Captured Confederates at Gettysburg
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
4th Wisconsin's Service in Louisiana
The 4th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment was a regiment that served most of its career fighting in Louisiana. From the Battle of Baton Rouge, Teche Campaign of 1863 and the Siege of Port Hudson. Below is the history of the 4th Wisconsin from The Military History of Wisconsin by Edwin Bentley Quiner (1866). The 4th Wisconsin was organized in June of 1861 and mustered into U.S. service in July of 1861. It was transported to the east coast shortly afterwards to Baltimore, Maryland. From here, the regiment was organized to be part of Benjamin Butler's expedition to take New Orleans, Louisiana. The following images are pages 498-507. You can click on the images to read them individually.
Friday, February 24, 2012
30th Massachusetts' Tour in Louisiana, Part VI
Henry Warren Howe was a member of the 30th Massachusetts during the war. Howe's regiment was organized in December of 1861 and served in Virginia before it was sent to Ship Island. From February 12th - April 15th, the 30th Massachusetts garrisoned Ship Island. The regiment was attached to the Department of the Gulf in August 1862 and served in Louisiana until the summer of 1864. Howe wrote a book following the war titled, Life of Henry Warren Howe, Consisting of Diary and Letters Written During the Civil War, 1861-1865: A Condensed History of the Thirtieth Massachusetts Regiment and Its Flags, together with Genealogies of the Different Branches of the Family.
Howe's entries during June-July 1863, during the Siege of Port Hudson and immediately afterwards. This will end the postings of Howe's entries. There are some letters of Howe's we will past later.
June 17, 1863 . Returned from Port Hudson. Had
a tough time. Our company had one man killed and three wounded.June 24, 1863 . General Weitzel's Brigade returned
after driving the enemy in the rear beyond Jackson June 28, 1863 . Very warm. Temporarily in command
of CompanyJune 29, 1863 . Making out muster rolls; also the
monthly returns.June 30, 1863 . Marched to-day. The storming
party, consisting of four officers and thirty men, were mustered separately.July 1, 1863 . Pleasant. General Banks promised
to be in the fort on the Fourth. One thousand stormers. My Captain is one of
them. The rebel cavalry is hovering round.July 2, 1863 . March of eleven miles after 11 a.
m. to cut off intruders. They got ahead of us. Letter from home. Family very
anxious.July 3, 1863 . Expect an attack will be made
to-morrow, as General Banks says the Stars and Stripes will hang over their
heads to-morrow.July 4, 1863 . Showery and very warm. No attack;
got plenty of corn and that is all. Everybody is growing impatient. Very dull
day. On guard at night. >July 6, 1863 . Slight fever to-day. Took quinine
for the first time in my life.July 7, 1863 . A despatch from General Grant. Vicksburg noon . Stated that twenty-seven thousand men were taken prisoners.July 8,1863 . The report that Port Hudson surrendered
this morning. Hope it is true. Waiting in suspense. Hurrah!! It is confirmed.July 9, 1863 . Our brigade marched into Port Hudson to-day.
The entrenchments are immense. Reason of surrender, they were out of
provisions.July 10, 1863 . We arrived at Port Hudson at
sunrise. Our division, General Weitzel's, goes to Donaldsonville. Unconditional
surrender.July 11, 1863 . Pleasant. We made a reconnoissance
four miles out. Drove the picket in; our company acted as skirmishers.July 12, 1863 . Our division moved out to-day on
both sides of the Bayou; we went out four miles and encamped for the night;
Lieutenant Brent Johnston was wounded.July 13, 1863 . On picket; we were attacked on
both sides of the Bayou, our regiment on the right; hard fighting; our loss was
eight killed and twenty-five wounded. I was hit by a spent ball on the leg.July 14, 1863 . Showery. News that General Lee had
been whipped in Virginia July 15, 1863 . The regiment was consolidated into
six companies, eight officers for duty. I am in command of Company B, the color
company.July 16, 1863 . Boats passed coming down from St. Louis July 17, 1863 . Obtained a furlough to go to Baton Rouge September 1, 1862 .July 18, 1863 . Took a stroll about the town and
visited our sick officers. There were from five to six thousand wounded and
sick in Baton Rouge July 19, 1863 . Stopped with Lieutenant J. P.
Haley, whose company is on provost duty. Lieutenant Johnston is quite
comfortable. Received and wrote a letter home. Returned at 8 p. m.July 20, 1863 . Arrived at 1 o'clock p. m. and went to the bivouac.
Nothing new.July 21, 1863 . Lieutenant-Colonel Bullock has
gone to Baton Rouge New
Orleans Texas July 22, 1863 . Showery. On picket. Expect to be
paid soon; am making out pay rolls.July 23, 1863 . All quiet last night, was relieved
at 10 a. m. by the officers of the 161st New York Regiment. Worked on pay
rolls.July 24, 1863 . Made out pay rolls for May and
June. Mighty hard finding anything to eat except commissary stores.July 25, 1863 . Five of our officers are in New Orleans July 26, 1863 . It is rumored that we go to Baton Rouge July 27, 1863 . Very warm. The prisoners came down
from Vicksburg Mobile July 28, 1863 . Lieutenant-Colonel Bullock and
Captain Creasy returned from New
Orleans July 29, 1863 . Received letters from home.
Lieutenant Davis on picket. The regiment received two months' pay.July 30,1863 . Showery. Under marching orders to
go to Baton Rouge July 31, 1863 . Went aboard at 2 p. m. Marched to
the camp, tired enough. Our brigade is all up now. Colonel N. A. M. Dudley
commands the division and will be in command of the city. All the principal
Generals have gone North on furloughs. Lieutenant Gardner has returned, having
been one year on furlough; he was on detached duty; was wounded last summer,
August 5th.
Howe's entries during June-July 1863, during the Siege of Port Hudson and immediately afterwards. This will end the postings of Howe's entries. There are some letters of Howe's we will past later.
June 25, 26, 27, 1863. Pleasant. Nothing new. On
picket on Bayou Sara road. Returned at night. We occupy the same grounds that
the enemy held at Clinton Plains fight.
D.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
7th Louisiana at Camp Moore, 1861
Found this article in the New Orleans Daily True Delta on June 2, 1861. Its a letter from Crescent Rifles, Co. B became Company E, 7th Louisiana
Infantry.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Louisiana Rum
Joshua M. Addeman of the 14th Rhode Island [Colored] Heavy Artillery Battalion left us this comment on "Louisiana Rum:"
"At the same time, we were trying to make a permanent improvement in the way above indicated, we were troubled by difficulties, which were incident to army life at all times. Liquor, of course, would make trouble for us, and I think I never knew of any stimulant more demoralizing, in its way, than Louisiana rum. This fiery fluid would arouse all the furies in a man when it had him under its control."
"At the same time, we were trying to make a permanent improvement in the way above indicated, we were troubled by difficulties, which were incident to army life at all times. Liquor, of course, would make trouble for us, and I think I never knew of any stimulant more demoralizing, in its way, than Louisiana rum. This fiery fluid would arouse all the furies in a man when it had him under its control."
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
30th Massachusetts' Tour in Louisiana, Part V
Henry Warren Howe was a member of the 30th Massachusetts during the war. Howe's regiment was organized in December of 1861 and served in Virginia before it was sent to Ship Island. From February 12th - April 15th, the 30th Massachusetts garrisoned Ship Island. The regiment was attached to the Department of the Gulf in August 1862 and served in Louisiana until the summer of 1864. Howe wrote a book following the war titled, Life of Henry Warren Howe, Consisting of Diary and Letters Written During the Civil War, 1861-1865: A Condensed History of the Thirtieth Massachusetts Regiment and Its Flags, together with Genealogies of the Different Branches of the Family.
Howe's April-May 1863 entries:
Friday, February 10, 2012
Fenner's Louisiana Battery
Lieutenant Colonel Charles D. Dreux's 1st Louisiana Battalion was originally part of the 1st Louisiana Regulars. In May of 1861, Dreux's five company battalion was ordered to Virginia. The battalion served on the James River Peninsular in Virginia until May 1862. On May 1, 1862, the battalion was disbanded (its term of service expired). When this battalion disbanded Captain Charles E. Fenner of Company A "Louisiana Guards" organized a large portion of the men into a battery.
Fenner's Battery held elections on May 4th at Jackson, Mississippi and were accepted in service on May 16, 1862. Here's an account by Mrs. Fannie A. Beers of Fenner's Battery.
Fannie A. Beers, Memories: A Record of Personal Experiences and Adventure During Four Years of War (1889), 227-243
FENNER'S LOUISIANA BATTERY.
Dear friends, when you read the caption of this page in my book of "Memories," do not accuse me in your hearts of favoritism. Of all soldiers who wore the gray, only one was nearer than others to my heart. I took no special pride in one organization above others, save in the command to which my husband belonged. Surely this is quite natural.
Who does not remember the epidemic of blue cockades which broke out in New Orleans during the winter of 1860 and 1861, and raged violently throughout the whole city? The little blue cockade, with its pelican button in the centre and its two small streamers, was the distinguishing mark of the "Secessionist."
By none was it more universally and proudly worn than by the youth and young men, who, in April, 1861, discarded it with their citizen's dress and began "the wearing of the gray," which they have helped to make a garb of honor and a glory forever.
When the Dreaux Battalion embarked for Pensacola, it was with a definite purpose in view, and a certain conviction that they would at once meet and vanquish the enemy. Their prowess was to teach the Yankee a lesson and to settle matters inside of sixty days. They fully expected to fight, and were eager to begin. Day after day, night after night, they momentarily expected an assault upon Fort Pickens. But they did not expect to be set at the hard duty of digging and wheeling sand hour after hour, and throwing up intrenchments under a burning sun.
Then the irksomeness of being under military discipline, which at first was frequently infringed. For instance, a party of Orleans Cadets overstayed their leave of absence an hour or two; "upon our return we found ourselves locked up in the guard-house for four hours and a half."
Here is an account of one of the monotonous days, transcribed from a letter of one of the Orleans Cadets, a boy who had been used at home to take his coffee before rising, a late, comfortable breakfast, and to walk down-town at his leisure on the shady side of the street, clad in the cool, white linen suit then so universally worn: "Wo get up at five o'clock to attend roll-call; at 6.30 get our coffee and our breakfast, which consists of crackers and salt pork; at 7.30, back to our tents and pack our knapsack, rub our guns, and get ready for parade at nine o'clock.
"We are now drilling at light infantry tactics (Hardee's), which occupies until eleven. We then wash our clothes, bring wood for the cook, also water and various other things; dine at two, and again drill at four until dark ; get our supper at seven; lie around until roll-call at nine; afterward go to bed to dream of home.
"General Bragg has just sent us word that we are to be exempt from hard labor at present."
It is not to be supposed that the men were confined to the rations here mentioned. All had money and could buy additional food; most of the messes had negro servants, who were excellent cooks, and boxes of goodies arrived continually from home. But, as I said before, the strict discipline, combined with deprivation of the glorious fighting in which they had expected to participate, was terribly irksome.
It was a most welcome order which transferred them to Virginia, and to the shady and delightful camping ground which I have described in a former article (Introductory). An order to join the forces about to engage in the battle of Manassas was countermanded on account of a movement of the enemy which resulted in the "affair" at "Bethel Church." They remained upon the Peninsula under General McGruder, who was successfully holding McClellan in check by appearing at every point assailed by the Federals.
"The forces under General McGruder were the only obstacle in McClellan's road to Richmond.
"Under these circumstances, McGruder, with superb rashness, threw out his whole force as skirmishers, along a line of nine or ten miles.
"The Dreaux Battalion bore a conspicuous part in all the operations of this campaign." Later, the battalion went into winter quarters.
Because I wish to contrast the condition of these men during the first part of their service and when, later, they encountered inconceivable hardships and deprivations, I will here give entire a letter from one of the battalion, kindly placed at my disposal, describing the " house-warming" which was given when they moved into winter quarters on the Peninsula:
"Camp Rightor, November 29, 1861. "I received yours of the 14th a few days since, and the 20th yesterday, both of which I will answer in one. The half-barrel of sugar was received long since, as you will see by looking over my letter to you about three weeks ago. The sugar came through in good order, also the white sugar, medicine, and coffee; the latter we use sparingly, mixing it with wheat,—one-third coffee and two-thirds wheat. The wheat does not seem to change the flavor in the least. Sweet potatoes are also used in camp in place of coffee,—you dry it, then parch and grind it; we have not tried that method yet on account of the scarcity of potatoes. All our cabins are finished at last; the tents are used no more to sleep in. Our house-warming has taken place. We made about ten gallons of egg-nog for the occasion; we used about six dozen eggs. Walton's mess was over, and a good many from the rifles; various members from both companies of the guards. Also the major, doctor, adjutant, and Lieutenant Dunn, Grevot Guards. They say it was the best nog they ever drank; the house was crowded. The nog gave out, and we had to produce the jug. If we had had our sick messmate from Williamsburg, we would have had noise (Noyes) all night, but as it was it only lasted until one o'clock. Everybody in camp seemed to be trying to make more noise than his neighbor. Beard told us next day that it was a very well conducted affair, that everything passed off so quietly with so much nog as that. He evidently went to bed early after ho left us. 1 saw Posey yesterday, he was looking badly, seeming to have been troubled with the chills for some time. Since it has become so cold we have had to take the cook in the house, which makes eleven. This boy out snores creation, beating anything you ever heard ; he woke me up last night, and I thought it was the dog Cadet barking outside at the door.
"If you get this before ma sends off the expected-to-besent package, and if there is some room, you might put in one blanket. Since we sleep two in a bunk, we spread our blankets across the hunk. Brunet has three, and I have three, which makes it equal to six apiece. Send the blanket; it shall do its share of warming, I assure you. I suppose what ma sends will be my share of Christmas in New Orleans. Our turkeys look droopy, and there is no telling when they will peg out. We keep the gobbler's spirits up by making him fight. The camp is full of turkeys, and we make ours fight every day. I have plenty of clothes and socks: I Have over half a dozen of woollen socks.
"The Gopher Mess send their best regards.
"Yours affectionately,
"Co. A, Orleans Cadets, "Louisiana Battalion, Williamsburg, Virginia."
The formation of Fenner's Louisiana Battery was attended by tremendous difficulties and discouragements, patiently met, nobly overcome, by the gallant officer who found himself at last at the head of a company composed of men who, whether considered in the aggregate, or as individuals, had not their superiors in the Confederate armies,—intelligently brave, enthusiastic, patriotic, gentlemen by birth, breeding, and education, whom chivalrous devotion to duty forbade to murmur at any hardship which fell to their lot. As officers or private soldiers, looking to the future of the Confederacy as to something assured; never despairing, ready to follow wherever and whenever a " hope" was led, no matter how "forlorn."
The record of this little band of devoted patriots has never been thoroughly known or understood as it deserves to be. Only once has its history appeared in print,—upon the occasion of a reunion of the command held in New Orleans, May 12, 1884. With great pride I transfer to these pages part of an article which then appeared in the Times-Democrat of that date:
"As the term of service (twelve months) of the corps began to approach its end, Captain Charles B. Fenner, commanding the company of Louisiana Guards, conceived the idea of raising a battery of artillery. He had no difficulty in getting the men, a sufficient number volunteering at once from the battalion, but he encountered other most disheartening obstacles. The War Department-had not the means of equipping the artillery companies already in service, and authorized to be raised, and he could only obtain the authority to raise this battery on condition of furnishing his own armament of guns. He succeeded, however, in making arrangements with his friends in New Orleans to furnish the guns, and the battery bad been made and was ready for him in New Orleans, when the city fell, and it was captured.
"Upon the discharge of the battalion, however, he changed his rendezvous to Jackson, Mississippi, and proceeded there to try and accomplish his object. Many of those who intended to join him looked upon his enterprise as so hopeless that they abandoned it and joined other commands. A sufficient number, however, rallied around him at Jackson, Mississippi, and, on the 4th of May, 1862, his company was organized by the election of officers, and on the 16th was mustered into service. Meantime, the chance of getting an armament was hopeless indeed. At last, however, Captain Fenner found, lying abandoned by the railroad, the ruins of a battery, which had been destroyed on the eve of evacuating New Orleans, under the apprehension that it would have to be left, but was subsequently brought off. The guns were spiked and rammed with wads and balls, the spokes and felloes of the wheels were cut, the trails hacked to pieces, and all the ordinary means of disabling a battery had been resorted to. The task of reconstructing this ruined battery was undertaken, and, after much difficulty, successfully accomplished.
"Then came the trouble of obtaining horses, harness, and other equipments, which had to be wrested from reluctant and ill-supplied quartermasters and ordnance officers. At last, however, all difficulties were overcome. A few weeks of active drilling, and Fenner's Battery was ready for the field. On August 20, 1862, it received marching-orders for Port Hudson. Arrived there just after the evacuation of Baton Rouge by the Federal forces. Ordered on to Baton Rouge. Remained there a few days, when the battery returned to Port Hudson with the exception of one section, which was left with one regiment of infantry to occupy the city. Held it till retaken by the Federals in December, when our small force successfully evacuated it under the fire of the enemy's gunboats, and before the advance of their infantry, which had landed. The battery remained at Port Hudson, participating in all the operations of the forces there till May 1, 1863, when it was ordered to Williams's Bridge to intercept Grierson's raid, arriving there a few hours after the raid had passed.
"May 7. Ordered to Jackson, Mississippi, with Marcy's Brigade.
"Participated in the Big Black campaign of General Johnston.
"In position at Jackson, and engaged in the fighting around that place from 10th to 16th of July, losing several men killed and wounded.
"After the evacuation of Jackson, retreated with Johnston's army to Forrest and Morton. Thence to Enterprise, and from there to Mobile, and remained there till November 21, 1863, when ordered to the Army of Tennessee.
"Reached Dalton November 27, just after the defeat at Missionary Ridge.
"Spent the winter in building winter-quarters successively at Dalton and Kingston, which were evacuated before occupied.
"On the 1st of May, 1864, General Sherman advanced from Chattanooga toward Dalton, and the great Georgia campaign commenced. From that time till the 1st of September following, the Army of Tennessee was almost constantly engaged with the enemy.
"May 8 to 12. Battery in position at Mill Creek Gap, near Dalton, and engaged with the enemy. They fell back to Resaca. Engaged on the 14th of May in supporting charge by Stewart's Division upon tho enemy.
"On tho 15th, battle of Oostenaula. The battery was divided, one section on each side of a battery in a fortified work. The charge of the enemy was most desperate, and they captured and held the fortification, but were repulsed from the front of each section of Fenner's Batter}', which held their positions till night, and then evacuated. Retreat of the army was continued to Calhoun, Adairsville, Cassville, Centerville; engaged more or less at each of those points.
"On the 25th of May occurred the battle of Now Hope Church, one of the finest fights of the war. It was an assault of the whole of Hooker's Corps on Stewart's Division. The attack was almost a complete surprise. Fenner's Battery went into position at a gallop, had several horses killed while unlimbering, and fired canister at the first discharge. The engagement was continuous for two hours, during the whole of which time, owing to the thickness of the woods, the enemy's skirmishers were enabled to maintain their position within from fifty to one hundred yards, but their repeated charges were well repulsed. The enemy's loss was terrific, admitted to be over two thousand, far exceeding the number of our men engaged. Fenner's Battery lost twenty-three men killed and wounded, and nearly all of its horses, and was specially complimented in orders for gallantry and efficiency.
"From this point, in continual conflict with the enemy, the army gradually fell back till it reached Atlanta, around which continuous fighting was kept up, until its evacuation on the 2d of September.
"1st September. Battle of Jonesboro', in which the battery was engaged.
"This may be considered the end of the Georgia campaign.
"After brief rest at Lovejoy's Station, the army commenced its long march to Tennessee by Centre, Jacksonville, Gadsden, and Florence.
"Left Florence November 20; arrived at Columbia, Tennessee, and struck the enemy there November 26. Enemy evacuate on the 28th.
"November 30. Battle of Franklin.
"December 2. Reached Nashville.
"December 6. Fenner's Battery was ordered to join General Forrest's command at Murfreesboro'; participated in the battle of Murfreesboro' on the 8th, and was still with Forrest when the battles of Nashville were fought, on the 15th and 16th, and the great retreat commenced.
"In this fight, which is called the second of Murfreesboro', it will be remembered that Bates's Infantry Division was stampeded early in the action, causing the loss of several guns of the Fifth Company, Washington Artillery. On this occasion (one of the few instances, if not the only one during the war) six pieces of field artillery, being four Napoleons of Fenner's Battery and two rifled pieces of Missouri Battery, placed in position by General Forrest,—their horses having been sent to the rear across Stone River,—held the lino for three-quarters of an hour against the enemy's entire force until the infantry and wagons had safely crossed the river on the only bridge half a mile in the rear.
"As soon as the news reached Forrest, his command started across from Murfreesboro' to join the main column at Columbia. There was no turnpike, the roads were in awful condition, the horses reduced and broken down, and a continuous rain pouring down. Two of the guns reached Columbia in safety; the other two would have been brought through but for the swelling of a creek by the rain, which it was impossible to cross,—the only guns the battery ever lost. The men remained by them alone till Columbia was evacuated by our forces and the enemy within a mile of them, when they destroyed their pieces, swam Duck River, and started after the army. The terrors of the retreat from Tennessee in midwinter, the men shoeless, without blankets, and almost without clothes, need not be recounted here.
"January 10. The battery reached Columbus, Mississippi.
"January 31. Ordered to Mobile. Remained there as heavy artillery till 11th of April, when it was evacuated; go up the river to Demopolis; from there to Cuba Station, Meridian, where, on the 10th of May, arms are laid down and the battery with the rest of General Taylor's army."
A member of the battery, who was an exceptional soldier, and who still cherishes and venerates everything that reminds him of the glorious past, has kindly placed in my hands some letters which I am permitted to copy and here subjoin, feeling sure that they will prove quite as interesting as the numerous documents of the kind published in the "lives" of those high in authority, although they contain only the experience of a young private soldier, conveyed in dutiful letters to his mother. Some of these will suggest the changes which befell the soldiers who gave the house-warming in Virginia, and the difference between the first and last years of the war.
"Near New Hope Church, Georgia, "
May 26, 1864.
"Mr Dear,—Knowing that you will be anxious to hear from me and the company after the late fight, I avail myself of the first opportunity to write. Stewart's Division of Hood's Corps arrived in the vicinity of the Church yesterday morning. Soon after skirmishes commenced, moving a mile off, and gradually approached us. By 3 P.m. it commenced to near us, and 5 P.m. found us galloping into position. Clayton's Brigade supported us behind log works, which served as an excellent shelter for us from the minies. The Yankees approached under cover of the woods to within two or three hundred yards, where they made their lines. As soon as we could see where they were we commenced firing into them, and kept it up until the ammunition of the limber was expended. They made several charges, but were repulsed by the infantry and artillerj' each time. Our loss was heavy (artilleiy), the infantry not being as much exposed as we were; their casualties were slight. At our howitzer Willie Brunet was killed after firing some fifteen rounds. He was killed in the act of giving the command to fire, the ball piercing him above the left eye. Early had four wounded,—viz., Vaudry, painfully in the breast; J. T. Pecot, painfully in the back; Eaton, in the wrist; Corporal J , ball
in the side. At Carly's piece none were killed, but McGrath and Joe Murphy were shot through the arm,— the latter it is thought will lose his arm,—and young Ford. At Woester's piece, R. A. Bridges was killed, Joe Bridges was shot in the leg; McCarty, in the foot; Dunbar, in the thigh; Lieutenant Cluverius, wounded in the side; Joe Reeves, through the leg; St. Germain, foot. The loss in horses was heavy. Woester had all eight horses of his piece killed, and his riding-horse. Lieutenant Cluverius lost his horse 'Rebel,' who was shot in the head, and died. Our detachment had three wounded; the horses saved themselves by running away. In all, we lost twenty-three, and perhaps more. Stanford was on our left, they lost about fifteen killed and wounded; Oliver, sixteen. John Cooper has a welt on his shin from a spent ball; John was driving and lost both horses. I was number six at the limber until Willie was killed, when I acted as gunner. McGregor ranks me, and hereafter I expect to be caisson-corporal. General Clayton paid us the very highest compliment upon the manner in which the guns were managed; 'too flattering to be repeated,' as Captain Fenner remarked. 'Owing to the loss in horses, men, and ammunition expended,' we were relieved and sent to the rear to replenish. A couple of days may right us, when we will again be in the front. Stewart did the fighting yesterday; I don't believe any other division was engaged. A part of Polk's (if not all) arrived about midnight. Since Polk's Corps joined us, I have found several acquaintances, among whom are John Butler, lieutenant of engineers; the two Spencer boys, in Cowan's Battery; and Ed. Hoops, in Tenth Mississippi. They were all apparently well when I saw them last, and inquired particularly of you.
Respectfully Yours,
I enclose a letter that we received from General Clayton on a copy of the letter to the captain, with an oxtract from the general's report of the battle of New Hope Church:
"Headquarters, Clayton's Brigade, "
June 7, 1864.
"Captain,—I take pleasure in making for you the following extract from my report of the battle of New Hope Church. 'With renewed expression of the profoundest acknowledgments for the signal service you did the country, and particularly my brigade, of which every officer and man speak in the highest terms, "Believe me, dear captain,
"Yours always,
"A. D. Clayton,
"Brigadier-General."
(" Extract.")
"For its conduct in the engagement too much praise cannot be awarded to Fenner's Louisiana Battery, which occupied a position along my line. Although the enemy came within fifty or sixty yards of the guns, every officer and man stood bravely to his post."
The following letter describing a Christmas dinner in 1864 presents so true a picture of the situation, and at the same time so well illustrates the soldierly spirit of the battery, that I publish it in full:
"Rienza, Mississippi, January 4, 1866.
"My Dear Mother,—An opportunity of writing now offers,—the first since our leaving Florence, before going on our Tennessee campaign, which has finally terminated so disastrously for us. Had orders been obeyed and carried out at Spring Hill, there never would" have been a fight at Nashville. By some misunderstanding, the Yankee army was allowed to cross at the above-named place without being attacked. We followed on their tracks to Franklin, picking up stragglers and prisoners all along the way, to the amount of several hundred.
"We left Columbia at daylight, marched twenty-three miles, and fought the battle of Franklin before dark. Our battery did not take part in the battle: we were in position, but, owing to the close proximity of the two armies, could not fire,—we were under fire, but no one was hurt. Stewart's and Cheatam's Corps with one division from our corps, fought the battle. I passed over the field next morning and saw enough for never wanting to see another such field. The men were actually lying in some portions of the trenches three deep. Ours being the attacking party suffered severely,—almost an equal loss to the Yankees. Our loss was about forty-five hundred, and theirs five thousand, including prisoners. Next day we started for Nashville, eighteen miles distant. Our battery remained there till the 5th, when we were ordered to Murfreesboro' to aid General Forrest in reducing that place. On the 6th we arrived there, took position, and built works. Next day, on account of a flank movement by the enemy, we had to move our position back a mile. Soon the enemy appeared in our front, and skirmishing commenced. The infantry fell back, leaving the artillery to do the fighting without one musket to protect us. We stayed as long as we could, when we finally had to follow the footsteps of the infantrymen. The fight—there was none—nothing but a big scare and run. General Forrest sent General Bateman with his division to Nashville, but kept our battery with him. We lost one man at Murfreesboro', I. T. Preston, brother of the Prestons of Carrollton. We stayed in camp for seven days when General Forrest determined to attack again and took one section of the battery with him,—the other section, the one I belong to, was sent to protect his wagon-train. Two days afterwards the army commenced its retreat from Nashville (the particulars of which no doubt you have already learned). Our march was over a muddy and rugged road for fifty miles to Columbia. It was the severest march I ever undertook: we pushed and worked at the wheels all the time. The horses finally broke down, and we had to take oxen and yoke them in and drive them. Can you imagine me up to my knees in mud, barefooted and muddy, with a long pole, driving oxen. It was a very picturesque scene, and no doubt the 'Yankee Illustrators' would pay a good price for such a picture. I was about on a par with two-thirds of the others, and we made as merry as possible under the circumstances. We had no rations, and lived entirely on the people: they treated us splendidly, gave us more than we could eat, and left us duly indebted to them for their many kindnesses. I for one will never forget the hospitality received in Tennessee. We recrossed the Tennessee on the 26th of December. Christmas day was quite an event to us. We were then out of Tennessee, in a poor country, and could get very little to eat. All day myself and mess were without food; late in the evening we saw a butcher-pen and made for it; all we could get was oxtails and a little tallow procured by a good deal of industry from certain portions of the beef. One of the boys procured a lot of bran and unbolted flour and at twelve o'clock at night we sat down at our Christmas dinner (oxtail soup and biscuit), and if I ever enjoyed a meal I enjoyed that one. The army is retiring to Okolona and the artillery to Columbus, Mississippi. The barefooted men were left here to go by rail. When we get away I cannot say. We had to leave two of our pieces stuck in the mud, the other side of Columbus; the third piece was thrown in the river; the fourth piece, the one I am interested in, was saved and represents the battery."
And here is the last, written from Demopolis, Alabama, April 15, 1865:
"Dear Mother,—You have heard ere this of the evacuation of Mobile, which happened on the day of the eleventh. After the fall of Spanish Fort and Blakely, all hope of holding Mobile was given up. The works around the city were made to be manned by eight thousand, but, after the capture of the garrison at Blakely, our forces were too much reduced to hold the place. When evacuated, the place was not threatened, but might have been completely invested in a week's time. All the heavy guns were destroyed: we destroyed seven twenty-four pounders. The total loss of guns must have amounted to three hundred. We left Mobile by boat, and each man with a musket. It is a heavy fall for us who have been in artillery for three years, and now find ourselves as infantrymen, much to our displeasure. As much as I dislike it, I shall keep my musket until something better turns up. ..."
The history of the battery, from first to last, is that of thorough soldiers, brave in battle, uncomplaining, cheerful, even jolly, under the most trying circumstances, bearing with equanimity the lesser ills of a soldier's life, with unshaken fortitude and undiminished devotion to " The Cause," indescribable hardships and discouragements.
Fenner's Battery held elections on May 4th at Jackson, Mississippi and were accepted in service on May 16, 1862. Here's an account by Mrs. Fannie A. Beers of Fenner's Battery.
Fannie A. Beers, Memories: A Record of Personal Experiences and Adventure During Four Years of War (1889), 227-243
FENNER'S LOUISIANA BATTERY.
Dear friends, when you read the caption of this page in my book of "Memories," do not accuse me in your hearts of favoritism. Of all soldiers who wore the gray, only one was nearer than others to my heart. I took no special pride in one organization above others, save in the command to which my husband belonged. Surely this is quite natural.
Who does not remember the epidemic of blue cockades which broke out in New Orleans during the winter of 1860 and 1861, and raged violently throughout the whole city? The little blue cockade, with its pelican button in the centre and its two small streamers, was the distinguishing mark of the "Secessionist."
By none was it more universally and proudly worn than by the youth and young men, who, in April, 1861, discarded it with their citizen's dress and began "the wearing of the gray," which they have helped to make a garb of honor and a glory forever.
When the Dreaux Battalion embarked for Pensacola, it was with a definite purpose in view, and a certain conviction that they would at once meet and vanquish the enemy. Their prowess was to teach the Yankee a lesson and to settle matters inside of sixty days. They fully expected to fight, and were eager to begin. Day after day, night after night, they momentarily expected an assault upon Fort Pickens. But they did not expect to be set at the hard duty of digging and wheeling sand hour after hour, and throwing up intrenchments under a burning sun.
Then the irksomeness of being under military discipline, which at first was frequently infringed. For instance, a party of Orleans Cadets overstayed their leave of absence an hour or two; "upon our return we found ourselves locked up in the guard-house for four hours and a half."
Here is an account of one of the monotonous days, transcribed from a letter of one of the Orleans Cadets, a boy who had been used at home to take his coffee before rising, a late, comfortable breakfast, and to walk down-town at his leisure on the shady side of the street, clad in the cool, white linen suit then so universally worn: "Wo get up at five o'clock to attend roll-call; at 6.30 get our coffee and our breakfast, which consists of crackers and salt pork; at 7.30, back to our tents and pack our knapsack, rub our guns, and get ready for parade at nine o'clock.
"We are now drilling at light infantry tactics (Hardee's), which occupies until eleven. We then wash our clothes, bring wood for the cook, also water and various other things; dine at two, and again drill at four until dark ; get our supper at seven; lie around until roll-call at nine; afterward go to bed to dream of home.
"General Bragg has just sent us word that we are to be exempt from hard labor at present."
It is not to be supposed that the men were confined to the rations here mentioned. All had money and could buy additional food; most of the messes had negro servants, who were excellent cooks, and boxes of goodies arrived continually from home. But, as I said before, the strict discipline, combined with deprivation of the glorious fighting in which they had expected to participate, was terribly irksome.
It was a most welcome order which transferred them to Virginia, and to the shady and delightful camping ground which I have described in a former article (Introductory). An order to join the forces about to engage in the battle of Manassas was countermanded on account of a movement of the enemy which resulted in the "affair" at "Bethel Church." They remained upon the Peninsula under General McGruder, who was successfully holding McClellan in check by appearing at every point assailed by the Federals.
"The forces under General McGruder were the only obstacle in McClellan's road to Richmond.
"Under these circumstances, McGruder, with superb rashness, threw out his whole force as skirmishers, along a line of nine or ten miles.
"The Dreaux Battalion bore a conspicuous part in all the operations of this campaign." Later, the battalion went into winter quarters.
Because I wish to contrast the condition of these men during the first part of their service and when, later, they encountered inconceivable hardships and deprivations, I will here give entire a letter from one of the battalion, kindly placed at my disposal, describing the " house-warming" which was given when they moved into winter quarters on the Peninsula:
"Camp Rightor, November 29, 1861. "I received yours of the 14th a few days since, and the 20th yesterday, both of which I will answer in one. The half-barrel of sugar was received long since, as you will see by looking over my letter to you about three weeks ago. The sugar came through in good order, also the white sugar, medicine, and coffee; the latter we use sparingly, mixing it with wheat,—one-third coffee and two-thirds wheat. The wheat does not seem to change the flavor in the least. Sweet potatoes are also used in camp in place of coffee,—you dry it, then parch and grind it; we have not tried that method yet on account of the scarcity of potatoes. All our cabins are finished at last; the tents are used no more to sleep in. Our house-warming has taken place. We made about ten gallons of egg-nog for the occasion; we used about six dozen eggs. Walton's mess was over, and a good many from the rifles; various members from both companies of the guards. Also the major, doctor, adjutant, and Lieutenant Dunn, Grevot Guards. They say it was the best nog they ever drank; the house was crowded. The nog gave out, and we had to produce the jug. If we had had our sick messmate from Williamsburg, we would have had noise (Noyes) all night, but as it was it only lasted until one o'clock. Everybody in camp seemed to be trying to make more noise than his neighbor. Beard told us next day that it was a very well conducted affair, that everything passed off so quietly with so much nog as that. He evidently went to bed early after ho left us. 1 saw Posey yesterday, he was looking badly, seeming to have been troubled with the chills for some time. Since it has become so cold we have had to take the cook in the house, which makes eleven. This boy out snores creation, beating anything you ever heard ; he woke me up last night, and I thought it was the dog Cadet barking outside at the door.
"If you get this before ma sends off the expected-to-besent package, and if there is some room, you might put in one blanket. Since we sleep two in a bunk, we spread our blankets across the hunk. Brunet has three, and I have three, which makes it equal to six apiece. Send the blanket; it shall do its share of warming, I assure you. I suppose what ma sends will be my share of Christmas in New Orleans. Our turkeys look droopy, and there is no telling when they will peg out. We keep the gobbler's spirits up by making him fight. The camp is full of turkeys, and we make ours fight every day. I have plenty of clothes and socks: I Have over half a dozen of woollen socks.
"The Gopher Mess send their best regards.
"Yours affectionately,
"Co. A, Orleans Cadets, "Louisiana Battalion, Williamsburg, Virginia."
The formation of Fenner's Louisiana Battery was attended by tremendous difficulties and discouragements, patiently met, nobly overcome, by the gallant officer who found himself at last at the head of a company composed of men who, whether considered in the aggregate, or as individuals, had not their superiors in the Confederate armies,—intelligently brave, enthusiastic, patriotic, gentlemen by birth, breeding, and education, whom chivalrous devotion to duty forbade to murmur at any hardship which fell to their lot. As officers or private soldiers, looking to the future of the Confederacy as to something assured; never despairing, ready to follow wherever and whenever a " hope" was led, no matter how "forlorn."
The record of this little band of devoted patriots has never been thoroughly known or understood as it deserves to be. Only once has its history appeared in print,—upon the occasion of a reunion of the command held in New Orleans, May 12, 1884. With great pride I transfer to these pages part of an article which then appeared in the Times-Democrat of that date:
"As the term of service (twelve months) of the corps began to approach its end, Captain Charles B. Fenner, commanding the company of Louisiana Guards, conceived the idea of raising a battery of artillery. He had no difficulty in getting the men, a sufficient number volunteering at once from the battalion, but he encountered other most disheartening obstacles. The War Department-had not the means of equipping the artillery companies already in service, and authorized to be raised, and he could only obtain the authority to raise this battery on condition of furnishing his own armament of guns. He succeeded, however, in making arrangements with his friends in New Orleans to furnish the guns, and the battery bad been made and was ready for him in New Orleans, when the city fell, and it was captured.
"Upon the discharge of the battalion, however, he changed his rendezvous to Jackson, Mississippi, and proceeded there to try and accomplish his object. Many of those who intended to join him looked upon his enterprise as so hopeless that they abandoned it and joined other commands. A sufficient number, however, rallied around him at Jackson, Mississippi, and, on the 4th of May, 1862, his company was organized by the election of officers, and on the 16th was mustered into service. Meantime, the chance of getting an armament was hopeless indeed. At last, however, Captain Fenner found, lying abandoned by the railroad, the ruins of a battery, which had been destroyed on the eve of evacuating New Orleans, under the apprehension that it would have to be left, but was subsequently brought off. The guns were spiked and rammed with wads and balls, the spokes and felloes of the wheels were cut, the trails hacked to pieces, and all the ordinary means of disabling a battery had been resorted to. The task of reconstructing this ruined battery was undertaken, and, after much difficulty, successfully accomplished.
"Then came the trouble of obtaining horses, harness, and other equipments, which had to be wrested from reluctant and ill-supplied quartermasters and ordnance officers. At last, however, all difficulties were overcome. A few weeks of active drilling, and Fenner's Battery was ready for the field. On August 20, 1862, it received marching-orders for Port Hudson. Arrived there just after the evacuation of Baton Rouge by the Federal forces. Ordered on to Baton Rouge. Remained there a few days, when the battery returned to Port Hudson with the exception of one section, which was left with one regiment of infantry to occupy the city. Held it till retaken by the Federals in December, when our small force successfully evacuated it under the fire of the enemy's gunboats, and before the advance of their infantry, which had landed. The battery remained at Port Hudson, participating in all the operations of the forces there till May 1, 1863, when it was ordered to Williams's Bridge to intercept Grierson's raid, arriving there a few hours after the raid had passed.
"May 7. Ordered to Jackson, Mississippi, with Marcy's Brigade.
"Participated in the Big Black campaign of General Johnston.
"In position at Jackson, and engaged in the fighting around that place from 10th to 16th of July, losing several men killed and wounded.
"After the evacuation of Jackson, retreated with Johnston's army to Forrest and Morton. Thence to Enterprise, and from there to Mobile, and remained there till November 21, 1863, when ordered to the Army of Tennessee.
"Reached Dalton November 27, just after the defeat at Missionary Ridge.
"Spent the winter in building winter-quarters successively at Dalton and Kingston, which were evacuated before occupied.
"On the 1st of May, 1864, General Sherman advanced from Chattanooga toward Dalton, and the great Georgia campaign commenced. From that time till the 1st of September following, the Army of Tennessee was almost constantly engaged with the enemy.
"May 8 to 12. Battery in position at Mill Creek Gap, near Dalton, and engaged with the enemy. They fell back to Resaca. Engaged on the 14th of May in supporting charge by Stewart's Division upon tho enemy.
"On tho 15th, battle of Oostenaula. The battery was divided, one section on each side of a battery in a fortified work. The charge of the enemy was most desperate, and they captured and held the fortification, but were repulsed from the front of each section of Fenner's Batter}', which held their positions till night, and then evacuated. Retreat of the army was continued to Calhoun, Adairsville, Cassville, Centerville; engaged more or less at each of those points.
"On the 25th of May occurred the battle of Now Hope Church, one of the finest fights of the war. It was an assault of the whole of Hooker's Corps on Stewart's Division. The attack was almost a complete surprise. Fenner's Battery went into position at a gallop, had several horses killed while unlimbering, and fired canister at the first discharge. The engagement was continuous for two hours, during the whole of which time, owing to the thickness of the woods, the enemy's skirmishers were enabled to maintain their position within from fifty to one hundred yards, but their repeated charges were well repulsed. The enemy's loss was terrific, admitted to be over two thousand, far exceeding the number of our men engaged. Fenner's Battery lost twenty-three men killed and wounded, and nearly all of its horses, and was specially complimented in orders for gallantry and efficiency.
"From this point, in continual conflict with the enemy, the army gradually fell back till it reached Atlanta, around which continuous fighting was kept up, until its evacuation on the 2d of September.
"1st September. Battle of Jonesboro', in which the battery was engaged.
"This may be considered the end of the Georgia campaign.
"After brief rest at Lovejoy's Station, the army commenced its long march to Tennessee by Centre, Jacksonville, Gadsden, and Florence.
"Left Florence November 20; arrived at Columbia, Tennessee, and struck the enemy there November 26. Enemy evacuate on the 28th.
"November 30. Battle of Franklin.
"December 2. Reached Nashville.
"December 6. Fenner's Battery was ordered to join General Forrest's command at Murfreesboro'; participated in the battle of Murfreesboro' on the 8th, and was still with Forrest when the battles of Nashville were fought, on the 15th and 16th, and the great retreat commenced.
"In this fight, which is called the second of Murfreesboro', it will be remembered that Bates's Infantry Division was stampeded early in the action, causing the loss of several guns of the Fifth Company, Washington Artillery. On this occasion (one of the few instances, if not the only one during the war) six pieces of field artillery, being four Napoleons of Fenner's Battery and two rifled pieces of Missouri Battery, placed in position by General Forrest,—their horses having been sent to the rear across Stone River,—held the lino for three-quarters of an hour against the enemy's entire force until the infantry and wagons had safely crossed the river on the only bridge half a mile in the rear.
"As soon as the news reached Forrest, his command started across from Murfreesboro' to join the main column at Columbia. There was no turnpike, the roads were in awful condition, the horses reduced and broken down, and a continuous rain pouring down. Two of the guns reached Columbia in safety; the other two would have been brought through but for the swelling of a creek by the rain, which it was impossible to cross,—the only guns the battery ever lost. The men remained by them alone till Columbia was evacuated by our forces and the enemy within a mile of them, when they destroyed their pieces, swam Duck River, and started after the army. The terrors of the retreat from Tennessee in midwinter, the men shoeless, without blankets, and almost without clothes, need not be recounted here.
"January 10. The battery reached Columbus, Mississippi.
"January 31. Ordered to Mobile. Remained there as heavy artillery till 11th of April, when it was evacuated; go up the river to Demopolis; from there to Cuba Station, Meridian, where, on the 10th of May, arms are laid down and the battery with the rest of General Taylor's army."
A member of the battery, who was an exceptional soldier, and who still cherishes and venerates everything that reminds him of the glorious past, has kindly placed in my hands some letters which I am permitted to copy and here subjoin, feeling sure that they will prove quite as interesting as the numerous documents of the kind published in the "lives" of those high in authority, although they contain only the experience of a young private soldier, conveyed in dutiful letters to his mother. Some of these will suggest the changes which befell the soldiers who gave the house-warming in Virginia, and the difference between the first and last years of the war.
"Near New Hope Church, Georgia, "
May 26, 1864.
"Mr Dear,—Knowing that you will be anxious to hear from me and the company after the late fight, I avail myself of the first opportunity to write. Stewart's Division of Hood's Corps arrived in the vicinity of the Church yesterday morning. Soon after skirmishes commenced, moving a mile off, and gradually approached us. By 3 P.m. it commenced to near us, and 5 P.m. found us galloping into position. Clayton's Brigade supported us behind log works, which served as an excellent shelter for us from the minies. The Yankees approached under cover of the woods to within two or three hundred yards, where they made their lines. As soon as we could see where they were we commenced firing into them, and kept it up until the ammunition of the limber was expended. They made several charges, but were repulsed by the infantry and artillerj' each time. Our loss was heavy (artilleiy), the infantry not being as much exposed as we were; their casualties were slight. At our howitzer Willie Brunet was killed after firing some fifteen rounds. He was killed in the act of giving the command to fire, the ball piercing him above the left eye. Early had four wounded,—viz., Vaudry, painfully in the breast; J. T. Pecot, painfully in the back; Eaton, in the wrist; Corporal J , ball
in the side. At Carly's piece none were killed, but McGrath and Joe Murphy were shot through the arm,— the latter it is thought will lose his arm,—and young Ford. At Woester's piece, R. A. Bridges was killed, Joe Bridges was shot in the leg; McCarty, in the foot; Dunbar, in the thigh; Lieutenant Cluverius, wounded in the side; Joe Reeves, through the leg; St. Germain, foot. The loss in horses was heavy. Woester had all eight horses of his piece killed, and his riding-horse. Lieutenant Cluverius lost his horse 'Rebel,' who was shot in the head, and died. Our detachment had three wounded; the horses saved themselves by running away. In all, we lost twenty-three, and perhaps more. Stanford was on our left, they lost about fifteen killed and wounded; Oliver, sixteen. John Cooper has a welt on his shin from a spent ball; John was driving and lost both horses. I was number six at the limber until Willie was killed, when I acted as gunner. McGregor ranks me, and hereafter I expect to be caisson-corporal. General Clayton paid us the very highest compliment upon the manner in which the guns were managed; 'too flattering to be repeated,' as Captain Fenner remarked. 'Owing to the loss in horses, men, and ammunition expended,' we were relieved and sent to the rear to replenish. A couple of days may right us, when we will again be in the front. Stewart did the fighting yesterday; I don't believe any other division was engaged. A part of Polk's (if not all) arrived about midnight. Since Polk's Corps joined us, I have found several acquaintances, among whom are John Butler, lieutenant of engineers; the two Spencer boys, in Cowan's Battery; and Ed. Hoops, in Tenth Mississippi. They were all apparently well when I saw them last, and inquired particularly of you.
Respectfully Yours,
I enclose a letter that we received from General Clayton on a copy of the letter to the captain, with an oxtract from the general's report of the battle of New Hope Church:
"Headquarters, Clayton's Brigade, "
June 7, 1864.
"Captain,—I take pleasure in making for you the following extract from my report of the battle of New Hope Church. 'With renewed expression of the profoundest acknowledgments for the signal service you did the country, and particularly my brigade, of which every officer and man speak in the highest terms, "Believe me, dear captain,
"Yours always,
"A. D. Clayton,
"Brigadier-General."
(" Extract.")
"For its conduct in the engagement too much praise cannot be awarded to Fenner's Louisiana Battery, which occupied a position along my line. Although the enemy came within fifty or sixty yards of the guns, every officer and man stood bravely to his post."
The following letter describing a Christmas dinner in 1864 presents so true a picture of the situation, and at the same time so well illustrates the soldierly spirit of the battery, that I publish it in full:
"Rienza, Mississippi, January 4, 1866.
"My Dear Mother,—An opportunity of writing now offers,—the first since our leaving Florence, before going on our Tennessee campaign, which has finally terminated so disastrously for us. Had orders been obeyed and carried out at Spring Hill, there never would" have been a fight at Nashville. By some misunderstanding, the Yankee army was allowed to cross at the above-named place without being attacked. We followed on their tracks to Franklin, picking up stragglers and prisoners all along the way, to the amount of several hundred.
"We left Columbia at daylight, marched twenty-three miles, and fought the battle of Franklin before dark. Our battery did not take part in the battle: we were in position, but, owing to the close proximity of the two armies, could not fire,—we were under fire, but no one was hurt. Stewart's and Cheatam's Corps with one division from our corps, fought the battle. I passed over the field next morning and saw enough for never wanting to see another such field. The men were actually lying in some portions of the trenches three deep. Ours being the attacking party suffered severely,—almost an equal loss to the Yankees. Our loss was about forty-five hundred, and theirs five thousand, including prisoners. Next day we started for Nashville, eighteen miles distant. Our battery remained there till the 5th, when we were ordered to Murfreesboro' to aid General Forrest in reducing that place. On the 6th we arrived there, took position, and built works. Next day, on account of a flank movement by the enemy, we had to move our position back a mile. Soon the enemy appeared in our front, and skirmishing commenced. The infantry fell back, leaving the artillery to do the fighting without one musket to protect us. We stayed as long as we could, when we finally had to follow the footsteps of the infantrymen. The fight—there was none—nothing but a big scare and run. General Forrest sent General Bateman with his division to Nashville, but kept our battery with him. We lost one man at Murfreesboro', I. T. Preston, brother of the Prestons of Carrollton. We stayed in camp for seven days when General Forrest determined to attack again and took one section of the battery with him,—the other section, the one I belong to, was sent to protect his wagon-train. Two days afterwards the army commenced its retreat from Nashville (the particulars of which no doubt you have already learned). Our march was over a muddy and rugged road for fifty miles to Columbia. It was the severest march I ever undertook: we pushed and worked at the wheels all the time. The horses finally broke down, and we had to take oxen and yoke them in and drive them. Can you imagine me up to my knees in mud, barefooted and muddy, with a long pole, driving oxen. It was a very picturesque scene, and no doubt the 'Yankee Illustrators' would pay a good price for such a picture. I was about on a par with two-thirds of the others, and we made as merry as possible under the circumstances. We had no rations, and lived entirely on the people: they treated us splendidly, gave us more than we could eat, and left us duly indebted to them for their many kindnesses. I for one will never forget the hospitality received in Tennessee. We recrossed the Tennessee on the 26th of December. Christmas day was quite an event to us. We were then out of Tennessee, in a poor country, and could get very little to eat. All day myself and mess were without food; late in the evening we saw a butcher-pen and made for it; all we could get was oxtails and a little tallow procured by a good deal of industry from certain portions of the beef. One of the boys procured a lot of bran and unbolted flour and at twelve o'clock at night we sat down at our Christmas dinner (oxtail soup and biscuit), and if I ever enjoyed a meal I enjoyed that one. The army is retiring to Okolona and the artillery to Columbus, Mississippi. The barefooted men were left here to go by rail. When we get away I cannot say. We had to leave two of our pieces stuck in the mud, the other side of Columbus; the third piece was thrown in the river; the fourth piece, the one I am interested in, was saved and represents the battery."
And here is the last, written from Demopolis, Alabama, April 15, 1865:
"Dear Mother,—You have heard ere this of the evacuation of Mobile, which happened on the day of the eleventh. After the fall of Spanish Fort and Blakely, all hope of holding Mobile was given up. The works around the city were made to be manned by eight thousand, but, after the capture of the garrison at Blakely, our forces were too much reduced to hold the place. When evacuated, the place was not threatened, but might have been completely invested in a week's time. All the heavy guns were destroyed: we destroyed seven twenty-four pounders. The total loss of guns must have amounted to three hundred. We left Mobile by boat, and each man with a musket. It is a heavy fall for us who have been in artillery for three years, and now find ourselves as infantrymen, much to our displeasure. As much as I dislike it, I shall keep my musket until something better turns up. ..."
The history of the battery, from first to last, is that of thorough soldiers, brave in battle, uncomplaining, cheerful, even jolly, under the most trying circumstances, bearing with equanimity the lesser ills of a soldier's life, with unshaken fortitude and undiminished devotion to " The Cause," indescribable hardships and discouragements.
Monday, February 6, 2012
30th Massachusetts' Tour in Louisiana, Part IV
Henry Warren Howe was a member of the 30th Massachusetts during the war. Howe's regiment was organized in December of 1861 and served in Virginia before it was sent to Ship Island. From February 12th - April 15th, the 30th Massachusetts garrisoned Ship Island. The regiment was attached to the Department of the Gulf in August 1862 and served in Louisiana until the summer of 1864. Howe wrote a book following the war titled, Life of Henry Warren Howe, Consisting of Diary and Letters Written During the Civil War, 1861-1865: A Condensed History of the Thirtieth Massachusetts Regiment and Its Flags, together with Genealogies of the Different Branches of the Family.
We pick up with Howe's March 1863 entries:
March 1,
1863 . Sunday. Pleasant. Review, and a march afterward. Am detailed on
brigade guard; my men are from the 161st and 174th New York Regiments; hard
boys. The Captain of the Guard has our men, they being on the right. All quiet.March 2,
1863 . Pleasant. Relieved at 9 a. m. Made out my reports and sent to
the Captain of the Guard. We received orders to turn in all company baggage;
expect to be ordered up before Port Hudson soon.
Troops are arriving from New Orleans March 3,
1863 . Pleasant. I am regimental officer of the day, the duty being to
look after the regiments' camps. Our brigade was reviewed by General Auger; it
made a good appearance.March 4,
1863 . Pleasant. Battalion drill, practised with blank cartridges. Our
company has sent in pay rolls. I shall be much pleased to see the paymaster.March 5,
1863 . Pleasant. No drill in the morning. A match drill took place
between our right flank company, Captain M. A. Ferris, and a company of marines
from the Mississippi March 8, 1863 . Sunday.
Pleasant. Review by General Dudley and a march down town.March 9,
1863 . Pleasant. We shall be off on our expedition in a day or two,
probably to Port Hudson. Wrote
home to-night.March
10,1863 . Cloudy. Have been expecting to move every day. Understand that
three brigades have already gone.March 11,
1863 . Pleasant. Our division was reviewed by General Banks.March 12,
1863 . Pleasant. The second division and the third, Generals Emery and
Grover, were reviewed by General Banks.March 13,
1863 . Emery's division left for Port Hudson to-day.
The fleet have also sailed.March 14,
1863 . Orders to march this morning at 4 o'clock for Port Hudson. We
are the rear division, two being in advance. Marched 11 miles, bivouacked at 1
p. m. Slept sound. Some firing from the river.March 15,
1863 . Sunday. Pleasant. Firing still heard from the gun-boats. At
daybreak an explosion was heard, it must have been a gun-boat. We retired five
miles and bivouacked for the night. Rained all night and was very disagreeable in
camp.March 16,
1863 . I had a fly to a tent and slept quite comfortably. It cleared
off in the morning. We are in the rear brigade, the other two divisions are two
or three miles in advance. The explosion was on a steamer, the Mississippi March 17, 1863 . Pleasant.
Had orders to move with two days' rations; countermanded. Long roll sounded in
the afternoon. Our brigade marched three miles through the swamp and woods
to-day. No enemy.March
18,1863 . Pleasant. All quiet. Our regiment received orders to report to Baton Rouge Vicksburg Mississippi March 19,
1863 . Pleasant. All are at work trying to get the boats oft.
Succeeded, arrived and landed opposite and two miles below Port Hudson. There are six regiments
here. In the afternoon, drew two days' rations. Captain and I with our company
patrolled down the river, Provost Marshal Fuller going with us. Saw a large
drove of cattle; tried to drive them in, but they were too wild. Marched six
miles, returned at 8 p. m., with thirty chickens and a few eggs. Most of the
plantations are deserted. Sugar is found and the United States Marshal
confiscates it.March 20,
1863 . Friday. Pleasant. Ho! for another tramp. At 9 a. m., started
with two regiments in light marching order and a section of a battery;
proceeded down the river two miles, then marched inland. Very hard
marching—bayous, cane brakes, etc., to push through. We crossed the bayous on
trees felled, swam the horses over. Object of the expedition, to let the
natives know we are around. Saw several alligators and snakes; not a very
desirable country to live in. We gobbled up mules, horses, and everything we
could get. The enemy have cut the levee on this side of the river, which will
prevent our going up the river. We returned to camp at dark very tired. Rations
of whiskey were served.March 21,
1863 . A detail of cavalry has gone up the river to see if it can
communicate with our gun-boats, which ran by the batteries of the fort. No news
yet. We can see five steamers near the enemy's works. One of our boats has been
playing with the enemy. Our troops on the other side of the river have been
drawn in to Baton Rouge March 22,
1863 . Sunday. Nothing new. The 116th New York Baton Rouge March
23,1863 . Rainy. Evacuated our bivouac, and took quarters in a negro
shanty. Mail arrived; received a letter from Cyrus Latham. The Captain is on
guard to-day. Confiscated cattle are being put aboard the steamers.March 24,
1863 . Cloudy and cool. Captain McGee's cavalry made a reconnoissance
up the river, burned one steamer, captured some horses and four prisoners. The
enemy fired at them from the other side of the river from their batteries. Received a letter from
George Webster. Strange I do not get one from home.March 25,
1863 . Pleasant. I am on guard to-day. Nothing new.March 26,
1863 . Pleasant. Steamer arrived from Baton Rouge 9 o'clock . Found that my regiment had
already left camp. I reported aboard the steamer. We arrived at Baton Rouge noon and occupied our old quarters.March 27,
1863 . Pleasant. Brigade drill in the morning. The afternoon was
showery. General Grover's division was ordered to Donaldsonville; it is rumored
that a large force of the enemy is in the vicinity, coming from Red River . I don't think our last expedition accomplished
much. Started an officers' mess composed of eight.March 28,
1863 . Saturday. Rainy. No drill to-day. Many of us are troubled with
bowel complaint. I have it.March 29,
1863 . Cloudy. Inspection and review in the morning. I had command of
my company. Dress parade at sunset. The Captain is sick to-day.March
30,1863 . Pleasant. Company drill in the morning. Brigade drill in the
afternoon.March 31,
1863 . Tuesday. Pleasant. Monthly inspection at 8.30, after which a
march down town. I was put in command of Company H, as the officers were sick.
Captain Creasy has leave of absence for twenty days to go North.
We pick up with Howe's March 1863 entries:
March 6 and 7, 1863. Rainy. No drill. Nothing new.
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Coppens' Zouave Battalion
Lt. Colonel George Coppens (seated) and brother, Captain Marie Alfred Coppens.Image sold at auction on Cowan Auctions, for $14,375