Chapter IV: Part 4

Nothing occurred but slight skirmishing with our advance until after passing Fort D'Russey, at a place called Marksville Prairie, a small town three miles from the fort. It was a flat, open country, and for miles could be seen a beautiful tract of land, inhabited by French and Creoles, who treated the soldiers with contempt, and very little respect was paid to the neutral flag that could be seen on most all the houses on the prairie. The rebels resolved to make a stand and give us battle. Their lines could be plainly seen. Preparation was made, and the advance commenced. All of our army could be seen as they came on and took their position in line of battle. Everything seemed to work like clock work. It would be a sight for an artist. The blue coats could be seen as far as the eye could reach, together with our long wagon train; the dust so thick it was almost suffocating. Mowers moved his lines. Forward was the word, the skirmishers in advance. The rebels had opened with several guns, and were throwing shot over our lines, doing but little injury to us. A battery was opened from our side, but could not remain long in position, as the rebels soon silenced the guns. A force was sent to the left which caused them to back out of our way and let us pass. Some of the non-veterans of the 11th were wounded, and several of the 33d Missouri killed. The rebels were not heard from again until next day, when our rear was attacked while crossing a bayou. They did not gain anything by this, and were held in check. Presently they left the rear and made a charge on the advance of the train. The negroes met the charge and after killing two of them, left, leaving their major's body and horse in our hands. A heavy guard was placed along the wagon train, and sappers were sent in advance to examine the woods along the route.

The 19th corps was hurrying to the river as fast as they could get along, the 13th corps being next, and Smith's and Mowers' brought up the rear. The rebels were endeavoring to reach Yellow Bayou and occupy their old works, but were beat in the race, and at night our men occupied the works, and after crossing the bayou camped in line of battle, fronting the rebels. The cavalry acting as picket guard, was out about a mile in front. This night we slept without being disturbed, and in the morning the cavalry was forced back, when infantry was sent to support the cavalry. The rebels were heavily reinforced. Paul Neck, a Texas Colonel, was said to have been in command, the best artillerist in the South. His practice was so good and aim so accurate, our batteries could not withstand the fire from their guns, as they fired by volley. The infantry was formed in line and started on double-quick for the field where the rebels were supposed to be. A bayou was on one side and a heavy swamp on the other, and in this and the open space the rebel's lines were formed, with batteries in position; so they had decidedly the advantage of our men. Briers and weeds were so thick in the swamp we could not get through at all. Skirmishers were ordered forward and the advance commenced. Their lines could not be discovered until our men were right on them. A volley was given at short range and a charge was made, when we came to a stand. Still, the rebels slowly falling back. Another advance was made, and this time the fighting was quite severe. Our men were so close every shot told; and in this charge about three hundred prisoners were taken. The artillery could not be used on account of the men being mixed up so in the charge. But when they were falling back they suffered most, the rebels using grape. Colonel Hill's son was killed. Hill's brigade suffered severely, and himself wounded in the foot. The battle continued most all day. Two brigades whipped about one thousand rebels, they having the advantage of position. Two of the guns used were taken from the gunboat, and our artillerists could not reach them as they were placed out of range. Their own report of their loss was twenty-five hundred, while ours would not amount to more than five hundred. It was a hot sultry day in May, and a good many of the soldiers fell struck down with the excessive heat.

The rebels left our front that night, and reinforcements being sent to relieve those in front, returned to our old place of camping. At night enjoyed a good sleep, and in the morning, May 19th, started to Atchafalaya Bayou. The rebels brought a battery along with them and commenced shelling our rear. A battery was left to protect the rear until everything was got safely away, when the artillerists limbered up and got out of danger. The rebels shelled them as long as they could be seen, doing no damage. Banks had been crossing his men and trains for two days, and as they were out of danger, Smith's guerrillas, who were guarding the rear, were ordered to prepare for crossing the Atchafalaya and march eleven miles and take the boats.

A bridge was constructed of boats lashed side by side and plank layed across the front of them, answering very well for a pontoon. On arriving at the bridge we were not long in crossing; we got over that day and encamped.--Whisky was distributed to the boys and some of them became quite merry, as there was no danger of being waked up in the morning by the enemy's shell falling in their midst; and were out of hearing of the enemy's cannon for once in two months. As everything was got over safe the 19th, on the 20th started for the boats. Encamped on the bank of the river until everything was put on board, and we were soon on the way to Vicksburg again. As we were leaving, Banks' grand army could be seen moving in the direction of New Orleans, his expedition having been a grand failure on his part. Loss in men was about ten thousand; three hundred wagons, about three thousand mules and horses, and several batteries of artillery; also several transports and gunboats fell to the rebels to pay for a few bales of cotton, leaving the bereaved friends at home to mourn the loss of those who fell sacrifices in this disastrous expedition, got up for political purposes and cotton. You can see how well it was managed; it was sent into the fight by detail, and as soon as one regiment or brigade was whipped another was sent in, and in this way a whole army could have been annihilated. But when they met Mower's and Smith's guerrillas, Banks was pleased to call them, as they did not wear paper collars, as some of his men did; found they had to fight with men that were not afraid of a greycoat, and well did the army sustain their credit. Mower and Smith have won the confidence of the men in this little band, who arrived at Vicksburg about the 25th. After remaining here for several days, took boats and went to Memphis; the boats came to anchor at a place called Sunnyside. Between Greenville and Memphis, on the way up the river, the rebels were reported to be in force, and it was with extreme danger boats could go either up or down the river. Some cavalry were sent out to reconnoitre, who fell in with some rebel scouts and had a short skirmish, killing and wounding a few of them.

June 5th, some rain fell. Most of the troops landed and slept on shore. All night long you could hear a noise as if artillery was moving. Next morning commenced raining. While the fleet went by water a force was sent by land to clear the shore of artillery. The marines started in advance and skirmishing commenced quite early, the enemy driving stubbornly. The 2d brigade supported by the marines, 5th Minnesota, 47th Illinois, and 8th Wisconsin, drove the rebels across a bayou called Muddy Bayou, where artillery was in position. Hill's brigade was ordered to support the 2d brigade, form our lines on theirs, but by some mistake were ordered to charge and take the battery.

June 10th. Returned to the 11th Missouri again, but were not destined to remain long inactive. After rejoining the regiment orders came to prepare to march, when they got on the cars at Memphis and went to Moscow, and there remained until the bridges were repaired all along the railroad to La Grange, when the cars commenced running again, and a daily communication was kept up from La Grange to Memphis. The regiment left on the 16th, acting as guard to the railroad until they arrived at La Grange, when they went into camp and remained there until July 5th. Troops began to arrive here in great numbers, and every indication of some important movement going on. A great quantity of provisions sent over the road to La Grange, and when everything was ready two divisions of infantry, one division of cavalry and a brigade of negroes, all under command of A. J. Smith, Mower was in command of the first division, Moore, Colonel of the 21st Missouri, commanded the third division, Bouton was in command of the negroes, and Grierson was in command of the cavalry. All started from La Grange on the 5th of July, and went about five miles, came to a halt and remained there until morning. Started again on the morning of the 6th. After marching about twelve miles came to a halt and waited for the rear to come up, it was late getting into camp. Next morning resumed our march again and passed through Ripley. Here we discovered that the rebels were watching us. The cavalry skirmished. The rebels were commanded by Forrest, a brother of Gen. Forrest. About 3,000 mounted infantry took a position on a high hill awaiting our approach. Our cavalry by some means got information of their whereabouts, and got in their rear, and soon made them seek shelter in flight, leaving 11 dead on the field, and 14 wounded. Our loss was none killed or wounded. The cavalry pursued them for several miles beyond Ripley. We went from there to Pontotoc; there we remained one day and rested. Rebels were reported in force in our front, but no serious demonstrations were made until we arrived within 10 miles of Tupelo. While we were marching along the rebels made a charge, firing a heavy volley of musketry, creating some confusion among the teamsters, some of them running into the brush and leaving their teams to take care of themselves. The rebels were soon met and made to leave in a hurry, having accomplished nothing but killing and wounding a few of our men. They suffered severely in this attack. The negroes being in the rear, on them they vented their spite, but in every instance were repulsed, the negroes showing them no quarters. A heavy guard was stationed along the train which resisted every attempt of the rebels to capture any of our wagon train. Having tried the train to their satisfaction, and seeing that it would be impossible to get any of our hard-tack, took up a position in front of us, forming their lines across the road, with two batteries of artillery. In this way they divided the army. Smith, with most of the cavalry and 3d division of infantry, was hastening as fast as possible to Tupelo, where there was a very good position. The cavalry soon reached this place and commenced tearing up the railroad track, leaving Mowers with the 1st division to guard the train and bring up the rear. The rebels being beat in the race to Tupelo, turned their attention to the rear, and expected by dividing the army they could easily whip and capture each division separately. They reckoned without their host, for our men were ready for them. The rebels fired a volley, and charged with terrific yells on our advancing columns, but Waterhouse's and the 2d Iowa batteries were soon in position to receive them. On they came, hoping to capture these guns as they were waiting to deal death and destruction among them. All at once a deadly fire from cannon and musket was opened upon them at short range, and so desperate was the conflict that most all of the horses of one gun were either killed or disabled, and 11 of their men lay dead in front of the guns. This fight lasted an hour when they were driven off. They used two batteries, but being at long range, did not damage us much. Everything was hurried up, and the rebels with all their shelling could not stop our wagon train, and we were soon out of range of shell.

July 13th and 14th. In this attempt they were severely punished, having accomplished nothing, and leaving a number of their dead and wounded in our hands. This fight took place about five miles from Tupelo. We marched this day 18 miles, and encamped on the side of a hill two and a half miles from Tupelo. Tired and weary we were soon in the arms of slumber, being waked by the drum in the morning.

Everything arrived safe that evening. They came up and attacked the rear again, but were met by the negroes and cavalry, which were drawn up in line of battle to receive them. Failing again to fall back under a heavy fire from our men. Our loss was slight. A heavy picket guard was stationed all around our camp to guard against a night attack. A desultory fire was kept up, doing but little damage on either side. Things remained in this state until the next morning, when our lines were formed for battle. The rebels were seen advancing in heavy force to attack us. Every preparation was made to receive them. On they came, supported by artillery, to within 150 yards of our lines, when a deadly fire of grape and canister was thrown into their ranks, mowing them down like grass, and soon they were forced to fall back. They rallied again for another desperate effort to take our guns that were making such sad havoc in their ranks, but the second time they were driven back with great slaughter, and they rallied for the third and last charge, to break our lines, but they were met with a deadly storm of bullets no human could withstand. In vain their officers urged them on, and swore that any man who was discovered going to the rear should be shot, but all their efforts were unavailing, they could not stand such deadly volleys from cannon and musketry. A charge was made, and the rebels were driven from the field at the point of the bayonet. A few prisoners were taken. Our loss was slight compared to theirs. They suffered severely in officers--five colonels lay dead on the field--Nelson, Forrest, Harris, Fitzpatrick, Falkner--all had fallen victims to their unholy cause, along with over a thousand more brave men; some of them mere boys, who had left their homes to drive the invaders from their soil, as they called us, but did not succeed in making us leave. We held our position for two days. It was in the rear of Harrisburg, a short distance from Tupelo, with a swamp on both sides, in front was an open country, with a few trees, thick under brush and weeds, for sharpshooters to lay concealed in, and pick off men. The ground was a gentle slope where the rebels had to advance, and we had decidedly the advantage of position. They tried hard to drive us from it, but they were out-generaled. Smith, with the first division, gained the hill first, took up a position on it, and resolved to give the rebels battle. Being defeated in the day time, thought they would try a night attack, and take our men by surprise, but our men were waiting for them, and after an hour's hard fighting were at length compelled to give up the contest and wait for morning to renew it.

The armies lay in sight of each other all night, thinking that on the morrow some would sleep beneath the sod. Before morning the rebels withdrew. The negroes fought well, and drove the rebels in every instance. A colonel of the 9th Minnesota, commanding a brigade in the 1st division, was killed; he was shot by a sharp-shooter through the heart. The rebels were commanded by Lee and Forrest. It was reported that Forrest was killed, but I think it was a mistake, there was no such good news for us. Their force was said to be 10,000 strong, mostly mounted infantry. They did not use much artillery in the engagement; it was always off so far that it did but little damage to us. Their shot went crashing through the trees over our heads, doing us no damage. They thought to drive us from our position, as our lines were formed in the swamp to guard against flank movements. The rebels were said to be moving towards our right, and on this they made the night attack, but were defeated in every attempt to break through our lines.

A flag of truce was sent in asking permission to take care of their dead and wounded, but it was not so much to take care of their wounded as to gain an advantage over us. Our generals suspected their design, which was to advance and take us unawares, and they were not permitted to advance. All of their wounded were brought from the field along with ours, and received such care as the times would allow.

July 15. We still hold the hill in front of the rebels. Skirmishing was still going on. Our wagon train commenced moving out, the cavalry in advance, the 3d division next, and the 1st division to bring up the rear, with some cavalry as support. The rebels were seen advancing in force when the second brigade was ordered to support the 2d Iowa battery, which was sending its compliments in shell into the rebel ranks, who were advancing. Here the 11th Missouri lost four men wounded, who were all struck by the same shell, a captain and three of his men, none of them dangerously wounded. Captain Clealand was struck twice, but will soon be able to take command of his company again. Here we remained as support for a short time, when our position was changed and we were ordered to form our lines on the 3d brigade. When we arrived opposite the 3d brigade they raised a yell and over the barricades they went, firing as they advanced. The rebels fled as fast as possible to their horses, which they left in their rear. Our forces watched them for about a mile, and we could see their wagon train getting out of the way in great haste. The 2d Iowa was accelerating their movements by sending a few shell amongst them. A charge was made by some Iowa cavalry, but they found the rebels too strong for them and they had to fall back with slight loss, when the order came for us to fall in and follow the train, as it had all got started on its way back to La Grange. In this morning's engagement the rebel loss was over a hundred. While we were watching the rear they made a demonstration on the train, but were driven off after some severe fighting. They suffering severely in every instance. An Indiana battery was used to some purpose. We marched this day only about seven miles, and here the 3d division waited until the rear came up, was in camp early this evening, and the rebels were following the rear closely. A trap was set, and into it they easily ran. The 21st Missouri regiment was laying in ambush, and the rebels marched right along, not dreaming that they were rushing on death and destruction. The cavalry were holding them in check but were longing for the infantry to come to their assistance. Soon the first brigade was heavily engaged. The 114th Illinois charged upon them as they were drawn up in line along a cornfield, capturing one piece of artillery and thirty prisoners.--They fled, pursued by our cavalry, leaving five hundred killed and wounded in our hands. They did not molest us again that night, as they got enough of trying to capture wagon trains. They found to their cost, Sturgis was not in command. Where danger was, you would find Mower or Smith. They were always on the alert to prevent surprise, and it was owing to their vigilance that we escaped so well. We returned to La Grange the 21st, having nothing to impede our progress from Tupelo after the last fight. We marched through a very hilly country, up one hill and down another. All day long we toiled on under the scorching sun. A great many died from the effects of the sun, being extremely warm. But the road was shaded with trees that grew along the path, and the men did not suffer so much on the way back. There was plenty of good water on this route, but provisions had become scarce and our allowance was third rations of hard-tack with no coffee and very little meat, and that was fresh beef without salt. Some lived on green apples until we arrived at a small town called Salem, where we received full rations of hard-tack, half rations coffee without sugar, and fourth of meat. Then we fared a little better. From here we went to Davis' Mills, and there encamped for the night. This was only five miles from our place of starting. All the train was correlled before night. Next morning marched to La Grange to the cars for Memphis, where we arrived at our old camp. A train ran off the track the day we started, owing to some imperfection in the road. A few of the passengers were injured. This caused delay in getting to Memphis, but we got back at last with most of our wagon train. Marched two hundred miles, whipped Forrest in every engagement, took one hundred and fifty prisoners with one piece of artillery, killing and wounding two thousand five hundred of the enemy by their own account. Our loss in all will not amount to four hundred and fifty. The rebels in Mississippi received a lesson that will not be forgotten by them soon. There was severe fighting for three days, but in every instance they got the worst of it.

_Finish of the Red River Expedition--Battle of Muddy Bayou, June 6, 1864._

When the yell was raised two regiments started on the double-quick to take the batteries at the point of the bayonet, but on reaching the bayou could not get across. The brigade suffered severely in this charge. Four men in the 33d Missouri were struck down by one shot, and the loss in two regiments, 33d Mo. and 35th Iowa, was 80 men. One of their guns was masked. Our artillery did not render us any assistance. Eight guns were playing on us as we advanced, until we got close enough to them to use our guns, and they were forced to leave under a heavy fire. Their loss was not known. Five more of the 11th Mo., non-veterans, were wounded; two of them had to have a leg each amputated; one has since died, a corporal in company B, named Columbus Roe. This makes fifteen killed and wounded in this expedition of the 11th Missouri non-veterans. Our men crossed over and the cavalry pursued the retreating rebels hauling their guns from the field by hand, as our lines were so close to them they could not use horses until they got out of range. A battery was crossed over, and our men shelled them as long as they were in sight.

The houses along the road were filled with their wounded, and their loss must have been as heavy as ours. Marmaduke was said to have been in command. We camped at town called Lakeville one night and returned to the boats, which were awaiting us, taking our wounded with us. Got on board of the transport Freestone, and arrived at Memphis, where the 11th Missouri veterans were said to be. Remained two days with 33d Missouri.

Wm. L. Barnum was elected Colonel of the veterans, being raised from a captain to lieutenant colonel, and on Websters death took command of the 11th Missouri regiment, and on the regiment re-enlisting was elected Colonel. George Weber resigned on account of disability, and went home with the veterans.

Our loss in three years, of officers, was Captain Moore, who died at Cape Girardeau; Captain Singleton, killed at Iuka; Captain Hollister, killed at Corinth, Oct. 4, '62; Andrew J. Weber, June 29, '63, and Adjutant Bookings, May 22, in front of Vicksburg, killed by a rebel sharp-shooter.

As my time was drawing to a close, it being the 5th day of August, did not take part in the next expedition under A. J. Smith; and when the veterans left Memphis on another expedition, the non-veterans went to St. Louis, having been mustered out at Memphis, and receiving our discharges, pay and bounty, each one went his own way.

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Transcriber's Notes

Minor punctuation and printer errors repaired.

Italic text is denoted by _underscores_