. Arriving at Alexandria, I imme- diately established a line of stations betw~u the headquarters of the Thirteenth Army Corps and artillery and cavalry headquarters of the department. This line is still in operation, and many impor- tant messages are continually being transmitted. I have the honor to inclose the reports of Lieutenants Harris, Irvin, and Hallett. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. B. JEROME, First Lient., Signal Oorps, U. S. A., Comndg. Detachment. See pp. 243245 Page 247 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 247 [Inclosure No. 7.] SIGNAL DETACIB1I~NT, NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS, Alexandria, La., Kay 3, 1864. Capt. FRANK W. MARSTON, Chief Signal Officer, Department of the Gulf: CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following copy of mes- sages received by me while on the station on the Ice Honse : APRIL 28. Captain MARSTON: Heavy skirmishing in front. The cavalry report the enemy in force. This com- mand is under arms. HARRIS. APRIL 28. General CAMERON: Maintain your position and I xviii send re-enforcements to the other generals. N. P. BANKS, Major-General, Commanding. APRIL 28. General ARNOLD: Keep me informed of the enemys movements. N. P. BANKS, Major-General, Commanding. APRIL 28. General BANKS: My last reports are that Colonel Dav~ is 5 miles from town and falling back slowly. General McClernand has pushed his infantry fc~~vard to his support. ARNOLD, Brigadier-General. APRIL 28. COMMANDING OFFICER TXVENTY-SECOND KENTUCKY INFANTRY: You will report immediately with your regiment to your brigade commander. J. A. McCLERNAND, Major-General. APRIL 28. COMMANDING OFFICER TWENTY-FOURTh INDIANA INFANTRY: You will report with your regiment immediately to General McClernand, in the front. J. A. McCLERNAND, Major-General. MAY 2. General BANKS: The troops have bivouacked just in front of my line on the 28th. No one hurt. I dont think the enemy are in force equal to ours. LAWLER, Brigadier-General. MAY 2. General MCCLERNAND: The troops have bivouacked just in front of my line on tbe 28th. No one hurt. I dont think the enemy are in force equal to ours. LAWLER, Brigadier-General. I am, very respectfully, your obediei~t servant, FRANK A. IRVIN, b7rst Lieutenant an(l Acting Signal Officer Page 248 248 LOUISINNA AM~ TIlE ThAINS-MISSISSTPPT. [OtIAP. XLVL No. 5. Report of Gol. George D. Robinson, Ninety-seventh U. S. Colored Troops, commanding Engineer Brigade. NEW ORLEANS, LA., Jnne 13, 1864. MAJOR: In compliance with your request, I have the honor to make the following report of the engineer operations of my com- mand during the late Red River campaign: On the morning of March 10, 1864, I started from Berwick Bay to join General Frank- lins command, then stationed at Franklin, La. My command then consisted of the Third and Fifth Engineers, Corps dAfrique, with seventeen wagons loaded with engineer tools. I reported for duty to Major-General Franklin on the 11th of March, and was ordered by him to go into camp and await further orders. On the 15th of March I received orders to be ready to march with the Nineteenth Army Corps on the following morning. Before starting upon the march the regiments (Third and Fifth Engineers) were reviewed by you. We found nothing to do in the way of building bridges or repairing roads until the army arrived at Vermillion Bayou on or about the 18th of March. Here we found that the bridge across the bayou, built by the Third Engineers in October, 1863, had been destroyed by the enemy, and it was necessary to construct another before our troops could cross. Notwithstanding my command had marched 18 miles that day, I set a portion of them at work as soon as we arrived at the bayou (about 5 p. in.), and at 9 p. m. I had a bridge constructed of sufficient str~ngth to pass the whole army, with all the trains, and without causing any delay whatever. The position assigned to me in the order of march was near the center of the column, and so I found it necessary to make a detail of 1 offi- cer and 30 privates, with two wagons of assorted tools, to accompany the advance brigade and repair the roads and bridges, in order that there might be no delay in passing the trains. By this plan the trains were always kept well closed up. Upon our arrival at Washing- ton, La., March 20, I obtained two extra wagons from Lieutenant- Colonel Chandler, chief quartermaster Nineteenth Army Corps. These wagons I sent forward with assorted tools and with 20 pri~ yates (car p enters), under command of First Lieutenant Bushnell, of the Third Engineers, and Second Lieutenant Bon, of the Fifth Engineers, with orders to accomp~ui~ General Lees cavalry and repair all the bridges between Washington and Alexandria. This work was performed by them in a manner highly satisfactory. From Washington to Alexandria my command performed a great amount of hard labor corduroying the roads, which had become ter- ribly muddy and almost impassable, owing to recent heavy rains. I arrived at Alexandria on the 25th of March, and on the following morning I took the Third Engineers and proceeded to Bayou on the Red River road, 7 miles above Alexai~dria, and rebuilt the bridge across that stream, which had been destroyed by the enemy two or three days before. The pontoon bridge, in charge of Capt. John J. Smith, arrived at Alexandria .on the 27th, having been about two days march behind the army, owing to difficulty in procuring the necessary transportation at Berwick Bay and to the fact that many of his mules died on the road from distemper. At this place I detailed First Lieutenant Bushnell, of the Third Engineers, and Second Lieutenan Page 249 CHAP. XLVI.1 THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 249 Bon, of the Fifth Engineers, to report to Captain Smith to assist him in the management of the bridge, and in this capacity they both rendered signal and important service throughout the whole campaign. On the morning of March 29, I left Alexandria at 6 a. in., with the two regiments and the pontoon train, with orders from Major-General Franklin (who left on the day before) to join him as soon as possible. I marched to Hendersons Hill, 18 miles, and encamped at 6 p. in., and shortly afterward received orders from General Franklin, who was then at Cane River, 15 miles dis- tant, to move forward with the pontoon train through the pine woods that night, and report to him as soon as possible on the next morn- 111g. Accordingly at 8 p. m. I took the pontoon train, with the Fifth Engineers, and started through the pine woods for Cane River. The task seemed almost a hopeless one, as the night was intensely dark and the road crooked, and rendered almost impassable on ac- count of the mud. In many places the road had to be corduroyed with brush and logs before the train could pass at all. It was also necessary to build fires all along the road at intervals of 50 or 60 yards in order to see the road. At 10 a. m. on the 80th March I reported to General Franklin, and he immediately ordered a detail from the Nineteenth Army Corps to help lay the bridge, as my own men were nearly worn out with the fatigue of marching. At 1 p. m. the bridge was ready to cross the trains. In laying the bridge we used nine bateaus, making a bridge 200 feet in length. This was the first time that this bridge had been laid, and it worked admira- bly. For strength and durability I regard it as the best pontoon bridge in use. The only objection to it is the difficulty in transpor- tation. On the 31st, General Franklin ordered me to send forward the Third Engineers with the advance of the Nineteenth Army Corps, and to remain behind myself with the Fifth Engineers to take u~ the pontoon bridge as soon as all the troops and trains were crosse , and then report to him as soon as possible. The trains did not all get over until 10 p. m. of the 31st. As soon as all the trains had crossed I ordered the bridge to be taken up, and at 12 p. m. the bridge was all loaded and on the march. At 6 a. m. on the 1st of April I reported to Major-General Franklin at the upper crossing of Cane River, having marched nearly all night. At this place the river was fordable, and it was not necessary to lay the bridge. Here I found the Third Engineers awaiting my arrival. From this point to Natchitoches the road and bridges ~vere in good order. My command arrived at Natchitoches on the 2d of April, and remained there in camp until the 6th, when I was ordered by General Frank- lin to march, with the Thirteenth Army Corps, on the road to Shreve- port. I arrived at Pleasant Hill on the 8th of April, after a very fa- tiguing march of three days. The roads were very bad, owing to the heavy rains, and had to be corduroyed in many places. At Pleasant Hill I received an order, at 3 p. in., from Generab Franklin to go into camp and move forward with my command on the following morning at 6 a. in., and report to him as soon as possible. At 12 p. m. I received orders from him to remain at Pleasant Hill until further orders; also .Jieard of the disaster to our troops at Sabine Cross-Roads, and ordered my command to form in line of battle, and remained so until 12 in., April 9, when I received orders from Gen- eral Frammklin to move my command and train to Grand Ecore (35 miles back) without delay. I started immediately, marching al Page 250 250 LOtTISIANA ANT) TIlE ThANS-MISSISSIPPT. [CHAP. XLVI. night, and arrived at Grand Ecore on the 10th of April, at 12 in., and went into camp. On the 12th, I was ordered by Major-Geiieral Banks to have the pontoon bridge laid across Red River. There was not bridge enongh to reach across the river, so I obtained a flat-boat, and, by cntting down the ends to a level with the pontoons and bnild- ing a false bottom in it, made a bridge of snificient length to reach across. This bridge was very nsefnl to the army, as they were short of forage, and bnt little conld be obtained from below, while on the north bank of the river there was corn in abnndance, as that conntry had not been overrnn by either onr own troops or those of the enemy. On the 10th of April the transport steamer Black Hawk, throngh the carelessness or maliciousness of her pilot, ran throngh the bridge, completely destroying three of the pontdon boats. This damage, however, was repaired by the nse of two Birago trestles and a small flat-boat. The bridge was kept down nntil the 21st of April, when it was taken np to move with the army to Alexandria Dnring this time I kept one company npon the bridge, day and night, to guard and keep it in repair, relieving them every six hours. On the 13th of April I was ordered by General Banks to take all my available force and constrnct an abatis and rifle-pits aronnd Grand Ecore. I was engaged on this work until the 19th. On the 20th, I received orders from General Franklin to repair the roa(1 from Grand Ecore to Cane River, and to constrnct a crossing over the river at the nearest practicable point. I reconnoitered the road, which had never been much nsed, and fonnd a good crossing abont 2 miles from Grand Ecore. I immediately ordered out 200 men, nnder Lientenant-Col- onel Pearsall, of the Fifth Engineers, to build a bridge, and make approaches on both sides. This was all finished at 12 p. m. on the night of April 20. On the 21st, I was ordered by General Franklin to take up the pontoon bridge and be ready to march at 3 p. in., immediately in rear of the advance brigade (General Birges). I marched all that night and the following day, when we reached Cloutierville, only halting long enough to give the men time to make coffee, making about 35 miles in twenty-four hours. On the following morning (April 23) the enemy was found to be strongly posted in our front, at the lower crossing of Cane River, with a large force threatening onr rear. General Franklin ordered me to place my troops in such a position as to be able to protect the trains of the army, in case the enemy attempted a flank niovement on oui~ I~ft. This position I held until the crossing at Caiie River had been secured by our troops, when I was immediately ordered forward to lay the bridge. At 7 p. m. the bridge was ready to pass the trains. The approaches to the bridge being very steep and difficult, I ordered three details, of 100 men each, to help the trains across the bridge. In this way all the trains were crossed before 12 m. on the following day (April 24). As soon as all the troops and trains had crcissed I took up the bridge and re- snmed the march toward Alexandria, where 41 arrived on the night of April 25. On the following morning I received orders from Cap- tain Palfrey, U. S. Engineers, and acting chief engineer Department of the Gulf to remove all the barricades that had been erected in the streets of Alexandria, and to cut down all the timber within 1,200 yards of the city, and also to construct a battery for six guns on the Bay on Rapides road. This work was all accomplished on the 28th of April, and on the 29th I received orders from General Banks to report to Lient. Col. Joseph Bailey, acting military engineer Nine Page 251 CHAP. XLVI.1 THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 251 teenth Army Corps, for the purpose of building a darn across Red River, to bring down the gun-boats, which were held above the ral)ids by reason of the low stage of water. At the request of Lieutenant- Colonel Bailey, Lieutenant-Colonel Pearsall, of the Fifth Engineers, and myself went with him to examine the rapids and fix upon a plan for a darn. Both Lieutenant-Colonel Pearsall and myself advised that two dams should be built, one at the upper and one at the lower falls, fearing that one dam would not stand the pressure. Lienten- ant-Colonel Bailey, however, decided to build only one dam, and accordingly the dam was commenced on the morning of the 30th of April. The Third Engineers were employed in collecting and haul- ing the necessary material, and the Fifth Engineers in constructing the dam. The regiments were divided into two reliefs, which re- lieved each other every six hours, working day and night. Both officers and men worked with untiring zeal and energy. On the morning of the 9th of May, when the dam was nearly completed, the center portion gave way, owing to the enormous pressure of the water. There was, however, water enough still left on the lower rapids to admit the passage of the gun-boats. Lieutenant-Colonel Bailey then decided to adopt the plan originally recommended by Lieutenant-Colonel Pearsall and myself of building a dam at the upper rapids. This was commenced on the afternoon of May 9, and on the 12th the water was raised sufficiently to admit the passage of all the gun-boats across the upper rapids, after which there was no further difficulty, and on the 13th the gnu-boats were all below the lower rapids. I received orders May 13 from General Banks to march with the Nineteenth Army Corps on the Red River road. On the 14th I was ordered to report with my command and the pontoon bridge to Brigadier-General Grover. I reported to him at 10 p. in., near Scraggy Point, on Red River, about 24 miles below Alexandria. From this point there had .formerly been a road lead- ing to Marksville, but it had not been used for a long time as a wagon road. I was ordered by General Grover to move forward on the fol- lowing morning with a sufficient force to repair the road to Bayoufr Choctaw (4 miles distant), and to lay the pontoon bridge across the bayou. Upon examination I found that the road was not practica- ble for the trains of the army until repaired. I therefore ordered the Third Engineers, under Lieutenant-Colonel Harmount, to repair this road without delay, which was fully accomplished by 12 m. In the mean time I went forward to Bayou (hoctaw with the pontoon bridge, in charge of Captain Smith, and two companies of the Fifth Engineers, in charge of Captain Morrison. This stream is narrow but deep, with very high banks. The bridge was laid and the approaches completed at 10 a. in., though the train did not arrive until 12 m. I left one company of the Third Engineers, under Captain Chamberlain, with orders to remain at the bridge until all the troops and trains had crossed, and then to take up the bridge and join me as soon as possible, which he did on the Mlowmng morning at 4 a. in., having marched all night. On arriving at Marksville (May 16) the enemy was found to be in force in our front, and indicating a desire to give battle. I formed my command in lime of battle about 7 a. in., and took a position on the left of General Grovers command, and marched in this way until about 11 a. in., when the enemy was repulsed. The fighting was all (lone by the cavalry and artillery, so my troops were not en- gaged. Upon my arrival at Bayou De Glaize (about 10 p. in.) Page 252 252 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [~Yr~Av. XLVI. received orders from General Banks to move forward that night to Yellow Bush Bayon, 3 miles from Simsport, and lay the bridge across that stream. I arrived at the bayou at 4 a. in., May 17, where I found Colonel Lncas, commanding the advance gnard, crossing his cavalry on a flat-boat. I immediately ordered a detail from the Third Engineers to lay the bridge, and at 6 a. m. everything was in readiness to cross the troops. I immediately ordered my command to move across and encamp near the end of the bridge, on the east bank of Yellow Bnsh Bayon. On the west bank of the bayon the enemy had constrncted two formidable earth-works, designed to pre- vent the advance of onr army from Simsport. Abont noon, May 17, I received orders from General Emory to reverse these works and make a t~te-de-pont of them, and on the following day received orders from him to destroy the works entirely. At abont 7 p. in., May 19, I received orders to take up the bridge as soon as General A. J. Smiths command had crossed, and at 2 a. m. the following, morning I was informed by a staff officer from General Smith that his command had all crossed, and I ordered the bridge to be mm- mediately taken np. At 4 a. in. the bridge was all loaded and the command ready to march. Crossed the Atchafalaya at about 8 a. in.. and halted abont 4 miles from Simsport, where I remained until ~ p. in., when I received orders from General Emory to resume the march on the road leading to Morganza. Marched all that night, and on the following morning (May 21) had to cut a road for about a mile through the woods at Tnnica Bend, in order to allow the trains to pass. The old road, which was on the top of the levee, had been previously destroyed by the enemy in constructing a water battery at this point. After completing this road and giving the men time to make coffee, I again resumed the march and encamped that night at 10 p. in., with the Nineteenth Army Corps, abont 6 miles from Morganza. I arrived at Morganza and went into camp on the 22d of May. On the following day I received orders from General Emory to fnrnish 100 men daily to do picket duty, and to { ake the rest of my command and construct emnbrasnres and plat orms along the levee for the artillery. These details I continued to fnrnish until the 30th, when I received orders from General Emory to report with my command to Captain Hams, u. S. Engineers, for the pnrpose of constrncting a fort at Morganza. This work was laid out by Captain Hams, assisted by Captain Cannon, of the Third Engineers, and on the 31st the work was begun, in which my com- muand is still engaged. It is just that I should make some allusion to the services of offi- cers during the campaign, and accordingly I mention the follow- ing as worthy of particular notice: Lient. Col. U. B. Pearsall, com- mnanding Fifth Engineers, for his untiring zeal and energy, and for the skill displayed by him in all the engineer operations of the com- mand; Maj. Samuel Pollock and Capt. William H. Morrison, Fifth Engineers, for their skill and energy in co u~s tructing roads and bridges; Capts. Arnout Cannon and M. W. Morton, Third Engi- neers, for able and efficient services in reconnoitering and repairing roads and bridges; Capt. John J. Smith and First Lieut. A. F. Bushnell, of Third Engineers, for their skill and perseverance in the management of the pontoon train; First Lieut. J. William Haight, jr., adjutant of Third Engineers, for the able and efficient manner in which he performed his duties as acting assistant adju- tant-general ; First Lient. and Quartermaster J. N. Knight, Thir Page 253 CHAP. XLVI.] TIlE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 2~53 Engineers, for efficiency in the management of the engineer train. He (lied June 3, from disease contracted during the campaign. Where all do well dt is difficult to specify individual cases, but I think I should not be doing justice to a worthy and deserving officer if I did not make further mention of the services of Lieut. Col. U. B. Pearsall, of the Fifth Engineers, Corps dAfrique. Throughout the whole campaign he labored with unceasing toil and devotion. The plan for building two dams across Red River, which from necessity was finally adopted, was originally prol)osed by him, an(I the success of the dam was, in my opinion, mainly due to his efforts. He labored day and night, almost without rest, and seeming to know nothing of fatigue. If the thanks of Congress are due to any one for the final success of this dam I believe they are due to him as much as to any one else. In conclusion, I would say that the organ- ization of colored engineers is regarded as a complete success by all who have witnessed their operations. The credit of this is due to yourself, who have labored hard to bring them into their present state of efficiency, and I hope that Congress will soon make some substantial acknowledgment of your services in this department. Respectfully submitted. GEO. D. ROBINSON, Colonel Third Engs., Corps dAfrigue, Gomdg. Eng. Brig. Maj. D. C. HOUSTON, Chief Engineer, Department of the Gulf No. 6. Report of Lient. C~ol. Un B. Pearsall, Ninety-ninth U. S. Colored Troops. NEW ORLEANS, LA., August 1, 1864. MAJOR: In compliance with the request of the major-general corn- inanding the department, I have the honor to submit the following report concerning the construction of the dam across Red River in the month of May last. I was in command of the Ninety-ninth U. S. Colored Infantry (formerly the Fifth Engineers, Corps dAfrique) during the whole of the Red River campaign, my regiment forming a part of the engineer troops commanded by Col. George D. Robinson. On the 29th of April this force was ordered to report to Lie at. Col. Joseph Bailey, then acting engineer Nineteenth Army Corps, for the purpose of constructing the dam above referred to. At the request of Colonel Bailey, Colonel Robinson and myself acconipaiiied him to select the place for building the dam. After a thorough examina- tion of the falls, Colonel Robinson and iiiiyself were of the opinion that two dams were necessaryone at the foot of th~ upper and the other at the foot of the lower falls. Colonel Bailey, however, decided that one would be sufficient, and accordingly we jointly selected the point at which the main dam was located. On the morning of The 30th of April the troops selected for this (luty were moved to convenient points near the dam and the work began at once. The force on the right bank consisted of the Ninety- seventh and Ninety-ninth U. S. Colored Infantry, under command of Col. George D. Robinson, of the former regiment, and a detail o Page 254 [CHAP XLVI. 2~ii4 LOUISIANA AND TIlE TRANS~MI5SI5SJPPI. 400 men from the brigade of colored infantry, commanded by Col- onel Dickey. On the left bank were the Twenty-ninth Maine, por- tions of One hnndred and tenth and One iinnd~ed and six~y-flrst New York Yolnnteers, and the pioneer corps of the Thirteenth Army Corps. Of the work on the left bank I know bnt little, my dnties confining me exclnsively to the right bank. At t~ie commence- ment Lientenant-Colonel Bailey placed me in charge of all the work on the right bank, which inclnded the placing and the loading of the barges in the center of the river, together with the bnilding of the crib-dam to the right bank. Colonel Robinson was designated by Colonel Bailey to procnre necessary materials (for this pnrpose retaining the Ninety-seventh U. S. Colored Infantry), as also all necessary teams employed at this point. The remainder of the work- ing forces were nnder my control. The work progressed rapidly, as both officers and men became more confident of snccess than they were at the commencement, and on the afternoon of the Sth of May the channel was closed, with the exception of the three spaces of 20 feet each between the barges and a current of water nnder the second barge fromn the right bank, which was only partly loaded, it being our intention to merely scuttle it and place a sufficient amount of railroad iron omi the top to prevent its rising up. Large braces were set diagonally up streani from the barges omi each side, which, with large hawsers, were to I)revent its being swept away, but the water risiug rapidly, the weight proved insufficiemit for the purpose, and ~n the umorning of the 9th it broke away, carrying with it the loaded barge nearest the right bank, both swinging in below and on the left-hand side of the new chute thus formed. This accident (so considered at the time) was in my opimmion time most fortunate occurrence that conld have taken place, those baroes which were swept away serving to lengthen the chute and confine the volume of water passing through between them and the right bank, thus creating an artificial depthi of water for the boats until they were fully below the ledge of rocks. They also ammswered as a fender to the boats and prevented their turning in passing through. The water was actually higher on time main dam when this took place than at any time afterward, ammd thie Imavy, although mmot moving a single vessel until after time break occurred, were ena- bled to pass the gun-boats Leximmgton and Fort Hiudmuan, also the light-draught monitors Neosimo and~Os ge. over thme fails above into time pond, and thence through the damn below in perfect safety. At 7 oclock on the morning of the 9th, Colonel Bailey directed me to leave a reliable officer in charge of tightening and repairing the remaining portion of the dam extending from time right baimk, and thiemi report to him in person on the same side of the river near the head of the falls, at which point he had decided to increase the depth of water by means of light wing-dams thrown out from each side. TIme forces moved from the lower or main dam consisted of detachments from the various regiments an~ the pmommeer corps of Thirteenth Army Corps. The new plan was commemuced with com- mendable vigor, the troops being employed in constructing the same as originally proposed until time afternoon of time I OtIm. which com- pleted a temporary obstruction, close to each side of the channel, by means of light log cribs lashed together with rope and filled with brush and bricks. This work raised about 14 inches of water. I will lucre state that in thue meamm time the gmum-boat Chilhicothe had managed to work her way through. The Carondelet attempted t Page 255 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. follow, but owing to the rapidity of the current, and also to the wing-dams not being placed perpendicular to the direction of the channel, she was forced aside and lay with her bow close below the end of the wing-dam extending from the left bank, her stern being down stream and pointing diagonally across the channel. Several attempts were made to haul her from this position, all of which failed, and the navy finally concluded her case a hopeless one and thought there was sufficient room alongside for the others to pass. The Mound City was accordingly ordered to try it, and grounded abreast of the Carondelet. Five more iron-dads were still above them. Such, in brief, was the position of affairs on the afternoon of the 10th of May, as Major-General Banks will doubtless remember hav- ing a cQnversation with Colonel Bailey and myself at that time. It was at this crisis that Colonel Bailey asked me what could be done to relieve the boats. I replied in these words: If you will allow me to build a dam where I please, on my own plan, and give me the men and materials I require, I will agree to put a foot of water under those boats (referring to the Mound City and Caronde- let) by to-morrow night. He asked me what I required, and I told him the pioneer corps of the Thirteenth Army Corps to report to me at midnight to cross to the left bank, and that 10,000 feet of 2-inch plank should be there at 9 oclock the next morning. Colonel Bailey agreed to this proposition, and accordingly about 1 a. m. of that night Captain Hutchens, commanding the pioneers, reported to me for duty. Immediate steps were taken to get across the river. I hailed every boat in the fleet to obtain cutters for this purpose, but the reply of all was, wait until daylight. We were accord- ingly forced to do so, and it was sunrise before all were across to the opposite side. I immediately instructed the men in building two-legged trestles for a bracket dam. They worked with even greater energy than ever before, and the trestles were. all made by 9 a. m. Some pieces of iron bolts (size one-half inch) were procured and one set into the foot of the legs of each trestle; also one in the cap pieces at the end resting on the bottom, up stream. The place selected by me for this bracket dam was at a point opposite the lower end of the Carondelet, extending out close to this vessel from the left bank. A party of men, selected and headed by myself, placed these trestles in position there ~nd r very adverse circurn- stances, the water being about 4~ feet deep and very swift, and coupled with a very slippery bottom, making it almost impossible to stand against the current. Several men were swept away in this duty, but no lives were lost. The trestles were fastened as soon as they were in position by means of taking sets and driving the iron bolts above referred to down into the bottom. All were in position by 10 a. in., and the plank having arrived all that remained was to place them. This was done in less than an hour, and by 11 a. m. there was at least a foot of water thrown u~ider the Mound City and the Carondelet and both vessels floated off easily before the ultimate height of water was obtained. The five remaining vessels passed with but little difficulty, and at noon on the following day were safe below~he main (lam at Alexandria. Much has been said of the part taken by the navy in rescuing their fleet, and I deem it proper to state my honest convictions in regard to it. To Captain Langthorne, of the Mound City, and the subordinate officers and mcii employed with him, it must be a Page 256 256 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS~MISSISSIPPJ. [CHAP. XLVI. knowledged great praise is due. In regard to any other efforts put forth by them I must say that none other were observed by me, and it seems incredible that much could have been done by them in my absence. I slept but twenty-nine hours during those twelve eventful days. My meals were almost invariably brought to me; therefore my presence was almost constant. It may be said that the navy loaned ropes, made bolts, & c., but in so doing they performed the duties of the quartermasters depart- ment only; while on the other hand, there is much in this report showing that they caused a delay of six hours at the most critical point of our operations, whereas if no delay had occurred in the building of the bracket dam that saved seven of their best iron-dads, the army could have moved a day sooner from Alexandria. These facts can be substantiated by many officers besides myself, and the impartial historian will [not], neither could, with propriety make any other record than that the army of General Banks saved the fleet of Admiral Porter. In conclusion, I would beg leave to state that the project of build- ing a dam across Red River, although difficult, could never have been pronounced impracticable by any men who followed a similar avocation in civil life. The bottom and shores being so extremely favorable, and official reports having been promulgated by the naval authorities asserting that Colonel Bailey was the only man in the army who believed the plan practicable, that he was the originator of it. & c., I deem it my sacred duty to refute such assertions so far as they concern myself. having waited three months to see it con- tradicted by others. The major-general commanding the depart- ment will recollect of my assurances to him in this respect ere the work had fairly begun. It can also be proved that it was pronounced feasible by me while at Grand Ecore. These statements are made in self-defense, without doubting that the credit justly belongs to others; yet were such statements substantiated against an officer like myself, after ten years of practical experience in building dams on the most difficult rivers in the country, it would be deemed suffi- cient evidence by me of my utter incompetency to hold my present position. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, U. B. PEARSALL, Lient. Got. Ninety-ninth U. S. Colored Infantry. Maj. GEORGE B. DRAKE, Assistant Adjutant- General. No. 7. Reports of ]kIaj. Gen. William B. Franklin, U. S. Army, command- ing the Nineteenth and detachment of the Thirteenth Army Corps, of operations April 625. HDQRS. 19TH CORPS AND DETACH. 13TH CORPS, Grand Ecore, April 14, 1864. MAJOR: I make the following report of the operations of the troops under my comi~and from the date of their leaving Natchitoches until their arrival at this place: The cavalry force, un(ler Brigadier-Gen- eral Lee, the detachment of the rrlfirteenth Corps, under Brigadier- General Ransom, and the division of the Nineteenth Corps. under Brigadier-General Emory, left Natchitoches ou Wednesday, the 6t Page 257 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 257 instant, in the order in which they are mentioned. Part of the cav- alry had already encamped some 10 miles out, and the remainder, after joining the advance, proceeded in the direction of Pleasant Hill, encamping about 10 miles this side of Pleasant lull. General Lees advance was accompanied by severe skirmishing. On the 7th in- stant General Lee drove the enemy throngh Pleasant Hill and encamped on a stream about S miles toward Mansfield, after an ob- stinate skirmish. Colonel Clark, an aide-de-camp of the command- ing general, joined me on the 6th, and visited General Lee on the 7th. General Ransoms command arrived at Pleasant Hill about 2 p. in. on the 7th, and General Emorys about S p. in. A heavy rain had fallen toward the rear of the column during the day, making the road so bad that General Emorys train, after most strenuous exertions, could not be brought in until late on the morning of the 8th instant. On the evening of the 7th instant I was informed by Colonel Clark that General Lee was anxious to have a brigade of infantry sent out to his assistance. I declined to send the brigade, for reasons which I considered good. The commanding general ar- rived at my camp on the evening of the 7th instant. At 11 p. m. I was directed to send a brigade of infantry to General Lee, to reach him by daylight. The brigade started at 3 a. m. from General Ran- som s command. At 5.30 a. m. on the 8th, General Ransom marched with the remain- dei~ of his command to encamp where General Lee encamped the night before. General Emory was directed to go to the same place when his men had had something to eat. General Ransoms com- mand, with my consent, marched about 2 miles beyond the point indicated, and there went into camp. Just as they arrived there, about 10 a. in., I received a note from General Lee, asking for an- other brigade of infantry, on account of the exhausted state of that with him. I dispatched another immediately, and General Ransom went with it. About this time the commanding general arrived and went to the front. I staid near General Camerons divisioii, the remaining one of General Ransoms command, until 3.15 p. in., when I received an order from the commanding general to move to the front with all of my infantry. General Cameron started immedi- ately, and arrived on the field, 5 miles distant, at 4.15 p. m. I ar- rived at the same time, and immediately placed the division at such points as I thought were proper for hol~Jin~ the ground for which we were then contending. The state of things upon my arrival was discouraging, and as the enemy far outnumbered the infantry force, in a short time the infantry broke, after a gallant fight, and went to the rear. The enemy had turned both flanks and advanced in front, so that before I left the field he was already in rear of the position occupied when I arrived. The road was badly obstructed by the traiii of the Cavalry Division, and we lost from General Ransoms command ten guns, which could not be hauled away. Before the rout became general I had & rdered General Emory t~ form his divis- ion across the road in the first good position that he could find. I found him in the act of forming his line when I arrived, aboi~t 2 miles in rear of the field. Here he was most strenuously attacked by the enemy, who made vigorous charges against his front and flanks. He repelled them all with great loss to the rebels, and remained at night-fall master of the position. During the night the whole force retreated to Pleasant Hill, General Emorys division forming the rear guard. 17 R RVOL XXXIV, PT Page 258 [CHAP XLVI. 258 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. On the 9th instant General Emorys division was posted on the right and front of the Pleasant Hill position, one brigade of General Smiths troops relieving one of General Emorys brigades on or near the Mansfield road, abont 10 a. m. Nothing important was heard from the enemy until 5 p. in.. when a fnrions attack was made on General Emorys left. This gave way after a hard fight, and the rebels at one time seemed to have possession of the whole plain; bnt their advance was severely checked by a flank fire from one ot Gen- eral Smiths regiments posted in a wood on the left, and they in tnrn were driven from the plain and for 1-i- miles along the Mansfield road. The remainder of General Emorys line fonght handsomely dnring the whole day, and the enemy was driven back along the whoie line with the loss of two gnns. During the night the army retreated toward this place, and arrived here on the 11th instant. I transmitted yesterday a list of the casnalties. * The behavior of officers and men was excellent. I beg leave particularly to call the attention of the commanding general to the condnct of Generals Emory and Dwight, which was admirable in all respects. I regret to report the loss of Col. L. Benedict, One hnndred and sixty-second New York Volunteers, killed while leading his brigade, and of Cap- tain Chapman, of my staff, who had both feet taken off by a round shot. Brigadier-General Ransom was severely wounded while com- manding his troops in the first action. I shall take a fntnre occasion to make a more detailed report and mention of the names of officers and men who distingnished themselves. I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant W. B. FRANKLIN, Major- General, commanding. Maj. GEORGE B. DRAKE, Assistant Adjutant- General. Return of Casualties in the Union forces commanded by Maj. Gen. William B. Franklin, U. S. Army, at Sabine Gross-Roads and Pleasant Hill, La., April 8 and 9, 1864. [Compiled from nominal list of casualties furnished by General Franklin.] Killed. Command. THIRTEENTH ARMY CORP5 (DETACHMENT). Brig. Gen. TRoMAs E. G. RANSOM. a Brig. Gen. ROBERT A. CAMERON. Staff THIRD DIVIsION. Brig. Gen. ROBERT A. CAMERON. Col. WILL?AM H. RAYNOR. Provosf guard. 24th Iowa, Company F a Wounded April 5. * Embodied in table following. Captured or Wounded. missing Page 259 THE ICED HIXTER CAMPAIGN. Return ~f Gct.suaities in. the Union forces, & c.Continued. Command. Killed. U ~. a a -~ C) .5 S s 0 r4 THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS, & c.Continucd. First Brigade. Lieut. Col. AARON H. FLoRY.a Maj. BRADFORD HANCOCK. 46th Indiana 29th Wisconsin (five companies) Total First Brigade Second Brigade. Col. WILLIAM H. RAYNOR. 24th Iowa (five companies) 28th Iowa 56th Ohio Total Second Brigade Total Third Division FOURTH DIvISION. Col. WILLIAM J. LANDRAM. First Brigade. Col. FRANK EMERSON.b Maj. FRANCIS A. SEARS. 77th Illinois 67th Indiana 19th Kentucky 23d Wisconsin Total First Brigade Secoad Brigade. Col. JOSEPH XV. VANCE.b Lient. Col. ALBERT H. BROWN. 130th Illinois 48th Ohio 83d Ohio 96th Ohio . Total Second Brigade Artillery. Wounded. S ,i U ~ a ~ S s 3 5 12 2 I 3 Captured or missing. a U ~ a a a ~ Ss 0 ~1 10 3 83 11 43 21 3 126 106 60 166 1 14 3 17 35 8 3 38 2 24 75 2 14 1 18 35 11 3 66 6 59 145 23 8 91 9 186 318 5 29 10 126 4 1 19 1 17 2 3 15 17 214 7 16 41 5 18 4 79 28 398 2 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 Chicago (Illinois) Mercantile Battery Indiana Light, 1st Battery Total artillery Total Fourth Division Total Thirteenth Army Corps 5 47 a Wounded April 8. Li Wounded and captured April 8. 3 20 1 4 2 6 3 20 9 50 1~ 2 3 1 5 9 223 9 165 2 28 20 438 2 21 2 2 23 171 42 251 64 528 257 179 31 57 524 28 33 4 24 14 134 50 859 1,085 ---I 24 225 5911,0451 1,403 CHAP. XLVI.] 25 Page 260 260 LOUThIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. Return of Casualties in the Union forces, & c.Continued. Killed. Wounded. Captured or missing. Command. S S S IS U ~ I) IS p NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS. Maj. Gen. WILLIAM B. FRANKLIN.a Staff FIRST DIVISION. Brig. Gen. WILLIAM H. EMORY. First Brigade. Brig. Gen. WILLIAM DwICRT. 29th Maine 114th New York 116th New York Uld New York 161st New York Total First Brigade Second Brigade. Brig. Gen. JAMES W. MCMILLAN. 13th Maine 15th Maine 160th New York 47th Pennsylvania Total Second Brigade Third Brigade. Col. LEWIS BENEDICT.b Col. FRANCIS FESSENDEN. 30th Maine 162d New York 165th New Ydrk 173d New York Total Third Brigade Artillery. New York Light, 25th Battery . 1st United States, Battery L Vermont Light, 1st Battery Total artillery Total First Division Total Nineteenth Army Corps CAVALRY DIVISION.C Brig. Gen. ALBERT L. LEE. First Brigade. 3 3 2 S 15 2 4. 9 3 26 10 27 28 39 130 3 4 38 49 27 20 34 33 90 204 5 1 29 20 55 1 3 13 11 28 2 6 4 23 9 44 1 6 34 41 3 18 8 99 40 168 1 10 3 55 69 138 3 13 3 45 1 46 111 3 3~ 21 70 97 4 1 38 2 155 200 4 30 10 159 3 340 546 2 3 0 2 1 4 7 1 1 4 1 8 13 8 67 28 396 3 429 931 8 67 31 396 3 429 934 S 1 a 2 17 32 55 I 11 19 31 1 5 101 3 19 4 1 1S~ 2 17 42 Col. THOMAS J. LUCAS. 16th Indiana (mounted infantry) 2d Louisiana (mounte~l infantry) 6th Missouri 14th New York Total First Brigade 2 8 5 56 2 71 a Also in command of the detachment Thirteenth Army Corps and Lees cavalry. 6 Killed April 9. c Losses at Wilsons Plantation, April 7, also included. 147 [CHAP. XLVI Page 261 261 THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. Return of Casualties in the Union forces, & c. Continued. Killed. Wounded. Captured or missing. Command. 0 S S S r ~ Cl Cr l~ 0 l~ 0 ~ 0 0 ~ S S S S S 0 ~ 0 ~1 0 ~1 NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS, & c.Continued. Third Brigade. Col. HARAS RoinssoN.a 87th Illinois (mounted infantry) 1st Louisiana Total Third Brigade Fourth Brigade. Col. NATHAN A. M. DUDLEY. 2d Illinois 3d Massachusetts 31st Massachusetts (mounted infantry) 8th ~ew Hampshire (mounted infantry) Total Fourth Brigade Fifth Brigade. Col. OLIVEE P. GoonsEn. 2d New York Veteran 18th New York 3d Rhode Island (detachment) Total Fifth Brigade Artillery. Massachusetts Light, 2d Battery (B) 5th United States, Battery C Total artillery Total Cavalry Division Grand total Franklins command 4 4 2 4 13 27 1 2 13 21 49 8 6 40 1 15 70 2 1 39 3 45 8 1 51 11 71 3 1 38 16 58 2 22 1 31 56 15 3 150 1 61 230 1 5 6 1 9 2 14 I 1 1 2 15 2 21 1 2 16 1 20 4 13 17 5 2 29 1 37 3 37 21 290 4 150 505 16 151 76 911 66 1,624 2,844 a Wounded April 8. HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES WESTERN LOUISIANA, Grand Ecore, April 18, 1864. MAJOR: In mentioning the officers of my staff who were wounded in the battle of the 8th instant, I inadvertently neglected Captain Pigman, signal officer on my staff. This officer distinguished him- self by his gallantry in the first part of the fight, ~nd was severely wounded at the point where General Emorys division repulsed the enemy in his final attack. Respectfully, your obedient servant, W. B. FRANKLIN, .llJiajor- General, Commanding. Maj. G. B. DRAKE, Assistant A6~jutant-General. CH~. XLVI. Page 262 [CHAP. XLVI 2f3~ LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. HDQRS. 19TH A. C. AND U. S. FORCES WESTERN LA., Alexandria, La., Aprit 29, 1864. MAJOR: I have the honor to submit the follow brief report of the march of the troops of this command from Grand Ecore to this place: The march was commenced at 5 p. m. on Thursday, April 21, and in the order prescribed by General Orders, No. 39, ~headqnarters Nineteenth Army Corps, & c., Grand Ecore, April 21, 1864. Colonel Goodings brigade of cavalry preceded the column; that commanded by Colonel Davis flanked it on the right bank of Cane River, and that of Colonel Lucas acted as rear guard. The road taken crossed Cane River 2 miles below Grand Ecore, and followed the left bank of that stream to Monetts Ferry. The crossing of the trains was com- pleted at 1.30 oclock on the morning of Friday, the 22d, and the rear of the column which marched from Grand Ecore was crossed in little more than aii hour from that time. The command of Brig. Gen. A. J. Smith, with Lucas cavalry, marching from Natchitoches, crossed Cane River at that place, and fell in rear of the column at about 5 a. m. From this time the march was pursued in good order and without interruption or incident, except slight skirmishing with the rear guard, until 3 p. in. of the same day, when word was re- ceived from Brigadier-General Smith that his troops were in line of battle and that the enemy was pressing him heavily. Upon this the remaining troops in rear of the trains (the commands ot Brigadier- Generals Emory and Cameron) were formed in line, but the attack on the rear not proving formidable, the niarch in column was re- suined at about 4 p. m. At 9 p. m. the column was halted for the night, the rear resting near Cloutierville, and Colonel Goodings cav- alry and the infantry under Brigadier-General Birge having reached Monetts Ferry, where the enemy was found to l~e posted, with artil- lery, on the south bank of the river in a strong position to dispute the crossing. Brigadier-General Birge had received orders to press rapidly forward to the ferry, and if possible to seize the crossing that night. This he was unable to do on account of the strong posi- tion of the enemy and the fatigue of his own troops, who had marched 35 miles in twenty-fonr hours. At daylight on the morning of Saturday, the 23d, the commands of Brigadier-Generals Emory and Cameron continued their march to the ferry, when, pursuant to orders from these headquarters, Brigadier-General Emory assunied ~onfinand of the troops and move- inents at the crossing. A battery of the enemys artillery was found to be posted on a high wooded crest on the opposite bank, and in a sharp bend of the stream, 1~ miles above the ferry. To dislodge him from this position Brigadier-General Birge was sent with his com- mand, consisting of his own brigade and the Third Brigade, First Divisiom Nineteenth Corps, supported by Brigadier-General Came- ron and his command, to cross Cane River 2 miles above the enemys position and to turn his flank. This task was ~bly performed. Gen- eral Birge carried the crest by a charge, after a sharp fight, and continued his progress toward the bluff at the crossing, where before this time the enemy had disclosed seven or eight pieces of artillery in position fully commanding the ferry and the whole open plain on the north side. From this position also the enemy was driven by the troops under General Birge, aided by the effective fire from five pieces of artillery under command of Captain Closson, chief of artillery Nineteenth Corps, planted in the edge of the wood Page 263 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 263 xvhich bounded the plain on the north side of the river. No further opposition was made to our crossing. The enemy tied pre- cipitately, pursued by one regiment of cavalry and the command of Brigadier-General Cameron. The pontoon bridge was laid shortly after dark, and the crossing of troops and trains was con- tinued during the night, two brigades of the Nineteenth Corps being pushed forward some 6 miles to cover the train stretched out on the road. The crossing was completed at 2 p. m. on Sunday, the 24th. Throughout the forenoon the rear guard of General Smiths com- mand was closely pressed by the enemys cavalry, and was several times severely engaged. The enemy was, however, in every instance repulsed with a considerable loss of men and some artillery dis- mounted. The crossing being completed, the pontoon bridge was taken up, and the march was continued without further interrup- tion or annoyance. The route taken from Cane River was by the crossing of Bayou Cotile at its mouth, on Red River, and thence to Hendersons Hill by the Cotile road. The troops were halted and encamped for the night between Hendersons Hill and Bayou Rapides. The march was resumed the next morning (Monday, the 25th) at 6 oclock. The head of the column reached Alexandria (a distance of 20 miles) at 2 p. in., and the whole column was encamped in and about the town before night. The troops performed the whole of this harassing and tedious march from Grand Ecore in good order and without demoralization, the only exception being such acts of marauding and incendiarism by stragglers in advance of the column as are incident to the retreat of a large army. Every effort has been and is being made to dis- cover the perpetrators of these outrages, to whom the severest pun- ishment will be awarded upon detection. Very respectfully, yours, W. B. FRANKLIN, Afajor- General, Commanding. Maj. GEORGE B. DRAKE, Assistant Adjutant- General. A DDENDA. Special field return of the First Division, Nineteenth Army Corps, commanded by Brig. Gem. William H. Emory, U.S. Army, and detachment of the Thirteenth Army Corps, commanded by Brig. Gem. Rober~t A. Cameron, U. S. Army, after the action of April 8, 1864, at Sabine Cross-Roads, La. Killed. Wounded. Missing. Effective strength next day. Troops. ~I2 a a a .4 a Q . Q U ~ 5 Q a a a ~ S a 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ H 0 ~ Nineteenth Army corps: First Division (infantry) ... 153d New York Volunteers (guarding train). First Division (artillery) ... Thirteenth Army corps (de tachment): General and staff Third Division: Infantry Artillery 2 22 10 138 174 347 243 4.910 5,153 31 605 636 9 348 357 I 1 1 23 6 78 9 198 315 77 1,475 1,552 .2 173 17 Page 264 264 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. Special field return of the First Division, & c.Continued. Effective strength Killed. Wounded. Missing. next day. Troops. ~ .~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ H 0 ~ H Thirteenth Army Corps (de- tachment)Continued. Fourth Division: Commanding officer 1 and escort. Infantry 2 2.3 6 82 59 929 1,101 56 1,418 1,474 Artillery 1 5 3 24 33 5 204 209 Staff of the major-general com- 3 3 manding. Aggregate 6 68 t 304 72 1,325 1,799 423 9,133 9,556 HuQEs. 19TH ARMY Coass AND U. S. FORCES WESTERN LOUISIANA, Grand Ecore, La., April 13, 1864. W. B. FRANKLIN, Major-General, Commanding. WICEHAM HOFFMAN, Assistant Adjutant-General. No. 8. Report of Brig. Gen. Thomas E. G. Ransom, U. S. Army, corn- n~ anding detachment of the Thirteenth Army Corps, of operations April 68. NEW YORK CITY, June 11, 1864. SIR; I have the honor to make the following report of the move- ments of the troops under my command, consisting of the Third Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, Brig. Gen. R. A. Cameron com- manding, and the Fourth Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, Col. W. J. Landram commanding, on the 6th, 7th, and 8th of April, 1864: On the 6th of April my detachment, having the advance of the infantry column, moved from Natchitoches at 6 a. in., in rear of the Cavalry Division, and being constantly delayed by the baggage train of the latter, went into camp late on Bayou Mayon, having marched 16 miles on the Pleasant Hill road. Moved at 5.30 a. in. on the 7th, the head of the column arriving at Pleasant Hill, 19 miles, at 2 p. in., overtaking the cavalry train on the road and Dudleys brigade of cavalry at Pleasant Hill. When these had moved from our camping-ground I went into camp about 4 p. in., though my train and rear guard did not arrive until late at night. At 10 p. m. of the 7th, I received an order, of which the followiiig is a copy: HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES WESTERN LOUISIANA, April 7, 1864. Brig. Gen. T. E. G. RANSOM, Commanding Detachment Thirteenth Army Corps: GENERAL: The commanding general directs that a brigade of infantry be sent to General Lee, to be with him by daylight to-morrow morning. You may use your discretion as to seliding a brigade or division. The spirit of the order will doubtless be carried out by sending a division. Send, therefore, a brigade or division to report to General Lee at or before 5 a. m. on to-morrow (Friday), 8th instant. Respectfully, W. B. FRANKLIN, Major-General Page 265 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 265 I immediately sent Col. W. J. Landram, commanding Fourth Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, the following order: HEADQUARTERS DETACHMENT THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Pleasant Hill, La., April 7, 186410.20 p. in. Col. W. J. LANDRAM Commanding Fourth Division, Thirteenth Army Corps: COLONEL: In obedience to the inclosed order, yon will move at 3 a. m. to-morrow with the First Brigade of your division, and report to General Lee, 8 miles in front, at daylight or as soon thereafter as practicable. By order of Brig. Gen. T. E. G. Ransom: C. E. DICKEY, C~aptain and Assistant Adjutant-General. Colonel Landram moved with the First Brigade of his division and reported to General Lee at daylight on the 8th. Under orders from Major-General Franklin, I moved the remainder of the corps for- ward at 5.30 a. ni., and arrived with the advance at Saint Patricks Bayou, 10 miles, at 10.30 a. in., onr niarch having, as before, been retarded by the cavalry train. General Franklin had previously designated this creek as my camping-ground, and I accordingly or- dered the Third Division and the Second Brigade of the Fourth Division into camp at 10.45 a. m. Before the order had been com- plied with a request was received from General Lee for more infantry to relieve that already with him, and General Franklin directed me to send forward the Second Brigade, Fourth Division, Col. J. W. Vance commanding, to relieve the First Brigade, who were reported as worn out with hard skirmishing and marching. The Second Bri- gade moved forward at 11 a. in., and, at my request, General Franklin authorized me to go to the front and see that the First Brigade was relieved by the Second. I immediately went forward, and on the road received a dispatch, of which the following is a copy 12 NOON. General RANSOM: My men have skirmished and marched through the bushes and thickets for 8 or 9 miles, making in all a march of 15 or 16 miles. They have no water, and are liter- ally worn out. Can you have them relieved soon? General Lee insists on pushing ahead. W. J. LANDRAM, Colonel, Commanding Fourth Division. The infantry finding much difficulty ifi plissing the cavalry train, which obstructed the road, I went on in advance of them, and arrived at the front, 5~ miles from Saint Patricks Bayou, about 1.30 p.m. I found that our forces had just driven the enemy across an open field, and were shelling him from a fine position on a ridge, which Colonel Landram occupied with his infamitry and Nims battery about 2 p. in. It was determined to halt here in order to allow the Second Bri- gade to come up and relieve the First. In company with Brigadier- General Stone and Lieutenant Higbie, signal officer, I went to the front of the line of skirmishers and carefully reconnoitered the posi- tion of the enemy. We were able to perceive two batteries and a large force of infantry in line of battle in the edge of the woods, from one-half to three-fourths of a mile to our front, and also con- siderable bodies of infantry moving down the road leading to our right and rear. Hearing of the arrival of Major-General Banks and staff upon the field, about 3 p. m. I reported to him and advised him of the pos Page 266 266 LOUISIANA AND TIlE TRANS-MISSISSIPPL ~CrIAP. XLVL tion and apparent strength of the enemy, and from him received instrnctions as to the disposition of my troops then on the field and of those momentarily expected. Upon the arrival of the Second Brigade the positions of two of its regiments, the Eighty-third and Ninety-sixth Ohio Infantry, were assigned by Major Lieber, of Gen- eral Banks staff, on the opposite flank from that determined on by General Banks and myself, and in a position wher~ I should not have placed them. The infantry on the right of the road occupied a narrow belt of timber dividing two large plantations, and having open though broken gronnd in front and in the rear cnltivated fields, which descended to a small creek, and thence arose to the edge of the timber one-half mile to the rear of our line. Nims battery was posted on a hill near the road abont 200 yards to the left of the belt of timber, and was supported by the Twenty-third Wisconsin In- fantry, which was on the left and behind the crest of the hill with open fields in front. The Sixty-seventh Indiana supported the bat- tery on the right, joined by the Seventy-seventh Illinois, One hun- dred and thirtieth Illinois, Forty-eighth Ohio, Nineteenth Kentucky, Ninety-sixth Ohio, a section of mounted artillery, and the Eighty- third Ohio, making in all 2,413 infantry. The cavalry and mounted infantry, nuder General Lee, were posted on the flanks and rear, having Colonel Dudleys brigade on the left and Colonel Lucas~ on the right, and also skirmishers deployed in front of the infantry. The skirmishing continued throughout the afternoon, becoming sharp on the right about 2.30 p. m. At this time Colonel Lucas reported that his skirmishers on the extreme right were driven in, aiid that a few of his men on that flank were captured. About 4 p. m. the enemy commenced advancing his lines across the open fields in our front and east of the road. I directed Colonel Landram to advance our right, consisting of the Eighty-third, Ninety-sixth, and Forty-eighth Ohio, One hundred and thirtieth Illinois, and Nine- teenth Kentucky, and he immediately opened fire on the enemy, now in good range and advancing in two lines. We drove back his first line in confusion upon his second, but recovering he again advanced till, unable to endure our heavy fire, he halted about 200 yards from our front, where many of his men laid down and returned our fire. I felt confident that this portion of our line could not be broken, but while moving toward the left flank I was informed that the enemy were pressing our left and that the mounted infantry there were falling back. At this time Captain White, chief of artillery, reported that the Chicago Mercantile Battery, Lieutenant Cone commanding, and the First Imidiana Battery, Captain Klauss commanding, had arrived, and I directed him to place them in an advantageous position on a ridge to the east of the road and near a house occupied as General Banks headquarters, when they opened on the enemy, who had shown himself in strong force on the left. I sent Lieut. G. I. Davis. aide- de-camp, to order Lieutenant-Colonel Baldwi;, commanding Eighty- third Ohio, to move his regiment to the support of the Twenty-third Wisconsin. He moved promptly, but the Twenty-third Wisconsin and the mounted infantry were already driven back, and I directed him to support the batteries. Our left flank was now completely turned, and the enemy, having taken Nims battery, were in strong force on the hill and pouring a destructive fire into the batteries of the Fourth Division. I ordered the latter to the rear to a point on the right of the road and sent Captain Dickey, my assistant adjutant Page 267 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 267 general, to order Colonel Laudram to withdraw his division to the edge of the timber in onr rear. Captain Dickev was to send aides to the different regiments to give them the orders direct in case he should iiot find Colonel Landrain, bnt while in the performance of this duty this gallant officer fell senseless from his horse, mortally wonnded. Owing to the loss of Captain Dickey before he had communicated my or (hers, some of the regiments did not receive them till they were surronnded and their retreat cnt off while they were gallantly fighting a snperior force in front. In company with Colonel Landrain I was, as the troops arrived, reforming the line in the edge of the woods, when I was severely wonuded in the knee and carried to the rear. I found the woods and road filled with mounted mcii, flying in confu- sion from the field. I (lesire here to bear witness to the gallantry of Brigadier-General Stone, who was on the left of the line with General Lee. He used the small force of infantry to the best advantage in bravely but unsuccessfully endeavoring to repulse the overwhelming force of the enemy. Colonel Landram, commanding Fourth Division, was con- spicuous and everywhere present encouraging all by his own gallant conduct and judicious dispositions of his men. His efforts were ably seconded by Colonel Vance, Ninety-sixth Ohio Infantry, commanding Second Brigade, who was killed, and by Colonel Emerson, of the Sixty-seventh Indiana Infantry, commanding First Brigade, who was wounded and taken prisoner. I was an eye-witness of the bravery and soldierly bearing of Lieutenant-Colonel Cowan and Major Mann, of the Nineteenth Kentucky, Lieutenant-Colonel Baldwin, Eighty- third Ohio, Major Bering, Forty-eighth Ohio, Major Reid, One hun- dred and thirtieth Illinois, and know the gallantry with which their men repulsed the enemy in his first attack. The Twenty-third Wisconsin, Major Greene commanding, Sixty-seventh Indiana, Major Sears commanding, and the Seventy-seventh Illinois, Major Burdett commanding, are reported to me by Generals Stone and Lee to have acted nobly, meeting steadily the assaults of a very superior force of the enemy. I desire here to thank the officers of my staff, Dr. J. S. McGrew, surgeon-in-chief, Captain Buel, aide-de-camp, Capt. P. H. White, chief of artillery, Lieutenant Tredway, aide-de-camp, Lieu- tenant Davis, aide-de-camp, Lieutenant Richardson, acting inspector- general, and Lieutenant-Colonel Hatch, assistant quartermaster, all of whom performed their whole duty ~nd~ rendered me valuable assistance. Lieutenants Higbie and Harris, signal officers, Captain Vilas and Lieutenants Ayres and Landram, of Colonel Landrams staff, were also distinguished for praiseworthy conduct. The Chicago Mercantile Battery, Lieutenant Cone commanding, and the First Indiana Battery, Captain Klauss commanding, went promptly into action and behaved with gallantry. When the second line was broken, notwithstanding their great loss in men and horses, they would have brought off their guns in safety had it not been that our line of retreat was blocked up by the train~of the cavalry. Captain White, chief of artillery, was in this batt~e, as in all others, distinguished for coolness and excellent judgment. He was cap- tured with Lieutenant Cone while endeavoring to save the battery. I regret to find it my ~zluty to record the disgraceful conduct of Lieu- tenant-Colonel Lindsey, of the Forty-eighth Ohio Infantry, whom I saw at some distance in the rear of his regiment lying behind a fallen tree, while his veteran regiment was in the thickest of the fight under the lamented Major Bering. The conduct of the troop Page 268 268 LOUISIANA AND THE TEAKS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. under my command was all that I could ask. They repulsed a superior force in their front, and but for the movement of a large body of the enemy upon our left flank, which could not be pre- vented by the force at our command, would have held the first line, and with the assistance of General Camerons (Third) division could have checked the enemy till the arrival of the Nineteenth Corps. Soon after I was wounded General Cameron arrived with the Third Division, and took command of the detachment of the Thir- teenth Army Corps. For further details of the battle and for the particulars of the casualties you are respectfully referred to his re- port and that of Colonel Landram. My thanks are due to both of these distinguished officers for the valuable assistance and hearty co-operation in my plans which they uniformly rendered me while under my command, and for the able manner in which they con- ducted the affairs of their respective divisions in camp, on the march, and in battle. I have the honor to be, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, T. E. G. RANSOM, ]3riqadier- General of Volunteers. Maj. WICKHAM HOFFMAN, Assistant Adjutant- General. No. 9. Reports of Brig. Gen. Robert A. Cameron, U. S. Army, commanding Third Division and detachwe~d of the Thirteenth Army Corps, of operations April 623. CAMP OF DETACHMENT THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Grand Ecore, La., April 11, 1864. MAJOR: I have the honor to report to you, in reply to your com- munication of the 10th, asking for a report of the orders governing my movements on the 9th instant: At 11 a. m. I was instructed by Major-General Franklin to take a road leading to Cruinps Hill by~a detour of 2 miles, following and covering a large wagon train. I moved at 12 in., and at 2 p. m. was about 2~ miles on the road, when I received a verbal order from some person, to me unknown, from your headquarters, directing me to watch and protect our left flank and carefully cover the train, and for that purpose to halt until the train had advanced out of the way of danger. At 5 oclock I was 4~ miles from Pleasant Hill, but re- ceived no orders, although I could distinctly hear the firing of mus- ketry. I received no orders during the rem~nder of the day except a note from General Lee, at 2 a. m. of the 10th, a copy of which I inclose. * R. A. CAMERON, Br4 Gen. of Vols., C~omdg. Detach. 13th Army Corps. Maj. GEORGE B. DRAKE, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Department of the Gulf. * Not found as an iiiclosure Page 269 CHAP. XLVI.I THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 269 [First indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, Grand Ecore, La., April 11, 1864. Respectfully referred to Major Lieber, judge-advocate of the De- partnient of the Gulf, the officer who carried verbal instructions from these headquarters to Brigadier-General Cameron. By command of Major-General Banks: GLO. B. DRAKE, Assistant Adjutant- General. [Second indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, Grand Ecore, La., April 12, 1864. Respectfully referred to Mr. Le Duc, volunteer aide-de-camp, de- siring statement of any information he may have on the subject of General Camerons movements. By command of Major-General Banks GEG. B. DRAKE, Assistant Adjutant- General. (Same to Major von Herrinaun and Lieutenants Sargent and Simpson.) ADDENDA. (No. 1.) HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, Camp near Grand Ecore, April 11, 1864. Maj. GEORGE B. DRAKE, Asst. Acljt. Gen.: MAJOR: The report of Brigadier-General Cameron in regard to the instructions he received on the 9th instant having been referred to me, I have the honor to submit the following: In obedience to orders reCeive(1 from Brigadier-General Stone on the afternoon of that day (I think about 2 oclock), I rode out on the road leading from Pleasant Hill to (I believe) Crumps Hill, on which General Cameron was then marching, overtook him when, in person, about a half of a mile, possibly three-quarters of a mile, from the brick house on the edge of the clearing, near which the major-general commanding was then stationed, and communicated to him the fol- lowing instructions: I said in substance precisely as follows, and as nearly as I remember in these words: Gen~ral Cameron, General Stone directs that you march your command out on this road until the rear of your column shall have passed the brick house about half of a mile; that you there halt your command and place it so as best to protect the left flank of our army. General Cameron then informed me that there was a branch road of the Fort Jesup road leading into that road about 4 miles farther out, and asked me whether he had not best march his command to that point. I in- formed him that I had no instructions upon that poim~t, and he said that he would halt, as directed, but wished me to report the fact to General Stone. He then wished to know how long he was to remain there. I told him that neither had I any instructions upon that point, but presumed that he would be relieved by further orders, and that I would report upon this also to General Stone. I met General Stone on my way back and reported. I believe my report then will agree exactly with this statement. I am utterly at a loss to conceive how General Cameron could have understood me to sa Page 270 270 LOUISIANA AND TIlE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. anything about protecting the train. I said nothing whatever about the train, nor anything that could have been construed as relating to it. The above were the only subjects referred to in the conversa- tion, and comprised the instructions I received. I am, major, very respectfnlly, your obedient servant, G. NORMAN LIEBER, Major, Judge-Advocate. (No. 2.) HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, Grand Ecore, April 11, 1864. Maj. GEORGE B. DRAKE, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Department of the Gulf: MAJOR: I have the honor to report to you, in reply to your com- munication of this date, asking information on General Camerons movements, the following particulars: I was sent to find General Cameron at about 12 noon on the 9th instant, to tell him to send a line of skirmishers in his front, and send news to Major-General Banks frequently as to his position and proceedings. I went about 14- miles on a road to the left, where I met pickets and vedettes, who did not know where General Cameron was. I met a commissioned officer, to me unknown, who told me, on inquiring, that he had seen General Cameron moving on the right and in the rear of where we were. I reported the same to General Banks, who told me to go and tell it to General Stone, who was in the center of the field. After telling him he told me to go with him. We went about 1 mile, when we met with Major Lieber, who reported to General Stone about General Cameron. Then we returned to the field. I was sent again at 5.30 in the afternoon (as we began to drive the enemy away from us) to go to General Cameron and give him orders to advance his forces oii the left so as to flank the enemy. I went to the left, and at about a quarter of a mile from Major-General Banks, at the edge of the wood, I met Colonel Wilson and asked him if he had seen General Cameron or any of his forces. He replied that he had seen no force whatever there, and he remarked that I had been ordered to find him some time before. I told the colonel it was five or six hours since I had reported from that first expedition, and also that we were driving the enemy. I then went farther in the direction where General Stone and myself .ha4 met Major Lieber, and found three pieces of the Vermont battery in the rear of the left. I asked them who was on their left, and the lieutenant told me there was no force whatever there. I went farther, and as I could find nothing of General Cameron I came and reported to General Banks that I could not find General Cameron. By this time everything was quiet on the left, and we were repulsing the enemy on the front and the right lively. ALPHONSE LE DUC, Volunteer Aide-dc- Camp to Major- General Banks. (No. 3.) HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, Grand Ecore, April 12, 1864. Maj. GEORGE B. DRAKE, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Department of the Gulf: MAJOR: In compliance with your request, I have the honor to state that, on the 9th of April, about S p. in., just when the successful bay Page 271 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 271 net charge made by General Mowers brigade had commenced, I was ordered by the general commanding to proceed to Brigadier-General Cameron, with the major-generals order to the effect that he should march his brigade to the front to support our left wing, en- gaged in action. I went off and rode southward of those two brick houses near which the general commanding had been staying during the greater part of the day, toward the road which runs in a direction parallel with the main road, and which I knew General Cameron had been ordered to protect. I could not see any infantry nor the general himself. The cavalry officers I inquired of told me the general had already gone. I was about to inquire further as First Lieutenant Sargent appeared with orders to repeat the message. His horse being faster than mine he undertook to find the general, and I re- turned to the battle-field to report to the general commandinb. Lieu- tenant Sargent returned very soon after me, if not at the same time, but I do not know whether he had succeeded in finding the general or not. I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, C. J. VON HERRMANN, 3fajor, Aide-de-Gamp. (No. 4.) HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, Grand Ecore, La., April 12, 1864. Maj. GEORGE B. DRAKE, Assistant Adjutant- General: MAJOR: In compliance with your request, I have the honor to sub- mit the following statement: Late in the afternoon of the 9th in- stant (the exact hour I cannot tell) I received verbal instructions from the major-general commanding to go and hurry up the detach- ments of the Thirteenth Corps, under command of Brigadier-Gen- eral Cameron. I understood that General Cameron was on the Crumps Hill road, just beyond the red brick house. At this time Major von Herrmann and Lieutenant Simpson had both been sent to order up General Cameron. I met Major von Herrmann near the red brick house, who informed me that he could find nothing of General Cameron on the Crumps Hill road, but that it had been reported to him that he had already marched his command to the extreme left flank of our line, and was at that time engaged with the enemy. I at once reported this to the commanding general, who directed me to ride to the front and find out where General Camerons command was. I did so, accompanying Brigadier-General Stone, who was riding to the front at the same time. Several officers and soldiers reported to us that they belonged to the Thirteenth Army Corps, and by direction of General Stone I reported that General Gameron s com- mand was engaged with the enemy on our left. I have nothing further to report on that subject. Very respectfully, I am, major, your obedient servant, C. S. SARGENT, First Lient., Aide-de-camp, and Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gem Page 272 27~ LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. (No. 5.) HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, Grand Ecore, La., April 12, 1864. Maj. GEORGE B. DRAKE, Asst. AdjI. Gen., Department of the Gulf: MAJOR: I have the honor to report, in reply to your communica- tion of this date, desiring a statement of any intorination I might have concerning the movements of General Cameron, that at about 5 oclock on the afternoon of the 9th instant, during the engagement at Pleasant Hill, I was ordered by General Stone to proceed on the Natchitoches road about 2 miles, where I would find General Cameron with about 2,000 men, and direct him to detach about one-half of his force, and placing them under the command of a competent officer to send them to support the battery on our left flank, near the brick house, to which point I was to conduct them. I immediately started out on the road pointed out, and after riding about a mile I came across a road branching off to the left, and near which a com- pany of cavalry was stationed on picket. Not being able to learn which of these roads was the right one, I obtained three orderlies from the commanding officer of this company, and sent one of them down this left-hand road with directions to go about 2 miles, and if he could find General Cameron to say to him that an officer from General Banks headquarters was looking for him with such orders, giving him the orders I had received from General Stone. I then continued on, as I could get no information from the officer of this picket concerning the whereabouts of General Cameron, and seeing tracks of infantry on the road, I passed our vedettes and rode on some 3 or 4 miles, but seeing no signs of any force, I concluded to return and see what success my orderly had met with on the other road, at the same time sending my two remaining orderlies to go about 2 miles farther on this road, so as to make sure of finding him if there. On my return to the picket-post above referred to I was informed by the commanding officer that my orderly had returned from the other road, reporting that he had gone on until he met the commanding officer of the picket stationed there, who informed him that there were none of our forces outside of his, and that he had seen nothing of General Cameron or his command in that direction. Having now been absent some time, and fearing a continuance of the same would not be justified, Pg~ve up my search and returned to the field, it being nearly dark. I was unable to find General Stone and reported to General Banks, who told me it was all right, and that General Cameron had been in the engagement. I have the honor to be, very respectfu~1ly, your obedient servant, W. SIMPSON, Lient. and Actg. Aide-de-camp to Major-General Banks. CAMP OF DETACHMENT THIRTEEN~ ARMY CORPS, Grand Ecore, La., April 16, 1864. MAJOR: In pursuance of orders, I herewith report the part taken by the Third Division in the canipaign from Natchitoches, La., to Sabine Cross-Roads, and of the detachment of the Thirteenth Army Corps, consisting of the Third and Fourth Divisions, after the battle of Mans- field and the wounding of Brigadier-General Ransom up to their arrival at this place. The Third Division left Natchitoches on th Page 273 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 273 6th instant, and encamped at Mayon Bayou, 16 miles, at evening. On the 7th instant marched to Pleasant Hill, a distance of 19 miles. On the 8th, moved to Saint Patricks Bayou, a distance of 10 miles, and went into camp a little after 12 oclock. I had placed out my pickets, about 3 p. in., when I received orders thi~ough Major- General Franklin to move some 5~ miles and support the Fourth Division, who were then reported to be engaged with the enemy. I moved , leaving my wagon train, which had not yet arrived, and five companies ot the Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry with five companies of the Twenty-ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, mak- ing a whole regiment which had been detailed in the morning to gnard the trains of the Third and Fourth Divisions. The pickets fell in on the march, and I arrived with my command at the scene of the con- flict about 4.15 p. in., with the f4llowing men: First Brigade, Lieu- tenant-Colonel Flory commandingForty-sixth Indiana Veteran Volunteer Infantry, 13 officers and 252 men; Twenty-ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry (five companies), 5 officers and 183 men; total, 18 officers and 435 men. Second Brigade, Colonel Raynor command- ingFifty-sixth Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, 9 officers and 224 men Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry (five companies), 6 officers and 182 men; Twenty-eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, 13 officers and 406 men; total, 28 officers and 812 men. Total in division, 46 officers and 1,247 men. When I arrived near the ground I found the road so full of teams and stragglers on fQot and on horseback as to make it impossible to move any farther, and I commenced forming a line of battle, throwing the First Brigade on the right of the road and the Second on the left. I had only commenced the movement when I received orders from Major-General Banks, commanding department, to do as I had com- menced and advance on double-quick and occupy the edge of the woods in front. I pushed the command forward as rapidly as possible until I reached the edge of the woods, when I ordered the command to halt and open fire on the masses of the enemy moving down in front. The entire force of the enemy was checked and held for nearly an hour, when they commenced moving in masses on our left flank. I sent the Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, which I held in reserve, to check the movements of the enemy on our left flank. The enemy now moved in masses on our right flank. The Forty-sixth Indiana Veteran Volunteers, being on our extreme right, were, by order of Lieutenant-Colonel Flory, ordered to change front to meet the charge, but in a few minutes they were crushed by over- whelming numbers and obliged to give way. The left flank was at about the same time turned and gave way. A heavy body of the enemy, moving down the road on our center in two lines and sup- l)ortcd by a line of cavalry, completed our discomfiture, and we were soon in confusion. I received from time to time verbal o~ders from Major-General Banks, commanding department, from Major-Ge~eral Franklin, commanding U. S. forces in Western Louisiana, who were with me in the front, and from Brigadier-General Stone, chief of Major-Gen- eral Banks staff. I endeavored to rally the men in vain, for having entirely expended th~ir ammunition not enough could be collected together in any one place in the dense forest to offer any hope in a bayonet charge against the largely superior force of the enemy. The jam of the cavalry train, which caused the loss of the artillery 18 R RVOL xxxiv, PT Page 274 274 LOUISIANA AND TIlE TPANS-MJSSISSIPI~I. [CHAP. XLVI. of the Fourth Division and the loss of nearly all of my ambulances, tilled as they were with wounded, increased the confusion. We rallied about one-half mile behind the Nineteenth Army Corps, and General Ransom being wounded, I took command of both divisions and collected about 800 men. I had just supplied my men with am- munition when I was ordered to fall back to Pleasant Hill in charge of the train, where I arrived at 8 oclock next morning. The loss in my division was 314 killed, wounded, and missing. Among those reported killed is Lieutenant-Colonel Flory, command- ing First Brigade. * Among the wounded are Colonel Connell, Twenty-eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, left arm amputated; and Captain Dimmitt, acting assistant inspector-general, of my staff, who had his left thigh broken. Both are in the hands of the enemy. One of my orderlies bearing the division flag was wounded in the shoulder by the discharge of a spherical case, and another had a horse shot under him. So far as I know, every officer did his whole duty, and I am every way satisfied with the conduct of the men. They did all that could be expected of them, crushed and overwhelmed as they were by vastly superior numbers. My staffCaptain Mohr, acting assistant adjutant-general; Captain Dimmitt, acting assist- ant inspector-general; Lieut. H. H. Hyatt, aide-de-camp, and Lieu- tenant Dongherty, First Infantry, assistant commissary of musters bravely and fearlessly supported me, carrying orders, under a terrific fire, to every point indicated. On the morning of the 9th, at 11 oclock, I received verbal instruc- tions from Major-General Franklin, commanding, to move the detach- ment of the Thirteenth Army Corps on a circuitous route and to protect a large train which should proceed in advance of me to Crumps Hill and toward Grand Ecore. I started about 12 in., and at 2 p. m. I received orders from some person to me now unknown, purporting to come from General Stone or Major-General Banks, I have forgotten which, that I must watch and protect our left flank and carefully guard the train, and for that purpose halt until it had advanced out of the way of danger. At 5 oclock I was about 4-~ miles from Pleasant Hill, and could distinctly hear the musketry firing of the engagement of Saturday. I received no other orders, those sent me having miscarried. Had I received the orders sent I think I could have carried at least 2,000 armed men into the fight and added very much to the enemys rout that day, and greatly gratified the feelings of the men oT #~y command, suffering as they were from the mortification of their previous discomfiture. I arrived at Crumps Hill about 2.30 a. m. of the 10th, arid rested for three hours, when I moved on to Mayon Bayou, 7 miles. On the 11th I left Mayon Bayou at 4 a. in., and arrived at this place at 10 a. m. I am, truly, your obedient servant, R. A. CAMERON, Brigadier- General of Volunteers. Maj. WICKHAM HOFFMAN, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Nineteenth Army Gorps. CAMI~ OF DETACHMENT THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Alexandria, La., April 26, 1864. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that in pursuance of orders from Brigadier-General Emory, comm anding U. S. forces in the * Lieutenant-Colonel Fiery was wounded not killed Page 275 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 275 action of Budds Ferry or Monetts Crossing of Cane IRiver, on the 28d instant, that I crossed the river by fording on the morning of the 23d in the rear of Brigadier-General Birges forces, and followed and snpported him dnring his movements on the enemys left flank. The movement, as yon are aware, was eminently snccessfnl, driving the enemy from his position and enabling us to seize the ferry. My command, acting only as a snpport, was not serionsly~ engaged, bnt they evinced a zeal and willingness highly pleasing and satisfactory to me. lit may not be amiss for me to state that Brigadier-General Birge and staff displayed a great amonnt of couraoe was personally cognizant. ~ of which I I also desire to add my testimony to the gallant condnct of Col- onel Fessenden and his command, the Third Brigade, First Division, of the Nineteenth Army Corps. This brigade fought splendidly, charging the enemy up the side of a steep hill and driving them from a most formidable position with, it is tine, a very severe loss. I am, truly, your obedient servant, R. A. CAMERON, Brigadier- General of Volunteers, Commanding. Capt. DUNCAN S. WALKER, Assistant Adjutant- General. No. 10. Reports of Brig. Gen. Michael K. Lawler, U. S. Army, command- mug detaclunent of the Thirteenth Army Corps, of operations May 122. HEADQUARTERS THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Maddoxs House, May 2, 186410 p. m. GENERAL: The troops of this corps, with the command of Gen- eral Mower, are encamped in two lines about 2 miles from our in- trenched camp, facing to the west, with one regiment on the north side of Bayou Rapides. We have skirmished all the afternoon with- out sustaining loss. The enemy gave away readily so long as we advanced. Our farthest advance was al~u~5 miles from Alexandria, at 4 p. m. Your dispatch received at that hour caused us to retire to this position. I do not think it would be prudent to advance to- niorrow with the troops of the Thirteenth Corps alone. Your dis- patch directs that General Mower shall retire to his former position. I shall therefore await your orders for to-morrows movemeiit. Although the enemy did not resist stubbornly to-day, he showed an extensive line of pickets, mostly cavalry. Some of my officers who were with the skirmishers saw infantry also. Just before sundown. as we were withdrawing, they opened three field guns, but retired them after half a dozen shots from our battery. I have not felt 2lnstified under my instructions in pushing forward so rapidly as I might otherwise have done. From the extent of the enemys pickets I am satisfied he ha~ a force of respectable dimensions not far out. An engagement would attend our determined advance. If allOwed to give substantial battle I should be willing to go forward to-mor- row with the same force I have had to-day. At the same time Page 276 276 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPL ~CHAP. XLVI. regiment or two of cavalry to examine the country on our left would be of the greatest service; indeed, some cavalry on that flank is in- dispensable to a safe advance. Very respectfully, yonr obedient servant, M. K. LAWLER, Brigadier- General. Brig. Gen. WILLIAM DWIGHT, Chief of Staff, Department of the Gulf. HEADQUARTERS THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS, May 7, 186411 a. m. GENERAL: I am now at Twelve-Mile Bridge. The enemy here- tofore in our front have divided, part crossing the bridge, the rest going south through the pine woods. I shall cross the bridge pres- ently and move up the island. A lady living near here, whose hus- band is in the U. S. service, reports that Taylor, Steele, and Price are at McNutts Hill. The rebels are driving all the stock before them as tbey retire. We have passed some corn. I have ordered Captain Haskell to bring up 10,000 field rations to-morrow. The same wagons can be loaded with forage for the return. No cavalry has reported to us. r understand from Lieutenant Sargent, now here, that 300 were ordered to report yesterday. I need them very much. Captain Haskell has instructions to ask for a cavalry escort for his subsistence train in the morning. II earnestly request a small force sent with him. M. K. LAWLIER, Brigadier- General, Commanding. Brig. Gen. WILLIAM DWIGHT, Chief of Staff. HEADQUARTERS DETACHMENT THIRTEENTH CORPS, New Texas Landing, La., May 22, 1864. GENERAL: I respectfully submit the following report of this detachment of the Thirteenth Corps since May 1, on which day Major-General MeClernand, in consequence of severe illness, trans- ferred the command to me: The detachment, composed of the Third Division, Brigadier-General Cam~oi~ commanding; the Fourth Division, Col. W. J. Landram; the Second Brigade, First Division, Col. James Keigwin, was posted as follows: The Third and Fourth Divisions occupied the intrenched line opposite the sugar-house, the right resting on Bayou Rapides, and Keigwins brigade the line of Woody Bayou, three-fourths of a mile advanced. On the 2d day of May, with Keigwins brigade and Camerons division, I move(l out on the Shreveport road, under orders to advance 12 miles. The enemy confronted me, apparently in force, 2 miles beyond Winns, and as my instructions forbade a general en~agement, after some slight skirmishing, I withdrew to Wiuns plantation, and bringing up the Fourth Division encamped there my whole command. May 5, in accordance with orders from department headquarters, direct- ing that the foA~e of the enemy which had been demonstrating in our front should be driven back to beyond Grahams plantation, 1 moved with Keigwins brigade and Camerons division and drove the enemy beyond the point designated, with a loss to them of 8 killed, 2 Page 277 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGX. 277 wounded, and 3 prisoners, and on our side of 1 killed and 19 wounded. Having fatlen back to Winns on the evening of the 5th, orders were received on the 6th of May directing a second advance, which was accordingly made in the afternoon of that day with the same troops. We reached Middle Bayou without material opposi- tion from the enemy, and bivouacked there for the night. The next morning the advance was resumed, and we drove the enemy, fight- ing all the way, across BayQu Rapides, at Lamothes Bridge, and to McNutts Hill. At night I withdrew to Middle Bayou, and having sent back to Beatties the brigade of the Fourth Division which had come up in the mean time, the remainder of the troops went into camp at the bayou, orders from the headquarters of the department directing that this line should be held with a view of covering our forage train. Major McNeil, acting assistant inspector-general on the staff of the rebel General Bee, was killed on this day by Cam- erons pickets while reconnoitering our lines. The troops of the corps remained quietly in camp at Middle Bayou, at Beatties, and Winns, until the 13th of May, when orders were received to break camp and march for the Mississippi. The movement of the troops commenced at 3 p. in., the corps and division trains having been sent into Alexandria in the morning, and reported to the quartermaster in charge of the army train. We moved down to Wiuns plantation, thence across to the Opelousas road, and then to the Red River, and camped for the night on the right flank and rear of the train, having marched 14 miles. Early on the 14th of May the Fourth Division, under the com- mand of Col. F. W. Moore, Eighty-third Ohio (Colonel Landram being too unwell to make the journey by land), moved to the front and reported to Brig. Gen. A. J. Smith, and was subject to his orders during the day. The origiiial order of march from department headquarters was here changed so far as to permit Smiths command to move in from the Opelousas road and take position in the front. This threw my corps in the rear. We marched at 10 a. in., Cam- erons division on the right flank and Keigwins brigade in the rear of the train. Our march during the day was slow and tedious, and continued until 2 oclock at night, when orders were received to camp until the train moved on to the front. Keigwins brigade camped at the Wilson plantation, and Camerons and Moores divis- ions about 2 miles in the advance. The ~nejn y did not annoy us dur- ing the day, but carried on a brisk skirmish with the cavalr in our rear; distance marched about 15 miles. y May 15.Ordered to march at 7 a. in., but in consequence of the delay in building bridges in front we did not get well under way until 5 oclock in the afternoon. After rapid marching until 1.30 at night, my troops were halted in the rear of the trains near Marks- ville, and slept on their arms until 5 a. m. of the 16th, when the march was again resumed. The enemy were supposed to be in posi- tion in front, and my orders for the day were to ii~ve up and post my command in echelon at the forks of the road, just beyond Marks- ville, to protect the train and the right flank and rear of the army. Our advance, the Nineteenth Corps, under Brigadier-General Emory. found the enemy in l4ne at Mansura Post-Office. They opened on his lines a very heavy artillery fire, without, however, checking his for~ ward movement, and upon the near approach of his advance they withdrew from the field. At the comnieucemeiit of the firing I r Page 278 [CHAP. XLVI. ~78 LOITISIANA AND TIlE TEA~N S-MiSSI~STPPI. ceived orders to send one division to the front. Camerons division moved accordingly, and by your direction marc1ie~ on the left of the road and opposite the head of the train during the day. Leaving Moores division to protect the rear, I moved with Keigwins brigade to the front and right of our line to the support of Brigadier-General Smiths command, bnt upon reaching the position designated the enemy had already withdrawn, and I resumed my usual position on the flank and rear of the train. We marched at intervals all day and night, halting at Bayou De Glaize two hours, on the morning of the 17th, for breakfast. Here orders were again received changing the order of march, placing my command in the center and Smiths in the rear. Moving at sunrise, we passed General Smiths troops in camp at Callahans plantation. Arrived at Yellow Bayou at 2 p. in., crossed our troops with the train, and went into camp within 2 miles of Sim sport by sundown. The enemy made a slight dem- onstration on our train during the day, and even charged in small force Colonel Dickeys brigade, of the Corps dAfrique, but were promptly repulsed by these troops. I disposed my command along the right flank of the train, aiid, save an occasional shot, received no fnrther annoyance. The cavalry, I believe, were engaged in a sharp contest with the foe, and did not get off without loss. May 18.The troops remained in camp on De Glaize Bayou, with the exception of Keigwins brigade, which was sent across Yellow Bayou late in the afternoon to the support of Smiths command, a portion of which had been successfully engaging the enemy during the greater portion of the day. Keigwin, however, did not arrive in time to participate in the fighting, and was withdrawn on the fol- lowing morning. Orders were received from department headquar- ters to hold my command in readiness to cross the Atchafalaya River on transports after the Nineteenth Corps, but on the morning of the 19th instant instructions were received delaying the crossing of the troops for that day, and directing me, in conjunction with the cav- alry forces of General Arnold, to cross Yellow Bayou at the dike, 3 miles below Simsport, and attempt to gain the flank and rear of the enemy by marching to the Cut-Off road. Arriving at the dike, orders were received countermanding the movement unless the enemy should attack General Smiths troops. They did not do so, and in the afternoon the corps was withdrawn, and camped for the night in the rear of Simsport. J3rig. Gen. Fitz Henry Warren, being my senior, assumed command of the cprps on this day, but retained it only until the day following. In the mean time the troops and trains of the army were safely crossed on the bridge of boafs. Just before the receipt of marching orders the command of the corps was again transferred to me. Moving at 7 oclock, we marched all night, and arrived at Red River Landing by 6 in the morning of the 21st, when the troops were halted for breakfast. The march was continued without interruption from the enemy dur- ing the day. The trains were parked, and th~ troops camped on the banks of the Mississippi by 9 p. m. Resuming the march the next morning, 22d instant, we arrived by 1 p. in., and went into camp at New Texas Landing, the end of our tedious and fatiguing march. On the march~from Alexandria to this place not a man was lost in the detachment, either killed, wounded, or by straggling. M. K. LAWLER Brigadier- Generat, Commanding. Brig. Gen. WILLIAM DWIGHT, Chief of Staff Page 279 CHAP. XLVI.) THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGTh No. it. .1/ ia e rary of the Artillery Br iqade, Thirteenth Army Corps. for months of March, April, and lliay.* March ~.Headquarters Thirteenth Army Corps removed from New Orleans to Matagorda Island, Tex. Maj. A. Schwartz assumed command of the Artillery Brigade, havin been appointed chief of artillery and ordnance of the corps. March 24.Battery E, Second Illinois Light Artillery, returned to Baton Rouge. The Second Ohio Battery, Battery A, First Mis- sonri Light Artillery, First Indiana Battery, and Chicago Mercantile Battery were with General Banks expedition on Red River. April 18.Headquarters Thirteenth Army Corps removed from Matagorda Island, Tex., to Alexandria, La., arriving there April 25. April 23.The First Wisconsin Battery removed from New Or- leans up Red River to Alexandria. The Chicago Mercantile Battery was engaged on the 8th at Sabine Cross-Roads. Lost all their materials, 4 commissioned officers and 17 enlisted men; now in New Orleans doing duty as infantry. The First Indiana Battery was also engaged at Sabine Cross-Roads. Lost 4 guns, some horses, and 2 men. The Second Ohio, First Wisconsin, Battery A, First Missouri Light Artillery, and First Indiana Battery are still with the expe- dition on Red River. May. The First Wisconsin, Second Ohio, Battery A, First Mis- souri Light Artillery, and First Indiana Battery marched with the army under General Banks from Alexandria to Simsport and thence to Morgauza, and had several skirmishes with the enemy. Battery E, Second Illinois Light Artillery, has been on a reconnaissance under Colonel Sheldon, and had a slight skirmish with the enemy near Baton Rouge. No. 12. Report of Lieut. Henry Roe, Chicago (Illinois) Mercantile Battery, of operations March 15April 8. CAMP CHICAGO Mi~RdANTILE BATTERY, Grand Ecore, La., April 17, 1864. SIR: Below please find history of the operations of my command since leaving Franklin, La., as per your orders of April 17, 1864: March 15, moved from Franklin, La., joining the Fourth Division, Thirteenth Army Corps. March 16, moved from Franklin at 6 a. in., marching 18 miles. March 17, moved camp at 7 a. in., going into camp at Camp Pratt, marching 18 miles. March 18, moved from Camp Pratt at 6 a. in., marching 18 miles, going into camp on Ver- million Bayou. March 19, moved from Vermillion Bayou at 7 a. in., marching 18 miles, going into camp on Carrion Crow Bayou. March 20, moved from Carrion Crow Bayou at 6 a. in., marching 15 miles, going into camp ne~ Washington. March 21, remained in camp. March 22, moved from Washington at 6 a. mu., marching 18 miles, going into camp at Bayou Boeuf. March 28, muove(l from Bayou * From monthly returns Page 280 280 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSlPPJ. [CHAP. XLVI. Boeuf at 5.30 a. in., marching 20 miles, going into camp on the same bayon. March 24, moved at 7 a. in., marching 18 miles, going into camp at Lecompte Station. March 25, moved from Lecompte Station at 7 a. in., marching 15 miles, going into camp 5 miles from Alex- andria. March 26, moved camp at 7 a. in., going into camp 4 miles beyond Alexandria. March 27, remained in camp; battery paid off by Major Brigdon. March 28, moved from Alexandria at 6 a. in., marching abont 20 miles, going into camp at Harrisons plantation. March 29, moved at 9 a. in., marching about 6 miles, going into camp near Cane River. March 30, remained in camp until 10 p. in., when we crossed the river. March 31, moved at 6 a. in., marching about 20 miles, going into camp near the ferry at Old Red River. April 1, moved at 8 a. in., marching about 15 miles, going into camp 5 miles from Natchitoches. April 2, moved at 6 a. in., going into camp at Natchitoches. April 3, 4, 5, remained in camp. April 6, moved from Natchitoches at 6 a. in., marching about 15 miles. April 7, moved at 6 a. in., marching 20 miles, going into camp at Pleasant Hill. April 8, moved from Pleasant Hill at 5 a. in., marching about 12 miles, when we were ordered to proceed at the double-quick to the field, a distance of 3 miles. The field was soon reached, and we went into position in a plowed field on the left of the road. We remained there but a few moments, when we were ordered to take position on the right of the road at the edge of the woods. Here we did some very sharp firing and succeeded in keepiiig the enemy in check for a short time, but being unsupported, we were eventually obliged to fall back. We then took position some distance back at the edge of the woods, which we held for some time, and were then ordered to limber up and get into the road, as the retreat had by that time become general. We succeeded in getting the pieces all off the field, but the road being blockaded by the wagons we were compelled to leave them. Our loss was 1 officer killed, 1 wounded, and 2 prisoners; 1 enlisted man killed, 2 wounded, and 21 prisoners. The battery fired in all about 250 rounds. April 9, we started from Pleasant Hill, reaching Grand Ecore on the 11th, where we have been in camp since. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, HENRY ROE, Junior Second Lieutenant, Commanding Battery. Brig. Gen. RIcH ARD ARNOLD, Chief of Artillery, Department of the Gulf. No. 13. Report of Lieut. Charles 111. Callahan, Battery A, First Missouri Light Artillery, of operations March 16April 10. CAMP BATTERY A, FIRST REGT. MIssouRI LIGHT ART.. Grand Ecore, La., April 18, 1864. Report of operations of the battery in connection with this army since it left Franklin, La. The battery left Franklin, La., March 16, 1864, under command of Lieut. E. Cole, marched and camped with the army of Western Louisiana, in a northwestern direction, passing the towns of New Iberia, La., March 17, 1864, Vermillio Page 281 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 281 yule, La., March 19, 1864, Opelousas and Washington, La., March 20, 1864, Holmesville, La., March 28, 1864, and Cheneyville, La., March 24, 1864, and arrived at Alexandria, La., March 26, 1864, marching in all a distance of about 190 miles. March 27, 1864, re- mained in camp near Alexandria, La. March 28, 1864, left camp an(l arrived at Cane River March 29, 1864; crossed Cane River on 1)olitoon bridge March 80, 1864. March 81, 1864, passed the town of Cloutierville, La., and encamped that night, after fording Cane River, about 25 miles from Natchitoches, La. April 1, 1864, force marched to Natchitoches, La.; marched about 25 miles in 6 hours and 30 min- utes; remained in camp at Natchitoches until April 6, 1864, during which time Lieut. C. M. Callahan returned to company and assumed command. April 6, 1864, left camp near Natchitoches, La., marched and camped and arrived at Pleasant Hill April 7, 1864, marching a distance of 35 miles. April 8, 1864, left Pleasant Hill and marc4ied toward Sabine Cross-Roads; did not take part in any engagement that day; marched back that same night, after the defeat of our army, to Pleasant Hill, La. April 9, 1864, left Pleasant Hill, La., marched Jay and night, and arrived at Grand lEcore, La., April 10, 1864; remained in camp until April 14, 1864, when a section of bat- tery took a position on the Natchitoches road, the rest of the battery remaining in camp up to the present date. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant C. M. CALLAHAN, First Lient., Comdg. Battery A, First Missouri Light Art. Brig. Gen. R. ARNOLD, Chief of Artillery, Department of the Gulf. No. 14. Ith~ era ry of the First Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, April 18 May 22.* The Second Brigade, under command of Brigadier-General Law- ler, shipped from Matagorda Island to New Orleans April 18; arrived in that city on the 21st, left for Alexandria on the 24th, and arrived there the 26th. The brigade remained in the vicinity of Alexandria, skirmishing more or less every day with the enemy until May 13, when it marched with the army for the Mississippi. May 22.Arrived safely at Morgauza, La., where it has since remained. The Thirty-fourth Iowa Volunteers was transferred to the Fourth Division, May 11, by order of General Lawler, com- manding detachment of Thirteenth Corps, in the field. April 25.The Twenty-third Iowa and one wing of Twenty- second Iowa, belonging to First Brigade, shipped from Matagorda Island. Headquarters of the division and the remaining wing of the Twenty-second Iowa embarked for NeW Orleans April 29; arrived May 1. On May 4, left New Orleans with Twenty-third Iowa and left wing of Twenty-second Iowa Volunteers for Alexandria; arrived at Fort De Russy and found the river blockaded by heavy batteries. Returned to the mou4h of Red River, and remained until the army arrived at Simsport, when the troops joined it. The remainder of the First Brigade had not yet left Texas at last report. * From return for May Page 282 282 LOUISIANA AND TIlE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. No. 15. Report of McU. Bradford Hancock, Twenty-ninth Wisconsin In- fttntry, commanding First Brigade, Third Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, of operations April 68, and itinerary of the bri- gade, March 5May 22. HDQRS. 29TH REGT. WISCONSIN VOL. INFY.. Grand Ecore, La., lprii 12, 1864. SIR: I have the honor to report the part taken by the First Bri- gade, Third Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, in the campaign from Natchitoches to Sabine Cross-Roads, La., as follows: The brigade, composed of the Forty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Twenty- ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and First Missouri Battery [A, First Missouri Artillery], commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Flory, Forty-sixth Indiana Infantry, commenced the march from Natchi- toches in its proper place in column at 7.45 a. in., April 6, marching about 16 miles, and going into camp about 5p. m. Commenced march on the 7th, marching about 20 miles, going into camp at Pleasant Hill about 1 p. m. Commenced march April 8 at 5.45 a. in., five compa- nies, Twenty-ninth Wisconsin, having been detailed to guard train, marching about 12 miles, going into camp about 1 p. m. In about one hour orders for the division to march imme(hiately to the front were received and promptly obeyed, the artillery being left behind. Marched about 5 miles, and arrived in good order on the field of battle. The First Brigade was immediately thrown into line on the right of the road, and charged forward at quick and double-quick time through thick underbrush, woods, and fallen timber, meeting the broken troops of the Fourth Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, and the pursuing enemy, driving theni back about one-half mile, until reaching the edge of a large open field over which the enemy was advancing in heavy force. The brigade halted and commenced a heavy fire, driving the enemy entirely from the field, and forcing him to abandon some pieces of artillery. The enemy soon charged again into the field, attempting to gain possession of the artillery, but reserving the fire of the Twenty-ninth Wisconsin until the enemy was well advanced they ~pe~ed a severe fire, driving him again in disorder from the field. Meanwhile the enemy fired upon us with artillery from the opposite side and niOve(l several regi- ments of infantry around the right of the field, and around the right and almost to the rear of our line, and again charged our direct front with a force far outnumbering ours, but were repulsed with severe loss. Information was sent to the commanding general that we were being flanked on our right by a heavy force. Mean time the second regiment had been driven back so that the eiiemy had passed some distance to the rear on our left. Lieutenant-Colonel Flory, in order to meet the flank movement on our right, changed the front of the Forty-sixth Indiana, moving it about 100 yards to the rear, so as to meet the eneiiiy, who charged immediately in overwhelming num- bers, forcing that regiment back, Lieutenant-Colonel Flory falling wounded into the hands of the enemy; but the Forty -sixth Indiana again formed line in a road nearly parallel with the first line of bat Page 283 CUAP. XLVI.] TIlE EED ETVER CAMPAThN. tie, and the enemy in heavy numbers pursuing again forced them to fall back. The Twenty-ninth Wisconsin, which lia(l alrea(ly suffered severely from the fire of the enemy advancing through the field, fell back in good order about 50 yards in order to clear its flanks from the enemy, changing front slightly toward the enemy on the right, who now advanced slowly but firing rapidly, they supposing, I think, that the Twenty-ninth formed part of a fresh line, as it was irnpos- sible to see but a short distance through the thicket. The enemy which had advanced across the open field now arrived close upon our left flank, delivering a heavy fire, driving back the skirmish- ers, which had been left along the fence to hinder their progress. The few troops now left, numbering not more than 100 men, fell back in tolerably order to get out of the terrible cross-fire they were receiving. Many of our men had expended their ammunition, and it ap- peared as though we were completely surrounded and cut off. We, however, succeeded again in forming a line with about 40 men in the road near where the first line of battle was formed, fronted slightly to the right, the flanks resting in the brush on either side, intending (although many of our guns were empty and ammunition gone) to deceive the enemy with the idea that the long-expected re-enforce- ments had arrived. To this end the skeleton regiment gave three cheers for Vicksburg, immediately delivering its fire upon the enemy, whose line was advanced within a few yards. We were, however, immediately attacked on our left flan k by a portion of the enemy, which we had mistaken through the smoke of some burning logs for our own troops. Many of our men fell, either killed or wounded, and we were immediately driven back. As from the general confu- sion now prevailing, the enemy having attacked the flank of the trains and the cavalry support having fled, it became impossible to make longer head against the enemy, our scattered forces fell back to the rear of the Nineteenth Army Corps, which was forming line, and we gathered our scattered men, with the aid of the five compa- nies of the Twenty-ninth Wisconsin, which had now arrived from guarding trains. Procuring ammunition and rations we commenced the retreat about 10 p. in., arriving at Pleasant Hill, 16 miles distant, early next morning. The brigade numbered on going into battle as follows: Forty- sixth Indiana Infantry, 252 enlisted men, 3 Qificers; five companies Twenty-ninth Wisconsin, 183 enlisted men, 5 officers. The brigade lost in the battle as follows : Forty-sixth Indiana, 8 killed, 98 wounded and missing; five companies Twenty-ninth Wisconsin, S killed, 55 wounded and missing; total number engaged, 435 enlisted men and 18 officers; total loss, 13 killed, 153 wounded and missing. Among the killed is Lieut. J. McClung, Forty-sixth Indiana. Among the missing are Lieutenant-Colonel Flory, Forty-sixth Indiana, com- manding brigade; Chaplain H. Robb, Capt. W. M. De Hart, Lieut. Jacob Hudlow, all of the Forty-sixth Indiana. Amo~g the wounded who escaped are Capt. F. Swigart, Forty-sixth Indiana; Capt. G. H. Bryant, Twenty-ninth Wisconsin. Soon after the breaking of our last line Captain Blake, of the Twenty-ninth Wisconsin, was captured by the enemy, but succeeded almost immediately in making his escape. I would add that the men were not disheartened, but are as ready as ever to meet the enemy, feeling that they were driven from th Page 284 284 LOUISIANA AND TILE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. field by force of overwhelming numbers. The conduct of officers and men during the engagement was most satisfactory, all conduct- ing themselves bravely. Most respectfully, B. HANCOCK, Major Twenty-ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. Capt. HENRY E. JONES, Actg. Asst. Adji. Gen., 1st Brig., 3d Div., 13th Corps. Itinerary of the First Brigade, Third Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, March 5-iliay 22.* March 5.Took cars at Algiers, La., for Brashear City; crossed Berwick Bay and went into camp to wait for train. March 1 Left camp at Berwick. March 16.Arrived at Franklin. March 18.Left Franklin. March 26.Arrived at Alexandria. March 28.Left Alexandria. March 31.Encamped at night on Cane River; distance marched about 230 miles. April 6.Left camp at Natchitoches, La., and moved on the Shreveport Road. April 8.Arrived and took part in the engagement at Sabine Cross-Roads in the evening, and fell back to Pleasant Hill, where we arrived on the morning of the 9th. April 9.Left Pleasant Hill. April 11.Arrived at Grand Ecore in the evening. April 21.We broke camp at Grand Ecore and marched toward Alexandria. April 23.Arrived at Cane River, and found the enemy strongly posted on the opposite side to prevent our crossing. After a short engagement they were driven back and we got possession of the ford. April 24.Left Cane River. April 26.Arrived at Alexandria. April 30.Still in camp at Alexandria, La.; whole distance marched abont 250 miles. May 1.Still at Alexandria, Li.; part of the command engaged in constructing the famous dani. iliay 2.Marched to the front 2 or 3 miles; skirmished with the enemy; bivouacked for the night and next day commenced erecting earth-works. May 6.Moved in the direction of the enemy; skirmished with him and drove him some 6 miles; there halted for the night; next day skirmished with him and drove him 5 miles farther; same even- ing fell back toward our intrenchments; h~ted some 6 miles from outer works and remained there on outpost duty until the 13th, skirmishing daily with the enemy. May 13.Took up line of march in the direction of the Missis- sippi River, ~rrivimmg at Morganza Bend, La., a point some 10 miles below the mouth of Red River, after a series of delays in skirmish- ing, buildino bridges, & c., on the 22d instant, at which point we are now lying. _____ From returns for March, April, and May Page 285 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 285 No. ,16. Report of Gol. William H. Raynor, Fifty-sixth Ohio Infantry, com manding Second Brigade, of operations April 68. HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., THIRD DIV., 13TH ARMY CORP1~, Grand Ecore, La., April 11, 1864. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to respectfully report the part taken by this brigade on the march from Natchitoches to and during the action near Mansfield, on the 8th instant: The brigade (composed as follows, Twenty-eighth Iowa, Col. John Connell commanding, aggregate, 493; Twenty-fourth Iowa, Maj. Ed. Wright command- ing, aggregate, 388; Fifty-sixth Ohio, Capt. M. Manring command- ing, aggregate, 224; total, 1,105) left Natchitoches on the morning of the 6th instant, and after a march of 35 miles arrived at Pleasant Hill, La., about 1.30 p. in. on the 7th. Soon after having been as- signed a camp-ground the brigade was ordered forward to support a portion of the cavalry command, which was heavily skirmishing with the enemy about 2 miles in our front. We were led forward by General Cameron (commanding division) in person. After march- ing about 1 mile we were informed that the enemy had fallen back, and the men were allowed to return to camp. On the morning of the 8th instant the march was resumed. Soon after starting upon the road, the occasional sound of cannoii and the continued dropping fire of musketry told us that the advance were sharply skirmishing. This brigade was soon detached from the division and ordered to the front. The enemy, though stubbornly, fell back before our cavalry and a portion of the Fourth Division, Thirteenth Corps dArm6e, and we had not reached the extreme front when we arrived at the first branch of Bayou Saint Patrick, where the brigade was ordered to encamp in line of battle. This was about 11 a. m. Mean time, the large train belonging to General Lees cavalry passed to our front, and our own arrived with the remainder of the division. About 3 p. in. the firing at the front became brisk, and we were soon after ordered forward, five companies of the Twenty-fourth Iowa being left with our wagon train. The division hurried forward, marching 6 miles, mostly at the double-quick. Upon nearing the Moss plantation the brigade was directed to form in the thick woods on the left side of the Mansfield road, in ~th~ following order: The right of the Fifty-sixth Ohio resting on the road, and the Twenty- eighth Iowa on their left, while the Twenty-fourth Iowa formed a second line in the rear of the two other regiments. In this order we moved steadily forward until the open fields of the plantation were reached. Here we found two guns of the First Indiana Battery and a few men of the Fourth Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, on the right of the road, hotly engaged with a heavy force of the enemy, who occupied a rising piece of ground in the cent~r of the field, and another heavy mass with artillery posted on the extreme farther side. By direction of General Cameron the line pressed on into the open field, taking advantage of a slight elevation, and at once opened fire upon the enemy, whose force more than quadrupled our own. I soon after moved the Twenty-fourth Iowa from their position in the rear to the front, on the left of the Twenty-eighth Iowa. Under a heavy fire the men lay for over an hour, not daring to advance against an enemy who numbered thousands to our hundreds, and until thei Page 286 286 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. ammunition was almost entirely expended, while the enemy, plainly in sight, was adding to his force and extending his line, which from the first greatly outflanked us. A heavy column, composed both of cavalry and infantry, were seeii to detach themselves from the enemys right and advance far on our left, where they formed in line perpendicular to our front and charged forward on our left. A force of cavalry which had been sent to our left to~ protect it fired one volley and fled, leaving our men exposed to a most telling enfi- lading fire, and from which fire nearly all our loss occurred. Mean time, the First Brigade of the division had been similarly outflanked on the right and driven from the field, which left us as badly exposed on the right. At the same time the heavy masses which had been gathering in our front caine forward in an irresistible col- umn. The division had, with little or no support, and numbering less than 1,200, kept in check an army of 10,000 or 12,000 for at least an hour and a half. Our men, attacked on either flank, without support from any quarter and without ammunition, fell back at first in some order, but becoming broken, run down, and mixed with our own cavalry, soon became much disorganized. After collecting the greater portion of the brigade in rear of the line formed by the Nineteenth Corps dArm~e, I received orders to retire to Pleasant Hill, distant about 18 miles, from which we had marched in the morning. This distance the exhausted men accom- plished by daylight on the morning of the 9th instant. The conduct of both officers and men was all that could be desired. Where all performed their duty special mention is not essential. Col. John Connell, of the Twenty-eighth Iowa, is among the missing, and is supposed to have been mortally wounded. Brave even to a fault, he remained on the field till too late, and was seen to fall be- fore the last heavy volley poured upon the devoted division. His loss will be severely felt, not only by his regiment, where it is irrep- arable, but by his brother officers and comrades in arms, to whom his many noble and generous qualities had endeared him. Lient. Thomas Hughes, acting brigade quartermaster, was upon the field rendering every assistance in his power; he is also among the miss- ing, and is supposed to be a prisoner, we hope unhurt. Dr. With- erwax and Assistant Surgeon Lyons, of the Twenty-fourth Iowa, with Asst. Surg. P. M. McFarland, remained upon the field caring for our wounded, and are now in Th~ hands of the enemy. The brigade entered the action as follows: Twenty-eighth Iowa, 406 men and 13 officers; five companies of Twenty-fourth Iowa, 182 men and 6 officers; Fifty-sixth Ohio, 224 men and 9 officers; total, 812 men and 28 officers. During the action the loss was as follows: Known to be killed, ii; wounded, 69; missing, 65; total, 145. Many of the missing are either killed or wounded. Append~d herewith, and made a part of this report, is the report of the several regiv~ntal commanders, with a detailed list of their casualties. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. H. RAYNOR, (Jo/on el, Co ni man ding Brigade. Capt. OSCAR MOHR, Actg. A& ~t. Adjt. Gert., Third Div., 13th Array Corps Page 287 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 287 No. 17. Rport of lEe]. Edward Wright, Twenty-fourth Iowa Infantry, of engagement at Sabine Cross-Roads. HDQRS. TWENTY-FOURTH IOWA INFANTRY Voi~s., Pleasant Hill, La., April 9, 1864. SIR: In obedience to orders I have the honor to make the follow- ing report of the part taken by the Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry in the expedition from Natchitoches, La., to Sabine Cross Roads: The regiment, numbering 388, rank and file, marched with the bri- gade from Natchitoches on the 6th instant, arriving at Pleasant Hill on the evening of the 7th, without anything particular having oc- curred. On the morning of the 8th, five companies, viz, A, D, I, C, and H, were detailed as train guard and marched in rear of the Third Division train. The other four companies under my command marched to a point 7 miles distant from Sabine Cross-Roads, and went into camp with the brigade on a branch of Saint Patricks Bayou. About 2 p. m. the command was ordered to the front, where the Fourth Division was engaged with the enemy. We arrived on the battle-field about 4 p. in., and were joined by Company F, provost guard at division headquarters. The command then numbered 159 rank and file. I was ordered to move in rear of the Twenty-eighth Iowa and Fifty-sixth Ohio, on the left of the road as reserve, and move forward, preserving a distance of 200 yards in the rear. The command remained in this position for about half an hour, when I was ordered to move forward and engage the enemy at once, which I (lid by obliquing to the left and coming in on the left of the Twenty- eighth Iowa. We held this position for near one hour, when the balance of the brigade having exhausted their ammunition, we were compelled to retire before a much superior force both on our left flank and in our front. Then, in obedience to orders, we fell back with the remainder of the brigade to Pleasant Hill, and went into camp on the morning of the 9th instant at 7 oclock. Our loss was 1 surgeon and 29 enlisted men, a part of whom were wounded. My command on the morning of thQ 9th numbered 362 enlisted nien, 296 of whom are armed and equipped, 2:3 sick, 13 on extra duty, 30 without arms. This does not include C omp on duty at division headquarters. any F, which is still I am, very respectfully, ED. WRIGHT, Lient. C. B. BRADSHAW, Major, Commanding Regiment. Acting Assistant Adjutant- General. No. 18. Report of Capt. Thomas Dillon, Twenty-eighth Iowa Infantry, of engagement at Sob inc Cross-Roads. HEADQUARTI~R5 TWENTY-EIGHTH IOWA INFANTRY, Grand Ecore, La., April 13, 1864. MAJOR: In compliance with circular issued from headquarters U. ~. Forces Western Louisiana, bearing date April 11, 1864, I here Page 288 [CHAP. XLVI. 288 LOUISJANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSJPPI. with send you an official report of the part taken by the Twenty- eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry in the expedition from Natchitoches to Sabine Cross-Roads. The regiment left Natchitoches on the morning of the 6th of April as a part of the Second Brigade, Third Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, and after a rapid march of 35 miles reached Pleasant Hill on the following day at 2 p. m. After a few minutes pause the regiment was ordered out to support General Lees cavalry, then engaging the enemy. It went out promptly, near 500 strong, not leaving camp guards. After advancing 1 mile and waiting one hour we were ordered to return to camp. At 5.30 a. m. the following morning we moved with the division forward to support General Lees cavalry arid one bri- gade of the Fourth Division, then driving the enemy. On reach- ing Creek, a distance of 10 miles we were ordered to halt in line of battle, our regiment resting on the right of the division. At 2.30 p. m. we were ordered forward with the division to join Lees cavalry and the Fourth Division, then engaging the enemy. At 3.30 p. m. reached the field of action and formed on the extreme left of the division, supported by the Tweiity-fourth Iowa, and were the first to open fire on the enemy and were soon exposed to the fire of the enemys battery, which poured shrapnel and shell upon us. It soon became evident that the enemy were flanking us oii the left, and the T~~enty-fourth Iowa was sent to protect it. This not being sufficient, a small force of cavalry was sent also. Here the regiment advanced 100 yards into the open field, and it soon became evident that this nosition was untenable and the regiment fell back again. We held ~ur position for two hours, received the constant fire of the enemys infantry, and being exposed to his artillery, which played with telling effect upon our ranks, our ammunition beiiig exhausted and the enemy already having gained our rear, and having no sup- port whatever, we were compelled to retreat, which we did in the best possible manner with the rest of the division. We went into the engagement 500 strong and in the best of order. I cannot personate in praises, for all most nobly did their duty. Not one officer flinched, not a man gave back. Col. John Connell had his horse shot under him eaidy in the action, but remained on the field cheering and urging his men to the last, and it was supposed fell mortally wounded* while retreating from the field. A truer patriot and braver man fell not oh t~rat bloody field. Loved most by those who knew him best, his loss to the regnuent is irreparable. He possessed not only the respect but the affection of his men. Adjt. J. G. Strong, while heroically and fearlessly doing his duty, was knocked from his horse by a minie-ball, inflicting a severe wound in the right shoulder, and was takemi from the field. Having his wound dressed, returned to the field, arid continued rallyimig the men in the thickest of the fire. First Lieut. H. H. Weaver was wounded in the right cheek while leading his company~and compelled to leave the field. Second Lieut. 0. F. Dorrance, while cheering his men in action, was severely wounded in the right hip and had to be borne from the field. I regret th~ space will not permit me to speak of all the officers standing up like men and facing the rain of death, and of the pri * He resigned March 17, 1865 Page 289 CHA!. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 289 yates and non-commissioned officers especially that fell in the conflict, yielding up their lives upon their countrys altar. Better soldiers live not in any army nor rest on any battle-field. Appended I send you a list of the casualties of the regiment. * THOMAS DILLON, Gaptain, Gommanding Regiment. Maj. EDWARD WRIGHT, Comdg. Second Brig., Third Div., 13th Army Corps. No. 19. Report of Gapt. Maseb ii Illanring, Fifty-si4h Ohio Infantry, of engagement at Sab inc Gross-Roads. HDQRS. FIFTY-SIXTH OHIO VET. INFY. VOLS., Grand Ecore, La., April 14, 1864. LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to respectfully submit the follow- ing report of the part borne by this regiment in the action of the 8th instant: My command, numbering 224, rank and file, effective men, marched from Natchitoches with the brigade on the 6th instant, arriving at Pleasant Hill on the evening of the 7th. On the morning of the 8th, marched 12iuiles to a point 7 miles distant from Sabine Cross-Roads, and encaniped. About 3 p. m. the regiment, with the brigade, was ordered to the front, where the. Fourth Division was already engaged with the enemy. We arrived on the battle-ground about 4 oclock, and immediately took position in line on the right of the brigade and im.mediately on the left of the Mansfield road, and then moved forward to the edge of the tini- ber, when the enemy opened a terrific fire from their batteries and infantry. But, notwithstanding the galling fire they were receiving, the regiment steadily advanced to a point in the open field, about 150 yards distant from the wood, which position we held about two hours, when the cry arose, More ammunition ! I immediately sent an officer to the rear for supplies, but before they could reach us we were forced te retire before a superior force of the enemy, who were pressing us closely on either~ fi~nk and on our center. The reginient, however, did not give way until we saw that the whole line on the left had been flanked and forced back, leaving us alone on the open field. In obedience to orders, fell back to Pleasant Hill the same night. Our loss was 40 killed, wounded, and missing. My command now numbers 251 present, 122 of which are armed and equipped; the remainder are sick or wounded, on extra or daily duty, and unarmed. Attached find a list of killed, wounded~ and missi~g. * I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, M. MANRING, Captain, Gommanding Fifty-sixth Ohio Vet. Vols. Lient. C. B. BRADSMAW, Acting Assistant A~jntant- General. * Embodied in table, p. 259, 19 R RVQL XXXIv, PT Page 290 290 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CnAi. XLVI. No. 20. Report of Col. William J. Landram, Nineteenth Kentncky Infantry, commanding Fonrth Division, of engagement at Sabine Cross- Roads. HDQRS. FOURTH Div., THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPs, Grand Ecore, La., April 12, 1864. CAPTAIN On the 6th instant this division Inarched from Natchi- toches, La., in rear of the cavalry of Brigadier-General Lee, a dis- tance of 16 miles, in the direction of Pleasant Hill, and encamped in a dense wood near a bayon. On the 7th instant the command marched 19 miles, and encamped at Pleasant Hill. At 11 p. m. of the 7th, I received orders, of which the following are copies: HEADQUARTERS U. S. FoRcEs WESTERN LoUIsIANA, April 7, 1864. Brig. G~n. T. E. G. RANSOM, Commanding Detachment Thirteenth Army Corps: GENERAL: The commanding general directs that a brigade of infantry be sent to General Lee, to be with him by daylight to-morrow morning. You may use your discretion as to sending a brigade or division. The spirit of the order will doubt- less be better carried out by sending a division. Send, therefore, a brigade or divis- ion to report to General Lee at or before 5 a. m. on to-morrow (Friday), 8th instant.* Respectfully, ~. B. FRANKLIN, Major-General. HEADQUARTERS DETACHMENT THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Pleasant Hill, La., April 7, 186410.20 p. m. Col. W. J. LANDRAM, Commanding Fourth Division: COLONEL: In obedience to the inclosed order you will move at 3 a. in. to-morrow, with the First Brigade of your division, and report to General Lee, 8 miles in front, at daylight or as soon thereafter as possible.* By order of Brig. Gen. T. E. G. Ransom: C. E. DICKEY, Gaptain and Assistant Adjutant-General. In obedience to these orders I moved with the First Brigade of my division at the time specified, and reported to Brigadier-General Lee very soon after daylight. By oi~der of General Lee I followed his advance beyond the creek a short distance, and was ordered to take the front and drive the enemy, with which the cavalry was then skirmishing. The Sixteenth Indiana dismonnted, and probably some other regiment of General Lees command, and assisted in skirmish- ing for several miles. General Lee then directed that I relieve all of his command with my infantry and drive the enemy as rapidly as possible, at the same time ordering his cavalry to the right and left of the road to protect my flanks, which wa~ done. The timber on each side of the road was heavy and deiise, which rendered it very difficnlt to niove in line, and the marching was tedions and tiresome to the men, the enemy contesting every foot of the gronnd as we advanced. All the honses near the road were abandoned, and we saw freqnent evidences of large camps which had been recently de- serted. The enemy were thns driven 9 miles or more beyond the * See copies as furnished by General Ransom, pp. 264, ~65 Page 291 CHAP. XLVJ.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 291 camp of General Lee, making an obstinate resistance the whole time. The credit of this advance is dne to the Twenty-third Wis- consin, Nineteenth Kentncky, Seventy-seventh Illinois, and Sixty- seventh Indiana Regiments Volunteer Infantry. Lient. Col. L. R. Webb, of the Seventy-seventh Illinois, an accomplished gentleman and a gallant officer, was killed while commanding his re6iment in the advance. The number of casualties was not large, only a few wounded. At a point said to be 4 miles from Mansfield, our advance came in sight of a wide opening in the timber in front of a lull of consider- able height, on the right, left, and top of which there was considerable timber, but not so thickly set as on the road over which we had ad- vanced. I had made frequent requests, before coming to this point, to have the brigade relieved or allowed to rest, inasmuch as the men were excessively fatigued by the loss of sleep and the difficulty ex- perienced in advancing through the underbrush, which seemed to extend for miles to the right and left of the road, and was informed by General Lee that he had sent for the Second Brigade of my di- vision to relieve the First. Believing that the position in my imme- diate front was too strong to be abandoned by the enemy without a stubborn resistance, I expressed the opinion to General Lee that it would be dangerous to send the Nineteenth Kentucky (which was then deployed as skirmishers) through the opening to the top of the hill without a heavy support. By his direction, however, I ordered the regiment, with the remainder of the brigade in support, to ad- vance, and covered their movement by a fire from two guns of a battery which had been ordered to report to me during the day. The enemy soon disappeared, and I formed line with the brigade on the side and top of the hill. In the mean time Major-General Banks and Brigadier-General Ransom arrived, and upon consultation, I believe, it was decided to halt at that point. About one and a half or two hours must have elapsed before my other brigade arrived, during which time the enemy made scarcely any show in front. On our right, however, there were frequent indications of a large force of the enemy moving by the left flank endeavoring to get a position upon our right, parallel with the road. This induced me to com- mence changing front so as to face them if they came down the road from Mansfield, or advanced in line from a road on our right parallel with the road upon which we had ~ioyed, and as fast as they extended their line I extended mine so as to effectually cover my front and right flank. At 3.30 p. m. the enemy placed his line (said by prisoners to be 8,000 infantry, with a reserve of 12,000 cavalry and infantry) in niotioii. My force consisted of the following troops: First Brigade, Col. Frank Emerson, Sixty-seventh Indiana, commanding: Nineteenth Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. John Cowan commanding; Twenty-third Regiment WI?sconsin Volunteer Infan- try, Maj. J. E. Greene commanding; Seventy-sev~nth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Maj. J. A. Burdett commanding; Sixty- seventh Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Maj. F. A. Sears commanding. Second Brigade, Col. J. W. Vance, Ninety-sixth Ohio, commanding: Ninety~ixthi Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Lient. Col. A. H. Brown commanding; Eighty-third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. W. H. Baldwin commanding; Forty- eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Im~fantry, Licut. Col. J. W. Lindse Page 292 292 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. commanding; One hundred and thirtieth Regiment Illinois Volun- teer Infantry, Maj. John B. Reid commanding. The entire force numbering 2,413 men. It would have been impossible at that time to have retired from the position we occupied, and by direction of Brigadier-General Ransom, who had arrived upon the field and assisted in person in arranging the line, I assumed the offenslve as soon as I saw their whole line advancing, so as to meet them upon better ground and with a better effect. A general engagement ensued, lasting one hour and a half, which was by far the most desperate I ever witnessed. Some parts of the line were broken after a short but terrific engage- ment, but in other parts it remained firm and unbroken until the enemy had flanked my whole force and began an attack in the rear. Seeing that the capture of the entire force was inevitable unless I withdrew, I ordered the remainder of the shattered regiments to fall back, which they attempted, but were unable to accomplish with entire success. The list of the killed and wounded of my command cannot be ascertained, inasmuch as the enemy retained possession of the field, but that we suffered severely there can be no doubt. Many brave men fell, but they fell with their faces to the foe. Honored be their memory. That the enemy suffered immensely is known by actual observation and by statements of prisoners captured the day follow- ing, who acknowledged they had purchased a victory at a bloody price. Col. J. W. Vance, commanding Second Brigade, fell while gallantly cheering his men, but whether wounded or killed is un- known. Col. Frank Emerson, commanding First Brigade, also fell wounded while nobly performing his duty, and is a prisoner in the hands of the enemy. Major Reid, of the One hundred and thirtieth Illinois was killed while rallying his men. * Lieutenant-Colonel Lindsey, of the Forty-eighth Ohio, is reported wounded, and Major Bering, of the same regiment, killed. * Lieutenant-ColonEJ Cowan, Nineteenth Kentucky, was conspicuous for the manner in which lie managed his regiment, directing the fire of his men and preserving, up to the order of retreat, an uDbroken line, driving the rebels from his front in three distinct charges, and ordering the fire in which the rebel General Mouton was killed while leading a charge, carrying a regimental flag. When ordered to withdraw he remarked that he had driven the rebels from his front, and if the remainder of the line stood firm he could not be ta~k~Ai. In endeavoring to obey the order he is reported to have been wounded and captured. Major Mann, of the same regiment, is reported killed or wounded To Major Greene and the officers and men of the Twenty-third Wisconsin, for the manly and noble manner in which they supported the battery and held the left of the line until further resistance was impossible, I desire to express my admiration and gratitude. Major Sears and the gallant Sixty-seventh Indiana and Major Burdett and the brave men of the Seventy-seventh Illi~ois deserve the highest praise for their conduct. The officers and men of the One hundred and thirtieth Illinois and Forty-eighth Ohio (leserve equal praise. Though the survivors mourn the loss of their gallant field officers, they have th~ consolation of knowing that they all did their duty. Lieutenant-Colonel Brown, of the Ninety-sixth Ohio, and the men * Major Reid was mustered out August 15, 1865, and Major Bering June 16, 1865 Page 293 CUAP. XLVII THE lIED 1~IVFA~ OAMPAIGY. 293 of his regiment, as well as Lieutenant-Colonel Baldwin and the offi- ceis and ixien of the Eighty -thir(i Ohio, are entitled to my warnmst thanks for their gallantry in holding the right of the line until over- powered by vastly superior numbers. The conduct of the Nine- teenth Kentucky was worthy of all praise, and I thank them for their gallantry upon this as upon all other occasions. The ~Chicago Mercantile Battery, Lieutenant Cone commanding, and the First Indiana Battery, Captain Klauss commanding, came upon the field about 4 p. in., and delivered a very destructive fire upon the advL uc- ing lines of the enemy. The officers and men of these batteries deserve great praise for their coolness and courage. Many of their horses were killed, but they succeeded in getting their pieces into the road when ordered to fall back, and would have saved their gnus but for the immense wagon train of the cavalry which blocked up the road in their front and rear. Capt. P. H. White and Lieuten- ant Cone, of the Mercantile Battery, were captured. Lieutenant Throop and Lieutenant Barr, of the same battery, were wounded and captured. Lieutenant Rogers, Second New York Veteran Cavalry, with his company, was with me during the day and behaved well. Two men of his command were wounded. Brigadier-General Ran- som, commanding detachment of the Thirteenth Army Corps, rode the entire length of our line, cheering the troops and assisting in rallying the men after the lines had been broken. This gallant and able officer was severely wounded while assisting me in trying to reform the line, and after he fell from his horse continued to give directions as to the dispositions he desired me to make. It is proper to say that Captain Nims battery displayed during the whole fight an example of coolness and true courage unsurpassed in the annals of history. They are entitled to the highest commen- dations, and although they lost their guns it is due to them to say that they could not have prevented it, and that the damage they inflicted upon the enemy was such as to entitle them to the thanks of the whole army. Major-General Banks, Major-General Franklin, and Brigadier- General Stone were active in assisting to rally the men amidst the hottest of the fire. Part of the men were rallied and a second line formed near the line of Brigadier-General Cameron, who had arrived with the Third Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, but it was unable to resist the continued assaults of the en~ny~ who pressed upon us with overwhelming numbers. The Nineteenth Army Corps, having arrived about sunset, checked the further advance of the enemy, and after dark I caused fires to be built a short distance in the rear of the line on both sides of the road and gathered together the shattered remains of my division, which, together with what came in at Pleas- ant Hill next day, amounted to 1,683 men, who were immediately reorganized and placed on duty. I thank Lient. Henry P. Ayres, Seventy-seventh Illinois, acting assistant adjutant-general; Lient. John Landram, Ni~eteenth Ken- tucky, aide-de-camp; Capt. J. W. Wilkin, One hundred and thirtieth Illinois; Capt. D. C. Holdridge, Twenty-third Wisconsin, inspector- general, and Capt. R. H. Brock, Seventy-seventh Illinois, for their gallantry and efficiency. They were all prompt and faithful in the discharge of duty. It is impossible to tell who were killed or who were wounded and were taken prisoners, but my total loss in killed, wounded, and prisoners is 73 officers and 1,063 enlisted men, makin Page 294 [CHAP. XLVI. 294 LOUT~TANA AND TIlE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. an aggregate of 1,136. My thanks are due to Rev. James Matthews, chaplain of the Nineteenth Kentucky, who gave me valuable infor- ination at a critical moment and was active in rallying the men. Lient. George H. McKinney, acting assistant qnartermaster, is en- titled to praise for care and attention to the division train, none of which was captnred. Captain Ronse, Seventy-seventh Illinois, act- ing assistant adjutant-general; Captain Vilas, Twenty-third Wiscon- sin, aide-de-camp; Captain Hogg, Nineteenth Kentncky, inspector First Brigade; Captain Lynch, Forty-eighth Ohio, acting assistant adjntant-general; Lientenant Campbell, Ninty-seveuth Illinois, aide- de-camp, and Lieutenant Rike, Forty-eighth Ohio, inspector Second Brigade, were faithfnl in the discharge of their dnties, and deserve praise for their condnct. In this report of the part taken by my division in the battle of Mansfield I have thought proper to be thus particular in specifying the condnct of regiments and officers, inasmuch as the commanders of brigades and most of the field officers of reginients were among the killed or wounded and none are left to make reports. Respectfully, ~. ~-. LANDRAM, Colonel Nineteenth Kentnch~y, Commanding Division. Capt. OSCAR MOHR, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Detach. Thirteenth Army Corps. No. 21. Itinerary of the Fourth Division, April 1May 25. * April 1.This division encamped at Natchitoches. April 6 and 7.Marched from Natchitoches to Pleasant Hill. April 8.At 3 a. m. the First Brigade marched out on the Shreve- port road toward Mansfield, La., to the support of General Lees cavalry division, 7 or 8 miles distant. Commenced skirmishing with the enemy at Bayou De Paul and followed him up as he fell back to Sabine Cross-Roads, when the brigade was halted about 2 p. in. aiid was afterwards re-enforced by the arrival of the Second Brigade. About 4 p. m. the enemy made a~i a~tack and a severe engagement followed, and being pressed by superior uinbers the division was compelled to fall back. A retreat being ordered, the division ar- rived at Grand lEcore on the 11th. April 21.Moved from Grand Ecore. April 23.Skirmished with the enemy at Cane River Crossing. April 25.Arrived at Alexandria. ]liay 13.Joined in the retreat of the army from Alexandria. May 20.Crossed the Atchafalaya and m~arched to the mouth of Red River. May 22.Marched from thence to Morgauza. May 25.Embarked at Morganza and proceeded to Baton Rouge, La. __ _____________________ * From returns for April and May Page 295 THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGX. 295 ADDENDA. Special field return of the effective strength of the troops of the First Brigade, Fourth Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, in the field on the morning of April 12, 1864. ,,~ Present for duty. Troops. .~, ~ 19th Kentucky Volunteers 10 4 138 142 ;7tli Indiana Volunteers 10 9 204 213 23d Wisconsin Volunteers 10 12 278 290 77th Illinois Volunteers 4 0 195 201 Recruits for 11th Wisconsin a 67 67 Total 34 31 882 913 a Temporarily assigned to duty in 23J Wisconsin Volunteers. JOHN D. ROUSE, Captain and Actq. Asst. Adjt. (i/c Special field return of the effective strength of the troops of the Second Brigade, Fourth Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, in the field on April 12, 1864. ,,~ Present for duty. Troops. .~ ~ ~) Q 0 ~ Es Bri2mle commander and staff 5 5 1 )liio Volunteers 10 13 186 199 ath Ohio Volunteers , 10 4 94 98 180th Illinois; Volunteers 10 3 65 68 180 Ohio Volunteers 10 11 259 270 Total 40 36 604 640 GRAND Ecoa~, LA. JAS. R. LYNCH, Captain and Actg. Asst. Adjt. (len. No. 22. Report of .21f~j. John A. Burde It, Seventy-seven/h Illinois Infantry, First Brigade, of engagement at Sabine Gross-Roads. Campaign of the Seventy-seventh Regiment J11h~ois Volunteers, from Natchitoches, La., to Sabine Cross-Roads: We marched oil the morning of the 6th of April, 1864, at 7 oclock, and after marching lo miles through a timber conntry, encamped for the night. On the morning of the 7th, w~ started at 5.30 oclock, and after luarching 20 miles throngh a hilly and timbered conntry, arrived at Pleasant Hill, where we encamped for the night. On the morning of the 8th, we started at 3 oclock, and after marching about 13 miles, my regiment was thrown out as skirmishers and skirmished for 8 miles, and over CHAP. XLVI.] GRAND ECORE, LA Page 296 29f~ LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. three hours. Col. L. R. Webb, of this regiment, was killed instantly. The Nineteenth Kentucky Voluiiteers relieved ns, and we supported them. After they had been skirmishing a short time they found the main body of the enemy. We were then ordered into position, which took some time. Soon after 4 p. m. we were ordered forward in line of battle, and engaged the enemy before we had gone 125 yards. The engagement was short but very severe, and resulted in the repulse of our division and the death or capture of 176 officers and enlisted men of my regiment, it being over one-half of the number engaged. We fell back to Pleasant Hill that night and early next mormung. On the morning of the 9th, at 11 oclock, we marched toward Natchi- toches as guard for the supply trains. We marched 25 miles, march- ing by a longer route than the one we went out on. On the morning of the 10th we marched in. JOHN A. BURDETT, Major, Gommah(liflg Regiment. No. 23. Report of lVEaj. Francis A. Sears, Sixty-seventh Indiana infantry, of engagement at Sabine Gross-Roads. HDQRS. SIXTY-SEVENTH REGT. INDIANA VOL. INFTY., In the Field, April 9, 1864. SIR: In obedience to order No. , I would respectfully submit the following report of the part taken by the Sixty-seventh Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry in the campaign from Natchitoches, La., to the Sabine Cross-Roads: The regiment was under my command, and left Natchitoches on the 6th day of April, 1864. There was nothing of interest to report more than the usual routine of marching until the morning of the 8th instant. We arrived at Pleasant Hill, a distance of 35 miles on the afternoon of the 7th instant. On the morning of the 8th instant, at 3 oclock, the regiment began marching, there being but one regiment in advancethe Twenty-third Wisconsin. We were followed by the Nineteenth Kentucky and Seventy-seventh Illinois Regiments. About 6.30 a. in., after having marched 9 miles, we came up with the advance of General Lees cavalry forces, who were skirmishing with the enemy in the woods just beyond a saw-mill and on the road leading to Mansfield. Here the Sixty-seventh Indiana was formed in line of battle on the left of the road, and advanced in connection with the Twenty-third Wisconsin, which was formed on the right of the road. We met with a pretty stubborn resistance at first, but soon routed and drove the enemy handsomely for near 4 miles, when we were relieved by the Seventy-seventh Illinois, and then marched about 2 miles and again formedjn line of battle on the right of the same road, which position we oc& mpied, and advanced, driving the enemy before us for 3 miles, until we reached Sabine Cross-Roads. At this place the Second Brigade of the Fourth Divis- ion came up am~ formed on our right. Here the regiment was per- mitted to rest from 2 oclock until 3.15 p. in., when it was advanced by General Lee into the edge of the woodsh Captain Nims battery had taken position in the road immediately on our left, and the Sev- enty-seventh Illinois on our right. We remained in the woods but Page 297 Caip. XLVI.] THE EEl) EIVEE CAMPAIGTh 297 short time before the enemy advanced an(1 attacked us with an over- whehning force, driving the regiment to a fence at the edge of the woods. Here another stand was made, and this position held under a heavy fire until we were flanked on the right. There being no support, I ordered the regiment to fall back and formed it in the road, where there was some protection, and held this position until the battery on our left had either left or was captured. The lines right and left being broken, the regiment was flanked again and (Iriven to the woods, about 400 yards in the rear of the first position, where the action begun. Here a portion of the regiment was rallied, and fired until the ammunition was exhausted. The officers and men of the regiment deserve praise for their conduct during the engage- ment. I believe that they all did their duty, and acted as well as men could who had been marching from 3 a. m. until 2 p. in., and in hue of battle and skirmishing for near 9 miles. Their performance of duty during the whole day, and especially during the engagement of the afternoon, could not have been better. The following is the list of casualties: Killed, 4; wounded, 20; missing, 21. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, FRANCIS A. SEARS, Major, Conmdg. Sixty-seventh Regt. Indiana Infly. Vols. Lient. II. P. AYRES, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Geui., Four/h Division. No. 24. Report of Capt. TVilliarn T. Cummius, Nineteenth Kentucky In fantry, of operations April 6li. HDQRS. NINETEENTH KENTUCKY VOL. INFANTRY, April 12, 1864. Sketch of the march from Natchitoches, La., to Sabine Cross- Roads, and from there back to Grand Ecore, La.: April 6, Wednes- day morning, the regiment moved off at 7 a. in.; direction mostly west, through a heavy pine forest; the roads not very good, as the country is broken; crossed a small bayou and bivouacked for the night, about 4 p. ni., in the forest, makirng~ about 16 miles; roads very dusty. April 7, the regiment moved off at ~. 30 a. in., still in the forest; roads not very good; rather broken. After marching 9 miles the regiment crossed a small bayou, and that evening biv- ouacked at Pleasant Hill, La., making 19 miles that day. Friday, April 8, took up march at 3 a. in.; marched 9 miles and came on the enemy, and had heavy skirmishing up till 2.30 p. in., during which time the enemy was driven 8 miles,- when they came in such force that they drove the Fourth Division, Thirteen~4i Army Corps, back 1 mile, and met the Third Division, and rallied with them, and checked the enemy a few moments, and then fell back about 2 miles and met the Nineteenth Army Corps, and the enemy was checked. The Thirteenth Corps fell back to Pleasant Hill, arriving there at 6 a. m. Saturday. The contest was heavy. The Nineteenth lost 20 officers and 225 men, the treater part prisoners. April 9, the regi- ment was consolidated with the Seventy-seventh Illinois, and then was ordered to march in the direction of Natchitoches, as guard fo Page 298 298 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPT. [cnAP. XLVI. wagon train; marched till 10 p. in., and went into camp, the days march being 25 miles. Sunday, April 10, took up march at 5 oclock, and marched to this place, and encamped above town. Monday, April 11, moved onr camp below town. Nothing strange has hap- pened since. W. T. CUMMINS, Gapt., Gomdg. Nineteenth Regt. Kentucky Vol. infantry. No. 25. Report of 3faj. Joseph 12. Greene, Twenty-third Wisconsin In fantry, of engagement at Sabine Cross-Roads. HDQRS. TWENTY-THIRD RE~GT. Wis. YOL. JNFTY., Grand Ecore, La., Ai~ril 12, 1864. SIR: In compliance with circular from your headquarters, I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by this command in the campaign from Natchitoches to Sabine Cross-Roads: On the 5th instant I received marching orders, and on the morning of the 6th, the regiment rejoined the First Brigade, Fourth Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, and left Natchitoches, where it had been doing provost duty, at 7 a. in. We marched 17 miles that day, and went into camp. At 5.30 a. in., 7th instant, left cam p and marched 18 miles to Pleasant Hill. Received orders that night to march at 5.30 a. m. in the morning. The order was countermanded and the hour for starting changed to 3 a. m. Started at the appointed time an(l marched abont 8 miles, when we came up with General Lees cavalry, and immediately took the advance; were formed in line in an open field, left resting on the road, and ordered to support the skirmishers and advance with them. The regiment advanced in this way, alternately marching in line of battle through the thick woods aiid underbrush and by the flank in the road, until about 12 in., driving the enemy before us. Arriving at an open field near Sa- bine Cross-Roads, were formed in line on the left of the road, and ordered to advance and take position on a hill and snpport Nims battery and two howitzers of Sixth Missouri Cavalry. Remained in position until about 4 p. in., when the enemy were reported moving to attack us. One company was thi~own out as skirmishers, but was soon compelled to fall back, the enemy appearing in view in force and pouring a hot fire into them. We held the position until the regiment on our right gave way, and then, being on the extreme left of the line of iiifantry, outflanked on both sides, and in immi- nent danger of capture, we were compelled to retire after all but oiie piece of the battery we were ordered to support was withdrawn. As we retired a destructive cross.fir.e swept through our ranks. Nearly all of the casualties (64 killed, wounded, and missing) were sustained by the regiment while endea~oriiig to hold its first position. Parts of the reginient were subsequently rallied under their different officers, moved forward to the edge of the woods, and there did their~utmost to stem the advance of the enemy, until their ammunition became exhausted and they were again forced to fall back. Subsequently the regiment was rall~d in rear of the position held by the Nineteenth Corps, and remained until ordered to march back to Pleasant Hill, which place was reached early on the follow Page 299 CIIAI. XLVI.] TIlE RED RIVER CAMPAIaN. ing morning. From there we marched at about noon toward Natchitoches until 12 p. m. Started at sunrise 10th instant; marched 8 miles and camped; were detailed to guard prisoners; moved camp to cotton-gin on Grand Ecore road, and remained until sunrise the next day, when we rejoined the column and marched 12 miles to where we are now encamped. I have the honor to subscribe myself, very respectfully, JOS. E. GREENE, Lieut. HENRY ~. AYRES, Major, Commanding. Acting Assistant Adjutant- General. No. 26. Report of Capt. Daniel De Camp, One hundred and thirtieth illinois Infantry, Second Brigade, of engagement at Sabine Cross-Roads. HEADQUARTERS 130TH ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS, Grand Encore, La., April 12, 1864. SIR: In obedience to orders I beg leave to make the following re- port : The One hundred and thirtieth Illinois left Natchitoches on the morning of the 6th of April, by order of Col. J. W. Vance, com- manding Second Brigade, Fourth Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, marching as third regiment in brigade; went into camp in a pine forest. Next morning started at 5.30 a. in., by order of Colonel Vance, and marched to Pleasant Hill, where we again encamped for the night. The next morning started at 5.30 a. in., by order of Colonel Vance, and moved toward the front and formed line of battle with the First Brigade between 1 and 2 p. in., where we remained until the charge. The order to advance was brought by Lieutenant Campbell, aide-de-camp to Colonel Vance; also the order to retreat by same. DANIEL DE CAMP, Captain Company I), Commanding Regiment. Lieutenant BEASLEY, Acting Assistant Adjutant- General. No. 27. Report of Capt. James R. Lynch, Forty-eighth Ohio Infantry, of en gagement at Sabine Cross-Roads. HDQRS. FORTY-EIGHTH OHIO INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS, Grand Ecore, La. ;~April 12, 1864. SIR: I have the honor to report that the regiment, under the com- mand of Lient. Col. J. W. Lindsey, left Natchitoches, by order of Colonel Vance, commanding Second Brigade, on the morning of the 6th instant, at 7.15 oclock, marched 18 miles, and went into ~amp at 4.30 p. m. in pine woods. Moved forward, April 7, at 6 a. in.; reached Pleasant Hill at 2 p. in., having marched 17 miles. Left camp at Pleasant Hill at 5.30 a. m. of the 8th instant, and marche Page 300 ~3 00 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. tOHAP. XLVI. about 8 miles, when we moved to the left of the road with orders to stack arms and camp until further orders front Colonel Vance, com- manding brigade. About an half hour after we were ordered forward to report to Colonel Landram, who was in the advance with the First Brigade. The regiment reported to Colonel Landram at 1.30 p. in., and was assigned to position on the left of the Que hundred and thirtieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, which was in line at right angles with the road, and to right of the road about 250 yards; the Nineteenth Kentucky Regiment Infantry Volunteers was moved into line on the right of the regiment a few minutes afterward. The regiment lay in the woods about two and a quarter hours, when it was ordered forward to meet the enemy, who were advancing. The regiment advanced to a fence about 250 yards in front, where it remained until ordered to fall back by Col. J. W. Vance, command ing Second Brigade. JAMES R. LYNCH, Captain, Commanding Regiment. Lieut. WILLIAM A. BEASLEY, Acting Assistant Ac0utant-General. No. 28. Report of Lient. Cot. William H. Baldwin, Eighty-third Ohio In fantry, of engagement at Sabine Cross-Roads. HDQRS. EIGHTY-THIRD REGT. OHIO VOL. iNFANTRY, Grand Ect~re, La., April 12, 1864. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of the Eighty-third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under my com- mand from the time it left Natchitoches until the close of the battle of Sabine Cross-Roads: My regiment, together with the rest of the Fourth Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, by order of Col. W. J. Landram, commanding, left Natchitoches at 6.30 a. m. on Wednes- day, the 6th instant; marched some 15 miles on the Pleasant Kill road, and encamped for the night. On the morning of the 7th, the division moved soon after 6 oclock, and reached Pleasant Hill at 1.30 oclock, a march of 19 miles, but by reason of a heavy shower the teaTns~did not arrive until 7 oclock in the evening. Friday, 8th instant, division was ordered to march at 5.30 oclock, but my regiment was detailed as guard for the ammu- nition train, which did not leave till an hour later, and at noon the rear of the train had not advanced more than 6 or 7 miles. About 12 m. Captain Dickey, assistant adjutant-general, ordered me to assemble my regiment, which was disposed as guard through the train, and move to the front as fast as possible to support the balance of the division. I immediately starte~ with the rear guard and assembled the regiment as I passed the train, and moved rapidly through the train and troops to the front about 8 miles; upon arrival was ordered by Major Lieber, of General Banks staff, to move my regiment to the right of the road diagonally toward the woods and form in line of battle. Immediately upon reaching the point designated, General Ransom ordered me to fix bayonets and advance in line of battle into the woods to support a battery. He conducted the regiment to its position, and ordered to stack arm Page 301 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 301 and unsung knapsacks, and to throw out a company to protect the right flank. Soon after, by order of Colonel Vance. 25 men were advanced as skirmishers. At about 3 oclock received an order from General Ransom to advance through the woods and take a position at the edge of the field to the right of the Ninety-sixth Ohio. The enemy were advancing through the field in line of battle, and the regiment opened fire the moment they had gained the designated position. There was no infantry to the right of the Eighty-third. The enemy outflanked our line, and was closing in upon our right, when Captain , of General Ransoms staff, ordered me to take the regiment from the right and move it by the left flank to support the center, which was wavering. I asked him, as we were outflanked upon the right, to allow me to change the front of my regiment diagonally to the line of battle, and endeavor to hold my position and protect the right, but he assured me that the last order must be obeyed, and I immediately moved my regiment by the left in good order to the position to which he guided me, but found that the line we were to support, with the exception of a portion of the Chicago Mercantile Battery, had fallen back to the crest of the hill, to which line the regiment also fell back, by order of General Ransom. Here a stand was made, but after a short time were compelled to fall back with the cavalry and artillery over the crest of the bill, where we were supplied with ammunition. Under command of Lieut. Col. A. H. Brown, commanding the brigade, my regiment and the Ninety- sixth Ohio changed front perpendicular to the line of battle and advanced about 300 yards to the right of the line and threw forward skirmishers 50 yards, who were immediately engaged, when a line of rebels concealed among the bushes arose not more than 50 yards from the left flank of the line. The line, whose right flank we were endeavoring to protect, was falling back, and our two regiments, under a front, flank, and reverse fire, were of no further service to protect the line, and to avoid being surrounded fell back. An imperfect line was again formed, but soon broken by retreating cavalry. The same attempt was repeated, but with little suc- cess. After passing the line of battle of the Nineteenth Corps about 400 men from my own and other regiments were formed in line and moved to the left of the road to support the line of battle. About 8 oclock the regiment was assembled at division headquarters, and at 10 oclock, by order of General Cameron2 moved in the direction of Pleasant Hill. The loss of the regiment ~n killed, wounded, and missing was 3 officers and 26 men. I have the honor to be, captain, your obedient servant W. H. BALDWIN, Lieutenant- Golonet, Commanding. Lient. H. P. AYRES, Acting Assistant Adjutant- General. No. 29. Report of Gapt. Joseph Leonard, Ninety- sixth Ohio Infantry, of engagement at Sab me Gross-Roads. HDQRS. NINEThY-SIXTH REGIMENT OHIO VOL. INFTY., Grand Ecore, La., April 12, 1864. SIR: I have the honor to report that this regiment, under the com- mand of Liout. Col. A. H. Brown, left Natchitoches at 7.15 a. in., Apri Page 302 30~ LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI, 6, by order of Colonel Vance, commanding Second Brigade, our posi- tion immediately behind the Eighty-third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was the first regiment of our brigade, the First Brigade of our division being in advance; marched 16 miles and went into camp at 4.30 p. m. in pine woods. Left camp April 7, at 6 a. in., our regiment in front of the division, by order of Colonel Vance, commanding Second Brigade, the Third Divisi6n, Thirteenth Army Corps, in advance; reached Pleasant Hill and went into camp at 2 p. in., having marched 19 miles. Left camp at Pleasant Hill at 6 a. m. the niorning of the 8th, our regiment in rear of brigade, by order of Colonel Vance; marched 5 miles; were halted, and our regiment ordered to remain behind and guard the ammunition train and Mercantile Battery, and advance with them when ordered for- ward. About 12 m. the regiment was ordered to the front by Cap- tain Dickey, assistant adjutant-general to General Ransom. After advancing rapidly about 4 miles, an order came from the rear from Captain White, chief of artillery on General Ransoms staff, to halt the regiment and guard the battery as ordered by General Ransom. Upon the return of Captain Dickey from ordering up the Eighty- third Ohio Volunteer Infantry we moved forward again under his orders, he assuring Lieutenant-Colonel Brown that Captain White was acting under former orders, and for us to be in front at the earliest moment practicable. Arriving in front we were assigned our position by General Ransom in person, upon the left of the Nineteenth Kentucky Volunteer Infantry. In about twenty minutes the Eighty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry arrived and was put in position on our right, with the Sixteenth Indiana Cavalry* in front. After remaining in that position a very few moments after the arrival of the Eighty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry we were ordered by General Ransom in person to advance, with skirmishers in front, to a fence in front of the cavalry. A few moments after our arrival at the fence the enemy in immense numbers made their appearance in our front. The regiment at once opened fire upon them, and after two attempts on their part to carry our position, drove them eiitirely from the field before us. In about fifteen minutes, and when the enemy had disappeared from our front, we were ordered to fall back by Colonel Vance, commanding Second Brigade, and had moved in good order about 150 yards to the rear, when a large body of the enemy that had turned the right flank of our first line were seen ad- vancing rapidly to intercept us. The~egiment at once formed a line to confront them, delivered an effective volley, and was reloading, when an aide-de-camp gave peremptory orders to withdraw beyond the enemys advancing flank at double-quick, as the regiments on our left had already been cut off. This movement was carried out in as good order as the uneven ground would admit of, though for the entire distance we were exposed to an enfilading fire. At the crest of the hill we faced about on the line separating the cleared land and timber, and as Colonel Vance had received ~ severe wound in the breast and fallen into the enemys hand, Lieutenant-Colonel Brown assumed conimand of the brigade. Under his direction the further progress of the enemy was stubbornly disputed, and a battery consid- erably advanc~il from our lines, haviiig become unserviceable and its safety endangered by the enemys near approach, was successfully re- moved under cover of our fire. It being evident that the rebels were * Mounted infantry Page 303 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 803 advancing in heavy force on our right, the brigade was formed by Lieutenant-Colonel Brown, in the immediate presence of Major-Gen- erals Banks and Franklin, and by their consent moved to the new J)Oillt of danger. Here we advanced in line of battle, with skir- inishers in front, but the enemy had already gained the cover of the thick underbrush, and from their ambush threw a heavy fire into our front and left. This was followed on their part by a vigorous charge, and their longer line considerably outfianking ours we were forced to retire from the field. JOSEPH LEONARD, Lieutenant AYRES, ~aptaii~, Commanding. Acting Assistant Adjutant- General. No. 30. Reports of Ma]. Gen. Andrew J. Sm ith, U. S. Army, commanding detachments of Sixteenth and Seventeenth Army Corps. HEADQUARTERS RED RIVER EXPEDITION, Alexandria, La., March 23, 1864. GENERAL: I have the honor to report that on the 21st instant I ordered Brigadier-General Mower, with the First Division and Eighty-ninth [Indiana] Regiment, of the Third Division, with the Ninth Indiana Battery, together with one brigade of General Lees cavalry, to make a reconnaissance up the Bayou Rapides to Hender- sons Hill, some 24 miles distant, when he encountered the Second Louisiana Cavalry and captured a portion of it, with a battery of four guns, with caissons, horses, and equipments complete. Number of prisoners taken about 275, 20 of the number officers, with 150 horses. Our ]oss very slight. I will make a more complete report as soon as possible. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. J. SMITH, Maj. Gen. ~. T. SHERMAN, Brigadier-General, Commanding. Comma ncl irig Department of the Tennessee. P. S.General Lee, commanding the oav~lry, is the only portion of General Banks army yet arrived. General Franklin is within two days march, with the infantry and artillery. General Banks is looked for hourly from New Orleans by the river. The river is now rising, and I hope we will be able to ascend it with our gun- boats and transports soon after the arrival of the forces from below. A. J. S. HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE M?SsISsIPPI, Saint Louis, Mo., November 1, 1865. General J. A. RAWLINS, Chief of Staff to Lieutenant- General Grant, Washington, D. C.: GENERAL: I have the honor to transmit you herewith the very interesting report of Maj. Gen. A. J. Smith, with sub-reports and statistics of the operations of his command up Red River, La., i Page 304 304 LOUISIANA AND TIlE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. the spring of 18(4. By its date you will perceive that General Smith did not make the report till quite recently, in pursuance of my request made in person, but now the report is full, satisfactory, and completely fills up a gap in the history of the period. After showing it to the lieutenant-general, I beg you to file it with the Adjutant-General of the Army. I am, with great respect, ~. T. SHERMAN, 4 Major- General, Commanding. SAINT Louis, Mo., September 26, 1865. GENERAL: In comFliance with your request, I have the honor to report in full, as fol ows, the operations of the detachnients of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Army Corps, under my command, form- ing a part of the Red River expedition in 1864. Partial reports were made and forwarded to Maj. Gen. N. P. Banks from time to time, including lists of casualties and captures. The troops under my command, consisting of five regiments of infantry of the First Divis- ion, Sixteenth Army Corps, under the immediate command of Brig. Gen. Joseph A. Mower, ten regiments of infantry and two batteries of light artillery of the Third Division, Sixteenth Army Corps (my own division), and six regiments of infantry and one battery of light artillery from the Seventeenth Army Corps, under the command of Brig. Gen. Thomas Kilby Smith, left Vicksburg at 6 p. m. on the 10th day of March, 1864, on transports, pursuant to orders from you, which were in effect as follows: To proceed with the command to the mouth of the Red River, where I would find Admiral Porter with a portion of the Mississippi Squadron to convoy my fleet up Red River, and after conference with him to proceed to Alexandria, La., aiid report to Mad. Gen. N. P. Banks, commanding Department of the Gulf, reaching Alexan- dria, if possible, on the 17th of March, from which point Major-Gen- eral Banks would assume the command and direction of the expedi- tion in person. On arriving at the mouth of the Red River, at about 12 in., March 11, 1864, a dispatch was received from Major-General Banks, stating that the heavy rains had so delayed his column that he wonld not be able to reach Alexandria before March 21, 1864. On conferring with Admiral Porter, I learned that I~ort De Russy, a strong fort on the right bank of Red River, equidistant from the mouth of Red River and Alexandria, aiid mounting ten guns, had been garrisoned by the enemy and which it would be necessary to take before we could proceed to Alexandria. It was therefore deemed best to act against it in conjunction, the army in the rear by land and the navy by river. Leaving the mouth of Red River at about 12 in., March 12, 1864, we proceeded up Red River to the mouth of the Atchafalaya Bayou; thence with the transports down the Atchafalaya Bayou to Simsport, a point on its right bank near th~ mouth of Bayou De Glaize and 30 miles by land from Fort De Russy, reaching Simsport at about 5 p. in. of the same day. On the morning of the 13th, I sent out the two (livisions of the Six- teenth Army Corps, under command of Brig. Gem J. A. Mower, with directions to move out about 5 miles on the Fort De Russy road, capture or disperse any parties of the enemy in th t vicinity, and gain all the information possible of the state of the roads and pos Page 305 CHAP. XLVI.] THE lIED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 305 tion of the enemy. The division of the Seventeenth Army Corps was ordered under arms to be in readiness to snpport him if neces- sarv. About 3 miles from the landing, in the fork of the Yellow Bayou and Bayou De Glaize, General Mower came npon a brigade of the enemy, under Command of General William R. SCnrry, OCCnpying a fort~ then in process of Construction, but who aoandoned thnir work and fled at his approach. He pnrsned them abont 2 miles ,capturiug 6 of their wagons and about 20 prisoners, when, h ving gained the necessary information and having no Cavalry with which to make~ in effectual pursuit, I ordered him to return with his command to the landing. I immediately disembarked my land transportation, and, directing the transports to join the Mississippi Squadroin under com- mand of Admiral Porter and proceed with it to Fort Do Russy, unoved forward my whole command on the noad to Fort De Russy. Leaving the landing at about 9 p. ni., we bivouacked for the night 4 miles from Simsport. At 3 oclock on the morning of the 14th, I again unoved forward toward Fort De Hussy. Two bridges which we had to cross were set on fire by the retreating brigade of the en- emy, but were extinguished by our advance before they were seri- ously damaged. On reaching Mansura I learned tlnat the bridges across the Bayou De Glaize had beein destroyed, and that the rebel General Walker, commanding a division, had marched out from Fort De Hussy with his comunand to the point where he Sn) )osed we would cross the bayou, about ~3 miles west from Mansura, had formed a junction with Scurrys brigade, and intended to oppose our cross- ing. I immediately ordered the bayou to be bridged at Mansura, taking the material from an old cotton-gin, and by crossnug com- panies at the same time on a ferry-boat had my whole command across before General Walker was aware that the advance had halted. Directing General Thomas Kilby Smith, who was at the rear of my colnuuu, to keep well closed up and watch carefully the left flank and rear. I at once moved forward toward Fort Do Hussy, leaving General Walker and his command on the left. On arriving near the fort I found that it was occupied by a garri- soin of aboat 350 men. I therefore halted my column i~ miles from the fort, and, after covering my left flank and rear from any attack that Walker could possibly make, directed General Mower to ad- vance with tine First and Second Brigades of the Third Division, Sixteenth Army Corps, in line of battle, ~vjth skirmishers thrown well to tIne front, followed by the Third Brigade within supportiing distance. As soon as the line came within sight of the fort tine enemy opened. upon it with five pieces of artillery from the fort, doing, however, hint little execution. Their guns on the land side all being en barbette, the skirmishers of the Second Brigade soon silenced them. At about 6.30 p. m. the order to charge was given, and the First and Second Brigades advanced under a scattering fire from the enemy, whose infantry were kept down by my skirmishers, and scaled the parapet within twenty minutes fron~ the time tine order to charge was given. The enemy then surrendered. Our loss was 3 killed and 35 wounded; total, 38. Full lists of casualties and captures accompany this report. We captured 319 prisoners, 10 pieces of artillery, aud~ a large quantity of ordnance and ordniance stores, marching during the day 26 miles, bridging a bayou, and capturing the fort before sunset. Among the pieces of artillery taken were two 9-inch Dahigren guns, which were captured by the enemy, one from the steamer Indianola and one from the Harriet 20 11 RVOL XXXIV, PT Page 306 306 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. ~CHAP. XLVI. Lane. Owing to obstructions in the river the gun-boat fleet did not arrive until after the fort was captured. Of the artillery captured, four pieces Were in the fort and six in a water battery on the bank of the river, about 400 yards from the fort, connected with it by a covered way. Two of the guns in the water battery were casemated, and the casemate plated with a double thickness o~ railroad iron. The fleet arrived during the night, and the gull-boats passed up the river. The artillery captured, with the exception of two 6-pounder iri guns, was taken on board the several boats of the fleet. All ordnance and ordnance stores captured have been taken up and ac- counted for by Lieut. J. B. Pamms, Seventeenth New York Infantry, acting ordnance officer. On the evening of the 15th instant I sent Brigadier-General Mower, with the First and Third Divisions, Sixteenth Army Corps, on transports to occupy Alexandria, retaining at Fort De Russy General Thomas Kilby Smiths command, of the Seventeenth Army Corps, for the purpose of dismantling the fort and destroying effect- ually the magazines and casemates. This was accomplished on the isth, 16th, and 17th, by tearing down the revetments on the inside of the parapet and digging ditches across the parapet, so that, from the nature of the soil of which it was constructed, the first raiii-storm would nearly level it. The magazines, which were bomb-proof and four in number, were totally destroyed by blowing them up with a portion of the powder captured. The casemates were ~estroyedby piling wood under them and burning them down, the iron bending with the heat. Before they were burned the gun-boat Essex tested their strength with a 100-pounder Parrott at a distance of about 300 yards, firing three shots. The projectile in each case cut through the iron plating, but was stopped by the oak backing. The two 6- pounder iron guns were also destroyed by bursting. On the morn- ing of the 18th, I left with the remainder of my command for Alex- andria, at which place we arrived about 5 p. m. same day. General Mower, upon his arrival on the 16th, found the place had been evacuated but a few hours before, the enemy retreating toward Natchitoches. He took possession of three pieces of artillery and some ordnance stores, which the enemy had not time to remove. My instructions being to report to Major-General Banks at this place I disembarked my command and went into camp, he not hav- ing arrived. On the morning of the~ 19th, 100 cavalry, sent forward with dispatches from the advance of the land column of General Banks command, arrived. On the 20th, the Cavalry Division of his command, under command of Brig. Gen. A. L. Lee, arrived and went into camp, and the same day Brigadier-General Stone, chief ot staff, with a portion of the staff of Major-General Banks, came by river. Learning that a portion of General Dick Taylors command were in the vicinity of Hendersons Hill, on Bayou Rapides, about 22 miles from Alexandria, on the dir6ct road to Natchitoches, I directed Brigadier-General Mower to take the First Division, Sixteenth Army Corps, one regiment of infantry and one battery of light artillery from the Third Division, Sixteenth Army Corps, and the First Bri- gade, Cavalry Division, of General Lees command, and proceed to Hendersons ilill, dislodge the enemy from that position, and send forward his cavalry to Red River, clearing all the country between Bayou Rapides and Red River. Leaving Alexandria on the morning of the 21st, General Mower reached the vicinity of Hendersons Hill the ~arne night ~nd found it oeci~ipied by the enemy with both cay Page 307 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 307 alry and artillery. Leaving three regiments of infantry, one section of the battery, and the cavalry to occupy the attention of the enemy in front, he took two regiments of infantry, one section of the bat- tery. and the Sixteenth Tndiana Mounted Infantry and made a (ietonr to the left under cover of the darkness and came in on their rear. Here, capturing a conner who had been sent from the ~hihl with dispatches for General Dick Taylor, lie sncceeded in obtaining the coniitersign, and learning from the dispatches that there was only one regiment of cavalry and one battery of artillery on the hilt he ln( )ved forward and completely snrprised the whole force, captnring them in detail at their camp-fires without a shot being fired. The regiment was the Second Lonisiana (rebel) Cavalry, with horses and e(jmnpments. and Edgars battery of light artillery, of four pieces, all complete, the prisoners numbering 262. The detachment making the capture had marched that day over 80 miles through rain and mud. On the morning of the 22d, General Mower returned with his command to Alexandria. On the 26th, General Banks having arrived, I was directed by him to march my command to Cotile Landing and await the arrival of onr transports, it being considered dangerous to attempt to take them over the falls with the troops on tli em. I arrived with the command at Cotil e Landing on the 28th; embarked the troops as the transports arrived, and on the 2d of April proceeded up the river, with orders to report to Major-General Banks at Grand Ecore. Arrived at Grand Ecore on the 3d, and was ordered by Major-General Banks to be in readiness to leave for Shreveport by land on the 7th instant, and to send the transports with all surplus subsistence stores, baggage, & c., with sufficient guard, by water to the niouth of Loggy Bayou; at tbat point to await further orders. I accordingly detached Brig. Gen. Thomas .Kilby Smith with his Sevemmteentb Corps for duty with the boats, and directed him to consult with Adniiral Porter as to the time and manner of starting. I left with the two divisions of the Six- teenth Corps on the 7th instant, bringing up tbe rear of the land column. General T. Kilby Smith also left on the same day with the transports, amid his report of this part of the expedition is herewith submitted. Moving toward Pleasant Hill in the rear of the land column, the trains of the cavalry, Thirteenth, and Sixteenth Corps, all being in front of me, and the roads very bad, my progress was consequently slow. We kept well closedimp~ however, on the train, amid encamped on the night of the 7th about 8 miles from Grand Ecore. Moving forward at daylight on the morning of the 8th, we encamped at night about 2 miles from Pleasant Hill, having marched about 21 miles. Heard heavy cannonading in front during the after- noon, and semit forward word to General Banks my exact position, and also stated that if he desired I could pass the train with a por- tion or all of my command. Soon after 113 learned that the cause of the cannonading was an attack by the enemy upon ~ie cavalry and the Thu tecuth Army Corps, which were in the advance about 8 miles beyond Pleasant Hill, amid whom the enemy had rel)ulsed and totally routed, capturing their artillery amid wagons, and with a loss of nearly one-b alf the Thirteenth Corps, and that the enemy were only checked by nighufamud the Nineteemith Corps. Ordering my men to bivouac upon their arms, and throwing out pickets to their flanks aiid rear, we rested until morning, wheim, by permission of General Banks, I moved forward to Pleasant Hill amid foruied line of battle across the Mansfield road. During the night ~nd morning the me Page 308 308 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. inai ning and disorganized parties of the cavalry and Thirteenth Army Corps arriving, passed throngh the lines and halted. Early in the morning they, wi h the trains, were ordered to proceed imme- diately to Grand Ecore, leaving on the field part of the Nineteenth and two divisions of the Sixteenth Army Corps. Line of battle was formed as follows: First Brigade of General Emorys command of the Nineteenth Corps on the extreme right and right flank, the Third and First Divisions, Sixteenth Army Corps, ~n the right and left center, and the remaining troops of the Thirteenth Corps on the ex- treme left and left flank, my right lapping a brigade on Emorys left and abont 400 yards in its rear. The Second Brigade, Third Division, Col. William T. Shaw commanding, was ordered early in the morning to report to Brigadier-General Emory, and was sta- tioned in front of the center of his command. The enemys skirmishers appeared on Colonel Shaws front abont noon, and there was desnltory skirmishing at different parts of the line nntil abont 4. .30 p. iii.. when the enemy made his attack on the right center, driving in the ontposts and tb~ brigade of the Nine- teenth Corps in my front throngh my line, they reforming in my rear. Advancing my line slightly to be able to close with and sUl)- port Shaws brigade, the battle immediately became general. The enemy had been re-enforced dnring the afternoon with two divl5iOnS of infantry from Prices command, and their troops, finshed with their snccess of the previons day, seemed (letermined to break throngh onr line, char~ing it with desperate energy. Fearing tha Page 309 CHAP. XLVJ.1 THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 809 Shaws brigade might be totally enveloped, I directed him to fall back and connect with my right. In the mean time the enemys right had advanced beyond my extreme left and were taken in flank and rolled np by the First Brigade, Third Division, Col. William F. Lynch commanding. Seizing the opportunity I ordered a charge by the whole line, and we drove them back, desperately fighting, step by step across the field, through the wood, and into the open field beyond, fully a mile from the battle-field, when they took advantage of the darkness and fell back toward Mansfield thoroughly whipped and demoralized. In the charge we captured nearly 1,000 prisoners, five pieces of artillery, and six caissons. The artillery was brought off, but the caissons were left until morning. The casual- ties in my command were as follows: Killed, 98; wounded, 329; missing, 124; total, 751. * A large proportion of the missing were of the Thirty-second Iowa, which was on the left of Shaws brigade, and were nearly surrounded in the early part of the battle during the enemys first charge. The loss of the enemy in killed was ui- usually severe. A brigade of cavalry which charged Shaws brigade in the early part of the action were almost annihilated, he allowing them to ap- proach within 30 yards before opening fire. The prisoners captured were many of them from Missouri regiments, belonging to the divi- sions that had re-enforced the enemy during the engagenient. The darkness compelled us to cease pursuit. Anticipating the order to follow up our success by a vigorous pur- suit, the next morning I sent the Third Brigade, Third Division~ Col. I~. M. Moore commanding, about 2~ miles out on the road taken by the retreating enemy, with orders to watch their movements and gain all the information possible, and fell back with the remainder of my command and bivouacked in line on the field of battle. The opinion of Major-General Banks as to the action of the command and its results may be gathered from his own words to me on the field just after the final charge, when, riding up to me, he remarked, shaking nie by the hand, God bless you, general; you have saved the army. About 12 oclock on the night of the 9th, I received orders from General Banks to have my conimand in readiness to move at 2 oclock in the morning, and at that hour to withdraw them silently from the field and follow the Nineteenth Army Corps back to Grand Ecore, making such disposition of my troops and trains as would enable me to repel an attack on the rear of the column. I repre- seute~d to him that the dead of my command were not buried. and that I had not the means of transporting my wounded~ that mnany of the wounded had not yet beemi gathered imi from the field, amid asked of 1dm permuission to remain until noon the next day to give me ami opportunity to bury my dead, and leave the wounded as well provided for as the circumstances would permit. I also urged the fact that General Thomas Kilby Smuiths comm~hd, then 30 miles above us on transports in the river, would undoubtedly be captured amid the transports lost if left to themselves. The permission to re- main was, however, refused and the order to move made peremptory. I therefore provide~ as well as possible for the wounded, left med- ical officers to attend to them, and moved at the desigmiated hour, following the Nineteenth Corps. We reached Grand Ecore on the * But see revised statement, p. 313 Page 310 310 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. evening of the lit-h, no attack on the rear having ~been made by the enemy, and went into camp. On the evening of the 13th, nothing having been heard from a portion of onr transports save that they had been attacked with infantry and artillery npon both sides of the river, I marched np with two brigades of my command on the north bank of the river to help them throngh, if possible, crossing the river at Grand Ecore at about 4 p. m. We reached Campti, 12 miles above, the same night and met a portion of the fleet there, they hav- ing by energy, good judgment, and rare good fortune succeeded in running the batteries and land forces of the enemy withont the loss of a boat, thongh some were completely riddled with shot. The report of Brig. Gen. T. Kilby Smith accompanies this, and yon aic also respectfully referred to the report of Rear-Admiral D. D. Por- ter, already on file. On the 14th, I returned to Grand Ecore with the rear of the fleet. Pnrsnant to orders from Major-General Banks, after placing a proper gnard on each of my transports, with directions for them to proceed down the river to Alexandria, I moved with the remainder of my command on the 20th to Natchitoches. Occupying this place as a point de resistance with my troops, the remainder of General Banks forces passed between ns and the river, contiuning the retreat to Alexandria. On the morning of the 21st, I left Natchitoches and fell in the rear of the laud column, which position I occupied with my command, alternating the divisions day by day until we reached Alexandria. From the day of our leaving Natchitoches, the enemy pushed the pursuit vig5ousfy; the rear was skii-mishing every (lay and nearly all day. Twice during the mai-ch we were obliged to form line and teach them a lesson. At Cloutierville, on the 23d, they chai-ged the rear division, General T. Kilby Smiths, but he repulsed them neatly thoroughly after about hours fighting. Durin~ this e an(l an ~, - ugage ment in the rear, the advance, having reached Cane River, found the bluffs on the other side occupied by a sffiall force of the enemy, who disputed the crossing. Although the cavalry, Thirteenth, and Nineteenth Corps, were in advance of me, and notwithstall(ling the engagement with the enemys cavalry in the rear, General Banks sent back an order for me to send General Mower with a strong bri- gade to force the passage of Cane River. Fearing to weaken my line during the engagement, I answeied him in substance that it wonld be impracticable for me to comply ~vi~ the order. Later in the day the passage was easily forced by detachments of the Thirteenth and Nineteenth Corps. On the afternoon of the 26th, we reached Alex- andria amid went into camp in line of battle, the Nineteenth Corps on the rio-ht the Thirteenth Corps in advance of the center, and my command on the left. We remained in the vicinity of Alexandria in the same relative position until the 13th of May, the interim being. occupied in getting the gun-boats over the falls and daily skirmishing with the enemy. On the 28th of April, the enemy having driven in the skirmishers of the Thirteenth Corps, the corps fell back reluctantly, in compli- ance, it was said, with orders from Major-General Banks, three times repeated~ abandoning and setting on fire their camp and garri- son equipage, stores, and forage. Not knowing that it was done by order, I took the Second Brigade, Third Division, Sixteenth Army Corps, Col. William T. Shaw commanding, and put out the fire Page 311 Ciw~. XLVI.] TIlE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 311 rescued the stores, and save(l much of the camp and garrison equip- age. This brigade remained on the ground until the next morning, when it returned to its camp. On the 13th of May, the boats having passed the falls, the retreat was again resumed, my command falling into its old place in the rear. Continuing down the river as far as Fort De Russy, in order to be at hand to protect the boats if necessary, we reached the fort on the night of the 14th. From this point the guards on the boats were considered sufficient to protect them, and they were therefore ordered around to Simsport, on the Atchafalaya Bayou, toward which the land column was turned. On the 15th instant, while crossing Avoyelles Prairie. a brigade of the, enemys cavalry, with about twelve pieces of artillery, appeared in front and attempted to delay and annoy the column. My command was ordered forward into line on the right of the Nineteenth Corps, the Thirteenth Corps being on the extreme left. Line being formed, I sent Ca t. William S. Burns, acting assistant inspector-general of my sta ,to report the fact and ask for instructions, which were given him by Brig. Gen. William Dwight, chief of staff of Major-General Banks, in the following words: Say to General Smith that the Thirteenth Corps will press their (the enemys) right. He with his command will attack their left, while with the Nineteenth Corps we pierce their center. As the several commands moved forward in line to execute these instructions, the brigade of cavalry galloped away, taking their artillery with them. We reached the vicinity of Simsport on the 16th, skirmishing with the pursuing cavalry. Our boats being there, a bridge was made of them across the Atchafalaya, and on the 17th, 18th, and 19th, the Thirteenth and Nineteenth Corps and the cavalry crossed the bayou. On the 18th of May, while lying in line protecting the crossing of the other corps, the enemy made a severe attack on the lines, driv- ing in the skirmishers. I was at the time ~t the landing, but had left orders with General Mower, in case the enemy attacked, to use whatever force was necessary to drive them back. He therefore ordered the line forward, driving them easily for about 2 miles across an open field and through a briar thicket, thickly interspersed with dead trees on the other side, beyond which he found them drawn up in force far outnumbering his, with about twenty pieces of artillery posted to support them. Withtlrawing to the edge of the first field General Mower formed line, concealed by the thicket, and bringing his artillery up to close range awaited their advance. They soon came, when, after givifig them a few rounds of canister and case-shot, he ordered a charge with the bayonet, repulsing them with terrible slaughter and driving them again through the thicket into the field beyond under protection of their artillery. Withdrawing to his old position near the thicket they charged him again, and were a second time driven back with severe loss. The firing during the second charge set the thicket on fire, so that it formed a barrierimp assable for either party. Withdrawing his troops to the open field ,G eneral Mower sent those that had been the heaviest engaged to their camps and formed a new line with the remainder, who bivouacked in line during the night. We captured 156 pris- oners in the charge. Our loss was: Killed, 38; wounded, 226; miss- ing, 3; total, 267. Lists of casualties and captures are herewit Page 312 312 LOUISIANA AND TIlE ThANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. inclosed, with reports of brigade and division commanders. No further attack was made, and pursuit by the enemy stopped from this day. I crossed the bridge on the 20th, bringing up the rear, and marched to Red River Landing, on the Mississippi River, whither our boats had been sent, and reported, by order of Major-General Banks, to Maj. Gen. K R. S. Canbv for further orders, and was by him directed to prqceed to Yicksburg with my command, which I did, reaching that place on the 23d of May, having been gone seventy-four days. The results of the expedition may be summed up as follows: I captured with my command 22 pieces of artillery, 1,757 prisoners, and Fort De Russy, with a strong casemated battery, which the gun- boats would not have been able to pass. My loss was 153 killed, 849 wounded, and 133 missing; total, 1,135; also 1 6-mule wagon. My entire command numbered originally 9,200. Of the general officers attached to my command I cannot speak too highly. Brig. Gen. (now Maj. Gen.) J. A. Mower, by his per- ception and prompt action at Fort De Russy, Hendersons Hill, and Pleasant Hill, and by his gallantry and skill at Yellow Bayou, near Simsport, May 8, has won the right to a high estimate and posi- tion in the annals of the war. Quick perception, ready courage, an abundant vitality, added to skill and education, give him the power to sway men as if by magnetism. Brig. Gen. Thomas Kilby Smith, with excellent judgment and skill, brought the boats safely through the intricacies and shoals of Red River back t~o Grand Ecore, although continually under fire. His repulse of the cavalry charge upon his division at Cloutierville was well and neatly done. I commend him as a gallant officer and gentleman. I had hearty and energetic co-operation on the part of my brigade commanders, two of whom, Col. S. G. Hill, Thirty-fifth Iowa, and Col. William F. Lynch, Fifty-eighth Illinois, were severely wounded. Col. William T. Shaw, Fourteenth Iowa, commanding brigade, proved himself an excellent officer and rendered invaluable service at Fort De Russy, Pleasant Hill, and Yellow Bayou. He is a brave, energetic, and in- telligent officer. To all the officers and men of the command praise is due for their cheerful, enduring, and ready obedience. Each and all the officers of my staff were untiring and active in their respective duties. I am much indebted to their intelligent action and ready appreciation of the situation. Arms, eyes, affd heads seemed their main attri- butes during the whole campaign. I add their names as a matter of record, as their well-deserved promotion has overtaken all who are now in service: Capt. John Hongh, assistant adjutant-general; Capt. William S. Burns, Fourth Missouri Cavalry, acting assistant inspector-general; Capt. J. J. Lyon, Twenty-fourth Missouri In- fantry, judge-advocate; Surg. N. R. Derby, medical director, wounded May 18; Maj. E. A. Warner, Fourteenth Iowa Infantry, provost-marshal; Capt. Ross Wilkinson, aP4~e-de-camp; Capt. Sam- uel Caldwell. Eighth Illinois Infantry, acting aide-d c-camp; Dent. George W. Fetterman, Fifteenth U. S. Infantry, assistant commis- sari of musters; Lient. John B. Pannes, Seventeenth New Yorl Infantry, ord~ance officer. I have the honor to be, with much respect, your obedient servant, A. J. SMITH, Major- General. Maj. Gen. W. T. ShERMAN Page 313 THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 313 ADDENDA. Return of Casualties in the detachment of the Sixteenth Army corps, commanded by Brig. Gen. Andrew J. Smith, U. S. Army, at Pleasant Hill, La., April 9, 1864 [Compiled from nominal list of casualties.] Killed. Wounded. ,j5 ~ S 0 H o .3 o t~ Captured or missing. H H -H o .3 IS ~ o ~ Second Brigade, Col. Lucius F. Hubbard: 47th Illinois 5th Minnesota 8th Wisconsin Total Third Brigade, Col. Sylvester G. Hill: 35th Iowa a 33d Missouri b Total Total First Division Third Divisbri.. First Brigade, Col. William F. Lynch: 58th Illinois 119th Illinois 89th Indiana c Total Second Brigade, Col. William T. Shaw: 14th Iowa th Iowa 32d Iowa 24th Missouri d Total Third Brigade, Col. Risdon K. Moore: 49th Illinois 117th Illinois 178th New York Total Total Third Division Artillery. Indiana Light, 3d Battery 7 2 9 7 3 10 1 5 3 54 1 64 3 1 11 1 16 1 8 4 65 2 80 1 8 4 72 5 90 1 4 31 36 1 2 3 6 2 48 2 58 1 11 2 81 2 97 5 14 1 60 9 89 4 5 65 14 88 2 33 5 110 2 58 210 1 8 3 77 7 96 8 59 14 312 2 88 483 5 1 29 11 49 2 5 17 7 Ii 10 6 46 18 80 9 80 22 439 2 108 660 3 3 753 a Non-veterans, Eighth and Twelfth Iowa attached. 6 Non-veterans, Eleventh Missouri attached. c Non-veterans, Fifty-second Indiana attached. d Non-veterans, Twenty-first Missouri attached. CHAP. XLVLJ Command. FIRST ANO THIRD DIVISIONS. Brig. Gen. JOSEPH A. MOWER. First Divisiort. Total 10 88 2~ 514 2 11 Page 314 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. Abstract from lists of ordnance and ordnance stores captured by detachments of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Army Corps in the Red River campaign.* Place and date. ~ I,.~ a ,~ ~ ~ ~ ~i2~ c~ ~ ~) .~ o.~ ace .5 0 H Guns and howitzers; 9-inch Dahigrens - 2 3-2-pounder rifle 32-pounder smooth-bore 1 32-pounder carronades 2 24-pounders 2 12-pounder howitzers 12-pounder howitzers, iron 1 6-pounders 1 2 6-pounders, iron 2 Artillery carriages: 9-inch Dalilgren harhette 1 9-inch Dahigren casemate 1 - 32-pounder harbettes K~::z:xz::::. 4 24-pounder harhettes - -. 2 - 2 12-pounder howitzers 2 4 12-pounder howitzer caissons 2 2 4 6-pounder field and caissons 2 1 2 5 Small-arms: Rifles 56 . 56 117 Muskets,smooth-hore 117 .2:.::::: 2 1 2 2 3 3 2 a By First and Third Divisions, Sixteenth Army Corps, and First Brigade, Cavalry Division, Depart- ment of the Gulf. Abstract from nominal lists of prisoners captured by Brig. Gen. A. J. Smiths command in the Red River campaign. Place and date. Fort De Russy, March 14 Total Hendersons Hill, March 21 Total. Grand total a o -31 S o ~ 1 ~1 2.) 1 44 3 3 42 S 3 19 3 30 1 39 1 21 3 32 2 19 11 25 292 1 I 15 192 1 2 45 22 239 47 531 Corps, regiments, etc., represented. C. S. Engineers. C. S. Quartermasters Department. 1st Louisiana Artillery. 3d Louisiana Cavalry, Company H. Crescent (Louisiana) Regiment. S~aint Jiartins Siege Battery. Cassidlys cavalry. 8th Texas, non-commissioned staff. 11th Texas, Company A. 13th Texas, Company E. 14th Texas, -egimental staff, and Company G. 16th Texas, Companies A, B, E, and I. 17th Texas, Companies A, B, D, E, G, I, and K. 18th Texas, Company H. 19th Texas, Companies A and H. 22d Texas, Company E. 28th Texas Cavalry, Companies D and I. Staff of Major-General Taylor. C. S. Artillery. 2d Louisiana Cavalry. Crescent (Louisiana) Regiment. 16th Texas Cavalry, Company G. Edgars battery. * Statement of ammunition, equipments, implements, & c., omitted. 31 Page 315 CHAI. XJNI. THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 315 No. 31. Reports of Brig. Gen. Joseph A. Mower, U. S. Army, commanding detachment of Sixteenth Army Corps. HDQRS. FIRST AND THIRD Divs., 16TH ARMY CORPS, Alexandria, La., ililiarch 23, 1864. SIR: I have the honor to report that, in accordance with orders from Brig. Gen. A. J. Smith, commanding Red River expedition, I moved on the 21st instant, with the Second and Third Brigades of the First Division, the Eighty-ninth Regiment Indiana Yolnnteers, and the Ninth Indiana Battery, from the Second Brigade, Third Division, Sixteenth Army Corps, together with First Brigade of General Lees cavalry, np Bayon Rapides to Hendersons Hill, 24 miles distant, where I enconntered and captnred a portion of the Second Lonisiana Cavalry and Edgars (Texas) battery of four gnns, with caissons, horses, and eqnipments. The nnmber of prisoners taken, abont 275, with 150 horses. Onr losses very slight. I will make a more complete report as soon as possible. I have the honor to be, captain, very respectfnlly, yonr obedient servant, JOS. A. MOWER, Brigadier- General of Volunteers, Commanding. Capt. J. HOUGH, Assistant Adjutant- General. HDQRS. FIRST AND THIRD DIvs., 16TH ARMY CORPS, Alexandria, La., March 24, 1864. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that, in compliance with orders received from General A. J. Smith, I moved ont from Alex- andria on the morning of the 21st instant for the pnrpose of driviiig the enemy from Hendersons Hill, where they were reported to have an outpost. The expedition consisted of the Second Brigade, First Division, Colonel Hubbard comnianding; the Third Brigade, First Division, Col6nel Hill commaiiding; the Eighty-ninth Regiment Indiana Infantry Volunteers, and the Ninth Indiana Battery; also a brigade of cavalry under Colonel Lucas~ of~ the Sixteenth Indiana Mounted Infantry, that regiment forming a portion of his command. A small party of the enemys cavalry was met about 113 miles out from Alexandria, and rapidly driven by Colonel Lucas for 10 miles, when our advance came within, range of the enemys battery, con- sisting of four field guns, in position on Hendersons Hill. I di- rected the cavalry to annoy the enemy in front while I crossed a bayou with Colonel Hubbards brigade and the Sixteenth Indiana Mounted Infantry, of Colonel Lucas command, together with a sec- tion of artillery, for the purpose of getting in the ei~mys rear and capturing him. My guide, in endeavoring to take me by a near route to the rear of the hill, led me into a swamp which was impassable. I then found a roSJ, which I followed, and from which I made my way to the enemys camp, where I captured about 250 prisoners, 200 horses, and 4 guns, together with their caissons. The enemy were picked up in detail. The Sixteenth Indiana Mounted Infantry were in advance until we came near the hill; they then moved off th Page 316 31~3 L0UISIAI~A AND TIlE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [cHAP. XLVI. road on which the infantry advanced. Captain Sample, my assist- ant adjutant-general, was the first man that arrived at the first see- Lioii of the enemys guns; their horses were harnessed and hitched. The Thirty-fifth Iowa Infantry were in advance of the infantry, and caine up with the guns immediately after Captain Sample, who him- self captured several small parties of the rebels. The Sixteenth In- diana Mounted Infantry claim to have captured the next section, which was posted up the road; none of them were there, however, when the Thirty-fifth Iowa arrived at the o~uns~ the men of the Six- teenth Indiana may have been first at the gnus and left them for the purpose of capturing prisoners. After capturing the battery and men, I recrossed the bayou and went into camp, having marched 30 miles that day. On the morning of the 22d, I returned to Alex- andria. I would respectfully call attention to the conduct of Captain Sam- ple, my assistant adj atant-general, who, by his coolness and pru- dence, captured niany squads of the enemy at their camp-fires without allowing them to fire a gun. Also to the gallantry of one of niy orderlies, Private Deacon J. Whittaker, Second Iowa Battery, who, while carrying a dispatch, captured a rebel major and two privates and brought them in. I recommend him for promotion. No casual- ties to report. I send herewith an inventory of ordnance and ord- nance stores captured. * A list of prisoners has already been for- warded. I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOS. A. MOWER, Brig. Gem, (Jomdg. First and Third Dirs., 16th A. C. Capt. J. HOUGH, Assistant Adj atant- General. HDQRS. FIRST AND THIRD Divs., 16TH ARMY Coups, On Steamer Des Moines, March 31, 1864. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that, in obedience to the orders of Brig. Gen. A. J. Smith, I advanced on Fort De Russy on the 14th instant at 4.30 p. m. I made the following disposition of the troops: Colonel Shaws brigade on the right of the road, except- ing one regiment, the Twenty-fourth Missouri Infantry, which was moved up on the left, the Third Indiana Battery near the road. While getting these troops into ~~sition the enemy opened fire, throwing shell and shrapnel. Colonel Lynchs brigade was then put in position to the left and rear of the fort. I then moved forward the Twenty-fourth Missouri at a double-quick. This was the signal for the assault. The troops advanced in gallant style, the regiments vying with each othr~r in their efforts to be the first in the enemys works. The regiments of Colonel Lynchs brigade arrived at the works at the same moment with the Twenty-fourth Missouri, of Colonel Shiaws brigade, but owing to their (the Twenty-fourth Missouri) meeting with a formidable abatis they did not get their colors on the works at the same monient. There was not, however, a difference of half a miiiute in the time of plantiiig the colors by the different regiments. That part of Colonel Shaws brigade which moved up on the right of the road encountered a bayou, which pre- vented their getting into the works as soon as the others. The sharp- *See p. 314 Page 317 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 317 shooters of these regiments, however, did excellent service in annoy- ing the enemys artillerists. The brigade commanders, Colonels Shaw and Lynch, handled their troops with skill and coolness. I deem it my dnty to mention the conduct of Captain ODonnell, of my staff, who rendered me most efficient and valuable aid in pntting troops into position. He was always ready when his services were required, and was one of the first in the enemys works. We cap- tured 2(30 men, as well as a large amonnt of ordnance and ordnance stores, among them ten guns, two of them 9-inch, one 82-pounder rifled and banded ; the others of smaller caliber. I inclose herewith a list of killed and wounded ;* also a list of ordnance and ordnance stores captured. I I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOS. A. MOWER, Brig. Gem., Comdg. First and Third Dims., 16/h A. C. Capt. J. HOUGH. Assi. Adji. Gen., Red River Krpedition. HDQRS. FIRST AND THIRD Divs., 16TH ARMY CORPS, Grand Ecore La., April 17, 18(34. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to make the following report of the position and movements of the troops of my command in the en- gagement at Pleasant Hill, La., on the 9th instant: I inclose here- with a diagram, ~ showing the positiom~ of my command at the com- mencement of the action. Colonel Shaw was detached in the morn- ing with his brigade, and ordered to report to General Emory. The positiomi of the troops mu my line was as follows: Commencing with the right, Colonel McClure, with the Forty-seventh Illinois; on his left, the Ninth Indiana Battery; on the left of this was the One hundred and seventy-eighth New York, and in their front the Forty- ninth Illinois, both of Col6nel Moores brigade. On the left of the One hundred and seventy-eighth was the Thirty-third Missouri, of Colonel Hills brigade; on the left of this the Third Indiana Battery, six gnn~. This was supported on the left by the Eighty-ninth Indi- ana, Colonel Murray commanding. On the left of the Eighty-ninth was a Vermont battery. To the left of this, an(i nearly at right angles to the main line and facing outward, was the One hundred and nineteenth Illinois. Beyond, and to the right of the One hun- dred and nineteenth (as they were faced), was the Fifty-eighth Illinois. In front of my right was the left of General Emorys di- vmsmon. In front of my line was an open field, giving an excellent opportunity for our artillery to do effective service. The enemy made his appearance on the opposite side of the field about 4 p. in., and a(lvanced rapidly on my line. They charged as though confi- dent of success, but were repulsed by our trool)s, who withstood the charge with great firmness, and drove them back with great slaughter. The enemy made a stand at a ditch, which was about three-fourths of the width of the field from my original position. They lost largely in killed and in prisoners here, and were, after a desperate resistance, dislodged and driven back into the woods. After follow- ing the enemy some d~tance into the timber, a piece of artillery was opened upon my line, the fire comning from a point some distance to Nominal list (omitted) shows 3 killed and 38 wounded. ~ See p. 314. ~ See p. 319 Page 318 318 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. my right and a little to my rear. In consequence of this I halted my right and swung my left around, with the right as a pivot, forming the troops nearly perpendicular to their former line. As I was swing- ing around the enemy rallied and drove my men back a short dis- tance. I then reformed them, and again drove the enemy. It was now dark and I did not deem it prudent to advance any farther, as I was unacquainted with the ground. I, however; proceeded to place my troops in such a position as to be able to attack the enemy on the flank should he remain until morning. In this I was occupied until after midnight; soon after I received your order to move my coni- mand, at 3 a. ni., toward Grand Ecore. The troops in my command behaved gal1antl~. Captain Cocke- fair, Third Indiana Battery, did excellent service; Captain Browns battery, Ninth Indiana, being masked by a battery and troops in its front, was unable to fire for some time after the action commenced; Colonel Lynch, commanding the First Brigade, Third Division, hav- ing become separated from the balance of the command early in the action, advanced some distance in a direction to the left of the one in which I moved, and encountered a body of the enemy which he drove a long distance, when, finding them on both his flanks, he re- tired, bringing off a number of prisoners. Colonel Moore and Col- onel Hill moved forward their respective commands with great stead- iness, and fonght the enemy until dark. I refer you to the report of brigade commanders, which I herewith inclose for the particulars. The conduct of both officers and men was admirable, defeating as they did, in so short a time, the enemy, who were flushed with the victory of the previous day. The list of casualties has already been forwarded. * I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOS. A. MOWER Brigadier- General, Commanding. Capt. J. HOUGH, Asst. Adjt. Gem., Detach. 16th and 17th Army Corps. HDQRS. FIRST AND THIRD DIvs., 16TH ARMY CORPS, Moores Plantation, May 4, 1864. GENERAL: A negro just escaped from the rebelsstates that they are in large force in our front; s~ys. he heard their drums beating this morning, which shows conclusively that they have infantry. I tried to develop their forces yesterday, but did not succeed, arid also attempted the same this morning, but failed. I do not deem it prudent to risk an enga2 ement with a bayou in my rear. I have therefore taken a position north of the bayou, near Governor Moores residence. Had I had cavalry, I could have ascertained the strength of the enemy without br~ngin g on a general engagement. The negro from whom I have obtained the above information states that he heard the rebels in their conversation with one and another talk boastingly of having 30,000 men. This is undoubtedly an ex- aggeration, yet I think it evident that they are largely superior to the force under my command. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOS. A. MOWER, Brigadier- General, Commanding. Brig. Gen. WILLIAM DWIGHT, Chief of Staff. * ~1nbQdied in addenda to smiths report, p. 31~ Page 319 0 k H H U w ~LO w U H CID z H Page 320 3~O LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. LCHAP. XLVI. HDQRS. FIRST AND THIRD DIVS., 16TH ARMY CORPS, On Steamer Des Moines, Viclcsbnrg, Miss., May 23, 1864. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report, for the information of the general commanding the detachment of Red River expedition, that, in obedience to the orders received from him to the effect that if the eiiemy should pursue me I should attack arid drive them back, I moved across Yellow Bayou at about 11 oclock of the 18th instant, with Colonel Hills brigade, consisting only of two regiments, the Thirty-third Missonri and the Thirty-fifth Iowa, and Colonel Lynchs brigade, and Colonel Shaws brigade of the Third Division. I skirmished with the enemy about 2 miles, when I came to a dense thicket, which I penetrated and found the enemy in large force on the opposite side qf a field. They opened.oii my line with twelve pieces of rifled artillery. I had with me Lieutenant Tiemneyers battery of rifled guns, with the Third Indiana Battery and four smooth-bore guns of the Ninth Indiana Battery. I put Lieutenant Tiemnever s battery in position on the right of tire line and the Ninth Indiana Battery near the left, having two regiments on the left of it for support. I had just got my line formed after passing through the thicket when the enemy moved upon us, coming in columns in mass on our left and in line of battle in our front. I immediately sent for two regiments of Colonel Shaws brigade, which had been held in reserve, but before they arrived the cavalry onmy left flank were driven back, the enemy following them and getting mu rear of my left flank. I immediately ordered the Third Indiana Battery and the two regiments on the left of it to move in such a direction as brought them nearly at right angles with the balance of my line and facing the enemy, who were moving down on our flank. I also ordered the other portion of the line, which had driven the enemy in their front, to fall back so as to connect with the right of the troops, whose position I had changed. The troops on the left were now formed facing the woods. Just as they had got into position the two regiments of Colonel Shaws brrgade, whmch were held in reserve and whicim I had previously sent for, came up, and I put them into position on the left. I then ordered the battery to be doubled-shotted with canister. The enemy on our flank were soon driven back, and with great slaughter. I then (after resting the men a few minutes and giving the~ an opportunity to replenish their ammunition) om~ei~d another advance. I found that the enemy had made an advance and had entered time thicket,. through which the main portion of my line had to pass. We en- countered them in the thicket, and a short but desperate struggle ensued, in which they were driven into and part way across the open field beyond, with great loss in kilThd and wounded and about 160 prisoners. My left being exposed, the cavalry having been again driven back, I ordered my troops back to reoccupy their original position, the enemy first being driven from our left I left a line of skirmishers in front of the thicket. The en& my did not attempt to make another attack. I have been since informed by the chaplain of the Fifty-eighth Illinois, who was captured a few days prevrous and afterward released, that the enemy acknowledged a loss in that engagement o~ about 600 killed and wounded. This, together with the prisoners captured by us, would make their loss nearly three times as great as our own. Too much praise cannot be given either to officers or men in meet Page 321 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 321 ing and repelling two distinct charges of the enemy, in both of which their force was greatly superior to our own. The conduct of Colonel Hill deserves special mention. He was in the thickest of the fire; was himself wounded, and had his horse shot. Colonel Lynch, who had had permission to visit the boats at the Atchafalaya, some 4 miles distant, on hearing the artillery immediately repaired to the field of battle, and rushing in with his usual impetuosity, was almost imme- diately wounded. The command of his brigade then devolved upon Colonel Kinney, of the One hundred and nineteenth Illinois, who fought his brigade gallantly until his horse was wounded and fell upon him, injuring him so that he had to retire temporarily from the field. The command then devolved upon Lieutenant-Colonel Craven, Eighty-ninth Indiana, who sustained the well-earned reputation of the brigade. Colonel Shaw handled his men with skill and coolness and aided in repelling the charge of the enemy on the flank and in driving them back. I will also mention Lieutenant Tiemeyer, Com- pany M, First Missouri Light Artillery, who did good execution, iiot- withstanding his battery was exposed to a galling fire from the en- emy s batteries, who at times concentrated their whole artillery fire upon him. He deserves great praise for the manner in which he handled his guns. Captain Brown, of the Ninth Indiana Battery, although his guns were not able to reach the rifled guns of the en- emy, poured a deadly fire into the masses of the enemy as they charged on the lefJ~. To the officers of my staff, Captain Sample and Lieutenants Chris- tensen, Meagher, and OReilly, who rendered efficient aid in convey- ing orders along the line, nuder the heaviest of the fire, my sincere thanks are due. The last two had their horses shot under them. A list of the prisoners captured, also a list of the casualties, have already been forwarded. I herewith inclose the reports of the bri- gade commanders. I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant JOS. A. MOWER; Brig. Gem., C~omdg. 1st and 3d Divs., 16th Army Corps. Capt. J. HOUGH, Asst. Adjt. Gem., Detach. 16th and 17th Army Corps. No. 32. Report of Gvol. Lucius F. Hubbard, Ffth Minnesota Infantry, commanding 8econd Brigade, First Division, of engagement at Pleasant Hill, with itinerary of the brigade, March 1May 24. HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., FIRST DIV., 16TH ARMY CORPS, Grand Ecore, La., 4pril 13, 1864. CAPTAIN: In compliance with circular instructions of this date, from headquarters First Division, Sixteenth Army Corps, I have the honor to make the following report of the part borne by my com- mand in the battle at Pleasant Hill, La., on the 9th instant: But one regiment of the Second Brigade (the Forty-seventh Illinois In- fantry) was brought into action during the progress of the fight. That regiment was moved toward the front by order of General Mower, at about 3 p. in., and placed in position as a support to and 21 R RVQL XXXIv, PT Page 322 322 LOUISJANX AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. upon the right of the Third Indiana Battery, where it remained until the attack of the enemy was finally repulsed, and where it was afforded an opportunity to deliver several effective volleys into the ranks of the assaulting columns. As the enemy was driven from the field the Forty-seventh Illinois moved a few hundred yards to the front, and remained in position until after dark, when ordered by me to rejoin the brigade. The Fifth Minnesota Veteran In- fantry was posted early in the afternoon as a support to a picket on a road communicating with the right of our line of battle, where it remained until after dark, not having been engaged. The Eighth Wisconsin Veteran Infantry was held in reserve, except four com- panies, which latter were posted as a picket to the rear, on the Grand Ecore road. Shortly after dark I was ordered by General Mower to move the Second Brigade to the front, where it was placed in posi- tion, and remained until the movement to the rear commenced. The casualties of my command are 7 wounded and 3 missing, a list of which has already been forwarded. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, L. F. HUBBARD, Colonel, Commanding Brigade. Capt. J. B. SAMPLE, Asst. Adjt. Gen., First Division, 16th Army Corps. Itinerary of the Second Brigade, First Division, Sixteenth Army Corps, March 1-May 24. * March 1.The brigade left Canton, Miss., and marched via Black River bridge to Vicksburg. March 5.Arrived at Vicksburg. Here the Eleventh Missouri Infantry received orders to report at Saint Louis, having re-enlisted as veterans, and the Second Iowa Battery was ordered to Memphis, Teun. March 9.The remaining three regiments of the brigade embarked for an expedition to Red River. iliarch 10.Left Vicksburg, passing down the Mississippi and up Red River into the Atchafalaya. March 13.Landed at Simsport, La., and marched to Fort De Russy; embarked and moved to Alexandria. March 21.Marched to Hender~n~ Hill. March 23.Returned to Alexandria. March 26.Marched via Bayou Rapides to Cotile Landing, La. March 27.Arrived and went into bivouac. Total distance marched, 356 miles. April 1.The brigade embarked on transports at Cotile Landing, La., and moved to Grand Ecore. April 3.Arrived at Grand Ecore and disembarked. April 4.Drove the enemy from the town~f Campti. April 7.Left Grand Ecore; marched, 7th and 8th, to Pleasant Hill, La. April 9.Engaged in the battle of Pleasant Hill. April 10 an~ 11.Marched to Grand Ecore. April 20.Left Grand Ecore and marched via Natchitoches to Alexandria. _______ ____________________ * From returns for March, April, and May Page 323 ~~HiP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 323 April 22 and 23.Engaged the enemy on Cane River. Total dis- tance, 250 miles. May 2.The brigade marched from Alexandria, La., along Bayou Rap ides, 5 miles; thence to Governor Moores plantation, on Bayou Roberts; arrived on the 3d. May 4, 6, and 7.Engaged the en~my in skirmishes. May 14.Marched along Red River via Marksville and Simsport, arriving at the mouth of Red River on the 21st, having engaged the enemy on the 14th on Red River, on the 16th at Marksville, or Belle Prairie, and on the 18th near Yellow Bayou. May 22.Embarked and moved up the Mississippi. luau 24.Arrived at Vicksburg. Total distance traveled, 275 miles. No. 33. Report of Maj. John U. Becht, Fifth Minnesota Infantry. HDQRS. FIFTH MINNESOTA VET. VOL. INFANTRY, Vicksburg, Miss., May 25, 1864. COLONEL: I have the honor to report, as briefly as possible, the part taken by the Fifth Minnesota Veterans in the recent Red River expedition. This expedition has been the most severe one in which the regiment has ever been engaged. The fact that it failed in the ac- complishment of its professed object and, in fact, suffered unaccount- able disaster, made our exodus from the State of Louisiana, consum- ing forty days, all the more irksome. On the 10th of March we left Vicksburg on board of transports and landed at Simsport, on the Atchafalaya Bayou, on the 12th. Our brigade immediately initiated operations on the Red River by putting to rout General Scurrys com- mand, which was encamped near our landing. The enemy withdrew to Fort Scurry, 3 miles distant, and not fancying the aspect of affairs as we approached in line of battle with fixed bayonets, he forsook his works and beat a hasty retreat. We pursued him for 4 miles and succeeded in capturing his rear guard and 4 loaded wagons, and were then recalled to our boats. At 9 oclock the same eveniiig General Smiths whole command took up t~ie line of march for Fort De Russy, arriving there at 4 p. m. the next day, and by dusk had the fort and garrison in our possession. This fort was built with the best of engineering skill, and was well calculated for a small force to successfully resist a much superior besieging one. Our brigade during the day was the rear guard of the Sixteenth Army Corps, and came up only in time to form in the second line of battle and witness the glorious sight of our boys scaling the, parapets, which were fully 20 feet high from the bottom of the ditch. On the 15th, we re-embarked on the transports, which had followed us up the river, and took peaceable possession of Alexandria on the 16th. On the 21st, our division, accompanied by a small force of General Banks cavalry, which had just arrived, made a reconnais- sance to Hendersons Hill, 22 miles from Alexandria on the Shreve- port road. We made a forced march and found the enemy in a strong position. After a short demonstration in front we com- menced a flank movement, crossed a bayou, and entered a pine for Page 324 324 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. est. Amid the darkness and in a drenching rain-storm, we waded throngh mnd and water, over ridges and across low bottoms, till we reached the enemys rear. We relieved his pickets, snbstituted our own, and took the camp by surprise. The enemy were looking for their own re-enforcements, which they were honrl y expecting. We captured 1 four-gun battery with caissons and horses, including 80 prisoners, the darkness covering the escape of the others. On the 26th and 27th, we marched to Cotile Landing, which is above the Red River rapids, and 28 miles from Alexandria, and on the 2d of April again embarked and arrived at Grand Ecore on the 3d. In the mean time, General Banks had arrived at Alexandria and moved on in advance of us to Natchitoches. We remained in Grand Ecore four or five days, during which time we made several recon- naissances on the east side of the river, and encountered the enemy in several skirmishes. On the 4th, the regiment, with the Thirty- fifth Iowa, Colonel Hubbard commanding, was sent out on the double- quick to Campti, 5 miles distant, to the relief of our cavalry, which was being rougbly handled. We found the enemy across a small bayou, sheltered in the large timber, and successfully resisting the persistent efforts of the cavalry to dislodge him. I immimediately de- ployed my regiment on the right and left of the road, and moved rapidly forward toward and across the bayou. The boys advanced with cheers and well-directed fire, which the rebels were not able or disposed to withstand. They withdrew, leaving behind their killed amid wounded, who fell into our hands. On the 7th, with cheerful spirits, we took up the limme of march for Shreveport, never once con- sidering the possibility of a failure to accomplish our purpose. Gen- eral Banks, with the cavalry under General Lee, the Nineteenth, and detachment of Thirteenth Army Corps, preceded us one day. On the 8th, late in the evenin~, we reached Pleasant Hill, and from stragglers first heard of that Aays disaster and rout to our advance, which reports were afterward too fully confirmed. On the 9th, the enemy advanced to the attack, flushed with victory amid stengthened with re-enforcements, and fought with reckless desperation. On that day it devolved upon the detachments of the Sixteenth and Seven- teenth Army Corps, forming General Smiths command of veteran troops, to arrest and turn back the tide of battle and disaster. The position of the Fifth during the engagement was on the extreme right of the Sixteenth Army Corps. During the night a miew line of battle was formed, ~ miles in a4vaiice of our first position, the Fifth being placed near the center and in the first line. As we rested on our arms, listening to the cries and groans of the wounded, who were lying thickly around and among us, each one felt that morning would witness the opening of, if possible, a still fiercer struggle than that of the previous day. To our great surprmse, at 3 oclock in the morning, we were quietly withdrawn from the battle-field and marched back to Grand Ecore without molestation. On the 20th, the retrograde movement was r~umed, General Smith being assigned to the rear, and to the general protection of General Banks 12 miles of wagons. We were warmly attacked on leaving there, and on each of the three days consumed in reaching Alexan- dria, the regiment participating on the 22d and 23d. On the 2d of May the Sixteenth Army Corps, under command of General Mower, was sent out 8 miles toward Cloutierville to hold the enemy back, and to get and retain possession of the large amount of forage in that section. Here we remained eight days, engaged in a continua Page 325 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 325 skirmish, culminating at times in a general engagement. During the eight days, as well as during the whole expedition, the Fifth was frequently selected by Colonel Hubbard, at the request of the commanding general of the division, and sent forward to act as skirmishers and sharpshooters. General Mower formerly com- manded our brigade, and he accredits to the Fifth Minnesota great efficiency in this kind of duty. On the 14th, we again fell in rear of General Banks and his wagon train, followed the windings of the Red River, and camped near Fort De Russy on the night of the 15th. On the Thth occurred the battle of Marksville, or Belle Prairie. The field was a splendid one for a fair and equal contest, a smooth, clear prairie, slightly descending to the south, 3 or 4 miles in extent, and surronuded by heavy timber. We were turned out before daybreak and taken into the fight without our usual coffee aiid hard-tack. As we marched through Marksville about sunrise we discovered the Nineteenth Army Corps already initiating operations, which it after- ward devolved upon us to finish. The Sixteenth and Seventeenth Army Corps were formed in column of regiments, and moved across the prairie to the right, and some distance from the Nineteenth Army Corps, the Fifth Minnesota in advance. It was a splendid sight; our whole force and every movement could be clearly and distinctly seen. On the left was the Nineteenth Army Corps, advancing in line of battle with a line of skirmishers in front, engaging and slowly forcing back those of the enemy. To the rear of the Nineteenth was the Thirteenth, also advaiicing in line of battle. In the rear of and following us was a long column of regiments, the numerous ban- ners glisteiiing in the clear niorning sunlight, and seemiiig to wave defiance to the foe. Our movements were soon changed from that in column to that en echelon and then into line of battle, all the regiments forming on the right of brigade. The enemy in front of ns held a position in the edge of the timber, and only a portion of his line could at first be seen. He very soon disclosed the p6sitions of fonr excellent batteries of heavy guns, which were particularly devoted to us. In the mean time the Nineteenth Army Corps had halted, and the remainder of the work was left for General Smiths command. The fight lasted about four hours, and during the closing scene it required the extra exertions of the enemy to save his batter- ies from our grasp. The long wagon train heretofore referred to, and especial instructions on this occasiomi ~s on many others, pre- vented pursuit. The enemy followed us closely the next day, and on the 18th, on Bayou De Glaize, ensued the last battle of the series conducted by General Mower, and participated in by the troops of the Sixteenth Army Corps alone. The Fifth Minnesota was here used as skir- mishers. The fight commenced about 10 a. ni., an(i continued for six hours. We drove the enemy back on this as on every other occa- sion, with a loss to him of upward of 500 men, and we would gladly have pursued and punished him for his insolence. ~ On the 20th, we once more looked upon the waters of the noble Mississippi. We hailed the sight with cheers. The waters of the Mississippi appeared as clear as crystal and [werej relished like the fountain waters of Minnesota, so great was the contrast with the muddy waters of the dried up Red River and its bayous. We arrived at Vicksburg on transports on the 24th. Great credit is due to Surgeon Kennedy, one of the leading operating surgeons of the command, and his assistant, Dr. Leonard Page 326 32G LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI. for their exertions in behalf of the wounded. I can also heartily commend the action of every officer and private of the regiment in the several battles and skirmishes of this expedition. I think I am safe in assuring you that the Fifth lost none of its prestige and none of its reputation as a fighting regiment. Colonel Hubbard has been in command of the brigade since leaving Vicksburg. I cheerfully acknowledge that any credit which the regiment o~r the brigade has gained in the expedition is in a great measure iVne to the coolness, the courage, the watchful attention to duty, and the personal example of daring of himself and staff. Colonel Hubbard possesses the entire confidence of his command. Every officer and soldier knows and feels that his inspiration in battle is not due to whisky, and they follow him without fear or mistrust. I am happy to be able to inform you that the regiment has been providentially spared from serious loss; 15 men wounded, and most of them not seriously, and 3 men prisoners, embraces the entire list of casualties. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN C. BECHT, Major, Commanding Regiment. Col. OSCAR MALMROS, Adjutant-General of Minnesota, Saint Paul. No. 34. Reports of ~iJol. Sylvester G. Hill, Thirty-fifth Iowa Infantry, com- manding Third Brigade, of affair at Hendersons Hill and engage- ments at Pleasant Hill and Yellow Bayou, with itinerary of the brigade, March 4May 24. HDQRS. THIRD BRIG., FIRST Div., 16TH ARMY CORPS, Alexandria, La., March 25, 1864. SIR: I have the honor to make the following report of the opera- tions of this command for March 21 and 22, 1864: In obedience to orders from headquarters First and Third Divisions, Sixteenth Army Corps, this brigade, consisting of Thirty-third Missouri Volunteer Infantry and the Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiments, moved from their camp in Alexandria La., at 6.30 a. in., March 21, and marched in the advance of the~df~ision in the following order: First, the Thirty-fifth Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry; second, the Ninth Indiana Battery; third, the Thirty-third Regiment Mis- souri Volunteer Infantry. The brigade was halted at 1 p. m. about 22 miles from this place, where the enemy had opened fire with artil- lery on the cavalry in our advance with some effect. It being apparent that the enemy had chbsen a very strong position in our front, across Bayou Rapides, on a high hill, this brigade was ordered to the front to support the battery then in position. Sh~rtly after the brigade was ordered across Bayou Rapides to the right of the enemys posi- tion, and after a tedious march of about 8 miles, through marshes and a dense pine forest, in a hard rain and cold wind, we halted. The men were~much fatigued and thoroughly wet, suffering from cold and a severe hail-storm; some were compelled from exhaustion to leave the ranks. The enemy being seen in the advance, the Thirty-third Regiment Missouri Volunteers was ordered to support a section of Battery G, Fifth U. 8. Artillery, and Company C Page 327 CHAP. XLVI.] THE RED RIVER CAMPAIGN. 327 Thirty-fifth Regiment Iowa Volunteers, was deployed and sent for- ward as skirmishers. After a halt of about 2 hours we discovered that the camp of the enemy was some distance to onr right. It being now dark the Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteers, followed by the Thirty-third Missouri Volunteers, was ordered forward toward the position of the enemy, and at about 10.30 p. m. arrived at the enemys outer pickets. Eight picket-posts were now in succession relieved of their guards, and three couriers, one guidon colors, and an ambulance, with horses, & c., captured, and the prisoners seiit to the reav of the first regiment, without the firing of a gun or causing any alarm whatever. At about mjdnight we arrived at the main camp of the rebels. The Thirty-fifth Iowa quickly surrounded a number of the enemy in a house, and mounted their men on the horses hitched to a section of the enemys battery and caissons, before our presence was at all discovered by them; it was a complete surprise. There was every indication that the camp was in readiness for an attack; horses were hitched, guns were in position, two of theni were charged with canister, but so silent was our approach and so rapid our movements in their camp, that they did not use their artil- lery, ~nd fired but a few rifle shots before the capture was complete. After the capture of the first section of artillery and a lot of officers and men in a large house, as also a large lot of cavalry horses equipped, both regiments were ordered with bayonets fixed to charge through the camp, and succeeded in capturing another section of artillery, with caissons and horses colnpl ete, and also a number of rebels mounted. Passing out of the enemys main canip to the bayou, we found the bridge over Bayou Rapides destroyed by fire. We then moved to our left, along the bayou, the Thirty-third Regiment Mis- souri Volunteers in the advance, with two companies out as skir- mishers. Passing through an open field and into an 01(1 cavalry camp, about 40 more prisoners and horses were taken. Finding here the frame-work of a partially destroyed bridge, we in half an hour repaired it and crossed over, and marched 2-~ miles, through deep mud and water, to near the place where w~ crossed the bayou at 1 p. in., and bivouacked for the few remaining hours of the night at 3 a. in., having marched about 3~ miles in 22~ hours. On the morning of the 22d, the Thirty-third Missouri Volunteers was ordered forward to support the Ninth Indiana Battery, while the captured property was secured, and the enemys camp at Hen- dersons Hill entirely destroyed. At 12~ m~ we took up our line of march toward Alexandria, the Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteers having in charge the prisoners of war and the captured battery. Arrived within 8 miles of Alexaiidria and camped for the night. Next morning (23d) marched at 6 a. in., and arrived in Alexandria at 1 p.m. Casualties in the brigade, 1 man wounded. Captured by the brigade: Prisoners of war: Officers, 16; men, 206 222 Artillery: Brass 6-pounders 2 12-pounder howitzers 2 Caissons, with harn~s, & c 4 Horses (part equipped), about 280 Small-arms and sabers, about 240 Ambulance (with surgical instruments) 1 Guidon colors Page 328 328 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. ILVI. Much of the credit of this successful exploit is due to Lient. Cot. W. B. Keeler, commandiug the Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteers, and to Lieut. Col. W. H. Heath, commaudiug Thirty-third Missouri Voluuteers, for their promptness in obeying orders, and their activ- ity iu briugiug up their regimeuts promptly and iu good order, not- withstauding the meu were very much fatigued; al