USA > Maine > The story of the Maine Fifteenth; being a brief narrative of the more important events in the history of the Fifteenth Maine regiment; together with a complete roster of the regiment , embracing the name of every officer and enlisted man serving > Part 13
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The wounded -- or at least such as survived-remained at Pleasant Hill until about the 20th of June, when those able to endure the journey were transferred to army wagons, jostled over the rough roads a distance of eighteen miles, placed on board a steamer at Blair's Landing, and trans- ported to the Mississippi River. But, alas! the company was very small as compared with the roll at the date of establishing the hospital ! More
" About the 25th of April a Confederate Lieutenant, with two privates, all comforta- bly mounted and leading a spare horse, made their appearance at the hospital, and inquired for Dr. Higgins, of the Fifteenth Maine. The Doctor quickly made his appearance, when he was informed that four army wagons, loaded with supplies, would be at the Union picker-line> at Grand Ecore at daylight the next morning, for the prisonersat Pleasant Hill and Mansfield ; and the Doctor was to accompany them back, to report to Gen. Banks, under fag of truce, of their distribution. The Doctor was at the same time informed that he was to mount the spare horse, be securely blind folded, and that all would go well provided the bandage was kept on his eyes until the picket-lines were reached ; but if he raised the bandage or attempted to es- cape, death was the penalty ! The Doctor readily assented to these conditions, and mounted the horse, blind folded. The horse was taken by the bridle by one of the guard, and the pair started on the thirty miles journey towards the Union picket-lines, where they arrived safely
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than one-half of the one-hundred and seventy-five poor fellows left at Pleas- ant Hill by our retreating army found their last earthly resting-place in the lonely burial ground at the rear of the brick building which had been util- ized for hospital purposes. The graves were rudely marked, with name and regiment of deceased, and the spot rendered sacred as one to which many a sad heart will involuntarily revert upon the recurrence of the an- nudl Memorial Day, when the grave, of our soldier-dead are being bestrew- of with those beautiful and expressive floral offerings-symbols of the Glo- rious Resurrection, assurances of which a Loving Father hath written in every leaf of spring-time.
The representatives of the Fifteenth in the party reached the regi- ment at Marganza Bend June 25th-the wounded en route for the parole camp at New Orleans, and Assistant Surgeon Higgins to return to duty.
But the record would be inexcusably incomplete were a brief nar- rative of the privations suffered by the " wounded and missing " at Pleas- ant Grove not to appear. It will be remembered that our line fell back during the night of the 8th, leaving a strong picket-line unrelieved. A timber of these fell into the hands of the enemy and suffered untold mis- vries for a long term, in the filthy and overcrowded prison-stockade at Ty- ler, Texas. Remaining ou picket-duty until daylight they were ordered to rejoin their regiments, and, not overtaking them on the road, they were cap- tured by the rebel cavalry about half-way between Pleasant Grove and Pleas- ant Hill. Taken to Mansfield, they were confined in the Court House four days, and then, a party of five hundred, they were marched to Tyler, Texas, a distance of one hundred and twenty-five miles. After a weary march, with miserable fare -- many falling out by the way and never being heard of af- forward --- the prisoners were corraled in a ten-acre enclosure, or " stock- ade." in which, at one time, were grouped between four and five thous- and pris mers. The water was good, and plenty of it, but the fare very unsatisfactory, for a regular diet. The number of prisoners was gradually decreased. by exchange, but the Fifteenth boys, with eighteen hundred of their comrades, eked out a miserable existence in the weary watching's for the daily anticipated order for exchange. for thirteen long and dreary months. Up to the first of November they were absolutely without shel-
at about six o'clock the next morning. The Doctor found everything here as promised. The supplies were in charge of an Assistant Surgeon, who turned them over to Dr. Ifiggins ; also an unser of letter from Col. Dver, of the loved Fifteenth Maine, with fifty dollars enclosed, for himself and Adjutant Clark. This was the first bright spot that had appeared in the Doc- tor's life for two long weeks. He was allowed to converse freely with the boys in blue' for thirty minutes or more, when the order came for the guard and drivers to retire back within their lines. Rebel guard and drivers quickly took their places, and the train started for Pleas- ant Hill. The Doctor had the use of his eyes on the return trip, and was enabled to take a view of the rebel troops which were giving Gen. Banks so much trouble. The train reached Peasant Hill before daylight the next morning ; soon after which the boys luxuriated in a de- licious cup of coffee, the first they had imbibed for more than two weeks. From this on our death-rate diminishe I."
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ter; then they were allowed to cut timber and build log huts, which they occupied during the winter. The hardships endured by these poor fel- lows during those anxious months may be imagined ; they cannot be ad- eqnately described. Three hundred and sixty-five of the inmates of the prison-stockade were buried during the term of confinement. The party started for the Union lines --- an overland march of over a hundred miles --- May Ist, 1865, being exchanged. at the mouth of Red River, May 26- the term of imprisonment covering a period of thirteen months and seven- teen days. The entire party was discharged from the service immediately upon reaching Augusta, with the extra pay and allowances to which they were entitled as prisoners of war.
The party comprised : John F. Leighton and Angus McGilvery, Co. A ; Leemon H. Bard, John H. Hayden and Page F. Grover, Co. B ; Albert H. Hutchinson, Co. C; John Houston, Co. D; Stephen J. Bailey, Co. F; Frank Russell and James Brennan, Co. I; and Thomas H. Mc- Donald and George Morrison, Co. K. Angus McGilvery died in the stockade. John H. Hayden escaped by a shrewd Yankee trick, answer- ing to the name of a poor fellow called for exchange, but who died the night before the party left the prison. Hayden, by a very circuitous route, made his way to the regiment while it was in the Shenandoah Valley, in the spring of 1865.
CHAPTER XXII.
FROM GRAND ECORE TO ALEXANDRIA, IN " POST HASTE."
ARMY AND NAVY RETIRE TO ALEXANDRIA, FIGHTING ALL THE WAY. -- A "NECK AND NECK RACE" WITH THE REBELS FOR RIGHT OF WAY. - A DESPERATE BATTLE AT "CANE CROSSING." IN WHICH THE REBELS ARE REPULSED. - THE SMITHS SKIR- MISHING EVERY DAY .- VERY SERIOUS TROUBLE FOR THE NAVY .-- THEY LOSE ONE OF THEIR FINEST VESSELS, AND GALLANTLY FIGHT THEIR WAY THROUGH A LINE OF KEBEL BATTERIES WHICH STUDDED THE RIVER'S BANKS. --- THEIR LOSSES VERY SEVERE.
S late as the 17th of April there appears to have been no settled purpose on the part of the military authorities to abandon the Red River Expedition. On the contrary, orders had been dispatched to New Orleans for additional troops, and Gen. Steele, in Arkansas. was urged, by special courier, to make a desperate effort to co-operate with our forces in the movement against Shreveport. The naval authorities,
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also, had been directed to keep their vessels headed up stream, with a view of operating in that direction. Nevertheless, inexplicable as it may. ap- pear. a day or so later the programme was radically changed ; and April 2Ist orders were issued involving a " masterly advance" rearward, if not a disorderly retreat.
When the movement to the rear had been determined upon, the commanding general very fully realized that he had not. only assumed the odium inevitably attaching to the failure of an elaborate military campaign, but likewise the innumerable perils involved in a forced march of over three hundred miles through an enemy's country, enveloped on all sides by a powerful rebel army divided into detachments through a region with which they were entirely familiar, handicapped by a large and costly fleet. whose vessels were then aground, and encumbered with immense quanti- ties of public stores, whose loss to the government must have proved a national calamity. To successfully conduct such a movement was a task calling into requisition the highest type of generalship and of executive ability. It was, in fact, a " neck-and-neck race " between Gen. Banks and the rebel commanders -- the prizes contended for being the possession of our base of supplies at Alexandria in the first instance, and, secondly, the ave- nues of approach to the Mississippi below that point. Should Kirby Smith succeed in first reaching Alexandria-with either Taylor's Louisiana or Magruder's Texas army-and of effecting a strong lodgement at Fort De- Russy and salient points on the Atchafalava, the chances of the capture of our fleet. its immense quantities of public property, and even of the bulk of ont army, were so promising as to stimulate the rebel commanders to most desperate efforts in accomplishing a desideratum so alluring. That this was the plan contemplated is evinced by the disposition of the rebel forces. Their army operated in detachments, within easy supporting dis- tance, along the banks of the river, on the rear, flauks and front of our army, as well as devoting themselves to the blockade of the river below and the destruction of our supply steamers on the river, between Alexandria and the Mississippi.
Our army finally commenced its movement rearward April 22d; though for a number of days diversions had been made in various direc- tions, with the view of misleading the enemy as to our real intentions. The divisions of Gens. A. J. and T. K. Smith, with most of the cavalry and artillery, were given the rear ; the 13th corps the centre, covering the wagon trains : and the 19th corps the front. The enemy was in consid- erable force, with cavalry, artillery and infantry, six miles away, and every movement was made with the expectation of being called into line-of-battle at any moment ; as. indeed, we were several times during the day.
The first day out from Grand Ecore a very severe march was made
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-- some thirty-five miles. Gen. Banks had learned that the enemy was endeavoring to concentrate a large force on the high bluffs commanding the only available crossing of the river, with the purpose of there engaging our front while another force should operate upon our rear. The gaining of a day's time in the march would give the enemy very limited time for fortifying what might have been made a well-nigh impregnable position. There was considerable skirmishing in the rear and some in front during the day, but nothing transpired of a very serious nature. The army weut into camp at about 8 p. m., near Cloutierville, some eight miles from " Cane Crossing."
Early on the morning of the 23d-S a. m .- the army was again on the road, moving towards the Crossing, well understanding that the en- emy was there in force, occupying a very strong position. Gen. Frank- lin had relinquishel the command to Gen. Enory, who directed the move- ments of all the troops, and took considerable pride in announcing himself as " the general commanding." Emory's Division (Gen. Mc Millan com- manding) with a brigade of cavalry and a large force of artillery, had the lead. with Cameron's Thirteenth Corps and a detachment of Grover's Di- vision of the Nineteenth Corps (under Gon. H. W. Birge) within easy sup - porting distance. The Smiths, as before, brought up the rear. Three miles out the cavalry of the enemy was encountered and quickly driven to the river and across. Closson's Artillery was at once pushed forward to batter the enemy's position, and in an inconceivable short space of time a brisk artillery fire was opened and continued for some time. It was soon discovered that we had in our front the rebel Gen. Bee, with abont eight. thousand men and considerable artillery, posted on bluffs something like one hundred feet higher than the land adjacent, his heavy guns effectively commanding the ferry and its approaches. Some of his artillery was of very heavy calibre and capable of doing considerable mischief. After care- fully looking the matter over Gen. Emory concluded not to risk an assault in front, and brought up his batteries to engage the enemy's attention while he organized a little diversion in the way of a flank movement. Our infantry was drawn up in line to support the batteries. We occupied a clearing on the left of the road. well-surrounded by timber, and in range of the enemy's artillery. The river was shallow, narrow and treacherous. and could only be forded at great risk. The enemy's guns were well pro- tected, both his artillery and infantry support being practically out of harm's way. Our division " stacked arms " in the clearing, and " rested in place " several hours, idle yet not disinterested spectators of the progress of the very lively artillery duel which, on our side of the river. was the only en- tertainment afforded. It was entirely " musical." with little to break the monotony other than the desperate attempts of some of the soldiers at
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" dodging " the dangerous missiles constantly ploughing the air. Whiz ! whiz ! a sharp buzzing sound ! now resembling the roar of the whirlwind and again the snorting of the most powerful steam locomotive! You lo- cate the trail of the huge engine of death high in the air! Now it de- scends, with the cireumlocution of a falling rocket, and you imagine that you stand in its pathway ! You involuntarily shrink to permit the iron mis- sile to pass your head ! and, lo ! you follow its track and note that it has buried itself in the earth perhaps half a mile from you ! A peculiar sound, producing most indescribable sensations, is that of such terrific artillery- firing as this ! The shell and solid shot dropped all about us, a number within fifteen and twenty feet of our regimental line. Under the pressure of such an experience, continned for hours, the " dodging " art is reduced to a science. The infantry of our division was not called into action dur- ing the day.
Not so on the other side of the stream, however. Gen. H. W. Birge-with Cameron and the 13th corps detachment ; Col. Frank Fes- senden's brigade of Emory's Division ; a detachment from Grover's Divis- ion of the 19th corps ; and a strong cavalry force-had been started dur- ing the forenoon on an expedition designed to turn the enemy's left flank. The force encountered bayous, swamps, and well-nigh impenetrable woods, but proved equal to every emergency. Fording the stream with great dif- ficulty three miles below the ferry, Birge reached his position late in the afternoon. A strong skirmish line was thrown out and the rebel pickets easily pushed from two apparently strong positions, when the enemy was discovered in force, on the crest of a hill, concealed in a belt of timber, commanding an open field, across which our troops must pass in making an assault. Bat, undismayed, Fessenden's brigade, (in which was the 30th Maine) led by that gallant officer, pushed forward in a heroic charge, as- saulting the enemy directly in front. It was necessary for our troops to leap a high fence, under fire, cross an open field, scale another fence, and advance up a hill where the enemy was formed; all in face of the most galling musketry fire imaginable. But the sturdy veterans followed the skirmishers closely in a solid line of battle, pushing across the opening, over the fences, and up the slopes, with such impetuosity as to drive the rebels before them, after a gallant resistance. They soon rallied. however, taking position upon another hill ; but Fessenden's brigade moved steadily forward, and while charging the second position had the satisfaction of see- ing the enemy's lines crumbling away. the entire force joining in precipi- tate retreat over a road leading to Texas. The heights were carried and the victory was ours. In the assault the gallant Fessenden was severely wounded. Oar entire loss was about two hundred and fifty, nearly half of which was sustained by the 30th Maine. The enemy was able to get away,
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with his artillery. the Smiths not having succeeded in effectually closing that road to public travel. The pontoons were stretched across the river at about dark and the army, with its immense supply train, passed over during the night. Both Gen. A. J. and T. K. Smith were conspicuous in the fight, though on the other end of the line. They were skirmishing with the enemy during the entire day, inflicting and receiving considerable loss. Some portion of their force was engaged nearly all the time. The enemy had undoubtedly contemplated a combined attack on the morn- ing of the 24th, front, rear, and along the flanks, and signals were given that morning as early as 3 o'clock evidently designed to precipitate the con- test. But Gen. Banks' forced march from Grand Ecore and the carrying of the heights at " Cane Crossing " the day before, seems to have frustra- ted the rebel plans. The signal referred to was responded to by the Smiths and Gen. Kilby Smith fought a sharp engagement on that morning, (the day following the battle at Cane Crossing) driving the rebels away, but losing fifty men in the fight. Emory's Division camped for the night on the heights, on the Alexandria side of the river.
The army continued its march to Alexandria on the morning of the 24th, and, without further exciting incident, reached that city on the 25th. The Fifteenth, with its brigade, went into camp on the upper side of the city, above the Bayou Rapids.
The Navy, in dropping down the river, had a most thrilling expe- rience. Though the vessels were all afloat before Gen. Banks issued his final marching orders, the Eastport. the finest iron-clad of the fleet. moved but a few miles away before being disabled by a torpedo. Herculean ef- forts, extending over a period of six days and nights of incessant labor. were put forth in the hope that she might be saved. Finally, on the 26th, it was determined that she must be sacrificed. and the necessary prepara- tions were made to destroy her by explosion, a ton of powder and other combustibles being distributed about the vessel. Just before the fuse was lighted gangs of guerrilas commenced to line the river banks and a large rebel force appeared on the right bank and made an attack upon the boats. Twelve hundred muskets suddenly opened upon the squadron, and made a rush for Admiral Porter's flag-ship; which, dropping out from under the bank, opened an effective fire with grape and canister. The other vessels aided by a heavy cross-fire, and the rebels were soon driven away. The Eastport was then fired and completely destroyed, seven successive explo- sions effectually riddling the fine vessel to atoms, her iron-plating soon dropping to the river's bottom. The delay, in futile attempts to save the Eastport. had placed the fleet a long distance in rear of the army, and they found themselves enveloped on all sides by the rebel forces, intent upon the capture or destruction of the vessels. Fortunately the transports and
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the heavy-draught naval vessels had dropped down to Alexandria carlier, ouly half a dozen of those drawing but little water having lingered with the party engaged in the effort to relieve the Eastport. Immediately following the Eastport's destruction the fleet again commenced working its way down the river. Twenty miles below a strong rebel force was encountered, with eighteen pieces of artillery, commanding a range of the river for a consid- trable distance. The vessels, in close order and ready for action, opened fire ; which was briskly returned by a pelting shower of shot and shell con- centrated upon the little squadron. The Cricket, upon which was Admi- ral Porter's headquarters, was struck no less than thirty-eight times with shot and shell, the other vessels faring but little better. The Cricket's decks were cleared in a moment. Her after-gun was disabled and every man about it killed or wounded ; the crew from her forward-gun was swept away and the men in the fire-room wounded. A gun's-crew of contra- bands was made up, who gallantly worked the gun during the fight. The engineer was killed and the pilot wounded. Some of the vessels soon be- came more or less helpless and were taken in tow by those more fortunate. In this critical emergency Admiral Porter took charge of the Cricket, and, closely followed by the other vessels, heroically " run the batteries," under one of the most galling storms of fiery flame and iron and leaden hail ever experienced. The gunboats responded to the rebel fire as best they could, but they were at a very great disadvantage. Wheel-ropes were cut away, the vessels disabled in hull and machinery, some driven aground, and at least one-half of the crew of each of the vessels killed or wounded. But the plucky little squadron succeeded in " weathering the storm " and pass- ing the batteries, only to find themselves harassed by sharpshooters, on either bank of the river-an entertainment which was continued until the vessels reached the vicinity of Alexandria-on the 28th, some three days after the arrival of the army. Other gunboats were engaged with the en- emuy at the same time a few miles below, but were not as roughly handled. The vessels were all injured more or less. and it is a marvel that any of them reached Alexandria. The casualties, in killed and wounded, are re- ported at from fifty to sixty. Of these, the Cricket alone lost twenty-five and the Joliet fifteen. Officers and men on the naval vessels endured great privation and toiled night and day in their efforts to extricate the gunboats from their perilous situation. For their heroic conduct and noble achieve- ments each and all are entitled to a nation's gratitude.
The naval vessels, at Alexandria, anchored above the Upper Rap- ids, a considerable distance from the city ; while the troops of the several commands were judiciously posted at eligible points covering the various approaches to the city. In and about the place, soon after our arrival, was encamped an army numbering, of all arms, not less than thirty thous-
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and men. These, with the naval vessels, transports, refugees, hangers-on. cotton-speculators, etc., gave to the little city a very lively aspect, and served to render its post commissary a department of more than ordinary importance.
CHAPTER XXIII.
THREE WEEKS AT ALEXANDRIA BUSILY ENGAGED IN " DAMMING" FOR THE NAVY'S RELIEF !
THE NAVAL VESSELS HIGH AND DRY ABOVE THE RAPIDS. - ARMY AND NAVY ENVI- RONED BY THE REBEL FORCES .- GEN. " DICK TAYLOR " REINFORCED. -- PERPETUAL FORAGING, SKIRMISHING, ETC. -- AN INGENIOUS FEAT OF ENGINEERING RAISES THE WATERS OF RED RIVER AND PERMITS THE NAVAL VESSELS TO PASS THE RAPIDS. --- DETAILS OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE REMARKABLE DAM. - NAVAL VESSELS AND TRANSPORTS SAVAGELY ATTACKED ON THE RIVER BELOW ALEXANDRIA WITH DIS- ASTROUS RESULTS.
T Alexandria both army and navy were effectually environed and blockaded for three weeks. The naval vessels were high and dry above the Upper Rapids, with hardly water enough in the river's channel to float a skiff; and the army was of course required to hover near to see that no harm befell the defenceless iron-clads. Further- more, the rebel army had been reinforced by three fresh divisions, from Arkansas, which gave Taylor a force sufficient not only to constantly har- ass our rear, but also to pass around our lines and establish batteries and a strong position thirty miles below Alexandria, on the river's banks, thus rendering navigation between our base of supplies and the Mississippi ex- tromely hazardous. Every day and every hour of the day and night constant watchfulness was required, the troops being frequently called into line of battle. Reconnoitering parties were daily scouring the adjacent country, the cavalry, especially being very actively employed. Foraging expeditions were also numerous ; and, on the whole, the tarry at Alexan- dria was not entirely uneventful. Our troops were reinforced while here by the 13th corps detachment which had occupied the Texas coast. Gou. McClernand commanding. A portion of this force, under Gen. Fitz Hen- ry Warren, was unable to ascend the river, on account of the rebel block- ade, but fortunately effected a landing at Ft. D. Ru-sy in season to prevent the enemy from obtaining a foot-hold at that strongly fortified position.
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The reason of the long delay at Alexandria was the determined effort to relieve the utterly helpless naval vessels. A dozen of the finest iron-clads of Porter's fleet lay above the Upper Rapids, only to be rescued by some miraculous intervention ; and this, happily, was suggested by a Wisconsin lumberman-Lient. Col. Bailey-through whose skill and indus- try a remarkable engineering feat was proposed and pushed to a successful completion. The " Rapids," or falls, nearly opposite Alexandria, comprise a craggy, rocky reof a mile or more in extent, composed of rugged, ugly- shaped boulders, which, protruding from the bottom of the river's bed like an immense cluster of granite icicles, seemed an insurmountable obstacle to navigation when the water was very low, with a rapid current running down stream, at this time at the rate of nine miles an hour. Bailey's plan was to dam the river --- not as it had been " damned " ever since the navy undertook its ascent, but in the more practical manner with which our Maine lumbermen have long been familiar. A tree-dam, made of logs of huge proportions, brush, brick, stone, etc., cross-tied with heavy timber, and strengthened by various ingenious devices, was run out three hundred feet into the river, with four large coal barges, filled with brick, sunk at the end; this was met, from the opposite shore, by cribs, filled with stone, built out to meet the barges. It was a gigantic undertaking, involving days and nights of ceaseless activity. Three thousand men and from two to three hundred male-teams were constantly employed. Several of the Maine regiments were put at work felling trees ; neighboring steam-mills were torn down for material ; teams were bringing in brick and stone from all directions ; quarries were opened ; flatboats transported granite by the riv- er; and, in brief. for two weeks " dam-building " was the all-absorbing duty of the day and night, and upon this work everybody's attention was concentrated. For more than a week the labor progressed with at least one-half of the thirty thousand men standing by utterly incredulous as to beneficial results ; but about the seventh or eighth day the glad tidings ran along the lines that the water was surely rising, and the "dam-builders" worked more energetically than before, if that were possible. O! those anxious days and nights! The writer very vividly recalls that eventful, exciting period, in which thousands of men thronged the river's bank ca- gerly watching for the slightest indication of an increase of the depth of water in the channel. One night, especially, as the dam approached com- pletion, and when rumors wore afloat to the effect that a very perceptible rise had been noted. he lingered by the river's bank until a very late hour. While sitting astride his horse noting every movement of the busy workers a lone horseman rode up, and in a rich, clear, familiar yet trembling voice. inquired : " Do you notice the slightest indication of a rise?" The anxious, heavy-hearted interlocutor was none other than Gen. Banks, the command-
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