LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
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HISTORY
OF THE
RAM FLEET
AND THE
Mississippi Marine Brigade
IN THE
WAR FOR THE UNION
ON THE
MISSISSIPPI AND ITS TRIBUTARIES.
The Story of the Ellets and their Men
WRITTEN AND PUBLISHED
UNDER 7HK
AUSPICES OF THEIR
SOCIETY OF SURVIVORS.
TWO PARTS IN ONE VOLUME
ST. LOUIS
I9()7
^5?/
.a"^
PRESS OF
BUSCHART BROTHERS
1522 LOCUST STREET
St LOUIS, Mo
i
AUTHOR'S FOREWORD.
In the \Yli()k' coiirsc of the ('i\il W-.w it fell to the lot of few ooni-
inaiids in :iny l>i"aiicli of the s('r\ ice to acliicxc the distinction attiiinwl,
undci the famous Icadcishi]) of the Klhi^.. hy the Mississippi Kix'cr
Kani Fh'ct. and its successor, the Mississippi Marine Briu'adc.
Tlu^ hir<^(' place in the ])ul)lic uiind of that period, and tlu' exten-
sive record mention of the ser\ice it rendered to the Tnion cause, wei-e
in part due to a characteristic alertness and uiohilily of the coimnand
itself, hut more to the dashina" spirit of heroism and hravcry. infused
by a <i'allant leadei'ship. which laru'ely per\aded e\-ery action of the
roumiand.
lieiuii' a product of the Way Depai'tmeiit . and not of tlie Xa\y.
inamied. ollicei'cd and fouiiht hy military men. with held of opera-
tions entirely within that of the western Xa\v. and in a nieasiu'e sul)-
ordinated thereto, it is not surprisiui^- that there was some friction,
and at tinier a lack of co-opei'at ion. neither crediial)le to the officers
(■oiicerne(|. noi' ad\'antaii'eous to the sei'\"ice.
Aiiain the Marine r>riaa<le was largely recruitetl from olliei- Army
ortj^anizat ions. un(h'i' ^^'ar Depai'lment authority, and therehv the dis-
])lea>ure incui're<l of (tllicei's wh-ose commands liad th.us heen lempoi-a-
rily depleted — a dispieasui'c shown in many instances (as man\' Ma-
I'ines al'tei'ward learne(l to their sori'ow ) hy such imistei'-i'ol i enti'ies
as ■AI^.-^ent without Lea\'e.'" "XcNcr returned from Hospital." and
even '■] )eserter"" — chargo which some ha\'e encoiinlei'ed in latei' \'ears.
when a|)plyinii' foi- pensions, thou^'ii they had ser\-e(| failhfulh' with
the liriii'ade. under tiieii' re-enlistnuMit. and wei'c liouoi'aMy di^-chai-a'ed
Ihereirom. liearinn' tlu^se facts in mind the reader will not he at a
loss to act'ount for an occasional mifriendly criticism. rej)i'oduc^(l
along Avith events of this history.
In all the Civil War histories appears more or less frequent men-
lion of the Elh'ts and their men of the Ham Fleet and Briu'ade. The
published record-- of the I'ivil war. ami tlie piiMic iirint- of tlie time,
contain frequent accounts of their achic\ cmciit-. Hut x) fragmentary
and disconnected are these records, ami x) inaccurate autl contiictine
the current reports of nutny incident- in their eventful career, that
the desire ha- louii' Iteen cheri-hcd hy the -ur\i\(ir- of tlii- couunand.
and their friends, that a di-tinct Hi>lory of it> organization and ser-
vice be written and ]uil)li>he(l. Thi- \()hiim' i- the re-ult.
In it- preparation the Aiulior- h.-n'e had acce— to all the luatei'ial
above referred to. l>e-ide an abiuulanci' of authentic information in
the way of log liot>k> and diarit'>. which with letters and sketches of
event> written at the time, ati'oriled Uieasm-ably complete and accurate
data for the narrati\"e. which we ha\"e been at ureat }iains to make as
full and i-eliable a> po»ible.
AVe have purposely dealt -})arina'ly in criticism, and likewise in
the laudation of even our own heroe>. belie\inu- that the truthful story
of men's deeds best speaks in eitlu-r i)rai>e or blaun'. It will lu) doubi
be found by some of the survivors that these })ages tell the story in
some part quite at variance fn^n their memory of the events, but they
are assured that in all e-sential j)articular> the facts as stated are from
the "records of the time" which are far more reliable than the memory
of the best of tts — the Autlu^-s theui-ehe- included.
It hail been our purpo.-e to mention the nauie> of tlu' crews, and
note changes as they occtirred in succession. I>ut the records availal>Ie
were so incomplete, and the change>. from pronu)tion, transfer. di>-
I'harge. etc.. so frequent, that it was found impracticable to do more
than copy such lists of otticers and men as the records. re])ort- or
diaries, showed to have taken part in any special service, mentioned in
the work.
Our (U'iginal plan wa> to add a biographical appendix to the vol-
ume, but the data for it was >o meager and imperfei-t that the more
atlractivo plan of a war-time photo i^-allcrv was siihst itiil('<l. tliouuh at
a very coiisidci-ahlc iiici'casc of cost. Some of the pictures secured,
beiiie faded and l)liirre(l. (heir copies ai'e of <-oiii-se imperfect. IJiit tlie
hii'ev niimhei" of excellent copies, showinn- ijic familiar Comi'ade faces
of the Aidd Lanii' Syne, make this aallei-y a uni(ine and \alue(| featni'e
of the hook, which it is heliexcd will he jdiihiy appreciated.
To a\()id confusion in the mind of the reader we here mention
(wo (»!• thi'ee sei'ies of facts ahoiit names, which it will he well to re-
memhei'. T'ii'st. the re-naminy of all the [ . S. I^'orts taken possession
of \)\ the rehels at the outhreak of the war: thus our I'^ort W'riiiht he-
came the rehcl V()\-\ Pillow. Arlvansas lN)st hecame Vavi Hindman and
Fort I )e Knssey. Fort Taylor, etc. (hese names fre(|uently alternating"
in these ))a«j,'es.
The second point is to u'uard au'ainst confusion (constantly oc-
cnrrine- durine- (heir serxice) in the names and rank of the several
Ellets. The Civil Fno-ineei' who constrncte(l the rams was (diaries
Ellet, '"Jr." (his father and arandfather havinii' home the name
diaries) and his rank was Colonel of the staff. His son. Chai'les
lvi\('r> Filet — a Medical Cadet din-ine- the Hrst few months of his ser-
vice— was made a Colonel of the line and _i>iven command of the Earn
Fleet — after the i)roniotion of his uncle Lieut. Col. Alfred W. Ellet,
to he Pn'ie-adier (ieneral. John A. Filet (nephew of the (leneral)
was Ijieut. Colonel, second in command on the rams under Col.
Cliai'les Kivers Pallet, and hecame Commander, \\hen the latter was as-
si«ined to th(^ Marine Tnfantiw. Fdward C. Filet was a Lieutenant on
his father's stall', and ixichard C. Filet, his cousin (a hrother of John
A.) was a Lieutenant in the cavalry l)attalion.
There were two Porters in the naval service on the ^fississippi.
of whom these paii'es make mention, and it may he well to note their
respective i-ank' and |)osition. to av(Md confusion: Captain W. L.
Porter, comniandinii- the A'.s-.sv ./•. of (he Mississippi I'dotilla. and Com-
modore David I). Porter, commanding- the mortar (leet of the (iiilf
S(|iia(li'()ii. 1 iic Inttcr. early in (lie Miiriiic T'riii'ade period, became an
Admiral, and succeeded Connnodore I)a\is in conniiand of llie Mis-
sissij<|)i S(|iiadr(»n. His Xa\al Ilistoi'v. piihlished in laler years,
makes freijiienl and faxorahle mention of the sei'xices of the Ram
Fleel and Mai'ine lirij^ade.
( )ne ])oint nidi'e -that tlie eye may aid tlie nnderstandiiii;- of the
i'eadei~-\ve ha\'e. in the narrative (hii'i^cr ly|)e) portion of the woi'k.
printed the names of all vessels of the IJam I^deet and Marine liri-
itade in small capitals. na\al vessels in Italics and rehel vessels in
(|iio(al ions.
It is onr sincere ]io])e that this Story of the Kani Fleet and Ma-
rine Iiriiiade may meet the expectations of the Snr\i\()rs and their
Friends, anil jnstify their pride in the achievements of that memorable
Fleet, as recorded in these luipretent ions pap's. And so. with atfec-
li(niate rciiai'd. we insci'ihe them to our Conn'ades —
'fii flic lloiinr (if the L/rnKj. iiiid ni Mciiiori/ of fhr
head, (rlu) duriiK/ 1hn'( and a litdf i/cdrs of Ilcrotc II ai--
farc. afJoiif <(iid t/s/iojy. ('(irncd the (irdfitiidc of tlictr
( 'on lit I'l/. //I li(dj)ni(/ to i>rc.s('rrc if. an n nhi'<d,'cn II c iitiKjc
of Lihcrfi/, for ('oniimi ( rc nci-nf loiix.
WaKREN I). C^RAXOALT..
Late (^i])t. and Asst. Adjt. (ien. M. M. li.
Isaac I). Xkwkll.
Late I'aptain. A Infantry M. M. W.
Index to Illustrations.
Part I.
CiiUmcl Clidrlcs l-Jllcf, ./ r Fidiilispicce
Oi'ii^iiialor i)t' the .\a\al K'ani : l"'irst ('oiinnaiHlcr of I lie Jtaiii Flivt.
Hdltlc licfiifc Mi'iiijili'is. (JiK'cii (IikI lloinirch in the Tliicl.' of llic I'hjlii o3
Umii LidiK-s.s. A piirodiliiin/ \l cm /ili is t ndcr i'ldii of '" , /*( Di'indiiil
Sin render 3(3
Hoisliin/ I Ik Shirs mid . , ., Orcr llic Cih/ of ]hiii jili is 58
//'//;/ S nil inldiid. /'In i/sli i p of llir 1,'dni i'lirl. Ilcdriini llic Won iiilcd
Coin iiid ndcr II onicirn rd s.'l
Itisiislcr In llic 1,'dni I ,d ncusi cr f mm Slioi from llic llchcl h'nin Arl.-diisiis ion
/,((.v.v of llic h'din (Jiiccn of Ihc W'csl, I ndir llic (inns of I'orl {'I'diilor)
Itc U'llsscii 171
h'dms Sirilzcrldnd diid Ldnciislcr Itiinniinj llic \ i(d,sl)ur!/ lid I tcrics . . . . r.'OO
Index to Illustrations.
Part II.
/.•/■/■//. Ccn. Alfrcil W. Kllcl I'niii t isiiitcc
\'i('ic of Hcnlnii li(tn(i<-l:s, H7/r/r liiii/inlc ifds Ori/diiiicd
h'lhcl At hid,- nil Ellcl's I'Irrt. ,il I lie Moiitli uf Duel: Hirer. Tciin
li'iinini III SliDi'riii;/ /'Inn of Alliicl,- ninl l\oiilc of h'chcl lid rait .. .
Didt/riiiii I'irrr Dcfciicrs of \ 1<-I:.\liiirii Diiriiii/ sici/c Murine Mashed
liillteiji l'l(liil( <l Oiijiosile Cilii
!)ir,(ir,inis o, , , M ississi /iiii Hirer: Moulli of WiiUe h'lnr to l-Jlli.s' Ctlff
"Our Frieiut Briiln" — I'miiti/'s Hear
Til!/ Alf. Ciiltinj/
/Hiilier /{ell A /{eilr of t/ie /iiltlle
/)l(ni(i (iiiil /idlllc /■'hilitiiiii \t(iriii(iitiit,-e'x /Uittenj /ieloir d reen rilte . . . .
'.'TH
/tidf/raiii of \ ielititii of Austin. Slioirlmi / llsposlt Ion of /-'orees /\n</'i(/e(l
ill Ciiriitrii /'I (//it dt /!(■(! rer /)dni ijit:e :.'S6
iO.'i
578
;'.)s
\/ondreli dm/ A<t<iins /•JiH/tiniini S/iore /Uillenj In Cohiinhld /lend 40 1
/)l(i</rdiii /jii/<e Cliieot and (Ireeiiritle. /ioiite of .\/drliie /Olid to /iididii
/idiioii n (t
]/drlnes In '/'tieir />o(i Tents at \ le/:shiirii 442
'/'//// /{'■lie />a rtini/ton 444
Winter (Jiiiirt ers. ]/iiiliie /t'ei/lnient at \ie/x-sliiir(i 440
/'orlnilts dnd S/.cte/ies Com/en. /-'ii t /.-ersoii . Xenill diid Crain/all 4.'>7-46.'i
r/into (Idllerji Comrade fares of t/ie Aiild Lanij »'^'.v/"• 4(j:)-4S')
Col. Charles Ellet, Jr., Originator of the Naval Ram, who Built
and Commanded the Mississippi River Ram Fleet.
Sketch of Col. Charles Ellet, Jr.
Tlu' Kllcts trace their ancestry to the (Junker-. One Samuel Car-
]>enter, who was with tiie colony under ]*enn. settled near the presMit
site of Salem, X. J., and from the union of his daug'hter to one Charles
Ellet. of whom no history has been traced, was born, with other chil-
di-en Charles Ellet the father of the subject of this sketch. lie was a
nmn of sterlino- (lualities. and his wife. Mary Isi-ael. the daughter of a
Philadelphian of considerable wealth and social distinction. Erom
this union ( ISOl ) came the brothers. Charles and Alfred, whose con-
s])icuous service in the civil war these i)a<i'es record. Other sons and
dau<2:ht:^'rs of these parents constituted a laro'e family. The mother, a
woman of edu.cation and rehnement. lona' survived her husbar.vl. and
thouiiii over ei<>'hty. at the bi-eakin<i- out of the civil war. was an eag'er
and intelli<>"ent observer of public events, and beino- intensely loyal and
patriotic, deeply im[)ressed her own feelini>"s and eharact'Pr ui)()n her
family and fricmds. It is little wonder that, inider the intiuence of
such a mother, the indonntaI)le spirit of their anc4?strv should in the
hour of their country's ]:)eril show itself in deeds of heroism.
Charles Ellet. the orio-inator of the naval ram. wiis born J;;nuary
1. ISIO. at Penn's Manor. Pennsyhania. His early life was spent on
the banks of the Dtdaware. his educational advantages being those of
the neighborhood schools, save a few uu)nths tuition in Philadelphia.
He was reser\'ed. studious and yet fond of out door sjx)rts. He had a
fondness for mathematics, in which he excelled. \t seventeen he con-
nected himself with a sur\-eying ])arty. first as rodman. and adA^ancing
steadily, became so proficient in a few months that he was made an
assistant, engineer, on what was designated as the r)th K-esidency, of
the Chesapeake aiul Ohio Oanal. He saved his earnings, and at the
end of two years, went to Paris, to enjoy tlie advantage of the Ecole
Polytechni(|ue. in completing his course in mathenuitics. This he did
in the Avinter of ls:')()-:n, and then toured Erance. (iermany and Eng-
land, in the student fashion of those davs. on foot, carrving his knap-
lo Sl-cfch of Col. Clinrlcs FJh't, Jr.
sack. His first AV(H-k after liis return to America was on the Utica and
Schenectady railroad, and later he was appointed to conduct the sur-
vey of the extreme western section of the New ^'ork and Erie rail-
road, through tlie wilderness of western New York. Next, he was
four years chief engineer of the James River and Kanawa Canal.
During this time he wrote nnich on the various j)hasi^s of the public
works of Virginia, in which he took gr^nit interest. Later he issue.d
a pamphlet on the Laws of Trade, and several other publications treat-
ing of the railroads of the United States, their tarill's, needs, etc. He
prepared and presented to the City Council of St. Louis, a report and
design for a suspension bridge over the Mississi[)pi at that })oint.
Soon after he designed and constructed the Fairniount bridge over the
Schuylkill river, the first important suspension bridge' in the United
States. ILning been made ])resident of the Schuylkill Navigation
Comj)any, he }danne(l and carried out measures for its im])rovement
and snccessful oj)eration, encountering skilled and i)o\verful opposi-
tion from the Keading railroad, and overcoming it by his own un-
aided genius. Other noted public works engaged his efforts lat^r, one
being the first bridge over the Niagara, three miles l>elow the falls,
and another the bridge across the Ohio at Wheeling. In the famous
lawsuit, which nuirked the latter enterprise, between the rival cities
of Pittsburg and AVheeling, Ellet was a conspicuous figure, on the Vir-
ginia side. Temporarily defeated by the Supreme Courts decision
declaring the bridge an obstruction to navigation and enjoining its
use, Ellet adroitly secured an amendment to the Postoffice appro|)ria-
tion bill, in the closing hours of Congress, declaring his road mid
bridge a })ost route, the effect of which was the overturning of the
adverse decision of the supreme court, and the nullification of its in-
junction.
It is a noteworthy fact that in this contest between two great cor-
porate bodies, the ()})])osing counsel, thus defeated by Ellet were led
by a no less formidable lawyer than Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, after-
ward Secretary of War.
In 1850-51, Ellet was sent by the War I)e]iartment, to examine
the lower Mississi]i|)i and report u])on its annual floods and the best
means for their prevention. His report, with a memoir on the im-
provement of the Ohio, was })ublislu'd by the Smithsoniau Institute
luii-hj Life (IikI I'lihlic Sci'r/ce. //
in a w()rk entitled. "•Ellet on the Mississippi and Ohio Rivei-s,"' in
which he treats of storaiie res(>rvoirs in the upper vaUevs, preventini";
floods and suj)j)l yinii' waters for naxiiiation in the (h'v season of the
yeai'. A few of the })lans and enii^agenients of this man of in(U)niit-
abk^ ener<>'v and fertik> brain ean here 1k^ mentioned. Rep()rts and de-
signs for suspension bridges, over the Connecticut at Middletown,
over tlie (!hio at. Cincinnati and over the Potomac at (xeorgetown;
his engagement as Chief Engineer of the Henipfiehl road, and liis re-
port in favor of ^^'heeling on the h)cation of the Western divi:>ion of
the I)ahimore and ()liio raih'oad. A notable exidencc of his engi-
neering skill was gi\('n as chief engineer of the Central I'ailroad.
^^'hile waiting the construction of its tunnel through the lilue Kitlge,
Kllel pushed a teuiixirary line oxer the mountain, and had his engines
climbing the ascent at an incline of 21).") feet to the mile and making
curves of "i^U feet ratlins, thus bringing the road into innnediate use
for important trafhe. It is said this triumph of engineering skill at-
tracted world wide attention.
In lN.-)4. Ml-. Kllet went in the interest of the \^ii-ginia Cental
Ivailroad. of which he was Consulting Engineer, tt) England. France
and (Tcrmany. ^^'hile enroute, for the ocean voyage, he learned of the
great disaster to the Collins liner, Arctic, which was sunk at sea, in a
collision with an insignijicant vessel, and the event greatly impressed
him, as showing the power aiul destructive effect of a steam vessel if
used as a ram. in naval warfare. The Crimean war was then at the
stage where the allie(| Heets had the Russian navy of the P)lack Sea
})enned in the harbor of Sebastopol, and its destruction by the Rus-
sian Admiralty was being considered, to prevent its falling into the
haiuls of the allies. EUet couununicated his views to the Russian
(Tovernment. aiul otfered his services to carry them out, if commis-
sioned to construct and conunand a few^ small vessels suited to the
work of destroying the Heet of the Allies. His communication Avas
received, and he re(|uested to hold himself in readiness for a call to
St. Petersburg, when consideration of the subject was cut short by the
assassination of the Czar.
Before his i-etui-n to America, Pallet who had t)ecome an enthu-
siast on the subject, wrote our Navy authorities urging his plan for
a ram system of naval defense for our country, and later he made a
12 iSla'tcJt of Col. CJuirh'.s Klhf. Jr.
more elaborate 2:)reseiitation of his ideas for streiia'tlu'niiii:: the hulls
of small steam vessels, and making their prows solid and sharp, for
penetrating and destroying the largest war craft of an enemy. In
December, 1855, he issued a pamphlet on the subject which attracted
considerable attention, but the Xa\'al authorities were slow to con-
sider, uuu'h less to act u])on. the suggestions of a "landsman." When
the mutterings of our Civil War began to be heard, EUet, who was
for the Union, renewed his eliorts to get the Xaval authorities to
make use of his idea, and was the more urgent as he had reason to
fear the alert and aggressive spirit shown both in military and naval
circles in the south, would more than likely lend to the use of the ram
principle by the latter, should war actually ensue. Being on the
alert for news of this kind as the war clouds thickened, he learned
that the idea was in fact being considered l)y Confederates, and in
the hitter part of 1S()1, as the contest deei)ened, he ascertained that
(liey had autliori/ed the reconstruction of a number of vessels for that
exj)ress service.
The c:;[)ture of the Merrimac by the Confederates in the Norfolk
Xa»y \ard, and the contirmed i-e])ort of work being beguu for her con-
version ii ^) a ram. led Ellet to i-enew his efforts to wake up the Union
autluu'itii's to the impending danger. He at once brought to public
attention the fact of the construction of steam rams being then in pro-
gress by the Confederates — five vessels being then (February (J, IStri)
nearly rccidy for ser\'ice — one being the ^Merrimac at Norfolk, two at
Mobile, and two at New Orleans. lie ])ointed out the danger from the
former, if allowed to get into Ilanqiton Ivoads. and again urged the
matter of ram defense upon the naval authorities at Washington. On
the Sth of March the "Merrimac" appeared in Hampton Roads, and
although an innvieldy craft, very (juickly <lemonstrated her destruc-
tive power, by crashing into and sinking first the Cumberland and
then the ^Congress, and then retired unharmed. The subseciuent con-
flict between this clumsy ram and the Federal Monitoi'. still further
demonstrated the effectiveness of the ram idea, and convinced Ellet
that a siuta.bly constructed and managed boat, of moderate size, would
prove in operation as a ram. well nigh invincible. Secretary Stan-
ton had taken note of the novel ideas of his old autagonist in the
Wheelino- bridge case, and was impressed with their feasibility. In
I!/s [(l((i Adopted hij the Wiir i >r jxiii iiKid .
^3
die liTcat (Miicriiciicy then upon the coiiiiti-y. his |)atri()lisin l•()•^l' al)()\i>
any liiiiicriiig- r('('lin<^s of rcscntiiu'iit. and he ^uniinoiicd Kllci lo a con-
fcrenci'. This iiiliM-xicw took phicc on the 14lh of March, histinji'. il is
said, four houi's. while Senators. (lenei'als and ambassadors waited.
The daniivr point was then Hampton Roads. An emeri:t'ne\' phin was
atirv'ed on for the immediate purchase and Hltini>\ and niamnn<^-. under
Elh't's sui)er\i>ion. a few .small stronii' steamers for rams. Armed
with letters of authority to Connnander (johishoro and (leneral
A\ Odd. at Fortress Monroe. Kllet at once procei'ded tluM\'. liul recei\-
ini>' no co-o])eration. and scant courtesy from the former, who after
some delay assured Ellet of his ability with the Monitor and his Men-
(if-\A';u-. to cojx' with the ^lerrimac, should she a<>ain attack tliem —
Pallet found no way to carry out the plan, and reluctantly abandoned
it. and so i-eporled by letter to the W'AV Secretary. P)Ut while thus
disa])[)ointed in his Hr>t endeavor, events of momentous imi)ortance
were takinif i)lace on W'e-tern wat(H's. destined to brinii' to the impa-
tient inventor his loni:' de-ired opi)ortunily. This brini2:s us to the
beiiinnina' of th.;' Slory of the Mississipj)i Ki\-er luun Fleet.
CHAPTER I
March and April, 1862
<;l'nicc (It lln War in the H'r.s/. OiiiliKtii-s Siliialitin mi ttic \f ississi iijii . hUld
tlic \(i/(ii Ciril l:'ii(/iiiicr Sii iiiiiiihk it lo Wii sti i ii ijt un Iti/ Srcrrtii ill Stiiiil'iu. -
j:ilrfx I'liin i,f II Hum I'ltrt. KItrl Com in issiiiiir(t la lUitcr t jiuii its Cnii-
st nirtinn . Cu-iijiri iitiiiii liji \liiiiitr.s iiiiil Citizens iif Oliiu l?ir<r Cilirx.-^
Onlrrs. Ciini.siiiinitrnrc. unit Details nf tlie I' ii reli ii s<\ 1,'efittini/. h'li II i ji III rii t
of tin- \iiie \<ssels to Coiislitilli' tlie liniii Fleet, unit Tlieir A ssem hi i n 1/ at
\eir Alhiinii. Tlie Oflieerini/ iiinl \liiiininii of tin' I'liins. unit I list riiel ion in
file \eir W'li rfti re. I niler •■lliirrii Oriler-^" l-'leet i'lislieil to tlie I'ront.
Sit mil ion of I he JHocl.iiile at I'ort I'illoir. t-Jllefs Hfforts to Hiij/iii/e lln'!
I-Uiem II.
A ii-l:iiice at the tield of wni- in the we-t. in early March (ISliii)
shows the situation by no means flatterino- to the Cause of the I'nion.
The army of (len. Curtis in the southwest, already far I)eyon(l its base
at Sprino-fiekl, was faced by the combined forces of Price and Van
Dorn and tlieir Indian allies, and liosts of i-ecruits had l)ern leathered
to o-ive battle on their own ii'i-ound, to an inferior invadiuir force.
But the decisive battle at IVa Kid<ie was soon after fouij-ht and Curtis'
victorious ai'uiy slowly made its way toward the Mississi|)j)i. Had
the ri'bels triumphed, as they confidently expected, Curtis" army would
have been annihilated, as no relief could have been afforded in time
to save it.
The aii;a're<>-ation of i-aw troo])s sent to constitute the army of the
Tennessee under (Irant. had won its first vit-tories at Donelson and.
Henry, and was now beinii" reinforced and reoru'anized for a cam-
paiii'n against Coi-inth. where the forces of Heaurepird and Johnson,
were concent ralinii' in formidable proj)()i'tions. The varied assort-
ment of hastily consti'ucted ounboats. e(|ui])];e(l and manned by tlie
i6 U'lHtorij of fill' liiiin Fleet.
AVar I)ei)artiiieiit. was co-operating- with the army inovenieuts on the
Tennessee, Cuniberhuid and ]Mississippi, under .Connnodore Foote.
Cohnnhus and New ^Madrid were abandoned by the rebels, and Ishmd
No. 10 was their advanced position, with fortifications at Pillow and
Randolph, a short distance below, both strong- natural positions, pre-
sented by the ui)per Chickasaw blulf's. Th(>se were being strengthened
by extensive earthworks and heavy guns. Meantime a considerable
lUver Defense fleet had been authorized by the Confederate (iroveru-
ment. and its vessels, selected from river and gulf steamers, were being
refitted at various jxnnts below, to be manned and assembled as rai)idly
as possible to assist in the j)ernianent blockade of the ]Mississi})pi.
Some, if not all, these vessels, it was learned, were fitted to be used as
rams. The news of the threatening- condition of afi'airs l)elow Cairo
created profound alarm in official circles, and led the Secretary of
AVar to enter at once \\\nm the most vigoi-oiis measures for the protec-
tion of Ins ''infajit navy" of tb.e AVest.
EUet's return from Hampton Roads was timely. Mr. Stanton
again sunnnoned him to AVashington to confer as to measures to meet
the new danger on the .Alississippi. Stanton's dispatch to (h>n. Hal-
leck. at this time, is given both to indicate the Secretarv's views of the
situation, and his estimate of the value of Ellet's idea.
WAi; DEI'Airr.MKNT.
March '2:^ 1S(V2. ('):?>.■) y,. m.
Mdj. Cnri HaUrcJ,, St. Louis: —
^■^l||■s of this (late lias Just arrived. I iiforniat ion of the same cliarac-ter
reaCli;'il iiie from other sources this moi-niiiii-, and tliis evenini^- a iiinnber of
Western boat builders met at tlie Department to consider tlie best mode of
meetiiiL;- tiie i-ebel boat. The nni\ersai o|iinion anions;- naval and niililarv en-
g-ineers in the East, is that a tloatino- ram strikintj- and sinking- the iron-clad
.-(•ssel is the best mode of encoiinterin<i- it. .\ lari^e class i)oat at St. bonis
inisjht ])erha|)s be s^-ot rca(l,\- in a short time. Wonid it not be well for yo\i
to consult some of yonr river men'.' Commodoi-e Vanderbilf has i^iven his
steamship \'anderbil1 for the piii-posc. and it is now at Xorfolk to meet the
Areri-iniac. and althoni;h not annonr clad he is very confident of Ixdni;' able to
run li'i- iMiwn. ('has. h-Mct. a dist inL;-nished engineer, has <i-i\fn liie Mibject
much attention. 1 will send him tomorrow to see and eonsnit you and with
authority to act as yon ma\- deem best. He is a man of conra^'c and energy
and williiiL! to risk his own life ii] on his oun job.
Edwin M. St.vxtox.
Secretarv of War.
.'/y. Sfiinfon s I H/oron.s Adion.
^7
'I he Scri'.'t;'i-\' In-t iio time in j)iiltin.u- liiiii^c'j' in (■o-.niniinical ioii
witli til :■ liiiiyors I'lid UdiumU of trade df tlic citic- on the Thio, whci-e
the I'a'M lilies for a.idiiii!- this eiiterpi-i-e were to !>;' had. and in two dax's
had ni.itters so far ari-anai'd as to eiiahle him to i--ue thi> following- let-
ter of ;:iilhority and instruction to Mr. I^llct, from v.hich it ai)])ears
the •■(■unference" l;e i'(d'ei'|-ed to in his dispatch to (ien. Ilalleck liad
ca.iised a (•h;Mi;Li;' in his orii:in:il pnrpo-e (if siMM'inii- KlK>t to St. Louis,
llithi'rto nio,-t it' not all the war \"es-els then in s;'i'\ic" v,\\ the Missis-
>ip})i and Tennessee liad heen eim-t rncted thei'e. iuid it was there he
first looked to ha\c the work done. No donht thi; cDiir-e was ad\ised
hy the conference mentioned. Here i-^ the dociimeiit wliicli anth(»rized
and inaiiiiia-ated tiie Mississippi Hi\-er I'am Fleet entei-prise.
WAi; i)i:i'Ai;iMi:.vr.
\\asliiiii;tmi, 1). ('.. Mai-ch 27. 1 sr,2.
Cliiis. I'JIrl. Jr. : —
Sir: AOii will please |ii-c)ei'eil i 1 1 1 1 n:'(l ia t "1 y 1i) I'itt sUnry , Cineiimati and
X'.'W .\ll>aii\. and take ineasures to proxide st :'a iii-ra ins I'oi- defense aeain^t
iriin-elad Ncssels nn the \Vest','i-n \vat;Ts. I nsl laiet inns will be forwarded you
ii.\' mail 1o I'itlslinri^-. in eonrorniii\ with which xon will i^iiide Noui' |)roee','d-
inL,'''. and fi-oin time to time i'ecei\e such otiiei' instructions as ma\- he |-e(piii-ed.
All contracts and |inre)iases will he niadi' liy a s|eeial (^na I'terinast ei'. to he
i\]'pointed to act with yon. and all t'xpend it nres will he made hy Inm and
nnder liis direction. ^'on will he c(inipensat:^d for s'onr ser\ices at the rate
of pay allowed l)y law. for similar ser\"ices. to-w it : $10. no per day and nnleae-e
at the rate of Mt cents pep nnle.
^'oni's tridy.
IJ>\\i\ M. Spa .\ TON.
Secret a i'\' of \\'ar.
Not an hour was lost hy Kljet in ent;'rini:" npi>n this dnty. Pro-
ceedino- with all di-patch to Pitt-hiiri:-. he at one" enlisted all axailahle
assistance in commencing' lln' wfsrl-: of purchase and reconsti'iiciion.
In this he \va> aided hy the local ant liorit ie~, and l)\' pnhlic spirited
citizt'iis whose co-operation Mr. Stanton had inxoked. and without
\\ hich the work must ha\'e proceeded at a \»'ry slow I'ate. The ni;tmi<'r
of this co-oijcrat ion is ilhistratecl in the follovinii' from one of tlie
l)i)ints to which the \Var SecretaiA' look'cd for a/id.
Xew Alhany. Marcli 27. 1 sr,2.
//";/. /•;. .1/. sill II h, II. scc'i/ of War: —
Owine- to the i-;'\ist Mice <if a hoard of trade in this city I ha\e taken
tlu' res|)()nsil)ilit \- of calliiiL;- ioyttlier a nnnihrr of the iiio^t prominent citi/.'us
fS Htsfori/ of the Rain Fleet.
to uft upon \oiif dispatcli, enjoi n i iii;' upon thcin i-ntirp secr»H-y retj-ardinsr the
same. The ineetiiiy- has ai)pointe(l J. I'.. I'oi'd. Jaiius M. Haines and T). C. Hill
to aet as their eonunittee. and .losejih I^.rooks to act as assistant (inartermas-
tei- i>-enevai ( !) 'I'liese iientlenien are in every i-es|>eet well fitted for the jjnsi-
tioTis and are anioiiL;- oiii- most prominent and substantial citizens. They will
aet immeiliately and eueryetically ii])on any suiii^est ion oi- instructions you
ina\' honor them with.
A. S. T.rKMMT.
Mayor ot tlie City of N. .\.
We here ai^pend Mr. Stantoirs courteous reply to the foregoin^:,
as further sho\viu<>- the vio'or and earnestness of his efforts to foster
the ram fleet undertaking-.
WAK DKI'AT;TMEX'I\
Washini^ton. 1). C. Marc-h :27. isr.o.
.4. N. lUiniett. I's(i., Mtijioi- (if Seir AJhitinr.
This (lepartnient returns thanks to you for your discreet, prompt and
enero-etic action, ('has. I\llet. Ivscp. the Engineer of this Department, started
west yesterday to direct the work that is desii-ed. lie lias instructions to
])roceed from Cincinnati to .New Albany and confei- with you and i,Mve direc-
tions, liefore recciviui;- your dispatch 1 had conferred with Senator Wrig-ht,
Mr. Craven and Mr. I'.row u. of \(iur city. The latter i^'eulleniau at my earnest
i-e(iuest consented to act as (piartcrniaster. I)ut as xou ha\c provided a jiroper
person 1 will adopt liini. Mr. l':ilet will be with you s])cc(Tily. Please ac-
i<nowledye this.
El) w I.N .M. St.\n'F()N.
Secretary of War.
Of like ini])ort is his dispatch one day later to Mr. Ellet at Pitts-
l)nr<»':
\\\\{ DKi'Airr.MK.XT.
Washington. 1). C. March 2S. 1862.
Clids, Ellet, Jr.. /'.'-s'/.. MniKiin/dlield ll<iusi\ l'itt.'<hur<i:
Cnlcss for iiupci-at i\(' reasons, do not confine sour work' to one locality.
(ii\c a ])ortion to Cinciuuali and Xew Albany, so as to avoid the imputation
of local favoi-itisni and also to briiiti' "nt tli;' whole nieehanieal enersry of the
Ohio ^'alley. I'roceed as speedily as yon can to Cincinnati. The Board of
Trade thei-c. art> ready to act enci-oct ically with you. Confer with Mr. Butler.
flic President of the I'.oard. at Cincinnati with whom I aui in communication.
K'cpoi-t dail,\ 1o me.
Ei)\vi.\ M. Stanton.
Seci-etai-y of War.
Meantime Kllet \va^ maturinu' and modifying- his plans to meet
the conditions he found confronting- his herculean undertakinii:. On
I\lhi (hitl'/nrs J 'la U.S.
19
the followiiio- (hiy he wrote Secretary Stanton infoi'niino- liini of some
of these conditions, and his plans to meet them ; also oiitiinino- his plan
of operating" the rams when on the scene of action, and sna'a-estinir a
system of reward to he pronndaated as a stinndoiis to hi-avery. on the
part of men (o he enlisted in this exti'adni//,ii-dons enferpi'ise. This
letter was as follows:
l'itlsl)iii-L;-. March L"J. 1 .s(i;.>.
lltni. E. \l. !^l((iil<tii. src'j/ iif War: —
Dear Sir:- -I wish td <x\\r you my views as l)i-it'f]y as jiossiijU-. It is said
that the enemy iia\c eleven eiiii-lidats l)el()w Ishuid Xn. jo and as 1 under-
stand, tliey are siipiK.sed to haxe nthei-s. tilted up as rams. aseendin<r the
]\fississii)i)i. (ine of which has reached .Mem])his. I jiropnse t(i streni^'tlien the
hnlls of sinne of the swift. stronL;- coal low-lioats which I am told can only
be ohtaiic d liei-e. and til lliem up as speedily as possible to he nsed as
cxtem|iore rams, to iid down I0 Island Xo. ID. or any other sf ron^jliohl of the
reliels. and at a |)ropei- time dnriiiL;- the contest, wiien the rehel en n-l „ i;i1 s seem
to be in a favorable posbion. run down before the hattci-ies and di-ive our
rams at fnll tieadwax into the rebel boats, doiny what I can by pi-tdinbnary
jirejiaration to sa\e the men if our boats shoid<l sink. Thi'se hoats tlie river
men here say will all make is or :.MI nnles an hour down the Mississippi. It
will be ver\ dillicnll to hil 1 hem at that speed, and I will try to protect the
<'n<4'ines and lioilers aeainsi any (U'dinai'x' sliot. It is not impossible that 1
can S(( strengthen our own hulls as to sinlc any Mississippi boat we can liit
fairly and sa\e oui' own. 1 seek "(jod boats, and do not intend to make al-
terations which will injure them materiall\' for future use. if 1he\' are not
lost in the sei'x ice. If snccessfid in sinlv'ini;' tlie ivbtd yun-boats at Island Xo.
b) I wdidd ]>roceed down the i-i\('i- and lay our boats u|i under (ien'l I'ojie's
i;'iins. I shall need a few sti-oni;' and swift tow-boats of a smaller class, and
these would then be used as pickets to watch the ajjproach of the i-ains or
othei- hostile boats b(dow Xcw Madrid. I may need also one or two larg-e
old boats to shidter our rams in runnint;' niKh-r the enemy's batteries. This
is about m\- |)lan to meet the |)i-eseiit condition of thing's, though tlie condi-
tions nuiy change ma1ei-iall,\ befiu'c I am ready to carry out the plan. We
ought to ha\-e at least as many boats, as thei'c are boats to run down. Indeed
we ought to have more. Xo boat can stop to sti'ike twice, and some may not
hit theii- ad vei'sa |-ies fairly. oi- ma.v get the worst of it. The men must take
sei'vice with a full knowledge of the dangi'r(nis nature of the duty: the enemy's
tire lieing- the least of the dangers. I vv(Mdd like to l)c authorized to assure
tlieni that their names will be i-cjiorted to the Sec'y of ^Var who will n'coni-
mcnd them if they do vv(dl. to the President and Congress. I think this will
l)e valueil UKU'c than specific rewards.
\'erv respect f idly.
^■<Mir ob't s<Tvant.
(HAS. I'li.i.KT. .Ik.
20 Ilistoi'i/ of the Ik (I III Fh'vt.
On tlio same day the Secrctarv sent to (Jen. ITallcck at St. Louis
the t'ollowiiin- nu'ssaux'. iiulicatinir his coiitidciicc in Ellet's ability to
ac'-oniplish the miracle of prodiicino; a fleet of war vessels — a work of
many months iindei' most favorino- conditions — in a few days, or
week's at farthest. The messai>-e ])lainly indicate■^ the apprehension at
V('a>liina1on conceiMiini:' conditions on the lo\\( r Missi-^sippi, allnde<l to
in Ki]et"s letter of the same date,
WAR i)i:i'Ai;'r.\!K.vp.
WashinutDii. D. ('.. Min-cli 29, 1S62.
.l/'77. Ccin IhiUi el:. SI. Lniiis:
Steam i-ains arc rai>i(l!\ hciiii;' | ve|;arc(l iiikIst tlic (iircctioii of lMii;-ineci-
I'lllcT at I'it tsl)iii-i^'. anil lit" iii-cicccds iiimiediatcly tn ('iiiciniiaH tu tit up some
tlii']-f. 'Ilii'V arc llic iiKisI pdw erf 111 ^t ■amlmat^. witli ii|i|k'|- cabins remoscd —
liows litt'd ill with licavy tiiiilicr. It is not proposed to wait tor |iiittiMi^- on
iron, 'lliis is tlie mode in wliich the Merriinac will he met. Can yon not
lia\e somctliini^' ot tin' kind speedily |:rei;are(l a1 St. Louis also?
i^iiwi-N M. Stanton.
Secretary of War.
'i'wo days later (one of them Snndity) linds Kllet writina" the
Secretary advisinu' of further plan:<. and showing' the intensity of his
de-ire and pu.rpo-e to make his new arm of the si'r\ice etl'ectixe. and
if possible invincil)le.
rittsiniri^-. Mareli ::i. lS(i2.
Iloii. /■;. 1/. Sfaiilitii. Scc'ii of \V(tr: -
I inadi- liiit litlle |)roi^ress Sunday hut am doiiiL;' luiicli better today.
Media iiics are scarce. I liaxc no repl\ from \ou to m\ letter of Saturday.
^'our last i list met i(Uis to the Special (^uaii ermaster limit me to one more
boat here, and 1 do not wisli to exlianst m\' authority uiilil one of the best
boals arri'.cs. My plan is to run by tlie enemy's batteries and sink their
transports ami i^nn-boats below, \sliere\er we can find them. XN'itli all my
care tli,' machiiicrx will be inucii exposed to the eiieiiiv's shot. Siuiie of the
boats will pi-obabl\ be crippled. I oui^'lit to lia\e enouL;li for tlie work and
for cont i nuencics.
Kesjiectf nlly,
CuAs. Vaa.f.t. Jr.
I)Ut the EniiineerV letter had not ii'one a^lr.iy. On the same date
as tile above the Secretary was makin<>' the looked-for re})ly. It is of
special historical interest to note the assurance <i-iven in this letter, of
'"^('(■rcfiifi/ of II II r A i> jn-nrcx.
21
reward (o tlio-c who ^lioiild (list iiiii-iii^h tliciiisclvcs l)v hrax-ci'v in
action in tlic s('i'\"i((' of these rams:
\VAi; i)i:i'.\i;'r.Mi:.vr.
W'ashiiiL'iiMi. I). ('.. M;ircli :!l. I s(i:i.
(7/(/x. FJlrt. ./;■.. l'Ut^J)iir(i. I'li :
\n\\y Irttfi- Jii^t iTi-ci\v(l. \ uwr plan is a pprov cd. I do not iiiraii lo
iniliosc an\- iiiiproprr liinil. l)i:| wish tlii' work iint cunfiiu'd to one loralilv.
hut disi riliiil ■,■(!. so as to i^d Ihc ut'iKJ^t possible \ iL;(ir. and t lifrd'orc r. 'com-
mend iiiiiiicdiatc inspection at ('incinnati and Xe\\ Alhanv. \\ hci-e an immense
amount of meclianical industry mav work at the same time witii liu' f(irc<'
at I'itt ^hui'i^-. ^'o:l need not consider yonrsclf restricted to one more boat at
I'ittshure-. hid 1 wisli to know liv t ;'l!er;i ph what e\t nit is jiTo|)osed he\(ind
tlial. before conti'acts ai'c made. 'I he in'cw is of yi-eat im|;ortance. I will
e'i\(' hoiioi-ahle i-eward and also pri/e-money for successful <-oui-aL'i'. in lai'ij-e
ami liberal mcasui-e.
i-'n\\i.\ M. S'lAXtox.
Secretary id' War.
Diirinii- the rapid succession of events, faxorahle to the I'nion
cause, which now foUowed the rehei :!ttack and re|»nlse at Shiloh — the
captnre of Ishiiid Xo. 10. and the fVdlini:- !)nck of tlie enemy to the
line of Memphis and Corinth. h'a\ino' their ad\anci' position on the
Mississip])i at Fort Pilhtw. snpiioHed ny theii- ifunhoats of dcnionst rat-
ed prowess — Kllct and his coadjutors were intenstdy en;i2-ai;e(h at Titts-
biiry and other points sncccssiNcly \isite(h in tlie herculean task they
had ill haiuL ^'ome idea of the difficulties tliey encountered and over-
came is ari'oi'th'd in the suhjoine(! dispatc]le-^ of tliat period :
WAi; nt:!' AIM .miv\|-.
Washiu-'ton. 1). ('.. April I. ISC,:.'.
./'///// ■li'lJrrii. i:\i/.. Ciril Eiiiihtrir. Ci iiri n inl I i. Ohio:
yi)\\ are authorized in conjniu'tiou witli Mr. Ihifler. tlie {'resident (d' t Im'
Board of 'I'rade. to take iniUK'diate measures to |)re|iai-e thrt>e rams f(U- tlie
Mississippi. It must be ihme within twenty days. M i-. l-",llet. now at I'itls-
biii-L;-. is the eui^iiuer lia\ini;' e(.|ieral chare-e. hut \iiu ma,\ act without waiting'
for him. 'I he str()ii,yest and swiftest i)oats should be selected.
ICdwi.n M. Sianton.
Secretary of War.
Cincdnnati. Ohio. April ;.'. bs()2.
Hon. K. I/. Stiiiiti/ii. Sci-'ji of ]\'iir:
,\Ir. .letTrev is, 1 Ixdiext". competent for the work. lie is now at \voi-k
and the eomnnttee will aid him. lie wants l-dlcfs plans soon as pos.silile.
22 WixfiD'H of the luiiii Fleet.
Bonis siiiliiblc aft' scarci'; o wind's are (lis|Miseil to ask liii;ic tiLiun's. May ask
nntlioi-ity to lia\c appraisiMl and take possession.
.los. ('. rUri.Eit,
I'res. Chairinan of Com.
WAij DFj'AirrMK.vn;
Wasliinytoii (\\\. I). ('., April 2. 1SC)2.
,/ox. r. ISiitlcr. I'rrs. liiKinl of Trade. < 'iiici innifi. Oliin:- -
'I'lie I)i iiartinent will siiliiiiit to no s|]ecii lat i \ c ])rices. (lood boats enoiif>"h
can l)e had at IMttshnri^- for a fair price. If not. then 1 will anthorize the
(^narterniaster to sei/.e sncli lioats as may be net^ded. as other pro]>erty is
taken for niilitar\- pnrposes. Iea\iny- the parlies to seek i-emimeration from
Conii'i-ess. Foi- tliose purchased the price will be paid immediately, bnt I do
not want any conti-acts (-(mcluded nntil appi-o\t'd by this Department. Mr.
l']]let will probably be at Cincinnati tonii^ht or tomorrow eveniiifr.
Ki)\\i.\ .M. Sta.nto.n.
Secretar\- of War.
, Cincinnati. Ohio. April :i. isti2.
Ilnn. /•;. .1/. Shnitoii :
Mi'. I'.llet ai'i'ised this mornini;-. Steamers entirely different reipiired than
supposed yesterday by Mr. Jeffrey, and the committee ha\e telei^'rajilied that
yon desij^nate some one to make ])nrchase of the Cham|)ion Xo. .'i. William
ilooper. a wealthy, honest and capable citizen, was named in previons dis-
pateli for Assistant (^nartcrmaster. Tlie follow ini;- resobition. adopted by the
committee, means simpl\ that the\- indorse or pass an opinion on thi' snccess
or wisdom of Mr. Ellet's plans: h'csolrrd. That this committee acting" under
tcleiirams of the Secretary of Wiiv to \\v. .Jeffrey and Mr. ibitler. consider
their only duty to be acting- solely from patriotic motives to apjiraise the
value of such steamers as .Mr. Kllet. the Kngineer of the War Dei)artment,
juay designate, ;ind to see that the woi-k that ma,\- be necessary under hi.s
dii'cctions be done as speedily' and economical I \' as possible.
,Ios. C. lUri.EK.
w Ai; i)i':i'Airi'Mi:.\"r.
Washington, 1). ('.. .\pril :;, 1S62.
Jos. ('. liuiUr. I'rcs. liontd of 'I'r<tilc. Cinciiiiiati, Ohio: —
.\ commission for Mr. Hooper as Quartermaster will be forwarded l>v
n;ail tomori'((W. so as to enable him to contract and make ];a\iueut in j)roper
foian. In the mean while let no time be lost in making the proposed ])ur-
chasc and starting' the work. Hours count and e\cr\ hour should bring" the
rebellion nearer its end.
l''n\\i.N M. Sr.xNroN.
Secretai'v of War.
I>i'f(ltJs of I'll i-cli(l.sc. 2^
\\ \\\ i)i:r.\i;i'.\ii:.\ r.
Wasliini^toii, I). ('.. .\|)ril ::, 1S(;2.
Ji)!«\>h ('. liiithr, I'rrxiilriil llaiinl <if Trailc. Cinrin mil i. Ohio:
]!t'f()re the reccipl <if your h'ttri-. wliicli n-:iclicil nic tiiihiw I s|iokc to Mr.
Shields, steuniboat inspector, ami i-(M|iic^tr(l his co-operation, lie lias per-
formed some \\(ir]< for this I )c|)a rt nu'iit with cm |-L;y and i;i\'al sat ist'action.
Yoii will ])lease en<4'a^'e his services if yon tind a sidtahle hoat can Ix' pur-
chased on fair tei-nis,
IOdwi.n M. S IAN ton,
Si'ci-etary of War.
Cincinnati, Oliio, Ajiril H, IS()2.
Hon. E. M . Slantoii :-
1 arrixed In-re tliis morning;', conferred with tlie comniittee and Mr. Jef-
frey, and lia\e inspccti'd a mindier of lioats. None are sat isfact oi'y, hut I
think tile most rcdiahle as well as the cheapest is ('hani|)ion \o. ii. past five
years old. and winch can he ohtained for $1(1. Odd cash. I do not see that we
can do i)ettfr under the ci |-cu ni>t a necs. I am consideri ni;' a plan for slielt^er-
iny my lioats li\- means of a hidwark raised on some of the larec coal harj^'es.
Does in\" authority coNcr the ];ri\ile<i'e of d<iin<i' so. if I decide on it?
Respect fill ly.
('has. Km.kt, Jr.
The committee consider the pi'iee rea^onahle. Will you authorize some
one to purchase?
Jos. C. I?rTLER,
For the ("ommitt^e.
To Src-ii of W(ir.
WAR DKI'AKT.MlvXT.
Washiiiij-ton, I). C, April .!, lMfi2.
Cliiis. h'lht. .1 r.. Ciiiri n iiiit i. (lliio:-
M r. Uutler is authorized to ]iui'cliase the ('iiainpi(m at the [iriee named,
if he thinks it fair and you think the hoat sidtahle. ^'ou are authorized to
adopt \\hate\er mode of irotection \oii deiMii pi-oper. It is said some good
hoat^ iiia\- he had at New Alhaiiy. and that a larL;'e force of w'orkiueu and
am|)le material (an l)e had thei'c.
I'^DWIN M. Stanto.n,
Secretary of War.
Cincinnati, Ohio, this Ajiril .'"), 1SC)2.
Hon. Ediriii M. ShiiifoH. Scc'ii of \V<ir:
1 have selected the Lancaster .No. '.', in |>lace of the Cliam|)ion .No. li. The
Lancaster is hirjiei- and staiincher, thont^-h two \fars older. 1 ha\t> ha<l her
inspected. She is reported sound. The |>rice is .$s,(i(ii). A ho;it l)iiild''r is
2^ Ilisfori/ of flic lidiii Fleet.
t'iii;-;ii;-('(l tn iiuik!' tlu' a l1 . r;it imis. and >lii> will he on the \va\s and in liaiid
this atternoon.
i;es))Hct fully.
(has. Ki>let, Jb.
New All)any, Aijril 7. 1862.
//';;/. /•;. .1/. St/iiitoii. Src'tj of War: —
ilaxc heard of nothing' fi-n:n yonr agent. .\Ii-. I'^llet. J^'rtd a dt'ep solicitude
to ha\t' sonietliini;' done iiiniied iat idy. Would he glad to i-o-operatc. with you.
Would siigg'i'st taking s<.me of the hirgest and stannchest steaintTs in the
^V(■^t. and encase them coni|;lct;d\' with railroad iron. We think two or
tlirec could lie gotten rcad,\' hei'e in tiiirty da\"s. such as would omtrol the (tliio
and Mississi|i|i Kixers. Ha\e jetained a large number of mechanics, who
\ anted to go to oth('r points to olitain cniploxinent. Siiall we not heai' from
you again in'.mcdiatcdy V A. S. Bl'BNETT,
Mayor.
\V.\I! DEPARTMENT.
Washington. J). C. April 7. 1S62.
.4. N'. I'lnntll. lldjior. \rif A I Iniii ii :-
Ml'. ICIht haxing started work at I'ittslmrg- is now at Cincinnati and I
na\e direct'-d iiim to |iroceed to \ew Albany ; liul if _\-ou will send me an esti-
niale of the cost of one of \our largeht and stannchest boats, fitted up and
;n'ni()i'( d according to the best plan de\ is( d by your- own mechanics. I will con-
sider it and if approNcd will lca\e tin- matter in the'liands ot" ymiv (y,\-n px.njple.
1 want I'ittsbiirg'. Cincinnati and New AliiauN' skill, economs', enterpri.se. and
patriotism to compete against each otiier. \^"ill gi\e eacdi an e(pial. fail- t 'st.
and then clKJose betsNecn tliem for fiitiire work. Time is a g-reat (dement
of ( hoice.
Edwi.n .M. vSt.^.nto.n.
Secretary of War.
Cincinnati. Ohio. April 7. !S(i2.
lion, /•.'. 1/. Stdiiton. Si'c'ii (if W'di:-
1 cncount-r impediments owing to all dr.\ docks and ways being" owned
l)y one comiany. The wcrk is not Net beg-nn hut I trust it will be tomorrow.
1 want authority to ha\c it done at any |)lace on the river 1 may select. Mr.
Sliitdds is liere.
(TlA.S. l']l.LET. .Jk.
WAi; DKrAiriME.N r.
Washington. 1). ('., April 7. lsr,2.
<'l((is. Ellt'l. Jr.. Ciiiciiiniili. Ohio: —
■^'ou arc authorized to lia\e the work dofU' wlierever it can be with most
faciiit,\ and adxantagc in ,\our Judgment.
Eiiwi.N .M. Stanton,
Secretary of War.
Best Vessels SeJeefed . 2^
Cinciiiiiati. Ohio. Api-il S. 1 S()2.
Hon. /■;. I/. Shin Ion. Si<-riliiiii nf Wiii:--
M \ \\Mi-k liere is now fiiirly iiiHJcr \\a\. I will leave it in Mr. .IftTrcy's
eare. anil lake Mr. Sliit'lds loniori'ow to Xcw Alhanv to aid nic in procii I'i ny a.
boat and coninuMU'inuf \\(ti'i< there.
(has. Ki.i.kt. Jk.
WAi; T)t:partmj:x'I'.
Washiiii^non. I). ('.. Api-il s. 1 stiL'.
Cfias, Kllrt. Jr.. ('iiiriiiiiiifi. Ohio: —
("all on Mr. i'.iirnett. Ma,\or of .X^'w All)any. lie and a e( .niniit t ee tht're
ivill aid yon. .\otif\- 111c of \(inr ari'ixal tliere.
Edwj.n .M. wStanto.n,
Secretary of War.
w Ai; i)i:r.vi;'PMi:x'r.
Washingt-oij. I). (\, .April S, 186:2.
Willidni K. \i)nirh\ Assistdiil (jHnrtfniiaster, Pittsburg : —
Von will ])lease purchase whatevei- Mr. RUet desires, and also whatever
you thiuk is needed for your own work. The innnense pre.ssure on the (}uar-
terniaster (iejieral's oflfice has no doulH, occasioned the delay in sending in-
structions. His attention will be called to the matter tomorrow morninp-. J
have already drawn one re(|nisition on tlie Treasury in yonr favor for .$25. (100
and will su])])ly fund.s whenever you estimate upon me. Trg'e on the work.
We have olorious news from the West, and ho]!e soon to send a shout back
from the ( 'hesa))cake.
Knwix ,M. Stanton,
Secretary of War.
J'ittshni-L;-. i'enn.. April S. 1S()2.
Hon. E. M. Slim Ion. Sec'i/ of V\'iir: —
Mr. I'^llet tele<iraphs from CiTicinnati for one l)art,'-e and '.).000 cubic feet
of oak. P.arg-e and timber cost about $:!"). 000. Shall we purchase? Work on
steamers iirogressin-i- rapidly, iliver risiiu.;-. I'lenty of \vatei-. Have no in-
structions fr-om (,)uartermaster (ieiu'i-al.
Wm. K. NiMicx.
Louisville. Ajiril 10, 1862.
Uoii. H. M. Shin Ion. Sec'y of Win-.
The boats which ap]iroach nearest my wants are the Switzerland now at
Portland, price .^bi.OOO. and (^leen of the West at Cincinnati, price $lG,O0i>.
Please authorize Mr. liutler. of Cincinnati, to purchase both. I will send the
Switzerland up to Madison tomorrow. 'Hiere are lu) means of drawing hi r
out at .\ew All)any.
IJcspect f ull \'.
Chas. Ellet, Jr.
26 Histoiij of the lidiii Fleet.
\\\\{ DEPAKTMEN^J'.
Washing-ton, 1). ('., April 11, 1S62.
./o.sr/y/( ('. Butler, Esq.. PresKjciit Board of Tratlr. Ciiiciiuidti. Oh'io: —
Yon are anthorized to purchase the Queen of the West at $16,000 and the
Switzerkmd at $13,000, being- the priee named by ^fr. Ellet. 'ITie latter boat
is at Portland.
]%i)\viN M. Stanto.x,
Secretary of War.
WAR nEPAinWIENT.
Washintrton, D. C, A])ril 11, isr,2.
VlniK. Ellet, Jr., Loinsrille : —
Mr. Butler has been antliori/.ed to purchase the boats named in yoi;r tele-
g-ram at prices mentioned.
l{:i)\\i.\ M. Stanton,
Secretar\' of War.
Cincinnati, A])ril \2. 1S()2.
Hon. Ediriii M. SUtiitoii. Sic'ii of War: —
Th^ saw mills are Hooded here and at Madison and the work consetpiently
stopped.
('has. I'"i,i,ET, Jr.
Cinc-innati. ().. April II. lS(i2.
Ho)i. E. M. ,St<i)itou. Src'ii of ^\'(tr■.
The woi'k here is ])rog-ressing' finely'. The Lancaster I hope will be
finished this week. I g'o tomorrow to .Madison, thence to I'ittsburg.
('has. Er.i.ET, Jb.
Cincinnati, .\pril 17, lsr)2.
Hon. E. M. Stanton :—
The Switzerland at Maflison and the Lancaster and (^ueen of the West
here, are progressing ra])idly.
Boats at all suitable are very scarce. The Monarch will l)e here tonig'ht
and will be purchased by Mr. Butler at my instance, subject to your sanction,
for $14,000. I ])rf>])ose, if _\()u confirm the bargain, to send her immediately
to New Albany, to l)e pre|)ared.
T will leave foi- l'itts))ui'g in the morning.
Cha8. Ei.i.et, Jr.
Pittsburg, April l'.», lsr)2.
Hon. E. M, Stanto)!. .s'rr-'// of War: —
Mingo ready. Lioness will be in fonr days and Sampson In s5x days.
Mr. Ellet arrived this morning.
Wm. K. .ViMlCK.
.\ Die Sfcd incrs Seen rcti . 2y
^'ittsl)ln•^^ April :2l, 1862.
lion. E. M. Stdiit'tii. Src'i/ i,f War:
I stated ill m,\ (lis|.aTcii of Saliirday aslviiit;- iiist latctions which are not
yet received - tliiee lioals liere and one at Cincinnati will be ready as soon
a.. 1 can obtain crews tor tln'ni. The men ami coal ami snpplies onght to be
enuaiicd pi'oiii| tly. and 1 lu" two small boals foi- pickets and tenders, as author-
ized, should lie purchased innucd iat(d,\ .
Respectfully,
('has. Ei.i.et, Jb.
WAi; DKrAKT.MKNT.
Wasliinirton. I). ('., April 2:t, 1862.
Chiis. I-:ilct, .Ir.. Piftshiir!/:--
'llu' ]nii-<diase of the coal and bari^'cs and two tenders is api)roved and
may be done immediatel\'. The compensation of crew and mode of manning
is beiny considered by the Department. Pirooks informs me tlu' work on the
Monarch is fToin^- on briskly.
Edwin M. Stanton,
Secretary of War.
Pittsbnrg, (I'a.) April 24, IS62.
Hon. E. M. Sttiiifo)! :—
In accordance with the anth<n-it\ L^iNen in yonr disjjatch of yesterday the
<'ommittee ha\e purchased two small and swift boats for teiulers — one for
.$((,000 and the other for $11, ()!)(»; also 80,001) bushels of coal, in eight barges,
all to be delivered by Wednesday next. The high water nas caused .some
delay, l)ut it is now fallinj; rapidly and the boats in preparation here, which
are too long foi- the locks, must be run down below the falls at an early day.
Res])ectf ully,
('has. Kli.et, Jb.
Tlu' iiinc vosscis to coiistitiitc tlio Heet were the Lioxkss, Samp.son
and Mixco. three powerful Ohio river stern-wheel tow-boats, the
Qi KKx OF Tin: A\'k8t, Moxauch and Switzerland, three hirge side-
wlieel stetuners. the Lancastp^r a sinalkn- sidewheel boat, juid the FuL-
Tox and Horxer. two small stern-wiieel tow-boats, as tender ;ind dis-
patch boat for the fleet. Tlie Hrst three named were purchased and
fitted out at Pittsl)iiri>', the La X( aster and Qieex at Cincinnati, the
SwTTZERE.vxi) at Madisoii, the Moxarcii at New An)aiiy.aii(l the small-
er boats at Cincinnati. All were not Hnished at the places named, but
they were hurried below, and some work was done on several of them
at New Albany and at Mound City on their way to the front. A iren-
eral description of these boats and the place of tiieii' purchase and re-
2S Il'/sfonj of the Rani Fleet.
constniction. with other details of interest pertaining: to their conver-
sion into rams, is fonnd in a report made h,v Pallet himself at the re-
qnest, and for the information of, C'onnnodore Foote. a few weeks
later, from which we (|note the foHowinj^-;
"I was instructed by the Secretary of AVar, March 27, to proceed
"innnediately and with the greatest expedition to Pittsl)nri2:h, Cin-
"cinnati and New Albany, and select and prej)are the most suitable
"steamboats I could find in the least possible time as steam-rams, to
"meet the rebel gun-boats and rams on the jNIississii^pi River, the hon-
"orable Secretary, expressing the hope that not more than twenty days
"would be consumed in getting them ready for service. In response
J'tO-tkat-oTder^I selected three of the strongest and swiftest stern
"wheel coal tow-boats at Pittsl)urgh of which the average dimensions
"are about 170 feet length, 30 feet beam, and over 5 feet hold. At Cin-
"cinnati I selected two side wheel boats of which the largest is 180 ft.
"long, ,371/0 ft. beam, Avidest part and 8 ft. hold. At Xew Albany I
'secured a l)oat of about the sauie length l)ut rather less beam, and sul)-
"sequently I selected another !it .Cincinnati., of about the same class as
"the last, and sent her to Madison to be fitted out. The work was dis-
"tributed among these four cities by order of the Hon. Secy, of AVar
"for the pm'pose of obtaining connnand of the mechanics and ma-
"terials without the risk of producing delay by over drawing upon the
"resources of any one place. I have thus in hand at this time seven
"rams, besides two very suudl stern-wheel tow-l)oats for tenders, which
"I am strengthening up so that they also may in an emergency be used
"as rams. In addition to these steamers I have in ])re})aration three
"large coal-barges bearing high bulwarks of oak, under which ^ my
"steamers nuiy be very nnich sheltered from the enemy's fire. J The
"preparation of these steamboats for the i)uri)ose of converting them
"into rams, cimsists simply in running three heavy solid timber bulk
"heads, from I'l to K) inches thick, fore and aft, from stern to stern,
"ijlacing the central one directly over tlie keelson: in bracing these
I'ijulk heads one against tlie other, and the outer ones against the hull
!"of the boat, and all against the deck and floor timbers, and staying the
"hull from side to side by iron rods and screw bolts. In fact making
^'the whole weight of the boat add its momentum to that of the central
■'bulk head at the moment of collision. In addition the boilers and
y .
Dcscr'thcd to Foote. 2g
"niachiiu'ry isrc held in iron slnys in all (lircctions: the pilot -house j)ro-
"tected a<>"ainst niiisk'i'ti'y, and the cnii-ines and boilers shielded by 2
"feet thickness of oak tinib.'rs well bolted toa"ether. Tlie intention is
'"to endea\()r to sur]»rise (he enemy's vessels. and aided by the current of
'•the Mississij)])! run these rams into them and if possible sink them.
"The boats are not lariiv but they are made very strong" in one direction
"and are (piite swift, and will assuredly make their way through the
"liidl of iuiy ordinary transport or gunboat they may chance to hit
"faii-ly. The boats here are all well advanced, and somt' of them will
"be sent below early this week k\st they nuiy l)e caught by low water.
■ I am not able to state the pi'ccise condition of those below, but I think
"they can be got ready for service in a few days, after I reach the
"j)oints where the work is in ])rogress."
Meantime, while devoting himself so assiduously to the selection
and reconstruction of these vessels. Pallet was no less intent upon their
being efficiently manned and conunanded. His efforts were therefore
given to the selection of the most experienced and energetic men for
crews for these vessels. He was of course obliged to depend largidy
upon the advice of others, constantly im[n-essing upon the minds of all
the essential (juality of bi'avery and strict })erformance of dnty under
all circumstances. .C'onsidering the extra hazards of the proposed ser-
vice it is greatly to the credit of the boatmen of those cities that crews
were obtained without difficulty or delay, and that with very few^ ex-
ceptions these men jjroved loyal, and true to their trust, and rendered a
service of the greatest value to their c-ountry. l>ut it was to be their
duty to navigate the vessels, not to constitute a lighting force. The
plans of the originator of the rams contem[)lated theii' defense and
lighting force to be a detachment of picked sharpshooters from the
army.
In the following connnunication. which shows the comprehensive-
ness of Ellet's plans, these jjoints are brought to the ^^'ar Secretary's at-
tention with se\-eral new matters which his keen foresight and appre-
hension of contingencies, enabled him to see in advance. It will be no-
ticed by the imi)artial reviewer of these events that some of the sug-
gestions were (piite inij)racticable. and others crude and inadequate,
but it nnist l)e remembered that the engineer made no claims to a
knowledo-e of niilitarv atlair-. and the matters of detail of which he
^o Ilixfoi'i/ of the lidDi Fleet.
wrote were all subordinate to the one master idei of a i)luna'inir war
V('s-('l. whose work was to sink and destroy the cneniy. This letter is
characteristic of the author in vi^-or and <>:i-asi). and in the variety of
ini})ortant points presented:
I'ittshtiri^li. I'a.. Ajivil !'.». is(i2.
Hon. /•;. M. Stdiitoii, Scc'ji of ]V(tr: —
My (]is|)atch from Cincinnati of 17th. asking- authority for Mr. liutler to
))iir<-lKis(' the .Monarch for $14.()()() and send lier 1o New Albany to he iii-epare.l
foi- ser\ice. has not yet l)een answered. Please inform me whethci' a\ithority
has been liraiited. I now report that three lioats at I 'it i shuryh. and one and
|ios;;;i)ly two at Cincinnati, will be ready as soon as 1 can man them. I re-
s|U'ctfully rcipiest authority for the committee here to ])urchase lOU.OdO
bushels of coal and the barges to cari-y it. so that 1 may take tiiirty days"
sii|i|:ly witli me down the Mississi|)])i. The contract foi- this coal should be
made forthwith. .\lso authority to me to eng-aii-e tlie crews and to promise
theui fair cui-rent M ississi])])i Kiver wai^'es in tlieir sexcral dc|)ar1ments with
sti|)ulated allowaTices for extraordinary daiii^ers and enter]irises. The entjage-
in( It will lie \cr\' shoi't. What we do willi these rams will pi-ol)alil,\ he ae-
comj lished within a nnuith after startini^' the first boat. '.■Success requires
that the steamers should he run l)elo\v the batteries, afler which Ihey will he
isolated — unable to return and compelled to command the Mississij)])i. or to he
sunk or taken. 1 think if I can g-et my boats safely below Memphis I can com-
uiaiid Cue ri\er. A month's wag'es is no ade(piate compensation for the \(iT-
iinleer crew. I |iropose. therefore, that, in addition to theii' ciiri'ent wages.
thc\ all he allowed an extra nu)nth"s pay for e\ei-y foi-fihed reliel position they
pass below; also, as you have suggvsted prize-money, if they cajjture prizes in
accordance with existing regulations; hut as the arrang-ements of this ex])e-
dition are not fav(;rable to taking and holding ]>rizes. hut ai-e calculated essen-
tially to destroy the enemy's floating- war |iroperty and cripple his means of
transportation, that for all services of this character which ma\' he rendci-ed
such compensation shall be alh/wed as in the judg-ment of tTie Secretary of
War is ecpiitable. If these suggestions are not a])]iroved I as)c to he instructed
as soon as possihle on these points. I propose to furTiish each steaine'r with a
niilitar\ guard of 1:.' to :.'l) men under a Lieutenant with ;i n orricei' of liigliei'
gi'ade in eonnnand of the whole, in addition to the ordinary crew of the
boat, to do g-nai'd dut\- at all times and assist in the defense of the boats when
necessary. This military' guard should of course be com])osefl of volunteers
di-awn from the ai-my. If this sugfgestion is ap|ii'o\i'd I would ask ])ermission
to nominate the officei- who wduld select and command the guard. 'J'he total
force on boai'd all the seven steamers and two picket tender.^ will be, includ-
ing guards ami crew, about H.'iO men. 1 wish to have in the fleet two small
hut swift coal tow-boats as t'endei's and ])ickets \\hii-h can be purchased here
for about $10,000 each, and I would be oblig'ed to you if tlie sugg"estion is
M (I II n I IK/ (111(1 Ih'fcioic (if /i'(
3^
apiiroxcd. td aulli(ii-i/(' tlu'ir piircliasc liv tlir (■(iiiiiuitti'c. 1 |)r()|)()S(' to ])r()-
visidii the bonis as is ciistonia fv on i'i\cr st i-a incrs. at the ownt'r's (in this
rase tlic ( Ion cnnncMt's ) <'\|):'msc. 1 ask to he i-rlif\c(l of all linaiicial cai-fs and
to he tnniislifd with a clci-k 1o iiiakr 1li" iiccdtul purchases and krcp the
accounts. Aftfi- the i'\|ifd it ion sets oiil a volimtrci- siii-iiron and assistant
(if conipctcnl mill can he had) wonld lie di'si ra I ilc. I will dcsiijnalc lhe
few anus tliat wili he needed in a siil(se(pieiit dispalidi. Kt'sp-cl f n II v asking-
for an earl\ aiiswci-.
(Has. Ki.let, Jr.
Scci-('tarv Slaiitoii's reply | l);'ariiiu- a supplied dale six days later]
sliows that its })re|)arati()ii had Ueeii no easy task. Much thoiia'ht and
coiisidtation nmst have hi-en o-ixcn the iiiiuiy siihjeets nienl ioneth Here
it is in t'idl :
WAR DKI'AiriWIK.N r.
\Vasliiii<^lon. I). ('.. April ;,'."). lS(i2.
('has. KlU'l. l-:s(/.. ritlshiirn : -
'I'lie in-tnict ions and aiithoi-it\ to he tiixcn you have been caivfiilly con-
sidered h\ lliis I )epa rl nieiil and lhe roilowiiii;' are com in ii n ica t "d : ()i'ders
lia\e already ln'cn L;i\eii a nt hori/i hl;' the purchase of coal as reipie^teil in
_\oiir t 'leiji-ain id' lhe I'.itli inslaiit. ^'on are also an1hori/ed to ene'ai,'-e the
crew at current Mississippi l;i\er waives. 'Idle pur(diase of twii small tiii,'-s as
ttMiders has also been ordered. ^'oii ari- authori/ed 1o pro\ision tlie boat!=
as \-oii sni^Li'est. Tile riMpiest to promise an achlitional mon1h"s waives for
cNcry fortified position passed is so indelinit;' that with reluctance I am con-
strained to decd'iic compliance; but 1 authori/,e \<iu to promise extra coni-
pcnsatiim fi>r the capture or (h'struction of prizes, the amount to be det -r-
niiiied e(piitably by the Secretai-\- of War. ^dii a I'c aiilhori/ed to add tiie
•.[•iiard of from 1:.' to :.'n men of the Nolnntecrs for eaidi boat, to bf commanded
b\ a I.ieii1''iiant of your own stdeet ion. the whole to be under the common
commander of hinhei- ^^rade. and in order to L;i\e sou antliorily oxer tlif
entire forces I propo>e to appoint \<iii a ('oloiiel on the stalf, to hold the rank
so loui;' as may be necessary for the complete execution of the enl '.'rprise.
^'oii are allowed a <dcrk as yon siiL;-L;-est and shall ha\e tln^ ser\ices of a
snrjj'con and assistant snri;'eon. It is the wish of the lleparfmcnt to ltIvc
\-oii e\er\- possil)l;' facility to iiisiii-e success. M i I i t a r \- Commanders to whom
_\'oii may apply for the rccpiired i^naiMls on showiiii;- this authority are hereby
directed to comply with your recpiisit ions. Il is unnecessar\- lo sa\'. except
to ^iiard aiiainst misapprehension, that the expedition mii--t ino\e upon the
enemy with the coiicii rreiice of the .\a\al ( ommander on flic Mississippi
Jlixcr for there luiist In' no c( mtl ict i iii;' anthorilies in lhe prosecution of war.
If an\' doubt should arisi' in voiir mind or \oii nei'd further inslrnctions
j2 Jl'txforij of flic Udiii Fleet.
])lease telegraph and |)lea>e rejjort tlie state f)f your operatioiis on receipt
of this.
Edwin M. Stanton,
Secretary of War.
Ill the folk»wiiii»- response, made to the Secretarv's k4ter on the
day of its recei])t. Pallet presents more fully his plan for the militarv
maiiao-ement of the flt^et. and again betrays his unfainiliarity with
questions of rank, and the War Secretary's powers in makiii<>" ai)poiiit-
ments. He also discloses his inisg-ivings, if the movements of his fle«t
upon its peculiar mission are to be haini)ered by XaA'al control. Be-
cause Avith all due allowance for l)rave and gallant commanders, he
knew they must always have first regard for the preservation of
the shij) and its men. while his Hghting-idea was to desti'oy tke
enemy, regardless of his ships or men. The letter is of special interest
also as develoiiing his jdan for getting picked officers and men for his
boats, aaid ijroviding for rank and command, in controlling the fleet:
l'ittsl)iirirh, April :3r), 1S62.
Eon. E. M. St<nit<})i : —
I think your instructions of toda_\', just received, will serve to secure a
crew of the rig-ht staiuj). PersoiuiMy I have two points to submit to you. I
would prefer not to hold a militai-y i-ank unless you deem it indisj>ensable,
and. in that case, even thoug-h it will be only a temporary appointment and
for a special duty, T would much jirefer that it should be a higher grade. To
command the militai-y g'uard and to stand second to m\self in command of
the fleet I w'ould ask leave to name my brother, Capt. Alfred W. Ellet, of the
'/Oth Illinois Yolunteei-s, a man of dauntless euergy and dcxoTcd patriotism.
Avlio will carry this enterprise through if he survives and 1 am disabled, ft
would be well, I think, if this STigg-estion receives your assent, in cnunuunicat-
ing" the commands of the Department to Ca])tain Ellet, to autliorize him t >
bring- a limited number f)f reliable men of his own selection from his regfiment.
The claiise in your insti'uctious requiring- the concurrence of the Naval
I'omniander of the ^rississi])]ii might embarrass me much. Thati officei' ma.\'
not have confidence in my mode of warfare. My pnr]>ose has been not to re-
nuiin with the g-un-boats or e\en to show my fleet there until ready to rusii
or pass the batteries and drive iu\ rams ag-ainst the eneni,\"s ai-med xessels
and trans]Kn-ts wherever they can Uv found, relying much on 1lie suddenness
and audacity of the attack for its success. It is not my purpose either to
stop vohnitarily any^vhere and g-ive the enemy below ine time to prepare l)ut
to ])ush on with the current and the high flood as rajjidly anc as far as T can
go. 1 fear that the Naval ('ouinuinder might not coiiciir in the ]n-o|)i-iety or
lid III,' of flic ( 'inn iiiii iidcr. :^o
such a ino\eni('iit. wiiicli is iiol in accnrdanct' with iia\al iisai:i'. and that he
inii>"ht c'oin])el ^^\r lo lie idlf aliovi- sonic tOrtilicd imsilioii iintii tlic flood
abated and the oppoii niiit v 1o siirprist' the ciiriiis in niv own wa\ would be
lost. I trust yo\i nia\- think [H'opci' to I'econsider this iinntation of my au-
thority and leave me i'l'ci' to act on my judi;inent. I)ut nt course with r(>spect-
ful deference to the opinion of the crallant ofticer in command of tlie Missis-
sipi>i by whose yood ad\icc 1 certainly shall not fail to protit. The work on
the boats here has Im'cii much rctai-dcd by the flood, hut the\ will all be ready
as soon as 1 can cni;a!4'c llicii- crews and i;-et their (uitfits aboard. 1 will put
a captain and cnL;inccr (Ui the .Mini;i) immed iatcl \-. I wish I could consult
each cajitain in the choice of the crew for his own boat. 1 ha\e no rea,son
to d(nd)t that the boats in |>re|)ai'ation at the cities below will be ready as
soon as 1 can pi-oceed down the river fi-om i:oint to |;oiid and man and e(piip
them. Kes]>ectf ully.
(Has. J'^iLKi. .Ir.
Tilt' \\\\v S('ci'('tary"s iuiswci- to the above dispatch explains tlie
(liicstioiis of rank, and hriefly cox'ers the delieate (|iiestion of i)()ssihle
eonfliet of authority on the liehl of aetion, witli the Xa\al eonnnandcr.
This is a coininiinication of <i:reat historic interest.
\V.\i; l)KI'.VKT.\ll']XT.
.\pr-il :.'(".. isr)2.
Chus. FAhi. .jr.. JJs,/.. I'itl.shnii/li. (I'd.) :—
In answer to ycuir telei^i-am of the 25th inst.. I jiroposcd the rank of
Colonel of the Staif because I thought it ini])ortau1. and still think ,\'ou slioidd
ha\e some leo-al authorit\- to connnand : and I named th' hiyh^'st raidv in my
|;ower to o-ive witlio\it the a<'tion of the Senate, which would iinolw dela,\'.
If this is acce]itable to you. your brothei- can be a])poin1ed bieut'uiant Coloiud
m the StafT as your second in command, and he shall ha\c the authority you
rccpiesT to take with him a limited numbei- of reliable men from the rei;i-
ment in \vliich he is now scrxini;-. 'riie pecidiarity of the enterprise which you
ha\e undertaken induced the expression '•concu i-reuce'" instead of placini^-
you distinctly under the command of the \aval ("ommandei- on the same ele-
ment in war 0))eratirms but as the service nou are en<^-a<^ed in is peculiar,
the .Naval Comniander will !)<■ so aiMsed and will 1h> desired not to exercise
direct control over your uio\(unents. unless they shall manirestly expose the
S"eneral o])erHtions on the Mississippi to s(une unra\ciral)h' intbience whi.'li
is not. howevei-. anticipated.
ICnwix M. Si'ANidx.
Seci'i'lary (d' \\ai-.
Here foUows Ellet's dispatch aeceptino- t!ie api)oinlinent oti'ered,
and addinii" some nioi'e points for the Seci-et ary's consideration:
34
ll'/sfori/ of flic Rdiii Fleet.
I'ittvhiiri^li. ( I'a.) April SO. 186;;
li(i)\. H. M. Sid II tan. Sce'ii </f War: —
I ha\(' rect'i\tMl y((ur tlispatcli of today and think 1 iiiiderstaiul sour views
Ijt-rrfctly. I will accc|it the t -ni ; oi-ar\ a |i| oi iil iifi.t of (dloiud of the StafP.
and thank you for ]ilaciiii;- my hrctlur by my ^-idc wifli the rank yon iiropose.
J>ft mi" i-<'(iiu's1 tiia1 III' !)(■ insi iMici ir'd lo return immediately lo St. l>onis.
with sneh limited number of otfieers and men as he may select to ')r'iii<^ with
liim. Time is \( r\ pressini^-. I wish to ljci down tlie M ississiiipi on tlie pres-
enl flood, (iood men are scarce, but I am usiny evei-y exertion to send oft" the
MiiiL'o on Tuesday and the Lioness on \\'e(l nesda \'. with the coal ba rees. if
tlie\ are deli\ci'ed. If th'.'i'e is any pre^crib'd form of ayTeement which
shoidd be siiined by 1he crews of the boats I will be i^iad to rceeivf a copy
of it. An officer lias Just arri\ed with instructions from (."o,nmo(ioi'e Foote
to obtain infoianat ion of what 1 am doiny' her.', all of which I will i.;i\i' him
1 would communieat ' directly wilh my brcjiher if I knew to what olticci- at St.
L(uns to address my dispatehes.
Kespectf ull_\'.
('ll.\S. iCll.KT. .Ir.
Kllot's lU'xt dispatch was to uv^v the tiMiisiiii-sioii of orders, re-
<::ai'dl('ss of niilitarv iisaa-i's, to reach and hiirrv forward the detail
fro'.ii Courtis' army, to man his llei't. It r ':\(\ as f;)l]o\vs:
i'ittsbnr!.;-. I'a.. Ajiril ;27. 1SG2.
Iil ill. den. Srhofiehl. Cmii iiiiiiidrr I . S, I'urrr.s in Missuiiri:
r.y order llv Secretary of \\';\r reipiti-t fol h jw i iil;- i n^t I'ncI ions sent to
Captain .\. W. Kllet of rtV.U) 111. \'o]s.. "{'roceed with all jK.ssible expedition
to St. Louis. I!rin<i- with \(m not excee'dini;' six (ttticcrs of a i;i'a(Te nor Iilgher
than 1^1 Lieulcnaul. and iiol cxcei^dini^' h f t y pri\ates — all to be xolunteers;
reliable men to enyaii-c in a hazardous expedition down the Mississippi tviver
un<ler my command. The nnmbei' of men is less important than tj"reat ex]te-
ililion and reliable co; rai;-e in the ft'w select'.'d. liriuL;' t;-ood men or none.
Lose no tinie but join me (pdckly."
('h.\s. Kllkt, Jr.,
Col.. Ktc.
The day followinii" the War Seer 'tar; telciirajjhed Ellet in tliese
words :
WAi; DKL AiriMLXT.
Washini^-ton. 1). (".. Api'ii 27. 1S62.
CIki.s. i:il,t. Jr.. I'ittslmri/li, [fa.):
We ha\-e certain i ut el liLi'encc tliat Xcw Oi'lcans has been captured —there
appears to be no doid)t <d' tli- fact. Commod((i-e I'arrafJ-uf has orders to ])usli
II i(i'ri//n(/ to flic Fioiif.
35
up iiniiifdiatt'ly to Memphis and juiii ( 'oiiiiiioiloi-e l-'oote witlioiit waitiiitr at
New Orleans. 'S'ou slionUI lose lui time in slai'tin;^- \'()Ui- tieet tci tiie same
point. Out scpiadron was at Xew Orleans two (la\s ayo. Siin(la\. S p. m.
I'^nwiN M. Stanton.
Seeretary of War.
Ill this (lispati'li tlic i>n'iit \\\\v Secretary ht'trnyed :i reiii;irk':il)le
want of n'msj) ot" the (litliciiltics to Ix' ('iicoinitci'cd hy tlu^sc widely scj)-
arated forces, so easily oi'dei'cd to "})usli up." and hurry (h)\vii. to form
a junction at ^lenii)his. thus as it were coinidet inir :i ••aiupaiij,-n. with
the dash of a pen. — a task that, witli all the brave men and the Ha"ht-
in<j:- ships, and tlie enii'ines and eiierii'ies of war. l);;cke(l by all that t!ie
Departments of AVar and Xa\v could do. was not accomplished till
more than a year had elaj)se(l. and many thousands of lix'es had b;'e!i
sacrificed ujx)!! the altar of their country.
Some interestinii' (juerii's ai)pear in the busy Eniiineer's next di:^-
l)atch informina' the Secretary of the ino\'ement of some of his bnjts
down the ( )hio :
rittshiirt^-li. I'a.. April :.'s. isH:.'.
//'<;/. /•;. 1/. stiiHtini. Scc'ji (if War:
'S'onr se\eral dispatches ha\e lieen received and acted upon. Xo etforts
are s|iared to i;-e1 the i;im-linals under way. 'the Miu^o will leave t:)nio|-row
noon: the l>ioness tomorrow evening;': both with the coal haTLjcs. 'the Sam-
son I think will -tart \\'ednes(la.\-. 'the tiMider Dick l-"ul1on can overtake the
tows hel'orr thev reach l>ouisville. The other tender will wait foi- the sliei-
terinijf l)ari;e hut I think will e(une up in tinie. \\\\\ tlle l)e|iartment sup|il\-
tlie (derk wlio is to act as I'avmaster or shall the conimiftec appoint one?
('an ai'ra nyements he made to cnaUh- the wives of the men to dravv ;i part
of their pa> if tiicv should he detiiiued liidowV This I find to hi' important.
1 will instruct my bi'other to meet me at Cairo. 1 !(> will assui'cdlv come
rapidlv .
CUAS. l''l,l,KT, .)K.
On the same day All-. Stanton tele,i:r,! plied (Jen. Ilalleek at Pilt--
buro- Laiidina' eoneernino- the new arm of tli" ser\ic('. and its advent
upon the seriie of action. It will \)v noticed that the Secretary dis-
tinctly states that the ram licet is to bi' under the orders of ( 'oiiiiiiodore
i'Oote. No doubt he had ill mind the purpose of makinii' it elear to the
(ieiieral conimandini:' on the then lield of action, that allhotioli the
^■essels were under military ollicers (in part taken from the (ieiieraPs
j6 Il'/storij of flic luiin Fleet.
own fofces) the rams were to act in conjunction w'\{\\ the ijnnboats,
and he subject to the Connno(k)re rather than the (lenerah This is
the reas(>nal)le exphination for the apparent cliti'erence of statement of
this rehition uf the new arm of service to the i'i\er Xavy. to l)e ol)-
served by comparing- it with his previous and subsequent letters to
Ellet. FoHowing is the dispatch, no doubt framed with a view to
avoidinii' all (juestions of authority as to the ram Heet. between Com-
manders of Army and Xavy forces, at the front:
WAi; i)i:i'.\i;'i\\!KXT.
April ;2S. 1S62.
Mdj. (liii'l Htillrcl,-. riltshiirfi Laiiili n;/ : -
Tlie sfcaiii r;inis coni-trueted by t'ol. (has Ellet at I'itTsburg'h and Cin-
cimiati arc ri'iiorli'd to be completed, 'i'lif Miiii^o starts from Pittsburgh to-
morrow noon, the Lioness in the evening; the .Samson ^vill start Wednesday.
Two others ai-e at CiTicinnati and one at Xew All)any. They are under com-
mand of Col. Ellet. especially assigned to that duty. He will 'oe subject to
the orders of Commodore Foote and will Join him immediately. Lieutenant
Col. I'^llet. now in Arkansas, has i)een detailed to Join his brother as second
in command. 1 lio])e this arrangement will lie accejitable to you.
I'>i)wix M. Staxtox.
'I'wo days later Ellet informs the Secretary of proirress, and the
moving of still other boats, and asking for ;<rnis and hand-grenades
for his men :
Pittslmrg. Aju-il .ill. 1S62.
Hon. Hdiriii M. Stdiifoii. Scc'i/ of Wnr: —
The .Mingo and her tow left yesterday. The Lioue.'-s with the reuuiinder
of 1he coal is leaving now. The Sampson has her crew^ engaged and will
leaNc tiimor7'ow. 'Hie officers for the two steam tenders are engaged at work
bnt 1he\' will be delayed souu^ two days. T e\|)ect to be in Cincinnati tonmr-
rf)W morning. 1 am greatly indebted to the indefatigable committee here.
Please order the following arms to be delixered speedily to Thomas Sherlock,
C'incinnati, foi' m\ use: :i(iO rifle muskets and ammunition. ?AiO cutlasses, nine
small cases of parapet hand grenades, such as would be most convenient for
throwing over a bulwark, to clear the bows of the steamer in case of boarding.
CuAS. Ei.leT. Jr.
Thus, as rai^idly as jjossible. the boats were got off the ways, most
of them with their ui)per works, in a state of partial com])letion, on
which work was continued as thev steamed down the Ohio. Those
I><f(iil From ('i/rt/'.s' Afiiiy. jy
farthest iul\:iiici'(l were assciiiMcd at New Albany, where one or two
were alioiit coiiiplelecL Hither Mr. Kllet aiiaiii liasteiieth to give per-
sonal attention to fiirllier details of the coniplet ion and manning' the
hoats.
From the correspondence foregoing it is seen that Kllet"s plan for
the Heet was to have a trusted military officer in conunand of each ves-
sel, and a selected detail of soldiers as a lighting force; also that he de-
sired to have his brother, ('aj)t. A. \\'. Kllet. with him to be second in
command.
And we have seen that the Wwv Secretary \i.^v\ promptly com-
plied with his re(piest. In furtherance of Kllet "s idea of a detail of
officers and men to be selected for this i)uri)ose. an order had been is-
sued from Washington, and sent through usual channels to Ca]it. Kllet,
of Co. I., r>',)th 111. Infantry, then with the ai'uiy of (ien. Cuilis.
(which was on its toilsome march across Southern Missouri, after its
famous victory at Pea Kidge) to the Mississippi, and had arrived at
the town of AVest Plains. 'Idie (»rder. with t)lank spaces for the names
of the enlisted men. was acc:impauied by aut horitat i\'e iiist iMictions
to Ca])t. Kllet t(> place therein the names of officers and enlisted men
wdiom he should select.
Ujjon receijjt of this order of detail by (Jeneral Curtis, his own
was issued in pursuance of it. as follows:
ni'LvnQUAtn i':i;s. \\{\\\ of iiik soi riiwKsr.
West I'lains, Mo.. Aiiril :,"Jtli. ls(i:.>.
Special Onlei-s NO. 1 •")•».
V I I I . I'lii-siiant to t)r(lers fi-om the Secretary of War. Captain A. W.
Ellet. Co. "I" :>'.)th Iteyt. 111. ^■ollmteers. will proceed with the ofhcers and
privates herein pai't icularl v descrihed, to St. Louis, Mo., (and \ew Alhan_\.
Indiana,), wliere lie will reijort in person oi- b\- letter to Col. (has Ellet, .Ir.
('apt. Ellet will use all jiossible sjjced in reaching St. Lo\iis and reporting- a.s
ordered.
Detail of officers and pri\ates to accompany ('apt. lOllet.
]st Lieut. Jolm 11. .lohnson. Co. 15.
1st Lieut, (reo. E. Currie. Co. C.
fst Lieut. W. ]). Crandall. Co. I).
(Names of 50 enlisted men not g-iveji).
All of the 5f)th Reg-iment Ills. Vols.
P.y comTnanil of Ma j. CenM ( iirtis:
II. /. Cl KTIS.
Asst. Adj't Ceu'l.
?(S' fl'tsfoi-i/ i)f the liiiin Fleet.
Tlic iiisti'iictioiis (lircctcd that tlic detail should pi'occcd via St.
Louis and rcjxirt with the least })ossil)le delay to C'ol. Charles Pallet,
Jr., at New Albany. Inch C'apt. Ellet, who knew soniethino; of the
enterj)rise in which his hroth'r was eni>-a<red. at once acted upon the
authority thus o-ivcn. otl'erinti" the opportunity to such officers and men
of his re<:-iinent as he judged suited for the perilous duty in hand, who
as proni])tly accepted the detail, and had their names })laced in the
order. All supposed the service to l)e a temj)orary one, and expected,
if they survived its perils, to return to the C'onn^ades they were now
parting" from in the near future, when the cruel war should he ended by
the triumi)h of the Union arms. But this expectation was not to be
realized. Instead of an ex])editionary serxice the conunand to which
they wcrv' sent was de-tined to be perpetuated and its ])erils cost the
li\'es of many of the brave fellows who so willina'h' oH'ered themselves
at the call of duty. The sur\i\'ors becann' nart of the Ahirine liriu'ade.
serving" on the rams f(»r th.e remainder of their enlistment, and
retiu'ned to their old r^'giment. This detail was Derfected in
camp on the night of April 2S, isdj!. and the following morning"
Capt. Kllet and Lieuts. C'urrie and .Jolmsun, left in accordanc;-
with the order going by Avay of Kolla and St. Louis. Lieut. Ci"an-
dall followed next morning with the detachment, and a lot of prison-
ers, placed inhiscai'e by oi"(ler of the connnanding (iener.d. to b,' de-
livered to the Commander of the Post at Rolla. two days march to the
north, wliere they arrived on the afternoon of A]n-il ::(). Safely de-
livering the i)risoners. about 100 in ntinil)er, the Lieuten uit got his
detachment aboard a train that night, and next day transf'i'rv'd at
St. Louis, and arrived at New Albany during the night of Ahiy "2(1, and
reported to Colonel Ellet in i)erson.
Here several of the vessels of the ram fleet were already as^'mbled
and .the work of reconstruction and defensive^ armament was about
finished under Ellet's ]:)ersonal oversight. The assignment of the of-
ficers and soldiers was now made to each, to complete the fighting
eciuipment. As fast as vessels ari"ived they received their quota of
men and supplies, the others, arriving" later were to join the fleet be-
low, as rapidly as possil)le. Lnmediately upon the assignment of the
military foi'ce to the l)oats. Col. Ellet called the officers together, and
laid befoi'e them his plan of handling the rams, giving" extended in-
A hod I'll 111 }\('ii' Allium/. JQ
struct ion as lo tlic iiioxciiiciit of each vessel in any eni>-a<j:enieiit. their
co-operation and c(;ncei't of action, their sej)arate (hity. and the main
]^nri)ose. in exci'y conflict willi the enemy. This object, he exphiined.
was to 1)1' the destruction of tin- enemy's x'essel. The (h'fence of th<'
same was mainly lo repel i)oarders. the few sharpshooters to hi' so
posted and e(|uipped as to ho most efi'ecti\H' in dost' (piarters. The
safety of the ram was to he a secondary considei-ation. and if the result
of cuttinii; down an ('n>-my should he tlu' loss of the ram. the object
would be piined. The men were to bi' instruct<'d in the use of small
boats, and life-pi'cx'rxcrs. if compelled to take to the water, the few-
ness of their numbiT reducin<j: the probability of fatalities, even in case
of the destruction of their vessel. In the few days intervening)^, before,
the sailin«2- of the main portion of the Heet from Xew Albany, this in-
struction was ire(|uently repeated, with additional details. A system
of si<>'nals was also estal)lishe<l. both by tla<»"s and boat's whistles, by
"which the mo\'ements of tlie i-ams, w lien assembled, was to be <2:overned
from the Fhi^shi]) — the SwrrzKKLANO. The officers diliijently apj)lied
themselves to their new duties, instructing in turn both the soldiers and
creAvs, and by the time they arrived at the front much of the spirit of
the Commander had been infused into the men to whom he must l(M)k,
and on whom he nnist de])end, for the success of the "ram fleet idea.''
But it soon became evident that more officers and more men were
needed, and the War office pr()m])tly gave anthority for their selection
and transfer to the llert. to perfect its ('(unpnient. In pursuance of
this object the following counnunication was presented by Lt. Col.
Kllet at Madison. Ind.. without result, but similar re(iuests at I*aduc;di
and Cairo resulted, later, in the transfer of an entire Compan\' to ihe
fleet :
Marlison, Iiid.. May 10. lSC,-.i.
7'o ///(■■ ('iiiiniiiniiirr nf ('. S. Forres ill I'ad urn li . Kij.:-
Sir:— I aiii ant hdi-i/cil 1),\- the linn. St'crrtai-\' of War in a ilispaldi of tlie
25th of .\i)i-il. wliicli 1 cnclosi' fen- \-oiir ins|>i'c1 ion. to niai'Cc riMpiisit ion on the
Coinmandei- of an_\- niilitar\' posl foT- a liniiti'd nnniluT of xKJnnts'ci' troops,
and a Jiniitt-d nnnihci- of olliccrs. not fxcccd i iil;- llir i-anl\ < d' first Lieut., as
a i;Miai-(l to a special expedition down tiie Mississippi, wliieii Tlie llonoraMe
Secretary has ])hieed nnder ni\- coinnKnui. I iia\e instrncfed Captain ( now
TJent. Col.) Kllet. in\- second in eoniniand to call on \ou with the llonoral)le
Secretary's dispatch, conf a irini;' my authority to do >n. to re(piest \on to
^o lln^fonj of the li<nii Fleet.
tj-ive him the ()iJ])ortunit\' to select f'i-(iiii your eoiiunaiul such offieers of the
fii'ade s])eeitie(l not exeeediiiii" six I.ieiiteiKints. and se\ ent y-ti\ e men, as may
be willing to volunteer to aee()m])an,\ an experiition deemed extra hazardous,
and whom Lieut. Col. Kllet nuiy be willing to acee))t. Time is most im-
portant for the suceess of the enterjirise. and I therefore solicit such prompt
co-o];eratior. as you can at¥ord. Your obd't servant,
CiiAS. EiXET, Jr.
Under this authority Coh Ellet achh-essed the followincr note and
reqnest to Brig. Gen. Nelson then connnanding that District :
New Albany, liid.. May 2:1. isii::.
lirii/. (iVii. Xelsoii : —
Sir: — I aTU antliori/ed by a telegra]ihic dis])atch from the Uoiioiable
Secretary of \Yar, dated Aju-il '2")th, to call on the conimancTers of tii ■ V. S.
military posts for a specified number of men. and of officers or the gracie of
1st Lieutenant, to engage as voliuiteers in a steamlioat expedition down the
Missi.s.s?pp] Eiver, which the Honorable Secretary has placed under my co.n-
mand.
"David Al. Dryden. 1st Lieutenant. Company F. 1st Keutiicby regiment,
noAV oil leave of absenc-e, from Major General IJuell, on account of his healtii,
and still unable to be on duty in the field, is well recommended to me as an
ex]:.erienced steand)oat cai:tain and is willing, and J believe is aljle, to do
good ser\ ice in this tMiter|n-ise. though he can not endure the fatigue of
maix-hing.
"I l)eg leave to a.sk for the ti'ansfe]' of Lieut. i)r,\(U'n to i\\\ command for
this expedition, and to report as directed by \iiu. when it is o\ei-.
"1 diret-t tiiis i-e(piisition to ,\'on sui>|iosing that to be the |)i'o]>ei' course;
if it is not, 1 will be obliged to yon to forward it to the ofi'cer ro whom the
a|)plicati<)u sliould uuire pi-operly l)e made, with the 7-e(pies> that the order
for Lieut. l)i'_\den"s transfer l)e li'ansmitted to me at Cairo as soon as prac-
ticable.
"Lieul. i)r\(len is now at this place, but will procee(l with me in a few
Ja\s to Cairo. "I'our obd't ser\ant.
Cii.\s. Ki.i.KT. .Jr.,
Co).. Ktc."
On the same (hiy eaine the folh)\vinir urgent dispatch from Wash-
ington, tlie reason for which will l)e a|)]>arent as tlu' reader j)eruses
later pages of this History:
Off fi>r the />l<Hl,-(f<l(
41
w \Vy i)i:i'A!;'i\\ii:.\|-.
WushiiiLitoii. I). ( .. NTa\ 1;.'. 1S62.
CJiiirlcs KUrt. Jr.: -
Sir: A t('lfL;i-;iMi I'l'ciiii ( 'iiiiiiniiili iri' I'"(i(.)ti' iiidiciiics l;i-c:i1 ;ni\icl\- I'or Iho
imincd'Kitc ll^>^(•('llt of \(iiir rains. IIdw soon will you he rcail\" ti> stai't?
I'. II. Watsox.
Ass"1 Si'cy of War.
Ellcl iimucdialcly (k'lcniiiiicd to start siicli of his rams as wer '
nearest completion, and others in succession as rapidlv as tliev cotil 1
he ^-otten :',\va_v. \\y the most indefatipihU' elforts of himself and as-
sistants, durinii' the ensiiini:' two days, he Avas enabled on the loth to
rei)()rt to tin* AA'ar oilice :
X; ^v Alhany. I ml.. May 1.",. 1S(;2.
II oil. /'. //. ]Valsi,ii. ,|x,s/x-/ Sri--i/ ,,f Mar: —
Fi\f ot my boats oiiylit to reach (.'uiro by tomorrow morni ml;'. These ti\e
are ot the smaller class, and will he taken do^vll to Fort \\'i-i^ht without dflay
by second in command. IJent. Col. l^llet. and lie held irieic ready to take
])art ill any movement at^'ainst tht' enemy. Tlif sixlh will oviM'lake the fleet
'11 the Mississippi. The sevenlh most |>owerful boat, will lea\c Madison to-
day and oiiijlit to reach l""ort Wrii^ht by Snnday and I hope I0 he on board.
'I'he nintli and last will lea\e here Snndas' morniiii^- and re|iort, at I'ort Wrig'ht.
The arms ordered by me iia\c not been i-eeei\ed. I'lease send a dispatch to
Lieut. Col. J-21]et at (_'airo. ant hori/i ni^' him to make a. rc(|insition on thi' Com-
mander of that ]iost oi- any otiiei- source of supply not too f;u' distant, for
iioo na\\' re\(.il\ers and ilOil breech-loadini;' or other short rifles ro use between
decl<s. If no snreeon is appointi'd for the fleet please anthori/e Lieut. Col.
lOllet to eui;aL;e Dr. .lames IJoharts. of CiO'boiidale. III., who is well recom-
mended, and willini;' to ser\c I'.ut ui\' rams shall not he detained for want
of arms or doctors.
(Has. Im.let, .1r.
i lie occasion of (he de])artiire of the Hrst boats of the fleet from
New Alhany. wliere some of them were fitted and manned, and many
<jf the crews resided, oi' were more or less ])ers()nally known, was an
evenl of 110 small imporUnice. and the whar\"es and the boats them-
selves were, as the hour of sailinii" ("une, crowtled with relatives and
friends of the braxc men who were loyally risk'inu' their Tincs iu their
country's cause, many of whom did not sur\i\'e the perils of the uu-
dertakinii". thouah fewer act iially lost their li\es in battle than could
reasonably have Ijeeii expected, considering- the unusually hazardous
jf.2 ll'ixfoi'tl of the lid III Fleet.
nature of the service. The passage down the Oliio was nmrketl \)\ no
further incident than the h)yal o-reetinos at all laudiuiis. and jxiints
where gToups of people gathered to witness the novel sight the rams
presented, with their barricaded boiler decks, and cleared-away upper
decks, and iron-cased pilot houses.
Arrived at Cairo with the Moxakcii Lt. I'ol. A. W. Ellet received
the expected instructions from the War office as follows:
\\\\\ DKI'Airi'.MKXT.
Washington. D. C. May l.'). is(i:2.
LicHi. Col. Ellet. Cairo. 111.:—
You are authorized to make a re(|uisition on the ofHeer eoinniandinii' at
Cairo or any otlier ottieer within reaeh who ean supply you. f(U- :!(l(i ua\y re-
volvers and 300 breech-load iui;- or (ttiier short riHes or carbines, to use on
vessels between deeks. where ion;.;- i^-uns ean not be conveniently handled.
Yon are also authorized to eui^agv Dr. .hiines Koliarts. of Carlxuida h'. 111., as
Surg-eon to the Fleet.
Edwin M. Siamon,
Secretary of \\'ai\
On the IDtli, Col. Ellet rej)orte(l from New Albany that six rams
had gone to the front, and were [)robal)ly then at the station al)ove
Fort Wright (Pillow) and the seventh then about due at Cairo, while
the eiglith was coaling at New Albany, and to ]ea\'e next morning.
The ninth he reported as then working her way through the canal,
and expected to be ou.t next day. The party iii'st designated as clerk
and payuuister (Mr. Porter) had declined, and the a])pointment of
another, competent to act as clerk and bookkeeper, and also paymaster,
with credentials and funds in hand, was urged. jNIeantime Col. Ellet
reported having secured the services of Mr. A. S. Burnett to write and
assist him generally in the atfairs of the lieet.
After a brief delay to receive their e(iui})ments the tleet i)ush(Hl on,
<lown the Mississi|)j)i. passing Pelmont and Columbus. tlu> scene of
earliest confi'ict, and Island Ten where a signal Union victory had re-
cently l)een achieved by tlie ^alor of the boys in blue in both arms of
service.
On the ITth of May the advance of the ram fleet arrived just above
Fort Pillow. Here the Mississippi river gun1)oats and transports,
with some troops, were then lying at anchor, a short distance above
S'tfitiifion (if Fort PUlow. ^j
the Fort, whose frowning- batteries eoinnianded the river from the cir-
cling blutt' below.
Tlie Mississippi Flotilla of which Flag Ollicer Footc had been
ill coniniand since S('j)lcnibci" btd'ore. had in the intervening months
been increased from the original three-gunboat s({uadron {Lexington^
TmjJor and CoiicKfrxja) by the addition, from Fads Works at St.
Loui.s.of the Itdroii I >('/( (dhj ' '/ iic/n luif) ^ L(>ii!srilJ<\ Mound Oiti/, ('au'O^^
rdtshniuj. and the Ilodoii. and more recently the Exsce. Besides these
ironclads were three wooden gun boats, and something over thirty
mortors on rafts. These vessels (fitted out and maintained, until sev-
eral months after the period of which we now write, by the War De-
|)artment) were commanded in part at least l)y naval otiicers, brought
west with him by Captain (afterward Connnodore) Andrew H. Foote,
and the participation of a number of these boats in the stirring events
of the preceding months, constitute a glorious chapter in Civil War
History. At Belmont. Donnelson and Pittsburg Landing they demon-
strated fighting qualities of a high order, and the more recent opera-
tions at Island No. 10 — the running of its formidable batteries by the
r'/ttshmuj and ('(ifondclct, — followed by the surrender of that strong-
hold by (ien. Buford (April 7) with its eleven forts and seventy guns,
gave further demonstration of the fighting qualities of the western vol-
unteer Navy. But the onward movement for the recovery of the Mis-
sissippi had noAV met its most formidable oV)stacle; in the fortifications
on the heights at Fort Pillow, flanked by the works at Fort Randolph
a fcAv ndles l)elow. and supported l)v the rebel Col. ^[ontgomerv's new-
ly arrived "PiAer Defense Fleet." of whose i)roi)ortions and j)rowess
one significant test had been given a few days l)efore. This
fleet, as was intimated in the earlier correspondence of En-
gineer Filet with the \\:\v office, was known to have several
\('ssels fitted and manned as rams, and lying under the protec-
tion of the 4() or more hea\y guns of the fort, gave absolute pause to
farther southward mo\-ement. The l^lockade of the Mississippi at
Fort Pillow was complete. Connnodore Foote, had been c()mi)elled by
hi> wounds (received at Pittsburg Landing) to i'elin<|uish command,
and Capt. Chas. H. Da\ is had succeeded him, beconnng Flag Officer of
the AVestern Flotilla, May '.». As if to test the mettle of the new com-
mander, the Confederates, on the verv next day, made a concerted at-
y^ Ilisfoi-i/ of the llaiii Fleet.
tack upon his fleet. Eight giinl)oats aiul aniRMl steamers partieipated
in the inoveiueiit, but it Avas soon ajjparent that the real assault was
to be delivered b_y two of them, as rams, for they plun«:ed ahead of the
advancing colmnn, under a heavy tire, and in a few minutes the Mound
("(f)/ and the ('nici/iiu/ti, had been struck and disabled, and both were
Avith dillicultv towed to shoal water, the enemy retiring, with no seri-
ous loss to any of his vessels, and but two killed, and five or six wound-
ed, notwithstanding- the heavy fire to which they were, for a short
time, subjected.
The Confederates had thus themselves furnished a convincing
demonstration of what the ram could do in a fight. It was the news
of this engagement which had caused the ''hurry order'' to Ellet,
mentioned on a ])revious i)age. for it was evident that the gunboats
were practically powerless to cope with this new engine of warfare.
In the affair of May 10, the rams inflicting the injury were able, not-
withstanding the terrihc hre of the gunboats, to retire, apparently un-
injured, leaving each of their victims crip])led and stranded on a
neighboring sandba r.
Only occasional movements for observation had been made, on
either side, during the ensuing days. l)ut events of great moment,
transpiring in the direction of Corinth, served to divert rel)el attention
from further aggressive action, to the (piestion of abandonment, and
I'etreat. Such Avas the situation, though it was not known at the fleet,
when Col. Ellet arrived upon the scene. May '2^).
His dispatch next day to the kSecretai-y of A\"ar. gi\-e-^ indication
of Pallet's earnestness of ])urj)ose to get at the enemy, at tlu' earliest
possible opi)oi*tunity.
Al)()\e 7"nrt rillow. Atay 2(). lS(i2.
H<))i. /v. M . Sfdiilo)! : —
1 arri\('(l at mv fleet yesterday, leaving- one of ni\- boats at New Albany
ready to follow in 24 hours. The others are all here. I \ isited ('oinniodoi-e
l)a.\is ininiediatel\' to ol)tain his \ iews ami offer eo-oiieration. The Connno-
dore intimates unwi liinii-ness to assume a n \- risk at this time, but will eoni-
niufiicate with uie again after furthei- retleetion touching- ui\- i)r()|)osition to
him to niu below those batteries and sui'prise the eueuiy's fleet and trans-
ports befoi'e they can esca|)e up tlie t ri but a I'ics. To me. the risk is greater
to lie here with my small scpiad aud withiu an hour's march of a strong'
«'ncampn)eiit of the enemy, than to run by the battery and to make the at-
AV/rY Waiif.s in Afilli-k
45
tiii'k. I slu'.ll. il' iicccssai'v . repeat tlie |n-(ipusit ion the iiiuiiieiit the Switzer-
land ari-i\ps with the barii'es. I liaxe iirepared to shelter 1 lie boats. I wish
to take advantage of the high water.
IJespeetfnlly.
('has. I'li.i.Kr. .Ik.
Colonel ( 'oniinandi iiy.
( )ii the follow iiii:- (lay (May I'T) Col. Kllcl auain called on Flag
Olliccf Davis and ((jiioling his minutes of the inter\'iew) "proposed
an advance of our joint Heets. to pass Fort IMllow. and surprise and
attack the enemy's gunboats, and got Ijelow. and hold the rixcr there''.
Davis fully considered the suggestion, hut did not like to incui' the
risk, heing appreliensix'e of the movement bolpw. in case of disaster,
ex[)osing the cities al)o\e to possible danger from I'clx'l ginihoats.
Ellet had no such fears, and urged the matter strongly, hut Davis de-
ferred decision, promising reply in writing next day. Keceiving no
reply, after two days of further waiting Ellet wrote th(^ War kSecre-
tary as follows:
.\liove Fort Pillow. .Ntay :!0. 18fi2.
//'//(. F.. M. Stanton. Scc'/i (if War: —
Immediately on arrixini;- here Mve da_\s aq-o T called to see Commodore
Davis on tlie flag--ship P.enton. and tlien snggested a Joint moxcnient to de-
stroy the enemy's fleet and command the Mississi))])i helow l"oi-t I'illow. The
Commodore ])r()mised 1o communicate with me again on tiiat point after
giving furtlier consideration. .\oT hearing fi-oni liiin I renewed the sugges-
tion in a note threi^ days afterwai'ds and was pronnsed a repl\- yesterday.
l'|) to tills time I ha\t' iKit i-ecei\cd any. I shall inform him today of ray
readiness to move alone next Monda.N' morning, unless in the me;intime lie
shall conclude to allow one or nuu-e of his gun-boats to part ici))a1 e. Delay
will he fatal to the usefulness of this fleet.
Eespectfidly.
CiiAS. Er.r.ET. Jr.
Col. Comd'g Ham Fleet.
At this time occurre(| the tirst case of fleet discipline, which,
being of record, can be accurately gi\'en. and thus do no injustice to
any concerned. The method of treating the case was an original one,
and the residt wcdl calculated to deter others from falling into the
like mistake. The offence is set forth, as well as the evidence, finding
and ])unishment (a \irlual cashiering) in the following:
^6 U'/sfoi-i/ of f]\c Rtini Fleet.
Steam liani Monavch, Above I'^ort I'illow. June 1st, 18(32.
TltoiintK LitlcJl. JJs(i.. niot. Etc:—
Sif: — You ha\e informed nie this minute, in ])resence of Lieut. Col. ]-]llet,
second in command, ("a])t. Drvden 1st Master of the Monarcli. and Dr.
IJobarts, surgeon of the fleet, that you came on boai'd the steam i-am .Mon-
arch as pilot, in the expectation that that boat was to be placed in no dan-
^'•er, was not to be ex]>osed to shot, where you would be in no dani>'er of beiusf
hurt: and that yon are not willino- to remain cm the iioat if she is really to
be exposed to the casualties of wiw.
Under these cii'cumstances 1 ha\e couc-luded to oi\e you a jjuss to Cairo,
where yon can show this letter Avith a copy of the enclosed oath to which
yon subscribed when sou came (ni lioard. to Brio-adier General Stroui^'. -wlio
will inform you whether or not xou arc entitled to \\ai;es. aiul Imw voii arc
to ])r H-eed to procure them in case \()ii lia\e an\' Just claim.
^Vhiie you can not I'cmain longer on hoard tlie Mcinarcii. I can not al-
lo^v N'.iii to ha\e an\' intercourse w itli anyone in the fleet, beyond which I will
])lacc \()u under no rcsti-aint.
ClIAS. El, LET. .Tk..
_ Col. (V)md'L;- Kam I'leet.
'^Plie aliove is a correct statement of the facts.
M'llOMAS LriTELL.
I he7-eln- certify that you sliipped on hoard the Monarch as pilot, tlie
].")th day of May. 1862, at New Albany, and have sei-\cd in that capacity up to
this date, at the rate of .$17.'j per month, if you had fidtilled your (jhlii^atioiiM
and stood by your flas'.
Ch.\s. Ellet. Jr.,
Col. Comd'"-.
CHAPTER II
June, 1862
77/f' I'diiis (It I'llUiir iIikI lid mini jtli .--The M'lidlc Flolilld Ahdif Mciiiiiliis. — ]J)i-
(jtKh iiicnl Ojicncd Inj h'chcl Attdi-I:. — Tlic Qiiccii tiiiil Ihc Mduitrch Take the
Front, diid a Itrcisirc lUilllc Tdhcx I'Idcc in t'r<jiil of Mfiii pliix. ('oin jilete De-
stnictidll d) h'chcl I'Ircl l-lrccjit One Vessel .— ]'('iidrt.s, (■<jrrcsiidll(lciic<\ EtC. —
W(/!iii<rni<i diid ncdili df the I'liiii Fleet Cdin nid idler. His Shile Funeral at
Phil'iileJi.hid.— l/diil. Cdl. I. W. i:ilet Sneccds Id the Cdinindinl.
Fiiuliii";" the X:i\al ( 'oiiiiiiaiKlci- still reluctant to make a
moN'c upon the eiieiiiy. Ellet (ictiTiniiu'd on takinii' the initiatixc with-
out further waitinjj,'- Ih' accordingly i)laniie(l a reconnoissance. to test
his own resources for fi^ht iiiii". and discover tlie sti'eniitli and temper
of tlu' enemy. Uefore (h)iiia- so he ])repared and sent this (lis[)atch to
the Secretary of War. not only (iisch)sina' Ins rcnisons for the under-
taldnii". hut the hue sense of jionor he entertained towai'd that otficer,
who. in case of disaster to his boats, might incur censure for encour-
aL^inii" such a hazard.
Above Fort Pillow, ■liiiic ilrd. 1S(')2.
Hdii, /■;. .1/. Stiinldii. sec'ii df War: -
I :iin iilioiit to move with two of mv boats ;ii;'ainst a rtAuA o-miboat lying"
iiiiiUt the iiiiiis of l-^irt I'illow. An t>xaii\i^vrate(l view of the |)owevs of these
rebel rains has spi'ejiil anioni;' my fleet from tlie ^iinboals: and I feel tlie
iieei's: ity of (IoIml;- somethiiiL;- to eheclv the exteiision of Ihe con) aL;-ion. 1 am
Mllly impressed wirli Ihe hazards of this enterjirise. iliil I deem the object
snUieient to warrant ihe nio\ement. 1 will be in command ol' the (,)iieen. My
lirotller. Lieut. Col. l-:ile1. will follow with the Monarch, so as to doidile the
chance cd' leachiiiij- the rebel lioaf.
I wish \dn to iiiiderstand. however this en1er|)rise may 1iirn out. Ihat
it is not a rash act, Iml one which I ha\f d(dibera1(d,\- coiiteni|ilal ed with a
<ietini1e and >nflicienT obiect.
^8 Tl'tsfoi'i/ of the Ikdiii Fled.
I wish also to |)lace on reoord the i'at-t that for wiiatever ill befalls this
feet you are not responsible, foi' you have given me from the commencement
all the support and aid which it was in your ])o\ver to contribute. T shall
take volunteers only on both lioats.
Respectfully,
CiiAS. Ellet, Jr..
Col. CouK !';.;•.
Siil)se(iiieiit events proved the coiTectuess of Kllet's plan. II;ul
the move he urged been promptly made, there is little doubt tb.e g-nns
and stores at Pillow and Randol])h Avould have l)een taken, and the
rebel fleet destroyed there.
The following- Instructions for this reconnois-ance were issued
by the Connnander to the ofHcers of the fleet before tlie iiioxeuient
began :
Steam Kain Switzei'laiul, .June 1st, 1S()2.
A rebel iiunboat or ram is rc|)(U-ti'(] ou the Tennessee shore, l)elo\v Crait;-
head's point, Lieut, ("urrie will i^o (ui boai'd the 'i'ender Dick Fulton, and
take command of Lieut. Hunter's del achuicut. and direct Caiit. ('adman to
drop down towards the rebel boat, but well otf from the point —the object
being' to incnr as little risk- as |)ossible fi-om the lire of the fort, thoug-h
enough, if the position of the rebel boat pernuts it. to induce her to endea\'or
to capture the Fulton.
Lieut. Cnrrie is instructed to di'op down stern fortunost, \vhen nearing'
the ])oint, so as to be always ready to retreat. He will nu)ve on his retreat
so as to ex])Ose the ])ursuiug- steamer to an attack from the Queen of the
West, the Lancaster, the Lioness and the Horner, which will be kept in
position in the bend on the Arkansas side, far enough above the jioiut, to
enable them to gaiji headway at the moment of collision. I>ieut. Col. Ellet,
who v/ill command the Lancaster. Lieut. Crandall of the Lioness, and Lieut.
Davis on the Horner, will all act in accordance with their instructions, and
judge by the motions of the Queen, which will be the tiag-ship in this move-
?nent, when to make their attack. If either boat should be disabled, she
should anchor at once, and it will be the duty of the others to bring- her off.
Chas. Ellet, Jr.,
Col. Comd'g.
The report, sliowing the incidents of this movement, and the re-
sults attained, here follows:
.\lississii)])i Liver. Above Fort Pillow. June 4, 1S62.
Hon. E. M. ^taiiloii :—
Sir: — For the purpose of testing- the temjier of a doubtful c-rew and as-
/■Jlirt I III jiiil'icnt <if [)i'l<ii/s.
49
'•(•f1 a i'liliL;- 1lii' sl|-cni;1li (jf 1 he cmi'Iiiv's position. I i Id f rii i i liri I voti'nla \- to
Take 1 111' <,)mi'ci\ uf tlir West and 1 rv 111 I'cacli a i-rlirl >1"ain>'i- nrinind Craii;'-
licad's I'liiiil. MMiIci- I hi' L;inis uj' l'"iii'l rillnw. 'I'lii' <'a|i1ain twn oid of tlic
Ihfcf pilots the tii'st mati' and all t hi' ciiLii ncrrs. and nvai'ly all tin' cfcw
Icclinrd the srrv ici'. and wci'i' allowi'd (o L;d oil' with thcii- l)aii'Q'a<i'(' to ii
hariir. Hastily I'lininnL;' a new crrw ol' \ i il n nti-crs I tooU cinnniand of the
boat and dirccti'd IJcut. Col. lOIIrl to rollow in tin' Monaf'h at sii pporti ni^'
di^tanri'. 'I'hf captain. I)a\id M. Drxdi'n. and all tin' ci'cw of Ills' Monarcli
>tood at tlu'ir post. Tilt' ri'lii-l sli-anici' slip|)i'd linrs and cscapi'd lid'on' I
r-oiild fcacli lirf. 'Mil' liriiiLi- of thr fort was at short raiii;i' and ipiiti' brisk,
but 1 think only ri'M'alrd about srM'ii or ciiiht ii'iins corn'spondiui;- with t hi-
coniit pn'\iousl\ inadr in two land rri-on noissanccs l).\- Lieut. Col. I'^llct. M\
boat was not hit. Wliih' the stri'iiiith of the rebel batteries seems to lie
Lireally over rated, theii- fleet of I'anis and i^iin-boats is iiiueh lari^'er than
mine. It eoiisists of eii;ht u'lin-boats. which nsnall.x' lie just below the fort
and four others at iJandolph a few miles farther down. Commodore Davis
will not join me in a inoxcment aijainst them, nor contribute a i;un-boat to
mv evpeditioii. nor allow any of his men to Miluntfcr. so as to stimulate the
pride and eiiiulation of my own. I shall therefore tirst weed out some bad
material, ami then l;o without him.
Ilcspecffully.
('has. lOl.l.KT, .In..
Col. Coimri;-.
A siii)pl('iii(Mital report of ilic smihc dale further relales lo ihc im-
exix'cted ditticulty llie C'oiniiiaiKler of the Kaiiis had to eueouiitei-. and
his pi'oini^t and de('isi\"e action to meet tlie eniei'ii'encv.
Mississippi l;i\i'r. Above i-'ort I'illow. .liiiie I. 1 SC.:2.
lluii. K. M. SI ail I nil : ^
Sir: — When all the engineers of the (,)iieen declined the hazard id' the
expedition of last e\enini;'. two xoniii;' men from my military ijuard offered (o
Liandle the eiii;iiies and run the boat wherever 1 wished to ttike hi'f. and did
so— (•>',ill\- and skillfnll.v. I Trust that I liaxe not exceeded my authority in
detaiiin.y- ],'. C. (b'oomes and W. Jackson, both privates of Co. (i, (i::rd III.
j;e.t;-inient. and i;i\iiiL;' the tirst the position and pay of chief, and the second
the ])'isitioi. and pay of tirst assistant eiiLiiiieer. for wliicii ttie.v have license.
I must have men who will stand b_v the engines and w lieids under all circiim-
stauces. Xot one <d' th- soldiers on board hesitated to sliai'e the fate of the
steaiiK r.
CiiAs. Ij.i.ki. .Ii;..
Col. Comd"i'-. etc.
A dis|)atch on the ensnino- (hiy from the Seerelary of ^^^•lr to
Gen. Ilalleck'. then at ("orinth. ycvv clearh' re\(';ils his opinion of the
jO Il'ixfoiH of flic lidlii Fl/'ct.
situation, on the Mississippi, and his pcr.-onal pi-cfcrcnce tliat the
Ivam Fleet sliouhl ha\e Ix'cn phiced iukK't tiic orch'i's of the Military
Connnandcr in that field, rather than the Xa\al. and s[)eaks ai)i)rov-
inaly of Kllet's dcdarccl jjnrjjosc of independent action.
WAR DI'll'Ain.MKX'r.
^^';lsililli;■t(lll. June .">. 1S62.
Mdj. th-n'! IliiUrck. Coriiitli: —
I ]ia\t' (lispiil ell rriiiii ('i)l. l']ll('t. ('(iiiiiiia iidcr of llic IJain I""leet at Fort
I'illitw (lati'd at tlial placi' \('stci"(la,\'. lie informs inr tliat he has' l)een
there a coiisidtTa lile liiiic. and has iiuuh' repeah-d a pplicat i( nis to ('apt. Davis,
r'oinn.ander of llie i;ii ii-lioals. foi- leaxe to allack 1 he enemy's tleet. I)nt has
been iinifonnlx repnised. ('apt. Dax is not onlv ridnses to Jfjin Ml'. l^Uet or
•rive !iiin 1 lie protection of a siiiLj-Je L;iin-l>oat. hiil also refuses to aHow EUet
1(j attael< on his own hool<. nor will he allow any of his force to volunteer
\\itli Ellet. I I'eii'ret ttie President would not place the fleet under ,\'our
command. I'^Het. liowcxcr made one demonstration, hut the rel)e]s sli])])efl
anchor and escaped. Ih' says the streni;th (d' tlie i-chel batteries is <>-reatly
over i-ated. lie declares his intention to i^'o on without tlie ij'un-lxiats.
10 1 1 w I.N M. Sta.xtox.
SecreTar,\' of War.
l)urin<j,' the early morning' honi's sonnds of hea\y Ih-in.i*' or ex-
plosions were heard in the direction of the fort, and as soon as it was
light Lt. Col. A. ^y. Ellet took a few men in a yawl and dropjied down
to learn what the enemy were doinii'. and foinid that the jdace was
abandoned, and a smoking ruin, and all rebel ri\'er craft gone. Land-
ing, he went up to the fort and hoisted the stars and stripes, sending
back signals, which soon brought the whole fleet to the scene. Col.
Ellet at once ])roceeded with three of liis rams at full sp*M'd down llie
river; after learning that (Jen. ^''illil)ig•ue and his garrison had es-
cai)ed with most of their stores and unuiitions. on their boats. A
strong fortification was known to exist at Randolph. 1'2 miles below
by river, and its condition and intentions were soon to be learned.
A dispatch, sent a few hours later, from that point, gives the in-
teresting details:
Opposite Kandolph. 1:.' Miles lUdow Fort I'illow. .Tune .".. I sr,;>.
TIoii. [•:. M. Stdiiloii :
Sii-; To nn niort ilicat i(m tlie enemy evacuated l'"ort I'illow last ni<.''ht.
Thev carried awa\ o|- dest i-oyed e\ erytli i ul;' of \aliic. lOai'ly this morning-
I'nulx Forts A Ixi ihJ (inol . rf
Lieut. Col. I'-llct and :i few iiicn in ;i yawl wtnit aslioi'c. r(illn\\iMl iniincdiaf el v
1)\' Col. I'^itch and a pail uf his (•(innnand. Tlic iiiin-lioals Ihcn came down
and aiichori'd across the clianncl. I | ii-occcdiMl witli tJii'cc i-ams IwcIm' nnlcs
l)(do\v tlif I'oi-t. Id a point opposili' Kaudolpli. and sen! Lieut. Col. lOIIrt aslion-
with a Hai;- ot trncc 1o demand tlie sniTendei- of tli;' place, 'ilieir forces had
all lelt — two of their L;-nii-l)oats onl\' an liour or twci before we a ppi-oaclied.
'rh(> ]K>opl(> seemed to respect the fla^;'. whicli l/ieiit. Col. i'ljlet plaidfd. 'Jlie
enns had been disnianlled and some piles of cotton ^\'el•e Tinrnini;-. I shall
leave Lient. Col. I'^llct hei'e in the ad\ance. and retiiMi i ni nied iat I'l \ to l'\)rt
Pillow- to liiani^- on my entii'e force. The people attribute the snddenness (tf
rhe exacnation to the att 'nipt made nii^lit before last to siid^ one of their
ij-nn-boats at ]>'ort I'illow. I.'andolph. like l-'ort I'illow. is weak, and c(jidd
not liax'e held out hniL;- aiiainst a \ i^i'oroiis attack'. Tin- people express a de-
sire for the rt'storat ion of th;' old oivlcr of thinL;s. tlioiiiih still pi-ofessin^-
to be secessionists.
( IIAS. I'JJ.i;'!'. .lu..
( ol. ( omd"- Kam tdotilla.
T.alcr. oil the snuic day. in a dispatch to the war ollicc from For',
Pillow. Col. Kllct reports: "(In my rctiini to Fori Pillow. I found
the iiuiihoats mo\iiio- down the rixcr. 1 presume there will he no
furthei' ohstacle. unless we encounter one at Memphis.'"
This surmise i)ro\('(l correct. V\\\\i Officer I):!\is sle.iuieil on
down the river, not commiiiiicat iiiii" his i)ur|)oses or plans to Filet,
or iiidicatiiiu' what he expected to liiid helow. or do if he eiicDuntei'ei]
the enemy: or what I'^llet should do in case of ;in eno-aacuieiit. It was
already (piite e\ideiit that w hatexcr fi^-htina' there iiiiohi h,' alie.id.
was to he done l)v each fleet accordino- to the plans and idea- cd' its
own commander, reirardless of the (ither. Such proNcd to he tli ■ case.
That niii'ht I)a\'is' ounhoats anchored at tlie foot oi" Island X'^k ah:);it
two miles al)ove the City of Memphis. Ellet i)r()ceeded down with his
whole fleet dnrina' the day. directiiiii' the I^ioxkss. Sampson and
Mi.\(;o. with their heavy tows of coal {'1 or -5 hai'ii'es each) to proc^'iMJ
in the order iianie(l. and keep well to the rear. >-() that, in 1 he event of
an action, they would have room to round to. and safely land their
tows, hefore joiniiiii' in the ha'lit. The (^cekx. Moxakch. Swiizkr-
i.AXi) and L.\.x<'.\siKi;. the side wheel rams, being free of tows, were
to keej) in the advance, following the movements and signals of the
(^)cKi:\. which the ("oinmander now made Ins flagship. As night
came on the landiiiii' sion;d> were o-i\(.ii. and the raiii> were all round-
5^ Il'istori/ of the Ram Fleet.
('(I ((). hiii(liiii>- at ciiiixciiiciil (li-taiic;'s on the Arkansas side, some 8
or 10 miles al)o\i' tlie ( iiiiihoats.
\\ -A \('rv early hour next morning (Jnne <>) the four side-wheel
I'auis (|roj)])e(l down the river, the (^ikkx in the lead, and liuding the
guuhoats (as he suppo-ed ) at anchor. Col. Ellet gave the landing sig-
nal, his own l)oat being rounded to. nearest the CV)mmodore's flag-ship,
with lli(> cxij'ctation of learning the })()sition and |)uri)ose of the
t'liemy. if it had hcen diselo.~ed. That some defensive operations
wei-(> intcme'd had heen made evident to the fleet at anchor, by a r.M/on-
nois>anc(' from bidow . during the night, by some kind of a steam craft.
\vhi<-h had made its way close up to the fl'i't. and then seemingly been
set on lire and burned, without an explo-ion. or any warlike demon-
sti'alion. Later, it was learne(l that Conunodore Montgomery liad
sent this tug uj) to s|)y the fleet at anchor, preparatory to an early
juoiming attack by his rams and gunboa.ts. that the tug had got hard
and fast aground, as it turned l)ack. and could not be gotten oil', so was
iii-ed to pre\ent its falling into Fedei-al hands, the men escaping by
yawl. In anticipation of an attack Commodore l)a\is had Ids five
ginil)oats read\' for action, and vsas awaiting the arrival of Ellet's
rams. ( )f all this, howe^•er,. Ellet was then unaware.
The UKU-ning was ha/y and objects were not discernible at any
considerable distance on the riser. As Ellet was about touching
shore for his hniding. the boom of a cannon was heard from l)elow. and
a shrieking shell came Inirtling tiirongh the line of gunboats — passing
just in rear of his ^■es-(d. Instantly lie grasped tie,' situation, and
countermanded the order to land, and directed that the Queex b?
lieade(l down the river, and signalling to his brother, who personally
eonnuanded the Moxalmii. to follow him. the two rams were with the
utmo-t haste again headed down stream, and moving toward the
scene of connng conflict. The enemy had mo\('d \\\) to begin the at-
tack, and the firing had now become rapid, all the gunboats in suc-
cession oiiening out as the A'essels of tlie enemy became visible. I)Ut
(he nn>t and smoke rendered the Hre of the ginniers inaccurate till the
boats IukJ drawn nearer each otlu'r by the advanee of the enemy's line
and the slow downward movement of vessels.
The battle was now on. and the long desire(l opportunity for
Ellet and his rams had come. Standing upon the hurricane deck of
5-/ Il'/xtoi'i/ of flic luiiii Fleet.
llu' (^IKKX a^ she liot into position foi- the attack. assiircMl that his
brother's vessel was c'h)st'ly followiiiii-. he iii'ii'ed the uliuost speed of
his own l)oat. and his offieers and >harj)sho()ters were all intent at
their jjosts of (hity. .Vs the two rani^ in snccession passed throufyh the
line of ,i2,-nnl)()ats thev Avere cheered by the shonts and waving' of caps
by the crews, who watched with intense interest the (hiring dash of
the rams upon tlie line of the enemy. Two of tlie Confederate ves-
sels, the '"(Jen. Lo\'eir" and "Jeff. Thompson" were somewhat in ad-
N'ance of their line, and it was their hre following a few signal shots
from the "Little IJebel" which oj)ened the battle. l)a\is' boats were
iv])lying from their stern gnns. and soon the roar of battle was on.
though as yet with little effect. On clearing the front of the Federal
Ijattie line, the rams drove forward at-ross the intervening s})ace. The
QiiOEX was headed for the "Tx)vell."" a vessel of about her own size,
and as she neared the "Lo\'ell."" the lattt'r \-eered from her course, as
if to avoid the inevitable blow. Ihit her change of course, only pre-
sented a more vulnerable broadside, ami \\heii the deadly crash came
she was almost cut in two. and innnediately began to sink, holding her
antagonist, for a few minutes, wedged fast by the bow. While thus
detained the Qikkn was boldly attacked by tlie rel)el ram "(ien. Beau-
regard'', and recei\ed a crashing blow, completely disabling her lar-
board wheel, so that as soon as disengaged from the now disappearing
"Lovell,'' she Avas Avorked sloAvly to shore opposite the city, in plain
sight of which the tight was now taking place. The jMoxahcii Avas
met boldly by the "(ien. Price'" Avhich. however, seemed determined
to aA'oid the "LovtdTs" disastrous mistake, and for the brief period, till
the crash came, they Avere steered to meet, head on. but at the mo-
ment f)f imj)act their ])rows Avere ]\\A enough out of line to give and
receive a glancing bloAv. "The prolonged crash, and the creaking
and groaning of timl)ers'* says an eye witness who participated in the
fray, "was fearful, and the vess(ds passed each other rolling and pitch-
ing like giants in mortal combat.'' The Monarch Avas unharmed, but
her antagonist had her boAV crushed in, and a AA'heel torn off, and
began to take Avater rapidly. All this had taken but a fcAV minutes,
l)ut the other rebel vessels Avere not idle, though as all carried guns-
some of heaA'y caliber — they directed part of their attention to reply-
ing to the guns of Davis' Heet. While getting into position again for
I }<.s<ri pf/on of the Fn/lif. j'5'
reii('wiii<i' the fia'ht. tlic Monaucii was i'a]>iclly ai)j)i'():icli('(l \)\ the vA)A
'■(tcii. Uraei:'.'' a hii'iic iiiilf stt'anicr fitted as a ram. and carryiiii:- a :)•-!-
11). Parroll on her l)()\v. <^)iiickly (lie M(»nak('1i"s sliai'psliootcrs. by
liicir I'apid carliinc lirinif. droNC tlu' men from their iz'nn. wlide
the lire \va^ made so liot for (he men at the wh.eel th.ai tliey
1()>1 control of the l)oat. and the MoxAiaii was ahle to elnde tlu'
intended blow. In so doinji' she also a\(>ide(l an attack fi-om
tile rebel "1 >ea u regard" upon the other (inarter. and there inniie-
diateh' rouheil a coMision l»et\veen tlie two rebel boats, in which both
received disabling' injni'ies. A few nnnute-; later, and the MoxAiaii
had roimdetl to. and strnck the '']*rice" a se\'ere blow which com|)leled
her o\('rthrow.
A<>"ain the .Monaijcii circled for lieadway. and seeini;' the "Little
Kebel.'" the llauship of the Confederate fleet, makinii' for the shore
in a disabled condition from a shot in her eniiine. pixc chase and strnclc
her. as she was nearinij" the baid<. The blo\\- pro\'ed a >jinn\ fortnne
to Conunodore Montii-omery and his ofHcers and crew, who as tlie
I\l(»XAi;(ii strnck and drove the li^iiter xc^sid well ashore, scrambled
overboard into the shoal water, and most of them made their escafx'.
^Idie conllict was now well down in fi'ont of the city, and the iiim-
boats. as they (lrifte(| slowly with the cnrrent. were delix'ei'ina' a dead-
ly and eH'ecti\-e lire, with oidy occasional response from the few re-
l)els yet in the action. From the moment of the lir.st onslauaht of the
two rams the tide of battle tnrned aii'ain^t the Confederates, and. after
they had once tested the ])rowess of FJIetV boats, their chi(d' concern
and elfort seemed to be to get ont of their way.
'Jdie Arkansas shoi'e o|)i)osite the city was already dotted with
wrecks. Farthest abo\-e and bai'ely \isible was that of the ill-starred
'"Lovell'" which had li'one to the bottom in lixc ndnnte^-. cai'ryini:" down
most of its crew of b() men of which but b^ were repoi1e(l rescned. The
disabled Qieex was lyin_<>" directly oi)posite the n])per end of the
city: the "Price" and "Little Rebcd"" not far below, sti'anded and most
of their crews ea[)tnre(|. The "SMm])ter" and "Ib-aaii-."" not so mnch
injnred. Avere ashoi'e further below, most of their crews haxinii- escaped
to land. Farthest down was the wreck of the "Thompson."' from
wliich smoke issued indicating- that the shells fi-om the o-unboals. had
done their deadly work. She was the mai>-azine boat of the fleet, and
^6 IJistnri/ (if flic Udiii Fleet.
ill her hold was a lar^LZC store of powder and shells. Sjie was a^Lii'oiiiid.
ah.iiidoiicd. and sl()\\ly l)iirnin<:". and too danu'erous a cnstonier to aj)-
pi'oach. Mneli to the suri)i'ise of those watchino- her it was fidly an
lionr l);'t'()re the nii^htv explosion eanie wliieh scattered hci' fraii'nicnts
to the four Avinds. In the distance was the fleein<i- •■\"a.n Dorn." and
the ^l!)XAK( II in hot pursuit, both Hlliiiii' tlie air with their black -luoke
ill their elforts to make their best speed. \n hour's pursuit s.ttisHed
her coinniander that the MoxAUcii could not ox'crhaid her enemy, and
the chase was abandoned.
Meantime the IjAXCastku ;',nd the Sw!'rzi:i!i-ANi), wiiich should
ha\e joined in the lii>"ht. were both detained by a disabling- accident.
at the ])lace indicate<l for la.ndiiiii' just as the battle beii'an. In at-
temptiii*;- to follow the Moxaimu. tliere was some confusion or niis-
understandini>' of orders, between pilots and eULiineers of the Lax-
(•Asii':i;, a wr()n<>' direction was i^'iven to a wheel, throwinij,' the stern of
the boat a^a'ainst the bank, and uushippino' her rudder. Idii- ren-
dered Jier entirely unm;!iiaii'('id)le. in the swift current, and re(iuire(l
the Switzeuland's assistance to <>"et her huided.
The stern wheel rams meanwhile, arriviiig in heariuii' of the con-
flict, with their bar^-es in tow. at once bei>-an the tedious and difficult
mo\'einent of roundini*' to. and laiidini>" them. The LioxEss beini;' half
mile in the lead lirst accomplished this ft'ut. and i-oundinii' down aii'aiu
r"s5"
r~
[)iished for the scene of action with all possible s])eed. arrivinii- too
late to participate in the Hiiht. but as the event proved, just in time to
serve the purpose of the Commander in the next act of the drama.
As the LioxKss came in \ie\\ of the scene abo\'e described, she was
The Fh(</ of Ti-Kcc Parti/.
57
^iiiiiJili'tl alongside ilic (^ikkx. -wlici-c was the i:allant EUet, scrioii-U-
\v()iiiitl('(l \s\ a shot ill the kiicf. hut intent upon scndinii; a iiai>" of truce,
with a (leiiiaiid. wliicli lie had ah'eady pi-epan^l for the surrender ol"
the eitv of Memphis. IIa\inii' ii<» suhordinate inilitarv ollieer on
hoard, he had no (h)uht intende(| to send the demand by the hand of his
^on. Charles liixers Ellet, by means of a yawl. Ijiit the timely arrixal of
the LioNKSs, art'orded the needed means, and Lieut. .Crandall was di-
rected to mo\"e ()\er to the city with the LioxKss, under fiaii' of truci',
and accompany his sou with two unarmed soldiers with two tlaiis. to
the head(iuarters of tlu' coinmandiiiii" officer or mayor, deli\er the de-
mand and rt'cei\-e written reply thereto, and then to iio to the custom
hoiise or Kcileral l)uildini»\ and hoist the stars and strijx's. These or-
ders were j)romptly obeyed, and to the letter, though the little party
met with an ex[)erience lonii' to be reiiieiiil)ei'ed. as one of difHcuUy and
peril, under the trying condition of being wholly unarmed. Arriving
at the landing the Lieutenant, with Medical Ca<let Charles Ivi\'ers
Ellet. the Commander's son. and two soldiers of the boat's guard of
sharpshooters (X'yrus Lathrop and ^\'illiam IL McDoiiahl) eacli
carrying a wi-apped flag under his arm. ste])ped (|uickly ashore in the
midst of a throng of onlook'ers, with which the blutl's on the city front
were lined, and hastily made theii- way ii]) the street, with the crowd
following, or hurrying ahead on either side. Reaching the city build-
ing, the party found the mayor in waiting. luid lost no time in [)resent-
ing the message. His Honor began to explain that the Confederate
tr()oi)s had left the city ani^l the mayor, as such, had no authority to act
in this emergency — when he Avas interru])ted with the request for a
written I'ejdy. which, after a few further objections, he proceeded to
wi-ite.
While this was transpiring the street below was idled with a
surging crowd, gathered to see what was going on. The mayor's re-
s])()nse was received, accompanied by his \'erv earnest suggestion that
it would be prudent for the l);'arer.-^ of the dispatch to return at once to
their l)oat. as he had no a\ailable police, and as the streets were
thronged with excited men. they might be harmed by an irresi)onsil)le
mob. When that official was informed that the next thing to be done
in obedience to oi'ders was to raise the stars and stri])es o\-er the cus-
tom house, he j)rotested that ti'ying to do this Ixd'ore tr()()])s wei-e land-
IIoist'iiKj the hl(i(/.
59
('(I :iii(l (lie cily liikcii possession of would Uc \cr\- iiiiwisc. and lie
hra-ijcd llnil the piiily slmidd not ciidaiiiicr itsidt". and perhaps tin'
whole city l»y alleinpl iiiu- it. I'^iiidinii' ;dl appeals of that sort useless,
thai the party was proeeedinii' in the dii'ectioii of the post office. Ma\'oi'
l^irk joined them and did all he could to allay the increa.sini!- excite-
ment, and preNcnt thi'eatened \iolence. In the ci'owd were nianv
men in Confederate uniform, exidently straii'ii'lers from their com-
mands and the Lieutenant rio-htly jud<2;ed that, from siicli, however
haid-mouthed. the party ni'ed have little fear. Keachinii- the Post
( )llice huildini^-. a larp' four story structure, of which the upper floor
was an unlinished Imnher room, the party mounted to the ui)per floor
with extreme difficulty, as the suraina' crowd divined the [)urpose, and
were heinii' uraed to prexcnt it. In the crush, out' of the fla<>:s carried,
beina exi)osed to \iew. was seized, and a (h)/A'n hands eaa'-'i'ly l<ii'e i(
to shreds, hut the larger one was successfully borne to the roof. The
ascent had to be made thron<>'li a scuttle, reached from the floor b;'low.
by m(>aiis of slats nailed ladder-wise on a stanchion. The two men
were l(d"t at the foot of this "laddei-" to <>-uard it as best they could
fi-om the crowd suraina up the stairway, while the Lietitenant and
Cadet climbed out on the roof to hoist the llaa. T<> their clia^riu not
a x'estia'e <»f a stall' wa.s found, and returning to the room below, the
Lieutenant foui;!! a piece of iloorina. (> or s feet in length, which was
sjilit over a cornel' of the scaittle. and spliced by means of a I'oll of
bandage fortunately carried by young Ellet. and to this the colors
were attached. This impro\ised flagstaff was borne by the two to the
('^llC^' of th<' roof, and ])laced in opening of a (Inc. and the folds wa\'ed
gracefully oNcr the parapet and announced to the excited po|)ulace in
the street below that the city of Memphis was again undei- the ( )ld
Llag. At that moment. se\-eral pistol shots rang out fi-om the street
below, fired at the pai1y on the roof, but no harm was done. Soon
there was a great connnotioii in the room below, and angry threats
greeted the dex'oted band at the foot of the ladder, with demands that
the flag come down. Xo effort was made by the Lieutenant or his
men to parley with the mob. but each stood I'esolute at his ])ost. and
defied the crowd. The Mayor who had been absent for a time, re-
turned and forcing his way through the crowd, ui'ged the excited ones
to desist and hastened to make known to the Lieutenant that the long
6o Ilhtonj of fJic Udiii Fleet.
absence of the party was causing fears fur its safety, and that threats
of bombarding the town were made if the men were not innnediately
returned safely to the boats. He was greatly in earnest and again of-
fered to "'escort" the party, with the flag, safely to the landing. He
was no doubt disappointed at the obstinacy of the little band, whose
members could scarce repress a smile at the threat they well knew nmst
have come from the lusty lungs of Capt. Shrodes. Master of the Liox-
KS8, a vessel Avhose only armament for ••Ijomburding" the city was a
couple of dozen carbines, and a few boxes of hand-grenades. Just
then a rumble, and })r()l()nged sound of e.\i)lo^ion was heard, accom-
panied by a distinct shock as of a slight eartlKjuake. and in an instant
all attention Avas diverted, and the crowd rapidly thinned. :uid made a
rush for the blutis. No further attention was i)aid the Hag or those
defending it. and seeing this, the Lieutenant took one man. leaving
young Pallet with the other to guard the Hag. and hastened to the
Lioness. His return was I'oundly greeted, and in less time than it
takes to tell it the other twelve sharpshooters of the Lioness were in
line, full armed, aiul making doulde-cpiick time ashore, and up the
streets to where the two guards were found on duty, undisturbed.
Leaxing four men to safegiuu'd the colors till they should be
relieved, the Lieutenant and jiarty returned. stoi)})ing at several office
buildings on the way (the Avalanche office bt'ing one of them) to gath-
er in rel)el Hags, left dehantly floating, and by the time they reached
the Lioness they were well sui)idied with these trophies. As they
neared the wharf, the lir,-t of Col. Fitch's troops were landing, from
the transjxirt \"an Phul. and they i)resently formed about a tall pole
standing on the blutl' in front of the city with a large rebel Hag nailed
at the top. Presently, as the Lioness left the landing, the i)ole. Avhich
was being choi)[)ed. fell with a crash. Lhe gunboats were then slowly
making their way back up stream, and hnally came to anchor in front
of the city. Flag Officer Davis then sent an officer with iiis demand
for the stu'render of the city, though the stars and stri|)es had been
floating over its jirincipal building for more than an hour, and Col.
Fitch's Indiana tro()i)s were then occui)ying the levy in front of the
city. In his report Col. Fitch says that his hrst detachment reached
the levy at 11 a. m. and that he took unlitary possession of the city
at ?i D. m.
.1 hic'ts'irc I'/cfori/. 6l
'V\\\s ill l)ri('f is the story of (he l)attle before jMciiiphis. and the
lioistiiiii' of the flag over the city. Within less than two Iioiirs from
start to tinishj one of the most memorable and decisive battles of the
Civil War had been fought and won, by the skill and valor of the
Federal fleet. The forces eno-au'ed were very nearly eciiial. there bein^
eio-ht Confederate o'unlxiat-rams. each well armed and manned, and
on the Federal side five strong; o-unboats and the two Filet rams. The
conflict was anticii)ated and prepared for. and in the beo-inninff well
fouii'lit, by the Confederates, whose commander was said to have in-
vited the people of Memphis to witness the spectacle, assurino; them of
a victory that would be well worth comiiiii' out to see. The audience
Avas on hand, but the spectacle it witnessed was the overthrow^ and
almost c()in[)lete annihilation of the much lauded lUver Defense Fleet,
o\Qv which ,Col. ^lontgomery and (ien. Jell'. Thompson were so
proudly boasting-, at the (Jayoso House, the evenino; before.
P)eside the official re[)orts. many accounts from eye-witness(^s and
participants in this en_u'ai>-ement ap])ear('d. and. though varying some-
what in details, they ariord the assurance of substantial accuracy in
the foregoing history of the event. A remarkable feature of this en-
gagement, was that the casualties were nearly all on the Confederate
side, their loss in killed (drowned) wounded and missing lieiug over
100, while a few minor injuries occurred to the Federals, except one —
the wounding of the gallant Kam Fleet Commander.
Col. ElleCs injury was not. at that time, thought to l)e danger-
ous, and though he sutfered much, in spite of the best surgical atten-
tion available, he continued to give constant attention to lleet af-
fairs, and to reports and correspondence and to further ojicrations
l)elow, all of which no doubt tended to aggravate his injuries. In the
midst of it all he was inspired by the success of his demonstration of
the destructive force of the IJam in Naval warfare— all miheeding
the sacrilice he had already made of himself upon his country's altar.
And later, when the dangerous condition of his wound b(>came apjiar-
ent to himself and friends, no word of regret or disappoiutinent ever
escaped him.
Here follow the several ollicial reports made l)y Col. Filet himself,
the dates and subject matter sufficiently explaiiiiug their relation to
this historv :
62 H'sfori/ of flic liiiiii Fleet.
( Opiiositf Mfinpliis. .TiMit' (l. isri2.
ilon. E. M. Stdiitoii. See'ii of War:--
Sii" : — 'llic ]-('l)t'l si'ini-boats made a stand farl\- tliis iiKirniiiii- ()])])()site
Menijihis. and opened a vig'orons lii-e upon our i^'iin-ljoats whieli was returned
with ecpial spirit. 1 ordered tlie (Jueen. my tlaii-slii]), to ]i;-.ss l)et\veen tlie
gun-boats and run down ahead of them upon the two rams of the enemy.
which first boldly stoocl their uround. Lieut. Col. Eliet. in the .Monareli. of
which Ca|)t. Di-ydeu was first master, followed gallant I \-. The rebel I'auis
endeavored to l)ael< down stream and to tlien turn and run. hut tlie move-
ment was fatal to them. Tlie Queen struck one of fheni fairlx'. and for a
few minutes was fast to the \vreck. After separation the I'ehel steamer
sunk. ,My steamer, the (^iieen. was then herself stiMick hy another- i-ebel
steamer and disal)led. but thont;h damaycd can be saved. A pistol shot wound
in the leii' de])rived me of the jjower to witness the remainder of the fight.
The Monarch also ])assed ahead of our L;un-boats and went most i^allantly into
action. She first struck the i-eliel boat that struck my fiai^--shi|) and sunk
the rebel. She was then struclc by one of the rebel rams, hut not injured.
She wa.s then ]iushed on and struck the lleanreyai'd and hurst open her side.
Simultaneously the 1 lean regard \vas struck in the hoiler hv a shot from one
of (mr g'un-boats. '^riie .Monarch then pushed at the giin-hoat. bittie Kehel.
the r'-'bel hag-shij). and having little headway |iushed lier before her. the
rebel Connnodore and ci'evv esca|)ing'. The Monarch then, tinding the
Beanvfg'ard sinking, took her in tow. until she sank in shoal watei'. 'llien.
in compliance with the recpiest of (dnnnodore Davis. Lieut. Col. l-'JIet dis-
patched the .Monarch and Switzerland in pursnit of one I'emaining rehel gun-
boat and some transjxu-ts which had escaped. The gun-hoats and two of my
}'ams have gone below. 1 can not too much praise the conduci of the pilots
and (Migineers and militaiw guard of the .Monarch and (Jneen. the brave
conchicf of Ca])t. Dryden. or the hei'oic bearing of Lieut. Col. Kllct. 1 will
name all parties to von in m.v special I'cport. I am myself the oidv one per-
son in mv fleet who was disabled.
Cii.^s. ICli.kt, Jr..
Colonel Commanding L*am i'"leet.
[Second Kepoi-t L
()pposite Memphis, .lune (>. (via Caii'o. .fiine S. 18(i2.
jt is pi-opei- and due tii the brave men on the (^iieen and the Monaridi
to sa.v to .\()U hricHy tliat two of the rehel steamers w>M-e simk' outrigiit and
innnediati'ly hy the shock of my two rams; one with a large amount of cotton,
etc.. on hoard was disahled hv accidental collision with the (^neen and se-
c-ured hv her ci-evv. After I was personally disabled, anothei', vvliich was also
hit by a shot from llie g-iin-boats was sunk by the Monarch, towed to shoal
wat;'r'- by that boat. SCdl another, also injured by the fire of our gun-boats,
was ;,iished in shoi-e and secured hv th- .Mimarch. Of the irun-boats 1 can
Col. Elh'f's R,'i>nrt>
63
l)ia\elv and
onl\' .--a\' that Tlit'\- hoi-c tlifiiisches as (nir iiaxy al\\a\s (1(
well.
ClIAS. ICl.r.KT. Ju..
Colonel CoinniandiiiL;' Hani I'leet
|Tliii-(l i;.'|i.)i-t I.
()|i|)ositc Mi'in |)liis, .liiiic S, isri2.
Sir: — 'Jliree of the rclu'l i-anis and L;iin-l)oats which wcit strnck 1),\' my
two iMnis sunk' (inti-iLjht and wcrr lost. Anothc]- called the (lend i'ricc \\as
] nt slii^'htly injured, and I am now I'aisinL;' her. and |iro|iose addini;' her t<)
in\' heet. 1 had ho|)<'d to lia\c 1hc rchid tiay-sh i p also \vhi(di we cajitured.
lint (''.in. ])a\is lias taken her for his own use. I |)ro|iose to start an expedi-
tion down the I'iver tonioi'n iw. nndei' eiininiand c d' Lieut. Col. i'dlet. and have
been iuuch sur])vise(l hy receiviuL;- an offer from ('oinmodore [1a\is to send a
i>-un-b()at along'. Of course 1 will not decdine. though I fear the slow ne.ss of
the li'.in-lioat will impcch' the pi'ogress of my e\|iedition.
i;es|)eet fully.
('has. I'h.i.KT, Jr..
Colonel ( 'ouinia udi iiij' Kam Cleet.
[i-'ourth j;e|)ort|.
Opposite .Xremjihis, .lune 8, 1S()2.
Sir: — There are several facds foncddng the na\al eugagement of the
6th at this place wdii(di 1 wish to place on recorik .\|)proa(diing- ^Memphis,
the gun-boats were in the ad\anee. I had received no notice that a tight was
ex))ecte(k but was informed on lauding in siglit of Mempliis that the enemy's
g-un-boats had retreated down t hi' ri\er. My first information of the pres-
ence of the enemy was a shot, whi(di i}assed over m\' boat. I Tiad four of
my n-ost ])owerful rams in the advance and ready for any emergency. 'I'he
others \vere towing- the hargcs. liringing n]) the rear. I e\'j)ected of
coiii'se to he followed liv the Monarch, the Ijancaster and the Switzerland.
The Monai"<di came in gallantly. Some of the officers of the T.ancasttM- which
now lield the next place in the line, became excited and coid'iised, hut the en-
gineers be]ia\ed widl. The pilot erred in signals and backed the boats ashore
and disabled her rudder. The captain of the Switzerland const rued the gen-
eral signal order to keep half a nnle bcdiind her in the eugag-emcut . and tliere-
foi-e failed to participate; hence the wh(de brunt of the liglit fell upon the
(^leei. and Monarch. Had idther the Lancaster or the Switzerland followed
nie. as the ,Monai-(di di<l. the rebtd gundioal \au Dorn would not have escajjcd.
and m\' tlag-shij) would not have been disabled.
I.'espect fully.
Cir.\s. Er.r.ET. Jr.,
Colonel Cominandiug Kam fleet.
Ifoii, E. ^f. SIdiifoii. Sci-rddni of \]'iir.
6^ Hixfoi'ii of f]ic luiin FI('( t.
The first response from the war office after the hatth' was as fol-
lows :
WA]^ DEPAirrMEN'r.
Washington. .Time 7, 1862.
Col. Clias. EUct. Jr.. (Joiiuini iidcr of L'diii Fled on the l/Z-vx/.s-x;'/*/)/. {rid Vulro) : —
^'vour sexeral (lis])atclies liavt> been received and \oiir proceedings cor-
dially approved. 'Jlie Department most regrets tliat you have had to en-
counter so much op]iosition in the employment of your forces, and hopes that
the obstacles will give Avay before yonr energetic purpose. You will return
the thanks of the Department to the gallant volunteers ancr soldiers of your
couimand. of whose patriotic and generous courage honorable public notice
will be given. You will please rejiort the names and residence of those who
exhibit special merit, in order that they may receive due honor and reward,
aud also of those who shrunk from their (bity. In your discretion and con-
duct the Department feels every contidence and will not fail to support you
and your comnuind.
Euwix M. Stanton,
Secretary of War.
On the evenino- of the Sth. Secretary Stanton, havinii- received
ne^vs of the engagement at Memphis, and of Col. Ellet's woinid. sent
Mrs. I-Cllet this kind note, eonsidcratcly mai'king on the eiix'elope the
words ""Good NeAvs":
WA1{ DETAUTMEN'r.
Washington. D. C, Sunday Evening, June S, 8:30.
Dear ^NFadam : — I hasten to inform you that as I expected a dispatch has
arrived from your husband. Col. toilet. Only part of it has yet been received,
owing to the wires working' bad]\'. JMU)ngh has come to show that his wound
is ufit dangerous. It was a ])istol shot in the leg. and the long and spirited
account he is g'iving- of the action, in which he so much disting-uished himself,
relieves me from all apprehension for his safety. I shall immediately relieve
him from duty, and allow him to return home to your care. In the morning
I will send you a copy of his dispatch if the line should be in working order.
AVith sincere i-egard. Yours truly,
EuwiN M. Staxton.
.l/r.y. Col. Ellrt.
And on the following day he sent a fnrther message in these
words, indicating great consideration for the grief-stricken wife:
( 'oiif/Dif iihif tons to II oundcd (' otii iiidniJcf. 6^
WAK ])EPAllTMENr.
Washiniiton, I). ('.. Jun(> 9.
Dear .Madam : — 1 sciul enclosed a 1tdei;Tain t'vdiii xoiir hiisl)aiid. Ceil. I'^llet,
to yourself and one t<> me. 'I'lie olliei-s reeei\ed liom liim last niiiht are pul)-
lislied in the mornin<^- papers wliieli I send you. IT yuii yo io see ls\x. Ellet
])lease let nie know and I wiH fni-nisli yon a pass and 11in)ni;ii ti<d<et. for yonr-
self and whoever may aecompanx yi>n. \\'ith sincere i-e^urd.
Yonrs truly,
Edwin M. Stanton.
A separate dispatch bad been sent to Mr. Stanton, soon after tlie
battle, in wbicb Cob Ellet requested tbat information of bis wound
be sent l)y a discreet messenger to Mrs. Ellet and family, at (leorge-
town Ileigbts. adding that the wound Avas a "pistol sbol in the leg,
and not dangerous.'* In his reply congratulating Col. Ellet and his
men on their achievement. Mr. Stanton tells of conveying the news to
Mrs. Pallet in })erson :
Washing-ton, .tune U. 18G2.
The news of yonr- yloi-ioiis acliiex cnient at ^Ijemphis ri'aclied here last
evenini.'" and our jo\' was ^iwXy dampened by ydiii- pei-s<inal injni'\-. You will
accept for yourself, and I'etni'n Io yoiu' olVicers and eni;'incci's and |>ilots, sol-
diers and boatmen, the cordial thanks of this depai-fment for the i^allantrr,
couraij'e and skill manifested on tliat occasion. Wlien yonr otticial report
is received, oltieial I'ecoonition will be made of their respective merits. I
went in the evening to _\dnr house, and as carefnlly as I coidd communicated
to -Mr;. Pallet your injnr,\. She was, of course, deepl\- alfected. l)nt bore
the information with as much spirit and courage as coidd be ex|iecfe(l. It is
her design to proceed immediately to join yon. 1 have fnrnislied lier with
a ])ass and free ])assage and she will be accompanied by \'oiii- daugliter. 1
hope > f)n will keej) \\w advised of \i>nr' state of health and evt'ryfhing yon want.
To ui\- olhcial thanl-;s I beg Io add my personal I'egards.
ICdwi.x ■M, Stanton,
Seci-etar\- of War.
C'A. ('has. EIIcl. .!r.
Mrs. Ellet at once [)repared to go to her husband, and Mr. Stan-
ton so informed him. and made ])rovision for licr and her daughter
to proceed on the journey, informing them tbat (bey would ])i'obal)ly
meet him at Cairo. But, owing to his reluctance to lea\i> tbc^ scene,
the delay was stich that the wife and daughter rcacbcd jiim before his
departure from the fleet.
66 IJisfori/ of the liiiiii Fleet.
Colonel Pallet's rc'ijort to the V^wv office coiiceniiiii:- the WiXiZ of
Inice. iiiul hoistiiiii- of the Haa'. here follows:
r. S. Jiaiii Swit/.crlaiiil. ()|)|)()siti' .Memphis. JiiiU' 7. 1S(32.
Sir: — Yesterday, after the engagement with tlie rebel fleet had nearly
terminated and the gnn-lioafs and one of ni\' rams liad ))assed heh>w. I was;
informed that a white thii;' liad been raised in llie citw I immediately sent
my son, .Medical Cadet ('has. ii. i-'dlet. asiioi-e wiUi a tiai;- (d' tiMiee and the fol-
lowiiiL'' note to the authorities:
"Opposite .Memphis. Jnne (>. ]S(")2.
"I'd the Ciril or Milltdiii \ n I liori fit's of Mem iiJiis : —
"( Icnticmen : I nn(U'rstand that liie City of .Memphis has snrrendered.
I therefor'' send my son witli two Cinled States Hags, with in.striictions to
raise one npon the Cnstom llonse and the other npon the Conrt House, as
evidence of the return of yoiii- city to tile care and protection of the Consti-
tution
"ChAS. IClJ.KT, JlJ..
"Coi. Conurg."
Tlu' l)earer of the flags and tlu' al)o\t' note was accompanied by Lieut.
Ci-an(hill. of file .V.itli 111. llegiment. and Iwd men of (he lioat guard, 'idle fol-
lowing- is llie i-eply of tlie .Ma.\(ir of the City:
••.M.\^()i;'S OFFICE. •
'■.\iem|)his. '{"enn.. .Ian. (i, 1802.
■■'■'il I'Inis. KlUt. .If.. CniiKrt/. Etc.:-
"Sir :- ^'oni- note of tiiis date is rec(d\ed and contents noted. The civil
anthorities of this city are not advised of its sni-rendcr to the forces of the
Cnited States ( lov ei'n ment. and our repl\ to yon is sim])ly to state respectfully
tliat we have no foi-ces to uppose tlie i-aising of the Hags you have directed
to he raised o\er tile Cu-tom llonse and Tostoltice.
■"Kespccl f nll_\',
•loii.x I'.VKK'. ^tayor."
On receiving this I'eply the small party proceeded to tiie I'ostofHce to
■aise Ihe .\ational flag and w.M'e thei-e j(dned iiy the .Mayor. It is jiroper to
-a\ that the coiidnct ( d' the .Mayor and some of the citizens was nnexceptiou-
;ilil(-. lint the pai-ty was surrounded l).\- an e.witcd crowd using angry words
and threatening language. They ascended to tlii' top of the To.stoflfice and
plaid. 'd the flag, though fir.-d upon sevei-al times and stoned by the mob Ixdow.
Still I l)(die\e that this c(mdu<'t was reproi)ate(l by the jH-ople of standing-
in the place. Indeed. man,\ e\ idences reacdi me of an extensive FnioM senti-
ment at .\h'inphis.
]ies|)ectf idlv.
Cii.vs. Fr.i.icT. .7r.,
Cohmtd Connnaudiug Kam Fleet.
Iloii. /v. I/. Sliinfoii.
( ' It j)f II !■(■ ( 'Id'/mcd .
67
()ii the il;iy nftcr the hatllc Col. Ellct sent a r<'(iiu'sl li\- Lieut.
C'lifric to ConniKidoiv I)a\is for the return of the capt iireil "Littli'
KeUel" to his possession, it havini:- !)een taken from the cai-e of the
men phiced in charii-e hy Lt. Col. Kllet when it was captured the day
Ixd'ore. Col. Ellet's recjuest expressed his wish to send the "Little
Rehei." manned by a ne^v crew, as ])art of the ex|H'dition hein<>;
planneil to proceed down the river.
Com. Davis sent a verbal nd'nsal to delixci- the prize, and the
matter was the cause of additional irritation to the prostrate ^nlierei'.
at whose recpiest a statement of facts was drawn up and siiiip'd hv
eye-witnesses and part ici])ants in the ca])ture of the i-ehel boat. This
statement is of historic intei'est. and is here published foi'the lii-~t time:
{Slutcnicnt luilrlihiii llir Cii/itiirr of tlic Hchcl Sfrdiiicr. ■•l/tl/lc h'lhcl.")
['. S. IJjuil S\\ i1/,;'|-|;ill(l. ()|i|i()sitc .Mcnipllis. .iiiiic S. IsCi:.'.
We saw the ■"Lilllc Itclicr' cdiii i ml;' iiilo slidrc wiicii she \\as cliascd in hy
riie Moiiarcli aftrr (he citw of tli.' •■(^)ii(H'ir" liad sfciii'cd Ilir rclii-l st:'aiiicT
"(Icn"! i'ricf."" and takcii licr cn'W pi'isniii'rs.
\\'t' tllcii ciintiniicd on Id llir "jjillle IJclud." and scciii-cd licr liv lines to
I he slioi-e. and took llircc of lii'i- ci'ew. wlio wtTe still on lioai'd. pi-isoiKM's.
'1 lien I>ienf. Col. i'^llid came np in the Dick l-"nlton and eiidea \ oi'cd lo pidl tlie
"l/ittle ileli.d" off tile hank, but lie found she was too hard on for that sinaU
stt'ainer to ino\e. Lieid. (ol. I'^llet then ordered I'etcr I'.rown. the niatc of
'lie (,)iieen. to remain on hoard and hold possession, nntil he could scud more
powerful h(;ats to i^vl her olT. Ten or tifteeii minutes after 1 he Lieut. Col.
liad left, tile Ca|itaiii of one of the inortar lioats came up willi two I ui;s. anil
-lated that he had ordei's from the Commod(U-e to i^ft that steamei- otV and
tow her up. Mr. I'.l'owii. th(Ui in eharL;-e. su |-rendered the i-elxd steanci- and
ihe three | risoners to the Commodore's otiieers. who toweil her away, ea rry-
iiii^- a.loii!^- the rehel life boat, wliieh had he(Mi captured down the ri\er hy the
nick fnlton, and left ahue^side the i-elxd slcamei'.
i"i:ri:i; iiuowx.
:.'nd Mastci' (^)ueeu.
MiciiAi:i> \vii.\i.i;.\.
steward (^)lieeii.
.lAcoi; LAti:i:i;.
1st ICn-iiueer (.)uecn.
Col. Kllet closed the incident 1 )y addressinii' the followiim' note to
the ('ommodore. which xcrx' clcarix' pre^'uted hi^ \iew of the >iibject,.
68 llhtofij of the Rani Fleet.
and the justice of his daim to possession and use of the (•ai)tuivd I)oat.
which was admirably suited to use as a ram :
U. S. \\i\u\ Switzerland, r.oforc Mempliis. .Tmu' lOth. 1S62.
To Coinmodore C. H. Doris, ('oiiniKiiiiliin/ W'cstci-n Flutilhi:-
Sir: — T am not in a condition now to pi-ess my demand for the "Little
Ilebel." ^vhit■h was talven by your ordei's from a o-uard which T had placed on
board of her. J can not. however, forbear from recai)itulatini;' the facts.
In your note of the .Trd inst.. after receivini;- my instructions from the
War Department, you informed me that my vessels were not under your
control and that you are not res|:onsilile for their movements.
In the enii'ao-enient f)n the 6th inst. one of my vessels acting- entirely un-
der my own orders, attacked the "Little Ilebel." chased her into shore, butted
her .slightly, and left her beached. A jiortion of the crew of my flag-shij),
then disabled, who had Just secured the rebel steamer "Price" and all her
crew, also took i)ossession of the "Little Eebel." fastened her to shore \\ith
her own lines, accepted the surrender of the three rebels \vhom they found
on board, and by the order of Lieut. Col. Ellet, remained to g'uard the ]irize.
Now. roinmodorc, it was not from the enemy, but from this little prize
cr-ew. that your tug's took this vessel : and I do not ask you to give her to
i!ie, as your note assmnes, but merely to restore her to me. as she was before
; he Avas taken from me. She is mine. Commodore, the spoils of my first, and
J fear, mv last, naval engagement. 1 may afford hereafter to give her to
_\on. but 1 can not. until she is restored to my ])ossession. consent to her
sui'rcndcr.
Chas. Ellet. Jr..
Col. Comd'g llain Fleet.
Among the papers of Col. Pallet, preserxed with scriipnlous care
by his family, is the following pencilled dis})atch. in his own hand
I probably not sent] which presents the matter as he wished, to the
nutlioritics at Washington:
Opposite .Meiujihis, June 9.
In the naval engagement before .Memphis on the (it h my ram, the Mon-
;n-eh. chased the rebel flag-shij). the "Little IJebel," ashore, rammed her as
she I'cached shore and beached her. The crew of another of my rams, the
Queen, then made the "Little Eebel" fast with lines, took the three men who
remained on lioard ])i-isoners, and took charge of the boat.
Coniinodore l)a\is subsequently sent tugs to haul her off', and take her to
him, without an_v notice or message to me. though she was ni,\' ])rize and
actually in ni\' possession.
I have twice written tf) the Commodore to cl;\ini ]\\y prize, and ha\e been
answered in a Jiote recei\ed this morning', in these w m'ds ;
.i 7'rihiitc to Brdrcj'i/. 6g
"\ rci;'i ft to li;' ohl iijcd ti) s;i\- tliat it wmilil not lie in my power to y'ive
'■you the LittU' Kfln'l or any other one of tli:' captured \essels of tlie reljel
''s([uailrou : to do so woidil interfere witli my i;eneral plan of operat i(Mis."
J hail intended to i;i\e the "l/ittle llehel" and tlie •■(len'l I'riee" holli )riy
jirizes, t(_) ambitions and enerit'etie men in my fleet, wliom I could in no otlier
\\a\' s(. well gratify and stimidati' to action. I do not wish lo pnsli m\ claim
fiirthei- than to slate that Ih- ■•(;en"l I'rice"" and the •■Lillle U'ehcl"' are both
the prizes of my lirown paper rams: and tlionLt'h touchecl \)\ shot, wfi-e not
disabled l)y the liri' ( d' the i;ii ii-lioats. The report t,o me today is. thai the
■■(len"l l'ri(e."" which sank al'lcr we secured lier and all her crew, can not \w
J'aised. I rnsiL;ned |.
AMiiK' (iiiick to pci-ccixc cowardice or lack of spii-it in ofliccrs or
iiicii iiiidcr liiiii. and to rcprclicnd sncli conduct. Col. Kllcl was nio-t
a])pi'cciativc of jxTsonal Uraverv. and did not. cncii in his sntl'cring-
and j)i'ostration. forget the men \\ ho had made his oi'eat achiexcment
possible. AA'ith his own hand he ])rei)are(l the repoi-i and lists follow-
ing, as a tril)ute to the gallant men who were with him in the light:
Otr Memphis, .linie '.). 1 S():i.
■To flu- Sci-rchiiii of War:
111 the na\al eni^ai^cment with the |-eliel lleet at Mempliis on the mol-niui^-
of the Gtli iiist.. the (,)ueen of the West and th;- Monarch did such L;allaid, and
v^ft'ective service i)y passini;- ahead of the fii'c of our own l;u ii-hoat s and cajj-
turiiu>- two. that 1 deem il m\ duty to repoi't the names ol' most of the |)arties
wlio were on boai'd tliose boats, anil to specif\' pa rt ieu larl \' those who, in my
judii'intMit, are most worlhx' of \(iur notice and connnendal ion.
'Ilie names of these pai'ties will he foinid in the fidlowini;- lists, which
1 bcL'' l(^a\( to submit for youi' cc msi( lerat ii m.
i am. sir. res|iect f id ly.
^'ou|• obd't ser\aut.
( 'has. I''i,i.t:r. .Ii{..
Col. CouHro-.
List of llic Of/ircrs, ('rcir (iinl MUilunj Hikii-iIs irlio inir on hoiiiil flir
fStcdin h'liiii (}\KKS OK JiiK Wks'i- /;/ llir \iir<il l-J ii (/iif/inini I off ]l ciii pli is, June
>3tli, bSd:.' : -^^■hen tliat steamer and the Monarch, by which the (^iiccii was
followed Old most L;'allaiitl\' suppoi-fed. ran into and sank three rehid rams
and ;>iin-boats and captured two all (d' whom ai'c i-cpor1ed lo the ('olonel
('omnia iidinn' to lunc stood hravelv 1o their posts:
.loseph I'ord. 1st Master. Ileiir\' liuleler, fireman.
Peter I'row n. :2n(l Master. Mahin .lenkins, fireman.
j\Iai-tin Trimp. :;id .Master. J)a\id Kiddle. fii-eiiinn.
JO Il/stori/ of flic Iidiji Fleet.
.\l('\:iii(lcr l''iJi-(l. J'iiol. ,!(ilni Uoss, Fiiviiiaii.
i;. II. Sinitli. Pilot. AlltMi Stt-misoii. I'i rfiiia n.
.los. M. I)a\is. l'ilf)t. .l()S('|iii ( iatt'wood. I'irenian.
(ico. M. I)()ui>-liertv. AVatchniaii. llcni-y Little. Dec'kha iid.
\\\\\. Ciii-tis. Chief JCiii^-iiiecr. (Icoi-i;^ li-tzcl. Deckhaiul.
.lacol) Laiiher. ] st Asst. KiUi'!|i-cr. Nelson Miteliell. Deekha ml.
.John MeCulloiifih. 2nd Asst. Kiil; '.neer. A\in. .\i\on. Deekliand.
.loliii Skelton. lilaeksinith. .lames S. Xixoii. Decklia n I.
'I'liompson Wood. Coppei-smith. Kiehard Kennedy. J)eekhand.
Michael Whelaii. Steward. l,e\i W. Kohinson. Dt-ekhaiul.
'I'lios. Ilartshorn. Cook. Millhir!/ OiKird -.\<iiiies.
.loseph Ford, Cabin I'.oy. Licit. .lames M. Ilnnter.
Ilenr\ ( ollins. I'ant r\ ina n. Tetci- ki,L;lit.
Tlios. Speneei-, Carpeiltcf. ( ;eoi-L;-e h'lowcfboese.
.las. Moi-i-is. Cariieiitei-. David (ilatliart.
^\\\\. JJradley. Fireman. (has. l''aleoner.
Tlioi-nlon Stewart, l-'ii-cman. (iioi-i^-c Mittitt.
iJariies I'ayne. J'"ircman. Jolin l*>atfs.
Charles (Innton. l-"ireman. \\'m. .laek^-on.
.lohn Williams. Fireman. 'Ihomas Coi'don.
In an eni;ai;'enient of this desperate charactei'. Ilie hea\iest responsil)ilit,y
recpnrini^' the greatest coolness and determiiu'd resolution neeessai'ily falls
on the pilots at the \\he(d. and (m the eim'iiieers who stand 1)\- the side of their
eni^ines. I thcj'efore report as wortliy of special commendation (m this (oc-
casion. Ali'xander I'ord. i;. II. Smith, the pilots at the wheel of the (Jueen,
:!nd Wm. Cnrtis. Chi<d' I'JiLji neer. .laeoh Faiiher. 1st Asst. Fnyineer. and their
respectixe see(»nds. .lohn .\lc( nlloii^li and .lohn Skelton. I also deem it proper
to report tliat Alexander I'ord. i)ilot. .Martin 'I'rimp. :l\\i\ mate. Wm. II. Nixon,
deckhand, .lames S. Nixon, deckhand, and Levi W. Kohinson, were also volun-
teers on hoard the (Jneen of the AVi'st in the attempt to sink a rebel steamer
under the L;nns of l<"ort I'illow, the :!rd of .lune.
The nnlitai-y ijiiard under Lieut. .las. M. Hunter. (i:;rd Kei^t. III. \dl.. on
hoai-d the <^ueen. acted with (Udi])erate <Miolue>s. L;allantly. keepiuii' up an in-
e(\ssap.t tire u])on the enemy's pilots and i;unners as loni;- as the vessels were
at clo:-e ipiiirters.
List (if llie Ofjieers ami Creir (iiid Milihirii Cnaiil on hodid the Steam Nam
MoXAitcii /;/ ///(• \dral Hnnati'incn t off Memiiliis. June d. lsc,2, nil of whom
aJ-e re|)orti'd to the Colonel (Ommandini^- to ha\e stood hravtdy to their po.sts.
Lieut. Col. ICllet, Second in Command of the l-Meet :
|)a\iil M. liryden. Captain. AVm. .lackson. Fireman.
Thomas Chippendale. 1st Mate. 'Ihompson I'.rown. Fii-enuin.
Thos. F. Collins, Pilot. Daniel Scott. Fireman.
SjK'ctdl Mention ( ' nnf ni ncd .
7^
Cliiis. M. .lacksoM. I'iliil. \. Jacksdii. l''iriMii:i ii.
]|ir;im Laiiliaiii. Ist l'>iiL;iiuM'r. .lulin Lilllc. I )cckli;i ml.
l'rl>;iM T. Ilulstcad. Isl As-) . l-:ii-in('ci-. .lohii h'awsdii. I )fcUlia ml.
Alicharl IJoacli. ;2ml Asst ICiii^i iuhm-. Sti'plicii ScoH. I )ccl< ha iid
Aiiiiiisliis M. Marsh. ('ar|)cnti'f.
(ha-. McCaiiv. 1st Sti^wai'd.
Thus. M. Aniisl i-()Mi^'. :.'ii(l Sti'wa nl.
,T(isc| h 'I iKirntoii. IM (cok.
J,t'\\ is Krcw. Watch ma ii.
.las. I'ficc. 1 icckha IK I.
Cro. I'\ Williams, I )i>cklia iid.
.lacnl) Miller. Dfckhaiid
llciii-/ Wcist. Deckhand.
AIIh il Williams. Dccdvhaiid.
Xamcs (if the Military (diai'd (d' the -V.tli Ki-t. 111. \"(il. un hoard the Mon-
arch iindci- command of Isl Script. I-:. W. Ilarthtt. ( d' Co. !. .V.Mh Ucijt. III. \(.l.
actini.' Lieutenant.
.las. I', itorman.
.Tohn 11. , Hand.
Chas. C. Isaacs.
n'ohias x. ^■on.
Isaac I'ldh r.
Cilhc'i ('. llamilto
Cror-e W. r.ailev.
.lohn Sa\\\\i'r.
.1 oh n I ^cla ne\ .
Wm. !•■. Wan-en.
On hoard the Monar.di the most d isT i ni^ii is hed praise is dni' to Lieut. ( oi.
\. W. iCIIet. :.'nd in command of the fleet. I)a\id M. Mrvden. the Captain,
who l;imseit stood at tile wheel with 'I'lKunas 1. Collins, pilot, and handled his
Liiat :u the most inti'epid and skillful manner throue'hout the liL;hl, Hiram
]>anliam. 1st lOnei neci-. \\ilson T. lialsti-ad. 1st. Ass"t l-:iiei iieer. Miidiacl
Itoach. :.'nd Ass"1 |-]ni;i ncer. actine' Lieutenant \\. \\. I'.ai-|lett. and e\cry man
under his (ommand. wlu) kept up so hot and so accui-ate a lire that the cumny
could not use the ijnn on his liow, as tile ram a pproa('lied.
The two |)ri\ates .d' the (i:!rd 111. Uci^t., K. \V. Crooiiies and W. W. .Iacks<m.
w lio \ oluiit cered to handle the engines of the (,tueen. on the attack on the rcliid
stcainer at l'\irt I'illow. had been transferred I ly the ('olonel ( ■omnia ml i ni;- to
the Swit/erland to handle the eni;incs of t hilt l:o-at, after t iie tni^inecrs of the
iioat. appalled 1)\' the dauijcrs hefore them, desired to he r(die\cd from service.
■| he Captain of the Switzi-rland faih.'d to lirini;- tli;it st.'amcr into action
lief(U'e Memphis, and tlii'sc cueineers with other l)i-a\e men on hoard the
.~-i\\il/,erlaiiil were thus deprixed of the opp.n-tunity to share the honors of
t.he da.v. J!ut the Colontd Commandini;- considers tiicir conduci, on the even-
ing- of the third at l-'oi-t I'illow. as dcscrxiiiL:- of hie'li praise as the conduct
of the two engineers ( d' cither the (^lecn of the West or the Monai-ch. in
the er,o-ao-enient at Memphis, and that tlie\- should, in justice, he placed on an
eipial footing- with these engineers. So also the conduct of 'I'honias O'lUdll.s'.
the mate of the I'ldton. .lohn Little, .lohn Donovan and Deter McAfee, deck-
hands of the Fulton and (leorgc .\. I )onghei-t,\ . Watchman of the ()iieen. and
the |)ilots. liowley S. McK'ay and Al\ah W. Hicks, who \olunteercd t<> go "U
J2 Histoi-jl of fjlC lullH Ficif.
Iioard llic (Jiit'fii 1 lu' nii;lil n\; tliL' Wn] of .liiiic. to attiiclv ths' rebel steamer,
,iii(lt'i' l^'ort I'illow. sboiild lie plaeed on 1 lie same fdotiiiL;' as that (if any of the
partie.-. in similar statiim. wIki were in the enyanement at Memphis.
In jidint lit I'aet, the daring- (if these l)rave men who were eiiyai^ed at
I'ort I'illiiw. nidi-e than anvlhinL;- else, led to the decisive victory at -\[em])his.
The failure of the. Lancaster to come into action at .^^enll)his was,
at liie time, the subject of unich unfii\'oi'al)lc counnent. and many of
lici- crcAV and of the uiilitary detachment, on board were loud in their
denunciations of the boat's oflicers. Col. Pallet, despite his condition,
entered U])on a ])i'rsonal in\-estii>-ati()n. and left the manuscript of his
hndino's and jndiiinent in the followinii' :
()p|i(isite .\le'm|)his. .Tnne Ilth. 1S(12.
The ((iliiiiel (iimma ndi ni;-. aftei- cansini;' an investigation (if the circ'inn-
■iances attending- the failure (if the Lancaster to cdine into the na\al action
(jtf Mem]ihis (in the (ith of . I line, when all her crew conld see the (^neeii of the
\Ve.st follow('(l li\ th.' Mdnarcli. hearing ddwn (in tiie enemy, has ari-i\-ed at
this eoiK'lnsidii.
'I'liat ('a|:t. Win. .Mix exhiliited yi-eal crrdr (if jndi^nient in pci'mittiny- his
|)ildt to stand anx'where lint at the wlund at that time, and trust ini;- the entire
steerai.;'e of the steamei' t(i a \'dnni;' man of mncli less ex|)erienci' tlian tiie
pii</t. and wild liad (inly the nii^ht hefdrt- entei'ed service (in iiis lidat.
Td this cansc the ('(ildiiel ( 'ommji nd i iil;' atti'iluites ninch (if the cdnfnsi(jn
that ]ire\ailed (in the deck (if the La ncast;'i'. when Captain Mix (irdered the
pildt t(j go ahead, and Id this cdnfnsidn he alsd atti'ilintes the envjr (jf the
onlv man at the wheel td give the prdper sigmils In the engi nt^ei's. and the
cdnse(pient hacking (if tlv luiat, when she slnmld have lie. mi driving ddwn
npon the rebel fleet.
't'o this extent blame attaches strongly td C;ipt Mix; bnt vet, in expressing
this opinidii. it is i\\\k' to that otticer td say. that the cdiifidence (if the ('(jlonel
('(iinmand i ;ig in ('apt. Mix's integritv. caiiddr and skill and dther excellent
(pialities, is nnaliat I'd. and he believes that the Lancaster, with hei' present
brave crew and captain, will vindicate his (ipinidii. and liei' own gddd (pialitie.s
.'11 {\\.- next (ippdrt unit V vvhicli. if (Hie shdiild iidt (ilVer, will be immediately
^c)Mght tor.
(HAS. I-'i,i,i:t. .11!..
Col. ConuTg.
'Jdie followino- is a supplemental Rcpori of incidents of the naval
eii^'agement at Memphis written by ('oL Kllet. but reiniiininii- iin-
sio-ned :
All (" II.SHJIK'd lil'poi-f. yj
V. S. Steamer liani Swit/.i'rlaiid. .Iiiiic lo. Is():.>.
'Ilie rehel boats were all rants jirovided with i;iins so as lo serve both as
rams and gun-boats. My boats were not ))rovided with gnus. The rebel boats
were \ eiy hea\ ily plated with )-aili-oad iron. My boats were without ii'on
I'lating and had been spoken of in ridicule as tlu' "brown paper rams." '\\w
"(len'l Lovell." the bo;i1 which was first struck by tlie (^neen. liad a crew of
S6 men, of whom only is arc said to ]ia\e l)een saAcil. The "(ien'l I'riee,"' an-
othei- reb(d boat which also came into collision with the (^ueen and was dis-
abled, had a ci'cw of is men, accoi'ding to the count made by the crew of the
(^neen to wliom 1hc\- su i-rcndci-cd. 'I'he (^ueen and the .\b)nart-h together
struck ti\ t' boats, one <if which was sunk siniultaneouslw another, in a fe\v
minnti's: a third tloalcd huig enough to be towc(l to shore b\- the boat that
struciv her: a fourth, the "(icn'l I'riee." sank \ery slowly' and it was at first
suppo-ed ccudd l)c easily raised. Tlie fifth was eliased to the shore by the
.Monarch, and reeei\ed iuit a slighl blow and will thcrcfoi-e be savetl. These
facts g'o to show thai the i-am fighting and prizes are scarcely compatible.
'I he boilers of tlie rebid boats so far as we have had a chance to see are ])laeeu
Ixdow dee]-;s and the hulls are conse(piently weak, 'i'iie boilers of our rams
wei-c not covei-ed. and their hulls thertd'ore could be made as strong for ram-
ming as we could desire. I I'nsignetl] .
Altlioiig'h sutici'iiiy- aTi'iilly I'roin his Avoiiiid tlio ram fleet C'oiiiiiuiii-
der was intent U})()n t'lirlliiT <ii>;ii"i'essive opcratidiis. and [)r()|)()sed a
joint expedition to proceed down tlie rivet. IJis dispalch to the wai-
olliee tells of this plan:
()[)[)osite -Nfemphis, June 11, 186:.'.
]]UH, /•;. I/. Sfdnton. Scc'ii of Wur:
The cNpedition whicii I |)ro|iosed to make in conjunction with the gun-
boats has been delayed. If is now proposed to set out tonun-row, the Com-
modore contributing two gun-boats. I Ihree rams and a snuill tug. The des-
tination of the expedition is up Wliife Kiver. to co-optM-ate with den"! Curtis
and endea-or to ea|iture some rebel gnu-boats which Commodore Davis su[i-
|)()ses to 1);' there. 1 can not spare l>ieut. Col. Kllet for this expedition, and
shall ])lace that portion of it wjiicli I contribute under connnand of Lieut.
Ceorge !•:. Cni-rie, of the .")'.)th ilk. w lio has not yet had a chan<-e to do much,
but wiio, I feel sure, with opp( U't u n il,\-, will Justify my eontidence.
CiiAs. EiJ.ET, .Ik.,
Col. Couid'g.
From the War Secretary, after receiving- favorable reports as to
the condition of Pallet's wonnd.
7^ Ilisturi/ of the luiiii Fleet.
\\xi\ i)i:i'Airr.ME.\T.
Washingtuii. June i:j, 1SC2.
Col. ('Ii<(x. Elhf. Jr.. Com iiKiiuhr limn Fleet oitiiositc MempJiis : —
Tlu' apijointiiu'iit of 1)]-. Jioljui'ts as Fleet Surgeon and ])r. Lawrence, as-
sistant. lia\e been made and forwarded to yon b\' mail via Cairo. I am
glad to learn that xon are not entirely disa))led. and hope you may be able to
give the tiiiishing sti-oke to the enenix' at \'ieks]nirg'. Please send me by mail
a full description of the vessels composing xour fleet, its armament, force.
equi|)ment. and whcri' \-ou |)i'e|;ared it antl the cost, suitable for a: I'ejiort to
(.'ongress.
Knwix .\r. Staxtox.
Se<-retai'y of War.
There is a nielaiiclioly interest in the followino- eoniniiinications,
sent l),v the inidamited iConiiiiander in tlie hist days of his service:
U. S. Steamer S\vit/eT-la nd. before Mein))his. June 1."). 1 S()2.
Hon. E. M. Sfdiitoii. iS'cr")/ of M'ai:-
SJr : — I have recci\('d ,\'our dispatch infornnug- me of sour appointment
of Dr. Jiobai'ts as vSurgeon and iJr. Lawrence as Assistant Surgeon of my fleet.
and recpiesting a detailed rep(;rt c(uicerning tlie rams for the last few days.
After receising- my \\'ound my mind was not ca,])able of transacting' business.
Since then great nervous ])rostratiou with ])ain and fever have rendered me
entirely inca]>able of mental labor. I now have measles super-added. I will
pre])are tli ■ report ^ou ask for as soon as I am able to dictate it. \vhich 1 hope
will l)c in the course of two or three days. I did not send a detachment to
White liiv'cr to act in conjunction with the gun-boats, as (dniuiodore Davis
requested. Iti'own. the commander, was not willing to i'ecei\t> my co-ojjei'ation
unless I ])laced my vessels under the command of one of his otticerr;. This.
(^f course, i could not consiuit to do. ()ui- success at Memphis, was by acting'
independently. Mr. I'.rooks has ari'ivcd with supplies foi' my fleet.
IJespectf ull\'.
Cn.\s. l<]ij,KT. Jr..
< Commanding Kani I'leet.
C. S. Steamer Kam Switzei'land. Memphis. June Iti. 1S()2.
Iloii. Ediriii M. SIdiifoii. Scc'n of U'lir:--
Sir:- Mrs. Kllet and my daughter Joined me here yesterday. I can not
but su|)i)ose fi'om your Kiiidncss to Mrs. CJlet. telling her that I would be re-
lieAed. that ycui will ajiproxc of the tem|ioi'ary transfer of the chief command
of mv fleet to my brother. Lieut. Col. A. \V. hMlet. The great pro.stration of
my system points I fear to slow i'cco\cr\. I can do nothing' here Imt lie in
my bed and sutfer. I feel deeply the res|!onsibi I itv of transferring- this fleet
to any one. Two weeks ago a demoralization prtjceeding wholly from cow-
( ' oiii lini iiih'i's Liisf J hsjKlfcliC!^. Tc
ardice. beynii to iiyitatc the lict-t. M.y ;itt;u-l< on the rebel steiiiner at Fort
I'illow iiitrddiict'd a more wholesome state of reeliii<i-. The erew that lei't the
(^iieen ol' I lie \\'es1 ami allowed \olunteei-s 1o take their places I'anie to me
and expressi'd theii- Inimilialioii and liei^u'ed me to i;ist' them another <-lKinc'e.
]>ronnsini;- never to fail me aijaiii. It is that same erew that fulfilled so well
at Memphis. There is now a most execdient spirit pre\ ailini;'. and a desire on
the part .>f those who declined or had no o})portnnit \' to g'o into action to
ha\e their share of fame and a ppi-ohation. Whether their confidence, amongst
su^'h a heferoii'enons material, can he transferred to another is to be tested.
The eonspicnons part acted by the bientenant Colonel at Memjjhis ^\'ill make
it easier for him to c<immand than any one else, i df) not propose to leave
Lient. Col. Ellet any instructions. His own judgment will l)e a better guide
to him than nunc.
j;es[)ectf ully youi-s,
CuAS. Klf.et, Jr.,
Col. Comd'g.
The following- is the ( iintiiiisluMl) report, requested by Mr. Stan-
ton. It bears date of June 11. but. was added to and corrected at
intervals, during all the conscious days of his life — being left ini-
signetl. It contains many additional details, including the circum-
stances of receiving- his wound ;
\itr<il Kii(/ii(iriiicnl off \l r m jili {s_ 'I'rini.. and Occii iidfion of ihdt Cih/ hi) Union
rorcr.y. h'cjiorf of Col. i'lids, F.Uci. Jr.
()pposite Mem|)his, .Iniu' 11, 1 Sl)2.
Hon. E. M. Stanton : -
Sir: — 1 have the honor to report the (kda ils of the na\ al engagement of the
Gth inst. oft Memphis, in wliiidi two of the i-ams of my lieet participated. A
reconnoissance at Fort Pillow on the evening of the 4th made by two of my
steamers, satisfied me that the fort was evacuated. I approached with the
Qneen of the West close enough to invite the tire of the rebel guns, but re-
ceived no shot, while very considerable smoke and flames indicated the bnrn-
ing of the propei-fy of the enemy. P.efore daylight Lient. Col. Ellet, at his
own sug'g'estion, went in a yawl with a small lioafs crew down to the fort,
found it deserted and |)lanted the stars and stripes there. 1 followed abnost
.simnltaneously with a portion of my Heet. After a brief delay I proceeded
with three ves.sels to JJandolph and sent Lieut. Col. Filet ashore with a flag
of truce. He there ascertained that the rebel forces had been hastily with-
drawn the night before, after destroying their artillery, burning a good deal
of cotton and doing whatever uiisc-hi(d' the\- could in the short time they could
\enturc to remain. Later in the day the gun-boats under Commodore l)a\is
iuovim! down the Mississip|)i toward Memphis, while I collected m\ licet and
7(5 Ulstorij of the Udin FIccf.
passed tilt' nii^lit on the 'IViinessee slioi'e some eiiiht oeii miles abuve Alemphis.
Haviiiti' seen the rebel tieet ;ii);in(loii a iiosition whenee they eould choose their
own time of attack with Fort J'illow to tall back upon. J had no expeetatioTv
that they wonld make a stand at Memphis, whicli was represented to be en-
tirely nnfortitied. Nevertheless 1 left the shore at daybreak, on the mornini^'
of the 5th (6th) keeping fonr of my strongest steamei-s in the advance, prejjared
for any emergency. On ai)pr()aeliing Memphis I found the gnn-boats nnder
(.'onnnodore Davis anchored across 1lie diannel. I accordingly ronnded to.
with the (Jueen. (my flag-ship) and made fast to the Arkansas shore, with
the intention of conferring with Commodore Davis and collecting inforinaticm
pre])aiatory to the next movement. I'.nt my flagship had been l)nt a few
minntes secured to the bank, before a shot which seemed to jiass over her.
annonnced the presence of the enemy. I immediately ordered thi" lines to
1k> cast off, signiticd to Lient. Col. I'^lht on the Mona rcli. w hose jilacc was next
in ordei' to follow, hoisted the flag wliich was tlu' signal I had prescribed foi'
g(»ing into action, ronnded to, with head down stream, and passing between
the g.in-boats, which wer-e then returning the enemy's Are with considerable
vivacity bore dowii upon the enemy ex]iecting to be followed by the Mtnuirch,
the Lancaster and the Swit/.erhmd in ordci'. I found the rebel gun-boats,
all of which were rams armeil with gnus, heading bolilly up stream to^\•ard
(Mir fleet while the levee at Memphis was crowded with s|)ectators. 1 directed
my attack ujion two rebel rams wlii(di were about the middle of the river,
\-er\- close together and snp|iorte(l bv a tiiii'd a little in their rear and a little
nearer to the .Mem])his ^-hore. These two rams held their \vay so steatlily,
])Ointing their stems direct l\ u|)on the stem of the (,)neen that it was impossi-
ble for me to dirt'ct the pilots between whom I had taken my stand, njion which
to direct our shock. I'.ut as the distani-e between us and the enemy, short at
flrst. became dangeronslv small, the two rel)el boats a|)|iarentl\' (piiCding be-
fore the appi-oaching collision, began flr^t to back water and then to turn,
thus presenting their broadsides to my attack. It was impossible to choose
between these boats which to attack, for there was still a third ram within
supporting distanc-e to whicli I would be exposed, if I struck the st'cond,
>vhi]e the second would be sure to I'each nu', if I selected the flrst, M v spee(l
■was h'gh. tinu' was short, and the for\\ai:d I'ebcl presented rather tin' fairer
mark. 1 selected her. The pilots now animated b\ tlie dee]) iiitei'est of the
scene brought the ])repared l)ow of the t^ueen of the \Vest against the broatl-
side of the rebel ram Just f(n-ward of the ^\ lieel-lionse. The crash was ter-
I'ifie. Evei'ything loose al>out tlie C^ueen — some tables. |)antry-\vare. and a,
half eaten breakfast- were overthrown and broken by the shock. 'J'he hull
t)f the rebel steamer was crushed in. Iiei' chimnevs surged over as if they
were going to fall over on the bow of the (^ueen. .Many of her crew, I have
been told, leaped ov ci-boai'd. ^ et the rebel wreck, in consetjnence of the con-
tinned motion of the (Jueen. still clung to her l)ow. lleforc the collision the
rebel made a. feeble etVoi'T lo use her guns, and succeeded in flring" a charge
ill T np'n/s]i('(l He port.
//
of i^i-:i|<' and caiiislcr, whirh was losi in 1 he- watrr. In less than lialf a niinnic
friini 111;- innincnl (iT cDllisicm and hcfiu-r the (^ui-cn coidd ch'ar hiTscll' fi'dni
tlu' wreck, she was hei'self sti-ncl< 1)\ anothei" rebel steamer on her lai-lxiai-d
wlieel-honse. Tliis l)h)W- hrol^e her tiller ro])e. enislied in lier wheel and a
|Hirliiin of lier hnll. and left her nearl\' liel])]ess. All this. fi-oni the time of
leasiiii;' the shore and ^lassiiiy the L;nn-hoat and the disahlini^- of my llaL;-shi|)
1 do not think occii]iiecl over sexen oi- eii^lit niinutrs. The moment the (^iieen
was herself strnek. I left the pilot honse and weid out on deck, when I was
instantlx' disabled hy (me of a nnmber of shots from a i-ebel steamer, which
seemed to liave come into accideidal collision with the (,)neen. and was at that
moment di'iftiiii;' 1).\' her. bnt still in contact with lier. from the moment of
the collision of the (,)neen witli the |-ebid steamer, to the time when I was
hroni^lit to her deck, conid not lia\e exceeded one nnnntc. \-et I saw from her
tleck the surface of tlie Mississippi strewn with the fraijincnts of the rebel
vessel. AVIiile these thiiii^s were occiirrinL;- the Monarch, kient Col. i-'llet
commaiidini;-. and Captain Uryden. Master, haxini;' followed the (^neen and
l)assed below our own i^iin-boats. directed her shock npcni the rebel ram im-
mediately followino- the one that stiaick the (^iieen. and sank her. The blow
of the Monarch was so sexei'e that piles of fnrnitui'c were precipitated from
the ri'bel steamer npon the foi-ecastle (d' the Monarch, and were found in
larn'c (piantities after the action. Many \ei-sions differing- from each othci-
enlirdw h;;\e been i;i\en by eye witnesses of these occui I'cnces. who stood in
plain \iew on the levee at Mem])his. in onr own iiim-boats. and on the .\rkansas
shore. These discre])ancies are attribntable to the fact that there were
three rebel rams and two of onr own minsi'led tos>ether. and erashiiii^' ap'ainst
■ach ( ther. and that othei- relxd steamers were comim;- np. close at hand. In
this confnsion the ditVerent boats wci'c mistaken for others, and the steamer
strnek b_\- the (^neeii disappeared from \ iew beneath the snrface of the rivci'.
'i'his nncertainty of \ iew was donbtless increased by the accMim ulat ion of smoke
from the chimneys (d' so many boats and the tire from (jnr own ynn-boats.
'i'he general im])ression was. that it was tlie (,)neen that went down and not
the boat sh(> struck'. After l)eint;' disabled the (^icen worked hers(df to the
Arkansas shore with only one whetd. and without a rnddcr. The disabled
i-chel (Sumpter) which had come in collisi((n with the (^)neen. worked herstdf
in to shor'". near the same ])lac-e. and I sent a portion of the ci-ew of the
(^iieen. at their own solicitation, to take' the rclxd and secure her crew as
prisoi,crs. Our hope at flrst was to sa\e this reb(d ijun-boat. whicdi is ]-e|)ortcd
to be a vci-y tine vessel, but she soon settled: bid thonL;h Commodtu'e Davis
lias sent a force to r^ise her. success. I understand, is regarded as (loid)tful.
[Author's Xote. — The vessel last rcfcri-ed to was the ■■Cen. I'rice" not the
"Sumnter." I
licforo closiiii:' llu' story of (his ciiiiaii'diiciil it is (Icciiicd proper
lo lilt I'odiicc a few hricf cxt rticts IVoiii r('])orls of oHiccrs not coiiiu'ctod
yS U'/.sfori/ (if tJic lidin Fleet.
^vitll the Kam Fleet, but e3^e-witnesses and participants in tlie battle,
and competent to speak advisedly on the part taken by the new arm of
the service :
Flag Officer (\ II. Davis connnandin<>- the <»nnboats in this ac-
tion, in the course of his rej^ort to the Secretary of the Navy, (in Avhich
he practically assumes tlu' whole credit of the victory) makes his allu-
sion to rams: "'I was ably supported by the ram fleet under C'ol.
Ellet, Avho was couspiciious for gallantry, and is seriously, l)ut not
dangerously, wounded." AVriting of the engagement later, Connno-
dore Davis (as ([uoted in Harpers' History of the (Jreat Rebellion,
p, 43()) said: "AAdiile the engagement Avas going on in this manner,
'•two vessels of the ram fleet, under connnand of Colonel Pallet, steamed
"rapidly by us, and ran boldly into the enemy's line. Several con-
"flicts had taken place between the rams, before the gunboats, led by
"th.e Ben'tox, nu)ving at a slower rate, could arrive at the closest (|uart-
"er^. In the meantime however, tlu^ hring from the gunl)oats Avas
'"continuous, and exceedingly well directed. The "(Jen. Beau.regard''
"and ''Little EebeP' Avere struck in the boilers and bloAvn up. The
"ram QriCEN of the AVest, which Col. Pallet conuuanded in person,
"encountered Avith full poAver the rebel steanun- (ien. "Lovell,'' and
"sunk her, but in so doing, sustained pretty serious damage. F^p to
"this time the rebel fleet had maintained its positi(Mi. aiul used its
"guns. Avith great si^irit. These disasters compelled the renuiining
"vessels to resort to their superiority in spe<Ml. as the only means of
"safety. A running Hglit took })lace. which lasted nearly an hour,
"and carried us ten miles below the city. The attack made by the two
"rams under Col. Filet, which took jjlace before the flotilla closed in
"with the enemy, was bold and successful." Captidn ^^^dke. command-
■■•ing the /iVsv,/-. said in liis report: "The attack was promptly met by
"two of our ram s(|ua(b'()n. the Qieen of the A\'kst. Col. Charles
'T-'^Uet, and the Monaucii. Lieut. Col. A. W. Filet, which fearlessly
••dashed ahead of our gunl)oats. ran foi- the enemy's fleet, and at the
"first plunge succeeded in sinking one vesseb and disabling another."
"Senior Cai)t. .1. I^. Montgomery, conunanding the rebtd fleet in that
engagement, and witnessing it fi-om the deck' of his oavu A'essel (the
•'Little Kebel") says in his report (which is mainly occupied Avith the
ram features of the flglit. and (fuite inaccurate in its mention of the
Iv
Ii('j>()rls (iiul ( 'oiH incuts of (}fjurx. yg
iiaiiics of Federal xcssels) "As ,Capt. Delaiiev Nvas (lirectiiiu' his boat
"■| ■ Ijovell" I at one of the Fecleral rams. t)iie of his engines aot out of
■•order, and hi> hoat heeanie uiinianag'eable. The Fedei'al ram Qi kkx
or TiiK Wi:sT then strnck his l)oat amid ships with disastrons (dfeet.
'"The next moment his boat was again strnck l)y the Federal I'am
''MoxAiu'ii, and was snidv. . . . The ''Smnpter" (('apt. Lamb) strnck
''the Qi KEN or TMK AA'kst and snnk her. . . . The "'(len. Price" (Cai)t.
"Henthorne). . • . ga\'e chase to the Federal ram { '.) Fastport
' I Mox.uuii I i'.nd the "(Jen. iieaiu-egard" (('a])t. Ilnnt) was at th(>
"same time comiiiii- down the river after the same boat. The Fast})ort
"I ^h»XAi;(ii I backed out from between our boats before they could
"reach her. she being nnicli more easily wielded, which caused the
"(Jen. lieanregard"" to run into the "(Jen. PriceV wheel, thereby dis-
"■abling her. Whilst they were thus entangled they Avere run into and
'•sunk by a reinforcement of Federal rams."
From the foregoing it is ai)parent that the gallant Confederate
commander. Avhose latesl ol)ser\ations must lunc been taken as he was
scrambling overboai'd from his own boat, was much impressed with
the work of the two Federal rams that day, for he mentions no less
than four, and then sees a "reinforcement of rams." beside. The im-
pressions of the two fleet commanders, as (pioted abo\-e. concerning
the elective tighting (jualities of KUefs rams, differed somewhat. iMit
that was [)robai)l\' owing to the smoke and their points of view.
One of the i)ilots of the gunboat (_'<ifon(leI('f writing inunediately
after the Hglit was o\('r. giving an account of it for j^nblication in a
leading Northern journal, says: "The first shot was iired by the re-
"bi'ls shortly after Tt o'clock. The gunboat fleet remained stationary,
"Hring stern giuis. till the ram (^i ekx oi^^ the AVest. followed by the
''ram Moxaiuti, i)assed down to attack. AVe inunediately followed,
"but the time necessarily constimed in getting around, head down the
"stream together with the greater speed of the rams, left us far behind.
''The nnicli deci'ied "rotten and worthless steamboat" rams went in
"gallantly, sinking two of the rebel boats, and throwing the rest into
'confusion, so as to allow the gunboats to get pretty near before they
"[the rebels] started off on the grand skedaddle. \Ve pursued as fast
''as possible Hring on them till they all -ui'rendered but one. which,
"being mnch faster than we were, esca])ed The ('(irondctcf was
8o Jlistoii/ of fjic Uiiin Fleet.
"struck but once, by a solid shot, near lier stern. Avhich o'lanced over
"the l)()at. doing but little damage to her and slightly Avounding t\YO
"men."" This officer had a good chance to see what took ])lace. but his
frank way of telling it. was hardly u]) to tlie right n)ark for an "official
report"" of the action.
(ien. Jetf. 'rhomj)son. in conunand at AbMuphis. had. (bu'ing the
previous day. directed the dei)arture of his troops for (irena(hi. and
had tarried to witness the gunl)oat hght. which the plucky Montgom-
ery liad determined to give the Yankee fleet. He reported to (leneral
Beauregard, after the aii'air was over and himself at safe distance
from the scene, wliat he witnessed that morning, after his "rude awak-
ening"" at early dawn, by the rei)ort that Federal tieet was coming in
sight. His sunnning up in these words is worthy a jdace in this his-
tory : "I saw a large ])ortion of the engagement from the river banks,
"and am sorry to say tluit in my opinion many of our boats were
"handled badly, or the plan of battl;' was very faultv. The eiH'my"s
"rams did most of the execution, and were handled more adroitly llian
"ours — I tliink however, entirely owing to the fact that the guns and
"sharpshooters of tlie enemy were constantly emi)loyed. while we were
"almost without either.""
The following gra])hic account of this engagement, from the pen
of W. V. Warren_, a particii)ant — one of the eleven sharpshooters on
the MoNAUCii — is prol)al)ly as nearly accurate as has ex'er been given:
Lieut. Wahrex's Description of the Battle Before ^Iemfiiis.
"Just about sunrise, the "Little Eeber' moved forward toward
"our giuiboats and fired the first shot, the signal of battle. Instantly
'•from both fleets came the answering boom of a cannon. I watched
"the effect on Col. Charles Ellet, Avho stood on the hurricane deck of
"'I"he Queex; for well I knew that the supreme moment of his life as
"a patriot had come. The work on which he had ventured all was
"now to be tested; and with the enthusiasm born of confidence, he ac-
"ce])ted the opportunity. Scarcely had the echo of the first gun died
"away. Avlien the grand old man. for such he was, full of vigor and
"dauntless courage, took olf his hat and swinging it about his head,
"shouted to his brother on tlie MoxARcrr: "Come on!"" IJight grand-
"Iv the QiEEX backed off from the shore and moved out in rear of our
.1 S lid !■ psiioolcr's / h'sci'i jif /on . 8f
**<iUiil)oats. I'assiiii:' two and tiiniiiii:' down Ix't ween the second and
"the Haii'ship JUntoit^ she made straii>"ht t'oi- the Confederate fleet, now
'inore than a mile away. The Moxarcii followed pei'haps ;*)()() yards
"behind. As we passed the lie id on. her erew cheei-iMl Instily, Avhile her
■"broadsides thundered in quick succession. All other sij^'hts and
"sounds now ])aled to insiuMiiHcance as \\'e sped onward towai'd the
"acixancinif rebel fleet. None but tlii' builder of our rams knew their
'"real |)ower. so the rest of us could but wonder if they would st;uid
"the >liock. It would be a fearful test of eniiineeriuii" skill, and one
'■or the other we knew mnst Jio down. 'J'he boys knew there would be
"no flinchiiiii' on our side, for braxci' men than the Kllets and the
"{)icked sharpshooters on those rams, never drew sword, or Hi'ed car-
"l)ine. ( )n rushed the Oikkx with ever increasini:" s])eed. while we of
"the ^loNAiJcii. with no loni^' ran.a'e ii'uns to occui)y our lime, could
"oidy watch the result. X'ol. Kllet aimed his l)oat at the "(ien. T^ov-
"ell." a \essel of about her/ size: but the wary Conh'derale dare not.
"risk the onset, and therefore turned to escape the blow. This en-
"abled the (^)rKr.x to strike her directly ainidshij)S. and so well direc-
"ed and terrible was the blow that the "Lovell" was almost cut in two.
"and saidv in perhaps five minutes. The (^)i kkx seenuMl for a moment
"to be fairly \\'edo(Ml into her antaj^'onist. and before she could recover
"herself, another Confederate ram dashed into ]>er larboard wheel,
"completely crushiiii;- it. but doin<i- her no farther daniau'e. Thi-- Avas
"accomplished in much less time than 1 Innc occupieil in telliui;' it: in
"fact, so (ptickly. that the AhtxAi.'cii not more than 100 \ards in r(>a.r
"of the Qi'EEX. was still 200 yards from the nearest Con bMlerate ram.
''thouiiii running' at the rate of twehc miles an hour. Iiistantlx* we
"realized that our one boat was iu)w left to contend with six of hei"
"own size, beside the "Little Ivebel." and all these carryini:- lu'a\y ituus.
"while our armament was only elexcn sharj)slio()ters. for the I'uion
"gunboats mnst still have been ftdl thi'ee-fourths of a mile away. The
"Confederates had seen the folly of ti'vino- to dodp' om- blows, and so
"the "(r(ui. I'x'anrenard" met us rii>ht royally. The two larii'e ships
"undei- full headway, rusheil upon each other, utterly reckless of the
"fact that one or both unist p) to the bottom. It was an awfid mo-
"ment I AMiethei- intentionally or not they did not strike head on.
'h\\\ a little (|uai-tei'inii-. Thei-e was a feart'id pi'olonat'd crash, and
82 Ilisfoi'^j of flie Ram Fleet.
•'th(>ii a cr.'akiiiii' and <>'r()aniiig of tiinhcrs. and the ncssi'Is had j)assed
••each other. The i^'ood MoxAiicii careened lie.ixily from side to side,
■'as a Hon niia'hl shake Ins mane, hnt soon rii2'hte<l uj). perfeetly ini-
"■harme(h while her antagonist. Avith bow crushed in and one wheel
"totally destroyed, was rai)idly and surely sinkinu'. The shock had
''stoijjx'd our headway, and demoralized our euii'ineers a little, leaving
"us momentarily hel])less in the center of the Confederate fleet. In-
"stantly the "(Jen. Ui'agg.'* the largest of theii- rams (formerly a (iulf
"steamer). li<'aded for our larboard stern, and as she approached a
"o2 pound i)arrott gun. standing on liei- bow. was charge(l and aimed
"at the ^loNAKCii's boihM-s: but our shari)shootei's made it so hot for
"the ginmers that they tied to cover without firing. At the same in-
"stant the "(ien. I'rict'"" charged upon our starboard bow. It seemed
"as if we wou.ld certainh' be c-rushed bi'tween these two rams. I>ut
"their pilot houses were not protecte(b an<l oui' sharpshot)ters so effec-
"tually played upon them that the pilots lost their control of their
"boats. 'i"he "Price" turned to the lid't. nnssing us i)erhai)s -li) feet;
"wdiile the "Uragg" only grazed the MoXAiicirs stern, knocking off a
'dittle of the guard, and [)assing. ran into the "Price,"' inflicting a
"damaging blow. The Moxakcii thus relieved, cii'cled to the left to
"get headway and ]:)()sition. and c-oming up struck the "Price." com-
"pleting her overthrow and causing her to sink rajjidly. We then
'•circled to the left again for headway and as we came around the "Lit-
"tle Rebel." whose connnander had given \\\) the day for lost, was mak-
•'ing for the western shore Avith all speed. The Moxakcii gave chase
"and just as the "Little liebel" touched the shore, struck her in the
"•'stern, beaching her half her length; thus inadvertently he]j)ing Com-
'^inodore Montgomery and his men to escape by putting the bow of
* his boat within a jump of the bushes. Some of her escaping crew,
"how^ever, were stojiped and ordered back onto their boat as ]M'isoners.
"Col. A. AV. EUet knowing that this boat was safe, and rightfully his
'•prize, did not wait to secure even the ex(iuisitely beautiful flag that
"waved at her mast, but turned at once to aid in completing the vic-
"tory. Up to the moment Ave gave chase to the ••Little Tvel)el." I had
"been too l)usy to notice our gunboats, but as we passed in this chase
"they Avere just at hand, firing rapidly and vigorously. i)ursuing the
"noAV retreating remnant of the Confederate fleet. As we joined in
77/1" Com iiKt iidcr II omcifdrd Hound.
■vj
"the j)iirsuit. the crew of llic " In'mii-ciiard"' luiilcd us witli piteous
""crii's to take tlu'iu tVoiu their siiikiii<jf slii[). \\'e did so: also se<'uriiiii'
•"their battle fhi,i>'s and trviiiii' ineii'ectiially to tow the ncsscI to shal-
"h)\v water. As wc i-ouiuled tlie point hidow. the "JelV 'rhomp^ou"
•"was seen en\('h)ped in Ihunes aaainst the western shore. A little
"farther down the "Suinpter"' was I'lin asjiore, set on Ww. and aUand-
"oned. Still fnrthei- do\\ n was the "r>rai>"ii" in similar condition; hut
■"our n'nnhoat men reached the last two in time to e.xtinnnish the llanies
"and sa\'e the ships. Just why these thi'ee ships wei'e forsaken l»y
"their owners I nex'er leai'ned. for the fact of their landinii,- in aood
■ shapi' indicated thai their machinerv was still intact, and they were
"Tar swifter than our i;unl)oats. Donhtless it was thouiiht too lerrihly
"risky to recei\-e the well-(lii'ecte(l lire of oui' iiTinhoats while rnnninii"
"to i;('t out of ranat'. 1 he "i<en. '^.'an Dorn" alone look the ri>k and
"made her escjipe. The MoNAUiii followe(l her lhirly-li\'e miles, hut
■"anxiety ahout his hrolher. li'nd the hopele-sne^s of a >lern cha>e. with
"the enemy out of siiihl. induced her connnander to return."
Col. Kllel"s wound in the kn;' ■_. r.'cei\e<| while he was exposed
to |)hiin \iew". on the Under deck of his \-e--sel, pro\cd to he more serious
< r
^ :■ «
THE SWITZERLAND, Col. Ellet's Flagship,
On which he was taken Norlh, Dying of his wound, enroule.
84. Ilistory of flic Iiiiw Fleet.
than was at first thoiifflit, and in the constant stress of the time he
so rai)i(lly declined in streniitli that at no time was ami)utation deemed
exjx'dicnt. For the lireater comfort of tlie [)atient he had l>een re-
moved to the S\\i'rzEi!i.Axn. from wliicli his hiter correspondence was
dated. His condition ohliged him to relinquisli connnand to his
hrolher. on the KUh. and the SwrrzErtnAXD was at once started North,
^rcanlimc his wife and oldest dauii'hter, accompanied hy Mrs. A. W.
p:ilet. and Dr. K. (\ Ellet, of Bnnker Hill. TIL. had arrived and the
party, with snrg'eon liobarts devoted themselves to the care of the
wonnded Commander, as they steamed northward. P>nt he continned
to sink aw^ay, and expired, as the boat nearcd the wharf at Cairo, on
the morning- of June 21. ,CoL Ellet's remains were taken to Phila-
delphia, where they lay in state, under Liberty Bell in In(h'i)endence
Hall, and were viewed by many thousands of citizens. A lariie mili-
tary funeral occurred on the 28th, and all that was mortal of this dis-
tinguished patriot, was laid to rest in the burial lot of the family, in
Laurel Hill Cemetery. It is mentioned here, to emphasize the cost of
the sacrifice of this noble life, that the stricken wife sank under the
shock of his death, and a few davs later was biu'ied in the same ar-'.V'
CHAPTER III
June-August, 1862
'I'lic \(ir CoiiniKi nilcr I' nn-cid k Ituirii to \ icl.sli ii if/, ('niinini it'icd I ex With
I'tirnii/iit.- HccDiuioisxii lice I II the )'(i:(j(i ('dii.sis h'chcis to I'lirii 'J'licir
liddts licloir thr Haft. I'n iraiiut I'inis tlic l',a t trrics. .hi'ml I'iiIidI dh
Yii-na. — Descent i,f tile A rl.ii iisii s.- Slic h'inis tl/e dinnillel of l-'ire. Dis-
((ster to tlie Luiicdster from n shot in ll<r Stettin hiinn. Alteiniit of the
(Jiieen to Destroji Her I inter tlie diiiis of \'iel,-.stnir(/.- Hejioils <i nil,
Critii-isins. — storii of the h'etxl l\'uiii. — J'a rnniiit'.s Ihinirl iire. siel:ness
in lloth Fleets Folloireil hi/ U'etirenient to JJelena. — Vorresjxindenee of
(Jiiinteninister liroohs. — l/ioiiess IJiifoiinters (liieiilla lUilterii Xeiir (Ireen-
rille.
Tlie C0iuiiiaii<l of tlio Ivaiii Fleet now devolved ii[)oii Ijeiil. Col.
Alfred ^V. Ellet. an ollicer of the same l)ra\"e and indomitable ^piril
as his brother, with the adxantaii'e of some nnlitary trainiiii:' and ex-
perience, and fnlly impressed with the possibilities of the ram as an
enoiiie of war. The otheei's and men who came with him. to man the
fleet, had fnlly proven their bi-axcry. and jiistiHe(l him in the expecta-
tion of efficiency in whate\"er ser\ice niia'ht be bcd'ore them, \\dnle
he was plainiini:" a moxcment sontlnvard the followinii' dispatch was
i-ecei\-ed from Mr. Stanton:
WAi; i)i:i'Ai;'i'.Mi:\'i\
Wasliiniitoii. I). ('.. .Tiiiu' 20. 18(i2.
Col. Mfreil If. l-:il<t. t'oniiiitniilinii Hum I'leri -,-
I rci^rct that \iiiir hrot lifi-"s illiu'ss (lc|)ri\c"s tlu' L;()\cnnncii1 of iiis sl'iill-
t'lil ami i;a]laiit scr\ icrs. hiil lia\i' cc )nli(lfiice tliat m>ii ■\%tll mi|i|)1\' his
phicc hrttcr tlian any one else, ^uii will dliscrvt' that hy his (tiic I 'rfsidcnt's)
instructions the Hani Fleet was placeil nmlei- the i^cnei-al coiiiiiiand of the
coiuniander of the ^nn-hoal s(| iiad roii. 'the I'fesident desil-cs yoii to consider
yourself in the same position. lielie\ini^' that eo-operal i\ <■ aelion will l)e morci
S6 Ilistofi/ of flic h'lnii Fleet.
likclv to |)i-(iiliicf i^ooil i-i'siilts than in(le|)cinu'iit acti.iii. and that tlie foin-
iiiaiiilci' of the iiim-l)oats shoiiltl have chief c-oniiiiand. ] shall be i^hul to have
full and fi-e(|ueiit rejioi-ts from you.
Edwin ]M. Stantox,
Seeretary of War.
The new CoiiiiiiaiKlcr was iin])ati('iit to ni()\e on to the front, !)e-
lievino' that in the (Icnioi-alized condition of the enemy, little or no
resistance wonld l>e met. and accordin<>-ly. acting- on his own responsi-
bility he took the hve rams available, the Monarch, Lancaster, Lion-
ess, Mingo and Fulton, and started doAvn the river, this was the 19th
of June. The fleet anchored the first night at the mouth of St. Fran-
cois ri\'er, S miles below Memphis, and next morning the Fui/rox and
Lancaster proceeded up that stream. Xo craft of any kind were
found, except now and then the remains of a cotton barge that had
been burned, and after forty or fifty miles journey up that stream the
fleet returned to the Mississippi, and proceeded doAvn anchoring for
the second night opposite Helena. At several landing points during
the day I'nion refugees from Arkansas conscription were taken
aboard, and thus the connnander learned of the location and move-
ments of the enemy in that part of the field. The river was l)eing
ferried at many points by men in skiffs and on rafts escaping from
the brutal Arkansas conscription then being most vigorously enforced,
in the effort to stay the progress of the Army of (leneral Curtis south-
ward through that State. As the fleet proceeded down the river the
plantations were found abandoned, and only a few negroes here and
tl)ere visible. Now and then a glimpse was had of a sipuul of mounted
men belonging to the state constabulary, engaged in hunting fugi-
tives from conscription, who were endeavoi-ing to make their way
towai'd Memphis, or the I^nion lines.
The fleet reached the mouth of White river at dusk June 21, and
thei-e tied up foi' the night.
A division of Davis* fleet had preceded the rams to this point,
and ascended the White river some little distance, but finding no
enemy had returned, and were now here at anchor. Several barges of
coal and cattle were brought down in tow by the rams Lioness and
MiN<;o. At this i)oint (piite a numbi'i- of the fugitives above referred
to offered themselves for service in the llei't. and were acceptecK also a
Ihtirii Info f}'/, !■!(', jg
iiiiiiiUcr (if iicyiTocs wci-c Inkcii on to assist flic (•r('\\s, and for olliccrs'
s('r\ant-. Li'a\in2' ^^'hit(' Ki\ci- on llic uiorninii' of the -J-id. the ncci
nio\'('(l on down the Mississippi witliont incident, arrivinu- toward
excnini;'. and landinii' for the niiilit. at Eu;a' l*oint. Miss. ITcrc a larg"e
nnniUcr of nci^rocs liatlicrcd alonii" the hanks, and \iewed the l)()ats
and ta'.keil freely (d' ihcii- niasters. and what was iioinii- on in their
^i(■inity. From them it was leai'iied that the ll(>einii' "\^iii Dorn" liad
<Ti'ated iireat consternation, on lier down trip, two weeks Ixd'oi'e. hy
the new> she ini])arted at the points touche(|. of the hattle and disaster
at Memphis, and of hei- own marNcJons escape from the ^ ankee i-anis.
From the whites who were willinii' to talk, it was learned that (he re-
treat for rebel rix'er craft, which had entii'ciy disappeared from the
]Missi>sip|)i. was np the ^'a/oo. That there were no o-nnhoats or
steamboats at. or al)o\'e. \dcksl)ur<j^'. and no batteries on the ri\'er above
that ]H)int. Kai'ly on the morniiiii' of the ■_'.")d the licet nioxcd on fi'om
I<]o-o- Point, and were steannna' down at a ^ood rate, when a distress
siiiiiai from the l'\ i/rox. fai- in the rear, bronii'ht the fleet to a halt.
It was fonnd that that l)oat had bnrned a boiler, and n)ust be cooled
and repaired btd'ore she coidtl ])i'oceed. So the licet lay to at Island
1>7. about 10 nnles from \'icksbnrii-. while the Fi i/rox's boilers were
j'cpaired. Dtirine- the Avait at this ])lace. smoke was observcMl in the
distance below, and preparations were made for another ram liii'ht,
should it ])rove to be a n'unboat or a lleet of them, connnu" to the at-
tack. r>ut after a few hours, the direction of the smoke, chano-ing,
enabled the ri\'er men to determine that it was from some craft mov-
ing over in the '\"a/oo. at no great distance across by land. Col. Filet
in the MoxAitcii. drojtped (low 11 some miles below the Island, as a [)re-
caiition against surprise, and to assure himself as to the approach of
an enemy. Having no guns, oi' armament (d" any sort, he wanted to
risk no encounter with a battei'y or gunboat, where his rams could not
ha\(' an equal chance. lie had expected that some of the gunboats
of I)a\is' fleet would follow on down the I'iN'er. Ihit in this he reck-
oned on an indejx'iidence of action iink'nown in naval usage. As soon
a> the Fn/i'oN was ready to ino\'e. Filet deciiled to push on to the vi-
cinity of \dcksburg. with his rams alone, but thought it prudent to
halt the large and \aluable low at a secure place, and go forward with
the unincumbered boat-. Accoi'diniil v the Lionkss and Mixcio were
8S I list nr 11 of fh,' luiiii Fleet.
ordered to i-eiiiain with, and yiiard the harii'es. at Paw Paw I-hiiid
(No. lo;!). and with tlie other three, the Fri/rox. of liii'htest draft m
advance, tliey cautionslv jjroeeeded. with the Laxcasuei; and Mox-
Aucii at half mih' distances, in the direction of Vickshurj^-. A few
honrs rini hroiii^ht them down to the month of the ^'azoo. and to the
Hr^t incident of im])ortance since h'avini>; Memphis. 'i'he Fri/roN
came n[) with a \o\w man pnllin<i' a skitf. and took him aboard. He
uas a (ierman, from \'ickshur<2\ and said he was for the Fnion. He
had (he said) been takinii' two rebel officers, away from Vick^buri>',
who were desertini>-, and |)r()bably seeking" to get to (heir liomes Ijy
stealth. C'ol. Filet (|nestioned him closely, and learned of the situation
al)()\e and below the city, and of the im])ortant fact that Farragut's
tieet liad jiisl arri\'ed below , and was ex[)ected to attack the place in a
day or two. From Idni it was also learned that the rebels had one
strong gnnboat, called the "Arkansas," up the ^'azoo, and others were
being built, also that a good many transi)oi-ts had been tak'en np there,
and hidden in the u])per river, and the SunHower.
Ellet was jnst then most interested in the news of Farragut's
fleet, and learning that the distance across the neck was only four or
five nnles, to where Farragut's boats lay, and the informant express-
ing his willingness to gnide a party if sent, he at once determined to
connnunicate with the Admiral. Accordingly he effected a landing
in the great bend above Vicksburg, and at o in the afternoon dis-
patched a volnnteer j)arty of three young men, s()ldiers of his old com-
pany, with Cadet Filet, son of the late Fleet Connnander, to go. in
citizens clothing. Avith the (ierman guide, and endeavoi- to reach the
Federal fleet below.
Furtlier authentic ])articulars of this perilous undertaking, witli
the names of those engaged in it. are contained in the correspondence
following:
Steuin ilaiii Mdiiarcli. Al)(i\t' \'icksl>iiri^-. .Tmie 2T>. 1862.
Hon I'. I/. Stdiitoii. Secreidiji of ]\'(ii\ Wds/i i ii (/ton , 1). ('.: —
I ;iri-i\c(l ahoNc \'icl<sl)iii-i;- xestcrday a I'tt'i'iiooii, and ininiediately dis-
]iatcli('d a |)ai'1\ of four yoiiiii;' iiicn wlio volunteered to earr\' a eoniniiinica-
tioii to Coiiiiiiodore l-'a rraii'iU . \ iz. : Medu-al Cadet (lias. 11. I'211et. command-
ing- i)arty: Seriicant E. W. JJartlett. my son, P^dward ('. Ellet. and W. F.
^VaT-ren. after a most arduous and daiii;erous march throniih swamps and
s1oul;1is iii sonic c-ascs waist dc'cp and passini;- nian_\- of the enemy's pickets,
Communicdfcs With Farragiit. 8g
succeeded in ivachiiiii- tlu' licet niiil (lcli\eriii<^- my It-tter to Commodore Fai-ra-
i^iit in person, and npoii llicii' rctiini l)r(iiit;lit me the foliovvini>' reply: "1 have
•■fo aeknowledgv the i-ceeipt of yuiir cuinm iin ieat ion of tlie 24th Inst., bj' the
"haiuls of \oin' Medical Cadet I'^llcl. I am hiyidy i^ratitied to find yoii in
"tliis \icinit\'. as yon may render most ett'eeti\e service by loofving- after and
"bj-eakini;' up the eomin iiiiication l>etween tlie Yazoo River and \'iel<sbn)-ij.
"As tlie yonni;- ytMitlcnia n informs me that your vessels ai'e not well ealeu-
'iated for attaekini;- the foris. they can be of no use to ns in the tiglit about
"t > tal<e |ilaee and for which I thiid< we are abundantly stron"'. If Commo-
"doi'c l!a\is"s iron-clad L;iin-bi)ats could be )iresent the_\' would ad(l iii'eatly to
"the chauces of success wilhout much loss of life which is always desirable
"in suidi cases. If you can communicate to hiiu that the affair will come oft'
"in a da,\' or two \ou will LjiH'atly obliii'e me. I'lease ai-cept my thanks for
"\our kindness in uiakiui;- this successful effort to commuMieate with me. and
"my hiiih appreciation of the nouu^' i^entlemen's enterprise and daring char-
"acter iu undertaking the service which thus far he has ])erfected so well."
I can not s|>eal\ ton highly of the courage and gcxtd judgment displayed
by the four young unui who \olunteered u[)on this daiigi'rous and most
laborions ser\ice. which through all the many difHcnlties they encountered
they succeeded in carrying through successfully'. I ha^e ojdy to add that
from Afemphis 'to this point 1 have encountered no obstacle. The river was
entirely unobstructed. I shall for the ])resent confine my attention to the
enemy's gnn-boats and rams, said to be uj) the Yazoo Eiver, and cut oft their
connnunication with N'icksburg. I have apprehensions that \ may not be
able to get up the river to where they are said to lie. but will make the attempt
unless the water is too shallow. In conformity with Connnodore Farragut's
express desire 1 liave conimunicaled his -wish to l''lag ()t1ic(M- Davis in a dis-
])atch today in his own words. I forwarded the dispati'h by teudcr Dick
FULTOX.
Alfhki) W. ICi.i.et,
Lieutenant C'ohuiel ('ounnanding Kani i-'leet.
An iiileiVhtiiio- note of roiiuratnlatioii tVoiii llic Si'crelary of AVai-
lo the Secretary of kState, based no doiilit upon the foi'eooino-. and
bearin^i^- date 7 j). ni.. June ;'>(). is fonnd anion^- the piihHshed records,
containing this sentence : "AA'c have news from \"ickshnro-. Farra-
gnt and EHet's Kani Fleet are there, acting together. The Mississippi
is clear from ^Memphis to \'icksbnrg, and Ave shall soon ha\"e that."
How characteristic of the great War Secretary, who always looked on
the bright side, and anticipated snccess in every movement, and vic-
tory in every battle! Alas I ]\lore than a year of tlu^ great conflict,
Avith its alternate victories and defeats — its failnres, and successes,
go Tlhtonj of the Ram Fleet.
with all the cost, in siirterino- and dcstriu-tion — tlu' full dread i)enalty
of war — must elapse before tliat note of exultation should be realized
in the surrender of the strong-hold of Vicksburg.
Meantime the land forre. nnder Brig-. (|en. Thomas ^^'illiams. co-
operating with Farragut. had arrived from l)at()n Ivouge. l)y trans-
ports, and landed o])posite the lower part of the city, followed by Por-
ter's mortar boats, which were a part of Farragut's Gnlf Squadron.
These at once moved np. within range of the city, and ojKMied their
desultory tire. ^Vs soon as (icn. ^Mlliams forces were in cam}) his
engineers at once began work on the "cut-off" canal across the neck.
(a project suggested befort'hand in insti-uctions. from U'ashington)
and he soon had a large foi-ce of ■"contrabands*" employed on the work.
The message sent by the dis[)atch boat, to meet Connnodore
Davis, was as follows:
Rteani Eaiii JNIonarch. Aliove Viclcsburij'. .Time \l'i. 1SG2.
Sii" : — I have the pleasiuv to infoi'in you tliat 1 obtained todas' a eoniiiui-
nicatlon from Commodore Fari-aL;iit. in wliieli tlie followini;- ])as.sage. referring-
to his intended attack on Viclvshnrg- :
"If Commodore Davis's ironclad giui-boats could be present, they would
add greatl_\' to the chance of snccess without much loss of life, which is al-
ways desii-able in such cases. If you can communicate with liini that the
affair will come off in a day or two, you will g'reatly oblige me."
I take g'reat pleasure in conveying- to you this message and trust that it
may reach you in time to enable you to particijiate in the approacliiug contest.
Aery respectfully.
Your ol)edieut servant.
Alfred W. Ellet,
Lieutenant Colonel Comnumdiug l!ani Fleet.
C U. J)(iris. F1<ii/-0tfic<r Com iihdkUiii/ (lini-hoat Flotilla.
At this date, the archives disclose a reply from the Secretary to
General Ilalleck. at ,Corinth relating to. and throwing strong light
upon the official relations of the gunboats to the army, and indicating
the views of that officer on the subject. It may here be remarked that
Mr. Stanton succeeded in getting Ellet 's ram fleet excepted from
transfer to the Navy along with the gunl)oats, but the Prt'sident had
his way in keeping it under general control of the Naval Gonnnander.
Here is the dispatch :
Ikdiiis ScoiifliKf II i> the Ynrcoo.
91
w Ai; i)i:i'Ai;'r\ri':N'r.
\V;ishin^'t(iii. I). C. June r.'T. 1SG:3.
Mii'.or Ccncral lliillccl\ Corinlli:
Xo i'liani;i' liiis ht'cii niiidt' in tlic order i-csptH'tinL;' \i)iir i;vm-i)i)ats tliat I
am aware (if. Since 1 eanu' into tliis depart nu'iit an Act of Cong'i'i'ss has
transferred them to the \a\y J)e|)artineiit. Xo re]iort was ever made to this
])e|)artment 1)\' the ('onimaiider of the t;'nn-l)()ats. AN'Iieii Mi". J<21iet had his
st.fani ranis read\ lie wanted to act under your orders or the orders of this
Dejiartment. and 1 recpiested the President's permission so to direct, but he
thought the\- shoidd he under thi' command of the oflficer commanding' the
gun-boats, and insf ructions were gi\en accordingly. I have always thought
you should ha\e command of the gun-boats, and will endea\or to procure an
ortler to that effect.
Edwix ai. Staxtox.
Secretai-y of War.
On the '2(')t\\, Col. Pallet with the other two rams, pursuant to the
^suggestions from Farragut. proceeded on a reeoimoitering expedition,
up the Yazoo. His report to the AA'ar Secretary. t\A() days later, gives
partienhirs of this trip, and the results, as he saw them. In the ofHcial
report of the Confederate Connnander of tlie Uiver Defense Fleet
(made a few days later from Mol)ile) substantially the same facts are
stated, thus verifying tlieir historical accuracy.
Pallet's report here follows:
.steam ilam Switzerland. Abo\e \'icksl)nrg. June r.'s. 1S6:3.
linn /•;. M. Stdiifoii. Srrrdiirn (if War: —
Since m\' (lis|>atch informing you that I had communicated with P'lag-
(/fHcer Farragut 1 ha\e been able to maintain constant intercourse with his
fleet through the active energy of General ^^■illiams, who holds possession
of the neck of land l)etween the two fleets. On the :2Gth inst. 1 went up the
Yazoo i;i\er with two rams, the .Moxakcii and Laxcaster — the latter under
command of ^iedical Cadet (has. 1!. l^llet. I ]H'oceeded abcuit <i.") miles to a
point where the riser is obstructed 1)V a raft l)uilt by the enemy, and ]U-o-
teeted by four guns in batters'. My obji'ct was to capt'H'c or destroy three
of the enem^y's gun-lioats that 1 was informed wei'e l,\'iug below the I'aft —
the "Van Dorn," "Polk" and "Livingston." I ran up close under the battery,
and was mortified to see the enemy set fire to the boats, and start them adrift
down upon us. i was obliged to leave the river to escape the confiagrat iim.
The tliree boats were totalh^ destroyed. The enemy did not fire upon us.
It is witli great ])leasure that I announce the arrival of Flag-ofHc<'r I'arra-
gut with nine vessels of his fleet, above Viekslnirg-. They passed up this
morning, about '> o'clock, through a severe fire from some MO or 4(1 of the
g2 Ili-stoi'lJ of the lid})! Fleet.
enemy's gmis. 'I'heir loss was, so fai' as reported, 4 men Ivilled. \'.\ \\(»iiiule(l.
Respectfully.
Ar.FRKD W. Ellet,
Lieutenant ('oli)nel C'oniniandJny.
E-rtract From Mniiti/oino'ij's iVonfrdci-alr) h'riiort.
The "Gen. Van Dorn" and the shore-boat "Paul .Jones" made good their
eseape up the Yazoo lliver to the raft. The "Paul Jones" had on board a
large amount of powder, shell and cannon balls, taken from Fort Pillow ; also
commissary stores, which were shipped to Yazoo City, and turned o\er to
Lt. Brown of the C. S. Navy. On Jnne 25 the "Gen. Van Dorn" was anchored
at the raft, alongside of the "Polk" and "Livingston." when a boat of the
enemy made its appearance in the vicinity. Com. Pinckney ordered his boats
to be set on fire. They swung against the "Van Dorn" and she was destroyed.
The "Panl .Jones" is towed uji the Sunflower.
.T. K. ^NIOXTGOXIEKY,
Captain Commanding.
:\[o'i3ile. Ala., July 1. 1S62.
Meantime, as has been seen. Farraiiut lost no time in eaiTyinii: out
the phm he liad formed of making- a riimiiug attack upon the bat-
teries, and getting- above the city Avith liis fleet. This l)ohl midertak-
ing he executed on tlie early morning of the 'isth. and the nine vessels
of his fleet which got by the batteries, and th" fixe of Elh^t's rams al-
ready there,. Avith the addition of the SwrrzEiiLAxn. just arrived from
above, constituted a formidable flotilla. And it was soon to be aug-
mented by the gunboat fleet of Commodore Davis, th/n just starting
down from Memphis.
From these reports it will be seen that the destruction of the Con-
federate gnnboat ''Van Dorn" (which escajx'd at Memphis) and the
two valuable transports "Gm. Polk"* and "Livingstone."' intended for
conversion into gunl)oats. was wholly due to this scouting expedition
of Ellet's rams.
The fact developed that they were in an exi)osed and defenceless
position, below a strong raft, constructed to protect the craft previous-
ly run up the Yazoo and Sunflower for safety. The Confederates
do not seem to have had time to get these l)oats above the raft, before
the movements of the Eam fleet on tlie Mississippi <)i)posite, warned-
them against the attempt to do so. And. on noting the approach of-
Tiro ?\iirij Fleets .1 o'm Hdiiix Ahcre ]!(kslnn'g.
93
the rams, on the Yazoo, tlu'sc boats were tired to prexeiit their ea pi lire,
ami sent adrift in the stream. Their tloating- masses of flame, with
tlie possibilities of danger from explosives in their holds, was a worse
menace to the Federal boats than would have been an attempt of the
Confederates to fight their way ont. A hasty retreat was all that re-
mained to the rams, for that day. A worlc of no small im[)ortance
was thus accomplished in clearing tlu' river of rebel craft. Above the
raft, however, was a formidable foe. now nearly ready to take the of-
fensive. With the assistance of the "(ilen. Polk" and the "Living-
stone,"' had the Confederates had time for completing their armament
and equipment, nuich injury and loss might ha\(' been intlieted upon
tlie Federal fleet, by a well planned attack.
From information furnished by negro fugitives, and deserters,
almost daily making their way through the marshes and brakes to the
Federal Heet, the connnanders were apprised of the threatened appear-
ance of an armored vessel of most formidable proportions, which was
likely to make its way out of the Yazoo and attack the Federal iieet
at any time. These reports, in view of the i)ast experience with rel)el
gunboats on the ^Mississippi, created very little apprehension, and as
the sequel showed, scarcely caused sufficient precaution to prevent a
surprise.
We have mentioned the dispatch of the Fii/rox to Menqjhis, at
Farragut's request, bearing documents for Davis, and Wasliington.
The return of the Fi i/rox and later of the Queen, from her trij) for
repairs, completed the force of rams, and with the gunboats, and Far-
ragut's vessels, constituted a formidal)le array against Vickslnirg at
this time. But tliere was no sufficient land force to cooperate in an
attack. The brigade under Gen. Williams, then following and sup-
porting Farragut's Heet beloAV, was greatly overestimated by the
enemy, as the following dispatch, from ^"icksburg■ to the (Jrenada A])-
peal of June '11, shows: "Porter's mortar fleet opene(l on the lower
"batteries at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon and ceased at 7. They
"recommenced the bombardment at •) this morning. ()iir batlei'ies re-
"plied W'ith but few shots or loss — two killed and three wounded. This
"morning it is reported that the Unionists ai'e landing troops at A\'ar-
"renton. We have no knowledge of the truth of this report, but it
^'corresponds with their previous movements. \X 1 o'clock to-day
g4 Hhtoi-jj of the Ram Fleet.
•'twelve transports caiiie up above the gunboats and landed troops at
• Brown and Johnson's, on the Loui-^iana shore. From the number
"of transports engaged they nmst have landed a large force."
Before running the Ijatteries Farragut had strongly represented
to Washington authorities the need of such co-operation, and one of
the main purposes of his first dispatches to Memphis Avas to have the
General commanding there send a large force l)y river, at once, to aid
ill taking the place. It was at the time understood, that a considerable
force was. in response to this request, embarked upon transports to be
accompanied down 1)3" the Lancaster, but when the latter signalled
for an early morning start, it was found that the troops were being
di>emi)arked — the order having been countermanded — and the Lax-
caster returned without them, overhauling Davis' a'un1)oat fleet on
its way at Ozark Island, about half way l^etween Memplii> and ^'icks-
burg.
A few days later Farragut and Davi- joined in an urgent appeal
for a land force, to be sent at once, if it could possibly be spared.
But the army situation in the West, at which we will now take a
hurried glance, was by no means favorable for such, a movement. The
month (June) following the occupation of Corinth Avas di-appointing.
judged from the standpoint of those specially engaged in the work of
rescuing the Mississippi fi"om Confederate grasp.
The splendid army under Halleck Avas rapidly scattered. Buell
being returned to East Tennessee with his Army of the Ohio, and
other disi)ositions Avere made reducing the force occupying Corinth,
where Halleck had planned, and cominenced the construction of an
extensive system of fortifications. Grant, though second in command,
had been persistently ignored by Halleck, Avas now allowed to estab-
lish liis headquarters at Memphis, reaching there Avitli his staif and es-
cort. June -I'^i. But his stay there was to Ije short, for Halleck. being
called to Washington as Connnander in Chief. (July 11 ) notified him
to re-establish his head(|uarters at Corinth. Avhicli he did. hr.rriedly re-
turning there. Avith his -tatf. July Vk The large territory to guard,
with a scattered force, and the enemy concentrating to the south,
under Van Dorn and Price, and with, a raiding caA'alry force already
operating in his rear, kept (irant fully occupied at the time of AAhich
we noAv Avrite. Sherman's connnand had been ordered to ^lemphis.
Land Force Needed.
95
1)111 hiixiiiii' to recount nu'l :iii(l opcrnlc the railroad I'roiii (iraiid fliiiic-
lioii wcslwai'd to Memphis, it took till the 'JOtli of July for his forco
to reach that place. Aleaiitiiue the ( 'on fe<lerates were not idle. lU'aa*^'.
who had succeeded ])eau regard, was concent i"atini>' a, lari»'e army at
Chattanooga, and \'an Dorn Avas occupied likewise in Mississi]ipi. and
soon threatened (Jrant's advancej below Corinth. On the West sid(>
matters were even h»ss encouraging, for Curtis" achance was checked
1)V the reht'l forces concentrated in middle Arkansas, undei' (len.
liains, and his rear and siip[)lies lhrealeiie(|. I»y cavalr\' raiders, and
the attempt was then being made to send Col. Fitch's brigade with
supplies to his relief, from MiMuphis via ^^ hite river.
From this cursory glance at the sititation it will readily be schmi
why the seemingly favorable opportunity now presented for an active
campaign against Vicksburg, and its immediate assatdt and cai)ture,
were allowed to pass uniniproN'cd.
The short period of naval inactiA'ity following the passage of the
batteries by FarraguCs fleet, was enliM'ned by tin' scene of hundreds
and later thousands of contrabands, at work in the channel of the
canal across the neck. This work, if not originally suggested by the
Pi'esident, was faxorecl by him. and through its several stages, to linal
failure. recei\-ed all the encouragement and assistance that the powers^
at A\'ashington could gi\'e. Meantime the rebels began to recoxer
from the stunning effect of their inglorious defeat at Memphis, and
on l)()th sides of the rixcr scouting parlies began to make their ai)pear-
ance, and assume the offensive. Passing boats Avere lired upon, at
\arious points between ^"icksburg and Memphis, by a seemingly con-
certed action, which menaced, not only transj)()rts, but war vessels as
well, whose i)ilots and other oilicers were more oi' less exposed in the
performance of their duties, when under wa\'. A conununication be-
longing to this period, from Col. EUet to the Secretai-y of \\'ai-. is here
gi\cn. presenting ((uite forc(d"ully sexcral aspects of the siliialion at
this time:
lliiiti'd Sliitcs l!am S\vi( /ci-laml.
.\l)n\r Vickshiiri^-, .liily i::, IS*):'.
llitn. /■;. J/. Sid II I oil. Scciclii rii (if War:
Sir: — I have i-cccivcd fj-din (^lartci-inast .t Krcioks ten hi-ass Held ]iifc(>s
to add to the scciirily of my hoats frdin the allacks of (lie ii-iierilla l)ands lliat
ar-r now infi'stiii"' the l)anl<s of tlie ri\cr. and. U> enable us to iulliet piiiiisli-
g6 History of the Ram Fleet.
ment on siioh bands when tlu-y do ;ittac1< iis. I find it necessary to enable
me to man these i^iiiis t(( ask for antlioi-ily to iiu-ivase my military force 75
men and. if consistent with the service, would wish to ol)tain these men from
the Seventh lleoiment III. ^'olunteer liifaiiti-y. .^t ])resent 1 am keeping- my
force occu])ied by occasionally sending- a lioat to Memphis at the request of
Fag--officers Farragut and Ua\ is. and by i-econnoissances up the '^azoo Eiver.
Yesterday I found our gams of great servit'c upon one of these trips. I was
attacked and tired into by various bands, who scattered and tied before each
well directed discharge of grajie. The ^'azoo IJivei- is lined w-ith these
ruttian bands and tilled with valuable steamers owned by the Southern Con-
federacy. 1 have hut Just recovei-ed from a severe spell of illness that has
confined me to my bed for six days. I have offered myself and all my force
to Flag'-ofticer Farragut. and Davis to assist in any enterprise they may wish
to attempt. I shall of course | rcunjitly res|!on(l to any call from either of
»"hem.
.Vlfred W. Ellet.
bieut. Col. Comd'g- I'leet.
Meantime, the api)eal iiuule ')y Farraant and I)a\is i'di- ;i cD-opcr-
athfo" land force to bi' sent to their assistance, ineeiini;- no re-ponse
from the ne\Y Commander-in-Chief, and advices reachin<j;' ^\'ashini>-ton
of the steady decline of the waters of the. Mississippi, orders were
being considered recpiiring- the departure of the (iidf Squach-on from
that vicinit3\ Secretary Stanton (.July 14) Avrote (len. Ilalleck this
pertinent inquir}' : "The Secretary of the Xa^■v desires to know
"whether you have, or intend to have, any land forci' t;) co-operate
''in the operations at Vicksburg. IMease inform me innnediately. in-
•'asmiich as orders he intends to give Avill depend on your answer.**
This said, as plainly as could well bi' expressed 1)V implication,
that unless plans for the co-operation of the Westerti army were then
made, the Navy department would withdraw the Gulf Squadron and
till' attack upon Vicksburg would l)e abandoned. Halleck's answer,
from Corinth, was the sequel of a series of most disastrous mistakes
in the war on the Mississippi — mistakes that cost blood and treasure
almost innneasurable. This was his reply:
Coi-inth. Miss.. July 1."). 1862.
1 can not, at present, give Commodore Fari-agnt any aid against "\'icks-
burg. 1 an; sending reinforcements To (ien. Curtis in Arkansas, and to (ien.
BncU in Tennessee and Kentucky.
11. W. Halleck.
Wnfcli/iH/ for flu- " A rl.'d iixd.s'^ gy
I iiawiirc of tlu' t'()r('i;(jin<2' porli'iiloiis (•ori'cspoiKlciicc the Naval
CoiiiniaiKlcrs atjoNC \'ick>l)urii' were anxiously plaiiiiiiiii- for doiiio- all
ill their power a^'ainst (lie eueiiiy. A note fi'oiii r'arraii'iit (o Col. A.
AV. Eliot. July 14. reads: "Dear Colonel: (ieii. Williams and Fla^-
"Officer Davis are on board here. \II(irffi>i-(l \. \\\\\ xon come, and
"we will try and hx \\\) an expedition for the "ia/oo."
Col. Kllet at once joined the conferenee on the Ilmffoid . and the
result was an inerease of the usnal patrol — one ram and one li'iniboat
- — by a third, carryiiio- a detachment of soldiers from (ien. A\'illiams
command, to ene'ajji'c the enemy hidden alonii- the forest lined shores,
the trio to ascend to tlie raft, next morninii'.
\{ an early lionr on the moi'uina' <>f Jidy IT) this patrol exj^edi-
tioii. consisting' of the u-milioat I'l/lcr. Lieut. Conicrg (iwynn. with the
sohiiers. aboard, the gunboat ('(irondclcf. Ca])l. A\'alke. and the ram
QuEEx under Lieut. Hunter, an infantry oHicei' who had iust been as-
signed to the vessel, on her return from the ways at Caii-o. Although
apprehensive of ultimate trouble from the nnicji discussed rebel ram.
no special importance attached to the day's operations, further than its
expected ability to push on safely as far as to the raft, with the pro-
tecting help of the sharpshooters on the Ti/lcr. while the usual tri])
had Ijeen l)ut 1.") or "JO miles. Tliey had fre(juentl\' been hre<l on fr(»m
the woods, and "slieiling the enemy" — seen or unseen, was no uncom-
mon occurrence.
The following were Lt. Col. l^lletV written instructions for the
dav:
Steam Kaiii Switzci'la iid. Ahoxt- \icksliii i-j^'. July 14t.li. lS(i:2.
Lieiiiriitnil Ihinlcr: —
Will proceed up (lie river in steam i-am Qckex of imie Wkst. in com-
pany witli g'lin-boat 'l\ Icr as far as tlic (.nicer of that l)oat deems it neces-
sary to proceed for llie |)iii-|mis(.s lie has in view, lie will take particnlar
caution to keep his ram all the time under cover, with rifles in liand, ready
at any moment to retnrn a tire fi-(im the enemy, lie will kee]i his l)rass
guns loaded so that if an opportnnil \' oeeni-s. he ma_\' thri)W a (h'striietive tire
into tlie eiiem,\-'s ranks, lie can not i)c too eantions alx.nt kee])iny his men
under covei'. Many valuable lives have heen hjst hy allowini;- the men to
expose themselves nnneeessai'ily. 1I(^ will, if the 'I'vler shonld be attacked
bv an enemy's ram. dash his 1)oat to her resene. and make his boat serve
g8 [list or If of the luiiil Fleet.
+lie ]:)iif|)()se for wliicli il \\;is desig-ned, by siiil-;ini;' the enemy's hoat by ruri'
r.'m<;' full ;~|)et(l riiilil lieail (Hi into her.
A r. I RED W. Ellet.
Lienteiiaiif (nloiiel Connnanding Ram Fleet.
The coal supply of the squadron Avas at this jx-riod (juite low. and
it was the hal)it of boat's officers, not under special ordei's. while lying"
at cUichoi'. to allow tires dainnened and fi'e<niently one or more hoats'
hiv^ were j)ut out, to allow of cleaning boilers, an oj)i.'rat ion <|uite ne-
cessary on sonic of them, where high ste.ini was renuii'ed in scr\ ici'.
An hour or so aftei- the [)atrol had left the Ih'ct. distant guns were
heard in the direction of the Yazoo, and i)resently it was nctticed that
the sounds were louder, and more freciuent. Still the cause did not
seem to occur to any one. until the nearer ai)proach of the hiing which
was entire]\' hidden from \iew by the dense forest of w illow. began to
attract general attention throughout the Meet, and on a few of the ves-
sels men Avere called to <|uarters, merely as a habit of the service.
Presently it was noticed that the hring was being kept \\\). after the
Itoats had made the turn t)f the ^'azoo and down the Mississij)pi.
Then it flashed upon the officers and men of the whole s(|uadron that it
was the rebel ram "Arkansas"" witli whom our picket boats Avere fight-
ing, and that she was even then rounding into the jMississippi scarcely
two miles above the fleet. At that instant the Queen hove in sight,
connng down at full speed, and a little later the Tylei- followed, wdnle
in their rear and firing at them at short intervals, plowed the low rak-
ish looking rebel craft, with slanting iron covered decks, and her port
holes l)ristling Avith guns. As she neared the fleet at anchor scattered
along near a mile of river, she began a most effective fire from every
gun. The Qi'eex, Avhose connnanding officer seemed that day to haA'e
thought only by the a|)parent invulnerable (juality of the ram, and to
have deemed it his first duty to hasten to the fieet with news of the
danger, passed doAvn near the Jlnrtford and romided to. astern of her.
fonling her anchor chains, and swinging heli)lessly alongside. The
"Arkansas'' steadily kei)t the middle of the stream, and as there Avere
A'essels at anchor on both sides, her guiniers Avere not at a loss for
targets as she moved down, through the entire mile of naval batteries.
At the first moment of her appearance e\'ery man of the three com-
mands Avas at his post, but Avhile this meant the oi^ening of a tremen-
llilxj Ulllll I'll IIS flic (_T(I II iiflcl .
99
(Ions lire upon the rchi'l. as slic caiiic within i-.-adi. and llic pourina'
upon her of broadside after hroadside. tVoni the heaviest ordnance
then earrie(| in the na\v. it did not UK'an the eirectixc uioxcnient of
the l''e(leral rams, two or three of which, had the\- had steam up and
been ready feu; action, and connnaiided hy men of the l^llet si)irit.
shouM ha\'e attacke(! her. and heyond (h>uht wouhl ha\'e sunk' her in
the deep cliauiiel before she <i-ot within siyht of \"ickshurii'. As it was
she seemed to hear a charniecl life, and to he in\uhieral>le to the terrific
comionadinii". for she iuoxcmI on out of raniic and linally roiuuU'd the
point, and soon was safe mider the friendly auns of the \'ick'sl)urif
batteries. She had by no means e.-caped unharmed, but the marvel
was that she escaped at all. Her casualties during' the run. as stated
by her .Commander, Lieut, lii'own. were "ten killed and lifteen wou.nd-
eil. not countinii' se\('i-al slieiitly injured:" also that the vessid was
"much cut up; our pilot hou^e nusshed. and some u<i"l\' j)laces ihrouah
our ai'mor," luid the smokestack so riddled that steam was reduced
from 1(10 to .VU) pounds.
()f the \'ess(ds of the ram fleet, nearly all of wliich were more or
less injured by shots fi'om the "Arkansas." the Lancastki; was the
]»i'incip)al suH'erer. She had some steam uj). and the moment the I'am
a})peared Col. Kllet sii^-naled lier to let e'o her anchor and attack the
enemy. Promptly the ordei- was obeyed and the Laxcasi'ki; I'ouuded
out, and made for the rebel as she was nearly o[)i)osite. V>\\{ bid'ore
she had gained nnich headway a solid shot from the "Arkansas" pene-
trated her bulwarks and a steam drum, instantly disabling hci'. and
filling her with scalding steam. She floated down helplessly some
little distance, in tlu' wake of the "Arkansas." when she was overtaken
and rescued and towed l)ack to her position, by the tow boat Champion.
Several other shots had penetrated her upper decks doing much dam-
age. To lier crew below decks, the etfects of slielland scalding steam
were most agonizing. Several killed, othei's maimed, scalded and
otherwise injured. No official rejxirt of these casualties was foimd
for these pages, but from diaries of the period the following ai'e
taken: John AVybrant, 1st Engineer, bad scald; flohn (Joshen, 2d
engineer, killed; (ieorge l)Oggs, assistant engineei'. killed: Sylvester
Doss, pilot, severely injured: Jack Dow and A\'iHiaui Rice, cooks,
killed: J()se|)h Connelly, carpenter wounded: Thomas 'Idiompson and
loo IlUtorii of the luiin Fleet.
Samuel Dyer, deckhands, killed; Fred King, killed; (both legs and
arms cut ott) and seven negro deckhands and coalhearers, scalded to
death. 'J'he scene on the decks of the Lancaster following this event,
-was a shocking one to behold.
'J'lie details of tliis terrific encounter can best be told in the lan-
guage of the official reports, from which sufficient extracts are here
gi\('n :
From Brig. Gen. Thomas, conunanding Land Forces opposite
Vicksburg: *'.... Hearing that the rel)el ram "Arkansas" was near-
Disaster to Ram LANCASTER
A Shot from Rebel Ram "Arkansas," Explodes'her Steam Drum,
Killing and Scalding a number of Crew.
"ing conii)leti(m up the Yazoo, Connnodore Farragut and Davis sent
''two gunboats (one an iron-clad) and one of Col. Filet's rams, in the
"morning of July 1-t at .") o'clock to reconnoiter and ascertain what
"other na\al and co-operating land force would suffice for her capture,
"or deslrnction or capture of the land batteries and the land force pro-
"tecting her. To accompany the reconnoissance as sharpshooters. I
"furnished two parties, of an officer and -JO men each. Captain J. W.
"Lynn and 20 Wisconsin men, and Lieut. F. A. Fiska and 20 JNIassa-
"chusetts men. In the encounter about to be reported. I regret to an-
Fan'Ki/uf.s Mortip'cdfioii. lor
••iioiiiK-e the (Icalli of ("!i])t. Lynn and r> of his nuni and the woiindiiii)-
''of 5 other men — all by the ex|)l()ding of one of the enemy's shells.
"The reconnoissance had proceeded on its way to within al>oii( a mile
"of the mouth of the ^ azoo when it encountered, at (> o'clock in the
"morning, the rebel ram. steaming down, and at once engagecl her,
"our gunboat {TyJcf) in the k\ul firing first, followed l)y the ram
"Ql'een of the West and the iron-clad gunboat Cavoitddcf. Thf?
^^2'i/lei\ Qi'EEX OF THE AVest and ('arondelet all engaged, joining the
"rebel ram, as she passed and condng down with her, but the (^ikkn
"of the AYest they say. fired, but failed to ram. thougli signaled to
"ram, wliile our iron-clad {('arondclcf) lay side by side with the reb ■!
"ram some ."> miles exchanging broad-sides, Avhen some sudden break in
"steering apparatus, or engine enabled the rel)el to get cleai' of her.
"and leave her behind, and. to the surprise of the two Heels (who to
"economize fuel had not steam enough to pursue) passed along down
"and through them, firing as she came on. and in rt'turn reeei\ing the
"fire of several vessels of tlie two (iei'ts; l)ut she passed on. getting some
"heavy l)lows indeed, but making her way to Yicksbnrg where ^he
"now lies under the guns of the town
P^rom Farragut's report: .... "It is with deep mortiliealion
"that 1 announce to the Department that, not withstanding my
"prediction to the contrary, the ii-on-clad I'ani "Arkansas" has at
"length made her appeai'ance and taken us all by surprise. We had
"heard that she was at Li\'ei'pool in the A'a/oo Kiver. and Lieut. Col.
"Ellet informed me that the rixcr \\as loo narrow for our gunboats to
"turn, and was also shallow in ])laces — but suggested that Hag ollicer
"Davis might send some of his iron-clad boats which draw only <> or 7
"feet of water, ^^'hen this was pro|)osed to Flag-officei- Da\ is he con-
"sented immediately and (ien'l A\'iHiams oH'ered to send up a few shai-j)-
"shooters. The next morning they went otf at daylight and by (> in
"the morning we heard hring up the ri\er. but supposed it to be the
"gunboats firing at the Hying aHillery. said to be lining the rixcr. In
"a short time. howe\"er. the gunboats appeai'ed. and the ram in pui'-
"stiit. Although we were lying with low lii'es. none of us had steam.
"or coidd we get it up in time to pursue hei': but sic look the bi'oad-
"side of the whole fleet. It was a bold thing and -he was oidy saved
"1)V oui- feelina' of secui'itv. She was \-ei-\' uMicli iniure(l and was only
I02 Hist or 1/ of flic Jul III Fleet.
'*al)l(' to drift or go at the slowest speed — say, one knot, and with the
'•cm-rent she got down to the forts of Mckshnrg hefore any of us had
'"steaiii up."
Porter's history thus narrates the facts of this exciting atfair:
'\Six niih's above the mouth of the Yazoo the two gunhoats and ram
'•met tile ••Arkansas" boklly steaming do^Yn to the attack. The iron
'•jjlating of the ''Arkansas" rendered her imj)ervious to the shot and
'•shells of our fleet, her formidable iron ])row could |)ierce any ship's
'•side and she had a formidable battery of rifled guns. The two gun-
'•boats and the Qi ken or the West turned to retreat down the river
"firing u])on the ''Arkansas" as they did so. The confederate ram pur-
'•sued the three vessels, keeping up a vigorous fire with her bow guns
'•and had greatly the advantage being thoroughly protected from their
'•shot, and having a much heavier battery. This running fight Avent
"on for an hour until the "Arkansas" came up with the Caron-
""tlclet tile slowest of the three vessels and tried to run her down. The
"Cawiulelet avoided her prow, and as the "Arkansas" came abreast
'•exchanged broad-sides with tlie enemy. The •"Arkansas" then })assed
"ahead and the Carondelet opened on her, with the bow-guns, the shot
'•from which seemed to glance harmlessly from her stern. At this
''moment the L'arondelet\s wheel ropes were shot away for the third
"time and she steered into the shore The •'Arkansas'' never
''stopped, but made the best of her way in pursuit of the Tyler and
"Queen of the West both of which were carrying on all steam to
'•notify the squadron that the "Arkansas" was coming. The sound of
'•the guns was heard in the fleet, but it was taken as indication of some
'■conflict with bush whackers." The ram (rent. I>r((</<j was the only
"vessel that had steam u]). and her Captain unfortunately waited for
'•orders instead of slipping her chain and attacking the ''Arkansas"
"when she came up with the fleet. Had the BeiKjej done this she would
'•doubtless have disabled the "Arkansas'- by raunning her as the latter
••\essel was already damaged in her motive power.
Connnancler Alden of the Riclimoml thus wrote in his })ublished
journal of the disaster to the Lancaster ''We | the Richmond^ were
'"the first vessel she had to pass. When she ("Arkansas") was about two
'•slii})s lengths ahead of us, the ram Lancaster was steaming across
'•under our stern when a shot from the ••Arkansas" struck the Lancas-
l''ti rriKj iif U< liiriis fa /■laf licloir.
■"ri;i!"s lioilcr. ^c'lltrnia' a iiix'iit iiiaiiy nicii: the si^Iit was (cn-iUlc ns she
"was jiisl ill IVoiil of lis. The scalilcd uicii jiiiiiix'd oNcrlx);! rd. and
•"soiiic (d' lliciu iH'Ncr caiiic to the surface anaiii. There were 10 or 12
"ill ihc waler. some swimiiiiiii;- and some holdiiiif on lo the i-iuhler.
"A ho.il w a> h)Weri'd from the L.\ ncastki; to pick up hei" (h'ow niii<j,'
■"men. \\\ thi> time she had (h'it'te(l astern of us. and the "Arkansas"
"came on (h)\vn. and as >he parsed we hred our w hoh' broadside into
hei-
(iiaphic accoiinls were ii'i\('ii in the reports of the rehel com-
niaiKh'r and his siihordinates. hut they a(hl hltle to the foren-oinu". as
relaleil to ram Heet history.
'I'he I'deet ( 'oinmaii(h'i'> were ureatly chaii'riiie(| that the (hiring
I'ehi'l craft hatl taken them unawares, and not oiih' inJlicled se\'ere
injuries and losses upon their xcssels and men. hut had apparently
jjrox'ed itself iinulnerahle. and was now a danii'erous part of the (U'-
feir-es of Nickshiiri;'. Farragut at once iia\'e orders for ])reparini!.' to
o-() ]);'low that night, realizing the danger to his \-essels. ami the mortar
fleet helow. should the "Arkansas" assume the otfeiisiNC.
That night the nine \'ess(ds of the (iiilf S(]iiadron assisted hy three
of l^a\is' \-essels — allack'ing the upper batteries, matle the run: engag-
ing the batteries in a desiiltoi-y lire, with slight injury to the boats, but
a casualty list of li\'e killed and sixteen wounded. lie had. howexcr,
rejoined his Heet. below the danger(ius enemy, and was reinforced by
the .Sui,ij>f(i\ a staunch ram caj)tii!'ed at ]Mom])his.
Secretary of the Xa\y \\'elles in his dispatches to Farragiit and
Da\is. concerning the escape of the "Arkansas" to safety under tlie
guns of ^'icksburg. had expressed the "niort iHcal ion of this de])art-
meut" in somewhat caustic hnigiiage. and the implied censure was not
altogether inidese)-\'ed. The oflicial correspondence between the two
na\'a] commanders at this junctui'e seems to I'ecognize the graxity of
the situation, and that they must nse their best efforts to destroy the
ram. and in this feeling Kllet was a full sharer as Ids actions proved.
Jhil J)a\is was reluctant to I'isk much for that object, and re|)resented
that the "Arkansas" Avas "coni])arati\'e]y harmless, where she was."'
from which A'iew I*'arragut disseiitecl. declaring he didn't think she
ANOiild "remain haianless long." and iii-ged in \aiii that Davis phui
another attack and indicate wjiat Karragut should <lo to co-operate.
70/ iristiirij of ///«" lidin Fleet.
Kllcl cliafiMl luulcr llic ;ickii<)\vli'(lo(.(l failure of his va\\\> to meet
the hite emergency, and resolved that their [)restig"e should he re-
gained at whatever cost. Calling upon Davis in j)erson. he laid be-
fore liini a ])]an for attacking the "Arkansas" as she lay at tln' Vi(dvS-
burg wharf. He suggested that Davis' fleet engage the battt-ries
while he (Pallet) would, with one of his rams, strike the relj^'l. and
if possible, destroy her. Da\is connnunicated with Farragut across
the peninsula, and while the matter was pending Ellet Avrote the fol-
lo\\ing note to Davis, showing his anxiety lest the ])i'oposal should not
be api)roved 1)\' the na\al comma.nders:
Stt'ain Uaiii Switzerland, off \'ieksbni'£>'.
Siiiiil;i\- Hiornino-, .July :2(). ] SO?.
Tu II. C. Ixiris. l-'hi(/-()f/icir <; ii n-hoat Flotilla:
I'erniit iiu> to say. Coiniiiodorc. that 1 a pin-t'licnd the continued existence
of tile rel)ei i^-unboat "Ar]<ansas" so near us. is exertinij;' a very ])ernieious
inflneiice upon the confidence of our crews, and eveii njjon the commanders
of our Jooats, and in view of thi.s state of facts it does seem to me that some
risk should he encountered to insure her destruction, and re-establish our
own prestig'e upon the Mississi]3pi TJiver. I hojie you have given my ]3roposi-
tioii your careful consideration, and trust tliat you may not conclude that
the i-isk of failure is too great to attempt its accomplishment. I feel great
confidence that, with united action, it will l)e nuide a complete success. I
will mj^self connuand a boat that I shall select to run the "Arkansas" down,
with a verjr small but carefullv" chosen crew: wdiilc. if you and Com. Farragut
will vigorously attack the batteries. I shall feel that success will surely at-
tend the effort. llo])ing to hear from you favorably as to tlie attempt to
destroy the rebel gun-boat "Arkansas."' and that you will excuse the freedom
Ot these suii'g'esfifins from one whose ex])erience is so slight, as compared
with your own mature Judgnicnf. I I'cuuiin. with feelings of great respect,
^'oiii' \ery obedient serxant.
Ar.FREI) ^V. I'r.LET,
Ijieutenant Colonel Counnanding' liani Fleet.
AVhen Farragut was informe(l of Fllel's proposal he at once came
across the peninsula in person, and with Davis, called on Filet, on
board his fiagshi}). the SAvrrzEUbAxn. Their conference lasted over an
h(nir, and the details of their plan for a sinndtaneous attack by the
fleets above and below upon the batteries, wei-e agreed u])on. The
E'<se.i- was to dro[) down and engage the '"Ark'ansas" with hei' Hre.
while Filet, with the (^ckex, should pbmge into the rebi'I boat and
Kllct Atta<-l's flu- ''Ark(ii,s,<H:\ 105
endeavor to destroy it. No inenioraiiduni in writini!,' was made of these
details. l)ut the above was the suhstauee of it — at least as Fdlct under-
stood it — and atteni[)led to carry it out. Preparations were at oiice
begun for this desperate undertalving". The vessels to take jiart were
coaled and <>-ot in readiness, and for the Qieen Col. p]net called for a
special volunteer crew, willin<i' to risk their lives in the attenii)t. the
object and nature of which were fully understood by every man. The
names of the crew and xolunleers on tins occiision are fortunately pre-
served.
At an early iiour l)a\is" boats A\-ere on (he mo\'e, the A'.v.s'cw takiuij;'
the lead. As soon as the Kssc.v rounded the point the hrini>' began.
'J'he (^iKKX followed, and as the battle thickened, she headed, with all
steam on. for the location where the ram was known t(^ be lying. As
the (^Hken neared the scene of conliict bt'tween the "Arkansas'" and
the A'.v.vc./'. the latter was obserxed to be withdrawing, and then to con-
tinue down stream ])ast the batteries. This left the (^i ekx the vessel
to encounter the hre of all tlie enemy's giais. lint site boldly roimde(l
in. and headed for the rebel ram. which was now seen to be lying willi
stern ashore, and head well out in the stream — a position well chost-n
to a\'oid the ram. The blow was therefore a glancing one. and
while tlie shock was severe it was not decisi\e. Under a terrific
gun lire, the Qieex backed away, and headed up stream, and though
fairly riddlecl in the uj)per works by shot and shell, she m;ide her way
back to safety, without the loss of a man. In the excitement (d' the
moment of collision, a sharpshooter had jumped, or fallen, overboard,
and was supposed to liax'c drowned, but he swam down a mile or more,
to Farragut's fleet, and was pick-ed uj). and aftei"ward returned in
safety.
The amials of naval warfare show no more daring encounter than
this of the (^i eex. with a foe, her equal as a ram, and her superior as
t() armament, under the protection of in\incible l)atteries (d" artillery
of heaviest caliber, and without sui)})ort during the whole attack.
Pallet's report alfords the details of this heroic action, and some
pretty vigorous views on the lack of promised co-operation:
United States Ilani Switzei-laiul.
Off Viekslnirii-. July 2:i. 7sr,2. S a. m.
Sir: — I have the honor to inform you that, in accor(hince witli precon-
certed ari'angenients. made with Flai>--offieers Farrayiit and l)a\is, I. in the
lo6 Ilisfori/ of the luiin Fleet.
QiietMi of tile West, made an attack upon the rebel ram anrl o-un-hoat Av-
k'ansas lyiiii;- iiiider tlie batteries at \'icksl)ur,i^-. I rei^ret to say, that, owinj^-
to the faibire upon the pai't of the parties who were to eo-operate with me
in the attai-ls'. from some eanse that is yet nnexphiined to me. I (bd not suc-
ceed as I expected in destroxiui;- tlie Arlvansas. I (bii succeed, however, in
striking a severe l)h)w. and no (h)ubt intiicted se\ei'e injury upon her, but l)c-
iuL!' unsupported l)y the ]<]sse.\ and Snniptei-, as I had l)een led to ex])ect, and
ex]iosed alone to the united tire of all tlie u])))er batteries, 1 \vas oblioed to
draw off without a<-complishi nt^' the full result anticipated. The )iositiou
that the Arkansas occu])ies was a \t'r\- favorable one for my attack. 1
could not reach her vulnerable side without roundini;' about and thus lost
much headway. The couse(pieuce was that she failed to receive the effects
of a fidl lilow. In maKinn' ni\' retreat, most unfortunately for me. oni" gun-
boats had retired, and I had the undivided attention of all the enemy's bat-
teries and sharpshooters thai lined the river banlc. The consecpieuce Avas.
the (^ueeu was com|)letciy riddled with balls and Acry much damagt'd. Most
fortunately no one was scrioiislv hurt. abhou<>li several were slightly wound-
ed. 1 had taken the precaution to reduce my crew upon the boat to the small-
est number possible of men 1)\ which the hoat could ln' handled, and to this
cause*! attribute the fact tlu'rc was no loss of life. I can not close this vtm\-
iiumication without bearing- testimony to the cool, heroic bra\ei-y of all the
tifHcers and men on the boat during this hour of se\ei-e trial. To l^ient. J. .M.
llunter of the (ilb'd 111. ^'oluuteers, I attribute in an eminent degree the final
escajse of the boat and all on board. His dauntless behavior is woi'thv of all
])raise. Tlie eng'ineei-s and pilots can not be too hig'hly ]iraised. ^Vhen the
hoat was full of steam and. of course, so liot as barely to be endurable, with
shells bursting, one in the pilot house, anothi'r in the engine room, with shot
tearing the boat on e\ ei-y side of yon, unflinchingly exery man stood to his
]i()st. It is \\\\\\ the greatest ]>leasure that I bear this testimony to the
hei-oie daring of these ofHcei's. I am comp/clled to send the (^tekx north
foi- re])airs. She is so much damaged she can not he ])ut in order here. 'SVy
force is g-reatly reduced by sick'ness, so that 1 tiud it exceedingly difficult to
i<ecp my boats at all times ready for that service. 1 have in a |)revions dis-
patch recjuested authority to make a detail of a large military force so as
to man my howitzers and increase my gtuird. It will be necessary to keep
]>art of my boats constantly traversing this river to disjierse the guerilla
f)an(ls that are beginning to infest its banks. I shall be glad to r-ceive
yome instructions npon the subject from you.
A'ery respectfully your obi'dient sei'vant.
Al.KUKII W. T'^r.T.ET.
Lieutenant Colonel t'omnianding' Ham Fleet.
To Ediriii M. f^taiitoii. f^eei-efarji of ^V(lr.
The following is the list of the officers, civav an<l Noluiitcers on the
Ilonoi' fo II lioni Honor ix f>iic. loj
Qi KK\. which acc(»iii[):iiii('(l the ;il)()\(' report — lircpiircd \)\ Lieut.
Hunter. :it Col. KUet's recjiiest :
Offkkrs, Chew and ^^)IA xteers on Qieex ix Attack ox the Au-
KAXSA8 I XDER THE (irl XS OF VlCKSMUnG.
y.ieut. f'ol. I A. \\.\ \\\\r\. (•(iininaiHliiiL;-. and son. iMlward ('. EHet: Licnt.
James M. Hnntcr ((;:;r(l 111.); J'cttM- llrown. 1st Mate; Martin Trini]!!'. 2iul
Mate: Alexander Fold. 1st Pilot : I!. V. Ilea, :2nd Pilot, with iJolla S. McKay.
(volunteer Pilot from Switzerland) ; .lac-oh Lanber. 1st I'^nijineer : Jolm MeCnl-
lon!4li. :2nd Engineer: Thomas A\dods. .'3rd EnQ-iueer : John Skelton. 4th tai-
yineer; James Carr. Ass't l]nL;ineer : (iranville Ttoljarts. N'olnnteer Hiigineer
(from Switzerland): Win. II. Xixon. John Wilson. Jose|ih Taylor (some of
them ofHcers of other rams), and John ^foiitag'ne. as deck lianils. and the fol-
lowini;' colored men. as tirenu'n: (leorye Ball. Timothy Harrison, (ieorg'e
^Villiams, (ieorge Lee. Alex Cool-:. James Johnson. Thoi'iiton Stewart and
Wilson J'.artlett; also the following privates of th(> (i:!i-d 111. \'ols.. \i/.. : (ieorge
Meft'ert. ])avi(l (ilathart. Thomas Jordan, (has. I), {'"alconer and Jose]>h
I'ayloi' ( volnnteei' ) .
The coolness exhiliited \)\ (iraiuille Koharts in handling the engines
i)rom])ts nie to reeonnnend him to Noiir higher consideration, as worthy of
yonr contident-e in any emergency. There ai'e othei- ollicer's that deserve the
highest ])raist', as the action of all m,\' soldiers ( (illrd 111. ^'ols.) in all en-
g'agements, as in lliis. while on hoard the Ci>neen. has heen most satisfactory,
always i-ead\- and willing- to enconnter the enemy.
(Signed). J.VMKS .M. Ik'MTER.
fJentenant.
It will l)e noticed that the officer second in Coiuinand on this occa-
sion was Lieut. 1 1 lintel", who connnanded the (-»)i eex on the day the
rebel ram came out of \'a/oo. and who was severely blamed for her
not attackiiio- the ram that day. ^^'hen the crew was beinii' foi'med
for this exploit. Hunter beo-o(>,l tjie })ri\ileo(" of remaiiiino- on the
(^lEEx. that he miaht show whether he would Hoht or not. Col.
Lliet's report makes special mention of his bravery and usid'iilness in
the perils of the return trij), and fully exonerated him from pre\ious
censure. Indeed it was shown in a court of iiKiuir}" tliat he was not
res})oiisible for the movements of the vessel on the pre\'ious occasion.
The followino" i>T'ai)hic- descrijition of this encounter was sent imme-
diately after it occurred, by one of the war coi'respoiident> who wit-
nessed the scene, and was publishccl in the northern pre-^s.
io8 Hist OP)/ of the Jill //I Fleet.
"The F.s.sc.r, Loii'/xr/Ilc, ( ' '/ nci iimiti . licntoii (Davis' Fla<:>"ship)
''and the BiuKjy were coaled and prepared for the attack, the Esxcc
"crevr hrintiiiio- a hirge (juaiitity of sand bags alxvard. and packing
"them on her upper deck over the l)()ilers. On Tuesday morning be-
"tween :> and 4 oV'hx'k. Fhig Officer l)a\'is' fleet was under wav. the
''"Essex taking the k^ad, and soon ap^n'oached the u])per bend al)ove
"Vicksburg. The (-»)i ekx Avith her galhmt crew fo]h)wed, and as soon
''as the firing connnenced a full hcnid of steam Avas j)ut on. and the de-
•'voted vessel sped on her way to attack her formidable and dread-
''inspiring foe. When the Qi ekx came in sight of the '"Arkansas." the
''''Essex was about a half-mile ahead, and did not stop to engage her
"but continued her course rej^lying steadily to the rel)el fire, but soon
''passing the scene of the (^i ekn's expected encounter. This discon-
"certed Col. Ellet. for he had expected to find the iron-clad in close
"quarters with the rebel gunboat. At this critical moment (as the
"QuEEK was passing the Uenion. to make the attack) Flag Officer
"Davis, from her deck, shouted to Col. Pallet, (iood luck I (xood-luck!
■\vhich Ellet misunderstood for. (to back, go back I and ordered the
"engines stoi)ped. and reversed. The time thus lost was well ini-
"proved by the rebels who gave the Queen lasting proofs of the power
"and accuracy of their guns, and the check thus given when speed re-
"sulted fa\'oral)ly to the rebel vessel. The "Arkansas" had steam up,
"and lay immediately in front of one of the lower water batteries,
''which it Avas exjiected tluit Commodore Farragut Avould have en-
"gaged. but singular and unaccountable as it may seem he signally
"failed to do so. The only part he took in the all'air was the firing
"of a fcAV shells from Ids uu)rtars. The course of the Qieen Avas
"resumed, and as she ai)pr()aehed the "Arkansas." Avhich lay Avith
"her \)Y()\\ \\\) stream and pointed out. the larboard and for-
"Avard guns of the rebel were discharged at the Qieex. doing
"great damage to her timbers, but injuring none of her crew.
"The ram struck the '"Arkansas" innnedialely after the third, or last
"gun, on the larboard. l)ut the blow Avas glancing rather than direct,
''owing to the position of the rel)el vessel, Avhich ])resented a slanting
"surface to the prow of the ram. Several lengths of T iron, covering
"'the sides of the ""Arkansas." Avere start t'd fi-om Iheir ])laces, and Avere
"seen to fall half oil', but that Avas the oidy i)erceptible damage. The
KlJcf's l><if'ni<j Arjciioirlcihied . rag
■"rain foiiiul it necessary to make j^'ood her retreat, on recovering'
"from the shock. And now came the terrihh' ordeal throiiiih
*'\vhicli the ii-aUant craft nuist ])ass — to retnrn \\\) stream uniU'r
■"the imdi\'erted Hre (d' tht' enemy's entire batteries, foi- mon-
"strons as it may seem, tlie gunboats withch'ew from the attack,
"even before the ram had reat'heil tht' "Arkansas." Klh't saw
"the fiery gannth't of a ndle of batteries to be run. and like tlie l)rave
"and eourageons connnander that he is. ner\'ed himself to the terrible
"task, coolly gi\inii' oi'ders for the dii-ection of his vessel, and linall\'
"reacliing the turnine- point in safety, annd a })erfect hurricane of
"shot and shell."
Although Col. Kllet. at the time counted the attack on the '"Ar-
kansas" a failure, since he did not destroy her as he hoped to do. her
subsequent history, and the statements of her ollicers and crew show
her to have received injuries in that collision, permanently impairing
the working of her macldnery. It is ct'rtainly true that she Avas never
able to render any eH'ecti\'e service, during the remainder of her exist-
ence. Of her linal exit we shall speak later on.
Flag Officer Davis" report of the concerted attack on the rebel ram
contains this brief mention: "The ram Qieex of the West, com-
"manded by Lieut. Col. [A. W.J Ellet, struck the "Arkansas" with
"-idlicient force to do her some injury. Col. Ellet behaved on this, as
''on previous occasions, with great gallantry."
In the reports, and current opinion of the time concerning this
attempt at the destruction of the "Arkansas", under the guns of Vicks-
burg, there was much censure for the apparent want of co-operation,
and the seeming willingness to let Ellet fall a victim to his own brav-
ery. The public, however, accorded Pallet and his men the honor their
heroism justly entitled them to. The following, from the War Secre-
tary indicates how the matter was viewed in Washington:
\v.\i; t)i:i'Ai;T.\!i:x r.
Wasliinoton. D. C. .lul.v :m. 1S62.
Your dispatch of tlic :.':;i-(l instant, relating' to the cnuaLicnuMit willi the
Arkansas, has just liet-n recei\t'(l. and I liave refcri-ed it tn (it'iicral ilallfcl<.
conimander-in-cliii'f. to gi\e yon instruetions on the poinls dcNircd. I'or youi-
g'l'cat g'allantry 1 shall rt'coninicnd ,\iin foi- nominal ion hy the I'n'sidcnt. as
Brjo-adier General.
no Il'stonj of the luiin Fled.
Y(Mi will retiini to Lieutenant Hunter auil the i^allanl oltieers and soldiers
and Ijoatnien of ,\(»ur (.•oniniand the thanl<s of tliis I)e|)artnieMt.
You will jih^ase nial<e known to me anxtliiuL;' that may l)e ve(|iiii'e(l l)y
your fleet, in order that it may lie |)roni|itl\ supplied. 'I he lamentable death
of youi' broth;']' (le])ri\es the coiintrv' of th:" fidl I'eport expected of him. and
J wish you would suppl_\' it.
E I ) \v I .\ Vi. St A N TO .\ ,
Secretary of War.
\A'itli rcasciii the iiiit'a\iiral)le (•i-itici^in of lliis ati'air in army aiul
iia\-v cii'clos. led to att('iu])te(l t'Xj)laiiati()iis. hiit thcv show that the uii-
der.staiKliiiii' was fauhy. and that it Avas iiiodiHod. without Ellet"s
knowledjie. 'Ww action of the Exscc came in for adverse comment,
and some months hiter her connnander ( \V. 1). Porter) wrote Ellet an
ex])hination of his j)art in the attaciv, in which occurs these words:
■'l was nna\v;<re. at the time of the h\sx( .r runnin<i" the \'ickshuro;
•"Ijatteries and attacking' the "Arkansas'" on rhdy 'I'l. that it had hi'en
''contemphited for any of your rams to hutt her. It Avas not men-
•'tioned in the proj^raunne as arranged on the Benton l)etween the Fhig
"'oilicers and myself on the 21st. or rely on it. you should lun c had all
•'the support 1 or the Fs.sc.r could ha\'e i:i\'eii. Had it ht'en necessary
'"to wait your arrival, or had my orders heen so worded or intimated
"why, 1 shoidd have waited for you until the "Arkansas" had sunk
"my ship, or I had destroyed her.""
^Meantime, howcNcr. the reputation of the F^sci- commander for
truth and veracity, had sulfered so sevinvly. in the later ati'air of the
destruction of the "Arkansas,"" that the assurance in tlie above goes for
little, beyond the eA'ident fact that he was simply "ru.nning the bat-
teries.''' with the attack on the rel)el boat as a nu're incident, with no
reference to Ellet "s attempt to ram and destro}' her.
Among the archives, recently published. a])pears a lengthy con-
fidential letter from Lieut. S. L. Phelps, at that time conuuanding the
Benton, to Flag Officer Foote, V. S. A.. New Haven. Conn., wdiicli
throws mnch light ui)on the ati'air under consideration, and probably
ex])resses the prevailing oj)ini()ns of the oilicers of I)avi>" fleet con-
cerning it. ]Much of the letter is about irrelevant matter,-, and only
extracts are given bearing directly on the seemingly inexcusable want
of understanding and co-ojx'ration in that momentous undertaking.
The extracts quoted serve fui-ther to show the sjnrit of envy and jeal-
(_' I'lf'icr^'iiKj One Anotlicr. jit
oiisv often pr('\';ulin<j,-. in hotli Army and X:i\ y. and not seldom, as in
this ati'air of tlie "Arkansas." resultiiiii- in failiu'e and disa.ster:
I'. S. l*'laL!' St'.'aiiHM- llciitoii. Mississippi i;i\>T.
.Inly :.".•. ISO;,'.
M\ Deal- Sir:- ■• ■•■ •■- 'I'liini^s lia\f liapiicncd liiat will ci-cati- tallc.
and 1 (Ifsirc that you at least sIkhiIiI know wIut.' the (your) old coniiiiaiul
stands. ■" •■•' " l''i-oni the time ol' (our) an-i\iiiL;- at N'ieksbiiri;- till the
("Arkansas") feat was aeeoinjilished. ( 'oninui ndei' l-'a ri-aL;-iit proposed daily
to lain hack past the batteries to Join his vessels helow. from wlienee he had
no manner of Inisiness e\cr to have come np. 'I his kind of talk rendered it
( 1' arraLiul heini;' senior) impossihle For ( oinina iidei- l>a\is to send the foree
necessary up ^a/.oo. as 1 ii,- tloTilla was expei-ted to draw the tn-e of the upper
butteries, while the lower fleet ( h'a rraL;ut"s ) should he passini;'. |llis ae-
count of the "Arkansas" comiiiL;' down throiii;h the eomhined fleets is here
omitted |. l''laL;-olheer rarraynt. soon after the escape of the "Arkansas."
hoarded us. where wc la,\ near the n)>per hatterii's. full of i;oini>- down iinnie-
tliattd\- to destro_\- the i-ehel with his fleet — ^oiniL;' off at once — conldirt w'aste
a moinent. ■■■' '•■' It was settled tliat we. at li o"clock would eiiiiaii'e tlie
np|)er hatt'. ries. while 1 he lower fleet was jjassini;'. which would lea\e ample
daylii^'ht for them to see the rebel !.;'un-l)oat. •■' ■'■ ■'■ The thiiiL;' was a
failure. ■"" "'•' ■"■ Next day Flati'-oftioM' i'"ai'rai;'ut writes: "i am i^oiii;^- up
this e\'enin,y to attack liiat f(dlow. and 1 sliall continue to atta<'k him. or my
whole fleet is destroyeil." How anNi(msly we listened for the o|ieninj;' L;iins.
still only for disa ppoi n1 ineiit. Xii^hl came and p.assed away, its aii' iindis-
tnrhed l)y a sulhui -(miihI. Next day there were still tlu'eats of dcslriicticni
to te hori'id eiiemw and this kind of thiiiL;' went (Ui till tinallx' the I'Lssex
and ram (^neen ol' the West made their attiunpt. This was a,yaiiist Com-
mander Dax'is's judi^inent, and (Ui1ir(dy a |ilan of j-'arrai^'ut's. """ "■■" * 'J'he
Commandei- himself came ii|). spent most of the day with Davis and matured
a plan of attat'k. which was this: Tlie h^ssex and ram (^ueeii were to i^o
down and jittaek the "Arkansas" at daylii^ht next iiKU-nini.'-. \ve eoNfriiii^- them
at tlie upper batteries, while the lower fleet should attack the lower batteries
and pre\ent their liriuL;- with elVecl upon tiie attacking boats. The ram
Sniiipter hvhich had been sent down with l''a rra!.;nt"s returning;- Ncssels]
was to ^() n|) to assist in the attack on the relxd. Commander l''arraL;ut in-
sisted, howe\er. on L;oinL;- up to attack the "Arkansas" with his \essels. pass-
iny- the lower forts to do so, hut was u ryed by Commander lla\is not to
do so. The rebel lay between the upper batteries all 1haT day aiul all iiiiiht.
At 1()::iO p. 111. an ollicei- arrixcd Iroiii the lower fleet with a note (from
TarraL;iit ) saying;- that the relxd was between the upper liatteries, and ditl
Commander Davis think it ad\isahle fhat Comma iider fa rrai;ufs fleet sliould
pass tilt- lower forts to i^o up to attack him. Observe fhat |)assini;- those forts
was iKif a part of the plan, and ( m I \- a pet idea of Commander l'"a rrayut's.
112 Histonj of the Ram Fleet.
frequently declared to be his view and intention, tliough not appro\ed by
<)the]-s. and that the rebel still lay where he had been for twenty-fonr hours.
This note was answered frankly, and ^vithont caution, to the efFect that the
vessels attacking- the rebel, Essex. Queen, and the Snnipter from below)
cnidd destroy' the craft or drive hini np or down stream to the (die scpiadron
or the other, and that jiassiny the lower forts was not necessai\\' : that such
■ivas the understanding- had. ^Morning- came, we eng-aged the njjper batteries,
the Essex and Qneen in due time ])asse(l down. No guns from the lower
fleet conld be heard. We continued to listen in vain, and our hearts again
grew heavy. Onr two vessels, xnisnstained. could not endnre the fire of both
batteries and rebel g-nn-boat. The rebel tire Avas very heavy. Presently the
Queen came up badly shattered. She had sti-uck" the rebel but not effectively,
and in the terrible fire ^ijion her could not renew the attempt. ■■ "•■ "■■■ The
lower fleet a\;is at anchor, the Sumjiter not to be seen. ■•■' "■ ■■ Xo explanaa-
tion was made of the failure of the lower fleet to do its pai-f in this attack.
The Sum])ter's orders ]-e([uired her to wait till that (the lower) fleet shoidd
open upon tlie low'er batteries, which was to ha\e been simultaneous with our
fire npon the n])per Avorks, when she was to push u|) to the attack'. I'h-ben
waited vainly for the concerted signal. "•■' "" "■•" I am told that Connuander
Davis'^ letter was construed as a recpiest to make no attack on the lower
batteries. Knowing- the jilan * ''■ "" is it jjossible to render it in that
manner? Can a gallant man so construe it? (V)uld a man who has to be (?)
lield back with cnrb and checkrein, so read it? It was no part of the jiian to
]iass those batteries, but to attack them, at 1.200 or J..")()0 yards, from below,
the whole thing- was a fizzle. Every day we heai-d great things threatened,
only to realize fizzles. * ••■" ■'•■ The lower fleet left, not a vessel sunk in
the flourish of so mnch talk about destroying the "Arkansas" or being de-
stroyed. The land foi-ce also left. """ ""' "'•' Forty ])er cent, of onr peo])le
•vri-e already sick ^vitll fevei'. "•■" ■"•" "" Xo good could arise from remaining
^vilere we were. ■"' * "' For these reasons we are now on our way up to
Helena. Ark'. ■■■■ ■'•■ '••■
i;esj>ectfnlly and most truly.
R. L. Phelps,
Lieut. Comdg U. S. S. Boats.
Commodore Farragut Avas already under tentative orders to re-
turn to the lower river, and had delayed his departure to await the
resuUs of the attempt npon the "Arkansas." He now turned his i)rows
southward, eneounterino- a heavy lire at the Warrenton batteries, with-
out serious damao-c. \\\X\\ him went the l*orter mortar fleet and the
trans])()rts hearini^" (lencral ^^"illiams' troops. On Ids arrival at New
Orleans (July liD) he made his report, from which we (jiiote so mueh
as relates to the "Arkansas" atfair:
E\ti-acl from
/■'iimniiirs I'fiiorl In W'cllcs,
\. (). .Iiilv :.".!. lS(i2.
■■■■ ■'■■ "•■' I'll fori li n;i I el y 1 lir ii'uiichiil i-;iin "' Arka iis;i'^"" cann' down uii lh(»
J.")tll Ix'fnrc 1 rcc('i\(Ml Vdiil- (i|-(lc|- (to liio\i' ilowii Mississippi on accoiint of
falliiii^' water) ami Iut coinina ihIim' lirini;- salisUrd willi 1 he reception ^ve
g-a\e iier that she was no1 sjiol proof, kepi lici- elosc in iindi'i- 1 he forts, wliieli
\\'ei'e nionnted ^\•i1h s and lu inch ( dl nni I liads and .Ml-lli rides.
Still I'^lag'-ottieer l)a\is was delerniined that as (oniniander W. I), i'orter
tlioni^ht liis \esstd. the l-'ssex. was s hot -proof, he wonid make an attack on
the I'ani ami dri\e hei- down to ns. or dc^ti'ov hei-. lie had also determined
to let the Snin|iter run at hei-. and to let Col. ( .\. \V. ) l';ilet also attack her
^vitli one of liis i-ams. Tin ram lay lietween the two forts at tlie upper eiid
of the river, ahoiit four miles alio\e the (my) fleet. II was stipidated that 1
^vas not to pass np fhe i-i\er. hid lie ready to reeei\t' her if she attem|)fed to
come down.
rMfortiina1id\' the attack was a failure. The I-',sse\ ran at the ram. but
Leinp- so clumsy. the\ let the liow n\' the ram swin;.;- otV from shore, so that
tile J"]ssex I'an fast a!.;ro"nd: but she d(di\ered her :;-in. yuns into the ram at
:)ot more than b) oi- I:.' feet, and those who saw the ram afterward say she
liad a large hole knocked into her.
Col. l'"llet"s ram ran also at the ii-onciad. but tin- lii-c from the forts and
ram so damaged her that it was with dinicnity she got back to her anchorage,
and it was onl_\- rcmarkalile that she was not destroyed. We do not know-
that she damaged the I'am. 'Ilie Sinnpter. from some misii ndci'sf a nd i ng. did
jK)t go in. This was a daring act on tlie part of Col. I^llct and one from wJiich
both i'dag-ottit'er Daxis and mys(df tried to deter him. 'fhe ICssex. after she
got afloat ran down to mir Ihet. through a storm of shot and shell.
Ill ;i couiiiiiiiiicat ioii IVoiii the Admiral to the dcpaii iiiciit. just be-
fore Jeaviiii»' the \iciiiily of \'icJcsburg. is found this kindly mention
of those with Avliom he had been associated in the lirsl attempt upon
that ])laee: "It <:-ives me o-fc-it jjleasiire to sav that (Jeii'l AA'illiams.
'•('ol. Ellet, and the Army ollicei-s of this di\-ision ii-ene]'all\- ha\'e uni-
"formly shoAvn a lireat an.xiety to do everythinu- in their power to
''assist us: hut their force is too small to attack the town or for any
"other purpose than a monientai-y assault to si)ik'e ii'uns. should such
"an oi)Uortunity oH'er."
The QlEEX was so shattered and disabled from this conllict that
il was found necessary to send her north foi' repaii',-. and she was start-
ed at once for the wavs al St. Lonis. Thi- was .Jnlv ■_'.■). A number of
Jl'tsfori/ of fJic liiiiii Fleet. ///
the sick and disnUlcd of tlie fleet's cvows wor(> sent on lici-. to 1)0 dis-
(•hari>"(Ml. ( )n her way the Qieex was Hrcd upon 1)\' a I'chcl battery
at (Jreeiiville. and a steam |)i])e was cut \)\ a shot, which killed the
ship's carpenter. 'Jdionias KS])encer. hut the injury to the \('ssel was
slight, and sh(> proceeded on her way. At Cairo those to he dis-
chai'ii'ed wt-re sent t(» their destinations up the ()hio. and the Qieen
then hastened on to St. J.iouis.
At this point it may pro\"e intei'estinii' to the reader to ^ive
some of the j)rior hislor\' of the ram "Arkansas" as it is found
in the oilicial relxd correspondence of the period. Lieut. Isaac X.
iirown, (\ S. X.. the oHicer sent to comj)lete and connnand the "Xv-
kansas." wi'ites to (sen. Ruyi>-les. ( Connnandini:' at (iren:>da) from
( Jre.'iiwood. on the I'azoo. Mav "it). ls<'>:i. of the backward condition
in which he found the work, and his need of car])enters. nuicliinists.
etc.. and that he should liaxc her towed to "lazoo City next day. for
better facilitie-^ in the worl;. ( )n the 4th of Ju.ne (tw(» days befoi'e
the battle at Memphis — lie writes au'ain of his dilticulties — one being
a conflict with the connnander he suj)erseded. whom he says he came
near sliootini>- — and ])romises to be ready in -3) days. In this letter he
mentions: "'riiei-e is a I'aft across the \'azoo. twenty-two mdes b:'low
"this ])oint. Two hea\y and two liuht gims are th"re in ])o-:ition. I \\\\-
"derstand, but no men to work them. I have sent tlie M ()hih\ gunboat,
"to the raft to make the b;'st defense ])o^<ible should the enemy a|)pe:;r
"there."* On the '.;th in anothei- letter to liuggles. replying to some
suggestion: "it wouhl ha\e been imjjossible properly to ha\'e moved
"the "Ai'ka.nsas" as. with all our elforts. we cannot yet raise steam or
"use the engines. 1 her;' is a I'aft aci-oss the \'a/oo Ui\'er iwenty-Hxc
"miles below here, but no force to prevent an enemy fi'om op;'ning it.
"Two 4-Js ha\e been mounted on a hill overlooking the raft, but a few
"infantry could take this battery and tui-n it jigainst the only gunboat
'I have abo\e the raft to defend it. Two of the V. S. gunboats came
"to the raft, day before yesterday, but it was not. undei- the possible
"condition of things, thought jn-udent to bi-eak the obstructions to lei
• them through. They are now transferring their stores and armament
"to be used on this side, and are then to b/ sent up the Sunilower. The
"commissary stores bi'ought on the "Paul Jone-^" are also to be crossed
"over the raft and brouiiht to I'jizoo ("it\. The ram "(xen. Earl \ aw
>Sf (>/■// of fJic "A i-I,ui iisd.s:'' ij^
Dorn" had not iikkIc its appearance at the raft tliis iiioi-niiii;-. I have
'wriUeii to (ien. Loxcll at .laeksoii. that a reii-iiiieiit of rilleiiieii would
"he iieces-arv. with a coinpany of heavy arlillei-y. to defend the raft.
''A hattery of li^lit i:iiiis woidd also he of use. I am tr\'inii' all I can
'to ^-et the "Arkansas" ready and ^vill try to haxc thi'ee nioi-e aims
■•mounted at the raft, if I can, in time." .Vpiin, on the -l-lmX he writes
IvUii'iiles. acknowledii-in_<i' receij)t of his U'tter with a copy of (ien.
'rhonn)soirs rei)ort | Prohahly of battle at Meini)his| "If the expedition
"of (ren. Wallace | Aleaniuii' Ellet's ram fleet | ascends the "\'azoo wilh-
"in the next few days I fear the "Arkansas" will not he ready for a
"\iii()i'ous ()i)j)osition to it. ()ur armament is not (|uite complete and
"we cannot i;et a crew. I sent to (xrenada some days aa'o. to ene'aii'e
"men from the Monti^omery lleet. and fi'om the answers ^iven to the
"oHicer charii'ed with the duty. I was led hy Connnodore Mont^i>"omerv to
"l)i'lie\'e that I coidd ohlain men fi'om his late connnand. and 1 further
"supi)osed that they came here from (Grenada with the ])urpose of join-
''ini.;- the "Arkansas." These people were i)aid off and discharu'ed yes-
"terday. hy Montanmery. and I do not heliex'e I will i!-ef one of them,
"thoueh I ha\-e tried <.'\(.^y\ way to induce them to join the "Arkansa-."
"'J'hey talk amona' themsehcs of u'oinii' to New ()rleans. Many will.
'"I think, attempt to reach Memphis. I think that with few exception-
"they intend to join the enemy. I hope you will cause them to he cared
"for. while inakin<>' the attempt. I can obtain two-thirds of a crew
"from the {\ S. vesscds now in the Vazoo. and having failed with Mont-
"goniery's men. I will ap|)ly to (ien. M. \j. Smith, at Vickshure-. who
''can a'ive me 40 or '»(» more. Elforls to ship men at Mobile and .lack-
'•son failed. 1 can do nothing just now to aid in sa\ ing boats along
"the Mississippi IJi\'er. from which l)y the "i'azoo. I am idnety mile-
"distant. My attention is entirely re(|uire(l in getting the ".Vi'kansas"
''ready. Our defenses at the raft, on the ^'a/oo. will pro\'e weak
"against a land force — two 42s and a fi'W militia. The gmiboats b;'low
"may serve as Hreshij)s. Three guns have been taken from the ".\r-
"kansas." The ram "\'an Doi'u" has been ordered to the mouth of the
"Yazoo, to report the enemy's proceedings. \o int(dligence \('t of the
"enemy's approach from abo\-e. ... I will do what I can to injure
"the enemy." On June •_'4. (ien. Ruggles. at (irenada. dispatche(l (ien.
Van Dorn at Jackson: "Hope to send (ien. 'l'liomi)soirs men to the
Il6 Htstoii/ of the h'diii Fleet.
IJaiii "Arkansas." — and received reply as follows: ''Can yon send
"incssenii'er to eonnnander of ram "Arkansas," and snggest to him to
"come out. run the fleet, and u'et behind [below] them, and sink trans-
'•|)orts^ If he is fast enough he can do this easily. lie could clear
"Ihe ri^■er l)i'h)w. It is l)etter to die game, and do some execution, than
''to lie by. and be burned up in the Yazoo." On the "25, Lieut. Brown
writes Ivuggk's as follows: "I have to acknowledge the receipt of
"your letters of yesterday, with vi)\)y of (iren. Van Dorn's dispatch. I
'"regret to lind that by imj)lication it is thought I would prefer l)nrn-
'Mng the "Arkansas" in Yazoo river, to hurling the vessel against the
'"enemy. I have never reijuired prompting in any dnties I have been
"called on to ])erf()rm. and those who have been impatient spectators
""of my conduct here will not accuse me of having been idle. That I
"am not yet ready is because I could not perform impossil)ilities. The
"Montgomery fleet did not give me one man. They went from here,
•"j)aid off. and w illi honorable discharges, though three months of their
"ejdisted time had yet to riui. This, too. when Montgomery knew the
"Arkansas." armed and with ])ro\isions and anununition. was waiting
'■for men. I ho])e you will catch tlie fellows, and api)ly the conscript
"law to them — ollicers and all."
"Twenty-fix'e men came today from \'icksburg. and I shall now
'"soon have a crew. I trust we shall use our vessel creditably, and if
*'the army will attack, against the same odds as that Avhich awaits me,
"the war will soon be o\'er. I thank yon for the kind assistance offered
"and rendei'ed. The work I have had to do would have been left,
"under ordinary circumstances. The difficulties are only known to
"those engaged in it." Jtuie 2('). a dispatch from Jackson Davis
( Ivichmond )to (ien. \'an Dorn said: . . . ""The eonnnander of the
".Vrkansas" has Ijeen ordered to report to you." On the 28th Van
Dorn rej)orted the passage of Farragut's fleet by the batteries of "\"icks-
burg in this (lis[)atch : "IJombardment heavy yesterday and this
"morning. No flinching. Houses i)erforated : none burned yet. C\)n-
'"test will coumience when enemy attemi)t to land: he will probably try
'"it. C'ripj)le<l se\'eral boats. ^J'hey only aunise our men by Hring on
'"them occasionally. There are about forty vessels of Avar and mortar
"boats — all sound and fury. — and. to brave men. contemptible. Will
"kec]) you advised." On Jidy 1. (u'u. liuggles. from Tangipahoa. La.,
SJcl-iK'.sx D'/sdhlcs Fleet. I / J
iiifonm'd Lit'iit. lii-owii : "A tlclail of \'1<\ nicii was made at (irciiada.
'"from (ii'ii. fictl. 'I'lioinpsouV troops and ordci'cd to I'cport to yon. hc-
"forc I was r(di('\"c(| from command of the special. Tclciirapli (icn.
••Thompson ncai- Panola." A dispatch from President Davis chited
Jul\' K). to \\\\\ Dorn. in(|nires: .... "What of the •'Arkansas T'
and another of 14lh. to (Jen. M. L. Smith, inqnires: ••\\diat proii'i-ess
is heinij; made towai'd the comph'tion of the "Arkansas^' What is
••the condition of voiii' (hd'enses at X'ickshnrii- Can we (h) anx'thing
•'to aid von ^ Disasters al)o\(' and hehiw yon | Memphis and New ()r-
"lean-^l increase the \ahie of yonr [)o.■^ition. I hope and e.\[)ecl nmch
•'from von."* To the lirst of these \'A\\ Dorn resi)onde(h ( Jtdy If) :
••.... The •'Arkansas"' was to have l)eeii ont this morning; have
"not vet heard why slie has not made her appeai'ance; h)ok for lier
"e\('rv moment. She has nmch to contend with here, hnl it was deeme<l
"belter to let her try her strength, than to go agronnd in the \ azoo,
"and he hnrned up like the rest. Pinkney should he tried hy court
••martial. •'Arkansas"" ordered to run the gauntlet, and. if successful,
"to sweep the river bidow. and run to Mobile as soon as ont. I will in-
form you of result. Canal not yet in running order.''
1 he a])pearance and subsecjuenl story of this note(l i-ebid ram. has
already been tohl in the f(>ri'going l)age-^. The ending of her cart'er
will be told later.
Iinme(liately after the departure of Fari'agut's lleet the rebels
began to assume the ort'ensi\c. and at se\'eral points on the rix'er. trans-
])()rts. and war vesscds alike were lire(l u])on and se\eral of the former
ci'.plured and l>urned. Reports from the "1 azoo indicated that other
craft wei'c in process of i-econst rnct ion. and might be ex|)i>cted on the
Mis>issippi. any day. Added to the difHculties of the situation, sick-
ness now began to j)re\"ail in the lleet. and on some of the boats more
than half of its officers and men were down with a malarial fexci-.
This condition of the health (d' the fleet had been prexailing. even be-
fore Farragut"s departui-e. for we lind it recorde(l in the log of the
Ivichmond: "June -js. At ".) a. m. one of our rams | Fulton | left
for Memphis with mail"": al-o "i-am SwrrzKULAxn bi'ought. down some
ice for our wounded and -ick." :.".ith. "At ») p. m. ram Swrrzi:i!i,ANi)
left here Avitli mail."" July <>tli. "MoxAKcir came along side and
took all our sick and wounde(l on board, and proceeded at once up the
ii8 Uhtofij of the Ram Fleet.
river to Mc'iii])liis."* This record also indicates the readiness of the
boats of the ram fleet for any service reqnirech These conditions, and
the lack of sn.tKcient snpplies and medicines for the treatment and care
of the sick, toiivther with the fntility of further oi)erations in that
vicinity, induced both Davis and EHet to mo\'e nortinvard. and the
ih'st of August foimd the entii'e ilotiUa anchoi'ed at Ileh'na. About
this time Lieut. Currie of the Saalsox received notice of his pro-
motion to be Captain, in his old rei»iment (the r)!)th 111. Vols), and
left the fleet on the Moxaucii. as she was going to Memphis, and i)ro-
ceeded to join his regiment in the field.
Other features of the difficuh situation, now ensuing, are i)ri'scnted
in the following connnunication of C'ol. A. \\\ Ellet to Secretary
Stanton.
I'nited States Kain Switzerland.
Above \'ieksl)iirii-. .Inly 25. 1SC>2.
Hon. E. M. SIdiitoii. Xc<-nl(t rii of It'*//': —
I have the honor to a|)|)ly to yon for instructions. Some of my officers
and men liave deserted their posts and disol)eyed my orders at a period of
g-reat danger to the jmblic service. I have tlie ])arties nnder arrest, lint can
find no means either throngli Connnodcn-c Farragnt or Davis or (ienerai Wil-
liams or Grant, to bring- them to trial. I have been obliged in consec|nence
of the great anu>nnt of sickness that prevails among my crews, to em])loy
large ninnbers of blacks, who came 1o nic asking protecticm. Some of llicni
liad been in the employ of (Icncral \\illiams, and left by him unprovided for
on the Lonisiana shore. I am desirous to know what I am to do with these
jjeople after 1 no longer retpiire their services, and how am \ to bring these
offending parties to trial.
N'ei-y respectf ull_v'.
Ai.FKKi) W. Ellet,
bieiiteiuint Colonel Commanding'.
The in(]uirv relative to the trial of oH'euses. was referred to (ien-
erai Ilalleck and his reply wa> made soon after iu tlie following words:
\VAE i)Ei'Airi-\ii:.\ r.
\Vashing1on August 1. 1S62.
r<)L EUcl. h'din Vlccl. Virlshiirg, il//.v.s-. : —
■^'ou will employ such negi'oes as you recpiirc on voiir Ixiats and send the
otliers who arc under vour protection to .Nb'mphis in he employed by General
Sherman. ^ our prisoners can be sent to Memphis for trial and a court
11k Mure id lli-lcini liC i>infi'<] . / n;
iiiarTial can Ix* (irdcrcil llin-c foi- tlicii- Ii-i;i| as sodii as the witiirsscs c-aii
be s[)ai-('(l.
II. \V. IIai.lixk.
Majoi- (Ifiicral Cominaiuliiii;'.
On n'cei|)t of Ilallcck's dispatch. Col. Kllct at once sent the j)ris-
oiun-s referred to. in cliariic of ('apt. (ieo. Q. A\'liite. to he deli\('red to
Gen. Slici-nian. at Memphis.
In a connnnnication to Captain Urooks, from Tlelena. at this dati',
Co]. Ellet speaks of tlie canses of this retrograde movement, and also
presents a new jjroject. for making- the Kam Fh'et a more independent
and more etiV'cti\'e ai'm of the ser\ice. Tlie letter follows:
Stcaiiici- Itani Swil/.ci'land.
Off llcli'iia. Ai-k., An--. 1. IS(i:.'.
.fllllics lir()(il,s_ ,V/(rr/V// (JlKllicilllllslcr. I', t c . :
Deal' Sir: I ai-i-i\i'(l at tliis place last nii^ht willi my ttcct in company
with the wliolc i^nn-lioat s(piaili-(m. We were c(iinpcll('(l tn move nortli.
o\^"illl;■ to tlu' crippled conilition of mir licet from so lari;'e a portion of our
crews hcinii' disabled hy sickness. I am liap])\- 1o slate tliat llic inovtMneiits
of the boats ]ia\c e\ei-1cd a salntary etVect iijioii 1 he health of 1 li" men. An-
other reason that intlncnced me in crcalin^ a necessity to do somethine- was
the want of sid)sistence supplies. .\i\ licet was i-ednced \v\-\ low indeed for
provisions owiny to tlie supplies sen( foi- not haxiiiL;- arrixcd. I am i!'lad to
say I found 1liem awailini;' us here. I find m\self often limited in the extent
and nsefidness of my opei'ations from 1lic want of one stroni;cr and better
protected boat tlian any I now lia\'e in my fleet. I wish yon wonld see the Ifou.
Secretary' of \\;\v and set tliis mattei' before him, and if possible obtain liis
authority' to biuld one s1i-on^-. hea\,\' ii'on-plated Ljiin-boat and ram for my
eomiiiaiid. so tliat I could at all times act efHcientl\- and independently when
the ser\ ices re(piii-ed It. without beini;- under the necessity of applyini;- for
co-opera1 ion whiidi. when i;raiited. comes so slow lliat it is too late to be
effeetixe. A boat foi' m\ service must be fast as well as strong;' and should
not draw more than se\en feet of water, less if jiossible. In my opiiucm the
asefidness of sucli a boat, if properl\ applied to the ser\ ice for wliich it is
intended, coidd W(dl justify tlie e\|iense to the (lovcrnmcnt. I woidd als(>
sno-p-,.sl that tile stern wheel boats of my lieet. upon which the (loscrnment
has not been put to much expense, could be emplo\-ed lo xcry i;reat a(l\antaL;'e
as tow-boats and foi- 1 ra nspoi-tal ion pui-poses or lo cari\\' the mails: beine-
partiall\' |;rotected 1 lii\\ can pass |)oinls w liei'e iioats entirel\- un|)rot et'ted
conld not be exjiected to venture.
■^'onr \er> ob'1 servant.
Ai.iKi:n W. Ki.i.KT,
l.ientenant (olomd ( 'omnia ndi ul;'.
I20 IliHtor]! of the lid III Fleet.
On the sth of August in a second conniiunication to C'ajjt. lirooks^
Fleet Cunniiander Kllet mentions the l'eli('^■inl:■ of Drvden, and also the
discharge of his private secretary |Ewino-| Avhoni he found borne on
the rolls as a steersman of the Monakcii, and suggests some stoppages
of pay. on account of alleged sales of supplies, and again urges Avaiting-
upon Afr. Stanton about the proposed iron-clad ram. In this letter
he mentions that he lias received a dispatch from the War Secretary
appro\ing the Kam Fleet operations, and saying th;>t Mr. Stanton
does him the honor of })romising to present his name to the President
for nomination for Ih'igadier (Tcnei-al. The reply of Quartermaster
Brooks is worthy a i)lace in the history of the fleet, as it so clearly in-
dicates his grasp upon the affairs of the fleet, and his understanding-
of the .Connnander's diHiculties. and of the best methods of remedying
them. It also indicates the cordial rehitions he sustained at the War
oJlice and his ready access to Mr. Stanton in jx-r.-on.
• ^Vasllilll^■t(>n City, l-'riday. Aiiii-iist lGt.li. 186:2.
Gol. A. ir. EUct, U. aS'. Uain l-lcrt. Mississliiiil irircv:^
]3ear Sir: — 1 arrived here on Tliiirsdax e\eiiiny. Not being- able to see
the Secretary of War yesterday I called out in the afternoon to see your
niece, IMiss ^Fary I^lllet. This morning 1 had a [ileasant inter\ie\v with the
Secretary of AN'ar. lie feels a deej) interest in the Eani i^^leet and 1 hope he
may grant oni- reqnests.
In reference to the ((uestion of ]iri/e money he says it is a new one In
the War l)e]uirtment but that he will lool-; into it and see what, t-an be done
before I leave.
Says he has no doubt our licet is entitled to a large portion of the prizes
at .Memphis but su[)poses the Xavy -will claim it all.
Jn reference to building- snch a lioat as we want lie is to consult (icn.
Halleck on the matter- he is not entii-cly satisfied that he has the right, as
the thing' now stands, to do it, but says if he has he would be willing to give
ns carte blanche to go ahead and get nj) siu'h a fleet as we want. I ain to
have another interview with him on Monday or 'l'ucsda,\' when lie will decide
Yesterday, as I coidd not see the Scci'cfary. I called to see the .Judge Ad-
vocate to see if he could give us anv light upon the best manner of disposing"
of the ]3risoners now on hand, lie says the fleet being' ont of the regular or-
der of things lie is at a loss wliat to advise but i-ecouimended that the matter
be referred to the Secretary of War.
This morning 1 called Mr. Stanton's attention to it. He was about
c(piall\' puzzh'd. lie says if you think tlie men have been sufficiently pnn-
ishcd let them olf and dispose ol' them ;is you please, if not, keep them longer
Qnarfcninixfci' Brooks at War Office.
in prison. I tliiiik l),\- tli;' i-cviiiations ynw ha\c 1 lu' ]-iL;ht if you choose to
exercise it to stop llu-ir pay wliiie tl'fy liaxc liceii coiitiiied and off duty. As
it is sicl\i\' and soiucwiiat da ul;ci-ous ]<('epiiii;' tlieni ('(Mitiiied a n \' loiiLicr. I would
sng'<>"est (not adxise) that you d iscliai'i^e t heui either with or without pay for
thi* time eonfiued. as xou nia,\' jud^ie best, and let them ii'o. 'ilie Secrc^tary of
War will sustain ,\(ui in any coui'se you may tliink I>es1 to ado|)t about it.
I mentioned 1o tJie Secretary llie dillicidty about pilots. I thouii'lit the
diffitudty in procuriuL;' them was llial tlic em|iloymiMit was dani^'erous and tlie
pay less than ])aid in tlie inei'chant ser\ ice. 1 1 houL;lit wc miiiht niakt' some
{•lianij'es in tlie wai^'cs of the men on the tieet ])ro(i1alily witlioiit increasiuL;' it
on tlie \\ hol(\
He told me to h.\ tliem as I lhouL;ii1 best, tliat we knew much better than
he would what was rii;lit and proper (o pay them.
My idea \vas if it met xour a|)pro\al. 1o |ia\' deckhands and hivmen fi'om
Septeml)er 1. $25 per month instead of $40. the jjresent waives. We i-an pick
u]) a set of ,l;()0(I contrabands foi- tliat purpose which witli a little di-illinj^- will
make .Lj'ood deckhands and t!ic\ nuikc tiic best lii-emen. Tw enty-fi\"e dollars
Tvill be for them larijei- wa^es. This will sa\e oxer $:2.(M»(I per month. Then
we can pay Jst class pilots on the /iifliliiii/ IxkiIs. say tlie four side wheel
boats, $;.'2."i |)er month. (U- if necessary. $:i.')(l. 'I"lie_\- ^'ct such waLj'es on o1 lu>r
boats, 'this will remo\e the ditticult\- about |)ilots. The (ml\- other men wc
will ha\e any trouble aboul i;ettinL;' the riiilit stdini) is captains. It will
lie a tpiestion wliether. to L;et L;dod steamboat men and hLjIitiuL;- men. it would
not be better to exercise a little disc-retion about prices and pay an old ca])-
tain loiiy in the ser\ ice and of i^ood nerNc and expei-ience a little extra pa;>-.
My idea is if we t;ft ,\-ou a ijdod boat, to sliake up the whole tliini;- and ;L;i\e
us such a fleet as xou will not be ashane'd of. Let at least three of mir stern
wheel boats go into other sei'xice. Keej) one lari;c and ime small (Uie. as ten-
ders to the fleet, pid xour side wlietd boats in good repair and well manned,
and with an iron clad first class tiagship \iiu can chalk out \ciur ow n coui'se.
1 dou"i want niui to thiid< that I lia\i' an\- disposition 1o infringe upon
your authoi'ity. etc.. etc.. but as you have adxised witli me xei'y u nrestu'x ediy 1
offer these \iews for what they are worth.
I told Mr. Stanton that if the appropi-iation for the fleet had been made
according to my estimate, we c<mld in the course of the xear save enough out
of it to pay f(u- the boat we want. So far we have lu^t used by $lu.l;UO a month
as much as the estimate.
If we di-op three boats and add one i1 will make $10. (100 more, so that in
six months one new boat will be paid I'or without- in<'reasing the estimate.
She woidd cost about $120,000 or $i:!0.()00.
i;es])eetfnll\- yours.
Jamks S. r>ROOKS.
T will write von Mr. Stanton's (l(>cisiou before I lea\e here.
122
Wixionj of the lidin Flcrt.
A few (lays hcfoi'c the fleet left th<' vicinity of \'icksl)iiro- aiul
iii()\('(l northward, the Lioxkss was sent to Menii)his with mail, and
dispalclies for (Jen. Shennan. and to ohlain coal and other needed
sn])plies. The disi)atches were delivered l»y Licnt. Crandall in per-
son, and SheiMnan's replies received, and many ((neslions asked and
answered ahonl the condilions al>o\(' \'ick--!)iirii'. The business of the
(rip conclnded Ihe Lionkss procci'ded on hei' I'etui'n. Xol far from
(ireen\ille the hoat was passing' ah)nii- near the easl hank of the ri\"er.
which was thickly urow n with willow, when she was opened upon I)\'
a four umi hallery of field artillery, and hei- nppei' works struck 1)\'
sex'eral shots hut without serious damap'. The Lionkss had on her
forecastle one hrass t w ('l\'e-poundcr. recentU' monntcMl and the hoat
was at once rounded to. aixl the Lieutenant and his men w"orke(l that
\l\\\\ for half an hour shellin<i- the line of wooded shore from which the
enemy foi' a short time kept up a rapid lire. The only casualty from
this guerrilla attack was one killed. This was Lrixate John Chitten-
den, who was struck l»y the fraiiinents of the Hrst shell from the
enemy, and mortally injui-ed. dyinif in a few ndnutes. He was a
nohle fellow, and his death was much (leplore(| hy his comr;ides. his
l)ein<i' the lii'st to occur amoiiii' Ihem. since comini*" to the ram ileet ser-
\ ice. Next day they made a i:'r:i\'e for him on an island below and
ienderly laid him to rest therein, markini:' the spot so that friends
miiifit remoxc the remains latei'. if they so desired. Full particulars
of the death and Wui-ial were sent, with the t'tfects of the soldier, to
the address of his pai'cnts. in centi'al Illinois.
CHAPTER IV
Aug. 1862-Jan. 1863
W'illithdirfil 1(1 Ihhiiii. Cdiihircs al ]lillil:<'irs dnd Ihiiiics- lUuff. lid in I'Icri
Jt'cpdirs.- I'lonidlioiis fill' d \(ir \ldrhic ('niniiidnd. lidni I'hcl I dihr Col.
('. /.'. ElUI. hiriilrnl dl Cdiro. A, /din df thr I'ronl on llif YdKni. Torinilo
l-'is/iin;/. Aiilini/ lite Slirrnidd Alldd' ul Cli irl.iisd n- . Willi llir H.riiiil i lion
to ('iijiliiii- \rl:dn\d.s I'oxl. (liidiilind llic Vdioo.
The wilhdi'aw ;il of l^'cdcnil Ncsscls from the \iciiiil\' of \'icksl)iir<j,'
was a relief to tlie ii'ai'risoii of that stroiii:li()l(l. wliicli il was iiol slow
lo tak'e adxaiitau'e of. Small crafl were (|iiicl<ly Ui'oiiii'hl from Jiidiiiii'
places ill the Siinllowei' and iieii;lil)oriiiii' hayoiis. and soon tliey were
liiisy m()\ina' troops, nnniitions and supplies, to and from \'icUsl>ura'.
News of these opei'atioiis found its way up to the Ile"t at Helena, and
as the health and sj)irits of the connuand heiian to improve, the com-
manders hepm to plan foi- furthei- operations hclow.
All expedition was xcry shortly arranged, to consist of all arms
of the service availahle. and it was in readiness to moxc after the
lapse of two weeks from the arrixal at Helena.
Mention was made, early in this history, of the transfer of Lieut.
I)ry<leii to the ccuninand of the MoNAKCil. 'oy re'|Uest of the late Col.
Kllet. Just l)(d'ore startiiiii' on this expedition. \A. Col. Kllet. 1i:m1
(owiiiii' to some irregularities of Lieut. Dryden referred to in the prc-
cediiiii" chapter) assiiiiied to military command of that \essel. Seriicaiit
E. AA'. Rartlett. a promisino- youiii:" subordinate ollicer. ali'cady recom-
mended for promotion to 1st Lieutenant. Dryden took mnhrau'e at
this, aiul. at his own re(iiiesl, was returneil to his fiirmei- command.
The object of the ex|)e(li( ion was to sur|)rise the eiHMny in their
movement on and across the river, from the ^ a/oo. and aiiaiii break
124 Il'storij of tlir lidiii Fleet.
their coiiiiuiiuicatioii; and transfer of sui)})lies fi-oni tliat river to
Vicksburg. It proved a remarkable success, as it Avas wholly unex-
l^ected. so soon after an apparent abandonment of that field. The ex-
pedition was gone ten days, and on its return C'ol. Ellet sent a detailed
report to the War Department of the ojx'rations of the expedition,
and the part taken l)v his boats and men. The fobowing was his re-
port :
SteanuT Itain Swit/A'rland.
Otr llflcna. Ai-k.. Aiii:-ust ;.>4. 1862.
Hon. E. M. Stan tun. fSicfctdnj of H'*//-.
I have the honor to inforin you that on Saturday, tlie Kith inst., by pre-
vious arrangement made ^vith Cajitaiu riiel|)s of 1 lie guii-hoat l-"lotil1a. I lett
Helena, Ark., with foni- of ni\- rams in eoni])any witli tliat otiicer and tliree
g'un-boats, two regiments of infantry and a seetion of tiekl artillei-y and a
.small detachment of eavalry from (ieneral Curtis's command, all under
General Woods, in two transport steamers, to make a reconnoissance down the
river as far as ^'ickshurg. AVlien within twenty-ti\e miles (tf tliat eit,\-, in
M-lliken's Bend, we came suddenly on a lioat lying at the hanl<. and an en-
campment of the enemy on the sliore close at haiul. WC immediatels landed
and took possession of the steamboat and encam]>ment. the cnemx liaxing tied
precipitately, \vithout tiring a gun. Tlie steandxiat was loaded with ai'uis.
some .").000 and moi'c of iMiHeld rifles and mus]<ets, a large auiouiit of annninri-
tion, and a gi'eat many boxes tilled with accoutrements, mo^t of whic-h were
said to haxe been destined for Little IJock. Ai'k. AVe captured the camp
e<[ui])])age, tents, arms, hoi'ses. mules, wagons, for a cam[) of 1.000 men. be-
sides other supplies, and took about to piusouei's, Aftt>r securing all the ]ir(jp-
erty of value we jiroceeded to witliiu a shoi-f distance of \'icksburg. and
then with m}^ three lightest draught rams, each having a detachment Iroui
Col. Wood's command of 100 men on them, preceded by Captain Pheljis in
the Benton and followed by ('a]itain Cwin. of the Mouud City, we proceedeil
ri]) the ^'azoo Biver. At Haines' Blutf. 17 miles fi'oni the Mississippi Biver,
we captiu'ed six pieces of ordnance — two 42-pounders, 2 :jl-poimders, one 12-
jiounder bi-ass coast howitzer, with a large amount of ammmiition. ])Owder.
shot and shell — besides some muskets and camp stores. A\'e look ou board
everything of much value, and destroyed the remainder. The four large
guns were too hea\\\ foi- us lo handle without better preparations, and we were
compelled to bui'st 1 hem. The euem\'. although in considerable fori-i-. ^\■ere
jirevented from offering an_\' resistance, in cousecpieuce of the tire from the
gun-boats, which ke])t them at a respectful distance, \vhile we acconu)lished
our pur])ose. We then ])roceedt>d u]) tlie ri\('r to the moutli of tin' I'.ig Sun-
flowei'. when the water became so shallow tliat 1 he giiu-boats aud Mouarch
coidd jn'oceed no farther. i sent tlu' Sampson ami Lioness u|) the Sunflower,
which thev succeeded in ascendini;- a distanc-e of :20 miles, to within 5 miles
Dfoicncd (Jjf the Lioness.
O
f)f Lake Georo'e. ^^'llere tlic ciicniy haxc a nuinhci- of tine ytiii-lioats secreted.
'I liey \vere ohlit;e(l to return, tlie water hei-oiniiiL;- tiiu sliallnw for them to
proceed farther. We all relnnied lo tlie tieet in tlie Mississippi lliver, after
an absence of two davs and iiiiiiits.
I left the Monarch in cdinniaiid ul' Script. I'. W. iJartiett to assist the
Ih'aiiii' h'ft by I'helps to ijiiard the nionlli of the 'S'azoo Kiver, and ])rt>veiit any
fnrtlier conininnication frimi that rixer with \'ickshnri^-. W'c tlien started np
tile j-iver, meeting with no i n1 eiTn|il ion until we reached (lreen\illc. when a
body of the eneni\' was discoxcred and di'ixt'ii awa\ liy a few wtdl directed
slielLs from the gun-boats. I then left the fleet in the .Switzerland and jtro-
ceeded in the advance to ibdena withont fnrther interrnption.
\'ery I'cspect I'n 1 1 \- yonr oh't ser\ant.
AU'iiKn \V. h'lJ.KT,
Lieut. Col. Coind'g IJani Fleet.
The :u'ni> captured were iiilciidcd for I liudinairs forces at I^ittle
liock. Tlu'V were ciiroiilc from the interior of Mississippi, via the
Vazoo. and the boat ciirryini:- them liad tirrived late in the iiiiiht. be-
fore the expedition ponnccd upon them.
Careful instructions were oixcn the Ah)X.\i!(ii. to axoid the possi-
bility of loss from surprise by nijiht. or l)y the treachery of pretended
rebel deserters, and iier cniisini>,- course as consort of the />/v/c/// was
limited to the river, from tlte mouth of the Yazoo 40 miles up toward
Ilek'na. The Lancvstki! was soon after added to this patroh whose
<bUv it wa> made to cut off conununication from the ^'azoo to Vicks-
burif. or across the Mississippi. The o'unboats co-operale(|. in thi.s
patrol, which was maintained \ery etl'ectively (bn'iiia' tlu' remainder
of August. Toward the close of AiifiMist. ^Master K. 11. Torter. of the
Sami'sox resioned, and was at onee relieved.
Dtiring this period the Lionkss was niakinii- a (rip to Cairo, and
met with a singular and inifordinate occurrence in the loss of two of
her seamen, by drowning. When nearing Memphis at mid-day. one
of them. John Kector. a deckhand, was drawing a bueket of water,
and slij)i)ed and fell oxcrboard. The alarm was at once given, and
the wdieel stopjXHl. A yawl was lowered and sent inunediately to the
-ceiie, but he sank before the reseuers could reach him. On the fol-
lowing day aiu)ther of the deck crew, (ieorge Shubert. was seen to
fall overboard, aiul in spite of all the etlorts of his conn-ades. drowned
when help was almost within reach of him. lioth men were skillful
T26 Ilistori/ of the lid in Fleet.
ri\('r iiK'ii aiul uood swiiuiiicrs. and their fate was imich deplored.
Tliey had sliii)i)ed at New .Vlhaiiy.
Hut the rebels were now enii'aged in a systematic unerrilia war-
fare, and scarce a (hiy j^assed that they were not heard from at some
point on one side of the river or the other. Their attacks were al-
ways made from secrete(| and defensible })ositions. in woods, oi- behind
levees, and the Hi'st the i)assin<>' boat would know of their presence
would be the lettinii" loose of a section, or whole battery, of Held ar-
tillery, and often sui)[)orted by battalions of riflemen, and licnerally
their areatest damai>v Avas effected by the Hr.-t Hre. For this sort of
warfare neitlier t!u' ^j'unboats noi' the rams were suflicient. When
attacked tlu'v usnall\- succeeded in drivini:' the enemy away, but his
work was })ractically o\('i' with the hi'st Hre. and whatexcr injury lie
coidd thus inflict was acc()m])lislied. lie could (|uickly slip out of
harm's Avay. secui'e in knowini:' that he was in no danacr from a land-
ing force, as neither class of \-essels had such a force available. ()cca-
sionally. as on the exjx'dition just described, a plan of co-operation
with some portion of the army was possible, and it was the [)resence
and assistance of such a coumiand that gave success to the movement.
C'ol. Ellet became impi-essed with the idea that for the new situ-
ation on the Mississii)i)i. a new system of conducting warfare was ne-
cessary. In fact, that a ri\'er force was needed, that could move
quickly on its own vessels, independent of other army connnands.
and of navy movements, and landing with a sufficient force of mount-
ed men. ])ursue and capture or disperse these guerrilla foi'ce^ of the
enemy, wherever found. I lis ideas and plans were couununicated to
the A^'ar Secretary, and receix'ed careful consideration. At this time,
though unknown to him. Col. Ellet 's ])romotion was being considered.
The distinguished ser\ice i-endei'ed by him and his lle/t. on many oc-
casions, was soon to l)e rewarded.
While the fleet was yet at Helena, the couunander"s attention was
called to the failure of officers on one of the rain< to comply with,
orders, previously given, in regard to serving the food of the soldiers.
The following characteristic oi'der was at once issued, addressed to
the officer in command of the Monaimii:
(Jiiccii ( ' (lit re jjtny /'f/son /)Ot/f>
127
Steam llain S\\ il /.ci-land.
OtT llclt'iia. .\i-l<., Sfptfinlici- :W^. 1S()2.
l/iritt. /■;. W . Itdiilctt. ('iinniKiinlinfi \l itiiii rrit :
'I he (•(•inniandcr i){ I he lli'fl leanis with reyi-ct thai his order for the
soldiers on all tiie boats I0 eat in 1 he cabins (tt their i-espeelixe boats, the
same |iro\ isioiis. prepared in 1 he same \\a v. and at 1 he same tabh' witll tlie
otheers. lias l)een d isi'eL;a rded on board Ihe Monareh. lie w isiies it nnder-
stood that this order is not a L;ra1nit,\ (m his |iart, but is dictated from a
^(•nse of justice. The |iri\a1e soldier has without doubt a better leg'al right
I0 whatext'i' sid)sistenee supplies ai'e purchased for the fleet than ans' officer
in the ser\ ice u|)(m it. Then. whate\ei- he does uot i;et he is ^^•^onl;'f ull y de-
iirixed of. The ht. Col. connna nd i ni;' therefore reipnres that his former order
upon tills sidijeet be put into imniiMliate effect up<m the Mo.NAUCll.
Ari'iiKn W. Faa.kv.
lA. Col. Conid"-- Kam l''leet.
Dui-iiiij,- this sttiy of the (Icct :it Ili'leiia the (^ckkn \\;is. on r(M|ii('st
of C'ouiHiodorc l);i\is. ordered to (•oii\'oy :i licet of t r.iiisporis. loaded
with pfisoiicrs. from Cairo to \ icksWiiru'. ;iii<l as she was about to
proceed (Scpteiuhcr ('> ) upon this (hity ('oh Kllet issued \-ery strict
instructions to her C'onnu;in<h'r (Lieut. IJartlett) to aMow no p;is-
st'un'ers on hoarch unless proxided with ;t ])ass from ("ol. Kllet or in
his absence. FUn't Siu'ii'eon. Major Robarts: and at all times to nniin-
tain the most vigilant auard. and allow no connnunication between
soidiei's or boatmen iind the i)ris()ners. The Qcekx was to follow, and
fly the same white siniiid displayed by the u'unboat in the letul. When
the LANc.\s'n-:i: was reached the (^ceex was to communicate orders tt)
her commtinder. C'has. K. Kllet. This duty was performed satisfac-
torily, liefore the (^ckkn's return, Col. Kllet, with se\'eral of the
iiuhter rtims. h;ul left for Cairo, for much needed reptiirs. Severtil
of the rams were in bad condition, es})ecially their eni^ines and boilers,
and it was found necessary to send them to Cairo, or Mound City,
foi' this i)urpose. Leavini:' a portion of the fleet below under Med-
ictil Cadet Charles Ki\-ers Kllet. who had on sex'ertil occasions <>iven
o\idence of rem;ii-k;ible coolness and nei'\t'. and in whom his imcle had
e\'ery confidence. Col. Kllet with the other xcssels moxcd uj) the river.
While this part of the Meet was ascendin-i' the river the SwrrzEunAxn,
which was the hea\iest di'aft \i'ssel of the whole lleet. i^ot aii-roimd a
128 [lisforji of the lidiii Fleet.
short distance ahow Fort Pillow, and all cH'orts by tlu' other boats
to pull her otV the bar proved unavailinii'. Col. Kllet thereupon
(September 10) transferred his head(|uarters from the SwrrzKULANo,
and proceeded with the other boats, leavino- Lieut. Crandall in com-
mand of the S^\iTZEi!LAxn and Ft i/rox, with 1st Master Dyer in
charge of the work of liiihtini:- the SwrrzKKLAxn l)y removal of her
heavy casemating. Instructions were followed in both the work, and
guarding against ])ossil)le attack' by night or day. and at length the
boat was once more afloat. Her casemating was then restored and
both proceeded to join the others at Cairo.
r>efore leaving Helena, Col. Ellet had written this letter to
(.hiarti'rmaster Brooks:
Stfiiin Uam Swi I /ci-la nd. oil' llrlciia. Ark.. Aniiiist :;ii. lS(i2.
Vajtt. ./(tiiirs llroohs. o. 1/.. I . s.:
l)c;n- Sir: — Ytnw 1 w o letters from \\ asliiiii;1()n ('i1\. tlie last dated Aiiyiist
20tli. luive l)een reeeixcd. I i'ei;ret that your iiiissi. a has lieeii so bai-reii of
tlie results desii-ed. lait i)t'i-]iaps it is for the l)esl. It was an mifortiiiuite
period to approaeli the Seeretary. for lie must he pressed to deatli \vith tlie
nionientons issues that aie oeeiirrini;' in X'iryinia.
1 approve of ,\(>iir siii^yest ions to i^'et rid of three of in_\- stern wiieel
boat.s. and will take immediale steps to do it. The Miiii;o. Lioness and Ful-
ton will probaldy lie the ones that I shall (lis|)ose of. They are of ver\ little
use to me now. ano would lessen our expenses \cry nuiterially. I will in this
way be able to disehai-i;c a i^ood many worthless parties, and retain from the
boats turned oxer, such as are wortli keepiuL;-.
1 am sori\\' that the Seeretary seems inelined to ii^noi-e the (piestion of
])ri/.e money, but that will do. at any snbse<pient period, to revive. As I have
Jiis dis|iateh a ut lioi-i/i ul;- my hrothei- to promise this additional ]iay. it will
be ]iai-(l for him to t^et o\er it. If the,\ should in their wisdom eonc-lude to
1i-ai\sfer the llam l-'leet o\cr to the ua\y. i1 will pnunptly close my sei'vices
with it. I nexcr will pei-mit myself to l)e made subject to Davis, after what
lias occurred between us.
I will at once make arranm'ments to send the three boats up to \n\\ at
Cairo: pe7-liaps I will come \\\^ myself. The Switzerland reipiires considerable
i-epairs. and this chani^e can be etVeeted. and the rejiairs all made, at the
same lime. I will telei;i-aph to you immediately upon my arrival at Cairn,
nud will ho|:e to see \<)U there as soon as jiossihle. I am now waitiui^' the
arrival of the (}ueen and as soon as she comes I will send her forward with
the Samjjson to join the balance of the fleet above N'icksbiirL;-. iindei- command
of my nephew, while I jiroceed with the othei- vessels to Cairo, to etT'cct the
changes, and transfer the boats ovei- to you. ^'oii have probably heard be-
licmlij < 'i>-(>p<'r(ifi<in Witli fJtc Xnrji.
I2g
foTO this of nuT rccciil I rip to N'ickshiiri;'. and up I lie ^a/ix) rixi'i-. and of its
success. \\'(' had the coinpanv of llic i;iin-l)oa1 s and some troops, and made
a first rate trip of it.
Please present my res|)ects 1o Mrs. i'.rooks and h(dic\t' nic srvy tridy and
.sincerely your ol)edient servant and fi-iend.
.\i,iia:i) \V. Ki.i.KT.
Lieut, ('ol. ( 'onuna ndin"' IJani !■'!('. 't.
C'oiiiinodoi'c I'oricf now succeeded I)a\'is in coniinaiid of llie a'tiii-
i)();U Ht'ct, iiiidcf llic cliano'e cU'eclcd l)y ( 'oiini'css in t ranst'eiTinii" llic
cnlirc oiiiiljoat anil niorlaf llotilla of the Mississippi, IVoiii llie \^'a^.
to the Xa\y I )c|)arlnicnt. Allnsion has ah'cady l)'i'n made to the di-
^■ided opinion at A\'ashiniilon as to the proper control of the Missis-
sippi lvi\('r Kani I'deet. Secretary Stanton had a special care of the
interests of thi- arm of sei'\ice. hroiiii'ht into existence nnder his own
fost(M'inif care, and of whose snccess he was jiislly proud, and his in-
Ihicnct' caused this lli-et to he excepted from the operation of the
transfer. The Presich'nt. n(» doiihl. under tin' representations of
na\al authorities ch)se at hanch exercised liis preroiinl i\c as connnand
cr in chief of all arms of the serxice and issued the order, a month
or so later, distinctly re<|uirino" Kllet to report to and act under Rear
Admiral Porter.
The promptness and readiness of the ranis left helow. to under-
take any enterprise, or co-()|)erate in any aii"i!,'ressi\-e movement. Avon
for them and their ollicers and men. and especially for the youthful
commandei". the warmest commendation of the Admiral. The rams
were lleet and a<'ti\(' \'essels. as compared with the heaxy. slow-ii'oina"
liunhoats. and wci'e fre(|uently called on to act as conxoys to trans-
poi'ts carryino- supplies or passengers. Of this latter class there
were now many — oflicers and men o-oinn' <»i" retiirninii" — also wi\'es of
otiicers. and many ci\ilians. o-oxcrmnent au'ents. and army corre-
spondents. I'he sanitary conmussion had somewhat later, many of-
licers and agents, continually e'l'iiiii' and comini:'. in carryino' on its
work for relief of the sick and wounded.
In his history Ailmii'al Poi'tei' maki's special mention of the ser-
\ice thus rendered \)\ the I'ams dnrinii' this period, as scouts and
convoys for trans])()rts. and vessels of all classes, when in need of
help in getting- past places where gnen'illas were known to he o))erat-
^J^>
Ilisfori/ of the Iidin Fled.
iiiii". Altlioiiiiii not iiiU'iidcd. nor iul('(|unt('ly ('(|uii)i)('(l. for such ser-
vice, no rani coniniandcr ever hesitated to run the <i,'anntl('t. phicinii'
the consort in tow on the side ()i)i)()site tlie enemy, and tlms [)artly
shiehlinii' its boilers and eniiines from shot and shell, and taking" the
hrunt of the lire itself. Thus they a't'iierally sncceeded in makini:' a
safe i-ini. and e\'en infiictinii' some damaii'e upon the enemy, by the
rapid Hre of the two or three rifled i>nns tliey carried. r)ut tlcy were
not always so fortunate, heinii" fre(|nently penetrated l>y shot from the
attacking);- force, and the lii-t' of small ai'nis. supporting' tlu's:- attacks,
was often a serious matter, hoth to the boat's crew, and to the men at
the u'uiis. Dt'tails of only a few of the many incidents of this char-
acter, occiu'riiiii' dnrinu" the ensuinii' months, are preser\'ed in official
re])orts. and one of these is here i>'i\'en. as a sam])le of the woi'k pt-r-
formed by the rams. ( )n Si'ptember 1"^. (ieneral Prentiss at Helena
re(|uested that a ram be sent down, to cooperate with Col. Ilovey. in
an exjx'dition he had inidertaken. The (^i ekx had just returned, and
.Maj. Jvobai1> at once sent her to perform the duty. Me(lical Cadet
Kllet joine(l her eiii'oute and took connnaiid. '\\w following" is his
report of the expedition :
V . S. IJaiii (^l.'.•M of llic Wrst. off Helena. Ark.. Se|)t. :30. 1S(;:2.
iAvHt. i'ol. Alfred W. Ellct. Com nid iidi in/ l,'(nii Fh'ct : -
Sir: — i have llic honor to report to \(iii lliat while ret iirniny \'ester(la_\'
with tile (^iieen ol' tlie West from i^niiiee l.andiiiL;' in company witli two trans-
ports, the latiiii and AUianihi-a innler 1 in- eonnnand of liient. Col. ('. I']. I.ip-
j;inc<)tt. we were fired M|ion in the liend ahove l!olivar. The eneniv had e()l-
lected a foi'ce of Tun men and three Held pieces, at tliis point, where the course
of tlie channtd renders i1 nccessar\' for boats 1o rnn for sexeral miles \\itliin
a few yards ol' the hank. TheN inlended to attack' tlie fleet nnex|)ectedly. as
it passed throMLjIi. hnt a fnyitixe nei^ro had hronyht us full information of
their ])laiis aiul position. 'I'he three l)oats. at the snii'o'estion of Col. Lip]jin-
cott. were hroniiht tlironiih the bend lashed toi^-ether, the (^ueen occii])ying"
the iiiside position. When within alxnit t(l \ards of the bank', the enemy
()])ened a heaxv tire upon ns of minie l)alls. cannist^r and round shot, riddlin;?
tile (Jueen in e\er\ direction. ller L;uns. which were worked with <.;reat skill
and bravery b\ Lieut. Callahan and his detachment of artillerists, silenced
one of the encm\"s pieces, and tlirtwv shells which burst in the \ ery midst of
the L;uerrillas. 'i'he sharpshooters of the ()ueen and the infantrx' of the tran.=;-
|iorts kept up a constant hre on the ritle-men of the t'neni\'. ^vhose loss must
iiecessariK have been heavv. The tiiilit lasted for t\vent_\' minutes, duriuir
which one man on the (^ueen was killed, and another dan^i'rously wounded.
The lin'dh'doini of tlic ".\.rl,\
'3^
T.dlli of llU' iiKMi were i^iimicrs l)rli)ni;iiiii- to l>ifiit. ( ';i 1 liilui n"s dfl ai'liiufiit .
'I'lic hilaii lost two 111. Ml killrd. A ICw of the sliar|)sliootcrs received sli<ilit
injuries. 'I'lie men all behaved \crv well. The enemy had inlended 1o at1ael<
lhe Meet at two other points, hut failed to do so: their losses ha\inii lieeli
prohahlv liiueli more severe than they liad anticipated.
\'ei-\ Kespeet fnlly.
(MAS. h'lVKliS I'J.l.KT.
Medical Cadet ( 'oinmand i iii;' l)i\ision Kani i'Meet.
While events of tiiis charjiclei- were in ])i-((iiress alonii' tlie upper
river, a somewhat ditierent, hut not h'ss interestinii' conrse of opera-
tions, was in proa'ress heK)W. Karraaut had estahlished a patrol for
that })art of the rixcr Ixdow Baton Koniie. to which place (ien. AVil-
lianis' force had withdrawn on jeavinj^' the vicinity of \'icksl)iiri:-.
Here he had fortihed as best he conld. with the small foi'ce at com-
mand. The relx'ls now heiiaii the concentration of a considi>ral)le
armv in the rt'ar of IJaton llonii'e. and it was moved liy rapid marches,
on separate roads, to attack the place from the rear, while the rehel
i^nnhoats "Wehl)" and "Mnsic" wei'e to come out of Red lJi\'er. and the
r.im "Arkansas'* i^o down from \'icksl)iiri;-. and enaaii'e any fetleral
Ncssejs fonnd near, and then attack the works from the river, all act-
inia' in concert, and accordiiiii' to a prearranged plan. These mo\'e-
ments were in i)ro,i:ress at the heeinnina- of Aiienst. and culminated
in the battle of the .^th. (In the rixcr ni'ar were the A'.v.sr.c. Smiipfcr.
('(ijliK/a. h'/nco and luiftihd'ni — the first two from I)a\is' ii'nnhotit WyA
— and the other three small vessels of the (Jnlf S(|uadron. .\ few
miles above were the rebel boats "AA'ebb" and "Music,"" tic for iier a
ram of formidable proportions, awaitinii' the pi'oiui-cd cominii' oi the
redoubtable "Arkansas." Tpon the co-o])eration dl' the-e boat-^ (ien.
Ureckenrido-e relied for the success of the attack on Baton luniii-e.
liiit the Fnion iiimboats alone ap|)eared on the scene, and as the bittle
raii'cd. they poured an aniioyinii- Hi'e from positions both abo\H' and
below the town, upon the rear attackin<i' force. The "Arkansas"' had
stalled at the time arranii'e'l. but without her i:-allant commander
(Capt. Brown) who was sick, and left behind. She had not moved
l';ir. when it was found her engines were not workinii' properly, caus-
ino- some delay. B)Ut she went on. in a crippled condition, till she was
joined b\- her consorts. Soou after she ai^ain became unmanaii'eable.
and it was found necessar\- to make a landinu'. some miles above the
1^2 HiHtonj of the llain Fleet.
sceiu' of llic coiillicl ill wliicli tlu-y wci'c to liaxc taken part. Thus
the (hiy passed, and the battle was lost by tlie ('oiife(h'rates. after a
bloody coiifiict, and great k)sses on both sides, including the death of
the gallant Williams, himself. Finding the "Arkansas" powerless to
proceed, or take part in the contlict. the other two rebel boats bade a
hasty adieu to the scene, and made the best i)ossible time — to their
lia\c'ii of safety, up Red Ivi\'er.
The destruction of the "Arkansas" by her own crew was now
iiie\ itable. whene\'er the Federals should ap])ear. which they did next
morning. After re^jlying to a few of the hrst sliots aimed at her by
the /i'.s-.sv ./•. she was set on hre and al)an(h)ned by her crew, who es-
cajx'd to shore. She was soon a mass of flame, and Hoated from her
moorings. Shortly after, came the explosion of her magazine, which
blew to fragments, and an inglorious ending, what had been the \w<\
hope and reliance of the rebels for rt'gaining the Mississippi. 'Idierc
was general rejoicing when the news of the destruction of the "Ar-
kansas"' became known at the North, as she lead once i)ro\'en herself
well nigh invulnerable. A corresponding disapi)ointinent and re-
gi'et was felt by the Confederates at her loss.
Admiral Farragut, at New ()rleans. learned the night of the .'jth.
of the joint attack on IJaton Rouge, and at once started with the
lliirtfofd and tive other \'t'ssels for the scene, arriving at noon on the
7th — the day after tlu' "Arkansas" had met her fate. Tlie o])ening
sentence of his dispatch of that date to the Secretary of the Navy
is characteristic; and reads:
"It is one of the hapi)iest moments of my life that I am enal)led
"to inform the I)ei)artment of the destruction of tlie Kam 'Arkansas.""
In the "literature" of this aii'air. which of course includes the official
re|)ort of the officer commanding the A'.s-.sc.r, ai)pears a graphic account
of this "confiict" with the disabled and helpless ram. in which "in-
cendiary shells" and "bursting flames" play a conspicuous part, and
his continued bombardment [)re\ented the crew from extinguishing
the flames until the floating wi-eck was sent into fragments by the
explosion of her own magazines. The well authenticated facts of this
final chapter of the career of this formidable craft are as given above.
And from these facts it is \-ery clear that the injury she received from
the stroke of the Qieex at the Vicksbur<>- wharf, was mortal, for at
('dloiH'l Kllct's r II ir'/tt'ni(i PropJicci/.
^33
the Hi'st attempt to put her iimlcr a full head of steaui. her disahliiii!;
iiijurv showed itself, and put her out of the Huiit. \\'liat was >up-
2)()sed to he fear, and hesitancy when oidy ti\'e nnles fi'oni the scene of
conflict, was the utter hreakdow ii of her machinery, and of course her
oxcrthrow was then ine\ital)le.
The hoastful claims of the h^s.sc.r C'onnnander. in his i-eporl of de-
■~tro\inii' the "Arkansas." were soon after demolisiied hy an ollicial in-
(piirw \\hich resulted in his retii'ement from the scr\'i<-e in disiiracc.
\\u{ Admiral Farrai^ut's ;Lirat ulations at the disappearance of tlie
"last rehel ironclad on the Mississip])!."' were rather prematui'c. for
the •AVehl)" (while not ironclad) was a well protected ci'aft. of the
li'enus ram. and was yet to he reckoned with, as ^\■e shall see later on.
A communication fi-om Col. Kllet at Cairo, to the Secretary of
A\'ar. read in the li^-ht of excnts we have thus hrielly sketched, shows
that officer's arasp of the needs of the situation, lie sti'oniily urucs
the need of at least one welhhuilt and protected ram. capahle of w itli-
standing" a heavy fire, without danacr of destruction to her hoilers. or
machinery. His ajijieal. in the light of subsequent e\-ents. seems al-
most a prophecy, in its presentation of the \ulneralile character of
his vessels — any one of which, if placed hors-dc-coiiihut. under the
guns of an enemy's hattery. nnght easily he destroyed or captured.
He could scarcely Innc ])Ut the case more forcefully had he with pro-
phetic vision beheld the scene of the loss of tlie (^i kkn. a few months
later, under the guns of Fort 1 )e Kussy. Though not generally
k'nown. it is nevertheless true, that in response to Fdlet's appeal, the
construction of a vessel was authorizetl. and work pressed rapidly,
l)Ut the changes in the war situation, and subse(|uent transfer of the
western war vess(ds from the Wwv to the Xa\v Department, diverted
it. from the ])uri)ose intended, ^o that the boat nexcr became a part of
EUet's conunand. The conununicat ion referi'cd to is as follows:
steam llain Switzf liand. Caii-o. Sept. :is. \Si\:l.
Il'iii. /■;. I/. Stdiitfin. Sccrcliirii of W'lir: —
I luoc 1lic honor 1o call your altciilioii to a matter thai has hi-rorc liccn
])r('si'iiti'(l to your nol ice. and that in my opinion is of wry i^ra\c ini|iortancc
to tile puljlic interest- vi/.. tlie pi-o\i(lini:- withont delay an ironclad fleet of
rams to meet the enemy's new Hcct that wilhoid donht will a|i|K-ai- upon
Miese waters with tlie next flood. ^'on are aware <d' the frail nature of th(<
th'et <d' wooden l)oats that 1 ha\e the lioiior at present to command. it is
IS4 U'sfoi-i/ of the luiiii Fleet.
no detract ion from the eminent services tliat they have rendered the country
to say tiiat it was mainly attrihntaliie to tlie iLinoraiice of the enenix' as to
their streniitli and to the ixiid andaeit\' of llieir former commander. 'I'here
seems no room to donht tliat the eiiem\' are now l)nsil\- eni;aL;'ed in linihiing"
a new tl(~et of formidal)le rams ami L;im-lioats n|) tlie ^'a■/.l)o Kiver and its
tributaries, besides what lliey nia,\' be doini;- np the Arkansas and White
Iii\t'rs. with the evident ])nr])ose of resnmint;' ])ossession of the Mississi|3])i
i;i\er witli the rise of watt'r in the sprini;'. The rejiorts to this effect are so
constant a,nd uniform that it does seem to me llie part of prudence t(j take
warniui;' and make suitable ]iro\isiou while tliere is yet time to meet the
|ii-nbablt' emergency. It is a fact that few have the presumption now to dis-
pute 1 hat our flat l)ottomcd slow L:iiu-boats ai-e in no \\n\ (Mpial to contend
ayainst the Idrmidalile rams and i;un-boa1s that tlie enem\ ha\e lieretofore
jiroduced anil are likelv to aijain l)rinL;' ai;ainst us. I trust that it shall be
'.•eii'arded as no d isparai;emcnt to the bi-a\t' olhc-ers and men of the gun-boats,
nor of the former \ahiable ser\ ic-es of the boats thems(d\es. to say that the
latter are in no way suitable to meet the new order of tilings soon to be pro-
duced. It is in \ iew of these, to me. plain facts that I take the lil)erty of
urging u|)on your notice again, tlie gi'cat importance of providing one or more
lioats of strength and speed eipial at least to what we know the enemy have
heretofore produced anil are capable of re-producing. The disastrous and
most mortif\ing raid of the "Arka usas" slioidd not soon be forgotten. Ke-
cent de\ clopments seem to show couel iisi\ el \- that her Hnal destruction was
jiartially. at least, owing to the severe sliin-k she reeei\eil f|-om tin- (^neen of
the West, which d isai'ra ugeil her engines and caused her machinei-y to break
down. If, at the time of that action, the (^ueen liail been ironclad, so that
she could, with partial impunity have for ten minutes longer, endured the
territie fire she was exposed to. the ■"Arkansas"" would ne\cr again left her
ancliorage. I trust tliat you will excuse me for the libei-ty of thus addressing'
\ou and in apology can onl\ say that the ipiestion seems to me of such grave
importance, the |)repara1ion so far as I can sec. so small to meet it. that T
have felt emboldened fi-oni my l^now ledge of your energy to pi-o\ ide to meet
emergencies, to address \ou this letter. \^'itll sentiments of highest esteem
and unlimited contidence. I remain \ei-\ respect In ll_v. \our obedient servant.
Al.l'KKI) W. l-J.i.Kl.
Col. ( oui ma ml i ug Kam l'"lect.
At this period, in the course of cxciils. Colonel Kllet rcccixcd n
(•oiniiuiiiicatioii from the (•oniinaiulci- of the Naval Flotilla ht'low. llic
contents of which can only !)c o-jithorcd from the subjoined reply,
which is oi\«'n here on aceonnt of the li^ht it throws upon ihe i;-en;'r-
oiis character of the Kam Fleet Connnander. ^^'e shall, further on.
si)eak of the subject of Prize money, in a separate [)ara_oraph.
The (J ii('sf'/()ii of Pr'/':c Monci/.
Ax
Steam IJain Swil /aM-Ui ik I, Mdiiiid ('it_\. III.. Sept. ;2'.i. \s\V2.
Capt. S. N. I'licljix. Coinil'n Ciinlxxil I'lotilld. l-'Jc:
Dear Sii-: 'S'diii- letler ol' :.'4tli inst. was veeeiNcd ncsI e|-ila,\ . anil I liasleiied
thi-; llKiniini:- 1i> (lis|i()se of the caplnred piece, as \i)ii dii-ee1ed. d,ni\i reil it (d
Adinii-al i)a\ is in person on the na\al w ha i-l'hoat . I had i-etained hoih yiins
snbjeet to \-(imi- order, and fetd niiieh ol)liL;'ed 1o \dii for voni- impartial disposi-
tion of them. I shall mount the :.' t-ponnch'i- on 1li,' Switzerland as soon as 1
can Li'et lier repairs completed.
Iiespectini;' the names of niv men eiiyaj^ed in the |-ecenl e\pedi1ion up
^"az()o i;i\'ei'. and also those who pa rt ici pal ed in I he fii;h1 liid'oi-e Memphis, I
liardly know wliat to do in the matl.'r. Man\' of these nii'n ha\e I)een dis-
chai'i;'ed from the service, and i;-one. I will leave the matter until I see \iiu.
I have never had an\ idea of i-eali/ini;' |ii'i/,e money in Ih." same way and pi'o-
portion with you ii'entlenien of the i-eL;ular navy, and was much sni-prised at
the t'ontents of \dur letter. I liad reason, howcvei-. to expe<-t sunict li i in/, from
))romises obtained from Secretai'y .Stanton to thai etfi'cl : hut supposed thai
it would come by altogether a dilfereid tdiannel. I shall reL;i-et exceed in l;1_v
if 1)\- \-oui- i;-enerous intercession in our l)ehalf. we shall come to be reiiill'ded
as havini;' appropriate<l what properly beloni;s to othei- pai'ties.
1 ani.\'er,\ sori'\' tliat 1 ilid not have the pleasure of seeinij- von on your
\ isit to Mound Cits', but as von rii^htlv i;ness. I was cnjoviiej myself hui^-el,\
at !iome. ^^'ith sentiments of sineei'c esteem. I i-emain.
N'ei'y respect f idly. etc..
\'our obedient servant.
.\i,iia:ii W. I'j.i.KT.
( )ll the Citli tile followiiiii' letter of iiist I'lict ions was sent We'ow
its contents ixncaliiii:" an cnicrii'cncv occasioned l>y alleijcd niiscon-
tlnct of an officer of the fleet:
Steam Kani Swit /ei'la nd. Mound Citv. III.. October (Itli. isC,:.'.
Chdlhs /,'Mr/-.v /•;//'•/. \l<;lirill Cdilrl:
^'ou will proceed (HI tirst stcamlxiat for Memphis, 'reiin.. and take eoni-
niand of steam ram Lancaster, and without delav briiiL;- that boat to Mcmiid
Citv. and i-eport to me u|ion voiir' ari'ival. ^dll will permit no propci'tv to be
:-emoved from off the boat b\ anybodv. ^oii will i;ivc into hieiit. ItiisselTs
own hand> tlie leftei- I yivc you. placing him under arrest, and observe that
he emifines liimsclf to the limits of the steamboafs ipiarters. al'ter- he receives
m,v wi-itten orders to that effect. \u\\ will use all expedition possible to re-
turn as (piicklv as |)ossible.
.\i.i-ia:i) \V. ICi.i.KT,
Col. Com'dii- It'aiii l'"leet.
1^6 Il'/storij of flic luim Fleet.
Xo othtn" jiroceediiiii's in this niiitter ai)|)('ar to \\\\\v hri'ii taken,
aftci- tlu' ai'ri\al of the rjAxcAsiKi;. other than simply to ordei' the
al)o\'e named ollieer to rejoin his re<>"inient, the ()')d Id.
On tlie 7th ('()]. KlU't infornu'd the l)ei)ai'tment of |)roaTess of
repairs, and asked ])ermission to come to AA"ashini>1on. on hnsiness for
the lleet.
At this (kite (\)k EUet, thron<>-h Captain r)ro()ks then in AVash-
inuton. renewed certain reeonnnenchitions for promotions in the ram
Meet, as foUows :
Steam tJam Swit/.t-i-laiid. Moimd ('it,\. ill.. Oct. l:Jtli. 1S(52.
CdjiL ./(lines liroolx. I'. S. (Jiiii rteriiiiisi cr. Sfcdiii h'diii J'leet : -
I tear Sir:-- 11 lias liccoinc lu'cs'ssarx for the clliricucy ol' Tliis service, tliat
1 slioiild liavi' soint' raiikiiiL;' olticci-s to aid iiic in the ina iia^ciiient i)f this
fleet. 1 liave asked In t;'leL;i'aph of tlie lion. Secrefai-y of War the a|)|)oiiit-
nient of a seeond in eoniiiiand. hut liave iveeived no answer. I liave since iv-
rinc-tcd tiri<-c leave of absence to \isit Washington to ])resent this matter,
and oth.'rs of im|iortance for his consideration, hut i-ecei\ed no re])ly to my
i-e(|nest. 1 desire lliat yon will proceed at once to Wasliinii'l on City and i)i-esent
tliis necessity to the lion. Secretary of Wnv in person. 1 wonld rei^ard it as
a yi'cal pri\ile.L;c to lie pei'inilted to name tliose wlnnn 1 wnnld i-ecommend to
til! these positions. Men who from their accpia i ntance with the sei'vice. and
for iiallant eondnct seem speeiall,\- entitled to credital)le notice. Vov second
in command <>{' tlu' fleet. I shonid pi-efer my ne))hew. Cliai-les Itivei's i-'llet.
J'"oi- thii-d in eommand. .I(jhn Lawi-enee. assii-tant sm-i^eon of tir' t1eef. I wonld
desire to have Capt. .Vsi^ill Connor, of Co. — . ISth l!e,yt. of III. Inft. \'ol.. de-
tailed with Ids intire eonipany to sei've on th;' tl^'ft. And woidd reconnnend
1st Sei-i^t. !■:. W. I'.artletl. Co. I .VJth Kei;t. 111. Inft. i^^-t. \ol. Corporal Kd-
wai'd C. !-:il(t. Co. 1. .V.th Rei^t. ill. Inft. ile-t. \dl. i'risate E. W. Snther-
land. Co. 1 ti.lrd Ifei^t. III. inf1. ileiit- \'ol. : all for i^allant eondnct. foi- pi'omo-
tion to lier.t T.aneies.
\er\' l-espect f ldl,\'. etc..
Ai.FKF.i) \V. i'^M.Frr.
Col. Coni'di;' ilani I''leet.
The work of repaii's on the rams was pushed with all possible
dispatch at Mound City, hut it was not until the middle of October
that their commander was aide to report them again ready for duty.
'l"ht' new machinery rec^nired had to be obtained at Pittsbiiru'. and
thei-e was ureat ditlicidty in securing it, as Army operations at that
time taxed the foundries for railroad engines. The archives disclose
the fact that (Irant had obtained from Ilalleck an order, expressly
Xor Adniiral licli/iiKj on the lidins. i^y
o-iviii<j,' this Avork precedence oxer lliat in proyTess for Kllet's rams, thus
caiisiiii:- at least a month's athlitional dehiy.
In a letter accompanyinu' the report from below (i>-iveii on a pre\ -
ions page) Colonel Kllet informs the Secretary of \\\\v of his readiness
to resnme operations at the front. It is hrief and to the point as fol-
lows :
Sti'ain IJaiii Swit/ei-hiinl. Mdiinil City. HI.. Octoliff 14. ISiir*.
Ilnii. /•;. 1/. Stdiildii. Sfcntiiin of War:
I li;i\f the lionor to Idrwiird to you the rt'])oi-t of my nephew, Mediciil
Cadet (lias. Kivrrs fjlet. respect ini;- his l:ite ex|)e<lition down the river to
near Nici^shnri;-. He inlornis nie tiiat his i)oats were repeatedly tired into 1)\'
the hands (tf i^iierillas li-oni the sliore. and liad several sharp eni^'ao'eineiits. My
boats ai-e now all in L;'ood repair, and 1 shall resume m\- efforts to l)reak up
these hands i m nu'il iat ely.
N'ery respeetf ully.
Ar,i'HEi) W. Ellet,
Col. Com'dg J!ani Fleet.
The new Admiral had now arrixcd at Cairo, and at once pro-
ceeded to inibosoni himself to the i-am fleet commander, as follows:
Cairo. ()<'toi)er 2."). ISC);.'.
,1. ir. AV/r/, IJ. Cnl. ( . S. \ .. Coiii'ihi Riiiii I'lirt:-
In a few weeks now the 'la/oo will he open, and I hear that tlie rebels
Ma\i' fitted out sonu' new rani^. I <-an oid\- suyL;est to ycui that it would he
W(dl to have ,\dur \cssels i-ead\ to meet any emeri;enc\ . in case the rams iiet
on! or your vessels are turned oxer to the na\y. I shall start them off as
soon as I !^et them, if they ai'e turned <i\cr to nie. ^'ou see the importance n'i
haxini^- one ori;a ni/.a t iou here. I ha\e ur,>>ed tlie Navy Department very
strongly to take these \cssels aceordiui; to the law. for with them I could fc(d
secure about i-ams below. Oiii- old turtles are only fit t(f lie still and tire
away at a fort. They take two steamers to move them about. I am uri^iui;-
the Naval r.rit;ade \ei-y strongly, and hope to see you at t lu' head of it.
Yours very respeetf ull v.
David D. {'okter.
Act. Uear Admiral Conrde- .Miss. Scpiadron.
There is no recoi'd of Col. Kllet's rei)ly.
At this date (October i!()) ctune the instruction from Secretary
Stanton, sayin^- to the ram Meet Connnander: "The ram fleet was not
"inchuled in the transfer of the ii-iniboat fleet to the Navy Department.
'Tts disposition was left for fm'ther ('(msideration. ^'oii will retain
'"connnand as heretofore, until fnrther orders."
/jS Ilistiiri/ of the Iidiii Fleet.
( )ii the (Uli of XoAcniber Ellet was appointed a liriijadicr (n'li-
eral, and was siiniiuoncd to AVashing-ton to eontVr as to the appoint-
ment of his snhoi'dinates. and the details of the river hriiiade. which
were wronght out in scM'eral ^\\\v office intervie\\'s. accordinii" to
Ellet's general plan.
An early oi'der was secured from the l*resident by watchful Navy
interests, touching the proposed marine connnand. Tt bears date
November 7, and reads as follows: "vExeentive Mansion. AVashing-
''ton, D. ,C\ — ()i'(lere(l that Ik-ig. (ien. Ellet rei)ort to Kear Admiral
"Porter for instructions, and act under his direction until otherwise
"ordered by the AA'ar Department."
Ellet's recommendations for staff and other ai)i)ointnients were
followed. Lieut. C'randall. late of the Lioness, Avas made C'apt. and
A. A. G. and at once proceeded to St. T^ouis_, and established recruiting
headquarters for the new command, at 109 North ^'xl strei't. whither
the General followed a few days later. From November (lS()-2) until
aboiit the middle of Marc-h following. Gen. Ellet and staff were en-
gaged in the work of forming the Marine lirigade, and getting the
boats in readiness for its use.
Among the appointments for the brigade, Avas that of Medical
Cadet, Charles Rivers Ellet, to be a Colonel of the line. Being al-
ready experienced in ram fleet service he was assigned to its com-
mand, with Asst. Surgeon J. W. Lawrence to l)e ^Nlajor, and second
in connnand: this to be the arrangement till the l)rigade should b^
formed and the connnand concentrated in lower waters.
The need of more ade(iuate defense for the rams against attacks
from guerrillas had caused repeated re(iuests made for an increase of
tlieir force of sharpshooters, and at length came notice from head-
quarters, of a permanent addition to the ram defenders, as follows:
WAi; DKrAirr.MicxT.
\Yas1iini;t()n. I). C. I)eceinl)eT 11. 1S62.
BrUi. (Sen. EUci. Cairo. 111.: —
Cen'l (ii-ant has bet-ii ordered to assijiii Co. I\. isth \\\. to the Kani Fleet.
Coinmunicat' with liiiii in I't-i^ard to location ot the company, and when it
will ioin tlie Heet.
II. \V. llAI.I.KCK.
(ieneiiil in Chief.
(riH)tl Jol.-c OH flu' .\<'ir AJiii/nil. T^g
The officers and lucii thus iiiadc part of Ellct's coiiiinaiKl wcrr as-
sio'iu'd to tlu' SwrrzKKLANi), and were identified tliencefoi-th with the
stirrin<i' events in whicli their vessel took a conspicuous and houorahle
part.
Shortly aftei- C't)h Charles W. FJlet had assumed conunand. Ad-
nnral Porter, then at Cairo, recpiested that, as soon as possible, two of
the bi'st rams l)e sent to the front. In response, the (-»)rKKX and
SwrrzEULAND were soon on their way — others followinu'. as fast as
made ready.
An amusiuii' occun-ence happenecl at Cairo, din'ina' this pi-riod.
which created (juite a sensation, and hroiiaht the new Admiral into
rather unenviable i)ronnnence. At 1 a. m.. Decemlu'r ■_' he sent a mes-
seno-er in ii'reat haste u}) to Moinid City (where Col. ,C. W. Ellet's
rams were) asking" that one, carryinu" a uun. he sent "without one
moment's delay." with every man on Ixnird that he could raise, and
if he had no eims. the Admiral would place howitzers on her. "Ut-
most dispatch needcnj." as Hickman had been taken by the enemy I
Kllet at once dispatched the Laxcastkr (Lieut, liartlett) to the Ad-
miral. The report of the Lieutenant, on his return next day. tells the
storv of the "rescue of Hickman."'
On I'.oanI V. S. S. \\. Lancaster, off Moiiinl Cit.v. Dee. Ili'd. lSii2.
<'o/. ('hi\s. /,'. KU,i. f<nirih/ h'inii I'hcl : -
Sir: — Aiivefablc to your oi-dcr of DcernilitT 1st. I took eoininand of tlie
Lancaster, and on the niornini;- of tlic :2nd. at :.' o'clock. |ii-occcdc(l to Cairo
and reported to .Vdniii-al I). I), i'orter. as ready for dnty. {•"roni iiini 1 re-
ceived tile following orders: ■■j'roc-eed to ('olinid)iis w lici-c Noii will find tlie
'"I'yler, I.ient. ('oni'dL; I'ritclietl if slie is not tlierc. proceed to llickniaii,
"where Lt. Coni'dg- ]*ritelie11 will coninuinicate my oi-dei-s to von. and xon will
"if necessary. co-o]>erate with him 1o carry them ont. (Sii^ned) I). D. I'ortei-.
'"Act. Eear Admiral Coni'dL;- Miss. S(piadron." In accordance to the above or-
ders, I proceeded to llickinan where I fonnd the Tyler and conimnnic-ated with
Lt. I'ritchett, and from him leai-ne<l the foUowini^ part icnia rs. The captain in
command of the I'ost at Hickman, on the jnuht cd' Deccndier 1st. desired 1o
send dispatches to Cairo, and sii^naled for a Iransporl which was passiiii^- np.
to land, bnt as the lioat passed on w ithont stoppini;'. he ordei-cd his men to
tire npon her, which they did with muskets. Tlie captain of the boat sn|)posini^-
them to be the enem.w proceeded to Cobimbns and reported to Cen. I)a\id. that
Hickman had been taken bv the enemy, ami that he was li red upon by them.
//o Ilixfofij of flic Uant Fleet.
We lay at anchor off Hiclvinan till Ki a. iii.. then took the Tx lei- in tow and
proceeded to Cairo, arrived at that i)lace at 7 |). m.. then came to Monnd City
where we arrived at 10 ]i. in.
I remain your most obedient servant.
Lt. E. W. E.\RTLETT.
Meantime the Qi een (Major J. \\ . Lawrence) and the SwrrzEit-
LAND (Captain E. W. Sutherhind) had proceeded down the river,
without incident worth mention, till, in i)assin<>- Pawpaw Island, the
former vessel, whose sailing orders were to folhiw in wake of the lat-
ter, was grounded, in an eti'ort of the ])ilot to tind a short cut channel.
For this accident and delay Capt. Sutherland solely blamed Pilot ]Mc-
Kay at the wheel. The following characteristic •■rei)ort" was made
by the ranking officer of the two Rams, who had been a surgeon of
the fleet, and was a most excellent man. but not much given to military
style :
Ram Switzerland. Mouth Yazoo TJiver. Dee. ."itli. 1S6:L
Col. Cliiis. Riicrs Ellct: —
Dear Sir: — 1 arrived at this point at ."> o'clock this p. m.. and lia\e made
my report to Ca])t. Walke. He seems miicli of a ijentlcman. His instrnctioiis
to me ai'e to he on the alert as he expects a rebel ram. and if one comt's in
sio'ht to "pitch in" — very concise, to the jjoint and not to be misunderstood.
1 will obey his instructions as near as possible. ^Ve have had no trouble since
^vc left Helena exce])t tliat we lost our anchor last iiiLjht. just as we stojiped.
The chain ])arted. I tliink' it was tliroiiiili bad manaiicmcnt. The (^iiccii is
now aiiround a few miles abo\c us at I'aw])aw Island. The jjilot disobeyed,
for his orders were to follow directly in our wal\e. P>iit instead of doini>*
tliat lie went to one side, and the consecpieiice is he is ai;ronud. As it was
gettiiiL;' late, and I was close to the fleet, and it lieiui;- danii'erons for us to
I'uii in where they were aftei' uii;ht. I thonijlit I had better come <lown and
make my re])ort. Ca])t. Walke ver\- kindly sent the Marmora (a lii^ht draft
boat) up to her assistance. If slic fails to pnll licr off I \vill iio nj) in the
niornini>' and do what I can.
I have ])rociired contralia nds cnouijh for deckhands. If yon will allow
me. I would suii^est that noii hrini;' down se\eral anchors with son. when
you come, as each boat should have at least three two lar^;*' and one small
one. We are attached to the I'.aron <lc Kalli. tonii;lit. and (apt. Walke said
he thonj^ht he could spare me an anchor till \ou come down. I s|)(>kc to \ou
about castinj^s for our stoxc; 1he\ had not come to Helena wlien we left. T
wisli that the first I'am that comes <lo\vn woidd sto|) at Mempliis. ixo to the
t'onndr\' and see if the castings are there, and. if the\ have been sent to
.1 SoiiicirJuit rn(>ffi<-((il lie port. rti
Helena, would stoj) there and i^et tliein : for we are iieediny- tiiein ver\ iiuudi.
as tlu' sto\e is danyerons in tlie condition it is now in.
If tliat Hebe! ram eoines alony liere. \(ui nia\ expect to liear of it. or the
Switzerland, heiny snid<. for 1 will i^o into her at all liazai-ds. I forgot to
state that we have had hut one i)ilo1 all the way. nearly, IJoach having- metas-
tasis from parotitis, but he is getting bettei-. (apt. (larvey 1 think one of the
be.st pilots 1 ever saw. and a good man. every way. The more I see of him
the better I like him. 1 think he is brave, and 1 think 1 can depend on him,
when it comes to a figh1. 1 begin to feel that th<' ci-ew has contidencv' in me
now. 1 shall not close this now but, wait till 1 ha\c a chance to send it. and
then add some more.
^'onr obedient ser\an1. etc..
.1. \\ . La WUKNCE.
Ma j( )r ( 'omnia 11(1 ing'.
Latei-. |)eceml)er Tth. IsC,:,'.
1 add a few more lines this morning. 'I'lii' (,)iiccn was got otf l)\' the
Marmora. .\Kd\ay iMin her aground. 1 lia\c no conlidiMicc in him as a ])ilot
at all. \\'e succec(li'd in gcHing an anchoi-. but had some little difticidt\- with
(uie of the under othcers aboid i1. It would take loo much room or 1 would
give you a full statement of it. 1 will tv'll you all when I see you. So far T
have failed to get any supplies from the na\\. At Helena. 1 had to a])point
('apt. Sutherland (piartermaster \\in hiii. and get supplies from the army. I
told the na\al oMicei-s thai the Admiral promised me supplies from the navy,
l)ut they said th.',\- had none foi' me. so I had to get of the armw the best I
(•(Mild. ('apt. \Valke was much pleased 1 hat the rams came down, for he was
unea.sy abont the Kebel i-anis. fi-om what 1 could learn. In fact, he had au-
<'hored his fleet at Milliken's licnd till we came, and then he came her(^ So
he has soiue contidencc in the i-ams. at Ieas1. 'Ihe weather is xcrv pleasant
liei-e. and if those rams do not come up w i' will have nolhing to do. The
Yii/Mo is too low for us to go u|i. The Marmora has been up. but discovered
nothing. r.ut I must close. I will try and Isccp \n\\ |)os1cd. Hoping to hear
fi'oni \(ni soon.
.1. \V. L.VWKKXCK.
I'os iscmi'T.
1 have Just seen (apt. Walke. and he tells me that he will fui'iiish me with
supplies, fresh meat. (1c. He has given me instructions how to act in case
of an attack, eithei- from laiul nv water. He seems to have gri>at eonfidenee
11 the rams, in case of an allack from water. We are to push right into them.
if they make their appearance, without waiting- for signals, orders, or any-
thing of the kind, and von uui\ rest assiir.-d that my boat will do her duty.
I'.ut I don't think ther(> is au\ danger of an attack at all. The river is falling-.
.1. \V. L.
14-2 Ilistoi'i/ of the R<(ni FJecf.
A comimiiiicatitni from the same officer dated the Sth, incloses
Capt. Sutherhuid's charge of wilful carelessness against Pilot McKay
(who had two or three times, on the way down, got the Qieex into
similar difficulty) and mentions that the gnnboat fleet numbered seven
vessels; that the ]Marmora had captured a lot of dressed hogs up the
Yazoo, designed for A'icksburg — giving two to each of the Rams.
The Admiral having reiiuested a list of the vessels of the Ram
Fleet, was thus explicitly informed by the commander, which furn-
ishes us important historical data for the i^eriod.
steam i;:mi Moiiarcli, Cairo. 111.. I )eeriiil)t'r 4th. 1S62.
Ad mi nil : —
Your re])ly to u^y coinnuiiiication of I^eL-einber 4tli has lieen received.
The following' is a list of the iianies of rams iindei' my ediiimand. and of the
names of their commanders :
1. Switzerland, Major Jolm AV. La\vrenee. ('Hmmaii(lini>'.
2. Qneen of the West, Caj^t. JO. W. Sutherland.
3. Monarch. Lient. E. W. T.artlett.
4. Lancaster, Lieut. W. V. Warren.
5. Liones.s. First Master Thos. O'lvcilly.
G. Horner. First ^Master IJobert Dalzell.
T. Fulton, First blaster S. Cadman.
The Horner has been, for several months, up the Oliio IMxer. and is now
underg'oino- rc])airs. She is em])loyed to carry stoi'cs for the ram tieet. and
is in the charge of Capt. (!eo. (). White. Assistant Quartermaster. T have
sent the Lioness u]) to ('asey\i1U'. 1o bring- down two barges of Fittsbnrgh
coal, \vhich are waiting at that poin1. I expect her i-eturn in a few (hiys.
The coni])any of soldiers wliieh 1 am expecting' has not yet arri\ed. I sluill
do all that is in my ])o\ver to ha\e the rams under ni\ command, ready for
service at the eaidiest ))ossibie date. The Monareli and LaneasttM- will take
on coal today, if it can be obtained.
\'er\' respectf nll\'.
CjlAr.l.KS lIlVEUS ErxET,
Col. (dm'dg Kam I'^leet.
From which report it will be seen that the boats turned over to
the Quartermaster I)ei)artment. for transj)ort or othtT scrxicc. wvvo
the stern-wheelers* Mixoo and Sa^ipsox, of whic-h no fiulhei' mention
will therefore ai)])ear in these i)ages.
The months of October and November were busy ones at the front,
as both fleets were constantly occupied, between Mem])his and
■•■"The .Mingo was transferred to the military authorities at St. Louis,
Sept. 20, 1862.'
The QiK'cn II /fk the Xnrij In flu- Ydr^ido. /yj
Vi('ksl)ui'a'. and in the lower ^'azoo whicli was now kepi under con-
stant [)ati'ol. Hut the rcWcls were i^i-owina' niore deliant and aa'i>res-
sive, day by day. As a defensive measure tiiey had nnned the channel
of the ^ a/oo. and fortified its hanks, at se\-eral points, liniuii" them
with infantry supports. Any attemj)t to naviii'ate it was therefore
ditlicult and dani^-erous for Federal \'essels to undertake.
A\ hen ahout to leaxc for the scene of operations htdow. Admiral
Porter sent this counnunication to the Kani Fleet Commander al
Cairo.
Caii-d. 111.. D.'c. 1 1th, lSf,2.
(IciicniJ : —
I leave here for Mcinpliis t (Hik irrow . ^'()ll had hcltcf (■oiiio on. and follow
down \\ itli the rams. Operations will coinnienri" at once, or sT)orfl\.
I am \fv\ r('s|)eet f ul 1 \'.
^'ollr obedient servant.
I )A\ in 1). POKTEK.
A. i;. Admiral ComMi;' Miss. S(|iiadroii.
This communication, as we learn from Col. ('. K. Filet's report
of KUh. reached him that day. through Cairo Postotlice. The Ad-
iidral had the day hid'ore ordered him to instruct the commanding
otiicer of any ram there, ready for servit-e. to report to the Athniral
for duty, and the Lionkss, after I'eceiving from the LANc.\sri:r. a su})-
l)ly of aunnunition, was so directed, and received orders to report to
.Captain Walke. at the mouth of the Yazoo. At this- unmilitary mode
of transmitting orders to his subordinates, the young Colonel, who
Avas diligently i)osting himself in unlitary ways, was considerably
nettled. I)ut subnntted with good grace. The Admiral's mental per-
turbation, evident in his letter to den. Pallet (then l)usy with his Bri-
gade matters at St. Louis) was furtlier evidenced l)y his inforn)ing
Colonel C. K. Ellet. in one of his letters of that date, that he had
written the (ieneral. and ex])ected him to arrive there in a day or two.
A few days before the ai'rixal of the Admiral and while the Sher-
man campaign iij)on \^icksl)urg, was in progress. Capt. Walke sent a
naval exjK'dition uj) the Yazoo, for the puri)ose of clearing the stream
of torpedoes, utilizing two of Filet's rams in the operations. The
subjoined re]jort of Col. C. K. Fillet, sets foi'th the part taken by the
QuKEN as reported to him by her commander:
J^^ TJistofji of the Udiii Fleet.
riiited States T{ain :\r()iiarch. ott" Cairo. 111.. Dec. 20. 1862.
AJfrtil ^V. Ellet. lirij/. Ceii. Murine lirif/ade. St. Louift. Mo.: —
General: — 1 have the lionor to re]3ort to yon that on the 12th inst.. Capt.
E. W. Sntlierland. conmiandlng- Steam Kam Queen of the West, was .sent at his
own reqnest, by Capt. Walke. U. S. Navy, on an ex]iedition np ^'a/oo IJiver. in
company with fonr <inn-boats — the ^^arnlora. Sional. Cairo and I'ittsbnrgh.
The object of tlie expedition was to remove some tor])edoes, which had been
placed in the channel b\ the enemy, ('apt. Walke impressed n])on Capt.
Sutherland the necessity of oi)servins>' the utmost caution on this dangerous
enterprise, instructing him ))articulariy not to get too near the other boats, and
to avoid the middle of the clianiiel. According to the design of Capt. Walke
the ^NFarmora and Signal. l)eing- light dranght boats, were to hug- the shores
and take up the toi'pedoes ; while the Queen. Cairo and Pittsburg- Avere to pro-
tect tliem with their g'uns. ^^■llilc the fleet, however, was on its way up the
Yazoo IJiver. ('apt. Selfridge, who commanded the expedition, and who brong'ht
lip its rear in the g'un-boat Cairo. fi-e(|uentl\- and |)eremptorily. ordered Cajjt.
Sutherland to move fastei' — a connnand which ]!erilled the safet\' of the boats
ahead of the (^ueeu. fo7-. in that nari-ow and toi'tnous sti-eani. if the leading-
boats had been comjjelled by some unexpected dangei'. sucdi as a batterx' or
a tor])edo. suddenly to stop, or hack', one of them would ha\e been inevitably
sunk by the ram. The ficel ai'rived in sight of the enemy's fort, and opened
an irregidar tire. ('apt. Selfridge came alongside of the Mai'mora with the
Cairo and incpiired w h,\ they did not go ahead. The answer was. that they
were right at the toi"pedoes : the buoys in fact were ]ilainly visible. Just before
them. Ca])t. Selfridgv then advanced hiniseir with the Cairo. nio\ing np tlie
middle of the stream. The nnfortimate. though natural consequence was
that a torpedo immediately exploded under the Cairo, blowing her almost out
of the water. She went down in about ten minutes, siidcing' nearly over her
chimneys. Immediately after the explosion. Capt. Selfridge called for assist-
ance. For some miexplained I'eason none of the gun-boats volunteered to
comply wntli his recpiest. Disregarding- the command of several of their of-
ficers to keep away. Capt. Sutherland passed with the (^leen to the side of
the sinking vessel, and remoxcd her crew, and the chief portion of their ef-
fects. He and his officers and men deserve credit for their conduct on this
occasion.
Ver\' res])ectf nlly.
Charles Rivers Ellet.
Colonel Connnand ing.
The scene now changes, and we are to oet a closer view of matters
at the front, to which both Achniral Porter, and the ram Heet coin-
jiiander have repaired. Sherman's army has comj)lete(l its disastrous
campaign on the Yazoo, during which tht' rams were, with the gun-
boats constantly employed in protecting transports and in endeavors
TIlc Lioness (iiiil IJcr Tovpcdo lidhi
145
to clear the river of torpedoes. Col. Ellet's i-cpoi-ls m'I forth a plan
he devised and Avas ready to operate, when the wliolc cainpaigii was
abandoned :
I'. S. Ram MoiKiicli. .I;nin:ir\ I'.. 1S(>:i.
Br\[i. (Icnl Alfred IT'. KlUt. foni'dii Mhs. Marine liriiinde:
(ieiiei-al : — 1 lunc flic lioiioi' lo report to \(iii lliat on I )('c-('iiil)ri- :tO, ISO^.
Admiral Tortcr acc<'])t(Ml a plan wliich I proposed to liim for cleariiii;' the
^'a/oo lji\er of its 1or|)e(loes. and thus enable the L;nii-l)oa1s to L;e1 within
close T-anti'e of the eiiem\'s batteries on the hliilfs. M \ plan was, to attach
to the how of a swift and pctwcrfnl st'amhoat. a strinii^' fi'a nie-\vo7'k. consist-
ini;- of two hea\ \' spars. (')."> feet in h'ni^th. tirmix' secnred l)\ ti'ansverse and
diagonal i)raees. and extendinL;' "iO feet forwanl of I lie steamer's how. A
cross-|iiece :i.") feet in length was to i)e bolted to tlie forward cxti'eniities of
these s|)ars. 'i'hron^h each v\\i\ of this cross-piece, and liironi^ii the centre a
hea\\\' iron rod. I'., inciics in diameter, and in feit loni;. descended into the""
ri\er terniinat ini;- in a hooU. An intermediate hook was attached to each
bar. ."> feet from the bottom. The thi-ee bai-s were st reni^t iiened by a light
tiiece of tind)er. lialf \\av down, thronL:li whicli they wi're passed, and l)olted.
1 projjosed to secure this i-ake to the iiow of tlie steam ram Lioness, and rnn
her at fnll s])eed np tlie ri\ei-. The torjicdoes ai-e suid^ in the water, bnt the
ch(n-(Ls by which tiiev are lired are attached to bnoys, tloatini;- on the sni-facc.
My lielief was that the cni-\ed hooks of the rake wonid catch tiiese cords, and
driven by the powerfnl l)oat. woidd either explode the toi-pedoes or tear them
to pieces and break the ropes, thns renderint;- them harmless to succecflino-
\essels. As there wonId be at least 4."i feet of water l)etwfeii the point of ex-
plosion and the bow of my vess(d. 1 anticipated no dani;cr wcndd be done the
lioat. if the i-ake was destroyed a new one conid easily be coiistrncted. The
dcsiyii was to ol)\iate the 'cssity of sendine- men (Hit in small boats to fish
foi' the toi-pedoes. nndei- a tremendons Hre from reL;iments of rebel sharp-
shooters, stationed in rille pits aloni^- either shore. This had been the ]ilan
hitherto |)nrsned. and fonnd impracticable. The Cairo was blown n]> by a
torpedo, while iirotcctiiiL;- the men who were searchinj^' for thi>m. I'.y Aihniral
I'ortei-'s order 1 connnenced the construction of a rake on the nii^ht of Decem-
ber :;(). It was finished on the followini;- day. (Ircat credit is due to ^\t.
Ceori;!' \\'. Andrews, carpenter, (d' the .Monai-ch, for his t-xcrtions in getting
it i-eady. He worked upon it all night, and the next day. in th<' water, and
its speedv coni])letion was maiid,\ due to his efforts, ^^'e experienced great
diflicidty in ])rocnring material, and wov coni])elled to cut and haul the green
'ind)ers on the bank at night. The wood was wvy heavy and sank in the
\\atei-. 1 was coni])elled to sustain the frame, by the strongest chimney gnys
I could find, bolting them through the bulwarks of the Lioness. Wlien finished
it worked to the greatest satisfaction, and the Lioness was in her ])lace at
the head of the fleet, on the night of the intended attack, awaiting orders to
14^ Hist or;/ of the U(vni Fleet.
in()\e. Klu' carried aloiii^'side in an open l)ari;e fifteen l)arrels of L;un ])o\vder.
which 1 was instructed l)_v Athniral Porter to place on the raft and ig-nite.
after reaciiini;- it. Diirini;' her whole ])assapc u]). and at the raft itself, the
Lioness would lune been under tlu' fire of the enein.\'s batteries. The ])lans
of the coniniandinii;' otficei- wei-e c-haiiged and the attack did not take place. I
returned and destroyed, liy A(hniral Porter's order, such portions of the raft
as could not be retained. I think it is only Just, however, to the WTi lirave
men who Aobniteered to acc(nn|)an,\ nie on this expedition, to send \'ou their
names. 1 hope notwithstanding' tlu^ |)rol)ability that the Ijioness would have
been desti'oyed. that you will a])pi"ove of ni\' ha^■ing• proffered lier and my
men for the pui'j)ose re(|uired. 'Hie removal of the torpedoes was essential to
the advance of the ironcdads. and conse(|uently to that of our army. I have
the honor to be with highest i-espect. _\'our o))edient servant.
Charles PiJvers Ellet.
Col. Com'dg' Eam Fleet.
A detailed i-e])()rt of the further operations of the Qi'een, ^vas
made hiter. by Capt. Siitherhind, eoverino- the fixe (hiys (T)eeeniber
i28-"2T)-and is here o-iven as of historic interest:
v. S. Ram (^iieeii of the West. M ississi|)]>i Ki\er. Jan. 4, 1863.
Col. Cliiis. /,'. HUct. ('mil iiKi ndi ini I'diii licet: -
Sii-: 1 l)a\e tlie honor to report the pai't taken b,\' this boat in the late
expetlition u|. the 'I'azoo Ki\er. On the morning of December :l'.\. I got under
way in oliedience to orders of Flag-ofHcer Captain Henry Walke. This boat
was ])receded in order l)y a tug and the gnn-boat Signal, with the gnn-boat
Baron de Kalb lu-ingiug up the rear: th(> object of the ex])edition being to
clear the river of toi-jiedocj; and o1h;'r obstructions and secure a landing' for
the army. I"[)on arrixing at .lohnson's plantation I connuenced shelling the
W'Oods to ])rotect the tug. Proceeding half a mile farther the tug suddenly
received a volley of musketry, followed b_\- successive distdiarges at this and
the other boat. 1 immediately advanced with this boat, covering' the tug' with
the rifle gun. and thr((wing' canister fi'om the port battci'ies. The enemy a]i-
])eai'e(l on Ixith sides of the river, 'i'he tiring was brisk until thi'ee o'clock in
the e\ening. when a larg'c jiart of the fleet coming- up. the action was discon-
tinued. Ca])tain Gwin of the r.tuiton now assumed command, and by the
conrtesv of that gallant othcer. this boat was |)eruiitted to lead the advance,
for which favoi' 1 am the more indebted, inasmuch as he took u])on liimself
(he I'esponsibility of deviating from the instructions of Admiral i'cirter. the
]nirport of which were that the rams should remain in the rear. Early on
the nuM'uing' of the :.'4th. 1 recouiu)it-red with this l)oat up to the wreck of
the Cairo, and foimd the I'iver <'lear. The fleet moved up and the boat crossed
the line of a torpedo befoi'e 1 discovered it. I rejiorted it to Captain Gwin.
Dctdds of Qiiccir.s }'(/.':oo O pei'dtioii)^. /yp?
\vhen he sent oiil scvci-al boats tn rciiiovc it. ^Vllil^■ so doino- the enenn tiivd
into thrill such a \(illcy as to |ilainl\- iiulicati' thi- iiiiiiracticalii iity of ever
(lestroyiiiii' tlic tor|ic(locs by tlial incaiis. The niciny now opened a L;allinL;- and
severe fi^'ht (Hi all tiic boats, and es|)ccially on this. My men u'axe three
hearty elieers and |-e1ni-ned tjieii- tire \\ ith sneh s|)irit and aeenraey as to elieit
rejjeated cheers froin the thiL;-shi|i. I remained at this point to eni^aye the
enemy, and tlie firini^- was hea\,\- and incessant on l)otii sides, dnrinii' tlie entire
(hiy. The otlier boats, at some distance in tlie rear, contined theii' efforts to
Ihe eai'th works at tlie month (d' Chickasaw Itaxoii. and below. The events
of the 24th clearly foreshadowed the dani;er--in fact demonstrated the im-
])OSsibility — of removiiiL;- the foi-pedoes by scndiiii^- out men for that purpose in
o])eii boats. The enemy were effectually sheltered in rifle pits, which ex-
tended in almost unbroken continuity, to the fort at the blntfs. The morniiiii'
of the :2:)th. I pati-(dlcd the i-i\(M- from I:.' o'clock until daylii;ht with this boat.
and then took the |)osition 1 had Ihe da,\- before, and continued tile fire up
to the morninii' of the rJTth. but could not suc-ceed in ilrixinL;' tlie rebels from
their works. ()n the :.'7tli the command of (len'l Steele mowd np to cntilade
the levees. I then adxanced with this boat, the iroiudad vesstds. two alircast
following at a distauce cd' 4()(l yards, and other boats of the fleet briiii^i u;.;' np
the rear. Wy i nst laict ions wei-e to cover the small boats eni;ai;('d in taking
up the tor])edoes. and to unmask a battery sn]iposed to be (mi the Itd't baid<
ol' the I'ist'r. I laliorcd under the L;reatest disadv a ntaL;-e for the want of a
i^'lass. .\d\anciuL;' too fai'. the ofHcer commandiuL;- signalled my recall. I coulil
not distinguish tin-' siyiials. and moved up to encounter the cneuiv. who a p-
|(eared in heavy foi'ce on the I'iijht. with several batteries of ti(dd artillery.
Oliserviny that the fleet did not sup|)ort. I turned and saw the sin'iial of re-
call. I found then, that my pilot. M i-. M(d\ay. had allowed the boat to didft
into shore, and was detaiue<l hall' hour in LicttiiiL;' afloat aL;-,iin. 1 reforn)ed
the fleet, and made the necessarv explanation to the officer comma imI iiiL;-.
.\bout \'.l o'clock I ai;ain advancecj. the other \t'ss(ds followini;- as bel'ore-
unfil. drawing the lire from the rebel fort 1 withdrew out of ranL;-e cd' the
enemv's yiins, and thus tci-minated the active part taken bv Tiiis iioat in Ihe
exiiedition. h'or several davs subse(pieiit to this. I lav at anchor near the
plantation of iienson IJIakc. an ollicer of some note in the rebel ai'my. As
most of the danii'cr we incurred was l'i-om torpeiloes and the rebel lire was
met with at this plaidatiou. I considered il pro|)er to destrov some ( d' Ihe
liuilililiii-s. especially a valuable |)iece id' iuaehinei-y, vvhicdi f|-om ils command-
ini;- position on (lascon r.avou. coidd have been iisimI to aunov us. bv the i-ebids.
I dii-ected a torpedo to be removed from the I'iver to tiiis buildiny. and had it
explode(l with a poi-| lii'c. whi(di utt:'rlv dcniolislied the bnildiui;-. ^'ou will
])erc(dve that, from Dec. :.'.'. to :.'?, inclusive, this vesstd was under an almost
constant lire, and from the nalui'c of the enterpi-ise anil nt'cessitv of constant
Nil^ilance. nii^llt and dav. Ihe nerve and endurance of mv men w /re tried se-
\erel_v. and their bravery and perseverance deserve the hi.i^hest conimenda I ion.
7^<? IHstoi'i/ of flic ludii Fleet.
'I'lif otticfi's iiiHlcr in\" coninuind ( witli few exreptions ) ti'ihIcihmI me much as-
sistauee. l)t'iiiii- obedient to orders, and atteiiti\e to tlieir duties. Mr. Town-
send, eniiineer-iii-eliief. deser\es particular mention for sl<iilfully uiana<>'infi'
the enijines. and at a ci'itical moment. \vhc'n the vent field was l)k)wn out of
the rifle gun, he replaced it with a new one in time for the ])iece to render
most efficient service. During;- tlie fi\e ila\s en<^ai;ed. I fii'etl from all the bat-
tei'ies 78 l)oxes of ammunition, and I would fain believe that we inflicted a
hea\y loss u])on the enemy: but I can not lay the unction to my soul, as they
\vere too well protected by tlicir rifie-])its. The loss on this l)oat was none
Ivilled and one slii;htl\- wounded.
Very respectfullx' youi's. etc..
ICdWIX W. SUTIIEHLA.Nh.
Cajit. Com'di;- V. S. (^ueen of the West.
Admiral PortiT at this tiiiu' nuuU' a special report of the work of
(lie rams, and of the j)rom[)tiiess. l)ravery and elliciency of their
ollicers and men. This report follows:
V. S. Mississippi S(pia(lriin. Mississippi Kixer, Jan. 5. ISGi!.
Iloii. (1i(le<iii Wcllcx. Kevrctdrii of \iirn: ■
Si)-:- In m\ different communications relatini; to the operations on the
\c\/.(>n l!i\er I omitted to mention the services of the Ram fleet. J intended
to ha\t' made a sejiarafe rejioi't but have been nnable to do so sooner. Fi'om
his fii'st connection witli this s(piadron Col. Chas. llivers J'^llet. the immediate
connnander of the ram-fieet. has displayed great zeal in carrying- out my or-
dei's : and when wc have been threatened at difficult points, and having no
\fssel to send fidui Cairo, he has on two occasions furnished vessels at an
hour's notice. When the ex])e(lition started down the river the rani-fleet was
with us. and our nu\in deitendence in case we should encounter other rams.
\^l■ had none of the na\_\- proper. Although like ourselves half manned, the
i-;!in-1lcct was ready to do anything retpiired of it. In ascending the Yazoo
i;i\er the (^iicen of the West (apt. K. W. Sutherland and Master T. O. IJeilly.
were very eflicicnt in repelling the sha rpsluxjters. their construction enabling
thcni 1o fire ovei' the banks, which our iroiu-lads could not do. Captain Suth-
erland kept unceasing watch in adxaiu'c of the fleet, while our boats were at
work, and won golden opinions b\ his assiduity. On the niglit of Dccemlier
31. when it was intended to assault the batteries by land and water. Col. Kllet
took npon himself the perilous duty of running up in the Ijioness. in face of
the batteries, to clear out the torpedoi's or break the wires, and to plant tor-
l)edoes on the raft, which liad a batters at each end of it. Xo donbt he would
ha\e perfoi-med it or lost his life <>v his vessel. I have great confidence in the
connnander of the I'ams and those under him. and take this oiiportunity to
state to the Department how highly I appi-eciate the commandei- anil his
associates. I have the honor to be.
Vei'v i-espectf ull_\ vour obedient servant.
DaVIII I). PORTFI?.
.\ctin<i- Kead Admiral ('(uu'di;- Miss. Siuiadrcm.
II lidf Hurried Shcrnnin rs. ]'/(I,.shnr(/.
149
It is well Miitliciit icntcd lluit llic Slicnuiui cniiipniiiii aiiainst
^'i(•ksl)u^^■ \ ia \ azoo and C'liickasaw was the joint plan of hinisclt' and
(Jrant. The latter was to push his main army southward, from C'or-
intii and Holly Sprinu's. to hold Pemln'rton away from \'icksl)ur<2:.
while another divei'sion should he created hy a I'aidini;' force from
(/'urtis" army southward, under Ilovey and A\'ashl»urn. to strike and
destroy the \'icksl)ur<^' and Shreveport railroad. Uut after the sev-
<'ral untoward circumstances, arisino- as this campai^'u proaresse*!. it
uuist he the xcrdict of history that it should ha\'e heen ahandoned.
liul under favoriim- inlluences at A\'ashin_iilou there was a moxc on
fool to oruani/e a distinct ri\'er campaiii'u au'ainst X'ickshurii". to l)e
under ( ieneral John A. .McCMernand. and its foi'uiatiou was even then
in [jrogress. (irant and Sherman who had little conHdence in Mc-
Clermnurs fiiihtiuii' ([ualities. were against this plan. an<l tlie Shernum
campai<i"n was hastened, though :tt an inopjiortune season, to head it
oil', (irant's protest to ^^'ashina■ton led. indeed, to Ilalleck's assur-
ance that McC'lernand would he suhject to him, l)ut as .McClernand
ouli'anked Sherman, the conunaud of this "ri\'er dixision." (one of
the four into (irant's army was now dixideil hy llalleck"s ordei')
would devolve uj)on McCdei'uaud. as soon as he should ai'rix'e. l'|)on
the failure of Shernuurs attack, followed hy McClernand's arrival and
assumption of command — the point at which our history has now ar-
rived— (Jrant was compelled to come and take commaml in i)ei-.--on.
This led to the reconcentration of the army Ilalleck had scatt 'red.
and to the oi'iiani/at ion of a X'ickshui'i:' campaiiiii ad<'(|uate to tlie pur-
pose.
To hreak the fol-ce of this defeat, and if ])ossihlc> otfset its eflect.
an expedition had hern di^-cussed and ai^reed upon hctwccn Porter
and Sherman, aaainst Ai'kansas Post, to follow iiume(lial''ly, u|)on the-
withdrawal from the \ a/00. Somewhat riductanlly. (ieii. McCler-
naml, who had now arrived (January •_' ) and taken conunaud. assent-
ed to the ])lan. and the new expedition was at once starteil. The jiun-
hoats and land foi'ces on ti'ans])orts mo\'ed up the I'ivcr. and entered
the mouth of ^^dlite river, proceedinii' thence hy a cut olf into the Ar-
kansas, and up to the scene of operation--. The land force's under
Sherman first deharked and mo\'ed up in the rear of the foi't. and the
^unhoats ran up, and attacked from the front. In an hour's cannon-
I^o TUxtorij of the luiiii FJccf.
adc. just before niaht. tlu' ii'iiiis of the fort were silenced. l)iit the
Ra1ih'i\ attemptiiiii" to pass up. ^-ot tangled in i)irmu-. and Avas so cut
up hy the enemy's fire that she was compelled to retire. (len. Churchill
in connnand at the fort, moved out a force five miles, to meet and
check Sherman, and that nii>'ht CN)1. Dunniniiton. connnandini:' the
,Confederate naval forces, constituting the garrison, worked heroically
to rei:)air damages and be ready for next day's t-onflict. which began
early and was condticted with great vigor. "In a short time'' says
Porter's Naval History, "all the guns in the works were silenced, and
the flagship Blacl'luiir],- was run to the bank, alongside the fort, to
board it with her crew." Meantime a messenger had been sent to in-
form Sherman of the situation, and several of the "tinclads" accom-
|)anied by the Kam Moxakcii, were ordered by the Admiral to make
their way through the obstructions to the ferry, above the fort, and
thus cut olf the enemy's retreat in that direction. The scene within
the fort, after tiring had ceased was one of unusual carnage, and the
havoc among artillery horses and e<iuippage. retained within the fort,
being almost beyond description. MeantiuK' the army had moved up
and partly siu'rounded the fort. Xo fui-ther resistance was antici|)at-
ed, but, as the advance ai)proached. a \()lley was Hred from the rear
parajX'ts. followed almost iunnediately by the appearance of white
flags at several points. The surrender of the garrison followed, with
about G.OOO men, IT heavy guns, and ;),()()0 small arms. In this en-
gagement the navy was a [)rime factor, although the army loss was
very severe, being 12*,) killed, 831 wounded and IT nussing. The part
taken by the ram Monarch, under Col. C\ K. Ellet, can best be given
in the report of that oHicer to his snjx'rior at St. Louis:
V. S. steam Kaiii Mdiun-ch. otT Arkansas Post. Jan. 12. ISiKi.
/;/■/■//. Ccii'l Alfred \V. l-:il(t. ('(iiii'thi Miss. Marine llrif/dde: —
Ceiieral: — 1 lui\e tlie honor to report to voii lliat on tlu' '.Itli inst.. [
ast-ended the Ar1<ansas liiver in the Monarch. aceoni|'an,\ in<^'. I),\ Admiral I'or-
tt'r's orders, tlie naval ex|)edition ai^ainst I'ort llindman. Dnriiii;- the attack
iijion tlie fort, on tlie 1 Itli instant, the .Nfonaicli was held up immediately in
rear of the ironclad, witli instructions to take the lead if a rebel ram ap-
peared. .Inst before the snn-ender of the enemy. I i-eceixfil orcU'rs to ])ass the
fort, and cut o1f tlie retreat of the enemy. This was done, and 1 l<ept on up
the river tor 1:2 miles the water then beiny- so shallow as t(( rendei- it impos-
.sible to proceed farther. 'The Monai-eh i^ot aground four times as it was. T
77/c MoiKircli (if flic Tii.h'/ni/ iif A r/,'inisiis /'o.sf. /j-/
■\vu.s consp(iii('nt]y coinpt'lltMl to i-ctiini. lo my i;rt'at i'i'L;rct. I iiiMltTstood. frinn
a prisoner we (•a|>turt'(l on tlii" \\ a \ . Iliat tlu're wiis a t'ciTx some six inil.'s
farther ii|) wliere the tleeinf^' rebels wdiilil l)e able lo cross. I notilird com-
mander of the light draught guii-hoals of lliis fact on my i-ctiini. but am una-
ware whether any steps were taken to destroy the ferry. I rcporttMl \ci-l)aliy
to Admiral Porter the result of the expedition. Tliongli I lia\e no positi\f
information to that effect, I tliinl< tlic |)i-cs1ige oT tin- Moiiai'cli mnst lia\c
cansed a considerabh^ ninnher of tlic cncni\- 1o fall inlet liic hands of onr army.
We slielled the woods on oni- riglil side as we wcnl n|i. and at several points
saw nnndicrs of the i-clicls reti-cating from the hanks of 1lic ri\ei-.
\'cl\\ respect fid 1,\'.
I'lIAS. l.'lVKliS l''],LET.
C'ol. (dm'dg itam FU'et.
AVliilo tliis iii()\'eiiK'iit was in pro^i-css the (-y)ri:KN and Laxcastki;
Avere with the o-unboat guard at the mouth of the ^'azo(). and on the
]MoxAi{t'n".s return. January ^k ls(;;i. Lieut. Tuthill and eiiiht artiller-
ists of Lieut. Howell's force on the Laxcastki;. were detache(l. and as-
-iii'ued to the Lioness, which had now arrived from al)o\('.
CHAPTER V
February, I 862
.\(trii A(/(iiii Alidt'c \ ill. .sliiiif/ (Jiici'ii liitnix ii 'I'vi ii^jxtrt iind 1,'inis llii- lUi!-
tcr'ics --l''Usl Criiisi- mill /\.rjili)ils nf Uir (ttiirn Smiinl Crui.sr niiil l.nss i,{
Ihr (Jiicrii At/niil nf llir hi<li(iniihi. ami L'rsnir i,f j'JIil iiml Ills 1.',';/ -
'I'hr (hici II lis It Hi hi I. iiilli Ihr W'lhh. Ciliitiiir llir I ml iilii nlil Tin •■ I > ii in in i'"
Ciiiiscs Ciinslirnit Hun in l.'ihcldiHii IniHitnnlii lUinm I ji I'ljinils, Di.^-
imtrlirs mill I'riss Cuni nun I s nn 'I'lnsr I'li nis.
While \'ick>l)iirii' was left |);irl iiilly miiiiiardcd from hclow. tor
M'\cral iiioiitlis. and l'i»i' a short time from lh<' ^ azoo. all |)o>^il)lt' ad-
xautaiiX' had hccii taken l>y the rebi'is to open n|) connminicalion in
holh directions, and aalher su])|)lies and defences for tjii' ine\ilal)i>
sieii'e to come. ()iie of the means thns secured, in the hdl of na\al ac-
li\il\'. was a stroiiii' steamer, the ( 'ily of \'icl<sl)in'i;'. i)\\ I'ctni'n of ili '
lleet to its oKI position, the facts ahont the newcomer at \'icksliuru'
\\('i-e (|i!ickly leai'ned. and to the Admiral il proved a \eritahle thorn
in the (lesh. akin to the feelinji' of his pi'e(|ecessor at tlie pr.'-^ence of
the "Arkansas."' At this time, as all Farrau'iit's vessels had wilii-
drawn to the lower I'iver. comnnniicat ion hetween \ ickshui'i:' and th>'
rich supply di-lrict known as the Red River country, was con-tani. hy
means of the small hoats hrouiiiit out from the hayous and connect inii"
I I'ihutarie-. Thi^ (piickly followed when the l^'edei'al Heel had uouc
heiow. As we have seen, the (hd'enses of \'icksl)uri!,' had enjoyed sev-
eral months re-pite. and this time had heen so well ocvaipicd. tliat ir
was declai'ed 1)\' the rcl)'| pres-that tlie\' were now impreii'iial>le.
His lleet at anchor as a na\'y of occupation al)o\e (he rehel -tron;i-
liold. the Admiral"- mind evidently dwelt u|)ou the possil>i lit ies the
future nniziit hi'inii' <Hit of that unoU'endini:' transport lyinii' at the
\ncksl)uri2- wharf. He well knew that the fort ilicat ions on the river
IS 4 History of the Ram Fleet.
front lutd. ill the past few months l)een o-reatly extended and sti-eniitli-
ened, and the hazard to vessels attemj^tinti' to run tht'se batteries was
far greater now than when Farragiit, at such severe cost, seven months
before, had performed this feat. Admiral Porter had several formid-
able ironclads — one ^'specially, the Tii.sciDnhla, then regarded as well
nigh invulnerable, but in his ])lanning to meet the mortifying situ-
ation, he turned to the ram fleet and its bi'ave young counuander. and
here is the outcome of his ])lanning:
■^'iizoo j;i\er. FehiHiary 1, ISG.'J.
CoJ. Vlni.s. Jfircr.s f-Jllcf. Ham (Jiic<'ii o/ flic \V<st : —
Sir: - Von will iiiocccd with the (^iiccn nf tlie West to Viclcsbnro-. and de-
sti'oy tile steamer \'icl<sl)iii-i;-. Iviiii^' otf that piai'e. after wliicli von will |)ro-
ei I'd down the ri\er. as far as our batteries, below the canal, and report to
me. In g'oing- do\\n you will ljo aloiii;' nnder low spee(l. lunint;' steerage way
eiioiigli. and keei)ini!' clo^e to the riyht hand shoi'e i.;'oinL;' down. I'.efore you
start, it ^vouhl be better to ha\e a larye bed of coal in. so that \i>n will not
have to put in fresli coal. The smoke mitihl betray son. .\fter you have de-
stroyed the steamer, i^o down stream, and when eleai' of the city, show three
vertical liglits that our liatteries may not tii-e on you. If you get disabled,
drift dowm until abreast of our batteries, and the small army steamer will
go to your assistanee. lla\e e\cr\ light in ^oni- ship put (jut befoi'e yoii
lea\e for ^'i(•ksbnl■g. except the three lights to be shown to our batteries,
which must be kept co\ ered up. See that uo lights show fT-om the stern as
you pass the town, enabling them to rake you. and ado]it e\ery means of eon-
eealnient. The l)est ])lace t(» strike the steamei- is :H) feet forward of her wheel.
After disabling her there so that she will sink, lire throug'h her boilers, and
in among her machinery, as she goes down. It will not be ])art of your duty
to sa\e the li\es of Hiose on board. They must look out for themselves, and
may think themsehcs liick\- if the,\ do not meet the same fate meted out to
the Harriet bant^ Tliiid< of the fate of that vessel while jierrornnng your
duty, and shout ■"llari-iet bane" into the ears of the rebels. If you can fire
\urpentine balls from \(inr bow field-pieces into the light njiper works it will
make a tine finish to the sinking pai't. l-'ni'ther orders, for dut\- to be per-
formed belo\N'. will be given you after your I'ejioi't.
l{es])eetfully your obedient sei'vant,
1)A\ HI 1). I'oRTKi;.
Acting- IJear Admiral Com'dg Miss. Scpiadron.
AVell did the Admiral know that he could count on the daring-
and \'enturesome s])irit of the young officer in counnand of the rams
to undertake this hazardous enterprise. U'rue the boat to be rammed
Queen Sfi-ikex the ]' irk.'^bii rg. Under T er rip' e Fire. 73-5
was not a war \i'ss('l. ciidaiiiivi'ino' his fleet, or of o'reat importance to
tlie enemy as a transport, jjenned to the river front hy the fit>et above
and the Federal hattt'ries jjhinted on the j^eninsida Ixdow, hut some-
thing- must he done to reHeve the strain of the situation, and Kllel
was wining and ready to (hire and ih) anything connnandcMl or ix'rnut-
te(h that gave ijromisc of successful achievement for the glory of the
ram fleet. Innnediately he set about [)rej)arations for the attem[)t.
These prei)arations included the coaling and pro\isioning of the ves-
sel, increasing her [)rotection by a barricade of cotton bales, a change
of location for her steering a])paral us. and the selection of a xolunteer
crew, from the seNcrai \('ssels of his fleet. ( )ne instance of this xolun-
teering is worthy of mention here. )\'hile at Milliken's Uend in De-
cember, second Mastei'. J. I). 'rhomi)son. of the Laxcastki; had been
on co]n|)laint of Captain Sutherland, conunandiug. ordered in arrest
for disrespectful language, and charges were pending. \Adien the
|)reparati()ns were being made ( I-'\'bruary 1 ) iv.v the (^i ki:\ to rmi the
batteries, Thompson addressed a n.ote to C'ol. Ellet. ottering to go on
her as one of the crew, which offer was promptly accej^fed. What-
ever the fault of this l)rave officer, he expiated it in this nol)le a<'t. and
as we shall see, made the supreme sacrifice for his country, a few days
later. It is to be regretted that no official list of these brave men,
constituting the oflicers and crew in this perilous attempt, has been
preserved, but a few ai'c found mentioned in reports an<l diaric"-, and
they are as follows: Col. C. R. Ellet. Captain Asgill Conner. Lieut.
J. I^. Tuthill, Masters J. I). Thompson. Cyrus Addison and Henry
Duncan, Pilot. St-ott T.,ong. Enginecn's, Reuben Townsend. Edward
Hooper, James Ellis. Sam. .1. Weaver, and Edward Taylor. Carpen-
ters, J. W. Lister. Thonuis Carrico. ( ieorge Andrews and rlames ^X .
I*V)ster, Steward (i. W . Hill and Cook Abe Cos^. Sergeant Cam|)l)t'll
is mentioned in Ellet's repoiL Many names occui-riug in a subse-
quent list of the Qi een's men. no doubt bidong al>o in the foregoing.
All arrangements Avere com])leted during the day and night fol-
lowing, and in the early morning of Februai-y ■!. the Qi kkn c'lst loo-.'
and boldly turned her prow down stream. The rebels Avere anticij)at-
ing some attempt of the kind, and were on the lookout. There was
an unexpected delay after the Qiekx had started, and this afforded
time for the amplest preparation, in shotting and pointing e\-ery gmi
1^6 Ilisfnrii ,)f flic luiiH FIrct.
ill tlu' ri\cr UaUci'ics. and also foi- llic assciiihliiiii- oF all llic iiifaiitr\;
siij)j)()i-rs to llic water hatlcrics. wiiicli wciv' tillc;! with sliai-j>->lioot(M>.
Tlii'i'c lik('\vi-»' were i^at IutcmI IhiikIihmIs of spi'dntoi's. iiicliidiiiii' wo-
men and e\('ii children to witness the fray. The de'ay las!c;l till it
was hroad daylij^iiit. and the sun was >.liiiiin;Li' hriiihtly. when the
Ql!EE>s" aii'ain started, iiiider full steam. rounde(j the upper h.-nd and
passed into the "hell of Hrt'." awaitinif liei-. (In she sped amidst the
boominii' and roar, and crash of shot strikinii' her. and slielN explod-
ing:" around her. apparently as heedless of them as if they were play-
fid butterilies. A\dieii nearly ()|)|)osite the boat she was to strike the
Ql'EEN was l)rou;L>lit around, and headed foi' it. but the power of the
currv'nt, as soon as she turned to cross o\'er. lessened her speed, and
the efi'ect of her blow, which beini*' pai'tlv from a down stream direc-
tion, was o-lancina' and insutficient in force to cause the boatV destruc-
tion. Now. for the first time, the two li'uiis the (^ikkx carried were
used at close (|uarters. in the endeax'or to set lire to the xcssel she at-
tacked. All this time th(^ batteries were pourinii' forth theii- \-omit of
shot and shell, and smoke ainio-t hid the dexoled (^i kkx as she l)acked
oil', and headiui;- down stream, pnr.-ued her course to the appoiiite(!
rende/\()U-. to all appeal'. nices uninjured. Wvw we ^liall let the i>'al-
lant commander's st<iry of the lierv trial through which the Qi eex
and her heroic crew hiul pas-.e(|. be toM in his ollicial rei»<>rt to the Ad-
niii'al :
I'. S. St'anici- i;;nn (.lucen oF tlic West.
Ileluw X'ickslMirL;'. Miss.. jA-h. :.'. ts(i:i.
Actiini h'liii- \ihninil Durid I). I'orfrr. Coiii'd!/ \li'<'<- ''^<i ikkI nni :
Adniir;! I : in com pi i;i iii-c w i1 li viMii- i iis1 nicl ions I ^1•,\|•1:ll mi the (^iiceii
of the A\'csT at 4 ::;(» o'cluck lliis iik ini i iiy-. lo pass tiic Wattecies at N'ickshuVL:
and siiilx' tlif rchel stcaini-i- Ivini;- ln'torc that cilv. I discox cri'd iinmedi-
ately on starting;-, thai llir cliani^c of the w lii'cl. Croin its I'ornici- position, to
tile narrow spacr liclnnd tin- (,Miecn"s linl\\arl<s. did not prrnnt tlu' i)oat to
l)e liandlt'd \vith snlticicnt acciiracw An lioni' oi- more was spent on rc-ar-
rang'iiii!' the apparatns. and \\ lien \\ ;■ (inally ronndcd 1 lie point, llic sun hail
risen, and anv adxanlayc whicii would liaxc result 'il froni the darkness was
lost to 11.'-:. 'llic rcbtds o|icned a lira\\' lire upon ns. as xw near'd the eity.
l)ut we Avei'f oiil_\' struck three t inics lie fore reach i iil;' t he st 'anier. She was lyiiii;' in
nearlytlip same position that the Ai-kansas occupied whi'ii (leii. i^llet ran th<^
Qtieen into her, on a fornier occasion, '["lie ^-aiiic causes which |:re\cnted tlie de-
.strnetion of tlie Arkansas then. sa\ ed the City of \icl<sl)nri^' t hi- iiKu-ninL;'. Her po-
A i>CHj)cr'ifc f,' n<Jci-tiil,-hi(/. j^y
sitioii was siicli Ihal ifwi'liail ni ii i)l>l i(| lU'l v i lit i > lin-, as we ca nic down, flic bdw
of tlif <,)ii<'rii wiiiilil iiii'X il ;ilil\ lia\ (■ L;laiicr(l. \\"c w ere coin pel li-il to pa li iail \'
I'onnd 1o. in (M-dcr 1o si i-ikc. 'I li • coii-im p.iiMicc was Ihal a1 tlic \vv\ inonit'iit of
collision i he cniTcnt. \ir\ >li-oni:' and iMpid al 1his point, caiiyht tlic stern
cd' my l)oat and actin?^ on h:'i- l;o\\ as a pi\o1. swiini;' hci- round so i-apidi\- tliat
nearly all licr inonieiduin was losl. I had anticipalcd this resnlt. and theiv-
lore caused tlie slarlioard how i;i!n to he shotted with three <if the incendiaT'V
projecliles reconiinende(l in ,\iini' ordel's. As wc swihil;' around Seri;t. J. IT.
(anipliell detailed for the purjosc. lircd this L;iin. A (il-poiinder shell crashed
ihron^'li liie barricade Ji;sl Ixd'ore lie reached the spot hnt lie did not hesitate,
riie distdiariic took plaei' al e\aetl\- tlie riiiht moment, and set the rebel steamer
in flames, whiell they sn hsecpii'id l,\' snei'ceded in e\t i nL;n ish i no-. At this mo-
ment (Hie ol the eiiem\"s shells set tile cotton on lire near the starli(jard wheel,
while the discharij'e of our own Ljnn it;iiite(l Ihal poii ion which was on the
how. 'I he flames s| read rapidly, and the dense smoke, rolling- iiiio the emjine-
room. siilVoeated the eni^inecrs. I saw that, if I altempted to niii into the
('i1\' of Xicksbiii'i;' auain. my boat would certainly be biinicd. I ovden'ed her
to l)e lleaded down stream, and turned vMvy man to e\t i iiL;iiisli i iil;- the flames.
After much exertion wc linallN put out the tire. \\y cnltini;' Ihi' bnrniiiL;' bales
loose. The enemy, of course, were not idle. Wc were si nick (wtdxc thues,
lint 1hoiii.'h the cabin was knocked to pieces, no material iiijiir\' to the boat,
or to an\ of those on her. was iiillict''d. About two rcLi'i incuts ol' reb(d shar]i-
slnxiters in ril!e-pits kep.t up a eoni i ii nous tire, but did no damac'e. The (Jneeii
was sti'nck twice in tiie hull, but abo\e the water line, (hie of oiir l;iiiis was
dismonnted and mined. I can (ml\ speak' in the hiL;hest terms < d' the con-
diict of e\er\ mall on board. All belia\fd with cool, dclermined coiiraye.
I reina i n \ rv\ respect f n II \.
(Has. |;i\ki;s Va.\.\:v.
Col. ('oiuMl;' i;,-ini Fleet.
When tlic li;i/;if(l of tlli^ lilisiijiporled piKJcii ukiiii;- is fiilh' coii-
sidci'cd. and llic I'isk of Ixitli flic (,^U ki:n iiikI Ikt crew lo well uiii'li ccr-
laiii doti'iicdoii. with no pi'oliaUlc iujiirv lo the ciiciny hiA'oiid the
[M)ssil)l(' siiik'iiiii' of an iinafni('(l Iraiispoi-t. the concliision is iiTcsistihle
llial tlx' olliccf rcsDonsililc t'oi' il. deserved little conniK'iidat ion for his
paii in |1m' atlaif. h was fortnnalc fof Imiii thai tlic Kraxc men tinil
day sent ii|)()ii siicli an ill-stari'c(l lui^sion. escaped with scarce a
-cratch. I hid th.<' I'am and I'er crew heen lost, the .Vdmiral would
lia\-e heen censured \)\ all the world. Mad this nio\'enient heen jiai't
of concerte(l action, other vessels siij)i')ortiiiii-. and i-eady after the
passaii'e of the hatlefies. to co-operate in faidinjj," the coinitcy helow.
liiei'c would pefhaps ha\(' heen sntHcient jiist ilication for the e.xtraor-
1^8 Ilixfor)/ of fJic lid III Fleet.
clinary haziird. However, the gallant Queen survived the ordeal, and
her valiant eoniniander and crew were n(^w ready for any service re-
quired of them, in the new Held of action in which they found tiiein-
selves.
The followino- from the Vicksbury,- corresi)ondent of the Mobile
Ad rerfiser, dated February ;>, gives a pen picture of tliis event, from
the rebel side, and indicates their estimate of its importance :
"The passage of the Federal ram by the batteries, yesterday
'"morning, although a mortifying sight, was yet a magnificent one,
"and was witnessed l)y hundreds of fair ladi"s and l)r,>\t' men. among
"whom I noticed several Mobilians. who had gathered upon the high-
"est eminences about the city, and even upon the xcry \'ei'ge of the
"river, in the delusive hope of seeing the ugly looking tiling sink to
"the bottom of the jMississijiju. Instead of creating a panic, it
"aroused the curiosity and j)atriotic ardor of the entire ])(^)udation,
"and a universal fe;'ling of chagrin seemed to pcrxade the whole com-
"munity at witnessing her esca])e.
"In passing by the steamer A'icksbnrg she attempted to destroy
"that boat by a butt, but struck a slanting blow, which only staxed in
"'a few of her deck planks and forced her high into the nuul. A tur-
"'pentine ball was then throwm alioard of the Vicksburg with a ^iew
"of hring her, but the attempted incendiarism also faik'd to do its
"work. Mechanics who were at work on the latter-named boat re-
"port that when tlu' ram was within a short distance of them a ball
"from one of our guns struck and passecj entirely tlirough her. Hut
"for the short range of this gun it would probably lun'e sunk the ram.
"This movement of the enemy has been ex]iected her^^ ever since
"the arrival of the army and Heet above, and no one doubted the suc-
"cess of the experiment. Of course the canal, through which tlie
"transports are to be taken, would be useless ludess some of the gun-
"boats were below to i)]'otect its entrance into the Mississippi.""
From the same source, two days later came a further connneut on
the etfect the i)robable ()i)e)"ati()ns of the Federal ra.m btdow wonld
have upon Vicksburg and its supplies, rightly judging that this wa>
the real object of the Admiral in sending her past the batteries:
''The Avorst that has befallen this place, and perha|)s the entire
".Confederacy, since the ai'rival of the Yankee armv on the peninsula
liCiil object of flic CJi/ccii's h\rj}/o/f. r^<^
"across the i'ivcr_. is llie interference with our coiuiinuiiciition with
■•Red Ivivt'r. From that stream we liad.. heretofore, access to \asl
■■amounts of supplies, antl a <j:i'eat ])()rtion of the Confederate arm\'
■'was sui)[)lied from this source. So did also the people ha\'e the op-
••])orlunity of supplyinu- themsehcs with that most indisjiensahle ar-
'"ticle. salt, and with siiijar and molasses. Since communication is
■'inleri-upled liie latter article has I'isen to $<'i() per 1)1)1. liy the time
■"the merchants in Mobile pay exorhitant freii>'hts. and exi)enses of
"uoiiiii' after and \\atcliin<i- it included, it will cost a nice little pile to
•■sweeten up with molasses.
■■The fleet is still iiu-reasini);, and in the mornini:' at the risino' of
•■the sun a s])ectacle meet> the eye which reminds one of some u'reat
*"shippini>- mart, where the \'essels from all countries in the world are
■•lying lazily at anchor.
■'Since the passage of the ram a few days since, a great change has
•"heen made in the management of our batteries, and another attempt
■'of this sort will, lu) doubt, meet with more disastrous results than
•■(lid the first one. It was one of those occurrcnc.'s which are some-
■'times necessary to wake up the sleeping energy and watchfulness of
'our men. witliout which a carelessness might ha\c crept into our lines
"that would have carried greater consecitiences with it."
Admiral Porter made special report of this event. ;;iid. as if to
forestall a possil)le criticism of the hazard to which he was subjecting
a single vessel of his connnand. closes it with a ratlu'r dubious in'omise
of attording support to the daring Qiteex. The following was his
dispatch.
cm Vlckshin't^'. l'\'l)niary :i, 18(.i:i.
IIdii. (iidcdii Welles. Seei-ehiril iif llie \ (I r ll : —
Sir: I lia\(' tln' homir tn iiit'<inii vmi tliat on the 1 si instant T ordered
Cdl. (ha-, i;. l-:ilet ill Ihe ram (^leen of tlie West. Cii\)i. Siitlierland. Coni-
iiiaiider. to mil tlie batteries a1 \iekshiii-L;' and destroy tlie steamer t'ity ot
\ickshnr<i- lyiui^- Ixd'ore tlie city. She ran tlie i>atteries under a heavy tire of
titty iiims and struck the steamer, leavini^- her on tire and in a sinking condi-
tion. The fire was put out and the steam |)iim])s still kept the steamer atloat.
The (^neeii of the West is otV down the rixi-r with orders 1o capture and de-
stroy all vessels she meets with. This cuts off all the ciiem.v's means of sii])-
])lie.s tor I'ort Hudson and Nickslmro-, by tlie way of Ked Kiver. and cuts otf
l6o Il'tston/ of the luiiti Flat.
Jill (■niiiimmicat ion up tlic I'.ii!' llUick. 1 will rc-enfovcc tin' (^ikmmi of the ^V^'st
ns soon as an o|)|iortnni1y ott'ci's.
\'t'i'y Ti'S|K'c1 1'n 1 1 \-.
I ' W ill 1 ). I'OKIKK.
|X(»'i'F.. — ^riie Admiral's n.ientioii of C^iptain Sutherland was cr-
riiiicoiis. 'I'liat officer l)i'ina' then on duty on the Moxarcif. |
In a sul)si'(|U('nt connnunication. datcM] Fclii-uarv S. the Admiral,
rrfcrrinii' lo the cH'cct by the Queen's attack ni)on the rebel steamer in
jjassiuii'. says: "I am hai)j)y to inform you that the steamer Vicks-
•■liurii' was so badly damaii'e(| by llie (-^)rKKx of tiik AA^kst that she has
"to be kejjt afloat by lar^'e coal !)ar<>"es fastened to \wv ^iile-. llei' n.ia-
■•(iiiiiery has b;'en taken out and she will likely l)e de-troyed. The
'■A'icksl)urt»' was the lariiest and stronjivst steamer on the rixcr. a.nd T
■"lliink they were i)re|)arini>' to use her aii'aiiisl our transports — she
••li'iuo- \cry jjcct. Her o'uards and wheels were smashed in. and a lar<j,"e
"hole knocked in her side. So deserters rei)ort."
There was no delay in the Queen's enterini:' upon her career as a
dc-troyer of counnerce. A sliort stay at the landino' below the cut
otf. to recei\-e her instructions from the Admiral, and the lines were
casi off. and the Queen and her ii'allant crew were away on their
cruise, into the heart of relx'ldom. They were aone three days, and
ilicn returned in safety. Col. Ellet's report c(tntains sutticient details
fur the hislor\" of this eventful trip:
V. S. St-ani l.'ani (,)ni'i'n of the West.
I!"lo\v X'ickshnri^-. Miss.. Fcl). 5. isr,:;.
7,'////. (',v\i. Alfred 11'. /■;//(■/. Cnin'dii Miuhic liriiiitdc :
(ieneral: — 1 have the lionov to ve]iovt to y(ni that 1 left llu^ landing;' l)elo\v
Tlif cut olf. ahout 1 y. ni. on the rind instant, and iii-ocft'dcd down the ri\ei-
At \\'aiTent(ni. a few miles lielow. tlie enemy had two batteries of foni' ])ieee~
-acli. of whii'h fom- arc :2n-|)onnd rifle ijnns. Thi'N o|iened npon ns as wf
])a>s<Ml. I)n1 onl\' sti'nel< ns twice, doini;' no injiivy. On reaehini;' the I'lii!- Iliac]:
liivei-. I attempled to ascend i1. Unl fonnd it inuiossililc from tlie narrowness
of tin- stream. i'assini;- it. we reached Xatclie/, just at midni<^ht. 1 landed
at \idalia. on the o]i|;osite shore, threw ont some pickets and went into the
\illai;-e in the hope of pickiuii' np some rebel officers. Tliere can be no tele-
^i-aphic line between A'icksbnri^- and this poiid. for not a wcn'd of onr cominjj
:uul reached the ])lace, and the peojile scarcely knew who we were. One rebel,
lo'. ( /, ) \iH-k. was halted but made so rapid a relreat that he escai>e(l the
Ii( jxnt of the (Jihcn's l-'irxf ('i-ii'/.si
j6[
slu.'ts fiiT(l aTlfi- liiiii. l.c;i\ ir.L;' lliis |;<iiii1. 1 kr|l on ^\^^^\^\ \\\- v'wvv. \\<-
]):iss('(l KIlis" ( litV ;i( :; ;i. in. 'I lici-i' hit mo Toil i Ileal ii . m- :i1 1!ri1. or am
otlit'i- |)oi!il hi'lwicn W'arrcnioii ami I'oi-I i'lKboi-. Wr hail l'/iI al:oi t 1 .">
miles below til- iiionlii of Kcd Uixtr wli-ii we met a sidz-w heel -t ■ailler eom-
Jlie- ll|i. Her pilot l-iew tile wlii-tle for the (Mieen to take the -lai-hoai-(l si(k'.
siipposiiie- Ikt To he a soiillui-n hoat. i teeei \ i I' l;' no aii-wif. anil nol likine-
the (Juet-n's looks, as she hoi-e straii^ht ilown upon him. h" ran his hoat asimre.
.\s we iieai-ed lier. n eroiis rebel oiliei i-s s|rai;e' into the walT ami mail'
Tlleil- eseajie. She |:i-o\eil In he 111;' II. \\'. I'.akei- hail Ji:.-t d iseh;i r-i i| \vv ea reo
a1 I'oft llml^on and was fet ii ni iiiL'; 'la' amitlier. \\'e eapt'ied on \\ v '\ ear
laiiis. :i lieiilenants and a iinmher of ei\ilians. amoiiL' them M'\en m- ei^ilit
ladies. I had jll^•t | laeed a eiiard on the lioat when aiiolhi'i- st'amer was seen
eomilli;- down tif |-i\ei-. .\ shot aefo^s her hows hnmeiit li'i' to: sli' | ro\ cd
to be the Moro. laden with I II). (100 poeiids of |ork. nearly .MIO hoes, and a
larye (|iia.iiti1y of salt, destined for tlie ndiel army at Port llmlson. 1 placed
('apt. .Vsuill (oinior in c-ommand of the captured lioals. and as the (,)iieen"s
-ii|)pl,\- of coal was \t'r\- limit'd. 1 thoneht it best to rethrii. A short di^laiice
;ibo\c onr lam I i lie-. 1 destfoycd :.'.'). ooo pounds of meal, awaitiiie 1 ra iis| ort a t ion
To I'ort lliidsoii. On reachine- Red Uixcr. 1 stopped a1 a plaiitiitiim to pet
ashore tlie ladies, w lio did not wish to l;o any farther. 1 also |-eleased 1 he
ei\iliaiis. While doine- so. aiiolhei' steamboat, the r.crwick I'.ay. came oiil of
.Red i;i\er. and was immediat d\- sie/ed. She was laden with supplies for the
fcbel forces at I'ort llndsoii. cimsist iiii.;- of :200 barrels id' mohi'-scs. 10 hoes-
lieads of siiear, ami :;0.000 ponmis of Hour. She had al^-o on board 10 bales
of cotton. I ascended Ued Kiver 1 ."i miles, in the hope of eetiii;:^- honie mo|-e
boats. l)nl foinid nofhini;-. .\ieh1 came on as we a'jain start "d on o;ir ntniai.
I ^'laiml :ii once that Ihe proeress of the three prizes was ^-o slow thai onr
-hort sn|iply of coal would not permit ns to wail for them. 1 accordingly or-
dcr(^d them to be set on fire. We had not time to transfer their eareo's. We
met witli no i nteiaai | t ion on onr return, nnlil we i-eachei| Waia'entoii. I'.efore
affi\ini;' at this point. 1 landed ami seid my prisoners around by land, nnder
a strone- enard. to a\oid e\|:osinL;- t lii'in to the enemy's lire. ()n pa^sini.;'
Waia-cnton we found another batt"i-\ had b'cn crect-d there, and Ihe three
combined op'cned a wvy hea\;\' fire npim us. They s1iai(d< ns se\eral times,
hut did no damage wnrth mentionine-.
(Has. i;i\i:i!s lCi,[,i:i'.
The Adiiiii';' I's pepori of Kl let 's cx | )l( »it cont;) ins s(.\(.p 1 1 itddi lionn I
l);irliculai-s and i^ liivcii in full.
Miss. Scpiadron. Month of ^'a/oo. h'eb. .-,. 1 sOli.
//'///. (;i,/,i,ii W'lllr.s. Sci-i(l(ini i,f \iirii:
Sir: After the ram (^neen id' the We-t had reported pro^^ress befori
\'icksl)n]-o-. 1 ordered her down the river to sink and dcslrov all vessids sin
1 62
Uixtonj of tlic Ram Fleet.
met witli. ('((I. lOllct returned lioiiie this morning-, ]iassing- the fort nt War-
reiilon. in hmad da \l iglit. and was iiit se\eral times. lie destro\ed helow
thi'ee lai'iie si 'aiiiei's loaded with pork, sugar, molasses and anny su|)plies.
lie ea|itured ."i captains and ;.' lieutenants. A number of rehid ofHi-ers made
tlieir eseape li\' jinnpiuL;' ovcrhoard. Col. I'^llet came within iwo hours of
eat(.-hing- (ien'l Dick 'I'avloi' with a traiis|iort load of troops. The (^ueen of
the West went ten miles up Ked lliver where there are many line steamers
that are snpplxing- I'ort Hudson. The^' will lil<(d\- not attempt to go out
wiiile the I'aiu is about. She is now out of coal, and had to return on tliat
account. 1 am going' to su|)ply her. either 1)\ drifting- a barg-c aroinul at
night. (H- b\ sending- across the land. Col. I*]llct learns fi'om the prisoners
that (ien'l I'.anks is sc\cn ndles from I'ort Hudson. They had a severe en-
g-ag.Muent a few da\s ago. 'I lit' rebels withdrew, and went back to the fort,
and our troops went back to their eanijis. A drawn battle 1 presnme. The
ram took all the \('ss(ds liy surprise. The |)eo)ile did not di-eam of anything"
of the kind. If we can not take Just now the si\ miles i\\ ri\er in front of
\'icksburL:- we can take anything that stt'ams upon that jjortion of the ]Nris-
sissipjii between N'icksbiirg' and i'ort Hudson.
\'er\- res|)ect f idl_\'.
T D.Wll) 1). I'oH-rKK,
Jlic ( 'oirlVdci-alc ;irclii\('s fiiniisli iiitcrcstiuo- cxidciicc of the sur-
}M'ise i'lid coiislcriialidii. created hv tiie ai)i)earaiice and operations of
the Qi'EKN. on (his ranh In a disj)atch in the nature of a fepoft. (leii.
Sibley, in connnand of tlie district enibracin*^' the h)\ver \\{'i,\ ri\'er
country, made to the commander at \^iclvsl)iirg* on the 4th. lie said : "I
'"have just recei\-(Ml a dis|)atch from one of my officers near the month
"of Ked ri\"er who reports that the oiiuhoat which passed \dck'sl>ura'
'has ai)i)eare(l there, and had captured three of our boats — the Moro.
"Baker and the Berwick l^ay. The unnboat is the (^U i:kx of the
"WK.s'r. She is an ironclad, but i- arranii'ed on Maiiruder's plan —
"with cotton bales. Prisoners released from hei' state her armament
•'is comjjosed of \'l pounders. She |)laced prize crews on the boats
"captured, and has j)r()ceeded ui) IumI ri\"er. I ha\'e ordered a com-
"])any of ca\alry and one section of artillery to that i)oiiit. to attempt
"(he reca]»ture of the boats, \\hich at last account were lyinii' near the
"ri\"ei- banks, and but slimly o'uarded." ....
The safe return of the (}i'eex was heralded far and wide, and
upon her oilicers and cavw were bi'stowi'd hioh and well deserved en-
connums. — the award sure to be given where success is the result of a
N'enture. The Admiral and ({en. Sherman, whose connnand was en-
SIicruKin Lends a Hand. J 6j
("iinpt'd iieari'st the caiiiil. wci'c iiiiich iiitcrcstctl. and rca(]y (o aid in
geltiiiii" the doughty (^ri;i-.x ready i'or anothci' cruise, for which, pr,'-
l)ai'atii)ii had at once !»e<j;ini. Sherman and some of his slatl' went
across and visited the (^h kkx. In rejjlyino- to a note from the Ad-
miral on the snl)ject of transi)()rtin<i" coal 1)V teams across the penin-
sida for the hunk'ers of (he (-^ieex. the (ieneral wrote: "A barge
""conld he carried at niulit and turned loose and K't her |the (^ukp:n
'"OF THE West] pick it up. This plan was sui^'iJicsted hy the ofKcer
"of the QiEEX OF the West | Col. C\ R. Ellet | when T was on hoard of
"lu^r yesterday afternoon. Col. Ellet seems to he full of eneri:\' and
"resources. If he will devise a practical method of i»-ettinii- coal to
"his boat and needs assistance which I can gTve. tell him to call on nu'."
This suii'ii'estion was followed, and i)roved successful, and two
days later the Qieen was amply sui)plied with the needed fuel for her
second trip. Elk't had felt the need of a more effective armament for
liis vessel, as she was likely to encounter land batteries, and repel
shore attacks, rather than deal w ith hii'hting craft, and his conversa-
tion with (len. Sherman seems to have imjn'essed that otlicer with an
idea which he at once ])roceeded to j)ut into ex(>cution. as ajjpears from
the I'ollowino;:
iii:.\i)(^iAirrKi;s i.-.th a. v.
Canip lli'fore ^■ieksh\^■i^■. Feh. tl. \s{\:\.
Special Orders.
Tlu' (itticcT- iri cliarii-t' of tlie two !i()-|)(>ini(U'r rittc i;-iins ikiw in pcisi-
tiuii a1 Ihc mouth of tlie canal, will dclixcr tliein witli their a iiiiii nil it ion and
implements to the order of ('ol. i^llet. coinmandinL;- the ram (,)ueen <if tlie
West, now l\inii' at the lowci- laiidiiiL;'. The officer comma nd i iis^- the InfanfT'V
L;iiard will assist, witli all Ids men. in pnttiny these i^nns and ammunition on
hoard tlie (^iieen of the West in such manner as Col. I'^llet may re(piest.
r,\ cH'dcr of Major (Ieneral Sherman.
.1. II. IJAMMOMI.
A. A. i\.
Some chanii'es and a<lditions were now made in both the crew and
^liar])shooters aboard the (^feen. and all ari'ani>('meiits were complet-
ed, and the vessel ready for her second cruise. Little did the bra\'(,'
fellows, so willing and anxious to go on this perilous enlerpri'-e. know
what was before them. The iiallant (,)feex had seemed to bear a
I^iJ Ilisfdi-j/ of flic li'dlii Fled.
cliai'iiicd life, niid no tliouji'lit of di-astcr to her, ciili'r.'d the niiuds of
olliccrs or iiicii. wild liad fonic to rr^'ard their Ncs^cl as iii\idiici'al)U'.
riic two Parrotts were at oiicc inouiitt'd on the decks of the
Qlken and the 1 )e Soto (a small ferry holt now to ;(ccoui|»:!n\- thi'
QuEEx) and with the foUowiny;- letter of inst rnet ioii- the riun set
I'oi'th ni)on her mission :
I'. S. Miss. S(|u:Mli-c)n. l-'cl). S. ls(i:i.
r-f//. r//(rs-. A'//-rr.s- KWvi. Coiirdi/ l//.v.v. h'a in I'lccl :-
('(jIomcI: W'lifii Vdii li;i\(' taken in \iini- coal. y(ni will piw x-t-cd at niylit.
a^'ti'i- (lark, wilii tlic 1 )e Siito and the ccial-hai'ijc. down 1lii- i'i\cr. siiowini;' no
Iii;li1>. When yon yet near lleil i;i\-ei'. wait until da\liL;lit. al)o\c the nioiitli :
t|-(]ni ihel'e \(in will he alile to see llie smoke ot an\- st-'amer o\ei- tile trees, as
she eonies down i;e(l Kixcr. When _\(iii ea|tnre them do not hni'u them un.til
you ha\e l)fol<en all the maehinei-y. Then let ijo the an<'iiors and let theni
liiirn. under your own eyes, at theii- anchors. 'I'JK're will lie no danger then,
of any part of Ihem tioatiny down to the enem,\'. 'I'hei-e is one A'essel (the
A\'el)l)) llial yon must look oul for. If y<m can L;-e1 the first crack at her. yovi
will siid< her. and if she i;ets the first crat-k at ,\(Mi. she will sink you. My
ad\ ice is. to put a few e((tton hales o\er \our how. ahout tifteen feet abaft the
slei-n. and if she strik'es y(m there there will he no harm done. It is likely
that an attempt will he made to hoard \(m. If there is. do not open any doors
or |!orts. to lioa rd in return, hut act mi the defensixe. i^ixiiii^- the enemy steam
and shells. Do not fory'et to \\ ct \our cotton before .yoinj.;- into action. Do
not lose sitiht of the Ite Soto, unless in chase and under cii'cnmstanees wlien
it will he ])erfectly safe. \\'hen \()ui- coal is all out of the haro-e. you can
tak>' the De Soto alonL;--side. ^■ou can help each other alone'. Destroy hei'
at once, when there is the least chance (if iiei- fallinii' into the hands of the
cnenis'. She is now. thoui;h a (io\ernment xcssel. and should lie hroneht bae]<
if possible. Destroy all small hoals \du meet with on the ri\er. also wharf-
hoats and haryes. If you ha\c a chance, and have |ilenf\' of coal, take a look
at I'oi-f Hudson, and i^i\c them a few rifle shots, but do not pass by. C'onimn-
nicate with the s(piadron helow hy sii^nal if jjossible. Tlie q'reat object is
to destroy all yow can of the eiu'uiy's stores and jirovisions, and
ijet vonr xcssel back safe. I'ass all hatteries at night. If the i-anal is o|)ened
I will keep yon supplied with coal. K'eep your pilot lumsc" well supplied with
hand i^reiiades. in case the enem\ should get on ,\(mr up])er decks. Do not
show your colors along the riser, unless necessary in action.
^■oUl•s respect full,\'.
DaVH) I). I'OKTKI!.
Acting Wear Admiral Coni'dg Mis^. Sipiadron.
In addition to her former crew, somewhat auiin!eiite(| l)\- \-olnn-
teer> from the other rams al)o\e. there were on hoard, at her departiuv.
liiiidy Fof II ir Srcoiitl ('ri(/.s
i6^
tlii'ci' \t'iitnn'--(>nir i-('[)ri'si'iil;ili\t's of llic i>i-i's-~. IVoiii wliosc Nolnniiiioiis
a<-cniiiii> of this expedition ii is ;iii e:!>y matter to relate with siiilicieiit
iletail. all that is iiiiporlaiit to preserNC as the history of the "la-t
criii'-e of the (^i ia;\."' in the ser\ ice of ('ncle Sam.
()iie of the<e |"'Maek""| at the time wi'ote ami sent to his papi-r a
list of the ollicer> of the (^IKKX as she was ahoiit to start, adding- sii^-
acslively :
'1 don't know when yon will heir aitaiii from yoin' ram-|)ant
■"correspondent. There is a deai'^'e (d' uneei'lai n!y ahont all hnn\an
••things. The followinii' are the oliicers of the (-.Ukkn oi' tiik ^^h•■.s•r :
"Colonel Charles \\. Kllet. connnandinu' i-ini Meet: Captain A. Con-
••nor, Cnrhondale. III.: Lient.. \. L. 'ruthill. Carhondale. 111.: First
"Master. .1. I), rhuninson. I'eoria. III., eoimnandin^' \-esse] : Fir:-t
"Pilot — Scott Lonii'. Indiana. Second Pilot — Thomas \\. (nii'vey.
"Pittsbui-iih. Pa. Third Pilot — P.. McKay. Madison. Ind. First Kn-
"li'ineer — Keuhen Townsend. New Alhany. In<l. 1^'irst Assistant Fn-
"U-ineer — Fdward Taylor. Xe^\■ Castle. Pa. Second- -! )a\ id F. Iloop-
"er. New Alhany. Ind. Third — Janie- Kllis. Nt'w Alhany. Ind.
"Fonrth — Sa.m"! 'Weaver. Monnd City. 111.""
Dr. I)a\id S. Po-.ith. who ;;ccom!)anied the (^i kkx as sni'iicon
pi-ol)al)l\- went al)o:-rd after the coi-respondent "s report was written,
as Lister's diary mentions that I )i-. Pooth ami Pilot McKav came
aboard Fehruai'y 10. and eixcs a list of officers and crew, in which aj)-
pear the followin;Li' names, additional to the ahoxc: ,1. \\ . Li--ter.
( ieoriic A]idrew>and Thomas Cari'ico. carpenters: ,Cyru~^ .Vddi--on and
Ilem-y Dnncan. masters: (i. \\\ Hill and Abe Coss. crew. He al-o
mentions the coniim:- aboard of Pilot (iarxcy jnst before the start.
.\\\ incident of this jjeriod. (d" painful interest, as siib-^e(|neni
e\ cuts proved, was the writine- of a letter by Master Thompson to ( Jen.
Filet. re(!n(>stini:- that should he (the writer) be killed, the money due
him should be sent to his allianced — a lady in Illinois a bei|uesl after-
ward faitlifnll}' complied with.
It will be I'emembered that the rams were oriiiinally manned by
details from Illinois )-eaiments. now nearly a year al>sent from their
commands. The ^^'ar I)cpai'tm«'nt recoiini/^iii.U' the |)ermanence of the
ram lleet ser\ice. and the injustice to the depleted reiiiments. now is-
l66 Illstoj'i/ of the Iidiii Fleet.
stietl the followiiiii' order of peniiaiicnt ti'iuisfei'. iiiakiiiji" tlie military
force of the ram fleet a distinct part of the Marine lU'ig'ade.
WAi; l)KI\\iri'.\lt:.\'l\ ADJITAXT (iKNMUAL'S OFFICE.
Washington. D. C. February 11. 1S63.
S[)ecial Order No. 69.
Exti'aet XXII. The dclachnients from the Fifty-ninth and Sixty-third
Ilegiments Illinois Volunteer.^, and ('oni]:)any K, Eighteentli lltinois Volunteers,
:iow serxinii' with the INIississippi Ham I'^leet. are hereby permanently detached
from their respective commands, and transferred to the ^lississippi ^larine
Brii^ade. The Governor of Illinois is authorized to recruit a ne^v company for
the Eiiihtcenth IJegiment.
By order of Secretary of War.
L. Thomas,
Adjntant General.
The start of the Queen and De Soto was made just at evening,
February 10. To the surprise of all, the AA'arrenton batteries were
silent as they passed, and the down trip was uneventful. But from
the hour of entering Ked Iviver until the return of Ellet and a ])()rtion
of his men, in a little steamer captured during the trip, events of a
most stirring and exciting character folU)\ved one another in (juick
succession — the chief of which was the loss of the Queen to the enemy.
From the numerous accounts of this unfortunate cruise (in addition
to the report of Col. Pallet himself) facts sufficiently full and accur-
ate, are obtained, for the purpose of our history. First we give Pallet's
re])ort, which necessarily omitted many inlcrcsting details:
r. S. Stramcr i'h-a Xo. :.. Feb. :.'1, 1S63.
i'.elow \'icksl)iiri^-, Nfiss.
AcfUifl I'cdr Adminil Ihirid I). I'ortrr. Coni'ihi l//.s-.v. Sf/innl roii : -
Admiral: — 1 lia\e the houoi- to j'f|:oi-t to yon tliat I left the landing- be-
hnv \'icksbnrg'. in obedience to your written instructions, on the :iig'ht of the
10th instant, takint;- with me the T)e Soto and coal-barL;t\ and ])r()ceedcd down
the river. We passed ^Val■I•eutl)n without iutei"ru|)t ion. and reached Ifcd liiver
on the following ewniug. I destroyed, as you dii'ccted. the slviffs and tlat
hoats. along either shore. T ascended IJecl Tiixcr oii the nuirniu;.'' of the 12th
as far as the mouth of the Atchafalava. bea\iug' the 1 )c Soto aud coal-harg-e
in a secure position, I proceeded down this stream. Six miles from its mouth
I met a train of 12 arm\- wagons returning from vSimsport. f landed and de-
stroyed them. On reaching Sims])ort I found tliat two rebel sti'am boats had
Just left, taking' with them the troo[)s anil artiMery stationed ;it this point.
Colonel Ellct'.s licpoii of the (^^nccn'-s Laxt ('I'n't.sc. /6j
Tlit'V harl left on tli(> bank TO han-cis nt' ( lov fviiniciit hccf. wliicli I lirukc up
and rolled iiilo tlu' ri\ci'. I pii i-siiimI anotht'i- train of waiions tdr somt" dis-
taiicc. but tlif\' rt'trcalrd into tlic swamps and t'sc;ipcd. ()iic of lliidi- wagons
loaded with anmninition and stores, fell into onr hands and was destroNcd.
On hei' r<'turn at niL;h1 a pai-1\ of o\t'rseei-s and othei- civilians lii-ed into the
(tneen from l)ehind a le\('e. and innned iatelx' Hed nnder enver of dark'ness.
l-'irst Master .lames 1). Thompson, a gallant and etlieienl ollieer. was slmt
throni^h tlie knee. Anchoring- at the month of the At eha fa la va. I waited nntil
luornini;' and then retniaied to the spot from which we had heen attacked.
All the hnildini^s on three lai'i^c adjoinini;- plantations were linrned by my
oi-der. 1 stai'ted np Ked Uivcr the same day and reached lllack River by
nii^ht. On tile mornini^' of the I4tli instant, when abont lifteen ndles above
the month of I'dack Kiver. a steandjoat came suddenly around a sharp b-nd in
the river, and was captni'cd before she conld escape. She pi-o\ed to be the
l*h-a Xo. .") laden with 4..">ni) bnshels of corn. She had on board two rebel lien-
tenants and fonrteen pi-i\ates. The latter I at once parolled and set asiiore.
llearini;- of thi-ee \er\' laryc boats lyiiiL;- witli steam down, at (loi-don's Land-
ing, tliirty miles above. I decided on makini^- an effort to capfnre them, in-
tendini^- to i-etnrn if I shoidd lind the battery at that point loo strong-, and
ascend the Washita. 1 left the l-h'a and coal-bari^'c. in chariii- of a ij-nard.
We reached the bend, jnst bidow Cordon's Landini;-. Ixd'orr dnsk. Tlie dense
smolvc of several boats I'apidly tirini^- nj) coidd be seen o\er the tops of the
trees, as we a|)proached. I oi-dcred the jiilot to proceed \ir\ slowly and
merely show- the bow of the (,)neen aronnd the |)oin1. i-'i-om the shar-p bend
which the ri\er makes at this place, there was no a]iparent ditlk'idty in with-
drawini^- ont of ranL;e of the cnem\"s ynns. wheiuwer it might be desired. The
rebels opened up on ns. with four :'.:.'-ponnders the moment we came in sig'ht.
Their guns were in a tine position and at the thii-d shot 1 ordered Mr. (larvey.
the ])ilot. to back' t'ne (^neen oid. Instead of doing- so. he ran her aground on
the riyht hand shore. The position at once became a M-'vy hot one. Sixty
yards below we would ha\e been in no dange]-; as it was. the enemy's shors
sti-nck us neai-lv ever,\- time. The idiief engineei- had hai'dly repeated to nie
that the escape pipe had been shot away, when an e\|)losion below, ami a
rush of -team around the boat, told me that tlie steam pipe had l)een cut in
two. Nothing further, of course, could be done. I gave (U'ders to lower the
yawl at the stern of fhe (^neen to cari-\- off Cajit. Thom|ison. wtio lay w^ounded
in my state room. Some persons had already taken the yawl, however, and it
was gone. The other yawl was on the I )e Soto, a short distance below, l-'or-
tuuattd\' the cotton b;iles. with which the (,)ueen was protected, atfoi-ded an
avenue of esca];e. and the niajori1\' of the men and otticers succeeded in i-each-
ing- the l)e Soto. I ordei'ed this boat to be brcnight up. as f a i- as it was prac-
ticable, without being' struck, aiul sent her yawl to the (^ueeii. Lieut. (John
L. ) TuthiU and Thinl Master Duncan bravely \iilunteered for this pui-pose. 1
remained with the 1 )e Soto ovei- an hour, picking- up imui (Ui cotton bales.
/ OS
///sfo/u/ of fin luiiii Fleet.
Lici;t. 'riiliiill l);ircl\ siiccfcdcd in csca |ii iii;' from the (^iiccii. tli- rrhcis liDurd-
iiiL;' iii'i' ill skiffs ;is li;' cscii |i(M I. Mr. |)iinc;iii stiiid Tiio Idiil;- imkI was captured.
'I'lic (^)ii('cn could lia\c easily hecii hiiMied. lud Ibis could iiol haw heen done
while ('apt. 'liiouipsoii was on hoard, and it was iiupossii)le to ronove him.
All llie passaL;es liad lieen hloekcd up willi cotton, the iutei'ior of the l)oat WU'-
densely dark, full of sleain and si rew n with shatt red fiirnitui'e. The display
of a lii;ht euahled the batteries (o strike lu i' with iinen-i iil;- cert;iinly. 'I'o liave
hroi.ijht the |)e Soto alouyside would ha\e iiisni-ed her dest met ion. as the lit^'llt
I'roiu the hitter's furnaces rendei'cd her a conspicuous mark. A deii^e fot;'
spraiiL'' up as we start 'd down in the lie Soto, and she lost iier rudders l)y
runnini;' into the hank. Uri'tiuL;- down hft.'en miles 1 took possession of the
I'^ra. and scuttled and hiirned the I )e Soto and hari^-e. KiiowiuL;' that tlie rebels
W(Mild lose no lime in pursiiiui;. I pushed on down thi'(Hii:h the I'oi;-. throwing;'
off the C(U-|| to liLihlen her. We reached the Mississippi at dawn. ( )))])osite
lOllis" ClitTs. Mr. (iai-\e\- ran tli' ICra. a boat drawini;' less tiiaii two feet of
water, hard aiii'onnd. actually permiltiiii^- her wheels to make sexeral re\(>lu-
ti(Uis after she iiad struck, and it was witli the utmost dillieuity she could lie
L;otl»ui olV. 'Ihe disloxal sent i men ts opeiils' expressed by Mr. 'Iar\t\\'. a few
hours |irc\ioiis 1o this occii ri-ence. rendeind it neeessarx for me to place liini
under arrest, and fi.\e(l upon me the nnwilliui;' coinietiiui t liat the loss of the
(.>iie(ui was due to the (hdiberat,' treacluu'y of her pilot. it is to be ]-e,i;retted
Ihat ( iie unfortunate illnevs of Mr. Seoti bony, win) [liloted th:^ (Jiieen past
N'icksbury-. rendcu'ed it ueeei-sary for me tti intrust the (tueen to the nianui^'e-
mtuit of Mr. (iai'xcy. 'Ih.e next nuiruiiiL;'. a short distance below Xatehez, I
iiiel Ihe Indiaiiola. (apt. ( ( ;eor<.;-e ) r.row II thought that he iniLiht be able to
ascend K'ed jjiver. and destroy the battery at (uirdon's Landi.iL;'. and I ac-
companied him (low II in ihe ICra. leading; the way. I had not iion- 1 liree miles
wluui a break in ihe d(Uise foy disclosed a ^tea^ler rapidly nio\inL; up sli-eani.
alxMil a mile ahead. I at once rcmnded to. and caused th- whi'-tle to be blown.
to warn ('apt. Itrow n of her prt^senee. As soon as tin' rebel >t--anier. w hicli
was iiiid(mi)tedl\- llie Webb. piu-eei\cd the ludianohl. she turned and fled. 'I'lle
latter lii-d twci shots at her. but without cffecl . I learned afterward that
lliree olh(U- armed boats had been s(uit in piirsiiil of the JM'a. and had been
liirued back by 1lie Webb, (ui luu' retreat. 'I hey all wiuit up the Ked Itiver.
On reaidiine- Ihis -tream (apt. I'.rown deiuded not to ascend it. •[\\t\ I tlioiiL;ht
it best to relnrii at once. 'I'll i n k i ni;- w c luielit be attacke(l on lhe wa,\ up. 1
seized 170 bales n\ eotlou and protected the l^h'a's machiiKU'y as far as praeti-
eabli'. A1 St. Joseph I landed and seized the mails, and learned from tiiem
that ('ol. (Wirt) Adams was waitini'' f<jr us at (b'aiid (lull', wdh two iiieces
of arlilleiy. Thirty-six shots w(u-e (ired at tlie l-T'a while passiiii;- this ])oint.
none of which took etTeel. On reachiiiL;; Island \o. 1U7. a boi 1 \ of riflemen
opened a hea\y tire upcui 1 iie I'h'a. from the .M ississi |)pi shore. Suspect ini;' it
to be a ruse to draw iis to the other side o'' the ri\(U'. I decided i-u keeijiu"' to
the rii^hl (d' the island. 'Ihe I'lirnaces of the l\ra became .so eloooed at this
Esca pc of Kllct (did Piift of I J is Creir. i6g
|)oiiit that I foimd it iicccssa r\ to stop and have them cleaned out, a delay
of twenty minutes hein^ canscd l)\ tliis. 'Ilie Era had scarcely passed the
island when a hattei'x' nt thrt'e ^iins opened upon us from the Louisiana shore;
4(1 shots were tired. I)nt tiiey did no injnr\'. At Warreiiton the rebels opetied
fire npon the ICra with two i-it1ed :2i»-ponnder L;uns. They tired 24 shots but
did not succeed in strikini;- her. lC\t raordinary as it ma\- a|)])ear. there is e\ery
reason to believe that no one was killed on the (Jueen. It is |)rol)al)ly at-
tributable to the fact that those Ixdow i^'ot into the hold throuL;h the nmuer-
ous hatches, and thus escaped the effects of the steam. Mr. Taxlor. one of
the eiiL.';ineers. is i-ejiortiMl. by a desertei' fi'om the Webb, to be l)adl_\' scalded,
'rwent \-t'oui' men wei-e taken prisonei-s. ten of whom wei'c cixilians employed
on the boat. Assistant Suri^'con liooth was the only eoninnssioii.'d olhcer cap-
tured.
\'ei-\- res|)ecl f idl \' your obedient serxant.
Chas. 1;i\kks I-"i,i.kt.
CcHu niandiuii'.
( )n the iL'tli. Admiral PorUT had dispatched the I ndniiiohi. one
ol" the stauiichest of his \'essels. and capable of use as a ram, to the
support of tlie Qi i:kn. The instructions to her commander (Lieut.
Brown) recpiired co-o|>eration Avith Ellet. their mission heina' the
sjune, and also directed that when near Port Hudson, he send a com-
munication, by fioatinii' a hai'rel \)\. in the niaht. to l>c picked uj) by
the E-ssc.r (bcloAV the batteries) directino- that x'esscl lo I'lin u|) by
niillit and join the (^iken and I nd'oniohi. The Admiral's plan was a
•iood one, but e\'ents shaped themselves (luite di th'rent ly. The ln-
dhiiiold had cleared the Xicksburii' l)atteries by niiiht. in safely, and
her arrixal on the scene was mo,-^t timely, for Ellet and his men.
The fuller account of this expedition is as follows: The ferry
boat 1 )c Soto which accompanied the (^ikkx towed a bariic of co;d.
which had bt'cn floated down by nii>iit. Some barricades had been
hastily constructed to protect her boilers, and the eun momite(l and
manned oa\-e the little craft (|uite a warlike ap]:>earance. Alas, her
career was to be both bri(d" and ino-lorions. The two xcssels made
Natchez duriuii' the day followino- their departure, and anchored for
the ni<^ht (11th) at the mouth of Old river. The b)llowinii- day the
QiEEN cruised in the Atchafalaya, surprisino- and capiurin_i>- and de-
stroyina' a sup2)ly train of wag-ons, loaded with Ixu'f. also one con-
taining ammunition and officer's baggao-e. As she was returning, just
at evening, and passing close along the shore, the Qitke.v was Hred
lyo H'tstori/ (if the lidiii Fl<(f.
Upon l)_v coiiccalcil rillcuicii and Master .1. I), 'riioiiipsoii. Ui'iiin- in an
exposed position on the iippci' deck. rt'cciNcd a x-xci'c wound in the
Iciicc. very niucli as the Senior Kllet had been injnre(|. in the flii'ht of
the Qri;i:x at Menii)his. ( )n the t'ollowini:' niorninii'. in retaliation
I'oi- tliis act. the (^)ri:KN returne<l to the spot and liurned all liouses,
harns. siinar mills, and strnctnre^ of e\'er_v sort, fi'oni the mouth of
the i'i\'ei' to Simsport. At the latter ph'.ce a rehel mail was (•ai)tnred.
from which Ellet learned that some of Karraiiiit's \cs>els had enlei'ed
Jk'i'wiek liay and the lower Atehafalaya. < )n the afternoon of thai
day the Qieen entered Ked ri\er. and was joined hy the I)e Soto,
holli proceedinji' up and anchorini*' for the niiifit at the mouth of
Idack ri\'er. Next moi'nini.;' the (^ikkn and consort proceeded up the
river. They had heard (d' the fortifications at (Jor<lon"s. also that
some ii'uns had !>e'n mounte(l at I larrisonhuri;'. on the \V\<^ IMack.
They also learned that a rehel transport, the Louisxille. h;id pas-ed up
the cN'eninii' hefore. with a ;>"jldl). rilii'd li'un on hoai'd for the rehel
^iliinboat ram 'A\'ehl».'" heiuii' htted out. \\\) \{v^\ riser. This decided
Kllet to follow up the lie(l. dust then a steamer hoxe in sioht. comiui:'
down. Sh;' turned immediately, hut a shot from the <v^rKi:.\ intended,
to In' sent acro>s her hows, hut actually strikin<i' her stern, and ci't'atinu'
ha\'oc in her cook house, wr.s promptly re^|)onde(l to hy the waxing'
of numerous white si^'nals. and the (^ikkx was soon alouuside of liei-
])rize — the Va'ix Xo. T). She pi'oNcd to he a tine steamer, of the Red
Iviver ]*acket Co.. laden with corn for the (luai-lermaster at Little
liock, to he iniloade(l and waiioued across the comiti'y from Camden.
Xo I'esistance wa.s offered. thouii"h ihei'e wei-e foinid three reh;d ollicers
and neai'ly one hundred soldiers on hoard, helonaina' to dillerent conr-
nuinds, hut only as passenu'ers. ()ne passtMiiicr. a (ierman .lew. iii\inii"
the name of Elsasser had a lariic amount (d' C'onfedei-ate money, and
Col. Ellet hi'lie\'ini:' him to he a rebid i):-ymaster (thouiih he stoutly
denied it) ludd him. with the ollicei's. two (d' whom were Lieiits. Daly
and Doyle of Texas i-eiiiments. and pai'oled the soldiers, and set them
ashore with the ])assen;Ll'('rs and crew". One of the passeuii'ers, in citi-
zen's clothes, it was afterward learned \vas an ofiicer under (ienerrd
Hindman. The fleet of three vesscds now proceeded u|) (o the \icinity
of Gordon's Lindine-. where the Era was left, with a u'uard. and the
other two mo\'ed cautiousl\- forward — the Qi khx half a mile or more
Lox,s ,)f f]\c Fit iitoiiH lunii, (Jhc, II of the \V i st . jyj
ill adxiUicc. ()ii approiichiiia' tli«' hx-atioii. jll^^^ at ('Ncniiiii-. as a short
Iti'iul was Uciiiii' made, a dcii-c -moke a sliort disiaiicc alioxc roxt-alcd
llio [)r>'s('iic(' (d* a r.'trcat iiia- Uoat. and a couple of >lioN were sent in
lu'i' direction from the (^tiKKN's how i:-inis. The heiid was a diflicuh
one. and pih)t (iarNcy. then at th<' wfieeh not faniihar with it. and
presently the i^\ \:\:s was run hard and fa>l upon the h.ir. and e\er\
etlorl to ii't't her oM' only increa--('d the ditlicidtw Iler position was
in exact I'anii-e of the i:-iiiis (d' the fort not h»l) \ard-. distant, which
Loss of the Famous Ram, Queen of tfie West, Under the Guns of Fort
DeRussy. Hopelessly Aground and Steam Pipes Cut. She is Abandoned with
her Wounded, her Crew in part Escaping Down the River on Cotton Bales.
now opened upon h.er wilh deadly and dest iMict i\(' ell'ect. In a few
iiiiniile- -he was di-;d)led. her steam pipe- cut I ly shot, ainj rapidly
hllini; with sleam. her men wei'e coinpelled to seek safety l)y jmiipiiiii'
o\erhoard with wliate\er could he secured as hiiovs. A portion of
the ci'ew remained on hoard, -hellerina' them-elve- as lest they could,
from steam and shot. The-e. with the \-essel. fell into the hands of
the enemy. I\llet wilh mo-t of hi- men. cliiiiiinii' to planks or cotton
iiales. jloiitetl down to the i )e Solo. Iiadf a iiiiU' below. In ihe panic
112 Il'stori/ of the ludit Fleet.
Avhich followed the filling of the A^essel with steam some of the men
had taken the yawl at her stern and escaped down to the l)e Soto.
Efforts at rescue were at once made by running the Dc Soto uj). and
Lieut. 'I'uthill went with the yawl to the rescue of the wounded, and
others, still on the Qieex. They reached her in a short time, |)ass-
ing many afloat on cotton bales. Col. Ellet. and ^IcCullough (of the
Cincinnati t'oininerclal) among them, to find that those of the crew
still there had resolved to remain with the surgeon, and take their
chances as prisoners, as many of their comrades wert' more or less in-
jured and Master Thompson, in a serious condition, from his wound
of two days before. Surgeon Booth remained at his post to care for
the wounded, and the yawl pulled away just as three boat loads of
Confederate soldiers approached to board the Qleex. The I)e Soto
meantime was allowed to float slowly down stream picking up re-
fugees as they came in hailing distance. The yawl followed, overtak-
ing her some ten miles below. The De Soto had unshij)ped her rud-
der on'the way and could only be steered by the alternate use of her
wheels, and when the Era was reached, Col. Ellet resolved to use her
for the escape, and destroy the De Soto, to keep her out of the enemy's
hands. The transfer to the Era was soon effected, and the De Soto
burned, her barge of coal, already in a sinking condition. t)eing aband-
oned, as there was no time to coal the Era, if they were to escape the
certain pursuit. The best possible speed was now made out of Eed
river, and to lighten her, all hands assisted in throAving out her load
of corn. The night was dark, and a dense fog made navigation ex-
ceedingly difficult. Later, a heavy storm set in Avith sharp lightning
and occasional loud thunder. Added to other diiliculties of the fugi-
tiA'c crew, the fuel on the Era ga\"e out. and only by using some corn,
and other combustibles to hel[) make steam, was she able to keei) going,
antl finally at about 10 a. m. (February 1-)) she reached the Missis-
sip})! and turned up sti'eam. Pr(\i>Tess was now still nuire dillicult,
owing to the strong current, and the anioniU of driftwood, logs, etc.,
coming down, which caught in the \\heels and broke many of the
buckets. The storm still continued, and when wholly out of fuel, they
landed at LTnion Loint. and took on several cords of water soaked
wood, with Avhicli scarc<' steam enoui^h could be made to stem the cur-
rent. Finally thev reached Ellis' Cliffs, (whei'c later, reb '1 batteries
Inc'uloits of fli.c Last i'nttsc of the (Jncoi. ijj
were planted to attack passiiia- slcauu'iv- ) and in cros-ina- the point
opposite, the Kra. ihoiiiili drawiiiii' scarcely Iwo feel of water, was
niii hard and fast aground. In this i)osition the hoat was lield full
four hours, -within a few yards of shore Fortunately no rebel force
was near. The capture of all on hoard would lia\'e \)vv\\ easy, as most
of the crew were unarmed.
The carpenter and assistants tinally riiiu'ed a spai-. pi-ocured from
the woods near by. and spai-red oil the boat, and she proceeded on her
way. Pallet had been suspicious of the loyalty of Pilot (iar\-ey (who
was known as a "synipathizei-'" with the South, thoiiii-h not a rebel)
and (his last "accident" was too much for hi-- patience, and he ordered
the j)ilot under ai-resl. At an early hour next morninii- a vessel was
sii>'ht<'d coming down stream, which ])roved to be one of Admiral Por-
ter's newest gunboats, the I nd 'oniolo . Lieut. Conuuauder lirown. which
had two nights b;'fore. run the batti'rie< of X'icksburg and was iiudv-
ing her way down to join the (^ikex. The unexpected a|)pearance of
so stamich a craft as the ironchul Iiididiiohi was a most welcome
sight to the fugiti\-es. who took heart, and fresh courage, when furn-
ished needed supi)lies of food, clothing and fuel, by the gunboat.
Connuander lirown regaled Col. Kllet and the two Bohemians who
had staid with him through this perilous ad\'enture. by taking them to
his own cabin and gi\ing them of his own good cheer. \\\ noon it was
tiecided by Kllet to return to Ked river, with the Kra. in company
with the gmiboat. and resume the offensive under her protection.
Scarcely had the retin'u trij) begun when a vessel was descried in the
distance coming up stream. The Ei'a pushed ahead to reconnoitre,
and her shrill whistle soon amiounced to the I lolhinohi that the
stranger was an enemy, and on that vessel inuuediate preparation for
action was made. The rebel steamer had now halted, in the eddy,
near Ellis" Clitl's. ai)[)arently waiting to learn what sort of a craft the
formidable looking stranger was. and at that moment one of the bow^
guns, of the Indtdnoln. and then the other, were hred at her. and ap-
parently fully satisHed on that point, without further delay or in-
quiry, she turned, and was soon s|)eeding down stivam. It was the
rebel ram "Webb" — a vessel of great strength and sju'cd — and a ram
fighter of no mean ])roi)ortions. as the ln(}'iiinohf was to learn at no
distant dav. But there were two or three other vessels following the
174-
Ilisfdi-i/ of the lid III I'hcf.
•'A\'('1>1)"' ill (lie cliasc. wliicli. hi'iiiii' only ti"aiisi)()iis with soldici's on
board, were no nialch for a iiiinlioat of the I ndhi imht'x liiihtinii' (|nal-
ilics. Tlu'sc were to Wi' warned (d' tlicii- danger, and u'ot out of hariir>
wav, and the ••\^'(■l)l^"" lost no time in ii\'ttin<i' hntli licr-i'lf and lici-
consoils Icick into IumI riNci'. Tlic hoats lici'c rcfciTMl to, as aflcr-
A\ard IcariKMl. were the stcanirrs (irand Duke (n-and Kra. ;ind I)oiil>-
looii. I Louis ' )"( )'■. I
A licaxv foa' now coniinii' <>ii coniixdlcd Ixilli the Federal \essels
to anchor, and it was hite in the afternoon of next day ( FeWi'iiary 17)
hefor,' the\' coiild proceed down, liiit the\- reached the month of ( )ld
I'ixcr toward niiiht. anchorinif oppo^-ite tlr." iireat Ackley phuilation.
W^'W' thi'\ learne(| that thre" Itoats had accompanied the ''Wel)h.""
The c.xpeilition heiiuj,- under Col. Lo\(dl: that it would make a stand
at (ior<lon"s where the liuns would a^-^i-t : also that the "(^iieen." not"
much iiijure<l. had been hauled oil' the har and woidd he ready foi" ser-
\ice in time to h'dp.
At n(K»n on the following;' da\' tli" Kra stai'tetl for \dcksl)urir'.
sloppinii- at the .Jenkins plantati(»ii. (i\c miles al)i)\('. to l;d<e on a
((iianlity of cotton hales, to h;' used as a pi'oteclion for the hollers and
iiiachiner\' of the hoat. ( )ii the inornina' Col low inif. the Kra hail
reacheil St. .loseph. La., and FJIet sent ashore, and seized the ma.il.
and IVoni i( learned that, since he had iione dow n the river, the enemy
had placed a l»atter\' at (Jrand (inlf. to dispute his return. ( >n arriv-
iuii' opposite, siii'v' enouiih. the newly planted hatlei'y (ip;'iie(l upon
the defenceless Ki'a with two six-pound iinns. tiiaiiii' steadily at her.
as she ])assed. Hut only one. of oxer thirt\- shells hred a( her. striiclv
her. and a cotton hale receixcd that, and it i^lanciMl off harndessly.
At New Cai-thaiit'. twciilN' miles nearer Adck-lmru'. an island in mid-
stream allowed of passaife on either side, and as the Kra reacheii the
foot of the island, a sl'owcr of minie balls from shore, rained iiixm
the cabin and pilot house, but did no serious (himaii'e. ami the boat wa-~
soon beyond their rani:('- A parly of rillenien followe(l aloni>' shore,
and continued the attack foi- some distance. \\du'n nearin<i' the uppei'
end of the island the fires j^ave out. comjx'llinii- the boat to lay to. cool
down, and clean boilers. b;'fore proceeding'. This occupied an hour
or nioi'e. when she aiiain steamed up. and just as she i)assed (he head
of ih' island, the battery of thi-ee tw(d\(' i)<)und i>'uiis tit New Car-
Stan/ of the Su iTCiitlci'. ij^
lliiiiiv «>])('ii('(l upon lii'i' III ;i furious rale. Shells passcMl oxer licr. hc-
I'orc. Ix'iiiiKJ and >li(»ii- -1 )iu not one. o1' |)roltal)ly lil'ly. lircij at the
(lc\(il(MJ xcsx'l. struck' iu'i-. A camp of the cncniy was plainly seen,
located (in the I'ei'kiiis plantation, nenr hw which furnished ih;> sup-
port for the hattery. ( )ne more ordeal awaited the Vaw, l)ef(»i'e she
could reach her lia\cn of sa.fely. ^^'al■^enton was soon I'eached. and
soon her l)atterie> awoke the echoes, and shot and shell, like hail,
a^ain hi'ii.in to fall ahont her. Xii>ht was foi't una tel\' just cominii- <»n.
and in the deepenina' t\\ilii;ht the Era li'lided slowly on her course.
and out of ranii'e- -unharmed. Half an h(»nr later she was safe at
the old mooriui:-. from which the(^i kkn had starteil on her linal cruise,
and her sur\i\"or> were receixinu' the j^reelinas of c(tmi'ade^ of army
and na\"y. on their fortunate escape.
I)Ut the stor\' of the ca!)ture of the (,)ri;i;x. and some of
those who escaped from lier. remains to he told. It comes from many
soui'ces. inchidini:' diaries, and statements of those captui'ed. in cou-
neclion with their exchanii'e. As the hoardini:- party in yawls di'ew
near the (-^i kkn and hailed her with a tlemand for her suri-ender,
.Mr. Anderson, the X. "l . I/< raid reporter, openeil the parley with the
rel);'l olficei'. who in(|uired for the senior ollicer on the hnat. Learn-
ing" that Stu'ii'eon liootli was the oidv connnissioned ollicer on the
(^i KKX. he demanded a formal surrender by him. and received the
same. Sui'iicon liooth. in his account of the all'air. relate- ihat this
demand was nunle li\' a Captain Ilutton. who on recei\iui:- the sur-
render, at once proc<'eded to station iiuards at \arious points on the
decks, and tlu'U to take an inxcntory of e\-ei-ytliinii- mo\al>le on the
hoat. lie also states that ('apt. Kelso, eonnnandiuii' the Post, came
aboard, early in the niorinnii'. and that shortly after, the "AVehV).*'
came alon-i'side, and that as soon as her ofHcers had taken a look' at
the QiEKX, tliev steamed off down the river. 'Idie woinided were re-
moved and cared for. and the others held as [)risoners. No authentic
list of those fallinii- into the hands of the enemy, has heen found, hut
the correspondence of one of the reporters escaping- on the Era.
mentions those missing, and what was known, or cin-rently reported,
(»f each, as follows: Dr. I). S. Uooth. Surgeon: Lt. (ieo. W . Bailey.
Adjutant: Master .1. D. 'rhonii)son (woinided): ('\rus Addison, Sec-
ond Master: Ilenrv Duncan, Third Master; David Taylor, Engineer
ijS irisfoni of the luiin Fleet.
(scalded) ; George Andrews and James Foster shii)-earpenters: L. G.
Jarboe, Thomas Williams, David MeCullom. Charles Launer. Carroll
Smith. Ed. Hazelton, Charles Fah-oner, John A. Bates, Xorton F.
Rice. V(m. Brown and Ceo. V\\ Hill, soldiers, and Mr. Anderson, the
Herald reporter, and about thirty negroes — all missing from the
ranks of the rescued — and it was believed that most, if not all, were
taken prisoners on the Qi een, or in attempting to escape from her.
The same account states that George Davis, who jmnped overboard
from the De Soto, was drowned.
I^urnig that day the Ci eex was taken in tow, and sent up to
Alexandria, with the wounded and prisoners still on board. Next
morning. Master Thomjjson, Engineer Taylor and the rest of the in-
jured, were removed to hospital (juarters, in the city. Mr. Anderson
was put in jail, and the remainder of the crew taken al)r)ard the
steamer Grand Duke, used l)y Gen. Dick Taylor as a headcinarters
boat. Master J. D. Thompson, shortly after, died of his woinids;
Engineer Taylor slowly recovered. In a few days Dr. liooth aud the
other prisoners were transferred to a prisou shii). the (leneral (Quit-
man, already lillcil with pri'^onei-s. including portions of two regi-
ments of V. S. regulai's (the (Uh and Nth, surrendered by Twiggs)
who woidd not enter the Confederate service, and for whoui ex-
change negotiations had been in jjrogress for some tiuic This was
fortunate for the "Marines'" who fell into rebel hands at this time, for
they were included in the plans for immediate exchange, and a few-
days later the Quitman was started for Port Hudson. On the way
out they Avere joined by the Iberville, loaded also with rebel prisoners,
and having the IT. S. and Confederate exchange officials on board,
and after a short delay the Union [)risoners were i)assed through the
lines. Dr. Booth states that there were between forty and fifty of
the crew- and soldiers of the Qi'een, among the prisoners; also that
some were paroled, and not exchanged. Several of the men who were
escaping were taken at other points below, and were not included in
this exchange., but were sent to distant places, and hnally to eastern
prisons, so that it was se\'eral months before they reached the fleet
again.
In the cai)ture of the Queen the rebels thought they had a
rare i)rize. and imagined that her marvelous success in the past was
The (lichcl) (JiK'cii 11 (1 px (' apt live the I luVuiiioid. lyj
to be duplicated in their l)eliiilf. as soon as she could l)c repaired and
g'ot in figlitino- trim. All haste was thend'ore made, in acromplishine'
this work; and it was not long till she was mamuMJ. and ready for
service*, as a rebel ram. her consort being the '"\\'ebb.'"
To one officer at least, news from Ked river was highly inter-
esting— Lt. Connnander Brown, of the ht(Vi(tt\<>Ui. His position was
unsafe, but in the hope of support arrixing fi'om l*orler he hesitated
and decided — too late- -to return. The start \\as made I'^ebruary "jfl.
and stojiping but once to take on some cotton biles for protection,
he pushed up as fast as possible, with his coal barges alongside, reach-
ing (Jrand (bdf on the iMth. and intending to pasv its batteries, and
those at Warrenton. dui-ing the inght. Ibit the Fates — the ''Webl)"
and the "Queen" — were against him. At '.)::)(», the night being very
dark, he sighte(l four boats connng up in i)ursuit. and inmiediately
cleared for action, and turned down, to meet them. They i>roved to
be the rams ••(.)ueen" and "AW'bb,"* and two cotton-clad steamers,
tilled with men. and carrying Held artillery. The "(^bieen"" led the
attack, and her lirst stroke cut the coal barge in two. compelling its
being cast loose to sink, but not injuring the I iid/dHDhi. Then came a
dash from the ""AA'cbb" — the xcssels meeting" nearly bows on. with a
Iremi'ndous ci'ash. but neither was seriously injured by the shock.
The tight was now at close (piarters. the cotton-clads keeping near,
and plying their artilli'i'y and small arms, while the rams stru(dc the
Ind'ninold. repeatedly, their later blows being aimed at her wheels
and after (luarters. and at the sixth and seventh they cut into her
hud. and she began to till and settle by the stern. The I n<l/(inola''s
guns seemed to deli\'er an inetfective tire, and the enemy, perse\ering
in the attack. ,C'onunander Brown was at length compelled to strike
his colors. In this tight, which so signally showed the sui)erior de-
-tructiveness of the ram, as a war engine, the ''Queen." while leading
the attack did not sustain her Federal record — probably from the in-
experience of her volunteei- otlicers and crew. The ••^^'el)b" was cred-
ited with rendering the most destructive blows, particularly the last
two. and Major Brent, who conunanded her, Avas, by the rebels, accord-
ed the honors of the captin-e.
The loss of the In(Uanola, following that of the Queen, put a
new face upon atlairs in the Mid-Mississi[)i)i. and led the rebels to
I~S H/sfori/ of the luiiii Flccf.
c'xlrav;i<i'<uit jny. nml \\\v [''cdci-uls to coi-rcspoiKliiiii- clmiiriii and dc-
l)ressi()ii.
SoiiH' (if the cinrt'iit coiniiu'iits iiixm tln'-^c cNCiits. and the new
situation, oflicial nwd otherwise, will proxc inter;'^tini;- to readers of
(I'i^ hisl()|-\. ^\'e use onl_\' snc'i as relates to rams.
First wc (juole from ('apt. Kelso's report of the capture of the
Qi'KEN. at r'ori laylor: '"Two I^Cderal ann'ooats made their appear-
'ance in front <d' this i)o<ition at •'> [>. m. la-t eNcnini!".
"I had |)re\ion>ly assiiiiied e\'ery ofHcer to his po-l : lii'e was (liere-
"fore instantly openeil on the enemy. After a hritd' cmniouade the
'deadiiiii' liunhoal. the (^ueen of the \\('st. struch' her (■olor>. I im-
"uiediateh' ordere(| ('apt. T. II. Ilinton of the Crescent .Vrtillery and
"Second Junior Lieut. !)elahiinly t<i v.ii on hoard and demand the nn-
■ conditional surrender of ih- I);),. I. olHci'rs and crew. Thoe ollicer--
"'rejxirt that luit tldrleeu olticer-. aud crew were found on hoard, the
' otluT.^ haxiuii' e>cape(l inider co\er of the niiiht. The \i-.il)le results
■'of the capture con-i>t in one thirty-two |)ounder rilled I'arrott nun.
"one twenty-four ()ounder rilled l*ari-olt uun. three twclv;' poini(K'i'
"Poiiield I)ra>- piec:'^. one twehc pouu<ler Poi'lield lirass piece slin"ht-
■■|\' diiuiaa'cd ( I u>e the exDressiou of the senior conuuandinii' olHcer)
"a treuiendou'- supply of ordnance stores, a h'.rii'e supply of (|uinine.
"one fine ca^e ampiitatinii' inst ruuieuts. one e(pndly fine dental instru-
"ment. and othei' \cr\' <U|)erior cases of suriiacal instruments, cloth-
■ inii'. hacon. Hour. heed', hard hread. and other stores in proportion.'"
In the conchidini!' portion of his rei)t»i't the .Major says: "T(»
satisf\- N'oii of tile precision and actan-acv of the fire, thirteen out of
thirt\-one shot> from oui' hatteries took ett'ect on the ent'Uiv's boat,
and he adds that a lar^^'e warehouse nea.i' hy was set on lire to liiiht up
the scene aud ii'i\(' their ifinmers the "rauii'e and po-ition of the
enemy. "
From receiilly puhlished archix'es of the re!)elliou wc learn (hat
remherlon had -ent ("ol. \\ . S. Lo\-ell of his staff to o\('rsee. and has-
ten the couNtasion of the "^^'el>l)" aud "(irand Duke." and other hoats
collected at Trinity. La., and that. I»y nea'i'o impi'essuKMit ;ind other
extra efl'oi't>. re<louhle(| in response to the expected huri'y call, caused
h\- the (^rF.Kx's operations on hei' first cruise in RimI rix'er. he was al)le
when the next ahtian was sounded, fi'om Fort Taxlor. to take a de-
()'lp'( /III ( 'oiii incut on f/i<s( P. r<iifs.
^79
lacliiiifiit (if (iiic liiiiKircil iiicii :ilio:ir(l ;tt AlcxniK lri;i and Imstcii to the
x-ciic. \\\> rcpoii says: "I foiiiitl. on my arrixal at l^'ort 'Taylor, that
"the (-h KKN OK I'm: ^^'l:s■^ Kad ^m'rcndcrcd alioiit s o'clock. Iiaxini:'
• liad one of !icr >lcani itipcs cut : that the couiniandini;' oIliciT and a
"nunihcr of the crew had escaped on the steamer. Ki'a No. .'>. and ar-
• ri\(>d in the Mississippi ri\i'i- ahont '•> o'ch)cl< in the cNenini:'. The
■ I'o^ at that lime was so dense that we couhl make hnl little or no
■■proiiTess : (inalh' it became so thick that we had to tie np. The pilots
"did everxihini:' in iheii' power to make |>roii-ress. We made only a
••few miles from i> o'clock in the excnini;- till '.) o'clock in the morniiui'
"wheu we starteil apiin. Had to work aloni^- very -lowly a- the Uv^
"\\\\>- so thick. ( )n my wa\- down the Red rixci- I captiu'ecl nine men
■'helonuina' I" the (JiKKN OK iiiK ^^'F.sl•. one her second m.ite. lie in-
•■formed WW that Col. Kilel expected a [)owerful ironclad to meet liim
••al the month of Ked river, and that it was time for her to he alonu'.
"at the same time advisini:' me to keep a hrii^ht lookonl foi' her. . . .'
Hi- repoi'l relate- in detail the [)ursuit of Kllet's parly, and the
miexpecled encounter with the i^'unhoat. — of theii- seeinji' three sets ot
chimney tops (Acr the f()i>- — of their hasty i'eti-eal. takina' iheii' con-
sorts, the i.onis I)'(h'and (irand Duke, hack to Red ri\ er in sa fely.
('iiM.MKxr. f*Kr(n;rs axd 1 )isi'a r( iiks. ox 'riiK Caimi in-: oi' i^\ v.v.s axd
Tm)I AXOI A.
Finni Mil). (^(11. l>i(jc Tiij/Ior. (it Ah'.riiinl riti. La., to Att'jt. (iiii. ('tKiji-
<'i\ (it li icli iiKtHil . I'\'l>rii(i rij 1 .^> : —
■jlie ram (^ircii n\ I lie WesI was captured al tlie I'l irl i Ileal ii )iis lielnw tliis
pciiit on tile 14tli. willi all her a riiia iiieiit aim sii|i|)lies. Most (if the crew
and ciniimaiHliiii;' (illieers escaped on another Uoat. 'I'lie I )c Soto, a small boat,
lilh'il np with cotton, and the consort of the i-am. was sunk in the same en-
ya i;e 111 e 1 ! I .
h'roiii a. '1'. I\(><>i(tz. t'onfci'i rate (rcncrdl .[(/'lit dt Ydtc/ic.:. to (rcii.
I'ciiilx rtoii (it ]' ich'Kliii ri/, F(t)fii(i fij 17: —
'1 he (^iiccn of the WCst and I )e Soto passed np l.'ed l;i\cr on l-"rida\ e\en-
\\\'j:. and oe their way captured I'^ra Xo. :.. 'Id'c (,)iieen attacked our hatt-ries
at l'"ort 'layhn-. lint was \ery soon disaliled hy onr i;nns. and pot ai^r id. when
Col. C. |,'. |-:ilft and inaii\- of the men aliandoned her. Iloatiiii;' olT on cotton
hales, and she is now siip|:o-cd to lie in onr possession.
iSo Ilisti^nj of the Iid/it Fh(t.
WvUiw \\\v (>iit'«'n went lip Ivtul Uncr sl\c went down tlic Atrhat'alaya. near
Siiusport. and destroyed tive or six ])lai\tutions. After Col. Kllet and some
c>f tile men abaniloned tlu> CjntHMi of the West tlu\v went on board the l"ra
No. ■">. whieh lay some ti\e miles ludow the hatterit>s, and eanie out of Red
Ivtver. and yesterday morninii- joined the Indiaiiola, ten miles below here.
This information 1 giiined from a white boy who was a prisoner on board.
Duriui^- tlu> enyai^ement the De Soto was di>stroyed. in sig-ht of onr batteries.
l)y the enemy. The boy was brought up on the Kru. L consider the informa-
tion reliable.
From Gill. D'kL- Taylor, at Alccamlr'ta, to (rcn. Pcinherton, Virks-
hary^ Fchruari/ '10: —
riu> Federal ram. Queen of the AVest, was seareely injured in the ennage-
ment with my battery on lied River struek thirteen times: only one shot
atlr'eeted her. by eutting- a steam pipe. She left here last nio-ht to attaek the
Federal boat now lying at or near the mouth of the Red River. One of my
statf is in eonuuanil, with orders to attaek at all hazards. I eontidently ex-
pect to hear of the eai>tnre or destruction of the enemy's boat |lndianola|.
The tjueen of the West will then proceed to Vicksburg Xo attempt to destroy
the enemy's battery, if it has not already been renuned. '" "
(rt'ii. (j'rarit. Before {affore) Vlcksbinuj. to (ret). S/ier/iian, Fehrnar(/
1\ :—
The enemy having- captured one of our rams [Queen] with all her arma-
ment, and having several other armed vessels below here, makes it necessary
for our security to have a battery of Parrot guns below Vicksburg-. If practi-
cable I would like to have it placed below Warrenton.
M((jor Brand to (reri. J^eniherton, Fehruary 2o : —
Last night about \0 p. m. fell in with the I'. S. ironclad gun-boat In-
dianola, and after the rams Ijueen of the ^Vest and Webb, under Major Brent,
hail engaged her for an hour. 1 went alongside, when the comnmnder. Lieut,
tonunander Rrow n. surremlereil to me. As all credit is due to .\[ajor F.rent.
1 turned over to him. in a sinking conditii>n. the prize, whii-h we ho{>e to save.
Xobody but tive hurt.
(r( I,, (rraiit to (ren. llalleek, Febnniry •J.'): —
The (Jueen of the West is now at AVarreutou with rebel flag flying".
■K- <:■ 1-:- I'il-ing heainl last night from 4 p. m. to 1 this a. m. * * *;- Suyi-
posed to have lieen In'tween tlie Queen anil Indiauida. Apprehensioti *'' *
for the hulianola's safetv *•■ "'•" •■■.
(}ffi(titl ( ' oiniiuiit . — ( 'oiitin ncil .
iSi
(1< u. Ihr/,- Tdl/ldi' to AiJjf. (j( n. CoiijHr iit U'lch moml . Fchriid n/ 'l'^) \
I h;i\t' llic liiMKH- to i-('|ioi-i. aftfi- a st'\('|-i' ami iiol ciiLi-aiit'iiuMil . the caiiluiH"
of till' I'lMlrral iruiiclad ^Ifaim-i' I lul ia imla. I.it'iil. Coin. I'.rowii, V. S. N.. 1o-
ij'i'llici- with all lifi- c)llic(-rs aiul crew, liv the ('. S. slcanicrs. (Juccn of the West
aiul W'cMi. roniiiiiL;' an ex pi'd il ion. >fiil out liy nic t'lU' that inirposc iiiidi'i- t lu"
roniinand of MaJ. .1. I.. I'.|-i'iil. Tilt' |il'i/(' is a L;'ood deal daniaL;fd.
(i(H. Shcrnndi ( I.')/// .1. C .) f,> (icu. Sf<(/, ( l.s-/ l>!r.). Fchfiidfi/ I'C. : —
'I'lic ram (,)ni'cn ^i\ I lie West liaxinij' disa piica n'(l down Ilic i-i\ci- inav 1)<>
ronsi nu'd as linndilv on llir one hand, of as r\ idmicc of haxini;' I he i-i\iM- Ix'-
low I'l'i'i" and ii iiolisl nict rd lo I he cni'mv. Il looks to nic oiniiious c d' Mir fair
of the liidianola. and if > he lie di'stroNcd o|- ca |il ii red. w i- nuisl cxiu'ct, of
conrsc. the (Mii'niN at anv linn\ niakiiii;' his a |>|u'a ra ucc in hoats from that di-
rcrtion. I will Iraxc tlu' Unw :.'(t-|ion n< I i^iins tlu'ri': onr to fo\cr the sirani-
lioat ,\.'w l-:ra |l-'.ra No. .". j two to olVrr some olistarlc to the passage of hoats
alioNc Warrcntim. ••■ •■■ I sent Col. Woods, last niLiht. some signal roi'kcls.
with Cell, (irant's orders to tin- one in case the ram |(,)iu'cn or \\('lili| was
st'iMi asccndini.;' t lu' stream, and two if descend i nj^'.''-" ■'•' ■'•■
(I'tn. Gi'iint f(> (icn. lliillich'. \V ((sliiiK/ton . Fchi'iKirij 'l~^ : —
News jnsl reeeised that the (,)neen id' the \Vesl and \\'el)li attacked tlie
Indianola. aliont thirtv-li\e miles lielow \ieksliii i-l;-. the ni^hi of the '.'Itli.
and aftei- an eiii^aLi'eiin'nt of ahont li> miiintes. ea|itnred her. with most of
her crew.
i'cn. S/icr/zK/ii to Col. \\oo<ls. Com nxi iid hoj J >('fticl\noiit Xciii' It'niii'x
Iloii.st \ J-'( hriidri/ I'T :- -
I iia\e reeei\e(l vonr sexeral eom m ini iea t ions and ha\i' eoid'erred with
Adnnral I'orter and Cen. (irant. dhe Indianola is lost, and there is no as-
snranee that she is sank, or <lisahl<<l lieyond |;rolia hi I i t v id' I'epairs. W'e know
the eiieni\ has two i-ains in i^nod order, and mav have a nnndiei- (p|' ti'ansporls.
'I'liis renders xi^ikinee on yonr pari necessary. The enemy has re-
coNcred the ri\er helow. and the C.ra is nsidess to us. ■"■ ""■ •■■■ '['he Admiral
has sent for se\eral rams, one of whi(di the Monarch lias arrixcd. and li(>
feels no 1 1 iieasi iiess aUoiit tie tlcel alio\e \ ickslnirL;-. '•■ ■'■ "'■ 'riie enemy ina\
attempt a nii^ht move to capture tli;' Kra and l)alter\. |()rders destruction
of V.VA \o. ."). if iicccssarv. to |ire\ent lu'r fallini'- into r<d)el handsj "■■•
Ad mi nil Poiii'r to Sccrrfari/ H'r/Zx. Fc/ti-min/ -J < : -
I rcLjrct to inform ,\(ui that the Indianola has also fallen into the hands of
'11'' enem\. The rams Widil. and (,)neen id' the \\es| atta(d^ed her t went y-ti\c
miles from here, and rammed her until slu' surri'iidcrcd all of which can be
l82 ll'istonj of the Uiini Fleet.
ti'act'd to ii()ii-c()ni|)li;mc(" \\ itli my i list met inns. 1 do not l<n()w the iiarticii-
hirs. If she has not sunk she may he used ai;'aiiist the lower tlrct [(iidf
S(|iiad r<in I . It would he \\(dl to v'aiition liicm. '•■■ '■ '■■ It appeal's that
i>iiMit. (■(.mmandcr Itrow n laid at the UKJiith of the Kcil i;i\f|- three da\s (just
;iliou1 time to allow tlie (^neen of the West and W'ehli to repair daiiiaL;('s) and
then. Iieiiij^' a ppi'eliensi\ e of attack, nv reading; oxer my instructions, and tind-
ini;' out that he was sent down onl\ to |irotcc1 the (^iiccn of the ^^'est. and was
ordered to attempt nothini;- wlien he was not cei'tain of sii<-cess. lie started
up the Mississippi i;i\('r. \\'ith the twn coal l>ari;es in tow. yi\inL!' the eneni\'
all tliat ad\ a lit ae'c. I liad cautioned l,ieiit. ('oinmander l!rown so niiicli he-
fore he started, alioiit tlie nia naut'iiient of his ship, and told him pa rt icii larl,\'
to use his hnttiiiL;- |)owers. which would lia\e defeated both his a ntaijonists.
but he was cane'lit with the two Uariies al(mi;side. anil his xt'ssel must have
been n ii ma nayeahle. "■■' * "■•■ I certainly had a rii^ht to expect that two \ es-
sels. carryiiiL;' twelve i;-|ins. tliat had |iassed all the liattiu-ies at N'icksbnrii-.
W'arrent on. Cartliaee and otlier plact's on tile ri\ei-. could inanaLie between
them to take one old steamer Iprcxioiisly mentioned as so weak, accordini;' to
a deserter, that llie\ had to take the iron otf her bows, and her phinkiiii;- loo
old to calk I (U- tdse ha\e the wisdom and jiatriotisin to destroy tiieir \essel.s,
even if thi'v had to iio with tuein. ••■ "•■" ■■ In conclusion, had the Indiaiiobi
thrown off her coal l)ai\yes and run up stream, with the speed she is i-eported
to ha\e. sJie could ha\e disabled both the rams with her two 11-iiicli li'iins. in
iron casemate, before either id' them could L;i't alonL;siili- id' her '•■' "' "'
(fCii. \. /'. liiinL'.s to (rcii. II<ill(cl,\ P\l>riiii rij vS ; —
The capture of the (^lecii of the West, and the more recently r;'poi-te<l
capture id' llie l)e Soto llndiamda meant | has led Admiral l*"a rrai^iit to the
coiicliisioii that some xiyoroiis ino\cment iipim his part was nci'cssarv. to co-
operate with the n'lin-boats abo\f. in imdea \ ori iil;- to cut off the enemy's coni-
miiiiical i< .11 with tile lied iiivcr coiin1r\, and to destroy his L;iin-l)oats in those
waters. - •■• '-
(I'cn. I'ciiilx'i'tojt to (tcii. h'icj,' Tdi/Ior, M II rcli '1: —
It L:i\<'s me L;reat |)leasiire to coni;ral ii lat e \oii on \oiir l)rilliant success
in cap! iiriiiL;- first the (,)iieeii id' the West, and aft;'rward in siiikin-- the in-
diaiKjla. This last boat ha\iiiL;' bet n abandoned b\- your boat-, and appre-
hensive tiiat she mii;lit fall into the hands of the eiicnix . was lilown up bv
order of .MaJ. (leu. Stexenson. in direct conimand id' the, troops at N'icksbnrL;'.
('(■II. lliiltiil,- to (rcn. /tiinl.s, (j'Cj/lt/) (lilted Murrli ■>:
In rcLjard to tiie Mississippi I ha\e \>'\-\ serious a pprtdiensions. 'I'lie re-
I'^nlts of tlie capture id' the (,)iieen of the West and Indiamda can |liowe\ei-|
do no i^reat harm 1o (Icn. Crant and Admiral I'orter. but iiia\ to \oii and
.Admiral l'"a rrayiit . ■'■ ■•'' ■■'■
Partcr'x Ihiiinnj ('itiiscs ii ( ' oiii iiiol Km .
K^^S
At \\\\> ci'itical juiict iii'c. j-'O full of liiiiii li()|)c.- ;iii<l plca^ino- aiilic-
i|);i(i(»iis oil the ( 'oiifi'dcnitc side, and riKd'iil an! ici |i,'i1 ioii^ of fiirtlicr
I »]'ol)ai)l(' di>ii>t('r and loss (ui the T'cdcral >i<lc. while llie ureal luoxc-
lueiit npoii \ ieksl)iiri;' i)y land was still in al>eya nee. oeenri-ed lliestrik-
iiii;' and almost fai'cieal incident — heralded the world oNcr in eoiise-
(]iienec of the iiii] )ort aiit r.'siilts which canie id' il a ^eanKMi's prank.
This was the construction of a diiniui\' Monitor, oiil of an old
empty hai'ii'e. with imitation smoke stack'-, wheel hoiis<'-. pilot house,
etc.. \)\ the m«'n of l*ortei''s Heet ahox'e \'ick^l Miri;'. W hen the formid-
al)lr "monster"' was turned loo,-e. on the niirlit of I''e! iruaiw •I'-k it ilojit-
eil noiselessly down, until siii'hted l»y the wat<-liful sentinels. In-
stantly they i!a\i' an alarm that hroMiiht the i^iiniiers to the rixcr hat-
lerie> on donhle «|uick. and as soon as the \ici(»us lookine- craft e()( in
I'aiiii'e ii'iiii after li'iiii opened on her. In the darkne>< hut few shot took
I'tl'ect. and Mjcli as did simply passed through the >liell. without ap-
parent injury. To intensify the excitement which the >traiie(' in\ul-
nerahle craft caused, she did not deii;ii e\cn a <hot in reply to all their
caniionadine-. Not a susjiicion seems to lia\c <'nlere<l the minds of
officers or men of the ^i'arrison. as to the true characier of the iiaiy
lookiiii;- era ft. niakinu' its way down in the da.rk'iies- and >iiioke. appar-
ently ^o formidaii'.e and ten-ihle as to mo\c uiiliarme(l 1)\- ih,' rain of
-hot and -hell poured upon it. As the dummy pa-,-e(l out of ranife of
the \'icksl)ure- batteries, there was a hurried coii.-uhat mii and the coii-
cliision r<'acli"d that a, iz'reat ironclad had iidiie to the re-cue (d' the
I ihI /iinold. and forthwith Hen. Ste\en-oii in command of the hatterie^
and forces, -cut a courier with order- to the ollicer- ;ni<l men eiiit'aav'd
Ml Iryinii' to raise and repair her. apjirisinu- liieiii of the coinini:' <»f :tii
in\incil)le enemy, and dir.'ctine' the imniediale de-triiction of the \-es-
-el. and its armament. To a<ld to the coii-lernal ion caused 1)\- the
oiicomiiii;' dummy. ihet^hF.HN which iiad jii>( then r.Mche(| W'arrentoii.
was aj)j)rise(l of her supposed daiii^'er. and tiirnine' hack, ^he spread
the dread new- a> >lie sped for her Red rixci- retreat, 'i'liosc in char/^'e
oj the I nd/diiiihi at once hei^'an >pikiiii;' and hiirstina' ,::uiis. mid tlirow-
wvj: otlu'l•^ o\"erl)oard. liiil thi- pro\iiii;' too ^low. .-he was tired, and
hlowii up — a total wreck. — as the " A rk'an-a-"" had Icen a few months
h(d'()re.
l8^ Histori/ of the Uniri Fleet.
'I'lu' ludicrous side of this afi'nii- was well aired iu tlif soutlici'ii
])ress of ihc tiiuc. iircatly to the uioi'tiHcatioii of the couiiuaudei" at
A'ickshu.ru'. wlio-c dis('o\('ry of tli;' mistake made ( \\ lieu the diuuuiy
was sliattereil l)\- ihc ^^'an^'utou hattcric-) was too hite for his couu-
tcruiaudiui;- ordiT to reach the spot iu tiuie to sa\'e the prize fi'oui
destructiou. ()ue or two extracts here, will serve 1o illustrate the
CoXFEDKHATE DlSGl ST AT P)EIN(; FooLED 15V THE T)r:M:MY.
Feoni flic ]' icLwhii !■(/ \Vht</, Mdfch a: —
■■^Vt' statt^il ;i (hiy nr two since that we would not tlicn ciil ii;litcn our
readers in Teyai'd to a matter that was |iii/,/liiiti' them very much. AVe allude
to tile h)ss of the liidianohi. reeentl\' ea])tured froin the eneni,\'. 'I'he "S'aid<ee
liai-o-e. sent (h)\vn the ri\er last week, was reported to lie an ironehid i;-nn-
boat. 'the authorities thinkiiii^- that this monster wouhl retal<e the Indianola.
immediately issued an order to blow her u]). The order was sent down by
courier to tlie oificer in eharyv of the boat. A few lioni-s aft^'rwards another
oi-iler was sent down eounl erniandini^' tic first (it beini;' ase,' rtai ned that
the monstei" was only a eoal bai'ge) bid before it I'eaclied the rndiaiiola she
had been blown to atoms. Not even a uun was sa\eil. W'lio is to bhinie for
this piece of folly — this preeipitaney V It would I'ealiy seem \\'e had no use
for g'un-boats on the .Mississip|;i. as a coal liai'Lic is maynitied into a monster.
and our aiitlioi-ities inunediati^ly order a l.oal thai would be wortli a small
arm^' to be blown n|i.'"
Fi'oiii fl'.c U i< h iiioiid I'J.iunii niei\ }f(ircli 7: —
■■'I he teli!.'i-aph bi-iiii^s us t:dinL;s of soniet li ini;- which is trembl i nt;'ly de-
scribed as a "lui-|'tttd monster." (Innboats are deemed not more dano-erons
tlum dugout-, but when the ease is altered to an inter\iew with a 'tnrreted
nionsl'^r" then the brave defendei's of tlie t\i1her of Waters can do nothint;'
better than make two-fort\' toward the mountains. The rejiorted fate of
the Indianola is excn more disgraceful than farcical. Here was ]jerha])S the
finest ironclad in A^'estern waters, captni'ed aftei- a heroic st rnii'yle. ra]iidly
repaired, and destined to join the (^ueen of the \\'est in a series of victories.
Next we h ar that she was of necessity blown nj) in tiaie ^Eerrimac — Mallory
style, and why? I.auiih and hold yonr .sides lest you die of a surfeit of de-
rision, oh 'iaid<eedom I l!lown n|) because, forsooth, a flat boat or mud scow,
with a small house taken from the back o'arden of a plantation, pmt on top
of it. is tloated down the river, before the frjo-htened eyes of the Partisan.
Eanyers."'
-i ll'istoi'h-dl (_' i-itic'tsin. iS^
From (( V'ckshniu/ (lisjHifcli to sdiiw /><ij>' i\ of Mdrcli 7: —
•■'I'lic (^ifcii (if llir West left | \V;i n-cii1 ( ill | in such ;i liiirrv as tu fo !■;;■> t |i;irt
of IllM' Ci-CNV. wild Wfi-C ll'fl nil slldl-C. Well (llMlf I'dl- lllc (^)ll('Cll llf til,' Wc-T
and lici- l)i-a\f cillic-ci>. A i^ood Joke on the Pai'tisaii Ua ll^■('l•s. 'An cxcvdli-iit
jdUc. adds The editor, "eid i1 1 i ii^- e\cr\- man cunneeled willi I hat alVaii- to lie
hraiided (it lliere is anv 1i-ii1li in the dispatch) w i1 li ihc' capilal Icti rs '! . M..
and tu he enrdlled in a detached ciiin|;aiiv. to be known as the lii|-|-(i ii Mon-
sters heiicet'(irt h and forcN er." "
AMicii the sitiialioii :it lli;il lime on (lie Mis>sissi|)|)i is cai'i'fiill \'
coiisitlcivd In' the tlM)ii<j:htful ivadcf — the hazardous opei'atioiis of the
(-yJiEKX. Avithoiit siippoi't — and her h)ss. and then the ('(|nally bazar. !-
oils \-enture of the I ml ni noln . entirely insiillicient in defense ai>aiii-r
the rams kll()^Vll to lie in lud ri\"er. it is not to i>e wondei'ed at that th(>
ortie;'rs and men of the \'iek:-l)nrn' batteries wei'e lookinu" for some
rorniidahle craft to mo\e down to the rescue. Snch had heen the hope
and expectation of the doomed i-re\vs of the (^ikex and the I udhniohi ,
hnt alas, they looked in \ain. The fortnnatc resnU of the dnmniy
incident, more a j)rank of the seamen than anything' else, served to
turn aside ad\'erse commeiil upon tlie nee(lless loss of these two ve—
sels throngh their i>olation. and exi)()snre, singlw to the attack of
rebels r-uns.
On March '.\yy\. Secretary A\'ells sent Farr.ia'nt (he news of the-i'
disasters, and warnei! him to he on his e>'tiard au'ainsi a possible attack
from these Ked river I'ams.
CHAPTER VI
February-March, 1863
77/r li'clirl (Jiicrii Scdrc ('diiscx Scut 1 1 i ii</ of Ellct'K I'rizc. Eni, hii Arinii Orders.
I'oi-fcr's Hiirrii Order tn Elht fur the lid nix at O re<iiriUe. The Se<ire Rr-
rei-sed tm I'orter's Ihnnniii. l/ionesx unit Fiiltud irilli tiie ) ((:<in I'd.s.s K.riiedi-
tioH. — .{■I'lrdl (if the ]ldr'nie lirii/dite.— h'd n/s S irit K rid nit iinil Ltniedster
h'ini the lidtteries. hatter sinil: mid Lost .- -Ordiihh- Deseri jit Ion of Hcenc. —
It'e/iorts diid Oflieidl Com nienf. -Ihii th of Lieut. Rolntilx.
On February 'l'.\vd, ,C()1. FJU't had left the Era No. .'» at her hiiid-
iiii>'. near the l)atteries. in ('onnuand of Capt. Connor, and crossed the
[)eninsuhv in front of \'ickshiiru- reportinu' in pei'son lo Ihe A(hniraL
'Idle result of this interview was a tletailed instruction to hiiu to join
his rams at (rreeinille. where he would Hnd at least the MoxAncii and
SwiTZEKi.AM). co-operat inii' 'n an army movement in that \ icinity. and
lakinii' the latter, proceed to pre[)are her. I>y placing' ••ollon hales on
her decks to protect her machinery, for runniuii- the \dcksl)nrii- t)atter-
ies. Kllet. unaware of the disaster that just then hefel the I)i
(hiiiiohi. proceeded up to whei'e the I)oats aho\'e named were stationed,
and had l:)ut just set about his task, when lie reci'i\-e(l the following
in'ii'ent order, by dispatch boat, from the Admiral:
Above Vick'sl)-ivti'. Feb. :2."., lS(;:i.
fol. ('. A'. Eltet. Coniindnder Hdni Fleet :-
Sir :— IJetiini licrc willidiil ;i inoiiit'iit's delay. The (,)iieeii is ;i|i ;it W'arreii-
litii. Ileaxy tiring- heard last iiiglit litdow here, and liie iiresinnpt ion is that
the indiaiiola is sunl<. or ea |il iired. Iiiirr\- (jciwn — wait U>r nolhiiiL;'. \\'e have
iKithing- to meet the rain. I'.ring- Ihe Monarch also, it siie is within hail, but
flo not wait tor anytliihL;'.
Very respect I'u I ly. \cinr obedient ser\ant.
i)A\in 1). Toi;ri:K.
Aetini;- li'eai- AibniraL
187
iS'S [fistari/ of tli< lidiii Fleet.
This iiiu'Xpcctcd iiM'ssjiiie :irri\('(| on the inoruiiiu' "t" the L'Tth. ;iii;l
P21k't iiiiiiuMliatcly started with the S^\ rrzKULANi). (ir(h'riiiii- the Mon-
arch to folU)^^• with all speed. The .Moxai.'cm had oeeii for a iii;)iith
previous (h)iiio- patrol duty in that \ii'iiiity. and (ieu. l)url»rida'e. in
coiuniand of some land forces sent to operate aii'ainst the enemy diirinu'
the same period, in h.is report on retnrninif to \()uni;'V Point (i^'ehni-
ary 27) mak'es this eomplinientary reference to ('apt. SiilJieriand and
his boat: "To C'a])t. Sntlierland. of the steam i-am Moxaim ii. 1 am
"indebted for many acts of courtesy in his ojhcial capacity. His ram
"was Avith my trans])orts from the time we reached (M'.'en\ille inilil
'"our return, and I was \)\ that means able to lea\'e the i)oal> with no
"g'tiarth and take all the well men with me in whate\('r expedition I
"needed them. . . ." l>ut. certain rumors were l)rou<i'ht to Col. FJkv"'-
ears, of Suthei'land's fretpient communications with the enemy undicr
flag of truce and otherwise, and of the coming' and li'oini:' io the ve~^el
of tlie rehi'l w ife he had recently married at Ski[)with's, and on their
arrival at the Aihniral's Heet Ellet issued an order relieving' him from
duty on (he AioxAiaii. and directinii' liim lo report at once to (Jen.
A. \\. Ellet, at 8t. Louis.
iU\ i-e])ortin<i- his arri\al to the Admirak ('ok FJlel learneii ol'
the atl'air of the "dummy." which had meantime occurred, and thai
the ' C^ueen" had retired — and the "FcMlcral scare" was for the presciu
over. Xext> luorninii' ('apt. Connor came on hoard the S\\ rr/Kiu. \xn
in high dudgeon at what had trans])ired since lie was left with the
Era, five days before. Colonel Ellet's report to (ieneral Alfred W.
Ellet (who was then embarking Ids Ma.i'ine Brigade at St. T^ouis) con-
A'eys the inforuuition which had elicited the Cai>tain"s ire. and inci-
dentally shows that his superior shared in his feebng:
I'niti'd Stall's llaiii Swit/crlaiHl.
Mississippi nivcr. March 1. 1 Sii:;.
(/('//. Mfreil \V. i:ilrt :—
Geiu'i-a! : I lia\f tlic luiiior lo i-('|!i)i-t Id yon thai I h'fl, tiic l'>i-a Xo. '> in
rliarge of ('apt. A. ('oniioi-. mi l-'ch. :.>:i. aiui pmcfcdi'il up the i-i\cr (Hi t hr :.'.">tli
\Yitli instructions from \(hniral I'oi'tcr to take the S\\ it /.crla nd ami pi'ot .'cl Iter
inachin('r\- witii cottcm lialcs in onh'i- to i-iiii the liattcrics at Nickslmri;'. On
the 2Tth I rect'i\c'(l the folhiwini;- dispatcli fi-om Admiral rortn- luisim ahoNcj.
and immediately stai'ted down, and r.-aelicd the lieet lielow ^'a/oo ijixer. on
the nunaiinL;- of tlie r.'stli. ('apt. ('onmn' came on hoard and rcpoiMed Iha) the
('(ipf. ( 'on inn's I lu ill tlx Sciiffrnu/ i)f flic Km.
t8<)
l']i-a liad lii'i'ii Inkcii fi-diu liim hv nnlfr of Majcr (li'iici-al (irai 1 and x'liltlfd
■II 1 he iinddic of llir ri\i'i'. .\<i I'ca^oii was assiL;iu'd for this d i-- 1 (isit icin ol' a
\allial)lr lioal. 'I'llc 1 Td hales (if Cdltuli ||{;(>|| lltT \V(M-(' s.'l ashoi-;'. (ill. Woods.
\\ lio lioi'c till' oi-d('i's of Ceil, (n'anl. has. I am iid'oi'incd l)\- ('a])t. Coniioi-. pcf-
iiiiltt'd liis iiii'ii 1o sid/c and a |i| iropria t f. not oidv 11h' I'i'W avticii's of clotliiiiL;-
whit'li sc.inc ot in\- ineii had Icf! on hoard, hul also, lo I'ip up j-csci-al of tli;'
cotton bales and nse their contents I'or heddini;'. Tlu' tollowin^;' is llu' (H-iler
■which (_'a|!l. (dnn(U' was peiaintti'd to see. in ndation to this a |i|iropi-iat ion
of pi'ixate and pnlilic propeii y in 1he possession of niv ollicei's :
|jeacl(| iia I't ers l.'itli Army Corps. I'eh. :.'?, ISi;:',.
Cdlil. CiHinor: (.\>\. Woods has ordei's as to what \(iu will do. Ynw mnst
semi all the nei;rors xoii lia\c. early tomorrow niornini;-. to report liere under
a Sertj'eant or Corporal. I lia\e wondei-ed why yon have not ah'ead\' sent
llieiii. 1 L!i\(' Iheni rations for one day only: for yonr men foi- fonr days.
'Mie n»'L;roes will he pnt to W(irk at once.
■^'(Mirs 1 lai ly,
.1. II. llA.\[.\lo\l).
.\ssistant .Vdintant (icnrral.
.\o receipt was L;i\eii \'ny the cotton, to ('apt. Connor, nor has one been sent
to nie. 1 WDidd i-espect f id ly rciuicst instructions in rei;ai'd t(i the course I
■should |nirsiie in this niattci-. as I do not wish to he held i-esponsihle foi- losses
to the Co\erniiient. which occurred diiriiii;' my ahsence and withoiiT my consent.
W'vy respectfully, your ohedient scrxant.
(HAS. l!l\i:i!S I^I.l.KT.
Col. Com'd"- llam h'lect.
No oriicial rcpdii of the dcsli-iict ion of llic Kra diirino- this scare,
has l)i'('n found, otlicr than the statement in the (\)h)ncrs f('])()i-t. hut
a well authenticated aceoiint of it is foiuid in the (Hary of Second
Engineer. David K. Iloojx'r. one of the crew who i)artici|)ated in it.tind
it is here re|)ro(hice(K heino- undouhtedly correct in e\'ery substantial
particular: The diary says: "•^^'e went into hayoii with the ?]rrt
"and staye(| with her until ordered to (h'stroy her. Keuhen Townsend,
"Samuel \\'ea\('r (an assistant engineer) and myself were detaile(l for
■ the work. We took her into the Mississip|)i. after cutting holes in
"her sides to let water into the hull. The hoat was soon caught in a
"large eddy, and lilling rajndly. as she went down, turning oxer rath-
■er sooner than we expected, and rushing to the up])er side, we went
•()\ crlioai-d. Fortunateh' the small hoat we expected to get away in.
"broke loose, and. after a ii'(>od duckino- niid some swinnning. we all
igo Uiifori/ of flic Ram Fleet.
"three got into it. and made our way safely to shore. The Kra was
"then nowhere to be seen.""
Just before starting' south with his Bripuh'. (ien. KUel trans-
mitted to llie \\\\v Secretary the reports he liad I'eceixcd from the r.im
fleet eommaiider. with the following' messai>'e:
Ilea(l(|iiart;M's Mississi|)|)i Ki\er Mai'iiif IIi-iLjadt'.
St. i.oiiis. .Marcli U). lS(i:;.
Jloii. Kdir'ni .)/. SI an I on. Sicrctunj of Wur: —
Sir: — I lia\e the honor to enchjse j'ou a eo])y of Col. Cluis. T^ivers Pallet's
report, toyetlier witli otht'i- ])a])er.s containing' tlie ordeis t'l'oni Hear Aihiiiial
Porter, nnder which Col. EUet was actiiio- when the iiiistoitiine of the los.s of
the Queen of tlie West occurred. I also send you a eo))\' of Adiuiral Porter's
order recalling;' Col. I'^lllet from Xapoleou (for the jiroteetion of his <;'uu-l)oats
ai.';ainst an aiitiei])ated attack from the i-ehel rams) wlieu engaged fitting up tlie
Switzerland for another run ])ast the VicKsburg batteries, for the purpose of
endeavoring to recapture the Queen of the ^A'est.
I ha\(' the honor to remain.
Very respectf rdly.
Alfkei) \V. ]']i,i,p:t.
Ijrigadier (ienei'al.
Meantime there had been formed and started what was known as
the Yazoo Pass expedition, made np of gunboats, rams, and a hirge
body of troops on trans^jorts. It was to find its devious way through
the channel known as the Yazoo Pass, to Moon Lake, and hence through
the Talhihatchie into the upper Yazoo. P^xplorations and reports as
to the route had indicated that, in the prevailing high water, there was
sufficient depth to carry the whole fleet through. The rams Lioness
and Fulton were sent with this expedition. The gunboats CliUVi-
roflie. Baron I)e Kalh, and tin-clad R(/ffJej\ were under Lieut. Com-
mander Watson Smith, whose mission and instructions were to clear
and open the way for transports and troops to the Yazoo, through
this route. It soon proved to be a difficult undertaking, for while the
water was sufficient, the stream was narrow and tortuous, and for
long distances overhung with tret's. which had to be cleared, or avoid-
ed, which resulted in frwpient delays, and nuu-h damage to tlie boats
Men with axes and pikes were kept constantly on duty, on the upi)er
decks, to cut limbs of trees, and i)re\'ent damage. On the second day
a coloi'ed deck hand on the Lionkss was instantly killed b\- a liuib of
Iia/iis Wifli the Yazoo Pass Expcd/itlon. igi
w tree I'alliiia" <>ii him. Finally the iia\;tl section i-caclicd Moon Lake,
and waited for the army cont inii'ent . whose transports had e\'en greater
diflicnlty in makinn' theii- way thronuh. I)i'iii\ (ien. Ross eonnnandiMl
tins part oi" the expedition. After sexcral days delay, the flotilla
aiiain nio\('(|, the Lionkss leadinii' ;is they started down the Talla-
hatehie. ( )n the second day ont smoke ahead warned of an enemy,
and on Ini'iiinu' a hiMid a small side whetd steamer was fonnd at a land-
ini>\ her crew occnpie(l in hurninii' cotton on the hanks. The I^ioxess
advanced npon her. Hrin<^' st'\"eral shots Uy way of an in\itation to
surrender, hnt the craft attem])te(l tlii>'ht. Finding' she was being
o\eiiiaide(l she hoisted while flaii's. and at the same time ran ashore,
and her crew, setting her on lire, escaped, ^^dlen the Lionkss reached
her she was a mass of tiame; and her <-rew had disapi)eared in the
W()(»ds. Later on. as cotton was fonnd. the Lioness, and other l)()ats
were protected by rows of bales, for which they were soon to feel the
need. For, as they advanced, they encotmtered felled trees, logs and
rafts, at xariotis points, and fonnd picket stations of the enemy, and
the rattle of nnisketrv from scouting parties, concealed in the woods,
kejjt her men on the alert. There were constant delays, and to add
to the dillicnlties Lt. Connnander Smith became crazy, and had to be
superseded by Lt. Connnander Foster. The naval section was four
days working its way down to the ^ azoo, wdiere, at (iri'diwood, was
understood to l)e a strong fortihcation — known as Fort l\'inberton.
Another ob-trnction was here fonnd. in sunken steamers and barges.
After much ellort the giniboats were brought up within range of the
fort, and a bombardment was couunenced. and continued four hours.
Idle army section failed to arrixc. and during the night the rebtds
mounted two hea\y gu.ns. which, next morning. com|)elled the CJdlVi-
coiln' to mo\(' out of their i-angx", after a shell had entered a port hole,
{'ind killed three gunners. The gunboats were unable to approach so
as to conunand a \iew of the works from an ath'antageous ])Osition.,
and the ai'uiy did not arrixc. Beside, the low lands in the \icinily
were so flooded that a land attack was simply out of the (|ue-tion,
when at length the boats with troops had arrived. After se\('i-al
ell'oi'ts and consultations, the attempt to take the fort was abandoned,
and the lli'ct began its withdrawal, and to make its way out. by the
same dexious route it came in. The x'essels of the entire fleet were
Ig2 TJ/xforij of the lidin Fhct.
iuiK'li hatU'i'ed and (listii>ii red hy their ciicountcrs witli trees and logs.
;uid most ol' them were a soi-rv sight, when they reached the Missis-
>il)l>i again. The Fri/roN. though with the expedition, was nol put at
the front, and the men of the Lioness were not aware of her presence
lu the fleet till the exj^edition had returned. In the Lieut. Comman-
• ler's report to Admiral Porter, dated Coldwater. March T). he says:
•My Hrst knowledge of the Petrel and Lioness and Fri/roN being at-
tached to the expedition was after entering the Yazoo Pass. . . . ra-
tions issued for Lioness thirteen days, Fulton seven." and on the 7th.
lie says, in another letter to Porter: "Lhe Lioness ha.s eighty-hve
))ales of cotton for defense, two deep before the boilers. The (^ueen
I meaning Fulton] cannot carry any cm the sides, forward." ''This
eotton" says Porter's History — "'was tui'ued o\-er to the Xavy author-
ities on arriving at the station aboxc ^^i(•k>burg." Tlie expedition
occupied most of the month of jNIarch, and })ro\'ed an entire failure.
Th§ hasty retirement of the rel)els "Queen" and "\\\'bb" to their
lair up Red river and connecting waters, where the gunl)oats could
not follow^ (had there been any) but from whence they could, as they
had so effecti\"ely demonstrated, sally forth on mischief bent, when-
e\er they desired, gave Admiral Fai'ragut (who was again clo-ely co-
operating with (tcu. Panks, below) considerable concei-n. and he now,
^\ith his best two \-essels — the H-artfonl and Allxifross — made his way
-low ly uj) the ri\('r again, and on the 'JOth of March, reached anchor-
age below Warrenton. Fie was i)rei)ared, with the hea\v guns of
these two vessels, to silence the l)atteries as he should pass up by night.
iiut lo his surprise no res]ionse was made, and soon his boats were at
anchor, near the foot of the canal. Farragut at once sent conununi-
cations to (irant and Porter, his uiessengers crossing the peninsula
-along the canal. Poi'ter was temporarily absent looking after matters
m the Ya/oo. The Hrst result of the comnnuiications was the sending
of a barge of coal 1)V night to float down to the Admiral's fleet, and it
was safely secured by the Allxifross. The next object sought by Far-
raiitit, and likewise fa\(>rably acceded to constitutes another epoch in
our ram fleet history.
.Vmong the arrivals at ^'oung's Point, just at this time. (March
•J-J) was that of the Mississippi Marine P)i"igade. with its eight large
barricaded steamers, under command of Wymx. A. A^^ Filet. The raui
Arr'nuil of Gcii. Klhf>< Mar'tnc J>r/y(i(l(
^93
lli'ol w;ts n -u'hnrdiiiati' part of his coiiiinaiKl. Tlic prcxloiis coi-tlial
I'clal ion-- (if I'^ariMiiiil and Kllct were at (Uicc i'csiiiikmI. Tlic o'ljcct of
llic fonnci' ill coniiii'i' up •<» \ ifk>l)iiri:' hciiiu- made known. Klh't
proiiiplly proricrcil two rams for the piirpos" — the Sw rrzKUT.AXD
and Laxcasiei;. From tlic (•oi-rcspondcncc leading' up to this arraiia'*'-
iiiciit. it will he seen that (icn. (irant's chief coiicci'ii was co-opci-.U ion
of boats for a't'ttiiiii' his troops oxer the rixcr. for the attack on the
\\'arrciitoii hattcrics. while Farr.iiiiit's dominant pni'pose was setairinu"
rams both as a defense of his x'essels l»i'h)W. apiinst the raider^ from
Red ri\'er. and to assure tiie eifectual l)h»ckade of that stream.
Fai:i;a<;i T and (iitAxr. on Ri xmxc; tuk ])M)(kai)k with iwo Rams.
F(irr(i(/iif til (ri'iint, licloir V h-],'xliii luj , Mai-ili 'I'J.. ISC))): —
I rei^ret tlial I did nut sec Adiniral t'ortiT. as he n<i diiiiht would l)a\e sent
down at least two of I'JIcfs rains. Tlu' t\\'o rams and one ii-onel:id woidd
malce tlie liloel^ade of Keil KixtT complete. Tliei-e ai'e oidy Iwn | I'ehel | l)oats
fitted as rams — tlie (,)neen of the West and \\'elil). Tliei-e are ;ilso otliei-
rixcr boats fitted with eolton hales for tlie ])iir|;()se of hoai'dini^' oni- i; ii n-l)oats.
The AVeblj i.s at Alexandria, repairing', and the (^leen of tlie \\'est is now in
the Ateliafalaya.
(iiuiiii to F<i n'(i(j)it in I'cpli/. Morcli 'I'l: —
It is a matter of tlie ntmost importance to cut olT tr;ide with tie' lied
i;iver country. I do not know what Admiral I'oi'ter wnnld siiLji^est if hi' were
here. Imt I think he miijht possil)l\- s|:are one or more of the i-;ims. •■■ •■■ •'■■
Fitrrdynf to Gfniit, March 'I'^y; —
I yave it [tlie Wari-en1on battery | a prett.v ydod sludliiiii- today, and will
be ready to act in concei't with your troops, atul afford excrs facili1\' in m,\
liower. ^vllenever they ai-e ready. I will cover the landing;-, bid in c-ase the
r;im vSwitzerland comes down in time she will be best suited 1o land the
tronjis. ibit in case she does not <^-et down in time the Albatross will do it.
(ri'dnt to 1' (I rni(/iit . in postscii pf to Ictti'i' of sdnn' ihifi':
"Captain AVaIke ■■• ■■ asked me yesterday for eolton bales with which to
pack two of the rams, for the purpose of sendinj^- them to Join yon. I promised
liim anythinjj- in the world the army lias foi- accomiilishment of his imrpose.
and ])resuiiie the vessels will be sent. 1 look n]ion it <d' \ast importance that
We should hold the ri\cr seciirelv between \'ieksbiir"- and I'ort Hudson."
ig^ U'lxfonj of flic Ram Fleet.
(icn. Elh't rcali/i'd that there was likely to he a confliet of authoi'-
ily o\'er the coiniuaiKl of the rams, and that any mistake by him mi<i'ht
in\()lve him in a serious tangle. He at once addressed l)oth Farragut.
and ^^'alke. askin<i,- their wishes in the matter of sending- down the
rams. Farr.ignt frankly rei)eated. and e\'en pressed, the reijuest he
had made of Porter for two rams, hnt A\'alke after ad\i>ing with Heet
('a()tains lireeze and (ireer, attemj^ted to order the SwrrzKitnAxn, re-
gardless of (xen. EUet. and was ])romi)tly informed hy ,C'ol. Charles
Kliet. her conniii-ndei'. that his immediate sii|)erior was (ren. KUet.
then present, and (hat ordei's nnist come, from him. That this con-
flict of authority was now on, is fully api)arent in Walke's letter to
Porter ( liod ) , and it was only averted hy Porter's absence, and the
urgent necessity for innne(liate action. In the k'tter alluded to.
\\"alke says: "T a.dxised with C'ai)tains Pi'eeze and (n'eer as to the
"propriety of sending one of our rams at least to Admiral Farragut.
■"m which tlu'V ac({uiesced; but when I proposed to send ,Col.| C'has.. K. |
"•EUet. tlu' commander of the SwrrzEitLAXi). he declined to obey my or-
"ders during the ])resence of (ien. | Alfred ^^'. | Ellet, who had just
•"arri\ed with the Marine P)rigade, and who chums to ha\'e connnand
"of the rams. At a \-ery late hour last night, in the rain, the inclosed
''dispatch | asking for copy of Farragut's re(|uest for rams| was sent
"to me from (xen. Ellet, recpiesting an immediiUe answer. I read the
*"dis})atch and returned a verbal answer that it was unniH-e-sary, as
"the service of the rams was not indispensat»le.""
Two days latei- another letter from C'a])tain A\'alke to Admiral
Porter says: "I received the enclosed letter from (ien. Ellet last
"eN'ening, conxcying the first intelligence of his intention to send the
"Sw rrzKi!i>Axn and Laxcastku b:dow ^'i(•]vsburg•. T informed the
"(ieneral that I couhl not. under present circumstances, send or ac-
"comijany tlu' rams (h>wn the river, etc."
Caj)t. Breeze's letter to Porter of ^ame date, fully su.stains this
view: He says: "Capt. A\'alke has just come u]). He says Gen.
"Ellet sent for him to come and see him; that he had dispatches, etc.
"Fie talks ^cry large, from what Walke says, and im})lies a connnand
"of the rivei- | ram | fleet with hi-. Farragut is anxious for a ram or
"two. etc. \\'alke wants to know whether he has any right to order
"these rams. I tell him. yes. I think you had better settle (Jen.
''EUeFs powei's oxci' the rams as soon as [)ossible. . . ."
F((rr(i(jiit I II r'/fcs the (rciwriil fa ('onfi
^95
(^iiilc ill coiit rusl witli llu' l'()r('i:()iii;Ll' \v;is tlii> Icttci' of Ailiiiiral
FaiTaiiul to ( it'll, l^llcl.
V. S. i-'l:ii^shi|) Ihii-I r.ii-d. i'.(-luw \'irksl.iii-L;. March 3:!, isC,:;.
Dear (iciicral: I lia\r this iiKUiu'iit heard frDin (Dhmt'l Alihott of \uiir a r-
rixal ah()\(' X'ickshii ri;' with voiii- rains, and siiiccndy thank yon lui' thr DtT'cr
of tlic Switzerland to accompany nic down tli,' rixcr. I had writti'ii a coin-
ninnication to A(hniral I'orlcr sa\inL;' how much 1 wcndd he Ljratitii'd to haxi-
l\\(i I'anrs and an ironclad 1o assist in ma i nt a i n i ni;; 1 he blockade ( d' Ked Ki\cr
and to keep the police < d' the I'ixer yenerallv between X'iekshn r^;' and I'ort lliid-
soii. pa rticii larl \- as I had learned throuL;h the newspapers that yon were on
your way down the riser, and anxions to rejjair tlie loss of the (,>neeii of the
West and the indianola. I shall lie most happy to sec> \dii on hoard this ship,
with t he ColoiKd. for coiisidtat ion.
I am \i'r\ respectful! \'.
I). (1. l'\\i!i!A(;rr.
iiear Admiral ('oni'dL;' \\'est (iiilf I '.lockad i iil;' ,S(piadroii.
Followiui;' \\w coiilVrciicc (liiis iii\ ilcd. a iiiorc formal letter from
Admiral Farraiiiit i)a\(Ml the \va\' for the (iciicrars action. It reads:
I'. S. l-'la^ship Hartford, jlelow \icksl)iivi^-. March :.'.;. isi;:',.
lii-'i<iii(H( I- Cciicnil Alfri'd ]]'. lUht. ( 'oiii nndid i ii </ .\f i.ssissi jijii MiirUic liii(i<i<le : —
(leneral :--! ha\f writt"ii Admiral I'ortcr to flic effect tliat I am most
desirous of baxiiii^' an iromdad i;iin-lioat and two rams lielow Viel<sl)iiro- tn
maintain the control <>{' the river l)etween this jilacc and I'ort Hudson. "I'lie
Ked Ki\ei trade is now the onlv resource of the enemy for ttudr sii|)pli,'s at
liotii X'ickslinrL;' and I'ort Hudson. 'Ihe failure of my vess(ds to i;et to I'ort
Hudson has reduced me to t h ■ iiecessit\ of askiiii^- the al)o\c assistance from
Admiral I'oiter. lint I am iinwillini;' to interfere with tlie Admirars command
in an\- way. lint I am assured that if he wert^ tiere he woul(t o-rant the assist-
ance I so iniudi need to carr\- out this L;reat oliject. I l)eii' to assure \(iii that
nothiiii;- would lie more j^rat i fy iiif^- to me. than to ha\e two of \(iur rams; and
1 remain. Irnly \c;iir olieiiieiit servant.
I). (I. >\\Hi;.\i;ri\
Kear Admiral.
I'poii reeei|)t of the foi'eo-oii|o-. Kllet at once addre.-^sed this note
(o AA'aUvc. who made the I'eply. referre<l to in his letter to Porter.
P^aeh reads in fidl as follows:
ig6 JI istin'i/ of the liiini Fleet.
IfcuiUiiiai'tt'Ts Mississ1|)|)i Nlarino Ilrio-acle,
I'hiiisliip Aiitoci-at. Mai-ch :24. ISG!].
I'lilihiiii ]\'(ill,i'. I'oiii nut mliini Ld fin/<i I '■ ;-
Caplaiii: I lia\t' i^'cci \ cil a writt'Mi connii ii iiicat i( )ii Iroiii Ailmival I'^arra-
il[\\ in wliicli lit' iiilDniis nif tliat hv had i-(M|;ics1 cil ri-uni Admiral I'orter an
ii-diiclad ,L;nii-l)iia1 and 1 wo rams to eiiahlf him 1(i hnhl the rixcr ht'tween Virks-
huri:;- and Po)-t lliidsdii. In con.seqiienee of the failure to ijet the fleet al)ove
that |;oiiit lie is entii-cly too weak to accomplish this i^a'cat ohjecf unaided. It
is iii\ purpose to send past the batteries toiUL;-ht. in compliance with this re-
(piest the Swi1/ei-land and ]>ancaster. and shall he i;-|ad if .\'on conclude to send
a i;nn-lioat 1o he intormed. tliat we may act in concert.
Very respectrnlly.
Ai.iia:i) W. Kllet,
r.riijadicr (teiieral.
U. K. S. Lafayette. Ahove N'ickshnr--. Marcdi 24. I^C:!.
/.'/■///. (Icn. A. W. FJicI : -
(ienei-al: I rei^ret that T can not. nnder t ln' present ci rcninstances. send
oi- accon)]iany the S\\ i1 /.eria nd and Lancaster tonii^h! with an ironclad, as you
]>ropose. but with a hearty i^ood will and sincere prayer foi- their success, I am
\'ei-y respectfully, your ol)edient ser\an1.
II. Walke,
("apt. U. S. N.
The followiiiii' from (icncral (irnint iiidi^'ates what he was (h)iiio-
while the f()re<i()iiia' correspoiKleMce was in i)r()i>-r(>ss :
P.efore N'ickshurL;-. March :.'t. 186:!.
llrit/iKlicr dcitcnil Hllct. ('<itii iihi ndiin/ Mmiiic lir'n/ddr:
I am Just informed that to insure success of the cut /rprise ayainst War-
reiiton. ten or twcdvc small ixiats will be recpiired. May I re(piest that yon
furnish that nund)er. If it is intended to send a ram past N'icksbnrti' tonig'lit
they could be sent liv hei-: if not. b,\' seudini;- Ihein down the canal tonight
to the lower end. Colonel WOods. who will command 1 he exjjedition and \\ho
is now- thei'c, will gel them. I will see that these boats are returned.
U. S. Grant.
Kllel's rt'spoiise fiirthei' (leveh)j)s the i)i-()i)()st'(l |)hiiis. no allusion
l»i'in<>' made to the refusal of eo-oi)eration \)y Porter's o-unhoats — a cir-
cumstance which would have given pause to any hut the lion-hearted
conunander. FJlel was. His answer was: "1 have ari'anaed with
■"Ailmiral Farraii'iit to send two rams down to his assistance. These
••vessels when safelv hclow, will with the Allxitrosx, according to ar-
"I'iUi'i'enuMil nlri'iuly iiiikIc witli llic olliccr (•oiiiinniidiiiii" the Iroops op-
."positc AA'ariH'iitoii. coiiNcy tlu' troops across to altack the Uattcrics.
^'wliilc the llaa'sliip llartfoi-d, silence's their li'iins. Xo small Woal^ will
'"th (>!•(' fore 1)1' lu'i'dcd for the purpo-c (•oiit(Mui)lat(Ml today."
IiuiiKMliatc [)i'('paral ions wcit now made for riiiiiiiiiif tlic hatter-
ies l)\- the two rain>. Additional protection lor theii; enuine,-- and
i)oilers was aiNen. hy [)ilinii' cotton hales he^-ide th.ein. and i'nel. stores
and annunnition j)ro\i(led for a prot racte(l crni^-c Crews were se-
lected with care from \()hniteers. some few ohjectinu'. and even r.d'iis-
ine- to e'o. The cases of the;e will receive mention later on. Then
tin' fewest possihle nnml)er for each vessel was [>lace<l thereon, to take
her p)ast the hatteries. and the rest sent across to join her below. The
t'onnnaiid of the two vessels was iii\en C'ol. Charles Rivers Kllet. who
went, with .Major Lawrence in personal connnand. on the Sw riZEi;-
i.Axn. and his second otlicer was Lient. Col. John .V. Pdlet. in personal
connnand (d' the L.vnca.stki;. No complete lists of oHicers or crews
actnally makinti' this famous "run" have heen i)i'eserved. hiit a few
are named in the official rei)orts, and occasional mention of others is
found in diai'ies. Sam (iotf was the sere"eant in chare-e of out' of the
Swn'ZKi!i.AM)'s how e-nns. and James liiK'kner of the other.
The (ienerahs instructions for the run. and for suJiseipient opei-a-
lious. were as follows :
I li';L(l(|iiartci's Mississippi Mai'iiic I '.rii^ade.
I''la-sliip Aiitoci-al. A1h,\,. Nidsslairi;-. Mareli :M. ISi;;;.
Culoiirl Chdrh's I'lrcis Hllcl, Coin iiiii mlUiii I'mii I'hrl:-
Colonel : — ^'(ui will jji'iicccd in (•(iminand nl' 1 hr slcaiiiei' I'aiiis S\\il/>'i'-
land and T.aiicasi ci- to pass the hat 1 cries at N'ickshiirij- tonii^ht. and i-cpoi't
tn Admiral i "a i-rai;i:f l)cl(»w. 'I'akt' cmm's pi-tca iit iuii 1(i prevent liL;lits heiny
seen on vonr lioals dnriiiL;- the passaL;e dnwi!. 'I'aUe only men enoiiLjh to rnn
the boats: lia\e tlie \a\\ls <m the starlioard i^iiards readv ftn- instant use in
ease oj' iieeessitv. and haiiL;' knotted rop( s from eilhei- side to 1 he waters
edi;'e. to wlneli men eonid lian^;- to a\oid ^leam. >'on will not. in tlie e\>'nt
that either koat is disabled, attempl. iindei' lire of (he batteries. 1o litdp her
oft' with llie otiier koa1. bnt will lam on down, it beini;' ol' |)riniar\ importance
tliat one boat at least slnjuld iiri safely by. 'I'lie purpose (nv which yoa are
sent btdow is to assi.-l in keepini;' possession of the ri\cr between X'icksbii I'l^--
and i'oi-t Hudson, and cntlinu' olT the enemy's com m n n lea t ion with, and snp-
plies fi-om h'ed i;i\er and its tributaries, and to aid in repelling' tlie rebel
]-ams and cotton-clad st. 'am; rs. if t hc\ shoidd attack l-'a I'rai^id 's vesstds. \ on
igS llixfonj of the luini Fhcf.
will all'onl all llic aid in \<iiii- puwcr to the inilitar\' force which will attack
W'a r-rciildii t oiiiori-dw. i;c|;(irt tn nic hv cNcry coinciiicnt opport nn ity.
\'l'l'_\' i'csj>cc1 fill l\'.
Ai.i-ia:i) \V. I'J.LKT.
Ili'i^adici- (icMcial ( 'omnia ndiiiL;'.
The time was soon at hand for llic pcrihjiis uiidcilaUinu'. A
graphic description of it written by C'a])t. .('ranihill at the time is here
given as onr liistorical account of the atfair: "The whoh' night of the
'"ti4th was occui)ied in taldng on coal and stores, and phu-ing anninnii-
'tion in their hokls, transferring crews, and incidental changes. This
"so hehited them tliat they did not get started till just at (hiy break,
"instead of at two o'clock as intended. After sending all the spare
'*men of the crews over the point and (1()\\ n bi'low on the le\-ee. to join
"their boats Avhen they should get below, (ieneral Kllel and myself
"tool< our gig and were rowed down, in the night and darkness,
"through the canal, to the lower side, opposite the reb,'l batteries.
'"Leaving here our gig and oarsmen, we walked along the k'vee near
"the river bank, anxiously noting the approach of light which would
"prove l)etrayer of oui" [)resence as we were in full \iew of the reb.d
"batteries. There we knew we should witness the greater jjart of the
"light, for. as you pass on down the le\ee you lose sight of both river
"and batteries. ^^V paced up and down discussing the probability of
"the success of the devt)ted boats and their bra\'e crews. Day was fast
"(kawning and we feared something would delay them too long. Tn-
"deed it is even now too late to hojx' that a \'essel may escape through
"darkness the deadly fire of their guns. Perha])s some unforeseen de-
"lay has induced Colonel Ellet to forego the expedition till next night.
"No. tliere is the flash of the first \i\\\\. far up in the bi'ud. at the upper
"battery. 'I'hey are coming, and in the broad daydight. and must
"run this terrible gauntlet, in open day. Low and distinct comes the
"rumbling roar of the guns, shot following shot in (piick succession.
"Then comes a lull in the hring: Then louder and (piicker tiring from
"batteries farther down. One by one the great guns, down the hor-
"rible semi-circle of batteries, join in the awfnl camionade, till the
"heavens are rent a\ ith the terriiic ^oiind of shot and shell. V\\\\ Hf-
"leen minutes, of tlu' thiilydixc re(|nired to run by. have passed. ^^\'
"l<iu)W the boats are nearina" us because the lire of tlie forts which we
(riutpliic A'coi/itf (>i (I Piir'nK/ K.i-phi'if. Jgg
"call sec is iiTadiially ucUiiii:' fartlici- down. \\\\\ do llic boats not
"make their apix'ai'aiu'c !' Twrnty niiinitc^ IniNc clap'-cd and >till
"tlu'V ha\(' not n'ot I'ai' cnoniiii down the lonij- Wend in front of the
•"city for ns to sec tlicni. A nun from the l)att('ry rialit oppo-itc us
■■Jiow" sends a shot, away up stream. ^^\' hiok in \ain to see tlie boats
""come ph)winu' tlown. Can it be tliey a.re disabh'iir' "(iod ^-rant
'"them a safe passage down." — fervently ejaeuhites the (ienerah My
'heart res])oiids an Amen. Still they are not in siaht. It is
■"broad day. and the roar of theann'ry cannon i-; incessant. Some
'■(lisastei- nnist haxc befallen the boats; for thirty minutes ai'e
'"past and now the bio- o-mis of the w hole fort ojjposite. are lirinn'. They
'must be near us. al)()Ve the neck of the woods which caits otf our \iew
"of the i-i\('rl Surely they will now soon l)e out of this ^reat peril.
■A^\; start hurriedly (h)wii the le\ee. to be at the appointed place,
■more than a niih' below, when they arri\('. Excr and anon we sto))
"to look and listen. Still the fire — deadly and terrilic — continues.
■•They are not yet in si<iht. and we turn back and eaii'erly strain our
"eye^ to oet the first iilinii)se of their forms through the trees, ^^'c
*"see one comiiii;' — her dark hidl can faintly be si'en throuii'h the
"branches — but why is slie running- so slow ^ Now she comes in plain
"view. It is the Switzeiilaxd and she is floatinu'. disabled, stern,
''foremost I AA'e hasten back and dindy discern the form of the Lax-
'■('A.sTEK farther up — also slowly lloatina'. AAdiat a fearful situation!
■■Ileljiless and under the concentrated lire of all the nnnis of \'ick>-
■■|>urg''s batteries. C'allina" to oui' oarsmen we rush to our yawl, near
"the mouth of the canal, in a little bayou, and just then comes a pro-
"longed cheer from the rebels across the rix'cr. Look' I The Lax-
"CASTEi! is sinking — bow foremost. (^)uick with the yawl! Seizing
'"it bodily we drag it over a le\-ee into the slough I'lnniing out into
"the. river, and (piickly divesting oiu'sidvcs of o\-ei-coats and side-
''ai'ms. we two. juni[) into the boat and row with all haste out to the
''SwjTZKunAXD. She is nearly opposite us. and about one-third of ih"
''way across the river, and slowly floating along. The enemy is still
■'■pouring deadly missiles into her. ^^'e row directly for hei'. The
''shells tear o\'er us. from the batteries o])posite. (ilancing above we
'"see tlie ill-fated LANCAs'ria; cai)sized. subniei-ged. an<l only a part of
'"her wreck visible. ( )n we pull for dear life, till we reach the Swrrz-
200
IUxforiJ (if the Udiii Fleet.
•i;i;i..\M). IltT forecastle and side from the l>attei'ies are crowded
"with her ci'e\\'. There was no i)aiiic. and save the scahle(| neuro Hre-
"inen. none were hurt, tliouyh the boat was terribly torn np, and had
"two cannon shot in her boilers. In a moment it was decided not to
abandon hei". as she was nut sinkina'.
awls were phinu' from tl
le
i J \X(AS'n:i;"s wrt'ck to the shore, amid the shot of the enemy, tlyini:'
tliii-k and fast. Kvery moment a howling' nnssile of <leat!i would
■■'scream oxer onr heads, and plow the beach. thro\\ ini;' sand or water
Rams Switzerland and Lancaster Running the Vicksburg Batteries. The
Former is Temporarily Disabled by the Fire of the
Enemy, but the Latter Is Sunk and Lost.
twenty feet into the aii'. As we float down onl\' the ^hots of tlie
h)wer battery can reach ns. and they are tired from four guns at
j-egidar intervals. An olHcer watches the battery and the instant a
|)iitl' of smoke is seen, all ste|) behind the hea\'v bulk heading which
only a chance shot could pass tlu'ough. Finally, one strikes — passing
almost through, but lodging in a coal I)unker — nobody hurt I The
An><itro><s is laying just below, out of range, and the IIiirffi>r(l is in
O'ip'c'/dl li( j>()rf of (I FdiiKHis Deed.
20I
"siiiiit. below (lie \\';iiT('iit()ii 1 );il Icrics. 'I'lic S\\ riy.i:i;LANi)"s (Inii' was
"'kept floating' all the time in dcliancc of the eiiiMuy. Just hcforc ihcy
"(■cased liriiii:' on us we lirccj one of oiii- small parrot, unns at tlieni.
"jiisl l»y way of a i)arting' salute to wliicli they replied without etl'ect.
■"As we float on the shots fall wider and wider of the luarh'. The aal-
■Jant connnander of the Lancasi'ki! has a'(>t his men all ashore, and is
"now pullinii" down to oxcrtake us. to ri'nder aid if needed. The
''Ilnrtfoid steams up and opens upon the \\'an'enton batteries. The
' AJIxifi'oxs sees our ])liiiht. and is cominii" u]) to help us, and talvini>"
• Iwo lino from hei- we are towed to shore, about a mile and a half
"below the mouth of the canal."
The cabin of the Switzerland \\as ridtllcd and torn by shot, and
mo\ables scattei'cd and tinubled in wildest- confusion. i)iit the dis-
ablinii' injury to her boilei's was repairable, and a force was set to
work on them at on<'e. and in three days she was ready for duty. The
complement of her crew was made up from the Laxc AS'n:i;*s men. and
under Lieut. Col. John \. Kdlet. she safely ran the batteries at W'ar-
renlon durinii' the ni<ilit of March ^JO, re})orlin<j;' to Admiral {''arra^'ut
lyin<i" below.
Having thus reproduced an obser\'er's account of thi< notable nf-
f;tir. which attracted wide attention, and naturally I'licitcd some un-
laxorable conunent and ci'iticism, at the time, we will now a'i\'c the
ollicial I'cports. containing important details:
I'. S. Stfamcr S\\ it/frhniil. I'.clow \icksl)iii-y, Marcli :.'."). Isc,:;.
lirii/iKlir)- <;(itffitl Alfi-id IT. I'llcl. ('out indiidiiiii \Hssissi iijii \liiriii(' Urii/dilc :- -
( li-nfi-;i I . I h;i\(' llic liiinoi- U> rc|;(ii-| to yciii tliat in cuni | il ia ncc witli noiu"
iiist iMid idiis. I started hefDrc dav -hrea l< this iiuini i ml;- with thi' rams Swit/er-
hiiid and Lancaster to pass tlic \'icl<shiirL;- hat 1 ci-ics. 'llic short time wiiicli \
was alhiwi'd foi- prcpa rat ion. and the ncccssit v of lakin^;- in hiri^c (|nantilies
(jf stores of provision, (hdaxed onr (U'pai'tnre until it was nearly JiLj-ld. 'Plie
wind was extreimdy n n f a\()i-ahh'. and not w ithst a ndi ny- the caution with wineli
til!" boats put out into tlie middh' ( d' the stream, tile l>ntt' nf tlieir escaping-
pipes ( Id he heard with fatal distinctness Ixdow. 'Ilie flashing;- oC the ene-
my's siijiial lii;'lits fi-om hatter.N' (o liattery. as wi' neared the city, showed me
tliat c(mcealment ^vas nseless. The nioi-niiii;-. loo, was Ucl;! n ni m^- lo lireak. and
i saw tliat it Wf were to pass at all it was to he doin- at .mce. I ordered my
pilots to L;i\e the Switzerland full headway and w i' went round the ])oint
under 1(W) |;(Hinds of steam. 'I'he rebels ojiened tire at once, but the tirsi 1 •")
or :.'(! -.-hots were badlv aimed. .\s we not nearei- to (he s^'iins. howcNcr. the tire
Il'/storj/ of the luiin Fhct.
lu'raiiie nioiv accnr;itt' mikI rapid. Shtit after shot struck my lioat. te-arini;-
e\c)-.vlliini;' lo |iifccs ht'fnri' tliciii. A few li ii ik I rec I sai'ds ht-liiiiil us. I lie Lan-
i-astci-. iimlcr coiiiiiia iii I (if LitMit. Colonel .loliii A. I':ilft. still sleaiucd spcfdilv
ilowii. Iiu1 I could sec Ihc Nplinicrs tl \ from licr at every d iselia ri^e. Wiieii
ali(Md llirec (|iiar1ei-s of a mile below Ihe poiiil. and full in fT'ont of tlie
cnem,\"s Iiea\i(>st i^iins. a Hl-inch shtdl pinniped throuiili llie lioiler deck of t'ae
S\\ ir/erland and into her centei- lioiler. Tiic cxpkision of steam N\as \cr\- ? e-
^ere, and was welcomed by the traitors with shouts of exidtaiion. The en-
j^ines slopped at once, and even the pilot house was filled to sutVocation with
Tile hot steam, but the pilots stood lo lhcir p'osts like men. and by mv ordi i-s
ke]it her out in the sti'eam. when she tloated down with t ln' cui'reut. '1 he
enemy i-claxed their tire, and the steam had scai-celv (deared away fi-oni the
Swit/erland. when I saw the Lancaster blown up. She commenced td siid<
rapidly, and in a few minutes went down bow foremost. 1 oi'dered the ei-,'W
nf the Svv it/ei-land into as secure a position as possible, and tloated past t h:'
remaining- liattcries witliout au\ hiss of life, m- material damat^c to the b(i;it.
A few moments after vdiii' arrival on boai'd with Adjutant (Icncral (randall.
and when opposite tlie month of the canal Licdl. Col. {■'illet came aloiiLi'side
in a yawl. liaviiiL;- rowed down to us. throut^h a tire of ^rape and shell, to
otter us any assistance in his |:ovver. lie had pi'eviously s(d ashore his own
crew and wounded men. and tired the upper works of his boat. When out of
rany-e. the Switzerland was met by the Albatross and towed in to shore. I
can not coiudnde this i-e|ioi-t withoid referriuL;' tn the Ikm-oIc conduct of the
iitlieers and crew of the Swit/erland. No fear, or lack of discipline was ( x-
hibited bv any pei-soii on board, and althoni^h we were vvitiiin_ pistol shot (if
shore, noi a man attempted to desert the boat or leave his |!ost. without or-
ders. Auioul;' those who especiallv d ist i ul; u islied themsidves bv theii' I'esolu-
tion and courai;!'. were .Nhijor John W . i.awrenee. j'ilot .Mexander McKay.
Lieut. Ivlward C. I':ilet and 'lliii-d Ihiei necr (iranville U'obarts. 'Hiis is tlie
second time the three last named olliecrs have |iassed Ihe batteries at X'icks-
luiri!'. 'Ihc (lamai;'e to the Switzerland's boilci's is considerable, but will be
repaired in a few days bv the machinists now on board. Her cni^'ines and
liidl arc in i^dod condition. iler loss comprises duly t lire<' neLjroes badly
scalded. One man on the Lancastei' was drowned anotlii-r severely scahh'd.
and I'ilot T. XV. L. Kitson lost a fool. The vci-y limited hiss ,if life on board
iiotji boats is due to the cxtremidv small number (if men vvlm were s(dected
1(1 run the boats through. The i-emaindcr of the crews vvci-e sent aci'oss liy
laiuL 1 enclose J.ieut. Cuhmel l':ilefs report of the LancaMer.
\'cry respect I'ldly.
(has. 1;i\i:i;s I'^ii.ki'.
Colonel Comma nd i ni;'.
()fp'r/(ll Ji( jiort of Ldlirilstcr's Loss
20-^
Oil r><i:ii-(l AiilDcrat. AIkac Nickshii ri;-. .\l;ii-cli :.>."), ISO:;.
1-1,1. CJnis. h'inis l-:iht. Coni'ih/ h'din I'hrl :
('(ildiii'l : I ii;i\(' tlif liuiiiir tci rcpMi-l Ili;i1. in (ihi'd ifncc to xoiir i list I'lict ions
I U'fl my ;i ncliiii-;ii;t' aliovc the nioulii of tlu' canal a1 i :'.H) o'clock lliis inoniiiii>'
on lioai'd the I'. S. StcaincT l-ancastcT'. foi- tlic |ini'|iosc ol' i-nnnini;- the enemy's
Ijatttries. at N'ickshiii-i;-. The liiiiits wefe all e\1 iiiLinislieil. and e\er\ |)i-ecan-
1 ion tak'cn to |ire\enl tiisiiii;' an,\' kno\\le(li;-e of onr a|)|)roaeli. I eiideaxori'd
To condnct tiie mo\ements of ni\- xcssid as sileidly as |iossil)le. allowini;' Iht
lo tioat part of the time, and oecasiona 1 1 \' I'iiihtino- her np hy li'oini^' ahead on
the slow-hell. I ' n foi't n nat el \ . the escape of steam froiii her smoke stacl<s was
wry loud. In addition to this the niu'lit was clear, calm ami st a I'lifi'ht. with
a sliji'ht l>i-ee/e settiiii;- forth from us directl\- toward 1 lie rebel l)attei-ies.
From the eiiaracter of tlie nii^lit. and the warmth of oni- reception 1 am led
tf) lielieve that onr xi'rv Mr'sl movements wei-< lieard li\ t hi' enemy. Keepiiii^-
the distance of about :.M)ii yards between iii,\' \ess(d and the Sw it /erla iid. I au-
]>roaelu'd within about half mile of the point of the peninsula \er,\ slowly,
when the sudden tlaslies of sii^nals. aloiii^' the whole line of the eii"m\"s \vor)<s,
L:a\e unmistakable exidence that our movements were a |ipi'elien(lev I. 1 then or-
dered (Ui a full head of steam. expe<-tin<^' cvei-y nionuMit to receive the enemy's
tire. When within about 4(M) yards of the ])oint of tlie peninsula, the eiiemv"
opened tire upon me. with a brisk fire from file iippei' batteries, but tlie shot
fell wide (if the mark. Koii ml i ul;' the point. I ordered the pilot to steer well
to the star board, to prevent followiiiL;- immediatidv in the wake of the
Switzerland. When Just abreast of the u|iper batteries the first shot struck
my Aessel. passiiiL;- throiii^h both smoke stacks. The lire eontiniied almost in-
cessantly, but without serious damaii-e. for about hve minutes after this time,
when a heavy shot passed throuiih the vessel, immediattdv under the pilot
Ikuisc. cai'rviuL;' away the steps which led fr<mi the cabin into the piloT house,
and woundini.; Mr. T. W. L. K'itson. steersman, whom 1 had placed at the foot
of the steps, to be in readiness t(( take the wheel should m v other pilot be
disabled. We wei'e now just opposite tlit^ water lialt"ries. and lliey poureil a
very active tire upon us. sTrikiiii;' the vesstd in everv jiart but a vital one. At
this time I enterta i iieil the most saiii;uiiie e\|iect at ions of ijctliiiL;- niv vessel
past ill safetv. This tiionuht. however, was speedily dispelled bv a lieav v shot
which exploded the steam drum, and enveloped the entire vessel in a terrible
cloud of steam, driving- the ciii^inecrs and Hri'inen from tlieir posts, and coni-
peliinii' every one upon the lower and i^iin-deck to seek tlie bow of the boat
outside of the wooden bidk-head. where a frieiidlv breeze shielded tiiem from
the e\crneiatiiiy tortures of the hoi steam. About this lime a heavy pluni;--
intz' shot struck her in the frailest |)art of her stern, passint:- 1< mi^it udinally
•ihidULiii her pierciiiL;- the hull in the center near the bow. and cansiiii;- an
enormous leak in the vessid. The pilot. Mr. Andrew .1. Dennis-, remained at
the wheel, aiviiii^' direct i(ms to the helpless vessel, until the vvhe.d was demol-
ished by a shot, fi-oiii the elVects of vvliich lie miraculoiisiv escaped. lie re-
20^ llisfoi'ij of flic liiiiii Fleet.
ported the dainayc to iiic and I .^eiiT liini lielow to coiiti-ol tlii' tiller rnjirs hy
hand, and then went down myself to ascertain the condilictn of the hidl. 1
found lier sinkiuL;- \vv\ fast, and partly turned ronnd l>\' an eddw so tiiat Ir r
star-lioai-d side was snhjeeted to the luiltesl lire. I thei-(d'ore oi-dei-ed the t .\ o
yawls to lie broui^ht fi-om the star-hoard side to the lai-l)oard '|uartei- of tlie
bow. whei'e the hull (if the vessel atVorded them the L;-reatest jiroteetion and
tluMi ordered my men Ici takt' to their lioats. first |iro\i(ling' for the wonnded
and scalded. 'I he water was liy this time rnnniuL;' o\er the deelvs. and i fonnd
it \vonld lie impossible to secure hei' to the shore. I therefoi'e set her upper
works on tire b\- dist-liaryini;- \\\\ pistols into the cotton. This was superlluous,
ho\\'e\er, for a few minutes afterward slie plnni^td intd the flood bow foi-e-
most. I liad abundance of room in ui\- twd yawls foi- e\ei-\- sold on board, bur
uiifortiniately some of m\' men attempted to swim ashore. in so (h)in!i\
Orderly vSerij-eant William 11. McDonald was di-owned. While in our yawls
makiui;' our escape from the sinkini;' wreck, we were sidijected to a i;'allinL;'
fire of shot and siiell. .\s soon as the yawls reached tlie shore the men s(iui;ht
slielter in the neitildiorinii' woods. 1 eN])ressed my determination to i^ci to the
Switzerland, and two faitliful negroes rowed me to her.
.M \- onicers, soldiers and boatmen belnned with the utmost coolness and
t'Oiirag'e. There are some instances of heroic daiduL;' which deserve special
mention, .\mony these were (ieori^-e W. hindsey. tii'st nuistei-: Henry S. lU'own.
chief eni;iueer: .\ndrew .1. Dennis, pilot: T. W. L. Kitson. st"ersnian: (leoro-e
W. Andrews. i-ar|)enter. and Sanuud Weaver, euifineer. 'I'he two lattt^r yentle-
nien jiassed the \'icksbu]-y' batteiaes on a former occasion on board tlie (^neen
of tlie West. it is extrenudy dillicult to desiL;-nate individuals when all did so
nobly without doini>- injustice, but these men came nndei- mv nwu persdual ob-
servation, ami challeni;-ed m\ admiration bv their threat i^a 1 hint i\v.
1 am. Colonel, wvy i-espect f ul I V'.
.loii.N A. h]iJJ<:T,
Lieut. Col. Com'di;' l^ancaster.
As part of the history of this affair, we now rcpixKiiicc corre-
spoiHlciicc. (lis])at('hes and r('])orls. which Ncrv fully show its rchitioii
to other inox'cMiieiils. and the \iews of it taken l»y the scxcral eoni-
nianders eoneeriu'd. A(hiiii-al Portei- arrixed from the ^ a/oo. on the
very (hiy of this e\'ent, and at once adch'essed this eoniiniinication to
the commander of the Marine I)ri<^'ade:
U. S. Miss. S(punlron. ^'azoo Kiver. Mai'eh :::,. isd:;.
Brii/dilier iieinrnJ Hllcf. Coiii iiki ndir nf ]liti-'ine Miss. Sij iiiid i-<iit :
Central: -\\'ill von please tell me by what authoritv vnn sent the rams
Lancaster and Switzerland past the batteides at VicksburL;' in open day without
taking- an\ precaution to i^uard theii' hulls? One of these vessels has. in con-
(r('n< ral I'JIIct Aiisir<-rs a S/it/f/) Xofc. 20^
s('(|ii(Mic(\ liccn siinl<. ;imiI the (illicr da iii;ii;e(l t'\ti'iisi\ cl w which iniLi'lit \vv\ well
]ia\(' biH'ii fxpedrd iiikIit 1 he ci rcii iiist aiices. \u\\ will also iiirin-ni iiu' who
were 1h;' comma luit'i-s oT tiicsc m'sscIs and all thi' circiimst a iiccs at t ciidi iil;' this
iinl'i Hi II iiat (' a tfa ir.
\'tM-y ]"('s|)t'('tf iillw etc..
I>A\III I). roiJiKU.
Actiii"- Hear Admiral Mis.-. Siiiiadro)!.
To which (it'll. FJIcI proiuplly iiuuU' the foUowiuo- i'('i)]y. wliich
was somewhat a \)V'\\ in cxtciniation, for what was charged as want
of (]iie precaiitioiK in the hehited start of the hoats:
ir('ad(|iiartt'rs Mississippi Mai'iiu' P.rio-acle.
I'^lai^ship Aiilnci-al, Above N'icksliii |-^-. Marcli ;.'."). 186!].
/hiriil [). Porter. Aciiin/ I'cur \<lniiriil l//'vx/\x//;/// S(i mid roii :
Admiral: — In compliaiicc with \oiir inst 7-i:ctions I would respect full v re-
port tliat the Swit/eria lid and Lancasti'i- were sent past the l)a1terles of Vieks-
l)iirs>' liy ni\' orders this mornini;-. in consequence ol' recei\iiii^- an iiri^cnt request
from Admii'al l-'a ri-ai;ii1 for their assistance to aid him in keepiiit;- tlie river
open frc.m X'ickshurL;- to Port Hudson, and in destrovi iil;- the enemx's comnm-
nicatiim from llecl Kiscr: also foi- the piii'|iose of passini;- troops o\er the river
to Warrentoii. to aid in tlie destruction of the forniidaltle hatteries now- lieing"
const iMict;Ml at tliat point. The boats started before da\lit;lit. \i>\\ ha\e been
misinfonned of tlie passai;e bciiii;- made in ojien day. It is true tliaf in conse-
([iienee of till' injiir\- that the boats snstiiined. tliev did not i^vi jiasl before the
sun had risen, yet. if tlie\ had not been injured and obliL;-ed to float, they
would 1ia\(' made the passai^e before it was fiillv lii^lit. The bancaster. I re-
Ljrct to say. is a total loss. Iler boilei's were explode(l. and beiii"- a \er_\' i-ottMi
boat, she went to pieces and sank i mined iatel,\'. She was eommanded 1)\- biriit.
Colonel .biliii A. I*>llet. The Switzerland was eommanded b\ Colonel Ciiaiies
1;. |-;ilet in pei-son. who also commanded the expedition. She receixed a num-
ber of shots, and beiiiL;- a stronj^'cr boat, was not much injured. liei' boiler
was exploded by a pi 11 iiL;i iii;' shot. In other respects the daiiiai;e was not ma-
terial. She will be repaired in a Tew days, and is in a position where I trust
>he will be able to redeem whatever of mishap has attended the passa^'e of
the Nicksbui-L;- batteries.
\Cr.\ respectfully.
Al.I-RKIl \V. bl.l.Kl'.
I'rieadier (leiieral Conimandi iil;'.
The same may hi' said of (ion. Fdlct's report to the Sccreta.i'V of
\\ar. which folhiw^:
2o6
Ilixfori/ of the luiiii Fleet.
l''lji.L;>lii|) Autncrat. AhoNc ^■i(•l<sl)l^•,^■. Miii-cii :M. iMi:',.
Ilmi. /■;. 1/. Shiiil'Hi. Sccnl'irii nf War:
Sii-: I li;i\i' the luiiKir 1(i i-cport thai on \t'^1"r(la\ in ri'spcnsf to a i-('(|ncst
made l>y Admiral l''a rraL;iit for two rams to aid liini in maintaining;- possession
of 1lic Mississippi l!i\cr hctwccn \'i(d<sl)ni-i^' and i'm-t llndson, .ind to dcst i-o\
tile enem,\"s comnimiieatio]! from K'ed Uivcr. 1 oi'dered the S\\ it /.tria nd and
Lancaster, the latter in eoniniand of IJent. Colomd .lolin A. i-'llet. tli' formeT.
eoinmanileil hy Major .John Lawrence the expeditiini licini;- nnder the com-
mand of (dloiitd Charles K. [''Ilet. who was on the Sw it /.eida nd in peixm to
pass th-,' liatleries and Join Admir'al I'ai'rai^nt below. I rei;r(i to sa\- that
in the ]ii'rfoianance of this (n'der the Lancastei- was blown np. and totally (h-
stroved. by I he terrible tire from the enemy's batt"i-ies. 'I'lie Switzerland also
received a Hl-incii shell in liei' boiler, when opposit;' the c;'nt"r of the enemy's
line of defenses, totally disabling;- lier. She floated past and finally escap-d
withoiit ni(n-e serions in.jni^v. I ha\f now (m board a lari^e f<n'ce of nn'clia n ics.
wlio will have her repaired in a few days, aiiain read\" for (dtieient service.
I encdose a copv of the letter I'eceived from A(hniral h'a rrai^iit . which, taken
in connection with m,v own knowledi^c of t iie i^reat importance of the iiderest
involved, induced me to undertake tlie enterprise. I deem it proper in this
rep'oi't to call yonr es|)ecial attention to the "reat L;allantr\ displaced by the
(dVicers and men composini;- tlie crews of these vessels, undei- eirenmstane^'s
of the most immineni peril. When 1 ai-rivcd on board the Sw it /.erla nd. which
I did in company vvilh \^■. 1). <'i-andall. Assisttint Adjutant (uNicraL as s i
as I discovered she was disabled. I found pei-fect order pri'v a i 1 i ni^-. Althoui^li
the sliots wei-e still falliiiL;' fast, not a man showed the slightest trepidation,
and a pi-ond determi nat i(m was exjiressed never to lowci- tin> tattered |-eninant
of a i\i\'j.- yet ilyini;-. which had been I'lin np by their Coloiud's own hands in
re|)lv to the enemy's wild clamor, wlien they sn|ipose<l that his boat was de-
stroyed bv seeinii' the esca])e of steam. Of Lieut. Col. .lohn A. l':ilet. I niu>t
make special mention, who. aftei- saviui^- liis own crew fi'oni the sunken Lan-
caster, was pulled in an open yawl by two negroes, for a distance of near two
miles to olVer his assistance to the crew of tlu' disabled Swit/.erhi nd. I en-
close tlie sepai-ate report of Coloiud Charles K. h'.llet and Lieut. Colonel John
.\. I':ilet.
\'cry respect fidlv. your obedient servant.
.\i,|-ia;n AV. Im.i.kt.
(i('iH'r;il (iraiil in a dispatch to Ilallcrk. on ilu' inorninii' of the
•2M\)^ llins uu'ntions the attair: "Two ranis attempted to lun the
"l)l(>elva(h' this nioniini:'- One sncceeded. in a (hnnaifed eondition.
"'rinn' wefe intench'd to streni>then Fari'aifnt. . . ." A day or two
lalei' he rei)oi1ed more fidlx' to (Jen. llalkn-k: "On tlie moriiin;^" of
"(he -.'ral). (leneral Kllet sent two rams, the Swrrzi:i;i,A\n and Lax-
( 'iHii iiicnfs (if (innit. J'ortcf dinl I'd rr<i(/ iif. 2o~
"cASTi:!; to join Adiiiirnl I-'arramit. TIm' lir-l iinincd rain rccciNcd a
''shot in the hoilci'. lonii' lu'l'orc rcai-liini:- llic tVoni of llic v\\\ . She
"floalcd down liow ex ci'. i-ccci \ inii' nioi'c -'.nils. l»nl witlioiil nialcrialh'
"fnrllu'r disaUlinii' her. She will he ready for sciw ice hcfoi'c tonior-
"row" niiihl. and i> a line xc^cl. Ww oilier Uoal rcceixcd a shot a!id
"iiuniediately wcnl lo |)ieees. A larjic pari eontainini;' )lit' maehinei')'
'ti|)])ed o\('i'. spilliny it in the ri\"er. 'Idie wreck (loated down, and
"lodiicd at onr lower pickets, bottom ui). She was \'er\' rotten and
'"worthless. The shot receivi'd wonid not haxc injured a sonnd \'e---
"s(>l seriously. That is what .Vdniir.d I'^irrai^iil and army otHeers
"who hax'e exannned the wreck rei»ort lo me. Since no casualties oc-
■(•ui'red it was I'orlunate that -he is lost: for had -he not heen at llii-
"lime. she mii^hl ha\c lieeii at -ome other time, when more \'alual»lc
"'vossels niiii'lit ha\"e Ween risked, relyina' on hei' for assistance. It i>
''almost certain th.at had -he madi' one ram into anothei' \<'ssel. >ht^
"would ha\'e clo>ed up like a spy-i;iass encompassing' ;dl on hoard. . .
In his report of that date to Secretary ^^'elles. .Vdmii'al Porter in-
loses the lettei' frcun (Jen. l-'dlet. and says: "Durinu' my absence on
an e.\pe(|ition into the enemy's country, (ien. Kllel. at the re(|uest of
.Vdmii-al Fari'aiiul. -enl the rams Sw tizkim.ani) and Lancastf.k to
run the batteries at \'icksburi2'. 'Idle LAN(\s'ri:i; was sunk, and the
Sw rrzHiti-Axn disabled. riiese xcssels were iiot al all prepared for
so hazardous an ad\enture. nor at all suited foi' any ser\ice that will
'lake them an\- di-lance I'rom a machine shop."
I^'arraiiut thus writer to Porter, on the Awy of ihc alfaii-: ... "I
'"lune expresseil the de>ire to \'ou to haxc an ironclad, one at least.
''and two rams, to assi-i me in this mattei' |lhe blockadina' <»f Ked
''ri\ei'l aiul I now I'epeal it, so that when il becomes absolutely ne-
''cessarv for me to ^o down the i-ixcr to replenish my pro\'isions and
''resume my duties in command of the blockadinu' s(|uadrou. that I
''may do so without i'eopeniiif>- the lve(l ri\fr iraile. There is nothini:'
''below, or in Red rixci-. that could suceessfully compete with an iron-
"clad and two i-ams. (Jeneral Ellet called on me to know if I desired
'two of his rams, and I replied to him that I needed such \-essels. and
'Would l)e very nuich i:ratilie(l to ha\(' them, but would not interfere
'•with Admiral Porter. I undei'stood his boats to be a component pari
"of vour fleet. lie said all lu' desired was to know if 1 considered
2oH
II'/Hfoi-i/ of the U(i}}i Fleet.
"it to the l)i'iU'Ht oi" the countrv and of the eaiise. to have tlieiii hL'k)W
'•\'iekshura\ to which I fej^liech "Certainly." and he saitl that was
"ail he desired to know, and that lie shonld run two down in tlie ni_i>ht.
""I told him. idlhouah I was very anxious for the force I had asked oi
• yoii. and was ianorant of your relative i)()sitions. I feared lie was
"wronii' in doinu' so. althoiiiih it miaht he done with safety durinu" the
''dark'n/ss of the niii'ht. which lie said he would a\ail himself of. I
'diad made a.n arraniicinent with (General (Jrant. and more partic-
"ularly with Colonel Woods. 7<)tli ()liio A^)ls.. to convey a [)arty to
"•W'arrcnton. and co\-er theii- attack at that place, for the purpose of
•■hi-'akinii' up a casemaled liattery the enemy had huilt there, which
"I exi)edition I (ieneral Kllet i)r()[n)Si'(l that his rams could carry ovei',
'while wi' attacked (he batteries, when thev should arrive helow.
" \\\ these arranii'ements were made, the troops ready for emharka-
•lion, the night serene and beautiful, so much so that I sincerely
"hoped the (ieiieral would not think of sendine- hi^ \-essels down. And
"iu--l as I had come to that conclusion, ht'twecn half past li\e and six
"in the moiaiing. I heard the batteries open. I felt that all was lost,
''unless by the merest a<'cident. My fears \\-ere realized: tlie Lax-
'Na.stei; was totally desti'oyed; the S^\'^rzKl;^Axn had two shots in her
''l)oilers-()thei'wise not materially injured. My eiiaineer says her
"boilers can b(^ rei)aired in a week. Not a man killed: two or three
"unfortunate nei:roes were badly scalded, some of whom may die. It
"\\;!s a wonderful escape for the crew. I write this letter for two
■ pur[)oses — hrst. to exoiiei-ate myself from any charge of a disposition
"to interfere with your command, a.iid, second, with a li()])e to excuse
"(ieneral Ellet from any feeling to do that which he thought would
"be disagreeable to you: but. on the contrary, all who surrounded him
"at the time thought, and so expressed themselves, that it would be
'in accordance with your wishes if you were present. . . I deeply
"regret the rashness of (ien. I^^lk't in sending his boats i)ast the bat-
"teries in broad day light, as it alforded the enemy nothing luil target
"i)ractice ""
On the same day of wi-iting this letter in Kllet V dcd'ense the Ad-
mii-al wrote another to (irant. saying: "I have this moment received
"vour kind note. and. like yourself, deeply regi'et the failure (d' the
"rams to I'eacli me in order. I Idame mvself \('r\' much for not in-
Vrifjicf ( ' din iiK'iit hi/ 'I' ii'i) A(J III n-i'ls.
2U(^
>\^\\\\'ji (Ml (jcii. l^llcrs w.'Mliiii;' U>v ii (lai'k iiialit. ! \\;ts so iniicli
;ifr;iiil ol' tlicii' iiii|it'lii()-il \- l!i;il il dcpriNcd iiic ;)i' :.|(n'j) nil niiiiil.
l>ul I U('\('r for ;i iiKtiiii'iil sii|)|)()-(m1 that lie would (•(i:ii<' dnw n in ihc
day liiiu'. 'Idic S\\ rr/i;i;i,A nd is iiol iniicli iiiiiir.'d. My cniiiiu'iTS
inronn iiic she can Itc I'cpaii^'tl in toiir days. IhiI nid 'ss sIu' ir'oi's
l)('l()\v A\'arr('nl(in lo maUc Iut fc'pairs she will l>' IdockadcHl. so as to
lia\(' lo run il in the niiilil. as llic enemy is workinii' wry in<liist rions-
l\' to nionnl liea\\' ii'iin-- I lia\e slielle(j llieni llii'ee or tonr ii'M's.
\er\- liea\'ily. l)Ui with wry sliiilit ell'ecl. as they lie down untd we
ai'e linislied. and then p'l up and work indiisl rinnsly a<i'ain. My
isolated r)osilion reiidei'-- il neee-sary llial 1 -lioidd I).' Nci'y cai'd'Ml
of my ships, and ii'Miee I ^hall di-op down hrlow ihe town until I
know the result of vonr deiei'ininat ion on ihi' suhjeel oi' atlaekini;'
it. .My idea wa.s to haxc landi'd youi' men in the Switzkui.an!). and
eo\ered the landinii' with my sliip "
A letter from Porter lo l"'arrairi!l dated .March iM'., IS';;'), contains
this mention: . . . . ""I ha\c written the honoi'ahic Secrelarv, e.\-
'piainini;' how it was thai the ram L.\N( Asrri; was lost. She was a
"Mniseral)!!' conceiai. ;ind would not ha\'e heeii of the sliiiiitest us;" to
"you. all worn out. . . . (ieneral Kllet. with his new hriuade. also hi'-
'"loni:'-- to my connnaml. and I ha\"e bt'eii oc(ai|)ie(| all the morninii'
"with him. In relation to the Swrrzi:i:L.\Ni) kecj> hei' with you hut.
■■plea-e make the conmiander understand that she is midei' your com-
''maud, or he will lio olV on a cruise somewheix' hi'fore you know il.
"and then p't the ship in Iroiihle. She is a Ncry formidahle ship as
'"a ram. hut I would nexci' expect lo sec her aiiaiii if she not out of
"your sjehi. ^^'ith her and the A//>i/tr<iss you can d(d'y all the \es-
'"sels the rehels hasc. The ureal ohject is to cut oil' supplier. l^'or
■•thai reason I sent down ihe (Jikkn oi' tiik \A'f,st and I ndia nohi. I
"<»"ot them past the halleries without a hurt, as I wouM ha\e done
■'witli the L.\.\c.\srKi; and Sw rrzi:i!L.\.\i) had I hren there '"
The Sw rrzKKi.ANn. now on detached duly nnisl needs have her in-
slruclions. The follow inii' oi-ders were i'ecei\-ed liy her conunantler
on theii- tlates :
1'. S. M ississi |)|;i S(| ii:i(l Mill, ^';l/(l() I;i\ci'. Mnrcli ;i7. ISd:;.
i.iriil. Col. .hiliii 1. /•;//(■/. Cmirihi H'lni s iri I :<rlmiil :
Sii-:- >'oii will i-f|;(ii-1 \(iiirscir in Adiiiirnl l'':oT;e,' ut . niid iiiilil riii'tlicr
2 lO
II tstiiri/ of flic lidtii Fh'cf.
■irdci's. act iiiidei' liis coiiiiiiii iii I. As yon iiia\ not lie raitiiliar witli the lailes
<>r tlic iia\\. I lici'i'li\ iiifonn y<iii 1lial \(>ii iiuisl do iiolliiiiL;- no niatti'i- how
trifiini;- without an oi'di-i- oi- pi'i-ni ission of Admiral l'"a fi'aL;i;t . to whom \'on
will |:f('scnt t his oi-drr.
Ucspcct rnll\-. etc..
|)A\M) I). I'olMKl!.
Art i w'j: l.'ra r Ad mi I'a I.
V. S. Mississippi Scpiadron. Mari-li :.'s. Isc,:;.
Ijtui. fill, -hilin \. l-:il(l. Coni'ihi limn S ir i I zrrld ml :
Sir: W'limi \iiiii' xcsstd is reads' foi" service \(iu will proceed to Join
Admiral KarraLint. hnt lie particular that \h:' hatlerii's at W'arrcnton are
])asse(l in the niiiht wlnm the nmon is <lown.
I consider that the loss oT the Lanca'-ter was owini;' t<i propei- prccan-
tions not haxinii' been taken in this i-cspcct. and when the oIiJm-I in \ iew was
not properly cimsidered.
H' t h • Adnn ra I and Alliat ross have passed onl of slight, yon will mo\e do \ n
within ti\e miles of (irand (iidf. and pa^s that place at niLjiit. joiniiiL:' Admiral
J''arrajjiit at Ked i;i\er.
^ciii will comply with these instrnctions t(( the letter.
\'er\ l-cspect I nil \ . el c.,
D.win I). I'oiri i:i!.
'I'd tlic lallff (•(tiiiiiiuiiicnl inn llic ( "(Hiiiiiainlff of the ram. actiiili"
of cDiir-c upon llic aiUicc of tli<' (u'IkmmI. I'cplicMl as follows:
lli'ad(pia rl 'MS Mississippi Mai'inc I Ir iiiadc.
I'"lai;sliip Antocrat, March :.'s. isii:!.
Ihir'id I). I'fiiicr. Acliin/ h'ciir Admiral:
Adndral: ^'onr communication liearini;' dale March :.'s. i;i\inL;' me in-
strnctions Ml regard to my operations down the rixcr. has lieen received.
I immediateh retcri-ed them to llriij'. (Icn. Alfred W. i^llct, in accordance
with a L;-encral order c d' the command now in foi-ce. whicli I enclose.
N'ery i-espect fn I ly. your oheilient servant.
.lolI.N A. lOl.l.ITf,
IJeut. Col. ComM.-- Kam i'd.-ct.
The (iciH'i-a! had iiicaiiliiitc prepaftMl llic followino- insl ructions
foi- llic cruise of llic S\\ rr/i;i;i,AM). and with llicni Lt. Col. KUet lost
no lime in ijcH iiio- a way :
llcadipiarl "rs Mississippi Marine IJriLjailc.
l-"lai;shi|) Aidocrat. \Iai-ch :.>s. lS(i;!.
.lohi, 1. /■;//r/. /,/. Col, Cniirdf/ Sirilzrilinid :
Colonel: \'on will proceed on hoard the ram Swil/crland. now l,\ iiiL'"
helow the \' ickshiM'L;- halteries. and assmne command of that boat. \in\ will
77/r ('oni^'cf of AiifJior'/fi/ Uccoix-'thiL
21 r
liiiiTV ill.' wiM'k of i-c|>;i i r-iiiL;' 1 ln' huat iiuw proLircssi ml;-. ;iii(I when i-cadv foi-
duty, will rt'|:i)i-l to A(huii';il l'';i rr:iL;u1 . on t1;ii;slii |i I l;i rt !'< ird. niid diii'iiiL;- vmir
:'t;i\' hiddw \"i(d<sl>urL;' will i-cccivc (irdcrs from liiiii and co-oiicral r to tlio
hi-st of \c)iii- ai)ili1v 1o allaiii ll Iijcd foi- wliii-li sour hoal was sciil past
I 111' hatt'Tics. wliicli was to dcst |-o\ tilc I'lu'iny's couiiii ii idea t ioii with ijed
i;i\('l' and cut olT his supplies and keep possession of the |-i\cr Ix'twecn \'icks-
Iiiii-l;- and I'ort Hudson. ^'on will institnt,' a most i-iL;oi-ous discipline. Ueep-
ini;- at all times. Iioth dav and nii;ht, a competent and elllcient watch to a\oid
hcini;' surprised. Voii will in all cases endea\or to tind such a place for iyiuL;'
up that an enemy can not approach your boaf without passini;' 1hrouL;h iWi'\^
watei'. and ne\ei' on any accouni permit your steam to ijct so low tliat your
Uoat can iiot lie handled. In all other matters you iniisl use xoiir own L;(iod
judL;nit nt and I lia\e full eonlidence to heliexe that I shall hear a Linod ac-
count of \-ou.
\ cry respect f II 1 1\'. etc..
Al.lULU \V. V.\.\.\'A\
I'.rii;'. Ceil. ComMi:- W. M. I'.ri-ade.
I lie fiirilicr f(ii-rcsii()ii(l<'nci' hi'twceii (iciu'ral Kllct mid .Vdiiiifal
rui'lcr. ii'ix'cii lii'low. indicates the lallci'V piii'] losc of \isitiiii;' his
wfadi upon the Lieut. Colonel, who was. howevcf. already Icyond his
!nnnediMt<' reach. l''foni (he peactd'nl lerniinalion of the "conllict."
which lu're reached its clinia.x. and there heina' n«> altenipt on the Ad-
hiiralV part tVoni that time on. to deal with either pari of the (ien-
eralV connnand. except throiiizh him. in tlie reiiiilar way. it may he
iirl"erre(| (althouuh there are no writing's e.xttuit to show the fact)
thai such examinations into the (ienerars authority, and the correct
army and na\y usap's. in the transmittal of orders to snhordinates.
were Li'one into li\' the two. at the intervieAV inxited 1»\' the Admiral,
as lo lead l)(»tli to make such concessions, as woidtl he necessary, in the
peculiar situation in which they found themsehes. And it is a'l'cat-
ly t(> the credit of these two hra\('. and patriotic men. that from lluit
lime forward their relations were harmonious and peaccd'id. if not
always corditil.
Here follows the correspondence which closes the suhject:
V. S. Mississippi S(piadroii, ^a/oo i;i\er. Marcli .'!1, ISii:;.
Urii/. (1(11. \. 11'. i:ilii. ('oiH'ihi Murine lirif/inlc. IZ/.v-v. Sijinnl run :
(ieneral: I have received a comniiinicat ion from Lieut. Col. .loliii A.
]']||et in relation to certain instruct ions \ <^ave iiim about his operations down
till" Mississippi llivcr. It appears lliat his coniiii uiiicat ion was foi-\varded To
Ilistori/ of tin- h'tini Fleet.
WW l)\ \(iii. which 1 consider (I isrcs])cct I'm I. I h;i\c oniei-cd 1 he ;in-cst of Lieut.
Col. .Idhii A. I']llct. ;in(l sliall lia\c liiiii Iricd In coiirl -ina rt ia I.
. It should l)f l<iio\\n 1o ,\(iii Ihat any oi-dcr I i;i\c to an\- vessel of the
.Nfariiie llriyade should lie |ii-oni|:tly ohes'cd. I do not T-ecoi|in/.e \dur autiiority
to !ii\(' any oi-ders relatini^' to the iiianai;'enien1 of the IJam I'Meet or- the P.rii,'--
ade. without ovders from inc. 'I'he answer to ni\- coin ni n n icat ion liy IJent.
(dl. .iohii A. lOllet is e\i(len1l\- an atteni|t to diM-ci^ard ni\- autlioritw and T
shall meet it. as I do all t-ascs o1' insidioi'dinat ion. \\ i1 h that pi'omjitnes.s
necessarx' 1o keep ii|i |iiM|iei' discipline.
1 shoiilil like to see yoni- answer ti> Lient. Col. .iohn A. i^llet.
\'ei'y I'cspectf nl \\ .
David I). I'oktki;.
Actini.;' Kear Adinli-al ('oiiiMl;' Miss. Sipiadi'oii.
llead(pia I'ti'i's Mississippi Mafiiie J'.i'iLiade.
h'layship Aiitocral, OtT ^■ounL;■"s I'oint. .\|iril 1. isd:;.
Aetina I'ear Aihiiiral Ihirid I). I'orfer. Miss. Sq ikkI lan :- -
Admiral: I ha\e the honor 1o acki.ow le(li;'e the reeei|)t of yoiiT conimiiin
cation of the illst of March. intonniiiL;' me Ihat von had ordei'ed the arrest
of one of my otlicers. Lient. ('ol. .John A. Kllet. tor oiicdicnce to \r\\' orders,
i'ei-mil nie to sa\-. .\dmiral. that I ;issnme all tin' responsibility attaching' to
Lieut, (dl. l*"Jlet"s course, wlio acted iindei- a i;'enei-al ordei- emanatini;' fron
these head(piaitei-s 1o the ett'ect thai no olVuvr ol' the Mai-ine Ili-i<^ade should
nioxe a \ess(d of this command, wilhont firs1 olilainini:- the sanction of the
i;-enei-al comma ndi iii;-. or in his absence Hie hii;hes1 ollicer present. IVfmit
me further to state, that while I retain c(unmaiid of 1 he lirii^aih'. no sukor-
diiiate olTicer will lie jiernntt'.'d to execut,' any order iiol t I'a iism it I .-d Ihrouyli
the proper :nilitar\ cliannek
Very resjiectf ully, your obedient sei-\ant,
Alfhkii \V. Ijj.et,
r>rii^-. (len. Com'di;- M. M. r.rii;ade.
r. S. .Mississippi Squadron. April 2, IS(i:!.
i;j-i</. (irii. .1. ir. I-Jlht. ('(>iir<l(i M. M. Urinin/r. ]liss. S(iiiiiilniii : ■
Sir:- Will you please come on lioard the tlaL;shi p'.' I wish to confer
witii \'(IU.
Ver\' respectf nilw your obedienl sei-\anl.
|).V\lll I). i'oltlEK.
.XctiuL;- iiear Admiral Com'dL;- .Miss. S(piadron.
A few extracts from (lisj)atcli('s ol' tlic |)i'ri(»(l. on the rchi'l side,
will (•oin})k'te the storv of this famous ram exploiL in which faihire
and snecess were so evenly l)ahinee(h and will oInc us a iiiim[)se of
the douiiht\' old Sw iTZi;i;i-.\M). under Lit'ul. Col. dolin A. Kllet. her
1 ]l(_' (rcncnil (iiid II iir Sccrcfa ri
213
fiilin'c coiiiiiiMiitlcr. |)iisliiiia' oil tldwu llic ri\('r. for w Ioiil;- and siic-
ci'.-sl'ul cruise with Admiral r'arraii'iil.
<r(ii('r(il ]\'iiihrr1nii at ./<icl,'s(>n to Cooper. liich nnoiil . S'ti.. (I'-'dh): —
■■Stc\ t'lisDii semis 1 lie t'lilii i\\ ini^- I t'li'L!i-;i 111 tliis a. in.: ■l'\iii|- l;ii ii-linat s i-aiiic
III 1 111' liii'ii a1 sunrise. Two attenipled ti) pass. ()iie was snnk wit'i aM (.n
lioai'd. The ulliei' lies al llic nidiith (if canal. a|)pa r.'ii 1 1 \ <lisal)le(l.'" I'l'wn
(la\s latei' he adds this i n l'( nanal i( m | : ■■'I'he i^nii-lxial ^■ind< hy us was tiie
l.aneast;'!- ; tliat which passed dowii was \h:- Monitdr. (?) Hie latt.'i- a lutal
\\ reek."
I'cmhriion III CiinliKr. I'nrI II lo/son (:;ist): "The w i-eck of Hie ircinelad
Lancaster is IhiatiiiL;- down the i-i\ei-. Keep a shai-p locikdt fur it, and if
|i(issilile 1i)W it a^h<i|-e. and sa\e L;iins and eni;ine.""
H()ir<n III (Iniiiil (liiif In I'r in hrrtnii . (April :J ) : ••Th- llartf(i|-d. Albatross
and Switzerland passed down hv here at s : I ."j last e\ en i iil;'.""
Not r('c('i\ iiio- (he ciisloiiiary ackiiow Icdiii'iiiciil of i-cci'ipl of his
I'cpoii to the War olli<-('. (Jen. Ellct (wliilc ciiroiitc for tin' rciiiicsscc
ri\('r >(i()!i after) sent this dispatch tVoiii X'airo:
i^'laLj'ship. Otf Cairo. April Id. ISiili.
Iloii. K. M. Slunlnii : —
Sir: 1 ha\f the honor to n-port that tlu' ram Switzerland passed th -
W'arrenton hatts-ries on the iniiht of the :'.i)th |:i:)th| of Mar-ch and Joined Ad-
nnral l''arraL;ut below. She was thoronehly repaired and in Ljiiod conditio;:.
The i>aneaster was the poorest boat in the iiani I'deet and was \cr\ rott'.i,
I trust that it will not he reiiarded as a reckless adventurv sending;' thes;^ l)nats
past th;' \'ieksl)iirL;- batteries when it is T'emem bel'ed that they w e|-e til" I) st
that I could command, and the L;reat impcu'tance to the countiy. if the passai;'
was sueeessfuli\' made, be considered. 'Idle foi'ce iiiidei' Adiriral l'"ariaL;i t in
ni\- judyiiieiil. was \<'v\ inadtMpiate I'or tin' diit\ he had to perform and I fe I
satislied (d' iii\- success in L;-ettiiiL;' one boat throiiuh to his support. Tie.'
Switzerland is now comnianded by LieuT. ('oloiitd .lohii .\. I'"llet and I -hall
confidently' expect to hear a L;'ood accoiiiiT from her should she iii.'i t the em ni\'.
I am ordered up 'I'eiiiiessee i;i\er with my entire comniand. Will proe cd im-
mediatelv upon takiiii;' some supplies.
Ai.i'itKii W. I'j.i.irr.
The following rcsiioiisc from .Mr. Stanton. rcNcalcd the fact that
while i-('|)()rts had hccii plcntifiil at the \a\v department, none wliat-
i'\-ei' had heen reeei\-ed ffom the rain Meet, at the \\'ai-olliee:
214
ll'tstori/ iif the lidiit il( cf.
Wasliiii^lun. I). ('.. April i:!. ISC.:;.
/.'/■/■</. r,T//. i:\\i\. h'liin llrrt : —
Sii-: \i)\\r (lisp;ilcli in |-cl;itiiMi to the S\\ il /iM-liiiul iiinl i.;i iic;i - 1 r li:is
itih-IumI t Ii is 1 )r| a r\ iiu'iil .
An iin| iTssion has hern iTfati'd tlial llir loss of the l,a iicasi fi- was dc-
casiiinoil liv Minii' disc .Ixm I icncf, ny nciil iycnct' n\' ni'dcrs. im vonr part, all hi iiii;-ii
1 ill! not cntiM-tain an\ snch opinion. Il wonid he well I'of \imi to make a
(Iclailfd ollicial n'|:oi't ( d' tht' ci rcninst a ncrs and ordiTs under wliicii you un-
dt'rli.oU l{i pass the NickslinrL;' liaTlfrics in order that tie' l)epartnien! nia\ ho
in ri md it i(Mi to do yon Jnst iee.
I'jiWI.N M. SlANloX.
See:-etai-\ of War.
I iiiUK'dinlt'l V lln' ( iciicfal'-- rcsiion-c. follow iiio-. \\a^ st'iil with llic
accoiupaiiviiii:' paix-fs. Tliis reply was n ma-tcily |M-('s('iilat ion of
ihc (leiU'ralV side of the cnse whieh il was cvidciil was hriiiii' uiadi'
aiiaiiist him. \\\\{ iiiipal iciil of ihc inaiTs delay, the (JiMicral added a
l<'K'iirai)lii(' rcpoil. prcsciiliiii;- ihc iiiallcr in ^lill clcaiTf and more
(•on\ incinii" form, as <>i\(Mi hclow :
i'dau-ship Antoei-at. April i:;, ls(i:i, .-,:•.'.-, |'. M.
II Oil. /;. I/. Shi II Ion, srcn liirii of War: —
I iia\e the honor to aeknow ledu*' tli(^ Teeei|)t of your disp.ateli of this date.
A delaiied report ( d' the los.-. of the I .a nea- 1 m'. on the niorniiiL;- id' the :.'5th
inst.. |id1inio| liid'or-e N' iekshu rsi', was sent to you 1)\ mail the I'ldlowinL;' day.
toLieiher with a eo])y ol' 1 'ne letl m' f)-oni Adndial Ka rraL;iil . askiiiL;- the aiil of
Iwii rams and one ironcdad unn-lioat. Adnni'al roiMrr was ali-ent. ('apt.
W'aike would not take the responsi oi I it \ to respond. Xot \ et haxiiii;- ri'porteil
to Admiral I'orter. and e(me(d\ini;- the ease lo be one of nrti'ent iiet-essify. T
otfei'ed to take the responsi hi I it \. and send the Lancaster and Swit /eria nd.
Admiral I'a i-raL; id yladix aeee|led the otVer. and the lioa I s went. I do not
conceive that I acted ai;ainst orders, not haviuL;' yet reeid\ed any oi'ders fi'oni
an\liod\. e\eept those emanating;' direct from your Uepartment. to report to
Achniral I'orter f<ir duts a^ -oon as ihe brii^ade was formed. If in\- acts
met t witli \oni' approval 1 sliall little rci^ard any tdVorts id' otluM's to misre])-
resent me. I will forward \on immediatelv duplicate copies of m\ report,
and Admiral Ka rrai; ut "s hltrr. iiy mail.
\'e|-y respect fully.
Ai ii!i:i> W. l'"i.iKr.
r>riL;adier (icnci'al ( ommandini;'.
(rcncriil I'.lhf in ('(ii>f"ni /'>r()iilrs.
2/^
1 li',-iili| ii;i il ■ rs Mississippi Miirinr I '>|-iL;:i(li'.
I'"lai!sliip \iit(KM-:il. Ciiiro. III.. April i:;. 1 ^C,?,.
lion, l-.'ilirin 1/. Shiiihui. Sicnhiiii of W'ur:
Sir: III ;icc(iril;i iK-c with v • i iisl riicl i( jus rrcci \ ci I imhiN liy 1 1'h'i,' r.i ph.
I |ia\c iIh' Ikhm.i- (if foi-w :ii-(liiii:' \iiii (I iipl ira I r cupirs (if iii\ |-c| iirl i-r^a rd i ni;-
lh(. loss (if the I,;uic:is1;t (.pposilr N'icksliiiri,''. ihi llic iiiijhl <<\' \\\>- :.'.".1li ol'
March lasl : aiul also all liic (■( ir rrs|i()ii(lriicr 1hal passrd lidwrin AdiiiiiMls
l'"arraL;ii( anil I'drlcr. (apt. Walkc ami iii\M'ir. Iia\iiii;' ri'rirciiiM- to that cM'iit:
also iiiv Ictt'i- oT iiist met ion to ( ol. ( harlcs i;. [''.Ilrt. prc\ioi:s to his slartiii^'
on till" ("\|ic(litioii. I taU.' the lilicrtv of addiiiL; llifsc papers in justice to my-
self. ;iii(l tlie brave iiicii who iiiMlcrlook to pcrrorni this pci-ilons enterprise,
nndci' the iinprc-sion thai t lic> wire doiii^ saliialilc sersice for their country,
and were i^oiiie- to re-inrorce a l;ciici-oiis and izallaiit olViei r. in a da iiL'croiis
.s i t n a t ion.
\'cry respect I'ldlv . your olicdicnt servant.
Ai.i]:i:i) W. I'".i.i.i;i',
I '.ritiadici- (Icncral ( din ina nd i iii,''.
Ample tiiiif serins to linvc Ir.Tii (nkcii lo |-('\ lew . iiinl I'lillv iii(|iiir('
into the siilijccl. Ill llu' W-Av (illicc. ;is no rmilicr (•(iiiiiiiiinicat ion I'c-
Jiiliii2 l<» il iippciii's in (he |»nl)ii>li<'(l records. I'xii of (hilc nlxuil ;i
iiioiitli hittcf. ;i()|»('ars iIk" followina- lellcf and inclo-n i-,', iVoni ( icn.
l^llcl to ('a|ilain lirooks. wliich afc of inlcrcsl. a> fidly i'c\ calini!- llic
inside facts, and llic feelings nf ihc (icncfal lnins:'|f, |o\\ard tlio-c
concci'iicd :
lleaiiipia rt 'i-s .Mississippi Marine I'.riLiaile.
[•"la^ship Aiit(M-rat. Moniid ( i1.\. \la\ i::. lM;:i.
i'iijiliiui .linii<\ ('. /.'; oo/.-.v. Awisluiil (hid rl ciiiidsl <r :
l)ear Sir: I iindosc \oii the ininiit-s of tic ci reii in- 1 i nccs. correspond-
ence, etc.. connected with the loss of the Lancastrr. I i'erl now that it is
necessary that I sIhjiiIiI rei'ii\c some expression of opinion from the Hepart-
mciil rcspectiiiLi- that niatt'r. I shall lie i^lad if .\oii press tic case upon the
attcntiiMi (d' the Secretary ( d' War. If In- is displca-cd with me. and says I
ha\c done w roiiii'. I would I'ctd olilii;ed if Ic wnnld r'nio\c ine from the coiii-
inaiid. and let some one who could hett r iind rstand t lie ihtics. lake my
place. .\s I now stand I can not tidl what \ ■ do. I would not i iit 'lit ioiia I ly
act aiiain-t Mr. StantonVs wi.-lns. ;ind I c;iii -it i;o orders cr aiUiee fi-oiii him.
I ha\e another mattr that I iri\' |r Mmt-d so ot'tai to the Department
that I am alino-t ashamed to iic et ion il, that causes me a t;reai deal <d'
tj-onhlc. It is 1,] know In.w to pencil iin-l rs. |ilols. eiiuincers. ct ■•.. nun
Aviio arc not mnstered as soldiers, aid yi t are in the (io\cr ent ser\ ic ■.
Admiral rorter tried one case by t'l- iiaxal process, anil found that notwitli-
2l6
Jf/sfofi/ of fill' lutiii Fleet.
st ;i ikIIiil;' all the riiai'ufs wt'i'e sustained, and the man priixcd L;iiil1y. "xit (iv\-
ini;- to llie i n'ei;ida rit y uf n\w c h'l;;! inzat i(.n he ciinld not he e<>n\ icted."" a, d \\ i<
tJiei-crdi-f set f|-ee. Aniitliei- ease: I snninioned a conrt-inarl ia I. and Ih-
e(iiii-t decided "tliat the man was not a eomnnssioned. non-eomnnssioned ofti-
eei-. nor |!i-i\ate. t liiTefore was not snbjeel to ann,\- |-ei;-ulat ions, and fnrther.
thai tlie\ eonid no1 try eases of offenses aL;aiiist na\_\' rei;ida1 ions." I wish
fill- \(>ii to ohiain. from the Adjntant (ienei-al. s((me ad\iee for me u|,on tiiif^
sid)jeel. that I may i4()\t'iai m\ aetioii in siieh eases upon.
\'ei'\' I'espeet f id I \ . \iiMr ohedient ser\an1.
Al.KItKl) W. Va.\.va\
Ih'iiiadier (leneral.
|\()TE:^rhe snl)jec't of the latter jjurt of above letter i-- fully
li-ealed of in the last chai)ter of this History.]
{ MciiKinind II in iiichiscil in tlic Irllcr).
W'f ari'ived al)o\e \'iel<slMii'L;' on the L'L'nd of March. 1 immediately Itani ''"i
that Admir'al harraynt was helow N'ieUshi! ri|-. anil in communication witli
('apt. \\'aH<e. wIki. in tiic absence of I'ortrr. was coniiiia ndiiiL;- the L;nn-l>oats.
1 learned, not ollicially. that h'arraijid had made ap|)lication lo I'oi'tcr i'm"
assistance to hold the ri\er. I aj)plicd to ('aptuin \\'ali<e for information, who
declincil to answer m \' comni n n icat ion. 'I he second day I recci\cd a comm -
ideation from Ka rrai; iit. desiriiii^' to see me. I \isit:'il him on hoard the lla t-
I'ord. three miles h(dow W'arrenton. I walkccl all Ihe wax iiearix' eh\
miles. lie expressed a i;i'eat desire for r( -i nf orcemcnt of two I'ams and o ; '
iroiudad. and L;a\e me his nvpiest in writiiiL;'. I promised to seiiil the rams
that iiiiiht. One (the tirsl) object that harraijut had in \iew. was to destroy'
the eiiem\"s woi-ks at Wa rrent on. .My rams, if tlr,'_\' L;dt clown, were t" ferry
troops o\cr the i'i\i'r for that purpose, under the protection of the llai'tford's
i;-iins. I left the llai'tfcn-d about :.' o'clock and harried back. lOvery arranL;e-
incnl was pnslied as fast as was possible, to |ii-epare tlie lioats as w (d I as could
be. with the means at hand, and the limited time. I notihed ('a])taiii Walk'e
of the .\dmirars recpiest. and ni,\- intention to comply, and recpiested liis co-
operation, whicdi he declined to L;i\('. 'Ihe boats started: ,\dn k'now the re-
sult. To me it was not urn xpected. 1 was willini;- to lose one Ixjat. to s^'et
the other tiiroiiL;h to tiic Admirars siippm-t. I considered his pcisition so
perilous. I'pon m.v return to tlie upper tieet I'orter had arrived. He wror -
me an insultiiii^- letter, deina iid i iil;- 1o know by whose anthorits the boats wcie
sent down ;ind sacrificed, stalini;' what was not true, that their loss was in
coiise(pience of the passai^'e bciiiL;- atlem|ited in broad daylii;ht. I answ(-red
the Utter with a full report, correcting;- the erroneous impression of fhe pa--
sayes bciii"- made in davliijlit. and "iviiiL;' the reascms Utv llie whole t ra iisact i( ui.
'fjic Sfoini Oil ffir .]f '/.s.sissi ppj
217
'I lir S\\ it/iTl;iii(l \\:is rcpaii-cd in t lii-cr (lavs, and passed dciw 11 t lie |-i\tM',
under eoiiiiiiand (if IJeiil. (Ol. ICIIet. in eoinpanN w i1 li Admiral l-'arras'nt.
]>ieiit. ('()!. J<]llet reeeixed his (irdei-s before stai'tini;- l'ri)in me. Admiral I'orter
w'l-ote me a \vv\ sliar|> le11:'|-, den\ini^- m\" rii.;lit lo i;i\(' orders lo m \- subor-
dinale olTieers \\illi<ni1 reeei\in,u- lliem from him. and informed me that h^
had oi-dered tlie arresl of Lient. Col. I'^llet. and woidd 1 rv him b\ eonrt-mart ia 1
for disresjieet. whieli he has not ilone. I made a full, detailed report of tie
passaL;<' of the batteries, and lhe loss of the l.aneaster. and mailed it on tlie
AdniiraTs flai^ship. I'daek Hawk', on tlie :2sth of .March. On (he i:;th of .\pril
1 received a dispatcli fi'om I lie Secret;u\v of \A'ar, informing me that no rei)ort
of that transaction had been received from me. and that m \' reputation ha I
sutfere<l from unsrcpresent at ion. I at (Uice mailed dnplicale copies of my
foi'mer repoi't. wifli lettei-s and cori'espondenee. with both Adnurals and
W'alke. coiineeted witli the 1 I'a nsact ion. to tlie I )epai't nient . and had the pac!\-
ai^c placed in the |iost otViee at ( 'a i ro. 111., on the excnini^- of the lilth of April.
1 iiaxe not lieard one woi-d from tlie l)e|)artment. cither in a|ipro\al or con-
demnation, of the matter. I am scry desirous to l<no\\ how this affair of the
h)ss of file Lancaster is i-cijardcd li\- the ])e])art meiit. If I lia\e done wron:;-
or cNceeiled what was my anthoritx', .1 should be relie\cd at oiice from this
command, and if my action has been pro])er. it is but fail' tdiat I should ha\o
some expression to that elTect.
^'ours very respectfully.
.\l.iKi:ii W. I^I.I.KT.
r.rii.;adier ( lenera 1.
< )ii llic iiioht of ihc -jsili. (liii-iiio- the lic;i\y sidnii llini prnNcd Ncry
MAiTc to al! llic slt'ain lioats and sliipi)iiio- in tlie \i(Miiit\-. the City
of \'ick's|)iiro' wliicli tli;' (^i i:t:x liad attcinplcd to dcsiroy. two Mioiiths
ht'fof*'. iiii(l''r llic liinis of the ri\('r batteries. l)rol<(" loose iVoiii her
iiiooriiias at the wliarl". tiiid lloatcil down strctiiii. Tli" few iiicn
alioanl. utterly iiiiaMe to liaiidle her. ithandoiied her and iiijidc their
e-^(•a|l". lea\iiiii- her to fall into Admiral Fari'aii-iit 's htiiids next niorn-
inii' as a prize. I>iit on sendinif ;; hDa.rdiiii;- pariy lo e.xaiiiine Ir'r. it
A\as found that hei- inaehin;'ry had hcen reinoxcd. A\diile th;' Admiral
was as yet undecided what to do witli her. the rchcls sen! a party down
in the nio-jit (:i()th ) and Imrncd her.
At this time occnrred the death of Lieutenant dames Koliarts. a
nephew of (ien. Fdlet. from typhoid jiiictimonia. lie wa.s a son of
the Chi(d' Siiri;-eon of the (Icet. and was a yoiini;- man (d' line (|iial-
ities and areiit promise, lie was chosen hy his uncle (the senior Col.
Ellet) to he his clerk and amanuensis, and later volunteered to assist
2l8
Ilisforij of the Uiini, Fleet.
the lUigiiuH'i's of the Qi i;i;x on the occasion of her u'oiiia' down nnder
the hre of the batteries to attack the "Arkansas."' For liis hraverv on
that, and other snhsefpient occasions, he had recently receixcd a [.lieu-
tenant's connnission. r)nt the hardsliips and unusual strain upon his
liealth wei'e too ui-eat. and facilities for care and comfort of patients
limited, and durini:- a tempoi-arv absence of his father. Chief Sur^-eon
liobarts. the braxc younif otHcer succumbed to the rava<>"es of this dis-
ease. His remains were forwarded Xoi'th. April 1, and sent for in-
terment, to the family, at Carbondale. 111. He was a favorite among
Heet crews and sohliers, and liis death saddened manv hearts.
CHAPTER VI
April-June, 1863
Siritzfrhind With llic (iiilf S(iH<i(lrnii . - siciics of \icl:s])iir(/ diid I'orl Uiidsoii.
-DcxI iiictitiii iif h'llirl (^hiccii and Other lloiits uit (iiiiiiit L<ihc. I'lilt of
\ icksliii r() and I'ort II intson .- The Siithciiii iid-l-'cr(/uxoii ('orrcsiiondciicc.
Thr (Jiic.'<t ion of I'diii I'Icct I )isci /ili iic. — J'rizc Moiii'ij Aifiirdcd the Ram
Fleet.
The as>ii;iiiii('iit of Col. Charles RInci's Kllct lo tlu coinniaiKl of
the infantry rcu'iiiicnl of the Ahirine Urii^'adc (now cnroutc foi' the
Tennessee) and the departnre of the S\\ itzerland, nnder Lt. CoL
John A. Pallet, to serve with Farraa'ut below, toii'cther with the de-
lachino- of one or two other rams foi- s[)t'eial duty, at the behest of Ad-
miral Porter, practically ended the service of the rani fleet, as a dis-
tinct connnjuid. and here its history, as such, mi^-ht close. But, as
the ensuing three month's operations of the Swrrzi:i!i,ANi) were remote
frouj those of the I>riiiade. whose history from this time forward will
include the doinu's of the other rams, we will aj)pend the best account
attainable of the ser\ ice she rendered in the months interx'einnii'. until
the capture of X^ick'sburi;: brou«j,"hf Ellet's entii'e connnand once more
together.
At this time | April. 1<S():)| liauks' army was pressing northward
with Alexandria as the ol)jecti\-e point, while Taylor was doing
his best in his department on the river, with Alexandria as head-
quarters, to retard Uaidvs" progress, and at the same time keep such
boats as he had. in Red river and other waters, operating to prevent
communication, and hinder navigation by the Fedei-al vessels. The
"Queen" and the •A\'ebb."' aided by several cotton-clad, light draft
boats, loaded with sharpshootei's. made (piite a foi'midable showing.
22()
ll'/slori/ of llic li'diii l''li( I.
Ill (r!i('iii;Ll' r('|i<)i'ls ;ni<l (lis|)!ilcli('S lo k'l'c]) in (diicli willi our iniii. we
sIimII lr;iiii (tf llii' \\\\v (if llic "(^hli'cii."" \\li(i-c |H-()\\('>> li.ld \\i)ll ;1
\\ olli I \\ K |r I ;i lllc :
1 11 ;i (li piilcli Id I I;i llrck. ( li'ii. I'miiks, on .\l;ircli -J I . :-;ii(l : "(Icn.
''W'cil/i'l infor ■ lliiil llii' ""(^'nccn of iIh' WC I"' iind llic •■WCIi'i""
'';irc;i( r>iill(';i l;i k'osc. onllic A I el i;i I'll I ;i viK ;i nd 1 1 ire 1 1 1'n 1 nij' ;i n ;i ( I Mck
"n|ion lii> jiosil mn."
(icnciMl Mel 'hereon, wlio w.'is well lo llic IVoiil of (ii;iiirs llicn
IicimImi.'j nio\ciii('iil. infonns Ins ("liicf, in ;i (li-.|i;ilc|i (hilcd Apnl I.
Ili;il he Ii:i , k'.irniMl llnil llic ■■(^)iiitii of llic ^^'c-^" is ii|) lied vwrv willi
(he ■•\\'cl>ir" ;iddiiii:- ;il:-o. lliis in lorin;! I ion. wliicli llnil i:;ill:iii( liiil
soiiicw li;il i^iillililc olliccr. iiiiisl li:i\c ;ic(|iiircd I'lii llic "ar.i |)c\ iiic
1 nil'."" niiicli III Use in I hose dii\s : "Tlic liidiiiinild li;isl»'cii raised \\)\
""llic i'el»els. of coiirsc| :iiid llic i;iiiis hikcii oil ;iiid sciil lo A lc\;i lid ri;i .
'■;ilid llie l)o;il l;ikcii ii|i llic \'>\v: r>l;ick. iilioiil ;i d;iv lid'ore Adiiiii';il
"■ I'';irr;iii'ii( "s :iiti\:iI. Iicr liiill (diii|i;i i-;il i \ el v iininjiired, llioiii^h licr up
"|)cr works were Idowii oil li\ llie e\ | ilo-^ioii."" W'c sinill le;irii I'liiilicr
on liow lillle Inilli llici'c \\;is in lliis rcpoii.
Hn Ills w ;i V down Adniir;il l'';i iT;ii;'iil sends ;i coininimicnl ion lo
(icii. I>;inks, Willi whom lie is co o|ter;il mi;' in llic ino\ciiieiil ihcii in
|)roe|'css. ii|i llic wcsl side (d' (he M ississi 1 1| >i . from which llic follow
iiiif e\lr;icl is liikcii. Il coiixcys ;i mild crilicism iipoii ( icii. I'dlcl
I who. ;is I he rcjiiler h;is ;i Irciid \' seen, w ;is in no w i^c I o lil;i iik | for the
dclnv ill (he sinri of llic rams, and also repeals ihe remark alioiil llic
I'raillv (d' Ihe I i \ ncas i'i;i;. The Iriilli of llie mailer was llial while ihc
I i \ \(' AS ria; had an old hull, she had i^dod engines, sal like a duck in
llic water, and was holh ma naifcahlc and ilci'l. She was si rcni^l liciieij
\)\ liiiihcrs (he same as llie oilier hoals. and had she cNcr siriick an
ciiciin' !i lair Mow. would Iuinc done cxcciilion e(|iial to aii\ other ram
of her si/.e. ami it would have heeii the ciicinv and not the l>aiicas|er
thai would lia\«' ■■|clcs<'ope(|." Ihit with a ureal hole torn in her hull
!i( the water line she rapidly Idled and went down. The Admiral'-
closiiii:' remark will hriiiu' a smile lo excry siir\i\or <d' the 11 'ct who
remcmhers (he \ oracioiis deiiiands (d' the Sw iiy,ia;i. \ \i) lor "luore
I'lllshuri:- coal."
S i('it:c<rl(in(l II ilh J''(ii-r(i</iil (Jiiccn / )csl roi/cd . 221
V. S. Slc;iiiislii|, Ihicl l(,[-.l. April (i. isc,:;.
UiiKidl \ . I'. I'.iUikK : -
l)(iii- Sir-: li:ii| \\\i\ iiku-c oI' my m'sscIs piisscil (I'oit llndsoii) I would
iiol li;i\c IkmI III :i|i|il\ In Ad in i i-;i I \'uv\rv Tor addilioiiiil \csscls io hlocksidc
lied IJiscf. As il is I li;i\i- omIv mir |-;nii. t lir Swit /crla iid. and mi\- IDi-cc hi--
\\\\X so \<'i'v small s\i' an- ci mi pel Ird Io keep I oL;ct her. hiil I liopi' il will not,
lie loii^- hcfoiT we hear of I lie iippci- llccl. 'I'lic fashiif^s of (iciicial I'lllct. in
nmnini;' his rams down in oprn ilav dcpriscd me ol' llic i si- of one of
tlirm: slid. i-\i'n one. is ln-lli-r lliaii iioih-. ■'•' ■" In ordn' Io blockailr'
lied |;i\i'r. I ri'l iirni'd lin-r as >oon as I could yid my ^iipplirs and coal floalcd
(low II rrom alio\c. and repair damai^cs Io llic Swit /.crla nd. 'Ilic rams did not
lose a man in jiassiiiLi the \' ickslin ry batteries. ['.id the Lancaster was sunk',
and III- Swit/crland rccci\cd Iwo shots in her hoijcrs. The rorniei- was an
old, worthless lioal. of the Irailest const laiet ion. My yr'cati'st dillicidty is to
|..ccp the Sw il /crla ml in t'licl.
I), (i. I'\\iti:.\(a;T.
I»;iiil\'s ;il l)i;i-lir;if ('it\. .Vpiil 10. Io ( Icii. Il;illccl<. incut ions :
■".\<liiiir;i I I I'jiiTiiaiil I ;il l>;iyoii S;if;i. willi llurlford. A llxil i-os.s mikI
>\\l'IZi;i;l,AM). .Ml well."
Oil llic I7lli of April. r»;iiil<s. in n tlispiitch lo lliillcck. li-aiis-
liiillcfl llii- wclcoiiic iiilclliocjicc : "W'c |i;i\C dcsl foycd llic "(^)u('('ll
■(if llic W'c-i.'" ;iii<l c()iii|)cl |c(| liiiii |||ic ciiciny 1 Io destroy llic oim-
■"l)Oi^t^ "I)!;!!!;!"" ;im<I ■■Iltifl"" ]( 'on federate cot ton-cluds | with sii|)-
"plies of siil>sistciic(' and aininiinil ion."
V\\v dcicjTcnl cll'eci of ihc rcl)c| ram exploit--, upon tlie niililnry
ojjcr.it loiis then III pro;irc~~. oppo-ite and liclow \ ieks|)nr<i'. is well
illustrated in llii- clause in a <lis])atcli from (ien. ()st('rhaiis. tit Xcav
( 'artliiiiic. .\i)ril >. to ITlli. .\. ( '. I leadona riers. stiitinii'as lii> reason
for not ad\aiicine- his artillery — "iinlil I had po-iti\i' in foi'iiiiitiou
■'thtit the enemy's eiiiihoats. ■•\\'cl)l)'" and ■■(^iicen of the West'" were
■"not Ml llie~c water- -a (|iiestioii. I could not n'ci aiiswcrcHJ.*'
On April -J I . Pcmhertoii. ;il Jack-on. lelee-ra|)hc<| the tint liorit ics
;it IJichinoiid : •■|'"ollo\vinir ju~t recci\c(| from (ien. (Jardner. Port
"Hudson — "It i- aiilheiitic ihal (ien. Taylor ha- retreated Io \'i'rinil-
■•|ioii\il|c. and the ad\aiicc id' the enemy (tcciipy New Iheria. ■■(^iiccii
■"of the W'c-t"" and ■■I>i!iiiii"" de-lroyed; also re|)orted that the ■'Hart"
"is dc-l roye(|."
April -l-J.. (ien. Kirl)\- Smith reported to l*emI)ciioii: "Our boats
"the "(^uei'U of llic \\'est'" and "Diana" were lo-t in 'l"ayloi-"s ojx'ra-
222 Ilhtorij of flic lid HI Fleet.
''tions ill (iraiid Lalcc. and we are consetiiu'iitly witlioiit iiicans of i)r('-
■•veiitiiii>- I Federal | operations in this district."
( )n the S-Wd of April. liaiiks in his dispatch to (Jrant. says: "The
■ gunl)oats "Diana." "Hart" and "(^iiceii of the \\'cst" liaxc hei'ii dc-
"stroved. and tlu'ir arnianient cai)ture(l l»y our forces. AA'e have
"ainonii" our prisoners the most inqxirtant ollicers of all arms — C'apt.
•'E. ^^^ Fulton, the comiuander of their 11 'et. captured from the
"Queen of the AA^'st". known here as the "Kiiiu' of the Swamps."
A rej)ort of same date, from Taylor himself, ij-ivcs additional
j)articnlars : "Ihniiiii' (ahout April !>) n-i\-en orders for the iiunhoats
"(^iieeii of the AA'est," "(iran<l Duke," and "Mary T." to reiidez\()us
"at liiitte a la Ivose, and with the utmo~t dispatch procei-d down th(>
"Atchafalaya. and (Jrand Lake. I sent one of my stall' to hurry them
"down."
liaiiks to Farrau'ut of same date rcdates: "\\"e compelled them
"to destroy the "Diana" and "Hart." and the licet commanded hy
"Lieut. Cooke, sunk the "(^iieeii of the \\'e>t" in the contest for the
"possession of Ihitte a la Rose, on (irand Lake."
Ill a dispatch from I>anks to (irant. of May 1. he mentions the
destruction of the three rehel boats a_ii"ain. and adds: "The "(jueeii"
"was Uurned hut we ijot her o-uiis."
I'^arraiiut to I>anks. ALiy 1. mentions: "I sent the S^^•r^ZI•:l;!.A^■|)
"up to (irand (Julf. to communicate with (ieii. (Jrant and Admiral
•T'orter."
(ieii. (irover, reportinj"' from l)arre"s l^andini:-. La., to TTea(h|uar-
ters, 1'.)th A. v.. May '1. i>:ives additional facts: .... "A coiirii'r was
"dispatched | by tlie enemy | to Hulte a la Kose. with orders for their
"gunboats "(-^ueeii of the West" and others a\"ailable. to nio\e down
'■''into the lak'e. and attack us by water, while a small force of ca\alrv
"and artillery from New Iberia was ordered to ob-er\'e our niove-
"iiieiits, and dispute our landing. These forces did not. however. lia\'e
"time to etl'ect a junction, before our \anguard. under (ien. Dwight.
"had succeeded in taking up a strong position which perfectly cov-
"ered it. Neither did their gunboats arrix'e until aftt'r we Ind cut
"our connection with the landing, and then only to meet with dis-
"coiuHtiire. and the loss of the "(-^luei'ii of the AA'est."
Grant's K<f/\/tc(ji<- More on \' ii-kshii r(j.
(ii'aiit \v;is now cna'siil't'*! in liis ^Tcnl flank move on \'icksl)ni\i:- —
his army already rapidly transt'crrinu" to points on llic vww hclow
^'i(•k'^l)^^a■. on llu' Loni^iana side. And when the transfer had well
proi;'re>^e(L Admiral I'orter nioxcd down by niiihl past the liatteries
with most (d' his a-nnhoats. and a Heel of transports, followed a niu-ht.
or I wo lalei- iiy others, so that there was ample means of ferryinjj;
(iranl's army across, at any desire(l point helow. This feat was ac-
complished without the loss of a man fi'om the hattery lire, and hnt,
few were injnred. A comhined attack npon (irand (inlf hy Porter's
fleet and one army corps, on the 'Ji'th. pi'ox'ed futile, as the ai'mament
was too hea\y for Porter's \"essels. and he retired aftei- li\(' honrs
hea\v homhardmenl. haxinu' snstained the se\'ere loss of eio-hteen
killed and fifty-six wonnded. This result, witnessed l>y (Jrant in per-
son, detei'nnned him to nio\'e further down the i-ixcr. and cross helow
the^e fortihed places, and the last day of April witnessed the com-
mencement of the transfer of his troops to the Mississi|)pi side, at
Bruin-l)nri2'. ahoul forty miles helow \'icksl)nr^- — a strategic nio\"e-
nient of \ast con^e(|nence in the i^reat campaign then in progress.
For this ni()\-enient (Jrant had little enconraa"ement from his chief
adxisers. and some of his hest (ienerals were ski'plical as to its success.
(iren. Sherman indeed. >li-oni:iy o|)pose(l it. l>ut (irant knew lie could
depend upon llie coura<i'(' :ind endurance of hoth oHicers and men.
when once they were liixcn a fiii'htinii' chance — somethinn' they had
never yet had in any pre\ious movement toward \'icksl>ui'a'.
.Vs soon as (irant's army was safely across and nioxina' on its
course to the rear of ^'icksl)ur^■. Porter with a number of his \'essels.
passed on down to join Farra^'iit. who was then co-operat inii" with
Banks in his contemplated adxance upon Port Hudson, and also keep-
in<.»; watch on Ked Ki\'er. In a dis|)atch from this point on May 1,
Fari'aii'iit informs (irant that "the enemy has renioxcd the aims of
the I nd'/d iKihi from Foi't De Pussy. !*e(l ri\'ei' — where the (^ikkx
OF THE AA^KST was capture(l from us — to Alexandi-ia. to defend that-
citv." The junction of Porter's \-essels with his own. at the iiioiilh of
Keel ri\'er. on Ahi\' ^ird. is thus joyfully coininuiiicate(l to (ien. Paiiks.
in a dispatch dated May 4. reading: "The ram Swiiy,i:i;i,AM) re-
turnecl last nia'ht. accompani<'d by .Vdmiral Porter, and four iron-
c'huls. and he will be at Alexandria befoi'e \-ou can possibh o-(.t
22J. Ilixtoflj of tJie lid III I'licf.
tlKnv."' Ill hi> lii.-toiv Porter >ays: "On the ord. Porter reiiclied
Ked river, and after conferring with Ad. P^irraiint [)roceeded up that
river with the Brnton. Lafdijctte. Piff-shurc/. (rcn. Price. Xwg Ivy and
ram Switzkiilaxd. joining the patrolling boats Arizond and Estrclhi.
They found Fort I)e Kussy [Taylor] evacuated, and it> gun> taken
away. Next day — moved on up to Alexandria, where Banks arrived
the following day. Leaving part of his Heet. the Liifinjcffe, Esfrrlhi.
Ai'ZoiKi and ram SwrrzEKLAxn. to co-operate with l)<ink> army.
l*orter moved out of the lied river shortly afterward."
Meantime lianks. having reached Alexandria, dispatched to
Plalleck: -Admiral Porter arrived otf the town yesterday morning
with \\\> four ironclads, the ram Switzeki.axo. and our gunl)oat> the
Kxfrcllii II ml Anzoiiii .
(;(;mmodorc Palmer, [in absence of P^irragut who had gone to
New Orleans] ]\iay 11. to Banks — reporting the location of the co-
operating vessels of (iulf Squadron, says: "Two of them the ArizoiKi
and SwrrzKKLAxn are up Red river, and the Alhafro.^x an<l hsfriHn
with me.'"
lirig. (ien. Andrew-, at Simsport. to Bank.-, i-ejjorts: "The hs-
fnlld and SwrrzKHi.AXD ari-ived here to-day from Alexandria, which
\\n'\ left at \-l m., May 17."
Bank>" army war^ now mo\ ing eastward, according to a plan he
had connnunicated to (xrant. (asking his co-operation) with Port
Hudson a- the (objective point. But the former was well advanced in
his own far more important movement, and could not Ije diverted from
it. As rapidly as jjossible Banks pressed east to the Mississippi, and his
armv war, ferried to the east side, at Bayou Sara, and thence moved
d(jwn. etf'ecting a junction with Gen. Augur's forces, which had been
ordere<l up from below, and environed and began the attack upon
port Hudson. After one oi' two severe assaults, in which hea\y
lo-.-e- were sustained, and no sul)stantial progress made at the reduc-
tion or capture of the fortifications, though some of the water bat-
teries were temporarily -iicncetl by the guns of Farragut's vessels, the
attack settled down to a reguhir siege, like that following the second
a»ault on \'icksburg a week l)efore. This was the situation at the
end of Mav.
O pcnttlons of flic S intncrlii ml .
Fortunately the (lcl:iil('(| rcpori. Uy Lt. Col. Jc.liii A. Kllrt. of the
S\\ rr/.i:i;i.AM)"s opirat ioii>. up to il> dale (May ■_••) ha> l)een pre-
served. It i> of i^reat lii>toric iutere-t ami \alue. and i^ here u'iveu in
full :
('. S. strain Ram SwitztM-hnid,
Muiitli \Wy\ i;i\ei-. l.()iiisi;ni;i. May :.'iitli. l^t;:!.
/.'/■/'//. i',<n. \. \X . F.lli-t. Coiu'dii \hiriiii lliii/itilc : -
(iencral: In acronlauct' willi yuiir iiistriict ions, dated Marrli :.'^tii. I took
coinniand ot tliis \fsstd. 'I'ln' ininrirs nTi'i\cd in liic |)as>aL;'i' of tiu' N'icks-
i)ni'L;- liat t fi-ifs Ufini;- fnll\ fcjia i red. I passed tiir iiatlt'riis at Wai-rcnt on on
tlif nioi-niML:' of March iilst. Ixddrc daxlii^ht. 'lo ni\ i^rcat suri)fisf the t n 'iny
tiri'd iiiil one L;iin. |irolial)ly owini;- lo tin- sc\frc hoinlia fduicnt of tlu' liatt ri.'s
li\ Adniii-al i-"a ia-aL;iit . on the da\ pri'vions. i'.rlow W'a rrt'iit on, I jo'iicd Ad-
nncal t"a naL;i:t with Ids two \css(ds. ihr llartfonl and Alhatross, and wo pro-
(•('( (led down the i-i\fr in conipanN. \\C flopped bidow New Cartha^',- iinlil
aftfi- nii^lit fall, that we nduht ha\c llif ad\ a lit ai;i' of the darkness in pa-sii'ij
the batteries at (.rand (ddt. At s o'clock, we started pa-t the liatleritvs. the
Sw it /eria 111 I in the adxance. W'e were exposed to a \cry hot lire for about
tit'teen niinntes, to which wi' xi^droiisly rcpliid. My \essel was twice stiMck'.
hilt no one was injiired. and liiit tridini;' daniaL;c' was done to tile boat. We
then pi-ocecdcd to 1 he iiionth of \lri\ Kisi'r. the blockade ( d' which we have
ma i lit a i lied ever viiic(\ All \awls and Hal boats in our coerse wire destroyed.
To pre\i'iit the crossiiiL;- of troops or supplier. I lia\t' three limes been down
the ri\er as far as I'ort llndsim. lo communiealc across the |):'iii iisiila with
Admiral l"a rraL;iil 's Heel Ixdow. ■j'lie point was >troiiL;ly i^iiarded by the
encm\. bill liy shcdliiii;- the wnods. and then sending;' oi; t a st roii^L;' pa rl \ as a ii es-
cort, till' iiiesseiiL;('r was each lime eii,-|bled to reach his destination in safety. On
oiir last trip sharp skirmishinc with the ciieiii\"s |)iekcls ensued, in which
we took two pj-isoners and wounded others. NO casualties im our side. We
captureij a siL;nal statiim. c(mtaiiiiiiu liflecn pairs of blankets, a (piaiitit_\ of
(di.thiiiL;'. small arms, provisions, torclies. rockets, etc. At j'.avon .Sara we de-
-.t ro\ cd thirty In il;s heads of siil;:! r. live h ii ml red sacks of corn, corn mea I and h onl-
ine. toL;ellier with ime hnndreil bushels of sweel potatoes, intended f i u' tli" rebel
army al I'orl lliids,m. On Hie b- 1 of \la\. I was dispatched to (d-aiid (dilf.
Miss.. b\ Admiral fa rrai; ill . to communicate with Admiral I'oiler. whom
we learned was l.xiiii^' witii his L;iiiidioals alo\c thai poini, to obt lin df hni
some ironclad \essels to co-operate willi (Itn. Hanks, who was marchini^- oii
\le\aiiilria. 1 was cratilled to liiid liial (Iraiid CiiW was ours, and Ihat Ad
inii-;il Porter was below that point. \diniral renter i m iiii d ia I ;dy delermined
to i;d lip Ked Uixer, with three ironclad-, the wooden L;iiii-boal, (len. I'rice.
jiiid the ram Sw i t /erIa nd. Arriving;' at the monlh of lied l;i\er onr licet was
joined b\ the l\strclla and Arizona, two small sehooiier-rii;^rd, wooden i,'ilil-
boats, btdimniiiL; to Adipiral i'a rraL;'iirs Heel I le se liaviny arrixcd from
226
Jl'ixforij of fJic lidin Fleet.
lU'rwick's l!a\'. tlif()iiL;li the Al cha I'a lava i;i\('V. diiriiiL;- my al)seiu'e. The seven
vessels tlieii started up Ueil Ifixci-. tlie S\\ it/erla nd leadiny the \an. We en-
eoiiiitei-ed no (il)st niet ions until we reached l'"ort 1 )e llnssex" ((lordon's l>;ind-
iiii;'). Tile fori was e\aeiiate(l. hut the enemy had phieed a hiri;'e raft across
tlte ri\er. whicli was easily i'cmo\ed. Tlie I'asements of tlie fort wer(> en-
tirel\- destroyed, and (iovcrnment property (Confederate) l)niMie(l. \A'e then
|)roeee(led to Alexandria, which place was also twaciiated. Admiral INirtin"
took possi'ssion at '.) o'clock a. m.. and (leneral Itaid^s arrived at (i o'c'ock
p. ill. The rebel forces, nndei- (lenerals Taxlor and Sibley, retreated np the
i'i\cr to S]ii-e\ t'port. takiiii;- with them all their iinn-boats and transports. As
it \\as reported that there was bnt eij^ht feet of water on the falls. Admiral
I'oi'tei- did not think it prndent for the fleet to jinrsne them. lie therefore
on the followiiii^ morniiiL;-. sent an expedition iiji the I'.laek and Washita
i-i\ers. It consisted of the ironclad i^iin-boat I 'ittshurii'. tlie wiioden boats
.Xi'i/.ona and I'rice. and the ram Swil/.erland. W'e ascended the Itlaelv' Kiver
to the town of Trinity, at which point ISIack Kiver is formed hy the continence
of ^Vashita. Texas and Little Rivers. Here we destroyed a lai-i;e amonnt of
stores intended for the I'cbel army, consistini^- (d' sni;ar. molasses, salt, salt-
petre, tobacco, bac etc. \\'e then proceeded np the Washita to a place
called llarrisonbnri^'. eii;hty miles from 1 he month of I'.lack lliver and tifteen
from Trinity. Here we met with a serious obstrnction. in the shape of a
strcmi;- rebel foi-t iticat i(m. called "Kort I '.ca n rei^a rd." The I'ittshnry-. .\.ri/.ona
and Cell. Trice bombarded the fort for three honi's. with their lon^' raii^v
li-iins, but as ni_\- small b;ittei-y would iml reach the fort iticat ions. 1 was
oblii^cd to amuse myself by slKdliiii^' the woods on either side of the river, to
i-e|ud sharpshooters, secreted aloni;- the iiaiik to hre upon oni- i^nnnei-s. The
eiienn had no heavv L;-iins in position. Their batterx' consisted of one 42. two
:i:2"s and a batterv of tw(dve small h(dd pieces, but these were so thorony-hly
protected by their hea\y earth works, that onr L;nns made no impi-ession on
them. I* was thei'efore thonylit best lo inf(U-m Ailmiral I'orter id' the condi-
tion (d' affairs, tliat he mi^lit send np Hie other two iroiudads. lo assist in
the reduction of the fort. The Switzerland was dispat(died to Alexandria for
thai purpose. I met Admiral I'ort-er in I he llenton. on lied Kiver. Jnst below-
F<u-t de iJiissv. and delivered my inessaL;e and d isiiatelies. He sent me back
t,, order all the lioals down to tlee month of Keil Kiver forthwith. 1 did so.
.\rriviiiL!- at the inoiilh of Hlack Kiver. I received an oi-dei' from him to pro-
ceed lo Alexandria, to eo-operale with I he army. I'.iit two brii^ades remained
al that point, under den. Weit/.el. the rest haviiii.;- returned to Simsport on the
.\tciiafala V a. A body of Texas cavalry, about one thousand stroiii^-. had be-
come Iroiiblesoine to den. Weitztd's outposts. Thev were encamped on I'.avon
Kapides. tvveiily miles above Alexandria, and had a battery of held pieces, |iro-
tected by a coltim bale fort iticat i( m. al the jiinctiim of I'.avon i;a|)ides with
Ked Kiver. (ien. W(dlZ(d wanted to caplnre tliein. His plan was to send a
lioal np the river to shtdl the ballerv. and carrviii,!^- a snllieient iinmber of men
Flirt her ( ) pciuif ums of the S irtfr^crJii ml .
227
t(i niaki' ;i lai'iliiii;- ami liold llic lii'id;^!' across I'.asoii Kapidcs. wliilf a caNalry
fiircf cut o(V tlicir I'cti'cat in I'vcry ntlui- d i rt'cl ion. lie asked tlic co-oiici-at ion
ol' \\\\ scsscl. and com ply i lit:' \\i1h llic rc(|n('s1. :;(!() soldiers were iininediat'.'ly
sent on hoard. We starled up the rixcr a1 s a. ni.. ino\inL;- \ev\' slowlv and
can1ioilsl\- o\er 1 lie falls, and sonndini;' as we went. We passed over w itllout
dillicnlty and th" shallowest cast of tiie lead that we ohtaiiied was nine feet.
We had no Ked Kiver pilot and of conrse were c(inipelled to ijiiess at the
channel. 'I he L;i-adiiat((l scale np(ni the wharf at Alexandria desii^iied to show
file depth of wat M' on 1h' falls. ua\e thirteen feet, and I liaxc no donht \\('
wduld ha\c found tliat ainmint had we known the channel'. 'I'his was eiL;ht
da\s a ft !• our ai'ri\al at Alexandria, and the ri\er hail lieen constantly fallinir.
The e\p<(lition M|on which we were dispatched was not snceessfnl -the enemy
seeiny the ram comini;' np the ri\er ahandoniMl their cotton-hale fort itical ions,
and escaped hefore the infantry could land to cnt idV theii' retreat. Two days
after, to-wit. <.n th' 17th day of \\:y\ . the remainder of r.anl<'s army left
Alexandri;',. and is now on tlie I'oad to Simsport. I covered their rear, as lonir
as the road followed the hank of tiie riser, to l^cep them from heini^- annoyed
\)\ th;' enemy's ca\ali\\-. and then proceeded to the moidh of Ked Kixcr. where-
I am low lyin^'. cleaninL;- out oiir hoih'rs. and attcndini;- to some triliiuL;' re-
pairs. So constai'.tly has m\' \essel hcen employed. That 1 ha\e not hcen al-
lowed to clean ont my hollers hefore. since I passed X'iekshnri;-. I had only
ten days' coal when I started, thoni^h nearly two months ha\e (dapsed. 1 ha\e
hcen ahle to sustain myself by iiurninu' the enemy's wood. I had hid thirty
da\s' i-ations. hut hy foraL;-ini;' extensi\(d,\-. I ha\e manaijed to keep m,\ com-
inaiid in a heallhy condition. I'.ut two deaths have oeenrred diiriiiL;- the time.
A nei^ro. name unknown, fell o\erhoai-d on lied liiver. and was drowned,
ilichard T. Allis. Co. C. UUst Ills. \'ols.. was crushed to death hy the pitman
of the starhoard cnijinc. Ma> l.Ith. while workiiiL;- at the water pump. The
sanitary condition of the command is excellent, as you will ohserve hy rcd'er-
enee to the consolidated report. herewTh 1 |-a nsmit ted.
\'ery respectfully. ,\our ohedieiit servant.
.loii.x A. l-'i.M';i-.
Lt. Col. Com'd-- Ham Fleet. M . M. r.rii^ade.
A report of ('ai)t. AA^ilkc lo ('omiiiaiHlcr Palmer, a few ilay--
later. iii\"es kiio\vle(lo(. of fni'ther operation^ of the S\\ rrzr.Ki, and.
and the iiio\ ciiielits of the eiieiiiw as foMows:
f. S. Ciin-hoat Lafayette. K'cd i;i\er. .tunc ::. isi;:'!.
•/. N. t'dlnnr. Cinii'dii I'hn/sliiii II iirl f'inl :
Sir: This morniiic' I s|.||| the Sw it ze |-la iid down tri Simsport to make a
recon iioissa nee. in compliance with your re(piest of the .lllth iilt.. and ahoiit
t h rce-ipia rl 1 rs id' an hour after 1 heard a hr'isk tiriiiL; in that siciiiitw when J
dispatched the ritlshuri;- i mined iat d.v for that place, hut hefore she reached
228
II /.sfdfi/ of tli(' Ikiiin Fled.
1 lie Atcha faUi \ ;i I lie S\\ il /crla iid nict the I 'i1 1 sliii i'l;- and L;i\iiiL;' i ii I'nrniat ion nf
lu'i' ('ni;'ai;t'incn1 with 1\\i> hat I I'l'ii's of MliIiI L;iins. and a ('(insidcranU' t'oi'cf of
inraiiti\v. tlu'\ hiith ret iit-iiim1. (DI. (.loliii A.) VAW\ i-fpoi'ts that four or live
pieces of \\ix\\\ artillerN' o|;eiied fii'e on liini. w illi ai)out a rei^iinent of infaiiti'v.
w oiindiiiii' three of iiis men. one (Umi^ei-ousl \ . Tlie Switzerland i-etnrned tin-
lire, passini;' iielow the hatteries. and also on her return, hut not lui\inL;' the
means of i'a])t uri ul;' the enem\- oi- his i^uns. and his steam ]>ilie disabled, he
I'etnrned. I lia\e siuit him to \ on foi' some troo|)s. if they e;in be obtained, so
that 1 can make an altaek u|)oi\ the eneni\ and ea|iture his artillei'v ami some
of his troops, pei-haps l)\ landini^' oni' troops immediattdx' after driving' them
fr-om their i^ims. (dl. lOllet will report pa r1 ieula I's. In i^'reat haste.
\'ei-y respect full \'. voni- obedient ser\ant.
U. Wai.ke.
Captain V . S. X.
A iiK'^saii"*' from Coiiiiuodoi-c ]*;iliin'r lo IJauks. (hitt'd -luiit' 4. in-
dicates tlu' presence a.ud usual readiness of llie rtiiii S\\ rrzKKLANi) t'of
any service inMiiiired. The (H)nnn()d(»fe say>: 'T sent C'ol. | John A. |
EUet lip to yon yesterchiy. iind informed yon that Sinisport was in
possession of the enemy, and the htiiiks of the Atchafalaya tiUed with
theii' sharpshootefs. Tliis 1 i)i-esnine he (hnh and tohl yon how he:i\y
the Hre was.'"
\o fni'ther fecord of the SwrrzKi;i,AM)*s operations appears till
^he joined the lleet at \'ickshni-i;-. after the surrender. Her soldiers,
mostly Co. (i. lOlsi 111., were soon after s-ent North as o'liard for pris-
oners, and at St. Lonis. many of them were ii'rtinted fnrloiiji'hs. At
that time >hister John S. S. Hcwc^, succeeded Masti'r McXally. in
charge of the hoat. and so remained dnrini:' the rest of the time the
Swny.Ki!i>AXi) was rettiined in the ser\ ice.
Snl>se(|nent operations of the rams will h:' mentioned, at the dates
of tl'eii' ocenrrence. in the Daii'es of the IW'iiiade historv.
TIIK smiEULAXD-FEiairsOX ('( )RRESP()XDEXCE.— A
KKA'KEA'ITOX OF J IIK ^^■AR KK(M)in)S.
Mention has heretofore hi'eii made of the marriaife. some month-
pre\ ions, of ('apt. K. ^^'. Sutherland, then of the (^i kkn of tiik A^'I•:.sl■.
to a somewhat widely known southern woman. I'e-idinu- at Skipwith
Landina". known as the Widow Ihirris. Such an alliance (for the
widow was a noted rebel) boiled no o'ood for the Captain, thoiiii'h he
Cajitii/n Siitlurhdid and fin A iifi-(r iiciTtUd (hulcrs
>v;is rcyiirdtHl :is an ollicer of iiiHloulilcd loyally, and accounted Uraxc
and (rnstwortliy in vwvy emergency. When (lie (^h kkn was aI)ou(
to nndeiiake the I'unnini:' of the Uatterie--. and o|)ei'al ions helow. in
the selection of a crew, it was decidecl that ('apt. Siit hei'laml should
l»e assin'ned to the Monakcii for scouting duty up the rixci-. wliei'e
the rehi'ls were constantly attackinij- passing' l»oals. and that ('apt. As-
ii'ill Connor should no with Col. I^llel. on the (v^ikf.n.
Durini:' ihe ensnini:' inontli oi- more the .Monakcii and Swi r/,i',i;-
n.wi). ('apt. Sntlierland in coniuiand. had Iceii eniployeil. under .\d-
niiral Poller's iinniediate direction, on pati'ol duty, as fai- up as
( ii\'CMiville. It was diiriiii;' this time that Portei-'s famous Anti-
(inerrilla order was issued, aiul \i porous (dl'orts made to stop the lirini:'
upon unarmed transports hy the enemy, and also to collect cotton.
\vheiH'\('r found, reportiiiii' direct to the .\dmiral. accoiMlin^- to his
instructions, dated l^'ehriiary \'-\. It was at this dale thai the .\d-
miral. in a communication to Sutherland directed tha.t he "if possi-
Iile ii'et those [\v\k\ pieces that are Hrina' on our vessels" and atlded in
I'losinii': "If yon catch any of the paiMy who tire on iinai'med vessels
hani:- them to the nearest tree." in a later letter of instructions
( I^'ehriiary "Jl) the Admiral cautions Sutherland repeatedly, to I'cad
over and fully niider->tand. and follow explicitly, his ( )rdei' concerii
iiiif ii'iN'rrilla attacks on transports, pillauiuif. and ouli'an'es hy whoinso-
e\'er committed. Allusion is made to a i-ecent attack upon the | Kain |
Ft l,itix. as an exception — slie heini;' il \\ ;if xc^sel. The ohject of said
( )r(ler. and his instructions to his ollici'rs is declared to he. "to pr.'veiit
liriuLi on unarmed hoats. and protectinu' planters alonif the rixcr. in
their persons and propeiMw" The conr.^e of his action, under these
( )rder,^ and instructions, will appear Intel'.
It was known that a CoiifedeiMte ollicer li;id l);'eii sent out hy
IN'iiiherloii. to plan and conduct these raids, hy means of small hands
of moiiiited men with one, two or three pit'ces of lield artillery. At
this period this hraiich of ("onfederate "service"" on the river, from
\ icksl)iiri;- north, was in cliara'(' <d' a Lieut. Col. P'eraiison. and a con-
\eiiienl hase for his operations was in the vicinity (d' ( irei'iiville. The
-Vdmiral kept the MonaIv'cii or Swrr/.ia;rA xn. and sometimes hotli. oc
t'lipied in that vi<'iiiity. to check and repel tlie^e raids, huriiii:' most
of I*'ehruarv. tliev were so eiiiploved, while the (^)rKi;N was making!:
2:;() Il'/stonj of tlic Udiii Fleet.
liislory in the watci's Ui'low ^'i(•ksl)^ll■li■. A\'liil(' cnu'ip'tl in this scoiit-
ina' service, Cajjt. Sutherland, on one or more occasions connnunicated
nnder Mai;- of tiMice. with i\)\. Ferii'uson, and at least once lieid a con-
ference with him. Xo satisfactory exphination of this correspon-
(h'nce was ever ij,i\'en. though it was o'dierally undt'rstood to l)e in re-
i^ard to the carryina- out of Adnnral Porter's "rataliation" or(h'i'.
The j)ul)lication. in recent year,-, of th > oHicial correspondence
(Tnion and Confederate) of the A\"ar period, furnishes a chapter of
interest to those foUowino- the ex'ents of this history. We shall here
aive the correspondence referred to in the order of its dates, without
connnent of oui' own. as to either its xcracity. oi' its im])ortance:
Mississippi .Nhiriiic Kani Meet, olf ( ireen villc. Im'I). 14. ISC,:!.
To Office)- ('(iiiniiiiiHlUifi ('. s. /-'orr-rx near (Ireciirillc :-
Sir: — 1 (Ifsirc ;in iiitfi'v icw witli Non on hiisiiiess (•(imifctfd with tlie
service. \f yon \\ill tin ini' the lionor to meet nie, I will indieate the Court
Iloiise at (ireemille as a proper plaee where 1 will be with a tlay- of triiee to-
morrow (Sunday. I.'itli iiist.) at 2 |). ni.
1 am yt'vy res|)eetf iilly. yoiii' obedient servant.
ICDWIX W. Si TUKKLA.N'l),
1\ S. Xa\y Captain ( 'ommandi iii^- i''irst Division Kam l-'lotilla.
I Confident idl. \
.VeaT' (Ireenville. Washi iii;ton Co.. Feb. l.-)th. ISfi.'!.
Major ./. ./. I'crrts. .1 x.s/.s-/r//// Adjiitdiit ileiieiiil :
I liave the honor 1o i-e|)oi-t tliat I have Just relnrned from an interview
at (Ireenville vvitli (apt. VI. \V. Sutherland. I". S. .Navy, held under \U\ix of
truce at his request. The ostensible object was to fnrnisli me with a copy of
his instructions (which jjlease hnd enclosed) and 1o ask if I could not devise
sorru' means l)y which he should he sjtared the |iaiu and mku-I ihcat i(m ( d' having-
to |)er])etrate such ha rha ri t ies. which he coudemned in the strongest terms.
1 answered that I should ol)strut't the navigation of the Mississippi in evei-y
possible manner, communicate liis instructions to my li-overnment. and while
waitiuii- instructions, retaliate as best I miiiht. lie also stated that he had
orders to cut the levees at different points, and to burn all houses in the vi-
cinity of places where boats wei'e tired u]K)n. So much for his official business.
The real object of his interview. I have no d<ud)t. is. to find out whether, if
he re.sig-ns from the l-'ederal Xavy, he can secure anj' position in our service,
and even said: "Should I. by what infinenee I posses.s, be allowed to resif^n
1 wiudd not like to remain inactive during the war." He is the individual who
married the Widow Harris, of Ski])with Landing, and I Judge from all that
transpired, niav be won to our side. Taking into consideration the monetary
Siithcrldinl-f'^'ff/iison ( ' m-fcx ixnidcucc. 2^1
intcrt'sts at slake in 111;' Soiitli. and 111" pn )l)a lilc i n II ni'iici' (if his wil'i'. whom
he tells me is most intensel\- true to the Sontii, ete.. I think it nut iinpossinie
to t;ain him and his vessel, and woidd i-c's|ieet fn 1 1_\' sni;L;e.'-t that th' trial he
made. ('onld sneh a ijiin-hoal he seenred the snpplii's fol' the Aholilion .\nn\"
at \'iekshni-i;' eoidd he enl olT entirely, anil nnndxTs of hoats des1 i-i)\ ed. h;d'ore
They discovered it. I have wrillen in iji-eat haste, and perhaps not as i'ldly
as tlu' snhjeel warrants. ('a|)1ain S. infoi'ined nie he was already st roiiij'Iy
snspeeted h_\- his (lo\ernmen1, and e\|ii-essed L;iTa1 uneasiness al what mieht
l)e thonijht of his haxini;- soniiiit this i nl -I's iew with me today sayiiii;' he
would |)nt it on t he L;i-onnd ot a rra nij-enient s ahont that hospital at (Ireeinille.
The snhjeet merits alt/iition. and is respeetfnilx sid)inilted with a rcipiest tor
inst ructions.
\'ei-y rc'speet I'ldly. your oliedicnt servant.
S. W. h'Kiaii'sox.
laeiit. Colonel ( 'omnia nd ini^' 1 )et aclme'iit.
1 h'adipiart ers 1 )epa I't iiienl of Mississip|ii and Ivist Louisiana.
Jackson. Miss.. Fehriiai-\ :.'(). isc:;.
l.iillt. ('(ildlirl S. ]\'. I'(l</ll\(iil :
Sii':- A tew da>s since, instructions wct-c sent \nn in case \oii find that,
your position on the I'iver could not he maintained, von shindd return. The
same a I'e now I'citcral ed. I leave it to voni' indi;ineiit I0 1 let :riii i ne the ad-
visahilitv of I'emainiiiL;' or ret iirnini;'. inasmuch as no fni'tlier supporting;' force
can novv he sent voii. Admiral l'oi'ter"s notice, t h I'eaten i ul; to treat as lii^'h-
wav'iiien and assassins, persons who iiiav he toiind int .'nui | t i iil;' the naviya-
tiui ot the M ississi |ipi Kiver. and L;ivinL;' no ipiarter to aii\ p.erson tonnd hiirai-
Jnt;' cotton oi' cai'rviiiL;' eont I'ihnt ions I0 the inhabitants aloiit;' the i-iver. has
been t'cu'warded hy (Icneral Stevensmi to me. '*>'on ai'e anthoi-i/ed to sa v to
Captain Sutherland, oi' anv other I'^edcral ofHcers. that it this threat is carried
out. retaliation in the tullest measure will he visited on the lieads of such
I'^'deral ofUcers and pi-isoncrs as I ha\e. or niav hereafter fall into niv hands.
I shall dii'cct (icnei-al Slevcnson to iiotifv Admiral I'oi'ter that anv attinnpl to
ear-ry into idTi'ct this notice, will he I'ctaliateil in the same niauner upon such
jirisoners as I now have m- may hereafter fall into my hands.
I a ill V t'vy I'espeet f ul ly.
J. C. I'lO.MI!i;i!l'()N.
laciit. (len. Conrd"'.
llead(piartei-s Dept. of Mississi|)pi and i^ast Louisiana,
.laekson. Miss.. l'"el)T-iiai-,v :.' I . isd:;.
J.iciil. Ciilfiiicl S. W . I'crf/iisttii :-
^diii' coiniii u nicat ion marked "contidentiar" has heeii forvvai'ded to me.
and in repiv yon can sav to the person i-cfeiT-ed to. that shoulil he i-endei- the
service. I shall have no hesitation in placing his conduct in such a lii;ht Ix-fore
tin ( lov {'I'liment as will. 1 am conlident. secure foi- iiiin a |)roper acknowledge-
232
Tlixtori/ (if f]i(' Hani Fleet.
mi'iit. If. afti'i- mature coiisidfrat 'uiii son sliall tliiiik there is a stroni;' ])r()b-
aliilit_\' of a successful result. I shall as soon as possilile senil a proper ])erson
(() take cliarye. and au\ aildilional assistance you may recpiii'e inasinucli as
il miL;lit p]'()\'e em ba ri'assi ni;' for liiiu to c(ui1iniie in liis |)resent ])osition.
IhpiiiL;' i^reat contidence in youi' jiidLjinent and discretion. \\\\\\ these ii'enei'al
views, I shall leave the whole suhject in sour hands. The sei'\ ice that could
he rendei-ed is so important and desii'a hie. that, if successfid. there can he no
di\ision of sentiment and feelini;'.
I am \cr\- respectfully'.
J. ('. rK-\II!l-:iMd.\.
Lieutenant (leneral ( omnia nd i ul;'.
FebrLiary 22. isii:!.
Major h'ccrcs. As.si.shnil Adjiilniil ilciKidl : -
1 have to re|)oi-t that I am liei'e with a small paitw waiting- to commnni-
cat'.' hy fhiL;' of tiaice with the i-am Monarch, instructions of the •.'(Ith inst. di-
rect fr-om Lieut, (leneral l'eml>crtou. \\\ future movements will depend in a
arcat measure on the i-esults of the desii-ed interview. -' ■•' "■■ | in a suhse-
ipient dispatch! "I have sent a tlai;' of truce to conununicate with ('a])tain K.
\V. Sutlierland and will report moi-e fidiv at the earliest moment."
\'ery |-espectf idly, voiir ohedient sei'vant.
S. \V. FER(il'S()X,
Lieut, ('olomd ( 'omnia iidiiii^' ('. S. I'^irces.
I lead(piarters Second llistrict l!e|)t. of Mississippi and l-"ast Louisiana.
N'ickshuri^-. Miss.. Fell. :.M. isCli.
Major (Iciicral I . S. (ininl. Com imi iidinu I . S. I'orccs Front of \'icl:sl>iir(/ : —
(ieneral: — 1 am iii^1riiet"d hv the Lieut, (leneral (dmmandini;- this Depail-
nieiit to transmit to von the inclo'-cd c<i|>v of a notice purport i iil;' to litive been
issued hy Admiral David I). I'orter. I'. S. Xavy. I reipiest that von will in-
form me whether this document is authentic and if it he. whetlv.'i- the opera-
tions of any of the forces under von are to he c<mducted in accordance with
the principles announced \)y Admiral I'orter. ov those of tdvili/ed warl'ar".
While the troops of this ( on federacv whom I have the honor to command will
actividy repel the invasion of our t;'rritorv h\- the I'orces of the I'liit 'd States,
it is niv desire that tlrdr operations shall he in accordance with the iisa<^'es
of Avar of hiimanitv and civ il i/at ion. I shall di'plore the necessity of aiiv de-
])arttire from tliem. 'I li und'ore. I ho|ie this notice of Admii'al I'orter is not
authentic, (jr. that it will he reconsidered, and thai in no case will its threats
he executed, hf'caiise I am iiis1riict:'d to sav' if they are. the fullest retaliation
will he inllict'd ujioii I he l''ederal ]irisoners in our hands, or whom we may
capture, and no (piarter will he yiven to aiiv ollicer. soldier or citi/en <d' the
I'nited States, taken in the act of hnrninii- Inuiscs. laying' wast:' the planta-
tions, or otherwise vvaiilonly dest rovi iiii' tile pi'opertv of the citi/ens of this
S lit licrld nd -P'crynson ( ' orrrs jH>ii(h'nc('. 2JJ}
roTife(l('i';ic\' : :iiul 1ha1 :ill such pci'sons siispectt'd dl' h;i\iii<i' Ik'cm i;iiiltv of
such iicts. will not. il" lakiMi. he Ircatcil as ])ris()nci's of war. hut will he kept
in close confinenieiit. K'elyinii' upon \(iui' (lis])Osit ion to co-operate with nic in
a\ertinL;- the necessitv I'oi- a i'es(n't to such measures.
I am. (h'uer-al. res|)ectf ul 1_\- your ohedient sei'vant.
('. L. Stkvknson.
.Nhlj. (leu. Coni'di;'.
\ I iiclosiirc]
No'i'ici:.
I'ei-sons taken in the act of tiriuL;' ou uuai'nied vessels t'l'oni the hanks will
l)e treated as hiyhw a \ ineu and assassins and no (piai'ter will he shown tlieni.
Persons strongly sus|)ected of tiriui^- on unarmed vessels will not receive the
usual treatnient of prisoners of war hut will he kept iu close confinement. If
tliis savai^-e and harharous Confederate policy can not l)e ])ut a stop to we
will tr\- what virtue there is in haniiiu!.;-. All |)ersons no matter who they
are. who ai-e cauL;h1 in the act of jii I lai^i ni^' the houses of inhal)itants aloni;' the
rivei-. levyint^- cont rihiil ions, or l)iii-ninii- cotton, vvill i-eceive no ipiarter if
caui;1)t in the act oi' if it is |)ro\ed upcni them.
V,\ order of D.w in D. Toktki!,
Actini;- Rear Admiral.
l']i)wi.\ \\'. Sutiii<:ki-ani),
('a])tain C'onnnandiui; Kam Monarch.
llcadcpiar-ters ('. S. l-'orccs. I'Vh. :ir>, 1S63.
In \^'ashini;ton ("o.. .Miss.
T(i Ciipfdiii /■.'. ir. Sill Inrhi 11(1. I'. S. Xaii/. ('(ini iii<ni(liii(i I'liiii MdintrcJi : —
Sir: 1 desii'c to communicat;' with \'ou ofHcia I ly in reference to tlie recent
notice of .\dmiral I'orlcr. communicated to me hy \-ou. Should \'on at;'ree to
honor- nie with an interview. 1 will meet adu with a fiau' of ti'ncc at such
[)roper time and jilace as \'ou mav desii;nate.
\"cry respectfully, vour ohedient servant,
S. \V. FKi;<asox.
IJeut. Colonel Commandinti' C. S. l''orces.
Deer Creek. Xear Falls Landini;-. ^March :!. ISd.!.
/,/. Cicii. ./. C. I'riiihiiluii : —
Cenei-al: "N'our favoi-s of :3(lth and ;? I st ult. were i-cceived ou the eveiiinj;
(f the :i.")th. 1 a1 once dispatched a thii;' of triu'c to communicate your in-
structions, hill up lo last nii;-ht. when 1 left the river, no y-iin-hoats had hecn
ahoiit their usual station. If he has not heen arrested, as 1 feai' may he the
case. 1 have no doubt of success in the |)roject T explained in m_\' confidential
lettei". Diii-iiiL:- the leceiit I'aid of the Yankees, my \\ife was detained on the
hoat for two (lavs, and on her I'etiirn hrouyht messages of the stronu'est im-
234-
Illxtonj of the lidiii Fleet.
])ort, siicli as: "If his rfsii;Mat ion was not accc|itt'(l within a \\('('i<. tht' ci'isis
wonhl conic, and he wonhl turn (hi tlicni and sink e\ cryt iii ni;- in the rivei'."
lie slii'llcd tlic troops wlio were pi iinderinL;'. within Tani;c of his i^iins. fi'oni the
(piarters of se\eral of the plantations, and the Abolitionists all cni'sc liini
^ er V bittejMv. and swear 1o he a\eni;ed.
If I can .succeed in connnnnicat iny from these and olher indications —
111V ])lan seems feasible. It is certainl\' worth an eai'nest Irial. and. foi' this
reason I have been keepini;' near the i-i\i'r. wilh the ai'tiller\ well back. l''rom
the recent rain-fl Is. I coidd with di Iticiilt \- ijcl Ihe yiins to Ihr baid<s for some
(lavs. 1 am, (Icneial.
\'ei'\- res|>ecl f nil y. yonr obedieni serxant.
S. \V. h'lOUciso.N.
bt. Col. (■ MiT.
lleacUpiai-ters ('. S. l''oi-ces. Washi n!.;ton Co.. Miss.. March S. lS(i:',.
I'd till' Of/iccr ill ('mil niiiiid of I . .s'. I'dicc.^ iinir <; rccii rilU- :
Sir: I ha\e been informed that two men of my command. Iid'1 b\ ni\" or-
ders at (ireenxille. Mississippi, with a tlai^- of trnce foi' the |)nrpose of deli\er-
inL;- a Ie1t;'r addressed to Captain Sutherland, l'. S. Xa\y. on ollieial l)nsiness,
Avere taken off from that point on the dth inst. by the forces of the I'lrited
States. In consc(pience of this I sent an ollicci- under flai^' of trnce to (li'eeji-
\ille to (leliNcr this letter. If my informaticm pi-o\es coi-recl I would re(|nest
to be informed on what i^ronnds. and by whose antliority this violation, as I
mnst consider it. of the rii;ht and nsayes of war. has been com mitt ■■d '.' I am
the more nr<i-ed to make this recpiest as tlu' same men were, a day oi- two
before, taken. <lisarmed and cai-ried on board the C. S. \essel Curlew, where
their dispatch w;is opened and read. With the hope thai this matter may at
once recei\e the attention of the I'liited Slates a nthoi'i t,\ . I am. sir.
Uespecl fully. \()ur obedient servant,
S. W. f'KUClSON.
Lieut. Colonel Command i ui--.
Camp on Deer Creek. \\'ashinL;ton County. March bl. 1S(>:;.
Miiior ./. ./. 1,'crrcs. .1. .1. (;.:-
Major: I lia\e the honor to make the folJowiuL;' i-eporl : On th,- l.")tli of
t\'l)ruary. I received by the hand of a citi/en. a letter fi-om ('apt. !•>. W.
Sutherland. I'. S. .\a\y. a copy of which is herewith forwai'ded. The depart-
ment was at once informed of the result ol' that interview, and rurnished with
ihe notici' of Admiral I'orter. then communicated b\- Captain Sutherland, who
expressed his willingness to commiinicale at a n \' time that shoidd be neees-
sarv b\' Hau' of truce. ()n the :.'."ith of same month I received instructions from
Lieut, (ieueral I'emberton. which I was oi-dercd to communicate to ('a|itain
Sutherland, or an\- other l''eilei-al ollicei'. I. at once, sent by tlay- of truce, ii
letter, a copy of which is herewith foi-warded | no cop\- extant |. Aftei- keeij-
( ' ircnnisfdiittdl E ridcncc rs. A (tood liccnrd. 2:^:
iny- tlu' |:;u-l,\ with llic thii;- uT tnicc a1 ( irfciu il Ic I'oi- sc\iM-;il (l;i,\s. in I'lirthcT
etfni'l ti) (■iiiinniniical r, I lie i'a\aL;i's of 1 he Abolitionists on Lake W'aslii ni^tor,
conipclltMl nic to witiidraw tiic pafty. except a seri;-eant an<l one man. \\ iioni 1
h'tt at ( I |-een\ il le. with the \\;\ix and letlei-. I aeeideiit a 1 1 \ li'arned ffoin a citi-
zen llial oil. Ill' about the llh iiist.. the i;-iin-boat. the ('nrlew. landed a paft_\-.
\\ lio met the \]-,\\x ot ti-iice. disai'med the bcarci's. and took tlvm on board.
\\ hei-e they were nidelv treati'd and their dispatch ln'oken open and I'cad. It
was tlien retni'ned I0 tIr.Mn with the remark that ('aptain Sutherland sliould
be infornu'd tlie letter was for him. .\bout tlie time tliis news reached me,
and before I could communicate witli tlie seri;'eaut referred to. I lieard from
a citizen that a !.;-un-boat had landed and taken otV two men. I at once dis-
patched another part\ with a tla'4' of tiaice aiul letter, a cop\- of whieli jilcase
Mud inclosed | not found | as well as a cop\- of tlie answci- 1 recei\ed to it. I
can not leai'u b\' what l)oat they were taken, and have not receixcd an answer
from Admiral I'orter. 'I heir horses and e(piipments 1 found at ( I ri-ein i lie.
Since the i'ecei]it of ('a|itain |.l. .\.| I'riekett's letti-r. 1 ha\c posted a picket
at. or near (ireeinille. but fi-oni the :l'.\Vi\ to that time. 1 liad no ti'oops nearer
than 1went\- miles, except the part\- with the tlaii'. and 1 need not add that
the asscrticm of Captain I'rickett. in regard to the tlaL;s of truce, is utterly
false, and that none but those mentioned herein have been scut or been seen
there.
Xers respect full,\. \<>ur obedient ser\ant.
S. W. Im-:ki;isox.
1/ieut. Col. ( 'oiiima nd ini;".
Ivcl'crriiiu' to pri'viotis panes for the date of the arrival of Col.
C\ R. lOllct at ( ii-('('ii\ illc. to take llic S\\ rrzKULAXi) and Mon.vkcii to
A(liiiii-al Porter alioNc \'icksl)iirii'. and the explanation of the sudden
inlci-nipt ion of the connnnnications is apparent. Sntherlaml will
later he fonnd serxini:' with the M. ,M. 1). a short time, and then on
sick lea\'e. later a paroled prisoner, in wife's care, and finally resign-
ini!". No in(inirv was cxcr made into the ahoxc matter, as no facts of
siiflicicnl imporianc ' were known, and Caiitain Sntherlaiid's eneru'etie
and honorahle record oot's against the iuiplieations of this lately de-
\('loped e\ idenee. M is not tlie lirovince of our History to exonerate
or eundemn.
\.\<)t<'. — In a foot-note, at iiai^c (VJC), Series xxix Pt. -5. Kebellion
Keeords. the editor correctly states that Capt. Sutherland was not
an otlicer of the Xa\y. bnt erroneously a.dds that he was simply em-
ployed \)\ the (^K M. Dcpl. as an officer of the ram fleet — the fact be-
\\\'JC that he was a duly connnissioned infantry cai)tain in the ram fleet
ser\'ice. I
2^6 Histoi'ij of the Ram Fleet.
DIFFIcrLTIES OF DISC^IPLIXE AMOXli RAM FLEET
This was. 1'roiii the start, a subject of areat jicrplexity to the suc-
cessive Coniiiiaiulers of the liain Fleet. At the very first attempt to
phin an atlaclc upon the enemy at Fort PiUow. Col. Charles Ellet,
the (\>nnnaii(ler. encountered a reluctance and opposition, on the part
of several boat's officers, which gave him much uneasiness for the suc-
cess of his enterprise. His own uutlinchiuii' bravery, his tiruniess and
his tact in <i-etting men to voluiit<'er. soon demonstrated to his crews
the feasibility of his plan of warfare, and showed them that its real
jx'rils were fai' less than ima<>ined, and infused a sjiirit of courage and
eimdation in (hn-ing deeds, which finally became the characterizinu:;
feature of tlie ram fleet service.
But occasions for discipline continued to occur, and in the latter
part of that service they became a most perplexing and burdensome
feature of its maruigement. The first case the records disclose is that
of W. (i. Curtis, an engineer of the Queen of tiik AVest, who was
charged w ith mutinous conduct, and language unbecoming an officer
in the service. According to his own rejiresentation of the matter he
outranked tlie military officer connnanding the boat. Lt. ("ol. Ellet
re(juested (ien. AA'illiams. then Connnanding op[)()site \'icksburg
(July '(VI) to appoint a Court Mai'tial. No record is found of a trial,
but later Curtis was heard of through attorneys in Cincimiati. having
Ijeen released by the Provost Martial on his own authority, and now
desiring a j)i"oper dischargt' in order to draw his i)ay. The Ram
Fleet conunander made a caustic characteristic re[)ly, refusing the re-
<|uest. The next in the order of date was that of Joe M. Davis, Pilot
of the (^iKEX, for deserting his post on the morning of July 1."), just
before tlu' boat started with the patrol \\\) the A'azoo. A similar
charge was entered at the same time, for a like ofl'ence. against Alex.
C. Smith, Pilot of the Switzerland. All three men were sent under
arrest, to (Jen. Sherman at Memphis, as dirt'cted by (ien. Ilalleck, to
whom, as we have seen the question of disci])line in these cases had
been i-eferred. In August following, for some offence, of which no
record is found, Lieut. J. II. Johnson (one of the three Lieutenants
in the original detail from the .^Dth Til. Vols.) being in arrest, and at
Overton Hospital, Memphis, made a written ap[)eal to Lt. Col. A. W.
('a.sr.s of Ij'/f«ij>liiic. 2^y
VMci for Iciiicncv, to which thai oHiccr al once iv.sj)()iul('(l by with-
(h'a\viii<2." the charo-c aii'ainst him. and ordcrinii' him to ri'])ort for (hity
lo his former comuuuKh In the hitter part of Auii'ust the case of
Lieut. \\. I). Russell, of the (i-Ul IlL \'ols., commandini'" on Laxcas-
iKU, fluly 1.^. of whose incomijetence and cowardice it was aUeu-ed he
lia\'e evidence that (hiy, was disjxjsed of by iiis heiiiii' returned to his
former connnand. The only case of the kind occnrrinjj,' in the fleet
was the desertion of W. S. (iroonis, wlio had heen transferred from
the Army to the llect. and hecame an eniiineer on the S\\ rrzioiinANn.
\n order (()ctol»er ^k ISC)'.!) for his arrest at Lonis\ille on the charge
of desertion, is the hist shown of him by the recoi'd. ( )ctobei' <). I^t.
Col. Ellet at .Moinid City. 111., sio-nities to Brio-, ({en. Tuttle that the
witnesses are now a\ailable in the case of John 1). Cook', left a pi'is-
oner in the hands of the Provost, on the order of (ien. Tuttle. some
time before, and the order for trial was re(in.este(l. No othei' facts
shown by i-ecords. At the mouth of the ^ a/oo. January 'I-k '^V.\, Act-
uiii' 1st blaster J. A. Comstock. of the Lancastkr. under arrest for
some dereliction of duty not stateil. was restored to duty by T^ieut.
ridl. V. Howell, uith the nndei'standiiii;- that he shall resign at once,
t )n l'\'bruary 1. on the (^ri:i;x. then prepared for I'umiini!," the l)at-
lei'ies. fJo-iah \. Reedei'. hei- pilot, liatly refnse(l to pe|-form his duty,
and openly dejied the Conniuinder's authority to com|)i'l him to ii'o.
lie was placed in arrest, and later tried and conxicted of insuboi'di-
nation and mutiny, in the face of the enemy, by a Xa\al Court of In-
<|uiry. appoinle(| l)y Adnnral Porter. The hndiniis. an<l decisicni
thereon, with the sub-c(|uent cori'espondence. an<l opinion of the head
of the Law Di'pailment of the iioNci-nment at A\'ashini:ton. are here
liiven in full because of their historic interest:
Mouth (pf ^'ii/.iio i;iv.M-, Miii-cli ;i'.). ISO:!.
Tn file cast- ol' .losiali \". IJeedff. pihit on Ixiard the ram (^m-cn of the West,
on whom a Court of lii(|iiii-v was lu'lil, for rcfusiui;- to prrforui tlic duty for
whicli it was supposi'd hi> enlisted. 1 he cliai-i^es wi-rc all sustained, hut the
eourt tind: (1). That the accused was diseharii-ed by Colonel Chaides K.
Ellet after tlie offense was eommitti-d Colonel l']llet takiiiL;- no ste])s in the
matter, except to eom|)laiu to the Admiral. (:.'.) It a])])eai-s that tlie accused
received assin-ances from Ceni'ral ICllet. at Mound City, 111., tliat the accused
would not be re(|nired to run hea\y hatteries. if he shipped in tlie Earn Fleet.
(;;). That as shown by the evidence of C. W. Lindsay. Second Afaster in the
2j8
Ilisfofi/ of the luf/ti Fleet.
Uani l-'let't. pilots, ciiiii lu'crs. tirt'iiu'ii. and iiifii on lioard the Kaiii Meet, do not
(■onsidfi- thfinsflvcs as htdonyiiii;- to cilluT aniiy or iiavv. (4.) That tht>iX' is
an iL;noTanc(' cxistinii' as to what hn\s and rcy idat ions tht'\- ai-c snhji'ct to.
( ."i ) . 'I'liat sonii' ha\(' hccn allowed 1o disobey orders and others ha\c been
jjnnislied for it. (('>.) That the discipline of the llani I'leet was not very
Lj-ood. ( T. ) That pilots, eniiineers. and boat men in the Uain [•"leet ai'e snbjeet
to the oi-ders of the Colonel com nia nd i iii^' tlie l{ani l-'leet. ( s. ) That all olli-
eers and men ha\e to obey ordei-s emanatinL;" from their snperior ollieers. (9.)
That Colonid Cliai'les !;. I^llet did. on 1st l'"el)rnai-y. IsC,:!. i;-i\e to three of his
eiii^ineers llie pi-i\ileye of i;iiini;- on the (,)neen of the West, past the \'ieksl)iiri,'-
batteries and thev went. (Kl.) That a d iselia I'i^e from a ram is tile oi-der
from ihe eommandiny oltieer to the paymaslei- to pay Ihe person the monev
dne him. In consideration of Ihe im|ierfect nnderst a ndi ni;- had. with tlie im-
mediate eommandci-s of tlie Ham Fleet and (the) apparent irrci^idar manner
of doiny- thini^s on tllose vess(ds. the acensed is hereby i-eleased from any
fni'ther proceed iiii^s. and is at liberty 1o L;d when he pleases.
J)a\M) I). l'oi;ri;i!,
Admii-al r. S. N.
Tt will 1)1' noticed that this was (luriiii:' the pci'idd of ihc •■straiiictl
relations"* hctwccn tlir Admiral and the (ieiu'ral. which may ha\(' had
its iiifliU'iicc upon the decision (|Uote(l.
IIead(pia rters Mississippi Marine 1 *.i-iL;ade.
FhiLiship Autocrat. Above N'icksbnri^-. March :;i. isi;:;.
Adjiihiiil (icii'itil Lorenzo TIioiikis :-
Sir: — 1 ha\e the lionor herein to enclose tiic proceed i ni;s of a Conrt of lii-
(pMr\' held by order of Actini;- Hear Admiral |)a\i(l 1 ). I'orter in the case of
.losiah lieedcr. pilot on steamer ram (^)neen of the West, who rcd'nsed 1o obc\-
his olliccr. Coloiud Charles \l. I^ilet. to rnn said boat past the Nicksbnri^- bat-
teries in face of the enemy, on the 1st da\' of Febrnarv. last. Also the tindinsjfs
of Ihc (leiieral C<ini't Martial eoincned li\ m,\- order for the trial of one Thos.
^V. Car\e\. pilot, for a like olfense and others. In the tirst case Ihe court
find that the chari^es ai'c all snstaincd. "yet. in considei-at ion of the imperfect
iindei'sta ndiiii;' with the immediate commanders of the Kam l''leet. and tlie
apparent irrei;nlar manner ( d' doini;' tiling's on those vessels the accused is
hercl)\' rtdeased from an\ fm'ther proceed i nL;s and is at libcrtx to i;-o where
he pleases."' In the other case the court lind ""That it has lU) rii;h1 to take
cognizance in the matter the |iris(uu'i' beini;' in its option (opinion) neither
olliccr. non-commissioneil oflicei-. nor pri\ate. and thei-eforc not subject to the
conse(picnces of a \iolation of the articles of war. and that it has no autli(U-it\'
over offenses aL;ainst .\a\,\- K'eynlat ions. Cnder these embarrassi ul;' cireimi-
stances. I woidd most respect fill l_\ ask to be instructed l)y special (U'der. how
Ju(l(jc Ad r<)c(ttc (r'e/icfd/'.'i Clcai' () i>n
239
to proceed aijainsl otTeiidiiiL;- ]):irties l)eloniiiny to Ibis class, as it is ahsol iiteiv
neeessarv Uiv 1 lie l;o(i(I of the service tliat Justice l)e (ieall in some w' a \ to
sucli oft'erulers.
\'ery |-es|iect fii 1 1 v. \(imi- obedient scrxaid,
.\i.M;i:n W. lOi. 1.1:1.
I!|-ii;'. Cen. ('oniM^- M. M. I'.ri^ade.
.unci-: adx (x a ri': (;i:.\i':i; \i/s oiddCK.
\Vasliini;ton. I). ( '.. .Inne I I. tsc,:;.
Ilespcet full V rctiiMied to tlic Secretary of War. 'I'lie (|nestion I'aised l)v
the within |iaper is: Mow sliall pilots, eniji ncei's. etc.. of tlie Kani l'"leet he
pj-oseciited and pnnished for oll'enses eoniniitt"d. while on dnt\'. In the tirst
()lace it is to he remarked that the force under ('olontd l^llet, on dnt\' in the
Kam l-'leet. is understood to lie a special c( nit i ni^cnt and portion of the .\rm\'.
and not of the .\a\y of the I'nited States. Tersons thei'efoi-e emploNCil n|ion
these rams are to he punished, if at all. nnder the law which i;-o\erMs the dis-
cipline of tile .\rmy. 'I liese pilots, etc.. are neither otticcrs nor enlisted men
and can not. theref(U'e. he tried under those articles, which concern onl\- otTi-
cers and soldiers. \\\ a special article, howcxcr (Article (iO) these persons,
speciticd as ",\ll persons whatsoe\er ser\iii^' with the armies of the l'iiite(l
States in the field, tlioutzh not cnlist'.'d soldiers. "" arc "made suhject to orders,
aceordi ul;' to the rules and discipline of war." I !e llart ( pai^c :.'."i ) in ccimmcnt-
\\v^ upon the phrase "I'eixuis ser\ini;- with the armies." holds that it includes
"those that se|-\e in the army h.\' cnyanenicnt for pidilic hire or pa\," and tliis
is precisely tli;' case ol' the pilots, ciiii'i iiecrs. etc.. on the rams, who are hired
by the comma lid i iil;' olticer of the fleet, to perform the duties <d' their pi'( d'ession,
for a cei'tain period. ret-ei\t' as a hiial discharL;e. an order from that olTicer upon
the pa\iiia'-ter for their paw Aiiicte CiO was the result of a "necessity" felt
ainoiii;' armies in the held, (see i)e llart, paL;'c '?J.\. and Iteiu't. pai^e :.".!), and is
es))eeially applicahle to the pi-eseiit case. The persons in (piestion, therefore,
should he tried h\ court mai'tial. under this article.
.1. lloi/r.
.Tudii'e Aihocate (leneral.
As we lm\(' iiixcii llic oiiiiiioii of the .liidoc Adxocatc (n'iH'i-;il,
the l:i\v oflicci- of (lie ( ioyci-iiiiiciit, in these niatters, it www I):" well
to copy the foflii of oath taken hy e\-ei-y hoatiliaii of the lleet. of
•\vhate\"ei- oradc. as preliiiiiiiafy to his eiitefiiio- the ser\iee. It was
as folhiws:
M ILIIWin' OI'ddCA'tlOX.
1. I)a\id I.. Southwick, h<i Salciii ill 11 Sircar. That 1 will hear trui- alle-
g-iance to llic t'nited States of Amei-ica. and that I will serve them honestlv
and faithfullv ai;aiiist all their enemies or opposers whatsoever, and ohservc
2^o H'lstovii of the lid in Fleet.
and oliey tlu' orders of the I'resident of the United States, and the onh'i-s of
the oifieers a]jp()inted over nie. aeeording' to the rnh's and artieles for the g'o\-
evnnient of the forces of the United States, and all ( Ion ernnient business en-
trusted to nie sliall he strictly and sacredly confidential, and 1 will nse iny in-
finenee to lia\f good disci])line in the service to which I l)ek)ni>', and continue
well and li-idy to sevxc until 1 am discharged, pi-oxided tlie term of service
shall not exceed six months from tlie date hereof. So luCLr me (ion.
his
(Signed). David L. (X) Soitiiwu'I-:.
maric
Dated and subscribed at Cairo. HI.. Aiay Kith. \SiV.l.
It is \n\{ just to say that, Avliile ott'eiuU'i's (aniouii' l)()ats. otlia'i's or
crews) sonu'tiiiu's oti'erecl the plea that tliev were not reaularly in the
service, and so not anienal)le to niilitarv hiw, such was not the position
of the most of these men, who regarded themselves bound for the
j^eriod of their enlistment, and performed their duties with ecjual
hdelity and hraxcry. as the officers and soldiers serving with them.
In this connection is given the decision of another hranch of the gov-
ernment upon the same (luestion (the relation of the crews of the rams
to the service) upon an inquiry made A])ril i>, iSC))), hrst of (Jen.
(irant, and then of the Connnandei- of the Mississippi S(iuadron. as
to the pro])riety of an issue of clothing, to some of the (exchanged)
prisoners then at Benton Barracks, who had been captured from the
Qt EEx :
OFFICI': CO.MMlSS.MiV (IKXKU.M^ OF i'lJ I SOXKKS.
Wasliington. I). ('.. May 2:i. ISfi?,.
Col. li. L. E. Ildii mrillc. Coin mil niliiif/ liciilon lla rrdcl.s. si. Louis. Mo.: —
Colonel: — 'S'oui' lellei- of the tith inst. was receixed and in i-e])l\' I have to
say that the issue of clotliing to the crew of the (}uecn of the West Avas very
proper. Tliese men belong to lOllefs brigade, though not soldiers, and it is
proper that an account of the issues made to them should l)e sent \sith them,
^\■hen they Join their comma nd.
A'ery i'es|)eetf ull\'. your (il)edient ser\ant.
\V. Hoffman,
Col. '.U\. Inf. Com. (Icn. of Prisoners.
Only one other case of inti'rest remains to l»e mentioniMl — that of
Pilot Garvey, who ran the (^ikex aground under the guns of Fort
De Russy, on Ived river, and caused tlu> loss of the vt'ssel. and cap-
ture of ])art of the crew, the rest ((iarvey inchided) making their
Pi'nc MoiK'i/, and to Whoii) A irmuli'd .
241
osoai)i' on cotton hiilcs. There had been some fi'iction between the
connnaniler and this oflicer. before the e\'ent. and perhaps some canse
for distrnstinii" his hdelity. but ihouu'h hehl h)ni:- in ari-est. chara-ed
with a treasonable act. no e\idence was e\-er a(hhired to sustain tlie.
chariic and it was hnally aUowed to (h'op. and the accused officer
went fi'ee.
From the foreii'oinu- it will be seen tbut in the i-am llect service
-cNcral distinct causes con-pired to I'endei- fruitless — nearly all at-
tempts at punitive discipline, ("hief anionic- these were the inexperi-
ence of its X'onnnandei-s in ndlitary pi-oce(lure. the uncertain, or at
least not well delined. relation of the boats crew to the ser\ice. and
the scattered, and constantly chaniiini:- rel;Uion> of both ollicers and
ci'e\\>. Practically, the force of whatcNcr dix-ipline was attempted,
was found alone in the incoincnience and di>i;"race attached to a
!)eriod of arrest.
PKIZE MOXKV IX TIIK IvAM FLKF/F SKin'U'E.
It was the idea of the oriu'inator of the Ram Fleet that an incen-
ii\-e to faithful service in it. should be held out. to attract courao-eous
men. and incite them to deeds of bi-a\'ery. He ui-ued this upon the
\\'ai- Secretary, but there were obstacles in the way. and nothinii' defin-
ite could bi' promised, furthei" tlcan "•favorable mention." And. al-
lhou<>h the law ^oNcrnin^- the awanl of prize money in the Xa\y. was
well iniderstood. it was not applical)le to tlu' Uam I'deet. and not until
ConuTcss had transb'rre(l the Mississippi Flotilla (except the Rams)
to the Xa\v. was any attempt made to award pri/e money for the
captures it had elfected. Throuiih \arious iidluence-. lai'ii'dy that of
the historic sa(a-ilic(> of the Ram I'deet Conmumder's own life, at Mem-
phis, the Xa\al authoi'it ies. conducting- the tii'st awai'ds. took' knowl-
edo-e of the conspicuous part taken in the battle before Memphis, by
rams Qi:eex and MoXAiaii. and placed their ollicers. crews, and even
the soldiers serxin^- on them, in that battle, on the pri/e li-^t. and they
were awarde(l shares. The crews only, of the othei' i-ams. I'cceived
distributive shares in the capture or de-truction award-, then, or sub-
sequently made. Tln'se awards may be sunnnai'i/ed as follows:
2^2 [Ii.'<t<>fii of flic lidin Fleet.
liA.MS AM) I'lllMK AWAIJDS.
All r;iins shared in caiitiirc nf l!niL;L;' and Sinn pTfr at Mi'inphis.
Lioness. Sampson and S\\it/,ci-la nd also in capture of l'\\ii-pla,\- at Miiiikens.
(^neen and Monarch, also in captni'e or destruction n\ otiier \essels at Mein-
ph:s and cisew lieiv.
Xoiu' of t!u' military ofiiccrs or soldiers (with the above excep-
tions) e\('r i\M'('i\-e(l any i-eward or I'ecoo-nit ion for their sei'\'ice under
the many ciUs for (hirinii- and heroism. As the story of this sei'\ice
now conchide^. it shall he with an ascription of hiiiiiest honors to the
ne\'er to he foi'iiotten Sharpshooters of the Mississippi Ri\'ei' Kani
Fleet, on \\ hose marksuu'nship and hraxery. the succe.-^s of e\ery ram
in action, was so laiv'^eU- denendent.
Part II
History of the Marine Brigade,
Brig. Gen. Alfred W. Ellet, Commander of the Mississippi Marine
Brigade.
Sketch of General Ellet.
Alfred ^^';lsl)illi;•t(.ll Ellet was l.oi-ii Octohei- IHh. l.S-20. on his
father's fai'iii in P)iicks County, Pa., on the haniss of the Delaware,
nearly o])])osile Hurlin^ii'ton. X. ,1. He was the youn<^"est of six sons,
and next the youngest of fourteen children. As a youth, it is said, he
was inclined to be self-willed, hut was always truthful, and in his im-
pulses generous and kind. In lS-24 his father's family removed to
Philadelphia, where Alfred entered the city schools. Meantime he
Ui-ew rapidly, until at about tlie age of sixteen, because of failing
health, he was compelled to forego furthei' educalional ad\antages,
and by ad\ice of the family physician, went to Illinois, and engaged
in farming near P)unker Hill, about twenty-five miU's northeast of
St. Louis. He came to manhood's estate with a gigantic physi(jue.
being six feet two and one-half inches tall, and possessed of strength
l)roi)ortionate to his size.
The early trend and bent of any gi\'en life, go fai' toward deter-
mining the scope of later activities, and the measure of life's accom-
plishments. In \-oung Ellet's case, as we ha\'e already seen, circum-
stances indicated the occupation which regard for his health forced
u|)on him. Put farming furnished no ade(|uate (ieid for the exercise
of those abilities which he sul)se(|uentlv dis])layed. in so marked a
degree. Hence the record of his early manhood ])resents little for
liistoricai mention. Though not what could pro|)erly be called ortho-
dox in Ids religious tenets. Alfred Kllet was a man of fine moral char-
acter— pure minded — strictly temperate in life — kindly in spirit — and
with an uncompromising sense of justice and right.
At the b;'ginning of the Civil War, Alfred Kllet was living iu
limiker Hill, III., not in idle luxury, but in comfortable and easy cir-
cumstances. At tliat time his aged and widowed mother, to whom
rid'erence is made elsewhere in these pages, was uuiking her home in
his fandly. Tb.is woman was worthy the highest adnnration and the
(leei)est devotion of iiei- children, and this was spontant'ously accorded
her bv them. It was, to the citizens of Hunker Hill, no unusual thing
215
246
Jllsfoiij of flic Mdi-'nic J>ri(jii(h
to see this aj^cd inotlicr and her son Alfred upon the sti\H't toa'etluT.
In his escort of her the son's manner was excr that of a youthful and
ardent lover toward his intended bride. She leaned conlidiniily upon
his stronii' arm. while with solicitous care he chose hei- way. selectinii"
safe places for her feet, and seeminii- to hold his personal prowess in
constant command for her protection.
The humiliatino- defeat of the Tnion foi'ces at liull Run, so near
their old home. Hred Alfr.'d Ellet's j)atriotic soul, and in duly. IsiU.
as captain of a coini)any. raised hy himself in and around Bunker
Hill, he entered the service of his country, at the Arsenal, in St. Loitis,
his hein^' C'om[)any I. l>th Missouri Infantry ^^)hlnteers. This en-
tire re<j,iment was composed of Illinois men. who had enlisted with
the exix'ctation of being nuistered into an Illinois rei>iment. unik'r
Pi'esident Lincoln's call for seventy-H^•e thousand \()]unteers: but the
(|uota of that state was filled about a W(n'K: before they were ready for
muster, and so they were Hi'st accredited to Missouri, afterwai'd how-
e\t'r bet'omiiii:- tlie r)i)th 111- Infantry.
Caj)tain Kllet participated in the early and memorabU' Missouri
cam})ai_a'ns. under (ienerals Fi'emont and Curtis, and was with his
re<>'iment in the battle of Pea Kida-e. ^^'bil(^ in camj) a few weelcs
later, he received an order to re[)()i1 to his brother, Charles Ellet, Jr.
and was nuule second in conunand of the Mississippi Kiver Ham Fleet,
with the iMuk of Lieut. Colonel. The reader, who lia.s perused the
forcii'oini;' pap's. is ali'eady fa.nuliar with his brilliant career as Com-
mander of that fleet, after his brother's death, ami is also aware that,
ill recou'iiition of his distiui^'uished ser\ice on the Mississip})i, the War
Department determined, in Xm'embi'r. bsirj. to enlarge his command,
and promote him to the rank of liriii'adier (ieiieiMl. This new com-
mand, which included the rams, was the Mississippi Ki\H'r Marine Bri-
gade, whose story is told in the suceediiig ])ages.
In the ready adaptation of himself to the duties of both these
commands, the remarkable resourcefulness of FJlet's mind found dis-
pla\- that ama/ed ext'ii his most intimate friends. Me at once mastered
the knowledge of river craft, and na\igation. Inning in a marked de-
gree the faculty of a\'ailing himself ([uickly of the k'liowledge others
had spent months and Ncaiv- in ac(iuiring. Thus he was able to maii-
aii'e the atl'airs of the rams, maintaining (heir e(|uipmeiit and high
Sl.'ctrh nf (r'ciiny// Kllct.
247
>tiiii(lar(l of t'lliciciicy, and later oriiaiii/;' and (M|i!i]) the 'ifi^adc. and
(iircc'l all its ari-anut'iiicnt of Uoats for tlu' transport in^- of lii< coni-
maiid. \\diiU' not a niilitarx' tactician. ' c skii!fnll\- <>atiu'r('d aUoiit
liini those who were, and a\aile(l himself of iheii- knowledo-e. But
at the front, where dnty called. hi< courage :iiid sl:ill were nnciues-
lioned. Here he was (inicU' to see ad\ .tnlaii'eoiis oo-ilions. and the
required nioxcnient- of his forces. And so, althonuh during' his ser-
vice as a hrieade couunander he was jiitteil ajiainsl such skillful
•Confederate leaders as Shelhy. Chaluiei-s. -Marniadul-c. A\'alkei'. and
the wily ^A'irt Adams, in no siniile instance was lie outy,eneraled hy
anv of them, (ieneral Kllet was a sunerh hoi'senuiii. aiul in action he
was like a tierce lion stirred up in his lair, while his |);'r,-onal h'ai'ini:-
ninid the most appailinii' perils was e\-er an insi)iration to his troops.
In a sense exactinii", in the measure of service and dai'ina' i-cMiuired of
his suhordinates. he was cori'esDondiniily p-nerous and einially just, in
his recoenition of i'\'erv service rendere(l hy his inferior,-.
The story of (ieiu'i'.il Ellet's military ser\ic:'. xcry in;ule(|uately
told in these pae-es. furnishes the trut' criterion for a just estimate of
him as a man. and as a soldiei-. His worth to the I'nion cau-i', none
))i'tter knew or appreciatetl. than the eiu'Uiies of Ins coimtry. AVhile
errors of judiiuient. and fault in minor detail of action, may p;'rliaps
he discerneil hv the critical, they pale into insiuniHcance. wh.eii
\iewed in the li^hl of Ids \alorous deeds in the hour of his country's
need. His j)atriotism and couraij,-e and loyalty were tested in many a
tiery trial, and ne\'er was there a falteriua- in the path of dutv. He
could not e-cape en\\' and deti'action. hut his ennnent cari'cr placxl
him far ahove them, and the annals of his countrx' luiN'e made his
name imixuishahle.
24'^' Jlistory of flic Mdrinr lir'ujddc.
IX'I RODICTIOX TO THE IIISTOKY OF THE MARINE
P)RI(;AI)E.
Diiriiii:- till' year liS()'2 (he western divisions of the I'nion army
and navy achicxcd inijjoi'tant \ictories. in part i-ccordi'd in tlu' prc-
(•('(lin«i' })aii('s, an(] those in lara'e ineasni-e contribnted toward the suc-
cessfnl outcome of tb.e Civil Way.
Early in that year, (ieneral (Jrant had taken Forts Ilenrv and
Donelsoii. compellinu- the e\acnation of Bowling' (ireen and Colnm-
bns; Nashville was occupied by Fnion troojjs; the battle of Pittsburg
Landina" was foui^'ht and won; and the strongly fortihed city of
Corinth was ca])turetl.
On the Mississipi)i River a like series of victories was recorchMJ
111 (iiiick succession. Ishuid Number Ten was cai)tured: New ()rleans
surrendered; Forts Pillow and liaiidol])li were e\acuate(l; the Con-
federate flotilla was destroyed at .Memphis, and that city made the
important base of further army and navy operations.
The Mississi])pi River was thus practically ojjen to \'icksburii".
and its safe navigation became essential to the successful operation of
our armies. Down its deep, turbid, channel must be trausportt'il the
reinforceinents. i)ro\ i-ions. and munitions of war. net'ded for the
strengthening. sup])ort. and e(|uipinent of our forces in the held.
From St. Louis to \'icksbiirg stretched eight hundred miles of
watery way. The mighty river wended its course over many treach-
I'l'oiis shoals, and bi'tween tortuous banks, through the very heart of
disloyal territory, still in possession of scattered Forces of the enemy.
Such was the conformation of the stream, that the banks atl'orde(|
ample and in\iting opj)ortunity for the masking of Confederate bat-
teries, and the concealment of guerrilla bands, loc-ated foi" the purpose
of liriiig upon, and capturing or sinking. [)assiiig vessels richly freight-
e(l with government supplies. The gunboats of the rixcr navy af-
forded no ade(|uate relief from this harrassing peril. For when com-
])elled by the Hre of the gunboats to retire fi'om their chosen ))osition>,
the enemy had only to withdraw a mile or two into the int'M-ior, and
either wait until the gunboats were gone, or select another position a
I nfi'od iictoi'u liciiKi rli's.
249
few miles ahoN'c oi' hclow. luid thci-c renew their operations. Had all
the upper Mississippi na\y l)een scatterecl alon<i' the ri\ei- IVoiii Cairo
to \'icksl)urii'. and eaeji iii\'en a I'easonahh' l)eat to patroL (here woidd
not have heen enoni;'li,\^'essels to insure our trans])oiis the >a t'e naxiiia-
lion 0I" the i-i\('r. That which was manifestly and imperat i\"ely (h'-
nianded \>\ the situation was. the orijanizat ion ami e()uipuient of a
military force whicli couhl not only successfully liiiht the harrassin<>"
iiiierrillas upon the water, hut which could also di'-emhark tro()])S to
lii;lil them on land: and if necessary, pursue tlieui far iuto the in-
terior, malvina' it hazardous for these hands to prosecute their pai'tisaii
wai'fare. and insurinii' our transports safe na\ ii;at ion.
'Idle foreiioinii' statement of the situation linds fidlest contirma-
lion in Admiral l'ortei-"s Xaxal History. At paiics .■'.:')!-•_'-.■'.. he say>:
■•( )ue [)orlion of Admiral Porter's connnand. the Marine jii-inade. is
'■entitle(l to special mention. )\ hen he assumeil connuand of the Mis-
"sissippi S([uadr(iu. the Aduiiral applietl for a force of marines, to l)e
"carried in suitahle vessels accom|)anyinii' the uiinhoats. and lo I).'
dande(| at points where ])ar(ies of <^uerrillas were woul to assemhle.
"The Li'iiiihoats alone could not Wreak' these parties up. and it was
■"thercd'ore necessar\" to haxc trained soldiers at hand to chase and an-
"nihilate them. 'Idie Xa\y l)e])artment could not furnish the ma-
"rines asked for. hut the War Department undertook to furni>h the
"necessary vesscds to carr\' these soldiers aWout. 'I he couuuaud was
"given to I5ri<j;'a(liei' (icneral. Alfred AA\ r>llet. and as the memhers
"of this famih' had Ixd'ore proved thems(d\'es hrax'e and enterprisinii'
"men. several of them were i;i\eu appointments in the Mai'ine Uri-
"-ade."
'Idle impoilatce to the I uion cause of the sjiecial seiwice for
which the Marine PuMiiiKle was organized, is further shown in a letter
from which we make some extracts, written 1)\' Mi". Seddon. the Con-
federate Secretai-y of ^^'ar. to (General Ivirh\' Siiiilh. and which was
cnptiu'ed near Natchez \\\ the l>i'ii:ade itself. In that letter Mr. Sed-
don ad\ i~es that : "Small hands of men he rai-e<i. to he armed with
"rifles and lield pieces, foi' the exiiress purpose of interrupt iiiii' na\i-
"ii'ation on the Mississijijii. . . . The work must he accomplished at
"all hazards, and at whate\er cost, as the jiossession of the river hy
"the enemies of the Confederacy, is havillii- a had (dVect upon Coiifed-
2i)0
Ilixtofij of the M tif'nic 1> i/(/<i<]( .
''cralc ]ji'()Sj)rcts abroad. ... I wi'otc you sonic lime aiio. that coni-
"iiiissioiis in l)lank had hern sent to the Department of the TiOwer
'•Mississi])pi, to he Idled iij) w ith the names of parties who wid un(h'r-
"lake this work."
Secretary Stanton was (|uiek to eoni])rehend this critical Mtu-
atit)n on tlie JVlississippi. and ^hen there came to him, from Lieut. Col.
\. A^^ EUet. a stron_i»" connnunication rtdatin^- to this matter, he was
prompt to act. Sunnnoninu- Ellet. who had just been made a Bri-
ii'adier. to A\'ashinuton. for conference respectinii,' the oriianization. and
the needful transpoi-tation for the i)roj)()sed connnand. the details
were arrang'ed, and within an inci'edihly brief time there was formed
and ('([nipped for acti\'e warfare an entirely no\'el arm of the ser-
vice. Belonging' to the army it was yet. necessarily, as the ram fleet
had been, to co-ojX'rate with the na\y. And it was destined to l)lay
an important part in making it jjossible for the great Father of
A^'aterr^ again to "How unvexed to the sea." A\'e now enter upon the
story of this nni(iiie connnand. with the single purpose of gi\ing to
the world a consecutive and authentic account of the heroic deeds of
the ollicers and men composing it.
CHAPTER I
Nov 1862 — March '63
(i iKiriUii \\'<irf(irc on tin' l//.s-.s-/.v\//)/(/. '/'lie Xccd of <i \l(iriiic Force St roii;/! il
licjirc.-iciitcd III! Admiral I'orlcr. I'rdcficdl Sin/nr.sHoii.s From Liciil. Col.
A. ir. Hllct.- lie is Summoned to Wash i ii (/ ton unit ]hi<le llrif/dtlier (leneral.
- 'I'lie ]l ississippi Marine liri(/(ide A ii I hori.:cd. Ori/dnited <it llenton Hdr-
r<iel:s Diirinij \\'int<r of ls(;:Mi:;. Ineiilent-s. Orders. i:ti\ lioats Fitted Out
on tiie Ohio, liroui/lil to St. Louis. Com nnind H m Ini rl:ed for tlie Front. —
'ilie I n iindiited Sitiidtion of (I rant's Army Alio{-e \ icLshii I'tj.
The rciuU'i" who has foUowcd the forci^'oin*^' paifes, has sihmi the
pi-oiiipt action of the Sccrctai'v of" ^^al■ in [)r()(luciiio- the I'ani tieet
when the iicccssil y. and tlie man for the eniergvncv. ai)})eareil. Like
conditions a<j;ain aj)[)ea]ed to this givat souled patriot, and ai>'ain he
meets the emeriivncv as before, by inniiediate. vi<>T)rous. and successful
action. Vin- the new warfare ah)ii<:- the nppei- Mississippi, the stronjx
I'epri'scnlations of the need of a mol)ile force, i)resented by Admiral
Porlci- (to the Xa\y I)e})artment. however), and like connniuiications
from the ram fleet commander, couph'd with his practical snii'p'stions
of how it could be operated, all impressed the ^^'ar Secretary, who al-
ready had the pi-omotion of Lieut. Colonel Ellet for gallantry in ac-
tion, under consideration. Promptly he summoned Ellet to AA'ashing-
ton. as he had his brother the year before, and with him went all over
subject, with the results already noted. Some facts not generally
known concerning thcM' dtdiberat ions are ])reserved in a letter from
(ieneral Kllet. written while at Washington, after attending confer-
ences with Stanton and Ilalleck. They are of special historic interest
and an extract containing them is here given: "'(ieneral Ilalleck' then
-read a pi'oposilion from Admiral Porter — that (ieneral Lllet be a[)
251
252
Il'/sforij of th( Mdr'/nc I> I'/qadc.
'■poiiiti'd to coiiiinaiul Xa\"al Uria'atlc which he (Porter) had asked to
"hfive formed, and phiced under his ( Poi1ei-'s) coniiiunHh From this
•■propo^iition Secretary Stanton dissenle(h and said he had (h'ternnned
"to give (ieneral EUet the l)i-ii;ade asked foi- \)\ Porter, and to main-
"tain Ellet"s entire connnand nncK'r control of the War I)ei)artment,
" — Ellet to receive instructions fi-oni. and make rei)()rts to. the Wwv
"I>e]:»ai-tnient. as before, hut to co-ojjcrate lieartily with the navy."
In accor(hince the understanding arri\cd at. the following orders
of instruction were issued:
iiK.\i)(^i'Ai;'ri:i;s of tiii-: ai;mv.
\\;ishiliL;Tiili. 1 >. C. \(>\("llll>fl- 1. ls(i:^
Hiiii. a,, I. .1. 11'. /-;//<■'/ : -
The Secrt't;u\\ of War directs that yoii imiiu'(lia1cl_\- proc'efd to organize
a Marine Hi-iiiade for ser\ice on tlie .Mississi|)|ii i;i\er. to consist of one rei^i-
nient of Infantry, fonr s(|nadr(n)s of Caxairw and one liattei'X' of i.iizht Ar-
tillei'V. These will be t-alled tlie Mississippi \'ol iinteers. and the othcers will
he connnissioned hy the I'l'esident of the I'nited States.
They will he oryaiii/ed in the same manner as is provided for other \ol-
nnteei's. and will act iindei' s'oiir command, in connection with the Kam
l'"]t'et. and in co-o|)erat ion with the Western i;im-l)oats. A musterini;- othcer
will he assiiiiied hv the A\'ar i)e])artment to assist yon in mnsterinL!' and or-
•ianizini;' yoni" iJriiiade. Von will select recrnitiiii;' ofHeers an<l submit their
names foi' commission hy the {'resident. The llriiiade shonld l>e (jriiani/ecl
with the i;i-eatest jiossihle dis|)atch. l-"i-om \i)\\r known rapacity and cnei'i;y
mncli will he expected of ynu in raisini;- this IJrii^adc. and its employment on
the \Vestern watci-s.
\vv\ I'cspect f nl l\ . \<im- obedient sei-\ant.
H. W. Hai.i.kck.
(;eneral-in-('hii>f.
It would .'-eem. howexci'. that inihiences nnist ha\"e heen immeiliate-
ly l)i-ought to hear upon the President, for with Kllet"s counnission.
came this personal order from Mi'. I^incoln:
KXi-:('i"i"]\ !•: MAX SI ox.
Washini^ton. I). ('.. Xoveniiier 7. 1 siiri.
(tnlcrril :
That r,riL;adier (ieneral l^llct report to Kear Admiral I'orter f(ir insti'nc-
tions. and act nndei' his direct ions, nntil otherwise ordered l)\' the War JJe-
partment.
A. Lincoln.
In compliance with this authoi'ily. (ienei'al Kllct at once recom-
mended to the A^'ar Department, for appointment as ofticei's under
licrcption of the \ or li rnjndlcr
253
liiiii ill thi> lu'w coiiiiuiUKl. the foUowiiiij;- nniiu'il iiicii. and tlu-y were
duly coiiiiiii^ioncd t)\- Prc-idciit Lincoln: (':i[)t. \\'. I). Crandall. A.
A. (i.: Li('iit>. Iv ('. Kllct and Sanford (i. Scari-itt. Aidi'> dc ("amp;
.('apl. (n'oiav (^). A\diite. A. Q. M.: C'apt. danic- (\ IJrook-. A. ('. S. :
(apt. ^^^ .M. Lewi-. Fleet Paymaster: and Maj. dames Kohai'ts. Sur-
<ie()ndn-("lii<d'.
ilaxini!' made tliof i-cconnncndations. (Tciifi'al Fdlct rcturnet] at
once to Mound City. Ills., wlici-e -omc of the fam- were undcrji'oino-
r('paii>. Afri\inii' tlicfc on the I'.Uh of Xoxruihcr. the (ienei-al was
accofdcd a most cnlliu^ia-t ic I'ciH'ption from hi- command. I-rom the
lla<i-tatf on cxcfy \c>-t'l of the ram licci present floated the Stai'.- and
Siripo. while the i^uns on tlu' tlaii-hip boomed out a rn'ipidier's sa-
lute. ( )n the e\'enini:' of this ilay. assembled in the cabin of the flag'-
ship. the ollict'i-s and men of the fam fleet pfoented to the (ieiieral
an eleii'imt swoi-d. of most beautifid design ami I'are-t workmanship,
with belt and sash to match. Captain Crandall. made the presenta-
tion speech, to which (ieneral Kllet briefly responded, in a most feel-
ini:' :iiid appreciat i\"e manner, dhe presentation wa> followe(l by a
ban(|uet with toasts, of which latter the followinji' are sample-: "The
Ram Fleet — May it Xe\-er be Fleeceil." "Cotton — May what wt' Cap-
ture from Ti-aitofs in the South, be ^\^\\\\ to hani:' 'I'raitor- in the
North." "The Mississipi)i Rixcr. — ^^dlen the Independence of the
So-Called Confederacy is Acknowled^-ed — May her Waters flow
I hrouiih the Chaniud of the St. Lawrence." "The .Ahirine P)rii:"ade —
.Ma\' it be a- Successful under our (ieneral as the Ram I^dect has been
under our Colonid — Alfred A\'. Filet". Lea\"ini:' such directions as were
neces-aiy for the completion of the work on the ram-, the (ieneral
then re|)aire(| to St. Louis, haxini:- already sent ahead his Assistant
.Vdiutant (ieneral. and some other otlicers. who had established llead-
(piai'iers on the second lloor. of rooms on Third street, not far from
ihe Po-tollice. The-e llead([uarlers soon became a xcritabU' beehi\"e.
where the .\— istant .Vdjutant (ieneral with his clerks, and the re-
cruit inii- and other ollicers. with their assistants, worked early and late.
Ivecruit iuii' for the new Priyade wa-. however, soon fouiul to be
slow and dillicult. The lar^c bounties paid, and the drafts made in
\arious slates to enable them to make up tlu'ii- (|uota of troops, opi-ra-
ted stroniih' aiiaiust tin' securinii' of men for the new command, which.
^f-/ Ilisfory of tilt' M (irhic lir'x/ddc
l»('l<)ii<j^iiii:- to no particular state, could oiler no bounty to recruits, as
inducement to enter its service. Ai^ain. men j)roposing to enlist na-
turally })referred to enter companies and regiments i-aised in their im-
mediate locality. To overcome these dilKculties. and accelerate the
^vork of recruitino", (leneral Pallet wrote as follows to Washiiiiilon.
proposing the enlistment of convalescent men from the hosj)itals:
St. Louis. Mo.. l)eceinl)er 1 1!. ISG:'.
Major dcncnil II. W. Ildllcci:. (Iciicrdl-iii-Cliicf : —
(leneral: — I have tlu' lionoi' to report tliat reciMiitin;^' for the .Mississi|)pi
Marine Uriyade ])roi>resses vei'v sh)\vl\'. and in \ iew of the iiiiporta iiee ol' its
early formation, and the great diflficulty of enlisting men at tiiis time. 1 would
res])ectf nlly snq-o-est that T be authorized to obtain nieu I'i'oni eounuands al-
ready in the sei-viee. 1 would furtlier suggest thai these men be obtained
from the et)nvaleseents in hos])itals. Many men who are utterly unfitted for
the orcbnary service in tlie field would make elTieient soldiers for this service,
which is so much lighter and less fatiguing. It is especially' suggested that
by this nicans the hos])itals nuiy be gi'eatly relieved, and the men rendered sei--
viceable who \v\\\ othei'wise continue to be a burden upon the country, or ha\e
to be discharged. Again, these men being disci])line(l soldlci's \\ill. as soon as
formed into companies, be ready foi' service, while recruits will ha\f to be
kcjit out of service until di-illed. The boats are purchased and lieing put in
condition to receive the men, and it is e-arnestlv hoped by the means proposed
the l!i-iga(h' may be ready as soon as the boats. Thus the value of the com-
nuind from which the men ai'c taken will not be impaii-ed while this service
will be gi-eativ promoted.
\'ery I'cspccl lullv ,
At,fkei) W. I^^i.i.irr.
I'rigadier (ieneral.
Receiving no reply, the following telegram was subsequently sent.
St. bonis. .\|o.. December :2(l. 1S('):2.
Miij. (Icii. II. W . IhiUrck. Cciicrdl-iii-Chicf :
I telegraphed you a week ago. asking if I could be allowed to eulist men
from the convalescent hospitals — men who can not endure the marching, and
yet are good soldiers for moderate sci'v ice.
(ireat Jabdi- might thus be saved, and the I'.rigadc sdon got ready, lle-
cruitiug is vcrv slow. I also want some oue a|ipointe(l to pay the advance
and bounty 1i> my recruits. Who is to do if.' I am eudiarrassed from not
being able to meet these diniculties. {'lease iufoi-m me immediabdy.
A. W. l-:r.i.KT,
lirigadier ( ienci'al.
To these reijuests now came the tOIIowiug resjxinse:
li<;'riiithi(j of ( 'on I'dlcsccnts A iit horir^cd .
\55
WAi; i)i:i'.\i; r.MKXT.
\VnsliiiiL;1(Mi. 1). C. DccfiiilxT 21. 1 s<i;.>.
lir'iii- ('•<"■ 1- ir. i:il<t. SI. I.,, nix. \h):
Till' S('cr-ct;ii-\ of \\';ii- ;i iitliori/t's \(mi tu rfcniif from coiu a Irsccnts in
hospital. (Icnci-al Ciiiiis will iiuislci- out such as nilist in sour I'.ritiadc. An
officer will lie sent i in iiicd iat cl \ to \)ii\ I i1\. etc.
11. \V. llAi.r.ixK.
( icncral-in-( hii^f.
Followiiiii- lliis. and in kccpiiii:- with oi'dci-s sent direct to tliciii,
(icncnil Cni'lis and (Jcncral ^^^i<:•ll( each issued an oi-der wliicli wo
«i•i^"e helow :
UK Ai)(^iAirn:i;s i)I':i'ai; tmivN r oi'^ missoiki.
Sjirfiiil Order \o. S>.i.
riii'snant to order from the Seevctarv of War. lii'ii^ad ier (ieneral i'"llet is:
anthori/ed to enlist con\ a lescent s from any lios|)ital. ('ai)taiii F>ni'i-ill. I". S.
Mnstei-ini;- ( )ttieer. upon oi'dcrs from (Ieneral lOllet. will muster out aii_\' such
.soldiers or r-ecriiits as repcui to liim. ■■■ '■■' ■•■■
1!\' connnand Major (ieneral Curtis.
II. Z. Crinis.
A. A. (.'.
(;i-:nki;al ()i;i)i:i;s. iii:Ai)(^iAi;'i'i:i;s DKi'AirrMK.vr ok oiiio.
('iuciunali. I''el)rua r-\' 12. |S(;:^.
T'lV dii'cction of tile War Depart ment Itriyadicr (Icnei'al ICIIet is a uthoi'i/.e<l
to recrint for liis fleet from com a lescents in the |)epartment. Officers em-
powered ))y (ieneral l'>llet to enlist com a lescents under this anthorif\. will
submit to tliese I h'adipia I't ei-s full and complete lists of the con\ a lescents vo-
cruited l)y them. i;i\ini; the company and rei;iment of eacfi recruit, witli a
\iew 1() their hcini;- discharii-ed fi'om tlieir present serxice. Similar lists will
lie fur'nished liy tlie I'eeruil ini;' ollicei's to the otlicers commandinL;' flic posf.s
where 7'ecrnits jii'e oiitained.
l!y command of .Major (ieneral Wrii^ht.
( '. \\'. KOSTEK.
A. A. C.
Similar orders were isstied hy other western department eom-
niaiiders.
The way thus cleared, recriiitini:: for the Marine service went rap-
idly forward. I)iirini>- the rest of December and all of January and
Fehruarv. officers with jiroper credentials were sent to the leadiiiii*
hos|)itals in the western de])artments. and men were e\'ervwhei-e
found eaiicr to enter this new serxice. St. Loiiis. Lonisville. Xash-
■\ille. Cincinnati, atid New Alhanv. made larii'e contrihut ions in (he.
256
II isionj of the Mai'tiK' It i/<i<i<l(
way of ivcniits (o (he I'n-iuadc. Krdiu ("IcNclaiid and other i)oiiits
others caiuc hUcr. 'I'hc I'ollowino- arc fair saiii[th's of i-ccruitiiia' lilcr-
atiirc si'iit onl at this lime :
M ISSISSI I'I'I MAUI.XIO I'.KICADi::
Sui.i)ii:i;i.\(; .Mauk I^asv 1 Xo IIakd ^^AKCIII^■(; ! - Xo Cakkvi.ng Kxapsacks ! —
$1 ()().()() I'.or.NTV : !
A Marine r.i-iL;a<l<'. to act in concert will) llie in\incil)lc IJani l'"'leet, is tii
he I'aised iinined iat el w All n ndei' tlie cdin ina nd of Hi-ie-. (len. A. W. I'^llet. Ijai'i^'e
Steandioals ai'c cM^ai;i'd In cai-|-y the ti-oops down intci 1 lie lieai't of K'ehejdoni.
and <>]ien the M ississippi and lier t rilmt a ries 1(i the na\ieatii>n of tlie Xortli-
west. 'I here will he hnt \er\ little niarchinL;- for any of the troops. 'I'liey will
l)t' ])i'(»\ided on the I'.oals with L;'oo(i cooks and lieddini^.
(leneral i^llet has received special permission from tlie Secretary of War
to iHH-ei\c Nolnnti'ers for the I'.ri^ade from llie drafted men of e\er\' state.
Tliose wlto ai-e desirous of sei-\ine- tlieir country, cxinnpt from the nsnal liard-
ships of soldiers, will do wtdl to Join this or^a n i/,a 1 ion. Transportation will
he furnished to 1 lead(pia li ers. St. Louis, for all \olun1eers.
;£ ■ Tile undersiyned is a Uccruit in;L;' Otiicer for tiiis llriyade. either for
('al\ary. Artiller\ (U' Infant r\.
His ollice will he f id at A. S. l'"oofs I n1 el I ii^'cnce Olliee. I'.ank-St.. oppo-
site Weddell House.
('API'. J. 1;. (KA.XDAr.L.
I Frain a lldiidhill \.
"Tln' proposed sei'\ ice is especiall\- at1i'aeli\(' to old soldiers. It lias the
fol low inn' ad\ antai;'es :
1. There ai'e no t i'cucIk's to dii)'.
:i. There are no rebel houses to iiuard.
'.\. 'Iliere is no picket dut\' to perform.
4. There is no danycr of camps in the mud. hut alwavs a idianci- to
slee]i under co\ er.
."1. Tliei'c is no chance of shoi't rations.
(). The coimnand will alwaxs he kept toi;-ether."
TIM': "MISS. M.MnxK I!i;i(;ai)i:.'
('o.N\Ai,i:s('|.:.\ r Soi.dikrs ! HriaiAii r-o-is I
llrii^adier (leneral ICIht ha\ine- ohtained permission from the War ] )e-
))artnient to recruit coin a lescimt soldiers from an\ hos|)ital. is ori;a n i/.ini;' n
.Miss. Marine Urie. A I'cLjimimt is just ors^a n i/.i ni;- in St. I.cuns and promises
to become the most renowned in the service.
It is raised for. and hecomes a part of the aho\e named I'.rieade. com-
manded hy r.rii;-. (ien. A. W. Kllet. well known as ('onnnander of the Miss.
Kam I'^leet. The "l^llet Scouts" will he fin-nished Ljood (piarters on trans-
l^itcrut lire of lic<rnif/ii(/ St
^57
poi-fs fitti'd (lilt ("\|)i-cssly I'di- IIiimii. wIiiti' lliry will ki'C|) ;ill (lit'ii- \ a I ii;i hies,
cliithini;. >t()i-cs. clc, clc. ami with (i1 lici- \\\v\^ of llic I ',|-ii^ai Ir ( coiisisl i ml;' dT
lnfanli\\, (axali'v ami AiiiliiTV). cm similar \csscls. will ki'c|i cdnipaiix and
act in com-ci-l willi 1 he \li->. K'am l''lf('t. \'ii Ihiil;. hard mai-i-lii's. i-ampiiiL;
willioid Ii'mIs (m- foil, I, (ir carrsiiiL;' lira\\ knapsacks. Iinl i^mid. cum fdi-l a 1 ilc
(piarlcrs, ami j.;(,ijd facililics IHr cooking' al all times.
'Ilic "ICIict Scunis" arc expected tn si'c plenty nf aeli\c sersice <m I lie Mis-
.sissippi l;i^e|■ and its I ri l)Ul ;i rics in keeping;- it cleai- i d' rel)el L'neri-i I las. and se-
cnrini;' '<> the pnhlie the Tree, and sai'e na\i;;a1i(in ( d' the ereat hiLiiiwaxs.
They are c\pc<-ted ti> act pr(im|tly and at ^hort notice, in cnneerl with some
of the rams and L;n n-l » la t s at distant point-, with scci-ec\ and dispatch, and
landiiiL;. to operate iipcm shoi-f in an attack in the I'ea r. or sudden assault.
This l',i-iL;ade will lieeomc lamous in the annals oT i he Miss. ri\ci'
warfare, as the iJam |- lc< t has a]read\ done. .\ow is the time if i'\er \ ou <'an
serve \(iui- conrdrv and consult yoni- own eoud'ort al the same lime. I''\cry
soldier ii'-enlist iuL;- in this I'.riLiade is entitled to a linal settlcnienl. and all
|)ay in ari-ears will he paid up |romptly. besides i\'l premium. (Uie month's pay
in ad\ance. and $".'."i lionnl\ I'oi' re-en I ist i ul;'.
I'ld)lished l>y i^V^vv <d' r.ri-. lien. A. \V. I-:ilel.
(AIM. W. II. Witn.iii.
U'ecruitini; (dlieer.
^i
View of Benton Barracks— Winier of 1862 — 63. Where the Marine Brigade was
Organized and Drilled.
Diii'iiiU' this |)('fi(i(l of ori;';!!!!/.;!! ion. liic new coiiiuiniKl was (|ii;ii'-
tci-cil at !)cii((Hi r)aiT;icks. wliicli (•(Hiipriscd llie fair i;r(niii(|s. jn (hi.
iioiliiwi'-lcni olllskilis of tlic city. 'riicfc the liieii were collected,
iiiii foniied. and ('(|ni|)pc(|. and. under tlie coinniand of Lieut. Colonel
(ieorife E. Ciiffie. a niasier in discipline and tticties. were dail\' e.xef-
eised in eonipany. reaiineiita I. and hfiiiade di'ill. 'i'lie \\in(er was an
e.\ees~i\ cly eiihl one and llie Uarr.icks pro\'ed none too com I'oiMaMe for
llie men. 'I lie companies were f iini i~lie(| liuj one lieatiliu' -lo\'e each,
lor the wannino' of their <|narte!>. 'Idn' men n\' ('ompain' .\ Infanlrv
came to tlieii' captain re(|iiestiiio- that ihey he pro\idei| with a second
>t()\('. Ihit ('a|)tain .Xewcll found himself iinahle to compU' with
llieir re(|iie-l. fof (he siinph' reason ihal the (|iia rlennasler did not
2SS
II /sforij (if flic Maihic I>ri</ii(]('.
own a s(()\(' fomidry. Apprised of this fact, the iiicii siiiiliiiiily sai<]
they could "draw" a stoxc. thciusclvcs. and the capt;iin siio-o-^^sted that
they (h) so. Sure cnoiiiiii. in the niorninii' two iiiowino- stoves were
I'adiatiuii' heat in Co. A's (piarters. The men offered no explanations,
and the captain pru(U'ntiy asked no (|uestions. Hut when. hitiT in
the (hiy. an otticer with aiitliority to search for a h)st stove ap])eare(|.
it was leariu'd tiiat the Marines had u'one into the coni])rtny quarter-
of a neiiihhorina' I'eainient. whiU' the men were in their dininii'-room.
eatin<i;- suppei-. and liad carried away their red-hot sto\'e, pipt' and alL
and set it u|) auain in the ((uarters of X'o. A. The ca])tain was of
course implicate(l. hut escaped sei'ious complications on the ])lea of
ignorance.
As alivady seen hy the oriii'inal oi'dei' for its ()i'<j,anization. the
Brio-ade consisted of one i-ei>'iment of infantry, four companies of
ca\alry. and one battery of field artillei'V. The infantry was suhse-
• piently mountecl. and the whole connnand was. later on. familiarly
known as "Kllet's Horse Marines.*" Captain Newell says that he had
an a H'ectionate hut mischie\'ous youniL' niece who. when he was at home
on furlouii'h. deliiihted to seat him beside her>elf at the piano, while
she played and sanif one of the popular war song's of the day:
'T am Captain Jinks of the Iloi'se Marines.
T li'ix'e my horse aood corn and beans:
Of course it's (juite beyond my means,
Thoua'h I'm Captain in the army."
'Idle Marine uniform was the same as that worn in the army at
lai'i>"e. save the caps, which were nuuk' with full, round toj)s. bi-oad.
strai<>"ht ^■is()rs. and a wide u'l'een band with trinnniniis of li'old lace.
The arms issued were new, and where\'er the connnand, or any part of
it, ap])eared, it was I'eadily rec()<>;ni/ed. and recei\'ed many tokens of
admiration. February i!lst. bSC):'). a general re\ iew of all the troojis
in and around St. Louis, was ludd, and the liriii'ade upon that occasion
made a ])roud showina'.
^^dnle the ori>-anization of the Hripide was thus Ix'inii' perfected,
followiuii' the suii'yestion of (leneral Ellet — as approved by the Q. M.
(leu. at \\'ashiniit()n — Ca])tain James lii-ooks. (iovernment Purchasino;
(^. M.. bouiiht at New Albany and Louisville, and fitted up. the fol-
M(ir/n< liodfs (ind Tlic/r l\(jin iniic id .
259
lowing" named ^tcaiiicrs : Ai iocka r. 11). J.| Adams. Ikm/iic. Diana.
r'AiK'cii ii.i). |,I()|in| Kaink. and \\'()(»ni'()ia). These were Hue. larire
Itoats. formerly New ()rleans paclcets. The I^'aikcii ii.n was Htted oiil
as a ([narlermaster and conniiissarv hoat. and the AA'ooDi'oitn as a lios-
pital l)(»at. the I'est heiiiii' desij^'iied for the acconnnothit ion and trans-
portation oi' the ()lli(•e^,-^ and men. and their horses.
^^'e will here <^i\-e a hi'ief description of these steamers, as refitted
for the nse of the liriiiade : Theii' boilers wei'e protecte<l by heavy
timbers and linne coal-biinkers. From the lower deck to the hnri'i-
cane roof was bnilt all aronnd, a barricade of solid, two inch oak
plank, of double thickness, and with two inch dimension strij)s be-
tween. Throtig'h these bai'ricadcs wei-e cut loopholes for muskets,
and hir<>'e portholes, with swiniiinii' doors, for \'entilat ion. Foi' the
protection of j^ilots the i)il()t-h()uses were proxided. on each. side.
with semi-circular sheets of boiler iron. The after |)art of the cabin
decks wei'c oflicers' (piarters, while the forward part serx'ed for the
men's mess-room. The men's sleepinu" (puirters wi're upon an inter-
mediary deck, built in. aft of the boilers. l)otli officers and men were
proxided with suitable wash-i-ooms. bath-rooms, and facilities for
\\ashin<i' clothes. Aboxc the forecastle, hunii" upon pulleys, always
i-eady to be attached to a huae crane on either side, and so (|uickly
lowered and swuuii" ashore, was a larii'e, railc(l lianiiway. o\'er which
two horse- could i)ass abreast. As protection aii'ainst any attempt at
boardinii". each xcssel was pr()\'ide(l with a hot-water hose, connected
with the boiler, and hmiii- whei'e it was in readiness for instant usi'.
()idy such fui'niture. bi'ddinji:. etc.. were retained out of the wi'iu'inal
e(|uipnient of the boats as was actually needed foi' the comfoi'l of
ortic<'rs and men. The rest was sold and the proceeds therefrom
tiu'ned into the (io\-ernnient Treasury.
March 4. isCi.",. ( h-nei-al Ellet sent to A\'ashin;Lfton this teleuM'am :
St. I.duis. Mo.. Marfli 4. lS(i:i.
li'ni. /•;. I/. Sldiilnii. Srcrcliirii of W'lir: —
Six CI )iii |iii iiics iiir;uiti'v (ii'L;;iiii/('(l .");.*7 men: t'oiii' conipjinics calNiiry
.;(')S iiifii : one <-c)iii|);miv iiiiiilrry IKI iiicii. anil six l;iiiis liylil ar1i]l('i-\. Twii
Imnili'cil recruits jiisl reeei\cil. Will lie iii'Lja ii i/cd hy t'riilay.
Al.lHKI) W. lOl.l.Kl'.
r.riyail icr (ieiieral.
^6(
llixtonj (if the Marine /> r'/(/ii(l(
The coiiiinaiKl when coinplctcly oi'itan !/>;■( I w a-- olliccreil as fol-
lows :
(;i:\i:i;.\L oi'i'icious.
I'.i-it^-. C.Mi. A. W. lOllct : (apt. W. I). ( 'raiida 1 1. A. A. (i.: l/u-iits. K. ('. lOllet
ami Sanf()]-(1 (i. Scan-ill. Aids dc ( ;nii|): MaJ. .laiiics U'nhai-ts. Siiriieoii-in-Chief :
Assistant Siii-ljcohs. .lames S. Myci-s. Isi-aid CIcaMT. |)a\id S. I'.dotii. ('. It. VAA-
ri(l.-c. i;. W. Mc.Mahaii. ■|licMd(,re .lacohs. i;iciiard I'. Catlcy and Alva .1. Malonc:
(,)naiit'|-niastei-. Capl. dcdri^t' (.}. White: ( Omni issa r\ of Sid)sistcnct'. (apt. .las.
('. r.i-cioks; l'iii-c]iasin<j- (^na rti'nnast'.'i-. (apt. .lames j'.rociks: I'aymaslei- uf
Crews, ('apt. Wm. II. Lewis. | .Xo eha[ilain was asked \nv nv appointed.!
i,\i''A.\ ^l;^■ i;i:(iiMiv\T.
(■ul(,n<d Cliai-les K. h:ilet : Lient. ((d. (leor-e Iv Ciii-i-ie: MaJ. i). S. Talier-
(la.\ ; Adjutant Lient. II. (i. Curtis: A. (,). M. Lieiil. .lames lleaeli. | Xo chap-
lain I .
Co. .\. Caplaiii. 1. I». Xew(dl: l'"irst Lieut., i'hilip !". iiow-ell: Second Lieut..
Theodore II. ( I n i Idemeisi er.
Co. l'..---|.Xo (aplaiiil: |-"il-st Lieut.. Tohiaj; S. Uensoii: Second Lieut..
l-"rancis Aid.
Co. ('.- Ca|:tain. \\. C. IliiLihes: l''irsl Lieiit.. .1. .\. M . Cox; Second Lieut..
.\1exis Leninioii.
Co. 1). Captain. Calxin Keed : l'"irst Lieiil.. Delos Wilson; Second Lieut..
.1. {'. I'\)r1 line.
Co. K.- -Captain C. C. I''ishei- : I'irst Lieut., I). I'. Markle: Second Lieut..
I'^nos Snyder.
Co. l-\— Captain. ■Iliomas C. Croshon : Lirst LienC. O. II. Whitehead: Se<-
olid Lieut.. .Mlieit Dean.
( 11. (1.- Captain. V.. S. liaNcns; l-"irst Lieut.. .Mc('iiih': Second Lieut..
Horatio X. Kowc.
Co. 11.- Ca|itain. .lames I'. Harper; l''irst Lieut., .Mien; Second
Lieut.. William II. Sloan.
Co. L- Captain. .\. I'. Cox; Fii-st Lieut.. I'ei-r\ C,vrii\x: Second Lieut.. .\. ('.
1 law ley.
Co. K. Captain. Lehigh Dakan: b'irst Lieut.. MicJuud I'.reiiiiaii; Second
Lieut,. 1;. F. lious.d.
( AL\ Ain I'.A'n ALIOX.
Major, .lames M. Iluhhard: .\djt.. Lieut. Leroy Mas lie. Co. C.
Co. .\. Captain. .1. li. Ci-andall: First Lit'ut.. Martin W Owen; Second
Lieut.. Charles I'olloek.
Co. I!. Captain. .1. M.. I'.rown; l-"irst Lieut.. S. F. ('n\v: Second Lieut.,
.loll 11 Wan en.
Co. ('. (aptaiii. ( ). !'. Hrown: P'ii'st Lieut.. Samiiid ('arlisle; Second Lieut..
I.elJoy Mr.yne.
Co. I). Captain. William 11. Wriii'lit ; h'irst Lieut.. I'"rank ilansconi; Sec-
ond Lieut., .lolni I'.. Kirk.
Jioxfcr of tlic \ < II' (' mil mil 11(1 .
26 r
i.iciir \i;'ni,i.i:i;> .
(■:i|i1;iin. Diixid I'. W ;i 11 i iil;' : V\\->\ Liciils.. I-:. II. Xichdis and .Idliii I,.
I'luinicx : SccDiid l.iciits., A. .1. (dl)S(in and Samuel K. liuliiics.
Xuii-:: (han^cs in tliis roster were <il' t'l'ecnienl (leeii |-|'eiiee. 'i'liev are
noted \\liei-e\er reeoi'd was fiiiiiid. I 11 the latlei' part (if the r.rii^ade's liistury,
niaM\ wei'e sel'xine- as ollieers. wJiose eoni iiiissii )ms wei'i' never issued.
('oiiiiiii^sioiis were later asked and uraiiti'd for staH' ii'uinieiilal
ollieers. to ser\(' in llie I'aiii Heet. as follows: ,loliii A. Kllet. lo he
J^ieulenanl and Colonel: rioliii \\. Lawrence, to he Major; and (Jeorm'
A^^ liailey. to l)e Lieutenant and Adjutant.
On March :.th. six of the Ahiriiie hoals. all of the lleet except tlie
hospital steaniei- W'ooni'oia). whose I'eHttinu' \vas not yet coinpletech
reache(l Si. I.,ouis. Tlu' time inter\ cninu' hetween the r)ih and the
hull was spent in placinii' on hoard the steamers the necessai'v stores
and ('((iiipmeiits. pnyinii' the men. locatinii' them in their (|iiarter,-- on
the hoats. coaliinj'. etc.. etc. Tins task was completetl at '> o'clock a.
m.. March i.'Uh. when the ArrocitAT. An.vArs. Lali'ic. Diana, and
Faikcii ii.i) cast loose their lines, swinii:' <»nt from the wharf, and
stalled on the loiiii' fill for \ ickshiirii'. 'I'o await the cominii' of the
recruits (then on their way to Lentoii r>arrack's) C'aptain Newell was
l(d"t hehind. temporarily in command of the Ivaixk. with instructions
to join the lleet helow. as soon as possihle. Xothiiiii' of importance
transpired diii-iiii:' the rim to Cairo, where the lleet arrixcd and an-
chored al)o\"e the city, in the ()hio rixcr. at 1> o'clock a. m.. of the 1 ftli.
haxinii' sjx'iit the prexioiis niiiht tie(l np at an island ahove.
At .Cairo the hospital hoat \\'ooi)Foia). and also the ram Laxcas
■n:i; (just repaire(| and auain ready for service) were found waitiiiir
( )ii t he iiiiiht of the I ft h occnrre(| thcHrst loss of life in the command
( )iie of the men. wrapped 111 a hlanket. was seen hy a deckdiand to pass
over on to a coal hamc aloiiiiside the Adams, and then j)hinii'e into tin
ri\er. The next (lay a man \)\ the name of Kansom. helonaiua' to Co
V. Lif.. was missiiio-. \{ was iiexcr known whether it was an accident
a suicide, or tlu' man had walke(| in his sleep, or whether it was a de-
seiiion. Comrade A. d. Pierce in his diary siiinilicant ly noted respect-
in<^- this man: "He had heeii xcry (iiiiet for some time." and the pre-
sumption at the time. was. that he was sliii,htly deranged.
'l"he lleet remained at Cairo durini;' the 14th. l^itli and Kith coah
\\\'ji. and atlendinii' to other iiecessaiA' matters, ^^'hile at anchor here
262
Il/sfoiy of f]u' Mdi'nic I> rK/iidc.
scxcral cases of siuall-pox appcai'cd aiiioiiii- tlic men. l)iU i)r()ui[)t aiul
ed'ectiial measures were taken to prevent the spread of the disease.
The fleet on its downward trip touchi-d at New Madrid, and a<>'ain
at Kort Kandolph. w hei-e the cavalry was sent oil on a scout, and the
infantry turned out for drill. March Istli the fleet reached' Memi)his,
meetinii' with (juite a diU'erent rece])tioii from that accorded the com-
mander and his brother, with their ram Heet, on the ])revi()us sixth
of fhine.
\^'hile i)assin^- the small, abandoned town of Eunice, on the Ar-
kan>as shore, March lilst, the fleet was hailed from the river bank by
a S(|iiad of "butternuts.'" about hfteen in number, who presented them-
sehcs. in one rank, wavina" a white llaii'. The AirociiA'i'. rt'spondina"
to their sii>'nal, rounded to. and took them on board. 'Idiey proved
to be deserters from the Confi'derate army, most of them conscripts,
who had escaped in \arioiis ways, and joyfully embi'aced this, their
lirst opportunity, of enterino- the I'nion lines. Some of these men
were (piite intcdliiicnt. and told a wofid story respectini; the situation
in the intei'ior of Ai'kansas. and of the sorrowful dejjrivation to which
their families, and all known Inionists. were subjectt'd. They will-
\\\iX\\ [)ai'ted with their arms, consistinu' of rilles. shot-a-uns. etc.. and
six of their number eidisted under Lieut, liensou. Co. W Infantry.
One of these men was J. II. S. Harbour, from whom a letter (received
July nth. ISST) said that, of the six only himself and M. A. Steelman,
were then livin<^-. The fleet reached Vouna's Point, March 2-2iid, and
the next day (leneral Ellet called upon (ieneral (irant — Adunral Por-
ter bein^- at this time absent.
On the lilth. (Jeneral Kllet went across the ])oint. and called iij)on
Admiral Farra^a'it. bidow A'icksbura. It was at this interview that
arran<.iements were made for running" the \'icksbura batteries by the
rams Swrr/j:i;LAM) and L.wcAS'rKi;. an account of which has already
been <>■i^•en in the ft)rmer part of this history.
March "JlUh the follow ina order was issuetl — which chana't'd Oom-
manders on the ram Ueet. and placed a new man at the head of the
rea'iiiK'nt :
ll(-ail(|ii:ir-t(-rs M. M. i'.i-iiiadc t"laL;slii|i Aiitoci-al. Marcli r.'f.. is(i:].
Sj)rcial ()nlci-s \(). :.'s. I'].\ti'ai-t .
■" ■••■ ■"■ III. Col. Chai-ics i;. I':ilf1 will at once assiiiin- ci mi ina in! of tho
I iisnbord nuitnni and Its I 'n nlsh incnt . 26^
l-'irst I iit'a lit r\ . M. M. r.ciLiiKlc. and will liciTat'1 ci' lir iibcvcd and rcs|)rcti'd us
the comiiiaiidiiii;' (itliccr o'i llial rfi;iincn1 .
i;_v « iiiiand (.r lliii^. Crn. A. W. I':ilcf.
W. I). (KANKAI.I..
(aplain and A. A. (i.
On Marcli I'Ttli a Serjeant of Co. II. Inf. | nanu' not found | dit'd
oji the I)Ai/ric. and was l)uricd willi military honors.
Ahont this time there was manifested in the Command a nnitinous
sj)iri(. which Hnally (U'\t'h)ped into sei'ions insuhordinat ion ami \io-
lonce. Tinit there was wi(h'si)read dissatisfaction, and ))ivconcertei|
action anjonn' the men. was a|)])arenl from the fact thai disordei'ly
conduct of the same acnei-al chai'actei'. occm-red amonu' the men almost
simultaneously, on the AnA:\is. I)AI/iic. Raink and AirocuAT. 'I'he
trouhle was. j)rofessedly. resi)ectina" the character and (piantity of the
foixl furnished the men. It was claimed \)\ them that they "were I'e-
stricted to hut two hiscuits apiece, with rice and cotVee." ( )n one
t)oat the tahle^ and henches in the men's mess (juarters were oNcrt urned.
the j)artition helween the men's niess-i'oom and the ollicei's' (juarlers
was demolished, and the Ollicer of the Day \iolently struck in the
face, hy one of the rioters. Tpon the Ada.ms. order was not restoi"e(l
until Captain Fisher, connuandini:' the hoat. and .Captain (). V. Brown,
< )iHcer of the Day. had threatened to use their revolvers. It is (]uitc
jirohahle thei'e was around foi' complaint on the part of the men. hut
far from sullicient iiround lo justify them in theii- rcNolt. The com-
mand had heen hut recently orji'anized. and life upon the hoats was
new to all. Sullicient time had not elapsed for complete adjustment
in the \'arious depai'tments of the ser\!ce. to the new conditions. The
cooks were inexperienced, and their judii'ment of the men's dia"esti\'e
capacities was fallihie. Had the men respectfully rei))'esented their
i;rie\ance to the proper ollicers. their complaint would douhtless ha\'e
heen patiently lieai'd. and llu'. li'ouhle a\ei1ed. \\\\\ the condm-t of
the men coidd not he silently passed hy. Consideration for the future
welfare of the conunaud denuindetl discipline. Accordinuiy four of
the I'iiieleaders were ai'rested. ii'oned. and sul)se(|uenlly courl-mar-
tiale(l. ( )ne had sloppaife of ])ay for six mouths, and was sentenced
lo hai'd lahor J'or ihe same period, with a Iwenly-foui' pound hall fast-
ened to his leii': the second lost twelve months pay. and was sentenced
to hard lahor for an e(|ual time, with a twcul\- pomiil hall and chain;
_Vv
ll'tsfoi-i/ of the MiirJiic I>ii</(i<l(
ill*' lliil-(l. ;i corpdr.il. \\;!s reduce;! lo the i-;iiik>. and foid'eit ed foiu'
iiiDiitlis pay: the f'oiirlli loht six uioiillis pay and was sentenced lo
fomieen days solilary confinement in doiiltle irons, with a diet (d" hard
hread and water. M was a > '\-ei-c le—on to t!'"se four men. lint a sal-
utary one to the ent ire command.
( )n the niuht of the i:Mh a furious nale swept the rixcr (h)inir
iireat thimaiic to shipping'. 'I lie smoke-stacks of (he I'\\ii;(ii i i.o were
lth)wn down and ha(dy (hiinaaiML while the Di.wa hist a liai'i^'e.
I he -ituatioii aho\(' \ ickshuri;' was now an cmhari'assini;' one for
an inNathinii' force. Dui'ini^' the two months pi-ece(linii'. (ii'anl hatl
l)een ura(hially accumnhit ini^- ti-oops and supplic,-. He was coinpidh'(]
to encamp ahiui;- the levee on the we-tern hank of the i'i\-er. a- the low-
lands :;nd swamps in rear were mostly under watei'. 'Idii- condition
was nrade woi'.-e by se\'er,d (dl'orls at lloo(linir' the hayous. hy cuilim:-
the le\('es ahovc. in the \ain hope of ci-.'alinn' a "water r-iuie" foi-
transports, hy which troops and >iipplics could he i^ollen helow \'icks-
huru'. for the attack from the sou.th. A[uch sickness now prexaiiec)
in the camps, which extendcMJ man\' mile- alon<i' the western hank of
the ri\'er. and the pro--pect of any elleclixc army operations aaains;
\ ickshiu'i;' looked i^-loomy. d he caiiid. connnenced the prexion-- war
\)\ (ieneral William-" eiiiiineers. luid aliandoned. had heen I'e-umed,
under instruction- from W'ashini^ton. (irant hims:'lf had littl" faith
in eilhei' the can.d [ i-ojecl. or any of the proposed "water route-"'
around \'icl-:-hur^i'. hnl lent a.-si^-iance lo all of them, in succe--ion. as
he asserts in his hi-iory. to u'i\-e the troops -omethinii' to do. and the
puhlic that was chunorinij:' for a mo\'e on the i-ehel stronii'hold. some-
thing' with which to sati.-f\' its clamor, while he was wailinii' for
enoiiii'h (\v\ land to appeal', on which he could march his troou- to his
intended point ol" attach. The canal was now iiearinii' conijiletioii.
\\\\\ ]\\^\ when th.' project pnc its ureate-t promi-e of succ.'ss. the Mis-
^i>sippi had taken another sudden ri-e. hrejJdn.i:' through the dam ar
the upper end. sweepinif away t'u' implements of lahor. lilliiii;' the
canal I'ull. and dri\ ini^- the men precipitat'.'ly to the le\-ee for safety and
I'or camiiini:- lirouinl. .\.iid so t''i^ plan failed. ( )iie of the ronte^
(irant's eiiii'ineer.- had then soin^ht out. was to open tlu' rixer thi'oui>,"h
Lake r'r(»\ idence. into the Tensas, and I'lack Ri\er,-. so that trooi)S
and transportation could lie sent on hoats hy this i-oiite [last ^"icks-
Futile Effort X tit ( 'h-cinn iuir}</(it'' Y i<l,sl)ur<l.
26^
l)uri:'. Hut ow in^- to (he iiiiccrtaiii chaiiiicl of the Tensas, and the xast
tinihcr ^Towtli in these s\vanii)y re<:'ions. this I'oiite. aftei' much lahor
liad heen ifixcn in the \ain eti'ort to clear it. had to he ahandoned.
Anotlier project had jnst now heen e.\j)h)ited — the foi'cina" of a |)as-
>a<^'e throiiii'h a narrow cluunu'l from thi' Mississi|)pi ri\"er to Moon
Laki'. on the east side, and thence into the Coidwater. 'I'hi> was
known as the ^ a/oo Pass route, by wliich it was expected to
^■(■t lhrt)ni:'h into the ^'azoo I\i\"er with liii'ht gunl)oats. acconii)anied
hy troop-, and destroy the ( 'onfedi'rate transi)orts and gimboats then
on the stocks, at 'l azoo City. l)Ut. as we saw. this exjx'dition. like the
otller:^. faileck and orders were given for the withdrawal of all troops,
and their concentration at Milliken's Jiend. Such was the situation
when the Marine lii'ia'Jide first reached \'oinio'*s Point, from St. I^ouis.
CHAPTER II
April-May, 1863 |.
OnJcicd I II the 'rcniicssir.—lh-iiiniiiif/ of 'I'lrii l/iciihini ii ts. — Coiirniiiiin
Strcif/lif's /■'{( iiiiiiix E.rjicd'itioii . — SniiitUifi Alitin/ llic 'I'cn iicsscc. — Siiil-in</ of
Tin/ Clciclii 11(1. Urii/dih's Fii-yf I'ifOil at Diich- Hirer. — Cdnilrii Fit/lit at
Jlcdnr hit III. ISiiriihiii of .\ii.\ttii.- FIrrt ill 11 rlriiii .--Si-oiit i ii (/ at tlic Mmilli
of WliHi llirii-. -Aijiiiii Off Voiiin/'s I'oiiil.
From March i:!;!<l. when the iiiH't reached "i'oiiii^-'s Point, nntil
April -'nd. the Uri^ade was coniparatixcly inacti\e. \\\\t whih' ihe
Brigade was inieniphncd, its C'onnnan(h'r and his staff wert' husy.
'Jhis was tl>e ram lU'et's inning', and it was to phiy a despei'ate iii'ame.
Avilh the Army and Xa\y as interestetl onlooicers. !>etween th.e two
(hites aho\(' nieiitioneiK and n.nder ({eneral Ellet's jiersonal su])ervi-
sion, occni'red tlie fanions l)h)ckade-i"nnnin<i' episo(h' of the Swrr/KU-
LAM) and LAXCAsrKK. rehited in Kani Fleet liistory. which was ui)on
the one liand a elemonsti'at ion of Filet's darinii' and efficienc\\ and
nj)on the other a foresliadowini:" of wliat mi<^'ht he expected of his en-
t ire connnand in the fiit ni'e.
l)Ut the Ui'i^ade was not lon^- to remain idle. April L'nd. under
orders from Admiral Poller, the fleet saile(l for ( ireenxille, ^liss., a,
])lace noted for its intense loyalty to the Sonthein cause. This lo-
cality was often \isited snl)se(inently. hy the liri^ade. hut on this
pai'ticular occasion we hoped to encounter the note(l i^-ueri-illa. Co-
lonel Ferguson, known to he in that \icinty. with a considerahle force.
^^"hile en route to ( ireenville, on '-Wd, the Kam MoXAitcii lost two
hari^es by running' on a sna<i'. and a short landing was made at Lake
I'rovidence to iii\-e her one of the Diana's hara'es. ( )n the 4th the
lleel landed helow Lake \'illai:'e. for scoutinu' and foraaina- i)urpo~es.
hiK /,-c(l but Hi>t 1) nnrnrd .
267
'\\w Cm airy (lisciiihai'kcd witli tlic iiitciil ion (if scoutiiio- tlic iuljiiccnt
coiiiilry. and of \isitinii' ihc town itself. In this scout (Jcncral Ellct
and Captain Crandall. ins Adiutant. participated. I'xd'ore tlie\- had
^■(ine far ('aptain C'l'andall met with a peculiar experience, an ac-
count of which. i;i\('n in hi^ own word^. in a home letter written soon
aftei' the e\'ent. I'cads: "LaK:e \'illaife i> some miles bach from the
"landini;'. and hi'twcen the two is a lal-:e fed li\- numerous stream?
■■lunniua' in from cre\as^es in the ri\'er hanks al)o\'e. One company
"'had taken the adxance out. aloni:' the crooked levee road, and (ieii-
" t'ral l^llet and myself, with an orderly or two. followecl the caxalry,
'a nnle or so in the rear. \\ hen we came to where the road was
■"crossed hy one of these streams from the rixcr. we could see tliat our
•"men ''ad turned to seek a ford hiii'lH'i" up in the swami)s. \\'e fol-
""lowcd tlu'ir trail and came to a presumahly >!!allow stream. rmmin<i"
""into the nuun channel, and across which I thouiiht oui' men had rid-
■■deii. This >tream was ahoiit thirt\- \-ards wide. Not dreannnii- of
■■dan<i('r I rode in. while the (ieneral. with moi'e caution, lialteil. In
"a moment my hoi-se slepjx'd oH' wha.t pro\'ed to he :i {)er[)endicular
""liaiik. and in we went, heels ox'er head, into the swift-i-ollini;' torrent.
■"1 clnni;' to m\' horse, hut saw as ^ turneil his head to the other side,
"that he was unaccustomed to the water, and would drown if com-
■"pelled to sustain my weight. So, loosiny;' the r«'in. 1 took" to the
•'watei- alone, and wa> ahout to reach the sl'ore in safety, when my
"•hor-e. who had i-eached laml iust above me, in a \ain attem))t to
""scale the -teep hank fell hackwai'd almost upon me. and I was com-
-pelled to mal-:e a consi(lei-al)le <-ircuit, still swimnnni:', hid'ore I
••I'cached terra lirnia aaain, a tasK: rendered \\\ no means easier fi'om
""lia\ ina' "11 hiiiiv ca\alry hoots, spuiv-. belt, pistols, etc. I came near
""losinii" ni\' horse, but throuiih the (ieiierars personal exertions, hav-
■ inii' <">u<i'ht him b\- the bridle, he was sa.\"ed.""
Captain DeCoster (d' the caxali'y battalion, which (ieneral Kllet
and his Assistant Adjutant (ieneral were follow iiiii', met with a sim-
ilar mishap. Me sa\>: ""\\'e had proci'cded about three miles, when
•"we found the watt r \\u to our horses bellies all the time. Cominii" to
'"a stream no one daretl cros^, but ' trietl it. .M\' horse i)luiiii'e(l in
"all o\('i-. but I >tuck' to hini. and he ^wam to tl'c opposite shore. No
■"one would follow me, >o 1 mo\('(| aloiii:- the bank with the water to
268 Il'.stonj of the M (ii'im Hrhiiuh .
"my horse's hack, hut coiihl Hiid no crossing' i)Uu'(,'. and the coiupanx'
"Aveiit otl' and left nic. I then thouirht 1 would j'^et hack, and coming
''to a io^r across the sti'eam. I got a j)()k' to measure t'.U' water, hut
"couhj find no hottom. But T couchuled to try it anyway. I walked
"the log and led my horse. In he went over head and ears, and came
"near ])idling me in with him. lieaching the other side, he could not
''get uj) the hank. The water was just running over his haclv. I got
"into tile water, took otl' the saddle, and in ahout an hour succeeded
"in getting him out. and following on after the couniuind found
"them waiting for me."
'Ihus it is seen that tlie Marines, as might indeed ha\e heen ex-
pected, took naturally to the water.
Wliile at Lake A'illage, the Oi'der and Instructions for the Ten-
nessee i'i\"er expedition were n'ceived from A(hniral Porter, reading as
follows :
r. S. Miss. Squadron. .\|)fil 4. iJ^firi.
Bri(/. UiH. A. W. EUf't. <'<tnnii(iiHliii(/ MiirUir Brit/ade: —
Sir: — Circiniistances of a sfrious nature rriider it nect'ssai'v that you
should chan^'e your field of opei'ations without delay tu the Tennessee Iviver.
There will be a widei- field for your enterprize there.
We have received news by way of Corinth of nioxenients of the enemy in
A'orth Mississippi and Middle Tennessee, and I wish the Marine i'>rio-ade to
proceed up the Tennessee with all (lis|iat:h and didend that line, 'i'he rebels
are moving- larg-e forces of cavalry in front nf (lenei-al Koseerans. and collect-
ing all Partisan Rangers and hxtse companies of ca\alry on the line of the
Tallahatehee. The road from Duck i;i\er to Sa\annah. Tenn.. is being put
in g'(iod order. Everything ])()rtends an attaid< on Kosecrans with a powei-ful
cavalry foi-ce to follow up any success, and make raids from Xorth Missis-
sij)])i and Middle Tennessee. The object in sending \on is to defend this lini'
of the Tennessee Hiver. "^'on will desti-o\- all rafts, tlatboats. skiffs
or catuies and destroy all the uu'ans they nui\ lunc of transjioi't-
ing an army. Sa\v mills should lie dcsti'oyed and bunlKU' burned up.
If on ari'i\ ing at the nututh of Duck i;i\er. \ou should tind it safe to land
there with _\uur snuiU force, vou might ^vith ad\autage jirocced up that stream
for some distance and destro\- all the ferries. AVhen you arri\c at Hamburg
Landing, you will likely tiiul a luessengci' from (ien. Dodge, who will co-
operate with \()u aiul also give nou \aluable infornuition. \'ou will kec]) your
forces \vell together, and not let them act in detached ])arties. ^Vhile your
small force is massed, it will lie \erv effective: when divided it nught be soon
used u]). 1 am pushing a strong foi'ce of gunboats up the Tennessee River, and
your vessels will be able to lie securely uiuier the |>rotection of their guns. If
( > rdcreil I p the Ten n('ss<'e. 26g
\yn\ have im pilots I'oi- tlic 'I't'iincsscf i;i\rr. mmi may find tluMii at Caii'o, or
,\(>n can liv in\ aiith()i-it,\ obtain one or I wd fi-oni the L;iiiii)oats on tlu' 'I'en-
ncssee IJi\ci'. Dispatrli is 1 hr yi'cal olijfct Jnsi now, to hiH-ak np the ft-rries
i)efore the enemy Ix't^ins to cfoss. I liope to lieai-. (lenefal. that \<■^y\ are doing-
yood service tliere. I will order tlie other i-ams to join \<iii the moment tltey
return, or it sou slionid meet tiiem on X'oni' \va_\' up detain Ihem.
\'ei\\' i'es|)eetf nily \(inr obedient servant,
DaVIM 1). roKTKK.
Aetini;' Rear Admiral (dm'di;- Miss. Sipiadron.
(It'iU'ral (n'aiit's relation t<» this niovciiu'iit. and soinethin"' of its
puriiort. ai'c indicated in a conununication he sent at the same date,
to the otficer in coniniand at Memphis:
ilead(|narters lt;tli A. ('.. before N'ieksbnry. April 4. ISi;:!.
dcticrdl S. .1. Ilurlhtil. Mciiiiiliis. 'rcmi.:
I lia\e ordered a rei^iment of ea\ali\\ from Helena to yon, and sent the
^learner Illinois to take them. At my re(piest Admiral I'orter has ordered
the Marine l>ri<iade np the Tennessee Kisi-r to eo-operate with l)odi;e. This
brigade lia\f boats bnllet-|)roof. and an armament of howit/.ers. W'iien these
troops |iass Memphis, Non will be able to Jndi^e of abont the time they will
reaeh Handmrt^- Landini;-, and can instrnet Dodo-e to c-ommnnieate with tliem
there.
\'er_\' respeetf nll_\',
U. S. Gr.\nt.
To impede the movements of the enemy in the (•aini)aio-n they
were suj)j)o.-ed to have inaugurated, (as outlined in Admiral l*orter's
( )rder to (ieneral Kllet) Col. A. I). Streight, then at Miirphreesboro,
was to make an important raid. He was to push his way into West-
ern (Teorgia. cuttin**' the railroads supi>lying the Confederate army
hy the way of Chattanooga, destroy all depots of supplies for the
( 'ont'edei'ate aiany. all manufactories of guns, ammiuiition. ('(piipments
and clothing, so far as he could, without occasioning so much delay
as to endanger his return.
For the accomplishment of this mission. Colonel Streight was as-
signed to the command of an "'Indeix'ndent Provisional Brigade, for
tem[)()i*aiy pui])oses." This "Provisional P)rigade"* was to consist of
llie ."ilst Indiana and the SOth Illinois regiments, and })ortions of two
( )hi() regiments. The instructions to Colonel Streight directed him
lo j)rocee(| with his troops "Mo some good steamboat landing on the
Tennessee rixcr. not far al)o\c Fort Ilenrv." and there to emhark his
2'jo II t.sfoi-i/ of the Marine II r'n/iidc.
coiiiiiiaiul. and pi'occcd up the ri\('r. At I laiuWiira- (if he could not
safely go l)ey()iid on transports, oi- at. Kastport it" he conhl sat'elv pro-
ceed thither hy water) he was to eti'ect a junction with (leneral 1 )odii:e.
After making a feint upon Tuscuinhia. in company with (ieneral
Dodge, for the |)urpose of misU'ading the enemy. (\)h)nel Streight
was then to hreak away from Dodge's forces, and pusli forward with
all possible dispatch to the accomplishment of his real mission.
In comi)liance with these orders. Colonel Streight nio\'e(| his men
by land to Nashville, and thence on steamers to Fort Donelson. Di:--
embarking at that ])oint. he sent his transports down the Cumberland
and uj) the Teiniessee. while he inarche(l his men across to Fort
Henry, a distance of about tifteen miles, there to await the I'eturn of
his li'ansports. In a communit'ation to (ienei'al Dodge <late(l April
7, denerad Ilin'lbut. at Mem[)his. thus speaks of Filet's connnand,
and rexcals an important mistake in his under^-tanding of the move-
ment of the Marine lirigade. (iranl's letter aboxc (|uote(l cerlainly
left no room for such nustake. or the ridiculous error lu' fell into in
coiise<|uence. AA'e (luote so nnich oidy as relates to the Marine liri-
gade : "1 am informecl that. Filet's Ih'igade is to be put under my
'■'orders. .Vs soon as they ai"ri\'e I shall order them up the Tennessee
•'to co-oj)erate with you. and report to you."
In executing his part of the Tennessee ri\'er plan. (Jenei-al Filet's
duties fell under three heads — Hi'st of all. to couNoy Colonel Streight's
empty transpoiis up Temiessee ri\'er to Fort Henry: secondly, after
rendering all j)ossil)le a.ssistance to Streight. in the capture of horses
and mules for the mounting of his men. and after the safe re-(^ml)ar-
kation of Streight's connnand. to pi'oceed with and protect it to tlu^
initial point of his raid; and thirdly, after Streight had gone, to
begin the work' of destroying fei'i'ies. nnlls. lumber, etc.. etc.. as per
instructions gi\-en by Adndral Porter.
Inunediately upon receipt of the Admiral's order. Ceneral Filet,
with his fleet, started up stream. As the lirigade pasM'd (TretMiville.
^liss.. on its way up the ri\-er. the ti'ooi)s. which had passc'd them at
T^ake \'illage. were seen disembarking. If the report of I>rig.
(ieneral D. S. Lee. of the Confederate army to (Jeneral l*emb;'rton.
in connnand at \'ick-bui-g. is to be conlidingly accepted, the Marine
Hriiiade had a nari-ow escape in not reachinu' (ireenville before
Di'OLcn'tiKj of T ICO L'k iifciiit iit^
kStiH'lc's (li\'i>i()ii. I'ikIci' (laic of Api-il '.Hli. 1S(;;'). ( iciicral Lee says:
"Colonel r\'ra'ii^oii i2a\»' tiic ciiciny. day h't'orc ycstcrdaN'. micIi a
'■(•heck with his small force, that the\' wei'c deteri-cd fi-oiii a fiirlhei-
"■"adxaiice. 'Idiey deployed seven ren'nnents of infantrw ariiUei'v
"an<l ca\alry. 1 heir conuiiand. from all I can learn, consists of
*\Steele"s Division, and the Marine IJripule. not to exceed six tiioii-
"sand.*" \\'e can imauiiu' that (ieiu'ral Steele told (fuite a diti'ereiit
story in his report of his expedition. .Memphis was reacheil Tues-
day. -Vpril 7th. at K*::!!) p. m.. and the fleet left at 1) a. m. the next
clay.
On the ni<^ht of the Sth occuiTcd one of the saddest incidents in
the history <d' llie .Marine serxice. Lieut. ^^^ II. Sloan of Co. II.
Inf., so i>Tapliically related this incident in the "I listoi'ian" of .lulw
'87, that we (Uiote him Ncrhatim: "^^'hen the lleet left St. Louis on
''its trip to the south, the steamer .Ioiin R.mxk was left at St. I^ouis,
"and amoni:- the detache(| ollicei's (d' tlu' I>ria'ade on her was Lieut.
"McCune. ( )n the nii;ht of April Sth. our lleet found itself in the
'■vicinity of New Madri<l. .Mo. I was on the I).\i;i'ic and our hor.t
"was nu)()i"ed to the Missouri shore. A larifc coal hariie. from which
'"the l).\L'ric was replenishing;' her supply of coal, had heen landed on
"the outside. ^\dnle eniiau'ed in taking" this coal, the Joiix Iv.\.ixk
"joined us from St. Louis, and landecl outside the coal l)ai'a'('. in order
"also to tak'e coal. AAdiile these matters were occui'rinu', Lieut. Le Roy
"Mayne. Adjutant cd' C'axalrv, and myself, were eni>"a<2,"ed in a (luiet
"l>ame of euchre. Mayne pi'esently suiiii'estecl that we <i'(> o\er to the
"Iv.MN'K, and see McC'une. McCune. Mayne and myself were, in army
' j)urlance, "chums."" It was ahont half past eiiiht o'clock at niiiht.
"when I secured a lantern, and Mayne and myself started. I heini:'
' in the lead w ith the liiiht, steppe(l over the single slaii-e-plank. lead-
"in^- from the L.M.'rH' to the coal hai'ijc. and turned to let Mayne have
"the benefit of the liiiht. when I saw him ste|) off into the rushini::
"water between the Lai.iic and the Warae. I iirahhed for him hut
"failed to li'et hold of him. and he instantly ilisappeared from ^•iew.
''1 heard his head strike the cross-timbers compo^inu' the i^iiai'ds. I
"then ran back across the deck of the li.M/ru' to the shore", and down
■ the bank, hopini:- to <i'et a boat and rescue him in v\\>v he survixcd
"the passiuii" of the wheel. .Vnotlier ollicer found an old skill', and
^7^ nisfori/ of flw Murine li rhjudi' .
•^with a small ])iect' of l)„anl we started to ])a(l(lk' about, lookino- for
^'JMaync. While so eiiii-aovd. we noticed the Avater was covered^vith
'\sinall ]jieees of ])a])er, and a soldier ran to the stern of the l',Ai/ric,
•'and (-ried to us that another man was overboard. r>ut W(> eaug-ht
'-no sio-ht of either. V\Mn\ our return, we found that Lieut. MeCune
"had at nearly the same moment, expressed his intenticm of o-oing-
''over from the Kaine to the Baltic, to see Mavne and mvself? and
^'had stepi^ed into the river, at the same spot, and within' a minute
|-after poor Mayne. Lieutenant :\Ic(^ine had l)rouo-ht with him from
^^t. Louis the diseharges of four hundred men. and these were the
'•papers we saw tloatino- hy, ^yhii^ hmiting f,,,- Mayne. Some days
'•before his death Mayne asked me to eonie to his' room and said:
^' Old man", there's somethino- o-oino- to happen to me. T don't know
'•what it is. But I want to tell you where my folks live, and what I
'•have, and if the worst comes, you take care of my thino-s. and see
'•that my parents get my trunk. He showed me an elegant gold watch
'•that he carried, and then unfolding his necktie, an old style silk
^'handkerchief, he showed me $800.00 in greenbacks. wrapi)ed within
''Its folds, and worn around his neck. The necktie and watch disap-
"peared with his body, which was never heard of afterwards. Llis
"remaining ]:)r()])erty was forwarded to his parents, living in Keosau-
"qua, L)Ava, as per his request.'''
Both these young men were efficient officers, and their death Avas
a material loss to the command. Lieutenant Mayne had especially
endeared himself to all who knew him. Young, handsome in perscm,
Avith a frank, open, intelligent face, a courteous mien, and a soldier-
ly carriage, he favorably impressed all with Avhom he was associated.
This tragic occurrence cast a deep gloom over the conmumd at the
time, and even to this day tinges with sadness the war memories of
jMarine survivors.
At this point in our luirrative. we quote from three or four of
General Hurlbut's dispatches touching the :\rarine Brigade, which
explain themselves and also show that he labored under The connnon
mistake at the front, as to who controlled the movements of Pallet's
command :
II 11 rlh Ill's Xccdhss Won-ij. 2J3
Mi'inphis. 'rrnii., \|iril '.i. ISfi:;.
1/ff/. (',(11. I . s. dnnif. \"K-I:shiir(i. I'cini.:
* * \\v\ii. ( It'll. I'"llft i-;iii li\ this |>lai-f yfsl r rdii y witlnml rcjic Ji't i ni^-.
I do not know I'oi- \\li;\1 |()in1. I luivr adxi^cd 1li:it \\r l>f >v\\\ 1o tlif Ciiiidici--
land or 'rciiiifSM'c 1o aid in \\\v nio\cnicnl.
S. A. lltKi.nrr.
Mfni|)liis. Tcnn.. .\|iril '.i. \>>iV.\.
iliij. (Irii. \\ . s. I,'(isi'cnnis. \l iirficcshnii). 'I'cnii.:
It is ini|)ortant tliat ynnlioats slioidd cruise from the inontli of Duck
U'ivei- up to ■rnscnnd)ia. dnrini^- tliis niarcii. l':ilet"s Marine llrii^ade i-a n in nie
\cstei-da.\ wiriioiit re|:ortinii-. and are now within your I'eaeh. I'se them on
llie 'I'ennessee or ( 'nnd)erla iid rivers. * ■■■'
S. A. llriii.iu r.
Memphis. Tenn.. April '.). isd:;.
M<ij. (Irii. W. s. Hnsicrtiiis :--
Since m\ dis|iatcli of today I learn that ICiiefs Marine Itrii^ade are oi--
dered np the 'i'ennrssee Kixer to co-operate with |)odi;i'.
R. A. IllKMtUT.
Mempiiis. 'renii.. April '.). \Si\?,.
<',(iicriil l)oih/<. Coi-'nilh. Miss.: —
I am jnst informed li\ a lettci' from (e-nei-al (Irant that l^llrt's Marine
lirig'ade has heen ordered np (he 'rennessee to co-<i])ei'at e with \(in. ^'on will
ojien eoiiniuinicat ion with him. and p»lacc him and his command under \(iur
oi-dei's. The Ilri^ade |)assed here \fstei-(la\ nioi'ninL;- without i-eport i ul;'. for
which 1 desii-c \iiu to I'epi'imand (ieneral i-'llel. The Autoci'at is liis heachpiar-
tei's l)oat. ^'ou ma.\ expect him otT IlamlmrL;' ahout tomorrow nii.;ht. or on
the 11th. ■■" Witli tlie aid (d' the Marine i'.i-ig-adc. and such eon\o\ as
Uosecrans will lirini;' with his tleet. yitw need not ha\e an\' diflicidtv in
elt'arinf>' out tlic line of Hear (reck to 'l'uscund)ia. and should l)e able t<i draw
supplies froTu his lioats. so as to pi-evcnt lund)erini^- \(iui-sel\('s with much
train. S. A. liruLiuT.
It is perhaps needk'ss to rcniarlv. as a coiicliisioii to the al)()vc'
coiT'espoiKleiici'. witli its sugo'cstiou of (liscij)iiii('. that no "rcpri-
iiiancr' t'ver inatcrializcd.
The fleet feached Cairo early in the <'\('nin^- of April KKh. and re-
mained there se\-eral days, awaitini;" the eominir of Strei^'lit's trans-
ports out of the Cuniherland Rixcr. and in the meantime niak'inir
needed repairs on the l)oats, coalino'. ete.
The followinif from (xenerjd Hoseci'ans al Miirfreeshoro. sent to
(ieneral Hiirlhnt at Menii)his. shows the oltieial stress put upon all
<-onneeted with this oreat raid:
2'/4^ JI /xfon/ iif tjic M ai'nic I> r'n/adc.
M iii-|'ri'('sl>oi-(). 'I'l'int.. A|iril IL'. isii'j.
Ccii. S. \. lluiUnit. \l (III iihls. 'I'ciiii.:
Colniifl Strcii^lit witl) Mcni- :J.(im) pickcil mcii will in-oliahly ri'iicli l-:;ist|)()rt
1)\' 'I'll iirs(l;i\' next. DixIl;')'. with tli;' Mai-iiu' Uriiiudc and 1 lif i^im l>i lat s. can
(icciipy ()!• \\hi|) till' 'riisciiliiliia fdi'ccs. and Id my fDl'ccs l;o dii'fc1l\- to its
main (tbject- tlic dot met ioii of tlu' railroads.
This i;rt'at eiitrrpi-isc. fraiiL;ht with i;ivat coiist'ciiu'iu't's, \ Iicl;' \in\ t<>
connncMid to Dodnv's cart', cii joi niiii;' on him to dispatcli St rt^iL;lit. by every
means, to his destination. Xothinu', if possii)le. should for a moment arrest
iiis proijress. W. S. ItosKCKA .N s.
On tlu' 14tli the Uriiiadc ni(>\";'<l to Padiicah. sccunMl 'rcniu'ssee
rivt'i- pilots, took Sti'ciuht's hoals iiiidcr comoy, and hi'i^an the run
lip that river. Late in the cxcninii- of the l.^tli. tlu' cxpt'dition reached
Fort Henry. At this point. Colonel Str.'iiihl and his connnand were
found in canip. awaitinji' the arri\al of the boats. The KUh was con-
sumed in eniharkini:' the i'ai<linu' force, with the horses and mules,
caplurv'(l in this \icinitv for their use.
^^'hile awaiting;' this emh.irkat ion. the I'.im MoxAitcii was sent
with a transport ahe.id. up the ri\'r. to captrnv' more hors:'s and
nndes.
L'a\ing the (Juartei'nK;ster hoal Faikciiiij) and one hariic behind,
next daw the entii'c Ik'et of eiu'liteen \e-s(.ls. con^jrisinii' rams. Ma-
I'ine boat-- and tran-poi'ts. preceded by two ii'unboats. ino\'ed up
stream. At A^'illis' Point the Mo.xakmii. with its detachment, were
iound. th'.'y ha\ino' in the meantime conHscated (|uite a lot of horses,
mule- and tobacco, and capti!i\'(| two pi'isoners.
Leavinii' this i;oint. the fleet nroceeded to Uritt's La.ndiuii'. where
it renuiined oNcr niiiht. At Clifton, on tlu' Isth. were witnessed the
hrst (lepre(lat ions of the ( 'onfetler.ite guerrillas, the ])innshment a.nd
ex])ulsion of whom was one of the pur])oses for which th" Marine
liriiiade had b-en sent hither. These marauders, some three hun-
di'ed strong', cominii' in on the west side of the ri\'er. had had a Hii'ht
with the I'nionists of the \icinity. drivinii' men. women, and chil-
dren in. toward the ia\-er. burning' their houses and de-troyinu- their
proper; \-. Tlu se loyal Temiesseans wert' found on the baidv of the
ri\-er. oeciipyinii' such temporary sheltei-s as they had been able to
const laict. and with what few belonu'iuiis they had Icen able to hastily
iiather nil. and brinif awav from their homes. They seemed delie'hfed
/Scoi/f //!(/ (>// flic Ten n('ss<'(\
^75
at the appearance of llie Heel, and ureeted it with \va\ini;' <>i" liaiid-
kereliicd's. and with heartiest cheers for the I'nion. The siaht was
])alhetic. and deei)l\- touched the hearts of all who heheld it. The
cavalry was promptly diseiuharked at this ])lace. and the fleet passed
on to Savannah — there to await their connnii". The eneniv precipi-
tately retired Ixd'ore the force sent out. so that it was not possible
(() bring on a Hiiht w ilh them, lint on their way across, the caxalrv
burned a distillery, a store, and a sawmill, used in the interest of the
Confederate army, and also a laruc (piantity of lumber. At this
point dispatches were i-eceivcd from (ieneral Dodijc. who was in the
\icinity of Corinth. ( )n the I'.Hh two companies of the Marine cav-
alry wei'e sent to carry dispatches to (ienei-al I)o(lij,-e, returning' at
midnii;ht of the followini;' day. They reported seeini:' tlie camp lires
ol" the enemy, but did not encountei' any hostile force. They discreet-
ly returne(| by a dill'erent I'oute from that by which they went, and
there was afterward ii'(>od reason i'or thinking' that they thus escaped
possible capture. ( )n the niuht of this day Kast|)ort was burne(l.
The oriiiin of the lire' was nexcr delinitely ascertained. ( )n the after-
noon of the i:!Oth detachments of both infanti'y and caxalry were sent
out. on both sides (d" the river, and they capture(l nineteen prisoners.
(|uile a lot of horses and mules, some lumber, a (juantity of bacon, a
number of bales of cotton, and also biu'ued a mill.
The ri\('i- was now" rapidly fallini;'. ami it was decided that the
Marine boats, which were all of hea\y drauiiht. must be promptly
passed below the shoals. Ac<'ordinuiy. after |)uttinii' otf a s(|uadi'on
of cavali'v under connnand of Maj. J. M. Hubbard, with instruc-
tions to meet the command below, at Txiyd's Landini;'. the boats turned
their prows down sti-eam.
At Ilamlmrii- a small force was sent with dispatches to Corinth.
At this point also a larp' number of I'efuii'ees had collected, and
bee<>(Ml to be taken north. A barac was specially litte(l up for their
aeconnnodat ion. which was sub-e(|uent ly towe(l to Cairo, by the ram
lloiiNia;. ()n the L'-Jud. at Saxamiah. three companies were jMit
ashore, and ^eiit b_\- land down to Ceri'o (iordo. They were out all
nii;lit. and joine(l the command the next mornini;-.
The followina'. cpioted from a home letter of (his date (.\pril
■J'lrd ) from ('apt. C. (i. T'lsher. graphical I \' porlra\s the conditions
2'/6 Ilisfurij of flic Mar'nic liiN/ddc.
foiiiid in that locality: "Coloiu'l Ciirric and myself, with a small
"'ti'ooi). rode out ten miles today. We saw only I'ehid women whose
' hiishands. fathers and brothers are in their army. The women.
■'voun<2; and old. are trvin|j to g'et a crop into the <i^round. and working
''willingly, hoping and believing their side will win some day. card-
''ing. si)inning and wea\ ing cotton cloth, and making it into wearing
"aj)parel in most evei'v household. Xo new calico or other dress
'•goods in their section t'oi- two years. ^^^' noticed two smart looking
•■girls planting corn, as we went out. who were upon our return sew-
"ing. on the i)iazza. ^^'e had a ])leasant talk with them, and they
"gave us samples of their home-made cloth. They were not willing
"to believe that so many men in our gi'eat Yankee armies could be
"absent from home without leaving farms untilled. business prostrat-
"('(!. and families in want, in the north."
The -iord was an unfortunate day foi' the fleet. During that day
the Diana ran aground, and tlu^ tug Cleveland was sunk by running
across the bows of the Dlvxa. in an attempt to run alongside of her
while she was still under way. The comix'tent sailing master of the
AiTOCKAT, Samuel Ilenecksj at once set about the difficult task of
raising the tug. and the following day had her again ailoat. While
lying at this point a lai'ge ([uantity of liunber. which had been worked
up in a sawmill near by, was contiscated and br()Ui>'ht on the boats.
Early on the morning of the 'I'Ah. the Heet sailed again down stream.
Landing at CMifton. which seemed to be a guerrilla rallying center,
the infantry was put ashore, and went into the country a distance of
some four or Hve miles, but failed to find the enemy — re[)orted to be in
this section in some considerable force. l'i)on this trip a large distil-
lery was f(»und and burned.
From information now gathered, and from (>vi(lent indications,
the country round about was swarming with guerrillas, and trouble
was brewing. During the day the fleet was hailed by a woman, and
when the AiTociiAr drew in. near to shore, she informed (leneral
Ellet that the enemy had a battery i)lanted below, and were waiting to
attack us. Preparations were accordingly made for a fight, and the
Heet ran cautiously, down to P)i'itt"s Landing, where it tied u]) for the
night. ])lacing upon shore a strong picket.
Fujht (if flic Month of hnci,- li'/rcr
277
Simday luoniiiiLi' the ■1^\\\\ was foe'iiV- :ii'*l the HcH't did not get
uiulcr way until about s('^■('n o'clock. About half past eight o'clock
the mouth of Duck rixcr was reached. TJiis stream empties into the
'J'ennessee from the east, and just here is one of the numy difficult
l>oints in the na\igation of the Tennessee. Directly opi)osite the
mouth of Duck rixcr is a rocky shoal, which extending above, and a
short distance below, interxcnes itself between the channel of the
Tennessee and the east shore. The chamiel at this point is luirrow
and tortuous, and the current swift, making it necessary for a steam-
er, when once she has entered upon the passage of these rapids, to
go tlirough \\ithonl stopping.
Diagram Showing Fleet Approaching Rebels in Position, at the Mouth
of the Duck River, and Route cf their Retreat.
About the time the fdag-ship AriocwAT was fairly started in at
the head of these shoals. >he was suddenly salule(l from tlu^ east shoi'c.
by a lire al short range, fi'om a foiii' gun l>altery. and with a rattling
rain of l)ullets from the carbines of some Hxc or six hundred dismount-
ed cavalrymen. The enemy's artillery was rapidly ser\ed. and their
'2j8 Il/sforij of the Mtn'nn- /> i-'n/iidc.
siiiall-arni firi' was iiiccssaiil. Tlic Ai'i'ocRA'r made instant response,
and the Diaxa and .Vdaais. jnst in lici- I'car. wei'c (|uiek to join the
fray, while the I)Ai/ri<' with hei- ritled i;uns. from al)()\'e. poured in
npon the enemy a destruc-ti\'e, enhhidin<i' Hre. The sfiores of llie Ten-
nessee echoed with tiie thunder of artillei-y and the roar of musketry,
and the ri\'er itself was (|uickly oxcrhiuia' with a dense cloud of sul-
])hiii()r.s smoke. 'Jdie Marine hre was lieaAy and accurate, and the
enemy were more than once driven from their u'uns. but (|uickly rally-
ing;-. continue(l theii' assault upon the descendini;" hoats until nearly
all had arrived oi)posite.
As soon as the Al 'rocuAT reached the foot of the shoals, she sound-
ed the whistle signal to land, and I'oiuided to. and (piickly ht'iran to
send her troops ashore. In the meantime the enemy, perceivina" the
mo\ement. limbered u]) in haste, and heuan a precipitate retreat. As
soon as the IJripide could he disembarked, it was put in line, and
beii'an the ])ursuit. The character of tlu' country, in this innnediate
locality, was such as to recpiire that the i>Teatest caution be exercised
in followiuii' the enemy. Thick woods and miry, over<>'rown swamps,
threaded bv mimerous windini:' roads, onci- which the enemy had
passed and repassed, durinu' se\"eral previous days, made it an ideal
l)lace for ambush, and difficult to determine the direction taken by
the retreatinii' foe. The advance was therefore at Hrst necessarily
slow. It soon appeared, however, that the enemy was in full re-
treat, and the i)ursuit was thenceforth jjushed with u'r^'iit via'or.
Several times the ^Marine cavalry overtook and had a brush with
the rear liuard of the escapin<i- cohnnn. but could not force them to a
stand. As the Confederate conunand. which was all mounted. lari>-ely
outninubere(l the Marine cavah'v. and the Marine infantry was
l(d't far behind, the chase was abandoned at a p'oint some twelve miles
back from the river. The enemy left behind material evidence that
sunnnary punishment had bi'en received by them, in return for their
attack upon the boats. Vinw of their men were found dead on the
shore where they fell: four more, includinir a Lieutenant, were killed,
and one taken prisoner, durinu- the pursuit. Fom- miles back from the
river. Major A\'hite. of the Sixth Texas lvan<;-ers. was foiuid in an
abandoned house dyinif, from a wound in the breast: two ambulances
fidl of wounded were driven awav with the jjeeiuii- force: while mnu-
V/cir of the F'u/lif (it Duel' Jill
279
>ia
= n
P
o in
ll
o >
ra o
So
5"
o-o
ll
> (/I
2So Ilistorij of the Mti/w/ir Bi-'njdde.
(Tons pools of hlood found on tlic i-ivci' hunk, told sad talcs of human
nian^-lin<i' and ])ain.
The casualties in the Jiriuade were: two k'illed. \j/. Sergeant
Ca vender of Co. II. Inf., and Private Winchell of C\). A.
C'a\'.; the former on the Adams, and the latter on the Aitocijat; one
seriously wounded. \iz.. Henry K. \ Oung. whose foot Avas taken otf
hy the same shell which killed ^^'in(•hell. and who died in the Mound
City Hospital, a few days later. (>)uite a number of others received
wounds of a less sei'ious natur^'. from flying splinter^. Three horses
were killed, three were badly injured on the Diaxa. two wi'i-e killed
on the Adams, and one on the Aitocha'I'.
(ieneral Ellet's i'e})ort of this action is included in that of the
whole ex])edition. made on return of the fleet to Cairo, some days
later, and is as follows:
Caii-o. 111.. Ai>rii :;(). isi;:!.
II nil. /•;. I/. Stuiit'in :
Sir: I h;i\r the liniHir lo i-t-|)nrt tlial in coinplinncf willi iiistnictions
rt'cfivi'il fi-oiii Admiral t'orter. 1 procfrUt'd \\illi my commaiul iip '{"cniU'ssee
i;i\fi- to Kiistpoi't. Miss., without interruption fi-om the ciu'iny. tU't iii-iiin_y' in
(■oiis(M|ii<Mic(' of low water, 1 made seveTal raids into the connti-v. and de-
si i-oyed a iinnd)ei- of important mills and consideralile amount of subsistence
and supplies beloni;iny- to the enem.s. At the mouth of Duck Kixcr my boat?
were attacked by 7(10 easah-y with two |4| pieces of artillery. eomman(h'd by
Maior I i;. M.l Wliite. of the (It h 'fexas iianijvrs. 'tlie tii^lit was si)ii-ited for a
few moments oid,\-. The enemy were (lri\('n back and pursued some l\\td\e
miles in the interior, with the loss of Major Wiiite. mortally wounded and
left near the held. an<l one lieutenant an.d eiyht men killed. Tliey carried
otT a. larye lunnber of wounded in waijdns and on horses. We buried their
(Ic;.d. Our loss was twn men killed and one wounded. 'I'lie west bank of tlie
Tennessee lliver was lined with refuiices, who haw been dri\fn from tlieir
homes for love of tlie Old I'nion. 1 exhausted my su])i>]ies in |>r< i\ id i ni>- for
their necessities. Tlie 'IVnnessee Iviver is too low for \\\\ boats to operate in
with safetv. .My orders from .\dmiral I'orter do not pro\ ide for the enier-
i^-ciKW. 1 shall ho|)e to receive instructions from the l)e])art ment.
Alfrki) W. J'^llet,
13rio-. (len. ConTdL;'.
The api)earance of the l)oats aftei' the fight, bore testimony to the
severitv of the fire through which they had successfully i)assed.
Capt. \\. J). Crandall noted at the time: "Kight shells struck and
"penetrated the Ai nx i;.vr. Several passed through and then ex-
('asindtlcH ami 1 iic'tdcntx. 281
■•plodfd with a Icrrihic crasli. tcariiii;' iij) (liiiiii-s. o-cmkm'.i llw One
••slnick the l(»|) casciiialiiiii'. passing' ciilircly lliroiiiili lln' olliccrs"
"iiu'^s rdoiii. ami exploded outside, the i)ieces tearini:' and siiiashiii<j," up
•■^lassw ai'e. aud scalteriua- culiuarv inipU'Uieuts. etc, at a li\'ely rate.
'"Anothei'. strikiui;' a littU' lower. |>asse(| entirely tlirouiih r.nd explo'd-
"■('(1 outside. Still anothei' passed thi-ouiih hi'low. killini^- a horse."
•"The starboard side of tlie Flaii'shi])." C*aptain Crandall addeil ; "is
"rather an iuterestina" s])ectaele. Many parts (»!' it. es])eeiall\' a.hout
''the i)ilotdiouse. are fid! of nnnie halls and canister shot: which had
■'not force enoujih to penetrate the oaken barricades, and hence diit
"'no danti'er. ()\'er eiifhty shots sti'iick the pilotdioiise. and hardly a
"j)ane of i^'lass can now be seen on three sides of it." The plating' of
boiler iron which lined the ])ih)t-house on each of the boats, sa\'e(l tlie
men at the wheel. Col. Charles Iv. Pallet. Connnandinii' the Diana.
reported her struck: "Six times Avith shot and shell, which passed
'throuii'li the oak'Mi barricade without ditliiadty. while the ifrape.
"canister, and minie balls, were \('ry evnerally arrested by the oiit-
"side [)lank." 'I'his boat's nuns replied to the enemy's battery, double
shotte(| with canister.
Sex'eral interestinji' expei'iences. durinu' this Hii'ht. are on recorth
•Captain Crandall. Assistant Adjutant (ieneral. in a letter written
soon after, says: "\Mule I was just inside my ollice. reloadinu' my
"carbine fi-om cartrida'('s winch I kept in a box there, a percussion
"shell struck: the outer casematini;' but a few feet forward of the sj)ot.
"and j)asse(l throuiih burstinif at the same instant. Idie shock was
"terrific, and the Hash almost blindinu': but the i)ieces all })assed into
"the wheel house, literally riddlina' a space se\cral feet square.
"Lieutenant l)ean's dress coat was haniiiuii' in his stateroom on the
"AoAALs. lioth slee\('s from the elbow down, together with the lower
"half oi' the waist, and all the skii-t. were neatly shearcMl olf by a shell.
'"It was fiu'tunate for the Lieutenant that he was not inside that coat,
"'just then." Seriicant dohn Spilman. ,Co. ]> Inf.. in his diary of
that date says: "Thei'e was a Company A. Lif. boy. whose name I
"do not i-emembei'. who stood about twenty feet on my riu'lit. and the
"shell which kille(| ^^'incllell and wounded "\()un_u'. took oft' about one-
'■ third of \\\> itaxonet and scabbard, without hurtin<i' him."
Cai>tain C. (i. I'd-her of Co. E Inf.. wrote: "^^dlile our ca\alry
282
Ilisforij of the Miifhic I)f'i<jii(U
''was still piii'siiiiiii' the ciiciiiy. which we IcanuMl coiitaiiii'd a rci^'i-
•'inent whose (Niloiicl lixcd on the road, we (the iiifaiilrv) were or-
'"(hnvd to hall, and await the (iiMU'rars i-cturn. as he lunina- chased
"tlieni some elexcn nules had conclnded to tni'n hack. The halt was
•"made in front of the rehel C'olonel's h.ouse, as we soon leaiaied. AVe
"also leaiaied that it had l)een expected to hold something of a jubilee
"here if they capture(l the ^'anki'e^^. 'Idie ColonelV wife came to the
"^•ate. and comj)lained that our men were not only I'ohWinu' her smoke-
-house, but wei'e inti'udini;' into the house. Colonel Currie inslruct-
"ed me to keep the men from the house, hut not to mind the smoke-
"house. As the l)o\s had marched ten or ele\'en nnle> v\ithout food,
"and must I'eturn to the boats before they could act rations, the smoke-
"house order seemed to me a good one. and I obi-yed it strictly."
(feiieral Ellet visited the house where the womided Major AAdiite
lav. and without knowinii' his (hdirious condition ask-ed him how
man\ there were of the attacking force. In his delirium, and seem-
ing to address his own connnand. Major AA'hite called out. "Hurry up
men — for (Jod's sake, hurry I — There ai'e twenty thousand of them."
The attacking party was a part of Morgan's force, under com-
mand of X'olonel Woodford. They were drawn out from in front of
Ko^-ecrans. and sent hither for the express purpose of attacking the
JMarine IJriuade. on its i-eturn down the Tennessee. John I). Mc-
(dain (d' Co. F Inf. sa\'s: "In "CiT) I came across one of the 'Johnnies'
"returning home, and after talking with him some time, he remarket!
"that the worst his connnand was e\-er sold out. was in an attack on
"what the\- supposed were cattle-boats ] transport- | : and further in-
"(|uirv revealed the fact that he i-eferred to the Duck river tight, with
"the Marine Brigade."
In his Xa\al !listoi-y. Adnnral Porter says. rt'Si)ecting the state
of things, and this expedition, up the Tenne-^see rix'er: "During th.e
"war bitteiMiess and treachery flouri-hed in Tennessee-, owing to iheir
"aucrrilla svstem. In -onie parts of the state almost every family
"had one or more of these (|ua>i-soldiers. belonging to a gang who-e
■ ociaipation was liring on unarmed steamers, and seldom or e\er even
■when sn])j)()rlt'(l by anillery. making a ^ucces>fid stand against the
"lii:ht gunboats called "tin dads'. Now and then the\- would reci'ive
"severe juiiii^hnienl . and -ome of them get killed: occasionally when
I'ortrr's ( ' oiiniiciifs.
283
■■()\('rtak('ii. lli('\' \\('i-(' siiiiiumi'ih' dealt wilh. Siicli was tlic coiiditioii
■"oi a Hairs when Hrii;'. (Jen. Kllct with llic Marine 'Ji'ijiade eiilered
"the Teiiiiessee in li\(' slcaniers adniiraldy e(iui|)|)e(l for tlie aceonnno-
"dalion (if the men. and united with Lieut. Connuaudei- T^ileh to suj)-
"|)i'e>^ iIm" iiiieiTiUas The (\)nfe<h'rates were much surniised
■"at the ad\('ut of the Marine liriijade. who w eix- liunhoat men and sol-
"'thei'^ at the same time, and eoidd hind fifteen hun(h'ed ti'oops. with
■"liehl ai'liMerv. at a moment's notice, to pursue the enemy. In fact
■"whrn r'itch and KUet 'con l'e(lei-atecK' tliey mach' short work of tlie
■■( "on h'cN'rates. wlio ha.d really hi'cn a scourije to hotli parties in Ten-
■nes-ee. (ieneral Kllet's connnand included ca\alr\'. with whicii he
■'made iiiiiiit marches to pounce' on the camps of the liueri'illas. and de-
"stroy the stores on which these marauders i'elie(| for suhsistence. The
■"Marine l>i'ii:ade also cooperated with (ieneral Doilite. and atl'orded
■"material assistance in hreakiny,- up the connnand of the Confederate
"i ieneral ('o\. some eighteen miles ahoxc Sa\annah on the Tennessee,
■■(ienei'al Kllet's command was not popular with the Confedei-ate in-
■'hahitanls; as the Icrmi'r did not trouhie themsehes nnich ahout 'the
"amenities of war'. They saw so many irreifularities connnitted hy
'"th;' enemy, that they retaliated, in many instances hy destroyinii" the
'"property of <lisloyal persons, and often returned from an expedition
"with sullicient stores caj)tured fi-om the enemv to last them a montli."
For some days sul)--e(|uent to the Duck ri\er Hiiht. the fleet re-
mained in the \icinity of TOrt Henry, scouting;" the counti'y on hoth
side>. anti hopini;- for a I'isi' in the river, sullicient to eiiahle them aaain
lo mo\'e up stream. Tlu' (ieneral i"an out in one of the tenders to
Cairo, and i'eturne(l hoping' still to he ahle to moxc up with the lleet.
ihit the ri\('r continuecl to fall, and linally the lleet went out of the
Tennessee, reach iiiii" .Cairo <>n the 7th of Mav. ( )n his arrixal at this
[)lace. (ienei'al I*>llet sent Secretary Stanton the followine-;
Cairu, I M.. M:iy ?. isC,:;. 1 p. m.
/■;. 1/. Slaiihin. Sccifliirii nf W'lir:
Sir: I li;i\i' jiis1 rcliii-iifil I'rmn ;iii a11riii|)1 lo ascend tlic 'I'cii iicsscc Jfivt'V
a si'Cdiiil lime, ■['lie \\a1t'i- is loo low I'di- inc lo <j:v\ aliuxe tile ni(ii:tli ot Duck
Kiver. I am now rcpairiuL;- damai^cs llial m\ lioats siistaiiu'd in tlx' da n^crons
na\ ii;al ion. M\ ordci-s rioiii Admiral I'orlrr conlinc nir to tlir 'I'fii ncssee
liiscr. makiiii;' iio proxisimi for llic pi-esfnl condition of liic water. I can not
28^ IlistoriJ of ihc Mdfhic lifujadc.
comniiinieate with the Adinii-al willioiil yreat delay, ^^■ill \<)u advise me what
course to ])iii-sne? Ali red W. Eixet.
I'.rii;'. (ieii. Coin'dt;- Marine lirii^ade.
AMiile invailiiiii' ro])ly tVoni the SccrcUirv of \\-av. the .Coimiiaiid
^vas niiistcred foi- ])a_v. the daiiiaiic ddiie the hoats ii|) Tennessee river
was rej)aii'e(h and the lieet was coaled and proNisioneth and on the
iTth. hy its ]n()\-enients. antieipatini;- the folhtwinii' oi'der. the l>riiiade
ao-jiin stai'ted down the Mississippi:
Wasliiniiton. 1). ('.. 4 :(i:> p. m.. May :-'n. 1 S(i:!.
Brh/ddicr dciicnil KJJcl. Cairo, III.: —
'I'lie St'ci-etar\- nf \\'ai- t iiinks tliat such of youi' boats as may l)e avaihil)]e
and not re(|iiirt'd in tli;- ( iindici'la nd and Tennessee, shonid proceed imme-
diately to Xiels'shnrL;-.
H. W. Halt.eck.
Upon the retnrn of the connnand from the Tennesst'c the Mox-
ARC'ii had heen sent hidow. and was now engaged in patrol work, suli-
ject to the orders of (ieneral AVashburn. at Menij)his. On the 14th
she was directed to a special dnty, l)y the following order, which oc-
casioned (|uite a controversy Ix'tween AVashbnrn and I'orter. as to
who had the right to control tlu' ])olicing of the rixcr — a (juestion evi-
dently determined in fa\'or of the Adnnral. Here is the order:
Head(]iiarters District ot \\est 'IVnnessee. .Memiihis. 'IVnn.. May 14. 1804.
General Order Xo. 4.
"•■■ "•'" ■•'■ The ram Monarch will proceed lomorrow mornini;' down the
Afississipp' Iv'ixer and ari-cst evei-y tradiiiii' boat fonnd between Mem|)his and
Wliite Kixcr. All |iassenti'ers on board win) are women and children, or all
])ersons not liable to eonserijrtion by tlie laws of tlie Confederate states, will
be pnt ashore at the first landing' to<jether with any effects flie\- may lunc;
and pai'ties liable to eonscri])tion are. jiresumed to be in the relxd army, and
will be bronLiht as |)risoners of war to this city.
The commander < d' the ram Monartdi will send each boat to this city un-
der i^nard which will be fnrnislicd b\- jtrigadicr (iencral i'>nck-lanil. and no
boat will be allowed 1o land except at Helena on the wa,\- np.
J'.y order of Maj. Cen. ('. ('. Washburn.
\V. 11. Moi!(,AX.
A. A. G.
( )n the lull of this month Captain Sutherland, who had been as-
signed to Co. 1>. Inf.. and was absent sick at rdemingsburg. Kv.. re-
signed. On Jnnc loth, he wrote Col. Clias. K. Kllet of the i)lace
After Ci iicrrilliis df An.st'm. 2Sj
l)i'iii<i- raided hy rcUrls. iiiulci" Colonel Iji-iH-kiMiriduc and that he (hav-
ing ad\ised citizens to d(>fend against raiders) only escaped iheii- xcn-
geaiice Uy the intei'cessions (if his wife, and hy ticcepting a p'arole,
which. ho\ve\'er. he inleiided to treat as a nullity and rejoin his com-
mand as soon as able to travel. It does not appear, however, that he.
e^■e^ did so.
Nothing of impoi'tance occiirrecl on the down trip, until the after-
noon of the SM-d. After the hoats had anchore(| at Helena for the
night, the (Quartermaster hoat. I''\\ii;(ii ii.n. which had fallen hehind
the I'cst of the Heet. also came to anchor ami re|)orled having hiHMi iirecl
upon at Austin, a small village ahove, on the Mississip|)i shore. ( )n
the afternoon of the same day. at the same point, a small trading hoat,
— tlie Hostonia — had Hrst been rohhed and then hnrned. and its crew
all taken prisonei's. hy the C'onfederate guerrillas. A\dien (ieneral
Ellel heard, in the middle of the night, of the attack made at Austin
ujjon one of his ovv n hoats. an(i of the other depretlations conunitte(l
in close connection therewith, he at once directed that the Ikvltic,
with th.e I<\vii;(iiii,n. and the Raine. the Lioness and Kri/rox proceed
the next moianng to the mouth of AVhite river, while he. raising
steam on the other hoats inmiediately started hack u}) the rivei- ("2
o'clock a. m. of the 'J-l-th) for the punishment of the otfenders. Aus-
tin was reache(| ahout sunrise, and e\'erything schemed innocently
peaceful and (|uiet. The guerilla force was repoi'ted as having I'etired
>ome distance to the real'. The Marine troo})s w ci-e at once diseni-
harked. and the four cavalry companies, under command of Major
Iluhhard. promptly moved out in the advance. A i)ortion of the
iufanti-y. under Captain Xew<'ll. was left to guard the boats, while the
remainder lande(|. but were delayed a little, from some cause, in get-
ling away.
The cavalrv advance soon reached a i)oint where the road divided
into two biMiiches. and choosing the right hand road, passed on. in a
-outheasteruiy direction. Su|)posing that they were closely followed
by the infantry, they diil not consider a rear guai'd necessary, nor did
they take the precaution to leave a picket at the foi-ks of the road, to
inform the infantrv as to the dii-ection they had gone. It turned out
that at the time the fleet laiideil at Austin, the Confedei'ates — soni'o
st'Vt'U or eiiiht hmidred mounted men. with two piece- ol artillery —
286
ll'isfonj (if the Marine Brigade
were ill ("uiii) at a landinu' ahout three miles ahoxc the town, ^^llen
tliey heard oi" the arrixal of the HriusuU'. they heiiaii a retreat, ahtiig
a road which ran diai>'oiially southeast from their eaiiii), passiiii;: in
rear of Austin, and coiniii':' into tlie main hiii'hway at the forks of the
main road ah'eady (k'serihecK The Confe(h'raies cp.nie down \\\\>
diaii'onal road and into the main roach soon after the Marine cavidry
ad\'aiiee had passecK and were' eai^crly pushing; forward for tlieir cap-
ture. After piu'sninii' the rii>'ht hand road some distance. Major
Hubbard became satished tiiat the enemy wci-e not in his front, and
was just conntcrmai'chiiiii- his battabon. near tlie iippei- end of In^ncr
Dam L'jke. intendinu' to return and take the other forlc of the roach
when tile head of the X 'onfederate cohimn opened an iniex|)ected lire
-X.'
:^
^M
.i"
Diagram Showing Position of Forces in Marine Cavalry Fight at Beaver Dam Lake.
Infantry Finally Arrived, and Rebels Withdrew.
u])on his little force. Doubled up in their coinitei'march. as the Ma-
rine ca\alrv wei-e. it was lik'e a i-attlina- shotiiun lire into a bunchecl
tlock of (|uails. 'Idle \()liev was so sudden and lierce. that for a mo-
nient it threw the battalion into confusion, and (b'oxc them otf the
road, \\dien they dismounted and lined u|). which they (|uickly did.
< 'ii rdl ri/ F'njht at lUiii'if Ihiin.
287
tlu'V I'oiiiiil tli('iii>('l\('s ill :i little sunken Wrnd of ;i lunou. with a few
cvpi'css trees and low huslies in t'u'ir iVont. and with an inipassahie
stream of water at theii- hacks. 'I"he eneniw in the meantime, had
also I'oi'ined a line on the ojiposite si«h', and aeross the i-oad. in a lliiek
canehi'ak'e. with theii- i-i<iht toneliini:' the hayon. and thus almost in-
closin^Ll' llie Marine caxalry. Tlie enemy then sent in a demand for
sni'i-ender. I)ut Major IInl)hard. furious as a desert lion stiri'ed uj) in
liis lair, and with one of his customarN' iialiei/ed and punctuated ex-
j)i'essions. re|)lied that he nexcr woidd surrender, antl at once tlie H^lit
was on.
Time aftei' time the enemy chariz'ed on foot, out of the canehrake.
and across the interxcuina' space, approaching' so near the Marine
line that the Confederate oHlcel's could I )e distiuctlx' liell'd ur^'iuir
their men forward, with oaths and threats, only to receive a nnirder-
ous carhine lire, \\hich di'oxe them hack into their canehi'ake coxei't.
Fortunately for the Marines, althouii'h the Confederates playe<l their
artillery, they did not sufficiently depress their a'mis. and the shots
from them went harmlessh' o\er the heads of the helea^'iiered hat-
talion. The hattle contiuue(l for ahout an hoiu'. and tl'eii t'le woril
"went up to Major Iluhhard that the aumnmition was nearly exhausted.
I)Ut the Major hareheadetl. with sahre in one hand and I'exohei' in
the other, moved alouii' the line tMicourauina" the men. and cautioninii'
them to hold their lire until they were sure of doini:' execaition. At
this critical junctui-e one of the Marines went to Major Iluhhard and
()ffere(l. if pernntted to exchani^c his uniform for some of the "hutter-
iiut" clothiui;' of one of the prisoners already captured, and to swim
the hayou. and pilot tlie infantry to the i)lace.
\\dule thiniis were thus at the front, there was somethinii' lioini:-
on also at the rear, (ieneral Kllet and his statl'. with three oi- four
oi'derlies ^^alloped forward to oxei'take the advance, and reachecl the
forks of the road just after the enemy had passed. Theii' real' auai'd.
seeing' the (Jenerars small party approaching', drew aside into a
chunp of hushes, and awaited its comiui:'. A\dien ahout a hun<lre(l
yards distant they opened upon it with a heavy volley, hut thouii'h
several horses were hit and disahled. not one of the party was in-
jured. The enemy i^alloped away at once, uninjured hy the small
arms Hre the i)ai'tv sent after them, 'idie infantrv was now hurriecj
288 llisiori/ (if iJic Mar'nic Ilriquih .
ii[). and Icaniiiii!' fioiii a Mariiic iiic-si'iiii'cr. of the painful situation
of the caA'alry. and piloted '.)y this niesseni>'er. the (leneral pushed
forward with the infantry cohinni as rapidly as possible, at lenii'th
reachina' the Confederate rejir a'uard and (h'ivinii' it before him. Thus,
less than an hou.r"s i-apid march, hronii'ht tlw infantry npon the seene
of action. X\ his coniiiiii'. however, the enemy mounte(l their horses,
liniliered nj) theii- artillery, and ]n'ecii)itately fled. The enemy's force
heinii' all mounted, and the Marine ("n.dry heinii- nnich cut up. and
out of annuunition. it was im])()ssil)le to pursue or overtakt' the fieeina"
forct'.
The Confederates were Chalmer's conunand. consistinii" <>f eiii'ht
hundred mounted men. with two pieces of artillery. Their own ac-
count of this enu'aaement (as i>iven to disguised Union scouts, ojx'ra-
tina in the rear of Austin. aloni>' the Coldwatcn- IJiver) was as follows:
"We had a \ery se\-ere battle, and came neai' losing our two ])ieci's | of
"artillery I but finally cut our way out. A\'e lost seven killed, includ-
"ino- a Colonel, thirty wounded, and twenty missing-.'* The follow-
ing is the enemy's ollicial report, as renilerecl by (leneral Chalmers to
( ieni'ral Johnston :
I'niinla. Miss.. May :2(i. ISli:!.
ilcncrcd .loll iisloii : —
CdI. W. I'. Slcnions. w ilii tlie Second Arl<ansas ('a\alr\- and Second Mis-
sissippi i'arlisans. iircd dii transports neai- Austin, witimnt ett'ect. 1 lie ent'iny
tandcd fi-om tliree tfanspDrts and wefe Tepidscd. leavini;' Is dead Imrses. Their
inss is nnl<n(>\\'n- i)urs one captain anil two men l<iUed. twelx'e wonnded and
rliree luissini;'. .Kv.Mios K. Cir.vLMEiis.
lii-iiiiidier (leneral.
T. S. 1 lia\e Just learned that tlie force that t(inL;lit SleiiKins was l^iiet's
Mdnnted Marine I'.riyade. enrcuite to \'icksl)nri;- - se\en transport loads.
.1. i;. ('.
The jNIarine loss in men was two killed, \iz.. Battalion Pmaler
Christian, and Charles Ilaii'er. l)()th of Co. .V Caw: one man dmip'r-
ously. and twenty more or less severely, wounded: and in horses, three
killed and nineteen shot and uu)re or less injured. The Marines also
captiu;e(l three prisoners and twenty-two stands of arms. The soldier
before mentioned as •'sexcrcly woundecl" was Henry X. Couden of Co.
I). Cav.. subse(|uently and for many years (e\"en to the time of this
wfitinu) Cliap'ain of the National House of Kepresent!iti\'es. It is
" II (ihl ilKj flic Foif" (if Ai/sfi
2Sg
not lU'crssarv to s;iy that he was "'coiispieiious"" in this liiiht. when it
is known that he received a charge of small shot in l!ie lace, which
iniiiu'diately deprixcd him forexcr of (he siiilit of hoth eyes. He also
i-eceived a hall in hi> Itd't aiMii. another in his side, and still another
in his foot, while his horse was i-iddled witli oi<>'lit hullels.
lint to this day Captain Xewell insists that all the work of that
day. was not at the front, and that he had a small poi'tion of it.
ihonith of an entirelv dilTerent kind, hack al the rivci-. He says:
".Mnch to my disappointment at the time. I was left with my own
■'company, and a small detail on each hoat. to i!,nard (he lleet during
"the al)-ence of the connnand. (Jeneral FJlet had reason to sns])('('t
'that the enemy mia'ht ti-y to swinif ronnd into his real', and make an
"attack npon the boats, and I was instructed to watch and he ready
"for them if they came. Accordin<>'ly as soon as the connnand left,
"I threw out pickets, issued orders to the sailinu' masters to hoist the
■ larp' liangways. sj)ar the hoats out a little from the shore, and keep
"up sutHcieut steam to move the hoats. and have the hot-water-hose on
■ each boat connecteih so that we miii'ht phiy hot water on any force at-
"temptini;' to hoard us. I'o while away the time. I permitte(l the
"uu'n to <2() np into the town, in small sipiads. lint I soon discovered
"that they were coniina' hack "in ii'ood spirits." Snspectina' the cause
'"I went out to meet some of them as th.ev came in from the xillaui'.
"and found one fellow with a twocpiart ])ail full of "old i'\'e.' which I
"conliscated and poured out on the uround. Still, with all my
"walclifulness. I did not seem able to "stop the traffic" until linally I
"noticed that one of the men. just relieved from u'uard. came cari'vina'
'his li'uu in a jx'cidiar wa.y. I ordered the lelief to halt, and upon in-
"spection of their iiinis found that in >onie cases the chare'es had been
"withdrawn, the nipples plneo-ed. and the bai'rels partly Hlled with
■""the tinid." This was proof positive, that onr Ahirines were (|uick
"to acconunodate themselves to any snri'oundiuiis in which lhe\' nda'hl
■'chance to be. liefoi-e lea\inji'. the (ieuei'al had instructed me (o
■■carefully search all the houses, since he had i^'ood reason to believe
■ thai me(licine^^ and hospital stoi'es wei';' lindinii' their way throneh
■ thi-^ town. iiUo the ( 'onfe(|erate line-. I >hall never fore'ct ni\' ex-
■■perience in execulini;' the (ieneral's ordei'. 1 tried to conduct the
"search of houses in -iich maimer as inii;ht be least otl'eiisive to the
2go Ilistunj of flic M (ii-inr lir'njudc.
■■woiiicii ill the hollies. I took with iiic a sergeant and two uuards.
■■(ioiiii:" into the lioiiscs. I would tell the occupants wh.at I caiiic for.
"'and i:i\''' tlic woman of the house the prixiK'uc of ii'oinii' with us. and.
■■under iii\' direction openinii' the hiireaus. tnink's. Iieds. etc.. proiiiisiiiir
"thai if ^he woiihl <lo this we woidd withhohl our hands from her
"possessions: otherwise we would make the search oiu'selves and in our
"own way. In most cases the women aj)preciate(I this ort'er. and coiii-
"•|)lied with it. Iiiit in some cases they refused the courtesy, and in
■one or two cases well iiiah spit in our faces. It re(|uire(l a n'ood deal
■"of self-control to stand this, and more than once I w islied myself with
■"the main part of the ('oiiinuiiid. facinu' the hushands. sons, brother-
■and h)\('rs of these Aiua/ons. The seircli. howexcr. rcxcaled nothiiiLi'
"'of importance, and \\v, coiisider;d)le capture of contrahaiid stores was
■"made.
^^dlell the (General retiirnecl with the command he i-.-iied to Ca|")-
tain Newell, as Provost Marshal of the Priaade an order, dii'ect iiiii;
that the town of Austin l)e l)urne(l. ""With a sad heart." says Xewell.
"hut with, a loyal soldier's suirit of ol)edience. I executed this order,
"to th;' \-ery letter. The memory of this incident is one of the iiio-r
"iiiil)leasaiit of adl my wai^ experieiici's. In the midst of the conriajira-
"tion. there was a teri'itic explo-ioii. and upon in\'estiiiat ion. it wa-
■"t'ound to have occurred in the cellar or basement of tlie Court House,
"where there was prohahU' a (luantity of C()iitV(lerate ammunition,
"overlooked in the search."
IIa\"in_u' thus disposed of Austin, and severely punished and drixcn
awav the hostile force which made it their headciuarters. the fleet re-
turned, the e\"eniiie' of the same da\'. to Helena. Here the (ienerars
report of the Wattle at lieaNcr Dam Lake was made. It is here fj;iveii
ill full, in order that his commendation of the gallantry of the Ma-
rine caxalry. in this their first single handed conihat with th;' enemy,
may fnll\- appear:
Helena. Ark., May 2!). 18G3.
Ihiw. /■;. I/, stiiiildii. Sccichtrn iif War:
Sir: I lia\e llie Ikhioi- lo iiirunn VdU lliat as iiis (■(iiiiiiia iid was de-
sccndiiiL;' (In- ri\ci- rroiii Memphis uii 1 he ex cii i iil;- of May :.'::. the eoiinnis-
sary and ( |iia i 1 eniiasi m- li'iat was lired iiili) li'oni the Mississippi side by a
hand u\' llie enein> with two pie<'es of artillei-y. aWciut (1 miles above Austin.
I retiinied \estci-( hi \ moniiiii;- to Austin and landed m v force. The enemy
The I ' II n tsliiiicnt of Aiisfni.
2cjl
li;i(! ;i few lioiirs hcforc iii\' ;iri-i\;il captured a small ti-ailini;' sicaincr. and
l)il|-|i(-cl lici'. takiii;;' her ri-i'\\ caiilixr. and a ppi-i i| ii-iat i iil; Ii"|- Ircii^ld. 1 could
(ihlaiii iiM i Ml cl I Ilicmcc Iroiii the i idia liil a iit s \)\ which 1ii L;uidc iii\ mionc-
iiiciils. M \ ca\alry. iiiidci- the cdin iiia iid - of Maj. llnMiai'd. :2li(i sti'diii;-. canie
up wilh 1 he eiieiii\. I. ()((() strdiii^-. all in i1ed. s miles out. The \\ii:\\\ lasted
Meai-|\ twu hours. The Major \\as compelled to taki' shcltci- in a I'aNoi-ahle
hottom. where he snceeeded in repidsini;- the enem\- and tinalU' di-o\i' tlicm olV.
liefore the infantrv eoidd e e to his rtdief. Onr loss was :.' killed and I'.t
woniided. mostly sli^iil. The imemy left ."> dead npon the tield. and I lieiden-
ant mort.i!l\' woundeil. and :.':.' stands of arms. W'c eaptni'cd :; prisoners. I
linrned tiie town o!' Anstin. Innini;' first searched {■\a'\-\ ImildiiiL;'. As tiic tire
proLjresscd. the diseharL;i' ot loaded tire arms was like \iille\s ( d' mnsketr\ as
I he tire re;i.ehcd their hidini;- places, and two liea\y explosions of powder also
occurred. Ot Major llul)l)ard and his i)attalion I can not s|)eak too liiLihly.
'I'liey are deserxinL;' all praise. l-]\('r\- (dlicei- and man of the little force is I'e-
poi'ted to ha\(' acted with The most d isl i ni.;nislied l)ra\ery. and prompt oliedi-
cuce to orders.
\'er_\- respect fnl l\, \dnr oliedient sei-\ant.
.\i.i-i;i;i) \^'. I''i.i,f;i'.
r.i-iijadier (leneral.
riic (•(iiiiily fccords (if 'riiiiica Coiiiity. Miss., which were hroiiii-lit
;i\v;iy from Aii^iiii. for jii-cscfxatioii. were h.'rc turned oNCf to (icii-
ei-al Pfciili-^s. Thcfc was now sonic apprehension of attack l)\' the
ciiciny upon ihat phice from the i-ear, and some skirmi-^hini;' hail oc-
curred (hiriiii;- the (hiy. the Uriaade remained at anchor, ofl' the town,
until half past four p. in., when all danu'*'!- of a i:-eiieral assault heina'
o\cr. the Iiriaiidc proceeded down stream, ^^dlile at anchor olf He-
lena. (tciicimI Kllel also sent the follow ini>- lo A)'asliiniit<»ii :
Ida-' Ship Autocrat. lUdena. Ark.. Ma,\- :.>.".. Isii:;.
ihni. i:. I/. Sliiiildii :
Sir:— 1 ha\c the honor to recpiest that anotlier rcL;iment of infantry l)e
added to m v command. I find from expeiaence tliat m\' f(n'ee is too small,
and entir(d\' insntlicient to head aL;ainst the enemy I ha\c to contend with in
the ti(dd. and at the same time provide for the sal'ct\- of my Ixiats. If pei--
nntled to choose I would ask that the Thirt\-thir(l Keyiment ill. \'ols.. Col.
(Iiarles I'". Lippincott. connna nd i ni;'. lie added to the Marine r.|-ii;-ade. Xo
additional boats will he re(piired for this increase of tlie commanil.
Ai.KKKn W. I']i.i,i';r.
1 !rii;ai I icr ( ienera I.
The month of A\'hite rixcr was reached at half [)ast two a. m.. ol
ihe liCilh. and the liAi/nc and I<\\ iKcii ii,i) which had lieeii sent ahead.
2Q2
lllsfofii (if fli<' Mariin l>riij(i(l<
were foinid nwnit iii^- ihc (•((uiiiii:- of the rest of the tiiH't. AMiilc lyiuir
at this noiiil. tlu' urcxioiis dav. M:'ioi' TalltM-tlav did sonic scouting:
in the adjacent country, cnnturiuii- sonic stock. And now. wliih' wait-
ino- for the boats to take on c(>;d. ConiDanics A and I) Inf.. ^vellt out
on a scout, on the MississiDjn side, fi'oiii which thev r.'tnrned hi-in<i-ino-
sonic horses, nudes, and otlier iiiinor captures, ^^dlile Iving- at this
l)hice >oiiie four ihoiisaiid H\-e hun(h-e(l ( 'oiife(h'ratc prisoners were
hrouii-hl up froiii Ixdow. and proceeded to Meniplii-^. Xothing' of
further interest occurred on the run (h)\\n st renin, and about sunrise
on the -ii'th tlie boats reached Youna's Point. Thus ended one of the
most e\-entfiil and stirrinii' ex]ieditions in the history of the Coiuinaiid.
CHAPTER III
June
18 6 3
Cnnit's Aninj \iiir Aritiiiiil \icl:slnir(/.— Marine lir'uKKlc Scnl lo Hold Ihiiiics'
I'liiff. — rrinhcrton's /'nrd ii t inns.- FIrrf off la Miinjtliis for I'd n /(irrr men I s
for (Sriinl. In Shirniixh \ (ii r h'irli nioinl. {rlillcri/ DikI on llir 7'ry/.v(/x. —
I'hinlinn "/ M'irinc iUitlcrii (iiiposilc \ icLsh ii rf/. -h'ccord and Effcd of Hie
(iiinncri/. — liriniidc Culled lo Cood rich's.- .1 Sliiirji Encounter. - Iteiith of
('(ijitiiin Wriithl. All mi nil h'iled hi/ \ eirsim /ler ('orresjtondenl s.- Sin render
of ] irl.shiiri/. A mill itnd \<iri/ Cclchnil i nij I lie Clorimis I'onitli Within
Its (lutes.
Diiriiiy the tinic iiitcrvcniiiLi' Ix'lw ecu the departure of the lU'iiiJuh*
upon its Tennessee river ex[)e(liti()n and its return, the military situ-
ation had <>Teatly ehani>v(L (Irant had found his way l)eh)\v \'icl<s-
hurji'. and ei-ossed his troops o\-er to the east si(U' of the ri\'er. and w illi
the help of tlie Xa\v had taken (irand (Julf. and after his sueeession
of sph'udid \ietories Ix'low and in the reai-. of \'ickshura". had drawn
hi^ eor(h)n around that (h)onie<h hut deliant stronj^hold.
rn(h'r date of May --'".ith. isc.;;. tlie date of tht' Ih'et's return to
^"'i(•ksl)uro• from the Tennessee ri\-er. ('apt. A^^ I). Crandall. Assistant
Adjutant (ieneral wi-ole of the situation:
■"The city is still in a state of close seiu'e. This afternoon T
"crossed oNcr with some ollicers. to the opposite side of the neck, and
"we went Uj) and down the lexce look'iiii;- <it the I'ehel a'uns. batteries,
■"and men, and notini:' tlic ii'eiieral appearance of tlie city. Wr could
'"distinctly hear the iiriui^- of (icid |)ieces aud uniskets hack of the city,
"all the way aroinid: at timc^ liiiht. and at times \"ery heavy. We
"know our men are slowly closini;' in upon the ill-starred city. To-
"ward e\'ening (ieneral Sherman's connuand. on the riiiiit. which holds
21;,
294
Hlxtovy of f/w Marhic 11 }''i<i(i(h
"nil the appi'oaclics from Haines' liliiii'. had a scxcrc artillcrv lii>lit
"with tlie rclx'Is. in position very close to him. ^^\' conhl sec. with
"our held iiiasses. the unns of both sides helchiiiii- their deadly lire
"at eaeh other, hut conld not note the efl'ect. Neithei- hattei-y hd't its
"po-ition. thouiiii the rebels ceased Hrinii-. two oi' threi' times, durinir
"the hour, '\\dnle I w I'ite. the mortars are shelling the city from the
"iij)per side of the point, and the shell-anns from the boats below, are
"also Hi-inii' hea\ily. npon the rebel batteries and the town. The
"enemy's bii;- ^iins haxc a \'erv accurate ranii'e upon the |)oiiit. I saw
'One spot vesterdaw near whert' the moi'lars are anchore<l. about two
"hundred yards scpiare. which had not '.e-^s than ten shells dropped in
^'it. Kach one lore up the earth, explodinii- and makini:- almost a
"gra\ ('."
Innnediately upon its arri\al \\w Hriiiade was aiiain siunmoned to
ser\ ice. ( )n the •JiUli. the day it i-eached the bend abo\e A^icksbur^-.
(Jenei-al (iraiit made the following' i-e(juesl of Adnnral Porter:
Lake's Laiidiii-'. Miss.. May :.".). isd::.
liii[f Adiniml Ihirifl IK I'mtcf. Coiii'dii Miss. SiiiKnl ion :
Will Vdii iia\c llif l;((()(Iiicss to m-dcr 1lie Marine I'.rii^'ade to Haines' Hlnft'.
witli directions to disembark and remain in oeeii pal ion. until I can relieve
Tiiem l)\- other ti-oo|is'.' I lia\e also to reipiest that son put at the disposal of
Major L\ford. (liief of ( )i-d i na nee. two siei^e ^iins. amnuinition and iniplemeiits
complete, to he plaiiti'd in tile real' of \'iekslini-i^. After they are in battery,
and ready for nse. 1 shonid he pleased to ha\e them manned liy crews from
yonr fleet.
f. S. (IHANT.
Majoi' (ienei'al.
Admiral Torier at onct' -^ent (Jeneral FJlel an order, in line with
this recuiest, and before noon of the 'M){\\ the .Marine lleet was ;it
Haines' IMu.fl'. Outposts were at once est;ibli>hed. and the coiiuutind
w;is in readiness to co-ouertite with (ienertd Shernuui.
(iraiil hiid recent Iw soniewhtit wetdvcned the line in that phice. by
sending lilair's l)i\ision on a special e.xpeilition up the \'a/oo. to
dri\-e out the enemy. ;ind gtither supplies and fortige. He speaks of
this in his Memoirs. ;ind hit .')44 \'ol. -2] refers to the services
of the lirigiide aboxc mentioned, in these terms of a|)preciation :
"I re(nieste(l Porter at this time to send the .Marine P>rigiide. a
'iloatina' nond<-cripl force, which had been assigiicd to his connnand.
Miivnas Ilnhl Ihiinrs- HI, Iff.
^95
''and which ])r()\'(Ml nci'v iisci'iil. up to llaiiics" I'hill'. lo hoM il until
-■rciiifoi'ccuiciits conhl Ix' sent."
The coiiiinn' of thi' Mariiir IJria'adc upon tiic scene seems to ha\'e
awakened c(insidei'al)le apprehension in the minds of the Confederate
< 'ommaiider>. a^ may he seen from the following:
ilca(l(iii;ir1fi-s |)r| t. of Mis-, jiiid Ivi-I i.ii.. Xickshii ri^-. .\l:i\ :.".i. jsc,:!.
Uria. <;i n. .hthn S. Haircn. ('oiii iiui ndi in/ I )i ri.simi _ | Irl.xhiiiii:
(M'ncral: 't'lic l.ii'iit ciiaiil (Iciu'ral ( i )mina lu I i ml;' dirccls tlia1 vmi mine
i '.rijjadicr (iciifral (ii-ccii's I Jrii^adi' lo siicli point 1 Jiat it iiia\ sii|)|ioi-t Slci--
jiiiy's i);itlt rv. ii|;oii oiir I'ivcr I'roiil. wliirli is now 1 ii I'ra 1 ciumI wilh an allaclc
ironi l']ll('l"s Marinr I Ii'iLiadc ^'oll will dii't'ct 1 lie nioxcincnl von I'scI I'.
N'ei'v iTs|ici't I'ul I V,
11. ('. Tren:!:.
Aid i\r (amp.
l[catl((nai-tiM-s Dcpt. Miss, and ivist l,a.. \'ickslini-i;'. May :i'.K ISC,:;.
iicii. Martin L. Siiiilli. Cdiii inii ndi n </. etc.:
(ifiicral: I am dii-iclcd li\ llir l.icnleiianl (Icnci-al Com ma ndi ni;- to sav
it is prohalilc that l']llct"s Marine l'.|-iL;ade Jnst come down the ri\er ma,\'
endeaxoi- to assault lladley"s hattei-y. on \(iiii- left. lie desires that voii lia\e
a regiment in reailiness to move to that point, promptly, in ease sneli assault
slumld lie made.
'^'our obedient sel'xaut.
l;. W. Mk.M Ml .\(.KH.
A. A. (i.
(ienei'al Smith, fof reply to the ah()\'e. i'e(|iiests that the ITth La..
he ii'turned lo his IJriiiade. for the pni'pose indicated, and receives
from l*emhei1on"s I Iead<iiiarters the followinii' :
llead(puii-ters Dept. Miss, and ICast l>a.. N'iekslinri.;-. May :.".i. lS(i:;.
</■'//. Mil I I ill I,. Smith :
• ienei'al: 'I'he Lieutenant (leuei'al (ommandini: directs me to ad\ise yon
that he has ordei-ed the ITth I. a. IJe^iment to be thrown on \(iui- rit^ht. in
(>rdef to support nou. in ease of an attack on \(>u by Sherman, in eonjunetion
Avitli l-"llet"s Marine I'.i-ii^ade. wliiell the nio\em<Uits i)\' the enemy in the rixei-
render probabh'.
1 am. respect fid I \ . el c..
\V. II. MeCAiJi.i.K.
.\. A. (1.
'I'hat I'emherton. e\'en tlins early, hea'an to feel the liuiiteninu' of
the cords which (Jrant had drawn ahont him. is clearly e\i(h'nt from
llii> extract from his dis])alch to Johiisl(ai. of this date. May •_'".>:
H/)
Iftstorij of fjic Mdi'/iic /> r'/(/(iil('.
"... . Slici'iiuiii on my left. McI'Iutsou and Mc( 'Ici'nand on my
"riiilit. and IIiirllMit. from Mcmjdii-^. and Ellct's Marine liriii'adc^
"(tlu' last afloat) Sine:' inNcstnicnt we liaxc lost about ten
■"thousand men and many ollicers. ..."
lint llic M-irnic-^ were not lona' (o remain with Sherman. ( )n the
^Ust r)laii""s troops I'eaehed Haine-" IJlull'. and orders came from Ad-
miral l^ortei- reliexinii' the IJrioade from longer holding' their position
at this point. It was appi'ehended that the Confederates would move
heaven and earth to sa\"e \'iek'sl)uri:'. and (Jrant was in dire need of all
the forres that could possihh' he sparetl and i^otten to him. in order to
resist the force of the enemy in 'ds real" sliould he adxance i);'fore tlie
fall of the citv. Lar^'c numhers of reinforcements were -heinii' luir-
ried forwai-(l. from northern points. I»ut t!ie means of transj)ortatioii
below were insutlicieiit. An'ain (ieneral (iraiit seeks the lielj) of the
Marine liriy'ade. sendiiiii' the follow inii' riMiuest to Adndral I'orter:
\t';ii- N'icksliiirii-. Miss.. May :11. ISdP..
J'ciir Adniinil Ihirid I). I'orlrr. Coin iihi inli ii ;/ Miss. S<i innl i-on : —
Will you please direct Ihe Marine liriyade to deUai'k at Haines" iljiitt'.
and send all llieii- sleaniers. or as nian\' of them as possibk'. to Mempliis, to
liriny- (low II |-e-inl'oi-cenieid s".' I lia\e ordered 1 he troops, hut i1 is a ditlienlt
inattei' 1o i;-et transportation. I wonid es|ieeially |-e(pies1 tliat aii,\' of these
steamers that can he s|)ared he yot otf at th- earliest possihie moment.
r. S. Chant.
Ma ior ( General.
About this time, and pi"obably with special \iew to creatinu" a
harrassinii" dix'ersion. and retard reinforcements fi"om abo\"e. o-nci-rilla
attacks became freciuent. and were e\idently directeil by tho-c who
knew Avhere these desultory atta("ks would be most ert'e("tive. The
Marine Brigade could at tliis time ha\'e done its best work, in the line
for whi("h it was desioiicd. but the exigc'iieies of the st-rvice. for the
time (li\('rte(| it to the ti".insportino" of reinforcements to (ii"ant"s army.
Anioiin' the rel);'l ar("liives is found a i"ecoumiendat ion. urii'ed by
.Maj. den. I)Uckner. dm'ini;" tln' sieo-e. that the ou(-i"i"illa forces operat-
ino- aloipo- the ri\'er aboxc. be armed with the new AVhit worth riHes
and "iO lb. Parrolt yuns. for orcniei" elliciencx': and supported by cav-
arly in the Tiiinca Hills, which, said he: •"will prexcnt the Marine
r)i"ioa(l<' IVoni landini;" ti"oop^. and dri\(' oil' the t in-clads.""
Xftcf liC/iifdrccnK'nts for (iniiif.
297
This order cnnic lo (iciicral Kllcl. IVoiii Adiiiii-;!! Poller. June Ist.
at ;') o'clock a. 111., and an hour and a luilt" hiter, (lie lleet was under
^teaiii. at the mouth of the ^ a/00, awaitiiii:" orders in (h'tail. and lual-;-
\\\'Z the iiece>sar\' jjreparat ions, and at S o'clock next inoi'iiiiiii' the
lleel was iiiuh'T way for Memphis. The only noteworthy incident of
the iip-l)oiind trip, was a hricd' slop at Helena, on (he -"'xl. where Pri-
\a(e -lacoli r)i!rr of Co. E. Inf. was hiiried. from (he Diana. The
ArrocKAT and Diana reached Mem])his al)out noon of the ^'xl. the rest
of (he Meet coiniiiii' <'ii later in (he day.
( )ii the .^th. while awaitiiiii' the arri\al of troops from Coi-inth.
the Marine (V.\alry was sent out into Arkansas, opposite Memphis,
(leiierul Elk't iiixcs the result of this scout, in his report to Admiral
Porler. from which we lake an extract:
l''l;i.-- Sliip Aii1(H-i-;il, AIkivc N'ickshii ri^'. .lime 1."). isi;:;.
Ailiiiiidl Ihiriil I). I'liihr. Coin iitinid i 11 a \lisx. Sf/iidil ion :
Adiiiirjil :- I li;i\c 1 lie liDimr to n'|,cirt Tluit in ;iccui-( hi iicc with vuiii- iii-
stnictiuii^. rccc'i\c(l (Ml tlif iiKM-niiiL;- u\' tlic 1 sT iiislaiit. I pi-oct'ci led willuuiT,
;iii> ilclav. willi six liiiats hcldiiiii ml;- to my fleet. t(i .\lfm|iliis, 'rciin.. and re-
|)()rt(Ml 1(1 Major (Icncral lliirlhiit. comma ik I i iii;- that District. (Icnci-al iiiii-lbiit
iiifoniicil me tiia1 tiicrc were no troops in liis commaiid waitiiii;' t raiisporl at imi,
hut he at ciu'c tidfi^ra plied I0 the Department at Wash i iiLii on I'or i list niet ions.
l''iiidini^- that I was 1o lie detained some da vs. I l.inded my troops on the Ar-
kansas shoi'e. and sent my eaxalry. under command of Major lliililiard. into the
interior witii i list met ions to proceed as far as Marion, mi a scout r(U- the
enemy and in search id' smuL;L;le(l L;dod^. 'I'he Major was \ cry successful in
his search. lie captured scmui prisoners, and a captain of the ( 'on I'cilera te
Armw several pri\ates. the halance recruits; also three lari;'e wai^ons. loade(l
\\itli siiiu;;-i;led i^oods. consist i iil;' of live liarr(ds of i;-un-ca|is. fi\i' lai'Lic dry
i^oods lioxes filled with stationery, several trunks of t\\-\ i^oods. and ineilicines.
iioxes of spool cotl(ui. military buttons, star candles, etc., etc. A number n(
papers wcie also obtained showing' that a \t'ry larL;(' contraband business of
lliis kind has been carried on from liiis direeti(m undisturbed. "•■■ "■ *
\'er\' respect fulls , .sour obedient sei-\aiit.
.\i.Kia';i) \V. ['"li.kt.
I'.rii;-. Cen. Coiird- M. M. i:rii;adc.
1 he troojjs to he carried down the ri\'er ha\ iiii:' arrixcd. a portion
of (hem. (oo('ihei- with a con-iderahle numh'.'r of proiniiien( disloyal
cidzeiis of St. Louis. I )eini:' exiled ;ind sent South Iin' oi'der of (n'lieral
Scholield. were eiiil)arke(l on the Marine hoats. on (he S(h. and diirini!:
ihe lorenooii of (he '.Xh. and at \ :'-'A) p. m. of (he '.Hh, the Heet star(e(l
2g8 Ilisforij of ilic Maihic li rigade.
(loAvii streniii. Aiuoiiif the exiled parties uieiit ioued. wei'c Mrs.
l*<)lk. Avife of (ieiieral 'I'nisteii Polk. Avith her two (laii;uhters,
and a ]\lrs. A^"elsh and daughter. The first three were ((uartered on
the ArTocKAT. and the last two on the Ivaixe. The instruetions <>-iven
(irenei'al Ellet respi'ctino- these '■i)assen<>X'rs" Avere. to put them ashore
at (ireeiix ille. Miss., hut when that plact' was i-eached it was a dark,
and A'ery stormy iiiiiht. and the (xeneral. ever noted for his o-aUantrv.
could not hnd it in Ids lieart to send a company of Avomen, however
disloyal they niiii-ht be. out from the comfort and shelter of his cal)ins.
and set them doAvn on the lonely shore, to make their Avay as hest they
might anudst the darkness and storm, to the nearest habitation: so
he took them on down to ^'oung's Point. From there, at the recjuest
of Adunral Poi'ter. (ieueral (Jraut disposed of them by sending th(Mn.
on the gunboat Uiiffici\ to Sartatia. on Yazoo IJiA'er.
A\diile at Memphis, orders Avere received Avhich dei)rived the fleet
henceforth of the ser\ices of its A'alued Signal Corjjs detachment. Of
the efliciency of this detachment, and the signal system and its rela-
tion lo our fleet we shall s])eak nu)re fully in another i)lace.
Helena was i-eached at 10 o'clock p. m.. of the IHh. and off this
])lac.' the boats hiy at anchor until daylight the next morning. At
nine o'clock a. m. of the lltli. the fleet reached Young's Point, and
touched there long enough to learn wliere tb-e troops on l)oard Avere to
be disembarked.
Learning that they were to be tak'cn to Haines" lihitf. the three
l)oats l)ringing them were ordered to jn'oceed to that jjoiut. The rest
of the fleet stop])ed ])eloAv at .C'hickasaAV Bayou. From this point
(icnei-al Filet and staff, while awaiting the i-etui'u of the three boats,
A'isited (ieneral (irant. in r<'ar of A'ick'sburg.
Some time ])re\ious to this, the enemy had made an attack on
.Millikeu's Px'ud. Itut were repulsed by the colored troops garrisoning
the place. 'I'hey did not. liowe\'er. leax'e the \iciuity. until they had
first de\astated most of the plantations round about. And hence,
when, on the l^Uli. the Marine cavalry was sent out from \'oung's
Point, and came ba<'k reoorting the enemy in considerable force at
Pichmond. La., an exix'ditiou against them was at once ])lanni'd. Tn
this ](rojecle(l movement the Abu'ine lirigade was to co-operate Avith
(ieneral Mower's Prigade. 'ilie plan agreed upon A\as that Mower,
P' ii,-<U(((lc I poll flic Wafer Carf.s.
299
willi his force, should proceed direct from Yoiiuii-'s Point toward
Ivichiuond. while the Mai-iiie Hriiiade. luoxiiii:' up to Milliken's Bend
and (here di^eniharUini;'. shonM inarch ont. and join (ieneral Mower at
a |)oinl where the roads from Vounii'V Point and MillikenV Px'iid
come (ou'ether — three mih's from UiclimoncL The m()\'ement of the
two connnands. to l)e associate(l in this expedition, was to heiiin on
the l-tth. \\\\\\v waiting- the set time, on llie eveninii- o^" Hie KUh,
(ieneral Ellet senl for Captain Newell of Co. A. Inf., and proposed a
phin "for a little annisement." on the followinii' day.
This j)lan was. lo arm a few men. selected from Co. A with S])en-
•cer rides, and iioini;- down t(> the point. o[)iiosite \'icksl)iira'. see if it
were not po-siUle to reach across the ri\'er with the riiles. and at least
do somethini:- in the way of harrassini;: the enemy.
Accordiniily. that e\-enini:-. Admiral Porter's Flagship was visited
|)V tu^- and the I'illes obtained, though in lendino; them the Admiral
lauiihiniilv said: lie uuessed the jjlace would be found so hot that they
would not he Hred veiw often. Early the next mornini;-, ciuite a while
hi'fore dav-hreak. the (ieneral. with some of the members of his stalf,
the Captain of Co. A. with a small s(|uad of his men. and half a dozen
deck-hands with picks and shovels, went down upon the point, directly
opl)osite Vicksburii-. The lirst move, on reachinii' the place, was to
have the deck-hands diu' a lai'u-e. s(|uare pit. behind and pailly under
the levee, after which the neii'ro deck-hands. fri<z-htened nearly out
of their wits, because of their proximity to the water batteries on the
other side of the rixei'. were dismisst'd and told to double <|uiclc for
the lleet. It should be explained that for their entire water sui)ply
the rebels in the trenches, around the heleaiiMiered city, were dependent
u|)on carts which brouuhl the water fi'om the river. These carts.
iiKinv in nuinbei-. were sti-oni:'. heavy \-ehicles. upon each of which,
Kinu' on its side, leniith wise between the wheels, was fast<'ned a bia",
ironbound cask. These casks each had a lar^e funnel on top. to facil-
itate lillino-. and a hose altaclie(| to the I't'ar head, through which they
i'ould be (piickly em[)lied. .Vs usual, and without suspecting any dan-
ger, about daylight these carts, in lona lines, came down upon the
\'icksbur<>- side, and were backed into the ri\-er. to be lilled. Cnder
(ieneral Ellet's direction, and as a matter of prudence, the little force
concealed from view behind the levee had been dixided into two
joo Il'ixfoiij of flic Mdi'nii' ]) r'i<i(i(h-,
scjUiids. one of which wciil hi'h)\v. and the other >oiiic distance above
and al a i>'iven sia'iud, hi*i2,-an Hi'inii' rapidly. Avith their repeatinii' rifles,
upon the dri\'ers of the water carts. 'Jdie eti'ect was immediate. The
terrified dri\'ers i>;atherini>' iij) their lines, and lashino' their horse-^,
hastened to avt ont of ran<>'e. Snch a I'attlinu- of carts, minaled with
shonts and curses, was perhaps never heard there h.'fore. This was
an •■(\Ye-()pener"" to the enemy. To Inne his water sup])ly endaiiii'ered
was a ncAV ])eril. Presently the "■loiio- roll" was heaten. all alonu' the
line of shore batteries, and the gunnel's all hastened to their ])laces.
Knov\in<j;' what was to be expected, the Marines now drop])ed out of
sight beliind the le\'ee. and makine," for the square hole jumped down
into it. and held their breath for innnediatelv. a terrihc camionading
was o]X'ned along the entire line of Avater batteries. This lire liow-
eAcr. as tlie (ireneral had foreseen, was concentrated on the two |)oints
from which the Marines had done their Hi'ing. During the heavy
rain of shot and shell, which continued for about a half hour, the
devoted little band of Federals nestled in their hole, and speculated
on the Hnal outcome. Over and over again during the day. when
the batteries ceased, and any of the carts re-appeared, this scene was
re-enacted. In the lidl between these episodes, the Marines could dis-
tinctly hear tlii' Confederate gunners berating them with oaths and in-
sulting epitlu'ts. and daring them to come out and show themsehes.
But of course the Marines were not to l)e badgered into revealing
their ])lace of covert, and hence all escaped, at the end of the <lay. with
whole skins. This experiment led up to something of more import-
ance in the same direction a few days later, an accoinit of which will
l)e gi\'en further along.
According to the pre\iously arranged ]>lau for the expi'dition
against Kichmond. La., on the night of the 14th, the Marine tleet pro-
ceeded to MillikeiTs lieud. and at 4 a. m. of the l.'')th. the Brigade was
in line, and began its march. At 10 a. m. the junction with (ieneral
Slower was etl'ected.
.Vfter a short rest for tlu' men. and a brief consultation lietwei'u
the two commanders, the Marine cavalry took tlu' ad\'ance. and was
soon having a lively time with the enemy. A i)art of the artillery was
ordered up, and opening fire was briskly responded to by tlie enemy's
guns. The Confederates were, howexer. finallv dislodged, and fell
I^llct (inil Miiircr at li'tcli in oiid . :;o/
hack to aiiotlu'r jXJMlioii. I'li!' I iiioii forces were now (lc|)lovc(l. and
all their ten [)iec('s of aiiiUerv were hroiiu-hl into phiy. the eneni\' at
the same lime makiiiii' aood nse of their foni' pieces. A Hank move-
ment, execnted hy the Tnion infantry, comph'tely disconditted the
Confederates, and they retired across a hridu'e spanninii" the hayc^u.
and set it on lii'e to [)re\'ent further pursuit. The Hre howe\'er. was
ext ini'ui>he(|. and a sullicient force crossed to pick up strajiiiiers. etc.
The enii'aiicment was principady an artillery (hiel. and was soon over.
The casualties on the I'nion side were one killed and eiiiht wounded.
Idle Confederate los.-. so far as known, was one killecl. ten wounded,
and ten taken prisoners. The Marines returned to tlu'ir i)()ats the
>ame niaht. and (ieneral Mower's connnand to \'ouna'"s Point, the
next day. after haviuii' destroyed the most of the town. The follow-
ini^- i> Adnnral PorterV report of thi> a (fair, to the Secretary of tlic
Xavy:
I'. S. Mississippi S(pia(li-ini, {"'hiii' Sliij) rUuclvhawk,
N'far \'iclvsl)urii-. .lime IS. lS(iri.
/f"ii. C. /). ]V,'lhx. Srcrchiri/ of llir \<iiii: -
Sir: 1 iiavt' tlii' lunKir to inronn \oii that, licarini^- tlie cnciiiN- hail col-
lected a f<;i-ee of l:.M)()(i men at liielimond. La., nine miles from Milliken's
i'.end. 1 sent (u'lieral t:ilet (M. M. liriyade) to Ceiieral Mower, at ^'oniiii-'s
I'oinl. to act in eonjiinetiim to liri-ak tJitMn np. (Ieneral Mower promptly ae-
ceeded to t hi> riMpicst. and with alioiit l.:ii)(i men, in company with the Marine
Urjo-ade. (leii. A. \\'. i'llet coinma ndint^. pfoeeeded to IJiehmond. \\liere they
eompl('1cl\' routed the advance tiiiard of the rebels, consisting- of 4.(11)0 men
and six pieces of artillery'. capture<l a lot of stores, and the town was coni-
|)letel\- destroyed in the melee. This dutx was ha n(tsoniel_\- i)erformed by the
(lilTertMit I'arttes concei-ned in it. I inclose lii-iyadier (ieneral tCllet's re|)ort.
\'cry respect I'nlly.
\). I). I'OKTKl!.
( 'omnia iidi ni;' Mississippi S(piadron.
\\\ "unpleasantness"" arose ahout this time, oxer some anony-
m(»us newspaper corre-[)ondence. loui-liino' operations on the Missis-
sippi, hy which the A<lmirars pride had e^•idently been woihkUmI. and
his sensiti\cness needlessly touched. In may or June i)recedini:'. some
such conuuunicalions ap|»eareil in the St. Louis and Memphis ])apers,
in which (ieneral Kllet was praised for his celerity of movement, and
his reatlines- for lii^lit. and .Vdnnral Poller was censured for his o\er-
eaulion and tai'diness. These connnunicat ions were written on sheets
J02
llistorij of flic Mar'nic lirnjailc
of (iciicral Kll('l"s I Icii(l(|u;irt('r paper, cxidciilly siii'r('i)t it iously olj-
(aiiicd and used. l)y some enlisted man of the eonnnand. as they li'avo;
e\idence on their face of heini^- the pro(hictions of some veritable tyro.
T\\Q Admiral was soon in liii>'h diidii'eon. and sent the folloAvinii' let-
ter— as found recently pi'inted in the Wwv Records, withont either
''the inclosure" or the (ieneraTs rejjly:
.\n.\iii;.\i, I'oirncirs ij'yi"i"i':i; to (;iv\ki;al kllkt.
V. S. Miss. S(|ii:i(lr()n. Fla^- Sliip. I!lack ll;i\\l<. June r2(t. ISC):;.
.1. \V. i:il(t. liii(i. Ceil. Miss. Mitriiic Hi'nfddc :
(Icneral: — I iiicldsc you a k'tter taken ffoni the Memphis liiillctiii of .luiie
ITtii. dated from your sliip, the Antoerat. ott' ^'oung's Point.
r.ut foi- the lieadiny', I shouhl not tliinl< tliis letter wortliy of any notice.
tliouL;]i every c-ommander sliould be jeah)us of any imputations of the kind. I
do not supjiose that .\<>u will feel very well pleased a{ haviuL;- such a letter
I'l'om \our headqnai't ers. complimentary as it is to \ou and your eommand.
^I'onr ser\i(-es are so well known that son can att'ord to dis])ense with pi-aise.
eomin<;' in such a shape. I do not know that sucdi an in(li\idual as '",1. .1. I',."
c-xists. It may be a nom dei;ueri'e. hut I trust that \'ou will take snt-h
ste])s in relation to this matter as your own sense of jiropriety will dictate,
to put a stop, if possible, to this species oi' correspoudence. and lo show your
disa|ipi'ol)ation o1' tiie sauie.
^^'ill \'ou |)lease return me the artiide iuelosi'd it is not mine.
\'er\- |-espectf ully y<Mir obedient servant.
I)a\ II) ]). rourKU.
Aetiny IJear Admiral. ( omnia nd i ul;' Miss. S(piadron.
From this letter it is evident that Admiral l*orter did not really
belie\'e in his heart that (leneral Ellet was in any way responsible for
these anonymous connnunications, nevertheless, as showina' that they
had left a stinii' which i-ankled in his mind, we (|iiote from a leltei'.
written in the October followinii", I)y the Admiral, to (General Sher-
man, in which he indnl<j,"es in wholi>sale charp's. with no oilier found-
ation than this cori'espondence of some o\'er-zealous soldier oi the
couHuand. Tt does the wi'iter little credit, but is a part of the jii-tcry
of the period. Happily, with the la])St' of time, and a betler under-
standing- of the hiiih-soule(j ollicer he thus ci'itici/ed. this feeliuu' wa>
allayed and all trace of it (lisa})})ears in Porter's history of these times.
Of (hite. October 'i'.). he wrote to Sherman: "Moreover the EUels have
"•been oiiilty of some xcry dirty, underhand work to\\ard my>ell. in
' publishiuii' contemptible articles in the papers, which I ne\'ei' iioMc 'd.
fh(i</r(nii of I tcL'shiiiui a ml V 'ic'nt'it ij.
303
"Ih'VoimI cxposiiii;- the parties to (iciici'al lliirlUiit. and lia\iiii>- the [n'o-
' ^TC'ss of the cilitois >ii(|(lciil\- ari'rstcd. In these t raiisaetions. the
' Eliets were guilty 0I' <ii'oss falselioods. in niakinii' malicious <tate-
'"inents. and lied deliherateh' in a1'tei'\vai'(l (len\inii' tlieni. I made
/". .
Diagram Showing Vicksburg's River Defenses, and Position of (Marine Masked Battery in
Levee Opposite City. The Country Shown was the Scene of Many Scouts
and Encounters by the Marine Brigade.
'•(he editoi' show them np as they deser\('(l to he. Still. I ne\('r took
''any notice of th.e matter."
Innnediately npon the return of the Uriiiade from its Kiehmond
expedition, further, independent operations on the point o])p()site
3^4
llixfui'ij of the M (iriitc l>ri(/(i(h
A'icksl)iirii' were Uciiiin. Lieut. Col. (ico. K. Cun'it'. coinuiandiiiii' tlio
iiifaiitrv coiicciNCMl the idea of ]>iittinii' in a battery down there, and
the (ieneral a|)i)ro\'e(l the phm. Aeeordiuii'lv soon after (hirk. on the
KUh. witli a detail of men and some deckdiands. lie mo\ed a Parrott
eim down across the point, and in Iw'hind the iexce. opposite the city.
The work' of hnililini;' a sort of fort for this liini could l)i' done only
in the dark'ne-s of niiiht. and with the utmost silence. At the point
where it was deci(U'd to place the aun the emhank'uient of the Shreve-
poi't and ^'i(•ksl)urli• railroad comina' in fi'oni the west, terminated
near the river. An opening- for the i^'un was lirst cut throuii'li this
levee: then a casemate was constructed h'hintl the le\'ei'. out of ties and
other tinili;'i-s. taken from the track: and linally all was covei'ed over
with iron rails, compactly laid, two side hy side and a third in\'erted.
and the rounding' part of the rail shoNcd in between the others, thus
lockini:- all together and makini>- a smooth, stroni:'. resisting- surface.
In the moriuni:-. and at intei'\als dnrinu' the day. the o-un thus })hmted
and protected, opened lire, ah^ays callini^' forth in reply, the fiercest
resjjonse from the hattei'ies of \^icksl)ui-<i'. Sul)se(|uently other f^uns
were similarly placed, mider the direction of Capt. 'I\ C\ (iroshon
of Co. F. Inf.. an experienced artillist. and Lieut. K. IL Nichols, of
^^'allinli■"s hattery. These iiuns proN'ed a serious annoyance to the
city, and iireatly harrassed the enemy, who spared no amount of am-
munition, in the attemi)t to destroy or dislodac them. Indeed a few
days before the surrender of the city, they did linally. with a hui>e
shell and a pinne'ina" shot, crush in tlu' iron roof of one of these case-
nuites. and silence the ii'un beneath. I>ut the other o-inis remained
where they were ])lace(l. and did more or h'ss execution up to the sur-
render. Amon<^- other things accomplished by these liuns was tlu'
stopping' of the A^ick'sburo- foundry. The Confedei'ates had a foun-
dry near the river, in which they were meltini:- up the uuexploded
thirteen inch shells dr()i)i)e(l by our mortars within their lines, and
moiddini^- them into cannon balls and shells, which they Hred back at
our men. A shell from one of the Marine liuns on the point. Hred by
C'a[)tain (iroshon. went throueh the boiler of this foundry, and the
work of moulding:' Coufeclei'ate cannon balls out of Lnion shells was
thereafter discontinued. The Court House and other buildini:>. wei-e
often hit. a maiiazine was exploded, and one man. on his way to
riiiiifiiK/ the Mm-iiK M(isL-((J lidftcnj.
J'>S
cliiircli. Sunday iiioi'iiiiiii'. had lii^ arm shot oH'. Ahiioii .1. l^ici'c'c of
Co. ( i Inf.. says in his diai'y thai ai'tci' the snnTn(h'r. lie sa\\' and talked
with thi> man. lint the Marine i.;ims were of too small caliher to eon-
lend with the hea\y pieces in the water halteries. lia.d they heen of
heaxier metal they woidd ha\'e done nnieh more exeention.
Some exeitinii'. and sonn.' annisini:' incidents conneetecl with the
plantinii' and use of these iiuns. ai'e on record. Amos W. IJellows of
Co. F. Inf.. wrote in his dairy: "Alon^' in the niiflit j while the cnse-
''mate was in course of const i-uct ion | the ni'aroes dro|)|)ed an iron
"rail. I know I ne\('i' heard as loud a noise, hefore nor sine;', as that
"iron seemed to make."' "'rherc were some willows <irowin<i- near the
■■ri\-er. which interfere(| with the -iii'litini:' of one of the n'uns" — says
•'Mark Root in his diary of the day. "and Captain (Jro^hon sent Kli
''Mor-e and myself to cut them down. Puttini;' on an oNcrcoat. I
■'carried a lantern under it. and thi'cw the lia'ht on the trees to he
■■felled, while Captain (Jroshon stood within the casemate and itave
'"(lirect ions ihronii'h the open port hole. ( )ne of the trees was down,
''and we had connnenced on another, when — /ipl came a shell. I»ur\"inu'
■"itself in the iiround ahont ten steps from us. The Captain slioute(|
"to us to put out our liuht. Just then came another shell, a little
"closei- than the other. Now I could manipulate that lantern all ri^'ht
"when on the hoat. hut somehow I coidd not now i;-et at the hurner.
"I finally chucked the lantern under my oxcrcoat. and we started to
"run for the "hole in the iiround." as the hoys called the casemate.
"I>ut we ran into the tree Mor~e had cut down, and ii'ettini;' tani;le(l
"up in the hrush. hoth fell down, and in doinii' so exposed the li^'lil
'aiiaiii. ( )f course that drew the lire of the enemy on us. Wy this
'time, three n-uiis upon the hillside aci'oss the rixcr had rauii'e on us.
"Captain (ii'o.-hon and ()rderly Seriit. \'aui:han. not know inu' our
■predicament, n'ol out of patience with us. since wc neither chopped
"trees nor returne(| to the casemate, and used lani^iuiii'e at least not
"appr()})riate for Sunday school occasions. But we linally izni out of
■ llie hrush. and made our way hack to the casemate, carryinii' <>nr lan-
"tern. still hui'uini:-. which had helped the Confederate <iinniei-s in
■■their fiisilade upon us. It was two o'clock in the niorniui;' Ixd'ore
'the Johnines let up. and later hid'oi'c we were ahle to p'l, to the
"Diana, and into oui' herths tii'ed and sleepv.'" The next da\- Cai)-
^()6
Il'isfoni nf flic Miir'/iic lir/(i(i(h
lain (Jroslioii sliot the willow-. a\\;ty. and so cIcarcMl the way for an
acciii'atc fire on the city.
('apt. W. I). Crandall. writinij' inidcr date of .Innc 'ii-M. said:
"^ Cslci'day. as some of our men were sidini;' a little way IVoni their
"unn. eatina' tlieii' dinnei-. a shell exploded neai'. wonndinn' one poor
"feUow ill the arm (piite sexci-ely. "( iood hiek for him I" — his eom-
■■ra(h's cxchiimed— •he'll act a f nrlona'h.' * Whether he ii'ot the fur-
loiiiih is (h)nl)tfnh as the (ieneral's report of this alfair. a few (hiy-
later, declared that thei'e was not the sli<iiitesl injnry to any one en-
-a-vd.
( )ii the "jl.^th tlie ( 'cai federates, thiiildnii' to play a sharp trich' on
the Marines, sent a yaw I o\('r toward where the amis were, with a thiii;
of truce llyina. and hriiiiiiiii!,' with them eiaht of our wounded (iiion
soldiers, who had heeii prisoners se\'eral months. Evidently their real
ohject was. to disco\-er what the Marines were (h)ini:" <>n the point, and
more acciiratt'h' locate their a'lnis. Ihit the\' were met at the water's
edae hy a Lieutenant and a scpiad. After recei\iiia their prisoners.
lhe\- were s<'nt hack, no wi^er respecting' the aims than when they
came.
In compliance with (ieneral I'dlet's re(|iiest. Captain (iroshon soon
after made a written report of this auii ser\ ice. which was forwarded
\)\ (leneral Kllet to Adnnral Porter, and was sent by him to the Sec-
r>'tarv of the Xa\y. \\v a'i\'e l)(dow the rejxirt and the corresjxindenee
relalina to it. which supplies further infoi-mation as to the enterprise,
a lid w ho were enaaaed in it :
■'iMirt Adams." July ."., ISIill.
/.'/■/(/. r.rii. .1. 11'. FJIcl. ('(nil iiKtiKliin/ \l(iriiir Urii/iKlc : —
Sir:- 111 (■(ii}i|)liancf \\i1li your nM|ucst. 1 siiliinil tlu' fol low i iii^' repoi't :
Voiir i>i-(k-i- to l>i('iit. Col. (icoi-i^f !•;. Curric 1o |ilant the :in-|ioiiii(l I'arrott gun
( l)cloiiL;ing to the Adams) on the point. o|ii)osit(' tlie foundry in Vic'ksbnrg', to
(l('sti-o\- said l'onndr\. was com mcnccd on the niglit of the IKtli of June. As
soon as it was sntticicnt l\- dark, i/ifuteiia nf Colonel Currie. in company with
(apt. (). I'\ r.i-own, of tlu- 1st r.att. Ca\.. Captain llnglics. Co. C. Inf.. Captain
t'islici-. Co. E. inf.. with Companies I-' and l\ Inft.. vepaired to the ])la('e se-
lecled l)\- him to plani Hie gLins. After foui' da.ss and nights of liard Avoi-k,
will) 1he assislancc id' Masters Hendricks and Malhon of tlie Autocrat and
\dams. we succeeded in huilding a caseniented foi't within a mile of tlie City
,,f Xicksliiire' on the opposite side of the riser. co\cring it witli one thiclviiess
of |-:iilroad iron, deeming that sullicienl proleclion for hoth the men and the
(r roslidii s Iki'poi'f of fix I'^troK/.
.V'V
;4ini. On llic inciniini;' of 1 lie 'l'.\Vi\ n\ .Innc. al '.) irclock. 1 (ipcnfil Hrc on thr
r\\\. firing ti\c rdiiiids. Tlic cmciiin |'cs|:ciiiiIc(I pi-i mi pi ly. lii-iiiL;' st'\ ciil v-scxeii
rdiiiids I'l'iiiu (i\;' (lilTcrciil l'miis. 1 li i i-1 y-1 w i i. si.xt \ -rdiii'. ami (iiic liiiiulnMl and
'■ went v-('iL;lit pc ni iidcTs. A II Ik niL;li there was iici damage dune to 1 he foiM. it
was thoMi;lit best to st i'eiii;t hen the work. Iiy addini;- one more thickness of
I'ailniad iron, wjiieli made it snirieiently sti-oiiLi' to witlistand the heaxiest
i mai;inal)le tii'e. ()n the :.MIh I tii'eil se\en I'onmls. and the enemy I'etnrned
sexcnty-eiyht rounds. The fcn't was struck once. Init the niajori1\ of the sliots
wei'c too JiiLih. 'Ihese shots came |iri nei pa 1 1 \' from the 1 :Js-pon nders. \ ct no
danuiL;'!' was done. I fii'cd twenty rounds on the :i."/th. all of wliich were di-
I'ccted at the foundrv and machine shop, and wliicli accomplished tlie desired
I'csiilt. The enemy retni-ned hut six I'onnds. doinii- no damai^'e w ha t •^■\ el'.
On the L'Cith I tired eii^ht rounds, at different hiiildini;s in the cit\ : the
(MieiiiN' rclnrned thirteen rounds, w itliont dninaye.
()ii till- L'Ttli I tired t w cut \ -eii; hi rounds. This da,\ I suppose the shots
had hill litlh' or no (Tt'ect. or idse the eiieniN' tlioiiijiit it impossible to silence
tlie ijuii. a>. they did not return tiie tire at all. ()n the :.'sth I fired sexcn
rounds, flic enein\' rcturnini^' sixty-four rounds. They had li\ this time L;<it
perfect raiiL;e of the fort, and striicK it three times dnriiii;' tiie da.\"s liriiiL;-.
riie damaiic done lis was liiit slii;ht. and easily |-epairetl. I hred hut two
rounds on tlie :.".i1h. tlie enemy i-eturnini;- fifteen romids. Tlie\- still kept the
ranL;e. and seemed to strike the fort at their pleasure. I'oiir shots struck the
fort doiny- no damaijc to it. hut the shots cut in pieces railroad iron and ties
thai were lyiiij.;- hiose. in front and on lop of the fort: also tearing;' up the
il'roimd in e\er\" direction, reiideri iil;' it unsafe fm- the men to \entiire outside
the foi't. as it appeared that the enem\' could see all our ino\ements. and would
tii-e the monient a man exposed liiiiis(df outside. No mateiaai (iamaLi'e was
sustained. I did no liriiii;' on the :;i)tli. (U- on the 1st of July, as the Heet moved
up the rixcr to (loodrich's Laiidini;'. and took part in an eiiLiay-cmcnt near that
place. On the L'lid of .liilw I lired sexcn rounds, the t'liemx making;' no replw
The '.\\-i\ (the last day) I tired fourleen rounds, six of wliich I directed at
"Sky I'arlor"" (used l)\ the enemx for a lookcmt). The\- did not seem to like
it. and tri((l their lie^t to silence the l;iiii. 1i\ liriiiL;' ninety shots at the fort, six
of which struck it. kiiocUiiiL;- ntf railroad ties, and teariiiL;' up the uroiind on to]i
of. and around the fort, hut no damaij'e done to the fori wliatever. .\t (i o'clock
]). 111., oi-ders came to cease HriliL;-. as the cits was alioiit to lie surrendered.
r.efore c( me! i id i iil;' Ihis report. I wcmid sa \ ;jreat creilil is due lioth ollicers
:iiid men of the companies herein mentioned. f(H- the wurk done, and the spirit
manifested, in ImildiiiL;- the fort. Since the surrender of the city, i have
learned from the foreman of the foundry that fourteen sliots struck the
fiiiiiidrx and imudiine shop, two of which penetrated the boilers, renderi iil;-
So8
II istori/ of flic Marhic Hv'njddc
them useless Tor t'lirtlier operations. The inacliiiie sliop was also hadly (lam-
aged l),\ the shots. 'The six shots thrown at the "Sky I'arh)r" liad good eft"e<'t
— killing two men. and doing eonsi(leral)le damage ()ther\vise.
I am sir. wry respei'+f id ly your obedient servant.
Tiios. ('. (iUOSIION.
(apt. Co. V intt.. M. M. I'... ComMg "Fort .\dams."
1 lea(i(pia riers Miss. Marine r.i-igade,
I'dag S]ii|) Antoci-at. ^■o||ng■s I'oint, July U. 1863.
Ihiriil I). I'nrlci-. Coin'd;/ ,l//'.v.s-. S(i inul r(Jii : -
Admiral: I ha\c Ihe honoi' to iiielose a i'ep(Hi I'rom Cajit. firoshon re-
specting 1 lie operations of the :J()-pon ndei' i'arrott. placed on the point op-
posite \"icksl)iirg liy ni\ order, and workecl liy hinistdf. I'oi- the |)nr|iose of de-
stroying tile steam ronndry. ojierating in that cit\. I am glad to he ahh» to
infoian von that the gun aceoni))! ished all \'nv whiidi it was intenih'd. Tlie
work at the I'onndi'N' was stopped, tlu' hoilci- ha\ing been exploded by a sliot,
and considerable damage was done to that and other buildings. I can not
I'efrain in this connect ion from calling \dui' attimtiim to the merit of this
iindertaking. 'i'o erect a liattery in the face ol such frowning forts as ]iro-
teeted the i-i\cr I'l-ont of \'icl<sbnrg. to tii'e it constantly for the sjiace <if ten
days, in open \iew. in detiance of thi- concent I'at ed discharge of all the eiiems's
guns: and this without the sliglitest injury to a single jierson engaged, and
witli the most complete results as to the object foi' whicli it \vas intended,
renders thost- worthy of spt'cial mention who so I'ailhfidly discharged tliat
dut,\\ Tile fort was erected and the gun put in position liy Lieut. CV)1. (ieo. E.
Currie. aide<l by l^'irst Master Samutd llendi-icks. with the soldiers from tlie
.\danis. of this comnuind. The gun was commanded and sighted by Captain
(iroshon in jjerson.
\'ery resjjectf ul ly. Nour obedient serxaut.
Alkkki) \V. Elf.et.
T^rigadier Ceneral.
r. S. .Miss. Scpiadron. ITag Ship I'dack Hawk.
OtV \icksburg. .Iidy r.'o. is(i:;.
lion. Cidcdii Welles. SeereUlij/ of ihe \<titi:
Sii-:- I f(u-warde(l b\- last mail, which should ha\c been accompanied b\-
this letter, a rcpoi't of Ceneral FJIet. in rtdalion to a balterx of small i;uus
placed opposite \icksburg. which is said to ha\e anno\cd the cnemx wry miicii.
1 think I <-an approve of all that Ceneral Filet has said in r(dation to the
otticer in charge of it. It certainly stopjied the work in tin- foundrs. and
prevented the reb(ds from casting cannmi balls, at which they were busily
engaged.
N'ery respectfully, yoni' obedient servant.
D.wiii I). I'oitrKi;.
Actini;' Kear .Xdnurai Com'dg.
IJ ni'r'/('(] to (rood richcH. :;o(^
Altlidiiiiii the rcpori oP (';i]>tuiii (iroslioii omits nicntioii ol' llicin.
tlicrc is iiiduUitalilr ('\ idciicc tli;!i there were other oHieei's and men
who |):ii1 ieipaleil in (lie liini phintini;'. Some were (h)nl)tle:-s xohm-
teers, and their |)re;-enee not specially noliee<L as se\-eral dill'ereni re-
liefs, took i)art dnrini;" the work of eonslrnetion. \[vvv art' sneh ad-
ditional names as onr Historians hnd in tiiat connection, and it is hy
no means certain that this is all who really took part: Lient. A. ('.
ITawley. Co. I. In 1'.— Lieut. K. II. Nichols. M-hl Art.— Serot. W . A.
Lyster. S. I). Lasier. T. II. IIaml)an<:h. '\\'illiam Smith, l\ol)erl For-
i-est. Mike Knssell, and William .Miller, all of C"o. I. Inf.. Henry (i.
Smith, Liaht Art.; also the, names of David AW'aNcr. Kohert F. An-
drews. ,Iohn IIi<>i''k'son. Closes Sinnnonds, Ferdinand Snyder, and
.Mike FiH'ite. whose company designations not Ix'ing i!,i\'en. They
may lia\e Ijelongedi in some of the companies mentioned by Captain
( iroshon.
(inerrillas ncrc again actixc in their operations along the river
ai)o\('. and helween the 17th and llu' ".KUh scouting ])arties were sent
out 111 e\ei'\- direction. ( )n the night of the :2(Uh information was re-
ceix'ed that the enemy premeditated an attack upon MiUiken"s I>end.
This information heing comnnniicated to Admiral Porter, he ordered
llie lleel to at once start up the ri\i'r. and the run was made that night.
The thi'eatened point was reached ahout sunrise. No attack had yet
l)een made. The ca\alry was at once landed and sent out. They
found an enemy in full retreat, liaxing j^rohaMy heard of the coming
of the Brigade, and not caring for an encounter with it. ( )n the 'Jlth
the connnand returned to \'oung"s Point. ( )n the i!'.Hh information
was obtained of an intende(l attack upon (ioDdriclTs Landing, and
order-^ wei'e received from .Vdmiral Porter for the ib'igaile to ])roeeed
thither without delay. 'J'he garrison at this [)oint consisted of two
negro i-egiments, who had a \-erv good little fort, into which they
might retire in time of dangei-. The fleet at once got nmlei' way. and
the point of destination was reached at half past two. on the morning
of the following day. Lpon arrival it was learned that, during the
foi-enoon of the pi'e\ious day. two negro companies, though sheltered
in a little fort, situated upon the to|) of a natural mound, about one
hundred feet high, had been taken prisoner^. Ibil while the enemy
hati hoM'red around all daw makinii' no assault upon the lai'ger fort.
Ilii^toi'i/ of the Marine lii-'n/adc
near (lu> rixcr. llicy liiul spent the tiuic in l)nniinii- cotton-i^in^. planla-
lioii mansions, nciiro (|nart(-i-s. etc. up and down, and hack-, many
miles from the ri\('i-. Lake Providence was also threatened, and the
attaekino- I'oree iiad pnslied their (le])redations well up towarti that
Ijlace. Tile connnander (>f tlie a'arrison reported the enemy some three
or four miles distant, and it was arrana('d for the l)ri«i'ade. accom-
])anied by the neitro reuiments. to uo out at day hreak next mornin<jf
and ;^i\-e hattle. Ka^X'r for tlie fi'ay. and fearin;u' that, as in the form-
er instance, the enemy mii';ht slip away hefoi-e he could net at them,
(ieneral Kllet started in tiie early morning', without waitinu' for him-
self or his men to l)reakfast, or even to Hll their haversacks. It was ex-
pected to come upon the eneniv a short distance out. and to make a
•"hid'ore-hreakfast" jol) of it. Ail alonii' the line of march cotton-nins.
hoiiso and neizro (piarters were still hurninu". Altout h\e miU's hack
fi'oni the rixcr. it was discoxcred that the wroiiij- I'oad had heen taken,
and the command was coimtermai'ched to a place in the I'ear. where an-
otlier road led in the direction of l>ayou Tensas. Here arms were
slacketh and while the infantry were restiiiii'. the caxalry went for-
Avard on the hayou road to recomioitre.
At this point. \vv\ forttiiuitely. a lara'e hlackherry patch was
found. The hunai'y. hri'ak'fastless men soon scattered thi'ouifh it, and
when they were aiiaiu called into line it was pei'ceptihle that the entire
force were ••colored" troo[)s. .Vhout noon word came that the advance
had found, ami was holdina' in check, the Confederate force, consist-
ino- of a stroui^- body of ca\alry. with se\'eral jjieces of artillery. The
infantry wei-e simmioued from their feastina'. and at once hurried for-
ward. C'omiui:' up with the ad\ance. the enemy was found drawn \\{)
in line, on the opposite side of the hayou. and saluted the I'liion troops
with a x'iiiorous lire. In anticijjalion of the IJriuade's comiuii'. ilie
enemy had none across the hayou and hiu'ued the hridii'e heliind them,
so that it was impossible to liet fairly at them. liowt'ver, under the
accurate lire of the infantry. sccoucUmI by the splendid sei'\ice of the
artillerw the\- were soon dislo(l<i'e(l. and sullenly retired. As they
could not be piiixied. the Ahiriue force, loa't'ther with the garrison
troo2)s rt'turneil to the ri\('r. the .Mai-iiies haxiuii' eaten uothini:' but
berries for t w <'iity-four hours.
In this liiiht the r>rii:ade sustained a sei'ious lo>s in the mortal
hciifji of II r/</lit. A (t riicsdiiic Sc('nc.
'II
Avoiiiidiiii;' of (':i|)l. W. II. ^^'l•ii;llt of Co. 1 ). ( 'a\:i Iry. lie was shot
llii'oiii:li tin' l>o(|\-. I)\- a hidden I'oc (»ii the other si(h' of the IJayoii. and
died the same iiia'ht. and was hnried with the honors of wai' at Pof-
li'r's Point. July \>\. .Captain \\ ria'lit. who Ud'l a yonni:' wife in St.
I^oiiis. wa> a nalui'al ^ohlier. and an ellicient ollicer. li'i'eatly h','h)\'ed hy
hi-- men. Characlerized hy a reekle-s type of lira\'ery. he was prohahly
the \'ietini of needle>^ i)ersonal exnosnre. In ehjsina' his aeconnt of
this lii^lit. Porter, in his Xa\al Ilistoi-y. says: "(ieneral I^lh'l aa\i'
'"ihe i)ai1\' at ( i(!o(h'ieh"s Landini:' a h'sson which they did not soon for-
''ii'et. and haxinii' completely i-oiited the enemy. I'ctni'ned to the month
"of the Yazoo.""
liefore leaxini;' the suhject of this rchel raid npon the plantations
\\\ (loodricirs. mention must he made of a public charge of harharism.
in the treatment of officers and men of the nea'i'o i^arrison. captnre»l
hy the rehels. ( )flicers and men of the Marine lii'iuade noted e\i-
(leiices. on their marcii thai day. '.hat human hodies had heen hiu'ueil
in se\'eral (d' tlu' cabins, div-troyed hy lire, hut wheliier kille(| aiul
iiurned. or huiaied ali\'e. or simply the charred coi-|)ses. of the un-
lMirie(|. could not he told. Ca|)tain Crandall. Assistant Adjutant ( ien-
eral wrote of seeiuij;' the remains of li\'e persons, in the ruins of three
[)lantat ions, passed \\\ the connnand. A somewhat sensational letlei'
from Lieut. S. I'\ Cole of the M. M. P).. soon after found its way into
[irini. in the St. Loiii. (Mo.) democrat. allei:'in<i' that numerous
charred ^-keletons of the white ollieei'^ of neii'ro troops were fomnl. in
-onie cases nailed to trees and slabs, and e\idently burne(| alive, (ien-
ei'al IlalU'ck. Conunander-in-Chief. in a comimniical ion dated Au^'ust
li'. brouiiiit this ai'ticle to the attention (d' (ieneral Crant. for an in-
ijiiiry into the fact-. Put, thoni;h (iiMiU had preNuously demande(| of
(ieneral 'I'ayloi'. full recoi;iii| ion and proper tr;'atinenl of white of-
iicer> of neii'ro tr(»op-. no further liiiht i> ihrow n upon the alleged bar-
bai'it ie> abo\ e rcd'erred. to.
The lleet remaini'(| at '\(Minii"s Point until the e\cinna' <d" the '-VX.
and ihen dropped down into the 'oeiid abo\c \'icksbnrii'. In the aller-
noon of lhi> daw there was a yenei'al ces-ation of ho-tilities. in \ iew
of pending;' neifot iat ions for the surrender of the city and its deb'ud-
in^' foi'ce^. (in the mornin.^i' (d' the Ith the (■(•nnna ndeiv^ cd' the diller-
enl boats receixcd ordei's from (ieneral KJIet to hold llieir x'essels in
^12 Histonj of the Mdi'inc Brigade.
I'cadiiu'ss lo (li'oi) down to the city, and at cIcncii o'cKx'k tlu' Marin-'
Heet, closely follow ini!' in the wake of Aduiii-al Porter's Hayship,
nioA'ed down stream. Klli't"s llaiiship. the Aiiocka r. \v:!s the second
boat to touch the cit\- wharf, after the surrender, 'idle men of the
C'ounnand, as soon as the hoats landetl. were permitted to li'o ashore,
and were soon to l)e seen i>'atlu'i'e(| in i:i'(tups. and enpiiivd in aninuUed
hut friendly couNcrse with tlie men who h.ad just surrendered and
staclced their ai'uis. One topic discussed with special interest, in all
these unnuled i>roups of Confederates and Marines, was the battery,
planted l)y the I)rii>-ade. on th.e Point o])i)()site the city. The captain
of one of the water batteries expressed a o'reat (U'sire to li'o across and
see how the ^uns were put in. declariuii' that he coidd not understand
how thev were able to withstand the Ir.'iwy bombardment from their
huge pieces. All aiz'reed that the Marine ;L:'uns luul iiiven them great
anno\ance. ami had done them no small amount of dauuige.
In his report of the surrender. Admiral Porter pays this just tri-
bute to the part taken in great \'icksbui'g campaign by the Marin. -
P)riga(le. ■A\diile the Arm_Y have had a troublesome enemy in front
"and behind them, the gunboats, ^larine Ib-igade under (ienei'al Ellet,
"and a small force under (ienerals Dennis and Mowi'r. have kept at
"■l)ay a large force of rebtds, over tweh'e thousand strong, accom-
'•panied \)\ a largi' (luantity of artillery. "
.Inly 4. iSd:). will never be forgotten by the men on either side of
the contiict, that day terminated. It was a (ilorioiis Fourth to the
T^nion Army and Xa\y, while of course a bitter experience t<^ the Con-
federates. P>ut as later events showed, to many of the hungry garri-
son it was a foi-tiuiate ending of a hapless campaign. ;uid o])ened the
wav foi' not a few lo abandon the hopeless strugiile.
CHAPTER IV
July-November, 1863
A J-'ilIsc Aldrni.- - Ihiliii iiicd Oill. ,sicl.ucss in llir I'Icr/. I'liiiis TInil Diilii'l
Worl:- -TraiisiiorHiifi Trtmiis t<i llrlma. -h'tsii/iinlioiis. 1 Ih hiil to llic
A. J>. — Cardhji nl \ a hlic.:.- '/'ra iisjKirt i in/ Tr'tuii.s la I'orl IIikIsdii dinl \cii-
(Irhiins. Sloriii on llic h'ircr. Affnir al Dniioii Sura. Hr'nititlr I'ikIci-
llrdiil's Orders.- (Iff far Hcjiuirs iiml h'ccriills. I'li I inlli n ij llic h'ircr.--
Scoiiliiif/ itiid I III iiorliiiil ('iiiiliircs hi/ Ciiirir and His Men. Asliarc ill
\ irl-shll I I/.- Sil iijiuil liii/ llic C'xidlicll ( In rrimill . Clinic's Deer Creel.- h'did.
— Hums llie Minili/oiiici 1/ Miiiisinii. Dcdlh of Col. Cliurlcs /.'. I'JIel. \iirroir
Esedjie of llic h'uiiic. Hoals h'e jiiii reil .- - Koldier Killed in Cairo Saloon. —
Seoiiliiif/ From Coodrieli's. The Hrii/inle Hear.
'llic loiiii' sti'aiii of the sicii'c' «'f \'ick-l )ura' was oxer. I)iil the Ma-
riii('> were not to <'iij()y niiicli ol' a r('s[)it('. ()ii llic cxciiiiiii- of Inly ."».
llic (oiiiiiiaiul was aiiaiii oi'tlcrcd ii|) lo Lake PniNitJciicc. which was
rcporlcd lo lie tlicalciuMJ wilh allack. I'poii rcacliiiii:- ^'oiiiiif's
Poiiil. howcvci". il wa^ learned ihroimh (ieiu'rai I)eiinis ihal no at-
tack was prohahlc. A Inif was accoi-din^ly ^cnl lo Admiral Porter
wilh (iciicral Dennis' slaU'ineiit of the silnalioii. and order> came back
from llic Admiral for llic licet lo remain wlici'c il then was, until
fnrllier order.
( )n dress parade llie c\-cniiiif of the (Uli. a pri\'alc of (\). F. Inf.
wa-- di'iimmcd onl of ihc serxice. It is donhtfnl whelher llic inHiclion
of an\- oilier di:~ci[)liiie. cncii dcalli l>y shoolinii' for some <J.•l•a^•c of-
I'en-c. makes a'lvater im[)ressi<)n nj)ou enlisted men. than does '•drum-
mine <»iil of service." Tt was the only instance of (his kind occurrinii,'
in llic history of the l^ripidc. Kvidently Ihe discipline was not witli-
<iul some u'ood effecl upon llie man himself, as well as upon his com-
313
j/^ History of the Marine Brigade.
radrs. tor he was afterward seen in \'icksl)iiru-. liaxiiii:' obtaiiu'd cni-
])l<)_viii('iit as a tt'aiiistcr. and c()ndnclin<i- himself in a creditabU' man-
ner.
During this nnd-sunnner there was much sickness amonu' the men
on the boats, and it was (juite fatal. During- the week ending on the
iSth. eleven soldiers and two deckdiands died. In the logdjook of
the AiTocKAT it is noted: "The morality on the hospital hoat for the
last three (hiys is \'ery great."
About this time the ram Monaim n. being on her way to Cairo,
was enabled, by her timely arrival at ('oluml)us. Ky.. to ri-nder an im-
])ortant and eilicient ser\ ice. as is shown by the following:
ll(':i(l(|iiaiii'i-s (itli l)i\. ICitl) .\nn\- ('iir|)s. (Oliiinbiis. \\\.. .Inly 7. lS6o.
Fleet Ciiiil. A. I/. I'einini-k. Cniii'(l(/ \(inil Stdtioii. Cdini. 111.: —
Sii-: -Tlie r;nii Moiki rcli jo-rived tliis inoriiiiii^- fruui Ilickmaii, and is now
leaviiio- Tor Cairo. ('a|)t. As^ilj (diiiu'r (1sth 111. Inf.. coininandiiii;- ) liad al-
readx- occii pied llickinaii when iii\' caNalrx' rode in. and acted ffticiently and
|)i-oni])tl y.
I'leasf t1ianl< the fai)tain foi- nie. and accept ni\ aci<no\vledL;enieiits for tlie
assistance i'endei'e(l l)y the Monarcli.
It wonld be to tlie l)est interests of the ser\ ice to place llie rain Monarcli
l)et\veeii Island .\o. Id and Colnnibiis, where she could operate with in\- land
forces, appearinu' ])roinptly at any point threatened or attacked on this pai't
of tile river — so much exposed to rebel raids. AVithoiil the t-o-opei-a1 ion of
a i-aiii or liiinboat. it will be difKenIt for my \vv\ limited for<'e to act \vith
efHc'iencN'. and the desii'ed deyi-ee of snecess. ai^ainst the robbei-s. intestin*^- tin-
Ohio liottonis.
Asniunn.
I '.riLiadier ( ieneral.
On the lull the fleet was ordei'ed to the mouth of AVhite river,
where it arri^"ed about '•> o'clock a. m. of the bJth. Nothing of special
interest transpired on the way uj), and after lying here until noon next
daA'. and hncbiig no denuind for its serxices, the brigade started l)ack.
AVhile at the month of \\'hite ri\-er, news was received of the capture
of Port Hudson, and also of the Morgan raid into Indiana.
()n the downward trip, a stop was made at (Joodrich's Landing,
in the afternoon of the 10th, and the cavalry was put ashore and sent
out to Bayou Tensas, but found no indication of the enemy's presence.
Wliile here a soldier was buried from off the Diana. On the 17th the
.1 lid id (did if.s ISc(jii('l. ^/j
Piiyinnstcr. nlways a wclcoino visitoi' aiuoiig the uicn. arri\'('(l and I'c-
inaincd until tin- 2()th. About this tiiuc iiuiDcrous IcaNcs of absence,
aiiionii' bolb olliccrs and nicii, were uranted.
Slaiiiiii;' at two o'clock a. in. on the 'Jlst, the (led I'an down to
Asliwood Landin^i'. near thf month of Uhick ri\('i'. and huKhna' on the
Louisiana -itlc some two hour.-- later sent out a (h'tachment of ca\'ah'y.
rids ^coiit r.-nhed in the capliire (d' one Lieutenant | Anch'ew S.
Kouth| and two enli>te<l men. and the arrest of several disloyal citi-
z'.'us. and the conhscation of a (luantity of pro\isions. There was,
howcNci-. no considei'able body of Confederate troops found in the vi-
<'inity. as had been reported.
This raid to the plantation of John Routh. was later made the
>ubie('t of a leuiilhy connnunicat ion, from one A. V. Uowie, a rebel
citizen, on behalf of Routh. to ( ieneral Ransom at Natchez, and by him
foi-warded to (irant. In the comi)laiut it was allc'i.'ed that the s(iuad
of ca\alry declai-ed themsehcs freebooters, independeid of the Fnited
States, with booty for their only |)ay. etc.--an<l that they thereui)on
i-obbed him of $ir).(H)0 worth of sihcrware, and $10.(K)() worth of table
and house linen: also took his nephew ])risoni'r — thouii'h the latter
had not been in tlie reb(d army for three month.-; (having- sent a sul)-
stilute in his jdace). This c<)m])laint was (without any investio-ation
or in(|uiry. so far as appears) transnntted by (irant to liriii'. (ien. L.
Thomas, the Adjutant (ieneral of the Army (then at \'icksl)ura). In
his lettei- inclosino- it ( Auu'. 14) (irant states that it is but one of many
such complaints, and that while it is hiii'hiy probable that these
chai'iics are exaeu'ei'atecl. yet on account of the i^reat cost of maintain-
ina' the Uriiiade. and the sliiifit ser\ice it I'cnders. and the excellent use
its boats could be put to. he stron^'lv recctnnnends — if there be nothina'
in the terms of enlistment of the liripide to i)re\-ent — that the command
l)e tr,insferre(| to laud service, and the boats turned oxer to the quar-
termaster's deoartment. (ienei'al 'I'homas si'cms to ha\'e at once con-
ferred w ith Adiidral Porter aboiU this reconnnendat ion. as his letter to
ihe Secretar\' of ^^'ar on the subject bears tin- same date. It reads as
follow s :
\icksl)iii-i;-. Miss.. .\ii,L;-ust 14. 1S63.
11(111. !•:. M. St;m1(.ii :
Sir: Miiidi- (iciifi-al (Irani, is \vv\ desirous of liaviny transferred to liiin
j>i6 History of the MariiK H r'njddc
Briiiadit'V (ieneral J^llet"s (■oiniiiand. which is in acc-ovdancc witii tlic wishes
of Admiral Porter. General Ellet lias seven of the hu'iiest and finest hoats on
tile western waters for a coniniand not exeeedini^' SOO eff>'eti\e men. (leneral
(irant constantly re(|uires trans|ioi-1s for troops, and if this transfei' is made
he will land (ieneral Ellet's coiuniand. ;ind tlms l)e enaliU'd to a\ail himstdf
of the ti'ans|)oi-ts ; liesides. he can L;i\e (ieneral l^llet. when on shoi-e. a com-
mand nioi-e snitable to his ranis.
\j. Thomas.
Adjutant (ieneral.
It will 1)(' noticed that this letter of (ieneral I'honias presents the
matter of elisposing of the liri^ade in an entirely ditl'erent Avav. for it
sets out with the assertion that (ieneral (Jranl wants it transferred to
liiin. and that such change is ;dso desired hv the Admiral. Idien he
aro'ues (Irant's need of the "seven larj^'e. tine vessels"' — incorrectly stat-
ing that the whole force does not exceed SOO — and lastly says that
''when on shore, a connnand. more suitable to his rank, can he given
(ireneral Ellet." No allusion is made to the complaints — the osten-
sible ground of action in the matter — hut the pnri)ose is e\ident, to
get the ]^)rigade ashore. dis])ossessed of its l)oats. And it is likewise
apj)arent that both l\)rter and (Jrant at that time desired this result —
each from motives of his own — doubtless believed by each to l)e for
the best interests of the service. The (ieiiei-al under the jiresent plan
could otdv obtain the services of the Urigade. or the use of its boat>.
by i'e(|uesting same of the Admiral, and the latter found a decided cHs-
]K)sition to independent action on the })art of the Urigade. and little
ailiiiatioii a\ ith his own connnand. (hie in part to the fact that it wa>
jjurely an army organization. So. it would appear that (ieneral
Thomas lent his good offices to [)lease. and accoumiodate both, utterly
ignoi'ing the rights and the feelings of both General Ellet and his uumi.
\U\{ we sh.all soon see it illustrated that "Th-c l)est laid schemes of
mice and mi'n gang aft agiee." Here are two dispatches, responding
to above reconnnendations. in no uncertain terms:
^\■ashi^i^■ton. Ano-nst 24, lS()n.
.!/'//. (:<'ii. I . S. (Irani. 1 /'r/.-.s/M//// : —
(ieneral: — Adjutant (ieneral Thomas has tideyrajihed to the ^Va r l)e])art-
ment askint^- that r?rii>adier (ieneral Kllefs .Ahirine liriiiade he |)laced on shore
duty, and his rani-boats be tnrned o\er to you as ti'a nspoi'ts.
The secretary of war does not apjirose 1 he conversion i>\' Ihis marine or
river brjo-adc into a land liriyade. but authoi-izcs noii to use an\' of (ieneral
IhiUc<-],'x Veto III Far,)!- ,if the llr'niifdi^
?^;
l^llct's hi-io;u|,. f,i|- tfiii|;(ir;ii-.\ .-lini-c iliily. and ;ni\ (if his Ixiats I'lir t (^iii |l(l|■ary
f ra iisporl s wlirnt'Ncr the cxiLjt-iifics iif t lie sf|-\ ice iT(|iiirt' their use.
'I'lic l)rii;a(h' was orija n i/.cd ami 1iii' incii cnlistiMl csiicciallv for scrx ice as
i'i\<'r-iiifii. in cdii jiiiK'1 iciii witii I'iliici- 1hc iiiilitai-\ (ir iia\al 1'(]|-ccs as circimi-
stanct's iniL;ii1 i-f(|M iiT. Thcs have alrcadv I'rciscd tlifinsclx cs \aliiai)U^ auxilia-
ries, and can |>r(il)alil\ he used to L;i-eat adxanlai^c auainsj ii-iierrilJa pafties
Mil the Mississippi, and will) e\p<'di1i(ins np liie Ai-|<aiisas and lied Kivers.
-Miireover as Hie iiieii ha\e been enlisted I'oi- a special service, if that service
wei-c en1irel\ chanL;-ed it niii^lit he claiined that they wfi'e released from their
contract. Alternate em plo\nieiil on land and water, as circnmsta iices nia\' re-
.plire. is (leeiiied within the ohject of the oi'l;;! n i/at ion. "^on are tlierefore
authorized to so employ the hoats and the men as \(hi may re(piire tlieir
sei-\ ices. It is said h\- Adjniant (Icncral 'rhonias that Admiral I'orter wishes
\'on to taki' cliai-L!e <d' these hoats and the hrii^ade.
\'ery respectfully xoiir obedient servant.
11. \V. TIai.i.kck,
( ieueral-in-Chief.
Washini^ton. I). ('.. Aui^nst '.'7. isdli.
\l(i jor-dciicniJ (Iniiil. \ ichshiira. \lixx.:
(leneral:- ^'onl■ dispatch of the 14th. in rcyarul to lOllefs hrii;'ade, has
been received and sliowi'd to the Secretary of War. He directs that yon as-
sume <'omiiiand < d' this hriL;ade. and take proper measures to reduce it to
dis<-ipline. trviuL;' and |iunisliinij' the yiiiltv parties. for reasons L;iv('ii in m v
lettcT- of the L'tth inslant. it is not deemed advisable at pi'esent to bi-eak up
this hriijade. hut you can detacli and place on shore such jiortions of it as
\()u m;\y <li'eni ue<-essarv for the ljcxkI of the ser\ ice.
\'ery i-espi'ettully _vour ohedieiit servant.
IT. W. TTallkck.
C!eneral-in-Chief.
'I'liis (|('ci-i\(' reply |)()s1];()ii(m1 for one whole year the action,
wliicli niifi'i('ii(ll\' and cfiticnl conuiKiiKlcrs ;\t Icnyth ;iccoin|)lisli('<l.
In (he nicanlinic (Ifant's transi'cf to other sceiie~. and local chana'i's in
.Vrniv coinmanders. as well as the almost dailv deuion-tiMt ion of the
us(d'idness of the ih'i^ade as oiierfilla fiii'hters. prewnted ait'ittition of
that siihjecl. Unl. as will he noticed, anthority was o-ixcn for any
needed temporary nse of the hoats as transports for troo|)s. and the
change of control from I'orter to (irant wtis followed \>y the fre([nent
use of the hoats, in nioxina' larii'i' hodies of troo|)s from \'icksl)uru'. to
points ;d)o\e ;mi(1 hehnx .
Uefore leaxinji the siihject. these charii'es of marandini:' and roh-
hery. wliencM'r hroniiht to Kllet's attention, were always promptly
^i8 Tliatory of tJic Marhw Brigade.
ami vii>'()r()uslv haiuUcd. for he was iiilolcrant of any sort of lawless-
ness, (renerallv lliey were fonnd baseless, hut a few instances of
guilt and severe inuiishnient will he found alluded to in their ])la('e.
So active, and constant, and widely extended were the operations of
the lirigade. that it is no wonder the mailed hand of Ellet's nuMi was
felt throug-hout all rebeldoni, along the Mississii)i)i. Poi'tei' in his
history hears freciuent testimony to the efl'ecti\'eness of their servict\
Returning to our narrati\-e of events, in the order of their occur-
rence, the fleet, on July i^ord, under orders for that duty, had repaired
to Haines" I>lutf. for the eml)arkation of troops destined for Helena.
( )n the way up to this latter [)lace. the Adams was ci'ipph'd through the
l)r<'aking of one of her wheels, and had to he taken in tow hy the
Kaim:. On the return ti'ip the liam Moxakcii fell hchind the I'est of
the fl'.'et. with orders to cruise awhile in the vicinity of (ireenville.
On the L'sth. the resignations of Captain Oalvin Keed of Oo. 1).
Inf.. and Lieutenant Horatio X. Howe of Co. (i. Inf.. were tendered,
fa\()rahly endorsed, and forwarded to ^^'ashington. lvetu.i-ning. with
the Aua.ais still in tow. tlie tteet reached Vickshurg at 4 o'clock' a. m. of
the :)lst. While the lleet lay opjjosite the city the Moxakcii came
down. ha\'ing captured six wagons, with their mule teams, and sev-
eral ])risoners. and hringing away ahout one hundred iiegi'oes. Re-
porting to (ieneral (irant. upon his ai-ri\al. (leneral Ellet was insti'uc-
ted to put his boats in readiness to transport other troops, and i\'[)a,irs
on the AoA^is were accordingly hurried to completion.
August 4th. Lieut. S. R. Holmes, of the Light IJattery. tendered
his resignation. Later, as the records show, seriou.s charges were
l)r>'ferred against him. and on Septemhi'i- '■'>. it was noted that he had
de-erted. and nothing appears to Iiax'e been subsequently heard of him.
( )n tlu' 7th of August Lieut. A. (i. Curtis. Adjutant of the infaii-
Iry. tendered his resignation, wliich was accepte(l. August Sth. ^^'il-
liam II. Sloan. Second Lieutenant of Co. H. Inf.. on account of serious
and increasing trouble with his eyes, tendered his resignation, and le,)-
tice of its final acceptance at '\\'ashinglon reached Ri'igade IIead<juar-
lers on the ;'()th.
August 14lh. Cohmcl Charles R. Lllet's resignation was lenderi'(l,
;;n(i was forwa.rdcd approxcd by the (jeneral. and K'a\e of ab-cnce
granted, pending it-; accejjtance.
/htiiil to flu- A. I). J Iliii'pn Mi
3^9
riic oulisliiiciit of iici^ro Irooj)^ \\;i^ now ciiiiai^iiii;' tlu' tsltciitiou
<)l llic jiiilliorilics at A\ ashiiiiiloii. and sonicw here alioul this time cainc
the i'ol lowing' onlcrs. of pail icnhir intci-cst to sonic of the Ui-Jiindc :
^^■;lsllillL;tl)n. I). ('.. .\iii;iis1 1. 1 m;:;.
Special (Inlci-s .\(i. 40.
'I'lif follow i ml;- (ilTictTs. iion-coininissioiicd otVicci's. and |iri\ati\s jail of Coin-
]iaiiy r. ('a\.. Miss. Marine l'irii;a(le| are announeeil as 1 he (jllieers of llie
Fonrlll i;ei;inienl .\|-kaiisas X'olnnteers of Afrii-an Desi'ent. ■riie\- will lie de-
tailed from llieii- res|iee1i\i' reL;inients to raise 1 li(' 1roo|is. and as c-oni pa n ies.
l)attalions. and reiiinients are oryanized, tlie\ will lie niuslered ou1 of ser\iee,
and d iselia rticd and niuslered into 1 he new reyi nieiits.
( 'a |it . .la \' M . 1 '>row ii.
I'ri\ate (leo. \V. l-'nisoni.
Corpl. (ieorije Miller.
1st Sei-i^t. Cliarles Xorton.
l'ri\ate I'eter 11. ^ds1.
1st Sei-L;t. .tolm MeClintoek.
(,). M. Script. Ceo. Dow ns.
Corpl. Alon/.o M. Chni-eh.
lilaeksniith I'laiik I.Io.mI-
JJlaeksnnth lieri;'. Kniidson.
:;ril Sei-LiC S. C. Xieliolson.
l'ri\ate Ivlwiii W. Kiekey.
Stii Sero-t. AVni. II. Kodc^eker,
7th Seri;t. I'.en j. 1'. |-"ra/er.
('orpl. .Ino. X. r.nehaiian.
I'ri\a1e \\iii. C. keHoM.
I'rivate .Ino. I',. Mi Keii/ie.
T>llL;ler (leo. lai in.
rri\ate ('has A. Turner,
(ith Seri>-t. .laeol) Crihiis.
\\\ order of tlie Seeretar\- of ^^'ar.
L. 'i'noMAS.
Adjutant Ceneral.
Diirinii' the time of the Marine l)oats lieinii' en2a<i'('«l in tliis trans-
fer service — Aiiiiust 'Jd to 'iOtli — three companies of (he Marine ca\-
alry were, at the re(|nest of (iencral (ircshani. ])nt ashore, and en-
campecl at Natchez, makinii' ahnost (hiily cxpiMlilions into the snr-
ronndina' conntry and nuardinjj,' wa<>'oii trains of cotton, nnich of wliich
was found and hroniiht in. The men were put ashoi'e with hut few
cookiiiii" utensils, or much camp e(|nipaii('. hut judiiiuii' from an entry
or two in Captain De.C'oster's diary, these amphihious Marines (hdn't
mind the de])i-i\at ion.
I'nder (hite of the Vl\\\ his diary says: "'I he hoats have iione to
''Port Hudson. \\'(dl. I chaTt care I I ha\"e a ch'an shirt, and hate pa-
"■|)ers." Aiiain on the l(>th. "IMenty of honey, sweet milk', coiai-hread,
'"butter. meh)n>. chickens, etc." — (|uite enough, it woidd seems to insure
])eace and contentment in any camp.
320
Hh-iiory of flic Marhn l>ri(/<i(]<
Fdiir trips to and tVo were iniidc l)\- the Marine liuats in this s;'r-
\'ic(' of transportation. 'I'wo of thcni were to Xatclic/. upon tlu' lirst
of which Shick's liriiiadc. and on the second Li'c's Conmiand was cnr-
I'ied : one trip to l^oi't llnd,-on: and one to New ()rleans.
(ireat dilHt-nltv was enconntered in secnrini;' sntHcient coal for th*'
rteet wlnh' thns eniiaue(L ( )n the return trip from New ( )rleans.
fence rails. seciire(l from plantations alonn' the rivei-. wci'e lairned. and
the licet reached ^'icksl)nl•a■ with hut little e\-en of this kind of fuel.
(In the 14th. while makinii' the ti'ip to New ( Irleans. a uale came up,
which swei)t the ri\'er with i^-reat fury, disputiuii" excii the How of its
strong', swift current, and rollinii' up huu'e waves which hroke over the
l)ows. and flooded the lower ilecks of the \'essels. Captain Xewell. well
rememhers. after the lapse of more than forty years, his standinij' in
the pilot house of the Fla<j,'shij) Ai'rocitA'r while she. nnahle to make a
foot of proii'i-e-s. was trenil)lini>- and crealcint>- under the strain, and
s})eculatin,ii' in his ndnd as to how loni;' she could weather the hlast.
In the nndst of it all Mr. Fnderv.ood. the pilot, stood calm and un-
disturh.'d at the wheel, and by skilled handlino- of the hells, manipu-
lated the engines, while holdiiiii' the l)ontV how in the teeth of tlie wind.
Dnrinii' this storm the l)Ai/rn' lost a har.'/e loaded with the camp e([uip-
aii'e. transportation, etc.. l)elonuMn;Li" to one of the reifiments heinii"
transferred on her. l)Ut under the skillful supt'r\ision of sailinii" mas-
ter Meekin. and his foi'ce. in an all niiiht's work', most of the l)aro'e''s
t'ontents were recoxcred. ()n this da\' a prisonei" f '11 oxcrhoard from
one of the hoats and was drowned.
()ii the istli. while returnini:- from N\'W ()rleans. a small scpiad
of Confederates who had come in from the conntrw and had "tanked
uj)'" at the salot)n in the town of Hayou Sara, oix'ued a mu>keti"v Hre
on the fleet. A landinu' was promptly elfected. the town and its sul)-
nrhs were thorouiihly searched for the oH'enders. All the male cit-
izens were rounded up for an exi)lanat ion. They all <lisa\()wed any
responsihility whate\"ei- for the attack. Their disaxowal seemed sin-
cere, and after soleuui warniiiij," that serious conse(|uences would at-
tend an\' repetition of the otl'ense. the saloon was hurned and the liri-
iiiide pas-ed on.
Soon after reachinii' Xick'-hnrif from this New ()rleans trip, the
last in the series foi- the transfer (d" ti'oo])s. owinij- to the ari-i\al of
litKit.s Sent far liC piin-x diid lu <rii tfs. j2/
vvixnhw transports, the Marine llcrt was tciiiporai'ily rclicNcd from
fiiii litT .-('i-\ic(' in t liis line
The C'onnnandcr of llir IJi'iyadc now found hiniM'lf con froiitc*!
with (liHicnllics wliicli scrionslx' inlcid'ci-rd with the fllicicncy and suc-
cess of his coiumand. First of all. it was now. and for sonic time had
Ueen. ahno-t impo,-^sil)le to secure and ha\'e transported down the river.
a supl)l\' of coal, at all adiMpiate to the needs of his lai'ii'e lleet. Sec-
ondly, thronii'h sickness and the casualties of war. the connnand had
lii'en considerahl \' reduced in numhers. lu'cause the Mai'ine liriii'ade
was a national oriiani/ation. men ri'crnited into it could not he credited
to the states within which llie\- lixcd. The dilfei'ent states, theri'fure.
r(d'used to pernnt within theii- lindts the enrollment of men for the
Ih'iii'ade. uidess iicneral ord(MS were issued from ^^'ashinli•ton author-
izinii' such I'ulistment. so tliat the proper cre<lit would he i:i\-en to the
re>])ective states, foi- the men ol)lained. And lastly, sexcral of the
hoats were areatly in need of such repair,-^ as they could receix'e only
in the dockxards. 'Idie (h'ueral had made these conditions known to
the Department, and the followina- response had heen I'eceixcd. and
under its sanction, it was now arranacd that a portion of the connnand
-hould proceed to Cairo, for the purposes indicate(l:
WAi; i)i:i'Ai;'i\\ii:-Vi".
Wasliini^toii. Aiii^-iist :.".). Isc,:;.
/;*•/•//. (li'u. MfiCiJ \V. Hllrf :-
\()[\v (■(inniiand lias heen pliiccd iiiidfi- cliari^t' nf Major (Icncral (u-aiit.
\H applical iuns for aiillioritv to rcci-iiit oi- for otlicr |)iii-|ioscs niiisl l)i' madi'
I,, him. l']i)Wi.\ M. Stankin.
Secret a r\' of War-.
(ieiieral Ellet accord in li'l)' started, with the Flagship Ai loi i;a'i'.
from Viekshiira". Auiiiist ::!lst. at half |)ast nine p. m. The hospital
l»ont WooDFOKl) followed. Se])teinl)er I'th. the IvAIXK Septemher IDth.
The command of the lleet l(d"t helow. (le\"ol\cd upon Major lluh-
hard, in the ahsence of the Colonel, and of Lieut. Col. (ieo. F. .('nfrie,
then also away on lea\'e: hut on the I'Tth of Aua'iist Colonel Currie re-
turned to the Hei't.look connnand. and at once re-^mned operations, from
\\'hite ri\(M- to ^'icksl)nl•^_l•. and helow. On the ^Ust. at (irillith's Land-
in";, on the Louisiana side, the ca\alry was sent out. and liot track of
t^ome , Confederates, pm-sned them, and cai)turi'd se\en of their nmnher.
:;j2 IJ'tsforij of the Mai'inc I> rn/iKlc
and al *•> p. in. i-clurncMl (o the lli'ct. haxini!' sc()nr('(| tlic couutrv for
Iwt'hc miles ai'oinid. S('i)t('nil)ri- ;'k1 llic whole ('(anniand was disem-
barked at (Jrillitirs Landinii' on the Mississipi)! side, and marched trs
(ireen\ille. an'i\in<:' there at 1 o'chick p. m. Keports were receixed
that Confederates were seen, deployed in a held near hy. I nx'est illa-
tion [)ro\'ed this repoi't false, since no >nch hody of tlu' enemy coidd be
found. :!nd so the troops retui'ned to the fleet at (iriHitirs Landing'.
( )n the Nth Colonel Cni'rie's NH'sseis were al th;' mouth of A\diiTe
ri\'ei'. and on the l>th. opposite Napoleon, three companies of ca\alrv
\\('r(' s;'nt out. hack frou.i the rncr lifleen or twenty miles, into Mis-
sissippi. ()n this scout a ConfcMlerate Paymaster. Lieutenant Clemen-
son, was ca[)tured. toacther with one million two hundi'cd thousand
dollars ill Confederate money, and a draft i)ayal)le at Alexandria. La.,
for one million more, all containecl in sealed jiackages and carried in
a hand \alise. The Paymaster and his clerk", wlien ca])tured. were
ridinii' in an old I'. S. stai>"e coach, drawn hy two mules, and iiuarded
l>y an escort of thi-ee oHicers and hfteeii men. all heavily arine(L The
coach and its escort were come uiion too siuhU'iily for the party to
make any re-istance. and they were \'ery (]uietly taken in. At the time
(d' their capture this party was on its way to Pxilivar Landin<i'. on the
AIis~issij)])i i-i\-er. where arranucments had been made for crossing;
them o\'er into Arkansas in small boats, durinif the niiiht. The money
was eii route to Little Rock, for the use of the Trans-Mississipi)i De-
pa.rtment of the Confedei-ate Army. \\\{\\ {\\v moiU'V were also found
the following;' Confederate oi'ders:
DISlUKSIXd OFt'K !•:. (. S. A.. WAK ^)^^I'A^r^^fE^"l^
.\rti;i': axd m i.\i.\(; lu i;i:ai'.
i;iciininii(i. \';i.. Aiii^iist :i(), 186.';.
L'li'ii I . ./. <' . ('IcsiKiiHdii :
Sir: 'I'wn Iliiii{h>'(l 'riKnisaiid Dollars lias been issued In yon, foi' which
yoii win III' accoiiiil a hie iiiiilcr the a |i|)ro|iriat ions, \'\/.:
riN-rliast' of land, coiipcr and other ininci-als $ 2:),()il().(l(l
J'ni-chast' of inannfactorics of nitre, etc ,-,().ll(l().U(l
i'nreliase of pii;- iron and Tolled irctn..- 1 2.").0()().(li>-
\i>\[ will please aeknowlediif receipt llil-oilLili 1 his otliee.
\'ery respect fnll,\- \dni' obedient sei-vant,
II. T. PlERSON.
JjitMit. and Disbnrsin"' OfHeei".
Ilcari/ ('(iptiij-cs of l'(nif((l('i'(it(' /''i/ikI>
323
V. s. A. \v.\i; DiorAirr.Mi'AT.
.Xl'l'KJ-: AN!) MIM,\(; lUI.'K Al .
Itii-lnnoMil, \'n.. Aiil;-ii.v1 :;I. isd:;.
l/iciil . ./. ('. Clciiiiiisiin :-
Sir: ^'oii ai'i- dii-ccli'd in proccec', as sonn as your iiccrNsary a i-i-anLjc-
nieiits can lie iiiadc. lo 1lic licail(| na rt crs of Ihni. T. (1. ( 'Umiii'iis( ni. in ciiarLit' of
tile li'oii st'i'\i('('. ill 1I11' 'Ira iis-M ississi ppi I )i'pa I'l iiiciit . and rcpdi't In liini t'(M'
duly as lOxcciil i\ c and I )isl iiirsi iii;' (illiccr. ^dii will iiicct his I'iMpi isil ions, and
Ills onlji. for funds.
\'t'r\ rt'spcct f n M,\ .
.1. M. I). .l.niN.
Major and Siipcri iil ;'ndfii I .
This capture also iiicliidt'd a lar^Li'c packai^c of otlicial (lispatclics.
more \alual>l;' lliaii the iiioiicy. vroiu llu' Coiifcdcratc ^^'al• Dcpart-
iiiciil. and dir.'cled lo Liciil. (icii. Kirhy K. Siiiilh. Maj. (iciicrals
AA'alkcf. Iliii^hcs. ;;iid ollici' olliccrs in tlic Trans. .Mississippi Dcpai'l-
nicnt of the ('. S. /\rniy. A \nviSv prixale mail was caplni-cd al (lie
same time.
Accord ini.;' to prcNdons aurcciucnt the ca\alry rejoine(| tlie hoats
at 15oli\';ir Landinii'. w her.' Paymaster C'lemensou expected to cross
o\'er. l)iit where he spent the uiiiht com iortahly (piartered. hut closely
liiiarded l>y Federal soidiei's.
( )n the l'_!th. this important c;iplui\'. prisonei's. money, and mail,
went to Cairo on the [v.mm;. In the meantime (Jeneral Kllet had l)een
adxised (at IMiiiadelphi;!. where he was then on shorl lea\'e (d' ab-
sence) of the hiii' Inud in nitjney. mail, and men. and ih.' followinii'
(iispatclies were exciian^'etl :
I'liiladidpliia. I'a.. Septeinhci- :.' 1 . isi;:;.
lion. /;. I/. SI nil I nil. Sicnhiiii of War:
i lia\i' Just i-cffi\cd iiild licence of liic capture. I>y a dctacliincnl of in\-
forces, under coininand of i.iciil. ('<d. ( ico. E. Ciirric. of llir.'c rchcl olliccrs
and a nninlicr ol' pri\a1cs. willi Two Million Two Hundred Tli<Hisaud Dollars
in Confedtrale funds, and \er\ iinporlant dispalclies. all of wliicli a i-e now
at Cairo. I would, in 1lic ahsence (d' Major (leneral (;rant. re(pies1 instriio-
tl-ms rcspectini;- 1lie iiniiicdialc disposilioii n( tlic rehi'l dispalclies. etc.
N'ery |-espect f u I ly.
.\|,K1{10I) ^V. !']|,I,KT.
l^rio'adier (ieneral.
3i>_^ II istonj of the Maihic HvKjtidc.
WAi; i)i:i'AiriMi:.\i'.
Washiiiiiton. I). ('., Sepleinbei- '1\ . ISO:;.
/,'/•///. (U'u. .1. ir. VAlci:
^■(111 will ciuisr all till' ('(iiiffdei-ate funds ami d ispatciirs. inciilioncd in
_\(iiii- IfU'i^rani of 1liis date as being' c-a])tni-(Ml li\ ydiir cimuiiand. tu he hrouii'ht
lo the War Deiiavtinciit. in AVashington. and dt'li\crcd tu the Adjiilant (It-nt-ral.
I']l)\VI.\ M. St'ANTO.X.
Til coini^liiincc with tlio S(HTetprA''s ordci'. the nioncx' nnd the iiini!
Weill to A\'a-~hiiuit(iii in clmriit' <>f Liciil. K. (\ Kllct. -liil (Mi tli" (icu-
(Tiirs si-.rt-.
Px'tAvccii tlu' Sth and the -iWXx, tlif time wa^ dci-n pied hv lli" !>ri,<i--
adc liclow. ill alniosl daily scouts, from \arioiis point'-; iip and down
the ri\('r. with \aryiiiii' success. I'x'twccn th''-c two (hitcs anotlicr
(h-at't. siii'iicd 1)\- the Con federate Secretary of the Treasin-y. for one
million dollars more and Confederate Money to the anioiiiit cd' hfty-
two thousand three hundred and f(!rt\- dollars, were rNo captured and
sent to Cairo, makiiii:- a lirand total of three inillion two hnndred
and (iftv -two thousand three hundred and forty dollars, cap-
lured hy the Uripide within Hfteeii days. V/ithin this -ame period
twenty-H\"e i)i-isoners were also captnre(|, lunoni;- whom were Col.
Triisteu Pollc. Paymaster Clemeiison and clerk, and three other of-
licers.
On the ITth the resignations of Ca|)t. Cahin Keed of Co. 1). Mif.
and Lieut. S. F. Cole of Co. J). Caw. came hack from ^^'ashilll:■ton
l"a\ orahly en(h)rsed.
( )n the L^-l-lh. in the ohedience to orders reciMxcd from (ieiieral
Ilnrlhiit. for the Command "to })roce;'d witliont delay to X'ickshiirii'.
and report to the coinniiindinii- orticer there." the fleet starleil down,
rpon their arrixal at ^^cksl)uro■. the Marines were temi)orarily set
ashort'. while their boats were used for the trans])ortat ion of troops,
e(iui[)ment. and pro\isions. to various othei- points where they were
needed. Tlie new conditions, in which the men thus iinexpei'tedly
found themselves, were old to most of tl'em. and (luickly to accommo-
dale themselves to their environment, and knowing' that a real emer-
^■eiic\- demanded of them self-sacrifice, they cheerfully went into camp..
Lieiil. Col. Ciirrie. who was now iu command, was a strict disciplin-
arian and a thorough tactician, whose camp d.eliaht was di'ill. lie at
(')iini> f>r/ll (if ]' ic],'shiir(/.
325
once is^iu'd onlci's proNidinii- for iiractice in tlic niMiiiinl of anus, coin-
paiiy ('\ oliil ion>. and dros parade cadi day. (iarrixiii duly in \ icl<s-
biiry'. at this lime, was not liii'lil. and this in addition lo wlial was i-c-
(jiiircd of the men in llicir own camp, i^axc tlicni no time lo l)ccomc
discontented. r>csidc~. diirini:' tin' day. passes were easily procin'al)le
for those not on (hity. and the Mai'incs. who had had hnt litth' cliance
to see the city, to \ie\\ the Confederate lines of inlrcnchinents mid
\arions places of interest, made the most of their pre-cnt oppoilunily
in this direction. And so while the men nnssed the shelter of their
decks, the comfort of their cabins, and the conveniences of tlieii' wash
i'oom> and laundry apj)liances. their stay on sh(^re was to them in a
sense like a lull in a storm. It was. to say the least, a change, and
cluuiij'e is rest.
( )n the Isih of (Ictohei'. in the afternoon, came the welcome oi'der
■■(iel ready to ii'o hack on hoard the l)oats."" Alonu' with thi^ oi'der.
was circnhite(l the report aiiiona' the nien that there was trouble up
the river, which it was now the especial business of the Command to
look after. It was a busy time: camp) e(|uipaiie. arms, artillery ammu-
nition. pro\ i^ioiis. head(]n.arters lixtures. hospital stores, and [lersonal
beh)iioiniis. all had to be repacked, and then carrit'(l on board. And
lhoii<i'h the men woi'ked faithfully until midnight, and the matter of
a'clliiii:- settled in (piarters was ])ostponed to a later time, it wa> not
until N o'clock next morninii'. that the si^-nal-w histle for startiiii:' was
sounded, ("olonel I hiwkiiis. at (ioodrichs Landinii'. had reported that
the enemy, four thousand stronu'. had crossed Uayoii Mason, and that
he needed imni<'(liate reinforcements, and (ieneral McPhersoiTs orih'r
directiuii' the Marine liriaade to the scene. explaine(l the present mo\'e-
meiit.
(Joodrich's Landini;' was reached the same evening" about 7 o'clock.
( li'ders were issiK'(l for two days rations to be put into ha\'er,-acks. and
all need fill prepa rat ions were made for a I on if. hard day's ser\' ice on I he
morrow . '1 he iieiiro <iarrison was in a slate of more or less excitement,
and the wildest rumors were alloat. It was i-eporled as comini:- iVoui
Colonel Hawkins. Post .Commander, that a hostile forci' of foui' thou-
sand was approachinii' with inleiit to reduce the place, and llieii clear
out the plantations, from Lake I*ro\idence to Milliken's lieiid. Afier
I'eaching' the jilace. Colonel Currie s(Mit out a detachmeiit. the ^anie
9^(5 Ilisfoi'U of the Mdr'nic liru/ddc.
ovt'iiing, Avith one piece of arlillerv to feel for the eiu'iny. This de-
tachiiieiit not havina' retui'neih tlie rest of the eavah'v haltalion \va<
sent out in the morning. Both parties remained t)ut until three
oVdock a. ni. of the 21st. While out. Private James Drunnnond had
his leg badly injured from his horse falling with him. while riding
at high speed, in the night. Nothing. liowcNcr. was found hy either
})arty to indicate the immediate presence of any force of the enemy.
General Ellet reached the command (hiring the night of the 2()th.
from Cairo, coming down on the ram Filtun. and was warndy greet-
I'd by otiicers and men. next morning, lie remained with the fleet
until toward evening, and then went on down to Vickshurg. On the
morning of the li'id, the cavalry was again sent out. with two (hiys
rations, and instructions to spare no })ains to make sure respecting
till' reported presence of the enemy. During the night there was a
false alarm, occasioned by tiring on the picket line of the colored
garrison. The Conunand was called out. and prepared for a Hght.
i>ut after about half an hour's stretching and yawning (and doubtless
some swearing) all returned to <iuarters and slept soundly until nu)rn-
iug. The night was dark, rainy and cold, and the ca\alry. still out.
actually siiU'ered from cold, even more than from weariness. (Jen-
eral I'dlet returned from \'icksburg during the night of the 22(1. and
left in the afternoon of the next day for Cairo. Just at dark on the
24th, the cavalry and their artillery came in. having travelled one
hundi-ed and lifty miles. They brought with them three jjrisoners
with their arms. While out they pursued (juite a party of Confed-
erates, all of whom except th.e three already mentioned, escaped from
them. With these three men. a couple of negroes were also captured,
and supposing them to be ''Union/' they were left without guard.
l>ut in the night the sly coons "vamoosed the ranch." taking with
them a couple of the best horses in the Connuand. and Major Taller-
day's pistols.
On the 2Tth. it being evident that there was no probability of an
attack on (loodrich's l^anding. and seciu'ing the assent of Colonel Haw-
kins. Colonel Currie took his departure, heading his fleet u]) stream,
and landing at (iriffith's Landing in A^'ashington County, Miss. On
the 2Sth, one hundred cavalry under counnand of .Captain O. F.
IW-own. of Co. C.. was sent out to reconnoitre tlie Deer Creek country.
Juinlniy in tltc }>rcr Crcch' (' oiiitt fij. -^2"/
-tretchiiiii,- iihoiit I went v-Hnc miles cnsl from Grillitirs Liiiidiiia'. Tlicy
Icl'l ihe Ijoats ;it <'i ()"cl(ick in llu' moruiiiii-. and returiu'd at K) o'dociv
j). 111.. lia\iiiii' coMTcd r()rly-li\(' miles. AVliile out. the detaehmeiil
caplui'i'd and l)i-()ii<j;hl in with (hem, ('apt. (i. (". Price, an auent of tlie
i'onl'edt'rate C'onuiiissai'}' Department, aetixcly eny,aiied in ])i!i-clias-
inii' stock for the nse of the sonthern army. Twelx'e thonsand dol-
lars in Confederate money was f(aind in his possession, and taken
^•liariic of. ^^'^ith Cajitain Price were also cai)tnr(Ml a sera'eant and
six pri\ates of the Sixth Texas Ca\alry, who had ht'en detailed to
4'rive snch stocic as niii;ht he purchasetl.
In the meantime the infanti-y was not idle. As soon as the cav-
alry started, on the -jsih. and from that time to tlie e\-enini:- of the ^Ust.
-cat (eriiii;- in small s(inads. the men of tlie infantry scoured the coun-
iry round about for mnU's and horses, on which to mount themsehcs.
At one point a team of six mules, hitched to a Avaii'on. was found,
minus the (lia\er. who had e\idently seen the "l)lue coats" comino-. and
made himself inxisihl;'. I'^'arful that the team, if left too lonii' alone,
mia'ht ii'et scare<|. run oil' and hreak' the wau'on. the .Mai'ines kindh'
look i-harge of the whole oullit. droxc it in to the hoats. and took care
of it.
Prom one of the jirisoners it had heen learned that a force of
»!ackson"s caxalry was heade(l for that country, to ,i;i\e |)rotection to
-lock purchased hy C'ai)tain Price, and the dri\'ers in chari;-e of it.
Accordinjily. on the 1st of No\'enil)er. with two days rations, one piece
of artillery, his well-mounted ca\alry. and his nndc-mounted infan-
n-y. Colonel Currie, spoiliuii' for a iiiiht. -et out in the face of a tlireat-
<'ninii' I'ain. which linally descendinu" rendered the roads, which wound
throuiih i^reat swamj)s. well ni;L;'h impassahle. Ahout '•'> p. m. the
P)Uckner plantation, on I )eei" Creek', was readied, and the command
went into canij). twenty-thi'ee miles distant from the hoats. In(|uir-
ina' of the citi/ens. and hecomiuii" cominced from all he coidd learn
that thei'e was no considerable hostile force in that \icinity, (he Col-
onel di\ided his force, next niornina'. start ina the artillery back to (he
!'i\'er. under escort of the mule-mounted infanti-y. while he with the
<-a\alry proceeded down Deei' Creek, intending to sti'ike the rixcr at
Cai'olina Landiiia'. some sixty miles distant, where the ram !!oi;M:it
had been pre\ ioii^ly instructed to meet him. on the llli. Ihit the Col-
J2S Ihsfarij of the Mdr'/in- I) rn/adc.
(iiK'l had iioi iioiic iiKirc lliaii a mile hi'voiid his picket line of the
l)r('\i()us iiiiihl. when his a(l\aiic(' unai'd hciz-aii a lixcly skii-niish witli
111'.' eiK'iiiy. A riiniiiiii:- tiiiiit cusucmI. until the Marines tinally hi'oiiiiht
to l)ay a force of ahout one hiiii(lre(l and twenty Confederate cavalry.
Tlu' t'nemy had taken their stand on the opposite side of a l>ridjj,"i'. in-
leiidiiiii- to dispute the pas-ii^c ol' the Yankees oxer it. Colonel ,Ciir-
rie instri!cte(l his men to crowd the enemy hard eiioniih to hold them,
and at the same time dispatched an iirderly to lind and hrinu' hack the
artillery, enioule to the ho, Us. \\\\{ the Marines crowded a little too
hard, and nniler their lire the enemy was exidently urowinn,' restles-.
Seeing' this. Cohmel Currit' ordered a charp' across the l)ri(li>"e. he-
fori' which the enem\' tnrn;'d and precij)itately lle(l. Colonel Currie
tollo\\cd them ahont two mile.--, when Hndinii" there was no (tther e.--
eape from the rear lire which came peltini;' into them, the Confeder-
ates took to the woods and cane brakes, on either side of the roach
l>eiiiii' (juite a distance from the i-ixcr. with hnt a. small fore;-, (only
about one-half the l)i'iu'ade) the roads almost impassable from the re-
cent rain, and not k'nowini;' what force mi<iht be concentrated upon
him. Colonel Ciirrie linally decided to return dii-eci to the ri\"er. which
he reached at 11 o'clock p. m.. ha\in<i- marched forty miles that aftt'r-
nonn. ( )n the way back, at the plantation of Dr. L. L. Taylor, were
found a nice lot of fat hoes, which Captain I'l'ice had. just before his
<'aj)ture. ])urcliased and [)aid twehc hundred and lifty dollar-> for.
.V team consistinu' of six oxen, hitched to a lariic cotton waiion (which
had just returned from Cattish Landinji'. where it had bivn hauliuii'
a'oods foi- a Confederate Cai)taiu in order to cross them oxer into Ar-
kansas)— was pri'ssed into service, and the fat hou's were all trans-
ferred to the boats. At the same time a courier was sent to the com-
mander of the i-am IIoi;xi:i;. tlien at (ireenville. instruetina- him to
procei'd to Callish Landinii'. and look aftei- the aforementioned li'ood^
and ferry. ()n the followini:' day the connnander of the IIounki;
reported the capture of a lari>-e (piantity of salt, and the destruction
(d" two lara'i' Hats of sufficient carr\iiii:' capacity to ferry artillery
across the ri\'er. These flats were entirely new. and were in<i"oni()Usly
hidden away from \iew. by beinu' suidc in about four feet of water,
by means of bai-rels lille(| witli sand, and they would pi'obably never
ha\'e b;'en disco\('re(l i)\' the Fe(lei-als. had not theii' whereabouts bt'cn
^Sroiiflnij OIL tlic Ai-kdiinda Kiulc. J2Q
r('\ calod hy ;i deserter Itoiii l*i'ice*s iU'Uiy. who liad coiiie in and iiiveii
linnself uj).
()ii the r)th the nnde-nionnted infantry was disein!>arke(l at Sunny
Si(h'. in chariic of Major 'raller(hiy. with instructions to proceed to
Lake \dnaa('. the county seat of Chicot Co.. Ark. ( )n this scout Maj.
ranei'(hiy captured Captain (iainer and ti\'e enlistee! men. all of the
•J."mI Ala. Inf.. evidently eni^'au'ed in l)urninii' cotton, and enfoi-cinii' the
Confederate coiiscri[>l ion. and with them also, some xaliiahle stock.
The rams iloKxri; and AIoxai.mii were now left at (ireen\ille. for the
protection of the transports passin*^' by. ( )n the (>th the (-nalrv nn-
iler command of ('apt. ( ). I*', lirown. was put ashore at (iain<'s' Land-
inil. He i)rocee(led out into the country, in the dii-ection of Monti-
cello. Ark., for ahout lifteen miles, turned up the rixcr. and met the
lleet ahout r> o'clock p. in., ha\inii' (■ai)tnred only a few nudes. At .">
o'clock the same e\-enini;- Colonel Currie learned thai some rehel cav-
alr\' were in camp ahout li\'e miles hack from the ri\'er. waitini:' an
op]>ortiinity to cross oNcr into .Mississippi. A detachment of infantry,
under Lieutenant Markle. was inunediately sent out. and aUout ten
o'clock the same niaiil. returned \\\i\\ Lieutenant iirailsfoi'd and one
enlisted man. both of Wdiitfield's Texas Leii'ion, and haxini:- with them
a coiisiderahle mail. On the Tth, the infantry was sent out fi'om the
same place, with orders to operate as comp)anies. in scouting' the coun-
ti-y, from the river as far hack as j)ossible. These companies returned
soon after dark, brinaing with them some stock and several prisoners.
Among the latter was a Confederate mail carrier, who was making
his way to the ri\-er. with the intention of crossing that night. On the
sth. the ca\alry, undtM- Captain O. F. IJrown. was i)iit otf at (ilencoe,
on the Mississippi shore, while the nnde-nu>unted infantry, under
Maj. Tallerdaw was lande(l on the Arkansas shoi-e. ()i)])()site. Idie
ca\"air\- came in at Lolivar Landing, late in the afternoon, having ac-
complished but little. 'Jdie infantry continued up the i'i\('r to Napo-
leon, where tlu' fleet, as per previous agreement, met them, on tlu' fol-
lowing day. They had captured (piite a number of prisoners. anu)ng
whom was a Confederate mail carrier, with over two hundred pounds
of mail, in which were a large miniber of ofHcial documents from Kich-
mond. directed to the most prominent (lenerals in the Trans-Missis-
sipj)i Department. They also cai)tured two men, Messl•.-^. liarker and
Diagram of the Mississippi River from Mouth
of White Rjver to Milliken's Bend.
Diagram of the Mississippi River from
liken's Bend to Ellis' Cliff.
I'll nisIuiH/ (r iicri'/nn Lcddci's.
331
Kcefc. cotton ii!:iiiii fad iirci's. with a cotton machine. I'cccntly l)oui>'lit
at Macon, (ia.. at a cost of ciuiit tlionsand dollai's. They liail crossed
the i-i\-er with their machine just a little while hefore theii' cajitniv.
and were enroute to Camden. ArU'.. where tl'e machine was to he n.sed
in makiiiii' cloth tor the ('on iVderate army.
Learninu' that the ijiiei-rillas had l)urne(l the steamer Allen Col-
lier, where she landed opjxjsite Laconia. Ark., a da\' oi- two l>;'for<'.
Colonel Ciirrie innnediately hd't Napoleon, on the e\'eninif of the Dth,
inlendinii' to ferret ont this mauraudinii" party. Landinii' :it the
month of A\dnte ri\"er foi' wood, he found some of the Collier's crew,
who had been taken prisoners at the time of the hurnini;' of their boat,
and subsequently i'elease(l. I'^rom them it was learne(l that the boat
was buiaied bv a .Captain Montiiomery. and a portion of his com-
pan\'. numberini>' some forty or Hfty men. and that Montii'omery
owned a plantation on lioiiue Phalia. in T)()li\ar County. Mississipi)i.
Colonel Currie thei-efore went with his fleet to lieulah Landinu'. and
on the morniiiii' of the lOlli. with a small ca\alry forci', went to the
bayou, some ten nnles distant, where he ai'rested one of Montii'omery's
men. and leaiaied from him that the comj)any was hidden away in the
caiK4)rakes. lvnowini>- the folly of attemi)tinii- to follow Montifom-
erv, under such circumstances. Colonel Currie at once went to Mont-
iiomerv's |)lantatit)n. where he found the "ma.nsion house." ()C(ai[)ie(l
\)\ the families of Captain Montiiomerv. and (Jen. Charles Clark, of
the C. S. A. The furniture was soon removed and the house burned.
The cotton-uin. and all other buildinu's. excei)t the nciiro (juarters. also
went up in smoke. Mrs. Montii'omery was then informed that this
was in retaliation for the burninu- of the Allen .Collier, by her hus-
band and Ins men, and she reidied : ''This is no more than I expected
when I heard what my husband had done." A\()rd was also Ud't for
the members of her husband's c()mi)any. that another •iuei-rilla de[)re-
dalion on their part would put the lighted torch to theii- own dwell-
iuiis. ( )n the wa\- to the rixcr. Colonid Currie destro\'ed numerous
yawl> and flat boats, found in the canebrakes alonu' the road, which at
uiliht were hauled out. con\'eye<| to the river, and \\>-i.h\ in ferrying
men. mail. [)rovisi()ns. and nnniitions of war. across the Father ot
^^'aters. On this same ti-ip al-o (luite a number of pi'isoners were
taken, amono- them three mail carriers, each havinii- a small mail des-
j^2 Ilistorii '''/ ''^"' ^I'i>''i><' BrUjade.
liiu'd for Arlvaiisas. 'I'lie Mai'iiu's rcaclu'd ihcir Heet at liolivar Luiid-
ino-. ahout (lark, after a march of about fortv-fivc miles. Duriiiii'
these o])erati(ins. lai'i^'e (iiiaiitities of corn in cril)s. and hun(h'eds of
aeres of corn in the Helds still nni>athered. were seen. Several small
Iradinii' hoats were also detected aloiii;' the I'iver. dealinii' in cotton and
furnishing- the citizens with su})i)lies.
l)Ut the I'eader nnist not he jjermittecl to forget that i)art of the
Hee( which was away up stream. It was. of course, not to he expected,
while the boats lay tuiig-iuo- at their anchors as though impatient t(i
join their com])anions IxdoAv. oi- wt-re hauled hiah upon the ways,
where they were hi-inu' planked and caulked, plated and hannnered.
re])aired and ren()\ated. tliat items of stai-tliuif interest would he
heai'd from them. The time of their stay at Cairo, Paducah, and
Mound City. howe\('r. was not spent in idleness, by the officers and
men with them. The (leneral and his start' wei'e perhaps never, at
any time in the history of the connnand, busier than now. They were
makini!,' far-reaching ])reparation for the future, hedii'ina" ai»'ainst some
of the eml)arrassnients hitherto experienced in the oi)erations of the
lieet. stren<j:'thenin<i' the command by way of fresh reci-uits. and thus
hiyin<ji' the foundation for ijrealer efficiency in the days to come.
It is one of the many curious disch)sures, by tlu' j)ublication of the
archives, that at this date was sent a (lis])atch from the Secretary
of tile Xavy to Adnnral Porter, in res})onse to an in(iuii-v from him.
li-iviuii- that officer his Hrst knowledi^e of the actual transfer of the
Brigade from his control to that of (Irant, and also declaring that it
had been made without the knowledge of his departmt'ut. Here is the
disj)atcli :
NAVY DEI'Ain.MKN'P.
\Vasliinot,m. 1). ('.. f)ct()l)er 21. ISfi:;.
Adiiiinil D. D. Porirr:—
Sir: — I liave T'eccived your No. Itio. and inclosiiTcs. in refei'eiu-e to tlie
Marine Brigade. You were informed, a day or two since, of tlie transfer of
tlie Brigade to ^lajor (ienei'al (irant. w itliont tlie l^nowledge of this depart-
ment. Your eonneetion with it lias eeased. and of eonrse you will not inter-
fere with its movements.
^'er\• Itfspectf ulls'. etc.
PiiDKON Welles.
SeeretaT'N" of Navy.
J><ufJi of Col. ('. h\ KUit. jjj;
()ii llic :)(»tli of ()<'l()l)('r. ti'lcii'rapliic news caiiic to the riaifsliii)
AuTocKAT. that Col. Charles \l. FJIct had died, suddenly and iinex-
l^ectedly. at tlie honie of his nui'le. Dr. K. C. FJIet. in IJunker Hill,
Illinois. Charles Kivers Ellel was the onl\ son of Col. Charles Ellet,
Jr., the huilder of the i-anis. and was one of the yoiuiii'est officers of his
raidv in the army. At the time lu' entered the service, he was a Med-
ical Cadet at (ieorn'ctown ^Colle^c. \'ireinia. \lv was a younu' man
ol" hrilliant mind, and lia<l receixcd a thorouii'h education. He was
tall in ])erson. reserved and dii2,nilie(l in his hearini;'. and. like all the
Kllets. \vas endowed with a coiu'aiic that knew no limit. Twice he
ran the hatteries at \'icksl)nri:-. the Hrst time in counnand of tlie
(^i KKN oi' liiK '\\'est, February -2. ls<;;'.. ami the second lime in com-
mand ol" the Sw I TZEiaAM). March iTith. of tlie same yeai'. He was
sul)se(iuently j)lace(l in command of the 1st Infanirx' of the Marine
Briii'ade. hut Ix'inii' unfaunliar with tactics he was hut little known
as the acti\e conunander of the reiriment. The loss of the Qi^eex
under his counnand up Red River, cast a shadow ui)on his younu' life,
from which he ue\'er fully emeri>-ed. His daring deeds, recorded in
this histoi-y. and e\-en more fully in the aimals of his country, are his
endurinu' monument. His i-emains were buried beside those of his
illustrious father, in Laurel Hill Cemetery. Pnila(leli)hia.
On Xo\". .")(1. instructions wei'e received throuiih the Adjutant
(ienerahs department for reiiular monthly reports to the AA'ar office.
On the Kith the Raixe, then nnderii-oine- rei)airs at Mound City, bare-
ly escajx'd destruction by tire. The Hre was the result of culpable
carelessnes> or iiiiiorance. on the part of one of her mates, who put a
pail of pitch on the stove in the cook house, and then wH'ut awiiy and
left it for some time, iniwatched. It boiled o\-er and cauiiht tire, the
Hames buiMiini;- the floor and ceiliiiii' all out before they could be ex-
tinii'uished. 'Idie l)oat was sa\'ed with the ereatest ditliculty.
X()^■ember isth. a Marine soldier, Joseph Heller, was shot and
killed ill the bar-room of the St. Charles Hotel, in Cairo. He was
intoxicate(l and ii'ot into a brawl, declaimiui:' aii'ainst two paroled
Confederate officers, who were also driidvini>' and carousina'. There
was an altercation between Heller and the officer of the day, who or-
dered the officer of the auard to arrest him. Heller made some re-
sistance, when the Lieutenant drew his rexoh'er and shot him. and he
Tli-^for}/ of flic Mdihic I>r't(/(i(]<
fell heavily forward on his fact', the hlood i;iishiii2' from his nose and
mouth, dead. The Post Commander was present, and placed the of-
hcer who did the slioolin^i' mider arrest, and later in th(^ day promised
(he As-istant Adjutant (General of the liriii'ade to inx'est iu'ate the mat-
ter, hut it \\as ne\-er known that anythini>- was done ahout it. This
act. was. to say tin' h'ast little short of outriuht murder, and the nmr-
derer should haxc suiTered for it. There were the Couunander of the
Post, the ollicei' of the day. and the otlicei- of the <iuard. and yet all
of them coidd not arrest a drmikeii soMier without k'illiuii- him. Ke-
sj)i'ct in_<i' the })resence in such a place, at the same time, of three of the
I'-'adinu' executive ollicers of the Post, no couunent is necessai'v. Hel-
ler was a hrave, and faithful soldier, well liked in his own company,
and hy all in the liripide who knew him. and his needless and i)itiful
death was a lesson on the one had hahit leading" to his end.
'Jdiat part of the lleet which was o])eratinii' helow. our nai'rative
left on Xo\('ml) 'r KKh. in the ueiuhhoi-hood of Xai)oleon. Px'lween
that date and the llHh. almost daily scoutiuii,' wi-nt on. upon hotli
sides of the ri\('r. in that \icinity. ( )n the ex'eniuii' of the isth. the
fleet was called aiiain to (ioodrich Landini^'. wliert' it I'cmained until
the •2l\\\. I)urini>: this time the colored li'arrison was in a constant
state of excitement, and the Marines made daily scouts. 'I'he little
town of Floyd was twice \isited. In one of these scouts, within a
mile of the town, the cavalry suri)rised a picket i)ost of the enemy, and
in the skirmish, fi\e or six prisoners with their arms were taken. In
this alfair one horse helonaiuii" to Co. P>. ('a\.. was wounded, anothei-
threw his rider and i^ot away. A\'hile on their return to the ri\('r the
accidental discharu'e of a carhint'. in the hands of one of the men,
wounded still another horse.
Of (ioodrich Landini:' atl'airs. in a conuumiication to (ieneral
(irant. under date of November "Ji'd. (ieneral McPherson said: "(ien-
"eral Hawkins has had an alarm once a week reii'ularly. at (ioodi'ich
■■Landini:'."' This was a chronic case, in which fre(|uent pre-crip-
tions of "Marine Piriiiade." excn in lara'e do-^es. a'a\e only temporary
relief.
Px'tween the •27th and the 4th of Hecemhrr the Priii'adi' de-^cended
the rive'r. stop])inu' to scout at \arious points, with no \('ry important
I'e-^ulls. Manx' of these scouts wei'e attended with sli-ikini:' incident>.
.1 M'/SsilK/ Pl/.\
?5
the pari iciihirs of which woiihl he intercut iim' rradiiiii'. I>iit only a few
arc prcscrxcMh ( )n(' is thus ImM l>y Sergeant .1. X. Proiity of Co. 1.
Iiil'. : '•^^'hil(' at ( •rccuxillc. it was h'arned that the Toiu Iliiies |)hm-
'"latioii. three or four iiiih's in the coiiiitry. was a great resoi't for rehel
''(jfHet'rs and sohliers. coniing and going, and Sergeant \\\\\. A.
*'Lyster and myself slii)pe(1 olf the I)Ai;iic unohser\('(h and wandered
■"ou! ther.'. \\'hile talking to the two girls, on the Ncranda. a man in
"rehi'l uniform v.ith a pair of saddle hags on his arm hove in sight,
"and we made for him. He dodge(l around and ran into a eahin. and
"tried to hide his saddle hags and escape tlu' hack way. hut we got
"him. A few minutt's later another a|)pi'ared and was so sui'j)rised
'die made no resistance. ;ind the two. with the owner of the premises,
■'were marched as prisoners hack to the liAi/ric. There was another
''eluq) we wanted to take along — a tine young hlack hear — hut we
"'■eouldn"t manage it. and a latei' trip was made for him. He wasn't
''turne(l o\-er to the ollicer of the day. as the other pi'isoners had been,
"hut was pro\ ided with good ([uarters and plenty of rations. He was
■■afterwai"ds known as Sergeant Proutys hear, and was soon a pet
"with the soldiers. I'anging at will oxci' the iKM/ru'. He fi"e(iuently
"■"had disputes with the colored I'oustahouts. Sometinn's when the
'i)oat was at a landing he would take the gang plank to land, walk
'"down into the rixcr. lake a hath, shake himscdf well, and come ahoard
"■'again. Captain Conner of the Monaucii also had a hear of a lighter
•"color and less grit. \Adienevcr we happened to lay ah»ngside (he
"MoxAHcii we had a hear Hght. which generally resulted in Captain
''Conner's hear climhing the jackstafl' in great haste. Some months
'■later I was sent up the river in charge of a detail with a lot of i)ris-
"oners to Cairo. A\ hen I retiuMicd to the 1)Ai;i'ic the hear was no-
"where to he found. I \vas infoi-nie(l that a young Lieutenant, rela-
''ted to the (lenei'al. came ahoard one day with an oi'der for that hear,
'■'and took him ahoard the Ar'rocitA'i"."
Though "nowliei-e to he found" on the r)Ai/rH', Mr. IJear was in
evidence some months later, on the wharf at Mclvsbni-g. as the fol-
lowing clii)ping from a news])apei' of that period. pres;'r\»'(| hy some
memher of the r)riiiade. seems to show :
I/'/sforij of f/ic Mart lie /> rh/adc.
on; FKiK.M) i;i;i iv.
c)iic(
Ainoiiu' llii- iiiuvt iiii|i()i'ta 111 |)ri-s<iii;iL;fs (lisl)a iidcd
willi till' .Mai'iiu' r>rit;;ule is .Mi-, liniiii, who lias so Ioiil;
exercised aiitliority on the Autocrat, ^"esterday inoriiin^-
his iiearslii]! was escorted ii|) the le\ee liy a strong- i^iiard.
\\lii> liad as much as 1 iie\- could do to prevent him from
showiiii;- his powertid affections. lie first tried to lini;- a
eow. who appai'iMitly not a ppreciatiiii;' his Uindl\' ad-
\ances, seemed inclined to gi\c him a horn. Discretion.
ho\\e\t'r, assnmin;;- sway, she modestly retreated, lea\ing'
Mr. r>. niastei' of the situation.
Ill ordc)' that the Scrgvaiit may yet lie abk' to
identify liis lost ])roperty. our artist lias sketched
llriiin as lie appi'ared. iiia]viii<i' his way ii[» the leNce.
On the dtli of Dereinher all the vessels of the lower flet't. were
more at tlie w]>ai'f at ^'i<•ksI)|^•o•.
CHAPTER V
Dec. 1863 — Jan. 1864
('(till jKiUniiiiU ^yilli a rcslid III.- Iliflc iiikI Seel.- ]]"i t li Will \ilii ins.- -A (Jiicsfinn
"Wlto Hscii/icd :'" Sciiiil 111(1 ill llic \(tlclic: Dixliic/. Cdiiliirc of Ihc Sail
]\'(i(/(iiis. — Cdl. Ciirric'.s Cldsc Cdll. I iilciccjticd Mails. (Id I licri ii (/ Card irood .
- I'risdiicrs (I I'Iciihi. Lds.s of d l'i(d,(i I'asl. I'oiirl Marlidl Sen I ciiccs. —
ly'chcls ill Hidiiif/. \ -I iihilcc Scene. I'dldl /■Jncoiiii I er of l.ieiil eiidii I h'irl,'. —
.1 I,' 11 II II i II (/ i'ii/lil (111(1 \drrotr l-Jscdjie. \ Slorii diid a dolce on llie (leiieral.
- The Yiiirl H.riddilioii.
Knrlv ill I )('cciiil)cr (IsCi;')) (he ciiciny aiz'ain hi'camc specially ac-
li\c l)cl()\v \'icksl)iiru-. and pari iciilarly about Xatclicz. where (ieiieral
^^'i^( Adams was tlifeateuiiiii- an attack witli a coiisideraltle force.
Toward this point the liri^'ade. under Colonel Currie. in company
with other troops, some of which were carried on the Marine hoats.
and others upon transports, all inider connnand of (ieneral (!re-h;im,
were hurrietl away, early on the moi'nin<i' of Decemher '>.
At (irand (iulf. ()p[)osite which a iiunhoat lay. warninu- was
i;i\-en to look out fm- an attack from the Mississipj)! shore. [)ai'ticu-
larl\- in the \icinity of Rodney. Preparations were accordina'ly
made for a liiiiit at that i)lace. The ailillery was j)Ut in i-eadine-s to
co\ci- the landinii' of troops, and tlie horses of the ca\alry and the
nudi's of the infantry were saddled and bridled, ready to he (Uiickly
disemharked and iuounte(|. As the fleet passed tlie [joint of expected
attack some scattered indixiduals. su])posed to he confederate scouts,
were seen hul no attack was made. Xatche/ was reached at .") o'clock
p. m.. where it was re])orted that the Confederates had a[)pear('(l in
cousiderahle force, some six miles in real' ol" the city, and that an at-
tack mi<>ht he ex]>ected at any moment. At one o'clock the same
337
Jl'/sfori/ of flic Mdi-'nic Itrnjiuh'.
iiiu'lil. the Mai'iiics were aroused tVoin tlicii' sliiiulxTs. aixcii orders
1(» feed and saddle- their animals, and nialce all needful preparations
lor a two day's niarcb. 'I'liey wei'e iiol. ]i()\\('\'ei'. sent ashore until
some lime after dayliiilit. Soon after dayliiilit a <letacliment of the
Marine ea\alrv was sent out on the ^^'ashinl;■ton road, which run-
nt'arly (\\w east from Xatehu'z, to reconnoitre, and it was found that
the enemy liad disappi'ared from that vicinity. ( ieneral ( iresham,
thinkiuii' that they lunl withdi'awn in a northeasterly direction,
sent (he Marine liriii'ade (all mounle(l) with four jjieces of artillei'y.
out upon the Fayette road, in search of them. This detachmeni
moved some six oi- seven nnles without lindiny;' any trace of the r.'-
treatini^- column. \\'hile restinu' here, and holdinu' a consultation,
(ient-ral Kllet and staff — ju'-^t returned from Cairo — came ifalloping"
up to join the connuand. and were reeeixcd with I'ousinii" cheers. Tliev
had come from Natchez in hot haste, expecting' that the enem\' would
he found, and eaiicr to particii)ate in the lieht. After (ieneral I'dlet
reached the counnand he pushed forward ahout fifteen nnles. ihit
neither the enemy, noi' (ireshanrs ca\alry. which wa^ sent out earlv
in (he mornina' with instriiclions (o foi-ui a junction witli the liriifade
at a cei'tain point on the r()a(h were to he found. Accord in<ily the
(ieneral mo\cd southward, to a point on the AVashinn'ton road, six
nnles east of Natchez, whei'e he learned that the Federal caxalry had
Ween in that \ icinity early in the foi-enoou. and lindinu' that the enemy
had i^one still I'lu'ther southward, had pushe(l on in that direction,
hopiiiii' either to come u])on him. or failine- in this to join the main
infantry force which (ieneral (ii-esham had himself led out on the
Palestine road. It was now nearly niuht. All plans seeme(l to have
nnscarried. The foi-ces were separated without cei'tain knowledo-e of
each other's whereahouts. and (ieneral I-'dlet deemed it hest in tln^
situation of things to I'eturn to Natchez, which he did.
The liriaade. howcxcr. was hardly fairly in its (juarters on the
hoats. when Iwd of (ieneral (iresham's staff came to (ieneral Filet,
iuforminii' him that (iresham was cam[)ed on the enemy's ti'ail. some
lwcnl\" miles southeast of Natchez. Adams had ^.ione in the direction
of Fllis" Cliir. and it was now ( ii-esliam's plan to ha\'e the ^larine
i>riL;ade more down to that point. I»y ten o'clock in the mornina', and
disemharkina. attack (ienei'al .Vdams from the rixcr direction, while
11/77/ (iri'sh.diii After .[(hiiiis.
339
he liiiu>('ir iitlackcd from the dtlici- -id", and tlitis rnisli llio riiciiiy hc-
Iwrcii the upper and nether niillsl(ine->.
The Hriaade was al Kills' I'lill' at the appointed hour. In the
nu'antinie. \er_v eafly in the niorninu'. (irt'shani had sent his cavalry en-
tirely past (ieneral Adams, and had seized the only road hy which the
Confederates I'ould escape to the sonthea>t. Ihit when (ireshani
nio\-ed up to the attack, it was fonnd that the \\il\- Adams was mov-
in<^' his force back toward Natchez, on the A\'ood\ille road. (Jresham
at once sent a second coui'ier to (ienei'al Kllet. re(|iiesl inu" him to (piick-
ly I'eemhark his liriyade and hurry hack to Natche/,. and there laml-
inif his troops, come down on the \\'ood\ille I'oad. and thus it was
thouii'ht Adams would surely he trappetl. (ieneral Kllet aijaiu com-
plied with (iresham's re(|uest. with the u'reatest possible di>patcli.
But lo and behold, while the Mai'iues were marchinjj;' southward on
the \) (lodxille I'oad. momentarily expecting" to encounter Adams"
force, about two o'clock p. m.. th 'ii' adxance suddenly came u]m)u
(ieneral (ii'esham's ad\ance: Adams and hi^ force b:ul elude(l his
])ursuers. not iKwiuii' bi'cn siuhted by eitlu'r command. It was after-
ward learned th.at .Vdauis moxcd oidy a shoi't distance toward Nat-
chez, on the Woodville road, ami then tui'ne(| abruptly east, on the
Kingston road, and so the jaws of the troop came toai'lher with a
snaj). w ithout e\-en catching" the fox's tail. Adams' esca|)e was of
course a disap])ointnient to the I*"edercds. Ibit while he could con-
g-ratuhite himself on a narrow escape, he umst ha\e felt somewhat
chaiii'ined at his faihire to capture Natchez, which at the time oi' his
raid, was defended by oidy a small u'ai'i'i-on. which but for the timely
rein lorcemeut. by (I're^ham and I'dlel. una'ht ha\e pni\-en an easy and
rich capt ure to him.
()!' this howcx'er. the reader may be better able to juduf. after
liearinii- from the other side, (ieneral Adams" own I'eport of these
moxcnu'iits furnish some intere->t iny;- \arial ioii>. Ills raid to the Mis-
>issij)pi wa- for the double purj)ose of interriiptin<i- navjo-ation. and
surprising' and capturiiiii' the a'lU'rison at Natchez. lie marched his
ca\alr\- (from (iailatin) toward Natchez. December 1. b-inj^- joined
bv Colonel \\'ood"s ca\alry at Cnion Church, next day. 'i'heir elVec-
ti\(' force was stated to be 1.(1.")'.) men. They reiched the \iciinly of
Natch'Z on the afternoon of the Ith. and halte(| to learn the condi-
j^o II'/t<t(>rt/ of flic MiiriiK I> r'nidih'.
tioii of the iijirrisoii. and pro-pcct of rapt iiriiiu' it. L('aniiii<2,' (lu' says)
that it Avas ■'sti-()iii>iy fortilicd. and ^vas iiarrisoncd hy I.l'OO white, and
l.r)()t) nc^n'ro troops, with six heavy i>iuis connuandinii" all the pi-actic-
ahh' aj)pr()i!clies"" — with many other lions in the way — hi' conehided —
to nio\'e on down to Ellis" Cliti'. and try his luck on the passing,' trans-
ports. He reached tlie (Miti'. after noon of r)th. only to lind a Yankee
i:'iinl)oat stationed thei-e. Ihit. selectinjj;- a •'faxorahle position" for
the battery, and a'ettini;' ready for business, he waited -that evenini^;
and all niu"ht. | During' niiilit two boats ])assed. but lie did'nt think
it wdrtli while to try to hit them in th' darkness |. So. all next day,
with not a trans|;oi't to shoot at. in da\ liu'ht. and at se\-en p. m., news
came of the arrival of I'e-inforcements at Xatche/ — "two briu'ades.
one of infantry and one of ca\alry." and con ject urinii' that they were
after liim. and would likely try to seizi' the ""only two routes of
egress. *" he concliidecl to move on aii'ain. Ilearinu' that a cavalry force
had alrea<ly marched down on the Kiny;st()n i-oad. and was within
foul' miles of his camp, and would ha\e an "infantry and artillery
force in atldition. to attack him in the niornini:." he says he got his
connnand ready to attack, and force hi> wa\' throuiih the Federal
cavalry, before their re-inforcements could be brought up. As his
story is now coming to the int crest ing point, we will (|uote his own
words: "With this \iew."' he says. "I kept the two roads, from Kings-
'"t(»n and Natchez, strongly picketed during the night, and moved my
•'whole force and trains, by a ])lantation roa(h to within a nnle of liis
■'■position.'"' He then, in tlu> dai'kness planned tlu' attack, and won-
derful victory, which he describes thus: "The enemy occupit'd a vei'v
"strong position ak)ng the crest of a i-idge east of the creek, with a
'■i)road slope and open field toward the dii'ection of our aj)proach.
'thus comj^letely connnanding the road along which I was moving.
'T)Ut after a slight skirndsh with the 11th Arkansas regiment, dis-
'■"inounted and dej)loyed. inider the gallant Colonel (ii-iflith. and a few
"artillery shots, the enemy ga\e way and lied, with great precipitation
"in the direction of Natchez. T ordered the 14tli ( 'onfedt'rate and
'"Stockdale's battalion in pnrsuit. These connnands followed at a
''gallop for six or eight miles, hut such was the rapidity of his flight
''that they killed and captured but few. (inns, haxersacks. shoes,
"poultry, etc.. were picked up along the road by which they escai)e(l."
-i (JuCstion of Which Jisciiiicd. j^r
The •■escape"" of (ireshiun"s force, from this fero<Mous pursuit, by
Achiins and his iiu'ii. had the i-eiiiarkahh' eti'ect of huidiiiii' the hittei' at
Kiiiiistoii. sixteen miles from Natchez, from which point the above re-
l)ort of this affair was written th(> same day, December 7. (ieneral
EUet. on the Sth. reported his various movements to (ieneral McPher-
son. and of the outcome, says: "I at once returned | from EUis' Cliff' |
and marched out from Natchez, on the A^^)odville road, and met
(Tcneral (Tresham returnina\ after his arduous chase — tlie enemy hav-
inii" eluded him and escajx'd l)y the \\'ashiniiton road."" Here was a
manifest niisnnderstandini!,' as to which side did t]»i' "escapinu','" which
must be left to tlie decision oi tlie rea(^h'r. 'Die (ieneral remarked in
closin*^": "AVe have given ^Nlr. Adams soiiietlnng of a bad scare, for
he was at last accounts in full retr.'at. not liavin<^- fulfilled his pur-
pose of taking Natchez.""
But from Kingston, on the Stli. Adams again moved toward the
river. I)urning cotton plantations and removing negroes, as he j)ro-
ceeded. north of Natchez. On the e^■ening of the >Sth, (Jeneral (iresh-
am. Inning heard of the ])resence of a hostile force out on tlie Liberty
road, re(iuested (ieneral Ellet to send out a reconnoitering i)arty the
next day. and in comi)liance with witli the re(|uest the Marine cavalry
I)altalion Avas sent out early on the morning of the !Hh. After going
as far as Kingston, it returned late the same e\ening. without linding
any enemy. On tlie i'th a change was made in the (|nartering of the
tr()o])s on the lioats. the infantry hencefoi'ward to occupy three boats
exclusively, an<l the ca\ali\v two boats. Two mountain howitzer.--,
each to be drawn by a mule in thills, were also ecjuipped and mounted,
to o])erate hereafter with the mounte(l forces. The Djaxa rejoined
the fleet at Natclu'z. and thus the lighting force of the IJrigade was
once more together, with the lios|)ital boat. AA^)onFoia). still remain-
ing aboN'e. About this date the resignation of Major Hubbard was
tendered.
( )n the loth the Command uioxcd iin stream some ten or tweh'c^
miles, and spent the day in taking on wood from the Mississippi slion\
(Ieneral Ellet went to \'icksburg with the Ari'ocK.vr. to confer with
(ieneral Mcl*lierson. Iea\iiig the command to scout the country from
Waterjoroof Landing to Lake St. Joseph. ()ii the lltli the mounted
force left Waterproof about ten o"clock a. m. It consistecl of two com-
^^2 n'tsfonj of the Marhic li rn/adc.
j);ll^K■^ of ("i\;ilrv and four coiupaiiics of uiouiitcd infaiitrv. inidcr
iMajor Tjillcrday. Passino- throiioh (li(> town, (he counuaiid luoxcd
onl into the country, and soon ovei'took a train of tliiily-six wa^'ons
drawn l)y nude teams, on their wa}' to some salt works in the vicinity,
to securt' salt for tlie Confederate army. Tt is needless to say that
the ria'ht and title to tliat waiion train was (|uicls'ly transferred to
Uncle Sam. Al)()vit sundown the hoats wci'e seen cominii' ii)) the river,
and wert> haih'd to shore, and the connuand went ahoar<l and slei)t in
their (juarters. As (he result of this day's o]X'rations. ahout eio-hty
horses and nudes were captui'ed. toi^-ether with (juite a inunher of ]5ris-
onei's. aniouii' wh.oni \\'as a Confederate si'i-u-cant . I)eh)n!i'inii' to one of
their Niynal corps.
The men went to lied that ni<2,iit with ordei's to he read\' for an-
other raid early in the nioi'ninii-. Sunrise of the li'th saw the niount-
('(1 infanlry. with companies C and I) Caxalry. under connuand of
Colonel Currie. aijain on the road. The column reached antl passed
ihrouu'h the \illao-e of St. Josej)h. ahout ten o'clock. A forci". said to
he •!{){) strona'. was reported to he in tlu' neii^hhorhood. and difl'erent
poi'tions of the coimnand were sent out in \acious directions, hut with
the exception of here and there an individual straii'u'ler. no enemy was
seen. At ni<iht the c(auniand returned to (he hoats at St. , Joseph, the-
scout havinii' pi'oved one of the hardest the liriaade had e\-er known.
.Vhout $i:!,()0() worth of pluii' tohacco. additional (piantities of salt,
and (jiute a lot of clothing' and trap|)inii's heloni^'inii' to Confederate of-
hcers. found in the houses where they were visitin,i>". and from which
they prt'cipitately- fled upon the approach of the Marines, wei'e the
tro])hies of the day. A^dnle out with a poilion of Ids connuand
Major lluhhard of the cavalry, came across a Southernei- on Iiorse-
hack. with a nei>-i-o handcuffed and chained to his saddle, trudo'inff
alouii' in the dust and heat. The Major ])roniplly released the nea'ro.
and transfci-red the liandcutl's to the wrists of the planti-r.
I'nder orders now received from (ieneral McPherson. the Hri-
U'ade was directed to dexote its attention (o the ri\('r helow. as
far as Natchez. The l.'Uh was grante(l tlu> men and their aninuds for
much needed rest, and for the cleaninu' of arms. etc.. etc. Durina' that
niiiht the Flagsliip Ai'tocrat, and the Quartermastei- hoat r\\ii!(niLi),
ha\inii' returned from A'ickshurti'. the entire ileet aaain dropped down
close ('(ill for ('oIoikI Ciiiiir
.?/J
tlic ri\('r 1(1 luidiicy. (Jnlcrs were also rcctMNcd on this day. from
(inicral .McI*licr>oii, dii-cclino- ihc cxcliangc of mules foi' 'loi'scs. and
for llic I'nil and projx'r nionnlini:' of the infantry. ( pon ari'ixal at
l\()(liit'V, Company I) Inf. was sent out on a rcconnoissancc. 'Toward
noon, this company rctniauMJ w itii the i'('i)oii that tiu'y had conic upon,
and had ha.d a hrnsh with, the ( "on fc(|erale j)ickcts. and that a lar.a'e
force of the enemy was said to he hack of the town. 'I'lic connnand
Mas linrriedly >er\(Ml with dinner, and then moxcd out. the caxalry
takini;' the Kayctte I'oad. and the mounted infantry the Port (iihson
road. ,\. short distance fi'oni the ri\'er. a ( 'onfeeleratc olHcer. reported
to he a Captain and Assistant Adjutant (icneral, was capturecl hy the
infantry, and at a lionse some distance from th.e road, another ollicer
was taken. A ft'W miles furlhei- on the darkies rt'porteil a train of
lieeing Confederates, movinii- to a place of greater safety. Pursuit
was _<4iven. and this "train." when o\'ertaken. was discoNcred to he con-
veying' liousehold goods only. The stuff was thorougldy searched. I)ut
no arms, anununition. or contrahand goods of any kind wei'c found.
During the day the ca\alrv swam a hayou. and had a sharp en-
counter with the enemy, and captured a Confederate mail, in charge of
a coniniissioned oilicer. The infantry jmslied out. to within two or
three miles of Port (iihson. without encountering any hostile force,
and then, as night was coming on. and ihey were some twenty miles
from their hoats. hegan a countermarch. ( )n their return trip one of
lliuse singular incidents, which often occni' in war. too'-' place. A
>ina]l s(iuad of the enemy sti'uck tlie main road near a house which
our athaiicc giuu'cl had hut recently passecl. 'I he people in the house.
Inning in the dai-|v:ness mistaf:en the .Marine adxance guard for the
main column, reported to the Confederate- that the Marines had all
returned to their hoats. The s(|uad accordingh' I'e-estahlished its
])icket i!osl of the morning, at this place, expecting soon to he i-ein-
forced \^\ another detachment. K'iding at the head of his colunni.
Colonel Currie came suddenly upon this s(|uad. and calle(| out shai'j)-
ly, 'A^^ho are you T" The answer came hack — "('onfcMlerates — A\dio are
\(iu r" C'olonel ('urrie rei)lie(l. "I am Colonel Curi'ie of the Marine
])rigade. Surrender I" Scarcely had his words heen utterecl when a
Confederate \(tlley was lii-ed. and the hiillets went whi/zing past the
ColonelV head. In the melee which ensued, one ( 'on f<'derate was
J^
9^^ HistoriJ of tJic Mdvntr li fn/iidc.
kilicd. and scxcral otlici's cant iir('(|. A Aiariiic's diai'v dst'cri])ti\e of
this att'air. says "Tlu' Major coiiiiiiaiidini;' lliis Cont'cdiM-atc s(iuad was
"killccl. and his hody was ^ccn l)y a nnnil) r of onr men in passing'."
I( was afterward rc[)nrt('d that the oHicpr cijnniiandin^' tlic .-(|nad cs-
(■a[)('d. Sonic one was mistaken. Idiis nuK'li. howe\'cr. is certain: the
I'csnlt of tile day"s o])i'rati(ins w;is tlie ca])tn.rc of a Confederate mail,
one of tlie enemy killt'd. and (iftecii captiii'cd. On tliis date also, siu'-
nal stations on each side the river, with, the otHcers in charge of hoth.
loil'ether with their onttits. were i:(»hi)led hy our men.
( )n the l')th another inspection <d' the ('omiiiand was held, in or-
dei' to ascei'tain tlu' nmiil);'r and cnaracter of animals on h;iiid. Sad-
dles. Ijridles and other e(|nipmeiits wei'e issued to such (d' the men a>.
nei'ded tliem. and the>e wei'c fitted and made I'eady for ser\ici'. The
hospital boat A\'ooi)F()i;i) joined the -Meet dnrin?^' the day. In the even-
ing orders were issued for the Command to he ready at daylight the
next morning, with rations sulfii-ient for two days. ( )wing. however,
to heavy j-ain during the night and early morning, the brigade diil not
disemhark until ahout nine o'clock- a. m., of tlie KUli. and then it mo\'ed
out uiuler command of CoN)nel .Currie. As on the j)re\ious daw the
infantry and ca\alry mo\'ed over two difl'ercMit I'oads. and came to-
gether again, where the road running east from Rodney crosses the
road running frt)in Natchez to Port (iihson. It rained most of the
(hiy, making the scout a particularly hard one for hoth men and ani-
mals. During the trij) one detachment of infantry came ui)on a small
Confederate shoe factory and tannery. The shoes mannfactured were
of a very rough (juality. the natural color of the leather as it was
tanned, and were sold for about $<S.OO per pair. There Avert' two white
shoemakers, who were taken aAvay as prisoners. The cavalry report-
ed that they had been hred on se\-eral times during the day. and that
the}' drov(; in tlie pickets of a force reported to be 1,000 strong. They
(lid not, however, feel tluMnseh'es sti'ong enough to bring on a general
engagement. Uixiii this same day (lenei'al AfcPherson sent to (leneral
riraiit a report of operations in that locality, fi'om which we take the
following:
n]^:.\i)(^iAirrKi;s inii a. c.
Vicksbm-i^'. Miss.. Dcceniber 16. ISfi?,.
(Iciirral J . N. (1 idiil : —
* •"• ■:■■ I inclose lu-rcwitli report of ('i)l. l<';in'o\v. and also a i-e|)ort fi'om
Plot of Exrapcd Prisoners F riistratrd. _J75
r.risi-adier Oeneral Ellet, showino- the Mississippi Marine P>ri<iade in connee-
tidii with our forces under (Ireshani. ■'•' ■■' •■" There has been some firing on
boats in vieinit.v of Itoduey: notliiui^- very serious, however. With the force
of eavalry now at Xatclu'/. and tin- Marine T.rigade. I think I will be able to
keep the river cdear. williiu ni\ jurisdii'tion. ••" " -
J. B. Md'HERSON.
The hospital boat Woodfoim) \vas now directed to report and re-
main, subject to orders, at Vicksburi>\
On the 17th the Diana and Adams moved tip to St. Josejih, prin-
ci})allY to secure forage, Avhile the rest of the connnand on these boats
was securing this, companies F. and PI Inf. were sent out scouting.
They captured one Confederate Ca})tain. and some seven or eight en-
listed men, belonging to the Confederate signal service. While the
balance of the connnand was at Kodney. a })arty of Confederates ran
in upon our pickets, in the edge of the town, and killed one man. Pri-
vate Smith, of Co. I) Cavalry. Part of the force was immediately
sent out, and had a light skirmish witli the enemy. It was thought
that the rel^els were showing special activity just at that time, to at-
tract atention and employ the Marine Brigade, while arms were being-
crossed over elsewhere, to the west side of tlie river. The ram Swit-
zerland was ordered to Natchez with dispatches, and to secure more
saddles. Later in the day the boats at Kodney moved up opposite St.
Joseph, for wood, and the fleet was thus again all together. On the
18th teams were secured in the vicinity, and this day, and the next,
were spent in hauling in wood for fuel, for the boats. While here,
a i)lot, formed for the escape of the prisoners, was discovered. The
guard was strengthened, thus frustrating the plan and preventing
the attempt being carried out. Here also, an eli'ort was made to sur-
prise our picket post. l)ut it was likewise a failure.
On tlie r.tth the Ada^hs was sent to Vicksbnrg with the prisoners,
and dispatches. The guards over the 2)risoners were further strength-
ened, and every needed i)recaution taken, to prevent escape. On the
20tli the Adams, at Vicksbnrg, turned over her prisoners, thirty-five in
number, among whom were one Major, three Captains, one Assistant
Adjutant General, one Lieutenant, two Sergeants, one Corporal, and
twenty-six privates. Having received dispatches, and drawn some
saddles and other equipments, the Adams returned to the fleet, oppo-
site St. Joseph, which Avas reached about midnight.
j/6 fitsfori/ of the Marine lir'n/dih'.
The followiiii;-. from the recently piihlislicd urchives. shows that
there was no mistake in siisi)ectino- a i-ehel siiiiial post at the Daniel's
phice. and ])hiiniina' for its (•ai)tiii"e :
Xcar St. .T()s('|)li. I,:i.. Octoliei- '.). 1S(;:!.
Mil}, dcii. Stciilnii I). Lee. Cdiii iiKindnnj Ciinilnj I ti rision : —
Generi.l : — Major General 'raylor directed nu' to jjroceed to this ])oiiit. to
establish a line of sio-nals connecting- \\itli the eastern side Ijy the [Mississippi.
T have establislied 1lic line at tliis jioint, and the station on your side of the
river will be found at Mrs. Smith Daniel's house ( wh it'll is situated :.' miles
back of Bruinsburi^). Any im])ortant conmninication for (ienerals Taylor or
Smith can be sent by this line. General Taylor would be under many ol)lit;-a-
tions if. \vlien tluu'e is any inqioi'tant news. \iiu wnuld send him an'olTieial
dispatch concerniiiL;- it. by way of the signal station at Mrs. Daniel's.
Very respectf u 1 1 ,\' .
Stephen ;M. TJoutii.
Lieut, and Chief of Sii;nal Corps. District of West La.
\Miile the Adams \va^ at Vieksl)nri>'. a seoutino- party Avas sent out
to the Daniels ])hintalion. and ca])tiire(l three Confederate Lieuten-
ants, and tliree enlisted men, recently from Mobile. At nig-ht an ex-
c-nrsion of four companies of caA'alry, inider Major Hubbard, was
sent to a Confederate crossing, some five miles above, Avhere it was
hoped to make some captures, l)ut the party returned about two o'elocic
next morning, having met with lU) success. On the 1:11st, the Adams
and P)Ai/ric' crossed over to St. Joseph, and sent ont a recomioitering
l)art\-. It was learnetl by this party that a Confederate force, under
conunand of one Harris, was about ten miles distant.
During their tri)), Marine scouts overtook a Confederate Lieut-
enant, who, seeing he could not escape, stood still until the Marines
came near, and then raised his gun and lired at them, at short range.
Fortunately he missed his aim, and the men (jnickly closed in upon
and captured him. It \\as a A\'onder they did not kill him on the spot.
Jveport was also brought in to the conunand, that a battery, loaded
u[)on a barge. Avas hidden in Bayou Pierre, near BruinsbuLrg. The
ram Moxarcii was at once sent up there, to Viv otl the mouth, of the
bayou, and Colonel Currie was ordered to be ready with his boat to
ino\e up to that i)lace. in the morning. B)ut at half j)ast one o'clock
a. m., of the i^i^Ind. the following dispatch was received by General
Ellet, Avhich eiuirely changed tlie plan:
S/rhv7iJs/i (1 11(1 ('(ij)fnr<' of Coi-p. Md'oii. j^7
Xatchfz. DecciiibiT 21. lS(j:i.
L',r\<i. (Icii. .1. W. F.lh'f :--'
I will start 1ii(la,\' at '1 d'clocl^ with three fei;iiiient s of infa iit i'\'. t'ctiif
pieces u^ ai'tiMerv and two liiindfed ea\alr\ I'dV l-'a\('tte. I will be at i-'ayette
by 7 III' >i (i'el(iei< tdiiKiri-i iw . and attack W'ii't Adams if he stands. I woidd Ix!
<:'la(l of yfiiir co-opeTat ion Iroin Uodnex.
W. (^ (iliKSITAM.
The HiH't ;it once dropped down to Ivodiiev. and ahoiit fixe o'clock
n. ni.. companies (\ 1). K. V. 11. and I. of tlie mounted infantry, and
the whole battalion of ca\alry. accompanied by tlie two mountain
howit/ATs. each (h'awn by two hu'u'e nudes, went out to join (ieneral
(iresham. A short distance from Fayette, the infantry's rear uiiard
\va^ im[)etn()nsly attacked, and driven toward the main body: Col-
onel ("iirrie. who was in command, at once ordered th.e h.owitzers to
the rear, and prepai'cd for battle. ( )ne or two I'onnds. howe\'er, from
the little "Marine bidl dons." loaded with canister, cooled the ardor
iif the Confederates. It was in the beo-innino- of this rear attack', that
Corporal Isaac W . McCoy was captnred by the enemy. A. AV. Bel-
lows, of Co. K Inf.. a participant in the fray. <>'ave this account of it:
■■\\'e left tl'c boats that morninii' early. I think neaidy the whole com-
■"maiid. the ca\alry in the ad\ance. V\\' had the small howitzers, and
" our company was rear li'iiard under Lieut. Snyder. Six of us were
"sent, with a I'ecruitina' ollicer for colored troops, and when we came
"lo a Hue r)lantation. some twent_v rods from the road, while the com-
■luand moved on. our s(|uad went with the reci'uitini>" otHcer to the
■ house. \\\' a|)proache(l throiiiih a laru'e open u'ate. and soon a lot of
"rei)t'is came ruuniuii' out of the barn, and timber near by. and began
"shoot iuii' at us. ^A^> were soon nearly surrounded, but made for the
"rear, across an open meadow, tlirouii'h which ran a bia" ditch, which
"our horses (deared all riohl. except ,Cor|)oral jNIcCoy's. lie was
"mounted on a mule which coiddn't. or wouldn't, jmn}) it. l*oor Mc-
"Coy fell into the liands of the enemy. He was a noble fellow, and
"we were sorry to lose him." The rt'cords show that Corporal jNleCoy
died in AndersonN'ille ])rison. some months later. The sergeant of the
same recruiting scptad. named Carr (btdonging to sonu' other com-
mand) was missing, and was supjxjsed to have been captured at the
same lime. lie had on his jjerson, at the time. pa})ers setting forth
his mission. In a scout made bv the command on th.e •i<Uh. it was re-
j^S H'lxfor]! of the Murhie Br'ujade.
Ijoi'ted 1)}^ a woman who resided in (irand (lulf. that two men, cap-
tured on the 22d, (probably McCo}^ and Carr) had been confined in
the jail at that place, for a couple of days, and that one of them was
taken out on Christmas Day, and hanged. This doubtless was Carr.
The i^apers found on his person sealed his fate.
The 23rd was spent on board the fleet, some further changes being
made in the location of the troops on the boats, and in preparing to
send the Adams to Cairo for repairs, and to take up prisoners, and a
recruiting detail. During that night the Marine picket, detailed from
comjjanies I and (I Inf., and stationed in the rear of Kodney, was
pounced upon and captured. This unfortunate occurrence was, with-
out doubt, the result of most cul]:)able carelessness. It seems that only
one man was on j)ost at the time, while all tlie rest were asleep. About
two o'clock in tlie morning, a squad of mounted Confederates made
a dash ujiou the post. The man on guard. Edwin ^loon. Hr.'d ui)on
the approaching foe, but without checking their advancL', and the
reckless sleepers were given no time to arouse themselves and prepare
for resistance, before the enemy Avere upon them. Moon, though
wounded in the leg, was the only one to esca})e. The Marine loss was
one num killed, two wounded, one of whom was left on the field, and
eight taken prisoners. At four o'clock a. m. of the 24th, the fleet left
Kodney. and proceeding u>p the river, landed l)elow Crand (iulf. on
the Louisiana side, where it spent that day, and the next.
Cliristmas was remembered in various waA's by tlie officers and
men of the fleet. In his notes of the day in his diary, Sergeant De
Coster says: "Had a good dinner, and some splendid egg nogg."
There is no reasonable doubt as to the other ingredients, but it might
be puzzling to in<iuire of the sergeant — where he obtained the eggs.
A. J. Pierce, in Ids (Hary, says: "'•'We made an attempt to celebrate
'the day l)v the time-honored custom of a sumptuous dinner, having
"pickled })()rk. in j)lace of smoked side meat, which the boys call
' "sow-belh ' " I A merry Christmas, indeed I
Orders were now issued for a scout on the morrow (2(tth) from
(h'and (lulf to I)ruinsburg, around by Port (iibson. To reach Port
(iibson, it was necessary to cross Bayou Pierre. The bridge over this
stream had been burned, and the main ford, where it was supposed a
crossing might be elfected, was found impassable, necessitating quite
Cdiudfij Dd.sJi into Poft IIiulsoii. j^g
;i circuit to aiiotlu'r. Tins second t'oi'd was found dillicult, l)iit fin-
ally companies A and 1) ,C'avaIrv succeeded in o-cttini:,' across.' and
were ordered to <>"o to the town, some three miles distant, and ascertain
what was tlu-re. As the two companies approached the town, fire was
opened uj)on them from the corners of the streets, from behind fi-nces,
and out of the windows of the houses. Not k'uowino- how nnich force
the enemy had, and with an almost imijassahle bayou between them
and their main force, the cavalry checked up and waited for reinforce-
ments. In the meantime the other two companies of ca\'alrv had
crossed the bayou, and hastening' forward, the whole l):ittalion
char<>ed, drivini>' the Confederates pell-mell thi"()Ui>h the town, and
some three miles into the country. AMiile this was <i()in<2: on, the
entire conmiand crossed over, and moved into the town. Findini!.\
however, that the force here was only a small one, and it beini^- late in
tile day, the return to the fleet Avas shortly be^'un.
When about a ndle on the return, a small body of the enemy, con-
cealed in the thick woods on the left, opened fire, Init a few rounds
from the howitzer dispersed them, and eight o'clock p. m., found the
connnand back on the boats, tired and hungry. The only casualty of
the day was the woundin<>' of one cavalry man. One horse was run
down, in pursuing the enemy, and was shot. One Confederate was
known to liave l)een wou.nded.
From I)eceml)t'r ii<)th to January 1st, lSC-4. the flei't remained at
Orand (irulf, [)artly from lack of fuel, and partly for the nuister and
pay t)f tlie connnand. ( )n the i!!)th of December, Sergeant DeCoster
was assigned to ({uarters on the Kaine, to act as Lieutenant and Ad-
jutant of the Cavalry battalion. On the CA'ening of January 1st, '*i-f,
the Flagship AiTocKAr started for \'icksburg, leaving the rest of the
fleet at Crand (lulf. While General EUet was in Vicksl)urg, arrange-
ments were made to send the Faiiuiihj) to New Orleans, carrying Cen-
eral McPherson and staff. On the morning of the 2nd, the fleet ran
down to liruinsburg. There the infantry and three coni[)anies of
cavalry, were put ashore, under connnand of Major Tallerday, while
the boats passed on down to Eodney, there to be met again by the dis-
embarked troops. On this trip, though a few shots were exchanged
with the enemy, no encounter occurred. The expedition reached the
boats, bringing with them four Drisoners, and thirteen head of beef
ji^o Ilisfnin/ of till' Mar'nic I>ri(i(i(l< .
callk'. of which I he (•oiiiiiiaiitl ^lood in sore need. In the cvrning-. or-
ders'*^veiv ui\('n t'oi- tlu' ronnnand to he ready for anotlicr cxiM'dition
oil the morrow. At six o'cdoek on the niorninii' of tlie ord. the fleet
moved arrows t!ie i-i\'er.. and the connnand led otl'. It was found that
the battery of fiidd u'uns couhl not he ii'otten aero-s the harye. ah)nii'
side th.e boat on which it was, and so it was hd't beh.ind. Tlte boat-
in thi' meantime pas-cd on (h)wn to W^iterproof Landini:', there to
await the comiiiii' of the troo])s, Aviiich occurred about tliret' o'cdock in
the afternoon. ()n their scout a i)ortion of the connnand si<^hted the
enemy, and shots were exchaiii>-ed between them, but nothini:' nu)re.
Later in the day a (uumtity of corn was found and contiscated for the
horses. At eiyht oVdoek in the evening: tlie AiToru.vT came down
from Vicksburi>-. The forenoon of the 4th beina' un]deasaiit and (h'iz-
zly. the troojjs remained on boarcb During' the (hiy the Faiuciiii-d
passed by. on iier New Ork'ans trip.
I)urin<>" the forenoon of the r)t]i. another a(hninistration of se\('re
but necessary (Hsci])line occurrecL Tlie sentences of three men. recent-
ly tried by Court Martial, were read to the command — called into
line for that purpose.
The first olfender, charo-cd with the use of disrespectful lana'uaii'e
to his suDcriors. Avas sentenced to three month's hard labor with ball
and chain, on the A'icivsburii,' fortification: the second, for seditious
lanuuaii-e and thi'eateniiiii' to kill his ()rderly Sei-acant. was sentence<l
to twelve month- "s labor on the fortifications : the thirck for (k'sertion.
was sentencecl to thi'ee years on the fortifications. As Comrade
Pierce in his diary s^iid, at the time: "Here was a warniny,' to th(>
unruly, for certain."
At one o'clock |). ni.. the fleet sailed for Natchez, stopping- on the
way for two hours, to wood up. During' the downward run the
Kaixe not fast on a sand bar. where she remainecl initil ;> p. m. of the
rith. when the 1)Ai;i'I(' went to her rescue, and pulled her off. Karly on
the morninu- of the Tth. tlu' cavalry, accompanied by the mountain
howitzer, went out some twelve miles into the country, reachini:' llaui-
biirg', Miss., at three o'clock p. m. I'^'oni there they went toward
Fayette, campina' all ninht six nnles distant from tlu' city. Dui'iuLi
the day se\'en confederate ])risoners wert' ca|>lured. and tlu' next morn-
inii' the battalion returned to the fleet.
( 'lose Sen fell for P I'ls
351
( )n llic Idlli the licet iii()\('(l up to liriMiisWiiri;'. where the IIorxkr
was met. with a tow of coah of which the hoats stood in ^'i-eat nce(L
AMule coalini:' at Ui'iiinshui'ii" on the lllh. a portion of the niountcil
infantry, nnder Major Tallerchn'. went asliore. and ro(h' out as far
as ()akhuid ('olleiic iieina' iiistrneted to return 1»\' wa\' of Ivo(hiev.
AAdiile tliey were out. as a matter of pi-ee.iiit ion. the Monauch was
sent (h)wn to notify the i^unhoat at anchor there, of the expected ai'-
rival of our infantry at that point, h-st. niistakiu:^- them for Confeder-
ates, she open lire upon them. Idle result of the scout was some eig-hl
])risoners. The afternoon of thi' same (hiy an infantry detachment
went out on the Louisiana si(h'. under couiuiand of Captain XewelK
of Co. A. to destroy some skiffs, said to he k'ept on Bruin's Lake, and
transferred hy wau'ons from hike to river, to he used in ferrying,- Con-
federates Avith despatches, mail, etc.. l)ack and forth. l»y nin'lit. Dur-
ing the trip an auMising incident ( \iewe(l from the Federal stand-
l)oint) took place. Captain Newell with his company dashed up sud-
denly to a house, and the I'esiilenls were taken couiplelely hy surj)rise.
The captain (|uickly dismoinitecl and went in. Confronting the
owner of the house he asked. "IlaNC you any relxd soldiers here ^*"
'"Xo." said the planter, "none! 'idle only man. except myself, is that
old gentleman. And Sir. my wife is sick. Please don't frighten her. '
'AVell." said the eaptain. "T must see about this. Lll haxc to search
your house. Lead the way." The planter xcry reluctantly i)assed
from one room to another, under Captain Xewell's direction, opening
drawers of l)ureaiis and (aip)l)oards. At last, after hi'iug twiee bidden
— and the second time not very gently, but ((iiite persuasively — the
planter opened a closet door in one of the I'ooins, and there as large as
life, and trembling till his teetl" fairly eluittered. was a Confederate
soldier. "Ah ha I" said the cai)taiii. "(lot you hax'e L^' — And with-
out further parley the Confederate came out and surrendered.
The same day Major Ilubl)ard out on the other side of the rixcr.
some three miles back' of Rodney, with his cii\alr\- battalion, found
a Confederate, carid'ully hidden away in the "dmiib-waiter." with
wdiicli the lioirse was supplied. Information had been recei\ed from
some (|uarter that a lot of small arms had bi'cn crossed o\'er the I'iver.
just l)elow Rodney, and the informant said they could not yet have
been taken far into the interioi'. An expedition was at once planned
3^2 Histori/ of the Marine Brh/ade.
for tlu'ir capture. About daybreak, ou the liHli, the fleet (h'opped
down to St. Joseph, and the whole command started in pursuit. There
had been a recent heavy rain. The ground was muddy, and the air
hot and misty. Six miles out from the river, the command was divi-
ded— one part taking a road leading across a bayou some ten miles dis-
wdiere the arms had been crossed. This latter part of the counnand
soon ascertained that the party with the arms had two and a half days
the start, and were doubtless already at safe distance in the enemy's
country. A junction of the two Marine detachments was eii'ected at
the appointed place, and after a thirty mile ride, over the worst of
roads, the weary and mud-bespattered counnand reached the boats
again, bringing with them seven or eight prisoners, and many horses
and mules, with which to more fully mount the infantry. Upon this
expedition, the Brigade visited a section of the country where no
Federal trooi)s liad ever been seen before, and the arrival of the Ma-
rines at each plantation, proved a great event to the darkies. They
collected about the mounted men, danced, sang, and shouted, and
seemed in perfect ecstasies, begging to shake hands. Evidently they
thought "'The Year of Jubilo'' had, indeed, come. The fleet remained
here all day, the i;^)th, and the time was spent in secu.ring corn and
forage for the horses. At <> o'clock the following morning the boats
crossed over to the Mississippi side, and the whole counnand disem-
barged and moved out together. Two miles out on the vo;id, consid-
erable difficulty was encountered in crossing a bayou, which was very
niir3% and over which there was no bridge. The counnand was
obliged to dismount, and drive the horses across, while the uien them-
selves went over on logs, which lay across the stream. Two of the
officers, and several of the men, who attempted to make the crossing
on their horses, got complete duckings. The hills were reached, about
two miles above Rodney, and here the infantry and the cavalry parted
company, the former passing through Rodney, and subsequently push-
ing out on the Fayette road, while the latter went by a circuitous route,
via Oakland College, to a point on the Fayette road two miles south of
Rodney, where both arrived about tlie same time, and returned to-
gether to the boats, which they reached about three o'clock p. m. The
infantry, on their route, captured a 1st Lieutenant, with mail, and two
other prisoners. The cavalry also ca[)tured a .Confederate Lieutenant.
Yotnig Ellct and the Lady Ma'd (' (irr'icr. 3^3
Both these offieers had staid at th.e homes of th.eir "huly loves" a little
too long. iCaptain Craiulall. Assistant Adjutant (ieneral who Avas
present at the ca})tui'e of the one taken by the cavalry says: ''The
poor girl said to nie: 'You will take good care of him, woiTt you?'"'
"Most assuredly." I r('i)litMl. '"AA'e'll take such good care of him that
it will ])robably be a good while before you see him again"; and a Ma-
rine near by, added — "AVe'll give him plenty of hard tack." One of
the captures of Confederate mail at this time, is thus interestingly de-
scribi'd by Jesse 1>. (iordon of Co. A, Cavalry:
CAr'rri;ix<; a coxFKDmiATi-: mail.
When near Oiiklaiul (OUeyv. Charley Willis and I feU out of ranks, and
were soon joined \^\ Lieut. 1m1. Kllet, the (ieneral's son. ^Ve dismounted and
rested near a snuill stream, while the eommaiid moved on. Pretty soon a
carriage came doNvn the road, from the direction in which tlie column was
moving-. It contained only one person — a young- woman. As she came to the
brook the horse she drove wanted to stop and drink, bnt she nrged him on.
Lientenant Ellet s]3oke to her. and stejjping- u]). nnreig-ned the horse, and while
the animal \vas drinking, talked with the young lady, who in answei' to his
question, said she had been cIonnu to Xatehez to trade. She finally admitted
that she was a rebel, and tlie Lientenant. badgei-ing her. asked if she liad ever
and held it ont toward her. as if for her to take it. and shoot. I'^inding she
shot a Yankee. She made some sjiunky rejily wlien Kd. jiulled cnit liis resolver
was really g'oing- to take it. he put it up, saying she was too willing-,
and then told her he woidd ha\e to search her carriage. The Lientenant then
sent Charley Willis to (tvertake and hring' hai'k the (leneral. aud ordered the
lady to get out. which she very reluctantly did. The Lieutenant told me to
g-nard her. while he examined the vehicle, which was an old-fashicjned family
baronche with a larg-e. open space under the seat, and a movable lid under
the cushion. Lientenant Ellet soon got into this recejitacle and [>ulled (uit an
old coffee sack, tied with a string. Lireaking- the string-, he emptied the con-
tents out upon the ground. Several jiackag-es of papers, letters, etc. — a regular
Confederate mail, which this young woman was cai-r\ing. .lust then the com-
mand returnetl and the mail (without the female) was taken along- to the
boats.
It may be interesting to our readers to know what was found in
these Confederate mails, so fre(|tiently cajjtured by the ^Marines. Capt.
W. I). Crandall, in one of his home letters of that ])eriod, tells us:
"Tonight we were overhauling the nuuls captured. The tone of Con-
'•federate letters has of late become verv uuich discouraoed. The
354
II 'isforij of flic Marine li i'/(/>i(Ji'.
'writers are out of sorts. Uad money — liiiili |»iMces — i>i'eat seareity —
"loss of sla\'es — lost battles — and fault liiulina' li'enerally. Soldier^
"cannot i^'et furlouiihs. and it is feared that when their |)rv'sent lime uF
"■'service is up. they will he foi'ced in aj^ain. Many swear they won't
"serve withoiU first heinu' allowed to <i'(» home. Idiey l);'i;in to douht
■whether they are noinii' to succeed, and many talk' of liixini;- it up.
■"In these letters are found riniis. locks of haii'. paper curlicue-. <crap-
""oi' home-made i^-oods. spriu's. poetry, and many amu.sini;' sentimental
"writing's, hut I haxc. as yet found hut one pair of hoots in a letter. '
As illust rat iuii' the references in the forei^'oinii' to ■'had money."
■'hiii-h prices." ■■ureat scarcity." etc.. the follow inu' incident, related hy
Adam Decker, of Co. K Inf.. is i:i\'en : ■■\\'e were out on a skirnu^h-
■ in^' expedition one day. and after a loni;- anti wearisome ride, were
■very hungry. I'pon apju'oachiuii' a snudi farm house, a party, com-
■ [)<)sed of Seriicant Cross, myself and two other comrades. ap[)lie(_l foi'
■■somethin*:" to eat. A two-course meal, consistiny,' of corn bread
■■and milk'. Avas hastily i)re])ared. and as hastily consumed. Ilowcxcr
■ nieaii'er the supply it serx'ed to satisfy our huniicr. and Ijeing like all
■"Marines too modest to accej)t this kind ho-;pitality. even from a C'on-
■■[(ulerate lady, for nothinu'. we compensated her foi' her trouble, with
■"two hundred dollars. (Confederate mont'y. ) In ex|)lanation. I will
■"state that the capturinii" of a confederate [)ay-nmster. together with
"a iioodh" ^um of southern money, onh" a. short time before, was what
■■enabled us to show such generous libei'ality."
In the stress for fuel, the liAi/ru' and Diana were ordered to I>ig
r>lack Island foi' wood, and the rams were instructed to secure fuel
where\"er they could bt'st get it.
The ([uartermaster boat. Faikmii ild. now i'. 'turning from New ( )r-
leans. issued I'ations, forage, etc.. and then proceeded on uj) to \'icks-
biii'g. taking all the prisoners with her.
Dui'ing the forenoon of the Kith or<lers were issued, leaving
.Major Hubbard in conunand. while (icneral KUet went with the
AiTcx i;.vi' to \'icksburg. lint a ])ainful occurrence delayecl the (ien-
erahs (le})artui'e until exciung. During the morning, teams had been
kept busv hauling in wood. About noon some of the teamsters came
in. post-haste, to the rixei'. Inning been lired upon by skulking ene-
mie-^, u[) in the hills. It- was certainly known that the only force in
Fiitiil E iiccii ui( f of L/citfcini lit h'li'],'
.v>-i
tlu' iicii^'hliorlHiod. was a Capiaiii Mc( inidcr's coiiipaiiy. iVoiii Port
(iihsoii. ami llial Uayoii I'iciTc was uol I'ordaMc. except at (ii'liid-
stoiie ford, some twelve lllile.-^ al)o\e. lleiiee onh' two eoiiipauies of
eaxalry were >eiit out. and were hi'okeii up into fouf s((uads. to >eout
the roads li\-e or six miles out. Al)out an lioui' after these troops went
ou,l. three men came dashin^i' in. with the i-('port that one of the four
s(|nads. consistinii' of Lieutenant I\irk and ten men. had heen ambns-
t'aded. the Lieutenant hadiy wounded, and two men serioush' hurt.
The conunand was called out. and when the place of the occin'rence
was I'eached. Lieutenant Kirk was found. Iyin<i' on the around,
daniierously wounded, and surroimde(l hy his men. Two Assist-
ant Suriicons had come aloni;'. I)rini2,ini>" the amhulance. into
which Lieutenant Kirk was placed, and taken to the l>oats.
( )ne of the two injured men was found to he scNcrt'ly wounded
in the shoulder, and the other one sliu'htlv. in the arm. It was ascer-
tainetl tliat t!ie C'onfedi'rate force was only a small s<iuad, which had
hut just been chased ott' another road, by one of the other ALirine pai--
ties. It had cut across, through the limber, had come out on this par-
ticular road, just in time to catch Lieutenant Kirk and his men. who
were recklessly iiallopinii' forward without any ach'ance aiiard. idle
amliiish d(di\('i'e(l its nnii'derous lire, and without waitinii' to see its
(dlect. lied away, not e\'en secairin*^' the wounded Lieutenant's horse,
or arms.
Lpon examination it was foimd_. that in the case of Lieutenant
Kii'k. the ball liad ])assed just inside the thiii'h and throuu'h the lower
part of the abdomen, raniiinii,' upward, and lodii'iiiii' in the signal col-
mnn. The ball was extracte<l through a rear incision. b\it the bones
of the sj)ine were badly crushed, and his life was desj)aii'e(l of from
the lii'st. He. howevei'. sur\"i\('d foi' nine da vs. Tlie sury;t'(ins de-
clared that such a wound would ha\"e prox'ed fatal to most men. w ithin
twenty-four hours. Lieut. James W. Kirk' was an excellent ollicei-. Li
the ])resence of danii'er he knew no feai": always led his men. and was
ii'reatly esteeme(| by his own men. and by the other officei's of the Ih'i-
U'ade. But. as in the case of Captain W riaht of the same company,
his life was needlessly sacriHced.
At 7 p. m.. the .V I 'rocitAT sailed for ^ icksburi;'. and the Ivainh rv'-
turne(| fi'oui woodiua'- abo\-e. ()u the 17th the ca\alr\' went out in
j'^d Il'tsfori/ of flic Mdi'liw Br!<i(i(h'.
the rear of (xraiid (iiilf, and had a slight skinuisli. It was the inten-
tion to make an expedition in the direction of (rrand Gulf, but on
account of rain it was postponed. A Confederate Lieutenant, who
had deserted, came in during the nioht, and gave himself uj). On tlu^
18th. com]3anies C and I) Cav., were sent oul for the arrest of a Con-
federate conscript, Icnown to l)e in a certain house. They had gone but
a mile or so when they came upon the enemy 'u some force, and sent
back for lu'lp, and t!ie entire mounted force went to tlieir as'-^istance.
Comrade Augustus Kalston, of ,Comi)any C Cav., gives an interesting
account of tiic running tight which ensued, and which was waged
principally by tlie advance:
A laxxixc; fkjht and a xariiow escape
Our c'()in|iaiiy ((' ('a\. ) uas in the lead, and we had not gone over two or
three miles, nntil we eanie in sight of a eonijjany of Confederates, and went
after them. They retired slowly, and finally amhusiied our advance composed
or twelve or fifteen men, wounding- and capturing several of them. 1 remem-
ber Frank Long had nine Ixickshot put into him. Henry I'arker, Elijah Logs-
don, James Dow, Jacob Hank, and one otlier were captured, but Hank and
Dow subsequently made their escajje. Hank jum]ie(l over a fence and ran.
while we were crowding tlic "Johnnies" so hard they had no time to x)ursue
him. After these men had l)een captured. Hank au<l myself, with others, took
the extreme advance, and we had a running fight for two or three miles. The
Confederates would dismount and make a stand, and then we would also dis-
mount, rout them, and get them on the run again, ^^'e had thus dri\"en them
two or three miles, when they made a stand, in a cut in the road. We dis-
mounted, bnt just then the order was given us to retire. The Confederates
heard the command, and at once started for us. I ti'ied several times to re-
mount my horse, l)ut m\ boots were slick with yellow clay mud. and my foot
would slip out of the stirrup, so that when the enemy were only a short
distance from me, I was compelled to abandon my horse, and cut out afoot.
The ".Johnnies"" commanded me to surrender, calling me a rather uncompli-
mentary name, l)ut I (li(ln"t sto]i to (|uarrel with them, oi- try to make them
take it back, but ran as fast as my legs would cai-i-y nu'. Pretty soon I went
over a hill, across a ravine, and into a canebrake, where I found a sink hole,
into which ] dropped. 1 can"t say how long I remained there, but I think
fully two hours. I was almost afraid to move, but thought I had better load
my revolver, whitdi was empty. T felt for it. and it was gone. The holster
was ripped from top to bottom. 1 had thrown a\\a_\- \\\\ carbine, that I might
run the faster, and there I was — no horse, no carbine, no revolver, no hat, and
five or six miles from the lioats! I realized that I could not stay there, and
must make a break for the ri\er. 1 was afraid to go out on the road : mv tmlv
Ahscnt Wdlioiit Lc(ir(\ but JJr'nxj llhjh. j^y
safety was to kee]) imder oover of the ^voo(^s, and canebrakes, and cantioiisly
make my way. I^eaviiir;' my hidlny ])lafe, 1 traveled nj) and down hills and
aeross ravines, guessing- the direction. About dark 1 reached the tleet. and
tlie boys, seeing me, cheered nic lustily. They all thought T was ca])tured
when Think \\as. since we were last seen together, dismounted. My hoi'se re-
turned to the com])any, and one of the boys, whose horse was shot, rode him
to the l)oats.
From another account of this att'air, we learn how , lames Dow
made his es('ai)e from tiie chitches of the enemy. It seems that when
he was taken prisoner, his (•ai)tors j)romptly stripped him of most of
his ch)thin»', and relieved him of his carbine. But fortunately they
left him his boots, in one leii' of which was his revolver. He was taken
to one side, and kei)t under ,i>uard of one man, until suddenly seeing?
his own company niakint;,' a dash for the enemy, Dow (piickly pulled
his re\()lver out of his boot lei;', and at the point of it drove his guard
into the midst of the advancing' Marines. His comrades declared it
was ''just like an Ellet scout to play such an underhand trick" on a
poor, contiding' Confederate. The Marine loss in this tight was, one
man badly wounded, and th.ree ca])tured — one of whom (not previous-
ly named) was Bernard Segall of Company D Infantry. He had
slipped away from duty on board, to have a good time with the cavalry
boys, and in the melee was wounded and taken ])ris()ner: Years after
8egall reported that he was "absent nine months, and li\'ed on sponge
cake and ice cream, at the Cahawba. An(lerson\ilIe and Liblw hotels.''
In this ati'ray a number of horses were killed and some of the Confed-
ates, how many, was iu)t ascei'tained. were wounded, and one of them
was taken prisoner. C'a])tain Mc(iruder connnanded the Confederates,
the same ofHcer who attacked Lieutenant Kirk's s(iuad. on the Kith. He
was a l)rave fidlow. and showed himself ca})able of putting up a good
light, and was ready whenever he had a chance, to measure arms with
tlie Miumes.
During the forenoon of the 10th th(> Aitoceat returned from
\'icksburg. The troops remained that day on board the l)oats. Dur-
ing the day, a story Avas circulated in the fleet that there had been a
scheme for the ca])ture of Cceneral Ellet. It was said that a certain
Mrs. Whitney, living out some three miles, and who claimed to be a
Unionist and had "protection papers" from higher authority, planned
95<^' nixtori/ of flic Marine Ilihiadc.
to make a l)i<i' (liniici-. and imite the (iciicral and his hou TJciit. Kd. C.
Ellct out to it. and while there, the Confederates were to swooi) (h)\vn
u])on the ])la('e, and make them prisoners. It was fiirtb-er told that
on the a])i)ointed (hiy, and at the very hour when the ])ro]:)osed cap-
ture was to have been etl'ected. the Confederates did come chishinu' in
with a mounted force, and surrounded the house. If such a phiii was
hii(h and the execution of it Avas attempted, it only shows that the
woman knew little of the man she was treacheronslv scheming' to be-
tray. However, a day or two after this. Caj^t. J. E. Crandall. of ,Co.
A Cav.. was out ])ast Mrs. Whitney's house, and stopjied in. In the
course of conversation with his hostess, the ca])tain told her that he
liad lieard it said amou^' the officers, that she had tried to tra]) the
(ieneral. but tliat he nt'ver l)elieve(l it. Not he I For he had too
ii'ood an oj)inon of her. etc. She stoutly |)r()testtMl her iiniocence. and
dechii'ed her intention still to make a real nict' cake for the ({eneral.
and brinii" it in. together with a bottle of sjilendid wine, she had.
•■That."' — said (''a])tain Crandall, (the u'reatest waf>- in the connnand)
"will be a i>rt'at treat to the (xeneral. for he is xcry fond of j^ood wine.
"Come, and briiii^' him the wine, by all nu'ans." Sure enough, a day
or two later, here came the Mrs. Whitney, with the cake and the wine.
The (ieneral was very nnich taken aback, for as was well known
amonu all his men. he was a "total abstainer" — almost a fanatical
temperance man — and intolerant as to the presence of wine or li(|U()r
of any kind in the tleet. \\\\\ his i;allantry was e(pial to the occasion,
for he saw that he was tlie subject of a practical jok'e. and sent the
"nice present" to the cook house, in a hurry, and chann'e(l the subject.
The jokt' was huu'ely enjoyed amonu' b(»th ollicers and nu'n. and was
lauiihed o\'er for many a day. There was always a linu'eriiiii' suspi-
cion. ne\('r entirely eradicate(l. that the "waa' in the case" was the
author of both the story, and the joke.
(hi January •_!()tli the cavalry, and three comj)anies of infantry,
with the mountain howitzer, were sent out foi" a scout. They made a
ride of thirty-three miles, and came back about sunset, brinainii' in two
pi'isoners. It was now rumored that (ieneral AVirt Adams' whole
force was in the \icinity of Port (iibson. A linal o])eration. to pro-
lonii'. and ])ossibly sa\(' Lieutenant Kirk's life, was this day coiisiderecl
!>('iifh (111(1 />iiri(il of L/(uf('H(iut K'trl,'.
359
\)\ the sui'<i'('()ns. biil owiiijU- to ;i sudden sinking- spell, it \A'as defeiTed
and was not jx'rforined. Iiis death h/iiiif anticipated honi'ly.
The IvAiNK, Ikm/pic and 1)iana were ordered to di'op down to
"where the S\\ rizi:i;i \Nn was woodini:'. and he^in early in the nioi'iiini:,'
to lake on fuel. The r\\ii;('ii ii.i) joined the tleel late in the day. with
mail and dispatches. ( )n the iMsl the whoh' llei't went down an<l land-
ed to*>"ether. half way hetween (irand (Inlf and I Jrninshnrii'. on the
Lotiisiana side, a.nd IVoni this time on to the i-'rith. was enpiii'ed in
g'ettinjj^" wood. In a report (from the i-ecords) chiteil at llamhni'i;'.
Jannafv 'l'-\. (ieneral W \v\ Adams tells of coniinii' np. with his
fofce. from the \icinity of I'orl llndson. to near Xatche/. where
he says, he that <hi\' secretly po-ted "two stronji' detachments
to catch foraninu' and marandini:' pailies of the enemy's ca\'-
alrv" — and was then iioini:- to Rodney, "in the \icinity of which
Ellet's Marine I)riaade ai-e doini:' nnich dama<^-e." 'Idien. tellinii' of
the expected raid on the Central Railroad, from \'icksl>nra'. he says:
"I shall threaten Natchez tomorrow, to delay (iresham"s hriii'ade,
"winch is to join this expedition." ( )n the '-'.^th. the Ivaixk was sent
rip to Hai'd Times Landing;', foi' wood, and two companies of infantry,
under connnand of Captain Ilniilu's. went out after h'cf cattle, seciir-
ino- ahont twenly-ti\e head.
The lioat-- aii'ain drop|)e(| down stream ahout four nnles. to a
])oint on the Louisiana side. Toward e\"eninii' Ijientenant Kii'k. who
had clunii' so tena<'iously to life so loni^'. diecl from the effects of his
wound. ( )n the "-Tith a scout of two companies of ca\'alry and some
infantry, was sent out — the formei- to \\'atson's place, to intei'cept a
jiarly of nearoes. s;iid to he hand-cntl'ed and chaine(l toii'ether. enroute
to I'cxas. The party souiiht was not found, hut ahout thirty Ix'ad of
iiood heef cattle were secured, and hroiiaht in. ( >n this day the urave
was duii'. and pre[)arations made for the hiirial of Lieutenant Kirk.
'J he liAi/rn was ordered up to J hird Time.-, l^andina'. in search of
Confederate cotton.
' )n the I'Tth Lieutenant ivirk's remains wei'c hui'ie(l. with (he
u>iial honors of war.
iduit niiihl a yawl expedition was srnt down the i"i\('r --ome nnles.
to a point where a Confederate "skill- ferry" was operated. ( )f this
^6o Il'/sfori/ of tJic M<ifhu' llr'iijdih'.
incident. C'a])tain Ncwt'll. who had charge of the party, gave the fol-
lowing account :
TlIK YAWL KXTM-:i)l'll().\.
.My oi'ders wcfe to iii()\t' (|niet!y, in the (larl<iu'ss. usiiii;- my own discretion
at thi' ferry — tlie Switzerland to dro]) down for us in tlie niornint;'. Taking
Lieutenant (luildenieister. and as many men as tlie \a\\'l would earry. we stole
aw^ay down stream and finally landed some miles below, near the scene of
operations. Several roads coineriicd at the feiry. and in silence my men ■were
placed in a jn-e-arranged semi-circle inclosiui;- the point of intersection of
these roads. At the ai)]]roaeh of any intruder, his challenge \vas the signal
for the closing in of the whole coi'don. The plan worked. In less than ten
minutes the signal closed the line in on two rebel ottieers, splendidly mounted.
They were ai-tillei'v ca|, tains, who exjiected to cross in a skiff — sw'imming
their hoi'ses. They wei'e neatly trajjjjed — l)ut a])])eared most of all to regret
the loss of their fine st-n'ds, which at once entered the service of Uncle Sam.
On htr way hack to th- fleet next morning the Switzerland was hailed l)y a
couple of young ladies on the river bank, who wanted to exchange some butter
and eggs fin- coffee. A _\awl was (|uickly lowered and two or three otficers.
Lient.*Ed. lOllet among them, were soon ashore, having a good time bantering
the girls, while the trading was in jn'ogress. Then some one suggested that
their horses, tied near, be brought U]) and the ladies mounted before leaving
them. In a race for the animals the Lieutenant was a winner, and came
])ulling one up alongside a stump, when thei'e was a loud gnifaw, in which
the young ladies Joined heartily — one of them remarking: "If I should ever
marry a "i'ankee ofiicei-. I want one who knows enough to lead my horse up on
the right side." The Lieutenant had alreadN discovered his mistake, and was
red in the face with confusion. "'Oh h .'" came in an undertone from his
direction, as he di-opped the reins and nuide for the boat. The Lieutenant
didn't hear the last of this for nuiny a day after.
A reniui'kable incident of the return tri[) of the Switzp:rland,
with the yawl party and their capture, is worthy of mention. It Avas
the season of ducks and geese on the river, and a bar ahead was seen
to be literally black with wild geese. Colonel Ellet directed two
pieces loaded with canister, and at the opportune moment fired one
at the bar, and the other into the cloud of fowl as it arose, and such a
slaughter of game was never, before or since, seen on the river. Eoast
goose was on the Brigade menu for nuuiy days. On the liStli the flags
on all the boats floated at half mast, in honor of Chief Sailing blaster
Henecks. news of whose death had lieen received at Headquarters.
Another yawl expedition was sent l)elow at night, and captured a
Fleet Asscniblcd (it ]"/ch-slin f(J .
]6r
T/uMitciiiiiit. one enlisted man, and three horses. Tlie smallpox aj)-
])earin^" among the men on the Diaxa. she was sent hclow. near to St.
rJosejih. to establish a |)est hos])ital. The S\\ jiy.KKi.Axn was sent to
anchor off A^'ater[)ro()t" Landing, and the I^\\ii;( iiii.n to Natchez,
with a cargo of Confederate cotton. A lixc alligator, ahont fonr feet
long, was here canght liy ^onic of the men. ( )ii the •i'.Uli some of the
command discoNcred a small na\y hoat. snpposecl (o haxc l);'longe(l to
Farragiit"s Heet. on Lake St. Joseph. On the -".Oth. Co. \\ Cavalry
ca[)lnred iwo Lieutenants, and on the ^Ust came oi'dei-- I'oi- the fleet
to repoi't at \ ickshnrg for service above. Lea\ing the SwrrzKitnAxn
lo ci'uise b'.'twecn Hard Times and AA^atei'pi'oof. the other boats mo\'ed
n[) stream, and s])ent all day February 1. in wooding, and in the e\'en-
ing started on for ^'icksbnrg. reaching there at n o'clock a. m. of the
2nd. and hiuling the l<'ri,TOx at the wharf with se\-eral barges of coal
for the licet, of which it had for some time been ureath' in need.
CHAPTER VI
February-April, 1864
t^coiifiiill Ahon- Millihfii's BcikI. — Marines l-'ool a I'hiiitrr. — TJir Hcriiaiut unil
tlic Milk. — ScoKt Across Stc<ic's lUnrni. — Mi/lil h'aid on Daniel's Lookout. —
^Second Ddsli Into I'ort (iihson. — ('(inilrii ('djihires ii Cnnr,). — <'iiu(/lif in Ain-
j),(sih. — I'nnjers En<lin<i With Pistol I'nu-tiee. — A nihiiscade of a Marine Cot-
ton Train. — Witfi tlie h'ed h'irer K-rpedition . — Loss of the Woodford. — Polk's
Plans for More (liierrillii Work. — Marine I/u/ht Battcnj Disori/anizcd. —
ticoutinfi Aijain Above }'ieksl)iir(i. — l/ieiitenant Miirplu/'.'^ Exiiloit. — Adams
and Diana in Collision. — Conroij on the Ya-.oo. — ReheU Capture an Ironclad
and l^eare Andi/ lite l.irerpool Xei/ro (Sarrison. -Autocrat and /■'aii-cJiihl
E.rcJiaiKje Cargoes. — After Illicit Traders.
The '2d and od of February, 1S<)4. were spent at the Vicksbnrg
wharf, coalmg and getting- ready for a campaign above. Instruc-
tions, somewhat enhirging the sco[)e and plan of the lirigade's work
were now received from (ieneral ^Icl'hcrson, reading as follows:
HEAlXn'AirrEUS ITTH AII.MV COUPS.
Vifksbursi-. Miss., February '-^^ ISG-i.
Tiritjadier (Ieneral Kllet. Coin nm ndiinj l-'leet : —
General: — You wiU iuinie(li;itfl.v come up with your command and cruise
between Milliken's Bend and a short distance above Greenville, to kecj) the
river clear of g-uerrillas, aiul extend what ]u-otection you can to plantations
along the bank. — It has. for certain pur])oses. been found necessary to break
np and remove the ])osts at Milliken's llend and (ioodrich's LandiuL;-. aiul
Skipwith's. and the ])lantation lessees feel that they are left without any
protection. You will reassure them as much as jiossible, and not let them
become stamjieded unnecessariy.
Very respectfully your obedient servant,
Jas. B. McPherson,
Major General.
362
Pi'ofccfiiK/ Leased Phi nfiitionx. j6j
This was ill piirsuaiicc of tlic (loxtTiiiiiciit policy, and the orders
canu' through (iciu'ral (iraut. and roxi'rcd tlic whole eottoii-urowing
hinds aloii<^' the Aiississijipi hut the scheme of army [)roteftion was
.soon found to he a hurdeiisoiiie dix'ersion from the o[)erations of the
liehL \\'e liiuK a few weeks hiter. (leneral Sherman writin<>" alxmt it
to McPher-oii in this strain: "T think (ieiieral (iraiit is making a
••mistake in taking- all the iieiiro troojjs and Marine I)ri<zade to cover
"p)lantations. or. in other words, tliat the ])laii of distributing these
"troops along the west hank of the river will he less atfeetive than the
••j)Iaii I had initiated of defending the Yazoo and Washita Ivivers,
•which would cover the plantations from the rear. F)iit this will
■■manifest itself in time."
The following, from (leiieral Halleck. indicates the general iiolicy
of the go\'ernment. and its wishes as to the Iirigade :
Wasliinuton. 1-Vl)ruar\ Ki. ls()4. :; ::!0 p. in.
Major Cenrnil (Iniiit: —
It is defined in)|;()rtant by the i^oN ernnient tliat leased ):lantations on the
]Mississi[)|)i i;i\er reeeixe due jn-otect ion. and the Secretarx' of ^^'al■ desires tliat
(uMitral I-"Jlt't"s Marine lirii^ade Ise assigned to tlnit service. It is understood
that it has been so assii^iied tiMn):orari!y, bv (ieneral Slu'rnian.
11. \V. Halleck.
( ;eneral-in-('liief.
On the ■'a\ ('a[)tain Leiiigh I)a.kan of Co. K. Inf.. tendered his res-
ignation hut no favorable returns upon it was received from Wash-
ington until May ord.. At four o'clock a. iii.. of the -i:th-. th.e Hi-et
started up stream, leaving the Faikciiili) with instructions to join the
command wherever it might be. by the '.itli. A short landing was
made at Milliken's I>eii(h where the Kaink was left, other boats being
also left at ditlerent points. At Milliken's Hend the Oeneral. with a
small s(}uad. went ashore, and after a short scout they were taken on
board further u]) the rixcr. Tlu' post at this point had. some time
previous, been abandonetl. and the troojis removed to \"icksburg.
(ireat alarm Avas in coiise(|uence felt by loyal j)lanters, and the
.special mission of the Brigade in this region at this lime was to give
them the protection needed.
l^aymaster Hanna. whose visits were always welcome, not alone
because he brought the men their pay. but al-o bt'cause he was iini-
■^6^ Ilixforji of the Marine 1>i'ki<i(U .
versally respected and heloved in the conunand. now nia<le his ai)i)ear-
aiice ill the Brig-ade.
Before retiriiig for the niii'ht. orders were issued for the coiiiiuaiid
to be ill readiness for a scout the next niorniiii:-. ( )n the inorniiio- of
the r)th two companies of ca\alrv diseinharketh and proceeded by land
as far up as Lake Providence. No eiu'iny was fouiKh thouiih they
had of hite been specially active in raiding' and burnini:- j)hintation>.
which the ii-oNcrninent was tryiiiii' to i)rotecl. Dui-ine' this scont the
conunand api)roached the plantation of an ohi soutlierner by the name
of (IritHii. The advance dashed suddenly up to his house. The pro-
l)rietor came out. and in<piired. ''Are you Ke(U'rals oi- Confederates!? '
Some one repHed : "AVe are (^uantrelTs men." "Are you." said the
"■])lanter. AVelh now boys Tin a'hnl to see yon. Let me tell you. you
•" <2() \\\> aboxc here, and there's a plantation stocked with Mii^'ii-ers* and
"a yankee schoohnaster : you clean it out." Just then the main col-
umn arrived, and to the old man's <2reat discomhture he learned thai
he had coinj)letely li'iven himself away to Federals. It is neetlless to
add that he was ^iven a pressing invitation to acconq)any the com-
mand, and that he accepted tlie invitation, (^uanti-ell's men were in
the \icinity. furtiier back, and in their raids, some of them at least,
wore Federal uniforms, and this it was which trapped the old planter.
l>ut a short time previous to this. Major Tallerday of the infantry
was out in charge of an expedition for tiie double errand of meeting
Quantrell. and also finding some C\ S. A. cotton, said to be concealed
near l)y. The ^Slajor made inquiry resix'cting the cotton, of an old
planter upon whose premises it was supposed to be bidden, but the old
fellow Dositivelv (leiii(Ml that there was any such cotton on his planta-
tion. Then the Major "went a hsliing." He suggested that Federal
uniforms did not always clothe Yankees. He asked the ])lanter if he
did not know that (^uantrell's men were about, and whether he Avould
recognize them if he saw them in blue. The old man hesitatingly re-
plied ''N-o-o-o. I have seen none of Ouantrell's men. unless you are
Quantrell!'' Then the Major saw that he had "hooked his tish." and
it was onlv neccesary to "play" him skillfully to "land" him. So the
Major took his man aside and said: "1 am all right, and am here
"under iirojx'r orders to look after this cotton. I don't ask you to
'•commit vourself. since vou are so neai- the Fedei'al lines, but ju-r
FnuiiiKi Il/dthn (' off (III.
3^5
"<j,i\e UK' tlu' ii('c(>s-jii-y pointers. *" Tlic planter then re\eale(i the
Avlici'calxiiits of the hidden cotton, and said he had just h.a<l it all
uiark('(| o\-er. to keej) the ^ ankces from sei/ini;' it if the\' came. It was
ne\-er w ritten (d' Major Tallei^hiy. "liehoM a Marine in whom there is
no iiiiilel" Idle j)hintei' was (himh-foMiKK'd when he learned how he
had heen sold out. and the Tnited States ( io\-ernnient was sul>sc(jnent-
\\ made richei' hy a line haul of cotton.
\\'hile the I^daa'ship Ai 'rocuAT i)assed up to Skipwith's Landinii\
the foiii' companies of mounted infantry left at (ioodriclTs Landinu"
undci' conuuand (d' Colonel Cnri'ie. went out some distance on the
road toward I'doyd. Arkansas. \o indications of the enemy's pre-
sence heinii' seen, they returned to camp at the i'i\'ei- and spent the rest
of the day in drill. ( )n the moi'uin*^' of the (Uh. two companies of
ca\airy went oil' the Ai iockai- at Skipwith's Landing', and out across
Steele's IJayou in Mississippi. (Mi their return they desti-oye(l the flat
used as a ferry hy them in ifoiiiM' and comiiiii'. ,Just het'ore dark the
Diana and Ikm/ik came up fi-oiii helow. ( )ii the Tth some cotton was
liroiiiriit in hy a parly from off the l>Ai;ric. In the eNcniiia' the Aito-
( i; \r l(d't for \'icksl)ui-i:-. (!n the Stli Major 'I'allerday with a <l'tach-
uienl was out. takini:' two [)risoiiei's. hut with no fui'ther incident of
im])ortance. Dui'iiii:- all this time, when not in the held, the command
was daily drilliuii' — a hue piece of i>rouiid for this purj)ost' having'
heen found near the river. ( )ii the morninti' «»f tlie Dth. the hoats at
Skipwith's Landing' mo\'e(l up to Point A^ Orthiniiton. and from there
Colonel Currie with six eom[)anies of infantry and a howitzer, made
an expedition into the intei'ior. Avitlioiit encounterin<^' the enemy and
returnini:' in the ('V'eniuii' to the hoats. ( )ii the lOth at h\'e o'clock a.
111., the tleet iiioNcd up to Suiiiiysidc. From this point, the infantry,
under command of .Major Tallerday. went ashore, and took" a circui-
tous I'oiite. and when ncai' Lake \ illaiic came upon a detachment of
(^)uant rcll's men. Major Tallerday trie(l excry device he could think
of to draw them into a lii^lit. hut they declined an encounter with the
Marines, skiilkiiii^- in the canehrakes. from which they were dri\'en by
a lew rounds from the howitzei'. and linally disappearecl altoi>'ether.
The Marines retunie(l to their l)oats with t''ree prisoners.
( )ii the 11th the infantry under command of Major Tallerday
aii'ain moNcd oiil in the direction of Lak'e \'illai!'e. and when within
■^66 Wixtonj of the Morhic Br'n/adc.
three miles of the ])hu*e, were met by a flag of truce. The hearers of
this flag ohiinied to rei)reseiit a hody of armed citizens, and brought
a request from their connnander, for ^Nlajor Tallerday to join forces
with them in hnnting down Qnantrell, whom they denonnced as an
outhiw who was connnitting deipredations without distinction between
friends and foes, or discriminating as to age or sex. Bnt Major Tal-
lerday was too alert, and declined the otfer. saying he did not care to
campaign in comj)any with rebels. The Major further said, however,
that if this force i)roved to be as represented, lie wonld not molest
them, and they on the other hand declared that they wished no en-
counter with the Marines. Xo collision <,)ccurred (luring th.e day be-
tween the two forces, and tlu' Marines with all their ell'orts were nn-
able to gather any further information respecting the character of
those sending in the flag of truce, and returned to their l)oats, bring-
ing in three jirisoners with them. The Faikciiilo now came up from
below and issued rations.
On the 12th a i)art of the infantry was again ashore under .^lajor
Tallerday, without any occurrence worthy of note, and in the evening
the l)oats moved up stream to (xriffitirs Landing. On the 18th the
command was out again. Three prisoners and some cattle were
brought on l)oard. At uiue o'clock p. m. the fleet started down stream,
touching only at Skiinvith's, and reaching Vicksburg at three o'clock;
on the afternoon on the 14th. Considerable sickness prevailed among
the men al)out this time. ^lany deserters from the soutliern army
were coming into A"icksl)urg and giving themselves uj). under the
terms of President Lincoln's Anmesty Proclamation.
It will be remembered th.at on tlie afternoon of February 7th. the
Autocrat, leaving tJie rest of the fleet at Skipwith's Landing, went
down the river aloneX During the interval of her separation from the
nuiin connnand, she |iad proceeded downward, flnding the Raixe,
February yth, just above Milliken's Bend. Here ^lajor J. M. Hub-
bard's resignation, tendered December Sth. 'Ci;). was returned with fav-
orable endorsement, and he bade farewell to the Marine service, and
started for home. Major Hubbard's resignation was a serious loss to
the command. He was a strict disciplinarian, a good tactician, and a
fearless fighter. Previous to his connection witli tlie ^larine Brigade
he was a major in the First Mo. iCavalry. and \\\ a report made by
The Sciuiciinf (111(1 flic Spilled Milk. jdy
CoiilVdcratc Coloiu'l J. ( ). Shclln' to (leneral Mariuaduko. of the
Prairie (irove fiii'lit. uiider date December 11. KSC)-i, we find the foHow-
iiig :
Ciiptain .larrt^tt of tlie Stn-oiid Mo. ( Confedt'rate) bore himself bravely,
ea])tiiriiiii with his own hands Maj. .1. M. Hubljard. of the old Mo. First (Fed-
eral (('a\a!r\), a man well known in that state as a dariny and dashin"'
otheer. V
Capt. J. W. Cranchdl of Co. A Cavah'v siu-eeeded jNIajor Hubbard
ill the eoniniaiid of tb.e ea\alrv batt^ilioii.
AAdiile the Ivaixe was here some days before, occurred an incident,
remembered and told by Orderly Sergt. Wm. Watkins, of B Cav., char-
acteristic of the Marines when ashore: '"We were returniiio- from a
"scout, and came to a large plantation, and the boys proposed that we
'"see if we couldn't find some milk. I took a few men from the ad-
"vance guard, with all the canteens, and sending the guard on, the
"s(juad rode around Avitli me to tlie rear of tlie mansion wliich seemed
■"to I)e all closed up. and dismounted at the spring house. We found
■'the door locked, but it was soon opened, and I told the boys to stay
"outside, and I would pass the milk to them, for I saw there was
"Ijlenly. I had just reached the door with a large pan of milk, when
"some one struck tlie pan and the milk was spilled all over me. Two
'■mighty mad rebel women had broke in through the boys and were
"raising Ned. when Major IIul)bard rode ui). and the boys vanished in
'"no time. I was nicely caught, but the Major with a twinkle in his
"eye, ordered the squad to fall in, though no one was th.en in siglit but
"me. I followed in wet and mad to think how I had lost all that
"milk, tlirough those cantankerous rebel women."'
Leaving ^Milliken's Bend together, at four o'clock j). m.. the same
day, the Aitochat and Kaixe proceeded down the river, reaching
\"icksl)urg at six o'clock in tlie evening. Karly on the morning of
tlie Utli, these two vessels swung out from the Vicksburg wharf, and
headed down stream. They stopped at Warrenton for wood, and
at six p. 111. tied up for the night, six miles below (Trand (luli. J. M.
Fulkerson, Orderly Sergt. Co. V> Inf., gives this account of an incident
which occurred in the evening of this day : "I^ieutenant Benson se-
"lected thirty men from our company, and, accompanied by Lieut. Ed.
'"Ellet, went out on a scout. We left the Ai tockat a little after dark
^68 Ilistoi-i/ of flic Mdfhw I> i-H/ddc.
"\\\ tlu'iM' yawls, aiul nrocccdcd down the rixcr. iiitciidiuu' h) land at
"rn'iiinshiirii'. \n\\ we i^ot lost, and landed hrlow tl'.c town. Lcax'ini;"
'a lew men to iiiiard tlic \aw!s. we niai'clu'd no t'u' river to the town,
'"and there tooK: the i-oad h'adino' ont to the hlntf's. some thi'ee miles
"distani. Keachinu' the lop of tlie hlntl's. we made our way ont to the
" "Siiinal Honse." a Known h.eadcniarters t'oi- Confederate-^. This was
''a larii'e phintation mansion, helonii'inii" to ^^'idow Daniels. I)uilt on a
"connnandin*:' eminence, some five miles from tlie river. From th.e
"cupola of this building ,C()nfederate soldiers watched our boats for
■•mil(>s up and down the ri\'er. an<l (ieneral Kllet detei'mined to break
"up this u'ame. l\eachin<>: the mansion we surrounded it. while Lien-
"tenants lienson and Ellet, accomi)anied by myself, knoclv'ed at the
'"front entrance. A servant opened the door and we pushed our way
"into the parlor, where we fcumd two Confederate officers, and four or
"h^•e ladies siniiinii'. and having" a ^^ood time. Lieutenant Kllet laid
"his hand upon the shouhU'i" of one of these officers and asked him if
"he was a Confederate, and he answered in the affirmative. 'AVell.
"then." said Kllet : "xon are our prisoners.' The women fu.ssed. cried,
"and called us all kinds of names, but after a short tarry we took our
prisoners and returned to the yawls, reaching' the Ar'rocuA'i' at two
o'clock next moiMiinii'.
Sunrise of the loth found the two boats at liruinsbur^i,-. Here
a detachment was sent ashore for a scout throuidi Oakland to Ivod-
ney. to which latter place the boats had in the meantime izont'. Four
prisoners, a confederate mail and ambulance were cnpiured on this
raid. ( )n the 11th a detachment was a^ain started from Rodney in
the direction of Port (Tribson. A ])reci])itate charge was made into
this town. Two Confederate soldiers were killed, tAvo wounded, and
h\c capture(l. and the connnand returned to ll>e boats at nine o'clock
p. n..
Th(> I'Jth was spent in securing fodder for the horses. On the
l->tli at ten o'clock' p. m.. Major .J. Ix. Cranihill in connnand of one hun-
dre(l ca\alry went ashore. lietween the ri\'ei" and Port (iibson. which
wa> reached about sunrise, two houses were searclied and three prison-
ers taken. In a written ac<'ount of this scout Major Crandall says:
■ I received orders to moxc upon the foi'ce of the rebel Captain Lewis,
"who was cam[)ed with his comijany of scouts, some thirtv-live miles
Mtijor < ' 111 iidnll's Ciii'iiliii Snrjir/.sc flic I'^nrmi/.
3^>9
"'cast of Ivodiicy. wlici'c our lied ihcii was. I Icl'i Satiir(l;i\ iiii>-|it.
■■F('l»i'iiary lllli. at li'ii (M-lock with one liiiiKJrcd men of oiir liallalion.
"iiilciKliiiu' to iiiak'c an attack' at da \liijlit the follow ini;- nioni'nii:-.
'■Soon after we left the hoats it he^^'an to rain hai'd. cont inuinii' thronaii
■ ino-t of the niij;lit. which was \ ciw dark. Ilowe\-er. we i-eached our
"de-liiiat ion at the appointed time, only to lind that the hird had
•■jiown. f'rom an old neiiro. I learne(i that the Confeijerates hroke
■ cami) the day hefoi-e. moved Ji\-e miles out. and were (luartered in
neiiro hut-, from w hich it wonid he impo^^ihle foi' me di^lodii-e them,
■unless I could take them l>\- surprise. I also leai'ne(| that to reach
■■them would tak:e me fort\' miles from l'odne\-. and within six miles
■"of where Major IJoherls was encamped with three hundred Confed-
■■(■rates. \ was in a (luandry for a time hut soon decided, and takdnir
"ihe old neyro with me. nio\'ed toward theii' cami). I fni'ther learneil
"from the neiiro that Captain Lew is and his men wei'c neai-l\- half a
■•mile from the main road, and when we reache<l the plantation road
■■leadine^ to their camp, i'oi't unalely foi' us. we found that the picket
who had l)eeii placed thei'e had •relie\ed liimself and gone to hreak-
■■fasl' ( as Captain Lewis afterward informed nie) so that we wcu'e
"able to i:i\e the enemy a |)erfect surprise. AMien we came in siii^ht
■"of the camp, they were at breakfast, and our whole connnand inmie-
"dialely cliar<i,'ed ujx)!! them with drawn re\dl\('i-s. This was ahout
■■eijilit o'clock Sunday nioi'uinjj:. \\\' captured Captain Lewis, one
•"Lieutenant, one Sufi^^eou, and t W('nty-i'ii>'lit enlisted men. killed thre(>
"of their men. and recaptured four men helonnini:^ to the ;')"_!d L)wa.
''We h)st no men and only one horse. AA'e also captured ahout thirty
"horses, and forty stands of ai'm>. lieiny in such close proximity to
"Major Koherts. I moNcd at once for the lU'et. leavina^ a small scjuad
"behind to burn the plantation house — a lar^'e. elegant residence — to-
■'<>-('ther with some S:^r).()0() wdi^th of <iuai-ternuister and connnissai'\'
" stores. \\i.' reache(l the fleet Sunday niuht at nine o'clock |). m.. with
'"our i)risoners. haxiui:' travelled ei<ihty miles in t went \'-three houi's."
AboiU this time the balance' o1' the lleet. which our nari-ali\c left
in the \icinity of (n'illith's Landin<i.canie down the rixci-. and from this
time on to March lOth. the entire force o])erate(l below \'icksbui'ii'.
bein<i' i'niploye(l principally, in locatini:' and bi-in<i'ina^ in cotton, larii'e
(|uantitie> of which were secure<|. Lallinif within thi> period are a
^jo Tlistot'ii of tlte Marine Br'tr/dde.
few incidents accountt'd worthy a plaec in this History, and which,
without following the daily routine of cotton gathering, we record.
February '2'2nd, was duly celebrated in Vicksburg as Washington's
birthday. The day opened with a national sahite from the guns of
the garrison. Then followed a grand parade of all the troo[)s in the
c\i\. finally passing in review before the I'onnnander of the Post.
The troops then massed and listened to the reading of Washington's
Farewell Address, and to speeches made by (Jeneral Braymore of Illi-
nois and others.
AYhile these ceremonies were in progress, the ^Marines on the Bal-
tic were at Luna Landing ''celebrating" in (juite a dilferent way.
About sunrise of that day, Cajit. J. P. Harper of Co. H, Inf., with
seventeen men of liis own company, went out in ipursuit of what was
thought to be a small s(iuad of the enemy, which had fired on the boat.
Harper's men had crossed a large plantation, and were intending to
pass through an oi)en gate iust ahead, when suddenly the advance
consisting of four men, under Sergt. Aionzo Allis received a terrible
volley, from about one hundred Texans, concealed behind the fence
on either side the gate. All five of the advance were wounded. Ser-
geant Allis mortally, and he died some three or four days after, and
was buried on the ri\'er bank near Greenville, ^Mississippi. By the
same volley, and while in the act of firing, Sergt. Philip Stevens' horse
was killed under him. and lie liimself received a ball in the knee. He
maintained an ui)right iiosition, however, and the enemy kept popping
away at him. One ball grazed his head, and then he dropped over
and feigned death. Coming upon him the "Johnnies" stripped him,
taking liis boots, revolver and e(|uii)ments, clothing, and forty dollars
in greenl)acks. and then hred a parting shot which hit him in the right
arm. Just then Co. (i. dashed up and the enemy fled.
General Sherman had arrived from Huntsville. and of date Febru-
ary -*T, though from his army headcjuarters, was issued the following,
orders assigning the Brigade to a new duty.
tlKADQrATtTElfS DKI'AirrM KXT AXJ) AIJMV OF TTIE TEXXI<:SS^:E.
lluntsvillt'. Ala., February 27, 1SG4.
Special Orders Xo. 44.
T. r>rigadier ( Jeneral Ellet. eommandiiiii- Mississippi Marine P.riiiade. will
P rdiji'iK (1 11(1 P/sfoI Pidcfhe. jyi
deujte his attention and tliat of his i-oniniand, exclusively to the ])roteetioii
of tlie ]jh!ntini!' interest on the M ississijipi liixcv.
lie is in no case to »•() below \'ic]<sl)urL;- or al)o\e (lreen\il]e without direct
oi-ders from the l)e])artnieiit ( 'oniinander, or otlier ottieers entitled to issue
orders to him.
He is specially re(|iiire(l to move from place to |)lace %\ithin the limits
herein jirescrihed as his services may be re(piired to ,nive |)rotection.
]!y order of Maj. (Jen. W. 'P. Shernuin.
T;. M. Sawyer,
Assistant Adjutant (Jeneral.
On the liStli of February, the Diana reeeived (leii. W. T. Sherinaii
and start' on hoard, and started for New (Jrleans. Her trii) oceujjied a
week and she returned and hmded liei' (hstino-uished })asseng'er.s at
^^icksburo■ wliarf. at nine a. m., Marcli (Uh. ,
March 3rd, Corporal Kichard Ferdon of Co. A, Inf.. in eh.aro-e of
a guard of three men was sent, under orders from (reneral Ellet, at
recjuest of ]\Irs. Daniels, to uuard her liouse. site professing to fear as-
sault from negroes. Fannly i)rayers wei'e lield in the parh)r. and the
men of the guard were invited to he present. At the close of the ser-
vise. as the Marines opened th.e door to pass out of the iiarh^r, Cor-
poral Ferdon received a jnstol shot in the right breast, the ball j)assing
through the huig. AVord was l)r()nght in to the boats, and Captain
Newell, Ferdon "s caj)tain. was awakened, and accompanied by Co. B
infantry mider connnand of Lieutenant Jienson, hastened to the scene.
Mrs. Daniels and all her household disclaimed all knowledge as to the
per|)etrator of the dastardly deed, and all the inmates were in wildest
fear that the house would be innnediately biu'iied to the ground. In-
deed so enraged were the ^larines that it was only through the most
peremptory commands. sui)plemented by greatest vigilance, that Cap-
tain Newell and Lieutenant Benson ke])t the torch from being applied
to tlie f.unous "Sional liouse,*" as the nuirines called it. Ferdon was
at once removed to tl:e boats, and in due time recovered from his
wound.
March 4th witnessed one of tlie most disastrous reverses experi-
enced in the history of the P)rigade. Mjijor J. K. Crandall of the Ma-
rine cavalr}" was in connnand of tlie force that day. and the following
is his own account :
37-
U'tsfori/ of fjn- Maihic I)i-i(iii<lc.
Till-: A.MIUSCADI': Ol' A MAlM.Vi: COl'lOX TUAIX.
On March lllli. lS(i4. I rcrcivcd an (inlcr tii i-c|icii-1 tn i IracU | na rt ci-s. and
I'dMiid <it'ncral VMvX and a pi'ixate citi/en. who li\cd hack from Colcinan's
Cross Koads. in |;i-i\at(' con\ crsat ion. 'I he citi/cn was tclliny 1 lie (iciieral of
a lot of cotton, on a |)hiidalion al)ont t\\cnt\-onc miles hacl'; of Kodney. all
Ix'loniiini;- to the ('onfederac.\ and marked C. S. A. lie |)i-omised. if the (ieiieral
wonld send a waLion ti-ain ont for the c(jtton. he. for a stipulated reward,
wciidd act as i^nide in h|-i ni;i ni;' it in. The (lenei-al accepti'd 1 he proposition,
and ordered me to take the wai^dii train, anil mo\c earl,\- the next niorniiiL;-.
^\'e had abont twenty-h\c waij-ons di-awn li.v cattle and nudes, which we had
t^-atliered from the sii i-|-oii nd i iil;- plantations for lianlinL;' in l; i-a i n and other
feed i'oi- the horses of the commaiid. 1 nio\ed as ordered with coni])anies
(■ and 1) C'axaliw, and K lnfaidi\\ as ynards. Ahont eii^ht miles out I met the
UMiide as pre-ari'anyed. and eai'ly in the afternoon reached the cotton, which
we found as he had stat-d. all hrand.-d C. S. A. We loaded il promptly, and
started on our retnrn trip, reaching;- lieil Lick church late in the aftern()(»n.
where J intended eoini;' into cam]). 1 at cjucc sent Ihi'ce teams ont into the
country for feed for onr caltle ami horses. .lust before rcachini;- the i-hnrch
we captured two tine hoi'ses. from a plantation where lived a middle a^'cd
man. with his wife and ai^ed mother. We had been in t'ani]) a very short time
when this i;-entlenian came, recpiest i ul;- to see the otticer in command. With
some hesitancy he stated that althoui^h he had no i-eL;ai-d for me- or my com-
mand, he wcmld i^i\c me some information, which was. that Major Kolx'rts
(from under whose \cry nose, on the 14th of the p|-ccedini;- month we had
captured a conipanv- of men) \\as movine- n|;on us with his entii'e command,
which would result in a Hi^ht : and since his residence was oid,\- a few rods
from the camp, a battle woidd be a se\ere shock to his wife and mother, and
|)robabl\- his home would be burned; he hopt'd. therefore. I would see it foi'
m\ interest to move at once. He seemed like an i ntell ii;ei)t man. anil I was
sati.stied he was honest in his statement. I Iherefiu-e callei! the ofticci's to-
o-ether in the Ked Lit'k chm-ch. It wasn'l for the purpose of holdiui^' a |ii-a,\er
mectiiii;'. but to deciile ^\hether we should uidoad that cotton for a barricade,
and fiL;ht it out there, or move immeiliatelx in hope of i-eachini^' Coleman's Ci'oss
Koads. before the enemy i^ot then'. Shoidil we i-emain. there would be no
protection of oui- animals and \\f would undoubtedly lose nianv of them in
the fiii'ht. which woidd leave an additional nmnber of men dismounted, puttini;-
us in a bad plii;iil to move our train <))• to battle successfully with a force
that so L;r'a11v out n mu bei'cd us. Il was nnanimouslv decided to break camp,
which we did. witiiout anv feed for the stock, since earlv morniuL;'. I'ntil wc
reached Coleman's Ci-oss Koads. we were as liable to attack' from the real' as
from the front, and so I |)laced Co. I) Cavalrv in front, \vith a ser<^eaiit and
twelve ])iekeil iiuui foi' advance yuard. and Co. (' Cavalrv in the rear, under
command of Ca|it. Oscar I'". I'.rown. and scattered ( d. K Infantrv. under com-
mand (d' Lieut. Michael Urannon. aloni:' with the wau'i'iis. It was nearlv dai'k
A iiihnHcdd c of a ('off on T
rdOi .
j)/^>
\\ lien we iiKncd (iiil. \\ i1 li ;i liL;lit r;iiii I'alliiiii'. ami il sixm ixvrw \rv\ ilark.
'I'lii'ci' miles t'l'om Colcma ii's. al'lrr liaxiiiL;' Iraxi'lcd two miles over a limkeii
e<iiiiitrv. where in |ila<'<'s e\ea \ a t i( j;is had lieeii made in 1 he eonsi niet i( in id' a
iiaiTdW road, leaxiiit;' einlia idsinent s. lil'teen oi- 1\\eii1v I'eet liiiih on eillier side,
we ran inlo as wtdl planiu'd and exeeided an amiinsh. as I think was made
dnrinL;' the war. The enemv allowci! Ihe advance ^iiai'il. wliieh was ahunt a-
i|iiai'1er of a nnle ahead. 1o pass on to a place where thev liad formed a sec-
ond ambuscade linildin^' a fence across the I'oad at that point and when
Co. I) ('a\ali-\ at the head of the train reached tlie tirst amiiiiscade. t hey
opened lire upon it from lioth sidt^s. and twcniy fi'ct alio\e. j ordei'ed the
eompan\' to draw re\ol\frs and connnence liriiiy'. Then I sent a cfnirier ahead,
to Italt the aihani'c and have them charLj'c hack, and another conrici- to hui'i'v
np the iiifantr\. As llie first courier passed np tlu' short hili. he ran into an-
other cut on tile opposite side, where he received a full vcdiev. ( o. j) ( avalrv
was then holdiiii;' their position liianlv". and ijaliopcd np to the top of Ihi' hil!
to L;-et the positicm of tile enemy on the opposite side. JUd'ore the inftuti'v
came np. anil Just as I left, the enemy l)eL;an thi'owine- rails down upon m v
men. compcllinL;' them to fall hack. Tlle enemy then slid down the endiank-
nieid and took possession of t lie head of the train, and as I ri'turned I fonnd
tlie cut lilled with them and with dead horses. l''i-oin tlie flash id' the L;iins.
I saw it was impossilile for me to yo tlinini^ii. so I turned and went aii'ain to
the top of the liill. and tiierc jumped my horse over the fence (there liciiiL;' none
of the enemy 1 hci'c ) hoping;' to flank the tirst amlinscade and retniai to my
command. I was then in an old cotton tield. and wlien I came to levtd i^ronnd
I came upon a wide ditch. My horse Ixmiil;- slii;htlv wounded in the hip. failed
to strike the other side with his hind feet, and landed upon his hack some ten
feet or more dov\n. As he fell over 1 sjirani;' from the saddle, and saved
niyscdf from heiuL;' cani;iit under liiiii. 1 found him so ti^ihlly vveilL;-ed in. I
could not ect him oid. In the meantime the infantry had come up. cliarL;ed
11]) the tirst hill, and all hriiii;- then ceased. 1 could not t:'ll then whether our
men or tin enemv had I lie front of tlie train, and haviui.;- lost my i-evolvers
under niv horse. v\as as likclv makiuL;- niv w a \' hack cm foot, to run into the
enemv as to reach my (_)wii troops. I tlicrel'oi-e decided to maki,' for the fleet
on foot widcli I did. arrivine- at K'odney at :.' o'clock a. in.
r>ut tile Marine liifaiitr\ were holdini;- their position, and Co. (' Cavalry
ciKiiine- to their assistance, they toL;e1lier held their own for ahout an hour,
('aptain I'.rown. iKdievini;' it extremely ha/ardous to advance into the andins-
cade with his crippled force, and haviiie^ a euide with him who knew all tli'
roads, look a plantation road to the hd't. arriving;' at Koilney ahoiit the time I
came in. The advanct' eiiard were all captured save one man. Corporal I'i'ank
.1. Melton, whose horse Jumped the fence. f'irst Scrijt. .lames \\ . I'"llis was
in command of ( 'o. I) ('avalrv. and his horse was killed liy the tirst volley, and
the Serijeaut went down in the darkness with his chari;cr. Some of the men
who were captured manaiied to escape diiriiiii' the nii^ht. and came in the
J7^ Ilisfo)')/ of the Mtirhw Brh/Ofle.
next day. Our casualties were, one man uiortaliy, arid six seriously wounded,
and twelve taken ])risoners. "We also lost seventeen horses. The next mornino-.
takino' all the eavali\\- and ])art of the infantry, we moved out again. On reaeh-
ing the train, we found most of the eotton burned, and after driving- back a
small g'uard left by the enemy, we loaded the lialance of the cotton, and ^vitll
the killed and jiart of the ^vounded. left on tlie field by the enemy, returned to
the fleet.
Serg-eaiit Jno. F. Barmore of Co. D Cav., who was wounded, and
saw all that took iplace, while a i^risoner, adds many interestino' de-
tails: '*We had not ridden more than one mih' and were just passing
'"through a deep cut in the road, just one mile south from Coleman's
"cross roads when we were greeted by a A'olk^y of nnisketry from the
'•fops of the hanks from l)<)th sides of the road. This was our hrst
"'knowledge of the enemy, who had kindl}' let the videttes pass through
'■'the deep cut so as to be sure of the reserve, and indeed they made
'■sure, for they enii)tied seven saddles the hrst volley and I think only
"two horses escaped alive, being those of St('i)h('n W. Turner, com-
'■pany blacksmith, and Corporal Frank J. Mehon. The killed of the
'"advance guard were Corporal Dix and Louis Iv. ^McDonald. The
''wounded were Serg't (leorge F. Cox. Private WiUiam J. Roney, Wil-
"liam H. H. Spithn-. Cor{)oral Henry Fry and myself. John Welker
••was knocked from his horse by a bh)w from a rail tlirown down on
'"him. Sergt. J. W. FlHs was also woiuided in tliis engagement. He
"was acting hrst lieutenant in command of our old company, D cavalry.
"Theodore M. Badglev. of our company, was knocked from his horse
"with a fence rail and badly hurt. AVhen we were hrst hred upon tlie
"column came forward and found and engaged the enemy for a few
"moments, tlien fell back and did not renew tb-e attack. Afterwards
''the company of infantry (^Company K) which accompanied us on
"this expedition under the command of Lieut. M. Bremian, did good
•'work deploying and engaging the enemy. The conunand now with-
""drew, leaving the eneufv in possession of the held, and also the teams
■"and wagons loaded with our one hundred thousand dollar's worth of
""cotton, whilst it was a sort of go-as-you-i)lease to get to the boats at
'Kodney. Cor])oral Frank J. Melton jumped the barricade built
"across the road in llu' ambush and rode thi-ough to the boats. Steph-
"en W. Turner a ho made his escape with his horse. These were the
Othcv liccollcctioiis of fJic F luiij. ^YS
''only two of the ndvaiiee u-uai'd that cscaixM]. V\v wen' badly done
"for, but we left our mark at the cut, for the rebels had seven killed
"and nine wounded. Anu)no- the killed were two first lieutenants and
'"one oi'derly ser^x'ant. After the h<>htino- was all over the wounded
'"and prisoners were all conveyed to the residence of Dr. Davenport,
■'a surii'eon in the rebel army (who. by-the-way. our c()m})any had
'"taken [jrisoner a few days l)efore) jind he was now at home on parole.
''He showed himself both a good surgeon and a |)erfect gentlenuin in
'"his treatnu^nt of the wounded, for which we were very grateful. Next
"morning tlie wounded were iniroled bv IMajor Calvin Roberts, ,C. S.
'"A., who was in comnuind of the rebels. 1 he prisoners wlio were not
"wounded badly were marclied southward and sad indeed was tlie jjart-
''ing ^^ ith our lo\'ed comrades, and all wej)t at the parting", for going
'"to a rebel prison was almost sure death, from disease or worse still,
'*star\ation. Strange as it may seem. e\'ery one of those conn-ades
''went through Andersonville and li^'ed to get home — at least all but
"one, and he eidisted in the rebel army to get out of Anderson\'ille.
''Nothing nu)re is known of John Welker. 'J'he names of those who
'"went to Anders()u\ ille are. AA'illiiim J. Rouey, William II. H. SjMtler,
"William l*aiuter. Coi'i)oral Henry Fry, John AVelker, and Ashley J.
"Frazier. all of ,Conipany D Cavalry. Serg't (ieorge Cox and myself
''were so badly wounded we Could not be nujved. Afk>r three weeks I
"was comeyed in Dr. Davenport's family carriage, accompanied bv
'diimself and sister, to Rodney, where I signaled the V . S. gun boat
'"U<dtU'i\ and was taken on board and conveyed to Natchez, ^liss."
Adam Decker, of Co. K Inf.. who was with his counuand. through-
out the Hght, contributes still other facts uuUving the story quite com-
plete: "About twenty men of Co. K in connnand of Lieut. lirennan
"were scattered along, I'iding on the loads of cotton. Lieutenant lU'en-
"nan on the front wagon, when the advance was Hred on. Lieutenant
"Brennan called for Co. K to rally to the front. Wt' ran, up, formed
''in line and then j)roceede(l up the road on double-(iuick. but did not
"get very far till we were halted by a volley from the enemy behind
'the fence, on tlu' right of the road, so near that the flash from their
"guns almost reached us. AVe gave them several volleys in return
'•Avhich stopjjed their tiring. Then hearing a noise up the road like
'diorses running", a.nd thinkina" the enemv was charaiui>- us, we were
37^
Tlisfori/ (if the Miir'/nc It rh/ddc.
'\'oiiiin;ui(l('(l lo li.\ Uayoiicts. which ()i-(h'r was [)i'()iii|)lly ohevod and
'•tlie eiu'iiiy waited for. A\'(' soon found tlu'V were not coming', so we
•'contiinied iij) the road prohahly one hundred yards. ()win<.i' to the
"(hirkness of the niiiht we couhl see nothinif, so we turned and went
"back to the wagons, carryinii' the wounded with us. Then with bales
'•of cotton we nia(h' a sort of fort, with the intention of stayinfr there
"till niorninii'. I'mt after the ollieers hehl a eonsuhation they t]iou<:'ht
■"be>t to tr\' and net to tlie boats. Sad iiKh'cd was the thouiiht. for
"two of the l)o\s were so badly wounded we couhl not take tlieni with
"us. After lillina- their canteens with watei- out of ours, and fixini:'
'them as comfortable as we could, we lid't them in the darkness of the
"niulit to the mercy of the ent'Uiy. 'I'hen the infantry, takinii; the
'harness off the mules, mounted, and with the ca\ali'V started on an
'old road, in the darkness, and made its way throiiiih in almost per-
"fect silenct'. e.\ce[)t occ:isionally a lii'oan fi'oni some of tlu' boy> ridiuii'
■"•barebacked mules. AA'ell. we i^ot through to the i-i\i'r some time next
"morninu'. Soon after our arri\al se\-ei-al hundred uiounteil men.
"taking an ambulance starte(l foi- the scene of oi'r disaster. AAdieii
"thev arrived at the place they found the wounded men had been taken
"to an old house near by, and the cotton burn('(l. ( )ne of the woundeil.
'whose name I do not I'emember. was ilead: the other, dames Sickal.
"was l)rought back the f()llo\^•inli• night, and to the lireat surprise of
"all. |)ulled through."
Early in March. "(U. was begtm the movement known in sul)se-
({uent history as "Ijank's Red Iviver Exjiedition". ::nd the lOth of this
month found the Marine fleet undi-r orders and preparing to join it.
.V large numbi-r of transports had betMi assembled at A'icksburg. and
the embarking of tro()j)s. under command of (»en. A. J. Smith, to b,'
transported to \\l'<\ River, was in progress. (Jeneral Smith's com-
mand which was to go. consisted of the Eii'st and 'I'hird I)i\isons of
the KUh C"or))s. and the Eirst and P'ourth Divisions of the 17th cur|)^.
The Marine Light liattery. together with numy of tlu' hor-.es and
nudes belonging to the connnand. were hd't in camp on sh.ore to ma!-:(^
room for other troops, and the Aoams. and the <|U.iriermaster and Com-
nnssary boat E.\ii;(iiinn. also remained behind. The ram Ei lton. in
charge of lieutenant Ed. Ellet. was sent to Caii'o for repairs, and the
ram Moxakcii was ordei'v'd to I'eturn to ( ireen\ille. and ])atrol that ])arr
Off' With fhr Hid irirci- E.i-jH'd'dlon. 377
of the ri\('i'. while tht' Swi'izhkland uns to patrol the \ iciiiity of (irrand
Gulf.
Oil the afternoon of the 11th, the Marine boats, ami the loii^ line
of steamers loaded with (ien. .V. ,] . SinitlTs trooj)s, readied the mouth
of Ked River. On the l-Jtli the fleet moved up Old Red River into
the Atchafalaya. and in the afternoon anchored at Simsport. Hear-
ing' nothing from (ieneral Banks, (leneral Smith disembarked a por-
tion of his troops the next day, and sent a bria'acU' under (ireneral
Mower, to reconnoitre in the vicinity of Yellow Bayou. The enemy
had broken camp and retired. Oeneral Smith then decided to march
the column thirty miles ()\'erland to Fort l)e Ivussey, while the boats
went around to the same point. The land force liad ad\'anced l)ut a
few miles, when the}' began to be harrassed from front and rear by
the enemy's cavalry, and this continued all the rest of the way across.
Oaj)t. E. (t. Hughes of ,Co. C mounted infantry, with some thirty of
his men rendered valual)le service on this march, and was compliment-
ed by General A. ,L vSmith.
IJeaching Fort I)e Kussey in the afternoon of the 14tl>. it Avas at
once assailed, and two hours later was taken. T!ie ^lariiie Gavalry
which was also a part of the advance guard, overland, and which by its
da^li and daring gained the admiration of Smith's men. j)articii)ated
in this engagement, furnishing a body guard for General Smith, and
assisting to drive the Confederates into the fort, and were honored in
receiving the flrst fire from its guns. On the KUh and ITtli details
were made from the Brigade to assist in tlie destruction of tlie Gonfed-
erate fortifications. .Vt ten p. m. the main fort was blown up. and by
the explosion two men were k'illed. one sergeant wounded, and a
Lieutenant of the Slst Illinois had his brains blown out. To the
commander and crew of the gunboat A'.v.sc.r was committt'd the perilous
task of exploding the Confederate magazine.
The Marines naturally rejoiced in the capture and destruction of
this fort, since it was here that on February 14, 1S(5:'>, their famous
QiKEX OF THE West was disabled and captured by the rebels. The
Marine fleet left Fort I)e Kussey March istli. at eight o'clock a. m.,
and reached Alexandria at five o'clock \). m. In coming up the tor-
tuous stream, the Raixe brok'e her rudder, and was compelled to tie
ui) tor the niii'ht. a few miles below. A small cotton boat lav some
37S
Il'tstori/ of the Murine Bi'ifiadi
distance above, ami iliirino- the iiii;iit the "Johiiiiies"" took her crew
prisoners, and hiirncd th-c boat. Coin])ani('s (i and K Inf.. went to
the rescne. bnt conhl not overtake the fleeing enemy with their ])rison-
ers. While in pursuit of the retreatino- force, a house a mile from the
river was seai'ched and some hfty stands of arni-^ found in it wi're
destroyed. On the l'IUIi the
Mai'ine '!.'uu' Alf. Citpixo,
Master A. M. (iranacr in
(•Iniru'e. arrixcd brin^'ini:' oi"-
ders from (General Shei-man.
aiul instructions from (len-
<'ral MelMn'rson. assia-runu'
the r>i-iaade to patrol the
Marine Tug flif. Cutting, Built and Commanded by ri\'er distrut between ViclvS-
Master A. M. Granger. i ^ i ^ ^^^ t'I
" \)\\v<y and (srei'iiviUe. 1 he
CiTTiX(; was at once sent back A^ith mail and dispatches. ( )n her way
to Vicksburg she met with an accident to her eniiine. by which her
eno-iiieer was (|uite severely scaldeil. but she proceeded safely to her
destination.
On the i:!Tth. pursuant to the orders fronr (ieneral Sherman, liert'-
tofore a'i\cn. and the re(inest of (ieneral McPherson based therc^on.
(Teneral Uanks. retaininu' the Hospital boat AVooni'oiu). relieved the
other four Mai'ine boats, and they ]:)i'oceeded to make their '\^■ay down
to the Mississi])|)i. and thence u])\vai'd. without any incident worthy
of note, i-eachini:- \dclcsbnrg- on March ."Ust. Here they foinid the
AuAMs. and were soon after joined by the ram Moxakc ii and tug
Oi 'rrixc;.
'Ihe Hospital boat AA^oonroiU) never again plowed the waters of
the Mississii)pi. in company with her fellows of the Ahirine fleet. Sad
Avas her fate: far away from her companions — in hostile waters — nec-
essarily aboudone(l by those whom she had sheltered and cared for
in wounds and sickness — she perished, in the pi'ime of her career of
nsefulness. I)etain(Ml too long, after the fall of Ked lii\-er had am-
])ly warned of her dangei'. when at length she was allowed to lea\e, the
attem|)t to tak'c her over the rocky shoals at Alexandria proxcd disas-
trous. She struck the rock:s and a hole was torn in her hull causing her
to sink and break' up. a hopidess wi't'ck'. Her crew loyally I'emaiued
[,Oss of flic II ()()(] foi'il .
?79
on her scmtjiI wcck^. in li()|)(' of iilliniatcly sa\inii' her. and as late as
the 2(Uh of April. Lieutciumt Ilowcll of the (icncral's stalf. was sent
Avith Lieutenant Francis Aid and a detail of twenty men from Co. I>
infantry, with the ram Lioxkss. to see if anvtliin.ti' couhl he done
towai'd her I'escue — hut all in \ain. Al>out that time the union troops
were eN'aeuatini;' Alexandria, and the W'oonroi.M) was dismantled and
burned, to preNcnt hei' failiiiij," into the hands of the enemy. She was
a large elegant steamer, splendiilly litted up for hospital purposes,
the finest floating hospital on the Mississi|)pi rixcr. Her retention l)y
(ienei'ai liank's was a fatal mistake.
^^'hile the hoats were up Red Rix'er. (•()nsidera')le sugar and mo-
lasses was captured, and brought on hoard hy the men. for their own
use. The liAi/nc's soldiers st'cured enough to make ([iiite an avail-
able stock in trade, with whicli to pi-o\"ide themseh'es extra articles
at Vicksburg. for their comfort and use. Among these was a dinner
bell, used regularly thereafter by ,('o. \\ Inf.. and brought home, after
the nnister-oul. by (li-derly Sergeant ^. M. I'^uikerson. a relic which he
])rizes Ncry highly as a ^ouxcnii'. of his service on the Ikm/iic.
Meantime the Confederates were industriously
planning further, and more systematic raids upon
the navigation of the Mississippi. And this was
not volunteer, guerrilla work by any means. It was
originated by the highest Confederate authority in
the west, and had the sanction of Jetf. Davis, him-
self, and all the aid and assistance his adnrinistra-
tion could gi\'e. Tlu' purpo>-e and scope of this
plan are set forth in a connnunication from Lieut.
(Jen. Leonidas Polk to President I)a\is. under date
of March 1:!!, ISIU. in which, after elaborating his
\ plan foi- districting the wlutle river, and organizing
raiding forces in each, he says: •'Such an arrange-
''ment would effectually pre\'ent the raids that are
"now bi'iiiii' made from the ri\-er by cavalry who go up and down on
• the 'river fleet" of the enemy, under Ellet. and would gi\e protection
"to such of our planters as might desire to return to the l)ottoms to
"resume their planting. To accomj)lish this wouhl re(|uire about
•■:k()0() cavalrv and about :>() held auns. ..." Froui this extract
j8o History of the Marine Bri^ude.
the rciuliT can judii-e of the efficiency of the service tlie Marine Brig--
ade was perfornnn<i\ when alh)we(l to ])ursiie the object for which it
was designed.
On the 31st of March, occurred a change in Depai'tnient Com-
manders at Vicksburg. (ieneral Mc Arthur succeeding (leneral Mcl*her-
son. The rehitions l)etAveen (ireneral ]\IcPherson and the Brigade were
always of the pleasantest character, (ieneral McPherson was always
kind, courteous, and appreciative, and the Marines took delight in
doing their best in executing his orders. l*erhai)s no officer under
whom it served, better understood the nature and mission of the Ma-
rine Brigade, or placed a fairer \aluation upon the ser\ice it ren-
dered.
Under the direction of the new connnander at Vicksburg, on
March 31, 18(54, two companies of Marine cavalry Avere sent to i)r()-
tect the men making repairs on the telegraph line, between Vicksburg
and Haines' Blutf. On the way it rained heavily, and haik'd so that
the men were both wet through and received a good pelting beside.
At last finding shelter, they made themselves as comfortal)le as they
could, but twice during the night they were routed out on false
alarms. During the day the Monarch and the tug Cutting reached
the wharf and rei)()rted to headquarters. The cavalry detachment re-
turned from Haines' lUutl' next day without sighting the enemy. On
the L'nd the fleet was busy coaling, and in the afternoon the infantry
was out for drill, under Colonel .Currie. At noon the Kaixe got back
from lied river. Her late arrival was due to an accident she incurred
while on the way out, and for two days and nights, she lay making re-
l)airs. The second night hring was heard near, and above her, on the
river, and suspecting something was wrong, she hastily raised steam and
moved u] stream, to find the little steamer La Crosse beset by guer-
rillas, and all al)laze. This steamer, during the day, had l)een en-
gaged in taking on cotton. At night she anchored out in the narrow
stream, but indiscreetly left her stern line fastened to shore. Dis-
covering her situation, some guerrillas came and ()])ened Hre on her.
Some thirteen soldiers Avere on board of her, but only three or four
of them were armed. These three or four made what resistance they
could. l)ut the attacking jiarty using the stern line, hauled the boat to
shore, and set lu-r on fire. Tpon her arrival, the Kaink oix'ued fire on
If'/slxindiiKj of the Lh/lit A rtilh'i'ij. ^8i
the (.'lUMuy with licr two pieces of artillery. The o'linboat Ydnkee
also soon after appeared on the seene, and the woods were thoron*>'hly
shelled, when the Confederates i-etired. The I^a Crosse was eorn-
])letely destroyed. One sera'eant on her was killed, and her crew, and
the soldiers on her. were carried away prisoners. Some of the Raixe's
Marines went ashore, and failin<>; to iind the enemy, in retaliation ar-
rested some of the citizens and burned some buildings near by the
scene.
On the 'h'd, in obedience to orders from lleadcpiarters. the IIaixe
was sent up the Sunflower Iviver, to destroy ,C()nfederate crossings on
that stream. The mounted infauti'v wer(\ at the rt'cpiest of General
McArthur. sent out in the direction of Haines' Blutl', ivturning" in the
evening without any incident of im])ortan("e. On this day also Co. A
Inf. changed (fuarters to the Adams. On tlie 4th of A])ril, in compli-
ance witii orders from Department Headquarters, instructions were
issued by (ieneral Ellet disorganizing the Marine battery of light
artillery. Captain Walling, its connnander, entered a vigorous pro-
test, but the nudter had been pre-deterniined In' the powers higher up,
and the protest was unavailing. During that night, a false alarm
caused a Marine company to be sent across the river, to no ])ur})ose.
At 7 o'clock in the morning of this same day, the Diana and
AnA:\rs left A'icksburg, and ])roceeded u]) stream, reaching (loodrich's
Landing about sunset, where they tied uj) for the night. At T) o'clock
the next morning they moved on \\\) stream, reaching Skipwith's
I^anding at noon, with the horses saddled and the men ready to lead
otf for a scout. The boats went on up around the l)end to Carolina
Landing, whih' the troo[)s went across the country. At this point the
i)th, 7th, 8th and Oth were employed in scouting and drill, as the
weather, which was very uncertain, })erinitted.
Leaving these two boats here, we return to ^"icksburg, to gather
up the f<)llowing items for record. X\)v'\\ 'Ah. pursuant to orders
from Hea(l(iuart(>rs, 17th A. (\, Capt. C. (J. Fisher of Co. E Inf., w^as
ai)pointed lirigade Inspector. liy orders from the same source, Sergt.
J. D. Metz of C\). D Inf.. A. T. Bullard. and thirteen others, hereto-
fore nanu'd in a War Department detail, were transferred on their
promotion to the African Division. The Monarch and Switzer-
land returned from their trip uj) the Sunflower, whither they had
jS2 History of the Marine Brigade.
l)een sent to li'atlu'i- inforuuition I'csjx'ctiiiii- tlu' ciiciuy. ()ii the <)tli.
the same two rams dei^arted i'or ^ azoo City, on a siniilai' errand, iv-
tnrning on the Sth. On the Dth. the rei)airs on the Ixu/rn- and Kaixe.
which had detained them and the Ai'tockat. wei-e completed, and they
all started toti'ether up the river, i-.-achin^i' (ioodricliV Landing- at o
o'clock p. m. Ilei'e tliey landed to secnn^ information respectini>' the
enemy in that vicinity, and then mo\'ed on to Carolina Landin.ii".
which was reached early on the mornini;,' of the lOth.
The gnerrillas wi're at this time au'ain \'ery active alonii" the rixcr.
This was no doubt due. in ])art at least, to the ConfcMJci'ate plans for
systematic raidinii" before mentioned. For the time heina' the two Ma-
rine rams remained at A'ickshurii' subject to the immetliate orders of
General ^IcArthnr. as the enemy in the rear of that ])lace was aii'ain
somewhat troul)lesome, and the rams wei-e the fleetest Ncssels ax'i'.ilable
for transfer of troops or sendini:' dispatches.
In the evening of the lOth, the Diaxa and Ai)A:\rs wer(> sent bi'-
low. to ])rocure necessary rations, and then to patrol below the ^"icks-
l)nrg. On the 11th. the tieet ( Ai TctcuAT. I)Ai/ric and Kaixf.) ])a<sed
u|) to (Jreenville, and from that point a scout was conducted, out
through the Deer Creek country. ( )ne prisoner was captured, and two
good horses secin'ed. Though the country was full of Confederates,
they seemed to keep out of the Avay of the Marines. Another scout
was made on the l!2th in the same locality, and dnring the day Con-
federate i)ickets were enconntere(l and dri\'en. but no sight obtained
of the main force — reported as lixc hundred strong. Information,
howex'er. was received during the day. of a contraband ti'atfic carried
on by the three steamers — the Henry A. Ilomeyer. Mattie Cook, and
Lillie Martin. On the b')th the tug Ct ttinm; was dispatched to look
after the Hernw A. TTomeyer. The pajx-rs of the little steaujcr Sylph.
Iving just below (Jret'nville. and the K. E. Hill, at Columbia, still
furthei- down and (m the Arkansas side, were al^o oxcriiauled. and
their doings iuxcstigated. with the I'esult that all three were held un-
dei guard. A^'hiie these things were occuri'ing. the liAi/nc was hav-
ing' a somewhat similar experience. Lieut. K. S. Murphy of Co. Tf
Inf.. gi\H's this account of it :
LTEt'TEXAXT .MflMMI^'S KXI'i.OIT AC CliAXD LAKI^.
Wliilc ;it a laiidiriL;- sdiiic miles al)()\c (Iranil l.al<('. Major 'I'allerday, in
Piisli of L/ciit. M iiriili i/'s S(jmi(].
IS3
<'(Mnm;iii(l of 1 lie l',;illic. Iinil i 11 1'c iMiin 1 ion llial ;i coHdii ti-iiiii. cscoiicd l)y ;i
(•(>iii|;;i M>- of .lnliMii\- i;fl)s. IkiiI :irri\('(i at (iraiiil Lake ami was liaviiiL;- a deal
willi a colliiii trailiiii;- hual a1 that |ilaci'. \\'lici-fii|ii)ii the Majoi- d isciiiWarkfi I.
with ('aptaiii (Dx's anil Captain llarpci-"s ci )iii pa 11 ics. with the int-iition n!'
(•a|it Ill-ins^- till' .loliniiii's. hut whi'ii hr stnii'k the mail IrailiiiL;- to (n-aml Lake
111' coni'liiili'il the train anil cscni-t hail ^unc liark intn thi' i'iiiinti-y. I was tliat
(la\' in riiinnianil nf tliis mail h'ailini;- tn thi' ri\i'i-. an unli'i-ly was tlu'i'i' with
onliTs fi-om till' Majur to pmci'cil to t hr i-ivcr. ai-i-rst th;' rww of tlir trailer,
mill take i'harL;i' of tlie rraft. I pon neariiiL;- the lanilinL;- this iniyhtN ai'iiiv of
twelvf men t'onnil that, sure enoiii;h the train of waL;ons was i^'one. hut that
the i^'naril of .lolmnies were still tln're. 1 i;a\e the euninianil to eliai'Lji'. and
riL;lit nianfnll\- did these twelxe men sail in. and we captured and held, until
tlie hattalion arri\i'd. two eoniniissioned oftieers. and eii;'iiteeii enlisted men,
fiill,\' arnuil and eipiipped Confederate soldiei-s. \\'e Marines ealled tiiat a.
pretty good take.
Ill coiiiicrtioii witli this capttii'c. thci'c was .111 iiiifortinialc occiir-
ri'iicc. AVhcii the twchc Marines iiiailc tlicir dash a.iid captured the
C'()iif('<lerati' a'lianl. the ttaih't tVoiii the Ixiat and one of his men
jumped into his yawl and atlenipted to ("-cape, and r.'fiisinif to stop,
wlten ordered to thi so. was tired on. 'Idie trader tlien jumi)ed into
the water, still hanuini:' on to the side of the yawl. r)ut his pai'tner
recei\'ed a hall throniih the knee, inilictinu' a daiiiieroiis wound, ^^dlell
these men were re--ciied and hroni^'ht to shore, it transpired that they
had niisl<d<en Lieut. Murphy and his men foi' a s<|iiad of (^uantreir-;
men. and ihey preferreij taking;' the desj)erate chance of esca])e. to tiiat
of fallini:- into the hands of tliese merciless oiierriilas. Lieut. A[uri)hy
N'ery i>-raciously fora'a\(' thes(^ meti for the uncomplimentary mistake
they made respectina' the identity of himself and his men. ( )n the
ITith the three boats lay all day at (irand Lake. During' Ihe day. or-
ders were received at I Iead(iuarters. from the oHice of the Adjutant
(xenei-al. at AA'ashinuton. reliexina- Lieutenants ^^'arrell atid liailey.
^vho had been with the Keel IJixcr expedition, and al<o notice that the
resij>-nation of Lieut. Joseph W'icolf. of Co. ('. Caw (tendereil Jan-
uary li-'jrd ) . Avas now accejited. On the liUh the three hoats moved
up to Ford's Landing', and sent the fidl n'lounted force out upon a
scout, hut without Hndini>- any hostile force. The rams now arri\'ed
from \'icksl)urii\ lirinii'iuii' instructions Itoiii (ieneral McAiihur for
(leneral Ellet to send them on up to Memphis, there to report to
(General Hulliurt for diitv. Durini;- the dav the steamer Lebanon
384 Ilhtorij ^'f ''^"^ Marine Brigade.
was held up and scarcluHl. as she was suspected of heino- en<i'a^'ed in a
contral)and trade.
Issuing- instructions to the BAi/nc to cruise between (xreenville
and Lake Providence, the Aitocrat, acc()ni})anied 1)V the IJaine,
})assed down, hmding" at Skij)with"s, at )> o'chn-k p. ni.. remaining*
there over night, and then going on doAvn to Lake Providence. On
the 17th the cavalry was sent out from this |)oint. scouting through
to Bayon Mason, and returning to the boats at 5 o'clock, having cov-
ered a distance of thirty-five miles without special incident.
On the •JOth. the Aitoc'rat and Ivaixk proceeded down stream,
touching at (ioodriclTs Landing, and reaching Vicksburg at T) o'clock
]). m. In the evening (leneral McArthur requested a convoy for the
supply boat Clara Evans, going up to Vazoo City, and (ieneral EUet
dispatched a tug below with orders for the Diaxa and Ada.ais to come
up for that i)ur])ose. and they reached Vicksburg at -> p. m. of the tilst.
It will l)e remembered that these boats ])arted from the rest of tb.e fleet
at Carolina Landing, abo^•e Skij)withs. During the night of the 11th,
when near Paw Paw Island, a serious accident came neai" resulting in
tlie loss of both l)oats. Of this, Cai)t. I. T). Xewell, then in connnand
of the ADA:Nrs, furnished the following account :
'IIIK ADAMS AXI) DIAXA IX COLLISIOX.
ITntil late in tlie evening;- I \vas on flu- liiirricanc deck \vith Sailiii<^' Master
Sol. Malbon. enjoyinij- the clear starlight Jiight. As 1 was al)out going- below
for the nig-ht. I said to ^lalbon, "We are running too close to the Diana — you
will slack np and take proper distance."
Along' toward morning- I was awakened 1i-oni a sound slnniber by a terrific
<-rash. which cansed the old Adams to tremble from stem to stern. Having-
gone to bed with my final order to ISIalbon on my mind. I realized in an instant
what had occuri-ed. Sjjringing- o\it of my berth, T started np the back stair-
way to the hnrricaiic roof, the foot of which was near my ontside stateroom
door. I was thinking- mighty fast, and along with a painful realization of
my responsibilities as the commander of the boat, and into my mind Avas
flashed the picture of a possible strug-g-le in an angry current for the distant
sliore, and what preparation would be necessary should 1 iiave to take to the
water. Ileaching the forward part of the boat, 1 found ^lalbon. who had
just issued from the "texas." swearing, sputtering-, and raging- like a mad man.
The pilot had disregarded the caution given after my instructions, and had ag-ain
shortened the distance for safe running-. The river was \o\\\ the IDiana had
struck a sand bar. and \ve were too close u]K)ii her to either chang-e our
course or stop in time to prevent a collision, and so wc had struck her a
stag-g-ering- blow on her larboard side, cutting- off about fifteen feet of her stern
Tlic Adams (IS (I lid III. ^8=^
ij'iiard, cnisliiiif^- in Iter hull flosr down hut not (piite to thr \\;i1('i' line, dcniol-
ishin<i' one or two of the ;\niin;il stalls in Iut hoiler deck, and drojjping a- horse
and a cow into the ri\ei\ Some one on the Diana called over to "Old Sol,"
(as Sailini;' Master Mallion was faniiliarl\- called) to sa\e the horse. I'.nt in
his well known staninierini;' nttiM-ance. inters|)erse(l \vith oaths, he shouted
back: "S-s-s-save n-n-n-nothiny All t;-ii'-ii'-ii'o to t-t-t-to-
g'ethei'." When the Adams hat-ked away fi'om the Diana, her Jackstatt" was
down, her nosino- was tui'neil oft', and a hole was discos'ered in her how
throufi'h which water in a consideralile stream was rushing;' into hei- hold.
-Master Malbon ordered a tar])aulin thrown down oxer her liow and started
her for the shore, the pressure from the headwax ci-owdini^- the tarpaulin u|)
tiii'ht over the hole and stop])ed the intiow of water, (ieneral f'llet humorously
pi-oposed inittiuL;' the Adams into the i-ani fleet, but yielded (I) to my earnest
])i-otest ai^'ainst so doiiiy-.
Tltc two bouts at once i)roc(MMle(l to ^"i(•ksl)lll•<i^ arriviiiii' at 7
o'cloclv a. 111. the next iiiorniii<>\ and n'|)aii's on both were ])ronij)tly
b('o-nn. This j)roV('(l no small undcrtak'ina". it bcina' necessary to build
a kind of dry dock for the bow of the Adams. But the boatmen of
die JMarine fleet were sutJicieiit for almost aiiythiiiii" short of the full
construction of a steamer.
While waiting- for the i-epairs. Colonel Currie kept his men in
healthful exercise by (hiily di-ill. On the KUh the i'ei)airs to the boats
were com])lete«l. and at midni^'ht they moved down to Cartilage,
where early the next moriiin<i: a detachment of infantry went out on
tlie Loui.-.iana side on a scout, retui'iiin.^- at T) o'clock, with se\-eral
l)ales of cotton and a mmiber of jjrisonei's. On the bsth, Colonel
Currie. in command of four companies of moinitecl infantry, made
an extended scout to liayou Tensas, returniuif at 10 o'clock p. m..
briiio-ino- in ^s prisoners, some memliers of a li-ut'rrilla band wliich
luid I'ecently l)een eno'a<»;ed in r()l)biii<)" a-o\-ernment i^lantations. steal-
in<>- horses, and in some cases murderina" [xM'sons found on these ])lan-
t at ions.
In one case, it was said, they took an old man found in cliarii'O
of a ne<>To hospital, and after cuttiiiii' otf his ears, in a brutal manner
-hot him to death. Xumbers of such bands were reported as beiii<i'
in that vicinity.
On the I'.'th Co. I) Inf. Avent out and brou<rht in some cotton.
On the '21st the two boats started for ^"icksbur<i■. havino- recei\'ed the
oi-ders brought them from Ceneral Ellet. by the tu<>' I)Ai!LiN<iTox.
reaching- the city at :> ji. m. On tlie day of the ai-rival of the Diaxa
:^SC) Illstonj of tlic M (irinc I> r/</<i(]e.
and Adams t'rinii hclow. (lie Faikciiild also rcacluMl \'icksl)nr<i' tVoni
St. Louis, with fresh su|)])li('<. and Liciits. K. (\ Klld and (i. C\ Doaii
retuiMicd on her from Icaxcs of ahscncc
'Idle Diana and Adams. conN'oyinu' the supply hoat. started up
the "^'a/oo, on the :^2nd. reaehinif and huidinii' at Li\'erpool Ileio-hts
at noon of the same (hiw Here news was recei\"ed of the capture of
\'a/oo City hy the enemy, d'he Ada.ms proceeded still fnrllier ui)
stream to I'econnoitre, l>n,t soon returned, reportinij' also the capture
of tlie tinclad iiunhoat Xmiihci' F'irc. Immediate i)reparations were
therefore made foi- the e\acuat ion of Lix'erpool by its o-arrison of
neuro troops. The mou.nled infantry were put ashore, for an oxcr-
hind ti'ip to Ilaine-' !)lnlf. while the nt'ii-ro reiiiments o-arrisonin<i- the
place, were taken on hoard, and at :'> o*ch)ck a. m. of the "JHrd the
Diana and Ad.ms started down str;'am. Haines' \\\\\[\ was reached at
noon. 'Idiere the neii'ro troops were put ashore, the Marine infantry
aaain taken on hoard, and the boats proceeded to \'icksf)urii', arrivinii"
there at Id o'chiclv }>. m.
( )n the •1\\\\. as directed by (ieiiei-al McArthui'. a ^larine a'nard
Avas furnished, to escort the captured cotton ti'a<linu' l)oat Belfast to
Memphis. About this time it was arnuiii'etl to make an exchana;' be-
tween the Flan' Ship AiTociiA'r and the (Quartermaster I)oat Faik-
ciiild. the (^iiariermaster's supplies thereafter to be carried on the
Ai ■I'oci.'A'i- a.nd the troops on the Aitockat to b;' (juartered
on the Faii;( iiiLD. ()ii the 'J.^th instructions were issued from
linuade head<|uarters for Maj. J. K. Crandall to ])ass be-
low with the Kaink. to be joined later by the Faikciiild
with the rest of tlu' ca\alry battalion. Inst i-uctions were also issued
Colonel Curi-ie to i)r()eee(l \\\) stream with the Diana and Adams to
wliere the IJAi/nc uiiii-ht be found, and takiniz- hei' also under his com-
mand, patrol that part of the river, arrest iiiii' all tradiuii' boat?
where\'er foiuid.
In cumpliaiice with these se\-eral instructions, the Kainl Ud't the
\'icksl)ur.L'' wlu'.rf on the •-'■)lh at ;> o'clock p. m.. and pushed down
stream, while at 11 o'clock' p. m.. the Diana and Ada.als started on
their mi.-doii. in the opposite direction. All nii>iit and all day these
two steamer- plouu'lu'd their way apiinst the rapid current without
a sinii-le stop, until r. o'clock p. m.. the -JfUli, they reached Ski|)with's
.1 Scoi/f to lliiijoii Mason. :; sy
Laiidiiii;'. Here Colonel ("iirric with Co. K Inf. started ont in search
of the Ikm.tm . and aftei' I'idini:' al)oiit (en miles ii|) the ri\'er. she was
found in the hend al»o\('. Major Tallerday had ai'rs^-^ted the trader.
Lebanon, and noini:' on hoard tills \-essel with his escoi-t. Colonel Cur-
I'ie r>'tnrni'(| to the Dlkna aliout 11 o'clock \>. ni. ( )n the I'Tth. the
P^fl'ort. and one other cotton tradei'. wei'e ai'reste(| and tied n|). neai" the
ooats. In the ex'enini;- pi-epai'atoi'V orders were issued for a scout in
the niorninii'.
At .^ o'clock a. ni. of the L!Sth. the mounted infantry and the two
howit/ers under connnand ol' Colonel Cui'rie. pushed out toward
I)ayou Ma^on. I'pon reachini;" this sti'cau). it was found that the
hridifc o\ cr it was destroyecl. A\diile he remaine(l here with a part
of the connnand. to superintend the const laicl ion of a temporary
hrida'*'. Colonel Cui'rie sent .Captain Xew"ell. in command of com-
l)anies A. F and K. \\\) stream, with instruction-^, in case a ford could
he found, to cross o\cr and form a junction with him. on the othei'
side. No ford was found, hut some timhers wei-c discovered on the
other sid(> of the hayou. to secure which some of Xewell's men stripped
and swam ;!cro~s. ^^'hile these men wer.' on the other side of the
hayou. some Confedei'ates were seen not far away. The hoys ii'athered
up their iiuns (which they had not foriiotteii to take with them) and
in nature's full di'ess started after the "Johimies." ]\\\[ the enemy
-howed tiiiht. and the .Marines thinkiuii' how comfortahle it would
l)e if ca])tured to ha\'e their clothes on. iired a few shots and hastily
recro^^ed the hayou. As no crossing" could he etl'ected here. Captain
Newell with his detachment returned to the rest of the command, (o
lind that a temporary hridi.;\' had h/i'ii c(Hi^l ructed. in crossini:' whicli.
however, a hoi'se in one of the how it/t'r teams was drowned. In the
meantime sexeral ui'(Ui])s of the enemy were seen in the timh'r on the
other sidi . which seeme(| to indicate the mas^inii- of soiu" unknown
force. It was known that (^uaiit rel! was in this section, with his
men. And so. with a deep hayou hetwcen him and his hoats and a
\cr\' (limsy hrid^'e foi' a crossin;^'. Colonel Currie concluded it iinprii-
deiit. without further information re-pectini^- the character and
streiiiith of the enemy, to risk an encounter, ainl hence recrossed the
l)ay()U and returned to the hoats. haxiiii;' captured four ])risoners.
The I)Ai;ric dropped down in the e\"eiiini!' and tie(l up near the other
hoats. The arreste(| cotton hoats were >enl to \'ickshurii". ( )rders
were recei\c(l here. ann(»miciiia' that (ieneral Slociim had succeeded
Genei'al McArlhiir. in command at \'ick^huri:\
CHAPTER VII
MAY,
18 6 4
After the I'li'nicrs. — llcaiji AytUlciii Moiiiifcd on Marijir Boats. — First En-
counter iritli M(tnii(i(l tile's Men. — lionts I'if/IitiNi/ J'ielil Artillrrij at the Col-
iiiiiIi'ki lieinl. — ('oiiroi/i lu/ I'dssiiu/er I'm iisjiorts Past a Toi-GiDi Battery. —
liifinitrfi lioats Alxire Scoiitiiifi. — Marine Carahii Boats and Tiro R((nis Ui>
the Yazoo to Siijiiiort MeArth iir's h'aid. Ifoir the Marine ('aralrii "tSiir prised"
Ailaiiis Caaijt. J'efiiiii of a lioolless E.rjieditioii.
On the oOth of A])ri]. 1<S(U, the Ai tochat eanie np the river tind
joined the rest of the fleet at Ashton. La., and the rest of the day was
spent in ins])ecti()n and nmster. JSlay 1st Co. B Inf., changed qnarters
from the Ai tocua r to the BAi/ric. During the forenoon Co. C. Inf.
was sent out to reconnoitre, and a couijle of s})ies, sent out to Bayou
Mason, reported having seen al)Out thirty Confederate soldiers. Im-
mediately after dinner the entire command moved out for an ex])edi-
tion.
It was planned for companies r>. (t. II and I Inf., with the two
howitzers, under connnand of Colonel Currie. to mave straight for the
hayon, some five miles distant, revisiting on the way the place where
Colonel Currie had built a temporary bridge across the bayou, while
Captain Newell, in connnand of com])anies A. D. F and K. was to
l)roceed down the ri\'er, and reach an appointed rendezvous, several
miles l)el()W.
XewelTs detachment was tirst at the appointed place, and was
found by Colonel Currie, standing on guard against possible attack
from the enemy, and at the same time expectantly watching for the
coming of the rest of the command. Nothing of im})ortance occurred
du'-ino- the march of either detachment, though Colonel (^urrie's ad-
SroufiiHi (ind l'((fr(>niit(/. j8g
vanco liad exc-liauiicd shots with a few of the enemy, who quickly dis-
appeare(h The whoh» coniinaiid returned to the boats about (h\rk,
bringing' with them a number of fat cattU'. During" the (hiy the
^roxAKcii ])assed down with dispatches for Ohl Iviver.
The next day. thi' movement of thi> ditf'erent boats scattered the
fleet in ditferent directions. The Ai tocuat went back to Vicksburic,
the Bai/1'ic returned to her formei' station, a few miles above, the
Diana, h'avina' hei' barizc and the four HttU' cotton boats with a
guard of thirty men and the howitzer, wt'ut to (ireeuxide. and the
Ada:ms. (h'oppiuii' a short (Hstance beh)W, passed up into an ohl bend
of the ri\'er.
The Diana rt-aciied (ireen\ille about S o'clock in the eveninif. and
at once .C'olone! C'urrie sent his orderly, with four men. out for the
arrest of a citizen, who was brought on board the Diaxa. This man
Avas later jn'mntted to go ashore, and disa]:)peared in the darkness.
( )n this day the second engineer of the Hai/iic was disi-harged for
drunkeimess.
On the morning of the .'h'd. the infantry companies on the Diaxa
went out on a scout. A\'hile out the force sei)arated. Co. E bi'ing re-
ceived on board the boat at ( ircen\ille. and the rest at Skipwith's
Landing. Four prisoners were captured dui'ing the day. From
Skij)Avith's the Diaxa returned down stream, landing on the way for
a short time alongside the l^Ai/nc and at 1(» o'clock' p. m.. reached the
l)oint below, where she left her barge on the morning of the 2nd. The
record shows that during her al)sence the guard left with the l)arge
had experienced considerable uneasiness, in \iew of the known proxi-
mity and alertness of the enemy. During the temporary absence of
Lieutentaut Dean from his detail.the little steamer Effort slipped her
(•al)]e. and crossed o\-er to the east bank of the river. Idie Lieutenant
having left no special directions with the men for such an enuu'gency,
they did not feel warranted in detaining her. But when Lieutenant
Dean returned, he ordered one of the howitzers loaded ii]). and sent a
ball from it across the l)ow of the Elfort. and she i)roini)tly returned
to the west bank. 'I'he aj)ology for her leaving was. that knowing
how thick and daring the Confederates wei-e. they thought she would
be safer on the other side.
'Jdie Adams in connnaud of Captain Newell, descending tlu' river
39"
Ilixtory of flu: M urine lir'njddc.
;i few miles, forced an eiiti-auce into what was known as "Old
Ivixcr." where a liarii'e already loaded willi corn. Mippo^c^j to he in-
teinU'd for C'onfederate use. was known to he in hiding', and where it
was al^o known that thousands of hnshel> of hne corn wei'e in stor(>.
■•()ld Ri\'er" was oriuinally a hirae heiid in the Mississippi. The
river ha\ ini:- chaiiiicd its channel, the cnrrenl had closed up the U])per
end of the old hend \)\ washini>' in sand. The lower end of the hend.
thou<^h still openiuii' into the rix'er. was \vv\ nai'row a.nd was liea\ily
overhunii' with willows. It was all the An.wMs could do to crowd
hers(df throiiii-h this narrow, obstructed iidet. Hut once throuuh.
•"( )ld Ki\-er" was foinid to he a deep. wide, heantiful sheet of watt-r —
a veritahle lake. Here the Auams remained until the KHli. loadin";
corn, and iiuardiuii' the harae i)re\'iously mentioned as already loade(l.
The ui)per end of this "( )ld Kiver" was ufow n up witli lar<i'e trees,
standinu- in the water, and was full of fish, which could be ])lainly
seen through tlu^ clear, placid waters. Dnriiia' their stay, some of the
ofticers had spears mad<' for them by the boat's black'-mith. and the
crew for a time had plenty of fresh fish. The enemy was known to be
in force in that vicinity, and the boat with sulHcicMit steam at all
times to mo\-e her. was kepi at a distance from the shore, her linnis
sliotted and trained, and sentinels stationed, niahl and day. upon her
hurricane deck. At one lime it Avas i-epoiied that a force with a bat-
tery was nio\inii- in for an attack upon the boat, but no enemy ap-
pea re (L
On the 4th. as ]~)er orders issued the nia'ht before, the four eom-
l)anies from the Diana, mider connnand <d" Captain Iluuhes. went out
for a recoimoissance. They took' the roail from the river direct to-
Avard Bayou Mason. They en.countei'ed some dilliculty in crossinu' the
intervening' streams, which had V)acked up and oNcrllowed. from the
ri'cenl hea\v rise in the rixcr. and the dilliculty in cros-~inii' these
streams was e\-en greater on the return trij). since durini;- the day the
river had risen several inche-^. Keacliini>- tlie bayou, the four (•()m])a-
nies crossed oNcr on Colonel Currie's temporary bridiic and reachiui!;
the hiii'hlands on tlu' other side, made a circuit of four or li\'e miles,
and beir"an their return about noon. The main column reache(l the
boat about '1 o'clock p. m.. and the rear liiiard about an hour later.
liiiffniii oil liiii/iin Miisoii.
39 r
ln'iiiil'iiii;' :ii a load of cotloii and a iiiiiiiWcr of fat cattli'. Toward
cNciiiiiu' llu" liAi/ric sciil down anollirr collon-ti'adini;' steamer, wliieli
had l)('en eaptnrecl l)y liei\
On tilt' .')th the Diana nio\c(l up to Ashlon. whei'e ( 'o. K Inf. was
Y>\\\. ashore. The niis'-^ion of tliis company al this lime, was to e^eoii
across the hayon a woman who had visited the l)(»at to ^;'e ahonl some
eotlon. and had remained on hoard o\cr niiihl. At the hayon some
per>on> <-hiimiiii;' to he citi/ens were fonnd ferryinii' cotton across (ui
a ra. ft. A part of the company was left tlu'l'e to anard the hridoe.
while a small detachment fi'om it went across. Anio^ \\'. l>eHows,
wjio had cluiru'e of the ad\ance. says in his diai'y: "After crossin<^'
"tlte l)ayon the rehs were thick' as the liair.-^ on a (hia's hack. I wished
"T had ne\'er seen a woman, ahont this time. Sjie conhl ride with the
■"hest of ns. AA'e soon left her, howcxci'. and i'eturne(h""
Aftei' puttinu' Co. K ashore at Asliton. the Diana ])i-ocee(h'i| np to
,C*arolina Landin^i'. on the Mississippi side, where all the rest of the
infantry disemhai'keck Colonel Cnrrie witli Co. D went ni) stream
for a reconnoissance. while companies (' and F. nnder connnand of
Captain IIniiht'>. nio\(Mj ont on the Skipwith Landiiiii" road, some dis-
tance, an<l thence to. and down Hayon ^^'a--hinl:■ton. ( 'o. D retnrne(|
to the hoat ahop.t snnset. ami the other two companies, after dark.
Aftei- the ti'oops were on hoard, the Diana retniaied to .V^liton. picked
\\\) Co. Vj. and dropped down to the place fi'om which she started in
the inorniiii:'. Diirina' the Cith. the command remained on the hoals
inactix'e. Ahont '.' o'clock in the e\'eniii<i' the Diana, with the Sylph
in tow. went np to (irand Lake, where the liAi/nc still lay. At r»
o'clock on the morning' <>f the 7th the four monnted c(»mpanies of in-
fantry. C. I). E and F. went out nnd<'r command of Colonel Cnrrie.
proceedini;' to. and (M'o-sinii' liayon Mason on a raft. This |)ro\'ed a
ledioiis jol). as the raft was ca])ahle of carryin<i' only fonr men and
theii' hor>e> at a lime. The command was all across, howex'cr. hy N
o'clock. Mo\iiia' out from the (a'ossinii'. ahont a dozen wagons wei'e
met. loaded with cotton, to he ferrie(l over and t raii^-poiied to the
ri\'er. The ii'eiieral coni>e of the march was down the hayon and
hack from it. .Vt a distance of some eiuiit miles, the c(»nmiand di-
X'ided. companies C and !*'. niuler coinmand of I'aptain lliiu'hes, ii'oinir
fiH'ther to tlu' riii'ht. Colonel Cnrrie's detachment proceeded to a
39^ Jl'i^tory of the Marine Br'ujade.
point where it was exi)ec'te(l, from r('})()rts received, to find a Confed-
erate picicet post of ten men. Tliev readied this point on a charge,
and chased the ])icket some two miles without ca])turin<i' tlieni. At
this place the connnand fed their horses, ate their dinnt'rs and waited
the conunii' <»f Captain Huiihes with his detachment. In the mean-
time Captain Hughes had discovered and raided a station where
goods, secured from trading boats on the ri\'er and snniggled
through the line, were ke|)t in store — a regular (\)nfederate sui)i)ly
station. About a dozen Confederates were found guarding the [)lace,
of whom two were caj)tured. while the I'est tied bcd'ore the tire of the
Marines. A team was pressed into ser\'ice. and the stock in trade,
which was considerable, was taken to the boats. Colonel Currie's
connnand reached the boat about !> o'clock at night, and Cajjtain
TTughes' detachment about midnight.
Paymaster Ilanna having an-ived the evening before, the men
were i)aid oti' on the Sth. In tlu' e\-eniug a party sent in a yawl uj)
"Old Ivi\-ei'." with orders for the Aoa.ms to rejoin the tleet. was tired
into on the way. I)V the volley, a hole was opened in the side of the
yawl, so lai'ge that the men had to caulk it up with their coats. For-
tunately no one was hurt. On the l»th. about T) o'clock a. m.. ,Captain
Hughes, Avith companies C and F. again started out to revisit, and
make further search of the locality where he made his ca])ture two
days before. The bayou was reached and crossed by <s o'clock. After
crossing, company C was sent on the route taken by Colonel C^irrie
on the j)revious occasion, while C'o. F. for some reason, stopped at a
house about a half a mile distant fi'om the bayou. In the course of
about tifteen minutes Co. F. with some impressed teams, started in
another direction. Captain Hughes, with two or three men as an
advance guard, was riding a shoi't distance ahead of the company,
and as they ascended a little rise of ground upon which, in the midst
of some trees, stood a church building, a s(iua(l of concealed Confed-
erates threw themsehcs out of their hiding place, and shouted to the
advance guard, now about ten ro<ls distant, to surrender. The leader
of the advan<'e denounced them with an oath, and innnediately
wheeled and gallojjed to the rear. The Confederates sent a voll /
after them. I)ut no one was hit. Driven back with his advance guard.
Captain Huglu's at once (lei)loyed the company, and returned the
( '(I j)f II rcij ni lied .
39^
lire, upon which the ( 'dii rcdcrnti's disiippt'iircMl. The :ilt:i<lsiii<j," l)arty
\vj>s thought to he the picket (if \\ coiisidcrjiMc force, repoiied some-
where ill this \iciiiity. Captiiiii Iliiuhes reunited his two companies
as (|iiickly as possiMe. nnd after n'oini;' in the direction tnkeii by Co.
(\ about half a mile, it was met returiiin;L:- to the assistain'e of their
comrades — haxini!" heard tlie xoUey of the enemy, and the reply
thereto. The two conipMiiies then fell hack to the bayou, and dis-
])atche(l two inessenu'ers to the ri\'ei" for reinforcements. Between
VI and 1 o'clock Colonel Ciirrie appeared upon the scene. brin_<i"in2"
companies I) and K with one of the howitzers. Takina' Co. I"', and the
little "bull-doii-." the Colonel crossed o\ cr the bayoil. Iea\inii' Co. I) to
protect the ferry, and nlo^■ed out to the place of the rec;'iit eiicoiinter.
From this i)oiiit se\-ei'al s(|nads were sent in different directions. l)ut
iiothinii' further was seen of the enemy. They doubtless were familiar
with the couplet :
"He who liiihls and rinis away.
May live to Hi:-ht another day."
and were saxiiii;' tliemsehcs foi' future conflicts.
Tile entire coinniand reached the riN'er at *> o'clock', to liiid tlie
Adams at the landiiiii'. her men haxiiiii' been paid oil' in the meantime.
Pre\ioiis to Colonel ('nrrie's start to reinfoi'ce Captain llniiiies.
the r>Ai;iic had taken her departure for ( ireeii\"ille. and early on the
morninu' of the lOtli. the Adams followed the Ikm.tk . No coiii|)lete
record is extant of the doiniis of the iKM.'nc and .Vdams durinii' their
separati(»n from the Diana. 'Idie followiuij- incident, relateil in the
diai-y (d' ()rdei'ly Sernt. ,\ . M. I*'ulker-dii. of ,Co. 1) Inf.. i> all we
can relate of what t raiis|)ire(| diii-ino- this pei'iod. IIi> diaiA' savs:
"We ;iri-i\((l i';ii-lv lliis rorciKH )ii (i:;tli) at \\u^\i I'oint. ;ni<l a s(|iia(l of diu"
(■oni|iaii\' wi'iit (lilt will) 1li(' iiicMiiilcd inranti'S' on a scoiil. Lieut i-iia lit Itciisdii
took the a(l\aiic(' uiiard and 1 was also witli the adsaiicc. We stopped when
we L;'ot out about si\ miles and the Lieutenant sent an adxanee i^iiard a liiiii-
(li'ed sards oi- so aliea(L wliile we stopped tiiere to rest. I'resently a i-el)el
eaine I'idiiiL;' down the load and eaiiie iiearlv up to our advance Ljiiard before
<!<' saw them, and then sii rreii(h're(L We took from him a sph'iidid re\()l\er
and lie said it was siieli a i;ood Joke on liim y-etliiiL;- eaptnred. he 1 hoiii;'ht Ik?
woidd like to lia\e eompanv. and told us of aiiother reliel in the --eeond liouse
ii|) the road, who \\a.- there. seeiiiL;' his sweetheart. Lieutenant Itenson took
]iart ot the advance and surrounded the (irst house and I took the halaiiee of
394 History of the Manns Brigade.
the advance jind suri-ouiided the second lioiise. A younii' hidy l)eji<ied of me
not to search the house, but we liad it to do. and we found the rebel up stairs,
covered u]) in IjccL On tliis sccnit we captured two rebels, two horses and
seven nmles. We took the Greenville i-oad and arrived there about dark, and
found the Baltic there waitino- for us.
On the loth Major Hiiiiiia lunino- finished his work as l^ayniastcr.
left for Viekshur<i'. the ])assina' steamer '"Dnnleith" beinu' haih'd in
for his aceonnnodation. The ii'un-scinad on the Diana was now bv
sj)eeial order, exensed from all other duty, and ordered to sleep at
ni<>'ht on the deck, beside their liuns. It was now learned that the
enemy had destroyed the raft which had been used by the ^Marines
for crossino- Bayou Mason. Durin<>- the 11th Colonel Currie went out
to the bayou, takina' with him Captain Hughes and twenty men.
AVith the helj) of some negroes and citizens anxious to cross over, the
Colonel and his men gathered up the scattered material of the old
raft, whicli had floated beloAV. and with great labor reconstructed it.
and then })ok'd. towed, and ])addled it back to its i)lace. In the mean-
time Co. E had been sent for. and had arrived. Taking part of the
men. Colonel Cui'rie and Ca])tain Hughes crossed over and recon-
noitered a distance of two miles on two different roads, finding no
trace of the enemy. Before crossing, the Colonel had instructed
the men of Co. E. left behind, (about twenty in number), to conceal
themselves in a clum[) of bushes, from which they could concentrate
their fire on the raft, should an enemy a])pear to attemi)t its de-
struction during the early ])art of the night. liut the Colonel's traj)
Avas not sj)rung. an<l the nten. after having remained in hiding until
after midnight, without seeing or hearing anything, returned to the
boats.
At .") o'clock p. m.. on the 11th. the Diana dropped down to
Princeton, two miles below on the Mississippi side, and tied up for
the night. The I'ith and i;^)th were spent in qtiiet on the Diana, but
about 8 o'clock p. m. she haided in her hawser, and headed again up
stream, landing at Grand Lake.
On the morning of the 14th the companies on the Diana were
aroused at 1 o'clock and ordered to feed, get breakfast, and prepare
for the march. Proceeding under command of Colonel Currie
straight to the old crossinii' on T)avou Mason, the connnand was ferried
'•Il(iiil<'<l (hit LU,-c /u/i)h/fs.'^ jgj
over on tlu' raft rcciMitly rcUiiilt. and which had not been disturl)t'd.
Once, hcini!' too licavilv h»ad('(K the raft took water and sank, hut
heHi<i" near shore, no serious conse(|uences ensuech When all were
over, with Lieutenant Dean and coniiKiny I) for advance o-uard, the
Colonel pushed straiiihl up the hayou toward Lake Villaiie. About
half way to that |)lace. a Confederate soldier with his arms was found
and cai)tnre(l. and further on several g-ood horses were confiscated.
Lake A'illaa'e was reached at :> o'clock p. ni. and was entered at a
dash. It was known hid'orehand. that some Confederate soldiers
(anu)ni»- them a colonel) were in the place. Some five or six
rebels were found and made prisoners. Some of them were discovered
behind the plastering of the house they were in. and. as Amos W.
Ik'Uows of Co. F Inf.. says. "AVere hauled out like rabbits out of a
hollow tree." Either the colonel, repoi'ted as Ixunu" here, made
timely fiight. or else his hidinu' place was so well chosen as to elude
discovei'V. for he was not captui'ed.
Leavinti' I^ake A'ilhiii'e at .") o'clock j). m.. the connnand moved on
to Luna Landinii'. whei'c both the Diana and Adams weiv found
awaiting' them. It was 11 o'clock when the men reached the river,
after midnight before horses were fed. and the men had eaten their
own suppers, and tii'cd and lame, tumbled into their buidvs. I)Ut the
Marines were used to it — exix'cted it — delighted in it — and were never
known to grumble at actixc army service. Before the Diana left
(Jrand Lake in the moiMiing. two deserters from the Confederate army
came in. and gave themselves up. The comi)anies on the Adams were
also out during the day, and did not return until some time during the
night.
The ir)th Avas granted the men and horses for rest. The Baltic
went down from (ireenville, and lay a few^ hours, and then returned.
( )n the morning of the KUh, the Diana dro[)ped down from Luna
Landing to (Irand Lake, and a detachment from Co. E was sent out
to the bayou, to see if the raft had been interfered with. It Avas
found intact. A Confederate deserter came on board in the morn-
ing and gave himself up. Humors were rife about this time that
the Confederates were massing, across the bayou, with considerable
artillery, and probably intending an attack upon the boats.
The ram TToitNEi; left one i)arge of coal during the night of the
■^g6 Ilistor-y of tlic Mitrhic B r'n/adt .
l()th. and went on down with tlu' other barges to A'ickshiii-u-. All the
17th and was spent in takino- coal from the l)aru-e left. The isth and
l!>*h wei-e also spent in (juiet at (irand Lake.
( )n the !20th. the Diana moved up stream takini^' tlu' coal harire
with her. About noon the Bai/i'ic and Adams wert^ met comini:: down,
and all thi-ee boats landed near Lakeport. on tlie Arkansas side.
Here the Diana left her horsed )ari:e. with a a"iiard of thirty-two men.
with four days" rations, took on the prisoners from the liAi/nc. and
stai-ted for ^'ieksburi»•, I'eaehinii' that plaee at •! o'clock a. m. of the jilst.
The Hai/pic and Auams spent the jJlst in taking coal. Then the
former went back to (ireenville. leaving- the Ada.ms to follow. An-
ehoring the eoal barge out in the ri\'er. and taking the Diana's horse-
barge with its guard, the Adams s})ent the night struggling against
the swifl current, and landed near the Baltic, at (Treenville, at 8
o'clock tlie next morning.
'Jdie ±l\n\ was Sunday. It Avas spent by tlie Diana's ci'c^w at
Vicksbiirg, getting rations, artillery, and annuunition on board,
btiilding gini-deeks, etc. At 4 o'cdock p. m.. she left, going up stream.
On llie evening of the 'Jiind. Co. I) infantry from the Bai/i'ic.
was sent out on a reconnoissance. but saw nothing. ( )ii the ■i;>rd the
entire forc-e from both Dai/pic and Ai)a:ms were out. under Major
Tallerday. Two companies of the tuiemy were seen and lired upon,
when they precipitately lied, and could not afterwards l)e found.
During the night the Diana landed near the T)Ai;nc and Adams, al
(ireenville. ( )n the Avay u]) during the night, when aboxc (iraiul
Lake, a great light was seen on the ri\('r. and a hail was heard coming
across the water from the baidv. A yawl was sent ashore, and the
hailing jjarty found to be the crew of the cotton boat "Lebanon."
The Confedei'ates had captured her, put her crew asliore. and set her
on fire. The forenoon of the "ilth was spent in com])leting the
mounting of the guns, all the men being kept busy as bees at this, in
anticipation of warm work, l^y noon the guns were in position on
the boats. ( )ne t wenty-])ound Parrott. and two t wehc-pound brass
l)ieces Avere placed on tlie Diana: on the Bai/iic one t weiity-|>oun(l.
and two ten-pound ])ieces: and on the Adams, two Kodman guns and
two brass field oieces.
F'/(j]il/n(/ M (irniiid ul,-c's liaffcri/. ^gy
(Teiu'i'al Maniiadiikc. it was said, had recently made the Uoast
that now that Hanks was out of the way. his next hiisiness wouhl
he to come to the Mississipiji a.nd denioHsh the Marine l)i-i<i:a(h',
and with thai out of the way they coidd captin-e and hnrn transports,
ad lihltuni. He was now near (ireenxiUe. on the Arkansas side, to
put his tlireat into execait ion. \'ery soon his ad\ance had j)hinted a
l)attery just helow ( ireeiixiUe. It was an ideal phiee for attackinir
transj)orts. Just aho\e (Ji-eenxiUe the river comes (h)wn from the
north. make> a sharp bench then runs some distance northeast, then
tui'ns. near (ireemide. and shoots olf southwest, thus makini>" a lona".
narrow shai'p peiiin^uhi. or tona'uc <»f lan(h reachina' from the main-
hmd northeastwai'dly. Al)o\-e ( ireenxille. in the hend on the Arkan-
sas side. nestle(l the litth' xilhiiie of Cohimhia. and hidow ( irei'n\ilh'.
in the hend on the same sick' of the rixci'. were two or three hindinifs.
the upper known as Lehind's. a second as (irifHth's. and the third Sini-
nyside, ()p])osite the point of Chicot Lake. From Cohimhia ahox'e.
aromid thi> peninsula to Sunnyside helow. was a distance of five or six
miles, while the distance across to either landin<i' was sca.rcelx' a nnle.
so that a hattery i)lante(l at either point, eould Hre on a transport
li'oing" hy and then linihei- up. run across the peninsula, while she was
a'oiiio- i-ound the point, and he ready for hei' ao-ain as she ])asse(l the
other landini:-. The followinii- account of what trans])ired in the
afternoon of the \-ei-y day that Colonel Currie o-ot his iiMins mounted
on the hoats. written the next day. hy some Marine (siii-nin<>- himself
■■Joimson") and which appeared in the St. l-iouis (Mo.) Danoriuit
a few days later, is a substantially correct version of the affair:
J)1.\.\A DKKK.XDS I'.AI/IMC AXI) WVM C'OXSOiri' AT LELAXD.
On the ;34tli iiist.. we witnessed a sliarp eng'agement between the U. S.
Steamer Diana and a reV)el battei-y of eight g'uns, at Leland Landing, Avk.,
just below and in sigiit of (ireenville. M ississi])])i. 'i'he steamer Delta, a i-otton
iioat. in attempting lo pass np the river, was tired n|)on by artillery at Colmn-
liia. Ark., and repmifd tiic fact to tin- 'riiielad Xinnber Eleven, theTi lying
off Greenville, asking for a comov, and was i-eferred by her to Colonel Cni'rie,
then al.so at (ireen\ ille with his three boats, Diana. Baltic and Adams. In the
meantime the steamer Longworth, loaded with jjassengers and a heavy fi-eight
of (lovernmejit stores, came down re])orting being tired npon at Colinnbia,
Ark., by infant |-y and ai'tillerw )'ecei\ing some ten or twelve shots fi'oin
artillery, but foi-t iinatel\- no one was injured, trailing to captni'e her here
I nchjciifx of fjic Fu/lit. jgg
tlu'v ]iiif|-it'(l tlifir lialtt'fx acTdss to the other sidt' of the point,
a distance of al>oiit tlircc-fonrtlis of a nnlc. llei-e they fN]H'C'tr(l to
7iiake a sniv thiiii^- of c-apt nrini;- tlie LonL;\vorth, hnt tlic Cojonel disfovei-ed
tlu-ir design in lime to nial<(' a sliL;lit alteration in tlie reliel pi-oiirain. Leav-
iiiL;' tlie Adams to i;iiai-(l the hari^es. he ordei'ed tlie I'.altie to he lashed to the
Loiiii-wovth. and l)otli put on all the steam tlie\' eoidd eai-|-\- and I'un tlie
blockade, while he with the Diana, wonid ciii^aL;*' and recei\e the tire of the
battery.
The l^iatia ]irocee(h'd down and o]iened tire with her t went y-]ionnd I'arrott,
i^'radnally elosiiiL;- up until her 1 \\ el\c-ponnd .Napoleon would rt'aeli. The enemy
Tcmained silent until the l>oni;\\di'1 h came aloni;' completelx' shielde(l b\- the
llAi.'rU". The rebels now plied their l;uus \ in'oi'onsly, payiiii;' all their compli-
ments to tlie lialtic - 1 wo. three, four L;nns. and then the whole hattery at
(Mice. Shot, shell, and canister tle\\' at a terriHc rate for a few moments, the
Italtic re])l\ini;'. tirini;- her i;-nns as sjie ])asse(l — the Diana faciu^- the music
\\\\\\ three, and foui^'ht the battery alone until the\' took up their i-etrcat.
'i'he r.altic was hit nine times, and her chimneys completfly riddled with
canister. One shell hurst in iier wheelhonse. another in her cabin, killiiii;'
iiichard Howard, of Co. 11 Infantry. Howard was the last of three brotliers
killed in the I'liion arm,\- — all by cannon hall, and all hit in the head. Two
other men on the llaltic wi're slii;htly wounded. The Diana was unharmed.
Ill making' the attack on l)()ats at this jioint, tluTc Avas no levoc
shelter I'or the rebels, the hank sh)i)inii- some distance hack from the
watei'. Serii'eant Fidkerson, who was in cliariie of tlie Parrott ;Liim
sfjnad on the starboard (piarter of the Baltic durinii' that fiiii. re-
memhers distinctly their lono- lin(> of Held artillery, in plain \iew. on
(he heach, and the li\ely work of their ;Ll'iins. Diii'iiio- this enifaii'e-
ment fJohn \. Salmon of Co. P> Inf., while liftinii" on a heavy ii'un,
was seriously injured and for y(>ars since the war has been an invalid,
niovinu' about in a wheel chair.
It subse<iuently transpired that it was no fraiiinentary force of
i-oviiig- guerrillas with which the brigade was contending. Marma-
duke with six thousand men, a considerable i)r()portion of wdiom were
mounted, was in the immediate vicinity, and was sui)[)orting these at-
tacks with six or more pieces of ai-tillery. All the boats sj)ent the
night at (ireeiiville.
On tiie 'l.){\\. carpenters were kept busy all the forenoon ivpairing
the gun platforms and enlarging the ])ort holes. Heavy caimonading
had been heard during the . forenoon. sui)posed to be the gunboat
if.oo History of ill/' Mdiiiic UvKjiiilc.
I^(nilsrin<\ which hiid passed u|) stream in the inoniiii<i'. Tn the af-
tei'iiooii. Iea\iiiii' the Ai)a:\is still in cliai'iie of" the hai'ii'es. the Htana
and Hai/iic nioNcd up stream. Nothinii" \vas seen nntil above Colinn-
l)ia. Avhen a cloud of dust, indicatinj^- a nioN'injz' column of the enemy.
Avas ()l)sei-\-e(l about a mile distant. The Parrott gun on the Diaxa
Avas tr;>.ined on them and fired, and they were last seen heelina' it
for the timber. The two boats continued on up stream some two or
thi'ee mile-, when they met two tinehids comoyini*; the James A^'atson.
and the Fi i/rox with a tow of coal, and a new horse-baru'e for the
liriii'ade. The linclads were relieved, and the Diana and Ikvltic re-
turned to ( ireenxiUe con\'oyiii<i' the two steamers.
The L'Citli was without anytliinii' of startliuii' interest. Tn the
afternoon the Diana ran up to Columbia and anchored off that place.
Di'.rin<^' her >.tay a detachment of the eiieiuy slole up liehind the le\'ee
and Hi'ed a vtilley. but they Hred oidy once, and then Avere (piickdy
-^helled ir'to reti'eat behind the le\'ee. The Diana later dropped
down aii'ain to ( ireemille. The LeA'iathan and Kmi)ress came down
stream durinii- the afternoon, and at their re(|uest the l)Ai;ric and
Adams convoyed them i)ast Iceland Landing".
On the '2Tth at ;> o'clock a. m. the men on the three l)()ats were
aroused and ()rdere(l to feed, saddle their horses, and make ready for
a scout. About sunrise, with I'olonel Ciirrie in command, the force
made a scout of about thirty mib's. without special results. The
enemy Avere several times seen and fired ii[)on. but would not stand
for a fi*rbt. T)y the accidental diseharo-e of his aun. that day. a man
on the Ai rocitA'i'. avIk^sc name has not been j)reserved. lost his lea".
It is noted. hoAvever, that by curious coincidence Chief Surgeon
Eol)arts that day rejoined the fleet, from leave, after the loss of his
ho'-^pital boat WooDi'oin).
Durina the 'iSth the enemy made no demonstration on the river
in the innnediate vicinity of the boats, but on the 'iDth the transport
Rocket Avith (ieneral Thomas and statf on board, was Hred upon near
(iriffiith's T^andina. ii short distance below, and she was roiiiihly
handled. 'I'he Diana ran down and hred a few shots, but the enemy
had retiri'd. The liAi/ric and Adaais took the Rocket past Coluinbia.
and some distance Ijeyond, but hndinij the enemy in too great force,
and too favorablv located, to risk an encounter, returned to Oreen-
.[<■(■/(]' lit Friiiii P rciiiiif II re K.r phisiun .
401
^■ill(' with tlicir coinoy. ()ii ihc iiidi'iiiiiii' of llic 'M)\\\ tlir Ai)am>;
tO')k the K(i<-kcl .'iloiii:' side. (() o-cf her |):i>t ( 'ol miil)i;i. wliilc llic
Diana ami Ualiic followed to sec fair play, 'riic ciiciiiy made hul
^lili'ht showiiii!,-. and the liAi/nc and Adams i-cliii-iifd lo ( irciMnilic.
while the Diana anchored olV Colnnihia. until "■) o'clock' p. ni.. and
then di'o[)ped down to ( ireeinille. (ienei'al McArthiir with his wife
and two oi' three children wei'e on the Rock'et. \\'hile the three l)();ds
were away, uneri'illas came in to ( ireen\ille. and sunk a coal harp'
containiuii only a few hundred hushels of coak At '.) o'clock' a. ni.
of the ^Ust the Diana went up stream to shell ('oliimhia. and the
BA.i;ric went down to Lcland 011 a like errand. After lyinif oil' the
lower pkice some lime, the l)Ai;nc r*'turned to ( Jreeiixille. The
Diana, howexcr. spent the day at her post. About '■< o"ch)ck in the
afternoon she was assailed hy an infantry lire from the le\'ee. wliich,
h()we\'er. did no damau'e. The Diana raised anchor ;iii<l pushed close in
to shore, with ex'ery man at his post, hut the enemy hid behind this
levee and not one :~howed himself, and after throwini;' a l'e\\ sliells the
Diana droppei] down to ( Jreeiixille. Durinii' the day the IJAi/nr
passed down to (iritlith's Landinii'. where she shelled the shore, and
whik' doiuii' this, as one of tlie nun scpiads was rammiiiii' home a
cartrid<i'e, a ))remature explosion occiirretk Mowiiiii' oil' the ri^ht fore-
arm of J. K. Perriman. of Co. !>. Inf. The injured man calmly holdiiiii"
what was left of his arm with his remainiiiii' hand, walk'ed unassisted
into the cabin, whei'e sura'ieal attention was at once ii'i\'en him. The
.Vi TocKAT came up from below, and accompanied the I>Ai;nc back to
Greenville. During" that day a man fell out of one of the At 'rocirvr's
portholes, and was drowned.
The MoNAia II now returned from detachetl duty at Mianphis.
and joined the fleet, just in time to pi'oNc her fiii'ht iiiii" (fualities as a
liunboat.
Diirini:' the 1st of .lune the boats lay in (juiet at ( ireeinille. but
i>n the "-ind. the Adams ami MoNAiaii had another encounter with the
enemy. ( )f this eni>'ai:'einent Captain Newell, then in command of
tlu Adams. o-a\(' this account.
'rilK FKiHI' Ol" llll': ADAMS AND ,\!(i.\\i;(ii AT COI.l \!1:IA l!i:,\l).
T.ieut. v.. II. Xichols of the l,it;i)1 Ai'tillci-y. wiis rrl iiniii'i;- ri-oin Mi-iniiiiis.
wllcre he liiid l)eeii scn1 in cliai'Lic (if iirisoncl's. on llic cMMiini;' ol' .Iiinc 1.
402 Ilistory of the Mdr'ntc Br'ujude.
wluMi tlie tr;ins|)i)rt lu' was on. was hailed \i\ a 'I'iiu-lad Patrol, and informed
of the ijtierrilla o|iei'at ions thereabouts, and of a hattery Just below, that it
would not be safe to attempt to pass. ()l)tainini;- a yawl the lieutenant pnlled
down stream, in the uiLjlit. to the ^larine Heet. and r(^ported to (leneral Pallet.
.At a \ery early houi' next morninL;- I was notified by an orderly from the
(lenei'al to arouse m\' comniand and onler pi-e|)a rations for immediate duty,
and then rejioi't in person for instructions. I f(umd that it was first intended
that Colonel Cnrrie wifh the Diana, shoidd undertake the task- assii.;ned. but
some injury to thai boafs boilers in the i-ecent fii^htin^-. made it unsafe for
her to raise hii^h steam 1 hat day. so the duty fell to me. Arrived on the
.\utoerat the (leneral info|-nied me that 1 was to i;() u]) to Cobmdiia I'.end with
(he Adams, and if I deemed it possible, jjass 1 he battery and hriuL;- the trans-
porl down. The (leneral fui-fher e\|)lained fo me that while he did not wish
me to take any unwarranted risk of losini;' my boat, he felt anxious that what
wa:-! proposed should be aceom])lished. because of some slighting remarks said
to have been made by the tinclads. respecting our fighting in-oelivities. The
(leneral furthii- informed me that the Kam Monarcli. commanded bv Lieut. Col.
.Fohn A. i-'llet. would attend us. the Colonel ha\ing generously waived all eon-
siderati<ms of rank, and consenting to act under me, and with me as the leader
of the expedition.
I knew of coni'se it was safer to run an\' battery than to turn tail on it
and return to (leneral l']llet with the excuse that it couldn't be done, and so
from the first, determined to go by the i)atter\- oi- to the bottom of the river.
I saw and talked with Colonel lOllet. and arranged with him to take the lead,
and if possible unmask and engage the battery, while we. fighting as best we
could, should ]iass by. .lust as we were ready to let go. the transport Missoui'i
came up the i'i\er, and was hailed in. and 1 was instructed to lash her to my
.starboard side and take her along with me. IO\-ervthing being now readv, the
ram moved nj) to where the batter\- was and steadying herself in the current.
began the fight. I'.ut mit a single shot was tired at her in ivturn. from the
moment the Adams and her consort got within range. 1 took my position in
the jiilot house because 1 feared my ])ilot. who was a nervous man (but who
])i-oved himself clear grit) ndght ])ush the i)oats over npon the bar, \vhich
showed well out on the side opposite the l)atter\-.
In this upward passage the guns of the battei'v were trained liigli, as I sub-
se<{nently learned, in hojies to I'each the ])ilot houses and so disable us. Con-
sequently in going up. there was no loss of life. One woman was wounded
in the foot b\- a shell which ex))loded on the Afissoui-i ; but slight daniage ^vas
done on our boat. The shots, however, whistled thick and fa.st abont the pilot
lionse, |)eppered the smoke stacks and the escape pipes, cut some of the guy-
chains staying the smoke stacks, sma.shed skylights all to flinders, itc, cV:c. I
shall never forget how Pilot I'-ly and I discussed onr chances while nnder fire,
ill case a shell should strike the boiler-iron lining of the ])ilot house. lie
Fn/lif of tJic Adams dud Moiidrcli at ( 'ol n iiihtn. _fo:f
]aui>']iiiiiily s;ii(l to iiic : "If a shell hits that. I will inert son oxer (in the saiirj
bar to the stai-lioard."
Havini;- siieeessfully |)asse(l the lialtery anil landed almve. I tirst visited
the tinelad. and found she had lieen se\('r(d\ handled in her liLjht the evening
befoi'e, and the eajitain was himself wdnnded in the head. I next \isited the
captain of the transport, and fonnd liiin hea\il\ loaded with freiL;ht and pas-
sen<>'ers. hid i'ead\- and eai;-er to lain the liatter\- with iis. 1 arranL;ed \\ith
Colonel l-:ilet this time inxself to lead the eoii\o\-. while he followed elosely in
my wake, and we were to ,i.;i\i' the Kehs. "the best we had in the shop" as we
went (hiwi'i. as we did also in L;din^- up, with lioth artillery and iniisk(>Ts. In
li'oiny down 1 detennined to lunc the lirst shot, and took ni\' stand behind th(>
]i()(bnan i;iin on the starboard, near the front end of 1 lie cabin deelc. \\'e
])ns]ie(l on down, the rebel i;iins and L;imners wei'e in plain siyht on sliore, the
men with coats off and bart'-headed. My men i;rew more and more impatient
to tire, and hiiall\ I L;a\t' the word, and traininL;' the ])ieee the men let her ijd.
At almost the same instant the enein\- opened, and their first sliot struck and
shattered the aft fi'oiit corner of our i;iiii platform. throwiiiL;' the splinters all
o\er the L;'un crew^ and myself, hnt doiiiL;' no material damai;'e. I'^roin this
time, so \n\\<j: as we wei-e within raniie cd' the battery, we lieard music. TIk'
.shells tore throiii^h the o;iken barricades, and ANcnt erashini;- throniih the
cabin, ranijini;- aft and passint;- throiii^h the thin stateroom pai'titions as thoimh
they were ci^l;- sludls. The (diandeliers and the li'lass in the slv_\ lii;-hl s Jiniiled.
The i-oar of our three pieces of artillery and those on the ram close beliind.
toi;-ether with the (piickly re|H'ated \()lle\s of musketry, were deafening;'.
As soon as we wei-e out of rany'c of the rebel yiins 1 walked aft. and a,
little way fi-oin whei-e I had been standini;-. lay Dennis Miirphv, a yallant
Irishman belonLiini;' to Co. I\. While tirini;- thr()iiL;h a loo|)-hole in the barricade
a shell hail torn otf his lower jaw and his riyht shoulder. lie was dead, .lust
l)eyond him la\' Corporal .loseph l''ield. one of \\\\ own best men. lie had been
fii'iiiL;' with his left side aL;ainst the barricade, when a sliell struck him in the
alidomen. cntlinii- away the outer eoNcriiiL;- and lettini^- his Imwels and liver
out upon the deck. When 1 eame to him. he was sujiport ini;- his liead on his
hand, and his hori-itied comrades wei'e about iiim. 1 stoo|)ed down and took
his head in my hands, and tni-niiiL;- his eyes upon my face with a loolv that has
never been forgotten, he .said: "Captain, can aii,\thiiii^- be done for me?" ! re-
))lied: ".\o. Field, yon will be dead in a few niinntes. Have you any message
for your friends?" "Tidl them I die wiHingl_\- for m_\- counti\\-." said he. I or-
dered a mattress thrown fi-om the nearest stateroom u|)on deck, scooped his
warm, bloody entrails up in m\' hands and laid them back upon him. We lifted
and laid him upon the mattress and he was dead.
Passing through the midship gangwa\ of the cabin to the l;ii-boai'd side. I
foniul another man, Charles H. liallowell of Co. C. whose i-ight arm a shell
liad taken off close to the shonldei-. lie la\' with his head towai'd inc. on the
404
Ilisfdiij of flic Mdi'iiic I'r'n/ddc.
tahlf. and as 1 a piiriiaclifil. Iif i-i'aclif( I l)ack liis left hand lo iiic saying-:
"Captain, I ^\■as doiiii;- iii,\ duly wlii'ii lliis was done."'
rpon the hin-ricaiir deck mi the larhoard side, wf found amilhrr of my own
nuui. .lames Mason. A shell had passed Ihrou^li Ids ehest. teariuL;' out his
lieart in its ])assa,i;-e, and throw iiiL;- it clear across upon the hurricane deck of
the hoat we were eoiuoyiui^- past the battery. Mason had especially endeared
himeslf to Ills otticei-s and comrades hy his L;-eiierous and uns(dHsh allention to
otliers in sickness.
Siicli was the (ii^ht at Coliindiia I'.eiid. short hut sharp. When we passed
up. onl\- a |)ai-t (d' the enemy's i^-uns were in use. their battery haxinc been
Fighting Marmaduke's Battery at Columbia Bend. The Adams Convoying !he Passenger
Steamer Henry Ames and Firing Her Bow Guns, While the Monarch
Halts to Engage the Enemy.
di\ide<l and some of t1ie i;uns beiui^' in the bend l)(do\v. lint when we rel urned
lhe w hoU' ten played njion us. ha\ int;- been bi-oui.>-ht across tlie point foi' that
))urpose.
Dni-ini^' the eni^ay'cmeul my \vhole command fiui^ht i^-allantly. T>rave,
Lieut, (diildemeister was nevt'i- cooler oi" more eft'ecti\e. ('a|)tain Havens —
well, wlio evei- expecled anything of him but bull doi.;- i)luckV My sailing mas-
tei-. Thomas Drillel. stood 1 h rough it all. right out upon the hurricane deck,
and T'ilot ICly pT-o\ed himself a brave ftdlow at the wheel.
I)unn«: this ('iio'aa-cincnt the Adams avjis struck by solid shot
and sh(dl tllil•t^■-si\ liiiu'^. l»eiiii>' (•orii])h't('ly I'iddlcd t'roiii stem to
I iic'dcnts (if flic ( 'dl II inh'ni I'x ml Affair.
7«i
stern, iiiid with dcclxs slippery with liiiiiiiiii li'ore. was a shockiiijj: siirlit
to behold.
Soon after the war Chief Sntlei- 1 liiii<iin>. who was on the Adams
that (hiy. was at \'icksl)ni\a' and met and talked with the oHieers who
conmianded the hatlery attackinii" the hoats. lie ^aid the tire from
the Adams, hoth iioina' np and coniini;' l»aek. was a <i"allinii" and de-
strueti\'e one. and that they lost several killed and wounded hy the
shots of tlie MoXAitcii and Adams, and thoniiiit theii' action in taking"
transports hy their hatleries a l»ol<l and impudent deHance he had
never seen equaled.
It is a faet of histoi-ic interest that the w'xiv of (ieneral MeCler-
nand (then lying sick at New Orleans) was a passenger on the .Vines,
goiuii' to the (TeneraTs liedside.
That eveninii" 't was found that so sei'ious were the injuries to the
BAi/ric that she nnist he reliexcd and sent up foi' repairs, and (ti'ders
were aeeordint>iy issued, and she was started that niii'ht foi' St. Louis.
The MoxAKcii accompanied her ])ast .('olinnhia In-nd. They were
fii'ed on hy the rehel hattei'y hut neither receixcd any injury. The
]MoxAi!(ii then I'elurned to the fleet, aii'ain passinii" the hattery.
DiU'ine- the day a hraxi' soldier from the Adams. Sauuiel 1). Nel-
son, of Co. F. died on hoard the Dlvna. Left alone durina' a lime of
excitement he met the sick soldier's fate, with no one to hear his dyinu"
words.
As all were aware, the ser\ice in which the Ih'iifade was now en-
a'au'iMl was not its leu'itimate work. Thi>- conxoxiui;' was the special
woi-k of the li'unhoats. That the na\"v was slow in a'ettina' i'oun<l to
the doinii" of it, pive no sullicient warrant for the l*>ri<j,-ade to under-
take it. The Marine hoats. mei'c wooden shells, were ne\"er in-
ten(h'd to stand off and contend with land hatleries. They lack'ed the
weii>-ht and reinforcement necessary to enahle them to >tand the I'c-
coil of the hea\y aims placed upon them, and liy which holh the DrwA
and the IVvi/iic were ali-eady hadly strainecl. IJesides. these \essels
were occupied \)\ men. willin<i- indeed, and excn eaa'cr to encounlei'
danii'er. and ca[)al)le. as any etjual mnuhcr of men \\itli like e(|uip-
ment. to inliict punishment upon the enemy, hut in their crowded
condition upon the hoat^. they were like fowls shut up in a coop,
de'^tined for slaughter, ^h)reo\•er the impro\i<e(| a'im-s(|iuids. made
4o6 History of ihe Mur'tne Brigade.
necessary 1)V the hasty phicin<i,- of artillerv on the decks of these
vessels. Avere a menace to themselves and their ccMnrades, as well as
to the enemy. Tliis was shown npon the Baltic when Perriman's
ai'in was sacrihced thronji'h a prematui'e exj^losion. All these con-
siderations led (leneral Ellet to conclude that he had "i)layed o'un-
boat" lona" enoua'h with vessels filled with soldiers, and was consider-
ino- what course to take, when orders I'eached the connnand solving"
the problem, and iiiving promise of operations in which he could
most heartily co-ojH'rate. The orders were from General Canby, the
new connnander at Vicksburg-. and seem to imply that that officer
thouglit that (ieueral Ellet was still absent from the Brigade:
\icksl)iiri;-. :\riss.. May :! 1 . 1S(;4.
l/r//. (Ic)}. A. ./. H))\\i]\ :- -
■•'■ ""■ ■•■■ ^'(Hl^ own coinmand. reinforced by a T'egiment of ea\alry fi"oiu
tile forces inider coiimia nd of .Major General Slociim. and whatever force of the
IMarine Brig-ade may be within reach, will l)e enijjloyed by yon
for the ])iir|)ost' of destroyini;' or capt iirin"^' the rebel force, or
at least giving- them siieh a lesson as will deter them from a re-
nio\al of similar attem])ts. The most relial)le information as to the character
of the conntry in \\hich son will operate, anil the routes by which the rebels
reach and reti'eat. may he ohtained from otfieers of the Mariiie Brigade, and
Col. Currie now on the Diana is recommended to you as s]iecially (pialitied for
this pnrpose.
K. ]{. S. ('am!Y.
('om'dg Mil. Div. West .Miss.
Vicksbnro-. Miss.. May -Tl. 18G4.
Lieut. ('()}. (Ico. /v. i'lirric. Stcdiiicr JUaini. M issi.ssippl Jiircr: —
Sir: — The Alajor (ieneral Commanding directs nie to inform yon that
Maj. (Jen. A. J. wSmith is about to proceed with his command to o]ierate against
the rel)e] forces at or near (ireenville. aiul that he has recommended you to
(Ieneral vSmith, as a proper person to communicate information necessary for
that |)Ui'|)ose. {'lease be in the way so tliat he can find you. '•■■ '•* ""
(iEO. T. ^[ELVnj.E.
1st Lieut, and Act. A. A. (i.
Orders were accordingly issued, on the afternoon of the 2nd, for
preparation to be made for going down streanu and at 2 o'clock a. m.,
of the ?>rd, the Ai tocrat, Diana. Ada^ls and Monarch, accom-
l)anied by the transj^ort Henry Ames, started for Vicksliurg. The
('(iritlri/ /'(Hits O jxrdt'nKi llcloir. ^oy
hattcrv at Lchuid was j)ass('(l without any attaclc. and tlic licet landed
at Ski})witirs. and reniainecl there se\'eral honrs. At S o'doclv a. in.
c)t' the -Ji'd. the downwai'd rnn was resumed.
At (TO<)(h'ich"s Landinii" a stop of an hour or so was made, durinii"
which time the Auams' com))anies buried their dead, with the usual
military honors. At the head of each dead hero's lii-axc was |)lace(l
a hoard, upon which was painted his name, company and regiment.
Dispatches were hrouuht up to Colonel Ellet. while at (iood-
riclTs. hy the tuii" DAitMNcrrox, and the boats resuminu" their course,
reached \'ick'sburi:- at half past li\'e o'clock ]>. m. Here the wharf was
found lined with transports, and the Kaink and Faikciiiij) were there,
iiwaitinii' the rest of the tleet.
It will I)e remembert'd that on the 'I'Mx of Api'il. when the Diana
and Ai)a:\is left \"icksbura' witji instructions to find the F)Ai/nc aboNc.
and cruise in the vicinity of ( ireemille. the Kaink went below, and
was to be soon followed by the rAiiaiiiU). ^^'e shall now record tho
doings of these two boats, under command of Major fl. R. Crandall.
while the others were so acti\('ly eiiii'aii'ed aboN'c. At '•) o'clock p. m.
of A])ril "i.^th. bS(')4. the Kaink left Vicksburii' and headiiiii- down
stream, landed and remaiiicfl all niiihl at New Cartha^'c. Diirinu' tho
foi'cnoon of the -jidth she I'an down to Ashwood. La., where she spent
the niii'ht. The next morninu" she ran down and landed at (irand
(iiilf. from which \n)\\\{ hei- two companies of ca\alry went out. (Iri\-
ini'" the enemy's ])ickets across liayou Pierre. It was ascertaineil
that the enemy had two battalions of ca\alry at Port (iibson. and
therefore it was thouiiht unsafe to cross the bayou in the face of such
superior numl)ers, and the Marines returned to their boats. On the
'JSth. leavina' (irand (lulf. the Kaink ran down to St. Joseph. La..
and at 11 o'clock her two companies went out on a foraiiiiiii' expedition
to ^^'atson's plantation, to secure corn for the hoi'ses. From St. Jo-
seph, on the morninii- of the liDth. the boat dr()[)i)e(l down to Kodnev.
where she was joined by the l'\\ii;( ii ikd. From this point the four
companies went out. and (lro\-e in tiie j)ickets of Stockdale's ca\alrv.
April 30tli the c()mj)anies on the two boats were mustered for pay. In
the evening the enemy made their ap|)earauce in considerable niim-
bei'S, and were shelled by the F \ii;(inni)'s <iuiis. Major ("randall at
this time chanu'cd his (luarters to the FAinciiini).
4o8
nistory of the Mdi'nic Jifhjiuli'
On the iiioi'iiiiia- of May 1st. Scrucaut Kllis with Cliai-lcs F. Rus-
sell, both of (\). I) ('a v.. went up into town, and tlic Confederates.
(•liar<>'inii- in. took them prisonei-s. Captain DeCoster took his coui-
pany aiul went to the i-escue. hut the enemy retired in hot liaste. tak-
inu' their ])risoners with them.
On the "Jnd the battalion started on a scout of about forty mile>
from St. Joseph. On the ^Jrd. as the two boats were about stai'tin,i>-
for \'ic];.-burii'. whithei- they had been oi'dered. the Uaixk broke hei'
wiseel on a Vvju. It was not repaired until :> o'clock in the afternoon,
and then the start up stream was ai^ain made, and \'icksl)uri>- was
reached in the morning- of the 4tli. These boats had been ordered
there, for the purpose of ooini:' up the "1 a zoo i'i\-er to co-o|)erate with
(xeiieral ]\IcArthur"s land force, moxinii' upon ^'azoo Oity. Four of
the Marine boats. liAi.ric. Faikciiii,!) and two rams, were detailed for
the trip, and after taking' on board two comi)anies of neiiro troo])s.
proceeded to Sartatia, while the AirocitA'r went only as far as Lake
Landiiiii'. aboiU ten miles below Ilaines" Iduff. The boats left A'ick>-
burfj- at 11 o'clock a. m. of the .')th. landed and tied up for the niiiht
at Sartatia. thirty miles below 1'azoo Oity.
(leneral Ab'Arlhur's A. I). 0. came in and reported his counnand
four miles distant. The boats left Sartatia on the (Uh at dayli.ii'ht, and
reached Liverpool Heiu-hts at (> o'clock. Here com])anies C and L)
Oav.. from the Kaim:. went out to reconnoitre, but met with no en-
counter with the enemy, though many of them were seen at a dis-
tance alonii' the blutfs. In the afternoon (Jeneral McArthur's A. D. i'.
cauu' in aiiain. and the battalion went out I'iaht miles to his force.
(\). A Oavalry was left to act as rear pick'et to McArthur's army. The
Ai 'I'ocRAi' went to ^'icksbur,l!■. and then returned ai^ain to her former
position. ( )n the 7th companies \\ and I) V\\\. went out. and when
within six nnles of \ azoo City, tlu' ad\ance. couunanded by C'aptain
DeCoster. surrounded a house and captured two Confederate soldier>
with their hor*-es. arms and e(|uipments. and burned a considei'abic
(|uantity of corn. At I o'clock p. m. of the Sth. tlie boats ])roceede(l
lo \azoo City, and Co. I) Caw daslie(l ashore, out throu^i'h the de-
serte(l streets, and picketed the roads for the nia'ht. On the Vl\\\
Co. I) and parts of companies I) and C Cav.. went on a scout, four
miles on the iiijper river roail. < )n the \\a\' a woman was o\'ertaken
.1 Lh'cli/ ('antlri/ Iicfrctif.
70 ry
i'i(iiii<j,- ;i mule. She was hidden lo hall, hut no hah for iirr. A second
time she was ordered to hah. hut she paid no attention. The ottieer
in coniniand of tlie adxaiice spurred forwarcK (hmked and fronted
the rider and nude, and hrouiiht them to a stop. V\)V a time the
woman made no answer to (piestions lired at her. I)ut hnally denied all
knowleda'e respect inii- the pre>-ence or location of the enein\-. and was
lieruiitted to j^o on her way. Not half a ndle from that ]>hice, the
hattalion was hred on from the rear, and hullets came thick and fast,
and the column (|uickly dismounted and deployeil. Ahout that time
one of the men known a> "Dutch (ieorii'e." came in <in the dead run,
pnrsuetl l»y a ('oni'ederate. lirinu' on him with a i-eNohci'. The Ma-
rines opened fire on the ])ur>uer. and he fell from his horse. The
eneniy. checked in their rush l»y the carhine tire from tlie ^Marines,
halted, dismounted, and charged with a yell. Lieutenant Doane, who
in the meantime sent two men to ascertain the position of the enenn'.
and the exact lay of the land, then iia\'e the order to mount, and went
da-hina' tlirouuh a aa[) made in a fence, out into an o])en cotton held.
clear aroiuid the Confederates and their W'ell-planne(l amhuscade.
Fierce firino- and a hot })nrsuit ensued, as the enemy tried to head off
tlie ^Marines from reaching' the main road, hut thi-oui^h licdds, ovei-
fences and ditches the Marine cavalry went, until they hnally won out
in the race, and came under pi'otection of the i^'uns of the fleet. This
])ro\'ed that the Marine^ could nni when they had to. which was sel-
dom. No one was seriously hurt on the Marine side, durinii" this
melee, the only casualties heinii' one man sliii'htly wounded, and one
horse shot in the lea'.
On the i;Uh. a tua' came up with disj)taches for (General McAr-
thur. and the hattalion went out to find him. a.nd deli\ei' them. Com-
rade J. II. Stexcns. of Co. A Ca\.. ai\t's a niodest account of the (la\"s
occui'rences. which we cop^'. as the storv of
MOW I 111'. (.\\ALi;^• I'oi \i) wiiri' adams- c ami'.
Oil Hh' null we starl'.'d out with 1li(> roiii- cdni pa 11 ies (if caNalrs-. Majoi'
('raiKJali in coiniiia nd. I11 1aki' d ispat dies 1i> (it'iirral McArllnir. who was Mi|i-
])(_)se(l to l)(' a1 I'.ciiton. (-ii iiiilcs cast of ^'a/oo ('i1y. and wIkj had liccn (Mi^ai^iMT
in a |-ininiiiL;- liL;iU with Wirt A(hiins" coiniiiand. When wc aiTi\cd at lltiitoii.
We round l)o1h forces had nioxcd tiirtlicr cast, and wr pusiicd on lo o\crfa]<c
tlieni. On rwvy hand we coidd sec cs idcnccs of skii-nnsjics and hi'a\\- tii.>lit i ncr.
41 o Ilisfo)'^ of fhr M (I fine Brujade.
and it was plainlx' evident that MeArtliiir had tlie Johnnies on the rnn. lUit
no si<jn of MeArthnr's forces eonld be found. Abont 10 oVdock that nig-ht we
came in sight of eam]> fires, abont ten miles east of IVnton. Cheered by the
sight of canij) tires, and the |)ros|)ect of eoffee. \\ e ])nshed on until, when near
the cani]). we were halted b\- the |)it-kets with the elialienge. "Who comes
there?" On being answei-ed. "Tlie Marine I'.rigade."" file ])ick'ets opened tire with
Ji \()lley or two and then I'an. Major Crandall. thinking the\ had misunder-
stood the answei-. oi-dered the battalion to ad\ance. whiidi we did at a bi-islv
trot, and swinging i-ound a jjoint of tind)er. we found onrselves in the nridst of
AVirt Adams' camj). Mis command was if anything more surprised than we
\vere. We ])romi)tly res|)onde(l to tlie command "llight about." and mo\e(l
l)ack at a lively ])ace. closely followed by the Confederate caxalry until wc got
back to "^'a/.oo City, luning covei'ed abont forty miles without disuKumting.
In tlic (Mciiiiiii- of tlic 1-kh the raiii Swit/xTlaiid came up. and
Linded at the city. Ilcr ai'i'i\'al was accotintcd timely, since in case of
attack she coidd render valuable assistance, beino- able to move with
her o'lins from point to point as needed.
On tlie l.'ith (leneral M-cArthui' with his force came in to A'azoo
City about noon, closely followed by W'wi Adams' command. A
strikiiia" pictnre of the destitution pre\ailinii' anioni:- the inhabitants
of the town is found in a letter of this date written l)y Captain Cran-
dall. of the (Teneral's statf. who said : "I could tell a stranoe tale of
''the destitution and privation amoni:- the jieople here. They rush
"around lik(> mad. and ti'v all kinds of sclienu's with the connuissaries
"and sutlei's. The <ireat cry is 'flour — Hour! ()nly let us lune Hour.'
"A^^)men be<>-. ur<>:e. ])lead. and it has been my duty to listen to these
"a})peals and decide what unist be done."
Toward eveniuii' <>ii the KUh. a repoil was circulated that two
men, of the llth 111. Vols., had been found hanoinu- to a tree. The
citizens had ])revi()usly shown ihe meanest and bitterest spirit, fre-
quently insultino- the Union soldiers, without l)ro^'ocation. The men
<>-arrisonin<>' the city had become greatly irritated over this conchict.
and Avhen the word respecting the hanging of the two men went
round, there was an explosion of their j^ent-up wrath. First the
Court Mouse, and then other buildings were fired, and only the
])i-omi)t posting of a strong i)rov()st guard, prevented the total destruc-
tion of the place at this time. Conn-ade A. C. l>yerly. of I) Cav.. gives
a graphic account of what occurred on the night of the 17th. which
II dp/ II (J McAifliur oil flic Yarioo. ^ri
we here ropx : \ was on pati-ol duty that (hiy. About 10 o'clock
"|). in.. I ordci-cd tlircc of McArthnr's nicn. coniinif up street from ont
"of an alley, to haU — my orders l)eini>- to arrest and send to TTead-
■■<|uarters all men so found. They refused to ao, disap|)eariui>- down
"another alley. Half an hour aftei'. 1 discowred sniok'e issuinu' from
"the rear of a l)uildini>- on the alley. I dashed up. to find the huildino;
""a mass of Hames. The alarm was o-ivdi and the citizens ran out a
"little hand iire-enu'ine. and some of the soldiers helped to work it.
"()ther soldiers minulini>' with the crow*!, cut holes in the hose with
"th.eir pocket kni\'es. The fire si)rea(l to the other side of the street,
"and hurned Hi>rcely. p'ttino- entirely hi'yond control. The crowd
"woi'ked to sa\'e the contents of the l)uildin<:'s and many of tlie soldiers
"helped them. Almost all the store l)uildin<>-s on the ])rinci|)al street
"hurned duriiiii- (he niiiht."
Early on tiie niorinnii- of the Isth. preparations were l)egun for
a return of all the troops to Vickshurii'. The hoats reeeived on board
the wagons, camp e((uipa,ii,'e. etc.. not re(|uired by the land forces dur-
ini:' their march, and the Marine ca\alrv went by land, beinii- assia'ned
the advance of McAi'thur's entii'c force. During the day tliis ad-
xance skirmislie(| continually with the enemy, who. howe\('r. made
no stand. The force reached and camped that night at Li\'eri)ool
Heights. The march was resumed at \ o'clock a. m. of the IDth. the
IVIarine cavalry being made rear guard, during this day, and having
se\'eral spirited bruslies with the enemy. Keaching Sai'latia about
10 o'clock a. m., the counnand went into camp, for the night. Next
morning, taking tlie ]\[arine cavalry for an escort, (ieneral INIcArthur
jjushed foi'ward to ^'icksbnrg. reaching there about the nuddle of the
afternoon. This terminated what Avas pal[)ably an unsuccessful ex-
pedition, though the (ieneral connnauding claimed otherwise. One
thing is certain — the Marines performed their part creditably. In
hi- report (ieneral McArthur said: "I desire to call attention to
"Brigadier (ieneral Ellet, connnauding the Marine Brigade, for his
"kindness and assistance in doing everything he could to make the
"exj^edition successful."
Late in the day (-J-Jud) the Kaixk and Faiuciiiij) jjassed down
stream, and moi'ning dawned upon them at Ashton. F^ouisiana. A
company of negi'o infantry, and one company of the First lMississipi)i
if.12 Ilit^fory of the Mtirhic I>ri<j(i(l< .
Mounted Ivitienu'ii were statioiicil hci'c. In the aftci'iioon a scout of
eia'lit uiil"s wj^.s uuidc without cncountcriuij,- the cncuiy. ( )n the 'J^th
a scout of thirty miles was made, endine" at St. Jose})h Ixdow. whither
the boats went to meet the men. On this scout tlie battalion was com-
pelled to construct two hridii'es. in crossini:" one of which, several
horses fell into the water. ( )n this tri]) three horses were captured.
The Raixk returned to Asliton, and the Faikciiild remained at St.
Josejih.
On the 25th. the FAiRciimn went down to TJodney. and on tlie
il(>th. to "\Vater])r(H)f. On the -JTth she rt'turued to Si. Joseph, and a
scout was made, and then she went on up to Ashton.
The companies on the Ivaixp: rested on the li^th. and on the 2()th
made a scout of sixteen miles, seeino' no Confederates, and returning-
to the i>oats about noon. On the liTtli. the Uaixf/s companies went on
to the island inside Bruin's Lake, and secr.red some beef cattle. Dur-
inii' the day it was learned that the rebel. Oolonel Harrison, with one
thousand men. had crossed to the east side of Hayou Mason.
()ii the 2Stii the ArrocwAT came down, auil i^^uetl rations to the
bo!)ts.
( )u the '2\)\\\ ordei's were recei\'e(l for the Kaixi-: and Baltic to
return to ^"icksl>uri;■. \\hich was reached at S o'clock in the eveninii".
whei'e they Avere sliortly afterwai'd joined by the othei' boats, as be-
fore related.
The forenoon of the 'M)X\\ was sjx'ut by tlie two boats at \"icksl)ur<i'.
coalinif. In the afternoon coloi-ed troo})s were taken on board for
]Milliken's lieiid. where they were [)ut ashore during- the ni<>'ht. At a
o'clock ]). m. of the Hist, the two boats recei\'ed orders to ])roceed u])
as far as (ioodrich's I^andinij,-. which was reached aliout midniii'ht.
Findin<j.- cA'erythiuii' (|uiet at tliis place the return trip to Vicksburg
was beg'un at 2 p. m. of the 1st. and the city was reached at 5 o'clock
in the e\-eninii- of the same dav.
CHAPTER VIII
June-July, - 1864
Moriiics Willi Siiiilirs l-Lrjicdillini rx. \hi niKiihihc Haltlc <iii Jjikc Cliicot. —
Curric's VriticixiH. — Murine lluiil l<> liidiini lidiiOK. — Sfoppiii!/ d ('(nitilni
Dance. — ExcIkiikjc of I'risoiicrs. sl.clcli of llic Mdiiiir Hii/iial Corps. — H.rpc-
dition to CoJciiKin's I'hnildlioii uinl Itrdirii llutllc of .iiiJii 4 . — Whole Brigade
With l<Ioeinti rs. Wirl Aduins.- Sereii ilinis of Murelt mid Sliniiisli. — Enemii
foUoir to I'irer mid Meet Serere Itepiihe. -Murines in Ciinip <il Onieipi Ijdndiiif/
While Boats Are I sed as 'I'ninsporls.- Admns mid l-'direhild Ifefiirniin/
HJielled Ini C iierrillas.- Anotin r Collision.
As already n'latcd. plans were now niatnivd for an expedition in
force, TUider (ien. A. .1. Smith, to elear the conntrv above on the
Louisiana side, of the enemy operating" nnder Marmaduke, in <i-ner-
riUa attacks alona" the river. All was in readiness for the move, and
the portion of the Marine force to co-operate was jdaced under the
command of Colonel Cni-rie.
On June k IN^U. with some of (Jeneral Smith's cavalry on hoard,
and Avith the rest of his connnand on some twenty transports follow-
ing, the Marine boats Diana. Ivaink. Adams and Fairchild left the
wharf at Vicksburg and k'd the way up the Mississippi. Marmaduke
was now in the vicinity of Lake Villag-e. This little handet of about
OIK' hundred population, and the c-ounty seat of Chicot county. Ark.,
was situated on the west side of a horse-shoe shaped lake, which had at
one time been a bend in the river. ,Colonel Cnrrie. since deceased, left
a very full account of this expedition, and the engagement with which
it terminated, which furnishes the interesting details, and is here
quoted :
413
/j^ Tlistonj of the Marine Brigade.
'VWV: MAKIXKS l.\ THI-: SMITH EXI'KIMTFOX ACAIXST M AII.M ADUKE.
V>\ i-eqiiest of General Sinitli I reported to him at midiiii^ht of June 3,
1864, and the foUowincf ])lan of opei-ations was asireed upon: With his army
of ten thousand infantry, artillery and cavalry we would return in the morning-
to Rnnnyside Landing-, disendtark the ti-oojjs and ott'er battle. My head(|uar-
ters l)()at. the Diana, leadini^- the fleet of twenty-six vessels, would make me
arri\e first. I would then disend)ark' tlu' mounted command consisting of
the Marine liriy-ade and two s(|uadrons 4th Iowa ( a\ah\\. and with one twelve-
])onnder mountain howit/.ei- inakini^- a reconnoissance. loi'ate the enemy, hid not
In-inii' on the fiyht.
At 5 o'clock on the aftei-noon of .lune 4th the Diana i-eaclied .Snnnyside
and as soon as the line was formed. \ve rode in the direction of Lake \'illaiife.
A nnle out we encountered the enemy's ])ickets. ad\ antai^eonsly posted, at the
fai' end of a liridg'e over a small bayou. They tried to ]ii-event our crossins?.
I'ushiny them, they g'ave way. scam])ered across an o|)en field and took shelter
in a skii't of tind)er. To dislodge them from so protected a ])Osition. I dis-
niounted the command, which advanced as infanti-y. while ('apt. J. I'. Harper
with Co. H made a flank mo\ement to our left and the howit/.er was placed
on the right at the foot of the lake, in enfilade the rebel line. As soon as
Captain Har])er was in ])osition onr ^vllole line advanced, the howitzer hurled
shot and shell, the rebels fell back nnder the galling- fire of the ^farines. and
we soon occupied as sheltered a position in the tind)er as they. With ini])etu-
ons \alor onr men drove them ont of the woods into an open field beyond, bor-
dei-iTig- the lake bnt sejmrated from it by a high levee, thrown np for protection
against overflow. A few of us rode ont to look over the situation, bnt had
not proceeded over 200 yards when a sho\ver of bullets came over the brow of
the IcNce. \\ith an order to dismomit and charge nj) the levee, f hastened
liack to bring- up the command. A hissing- rain of bullets fell all around me
as the rebel shar]>shooters tried to secure g-ood aim. My horse, as if pursued
by Tam O'Shanter's witches, flew over the ground, but more fortunate than
])oor Meg-, esca]>ed. The handful of men succeeded in holding the guerrillas
at bay until reinforced. Though fighting- at such short range we esca])ed with
only four wounded. If was now sunset. Hearing the ajiproach of artillery .ou
our left, and having accomjjlished the design of the rei-onnoissance. to locate
the enemy foi' the battle next day. we returned to the boats. The plans of
operation for the next day were that the Marine fJrigade should start in ad-
vance, meet the enemy, bring on the battle, and engage it until (ieneral Snnth's
command arrived.
At daylight .lune .")th. the Marine lirigade had alreaily encountered the
rebels and fought oveJ- the same gi'oniid as the evening before. The rebels
kejjt falling back with a show of fight until they had i-eaehed a chosen ])osition.
V>\ s o'clock the two lines were confronting each other and the battle was on
in earnest. A di-enching I'ain froin earl\- moi-ning made the country roads
almost impassable. sei-iousl\- i-etarding the ])rogress of (ieneral Smith's com-
('i/n-/c''.s Accounf of St/t/f/r.s K,fi)('(lit
/on.
4^5
iiKind (•(iiniiiL;- to oiir assislaiicc. so that foi' oxci- an lioiir tlic Mafiiic Rriy-ade
was conlfinliiii;- aijaiiist j^rcat odds. Tlie itI)c1 liiu" was foi-incd on tlie north
side of a cotton ti(dd. in a skii't ot small t'nnher. thick witli weeds and nndcr-
hi-iisli. tlicii- left iH-slini;- at the hase of the h>\-ec extendiiii;- westwardl,\-. Our
line formed ])arallel and as we ;i(l\anced, Co. A. ('apt. I. I). .Vewell. dejjioyed as
sl<irniishers. This line at once hecamc enyai^cd witli tlie enemy at short
rauii'e, and the firini^- was so severe tlie men laid down in the weeds and ij-rass
for want of hettei' protection. Our position was now perilous. Supposing"
(ieneral Smith to he in suppoT-t ini^' distance, accordini;- to the plan a^i'reed upon,
I had advanced as far as possible with \\\\ little command. \\"e coidd do
nothiiiL;- l)ut sliow tii^lit and wait: any attempt to witlidraw woulil hi'iui^' on us
an instant chari^-e and ca|)tui-e. ('a|)taiH Xewell liravtdy held his advanced
])osition. When lie sent word it was untenable. I cueoni-ayed him witli the as-
sui-ance that the infantry was near. Aftei- full\ an hour of weary waitiiiiif
(lenci-al Snntli arrived. Sceini;- the location of the skirmishers, he oi-dered
(Ieneral Aiower's briijade and a f(un--L;un battei-y to tile o\cr the le\ee. take
position in front and so i-<die\e ('ai)tain Xewell. whose conipan\- ftdl back to
our main line, (ieneral Mower o|)ened the battle with his batterx' of four
i;-uns. snpiiorted by his brigade of infantry. ^Vt the first discharge of his ar-
tillei-\- came a reply from a masked battery of the cnem\- not a KlO yards from
his front, and so neai' had it the I'ange of our ginis, that (Ieneral Mower was
compelled to withdraw his batter\- after the second shot. The infanti'v iioNV
moved forward, and the rebels fell back a mile of so towards l>akc \'il]ag"e.
tliT'ough an open field and then across a bayou into a dense woods. In this
woods a new enemy appeared. It became ai)])arent that the .Marine llrig-ade
had been contending with onl\' a portion of the rebel force. Their ad\ance
was to meet us, fall back when pressed, and draw us on to this ba\'ou to re-
ceive the tire (»f the main army, secMirel,\' sheltered in the woods on the op])osite
bank. Ditch, or l''ish r.a\ou was a sluggish stream four or five miles long, im-
passable to infantrw but their advance had retired across it by means of a
bridge, v\hi<di they now destroved.
When ])laiis for this tight were made 1 gave Oenei-al Smith some idea of
this guerrilla fighting and suggested Cajjt. ('. (1. l'''islier of Co. l'], to act a.s his
s])ecial aid. who was thorouglilv posted on the topogra])liv of the country and
the guerrilla strategies, and he strcnuousl\- advised against advancing the in-
fantrv to the bayou, as it v\as imjiassable, and no |)i'ot cet ion against a con-
cealed and sheltei'ed foe. save here and tliere a fence or luidci-brusli and weeds.
Hut the Cenei-al thought he knew best, aiid a line of infantry, a mile at least in
length, was hurried 1o the stream, to receive vollcv after vollev from the rebels
<m the op|)osite bank', sheltei'ed bv the vNoods as securely as though thv were
out of range of our .shot and shell. Not a man tlinchcd. though cvt'rv man
knew "some one had blnndere(l." Oni- bra\e s(ddiers advanced to as cei'taiii
death as though "cannons to the right of them, canmuis to the left (Vf them,
(•aiinoiis in front, volleyed and thundered." How 1he\ fell. In less tiiaii a
^l6 IlintoiiJ of the Mdi'nic llrhjiidc.
half hour 100 dead ami wounded men wt-re lyini^- in an old eotloii i;'in. aliiuit
a hair niilj to the rear, whieii iiad l)een eoinerted into a iios|iital.
(ieneral i^niith ncnv ordered the Marine Brig'ade. \\ liieh dui-ini"- this |)art of
the [i-;iit \vas piiarding- the left flank of his army, to ford the bayon and at-
tack the T'eheis. tlien retreating, 'llie stream ^\•as not so deep. l)ut a thiidc
nuiek at the Ixittom L;a\e the horses no footing- and tliey had to tlonnder o\e!-
as l)es< tiu'\ eonld. As soon as a few of ns reaehed tiie bank we <^allo|)ed off,
othei-s joinin;^- ns on the \va,\'. We saw not a foe. .\ few minntes" ride broujiht
ns to a nei;ati\>' creature who seemed to be in eharii'e of a hos|)ital: also neiiu-
tive as to l<illed. wounded or sick. licNond tliis the road forked and the rebels
had t;(nie l)y liotli branches, as the tracks showed. An orderlv from (leneral
Snntii diret'ted me to take the one jeadin;; to bake N'illaye. and there we en-
cam|)ed for the niiiht. The rain had continned all day and onr men. thoi-onyldy
drenched, took e\er\thini>' axailable and made fii'es. \\'hat a (dianije from the
morning. Out on the battiefitdd the hrave l)o\s had been l)nried where the\'
fell, and tlie wounded were i)eini;' cai'cd for as best we coidd. The rainfall
continued and the niplit was darl'; and dreary. lCii;iit o\dock next inornini>'
foimd us on mii- \\a,\ to file l)oats. ixini^' otf Luna and Cobimbia Lundino-s — the
]\rarinc I'.riuaile at tiie formei-. and (iencrai Smith's fleet at tlie lattei' point,
three miles abo\e.
.V Jittle incident will show how the iiuerrillas watched our mo\ements.
Abont noon I rode np the river bank to (ieneral Smith's headcpiarters accom-
[lanied by my orderly, John llrock. After an honr's chat. 1 sent my horse
back with the orderly, and returned, myself, on a small tu.ii'. I watched them
li'o down the banlv with no thought of danyer. The orderly rode
in full view of both fleets and 10,000 soldiers, and yet at a branch in the road
he was pounced upon by some guei-rillas and captured. Our men saw the eap-
tui'e. but su])posed he was joined by some of our troo])s. A prisoner after-
wards captured, who was one of the party, gave full ])articidars of this most
daring' exploit. General Marmadnke took my horse for his own use. and was
very proud of him. as he well might be.
The battle of Lake Village was no victory, .\lthough the field was won. it
was a field dotted \vith the gi"i\i's of our sokliei's and reddened with the blood
of our wounded. 'J'he rebels left no dead or wounded. They shot at a mark,
and when tired of the play, rode away, llie ^Marine Brigade accomplished the
only part of the tight that was creditable. For two days they contended with
a vastly larger force, held it in check and only quitted the front when the
infantr\ in lai'ge nundiers arrixcd. AVitli the nmnber at the command of
General Snntli we could have enveloped the enemy entirely and ca])tui'e(l him.
but he erred in judgment fi-om the start and the battle was lost. The ])lan of
attack should have heen to move upon the enemy in two di\isions, one 1)\ way
of Sunn_\side. the other fi'om Luna, thus closing e\cry avenue of escape. The
guerrillas fought only when concealed. Theirs was the ])ractice to shoot and
escape. They wei-e hungry wolves that dogged onr footsteps, biting under
('(jIoiicI ( ' II ri'/c's ('fit
■ITlrlxni .
iJ\
(•ci\fl' (if (larkiifss and flfciiiL;- w lien the im n'lii iil;- liL;li1 would discovci' lliciii.
Had Ihrir plan ':^'( lialtic Iiimmi lufl \^\ a I'dtlc s1i-atci^y. and the ad\icc taken
not to rnsli t lie ann\ up 1ln' bank of the l)a\oii. and the sni;L;('s1 ions to attack
tilt" cncniN front and rear met witli fa\in-. tlii' rt-snlt wonid liasc been d i ll'iTcnt .
("oloiicl Ciirric's well known t;ictic;il skill, his dauntless conraifc
and his thoronuh know li'do-c ol' Iht' conntrv. and the hahits of Ihc
ciicniy in that field, cntillc his ()|)inions to weiii'ht. in his criticism of
this Lake \'illaii(' affair, hnt it can hardly he jnstly claimed that "the
Marine Ijriaade accomi)lished the oidy i)ai't in the liohi that was
cn'dital)le." This would deti'act fi'om what the Colonel himself heau-
tifully and o'eiierously accords the men who so ii'iillantly charii'ed the
hayou. and fell before the enemy's lirt'. Ilis criticism of the cliaroc.
made, as he >ays. contrary to the advice of Captain Fisher, is douhl-
less just. I)Ut it may he (|uestioned whether any one in authority was
res|)onsil)le foi- it. ()nr authoi's rememher well to hax'e heard it -tate(l
at the time, that an Ii'ish hrii^'ade. irritated hcyond control hy the
enemy's oallinu" lire, hi'oke away from their ollicers. and deaf to all
commands and re_<>ardless of earnest entreaties, made the mad rush to
the hayou. in hojx' of eapturinii" the battery, which indeed they came
very near doina' — dri\ ini:,' the liMinners from their pieces, and silencino-
the battery for a time. l>ut their inability to cross the bayou pre-
x'ented their securiuif the |)rixe which their \alor fairly won. Colonel
Currie also ])oints out what he considered a did'ect in the |)lan of bat-
tle, but it is to be obser\'ed that he does not claim that in his pre\ions
midnio'lit conference with (iencM'al Smith any different ])lau had been
suo-o-ested by him. Xoi- can we aii'ree with Colonel Currie that ••The
battle at Lake \'illai;(' was no xictory."' It was a \ ictorw The enem\'
was driven from the ficdd. and so sexcrely punished that he seems to
liaxc completely forgotten his boasted jjiu'pose of destroyinu," the Ma-
rine r)ri<i'ade. and of block'adiiii:" the ri\'er. foi- he ne\'er I'eturned to
trouble eithei' aiiain. So we charitably take into consideration Col-
onel Currie's sore disappointment oxer the outcome of the liiiht. Foi'
days just pre\ ious. with mere shells of wooden boats, he luul battled
aii'aiiist MarmadukeV batteries, and he had hoped to see the enem\-
ca[)tured or seriousl\- crippled in this enaaa'cinent. and when the wily
Confederate chi(d'tain slip|)ed safely away, with all his aiiillery.
Colonel CiU'rie wa^^ bitterly disappointed.
^i8 History of the Marine Brigade.
Consideriiiii' tlic ;icti\(' pai't it played in this fii>ht the Hripule
was cxccedinoly fortunate. We find no record of any killed, and only
one man. Serii'eant Snell. was seriously wounded. Lake Village was
left in ratliei' denuded condition, the men durini>" their stay throuirli
the lonir. dreary, wet inuht. api)ropriatina' whatever they could tin«I
that ministered in any way to tlieii' comfort. The villaiiv of C\ilum-
bia fare(l e\i'n woi'se. l)ein<>- c()m])letely consumed ])y fire, set by (len-
ei'al Smith's men on their return.
At 10 o'clock on the morniiiii' of the 7th. the Marint's marched in
to the river at Luna Landina'. where the boats lay at anchor, and
went on board. (Jeneral Smith's connnand re-embarked ui)()n trans-
l)orts. and i)assed on up the river, under Inu'ry orders from Mem])his,
due to Forrest's raid and the caj)ture of Fort Pillow. I)urin<>; the
day three Marines wandered too far from cam[). and were taken ])ris-
oners. Li the e\'eninii' the Aitockat and Moxakcii came up from
A'icksburu' and joined the fleet. ha\in<i" been fired into with musketry
at Greenville. A flaii" <>f truce came in durinii" that afternoon, solicit-
ill"" !in exchauii'e of prisoners, which for some reason was not effected.
On the Sfh. all H\'e boats di'opped down to (ireenville. and durinix
the day se\ei'al houses, includinii' the court house, were set on fire and
burned. I)urin,i»' the day the Monaikii cruised between T^una and
Snnnyside. but saw no enemy.
At an early lioui' in the mornin<i' of the following day (rJune 9)
General Ellet with six companies of his nu)unted infantry and four
of the oavah'v and the howitzer, together with four companies of the
Second Wisconsin caviilrv. all provided with two days' rations,
started on an exjjedition on the east side, whose destination was the
Sunflower I'iver. and whose object was the Hnding and capture or de-
sti'uction of the II. I). Mears. a large steamer, reported to be secreted
on that stream or some connecting bayou. Skirmishes with the enemy
commenced soon after leaving the river, and continued all day. Gne
Confederate soldier's horse fell on a bridge, and both horse and rider
were cajitnred. The connnand kept steadily on. crossed Deer Creek,
passed through a great swamp, and came to l)ogue Phaliah. This is
on(» of the numerous and peculiar streams found in the south, and
esj)ecially in this section of the country, generally rather narrow, but
The luiid to I nd'utn Thnjoti.
419
dt,'t'|). shiniii>h. ;iii(l miry. A fciTV was found on this stream, a small
decked Hat. without i'ailin«i:, maiiii)idated by means of a I'ojx'. and
capable of carryinii" a dozen or so horses and their riders at a tiuit-.
A\'ith this ferry the coimnand was crosst'd o\-er to the other side, and
after ])assin_<i' throuiih a low. swampy canehrake. it went into camp
on a lai'<::e ])lantati()n, located on the hills some three oi' four miles
l)e\"ond.
Here the men found plenty of feed for theii" horses, and an ahmid-
ance of cliickens. hams, bacon, meal, foi- themselves, in api)ropriatinii"
whicli thev were bv no means backward. No Fedei'al soldiei's had
Diagram of Lake Chicot, Greenville and Vicinity, Showing Route of (Marine Raid to Indian
Bayou, for the Destruction of IHidden Steamers.
before been seen in this locality. ,Iiist after crossinij' the main com-
mand over the bayou, Uriah ]*erry of Co. E. Inf.. \\as sent to the rear
of the colunni on some errand, and getting off' the road was cai)tured.
During the night a rather unusual and somewhat annising inci-
dent occurred, ('aj)tain XewelTs account of it published some years
since, in the "Historian. "' we insert here as our own:
A XICIIT K'AII) S'l'OI'S A DAXCK.
I \v!s cjillcd 1(1 llic ( ifiH'i-:! I's tent, aliniit in id n ii;lit . and I'oiind tlic (iein'ral
(■r<iss-<|iu'st ioniiii;' a i;i'i nni iil;' dafkcx. wIki had liccn lii-<iiii^lit in from tile pickt't
liis (larkf\- n
irtcd l\\(. I(i1;
Coiil'fdcratr otiiccrs. sonu' four mile
if.20 llistorii of the Mar'nic H rnjadc.
a\v;i,\'. in two (lifVci-cnl Ikuiscs. In the lii-si liousc. lu' said, there were only
four or ti\f oflic(>i-s fast alsci'i). whilr in tlu- sccoikI house there were some
12 or l.-). haviiiii' a daiicc. witli 1 lie lioiisc full of soiitlicni ladies. 'I'lie General
said : "Captain, we want thosf fellows, 'i'ou will take your eoni[)any, or so
nuieh of it as you deem necessary, and go after them. Your foree will go
on foot, tevking oidy one horsenum in case you get into trouble and want re-
inforcements in liaslc. \i)\\ will take this darkey with yon as a guide, and if
you are ambushed or led into any ti'ap. be sure and kill him the first thing
you do. ^lake ,\(iur capture (pnetly. and if |;ossilile without firing a gun. We
are in a strange country, and 1 don't know what nuiy he in here. If yon suc-
ceed, throw out pickets, and stay there until daylight, and then come in."
It was one (d' the darkest nights T ever saw. or seemed so to me. Much
of the road la.\- through, or along, the viVj:v of a heavy jiiece of tind)er. T
sent Lieutenant ( iuildeiueister with six uuui as adsance guard, with the darke\'
as guide, and hetwctui this ad\ance and the couipan,\ 1 intervened another
small squad. The Hrst house, as 1 learned from the darkey, was just beyond
a bridge, and surrounded l)\- a high rail fence. Accoi-dingl,\' 1 told Lieutenant
<!uildemeister to go to the bridge, and there wait until 1 came u]i with the
company. Keacdiiug the bi-idge. 1 gave inst luict ions to the nu^n to cross over
it in perfect silence, and then lint' u]) along the fence, and when I gave a cer-
tain signal all. without regard to any |)articular order, were to go over the
fence and surround the house as cpuckly as |)ossil)le. permitting no one to
escape. With the house surrounded I went to the Iroid door, knocked and de-
manded admittance. The door was not opened, and no response to my de-
mand was made. I)id I heard a shutHing that sounded \ery much like men
getting hold of their sabres and justols. so 1 kicked the door open, and lo.
an(l behold! here were fi\e rebel officers hxing for light. I ordered them to
throw down their arms, anil told them my men were all round the house, and
they surrendered.
It was a mile or more to the next house, where the dance was going on.
rutting the captui'ed uu-n in the rear undei- guard, we went on. It was a hot
summer night. The house, brilliantly illiuui natcd. was tilled with men ami
women, and the windows all \\\). The dance had ceased for a time, because
the fiddler had broken one of his strings (made of silk because catgut could
not be obtained) and was rei)airing it. We tarried just a minute to take in
the scene, and then, at the signal, the nu^n went pidl mtdl over the fence and
around the house. The rebel otlicers within heard us coming, and rushed to
the hall, where they had stacked their arms. 1 ran up to the door and cried out:
"My men are all around this house: think of your wouuui. If yon fire a shot
you take the responsibility. Lay down your arms and retire from the hall!"
One of the rebels said: "IJoys. I guess wc are in f(u- it." 1 ordered in a
guard and took possession of the arms. As I rcuu-mlMu- it was thirteen men
with their horses and ai'uis captured here, making eighteen in all. 1 asked
the darkey, who yuidcd us. how he knew that wc were in the neighl)orhood.
Ucfiini (if fJic '^Proccsston.^
42 r
while till- wliilf people seemed ikiI Io know ;i 11 \ I hi iil;- of our |)i-esenee. and ho
said. '■\\v Marster. 1 kiiowed when \oii uiis ei-ossed de I'lisl liosses o\ah de
l)avoii." ■■Well." 1 asked, "bill how did vou know?"" "Wall I des -ot er
"spaleh o\ah de i;rape\iMe. 1 (deri;fa1'."" ""Wcdl." 1 said aLjain. '■How many of IliP
darke_\s roiiiid hei-e knew we wei'e com i iil;?'" And he replied. "Wn all de
darkens in de eonnlry know il." TheN' had elosely kept the secret of onr
advance.
Tln'cc couipaiiics wtM-e left at the lioiiiic. to liuafd the fci'i-y. and
llii' next uiornina" aWoiit ten o'clock the Coiit'cdcratcs cauic up. and
lifcd across the Uayoii upon thciii. l)iit a round uv two IVoni tlic howitz-
er disixTsed ihcni. Lcavinif a portion of the coinniand hei-e. (ieneral
KUet ])i-oceded to the Suntlower. and thence on to Indian liayou.
found the steaniei' Mear hidden th.erc an<l hurned lier. Stores in two
diti'eri'nl phices. containin*^' considerahU' stocks of o-oods. were also
destrove(|. (-^uite a iiood nian\' horses and niules were couHscated on
this Iri]). some of which were found hid<len out in the woods and
canchrake-. their whereahoiits hcinu' rext'alecl to us hv the darkies.
A^^l!ile the (ieneral and his connuand were absent on th.eir errand,
that })ortion of the command left behind imi)rove(l the time in first
collectin<>^ provisions, of which tliere was an ahiuKhmce in the country,
and then ferryini:' themsehes hack across the r)o<iiie. that they mia-ht
he ready for a start to lite boats when the (ieneral returned, whicli
he did about elcNcn o'clock a. m. of the lltli. The wliole connuand
now returned to the boats, without any happenini;' of importance, but
in the midst of :i wearisome rain. 'J'h.e connuand was accontpanied to
the boats by (piite a crowd of neiiroes of both sexes, and of all sliades
and conditions, makinii' the join'ney on foot, but happy in the assur-
ance of freedom under our ])rotection. 'I'wenty-two prisoners. :ind
about one h.imdred lifty liorses and nudes were captureil on this trip,
to^'ether with large (juantities of stores ami |)rovisions. The com-
mand was out three (hiys, and rode about one h.undred ten niih^s, and
had three miimportant skirmishes.
That the Confederates feared a repetition of the liriii'ade's \isit
into this i-icji. isolated and c()m])arati\'ely undisturbed section, is evi-
dent from the followinii.'. from ii report made to A. A. (i. Ellis, by
Perry K\ans. counuandini:- Confederate Scouts, and dated. Deer, Creek.
.Iul\- "-'T. b'>(i4 : The extract reads: " .... I would fm'lher rei)ort
^22 Histoid of the Marine Brigade.
'that inniKMliately after the raid of the Marine lii-ioadc to Indian
'•Bayon. which I had the honor to rei)ort some time since, I caused to
"be burned one h-un(h'ed seventy-five baU's of cotton, on Sunflower
'*ri\'er. below (iarxins Ferry, to prevent it from fallini>' into the Iiands
"of tlie enemy; a number of boats having come uj) as higli on tlie river
•'as Buck's Ferry, and carried away a considerable (]uantity of cotton,
'■and it bein<>- expected that they would also take this. I burned the
"cotton, believing it to be the property of Robertson Top}), of Mem-
"phis.-
Early on the morning of the li^th a flag of truce came in, asking
an exchange of prisoners, and Uriah Perry. cai)tured by the enemy
the hrst day of the scout, was received and exchanged for one of their
men in our hands. After the exchange was etl'ected, it was learned
from Perry that he had been robbed by his caj)tors of $'2r).00, and (len-
eral Filet caused him re-imbursed with an equal anuMuit, taken from
the prisoners still in our possession. At two o'clock in the afternoon
the fleet left for Vicksburg, arriving there at eight o'clock the next
morning. In the early morning of the following day ( ll^th) Sergt.
Snell of Co. A C^av. mentioned as wounded during the reconnoissance
at Sumiyside, the e\'ening before the Lake ^"illage fight, died of his
w'ound in the head, and was buried about ten o'clock of the same day.
About this time news came that the wife of Lieut. B. F. Housel (who
was then recruiting for a negro regiment) had died in Vicksburg, and
a leave of absence was granted him to take her remains home.
On the 15th, Lieut. Philip Howell, of the (reneral's staff, was sent
out with a flag of truce, in the rear of Vicksburg, to arrange with Gen-
eral A^"irt Adams for an exchange of prisoners. On the lOth the
jVIonaim'II was ordered to Sunnyside, to cruise in that vicinity. On
the ITth the Aua:ms was sent u]) Old River, near Vicksburg, looking
for timbers with which to repair the damages sustained by the Diana
from her collision with the Adams, some time before. On the ISth a
disabled ])ortion of the Aitocijat's engines was sent to Xew Orleans
for rei)airs. A favorable resi)onse having been received from General
A^'irt Adams, to the [)ro[)osal for exchange of ])ris()ners, one uuin was
sent in and exchanged by him. The AoA^rs returned from Old River
about dark. On the lilst the Raixe was sent up the Yazoo with a
lrans[)ort, in search of timber. On tlie li'Jnd, orders were received
riic Mdinic S!(/ii(fl ('(>!■ j>
423
relieviiii:" r^icntciianls A\';irr(Mi mikI IkuIcv. siiiiuil olliccrs. and assiuii-
iii«' them to sci'vicc in the Dcuartuicut of the (riilf. As (his will he
the hist mention of tliese hiiihiy esteemed ofHeers. who ha\'e ser\'ed
with the command from the early days of the I'ani lleet. we here iii\-e
s-onu> account of tlu' special ser\ice in which thev were enii"ai:'e(|.
We h.ave made occasional mention of olliccrs and men of the Siii'-
iial Corps. This was a distinct hranch of militai'V ser\ice. which came
to he recoani/AMl as a neces^^ity in e\HM'V part of the Ai'iiiy. Its duty
was to put detached portions of a connnand in innnediate conmnniica-
tion, by means of a system of siiiiialinii'. hy the use of Ha<:"s. and known
a- the "wia-wau" system. Colonel Ellet had adoptecl for his rams a
sliort code of siiiiials. mainly relviny,', howe\'er. on the use of the boat's
whistles, for conti'ollini>- their movements. A somewhat extended
code was used for the Marine boats, by ^\■hi(•h orders to land, orders
to leave a landing', to come aloni>"side — calls for help — for men ashore
to join their boat. etc.. wei'c in constant use. IJut. just bcfoi-e the Ten-
nessee Iviver expedition, the Si^-nal Corps was bronu'lit to the western
army, by C'a])t. ( ). V. Ilowai-d. and (ienei'ai Klh't. r('(picste(j its use
u])on his boats. Lieul. ^^^ F. ^^'arren. of the ram tlcel. was {|etache(1
for this pnr|)ose and instructed in the code, and \('i'v soon had a detail
of an otHcer and three or four men on each boat. e(|ui])i)ed with the
necessary ])araphernalia. and trained to send and recei\'e mcssaaes be-
tween the boats, at any distance at which the siiiuals could be seen. At
(iue time Lieutenant ^^'arren had as assistants and representati\ cs of
the Corps. Lieuts. (i. A\'. Uailey. and S. (i. Scai'ritt. with a number of
eidisted men whose names cannot all be i:i\H'n. but anions:" them were
Lewis 1). David. S. M. (\)e, Idiouuis 15. Kelly. ,] . Q. Adams and J. W.
^^'hittlesey. All became |)rolicient in siiiiiallini:'. and the thi'ce last men-
tioned were reconunendetl for conunissions. and assigned to (bity. later,
in the rank for which they had been named. \\\\\ through some cause.
ne\er understood, none of these conunissions were e\('r recei\('(l. Dur-
ing the continuance of the Brigade, this coi'ps rendered good ser\ice — ■
being often conuneuded by their chief. At times, as the exigencies of
the service recpiireil. they were assigned to held duty, and later i-e-
turned to the Brigade, ^^'arren and IJailey. by the order relie\ing
them from Brigade ser\ice. were now directed to join lianks. and
/f24 Jli.story of the M (if'nw li r'Kjtide.
sci'ved ihroiiiih his disastrous caiiipaiiiii in Louisiana, aiul later on the
(lulf coast, and a\('i-c not aijain seen hy their (dd comrades dui'iiiii' tlie
Avai-.
Kesunnnii" our story of the Hriiiade. on .June 'J-h'd. the Kaixe
aiiain \vent up the "^'azoo. th.is time to con\-o\' the ti'ansi)ort Cheek,
loaded with sui)plies. On the L!4th the LioXKSs left for Cairo, hi-ar-
\\\\l dispatches from (leneral ("anhy. Duriiio- the ninht of the -jKUh a
man of Co. C Inf. was stahhed in a dis<2i-ac(d"id brawl, and die(| of hi^
wounds.
On tlu' ■J'.'th the MoNAitcii returuetl from her cruise in the \icinity
of Sumiyside. aiid was ordered up. to ciaiise between ^ ounii"s Point
and Milliken's. It was reported that the Confederates had come in
about Vounu's Point, and were buridna' buildinii's. ca])turinu' nudes.
dis])ersinu" the ncii'roes. etc.. and the companies on the Diana made a
>c()Ut beyond \'ouni;'"s Point, but discoA'ere(l no enemy. One ^'overn-
meut lessee had been captured the day before, but had succeeded in
makini>- his escape. On tlie oOth th.e conunand was niu.stered for pay.
AVe ha\(> now to narrate some exijeriences of the liriaade. under
somewhat noxcl conditions. Takini>' on board the 4sth and ^ilnd La.
(Xeo-ro) Inf.. the lleet started down stream. July •_'. iSd-l-. and lande(l
at IJodnev, at two o'clock the next mornini:'. About six o'clock llu'
troops were ashore and moxini:'. The entire force. excei)t two com-
])anies left on the pAi/ru'. accomjtanied by the howitzei'. took the I'oad
toward ()akland CoUejjfe.
Two or three \-ersions of this expeclition and the liiiht which oc-
curred durinii' the time the IJriaade was out on it. written by those
who participated, lie before the historian as he writes: These dilfer-
ent accounts doNctail nicely into each other, showinii- that they are ac-
curate in details. Any one of these scNcral accounts would ii'ix'e a
g'ood description of the e\ents as seen from the writer's stand-point
only. P)Ut no one of the-e writers saw excrythiuii-. and W(> therefore
compile our account, from all of them.
SkiiMui^hina' w ilh the enemy benan aboiU one mile out from Hod-
ne\'. and continued all the forenoon. The day was hot, and on ac-
count of the unmounted neiiro tro<)i)s. the march was necessarily slow.
Durinii" the forenoon sonn' h\'e oi' six of the enemy's scouts were caj)-
tin'e(|. Amonii' the munber were two. who nuist have b(donii'e<l to a
Foiiffh of -hill/ (if ( 'olcnuiirH. ^2^
siii'iml coi'ps. since tlicy had a signal flai>- with thciii when taken. ( )ne
of the Marine Iior-^es was wounded before noon. Ahont noon the ad-
\ance reached ('oh'nian's Cross Roads — so-called hecanse (he roads
from Port (lihson. Natchez, and Fayette conwriiX'. and ci'oss each
other here — and waited for the balance of the command to come u[).
About three o'clock (Jeneral El let established his head(|narters. and
the entire command went into cam|), after j)nttini:' out a stronj^- i)icket.
The niii'lit was an uneasy one. for moi'e or less lirinu" was kept up on
the ])icket line, and the repoil was that the enemy with whom the
Natchez troops had had a tussle the day bi'fore, were in considerable
force near Ked Lick church, some miles distant. ()ur pickets, bi'fore
dayli<>'ht. killed two of the enemy, and wounded a third, as they were
stealiuii' up on our p(»sts. As showinii" how tlie Marines scented the
battle afar. A. ('. liyerly. in his j)rinted account, says: "We were
"astir (on the 4(h) as soon as it was liiiht. and while swallowino" a
'liasty breakfast. I heard 'Posey* of C\). (' C'aw i-emark to a comrade.
'■"This is the 4th of »Iuly. and Pll bet you a dollar we ha\e plenty of
"fir. 'Work's'." After an early breakfast the mounted infantry moved
'"out on the l*ort (iibson road, while the ca\alry started out along
"the Fayette road, each seeking to locate the enemy. The negro reg-
"iments remained in camj). Each detachment had gone about three
"miles on its chosen road. when, just as the sun was rising, the cavalry
"came suddenly u])oii the enemy, who saluted their ad\ance with a
"x'olley. and Charles Hubbard, of Co. I>. fell dead. The company
'"hnAve\'er did not faltei'. and chai'ging headlong, carbines at rest, we
"were soon at their side, the battalion coming 'right and left into line.'
•'])illy White was struck in the shoulder, and knocked from his horse.
"The rebs were in the brush, and just how strong they were we eouhl
'•not tell. Major Crandall decided to send for reinforcements, and
"asked Capt. I)e Cosier for a messenger. P)illie ,C'<>i'i"ii' turned his
"horse out of ranks and said: "ril go" — and after receiving his in-
''struc(ions. drew his rcN'ohcr and galloi)ed away, down (lie lonely
"road, in the direction of I Iead(|uarters."
'Ihe infantry had gone aboiU (hree miles on iheii' I'oad. wlu'n
the\' wci'e o\'erhauled by the messenger, and coming to a "right about"'
galloix'd at break-neck speed, back o\er the road (hey had come. In
the meantime one of the negi'o regiments had gone to the sup[)ort of
^26 Ilhtory of the Mdi'hie Ih'igadc.
tlie cavalry, and wlieii the Marine infantry, with the howitzer ap-
2:»eared upon tlie scene, the enemy quickly <2,'ave way. They were too
stubborn, however, to o-ive \\\> the fiii'ht, and were slowly driven l)ack
some four miles, and then the Marine forces returned to Coleman's.
The Marines had just fed their horses (which were still unbridled) and
eaten dinner, wlu'n a rai)id fire was heard on the picket line, in the di-
rection of the recent fi<>"htino\ indicatinii' that the Confederates had
followed the rear <>uard in, and was now crowdino- the negro jiicket
line. The other negro regiment was sent to the front, and the howitzer
went with. t!i"m.
The firing now became quite brisk, sounding like the exchange
between tAvo lines of skirmishers, standing doggedly up to each other,
(xeneral EUet sent for Captain Newell and ordered him to take a few
of his men and reconnoitre the line and report. Xewell soon returned
reporting that there was no strong force of the enemy in that direc-
tion, that the enemy Avas evidently making a feint there, and that the
attack must be exi)ected from the opposite quarter. Even Avhile the
captain was delivering this report, bodies of the enemy could be seen
forming a line across the road between us and the river. The Marine
line quickly "changed front to rear," and the infantry, dismounting,
prepared to fight on foot. The enemy at once o})ened the ball. The
Marine Cavalry was ordered to charge down the lane and break their
line, and in executing this order, found themselves in a cut, and under
a crossfire. They therefore dismounted and climbing over a high rail
fence, were soon in a field of tall corn, s<iuarely between the two lines,
and out of sight of their own men. Not kiu)wing that the cavalry
Avas in their immediate front V)ut supposing them still down along the
road, the line formed on the hill, around the (.N)leman residence, opened
on the Confederates right over the heads of the cavalry. The cavalry,
sometimes lying fiat on their faces for several minutes, to escape the
<louble fire from friend and foe. kej^t \\\) their own firing, as rapidh" as
possible while in their recumbent })osition. When there came a little
lull in the Marine fusilade, they rose and slipped to the rear, getting
into position on their own line. In the meantime the men left in
<'harge of the "fours" retired down the road with the horses, and the
animals were all saved.
In this melee "S])()tty" Powell, of Co. 1) Cav.. was wounded in the
I\ nfcrfd'ni'/iH/ lln'ir '"''Kxcoii T ' /f.2j
lea-. aii<l Sam Mci'ccr of Co. A .C'aw. was shot above the knee, and two
otlier men were wounded, whose names are not found on record. The
tiring- now oradually diminished, and one of the negro regiments, made
a gaUant charge on the Ud't, with the crv: ''Fort Pillow I Eeniem-
her Fort Pillow." — No (|uai1erl — No (|uart(M-. I The enemy gave
way. and the I'oad toward the river was open, and again in our pos-
session.
It was now about sunset, and it was evident that all the forces of
the enemy in that iuuiiediate section of country were concentrating
upon the Brigade. AI)out this time two Marines brought in a jirisoner
who had on no uniform, but whose pockets were all full of cartridges,
making it evident that what citizens there were left in that country
weiv also swelling the rardcs of the Confederates. Delay meant pos-
sible disaster, and the march was at once l)egun, in the direction of the
liver — some thirteen miles distant. The Marines were not. however,
})ermitted to retire unmolested. The enemy hung upon the rear of the
cohunn. and in the darkness made several furious dashes, and in one
instance well nigh cai)tured the howitzer just as it was about to salute
them with a double shotting of canister. At this time (says A. J.
Pierce's diary) "Fdward Hoffman, of Co. F Inf., who was one of the
'•howitzer squad, was Avounded in the foot, the same ball also wound-
•"ing his horse in both fore legs. Something needed to be done to
'•check these rushes of the enemy, and so, riding forward to the head of
"the column and turning a company of men on each side. (leneral
'•Filet ordered the fence thrown down at each side of the road and
••placed the cavali-y into these gaps. Then the column i)assed by. and
'•as the Confederates came uj). they were subjected to a nnirderous
"crossfire from both sides. A\'hen this had been played on them a feAV
'•times the ])ursuers evidently came to feel that they had enough, and
'•the retiring column pursued its way without further molestation."
Cai)tain l)e Coster says in his diary that al)out seventy-five of the
enemy were dismounted in these ambuscades, at the rear of the col-
umn, and Lieutenant Howell of the General's staff, reported at the
time that he saw not less than twenty of the enemy, unhorsed by a
-ingle volley. The Brigade's casualties were (me man killed and fif-
teen wounded and missing. The loss of the negro regiments was
lliirty-two. Of their loss (|uite a lunnber were cajjtured as stragglers.
^28 History of the Marhv^ Brigade.
The negro re<>-inients foug'ht valiantly. On the avuy hack to the river,
many a horse ^'carried donble'' — a Marine troojx-r before, and a black
infantryman behind.
The next day a party, under a flag of truce, went out to bury the
Marine dead, and for the exchange of prisoners.
In the midst of the fight that day. Colonel C'urrie chanced to
look up into the second story window of a house near which the line
was formed, and saw Coleman's daughter, directing the enemy's move-
ments, by signaling them with her handkerchief. Calling a cou])le of
men from the firing line, he faced them toward the house, and in her
iiearing instructed them if she appeared before that window, or any
other, during the continuance of the fight, to shoot her down. It is
needless to add that she was not again visible, during the action.
A singular incident happened in this engagement. When the
cavalry charged into the cut before mentioned, a cavalryman was hit
in the forehead near the roots of his hair, with what must have been
eitlier a spent or glancing ball. It came, howe\('r, with sufficient force
to l)reak the outer bone and without cutting away the membrane lin-
ing of the sktdl. He fell from his horse, and his comrades supposed
him (lead. l)ut when the battalion got back to the line, near Coleman's
house, this man was there. How he reached there neither he nor any
one else knew. The wound, strange to sa}', caused the loss of his
voice, and he cotild not utter a word louder than a whisper. One day
one of his comrades (iCharlie Hallowell, who lost an arm at Columbia
Bend) gave him a little jostle causing him i)ain. and he uttered a loud
cry, and from that time recovered the use of his voice.
The enemy's loss in this engagement is not certainly known. l)ut
was reported at about one hundred and fifty. (leorge Van Epps, of Co.
A Cav.j says: seventeen of them were killed in the last charge the Ma-
rines made upon them. From reports sul>sequently gathered, their
loss must have largely exceeded the Brigade's loss, for the howitzer
sent canister among them in generous conti-ibutions. The Marines
took nine prisoners, and lost four horses. The enemy never fought
the Brigade more furiously. They un(iuestional)ly hoped to stampede
the negro regiments, thinking, if that could be done, then, with their
suj)erior numbers, they coidd overwhelm the Marines.
The ath was spent at Kodney as peoi)le often s])end the next day
Further 1'^ .rclni ik/c of ( ' oiii pi niicnts. ^2g
thfk'r celei»i;itiii^' llic 4lli. in (iiiietiy resting, and waiting for their sur-
l^lus ])atriotisin to wor!>: ott'. Diii'ing tlie day, however, the flag of
truce was sent out to bury our dead, and arrange for an exchange of
prisoners. This flag of truce found the enemy's pickets within a mile
of the river. At night a strong piclvet was put out, and the men on the
line were kept all night on the river, and firing was kept up a good
deal of the time until morning. ( )n the (>th. companies C and I) C'av.
went out on a rcconnoissance. and found that the enemy had been rein-
forced with two brigades, and eight pieces of artillery. During the
day a flag of truce came in from the enemy. Seven of the negro sol-
diers, who had become se[)arated from their regiments in the tight at
Coleman's, or on the night nuirch to the boats, and had been in hiding
in the woods, found their way in. C\)mi)anies C and D. wdien they
returned from their scout, drove in with tliem some Hue beef cattle.
At ten o'clock }>. m. the [)ickets were called in. and the tleet moved up
to Grand (ndf.
Early on the morning of the 7th. the connnand. with the two ne-
gro regiments, moved out on the Port (xibson road. At Bayou Pierre
the enemy disputed the crossing, but after a spirited skirmish were
dri\"en away, and leaving the two negro regiments there to guard the
crossing the Marine troops passed over and dashed into town, driving
the enemy through the town, and some distance beyond.
In this engagement Kandolph (iandry, of Co. P) Cav.. was mor-
tally wounded, an<l for lack of an ambulance was left in the town.
One of the enemy was killed and two were taken prisoners. Finding
that the Confederates were not disposed to stand for a tight, the P)rig-
ade recros^ed the bayou and I'eturned to their boats. The fleet re-
mained on the Sth all day at (irand (iulf, and at nine o'clock p. m.,
started for Vicksburg. where it arrived ab^ut noon the next day. and
whei'e the negro troops went ashore.
About this time the force, sent from A^icksburg out to Jackson,
was on its way back and encountered Wirt Adams cavali-y, and had
had a brisk skirmish with them. Orders were issued to send out re-
inforcements to strengthen (xeneral Slocum. then on lUack river, and
if possible bring on a decisive engagement with the enemy. The
P>rigade was at \'icksburg. and anxiously looking for orders to dis-
embark and join tins movement. This was July 10. and dui-iug the
^jo Ilutory of the Mar'nie Hr'Kjdde.
fall of a lu'avy rain, the expected oi'ders were received. The ainimiin-
lioii. rations, camp e(|nijxi<>'e. etc., were j)ut into the anil)ulances and
two army waa'ons. secured for the occasion. The j)rooTess of the col-
umn was slow on account of the nuiddy and aullied condition of the
roatls. and of the inability of the wa^-on train in consecpience thereof,
to make time OA'er them. CaAalry was met. coniino* in with wounded,
and they reported h<i-htino- on the other side of l^lack Kiver. 'I'lu'
colunni reached this stream about two o'clock on the morninii; of the
11th. and wet and weary, went into camp. At five o'clock the next
morning- tlie whole force was on the move. This force consisted of
two thousand cavalry and monnted infantry under connnand of Gen-
eral Ellet ; and four thousand infantry under command of (leneraTs
Hawkins and Sheppard: the whole force connnanded (ieneral Slocum.
]Major Crandall was in connnand of the Marine CavahT, and on ac-
count of Colonel Currie's illness, and ]Major Tallerday's al)sence, Ca])-
tain Xewell had command of the monnted Mai'ine infantry.
Bl^ck Iviver was crossed on a pontoon bridii'e. The counti-y in
the vicinity of this river bore signs of war's lunoc. For (li-ant Inul
fought his way to Vicksburg over this ground, and after the invest-
ment of the city by him, it had frequently been the scene of strife and
bloodshed. The trees were scarred l)v bullets, and cut olf I)y cannon
l)alls. while broken nniskets. old camp e(iuii)age. cast oil' clothing, etc.,
were scattered along the road for miles. Ditl'erent divisions of the com-
mand moved out on ditferent roads — the cavalry and mounted infantry
under (xeneral Tdlet going by the Jackson road, and all going in the di-
]-ectn)n of Edward's Station. This point was reached about nine o'clock
a. m., and a rest of an hour was given the men. The weather was hot
and the nuircli necessarily slow. During the day tlu're had been some
skirnnshing with the enemy, on the Hank and in the rear, but no real
engagement. At night the connnand went into camp in the woods on
the Port Gibson road,with some rain falling. On the 1-Jth the connnand
iiad an early breakfast, and was soon again on the mox'e.in the direction
of Utica. where the cohnnn arrived at eleven o'clock a. m. It was not
intended tt) stop any length of time here, but signs indicated the close
proximity of a considerable force of enemy, and it was thought ])rudent
to wait until more of the forces should arrive. At this point a conii)any
of Confederate Cavalry charged our ]:»icket jxtst. and in return a com-
TJx' lii'H/(t(lc II /fh Shx'ii ni'x l\ .f j>c(l it'ion .
43 r
paiiy of T'cdiTiil ('M\;ilry. in position on llic irfi of (lie picket ])()st,
inu'.\])('ct('(lly cluii-iicd the cucniy, iind tlic ( 'on rcclci-atcs were (luickly
put to (liiilil. and then closely piu'siicd hy our men. who used tlicir pis-
tols and sahrcs with tcllinii;' cll'cct. 'I'hi'cc of the eneni\' were killed,
and lour were captured. 'Idie Inion ti'oops lost one man. A house
neai' where the Marines were camped was seai'ched. ami ( 'on federate
uniforms, arms, and other ihina's foinid in it, which made it clear
tliat this was a i-ende/xou^. 'Idwai-d excnini;' three sons of the pi-o-
prietoi' of this house wci'e capture(|. comini:' in to stay oxer niiiiit, and
not aware of the pre-ence (d' Vankee>. It seemed that these three
yomi^' men lteloni>"ed to some conmiand in that \icinity. and much of
the time hoardecl and slept at home, "riiis" - as Comrade A. -I. l*ierc(^
remarks in his diary: "nnist haxc heen \cry pleasant way of soldier-
ini>.""
I)urinii' the day two men of Co. A. Marine Inf.. captured a lin(^
mare. She was ridden hy a ( 'on federate scout. ".loe" known all
over that comiti'y. Two .Marines seeing- t his scout at a house, his marv'.
tied to the fence in a lane, slipped up on him from hoth directions, so
that he was conipelle(| to ahandon the mare and seek security in lliufht.
At their siia'ii'est ion ('aptain Newell paid these two for their capture,
and took the mare, w hicli pi-o\-ed to he an eleo-ant, hlooded animal, for
his own Use. When the liriijade was nnistered out, at ^'icksl)ur<»: he
turniMJ her oxer to (ieneral Slocum's cliicd' of stall', who sul)se<|uent ly
rode her thi'ouiih. on Sherman's march to the sea.
lOarly on tlu' HMli, it heint!; thouyhl necessary to reconnctitre aiul
discoNcr the whereabouts and sti'eiieth of the enemy, (ieneral Kllet
proffered men for this duly, and detailed and sent si.\ companies of the
moinite(| Marine infantry. '^Fliey nuide a circuit of Hxc ndies, and re-
turned without an encounti'r with the enemy. Soon after their re-
turn, the V'wA Miss. ,('a\ airy (a nea'i'o reiiimeut ) went out to capture
some liorM'^. and seeinu' some ( 'on feilerates. charii'ed them without^
waitin;Li' to recomioitre and I'an into a nest of the enemy, losinuf their
Major in the melee. At elexcn o'clock a. III. the column hd't I'tica,
and pi'oceedinii- in the direction of Port ( iihson. foi'iiied a iiiiiction with
the infaiiti'v column, ahoiit two o'clock p. iii.. and aflei' crossiuii" Sandy
Creek went into camp, in and around the town of Ivock\' Sprin<j^.
A detail was sent from this point to c(»mniuiiicate orders to the hoats
432 Ilistonj of flic Mdihw liru/dde.
for them to be at (Jraiul (iiilf next day. Levi Wiseman of p] Inf.,
one of the detail, liad his horse drowned, and h)st his arms, saddle and
equipment in erossing- a stream, and had to make his way l>aek to
camp on foot, dodging the enemy who were i)lentiful. and freciiu'ntly
sighted him. Once a gun was snapped at him. as he was making for
a piece of woods. He tells of attem])ting to capture and ride a loose
horse he found in a pasture, but having no bridle or rope, the animal,
aftei- a little caressing, galloped oif, leaving him to make his way to
cam]) weary and bedraggled, as best he could.
At eight o'clock, on the morning of the 14th. the march was re-
sumed toward Port (iibson. It was reported that (ieneral Wirt
Adams, had occupied that })lace. and had proclaimed his intention to
remain there despite the Yankees. Nearing the town aliout two o'clock
p. m., the advance began skirmishing with the enemy, who slowly re-
tired. Entering the place without serious oi)])<)siti()n, the entire com-
mand went into camp. Constant and sharj) firing was kept up all
that night, on the picket line. ,Conn-ade Amos Bellows, in his diary
says, that once in the night the Confederates charged the jncket post
of which he had connnand, but were rejjulsed. The morning of the
ir)th the infantry part of the connnand left for Grand (lulf. Avhere
the boats Avere in waiting. This weakening of the force, greatly em-
Ijoldened the enemy. The Marini's on picket had but just l)een re-
lieved by a scjuad of the iJd X. J. Cav.. armed with seven-shooting car-
bines and revolvers, when the post was charged upon by the rebels —
some of the men being killed, and some of them taken prisoners. And
then the tight became general. The Marine cavalry and mounted in-
fantry moved up i)r<)mptly into line. ))nt the assailing force was too
strong for them, and the line thus strengthened was driven back, still
however, maintaining order. This orderly retreat, and persistent ])ur-
suit, continued for several miles, and it was not until the pursuers had
been several times ambushed, and se\-erely i)unished. by the ]\Iarine
cavalry, who had the rear guard, that they were willing to relinciuish
the chase. The Ijiion loss at this time, all told, was about se\'euty-
five. and that of the enemy probably greater.
The morning of the KUh. General Slocum ordered the Marine
troops ashore, that he might use their boats in transporting his troops
to the Jetf. Davis' plantation. On the morning of the 17th. while still
In ('(iinp lit M 111 'hrn's
433
ashore and waitiiiif the fiirtlici' t I'aiisportat ion of troops hy tlicii-
i)oats. the Marines and some few other ti'oops. anions" wliich were tlie
two reiiinients of neiti'o sohliers. were liercely assaihnl Uy the enemy.
I'he attackini:" i'orce was repnlsed, Usivinu' twenty-ihc of their men.
and Major AA'ood. tlieii' commander, dead on the Hehl: with six wound-
ed men. and fifteen other prisoners, in oui' hands. The I'liion casual-
ties in this hricf fiuht were hut two men wounded, though several
horses were killed. During- this eng'ai;'ement a Mr. \\'ilson. a promi-
nent soutliern citizen, who owned a lar<>x' phmtatioii neai'. and who
claimed to he a "Union" man. and entitled to Federal i)rotection (ha\-
in<>- taken the oath of alleiiiance to the V. S. (io\t.) was found, with
arm and accouti'ements. amonj^- the Confederate dead.
About two o'clock a. m. of the isth. the boats, with the IJriirade
on board, left for \'icksl)ura\ which was reached about noon.
'I'hus ended a seven days" expedition, with much skirmishin<i-. and
one severe battle for the Marines, in which ( owina' to their shelteivd
j)ositi(tn) they hiid at sli^-ht loss inflicted a se\'ei'e punishment upon the
enemy.
At two o'clock p. m. of the iDtli. the Heet went up to Milliken's
])end. whei'e the Hrio-ade was put into cam]), with ten days" rations.
The boats were to be used during' this period in t ransjjoil inu' trooj)S
from A'icksburii' to Memphis. 'J"he j)lace selected for temporary en-
campment was four miles below the fort, and anioni!.' some larii>' trees,
which atl'orded orateful shade. This appointed place was rciiched
about six o'clock' p. m.. and the men were soon busy in disembai'kinii',
with such perxinal belona'inil's. camj) e<juii)aa-e, etc.. as was deemed ne-
cessary, and in removing' the horses, <>i'ain and hay from the boats.
\o time was left for making- camp, and the men bi\-ouack'ed as best
they could. Comrade Amos Px'llows. in his diary says: "I spi-ead
my blanket on a pile of oats in the sack, and slept till morninji-. The
dew made me wet.** The next day the men moved the thiniis which
the boats had left on the bank, near the river, back some forty rods,
and established themselves in camj). erecting' frame work and spread-
\\\*l their rubi)er blankets upon the same for shelter. (•onstructin<2.- rude
mattresses from twi^-s and leaves to sleep on. The men had just coni-
j)lete(l these pi'eparat ions for a comparal i\"ely comfortable encamp-
ment, when, about lixc o*clock in the afternoon, the Swrr/i;iti.ANi) came
^^^ Histor-ij of tlic Mariitc Br'tyade.
ii[) Croni \'icksl)iiro- willi orders for a cliiina'e of eiu-uupuu'iit. The
previous day the men had worked until nine or ten oVdock at nii>-ht in
diseniharkina- with their etfeets. horses and fei'd. and now they hiboro<]
anain until ahout tlu' same late hour, replaeino- their helono-inos upon
(he j-iver l)ank. and niakinii- ready for their departure early in the
niornini>".
Durina' the niiilit. while the Marine hoats. with the aeconipanyinji-
transports, were passing" up stream, heavily loaded with troops and
l)ass('ngers, the transport 1>. M. Runyan struck a snai>', and sunk in an
incredibly short time. A o-imboat which happened to be near by, res-
cued most of those on board, and the Diana, taking them cm board,
carried them on up stream, stopping at Helena to secure necessary
food and clothing for them.
On the morning of the "ilst. the l^rigade moved to its new place
of encampment. Omega Landing, six miles further up. Comrade
Bellows remarked of the weather: "This is the hottest day I ever
saw."' In efl'ecting this change the connnand, being mounted, went
overland, while the camp e([uipage. rations, horse feed, etc., were
transported on the rams Moxahcii and Switzerland. The command
moved before the men had their breakfast, and it was noon I)efore
they got anything to eat. The camp-ground was far from being as in-
viting or comfortable as the former one. It w'as l)etween the levee and
the river, and without any shade. That day was spent in carrying
camp equipage, rations for the men and feed for the horses, up the
steep bank, under a broiling sun. I^ate in the day the men constructed
tepees for themselves, by setting uj) jioles and spreading their blankets
over the same.
A considerable force of the enemy had l)een in this vicinity about
a week before, and had destroyed same property, and a larger force
was reported, l)eyond Bayou Mason. Some of the scouts belonging to
these connnands were hanging around, making a good strong picket
necessary. The 'I'lmX was (piietly spent by the command in camp,
resting from the exhausting work of the two or three preceding days.
On the morning of the 23r(l comijanies V and E of the mounted
infantry under the command of Lieutenant Albert Dean, went out
on a reconnoissance, but without special incident. During the night
two confederates ran up on one of our picket posts, and being halted
1* rofcifiiKj the Phi nfafhnix. ^95
Miul c-liallt'iiii'i'd. llicy opened ii[)()ii the pickets with I)alls from their
carbines, and with oaths from tiieir mouths, antl \\\v\\ fled in the (hirk-
ness.
At one o'clock, on the mornin<2," of the il4th. a messena'er arri\('d
from ( Joodi'ich's Landini!,', reportinji; a threatened attack upon that
place, and re(iuestiiii>" reinforcement from the IJriuade. At four
o'clock about two-thirds of th.e force in camp, under connnand of
Captain Newell started to their relief, (loodrich's Landinii" was
reached about eight o'clock. Ileri' it was reported that the enemy was
in force, about Lake Providence. All kinds of stories were atloat as
to the numbers and movements of the enemy, their strength being esti-
mated from two thousand, down. The horses were fed and watenMJ
and the men lunched and rested, and then with an addition to the
forci'. of a battalion of negro cavalry, the command proceeded toward
Lake Providence. AVlien within about a mile of that place, it was
learned that the enemy had scattered and disappeared.
The Marines dismountt'd and rested, while the negro cavalry went
on into the town. After a couple of hours the Marines began the re-
turn march, followed by the negro cavali'v, some distance in their
rear. After a short stop at (lodricli's Landing, the Marines pushed
on toward their canii). \\ hen some two or three miles on their way. a
negro otiicer came, in great haste, with word that their ("nalrv was
hghting, and requested the return of the cohnnn. But Captain
Newell, concluding that it was only another "'(icMxlrich l^anding
scare." and that the attacking i)arty was in'obably a small s((uad.
hanging uj)on the rear of the negro cavalry, refused to turn back, and
continued on to camj). which was reached at half })ast ten o'clock.
The connnand had been out over <'ighteen hours, having covered some
Hfty miles during the trij). In the evening the Aitocix'at arrived
from Vicksburg with supplies.
'Jdie •J^jth and 'jKith were spent ((uietly in cami). On the -JTth.
while the FAir.ciiiLn and Adams were on their return from Memphis,
they had an exciting experience at Sunnyside Tjanding. J. H. Stev-
ens, who. with (leorge Thompson of Co. A V\\\. was on the Faihciiiij)
at the time, as guai'd for theii' company pi'operty. tells the story thus:
^^6 II'iHtoi'y of the Marine lirUjade.
AN EXCITIXG TIME AT Sl.W VSIDIv
Altci- hiTidiiii;- tlie troops t-arried on our huat, to .Memphis, we started down
the liver, and one morninij- about 0 o'eh)el-:, whrii near Snnnyside Landing, Ark.,
the Confederates ()|)ened tire i>n ns with a nias]<ed })attery of eig-ht guns, from
behind the levee. The Fairehikl being in the advance they opened on her at
about three hundred yards, and concentrated tlieir fire on ns for about fifteen
minutes. DiiiMng tliis time twenty-seven shots were put into our boat, cutting
ofp tlie esea])e pijjc which jjassed up through the men's ([uartei's. and sliooting
away a part of our steering apparatus, tlius causing tlie boat to drift down
with tile current. A sliell exjiloded in the decldiaiids' quarters, and set some
hedding on tire, wliieli. however. \\as |)roniptl\' extinguished with the hose.
Thomjjson and I were sitting on the front boiler declx when the first shot was
fired. \Ve immediately started for our quarters foi- our carbines, and just as
we ])assed through the cabin door. Thompson in advance, a shell struck him
in the back of the head, shooting away a piece of the sl<ull of considerable
size. As he fell 1 caught him. and eased him to the fioor. and then went for
my caii)ine. ISy this time we had drifted out of range, and the rebels had
turned their tire on the Adams, wliicli was some distance in the rear of us.
The A(hims turned and went l)ac]v u]) tlie river, wliile the Fairehikl drifted
down al)ont five miles, \vhere we met a gunboat, wliicli after helping' us. \vent
on u]) stream and shelled the battery out of tlicir position. Thompson lived
about a week', but was never afterward conscious, lie was buried near the
bank of the river, just wliere. I do not renieniiier. The Achinis received lint
one sliot. and liad one man killed. During the time tlu' i"'airchild was under
tire, a sh.ot from tlie enemy's gun struck one of her spars, cutting it in two.
and then struck the heavy l)ulwark around the i)oilers, and fell on tlie fore-
castle. While it was performing gyrations on the deck one of the colored
deckhands grabbed it up and tlirew it o\ eii)o;i rd. i'>eing asl<ed vvliv he did it.
he said: "1 was "fraid it might "splode and iiurt somebody. "
The Fairchild and Adams t-anic out of the perils of the enemy's
battery, only to encounter another. In uiakinu' a landinir that same
evenin<>' at Omeg-a, Avhere the Ik'igade Avas in cauii). these two boats
came into somewhat \iolent collision, and both were seriously dam-
aged. The AoAMS, however, was al)le to rim on down to Vicksl)urg,
while the Faiuciiilo was unable to de[)art until the next morning, hav-
ing spent most of the intervening time in making rei)airs.
On the -JSth word was received again from (ioodrich's Landing,
that the place was threatened, and reiiuesting help. Believing this to
be a false alarm, no attention was paid to it. At two o'clock a. m.
T(iL''ni</ Troo/is to ('(inhij.
437
of the 'itUli. the Diana. Faikcii ii.d. jukI Ada.ms. toolv on ti-oops at
Virksbiu'g and stai'tcd down stream.
At ten o'clock a. ni. of the next day these ti'ooi)S diseuil)arked at
Moi'iianza. La., whei-e thev j(»ined (leneral X'anhy's (•onnnan<h and
then the three hoats returne(l to \'icksl»iii'i:'. which was readied on th(^
;)lst at ten o*ch»ck p. ni. ( )ii the way np the Aipockat was met. on
her wav to New ()rU'ans. witli (Jeneral Shx'uni on l)oar<k
CHAPTER IX
Aug., 1864— Jan., 1865
lirii/adc ill ('(I nip <it (hiici/d.- I ii.siicclcil hi/ (Iciicnil liana, — Rfsiijiiation of
C'olniicl Ciirric. — Fleet at V'lelshiirii. — Oiilers IHssolriiu/ Coiiimaiid and Fonn-
iiifl (I Uefi'iincnt. — Asliore. — I inlUjnathin anil Renilt of flie Marines. — Neiv
I'eijhneni and Its Roster. — Itoii Tents. Din/ (hits and Winter Barrackft. —
Major I'lirdji Clia in pions ttie Men's Cause and does to the I'resident. — Htory
of His I nterrieir.- Mr. Lincoln's Order. — Honoralil ii ltis<-liari/ed as Demnnded.
— Cood tijies. and Off for Home.
Between .liilv :Ust and Aii*>ust 4tli. the usual round of eanip duty
was performed bv the Marines at ()nie<ia. n()thin<>' of importance
transpirino-. Au<>ust 4th found all the fleet assenil)led at that point.
On the oth orders were issued to the eonuuand. to prepare for inspec-
tion, and in compliance with the same the camp was put into perfect
order, guns and accoutrements were overhauled and cleaned, the
horses sleeked u\). and the boats thorouahly cleaned.
On the Tth the connnand was closely inspected by Maj. Gen. N.
J. T. Dana, after which the Aitockat left for Helena, conveying
General Diana, while the men took \\\) their old (juarters again on the
boats.
It is a matter of liistory that (ieneral Dana's lengthy report of
this inspection, has not a word in disi)aragement of the Brigade, and
says that though too nnicli reduced in numbers to be very effective, its
A'essels afford ready transportation facilities for army use, and are as
well cared for as they could be under any government management.
On the 8th, further orders were issued for company commanders
to prepare descriptive rolls of all their men.
The At'TOCKAT returned from below with (ieneral Slocum on
438
('tinhif-'< Order of J}/:<s(i] ufJon .
439
Woanl. i-(';icliiii!i' ^'i(•k^l)ll^ii" diiriui:" next day. Aiianst !*. Tlic accept-
ance of Colonel Cnrrie's resignation, tendered some time before, was
jiow received, and the ,C'olonel. taivin<>; leave of his I'egiment, started
for home.
Colonel C'uri'ie's i-esignat ion was a serious loss to the command.
Jn many ways lie was an ideal soldier. In j)erson lie was tall, erect,
and soldierly in his hearing. lie was well versed in the tactics,
handled iiis men with rare skill, and in action was promjit and intrep-
id. He knew how to be genial and courteous, though he had an im-
perious air. and was at times liarsji in manner and sharp in utterance —
<juick to take ati'ront. and slow to forget. Nevertheless his men higli-
\\ esteemed him as a leader, and followed him with implicit confi-
dence.
On the loth of August, orders came for the fleet, at Omega Land-
ing, to repair to \'icksburg. which it did. and it was now detinitely
learned that oi-ders had b.'en issued from AVashington. dirt'cting the
discontinuance of the Brigade as a distinct command, and instructing
(xen. Yj. K. S. Canby. now in command of the Dejiartmeiit of West
j\lississip})i. with Ileadcpiarters at New ()i-leans. to carry out these or-
<lers. The ins})ection was a necessary preliminary. Then came the
orders, already issued by (ieneral Canby. pursuant to his insti-iictions.
which read as follows :
Hi':.vi)QiAi;'ri:i;s of 'ihk .MiLDAiiv dinisio.x of wkst mississiimm.
Xfw Orleans. La.. Auiiust ;i. l.sC>4.
Special Orders Xo. S(i. (Extract).
III. I'luler the antlioritN' of instruct ions from llie lieadcjnarters ol' tlic
ArniN. tile Missis.sippi Marine IJrigade, as a separate organization, will he
<liseont inned. The enlisted men whose nnexpii'ed term of service will Jnstify
it. ^vill be sent hack nnder snilable eondnci to the regiments from \vhich they
\\ere transferred, and those w jio ha\e but a short jieriod to ser\(' will be as-
sio-iied to garrison diilN' at \'ieksbiirg, and will be attaidied. for the remainder
of their term of service, to regiments or batteries serving at that jilace. The
ofheers appointed for the Urigade will be nuistered ont of scr\ ice. as soon as
the duties connected with the transfer of the men and property nnder their
charge are conuileted. I'.i'ig. (ien. A. \V. ICIIct. after completing the transfer
of the men and property nnder tiis charge, will proce»Ml to Washington City,
and report in person to the Se<-retai'y of War. The \cssels of the .Mai-ine
J'.rigade will be tnrned o\ei- to the (,)naii erinastei-'s Department, and will be
jissigncd iindtM- the (')iicf (^na rt crma> t cr of lin' Division, as a part of the
^^o History of the Manne Brigade.
resei've traiisjjovtatioii recinircd li\- (Iciifi-al Ordci- Xo. 4, (Mii-i'ciit series from
these Headquarters. Officers oT tlie (ieiieral Staff, on duty witli 1lie Brii^ade,
will i-eport l)_v letter to the Cliiet's of tln'ii- Stall' l)e|)a ft ineiit s at Division
Ilea(l(|iiarters, tor assii;nmeii1 to diit\. or tor orders. The Major (ieneral
eoniinaiidiiii;- llie Disti'iet of Niekshiiri;- is ehari;e(l with the execution of this
order, and will cause the tr'ansfei' oT 1 lie men to l)e made with the orcatest
care, and the military liistoi-y of each man to l)e noted on the mnstei- rolls,
j'.y orch-r of MaJ. den. \\. K. S. Canhy.
C. S. ClIKISTKXSON.
.Majcu- and Assistant Adjutant (leiierah
K\i(l(']it ly. ill issiiiiiii' this order, (fciicral Canhy was unaware of
till' oriiiinal conditions of scrNicc in the liriiiadc. lie speaks of the
men as "traiist'erred" from other re_i>iinents into the Marine service,
and orders them sent hack to the reii'ilnents from which they were
t:d\en. Idu' men of the Marine IJriii'ade. however, were not "traiis-
ferrcMl" from other reoimcnts into tlic Briii'ade: they were mustered
out of tlieir original commands, re-enlisted and rei>idarly mustered
into the Marine Brio'ade. (Jenerai Canhy's inisconcei)tion respect-
iiiU' the make up of tlie liriiiade. and his error residtini;" therefrom
heiiiii' ])<»inted out to him. he suh-;e(|ueiit ly modified his order, and di-
rected that the ollicer> and men of the Brioadc he consolidated into a
siiiiile infantry reiiimeiit. lea\iiio' it to he suhject to duty upon laud,
as any other infantry reoimeiit. Tuit even as thus luodiHed. (Jenerai
(^aiihy's order was distinctly in \iolation of the terms of their ser-
\ice. and an injustice upon the enlisted men of the command. It had
heeii to meet a military emero-ency that these men. then mostly conval-
escents, in hospitals, were induced, hy sj)ecial provisions as to the con-
ditions of ser\ice. to leaxc their oriainal commands, and re-enlist in
the Marine Uriiiade. To now put these men hack ui)oii land, to serve
out (he uiu'.\[)ired term of their enlistment, was to \iolate all the
promises made them to secure that re-enlistment.
l>ut (ieneral Canhy was deaf to all these considerations, thouiili
I'uIIn pointed out to him. .Men were wanted in his Department, and
he had no inclination to let these men i>'o. Finally, despite his earnest
remonstrance in the interest of the men. (ieneral KUet was c()mi)elle(l
to isMie the followino-. his linal order to the commaml.
Uctii'<i(i II i::iif iDii ( ) nh
Ur
iii:.\i)(.)( \irii:i;s \\. m. iumcadI'L
l-'lau' Slii|) Aiitiicral. .\iiL;iist :.>(;, isci.
S|!fci;il (lr(l<'i-s \(i. r,(). ( V.\\ i-;ii-t ).
II. Ill coMiiili:! iicr wiih orders rccci\i'(l fi-oiii M.-iJni- ( iciii'i'a I l);iii;i. cimi-
11111 iidiiiU- 1 he hislricl \^i X'ifkshiiri^-. d i I'cci i iij^- 1 he d isdi'i;;! n i/.af ii iii of llic M. M.
I'-i-idauc I lie I'irsl luranli-v Kei;-! iiiciil of tlic M. M. r.|-iL;adc ceases 1o exist at
ihis date. 'I lie rollowilii: dis|iosi1ioM will he made of 1 lie ollieers and eidisti'fl
men. 'I he |ii-eseiil o|-i.'a n i/a I ion o!' com pa ii ies will <-oiitiiuie sidijeet to assii^u-
uieid (d' oflieiTs anil men to eoinplete llieiii. when they will entei- a new ivi^i-
niental oi-Lja n i/a t ion. and each eonipanx will |-ecei\e desii;nat ion aeeord i iii."- tn
the rank of its eoni nia nd i iil;- oilieer. 'ilie l''i(dd and Staff of the first infaidi-y
KeLt't. .\1. M. r.riL;ade a i-e assii^iied to the new reL-i inenta 1 oi'l;;! ni/.at ion. The
oHicei-s oT t lU' consolidated Marine i;eL;i nient . Ijent. Col. .lohn A. I^'llet coni-
luandiiii;-. will i ni nied iat el \ enter upon the dischari^c of tlieir sc\eral duties.
I',y command of I'.i-i,-'. ( e^n. A. W . fillet.
W. I). ('it.wnAi.i,.
( a pi a i n and Asst . Adj. ( len.
l-^rcparatory to llic anticipated rctiini of ilu^ iii;'ii to tlifir old
rcaiiiH'iits (under (leiieral ('anl)y*s lirst otder) all ariiis. e(|iiipnieiits,
and Jior.-('s. and all other iioxcrnuu'iil pi'operty. liad been turned o\cr
lo till' ordinance and (itiarterniasler's Departments. The men were
riii'hteonsly indiiiiiaiit. and iifeally excited, when the foreuoini:' orders
were proiiniluate(|. Tliev hi'came slronaiy suspicions even of their
own Ollieers, charaiiii:' them with conni\iiii;' at the consolidation, that
they ndiiht I'elain their commissions and continue in the ser\ ice.
(ienei-al Dana, on the other hand, aliirmed Ins helief that the
ollicer-^ were foinenl iuij,- a s])iiMt of iiisuhordiiiat ion anioiio- tlie nuMi,
in oi'der to hriiio- ahoiit a discharo-e of the entire command. The of-
liceivs thus found ihemsehcs lictweeii the upper an<l nether millstones.
The men clamored for some positive assurance from theii- ollicci-s that
they would stand with them, in any action de<'ided upon, in securin<>"
their discharge while (ieneral Dana, with his iron-clad, regular army
\'iews of discipline, demanded tiu(|ualilie(l suhmission to his oi'ders,
pre\i()us to any consideration of the claims set up !»\' the men. and
lhi'eat<'ne(l to imprison, and to iron, any ollicer makinu- an\- conces-
sions to his men. or i:'i\ini;- them any promises, op who should y^ww olfcr
his re-iiinat ion. or lile any written pi'otest or petition against the pi-o-
j)osed chana'c.
442
Ilhtonj of tlw Murine BrUjadi
Aiuoiia' the tiu'biileiit element of the coimuaiul there was talk of
I'cfiisal to suhiiiit to the orders, and although the ureat majority of
the men. when I'easoiied witli hy theii' ollicers. (h'cided in favor of
obedience, still some few. on one of the l)t)ats. refused to go ashore
with tlieir eomjjanie-. In this situation of (hings the lirigade was
rej)orted to the \'icksl)urii- Head([narters as in a state of nnitiny. and
the 7"id III. Inf.. and the r>th III. k^\\\. were promptly sent to the boats
to enfoi'ce submis-ion to the orders issued, and to escort the Brigade
to its ai)])ointe(l place of encampment. This was of course a humilia-
lion and shame to the whole connnand. lint after :'. short time there
came a rift in this black cloud. Col. .Ino. A. I'dlet. finding himself
blamed, and tic object of deteiMnined opposition declined to connnand.
Marines in Their Dog Tents, After Going Ashore at Vicksburg.
and Major Tallerday. being less objectionable to the men. was in-
duced to do so. The ai'nied guard was w ithdraw n. and Major Taller-
day led the Alai'ines out to canii). most of the connnand marching in
(|uiet. and in good formation. AAdule the Brigade moxcd out to camp,
the forty-eight mutineers were marched off to military prison. These
men. liowe\('r. were in a short time n'k'ased from confinement. ui)on
promise of good bt'ha\icr. and sent to their respecti\e companies.
Reaching the place assigned them, the men went into camp, with
nothing in the way of shelter but what were know n in arm\" parlance
as "dog-tents."" These were narrow stri^js of thin, white nnislin: big
enough when put together and set up in the shape of an A. to cover
two men. To enter these tents, h.owex cr. the men nuist Hr,>t <>'et down
1 ) IX posit ion of Murine lionfs
443
on their knees, and then crawl under. ''^hcse tents Avi're devised
for th.e i:)r()teetion of trt)o|)s on forc-ed niarehes, and were to he
carried hy the men. each of two tent-mates cai'rvinij;' one of the
separahle sheets, and onedialf the li<i'ht, i)ine su[)})orts. This was
in(U'i'(i a iireat change from their conifoi'tahle (juai'tei's on the
hoats. and was justl\' felt hy hot!', ofticers and men as a hitter
and humiliatinii' experience.
Pursninii- the disoriianizat ion. all hoats of the connnan(h in-
chidini:' the rams and tnu's. were in (hie course transferred, as oi'dered.
to the Quartei'maslci- department, and each was disposed of as the
sei-\ice i-e(|uire(l. Some were retained, with their crews, for transport
(hity. and some were soon aflei' dismantled and sold, their ci'ews heinii'
dischari2,-e(h The two tuii's were retained for some time. Ahister
(Irano-er wlio Inuh in the construction and manaii'ement of the^e use-
ful little craft, rendered \ ci'v ellicient sei'vict". at the dissolution of the
l)i'iii'ade recei\'ed this pei'sonal testimonial from its old Conunander.
whicli he prizes wry hialily:
llf:i(l(|ii;irtiM-s l'. S. M. M. I •.i-i,L;ailc. l-'hii^- Sliij) Autocrat.
\'icksl)iiri^-. Miss.. Aiii;ii-t rstli. ls(U.
It j^ixes lilt" ])l(':isin-f to cfi-tily IlitU Captain A. M. ( IraiiLjci- is a wvy com-
IM'tfiit I'-iiLMiuMT and r.nildcr a carcfiil. soht'r and i nd nst rimis (ilVicer. liavincr
been cin|)l(iyf<l nndci- my cnniinand. since March 4. ls(;:;. in cDnstrnctiiiii' and
coninKuidinL;- llic hcaiitifnl TnLjs of the M . M. I'.. (■T'-fJlt' Darliniiton." and
"Alt' CntiinL:") if is but justice to say. that he lias aU\a,\s L;i\en nie entire
satisfaction.
Ai.i i!Ki) \V. Kr.MOT,
nrii;adiei' (leiieral Coniniandini,''.
In i-esponse to the recjuest of the Secretary of AVar (Xoxcmher HO
for information as to the disj^osition made of the Marine hoats. we
iind Colonel SawteUc's inxcntory ami i-cport. ol" as^iainnent to army
(uiarteianasters. as follows:
Disi'osrriox ok 'iiik maimxI': i'.oa'is.
Diana, ilahicand AIT. Cnltintj-Moi-yan/a. i.a.
.\idocrat and Kaine Memphis.
.\;laiMs. I'aii'child and lleMe Darlineton X'iekshnrii'.
Fulton. Xatehe/.
^lonai'cli. Switzerland. Lioness. Horner and ('le\ eland- -.Vew Drleaiii-
XoTK — Some of these boats are noi'th luideriiiii ni^' repaii's.
444
Ilixfofi/ of the M<ir'ni(' Br'x/ddc
IT])()ii (•()iiij)l('t ion of the work of transfer sonic weeks later, ineliid-
ino" the orders for oi'pi"i>'-:ition and assiiiiinient. and the discharge of
snj)ernnnierary non-connnissioned oHicers. wliosc tci'nis of service were
near expiration, Cajit. AV. I). C'randall closed his olHce as Assistant Ad-
jutant General of the l)riu'a(h'. and turneil o\-ei- all its i-ecoi'ds. hooks
and papers, and the ])ropei'ty of
the ofKce to the Adjutant (Jcneral
of the District at Vickshurg. for
ti'ansniission to Washington. In
later years the fact has developed
that these ini])ortant records and
documents never reached their
destination. 'Idiey were prohahly
regarded at tlie time as unini-
The Belle Darlington. l)()rtant, and iu the oHlcc changes
so frecjuently occurring there they were lost sight of. and later de-
stroyed. The want of these recoi'ds has mach^ difficult all eiforts of
the survivors of the crews of boats, in presenting chiims to the de-
partment, and in some instances the character, and even the names, of
the hoats of the lirigade. have been called in (juestion.
Among the remenil)r<inces of this unpleasant i)eriod, which (ien-
eral Ellet carried with him, on leaving the scene of his many conflicts,
after the dissolution of his connnand. was a series of loyal and api)re-
ciative resolutions, drawn uj) and signt'd l)y all the officers, crew and
soldiers of the Monaimii. It was a great satisfaction to him to haxc
those who had so long serxcd with him, thus shoAV their loyal de\()-
tion, at the Hnal separation. It is hut true to the facts to state that re-
tiring u.nder these circumstances the (ieneral was blamed for the un-
ha])py condition of affairs, but his own pr()m])t retirement from the
ser\ice. and the efforts he Avas found to have made in behalf of his
men, led to a l)etter undei'standing. and the ultimate disapi)earance of
the feelings of rancor.
AA'hen taking lea\-e of those of tlu^ staff remaining to clo:^e up the
affairs of the P)rigade, the (icneral. who was under direction to await
orders at Philadeli)hia. expressed in his most hearty and cordial man-
nei-. hi^ esteem for each of them, and assured them that should he be
assigne(l a suitable connnand. he would gather them up again as his
ForniiiK/ (I Mar'nu licijiinciit.
445
(tllici:il fiuuily. \\\\\ the M'|);ir;il ion \\;is final. Tlu' staff was \'ari()iis-
\\ \\>A\i\wi\ and seal tci'cd. and aflcr a month or two of waitiiii*' Gen-
cral Kllct rc-iitiu'd. In this closini:' mention of the ofticers and affairs
of the Mai'inc I)riiiad('. we i-cmai'k tiiat our Historians ha\(' not at-
tempted to I'oHow fui'thei' the serxices. or indiA"idnal lives, of either
oHicer> (ir men of the command, that Iteina' beyond the scope marked
onl for this history.
I he next day aftei' reaching' camp, the work of (•onsoli(hit inii' the
former command into one infantry reiiiment was heii'mi. The old in-
fantry I'eiiimenl was made the hasis of this reoreanization. the line
olliccfs of the rciiiment still retaininu' their own men. ^Fhe ca\alry-
nien. and the men from the rams were di^-trihiited amon.i;' tliese eom-
[)anies. accordini;- to the need of men in each company to hrinn' it up
to the maximnm. Thus the new regiment when oi'i;'aiiize(|. contained
altoiil one thousand men. ( itiicers from t!ie caxalry. and the ram Heet
were assian''<l to till \ai-ancii's where they existecl amon<j,' company
ollicers. and took' ra.nk accordini:' to the date of their conunissions.
This reorii'anizat ion i'esnlte(| in a i-e(luction of the company of-
Hcers in tlie re<4nlai' line cd' promotion from two to tlu'ee ^fades. For
instance, the captain of Co. A. in the oriijinal infantry re<iiment. he-
came in the new reaiuient captain of Co. ('. (»ne ca|itain from the cav-
aliy antl another from the ram fleet hearing' older conunissions. and
ste|)pinu' in before him.
It will he of hi-toric interest to phuH' hei'e the ro'-tei- of the new
(»ii;ani/,at ion. as nearly complete as the record will permit.
oi'i'K i:i;s ()i"iiii<: (Consoij i).\'i'i:i)) .\iai;i\I': i;i:(;imkn'I'.
ririitciiJint ('(iluiH'l. .Idlni A. I^llcl.
M:iJ.)r. I). S. 'I';illii-(l;iv.
((I. A. (;i|t:iin. A. ( '< iii iiri- : V\v>\ l.iriil.. \\-yv\ (Irci^o-; Second l,iciif.. Ed.
|-:ilct.
( (). i;. ('a|;1iiin. .1. U". (i-nndall: rii>t Lieut., 'I'oliias S. Ileiisoii : Second
Lieut.. I''l':ilieis Aid.
Co. ('. Cai lain. 1. I ). Xewi'll: l''ii-.^l l,ieid.. I'liilip !•'. Howell; Secoiul jjeiit..
'{■||eodo|-e II. (dlildenicister.
Co. I». (aptain. V.. C. Iliii^hes; l''irst Lieut.. .1. M. Cox: Second Lieut..
Ceor-e W.ithan.
Co. !■:. Caplain. (). V. I'.rown: I'"ii-s1 Lieid.. l><dos I']. Wilson: Second Lieut.,
.1. ( . l''oi-| unc.
_^^6 IIi!<t(>f>l of the Mar'nic ]] ihjdih'.
Co. F. Captain. ('. (i. Fislu'V : l-'ii'st IJciit.. Ccrslioin Marklc: Sccdiul Lieut.,
ilicliai'd lOilet.
Co. (;. -Caiitaiii. 'Ilios. ('. (irosiidii; l-'irst l-iciit.. Oiicsimiis ^V. Wiiil rlu-ad ;
Si'coikI Firiit.. Albert Dean.
Co. 11. -Captain \\. S. Havens: First l>ieiit.. Doane.
Co. 1. — Captain, .lames I'. Harper; First IJeiit., i;ol)ert S. Murphy.
('(>. K -First Fient.. .Mieliael F>i-ennan : Second I>ient., W. V. House).
X. I!.: .Names of .Siii-t;-eoii. Assistant Siiri;eoii. Adjutant aud <,)iiartermas-
ter are iiol found.
The reader will notice lueiitioii of several officers in this roster, at
a iiTjule lower than tliat in wiiieli they have l)een often spoken of in
the foreiioin^i' ])a<>'es. The reason is that tliev had been seiA'ina" in a
rani; to which i)roniotion >vas due. and for which they had Keen rec-
onnnended. l»iit no connnissions had been recei\-ed. and only their ac-
tual rank could l)e rt'coijnized in the re-orii'aiuzat ion. Sexcral non-
connnissioned officers were thus wholly denie(l the I'ank and pay due
for actual sei'vicc as connnissioned oflicers. In later years C'oiiii'ress.
in one or two instances (notahly that of ('apt. V. \ . l)e Coster) con-
ferred the rank and pay so justly earne(l. and so lon^- withheld.
Al)out the time the orn'ani/ation was completed. C'aj)t. ( '. (i.
l^'islier was, 1)\' order fi'oni (Jeneral l)ana"s heachjuarters, named as
one of a militar\' connnission (and as Judge Advocate of it) to con-
xcne. Septeml);'r r)th. "for the ti'ial of Frank Mongold. a citizen, and
such other prisoners as may he hrouii'ht before it." NO record of
tlc' work: of this conniussion is extant.
( )n the second day of its existence, the new rc'iiiment was callecl
into line, and inspected by C'olonel Starring-, of the T'id III. \'ols., who
connnan<led the lii'iaade to which it was assiii'ned. .Colonel Starring!:.
despite his un])leasant relations to the Marines at the time they were
put ashore, was most favorably im])ressed by his ins|)ectiou of the
men. and because he was a iit'iit leman. as well as a soldier, readily won
the respect and confidence of both officei's and men. lie was (|uick to
see the injustice done the Marines in this matter, but too discreet to
make any oj)en expression respectina' it. He si)ent much time in the
camp of the new regiment, became personally ac(|uainted w ith the of-
licers. heard ])atiently. but silently, the i)r()tests and complaints of the
men. and at the same time maintained a stern, steady. e\'en disciplin(\
S/f//i//i(/ lender " I'i'ofcsl .'^ ^^7
I'lit" Marines could not liaxc fallen into hetter hands dui'in?^ this try-
ing time in theif experience. The history of this period need not he
traced day hy day. as has the history of the liriaade. The record
niu^t thercd'ore hi' li'enerali/ed.
A fresh supply of arms. e(|uipments. camp e{|nipaij'e. etc.. was
(h'awn. and assiijiied to the men. which they accepted mider pi'ote.-t.
heinii' instructe(| hy attorneys, whose ad\ice they sought and followe(l
to do nothinii' except under |»i'otest. and to siitii no paper- of a.ny kind.
without writinii' aftei' their names tlu' word '"protest." Captain Xewell
well reniemhers one niorninu' heinii" sunnnoneil \)\ an oiderlx' to report
imnie(|iately at regimental IIead(juartei"s. and there finding' C'olouel
Starrini!,'. the hripide connnander, and Major Tallerday. in connnand
of the reiiiment. sittiuii' together in the shade. His own "Morninu' Re-
port," made out and carried up as usual hy the orderly seri>"eant. was
])r()diice(l hy the Major, and the Colonel wrathfudly pointiuii' to the of-
fendiiiii' word '■])rotest." written after the ordei'l\"s name, on the hot-
tom of the i)aa'e and in((uii-ina'. "Cai^tain what does this mea.nr" It was
an. "eye opener" to the captain of the comi)any. It seemed that after
he had inspected and signed the report, this woi-d "])i-otest" luid l);'en
added to it. AA'itli a firm hut courteous injiniction from the ('olouel to
permit no i'e[)etition of that action, the captain returned to his com-
])any to intei'xiew his orderly. It is sufHcient to say that there was no
repetition of the olfense. \\\\{ the orderly seracant was not so nnich to
hlame. He had prown himself an elHcient man in his ])lace; had al-
ways l)een scrupulously faithful in the discharii'e of his duties, and was
fully trusted and hig'hly esteemed hy his ca|)tain.
Keaular details were now daily made from the new I'ej^iment for
<^iiard and fatiirue duly. Xcvy soon the connnand settled down to the
reo'ular performance of o'arrison duty, and in due time (uMn-ral Dana.
commandini>' the Department of \'icl\shura'. expressed his a|)i)reciation
of the soldierly (|ua]ities of the Marines, and his pei'fect satisfaction
with their jjerfoi'mance of whatevei' duties were assiuned them.
I Jut the men weiv far from satislied with tli" situation, and while
the sui'face of the hitherto rutlled water^^ had heconie smooth, the un-
dertow continued to run with a strong- and steady current. Just pre-
\-i()Us to this time. Mr. .lames II. Purdy, formerly major of the r)!)th
N. \ . Inf., having been honorahly discharged from service hecaiise of
44-^ llixtonj of tli( Miiv'nw lir'/f/ddc.
(lisal)liiio- wounds ivccMxcd in (he hattle ot Anticlani. in coniijany with
Clark Wrio-lit. fonncrlv Colonel of the nth Mo. Cav.. had estal)lished
themselves in the practice of law. at ^'ickshuI\<•■. Some of the Marines
soniihl an intei-view with Mr. Pnrdy. made a statement of their case,
and soiiiilil his advice as to the best metliod of i>roce(hire in seekinii'
redre-s of their i^rievance. and honorable nnister out of service. Mr.
Pnrdy said to his wouhhhe-clients that "It was imi)ossil)le for him to
secure a dischar^'c'. excei)t uj)on i^rounds which, as well, entitled all
other members of the late Brio'ade to their discharji'*' : that (General
C'anby's order. ha\ini>- been made and executed, under instructions
from the \\c\v Department, no reli(d' could be hoped for uidess it I)e
obtained fi-om President Lincoln himself, upon petition of the whole
I>rii>ade — a proceedinii' doubtful of results, and which wctidd in\-ol\'e
ureat effort, and laru'e expense. Mr. Purdy was expect ini:' soon to
start tor \\ ashiniiton on other luisiness. and pr()})osed to undertake
the case, in the interest of all the Marines, upon the followinu' condi-
tions; first the men were to pay him in cash $.")()().()() as a retainer, and
for necessary t i-.i\ cllini:- and other expenses, and secondly, the men
were each to pay. in addition. Sl.^.OO in cash, after he secui-ed their dis-
charge from furtlier ser\ice.
The men acceded to these terms, promptly I'ldhllini:' the Hrst con-
dition, and faithfidly promised to meet the second. AAdien Mr. Purdy
reached St. Louis he drew up a circuhir k^ter, a copy of which lie sent
to each of the (io\'ernors of sixteen states, represented by the eidisted
men in the ALirine P)rigade, setting forth the principal facts as to the
I'ldistnu'ut of the men, conditions, ])r()mises. etc. and also the recent
orders in violation of said conditions, all of Avhich ha\t' been set forth
in ])recedino- pages. He then iuNoked their co-op)eration in his ap-
peal to the Pre-ident to right the iniustice and wi'ong done these men.
and order their honorable discharge.
.Vs soon as the regiment had become amenable to discipline, so that
they dare \-enture so to <h). the ollicers of the I'egiment. ignorant of the
action taken by the men. conxcned n[)on call, and api)ointe(l a com-
mittee to ili'aw up a statement of the injustice done themselves and
thi'ir men. This statement went to A\"ashington. through the regular
military channels, being favorably endorsed by C'olonel Starrina-. in
command of the brigade, by (ieneral Dana coimnanding the I)e])art-
meiit of \'icksburg. aiul so on up to the Secretarv of V\i\v.
Mdr/itcx I>utl(l II nit< r (J mi rtci's.
4-^9
Dissat islicd with llic iiisulliciciil pi'dlcd idii allordiMl iliciii 1)\
their "(loii-tciits" and Uriiio- pi'oiiiiscd iiolhiiio- Urttcr. (lie iiicii set aUoiit
[;r()\idiiii:' lu'llcr (jiiart'T,-- I'di- tlu'iiischcs. K\ca\al ions, in imitation
of the \'icl\sl)nri;- citizens dnrini:- the sein-e. \ver(> made in the hills on
either side of the ra\ine where the rejiiment was encamped. Tlu'se
<'Xca.\ alions were covei-ed o\'er with the nnislin of the ■"doii'-tents" for a
roof. In the l);!clv end of many of the-i' '■(hiu'ouls."" were cnt lireplaces.
Avithin which, as the niuhls arew coolei'. cheerfnl lii'es hla/'d. Some
<d' tlie-e caves wei'e art ist ica 1 1 \' a<lorne(l. niches l)ein.'i" dn^' out of tlie
side walls, into which were introduced such decorations as the Ma-
lines were ahle to pick n|) ahout the city. Statuai'y was cai'\'e(| out of
the clay, hunks, chaii-s. tahles. etc.. wci'e const ructed fi'oni fuo-itive
pieces of hnnhi'i' picl-'ed ui». and t'nis t''e men made thenisehcs more
<-omfoi'tal)l(' than otherwise the\- would ha\(' h'cn. ()ctoher I'^lrd. while
<'Xca\at iuii' <»iie of these under around (piartcr-. CMuirh's ^^ ilu'ar. of Co.
\\. mfanti-y in the old regiment (Co. II in tlu' new) was cauii'lit l»y
;i •■ca\('-in." ;!nd crusheil to deatlh
Winter Quarters of the Marine Regiment. Built from Lumber of Tfieir Own Sawing
and Heated by Stoves of Their Own Casting.
Ahiiut this time it was realized that the connnand uni-l ha\(' hetter
fjuarters in which to winter. Accordingly pi'epaiMt ions wci-e heo-un
for |!m' hinldin^- (d' ha i'racl-:s.
The plan adopted was as follows: A hr.ildinu' for t he enlisted
men of each compiiuy. sixteen hy ein'hty h'.'t. to l»" const I'ucted ot
iioards sawed fi-om natixc Imnlier: tli:'-e l)uildini;s to he sixteen ieet
itp-art. with the front ends alii^iu'd on the main axi'mie of the camp.
_^!^o Tl'tsfoin/ of flic Marine Biu/adc.
and kitclu'iis in tlu' vvwv. The oHiccrs" (|nart('rs to Ix' on tlic opposite
side of (he main aNcnuc. t'acinjj," the front end of the men's harraekn.
In the men's barracks, the hunks to he l)uih h'niithwise with the huild-
inn'. two tiers on each sich- with aish' het\\'een. and two rooms parti-
lione(| oH' at the front en(h one foi' tlie oi'derly sei'u'(':int. and the other
for ihc other seri>'eants of the company.
Plenty of li'ood cypress timh;'r was ohtaiuahh' up the \ azoo. and
(K'tails fi'om the Mai'ines wei'e sent after it. A i>-ood sawmill was near
the camp, which the Marines were permitted to lain at niiiht in sawiiiii"
lumher for tlieii- hari'acks. Persons in the reiiiment. competent to
man this mill wei-e found and (h'siii'uated for this special duty, and
excused from all other ser\ic.'. The captain lia\ina- charue of these
nii:iit details, altei'natini:- with his lit'utenants. Many weary nii>'ht«
were spent in thi>~ old sawmill.
('al•penter.-^ competent to l)o-;s the construction of the huildings
were also fonnti within the regiment, and with plenty of "under help"
the huildina's went nj) rapidly. AAdu-n they were comi)leted. stoves
were in denian<l to warm them. There was a foundry in the city of
\'icksl)ura'. which the Marines were <j;"ranted permission to use. and
plenty of Inline shells — fired from Puion iiuns (hirini>- the sieo-(\ lyii^i;
around loose. A canvass of the reuimt'iit was aii'ain macU'. "pattern
mak(^rs" and "mouldei's" discovered amoni>' the men. and lariiv stox'es,
each with the name of the company and reo-iment upon it, were cast
and put toii'ether. ready for use. Indeed upon this occasion, as upon
every other, the Marines showed themseh'es capable of accomplishini*"
almost anythina' i-e(|uired of them.
This well illustrates the \-ersatility of talent found amoiiii' the
\\\'\\ of the P>riiiade. Put there was also amony them talent for sketch-
\\\il and paintin<i'. and other artistic work, and of correspondence, and
lilei'arv ])roduction, there was an abundance. The only poetic effu-
sion that found \{> way into print and 'general circidation, was that of
Pi'ivate flohn A. Spilman, whose rhymes i-elated the dointi's of the Ma-
rines, with a jinii'h' that deliii'hted the liearts of the boys.
Toward tlu' end of Decembei' the Memphis pai)ers ])r()claimed the
cominii' nnister out of the Marine lve_<>-iment. and published the order
fi'om AVashinii'ton for the same. Put while dtdio'hted over the news.
T](c Frichd hi .\<'< (I.
45 1
\\\K' iiM'ii wci't' Oiiii'cr to liiiisli tlicir Icirradcs. which they were ahh' to (h).
licl'orc t''c iiiii-;t('i' out order was issued IVoiii ^'i<•kshll^l;■.
To return to Majoi- Piirdy and his mission: It will l)f I'l'ineiu-
hereth ht' si'ut circidar h'tters to the (io\eriiors of some of the statt's.
settiiiii' forth the ari<'\aiices of the Marines, and their just claim to
dischariie. and askinij;' the co-operation of tl'ese ( io\"ernoi',~.
Xeai'ly all of these (io\'ei'nors wi-ote him faxdi'ahly. and (ieneral
Ellet. from Philadelphia (whither he had Iteen sent to await assign-
ment to duty) also added a strong' l>l<'a f(»r the rinhlini;- of the Ma-
rines" w ron.u's.
Armed with these docuiHciits, Mr. Purdy repaired to AA^ishiua'ton.
His story of his mission at Washington, was jjuhlished some yt'ars
since, and is worth\' a place in these annals:
MA.ioi; i'ii;i)^"s OWN s^()l;^■ or si:(Iki.\(: lixcoi.x's ()|;i)i:i;.
.\iTi\ iiiL;- at \\'a:~liinL;t (111. I losi iki tiiiii' in prcsir'nt ini;- invsclf at tin- \Miite
House til .liihii llav. |iri\a1 ■ srcrctars td llic I 'I'csidcut. cxpla i ii i iil;' in\ luissidii
and (It'sire to s(>c .Mr. Lincoln \\h:Mi 1 inij^lit lia\i- at Ica'-t a IiaH' lioui'"s licari nt;-.
He ('X|;lainc(l to nic \\\\\ such an i iitcrx icw was ditlicnlt to olitain at fliat time,
lint kiiidl\ iinit'd nic lo c<inii' daily at t"n o'clock in the moiaiini;' wat cli i iil;' tlu'
opport unity, and the tirst that olVcrcd he \\<inld ti-y to yaiii for iiie the desired
a nd ience.
i^Ncry uioriiinL;' for tlirce \vi'(d<s I was proniptlx present with the nndtitnde
in waitinc-. onl\' to iiavc Mr. May shake his head. siL;ii i fy i ny- the opportunity
had not come. At last one iiiorninL;- he imshed thi-oui^h the Ihron^;' and
L'l'aspcd nie l)\' the liand. sa_\inL;'. "Xow is \dur (diancc. if e\er: come (piickl\'
with nie." and lie ushered ine into Mr. I.ineoln's apartments and p|-esence. and
inti-o(hiccd me. there lieiuL;- Imt <ine other \ isitoi-.
()n the I'nion side this period was tile (hirkest hour of the war. Mr. Lin-
coln was ha^'i;ard and cadaverous. He seemed to carry the whole wiULi'lit of
the XatioiTs liMrden up<in liis shoulders, and his heart to suffer all tlie people's
L'ricI' and soi'rows. I had <iften seen him diiriui; the tirst \ear of the \\ a r. lint
now he was greatly chauL;ed. The only \isitor left us alone, whereupon I an-
nounced my mission, and pi'esente(l the case as liriefly. stroui;ly and conipre-
hensi\(dy as I coidd. Ilow these nu'u had serscd with theii' rci;iments in the
field. maii\ of them foi- ncarls tlcir full term of (Uilistment. and from wcmnds
or si(d<ness ha\iui;' lic(ui scut to c(m\alcscent camps I h rouLihoiil the States,
were induced lo take discharge rroiii their old rcL;imcnts. and to re-enlist in
the Marine I'.riLiade. where 1lie\ wiu'c promised l;oo(I (pun'ters <in transpoi-ts.
lifted out e\pressl\- for them: where the\ would keep all \alual)les. clothiui.''.
stores, etc.: thai they should ha\<' no Ioul;-. hard marches, no campiiii;- without
452
IlJsfoi'i/ of flic Marhir r>i/(/<i(l(
tcnls 111- wilhoiit t'oDil. IK) lic;i\y k ii;i psacks to caiTx : lliiit tlicy would alwuy.s
liavt' iioiid coinrni-talilc (|iiar1('rs and facilities fui- cuukiii^': thai llic lioats
\\()idd he a sort id' tloalilii^' licispilal. froni \\lii(di. as 1 liese com a iescents l)e-
heeaiiic pli \ sica il_v able, they woiihl lie i-e(|nire(l to make oiilv short forays on
laud; that tlie )^u\v purpose of their new service was to Ix'eep tiie Mis-
sissip|ii and its trilintaries (dear of rebel Linerri lias, and seciiTe to tlie |)nl)lie
the safe and U'rv na\ illation of these yreat highways.
I showed original printed posters w]ii(di had been put np in the \arious
camps by tlie (dlicei's when recnntiiiL;' for the briijadc, reciui id i nt;' all those
and other thiiiLis as i nd ncemcids to the consalesceni soldiers to take disiduirg'e
and re-enlist for thi'ee years in the Marine I '>idi;-ade. I uri;-ed that its axow'ed
objects haxini; been accomplished and the ori;an i/,at ion dissol\t>d. the nuMi
could not be held to land service (^\ce|;t in violation of all those promises
vvhi(di eon.-t it 111 ed the i nd iieeii lenl and consideration of their contratd of re-
eiili^t inciit. 'I hat it was not possible to reeonciie iipim priiudples of i^ood faith
those terms accepted by the men on re-en I ist iiicnt for service on \vatei-. with
this attempt to hold them to a ditferent service.
IdstcniiiL;' alteiitivtdv' a wiiile. Mi-. IJncohi interrupted me. saving-: "Major
J'lirdv. from V'onr own service as a soldier, you are prcsiimcil to be loval and
true, and in common with us all to desii-e. above all thinu's. the earlv tidiimjih
of the ruion armies. \<ivv. at this time, the darkest hour in our Xation's
historv. do von think von are sim-vIiil;- voiir counti'v well in ni'Liinii' the diseharee
of ovei- a thousand soldiers now sei'villL;' at the front, when we need Ihem so
badly-.'-
I replied. "Mr. I'resident. I am simplv ;i messeniier beaidnn' direct to yon
the |n'1i1i(m of these men. \vlio are ready 1(j accept without murmur vmir de-
(dsion. whatevt-r it niav be. I appear and speak also as their advocate, and !
respectfully submit that the (piestion |:resentcd for voiii' detdsion is not affect"d
by what iniyht be the (diaracder. color uv condition of any sucdi messene'er or
advocate of these [let it ioiiers."
Mr. Idneoln then sinnmoned a paLje and directed him to i;o over fo the War
Itepartmeni and ask Assistant Secrctarv of War. (diaries A. Dana, later editor
of the .\ew ^'ork .s'/(/(. to come o> cr. Mr. Uaiia was then aidin;.;' Secndarv id'
War. diiriuL;- the illness of Secretai'v Stanton. Me came verv soon and to the
President's iiiipiirv into the orLta n i/at ion and status of the .Marine I'.rii^ade.
answered that their obligation was to serve as soldiers for tiiree years, lu-
diiriiiL; the war. on the Mississippi Kiver. or with rei;iiiieiits in t lu' tield. as
thev iiiiL;lit be rcipiircd.
Mr. Lineoln responded. "l'i-om what Major I'lirdv has said and shown me.
it seems to lie a ipiestioii whetiier we can riyiitfidlv hold these men loiii^'cr in
the service, now that the Marine l!rii;ade is dissolved. We iiiiist kee|) faith
with the men who have fouijlit and arc tii^htiiiL;' our battles. Our promises to
tlii'in must bi' saerediv I'ldtilled. I can not now deidde this case. l'lcas(> take
all tliese papers, and Mr. riirdy will i^o with you and make ids statements.
Miliar I' nil] II iind tin I' rcsiflciif.
453
l''\:nniii(' fiillv iiiul rcpdi't Id iiu' :is curlN ;is \ciii can xmir opinion, and it' t lii'S(>
men onL;li1 to In- < I isclia pliimI lhi'\ innsi lie ami witiiont delay, othci-wisc 1 lu'V
ninsl lie pushed to the extreme ll-onl. \\ hei-e now they ai'e so nineh needed."
What otiier eoninia nde|--in-ehier ol' the armies and na\ies of oni' eoinilry.
<ii' ( d' an\ othei' nation, in any aL;e. in face of war's necessities, wonld lia\e
stopped to eonsidei' so sindionsix tlic rights of the soldiei'. to eni'el'nily wcii^li
them in the scales of jnstiee. to lilierall^ interpret them in his favor, and en-
force as sacred c\ery promise made to the soldierl What ot iier L;i-eat war
captain in liistory wcmld ha\e hesitated, under the ci i-cnmst a nces. to den\ the
petition, and prol)al)l\ to ai'rest the adxocate. and punish the petitioners \nv
niut in,\' .'
.\cconipa n \ iny Mr. I)ana to the War 1 )epa I't ment . I I'chearsed the I'acts
npon w h icli the pet it ii m was liased. and he promised to "isc the snh jeet his ea riy
at'tentii>n and I'cpoi't to Mr. Lincoln as soon as possible, hid he did not impress
lilc wit h hope of m,\ success.
I)ail\ for tliree weeks I called n|)on him to inipnre if he had reached his
conclnsion. and as often was answered in the nceatixe. 1lioiiej) always in the
most coni'trons manner. At last, npon calliiii;' one ni(n'iiine'. Mr. Dana left his
desk and tlie crowd ahont liim, and comine- ici me i-ccei\ed me most eoi'dially.
sayine-. "When are yon L;i)inL;' hack to Nlckshii rL;'.'"" I i-cplicd. ""1 shall i;o at
<mce npon IcarninL;' Nonr opinion and tiie 1 'I'csident "s action with res]ieet to thi'
pctiti(m I pi-esent ed." Il(> then re1ni-ned to his desk, hroii^hf, forward an of-
ticial lettei- and said. "'Ihen yon may relni-n toniijiit. f<ir her<' is Mr. LineoliTs
oi'der f(n' tile linal discharnc of the Marine I'.i'iiiade. A pprccia t i ni;' yoni' ]ici'-
sistent and siiecessfid lahoi's in liehalf of t iiese men. I will nial<e yon hearer
of the order to (leiieral Canliv at .New ()rleans. if xon will pi-oceed at once
with it." I readil\- eimsenl i ni.;-. lie said: "Take these papers down stairs 1o
.Vdjiitant (leiiei'al Tow nseiid. and he will prepare, con ntcrsii^n and i;i\e \oii
tlu' ordei-s \-oii are to carrw"
Supremely liappx. I took the train that niL;hl for (aii'o. Stopping;' at (in-
ciiinali. wlioni should I meet at the I'liirnet house lint iii,\ associate. Col. Clark
W'rieht. with his wife and the Hi-ycar-old daiiuhter of the proprietor of the
Wa-liini.;tim hotel of N'icksl hi ri^'. with whom .he\ had just arrived to place her
at schoid at the Oxford W ix Ladies" Institute. Cincinnati. I was iireatly
provoked to find Col. WriLiht aliscnt from his post and dnt,\ to me at that time
at X'ickshiire. Me .■xplaincd that (iciieral Dana, then in conimand. had |-efiised
a |)crnii1 to the yonni^' lady to leave his lines, her family's svmpathies lieiiii!'
with the Confederales. and that h • (WriLiht) liavinu a pass for hinisi'lf' and
wife, had siiineL;ied the voiiiie- jadv alioard the steamei'. and liroiiL;lit her ahniL;'
with them. lie liad searc(d\ told \\\i- story hcfiH'c in came Ca|)t. .lames M.
Hawoiih. oiii- mutual friend (aft.'rward. until his death. Indian ae'cntl just
I'roiii Cairo. 111., where lie had arrived from \ieksl in i'l;' liy the next steamer
followiiie-. hiirryine- to overtake and inform W'riLilit that Ceneral Dana, upon
diseoverv of the yoiiiiL;- lady's departure, and Coloiud Wriejit's aeenev therein.
454 II id or u of the Miii'/ik' Ilrhjude.
h;i(l ])iil>lislu'(l a I'eward (if a tliousaiul (lollavs foi' liis caijfnre within his
(Dana's) Jnrisdictidii. and liad sent the fast steam tiiu'. liackct. m|i the river
in pnrsnit (d' liini.
W riyld and ilawortli tlien prevailed npnn nie to eiiani^e jny jilan and
<i() no tiirllier, l)nt to stop and tal<e ste])s toward i^ettini;' W'riyht out of tlie
scrape. I'"oi' that purpose to ap|)eal to (ieneral (ii-ant. tlieii at 1 'et i'i'sl)uri;'. \'a.
'Iliis I did suecessf idl\ . olitainiui;- in a lew da\s (ieiu'ra! (Irant's order eounter-
inandiiiii- (lenerai Dana's for Wright's ai'rest.
.Not U. delay deli\ery of tlie ordei- for discliari.;e of tlie lirii^ade. I i^ave it
into Ihnvorth's liands. with my general power of att(»rne_v to eolleet from the
members of the brigade tlie payments lliey had promised nie. lie immediately
|)roeeeded to New Oi'leans and deli\ered the orders to (leneral Canlix' for dis-
charge of the brigade. The ordei' was executed without delas' and the hoys
jiaid otf at A'icksbm'g' and imnu-diatelx' sent 1)\' steamer to Cairo.
As they were ])aid off (aiitain ilawortli appeared at the pa \ table to collect
said fees promised by them, and which 1 lie\ wci-e ready and willing- to |)ay, but
at thai moment ste|i|ied up an ollicei' with a guard and order fi'om (leneral
Dana upon llawoiih. prohibiting' him fi'om receiving' a dollai' fr((m tlie boys,
under pain (d arrest and ini priscmment. The lio\s immediately boarded the
s1;'amer in waiting and were taken 1o Caii'o. from whence they scattered
T h r(mg'liou1 the States, g'oing to theii' homes and families and sweethearts.
Many of tiie boys doiditless soon returned 1o Ihc ar'uiy.
Of the thousand or luore in uumbei' then, how few rcnuiiu lo learn from
me for the first time this his1or\' of their discharge. Though jicrsonal l,\' uiiac-
(piaintcd with Ihc memhers of the late lirigade. this reminiscence may be in-
teresting to them, in the closing cluipters of the liistor\ of the Mississippi Ata-
rine I'.rigade.
Till' t'ollowiiio- is a copy of the liiial order from '\Vasl«iiioton. se-
cured hy Mr. Purdy :
WAi; Di:i'AiiTMi:.\"r- AD.irTAXT (ii:.\i:i;Ai/s okfick.
Washington. December 5. lS(i4.
Sjiecial Order Xo. 4:!l ( Ivxtract ) .
'I he enlisted men of the organi/at ion formerly known as the Mississip])i
Marine I'.rigade. who enlisted for and were mustered into that organization,
\^ill upon receii)t of this order, be muslered out of the service of the United
States, and those di'lached from regiments in the tii'ld (without re-enlisting)
will lie returned to tlieii' respecti\e regiments to ser\e out their term of en-
listment.
The ('onimanding' Otiicer of the Military Division of the West Mississippi
is charged with the execution of this order.
l!y order of the Secret ar_v of War.
I-". I). TOWNSEND,
.\ssistant Adjutant (ieneral.
(rc lie lull 11 (is/ihii rii's (/nirr
455
To coinplctc IIm" record, we <^i\c (iciicral \\'asM)iinrs order, issued
at \'it'ksl)iiri;-. in coinpliaiice with, and in execntion of. the forei:'oin<j,'
orders from ^^ asliinii't<"i :
111: \i)()iAi; ri:i;s dis'ikmct oi" xicksiukc.
\"icl<sl)iiri;'. Miss.. .I;inii;ir\ 2. Isd.").
S|);'ci;il Ol-dcl- .\i). :>.
II. I'ursiKinl 111 S. (). Xo. 4:il. iliitcd Adjuliiiit (Iciifrars Oilier. Wasliin^ion.
1). ('.. DfccniluT .".111. ;iii(l S. ().. Xo. :M. I lca( I(|m;i fl its I )r|i:n-l iiiriit nT West
Mississippi. Mcinpliis. 'rciiii.. Itccciiihci- :.".». ISC)!. Capl. .1. I). |!c Kiisscy. l'. S.
Inf.. M iistfi-iiii;' and DishiirsiiiL;' ()flicfi'. \'ii'l<sl)iii-^-. Miss., will at nncc pructcd lo
Tiinstev iiiit of servitH' tlu> cnlislt'd iiicii of 1 lie orija n iza 1 ion fornicr! \- known as
tile M ississi|)pi Marine I'.l-iyade. who wci'e eidisted for. and nnislered into that
(irij'a ni/.at ion. All soldiers now eonneetrd with that ori^a n i/at Ion. who were de-
taehei! from rei;inients in the ti(dd without re-en 1 ist i ni^. will he retniaied \\
tlleir respee1i\e reeiments. to serve out their terms of eidistmenl.
Cai'taiii He Kussey will make ont a speeial Kidl and 1 Je'-eri pt i\ e lists, of
all sneh as ai'e detaineil in the ser\ iee. and the (^)iia rt ermast er will furnish
1 ranspoit at ion to their respective rcLiiments.
\\\ order (.f Maj. den. ('. ('. Washlmrne.
\V. !1. \loi;(,A\.
A. A. C.
( )nce in a while (hirini;' this (h'cary period of sei'\ice a little inci-
dent woidd ha])pen to break the monotony. ( Hie ex'eninif. (hirinii'
dress parade of tlie reiiiment. as tlte nni;-ic and colors were marching'
to position, the hase drnminer. 'l'o'>ias \"oiiler. slnl)l);'d his to;', aiitl
keeUd heels over head, di'um and all. I>nt manaij;-e(| not to miss a heat.
There was a hroad smile alona" the front rank, and sonn'thin^' fi'om
the rear rank sonndinu' \erv like a snpi)ressed aiilfaw.
(;n the 1-Jth of December, all Marines on picket and other duty
were reliexcd. and sent to tlieii' (|iiarlers. 'I'his day. and the followinii".
were consnnied by the rea'iiiient in 1 iirninii' o\cr t<> ih'' proper defjai't-
ments. the arms, acconti'ements, and property of the reiiimenl. so far
as the same could be spared. lielween the bUh and the linal dis-
charu'e of the men. which was not com|)leted until some lime in .lanii-
ary. roll-call, iiiiard mount and dress parade without arms, were dtdy
<)b>ei'ved, lest the men ^honld foriid that they were still soldiei's. and as
.such still held to orderly conduct, and amenable lo discipline. Dnrij
45^^
fl'/.sfori/ (if fJic Miif'iiic I>r'n/<i(](
this iiiti'r\";il of Wintiiiu'. the olliccrs were hiisy prcpiiriiii:' the r(>(|iiisite
I'olls for the iimstci' out. iind the liiial i)ayiii('iil of the iiicii.
'I'his wdi'k (•ousiuucd >"\('r.il weeks — oi' at least there \\a> a (h'hiy
of that period — niiiiiiiii:' to ahoiit the middle of January, when the Ma-
rine Rejiiuient had ceascMl to \n\ and the last of the ollieers and the intMi
were re.-lore(l to eit i/enship. and on their homeward way rejoieini»-.
If in the mind of any unbiased readei- of these pa^es. there linuvrs
a tlu)U<i'lit of censure for the hrave men who. luider the tryini:- eircuni-
>tan('es narrated, momentarily hesitated in \ieldini>' to what seemed
a.n lui.'ndurahle w roni;'. let the Hnal order of the President, for their
Ilonoral)!e Diseharav — all they had asked, and only what they de-
manded, as their rieht — he their full and sidficient exoneration.
Ttik Exo.
A COMRADE WHOM TUK Sl.KVlVOKS OF THE MARINE
BKKhVDE DELKiHT TO HONOR.
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1
Henry Noble Couden, Corpl. D Cav., M. M. B.
(The Blind Chaplain of the House of Representatives.)
Coiiiriidc Coiidcn was born in Marshall Oo.. Ind.. Novcnihor 1^1,
1842. His jjarcnts settled near Cincinnati, where his school days were
spent, preferably on the fai'in. with out door life, and its scenes and
sports, rather than with books. He enlisted, at 18, — Aj^ril 1(). ISOl —
in Co. K ()th O. V. I., for three months ser\ice. and then re-enlistinc;
in same for three years. He ])articij)ated in battles at Laurel Hill,
457
Greeiil>rier, and P]lkwater, and was with his company at Shih)h, Perry-
vilk'. and many minor eniiaaements. lie-enlisted into Co. I) Cavah'y,
iMarine Brigade, h)siiio- his ranlv of Seru'eant in so doinji'. hiit was
shortly made Corporal. He escaped injur}' in the Duck Ki\er fii>"ht,
hut at the fourth charge of the enemy ui:)()n the ^larine ca^'alry. at
Beaver Dam Lake, he received the blindiuii- charge of bird-shot in the
face and eyes, which de-troyed his si«>ht. lie was at the sauie time
wounded by a bullet in the left arm. and by another in the left side.
He was in hospital until July ('>. when he was discharged on account
of his permanent disability, returning to his home, to enter upon a
seven years course of echicaticn in the School for the Blind, at .Colum-
bus. (). He became interested in science and history, and later in re-
ligion, joining the Universalist church, and entering its theological
school — St. Lawrence T^niversity — at Canton. N. Y., where he gradu-
ated in 1878 — prepared for the ministry. His first j^astorate was the
First Universalist Cliurdi. ]\Iadrid, N. Y. He has since served
churches at Willoughby. ().. Chatham. iSLiss.. and Port Huron, Mich.
After being honored with i)ost and department chaplaincies of the G.
A. R. he was elected Chaplain of the House of Representatives in the
nith Congress, and luis been re-elected by each successive Congress,
since.
Dr. Couden, was tirst married in ls7s, to Lydia Jane Dickinson,
of Amherst, Mass. Four children were born of this union — •) sons and
a daughter — the mother dying at the l)irth of the latter, and the ?)rd
son a short time after. Jdie older son. Henry T.. Jr.. after seeing ser-
vice in the Spanish war in Cuba, was fatally injured l)y a fall from his
horse, in Seattle. Wash.. IDOC). and now sleej)s in the National Ceme-
tery. AVashingtou. D. C. The second son. Fayette D. is an exjiert in
the Bureau of Entomology. Dr. Coudi'u was again married, to Hat-
tic Dunbar, of JNIt. Vernon. ()., who is his constant attendant, and
amanuensis, and the belo\'ed companion (d" his declining years.
THE ,CIIAIKMAX OF OUR HISTORY COMMITTEE, TO
WHOSE EFFORTS THE rUIUJCATTOX OF THIS
WORK IS LARdELY DUE.
Josiah Marion Fulkerson, Orderly Serg't Co. B Infantry.
I was born in a loo- caMn on my fatlu'r's farm, near PlainHcld,
Ohio. November I», 1.S44. My forefathers lancU'd at Jamestown, ^'a.,
fi-om the British Isles, several years before the Revolutionary A\ ar, in
Avhich they foui>'ht with A\'ashini>'t()n for tlii' fi'eedom of our country.
(Iwinii' to the slavery (|uestion dividinii' our family up. my a'l't'sit
oraiidfatluT moved to Oliio. in ITO."). on account of that being free
territory. I spent my boyhood (hiys on tlie farm, attending our dis-
trict school (bu'ing the winter months, until I was fifteen years old,
when I began to teach school during the sunnner. I^ater attended high
school at our county town during the winter, and i)ai(l my board by
working nights and mornings.
During the winter of lS()l-i>. the soth ()hio Kegiment came
through on train going West, to the seat of ^^^lr. and I enlisted in
com])any H, and went with them, Fel)ruary 1.^). isCcj.
I was at the siege of Corinth, May, '(')'2: battle of luka. September
19, '(52, and the battle of Corinth, October :V4, lSC.-_!. I was wounded
on the last day of the fight, and in a few (hiys was sent to the ^Nlounil
City Hosj)ital, where I stayed until January, LsC);*), when I re-enlist-
ed in company B Inf.. M. ]M. l>rigade, and was sent to Benton Bar-
racks, Mo. I served with this connnand until mustered out at Vicks-
burg. January 18, 18(')5.
After my somewhat eventful army life I settled down to peace-
ful pursuits, in the old smoky city of Pittsbiu'g. where I worked hard
and faithfully from the bottom to the to}) rung of the ladder, in a
light manufacturing plant. I remained there some fourteen years,
Avhen, on account of mv h.ard work and close attention to business
I lost my health, and l)y the advice of my jjliysician I was compelled
to leave Pittsburg. 1 soon settled down to business once more this
time, in Kansas City. Mo., where I started one of the first steam laun-
dries in that city. I had remarkable success, and for some time oper-
ated three steam laundries, but owing to the terrible panic of the early
90s, Avhen the bottom dropped out of Kansas City, in a business way,
I was compelled to give u]) my bnsiness there. I moved to St. Louis,
in the spring of lS9i>, where I am still engag.'d in the laundry busi-
ness. I have l)een married three times and have hve daughters and
two sons living. I have always trie(l to ma!-:e as loyal and patri-
otic a citizen as I was a soldier, and I have always kept in touch with
all mv comrades.
ONE OF rilK ATTIIOIJS OF THIS 1 1 IS TORY. TO WHOSE
PAINS rAKIX(; LAF.OKS TIIK PKODFC TIOX OF PART
1! IS MAINLY TO PF CIJFDITFI).
Isaac Denison Newell, Captain Co. A. Inf., M. M. B.
Captain Newell was horn in Ivuslivillc. Schuyler Co.. 111., July
•2nd, ls;^)7. He was of New Eno-land i)arentai:"e. liis father and mother
bein^- Vernionters, and hence (like the proud ante-helluni \"iriiinian)
was entitled to write '*F. F. V." after his name.
The son of a pioneer Paj^tist minister, he had uo permanent home,
spendino- his boyhood days in Canton, and Peoria, later locating- at F})-
13er Alton. Ills., where he received his earlier education, at Shurtleff
Colleg-e, Residing in Bunker Hill, Ills., at tlie outbreak of the civil
war, when the call came for Tr).()0() three months volunteers, lie enlisted
in the home company, which became Co. F, 7th 111. Inf. At the end of
the three months he re-enlisted in Co. A of the same regiment, and
participated in the battles of Fort Henry. Donelson. Pittsburg Land-
ing, siege of Corinth, and also in the second fight at Corinth, in Avhich
he ^vas the color-bearer of the regiment. Soon afterward he was
tendered the Captaincy of his company by the Colonel. But. imbued
with the idea that volunteer soldiers should be allowed to elect their
own officers — and not l)eing one of the original members, could not
expect to be their choice — he declined. Soon afterAvard he was com-
missioned a First Lieuteiuuit in the Marine Brigade, and ordered to
report to General Ellet. at St. Louis. AVithin a month he was made
iCaptain of Co. A Inf., jMarine I^rigade. and with that rank was nuis-
tcred out, at Vicksburg, in January, 18()5.
After the w'ar CajDtain NcAvell took to merchandising, but later,
decided to enter the Bai)tist ministry. As a preparation for this he
took, a two years course of select studies, and two years in theology,
in Shurtletf College, and one year in Crozer Theological Seminary,
Chester, Pa., where he graduated. His fir.-^t pastorate was in Moline,
Ills. Thence he removed to Nebraska, where most of his ministerial
life has been spent. Fie was in Kansas for a period of alx)ut twelve
years, and was for six years the (ireneral Missionary of the Baptist
denomination in that state.
December 2-lth, ISOT, Captain Newell was married to Miss A. (t.
Bartlett. To them three girls and three boys were born, four of
whom, two l)Ovs and two eirls are still livina'.
THE iiisroiMAN oi- I UK \i\M |-Li:r.r and >[AKrxE
liRKiADi-:: im:('( n;i)i:ij and i in:A>rin:iv or thk
SOCIKT^ ()|- >( U\[\()Ks. 1 NDKIJ WIIOSK
Ai si»i(i:s I HIS iii>'K)m i> I'lr.-
Lism:i).
Warren Daniel Crandall, Captain and Asst. Adj. General
Mississippi Marine Brigade.
,Captaiii CimihIjiII \\;i- Ihh-h m .Manlin-. X. Y., Julv s. is:is. Par-
ents rt'iii()\-t'(| ill 1 ^ l^L' lo .M.iniic. III., whnv jn^ (mi-Ix- life was s[)t'nt,
and (Mliicatiiiii dlit.i incil. \\';i^ ,il Illiiidi- CoIIpi^c. .lack-diivillc. when
WAV l)r()k'<' (lilt. I^iili-lcd III lidiiic (•()iii|i;iii\- 111 ,liil\-. Isci; made 1st
l^iciilciiiiiil of C'oiiijiMiiy 1) (tlicii t*tli Mo.) Inf.. ill St. l.ouis Arsenal.
!Ui(l served in Itoth fall ainl w intei- (•anii)ai_iiii^ in southwest Mi-^souri.
IJe^nnient was re-named the .M)th 111. Inf.. just lH'f(»iv the battle at Tea
liid^c. Mai-ch. "(>•_!. Detached (with other officers and men) to sei-\'e on
thi']\liss. Kam Fleet. Commanded Kam Lione--. Aiiril to ( )ctol>i'r. "<>•_'.
Promoted to he C'aj)tain and A. A. (i.. .M. M. Ih'iiiade. serving with it
from or<>-anizatioii to dishandini:-. August. '(U. As-ijiiied to dntv at
(ient'ral IJoM'crans head(inarters. St. Loni> ( Septemhei-) : thence, la-
ter, to a hri^ade in Army of the dame-, designed l)ecem1>er. 1S()4.
After the war. he read law. and was admitted to the bar in St. Louis.
Later settled at I>rooklield. Ix'came editoi' of a ne\\ sj)a])ei' which he
j)ul»lished foi- twenty-four yeai->. hein<i- nlso ])rominently ideiitilied
with the State Temjx'i-ance work of Missouri. Postmastei- under
Harrison. .Movini:- to St. L(»ui-. he was latei-. Supei-intendent of the
Soldier>" Home at St. dame-. Mo., for sevei'al yeai's. Home in St.
Louis.
Cai^tain Ci'andall was married in Isc,:;, to .Miss (ieoriiia M. Nance.
])riiicipal of one of the St. Louis Public Schools. Of their family of
four childi'en. a son and darii^htei'. both married, survive.
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^^APR 89
N. MANCHESTER,
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