USA > Maine > History of the Thirteenth Maine regiment from its organization in 1861 to its muster-out in 1865 > Part 7
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16
69
STORY OF THE MAINE THIRTEENTH.
C, in the neck. Capt. March died ahnost instantly and was buried at Forester's ranch, seven miles from the head of Matagorda Peninsula.
Nothing further of note occurred while the regiment remained in Texas, the time being spent in the ordinary routine of drill, gnard and picket duty. The Thirteenth when on drill, usually attracted a large number of spec- tators from the Western regiments, who bestowed upon the regiment the nickname of " Ransom's pets." The health of the regiment during the latter part of their stay in Texas was fair ; but from the time of the land- ing at Brazos till the capture of Fort Esperanza, many of the men were used up by the hard marching and the other hardships of the campaign.
Feb. 25th, the regiment struck tents, and, with the exception of Co. E, embarked on the steamer Clinton to return to Louisiana. Co. E. went on the Crescent as headquarters guard for Gen. Ransom, the division commander. After a very pleasant trip of about two days, they reached Berwick, a few miles above the mouth of the Atchafalava River, or properly Bayou, and renewed their old acquaintance with Louisiana mud.
After landing, Co. E was relieved from duty at head- quarters and returned to the regiment, which remained at Berwick till March 7th, when, in company with the rest of the division, it started for Franklin, on Bayou Teche, reaching that place the next day a little past noon. Something of a test of the capacity of Eastern troops for marching, as compared with Western, was had during this march, the Thirteenth Maine having the advance the first day, and the Nineteenth Kentucky the second : bat on arriving at Franklin, all had to ad- mit that honors were easy.
At Franklin. Gen. Banks was organizing his army for the Red River Campaign ; and here the Thirteenth and Fifteenth Maine were transferred from the 13th Army Corps to the 19th, to which they had belonged
STORY OF THE MAINE THIRTEENTH.
before going to Texas. They were assigned to the 2nd Brig., Ist Div. ; the other regiments being the 160th New York, and the 17th Pennsylvania. Col. Rust re- turned to the regiment, as the brigade was commanded by Brig. Gen. James W. McMillan, formerly colonel of the 21st Indiana, one of the regiments of Butler's New England Division on Ship Island. All officers and men whom the surgeons pronounced unfit to march, were sent to the hospital ; all unnecessary baggage and sur- plus clothing, including overcoats and dress-coats, was packed for storage ; the A tents, which had been drawn on De Crow's Point, were returned to the Quartermas- ter's Department, leaving to the regiment the " dog- tents" which they had drawn at Fort Esperanza ; and the regiment, in common with the rest of the army, was put as nearly as possible in light marching order in readiness for the coming campaign.
71
STORY OF THE MAAINE THIRTEENTH.
CHAPTER VI.
Up Red River.
* * Before them
Lay, in the golden sun, the lakes of the Atchafalava. Water-lilies in myriads rocked on the slight undulations Made by the passing oars, and, resplendent in beauty, the lotus Lifted her golden crown above the heads of the boatmen.
Beautiful is the land, with its prairies and forests of fruit-trees; Under the feet a garden of flowers, and the bluest of heavens Bending above, and resting its dome on the walls of the forest. They who dwell there have named it the Eden of Louisiana.
[H. W. Longfellow.
0 'N Tuesday, March 15th, at about 8 o'clock A. M., the Thirteenth took its position in the marching column of the Nineteenth Army Corps and left Franklin on the Opelousas road. The route was along the fertile bottom lands of Bavou Teche, in what is justly called the garden of Louisiana, thickly dotted with elegant mansions and large brick sugar-mills. Bayou Teche (locally pronounced byoo tash,) which in the North, would be called a river, rises near the line between Saint Landry and Rapides Parishes, and flow- ing in a generally southeast course through the parishes of Saint Landry, Saint Martins, Iberia and Saint Marys, empties into the Atchafalava (locally chofaliar) just above Berwick, now Morgan City. It is much of the way a deep, narrow, winding stream, with a slow current ; and
72
STORY OF THE MAINE THIRTEENTH.
is navigable for most of its length by small vessels when the channel is unobstructed.
Here, in a subtropical climate, and with a soil of un- known depth and inexhaustible fertility, where the floods of the Mississppi seldom, if ever, reach, sugar planting is carried on under such favorable conditions as are unknown in the territory cast of the Atchafalava. The uncleared land is covered with a magnificent forest growth ; in the wet ground, cypresses large enough for masts, and immense live-oaks, their limbs draped with masses of Spanish moss and bound together by a net- work of vines ; on the drier ground, cottonwoods, sweet gums, magnolias and pecans all prove by thrifty growth the quality of the soil.
The first day's march was about twenty miles, the army camping for the night near the village of Jeaner- ette. The second day the army marched about cigh- teen miles, passed through New Iberia and went into camp about four miles beyond, on the shore of Lake Tasse, an enlargement of Bayou Tortue, one of the few tributarios of Bayou Teche. The third day, after a march of abont fifteen miles, we reached Vermillion Bayou and went into camp early to await the rebuilding of the bridge. This was done by the engineer troops during the night, so that the march was but little de- laved. The fourth day we marched about eighteen miles. Soon after starting, we crossed the bayou and passed through Vermillionville, which is quite a large village and the shire town of Lafayette Parish.
Here is situated a convent at which the boys gazed with much interest while passing, as most of us had never seen one before. It was, however, no very strange sight, having the appearance of being a young ladies' boarding-school -- which, in fact, it is. Lafayette Par- ish and Vermillion, just to the southwest, are known as the Attakapas (tackapaw) Country, from the name of an almost extinct tribe of Indians whose home was in
STORY OF THE MAINE THIRTEENTH.
that section, and are principally inhabited by the class of Frenchinen known as Acadiens, or as they call them- selves, Cajuns. After leaving Vermillionville, we came to a tract of less fertile country of low ridges, and much of it covered with a growth of scrubby wood. We camped that night on the divide between the valleys of the Teche and Mermenton, known locally as the Grand Cotean, and not far from the village of Grand Cotean.
Soon after going into camp, the long roll was beaten, and, although no firing had been heard, the troops were in line under arms in an instant. After standing in line a few minutes, an order from headquarters was read, thanking them for their prompt response to the long roll, and informing them of the capture of Fort De Russy and of Alexandria, by the troops under Gen. A. J. Smith. Three cheers were given and the men were dismissed. The fifth day, Saturday, we marched about fourteen miles, passed through Opelousas and Washing- ton, crossed Bavou Teche on a new, swing drawbridge, near the latter place, and went into camp just beyond. Next day, after morning inspection, the troops were al- lowed to rest, except those on guard and a party which was sent out with wagons after forage for the teams.
Monday, March 21st, the march was resumed at 6 A. M. It was a rainy, uncomfortable day, and the deep, sticky mud made the travelling extremely hard, both for men and teams. Only about fourteen miles advance was made during the day, and at night we camped on Chotier's Plantation. McMillan's brigade camped in a muddy field, and those of the men who could find two straight, flat oak rails to lie upon, and thus keep out of the inud, thought themselves fortunate. Tuesday morning the rain had ceased but the mud was, if possible, deeper than the day before. Only about fourteen miles distance was accomplished and camp was made at Holmesville. Wednesday was pleasant but the roads were still hard. At night we camped at Cheney-
.
74
STORY OF THE MAINE THIRTEENTH.
ville, on Bayou Boeuf, after a march of about fifteen miles.
Thursday the roads were better, and fair progress was made in the forenoon ; but in the afternoon it rained very hard and we went into eamp at Bayou Robert, af- ter marching seventeen miles. Friday, March 25th, after a march of about fourteen miles, we reached Al- exandria, on Red River, at 2 P. M., and went into camp on the south side of the town. Here we remained Saturday and Sunday ; during which time new clothing was drawn, wagons were filled with supplies, those who had fallen sick during the march from Franklin were sent to New Orleans, and the amount of baggage was still further reduced.
While on the march from Franklin, many of the soldiers would, when there was a suitable opportunity, go into some of the numerous sugar-mills, for the pur- pose of adding to their rather small ration of sweets. An officer of a Zouave regiment, who was acting as Division Provost-Marshal, made himself very offensive to the men by driving them out whenever he saw any of them enter a sugar-mill. At last, circumstances be- ing favorable, a little incident (not accident) happened which placed him in so ridiculous a position that he was afterwards much less zealous in his interference with foraging. For the same reason he also received the nickname of " Old Sugar-house," which clung to him during the existence of the Nineteenth Army Corps.
On Monday, March 28th, our division, Emory's, started at 9 A. M. for Natchitoches (nackitosh), the rain falling in torrents. The rest of the army had left Alexandria before, except Grover's 2nd division of the 19th Corps, which was left to guard the town. [The necessity for a guard arose from the fact of the river being so low that large steamers could not pass the rap- ids, hence most of the supplies had to be transhipped, to protect which operation a guard was necessary.]
2
75
STORY OF THE MAINE THIRTEENTH.
We marched the first day seventeen miles, and encamp- ed at night on Bayou Rapides, near the entrance to the pine woods.
On the 29th, owing to the advance being delayed, and to the difficulty of passing the army, with its im- mense train, through the pine woods on a single rough, hilly road, only about five miles progress was made. On entering the woods, immediately after crossing Bay- ou Rapides, we came to Henderson's Hill, which would be entitled to the name of hill even in Maine. The soldiers happy at leaving the malarious lowlands, march- ed along gaily, singing, whistling, and kicking before them, like footballs, the immense pine-cones which al- most covered the ground. We eamped that night in the pine woods, as we also did March 30th, after a march of about seven miles.
The last day of March we travelled nearly twenty- five miles, left the pine woods, crossed Cane River, and went into bivouac at a late hour several miles beyond Cloutierville. April Ist, we made a comfortable march of about fifteen miles, and at night encamped about seven miles below. Natchitoches. Near where MeMil- lan's brigade went into camp, was a large flock of sheep, and no sooner were the muskets stacked than the 18th and 15th Maine and 160th New York. made a motion for fresh meat, which was carried almost unanimously, and that flock quickly became the prey of the spoiler, not one escaping. On this occasion " Old Sugar-house" apparently had business elsewhere, as he did not put in an appearance. April 2nd, we broke camp about half past 8 A. M., and marched to Natchitoches in the fore- noon, passing through the town and camping about a mile beyond.
Since leaving Franklin, the regiment had frequently seen Gen. Ransom (then commanding the 13th Corps), in whose command the Thirteenth and Fifteenth Maine had been from the seizure of Mustang Island till our
76
STORY OF THE MAINE THIRTEENTH.
arrival at Franklin, and always greeted him with chcers ; but near Natchitoches we saw him for the last time, for a few days later he was severely wounded, and left the Department of the Gulf. The regard which our two Maine regiments, as well as nearly all the soldiers who had the good fortune to serve under him, had for Gen. Ransom, was unmistakably for the man and not for his rank.
All along our route until we reached the pinc woods, the principal crop of the planters was sugar ; but north- west of the woods it was cotton, and on nearly every plantation which we passed large piles of that article were burning, having been set on fire by the enemy to prevent it from falling into the possession of our army. At Natchitoches we remained four nights, the army being delaved there, as well as at Alexandria, by wait- ing for the fleet which accompanied the expedition. The Red River in 1864 was extraordinarily low ; and the larger vessels of the fleet, both gunboats and trans- ports, had great difficulty in passing the rapids and shallows. The delay at Natchitoches, alone, gave the Confederates time to concentrate their forces cast of Shreveport.
All the way up from Franklin, until we reached Natchitoches, whenever we came to a village, General Franklin, our corps commander, had the troops march through in column of platoons with colors flying and bands playing ; making a parade which would be very proper for a victorious army, but which at that time seemed premature, and which the result of the campaign proved to be ridiculous. For this, as well as other rea- sons, most of the soldiers were thoroughly disgusted with him, even before he showed the quality of his gen- eral-ship at Sabine Cross Roads. Perhaps this will be as good a place as any to remark that on the return march, the brass bands did not take quite so prominent a part in the proceedings.
77
STORY OF THE MAINE THIRTEENTH.
Early in the morning of April 6th, the troops, except Gen. A. J. Smith's detachment (two divisions of the 16th corps and one of the 17th), which was left to await the movement of the fleet, started on the Shreve- port road; but the Thirteenth Maine, being detailed as rear-guard of the division train, did not get started much before noon. The road was poor at the best, and, as the day was rainy, the train made slow progress ; so our time was passed in a succession of short marches and short halts. Finally, about 11 P. M., after a march of fifteen miles, we went into bivouac in the woods by the side of the road ; and the train remained strung out on the road, not having found a place to go into park.
Next morning the regiment was relieved from duty as rear-guard by the 30th Maine, and spent most of the day in passing by the train; having to do it as we best could without marching in any very regular order. The weather during the day was changeable, and after a tiresome march of twenty miles, the regiment en- camped with its brigade at Pleasant Hill. Here we heard that the cavalry in advance had experienced quite a sharp skirmish and captured twenty-five prisoners.
All was quiet during the night, and next morning. April 8th, the division marched at six o'clock. The 15th Corps, under Gen. Ransom, had started about two hours earlier with the cavalry in advance. Very slow progress was made, as the enemy disputed every foot of ground. requiring constant skirmishing by the cavalry, supported by a brigade from the 18th Corps, to push them back. About noon we reached Carrol's saw-mill on Bayou Saint Patrice, a tributary of the Sabine River. about ten miles from Pleasant Hill. Here the division halted for dimer ; and after dinner, instead of resuming the march, we remained there, it being understood that we should probably remain till next morning, as the troops in advance were moving very slowly. For some
STORY OF THE MAINE THIRTEENTH.
time the roar of artillery indicated quite a severe en- gagement.
Sometime past the middle of the afternoon, the order was given to fall in and march to the aid of the troops in advance, as they had come in contact with a superior force. The division soon fell in and filed into the road, bat was hardly straightened out for the march when another order came to hasten, for the advance was hard pressed. This order was obeyed to the letter, but the ominous silence of the artillery and the constantly in- creasing number of stragglers, many of them wounded, gave no promise of a successsul battle. Soon the news came that Gen. Ransom was severely wounded and that the 13th Corps, outnumbered four to one, was giving way.
After marching about five miles, most of the way at double-quick, we came to where the road was blocked by the train of the 13th Corps. Disorganized groups of panic-stricken cavalrymen, with pale faces and pro- truding eyes, were dashing through the woods toward the rear, shouting " We're whipped, we're all cut to pieces," and other equally discouraging expressions ; while some of the teamsters of the train, unable to ex- tricate their teams, began to cut loose their mules for escaping. Our men began to say to each other, " An- other Bull Run scrape," but still stubbornly kept on ; some crawling between the wagons with their teams of squealing, kicking mules, while others forced their way through the underbrush by the road-side.
By-and-by we got past the train and soon emerged from the woods on the top of a low ridge, the northwest side of which descended by a gentle slope to the bank of a sluggish creek. Here, in a clearing of a few acres, a line was quickly formed, and our march up Red Riv- er was ended. Arrangements were made to receive with proper ceremony the exulting foe, who, by their superior numbers, had overwhichmed the gallant 13th
79
STORY OF THE MAINE THIRTEENTH.
Corps and were now rushing forward, expecting to gather the full fruit of their victory. It was evident to all that our artillery could not pass the obstruction in the road in scason to be of any service, and that the fate of the army, for that day at least, rested upon the mus- kets of Emory's Division.
The 1st Brigade (Dwight's) was formed on the right of the Shreveport road, about half way down the slope ; the left regiment of the brigade, the 20th Maine, ex- tending across the road. The 3rd brigade (Benedict's) was placed on the left, and McMillan's brigade, as re- serve, was formed across the road, about five rods to the rear of the front line ; the 47th Pennsylvania and 13th Maine on the right of the road, and the 15th Maine and 160th New York on the left ; but the 15th and 160th were soon moved forward to fill a gap in the front line between the Ist and Srd Brigades. This arrangement brought the Thirteenth directly in the rear of the 29th Maine, where we could look right up the road and see the very focus of the battle.
While the line was forming, Gon. Banks, followed by his staff, rode along the front, swinging his old, high- crowned hat, and shouting, "Don't be discouraged ; stand firm and we'll win the day yet." He was ans- wered by a round of hearty cheers. The remnant of the 13th Corps, which had escaped death or capture, came in, and were soon followed by the enemy ; who. intoxicated with victory and Louisiana rum, advanced to the attack. Firing some scattering shots as they ad- vanced, they swept back the skirmish line, and then, in what appeared to be three lines of battle, they rushed upon Emory's Division.
Dwight's Brigade withheld their fire till the enemy had crossed the creek and were rising the slope, then they fired as fine a volley as was ever fired upon the drill-ground. The crash was terrific ; the enemy's front line became a windrow of dead and wounded, and their
80
STORY OF THE MAINK THIRTEENTH.
fierce battle yells were changed to shrieks and groans. Dwight's Brigade instantly reloaded and commenced a rapid and accurate firing at will; and although the other lines of the enemy came up, and for a time strug- gled desperately to gain ground, but few of them passed that row of dead and wounded, while the few who passed it soon fell, or went back. They readily saw that it was useless to face that sheet of flame, and, desisting from their front attack, attempted movements by the flanks.
They first tried the left flank but were quickly re- pulsed by Benedict's Brigade. They then made an at- tempt upon the right flank which was held by a small brigade of partially disorganized and badly discouraged cavalry. The 13th Maine and 47th Pennsylvania, which had till then been lying down in the rear of Dwight's brigade, were moved by the right flank into the woods to repel the attack. A brigade of dismounted cavalry, according to the enemy's own account, made the attack at this point; but they were repulsed and held at bay until dark, when they fell back.
The battle was over. As the twilight deepened into darkness, nothing could be heard in our front but the groans of those of the enemy, who, too severely wound- ed to go to the rear without assistance, were lying where they fell. Pickets were thrown out to guard against surprise, the detail from the Thirteenth being three men from each company ; and the men, wearied by their hurried march, and the fierce excitement of the battle, lay down with their weapons in their hands.
The Thirteenth had at last faced the enemy upon a real battle-field, and had done its part in his repulse. In helping to foil the flank movement it had performed a most essential service, and probably saved Emory's division from sharing the fate of Ramson's gallant de- tachment of the 13th Corps; for Raison's men had bravely repulsed all attacks in their front, and had ouly been beaten because their flanks had been turned
81
STORY OF THE MAINE THIRTEENTH.
by the enemy's superior force. For hundreds of fami- lies in Louisiana and Texas, the anniversary of Sabine Cross-Roads, as the battle was called, has since been a day of mourning.
Although the battle was disgraceful to the General. whoever he was, who was responsible for sending the army forward in detachments, cach liable to be over- powered by a superior force, it was honorable to Gen. Ransom's men who fought so bravely without a hope of victory ; and doubly honorable to Emory's men who forced their way to the field in spite of the ob- structed road-who snatched victory from the jaws of defeat-and who saved the remnant of the gallant 13th Corps from annihilation. Of the many exciting inci- dents of the war, none, except Sheridan's famous ride, exceeds in dramatic interest the fierce rush and timely arrival of Emory's Division upon the field of Sabine Cross-Roads.
" The Nineteenth Corps of Yankee boys Who neve: yet were beat, Came on the held at double-quick Aud covered our retreat.
Such volleys as their muskets gave We never heard before: All honor to the Nineteenth boys, They saved the Thirteenth Corps." [A Comrade of the 7th Illinois.
8:2
STORY OF THE MAINE THIRTEENTH.
CHAPTER VI1.
Down Red River.
O! It is great for our country to die, where ranks are contending: Bright is the wreath of our fame; Glory awaits us for aye --
Glory, that never is dim, shining on with light never ending-
Glory that never shall fade, never, O! never away.
* * *
*
Not to the : hades shall the youth descend, who for country has perished; Hebe awaits him in heaven, welcomes hin there with her smile; There, at the banquet divine, the patriot spirit is cherished;
Gods love the young, who ascend pure from the funeral pile.
Not to Elysian fields, by the still, oblivious river; Not to the isles of the blessed, over the blue, rolling sea; But on Olympian heights, shall dwell the devoted forever; There shall assemble the good, there the wise, the valiant and free.
O! then, how great for our country to die, in the front rank to perish, Firm with our breast to the foe, Victory's shout in our ear;
Long they our statues shall crown, in songs our memory cherish; . We shall look forth from our heaven, pleased the sweet music to hear. [James G. Percival.
FTER Emory's Division had formed their line in the little clearing. the most energetic efforts were made to straighten out the Thirteenth Corps train, which had so badly interfered with our arrival upon the field, and to start it toward the rear. A few wagons, which were broken down or had been abandoned by their drivers and teams, were thrown to the side of the road and set on fire ; but most of the train was got away all right. As soon as the road was clear, the ambu- lances were brought as near as was prudent, and all the
83
STORY OF THE MAINE THIRTEENTH.
wounded who were unable to walk were carried back. Meanwhile, Gen. Banks very properly decided that it would be better to fall back and unite with Gen. A. J. Smith at Pleasant Hill than to oblige his corps to make a night march of seventeen miles to reach the front.
A little past midnight, the trains and wounded being well ont of the way, we were quietly called up, and, every man being strictly cautioned not to make any noise, commenced the retreat. Although this move- ment was very unwelcome to the soldiers, the more so for being the sequel to so decided a repulse of the en- emy, every man seemed to realize that the circumstan- ves rendered it necessary. Owing to the Thirteenth lying down in reserve while the front attack of the on- emy was repulsed by Dwight's brigade our loss was very small in the battle, viz : two killed, eight wounded and five missing, as given in the official report. The missing were those who fell out during the retreat and were picked up by the enemy's cavalry.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.