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 22
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The large force under General Banks reached Natchitoches
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about the Ist of April. Gen. Kirby Smith was at Shreveport with his eyes on the Federals in Southern Arkansas and also upon the operations of General Banks. The importance of strength- ening Taylor was apparent to him, at the same time he was obliged not to let it appear that he was weakening himself. He had brought troops and munitions from Camden, Ark., to fit him for the struggle with Banks, should Taylor not succeed in stopping or defeating the Federals. However, he sent several strong detach- ments to Taylor's assistance. With Taylor at Mansfield, was Mouton with the Eighteenth, Crescent, Twenty-eighth, Beard's battalion, Fournet's battalion and Faires' battery. With everything in readiness, Taylor was attacked by the Federals on the 8th of April, 1864, but the latter ran against a stonewall and were flung back discomfitted. Taking advantage of this check, he threw Mouton's division of nearly 2,500 effectives against the strong position of the enemy. Down a long slope, across a wide valley and up a steep ascent charged those heroic men, meeting at every step a deadly fire from musketry and artillery, leaving the ground strewn with their dead and wounded, and at last literally throw- ing themselves upon the enemy on the crest. So desperate were the men and so fierce was the onset, that the Federals were flung back amid much disorder. They endeavored to rally, fighting hand to hand, but were soon scattered, and finally fled in wild dismay, throwing aside everything that impeded their stampede, each looking out for himself and bidding the devil take the hind- most. In this terrible charge the brave Mouton was killed, and was inmediately succeeded by the able French general, Polignac. In this charge also fell between 700 and 800 men, the pride of Louisiana, who, by their dash and gallantry, scattered like chaff the whole Thirteenth Army Corps of the Federals and immortal- ized themselves in one of the most brilliant charges and most telling victories of the whole war.
The Thirteenth Army Corps, thoroughly routed and defeated, fled for many miles, leaving the ground strewn with their accout- erments, and were vigorously pursued and punished by the elated army under Taylor. At the distance of four miles the rout encountered the Nineteenth Army Corps, which was likewise attacked by the invincible Confederates, and likewise flung back and sent flying in great disorder with the rest of the rabble toward Natchitoches. In this headlong flight the Confederates secured practically the whole equipment of the enemy, which was aban- doned regardless of its value. In this battle and rout, the bri- gades of Monton, Major, Bagby, Green and Randal on the left,
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and Bee, Walker, Waul and Senrry on the right did valiant serv- ice, scarcely stopping short of Natchitoches itself.
Taylor now felt that he could capture the whole army of Banks with half a chance. He therefore began to hector and injure the enemy in every way possible, watching like a hawk at the same time for his opportunity. He was reenforced until he had about 12,500 effectives, and felt confident of crushing Banks with even chances. Bank had a total of from 18,000 to 20,000. Early on the morning of the 9th, the Federals were encountered entrenched at Pleasant Hill, but could not be attacked until late in the same evening, when desperate fighting ensued until darkness closed the bloody day. During the night Banks retreated rapidly to Natch- itochies, the retreat much resembling a rout .. Thus, both at Mans- field and Pleasant Hill, the Confederates gained splendid victories, mainly owing to the genius of Taylor, the protege of the great Jackson.
Without losing a moment of his advantage, Taylor sent a force under General Green early on the morning of the 10th to cut off the Federal gunboats above Grand Ecore. Green attacked the boats from the shore; his sharpshooters picking off the gunners and strewing the Federal decks with their dead and wounded. In this terrific battle, the gallant Green was killed, a serious loss to the dashing army of Taylor. For his splendid operations on these memorable days, Taylor received the thanks of the Con- federate congress and the unbounded and undying gratitude of all Louisianians. The entire Sonth was ringing with his praise and the whole North with the brilliancy of his victory.
After this great victory Taylor continned to pursue Banks, and Kirby Smith turned his attention toward the Federal General Steele in Arkansas. On April 22 Taylor struck a strong detach- ment of the Federals near Natchitoches and defeated it ; four days later he destroyed a gunboat and a transport on Red river, where the brave Captain Carnay of the St. Mary's cannoneers was killed. Taylor's plan was to pen Banks between the streams at Monett's Ferry, but the failure of General Bee to do what was expected and necessary to that end caused the Confederate lines to open and permitted the enemy to pour across and escape. Had it not been for this failure, Taylor would almost certainly have crushed Banks and perhaps captured his whole army. At least that is the belief to this day of the Louisianians. Banks retreated down the valley, closely pursued by Taylor, who offered battle at every opportunity. There were sharp engagements on Avoy- elles Prairie, and at Mansura and Moreauville. Upon the evacu-
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ation of Alexandria, the Federals burned the city, but claimed it was done by accident. On May 18, a sharp fight took place at Yellow bayou. The next day the Federals crossed the Atcha- falaya, and here the pursuit ended. With other strong forces of the Federals within striking distance, Taylor did not deem it prudent to advance farther, and accordingly returned up the river, after which his force. magnificent in every soldierly quality, was free to be used elsewhere, as not another gun was fired in Western Louisiana during the remainder of the war, thanks to the splen- did skill of General Taylor and the bravery of his men. Only the immensely superior force of the Federals prevented the destruc- tion of the army of Banks after the defeat at Mansfield and Pleasant Ilill. In April, 1865, Banks was relieved at his own request, and was succeeded by Gen. E. R. S. Canby, who saw no fighting in Louisiana. Taylor's success caused his appoint- ment to the command of the Military Division of Alabama, Mis- sissippi and Eastern Louisiana from President Davis, and gave him undying fame and honor.
In January, 1865, the following force was located at Alexan - dria : The Seventeenth, Twenty-sixth, Twenty-seventh, Twenty- eighth and Thirty-first infantry, the Crescent regiment, Weather- ly's battalion, and Wade's light artillery, all under the command of Gen. S. B. Buckner, then at the head of the department. The Third infantry was at Shreveport; the Seventh cavalry was near there; Vincent's brigade was stationed down toward Opelousas, and here and there were other detachments, located to preserve order and watch the operations of the enemy. But they had nothing to do, as the brilliant Taylor had freed the state of the invader to all practical purposes. It was not until May 8, 1865, that General Taylor went through the perfunctory ceremony of surrendering to General Canby at Citronville, Ala. This was the first time he ever lowered the Confederate flag, after having fought twenty battles for the South. Previous to his surrender he took part in the engagement at Mobile, were the following Louisi- anians were likewise engaged : The First, Sixteenth and Twen- tieth consolidated, the Fourth, Thirteenth and Thirtieth consoli- dated, the Nineteenth and Twenty-fifth sharpshooters and one company of Washington artillery, the Fifthi.
In May, 1861, the Third infantry under Col. Louis Hebert was sent to Little Rock and a little later joined Gen. Sterling Price in Missouri at the request of Governor Jackson of that state. It participated in the brilliant battle of Wilson's Creek with great distinction, and joined in the ront that followed. It wintered at
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Fort Smith and the following March fought again at Elkhorn Tavern, and soon afterward was sent to Mississippi, to be used against the Federals advancing down the river.
In the autumn of 1861, occurred the battle of Belmont in Southeast Missouri, a short distance below the mouth of the Ohio. Opposed to the Confederate forces was Gen. U. S. Grant, and this was his first important engagement. The Louisiana troops present were the Eleventh and Twelfth infantry, the Fifth battalion of the Twenty-first infantry and Pointe Coupce and Beltzhoover's batteries. The latter particularly distinguished itself. Though the troops of Grant were thrown back, they were not followed, the Confederates contenting themselves for the . time with preventing the Federals from crossing the Mississippi. A little later, at Island No. 10, the above mentioned Louisianians, except Beltzhoover's battery, participated with spirit and distinction.
In the Kentucky campaign from East Tennessee there were several Louisiana commands. The "Louisiana Brigade" was. with Bragg in his advance toward Cincinnati or Louisville-the 'Thirteenth, Sixteenth, Twentieth, and Twenty-fifth infantry ; also the Fourteenth sharpshooter's battalion, the First infantry, and the Fifth company of Washington artillery. The First regiment participated in the fight at Richmond, Ky., and all the Louisianians participated in the battle of Perryville in October, winning the praise of the critical and exacting General Bragg by the brilliancy of their performances.
Bragg returned to Tennessee and took a strong position at Murfreesboro on the bank of Stone river. Ilere he was soon confronted by a powerful army under General Rosecrans. In the battles which succeeded on December 31 and January 2 several Louisiana commands bore a gallant and important part. There were present the Thirteenth and Twentieth consolidated, the Six- teenth and Twenty-fifth consolidated, the First cavalry, Austen's sharpshooters and the Fifth company of Washington artillery. On January 2 particularly did the Louisianians suffer severe losses, for the Federals were massed in their front and were smarting at the destruction of their right wing three days before. After this engagement Bragg retreated to Chattanooga, Rose- crans followed and Bragg finally halted at Lafayette, Ga. On September 19 and 20, 1863, was fought the desperate battle of Chickamauga, where the Louisiana brigade, out of a total strength present of about 1,320, suffered a loss of 429 in killed, wounded and missing. They and other detachments won imper- ishable fame on that sanguinary field.
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In the battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge and in the Atlanta campaign were many Louisianians fighting for their cause. The Louisiana brigade, the First, Thirteenth, Six- teenth, Nineteenth, Twentieth and Twenty-fifth infantry, Fourth battalion, Fourteenth battalion, the Louisiana cavalry and two batteries of artillery participated in all or a part of the engage- ments. At Resaca there came with General Polk to the relief of General Johnston the Fourth, Twelfth and Thirtieth infantry, and Fenner's artillery. Some of these men were in almost every battle of the almost continuous engagements occurring as the Confederate army was pressed back by the overwhelming forces of General Sherman. When Hood struck north for Nashville, the Pointe Coupce battery did splendid service at Allatoona and Slocumb's battery at Dalton. In Hood's army the Louisianians were in Gibson's brigade, Clayton's division, and besides there were the Twelfth infantry, Fenner's battery, Pointe Coupee bat- tery, Slocum's Washington artillery, and Nutt's cavalry. In Gibson's brigade were the First, Fourth, Thirteenth, Sixteenth, Nineteenth, Twentieth. Twenty-fifth, and Thirtieth infantry, the Fourth battalion and the Fourteenth battalion of sharpshooters. Thomas was at Nashville and Schofield was sent to Franklin to check Hood, and there was fought probably the bloodiest battle of the war. Here, in the fierce and headlong charges on the Federal line, fell many of the bravest and most competent soldiers and leaders of the South. After this several of the Louisiana batteries participated in a side movement to Murfreesboro, against General Roussean who was stationed there. Then Hood's whole army was advanced against Nashville, and here again the Lonisianians were called upon to resist the Federal onslaught when Thomas emerged from his works. In the engagement and the succeeding retreat, many brave fellows fell in one of the clos- ing battles of the great war. Then all fell back and prepared to make the stand in the Carolinas, where there was very little to oppose General Sherman.
Down to the Carolinas or to the Army of Northern Virginia went nearly all the Louisianians who for so long a time had fought and suffered in the West. At Averysboro, Battery A of the Orleans Guards lost everything save honor. The major part -of the Louisianians were inder Walthall and Loring at Benton- ville, but could now make little showing against the great. army of Sherurin. However, in nearly all the skirmishes and battles of the Carolinas the Louisiana commands participated, usually being consolidated to secure proper numerical strength, still fighting with their old vigor, but realizing at last that the Confederacy
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was doomed. The surrender to General Sherman finally shut down the curtain on the bloody tragedy of war.
In the early operations of the Confederacy in Virginia were several Louisiana commands. At the battle of Bull Run were the Sixth under Colonel Seymour, the Seventh under Colonel Hays, the Eighth under Colonel Kelly, the Louisiana Tigers under Colonel Wheat and the original Washington artillery. At the battle the very name of "Wheat's Tigers" seemed to inspire the Federal troops with terror and send them flying back to Wash- ington. Late in July the Ninth regiment joined the others, and immediately afterward all were united into the Eighth brigade of the Army in Virginia. About this time, also, came the Donald- sonville cannoneers under Captain Maurin. Over the Eighth brigade was placed the already distinguished Gen. Richard Tay- lor, afterward the idol of Louisiana. All of these Louisianians, and in addition, Bowyer's battery, went into the Shenandoah valley with Stonewall Jackson. Often during this memorable campaign was Taylor called upon by Jackson to turn the tide in some desperate encounter, and as often did he meet the expec- tations of his chief ; in fact, it is said that the two Confederate victories of Port Republic and Winchester were determined by Taylor's brigade. In fact, from beginning to end the efficiency of Jackson's corps during the time he was in the Shenandoah valley and after he joined the main army to the cast may justly be said to have been dne largely to the Louisianians under Taylor and others. Where there was desperate fighting to be done, there they were to be found. In nearly all of the great battles, were some of the boys from Louisiana. In Jackson's whirlwind move- ments they often formed his chief support or his heaviest bludgeon. Other commands came to aid Lee at later stages of the war. In July, 1862, the First, Second, Ninth, Tenth and Fifteenth infantry, and Coffen's battalion were formed into the Second brigade of the Army of Northern Virginia. After July 26 the First brigade was under the command of General Harry Hlays ( the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, and Fourteenth in- fantry). At this time there were also in Virginia four com- panies of Washington artillery , Donaldsonville cannoneers, Louisiana Guards artillery and Madison battery. From time to time changes were made, but these commands on the whole re- mained in Virginia until the close of the war. They were on the Chickahominy, on the peninsula, on the James, in the Maryland campaign, in the Pennsylvania campaign, in the Wilderness, in the movements around Petersburg, in the closing scenes at Appomat-
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tox, and some of them were the body guards of President Davis when he attempted to escape.
It is probable that the only body of negro soldiery in the Con- federate service during the Civil war was a company that was organized in April, 1861, at New Orleans and enrolled as a part of the state militia. It embraced free colored persons resident of that city and vicinity, was part of the First division of militia, and its officers were commissioned by the governor. But the act of the legislature, approved January 23, 1862, excluded this command from the service, requiring that the militia should con- sist of the "free white males capable of bearing arms." How- ever, when it seemed certain that the city would fall in the spring of 1862 the governor issued an order containing the following clauses : "The Governor and commander-in-chief- relying implic- itly on the free colored population of the city and State for the protection of their homes . and believing that the mili- tary organization which existed prior to the 15th of February, 1862, (the date when the act of January 23 went into effect) should exist for and during the war, calls upon them to maintain their organization, and to hold themselves prepared for such orders as may be transmitted to them." They were known as "Native Guards." They did not leave the city when the Confederates evacuated on April 25. On August 22, Gen- eral Butler called upon "all members of the Native Guards" to enlist in the Federal service. The unsigned roll of Capt. Louis Lainez' "Company of Infantry called the Louisiana Native Guards," and endorsed, "Report of Louisiana Native Guards on Parade November 23, 1861," is on file in the war department at Washington.
The old Confederate "Native Guards" companies of free col- ored persons were made the basis by General Butler of colored regiments for the Union service. On August 22, 1862, his Gen- eral Order No. 63 directed the organization of three such regi- ments, all subject, however, to the orders of President Lincoln. This preliminary step was afterward changed and improved until there were in the Federal service some twelve or fifteen regiments, in whole or in part, of colored persons. They were known by their numbers from First up, and in all cases were officered by whites. They saw little service outside of Louisiana, but par- ticipated in many battles not without distinction. In June, 1863, at Milliken's Bend the Ninth Louisiana colored in a desperate conflict, fighting hand to hand, lost 62 killed and 130 wounded; and in the same engagement the Eleventh Louisiana colored lost 30 killed and 120 wounded. And this loss was not withont com-
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pensation from the Confederates. Several white regiments were recruited in the state for the Union service. In October, 1863, General Banks reported to the government that he had provided for the conscription of the loyal men of New Orleans and vicinity, and had authorized the organization of two regiments of white volunteers. He said that there were in or near New Orleans many Northern men who had gone down there to escape the enlistments at home and were largely engaged in speculation, and that they should be made to assist to bear the burdens of the government. All this was sanctioned by President Lincoln. The result was the formation of two regiments of cavalry and four regiments of infantry, known respectively as the First and Sec- ond Louisiana cavalry, and the First and Second Louisiana infan- try and the First and Second New Orleans infantry. It should be stated, however, that these commands were not strictly made up of Louisianians, so many of the members being outsiders, though Banks stated to the government that he thought he could . enlist from 4,000 to 5,000 loyal men in the state. These white regiments, whatsoever may have been their origin, saw consider- able hard fighting in the state to oppose General Taylor. Several of them were in the army of General Banks in the Red river expe- dition. The first enrollment by Banks extended only to the First and Second congressional districts. In September, 1863, he offered a bounty of one hundred dollars, and the men thus secured were denominated "New Orleans Volunteers." Several colored battery detachments were likewise organized during the war. It must be admitted that the Federal army at New Orleans made important improvements in the sanitation of that vicinity and that throughout the portion of the state occupied by them they sup- pressed and prevented disorder and lawlessness of all kinds. In September, 1863, General Banks reported that General Butler had supported some 11,000 families which were more or less destitute ; but that he had reduced the number to about 6,000 families, or some 24,000 persons. He also reported ten large asylumns in operation.
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CHAPTER XIII
Public Institutions, Production Etc.
T HE FIRST capital of the territory of Orlear at New Orleans, and by general consent, the capital in 1812 after the formation of ment. There it remained until the decade although several times, notably in 1814, an atter remove it to some other situation. In the thirtic to Donaldsonville, but after two sorry years it the Crescent City. But there seems to have bee dissatisfied with its location at New Orleans, an constitutional convention of 1816 made provisio in 1849 to Baton Rouge. The legislature of 1 three hundred thousand dollars for the necessary citizens of Baton Rouge donated the site and furnished the plans, and a gothic structure was of the present building. In December, 1862, almost wholly destroyed by fire while under the soldiers, but was rebuilt and beautified in 188 flight of the Confederate legislature in 1862, t Shreveport, were they held one session. Durir of the Civil war and after its conclusion, New( the capital, because the state could not secure : at Baton Rouge and was too poor to build new capital was located until 1882 when it was re-est Rouge in accordance with the constitution of 1 has since remained.
Originally, Louisiana had no state emblem, bi the "National Flag of Louisiana" was adopted
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ceremonies attending the adoption of the latter in New Orleans in 1861 were dramatic in the highest degree, and had the South succeeded in establishing an independent republic that flag would have continued the state emblem. However, since the war, by common consent it would seem, the blue flag is usually displayed as the emblem of Louisiana. Both were much the theme of song and romance during the war. It may be stated here, also, that the legislature of 1900 formally adopted the magnolia blossom as the state flower, certainly a most appropriate choice.
The State Seminary of Learning was founded by congress, which granted land for educational purposes in 1806 and 1811. But it was many years before any conclusive step was taken. In 1855 the legislature located the institution near Alexandria, and in 1860 it was opened as a military school with William Tecumseh Sherman at its head. The war closed it the following year, but it was reopened for short intervals, though finally closed until the cessation of hostilities. In 1865 Col. D. F. Boyd was placed at its head, and four years later he graduated a class of eight young men. In 1869 the buildings were burned to the ground, but the exercises were continued at Baton Rouge. It had many ups and downs and some years did not graduate a single person, but dur- ing the period of its career was efficient and a credit to Mr. Boyd, its most faithful servant.
The Louisiana State University arose from the ashes of the old Seminary of Learning. In 1877 it was united with the project of the government in 1862 to endow each state with land enough to found an Agricultural and Mechanical College. The project of the government was accepted by the legislature in 1873, and a temporary location was fixed at New Orleans. After the two projects had been united, the name Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College was selected, the old Seminary of Learning wholly disappearing. In 1886 the govern- ment donated its present spacious grounds, the same having been previously for many years the site of the United States barracks. The union of the two institutions has resulted in the creation of one of the most efficient educational institutions in the whole country. It furnishes a liberal education in all studies and many branches or departments and is in the highest degree a credit to its trustees and faculty, to the state, and to the government which added the industrial features. The results of its experiment sta- tion are quoted far and wide and have proved of incalculable value to the entire South. It ranks not far behind the best educational institutions of the United States.
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