OCTOBER 24NOVEMBER 6, 1862.Operations in the La. Fourche Dis- trict, La., including capture of Donaldsonville, October 25, and action at Georgia Landing, near Labadievile, October 27. REPORTS. No. 1.Maj. Gen. Benj. F. Butler, U. S. Army, commanding Department of the Gulf. No. 2.Brig. Gen. Godfrey Weitzel, U. S. Army, commanding expedition. No. 3.Lient. John A. Vance, Sixteenth New York Infantry, Acting Signal Officer. No. 4.Maj. Gen. R. Taylor, C. S. Army, commanding District of Western Louisiana. No. 5.Brig. Gen. Alfred Mouton, C. S. Army. No. 1. Reports of Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, U. S. Army, commanding De partment of the Gu~f HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, New Orleans, October 24, 1862. GENERAL: While I have the honor to report a reasonable degree o Page 159 CHAP. XXVII.] THE LA FOURCHE DISTRICT, LA. 159 health on the part of my troops through the summer and an entire ab- sence of epidemic here, I think it would be well, in view of the coming summer, to change the regiments for the coming season, and for that purpose it will be necessary to begin now, to prevent disarranging the service. I find those necessarily kept on the lines at Carroilton suffer- ing greatly from the malarious swamp fever, to which the debilitating eff~cts of summer predisposes them. To my astonishment, and against all theory, the regiment of accli- mated Louisianians which I have recruited here, and one of the most healthy I had while in barracks, sent there, supposing them able to resist the effects of the malaria because of this acclimatization, have suffered from the swamp fever the most considerably of anymuch more than the fresh troopsthe Seventy-fifth New York, which I brought from the healthy sands of Pensacola and placed in the same locality. I have the honor to report two regiments of Native Guards (colored) organized and mustered into the service, and one takes the field to- morrow. I have organized an expedition, consisting of a brigade (five regiments of infantry, two batteries of artillery, and four companies of cavalry), nuder the command of Brigadier-General Weitzel, to move upon the western bank of the Mississippi through Western Louisiana, for the purpose of dispersing the forces assembled there under General Richard Taylor. I propose at the same time to send around some light-draught steamers, which I have been fitting for the service by protecting their boilers and engines with iron coverings, so as to prevent, if possible, the recurrence of the dreadful accident which occurred on the Mound City steamer by the penetration of her boilers by shot and by mount- ing them with light guns, to attack some batteries at Berwick Bay, to penetrate the waters of the bay and tributaries and cut off the sup- plies of cattle for the rebel army from Texas via Opelousas and New Iberia, and to act in conjunction with Brigadier-General Weitzel. At the same time I push forward a column from Algiers, consisting of the Eighth Regiment Vermont Volunteers and the First Regiment of Native Guards (colored), along the Opelonsas Railroad to Thibodeaux and Brashear City, open the railway for the purpose of forwarding sup- plies to General Weitzels expedition, and to give the loyal planters an opportunity to forward their sugar and cotton to this city. I can easily hold this portion of Louisiana, by far the richest, and extend the move- ment so far as to substantially cut off all supplies from Texas to the enemy this coming winter by this route, if I can receive early re-enforce- ments. Please therefore send me New England troops. The news- papers assure me that there are thousands waiting in Massachusetts. Letters from their officers are received by me begging that they may come to this department. Of course I have a preference for Massa- chusetts troops. Those that I have have behaved very well. I trust that they may be sent to me. I should be glad if General Weitzel should be able to move upon Texas, and would suggest that an appropriate base of operations would be through Galveston, which I have just heard has surrendered to the naval -force of the Union, but I have hardly a regiment which I can spare to hold it, althoughj propose to send onenot that I anticipate an immediate attack upon New Orleans nor that I fear it, unless I am forced to receive the d~bris of the Southwestern wing after the defeat of Bragg b~ General Buell, while if I weaken myself here I may in- vite an attack from such source Page 160 160 W. FLA., S. ALA, S. MISS., LA., TEX, N. MEX. [CHAP. XXVIL Rear-Admiral Farragut is very desirous that we should make a demonstration on Mobile, or at least Fort Morgan~ to save the neces- sity of the large blockading force off that fort. I think 3,000 men would do it successfully; but again I have not the men to spare and to do those things which I think of more immediate necessity. I have as yet received, with the exception of 60 men, no recruits from the North for any of my old regiments, some of which have been eighteen months in service, so that my regiments appear much larger in numbers than they are in effective strength. I am sorry to report the very sudden and serious illness of Brigadier. General Arnold, who was stricken with paralysis while attending a re- view on Saturday, from which I think he will not recover sufficiently to resume his duties for some months. I was happy to receive the commendation of the general command- ing in chief of the action of Major Strong at Ponchatoula. The illness of General Arnold and the wide-spread districts over which my troops are disposed make it necessary that I should have another brigadier-general. Allow me to recommend for promotion Major Strong, my assistant adjutant-general, lieutenant in the Ordnance Corps, who graduated the second in his class at West Point in 1857, and also has been in the service ever since. I know no one more competent, and certainly he has shown both conduct and gallantry. I have been obliged to lose his services a part of the summer through his ill-health, brought on by overexertion in preparing the expedition to New Or- leans; but I think that he has now fully recovered and re-established his health. May 1 ask your kind offices to recommend to the President this appointment as one eminently fit to be made? I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, BENJ. F. BUTLER, Major- General, Commanding. Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, Commander-in- Chief. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, New Orlean8, La., October 27, 1862. GENERAL: In my dispatch of the [24th] instant I had the honor to report to the commanding general the departure of an expedition, under Brigadier-General Weitzel, into that part of Louisiana which lies west of the Mississippi River. I inclose General Weitzels dispatch, show- ing his operations so far. * This is sent by hand of Captain [A. F.] Puffer, of my staff, by whom I also forward a map of that part of Louisiana which, though not strictly accurate, will give you a very good idea of the country through which operations are being made. I have explained to him verbally the pro- posed action of the expedition, and, if you desire, by the aid of the map he may make it clearer than I can by writing. I trust you will find him a gentleman of such intelligence as to make clear the difficulties we encounter and the necessity of the expenditure which I have made for light-draught steamers for the numerous bayous. I hope that on Tuesday morning, the 28th instant, four of these steamers, two of them iron-clad as far as the boilers are concerned, will * Tiw~t of October 25. See Report No. 2 Page 161 CHAP. XXVII.] THE LA FOURCHE DISTRICT, LA. 161 be in Brashear City. We have opened the railroad as far as the point marked Boutte Station. The enemy have a force at the point where the Bayou des Allemands is crossed by the railroad. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, BENJ. F. BUTLER, Major-General, Commanding. Major-General HALLECK, Commander-in-Chief U. ~. Army. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, New Orlean8, La., November 2, 1862. I have the honor to recount a very successful expedition, under Gen- eral Weitzel, of the preparation for the march of which I have previ- ously informed the commanding general: General Weitzel landed at Donaldsonville and took up his line of march on Sunday, October 26. About 9 miles beyond Donaldsonville he met the enemy in force. A sharp engagement ensued, in which he lost 18 killed and 68 wounded.* Full lists of the casualties have been received and published. The commanding officer of the enemy, Colonel McPheeters, was killed, and the enemy lost quite a large number in killed and wounded. Two hundred and sixty-eight prisoners were cap- tured, and also one piece of artillery. Since then he has met with no opposition, and the whole of that country is now open to him. The enemy has evacuated Brashear City, having by means of the railroad got away before our gunboats could cut off their retreat, the naval forces having been delayed by a very severe storm. I send you General Weitzels report, received to-day. t Sending off so large a proportion of my effective force has necessarily left me very weak here, and I beg leave to urge upon the commanding general the necessity of re-enforcements, with which I can operate at Mobile and Texas, or up the river, which can be opened, or a march on Jackson, Miss., undertaken. I am organizing some companies of Texas Volunteers as cavalry, which I hope will grow into a regiment. I will forward by the next mail my letter of instruction to General Weitzel in answer to his dispatches herewith sent. I am just informed that our railroad communications with Geiieral Weitzel are opened, and his messenger has just come in, bringing a dispatch while I write, which I inclose. IcannottoomuchcommendtheenergyofColonel Thomas,withhis regiment, the Eighth Vermont, who have in six days opened 52 miles of railroad, built nine culverts, rebuilt a bridge (burned by the enemy) 435 feet long, besides pulling up the rank grass from the track, which entirely impeded the locomotive all the way. In this work they were assisted by Colonel Staffords regiment, Native Guards, (colored). I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, BENJ. F. BUTLER, Major- General, Commanding. Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, Commander-in- Chief U. S. Army. But see revised statement, p. 172. That of October 29. See Report No. 2. 11 R RVOL X Page 162 162 XV. FLA, S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAr. XXVII. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, New Orleans La November 6 1862. , -, GENERAL: I have the honor to inclose copies of General Weitzels reports* of his operations on the west bank of the river and of my instructions to him. - I propose to-day to visit him in person, to advise whether we will cross Berwick Bay without awaiting the reconstruction of the bridge at Bayou Ba~uf. It will be apparent that General Weitzel brings up the interesting question of the war. I trust that my instructions on it will meet your approbation. The President and yourself are aware that I am wholly without guide in this matter. I take occasion to call, to the attention of the general commanding in chief that more than seventy days since I called the attention of the War Department .to the organization of three colored regiments by my General Orders, No. 63, of August 22, 1862, subject to the approval of the President and though I have had many communications directly from the Wait Department and from the general commanding in chief, no communication disapproving of that organizatien has been received. I must therefore take it to be approved, but would prefer distinct orders on this subject. Awaiting further instructions from the general commanding-in-chief, I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, BENJ. F. BUTLER. Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, Oommander-in-Ohief of the Armies of the United & ates. [Inclosures.] HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, New Orleans, La., November 2, 1862. GENERAL: Your dispatch of November 1 is received.t As I in- formed you in my last, I have sent forward both regiments of Native Guards (colored) to guard the road. 1 have no doubt that before this reaches you Colonels Thomas and Stafford will have reported to you. They will receive from you orders. We have already taken measures about the organization of the management of the Qpelousas Railroad. Of course there will be no more difficult subject for you to deal with than the negroes. By the act of Congress, independent of the Presi- dents proclamation, having come from rebel masters into our lines in occupation of rebel territory since the passage of that act they are free. But the question recurs, What shall we do with them? While we have no right to return them to their masters as such, it is our duty to take care of them, and that can include employment. Put them as far as possible upon plantations; use every energy to have the sugar crop made and preserved for the owners that are loyal, and for the United States where the owners are disloyal. I am working the plantations along the river below upon this plan. Let the loyal planters make arrangements to pay their negroes $10 a month for able-bodied men; *3 to be expended in clothing, and so in proportion. Disembarrass your army of them as much as possible. Especially will this be neces- sary in the case of Colonel Staffords command. I have information, more or less reliable, that there were about 8,000 troops at Port Hudson, Pouchatoula, and Camp Moore (about equally * Those of November 1 and 5. See Report No. 2. t See Report No. 2 Page 163 CHAP. XXVfl.] THE LA FOURCHE DISTRICT, LA. 163 divided among the three) on October 27. My impression is that they have gone north. Bragg is undoubtedly badly beaten and is in full retreat. There has been no battle since the 9th (at Perryville) up to the 16th. Nothing new on the Potomac. I inclose you some of the latest newspapers with this dispatch. In regard to disarming the people, every disloyal person must be disarmed; and I do not mean by loyalty lip service. Besides, we must leave force enough to take care of any rising of the negroes. I think you had better see the most intelligent of the negroes in person, and assure them that all acts of Congress and laws in their favor will be carried out to them with the same effect if they remain on the planta- tions and work as if they came into camp, and caution them that there must be no violence to unarmed and quiet persons. You had better send back a train of extra artillery and cavalry horses and mule wagons to Algiers, on a march, without waiting for the rail. road. A small guard will be sufficient. They will probably have to strike the river road at Bonnet Carr6 but of that your knowledge of the topography of the country, will give you the best direction. I need not assure you that I am taking every means to open railroad and tele- graphic communication. Captain Kensel, who is present as this dispatch is written, is only waiting transportation to forward the ammunition. I think the gunboats had better press up to Franklin and capture or destroy some boats that are building there. Of that you can tell better when you go forward. I wish to disengage McMillans regimen1~ as early as it can be dis- pensed with, if at all, to hold Galveston. It. is under advisement to build a fort at Donaldsonville, at the junc- tion of the bayou and the river. We have 32-pounders here with which we can arm it. That will make a station easily held on the coast half way between here and Baton Rouge. I think a work about on the plan of Fort Macomb, with casemates only, to flank the draw-bridge, woul4 be the better plan. Please advise me on the subject. We hear flaming reports of salt-works at New Iberia. If practicable, will it not be better to reach them and destroy them? But thatI leave entirely to your discretion. That portion of Louisiana lying west of the Mississippi River will be constituted a military district, under your command, to be called the District of the Teche, headquarters wherever you may be. Colonel Thomas writes me that the cars will pass to La Fourche to- day. Report to me early what rolling stock you find at Brashear or along the road. I think the iron howitzers at Raceland had better be sent here, unless you have need of them. Your attention is directed to the practicability of so fortifying Bra- shear as to hold it, with the aid- of a gunboat, with a small force. Please report upon this subject. is any fortification practicable at Thibod~aux or Terre Bonne? Nothing else occurs to me of interest to communicate. By order of Major-General Butler. GEO. C. STRONG, Assistaint Adjutant- General, Chief of & aff. Brigadier-General WEITZEL, Commanding District of the Teche Page 164 164 W. FLA, S ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N~ MEX. [CMAP. XXVII. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, New Orleans, La., November 6, 1862. GENERAL: Your dispatches of November 5 have been received, as also your telegram of this evening.* I am directed by the major-gen- eral commanding to reply: Your suggestions as to the field work at Donaldsonville will receive consideration. It will be necessary to make a battery at Brashear City and Berwick Bay or perhaps a field work. Upon this subject he will confer with you. In establishing the Military District of the Teche he was aware that at the moment you did not occupy it except by your boats, and he gave the name in compliment to your skill and gallantry, as it was not doubted you would soon be in occupation; and in putting the very large force under the command of so young a general he designed to show a mark of 6onfidence in your discrimination and judgment. If it would be more desirable to yourself, he will change the name to the District of the La Fourche. That you should have declined the com- mand is the occasion of regret, arising most of all from the reasons given for so doing. As they are comprehended, they resolve them- selves into two: First, that under your command are put two regi- ments of Native Guards (colored), and you say that in these organi- zations you have no confidence. As your reading must have made you aware, General Jackson entertained a different opinion upon that subject. It was arranged between the commanding general and your- self that the colored regiments should be employed in guarding the rail- road. You do not complain in your report that they either failed to do their duty in that respect or that they have acted otherwise than correctly and obediently to the commands of their officers or that they have committed any outrage or pillage upon the inhabitants. The general was aware of your opinion that colored men will not fight. You have failed to show, by the conduct of these freemen so far, anything to sustain that opinion, and the general cannot see why you should decline the command, especially as you express a willing- ness to go forward to meet the only organized enemy with your own brigade alone without further support. The commanding general can- not see how the fact that they are guarding your lines of communication by railroad can weaken your defense. He must therefore look to the other reasons stated by you for an explanation of your declining th~ command. You say you caunot command these negro regiments. Why not? The reason must be found in these sentences of your report. Since the arrival of the negro regiments symptoms of servile insurrections are be- coming apparent. I could not, without breaking my brigade all up, put a force in everypart of this districtto keep down such an insurrection. I cannot assume the com- mand of such a force, and thus be responsible for its conduct. I have no confidence in the organization. Its moral effect in thiscommunity, which is stripped of nearly all its able-bodied men, and will be stripped of a great many of its arms, is terrible; women and children, and even men, are in terror. It is heart-rending, and I cannot make myself responsible for it. You say since the arrival of the negro regiments at that place you have seen symptoms of a servile insurrection; but, as the only regiment that has arrived there got there as soon as the rest of your command, of course the appearance of such symptoms is since their arrivaL~ Have you not mistaken the cause ~ Is it the arrival of a negro regi- ment or is it the arrival of United States troops, carrying, by the act of *Telegrarn not found. For other dispati~hes see ~eport No. 2 Page 165 CHAP. XXVII.] THE LA FOURCHE DISTRIC r, LA 165 Congress, freedom to this servile race? Did you expect to march into that country, drained as you say it is by conscription of all its able-bodied white men without leaving the negroes free to show symptoms of servile insurrection? Does not this state of things arise from the very fact of war itself? You are in a country where now the negroes outnumber the whites ten to one, a~d these whites are in rebellion against the Gov- ernment or in terror seeking its protection. Upon reflection, can you doubt that the same state of things would have arisen without the presence of a colored regiment? Did you not see symptoms of the same thing on the plantations here when we ar- rived, although under much less favorable circumstances, for a revolt? You say that the prospect of such an insurrection is heart-rending, and that you cannot be responsible for it. You are in no degree responsible for it. The responsibility rests upon those who have begun and carried on this war, who have stopped at no barbar4y, no act of outrage, upon the citizens and troops of the United States. You have forwarded me the records of a pretended court-martial, showing that seven men of one of your regiments, who enlisted here into the Eighth Vermont Regiment, who had surrendered themselves pris- oners of war, were in cold blood murdered, and, as certain information shows, were required to dig their own graves. You are asked if this is not an occurrence equally as heart-rending as a prospective servile in~ surrection? The question is now to be met whether in a hostile, rebellious part of the State, where this very murder has been committed by the militia, you are to stop in the operations of the field to put down servile insur- rection because the men and women are terror-stricken. When was it ever heard before that a victorious genera], in an unsurrendered prov- ince, stopped in his course for the purpose of preventing the rebellious inhabitants of that province from destroying each other and refused to take command of a conquered province lest he should be made respon- sible for their self-destruction? As a military question, perhaps the more terror-stricken the inhabitants are that are left in your rear the more safe will be your lines of communication. You say there have ap- peared before your eyes the very facts, in terror-stricken women, chil- dren, and men, .which you had before contemplated in theory. Grant it. But is not the remedy to be found in the surrender of the neighbors, fathers, brothers, and sons of the terror-stricken women and children, who are now in arms against the Government within 20 miles of you? And when that is done and you have no longer to fear from their organ- ized force, and they have returned peaceably to their homes, you will be able to use the full power of your troops to insure their safety from the so-much-feared (by them but not by us) servile insurrection. If you desire you can send a flag of truce to the commander of these forces embracing these views, and placing upon him the responsibility which belongs to him. Even that course will not remove it from you, for upon you it has never rested. Say to them that if all armed oppo- sition to the authority of the United States should cease in Louisiana on the west bank of the river you are authorized by the commanding general to say that the same protection against negro or other violence will be afforded to that part of Louisiana that has been in the part already in the possession of the troops of the United States. If that is refused, whatever may ensue is upon them, and not upon you or upon the United States. You will have done all that is required of a brave, humane man to avert from these deluded people the horrible conse- quences of their insane war upon the Government Page 166 166 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA,, TEX., N. MEX. (CHAP. XXVII. With or without such a message the (~ommanding general can see in your reasons nothing which should justly cause you to decline a high and honorable command, nor does he see how the remedy which you propose will aid the matter; and that remedy is that either he or some one of his officers should take command of the negro regiments and re- lieve you of them. Do you think that change would be less likely to incite a servile insurrection under his command, or that of any of his officers, than under your own? Will the horrors be less if. they are under the command of an officer not present on the scene to check and allay these horrors than if they were commanded by an officer present and ready to adopt proper measures? If your negro or other regiments commit any outrage upon the unof- fending and unarmed people, quietly attending to their own business, let them be most severely punished; but while operations in the field are going on I do not see how you can turn aside from an armed enemy before you to protect or defend the wives and children of these armed enemies from the consequences of their own rebellious wickedness. Consider this case: General Bragg is at liberty to ravage the homes of our brethren of Kentucky because the Union army of Louisiana is protecting his wife and his home against his negroes. Without that protection he would have to come back to take care of his wife, his home, and his negroes. It is understood that Mrs. Bragg is one of terrified women of whom you speak in your report. This subject is not for the first time under the consideration of the commanding general. When in command of the I)epartment of An- napolis, in May, 1861, he was asked to protect a community against the consequences of a servile rebellion. He replied that when that community laid down its arms and called upon him for protection he would give it, because from that moment between them and him war would cease. The same principles enunciated there will govern his and your action now, and you will afford such protection as soon as the com- irrunity, through its organized rulers, shall ask it. Your reports and this reply, I am instructed to say, will be forwarded by to-morrows mail to the commanding general of the Army. In the mean time these colored regiments of freemen, raised by the authority of the President, and approved by him as the Commander.in.Chief of the Army, must be commanded by the officers of the Army of the United States like any other regiments. The commanding general does not doubt that everything that pru- dence, sagacity, skill, and courage can do will be done by you, general, to prosecute the campaign you have so successfully begun. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEG. C. STRONG, Assistant Adjutant-(Jeneral. Brigadier-General WEITZEL, Commanding District of the Teche, La. No. 2. Reports of Brig. Gen. Godfreij Weitzel, U. S. A., commanding e~2~pedition. HEADQUARTERS RESERVE BRIGADE, Donaldsonville, La., October 25, 1862. MAJOR: I have the honor to report that, in accordance with orders, Ileft Carrollton, La., yesterday afternoon with my command, and landed Page 167 CHAP. XXVfl.] THE LA FOURCHE DISTRICT, LA. 167 in accordance with my design, at Miners Point, 6 miles below this place, directing my transports to follow up the column, carrying the baggage and caissons. I entered this place without opposition at about 10 a. m. I heard so many conflicting reports as to the strength and position of the enemys forces that I sent out a reconna.issan~e of two companies of infantry, of the Thirteenth Connecticut, under the command of Captains McCord and Schijeter, and Perkins cavalry, accompanied by my adju- tant-general, Captain Hubbard. They drove in the enemys pickets, and report the force encamped on both sides of Bayou La Fourche, and represented to them as numbering 3,000. I could not get my train off soon enough and loaded to start to-day, as I would thus come upon the enemy too late in the evening; but I propose to start to-morrow early. Captain [Richard] Barrett and Lieutenant [S. A.] Perkins, in a fine dash upon the enemys pickets, captured a number of prisoners (13), all of whom I released on parole. I have not the least doubt but that the enemy will concentrate to meet me at Thibodeai~x in what force I cannot positively state, but it is said to be pretty large. I am informed that General Mouton is now in command, and has with him the remainder of the Eighteenth Lou- isiana Regiment, which has seen some service. I will leave the First Louisiana here to hold this post, and must request you.to order them supplied with provisions from the city. I hope you will give me a vig- orous co-operation from the railroad. In conclusion I must thank Capt. [George M.] Ransom, in command of the Kineo and the gunboat fleet, for his vigorous and efficient co-op- eration with me thus far in my expedition. He manifested that same disposition to co-operate with the Army to the full extent of his pow. ers for which he has already become famous. The same praise is due to Capt. [Reigart B.] Lowry, commanding the gunboat Sciota; Capt. [Francis A.J Roe, commanding the gunboat Katahdin, and Capt. [R. F. R.] Lewis, commanding the gunboat Itasca. My transports were not fired upon ~t all, so well were they covered by the gunboats. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant G. WEITZEL, Brig. Gen. U. ~9. Vols., Gomdg. Reserve Brig., Dept. of the Gulf. Maj. GEORGE C. STRONG, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, La. HEADQUARTERS RESERVE BRIGADE, Bayou La Fourche, near Thibodeaux, La., October 29, 1862. MAJOR: I have the honor to report that this morning at 6 oclock I dispatched Colonel Birg~, in command of his regiment (the Thirteenth Connecticut), Barretts cavalry, and one section of Carruths battery, down the Bayou La Fourche to open communication with the city. I have just received- a dispatch from him from Raceland Station, in which he says that he has communicated with Colonel Thomas, who is 1~ miles from him. He found at the station three freight cars, one passenger car, two barbet~ guns, spiked (32-pounders), two 12-pounder iron how- itzers, in good order, and guns, equipments, & c., scattered along the road. I therefore propose now to give you a more detailed report of my operations since I left Donaldsonville. I left this place at 6 oclock on Sunday morning last and marched on the left bank until I was withi Page 168 168 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXVII 1 mile of Napoleonville, where I bivouacked in line of battle. Believ- ing that the enemy would, by means of the numerous flat-boat ferries which I knew were in the bayou, probably cross from one side of the bayou to the other, I took in tow a flat-boat bridge and carried it with me all the way, and have it with me now. I destroyed every boat I passed as a prudential military measure. It has proved of invaluable service to me. I moved on the first day with but one company of the Eighth New Hampshire on the right bank. The enemys scouts were continually in sight of my advance guard of cavalry, and just before going into camp 1 captain of the enemy was killed by my advance guard and 3 prisoners were taken. Immediately afterward one of the Eighth New Hampshire privates on the right bank was taken prisoner by the enemy. I started on Monday morning again at 6 oclock, but feeling that the. enemy was in some force on the right bank I threw over the whole of the Eighth New Hampshire and Perkins cavalry by means of my float- ing bridge, and in this order moved down the bayou. At ii oclock, when I was about 2 miles above Labadieville, I received the report that the enemy was in force about 1 mile ahead, on the left bank, and that they had six pieces of artillery. I immediately ordered four pieces of Carruths battery up (two pieces were with the rear guard and Thompsons was already ahead), and formed the Thirteenth Con- necticut and Seventy-fifth New York in line of battle to support Thompson. These two regiments formed splendidly, and moved at once forward to the attack through a dense cane field. I moved on with them, and after emerging from the cane field I received the report, which was that the enemy was in position on the right bank also, and that he had four pieces of artillery on that side. At the same time 1 received the report that the enemys cavalry was in the rear of my rear guard. I immediately swung my bridge across the bayou, ordering eight com- panies of the Twelfth Connecticut over to support the Eighth New Hampshire, leaving two companies of this regimeng one section of Carruths battery, and Williamsons cavalry to guard the rear. I immediately ordered also that a roa~d be cut up the steep bank on both sides of the bayou for the passage of artillery and my train. I found soon that the enemy on the left bank, after delivering only the fire of its advance guard, which killed one of my cavalry and wounded an- other and killed two horses, had disappeared for some unaccountable reason. Fearing some ruse, I immediately ordered the Thirteenth Con- necticut across the bayou to support the Eighth New Hampshire and the Twelfth Connecticut; Thompsons battery to play upon the en- emys artillery, on the right bank, which was firing splendidly upon our forces and my bridge; ordered Carruth to cross over with his two advanced sections and the Seventy-fifth New York to support Thomp- son and guard the head of the bridge and the front of the train. I then crossed over, ordered the Eighth New Hampshire to form line of battle across the road, the Twelfth Connecticut to form on its right, and or- dered these forward to attack at once. They had scarcely commenced moving when the Thirteenth Connecticut arrived on a double-quick from across the bayou. I immediately ordered this in reserve. Subse- quently, as the center guides of the Eighth New Hampshire and the Twelfth Connecticut moved in different lines of direction, they became sufticiently separated to allow me to throw the Thirteenth Connecticut on the line between the two. I ordered this regiment forward in line of battle. The line thus formed advanced steadily at my command for Page 169 CWAP. XXVII.] THE LA FOURCHE DISTRICT, LA. 169 ward. Lu a very short time the enemys battery retreated and also.the infantry support. The fight did not last long. I found that the enemy had four pieces of artillery in the road. It was Connors battery, Com- pany A, Withers light artillery, commanded by Capt. G. Ralston* (who was wounded and is now a paroled prisoner); this battery, supported by the remnants of the Eighteenth Louisiana and the Crescent City Regimonts, numbering together about 500 men. They were lying down in a ditch on the lower side of a plantation road in the edge of woods at Georgia Landing, and immediately on the left of the battery. I ordered skirmishers at once in the woods to secure prisoners. Car- ruth arrived about this time, and I sent him with one section and Per- kins cavalry in pursuit. They pursued about 4~miles, Carruth firing upon the retreating forces on both sides of the bayou. I have since learned that Seinmes battery of six pieces, supported by Colonel Clarks [Clacks] (the Thirty.third) regiment of Louisiana Volunteers, was in front on the left bank. I lost 18 killed and 74 wounded.t Lieutenant Francis, of the Twelfth Connecticut, was taken prisoner before the fight. We have buried 5 of the enemy and have 17 wounded in our hospital, but I have proof that their loss was greater. I took 166 of the enemy prisoners the day of the battle and 42 of them since; total, 208. I released them all on parole. Col. G. P. McPheeters was killed. I delivered his body to some of his brother officers who were prisoners, and he was decently buried near the battle-field, the chaplain of the Eighth New Hampshire officiating. One of the pieces of the enemys artillery broke down in the retreat. We secured it and have it now in our possession. All of my command did very well, both officers and men. The Eighth New Hampshire advanced steadily in front of the enemys battery. The Twelfth and Thirteenth Connecticut crossed the bridge, formed in line of battle under the very accurate and splendid fire of the enemys artil- lery without seeming to notice it at all. My cavalry has been of inval- uable service to me; both officers and men have done splendidly. I wish I had four times the number. The Signal Corps also has been of great service to me. I crossed over my train and encamped on the bat- tle-field; had my own and the enemys wounded l)ut in a house which I took as a hospital near where I went into camp. The next morning (yesterday) I moved down the right bank of the bayou, throwing over the Seventy-fifth New York and Williamsons cavalry on the left bank. I left about 30 wounded of my own, who could not be moved, and the enemy~s wounded, in charge of Surg. B. N. Comings, of the Thirteenth Connecticut, and left with him provisions, money, and supplies for their care. I entered Thibodeaux at 3 oclock p. m. without opposition. I certainly expected a fight at this place. When I arrived a short dis- tance from it I found from the smoke of burning bridges that they were retreating, and immediately ordered my cavalry in pursuit. They fol- lowed as closely as their force would allow, and prevented 1;he total de- struction of two railroad bridges, the one across Bayou La Fourche, the other across Bayou Terre Bonne. Ifound threefreightcarsat LaFourche Crossing uninjured, one containing arms, shovels, and sugar, and another containing a lot of arms, ammunition, and accouterments. I also found papers by the side of the road, which were thrown away in their retreat, proving that the enemy had left Bayou des Allemands. I went into camp on Burtons plantation, about 1 mile below Thibodeaux. I will repair the damage on the two bridges to-morrow. The enemy has re record found of Connors as a Mississippi battery. Capt. George Ralston ap- pears on the rolls as captain of Battery H. t See revised statement, p. 172. Page 170 170 XV. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXVII, treated to Berwick Bay. I send you a list of my killed and wounded.* I also send you a list of prisoners I paroled. I think it would be well to publish the latter list, as a great many are from New Orleans. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, G. WEITZEL Brigadier-General, U. ~. Vols., Uomdg. Reserve Brigade. Maj. GEORGE C. STRONG, Assistant Adjntant-General. HEADQUARTERS RESERVE BRIGADE, In Camp, near flhibodeaucc, La., November 1, 1862. MAJOR: Since my last dispatch I have received information that the enemy has evacuated Berwick Bay, and in such a hurry (as our gun- boats were in sight) that they left over 400 wagon loads of negroes behind at Brashear City. To substantiate this report the negroes are already returning. Now, what shall I do with them? I have already twice as many negroes in and around my camp as I have soldiers within. I cannot feed them; as a consequence they niust feed themselves. The community, of whom already quite a number have taken the oath of allegiance, is in great terror, fearing trouble with the negroes. They beg me to allow them to retain their arms. I cannot do this without authority from headquarters. Last night my pickets were fired upon by some person armed. with a shot-gun. This would make it prudent to allow only those to retain arms who~ have taken the oath or are paroled. Please to give me instructions on this point. There i8 plenty of sugar here. I have already collected a large num- ber of cavalry and artillery horses and mules. Please organize that railroad now properly with a superintendent and proper employ6s, so that we may run regular trains, and not have our rolling stock ruined by bad management. Tell Captain [George A.] Kensel to hurry up the ammunition asked for. I have sent a force to Berwick Bay to take possession of the road from Tigerville to Berwiek Bay, communicate with the gunboats, and repair the bridges across the Bayou Bc~nf. I will have the bridges across Bayou La Fourche completed at 4 oclock this afternoon, and the bridge at Terre Bonne will be completed to-morrow. Then when the Bayou Bceuf Bridge is ready the whole road will be all right to Brashear City. All the planters nearly wish to make their crops very excellent this year, if I will order back their negroes or allow them to make some arrangement with them. Neither Colonel Thomas nor Colonel Stafford have been yet seen by me. I understand that the Native Guards were to picket the road. They want to hold Boutte Station, Bayou des Allemands Bridge, Tigerville, Bayou La Fourche Bridge, Terre Bonne Bridge, & c. Do this and throw out pickets, so as to communicate with each other. The telegraph should be repaired at once. I have undisputed possession of this country now, and this part of the campaign is a perfect success. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, G. WEITZEL, Brigadier-General, U. S. Volunteers. Maj. GEORGE C. STRONG, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, La. ~ * Embodied in revised statement, p. 172 Page 171 Citir. XXVII.) THE LA FOTJRCHE DISTRICT, LA. 171 HEADQUARTERS RESERVE BRIGADE, In Camp, near Thibodeaux, La., November 2, 1862. MAJOR: I have the honor to report that I yesterday sent a force up the bayou to communicate with my hospital above Labadieville. The hospital bad been undisturbed. All the people in the neighborhood were vieing with each other in kindness and attention to the wounded of both sides. This country is as safe to travel now as Canal street. Three men have died from their wounds since we left up there. I propose to remove the rest down here on a fiat-boat and send them all to the city. On Friday evening I received information that a company of the enemy~s militia force was encamped a short distance northeast of Thibo- deaux, near a swamp. I sent out Perkins to capture them. He started yesterday morning at 3 oclock, took a circuitous route, through cane fields, over ditches, through swamps, completely outflanked them, and took 53 (nearly the whole company) prisoners, with their arms, horses and ammunition. It was a complete success. This Perkins is a splendid officer, and he deserves promotion as much as any officer I ever saw. I have not yet heard from [Hawkes] Fearing, whom I pushed on to Tiger. yule to communicate with the gunboats and repair the bridges. I expect to hear from him to day. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant G. WEJTZEL, Brigadier.General, U. S. Vols., ()omdg. Reserve Brigade. Maj. GEORGE C. STRONG, Asst Adjt. Gen., Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, La. HEADQUARTERS RESERVE BRIGADE, In Camp, near Thibodeaux, La., November 5, 1862. MAJOR: I have the honor to report that I have your communication of the 2d instant. I think it would be very proper to place a field work at or near Donaldsonville. A permanent work, involving the construc- tion of masonry, would be too slow an operation. I think you had better send Lieutenant [John C.] Palfrey up there to locate and construct it. He could carry on Ship Island and that too. A battery also, I think, would be very appropriate at Berwick Bay. I can direct the position and the construction of this battery. It would not be proper to build a work near here, as the communication with it can be easily cut off and it could be turned readily. And now I desire, most respectfully, to decline the command of the district which has been just created, and which, as we have not yet secured a foot of ground on the Teche, ought properly to be called the District of the La Fourche. The reason I must decline is because accepting the command would place me in command of all the troops in the district. I cannot command those negro regiments. The commanding general knows well my private opinions on this subject. What I stated to him privately, while on his staff, I see now before my eyes. Since the arrival of the negro regiments symptoms of servile insurrection are becoming apparent. I could not, without breaking my brigade all up, put a force in every part of this district to keep down such an insur- rection. I cannot assume the command of such a force, and thus be responsible for its conduct. I have no confidence in the organization. Its moral effect in this community, which is stripped of nearly all it Page 172 172 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXVII. able-bodied men and will be stripped of a great many of its arms, is terrible. Women and children, and even men, are in terror. It is heart-rending, and I cannot make myself responsible for it. I will gladly go anywhere with my own brigade that you see fit to order me. I beg you therefore to keep the negro brigade dfrectly under your own command or place some one over both mine and it. I have given instructions to collect as much transportation as possible, so that I can cross Berwick Bay with my brigade, and will go down to.morrow in person to hurry up things. I cannot move my brigade there yet, as there is not sufficient drinking water, and this is a better camp. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, G. WEITZEL, Brigadier General, U. ~9. Vols., Gomdg. Reserve Brigade. Maj. GEORGE C. STRONG, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Dept. of the Gulf, -New Orleans, La. HEADQUARTERS RESERYE BRIGADE, in Camp, near Thibodeaux, La., November 5, 1862. MAJOR: In still further confirmation of what I wrote to you in my dispatches of this morning relative to servile insurrection, I have the honor to inform you that on the plantation of Mr. David Pugh, a short distance above here, the negroes who had returned nuder the terms fixed upon by Major-General Butler, without provocation or cause of any kind, refused this morning to work, and assaulted the overseer and Mr. Pugh, in~juririg them severely; also a genth~maii who came to the assistance of Mrs. Pugh. Upon the plantation also of Mr. W. J. Miner, On the Terre Bonne road, about 16 miles from here, an outbreak has already occurred, and the entire community thereabout are in hourly expectation and terror of a general rising. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, G. WEITZEL, Brigadier- General, U. S. Vols., Comdg. Reserve Brigade. Maj. GEORGE C. STRONG, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Dept. .of the Gu~t New Orleans, La. Return of Ga8ualtie8 in the Union forces engaged at Georgia Landing, La., October 27, 1862. [Compiled from nominal lists of casualties, returns, & e.] Killed. Wounded. Captured or missing. In Command. a ~ a -~ ~ -~ ~ +~ a 0 a a a a a --9.-n o -~ ~ 5 es ~1 0 ~ 12th Connecticut Infantry 3 . 16 1 20 13th Connecticut Infantry 1 5 1 7 1st Louisiana Cavalry, Companies A, B, and C I 18 1 20 8th New Hampshire Infantry* 2 10 1 84 1 48 75th New York Infantry 1 1 2 Total 2 16 ,1 73 1~ 4 97 * Capts. Jobn Q. A. Warren and Jobn T~eI1eher killed Page 173 CHAP. XXVII.] THE LA FOURCHE DISTRICT, LA. 173 No. 3. Report of Lieut. John A. Vance, Sixteenth Neu York Infantry, Acting Signal Officer. THIBODEAUX, LA., November 1, 18~2. Siu: I have the honor to report that Friday, October 24, 1862, the party under my command embarked with the reserve brigade at Car-~ roliton, La. The officers were distributed as follows: Lieutenant Eaton on th& Ibervile, the leading transport; Lieutenant Butterfield on the Sallie Robinson, the rearmost transport; Lieutenant Dana on the Kineo, the leading gunboat, and myself on the General Williams, in the center. General Weitzel was also on this transport.* * * * * * * * Early in the evening the general gave me orders not to allow the line to extend more than 1~ miles, and during the night I was in almost constant communication with some of the officers, directing those in advance to go slower and the transports in the rear to close up. Saturday, October 25, we landed at daylight and marched to Donald- sonville. Sunday we commenced our march down the left bank of Bayou La Fourche; Lieutenant Eaton I sent with the advance guard, Lieutenant Butterfield with the rear guard, Lieutenant Dana at the head of the column, while I occupied the center. During the entire day we had comparatively nothing to do. Monday we were disposed in the same manner, with the exception of Lieutenant Dana, who crossed with the Eighth New Hampshire to the- right bank of the bayou. At noon our advance on the right bank fell in with the enemy, concealed in a woods. Lieutenant Dana instantly called Lieutenant Eaton and sent S. W. F. 55, F. 0. Lieutenant Eaton received this message and communicated it to the assistant adjutant- general, and at the same time I communicated it to General Weitzel, who ordered up four pieces of Thompsons battery to shell the woods. The range being too high, Lieutenant Dana sent 5. 0. E., which mes- sage Lieutenant Eaton delivered to officer in charge of the battery, but it was unheeded. A bridge was then thrown across the bayou and the Twelfth and Thirteenth Connecticut ordered to cross. Lieutenant Butterfield crossed with the Twelfth, and during the engagement which ensued his horse was struck by a piece of shell, became unmanageable, threw his rider, and escaped to the lines of the enemy. Lieutenant Butterfield fortunately escaped uninjured. Our forces on the left bank fell back to the crossing, and from there one section of Thompsons battery opened upon the enemy on the opposite side, when Lieutenant Dana sent the following messages, which were received by me: * * * * * * * Du~ng the time Lieutenant Dana was sending these messages he was exposed to a fire of artillery and musketry. Lieutenant Eaton during this time was pushing from and on the left bank, endeavoring to ascertain the position of a battery which was playing upon us. Soon as the enemy retreated they were followed by our cavalry and with them went Lieutenant Dana. When they had advanced about a mile he sent, Send Thompsons battery here. This was received by Lieutenant Butterfield. Private Abbott was thrown from his horse, Some unimportant messages here inserted by Lieutenant Vance omitted Page 174 174 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS, LA., TEX., N. MEX. CHAP. XXVIL rendered unfit for duty, so that Lieutenant Dana had for a time but one man. It would be invidious to speak of any of the party when all did so well. All acted with coolness and bravery. The engagement con- tinued about an hour, and during the whole time every Qificer was active. Tuesday Lieutenant Eaton was on the left bank with the Seventy- fifth New York, and he and I were in almost constant communication. Soon as he received any intelligence of the enemy he communicated it to me and I informed the general. Wednesday Lieutenant Eaton and I went with a force under Colonel Birge to communicate with Colonel Thomas and returned Thursday. The party has been well tested, and I am fully satisfied with what it accomplished. If we do not receive an honorable mention from the general I shall think it great injustice. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. A. VANCE, First J2ieut. 16th N. Y., and Actg. Sig. Off. in Charge of Party.. Lieut. E. H. RUSSELL. Lieutenant Eaton sent to Dana: The acting assistant adjutant- general says send out infantry skirmishers. The engagement did not continue more than forty-five minutes. No. 4. Report of Maj. Gen. Richard Taylor, 0. S. Army, commanding District of Western Louistana. HEADQUARTERS DiSTRICT WESTERN LOUISIANA, Bayou Teche, November 9, 1862. GENERAL: I have the honor to submit a copy of the report of Briga- dier-General Mouton concerning the recent operations on the La Fourche which have resulted in the falling back of the troops to the line of the Bayou Teche. I had availed myself of all the resources at my command, in men and guns, to protect the rich and populous territory lying be- tween the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers from the occupation of the enemy, and had hoped that the forces placed there were for the moment adequate to its protection, though it would appear from General Moutons report that the necessity of guarding so many detached posi. tions rendered an effectual concentration of the troops at any one point impracticable. As I stated to the department in the first report I had the honor to make after assuming command of the district, the defense of that section of it was rendered extremely difficult from the many lines of approach by which it could be penetrateda difficulty which was greatly augmented by the withdrawal of a considerable portion of the forces menacing New Orleans on the eastern side of the river about the period of my arrival here. It will be seen from General Moutons report that the enemy effected his landing at Donaldsonville on Saturday, the 25th of October last. On the 19th of that month I had, at ~he urgent request of Lieutenant- General Pemberton, left Alexandria and proceeded to his headquarters at Jackson, Miss., for the purpose of having a conference with him. I arrived there on Friday, the 24th, and on Sunday; the 26th, came dow Page 175 CHAP. XXVII.] THE LA FOURCHE DISTRICT, LA. 175 with him to Vicksburg. On my return to Alexandria, which place I reached on the evening of Wednesday, the 29th, receiving no advices from General Mouton of the landing of the enemy or of the subsequent events on the La Fourche, I the next day went down the Red River, with an engineer officer, to examine and select a site for the construc- tion of a work for the defense of that river. It was only on my return to Alexandria from this trip, on the evening of Friday, the 31st, that I received a communication from General Mouton, announcing simply the fact of the landing of the enemy, though by telegraph and couriers information could reach me from the La Fourche in thirty-six hours. On the next day I received by this means a dispatch from him from the west side of Berwick Bay, informing me that my presence here was needed. On the next morning, which w~ts Sunday, the 2d instant, I left Alexandria for this point and arrived here on Thursday, the 6th. A careful inspection of the position occupied by the troops here leads me to indulge the hope that I can hold it successfully against the force which the enemy has now probably at his disposal to throwupon it, and I have made arrangements to bring forward every additional man I can command. But from the topography of this portion of Louisiana, permeated by so many navigable streams, it must be obvious to the department that the rich district bordering on the Teche, including the salt mines on Marsh Island, of incalculable value to the Confed- eracy, will eventually fall into the hands of the enemy unless I receive considerable accessions of force, both in men and guns. The possession of Berwick Bay by the enemy renders the attempt possible by him to move with his gunboats up the Atchafalaya to Red River. Had the alterations upon the steamer Cotton been completed in season, or had the gunboats Mobile and Saint Mary been permitted to remain at the bay, its entrance by the enemy would have been pre- vented at this time. In view of the contingency I have mentioned, of an attempt to move up the Atchafalaya, I have ordered a work to be put up on that river, for which I shall need guns, which I urgently ap- peal to the Department to have sent to me without delay, there being no heavy guns within this district, except a few abandoned in the fortB around Berwick Bay on the fall of New Orleans. I also renew the re- quest to have the Mobile and Saint Mary sent down from the Y~zoo to the mouth of Red River, so as to be ready to enter the Atchafalaya at the first rise of those rivers. I have no reason to apprehend that the use of the salt mines can be materially interfered with by the enemy for the present. By the aid of a short portage from the Teche to the Atchafalaya the water conveyance of salt to the east side of the Missis- sippi can, I trust, be preserved. It will be noticed that General Mouton mentions in his report Lhe presence of some regiments of militia in the operations on theLa Fourche. I found these troops engaged in protecting that part of the State on my first arrival there. As fast as their places could be supplfed by regular organizations in the Confederate service I made arrangements to cause them to be disbanded, in order that the conscripts among them might be brought into the camp of instruction within the least possible delay. The straggling to their homes of such of them as were in service at the time of the retreat of theforces from the La Fourche shows the impolicy of employing troops in the immediate vicinity of their own homes, and, in this connection, the Department should be made acquainted with the fact that the exemption act passed by the present Congress practically puts an end to the further operations of the conscript act in Louisiana, since the almost ex~h~sively agricultural character of its population Page 176 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MiSS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [CHAP. XXVIL 176 gives the benefit of exemption from military service to so large a class as to preclude the expectation of any serviceable addition being made to the number of conscripts now in service. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. TAYLOR. General S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General. No. 5. Report of Brig. Gen. Alfred Mouton, C. S. Army. AT MRS. MEADES, November 4,1862. SIR: I have the honor of submitting the following report of the movements preceding and following the engagement of the 27th Octo- ber, 1862, and details relative thereto. Late on the 25th of October, 1862, I received information that the gunboats and transports of the enemy were moving up the river slowly and cautiously, and that in all likelih5od they would soon be at Donald- sonville. They arrived there on the evening of the 25th and commenced landing troops, completing the landing on the 26th. Immediately I moved to iDonaldsonville, and found that our troops at that point had fallen back, under command of Colonel [W. G.] Vincent, to the iRac- conici, in the parish of Assumption, about 12 miles from iDonaldsonville. Colonel Vincent informed me that from all the information he had ob- tained the enemy numbered from 2,500 to 3,000 infantry, 250 cavalry, and two batteries of field artillery. To oppose this force, which was mainly on the left descending bank of La Fourche, Colonel Vincent had only 600 infantry and about 250 cavalry, with Semmes field battery. The dis- parity was so great that I deemed it my duty still to recede nntil the re-enforcements I had ordered up arrived, and accordingly fell back to the plantation of Mr. Winn, 2 miles above Labadieville, where the Eighteenth and Crescent Regiments and Ralstons battery reached me at about 2 p. in., coming in from Berwick Bay and Bayou Bceut, where they were stationed. I had also ordered the Terre Bonne regiment militta forward, and they arrived at about 8 a. m. On the 27th Fa. ries battery was ordered up, but it reached me only on the morning of the 28th. The columns of the enemy were advancing on both banks in about equal force, and in consequence, to prevent being outflanked, it became necessary to hold positions on both sides of the bayou. The Eighteenth and Crescent, supported by Ralstons battery, were placed on the right descending bank, and the Terre Bonne regiment moved over to the left bank. Thus to oppose the enemy on the right bank I had, according to returns made, viz: Eighteenth Regiment 240 Crescent Regiment 135 Ralstons battery 64 Detachment of cavalry 100 569 And on the left bank, viz: Thirty-third Regiment * 594 Terre Bonne regiment at Semmes battery 75 Second Louisiana Cavalry -.. 150 853 1.392 I * Composed of Clacks and F~iirnets battalions. Battalion organization restored November 21, 1862 Page 177 CHAP. XXVII.) THE LA POtJIICIIE DISTRICT, LA. 17? The enemy moved down about equally strong on both banks, his force being from 1,500 to 1,800 on each side. The column on the right bank pressed on more speedily than that on the left, and approached our line of battle at about 9 a. m. near the road leading into the settle- ment called Texas, in Assumption. Our forces, though mnch inferior in numbers, resisted their onward march and effectually succeeded in checking them, until, unfortunately, Ralstons battery was so severely injured by the enemy~s, and their ammunition giving out, they were compelled to fall back, which was done in some confusion, owing to the loss of their commander. I then took position about a mile and a. half below, at Labadieville, at about 4 p. in., and awaited the advance of the enemy. This retrograde movement was rende1~ed the mere neces- sary from the fact that the enemy was crossing troops on pontoon bridge to the right bank and there massing forces. Immediately I also threw across part of the infantry stationed on the left; and at the close of the day the force of the enemy numbered about 2,000 infantry, 100 cavalry, and a battery, while my own barely reached 1,000, including infantry, cavalry, and artillery. Informed that the enemy would make simultaneous movements via Donaldsonville, Des Allemands, and Ber- wick Bay, I had foreseeu that the necessity would arise of abandoning Des Allemands and concentrating our forces, believing that the salva- tion of the troops required the adoption of this course. On the 27th, at about 12 in., I gave orders to Major Sanders, assistant quartermaster, to seudoverthe train to get Colonel [T. E.] Vicks command, consistingof the La Fourche militia regiment, about 500 stroiig, and a detachment from the Thirty-third of about 300, with instructions to save everything he could and to destroy everything he might be compelled to leave behind. At the same time I gave orders to the Saint Charles and Saint John the Baptist regiments and to the cavalry picket at the Vacherie and at the Boutte to fall back without delay on the main body. Major Sanders executed his orders, and in person directed the con- ductor of the train to move off from the Terre Bonne Station to the Des Allemands to bring in Colonel Vicks command. The engineer on board, a Mr. Jacobs, laboring under a misapprehension of the orders given to Captain Kerr, superintendent, refused to go unless by orders in writing from Captain Kerr or from my headquarters. This man, I am inclined to believe from all the information I could obtain, acted conscientiously, but he certainly caused me much embarrassment. Mr. Nelson, the assistant superintendent, arriving at about 3 p. in., went over with the train, but fearing lest he might be violating orders he and the conductor merely ran through to deliver the orders and re- turned only with the sick and a portion of the baggage. In the mean time Colonel Vick prepared for destroying everything at the Des Allemands Station, and after burning the bridge took up his line of march to join me. Colonel yj~~~5 command was so worn-dut by the labor required to destroy the Des Allemands Bridge and the depots and their tedious march over the bed of the road, that he reached me only at about 3 p. m. of the 28th, notwithstanding the most stren- nous efforts on his part to get in earlier. My object, could I have unit~d my force, was to make a desperate resistance and to drive the enemy back if possible, but when my re- enforcements failed to come in no alternative was left to me but to maneuver with the enemy and save my force. In consequence I issued orders for the removal of the sick to Berwick Bay, and made all need. ful preparation for the removal of the stores. 12 B BVOL X Page 178 178 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., TEX., N. MEX. [Cun~. XXVII. On the 28th, whilst slowly receding, I held the enemy in check, and at about 12 m. concluded that I was reduced to the sad alternative of evacuating the place or have my entire command captured. Resistance with the small force I had was no longer possible, especially as the men were worn-out with fatigue and loss of rest; besides, the mounted picket at Boutte had been driven in by the enemy, who was advancing by the Des Allemands to re-enforce the enemy in front of me, and vague rumors were afloat that the expedition to Berwick Bay had reached its destina. lion. Information also came to me that two transports and two gun. boats had gone down from iDonaldsonville to New Orleans, and that they had returned and were landing re-enforcements at the Assumption Cut-off. Hence ~[ fell back to the Terre Bonne Station, embarked all the stores and troops, and moved them over to Berwick Bay. Colonel Vicks command had not yet arrived, and I remained at the station with the cavalry to protect and cover it, while I sent on the artillery and wagon train via Chucahonla by land to rendezvous at Tigerville for transportation, the cars being already filled with troops and stores. About 3 p. m. such portion of Colonel Vicks command as he could bring up arrived, and it was sent on over the railroad track till it met a return train which had been ordered up to receive it. At 4 p. m. all the troops which could be collected having been sent for- ward I caused the Thibodeaux Bridge, the La Fourche Crossing Bridge, and the Terre Bonne Station to be burned, and moved on with the cavalry, reaching the b~y on the 29th, and crossing everything by the 30th. The casualties in the engagement of the 27th are made, as follows, viz: Killed, 5; wounded, 8; ~ according to returns missing, 186; 3 horses were killed and 9 wounded; one 12-pounder howitzer axle broken, since re- placed by one from Des Allemands. The enemys loss reaches fully 250 to 300, as I have been informed by an officer of the Eighteenth Regiment, who was taken prisoner and released on parole. It is my painful duty to record the death of Colonel MePheeters, commanding the Crescent Regiment, who fell gallantly and nobly de- fending our sacred cause at the head of his command. Captain Rals- ton, commanding the battery, was wounded - and captured. Efforts were made to bring him from the field, but failed, owing to the rapid advance of the enemy. This officer managed his battery with coolness and ability, and deserves much praise for the efficient services which lie rendered. Captain [B. S.] Story, commanding Company B, Eighteenth Regi- :nent, and Lieutenant [J. D.] Burke, of same company, were captured and paroled. The former went over to New Orleans and the latter re- turned to New Iberia, their respective domiciles. Colonel Armant, of the Eighteenth Regiment, commanded the troops and disposed of them with ability and judgment, availing himself of every cover and pro- tection at hand and falling back in perfect order. The bridge a13 Bayou Bocuf, after all the troops and stores had been crossed, was burned, and all the public property at the bay which could not be saved was destroyed before abandoning the latter position, as- hereafter explained. On the retreat, I am sorry to say, many of the conscripts attached to Colonel Vicks command lagged behind and are now in the enemys lines, he reaching the bay with only 82 of them out of about 300. Having been constantly moving since the 26th and closely watching and engaging the enemy has prevented me sooner from making a ful Page 179 CHAP. xxvn.j THE LA. FOURCHE DISTRICT, LA. 179 report, and even now it is very imperfect, from the reason that I have been unable to obtain from the different commands all the information needed. I, however, had the honor on the 29th ultimo of submitting a brief statement of results, in the mean time urging upon General Taylor the necessity of his presence here. This communication was forwarded by mail to the care of Colonel Burke, with request that he would for- ward without delay. On the 30th, to the care of Captain Lindsay, I sent on a telegram to General Taylor of the same import. While at the bay with my troops at about 3 in the morning on the 30th the Seger came up from the Passes and informed me that four of the enemys boats were in sight, but the information obtained from the captain was so confused that 1 immediately dispatched Captain Fuller on board the Hart to as- certain the facts. Upon his return he confirmed the presence of the boats outside the obstructions placed in the Passes and reported four visible, two of which fired into him after he had opened on them to draw their fire to ascertain their caliber. In the mean time, knowing full well that I could offer no resistance to gunboats at the bay, I dispatched Colonel Sulakowski up the Teche to select a defensible l)osition and erect fortifications. The position chosen was about half a mile up the bayou, along ~i heavy point in the neighborhood of Mr. Charpantiers, where intrenchments were imme- diately commenced and preparations made to obstruct the stream a lit- tle above this, at Mr. Corna~ys bridge, it being impossible to do so effect- ually anywhere below. Favored with a low tide, I had hoped the enemy would be prevented from removing the obstructions or finding a channel, and the work was urged forward with all the expedition possible under the circumstances, having obtained hands sufficient only by the 31st. From this time forward all dispatch was used and every means in my power employed to offer a successful resistance at this point before the arrival of the boats, but in this I was grievously (us- appointed. On the 1st Captain Fuller, who was constantly on the alert, informed me that one of the boats was within the obstructions and that the others were making their way past them. I bade him hold them in check and give me all the time he could, which he did to the best of his ability, and I immediately selected another position about 2 miles above the obstructions at Mrs. ~ where I commenced intrench- ments with a view of establishing heavy guns. On the 1st the four boats of the enemy had come within the obstruc- tions and moved up the bay cautiously and slowly, and I again ordered Captain Fuller with the Cotton to face and delay them as long as he could. This he accomplished by retarding them at the bay on the 1st. On the 2d they moved up the bay reconnoitering, and exchanged several shots with the Cotton without injuring her, and they finally dropped back to the bay at night, anchoring one of their boats at Gibbons Point. Deeming it all important to save the Cotton, with the hope that I might perhaps check them with her in the bayou, should they remov~ the obstructions at Cornays previous to the completion of the in- trenchments, 1 ordered him to back her up the Teche a little above the works, and there hold himself in readiness to engage the boats should they come up, while I urged on the intrenchments. 411 the while I kept scouts forward, who informed me of the movements of the enemy. On the 3d the enemy moved up with his whole- force, and at 2 p. m. en- gaged the Cotton and an uncovered land battery of rifled pieces, which I had stationed in such manner as to co-operate with and protect the Cotton. The engagement lasted till 3.30 p. in., when the enemys boats came within such close range that the battery and the Cotton wer Page 180 180 W. FLA., S. ALA., S. MISS., LA., I~EX., N. MET~. !CHAP. ~ZVIt compelled to retire, and the enemy moved up to the obstructious. I was also compelled to withdraw the troops so as to get out of the range of the enemys shells. As soon as the firing commenced all the negroes on the works staml)eded, and it was impossible to collect them until late last night, when I placed them in the intrencliments again and commenced mounting what guns I could so as to resume my position by 4 a. m. this morning, which I did and now hold. Captain Fuller deserves much praise for the valuable services which he has rendered me and for the courage and boldness with which he has met the enemy at every step. The casualties of the engagement of the 3d are 1 private killed and 2 wounded on the Cotton. She received no serious injury, though slightly damaged. The enemy must have suffered seriously, as many of our shots reached the boats and shrieks and groans were heard. Permit me to repeat that the presence of General Taylor is indis. pensably necessary here. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, ALFR. MOUTOX Brigadier-General, Commanding.