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officers, twenty-five privates, besides the boat, enemy had gone, leaving only a small force of crew, and freight. As fast as the arms were re-about two hundred sharp-shooters to annoy us ceived, they were thrown overboard, for fear an attempt would be made to recapture them, as soon as their small number was ascertained. The boat was immediately taken to the opposite side of the river, where Major Nonning and the balance of the command came aboard, when all parties steamed down the river about five miles. The prisoners were paroled that could not be safely brought off. General Scammon and his

two aids were sent on to Richmond.

Doc. 124.

EXPEDITION UP YAZOO RIVER.

REPORT OF REAR-ADMIRAL D. D. PORTER.

FLAG-SHIP BLACK HAWK, MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON,
CAIRO, February 17, 1864.

and the transports in passing. The wheel-houses of the sunken steamer Ivy are above water directly opposite Liverpool, and in the narrowest part of the river. To the right of her, however, there is plenty of water. The river is high and rising. I forgot to mention the land forces lost eight killed and twenty-two wounded in the attack of the third. We understand that there are about eight thousand men, under Stark, Ross, and Loring, at Yazoo City. Our spies and scouts have failed to return. To-morrow will probably develop the strength of the enemy. I am happy to say that Colonel Coates, commanding the land forces, and myself, get along together very well, nor have any of the crews of the vessels touched any property of any description without sanction of the owners, and paying the full value in money. I issued stringent orders in relation to pil

SIR: Inclosed I send you a report of Lieuten-laging, etc. The Exchange was struck twice out ant Commander Owen, in relation to an expedi- but no one hurt. of four shots to-day in the first reconnoissance, One shot struck within two tion I sent up Yazoo River to cooperate with feet of the boilers, without doing any damage. General Sherman, (who is marching on Meridian,) and to confuse the enemy with regard to moveI am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, E. K. OWEN, ments on foot. It appears the troops did not consider themselves strong enough to land, and force the position. The vessels will work their way along cautiously until the water is high enough to send an iron-clad or two.

This move has had the effect of driving the guerrillas away from the Mississippi, as they are fearful it is intended to cut them off. I don't expect much from the expedition beyond diverting their attention.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Rear-Admiral.

Hon. GIDEON WELLES,

Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.

REPORT OF LIEUTENANT E. K. OWEN,
UNITED STATES STEAMER MARMORA, FOUR MILES BELOW
YAZOO CITY, February 5, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor to report the arrival of the expedition at this place last evening. Today has been spent in reconnoitring the enemy's position, and so far have discovered a battery of two small guns, situated in a valley seemingly perpendicularly to the river, and also a heavy force of infantry and cavalry behind a hill to the right of the battery, and running parallel to the river. On the second, we arrived at Sartalia, and at ten A.M. of the third we attacked the enemy at Liverpool, number about two thousand seven hundred men, under Ross, with two pieces of artillery. We silenced their guns, the army holding its position on the hills. At nightfall, the troops reëmbarked, and we dropped down for the night. The casualties were: the Petrel struck four times, without any serious damage; the other vessels, Marmora, Exchange, and Romeo, receiving no damage of any consequence. The Exchange and Romeo were hit several times by sharp-shooters. On the morning of the fourth, we advanced for another attack, but found the

Lieutenant Commander, commanding Fifth District. Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER,

Commanding Mississippi Squadron.

LETTER FROM REAR-ADMIRAL PORTER, TRANSMIT TING ADDITIONAL REPORT OF LIEUTENANT COMMANDER E. K. OWEN.

FLAG-SHIP BLACK HAWK, MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON,

RED RIVER, March 6, 1864. SIR: I have the honor to inclose herewith copy of report from Lieutenant Commander E. K. Owen, in relation to movements up the Yazoo

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HON. GIDEON Welles,

Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.

ADDITIONAL REPORT OF LIEUTENANT E. K. OWEN. UNITED STATES STEAMER MARMORA, OFF GREENWOOD, Miss., February 15, 1864. SIR: I have the honor to report the arrival of the expedition at this place on last evening. We met with no opposition, excepting a smart skirmish at the edge of the woods a mile back of this place, between the rebel cavalry under Forrest, and our own under Colonel Osband. We had two wounded. The enemy has fallen back to Grenada, and are fortifying that place. If the way is tolerably clear and the force not too heavy, our cavalry force (two hundred and fifty) and a portion of the infantry (five hundred) will go out in the morning. If we find the enemy too strong, we will go down the river, as the Tallahatchie and Yallabusha are entirely too low to ascend. This river is also falling rapidly, with only eight feet in the channel above Honey Island. I shall take good care that no boats shall get caught. The Star of the West is still in the channel in the Tallahatchie, with her wheels and upperworks out. Fort Pemberton is entirely destroy

ed, as also all the cotton out of which it was built. We have succeeded, so far, in gathering about four hundred and fifty bales of cotton, of which eighty are on the gunboats, and the rest on the transports. Fifty-three bales are all of the C.S. A. that have been captured, though but very little of any is marked at all. When we leave here, it will be to go up the Little Schula, as far as the town of that name. Then we go down the river, fill up with coal, and ascend the Sunflower.

There has been no Union sentiment of any moment or value expressed since our advent into these waters. On the Sunflower, however, we have reason to believe it is prominent. This is an insignificant place, containing about forty houses of all kinds, and entirely of frame buildings. The inhabitants have mostly fled, leaving a few poor Irish. It is a rendezvous for dry-goods merchants, who obtain large supplies from Memphis vid Friar's Point. We have met with no young men as yet, all having been forced into the army. The last military order of the rebels is to remove or shoot all the negroes between the ages of forty-five and sixteen. Some few negroes have already been shot by the rebel scouts.

ed, as we had scarcely eaten the day before. The next morning, at day-break, the rebs commenced a vigorous attack on our pickets. We mounted, formed, and rode out to meet the enemy. Company E, commanded by Captain William J. Bodenhamer, (a gallant and brave officer,) was sent to the right to flank the enemy, and the rest of the command attacked them in the front. In the early part of the fight, we drove them back about two hundred yards, when the rebs, consisting heretofore of cavalry, were reënforced by a large force of infantry, compelling us to fall back to our former position. Here a fire was kept up for two hours, when orders were received to fall back, as the enemy greatly outnumbered us, (estimated at one thousand six hundred.) We heard that we were to be aided by forces sent up the river, to attack them in the rear, and by troops from Helena, to attack them in that quarter. This fired the boys on, and made them fight with more vigor. Our wounded, among whom was D. Edward M. Clark, of company A, (wounded mortally,) were carried off the field to a neighboring house, which was fitted up as a hospital, I have been up the Tallahatchie as far as where and the wounded placed in charge of Dr. Cook, the Star of the West is sunk, which is directly contract surgeon at this post, who remained opposite the Fort, (Pemberton.) At the mouth with them, and is now in the enemy's hands. of the Yallabusha the Ed. J. Gay is sunk, the Company I, commanded by Lieutenant F. J. decks being just above water. About one mile McAdoo, and company L, covered the retreat, below, the Arcadia is sunk, with her upper-works till the wounded were all moved from the field, out, and nearly filling the river at this stage of and then joined the balance of the command. water. We found great difficulty in turning and We were closely followed, and fought constantcoming down, the light upper-works suffering toly, for about five miles. We then halted, and some extent. The rebel steamer Sharpe was the ground being favorable, formed to receive burnt a few days ago in the Yallabusha, to pre- the enemy, and while doing so, we discovered vent her falling into our hands. As the river is that they were about to make a flank movement falling quite rapidly, and with thirteen boats in to cut us off, compelling us again to take up our the fleet, I think I shall drop down below the bars. line of march. Here Lieutenant-Colonel J. W I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient serv- Lisenby left us, taking with him companies L ant, E. K. OWEN, and H, pursuing a different road, to protect a Lieutenant commanding Fifth District. ford at a bayou, which we would have to cross, and which it was feared the enemy would take possession of. The rest of the command proceeded further, under command of Major William J. Teed, making direct for the bayou.. Colonel Lisenby arrived at the bayou, and waited some time for us, when he received information that Major Teed had been cut off by one hundred of the enemy, and to prevent being cut off also, the Colonel took a different road, swam Cache River, and proceeded directly to Duvall's Bluff, and arrived at the banks opposite this ON the morning of April twentieth, detach-place next day. Major Teed arrived at the ments of companies A, B, C, E, F, H, I, L, and bayou, and sent out scouts to find the Colonel, M of this regiment, about two hundred and fifty but these returned without having found him,. men, left this place under command of Lieuten- and so we proceeded unmolested, except by the ant-Colonel J. W. Lisenby, and arrived at Cot-rain, which poured down in torrents, and reachton Plant at ten o'clock next morning. Here weed Clarendon at eight o'clock P.M.; camped, and learned that two hundred guerrillas had left the waited for a boat to ferry us across White River. town the day before. We resumed the march This arrived next day; ferried us across, and so at eleven o'clock, and at dark halted and sent we arrived here last night, much wearied, huna small party to reconnoitre. Sergeant Major gry, and exhausted, but content that it all hapwas informed that the rebs knew our designs, pened in our three years. Upon arriving, we and had formed in line on both sides of the road. learned that parts of companies D, F, and G, Upon this we marched back a mile, and cook-altogether fifty, and parts of the Third Minne, VOL. VIII.-Doc. 32

Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER,

Commanding Mississippi Squadron.

Doc. 125.

FIGHT NEAR COTTON PLANT, ARK.

MISSOURI DEMOCRAT ACCOUNT.

DUVALL'S BLUFF, ARK.,

CAMP EIGHTH MISSOURI CAVALRY VOLUNTEERS,
April 25, 1864.

sota and Sixty-first Illinois infantry, under com- are forts, with guns of heavy calibre, some of mand of Colonel Andrews, the latter having them of immense range. Sometimes the blockcome secretly from Little Rock, had left this ade-runners come down to the forts, out of place on Steamers Commercial and Raymond at range of our guns, of course, and lie there waitthe same time we did, and were to operate with ing an opportunity to slip out in a dark stormy us. They arrived at Augusta at daylight, on night, etc. Had we found one of them there, we the twentieth, here disembarked, and proceeded would have boarded, surprised, and worked her toward Cache River by different roads; the cav-out if possible. But to our expedition. alry taking one road and the infantry the other. It was not long before the cavalry, commanded | bert, the rebel General commanding this departby Captain J. H. Garrison, of company G, came upon the rebel Colonel Ponder, of the Ninth regiment Missouri Cavalry, C. S. A., who had been reconnoitring our forces. Upon seeing our cavalry, he endeavored to escape, but the boys gave chase, came upon him, and after firing a few shots at him, captured him, to. gether with a few more rebs, and took him to the main command. After this, they proceeded toward the Cache River, arriving there at three o'clock P.M. Advance-guard here fired into a rebel picket on the other side of the river, causing them to skedaddle. They then turned back, and met the infantry resting three miles from the river, who returned with them to the boat. On the way there, the advance-guard (cavalry) came upon a reb, who tried to escape them; they gave chase, and "Jonny Reb" was thrown from his "critter," and then surrendered. Upon being asked by Captain Garrison as to his occupation, he stated that he was a despatchbearer for the C. S. A., and drew forth a batch of despatches, among which were some announcing a victory of the rebs over Banks on Red River. The troops arrived at Augusta without further molestation. The next two days scouts were sent out, bringing in a great number of mules, horses, and contrabands, and at daylight of the twenty-fourth they left Augusta, and arrived here at two o'clock P.M.

Accompanying the infantry was Lieutenant Albert Potthoff, Post Quartermaster at Little Rock, who is greatly pleased with his lot of horses and mules. Officers and men behaved gallantly. The enemy's loss is not known, but is believed to be severe.

Doc. 126.

Our main object was to capture General Herment, and whose headquarters were at Smithville, a small village up the river, and inside all the forts. We supposed there were about three regiments of rebels at this place. It was a good dark night. With muffled oars, we passed the forts unseen, although we passed close to them. Orders were given in whispers, and the strictest silence was observed. Saw plenty of fires from salt-works, as we were pulling up the river. At last we passed Smithville, and returned to the village; could hear voices of workmen at the salt-works on the bank distinctly; pulled in; landed near a small landing-place, where was a sentry, whom we found to be fast asleep-we didn't disturb his dreams. To our surprise, on advancing from our boats, we found a sand-battery in our very front, not twenty yards from our boats. The Captain ordered four men to stay in the boats, while the balance, with the exception of our Captain, myself, another officer, and a coxswain, were left near the boats, with orders to hold on to them, in case we were discovered, to the last moment. Seeing a man at work at the beach near by, an officer and man were sent to secure him; they crept up on to him, put a revolver to his head, and brought him to us. On their return, they got another-both of them contrabands, and just what we wanted. The Captain clapped pistol to the head of one, and told him to lead us to General Herbert's headquarters, and point to us where the sentries were posted. He took the lead; we followed, four in all; passed close to a sentry, he was asleep, (every body sleeps here apparently ;) finally we arrived at the General's headquarters, and sat down under the edge of the verandah to "take our bearings," as Jack would say. It was a large house, with the verandah extending all around it. On the opposite side of the street was a long building, the bar

EXPEDITION UP THE NEUSE RIVER, N. C. racks, where a battalion of soldiers were quar

ACCOUNT BY A PARTICIPANT.

UNITED STATES STEAMER

OFF WILMINGTON, N. C., March 2, 1864.

tered. Learning from the "black" that the General's staff lived in the house with him, the Captain sent to the boat for four more On the evening of the twenty-ninth of Feb-men. Now we were eight, all told. The moon ruary, we started from our ship on an expedition; the Captain in his "gig," with a master's mate and twelve oars. I had command of the first cutter, also pulling twelve oars, with the Coxswain. We took with us an engineer and two firemen, and were, all told, twenty-five men and officers. The engineer and firemen accompanied us to take charge of and bring out a blockade-runner, in case we should meet any inside the forts. We are blockading at the mouth of the Neuse River. On each side of its mouth

was now up and shining brightly; we tried the front-door, found it unlocked, and walked in; opened the door on the left side of the hall, and commenced hunting the General, "or any other man" that we could find. Our guide didn't know which was the General's chamber, so we had to explore, with strict orders not to fire, unless to prevent capture, and then only to fire when obliged to retreat. We were armed to the teeth-drawn cutlasses, and revolver in left hand. Captain struck a match in first room,

saw at once it was their mess-room; then tried right-hand door, found it locked; sent two men to watch in the rear of the house.

a four-gun battery which lay very handy to that vicinity.

Next morning I went over in charge of a flagThe rest of the party kept watch, while the of-truce boat, to arrange affairs with the comCaptain and I went up the stairs. (How the mandant of Fort Caswell, (Colonel Jones,) so as dogs did bark over the way about this time!) to get the effects of Captain Kelley; landed on We went into an apartment on the landing, and the beach under guns of the Fort. Colonel Jones were lighting a match, when we heard the door and several of his officers were there to receive below slam violently, amid the crashing of glass. me. I introduced myself, and at once made I said: Captain, there's a row below; we known the object of the flag of truce, etc. I was must fight or go to Richmond!" We rushed obliged to wait there until they could send to down stairs, (a pretty good load of excitement Smithville for Captain Kelley's clothes, etc., etc. on, as you may imagine;) coxswain told me a At first Colonel Jones was very reserved in his man had jumped out of the window, and was manner, and of course I was on my dignity as making off! I started to run back of the house well. I could see that they felt a good deal inorto head him off, when I heard sounds of strug-tified at our success. At last Colonel Jones (by gling in another room back-went in, and found the by, he is from Virginia-was a captain in the Captain had a fellow by the arm-revolver the regular army when the war broke out) reclose to his head. "One word and you die!" marked: "Sir, you did a brave and gallant said our Captain. This prisoner was in his thing last night, and deserve great credit not drawers; two beds in the room, and one man only for the plan, but for the cool and daring had escaped. We asked prisoner if he was the manner in which it was executed. We know General. He replied, "No; the General went your object was to get our General, but, thank to Wilmington this morning;" that he was "Cap- God! he was gone," etc., etc. After this they betain Kelley, of the Engineer Corps, and on the came quite sociable. The Colonel said he much staff of the General;" that "the officer who had regretted he could not invite me into the Fort; escaped was Adjutant-General Hardeman," etc. but said he: "You have already seen more than Captain ordered him to dress himself without I wish you had." Refreshments were brought delay, and prepare to go with us. He (Captain on, and we had a very pleasant chat. AdjutantKelley) was terribly excited, and exclaimed: General Hardeman, who was there, (I told him I "What, you take me, surrounded by my own had his blanket, and the circumstances connecttroops! For God's sake, who are you!" Up went ed with my taking it,) laughingly said that any the pistol to his head, and on went his clothes- body who could think of being cold at such a quick was our play. He could not believe we time, etc., deserved an admiral's commission. were from the fleet outside. My feet were wet The Colonel said that the sleepy sentries would and cold; the sight of a fine red blanket on the be shot, and that some of the officers would be Adjutant-General's bed was too much for me; hauled over for negligence. He was surprised I took it as a memento and comforter. We ran when I told him how many there were of our Captain Kelley down to the boats, expecting every party. I told him "we were few but very semoment to hear the alarm, and to be surrounded lect," etc. or attacked: but luck was with us. We shoved off with our prisoners-(the Captain and two contrabands) -all right so far.

Doc. 127.

BATTLE AT PADUCAH, KY.

PADUCAH, March 29, 1864. THE smoke of the battle of Paducah has at length cleared away, and we may add another chapter to the history of the war of the rebellion-to us, of this city, the most eventful chap

Now to get by the forts. Kelley said "we never could do it-would be blown out of the water," etc. We pulled about twenty minutes down the river, when the enemy commenced making their night signals. Gracious! how the lights were flashing from all points, above and below us. Kelley understood these signals, of course; said they had telegraphed to the forts-ter written. "The enemy inside in boats." We pulled along slowly; just about this time the moon was obscured by a thick bank of clouds-now was our time. If ever I saw boats jump, 'twas then; every man knew his danger, but was cool. How grim old Fort Caswell loomed up as we passed her! We knew that a thousand eyes were watching the river for us; but, thank God! we got by undiscovered, and got on board our good ship by four o'clock A.M., all safe.

We were much disappointed at finding the General "not at home; we would surely have had him. Had not the Adjutant-General escaped, we would have paid a quiet visit to several other houses in Smithville, and also intended to spike

On Thursday, the twenty-fourth instant, Union City, sixty-five miles distant, was attacked and surrendered to Colonel Faulkner, of the rebel army. The news speedily came to Paducah, with a note of warning to our commander to prepare for an attack.

Colonel Hicks having been apprised of the concentration of rebel forces south of here for some days previous, needed nothing to stimulate him to increased activity in the means of defence.

Rumor had a busy day playing on her "harp of a thousand strings" on Friday, the twentyfifth, till about two o'clock in the evening, when all of a sudden the presence of a large rebel force in the suburbs of our city was no longer a doubt

ful question. I beheld what I supposed to be a flag o. truce moving up Broadway, our principal business street. Starting at once to provide for the safety of my family, believing that half an hour at least would intervene before the battle would open, I was surprised to hear the sound of musketry as I made my way to my residence. The battle had actually begun. Its sudden commencement can be accounted for only upon the presumption that the enemy's flag of truce was not a flag of truce, or at least was not respected by those who sent it, for Federal pickets were fired on and prisoners taken before the flag could possibly have reached its destination. Moreover, I am informed by Adjutant Taylor that when he went to meet the flag, with his white handkerchief waving, he was fired upon, and had to retreat. Thus the battle opened, leaving non-combatants, women, and children to make their escape through the rain of shot and shell, which had been provoked by this strange and untimely attack.

Our forces consisted of the Sixteenth Kentucky cavalry, Major Barnes, two hundred and seventy; three companies of the One Hundred and Twenty-second Illinois infantry, Major Chapman, one hundred and two; and the first Kentucky heavy artillery, (corps d'Afrique,) Colonel Cunninghain, two hundred and seventy-four; total, six hundred and forty-six. These were under the command of the war-worn veteran Colonel S. G. Hicks, who was severely wounded at the battle of Shiloh.

The force of the rebels is believed to have consisted of three brigades, under command of MajorGeneral Forest; General Buford and Colonel A. P. Thompson's forces were among them. It turned out that Colonel A. P. Thompson had the commission of Brigadier in his pocket. The robel forces were supported by the august presence of his ex-Excellency Isham G. Harris.

part of the breast and down to the limbs, throwing portions of his body fifteen feet distant. It is said that just before, and almost simultaneously with the shell, a musket was fired at the Colonel by an ardent young African, which took effect in the forehead.

The assault was gallantly repulsed, and the shout of victory arose from the fort. There were other attempts to take it, but each time the besieging hosts were driven back by the intrepid boys at the fort, into whom now seemed to be infused the indomitable courage and valor of Colonel Hicks.

While the fort guns were at work most powerfully and fatally upon the enemy around, two gunboats, the Peosta, (thirty-six,) Lieutenant Shirk commanding, and the (thirty-two,) Captain O'Neil, poured an incessant torrent of shot and shell through the streets of the city upon the enemy, who were as busy as bees plundering stores, gathering up horses, etc., mostly belonging to citizens; but few Government horses being lost.

In addition to the plundering, the rebels fired the large frame building on Broadway, built and used by the Government as quartermasters' dépôt and office. They destroyed our railroad dépôt and a new boat upon the ways, both of which they knew to be the property of citizens. Four cars were burnt; the locomotives escaped. They set fire to a few bales of cotton on the levee. A row of some six buildings, one of which was occupied as military headquarters, fronting the river, served as a lodgment for their sharpshooters, who skilfully plied their art upon the lookouts and other openings upon the gunboats. A marine that showed his head was in great danger of losing it. Lieutenant Shirk at once discovered the necessity of routing them, and sent a few volleys into the buildings, which set them on fire.

skedaddled, leaving women and children to find other quarters.

After the battle had raged awhile, Colonel A dastardly thing in the sharp-shooters was Hicks received a message by flag of truce, in sub- the refuge they sought in a new boat upon the stance as follows, namely: That he (Colonel ways, filled with women and children. Thus Hicks) was assailed by an overwhelming force, protected by their sacred presence, they poured that resistance was useless, and, to prevent fur- their deadly missiles upon the gunboats with imther effusion of blood, he demanded the surren-punity. After a while they fired the boat and der of the fort, with all the Government property and stores at the post at Paducah; that if a surrender was made, Colonel Hicks and his forces should be treated as prisoners of war, but if refused and the fort had to be taken by force of arms, no quarters would be given. Signed by Major-General Forrest. To this bold demand Colonel Hicks laconically replied that he had been sent here by his Government to protect and defend the post, and his sense of duty and obligation as a soldier forbade the surrender.

Many business and dwelling-houses have suffered greatly from the shells of the gunboats, prominent among which are the Continental Hotel, City Hotel, and Branch Bank of Louisville. The latter is almost a mass of ruins, with its entire contents. Cashier S. B. Hughes and family resided in the building, but, fortunately, had escaped.

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The entire Federal loss is fourteen killed, forty-six wounded, and perhaps thirty prisoners, taken from the hospitals.

The battle was then renewed with vigor, a spirited assault being made upon the fort by the Kentucky rebel forces, under command of Colo- It is difficult to estimate the rebel loss, as their nel or General A. P. Thompson. In this fatal killed and wounded were mostly buried by themassault Colonel Thompson received his death-selves or taken off in their retreat. charge as suddenly and furiously as the proud Adjutant Taylor estimates their loss at three oak receives the thunder-bolt. A shell passed hundred killed, and the usual proportion of through his body, tearing to atoms the lower wounded.

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