USA > Indiana > History of the Forty-sixth regiment Indiana volunteer infantry : September, 1861-September, 1865 > Part 3
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On the 20th of May an accident occurred which cost Company HI a man, and endangered the lives of three others. A scouting party was going down the road, and the major of the Forty-sixth,. with J. H. Depoy, Charles Ross and M. L. Burson, of Company H, were taking a light skiff down along shore, to the opening of a lagoon. It was started out just above the steamboats, which were lying three or four abreast. The boat was caught in the current running under the transports, upset and drawn under. The major. and one of the men caught to the gunwale of the steamer, and were drawn out by some deck hands. The other two were carried under the boats. Burson was drawn entirely under, and caught in the opposite wheel, and was saved. Depoy went clear and was lost. Five hundred men standing on the surrounding boats were unwill- ing witnesses of the scene, but were unable to render any assist- ance. After passing from under the boat, Depoy was seen going. down the river. He struggled two or three minutes with the angry current, and finally sunk from view. In a few days the body was found near the mortarboats and buried.
At noon, on the 5th, the brigade again started down the river, leaving Company B, of the Forty-sixth, to gather whatever prop- erty might have been left undestroyed. At Fulton, two twelve- pound guns were taken on board. The brigade arrived at Fort Randolph at dark, and found it evacuated. The boats then tied. up for the night.
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THE FORTY-SIXTH INDIANA.
With the rams in advance, the fleet reached a point one and one-half miles above Memphis about 4 o'clock. Seven rebel gun- boats were drawn up before the city. The ram Queen of the West immediately pushed ahead of the gunboats and made a fearful dash at three rebel boats coming up in advance of the fleet. That dash seemed to settle the business, for the result was so decisive that the destruction of the rebel fleet was unavoidable. Supported by the ram Monarch, the Queen kept on her course of destruction, until, in a few minutes, the victory was complete. A misunder- standing about signals left three of the Federal rams virtually out of the contest. During the action the gunboats kept up a contin- uous and effective fire.
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The result of the battle was a surprising victory. Of the rebel fleet, the Lovell and Little Rebel were sunk; the Beauregard and Price ran into each other and were disabled; the "Jeff" Thompson was blown up; the Bragg and Sumpter went ashore in flames; the T'un Dorn ran out of the fight, and for the present escaped.
During the fight the bluffs in front of the city were crowded with an excited multitude. By incessant boasting, "Jeff" Thompson had produced the impression that his wonderful flotilla would sweep the Federal gunboats from the river. The miserable fight that he made added mortification to disappointment, and when the valiant general and commodore mounted a convenient horse at the conclusion, and rode off for a safer place, his adherents gave him up.
The crews of the rebel gunboats clung to the wrecks of their vessels and were picked up by yawls manned by Federal sailors and soldiers. The prisoners, to the number of one hundred, were brought to the steamer "Von Puhl" and held until night, when they were transferred to the "Platt Valley" and carried to Cairo. While the prisoners were being fished out, a band on one of the boats played "Dixie" for the comfort of the shivering rebels.
Immediately after the fight, the transports, with the brigade, ran in and tied up. The levee was occupied by a dense crowd of people, of every age, sex and color. An intense excitement pre- vailed among them. The mass swayed to and fro, as the boats paddled up and down, endeavoring to make the landing. All were shouting. There were cheers for the Union and for "Jeff" Davis. Several men were knocked down. There was a great demand for papers and for silver coin. Before landing, Colonel Fitch had issued orders requiring each company in the brigade to
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TAKING DOWN . THE FLAG.
select a particular part of the boat for its "company quarters," and to assemble there on call. Finally, the boats made their landing, and a company was sent ashore to keep back the crowd.
On the 7th, Colonel Fitch appointed Captain John H. Gould provost marshal; Major J. C. Major, of the Forty-third, command- ant of the pickets and patrols, and Major Bringhurst, of the Forty- sixth, commandant at Hopefield, on the Arkansas side of the river. This point was the eastern terminus of the Memphis & Little Rock railroad, and was the location of extensive iron works. Three large Parrot guns, three locomotives and one hundred and fifty thousand dollars' worth of railroad iron were captured at this place. Four companies were detailed each day to patrol the city. A riot at the Grenada depot, on the night of the 6th, was sup- pressed by Company K, after severe measures became necessary, one man being bayonetted and two shot. On the afternoon of the 6th a detachment was sent up on the bluff to take down a rebel flag that was defiantly floating from a large pole. Great excite- ment existed among the mass of people that was present, and fearful threats, were made against the men who dared to touch the flag. 'As a meeting with the civil authorities had been arranged by Colonel Fitch with the Mayor and City Council, at 3 o'clock, it was deemed advisable to wait until after that meeting. At the appointed time the meeting was held, and an arrangement was reached under which the municipal powers of the Mayor and Council were continued, and, with the military authority, under- took to enforce the law and to maintain the supremacy of the laws and Constitution of the United States.
Ac 3.30, a detail of three companies of the Forty-sixth, and three from the Forty-third, were sent, under Major Bringhurst, to take down the obnoxious flag. The streets around the pole were a perfect jam. The mob cursed and taunted the soldiers, who made no reply. The battalion was promptly formed around the pole, and two sturdy wood-choppers went to work. The promised shots for the man who touched the pole did not come, but the pole did, and with a crash. In an instant the flag was stripped from the pole and taken possession of by the adjutant of the Forty-third regiment. The battalion was then quietly marched back to the boat.
Just as the flag came down two Federal rams passed up the river, followed by the rebel steamship Brugg and towing the Sumpter, both manned by Federal crews. These were the two
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THE FORTY-SIXTH INDIANA.
vessels that went ashore on the day of the naval battle. So, all of the famous "Thompson navy" was destroyed or captured, except the Van Dorn.
In addition to the gunboats destroyed and captured, the transports "M. R. Cheek," "Victoria," "New National," "II. R. Hill" and the "Sovereign," were captured at the levee or on the way down. All these boats were subsequently used on White river and elsewhere against the rebels.
On the 8th of June Company B arrived from Fort Pillow, with an "assorted cargo," prominently among which was thirty hogs- heads of prime sugar. Large quantities of cotton and sugar were found stowed away in stores and dwellings. Immense quantities- of both articles were burned by the rebels when they found that Memphis would be taken.
The regiment remained in Memphis until the 13th of June, when it shipped on the "New National," to take part in the expe- dition up White river, to convey stores to the army of General Curtis, which was coming down from Missouri.
While at Memphis the regiment missed the boom of the cannon which, from March 4 to June 7, had never, night or day, - been out of the ears of the men.
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CHAPTER III.
VACANCIES AND PROMOTIONS. - DOWN THE MISSISSIPPI. - WHITE RIVER. -
ST. CHARLES. - FORTIFICATIONS. -- ATTACK. -- EXPLOSION OF THE "MOUND CITY."- VICTORY. - UP THE RIVER .- GUERRILLAS. - CURTIS' ARMY .- HELENA. - JUNE, 1862 - APRIL, 1863.
Between June, 1862, and April, 1863, the following vacancies and promotions occurred:
Captain William Spencer, of Company E, resigned June 11, 1862; Lieutenant Henry Snyder was commissioned to succeed him; and. Charles F. Fisher was commissioned first, and Ellis Hughes second lieutenant.
Colonel Graham N. Fitch resigned August 5, 1862; he was sneceeded by Lieutenant Colonel Thomas II. Bringhurst; Major John H. Gould was commissioned lieutenant colonel, and Cap- tain Aaron M. Flory, of Company B, major; Lieutenant Frank Swigart was commissioned captain of Company B, Theodore B. Forgy first, and Loren C. Stevens sceond lieutenant.
Adjutant Richard P. DeHart resigned October 18, 1862; he was succeeded by Lieutenant James M. Watts, of Company A; Lieutenant James V. Brough was commissioned first, and Sergeant William A. Andrews second lieutenant.
Assistant Surgeon William S. Haymond resigned December 2, 1862; he was succeeded by Corporal Israel B. Washburn, of Company I.
Lieutenant Eli R. Herman, of Company E, resigned February 5, 1862; he was succeeded by Sergeant Charles F. Fisher.
Captain James H. Thomas, of Company I, resigned October 21, 1862, and was succeeded by Lieutenant J. W. F. Liston.
Captain Robert W. Sill, of Company G, was discharged November 16, 1862, and was succeeded by Lieutenant Joseph D. Cowdin; Lientenant James Hess was commissioned first, and Sergeant William H. H. Rader second lieutenant.
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THE FORTY-SIXTH INDIANA.
Captain Joseph D. Cowden resigned December 25, 1862; he was succeeded by Woodson S. Marshall.
Assistant Surgeon Asa Coleman resigned December 26, 1862.
Having all the property of the Forty-sixth on board the "New National" the night of the 13th, at 5 o'clock the next morning the boat pushed out on the "White River Expedition." The gunboat Conestoga led the way, followed by the little steamer "Jacob Mussleman," the "New National" and the " White Cloud," a boat loaded for Curtis' army. A short distance down the river the "Clara Dolson," a recently captured rebel steamer, was met com- ing up with a Federal gunboat escort. The mouth of White river, 181 miles below Memphis, was reached at 5 p. M. Going up, the gunboats Lexington, St. Louis and Mound City were over- taken and became part of the expedition. On the 16th, at 4 o'clock, the fleet reached within eight miles of St. Charles, where obstructions were expected. A party under Lieutenant Swigart was put on a tug, and another under Lieutenant Brownlie on shore, and instructed cautiously to go up the river and reconnoitre. The tug soon returned and reported rebels and boats ahead. The fleet anchored until daylight. During the night a raft was sent down by the rebels, which carried the "National" against the " White Cloud," nearly wrecking both. At 6 A. M. on the 17th, the gun- boats were under way, and the Forty-sixth was ashore, marching toward the bluff. Companies A and B, supported by Company G, were deployed as skirmishers. The gunboats laid off just below where the rebel batteries were supposed to be, and ready to open. The regiment pushed up over the hill and through a deadening. When within 300 yards of the top, the rebels and some small guns were seen. These and the infantry opened fire, when the regiment rushed in and drove the gunners and their supports off up toward their boats. Before the charge, the gunboats had commenced firing, directing their shots mainly at the light guns on the brow of the hill. At that time, it was not certainly known that there were larger guns, but, suddenly, the rebels opened with two sixty-four pound Parrots. In a few minutes a shot plunged into the Mound City, penetrated her steam chest, and immediately the boat was filled with scalding steam, driving the crew over the sides into the river. A hundred men were afloat. Many were so badly scalded that, being unable to swim, they sank. Yawls and boats pushed out from every boat in the fleet to the men's assistance, but the rebels came down the bank and fired upon the helpless sufferers in the
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FIGIIT AT ST. CHARLES.
water. Then, the gunboats being signaled to cease firing, the Forty-sixth went in. The right of the line was close to the river; and, as the left swept around, it had a longer distance to travel, so the right was in first; but the left, swinging around, came out at the river in time to complete the circuit. Company A came in on the four small gun battery, and Company B and the left companies on the large guns.
The rebels made no stand after the Forty-sixth reached the top of the hill, but fed up the river. Lieutenant Commanding Fry was late getting out, and was badly shot in the shoulder by a member of Company B. He was captured and conveyed in a yawl to the gunboat Conestogo, and, subsequently, to Memphis, a prisoner. Fry had been an officer in the Federal navy. He had a command in the rebel navy at Forts Thompson and Pillow, and had come to White river to fortify against the anticipated invasion by the Federal army. He had the Mauripas and the "Eliza G." and had commenced to drive piles across the river, below the fort, but was late. Some years after the rebellion Fry was captured in Cuba and shot by the Spanish authorities for his guerrilla practices. The log-book and the flag of the Mauripas were captured here, and are now in the possession of Colonel Fitch. Major Bringhurst secured the post flag.
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The Mound City and the "Mussleman" presented an awful spectacle. Fifty-eight men lay dead on the gunboat. The deeks of the "Mussleman" were covered with men wrapped in cotton and oil. The poor creatures were scalded in every imaginable manner and degree. Before the " Mussleman" left for Memphis several of the wounded died.
At night the regiment was called on to bury the dead. This, after the excessive labor of the day, was a hardship. One com- pany, at first, worked at a time. Later, two were put on. At 2 o'clock a heavy rain began and continued until morning. The trench dug by the rebels for their small guns was used for a grave. The dead were carried from the Mound City, one by one, with all proper respect and solemnity, and buried in bostile soil. Later, a grateful country remembered and removed them to a national cemetery.
When the Mound City was struck she was towed down along- side the "National." As she came in a man, lying on deck, in the struggles of death, took hold of a lanyard attached to a gun that had been made ready to fire. He pulled the string and discharged
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THE FORTY-SIXTHI INDIANA.
the gun. The shot passed through the National, severely wound- ing the engineer and cutting off a steam pipe. The deck was covered with sick and wounded men, but, as the steam ascended, few were injured.
On the afternoon of the 22d of June, the fleet again started up the river, and anchored fifteen miles above St. Charles for the night. The Mound City, with a guard, remained at her old anchorage. Early the next morning the fleet was again going up stream. At 10 o'clock the St. Louis, in the lead, was fired upon, and a man shot. The fleet stopped and the firing became general along the east bank. The gunboats threw shell and grape. The regiment used rifles. The fire was first concentrated on the " White Cloud," which carried two companies of the Forty-sixth, and, finally, on the National, which was the last boat in the line. Breastworks were made of cracker boxes, mattresses, hay, etc. The attack continued all day. Three men were killed, but none of the Forty-sixth. James Ryan, of Company H, fell overboard and. was drowned. The same evening the fleet turned and came back .to St. Charles, because of low water. Rebel reports from above state that fifteen rebels were killed on the up trip of the fleet. The "Catahoula," a former rebel transport, came up with stores and remained. A part of the regiment took up quarters on her.
On the 22d, the body of the mate of the Mound City was found afloat.
On the same day an expedition was sent down the river to overhaul the guerrillas. Four companies of the Forty-sixth went with it. It was frequently fired on, but suffered no loss. Nothing vas effected. On the 25th the Forty-third (Colonel William E. MeLean) and the Thirty-fourth (Captain Swain) arrived on five small boats with orders for the entire fleet to again go up White river. Only two gunboats went. On the 28th of June the reorganized expedition started up, with Colonel Fitch in command. Approaching St. Charles, Companies B, G and K were landed and sent up on the bluff. The place was found abandoned. The fleet landed at 5 P. M.
On the 20th the fleet again put out, and went twenty-one miles above St. Charles by evening. Started again the next morn- ing, and was immediately fired on. The "National" and the "Era" were the chief targets. Thirty balls passed through the "National." On the " Era" a Thirty-fourth man was killed and five wounded. Reached Clarendon. River falling. Boats rub
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SCOUTING ON WHITE RIVER.
bing. At noon three regiments went up into town for parade and "muster for pay." During their absence the boat hands of the " National" had whisky, got into a bloody battle and nearly mur- dered each other. None killed. All wounded.
A scouting party sent out on the Ist was chased in. Some lost their horses. Powell, of Company B, arrived without hat, coat or shoes, and Kreisher, of Company I, did not get in until the evening of the next day.
On the 4th of July the fleet again returned to St. Charles. The National anniversary was celebrated by the heavy guns of the Lexington and the band of the Thirty-fourth regiment.
On the 5th of July the fleet again turned up the river. With the Lexington in the lead, the boats, in their regular order, cast loose and again passed up the tortuous stream. Arrived at Aber- deen at 3 p. M. Four companies were sent ashore to reconnoitre. Found the town abandoned. A rebel cavalryman was captured and taken to the boats. He confessed that he was engaged in firing on the boats. The gentleman announced his name as "Peo- pler"- Mr. Peopler. He was finally handed over to the Lexington for further proceedings. In the evening, while three or four hun- dred men were bathing in the river, they were fired on by guerrillas in the brush. The chief engineer of the Lexington was killed, and a number wounded. The Lexington immediately fired several rounds of grape into the brush, and the regiments formed for . action. The firing lasted over an hour, and was continued at intervals all night.
On the next day, Mr. Peopler was arrayed in a boatman's suit and established at a prominent point on the upper deck of the Loat. It was supposed that his colleagues would pick him off, but he remained there all day, with only the injury that he received from the sun.
On July 6, six companies of the Twenty-fourth and two from the other regiments were sent at 3 in the morning to attack a cavalry force, said to be on a neighboring prairie. The rebels were met at 6 in the evening. The action was brought on by the Twenty-fourth, which had put three companies in advance, leaving the remainder, with the other regiments, in reserve. Suddenly the rebels attacked the reserve, but, after a few rounds, fled. On the march out the Forty-third missed the road and did not get into action. A flag of truce came in, asking permission to collect the dead and wounded. Thirty minutes were given them for this
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THIE FORTY-SIXTHI INDIANA.
purpose. They gathered up their dead. The wounded were left in our hands. Their loss was eighty-four. On the Federal side there was one killed and twenty wounded, all in the Twenty- fourth. The men returned to camp at 3 p. M. The sick and wounded were taken off the boats and put in houses. All the horses went ashore and quartered in a large stable, where a sign read, "No Credit."
At 4 o'clock the brigade was on the road for Duval's Bluff. Two howitzers were mounted on the fore wheels of wagons. No enemy was seen until near dark. The country was an open prairie, with grass waist high. The rebels kept out of reach. As the evening came on the men were in better spirits. The absence of the burning sun gave them strength. After dark the band of the Thirty-fourth played, much to the pleasure and refreshment of the men. Then a regiment began to sing, and the melody was taken up by the others until the entire column was singing, much, doubt- less, to the amazement of the rebels.
At 11 o'clock at night the rebel cavalry was met. The how- itzers were brought up and fired with rounds from the entire infantry line. These, with the shouts of the men, seemed to unnerve the rebels, and they again fled. In less than an hour's marching the rebels were again found in line. An angle was formed by the Forty-third on the north and the Forty-sixth on the east. The howitzers were again brought up and fire opened. The rebels immediately broke and fled. The two regiments followed them, driving them over their camp and upsetting their corn-cake and molasses supper, at which they had been when they were called to meet the Federals.
After a half hour's rest the brigade turned off for Clarendon. The march was kept up, with little rest, until daylight. The men were broken down. No water had been met since the river was left, the evening previous. At daylight there was a halt of thirty minutes. All dropped on the ground and slept. Resuming the march it was almost impossible to arouse the men. At 5 o'clock the river was made, and at 6. o'clock the column had reached Clarendon. The gunboats and the transports were there, and the regiments were soon ferried to the other side, where the order was "eat and sleep."
At 3 r. M. orders were received to march at 6 o'clock. At. 5.45 the regiment was in line. At 6 the transport "Q. M. D.," from Memphis, arrived. Information brought by her changed the pro-
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MORE SCOUTING .- BELKNAP'S BILL.
gramme, and in two hours the entire expedition was steaming down the river. This was a welcome change, for the Forty-sixth had been reduced to 310 effective men by fatigue and sickness. John Shaffer, of Company A, was shot on the up trip of the "Q. M. D," and died July 12.
On the 9th the "Golden Era," on which was the Twenty- fourth Regiment, struck a snag and sank. The horses were thrown overboard and, with the men, were saved and put upon the "Q. M. D." The fleet reached St. Charles on the evening of the 9th.
When the regiment went up the river, on the 4th, to relieve the "White Cloud," S. N. Pennell, of Company B, discovered a dog near some bushes. Supposing that the animal might have company, he called the attention of Frederick Fitch, of Company I, who had charge of a gun, to the possibilities of the case. Fitch commediately let a charge of grape into the bushes. It was subse- quently known that four guerrillas were killed and four wounded by the shot.
At St. Charles a bill was presented Colonel Fitch, in behalf of one Colonel Belknap, for sundries said to have been absorbed by the regiment on the first trip. The bill was against the United States, and, after charging for cotton, largely, continued with "forty-tive sheep at four dollars and fifty cents, forty Muscovy ducks at sixty cents, twenty dozen chickens at seven dollars and fifty cents, contents of garden two dollars, six calves at four dollars, etc."
As Company B occupied Belknap's premises a day and a night, it was supposed that its members had appropriated the missing merchandise, but as each and all denied eating a thing during the. time, and there being no proof, they were not held, and the bills are yet unpaid.
On the 12th of July two boats, with six companies, were sent back to Clarendon, and two more, with six companies, went to ' Indian bay. A prisoner reported that General Curtis' army had passed Clarendon and was heading toward Helena. The detach- ments had been sent to intercept Curtis, but he had passed.
The entire expedition left St. Charles for Helena between S and 10 o'clock on the 14th of July, just a month after leaving Memphis.
Curtis' army was seen along the river, and hearty shouts were exchanged with them.
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THE FORTY-SIXTHI INDIANA.
At Prairie Landing the gunboats awaited the arrival of the last boat. At dark, all having arrived, the entire fleet rounded Montgomery's Point, and made for Helena, where it arrived the next morning.
The Forty-sixth was first welcomed by the Logansport com- pany in the Ninth Illinois Cavalry (Captain Gifford).
The sick list at this time was large. Two invoices of invalids had been sent to Memphis from White river. Now there were 125 on the surgeon's report. .
The "White River Expedition" originated in a suggestion by General Curtis, in a dispatch by him to General Halleck, early in Inne, from Batesville, the then headquarters of the Army of the Southwest. General Curtis suggested that supplies be sent him by way of White river, and that they should meet him at Des ' Arc. The expedition was organized with the consent of General Halleck, and the assistance of Major Allen, quartermaster at St> Louis. General Grant arrived at Memphis about the 15th of June, after the departure of the expedition, and heartily indorsed and seconded the movement. On June 26 he sent to Colonel Fitch the following order:
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