USA > Louisiana > The province and the states, a history of the province of Louisiana under France and Spain, and of the territories and states of the United States formed therefrom, Vol. III > Part 20
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In 1864 the state did not vote for president. In 1868 the vote stood as follows: Seymour 43,180, Grant 27,911. In 1872 thic popular vote stood : Greeley 66.467, Grant 50.075, but the return- ing board announced the following result : Grant 71,663, Greeley 57,020. In 1876 the popular vote stood: Tilden 83,723, Hayes 77,174, but the returning board issued the following result : Hayes 75,135, Tilden 70,036. In 1880 the popular vote was: Hancock 65,067, Garfield 38,628, Weaver oo. In 1884 the pouplar result was, Cleveland 62,529, Blaine 46,347, St. John 337, Butler 120. In 1888 the contest resulted as follows: Cleveland 85,032, Har- rison 30,484. Cleveland 87,922, oppo- sition 26,553. In 1896 the result was: Bryan 77,175, Mckinley 22,037. In 1900 the result stood: Bryan 53,671, Mckinley 14,233.
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CHAPTER XI
Wars of 1812, With Mexico and With Spain
W I
AR WITH ENGLAND was declared by the United States on June 19, 1812, and it was hoped that the struggle would be comparatively light, owing to the conflict then raging in Europe, wherein Napoleon still attracted the attention and admiration of the world. All the early movements of the war were confined to the East and North, although it had been anticipated that one of the first movements of the British would be against Louisiana, the mouth of the Mississippi and the Gulf coast generally. The armies of the United States were generally successful in the North and East, many of the engagements being signally brilliant and momentous. As soon as Napoleon was crushed at Waterloo, large British forces were free to cross the Atlantic and strike the Gulf coast ; and immediate preparations to send to that quarter 14,000 of Wellington's veterans, fresh from their victories on the peninsula, and a fleet of 50 ships, were made. By throwing a heavy force upon the mouth of the Mississippi, Great Britain hoped to retrieve some of the fortunes of war lost in the North and East. Accordingly, she dispatched a force of ten or a dozen regiments, which reached the American coast near Mobile in December, 1814. Gen. Andrew Jackson, then in com- mand of the Americans in that quarter, at once made preparations to fittingly receive the redcoats. He had little except a rabble to draw from, but fortunately that rabble were all expert marksmen. He made his headquarters in New Orleans, and proceeded to for- tify all the approaches leading to the city, well knowing that the city would be the chief object of attack sooner or later. He pro- ceeded to fell trees in the bayous, establish batteries at several
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points and plant cannon along the Mississippi and on the lakes worth and cast of the city.
As soon as it was announced that the British had arrived, a flotilla of small gunboats was sent to watch, and, if possible, check their operations ; but this inadequate force was soon dispersed by the superior ships and equipment of the enemy. Another small force sent for the same purpose, shared the same fate. In the meantime, Jackson was making herculean efforts to recruit his army from the militia of the upper Mississippi valley and from the vicinity of New Orleans. Jackson was not the man to stop at trifles, nor for any obstacles, nor any disparity of numbers, but he realized that confronting him was a far superior force of well- disciplined veterans, and he therefore did his best with the means at his disposal. He had but 550 "perfectly-armed, well equipped and disciplined" men of the First regiment of citizens militia. Several battalions of colored men were added to his nondescript army. Detachments were sent to guard the various approaches to New Orleans. His whole force consisted of two half battal- ions of militia, several companies from the Second United States regiment, one company of artillerists from the regulars, a com- pany of marines, a detachment of carbineers, a body of riflemen from Tennessee and Kentucky* and a small company of Ameri- cans mainly from the North and East, reputed to be fine marks- men. The pirates of Barataria, under Lafitte, sent a request to join Jackson's forces, and were accepted. The boast of Pack- enham, the British commander, that he intended to gain posses- sion of the "booty and beauty" of New Orleans, roused the high- est degree of military ardor in-the Crescent City. Whether in reality such a boast was made or not, it served even as a mere rumor to nerve every man to do his best.
Late in December, 1814, the British forces landed near Lake Borgne and advanced through the woods and swamps in the direction of New Orleans. The news of their approach reached Jackson on December 23. The British first captured the Ameri- can piquet, and then advanced and occupied and fortified Villere's plantation. Here an American gunboat and a considerable land force, gave the enemy their first serious setback, by a sharp attack after dark, during which the British lost about 400 men and the Americans 24 killed, 115 wounded and 75 missing. Several other small engagements occurred from that time until December 28, at which date the entire British force advanced toward New Orleans.
*The newspapers published in New Orleans at this time placed this body of men at 5,000.
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At the English Turn, the Americans were encountered entrenched and severe fighting ensued on land and from the boats on the river. Jackson's lines ran along the limits of the Rodriquez and Chalmette plantations about five miles from New Orleans. Here a parapet had been raised, very irregular but very strong in places, all the fences in the vicinity having been called upon for supplies of pickets. By January 8, this parapet was practically rifle and cannon proof. The American line was about a mile long, over half extending back of their left flank to a cypress swamp well nigh inaccessible. Although Jackson had a total of about 4,000 men, only 3,200 were actually engaged in the battle of January S. From January I to 8, the time was occupied in fortifying, maneuv- ering and cannonading. During this period, it became apparent to the British commander that the American works would have to be carried by storm. Accordingly, on the morning of the 8th, at a very early hour, they advanced to cross the ditch and scale the parapet. A heavy fire was opened upon them from all along the American line, but they continued to advance until they were close enough for the best results from the Tennessee and Kentucky rifles, when the fire became so deadly and so many were strewn upon the ground that they quailed and seemed on the point of flying. Their officers rallied them; but during this eventful time, the Britishi commander, Packenham, fell mortally wounded. They continued to advance amid much confusion, the officers having all they could do to prevent a disorderly retreat. Some reached the parapet, which was in one place sealed, but after about twenty- five minutes they all broke and ran back to shelter or out of range.
In a deep ditch about 400 yards from the parapet, a considerable column rested, reorganized and being reenforced by a heavy col- umn from the rear, finally advanced rapidly to a second attack. Again they met the same deadly fire ; but again, just before reach- ing the works, broke and fled in great confusion. By 8:30 a.m., the battle was over, except an artillery duel which continued until the middle of the afternoon. In this battle, the British lost about 3,000 in killed, wounded and missing, and the Americans 13 killed and wounded. During the succeeding night, the British wounded were removed and a truce the next day enabled them to bury their dead. The enemy retreated during the night of Janu- ary 18; but Jackson made ample preparations for their reception should they venture to return. On the 21st all of the American troops, except the Seventh regiment returned to New Orleans, and such another scene of triumph and rejoicing was never before
LOUISIANA, WV ARS WITH ENGLAND, MEXICO, SPAIN. 203
witnessed in the Crescent City. All were overwhelmed with con- gratulations and thanksgivings.
'T'he war with Mexico succeeded the annexation of Texas to the United States in 1845. In July of that year, the "Army of Occupation" under Gen. Zachary Taylor, numbering about 1,800 men, was sent to Corpus Christi, Tex. While here, not having any mounted batteries, General Taylor called upon General Gaines, then in command at New Orleans, for a body of skilled artillerists. The call for these men was the first received by Louisiana. At the same time it was reported that the small force under General 'T'ay- lor would likely be cut to pieces by the Mexicans. The resulting excitement at New Orleans was intense. Every uniformed battery of the city promptly, urgently, tendered their services, and from their midst General Gaines selected two batteries-one under Captain Forno and the other under Captain Bercier-and dis- . patched both under the command of Major Gally on the steamer "Alabama" to Corpus Christi. As this was merely a temporary call for the possible relief of Taylor, they returned after three months' service, the mounted batteries of the United States having reached the Rio Grande.
Soon after this, Taylor and the Mexicans became engaged, whereupon calls were hurriedly made upon the governors of Louis- iana and Texas for an auxiliary force of about five regiments. This was late in April, 1846. Isaac Johnson was then governor of the state. The requisition dated April 26, was received from General Taylor on May 2, and asked for four regiments to be sent at the earliest moment possible. The governor hesitated to incur this responsibility without special authority; but the legislature, happening then to be in session, promptly instructed him to rush forward the regiments and appropriated the sum of one hundred thousand dollars to cover the expense. Calls were immediately issued by many of the leading military men, and volunteers' names went down by the dozens and with unparalleled speed, so that on the 9th, roth, and 12th of May, a full regiment of 1,000 men was raised and sent on their way by steamer to the Rio Grande. This was the First or Washington regiment under the command of Col. James B. Walton. In the meantime, on May 8, occurred the battle of Palo Alto in which 2, 111 Americans with 10 guns participated and forced the Mexicans back to Resaca de la Palma, where another battle was won by Taylor the next day amid many heroic deeds of valor. Soon after this date, the
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Mexican General Arista retired wholly from this vicinity, and the scene of the war was transferred from Texas and along the Rio Grande, far into Mexican territory, the result desired by "Old Rough and Ready," as Taylor was lovingly called by the army.
After the departure of the First regiment, the enlistments did not languish, but were continued with great spirit in all parts of the state. The legislature rendered this step possible by appro- priating three hundred thousand dollars to cover the expenses. The Second regiment under Col J. H. Dakin; the Third under Col. S. T. Marks; the Fourth under Col. Horatio Davis; the Fifth under Col. Bailie Peyton and the Sixth under Col. Edward Featherstone, were raised about the same time and dispatched to the Rio Grande, where they were consolidated into the Louisiana Battalion under the command of Brig. Gen. Persifor F. Smith. Later General Smith was appointed to the command of a regi . ment of mounted rifles in the United States service and served with great distinction in the army under General Scott on its march to the Mexican capital.
During the summer of 1846, New Orleans was the gayest city in the United States. Thousands of troops from up the river passed down and stopped temporarily there and were invariably welcomed with some fitting ceremonial that would serve still further to kindle their military enthusiasm. When the Louisiana regiments, one by one, took the steamers and started down the river for the Gulf, they did not depart without tears and heart- burnings, and were in all instances sent away amid the beautiful ceremonies of flag presentation, the loving farewells of the ladics and the thundering acclamations of the assembled citizens. Thus the six regiments were sent by Louisiana to the war that added a princely domain to the United States. In December, 1846, a regiment was raised, placed under the command of Colonel De Russy and Jispatched to Tampico, and in May of the following year, a battalion of five companies were added to the Louisiana volunteers in the field. In the service, also, were several inde- pendent organizations. Several regiments of Louisiana militia were mnstered into the United States service, but saw no duty outside of the state. In 1847, a battalion of mounted volunteers from Louisiana was received for the United States service, Lient .- Col. W. F. Biscoe being their commander. They saw service at Vera Cruz and in the engagements leading up to the capture of the City of Mexico. About 4,500 men were in the Louisiana Battalion on the Rio Grande. Enough more were in other com-
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mands to raise the total men furnished by Louisiana to fully 0,000, after full allowance is made for men from other states who enlisted in Louisiana regiments, and there was quite a large num- ber. Fully as many more were raised in the state, but could not be accepted, but were held in order until the end of the war, ready for any possible call. Singular as it may seem, the Louisiana volun- tvers, aside from a few skirmishes, were not given an opportunity to show their nighting qualities in any pitched battle during the war with Mexico. At the close, the government reimbursed the state for much of its outlay in sending the volunteers to the fickl. The regiments sent out were based upon the old militia organiza- tions, which retained their integrity afterward, and several of them became famous in the Civil war.
In the war with Spain, Louisiana promptly met all the require- ments of the government. The president's proclamation of April 23, 1898, for 125,000 men was followed two days later by that of Governor Foster to fill the quota of two regiments required from Louisiana. In his proclamation the governor announced that, in accordance with the recommendation of the president, preference would be given to the organizations of the National Guard. In consequence the First regiment of volunteers for the war was organized from Companies B, D, E, F, G, II and K of the First regiment, National Guards, and the Third separate Company of the Guards, the most of which former had constituted the Sixth Battalion of the Guards. The officers of this regiment were as follows: W. L. Stevens, colonel ; R. G. Pleasants, lieuten- ant-colonel ; C. J. Bartlett and S. K. Knapp, majors ; F. E. Artaud, surgeon and major; and the following captains in order begin- ning with Company A: C. F. Pool, F. P. Stubbs, Jr., A. N. Mul- ler, J. R. Parisher, T. W. Lee, E. L. Kidd, Lucius O'Brian, T. W. Cate, H. P. Hill. E. W. Terry, A. E. Phillips, T. S. Ellis. The First regiment was organized and mustered in at New Orleans, May 8 to 18, 1898, with 46 officers and 977 enlisted men. Leaving New Orleans, it arrived at Mobile, June 1, where three days later it was assigned to the First Brigade, First Division, Fourth Army Corps. On June 25 it was transferred to the First Brigade, First Division, Seventh Army Corps. The next day it moved to Miami, Fla., but August 10, reached Jacksonville, where it remained until October 3, when it was mustered out of service with 42 officers and 1, 114 enlisted men. Its casualties
.
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were four officers died of disease, ten enlisted men died of disease, one killed by accident, one drowned, one murdered and ten deserted.
The Second regiment of volunteers was made up of the Third, Fourth and Seventh consolidated battalions of the National Guard, and was officered as follows: Elmer E. Wood, colonel; W. C. Defour, lieutenant-colonel; W. L. Hughes and G. M. Hodgson, majors : J. J. Archinaud, surgeon and major ; and the following captains in the order of the companies, beginning with A: W. F. Hogne, HI. A. Benners, A. W. Jacobs, I .. A. Livandais, Jr., F. W. Matthews. C. C. Fredericks, Adolphe Roquet, G. A. Cooper, E. G. Defour, W. HI. Hoffman, J. B. Waterman, and Louis Lamothe, The Second was organized and mustered in at New Orleans, May II to 20, 1898, with 46 officers and 960 enlisted men. It left New Orleans, May 30, and arrived at Mobile the next day, and was assigned to the Second Brigade, First Division, Fourth Army Corps, on June 4. It was transferred to the Second Brigade, First Division, Seventh Army Corps, on June 25. Four days later it arrived at Miami, Fla., and on August 3 reached Jackson- ville. On October 23 it arrived at Savannah, and was there trans- ferred to the First Brigade. On December 24, it boarded the steamer Mobile and on December 27 was landed at Havana. There it remained doing guard duty until March 20, 1899, when it sailed for Savannah, arriving there March 24, and was there mustered out on April 18, with 45 officers and 797 enlisted men. Its casu- alties were 3 officers and 13 enlisted men died of disease, one killed by accident and 44 deserted.
Under the proclamation of the president of May 25, 1898, Louisiana was authorized to raise three batteries of light artillery. This was promptly done. Battery A, Louisiana Field Artillery, consisting of 106 enlisted men, was officered as follows: J. P. Sullivan, captain ; W. M. Stout, first lieutenant ; F. W. Foreman, second lientenant. Battery B, Washington Artillery, consisting of 106 men, was officered as follows: F. W. Kornbeck, captain ; F. B. Stafford, first lieutenant; A. II. Parker, Jr., second licu- tenant. Battery C, Donaldsonville Cannoncers, also consisting of 106 enlisted men, was officered as follows: Richard McCulloli, captain; E. N. Pugh, first lieutenant ; C. K. Fuqua, second lieu- tenant. In addition there were over 100 men under the command of Lieut. Com. T. W. Bartlett, on the monitor Passaic and other vessels, a small squad of abont io men on the Tacoma, 97 men in the Auxiliary Navy, and 23 men in the signal service, total in the navy, 19 officers and 214 men. The three artillery
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LOUISIANA, WARS WITH ENGLAND, MEXICO, SPAIN. 207
companies above mentioned were organized and mustered in at New Orleans, July 6 to 7, 1898, with 9 officers and 318 enlisted men. On September 2, all were furloughed for thirty days, and on November 12, all were mustered out at New Orleans, the three companies then having 9 officers and 312 enlisted men. The only casualties were I man died of disease and I deserted. The twenty thousand dollars which the state appropriated for the equipment of these troops was returned by the government. It will be seen that Louisiana furnished more than its full quota under all calls.
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CHAPTER XII
The Civil War
T' THE FIRST definite action taken by Louisiana in the Civil war was the dispatch of an expedition of about 250 men of the state militia under the command of Col: J. B. Walton on January 9, 1861, to seize the United States arsenal at Baton Rouge and occupy the barracks there, a small force to take possession of Fort McComb at Chef Menteur, and another to occupy Fort Livingston on Barataria bay. At the same time small detachments of troops were sent to gain possession of Forts Jackson and St. Philip below the city of New Orleans and Fort Pike at the Rigolets. Thus a considerable quantity of war material was secured, among which were over 400 cannon. As the precaution was taken to send along enough men to overwhelm the small Federal garrisons in charge of these works, no trouble was experienced. Previous to these decisive steps, other acts of a warlike character had occurred. The election of Lincoln and Hlamlin was immediately succeeded by the proclamation of Gov- ernor Moore under date of November 19, 1860, convening the legislature in extraordinary session on December 10. Intimat- ing in his message that Louisiana would never submit to the presidency of Mr. Lincoln, he left that body without further ceremony to settle the question of what was to be done. The report of the adjutant-general revealed the poverty of military equipment possessed by the state, and further showed that at least one million dollars would be required to organize and equip the Louisiana militia for field service. The legislature called a convention to assemble at Baton Rouge on January 23, set a day for the election of delegates thereto, and appropriated five hun- dred thousand dollars to cover the expenses. Delegates were accordingly elected, carly in January. They assembled on the
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23d and three days later solemnly passed the ordinance of seces- sion from the Federal Union.
If there had been any hesitation in the preparation for war before the passage of this ordinance, there was certainly none afterward. On St. Barbe's day the Orleans artillery was tendered for the field. In every parish could be heard the stirring calls. Many of the parishes in enthusiastic meetings, ratified the action of the secession convention. Everywhere the militia began to organize, drill and equip as well as it was possible with the meager means at hand. The old militia companies and the polit- ical clubs of the previous autumn were the bases of the new organizations. It is impossible to state what organizations were tendered or were ready first, as all was confusion, and many important events escaped notice amid the multiplicity of war-like scenes. It may be said with truth that even before January Ist, many companies were ready so far as organization and discipline were concerned. The State Board of Military Commissioners, appointed at the special legislature, took charge of all organiza- tions, and did everything possible to fit them for the field. The sccession convention also provided for the appointment of a dele- gation to represent Louisiana at the convention to be held in Montgomery February 4 to form a Southern Confederacy. At the secession convention was unfurled for the first time the "National Flag of Louisiana," the state by its act of secession having become a separate and distinct power among the nations of the world. The act of secession was followed by the resigna- tion of all the United States officers residing in the state.
The first general gathering in New Orleans after the passage of the secession ordinance was on February 13, when the entire populace turned out to witness the raising of and salutation of the "National Flag of Louisiana." Lafayette Square was thronged with cheering thousands. Washington's birthday was also fittingly celebrated with the beautiful ceremony of flag and sword presentations to the various military organizations. Thus from the start Washington was claimed by both the North and the South, as was also the same God of battles. The precepts of both were quoted to prove the righteousness of the cause of the two factions rapidly preparing to face each other in battle array.
On April 14 came the news that Fort Sumter had surrendered to the Confederate forces at Charleston, and everywhere pride was expressed that a Louisianian, General Beauregard, had been permitted to strike that first blow. The next day the Crescent Rifles and the Louisiana Guards left for Pensacola, and on the
11-14
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16th the Shreveport Grays, Grivot Grays, Louisiana Guards and Terrebonne Rifles were consolidated into a battalion at Pensacola. Every parish reported companies or parts of companies ready for the service, and the claims of every organization were pushed to see which would succeed in reaching the field first. As fast as possible all were accepted, blent with others into regiments and battalions and sent forward under the orders of the Confederate war department. The principal rendezvous was at the Metarie race track, but a little later was removed to Camp Moore on the Jackson railroad. General Beauregard, a Louisianian, had "won his spurs" at Sumter, the first of the war, but not the last by thousands.
The Louisiana battalion which enlisted for one year, was sent to re-enforce General Magruder in Virginia. The First Lonis- iana infantry was organized at Pensacola, to which point many of the early organizations were sent. Early in May, the famous Washington artillery, despairing of having their services accepted at all, tendered themselves directly to the Confederate government and were promptly accepted and ordered to Lynchburg, Va. By this time practically a dozen regiments had been offered to the Military Board and all had been accepted to meet the first levies of the Confederate congress. As fast as possible they were sent to points which needed them the most.
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