Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

and still waves proudly in triumph over its could not work the guns on our upper deck, and

walls.

it was dangerous loading even the guns behind the casemates, as we were so close to the buildINDIANAPOLIS "JOURNAL" ACCOUNT. ings that the sharp-shooters could hit a port alWe have not seen any account of the fight at most every time. We directed our shots at the Paducah from an eye-witness, and the following buildings to drive them out; but actually the letter from George Vance of our city, who is an buildings would have to begin to crumble and officer on the gunboat which did such good serv- fall before they would slacken their fire. Their ice there, and saw all that occurred, will be read fire was so accurate that I am minus a new pair with interest. It is not only an intelligent and of boots by it, and came near being minus a leg. graphic description, written with all a boy's The rebs made another attack on the Fort early vivacity and earnestness of feeling, but it is per- in the evening, and another at nine o'clock that fectly trustworthy in all it states of the writer's night, in both of which they were repulsed with own knowledge. It is dated U. S. S. Piosta, off heavy loss. The fight at night was grand; the Paducah, Monday afternoon last. It says: burning houses lit the whole arrangement up so Well, our big fight is over, at least for the we could see just where to put our shots. The present. The rebels have not made their ap- rebel sharp-shooters, who occupied the houses pearance, except with "flags of truce," since I around the Fort, did more damage than all the dropped you the note of Saturday night, and I rest put together. They could look right into believe they will keep away from here for the the Fort, and so pick our men off. During this future. The lesson they received has been a attack we upset one of the rebel pieces of artillepretty severe one for them, and I think they will ry, and kept them from getting any of their guns not be in a hurry to try our mettle soon again. in position. We also claim to have killed rebel The rebs under General Forrest were six thou- General Thompson, who was struck by a shell sand strong, with eight pieces of artillery. We and torn all to pieces. He fell about forty yards arrived off Paducah at noon on Friday, and found from the Fort, where he lay with the rest of the the town full of rumors, of course, but having killed all day Saturday. I saw several trophies had so many scares of the kind we paid little at- that were taken from his body, among them his tention to it. However, we remained at our an- pistols, the stars off his collar, etc. During Frichorage, instead of going on to Cairo, as we in- day night we lay "off and on," throwing shells tended. Captain Shirk went down to Cairo on into the town to keep the rebs from ransacking a steamboat, thinking that thing was one of the the place. About twelve o'clock that night we usual false alarms. But at about three o'clock heard that all the rebel officers were taking supin the afternoon the town bells began tolling, per at the St. Francis Hotel, a large building and the women and children came pouring down about one hundred and fifty yards from the the levee. Shortly after our pickets were driven river. So for a while we landed the shell into it in. Then we began to think we were in for it, quite lively, and, as we have since found out, a sure enough. The fort, which stands about five shrapnel went square into the dining-room and hundred yards down the river from the centre exploded, spattering every thing with its load of of the town, and about a hundred from the river- bullets. A thirty-two pounder shell took a range bank, is a good earth-work defence, with a ditch of rooms from one end of the building to the around it, mounts six guns, and during the fight other, and bursted in the last one. But our firwas defended by four hundred men, half of them ing into this house was unnecessary, for there negro soldiers, and a part of them citizens of were no rebs in it at the time, and even when Paducah. The "fun" commenced with an at- they did go in they received cold hospitality tack on the Fort by three thousand men and four from the landlord and lady, who were strong pieces of artillery. At the same time a large Union people and spunky as rats. They, with force was in the town plundering the houses and several others stopping in the house, witnessed stores. The first time the rebs charged up to the whole fight. Summing the whole thing up, the very ditch, but fell back, having suffered the few soldiers who defended the Fort and the severely. Our boat lay off abreast of the Fort, gunboat Piosta have covered themselves with and we poured in a steady steam of shells. We glory. This is no bragging, for the soldiers did worked seven guns, and I tell you we worked fight with desperation, the negroes as well as the with a will. While the fighting was going on whites; and as for the Piosta, I leave it to the the women and children were being ferried across soldiers and to the citizens of Paducah whether the river. I was really sorry to see the women we have not gained a reputation (even among the driven around like so many sheep, but we could | rebs and Forrest himself) worth having. not stop to help them any. While the banks were crowded, and in our firing over the crowd, a piece of lead riven off of one of our rifle-shots struck a little girl and killed her.

After driving the rebs back at the Fort, we ran up and commenced on the thieves in town; and they gave it back to us from every window, hole, and corner on the levee, and it was just like a hail-storm for about half an hour. We of course

NEW-YORK "TRIBUNE" ACCOUNT.

PADUCAH, KY., March 29, 1864. Few who have had occasion to pass up or down the Ohio River have failed to notice and admire this place, which is noted for the beauty of its situation, its fine wharf, commodious business houses, tasteful residences, and above all, the evident enterprise of its people. Before the war,

[ocr errors]

it had a population of about ten thousand, and was considered the most flourishing little city below Louisville, it being the principal dépôt for that portion of Kentucky known as Jackson's Purchase." Upon the breaking out of the rebellion, the secession mania took deep root in the minds of its citizens, and when, in September, 1861, General Grant occupied it for the first time, the streets and houses were found decorated with rebel flags in anticipation of the arrival of Polk's army. Of its original population, not more than one third is now remaining, those who make up the four or five thousand inhabitants which it possessed up to the time of Forrest's attack being recent arrivals from other States.

one to the mouth of the Tennessee, the other a little below. These boats have a light armament, and are known on the river as "tin-clads," their plating being only sufficiently thick to resist the missiles of small arms, and perhaps grape-shot.

Nearly all of the woods back of the city have been cleared away, either by the hand of improvement or from military necessity, and there is an almost unobstructed view for half a mile, and in some places much further. The ground intervening between the city and the timber is somewhat undulating, but not sufficiently so to afford any considerable advantage to an advancing line of battle. A little before one o'clock, the enemy's advance came in sight, and in a moment afterward the main body appeared in the act of forming line-his right extending toward the Tennessee and being nearest to town, while the left was partially concealed by timber at long cannon range. The men on either flank were

Positive information was received by Colonel Hicks on the twenty-fourth, of the arrival of Forrest at Mayfield, twenty-two miles south from Paducah, and an attack was not unlooked for. Your correspondent was on that day at Columbus, having come up to that point from Memphis in anti-mounted, while the bodies of dismounted men, cipation of an attack upon the former place, and who at that distance seemed to be a little in adit was there considered certain that Forrest would vance of the others, appeared in occasional interattempt to capture either Columbus or Paducah, vals in the line which was little less than two but most probably Paducah. In fact, his occu- miles long. pation of Mayfield indicated this place as his objective point. The forces under Colonel Hicks's command were five companies of the Sixteenth Kentucky, three hundred and eleven strong; three companies of the One Hundred and Twenty-second Illinois, numbering one hundred and twenty-four men, and a detachment of the First Kentucky artillery, (colored,) two hundred and fifty men-in all six hundred and eighty-five. Any information of the strength and position of the fortifications, and number of guns, beyond what the enemy has already learned to his sorrow, cannot be given with propriety. It will be sufficient to say that the works occupied by Colonel Hicks are toward the lower end of the city, and cover the roads from the interior.

The enemy seems to have entered on his campaign with an accurate knowledge of what was to be done, and was evidently posted as to the strength of our garrison here as well as at Union City. There was no delay in the advance. He pushed his line forward rapidly and steadily, while at the same time a detachment from the right flank several hundred strong, dashed into the now deserted city, and down Market street, and the other streets back of it, until, coming within rifle-range of the Fort, they opened a galling fire from the houses upon the garrison. But before this detachment had succeeded in getting in town, several shots had been exchanged between the enemy's artillery and ours. The gunboats had also begun to play upon them, when, upon finding the city being rapidly occupied by a continually increasing force, the fire of the gunboats, as previously concerted, was turned upon the houses occupied by the rebels, the vessels dropping down the river until proper range could be had.

Next morning, (twenty-fifth,) scouts reported that Forrest was only eight or ten miles distant, and was moving in this direction with a heavy column, which rumor broadly stated to be from five thousand to fifteen thousand strong. Immediately upon learning that we were to be attacked, Colonel Hicks notified the inhabitants of It seems that Colonel Hicks, prudently, did that fact by special order, and commenced mov- not strain his men at the commencement of the ing them to the other side of the river. The anx-action, and although his fire was accurate, it was iety of the citizens for the two preceding days, delivered slowly-the range being different at consequent upon the rumored approach of the almost every discharge. The necessity he was enemy, now found expression in the wildest ex-under of turning some of his guns upon the town citement, and men, women, and children rushed so slackened our fire that the enemy was enabled through the streets and down to the wharf in to make a charge upon the Fort. But the movedread of the approaching conflict. Fortunately, ment was perceived and prepared for, and the means were at hand to transfer them to the op- first signs of an advance were greeted with a posite shore with despatch, and when the first heavy and well-directed fire, which created some attack was made, but few were remaining in the confusion. The rebels continued to advance, city. Knowing the great numerical superiority however, and a part of them, by veering to the of the enemy, Colonel Hicks ordered his whole right, threw themselves partially under cover of command to the Fort, and awaited his appear- the uneven ground and the suburban buildings. On they came, with loud cheers that sounded distinctly through the now increasing roar of battle, and which were defiantly answered by our men, who now, reeking with perspiration,

ance.

The gunboats, Paw-Paw and Peosta, which were anchored out in the river, weighed and moored toward the upper end of the wharf-the

plied their rammers with accelerated rapidity and tachments, several hundred strong, into the city, hurled destruction through the advancing lines. some to burn and pillage, and others to reenforce As soon as they came within good rifle-range, a those who were yet firing upon the garrison. terribly destructive fire was opened upon them, Now was the hardest trial our brave fellows had and men toppled, reeled, and fell to the ground to bear. In spite of the shells that were sent by scores. Although the overwhelming force crashing through the buildings, the sharp-shootcontinued to close upon the Fort, it was now evi-ers, who by this time must have numbered nearly dent that there was much disorder among them, and presently a portion of the line gave way, when the whole force broke in confusion and retreated precipitately, leaving the ground strewn with not less than two hundred killed and wound-tinued from ten o'clock to after five, and yet the ed. The discomfited rebels were then re-formed upon their original line.

one thousand, held their positions, or else falling back for a few minutes, again came forward and delivered their fire.

It was now nearly night. The battle had con

nally repulsed, to yield to the fact of his undeniable defeat.

fate of the day remained undecided. The heroic garrison, headed by their resolute commander, As the smoke began to clear up, it was discov- still stood unfalteringly to their posts, while the ered that the city was on fire in several places. enemy, conscious of the strength of his overThe railroad dépôt was already completely wrap-whelming numbers, seemed loth, although sigped in flames, having been fired by the rebels. The shelling of the gunboats had dislodged the sharp-shooters from the buildings nearest the Fort, and their fire was just being directed toward other portions of the town, when a flag of truce was observed coming from the enemy's lines.

The flag of truce was borne by Lieutenant McKnight, aid to Forrest, and was met by the Post Adjutant. McKnight presented a note from Forrest to Colonel Hicks, demanding the immediate and unconditional surrender of the Fort and garrison, and saying that in the event of a refusal to accede to the demand, he would take the Fort by storm and grant no quarter. Colonel Hicks promptly replied that he was sent there with orders to defend the post, and intended to obey, as any honorable officer should. An hour was consumed during this parley, immediately after which the enemy advanced.

Four hours had passed, during three of which there was an almost unbroken roar of artillery and small arms. In the mean time, the rebels had occupied every part of the town. The headquarters and quartermaster's buildings, which were in the most compactly built part of the city, had been sacked and fired. The marine ways had also been fired, and the steamer Dacotah, which was on the stocks for repairs, was boarded, the crew robbed of every thing, and the boat burned. Almost every store in the place was broken open and its contents damaged, destroyed, or carried off. Clothing, and especially boots and shoes, seemed to have been chiefly sought for, although an exceedingly large quantity of all styles and qualities of dry goods, groceries, and provisions was carried off. Every horse that could be found was taken, and in fact nothing that could suit taste or convenience was overlooked.

As the sun began to sink, the slackened fire from the buildings told that our shelling had not been without effect, and the rebels could be seen from the Fort as they left the houses by hundreds and moved back toward the upper end of the town, bearing their dead and wounded. Many, however, remained behind, and although the firing was now light, it was continuous.

The houses near the Fort were again occupied by sharp-shooters, and the rebels moved rapidly up with increased numbers and apparently a full determination to succeed. They dashed forward from behind buildings and such other objects as served to cover their advance, while the main column rushed upon the Fort despite the murderous fire that opposed them. But their efforts were futile. The indomitable "six hundred" had no idea of being overpowered, and amid the answering thunders from Fort and gunboats, and By this time the ammunition in the Fort was the unbroken rattle of small-arms, the enemy well-nigh exhausted, and it was barely possible was again repulsed, and fled from the field dis- that if the enemy had again attempted to storm ordered and whipped. Not less than five hun- the works, the small garrison might have been dred men, dead or wounded, covered the field overpowered by sheer stress of overwhelming within rifle-range of the Fort. A more gallant numbers. But his disastrous experience of that defence was never made. But the fighting did day deterred him, and his offensive operations not cease with this repulse. The rebels swarmed were confined to sharp-shooting from the buildthicker and thicker in the buildings, and an un-ings. This was kept up until nearly midnight, intermitting storm of lead was poured from roofs and windows, notwithstanding the houses were being perforated by shot and shell from all our guns.

Every gun in the Fort was now turned upon the town, while the gunboats took an active part in sweeping the streets and shelling the houses. The enemy, finding that our force was not strong enough to risk leaving the works, did not re-form his whole line again, but sent his men by de

when the firing ceased entirely, and the rebels left the town. Colonel Hicks's announcement to the garrison that their ammunition had almost given out, but that they would defend themselves with the bayonet, was received with loud cheers, and showed a determination to fight to the last. That was an anxious night to the occupants of the Fort. The knowledge that their means of defence would not, if attacked, last much longer, that the enemy was still within gun-shot of them

with a force outnumbering them nearly ten to one, and that it was very probable that a night attack would be made, disinclined all to sleep, and the peremptory order of Colonel Hicks that every man should remain broad awake and stand to his post was scarcely necessary. So the night passed, every man awaiting expectantly the anticipated attack, and determined to win or die. Next morning, twenty-sixth, the enemy was found to be still in our front, but some hundred yards in rear of his original line of the day before. Every thing pointed to another attack, and another day of trial for our gallant garrison. In view of this, Colonel Hicks sent out several detachments with orders to burn all the buildings which had been occupied by the enemy's sharpshooters on the previous day, or that could afford them a similar protection in the event of an attack on this day. This order was promptly executed, and in less than fifteen minutes that part of the town below Broadway and between Market street and the river, together with many other buildings outside of those limits, was in flames. Many of the finest business houses and dwellings were thus destroyed, and none who have formerly been acquainted with this once beautiful city can help regretting the sad but imperative necessity that called for its partial destruction. About nine o'clock a flag of truce emerged from their lines, and approached the Fort. It covered a proposal for an exchange of So ends thus much of the history of one of the prisoners, Forrest having about five hundred of most adventurous raids made during the war. our men who were surrendered at Union City, Whether the rebels will try their strength on and fifty or sixty captured in hospital the day any other Union post remains to be seen. before. Colonel Hicks having no power to ex-known that they are showing a threatening front change prisoners, replied in accordance with that in the direction of Columbus. fact, and the confederate officer departed. Again we waited in anticipation of an attack momentarily, when a verbal communication was sent in by Forrest, asking for a private interview in case further fighting could be obviated by negotiation.

return and complete the work of pillage and destruction.

Another anxious night wore wearily away, and the morning of the twenty-eighth dawned. Our scouts found the country filled with bodies of men varying from fifty to one hundred, but the main body had moved back toward Mayfield. This seemed encouraging, until another report, which was apparently trustworthy, became current in town, that Forrest's army had formed a junction at Mayfield with a large force of rebels, and was again coming in this direction. A scene of excitement now ensued similar to that of the morning of the twenty-fifth. Every thing that could, under the circumstances, be removed, (for but few draft animals were remaining) was carried down to the levee preparatory to shipping. Much of this property was carried by hand, some of the heaviest boxes of goods being thus brought from stores some several squares distant. The excitement lasted all night, and every boat that passed made large additions to her cargo and passenger-list. This morning the excitement and exodus still continued, and the attack was hourly expected up till noon, when it became generally known that the military authorities had learned that the enemy was at or near Mayfield, and was threatening Columbus, and that there were no demonstrations at all making toward Paducah.

Colonel Hicks, with his characteristic pluck, replied verbally that he, accompanied by two officers of a designated rank, would meet General Forrest and two officers of corresponding rank, with or without arms, at any mutually convenient spot. This occurred after noon. No reply was received, and no attack was made, and so the day wore away-the enemy yet threatening, but apparently afraid to advance. In the mean time assistance had arrived from Cairo, seventy miles below, and our men felt encouraged but apprehensive. The night passed much in the same way as the one preceding, the greatest vigilance being exercised, and the men resting at or near their posts.

The next day, twenty-seventh, the rebels had entirely disappeared from view, but a scouting party, sent out for the purpose, found them still near, and demonstrating threateningly. On this day, many of the citizens and merchants who had any thing left, commenced packing their effects for the purpose of leaving the place, as it was confidently expected that the rebels would

It is

A detail of the loss of property during the fight cannot be obtained, though even if it could it would be uninteresting in connection with the story of the battle. It will be sufficient to say that the value of the property carried away and destroyed by the rebels exceeds, at a moderate estimate, half a million of dollars. The value of the houses burned, by order of Colonel Hicks, must be as much if not more. The enemy's loss in men cannot be accurately ascertained, but in killed and wounded will not fall short of one thousand. It is rumored that several citizens, who imprudently did not leave the city with the bulk of the inhabitants, were killed or injured.

OFFICIAL REBEL REPORTS.

[blocks in formation]

ment; about two hundred horses, and five hundred small-arms.

I also took possession of Hickman, the enemy having passed it.

I moved north with Buford's division, marching direct from Jackson to Paducah in fifty hours; attacked it on the evening of the twentysixth, drove the enemy to their gunboats and forts, held the town for ten hours, and could have held it longer, but found the small-pox raging, and evacuated the place.

We captured many stores and horses, burned up sixty bales of cotton, one steamer in the drydock, and brought out fifty prisoners.

My loss at Union City and Paducah, as far as known, is twenty-five killed and woundedamong them Colonel Thompson, commanding the Kentucky brigade, killed; Lieutenant-Colonel Lanhum, of the Faulkner regiment, mortally wounded; and Colonel Crosslin, of the Ninth Kentucky, and Lieutenant-Colonel Morton, of the Second Tennessee, slightly wounded. The enemy's loss at Paducah was fifty killed and wounded. The prisoners, in all, five hundred. N. B. FORREST. HEADQUARTERS SECOND DIVISION FORREST'S CAVALRY, MAYFIELD, KY., March 23.

[blocks in formation]

I received orders from Colonel Andrews at half-past four o'clock P.M., March thirtieth, to be in readiness to march with four days' rations at six o'clock that evening, and at seven o'clock GENERAL ORDERS, No. —. I marched my command, six companies-comThe General Commanding returns to the offi-pany B, commanded by Lieutenant Pierce, comcers and troops of this division his congratula-pany C by Lieutenant Grummons, company E tions upon the success which has thus far at- by Lieutenant Knight, company G by Captain tended the campaign into Kentucky. The Devereux, company H by Lieutenant Misener, hardships you bore upon a march almost un- company I by Captain Swan-one hundred and precedented, from Tibbie Station, Mississippi, eighty-six strong to the ferry, and immediately to Paducah, in a week; the devotion you have proceeded to the railroad dépôt, where, by direcexhibited to the cause of freedom, and the valor tion of the Colonel, we embarked on the cars, our skirmishers displayed in their attack upon and at nine P.M. left for Duvall's Bluff. We the fort at Paducah, call for the highest admira- reached the Bluff at four o'clock next morning, tion and praise of your commander. At the and forthwith embarked on the steamer Dove, very doors of their homes some of your com- and at seven o'clock, together with a small force rades laid down their lives to rescue Kentucky of the Eighth Missouri cavalry, proceeded up from the iron heel of abolition despotism, and White River, reaching Gregory's Landingthe rule of the negro. Among those whose which is ten miles above the mouth of the faces are gone from us for ever, we are forced to Little Red, and one hundred and ten miles pay a lasting regret to the memory of one brave, above Duvall's Bluff-about eight o'clock P.M., courteous, and beloved, and whose merits as a where we disembarked, and marched to the supcitizen, as a friend, and as a soldier, we all felt port of the cavalry, toward Cache River Crossand appreciated. He fell as a soldier desires to ing, where it was supposed McCrea was encampfall, at the head of his command, a hero regret-ed. After marching three miles in the darkness ted by all. Colonel A. P. Thompson, Third and rain, it was ascertained that McCrea had Kentucky regiment, and commanding the Third left that country and gone toward Jacksonport. brigade, will long be remembered by all who knew his noble deeds and heroic death. With a force less than that of the enemy within the stockade, you, in an exposed condition, with your skirmishers, silenced his guns; caused one of his gunboats to withdraw from action, fearful of the accuracy of your fire; captured and destroyed immense stores-quartermaster, commissary, and ordnance; and inflicted upon him a loss of twenty-seven killed, and from seventy to eighty wounded, besides capturing sixty-four prisoners; your own loss being ten killed and forty wounded.

The General Commanding feels proud of the division, and relies upon your courage, your for

My

Upon getting this information, we immediately
returned to the boat, and proceeded up the river
to Augusta, where we arrived at half-past five
A. M., on the first of April; disembarked, and
pushed without delay, with one hundred and
sixty men, all told, into the country, on the
Jacksonport road, the cavalry in advance.
orders were to keep within supporting distance,
which I did. At the crossing of the Cache
River road, four miles from Augusta, I encamp-
ed with the cavalry, which had been skirmishing
with the enemy for the last two miles, and here
found them in force. The Colonel ordered me
to take three companies into the woods and
engage them. I took companies B, H, and I,

« AnteriorContinuar »